Page 12 of Blackmailed

Jochi nodded. “In the hospital.”

The young boy’s eyes widened. “That was you? The-the kitty!”

Jochi laughed. “Yes.”

“Wow.” He turned. “I have to tell Mommy. She thinks I made it up.” Mikey took off for the house at full-tilt.

“What did you do?” Confusion filled Jefferson. He felt like he missed something monumental between his daughter, Jochi, and his grandson.

“I may have visited Mikey in the hospital for a minute or two when no one was looking.” Jochi shrugged. “Might have also been a kitty when I did it.”

“Leave it to you,” Jefferson said shaking his head.

"The boy was terribly ill. I worried." Jochi casually lifted his shoulder.

“Your heart is tender.” He joined his mate. “It’s what I love about you.”

“Daddy?” Charisma came out the door carrying Fern on her hip. Mikey ran ahead of her.

“Look at you,” Jefferson murmured. “Look at my precious little angel in your arms. She’s gotten so big.”

Fern stretched out to him while opening and closing her hands, desperate to get into Jefferson's arms. She was beautiful, like her mother. She had curly dark-brown hair and blue eyes. Her bow-shaped lips were spread wide in an excited, toothy smile as she latched onto Jefferson and snuggled into the crook of his neck.

“Mr. Sloan?” Charisma said, holding out her hand. “It’s good to have you joining us this Thanksgiving. Welcome to our corner of heaven.”

“So formal,” Jochi teased. “Thank you for having me.”

“Where’s Penny Ann?” Jefferson asked, starting for the house.

“Inside helping prep for dinner. The play starts at seven and we still have to get everyone ready.” She walked between him and Jochi while Mikey had taken Jochi’s hand in his. “Is everything okay?”

“More than. I just have something I want to tell you, and I figured I’d do it once instead of a million times.” He realized saying his piece in front of everyone was the chicken shit way out. He knew his daughters would have several questions for him and more importantly, Jochi.

“You’re scaring me, Daddy,” Charisma said.

“Don’t be. All is fine.”

She took a moment to stare at him then frowned. “Did you dye your hair?”

Jefferson laughed. “What a preposterous thing to ask. No, I didn’t dye my hair.”

“Growth hormones?” She tilted her head.

Jochi snickered. “If only.”

“You look healthier and happier than I have seen you in years,” she murmured. “What’s changed.”

“Loaded question kid,” Kalkin said, joining them. “Let’s get inside first.”

She followed them up the stairs onto the porch of Kalkin’s house then inside where the other adults began to congregate. Their animated conversations stopped the minute they spotted Jefferson and Jochi. Several pairs of eyes darted from Jefferson to Jochi then back to him. Damn shifterscouldsmell everything.

Then they stared at Charisma.

“Hello everyone,” Jefferson said with a wave. “It good to see most of you again. It’s been too long.”

“Daddy!” Penelope hurried toward him. “You’re here.” She glanced at Jochi and grinned. “Mr. Sloan. Good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” For the first time since he began working with Jefferson, his mate appeared nervous and out of place. As Jochi, he couldn’t hide behind the masks and names he used regularly.

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