Johnnie

by Cardeno C.

  Connect.

  Johnnie froze in place and gasped loudly.

  “What?” Hugh immediately darted his gaze around the room, searching for threats.

  “Nothing,” Johnnie said, even though it wasn’t nothing. It was an explanation. He shook his head and concentrated on moving his muscles. “Sorry.”

  Before he could share his theory, he needed to think it through, turn it over in his mind, and figure out if it made sense. His stomach rumbled noisily. But first he needed to eat.

  “Not hungry?” Hugh said, looking at him knowingly.

  “Maybe a little.” The rumble turned into a loud growl. “Maybe more than a little.” Johnnie smiled ruefully.

  Grinning back at him, Hugh said, “Let’s go see what we can throw together.” Still holding Johnnie’s hand, he walked toward the door.

  Trusting in Hugh to lead, Johnnie followed along without looking where he was going, his attention, instead, captivated by Hugh’s fingers curled with his. Connected.

  Chapter 13

  “Premier?” Percy Milroy said as he knocked on Hugh’s office door. “Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure.” Hugh shook hands with the man and woman in his office and kissed their cheeks before saying goodbye. “Come on in.”

  The day had been a whirlwind. Hugh wanted to warn every pride member about the danger posed by Dennis Jones and his friend Larry, both because he needed his lions to stay safe and because he needed to be notified if either man made contact. Without a pride gathering scheduled, he had two choices—demand that everyone drop whatever they had planned to come to an impromptu meeting or spend his day going from pride home to pride home, sharing the information in small groups. Johnnie wasn’t surprised when Hugh said he didn’t want to create panic and upheaval, and instead of disrupting everyone’s schedule, he’d spend the day visiting members in their pride homes.

  Though the current configuration of his relationship with Hugh was only a month old, Johnnie had carried part of his Premier inside for a decade so he had long known that Hugh was a good man who would put his pride members before himself. Any lions who weren’t home during his individual visits had been invited to Hugh’s house that evening, where he had shared the information once again and had then made himself available to answer questions.

  “What can I do for you, Percy?” Hugh asked once the latest grouping of lions left and Percy stepped inside the office door.

  “I, uh—” Percy gulped and flicked his gaze toward Johnnie, who was sitting in his usual spot, an upholstered chair in the corner. “I mean, we wanted to run something by you.” He walked farther into the office, followed by a couple of other lions.

  “Sure. Take a seat.” Hugh smiled tiredly and pointed toward the chairs gathered around his desk. It was almost ten at night and they had started making the rounds from pride home to pride home at eight that morning. Hugh had to be exhausted.

  The lions shuffled in, sat down, and fidgeted. Most of the pride had trusted in Hugh’s assurance that he’d deal with Dennis and Larry and they had nothing to worry about. A small number had been visibly furious that one of their own had betrayed the pride, and they’d offered to assist Hugh in any retribution he chose to inflict. A scant few had been nervous. But none of the lions had displayed the anxiety evident from those who now sat in Hugh’s office, picking at their clothes and avoiding Hugh’s gaze.

  “Could we…” Percy glanced at Johnnie, took a deep breath, and then looked at Hugh and said, “Can we speak alone?” He wiped his hands on his jeans and shuffled in his seat. “The Siphon can wait outside the door and not be too far to hold your power, right?”

  Narrowing his eyes, Hugh said, “Why do you want to separate me from my Siphon?”

  “I don’t!” Percy said, sounding panicked. “This is sensitive and… Please, Premier.”

  After looking at Percy appraisingly, Hugh turned to Johnnie, and though he didn’t say anything, Johnnie knew Hugh wanted to grant Percy’s request.

  For years Johnnie had thought that if Hugh hadn’t been such a good man, his own life would have been easier. He might have been able to tolerate his duties as a Siphon if only he hadn’t been tortured by the denial of what he wanted most of all—to be noticed by the generous, selfless, intelligent Premier whose power coursed through him. Those days were behind him, though. He now had Hugh’s attention and affection, so he had no hesitation about giving other lions alone time with their Premier in the midst of a stressful situation.

  Nodding quietly, Johnnie got up, stepped out of the office, and shut the door behind him. Muffled conversations from pride members chatting in the front room wafted over. Not wanting to interrupt them, he remained in the hallway. Almost immediately, he realized that his close proximity to Hugh’s office and his sensitive hearing allowed him to make out the conversation inside.

  “What’s going on, Percy?” Hugh asked. “You look like you’re about to shake apart.”

  After a long pause, one of the other lions—Van Hartwick, a pride elder—said, “He’s nervous, Premier.” He cleared his throat. “We’re all nervous.”

  “Don’t be. I will handle the situation with Dennis Jones and Larry Ridley. The only thing I need from you is to notify me immediately if either of them make contact and to keep your distance from them until I arrive.” The instructions were identical to what Hugh had said to every group of lions he’d spoken to that day.

  “But what if they aren’t the danger?” asked Lorena Mansfield.

  “I realize this is difficult for all of us,” Hugh said patiently. “Dennis was our friend and a valued member of this pride. But unfortunately, he decided to put his own greed above the welfare of the pride and that is dangerous.”

  “How do you know that’s what happened?” asked Lorena. “When you recounted the story, you said you never saw Dennis or his friend. You said the Siphon told you he’d been taken.”

  The silence that followed the question was filled with so much tension, Johnnie squirmed from his post in the hallway.

  “What are you suggesting?” Hugh’s tone was perfectly level.

  “Premier, I don’t know how else to say this but… Have you considered the possibility that the Siphon is lying?” Lorena asked.

  “Johnnie doesn’t lie to me.” There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in Hugh’s voice, making Johnnie’s chest swell.

  “How can you know?” Percy asked, sounding frantic. “He already tried to kill you once! I was there that night. Lorena was there. You were…” There was a pause before Percy continued speaking, his voice shaking. “He almost succeeded.”

  The reminder of what he had done and how it reflected on Hugh dimmed the warmth Johnnie had been feeling, leaving his stomach pained.

  “Maybe he was running from you, hoping to get far enough to snap your connection and push all your power back into you again. Then when you caught him, he made an excuse,” said Lorena. “Doesn’t that make more sense than his story?”

  “Johnnie wouldn’t do that,” Hugh insisted.

  Normally, that would have been enough to end the conversation and convince the pride members to defer to their Premier, but whether it was the stress of the situation or the result of Johnnie’s previous action, they didn’t trust quite as easily in their Premier’s judgment.

  “The Siphon can’t get very far from you. That means if Dennis and Larry had taken him, you would have seen them or at least heard or scented them,” Percy pointed out.

  Johnnie held his breath, hoping they would believe Hugh once he explained that the two of them could now separate for longer distances. But Hugh didn’t explain.

  “I can see that you’re concerned,” Hugh said instead. “I know how close you are with Dennis, and I’m truly sorry he chose this path, Percy.”

  “That’s not why I’m saying this,” Percy croaked, but his breaking voice proved that Hugh was right in his assessment, like always. “The Siphon tried to kill you and to make sure he wouldn’t do it again, you’ve h
ad to watch him so closely that you haven’t spent yourself with anyone in the pride since that night. I know. I asked around.”

  “I gather you’re probably relieving yourself with him but you need more than one lion to drain all your seed, Premier,” said Van.

  Bile rose in Johnnie’s throat. Was that why Hugh had started touching him? And was it why Hugh had stopped having sex with the rest of the pride members?

  “Without more frequent releases, your hormones will build up and you’ll be —”

  “Violent. Temperamental. Lacking in control.” Hugh listed each characteristic in the same slow, calm cadence he’d had throughout the conversation. “Did I miss anything?”

  “No,” Van said, sounding confused. “That’s right.”

  “Do I look angry, Van?”

  There wasn’t a verbal response so Johnnie assumed Van had either shaken his head or become too nervous to speak.

  “I’m sitting in my office with three trusted members of my pride and they’re continuously questioning my judgment and second guessing my decisions.” Though the words were harsh, the tone remained even. “Is that something most Premiers would tolerate, Lorena?”

  “No,” she answered.

  “Have I lost my temper, Percy?”

  “No,” Percy rasped.

  “I’m glad we agree on those points. Let’s see if we can get on the same page about the rest of it. Percy, when was the last time you saw Dennis?”

  “I, uh… Yesterday. I saw him yesterday morning.”

  “Did he tell you he’d be traveling away from Berk?”

  After a long pause, Percy said, “No.”

  “He lives in your den. You’re the most senior lion there. Isn’t it practice for the lions in your den to notify you before they’re gone overnight?”

  “Yes,” Percy confirmed.

  “And yet, Dennis didn’t tell you he’d be leaving. He didn’t tell me either, and I’m his Premier. Though I give this pride a lot of autonomy, a lion can be removed from a pride for leaving pride lands without his Premier’s permission.”

  Nervous mumbles sounded in response to Hugh’s point.

  “I spoke with George at the service station who confirmed that Dennis was on the schedule today but he didn’t show up,” Hugh added.

  “He missed work?” Lorena asked in surprise. “He never misses work.”

  “Yes,” Hugh said. “At this point, we can all agree on two things—after a century walking this earth, I have the ability to know what my body needs and Dennis Jones broke protocol by leaving Berk without permission or notification.” When nobody argued, Hugh continued. “Let’s add a third item to the list. Your theory is that Johnnie made up the story about being attacked by Dennis and Larry because he was trying to run from me in order to break our connection and kill me. Is that right?”

  “It made more sense than Dennis attacking him and…” Percy’s voice trailed off.

  “Right. You believed he was trying to run from me. And with that thought in mind, the three of you came in here about”—there was a pause—“seven minutes ago and asked to speak to me alone.” Another pause and the sound of Hugh’s chair rolling over the wood floor. “How far do you think Johnnie has to get to sever our connection and destroy me by relinquishing my power?” Footsteps. “And how long do you think it’d take him to get that far if he shifted into his lion form and ran?” Gasps sounded along with scrapes, as if chairs were pushed back in a rush. “Is seven minutes enough?” Hugh said, his voice remaining as calm as it had been throughout the conversation. “How about eight minutes? Because that’s how long it’s been now.” The doorknob rattled. “I realize you were shaken by what Johnnie did that night and that it makes it difficult for you to trust him, but all you need to do is trust me.” The doorknob turned and the door opened a hair. “Johnnie,” Hugh spoke into the crack without looking out. “Please come in here.”

  Wiping his sweaty palms on his pants legs, Johnnie took a calming breath, stepped toward the door, and pulled it open the remainder of the way. Immediately in front of the door stood Hugh. The other three lions were gathered behind him next to the chairs they had previously occupied, their faces pale and mouths gaping, as if in shock.

  “Van, Lorena, Percy.” Hugh looked at them. “Are we done or do you want to continue our conversation?”

  Flicking his gaze between Hugh and Johnnie, Van said, “We’re done, Premier.” He walked over to Hugh and lowered his gaze respectfully. “Thank you for your time.”

  “You’re welcome, Van.” Hugh caressed his shoulder. “Good night.”

  Van walked out of the office and Lorena approached Hugh.

  “My apologies,” she whispered, her eyes lowered and her face red.

  Hugh kissed her cheek. “My best to your little ones, Lorena.”

  “Thank you.” She sniffled and then rushed out of the room.

  “Hugh, I…” Percy gulped and blinked rapidly.

  “Come here.” Hugh opened his arms and Percy rushed over.

  He clung to Hugh, hiding his face against Hugh’s chest as his body shook.

  “It’s that friend of his,” Percy said, his words muffled but still understandable. “He kept causing trouble. Dennis never would have done this on his own. He loves Berk and he worships you.” He shook his head. “I should have made Larry leave. Then none of this would have happened.”

  “Dennis is an adult. You’re the head of his pride home, but he’s not a cub subject to his mother’s rules. His choices aren’t your responsibility.”

  “I know.” Percy straightened and wiped at his eyes with the backs of his hands. “But he’s my closest friend.” He sighed. “Was my closest friend. I wish I’d noticed what he was getting into in time to stop him before it got too far.”

  “So do I.” Hugh rubbed Percy’s back.

  Nodding, Percy smiled at Hugh weakly. “Thank you for your patience, Premier. I know I don’t deserve it. Good night.” He stepped toward the door and then stopped and turned to Johnnie. “Good night, uh, Johnnie.”

  Surprised at being noticed by a pride member let alone addressed by his new name, it took Johnnie several seconds to respond but eventually he said, “Good night, Percy.”

  With a nod, Percy turned around and shuffled away, his shoulders slumped.

  Hugh remained still, watching the shifters walk out of the room and down the hallway. When their footsteps faded, he sighed deeply and relaxed his shoulders.

  “Long day.” He moved closer to Johnnie, stood in front of him, and rubbed his shoulders. “How are you holding up? You must be exhausted.”

  They’d been going from pride home to pride home since morning, constantly surrounded by people and noise, so Johnnie was tired, but the conversation he had overheard bothered him more than the lack of rest. Why hadn’t Hugh explained to the pride that they could now separate for a longer distance? Hearing that would have made the situation more understandable. Unless what Percy, Lorena, and Van implied was true. If Hugh insisted on staying close to Johnnie in order to prevent him from making another attempt on his own life, then their ability to separate farther wouldn’t matter.

  “I’m okay,” he said, turning the past month over in his mind. Was it possible he had been seeing what he wanted to see rather than what was actually taking place? Even now, as Hugh massaged him, was he seeing tenderness when in fact there was nothing but obligation?

  Hugh had been leading a pride and taking care of its members for longer than most lifetimes. Knowing him as well as he did meant Johnnie realized there was nothing the Premier wouldn’t do for his lions. Spending extra time with a person who could harm the pride was by no means outside the limits of Hugh’s devotion.

  During his conversation with Percy and the other lions, Hugh had essentially denied that was the reason he’d been spending time with Johnnie. But Johnnie now understood how very important it was for the pride to see their Premier as all-powerful, and he recognized the immense impact of any action that took
away from that perception. So even if Hugh had chosen to remain close to Johnnie out of self-preservation, he wouldn’t have admitted it to the pride members for fear of showing weakness.

  There was only one way to know Hugh’s reason for being uncharacteristically close to him—Johnnie would have to ask Hugh. But before he could pose the question, he needed to be prepared for whatever response he received. Because regardless of what had driven Hugh’s recent behavior, being close to the Premier and more involved with the pride had brought Johnnie’s role in Berk and his importance to the pride to the forefront of his mind. He wouldn’t take an action that would hurt the pride, not even if it was his only route to freedom.

  “Johnnie?” Hugh slid his hands to either side of Johnnie’s neck and caressed the skin behind his ear. “You look”—Hugh peered at Johnnie’s face, his brow crinkled in concentration—“drained.” He hunched down and brushed his lips over Johnnie’s. “Give me a few minutes to make sure everyone’s gone and lock up the house. Then we can go to bed.” He wrapped his arm around Johnnie and led him out of the office. “I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard today. You’re still recovering from your injuries.”

  “I really am okay.” Physically, he was fine and he wouldn’t make Hugh feel guilty about doing right by the pride. “It was important to meet with everyone.”

  “It was,” Hugh agreed. “But now that’s done and we can get some rest.”

  Johnnie nodded though he doubted he could sleep well that night. He had a lot of thinking to do.

  Chapter 14

  Like he had the previous day, Hugh led Johnnie into his bathroom. His touch gentle and slow, he undressed both of them before curling his arm around Johnnie and keeping him close as they stepped under the spray. As Hugh washed him, Johnnie remained silent and passive, his mind racing, turning over details of how Hugh had been behaving with him, what Percy, Van, and Lorena said, what Dennis did and Larry’s role in it, and the change in how far he and Hugh could separate. Endless memories bounced in his head, crossing over each other and distracting him with new information before he could fully digest any single point.