Chapter 41
Jackson crept out of bed at five in the morning, leaving Steel’s warmth behind.
Dressing quickly, he made his way to his study, hoping Zane had sent his report.
Switching on his desk lamp, he opened his email program and, while searching for the one he wanted, noticed another email from his cousin, Hunter.
Groaning because he hadn’t answered the last one, he opened it and quickly read the contents.
Frowning, he pulled up the previous ones to refresh his memory.
“Babe, why the frown?” Steel asked, entering the room.
Looking up, Jackson asked, “What are you doing up?”
“My bed was empty, and I wanted to know why.” Steel smirked.
Sighing, Jackson replied, “Sorry, I couldn’t sleep thinking about David and what Zane might have found that would help deal with the High Priestess’ demand.”
Kissing his mate’s forehead, Steel murmured, “I was just joking about the bed, babe. I’m up in order to have breakfast ready for everyone when they descend like a horde of barbarians with empty and growling bellies.” Sitting down, he added, “So why the frown? Nothing from Zane?”
“I don’t know. Another email from my cousin was waiting for me. Here, read it, then look at the others he sent.”
Quickly perusing all the emails, Steel glanced at his mate. “There’s a different tone to the latest one. More urgent.”
“That’s what bothers me. Why? If they just want to visit, why the pushiness?”
“Why don’t you ask your cousin?”
“I could but I don’t think my cousin will tell me anything. The Hunter I knew was a straight shooter and left nothing unsaid. If there’s a reason for the visit other than meeting family, he would have said so.”
“That may be the case when he was younger, but he’s hiding something,” Steel said.
“I know, and that’s why I was frowning.”
“Did you talk to Zane about the cousins’ request?”
“Uh-uh. But all this shit with the Priestess comes before everything else. Until David is safe, Zane’s attention will be devoted to that.”
“So let your cousin wait. Resolve the matter with David and Zane first. Your response will be delayed by what, three, maybe four days at the most?” Steel asked.
“About that, I’d imagine,” replied Jackson.
“My pack comes first and until we get information, my cousin will have to wait.” Scrolling through new emails, he found his brother’s report.
Sending it to the printer, Jackson leaned back, smiled at his mate and asked, “Are you making Lizzie’s special dish this morning? ”
“Riiiiight. Don’t you wish, but no, just the basics. I’ll be glad when my brother and Dakota get back.”
“I don’t know, I like your cooking,” Jackson said, smiling.
“You have to…you’re my mate. Has Dakota given you names of any chefs willing to take a temporary job, yet?”
Jackson’s face sobered. “Shit! I was supposed to talk to you about that. My brother pointed out that all his classmates know he’s an alpha so it’d be impossible to explain his pregnancy without going into details he…
and I…would rather it not be known. I told him I was going to punt the ball into your court to see if you had any ideas. ”
“Thanks a lot,” Steel said, grinning. “Maybe we can get someone from Dire Enterprises since there’s a cafeteria at headquarters. Let me run it past Dad and Slate and see what they come up with. After all, they now have a vested interest in this problem.”
“That’s true,” Jackson said, “because they’re going to be eating what the cook dishes out.” Grabbing the report from his printer, he began to read, handing each page to Steel until they both reached the end. Then, tilting his chair back, Jackson’s mind began processing everything in it.
“Holy fucking crap!” Steel said quietly.
“How the hell did she and Michael ever escape the attention of the High Council? I don’t understand it.
Just the proof of paying off a judge should have been discovered because the High Council has a division whose sole purpose is the monitoring of decisions made by judges.
It was put into place a long time ago to insure the courts were free from outside influences. ”
“So why was this judge allowed to continue dismissing charges against Brenda’s brother?” asked Jackson.
“My guess…someone in that division is on the take and has covered up for this judge.”
“Agreed. However, my first priority is getting David’s mother out of there before any other action is taken.”
“Have you shown this to Dylon yet?” asked Steel.
“No, but I…”
“Knock, knock,” Dylon said. “Good Morning, Alpha, you too, Steel. Got a minute?”
“Yes, come in. Here’s Zane’s report about Michael, Brenda, and Tyson, her brother,” replied Jackson, passing the report over to him.
Grabbing a seat in front of Jackson’s desk, Dylon read the document, then whistled. “The High Council will be very interested in this.”
“Do you really think it’s possible for her crimes and Michael’s to go on for so long without catching the attention of the Council?” asked Steel.
“Honestly? No, though I haven’t a clue as to why it has,” Dylon answered.
“Neither does Steel. We were just discussing it when you came in. Someone is getting paid off to look the other way. If there wasn’t my uncle’s complaint hanging over my head, I would call your father, but I can’t…conflict of interest and all that crap,” said Jackson.
“I know, but I can call him,” said Dylon.
“Before I do that, this report supplied me with the final piece of the puzzle I was looking for. I reviewed the floor plan you sent me…the rescue operation is doable, but that doesn’t address her demand for David…
or his safety. In fact, if we went into the convent without the permission of the High Council, it could cause you a lot of trouble.
“But Zane’s report?” he continued. “That’s our ticket to go in and retrieve David’s mother legally. The tricky part is knowing who to trust at the Council and for that, I must talk to my father. Do I have your permission to share Zane’s report with him?” asked Dylon.
“Only if he agrees to keep it between you two. I don’t want Brenda’s Council contact alerting her to what we’re doing,” Jackson said.
“Understood. Now that I have the final piece in place, I’ll be able to tell everyone involved what their part will be,” said Dylon.
“Good. How long will it take?” Jackson asked.
“Gimme a couple of hours at the most,” replied Dylon, rising.
“Fine,” Jackson said, looking at the time. “How ‘bout we meet back here after breakfast?”
Giving Jackson a thumbs-up on his way out, Dylon hurried toward his office to contact his father.
~/~/~/~/~
Tyson arrived at the corner where he was supposed to meet Brenda’s contact but found no one waiting.
Spying a coffee shop across the street, he headed there, thinking it would be a good place to grab a bite while waiting for the dude to show up.
After ordering, Tyson claimed a table in the back so he’d have some privacy but still be able to see out the window.
Drumming his fingers on the arm of his chair, Tyson was pissed at the delay. He called his sister, then waited.
“Tyson,” Brenda said.
“Hi sis. Whoever your contact is hasn’t shown up yet. Can you call him and find out when he’s coming?”
“Where are you now?”
“Sitting in a coffee shop across from the hotel. I thought he was supposed to be waiting for me.”
“Shit, just a minute.” Brenda opened the program on her computer.
Blinking her eyes twice at what she found, she said to her brother, “Something’s fucked up.
You stay there and as soon as it’s sorted out, I’ll call you back.
” Hanging up, she looked back at her screen.
Thinking it was a computer glitch, she swore, “Fucking piece of shit!” at it.
When rebooting still showed red dots scattered throughout the city, Brenda reacted angrily.
Muttering, she grabbed her phone, dialing the first man on her list, trying to find out why her orders weren’t being followed.
But neither he nor any of the others answered her calls.
Slamming down her phone, Brenda stared at the screen, hoping the answer would be found there.
The only good thing was she knew where David was, but that was of little use without her men.
Sorting through her options, Brenda was unhappy with all of them, but finally made a decision.
Dialing another number and hearing a voice answer, she said, “I’m ready to collect on the debt you owe me. ”
~/~/~/~/~
“Hi son, how are Cody and the twins?” Franklin asked, after he took Dylon’s call.
“Cody is well and Jake and Jessica have grown so much. I swear everyday one or the other is doing something new. We’re pretty sure Jessica is an alpha because she rules the roost,” Dylon chuckled.
“Or is it more like she has you wrapped around her finger?” asked Frank.
“Maybe…that’s what Cody claims.”
Laughing, Frank said, “Never contradict Cody and I guarantee you’ll have a happy life. Now, as much as I love hearing about my grandpups, I’m sure that’s not the reason you called me. So, let’s have it.”
Smiling at his father’s astuteness, Dylon said, “Has the High Council been informed about David Rossi?”
“Yes, and it created quite a stir here. Everyone is wondering who he is since there isn’t a record of his birth. Wait, who told you? It’s been very hush, hush here until the Council meets to discuss it.”
“What I’m about to tell you must be kept between the two of us and you will see why in a moment. Do I have your word?”
“Dylon, will this information put me in a precarious position here?”
“No, Dad, I promise you. Some of it actually concerns the conduct of someone who works there.”
“An employee? I’m assuming it isn’t good news I’m going to be hearing.”
“No, I don’t have the name but when you see the evidence, it won’t take you long to figure out who it is.”
“Okay then, you have my word,” Frank replied.
“I’m sending you a report. After you read it, give me a call. Time is of the essence.”
“Will do. Bye.”
Ending the call, Dylon emailed the report to his father.
~/~/~/~/~
Calling her brother back, Brenda told him she was sending someone else to help him kidnap David.
“Who is it?” Tyson asked.
“A friend who owes me a big debt. David is still at the hotel and I want you to stake out the hotel and call me if you see anything unusual.”
“Shit, it’s raining here. Do I have to be outside?” whined Tyson.
Brenda sighed in frustration at her brother’s inability to handle tough assignments, but then again, he did kill Michael for her. Keeping her voice neutral, she said, “Find a place inside, out of the weather where you can still see anything that happens.”
“Okay. What about your friend? Where’s he gonna be?”
“I’ll handle him. Find a place, then call me back,” Brenda said.
“Can I finish my food first?”
“Yes, Tyson, then do as I say. Talk to you later.” Brenda ended the call. It was a good thing Tyson was family—the only family she had, actually—otherwise she’d have had him killed a long time ago.
~/~/~/~/~
Zane had taken David back to bed for some morning cuddles and kisses in an effort to divert his mate’s attention from the report on Brenda.
Pulling David over on top of him, Zane caressed his mate’s back, hoping to chase away any thoughts other than the pleasure he was experiencing.
After driving his mate almost to the brink of orgasm, Zane stopped his teasing and slid out of bed pulling his mate along.
Smiling as he listened to David’s cries of frustration, he led his mate into the bathroom, turning on the water in the huge shower.
Then Zane gripped David’s cock, tugging it and reigniting his mate’s passion before climbing into the shower with him.
Pouring some shower gel into his hands, Zane proceeded to caress his mate’s body with his soapy fingers, wanting to drive any self-doubt out of David, replacing it with need.
Sinking down behind his mate, Zane ran his hands up and down David’s legs, rubbing them softly and lingering on the sensitive spots he’d previously discovered.
David moaned, spreading his legs and placing his hands on the shower wall. Trembling at the sensations running through his body, he needed more. Looking down at his hard cock as water splattered off it, he stuck his ass out at Zane, hoping his mate would get the message and take him.
Chuckling at his mate’s eagerness, Zane rose, moving David under the water and rinsing the soap off before kneeling in front of him.
Wrapping his hand around David’s cock, Zane stroked it several times before his mouth enveloped its head.
Sucking lightly on the tip, Zane’s other hand gently grasped his mate’s ball sack, pulling on it.
David’s legs began shaking; he grabbed Zane’s shoulders for support.
Tossing his head back when Zane swallowed his cock to the root, David was overwhelmed with need, keening as he teetered on the edge of coming.
Unable to get satisfaction, he began pumping his hips, shoving his cock deeper into his mate’s throat, chasing that elusive feeling.
Zane felt his mate’s need rising as he sucked, stroked, and swallowed David’s rigid rod.
His tongue dipped into the slit at the head and scooped up whatever tasty essence it could find before he buried David’s cock to the hilt.
When he sensed David was ready, Zane placed a finger against his mate’s hole, pressing down on the nerves around its rim.
A cry, then a shout was heard before Zane’s mouth filled with his mate’s cum.
Swallowing several times while his mate’s orgasm continued to shoot its creamy stream, Zane glanced up at David’s face, entranced by the look of total bliss on it.
Finally, he slowly pulled back, licking bits of cum from his mate’s cock before standing up and hugging David.
Supporting his mate, Zane rinsed both of them off again before helping David out of the shower and wrapping him in a heated towel.
Then, drying himself, he led his mate back to the bedroom, pushing him down on the bed before crawling in behind him and pulling him tightly against his chest. Breathing in his mate’s scent and hearing the first faint snores from David, Zane’s body relaxed as he joined his mate in slumber.