A Promise Kept

by Lynn Hagen

  

  Maple Grove 5

  A Promise Kept

  With a soul-sucking demon after him, Emilio has no one to turn to for help. He has no family, no friends, and no one to save him. He’s never let anyone get that close. He doesn’t need that kind of complication in his life. Even when he tries to make friends, Emilio screws it up. So why bother? That is until a sexy stranger flirts with Emilio. From then on Emilio’s life turns into one big whirl, and his heart, as well as his life, is never the same again.

  Malik just wants to get laid and the sexy little bartender will do just fine. When he notices Emilio taking a break out back, Malik decides to make his move, only to discover Emilio is his mate. Now the tables have turned, and Malik struggles to keep Emilio safe from the demon out to steal his soul. Too bad Emilio fights him every step of the way.

  Genres: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shape-shifter

  Length: 33,602

  A PROMISE KEPT

  Maple Grove 5

  Lynn Hagen

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  A Promise Kept

  Copyright © 2019 by Lynn Hagen

  ISBN: 978-1-64243-939-7

  First Publication: August 2019

  Cover design by Emma Nicole

  All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.

  You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.

  For all titles by Lynn Hagen, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lynn-hagen

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  A PROMISE KEPT

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  A PROMISE KEPT

  Maple Grove 5

  LYNN HAGEN

  Copyright © 2019

  Chapter One

  Malik Burrows grabbed a seat at the packed bar, shocked he’d found one empty but even more shocked at the sexy guy working behind the bar. He watched the guy move up and down the walkway, dancing around the other bartender as he filled drinks and cashed people out.

  “Fuck,” Malik said under his breath. He couldn’t determine if Sexy was human or other because there were too many scents permeating the bar. Cheap cologne, perfume, alcohol, sweat, sex, and he even smelled the hint of marijuana.

  The gorgeous bartender spotted Malik and smiled before he walked down the bar. “What can I get you?”

  Malik stopped himself from leaning across the bar and acting like a total creep by sniffing the guy. His lion had no qualms about doing it, but Malik forced his lion to heel. “How about your phone number?”

  The guy rolled eyes so blue they bordered on purple. Blueberries came to mind as he shook his head. “Try again, Romeo.”

  “Malik,” he corrected. “And you are?”

  “Busy.” The guy stared down the bar. “If you don’t want to order anything, I have other customers that need my attention.”

  Malik’s mouth curved into a smile. He would get Sexy’s name. The stranger was too hot to ignore, and Malik wanted a piece of the cute bartender. “I’ll take whatever you have on tap.”

  With a nod, Sexy poured him a drink while shouting to the other bartender that the keg needed to be replaced. Malik watched the expressions that crossed Sexy’s face, the way his waiflike body moved as he set the mug on the counter, and Malik slid him some cash.

  “Keep the change.”

  The guy looked at the twenty with furrowed brows. “But your drink was only four bucks.”

  Malik winked as he took a sip from his mug. Thankfully he stopped the grimace before it showed. Alcohol wasn’t something he enjoyed. He’d come to Tilted Tiger Tavern to meet with John Zitelli and Darren Christopher. Malik had come to Maple Grove to set his step-nephew straight, but once Brad had been killed, he’d stayed to comfort his niece, Lynda.

  In those few weeks, Malik had fallen in love with the small town. He was meeting Moose and Darren to discuss joining the police force, which was a far cry from being a bounty hunter. A job Malik had thoroughly enjoyed, but now he was looking forward to the slower pace of life.

  Sexy cleaned up spilled beer from the bar, tossed the rag aside, and gave the drunkard who’d spilled it an annoyed smile. He said something Malik couldn’t make out then proceeded to a door to the left of the bar.

  When Sexy disappeared, Malik waved down the other bartender. It took a minute for the guy to get to him since it was Tuesday Taco Night. A waitress kept bringing out trays of them to serve to the tables behind him.

  “What can I get you?” the short, lanky man asked.

  “You can tell me the other bartender’s name.”

  The guy looked over his shoulder then back at Malik. “Who, Emilio?”

  See, Malik knew he’d learn Stud’s name. He nodded. “Thanks.”

  The guy shrugged and walked away. He had on the tightest jeans Malik had ever seen, an even tighter shirt, and rainbow suspenders. That shocked him. He knew Maple Grove wasn’t prejudiced against gays, but they weren’t holding parades for them, either.

  Emilio emerged five minutes later. He looked exhausted as he jumped right back into things, making Malik wonder what was up with the guy. His movements were no longer graceful. In fact, he seemed to have turned clumsy as he knocked over the tip jar, dropped a beer bottle, and stepped on the other bartender’s toes.

  “What the fuck?” the guy asked. “Get your shit together, Emilio.”

  For reasons Malik couldn’t explain, his lion snarled at the way the bartender spoke to Emilio. Sure, Emilio was good looking and Malik wouldn’t mind fucking him, but why was his dumb animal getting so defensive?

  His lion normally didn’t care who Malik was interested in, but for some reason, tonight, he cared.

  “There you are.”

  Malik looked over his shoulder to see Moose and Darren heading his way. He was still amazed every time he saw Moose. The guy had to be close to seven feet tall and was built like a linebacker. He towered over everyone in the bar as he and Darren moved in behind Malik.

  Malik still recalled passing Moose in the diner when Brad had had a gun to some kid’s head. He’d nearly stumbled when he’d first seen Moose, but thankfully he hadn’t, and he was also grateful no one had gotten hurt that day.

  “Why don’t we get a table?” Darren ask
ed.

  He gave Emilio one last glance before they found a table close to the back. Moose ordered a dozen tacos. He looked at Malik. “Did you want to order any?”

  “All twelve are for you?” Malik asked.

  Moose grinned. “I’m a growing boy.”

  Darren rolled his eyes and ordered a sampler platter, which consisted of chicken tacos, beef ones, and even ones filled with steak. Darren narrowed his eyes at Moose. “You’re not allowed to touch the platter.”

  Moose stuck his bottom lip out, and Malik wasn’t sure what to make of him. “Can you really eat that many?”

  “You have no idea,” Darren said. “I’m just glad I’m not the one paying his food bill at home.”

  He couldn’t image what Moose could put away in a week. If his order was anything to go by, he kept the local grocery store in business.

  “Why didn’t Sheriff Copache join us?” Malik asked after ordering a soda and handing his beer mug to the waitress. It was still filled since Malik had taken just one sip.

  “His daughter is in town,” Moose said. “She just got here, and he went to the airport to pick her up.”

  There was anger in Moose’s eyes, but Malik didn’t ask what that was about. Moose in a foul mood wasn’t something he wanted to deal with. Malik hardly knew the guy, anyway.

  Their food came, and they talked about working as a deputy in Maple Grove. Malik might have taken a huge pay cut from what he’d made as a bounty hunter, but he was financially set and didn’t mind.

  He looked over his shoulder and saw Emilio hustling to get the drinks made for the men and woman crowded at the bar. He was amused when Emilio glanced his way, but the guy quickly looked in another direction.

  “Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Darren grabbed a steak taco from the platter as Moose devoured his dozen.

  Malik shrugged. “My boss isn’t too happy that I up and left in the middle of a case to help my niece,” he said. “At three hundred years old, I’m looking to slow down, anyway. I’ve worked my ass off my entire life, and it’s about time I started enjoying it.”

  “I feel ya.” Moose wiped at his mouth and took a drink of his water. “Darren and I used to do almost the same kind of work. We did a lot of black op missions that took us all around the globe. It was nice to finally settle in one place.”

  “Although I hadn’t planned on it,” Darren said. “I have a cabin on the outskirts of town. I’d gone there to get away from things.”

  “To hide your mate,” Moose corrected.

  Darren glared at Moose. “Anyway, Lenox fell in love with Maple Grove, so I retired and we’ve been living here ever since.”

  “Similar story,” Moose said. “Found my mate after he’d been beaten up by a lion shifter and two demons.”

  Malik winced, considering he was a lion shifter.

  Moose waved his hand as though he’d read Malik’s mind. “No sweat. You weren’t the one who beat the crap out of Grayson, so no hard feelings toward lions.”

  “How is that a similar story?” Darren asked. “I was hiding my mate until I could get him out of the mess he was in. Your mate was held hostage and beaten up.”

  “It was Lenox’s mom and brother who did it,” Moose replied. “So that connects the two stories.”

  As the two bickered, Malik glanced at the bar again. Some guy was all up in Emilio’s face, smiling at the sexy bartender. He could tell Emilio was annoyed, and he could also see the smiling fool was wasted by the pink flush of his cheeks and the happy glaze in his eyes.

  “Excuse me.” Malik got up and walked back to the bar. He couldn’t understand why he was intervening. Emilio hadn’t wanted anything to do with him, yet there Malik was, playing Captain Save-a-Twink.

  “Come on, handsome. I could make your night,” the stranger said. “I love the way you smell. I could just eat you up.”

  “Hey, babe,” Malik said when he made it to the bar. “Are you still coming to my place after work?”

  Emilio’s dark brows shot up to his hairline when he looked Malik’s way. Then knowledge filled his eyes. “Sure thing, sugar plum.” He even tossed in a wink.

  Malik looked the drunkard over. “Is there something you wanted?”

  The guy looked between them before he shook his head and walked away. Malik tried to scent the stranger, but all he smelled was stale beer, tacos, and too many other odors to get an accurate take on the guy.

  “Thanks,” Emilio said. “He’s been coming in every night this week harassing me.”

  “You’re most welcome.” Even though he knew Emilio’s name, Malik wanted Sexy to tell him himself. “So, are you still gonna hold out on telling me who you are?”

  Emilio’s eyes became guarded. “I’m grateful for the save, but I’m still busy.”

  “Okay, at least tell me why you came back from break looking exhausted and bumping into things.”

  “You said it,” Emilio said. “Exhaustion. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

  He walked away, leaving Malik standing there staring after him. He decided to leave the bartender alone since Emilio didn’t want to be bothered.

  Until the scent of baby powder hit Malik so hard he would swear someone had dumped out a bottle right next to him. But when he looked around he didn’t see any white powder anywhere.

  His lion roared, once again going nuts. Malik’s claws threatened to lengthen as his canines tried to emerge. He stepped away from the bar and hurried outside to get control of himself.

  Malik was standing on the side of Tilted—what the locals called the bar—sucking in fresh air when he heard a door at the back of the bar squeak open. He looked around the corner and saw Emilio sitting on an overturned crate, staring at his phone.

  Malik needed to know. He had to know. Everything inside him felt chaotic, and he’d never experienced that before.

  When he approached, he put his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I’m not stalking you.”

  Emilio jumped up from where he’d been sitting and backed away. “I have pepper spray!”

  “And you don’t need to use it,” Malik said. He covertly inhaled, and fuck! It was as if a fist had punched him in the gut. His lion roared again as Malik fought not to grab Emilio and claim him right then and there.

  Emilio looked at him strangely, and Malik knew the human felt the pull.

  The cute bartender was his mate.

  * * * *

  Emilio slid his hand into his pocket to cup his house keys since he didn’t really have any pepper spray. He didn’t give a crap if Malik was the hottest guy he’d ever laid eyes on. The creep had followed him back here, which meant only one thing.

  He wanted to get laid and didn’t know what the fuck boundaries meant.

  “I’m going back inside, and if you approach me again, I’m calling the cops.”

  The guy’s smile set Emilio’s heart to racing and made his eyes seem kinder. There was also a spark of humor in them that Emilio didn’t appreciate. Did this jerk think following him to the back of the bar was cute or his version of romantic?

  It wasn’t.

  “Soon enough you can call me Deputy Burrows.”

  Emilio’s jaw dropped as he sucked in a breath. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I have a cop stalking me?”

  That sounded really bad, but a part of Emilio was attracted to Malik like he’d never been attracted to anyone before. There was just something about him that pulled Emilio in and shook him to his core.

  And that feeling scared him to death. He didn’t want to feel those strange swirls in his gut or for his heart to race as he stared into Malik’s piercing green eyes. Emilio didn’t like how sweaty his palms were or the instinct he had to move closer to Malik.

  “That’s not what I’m doing,” Malik said. “I just wanted to make sure that drunk hadn’t come out here to harass you.”

  Malik was full of shit. That wasn’t the reason he’d come out here, and he was making Emilio uncomfortable. The gu
y was also making him horny with those pretty eyes of his. He kept staring at Emilio as though Emilio were some kind of alien.

  Like he was trying to figure him out.

  Emilio grabbed the door handle and hurried back inside, slamming the door closed in case Malik got any funny ideas. He wasn’t sure if he was running from the guy or the storm of emotions that had engulfed him. It was just lust. That had to be it because Malik Burrows was one sexy motherfucker.

  “Why do you look so spooked?” Reese asked as he made a platter of tacos. “You look like you saw a ghost out there.”

  “There’re some pretty fucked-up people who live around here.”

  Reese snorted as he wiped his hands on his apron. “You just now figuring that out?”

  Emilio shouldn’t have said that considering he himself was one of those fucked-up people. He had done things he wasn’t proud of to make ends meet, had screwed over a very sweet guy, and the guilt of what he’d done still ate at him.

  Swallowing all that down, Emilio rushed back into the bar. Jericho arched a finely plucked brow at him. “Back so soon from your break?”

  “We’re swamped,” Emilio lied. “I can’t leave you to this crowd.”

  Jericho pursed his lips. “Honey, I can make drinks in my sleep. I have this rowdy bunch under control if you want to finish your break.”

  Emilio saw Malik come back inside through the front door and rejoin his friends. Emilio was still shaken about how attracted he was to the hot stranger.