Page 29 of Blackmailed

She flipped Royce off. “Yes. I’m confused and embarrassed and...” She sniffed. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“I think he does more than you give him credit for,” Jefferson said, placing Déshì to his shoulder. “Or did you forget all he went through in his life?”

“We’re still in the phase of working on our communication skills. It’s my fault, I take full responsibility.” Royce glanced up at her. “You’re allowed to be embarrassed. Now you understand why so many Raferty doors have latches. A certain someone would barge in without hesitation.”

“Hayden,” Charisma murmured.

“Bingo,” Royce said. “As much as I hate thinking about it now, I get it. Your dad is right, we should have you talk to Danielle. I haven’t smelled anything different about you, but it doesn’t mean anything. I didn’t smell it on your father until the moment you put your hand on the doorknob.”

“Penelope too,” Jefferson added. “She should know the truth.”

“We’ll do it after the holiday,” Charisma said. “It’s not why we’re here anyway. We’re here to pick you and Jochi up for dinner.”

“Dinner you say?” Jochi came down the stairs dressed in one of his suits. “I’m famished.” He lifted the baby from Jefferson’s arms. “Go get ready and I’ll change this little leopard as well.”

Jefferson hugged Charisma. “I love you, sweetheart. I know this is scary, but we’ll get through it together.”

“I know.” She hugged in return. “I think mom is laughing her ass off right now.”

He chuckled. “I bet it’s her sick sense of humor that got us here.”

She gave a watery laugh. “I bet you’re right.”

Chapter Eight

They arrived at the Rafertys house an hour later than they were meant to be there. However, when Jefferson stepped through the door, there were still members of the family missing. It appeared they weren't the only ones caught up in the pull of the full moon. He slipped his arm around his mate who clung to their son, or maybe it’d been the other way around as they stepped farther into the house. Keeley had been the first to greet them and acknowledge the boy cradled in the crook of Jochi’s neck. Then one by one the others came to say hello.

Jefferson spied Hayden and Nico sitting together in one of the large chairs, their son sat on the floor in front of them playing with a little girl and a set of blocks. Both Nico and Hayden carried on a hushed conversation while spying glances at the little girl. Hayden’s eyes sparkled when she turned her attention to her mate, but there was still something else there, he smelled—weird as it sounded, it. Bodhi and Emma sat across from Hayden and Nico. Their triplets played with Asher and the little girl along with Julius and Fern. They were a tight group of babies. A new generation of shifters.

“Would you like to put him in the nursery with the others?” Danielle asked.

“Uh, sure,” Jefferson said. “Will he be okay in there?”

She smiled. “Of course. It’s where all the younger packmates are. Besides, not too much stimulation for him yet.” She led him and Jochi down the hall. “So, did it work?”

It took Jefferson a second to understand what she meant. Heat filled his cheeks. “Yes, it worked.”

“Amazing,” she whispered, opening the door to the room. “Put him in this crib here.” She tapped the one beside her then grabbed the small walkie-talkie. “Here, now you’ll be able to hear him when he wakes.”

“Thank you,” Jochi whispered laying the little clouded leopard into the crib.

“No problem.” She led the way once more back to the living room. “Did you talk to Charisma or Penelope about the developments?”

“Charisma walked in on us,” Jochi said. “Not one of our best moments. I bet I looked like a salivating fool.”

Jefferson chuckled. “You did. It was, like the kids say, hot.”

Jochi playful slapped his arm. “Silly old man.”

“I know I promised myself I wouldn’t ask, but what’s wrong with Hayden and who is the little girl with them?” Jefferson inquired tapping his nose. “Everything is enhanced.”

Danielle frowned. "Her uncle told her something before she and Nico killed him, that's..." She blew out a breath while pushing her short bangs off her forehead. "Every month she doesn't become pregnant, well I am beginning to believe what he told her as well."

Danielle’s rambling made no sense. “What?” Jefferson read the reports and Hayden’s statements, but none of it made sense. What had Worthington done to her?

Jochi frowned. “She believes she is infertile.”

Danielle nodded. “She took a pregnancy test this morning. She’s six for six.”

---