I smiled and pressed a kiss to Jojo's forehead. "I'm sure this has nothing to do with you and Tommy being here."
I just prayed I was right.
When we reached Sinclair's office and stepped inside, I began to think my prayer was for naught. Sinclair was on the phone, but the grimace on his face sent a chill down my spine.
"What's going on?"
Sinclair held up a finger and continued speaking on the phone. "Yes, Elder, I understand completely. I'll certainly get back to you if I find out anything useful. No, sir, I can honestly state that there is no one here who is not a member of my pride. Yes, Elder, that would be fine. You have a good day, too."
Sinclair sighed deeply as he hung up. He rested his elbows on the table, steepled his hands together, then rested his forehead on the tips of his fingers.
"Sinclair?"
"That was Elder Clarence," Sinclair said as he raised his head. "He wanted to know if I had located Jojo and, if so, what measures were being taken to ensure his safe return to his father."
"Bloody hell." I sank down onto the couch and pulled Jojo down next to me. "What did you say?"
"Well, as you heard, I informed the elder that there was no one here that was not a member of my pride."
I chuckled. "Nice sidestep."
"Yes, well, there is a reason for that."
I had a bad feeling about this. "Oh?"
"Jojo, do you know a woman named Darla?" Sinclair asked.
Jojo frowned. "Not that I can think of. Why?"
"Because Ion did a little digging for me, and he discovered that Darla is the name of the woman your father betrothed you to. She is also Elder Clarence's daughter."
I growled as I wrapped an arm around Jojo and pulled him flush against my side. I really didn't like hearing about anyone Jojo had been betrothed to. He was my mate, and mine alone.
"Oh, I bet my father was salivating over that," Jojo said. "He'd love nothing more for me to knock up an elder's daughter. Not only would he have Myra's skulk, but a foot in the door to take over the elder's seat."
"What do you mean?" Sinclair asked.
"If the mating had gone through, I have no doubt Elder Clarence would have been dead within weeks of the birth of the child my father would have forced me to produce. He would, of course, have stepped in to take over the elder's seat on the council out of the goodness of his heart, especially with the family connection we'd have."
"That's quite an elaborate plan that wouldn't see fruition for quite some time. Why wait that long?"
"My father is a bastard, but he is a very intelligent bastard. He sees the future, not just the present, and he makes plans so that the future is one he is in control of."
Sinclair grimaced. "He sounds delightful."
"Yeah," Jojo said. "Not really."
I pressed my lips to the side of Jojo's head. "He's not invited to Christmas dinner."
Jojo tilted his head back to look up at me. "My father doesn't celebrate Christmas."
"And I thought you said he was intelligent."
Jojo's brow furrowed. "You think not celebrating Christmas means he's stupid?"
"I think dismissing any time you get to spend with family and friends is stupid."
Jojo stared at me for the longest time then pressed his face against my chest. "I think I love you."
