"Stalker—"
"We'll run if we have to, Jojo. I have a lot of money in savings, more than enough for us to stay hidden for the rest of our lives."
"Go on the run?" I whispered.
I vividly remembered running through the woods with Tommy and how horrible it had been. I didn't want to force him to go through that again, not now when we'd found a home that accepted us and loved us.
"I know you're scared, Jojo," Sinclair said, "but you're never going to be free of your father if you don't face him."
"I can't lose Tommy."
It would destroy me.
"We're not going to lose Tommy," Stalker snapped as he started pulling me toward the door. "We need to pack."
"Stalker, wait, please," Sinclair said. "Give Jojo a chance to face his father at the council meeting. If he can prove Langston's allegations wrong, his father will have no standing to take Tommy."
"And if he can't convince the council?"
Sinclair's lips thinned for a moment. "Then have your bags packed and ready to go."
"Jojo won't be safe. His father will try something. You know he will."
"We'll send guards with him, and I have to be there as a member of the council. Stone will be with me. We can protect your mate, Stalker."
"Someone needs to stay with Tommy," Stalker insisted. "I don't want him anywhere near that council meeting."
One of those wicked grins Sinclair got when he was thinking something devious crossed his lips. "I actually have something else planned for Tommy."
If it kept Tommy safely away from my father, I was all for it.
"Tell me what you have in mind."
Chapter Thirteen
I stayed close to Jojo's side as we walked into the council chambers, flanked by Shade and Stryker. Stone stood with his mate, who sat high on a dais with the other members of the council. We walked down the aisle between the benches and made our way to a table off to one side.
Alpha Langston and a woman I'd seen going in and out of the alpha's house a few times stood next to him. I narrowed my eyes and shot them a look of hatred that I wished could flay the skin from their bones.
Unfortunately, that was just a wish.
The gavel coming down made me jump just a little.
I'd never admit that.
I sat down behind Jojo, but close enough that my knees brushed his thigh. I wanted him to know I was there without everyone else knowing. Public displays of affection in the council chambers just didn't seem right.
"You've been called here today to discuss the matter of the rightful custody of one Thomas Langston, as well as numerous charges made against Joseph Langston," one of the elders stated. "We'd like to hear from both sides in this case."
Alpha Langston stood. "Your honor, before we start, I believe Elder Sinclair should be excluded from these proceedings as he may have a biased opinion due to his friendship with my son."
The elder nailed Alpha Langston with a hard stare. "Are you suggesting—"
"It's quite all right, Elder McKay," Sinclair said. "I feel quite confident that the council can reach a rational decision concerning the custody of Tommy without my input. I recluse myself."
The elder gave Sinclair a nod. "As you wish, Elder Sinclair." Elder McKay looked back at Alpha Langston. "You may begin."
"Begin, your honor?"
