“It’s not just your father,” Heath replied. “We still don’t know who’s working with him.”
“A piss-poor excuse if I ever heard one.” Turning around, Kahn walked over to the bed and grabbed his phone. “See this?” he asked, pointing to the text message he’d just received from Emilia. “This is the one chance I have to provide for my mother and sisters. If I can’t do it, there isn’t a Plan B. Sooner or later myfather will be found and jailed. When that happens, our world will find out what kind of monster he is…and whether it’s fair or not, my family will bear the shame of his actions.”
Flopping down on the edge of his bed, Kahn felt the hopelessness of the situation settle into his bones, making it impossible for him to meet Heath’s gaze. After the meeting with his mother, he realized the burden of picking up the pieces and finding a path forward for all of them had fallen to him. And other than his paintings, he had no means to raise the money needed for their security.
Looking down at his hands, Kahn noticed a few flecks of color on them left over from his recent painting frenzy. Rubbing one of them, he said softly but firmly, “If your boss won’t agree to provide security for me to go, I’ll have no choice but to leave the safe house.” Then forcing himself to look up at Heath, he added, “With all the resources you guys have at your disposal, no one will ever convince me the only place the High Council can protect me is in this fucking safe house.”
Surprised at Kahn’s defiance, Heath studied Reeve’s mate. It was the first time the man had shown any strength befitting an Alpha. Heath had been dubious about the Fates’ choice in pairing Reeve and Kahn as mates, but maybe, just maybe, they knew what they were doing. Studying Kahn’s face, he found determination there and he knew without a doubt Kahn meant what he said. Sighing inwardly at the poor timing for Kahn’s defiance to emerge, Heath said, “I’ll talk to Reeve again and see what I can do, okay?”
A flicker of hope crossed Kahn’s face before he quickly hid it. If there was one positive thing his father taught him, it was to hide his emotions, especially when trying to bulldoze someone stronger than he into agreeing with him. Tempering his angerat his father, Kahn quietly responded. “I’d appreciate that…very much.”
Holding Kahn’s gaze for a moment, Heath finally nodded. “I’ll call him now.” Then turning, he left the room, heading downstairs to the basement where there was a soundproof room. The last thing he wanted was to be overheard when he tore Reeve a new asshole for putting him into this position.
~/~/~/~/~
Drumming his fingers on the desk, Jackson contemplated the unease churning in his gut. Swiveling his chair, he leaned back, once more seeking the calm of the forest outside his window, hoping it could provide an answer to the question burning in his mind that he had no answer for—at least for now. But he’d soon have to because his brothers would want to know it. Looking up to the cloudless sky, Jackson sighed in frustration at the lack of any help there.
What reparations do I want for what Josiah did to my parents, siblings and the rest of the Fox River Pack?When Reeve first asked him, a jolt of anger surged through his body—that anyone could think money or land would ever replace his younger brothers and sisters was beyond belief. Even now, years after they’d been massacred, Jackson remembered their voices and laughter, even their birthdays. And though the deep pain he felt after learning of their deaths had diminished somewhat, they would forever occupy a place in his heart.
And what about Mom? How could Reeve ever expect her to put a price tag on losing her children?It wasn’t until Daniel was born that he could finally understand the pain and suffering his mother went through—and was still going through—as her recent episode confirmed. And that brought up another thoughtabout how his mother would react when he told her about Reeve’s offer. He’d have to talk to Mac, Ian, and Colton for some advice on how to handle it.
Damn Josiah!His brothers were finally in a good place after the years of hell and he had no doubt the reparation discussion would be a major setback for all of them—especially Dakota. His pregnancy was already high risk and to add this to the mix… Jackson could only imagine the effectthatcould have on him.
Sighing, Jackson closed his eyes, hoping to find peace in the darkness, but to no avail. Thinking about his mother and brothers’ possible reactions only clouded his mind even more. Taking a deep breath, he cleared his mind of all thoughts other than the one he needed to focus on and, after looking at the issue from all sides, he realized he needed more facts in order to find the answer.
Turning back to his desk, he dug out Reeve’s card and dialed his number. While the man probably wouldn’t be able to give him help with everything, Jackson was sure Reeve was the best person to provide information about the Silver Point pack.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Nicolet, it’s Jackson Blackwood.”
“Alpha, what can I help you with?”
~/~/~/~/~
Maximus breathed a sigh of relief when Oracle finally lifted her head to look at him, but it was short-lived. By the mix of emotions he found there he knew for certain her news wasn’t going to be good. Lifting his hand, Maximus laid it against her cheek, brushing off the remains of her fallen tears. “Tell me, love…and we shall face it together.”
“I am so worried about it. Frank is furious and I do not blame him. The real possibility of harm coming to everyone in the Blackwood Pack is great and I honestly cannot figure out why the Fates would ever think their plan would work.”
Maximus frowned, trying to figure out the meaning of Oracle’s words, but was stymied. Why would the Fates put the Blackwood Pack in harm’s way when they went through all the trouble to single out its members for special gifts? For the first time in their long lives together, his wife wasn’t making sense. Rubbing her back gently, Maximus paused for a moment before murmuring, “Sweetheart, I think I’m missing something. Why is Frank upset and what harm are you referring to?”
“They want a dangerous criminal to be released into Jackson’s custody.”
“Why?”
Oracle huffed. “According to them, he is necessary so that Jackson and the pack can achieve their goal of saving our world.”
“Oh.” Now Maximus was picking up on why his wife was so upset. “Have you asked them to reconsider?”
“Yes, but they are insistent that Cain is necessary.”
“So I take it the prisoner’s name is Cain?”
“Cain Foster.”
“You said he’s dangerous...”
Standing up, Oracle reached for her bag and drew out the file Frank had given her. Handing it to Maximus, she said, “Here, see for yourself.”
