Chapter 813 Chapter 813
Jake winced when the bolt let go, and Arlo whacked his knuckles off the cover. He knew that feeling all too well.
Gage came out of the office, glanced around, and then started walking toward him. His brows were creased. Jake straightened up from the wall that was holding him up. “What’s up?”
Gage shook his head, and then the creases eased a bit. “Kels just called me. She’s over with Rory and Kobie at Blair’s.”
Jake’s cat stilled. Gage shook his head again, and Jake had to bite his tongue so he wouldn’t demand he stop pausing and just say it. You didn’t demand things from Gage. Jake’s cat was large, a match for most, but not Gage’s. He’d trounce him without a hair out of place afterward.
“The ladies had to explain to Rory what’s been happening.”
“Happening where?”
Gage gave him a blank look. “Everywhere. She knew nothing about Aiden Tomas. Nothing about any of it.”
“How is that—” Jake sucked in a breath and held it for a moment. “I thought every shifter knew about his family or ones like him.”
“So did I.” Gage pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes for a second. “She didn’t take it well.”
A pain slicked through Jake’s chest. It was so sharp; he looked down to see if something was there sticking out of it. “Where is she now?”
Gage motioned to the door. “Kelsey brought her back over.”
Jake nodded and turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
Stopping, he looked at the floor and then blew out a breath and turned around. “To see if she’s okay.” He pointed to the others across the shop. “I haven’t slept in two days. I’m not going near any equipment like this.”
Gage stood there with his hands on his hips. “Good. We don’t need to replace any more ratchets.” He grinned.
Jake rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure Kelsey will make sure she’s okay. Mom will be back soon too.”
Jake’s cat wanted him to go find Rory. Now. Not wait and let the women settle her. “I’ll just check on her.” When Gage’s expression changed to an inquiry, Jake wondered if he was pulling off the nonchalant act he was trying hard to convey.
“What’s going on? My cat is suddenly restless, which means yours is.”
Damn Gage and his animal’s senses. Life around here was so much easier when he was all distracted by Kelsey. They got away with a lot more when he was. Jake looked to make sure the others were occupied. “She’s uh – meant for me.” He held his hand up. “I know she’s Coop’s niece—and I’m going to talk to him, but I just can’t stand here when she’s upset or—” he shrugged. “Anything.”
Gage looked shocked for half a second and then grinned and waved his hands. “Go.”
Jake blinked. That was it? He took two steps back and continued to watch Gage. “No words of wisdom?”
Gage snorted. “No. This is a tread-water-like-your-life-depends-on-it deal.”
That wasn’t encouraging. With a nod, Jake spun back toward the door and went outside. He knew he was tired because the damp, cool air felt refreshing, and he hated being cold. Once he made sure she was all right, he’d attempt a nap again. He’d heard Noah and Gage talking about some meeting and he wanted in on that. After being at the factory, he realized that every adult shifter should be doing their part. That, and he was starving for updates. Had they found those locations he’d heard about from Blaise? Did they know where the places were that had been part of some kind of high-tech alarm system? He needed to know.
He reached the driveway and saw that Gage’s truck was back. Now what? Did he march into the house and check on her? He moved slowly in that direction, hoping he had an idea of what he was going to do say the time he reached it.
“You look lost. You live here. You should know where you’re going by now.”
He turned to see Mari coming from the driving shed.
“If you’re looking for Rory. She’s not there.” She pointed over her shoulder. “She said she needed to go think.” She shook her head. The green hair looked like a duster when she did that. “Poor thing. I offered her a drink.” She shrugged. “It’s not one hundred percent ready, but a cup or two will set you straight.” She grinned. “Cooper says it’s po-tent enough to clear your pipes out.” She chuckled.
Jake had no idea what she was talking about. He pointed to the trail to the cliff. “I should go check on her.”
Mari turned around and looked where he pointed. “An ear to listen wouldn’t be all bad, I suppose.” She nodded and then started walking toward the house. “I’m going shopping with your mama when she comes back from Emersyn’s. I can’t wait.”
Jake opened his mouth to say Beth wasn’t his mother, then closed it. He didn’t remember his mother now, so Beth was the only one he’d known. Of course, he wasn’t going to call her that. You never wanted to set her off – in any way. It just didn’t end well.