Chapter 30
Rushing through his shower, Sawyer grabbed his bag, dumping it by the front door before heading to the kitchen, hoping to find Mason alone.
He made a dick move this morning and he owed his brother an apology.
Rounding the corner, he found him cracking eggs into a bowl and, lucky for him, Mason was alone.
Stepping over to a cupboard, Sawyer grabbed some plates, setting them out on the table while thinking about what to say.
That I’m a fucking asshole? Yeah, that’s true but Mason already knows that.
I’m the one with no ambition or goals…so different from my other brothers who all know what they want to do.
Shit, even Quin has a plan. But what’s mine?
Oh yeah, travel and see the world. Fucking A. Really adult-like.
“What the fuck are you doing?” asked Mason, staring at his brother.
“Huh? I’m setting the table,” Sawyer answered.
“Then stop trying to break the dishes. You’re slamming them down so hard I’m surprised they’re still in one piece,” he snapped, before resuming whisking the eggs.
Just say it. “Uhm, Mason, I’m sorry about before.” When his brother didn’t reply, Sawyer turned and continued his self-appointed task. Fuck! It’s going to be a long trip.
Pouring the eggs into the pan, Mason watched as they cooked, kicking himself for not accepting his brother’s apology.
He knew his brother was just having fun but Mason took it as a criticism of who he was and that pissed him off because he could never figure out how he became so uptight.
No matter how many times he scrutinized his childhood, looking for incidents that changed him into a fucking control freak, he came up empty.
Setting down the platter of scrambled eggs on the table, Mason glanced at his brother, before turning back to finish the bacon.
Wanting to resolve the tension between them before everyone crowded into the kitchen, Mason knew his childish behavior of ignoring Sawyer would only cause Hunter more stress.
Then, before he could change his mind, he said, “Apology accepted, but I’d appreciate it if you don’t pull any more stunts like that on this trip. ”
Slowly letting out the breath he was holding, Sawyer muttered, “I won’t, promise.”
Looking over his shoulder at his brother, Mason asked, “Make another pot of coffee, will ya?”
“Yup.”
Quin stood in the doorway, his gaze flipping back and forth between his two brothers, unsure if he was intruding. Hating any kind of friction, he worried his bottom lip, wondering what to do, but after feeling Hunter’s hands on his shoulders, fleeing was no longer an option.
“Good morning, honey. That’s a pretty outfit you have on. Are those new heels?” asked Hunter.
Smiling at his big brother, Quin nodded, pleased someone had noticed. It had taken him three days to decide what to wear on the first day of the trip, but luckily it was worth it. “When are we leaving?” he asked.
“Sometime this morning,” Hunter replied. “Did your stuff fit in your bedroom?”
“Yes, Mason helped me put everything away. The outfits I’ll be wearing on the trip…well except for this one…are hanging in the tiny closet along with the one I’ll change into before we arrive. That was Mason’s idea,” smiled Quin, pleased to give his brother the credit.
“Are you excited about going?” asked Sawyer.
“No, but I’m focusing on the trip home when we stop in Vegas. I made a list of all the shows I want to see,” Quin replied.
“We’re going to Vegas? Woo Hoo!” shouted Sawyer.
“Vegas? When?” asked Robin, walking around Quin and Hunter on his way to the coffee machine for his morning fix.
Raising an eyebrow, Hunter said, “Good question. Mason? Do you know the answer?”
“I do,” Quin replied, “Mason said we’d stop on the way back, after visiting our cousins. Isn’t that fantastic? I always wanted to go there, but…” his voice trailed off.
Hunter grimaced, knowing why Quin hadn’t said more. Glancing at Mason, he saw the pain in his eyes. “I guess with all that’s been happening, I forgot,” Hunter said, smiling at his youngest brother.
“Forgot what?” asked Mac, squeezing in between his brothers, as he headed for his coffee. Snatching a mug from the rack, he filled it and took a sip, savoring the caffeine rush.
“Hey, dudes!” Mason called loudly, trying to get his brothers’ attention. “You’re in my way. Get outta here and go sit down. Sawyer, here, take this,” he said, handing his brother the platter of bacon. Then he opened the refrigerator, grabbing the juice and creamer.
Bringing in the rest of the food, Mason surveyed the table making sure everything was there, before taking the empty chair next to Quin. It was a rare meal when all of them ate together, but his older brother had insisted on it this morning.
After getting their attention by clinking his spoon against a glass, Hunter cleared his throat and began.
“There’ll be four hours of driving for each of you to prevent any possibility of falling asleep at the wheel.
So after your driving stint you have the rest of the time off to rest, eat and tend to personal needs, but that also means someone will be sleeping while you’re up so I expect you all to be respectful and quiet.
Sawyer has rigged a tent around the queen size bed that was the sofa.
It might be tight but two will fit. The dinette will remain as is so there’s a place to eat and sit when you aren’t driving or sleeping.
With stops for gas, and averaging 50 miles an hour, it should take a little less than three days.
This trip won’t be a picnic, anyway you look at it, so I expect all of you to be understanding and patient with each other. Is that clear?” asked Hunter.
“What if Mac needs me?” asked Robin.
“Then you go and I’ll make the appropriate adjustments to the driving schedule,” Hunter replied. “Anything else?” Looking around the table, Hunter was relieved that his brothers were on board with his plan except for Quin, who was chewing his bottom lip. “Quin, honey? Is there a problem?”
“Uhmm, you still plan to stop some place so I can get ready before…” Quin asked nervously, as he looked down at his hands in his lap, twisting them together.
“Absolutely. There’s a gas station on the outskirts of the last town before our cousins’ pack house. I plan on stopping there to fill up and ask if they mind us parking there for an hour. Will that be okay?” asked Hunter.
“What if they say ‘no’?” Quin’s voice wavered.
“I don’t think they’ll mind, especially if we buy something there. But don’t worry, I promise, I’ll find a place for you, okay, honey?” asked Hunter.
“Okay.”
“One question.” Sawyer held up a finger. “Who’s driving first?”
“Me. So check the list and make sure you’re ready when it’s your time,” Hunter replied, “I want to leave as soon as possible, so Sawyer, KP duty for you…Mac, do you need any help?”
“Yes, gimme fifteen minutes.”
“No problem. Robin, please see if Quin needs any help,” Hunter said.
“Will do.”
“Mason, I’ll leave it to you to make sure the house is secure.
” Standing, Hunter watched as his brothers dispersed before heading to his office.
Closing the door behind him, he walked over to the lone file cabinet and, slipping a key out of his pocket, unlocked a drawer.
Reaching in, he flipped through the file folders until he found the one he wanted.
Opening it, he sorted through the documents, making sure they were all there.
Then, picking up copies of his emails with Jackson, he tucked those and the file folder into his messenger bag that held his laptop.
After checking the time, Hunter sat down at his desk, mentally checking off his list of what he needed to bring.
Shit! Unplugging his phone charger, he slipped it into his bag.
Taking a moment to breathe, Hunter prayed to the gods he was doing the right thing by going to California.
His biggest worry was making it there in time and, if they didn’t, what he’d do about it—and whether his brothers would back him.
That was the iffy thing in his book. When he gave up the Alpha position in their pack, it also affected how his brothers looked at his role in the family—Hunter understood the reason why.
His mother urged him to start another pack, but he refused, telling her he didn’t need a consolation prize.
But that wasn’t the real reason. Seeing the different emotions ranging from disbelief to anger on his brother’s faces when he renounced the Alpha position, Hunter nixed his idea of forming a new pack at that moment, unwilling to face the possibility some brothers would refuse to join, electing instead to stay with the Rolling Hills Pack.
After they split from the pack, he only asked his brothers to pledge their loyalty to their mother, with him assuming the oldest brother position.
Now she was dead and he was about to meet Jackson who apparently had no problem obtaining his brothers’ loyalty.
Leaning back in his chair, he wondered what Jackson would think of his decision. He concluded it wouldn’t be favorable.
“Hunt, Mac’s looking for you.” Sawyer’s voice came through the door.
“Tell him I’ll be right there.”
“Okay.”
Sadness washed over Hunter. This trip was going to be the last time he and his brothers would be together as a family.
When they got back, Robin would leave to pursue the career he’d put on hold, Sawyer had his trip planned, Mac was headed to New York City, who knew what Mason would do, but Hunter was sure he wouldn’t be staying—so he’d be left here with his brother, Quin, bound to him by the promise he made to his mother.
He looked into the forest outside his window, wondering for the umpteenth time how his plans had gotten so fucked up beyond all repair.
“Fubar,” he smirked. Then, grabbing his bag, Hunter left the room, running into Robin in the hallway. “Is Quin ready?”
“Yeah,” Robin answered, lifting up a small square case, “once I put this in the motorhome.”
“Here,” Hunter said, handing his bag to his brother. “Put this out there, too. What about you? Ready?”
“Yup, my bag and guitar are already out there,” replied Robin.
“Okay, would ya go check on Sawyer while I help Mac?” Hunter asked.
“Will do.”
Grunting in response, Hunter continued until he reached Mac, waiting for him outside a bedroom door. “Anything I should watch out for?” Hunter asked.
“Nope, everything’s fine. Let’s get this done.”
~/~/~/~/~
Waiting for Mason, Hunter stood on the porch, remembering how many times his brother sat with him at the end of the day, always giving his support, even when he didn’t deserve it.
Glancing at the huge motorhome, a weird feeling settled in his gut, like something momentous was about to happen to him.
Mentally shaking that off, Hunter turned to see Mason coming out the front door, locking it behind him.
“The alarm is on and connected to the web so if someone tries to break in, we’ll be able to see who it is,” Mason explained.
“Good to know, but would you mind telling me how we’ll be able to do anything about it in California?” asked Hunter.
“Duh. Our neighbor? Remember? I made arrangements with him to keep an eye on our house. All we have to do is call him and he’ll come right over.”
“Oh…right. Sorry, guess my mind was somewhere else,” Hunter mumbled.
“C’mon, let’s go,” Mason said walking to the motorhome, not surprised Hunter didn’t remember.
For the last month, his brother had been distracted and Mason figured it had to do with the impending trip, but now he wasn’t too sure.
Opening the motorhome door, Mason climbed up the two steps, then, tucking his bag in an overhead cabinet, joined Sawyer and Robin at the dinette.
Taking a deep breath, Hunter followed his brother into the motorhome, shutting the door behind him, walking to the back and opening a door.
Spying Mac, he asked, “Everything set?” Getting a nod, Hunter shut the door, moving to the other bedroom.
After giving a short rap before opening the door, he asked, “Honey, are you going to stay in here?”
Nodding, Quin held up his phone, and said, “I just downloaded some romances to read.”
“Sounds like fun. See you later, then.” Softly closing the door, he headed to the front, slipping into the driver’s seat. Taking one last look at their home, Hunter started the engine and pulled out of their driveway. California, here we come!
~/~/~/~/~
Obeying his employers’ orders, the man went to the marina, only to find no one on the locked boat and no indication where Reif’s mate might be.
Standing in the shadows, he kept watch, hoping the mate would turn up, preferably with Reif, but after twenty-four hours with no results, he called it quits.
His gut told him something wasn’t right; fear began to fill his mind.
The last thing the man wanted to tell his employers was that he failed in his mission. That could be fatal.
Materializing in the sea dragon’s living room, the man let out a sigh of relief; all Reif’s research was still on the table.
Now, sure he would eventually find him, the man sat down, rereading all the documents, still hoping he could find the green diamond first, using it to buy his freedom.
After several hours, he glanced out the window, realizing it was mid-morning and still no sea dragon.
Standing, the man headed into the bedroom, looking for a clue as to where Reif—and hopefully his mate—might be. Hearing a noise, he froze.
Coming out of the black hole with David, Zane found himself too close to a kitchen chair, causing it to scrape along the floor as he pushed it away from them. “Shit, I have to work on my aim,” Zane muttered.
“At least you didn’t land on the table,” David said, giggling.
“True,” Zane laughed. “Why don’t you gather these papers up and I’ll get the other stuff.
” Zane found the book and removed the hidden paper, then, kicking the rug out of the way, knelt down and pried up the floorboard.
Locating the small laptop, he grabbed it before restoring everything to its proper place.
David checked to make sure he had everything Reif had left on the table, then, looking for something to hold everything, he found an old-fashioned cloth shopping bag. Sliding the documents inside it, he held it open for Zane’s stuff.
“That’s a great idea, babe,” Zane said, taking the shopping bag from his mate. “Ready?” After hearing David’s assent, he grasped his mate’s hand and both disappeared, unaware they’d been observed by the man.