I shook my head, happy to let him have the last word. I stood, following him to the door, and kissed his cheek as he left to go. As the door closed, I hoped once I started school we’d still have time for lunches like this.
CHAPTER15
JOLAR
Today wasmy last day of work before I had my week off, and I couldn’t wait to return home. Things with Neal had gotten a little dicey yesterday as he suddenly decided we were sending him to Larry’s because we were giving him away. After a lot of crying and cuddles, he finally admitted that he was afraid that I would want to get rid of him because I liked Mitchell more and that maybe Mitchell had only been pretending to like him. In the end, he seemed to understand that it was only because we had ‘business’ as Mitchell told him, following it up with a promise to take him on a picnic at the park.
I wanted to see him before he left for Larry’s, to give him a hug and reiterate once more how he was my beloved youngling. I smiled, thinking about how he was going to be able to show me the picnic basket that he and Mitchell had gone to get this afternoon after Mitchell picked him up from school.
First though, Mitchell had gone to his afternoon appointment regarding his nursing studies. He hadn’t sent me a message via Xeranos to let me know how that went, and I was feeling rather worried in case it had not gone the way he’d hoped, for whatever reason.
Then again, he’s never sent me a message that way. Maybe Xeranos never told him how to do so.
I felt guilty, knowing I had not shown him how either, stupidly thinking he’d ask Xeranos how. I vowed to make up for that shortcoming at the earliest opportunity.
Klora had left earlier as his shift began a bit before mine but he’d promised to show up promptly at the agreed time for dinner. We’d also sent an invitation to Targel, who’d accepted. It looked like a fine evening was ahead of us, provided all remained well with Neal.
“Hi, Jolar,” Pritil greeted me, joining me in the office. “Good day today?”
“She’s been quiet,” I said, jerking my head to the cell across the corridor. “Not said a word to anyone since Sachuu came and told her that the FBI got permission to use cadaver dogs and they would be searching the property next week.”
“Still not a sound, huh?” He frowned. “Sounds like she’s worried.”
I agreed. That woman had a nasty secret, one even worse than the one we’d all found out about where she’d tried to frame one nephew for child abuse and neglect while trying to gain custody of her younger one. All apparently to try to steal even more money from the inheritance they never even knew they had.
“I would not be surprised if they found the body of the male unfortunate enough to have mated her.”
Pritil pursed his lips. “I feel sorry for the end he came to, but I have no sympathy for the probable part he played in swindling Braevan’s mate and his brother.”
“Agreed.” I handed him the duty brief. “There’s a new prisoner in cell five. He’s facing a tribunal in a few days’ time.”
Pritil scanned the duty brief and gave a low whistle. “He attacked the guy in the bunkroom for suggesting he shower?” He shook his head. “I don’t understand humans sometimes. I see we also have a guest in Cell 2. Blandarian whiskey and a brawl, eh? He keeps that up he’ll lose his position within the Fleet and have his chance at a mate match removed.”
I shrugged. “If he cannot control his behavior, perhaps he is not ready to find his mate.”
“True.”
We completed the handover and I signed out. Another would come bearing the meals for the current prisoners and join him to watch over them for the night, so my day was done. I hurried down the depressing row of cells and out into the cheerier main corridor.
Neal met me at the door, hugging my legs as I crossed the threshold. “Papa! Daddy’s home!” He looked up at me, tell-tale smears of chocolate all around his mouth.
“You’ve been eating chocolate before dinner?” I probed.
“I just lickeded the spoon, Daddy! We maded cupcakes for tomorrow!”
“Oh, I see!”
A very harried-looking Mitchell came out of the bedroom, carrying Neal’s overnight bag. “Hello, honey,” he said to me absently, zipping closed Neal’s rucksack that he used as an overnight bag. “Neal, you were supposed to be washing your face. Larry’s dad is on his way to come get you.”
“Sorry, Papa!” he said, the mischievous look on his face telling me otherwise. I laughed.
“Little scamp,” Mitchell said, his tone fond.
My heart skipped a beat, my mind rewinding. Mitchell had called me honey!
“He is, but he’s our scamp,” I said, defending him. “So, cupcakes, hmm? With chocolate frosting, I take it.”
Mitchell nodded. “And sprinkles.”
