Chapter 6 #3
Eli had never been to Martha’s house though he had met the sweet old lady a couple of times at Sloane’s aunt’s place. They were walking up the cracked driveway when the front door opened, revealing a small woman with white hair.
“Sloane! Oh Sloane!” Martha Emcott came running down to greet them, enveloping Sloane in a big hug. “It’s really you, I can’t believe it.”
“Martha,” Sloane breathed as she hugged the old woman back just as hard. “Martha, it’s good to see you. I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Martha pulled back, her eyes wet, and cupped Sloane’s face in both hands. “Your Aunt Ella would be so proud.” She dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her cardigan, then spotted Jacob just behind Sloane. “Is this …?”
“Yes. This is Jacob Martin. My True Mate.”
Martha’s hands flew to her mouth. “I still can’t believe it.” Her gaze dropped to Sloane’s stomach, and fresh tears shone in her eyes. “A baby, too.”
Sloane grinned. “Yeah.”
“Ella would have been over the moon.” Martha seized Jacob’s hand in both of hers. “You take care of this girl, you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jacob flashed her his most charming smile. “She doesn’t make it easy, but I try.”
Sloane elbowed him, and Martha let out a laugh.
Then the old woman’s gaze drifted past them and landed on Eli, her smile fading. While she didn’t flinch exactly, her grip on Jacob’s hand loosened and her shoulders pulled back just enough that Eli noticed.
“Eli.” Her tone was careful. “We all thought you were dead.”
“I’m not,” he said, managing to keep his voice emotionless. “I’ve been in New York.”
“Working with Jacob, actually,” Sloane added quickly. “For a Lycan security company. We’ll tell you everything, don’t worry.”
Martha’s eyes narrowed, but she gave a small nod.
Eli couldn’t blame her. The last time she’d seen him, he was Garret McCall’s son, running with Ronan’s crew. She had every reason to be cautious.
“And this,” Sloane continued, stepping aside to reveal Olivia, “is Olivia. Eli’s True Mate.”
Sloane shot him a look that said you better make this convincing.
Before he could figure out what to do, Olivia’s hand slipped into his.
Her fingers were cool and soft. The contact sent a jolt through him that sent his heart slamming into his rib cage, before eventually coming back down to somewhere above his stomach.
His wolf, which had been on edge since they crossed into Boston, went completely still. Exhaling, he gripped her fingers tight.
Martha’s expression shifted as she looked between them. Whatever she saw must have been enough, because the wariness in her face eased somewhat. “Well. Isn’t that something.” She reached out and patted Olivia’s arm. “Aren’t you a pretty thing. Welcome, dear.”
“Thank you, Ms. Emcott,” Olivia said warmly. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“It’s just Martha, dear. Come inside, all of you. I’ll put the kettle on.”
She ushered them into the living room, where she invited them to make themselves comfortable on the well-worn sofa set with mismatched cushions before disappearing into the kitchen.
Even though Martha was no longer in the room, Olivia hadn’t let go of his hand.
Eli told himself it was for the cover. It had to be.
But when she settled onto the sofa next to him, their shoulders touching, her thumb brushing lightly across his knuckles, his brain shorted out for a full two seconds.
Martha returned with a tray of tea and a plate of cookies that Sloane and Olivia demolished in minutes.
Between bites, Sloane told her what had happened while she was on the run, about how she found her siblings and she ended up with the New York Clan and eventually discovered Eli wasn’t dead.
How Ronan and Garret were brought down, though Martha said she knew that part as everyone in the clan had been following the trial.
As per their plan, Sloane stuck close to the truth, only leaving out the real reason the four of them were in Boston. As far as Martha was concerned, they were visiting now that it was safe to come back.
“I always knew that man was no good,” the old woman said. “Your aunt knew too, God rest her soul. She just couldn’t do anything about it, but she loved you and did her best to protect you.”
“I know,” Sloane said quietly.
“And now he’s rotting where he belongs.” Martha squeezed Sloane’s knee.
“Your parents can finally rest in peace.” She glanced at Eli.
“And you, young man. Garret was a monster, and I don’t hold you responsible for your father’s sins.
But I hope you understand why some people around here might not feel the same. ”
“I do,” he said. It was fair and he didn’t expect anything different.
“And I’ll be facing the consequences too.
Confessing to my part and asking the High Council for leniency.
” He added that part just now, but as he met Sloane’s gaze, she nodded in approval.
After all, it would be suspicious if the other people in the crew had to pay for their crimes while he didn’t.
“Good.” She gave him a curt nod. “Now then. More tea?”