Page 40 of Blackmailed

Are you my brother’s consort?

“No.” Jefferson shook his head. “I am his pè iou, uh, mate.”

Lan gasped, grabbing Jian’s hand. “A mate. So proud.”

He relaxed. It’d been a long time since he’d met Susanne’s parents and the old feelings of nervousness and angst had kept him up almost the whole night. Thankfully, Jochi had been there to ease him.

Hui turned the phone to him again, with another message.What do you get out of being with my brother?

Jefferson cleared his throat. “Glad you asked. Charisma, can you bring Déshì over here?”

“Sure, Daddy.” Charisma returned moments later carrying his six-month-old son in her arms. "Perfect timing, he just woke up." She grinned at Jochi's family as she handed the wiggly bundle of leopard to Jefferson. "Hi! Welcome home. We're so glad you're here with us."

Both Lan and Jian bowed and grinned then clung to each other as they peered at their grandson. They spoke in rapid Mandarin and Jefferson didn’t have a clue what they were saying. Hui glanced at the boy with open curiosity and caution. Jefferson couldn’t imagine what they’d all been through since the day Jochi had been forced to leave them.

“This is Déshì Abraham Zhao-Winters, our son and your grandson,” Jefferson said. “We adopted him a few months ago. He was abandoned.”

Tears welled in Lan’s eyes as she stared at the baby. “Hold? Me?”

“Yes, of course.” Jefferson gently placed his son into her arms.

The minute she had the little boy the way she wanted him; she began to speak to him. Déshì stared at her in wide-eyed fascination.Probably because she looks like his father and speaks the same language as her.Warmth and love filled Jefferson’s chest as he watched Déshì’s grandparents interact with him.

“He’s here! He’s here!” Mikey said. “Papa’s home!”

“Ah, right on time.” Jefferson didn’t want anyone to surprise Jochi. No, the scene would already be an emotional one. “Act natural everyone.”

A round of laughter filled the house as Jochi put the key in the lock and turned it, opening the front door once more. “You sent me on a wild goose chase, bèndàn.” He lifted his gaze to meet Jefferson’s then stilled. Jochi’s gaze landed on his family and the wealth of emotion Jefferson saw there had been worth all the secrecy.

“Muqin? Fùqin? Hui?” Jochi dropped the bag in his hand, spilling the meager contents across the floor. “Jefferson, what did you do? How did you? Ó, wo de shàngdì?” And, like that, Jefferson’s mate became the child who’d had to say goodbye to his parents so many years ago. Jochi ran to them gathering all three in a tight hug. Their cries and laughter were music to Jefferson’s ears.

Charisma joined him, throwing her arm around his waist. “You did good, Daddy.”

Jefferson wiped the corner of his eye. “I only wish I would have known sooner. I could have made this happen years ago.”

His daughter shook her head. “No, Daddy. It was meant for now. You’re with your mate and you have a growing family to protect and watch over.”

He nodded. She’d been right. “How’d you get to be so smart?”

She shrugged. “Easy. I have you as my father.”

Jochi turned to him then. “You did all this without me finding out? How?”

Jefferson shrugged as he grinned. “I have my ways.”

“A thank you would be nice,” Keeley called out as she waddled over to them. She was due to give birth any day now to another set of twins, this time, they were both boys.

“Thank you.” Jefferson laughed.

“Yes,” Jochi murmured. “Thank you.”

Kalkin joined them moments later. “Since everyone’s here, how about we eat?”

Lan murmured something to Jochi, and he nodded. “Mother would like to know if you are the Alpha of these lands.”

Kalkin puffed up his chest. “Yes, I am.”

“Lord, now you’re feeding his ego,” Keeley said rolling her eyes.

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