by K. N. Banet
“And your wolf?”
“I don’t know. I was more worried about you in a hospital full of them than I was him. I knew they would treat him like royalty.”
“Good wolf. Don’t like him, but good wolf. What happened? Do we know anything new?”
I sighed. “I’m hoping Heath will know more. In the end, it doesn’t matter, but it would be nice to know the whole story.”
“We’ll wait together. I don’t think I’m ready to get out of bed. Modern technology strikes again with a car accident. I told Father when cars were beginning to get made, they were death traps. They just keep getting faster, though. Every year, faster and faster.”
“Stop complaining, old man. You don’t get to. I’ve been in two of them now that should have killed me. I get to complain. Not you.”
“Fine,” he huffed and smiled at me. “Hopefully, there won’t be a third. I heard you. You called out for him.” I looked away this time, but he reached out and grabbed my hand. “I’m sorry. I should have never been so cold. I never understood, but I see how deeply losing him hurt you.”
“It was a long time ago. You know what? After all of this, let’s call it even, shall we?” I tried to smile back at him, but it scratched my weary emotions raw to realize someone had heard me calling out for a dead man. On top of that, Jabari’s words were too much.
“We’ll call it even, as you modern ones say,” he agreed.
We waited in silence after that, just enjoying each other’s company. It felt like hours later when Heath stumbled in, his arm bandaged to the shoulder and a crutch to help him walk.
“Two broken ribs,” he said. “You?”
“Six,” Jabari replied. “Punctured lung. Some other minor fractures”
“Three and a concussion,” I added. What a weird dick measuring contest to be a part of. “Any news?”
“No. They used a group to shove our car off the road and sent it flying. A couple died in the effort to kill us before we could report back. I have a feeling the Master of the nest was desperate to stop us, even if it meant his own downfall. There’s nothing left for us to do, though. Geoffrey wants me to get out of his territory. The Tribunal wants to come in and clean it up and offered their sympathies to us for this mess.”
“Then let’s get home,” I declared, trying to stand up. When I wobbled, he moved as fast as he could to my side. When he tried to help me with his good arm, I narrowed my eyes at him, making him laugh.
“Fine. Let’s get home. Jabari, where’s home for you?”
“Botswana this decade, but I’ll be staying with Jacky for a couple of weeks,” he answered. Heath froze, then slowly looked down at me. I gave him my most innocent smile.
“Carey will love him,” I promised, hoping it wouldn’t be a lie.
33
Chapter Thirty-Three
Three weeks later
“Have a safe drive, Jabari,” I said, smiling at my older brother as he finished loading his things into his car. “And have a nice flight.”
“I shall. You stay out of trouble.” He smiled back up at me. “Are you confident with the runes? Do you want me to run through them one more time?”
“I’m fine. We’re good. I think I’ve got a handle on them.” I knew why he was worried. He ended up staying longer than he planned when I had a hard time getting the hang of the runes. No matter what I did for the first two weeks of his visit, I couldn’t make them work. It wasn’t until the third week I finally made one that worked. Even then, he made all of them for my home and bar. I was now protected from demonic things, vampires, fae, and all manner of things I didn’t really know.
“If you have any questions, Zuri and I—”
“I know,” I confirmed, gently pushing him toward the open driver’s side door. “Go home, Jabari. I’m ready to get back to normal.”
“I’m worried. Most of our siblings do them much easier. You are the worst at them yet.” He was frowning now, and I kept pushing.
“My self-esteem doesn’t need the reminder. You left me that little book in case I forget any, and I’ll keep practicing. Promise.” Honestly, I had been serious when I said I didn’t care if I knew them or not. The pain had come from never being told about them, never being offered them. Now that I had them, I was grateful, but I wasn’t going to practice them for hours on end, the way Jabari wanted me to. I had a business to run.
Speaking of which… “Jabari, really. I have to get the bar up and running for today.”
“You need to hire help,” he mumbled petulantly. “As your older brother, I should tell you it’s unhealthy to work alone like this without assistance.”
“And I will take your concern into consideration.” Not. “But it’s time for you to leave.” I want my own space back, damn it.
“Fine. See you later in the year for the holidays at Father’s.” He turned around and wrapped his arms around me. It was the first time he’d ever hugged me, and I accepted it with an open heart, hugging him back. The events in Washington and the last three weeks had helped Jabari and me find the very thing we had both wanted—understanding of each other. With that, we became the siblings Hasan always wanted us to be. I still had work to do on the others, but Zuri was backing me up more and more.
“Did Hasan tell you what he was planning?” I asked softly.
“Yes. Do you want to know?” He pulled away when I nodded. “He wanted to give you temporary free rein to be his contact with North and South American werecats much like Zuri and I handle Africa, Mischa handles Russia…” He trailed off, staring at me with concern. “Jacky?”
“Are you serious?” I sounded like a dumfounded fool.
“You aren’t to do anything dangerous in the beginning. We’ll all be ready to step in if you need help, but you wanted to help this time, and…I recommended to Father you might need a job with the family. You need a place equal to ours, something you can be proud of. Did you like helping me in Washington?”
“I did,” I answered, kicking a rock as I absorbed what he said. “What if I fail?”
“If you ask for help when you need it, you won’t fail. He’s planning on approaching you with it in a few weeks, so act surprised when he tells you. He likes surprising his children, and I just ruined that for him.”
“I’m not ready,” I said, my voice stronger that time. “Damn it.”
Jabari laughed. “No, you’re not ready to do what Mischa does or what Hisao and I do, but no one is when they start out. If you don’t want it, you don’t have to accept.”
I shouldn’t want it, but my newfound feeling of responsibility demanded a different answer. “This is what our family does. As long as I can continue to run my bar and live my life, I’ll help the werecats of North and South America as best I’m able, and if I can’t, I’ll find the werecat who can.”
“Good. He also wants you to be our direct liaison with werewolves for any political problems that don’t require his presence with the Tribunal. The North American Werewolf Council is the strongest of their councils right now, but he wants to introduce you to the Tribunal werewolves, or you can ask Heath to…”
He was still talking, but I’d checked out. I turned away from him and started walking for my bar, letting those words ring in my head.
Hasan was giving me a whole lot of responsibility.
“Sister, wait! One more thing!” he called out. I turned slowly and saw him looking through a briefcase. Yeah, even ancient African warlords had briefcases now. He pulled out a piece of paper, sighing. “Father told me to give this to you at the right time. Since I’ve healed, and you’ve learned the runes, you’ve decided to throw me out. That makes it time for you have this.”
I walked back and took the paper. It was a deed.
“Oh, fuck.”
“You said we would take their lands as spoils of war…so we did. Father has decided since North America is yours, and it was your idea, it belongs to you. He’ll have someone burn the home down later this week if you want to g
o watch.”
I started walking away again.
Jabari didn’t follow me, laughing as he got into his car. I went into my bar, only turning to wave at him as he pulled out.
I hustled to get the bar ready for opening, and once I was done, I had to turn on the Open sign and wait.
It only took thirty minutes for Heath, Carey, and Landon to walk in.
“Wait!” I ordered them at the door. “This is a reputable establishment, and we do not allow minors!”
“Jacky!” Carey whined. I grinned at her.
“But you can sit nicely at the bar before others show up, and no one has to know.” I winked at her, and her replying laugh made my heart easy. I could worry about whatever responsibilities Hasan wanted to throw at me tomorrow. Or when he finally told me. There was no reason for them to ruin my day.
“So, he’s gone?” Heath asked, looking around. “He’s not going to pop out and ruin my drink?”
“No, he’s not going to pop out. He drove off about an hour and a half ago. I’m sorry your Saturday nights were ruined the last few weeks.”
“He hovers, and it’s odd. It was like he thought I was trying something.” Heath sighed. “Landon, do you want anything?”
“Yes, please.” Landon stepped closer but didn’t sit down. He watched me carefully, and I waited for him to come to his judgment about me today. “He has something to tell you.” He gestured to his father. I raised an eyebrow at Heath for a second, who growled softly. “And I would like a brandy if you have it,” Landon continued.
“Coming right up. Heath, what’s this thing you need to tell me?” I grabbed glasses down and began to get everyone what they wanted. Carey would only ever drink juice in my bar because I refused to serve her anything else except water. Heath wanted a beer. Landon was the one who always switched it up. Brandy, mixed drink, beer, water—he was the most inconsistent customer I’d ever had.
“We’ll talk about it after these two leave,” he answered, gesturing at his children.
“All right, then.” That meant it was important and not for Carey’s ears.
“Dad!”
“No,” we said to her at the same time. She frowned but didn’t fight us. I sighed.
“Your birthday is in a week, right?” I asked, leaning over to talk to her as I slid her drink to her. She grabbed it like a pro before it went over the edge of the bar.
“Yup.”
“Have you figured out what you want me to get you?” I waited, and she shrugged. “Carey…”
“I mean…” She made a face. “Surprise me.”
I groaned, letting my head hit the bar. Impossible. Heath and Landon were no help, laughing in delight at my situation.
And so, it went. Another day with some of my favorite people. Carey refused to give up an answer to me for two hours, and when a human customer walked in, Landon ushered her out to take her home. I was able to snag a hug before she was whisked away.
“I’ll give you a list of things we need to grab before the horse gets here,” Heath offered. “You can grab some of the items off it, and we’ll make it a gift from all three of us.”
“Really?” That touched me. It was lazy, but…I was being included in the family gift to her. Somehow, that privilege felt more like a gift to me from Heath than it did a gift for Carey.
“Really. We’ll let you sign the card and everything.” He smiled at me. “So, that important thing…”
“Get on with it,” I ordered, waving my rag at him.
“The North American Werewolf Council asked me to take a special role. Ambassador to werecats. I was offered this role thanks to my friendship with a particular werecat who happens to be part of a very important family, and that means we can—”
“Stop.” I held up a hand. “I don’t need to hear any more. I’m about to be offered a few family positions too. How about we pretend none of that is going on while we’re in this bar and try to have a normal night?”
He chuckled, and something curled in me. I hated his chuckle, but it sounded so good.
“Yeah, we can do that,” he said, leaning on the bar with that small smile.
I caught something in his scent. I had before, but the circumstances had prevented me from putting too much thought into it.
Now I had the time, and what I caught made my eyes go wide. I met his grey-blue gaze, confused what the man could possibly be attracted to.
“I figured if we’re going to be friends, you should know the feelings are mutual,” he explained softly.
Heath Everson was attracted to me.
“No.” I pointed at him. “No. We’re not doing this. Nothing weird tonight. Drink your beer. I’m going to tend my bar.”
He only laughed.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading!
I adore writing this woman. Jacky is honestly more of a story about family than anything else. She’s part of several and each one of them have a definite impact on who she is and the decisions she makes. They will probably always play a very important role in her stories, and there’s so many family members to explore, I honestly can’t wait.
I wish I could tell you how long this series will be, but the honest truth is, I don’t know. I have major events in the lives of these characters I really want you to see and I’m willing to go the distance when it comes to the series to make sure those get on the page. I really hope you’re willing to stay on this ride with me!
And if you’ve been wondering, yes there’s some romance in this series and it will be on the page once it comes. Whenever that might be.
And if I still have you… come join me in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, my facebook reader’s group. I post exclusive content and all the good stuff is posted there first, like covers!
Acknowledgments
Let’s get started with the obvious, as I will every time. My husband, who supports me through every book, even if he’s never read them. He believes in me and I love him for it.
To my girls, Leigh, Katie, and Becca, who listen to my endless ramblings about plots and future ideas. Who lose me for days on end as I dive into another book. Your friendship is my touch stone to come out of the story and know there are people waiting on me to come back.
To my editors, both amazing. Everyone give Katie (I know, 2 Katies!) and Sandy a huge thank you if you ever get the chance. Then my beta readers, all fantastic. Without the team behind me, these wonderful people, I would never be able to bring these books to the world.
An last, but not least, you the reader. The reader who keeps coming back reading more and more. You join me my journeys through worlds unknown and stories of strong women and men fighting for what they believe in. Even more importantly, you believe in me enough to see me try something outside of the reverse harem genre with Jacky Leon.
Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
About the Author
KristenBanetAuthor.com
K.N. Banet loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head. Worlds of action, adventure, trying times, and true love are the things that get her writing.
She might be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed. You might want to try asking her husband, two dogs, and cat.
You can join her in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, her facebook reader’s group.
Also by K. N. Banet
The Tribunal Archives
Urban Fantasy
Jacky Leon
Oath Sworn
Family and Honor
Broken Loyalty
Kaliya Sahni
Bounty
Also By Kristen Banet
Reverse Harem
Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance
&n
bsp; Age of the Andinna
The Gladiator’s Downfall
The Mercenary’s Bounty
The Warrior’s Assault
The Rebel’s Vision
Witch of the Wild West
Bounty Hunters and Black Magic
Werewolves and Wranglers
Complete Series
The Redemption Saga
A Life of Shadows
A Heart of Shame
A Nature of Conflict
An Echo of Darkness
A Night of Redemption
Wild Junction
The Kingson Pride Series
Wild Pride
Wild Fire
Wild Souls
Wild Love
The Wolves of Wild Junction Duet
Prey to the Heart
Heart of the Pack