Chapter 822 Chapter 822
The phone rang three times before he answered.
“Go for Zain.”
“Hi. It’s Jake Ingram.”
“Yes. Our new automotive supervisor.”
Jake grinned. He liked that he had a title. “Yesh. Do you have a minute to talk?”
“I do. I’m just sitting here waiting for Taggart to call. At least, I think that’s what his text said he was doing.”
“Is everything all right?” He looked at the house. They weren’t here.
“Mostly. Are you calling with a list of things you need? I figured we would go over that when you’re here. When are you going to be here?”
Jake closed his eyes and rubbed his hand over them before opening them again. “I plan to leave in the next few days. There are just a few things I need to take care of here.” Kelsey and Beth came out of the house and went over to one of the trucks. They got in. He looked back at the house. They wouldn’t leave unless Rory were okay.
“Understandable. Oaklyn and I thought we’d wait until you were here and let you pick your quarters. You get prime pick because there aren’t many here yet.”
Jake paused his pacing. That was going to be new. His own space. “Cool. Thanks.”
“Okay. So, what can I do for you?”
Jake blew out a breath. “I’m calling about Rory…”
“The woman that had to flee the city?”
“Yes. Her.”
“Does she need something? I don’t have everything set up the way I did before, but I can probably…”
“No. That’s not it.” Jake cleared his throat. “I was wondering if she could come with me.”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“Sure. Wait, Oaklyn said Rayne told her she’s good with paint, a decorator, or something like that.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Absolutely, bring her. If I have to sit through looking at paint chips again, I’m going to cry.”
Jake grinned. “Okay. Good. I haven’t asked her yet, but she’s not happy out here in the middle of nothing country. I think she’ll be excited to come help.”
“Mmm—are you mates?”
Jake’s shoulders dropped. “Yeah, but it’s…”
“Complicated. I get it.”
He was relieved.
“Oh. Taggart is calling. Let me know when you’re heading this way. Bye.”
“Will do. Thanks.” Jake expected the phone to go quiet as Zain hung up, but it didn’t.
“Taggart?”
“No, Zain, still Jake.” He grinned.
“Why is this so complicated? I swear if Illias left me the wrong instructions – let’s try this one. Taggart?”
“I is here my beauty’s Zain man.”
Jake grinned. Should he tell Zain he was still on the call?”
“Your guy went off the reservation.” Zain sounded stressed out.
“No reservation. We no stay at Inn. Too dangerous.”
Jake blinked and looked at the phone. “I think he means he took off.”
“Uh, thanks, Jake.”
“I understand now. Is no the first time Nicklaus go off. Happens all the times. Zain man, when he go is storm in the sky with the loud cracks and lights?”
Jake had planned to hang up when Zain accidentally connected them, but he was happy he hadn’t. None of the international team guys had been at the factory when he was there, but now, after this conversation, he was looking forward to meeting them.
“Yeah, it was a big thunderstorm Kesler said. He had to find a spot to pull over until it passed.”
Taggart made clicking noises into the phone. “He is looking. He will return when he is sure.”
“Looking for what?”
Jake nodded, what Zain said.
“He think he find his peoples but is no good. He know this. Still he go time and time to look.”
“Has he checked the lists? Maybe there’s a…”
“Is no list for Nicklaus Alves peoples. They no lists when his peoples numbers many. He still look.”
Jake closed his eyes and tried to translate what he was saying. He was speaking English, but his accent and misuse of words made it challenging.
“Oh, what clan is he from?” Zain sounded like his mouth was closer to the phone now.
Taggart chuckled. “I tell you, and you no believe. Taggart see with mine own eyes, and still no believe.”
Jake stared at the phone. What did that mean? What clan was he from?
“Is he all right? Do we need to send someone to…”
“No. No. No send any bodies. He come back. I have my beauty call Roque to go help your Kesler. He had the back of him. You no worry. Taggart must go now. I call my beauty then must turn off phone to be safe. I chase you later, ya?” The line went quiet.
“Well.” Zain blew into the phone. “That’s a puzzle.”
“Yeah.” Jake figured he was talking to him. “Any idea what clan?”
“None, but I will be chatting up Shepard later to see if he has any ideas. I’ll read you in if I find out.”
Jake grinned. Going down there was going to be a nice change. Inside info for the first time in his life.
“I have to get going. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Jake nodded. “Yeah.” He hung up and then turned to see Cooper walking toward him.
“You’re pacing back and forth like you’re stuck on a track.”
Jake put his phone in his pocket and glanced at the house. They’d tell him if she wasn’t okay, wouldn’t they? He looked back at Cooper. “Just waiting.”
“You did good jumping in that river, although I’m used to Blair doing heroic things.”
Jake snorted. “There wasn’t time to wait for the hero to arrive.” He shrugged. “I did what had to be done.”
Cooper nodded his head slowly.
In all the years he’d known him, Jake had never been able to tell what he was thinking. The man should play poker, he’d clean house. “I uh—just talked to Zain and they’d love for Rory to come down there and give Oaklyn a hand getting that place finished.”
He nodded and then looked at the door. “She would like that.” Cooper glanced at him. “Did you tell Rory that?”
“Not yet.” He motioned to the house. “There was a swarm of women in there.”
Coop snorted. “That is something you should talk to her about when it’s just the two of you.” The boys went racing by them. “Good luck with that part.”
Jake sucked in a breath, held it for a second, and then exhaled. “I was thinking—” Coop looked amused. Jake rolled his eyes. “That medication that Tomas’ people were using to control shifting…”
“You want to drug Rory?” He scowled at him.
“What? No.” Jake shook his head several times. “No. I was going to talk to Shaelan and get information about it—” He blew out a breath. “I don’t understand a shifter not liking being one, but if this is something that Rory wants…”
Cooper moved closer and smacked Jake on the shoulder and then squeezed it. “I had a few doubts, but you are thinking of her.”
Jake leaned back. “Well, yeah.” He said it slowly.
Cooper dropped his hand. “As long as you work on it together, I think you might have a shot with her.”
“You didn’t think I would before now?”
Cooper shrugged. “It wasn’t on you, Jake, trust me.” He looked at the house. “She’s got her own way of seeing things, and they don’t often match what everyone else thinks.”
“I noticed.”
“Now’s a good time to talk to her.” He nodded toward the house.
Jake turned to see Rory coming out the doorway. She paused and put her hand against it. Was she okay? Should she be walking without help?
Cooper started walking toward her.
He wanted him to talk to her now. She didn’t look very steady on her feet. Maybe he should wait until later, after she had a chance to rest. His cat tensed. Jake sighed. There was never a minute without others around. After earlier, he doubted she wanted to go for a stroll around the bush. Cooper looked over at him and motioned to his truck. Jake started walking. It was a six minute drive to Ed’s, that wasn’t much time to talk. How did he start the conversation? Should he mention the drugs before he talked to Shaelan? What if she got excited about them and then found out they were dangerous? He thought of Griffin. He was big guy that seemed like he was all there. How long had he been on them? Rory turned and looked at him and his heart did an intense beat against his ribs. She was so damn pretty.