Chapter 9
Waiting
Two months had passed. Nothing had changed as far as her situation according to Tyne. The asshole trying to kill her was still at large. JC had worked hard to prepare a case against the crime boss who’d targeted his pack, but the many leads they’d followed all led nowhere. They were able to get the minor players, but none of the key people.
Without Dez around, his wolf had agreed to stick to work until they had their chance to get her back. The problem was, nothing seemed to help. He’d be talking to Tyne soon, this time he would demand a chance to see her. His wolf growled in agreement.
“What’s up today, Boss?” Tanner asked.
“Another dead end. Most of the money was recovered, but the guilty are getting away with their crimes. It eats me up. I’ll admit Nat was amazing, but when I asked her about Dez, she froze me out.”
“I guess they didn’t like the way you treated her.” Tanner observed.
“Whose fault was that?”
“Ultimately yours. We didn’t know you led her to expect more. You don’t ever do that.” Tanner admitted.
“Be that way, Asshole.” JC declared.
“Hey, I won’t lie to you. I can be wrong, but it will never be on purpose.” Tanner vowed.
“I don’t think I can wait any longer to see her.”
“Call Tyne. You guys have been friends for a while. Maybe he’ll help you. I heard he had trouble with his mate before they bonded too.”
“Maybe he would have some sympathy.”
Tanner went back to work while JC got busy with his phone. “Tyne.”
“Hey, Buddy.”
“JC? You’re calling early.”
“I’m going crazy. This nightmare just won’t end. You have to come through for me. You wouldn’t have sent her to me if you didn’t trust me with her to begin with. We all make mistakes, but our whole life shouldn’t be fucked over because of one.”
“Okay, first of all, I didn’t send her to you. That was Ariel. She decided where Dez would go. She always has a plan in place. As far as the second part, my mate would cut my nuts off if she knew I did that. I kinda like my nuts just like they are.”
“She doesn’t have to know you helped me. If I don’t get to see her soon, I’m going to tear up the countryside around Ariel’s pack.”
“A properly timed visit to Ariel might solve your dilemma.” Tyne theorized.
“She’s been visiting Ariel?”
“And her doctor.”
“She’s dating the fucking doctor?”
“Most people would not draw that conclusion.”
“Why else would she be seeing the doctor?” JC asked.
“That’s something you need to think about. You left a bad enough taste in her mouth dating anyone isn’t on her mind.”
“Wholly crap! Is she sick?”
“I’ve told you enough. She should be going to see him in three days if nothing changes. Just act like you came there to talk to Ariel about her. Try to act surprised. Can you do that?”
“I can do that.” JC started thinking about the trip. Damn! He wished he’d asked what time.
He called a meeting with his betas, all of them. They would have to decide who would come with him and who would stay behind to deal with everything concerning the pack. His betas gathered quickly picking up on his sense of urgency. Laying out the details, he asked for questions.
“Who is going with you?” Tanner asked.
“That’s what we’re about to decide. At least two of you need to stay here to make sure everything is taken care of while the rest of us are gone.”
“I’m ready for a road trip. I’ve got some new medical personnel that can cover for me while I’m gone.” Grant offered.
“I’d be glad to have you. Dez may be sick. She’s been seeing Ariel’s doctor.” Grant shot him a funny look that he didn’t understand, but he nodded. “That’s one.”
“I’ll stay to take care of the accounting and keep an eye on any bills that need paid or employee difficulties.” Harvey said. That wolf didn’t like to go anywhere. The last trip hadn’t went well so he preferred to stay home.
“That’s okay. You might have to do a few other things too.” Harvey nodded. He’d do whatever was necessary.
“Well fuck! I’d like to go, but I guess I’ll have to stay.” Tanner declared.
“Why?” JC asked.
“Usually one of us, you or me, is here to handle things.” Tanner explained.
“So Jack and Cade, what about you?”
“I’ll stay so Tanner can have his vacay.” Cade smirked.
“I’ll go if you think you’ll need me.” Jack offered.
“I’ll take you since I have no idea what I’ll need. So Harvey and Cade will stay while the rest of us go. We’ll take the Hummer so we have room. We’ll leave at dawn in three days’ time.”
Everyone left so he was in his office alone. He prayed to the goddess he would be able to get his mate back. JC knew that he’d never be happy again if he failed to convince her to come back with him.
Two days passed with him a bundle of nerves. People were afraid to talk to him because he was so irritable. Waiting had never been his strong suit. Waiting this time was killing him as each second slipped by slow as hell. When he went to bed that night, he knew in the morning he’d finally be able to take some action.
When morning came, he dressed in a pair of his favorite jeans with a well-worn and much loved T-shirt stretched across his chest. Even though he wasn’t on his bike, he wore his black leather biker boots. They looked good, they were comfortable, and they were tough enough for any possibility.
He met up with his males letting Tanner grab the driver’s seat. JC sat shotgun with the other two guys in the back. It was a beautiful day as they set off to Missouri to get his female back.