CHAPTER 9
Jasper
It’s amazing how quickly the last two hours have flown by. It was even better getting a roasting hot shower. Just the feel of the hot water cascading down my aching skin was pure bliss. It just shows what we take for granted in the real world, because I never once imagined missing a shower, or a comfortable bed.
Now, all three of us are standing in the hangar, waiting for the pilot to let us board. Julian and Braxton have kept their distance from us since they explained the mission in the conference room. Maybe that’s a good thing, because they’d just make me angry, and my head doesn’t need to be messed up with that as well.
“How long does it take to get there?” Kevin asks.
Before I can say anything, Callum says, “About seven hours. You can get some shut eye while we’re up in the air.”
I’m distracted by a Jeep pulling up outside the hangar. A Jeep I know well–Carlos’s. What the hell is he doing here? I take a step forward as he gets out of the running motor and opens his back door. I feel Kevin and Callum at my back, clearly curious to see what’s going on.
“What are you doing here, Carlos?” I ask, continuing to step forward.
The moment I see long black hair, I know exactly what’s going on. I turn on my heel, grab Julian by the throat, and hold him against the wall. “You bastard! I told you not to drag her into this mess. What will it take for you to fucking listen?”
“Jasper!” Carlos yells and drags me off Julian. “Do you want to sign your own death certificate? Calm the fuck down!”
I shrug out of Carlos’s grip and pace back and forth with my hands on my head. “If anything happens to her, you rest assured, I’m coming for you.” I point at Julian as he straightens up his shirt and jacket.
“Jasper.” I look at Carlos, and he holds his thumb over his shoulder. I turn to where he’s pointing, and Stracey stands very still at the front of his Jeep, her suitcase on the ground beside her, hands clasped in front of her chest. Without another word, I step towards her and wrap my arms around her. Her arms wrap around my torso. Her body relaxes and her warmth spreads through me.
“Why did you agree to this?” I pull back slightly and place my hands on her cheeks.
“Honestly?” I nod, and she blinks several times. “I needed to see you first and foremost. But, I want to help those girls. I want to be by your side. I…”
“If you’re here, who’s taking your place at the pack?” I stop her from saying anything else because I won’t leave our pack high and dry while we go off playing knights in shining armour.
“All under control, buddy.” Carlos comes up behind me. I feel his presence before his hand pats my back. “Lisa is stepping in to help with her healing powers.”
“What? She can’t, she has exams. She doesn’t have control of her power. She’ll kill herself to save someone else,” I say. This has disaster written all over it.
“She’ll be fine. It was either Stracey come to Canada or Lisa, and I knew if Lisa came, Markus would be with her. I gave Stracey the choice first. You nearly decapitated Julian for bringing Stracey here. You’d have done damage if it was Lisa standing here.”
He was too fucking right. Lisa doesn’t need to be thrust into this dangerous lifestyle. She’s better off with Markus at home, or in the pack.
“And that brings me here.” Stracey smiles at me and I feel the ice around my heart break, my agitation eases up slightly, and my walls lower. “Lisa will be fine, Jasper. Morag will be her shadow if she needs to perform any form of magic or healing.”
“We could be in Canada for weeks, or even months. Carlos, are you prepared for that? I won’t hurt your pack.”
“We’ll be fine. We have no threats against us. Just go. Keep in touch. I know Markus and Lisa are dying to speak with you.”
“I’ll call when we arrive at Lelland’s. Just keep an eye on them, Carlos.”
“Nothing’s changed. They’re a part of my family and I’ll do anything I can until you return.”
My hands drop from Stracey’s cheeks and I turn to give Carlos a pat on the back. “Okay. Go. Get back to the pack.”
“Take care. Call if you need anything.” Carlos says before heading back to his Jeep.
I bend to pick up Stracey’s suitcase and we head back to Kevin and Callum. I don’t acknowledge Julian or Braxton. I can’t be responsible for my actions, and right now, I’m more than pissed off.
“Let’s get going,” I say, as I start my ascent up the steps to the entrance of the jet. “We have a long trip ahead of us.”
I have to try and compose myself. I have to lock down my anger, because I don’t want Stracey to pick up on it. I’m not angry at her; quite the opposite. If we weren’t facing danger, I’d be more than happy that she’s here. I just can’t bear to lose anyone else.
I need to spend the next eight hours getting my head around this mission. Everything will be fine. I’ll repeat that mantra in my head until we’re all making our way back to Scotland.