Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
The next afternoon, Branson had just logged out of his work computer and was debating eating his packed lunch at his desk, or braving questions about the gold wedding band on his ring finger from other employees in the company’s break room, when his mobile rang.
Paxton’s office number. Noon here; nine there.
He snatched his phone up. “It’s Branson.”
“Yes, it’s Owen Paxton, but I’m sure you know that.” Even from thousands of miles away, his voice had a dark edge to it that unsettled Branson. “Jeuel and I have an emergency hearing with the family court judge at ten o’clock this morning.”
Branson had been around enough lawyers in his life to hear what Paxton hadn’t said. And it made his insides churn. “Emergency hearing on what grounds? What happened?”
“Someone made a threat against the halfway house where Jeuel and Trei are staying.”
“What?!” Anger and fear collided at once, leaving his face flaming and his guts rolling. He cleared his throat, aware of how loud he’d been, and that he wasn’t alone in cubicle row. “What kind of threat?”
Paxton grunted. “At six-oh-four this morning, the house phone rang, and the house manager received what he believes to be a credible bomb threat. They evacuated the house to a nearby constabulary precinct for safety, so officers could search the home for any explosive devices.”
A bomb threat. Fucking insane. “Did they find anything?”
“They found a small white box on the property, near the fence, as if someone chucked it over and ran. It contained a single .38 caliber bullet, a brand not common here in Sonora, but which is known to be popular among the organization that targeted Charles Alder and his family.”
Branson closed his eyes, his empty hand clenching the knee of his trousers. “So, it was directed at Jeuel.”
“Investigators believe so, yes, which is why we’ve been granted the emergency hearing. Jeuel may no longer be safe here, and he needs to be someplace far away, where his father’s remaining enemies have no reach.”
“So, his enemies don’t know about Uty—Alder’s past here in Sansbury?”
“As far as we are aware, no. Our provincial attorney’s office is keeping their investigation close to the chest. No one was in the room during Alder’s confession to Jeuel, and only a small handful of people know about you, Branson, and they are all men our Chief Constable trusts.”
“Okay, good. How’s Jeuel handling this?”
“He’s shaken up. He wants to call you, but we’re limiting outside communication right now. If the hearing goes our way, we could be on a train heading to you by late this evening.”
Branson’s heart leapt with joy and shock. “That soon?”
“That soon. I received an email from Mr. Cross last evening. Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.” He smiled at his shiny gold band. “We still haven’t moved into the larger apartment, but we’ve got the lease squared away. We’ll figure something out in the meantime. I absolutely want Jeuel here where he’s safe. Trei, too. He’s Jeuel’s family.”
“Good to hear. I’ll call you as soon as the judge makes his decision. It could be quickly, or it could take hours or a day, I don’t know.”
“If the decision takes too long, I’m off work at two-thirty your time. Tell Jeuel he can call me, if he needs to hear a friendly voice.”
“I’ll pass along the message, I promise. And I have to go. I need to swing by the precinct and speak with Jeuel before we head over to the courthouse.”
“I understand. I hope I hear from you soon.”
“So do I. Positive thoughts, all right?”
“Definitely.”
Branson stared at his phone for a while after ending the call, his stomach too upset to even consider eating lunch now.
He typed off a text to Tarius, filling him in on the call with Paxton, and that they might have houseguests a bit sooner than expected.
Then he logged back on and continued working, as much to distract himself from the court hearing he had no influence over, as to maybe get off work thirty minutes early.
Tarius replied twenty minutes later: It’ll go your way, I know it. We’ll figure out sleeping arrangements until we get the new apartment.
Branson texted back: Thank you for being so amazing.
You make it easy. TTYL.
Dad and Papa both sent supportive texts, so Paxton must have communicated with Papa about the bomb threat.
He kept working and tried not to stare at the clock on his wall.
He even changed the settings on his computer so the time icon disappeared.
Minutes passed too damned slow, and he could only imagine the anxiety plaguing Jeuel.
Will he get to say goodbye to his sire?
The thought only just occurred to him. Charles Alder was in a coma and unlikely to wake up.
Had Jeuel already said his final goodbye?
Would he want to before leaving Sonora? The courage it took to completely uproot your life left Branson in awe of his youngest brother.
Branson wasn’t sure he’d ever be so brave, but he also knew he’d never have to face that sort of choice.
The kind of huge decision no teenager should ever have to make.
It left Branson doubly glad that Jeuel had Trei by his side, supporting him until he could reach his Sansbury family.
He had no idea what time it was when his mobile rang with an unknown number, Sonora exchange. Cautiously optimistic, he answered. “Hello?”
“It’s Owen Paxton. I’m calling from a secure line at the courthouse, rather than my mobile.”
Branson squeezed the phone. “Was there another threat?”
“No, I’m being overly cautious. I’ve grown quite fond of Mr. Jeuel over these last few weeks, and I want to make sure he stays as anonymous as possible, seeing as he’s a minor, and we’ve been able to protect him in the news thus far.”
Okay, that made sense. “What happened at the hearing? Did the judge make his decision?”
“Judge Juarez has granted you full legal guardianship of Jeuel Alder until he officially mates an alpha, and he has permission to move to Sansbury Province to live with your family.”
Branson released a pent-up noise that was part sob and part laugh, and coated with bright shades of joy. “Goddess, I’m so relieved. How is Jeuel? Is he happy about this?”
“He’s absorbing. I don’t think the scope of his move across the territory truly hit him until the judge made his ruling. His entire life is making another dramatic shift.”
“Crap, is he changing his mind?”
“No, nothing like that. As I said, he’s absorbing, and Trei is with him.”
“Good. They’re good together?”
“They are.” He could hear the smile in Paxton’s voice. “They’re as close as any blood brothers I’ve seen. The judge has also recommended counseling once Jeuel is settled, and I suspect Trei could benefit from it, as well.”
“Of course. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of our Light House Resource Centers, but they offer excellent counseling programs for both traumatized omegas and betas. My own omegin helped found them. I promise, Jeuel will get the help he needs. Trei, too.”
“Good man. Do I have permission to share this information with your lawyer?”
With my law—oh, Papa. “Yes, of course. When do you think you’ll arrive in Sansbury?”
“There’s still a bit of paperwork to complete that will take most of the day, but I did manage to get three train tickets on an express that leaves at four-thirty tomorrow morning. It’s nonstop, so we should arrive in Sansbury two days later, around eight-thirty.”
That gave Branson whole two days, plus the rest of today, to prepare for two houseguests in a one-bedroom apartment, for two more weeks. He’d talk to Tarius tonight; they’d come up with something. “Does Jeuel have any favorite foods? Snacks? He can text or email me, if he wants.”
“I’ll ask him. That you’re even thinking about snacks means you’re really thinking ahead to how things are going to change. I look forward to meeting you in person, Branson.”
“Thank you, sir. Please, keep them safe until you get here.”
“I’ll do my best. He won’t be going back to that halfway house. I’ll pack up his and Trei’s possessions myself.”
“That’s above and beyond.” Branson hesitated, but he was curious. “With all due respect, sir, are you mated?”
“I am, for fourteen years, and we have three children. Why?”
“Because you remind me a bit of my father. Of Ronin, I mean. The way he takes care of his friends’ kids and looks out for people who need help. You seem a decent man, Mr. Paxton, and I’m glad Jeuel and Trei have you in their corner.”
“That’s very kind, Branson. I’ve followed Mr. Cross’s career for many years, so I appreciate the compliment. My own omega mate had a rough childhood, and when we first met and realized we were bondmates, he didn’t trust me. I had to earn his trust and love, and it was worth it.”
“Your mate sounds like my Uncle Braun. I’m glad your family is happy. Thank you for helping mine.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll be in touch.”
Branson put his mobile on his desk and stared at his computer’s screensaver, a shifting maze of colorful lines.
His mind had felt like that for the last ten days, ever since learning the truth about his birth sire.
And now, like with the swipe of a mouse, that discombobulation was wiped away, set right again.
His future made sense, more sense than it had a year ago.
Then it had been ordered, planned, and simple.
Frequently boring, unless something dramatic was happening with his siblings.
Now, his future was exciting, spontaneous, and full of new possibilities he’d never considered before.
He wasn’t becoming an insta-parent, not really.
Jeuel wasn’t a child, but he would need guidance. Love. Trust.
And freedom to become the best man he could be. The omega he was supposed to be, no matter what path Jeuel chose for his future. At least he’d have options in Sansbury.
On a whim, Branson called his husband. “Hey, the apartment’s going to get a little crowded this weekend.”