by Tl Reeve
“Then if it is all right with you, I will be leaving early for lunch.”
Jefferson chuckled. “Sounds fantastic.”
After he hung up with his secretary, Jefferson texted Jochi to let him know where he was going. He and Janice couldn't take too long. He had to be back at two for a vote on the Senate floor. Then he had to meet with the Appropriations Committee at three. He hoped by the end of the day he could get the ball running with his plan. It would take some work, however, with him going to Window Rock for Thanksgiving, he could get the majority of it done there, which meant moving additional resources there as well.
Jefferson grabbed his jacket off the hook near the door, before stepping out into the hall and securing his office. Thankfully, all of the information he’d obtained on the scurrilous senators, so far, had been under lock and key in his apartment on the outskirts of D.C.. Added bonus, Keeley monitored the feed from his office back in Window Rock. The bit of comfort he found having her system in place would help him now. The minute Beltran and Roberts found out what he had on them, well, he figured some PBH goon would be on his doorstep looking to cause trouble. No matter though, he had Jochi and a gun. If they did come snooping around, he’d be ready.
As he stepped into the elevator, his phone began to ring. He glanced at the screen and frowned. Kalkin? The Sheriff never called unless something had happened. The last time he phoned, Royce and Charisma were adopting Mikey, but he'd been ill. With no answers as to what'd been wrong with the little boy, they feared the worse, and Jefferson had raced to Window Rock. He answered it. “Kalkin?”
“Want to explain why I’m looking at audit paperwork for the orphanage?” Kalkin growled.
Jefferson blew out a breath. “Fuck.”
Kalkin snorted. “You do cuss. Shit, I owe Caden twenty bucks.”
Jefferson chuckled softly. “Habit I’ve picked up. I didn’t have time to warn you. I only found out about it myself.”
“We’re above reproach when it comes to the books, Jefferson,” Kalkin grumbled.
“I know you are. I can’t talk now. Look, today is the last day for sessions. I will be on a plane in the morning. When I get there, I’ll explain everything.”
“I’ll be waiting,” he said. “It appears we’ll be having an interesting holiday.”
“Yeah, suppose so.” Jefferson hit end on the call after saying goodbye, even though he already knew the Alpha didn’t do salutations or valedictions.
By the time he arrived at the deli where he told Janice to meet him, Jochi was already sitting at a table across from where Janice situated herself. His mate wore a long pink silk dress. He used the chopsticks that doubled as sharp blades to hold his hair back in a bun and wore ruby-red lipstick. Jefferson’s groin tightened. What the fuck is wrong with me? Jochi glanced up at him and gave him a saucy grin before going back to the menu in his hand.
“Sorry I’m late,” Jefferson said, joining Janice.
“It’s no bother,” she replied. “I took the liberty of ordering you a whiskey neat.”
He needed it. “Thank you.”
“Off the record or on the record?” Janice pulled a pad from her bag then her pen.
"Off the record," he answered. "It's confidential."
Janice narrowed her eyes. “Are you in trouble?”
Jefferson gave a forced laugh. “No, not at all.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” Janice said.
Jochi’s tittering caught Jefferson’s attention. He glanced up at his mate, only to find him on the phone. Good cover.
“I suppose I am,” he replied. “I am not in trouble now, but Senators Roberts and Beltran are going to start squeezing me. They’ve already begun.”
“Bastards,” she whispered. “Right. What do you need me to do?”
If Janice hadn’t been married for thirty years and had three daughters of her own, he might have made a play for her years ago, but when he looked at Jochi, there was no one else for Jefferson, even if he couldn’t explain it.
“Our special files. I need you to start compiling them for me. Encrypt them and send them to Keeley Raferty,” he answered.
“Anything specific?” Janice still her pen, glancing up at Jefferson. “Will you be needing the stash?”
“Yes, I need the ammo. All of it,” he replied. “I will be bringing the others from my home as well.”
Janice’s eyes went round with surprise or fear, he couldn’t tell. Hell, it could have been excitement for all he knew. “All of it?”
“Yes. I am going to get into the mud and fight dirty then I am going to retire.”
She gasped. “But... But, sir.”
He patted her hand. “We’ve had twenty-five years together Janice. It’s time for both of us to get out of this rat race. My legacy will remain intact. I have someone in mind to replace me as well.”
She pursed her lips. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “It is. I missed a lot of years with my daughters and wife. Then Susanne died and well...”
“Say no more. Grandbabies have a way of changing hearts.”
And mates. “Yes, they do. Mikey is in kindergarten and the twins are a year old. Lynx is three. All four of them need their grandpa and I can’t be with them if I am here. I owe it to my girls. I owe it to Susanne's legacy."
Janice used her napkin to dab her eyes. “Retired does sound good.”
The waiter appeared at their side with Jefferson's drink. When he left, Jefferson glanced at Janice. "I want you to know I set you up for retirement. I made sure everything you'll need will be there. Health insurance, a 401k, and a special retirement account." Heat filled his cheeks. "I took it upon myself to have an extra ninety dollars taken out of your check every two weeks and put into your retirement account. I knew this day would come and I wanted you set for the rest of your life.”
Janice sucked in a breath before she softly sobbed and laughed at the same time. “You didn’t have to do that. I... I made a rainy day account at my bank.”
Jefferson barked out a laugh, drawing attention. “Well, shit, Janice.”
“We’re a couple of old fools,” she murmured. “It’s been a pleasure, sir.”
“Likewise. Now, I know tomorrow I leave for Window Rock, and I am putting a lot of pressure on you.”
She waved him off. “We have been planning this since you knew for sure what PBH has been doing to shifters. We have this.” She nibbled on the corner of her lip. “Have you spoke to your source?”
Jefferson frowned. “I did earlier. Hadn’t thought to ask for some intel.”
"Maybe you should see if you can get more dirt. You and I both know you'll need it."
“You’re right,” he replied. “As a matter of fact...”
He pulled the phone from his pocket the scrolled through the contacts until he came to Kalkin’s name. Adrian had been the head of PBH for a year now. He was also attending Boston College where, according to Jochi, he’d immersed himself into the college experience and his studies. When the encrypted text screen came up, he typed out a quick text.
Winters: I need Kirkpatrick’s help.
BigPoppaAlpha: Oh?
Winters: He might have the information I need.
BigPoppaAlpha: I’ll see what I can do.
“All of this will come directly from me, so you’re free and clear,” Jefferson said.
Again, she waved him off. “Not worried.”
“I’ll email you the retirement forms after the vote and meeting. I don’t want anyone to know what we’re doing until the very last minute.”
“Understood,” she answered. “Anything else?”
He frowned. “Since you’re all set, I think moving would be a great way to start your retirement.”
“Well, all of the girls are in Arizona going to school and living. I suppose I could talk Ben into selling the house and moving there.”
"Good choice. I am sure the girls would love having you close by as well. You'll have to tell me w
here you are when you get settled," he said.
“It would be great to stay in contact,” Janice replied. “Who knows, maybe we’ll pick Window Rock to live.”
That brought a smile to Jefferson’s lips. “Well, you’d always be welcomed.”
When they were done with lunch, Janice left first, then Jochi, followed by Jefferson. The heat of his mate’s stare while he’d been with Janice, prickled across his skin, leaving a trail of goose flesh in its wake. His palms tingled at the thought of lifting Jochi’s skirt and fucking him until neither one of them could stand. However, it would have to wait. He had the vote and the meeting to deal with first.
Later he’d defile his mate.
****
Because of the new plan of attack, none of them left work early. Janice didn’t leave the office until almost nine—same for Jefferson. Jochi hated seeing his mate work so damn hard while others tried to destroy his legacy. Seeing how tired his mate had been, Jochi ordered them dinner then drew a bath for Jefferson. Now, he lay curled in Jefferson’s arms staring up at the ceiling. Their flight out of D.C. was early the next morning, yet he couldn’t sleep. His mind kept wandering.
At lunch, he heard every bit of Janice and Jefferson’s conversation. On one hand, he’d been relieved to hear his bèndàn was retiring, leaving the corruption behind, but on the other hand, it worried Jochi. Some of the strictest, most protective laws in the country concerning shifters were due to Jefferson and senators like him. He feared, if someone took over Jefferson’s seat, who didn’t believe like his mate did, those protections would be rolled back, sending shifters into hiding while allowing PBH to run rampant.
“I didn’t fuck you hard enough if you’re thinking so much,” Jefferson murmured, wrapping Jochi in his embrace.
He sighed wiggling his rear across his mate’s groin. “You did.”
“Then why are you worried?”
“Are you sure this is what you want, bèndàn? Retiring, now?” He rolled over to face Jefferson. His dark hair fell across his mate’s chest and the man groaned. The sexual heat of the sound shot through Jochi.
“It’s time. I promise. I have been preparing for this day for a long time. I have all the pieces. Tomorrow when we arrive in Window Rock, you and I will finish it. We’re going to knock PBH out once and for all.” Jefferson pressed his lips to Jochi’s. “Now, since we’re both awake.” He sat Jochi astride him.
“Bèndàn,” he groaned. “Wicked old man.”
Jefferson eased into him and moaned. “Your old man. Don’t you forget it.”
“Never.”
The next morning, they were up bright and early. Most of the senators and representatives had taken red eyes home to their families. Jochi had set their departure time for Saturday morning at eight. It would give them time to pack and get through the security checkpoints at the airport. He glanced down at where Jefferson's fingers were threaded through his and grinned. Jefferson hadn't let his hand go since the minute they stepped on the plane. At thirty thousand feet, no one knew who they were, and they were just free to be. In a little over five hours, they'd be in their new hometown—or well, Jochi would.
His Leap was in Guilin, China near the Guilin Lijiang mountain range. His parents still lived there with his siblings under the iron fist of their Alpha Fu Gang Chao. When the bastard found out Jochi wasn’t like the others, the Alpha had cast him out. His parents were forced to remain—their penance for creating a “gay” child. They would repay the food Jochi consumed, the clothes he wore, and the schooling he received, by working in Fu Gang Chao’s fields until their deaths.
For so many years, Jochi had tried to finagle a way to get his parents and siblings out from under the tyrant controlling their Leap. So far, he’d been unsuccessful petitioning for their asylum. He glanced over at Jefferson. If he’d asked Jefferson when they started working together, he feared the man might believe Jochi used his position to garner a favor. Now, he wondered if he’d been a fool.
“What’s on your mind?” Jefferson turned to him. “We have all the time up here to talk about it.”
Jochi grinned. “I have a favor to ask of you.”
“A favor? Did you want to join the mile high club?” His mate winked at him.
Jochi chortled. “No, bèndàn.”
“What is it then? You can ask me anything.” Jefferson kissed their joined hands, settling the nervous thread weaving around Jochi’s insides.
“I... I want to bring my parents and siblings here, to America,” he said. “I have been trying for years with no success.”
Jefferson stared at him for a moment. “Where are they?”
“Guilin, China. Fu Gang Chao, our Alpha, is very strict and very mean. He kicked me out of the Leap when I was a teen. Since the moment I came to America, I have worked to free my parents and my siblings.” Jochi relayed to Jefferson everything he’d done so far, and how none of it had worked. “So, you see, you’re my last hope.”
“How about we let Keeley look into it and Jerome. If anyone can find them and get them here, it’s those two.”
Warmth bloomed in Jochi’s chest. “You mean it?”
Jefferson sighed. “If you have to ask, I am not doing my job properly.”
“Would you like to join the mile high club now, bèndàn? I wish to show my appreciation.”
Jefferson cut his gaze to Jochi. “Lead the way, mate.”
When the plane touched down, a nervous thread worked through Jochi. He knew some of the Raferty family. Tricked two of them. Spoken several times with the Alpha. He glanced up at Jefferson who scanned the area by baggage claim. What would Charisma and Penelope think of the man who claimed their father? Would they welcome him? Surely, they would be confused. Jefferson had married straight out of college and had Charisma almost immediately. They’d only seen their father in a loving relationship with a woman.
Jochi was a man.
“You’re thinking too hard again,” Jefferson murmured.
“How can you tell?”
“Your eyes get squinty and your brow furrows. You only do it when you’re around me though. I doubt anyone else has seen you this way before.”
Jochi rolled his eyes. "I am nervous about meeting your family, if you must know."
“They’re going to love you,” Jefferson assured him.
“Have you told them I am a man?” Jochi arched a brow.
“I didn’t.” When Jochi tried to protest, Jefferson place his finger against Jochi’s lips. “I haven’t told them because I didn’t believe explaining us over the phone was the proper way to introduce you.”
Jochi sighed. “Fine.”
Jefferson chuckled. “You can yell at me later if you must.”
“I will.”
“Took both of you long enough,” Kalkin grunted. “Sloan. Jefferson.”
“Sheriff,” Jochi said. “Thank you for the nice welcome.”
“If you’re expecting pleasantries that’s what Keeley is for. Not me. Do you have your bags and shit?”
Jefferson nodded. “Did you receive any emails?”
“Keeley is already combing through the few that came through last night and this morning. I suppose there is more?” Kalkin glanced at Jefferson.
“There are. They’re in our suitcases.”
Kalkin nodded as he inhaled. “Do your daughters know?”
“No. I explained I would be bringing someone home with me,” Jefferson answered. “I’ll make introductions when we see them.”
They stepped out into the mid-day sun. Though it had been a balmy fifty degrees in D.C., in Tucson, it’d been colder. Jochi enjoyed the cold weather. It gave his leopard more time to hunt and gather while also spying on any foe who might want to hurt Jefferson or his daughters.
“Makes sense,” Kalkin said. “Do it before we leave for the Thanksgiving Program at Mikey’s school.”
“I will.”
“What is this Thanksgiving Program?” Jochi quirked a brow.
Kalkin
smiled, a rarity in Jochi’s presence. “The kids in the elementary school are reenacting the first Thanksgiving. Mikey is the Chief. He’s been practicing his two lines for days now. He wants to get it just right.”
“That’s my boy,” Jefferson murmured as they placed their suitcases into the back of Kalkin’s waiting Enforcer.
“Charisma has spent days working on his costume as well. He bought pilgrim costumes for his brother and sister. Tried to convince the teachers to allow them to be the first babies of the first Thanksgiving.”
Jochi laughed. “He sounds like he’s fitting into your family.”
"He's a handful." Kalkin held the door for Jochi. "We have a special case at the orphanage if you're willing to take a look. Danielle didn’t want to bother you, but I figured, what the hell, you’re going to be eating our food after all.”
Curiosity bloomed inside Jochi along with amusement. “I would be honored.”
“Good. Once you’re settled, we'll set up a time to visit." When everyone was situated inside the Enforcer, Kalkin pulled into the outbound traffic. "I have a smaller house set up for the both of you in the new pride lands where Christoph, Jackson, and Bell will be living. I think you'll like it there. You won't be too close to everyone, but you'll be with the family. Plus, as elder members, you'll be able to help those who might need something Christoph can't fix—of course, it’s all contingent to when you’re here anyway.”
“We need to talk about that too,” Jefferson hedged.
“I’m guessing the reason you’re here is a bit more complicated?”
“Yes,” Jefferson answered. “I want to have all my ducks in a row before I divulge the plan. I can say we’re here to stay though.”
“Well, shit. Charisma is either going to kill you or hug you or both.” Kalkin laughed. “Should be an interesting Thanksgiving this year.
Chapter Three
When they arrived at the compound, as Kalkin called it, the place was alive with activity. Children screamed with laughter as they ran around the area in front of the main Raferty homestead like mad little beings. Some of the adults mingled while others carried on conversations. Halloween decorations, Jefferson assumed, had been transformed into Thanksgiving ones. Bales of hay were gathered around the front porch framing scarecrows, pumpkins, and gourds.
