“Mom, I figured it out.”
“When?”
“Yesterday…I just wish you would’ve told me.”
“That makes two of us,” Willow said, smiling. “I’m sorry, but I did what I thought was best. The fewer people who knew what Hope and I saw, the less chance of Josiah finding out. How we escaped detection is beyond me, but the next morning my only thought was getting out of there and getting my friend to safety with her last living relatives. Once I did that, I knew there was no way I could go to the authorities because Hope would be drawn into the mess and Josiah would know she was still alive.”
Willow paused, her face reflecting the horror of that awful night. When she regained her composure, she continued, “Besides, it would have forced Hope to relive that night over and over and I couldn’t do that to her. So, I did the only thing I could…I ran and spent the next six years hiding.” Turning to her son, she said, “However, sweetie, I do want to thank you, for the protection you gave me during that time.”
“What protection?” Glenn protested.
“Sweetie, my tiger spotted your agents following me within days of our disagreement,” Willow replied.
“But you never told me you knew,” Glenn said.
“Of course not…I don’t know how you did it, but it allowed me to sleep nights without worrying about Josiah finding me,” Willow said.
“You had your mother under surveillance?” asked Cody. “So how the hell did this fuck-up happen?”
“That information is classified,” growled Glenn, “but I can guarantee you it won’t happen again.”
“That’s what I have a problem with,” said Dylon. “You and I both know that’s a promise you can’t keep.”
“That’s not true,” snapped Glenn, “I have a new team…a hand-picked team that’ll keep my mother safe.”
“Right…”
“Boys, enough,” Willow ordered, turning to her son. “While I have no doubt your new team will be the best…I’ll still have to constantly look over my shoulder because nothing is ever totally effective. There’s also the issue of the wear and tear…these last years have taken a lot out of me and honestly, I don’t want to live like that anymore.” After taking a deep breath, she continued, “I have decided to report what I saw to the High Council. It’s the best thing I can do for both myself and Hope…especially Hope. Seven of her children survived and now she’s a grandmother. Once Josiah is held accountable for his crimes, she and I will be free to live our lives without fear.”
Taking his mother’s hand in his, Glenn murmured, “I can’t fault your reasoning, but what about the Collector? He wants you because of who you are. If you surface, which will certainly happen if you testify, he’ll try again…and then what? What if I can’t reach you in time?”
“Is the Collector on the agency’s most wanted list?” asked Willow.
“Of course,” Glenn said, “he’s probably right at the top of it.”
“Then the best way you can protect me is to find the bastard before he finds me again,” smiled Willow.
Leaning in, Glenn kissed his mother’s cheek. Her logic was as irrefutable as ever.
Grinning at her, he said, “That will be my first priority once I return from my vacation.”
“Oh my,” Willow murmured, “a vacation? Really? Where are you going?”
“Haven’t decided, yet…but I have a month, so no hurry,” Glenn replied. “But first, I have some reports to turn in. In the meantime, do you want to change your clothes before you go? I had your stuff picked up from your place.”
“Thank you,” Willow said. Turning to Dylon she asked, “Do I have time to freshen up before we leave?”
“Sure, there’s no hurry,” Dylon said.
After showing his mother where her belongings were, Glenn returned to the table, sitting down again. He waited until he heard the shower running before speaking. “I want weekly updates about what’s happening with Josiah once my mother informs the High Council. Is that understood?”
“Not a problem…for the next month. But what about when you’re on assignment? Then how do we reach you?” asked Dylon.
“Don’t worry…I’ll make arrangements…also, I want to know if there are any attempts by the Collector…or anyone else for that matter,” growled Glenn.
“Certainly,” Dylon replied. “You have my word. Regarding the Collector, you know the High Priest of the Paranormal World is a member of our pack and it goes without saying, he’s also a target of this asshole. We wanthim taken down as much as you do and it would benefit everyone if we worked together on this.”
Leaning back in his chair, Glenn studied Dylon while considering his request. His level of interest in the Blackwood Pack had grown after discovering that two of them possessed rare gifts, not to speak of the extraordinary strength of the third. That’s why he hadn’t put up much of a fight about his mother’s decision. Since they already knew who was behind his mother’s kidnapping, Glenn’s gut told him the Blackwood Pack was worth further investigation. Working with them—at least on the surface—would give him inside access he otherwise wouldn’t have. “Fine,” he growled. “But I’ll only be able to give you information that isn’t classified.”
