Barrett hadn’t left his office since this whole shit storm had started. Ryker stayed close to the compound in case the situation changed.
There was a loud knock on the door. Both males turned and scowled.
“Who is it?” Barrett’s hard tone echoed in the room.
“Jaxon.”
“Fuck.” Barrett sent Ryker a warning look before getting up from his desk. Opening the door, he scowled at his Guardian.
“Do you need something, Jaxon?”
“I need to know what’s going on with Lucien.” He pushed past Barrett and into the office.
“Jaxon…” Barrett narrowed his eyes on his Guardian and curled his fists into hands.
“Look boss, I know. I’m interrupting. But I can’t let this go anymore.” The blond werewolf turned his astute blue eyes on him. Jaxon was much like Jayden in appearance, but they were starkly different in personality. Jayden had grown more serious, more intense, while Jaxon was left to revel in his bachelorhood and easygoing manner.
His easygoing manner was not on display today.
“Barrett, please.” Jaxon held out his hands to his sides. “My gut is telling me something is wrong, very, very wrong. I want to help.”
Ryker spoke up. “I think it’s time we start letting everyone know what’s going on.”
Barrett shot him a glare. Fucking Ryker and his big mouth. Ryker shrugged his shoulders and popped a piece of gum in his mouth.
Barrett looked back at Jaxon. His gut told him not to say anything. To wait. He didn’t need his Guardians to go all vigilante and go off halfcocked.
“Barrett, you have to give me something.”
“I don’t have to give you anything, Jaxon. Not now.” He narrowed his eyes at the Guardian. “I’m your Pack Master. You seem to forget. And my patience for your lack of respect is quickly running out.”
Jaxon looked at the floor, took a deep breath, and then looked back at Barrett. Conflicting emotions flashed through his blue eyes as he seemed to struggle with what to say next.
“I understand you are worried about your friend.” Barrett kept his voice calm but stern. He needed his men to see he was still in charge. Once Guardians lost respect for their leader the whole Pack would fall.
He couldn’t— no, he wouldn’t— let that happen.
“He’s more than a friend. He’s a brother to me.” Jaxon looked away and cringed. “Although I’m sure he doesn’t feel that way himself. He’s always kept to himself, kept himself apart from us.” He looked back at Barrett. “But family is family. No matter what.”
“Good. That’s what I wanted when I accepted the position of Pack Master here in Arkansas. I wanted my Guardians to be a brotherhood, to be willing to lay down their life for each other.” He nodded, something hard settling in his chest.
“I know you aren't going to tell me much, if anything. I just came in here hoping to let you know, I realize Lucien is in some kind of trouble.”
“Why would you say that?” Barrett narrowed his eyes. Had Lucien contacted him? Had Ryker opened his big mouth?
Jaxon shook his head and scrubbed his hand down his face. “I know it sounds crazy. But since he left, I keep getting this bad feeling. That’s he’s in some trouble.” He looked up at Barrett. “He’s not on a riding trip, is he?”
“He’s not.” It was the only information he could give him.
“Barrett…” Ryker pleaded.
“I’ll tell you what. When there is something to report on Lucien, I’ll let you know.” Barrett walked over to his door and opened it wide. “For now, I need you to remember my position. We clear, Jaxon?”
“Yeah, we are.” Jaxon stiffened and stormed out of the office.
Barrett locked the door behind him.
“Barrett…”
“I don’t want to hear it, Ryker. The less he knows, the better.” He walked around the desk and sat, shooting the werewolf a glare that spoke volumes.
“I agree. But there comes a point when you are going to have to let the others know what’s going on.” Ryker shoved his hands in his pocket.
“I’m not putting any more Guardians in danger. Lucien has this under control. Tonight he’ll be able to find out who’s behind all this. Until then, we wait.” He’d been putting out feelers to any and all contacts to see if anything came up. So far, nothing.
“I need you to go follow Jaxon.”
“Why?” Ryker frowned.
“Because he’s about to do something stupid and try to find out where Lucien is.”
“How do you know that?”
“Call it instinct.” He shook his head. He needed a few more hours until Lucien could get the information from the witch. Everything hinged on that meeting.