“That’s right, the little whore is back in town. You must be tapping that again if you’re getting so worked up,” his grandfather said with a cackle.
“You’d better watch the words you use when you talk about her,” Jax gritted out, taking a step forward.
“Or what? You’ll beat up a feeble old man?” Harlan mocked.
“And I’ll feel zero guilt while I do it,” he replied with a cold smile. “She’s not just some woman. She’s my mate. I’ve known she was for seventeen years, and you know as well as I do that will never change. And I will fucking destroy anyone stupid enough to go after her, including you. Call off your eagles.”
Throwing his head back with a nervous laugh, Harlan said, “If someone is going after your mate, it didn’t come from me. What would be the point? You blew it with Danica, and you’re rough and uncouth now. I’m embarrassed to claim you as my grandson. I couldn’t care less who you’re with now, or what you do with your life.”
“Then don’t claim me,” he muttered, mind racing. “Stay the hell away from me, Piper, and the fighters. Or you won’t like the consequences.”
Fear suddenly flashed in his grandfather’s eyes, and Jax knew he finally had the upper hand. The chancellor of the colony was no more than a disgraced old shifter, with no power and no authority to get his way.
“Have a nice life,” Jax said. Turning on his heel, he made his way to his truck and climbed in, heading to the hardware store to pick up new deadbolts. His grandfather had been telling the truth when he said he hadn’t given orders to mess with Piper, and when he said he didn’t care what Jax did now. So that ruled Harlan out, and left Jax at a loss for suspects, unless the eagles were acting on their own.
Entering the hardware store, he quickly found what he was looking for, but when he turned to leave the aisle, he found his way blocked. Gerald, an eagle shifter who had been on his grandfather’s committee, was standing there, looking at him with fondness.
“It’s really good to have you back, boy. I’ve wanted to tell you that since you returned, but you rarely come to town.”
Jax felt his eyes narrowing and he couldn’t help his glare as he started to edge around the older man. “I have nothing to say to you, Gerald. Now if you’ll excuse me—”
“Wait,” Gerald said, putting a hand on Jax’s arm. “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry for how everything went down all those years ago. When Harlan told us what he asked of you, and told us what he wanted us to do if you didn’t follow through, we all protested. We said no, Jax. Asking a shifter to abandon his mate, threatening the mate… it’s wrong, unethical, and fucked up, a thousand times over. We were going to tell you, but you broke it off with Piper and left town before we could.”
Jax stared at Gerald, barely breathing. He didn’t know, hadn’t realized the others weren’t on board. If he’d waited just a few fucking days, everything would have been different. He would have had Piper in his life all this time.
“That’s why so many of us left,” Gerald said, cutting into Jax’s thoughts. “Harlan’s actions got out, as those things tend to do. It pissed a lot of the eagles off. It’s unthinkable to expect a shifter to walk away from their mate, to threaten their mate if they don’t. Many of us were uncomfortable having a leader who would do such a thing. Those who could, moved away, and those who stayed disbanded, distancing themselves from the colony. I just wanted to let you know, the colony had your back on this, Jax. And absolutely none of us will get in your way if you pursue Piper again. All we’ve ever wanted for you is your happiness.”
Swallowing hard, Jax nodded, searching for his voice. He felt weak in the knees, like the smallest of eagle feathers could knock him over. “Thanks, Gerald. That means a lot.”
“Listen, Jax. Some of us want to start the colony up again. But not with your grandfather. Harlan is out, and that’s nonnegotiable to us. We want you as the chancellor. We’ve been watching you, boy. And you’ve grown from a fine young man into a fierce warrior. You’re a good man, Jax. That’s what we need in a leader.”
Jax stared at Gerald, stunned. That was the last thing he’d expected to hear, and he honestly didn’t know how he felt about it. “I don’t know. I don’t think I’m the right one for that. And I have a responsibility to the fighters. I think my place is there, with them.”
“Just think on it. And go get your mate back. You need her. Good luck, son. I saw Piper in the store the other day, and she looked like she’d kick ass first and ask questions later. You’ve got your work cut out with that one.”
Gerald clapped him on the shoulder and walked away, whistling under his breath. Still feeling stunned, Jax made his way to the register in a daze, paying for the locks before heading to the truck. He could barely wrap his mind around all this. He was telling the truth when he told Gerald his place was with the fighters, but he couldn’t think about that right now.
All his thoughts were on Piper, and what the old man told him about the eagles not coming after her. If he’d put up more of a fight, resisted his grandfather’s demands a little longer, he’d have her in his arms right now. Maybe even an eaglet or two running circles around them.
He could have spared both of them the heartache of the last eight years. He’d told himself that Piper would move on, find someone new to love. And he thought she had for a while, with her ex-husband. But obviously, that hadn’t worked out, and it was just as clear that she hadn’t moved on like he thought she would. She tried to pretend she only carried anger for him, but he could see the hurt she still felt simmering below the surface.
Regardless of his grandfather’s actions, all of that was on Jax’s shoulders. Now he just had to figure out a way to make it up to her. Because learning the truth didn’t change one essential fact. She was his mate. She was his mate, and he’d never stopped loving her. In fact, after being around her for a couple days, he could say with all certainty that he loved her more now than he had back then.
Driving slowly back to Rocky River, he thought through different approaches, discarding each one. It wasn’t until he was nearing the driveway that his grandfather’s denial hit him. Harlan had been truthful when he said it wasn’t him, and Gerald had also been telling him the truth when he said none of the eagles would stand in his or Piper’s way.
So if they didn’t break into Piper’s house, who did?
Thinking back, he remembered her muttering about how it better not be Scott. At the time, Jax dismissed it, because he was so sure it was his grandfather stirring up trouble again. But now, we wondered. Suddenly anxious to get back to the house, he pressed the gas pedal. He had some questions to ask Piper about Scott.
Piper walked down the stairs after her shower, not sure what she’d find at the bottom, but the house was deserted. She could hear sounds like Shelby outside playing, and Ian’s deep voice, but it looked like she had the house to herself. Walking into the kitchen, she snooped around before getting out the ingredients for pancakes. She’d make a large batch since she wasn’t sure if anyone had eaten yet.
As she worked, her thoughts drifted back to the revelations of last night. She felt like she’d been too hard on Jax. While it was true that there had probably been other options, other ways of handling it, they were just kids. And she had to ask herself—if someone had been threatening Jax, what would she have done?
She hated to admit it, but she probably would have done the same thing he did. She’d do anything to keep him safe, no matter the cost.
Would have done. She meant she would have done anything to keep him safe.
Yeah, right. Even in her most convincing tone, she couldn’t make herself believe that was past tense.
“Your hair is fucking awesome.”
Letting out a startled shriek she would deny making to her dying day, Piper whirled around, the pancake batter on her spoon flying. A tiny woman with reddish brown hair was standing by the door, a tall man behind her.
“Um, thanks?” she replied.
“All shav
ed up on one side, and those purple streaks. It’s badass,” she chimed. Turning to the man, she said, “I want to do something like that. Would you mind very much?”
“Not at all,” he replied, leaning in to kiss her nose. “You’ll be beautiful no matter what you do with your hair.”
Looking away as the woman gave him a mushy look, Piper told herself that she absolutely didn’t want Jax to look at her like that again. Nope. Not at all.
“Oh my goodness, I just noticed the piercings. You’re rocking that look,” the woman said, drawing Piper’s attention back to her. “You look like you’re enough to give Jax hell. That’s good. Shake him out of the shell he’s been living in.”
Clearing her throat, Piper wondered what the hell she was supposed to say to that. And what shell? Jax didn’t seem much different than he had eight years ago. More mature, and a little quieter, but that was it. Cursing as she remembered the pancakes, she whirled around and quickly flipped the one in the pan, relieved that it wasn’t burnt.
“Oh, I’m being so rude,” the woman said, moving closer. “I’m Cammie, and this is my mate, Alex.”
Pouring the last of the batter in the pan, Piper turned toward Cammie, curious. “So you’re a shifter, too?”
Cammie raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. “I knew Jax would tell you quickly. He’s not one to ease in and go slowly. So he told you everything?”
Bemused, Piper stared at her before shrugging, figuring Jax already told Cammie most of the story. “He told me last night. I mean, I knew he was something more. I’ve known for years. But he just told me about shifters and mating last night. And about not being able to protect me before, but how he can now. I’ve yet to see him fight though, so jury’s still out on that.”
“Trust me, Jax can fight. He’s a beast. Hey, there are fights being held at the Anderson ranch tonight. You should come and see for yourself.”
Nodding thoughtfully as she flipped the pancake, she replied, “Yeah, maybe I should.”
“Maybe you should what?” came Jax’s deep voice, the smoky baritone dancing up her spine.
“I told her she should come to the fights tonight,” Cammie answered.
“You should,” he told her, coming to stand by her.
Avoiding looking at him just yet, unsure of her feelings and all jumbled up inside, she removed the last pancake just as the back door opened and Ian walked in, followed by Seth. Finally turning, she looked to see everyone staring at her. Feeling self-conscious, she shifted her feet.
“What? Okay, I’ll go to the fights. I have nothing better to do tonight.”
“Good,” Jax told her softly, eyes intense.
“I looked into Scott,” Alex said, speaking for the first time as he glanced between her and Ian.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Jax stiffen. “You had him looked into? He’s that much of a threat?”
Shaking her head, she followed the others to the large table, taking a seat. “It was Ian’s idea. I don’t really think he’d do anything, but I thought it couldn’t hurt.”
Watching as he scowled, he took a seat and nodded at Alex. “Let’s hear it.”
“Well, he’s been pretty busy the last few years. He got married a few months ago,” Alex said with a swift glance at Piper.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Good for him. I feel really sorry for the unlucky lady, though.”
Jax smiled, looking satisfied with her answer. “Go on,” he encouraged Alex.
“This is where things get a little dicey. His spending habits became erratic about a month ago. Lots of weird stores he was spending his money at. Well, not weird for others, but places he’d never shopped at before. Like the hardware store and a sporting goods store.”
Frowning at the grim look on everyone’s face, Piper said, “I don’t get why a sporting goods store would be pertinent info.”
“Guns, ammo, knives,” Cammie replied softly.
“All credit card and bank activity also stopped two weeks ago, and he took time off work,” Alex said.
Well, fuck. “I know it looks incriminating, but guys, I really don’t think Scott is the one who broke into my house.”
“Do you still have feelings for him?” Jax asked, eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
“What? Shit no! But I know Scott. He talks a good game, but he has zero follow through, and nonexistent balls. Maybe he’s making repairs on his house, and took up a sport. And just took off time to pursue those. Besides, Alex said he’s married again. Why would he take the time to come after me, with a new wife at home?”
“You’re basically impossible to get over, Pippy,” Jax murmured under his breath.
Cheeks heating, she ignored that in favor of addressing the table. “Look, I’m not ruling him out completely. I just can’t see him doing something like this.”
“I looked into Zane, too,” Alex said.
“What?” Ian barked. “Why would you do that? Kian said he went home. It should have been left at that.”
“Who’s Zane?” Piper asked, confused.
“A total prick who’s in desperate need of another ass whooping,” Seth replied, a scowl forming.
“Enough,” Ian told him. Looking at Piper, he said, “Zane and Kian are members of Shelby’s mother’s tribe. They came to town so Kian could spend time with Shelby, but Zane didn’t endear himself to the shifters here, and he went home about a month ago.”
“Well, that’s a diplomatic way of saying he pissed us all the fuck off, and messed with shit and people he shouldn’t have messed with,” Seth retorted.
“Cool it,” Ian warned.
“Except he didn’t go home,” Alex interrupted as all eyes shot to him. “I mean, he did at first, but he only stayed a week or so. After that, he left again.”
“And where is he now?” Ian asked grimly.
“Credit card activity puts him within a twenty-five mile radius of Eagle Creek. He’s not staying in one spot. Kind of roaming around in a circle around here.”
Silence met his statement, and then Seth exclaimed, “I knew it! I knew that pompous bag of fleas wasn’t through with us.”
“We don’t know that,” Ian cautioned, and then he closed his eyes. “I need to go tell Kian. I’ll see y’all later.”
Piper watched him leave, feeling thoroughly confused. “I don’t understand why this Zane guy is relevant to the break-in.”
“Because he hates the fighters,” Seth told her. “Don’t ask why, because I couldn’t answer that. But he shows it with his every action, and it’s there in his eyes. He tried to take my mate, Amelia. If he knows Jax wants you, he’ll fuck with you to get to Jax.”
“So this means there are two suspects—Scott and Zane,” Cammie said thoughtfully.
“I really don’t—”
“If you say it’s not Scott one more time, I’m going to spank you,” Jax bit out, voice tight with fury.
“Excuse the fuck out of you? Try to punish me in any way and see what I do. I dare you,” Piper shot back, glaring daggers at him.
“Whoa,” Cammie said. “No physical violence unless it’s on fight night. That goes for both of you,” she said pointedly to Jax.
“Look, Piper, I know this might seem out of character for Scott,” Alex interjected. “But so were those purchases, and then the lack of any at all. I think that’s enough to warrant putting him on the suspect list for now.”
“Fine,” she said grudgingly. “But I reserve the right to crow about it when it turns out it wasn’t him.”
“Fair enough,” Cammie replied with a smile.
“I made pancakes, and I’m hungry. I made plenty. Anyone want breakfast?”
“Want to come to breakfast tomorrow?” Piper asked Jax.
“Only if I get to stay the night first,” he replied, waggling his eyebrows.
“Oh get off it,” she laughed, pushing his shoulder. “You know I’m not that kind of girl.”
“I know, I know,” he said with a long-suffering sigh, thr
owing her a wink at the end to show her he wasn’t serious.
“I think I will be soon,” she replied softly. “I think it’s inevitable with you.”
Taking her hands in his, Jax kissed her knuckles. “You know there’s absolutely no pressure, right, Pippy? I’m more than okay with waiting. I’ll wait forever if I have to. We never have to have sex, if you don’t want to.”
“Make love,” she corrected with a dreamy sigh. “God, I do love you, Jax. More than anything.”
“I love you too, Piper. I think maybe I’m not supposed love so hard so early. I’m just seventeen, and you’re only fifteen. But the way I feel for you is already so much more than just love. And this feeling will never go away. Ever. You have the key to my heart.”
“Ditto,” Piper said. “I feel just like that. I’ll love you forever, Jackson St. James.”
Piper pulled into her driveway, getting out and holding the leash as Snickers sniffed around. She watched as Jax pulled his big blue Chevy truck in behind her Mustang, conflicting emotions vying for dominance in her chest.
On one hand, she wanted to hold onto her hurt and anger, go back to hating him, and send him away. On the other, she knew he had a reason to do as he’d done, as misguided as it was. He’d hurt her deeply with his words and actions that day. But she also knew he had to be harsh, because otherwise, she wouldn’t have let him go so easily.
And she still had no idea how to deal with learning the truth. Or how to do deal with the growing feelings she had for him again. She didn’t want to get hurt yet again. And she had to remember that all men sucked big hairy monkey balls. Good men were nothing more than a myth.
But the exception to that rule might be walking toward her, big and muscled, jeans hanging just right, green t-shirt snug, ballcap pulled low, and white teeth gleaming as he directed a panty-melting smile her way.
What a damn clusterfuck. Her feelings were a maze she was hopelessly lost inside.
Fight Song: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Rocky River Fighters Book 3) Page 11