Chapter 45
Chapter Forty-Five
Peyton
Jake didn’t act nearly as cocky when their flight landed in London.
Peyton could tell from the stunned look on his face as he got an eyeful of the landscape below them during their final approach that the man had finally processed he was about to experience a culture shock of thermonuclear proportions.
They remained in their seats as the plane emptied because the pilot had been instructed to walk them out last.
Once the pilot joined them, he personally led them off the plane.
From that point on, with every person they were handed off to, Peyton shook their hand while Jake took over, his British accent improving with every interaction.
And now Peyton could understand the conversations and participate accordingly.
Less than an hour after deplaning and setting foot on British soil, they sped away from the airport in a rental car with Peyton behind the wheel, following written directions on a piece of paper, thanks to the rental car agency manager’s helpful map.
Jake was fascinated as he studied the car’s controls, the LED display screen, and all the new bells and whistles.
And Jake blinked in shock watching Peyton punch the button to start the engine.
“So, you want a job as an Enforcer?” Peyton asked.
“That was brilliant thinking on your feet. Honestly? I don’t know if I would’ve had the chutzpah to successfully do that with such aplomb after all I’ve been through.
That was damned ballsy. I’d planned to talk my way onto trains to make it back to London.
Before I met you and realized exactly where I’d ended up, that is. ”
The man reclined his seat once he figured out the controls.
“Sure, if you need me. Hell, I’ll be happy to settle for indoor plumbing, hot water, and three warm meals a day instead of money.
” Now the man’s voice thickened, filled with emotion.
“I can’t wait to hug my boy again. I always hoped one day…
” He turned his face to the window but didn’t continue.
“Well, you have a pack now. Even if you don’t want to be an Enforcer working in the field, you’re still on the payroll.
The house Carl and Mateo live in with Tamsin and her baby is big enough for you, too.
And we’ll be building them a new one. You can help them protect her until she returns home.
From there, we’ll figure out what’s next for you. ”
Jake looked at Peyton. “I can never repay you. I don’t know what kind of fighter I am, or how much use I’ll be, but I’ll help.”
“You’re obviously resourceful. We need that. Hell, you took my ass down. Plus, you’re not known by anyone. That’s a bonus. Not to mention you speak Russian, and who knows, we might need that.”
“Yeah, well, had it been a fair fight, I wouldn’t have stood a chance against you, and I damned well know it. That was sheer desperate luck once I realized what you were. Any chance I can get a piece of Ray Dorland’s hide when it comes time to take blood?”
“If possible, yes. Depending on the circumstances. If we prove he’s involved and can’t immediately take him, we’ll issue a blood edict. At that point, dead is better than in the wind, as this bullshit with Faegan proves.”
An hour later, they turned in at a gated driveway. Peyton pulled up to the intercom and hit the button.
Trevor himself answered, sounding understandably wary. “May I help you?”
Peyton finally felt like relaxing. “I sure as hell hope so, dude. Sorry to drop in unannounced, but you’ll understand why shortly. Did Ken and my package make it here yet?” He stuck his head out the window and waved at a video camera mounted above the gate.
Trevor’s shocked response was lost in the buzz from the gate switch being activated. Peyton didn’t wait around to see if Trevor said anything else, pulling the car through once the gate opened wide enough.
The man was waiting outside when they pulled up, his face a mix of joy and astonishment.
“Peyton! You blessed cunt, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” He nearly knocked Peyton over with the strength of his hug.
Peyton closed his eyes, the force of Trevor’s relief also nearly knocking him over. “So are you, man.” He finally stepped back. “We need to talk. Did my package arrive?”
“Yes, just an hour ago.” He eyed Jake. “And who is this?”
“Trevor Clarke, Pack Alpha of the Staffordshire Pack, let me introduce you to Jake Peterson, the long-lost father of one of my Enforcers and now an adopted packmate. He’s already taken a knee. You can say anything in front of him. I’ve already told him what I know, and you’ll soon know why.”
Jake shook with Trevor. “Sorry about the duds and possible funky smell,” Jake said. “I’ve been in the wild for a while. We washed the worst of it off me a few countries back, but I wouldn’t mind a long soak.”
Trevor clapped Jake on the shoulder. “Well, I’m certain we can take care of all of that in short order. Let’s go inside, shall we?”
Before Peyton did anything else—after hugging Trevor’s wife, Elizabeth—he opened the package Ken sent and verified all the contents while Trevor watched.
“Will you call Gillian now?” Trevor asked.
Peyton shook his head. “Not yet. I need to talk to Ken first.”
“Everyone needs to know you’re back though, correct?”
“Not yet.” He met Trevor’s gaze. “We have a lot to talk about before Ken arrives. Then you’ll understand why I don’t want anyone to know.” He pointed at Jake. “Or that he’s back, too. When’s Ken due?”
Trevor looked at his watch. “If his flight’s on time, and if he doesn’t have any trouble with the drive or finding the house, he should arrive in approximately four hours.”
“Will that be enough time to fill me in about what happened after they snatched me?” Peyton asked.
Trevor grimly nodded. “Would you like food or anything first?”
“I’d kill for a bottle of scotch or something else you don’t mind me draining dry.”
“Can I get some of that action, too?” Jake asked.
Trevor smiled. “Gentlemen, I believe I can take care of that for you without any trouble.”
Ten minutes later, they sat in Trevor’s living room, with a bucket of ice and three different bottles of scotch on the coffee table, and full glasses of iced liquor in Peyton’s and Jake’s hands.
Trevor settled on the sofa across from them, a glass of sherry in his hand. “Where would you like to begin?”
“Let me tell you what I know so far,” Peyton said. “About when they took me. Then you fill in the blanks after I was taken, and I’ll tell you about what happened after I woke up.”
Peyton’s story was far shorter, only needing a few minutes.
What happened to the Haugen family turned Peyton’s stomach and enraged him. “Has anyone reached Geir Haugen yet?” Peyton asked.
“Not yet,” Trevor said. “It’s difficult to get in touch with him where he’s located. We can’t exactly tell the authorities his family’s been murdered, and then have no record of it in either the media or with local law enforcement.”
“And you’re certain he’s not involved?”
“Would I stake my life on it? No. Am I reasonably certain? More than enough. Besides, we’ll be able to verify his whereabouts, although it could take a little while to do so without raising suspicions.
It concerns me that the family was likely murdered by someone who knew Fredrik, at least in passing.
From everything we’ve uncovered, he loved his sister and mother very much, and it would be completely out of character for him to risk their lives, much less harm them directly. ”
“Is it possible he called it in and someone intercepted the tip on your end?”
“Doubtful. Whoever reported it likely had already captured the family based on…the evidence at the scene.”
Peyton took another sip of the cold liquor, savoring it. “Is it possible Faegan did it?”
“That I do not know. If the tip was false to start with, then the reports of corgi sightings were likely falsified as well. My guess is it was someone who knew of the family, and knew Fredrik at least in passing, enough so that he would have dropped his defenses around them. I believe had it been anyone with so much as a passing resemblance to Faegan, Fredrik likely would have run and not trusted them.” Trevor indicated Peyton.
“Please continue your story, and then we may see if any missing pieces become visible.”
Peyton told him what happened, with Jake contributing background information. That took over an hour.
Trevor held up his glass in a toast to Jake. “That was remarkable thinking,” he said. “The way you managed to get the two of you onto the plane.”
“Hey, Peyton did the heavy lifting. All I did was speak the lingo.”
“How many languages do you speak?” Trevor asked.
“I mean, my Russian is passable. A native would likely clock me, though. I can read and speak it. My Finnish isn’t bad—I can read and speak it, too. My Spanish is okay, although I haven’t spoken it in a lot of years. I’m really rusty there.”
Peyton laughed, and it felt damned good. “Well, I’m certain your son-in-law and his sister can help you.”
Jake smiled, staring into his glass. “Yeah, guess you’re right.” He blinked. “Can’t believe I missed their wedding.”
“I’m simply glad you’re not a raging homophobe,” Trevor said. “Especially since Tamsin is my daughter’s mate.” He made a choked sound. “Was,” he said. “She’s like a daughter to us. We love her, and hate like hell we’re missing time with our granddaughter thanks to that bloody bastard.”
“I get Faegan being a jackass,” Jake said, “but I’m honestly shocked he didn’t take the money and run when you offered it.”
“That’s because you have a conscience,” Trevor said. “And you aren’t a cunt.”
Jake snorted. “Been called lots of things in my life, but never that.” His smile faded. “But I’d love a chance to hear Faegan call me a lot of names before I help rip his head off his shoulders.”
“Stand in line, mate,” Trevor said.
“And it’s a long fucking line,” Peyton added.
“Well, with that all said,” Trevor started, “there have been further developments. About twenty minutes before your arrival. Another tip was phoned in.”
Peyton scowled. “Do you know the people personally?”
“No. Reported to a wolf pack in Italy. Their Pack Alpha called me personally and is awaiting my further orders.”
“Can we trust him?”
“One of my Primes talked to him when this misery started, and we can trust him. He’s loyal. But he doesn’t know the person who called in the tip. Knowing what happened to you, he’s also holding action until my further orders.”
Jake sucked his teeth. “I know I’m the new one here, but I don’t trust it.”
“Me either,” Peyton said. “And someone has to know the team that took me is dead. Or mostly dead,” he added. “That they’re sending out another tip so soon means they think I’m still missing.”
“Or it’s a legitimate tip,” Trevor said.
“I think I have a better chance of being crowned king than it being a legitimate tip,” Jake said.