Out of respect for his staff, Mitch worked from home. His bad moods were becoming notorious. Diar had returned to his bolthole and was lying low once more. Mitch was pacing back and forth in his study when he heard footsteps. In the blink of an eye, Mitch was at his desk and pulling out a weapon. He stationed himself in the corner of his office, with a clear view of the door, and was stunned when Jess entered and froze.
“Should I leave?” she murmured, motioning to the gun.
“No!” Mitch exclaimed and placed it down before rushing across the room to embrace her. Jess submitted to his hug and even returned it.
“I’ve missed you, but I needed to be sure,” Jess responded.
“Of what?” Mitch demanded, kissing the top of her head, content to hold her.
“That you were telling the truth,” she replied.
Mitch understood that. After what they’d gone through so far, he couldn’t blame Jess for being wary.
“And now?” he asked with hope in his heart.
“I believe you,” Jess whispered.
“After what Ericks and his friends put me through, I guessed you were from a Saviour family, but is Leon too? Those shifters I met were real, Jess.”
Jess squirmed uncomfortably, and Mitch sensed she was struggling.
“I’m not a Saviour, and neither is Leon. Don’t pry yet, Mitch. There are things I can’t reveal to you for protection reasons,” Jess replied.
Doubt assailed Mitch, and he wondered what Jess was hiding. “Tell me you’re not from a Sealgair Uilebheist family.”
Mitch steeled himself. If Jess said yes, then he’d been played. Jesus, if this were a setup, he’d never forgive Jess or himself.
“No,” Jess spat, and Mitch relaxed.
“Leon?”
“He’d as soon set them on fire and keep pouring on the petrol,” she replied.
“Fair assessment. Could I get you food or drink? How did you get in?” he demanded belatedly.
“Mitch, anyone can learn to pick locks,” Jess teased, and his eyebrows rose.
“Fancy that, my beautiful girl, a criminal!” Mitch retorted, and Jess laughed.
“I have more than a few secrets.”
“So, I see. We need to talk. I sent more information implicating Alfred. Last night, Alfred died in his cell. They’re saying a heart attack, but the Sealgair Uilebheist surely caused his death to tie up loose ends. Alexander is now running the family, and he’s as cruel and diabolical as Alfred. I’ve got a target on my back, and Iput it there. I don’t believe Alexander will act yet. But he’ll bide his time.”
“And you expect me to run?” Jess asked as Mitch walked her to the couch in his office and sat down with her.
“No. I think you’ll stand by my side. But Alexander will seek ways to strike back, especially as I took down the patriarch of the Weidemans. Alexander has brothers, nephews, nieces—all trained to be monsters like him. I’m alone with just Diarmad.”
“What if I offered a haven?” Jess mused, her expression taking on a faraway look.
“I wouldn’t leave Diar. He’s been a brother to me and vice versa. Diar’s family are also Sealgair Uilebheist. He jumped off a cliff and broke both his legs to escape them,” Mitch said, and Jess’s eyes went wide.
“What?” she stammered.
“Diar was so determined to break free, he deliberately injured himself. Because Diar’s not one hundred per cent fit, he’s no use to them, and they cut him out.”
“That’s terrible!”
“That’s the life we face. Alexander will strike eventually, and I’ll be forced to make good on my threat. He won’t attack yet. Knowing him, he’ll wait a year, thinking that I’ll let my guard down. That’s something Diar, and I won’t ever do.
