“We’d love to.” Hearing his grandpup growl, Maximus looked over Reeve’s shoulder and saw Jackson holding Daniel tightly. Frowning, he asked, “What’s going on?”
“Your grandpup thinks I’m a threat to his Alpha,” Reeve said, trying to keep a straight face.
Maximus’ eyebrows shot up to his hairline. “Why in the world would he think that?”
“Maybe he doesn’t like my animal,” Reeve joked.
“Jackson, may I please?” Maximus held out his hands.
“I don’t think you should force it, Dad,” Steel said.
Taking Daniel from Jackson, Maximus murmured, “I don’t plan to.” Turning Daniel around in his arms until the pup was facing Reeve, Maximus bent down until his mouth was next to Daniel’s ear and began to whisper.
It was impossible for Jackson to hear what Maximus was saying, but slowly his son’s growls grew softer until they entirely ceased. Then, much to his amazement, Daniel yipped and gave a wolfy smile at Reeve.
“Dad, how did you do that?” asked Steel.
Winking at his son, Maximus set Daniel on the floor, then said, “Go guard Max, Danny.”
Jackson watched as his son scampered off, heading downstairs to find Max. “Okay, fess up…what did you say to him?”
“It’s not what I said, it’s who said it,” Maximus chuckled, glancing over at Reeve. “Send me the info about your mate’s show. I look forward to meeting him.”
“You can count on it,” Reeve murmured. “It was really good seeing you again.”
After Maximus left, Reeve, with Tristan and Heath trailing behind him, followed Jackson through the great room and down the hall that led to the study. It was now obvious to Reeve that Jackson hadn’t told anyone that Kahn was his mate, but then, there was no reason for him to have done so. Certainly, it never would have crossed Jackson’s mind that his father-in-law had saved Reeve from perdition. No, that was a secret he kept deeply buried. He’d made enemies during his career at the High Council and wasn’t going to let them use threats against Maximus as a way to bend him to their will.
Staring at Jackson’s back, Reeve noticed the tension in his shoulders and concluded Jackson was perplexed about his prior relationship with Maximus.Too bad…it’s not your business.But Reeve knew if Jackson insisted, he’d be forced to explain their history, whether he wanted to or not because Jackson controlled Reeve’s access to Smokey.Dammit!
After they entered the Alpha’s study and were seated, Reeve shifted his gaze to Jackson, stunned to see the Alpha smiling at Tristan.What the fuck? What the hell did I miss?Jackson then began to speak.
“Reeve asked me if I objected to you replacing your father as Alpha…”
“But you’re hesitant because you know nothing about me, right?”
“Not exactly,” Jackson said. “So far, I know you’re my cousin, you’re mated and you like cowboy boots.”
Looking down at his favorite pair, Tristan chuckled. “Yeah, my mom bought them for me.”
“So not only are you sentimental, you also must love your mother very much,” Jackson said.
“I did love her,” Tristan murmured, looking down. “Cancer recently took her, but I’m pretty sure her broken heart didn’t help.”
“I’m sorry,” Jackson said, softly.
“It is what it is,” Tristan replied, raising his head and looking at his cousin. “I appreciate your sympathy, but we’re not here to talk about my mother.”
Smiling briefly, Jackson shook his head. “You’re right…”
“I know…you’re wondering if I’m at all like Josiah, my father…and along with that, you’re trying to figure out if I’m dangerous to you and your brothers.”
“Cutting to the chase,” Jackson replied. “I like that. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out. Josiah went after my family for absolutely no reason…at least I haven’t yet discovered the real one.”
“Josiah also kicked my pregnant mother out of his pack even though he swore to love and protect her forever. I came here to kill him for what he did to her, only to find out one of your pack members beat me to it. I know it won’t bring back your family, but I pray that, in some way, his death will give you some comfort, as it does for me.”
Tilting his office chair back, Jackson studied his cousin, searching and then finding that Tristan had spoken the truth. His cousin was a good person and would make a much better leader of the Silver Point Pack than Josiah ever could. The burden Jackson had carried since that fateful night in Las Vegas so many years ago had finally been lifted. Leaning forward in his chair, he said, “Tell me your thoughts about the members of your pack.”
“What would you like to know?”
