The elevator doors slid open, and Ben was standing there holding a box in his hand. “How’s Claire?”
“Sleeping. What’s that?” He stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the first floor.
“This is the last box of Avery’s demented shit. Can you believe that man kept journals of what he did to us and what he wanted to do?” Ben shook his head, disgusted by the idea. “We’re going to have a bonfire and burn everything that was his. Tex thinks it will be a symbol of starting over.”
“It will be good for the clan to put it behind them, might help them move on.”
“That’s what Robin said too. She went home with Ty this morning but offered to come back if we need her.” Ben shifted the box to his other arm. “How’s my sister handling parenthood?”
“She’s just been thrown in the deep end and is trying to doggy paddle. If she starts trusting her instincts and stops overthinking everything, she’ll be fine. Any more issues from Ashley or her mate?”
“Not yet. I’m supposed to meet with James in twenty minutes. He said we have a common interest, and we should discuss it. I suspect it’s about Claire. I’ll let you know what happens.” The elevator door opened and Ben stepped out. “You got things covered with Lukas, at least enough to get him started with the computer system and security?”
“I’ve got it covered. Tex approved the security measures this morning. Lukas is bringing a lot of the computer system with him and the rest will be arriving tomorrow, so it should be up and running the day after at the latest. He’ll handle the training for the new system.” He followed Ben off the elevator. “He’ll be here soon and I need to gather a few things, but you know where I am if anything comes up.”
“Same here.” Ben nodded and went down the hallway in the opposite direction.
Ben was a good man, and he cared about Summer, which made him even better as far as Jinx was concerned. They had a common goal to see that she was safe and happy. That would make their relationship easier, especially since he was about to take her away from the clan and put her in danger just by being her mate.
“There you are, brother.”
He turned to see a younger version of himself. It was uncanny how closely they resembled each other, even with eight years separating them.
“I was about to head up to the lobby to meet you.” Jinx gave Lukas a quick hug. “Did you have a good trip?”
“It was fine, hit some turbulence but nothing I couldn’t handle. Tex had some clan members standing by to unlock the equipment I brought, so while they were doing that I wanted to see what you had in mind.”
“Come into the office, and we’ll go over things.” He pushed open the door. “There’s a lot that has to be done. Computer system, keycards, and security are the biggest. Right now all the guest rooms have actual door keys, which needs to be done away with.”
“Coming in I noticed there’s no security cameras on this floor. Is that an issue throughout?”
“Yes. The whole place needs wired for cameras. I have Larry coming in with guards.” Larry was an electrician by trade, he’d be able to help Lukas with whatever he needed for the new security system.
“Guards?” Lukas took a seat in front of the desk, setting his laptop bag on the chair beside him.
“I’ve mated, and it looks like I’ve gained a daughter of sorts.”
“I could smell the woman on you but I thought it might have been a clan member. A daughter of sorts?”
He spent the next several minutes explaining how he had managed to become a father to a two-year-old terrified little girl. All the while, his mind wandered upstairs to his new family. He wasn’t used to the longing he felt to be near them.
“Wow.” Lukas leaned back in the chair. “I never expected you to end up with an instant family, especially now. Are you really going to keep the girl?”
“I don’t see any choice. Lukas, once you meet her, you’ll see. She worms her way into your heart with her big brown eyes.” He slipped his cowboy hat off and tossed it on the desk. “With everything I’ve seen I’ve never had the desire to tear someone limb from limb, but Claire makes me want to do that to Avery and the bastard is already dead. She’s gone through so much and all I can think is she doesn’t deserve more shit in her life. Stability is what she needs, and Summer and I can provide that.”
“Not to mention danger.”
It bothered him that Lukas was right, but he couldn’t step down from his position or stop assisting the Alaskan Tigers—not with everything that was on the line. Instead he’d have to make them safe.