“Yes, please.” Hannah looked more relaxed as the color returned to her cheeks.
“So, what are you doing in Cougar Ridge? I guess you came by the bar.” O’Malley took a bite of his pancake while Jenessa attempted not to spill coffee over everyone as the truck bumped over an uneven section of the mountain road.
“I came to the bar looking for you.” Jenessa passed a small cup of coffee to Hannah who eyed her with unease.
“And instead you found your mate.” O’Malley’s gaze slipped past Jenessa and rested on Axel who returned the look accompanied by a nod of agreement.
“Wait, you two are mates?” Hannah immediately relaxed.
“We are, which means you are off the hook, O’Malley.” Jenessa passed him another of the cups of coffee.
“Off the hook about what?” Hannah asked, her unease returned.
“My brother has gone missing,” Jenessa began.
“Tyler? Is he okay?” O’Malley asked.
“That’s what we need to find out,” Axel replied.
“He stole something off a gang member and now two gangs are looking for him. We need to find him first and hopefully return whatever it is he’s taken.” Jenessa sighed, the early wake-up call catching up to her. All she wanted to do was crawl back into bed, but that was not going to happen.
“And you came to ask O’Malley for help?” Hannah asked as she drained her coffee cup.
“Yes. Although that was before I knew you two were on your honeymoon. Once again, thanks for the invite.” Jenessa arched an eyebrow at O’Malley.
“It was very quiet and very quick.” O’Malley reached for Hannah’s hand. “We just wanted to get married.”
“I was only joking.” Jenessa looked from O’Malley to Hannah and back again. “It’s obvious you are very much in love.”
“Anyway, back to you and Axel being mates.” O’Malley grinned. “You make a great couple.”
“We’re just testing that theory right now.” Jenessa grimaced as she brushed off O’Malley’s comment. “Or should I say we’re just getting used to each other since we only met yesterday? And I don’t know about you guys but it’s not as if things click into place instantly.” She squirmed in her seat, that had not come out as she expected.
“Oh, my, no, they do not.” Hannah shook her head as she agreed with Jenessa. “You’re not a shifter, are you?”
“No.”
“Isn’t it weird that these guys just know, and you feel like you are playing catch-up? It’s like you feel this connection but it’s hard to believe it’s real. It takes time.” Hannah sighed and turned to look at her husband. “But then it becomes real. Like really real. This I can’t live without you feeling creeps up and before you know it there is no way you can live without them.” She took a breath and then turned back to Jenessa. “Don’t worry, it takes a day or two.”
“A day or two?” O’Malley joked. “It took you that long to know I was the one?”
“About that, yes.” Hannah nudged him in the ribs before she fixed her attention on Jenessa. “Do you need our help?”
“Not at the moment. Axel and I are going to go track him down.” She glanced at O’Malley. “As long as you can spare him, and he still has a job to come back to.”
Axel tensed beside her. “I could have asked for myself.”
“Yes, but Jenessa obviously knows that O’Malley can never say no to a damsel in distress. It’s why he dropped everything and flew halfway around the world for me when the bar was about to open.” Hannah snuggled up to O’Malley. “Although, you were lucky to have Axel to fall back on, so now I think it’s time to return the favor.”
“How can I resist two women putting pressure on me?” O’Malley asked.
Axel shook his head. “There’s no use fighting the inevitable.”
“Sure, you can go. Your job is safe.” O’Malley’s tone sobered. “And if you need anything, just call. Kelos and I can be with you in a matter of hours if you need backup.”
“I’m hoping that won’t be necessary.” Axel let out a long breath as they neared Cougar Ridge. “Can I ask you another favor?”
“Your mom?” O’Malley asked.
“Yeah, she’s doing well, but I don’t like leaving her on her own.” His jaw tightened.
“She won’t be on her own.” Jenessa clutched the Thermos close. “I asked my dad to come and stay. I spoke to him, told him your mom needed someone around to help her out while we look for Tyler. I did not tell him it was because I was worried about him being on his own, too.” Her dad had been enthusiastic about the idea. Jenessa suspected it was because he felt as if he was doing something, playing a part in finding Tyler. He hated feeling useless. “He should be here sometime this afternoon. He insisted on catching the train, so I have to go and pick him up from Bear Bluff. Then we can go.”
“Then we’ll keep an eye on both of them.” Hannah slipped her arm around Jenessa. “My dad is coming to live in Cougar Ridge now that we’re back for good. I’m sure he’d like to meet your dad and Axel’s mom.”
“That’s one less thing to worry about, thanks.” Jenessa glanced at Axel. “Do you think your mom will be okay with that?”
“Yeah.” Axel shot her a sidelong glance. “She’ll look after him, without knowing he’s there to look after her.”
“They’ll get along just fine.” Jenessa’s eyes dropped as they reached Cougar Ridge and drove to the bar.
“Thanks so much for coming and collecting us.” O’Malley got out of the truck and grabbed their packs from the back.
“No problem. I’ll call you when we leave. And thanks for allowing me the time off.” Axel shook hands with his boss.
“Just come back safe, the two of you. And promise me you will call if you need any help. Any at all.” O’Malley held their gaze until they both agreed.
“And congratulations on getting married,” Jenessa said. “You make a great couple.”
“We do,” Hannah agreed as she went to O’Malley and hugged him. “Right now, though, this great couple needs some sleep. It’s been a long night.”
“Greg is opening the bar this morning, so you two take it easy.” Axel hopped back in the truck and rolled down the window. “Thanks.” He waved his hand and then steered the truck out of the parking lot and back onto the road for the short journey home.
“Sorry I didn’t tell you about my dad before. I talked to him late last night and he agreed to come and stay. I think if he wasn’t coming to stay here, he’d be coming with us.” She shrugged. “He hates the idea of not doing anything to help.”
“It’ll be fine. We just need to make sure that our parents think they are coming to take care of the other and that they don’t spill the secret.” He grinned. “Should be easy.”
“None of this is going to be easy, is it?”
“No, it’s not,” he confirmed. “But we’re in this together and we have people ready and willing to help if we need them.”
“The problem is, we have no idea where to look for Tyler.” She slumped back in her seat, fatigue dimming her thoughts.
“I have a few ideas and a few old friends I’ve already made contact with.” His jaw tightened. “I promise we won’t stop until we find your brother.”
“I just hope it’s worth it.” She looked down at her hands still clasped around the Thermos. There was a chance Tyler did not want to be found, that he’d sold whatever it was he’d stolen with no thought for how his actions would implicate his family.
If this was true, it might just break her father’s heart into so many pieces Jenessa would not be able to put it back together again.
Chapter Thirteen – Axel
“You used to be in a motorcycle gang.” Jenessa’s dad, Ralph, fixed Axel with a hard expression. Beneath the gray hair and wrinkles that creased his face, he was a strong man who didn’t like to be messed around with. Fiercely defending his family was his priority, Axel had seen it all before.
And that will be us one day,
his cougar told him.
“Used to be. Yes. As did you.” Axel did not drop his gaze as Ralph studied him.
I’d call it scrutinizing, his cougar chimed in.
“I did, but I walked away for the sake of my wife and my family.” Ralph looked past Axel toward the sitting room where Jenessa was talking quietly to Paula. Although, Axel suspected that both women were also eavesdropping on the conversation between the two men in the kitchen.
“It takes courage to walk away.” Axel’s jaw clenched and he forced himself to relax. He didn’t like being interrogated in his own home, but he understood why Ralph felt the need to question the man who claimed to be his daughter’s mate.
We are his daughter’s mate, his cougar reminded him.
And this is our mate’s father. As a shifter, he’s bound to be wary of a man who makes such a claim.
“It does. Courage I hope you have.” Ralph’s eyes narrowed. “I know how hard it is to step away from that life and how easy it is to go back to it. And going back is what you’re intending, even if it is with the best of intentions.”
“I have a life here,” Axel reminded him. “And I have no intention of throwing it all away for the old life I used to live.”
“My daughter has a lot to lose.” He lowered his voice. “You know she’s built herself a good life, one that is not tainted by any of this.”
“She told me she has a successful business. You must be very proud of her.”
“I am. Very proud. And I want you to make damn sure she doesn’t jeopardize that business because of my son.” Ralph curled his fingers into a fist. “I would rather lose my son. Hell, I’d rather lose my life than watch Jenessa suffer because of the dumb kid I should have been firmer with.”
“I understand your concerns and you understand that Jenessa is the most important thing in my life. I will do everything to keep her safe.”
And make her happy, his cougar added.
And there was the problem. If keeping Jenessa happy meant her giving up her business for the sake of her brother, then what? Was he supposed to support her? Or persuade her it was foolish?
Jenessa knows her own mind. Our job is to support her. His cougar was right. But ultimately our job is to protect her. Even if it’s from herself.
That was the look Axel read in the old man’s eyes. Ralph wanted Axel to take care of Jenessa above all else.
“Thank you for what you’re about to do. I just wish I was strong enough to take on the task myself.” He smiled sadly. “But my mind isn’t what it used to be.”
“I understand.” Axel smiled at the old man before him. “But Jenessa is my family now, which means you are my family. I’ll do what I can to bring Tyler home.”
“Then you’d better get going.” Ralph stepped to one side and Axel passed him and entered the living room. Jenessa was on her feet and heading toward the kitchen and her father. They passed each other and exchanged a lingering look before Axel went to Paula and hunkered down next to her chair.
“I’ll be fine,” Paula assured him before he had a chance to talk. A small smile flitted across her lips. “And don’t worry, Ralph and I will look after each other.”
Axel nodded. “I hate leaving you. But not as much as I would hate leaving you alone.”
“I know Jenessa asked her dad to come here because you’re worried about me.” She nodded before he had a chance to deny it. “And I know you want me to keep an eye on Ralph. Make sure he takes his pills and eats.”
“I should know not to try to trick you into thinking it was any different.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Take care of each other. Kelos and O’Malley are going to take turns visiting each morning and Shawn said he’ll pop by every afternoon after his shift at the hospital.”
“You don’t have to go to so much trouble. We’ll be fine,” Paula insisted.
“I need to know that someone will check in on you.” He took her hand for one brief moment before he sniffed and rose to his feet. “It’s been a long road to recovery for you, I certainly don’t want you to get sick again.”
“I’m strong now. I’ll be fine and so will Ralph.” Paula looked up as Jenessa and her dad came into the room. “As long as you don’t mind watching my shows on TV.”
“I don’t mind at all. As long as I can tend your back yard. There are some beautiful plants out there.” Ralph looked longingly at the back door.
“You can weed, and I’ll sit on the bench and watch.” Paula laughed. “See, we’re going to get along just fine. It’ll be nice to have someone my own age to talk to.”
“Thanks.” Axel turned away from his mom and went to the hallway where the last of their luggage was waiting to be loaded into Jenessa’s car. He didn’t trust his truck to get them there and back again.
Wherever there is, his cougar mused.
They planned to go talk to the gang Tyler had been hanging around with before he disappeared. Jenessa had the names of a couple of people he’d been close to. And a couple of people who hated his guts and who they planned to avoid. Axel hoped that they would get enough information from those guys to figure out what was going on in Tyler’s head in the days leading up to him stealing from the rival gang. If they could figure that out, they might be able to learn what exactly Tyler stole. A thing so important to the rival gang that they were not willing to let it go.
It might not have been anything of value, his cougar reminded him. By stealing from the gang, Tyler made them look weak. That’s enough for them to decide to take action.
I don’t know. I think it’s more than that. But until we find Tyler or at least figure out what he stole, it’s all speculation. Tyler might simply have pissed off the wrong person.
Yeah, we know how that ends, his cougar said sourly.
“I’ll see you soon, Dad. Thanks for everything, Paula.” Jenessa followed him out of the living room and leaned down to grab one of the bags while Axel picked up the rest.
“Take care of each other,” Paula called from her chair.
“You, too,” Axel said as he left the house with his mate at his heels. It was after midday and a lot later than he’d planned to leave but they had waited for Ralph’s train to arrive before leaving. With their parents together, it would be easier to make sure they were okay and have someone check in on them. It was also easier to make sure they were both safe.
As they loaded the gear into Jenessa’s car, he pushed his senses out to their limit. There was no one suspicious hanging around and Jenessa was certain no one had followed her from the train station in Bear Bluff. Ralph should be safe here in Cougar Ridge.
“Okay.” Jenessa cast him a questioning look. “Last chance to change your mind.”
“About what?” he asked as he went around to the passenger side and opened the door.
“About coming with me. You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do, and you know it. So let’s just hit the road.” Axel slid into the car and a relieved Jenessa got into the driver’s seat. “Did you really think I might change my mind?”
“Not really, but I needed to ask.” She turned to look at him as she turned the key in the ignition. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this but, selfishly, I’m not sorry you are by my side.”
“I get it.” He looked at the road ahead. “But I’m fully committed to finding Tyler.”
“So, let’s go.” She brushed her hair back from her face and grabbed a pair of sunglasses from her purse. “I’ll follow your lead since I have no idea how we are supposed to act. My dad might have been in a gang and my mate might have been in a gang, and my brother might have been in a gang...”
“I’m glad you never have and I’m sorry you are going to get exposed to that kind of life.” He truly wished he could shield Jenessa from the seedy side of being in a motorcycle gang. He wished it was all about riding around on a chrome and leather bike, but it wasn’t. Although, he liked the idea of riding a bike, with Jenessa on the back and heading off down an open road and into
the sunset.
Maybe after all this was over that was what they could do. Take a vacation and see the country from the back of a bike. He still remembered the freedom.
There was something about the open road, with the wind in your face and no metal cocoon surrounding you that made him feel alive. That was the thrill that had led him to motorcycles. And motorcycles had been the first step toward joining a gang. They had offered him camaraderie, the chance to be part of something. He should have said no, he should have returned to Cougar Ridge, but he hadn’t.
No regrets, his cougar told him. That knowledge is what’s going to help us to help Jenessa.
No regrets. Axel glanced at his mate. “What about you? Tell me about this business of yours.”
“Oh, it’s nothing special.” Her cheeks colored pink.
“I’m going to disagree with you even though I’m programmed to make you happy and never argue with you if at all possible,” he teased. “Starting a business and making it a success is special.”
“I don’t want to insult your ego by telling you how brilliant I am,” she said in return.
Axel placed his hand on his heart. “I think my ego can take it.”
“Really? When I first mentioned it, you seemed a little taken aback.” She watched him out of the corner of her eye as she drove down the highway toward their destination.
“I’m over that now. I like the idea of not having to stress about being the main wage earner. It’s liberating.” He puffed out his chest and let the breath out slowly.
“Really?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
He gave a short laugh. “I’m not there yet, but I am working on it.”
“Thank you for your honesty.” She bowed her head.
“But I am interested in what you do and how you started. With so much going on in your life, it must have taken strong commitment.”
Axel Summer Shifters Season 2 Page 9