“I didn’t say his name aloud,” Annette said, tense and suspicious. Eric simply grinned and winked at her.
“You also didn’t say you planned to mate those two hunks you brought with you, and yet I know it. How is that?”
“Father, could you please not aggravate an already-difficult situation?”
“Hey, I made you snap out of your emotionless funk, didn’t I?” Eric asked with his brow lifted. Jason sighed and threw his hands in the air in exasperation.
“Fine, whatever. Tell us what you know and be done with it. You know I hate these games you keep playing.”
“Son, you’re no fun at all. I don’t know how your mates can stand it.” This time, it was Toby who intervened before the situation escalated.
“Eric, you’re overstepping your boundaries. Our mating is our own concern. Get to the point. We do not have the whole day.” Apparently, seeing the small human being so strict helped Eric focus, or maybe it was the sight of a still shaking Jack? Whatever the reason, the god spoke.
“The man you were speaking of going after is more dangerous than most. He has connections in not only the highest places of human society. He is also connected to gods.”
“And what does that have to do with us going after him?” asked Jason.
“This is not important right now. I will explain it to you later. However, what is important is that you cannot just barge there half-cocked, alerting him and all his associates and accomplices to your existence. You made everyone forget about you and the people held captive. That was smart. Alerting them that there were people ready to go after them wouldn’t be smart at all. You need to proceed with extreme caution. You need someone inconspicuous to infiltrate the Bradshaw estate. You need a human to do it. There are several paranormals working for Bradshaw. They would spot one of their kind from a mile away. You cannot risk that.”
“I am not sending Toby there, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
“Oh, that’s not what I’m suggesting at all. He would be spotted as well. While his paranormal blood isn’t as strong or easily recognized as others, he would still be in danger.”
A collective “What!?” almost deafened Joel. His head started spinning from all the twists the conversation took.
“What do you mean, ‘paranormal blood’?”
“Toby is human, isn’t he?
“Do you know something about my ancestry?” All three hosts spoke at once.
“It is another thing we can discuss later. I thought you wanted to reach an agreement about the course of action you should take in regards to Bradshaw?”
“And just where do you suggest we magically pull a human from who is willing to work undercover to bring down a paranormal trafficking ring? From a hat, like a rabbit?” Tyler’s voice was full of sarcasm. At that moment, Joel knew what he had to do.
“I’ll do it!”
There was another chorus of “What?”
“I said I will do it,” he repeated, looking at his cousin and the twins. “It is the only way to ensure safety for all of you. If they’re targeting paranormals, then you are all in danger. I’m the only person that can do it, so I will.” What happened next was chaos. Apparently everyone had their own opinion on what Joel should or shouldn’t do. They tried to outshout each other, and soon Joel felt like his head was about to explode.
“Enough!” Jason’s booming voice was instant in silencing everybody else. “Joel, are you sure about it? You know you aren’t obliged to help.”
“I know, and I’m sure. This thing needs to be stopped and I want to help.”
“Fair enough. It is your decision, and I respect and appreciate it. We will discuss the details later. Now, let’s go and have a barbecue. This is supposed to be the first meeting of our pack. We should celebrate!” There were murmurs of agreement as everyone filed out to the backyard. Joel was the last one to leave, or at least that was what he thought. Tim stayed behind as well.
“You sure you want to do it, Joel? It will be dangerous and we don’t know what you’ll be walking into.”
“I’m sure. I saw what they did to you, how much they hurt you. And Jack? He seems like a real nice guy, but just the mention of this bastard’s alias turned him into a shaking, quivering mess, and then there are all the others who were hurt or are in danger. I want to… No, I need to help put a stop to that!”
Tim smiled to him sadly after hearing this.
“You’re a good person, Joel. I knew it from the very moment I met you, and you proved me right. I hope you’ll be safe there. It would hurt me dearly if anything was to happen to you, my friend.” He clapped his hand on Joel’s shoulder and exited the house, leaving behind Joel, who just stood there in shock.
What were the emotions running through him? He had no idea. He felt something for the tortured pixie. He considered Tim his friend, but the emotions running through him right then were more than those of a friend, or were they? He was lost, and he didn’t like feeling lost, so he did what he would do every time things got too complicated. He shut it all off and decided not to think about it. There were other things to concentrate on. This, whatever it was, could wait.
* * * *
“Okay, so we’re clear on that? I’ll officially hire you as a private investigator to look into Alistair Bradshaw’s involvement in human and paranormal trafficking. I will only pay you after we establish some pack budget. Jack is convincing me to set a separate pack account and administer a fee from every member, so that we can use it in cases like this one or in other emergencies. I was reluctant at first, but now it’s starting to seem like a good idea.”
They were in Jason’s kitchen after everyone else had left. Dominic, Jim, and Tim were still outside with Toby and Tyler, and Jason decided to discuss the details of Joel’s soon-to-be mission.
“Yeah, that’s all right. You know I’d do it even for free. Dominic is family, and I’ve started to care for Tim and his brother. They’re good people, and they shouldn’t live in fear of being kidnapped again.”
“Still, as pack Alpha, it is my responsibility to take care of these people. Creating this pack might have been an accident, but I treat the duty of being an Alpha very seriously. I will pay you for this mission. It wouldn’t be fair not to. It will take quite a bit of investigative work and it is what you do for a living.”
“I won’t argue if you insist.” Joel grinned and then said more seriously, “I will do my research over the next couple of days. I need to wrap up another case I was working on, and then I’m free to do it. I will update you as soon as I get something.”
“Fine.” Jason’s mouth twisted in a grimace. “I wouldn’t know the first thing about investigating someone. All I know comes from TV shows. I do not suppose it’s a good source of information, is it?”
“Not really.” Joel laughed as the mood lifted. “Well, I’ll keep you posted,” he finished and stood up, just as Dom and the fey brothers walked into the room.
“It’s time for us to go, guys. I’d love to stay longer and chat, but maybe we can set a date and meet for pleasure? It looks like every time we’re here, it’s for business,” Jim said with a little frown.
“Hey, I’d love to meet just to chat. I missed you all when you were gone.” Toby nodded his agreement.
“It’s not like we were on the other side of the world, you know? You can call or pop in whenever you feel like it. It’s just a little over an hour on the bus,” Dominic stated, but Tyler obviously wasn’t pleased with the suggestion.
“Toby is not going anywhere on the bus on his own. It’s not safe with those nasty kidnappers out there!”
“I never said he had to go alone,” Dominic gritted through clenched teeth, and it looked like the two shifters were ready to fight.
“Guys, I think everyone is pretty stressed out right now. No need to fight amongst each other,” Tim said and the two big men turned to him, immediately pointing fingers at each other and speaking simultaneously.
“He s
tarted it!”
“And I will end it!” Jason stood up, and he had a poker face. Still, when Joel looked more closely, he was sure he could see the hint of a smile the man tried to hide.
“Dom, Jim, Tim, it was good to see you again. Joel, it was very nice to meet you. I’m grateful for your offer to help. I think meeting for pleasure, not business, is a very good idea, and we can think of something. We’ll call you with a date soon.”
“Thank you, Alpha. That’s very nice of you,” Tim said.
“Don’t call me ‘Alpha.’ I agreed to the use of this ridiculous title when we’re meeting in official capacity. Apparently, it is good manners to address me this way in a formal pack meeting. However, I consider you all my friends, and whenever we’re alone like this, I want you to call me Jason. I think we went through enough together that it is justified, don’t you think?”
“You’re obviously right, Jason. I’m sorry. I think the stress is getting to us all.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Toby added and went to hug first Tim then Jiminy and Dominic. Finally, he shook Joel’s hand. “I’ll miss you guys. Call, don’t be strangers, and Joel, take care of yourself when mingling with the bad guys. You’re part of our family now. I’ll go check on Jack now. See you guys!” Once he left, Jason and Ty looked after him with worry.
“I’m worried about Jack,” Tyler said, showing another side of himself. He turned from an annoying tiger constantly toying with his prey to a concerned friend. The transformation was amazing, and Joel could finally see what the other two men saw in him. Jason took his mate’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly as Ty continued.
“I know he seemed okay throughout the meeting and after, but you saw how quickly he excused himself from the barbecue. The damage that was done to him when in captivity was worse than to others. We do not know what happened to him, or why Mr. Z took such an interest in him, but Jack is obviously scared witless of the man. He pretends like everything is okay, but it isn’t. He still has nightmares. I can sometimes hear him getting up at night. I think the quicker we bring that bastard down, the faster Jack will get closure.”
“Yeah, I agree one hundred percent. Jack needs this to get over what happened to him and start healing,” Jason said, walking the guests to the front door. “I wanted to mention one other thing before you go. I’m slightly worried for Toby. He goes to school and work, but he did not make any friends his age. I know it’s hard for him to relate to them after the life he led for the last several years, and he keeps talking about you guys. I think he considers you all his only friends beside me and Ty. I would be really grateful if you could keep in touch with him more often.”
“You don’t need to ask, Jay,” Tim said. “I consider Toby a very good friend, and now that I’ve mostly dealt with the overdue work, I’ll have more time. I’d love to spend more time with him and you guys.”
“Yeah,” Dominic added. “With everything that has been going on in our lives lately, we haven’t had much time for pleasure, but I agree with Tim. We would love to spend more time with you all.”
Jim nodded his agreement and gave a brilliant grin.
“Yeah, Toby is fun!”
“Uh-oh!” Tim groaned. “The two of you together is a recipe for trouble.” Everyone laughed at that, and that was when they reached Dominic’s car.
“Okay, we’ll see you guys soon. Drive safe!” Jason said and waved to them when they got into the car and drove away.
“So,” Jim said excitedly and turned to Joel, who was in the backseat, “you’re gonna be a spy now! This is so exciting! It’s like in this show I watched once about a computer guy who turned into spy! He was going on missions and all…”
The small fey’s chatter filled the car as he told them all about his favourite spy show. Just what did I get myself into? Spying on a very powerful businessman and politician who had friends in high places and connections to gods…that was slightly above Joel’s pay grade.
Chapter Eight
Investigating Alistair Bradshaw was easier said than done. After putting much effort into it, Joel managed to find a job opening close to his suspect. It was one as his limousine driver. The upside was that he was close to the man wherever he went and could listen in on any phone calls made in the car. The downside was that nothing really important was ever said in those calls. Joel knew he had to be patient, but it was hard with everything that depended on this mission.
Still, he did what was expected of him as a driver of a very important person and bided his time until he could discover something useful. All in all, the situation was stressful. The only time Joel felt he could relax was when in his apartment and spending time with Tim. He and the pixie really hit it off, and Joel couldn’t remember the last time he felt so good in someone’s company. A month had passed since Joel first learned about paranormals, and he was slowly getting used to the thought that humans were not alone in the world.
He had just come back from his job as a driver and was slightly frustrated. The only thing he managed to discover was that Bradshaw had a mistress on the side. As explosive as it would be to learn if it was his normal investigation, in these circumstances the news wasn’t really that important. It only meant that the politician wasn’t all that family-oriented, unlike he claimed in his speeches. A lying politician, what a surprise!
Joel snorted and shook his head, manoeuvring the key in his door lock. He’d brought some groceries and tried to balance three different bags and open the door without setting them down. He finally succeeded and entered his apartment. Ever since he’d started working for Bradshaw, the place became his asylum, his escape from falseness, corruption, and games of the estate. He was getting really tired of the deception and hoped his employer would reveal something, and soon.
Joel went straight to the kitchen and unpacked groceries, putting them away. He hummed to himself while doing so. His mood always improved noticeably whenever he came back to the place he shared with Timiny, and this time wasn’t any different. After finishing what he was doing, Joel went to the living room just to stop dead in his tracks at the sight that greeted him. Tim sat there, on the floor, with his back resting against the sofa and sans a shirt. The pixie hugged his knees to his chest and had a stubborn, yet suffering expression on his face. Joel’s heart sped up.
“What’s going on, Tim? Are you in pain? Is it time for me to help you yet?” A heavy worry settled over his heart as he gazed at the pretty man’s clenched jaw.
“We can’t keep doing it, Joel,” the man said by way of greeting, and Joel grew confused and concerned at the same time.
“Keep doing what? Helping you? I told you I don’t mind. You need it, and I can provide it. It’s all right.” He approached his friend slowly and lowered himself to sit next to him on the floor. Tim stared straight ahead and was silent for a while. Then he spoke, not turning to look at Joel.
“No, I can’t do it. It’s getting worse, you see. Not the dust itself, that’s manageable, but every time you help me…” He swallowed, as if preparing to say something really hard. “I’m getting…needier. I didn’t know it could be a side effect. I didn’t have that problem in captivity, but now…” He paused, not knowing how to continue, and Joel had to ask for clarification.
“When you say needier, you mean…”
Tim’s head snapped to look at him and there was a heated look in his eyes. It could have been anger, or it could have been something else entirely.
“I mean, my body is getting more heavily aroused every time you help me. I don’t know how long until I’ll be begging you to fuck me. I can’t do it. I don’t want to make you any more uncomfortable or destroy our friendship. You’ve become really important to me, Joel, and I don’t want to do anything to ruin it.” Timiny’s gaze burrowed into him with burning intensity. To Joel’s huge surprise, his friend’s words had an unexpected effect on him. He felt heat pooling in his belly, slowly flooding his entire insides, and at the same time, his cock filled. Joel blushed.
>
“So what do you plan on doing? You need help. You can’t just stop getting it because it could make me uncomfortable.”
“It’s not only about you,” Tim said, once again looking away and staring at the far wall before him. “How do you think I feel when all those begging words are bursting to escape my lips? It is humiliating, Joel. It would be different if you were even remotely attracted to me, but you’re straight.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“There’s no other way.” Tim sighed and rested his forehead on his knees for a second before looking at Joel and answering, “I need to go back to fey world. There is someone there…a friend…he might be able to help me.”
Joel couldn’t be more surprised at the reaction Tim’s words caused in him. Pure panic! The thought of Tim leaving, of never seeing the man again…and there was something else as well, something that very closely resembled jealousy. Joel couldn’t deal with that right now, so he concentrated on something else.
“But didn’t you say you didn’t want to go back? To prove your family was right and you were unable to live on your own?
“That’s true, but I don’t think I have a choice anymore.”
“What if…” Joel swallowed and decided not to think on what he was about to propose. “What if I agreed to help you?”
“Joel, I told you…” A little hint of exasperation entered Tim’s voice, but Joel interrupted him.
“No, listen, I could help you with…well…you know…with everything…”
“Joel…” Tim’s voice became grave all of a sudden. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I… ah…” Panic threatened to overwhelm him, and he couldn’t find words. Tim misinterpreted it and sighed.
“It’s all right. You don’t have to say any more.” The pixie moved as if to stand up, and Joel grabbed his shoulder, stopping him. He was sure he looked like a beetroot with all the blood that flowed to his face at what he was about to suggest.
“Wait!” He couldn’t look at the other man as he spoke what was on his mind. “I…I want to help you! I don’t want you to disappear to some obscure fey world where I could never see you again. I care about you, I value our friendship as much as you do, and I want to do anything to help you.” He paused and only spoke when it looked like Tim was about to say something.
Credo Quia Absurdum Page 8