Waiting for You Page 2

  Even though shifters were more resilient than their human counterparts, they still had the usual injuries and illnesses. They tended to shake off illnesses more quickly than humans, but having a mixed population of humans, shifters, and vampires kept him busy. They really did need another doctor, and he occasionally helped out at the hospital too.

  At least Dylan was moving here. Only two months to go and the move would be complete, and that would take some of the pressure from Costas and meant he would have more time to spend with his daughters. Once he’d finished at the clinic, he drove to the Salutem General and spent a couple of hours there, checking on patients and giving advice.

  The doctor there was run off her feet. She had patients from Salutem, but also from Morefield. Costas felt for her, and he wasn’t the only one glad that Dylan was moving here. She needed him far more than Costas did. He checked patient files, liaised with the doctor, then finally left to go and pick his girls up from the nanny.

  They were both happy to see him, Aurora jumping up so Costas had to catch her, Evan walking at a slower pace. He made small talk with the nanny then got the girls in his car and drove home.

  They’d eaten and completed their homework already, so Costas spent time talking about their day then got them into bed. Aurora wanted two chapters tonight and once she was asleep, he talked with Evan. She kept giving him strange looks, so he asked her what was wrong.

  “Deacon. What are you going to do about him?”

  “Evan. This really doesn’t concern you. This is between me and him.”

  “It doesn’t bother us, you know. You and him. Me and Ro talked about it. We want you to be happy.”

  Costas swallowed and looked away. He wasn’t ready for this discussion. He wasn’t ready to face the truth of him and Deacon. Sure, he knew they were mates. He’d heard about it back in the labs, knew what it entailed, but he wasn’t ready to put himself in that equation.

  He was scared. That’s what it came down to. His fear.

  As he left her room, his cell phone rang, and he picked it up, cursing when he saw the name on the display. Indigo Dubois. He thought about not answering it, because if Indigo wanted him, then Deacon would be involved somehow.

  Sighing, he answered. He had responsibilities too. “Indy.”

  “Costas. We have a meeting tomorrow, and I would like you to attend.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “The labs. I know you’ve told us everything you could remember, but some insight would be helpful.”

  “I don’t have anything else to add to what I’ve already told you. They didn’t give me access to information unless it was necessary for the work they forced me to do.”

  “I know, but Sky and Robin are going to be there too, so we hoped that the three of you could help each other remember more than you think you can right now.”

  Costas swallowed. He didn’t want to think about his past and what he’d been forced to do in those labs. “I really don’t—“

  “Look. I know this isn’t something you want to do. You have a family to think about, a life you’re trying to rebuild, but there are others out there being held, abused, and fuck knows what else. You’ve seen Owen. He shouldn’t exist, but he does. How did they do it? Why did they?”

  “Indy...” Yeah, he knew Owen. The boy was wonderful, happy, and clearly loved by his adoptive parents.

  “Costas, please come. Anything you might remember could help us save more, and there’re some things you need to know.”

  “I’m thinking of leaving,” he blurted out.

  There was silence on the line then. “Leave? As in leave Salutem?”

  “Yes. Leave here. Go somewhere else away from it all. Rebuild our lives. I want to forget all about what happened to us.”

  “Costas... Can we talk about this after the meeting?”

  “I think, under the circumstances, I won’t be attending. Please pass on my apol—“

  “Doctor Synolakis, I’m formally requesting you attend the meeting tomorrow. It will be held in the new security building. Please be there at six.”

  “Indy! What—“ He stared at the phone when he heard Indy hang up. The bastard! Who did he think he was ordering him around? Oh yeah, he was the Mayor, so he obviously thought that gave him rights to tell his residents what to do. No fucking way was he going.

  He stood and walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge and grabbing a soda. Right now he wanted a beer, but being a single parent, he’d made the decision not to drink unless the girls were at sleepovers. Still, one wouldn’t hurt.

  A meeting with Indy—and no doubt Deacon would be there too. There was no way he could avoid him if he decided to go, and the last thing Costas wanted to do was be in the same room as Deacon. The connection would be too hard to ignore, and Costas had done everything he could to ignore it by staying away.

  He had no choice now, but it made his decision to leave stronger. First, he had to find a job, then a place for them to live, and schools for the girls. Opening his laptop, he began his search.

  “You’re sure he’s going to be here?” Deac asked, pacing the floor.

  “I didn’t give him much choice.” Indy sipped his coffee as he leaned on the table. “He resisted, as you said he would. He seems to be fighting this.”

  “Seems?” Deac arched his brows at Indy. “I’ve resorted to watching the man from outside his house like a fucking stalker. My own mate.” Deac huffed out a breath then rubbed the back of his neck. “Stalking my own fucking mate. Do you know how that makes me feel?”

  “No, but Cy probably does.”

  Cyan, Indy’s brother, had had a mate who had been abused and refused to mate with him. They’d worked past it and were now happily living together, but Deac remembered how Cy had been during that time. “Maybe I should go and talk to him.”

  “Try Costas tonight? He’ll be here. Speak to him at the end of the meeting and arrange to meet him away from all of this.”

  “Don’t you think I haven’t tried that? I suggested coffee at Sam’s place, but that was a very firm no. A meal at Anton’s with him and his daughters? Door slammed shut in my face. He changed his number so I couldn’t call him. If that isn’t a no, then I don’t know what is.”

  “Don’t give up on him, Deac. Cy didn’t give up on Alex, and look at them now.”

  “How much more time does he need? It’s been months, Indy. Fucking months.” Deac wrapped his arms around his waist. “It...fuck!”

  “It hurts,” Indy whispered softly. “I know. Cy tried to hide it from us, but with our unique connection, we still felt some of it. I wish I could do more to help.”

  Deac shook his head and closed his eyes. He needed to get a grip and deal with it. He had to find a way in, to let Costas know that he wouldn’t hurt him or his children, that his girls would be part of Deac’s family, and he would love them as his own.

  He tried seeing this from Costas’ perspective. He’d been forced to harm shifters, going against his Hippocratic Oath. Maybe he blamed shifters in some way for the crimes he’d been forced to commit. Deac would have made the same call if his family were at risk. What parent wouldn’t sacrifice themselves for their child? Or maybe Deac had no idea and was making shit up.

  “He’ll be here soon, Deac. What are you going to do?” That was the question, wasn’t it? What was he going to do when he was in the same place as his mate?

  “I’ll say hello and leave him alone. Keep this business only.”

  Indy raised his eyebrows. “Really? You think you can sit there and watch him, scent him, and keep this to a business meeting?”

  “What choice do I have!?” Deac shouted and immediately winced. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

  “No, it’s fine. It’s hard, hiding your true emotions.”

  Deac glanced at Indy, his brow furrowed. Indy’s tone had been...off. “Indy?”

  “Just thinking about Cy, that’s all.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “They’ll be here soon.”
>
  Deac nodded, but the frown didn’t leave. That wasn’t about Cy, not that tone of voice, and suddenly Deac wanted to know what Indy was hiding, because he was certain he was. “You’d tell me, wouldn’t you?” he asked quietly.

  Indy paused from where he was setting up the coffee pot. “If I could, I would. Don’t ask me, Deac, I can’t give you any answers.”

  Deac stood and watched Indy, seeing his friend in a new light. He was hiding something, and Deac wanted to know what. “I’m here.”

  Indy glanced over his shoulder and gave him a small smile. “I know, and thank you for not asking.”

  “Does anyone--“

  “No. I’d like to keep it that way.”

  “You guys are good at keeping things hidden, especially from your family.”

  Indy snorted. “With our weird connection, you have to be.”

  The door banged open, and Vir walked in, Ishmael, his mate on his crutches behind him. Vir crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Ish, who stopped, flipped him off, then found the nearest seat to collapse in.

  “Ish...”

  “Vir...”

  “Evening.” Indy smiled. “Coffee?”

  Vir looked at Indy, and Deac could tell they were talking to each other through their weird connection. Telepathy between family members was unheard of, but for some reason, the Dubois family could access it.

  Ish sighed and waved a hand at Deac. “Hey. While these two are arguing, could you grab me a coffee?”

  “Sure.” Deac nudged Indy, who was now pointing at Vir, out of the way. “The legs look like they’re getting better.”

  “No, they are not,” Vir snapped. “He’s pushing it, and just wait till Hudson sees him tonight.” He looked back at his mate. “You do know he’s coming?”

  “I do now,” Ish grunted, shooting a glare at his mate. “Thanks for telling me. Not like you had any opportunity to do it before. I mean, we walked to the car, drove here, and walked inside. Where could you have found the time to inform me that my physio would be here? Gosh, I just don’t know.”

  Vir grinned viciously. “You reap what you sow, mate.”

  “I’m setting Mom on you.”

  Vir snorted. “Samara loves me.”

  “Not as much as she loves me, her actual son.”

  “Love is the air, every time I turn around...” Deac chuckled then coughed when both Vir and Ish glared at him. “So, who wanted coffee?”

  They all heard laughter just before Euan and Logan stepped in. Both paused at the door, and then Euan smiled. “What did you do this time?”

  Ish shrugged and nodded toward his crutches. “Those.”

  “Oh, okay. You can speak to Hudson. He’s parking now.”

  “Great. Just great.” Ish winced and rubbed his legs, and Deac felt for him. It must be hard to want to push more, but know you can’t.

  “Have you been told you can use your crutches for short distances?”

  “Don’t encourage him, Deac.” Vir pointed as he spoke to him then turned back to the drinks Deac was finishing.

  “Crutches. Nice, Ish,” Hudson murmured when he walked in. “Less than ten feet?”

  “Yes—“

  “No—“

  Both Ish and Vir spoke at the same time.

  “Okay.” Hudson closed the door behind him. “Wheelchair until our next session.”

  Ish sighed but nodded. “I will.”

  The door opened again, and Costas stepped in, his eyes glancing around the room until they settled on Deac. His heart rate sped up, and his hands became clammy. He licked his lips and sucked in a lungful of air, catching his mate’s scent.

  “Hello, Costas.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  HE COULDN’T TAKE his eyes off his mate. Deac looked amazing. Tall, with dark hair cropped short, and deep blue eyes. The jeans molded to powerful thighs, the T-shirt emphasized the muscles in his arms, and Costas wanted to leap over the table and touch him. And he wanted to turn around and run away. Fuck, he was one hell of a confused mess.

  Vir coughed, and he knew they could scent his arousal, and he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. He took a seat at the table and stared intently at it, ignoring everyone until Vir put a cup in front of him. He looked up, and Vir winked.

  “Thanks.”

  “Who else are we waiting for?” Vir asked as he put more cups on the table.

  Costas blew on the hot liquid, ignoring Deac, who was now sitting opposite him, in all his attractive glory. He closed his eyes. Attractive glory? What the actual fuck? He squirmed on his seat and willed his erection away. He would not have his dick ruling him.

  He glanced up and saw Deac watching him, his nostrils flaring and no doubt scenting Costas. He wanted to growl, but he nodded his head instead. He could do this. He was an adult, a grown man who had faced terrors no one should ever have to. He could sit here and help, then he could leave.

  Cy and Teal arrived at the same time, and minutes later, Brian and Clarke arrived. Roman was last to arrive, apologizing and handing a sheet of paper to Indy. Once everyone had a drink, Indy got started.

  “Both Stone McQueen and Dr. Alvarez were murdered. They have a way in and out of Salutem that leaves them undetected. One we haven’t found. We have CCTV everywhere we can put it, we’ve closed down access in and out, and put signs up. Roman has set up our IT and comms and liaises with our head of security, Euan and Ishmael. Patrols have become randomized. We have our teams rotate, different members, different times, different routes. I know this has caused additional headaches for security.”

  “Jerome is permanently attached to security now. He’ll be in here with you.” Roman glanced around the room, adding, “He’s my brother. I trust him with my life, and he sees things.” Roman shrugged. “Like Ish does here, and another pair of eyes would help.”

  “Thanks. We need more people on patrol. The suggestion of mated couples has been tested and proved to be successful, which means we have a rotation of staff within the security building too. Takes the pressure off you three.”

  Ish and Euan nodded with Vir grunting. “It works a hell of a lot faster than phones. I tested it with Ish. We had some humans ignore the signs, and I was able to tell Ish immediately, so we had feet on the ground straight away.”

  “The bonus is intruders can’t hear us talk.” Ish tapped the side of his head. “Gives us an advantage.”

  “They don’t know,” Costas murmured. “About the telepathy. I discovered it early on but didn’t report it.”

  “Why?” Deac asked.

  “It was wrong, what they were doing. I did what little I could to help the shifters they had, but it wasn’t enough. I had to protect my girls. I couldn’t risk their lives.”

  “No, we understand.” Ish smiled. “I have a son, and I would do anything to protect him.”

  “Jess is keeping an eye on any vehicle that comes into his garage, but so far no other devices have been found. As for the one found in Robin—“

  “What device?” Costas asked, causing Indy to wince.

  “I didn’t ask for you because of everything that’s happened, and then when we found out what it was. We found what we believe to be a tracking device under the skin. Robin must have had it implanted before his release. We now think the escape was staged so he would come here. They must have found out about his friendship with Marco when they tried to take Marco.”

  Clarke, Marco’s mate grunted. “Didn’t work though, but it is getting old.”

  “They might rethink that after Dylan and Adan.”

  “Which brings me back to the listening devices. No more have been found since we implemented the new sign in system in all public areas. This leads to us to our guest.”

  Hudson chuckled darkly. “Guest. Nice word choice. Has he said anything?”

  “Not yet, but Billy is going to ‘talk’ to him.”

  “Billy?” Costas glanced at Deac who was nodded.

  “Human, mated to Deana, my sister. Ex-mili
tary with medical knowledge. Did his time then became a doctor. He has a unique set of skills that will be useful.”

  “Unique skill set, as in, how to extract information skill set?”

  Deac didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. Costas understood. “You’re going to torture him?! What happens if you get nothing from him? Will you turn on me next? I was there. I did things too.”

  “You were forced to because they threatened your family. He was doing this willingly. Did you want to do it? Did you want to hurt them?” Deac leaned on the table, intense eyes staring at him. “Well, Costas? Did you enjoy it? Did you get—“

  “Stop! You know I didn’t, but I can’t sit here and let you torture someone.”

  “There’s the door,” Deac said quietly. “Leave. You’re good at that.”

  Costas inhaled sharply. “What?”

  “Let’s get back on track.” Indy stared at Deac then Costas. “Personal issues can be dealt with after. I’ve noted your disapproval, Doctor, but we will be doing this. You of all people should know why we need the information he might have.”

  Costas swallowed. “I want to be there.”

  “No, and that’s non-negotiable. We can’t have you interfering once we start.”

  Costas shook his head but stayed silent. He felt like an outsider as they made their plans. He couldn’t willingly sit there and allow them to torture a man. He’d taken an oath, and he’d failed it once. He couldn’t fail it again. But how could he stop them from hurting this man?

  “Truth serum. Not always effective but try that before you use torture.”

  “Tried.” Ish sighed. “We’ve tried everything else, Costas. Trust me when I say this is a last resort. No one here wants to do this.”

  “Well...” Hudson shrugged. “I might have a damn good reason to want to know what he does. It was my mate he tried to kidnap.”

  “We all have a stake in this. Everyone in this room and everyone out there.” Indy put the sheets of paper on the table. “Roman has been trying to track down the company that used Dynamic Industries. Lots of dead ends.”

  “Except for one.” Roman picked up one of the sheets of paper. “Sullivan Corp.”