Chapter 3
The happiness radiating from his brother was infectious and Jackson found himself smiling as he followed Zane downstairs.
He wasn’t sure what his brother had found but gauging from how fast he was heading towards his room, it was obviously good.
Once inside Zane’s computer room, Jackson flopped onto the love seat.
Within minutes, Steel joined them. “What’s going on?”
“Zane found what we were looking for, but that’s all I know,” replied Jackson. “Bro, go ahead. Lay it on me”
Rubbing his hands together with glee, Zane smiled. “I have the proof you need to show we all were in Vegas when the massacre took place.”
“Wow! So fast! That is fantastic! Tell me more,” said Jackson.
“As you know, Carson’s idea about using our phone records to prove we were there was perfect, but the trouble was I could only prove you, Logan, Dakota, and Cody were in Vegas because those were the only phones used.
You called Cody, and Logan called Dakota, but that left me, Colton and Carson without an alibi.
Then I searched for the video footage of the casinos everyone had gone to but found nothing… ”
“Nothing?”
“Nada. The tapes simply don’t exist because they’re erased after a period of time.
So, using the list of where everyone was when we found out, I tapped into private and public video and on the police surveillance cameras, there we were.
I made a copy of it for you and it clearly shows all of us in Las Vegas. Do you want me to play it?”
Jackson rose, walking over to Zane and said, “Yes.”
“The first part shows you talking to Jimmy on the phone and then Logan joining you.”
Clicking his mouse, the video started. Zane closed his eyes because he didn’t need to see the look on Jackson’s face again when he learned their family had been killed.
It would haunt him for a long time. One minute Jackson had been carefree and smiling and then bam, his brother’s face was frozen in raw grief as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of the crime.
When he first saw it, Zane found himself unable to turn away, like watching a slow-motion train wreck.
As the video continued on, it showed Jackson telling Logan and then his twin’s reaction of disbelief.
Steel stood behind his mate, watching the screen; to him, it showed Jackson shedding his innocence and assuming the mantle of leadership.
It was awe-inspiring and he wondered if he could have risen to the occasion as well as his mate had.
Putting his arm around Jackson, Steel pulled him in tight to his chest, needing the closeness as he felt his mate relive those moments.
Thanks to Kieran’s efforts, Jackson could watch the tape without the all-consuming grief he’d felt at that moment.
It still hurt, but the soul-searing emotion had been tempered and his memories of his siblings and mother were now happy ones.
Stiffening as he saw Cody with Colton and Carson, Jackson watched intently, waiting to see his brothers’ reaction to the panic contained in his voice that night.
Then he saw Dakota and Zane respond to his orders to stay put until he reached them.
The instant worry on Dakota’s face and the fear reflected in Zane’s would now be forever trapped in his mind and for the millionth time, Jackson cursed his uncle for stealing his brothers’ innocence.
Glancing at his brother, he saw Zane had closed his eyes.
I can’t blame him. Damn our uncle to hell for all eternity.
The video ended and the room remained silent as each occupant came to grips with what they witnessed.
Jackson could hear Steel’s thoughts and emotions—relief that Daniel was safe and his mate, along with the rest of the brothers, would be able to provide an alibi.
He understood it because he felt the same way.
He was eager to tell Cody and Dylon that the threat hanging over Jake and Jessica’s head was gone.
And Colton would also be able to enjoy Ian’s pregnancy along with the birth of their pup.
The pups will be safe and they would be able to clear their names. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Zane finally opened his eyes when the video had stopped.
From the time he found all the clips needed to prove their innocence, he’d struggled to figure out how to process his emotions that had come flooding back from that day.
His face first showing worry and then fear, he watched as Dakota told him Jackson ordered them to remain where they were.
His brother had no further information why the plans had changed and that caused Zane’s mind to go wild with all the possibilities, but never in a thousand years did he ever think Jackson would tell him his family was dead.
Glancing up, his eyes met Jackson’s and he saw compassion, and worry.
Then something else—the love between the brothers which was the glue holding the pack together.
Zane gave a half smile, wanting to reassure his brother he was okay.
He knew this was the first step he’d taken to reclaim his life since that fateful day.
“Are you going to tell the rest of the pack we have the proof needed?” Zane asked Jackson.
“Yes, but first I want to talk to Penn.”
Zane nodded, then glanced at his watch. “Fuck, I gotta go. I told Dakota I’d help him with lunch.”
“Why does Dakota need help?”
“I don’t know but I owe him. He excused me from KP duty several times when I was serving my punishment and I promised to make it up to him. I have more to tell you about the missing enforcers. Can it wait until this afternoon?” Zane asked, shutting down his computers before standing.
“Sure. How about two o’clock? Daniel will be napping…fingers crossed…and I’ll see if Dylon and Cody can join us.”
“Cool. Gotta run.”
With the evidence in his hand, Jackson grasped Steel’s hand and intertwining their fingers, he pulled his mate in for a kiss before heading back to his study.
“Happy, mo chroí?” asked Steel.
“In a way, yes. Surprised Zane found it so fast, and a lot of pressure off because now none of my brothers…or their mates…will feel the need to take any violent action against Josiah. So in that way I’m happy.
But I’m wondering once we prove my uncle’s complaint is bogus, what else will he throw at my pack? ”
“You think he’ll come up with something else?”
“Yes I do. Look at what he’s done so far…arranged for the kidnapping of Colton…”
“We haven’t been able to find any link between him and Pablo,” Steel reminded Jackson.
“Yeah, but that’s only because we haven’t found it.
Pablo had instructions to kill my brother and only his greed prevented it.
So we got lucky there. Now this bogus complaint my uncle filed with the High Council.
I’ll bet anything my uncle thought we’d attack him to protect the pups.
Thank the gods we didn’t fall into that trap.
So now Penn hands over the video showing we were in Las Vegas at the time the massacre happened and the High Council dismisses the complaint.
What do you think my uncle is going to do?
Sit there and wait to see what happens concerning the complaint I filed against him? I don’t think so.”
“So what do you think he’ll do next?”
“Not a clue but I know he won’t quit. C’mon, let’s see if we can sneak in a quick call to Penn before lunch.”
~/~/~/~/~
“Macushla,” called Kieran to Logan who was in the bathroom shaving. “I’m going to see how Fionn is doing this afternoon, okay? I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Logan stuck his head out and said, “Good. Tell the rest to meet us in the sitting room in about thirty minutes.”
“No problemo,” Kieran said as he left their suite.
Walking down the hotel’s hallway, he hummed to himself as he relived their early morning.
First, seeing the sky turn his favorite color as sunrise broke and then the fabulous sex—what a way to start the day.
Kieran decided from now on they’d start every day that way.
He giggled, thinking how their pup might change those plans, but he’d figure out something else.
Reaching his friends’ suite, Kieran knocked, then opened the door.
Hearing voices in Theo and Norman’s bedroom, he decided to head there first. “Hey, Theo, Norman, are you decent?” he yelled, unwilling to walk in unless they were.
Theo answered, “In here, Ki. We’re trying to find some clothes for Fionn.”
Clothes? Kieran hurried to see what they were doing.
Entering he said, “Hey Fionn. Do you need clothes? We can go shopping and I can help you because I have an eye for that kinda stuff and my mate is proof of it. You should have seen him before I worked my magic on him. Oh, his clothes were all right if you catch my drift but they didn’t show off his best assets.
After I took him clothes shopping you should see him now, sexy, dreamy and hot in all the right places.
Not that I want you looking at my mate, mind you.
I did that for Theo and Norman too. You should have seen their choices but I put a stop to that right away didn’t I guys?
Yup. I got them the right clothes so now they can look their best. Oh goody, we’re going shopping! ”
“Ki, Fionn wants to go to his home and pack up his clothes and stuff,” said Norman.
Kieran looked at Fionn who nodded. “Sure, that works too. But we need to talk to my mate first. That’s a good idea because then we can go through your clothes and see what you have.”
“I don’t have much. My father didn’t believe in spending a lot for clothes and stuff. That reminds me…I want to buy my bed and ship it to California. Do I need to talk to Logan about that too?”
“Yeah, but you know there’s a bed for you in California, I promise,” replied Kieran.
“I know, but this bed is the best one I ever slept on, so I want it.”
Kieran shrugged. “Makes sense to me. Okay, we can include that when we talk to my mate about getting your stuff.” Glancing down to the clothes on the bed, he exclaimed, “Oh, these will work for you in the meantime. The colors will be perfect for your complexion. Do they fit?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t tried them on but Theo thinks they will.”
Plopping down on the chair in the room, Kieran clapped his hands and said, “Oh goody, a runway show. Fi, head into the bathroom and change into the first outfit and then I want to see you strut your stuff as you model it. C’mon…
we don’t have a lot of time before dinner and there is no way I’ll allow you to eat in that outfit. Ugh! Now, chop, chop!”
Fionn smiled to himself. This was the most fun he had in a long while.
Picking up the clothes, he headed into the bathroom to change.
He never met anyone like Ki before and was amazed how he felt like he’d known him his whole life.
He certainly hit the mother lode as far as friends went…
Ki, Theo and Norman. Hey, we should call ourselves the Four Musketeers!
Thinking about the fun they could have, Fionn suddenly couldn’t wait to get to California and see what was in store for him there.
“I’m ready,” he yelled through the bathroom door.
“Wait!” squealed Kieran. “We will be in the living room, instead. More room for you to show off.”
When he heard Ki yell they were in the living room, Fionn left the bathroom and paused at the bedroom door. “Ready?”
“Yup! Now show me what you got!” exclaimed Kieran.
Chuckling as he listened to his friends sing the theme from “Cover Girl” for his entrance, he opened the door, put his hand on his hip and did his best imitation of a model strutting down a runway.
Eyes straight ahead, hips swiveling, Fionn made a loop through the living room before stopping in front of his friends. “Well?”
Giggling, Kieran answered, “Perfecto! Fucking perfecto! You certainly can walk the walk!”
“Wow! It’s like they were made for you,” said Theo.
“Yea, you did a great job finding something to fit me. Thanks,” Fionn said, running his hands over the clothes. “You know, Ki, none of my clothes fit me like these do so maybe we can do some shopping after I get my stuff…if that’s all right with you.”
“Perfecto! Go try the next one. Chop! Chop!” Kieran said, as Fionn walked back to the bedroom. Waiting until he heard the bathroom door close, Kieran leaned over and asked, “Can you guys keep a secret?” He was bursting with excitement and he just had to tell his two bestest friends ever.
“Another secret?” Theo asked.
“Absolutely!” exclaimed Norman.
“Okay,” Kieran started, “I’m pregnant!”
“Pregnant?” Theo echoed.
“Pregnant? But that means you are an Omega wolf,” Norman said.
Rolling his eyes, Kieran answered, “Of course I’m an Omega. Look at me…do I look like I’m anything else?”
“I just never thought about it. I just assumed you were an Alpha because of how bossy you are,” answered Norman, quickly adding, “Not that it was a problem.”
Squealing with happiness, Theo threw himself at Kieran, hugging him. “That is so fucking cool. I’m going to be an uncle. Do you know your due date? Do you know if it’s a boy or girl? I love you Ki for giving me this.”
Glancing over at Norman, Kieran was relieved to see him grinning. “Are you all right, Norm?” he asked, wanting to make sure everything was okay between them.
“Yeah, we’re cool, Ki. It just took me by surprise but I’m with Theo…fucking delighted I’m gonna become an uncle.”
“Remember, not a word to anyone,” Kieran ordered and, after seeing his friends nod in agreement, he yelled, “Fionn, are you ready?”
Opening the bathroom door, Fionn took one last look in the mirror.
“Damn, I look so fucking hot.” Twisting and turning, he looked at himself and smiled.
Encased in skin tight jeans, his perfect peach of an ass was highlighted and his junk was showcased perfectly.
The t-shirt hugged him in all the right places and he knew he was hot.
This is what I’m wearing today! Heading over to the bedroom door, he yelled “Ready?”