“Bye, Slate.”
“Bye, brother.”
Steel hung up, sighing at nothing and everything. How did he feel about Slate’s request?Mmm, tough question. On the one hand, he knew Colton would jump at the chance. But Jackson? No. After all these months, he was still nervous about Silver Point and his uncle, the Alpha of that pack. Their recent history certainly supported Jackson’s concern about the danger Colton could face outside the protective enclave of their compound. Jumping up, Steel headed out to find his mother.
He found his parents enjoying afternoon tea on the small patio outside their sitting room. “Mom, I need to ask you about Colton,” Steel said.
“Certainly dear, but don’t you think it would be better to have Jackson and Colton here?”
Shaking his head, Steel wondered why he was even surprised at anything his mother said or did any more. Although she was an ‘Oracle’—the voice of the Fates on Earth—that didn’t explain everything about his mother’s abilities. “Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll go get them.”
Maximus watched Steel leave before turning to his wife. “What are you up to, dear?”
“Just doing my part for romance,” Oracle said, leaning over to steal a kiss.
“You already know what this is about, don’t you?”
“Of course, and it is happening the way it needs to for Colton and Ian to mate. This is so much fun,” she giggled.
Smiling, Maximus said, “I’m happy to see you enjoying yourself, my dear.”
Steel entered the patio with Jackson and Colton in tow. “Okay, I’ve got them. Can we proceed?”
“Certainly, sweetie. Come, Jackson, sit down next to me. How’s my grandson today? Still kicking up a storm?”
“Yes, especially today. I think it’s because his other father hasn’t spent enough time with me today,” Jackson pouted.
“Hey, that’s not fair. You know I was trying to get everything taken care of before this weekend so you would have my undivided attention.”
“Hey babe, I was just teasing you. Jeez, you’re tense. What’s the matter and why did you want to see me and Colton. Oh shit! Is something wrong with the baby?” Jackson glanced at Colton.
“What?”
“No, no, babe,” Steel said. “Shit, no. This has nothing to do with the pup. It’s about Colton.”
“Colton? Oh, my gods! Is he sick? Did your mother tell you something was going to happen to him? Colton, why didn’t you tell me you were sick?” demanded Jackson.
“What? I’m not sick. What the fuck have you been telling Steel?” Colton shot angrily at Oracle. “And why are you upsetting Jackson?”
By this time, Maximus was laughing so hard, tears were running down his face. Oracle was chuckling softly but Steel was not amused.
Trying to get the meeting back on track, Steel huffed, “Listen to me. There is nothing wrong with the pup or Colton. This meeting is about a request I got from Slate concerning Colton. Can everyone calm down?”
“Then why did you say you were worried about Colton?”
Maximus was now howling with laughter as Steel turned to him. “Cut it out Dad. This isn’t funny. How the hell did this get so fucked up so fast?”
Oracle took control. “Jackson, dear, the meeting is about Slate’s request for Colton to go to Mexico to help him set up the hospital and clinic.”
“Then why…oh never mind. Let’s just get on with it. Why does Slate need Colton in Mexico to set up the hospital and clinic?”
Steel explained, “Slate wants Colton to join him in Mexico because the person who was scheduled became ill and he can’t find a replacement on this short notice.”
“Can’t he wait until the person recovers?” asked Jackson.
“No,” Steel said, “There was a fire last night that destroyed most of the old hospital, so they are desperate to get the new one up and running. Colton did the floorplan and the equipment list, so he has the most knowledge…medical knowledge…other than Dr. Luna, about getting everything set up properly.”
Colton listened with excitement at the possibility of going to Mexico to help out. When he was doing the planning with Dr. Luna and Slate he’d dreamt of it but was sure Jackson would never let him go. Now, though, maybe. After all, his brother was willing to let him go toSeattle on Monday.Oh Shit. When am I needed in Mexico?“Ahh, when would I be going?” Colton asked.
