He sat and waited. He’d do nothing until this man was awake, and then they’d have a little chat. Rand came in and kicked the prone man’s body.

  “Doesn’t look so strong to me.”

  “Doesn’t have to when he’s in a crowd.”

  “No, I guess not. He should be coming around soon. I didn’t hit him too hard.”

  Jim grunted but said nothing, his eyes focused on the unconscious man. This man, the fourth they’d found, had changed the course of his and Rand’s lives when he had ended their sister’s.

  He watched as the man’s head moved, and his eyes blinked. When he came to, his eyes widened as he realized the situation he was in.

  Rand squatted in front of him. “Hello, Bjorn. We’re going to have a talk about what you like to do to young women. I’m Rand, and he’s Jim. You know our sister, Yvonne. You remember her, don’t you? You kidnapped, raped, and murdered her. You and your friends.”

  The man’s muffled voice came from behind the gag, and Rand tutted, shaking his head. Jim sighed and stood, walking over to the now crying man. “When she cried in pain, did you stop? When she begged you to let her go, did you?” Jim got in the man’s face, his eyes glowing. The man’s muffled screams could be heard, and Jim smiled. “No, you didn’t. What makes you think we’ll let you go? Enjoy your time here. It’s all you have left.”

  Stepping out of the shower, Jim stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was the same man on the outside, but on the inside? He wasn’t so sure. Four down, one to go and then he and Rand could finally move on and live their lives. Nothing would ever replace the utter devastation of Yvonne’s death, but he knew when this was done, he could sit back and finally breathe.

  He dressed quickly and grabbed his phone and wallet. He was meeting Sax for dinner after begging and pleading with him and promising to explain why he’d ditched him a couple of days earlier.

  He’d ignored all attempts by Sax to reach out to him. He’d needed his complete focus, and Sax was a distraction he couldn’t have. He knew, though, that he would have to tell Sax the truth and that the truth could well end their mating before it had truly begun.

  He shrugged on his coat and waved to Manu as he left. Manu grinned and gave him a thumbs up. Jim smiled and walked into the main part of the town, smiling at people when they saw him. It was strange to be included like this. He hadn’t had a home in years, but Morefield had accepted him and made him feel welcome.

  The Bar on the Square came into view, and he looked in through the large windows, seeing Sax already seated. He took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Once inside, he made his way past tables and chairs until he stood in front of his mate.

  Sax looked up at him and slowly stood, his green eyes wide. Jim kissed his cheek and sat opposite, watching the flush deepen on Sax’s skin.

  “You look nice.” Jim’s eyes looked over Sax, the pale green shirt making his eyes stand out.

  “Thanks,” Sax murmured. His blush deepened, and Jim reached out and took Sax’s hand in his.

  “Have you eaten here before? It’s the first time for me.”

  “Me too. I’ve always wanted to though.”

  “Have you ordered drinks?”

  “No. Thought I’d wait for you.” Sax opened the menu. “What do you fancy to drink?”

  “I’ll have beer. You?”

  “The same.”

  Jim licked his lips, noticing Sax avoiding his eyes. It felt awkward between them, and he knew it was up to him to make Sax comfortable. He’d mated him when he’d told Sax he wouldn’t. He’d have to earn Sax’s trust.

  He leaned on the table and whispered, “Want to know what I’ve been doing?”

  Sax copied the move. “Why are we whispering?”

  “Do you?” Jim pressed.

  Sax frowned then nodded. “Am I going to like it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Sax arched a brow, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “You haven’t broken the law, have you?”

  Jim didn’t respond, but kept his eyes on Sax. He saw the second Sax realized what his silence meant. He licked his lips and glanced around the restaurant then leaned over the table. “What is it?”

  Jim shook his head. “This isn’t really the—”

  Sax tapped the side of his head. “Tell me.”

  “Let’s order drinks first. We won’t look so out of place then.”

  Sax flagged a waiter down. “A beer for him and a whiskey for me.” Jim arched a brow. “I’m gonna need it.”

  I had a sister, Yvonne. She was kidnapped by five men, who then raped and murdered her. They got off. Never charged. Me and Rand have been tracking them down. We only have one more left.

  Sax’s mouth fell open, and when the whiskey was placed in front of him, he knocked it back. Hissing, he put the glass on the table. “Another one, please,” he gasped out.

  We’re talking murder, aren’t we? You’ve found them and made them pay.

  Jim nodded. I have a friend...he got the examiner’s report for me.

  “Fuck.”

  “Yeah.”

  “One more to go? Then what?”

  Jim shrugged and wiped a bead of condensation off the side of his glass. “Then I can finally breathe, finally feel at peace.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “There isn’t much to say. I have no regrets, Sax. None at all. I’d do it again too. What they did—”

  “It’s okay. I understand. Well, no I don’t, but I can guess.”

  Jim caught Sax’s eye. You needed to know the truth. If you want to leave, then I understand. I’ve broken the law, murdered four men with plans to kill one more.

  Why would I do that? You’re my mate, and while I don’t agree with what you’ve done, I won’t tell anyone. Fuck. Jim, I...

  I know. I’ve dropped a huge fucking bombshell in your lap. No matter how you look at it, I’m a murderer, even if it was for the right reasons.

  They didn’t go to jail?

  No. They got off because some form wasn’t filled in correctly.

  “Fuck. Justice sucks sometimes.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do you want to stay? We can get a meal to take home. Talk some more.”

  “I said I’d take you out, Sax.”

  Sax shrugged and waved at the waiter. “You can do that another time. I’m going to order the lobster. You?”

  The waiter came and took their to go order, and Jim gulped his beer, his eyes on Sax. Sax held his glass of whiskey, swirling the dark liquid around the glass.

  You okay?

  Sax’s eyes lifted to Jim’s, and he shrugged. I want to go home. Think, talk maybe.

  Jim nodded and glanced out the window. Morefield was quiet now, most businesses shut and people going home. He sighed and finished his beer. More talk. That’s what Sax wanted. He looked down at the table, his finger following a grain in the wood.

  Don’t worry, Jim.

  I broke the law.

  Where are the bodies?

  In the wind.

  Sax frowned. Disposed of. Never to be seen again?

  “Yeah.”

  Their food arrived, and Jim put his jacket on, waiting for Sax. They stepped outside, and Sax turned in the direction of his apartment.

  “Tell me about her.”

  Jim glanced at Sax and nodded. “She was beautiful inside and out...”

  Chapter Eight

  BY THE TIME they’d made it back to his apartment, Sax felt like he knew Yvonne. Jim clearly loved his sister, missed her presence in his life, and still mourned her death. Sax felt like he had gotten to know Rand, Jim’s brother, a little as Jim talked. He knew, once they’d found the last man, Rand would be moving to Morefield.

  What would it be like having him here? He knew Jim missed him, had spoken highly of him, but they were murderers. Even though Sax understood why they’d killed those men—and had plans to kill the last one—it didn’t change the fact that they had broken the law.

  He bit his lip as he opened his front door and waved Jim in. He closed it and went into the kitchen, putting the bag of food on the counter. He needed to stay busy while his mind worked through everything he’d found out.

  “You’re quiet.”

  He glanced up at Jim and plastered a smile on his face. “Thinking.”

  “I’ve given you a lot to think about. I wanted you to trust that I would always be honest with you.”

  “What if I do something you don’t like? Would you take me out?”

  Jim reared back, shock written on his face. “You’re my mate! How could you think that?”

  “How can I not?” he asked softly. “I know why, I understand, but you did something I don’t think I could ever do.”

  “No, I don’t think you could, but I’m not you.”

  “Clearly.”

  “Do you want me to leave?”

  Did he? Sax looked down at the plate in his hand. He needed to figure out how this revelation changed their mating. It was new and fragile, and Sax hadn’t fully adapted to it, and now he knew something he never thought he would.

  “You’re asking me to conceal your crimes.”

  “I am. But if you need to tell the sheriff, I understand.”

  “You understand? What about the last man standing?”

  “The sheriff would have to find Rand, and he is very difficult to find. He’ll finish what we started, and if I go to prison, at least I can take the heat off him.”

  “You would accept full responsibility? How does that work when the fifth disappears?”

  “They aren’t good men, Sax. They’ve done this crime before, and I know they’ve done shit since. We have saved lives by taking theirs.”

  “Is that how you justify what you’ve done?”

  Jim shook his head and pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Here. Call Sheriff Rifkin. Tell him how you caught a murderer.”

  “Don’t do this,” Sax pleaded, rubbing his eyes. “I don’t know what to do here.”

  “I shouldn’t have told you.”

  “I needed to know. I...we are mates. I stand by your side, or so I’ve been told I should do.”

  “Stand by a murderer.”

  “What do you want?!” Sax shouted, snapping under the pressure of what he’d been told. “I’m a fucking kid, yeah, and you mated me and then dropped this in my lap. Some way to start our life together.”

  “I’ll leave. I shouldn’t have told you, but I didn’t want there to be any secrets between us.”

  Sax didn’t speak, just stood staring at Jim. Even when Jim left, he kept silent. When he heard the door shut, he dropped his head and closed his eyes. “Fuck.”

  He staggered over to his sofa and collapsed on it. What was he going to do? Did he tell the sheriff and have Jim arrested? There were no bodies, but these men would show up as missing, and they would easily connect the dots. He didn’t know what to do, or what to think.

  He opened his eyes and stared at the opposite wall. His mate was a murderer, but he’d murdered those who had gotten away with killing his sister. What would he do in the same position? Could he stand by and watch men who had murdered someone he loved get away with it?

  He couldn’t answer the question. He had never been in the position Jim was in.

  I’m sorry. We should have talked before you left.

  What do you want to do, Sax? I can leave Morefield if that would be easier on you.

  You’d do that? But we’re mates.

  Yes, I would leave if you needed me to. Being mates means I will always put your wants and desires above my own. If it would make your life easier having me gone, then I’ll leave right now.

  Sax sat numb. Jim would leave? Would that make things better for him? He’d still know, wouldn’t he? He would still carry Jim and Rand’s secret.

  Come back.

  I’m right outside.

  Sax ran to the front door, flung it open, and stared down at Jim where he sat on the ground. “Come in.”

  Jim stood, walked in, and Sax closed the door before following. He sat next to Jim and rested his head on Jim’s shoulder. Jim put his arm around Sax and Sax sighed.

  “Even if you leave, I will still know.”

  “That’s true.”

  “One more?”

  “Yeah, then we’re done. We’ll move on and live here, protect everyone. Keep you all safe.”

  “I don’t know how I can keep this a secret. I don’t know how I would react if I was in your position. Could I kill for revenge?”

  “We kill to avenge her.”

  Sax lifted his head and asked, “Would she want you to?”

  Jim looked away, and Sax saw him swallow. He waited, wondering how Jim would respond. Had he even asked himself that question, or had his need to avenge his sister overruled all common sense?

  “I don’t know. No, actually, she wouldn’t want this.”

  “But it won’t stop you.”

  “No. Not now.”

  Jim tangled their fingers together, and Sax looked down at their joined hands. Could he keep his mate’s secret? He looked up at Jim, their eyes holding, and he squeezed his hand.

  “Tell me what happened to her. Not the sanitized version. The truth.”

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “I need to. Tell me, please.”

  Jim swallowed. “Okay. She was walking home one night...”

  A week. Seven long days of no contact from Sax since he’d revealed his secret. Long nights lain awake wondering if he’d made a mistake. His gut said no. They were already starting their mating under difficult circumstances. Having a secret like this would have only added strain to it.

  Plus, Jim had always promised he would be honest with his mate, if he was fortunate to find one.

  He would simply have to wait for Sax to decide. That was all he could do. Rand was busy chasing down the latest lead, closing in on the last man, and Jim knew no matter how his mating was, he would be there.

  They’d made a promise over Yvonne’s grave, and they wouldn’t break it.

  Speaking of Rand, Jim’s phone rang. “Your ears must be burning. I was just thinking about you.”

  “How are things there?”

  “As in, is Sax talking to me after revealing our dirty secret? No, he isn’t.”

  “Will he tell the cops?”

  “I don’t think so.” Jim sighed and stepped outside, strolling along the sidewalk to where the meeting he was going was held. “He’s young, Rand. I don’t know the full story, but he’s here alone and hasn’t mentioned a family. Not that we’ve done much talking, but from what I’ve heard they don’t talk.”

  “A difficult position to be in, but he’s your mate and now related to me. We need him to keep our secret.”

  “I know, but if I push too much, how will he react?”

  “Has he spoken to you at all?”

  “No, and it’s been a week. I’m going to reach out and see how he responds. I wanted to give him time to adjust and then approach him, but maybe using telepathy would be easier.”

  “The sooner the better too.”

  “I know. Look, I’m going into a meeting. I’ll call you and let you know what happens.”

  He ended the call and chewed his lip then reached out to Sax. If his mate didn’t want to talk, then he could ignore Jim.

  Sax, how are you?

  Busy.

  Jim furrowed his brow, waiting for Sax to add more but when there was nothing, he tried again. I’m going into a meeting. More security changes to protect Morefield. What are you doing?

  Working. Good for Morefield having a security team.

  It’ll help to keep us safe.

  It will.

  Jim waited and leaned back on the wall, watching Fabian approach. He tapped the side of his head, and Fabian nodded.

  Want to go out for a meal tonight?

  Can’t. Busy.

  Jim closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall. Please, Sax. I want to see you.

  Why? Want to make sure I’m keeping my mouth shut?

  You’re my mate. Of course, I want to see you.

  He practically heard the sigh from Sax through their connection, and he grinned when Sax came back. Fine. Tonight. Same place as last time. Seven.

  Jim fist pumped the air and grinned as he pushed away from the wall. I’ll see you later.

  Nice fist pump.

  Jim stopped and spun around, looking everywhere, but he couldn’t see Sax. Where are you?

  At work.

  Jim furrowed his brow and slowly scanned the street until he saw the grocery store. Oh.

  Yeah, it was fun.

  I didn’t realize you were so close. Jim ignored the heat filling his face. He was too old to blush, damn it!

  Try opening your eyes.

  I’m new here.

  We’re across the street! How could you miss it?

  I wasn’t looking? Really, I’ve been focused on other things since moving here.

  Anything on the last man?

  Jim looked at the store, but couldn’t see inside. You want to know about it?

  I asked.

  Closing in. Rand will know soon.

  Then you do your thing, and that’s it.

  Yes.

  He saw the front door open, and Sax stepped out. I hope so.

  I have to go to my meeting. I’ll see you tonight?

  I’ll be there.

  Jim jogged inside but glanced at Sax and waved. Sax lifted his hand, and Jim went inside, heading for the conference room that was their temporary home. When he walked in, he grabbed a coffee and sighed after he had a sip. Man, he’d needed that.

  “Jim, sit. We’re talking about nothing.”

  “Nothing?”

  “As in there has been no sightings of this A.S.” Fabian rocked back on two legs of his chair. “It feels like they are watching and waiting. They have to know by now that things have changed here. I spoke to Euan, and he said the same thing about Salutem.”

  Elliot rubbed his jaw. “That’s...concerning.”

  “It is. Considering how much we’ve learned about their behavior, it feels like they’re waiting for the perfect opportunity.”

 

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