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  When he heard the car door, Fisher climbed out of bed, keeping low, and peeked out of the window. The BMW backed up but stopped at the end of the driveway.

  Fisher ducked when John looked toward their bedroom window. He prayed he didn’t have a change of heart, was willing to act like a human being for once and stay to look after Fisher.

  He chanced another peek. John was still there, as if debating what he should do. Fisher couldn’t take that chance. If John came back inside, the plan would be blown to hell.

  Fisher grabbed his shoes from where they were tucked right under the bed and raced down the steps. He carried his sneakers in his hand as he ran for the back door.

  Just as he opened it, he heard the front door.

  John was back.

  Fisher raced out and saw the stranger by the large tree in their backyard. He put on a burst of speed and didn’t look back.

  Chapter Two

  Blake had been prepared to go toe-to-toe if he had to but was grateful it hadn’t come to that. The less John knew about him, the safer Fisher would be. He’d spotted a car pulling into the driveway, so Blake had hung back, keeping out of sight.

  If Fisher hadn’t come out, Blake would’ve gone in. He couldn’t stomach the thought of anyone being used as a punching bag, and after Blake had seen how short and slight Fisher was, damn right he would’ve broken that door down and done whatever he had to in order for Fisher to escape.

  The human was quiet for most of the ride, curled up by the passenger door, staring out the window. From past experience, Blake knew the quieter it was, the safer the person felt.

  It was Fisher who turned and looked Blake over. “Thank you so much for doing that for me. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name?”

  “You’re welcome, and it’s Blake.” He would’ve stuck his hand out but doubted Fisher wanted to be touched. He would respect that and give Fisher as much room as he needed.

  Blake helped out when needed, but he’d learned along the way there were some things a person shouldn’t do around someone who was traumatized.

  Touching was a big no-no. Forcing them to talk was another negative. Sudden movements never had positive results, either. So he kept his hands on the wheel of his SUV and looked out the windshield, trying to seem as unimposing as possible. That was hard with his height and weight, but he tried anyway.

  “Where’re we going?” Fisher sat up a bit but kept his arms around his midsection, a classic self-defense mechanism. A way to shield himself from everything that was happening, a way to feel a bit secure.

  “Maple Grove. Grayson wanted me to bring you there.” Blake kept his voice soothing and low. “Why, did you have another place you wanted to go?”

  Blake hadn’t succeeded in getting much sleep before it had been time to leave. He was exhausted, hungry, and had a headache, but if Fisher wanted to go somewhere else, Blake would take him.

  Fisher shook his head. “I don’t have anywhere to go, no money, no job, and my dad lives in Florida, though our relationship has been strained for the past few years.” Fisher twisted his lips. “It’s his new wife. She doesn’t like me.”

  Fisher was talking a lot more than Blake expected, so he didn’t see any harm in engaging in small talk. “I’m sure Grayson will set you up with somewhere to live, and a job. It might not be what you want, but it’ll put money in your pocket.”

  For the first time ever, Blake was attracted to one of the men he transported, and he cursed himself for even having those thoughts. Fisher was in a vulnerable state, and probably would be for a long while. The last thing Fisher wanted was someone showing interest in him.

  First, he had to get his life together, and some counseling at the youth center wouldn’t hurt, though Blake wouldn’t be the one who suggested it. He’d let Grayson handle all that.

  Blake was just the transporter. An unpaid one at that, but he didn’t mind. His business was lucrative, and Blake had a nice savings already.

  “I’ll take whatever job I can get,” Fisher said. “I just want to start my life over, you know?”

  Blake nodded. “Been there once or twice myself. It’s not fun in the beginning, kind of scary, if you ask me. But well worth it if things pan out.”

  Fisher looked him over. “You were in an abusive relationship, too?”

  “No, but I’ve had to start over.”

  “Oh.” Fisher looked back out the window as he fell silent.

  Blake started to say something when an overwhelming ache started in his chest. He rubbed the area, wondering if he had heartburn or indigestion. Nonhumans couldn’t catch human diseases, but they sure as hell could get heartburn.

  Blake should know. He’d had it more than once, and it sucked.

  Though, nothing burned. It was just a heavy feeling, and slowly, he turned his head and looked at Fisher. Blake had done this as a favor to Grayson, but suddenly he wanted to protect Fisher from all the bad in the world. He wanted to go back and gut John for what he’d done.

  Whoa. Blake had never felt that way before. Sure, he’d been pissed with the abusers, but his main priority had been getting the abused out of Dodge.

  The pull.

  The thought hit him so hard that Blake swerved his SUV, grateful no other cars had been on the road.

  “Did you see a deer or something?” Fisher sat forward and squinted as he looked out the windshield.

  It had been a long drive there and an even longer one back. Blake looked at the clock on his dash. It was after midnight, and they still had two hours to go before they reached Maple Grove.

  “I think it was a skunk,” Blake lied. He had to, because there was no way in hell he was telling Fisher that they were mates. The guy had already been through enough, and Blake wasn’t even sure if his mate would ever be ready to hear that.

  “Thank goodness you missed it.” Fisher pressed a hand to his heart. “Killing animals is wrong, even if they’re jaywalking. And the smell would’ve been all up in this ride.”

  Blake chuckled. “That would’ve been bad.”

  “A skunk sprayed in the backyard once, and the smell didn’t leave for a few days. John had a fit.” Fisher stiffened and glanced away.

  “How long were you two together?”

  Fisher pressed his hands between his thighs and shrugged. For a second Blake didn’t think Fisher would answer him.

  “One long and grueling year.” Fisher’s voice was flat.

  Blake dropped the subject. He was pretty sure Fisher didn’t want to talk about John or the year he’d spent with him. He’d just wanted to know how long his mate had endured the man’s cruelty.

  He could drop Fisher off at Grayson’s, but Blake planned on coming around. He needed to let Fisher know that not all men were assholes, that some had big hearts and the thought of hurting an innocent guy turned their stomachs.

  Blake just wished he could pull Fisher into his lap and hold him, to make him feel safe and know the ugly world couldn’t get to him. Because Blake would make damn sure nothing else happened to his mate.

  “I know it’s late.” Fisher turned back to him. Damn those green eyes. They were going to be Blake’s undoing. “But do you think we can stop and grab something to eat? I was too nervous after I called Grayson to put anything on my stomach, and now I’m starving.” He patted his pocket. “If you treat, I promise to pay you back.”

  “If it’s my treat, then you don’t have to pay me back.” Damn if Blake would have Fisher beholden to him. In fact, Blake was going to slip Grayson some money to give to Fisher so he felt a bit better about being on his own.

  “There.” Fisher pointed to a sign that said an IHOP was at the next exit. “Is that okay with you? I’d appreciate any place we went if you don’t want to go there.”

  Blake furrowed his brows. He had a feeling Fisher kowtowed to John. That was gonna stop. “Is that where you want to go?”

  Fisher shrugged.

  “Then IHOP it is.” Blake took the exit and pulled into
the parking lot. The place was a twenty-four-hour restaurant. With it being after midnight, they didn’t have to wait to be seated.

  When they slid into their booth, Blake said in a low tone, “Get whatever you want. I mean it. You don’t have to ask me. The sky’s the limit in here.”

  Fisher twisted his lips to the side, and Blake could tell he was fighting a smile. “Thank you.”

  When the waitress came to their table, his mate ordered an orange juice while Blake ordered a coffee. He needed the caffeine since he was running on fumes.

  “I already know what I want,” Fisher said then jerked his head to look at Blake. Fuck. The guy looked as if he would start to panic. Blake had to put an end to that.

  “By all means, order.” He gave Fisher a friendly smile. “I know what I want, too.”

  Fisher didn’t say anything. He kept staring at his hands that were folded on the table in front of him. Blake had no idea why Fisher was being so quiet. The waitress stared impatiently at him, as if she had other tables to get to.

  The restaurant was almost deserted, but for all Blake knew, she could’ve been close to the end of her shift and ready to get out of there. She did have a tired look to her eyes.

  “Is there a problem?” Blake asked his mate. His fingers ached to reach across the table and touch Fisher’s folded ones, but he restrained himself.

  “I was just waiting for you to order first.” Fisher’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red.

  “Nope.” Blake shook his head as he tossed an arm over the back of his booth seat. “Beauty before age. Go right ahead.”

  Fisher’s blush deepened while he looked at the waitress and ordered his food.

  “That sounds good,” Blake said. “I’ll have to same.”

  Fisher looked around before he turned his attention on Blake. “If you don’t mind me asking, and you don’t have to answer, but how old are you?”

  Two hundred and fifteen, but Blake couldn’t tell Fisher that. He didn’t want his mate to have a meltdown in the middle of IHOP, even if there were some questionable characters sitting at other tables. Late night always brought the weirdos out. Blake rolled his eyes because he was there, too.

  “Thirty-five.” That was what he looked like, so that was the age Blake always gave when asked. He’d had so many driver’s licenses that it wasn’t even funny. In his world, it was good to know a guy who knew a guy. That made getting a new license easier in the nonhuman world.

  “Oh.” Fisher nodded. “I guess you are older.”

  “And you?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  They fell silent when their food was brought to their table. Blake was shocked at how quick the service had been. “Thank you,” he told the waitress.

  She nodded and strolled away.

  “This looks good.” Fisher smiled. “Thanks for feeding me.”

  “No problem.” They dug into their pancakes, and Blake was glad they’d stopped. He hadn’t realized how hungry he’d been. He just hoped he didn’t get sleepy from eating. They still had a long way to go before they made it to Maple Grove.

  His fork hung halfway to his mouth when Fisher dropped his silverware and dove under the table. Blake was startled by the sudden move, which made him look around. He spotted a white car pulling in.

  If it was John, nobody would be able to find his body. There wouldn’t be an argument, no public scene. He would take John outside and snap the bastard’s neck.

  Blake waited and watched for the driver to get out. He relaxed when an elderly couple exited their car. Blake leaned over and looked under the table. “Coast is clear. False alarm.”

  His damn heart broke in half at the sight of Fisher. He was pressed against the wall, his arms wrapped around his bent legs.

  “It’s safe to come out, Fisher. I promise. It was just an elderly couple.”

  Blake reached out, and Fisher took his hand. He pulled his mate from under the table and watched as Fisher looked around before sitting back down.

  It would take time, but Blake was determined to give Fisher back his life.

  * * * *

  They arrived at Grayson’s around three in the morning. Blake thought he would have to wake the sheriff up, but Grayson stood in his backyard, two dogs lying at his feet.

  “He doesn’t look as if he’s aged at all,” Fisher said.

  Blake pulled his SUV to a stop and killed the engine. This would be the hard part, letting Fisher walk away from him when all Blake wanted to do was take his mate home and let him get as much sleep as he needed.

  Fisher hadn’t dozed once on their trip, and the guy had to be exhausted. Blake sure as fuck was.

  “Hey, son,” Grayson said when he approached Fisher’s side. “Long time no see.”

  He opened the door and let Fisher get out. “I got a bed made for you, and I can have Moose cook you up something to eat if you’re hungry.”

  “We already took care of that,” Blake said when he got out. “Stopped and had us a nice meal.”

  Grayson’s gray eyes filled with appreciation. He walked over and shook Blake’s hand. “Thank you for doing this for me. I owe you.”

  “You don’t owe me a damn thing,” Blake said. He lowered his voice so Fisher couldn’t hear them. His mate was over by the dogs, petting them and talking softly to them. “He’s my mate.”

  Grayson’s grip tightened to the point Blake had to pull his hand free.

  “Come again?” The appreciation in Grayson’s eyes turned to anger.

  “It’s not like I could help it,” Blake said. “And I know he’s not ready for anything. I won’t push him, but I won’t stay away, either.”

  He reached into his back pocket and dug out a hundred bucks. He slipped the money to Grayson. “Say it’s from you. Call it a loan if that makes him feel better, but I don’t want him obliged to anyone. He’s had enough of that already.”

  Moose stepped outside and smiled at Fisher. Fisher backed up and spun, hurrying toward Blake.

  “That’s my better half,” Grayson said. “He looks scary, but Moose is just a big teddy bear.”

  Blake had to stop himself from reaching out and pulling Fisher into his arms. He wouldn’t welcome the touch, but Blake hated that scared look on his mate’s face.

  Fisher turned and looked at Blake, and it seemed he wanted to say something. Blake gazed at Grayson. “Can you give us a second?”

  Grayson nodded and walked over to Moose.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” Fisher looked back at the house with trepidation. “You’ve done enough, and I appreciate you getting me out of there.”

  “But?”

  Fisher wrung his hands as he shifted his slight weight from foot to foot. Something was agitating him, and Blake wanted to know what it was. His mate didn’t need to be in this state of mind. Blake wanted Fisher to feel safe, and if he didn’t, he wanted Fisher to tell him why.

  There was nothing more important to Blake than to make Fisher feel as if he could breathe without worrying something bad would happen.

  “Fisher, talk to me. Anything you say will stay between us.” He moved so he was between Fisher and the other two men, but was careful enough not to touch him. “I swear to you that Moose is a really great guy. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Can I stay with you?” Fisher asked bullet-fast. As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he curled his lips in and took a step back, his eyes wide.

  “Is that what you want?” Blake looked over his shoulder. Grayson and Moose had taken a seat on the patio chairs. Moose was petting one of the dogs as Grayson spoke softly to his mate.

  “No. Yes.” Fisher shrugged.

  Blake arched a brow. “Which is it? If you want to stay with me, I have no problem with that. If you don’t, I can make sure you get settled here. The option is totally up to you.”

  Fisher’s eyes misted with tears as he looked away. Once again Blake’s heart was breaking for the turmoil Fisher was going through. />
  “My house is just as safe. I promise nothing will happen to you. I have a spare bedroom you can use. You can even lock your door if that’ll make you feel better.”

  Blake didn’t want to let Fisher go. He wanted to keep his mate close, keep him safe. Grayson and Moose would’ve kept him protected, too, but call him selfish. Blake wanted to be the one looking out for Fisher.

  “I don’t want Grayson to be upset with me,” Fisher finally said. “He’s gone out of his way to help me, and it would seem unappreciative if I didn’t stay.”

  “Stay right here.” Blake walked over to Grayson and Moose.

  “Well?” Grayson asked. “Is he okay?”

  The concern in Grayson’s voice touched Blake. He knew the guy had a big heart, but Fisher was the one calling the shots. He was Blake’s priority. “He wants to come home with me. I guess we bonded on our trip here. He thinks of me as safe, and I don’t want to force him to go anywhere he doesn’t want to.”

  “Neither do we,” Moose said. “We don’t take offense that he doesn’t want to stay here. Poor guy is a mess, and his needs should be our only consideration.”

  Grayson smiled at Moose. “That’s why I love you.”

  Blake chuckled when Moose blushed. “Save that talk for the bedroom.”

  “Okay, guys.” Blake held up his hands. “Too much information. I’m gonna take Fisher home. I’ll keep you updated, and keep an eye out for a white BMW.” Blake rattled off the plate number. “That’s John’s car. If you spot it, call me.” He mock-glared at Grayson. “And I’ll take my money back.”

  “Got a better idea.” Grayson got up and strolled over to Fisher. Blake’s mate cringed, and he knew Fisher thought Grayson was gonna give him an earful for declining their hospitality.

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Moose said. “It chaps my khakis that he went through all that. If I spot that car, you don’t have to worry about John. I’ll let my bear eat him.”

  Blake grinned. “Always thinking about food.”

  Moose laughed. “I’m a growing boy.”

  Grayson walked back over. “I told him no hard feelings and he’s welcome here anytime. I also gave him the money and told him it’s to start his new life. He accepted it.”