by April Kelley
“If you’re scared of them I’ll go with you.”
Jules bit his lip and averted his gaze. Scared of them, not so much. Or maybe a little. But fearful of the panic attacks the stalking brought on? Yes. He definitely felt that. Panic attacks sucked. Hard and painfully.
Garridan patted Jules on the back again. “I’ll take you.”
Garridan pulled Jules off the stool. “The appointment’s now?”
“No time like the present.”
Jules rolled his eyes. Of course, Garridan was the one who set the schedule, not Dr. Tucker. Jules imagined the doctor was used to Garridan’s demanding tone for all the times he had called on Jules’ behalf.
Jules smiled and moved into him, letting Garridan’s nearness sooth. He put an arm around Jules’ shoulders and led him to the front.
As soon as they stepped outside, he felt eyes on him. Garridan must have felt his body stiffen because he pushed Jules against the glass door and caged him in with his big arms. His legs widened. “What is it?”
“They’re watching me. I can feel it.”
“Your mates?”
Jules nodded. “I was stalked for like a week before Mr. Evil took me. It feels just like that.”
“You’re sure it’s Hacen and Thomas?”
“I smelled lavender and burning wax when I first came to work.”
Garridan moved away, digging in his pockets for the door key. His alertness disappeared, and he relaxed. “Just as long as you’re sure it’s only them.”
“Only them! Seriously. It’s fucking creepy.”
“Watch the language.”
“Sorry. But I just mean that Ramsey should do something about them.”
“If you’d deal with them then they might just stop stalking you. Instead, you refuse to talk to them at all.” Garridan never raised his voice. He didn’t have to for Jules to know a reprimand when he heard it.
Garridan turned and started across the parking lot.
“So you think I should talk to them. Even though Hacen hates shifters and Tommy follows along.” Jules raised his finger as if that emphasized his point, which it didn’t because he followed behind Garridan. “And I want to add that if I gave in to them, they’d make me stop having a relationship with my family.”
“No one can make you do anything, Jules. If they could, you’d have already had a conversation with them by now.”
Jules stuck out his tongue behind Garridan’s back. He made a face next, but Garridan caught him when he turned to open the passenger side door. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Jules with both annoyance and amusement. “Save your sassy looks for someone else, son.”
“Yes, sir.” Jules climbed into the truck, keeping his hands in his lap as he watched Garridan close his door and walk around the hood of the truck. He stopped as he reached for the handle of the driver’s door, looking at something near the gas station across the street.
Jules followed his gaze, his eyes landing on Hacen and Tommy at the side of the station. Hacen’s long black coat in complete contrast to the white paint on the building. His arm was around Tommy’s waist, and they stood close together. Tommy had a thick, puffy gray coat on with fur around the hood, which covered all that auburn hair. Jules could still picture it enough that it made him long to run his fingers through those soft red strands.
Garridan climbed into the truck. He cleared his throat but otherwise didn’t say a word.
“See. Creepy, right?”
Garridan pulled his seatbelt around his waist before putting the key in the ignition. The engine came to life as if that was the only answer he would get.
“So should I give them a sassy look as we drive past?”
Garridan chuckled. “I think an appointment with Dr. Tucker is probably a waste of time.”
Jules snorted out a giggle. “Does that mean I should?”
“It means you have enough sass to deal with the two of them just fine, which I will be letting Ramsey know.” Garridan pulled out of the parking spot and then out of the lot.
As they passed Tommy and Hacen, Jules never took his gaze off them. He narrowed his eyes but only because the longing took a hold, wrapping him up until he was captive to it.
Chapter Two
Jules put down his pencil instinctively when the bell above the door dinged. He sucked in a breath when Henri entered the shop. He had a pile of books and a pad of paper stacked high in his arms. They nearly covered him to the chin.
And Jules held that same breath when Hacen walked in behind him. Jules’ lungs ached as he held his breath. He wanted to run to Hacen. The needed for him burned in his chest.
It also fucking pissed him off.
Hacen’s long black coat flowed around him. He looked like an avenging dark angel, with his olive-colored skin and his long black hair. The scar that dissected his eyebrow pulled tight as he scowled. He stopped near a coffee table that Garridan had made last week even as Henri came all the way up to the counter.
Henri placed his load of books in front of Jules. “My apologies if I’m interrupting your work day, Jules. I just wanted to bring these to you. No strings attached. Although I’d still like to take you to dinner. As friends. If you’re willing.” He was oblivious to the silent communication going on between Hacen and Jules, or what that connection did to the beating of Jules' heart.
His blood pumped faster the longer Hacen’s dark scowl lay on him. Jules’ cock plumped behind the zipper of his red slacks. He was never more grateful for the height of the counter. He slid off his stool and took a step back.
He needed Garridan’s quiet strength and his gentle guidance.
“Garridan!” Jules knew better than to yell at the dragon shifter. No way would he have done that under normal circumstances. Garridan saw it as disrespectful and in some ways it probably was, especially when it interrupted Garridan’s work.
Garridan growled even before he came up from the back. The rumble turned into a chuckle when Garridan took in the situation as he stepped through the door.
Jules didn’t find anything funny about it.
“So, dinner, Jules?” Henri pressed him for an answer as if he had a better place to be. If he did, Jules would gladly go with him. Anywhere but standing in the same room with Hacen glowering at him.
“Answer the turtle shifter, Jules,” Garridan demanded.
“Turtle shifter?”
Garridan smiled even as he moved across the room to stand next to Jules. “Henri.”
Jules couldn’t bring himself to look anywhere, but at Hacen, whose eyes turned from blue to red over the course of the conversation. “As friends?”
“Yes. Just friends. I promise not to flirt.”
Hacen growled, curling his lips up to show his fangs. His fingernails grew pointed at the ends, resembling claws. “Tell him no, Jules.”
That singular demand broke Jules out of his stupor. He narrowed his eyes and moved away, his spine straightening. “You have no say in my life, Hacen.”
“Yes, I do if some bookworm asshole is asking you out on a date.”
Realization dawned. The annoyance Jules had felt all morning turned into anger in an instant. “You heard him ask me out, didn’t you? It’s the only reason you came in here. That is a dick move if ever there was one considering you’ve been stalking me for months. And where is your mate? You left him in the bushes across the street or something.” Jules crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head.
Henri turned, his eyebrows raised. Instead of fearing Hacen as he probably should have, he smirked. “Two mates? Am I hearing correctly?”
Jules curled his lips, unable to keep his mouth shut. He’d never in his life been so prone to anger, but something about Hacen set him off big time. “Nope. I don’t have any mates at all, do I Hacen? Should we tell him why?”
“Because you refused us the second you got with this clan of shifters.”
“Ha!” Jules turned his gaze to Henri, who watched the exchange between Jules and Hacen as
if he were watching a tennis match. “Sage is making his mac and cheese for dinner tonight, Henri. It’s a favorite of the family and Mama would love to have you. Later we can talk about the books you brought me, which I’m very appreciative of, by the way.” Jules held out his hand, taking Henri’s. “I’m very sorry for the drama. Really.”
“No worries. And I accept. And I’ll also say goodbye. It seems you’re busy at the moment.” Henri shook his hand and quickly let him go. He waved as he walked passed Hacen to the front door.
Hacen folded his arms over his chest, probably so he wouldn’t strangle Henri. Jules could see he wanted to by the way his eyes followed Henri out the door.
When he turned back around and met Jules gaze, a tense silence stretched between them. Hacen stood with his legs apart as if he were getting ready for a gunfight. His scowl softened to a dull roar and affection entered his gaze. It was the gentleness or rather, more the remembrance of his gentle touch that calmed some of Jules’ fire. “We need to talk.”
Jules might not have a gun to duel with, and wouldn’t use it even if he did, but he had something far more lethal. Jules came around the counter and hopped up on it right next to the books Henri brought. He tried his best to sound as indifferent as he possibly could. “So talk.”
“In private. I’m not talking to you in front of a shifter.”
“Whatever you have to say to me can be said in front of my family.” Garridan was the only father figure Jules had ever had, and he wouldn’t push him away just because Hacen had a stick up his ass about shifters. Also, there was something about Garridan’s presence that made him braver than usual and he planned to take advantage of it while it lasted.
“No, Jules. Come here, and we’ll talk outside.”
Jules sighed. “Just because you come in here looking all…” Jules looked Hacen up and down twice. His sexiness was a damn curse upon humanity as a whole and Jules in particular. It should be illegal. The sheriff should arrest him and send him to Saint Lakes’ jail. “…like you do, doesn’t mean I’ll do whatever you say like a drooling, lovesick robot.”
A smiled turned up the corners of Hacen’s lips. “What if I say please?” Oh, that was so not fair. What a sexy asshole.
“What if I say fuck off, vampire?”
Hacen growled and flashed his teeth.
Jules hopped from the counter, running to Garridan so fast it didn’t register what he had done until he was gripping the back of Garridan’s shirt.
“Shit.” Hacen mumbled the curse under his breath, but Jules heard it. The tone had Jules peeking around Garridan. Hacen met his gaze immediately. “I’d never hurt you, Jules. You have to know that.”
“I don’t know you.”
“If you come over here, we can talk and get to know each other better.” The way Hacen said it implied Jules should have thought of that, and it made him stupid that he didn’t.
“I’m working. I don’t have time.” The words caught in his throat at the end as panic squeezed his lungs for the second time that day. He legs gave out, and he slid to the floor, his hand slipping from Garridan’s shirt. He drew his knees up to his chest and buried his face in them.
Whatever bravado Jules had possessed, faded. Every ounce of progress he had made over the last year disappeared just as it always did with every bout of panic.
Garridan knelt beside him. “Just breathe through it.”
Jules nodded without moving. The air around them shifted, which was the only indication that Garridan stood. “Keep telling him to breathe. Provide comfort, vampire. No arguing.” Garridan’s work boots pounded against the floor. “I’ll be in the back if he needs me.”
“He doesn’t need you. He needs Tommy and me.” Hacen sounded close and the next thing Jules knew, the scent of lavender washed over him as Hacen lifted him in his arms.
“He needs his family just as much. Don’t forget that.”
Hacen walked them across the room to the corner. Garridan had put a rocking chair there for Sage, who liked to sit and read sometimes. Hacen sat down and immediately began to rock. The arm of the chair pressed against the backs of Jules’ legs. Hacen’s black leather coat cooled his cheek.
“I’m here. I’m here now.”
Jules didn’t even realize he was crying until he rubbed his nose and felt the wetness there. He sniffled. “Just leave. You and Tommy need to leave me alone.”
“That will never happen.”
“Just pretend I don’t exist, like you did before.”
Hacen sucked in a breath and held him tighter. “I’ve never pretended that. I’ve waited so long to hold you like this. You don’t know how much I’ve wanted you.”
“You’re right. I don’t know.” Jules wanted to move away from him but didn’t because it turned out Hacen was the quickest way to cool the fires of panic. “You left me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did.” Jules fisted Hacen’s coat. He lifted his head and got inches from his face. He gritted his teeth, speaking through them. “He beat me every day, and you left me there to rot.”
Jules let go of Hacen and tried to stand, but Hacen’s hold was firm. He pressed his forehead against Hacen’s chest and let the tears fall in earnest. “I hate you.” Even as he said the words, he snaked his arms around Hacen’s waist and moved into him, wanting the comfort.
“I know, honey. I know.” Hacen rubbed Jules’ back.
He couldn’t speak past the sobs, so he didn’t try.
“I’m here now. I’m here. Right here for you. I won’t ever leave you again.”
Jules wanted to believe him, but words meant nothing. Actions spoke louder, and Hacen’s past actions spoke volumes.
Chapter Three
The night was clear. The only thing obscuring his view was the cloudy air he expelled from his lungs every time he breathed. The warm air he blew out acclimated to the colder temperature, clearing his view between exhales.
Lucas strummed the guitar. The gentle sound put Jules’ nerves at ease just enough that he could relax on Ladon’s lap.
Jules loved the nights when the whole family spent time sitting on the back porch looking up at the stars. His only issue was the chill. The cold sent shivers through his body and he pulled Ladon’s arms further around him, trying to grab more of his brother’s warmth.
"You okay?" Ladon held him closer, giving Jules more of his body heat.
Vaughan, who sat on the back stoop next to them, handed Jules his coat. Jules smiled and reached out for it, but Vaughan held on when Jules tried to take it. "Why is Ladon the only brother you like?"
"I like you."
"You don't sit on my lap or cuddle."
Jules sighed and stood. He plopped down in Vaughan's lap and let him put the coat around his shoulders before he leaned back against Vaughan's chest. He grabbed Vaughan's arms the same way he had Ladon's and wrapped them around his waist.
"Ha. I got the brother now. Suck on that, Ladon."
"Whatever." Ladon rolled his eyes and looked away. Jules bit his lip and wondered if he had hurt Ladon's feelings. Then Ladon turned and winked at Jules, giving him a small smile. "We're good, J."
Jules smiled and snuggled into Vaughan even more.
Jules had a direct view of Henri, who sat near the front of their little stoop with his legs crossed and his hands in his lap. He had a wrinkle between his eyebrows and he kept glancing at Rocky, looking at him as if he were lunch.
He kept sniffing the air and his eyes had shifted.
Two people couldn’t be more opposite than Henri and Rocky. Henri was the definition if nerdy. Any guy who studies history for fun qualified as one. He had dark hair and glasses. Rocky was a good friend of Garridan’s, which automatically made him a badass in Jules’ opinion. Of course, the tattoos and the leather helped with that status. And the fact that he didn’t say much. Ever. Jules was pretty sure he’d only ever said one thing to him the whole time he’d been lurking around Saint Lakes. Rocky was a dragon shift
er so he was tall with big muscles.
Rocky looked even more badass with his eyes all reptilian and his teeth big and scary. In contrast, Henri’s eye were so dark Jules couldn’t see the pupil. If his teeth had dropped, he kept them hidden.
Vaughan must have noticed Jules looking because he whispered, “They’re mates.”
Jules tilted his head so he could whisper in Vaughan’s ear. “Why aren’t they together? Talking.”
“Maybe for the same reason you’re not with your mates.”
Jules rolled his eyes. “I seriously doubt that. And I also wasn’t talking about me.”
“Sassy little human.” Vaughan’s word held an amusement, which gave Jules hope the teasing would continue and Vaughan wouldn’t get all therapeutic on him.
Vaughan only had those two speeds. Serious or annoying ran through him in tandem.
“So do you think we should do something to help?”
“How would you feel if someone helped you with your mates?” Okay, that was a good point.
“Henri asked me out this morning. Maybe I should flirt with Henri and see what Rocky does.” Jules shivered at the thought of pissing Rocky off. “On second thought, that’s a bad idea.”
Vaughan chuckled. “Yep. Why don’t we just butt out?”
“But they’re so…” Jules held out his hands out, trying to demonstrate how far apart they were. “…separated.”
“So are you and your mates.”
Jules put a hand over Vaughan’s mouth. “Not the point.”
Vaughan chuckled again but the sound was muffled. H3 removed Jules’ hand. “I think you should go over to Rocky and tell him you like his hair. That might just piss Henri off enough to get the ball rolling.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Or you can piss Rocky off. You pick.”
Right. Henri it was.
Jules stood and walked over to Rocky. Rocky’s blond eyebrow arched and his big arms folded in front of his chest. “What?”
By the gods, Rocky was one scary shifter. “So, um…your hair is awesome.” It really was. It was shaved on the sides and long on top. He held the long strands back with a band.