Page 20 of Mate For Hire (For Hire 3)

Kelly came flying in behind Gerard. “Calm down, big boy. I’m right here.”

“Not you!”

She flinched at the harshness in his tone, blinking in confusion. Declan looked from Gerard to Kelly, just as dazed from his harsh speech as Kelly. Gerard was sick of waiting to hear what his brother had to say. He jerked Declan up in the collar. The action should call for severe punishment, and the elders’ faces registered as much.

“She wanted to go with her parents to the city.”

Declan didn’t fight him off, but Gerard felt his brother’s simmering annoyance. “I allowed Janessa to go as well. I sent men along, and I planned to catch up to them shortly.”

“But her things are gone!”

Declan laid a hand over Gerard’s and pulled it from his collar. “Yeah.”

“She doesn’t intend to come back. You knew.”

“And what, Gerard? Was I supposed to keep Lachelle a prisoner? I heard that you said—” He stopped and glanced at the elders and Kelly, all following the conversation. “Why don’t we talk in private? Please, excuse me.”

He nodded to the elders and escorted Gerard out of the building. Gerard had no choice but to follow. His mind was in turmoil, spinning all around. Trying to make sense of the situation and decide what to do next felt like too much. All he knew was that when he went back to Lachelle’s cabin to talk to her, he found it empty. The next idea was to accuse his brother.

They strolled together down the lane leading to a private lake. When Gerard had first visited, he had to admit the location was ideal for his people. A small desire to join them had niggled in his conscience since then, but he’d resisted.

“When Lachelle moved here, I thought she would stay,” he grumbled. His head pounded with pain.

“And that made you want to stay.” Declan’s words were more a statement than a question.

“I… It doesn’t matter. She’s not here.”

Declan stopped walking and faced him. “Gerard, don’t blame me for what’s happening between the two of you. I told you to resolve all of this. I told you to make a decision.”

“You implied I should choose Kelly.”

“When did I say that?”

Gerard bit down, feeling his teeth sharpening. He subdued the dragon as much as possible because if he let loose, all reason would vanish. “Everyone is saying she must not be my mate. You agree. Don’t deny it.”

“Whether I do or don’t isn’t the issue. It’s what you think that matters. Every time I see you, Kelly is with you.”

Gerard paced, pushing both hands into his hair. “I don’t like anyone in my life, telling me what to do.”

“Yeah, I know. You’re a lone wolf—er, dragon.”

Gerard glared at him for the sarcasm.

Declan slapped a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t wish your situation on anyone, least of all my brother. I understand it’s difficult, knowing what to do. If we could dismiss it as a lie, it would be better but…”

“But what?”

“I was just about to come to see you. My guy got back an hour ago with the information we were looking for. I’m sorry, Gerard. She’s telling the truth. At least she is about Constance Ridgeley and her son. The old woman died a couple years ago. Kelly is her son’s benefactor. He’s forty-five and developmentally disabled.”

Gerard started walking again and reached the water. He stared down at the rippling peaceful surface, feeling anything put peace. He’d hoped it was all a lie so he could go back to the way things were. If everything could be compartmentalized, he wouldn’t have to ask himself any hard questions or dredge the depths of his soul for the answers.

“I haven’t uncovered any involvement from Patrick Sevelle,” Declan went on. “I wanted him to be involved. Then we could end this farce.”

Gerard grunted in agreement.

“There is one thing.”

He glanced at his brother. “What?”

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