He dare not make the conversation any more intimate than that. He knew every damn move he made would end up on the cover of the newspapers or played over and over on the news channel. He greeted the last of the well-wishers, and moved through the crowd, as they ate and drank and slowly began to take their leave.
Jacks proceeded to move through the crowd, making eye contact again with Shade. He was one handsome master, but one she’d never been able to seduce. He’d always remained aloof to her advances, even long before he was mated. She knew his reputation with women, so it had always stuck in her craw to be rebuffed by him. The crowd moved slowly until Jacks found herself close enough to speak to Shade. She smiled, nodding, her head held high. She was the tallest woman in the room.
"Shade, it’s good to see you again. So sorry it had to be under such unfortunate circumstances." Jacks turned to Kate. "It’s a pleasure to see you again, Kate. Congratulations on your pregnancy."
Kate stared back at her and nodded slightly. She thought Jacks was as manipulative as Rissa, she was just more subtle and used different tactics. "It's good to see you as well." She spoke the words, but let her eyes convey something quite different. "And thank you, we look forward to adding to our family. Have you met our son, Cory?" Kate introduced her step-son who looked very uncomfortable in these surroundings.
Jacks eyed the young man standing beside Shade. She’d heard the stories of his half-breed son. Reaching out, she shook the young boy’s hand. She noted some resemblance to Shade, although the boy’s features were softer, more delicate. "It’s a pleasure to meet the son of such a respectable master as Shade. I’m Jacks, and although I wasn’t raised in the Medici camps, I’ve had the distinct honor of being trained at your father’s hand."
Cory listened to their conversation and picked up on the tension between Kate and Jacks. As he shook her hand, he couldn’t help but notice her beauty. She was tall and exotic looking, and clearly, a warrior. He just wanted to get the hell out of here and be with Madison. He got nervous around crowds and this woman made him even more uncomfortable for some reason. "Oh uh, nice to meet you."
Shade could feel Kate’s animosity and his son’s discomfort and took control of the conversation. "So, Jacks, it is good of you to come to support Alec. You can see from the crowd the other masters have snubbed him. I haven’t heard from you in a while, I take it you are keeping yourself busy?"
Jacks smiled. "Yes, I’ve just come in from Norway, actually. As soon as I heard the horrible news, I wanted to at least make an appearance. I didn’t know Rissa for very long. Our time together didn’t go well, but Alec and I go way back. I owe him the respect. Congratulations to you, by the way. The Council is pleased, I’m sure, that you are expanding the Medici legacy with your progeny. I wish you the best, as always." Leaning in, she kissed him gently on the cheek.
Kate bristled as Jacks kissed him, like the bitch was marking her territory. She listened to the conversation between them before she interjected. "So, you’re in Norway. Good. When are you returning?"
Jacks didn’t miss the look she shot her, even though her words were smooth as silk. "As soon as possible. I have an assignment there and was graciously allowed to return to give my support to Alec. I’ll let you get back to your evening. Good night." Jacks disappeared into the throng of well-wishers crowded into the Canton residence.
Shade saw Cory’s quizzical stare and shook his head. "Don’t ask." Turning to Kate, he chuckled. "Settle down, bel. She is gone, no threat to you. Never was."
After an hour, people began drifting away, slowly taking their leave, extending their condolences one last time to Alec, always with the words, “Call me if you need anything.” Jacks was the last to exit, casting one last glance at Alec, waiting for the invitation that never came.
Braden stood at the door, shaking everyone's hand as they left. Alec approached Shade as the crowd thinned down to a few. "Thank you for coming, brother, and thanks for the security detail. I didn't expect there to be any problems, but better safe than sorry."
Shade shook his hand. "Look, brother, I know this was not easy. We are here for you. I am taking Hyde off the campaign detail, unless you still wish to have him, and, of course, Mateo will be at your disposal. We have everything under control, so do what you have to do. I assume you are still going forward with this?"
Alec nodded his head. "I have to go forward, or it was all for nothing. So yes, I’ll still need Mateo. I won't get back on the campaign trail right away, so he can rest up. We’ll need to wait a short period of time for mourning. I’ll take Braden's lead on that. He'll give you a call when we plan to start campaigning again."
"Okay, brother." Shade put his arm around Alec's shoulder and led him away from Kate and Cory. "Look, you need to take care of yourself. You need to feed, take care of it soon. Do you want me to send you a feeder? Just let me know. I got you. But, right now, we are going to head out. I want to get Kate back home."
Alec thanked him but assured him Braden was taking care of the feeder. As they pounded each other on the back, Shade took his leave and returned to Kate and Cory. He slid his arm around Kate's waist and they headed out, being the last to leave. It felt odd to Shade, not having Rissa making some smart ass remark as he exited.
Braden closed the door behind them. Santos was already hard at work cleaning up the abandoned glassware and plates. Turning to Alec, he grasped his arm and led him to the stairs. "Now, my friend, we need to take care of you. Kelsey is waiting in your bedroom. Feed. Rest. And tomorrow, we’ll talk strategy."
78
Lorenzo had been waiting for his parents to return. Luca and Shannon were sitting outside on the patio by the pool, and he was climbing up to his tree house. Once inside, he climbed out the window and onto the roof, and proceeded to climb even higher in the tree. From there, he could see the private drive that led to the house.
Luca shouted up at him, "Lorenzo, what are you doing?"
Lorenzo yelled out, "I'm waiting for Mommy and Daddy! I can see when their car pulls in!"
Luca laughed at the precocious child. "Don't fall."
Lorenzo deftly jumped from branch to branch. "I won't!"
Shannon looked up nervously. "Should he be doing that?"
Luca ran his hand along her thigh. "He's fine. If he falls, he can start to teleport."
Shannon looked at Luca with concern. "Does he know how to teleport?"
"He hasn't been taught how to use the skill, but instinctively, yes, he does know. If he were on the ground, and he just stumbled and fell, his gift to teleport wouldn’t manifest. But if he were to fall a great distance, it would kick in. It might not be graceful, but he could land safely."
Shannon leaned back in her chair, kicking off her sandals and dipping her feet in the cooling water of the pool. "I have so much to learn."
He smiled at her. "In time, mia belleza."
Luca playfully dipped his hand in the pool and splashed her as she squealed. Lorenzo called out from the tree-tops, "They're here!"
He started to scramble down from the tree. As his feet hit the ground, he ran across the lawn to the front yard to greet his parents. Cory had exited the car, and Shade was helping Kate from the car when Lorenzo appeared from around the side of the house, running at top speed. "Daddy!" He catapulted himself into his father's arms, almost knocking him over in his exuberance.