Jackson crept out of bed at five in the morning, leaving Steel’s warmth behind. Dressing quickly, he made his way to his study, hoping Zane had sent his report. Switching on his desk lamp, he opened his email program and, while searching for the one he wanted, noticed another email from his cousin, Hunter. Groaning because he hadn’t answered the last one, he opened it and quickly read the contents. Frowning, he pulled up the previous ones to refresh his memory.
“Babe, why the frown?” Steel asked, entering the room.
Looking up, Jackson asked, “What are you doing up?”
“My bed was empty, and I wanted to know why.” Steel smirked.
Sighing, Jackson replied, “Sorry, I couldn’t sleep thinking about David and what Zane might have found that would help deal with the High Priestess’ demand.”
Kissing his mate’s forehead, Steel murmured, “I was just joking about the bed, babe. I’m up in order to have breakfast ready for everyone when they descend like a horde of barbarians with empty and growling bellies.” Sitting down, he added, “So why the frown? Nothing from Zane?”
“I don’t know. Another email from my cousin was waiting for me. Here, read it, then look at the others he sent.”
Quickly perusing all the emails, Steel glanced at his mate. “There’s a different tone to the latest one. More urgent.”
“That’s what bothers me. Why? If they just want to visit, why the pushiness?”
“Why don’t you ask your cousin?”
“I could but I don’t think my cousin will tell me anything. The Hunter I knew was a straight shooter and left nothing unsaid. If there’s a reason for the visit other than meeting family, he would have said so.”
“That may be the case when he was younger, but he’s hiding something,” Steel said.
“I know, and that’s why I was frowning.”
“Did you talk to Zane about the cousins’ request?”
“Uh-uh. But all this shit with the Priestess comes before everything else. Until David is safe, Zane’s attention will be devoted to that.”
“So let your cousin wait. Resolve the matter with David and Zane first. Your response will be delayed by what, three, maybe four days at the most?” Steel asked.
“About that, I’d imagine,” replied Jackson. “My pack comes first and until we get information, my cousin will have to wait.” Scrolling through new emails, he found his brother’s report. Sending it to the printer, Jackson leaned back, smiled at his mate and asked, “Are you making Lizzie’s special dish this morning?”
“Riiiiight. Don’t you wish, but no, just the basics. I’ll be glad when my brother and Dakota get back.”
“I don’t know, I like your cooking,” Jackson said, smiling.
“You have to…you’re my mate. Has Dakota given you names of any chefs willing to take a temporary job, yet?”
Jackson’s face sobered. “Shit! I was supposed to talk to you about that. My brother pointed out that all his classmates know he’s an alpha so it’d be impossible to explain his pregnancy without going into details he…and I…would rather it not be known. I told him I was going to punt the ball into your court to see if you had any ideas.”
“Thanks a lot,” Steel said, grinning. “Maybe we can get someone from Dire Enterprises since there’s a cafeteria at headquarters. Let me run it past Dad and Slate and see what they come up with. After all, they now have a vested interest in this problem.”
“That’s true,” Jackson said, “because they’re going to be eating what the cook dishes out.” Grabbing the report from his printer, he began to read, handing each page to Steel until they both reached the end. Then, tilting his chair back, Jackson’s mind began processing everything in it.
“Holy fucking crap!” Steel said quietly. “How the hell did she and Michael ever escape the attention of the High Council? I don’t understand it. Just the proof of paying off a judge should have been discovered because the High Council has a division whose sole purpose is the monitoring of decisions made by judges. It was put into place a long time ago to insure the courts were free from outside influences.”
“So why was this judge allowed to continue dismissing charges against Brenda’s brother?” asked Jackson.
“My guess…someone in that division is on the take and has covered up for this judge.”
“Agreed. However, my first priority is getting David’s mother out of there before any other action is taken.”
“Have you shown this to Dylon yet?” asked Steel.
“No, but I…”
“Knock, knock,” Dylon said. “Good Morning, Alpha, you too, Steel. Got a minute?”
