He flipped off the main lights and the room went dark. Then he flicked another switch. Everyone gasped as they looked up for there were hundreds of tiny lights embedded in the ceiling representing stars in a clear night sky. They gave off a very dim glow—a nightlight for Jackson or Steel to check on the pup without waking him. Then flicking another switch, a pale full moon appeared, increasing the light level just enough for changing a diaper or giving a bottle.
Jackson was speechless. Logan had taken the words from his favorite song “Thinking Out Loud” and used them as inspiration to create a wonderful world for his pup—one that was under the light of a thousand stars. Memories flooded back of Steel’s last night surprise in San Francisco when they danced under thousands of tiny lights while his mate sang that song to him. Tears were now flowing freely as Jackson felt consumed by his emotions. He felt Steel’s arms wrapped around him, holding him securely while he cried. His tears were forhis dead parents and younger siblings and for all he and his brothers had lost. Suddenly he felt the hands of his brothers on his back before finding himself in the middle of the biggest group hug ever. As his tears dried he felt his worries ease. He looked at everyone with a trembling smile and said, “I love you guys and thanks for the hug. So, what do you think of Logan’s design?”
~/~/~/~/~
Rudy knocked on Josiah’s door and waited for permission to enter. He was a man on a mission and his boss wasn’t going to delay him anymore. After being acknowledged, he entered and walked over to the desk, waiting for Josiah to finish his call. His eyes roamed the office looking for the one thing he was seeking. Spying it on top of the file cabinet, he sighed. At least he knew where it was.
Hanging up the phone, Josiah asked, “Have you taken care of the problem in Mexico?”
“Yes, Loki is headed down there to handle it.”
“Don’t fuck it up this time,” Josiah snarled.
“I won’t. It’s my neck on the line too. Did you find the video that guy sent to the High Council? It’s part of my investigation about potential leaks and I need to review it.”
“Fuck, it’s around here somewhere.”
“Uh, boss, I think I see it,” Rudy said, moving toward the file cabinet and picking it up. “Is this it?”
“Yeah, take it and return it when you’re finished.”
“Will do.”
Chapter 28
“Have you thought of any additional names for our pup?” Jackson asked Steel, while sitting on the exam table.
“A few. What about you?”
“I was thinking about using our grandfathers’ names.”
“Really? I had the same thought.”
The door opened and Ian walked in followed by Colton, whose face lit up at the mention of names for their pup.
“I don’t know what you heard but don’t even think of saying anything to your brothers, Colton,” said Steel.
“Aww, what’s wrong with me using a little inside information?”
“First because you got it during a private exam and second because we want the name to be a surprise to everyone.”
“He’s got you on the first one,” Ian chuckled. “Brother or not, Jackson is still your patient.”
“Okay, but you know that’s just downright mean,” Colton said, pushing out his lower lip in a pout.
Ian stood on his tiptoes and grabbed his mate’s lower lip, biting it before letting go and then giving it a kiss to soothe the sting.
“Uhmm, do you want to check me over in the morning?” Jackson asked, with a grin, getting down from the table.
Ian blushed a deep red. “No, you get right back up there. This won’t take any time at all,” he said hustling over to wash his hands at the sink.
Steel helped Jackson back up on the exam table and could tell his mate was tired. “Babe, it’ll take just a few minutes and then we’ll head to bed.”
Jackson nodded. Tired didn’t begin to describe how he felt. He was bone weary and knew even days of solid sleep would not lessen the fatigue that seeped into his body over the last week.
“Let’s have a look.” Ian said, starting his exam.Blood pressure elevated, not good. Swelling in face and hands and legs, extreme tiredness.“Colton, I want you to pull some blood for a full panel.”
“Is there a problem with my pup?” Jackson asked, worried suddenly by the serious look on his brother’s face.
