"Hey, none of that now," Ailean whispered, drawing 21
Drake's attention. "We aren't doing anything wrong, and we're certainly not bothering my friends. You should see them when they get going," he teased, winking largely.
That just caused Drake's blush to deepen. Yup. Definitely inexperience. He'd have to remember that. He kissed his mate lightly one more time before pulling away. "It's late, and from what you've said, it sounds like you have an early class. Get going and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Okay," his mate replied breathily. "I'll, uh … " Drake cleared his throat. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Most definitely," Ailean promised.
He watched the three men file out of the room. Grady gave him a nod, telling him without words that he'd find a way to keep an eye on Drake when Ailean wasn't around.
He didn't know if it was the detective's way of saying thanks for helping his mate heal from a broken arm a couple weeks ago, or if it was because Drake was essential for finding those who'd hurt Lyle. Either way, he appreciated it.
He was busy checking vitals when a knock sounded on the door five minutes later. Opening it, he found Bernice.
"No one brought the chart for this man yet. Is it ready," she asked.
Ailean sighed and held up his clipboard. "The detective just left. I'm almost done filling out the paperwork, and I'll have it to you in fifteen minutes," he promised.
Bernice nodded and turned away, although she did shake her head as she walked down the hall. Sliding a needle into the IV port, he injected Lyle with several CCs of morphine.
The man needed to stay asleep for at least a day. He had so many bruises and lacerations, Ailean had great respect for the human, just for the fact that the man had managed to move, let alone escape!
He was just finishing the made up file when another knock sounded at the door. A growl of frustration escaped 22
him. "I told you I'd have it to you soon," he snarled as he yanked open the door.
Declan McIntire smirked back at him. "Oh, really? Weel, forgive me for fogettin' yer words," he replied, deepening his Irish lilt just to give him crap.
Ailean shook his head. "What is this? Grand Central Station tonight?"
He pulled the door open further and motioned the alpha of the Stone Ridge pack into the room. Declan sniffed the room openly before eyeing Lyle's unconscious form and settling into one of the hard patient chairs. Following the large African American was a second man, a short brunet, who he remembered as Todd something or other, having met him once at a BBQ. He was a wolf shifter who'd been held captive by the same scientists who'd held Lyle.
Todd hurried to Lyle's side, immediately grasping the hand that didn't have a tube attached. He settled into the chair by the bed and nuzzled Lyle's cheek with his own, whispering words even Ailean's sensitive shifter hearing couldn't catch. He turned to Declan and lifted both brows in silent question.
The wolf alpha grimaced. "Ailean, ye remember Todd Abernathy. Lyle is his mate." When Ailean opened his mouth to express his confusion, Declan held up a hand.
"They've never actually met, but Todd recognized him the night he was rescued from the scientists. Lyle's scent is the reason Todd convinced his brother Phillip to stay here with him and join me pack." The alpha rose and rubbed both palms over his shaved scalp. "He needs to be here," he murmured to the ceiling. Turning to face Ailean, Declan grimaced. "Even though they're not mated yet, just his presence will calm Lyle," he said, entreating with his dark brown eyes. "Please don't make him go." Ailean let out a long sigh before grabbing his clipboard.
23
"One Todd Abernathy," he said as he wrote. "Significant Other to Detective Lyle Sullivan," he added out loud, his gaze shifting between both men. After a shake of his head, Ailean added, "Soft crooning from Todd relaxes volatile patient. Open visitation for Todd allowed." He huffed a sigh. "You do realize that if anyone finds out, they'll be sure to have my … "
Declan rested a hand on his shoulder. "Yer aide to the pack will not go forgotten," he said. "Nor will yer friendship to me." The wolf sighed. "I may not like yer prejudices against humans, but ye're still me friend. If ye ever need anything, just ask. I have sway with other people." He gave Ailean a long look. "Aye. Even human others." Ailean couldn't stop the surprised grunt. "Thank you, Declan. I never meant any offense." Declan winked. "I know. It's just yer way. Sometimes ye just need a reminder that ye have friends." Nodding deeply, Ailean grinned. "And for that, I'm truly grateful."
He watched Todd softly whisper nonsense words to Lyle for several moments before he turned back to the wolf alpha.
"You know, I just met my mate, and he's human," he revealed softly.
Declan grinned. "No kidding! Congratulations!" 24
Chapter Three
e couldn't wrap his mind around what had happened at H the hospital. Not only did Drake get a date, he'd gotten the hottest kiss ever. Not that he really had anything to compare it to, but his dick was still hard from the contact.
And he had been able to feel how hard the other man's cock was, too. That had to mean something, right?
Opening the gate, he watched the detective's car follow him into the community and to his house. He opened his garage and pulled inside. Grady's car parked in the short driveway behind him. Ducking down, he searched the floor of the garage. He remembered distinctly kicking the gun under his car. Maybe he should have parked in the driveway until he'd found it.
"You all right?" Gordon's confused tone had Drake jerking his head up.
"Yeah. I'm just trying to find the gun. I know I kicked it under here. Maybe I should move my car." He frowned, his gaze sweeping the ground.
Grady pulled a small flashlight out of his pocket and swept the beam under Drake's car. "Sorry, man. It doesn't look like it's here. You sure about where you kicked it?" Drake huffed. "I know what I did," he snapped, letting fatigue again sharpen his tone.
"Sorry, Drake. I didn't mean anything by it." The big man 25
stood and sniffed the air. "Do you live alone?" Frowning, Drake shook his head. "No. I live with my brother, Dagus."
"Do you think he may have picked it up?"
"The chances are extremely slim," he replied. "Maybe I kicked it farther across the garage than I thought," he mused, walking around the car and searching the other side.
With how organized and clean his garage was, there wasn't anywhere it could be hiding. It just isn't here.
"Is your brother home, Drake?" Grady pressed. "Maybe we should ask him."
"Very well," he said, sighing in resignation. He turned to the two men and nibbled his lip. "Look, my brother is blind and can be a little sensitive about it. Don't … " He lifted a hand, uncertain how to request that the men be polite.
"Hey, relax," Gordon soothed. "We're not about to make any derogatory comments."
Drake cocked his head. "How do you always know what's bothering me?"
The slightly heavy-set man chuckled. "I'm a psychiatrist.
I'm good at reading people," he added with a shrug.
"Oh." Drake unlocked the door and led the way into the condo. He paused just inside the kitchen when he saw Grady sniff again and then exchange looks with Gordon.
What was going on? "I'll see if Dagus is up," he said.
"Drake, is that you?"
That answered that question. Drake crossed into the dining room, surprised to find his brother at the table. His gaze swept the room. The laptop was off, and the man had no brail papers spread across the table. "Yeah. It's me.
What's wrong?"
Surprise filled him when Dagus rose from the table and moved straight into his arms. Drake wrapped up his brother, tucking the taller man's head into the crook of his neck.
26
"Shhh," he murmured. "What's wrong?" he crooned. "What happened?"
"Someone was here," Dagus whispered.
"Someone was here?" he asked in surprise. "What do you mean?"
It was then that his brother's trembling registered. He shifted his hands to either side of Dagus's head and pulled his head back. Staring into his brother's vacant green eyes, he ordered, "Tell me what happened." A shudder worked its way through Dagus's body, alarming Drake further. What on earth?