Page 19 of Blackmailed

“TMI, asshole,” Kalkin muttered.

"At least we didn't put locks on our doors." Rapier gave Kalkin a droll stare.

Kalkin flipped him off. “Hayden had no boundaries. And... there were extenuating circumstances we’re only finding out about now. So, shut it.”

Rapier held up his hands. “I’m just pointing out we’ve all been there. Shit happens and parents fuck.”

"Now that the birds and bee's conversation is over," Jochi said. "I think we should be getting back to our house. I am sure any minute Jefferson will be receiving phone calls from other members of Congress wanting to confirm or deny the photograph in that paper."

Kalkin stopped them by the door as they started for the exit. “I’ll keep you posted. I know this sucks, but you’re with us now. Those fuckers are in for a world of hurt. Just give us time.”

“I will.”For now.Later, when Jefferson went back to D.C., he’d unleash hell upon all those who thought they could mess with his mate and their family.

“Deny it,” Adrian said. “It’ll fit the narrative I’m going to build. When the retraction comes out, you’ll be the injured party. It might even save you a trip for the hearing as well.”

“See,” Kalkin said. “Told you the kid was worth it.”

Chapter Five

Like Jochi predicted, Jefferson’s phone blew up by the time they started back to their new home. While Jochi drove, his mate fielded calls from friends and foes looking for some kind of answer to what they were seeing plastered all over the internet. None of them cared about Jefferson being single or a widower. None of them cared if it was consensual. They were only concerned about how it would affecttheirreputation, not his.

With each passing call Jefferson fielded, the man sank lower into his seat. Jochi realized the minute they became mates, their life would be changed forever. However, he hadn't expected this and maybe, because of where they were, he should have. People, humans, in particular, were such picky, prudish beings. Sex was meant to be done behind closed doors and not talked about. Add in it was two men and oh boy... Some people lost their ability to reason, even though homosexuality had been around for a millennium or more.

As they pulled into the driveway, Jefferson threw his phone into the cup holder beside him. He rubbed his eyes and turned his head. All of the age regression Jochi witnessed over the last several months since they’d been mates, disappeared. Jefferson was haggard—beat down by those stupid enough to latch onto some grainy photograph taken through nefarious ways by people who’d want to hurt Jefferson, instead of getting to the truth.

“Come on, old man,” Jochi said, shutting off the vehicle. “Let’s go inside and wait this out.”

“I should have prepared better. I’ve been so caught up in you and the idea we finally won, I left us vulnerable.”

Jochi held up his hand before getting out of the car. “Not here.” He didn’t want to have the coming conversation outside in the open. They were safer in their house. Jefferson followed behind him. His steps were slow and despondent. The weight the world thrown from his shoulders only twenty-four hours ago, landed squarely back on them the minute the article went live.

Once they were inside, Jochi went straight to their bathroom and started filling the tub. Jefferson needed to take his mind off of everything and allow his family to helphimfor a change. Maybe with a soak and some relaxation, Jefferson could still his troubled mind. When Jochi returned to the kitchen where he left Jefferson, the man sat at the table with a beer in hand. The Senator loved his hard liquor when he’d been in social situations, seeing him with a beer in the middle of the day, surprised Jochi.

“What’s this?”

Jefferson lifted the bottle. “Drowning my sorrows.”

Jochi narrowed his eyes. “Won’t work.”

“Nope.” He took a swallow of his beer. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Anything, bèndàn.”

He blew out a breath. "In for a penny, in for a pound." He took another drink of his beer. "I feel weird." Jefferson frowned. "Not my normal self. Like... something inside of me wants to come out, but doesn't know how maybe? It might be the stress or, Jesus, I sound like a mental case. Pfft. Something trying to come out.”

Jochi furrowed his brows. “Interesting turn of a conversation.”

“It’s been bugging me for a long time now. If I keep thinking about those assholes who hacked the security camera and took the picture, I’m liable to kill them,” Jefferson muttered.

“Come with me.” Jochi held out his hand. “Perhaps with a long soak, your mind will unlock what you’re experiencing.”

“Perhaps?”

Jochi lead Jefferson to the bath he’d prepared when they arrived. While his mate stripped off his clothes, Jochi added a few drops of lavender extract to help ease Jefferson’s anxiety. His mate slipped into the water and groaned as his eyes fluttered shut. The scent of something dark, potent, and dangerous wafted from his mate. The aroma slammed through Jochi, turning him on while also causing his leopard to roll over in submission.Curious.Jochi inhaled again. In the time it took to process the scent the first time, it was gone, replaced by the lavender and what he’d considered Jefferson’s smell—sandalwood and spice.

He knelt by the side of the tub and grabbed the sponge sitting on a small shelf ledge. Jochi dunked it into the water and began washing Jefferson’s chest. As he glanced down, Jochi tilted his head. He teased Jefferson about his dad body mercilessly, though he enjoyed it thoroughly. Jefferson wasn’t overweight or too muscular, he just was. Now, staring at him as he sat in the tub, Jochi noticed the subtle changes to his mate’s form. There was more muscle there. His mate was leaner. Tighter. Plus, his dick...

“See something you like?” Jefferson peered up at him through lust-filled heavy-lidded eyes.

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