“What?”
“We have the address for the vehicle, sir. Would you like us to head there and check things out?” The bastard couldn’t even stand still when he spoke. But Fredrick had the good sense to realize he was the cause. When he watched his employees in interactions with other people, they never cowered as they did with him. Good. He was glad. Let them shake in their spot when speaking to him.
“Yes. Where are they by the way?”
“Outside Corvallis, Oregon, sir.”
“Corvallis? Isn’t that where you chased the Murphy family down?”
“Yes, sir, it is.” Judas’ voice lowered a decibel.
“Hmm. Do you suppose that’s a coincidence?”
“I don’t see how it could be anything else. The Murphys were living alone with no pack nearby. They are all dead now. I doubt there’s any correlation.”
“Fine. Go. And Judas…”
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t fucking fail me this time. I want that whore back here. I want her alive. Don’t fuck up this time. She’ll be punished for this. I’ll see to it myself. No one leaves the pack as a runaway. No one.”
“Of course, sir. You can count on us.”
“Riight. Where have I heard that before?”
* * * *
Charles propped his elbows on the kitchen table and steepled his fingers in front of him. “What do you propose?” He looked straight across the table into his father’s eyes.
Reese leaned back in the chair next to him but prudently kept his mouth shut for now.
It was midafternoon. The sun shown through the window, a long ray of light glaring across the table.
“Well, I so wish you had told us what was going on from the moment you arrived, son.” Richard tucked his head just low enough that he looked at Charles with his brow lifted. “It would have saved a lot of hard feelings.”
“We made a promise, Dad. You should have seen the look on Alyssa’s face when she came into that diner. She was frightened and distraught to say the least. You’d have thought the devil was right on her tail. We couldn’t just leave her there. And she pleaded with us to pretend we were her mates. Don’t get me wrong, we knew she was lying, but nevertheless it was clear she was in serious trouble.”
“There’s no doubt you did the right thing in bringing her here. That’s for sure. The poor girl is barely more than a child. I can’t imagine what she’s been through.” Richard planted his hands on the table and pushed to stand.
“She’s here now, and all the cards are on the table. We can’t send her away.” Charles had no doubt about that.
“No. That’s true. She has no place to go, and she’s probably in danger.” At least his father agreed. That was a relief.
“Do you suppose they could track her here?” Reese leaned forward.
“I don’t know. Depends on if anyone saw you with her, I guess.”
“Busy diner. Who knows? But I didn’t see anyone suspicious.” Charles gripped the table with all his fingers until they turned white. He looked at his father, who began pacing.
When Richard paced, ideas were formed. “Well, for now, she needs to remain here and stay close to the house where we can protect her. Just in case. I’ll ask around and see if anyone knows about this pack she came from. Doubt I’ll get very far though. Sounds like the kind of group that keeps to themselves. No group would advertise the kinds of practices both Alyssa and even Jessica have endured.”
A scuffle behind them made Charles glance over his shoulder as Jessica came into the kitchen. “Am I interrupting?”
“No, baby. Come here.” He held his arm out to her until she got close enough for him to wrap her in his embrace.
“Welcome to the family, Jessica.” Richard leaned across the table and extended his hand. “Officially.”
“Thank you.” Her words were barely above a whisper.
“You okay?” Reese questioned.
“Just awkward, knowing everyone knows what we did last night.” Her cheeks turned red while she stood there in silent communication.
Charles chuckled inside their heads. “Nothing they haven’t all done too, Jess.”
“Still…”
“You hungry?” Charles asked.
Jessica glanced up. “How could I be hungry? We slept until about ten, and since then you’ve fed me twice. I’m good.”
“We’re just talking to my dad about Alyssa and the pack you came from.”
“I wish I could remember more. I was so young. At nine my parents hadn’t told me very much about what was going on. I never really realized why we left … until now. I’m piecing it together myself still.”