Page 67 of Honorable Convictions
“Would you say it back already?”
“Didn’t I?” When Pierson’s only response was a glare, Mitchell smiled. “I love you too. Now kiss me good-bye.”
After a quick buss, Pierson left the condo, and Mitchell allowed himself a moment to moon about how fantastic he was before he slipped into Juris Knight mode. There were files that required his attention and the larger the dent he made in them, the more time he’d have with Pierson later.
∞∞∞
Pierson pushed his cart through the grocery store and thought about what he wanted to cook, smirking at the idea of buying a couple of artichokes just to mess with Mitchell. Pierson certainly wouldn’t force him to eat them since he’d stoically made it through dinner the other night without a complaint. It wasn’t until Pierson was about to fall asleep that he’d curled up with him and told him they were the most disgusting thing he’d ever put in his body. As delightful as it’d be to bring them into the house to see his reaction, it was probably too soon for Mitchell to handle his revulsion even if he wasn’t expected to consume them himself.
It rankled that Mitchell wanted to shop with him and he couldn’t take him. In his mate’s mind, he so easily saw them as a couple that he had to be reminded that they were the only ones on the planet who knew about them. The thought of the other JKs in Vegas, who were chummy with Mitchell and detested Pierson, finding out about them worried him greatly. They’d picked sides long ago, and although it was hardly fair to Mitchell, Pierson was unable to silence the nasty voice in his head that wondered if they’d impact them.
If they repeated to him often enough how ill-suited they might be, would it wear down Mitchell’s devotion to their matebond? In a sad way, Pierson didn’t blame him if it did. Too green and vulnerable from going straight to headquarters from training, Pierson had also been reeling from Mitchell’s rejection. The walls had shot up to protect him from making any further mistakes or embarrassing himself by fucking up a case with such speed that they were deeply entrenched long before Pierson realized they’d existed. Trapped in ice, he’d had no idea then—and still didn’t—their reasons for disliking him.
Pierson had turned more inward as the time stretched without seeing Mitchell. Believing that leaving him behind would make him happy, it’d had the opposite effect. Despite their war, he was able to admit that he’d missed him. His smile, his penchant for teasing that he’d stupidly assumed was malicious, and the way he’d always made Pierson warm. It was the fact that Mitchell was the sun blazing on the cold stone of his heart which was the true source of fear.
If he lost that again, there was no telling how it would fracture him. Standing in the vegetable area of the grocery store, Pierson accepted that Fate had picked out his true match. There was no one else for Pierson, and he was incapable of accepting someone different at his side. With their foolish games behind them, was their faith in each other strong enough to last forever? It was a question that might remain unanswered as people were ever evolving, and Pierson wanted assurance where none was possible.
The disadvantage of the honorable job of being a Juris Knight was the dark side of life. Love didn’t always last, and promises were not always kept. Somehow, Pierson had to find the conviction to believe that he and Mitchell wouldn’t be counted among those whose separation papers he’d personally filed. Terror threatened to choke him, and Pierson had no choice but to shove away his thoughts. Although he wanted so badly to tell himself that he and Mitchell were poised to remain in that column of matebonds that worked, he lacked the temerity to take the step to bind them for eternity.
At the same time, he understood without a doubt that he was ready to fight for them and protect what they had with the same kind of fervor he brought to his cases. It was a strange and vexing conundrum that Pierson had to admit somehow suited them. With a shake of his head, he scooted past the artichokes to find the blackberries his mate was so fond of and turned his thoughts to what he’d make them for dinner. They were so close to what Mitchell wanted, which was everything, and Pierson hoped his mate had the patience to wait out his moments of panic. And Pierson vowed to himself that he’d keep working on addressing his trepidation because he too wanted a lasting devotion that served them well for eternity.
Chapter 33
It had felt a bit like abandoning Pierson as he’d left their condo that morning with the way his mate had stared at him longingly after kissing him good-bye, but Mitchell was confident he’d get over it. After all, Pierson had saved his kitchen organizing for the day, and Mitchell was positive he was likely knee-deep in cutlery heaven or whatever he was attacking by now. As for Mitchell, he’d taken a seat at the table for his daily meeting and was sad that he’d already eaten his deliciously home-baked slices of coffee cake.
The Venerable Knights rotated the duty of supervising security each morning for the long list of Council leaders that arrived to discuss and pass laws, which meant they also took turns assigning cases to Juris Knights. VK Roman Calixtus had a predictably large stack as he approached an empty chair. “Good morning.”
There was a chorus of replies to Roman, including Mitchell’s greeting. While his mind repelled the idea of yet more work, he reminded himself that Pierson would remedy the volume that he was being given soon.
“VK, how long are we going to be expected to keep up this pace?” Noah asked.
Roman smiled. “I have news that is going to make you feel a little better, Cavendish. JK Murphy has been transferred back to Vegas. However, he is taking the time he needs to relocate, and I cannot give you an expected start date yet, but it’ll be soon.”
“Thank Fate,” Peter responded. “With his normal workload, I might actually see the surface of my desk again someday.”
“Don’t get too excited, Malcolmson. Murphy’s going to continue to be the liaison and has training to take care of around the continent. He’s agreed to start at fifty percent of his former capacity. It’s important that he can still travel, and after a couple of weeks he’ll re-evaluate with the RKs to figure out if that number needs to be altered.”
“Even at fifty percent, it’ll be a tremendous help to us,” Cecily commented.
“Absolutely. We need to talk about the camaraderie of your division. Murphy has ruffled feathers in the past and been offended himself, but this is a fresh start. His office will be within the cluster of other JK ones and I expect all of you to treat him with respect,” Roman stated, his gaze locking with Mitchell’s. “Brooks, your ongoing rivalry and issues with Murphy are notorious throughout the Order of the Fallen Knights. He’s agreed to speak with you on finding a way to move forward without the stress of this feud. I’d like to know your thoughts on what kind of obstacles you see to a clean slate and whether you feel a counselor would assist you in finding common ground.”
“VK, the value of Murphy to this office has never been in question, and I believe we’ve gained a new appreciation for how necessary he is to our team. I’d be happy to meet with him as soon as he returns and bury the old hatchet for good.”
“Good, I’m going to check in with you two regularly to make sure we don’t fall into bad habits and return to endless bickering.”
Mitchell wanted to tell him that he’d tear out his own heart before he allowed himself to ever intentionally do that again. It was childish and petty to have ever competed with his mate at such a level that he allowed himself to forget what their true commitment was supposed to be to each other. And he didn’t want to contemplate how nasty it’d been to make it appear as if he were sleeping around on the off chance he’d carve through Pierson’s ice. But, of course, all Mitchell could offer Roman was a nod. “I understand, and I’ll do my part not to cause undue stress in what is supposed to be a team that includes everyone.”
“Thank you, Brooks. Should we get to sorting out these cases?”
There were grumbles, but it only took Roman a few minutes to dole out his stack and dismiss them for the day. After snatching up his mug of delicious coffee, Mitchell grabbed his files and headed for his office. It was of little surprise when Noah and Peter showed up in his doorway minutes later.
“I can’t believe Murphy is coming back,” Peter said, dropping his slight frame into a chair. As well as they knew one another, it was impossible for Mitchell to determine if he was happy or sad about Pierson’s return.
“I knew he was going to keep that fancy liaison position,” Noah groused once he was planted in the seat next to Peter.
“Who cares?” Peter demanded. “It’s helping everyone, and if they think he’s good at it, then I couldn’t give a shit less if he keeps it.”
“I’m saying it’s unnecessary. The requirements are complete, and every fallen knight can read. We don’t need Murphy running around as the representative for Juris Knights. We should’ve been afforded the opportunity to vote for something like that. The last damn person I’d choose is Frozen Face, and I know Mitchell’s with me on this one.”
