"He beat you for that, too, didn't he?" Stone asked.
I nodded, because yes, he had. "As soon as we got back to my father's house, he instructed Roger to take me down to the basement to teach me some manners. I peed blood for a week."
"This asshole needs to be stopped," Stalker snarled.
"It's my word against his, Stalker."
Stalker's jaw clenched. "He beat you."
"He had Roger beat me two days ago, too, but I don't have a mark on me. Who'd believe me?" It wasn't as if anyone in my skulk would stand up for me. They never had. Not that I blamed them. My father did to them what he did to me.
"We believe you, Jojo," Sinclair said. "We just need to figure out a way to prove it."
I seriously didn't think that would happen.
"I have Ion looking into your father."
"Ion?"
I didn't remember meeting anyone named Ion.
"Ion is our handler, Jojo," Stalker explained. "It used to be Sinclair, but when he took over as alpha and elder, he turned the position over to Ion."
"What is a handler?"
"He gives us our assignments and helps us complete them."
Huh.
"Is he a member of the pride?"
"No." Sinclair chuckled. "Ion is human."
"So is Bob," I pointed out. "He's a member of the pride."
"Oh, no, that's not what I meant," Sinclair said quickly. "I have nothing against humans. Bob is one of my best friends. I just meant Ion is human and doesn't understand living in a pride."
I wasn't sure that was any better.
"I'm pretty sure Ion is part computer." Stone chuckled. "That man knows more ways to hack stuff than anyone I've ever met in my life."
"Hack?" I glanced at Sinclair. "Is that legal?"
Sinclair shrugged. "I don't ask. He doesn't tell."
Gotcha.
"So, as I was saying," Sinclair continued. "I have Ion looking into your father's activities. If there's a way to stop him, we will."
I could only hope.
"In the meantime, I don't want you or Tommy going anywhere unescorted." Sinclair winced as he glanced back at his mate. "That sounded pretty bad, didn't it?"
Stone chuckled. "Yeah."
Sinclair grimaced as he looked back at me. "I didn't mean that how it sounded. You have free rein to come and go as you please. I would just feel better if you had someone to protect you when you went out and about. If your father does try something, I want to make sure he doesn't get away with it."
I sent the man a small smile. "I understand."
