“Mitch. We saw what you did to Frederick. Despite the charges and his face being all over the media, he was granted bail earlier today. It is good that you returned. I have been watching him and Alexander. They are planning to come after you.”
Mitch paused and turned to Mary. He chewed his lower lip. “It’s time to take the Weidemans down once and for all. Is there someone who’ll help?”
“In what way?” Mary asked.
“Empty bank accounts. No more fancy lawyers. Could we get all loans called in and rental agreements cancelled? I wish for them to be backpedalling and running. Alexander was warned and tried to screw me. I want the Sealgair Uilebheist to turn on them and take care of our problem for us.”
Mary stared until Mitch grew uncomfortable. “I know a couple of our siblings who’d love to destroy them. What about the information concerning them in the files?”
“Release it. Ensure it ends up in the hands of the CPS, the cops, Scotland Yard, the media, everywhere, Mary. Just one agency risks them covering up their crimes. Tear them down.”
“I’ll get right on that. I’ll also disclose how you ran off, have stayed away, and they’ve tried to kill you several times. Some idiot will try to implicate you. In fact, I think we can hack the database and have you legally change your name to McQuoid at eighteen. Go mate with Jess and don’t accept no for an answer. I’ll take care of everything else,” Mary promised, her black eyes flashing with glee.
Mitch nodded and headed down the winding stairs of the tower. He took the exit leading to the lake and grinned as he approached. Half of the shifters were watching, amused andwith good reason. Diar was flying through the air, cackling with laughter. Ness was catching him and then tossing him to Scylla, who was repeating Ness’s actions. Mitch shook his head; only Diar would find that amusing.
Ness saw him and missed her catch, and Diar plummeted towards the water. Crap! That would hurt! Mitch winced, and then Uber-Merman exploded out of the lake and captured Diar in his tentacles. Dair yelped and bellowed happily, and Uber-Merman threw him back to Scylla.
“Diar’s crazy,” Ness said. She ducked her head when Mitch wiggled his finger for her to come closer. Mitch’s heart expanded at seeing Ness so happy, and he dropped a kiss right on her forehead. Those watching roared as Ness went cross-eyed, and Mitch grinned.
“Hey, baby,” he whispered, and Ness snorted in contentment. Mitch reached up and scratched between her eyes, and Ness curled up like a contented cat. He carefully walked up her back and nestled in the crook where her neck met her body.
“How long has Diar been playing?” Mitch murmured.
“About half an hour. Before that, he was water skiing with Merman hauling him along,” Ness rumbled.
Mitch chuckled. “Diar’s feeling better?”
“Yes. How was everything?”
“Well, I signed a new designer; she’s got the holiday vision I’m looking for. Her designs were great. I also approved next season’s line,” Mitch said.
“And found time to mess with Frederick,” Ness retorted, and Mitch laughed.
“That wasn’t work, love. That was fun!”
“Sure. What if they retaliate?” Ness questioned.
“They won’t. The Weidemans are about to send a message to the Sealgair Uilebheist. If the Ceann-Feadhna ignores it, the McDonald’s will be next until he pays attention,” Mitch said.
“What have you done?” Ness demanded.
“I asked Mary for help. I told her what I wanted, and she agreed. Mary was muttering about having some fun and payback when I left the tower,” Mitch responded. He grinned, quite happy with his decision.
“You let Mary loose on your family?” Lorelai/Medusa inquired, surprised.
“Yeah. She wanted to play, so I helped her along,” Mitch replied.
“Mary will destroy them,” Lorelai stated as the others stared, clearly listening in.
Mitch leaned forward. He wanted Lorelai and everyone to understand something. “I don’t care if Mary rips their guts out and decapitates them. It’s no more than they deserve. Luckily, there are no children right now. My generation was the youngest, and the youngest of us is twenty-one and a stone-cold killer.
“If Mary wants to kill them all, so be it. It won’t bother me. A message needs to be sent, and I intend to send the Ceann-Feadhna one. If he comes for me or mine, the Sealgair Uilebheist will pay. I won’t mess around. And in case anyone is wondering, my family are Jess and Diar, and hopefully you all one day.
“Trust isn’t given; it’s earned. And I hope you can see that I’m quite happy watching the Weidemans burn. I’m not one of them, haven’t been for a long time, and I honestly couldn’t care less about them. The Weideman family arenotmy people. You are.”
Hoping his point was made, Mitch turned around and watched Diar dive off Scylla’s head and into the water.
“Perfect ten, Diar!” Mitch called when he surfaced. Diar waved and swam in the direction of Scylla.
