“It doesn’t sound stupid,” Gal said gently.“Just like staying behind or in the car wouldn’t be stupid, either.I have to warn you that I got some news about Jimmy, though.”
Ben tensed.Taylor could feel it even though he wasn’t hugging him, and he inched closer, wanting to reassure his mate.It didn’t look like Ben would need it, though, because after sucking in a breath, he nodded.“What is it?”
“From what little Tony was able to find, Jimmy has vanished.No one has seen him in a few months, which coincides with when he stopped bringing you food.Tony and Taylor were unable to find out what happened to him, which, to me, points to the fact that something’s wrong.I doubt he’ll be home when you get there.”
Taylor frowned at Tony.Why hadn’t he told him that?They worked together, and Taylor was Ben’s mate.He should know that kind of information.
“You think he’s gone?”Ben asked, sounding hopeful.
“I think there’s a good chance that he is, yes.People don’t just disappear like that.He locked you up in his basement because he wanted you to be his.He wouldn’t have abandoned you easily.”
“And you don’t know what happened?”
Tony shook his head.“Unfortunately, no.It’s almost as if he’s vanished without anyone knowing what happened to him.If we don’t find anything today, I’ll look into it.I suspect that if Jimmy has anyone who cares about him, they’ll eventually go to the police and file a missing person’s report.”
Taylor couldn’t say he was sorry.Whatever had happened to Jimmy, he deserved it.He’d hurt Ben.
“I hadn’t expected that,” Ben murmured.
“I don’t think any of us did.We’ll see what happens when you get there.”
That was their cue to leave the office.Taylor kept glancing in Ben’s direction, wanting to help him but not knowing how.They’d both been convinced they were going to confront Jimmy today, but it didn’t look like that would happen.Part of Taylor hoped that Jimmy really was gone, while another part wanted Ben to have what he needed.If that was a confrontation with Jimmy, then Jimmy had better be home when they got there.Taylor would find a way to locate him if he wasn’t.
“It’s really hard to choose who to go with,” Peter said when they all stepped out of the house.They were taking two cars, Tony’s and Taylor’s.Peter kept looking from one to the other, which was confusing.
“Why?”Taylor asked.
“Well, on one hand, you have the newly bonded,” Peter said, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.“On the other hand, you have mates who just found each other.I don’t know what’s worse.”
Taylor barked out a laugh.“Or you could take your own car.”
“It feels a bit excessive.I think I’ll go with Jacob and Tony.”
“Should I be offended?”
Peter clasped Taylor’s shoulder.“Not at all.I just want to give you and your mate some time alone.”His expression softened, and he glanced in Ben’s direction.He was standing with Jacob, who was talking to him.“I think it’ll be good for Ben to have time alone with you.This is going to be hard for him.”
Taylor swallowed.“Thank you.”
“You have nothing to thank me for.It’s what friends do.”
It was, but they were more than friends.They were fellow pride members, and that had always been important.Even when their alpha had been an asshole who’d terrorized the pride, the pride members had always had each other.
That hadn’t changed.
* * * *
SAYING THAT BEN WASnervous and anxious would be an understatement.He really didn’t want to go, and even though he was already in the car with Taylor driving away from the pride house, he was tempted to open the door and throw himself out.
He didn’t.He needed to do this.It wasn’t only to protect the pride in case Jimmy decided to do something stupid, but also for himself.If Jimmy was there, Ben would tell him what he thought of him.Hell, maybe he’d yell at him and even hit him.Ben wasn’t usually a violent person, but Jimmy deserved everything Ben was eager to throw at him.
Jimmy wouldn’t be able to hurt Ben.Ben wasn’t alone this time.He had Taylor and the other three pride members to protect him.They’d make sure that Jimmy couldn’t lock Ben in his basement again.Besides, Jimmy might not even be there.Gal had said that he hadn’t been seen in a while.When he’d left Ben for the last time, he’d told him that he had something to do, but Ben had no idea what that something was.He didn’t care, either.He was just glad that Jimmy seemed to be gone and hoped his ex-boyfriend wouldn’t pop up again.
But it was better to make sure, which was why they were going there.That way, Ben would never have to worry about Jimmy again.
“You’re doing okay?”Taylor asked from the driver’s seat.
“I’ve been better, but I’ll be fine.”
