Love's Interruption Read online

  “Kid, you did your job last time. It was the adults who failed, not you.”

  He bobbed his head. “I’ll let you know when it feels that way instead of all our fault.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Gaius is gonna freak,” Falcon grumbled, looking all around. “Shit, he’s going to go postal, and so is Seneca.”

  “Good, let them handle it then,” Jeston agreed. “Jordan needs to rest.”

  “We’ll handle the cleanup,” Ryan told me as Darrell and Alexis started moving the next group out. People were leaving their vehicles here with keys, and they were going to be transported by the moving company over the next week.

  “I’m tired,” I admitted to Jeston.

  “Sleep,” he murmured as he stood with me in his arms. “We got things now, Jordan.”

  Yeah, they really did. Gaius and Seneca did freak and came out with the next plane and handled the coven leader along with a few other people, reporting to Claudius what had happened. They took over getting everyone out and working with the humans to get everything moved and properties sold. I hadn’t even been back to my place to handle anything, but I’d done what I was needed for and my name lending the validity, so I was glad someone else could take over.

  I woke when the plane landed, Jeston demanding I get on a flight earlier than I’d wanted so Sam could check me out for real. I blinked at him and then glanced around. “I was out the whole time?”

  “Yeah, you were in and out and then really out once we took off,” Jeston told me gently. “Jordan, you killed over a hundred and twenty zakasacs using your gift in under ten minutes. Even at your age, you’re lucky you didn’t die. I guess I would have figured you’d faint like Falcon did when he pushed too far with his gift.”

  “I’m older,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes again and feeling like I wanted to sleep a few more days instead of only the hours I’d had so far. “I have more horsepower in the engine and can punch it further.”

  “Got it, but could you not do that again? I know your people are important to you, but we could have helped more.”

  I chuckled. “Silly man. You were the one I grabbed first and threw to the corner to be safe. I’m a man of control and precision, but I went ballistic and things exploded out of me when you were in danger. I think that said how I felt before I told you I loved you.”

  “Yeah, yeah it did,” he whispered. “Don’t push me out of the way again, Jordan. I’m a warrior, and it was my job to protect you.”

  “I learned long ago that it’s not only how you’re born but the heart you’re born with,” I mumbled, drifting off again. “They were there for me, and the last thing my heart would ever allow was someone to get hurt for me after what was done to my mother because of her having my father’s child. You did awesome helping and spreading them out. You protected us too along with Falcon and Ellison. Darrell, make sure to give them some sort of gift.”

  “I’d give them each a blow job if I didn’t think I’d get flattened by their fiancés,” he muttered. “Yeah, I’ll talk with Liam about it after Liam stops freaking out.”

  I smiled. “A mother is always worried over her kids.”

  7 ~ Jeston

  Jordan fell back asleep, and the moment the plane stopped I had him out the door, yelling over my shoulder to hurry or they could get the next ride. I needed to get him to Sam and check he was okay.

  He had to be okay.

  Sam met me at the main building, taking him from me. “Seneca already checked him, Jeston. He’s like me.”

  “I know, but even you’ve said your machines can do what you can’t, so please just make sure he’s okay.” I let out a shaky breath. “Check over my mate.”

  “You mated?” he checked, blowing out a heavy breath when I nodded. “Poor Cornelius is the last of us, huh? We really did just all fall like dominoes.”

  “It wasn’t in the water. It was him,” I muttered, having felt the same before Jordan, but now I didn’t care why or how, just that he was mine.

  “I know. I’m teasing you because you all teased me and us who mated.”

  “Fair enough.” I stood in the doorway of the infirmary so I didn’t hover, having a hard time not being right next to him.

  “You know who your father-in-law is now, right?” Alastair asked as he moved up next to me.

  I swallowed loudly, not having made that connection yet. “He told me who his dad was. He told me what happened with his mother and coven.” I shook my head. “He didn’t even hesitate when they attacked. I’ve seen seasoned warriors flinch or trip up. I’ve seen some turn tail and run. I don’t care how he was born, he’s a warrior. Humans have soldiers that aren’t born that way, and so do we in my mind.”

  “His father feels the same,” Alastair assured me. “He was glad he wasn’t born one and put through the shit of his other half siblings that all came to hate him because they were his sons.” He snorted. “He’ll definitely come now. His beloved son is mated. He will definitely come and check on that.”

  “This place is about to get ten times more amusing,” Morggyan chuckled. Guess she was back from whatever mission or trip.

  “Enough with the secrets,” Dimitri growled. “Who are you guys talking about? It’s driving Alexander nuts that he doesn’t know what he should.”

  “Bricius,” I answered, nodding when he gave me a look like I was nuts. “That’s who they wanted Jordan to call. Bricius and that group of ancients that normal vampires talk about like the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”

  “It’s more like a Jesus and his twelve apostles,” Proximo corrected, everyone joining us apparently, worried about Jordan as well. “Or Lucifer and his top twelve demons. It’s all a matter of perspective. Arthur and his twelve nights of the round table. If Bricius comes, they will as well, and this will be the safest place on the planet. I don’t think any of them can die besides by each other, and they’ve vowed to do just that if any succumb to the darkness.”

  “I just hope their eyes have turned orange,” Alastair muttered.

  “Alexander said he thought that was a thing but didn’t want to insult you,” Dimitri admitted.

  “Most don’t know it,” he muttered. “And most used to kill any of us who had it. There’s no rule book, mind you, and it used to be practice to kill ancients because they would threaten power of those who wanted it. I just noticed one day that my eyes were changing. I was scared out of my mind it wasn’t to orange but red since I know the list of deeds I’ve done is not what most would consider moral.”

  “That’s not true,” Dimitri argued. “That is exactly what my mate has said of all of you. He was very clear to others worried that he would never let you near the young warriors if you were of darkness and could influence them. You have a lot of blood on you; that’s not the same as being evil or dark souls. You kill to protect. You make the hard decisions, but even Matteo says your auras are lighter than some assholes in the council.”

  “We’ve never had friends who could tell us that before,” Morggyan accepted quietly. “I know Basilia went right to Alexander and asked what he saw of her. It’s a good gift to have but not popular or mainstream because most don’t want to be around that sort of person.”

  Dimitri shrugged. “It’s a different age of open-mindedness. He’s used to people pushing him away. They were weak and worried about their morality. Those of us who know we’re on the right side and strong enough to stay there won’t have issue being around him.”

  “This is why I fell in love with you,” Alexander said from behind us. “The way you saw the world so differently and so much better than me healed my damaged heart.”

  “Amen,” several people agreed.

  Including Jordan from his cot. I rushed over there, and he gave me a smirk. “Did you tell them who’s coming, pup?”

  I blew out a harsh breath. “They have a right to know. Everyone keeps waving these secrets around, and we have enough problems.”

  “I agree. I just didn’t
know anyone well enough to confess,” he grumbled. “And then all the questions would come or bullying because my daddy’s super awesome. It’s not an easy place to be in.”

  “Not everyone needs to know, but Alexander does, and he won’t be like that, I promise.”

  “Who is his father?” Alexander asked.

  “Alastair says Bricius, and Jordan mating will definitely mean he’ll come,” Dimitri answered.

  “Shit, he totally will now,” Jordan groaned, moving his arms over his head. “Shit, I didn’t even think of that. Crap, run now, Jeston.”

  “He won’t hurt me because it would hurt you,” I chuckled, leaning over and kissing him gently. “I can take some bullying. It’s your favorite pastime after all.”

  “It is fun,” he chuckled. “How am I doing, doc?”

  “You’re fine,” Sam answered. “A bit low in the tank, but I’m fixing that, and you’re going to eat a lot. Like a lot.” He nodded when I glanced at him. “He’s really fine. It’s exactly as Seneca said. I’m not worried at all. You’re just freaking because he’s your mate.”

  “No, it was the gushing blood from his nose and ears,” I drawled. “He had to have lost pints in under a few minutes, and he wasn’t healing. It was like his body just stopped injuring himself when he quit using his gift but also wasn’t healing either.”

  “I just wanted you to offer to mate,” Jordan teased.

  “Such a damn bully,” I grumbled.

  I blinked, and Liam was there fussing over Jordan while lecturing. He took it all in stride, looking amused as he nodded along with Liam, calling him “Mom” the whole time.

  “Liam, seriously, get laid, it will help,” he chuckled. “You’ll have time now that I’m mated, and I’m sure he’ll take over being a good mate and bossing me around.” He smirked at me when I gave him an annoyed look. “Right, because you weren’t already coming to the temp studio and carrying me off to bed when it was time or bringing me meals?”

  “He’s not wrong,” I admitted, rolling my eyes when they both snorted.

  “Well, he got you a huge gift to say thanks even before you mated,” Liam added. “It just arrived.”

  “Oh good, that will help the fear and worry.”

  “What did you do?” I asked.

  “I cleaned out The Swiss Colony,” he answered easily with a shrug. “I’ve done it before. We like them for holiday gifts instead of everyone getting glass stuff from me or the company. You guys don’t have fast food options here, so I ordered a bunch of stuff to say thanks. Plus, you said you liked wild game and those gift boxes that have like cheeses and sausages.”

  “Yes, but you didn’t have to order him all the options along with the cake ones too,” Liam drawled.

  “You don’t understand how good he is in bed,” Jordan deflected, looking embarrassed like he might have overdone it.

  “Fine, but you’re naked when I eat any of it,” I huffed, smiling when he did. “I can bully you too.”

  He snorted. “Please do.”

  I planned on it. The moment Sam cleared him to eat and he had enough pumped in him, I carried Jordan out of the infirmary, ignoring his protests he could walk.

  “Is it true you mated?” Xana demanded as we reached the cafeteria. “You mated?”

  I cleared my throat when I saw Lynx, Tadzio, Drake, and Evan waiting for us. “Yeah, Jordan and I mated.”

  “Well, technically I mated him because he’s just too delicious to leave up for grabs,” Jordan corrected, looking amused. “He just needed to meet someone as pretty as me.”

  “Something like that,” I chuckled, brushing my lips over his. “And I’m going to bite you tonight.”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready,” he gasped, giving me wide eyes.

  “Brat, you are such a damn brat.”

  “Can someone as old as him be a ‘brat?’” Evan challenged. “You need someone who will poke at you and make you chase them all over or you’d get bored.”

  “Do I get names of the friends, or am I just the accessory you’re toting around?” Jordan asked, glancing between us all.

  “You’ve met us,” Evan muttered, raising an eyebrow.

  “Not all of you or officially. There’s also been a lot going on, and I am not good with names. I know you’re all friends along with Sam and Corny.”

  “Cornelius,” I corrected. “And Philo’s one of us. We’re the original group from pretty long ago when the camp wasn’t all that great, but it’s changed and gotten better. We got a lot of the assholes or bullies out.”

  “Oh, well, don’t kick me out, I’m a nice bully,” he muttered before yawning. “Feed me.”

  “You are a nice bully,” I agreed, bringing him over to the trays. I then introduced him to my friends and their mates as we got food.

  “Philo’s mom is a huge fan of yours, and I don’t know what to get her for Christmas, and I have no other family besides my in-laws,” Norris blurted, flushing bright red as he did.

  Jordan just smiled easily as if it was no big. “Talk to Liam about how to help everyone we brought, and he’ll make sure to set aside a signed vase or something pretty to send to her.”

  “That was a quick answer,” Philo muttered, glancing between us as we all sat down.

  “It’s one I give all the time,” Jordan explained as he dug into his food. “I don’t make people I know pay full price for any of my pieces, as they go for a lot. They spend time to help us out, and I’ll give them one of the easy pieces I make all the time in between the more complicated and elaborate ones. If he wants to impress his mother-in-law and is willing to help out to do it, that’s fine. It’s when people try to pull shit with me and sell it then I get cranky.”

  “I wouldn’t even know how to do that,” Norris muttered. “I was just hoping for an autograph, but yeah, I’ll help however I can. Everyone was really nice when we were flying them out here.”

  “I forgot you were one of the pilots,” Jordan admitted. “You did more than enough already. We’ll talk goblets or anything you want.”

  “Thanks.”

  The conversation switched to all the people now bunking at Alastair and Nero’s houses until more could be built. Well, there were a lot more people to help do it all now. Some of the construction guys were worried as to what job they would have after everything was built, but it would take a few years for that and everything else being planned between Jordan and Ashton. Then again, the ancients seemed to want to make more of these subdivisions.

  That would keep everyone busy for a long time to come.

  Jordan accepted the thanks for all the goodies he’d bought, assuring everyone to take whatever along with the extra food ordered. To which most of us asked what the heck he meant. It was Gilroy who filled us in that there were huge deliveries of everything the kitchen needed since there would be a lot more people getting fed for a while.

  Plus, several were helping to cook since the warriors weren’t able to take a day anymore with all the extra training and area to protect. It was nice that everyone was jumping in to help.

  And it was really nice to get an onslaught of fresh fruit in December in Wyoming. I wasn’t the only one excited about that. Jordan was amused as he grabbed some apples and a few packages from the pallets of nummies he said were just for me.

  I simply nodded and trailed after him, wondering what my mate had in store for me, somehow not freaking out at all that I had a mate. Not when it was Jordan.

  We reached my room, and he set it all in there before getting undressed and grabbing my shower stuff. Okay, sure, I’d shower with him any day. We needed some sleep, but yeah, showering after almost dying made sense. His lack of talking worried me though.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered when we were naked and alone in the shower. “I’m so sorry, Jeston.”

  It took me a moment to find my voice. “You regret it?”

  “No, not at all,” he assured me. “It’s too fast, and I didn’t want to do it like that, but I knew wher
e my heart was leading me.” He blew out a harsh breath. “Fuck, you’re like the first man ever I didn’t get annoyed with when he kept coming around. I liked it. I liked that you cared enough to drag me off instead of pissed you were interrupting my work. I liked how you poked back. I knew I was falling in love. You deserved better than that.”

  I grabbed his chin and made him look at me, leaning in and brushing my lips over his. “I don’t care how we mated, just that we did. You had my heart, and I deserved not to lose you, so I was selfish and saved your life. Enough. I bite you, and our heads are cleared, and it doesn’t matter how it happened first.”

  “Do it while inside me,” he panted, staring up at me with desire and longing. “Let’s shower and then fuck me on your bed and bite me.”

  “Shit, you are so fucking sexy,” I growled before mashing my lips to his. I kissed him silly as we showered and Jordan stretched himself. The second we were done, I wrapped him around me and hurried back to my room.

  “Oh good, I won’t be the only one getting in trouble for porn before coffee,” Roarke drawled as we rushed past him. “Then again, I think Alexander might miss the fun that came after seeing it now that we’re all moving to rooms with private bathrooms.”

  “I’m building three castle type mansions and apartments for my people,” Jordan reminded him. “You guys have fun with those antics, but I’m stealing Jeston off to a huge master suite with whatever he wants and a fireplace he’ll fuck me in front of anytime he wants.”

  “Shit, I want that for Wally,” Roarke grumbled. “More of us are going to be living in the subdivision than in the dorm.”

  “Did you ask me to move in?” I cut in as I hurried to get the door open. “Don’t get all assuming and full of ego like the other ancients.”

  “You were the one who asked about the shower and stuff,” he reminded me with a huff. “But fine, yes, we’ve not clarified it. Jeston, please move into whichever house you want and handle all the adult stuff with Liam? I just want a balcony too and a big fireplace because now I’m thinking dirty things. And your friends can have whatever rooms they want. I don’t care.”