“Right…so how about we fill in some of those blanks. In order for you to do whatever you need to do for Remy, I think it’s critical for you to know exactly what gifts are at your command. Do you agree?”
“My command?” Brady asked, anger and panic jostling for control of his voice. “You just can’t go handing out that kind of power. What if I possess bad intentions? Do you have any idea the havoc I could wreak in the paranormal world? This is exactly why…why…oh, never mind.”
“This is exactly why…what?” Jackson asked softly.
Shaking his head, Brady wouldn’t give voice to his thoughts. What the Fates had decreed certainly wasn’t any business of his and bitching about their decisions wouldn’t change anything.
Jackson leaned forward, looking at Brady intently before speaking. “If you were going to say it’s insane my pack has so many powers…I would agree with you. Or if you were thinking the Fates made a mistake…I’d say the jury is still out on that. But if you think my pack would ever use these powers for any purposes other than what they were given for, then I would say, you’re dead wrong. How can I be so certain? Because I know my pack and I’ll stake my life on the righteousness of each and every member in it.”
“I’m sorry if you thought I was insulting you, Alpha…I wasn’t,” Brady replied, chastising himself for his lack of tact. “My thoughts pertained to the Fates’ decisions. I’ve seen what power in the wrong hands can do. It’s the reason I agreed to help…to right a wrong done to many magic users for years now.”
“No insult taken, Brady,” Jackson said, softening his tone. “I’m not arrogant enough to assume I know why the Fates did what they did, but I do know evil will never find a foothold here. And if that’s the sole reason my pack was blessed, then the paranormal world will only benefit from it.” Jackson paused before continuing. “When Oracle warned me that my brother and his family were threatened and asked my permission to reveal my pack’s gifts to you, I gave it without hesitation and, frankly, you are the first outside this pack to know. Honestly, if there was any other way to protect Carson and Remy, I would’ve jumped on it like a duck on a June Bug. Does you knowing about us make me nervous? Absolutely. But I also trust Mystia and Oracle implicitly and their assurances about your motives has eased my mind…somewhat.”
“You can trust me,” Brady replied. “As I promised Oracle, I will never betray her…or your confidence.”
“I believe you,” Jackson said, smiling. “Now, back to the job at hand. I’ve decided to assign Dylon as your contact person regarding whatever it is you need from us.”
“Why did you pick him?” Brady asked, wondering if this was a subtle attempt by Jackson to be able to sidestep any help he might need.
“Dylon has the power of Hercules, giving him extraordinary strength and courage, and the ability to solve any problem presented to him. But what’s most important in this case is his strategic brilliance. Once you tell him the situation, he will be responsible for selecting which pack member…or members…would best be able to assist you and make sure the mission succeeds.”
“What if there are multiple missions?” asked Brady. “What if it takes several months before I can get everything sorted out?”
Shrugging, Jackson said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m committed no matter how long it takes. As far as I’m concerned, the job isn’t finished until Carson and his family are safe.” Hearing a rapping on the door frame, Jackson’s gaze shifted over there, smiling at the man waiting for permission to enter. “Dylon, come in. Did they arrive safely?”
Taking a chair next to Mystia, Dylon greeted her and Brady before turning back to Jackson. “Everyone’s fine. At Sawyer’s insistence, Mac took Alex downstairs to check him over and Glenn’s with them.”
“Sounds like Alex didn’t stand a chance of refusing,” Steel said, chuckling as he rose. “If y’all will excuse me, my father is waiting for me. See you guys later.”
Gabbing his mate’s hand, Jackson pulled him down until their lips met in a kiss before letting go, keeping his eyes on Steel as he left the room. Giving a small sigh as his eyes refocused on the people sitting in front of him, he found Dylon smirking his eyebrows winging upward. “What?” Jackson asked.
“Join the club,” Dylon said. “We spent last night taking turns with two fussy pups who are both teething…killing a romantic evening I’d planned for Cody.”
“It’ll get better,” Mystia said. “Pups grow up fast, but trust me, before long, you will be wishing for these days again.”
“She’s right, Jackson said to Dylon. “Now that Daniel is walking, Steel is freaking out about pup-proofing everything.”
“Ah, maybe he shoulda thought about that before Daniel got into the shaving cream,” Dylon chuckled.
Remaining silent, Brady paid attention to the interaction between Jackson and Dylon, knowing from his past experiences it might shed some light on some of his lingering doubts. Not that there were many left, but after so many defeats, it was still hard for him to believe this time would be different. Stealing a glance at Mystia, he found some of the tension in her body had abated, softening her face into the loveliness he was used to seeing. There was a bond of affection between her, Jackson and Dylon and, for the first time, he wondered how that had been forged. Hearing his name mentioned, he set aside his musings, tuning back to the conversation.
“Dylon, I’m assigning you to help Brady put an end to the danger facing Carson and Remy,” Jackson said. “With my permission, Oracle has given him a brief summary of our abilities, but I’ll leave it to you to provide the details. Just so we’re clear…Brady has my full support, and anything he needs, he is to get.”
Nodding, Dylon turned to Brady. “Why don’t we have a sit down…get to know each other. I can also answer any of your questions at that time.”
“Uhm…maybe tomorrow morning?” Brady replied, unsure when he’d be leaving for France.
Picking up on Brady’s unasked question, Jackson said, “According to Mystia, you’ll have several days before you have to be in France. It will give you time to get to know my brothers better and work out any issues with Dylon. If you have any problems or concerns, please bring them to me and I’ll see what I can do.”
Seeing Brady nod in response, Dylon said, “Great. Then tomorrow morning at 10.”
Rising, Jackson held out his hand, clasping Brady’s. “Thank you very much. I owe you a big debt of gratitude for agreeing to help me save my brother and his family.”
Standing, Brady felt his cheeks redden. He wasn’t use to such effusive appreciation, especially when he viewed his assignment as only doing the right thing. After nodding his head, he followed Mystia out of the study, heading back to his room for more of those rose petal cookies.
~/~/~/~/~
Jackson waited until Brady and Mystia were out of hearing distance, before looking intently at Dylon and asking, “Any trouble with the men following Sawyer and his mates?”
