Home was easy once everyone was packed and the house closed up for the summer. At least that’s how it’d look to the rest of the people out in the Hamptons. We’d probably be back but you never knew. And with my new so-called position I didn’t really know much of anything anymore.
Ant shadow walked us all home and the kids fell into routine. They all went to their own rooms and they unpacked then went straight for the kitchen even though we had eaten only a few hours before – habits, or whatever. Didn’t really matter.
Jin was sitting in the living room working on her laptop when we walked in. She looked up and I saw surprise slip past her face for a moment before she was up and moving. “It’s good that you came home,” she said. “I’ve become your answering service it seems.” She wasn’t happy nor displeased with it but she was annoyed a little. “When you get back into savior mode let me know. We have a lot to talk about.”
“We absolutely do have a lot to talk about.” I said calmly. Alex squeezed my hand and made his way into the kitchen as I stepped into the room that had been regulated my office. Jin followed me and shut the door behind me. She didn’t look concerned and she should.
I sat down in my chair and she decided to stand like she always did. “How come you didn’t call me the minute people started trying to contact me about these issues?”
Her jaw dropped in sudden realization that I knew all about what was happening. “Darwynn called me, told me there were multiple issues with in the pack, and that the word on the street was other races were getting harassed to. And I can confirm that there is meddling going on since my children have no where to go to school.”
She didn’t stammer. “I didn’t think it was important enough to tell you.”
“How many calls?” I asked.
“There are over three hundred as of this moment.”
“So what number would constitute an emergency to you? Five hundred innocents being harassed?”
She just stared at me. “Next time you get more than a handful of calls all of similar nature I need to know immediately. Or I’ll find someone who isn’t afraid to interrupt me even more than you do. Now tell me what’s going on. Did you catalog them? What’s most important?”
Jin nodded. “I don’t know what you’ve considered more important but yes I’ve broken them down by race, and by problem. Both to help you understand things.”
“In the computer?” I asked.
Jin nodded. “Yes.”
“Send me the files,” I said getting up. “Keep answering as if I’m not here, until I can figure out what to do.”
Jin nodded. “Nox. That’s not all.”
I sat back down. “What else can go wrong?” I growled to myself.
“Reginald’s people called, as has Dom’s and they both have had point blank been asked to kill you for complete territorial rule over all of New York.”
“The Venatori can’t offer that. Not even for killing me.”
“I’m fairly certain they haven’t tried contacting any of the vampires yet. But they will.”
“I knew about the assassination attempts already, but the Venatori are trying to get the whole community to rally against me.”
“It seems that way.”
“And you keeping this from me is not helping that matter.” I growled. “Did they say what they were going to do?”
She shook her head. “No. But they told you, so that has to be good news.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. That’s a tempting offer. I might try to do it.” I grinned at her. “Let me deal with the people first, then I’ll worry about all the death threats.”
I sighed as I left the office to go to our room and grab my laptop, Alex fell in step beside me in the hall. “I should check on Benji.”
I nodded. “You should. And any other New Yorker you have a good working relationship with.”
“No one I care about,” Alex said. “Everyone I care about is already your friend.”
“Well if you want to help I could use a person who’s good at talking to people.”
Alex grinned wrapping his arm around my waist. “Are you asking for my help?”
I smiled. “Alex, can you help me deal with people?”
“Sure, what are we dealing with?” Alex said proudly, his chest puffed out a little bit.
“I have over three hundred people who the Venatori are harassing. I need to get through the list and see what I can do anything about, and what I can’t. I would like you to get in touch with all those close to us to see what’s going on with them, and if we can help them any.”
Alex stopped and looked at me with confusion. “You want me to ask more people if they need your help?”
I stopped with him and nodded slowly at his question. “If I can help the leaders help their people then yes, the more hands working to get the Venatori’s fingers out of the pie the better.”
“So what if that isn’t what happens, and you just get more work?” Alex asked.
“A price I’m willing to pay?” I shrugged. “I’ve always helped the people, but I’m one person. I can’t do this many at the same time I need help.”
“I’m not saying I won’t help.”
I laughed. “I never thought you were Alex. Dom, and Adrian will help their people. The vampires too, we need to stop the Venatori for harassing our friends. And they can help us stop them from the rest.”
Alex shook his head and sighed. “You know the world doesn’t work that way right?”
I shrugged. “Nope.” I grinned at Alex. “Will you do what I asked?”
He nodded. “I think you are just making more work for yourself but yeah. I’ll get Ryan and Ant to help me too – since they know the people better.”
“Okay. I might steal Ry from you though, talk about some things.”
Alex laughed. “Not about us I hope,” he teased.
I grinned and leaned into my love and whispered, “I have this boy, who I’m all sorts of dying over. So cute, so hot, I just want him to fuck me all the time.”
Alex kissed me and pushed me away,.”You’re a fucking tease. Now go away before I do all those things.”
I laughed. “Maybe I don’t want to go away.”
Alex growled, “Pretty boy, if you don’t…..”
I kissed Alex hard and he groaned against my mouth and we broke apart breathless. My hands were clenched at my sides and I could see the strain in Alex as well. The vacation had reinforced one thing – we couldn’t get enough of each other.
But by sheer iron will we walked the opposite direction of each other and went about our mutual tasks.
The Mind of Nox 