Chapter 37 – Jasper Cleary
Jasper Cleary
"T o what do we owe this pleasure?" I ask, frowning at my grandfather.
"Are you going to let me in?" he asks, shoving himself inside.
"Come right on in," I say with a snort.
"Who's that?" Cove asks peeking around the wall that separates the entryway from the living room.
"Come here Tater Tot," I say, squatting down. She tosses herself at me. Her tiny thumb pops into her mouth and she frowns at my granddad. "This is my grandfather, you can call him Gramps."
Cove is unsure how she feels about Gramps. She nuzzles into my chest. I run a hand over her hair, patting her back.
"He's much nicer than he appears at first glance," I say, shooting him a look that says tone it down.
"Ahh yes, you must be Cove. I heard all about you," he says. "I've got something for you in my bag." He pats his briefcase and Cove perks up.
I guide him into the living room. Riley is stretched out with her back against Cannon's chest while she feeds Lily.
"You weren't kidding," Gramps says, shuffling over to take the seat next to Riley on the couch. "She's a little thing, isn't she?"
"Gramps, how ya doing?" Riley asks, leaning forward and squeezing my grandfather into a hug.
"I'm good, I've got a few things for you girls," he says. Seeing my grandfather beam at someone is weird as shit. It's been years since he smiled at anyone that fondly. He pushes his briefcase down on the coffee table and nods for me to come over.
Gramps declines refreshments when Killian offers to get him something.
Cove wiggles and I let her down before taking a seat in the chair.
"Now this is for you," Gramps says, popping the briefcase open and handing her a tissue paper wrapped package.
"Should I take her out?" Finn asks as Cove rips open the paper to reveal a coloring book and markers.
"No, not necessary," Gramps says. "Those only work on that special paper, if you color on anything else you'll be wasting the ink."
"I can do that," Cove says. "Only on the papers."
"Come sit down here with me and I'll help you open it," Killian rumbles.
Cove grabs her stuff and bolts into his lap. Riley's got Lily up on her shoulder burping her.
"This is for Lily." Gramps hands her a small wrapped gift. "Already washed and ready to go."
Cannon helps unwrap it and it's a set of plastic keys for teething. I grin, shaking my head at the old man. He's just as smitten as the rest of us. Cannon takes Lily and Gramps hands a folder to Riley.
"What's this?" she asks, completely puzzled.
"I had a conversation with Jermaine Northbrook this afternoon and several others over the last several days. He does not in fact want a war which," Gramps says, shrugging. "I don't either, but I'm also old and bored. Got nothing better to do and I made that clear to the old fuck."
I snort a laugh. Jermaine and Clayton are the same damn age.
"We reached an agreement. Go on, open the papers," my granddad says.
Riley flips open the folder and frowns down at it.
"Jermaine and I have a gentleman's agreement," Gramps says. "Although, I'm not a fool so we solidified it with contracts."
"What exactly did you agree on?" I ask, leaning forward.
Cannon has grabbed the folder from Riley and is quickly reading through it.
"I sold Jermaine a small enterprise that he has wanted for years."
Riley gasps, shaking her head.
"It's fine, it's failing anyway. It doesn't produce like it did even ten years ago.
In return he guaranteed Jeremy will very quietly sign papers dissolving any rights he may have had to the children.
Jermaine will also keep that bastard away from you from here on out," Gramps says, shaking his head.
"Wish I could have destroyed that spoiled rotten pr-" He looks at Cove and stops himself from going on.
She's chattering away, coloring with Finn and completely ignoring us.
"Thank you," Riley says, chucking herself at my grandfather. He grins and squeezes her tight.
"You'll need to get your lawyer to file the papers," Gramps says softly. "On to happier subjects, you're bonded?"
I smirk. "We sure are."
"Good," he grumbles. "Are you doing a pack commitment ceremony or a wedding?"
"We're still ironing those details out," Cannon says. "Thank you, Clayton."
"Nonsense," Gramps grumbles. "We're all family now. Keep Jasper out of trouble and we'll call it even."
"Hey," I say, frowning.
"You got damn lucky boy," Gramps says, laughing.
I nod my agreement, because I'm sure he's right.
"One final gift for each of the girls," my grandfather pulls out two small necklace size boxes.
He hands one to Riley and she opens it.
"Each year, they'll add another pearl to the necklace and bracelet," Gramps says, swallowing thickly. "You'll give it to them when they turn eighteen. I likely won't be around then, but let them know it's from me."
Riley blinks at him with tears in her eyes. "The same tradition you did with your omega?" She gasps, giving Gramps a hug. "Thank you, what an amazing legacy. Hopefully, they'll be able to do the same with their daughters one day."
I stare open mouthed. Exactly how much did they talk about while my dads and brother cornered me?
"We'll continue it," Killian rumbles.
"Good, I'll give you the jeweler I use so it'll be uniform," Gramps says, pushing to his feet. "Welcome to the family."
* * *
"Darling, are you decent?" Finn calls through the doorway. He pops his head in, grinning like a lunatic.
"We are," I reply for her. We've got Cove snuggled up in between us. Of course we're dressed.
Finn swaggers in, carrying his laptop.
"Guess what, lovelies?" Finn asks, glancing down at the sleeping Tater Tot.
"What?" Riley asks. She sits up and Finn spins his computer screen around to face her.
Former New England Quarterback Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
"You don't need to read it," Finn says as he catches sight of the look on Riley's face.
"What did he do?" Riley asks.
"He was anonymously turned into law enforcement. They investigated and found several instances where he was attempting to communicate with underage girls. One sent him pictures. He had several other photographs of girls ages sixteen and seventeen."
"Fuck," Riley says and her head hangs. "I could have protected them." Her eyes meet mine. I remember that conversation in shocking clarity.
"No," I bark. "You're not going to blame yourself for this."
Riley frowns at me, shaking her head. Cove wiggles, but quickly falls back to sleep.
"What he did to you was wrong. How you heal and move on is up to you. Do not blame yourself," I tell her, pulling her face to mine. "He threatened you where he knew it would hurt the worst. He spent years indoctrinating you to believe him and what he said."
"He's right," Finn says, brushing his lips over her forehead.
"You've only been here a few months. Who knows what you would have done in the future, but do not beat yourself up over this.
He will be held accountable for his actions, as he should be.
You had to protect yourself and the girls first. If you feel guilt over guarding your mental well-being, you shouldn't.
Know you did the best with what you had. "
"Okay," Riley says in barely a whisper. "Will his family get him off from the charges?"
"Highly doubtful," I tell her. "His family will likely try to distance themselves as quickly as possible."
"Agreed," Finn murmurs. "Thank God he already signed the paperwork."
Hawthorne McAnders and Benjamin Nash ensured everything was properly documented and submitted earlier this week.
"That's convenient," I muse.
"Quite fortuitous," Finn agrees, smirking. "Are you okay, my sweet darling?"
"He was just communicating with them online? He hadn't met them in person yet?" Riley asks.
Finn nods. "From my understanding, that's correct."
Riley blows out a heavy breath and nods. "Then yeah, I think I'm good."
Finn and I share a look. She might not be there yet, but we'll ensure she gets there.