Arms wrapped his arms around him from behind, and he 48
settled into Ailean's comforting embrace as if they'd done it a thousand times. "I'm sorry, little mate. I didn't mean to bring up a painful subject."
Drake tilted his head, allowing his lover to nuzzle his neck. "It is what it is. She's so far gone now that she doesn't remember any of us. Doriah stays out of loyalty and because her boyfriend is there."
"Ah."
They remained quiet, Ailean holding him for several more minutes, until Drake's stomach growled again. Ailean chuckled. "Finish up," he ordered gently, pressing one more soft kiss to the side of Drake's neck.
Drake bit back a sigh as he pulled his shirt over his head.
He could get used to Ailean's affection way too quickly, and that probably wasn't a good thing. Pushing the unproductive thoughts from his mind, he allowed Ailean to lead him from the room. He paused in the hall, knocking gently on Dagus's door. When he didn't receive an answer, he opened the door several inches and poked his head in.
The room was empty.
Guilt swamped him. He should have been there to help his brother instead of allowing a virtual stranger to- He blushed. When had he become such a slut? Or was it just because no one had ever expressed such an interest in him?
He decided it was neither. Ailean made him feel safe, comfortable, and he was hot as Hades. Okay, so maybe a combination of slut and the situation, he decided, giggling internally.
Heading downstairs, Drake followed the enticing aromas of food into the dining room. They found a cute, dark haired girl seated at the table with Dagus, jabbering away at him as they ate their breakfast. Drake eyed the spread of food on the table, his mouth salivating as he took in the platters of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, biscuits, gravy, sausage, 49
bacon, and toast. His stomach growled again.
Dagus cocked his head and held up a hand to silence the girl. "Good morning, Drake. Glad you could join us." Drake blushed. He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept in until seven in the morning, and to not actually get moving until seven-thirty? Well, he blamed it on the man behind him.
"This is Sara McIntire, Declan and Lark's daughter." Dagus smirked knowingly. "Who's that with you?"
"I'm Ailean Carmichael," the doctor stated, stepping forward. "It's good to meet you, Dagus." He turned to the small teenager. "And it's good to see you again, Sara. You're not getting into too much mischief, I trust?"
"No, Doctor Carmichael," she replied, smiling impishly.
"I'm too busy with school and training to get into trouble." Drake grabbed a plate and began filling it. "What are you training for?" He thought her a bit young to have chosen a career, but what did he know about kids?
"My dad is helping me smooth out my shift transitions," she replied.
Drake glanced at his brother whose lifted brow told him Dagus didn't understand any better than he did. Ailean squeezed his shoulder and whispered, "I'll explain later. It's one of many things I'd like the opportunity to talk to you about."
Sara's eyes widened in dismay. "Oh, no. I'm so sorry, Doctor Carmichael. They're staying with us, so I didn't realize."
Ailean tapped the girl's hand with a forefinger. "Think nothing of it, sweetie. It's just something I haven't explained to my little mate yet."
She bit her lip and nodded, returning her attention to her food in silence. Drake admitted his curiosity was peaked, but from the looks that passed between the two, he knew he 50
wouldn't get more information at the moment. He'd just have to ask Ailean another time.
"Little mate?" Dagus whispered, leaning close to Drake.
"What does that mean?" He waited expectantly, munching on a piece of bacon.
Drake wondered who'd helped his brother with the food, and more guilt flooded him. It was his job to help Dagus.
"Little mate is a term of endearment I use for your brother, Dagus," Ailean answered the question for him. "I'm your brother's boyfriend."
"Since when?" Dagus snapped incredulously. "How long have you known my brother? When did you start dating?" Dagus pinned his senses on Ailean, his dark brows drawn into a frown. Drake shook his head and grabbed Dagus's hand. Drake may be the younger brother and worked hard to care for Dagus due to his differences, but that didn't mean Dagus couldn't go all protective on him, like now.
"We met yesterday," he admitted.
"And he spent the night-"
"Can we discuss this another time, Dagus?" Drake asked sharply, cutting his brother off. "Maybe when we're alone?" Dagus frowned. "Fine," he snapped. "But don't think this is over."
To Drake's immense relief, Dagus quieted, refocusing on his food. Drake did the same. He scooped heaps of eggs onto his toast, relishing their fluffiness mixed with the crunch of the buttered bread. The potatoes had just the right amount of crispiness. And the bacon, oh how wonderful! He moaned his appreciation.
Ailean chuckled, drawing Drake's attention to the heat in the bigger man's eyes. He fought back another blush and focused back on his plate. A rough finger traced his jaw, bringing his head up to meet Ailean's look. "Just when was the last time you ate breakfast, hmm?" 51
Drake shrugged. "I don't know. I never have time."
"Twenty-seven days," Dagus said dryly. "And that was only because you were sick and I made it for you and insisted you eat it."
Drake jerked away from Ailean to look at his brother.
"How do you remember that?"
Dagus smirked. "How do you remember those formulas?"
"Huh," Drake conceded. "I see your point."
"Well, either way, we'll have to do something to change that," Ailean cut in with a smile. "I'm a doctor, and I remind you that breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
"Good luck," Dagus snorted. "If it's not related to a cryptid or genetics, it's not going to be a priority."
"Hey! That's not true," Drake replied indignantly.
Ailean settled a hand on his thigh under the table. "Easy now," he all but purred into Drake's ear. "No fighting at the breakfast table. Later I want to hear all about your research, but Detective Stryker will be here in fifteen minutes, so let's finish up, hmm?"
Declan walked into the room, stalling any more conversation. "Good morning, gentlemen," he said while snagging a slice of bacon. "Are ye ready to go, Sara?"
"Almost, Papa," she answered, pushing from the table and taking her plate to the sink.
52
Chapter Six
ilean followed Drake and Grady out of the house. He A knew his mate felt guilty for leaving Dagus at a stranger's, but Lark had the morning off and promised to help him get his computer and braille printer set up so he could spend some time writing. Besides, there was little point taking the brother with them when he could do little to help.
Guiding Drake to his Audi, Ailean settled him into the seat and gave him a quick kiss before rounding to the driver's side. "We'll lead the way," he told Grady.
The big detective nodded. "The Fitzgerald building first, I need to know where Drake picked up Lyle." He nodded, not liking the fact that his mate had to return to that place one last time. He'd much rather keep Drake far away from anyone with guns. Humans were so damn fragile. Ailean climbed into his car and started it. He smiled quickly at Drake, still struggling with the knowledge that Fate saddled him with a human mate.
Sara had given him a fantastic opening to explain shifters to the professor, but Ailean hadn't been able to do it. He didn't know enough about the man yet. Trust didn't come easy to him, and no matter how much he was sexually drawn to the man, he wasn't ready to give it to Drake yet.
After receiving instructions to the area of Colin where the business complex resided, they lapsed into a companionable 53
silence. He rested his hand on Drake's leg, enjoying the feel of the muscles under his palm. Drake sighed and rested his head against the headrest and stared out the window.
It took forty minutes, but eventually Drake snapped his head up and looked around. "We're close," he whispered.
Ailean could scent the waves of tension and fear rolling off his mate. He wanted to turn the vehicle around, take him to his home, and tuck him away from anything dangerous.
But since he couldn't, he said, "Easy, little mate. We only need to stay a few minutes, just long enough to show Grady where you found Lyle."