Rejection and Redeemed

Chapter 38

CHAPTER 38

“ H ey Joe, can you pass me my laptop and my phone?” Jacob asked once they finished eating. The walk to and from the bathroom was slow and exhausting, but resting helped.

“I can do that,” he replied, handing them over. “What are you doing?”

“Berni wanted me to look at my father’s accounts and see if I could figure out any mysterious payment,” Jacob said, powering the laptop up.

“Would you be able to tell if there were?”

Jacob shrugged a shoulder. “No idea, but I can have a look and see. Before I left I took a photo of his bank statements and took his emergency credit card, well, cards as there were several. There was a piece of paper with pin numbers on it as well as passwords. Can you look in the wardrobe and see if my college bag is in there? If so, can you look in the front pocket, the paper should be in there.”

“Yep,” Joe said, jumping up and going to find the paper.

As he was looking, Jacob opened his phone gallery.

Joe was back a moment later, handing the paper to Jacob. “How come your college bag was in there and not in your room?”

“Thanks,” Jacob said, taking the paper. “And I have no idea, Clairmont just seems to know everything.”

“He does. Can you believe we live somewhere with a butler?” Joe asked, shaking his head.

Jacob laughed. “No, but I’m used to it now.”

“Me too,” Joe agreed.

Jacob logged into the banking app, pulling up one of the accounts. “Let’s see. Joe, come look as well, you might see something weird I miss.”

Joe moved around so he was leaning against the headboard next to Jacob, looking at the screen. “What do we need to look for?”

“Any strange or large payments, I guess. Anything that looks out of the ordinary.”

They spent a few moments looking at the statement.

“Why would Darren Harrington be paying your dad seven thousand pounds every two weeks?” Joe asked, peering at the screen.

“He works for the Council doesn’t he?” Jacob asks, thinking.

“Yeah,” Joe confirmed. “Under Secretary or something. Nidel used to brag about it.”

Jacob passed Joe his phone. “Can you Internet search him and see what you can find out?”

“Yep,” Joe replied, taking it and looking.

Jacob clicked some buttons. “So with some quick maths, it looks like he’s paid roughly five hundred thousand over the last three years.”

Joe looked up in surprise. “Wow, how could Mr Harrington afford to give so much away each month?”

“No idea. Let me check the other accounts.”

Jacob was still on his laptop and Joe still sat next to him on the phone when everyone walked in a few minutes later.

Jacob looked up and saw Fran, a smile lighting his face. “You’re back.”

Fran rushed to his side. “Yes. I had lunch downstairs with the others. I hope you don’t mind.”

Jacob looked confused. “Why would I mind? I would have joined you all if I could have. Instead, Joe and I have been going over my father’s finances.”

“How’re you feeling, Jacob?” Berni asked.

Meanwhile, Frank walked round the bed at the same time as a smiling Joe jumped up and happily kissed him hello.

“I almost feel back to normal. I was exhausted after my shower, but I’ve had coffee and proper food so I’m golden.”

Berni laughed. “I’m glad about that. Did you find anything interesting in the accounts?”

“Yeah. Darren Harrington, a pack member and someone who works for the Council, was paying my dad fourteen thousand a month for the past three years.”

“That’s just over five hundred thousand,” Finn remarked.

Jacob nodded. “Yeah. I’ve also found a few other odd payments. Random payments for fifty thousand here and there and a payment of over a million. They are from an MM Wolf Ltd. We’re searching to see what that is.”

“Excellent work. Can you send me copies of those accounts?”

Jacob nodded. “I can send you the links to the banking apps and all the passwords as well if you want.”

“Please. Thank you, Jacob.”

Jacob took Berni’s email and sent him the photos and links. “Done. We’ll keep looking and digging to see what else we can find.”

“Thanks, Jacob, Joe. But remember, Jacob, you’re still recovering, so lots of rest.”

Jacob nodded. “I remember.”

“I’ll make sure he rests,” Fran promised.

“Good. I thought I would let you know, I have some trusted friends in the Council who are looking into this situation for me. If there’s anything to find, they’ll find it. Now, I must away. See you all later,” Berni said and exited the room.

Frank looked at Joe. “I have a spare few hours, come spend time with me?”

Joe grinned. “Always.” He looked at Jacob. “I’ll be back later.”

“Have fun.”

And with farewells, they left.

“I have a few things to do, too, so I’ll leave you boys to have fun,” Christine added, taking her leave.

Fran got settled on the bed next to Jacob.

Finn looked at them. “I’ve a few things to do as well. See you later.”

And that quickly, Fran and Jacob were left alone.

Jacob looked at Fran. “Was it something I said?”

Fran laughed. “No, I think they just wanted to give us time alone together.”

“I’ll have to thank them later. But now, how about a welcome back kiss?” Jacob asked, pulling Fran towards him.

“Yes, how about it?” Fran closed the distance and kissed Jacob.

Fran was in heaven, kissing Jacob was literally perfect. He licked the seam of Jacob’s mouth and sighed happily as he was granted access.

Jacob was in heaven. The feel of Fran’s lips against his—perfection. Or so he thought until Fran asked for access to his mouth. Not being stupid, Jacob opened up and their tongues tangled together.

Finally, after what felt like forever, they slowly, reluctantly, ended the kiss.

Jacob looked at Fran and gave him a gentle smile. “So perfect, and not just the kiss. You, my darling Fran are perfect,” he said, his hand playing with a strand of his mate’s blue hair. “I love the colour of your hair, and not just on your wolf, but on you. It was the first thing I really noticed about you at the lodge.”

Fran blushed a little. “Thank you for that, but you’re perfect as well.”

The smile dimmed a bit from Jacob’s face. “Even though we know the silver damaged something inside me?”

“Babe,” Fran said softly. “You could be legless, armless, covered in purple spots, and supporting a tail in human form and you would still be perfect.”

“Thank you,” Jacob said, kissing him again. Pulling back Jacob asked, “How was your friend at the hospital?”

“She died,” he replied softly, sorrow showing in his eyes. “She’s now re-joined her husband. Her funeral will be a private one with just our family in attendance in three days.”

Jacob placed his hand on Fran’s cheek. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

“Thanks. She was old and her time had come. She was only holding on so she could see me happy again. She died knowing we were happy.”

“I promise to make sure you’re always happy,” Jacob vowed.

Fran smiled. “Thank you. I’ll happily let you cheer me up after a rough day at work.”

“While at the hospital, did you discuss going back to work?”

“I did. The day after tomorrow I’m going back. I’ll be doing half days for about a week, then back full time.”

“Sweetheart. I know how important your work is. I’ll be fine if you want to go back full time sooner than that.”

“We’ll see what happens with your shift tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Mum said I would never be a hundred percent again, but she didn’t tell me what was damaged. Thank you by the way, for not asking questions when I mentioned my mum while Robbie was in the room,” he said, again playing with a strand of Fran’s hair.

“I figured you didn’t want to talk about it when you didn’t offer an explanation. When I go to pack my house up, do you want to come?” Fran asked, leaning into him.

“Of course. That way I can help you pack, but also see your decoration tastes,” Jacob teased.

Fran laughed. “You can. Are you a messy person?”

Jacob thought for a moment. “Not really, I mean I tend to leave my towels dumped on the bed, and I only really make my bed when I change it. But I don’t leave dirty crockery all over the place.”

“I do. I leave my cups everywhere, sometimes even outside, and then I spend hours hunting them down.”

“I’ve no problem rounding the cups up. I want to make your home life as easy and happy as possible.”

Fran leant his head against Jacob’s. “Thank you.” He paused, pulled back and grinned. “Babe, did you catch feelings?”

Jacob laughed. “So many feelings, mate of mine, and all of them good. I wish we could mate today. Now, in fact, but I need more energy for that. Do you mind?

“No I don’t, plus, I’m not sure I want to mate with you in this hospital room, where anyone can just walk in on us,” Fran replied, picking up Jacob’s hand and linking their fingers.

“Can you wear a ring at work?”

“I can do, why?” Fran asked, looking curious.

“Because when we marry, I want us both to wear rings.”

Fran gasped. “Marriage?”

“Yep,” Jacob confirmed happily.

“Who’s doing the asking, you or me?” Fran asked, grinning.

“Either of us, or both, we’ll have to see what happens. I mean, you’ve seen me naked, you have to marry me for that fact alone.”

“I’ve also seen you sick, covered in pee, and nearly dying,” Fran pointed out.

“And I’ve seen you caring and loving. I know Berni helped keep me alive, but so did you, sweetheart.”

Fran kissed Jacob then, how could he not? Pulling back, Fran asked, “How do you feel about children someday?”

“I’m not planning on giving birth to any if that’s what you’re asking,” Jacob said with a teasing smile.

“Nutter. Unless medicine and biology have changed over the last few days, neither of us is giving birth, but we could adopt or foster.”

Jacob sobered and looked down. “I’m not sure I’ll make a good father. I mean, look at the example I had.”

Fran used his free hand to gently raise Jacob’s head to look at him. “See now, you being a bad father never even crossed my mind, because I know that you would do the exact opposite of what your father did.”

“Yeah, our children will know only love and support.”

“That they will, babe, that they will.”