Jax spent the rest of his heat in a constantly fluctuating state of insanely happy and overly anxious. The anxiety stole in between surges, when he was satisfied and could think. So many things were waiting for them back in the city, and none of it was pleasant. Tarek’s appearance yesterday had been a slap in the face by reality. The investigation into the fight ring was ongoing and hadn’t stopped for his heat.

Thankfully, Tarek didn’t bother them again, and they spent the final day in peace. Jax nearly wept with relief when his slick dried up and his constant erection deflated. Karter seemed equally relieved, and they spent some time in bed simply cuddling.

“We’ve got the place through tomorrow morning,” Karter said as he stroked Jax’s chest. “Spend one more night with me?”

Jax loathed parting from his alpha at all, but eventually he’d go back to the Freels’ apartment, and Karter to his home. But they were mated now, and instinct drew them together. Instinct that, now with the fever of heat gone, told him someone else was missing from Jax’s arms.

Karson.

He sat up and made baby-rocking gestures with both hands.

“You want to get back to Karson?” Karter asked, his smile fracturing. “Of course you do. We can go back.”

Jax shook his head, then grabbed paper. “No, we can stay. But can you call and check on him? Please?”

“Of course, I can call.” The relief in his face cemented Jax’s decision for them to stay the night. “I’ll do it right now.”

Karter found the contact, then put the phone on speaker.

“Hey, you guys survive each other?” Dex asked.

“Yes, we survived, and we’re mates.” Karter’s smug tone made Jax grin.

“Congrats, man! That’s awesome. Jax coming home to us, or staying with you?”

I’m staying with my alpha.

“We’re staying one more night. Jax wanted to check in on Karson.”

“The kid’s an angel and asleep right now, but he knows me and Serge aren’t his omegin. I think he’ll be happy to see him tomorrow.”

Jax clasped his hands in his lap, excited to see his boy again and happy to know he was safe. He gave those words to Karter to say. “Jax wants to me tell you guys thank you for caring for his son.”

“It’s our pleasure,” Dex replied. “And good practice.”

Karter chuckled. “Yes, it is. Speaking of babies, any news on Tarek and Braun?”

“Not that anyone’s shared yet.”

“All right, thanks again.”

As soon as Karter’s phone was down, Jax tackled him to the bed, putting all his thanks and joy into his kiss. Thanks for the call, thanks for friends who were looking after his son, thanks for being so amazing during his heat. Karter kissed him back with eager ferocity, and they wrestled a bit, taking turns who was on top. It was fun in its own way, because Jax was actually a little stronger than Karter. He liked manhandling his alpha, and he was pretty sure Karter liked it, too.

The kissing didn’t go further, because they were both exhausted, so they ate a quick dinner, showered, and then settled into bed for the night. Morning came too damned soon. Karter’s phone had died overnight, so he plugged it in to charge while they fixed breakfast with the last of the eggs and a pair of steaks.

Halfway through breakfast, Karter’s phone started ringing. Jax waved at him; he didn’t care if Karter checked during meals. He was a constable and work would always be an interruption in their lives.

“Karter Jenks.” He frowned at the table. “Yes, I am.”

The sudden anger in Karter’s eyes made Jax flinch. Something was wrong, and he desperately hoped it wasn’t his family.

“Are investigators there yet? Good. I’m not close by, but I can be there in about an hour or so. Thank you.” He snapped his phone shut hard enough for Jax to jump. “Someone broke into my fucking apartment.”

Jax’s mouth fell open. “Did they steal anything?”

“Dunno yet, that was my super calling. A neighbor reported it to him, because the door was open and he saw furniture turned over. Shit.”

“I’m so sorry. What can I do?”

“You don’t have to do anything. I’m the one who doesn’t have a safe place to take his omega.”

“This isn’t your fault. What if you’d been home? You could have been hurt or killed, and then where would I be?”

Karter’s face softened. He reached out to squeeze Jax’s thigh in a comforting grip. “You’re right. I hate to cut our morning short, but I need to get back.”

Jax nod-blinked. Then he signaled, “Thank you.” He gestured around him at the cabin.

“It was absolutely my pleasure.”

Other than Tarek’s visit, and a handful of misunderstandings, it had been a perfect heat. They’d mated, and then knotted multiple times. Lots of orgasms were had, and they’d enjoyed themselves, away from the real world for a while.

A real world that had crash-landed on their breakfast table.

They finished eating, and then started to pack up the remains of the food, and all the things Karter had brought over for them. Jax hoped he kept the massage oil handy, because that was definitely happening again. Maybe Jax could even return the favor.

He hated leaving their little oasis behind, and he hated it even more when Karter dropped him off at the Freels’ apartment. “It’s safer than parading you around in front of other people at my place,” Karter said. “But I’ll be back later. I’m sure Tarek is going to need us for something this afternoon. Okay?”

Jax signaled his agreement, then kissed his mate soundly. He didn’t like Karter going off without him, especially into possible danger, but that would be his life as the mate of a constable. Might as well get used to it now.

Serge was playing with Karson on the living room floor when Jax opened the door. “Hey, look, Omegin’s home,” Serge said.

Jax’s heart swelled and he scooped his son up into very willing arms. Karson gurgled and laughed his bright, baby laughter, knowing exactly who had him now. Jax kissed both his cheeks, thinking all the things he wanted to say. I missed you so much. I love you. I’m back. I swear you’ve grown in three days. I love you.

“I hear congrats are in order. Dex said you and Karter mated.”

Jax nodded, but he only had eyes for Karson.

“Congrats, then. Are you guys planning a mating celebration? Or are you keeping it low key?”

They hadn’t even discussed the idea of a party announcing their mating. Because the actual mating was such a private affair, mated couples often had parties to celebrate after the heat ended. But with Jax’s current situation, a big announcement wasn’t a good idea.

Serge seemed to figure that out on his own. “Oh shit, you can’t. I’m such an idiot.”

Jax shook his head no and smiled. With his arms full of baby, he couldn’t do much else.

“On the plus side, Dex and I have been quizzing each other with the signal language, and we’re both getting better.” Serge signaled out, “Hello. You are my friend. It’s nice to meet you. Where is the bathroom?”

Jax wheeze-laughed, amused by the last one. Handy to know, though.

“I’m surprised Karter let you go so easily.”

This needed paper, so he reluctantly handed Karson back to Serge so he could write. “Karter’s apartment was broken into last night. He has to go take care of that first. Then we’ll probably need to go to division to speak with Tarek about my case.”

“Goddess, that’s awful. The break-in thing, not the Tarek thing.”

Jax agreed.

“Well, I’m sure you want to spend some time with Karson. He ate about two hours ago, and his last diaper was right before you got home.”

Thankful for the information, Jax settled on the couch with his son and basked in the miracle baby who’d survived so much in order to be born.

You’re a fighter. Never stop fighting.

* * *

Karter had a good head of steam by the time he reached his apartment. What kind of an alpha was he shaping up to be? First, he upset his omega during heat, and now his home had been broken into? Goddess, he sucked at this in the worst way. Jax deserved better, but for some reason, he wanted Karter.

A patrolman stood in the hallway, keeping curious neighbors at bay. Karter stormed inside, and then froze, surprised to see Senior Constable Higgs there with the forensics team. He shook Karter’s hand.

“Terrible thing to come home to after a heat,” Higgs said. “I don’t like seeing my constables targeted.”

“Targeted, sir?” Karter looked around at his broken belongings and upset furniture. Busted television. His food was strewn all over the kitchen.

“You’re the one to say if anything is missing, but usually the point of a burglary is to steal sellable things like a television and radio, not destroy them.”

Higgs was right. As Karter poked around, nothing of value seemed to have been stolen. The entire apartment was a wreck. Whoever had done this did it with intent to cause harm, which meant it was personal. But Karter had no enemies that he knew about, and even in his worst fit of anger, his father wasn’t childish enough to destroy Karter’s things.

“So far, there’s not much evidence,” Higgs said. “Fingerprints, of course, but it’s a good chance they’ll all be yours. The lock pick was clean, too, no visible damage.”

“But why would someone target me? I’m a relatively new constable. The only major case I’ve worked on is…oh.” Karter’s temper flared. “You think Senior Iverson is trying to send some kind of message?”

“It’s a possibility. Even from jail, that creature has a long reach.”

He did. But was this warning about the Kell Iverson trial last month, or was this about Jax? Could Senior Iverson know something? Only a scant handful of people knew who Jax was, including Higgs and excluding pretty much the rest of the constabulary.

“Has Tarek received any threats?” Karter asked.

“None that he’s reported, no.”

Tarek was lead investigator in Jax’s case, so it was likely this incident was related to the trial. Karter still hated it, but it helped knowing Jax’s anonymity was intact. The forensics team took fingerprints and bagged hair samples, but Karter doubted they were going to be useful. Men like Iverson hired professionals who knew how to get in and out without leaving evidence behind.

Once everyone left, Karter called his insurance company so they could take pictures and assess the damage for reimbursement. Then he packed up his clothes and a few personal items, not planning on coming back there for a while. He’d crash with his parents if he had to, but he hoped Dex would be amendable to Karter staying with his omega for a few days, until he decided what to do.

Tarek called while he was debating lunch options. “Hey, man, congrats on your mating.”

Karter grinned at a pile of broken glass. “Thank you. Considering we hadn’t known each other that long, I was kind of stunned Jax agreed, but I couldn’t be happier.”

“Good. Listen, I hate to be pushy right after a heat, but I need Jax for a few hours this afternoon. I think we found one of the ring houses yesterday, and he still needs to do the lineup.”

“You found a house?”

“I believe so. There wasn’t a lot of physical evidence, but I have pictures I need Jax to look at and hopefully identify.”

“Absolutely. I was heading back to him now.”

“Back?”

Karter explained his morning so far. Tarek let out a low whistle. “Damn, that sucks ass,” he said. “And I agree, it feels like a threat. Do you have a place to lay low?”

“Probably, yes. Keep an eye on your family, okay? I’m not the only one who was involved in Kell’s trial.”

“Duly noted. I’ll see you guys at division in about an hour?”

“Sounds good.”

Karter decided to go see his omega now. They could figure out lunch together.

He couldn’t help looking over his shoulder on the sidewalk, or second-guessing every car that seemed to follow him for too long. The paranoia overtook, and he spent an extra ten minutes using crazy routes, before finally parking near the cigar shop the Freels lived over. Maybe it was irrational, but he didn’t want to bring trouble to his new friends’ doorstep.

Jax welcome him inside with a long kiss, and then deposited little Karson into his arms. Karter basked in the baby’s sunny smile, delighted to see the little man. Serge was there, too, and Karter explained what had happened, leaving out the minor detail of it feeling like a warning. He didn’t need Jax worrying.

“Maybe it was some drunk kids looking for a cheap thrill,” Serge offered.

“Maybe. Whatever it was, I’m not comfortable staying there right now.”

“I wouldn’t be either. You wanna crash here? Long as Jax is cool with it.”

Jax’s bright smile was the fastest yes in history.

“Tarek called, too,” Karter said to Jax. “He needs to see us at division about a few things. We can swing by and get some takeout on the way, if you’re hungry.”

“I’d love a burger and fries from Lola’s. Been craving them, actually.”

“Then we’ll stop at Lola’s on the way.”

Jax kissed him again, and Karter decided this whole mated thing was pretty awesome. Jax wouldn’t be parted from Karson for a moment, so they took him with them. Jax ate his food on the way, while Karter picked at his own fries. He’d attack the burger when he had two free hands, because Lola’s made big, messy burgers. Impossible to eat with a single hand and drive at the same time.

They got looks, mostly from curious alphas who noticed their mated scent. The few betas who stared probably did so because of the big man with the baby in a sling. Karter struggled not to growl in every direction at once. He had no idea how Tarek allowed Braun to go anywhere without him.

Tarek was waiting for them in one of the meeting rooms, and he had several files with him. He shook their hands with a friendly smile, eyeballing Karter’s sack of food. “You two have had quite a busy week,” he said.

“No kidding.”

“Please, have a seat. We’ve got quite a bit to cover.”

Jax settled in one of the chairs and adjusted Karson. Once he was set, Karter pulled a chair over to sit next to him, needing to be near his omega for what could potentially be a tough meeting.

“Well, I’ll start with the big news first,” Tarek said. He picked up the first folder. “Yesterday, we found what we think is one of the places where the fighting ring stayed.”

Jax’s entire body jerked. “Where?”

“Near the Narrows, abandoned property that was purchased by the province after foreclosure.” He started placing photographs on the table in front of Jax. “Does this look familiar?”

After a few minutes closely studying the photos, Jax grabbed one of the official report forms. “This is the first location I remember. It’s where I woke up after being taken from the halfway house. I never fought here, though. Mostly I was in one of the bedrooms, maybe this one in the photo marked 7, and in another room where I exercised. But I was there.”

“That’s exactly what I needed to know, thank you.”

Tarek had certainly impressed Karter with the speed at which he’d found one of the houses, not to mention he’d identified both of the alphas involved. Burger forgotten, Karter squeezed Jax’s thigh; Jax shot him a watery smile, likely upset at the visual reminders of his captivity.

“What else do you have?” Karter asked.

“You know I can’t share details on an ongoing investigation. But I will say that we have a suspect who may be about to turn informant.”

Informant suggested a deal of some kind, but it also said this guy had valuable information about the fight ring.

“There’s also a lot of big money involved,” Tarek continued, “and while Jax’s identity should still be protected, I need you both to be careful. Look over your shoulders and be paranoid.”

Like this morning with my apartment.

Jax shoved a piece of scrap paper to the middle of the table where they could both read it. “What about the break-in charges?”

Tarek grinned. “That was item number two on the list. I spoke to Piotr last night, and they’ve agreed not to press charges with one condition?”

“What?”

“They want to meet you.”

Jax frowned. “Why?”

“Probably to put a face with the name and situation. To face the monster, so to speak.”

“They think I’m a monster?”

“Figure of speech. This is a good thing, and we can set it up this afternoon while you’re here. Finally put this part of your life behind you.”

“Forgetting a month on the streets isn’t that easy, but I understand.”

Karter scooted closer so he could put an arm across Jax’s broad shoulders. “We get to start our life together without worrying about those charges. It’s the best news I’ve gotten today.”

Jax held his gaze a moment, so many emotions dancing in his blue eyes, and when he smiled, it hit Karter right in the heart. “Yes, it is. Thank you.”

Instead of saying it, Karter signaled, “You’re welcome.”

“I’ve also got a lineup getting set up downstairs,” Tarek said. “I know you don’t want to see him again, but I really need you to give an ID on Senior Iverson as the man who abused you.”

Jax trembled once, but he met Tarek’s eyes. “Okay.”

“Okay.” Tarek pinned Karter with a stare. “You are staying here.”

Karter squawked.

“You are a recently mated alpha and your hormones are all over the place right now, believe me, I understand. But the last thing I need is for you to lose your temper during an official ID on my case, because your mate gets upset. And he will get upset, so you will be waiting to comfort him here. Am I understood?”

Karter growled once, despising the idea of his omega confronting the man who’d paid to rape him twice without Karter by his side. But Jax was strong, and he’d be with Tarek. Karter trusted Tarek as a constable, and as another recently mated alpha. Jax would be safe with him.

Doesn’t mean I have to like being left behind.

“Understood,” Karter said.

Tarek checked his watch. “They should be ready for us now.”

Jax pulled Karson from the sling and eased him into Karter’s arms. “I don’t want my son anywhere near that monster.”

“I understand,” Karter said. “I’ll keep him safe until you get back.”

“Thank you.”

Jax kissed him lightly on the mouth before following Tarek out of the room. A piece of Karter’s heart went with Jax, knowing what Jax was facing, and unable to protect his omega from the monster. But Jax was so fucking strong. He’d already survived so much. He would survive this, and then Karter would be waiting with their son, ready for whatever Jax needed.

No matter what.