“Martin,” Jordan sighs. “Harry is a smart man. He knows how to play the game.”
“You are right, I am sorry. I should have more faith in him,” I admit. “With having to make sure Forest doesn’t suspect me, I have to play along with everything. I really want to make it up to Harry and try to help him.”
“You are in a difficult position,” Jordan says. “You are doing what you need to do as the beta, but now you have the chance to do the right thing.”
I nod. “That’s what I am hoping for. I really owe Harry a lot, you know?” I straighten my back. “Please give me this chance,” I add. “I will make sure to give Harry the opening he needs to leave and come here.”
“Good,” Jordan nods. “I want him to be able to visit next week, Tuesday.”
“I am responsible for the schedule of the guards,” I say. “I will make it work. He will be here on Tuesday.”
“And I want you to accompany him.”
Again, I nod. “That actually makes it easier. He will only need to sneak off the pack grounds, then I can easily meet with him and bring him here safely.”
Jordan looks content. “I am counting on you, Martin.”
“And I won’t disappoint you.” I pause. “May I ask a question?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“Why Tuesday?”
Jordan smirks. “It’s a special night here.”
“More special than usual?”
At that, Jordan chuckles. “Tell me, what do you think the upstairs entails?” he asks.
“Well,” I say. “A place men can have fun in.”
Jordan grins. “You have a way with words, Martin.”
“Not really,” I admit. “I am actually not really talkative. But it’s easier here with Jonah and the others.”
“Tuesday night, we have a special night for our main customers here,” he says.
“And… and I am allowed to join?”
“If you manage to bring Harry here, I don’t see why you shouldn’t,” Jordan says. He leans forward a little. “I reward loyalty, Martin. If you hold up your part of the deal, then I will hold up mine.”
“Why do you trust me?” I ask.
“I don’t… yet,” Jordan says.
“But enough to meet me here,” I point out.
“Because I see your potential,” he says. “Bringing Harry here will be your test. Besides… Harry talked highly of you, constantly. He said you were the son he wished he had.”
I try not to grimace at his words. Yeah, I can imagine. And somehow it makes me feel gross that I was so much of a quietpushover that he truly thought of me as more capable than his own son. “My father was always a close friend of Harry,” I say. “Harry is honestly like a second dad to me. I learned everything from him.” I pause. “There are things you can never forget and pay back. I will make sure Harry receives justice.”
“That aligns with what Harry told me,” he says before he stretches his neck and takes another sip from his drink. “Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”
“Of course.”
Jordan leans back, eyeing me thoughtfully. “Clemmens,” he suddenly says, and I just know he doesn’t buy it that Clemmens simply left the pack.
I decide to play along and shrug. “What can I say, Alpha Jordan? Unfortunately, I wasn’t there when things went down.”
