Rescuing His Heart [Wolves of Desire 13] (The Lynn Hagen ManLove Collection) Page 8

  No man who acted that way could be evil. Not in Sylvester’s opinion, anyway.

  “So,” Sario said. “He really is your mate?”

  Sylvester turned to him. “You told me you saw those wolves turn into humans, but you never told me how you know about mates.”

  Sario shrugged. “The night after Mom died, I heard Leo in his study. He was crying, telling someone that Marie had been his mate, and that he would hunt down the drunk driver and torture him before he let the man die a painful death.”

  Sylvester frowned. “But that means Leo isn’t human.”

  The revelation stunned Sylvester down to his toes.

  Xander growled as he released Sylvester. “I have to let Sebastian know.”

  Sylvester’s fear of Leo tripled as he took an unsteady seat at the table. If Leo wasn’t human, then what in the hell was he?

  Chapter Eight

  “You’re running from me again.” Xander trapped Sylvester in the hallway as Sario hurried into the living room, giving them privacy.

  Xander might’ve given Sylvester the hug his mate needed in the kitchen, but that didn’t excuse him from getting dressed and taking off from their bedroom. He also saw how Sylvester had avoided his gaze when they were in the office.

  He regretted making that confession to Sylvester. His mate was obviously terrified that Xander was part demon. If Sylvester only knew that Xander would drop to his knees and do anything his mate wanted. He would rob, shoot, and kill, would sacrifice himself, and would set the world on fire if that made Sylvester happy.

  “I keep getting hit from left field.” Sylvester pressed his back into the wall. “It’s information overload, Xander.” He shook his head, biting his plump lower lip. “I’m trying, but…”

  “You’re scared.”

  “Wouldn’t you be scared?” Sylvester slid his arms around his midsection. “At least Sario had a month to absorb the fact that humans aren’t the only people on this planet. I’ve had twenty-four hours, and to be honest, I’m still reeling.”

  That only made Xander want to keep his past hidden. If Sylvester freaked out about him being a demon, how would he react to the things Xander had done? To the man he used to be?

  Unable to stop himself, Xander brushed a few stray strands of hair from Sylvester’s face. He slid his fingers down Sylvester’s cheek, cherishing the feel of his mate’s warm skin.

  Sylvester sucked in a ragged breath, then released it. The longer Xander touched him, the more Sylvester relaxed. His dark blue eyes searched Xander’s face. Xander pulled Sylvester to his chest and rested his chin on his mate’s dark hair.

  “You have no idea just what you mean to me.” He splayed his hand over Sylvester’s back. “Don’t run from me. I know this is frightening, but I don’t know what I’d do if you left me, Sylvester.”

  “I don’t always think straight when I’m scared,” Sylvester said. “I tend to run from my problems.”

  And Sylvester had done a fair amount of running since Xander had met him. Sylvester clearly couldn’t face his fears, but that was what Xander was for. He’d slay Sylvester’s dragons, just as long as Sylvester didn’t run from him.

  “You warned me that I didn’t know the real world,” Sylvester said. “I had no idea how right you were.”

  “I wish I wasn’t.” He cupped Sylvester’s jaw. “I wish the only threat was humans. That would make my job of protecting you a cakewalk. But there’re worse things out there, and you running away not only puts you in danger…” Xander closed his eyes briefly before opening them. “It kills my damn ego.”

  Sylvester gave a small laugh. “You think I don’t want you?”

  “Putty Tat, you’ve shown me more than once that you don’t want me.”

  Sylvester frowned. “What did you just call me?”

  Xander grinned. “Sylvester the putty tat.”

  Sylvester grimaced. “Not on your life. You better never call me that again.”

  Xander stole a quick kiss. “Putty Tat.”

  “Ugh.” Sylvester shoved playfully at him. “Don’t make me cut your balls off.”

  “There’re a lot of things I’ll let you do to my nuts, but cutting them off isn’t one of them.” Xander grabbed his hand and led him to the glass wall in the living room. He had no clue where Sario had gone, but he was grateful they were alone. He opened the french doors and led Sylvester onto the back deck.

  The morning sun bathed Xander’s skin, making him tilt his head back as he enjoyed the rays. Thankfully he wasn’t fully a demon, or his corporeal form would fade in the sunlight.

  And wouldn’t that just blow Sylvester’s already-blown mind?

  “Why are we out here?” Sylvester asked as Xander gazed at the back wall, his wolf eager for a run. Hell, his wolf would be satisfied with even a walk.

  “I want you to do something with me.”

  Sylvester eyed him. “Like what?”

  “A simple walk. You’ll be perfectly safe and we won’t go far.”

  Sylvester’s eyes lit up. “I can do that. I need to stretch my legs.” He glanced around. “Are we gonna walk in the woods?”

  “Yep.” Xander began to undress.

  “Why are you taking your clothes off?” Sylvester’s gaze shot to the glass wall. “What if someone sees you?”

  “Then they better close their eyes,” Xander teased. In truth, shifters couldn’t care less about nudity. It was natural to them. But Xander didn’t tell Sylvester that. He already had enough to take in.

  “So.” Sylvester eyed Xander’s naked body. “You’re gonna go for a walk naked?”

  “No.” Xander pulled Sylvester close, loving how his mate’s eyes filled with hunger as their bodies touched. Xander couldn’t recall any lover ever looking at him with such desire. He needed every ounce of control not to fuck Sylvester right there on the deck. “I’m gonna be in my wolf form and you’re gonna walk next to me, Putty Tat.”

  He was hoping to alleviate Sylvester’s anxiety about seeing his wolf by calling him the nickname his mate didn’t like, but that Xander was growing fond of.

  “What have I told you about calling me that?” Sylvester narrowed his eyes.

  It had worked. After giving Sylvester a quick kiss, Xander shifted. Sylvester’s blue eyes widened as he took a step back. Xander licked Sylvester’s hand, then trotted toward the wall. He turned, making sure Sylvester followed.

  And his mate did, though rather slowly. Once Sylvester was at his side, Xander leaped over the wall, and his mate crawled over the crumbling bricks.

  Later that night, Xander waited until Sylvester was asleep before he grabbed his cell phone from his dresser and stepped onto the balcony. The warm night breeze slid over his naked body and lightly ruffled his hair as he called a number he hadn’t used in a very long time. He wasn’t even sure if it worked any longer. As he waited for his friend to pick up, Xander glanced over the balcony, making sure no one was on the back deck to overhear his conversation.

  “You know better than to call me at this number,” his friend barked. “We have rules set in place for a reason.”

  Xander knew he was supposed to post an antique watch on eBay at a ridiculous amount, and his friend would get a notice that the watch he was interested in buying was up for sale. That would tell him to contact Xander.

  But Xander was desperate. He had to get Sylvester’s stepfather and stepbrothers taken care of before they came sniffing around Desire. “Is it safe to talk?” Xander asked.

  “This time,” he said. “Don’t pull this bullshit again.”

  “I need your help.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Xander told his friend about Sylvester, the motel room, and Leo.

  His friend gave a low whistle. “I know about that body. Your mate is being hunted down by the cops. I’d keep his ass tucked away at your place if I were you.”

  That was a given.

  “I need you to put an ear to the ground and tell me what Leo Ramsey is up to,” Xander said. “From what Sylvester’s brother tells me, the guy isn’t even human.”

  “Do you know what he is?”

  “No, so be careful. Ears only. No engaging.”

  “Couldn’t engage if I wanted to,” he said. “Can’t afford to blow my cover. It took me a helluva long time to infiltrate this group. I don’t want to think about what would happen to me if my true identity was discovered.”

  “I’d appreciate any info you can give me.” Xander leaned against the metal railing as he scanned the backyard.

  “I’ll see what I can come up with.”

  “Thanks, Enrique.” Xander hung up and went back inside. He set his phone on the dresser before crawling back in bed with Sylvester.

  Sylvester was relieved when Xander agreed to an outing. He’d been stuck in the house a week, and Sylvester had been going stir-crazy. He wasn’t much of a TV watcher, he’d played all the board games in the house, twice, and he could only watch so much nature through the glass wall. He would have entertained himself on his phone, but Xander had made him shut it off, just to be on the safe side.

  Xander had suggested they go to the local diner for dinner. Sylvester wouldn’t have cared if Xander had suggested going to a car wash, just as long as he got out of the house.

  He rolled his window down, enjoying the breeze and the smell of the countryside as Xander drove into town. They passed a bunch of businesses, like the gas station, the pharmacy, and different restaurants, including a pizza parlor and sandwich shop.

  Sylvester had been asleep the first time he’d passed through Desire. Now he sat up straight, glancing around.

  Xander pulled into one of the angled parking spaces in front of the diner. “Sebastian has wolf shifters patrolling the area. I don’t thin
k anything will jump off, but if it does, you stick to me like glue. You got that?”

  Sylvester nodded. “Don’t leave your side.”

  That wasn’t a hard request to follow. Sylvester might have been scared out of his mind about what Xander was, but nothing was scary about his looks. Today Xander wore black jeans and black boots that made his legs look strong and downright sexy. He had on a dark blue Henley that made his hazel eyes softer and more sensual. But the shirt also molded to his muscles, showcasing just how fit and masculine Xander truly was.

  When they joined each other on the sidewalk, Xander slid an arm around Sylvester’s waist and guided him into the diner. The touch sent electrifying currents of need through Sylvester.

  The waitress seated them, handed them menus, and took their drink orders before wandering away.

  A smile curled the side of Xander’s mouth. “Stop looking at me like I’m the main course.”

  “I can’t help it.” Sylvester blushed. “That outfit is driving me crazy.” He lowered his voice so the people in the next booth couldn’t hear him. “I want to crawl onto your lap and ride you until I can’t walk.”

  Xander’s hazel eyes darkened as they became heavy-lidded. “Keep talking like that and I’ll throw you in the backseat of my car.”

  Sylvester’s cheeks heated to nuclear levels. Images of them having hot, sweaty sex in the backseat made his cock jerk. “Maybe after we’ve had dinner.”

  Sylvester had had a few relationships in the past, but none of the men he’d dated had ever been as sexy as Xander. None of those relationships had lasted, either. It was hard for a budding romance to blossom when Leo kept a close eye on his stepsons. As soon as he learned Sylvester was dating someone, the relationship went south.

  No one was brave enough to stand up to Leo or his psychotic sons. Luckily, Leo had never learned of Sylvester’s infatuation with Brad. Sylvester didn’t want to think how that would’ve gone down.

  Sylvester was also afraid Leo would find out about Xander. Luckily, he knew Xander could hold his own and wouldn’t easily be scared away.

  “What’re you thinking about?” Xander tapped his foot against Sylvester’s. “You have a deep frown on your face.”

  With a sigh, Sylvester told Xander about the men he’d dated and how Leo had scared them away.

  Xander studied him for a long moment. “You do know that I’m not going anywhere, right?”

  Their conversation was interrupted when the waitress brought their drinks to the table. Sylvester thanked her and quickly looked over the menu. He decided on a fat, greasy burger and some fries.

  Xander ordered the same.

  “I know,” Sylvester said when she left. “But that still doesn’t stop me from worrying you’ll get hurt.”

  Something flashed in Xander’s hazel eyes. Sylvester couldn’t make out the emotion.

  “I really don’t deserve you,” Xander murmured. “You have the weight of the world on your shoulders and you’re worrying about me.” He shook his head.

  “That’s because I know how ruthless Leo can be.” Sylvester remembered one incident not too long ago. He’d been in the kitchen at home, making himself a sandwich when he’d heard someone scream. Sylvester had gone to investigate, and he peeked into Leo’s study.

  Leo, Duke, and Riley had been taking turns slicing some guy tied to a chair. Seeing the torture had made Sylvester want to vomit, but the pure joy in their eyes had been what had chilled him down to his bones.

  If Leo got his hands on Xander, he would take pleasure in making Xander suffer.

  “You have no idea how ruthless I can be, too.” Xander looked away, but not before Sylvester saw shame in his eyes.

  Sylvester touched Xander’s hand. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Although it wasn’t her fault, the waitress had the worst timing. When she approached with their plates, Xander actually looked relieved at the interruption.

  Sylvester was now determined to find out about Xander’s past. He was hiding something, and from the way he’d looked when he talked about being ruthless, Sylvester could tell it was something dark.

  When they began to eat, Sylvester decided to lighten the mood. He’d come to town to have fun, not delve deep into Xander’s past. “I saw a coffee shop across the street. I could go for a hot chocolate when we’re done here.”

  Xander’s features relaxed as he chuckled. The sexy, deep sound made ripples of pleasure pulse through Sylvester. “Owen makes the best hot chocolate.”

  It was mid-September, and although the days hadn’t turned chilly yet, Sylvester felt fall in the air. And that excited him since fall was his favorite season. Unfortunately, winter came after that. Sylvester hated snow.

  They spent the rest of their meal idly chatting. Sylvester couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much, or enjoyed someone’s company this immensely.

  Xander had a great sense of humor and Sylvester loved that. It only made Sylvester fall harder for him.

  “I’m stuffed.” Sylvester patted his flat stomach. “I wish we could go for a walk.”

  Xander handed the waitress the check she’d dropped of minutes before, along with the cash to pay for their meal. “It’s still daylight out,” Xander said as they scooted from the booth. “We’ll get your hot chocolate, then take a walk through the park.”

  “You sure know how to make a guy feel special,” Sylvester teased as they exited the diner.

  “So do you, sweetheart.”

  Sylvester swooned as Xander cupped his face and gave him a quick, but thorough kiss. Xander’s lips tasted sweet from the soda he’d drunk, and from the mint he’d popped into his mouth.

  If they weren’t on the street, Sylvester would’ve climbed Xander and taken the kiss deeper. He loved how gently Xander touched his cheek, the dark, smoky smell of his skin, and how he fit perfectly against Xander’s muscular frame.

  He especially loved how those hazel eyes darkened with need.

  “Maybe we can skip that walk.” Sylvester licked his lips, his cock hardening as excitement made his cheeks burn with a blush.

  “I know exactly what we can do.” Xander gave him a sexy smile. “I want to get you naked and under me, Putty Tat.”

  Sylvester rolled his eyes. He saw now that he wasn’t going to win this battle. “I really do hate that name.”

  “I don’t.” Xander pulled away and grabbed Sylvester’s hand, leading him to the car.

  The sun had begun to set, painting the sky with soft blue and pink hues. The evening was perfect, and so was the man at his side. Sylvester couldn’t remember a time when he’d been this happy and content.

  Until Duke and Riley pulled next to Xander’s car in their shiny black truck as Duke grinned evilly at him from the driver’s window. “We’ve been looking for you, boy.”

  Chapter Nine

  “This kill is fresh,” Enrique said as Joe stared at the dead body in the bedroom of the small apartment. “Too damn fresh, like seconds ago.”

  This was the first time since the dead bodies started showing up that Joe had come this close to catching the culprit. They had to have just missed him or her.

  Joe snapped a picture of the victim, then stiffened. He sniffed the air, crinkling his nose at the noxious odor. “I smell sulfur.”

  “You have a better sense of smell than I do,” Enrique said. “I don’t smell anything.”

  “It’s faint.” Joe tucked his phone into his back pocket. “Call the boys and have them dispose of this body. We don’t need the cops investigating this.”

  Joe glanced one last time at the guy on the bed with a hole in the center of his chest. He knew the victim. Tim O’Brian. He’d been a damn good Hunter—even though he’d been one of the men who’d turned against Joe.

  But that didn’t take away from his competence, his strong determination, and his many skills. Joe hated the fact that so many of his people had turned their backs on him. And it was his own damn fault.

  It still was, since he was secretly sending the photos to Maverick Brac.

  Joe held up a hand when a floorboard squeaked. He pulled his gun free and eased toward the bedroom door. Enrique did the same, moving to stand on the opposite side.