Intertwine (Book 3)

Chapter Seven

Returning to the house, Jess and Aniyah parted ways at the top of the staircase. Aniyah disappeared to her room and Jess disappeared to hers. They agreed to reconnect later in the evening but for now; they wanted to get some rest before dinner was given.

While Jason was away, Aniyah felt as though she had some studying to do on the supernatural world. Her laptop on her lap, she began to research some things. Things she thought would benefit her later on.

While Aniyah used her spare time to do that, Jess kicked back and enjoyed some television until Brent returned. She knew he would take over the television for sports.

She also knew the cards she was dealing with. She had a feeling that word had got to him about what they had done today so she knew she had to play her cards.

She went to the kitchen and prepared him a delicious sandwich alongside an ice cold beverage to wash it down with. She placed it bedside, along with the television remote and a bottle of warm oil. She knew lunch and a nice massage would clear his head of any concerns.

As Jess placed everything in its place, the bedroom door swung open, ceasing at the wall behind it.

Jess stood up straight with a grin stretched across her face, despite the venomous glare she was receiving from Brent.

"Hungry?" She pointed to the food in hopes his mind would go there first instead. With a stare so strong, she knew that would not be his plan.

Brent smiled. An ear to ear grin that Jess knew was not genuine at all. He introduced a slow clap, one that sent a chill across Jess's spine every time his hands connected.

"What are we cheering for?" Jess pretended.

"Well played Jess. Well f*****g played." He stopped.

"Play? I don't understand."

"Hmm let's see. So today, I was sitting in the business office, you know, working on a few things when I got a call from someone."

"Oh?"

"'Oh' is right. The s**t this little birdie told me seemed almost impossible to believe. So, I returned home to speak to you two about the rumor. You know, get the real story on what was going on. I walk in and do you know what I smell?"

"The sandwich?" The sense of humor was not making light of the situation.

” I smelled this foul odor which seemed to resemble the same odor that poured out of the doors of that gym in the town. Now, maybe I'm going crazy but I know...” He stepped to her, putting her into his shadow. "I know you two would not be stupid enough to have any parts of that gym."

Jess parted her lips, struggling to find an explanation before Brent looked away. Sitting in the far corner was the gym bag crumbled on the floor with the logo splattered across the front of it and the gym card with the logo colors settling on the dresser.

If Brent was not already seeing red, he was seeing black now and so was Jess. As she stared into his coal-black eyes, she knew things would be harder to explain to him now.

"Jess." His hands clenched. "You better explain something. Now!"

"Okay, well yes, the birdie was correct; we went to the gym. Jason said he wanted us out the house so why not go somewhere where we can continue our learned skills? It’s a place where we are surrounded by others so there should not be any concerns about threats." Jess thought again. "Unless Carl puckered up again."

Jess continued to chuckle as Brent eyed her, midnight still consuming his eyes.

"Look, you have nothing to be concerned with. Aniyah gets to step out, the house can stop with the sadness, and Jason can get some work done without worrying if Aniyah would get bed sores. Win-win."

"This idea is stupid."

"I promise you it is not." Jess folded her hands. "You just...need to talk to Jason."

"You have lost your mind."

"I have not. Once he gets some advice from you and the others, maybe he would look at the bright side."

"Bright side? Where the hell is the bright side to his woman working out in a gym with a man who attempted to woe her? Please, f*****g enlighten me."

"Brent, you just have to trust where I'm going with this. He will not touch her when I'm around."

"And what about someone touching you?" Jess was deep in Brent's shadow now. "Understand that I will burn that gym to the f*****g ground."

"I get it." She attempted to calm a dangerous minded Brent. "But there will be no need. I just need your help. Aniyah needs your help. Please?"

Brent had a half of mind to shut the entire fiasco down. However, a part of him, the human part of him wanted to put a little faith in her. He knew if he helped her and something happened, they would put his name into the center. He had a choice. Deal with the wraith of his leader, or deal with the wraith of his mate.

“So , ” Jess could not take the awkward silence any longer.

"I will...talk to Jason."

"Yay."

"But I cannot guarantee his approval to this. I can ONLY speak my side. The decision would be his regarding Aniyah. However you, you and I will have to make an agreement."

"Agreement?"

It was the Cheshire cat grin from Brent that sprung Jess into alert mode.

"I will explain it later. I have to clean up the small mess you two have created."

"O-okay."

***

Brent had realized that he has put himself into a loop. He had a feeling that Jason would not agree with this plan, no matter how many times they gave him positive terms.

Brent knew he could not handle the wraith of his Alpha; especially not alone.

"So what the hell are we going to say to him?" Zeiden followed Brent down the narrowing halls of their business facility. A two story building where all negotiations and work was done outside of the pack life. This was where their funds came from.

"Not sure."

"Wing it?" Zeiden questioned. "Does he know yet?"

"I told others to keep it quiet until I informed him."

"So he doesn't know and you want me to be in the room when you tell him?" Are you f*****g crazy?" Zeiden struggled to turn back however Brent would not allow him to do so. He needed Zeiden's help. He cannot deal with it alone.

"I need the help of a friend."

"Well go find one."

"Stop acting like a punk and come on."

As Brent knocked on the door, Zeiden began to feel the pressure, although he had nothing to do with it. He knew he had to help Brent, even if it meant him getting hurt.

"Come in." They gave each other one last look before they entered his work office. Jason looked up from the desk, his eyes low and narrow. Dark circles surrounded his eyes. His personal and professional life seemed to be taking a toll on him.

Zeiden and Brent took a chair, their faces bright to keep the atmosphere as calm as possible.

"How is it going?" Zeiden had to question.

"I'm not even sure." Jason fiddled with a few pieces of paper before he stuffed them back into a folder and into his file cabinet. We could tell his answer did not pertain to work, but what was going on at the house. "Things seemed to get me nowhere."

If Jason was not already at a standstill, he was about to struck with more news that would not only stress him but send him into a fit of rage. Zeiden and Brent sat. Jason stared between the both of them in wonder, confused about what had their tongue in a knot. They are not the quiet type and he knew them too well.

He leaned forward, his fingers locked together as gave them both a look.

"Spill it. What did you two do?" Jason knew it was times they would come to him in hopes to fix the problems they may have created. Normally, it would involve Maya but ever since Zeiden and Maya have been sneaking off together- which others fail to know about- her complaints have ceased.

"Nothing." Brent held his hands up.

"Then what is the problem with you two?" Jason felt relieved that he did not have to clean up another mess.

"Well, um-" Brent and Zeiden sent each other a few unhealthy looks. "The girls were wondering if they can um- join a group. Like a fitness group."

"Okay?" Jason was confused but saw no problem with them signing up for something. "Where is it held?"

Brent nudged for Zeiden; Zeiden lowered his head, refusing to put any words into the growing fire.

"Well it’s like a gym thing."

"Gym?" Jason leaned forward, resting on his elbows as he glanced at them both. They were hiding something, and he wanted to know what without using his inner beast to do it. "What gym?"

Brent knew he was onto them and he could not be around the bush. There were only three gyms in the town. One they owned, which he knew Aniyah would not get involved with. Another which seemed to consist of an older a crowd and the last was the new Avalanche gym.

"What gym?" Jason questioned once again. This time, Zeiden sought to speak up.

"The Avalanche gym." Zeiden cleared up.

Zeiden and Brent held their guards up, expecting the outrage and destruction their Alpha may cause.

Jason stared between the two, his exterior read calmness but the within, the monster was howling to break free. Jason's fingers locked together, which seemed to throw his onlookers into a loop. They expected a different reaction, something far more disturbing than a sheepish smile.

"Is that so?" Jason had to remain as casual as possible making sure not to excite the men too much. "When did they take an interest into fitness?"

"Not sure but Jess stated that they wanted to get out. Her way of pulling Aniyah out of her slum." Brent confirmed. He wanted to keep Jason as calm as possible.

"Hmmm." Jason rubbed his chin, keeping his anger confined in a mental box.

Jason opened his mouth to give a solid no to their proposal, even if the girls thought otherwise. However, he saw Jess's point. Get Aniyah out of the home for her sake. Give her the opportunity to relax despite such hardship.

Plus, Jason had other things he needed to tend to and the only way he knew he could do it with no distractions was to get rid of Aniyah.

"Okay." He watched as Brent and Zeiden’s faces pulled from their slums and into a look of shock.

"Okay?" Zeiden had to make sure he heard.

"Okay." Jason spoke loudly so no confusion would be between them. He knew he was making an important decision however he had a feeling Carl knew what would happen if he over stepped his boundaries again. Jason had no problem removing a limb from his body.

"Okay." Brent exhaled.

"Is there an echo in here? I said okay." Jason continued to smile. He wanted to show them he was on board with the girls going, even despite his doubts.

Zeiden smiled. Brent continued to stare, sensing something strange about Jason's agreement. He sensed a lie however he refused to speak out on it.

"Well we will see you back at the house?" Zeiden stood from his chair before he nudged Brent to leave with him.

"Yeah. See ya." Brent pulled himself from his chair and walked out alongside Zeiden.

Once the door was closed, Jason reached for his phone. He looked over the glowing message icon which alerted him of a new message. He opened it....

We will like to meet with you soon Jason. Please accept.

Jason responded, agreeing to the much needed meeting. He responded with a time and location, which would be held at his home when Aniyah would leave. He could not have her around...