His friend’s gaze was filled with worry and anguish. Kel got to his feet and Zier caught him in a quick hug.
“How is he?”
Kel gave him a wan smile. “He’s going to be okay.”
Zier cupped his cheek. “What happened?”
“Someone started shooting at him. Dade called a little while ago to tell us Lou Means tried to kill him.”
“They found Christian and Colm dead this morning. You know Lou had to be taking Colm’s death hard. They were best pals. Theo said they went over to check on Jax because something at the scene pointed to him as the killer.”
“What?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “He just mentioned an SD card and said there was blood.”
“When did they find them?”
“Some cats found them shortly after one this morning and called it in. Alexa was first on scene along with Rad. The blood was tested, and the card was watched. It contained the stolen copy of Jaxon’s new constitution along with his rewrites. It wasn’t good.”
“He didn’t do that,”
“I’m not arguing,” Zier said softly. “The entire department knows about it, and people are saying he’s playing them.”
“He didn’t do this,” Kel said, disgust in his tone. “Someone set him up. He was with me all night.”
“Dade’s already all over it,” he said. “Problem is Dade had to take out Lou. There is no telling how this is going to go over. ”
“I don’t care,” he said coldly. “I’ll kill them all if I have to.”
“I’m at your back, man.” Zier put a hand on Kel’s shoulder. He kissed the side of his neck. “We won’t let anything happen to our mate.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jaxon woke to the vague strands of light looking into the room. He sighed as he turned onto his back. His hip was a little sore, and his head ached. “Kel?” he asked hoarsely.
“I’m here.” Kel came into sight with a bottle of water.
Jaxon cleared his throat and lifted his head off the pillow. “Where am I?”
“The lodge. We had to bring you here to take care of you.” He stroked his cheek. “Here.”
“My head is killing me.”
“I’ll get you something.” Kel vanished.
“Hey.”
He turned his had to find concerned eyes on him.
“Had me worried,” Zier said softly.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Jaxon said. “How long have I been out?”
“All day,” he answered and stroked his hand over Jaxon’s hair.
“Something for your head.” Kel reappeared with a bottle.
“Thanks.” He held out his palm and Kel shook a couple of capsules into it.
Jaxon uncapped the water and drank a big gulp with the capsules. “I need a shower.”
“I’ll show you where it is,” Kel said. “And get your clean clothes.”
Jaxon took a shower and the Kel put clean sheets on the bed with Zier’s help since Jaxon had been sweating during the day. They’d finished when Jaxon returned in the sweats and T-shirt Kel had given him.
“Hungry?” Kel asked.
“A little bit,” Jaxon admitted. “First I want to talk though.”
“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Zier said and turned to go.
“Don’t.” Jaxon put a hand on his arm. “It involves you.”
Zier turned, resignation in his eyes and Jaxon’s heart clenched. He let his hand slide down and curve around the other man’s. “Zier you’re such a surprise to me. I knew you wanted me, but I had no idea it was this much.”
Zier’s gaze darted to Kel’s. Kel moved to wrap his arms around Jaxon’s waist. “It’s okay,” Kel said.
Zier nodded. “I’m in deep like with you and falling in love fast.”
“I like you too,” Jaxon said. “I think we should get to know each other as lovers and friends. We can see where things go from there.”
Zier smiled tentatively. “I’d like that.”
Jaxon leaned toward Zier and kissed him softly.
Zier’s hands went to Jaxon’s hips. He held him lightly as Jaxon curved an arm around him and hugged him. Kel’s lips brushed the side of Jaxon’s neck, and he sighed softly.
“You feel good in my arms, Jax,” Zier murmured. “There’s no doubt where this is going to go.”
Jaxon looked up at him. The hope in Zier’s eyes was bright, . He stroked the back of his neck feeling that hope bloom inside his own chest. “Where?”
“Love. A triad conceived of in the divine’s mine and manifested right here on earth.” He cupped Jax’s face. “Tell me you feel the strong pull between the three of us? It’s magic.”
Kel nuzzled Jaxon’s ear. “What do you feel, sweets?”
He held Zier’s gaze searching his depths. “I feel warm inside when the three of us touch, and I missed you both when I was in the city.”
“Then, he’s right,” Kel murmured. “There’s no doubt where this is going.”
“I know.” Jaxon pressed a kiss to Zier’s throat and heat sparked low in his belly and rushed out like a tidal wave. It poured off his lips and into Zier’s skin. Zier drew in a wheezing breath and Jaxon backed up quickly fearing he’d electrocuted him. He blinked as waves of red-orange poured into Zier’s neck, traveled over his face which was turning blue.
“Zier?” Kel reached over his shoulder and fingertips came into contact with his friend’s cheek. The wave flowed into him and Kel tried to pull back, but couldn’t as the energy circled them, held them together, embraced them for long seconds.
“My God!” Jaxon whispered. “Kel? Zier, baby, say something.” He touched Zier’s hand. “Please, answer me.”
Zier began to breathe again, gasping in air. Kel moved to his side and urged him to the bed. “Are you okay?”
Zier looked up at Jaxon and Jaxon wanted to shrink away. He nodded. “Fine.” His lips tilted into a faint smile. “I’m good, sweetheart.” He looked up at Kel. “I think he mated me too.”
A knock at the door prevented the stunned Jaxon or Kel from saying a word. They just stood there even as the door opened.
“Did I interrupt?” Keyos asked. His gaze went from one to the other.
“Yeah, but since you’re here, what’s up?” Kel demanded tautly. His gaze went to his brother.
“Dade wants to talk to us,” he said. “He just got home from work.”
“We’ll be right up,” Kel told him.
Keyos nodded and Kel sighed when he closed the door behind him.
Zier got to his feet. “Jax?”
“I thought I’d hurt you,” he said, his voice wobbling a little.
“You did, but it’s over now,” he said in a soothing tone. “Are you okay?”
He shrugged and his gaze went to Kel. Kel went to hug him. “He’s good. We’re all good.”
Jaxon hugged him back and looked over his shoulder at Zier. Zier put a hand on Jax’s. Jax smiled at him as warmth filled him. “We better go see what Dade wants,” Jaxon said.
They headed up to the spacious kitchen, their shoes making a dull sound on the wood floor. Dade was seated at the breakfast bar with Rhys right next to him. Travis was seated on one side with Daisy next to him and Keyos standing at that end. Zan stood at the opposite end with a bottle of tea in hand.
“What’s going on, Dade?” Kel asked.
“I still have no leads on Daniel and Tom’s killer,” he said. “But I’m certain of who was behind the attacks on you Jaxon.”
“Who?” Jaxon demanded quickly.
“The Purists. Colm, Lou, Tom, Daniel and Christian were members of this group,” he said. “I was just talking to Patrick, and he told me the hit on you was a joint effort. It came from the Purist leader and your own your elders.”
“What?” Kel exclaimed. “Did you arrest them?”
“On what grounds? Conspiracy?” Dade demanded. “Patrick was killed while I was talking to him. He was about to name names when I g
ot a call. I walked out of the room to take it. I heard shots and went to check on him and he was dead.”
“What led you to Patrick? Zan asked.
“I found a single print on the box someone sent you.” He looked at Jaxon. “It was Patrick’s. Initially the site came back clean, but in light of what’s been going on, I had everything tested again. The report came straight to me this time.”
“He was dead before he could tell you anything useful?” Kel asked.
“He said he delivered the box but the Purists had nothing to do with the contents. They were all looking for justice for Daniel,” Dade told them. “The person who killed Daniel and Tom is still out there, and he’s probably playing both sides of the fence.”
“What makes you think that?” Keyos asked.
“Patrick said Colm never mentioned the SD card found with his body,” Dade told them. “He said he’d heard about the card and what it contained. As far as they knew, it was in police custody. He also said, no one knew why Christian and Colm were out in the park last night. Their leader told him nothing had been planned.”
“But they were out there,” Zan said.
“Exactly,” Dade agreed. “The killer is either Jarvis or his right-hand man. That right-hand man is my bet. That man is the Southern elders’ right-hand man too. The coroner’s report on Tom revealed his back bones were being crushed.”
“A relic, or an elder,” Rhys said grimly. “Not many offspring of the pure-breeds who settled here have strong psychic powers thanks to years of dilution of genes.”
The relics were Barrian power objects, and Kel doubted one of them had been used since not many of them still existed here.
“That’s what I thought,” he said, giving Rhys a faint smile. “I have no proof to arrest anyone let alone enough to take to the D.A. to build a case. I think these murders hinge on what Daniel got on video that night. No one has the answers but our killer and on top of that, Jarvis came in just before I left demanding Jaxon’s head. He thinks you’re the killer because of that SD card.”
“Do you have the SD card?” Kel asked.
“It’s locked up tight as a drum, but I think the damage has been done,” Dade said. “I think we all best prepare ourselves for a war.”
“If we have to, we do,” Keyos said grimly and then nodded to Jaxon. “Before I put my life and my mates’ on the line, were you in on the Southern elders plan to take over this town, and subjugate it?”
“No.” He shook his head and Kel wrapper and arm around his waist and pulled Jaxon back against him while Zier took his hand. “I swear I wasn’t. The constitution and bill of rights I devised presented equality for all and my family didn’t want that.”
“Then, we fight but if it turns out you’re lying to us, you’re dead,” Keyos told him in a hard tone and then threw a look to his brother. “And I’ll kill you and Zier if I have to.”
“Won’t come to that,” Kel said coldly. “Jax is mine, he’s family now and so is Zier. We’re all mated.”
Jaxon looked up at him at the sound of pride and love in his tone. “I’d never betray the man I love,” Jaxon said. “Or the future I could have with my mates.” He looked at Zier and Zier gave him a nod.
“It’s settled then,” Keyos said. “We fight.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later, Jaxon drew in a breath as he stared out the window into the square. Voting was underway, and he had an idea of where things were going. His stomach knotted and a cool chill played over his skin.
“Stop worrying,” Zier ordered softly. “And come sit down. The results won’t all be in for hours.”
Jaxon turned, his shoulders sagging as he stared across his office at his mates. Kel was pouring wine for them while Zier added one last container to the long table running along the wall adjacent to the window.
He still couldn’t believe how lucky he was. He had two men who loved him and his own heart was full of happiness. Zier was softer spoken, less commanding than Kel, so there was never any conflict between them. With him, Zier was starting to test their relationship a little more. It was clear they were the dominants and he didn’t mind.
“Everyone will be here soon.” Kel went to hug him before kissing him softly. “Relax. ”
“I’m trying, but I’m so nervous. I didn’t want to win, but I kind of do now.”
“What are you going to do if you don’t?” Zier joined them and moved behind him to pull him back against him. He was still getting used to the feel of Zier’s hard body, but he savored the warmth of it, reveled in his comfort.
“Keep practicing law,” Jaxon said softly and glanced over his shoulder. He caught his mate’s eye and smiled. His stomach fluttered. He was still getting used to that feeling too when he looked at Zier. He was obviously falling for him.
Zier dropped a kiss on his lips. “You have our support,” he murmured softly.
“I just don’t want a war,” Jaxon answered.
Zier hugged him tighter. “None of us do, and hopefully it won’t come to that.”
“Yeah. Now, stop worrying,” Kel said, but Jaxon heard the strain in his voice. They all knew a war was coming whether he won or lost. Kel dropped a kiss on Jaxon’s lips before looking over his head to Zier. “Your folks coming?”
“Yeah.” He nodded and Jaxon heard the tension in his tone.
Before he could speak, a knock on the door told him his supporters were here to wait with them as the votes rolled in.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ms. Reynolds is a daydreamer who loves to read and write romance that arouses. She can be found taking walks in the park to flesh out characters and listening to music to make sexy scenes come alive. She's an avid reader of both romance and paranormal novels.
Ms. Reynolds is also fond of cooking and thinks the kitchen is a good place to develop bondage and sex scenes because food can be as sexy as music when it comes to sex and the sex drive.
E.A. can be a little temperamental when it comes to people reading her work before it's finished.
For all titles by E.A. Reynolds, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/ea-reynolds
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Passion's Fire [Alien Passions 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Page 13
