The kid did the shutting-down thing Harper was so good at. His expression went blank, even his eyes. He held himself calm and loose, no sign of distress in his body language. It didn't just fuel Jonas's anger. It made him sad. No kid should have to learn that kind of coping mechanism.
“Your father must be one real piece of work,” he muttered.
“You don't know that half of it.” Dane's smile was cold and humorless. “If you can't or are unwilling to protect my sister, bring her to me. I'll take her somewhere safe. Somewhere he can't reach us.”
Jonas didn't care how the fuck important the kid was to Harper. Dane wasn't taking her anywhere. In one long stride, he had the boy's shirt twisted in his hand, yanking him close.
“No one takes what is mine, and she
Jonas bristled at the unspoken threat. “And you are?” Dane just nodded once, curtly. But there was something in the kid's eyes. Something…uncertain.
“Are you strong enough to fight your father?”
“Yes. Maybe.” Dane shrugged. “He's older and a hell of a lot more experienced.” Jonas made a split-second decision he was sure he would regret later. “Go pack. You're coming back with me.” He opened his mouth to protest, and Jonas speared him with the look that made every juvenile in the pack obey him. “Do it.” He sprinted off, and Jonas pulled out his phone to scroll through numbers. He should call Liza first. She'd welcomed Harper into the pack, but he got the feeling she'd draw the line at Dane. Caleb would back her up. Zach, on the other hand, had left four brothers behind in his pack when he'd joined Redhawke. He might be more sympathetic. Plus he understood better than Caleb the struggle Jonas was experiencing. He found the number, hit Send, and stepped off the porch to get some privacy.
“Jonas. What's going on in Redemption?”
“Harper's brother is here.”
There was a long silence. “And?”
“I'm bringing him in. He's definitely not a threat to Harper, and I don't think he is to us either.”
“What else?”
“He thinks their father hasn't given up. That he'll be back. Zach, this is her kid brother. I can't leave him out here unprotected.” Zach sighed. “You didn't call Liza, did you?”
“No.”
Another long silence.
“Liza is an only child. So is Caleb.” Jonas didn't add that he was too.
“Sneaky, Jonas. I'm not sure whether I should congratulate you or beat you into the ground.”
“You can try,” Jonas growled before thinking better of it.
Zach chuckled. The bastard knew how much that irritated Jonas. “Bring the kid. But he's your responsibility.”
“Of course. Thanks.”
“No problem. You're the one who's gonna have to deal with Liza. She won't be happy about you circumventing her.” He sounded entirely too happy about that circumstance.
“Right,” Jonas answered drily before flipping the phone closed on Zach's laughter.
Dane waited silently on the porch, a big duffel slung over one shoulder. He looked mutinous, but he obeyed when Jonas gestured him forward. Jonas and Harris dropped back, but neither spoke until they were on Main Street and almost to the truck.
“Care to explain what the hell is going on?” Harris asked.
“My mate's younger brother.”
“Mate?”
“Harper. You've met her.”
“So all the activity in town was looking for her?”
“Probably. And we don't want anyone finding her.”
“Got it. I'll call if anyone else shows up.”
“Thanks.” He shook Harris's hand and shoved the kid in the truck before recalling the other matter he needed to deal with.
“Anything else you need?” Harris asked.
As a matter of fact there was. Crossing his arms over his chest, Jonas turned back to face Harris.
“Yeah, one thing. About Gabby and Ethan. But first,” he added in a lazy drawl,
“nice of you to step up and help when Dane tried to use his magic against me.”
Harris grinned, cocky and assured and arrogant. “He's a puppy. You didn't need my help.”
True, but… “This is our town, Harris. We welcomed you. You belong. We need to be certain where your loyalties lie.”
“You don't have to worry about that.”
