Handful of Mate

by April Dinh

  “You’re very welcome. I was talking with the sheriff, and he told me he handed that video over to the FBI. There’s now a manhunt for Dublin, though I’m not sure they’ll find him. He’s very good at hiding in the shadows, or at least, that’s what Scott told me.”

  Dublin couldn’t hide forever. Sooner or later he would slip up, and Pyke prayed he was there when it happened.

  Chapter Ten

  “Mom?”

  “I got your message,” she said as if she didn’t really want to talk to him. “Be glad I’m calling you back. I’m still upset about you kicking me out, Nessie.”

  Nester rolled his eyes as he tossed the clothes into the washer. Pyke had left, but there were two deputies outside the house keeping an eye on things. His mate had said he needed to talk to Copache, but Nester had a feeling he was trying to track down Dublin.

  Nester hadn’t argued, because a part of him wanted Dublin dead. Yet a bigger part of him feared what might happen to Pyke when he found the thug.

  Fortunately, Moose had been with Pyke, and that brought Nester some semblance of relief, though he wouldn’t be totally relieved until Pyke was home again.

  Home. It was funny how Nester already thought of this beautiful place as his. Pyke made it easy, with his laughter, his caring ways, and damn, Nester was falling in love. It was an ache in his chest when Pyke wasn’t there. A quickened heartbeat when his mate looked his way, and sweaty palms whenever Pyke smiled at him.

  God, Nester had it bad, and he didn’t mind at all. Not when he was in love with someone like Pyke, a guy who didn’t blame Nester for the chaos surrounding them.

  And Nester was grateful for that.

  “That wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t the one who asked you to leave.” Nester added the detergent, closed the lid, and started the washer. It had been a week since the break-in, and so far all was quiet.

  “You didn’t protest it, either,” she argued.

  “So you punish me by not calling me back for a week?”

  “I do have a life.”

  Nester was trying to think of a way to ask her about Dublin without her getting suspicious. If Norma Jean thought something was going on, she would be on him like a dog with a bone.

  A thought occurred to him. “I’m well aware of that, Mom. By the way, I heard you were in the gas station last week flirting with some handsome guy.”

  She went silent for a long moment while Nester held his breath. Would she lie to him? Was she even involved? If she wasn’t, why had Dublin talked with her?

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I do have needs, and when a handsome man stops to ask for directions, well…”

  Nester gagged. He didn’t want to think about his mother having sex. Fuck, now he needed a scouring pad to scrub those images out of his head.

  “Don’t.” Nester squished his eyes closed. “I get the gist. You don’t have to spell it out for me.”

  “I’m not a nun, Nessie. I never cheated on your father, but like I said, I do have needs.”

  “Mom, stop.” Nester went into the living room and sat down. Although he wanted to end the conversation, he knew he needed to dig a little deeper. “So you two are going on a date? What’s his name, and what does he do for a living?”

  Again, his mother went silent. Time seemed to stretch on as he waited for her answer. Nester knew not to rush her. Norma Jean didn’t like to be rushed.

  “His name is Dublin, and yes, we’re going on a date.”

  Was Dublin using Norma Jean for sinister reasons? As much as he didn’t want to think about it, even bad guys dated. But not his mom. Even though Norma Jean and Nester’s relationship was far from perfect, she was his mother, and he didn’t want her dating a criminal.

  “Um…why don’t you bring him by so I can meet him?” Nester’s heart thundered. If he could get Dublin to Pyke’s house, then Pyke could end this.

  Nester would just have to get his mother away so she wouldn’t know what was going on. He could maybe take her into the backyard and pretend to show her around. She liked being treated royally, and Nester would lay it on thick if that meant killing Dublin.

  God, I really am turning into a killer.

  “I don’t think so,” Norma Jean said. “You don’t meet a guy and then automatically introduce him to your family. Are you trying to get me to scare him off?”

  Crap, well, it had been worth a try. “Right. You’re right. Can you at least tell me where he’s taking you?”

  “The Canteen,” Norma Jean said with a touch of excitement in her voice. “Dublin said it’s a real fancy place. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been anywhere fancy? God knows your father never took me anywhere.”

  Nester gritted his teeth to stop the slew of curses that wanted to escape. Even so, he kept his mouth shut so she wouldn’t hang up on him. He still needed to know what day and time. It wasn’t the perfect plan, but at least the cops, and FBI, would know where to find the piece of shit.

  “So, when is the big date?”

  “What is with the inquisition, Nessie? Since when are you interested in my life? You’ve never been this nosy before.”

  That’s because I’ve never been trying to entrap a thug.

  “Maybe it’s about time we set our difference aside and had a real connection.” The sad truth was, Nester would love nothing more. What child didn’t crave a relationship with his mother? Even as old as Norma Jean was, Nester still believed people could change.

  It was highly unlikely, but a guy could still wish.

  “Connection?” she scoffed. “Stop making it sound like you want to hook up with me.”

  “Mom!” Nester really was going to be sick. He felt his face catch fire as he groaned. “Only you would think that way. You knew exactly what I meant, because we’ve never been able to connect.”

  “That’s not my fault. You spent all your time with your father, never including me in your plans. Do you know how that made me feel?”

  Nester had to stop and think. Had he and his dad intentionally left her out of their plans? He racked his brain, but he couldn’t recall either him or his father asking her to join them.

  In fact, Nester couldn’t recall any time when his dad had thought to ask her. It had never occurred to him before, but why had his father left her behind? Why had he subtly made her out to be the villain? Why had Nester blindly followed his dad’s actions and words? He didn’t want to believe his father had intentionally done those things, but the proof was there, talking to him and making him think deeply about his upbringing.

  “Is that why you did everything you could to stop us from hanging out?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, and I have to go. I have errands to run, and I don’t have time for this.”

  Norma Jean, the only person Nester knew that didn’t have time for a pleasant conversation. It actually hadn’t gone that bad, which surprised him. “Make sure you call me before you go on your date.”

  “Probably not.” She hung up, but Nester had detected tears in her voice. Fuck, now he needed to really think about the past, and if he and his father had made her the way she was.

  As he got up to change the sheets on the bed, he heard the back door slide open. Was Pyke back already? Nester hurried into the kitchen and came to a hard stop when he saw Dublin standing there, a gun in his hand and a malicious grin on his face.

  “Hello, Nester. It seems we have a few things to discuss.”

  * * * *

  This had to be a joke, right? There was no way Nester was staring at the man who wanted him dead. Not in his own home, not while doing laundry. And where in the hell were his babysitters? How had Dublin gotten past them? Pyke had told him that the deputies watching over the house were shifters. Hadn’t they smelled Dublin before he even reached the back door?

  Clearly not.

  Now Nester stood there ready to wet himself. He was not about to die in tight gym shorts and a ratty T-shirt he’d found in the bottom of P
yke’s closet. The only reason Nester had put it on was because the material had smelled like Pyke’s masculine scent. It helped him not to miss his mate so much while Pyke was gone.

  Kind of like when a baby settled its crying when it smelled its mother. Not that Nester was comparing himself to a baby or Pyke as his mother. God forbid. That was not a pleasant thought, but the shirt had the same calming effect regardless.

  Not anymore, though.

  “I don’t think there’s anything for us to talk about.” Nester inched backward. If he could make it to the front door without getting shot, he might be able to run outside and find the deputies to help him.

  “Hand over your phone.” Dublin took a few steps toward him, but his gun wasn’t directly aimed at Nester. It was pointed toward the floor, as if Dublin wasn’t worried about Nester overtaking him.

  “It’s in the b-bedroom.” Nester looked toward the hallway. If Dublin trapped him down there, no way could Nester escape.

  He took another step back.

  “Have you shown that video to anyone else?”

  “No.” Nester wasn’t foolish enough to admit anyone else had seen it, let alone the fact that the sheriff had sent it to the FBI. It was obvious Dublin had no idea the feds were after him, which might give Nester time to figure out what to do.

  If Nester had said yes, he was pretty certain the guy would have shot him right then.

  “Give me your phone and I’ll see for myself. If you’re lying, you’re dying.” Dublin’s grin was downright chilling. “Then again, you’re dying anyway since I know you can’t pay Scott’s debt.”

  “What if I could?” Stall him for as long as possible. He waved his hand. “Look at the house I live in. My boyfriend will wipe out what Scott owes you, and then we never have to see each other again.”

  “I’m afraid it’s too late for that.”

  Dublin moved forward, driving Nester to backpedal. He wanted to keep as much distance between them as possible. If Dublin got his hands on him, it was over.

  “Why?” Nester forced himself not to look over his shoulder and give away his thoughts. “I would think you’d want money more than my death.”

  Scott was the cause of this, but Nester knew why he had been vulnerable to his ex’s bullshit in the first place. He’d been lonely after his father’s death, and his mother hadn’t been there for him. Nester had clung to the first person to show interest and latched onto Scott, even though he’d known deep down that Scott was no good.

  “What Scott owed me is a drop in the bucket compared to my wealth. You’re more of an example to anyone who thinks to double cross me.”

  “I’m a freaking lesson?” Nester gaped at him. “Are you fucking serious? I would think your ruthless reputation would be enough of a deterrent.”

  “You can’t let your foot off the pedal in my line of work. Give a guy a pass and everyone else thinks they can get one, too.”

  There was no way Nester could reach the front door, not when Dublin aimed his gun at him.

  “Get the damn phone.”

  Nester’s gaze snapped to a spot over Dublin’s shoulder when he heard the back door slide open. His heart kicked up a notch when he saw Payton walk in.

  Any other time Nester would have been furious that the prick took such liberties, but now he feared Dublin would shoot the dumbass.

  “I just came by to see if you caught that criminal.” Payton had a paper bag in his arms, preventing him from seeing the gun that was now aimed at him. “I haven’t seen anything on the news yet, so I assume the FBI hasn’t caught him.”

  Never before had Nester wanted to smack someone so badly. He didn’t know Payton, but the guy had a big freaking mouth.

  “FBI?” Dublin glared at Nester. “You got the fucking FBI in on this?”

  “Payton, run!” Nester would have, but the gun had swung in his direction.

  Payton dropped the grocery bag, his eyes wide. When Dublin turned, Payton grabbed the butcher block off the counter and whipped it at Dublin.

  Dublin ducked, and his gun fired. Nester had no clue what had gotten into the guy, but Payton leapt toward the thug, attacking him.

  “You piece of shit!” Payton shrieked.

  When Dublin crashed into the wall, Payton raced past him, grabbed Nester’s hand, and they bolted toward the door.

  The gun fired twice, and Payton screamed as he went down. Nester stopped. He couldn’t leave Payton behind, no matter how badly he wanted to bitch-slap the guy for acting as though he was the one dating Pyke.

  Blood blossomed out from Payton’s back, spreading across his white shirt. He lay there motionless as Nester got to his feet, turning as he narrowed his eyes. “You didn’t have to shoot him! He had nothing to do with this!”

  “Get me the damn phone.” Dublin looked toward the front door, as if he knew he had precious moments. The neighbors had surely heard the gunshots and called the cops.

  Where in the hell were the deputies?

  No sooner had Nester thought that than the front door burst open, and in rushed the two men, weapons drawn.

  Pyke stormed in behind them. His gaze immediately went to Nester, a look of relief evident. Then he looked down at Payton.

  “He’s all yours,” one of the deputies said.

  Nester had no clue what they were talking about but quickly figured it out when Pyke advanced toward Dublin, shifting midstride.

  “What the fuck?” Dublin raised his gun, aiming it at Pyke, but the bear was quick, taking Dublin down and mauling him.

  Nester looked away, praying that image wasn’t stuck in his head.

  “I need an ambulance,” one of the deputies said into the phone, giving Pyke’s address. “Critical gunshot wounds to the back.”

  So he wouldn’t be watching Pyke kill Dublin, Nester lowered to his knees, checking to see if Payton had a pulse. Nester sagged. It was weak, but there.

  “When you’re healed,” he whispered to Payton who was still unconscious, “I’m taking you to lunch for saving my life.”

  Maybe then he could get it through Payton’s thick head that Pyke belonged to him and he didn’t share.

  * * * *

  “Stop teasing me!” Nester slapped at Pyke’s bare chest, making Pyke chuckle at his mate’s impatience.

  Pyke had to use a ridiculous amount of control not to take his mate right there. Letting his hand slip down Nester’s back until he was cupping Nester’s ass, Pyke gave a light squeeze.

  “Who said I was teasing you? Maybe I want to draw this out.”

  Nester began to tremble in his arms. Oh yeah. This was too perfect. Easing his hand around, Pyke ran the backs of his knuckles over Nester’s erection, the swell of his cock thick and promising.

  He swept his tongue one more time through Nester’s mouth, enjoying the taste, before moving to Nester’s jaw, keeping his movements slow, enjoying the moment. It was a moment Pyke would never take for granted, not after Nester had nearly lost his life.

  Thank god Payton was at the clinic recovering. Dr. Bjord had done an amazing job getting the bullet out without damaging anything vital. It had missed Payton’s spine, and although his recovery would take time, at least the guy would live.

  Their relationship might have been toxic, and he was tired of Payton’s bullshit, but Pyke had never wanted the guy dead.

  Pyke hadn’t lost any sleep over killing Dublin, either. Good riddance.

  He coaxed Nester into placing his hand on his chest before he kissed his way down his mate’s throat.

  “Pyke,” Nester said breathlessly.

  “Right here with you, hon.” He slipped his fingers under the hem of his mate’s shirt, lifting the fabric.

  Nester was shaking like crazy as he lifted his arms so Pyke could remove his shirt. Tossing the material aside, Pyke ran his hands over Nester’s chest, the pads of his thumbs circling the small brown nipples.

  “You’re so damn beautiful.”

  Nester’s eyes widened slightly as his pretty
lips parted. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your compliments.”

  “I mean them.” He kissed along Nester’s stomach. He meant everything he said to Nester. He still couldn’t get the image out of his mind of Dublin pointing his gun at Nester or of Payton lying bloody on the floor.

  If Pyke could bring Dublin back to life, he would kill him all over again.

  A low growl erupted in Pyke’s throat as he slid his fingers into the waistband of his mate’s pants and tugged on them until not only did they slide down to Nester’s thighs but his cock sprang free.

  The girth was amazing.

  Pyke took a moment to appreciate the sight, and then he ran his thumb over the clear liquid, gazing up at Nester before sucking his finger into his mouth, Pyke’s eyes rolling as he moaned.

  “See, you’re teasing me.” Nester’s breathing was quick, his eyes glassy as he watched Pyke as if Pyke held the answers to the universe. Pyke smiled as he slowly began to stroke his mate’s cock.

  “This isn’t teasing, hon. This is foreplay.”

  “It’s still teasing when I’m feeling desperate.”

  “Well then,” Pyke said, giving Nester a wicked grin. “Let’s take care of that ache you have.” He parted his lips and sucked his mate’s cock into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the head and moaning at the same time.

  One of his mate’s hands landed on Pyke’s head, the fingers curling until Pyke’s hair was being tugged. That only added to the intense pleasure he was already feeling.

  “Fuuuck,” Nester murmured as Pyke squeezed his mate’s ass cheeks, massaging the flesh as his tongue licked up one side of Nester’s cock and down the other.

  His mate was losing his mind.

  That was exactly how Pyke wanted him. If Nester could think, Pyke wasn’t doing his job. But he could tell that Nester wasn’t thinking. His mate was falling apart in his arms, and he couldn’t be happier.

  Pyke slid a finger over his mate’s tight hole, circling the small entrance as he swallowed Nester’s cock down his throat