“Heavenly, my bed was the best I ever slept in. I’m buying it and having it shipped to my new home.”
“Uhhh, you’re buying your bed? Why? There’s one for you back at the pack house. You won’t have to share it or anything,” said Norman, “well unless you want to like me and Theo.”
“Because that bed,” Fionn said, pointing to his bedroom, “is the best damn bed I’ve ever slept in and I’m not leaving here without it.”
Theo looked at Norman who shrugged, then back at Fionn. “You know the beds back home are just as nice.” Looking quizzically at Fionn, Theo was perplexed by his friend’s reaction. He didn’t know a lot about dragon shifters but he knew they all had lots of money. “Uhmm, Fionn? If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of bed did you sleep on when you lived with your father?”
Norman spoke up. “Theo, it’s none of our business. If you want to buy the bed then you should talk to Kieran first. He can help you.”
“No, I don’t mind answering. My father spent as little as possible on me and my mother and that included good beds. Last night was the best sleep I can ever remember having and I want it every night from now on so buying the bed makes sense to me. I just need to access my hoard. Who should I ask to help me with that? Kieran?”
“I think Logan would be better for that,” answered Norman.
“Great!” Then pausing, embarrassed, but driven by the desire every young man has, Fionn’s words rushed out,“DoyouhaveanyclothesIcanborrowtillIcangetmine?”
Theo and Norm smiled at each other before Theo turned to Fionn. He understood his friend’s request and said, “I’m sure we can find you something to wear other than that ugly outfit. If we don’t have something, I know Kieran will because he loves clothes.”
Grinning, Fionn said, “Fanfuckingtastic! I can’t wait to get rid of this shit. Can we go look right now?”
“Sure, I think I have some pants that will fit you and Norm has a couple of shirts that are tight on him…”
“They are not!” Norman exclaimed indignantly. “I’m growing.”
Theo giggled at Norman who was flexing his arms, then leaned over to give him a kiss. “I didn’t mean anything else, pooh bear. C’mon, let’s go see what will fit our friend so he can get dressed without looking like he’s a fugitive from who knows where.”
Norman smiled at his lover’s use of his pet name. “Okay, but let’s make it fast. I’m starved and Kieran will be here shortly.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Fionn, who realized how hungry he was as soon as Norman mentioned dinner. He figured the doc would be pleased to see him eating. Then remembering what Kieran always said, he added, “Let’s go! Chop, chop!” A groan and a giggle were the only responses he heard.
Chapter 3
The happiness radiating from his brother was infectious and Jackson found himself smiling as he followed Zane downstairs. He wasn’t sure what his brother had found but gauging from how fast he was heading towards his room, it was obviously good. Once inside Zane’s computer room, Jackson flopped onto the love seat.
Within minutes, Steel joined them. “What’s going on?”
“Zane found what we were looking for, but that’s all I know,” replied Jackson. “Bro, go ahead. Lay it on me”
Rubbing his hands together with glee, Zane smiled. “I have the proof you need to show we all were in Vegas when the massacre took place.”
“Wow! So fast! That is fantastic! Tell me more,” said Jackson.
“As you know, Carson’s idea about using our phone records to prove we were there was perfect, but the trouble was I could only prove you, Logan, Dakota, and Cody were in Vegas because those were the only phones used. You called Cody, and Logan called Dakota, but that left me, Colton and Carson without an alibi. Then I searched for the video footage of the casinos everyone had gone to but found nothing…”
“Nothing?”
“Nada. The tapes simply don’t exist because they’re erased after a period of time. So, using the list of where everyone was when we found out, I tapped into private and public video and on the police surveillance cameras, there we were. I made a copy of it for you and it clearly shows all of us in Las Vegas. Do you want me to play it?”
Jackson rose, walking over to Zane and said, “Yes.”
“The first part shows you talking to Jimmy on the phone and then Logan joining you.”
Clicking his mouse, the video started. Zane closed his eyes because he didn’t need to see the look on Jackson’s face again when he learned their family had been killed. It would haunt him for a long time. One minute Jackson had been carefree and smiling and then bam, his brother’s face was frozen in raw grief as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of the crime. When he first saw it, Zane found himself unable to turn away, like watching a slow-motion train wreck. As the video continued on, it showed Jackson telling Logan and then his twin’s reaction of disbelief.
Steel stood behind his mate, watching the screen; to him, it showed Jackson shedding his innocence and assuming the mantle of leadership. It was awe-inspiring and he wondered if he could have risen to the occasion as well as his mate had. Putting his arm around Jackson, Steel pulled him in tight to his chest, needing the closeness as he felt his mate relive those moments.
Thanks to Kieran’s efforts, Jackson could watch the tape without the all-consuming grief he’d felt at that moment. It still hurt, but the soul-searing emotion had been tempered and his memories of his siblings and mother were now happy ones. Stiffening as he saw Cody with Colton and Carson, Jackson watched intently, waiting to see his brothers’ reaction to the panic contained in his voice that night.
Then he saw Dakota and Zane respond to his orders to stay put until he reached them. The instant worry on Dakota’s face and the fear reflected in Zane’s would now be forever trapped in his mind and for the millionth time, Jackson cursed his uncle for stealing his brothers’innocence. Glancing at his brother, he saw Zane had closed his eyes. I can’t blame him. Damn our uncle to hell for all eternity.
