Jacob replied,
Nothing, don't worry. You just get well,
Logan didn't like his answer so he asked. "You all are hiding something from me. What is going on with Jacob?" he demanded. The men looked around and Jacob decided to just tell Logan the truth. They talked about the charges against Jacob, and decided that they would each go with him in support. Marcus would go with him first, and the next day, Jamal would go. Larry even volunteered and it was agreed that depending on what Vivienne said, Logan would take a day to go as well. Logan was relieved, because no matter what the good doctor said, he was sitting behind his friend at least one day this week. As soon as he was released, he too was accompanying Jacob.
The trial was a week away, and Jacob was nervous. Even though he put on a brave face, his pack mates knew he was worried. They would often send him love and support letting him know he was not alone. Jacob stopped by the medical center, because he wanted to be there when Logan was released. He could not stay long because, he had to meet with Sunnet and prepare for trial. Two weeks ago, she explained to him Chase's offer, and she advised him not to take it. This was a clear case if self defense and she believed they could prove it.
Jacob had gone to town. Ja'Mal and Kerri stayed with Betty. After a while, the nurse came back with Logan's dismissal papers and instructions. She reminded him to come back if he felt any discomfort. Ja'Mal drove them back to Logan's townhouse. Betty took charge. Before Logan could protest, Betty directed him to the sofa. She ordered him to lay back and to let her take care of him. Ja'Mal smiled and left Logan to his mother's care.
Betty was flitting around, grabbing a blanket, pillows, she even grabbed the remote. She asked if he needed water. She was determined to make sure he had everything he needed, that he was comfortable.
Logan reclined on the sofa and watched her. She was moving too much, too fast. She needed to calm down. On one of the passes, he grabbed her hand. Betty stopped. Logan pulled her to sit next to him. Instantly he engulfed her in his embrace. She sighed, and he realized that this was all he needed. "Betty I love you. You mean the world to me. I'm just glad we stopped him. I couldn't let him get to you."
His chest was wet, and she sobbed. "I almost lost you Logan. You almost left me. I would have died if you had gone. You are my heart, my life. Promise me you will never leave me." Betty pleaded.
"I can't promise that, but I can promise that I will love you and protect you for as long as I live." Logan swore.
Betty hugged him, and cried softly. He wept silently as her pain wracked her body causing her to tremble in his arms. He held her close, surrounding her with his love. Logan closed his eyes and he felt her fear. She was exhausted; it was obvious that the past few weeks had taken its toll on her. On the outside, Betty had it together, but inside, she was shattered.
"Shhhh baby, I love you. I never planned to leave you." She stiffened. "Listen, when I was out, I met Carl. Baby, he loved you as much as a man could and he has watched over you and Ja'Mal all of this time. He never meant to leave you, and he asked me to tell you that. He can finally rest, because I am here now." Betty gasped. Why was Logan telling her this?
"Betty, mate with me tonight. We have waited long enough. I don't want to spend another moment of my life not mated with you." Logan whispered. She looked into his eyes and he lay before her bare. He was hers and she was ready to claim her male.
"Yes, yes, Logan I love you." She answered kissing him.
At that moment, someone knocked and their moment was interrupted. Groaning and wishing ill on their pack member, Betty untangled herself from her mate and answered the door. Some of the pack members stopped by to see their beta, and she let them in. Betty started to leave them alone when Logan called to her and had her sit with him. Their guest was elated, and Betty was more than a welcomed member of their family.
*****
It was time to go to court. Sunnet asked Jacob to stay in town the week if the trial to avoid anything causing him to report in late. They needed to be prepared for all contingencies. Chief Joe smiled. Jacob was finally in town, maybe Sunnet would realize the truth.
Arrangements had been made for Jacob to stay with Keamon. Isla had gone to the city for school, even though she started not to go. Keamon would not let her ruin this chance she had at a better life. Oman even insisted. The males were not reaching her, and her best friend Kerri asked her to go for her, for other girls in their small community that needed to know there was more out there for them. So, Oman and Keamon drove Isla to the university. Keamon was so proud of his granddaughter and grandson. There people would thrive with young leaders like them.
Jacob would stay in her room. He was grateful, and thanked Keamon profusely. Keamon demanded that he stop. In his heart they were family and he'd stand with him through his trials. Besides, Oman was excited to have the older male stay.
Jacob was happy. If he was in town, then he was closer to her. Sunnet was often so cool and calm. It was time he made her notice him. It was time for her to be with him.
As she sat and ate breakfast with her father, she became even more annoyed with herself. Last night, she couldn't sleep. All she could think about was Jacob. He was her client, and she was concerned about him, but did she really have to imagine him naked?
Did she have to wonder if his hair was a soft as it looked? Was all of his hair the same russet color? Thinking about his body hair reignited her naughty thoughts from the night before. Why was she wondering if his lips were soft or firm?
She sighed drawing the attention of her father. Chief Joe laughed. He recalled her coming home over a week ago with questions about the situation with Daniel.
"Poppa, something happened today." Sunnet stated at dinner that night.
He stopped eating and waited. "Daniel kissed me today." Sunnet started.
Chief Joe placed his silverware down. He waited. "It was strange. I'm not sure what to think about it." She explained.
Joe smiled. "Tell me, do you like Daniel? Is he someone you want to date? Is he man you can see yourself marrying, having kids with, or growing old with?" He asked.
Sunnet stopped. She had to be honest with herself. Daniel was handsome, but he was her boss, her friend. Even though he kissed her, she felt nothing for him. It happened and she had to address it. She needed to talk with him. She had to tell him the truth. She liked him as a friend, nothing more. She didn't understand why he became so enamored with her in the first place. It was like, he saw her with Jacob, and went all male on her.
Joe listened. Sunnet talked and had no idea that she was already taken. When she mentioned Jacob, her voice softened and she relaxed. She had no clue that he was her soul mate. For a woman who was obviously so gifted, how could she be clueless when it came to matters if the heart.
She's just like her mother. She didn't see me until she thought I'd chosen someone else. My sweet stubborn girl needs to open her eyes,
he mused. His daughter needed to get her head out if her books for once and look around her. At the rate she was going, he'd never have any grandkids. He was certain that after this trial ended, Jacob would reveal himself before she could return to the city.
This morning Sunnet was nervous. Jacob was meeting her at her office at eight. They would appear in court at ten. He had entered a plea of not guilty and she had two weeks to prepare his defense. That was one thing she liked about their small town. It didn't take months for things to go to trial. They moved quickly.
Chief Joe made breakfast for them as his daughter rushed in. He realized he missed having her home. She had lived in the city for over five years now. She moved right after Serene passed. Although Sunnet and her mother were complete opposites, no two were closer. When Serene passed away right after Sunnet graduated. Sunnet shut down, her mother's death devastated her. Gone was the laughter of a beautiful girl and in her place was a girl so withdrawn. She even refused to go to college, but that was the one thing Serene wanted for her. She withdrew inside of herself and became too serious. Losing her mother changed something inside of her.
Joe recalled making her go to college. She went and excelled. Then she graduated a year early and went to law school. Visits home stopped. This visit was her first visit home in over a decade. He found out that his doctor called and for that he was grateful . This visit was only for two weeks, but then Jacob was arrested. He asked her to help him. She went straight to the precinct.
