Chapter Ten. #2
“I didn’t spend the week at the bottom of the lake because I was sulking,” Jess snapped.
Jase merely raised an eyebrow and waited.
“Sorry. Yes, I love him,” Jess finally admitted.
“Eventually, you’ll have to tell Mitch,” Jase said.
“I can’t!”
“Why not?”
“How does he mate with the Loch Ness Monster? I’d squish him!”
“Jess, there is always a way. Don’t write the mating bond off yet. I suggest that you read the files and then decide. Anyway, Mitch knows what we did. Somehow, he broke Lilith’s spell on his mind and phoned Leon.”
“What did he say?” Jess demanded, and Jase spotted her worry.
“That Leon had to give you the flash drive. Mitch also called Leon an asshole.”
Jess smirked. “Leon is.”
“But he’s our asshole,” Jase added, and she nodded.
“Could you accept Mitch? You hate humans, but loathe Hunters substantially more,” Jess asked.
“Honestly, Jess, I won’t believe Mitch, not even when he’s mated. Hell, I still don’t fully trust Mac, Shelly, and Ranson. There’s no way I’ll be bosom buddies with a guy whose family killed Harpy and Basilisk. But I concede it wasn’t Mitch’s fault; that’s all I can offer for now.”
Jess gaped at Jase, and he smiled, amused. It wasn’t often that Jase shocked one of his siblings into speechlessness. They were more apt to run and hide from his temper.
“Willow’s working miracles on your personality,” Jess whispered, and Jase scowled.
“I’m capable of growth,” he retorted. Jess laughed and glanced at his groin, and Jase got her message.
“Screw you! Willow’s very happy with what I’ve got in my trousers!” he shouted.
“And on that note, I’ll come back at another time,” Garrett/Merman announced, turning around and disappearing.
Jase exchanged a glance with Jess, and they both laughed.
Mitch – a week later.
Out of respect for his staff, Mitch worked from home.
His bad moods were becoming notorious. Diar had returned to his bolthole and was lying low once more.
Mitch was pacing back and forth in his study when he heard footsteps.
In the blink of an eye, Mitch was at his desk and pulling out a weapon.
He stationed himself in the corner of his office, with a clear view of the door, and was stunned when Jess entered and froze.
“Should I leave?” she murmured, motioning to the gun.
“No!” Mitch exclaimed and placed it down before rushing across the room to embrace her. Jess submitted to his hug and even returned it.
“I’ve missed you, but I needed to be sure,” Jess responded.
“Of what?” Mitch demanded, kissing the top of her head, content to hold her.
“That you were telling the truth,” she replied.
Mitch understood that. After what they’d gone through so far, he couldn’t blame Jess for being wary.
“And now?” he asked with hope in his heart.
“I believe you,” Jess whispered.
“After what Ericks and his friends put me through, I guessed you were from a Saviour family, but is Leon too? Those shifters I met were real, Jess.”
Jess squirmed uncomfortably, and Mitch sensed she was struggling.
“I’m not a Saviour, and neither is Leon. Don’t pry yet, Mitch. There are things I can’t reveal to you for protection reasons,” Jess replied.
Doubt assailed Mitch, and he wondered what Jess was hiding. “Tell me you’re not from a Sealgair Uilebheist family.”
Mitch steeled himself. If Jess said yes, then he’d been played. Jesus, if this were a setup, he’d never forgive Jess or himself.
“No,” Jess spat, and Mitch relaxed.
“Leon?”
“He’d as soon set them on fire and keep pouring on the petrol,” she replied.
“Fair assessment. Could I get you food or drink? How did you get in?” he demanded belatedly.
“Mitch, anyone can learn to pick locks,” Jess teased, and his eyebrows rose.
“Fancy that, my beautiful girl, a criminal!” Mitch retorted, and Jess laughed.
“I have more than a few secrets.”
“So, I see. We need to talk. I sent more information implicating Alfred. Last night, Alfred died in his cell. They’re saying a heart attack, but the Sealgair Uilebheist surely caused his death to tie up loose ends.
Alexander is now running the family, and he’s as cruel and diabolical as Alfred.
I’ve got a target on my back, and I put it there.
I don’t believe Alexander will act yet. But he’ll bide his time. ”
“And you expect me to run?” Jess asked as Mitch walked her to the couch in his office and sat down with her.
“No. I think you’ll stand by my side. But Alexander will seek ways to strike back, especially as I took down the patriarch of the Weidemans. Alexander has brothers, nephews, nieces—all trained to be monsters like him. I’m alone with just Diarmad.”
“What if I offered a haven?” Jess mused, her expression taking on a faraway look.
“I wouldn’t leave Diar. He’s been a brother to me and vice versa. Diar’s family are also Sealgair Uilebheist. He jumped off a cliff and broke both his legs to escape them,” Mitch said, and Jess’s eyes went wide.
“What?” she stammered.
“Diar was so determined to break free, he deliberately injured himself. Because Diar’s not one hundred per cent fit, he’s no use to them, and they cut him out.”
“That’s terrible!”
“That’s the life we face. Alexander will strike eventually, and I’ll be forced to make good on my threat. He won’t attack yet. Knowing him, he’ll wait a year, thinking that I’ll let my guard down. That’s something Diar, and I won’t ever do.
Jess reached out and took his hands, and Mitch squeezed hers slightly.
“There’s a possibility that I can help. If you can give me time, I’ll need to speak to a few people,” she stated.
“Whatever you need. But stay, please, Jess. We’ve spent more time apart than together. I’d like to get to know you better, and we can’t do that with constant absences.”
Jess rested her head on his shoulder and smiled. “As you wish.”
Gargoyle
Interesting. Alfred was dead at his son’s command. Now Alexander sat in Alfred’s chair and gave the orders. He watched intently as Alexander called the family together.
“Are you going to let Mitchum escape punishment?” Alexander’s younger brother, Clifton, demanded.
“Mitchum will be dealt with when the time is appropriate,” Alexander replied calmly.
“The whelp needs dealing with now,” Clifton shouted and smashed a fist on the arm of his chair. Alexander regarded him coldly.
“And when Mitchum’s death releases the files containing information on our relatives and the Sealgair Uilebheist as a whole? Then what, brother?”
“We’ll deal with it!” Clifton retorted.
“From behind bars or our graves? Once that knowledge leaks, those not incarcerated will come for our family and destroy us. We’ve seen it happen, hell, we’ve given the order.
We need to discover where those files are hidden and strike them and Mitchum simultaneously.
I’m sure Mitchum would have put a cascade effect into place.
Take one out and the others will release instantly. ”
“The cripple has to be one,” Frederick drawled.
Alexander nodded. His eldest nephew reminded Alexander of himself and not his hot-headed brother. Frederick thought things through; Clifton acted without considering the consequences.
Gargoyle waited. This meeting was getting interesting.
Mitch had really put the cat among the pigeons.
His family was panicking. But Alexander knew Clifton would act impulsively.
That would rid him of a problem. His brother was as arrogant as Alfred.
The Weidemans were in trouble and didn’t recognise it.
Mitch wouldn’t be reined in, and Gargoyle was silently urging him on.
“There may be a weakness,” Frederick announced.
“Apart from the gimp?” Clifton chuckled. Several other family members laughed at the joke. Gargoyle wondered how these idiots had made it so high in the hierarchy of Hunters.
“Mitchum’s seeing a woman. So far, the only info is that her name is Jess. Reports say they’re close,” Frederick continued, ignoring Clifton.
“Do we have a surname?” Alexander demanded.
“Jess Mayhew.”
Oh shit. Gargoyle stirred. Looks like it was time to rejoin the living.