“Oh, we tortured Mitch for three days before letting him date Jess,” Jase said blithely.
Hydra looked at them all as if they had lost their minds, which they possibly had.
“Will someone explain what is going on? It seems we might have missed a few things,” Tisiphone ordered.
They all chipped in to narrate the story, and Jess sat back and watched the three shifters from Refuge. While on the same side, they’d gone in a different direction from those at Bran Castle. Tisiphone was clearly their leader; those here had a board that voted. Jess could tell that Tisiphone was unamused.
“You won’t object if we send Chimera in to check him out. After all, you all had your turn,” Griffin challenged.
“Actually, I do mind,” Jess spoke up. “Are you saying you doubt us?”
“Jess, I don’t trust Weidemans.”
“Mitch goes by the name McQuoid. He finds being called Weideman offensive,” Jess said.
“And I find his entire family insulting,” Griffin snarled.
“As do we, but several here tested Mitch and his only concern was to protect me,” Jess retorted.
“That can be faked,” Griffin shot back.
“Then come with me and see him,” Jess challenged. “And I mean meet, not grill.”
Griffin swapped glances with Tisiphone, who nodded. “Fine.”
Mitch
“Hi, baby,” he greeted Jess with a kiss as she beamed up at him. She appeared perfectly relaxed despite the man sitting beside her.
“Hey,” Jess smiled shyly and motioned to the guy next to her. “This is a friend of mine. Griff, this is my Mitch.”
“Hey Griff, is everything okay?” Mitch checked Jess over again, now searching for injuries.
“Fine, Griff was just visiting and thought he’d surprise me.”
“Cool. Are you planning to join us for dinner? You’re most welcome to,” Mitch said, grabbing a chair next to Jess and sitting down.
“If you don’t mind,” Griff replied.
“Not a problem,” Mitch replied. There was something off with Griff. He seemed unfriendly, and Mitch picked up a strong sense of dislike emanating from him. Mitch slipped a hand over to Jess and squeezed, and she grinned. Griff, however, glared.
The waitress came over, and they placed their drink orders.
“So, Jess tells me you’re a Weideman,” Griff stated, and Mitch snorted. Ah, that was where his enmity stemmed from.
“Then Jess told you wrong,” Mitch retorted, and Jess smiled.
“You’re not from a line of murdering assholes?” Griff pushed.
“No, that part is true,” Mitch replied, and Jess giggled.
Griff scowled. “You playing games, fuckwit?”
“No, you are. I’m a McQuoid, not a Weideman. You’re aware of that and are trying to push my buttons. It won’t work because I don’t care what accusations are thrown at me. They’re irrelevant. I may have been born into the Weideman line, but I’m a McQuoid through and through,” Mitch replied calmly.
Mitch reached out with his senses and realised Griff was more than he appeared. He racked his brain and stiffened as a realisation came over him. Well, now, this was interesting. He eyed Jess, who was frowning at Griff.
“You’re a murderer,” Griff accused.
