“Pet, I have to take care of the misunderstanding with Jackson. Do you want to come with me or stay here?”
Cody was furious with Carson for invading their privacy and even though he’d have preferred to stay, it was time Jackson knew everything. “I’ll come with you sir.”
“Okay, let’s get you dressed and after this is over, I’ll bring you back here for your morning spanking, a shower and some loving.”
“Oh yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
A series of knocks sounded and Steel yelled through the door, “Cody, are you in there? Answer me or I will break this door down.”
“You better answer him, my pet. Tell him you are getting dressed and will be in Jackson’s office shortly.”
After listening to Steel’s warning that he’d better show up, Dylon picked out the clothes for Cody and then dressed him. “Assume the position,” Dylon said as he sat at the foot of the bed.
Cody gratefully folded himself down into his kneeling pose. Immediately, he focused on his breathing, calming himself down, thankful his mate understood his need.
“Pet, I want you to know everything is going to be all right. No matter what happens with Jackson, I will not stop. You and I both know how much you need this. I will not fail you. If I can’t make your brother understand, I’m prepared to take you away to a private place until you are well enough to do what you must do. Do you understand and agree?”
Cody knew his mate spoke the truth. He still had to heal more before he’d be able to go to Tajikistan. And when he went, he’d have to be much stronger than he was right now. He knew Jackson would be hurt, but he could not abandon the shifters over there to a painful life if he had the means to prevent it. There was only one answer he could give. “Yes, sir.”
Dylon saw his mate raise an eyebrow. “Did you have something else to say, my pet?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go ahead, my pet.”
“I think Oracle should be in the meeting too, sir.”
“Good point. I’ll tell Jackson that. Is that all, pet?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay,” Dylon said, extending his hand to Cody, “Let’s go.”
~/~/~/~/~
The man who owned him stood, holding a whip over his head. “You lazy bastard. If this isn’t cleaned up in the next hour, I’m going to beat you until you bleed. Worse fucking deal I ever made, you lazy good-for-nothing bastard. I swear, if you don’t get your work done today, I’ll tie you to a post and let my men whip the shit out of you. Now clean up this mess.”
Cowering, he tried to make himself as small as possible. “I promise, I’ll clean it up. Right away.”
“You’d better,” said Arald, walking away.
He couldn’t stop the tears from falling as he scrubbed the floor where Arald had vomited last night.It would be better if I were dead.He didn’t know if his master would carry out his threat about having him ganged whipped but he knew he would rather die than suffer that fate. For the thousandth time, he regretted telling his parents he was gay.
But no sense wasting his energy on things he could not change. Turning back to the task at hand, he quickly wiped the floor dry. Putting away the bucket and mop, he hurried to the nursery; the younglings would be awake soon. The episode with Arald stole precious time he needed to change and feed the babies before making lunch. They were the only bright spot in his bleak and weary existence other than his friends. If he could figure out a way to take them and escape he would have, but so far it seemed hopeless.
Opening the door, he walked in and greeted his babies, “Hello, my sweets, how did you sleep? You must be hungry.”
Chapter 17
Dylon held Cody’s hand as they walked down the hall to Jackson’s study. The door was open and as they entered they saw Jackson, Steel and Carson waiting for them. He looked at Carson’s angry face and knew he had already poisoned Jackson and Steel. Dylon was about to turn around, having decided no fair hearing would be given to him today, but just then, Oracle swept into the room, coming to a stop next to him.
“Oracle,” Jackson said, “I’m going to cut to the chase. I assume you are here for Dylon.”
“No, I am here for Cody.”
Jackson turned her statement over in his head and snorted to himself. He knew what that meant. “Cody, do you want Oracle here? This is a family matter.”
“Yes.”
