Throughout the day, Jordan kept Trish close by his side, as he often did, but now she found the meetings he was attending much more interesting than she had before. Previously, she would try to understand what the conversation was focused on, but they often named people and places she was unfamiliar with, which made it hard to have any real understanding. Now, with Cora and Trace present, the discussion had much less to do with Earth and quite a bit more to do with the Moon and the Wolf's future plan's in general.
Although she probably shouldn't think of the plan's as the Wolf's. She was just so used to thinking of him as the leader of everything on Earth, since he was the only one in the spotlight, but it was becoming more and more clear that those in charge on Earth used him as a kind of distraction. He wasn't just a figurehead, since he was powerful in his own right, but the choice to make his name known and surround him with mystery, intrigue, and interest seemed to be deliberate on the part of the Earthers. That or the Moon populace's interest in him had started on its own and the Earthers had taken advantage of it.
Trish could believe either.
Now she was listening to meetings about the aftermath of their successful thievery mission and things were beginning to become clearer. Cora, the Wolf, and a man named John had wanted to keep the shipment from reaching the Moon. The new memory drug had already been used on Alex and Bella, and the Wolf said it worked despite the antidote John's people had created for the previous memory drug. For some reason, John, Cora, and the Wolf wanted to eradicate the effects of the memory drug
They considered Benson and Mirabelle - the leaders of another faction on Earth which had created the memory drug in exchange for promises of new homes on the Moon along with wealth and power, to be traitors. As well as stupid for thinking the Moon would give them what they truly wanted. Wealth and power as well as a new home were easy to give, respect from the other citizens of the Moon was not. John in particular was vehement about them 'selling out' to the Moon, his vitriol about Mirabelle making Trish think some of his feelings might be personal. Trish had heard their names before, but she hadn't understood who they were or why they were important until today.
She'd been under the impression everyone on Earth hated the Moon, but apparently there was a faction who was willing to work with them. Trish was horrified as more information was shared by Cora and John. Apparently because Benson and Mirabelle had been promised prominent places on the Moon once they fulfilled their contract, they didn't care what happened to the Earth or their community. They'd decimated the environment around them, poisoning the water and the land in their area in order to achieve their goals, the new drug being the latest step in their selfish bid for leaving the Earth. John wanted the Wolf to stop selling food and clean water to Benson and Mirabelle's people.
"If they had to face the actual consequences of what they're doing, consequences that effected them immediately, they'd either have to start really thinking about what they're doing or they'd just kill themselves off," John said harshly, glaring through the vid screen at the Wolf.
"There are plenty of people working for Benson and Mirabelle who have no say in what's happening and who don't deserve to suffer for their actions," the Wolf said calmly, not even looking up as he examined a printout in front of him. On his right, Jordan was holding Trish on his lap, but keeping her on the opposite side of the Wolf, so she couldn't see what the Wolf was looking at without leaning forward and drawing attention to both herself and her nosiness. Neither of which she was keen to do. "The two of them will be the last to feel any effects, it's the innocents who will die off first."
"Or they'll revolt and take out Benson and Mirabelle for us," John argued.
It was strange seeing this compassionate side to the Wolf. He was willing to kidnap and torment young men and women from the Moon for his own sexual pleasure, but he insisted on helping an entire populace of people he would never meet. Even more disconcerting when she realized part of John's reasoning included the accumulation of more power for those allied against Benson and Mirabelle. If the Wolf wasn't motivated by power, what was he motivated by?
She was beginning to believe he was far more complex than anyone had ever realized. It wasn't just his own people he treated well and cared for, he was also taking care of people who could be considered his enemies.
"They don't have much longer anyway," Cora said dismissively, waving her hand at the screen where John was scowling. "I've had some of my people spreading the evidence of Benson and Mirabelle's agreement with the Moon, which include leaving the community but not with all the people who live there, leaving them behind in a district which can no longer produce food or water and where they're becoming sicker from the air itself. My reports say they're already on the verge of revolt; now that the drug is gone and the Moon is demanding a replacement shipment, Mirabelle and Benson are going to have to stay right where they are until they can provide it. And they're going to have to start answering some hard questions to their people about what the reward is, because all the damage they've done to their area makes it unlivable without outside resources. People are becoming panicked and angry. Removing their access to the food and water we sell them will only allow Benson and Mirabelle to stir up resentment against us, rather than where it currently, and rightly, is directed."
John snorted. "I think you're giving them far too much credit. They haven't figured out on their own that Benson and Mirabelle care for nothing but themselves, despite how obvious it is."
"Benson and Mirabelle are smarter than you give them credit for," the Wolf said calmly. "Which is why we continue to supply their people, so they can't use that against us. If we need to, we'll send someone in to take care of the matter." His eyes flicked to Jordan, which made Trish tense up as a kind of worry suddenly rushed through her. Surely she was just worried for herself though, right? If something happened to Jordan, what would become of her? She couldn't possibly be worried about him for his own sake... could she? "But we aren't at that point yet."
Relief strummed through Trish as Jordan's fingers slid over her back muscles. He'd obviously noticed her sudden tension. His fingers pressed into her shoulders, kneading and pressing her closer to him. Trish felt her spine slump as she let her head drop into his shoulder, her breathing coming out on a small sigh as he massaged her. Across from her, next to Cora, Trace was now watching her and Jordan with some interest, and Trish felt her muscles tensing again. Jordan's fingers moved up to her neck and she closed her eyes, swallowing hard as she let him rub away her anxiousness.
He'd shown no signs of wanting to share her with any other men, no matter how interested Trace seemed to be. If she begged hard enough, was upset enough, she knew Jordan wouldn't do it. Unless she did something very, very bad? But she hadn't. Her pussy was still throbbing from the reward he'd given her after she'd stayed away from Alex and Bella this morning.
The meeting continued as Jordan rubbed her neck and shoulders, only occasionally contributing to the discussion in that deep rumble of his. He supported the Wolf completely in how to deal with Benson and Mirabelle's people, which seemed to surprise everyone except the Wolf. John even grumbled about how Jordan was getting soft, implying it was Trish's (although John called her 'that girl') fault. Jordan just shrugged and began to massage the back of Trish's scalp, his hand on her thigh beginning to caress her gently, leaving her to wonder if she really had changed him... and how?
Although, if it was true, then she was glad. She didn't like the idea of innocents being condemned because they had careless and selfish leaders. She definitely didn't like the idea of a man who didn't care, which meant she didn't like John very much and so she was doubly relieved Jordan wasn't agreeing with the cold man.
******
The Wolf was pleased at Jordan's reversal of opinion, he could tell.
