Within the Shadows by J.D MCG (book recommendations .TXT) 📗

know I have no problem with that. I'm sorry for my behaviour last night. I was totally out of order. I've just got a lot going on at the moment,' he said before tears started to roll down his face.

Kate just stared, then moved over to him and gave him a hug. 'I'm sorry too. I've acted so childishly and spoilt. All you tried to do was look after me and I threw it back in your face. Can we move past this?' she asked, trying to comfort him.

Jacob nodded. 'Yes. Just promise me one thing?' She nodded in response. 'Just be careful.'

She nodded again. The pair of them hugged one another again, letting go of their anger and issues, throwing them away and forgiving each other as Belle entered witnessing them embraced in their hug.

'I see you two have made up?'

The pair turned their attention to Belle and smiled at her. Kate approached Belle and threw her arms around her.

'What's this for?' Belle asked.

'Because I've been a bitch. I'm really sorry for how I've treated you,' Kate apologised, then let go of Belle.

'Apology accepted,' Belle smiled with joy. 'We good now then?'

'Yes, we're good,' Kate answered. She turned back to Jacob. 'Why the change of heart anyway?'

'A similar situation. Just found out Dad didn't just keep a secret about your father, but also kept his past hidden from us. Just found out we've got an uncle and that Dad was a twin.'

'How did you find out?' she asked.

'He found me. I thought I was seeing things but I approached him and he told me who he was. He wants to explain everything, but I don't know if I want to know.'

'Wow, and I thought my family was screwed up,' Belle smirked and they all laughed along.

'Are you going to meet him?' asked Kate.

'I want to but I don't know if I should. I know nothing about the man and it seems like I know nothing about Dad now either.'

'But if you don't take the chance, you'll be sat forever wondering what if,' Kate said. 'I took that chance with my Dad and I knew nothing about him. He says he's sorry for his past and he wants to be a part of my future. Take the chance, Jacob, otherwise you might regret it.'

'I think Kate's right. You should get to know him and see what he has to say,' Belle agreed with her.

'Okay,' he replied, standing to his feet. 'I'll give him a call.'

Jacob strolled towards the kitchen, pulled his phone out and dialled the number his uncle had given him.

'Hello,' a voice answered.

'Hi, it's Jacob.'

'You ready to talk?' his uncle asked.

'Yes. Meet me at the cafe on Martineau Way in an hour,' he gave him a time and place, before ending the call.

Jacob arrived just after 3 pm and saw his uncle sat inside, holding a cup of coffee. Standing outside the cafe looking in, Jacob stared at his uncle while thinking about his father. Why did my Dad keep him a secret? Did my Dad even know anything about his family? Jacob couldn't delay a minute longer. Too many questions ran through his thoughts as he entered the cafe.

'Hi,' Jacob greeted him as he sat down at the table.

'I'm glad you came,' Dan replied.

'I need answers and right now you're the only one who can give them to me,' Jacob got straight to the point.

'I'll tell you anything you need to know,' he smiled.

'Did my father know he had a brother?'

'Yes. He also knew your grandmother before she passed away. You also have another uncle, but he doesn't know about me, you or anybody else. Your great grandfather kept him when he was a baby and your great grandmother helped my mother escape after she had me and your father. We're triplets and it's only me and your father who look alike.'

'My other uncle, why does he not know about the family?'

'He was poisoned by your great grandfather, inheriting the family company, his wealth and beliefs. Now he's as corrupt as him,' he explained.

'Why did my father keep you all a secret?' Jacob continued asking questions.

Dan started to laugh. 'What is this? An interrogation?’ He stopped laughing after seeing Jacob’s serious face. ‘He wanted to keep you safe. Your uncle is a dangerous man, Jacob and so was your great grandfather.'

'Why? Who is he?'

'His name is Malcolm Harrington. He runs Harrington Labs. Stay away from him, Jacob. He's not the type of person you want to approach.'

'Why did your mum run away?'

'Because my grandfather wasn't her father, he was my Dad's. My father has been missing since before I was born. My mum always said he was trapped in another world, but me and John always thought she was crazy until we got older and did some digging. Which is one of the reasons your father joined the police force. We found information on Harrington Labs. People were going missing and still are.'

'Missing?'

'Yes. Went to work and never came home. We're still investigating it.'

'We?'

'I work for an organisation called S.T.O.R.M.'

'I've never heard of them,' Jacob told him.

'That's because they're off the radar,' he explained.

'What's the meaning behind S.T.O.R.M?'

'Don't laugh,' he smiled. 'It stands for Supernatural Tactical Operational Response Military.'

'Supernatural?' he smiled, though he didn't want to explain what he'd been through the past year, seeing ghosts that helped solve his case.

'I told you not to laugh,' he replied with a smile.

'I don't think it sounds crazy,' Jacob said, making Dan give him a strange look.

'What makes you say that?'

'Last year I started seeing the ghosts of my victims. I know that sounds nuts, but it's true. And then there's Lily.'

'Elizabeth Blackwood? We know