Jump Up - Susi Hawke Page 0,2

let you get under my skin, but I can't promise to make Dan behave if you keep talking smack. And you know damn well how my brothers and I work as equals. I'm not the leader here like you are with the brood."

Smirking, he flipped his long blond hair over his shoulder. "You might not be the official leader, but anyone paying attention knows you keep everything running smoothly. Don’t lie. We all know you wear bossy well."

Morty finally put his phone away and caught up with us halfway through the kitchen. "We had a deal, Gil. You promised to make nice, remember?" Morty looked around when I let them outside. "Nice patio furniture. I was thinking about those slate tabletops myself not long ago. Do they absorb heat well?"

I took the time to drag two tables together and pull over enough chairs for my brothers while Morty and Gil took seats. As he caught my eye, Morty appeared secretly amused. "Geez, kid. You sure hustled us out of the house pretty quick there. What's wrong, you got a little someone in there you don't want anyone to know about yet?"

He spoke right when my brothers walked out. Growling, Clay was at Morty's side in a flash, on edge because nobody was supposed to know Iris existed. In our world, keeping your cards close to your chest was best, especially things like new babies, who could be kidnapped and used against you by your enemies.

Morty stared up at Clay's snarling face, completely unperturbed. "Please. Did you really think I wouldn’t know? It's my job to know everything about everybody. But especially about the assets I need to protect. Now calm down and take a seat. We have a lot to discuss and not a lot of time."

Clay stood his ground. "Don't piss me off, Mortimer. You forget my brothers and I could become free agents with a snap of our fingers. We work with you because it's convenient, but that's easily changed. Especially now with mates who might not mind helping with a little bit of paperwork here and there."

Gil drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "If you alphas are done posturing, perhaps we could get this meeting over with so I can get back home to the brood? We have training exercises needing to be run. I don't have time to waste lounging around, pleasant though my hosts may be. And Clay? Chill out, hon. Everyone knows your mate had a baby. Don't kid yourself. But you also don't need to worry because I firmly believe all kids and babies are to be protected. No bad blood between our families would ever keep me from helping if I thought your baby was in danger. Are we good?"

I expected Clay to snipe at Gil, but he surprised me by graciously dipping his chin to Gil before taking a seat. “We’re good.”

Dear patted Gil on the shoulder as he took a chair beside him. "Thanks, Gilberto. My brothers never believe me when I tell them what an upstanding guy you are, even after all your help with Nathaniel last month. Alphas, right? What are you gonna do?"

"It’s Gil, boo. I keep telling you, it's not short for anything you would ever guess. But thank you. I appreciate it when a friend has my back. How is that hot alpha of yours, by the way?" When Dan growled, Gil smirked. He probably loved knowing he could irritate my brother by simply existing, let alone by talking to Dear like the old friends we all knew they were.

Clearing my throat, I waved a hand toward Morty. "You said something about expediency? How about we quit the chitchat and get down to business? No offense, but if you guys are here much longer, I'm going to feel rude if I don't offer you a drink, and I’m not in the mood to serve your asses so much as a glass of water."

Gil snickered with a side-eye toward Dan. "Don't worry about showing your manners, boo. I'd be afraid to drink anything unsealed anyway. Sorry not sorry. I know we can be friendly from time to time, but let’s be honest—that could change in a hot second." He winked and turned to Morty with an expectant smile. "Nash is correct, boss. You have us all here. Now tell us why."

Morty looked around before speaking in a lowered voice. "Is it safe to assume this area is secure? I have sensitive information I cannot risk being