“Not yet, but now that we have the number of the burner phone he’s using, we were able to track him to that approximate location. According to satellite photos, there aren’t any buildings there so my guess is he’s using a tent.”
“Hmm…he must feel safe there,” Reeve muttered to himself. “He’s surrounded by forest…who owns the land he’s on?”
“Not sure…do you want me to find out?”
“Do it,” Reeve said, looking up at Eddie. “And ASAP.”
“Understood. It shouldn’t take long,” Eddie said, scooping up the rest of his notes before leaving Reeve’s office.
Finally, a solid lead.Concentrating on the map, Reeve located the only road leading into Josiah’s location, making it more than likely it was boobytrapped—something he would have to take into consideration in a plan to capture the Alpha.
~/~/~/~/~
Bending down, Oracle picked up Cain’s folder from the sofa, hesitating for a moment before standing up. Looking over at her husband, she attempted a brave smile which quickly fizzled.
Rising, Maximus walked slowly over to his wife, gathering her in his arms. Brushing his lips against her forehead, he murmured, “Would you like me to attend your meeting with Jackson?” Her quick intake of air gave him her answer.
“Do you mind?” she whispered.
Shaking his head, Maximus kissed her again before saying, “Not at all…but you have nothing to worry about. Jackson will not turn you down.”
“But what if he does? Then I have failed our world…and the Fates. How can I ever face them again?”
Maximus leaned back and cupped her chin, raising it until her eyes found his. “You won’t fail, my love. I have complete faith in you and obviously so do the Fates, or else they wouldn’t have given this task to you. Trust in them…and yourself.”
Her eyes searched Maximus’ face, looking for any sign of doubt he might have but, finding none, she nodded. “I will try.”
“Good.” Releasing her, Maximus took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. “Let’s go. The more you put this off, the more you’ll worry.” After seeing Oracle nod in agreement, he led her from their suite and down the hall to Jackson’s study. Glancing at his wife, Maximus could see that the tightness on her face had relaxed somewhat, though he knew she still doubted her ability to convince the Alpha. And truth to tell, he felt there was good cause for it; the Fates’ price for having saved Jackson and his brothers was way out of line.
Knocking on Jackson’s door, he smiled reassuringly at Oracle and sent love through their bond. He’d be there for her no matter how it turned out. She had become part of his life and gained his loyalty and protection and that would never change.
“Come in.”
“You can do this,” Maximus whispered in Oracle’s ear before opening the door.
Looking up from his computer, Jackson smiled when he saw who it was. “Hey, Oracle, I didn’t know you were back.”
Glancing at Maximus first, she gave an imperceptible nod before turning to Jackson. Squaring her shoulders, she embraced the trust her husband and the Fates had in her. She would succeed in her mission. After all, she was halfway there. “I have a request for you from the Fates.”
Surprised at the formality of Oracle’s pose, Jackson paused a moment, studying her and, more importantly, trying to figure out why Maximus was with her. Previously, she’d met with him alone and had certainly been more relaxed than she appeared to be now. A thread of foreboding wound itself around his heart and he knew, without hearing the message, that his world was about to turn upside down again. Nodding briefly, he said, “Sure, have a seat. You don’t mind if Steel joins us, do you?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Maximus said, guiding Oracle to one of the chairs in front of Jackson’s desk. “It certainly will save you from having to repeat everything later.”
“Is there anyone else that needs to be here? My brothers, maybe?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary for now,” Maximus replied, warmly.
Before Jackson could say another word, Steel joined them. Taking the seat next to Jackson, he leaned over and whispered in his mate’s ear, “Mo chroí,are you all right?”
Nodding briefly, Jackson grasped Steel’s hand, before saying. “Oracle has a request from the Fates for me and I thought you’d want to hear it.”
Steel raised an eyebrow as he processed Jackson’s statement. Then glancing at his mother, he frowned at the stiffness of her posture. It was something he rarely saw, in fact, he couldn’t recall the last time he had. Giving his father a quick glance, Steel found nothing in his face that would give him a clue as to what was coming. Tightening his hold on Jackson’s hand, he asked, “What’s the request?”
“I think it is best if you read this first,” Oracle replied, placing the folder on the desk. “Then I will tell you.”
Jackson slowly reached for the folder, sliding it over to him and Steel. Opening it, he stared at the picture first before continuing on with the rest. Reading slowly, he handed each page to his mate after he’d read it. When he was finally finished, he couldn’t, for the life of him, figure out how the criminal he’d read about and the Fates’ request were related.
After Steele finished reading the last page of the file, he closed it and set it down slowly, exchanging glances with Jackson before asking, “What is Jackson’s involvement with this felon? The only link I see is the man’s attendance at Arald’s auction where Theo and Norm were up for sale. But other than Jackson withdrawing his complaint against all who participated…”
