A Grizzly's Justice, Miracle Book 10

by Shea Balik

  “What?” Banyan huffed out. “You can’t possibly know that.”

  Since it all happened when Wilder was still fairly new as an enforcer, that should have been true. “Call Trygg in. He was the one ordered to hunt down and execute Yosi.”

  It was after Wilder had gone to Trygg with his misgivings about what Refugio had been ordering him to do that Trygg let him in on how those refusing to do the Council Leader’s dirty work handled things.

  “Yosi set up a remote refuge for anyone Refugio put a hit on for things like, being gay, mating outside one’s species, or for just speaking out against him or anyone else on the Council.” It still galled Wilder that he’d been party to it in the beginning, even if he hadn’t known the truth. “We helped fake deaths and hand them over to Yosi’s men, who took them to the sanctuary.”

  “Um,” Tanis said. “How do you know Yosi didn’t just kill them?”

  “He didn’t,” Saber told them. “Yosi contacted me shortly after I became Council Leader. He told me what had been happening and that many of those he was protecting wished to go back into society.”

  Chadwick had a huge grin on his face. “The ones that chose to leave, are here,” he said smugly. “In Miracle. That’s how we know Yosi not only isn’t a traitor, but is telling the truth.” Then he winked at Jazz, who had come out from behind Wilder and stood at his side. “Now, I suggest you apologize to Wilder’s mate. You saw him in the ring and I have to say,” he looked both Jerzy and Banyan up and down critically, “neither of you has the chops to win.”

  Both men’s faces flushed a deep red, but they did as Chadwick recommended and apologized.

  “Now that we’ve resolved that,” Saber said, as he grinned first at his mate, then turned it on Wilder and Jazz.

  A chill of foreboding went down Wilder’s spine. He hadn’t been around the new Council Leader much, but he did know that look didn’t mean anything good.

  “Since Jazz not only knows Yosi, but also knows computers, I think it’s time for you two to go on your first field assignment.” Jazz beamed when Saber told them the good news.

  Wilder wanted to tear the man apart. Sure, as assignments went, this was fairly benign. But Wilder had learned long ago it was the easy ones he needed to look out for.

  CHAPTER 14

  Too excited to sit still, Jazz found himself bouncing on his seat like some little kid who kept asking, ‘Are we there, yet?’ It would have been far more embarrassing if he hadn’t been so thrilled to be with his mate on an official assignment for the Council.

  He wasn’t naïve enough to think for even a minute that this was a typical job Wilder did, but Jazz didn’t care. If anything, that only made it better. What could possibly happen visiting Yosi Pandev? The guy had the greatest security system in the world.

  Maybe then Wilder would learn to relax a little. As it was, every line of his mate’s body was rigid to the point that Jazz feared he might snap in half.

  The night before Wilder had taken Jazz a half a dozen times. Each one had been more desperate and dominant than the last. Not that he was complaining, but it was as if his mate had been trying to imprint himself on Jazz. What Wilder didn’t seem to realize, he already had from the moment they’d met.

  Jazz was more self-confident thanks to his mate believing in him. That was far stronger than any amount of sex could impart. Then again, Jazz wasn’t about to tell Wilder that, for he loved that his mate felt the need to connect as often and in as many positions as possible.

  Just thinking about the night before got his prick filling half-mast, which Jazz would have thought impossible. He was positive there was no more semen in his body after coming so many times. Then again, if his mate had taught him nothing else, when it came to Wilder, the impossible was not just possible, it was usually reality.

  “Do you think Yosi will have any ideas on how to communicate with those in remote locations?” Jazz asked when the silence had been too much to bear.

  Wilder quirked a brow at him, but at least the perpetual frown he’d been wearing the entire trip melted away and turned into a smile. Okay, so, maybe Jazz was hoping to see those firm lips turn upward, instead of in a straight line. But hey, at least they were no longer facing down.

  “Are you seriously asking me about Yosi’s computer skills?” Wilder asked with a hint of humor in his tone. Progress. “Aren’t you supposed to be the expert?”

  He couldn’t have stopped himself from blushing if he wanted to. It had been a stupid question. Wilder had admitted over the past couple of weeks that he could use a computer, but had no clue how or why it worked. His mate, more or less, listened to Jazz ramble on about what he’d been able to do each day because they were mates, not because he understood a word Jazz was talking about.

  Whenever Jazz tried to do the same about Wilder’s job, his mate would get that frown on his face and the tension would become so thick Jazz swore he could cut it with a knife. After his sessions with Greyson, he’d stopped taking it personally.

  He got that Wilder just wanted to protect him. It was up to Jazz to show his mate he was capable of protecting himself. He’d been working on his skills with a gun and had enlisted Chadwick’s help to teach him how to fight with a knife. That one was a little more tricky to learn, but he was getting there.

  He was able to throw a knife just as well as shoot a gun. Apparently, when it came to hitting a target, Jazz had great aim. The only skill he hadn’t tried was hand-to-hand. He didn’t feel comfortable asking Wilder to teach him because he feared it would only upset his mate more. On the other hand, the thought of getting that close with someone else didn’t feel right.

  Plus, if he were totally honest, the idea that he would be that close to danger caused his fears to take over and then he started questioning what he was thinking. It was hard enough that Wilder didn’t want him out in the field. The last thing Jazz needed was to second guess himself

  “How did you get into computers, anyway?” Wilder asked him, as if his mate knew he needed more than just silence as they drove to a helipad near the Pacific Ocean, where one of Yosi’s helicopters would be waiting to take them to the island he lived on.

  “It started when I was a kid. Computers were still relatively new and most people didn’t own one. But my teacher did, and he decided to start a computer club after school for anyone who wanted to learn.” Jazz had jumped at the chance. “At first, I did it because I didn’t want to go home.”

  He grinned remembering the first time he’d learned to write a code for the computer to say, ‘hi.’ “But I was hooked from the beginning. No amount of time was enough to learn about computers, as far as I was concerned.”

  For the first time in his life, Jazz had loved to read. “I checked out books from the library on computers, even managed to scrape together some money to occasionally buy the newest magazines about programming and what people like Yosi were doing to improve technology.” It was the only thing that had made his life bearable.

  “Even when I left home, I would try and find thrown out magazines on the subject. Every once in a while, I would earn enough money doing odd jobs for people and I’d spend it on time in the internet cafes that were popping up.” Even if it meant not eating, which might not have always been the wisest choice, but it had made him happy.

  “What about you?” he asked Wilder. “Was there anything you were obsessed with growing up?”

  Even though they had talked a lot over the past few weeks, Jazz realized they tended to focus on their adult years. It sort of made sense, since Wilder was two hundred years old and Jazz was in his thirties. Still, he was curious to know how his mate was as a kid.

  “I’d wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and be an enforcer.” Wilder grinned at Jazz before turning his eyes back to the road. “I used to follow him to work with the little uniform my mom made me. I would stand up as straight as I could and try to walk just like my dad, which never worked because his stride was much longer than mine had been, so e
very couple of steps I’d have to run and catch up to him.”

  Jazz chuckled at the image his mate painted. “I take it your dad didn’t mind you following him to work.”

  “Nah,” Wilder said with fondness. “He used to tell all his co-workers that his son wanted to be just like him.”

  “Sounds like your dad was a good man.” Jazz hadn’t expected his mate’s smile to fade, or his good mood to evaporate or he wouldn’t have made the comment.

  “Yeah, he was,” Wilder said with finality.

  In all the time Jazz had talked about his own dad, he’d never once thought to ask about Wilder’s parents. “He’s no longer alive?”

  His mate shook his head, but didn’t say anything for a while. Jazz reached across the console and laid his hand on Wilder’s thigh. Little bubbles of happiness erupted in his stomach that his mate was taking comfort from him. He loved knowing that he could do that for Wilder.

  As they pulled into the parking lot of the helipad, Wilder put the SUV in park and turned to Jazz. “My parents were killed by my old alpha. He’d been out to destroy a couple of other shifter groups and my dad found out about it and confronted him after I’d gone to work for the Council.”

  “Oh, Wilder.” Jazz unbuckled his seat belt and half climbed over the console to give his mate a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

  Thick arms pulled him all the way across until Jazz was on Wilder’s lap. His mate nuzzled his nose against Jazz’s neck, inhaling deeply. “Thank you,” Wilder whispered.

  Not wanting to delay the helicopter that was waiting on them, they didn’t stay there for long. By the time they’d loaded their gear and strapped themselves in, the pilot was ready to take off.

  He’d never been in a helicopter before and Jazz had to admit, neither he nor his animal was sure about the sensation of not being on the ground. On the other hand, the view was stunning, especially as they drew closer to the island Yosi had bought and created into an oasis. One that no one could get near without retaliation.

  To ensure that remained true, Yosi hired the best infiltrators to try several times a year. They were paid well to do their jobs, and were offered an even bigger payout if they succeeded. According to rumors, the first person who managed to step foot on the island unannounced, would be given a hundred million dollars. So far, Yosi hasn’t had to make that payment.

  As Wilder glanced out the window to get a lay of the land when they flew over, he let out a low whistle. “I can’t believe you turned down a job to work with this guy.”

  There were times Jazz couldn’t either. “I thought he was just trying to be nice, since it was fairly obvious I was still mostly living on the streets. I didn’t take the offer seriously, or I might have.”

  “What about now?” Wilder asked as the helicopter landed.

  Jazz shook his head. “Maybe if Refugio was still Council Leader, but the new Council needs us to help and I plan to be there for them,” he said just as the doors opened to reveal a very short, colorful man with a huge smile on his face.

  “Well said, Jazz. I couldn’t have put it better myself.” Long strands of silver hair with streaks of pale blue through it were styled back away from his face, to gather into a kind of mohawk along the back of his head. It was unique to say the least, but having met Yosi once before, it was the same word he’d used to describe the man then.

  “Yosi, it’s good to see you again.” Jazz shook his hand as Wilder was growling about how close the two were standing and he didn’t want to add fuel to the fire. “I understand you know my mate, Wilder Frost.”

  “Mates,” Yosi clapped with an almost childlike glee. “Congratulations, you two. Come, I have a meal prepared for you, as I’m sure you’re hungry after your long trip.”

  Wilder placed his arm possessively around Jazz’s waist. In the past, jealousy used to lead to Jazz being smacked around. He’d never once imagined that it would be a good thing. Yet, he found he loved his mate’s need to prove to the world that Jazz belonged to him. It made him feel… loved.

  CHAPTER 15

  Confused. It was the only word Wilder could use to describe his state of mind at the moment. No. That wasn’t true. Disoriented, flummoxed, perplexedm and most of all shaken. Those were probably more accurate at the moment.

  It didn’t help that Yosi was wearing a neon green t-shirt with neon pink running shorts and neon orange shoes. Oh, and he couldn’t forget the mismatched socks in purple and yellow. Yosi claimed he wore bright colors in order to be seen.

  It had taken everything in Wilder to ask if he was trying to be seen from space, because he owned the island with only twenty people, who all worked for the man, living there. Normally, Wilder wasn’t one to judge, but he was getting a headache from just being around Yosi.

  Thank Gods he and Jazz were leaving. It had only taken one night for Yosi to come up with a plan, maybe. Whether or not it would work would take time and lots of money, which Yosi promised to donate to the cause. He still wasn’t sure what the man was going to do.

  There had been talk about satellites, but he hadn’t understood how they were going to put u out in space without humans questioning its existence. Then again, that wasn’t something for him to figure out. That was between the Council, Alpha Edrick, and Jazz.

  “Thank you again for seeing us on such short notice.” Jazz shook Yosi’s hand. Wilder forced himself to hold back the growl that wanted to erupt whenever his mate touched anyone.

  “Yes,” Wilder said, doing his best not to grimace at the overly vivid color combination. “The Council appreciates your help in this matter and your discretion.”

  Yosi smiled. “Secrecy is my middle name. Although, I must warn you, your trip didn’t go unnoticed. My security wasn’t sure who was watching you boarding the helicopter, but there were at least two.”

  Alarmed, Wilder considered leaving his mate behind as he went to find whoever had been watching them.

  “They left after you took off and haven’t been seen since.” Yosi gave him a tablet. “This links you to my team on the helipad. They have been keeping an eye on your vehicle and have checked it from top to bottom. No one has tampered with it. But if you get into trouble, just push the button on the screen and my team will be there.”

  Wilder wasn’t so sure that made him feel any better. The fact that Yosi felt he needed the extra security couldn’t be a good sign.

  With a protective arm around his mate, Wilder led Jazz to the helicopter. He double checked Jazz’s seat belt, then indicated the pilot could take off.

  “It will be fine,” Jazz told him when they’d both put their headsets on. “Yosi’s security team will alert us if anything comes up before we land.”

  Wilder was more worried about land to air missiles. They could come from almost anywhere along the coast, or even a boat out at sea. The security would have no chance of warning them until it was too late. Not that he’d tell Jazz that.

  “You’re right, my mate,” he said instead, giving his mate a sweet kiss as he pulled him close. If they were going to die in this stupid helicopter, then it would be with Jazz in his arms, right where he belonged.

  His lips captured and held Jazz’s for several minutes, just enjoying the way they fit together so perfectly. Tingles of need raced along his skin as Jazz’s hands reached up to hold onto Wilder’s upper arms.

  His grizzly rumbled out a sound between a growl and moan as he wanted more than a simple kiss. Agreeing wholeheartedly with his animal, Wilder licked along his mate’s bottom lip as his hand rose up so his thumb curved along Jazz’s jaw, before adding just enough pressure for his mate to open up to him.

  The moment those sweet, plump lips opened, Wilder took advantage, slipping inside and mapping out every inch of his teeth and gums. Then he twined his tongue with his mate’s, loving the way Jazz surged into his embrace as he tried to get closer.

  It was a heady experience to kiss his mate, one Wilder knew, if they survived, he would never tire of. His taste was like a field
of wild flowers dipped in honey. If it were possible, Wilder would roll around until every bit of him was covered by his mate’s scent and taste.

  A throat cleared, but Wilder ignored it as he continued kissing his mate, and wishing they were somewhere where he could show his mate just how much he loved him. He endeavored to do that every night, but now that they were possibly in danger, Wilder was determined that his mate know how deeply he loved him.

  Breaking the kiss, he stared into those passion-filled brown eyes. “I love you, my mate.”

  Those sweet brown eyes that he loved so much turned watery as Jazz said, “I love you too, my mate, with all my heart and soul.”

  “As touching as that was, we’ve arrived,” the pilot said into the headset.

  Wilder looked out the window. Sure enough, they were on the helipad, with one security guard at the door to greet them and two more standing at their vehicle, keeping it safe. He was going to need to thank Yosi for making sure nothing happened to Jazz.

  The moment the guard opened the door, he helped Jazz to the ground and followed him with their bags. Not wanting to stick around as a sitting target, he rushed them to the SUV. Tossing their bags in the back seat, Wilder quickly thanked the guards, who reminded him to contact them if they ran into any problems.

  Once more, he made sure his mate was buckled in before turning on the vehicle and putting it into drive. He took off, not looking back as he drove like a bat out of hell.

  He couldn’t explain it, but the need to be as far away as possible rose inside him until he was driving like a maniac. The hairs along his body stood on end as if he were being watched. Yet, Wilder couldn’t find any evidence that they were.

  The road ahead of them was clear and he couldn’t see anywhere that someone might be hiding to ambush them. So why was he so on edge? Hoping it was just because of Yosi’s warning and not any real threat, Wilder continued to put as much distance as he could between the helipad and them as he could.