Chapter 3
Jamie wiped down the last table and set it up ready for the morning. The coffee shop closed half an hour before the library.
Jamie made sure everything was clean and turned off, took his apron off, picked up his bag and waving bye to some of the other librarians, left. He had just walked outside when his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw it was his brother.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, answering. His brother never phoned at this time of the day.
“So much,” Karl replied softly.
“Where are you? Are you both alright?”
“We’re hiding in the bathroom. Mum is drunk and keeps trying to hit us with a broom.”
Jamie sighed and leant against his car. “How long has your mum been violent?”
“A few weeks. Jay, can we come to you?” Karl asked.
“Can you give me a day? I’ll come get you, but I need to find us somewhere to stay.”
“Okay, but we’re running away whether you turn up or not.”
“I’ll be there even if we have to live in the car for a while,” he promised him. “Make sure you’ve packed everything you can think of, including important paperwork.”
“We have all that already. We’re going to wait until they both fall asleep and steal whatever money they have.”
Jamie thought for a moment. “Forget tomorrow, I’ll travel up tonight. I’ll text you when I leave, but it will take me a good three or four hours to get to you. Can you stay safe until then?”
“We’ll try. Thanks, Jay.”
“Hey, none of that. We’re siblings, we stick together. I’ve got to run, though. I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”
“Okay, thanks, brother.” And with that, Karl hung up.
Jamie rubbed his head. He felt a headache coming on.
He meant what he said; he would sleep in his car with them if needed.
It wasn’t ideal, but he wanted them safe.
He got into his car and turned the ignition, but nothing happened.
“No, no, not now,” he complained, trying again, but still nothing happened; there wasn’t even the tiniest peep.
The car had been old when he brought it, but it was all he could afford at the time.
Jamie thumbed the steering wheel and felt like crying. Why could nothing go right? He sat there fighting hard not to cry while trying to figure out what he could possibly do and how he would rescue his brother and sister.
Ivan walked into the kitchen just as Annie and Thomaz started bringing dishes to the table. Ivan helped, as did everyone, and soon the table was covered with platters of food, all of which looked amazing. They had just sat down when Max walked in.
“Evening, everyone. Can I gate crash dinner?” he asked.
“Always nutter, you know that,” Dave said, smiling at his best friend.
“Thanks,” Max replied, sitting down, as Thomaz handed him a plate and some cutlery.
Food dishes were passed around, and everyone filled their plates as chatter started.
Jack and Spencer were telling everyone about helping AJ fix the wall and how the secret library wasn’t behind it.
“They were good apprentices,” AJ told everyone. “They can help me with the other building works I need to do.”
“We can do that, can’t we, Jack?” Spencer said, looking at the older boy.
“Yep, we can,” he agreed.
“Louise, Annie, Charlotte, have you managed to persuade Lissa to move to Kevin’s pack?” Dave asked them.
“We have,” Louise replied.
“I think it helps that both her sons have met their mates, and she has nothing tying her to her old pack now,” Annie added.
“Kevin and Bert will like that,” Dave replied.
“So will we,” Charlotte said. “We’re forming our own support group.”
“I would, Mum,” Hunter said, smiling at her. “What are you doing about your job?”
“Willard is letting me share his office. You know I can work from anywhere.”
“Got to love remote jobs,” Willard said. “And just to let you know, AJ and I are starting a support group. Stefan is automatically a member.”
“We are indeed,” AJ replied. “We can’t let you all have clubs without us forming one.”
“Good for you, Dad, AJ,” Dave said. “I bet your support group will he held in the pub.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Matt’s pub is close, we can meet there,” AJ suggested.
“Can I join?” Hunter asked.
“Nope, fathers only,” Willard put in.
“Gio and I can join then,” Seth said, grinning.
“Nope,” Willard said again.
“But, we’re fathers,” Seth pointed out.
“Still not allowed, though,” AJ said, backing Willard up.
“Somehow that doesn’t seem fair,” Gio griped.
“Too bad.”
Halfway through dinner, Max’s phone rang. Hoping it was Bert, he pulled it out of his pocket, but saw it was Jamie. “Sorry, I have to get this,” he said, answering as everyone stopped talking. “Hey, Jamie,” he answered.
“Max, I’m sorry to ring, but it’s an emergency,” Jamie told him.
“What’s happened, Jamie?” he asked, concerned, glancing at Ivan.
Ivan sat up and listened.
“I need to get to my siblings tonight, but my car’s just died. Max, I hate to ask, I don’t know what else to do, but can I borrow your car?”
“You can,” he said without hesitation. “I’ll find somewhere safe for you guys to stay as well. Where are you, and I’ll come to you?”
“I’m parked opposite the coffee shop.”
“I’m leaving as soon as we hang up,” Max assured him.
“Max, thank you,” Jamie said, sounding choked.
“We’re friends, Jamie, think nothing of it. See you in a bit,” and with that, he hung up.
“What does Jamie need?” Dave asked before Ivan could.
“Okay, quick cliff notes version. Jamie comes from an abusive home and has been trying to save money to rescue his younger brother and sister, but he’s not managed to yet.
His landlord is also making him homeless this week.
It sounds like he needs to rescue his siblings now, but his car just broke down.
Jamie told me he’s not strong enough to take on his father, so no idea how he’ll rescue them,” Max explained.
“That’s easy enough,” Dave said. “Ivan, go and help Jamie, get your vamp on if needed. Jamie and his siblings can either move in here or they can stay at my place. I know it only has two bedrooms, but they can make it work; that gives them options. Max, you and I will go as well, and we can sort Jamie’s car out and reassure Jamie; all will be well. ”
“I’ll come with you, Dave,” Seth said. “David would kill me if you went alone.”
Dave nodded. “True. Ivan, do you need anything?”
Ivan shook his head. “No, I have stuff in my car already.”
“In that case, let’s go, people,” Dave said, standing up. “Sorry to run out on dinner, Mum, Thomaz.”
“Nonsense, Davy, go look after your friend,” Annie said, waving away his apology.
“I’ll come as well, my Seth,” Gio added, standing up. He looked at Jack. “We won’t be long.”
Jack nodded. “No rush, Spencer and I can have more adventuring.”
“Good, have fun with that,” Seth said, touching Jack’s shoulder on the way past.
They had just reached the front door when Max looked at Ivan. “Ivan, just so you know, Jamie has dreams of you being either a vampire or a shifter; he’s happy with either option.”
The others laughed.
“That’s good to know. Hopefully that means he won’t freak out later,” Ivan replied.
They walked outside.
“You three travel together, and Max and I will travel together. Max, you can drive,” Dave told them, walking down the front steps.
“Dave, has anyone told you, you’re getting bossy?” Seth asked him with a laugh.
Dave grinned. “I’m trying to channel my inner David.”
“Well, I’m happy to confirm you’re doing well,” Gio added.
Dave laughed.
“See you by the coffee shop. It’s the one just down from the library,” Max told them, opening his car door.
“We’ll follow you,” Ivan said, unlocking his car.
“See you there,” Seth said.
Ivan watched Max drive off and followed closely behind.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be away for. If Jamie needs to rescue his siblings, I won’t leave until we have them.”
“I expected nothing less. I know you can handle humans on your own, but if you need help, just phone,” Seth told him.
“Thanks. I’m sure I can deal with whatever this is on my own. I’d rather not take anyone away from the crap that is going on.”
“Understood, but Ivan, you’re family, if you need help, we can pull someone off their assignments to help. I’ll also have Adrian on standby. If Jamie is rushing to help his siblings, chances are they might have physical injuries.”
“Some people shouldn’t be parents,” Gio said from the back seat. “If you need help, phone me, I’ll happily revisit pain on the parents.”
Ivan looked in the rear-view mirror and nodded. “Thanks, Gio.”
“How did you find out all about Jamie?” Dave asked Max.
“He was looking sad earlier. We sat and chatted, and over coffee, he told me about his issues and wanting to save his siblings. He said that they weren’t being physically abused, but I’m guessing that changed today.
Oh, Jamie had a dream of working with old manuscripts and possibly being a curator of a museum. ”
Dave looked at Max. “Does he? Well, there is really too much work for just the two of us.”
“And we both like Jamie,” Max added.
“Let’s get Jamie and his siblings sorted out and then show him our library. Now, tell me how chatting with Bert is going?”
Max blushed.
“It’s going well then,” Dave said, laughing.
“It is, we’re chatting a lot and planning on having dinner when he gets back.”
Dave patted his leg. “Good for you.”
“I’m still kind of scared about this world, Davy, but I’m getting better.”
“You are. I spy Jamie’s car, just there,” Dave said, pointing to an older blue Escort parked in front of the coffee shop.
Max signalled and turned into the space next to Jamie’s car. As soon as he stopped, Dave jumped out and tapped on his window.