Page 12 of Cruel Revenge (Jacky Leon #12)
“Yeah…” Heath rubbed the back of his neck.
“If the rest of us had a moment, I’d have Piper, Rose, or someone follow them or stick with whoever is on the schedule…
but I need everyone at the Tribunal. There’s a lot they need to learn for their own safety, because one misstep in the Tribunal offices and they could get hurt or cause a lot of problems. It’ll be chaos this first week.
I can’t ask Carey to miss her classes either. ”
“I can handle it with the younger werewolves,” I said, patting his chest. “You can focus on what needs to be focused on. Leave Texas and everything in it to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. When I leaned back, I met his gaze. “We’re a team. You pick up things when I need them, and I pick up things when you need them.”
“It’s basic guard duties.”
“And I swore to Carey I would protect her over five years ago. Simple guard duty is just part of the job.”
Heath chuckled, nodding as I reminded him of how this all started. I kissed him one more time as I slowly pushed him with the hand I left resting on his chest.
“Now, get to work. We can handle everything here. Zuri and Jabari will be landing in Dallas in two days. Then we’ll have even more backup.”
“Fair enough. Have a good day.”
“You, too.”
I finally got him out of the office, knowing what I had planned for the day now.
I grabbed my phone and made a quick group text with the youngest of the resident werewolves.
They may have passed Heath’s training, but they were working with me this week.
I needed to get all of them together for a discussion.
Stacy was the oldest. She was an older teen when I met her in Dallas, the first werewolf of the Dallas pack I had met cordially at that point.
She spoke up for me when I met Heath and Shamus, even though I had used her as a shield to meet the two werewolves while she was still very much human.
Kody was her younger brother, but second oldest of the group.
Arlo and Benjamin were the youngest. Arlo was a little older than Carey, Benjamin a little younger.
Both were Teagan’s boys, now living with not only the quiet werewolf, but the resident witch the pack and my mother had adopted into the group.
I can ask them about living with Olivia now. It’s been a few months, so they might have thoughts and feelings about it. She didn’t say anything about it when we went back to her old property.
With confirmation from all four that they could be at my place in an hour, I settled into my office chair and waited, trying to channel the power of their Alpha or even my father. This was official business, and I had to act like it.
Carey stuck her head in and frowned at my position and stiffness.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to act like your dad… or mine,” I explained, watching her fail to conceal a laugh.
“Wow, okay. Why?”
“I’m meeting with your guard unit to discuss how things will work this week while everyone is in the Tribunal.”
“Ah… Will they really be gone all week?”
“Yeah, probably late into the evenings. They are having crash courses and have to learn fast so they can work there without getting into trouble or causing any for someone else.”
Carey nodded and closed the door, leaving me alone.
Do I look that weird?
I waited for my meeting, trying to maintain the professional air that I saw channeled so often.
While I waited, I felt the pack descend on the packhouse across the street.
Everyone but the four I summoned to me was there and quickly disappearing in groups to the Tribunal.
Stacy and Kody were also at the packhouse, and once their father disappeared, they headed toward me.
Like I expected, Stacy and Kody arrived first, but impressively, Arlo and Benjamin weren’t far behind, driving from home.
Stacy and Kody, used to official summons for business, were straight-spined and ready for a discussion, standing at attention like I was Heath himself.
Benjamin was more nervous, but he looked at Stacy and Kody, taking cues from them to stand with them.
It was Arlo who snorted when he saw me.
“This is business, Arlo,” I said, flatly staring at him as he laughed harder at my words.
“It’s really weird seeing you like that,” he said, wiping his eyes. “Sorry.”
“Is it?” I dropped the act, sighing. “Carey nearly laughed, too.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty weird, Jacky,” Stacy said, breaking out into a smile. “But it works, too. You just need more practice.”
“Sure…” Kody wasn’t nearly so certain as his older sister.
“Thank you for the words of encouragement, Stacy. Now, I wanted to discuss this week with all of you since we’re going to be the only ones here for the week.
This gives me a chance to talk about whenever this might happen in the future as well, since everyone else in the pack has been absorbed into the Tribunal for Heath. ”
“Which is why we all made sure to finish our guard training through Landon to be Carey’s security while people are away,” Stacy said, following my train of thought. “Dad said this week it was just going to be us and you, once he got word from Alpha that he was needed for the Tribunal.”
“Perfect. Here are my rules. You will be armed at all times. You will work in groups of two. While she’s home with me, you’re free to do whatever you please.
I will give you a one-hour heads-up that Carey and I will be leaving the territory.
Everyone is required to come with us. You’ll take two spare vehicles, with Arlo and Stacy driving.
You’ll maintain a respectful distance. I will be Carey’s door guard during classes, going into the building with her.
Anything suspicious will be reported to me immediately so I can pull her out. Any questions so far?”
“No ma’am,” they all responded in unison, now perfectly serious, even Arlo, whose scent was filled with respect now over humor. Every single werewolf in the room with me knew I would give my life for them and for Carey.
“I don’t want any of you dying for me,” I said simply.
“I know Heath probably thinks you’ll also guard my back, and watching it is also watching Carey’s.
However, if anything happens, your only focus is Carey.
I don’t care what else is happening; your job is making sure she comes home safe. Are we clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said once again.
Good. Luckily, there’s nothing planned for this week.
“Okay, you’re all dismissed. Again, when she’s home with me, there’s no need to hover. Use the packhouse to hang out or sleep in if you want to stay close. No need to hover on the porch, though.”
They were already falling out, except Stacy, who hovered back until the young men left.
“Are you nervous?” she asked me, smiling a little. “I get it. We are, too.”
“I could smell it,” I said, smiling gently. “Wasn’t going to point it out.” Like Stacy just pointed out my own.
“I just wanted to say that I think you’re doing great. I don’t think we werewolves tell you that enough. Thank you for letting us stay here and for being supportive of our Alpha. He’s finally where he belongs because of his love for you.”
“You think he belongs on the Tribunal?” I raised an eyebrow. I didn’t disagree. Heath had that energy. He could fool anyone into thinking he was just the affable family man, but when he shifted gears, he was a cunning Alpha and a dangerous man. Both sides of him were real.
“I didn’t really consider it for a long time, but once it happened…
it felt right. Felt really right. I know my Dad thinks so, too.
He’s a bit worried he won’t be able to keep up, actually.
Heath and Landon are really impressive werewolves.
The rest of the pack, we’re all… pretty average.
So… for all of us pretty average werewolves, I just wanted to say thank you for supporting our Alpha as his mate, always being at his side, and yeah…
I can’t wait for the wedding. Really insane that we got all the way from the day you two met. ”
I couldn’t stop a laugh.
“Yeah… you were there for that.”
“And I can’t wait to get my invitation to the wedding,” Stacy said, grinning.
“You’ll be invited, I promise,” I said, then waved her away. “Shoo. Go find something to do with your time.”
Stacy gave a small bow before she left.
“Shit, I forgot to ask Arlo and Benjamin how living with Olivia has been…”
I grabbed my jacket and went to follow the teenage werewolves.