Holding Tight [The Exiled 4] (Siren Publishing: The Lynn Hagen ManLove Collection)

by Lynn Hagen

  Nikoli came back, four bottles of beer in his hands. He passed them out before taking a seat and throwing his arm around Kyle. As he spoke to Renato, he said mentally to Kyle, I didn’t see him anywhere in here. Are you sure it was him?

  I-I don’t know. The guy looked just like him. Maybe the binding of your claiming unlocked memories I’d rather not think about.

  Nikoli hugged Kyle closer and kissed his temple. Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.

  Any other time, Kyle would have packed his bags and gotten out of town as fast as he could. But he was mated now, and he couldn’t run. Leaving Nikoli wasn’t an option.

  The waiter came and took their lunch orders. Kyle forced the situation out of his mind as he talked with his companions. Theo’s really had an upbeat atmosphere to it. The background music was great, the tavern was crowded, and the voices of the other customers floated around the place. Glasses clinked, a few waiters hustled between tables, and Kyle allowed the flow of the tavern to settle his nerves. He tapped his foot to the sounds of Green Day playing softly in the background.

  The bartender came over to their table and smiled at Nikoli and Renato. “Hey, guys. How’s work?”

  Nikoli chuckled as he shook the bartender’s hand. “Same old. I want you to meet my zaterio, Bryck.” Nikoli turned to Kyle. “Kyle, this is Bryck. He’s a little rough around the edges but a good friend to have. He helps out here when the owner, Taz, needs help.”

  Kyle leaned up and shook Bryck’s hand. The guy was the size of a giant. No exaggeration. His pecs were large, impressive, and Kyle never wanted to meet this man in a dark alley. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here.” Bryck turned his head and stared as Lucas rushed by them.

  Kyle knew that look. Bryck was hot for the waiter. If something wasn’t going on between them, the bartender wished there was.

  “Lunch is on me.” Bryck turned back around. “My gift to both of you for finding your mates.”

  “Thanks.” Nikoli frowned when Bryck walked away, heading in Lucas’s direction.

  “Think Bryck and Lucas are doing the nasty?” Morgan asked. Apparently his friend had picked up on the vibes as well.

  “Is that any of our business?” Renato said.

  “I’ve never seen him here before,” Nikoli said.

  “Lucas is fairly new here. Rolled into town about two weeks ago,” Renato explained.

  Kyle watched as the bartender said something to the waiter. Lucas nodded and then turned on his heel and hurried away. There was a deep flush to Lucas’s cheeks. Yep, there was definitely some chemistry between them.

  “I’m not ready to go back just yet.” Kyle and the others exited the tavern, stomachs full, smiles on their faces. “Can we window shop for a bit? I want to walk off my lunch.”

  “We’ll see you guys back at the house,” Morgan said. He had that look in his eyes. The look that said he and Renato were about to do their own little “nasty” once they got back to their bedroom.

  Nikoli waved at them before he took Kyle’s hand and led him across the street. He kept the easy smile on his face, but all the while he scanned the streets, looking for his mate’s ex.

  Kyle’s lifespan, which Nikoli had seen during their mating, had seemed happy until he’d reached his early adult life. Nikoli had only caught glimpses because the stream had been moving way too fast, but he’d seen enough to know he’d tear Kirk limb from limb if the bastard ever came near Kyle.

  They stopped at the drugstore, and Kyle grabbed some deodorant and hair gel. When they got to the register, Kyle pulled out his wallet. Tucked inside was a five and two singles.

  “I got this.” Nikoli grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler by the counter. “Add this on.”

  “I can buy my own stuff.” Kyle pulled his cash out.

  Nikoli heard the stubbornness in his mate’s voice and backed off. He grabbed his water from the counter and watched as Kyle spent what he had. After paying for his water, Nikoli walked Kyle out of the store.

  He hadn’t seen any plastic in his mate’s wallet, which gave him a feeling Kyle was dead broke. He’d insisted on paying for his own lunch, and now that Nikoli knew how empty the man’s wallet was, he felt guilty for agreeing without a second thought.

  “Are there any clubs around here?” Kyle asked as he clutched his bag while they walked farther down the street.

  “Not in Pride Pack Valley,” Nikoli said. “But there’s one in the city. It’s run by vampires.”

  Kyle’s platinum-blond brows shot up. “How convenient. Let the humans get drunk and feed off of them.”

  “It’s a nice setup they have,” Nikoli said. “The humans’ memories are wiped, and the vampires make sure they have a good time partying.”

  Nikoli wasn’t one hundred percent behind the idea, but it was better than the vampires snatching people off the streets to feed. The Manacle was a safe environment, and the humans were beguiled before being snacked on. They only felt pleasure, and when they left, the bouncer waved a hand over their head, taking away any memories of vampires the humans might have.

  “Would it be safe if you and I went there?” Kyle stopped to look inside the candy store window. Nikoli started to suggest they go in, but Kyle was broke and he had a feeling his mate wouldn’t allow him to pay for anything.

  “You’ll be with me,” Nikoli said. “Did you want to go?”

  Kyle turned away from the window and looked up at Nikoli. “I could use a night out to get my groove on and have fun. It’s been forever since I’ve done that.”

  Kissing his mate’s forehead, Nikoli smiled. “Then it’s a date.”

  “Buddy, you better kiss more than my forehead. I’m your mate, not your brother.”

  Nikoli chuckled as he pulled Kyle into his arms. He didn’t care who saw them as he slid his tongue inside Kyle’s mouth. Nikoli groaned, the taste of his zaterio making him hard.

  “PDA,” came a voice from behind them. “Nice.”

  Nikoli broke away from his mate to look over his shoulder. Jasper and Toby were standing behind him. The two were Zeus’s mates. For an unknown reason, the gray wolves in this town seemed to have two mates instead of one. Every warrior under Zeus’s command had two mates. Those who had found theirs. There were still some single wolves, like Bryck and Taz.

  “Jealous?” Nikoli asked. He snaked his arm around Kyle’s shoulder.

  “Hardly.” Jasper pulled Toby close. “I have my own PDA right here.”

  “I’m not a PDA,” Toby protested.

  “You wouldn’t kiss me in public?” One of Jasper’s red brows rose.

  “Well, yeah,” Toby said.

  “You’re so cute when you contradict yourself.” Jasper nipped at Toby’s chin and then turned to Nikoli and Kyle. “What’re you guys up to?”

  Nikoli had opened his mouth to answer when he spotted a guy slip down the alley next to the sandwich shop. He’d followed someone down there. Nikoli’s senses had him on full alert.

  “Can you do me a favor?” Nikoli asked Jasper.

  Jasper nodded, as if he’d seen the same thing. “I’ll watch Kyle. You go do your thing.”

  “What thing?” Kyle seemed confused as he looked between Nikoli and Jasper.

  “Killing hellhounds,” Toby said. He glanced at the mouth of the alley. “I wish they’d never escaped hell. Those things make my skin crawl.”

  Nikoli gave Kyle a quick kiss before he hurried toward the alley. He didn’t like leaving his mate on the street, but it was his sworn duty as a winged beast to send as many hellhounds back to hell as he possibly could.

  With his back to the brick wall, Nikoli crept softly, keeping his presence hidden as he stepped around crushed takeout containers, empty liquor bottles, and then slid around a rust-pitted Dumpster leaking unidentifiable fluids. He didn’t want to have to chase the hound down if the guy saw him before Nikoli was close enough to attack.

  He pulled a blade from the inside of his jacket. Nikoli usually carried
a long, serrated knife with him, but he wasn’t on patrol and hadn’t brought it with him.

  The knife he had in his hand could be classified as a pig sticker and wasn’t as lethal as what he normally carried, but it would do the job. If he had to fight the hound, the pig sticker would be useless though.

  The closer he drew, the more of the man’s scent invaded Nikoli’s lungs. He realized that he wasn’t dealing with a hellhound. The distinct odor of sulfur told him the stranger was a demon. Nikoli wasn’t sure what was worse, the smell of the demon or the noxious garbage odor of the alley.

  Knowing he was dealing with a demon definitely changed the playing field. He tucked the knife back into his jacket. All demons had particular abilities. If this one was a powerful demon, Nikoli’s knife would only piss the man off.

  The guy who had been followed whimpered. Nikoli came from behind a stack of water-stained crates he’d ducked behind. The demon had the smaller man pinned against the wall. Their lips were close, but they weren’t kissing.

  Fuck me sideways. He was dealing with a soul-sucker. Nikoli had to get him off of the smaller man. Knowing his blade was practically useless, he pulled it back out anyway. He moved to within a foot of the demon and then jabbed the blade into the soul-sucker’s neck. The demon screeched as Nikoli grabbed the…was he seeing things right?

  With no time to be amazed that the smaller man had colorful wings, Nikoli hauled him down the alley, toward the street.

  “Let go of me!” the man with wings shouted as Nikoli stopped for a brief second to let a car pass.

  “I’m trying to help you,” Nikoli growled as the guy punched his arm. “Stop fighting me.”

  He hurried across the street and practically threw the man at Jasper. “Watch him.”

  “Sure. I’ll just open a fucking daycare for you,” Jasper yelled as Nikoli ran back toward the alley.

  When Nikoli made it back to where he’d left the demon, the soul-sucker was gone.

  Kyle blinked several times as he stared at the guy Nikoli had tossed at them. His skin was the color of coffee beans, his eyes a deep green. Pointy ears stuck out past his long, green hair, and his right arm was covered in a tattoo sleeve of weird symbols. “What’s your name?”

  The guy’s gaze landed on Kyle. “Palmino. Who was that guy who rescued me?”

  “He’s a winged beast,” Kyle said as Jasper poked at the man.

  “He’s so tiny and cute,” Jasper said with a smile.

  “And what am I, chopped liver?” Toby snapped. “Stop poking him before I tell Zeus you were flirting with a fairy.”

  A fairy? For real? Kyle glanced up and down the guy’s body, his gaze zeroing in on the man’s colorful wings before Palmino tucked them away. “Are you really a fairy?”

  “I need to get out of here.” Palmino started away, but Jasper grabbed the guy’s arm.

  “Not so fast. I’m not letting you run into any more danger until Nikoli tells us otherwise.”

  Palmino gave Jasper a withering glare. “I don’t need anyone’s help.”

  “You needing rescued says otherwise,” Jasper smirked.

  “I could have handled that soul-sucker.”

  Kyle’s eyes bugged. “Did you just say soul-sucker? As in, he was sucking out your soul?”

  “What planet do you live on?” the guy asked, slapping his hands onto his narrow hips. “You smell like some weird shifter, so you should know this stuff.”

  “Don’t get flippy with me, bitch.” Kyle balled his fists at his sides. “I’ll slap that smug look off your face so fast you’ll see stars.”

  “Cool your jets.” Jasper held up a hand. “No cat fights on the street.” The redhead turned to Palmino. “We’re just trying to help, so stop being so bitchy.”

  Palmino had started to say something when Nikoli made his way back to them. Kyle was ready to go home. His blood pressure was rising the longer he stayed around the pissy-ass fairy. Weren’t they supposed to be friendly and full of rainbows or some shit?

  “The demon’s gone.” Nikoli stared at Palmino. “Are you a fairy?”

  “No, I’m an oversized ant,” Palmino snapped.

  “Keep talking to my mate that way and I’ll smash you with my shoe.” Kyle took a step toward the fairy, but Jasper pulled him back. He really wished the gray wolf would stop interfering. It was becoming annoying.

  “We need to get you someplace safe until we know he isn’t coming back for you.” Nikoli glanced down the street. They’d ridden in on his motorcycle, so taking the bitchy fairy anywhere wouldn’t be an option.

  “I’ll take him home,” Jasper volunteered.

  “Over my dead body,” Toby snarled. “I’d have to make fairy soup if you took him home. I don’t like that way you keep smiling at him.”

  Jasper chuckled and gave Toby a quick kiss. “I’m not attracted to him. I just think he’s so darn cute. Like a puppy.”

  “You’re not taking that stray home,” Toby argued.

  “I’m not a damn stray, and I’m not going anywhere with anyone,” Palmino said as his brown nostrils flared. “All of you can go to hell.”

  “You’re welcome,” Nikoli said snidely. “A little appreciation goes a long way.”

  “Take the bitchy fairy to Theo’s,” Kyle said. “Pawn him off on Bryck.”

  “Why would I do that to the wolf?” Nikoli asked. “He’s been nothing but nice to me.”

  “Well, we sure as hell ain’t taking him home with us,” Kyle argued. “I’d end up grounding him down to fairy dust within an hour. The guy’s got a mouth on him and a piss-poor attitude.”

  Palmino started away again, only to have Jasper stop him again. “Will you leave me the hell alone?” Palmino yelled at Jasper.

  Kyle’s eyes widened when Toby popped the man on his jaw. “Stop talking to my mate like that!”

  “Cat fight,” Kyle mumbled.

  “No, it’s not,” Jasper said as he pulled Toby away from Palmino. “Behave, hon.”

  Toby looked ready to murder the fairy. Kyle knew how the guy felt. He wasn’t sure what the fairy’s problem was, but he had a huge chip on his tiny shoulder.

  “Bryck is gonna kill me,” Nikoli grumbled as he grabbed Palmino’s upper arm and started hauling him down the street as Kyle, Jasper, and Toby followed. Instead of going through the front door, Nikoli walked around back to the alley behind the tavern.

  “You can’t do this!” The fairy struggled against Nikoli’s hold.

  “And you’ve fucked any chance of one of us helping you out. This is my only option,” Nikoli said.

  “Just let me go.” Palmino struggled some more. “I don’t need anyone’s protection!”

  Nikoli stopped just outside the tavern door. “And what are you gonna do, just walk out of town, making yourself a target again?”

  Palmino opened his mouth and then closed it. “Screw you.”

  “Logic trumps asshole-ism.” Nikoli swung the back door open and hauled the fairy inside. They stepped into the kitchen, where Bryck was standing at the stove, eating from a piled-high plate of chicken wings.

  Kyle was grateful no humans were in there. If a human saw Palmino, there was no telling how that person would react.

  Bryck’s eyes went wide as he set the piece of chicken down and wiped his mouth with a napkin that had been sitting next to his plate. “Is that a—”

  “Fairy,” Palmino snapped. “Jeez, have none of you ever seen one before?”

  “I’m sorry, Bryck,” Nikoli said. “But I didn’t know where else to take him.”

  Kyle watched the fairy as Nikoli explained to the gray wolf what had happened in the alley. “He insists on leaving, but it isn’t safe.”

  “You are not pawning me off on this doggy.” Palmino glared at Bryck.

  “I say let the little fucker go and take his chances.” Bryck crossed his arms over wide chest. “If he doesn’t want help, fuck him. Let his soul get sucked out. It doesn’t seem like he has one anyway.”

  N
ikoli growled. “Yeah, he’s a big pain in the ass, but you can’t let your irritation overrule your duty to protect.”

  Kyle would disagree, but it wasn’t his call.

  “Fine, take him upstairs.” Bryck waved a hand to a door Kyle hadn’t noticed. “One of the furnished apartments is vacant. We can stash him there until you decide what you’re gonna do with him.” Bryck narrowed his eyes at Palmino. “But I’m not babysitting him. If he takes off, then he takes off. I just want him out of sight of the human employees and customers. Taz would have a fit if anyone saw a fairy roaming around his tavern.”

  Nikoli dragged a screaming Palmino up the stairs. Kyle shook his head. He’d never met a nastier guy and knew the first chance Palmino had he’d run.

  Chapter Five

  Kyle felt pumped as they pulled into the club parking lot. Morgan and Renato were with them, as well as Morgan’s cousin, Jaycee, and his mate, Wolf. Kyle’s gaze shot everywhere, trying to soak everything in. He’d been telling the truth about it being a while since he’d had fun, but he’d never been to a club before.

  “The line is so long,” Kyle said as he climbed off the back of Nikoli’s motorcycle and tucked his glasses into his pocket. “It’ll take all night to get in there.”

  The line stretched all the way down the brick building. People in Goth clothing, party gear, and even denim jeans and T-shirts waited in line. Cigarette smoke billowed up from somewhere close to the end of the line, but when the wind shifted, the smell told Kyle it wasn’t cigarettes that were being smoked.

  “Nah, we’re good.” Nikoli grabbed Kyle’s hand and led him to the door. They got some pretty nasty looks from the people waiting in line. Kyle didn’t blame them. He’d be upset, too, if he’d been waiting to get in and some guys came along and cut to the front.

  He tugged on Nikoli’s hand. “Maybe we should wait like everyone else.”

  “Fuck no,” the bouncer said as he grinned at Nikoli. “No friend of mine is waiting at the back of the line.”

  Nikoli gave the bouncer a quick man-hug before he stepped back. “Been a while, Harley.”