Waiting for You Read online

  “Never heard of them.” Vir looked at the paper Roman held. “Who are they?”

  “They sell medical equipment to private health companies,” Costas mumbled. Fuck, he knew who they were. He’d ordered from them. Was that why they’d kidnapped him?

  “You know them?” Deac asked.

  “I ordered from them in the past when I worked in the private health care sector.”

  “Do you think they could be involved?” Brian asked.

  “I have no idea. They were someone on the end of a phone. I placed orders with them, or I had my assistant do it.” Costas ran a hand over his face. “Shit.”

  “They know who you are, what you did, where you worked. It wouldn’t be too hard to find out other information on you.”

  “It was all on the company website. Family man, two kids...” He trailed off. His daughters. “Evangeline and Aurora. Are they at risk?”

  “No. Your house is covered because of what happened. No one can get close to you.”

  Costas nodded, but the comment didn’t reassure him. He’d stayed too long. He should have left when he had the chance. Maybe changed his name and started over again. Now, he and his children had a bullseye on their backs.

  He tuned out the rest of the conversation; he didn’t care what happened to this man they held. All he had on his mind was how he could get his daughters and himself out of Salutem without anyone knowing. Especially his mate.

  He needed to get away and as soon as possible. Nothing else mattered except his children’s safety. They were the two most important people in his life, and they had already suffered. He’d decide which night then leave.

  The meeting wrapped up, and Costas left, but he wasn’t alone. Deac was behind him. He turned to face the man fate had said would be perfect for him and waited. Whatever Deac had to say, he could say it, and then Costas would leave.

  “How are you? That was...it must have been difficult for you.”

  Costas nodded, his eyes glued to Deac. Why did he have to be so good looking and caring? “It was unexpected.”

  “You can say that again.” Deac pushed his hands in his jacket pockets, rocking on his feet. “How are the girls?”

  “Good. Settling. They like it here.” And he was going to rip it all away. He pursed his lips, waiting for Deac to speak.

  “That’s great to hear.”

  Costas nodded but didn’t say anything, and both of them stood staring at each other in awkward silence. Costas nodded again then walked to his car. “Costas.” He stopped. The voice was behind him, and he slowly turned around. Deac stood directly behind him, so close Costas could reach up and touch him, but he didn’t.

  Deac licked his lips and then closed his eyes. “I wanted to see if you wanted...do you want to talk?”

  “What about?” No, nope. Not at all. He didn’t want to face this thing between him. The fact he could feel it pulling at him, pushing him to Deac was enough. He absolutely didn’t want to talk about it.

  “Us. Mates. I know you feel it.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  Deac’s nostrils flared. “You know about us and scent. Why lie?”

  “I don’t want this, and I don’t want a mate. Nothing personal.”

  “Nothing personal.” Deac stared, his mouth falling open. “What the...” He shook his head then muttered, “Fuck it.”

  Costas had a mere second to realize what Deac intended before lips slammed over his own. Everything he’d buried rushed to the surface, and he grabbed Deac’s arms, moaning into the kiss. When Deac’s tongue touched his lips, he opened them willingly and moaned again when Deac dominated him.

  His back hit the car, and he automatically created space for Deac to line up their groins. He whimpered when he felt the hard length of Deac’s arousal and arched up, rubbing his own along it. Deac growled, his hands clenching in Costas’ coat and moved closer until they lined up chests, dicks, legs.

  It was not enough, but also too much, and Costas whimpered again as he rubbed his dick against Deac’s hard thigh. Deac’s grip tightened, and Costas gasped, throwing his head back as he came. Deac continued moving, grinding until Costas heard his grunt.

  Deac dropped his head onto Costas’ shoulder, his panting breath fanning Costas’ throat, and the realization of what he’d done slammed into him. He pushed Deac away, a trembling hand touching his lips. He shook his head, stumbled over to the driver’s door, and pulled it open.

  “Costas, don’t.”

  He shook his head again, and his eyes widened when he felt Deac’s chest against his back. “Please,” he choked out, his throat aching with emotion.

  “Don’t run away. Please. Let’s talk.”

  “I can’t do this. I just can’t.”

  “Why?” Costas let Deac turn him around, and he closed his eyes so he wouldn’t see the emotion in Deac’s. “Why won’t you give us a chance? I’m not asking you to mate me right now, but let’s get to know each other.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Please.” Deac whispered the plea, his voice breaking, and Costas opened his eyes, seeing the unshed tears in Deac’s.

  He closed his eyes again. He owed Deac the truth, whether he liked it or not. “I’m leaving. I want to take the girls and move somewhere safe. Somewhere no one knows who I am or what happened to me. This thing between us scares me. If they found out, they could hold it against me, hurt my daughters—“

  “I’d protect you. We all would. You’re not alone. Please...just give...give me a chance.”

  He shook his head and gently pushed Deac away. Surprisingly, Deac let him. He got in his car and shut the door. He looked at Deac, seeing the raw hurt etched on his face, the lines bracketing his eyes and mouth, and turned the ignition then pulled away.

  He didn’t look back. He couldn’t.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  “DEAC.”

  “Fuck off, Cy.”

  Deac spun past Cy, pushing him aside as he stormed over to his truck. He was hurt and angry, his chest tight and heavy, and he swallowed, the ache in his throat intense. He blinked his eyes but refused to let the tears fall. He’d tried. Again and again, he’d thrown himself out there for his mate, only to be cast aside. He wouldn’t do it again. He still had some pride.

  He pulled out of the parking lot, tires spinning, rubber burning, and sped home. His mind was a chaotic mess, images of his mate as he came, the taste of him burned onto his lips and tongue. “Fuck!” he screamed in the car. “Fuck!”

  When he reached home, he had no idea how he got there. He threw the truck into park and got out, slamming his front door open with enough force it hit the wall and shut behind him. His phone was ringing, and he pulled it out and threw it across the room. “Fuck!”

  He paced the room, his hands running through his hair repeatedly. His mate was leaving. He stopped when the words hit. His mate was leaving. He dropped to his knees and fell forward, his head touching the floor. From the corner of his eyes, he could see his phone light blinking, and he grabbed it.

  So many missed calls and one message from an unknown number. Why hadn’t he heard the phone ring? He sat up and opened the message and gasped in disbelief.

  Tomorrow. Four. Coffee. No promises. Costas.

  His phone rang again, and he almost dropped it in surprise. He glanced around the room to make sure no one saw then answered Cy’s call. “You can thank me later, fucker.”

  Cy hung up before he had to chance to reply, but he understood. Cy had spoken to Costas. What he could have said in those thirty minutes that Deac’s head was implanted in his ass he had no idea, but he was buying that shifter a big fucking thank you gift.

  He went back to the message, reading it again and again, trying to decide what to say. Finally, he settled on, Thank you. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

  He sent it and immediately thought the message was shit. Sighing, he stood and winced as pain flared in his knees. “Shit,” he muttered as he hobbled into the kitchen.

 
His phone beeped again as he poured some water into a glass. Looking at it, he smiled faintly when he saw it was from the number Costas had used. Opening it, his smile widened.

  I’m sorry about before. None of this situation is your fault. I want to see you tomorrow.

  Deac quickly sent a reply and bit the corner of his lip, waiting. It’s a difficult place to be in, but I’m here if you need to talk.

  Can I talk to you? You won’t mind?

  “Oh, mate of mine,” Deac whispered. Of course, I’m here for you. You’re my mate. You know how important mates are to us. Whatever you need, I’ll provide, even if it’s just someone to talk to.

  He hesitated before sending it. Should he remind Costas that they were mates, or would it be too much considering how tentative this was? He never usually second guessed his decisions, but then again, this was the first time in this position. He didn’t want to break the fragile connection they had.

  He sent it then stood drumming his fingers on the sink. When his phone beeped, he almost dropped it in his haste to grab it. He read the message then put the phone down, thinking about his reply. If this was how he could reach his mate, help him, then he would. It appeared Costas was more comfortable with this, and Deac could live with that.

  I hate admitting it, but this scares me. After everything the girls and I have been through, I don’t want them to be hurt. I don’t want to be hurt.

  I can’t say I understand what you’ve been through, but I know others who have. I know Sky and Robin were supposed to be there tonight, but plans changed at the last minute. He sent the message then immediately sent another. I’m scared too. I don’t want to frighten you away.

  I never truly thought you’d be as scared as I was until tonight. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you.

  Deac smiled. “It’s okay,” he whispered in the darkened room. It’s okay. We can talk tomorrow, unless you would prefer this for now? Whatever is best for you.

  I was going to leave. I had it all worked out as I drove home, but I kept seeing your face, and I knew I wasn’t being fair to you. Cy spoke to me too. Can we do this for now? Would you mind not meeting tomorrow?

  Deac sighed. He would have much preferred to have met his mate, but if he needed some distance, to build the trust between them, then Deac could accept this for now. At some point, they could meet up, but for now he’d willingly give whatever his mate needed. Even distance.

  It’s fine. I would like to see you, but I understand. You can reach out to me any time you want. I’ll always be here for you.

  I appreciate your honesty and thank you.

  Anytime, Costas. You have your daughters to think about as well.

  I’m going to bed. Night, Deac, and thanks again.

  Night, Costas.

  He put his phone down and felt a thousand pounds lighter. The pressure on his chest lifted, and he smiled. Small steps and he really did owe Cy. Whatever he said had made Costas look at his actions, and now Deac might have a chance with his mate.

  “So, this is the man you need me to question?” Doctor Billy Tapper strolled over to the table and opened the bag he’d brought with him. “No answers yet?”

  Indy shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “We need to know everything he does,” Deac added.

  “And you need my particular skills to do it?”

  “We do. Are you sure you can do this?”

  Billy glanced over his shoulder at Deac. “I’ve done worse.”

  He grabbed a chair and sat in front of their ‘guest’. “I’m going to ask some questions, and then you will answer them.”

  The man grinned. “Fuck you.”

  “I do the fucking, and my mate prefers it that way.” Billy reached forward and snatched the blindfold away. Since the man had finished blinking, he lifted up two items so he could see them. “This is a scalpel, and these are pricks. One to slice open your skin, and the other to push under your nails. Both hurt. It’s up to you which one I use.”

  The man didn’t say a word, but his smile slid from his face. “Fuck you.”

  Billy put the scalpel down. “Deac? Hold his hand flat.” Once Deac held the squirming man’s hand flat, Billy leaned forward. “You’ll wish you’d talked when I’m finished with you.”

  The messages came at random times throughout the day, but Deac welcomed every single one of them. He always made sure to send Costas morning and night message and asked after his daughters. He’d learned more about his mate over the past week than he had in the months he and his daughters and lived in Salutem.

  He sent Costas pictures of Morefield, the village square where the Town Hall was located, the grocery store, the forest, the school. The parks and trails that ran through the woods that surrounded Morefield. He wanted Costas to get a feel for Deac’s home. If they mated, Morefield would he Costas’ home too.

  He jogged across the square, waving at Sax, who was standing outside the grocery store, then up the stairs to the Town Hall and signed in, smiling at Babs, who was in reception. “Liam’s parents are waiting for you,” she warned.

  Deac groaned. “Who let them in?”

  “I did, and before you growl at me, they were out here causing a scene. The school had a class of five-year-olds visiting to see how we run Morefield.”

  “No, I understand.”

  “How is he doing? I miss seeing him.”

  “He’s getting there slowly. I think being away from here”—he made a point of looking toward his office—“has helped. No added stress.”

  “Anything on Sherri?”

  Deac’s shoulders slumped, and he felt his stomach drop. “No, nothing at all. She’s disappeared. They must have her.”

  “And Mayor Indigo and his brothers are doing everything they can.”

  “You know it. After what they went through with Sky...”

  “That poor family. You’d think Liam’s folks would ask for advice but no, they want to pressure Liam. Poor boy.” She peered up at Deac from over her glasses and shuffled some papers on her desk. “I’ve noticed the changes.”

  “Of course you have. Nothing gets past you.”

  “Wise decision. Stops us becoming predictable.”

  “I need to deal with them and call Indy.” He smiled at Babs and headed to his office, but Babs stopped him.

  “We need to build bridges. Maybe bring smaller communities here. We can expand like Salutem and offer a safe place.”

  Deac walked back to Babs. “You’ve been thinking.”

  “The smaller communities are easier targets. If we merge them under one, we become harder to hit. I’ve noticed Salutem taking in more and more shifters. You know my sister lives there with her mate. I know they have a staffing issue.”

  “They have close to five thousand residents. We have just over a thousand.”

  “There is a lot of empty land between us too. We could build more houses on it, but still preserve the land.”

  “I forget you ran your own business before moving here.”

  “I don’t want the responsibility before you ask, but if you need some advice, then I will be here. My advice now is to kick those two out of your office and get some work done.”

  Deac chuckled and saluted Babs, who arched a perfectly manicured brow. “Yes, boss.”

  He took a deep breath before opening the door to his office and shutting it behind him. He walked over to his desk, ignoring Liam’s parents and sat. He looked up at them, waiting for them to speak.

  “We want Liam home,” Donald, Liam’s father, demanded. Deac arched a brow and waited. “He’s our son, Deacon, and he should be home with us. The children miss him at school, and we need him.”

  “He’s fine where he is.”

  “No!” Donald slammed his hands on the desk and stood, leaning over it. “Bring him home now.”

  Deac growled, a low deep sound that reverberated around the office. Donald blanched and sat, hunching down in his seat. “Who do you think you are talking to?” Deac asked in a low voice
. “I had Liam removed. He needs to recover, and the fact you let him waste away and did nothing speaks volumes about the two of you. Your selfishness almost cost Liam his life. He wasn’t eating, he hadn’t shifted, but you said nothing. You get on at him, pressuring him to find Sherri at all costs.”

  “She’s our daughter.” Susan swallowed nervously, speaking in a hesitating voice. “Of course we want her home. Like we want our son home too.”

  “But you let him endanger his life and said nothing. I had to intervene and move him away from Morefield to protect him from his own parents. You!” Deac jabbed a finger at the two of them. “You didn’t come to me and express your concern. No, you kept pushing him to search for Sherri, and it almost cost him his life.”

  “He’s our son!” Donald shouted. “You have no right to keep him from us.”

  “He is under my protection and will remain there until I see a change in your attitude.”

  “Or what? You’ll force us to leave our home? Leave our son? End our search for Sherri?”

  “First, you aren’t looking for Sherri, we are. Second, you live here, and no one will take your home from you, but how you behave and what you say determines how others act toward you while you live in Morefield.”

  “What do you mean? How others treat us?” Susan touched her throat and looked at Donald. “What have you said about us?”

  “I haven’t said a word, and I won’t. Your actions speak volumes about you. Think about how you’ve acted recently.” Deac shook his head in disgust. “Leave now. I have work to do.”

  “You can’t make us—“

  Deac shot up and slammed his hands on the desk, growling loudly. Babs walked in and held the door open. “You need to leave now.”

  Susan grabbed Donald’s arm and pulled him out. “This isn’t over,” she said as they left.

  “Should I bar them?” Babs asked loud enough that the other two heard.

  “Not just yet, but we’ll keep that option open.”

  Babs winked and closed the door, leaving Deac alone in his office. Sighing, he sat back and stared at the now closed door. “Just how I love to start my day.”