Johnson.
What in the hell was that guy’s problem? Reno couldn’t think of one thing he had done—aside from Baker calling on him for loitering—that would spur this man into dogging his every move. The guy was relentless.
Maybe if he tossed Johnson a box of donuts he would leave Reno alone. The thought amused him as he stood and walked into The Café. This was not where he intended to go, but he knew if he went to his motorcycle, Johnson would harass him.
Already in a funk about Baker, Reno was not in the mood to deal with an asshole cop with a grudge against him. He ordered his drink and took a seat at one of the tables. From where he was sitting, it gave him an unobstructed view of the cruiser without Johnson being able to see him.
If the guy wanted to play the waiting game, so be it.
It wasn’t like Reno had anything better to do with his evening. He thought about going over to Baker’s, but ever since his mate snapped at him last night, Reno was in a sullen mood.
He had been lost in thought all day at work to the point he was forgetting things he was supposed to have completed. Bear wasn’t too happy with him right now. Reno couldn’t blame his boss for being irritated, but having a fight with his mate—or harsh feelings at the most—wasn’t something Reno enjoyed.
He slowly sipped his drink, his eyes fully focused on Johnson. He once again was trying to figure out why the cop was following him.
Finally the cruiser pulled away from Reno’s hog. He was free to take his tired ass home. He had parked by the front of The Café. Tossing his leg over his hog, Reno donned his helmet and took off down Main Street.
He headed out of town, riding down the scenic country road, until he pulled into his driveway. Maybe he could go pick Baker up and bring him here. Reno had yet to show his mate where he lived or his home.
Walking into the front entrance, Reno tossed his keys and leather aside, striding toward the kitchen for something to eat. He thought of the hot dogs and fries Baker had fed him the night he had gone over to his mate’s apartment.
That thought only drove home the fact that his mate wasn’t with him. Slamming the fridge door, Reno grunted. To hell with it. He was going over to Baker’s and bringing his mate here. The man was just going to have to get over the anger of his father embarrassing him. Worse shit had happened to Reno in life. A father’s disapproval wasn’t something to drive a wedge between them.
Besides, he was aching for his mate. He wanted to feel Baker in his arms.
With that decision in mind, Reno turned to leave when he spotted Johnson standing in the kitchen doorway. How in the hell had he managed to get in without Reno knowing? His coyote was getting lazy.
“What are you doing in my house?” Reno barked the question angrily.
“You know,” Johnson began as he leaned his shoulder into the doorframe, “I never liked you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. You’re nothing but an arrogant punk.”
Reno had been called worse. Most mistook his confidence as arrogance. They thought him a standoffish snob when in reality he was just a private person. Bear had thought that about Reno when he first transferred into the firehouse, but after a few gruff encounters, they had felt each other out and were fine.
He wasn’t going to have a few gruff encounters with Johnson and there would be no feeling each other out. The man had an objective. Reno just wasn’t sure what that objective was, though.
Johnson narrowed his brown eyes at Reno, the skin crinkling at the sides of his pale face. The human was thin, tall, and Reno knew he could take him down if the man weren’t holding a weapon.
“Sticks and stones,” Reno replied. “Now get the fuck out before I throw you out.”
“I’m a cop,” Johnson said arrogantly as he ran his hand over his short, black, cropped hair. “Do you really think you can just toss me out?”
Reno watched Johnson’s hand rest against the butt of his gun. He knew he was going to have to be careful how he handled this situation.
His coyote was dying to take a bite out of Johnson, but Reno pulled his beast in. When he took a step forward, Johnson pulled his gun so fast that Reno was impressed. But he wasn’t impressed with the barrel aimed at his face.
“Not one more step,” Johnson warned. “I will blow your damn head off.”
“You’re in my house,” Reno pointed out. “How will you justify the kill?” He was stalling, trying to figure out a way to get the gun out of Johnson’s hand without being shot. The cop looked like he was itching for a reason.
“Let me worry about that.” Johnson waved the gun toward the back door. “Just get moving.”