The Wolf's Man Friday

by Julia Talbot

  “Not helping, Ty,” Alan said repressively.

  “You don’t think I’m a stud?” Seriously, she was a designer. It was important.

  “You do. You’re amazing.” Jaxon smoothed his jacket lapels.

  “You look like Lurch,” Ty said.

  “Shut up, Elkman. You’re just jealous.”

  “Besides, it’s Herman Munster, not Lurch,” Alan murmured.

  “Jaxon!” He wasn’t going into this seeming like an idiot.

  “You do not resemble anyone from the comedy/horror movie realm.” Jaxon glared at the boys.

  “Maybe Teen Wolf.”

  Sebastian was going to kill Alan.

  “If I have to banish you from the proceedings, it’s going to piss you off.” He glared harder.

  “You wouldn’t. You love me. Relax, you look fine. A little Uncle Fester meets Cousin Itt, but fine.”

  “Fuck you.” Sebastian sighed, but Jaxon gave him this look. Half admiration, half love, all hot. That fixed it.

  Okay. So, he was going to do this. He was going to be all macho and confident and talk business and find out what was going on and he wasn’t going to fuck it up, right? Of course, right.

  Des would be there. So would Alan and Tyrone, and most important, Jaxon would be in the room with him. Armed, though how, he couldn’t figure out.

  “Relax, Seb. Seriously. You’re in there to chat her up. The rest of us will listen, and it’ll be taped anyway.” Alan clapped him on the shoulder. “Relax. There’s no one better at talking business and the joy of design.”

  Okay, that made him feel better.

  “Thanks, man. Okay, I’m ready.”

  A knock sounded at the door. They all raised eyebrows at each other, but Jaxon opened the door to reveal Ron standing there.

  “You ready, son?”

  “Uncle?”

  “What? You didn’t honestly believe I wasn’t going to come with?”

  Well, yes. That was exactly what he thought.

  Des stepped forward. “With all due respect, sir, it’s too dangerous.”

  “Nonsense. I need to deal with this.”

  “Ron.” Sebastian sighed. “I need to feel her out first. You can stay in the car with Tyrone and Alan and listen in. Then, if she wants to see you, she can.”

  “Fair enough. I need to do this, Seb. You understand.”

  No, he didn’t, but… it wasn’t his to understand.

  “Okay, is Gray coming?” Another set of hands was always good.

  Alan rolled his eyes. “Can you imagine Gray not coming?”

  “No.”

  Jaxon rolled his eyes as well. “Let’s go before we’re late!”

  They looked like a little convoy heading out of Boulder and into Denver, four little dark, armored sedans. Sebastian glanced at Jaxon, who chuckled.

  “If you start singing….”

  “I know!” Jaxon hooted. “Ron wants to see this lady. Did you see his expression?”

  “Do you think they’re mates? Do you think they’ve been apart all this time?”

  “God, I hope not. You were out for, what? An hour or two at a time, and I was losing my mind.” Jaxon gave him the wide-eyed look.

  “No shit. How fucked-up would that be?” Sebastian couldn’t imagine.

  “That would suck hairy donkey balls.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, that’s….” That would break his heart, when it came right down to it.

  Jaxon took his hand. “Okay, let’s go over it again. What do you do before you ever sit down?”

  “Visually check the danger areas for the cat. Corners, doorways, drop ceilings.”

  “Then?”

  “Use my nose. I know what he smells like.”

  “Right. Sight is your least reliable sense with this guy. You heard him talk when you were kidnapped. You know him.”

  “What next, though? What if he’s right there?”

  “Then we all come in.”

  “Okay.” Sebastian nodded. “Okay. That’s good. All but Ron.”

  Except that he knew better. Who was going to stop the Alpha? Ron would get his way. They could only hope he’d exercise patience.

  Either that or that Gray would tackle him. That man was utterly fearless.

  They finally pulled up out by the restaurant, and Sebastian felt his heartbeat speeding.

  “Relax, mate. You know your business. Focus on that. I’ll be in your soul.”

  “Always.” He smiled at Jaxon, grateful for his calming presence.

  Jaxon waggled his eyebrows and winked. That’s me. Calming.

  You are to me. I’m ready.

  “Just follow the plan.” Jaxon peered out the window before getting out of the car.

  He sauntered up to the restaurant door, letting Jaxon hold the door open for him. You make a good bodyguard. Maybe you should look into it.

  Maybe I should. I’m multitalented.

  Sebastian checked his danger areas, and he could feel Jaxon’s approval. So far, so good.

  The restaurant was nearly empty, because it was early for lunch, but the maître d’ led them to the back without even asking his name. Impressive.

  When he got to the door of the back room, he stopped. Staring. A blond man sat next to the regal lady at the table, and he had a really familiar face.

  His nostrils flared, and he found himself utterly confused. A dozen thoughts zipped through his head, none of them making sense.

  Babe? What? What is it?

  It’s weird. Family, but not. Familiar, but not. He’s wrong, but not.

  So he’s not our sicko? He felt Jaxon’s hand on the small of his back.

  I don’t see how he could be. Even if his eyes were insisting he could.

  The man rose, smiling faintly. “Mr. Zeller? I’m Cheyenne Beaman. This is my mother, Hallie.”

  “Sebastian, please.” He held out one hand. “Cheyenne is an unusual name. Lovely.”

  Not him. No way.

  They shook, and there wasn’t even a frisson of disgust going through him. No. Not the same one.

  “Thanks. I get a lot of shit for it.”

  “Pardon your French.” Hallie held up a hand. “Nice to meet you, Sebastian.”

  “Thank you.” He took her hand, trying not to stare at the lady who still obviously held Ron’s heart. “It’s an honor to meet you, ma’am.”

  He meant that too. Hallie Beaman was a legend. She was known in the business as shrewd, talented, and dogged. She got things done, and her collection sold.

  “Please, have a seat.” Cheyenne politely waited for him to sit before sinking back into his chair.

  “Your man said you wanted to discuss business.”

  “I’m hoping to talk about using some of my fabric designs for your next fall collection.”

  “Are you?” She raised a carefully groomed brow at him. “I’ve seen some of your work. You work mostly in home fabrics, I believe.”

  “I do, but I decided to branch out this year since we have new suppliers for silk and cotton.” That, at least, was true. And the designs were luxurious, rich, chic. Just her thing.

  “I’d like to see a portfolio.” She glanced at Jaxon. “Your fox can sit down. I have a feeling you want to talk about something else as well.”

  “I brought my latest pieces, of course. Jaxon?” Yeah, he needed to talk about getting kidnapped.

  “Here we are.” Jaxon handed over a swatch book before pulling out a chair. “Thank you.”

  “Certainly.” She waved over a server. “I’m starving. We should order first.”

  “Yes, ma’am. What’s your favorite here?”

  “Chicken marsala. Cheyenne likes the picatta.”

  “I used to have spaghetti and meatballs here when I was a kid. Now I think the manicotti al forno.”

  “I think every kid loves spaghetti and meatballs. Every single one.” She actually smiled.

  “Did you?” He asked Cheyenne, who he had to admit, was hard not to stare at. He looked just like
, and so not, the one who’d taken him.

  “It was okay. I was a ravioli kid.”

  “Silly boys.” Her smile was warm and a little fierce.

  Sebastian had the feeling she didn’t mean to include him in that grouping….

  “Raviolis are great. I love the butternut squash ones.” You aren’t the one that hurt me, but you are. How?

  Jaxon’s concern was a hum in the back of his mind, the questions pushing at him.

  I don’t know, mate. I’m so confused.

  Just concentrate on the business. Keep your senses open.

  I’m trying.

  “So, why are you really here, Mr. Zeller?”

  “I want to work with you. Seriously.”

  “And what does Ron Zeller say about this?” She laid it out there without an expression change. Boom.

  “He’s the one who brought your name up.” It was good to be able to tell the truth.

  Her lips quivered. “Oh?”

  “Yes, ma’am. He thinks of you fondly, I think.”

  “Does he? I haven’t seen him in so long.”

  “You should see him. He’s an amazing Alpha.”

  There was a growl from Cheyenne, then a hint of fury on the air.

  Sebastian stared at the guy, but while his scent intensified, it never went sour. Never got ugly.

  “I’m sure he is.” She sighed. “He has a mate, I’m sure.”

  “He chose a female Alpha from the family. Terese. You might know her. But they’re not a couple.”

  For a moment a terrible hope sprang into Hallie’s eyes, but she doused it almost immediately. “Strong, lovely woman.”

  There was a rattle, a struggle, then Jaxon stood up. “Sebastian. Ron.”

  “You know full well who my mate is, stubborn woman.” Ron stood there, arms over his chest, glaring at Hallie.

  “What are you doing here?” She dropped all pretense of calm and stared right back, lips parted in surprise.

  “Someone is attacking my family.” Ron stared at Hallie, eyes nearly glowing. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Attacking?” She looked to Cheyenne, then back at Ron. “Come sit down, you old fool.”

  “You know you were supposed to sit in the car, Uncle.”

  “Not when my heir is being threatened. Not when my mate is telling you I’m with another woman.”

  “Ron. Sit.”

  Cheyenne was vibrating, rage making his eyes go gold. Hallie pinched his arm.

  “Ow!”

  “Behave. I want to hear what they have to say.”

  God, Sebastian liked her so much already.

  “Someone—a feline—attacked my uncle in Dallas. Then I was attacked in Dallas, at my home in Estes, then kidnapped on the road.”

  “You’re not very good at not being attacked.” Cheyenne’s voice was dry as dust.

  “No, I guess not. I’m a designer, not a soldier or something.” He didn’t let it get his back up. This guy hated him, but they had time to figure out why. “The cats that attacked me. One of them was sick—really sick, ma’am. The smell was undeniable.”

  Her lips tightened, and Cheyenne stiffened. “What happened, Ron? When you were attacked.”

  “I was working at the Dallas office, and when I went home, someone threw a bomb in the elevator. That’s all I remember. That and someone screaming about his rightful place.”

  “A bomb. And you were kidnapped?” Hallie switched her focus to Sebastian.

  “He rammed our car in Dallas. He flat out attacked me physically in Estes. Tried to tear me apart in puma form. Then he rammed us again, grabbing me and leaving my packmate for dead.” He held her gaze. “I’m worried for you, for my uncle.”

  “For yourself,” Cheyenne sneered.

  “Shit, yes. I’m not used to be attacked by lunatics.” He glared at the dickhead, but Jaxon touched his leg under the table.

  Easy. Easy, mate.

  Right. Sorry.

  Sebastian took a deep breath. “The reason I asked you here was because Ron said you were the only mountain lion he knew.”

  “Are you accusing my mother of attacking you?”

  “Of attacking her mate? No. Of knowing the other felines in her territory? Absolutely.”

  Cheyenne half rose, but his mother’s voice stopped him with a jerk. “Sit down. I have no idea who would try to hurt any of you.”

  No, but Cheyenne does.

  Sebastian nodded. Yeah, he could tell. Cheyenne… well, he was freaking out. He focused on staying calm, on breathing and paying attention.

  “Hallie, someone is trying to take out my pack. Someone who knows way more about me than they should.”

  “Why now? Seriously, Ron, what is going on with your pack that you would be a target?”

  “Nothing.” Ron spread his hands. “Who in your organization might have a grudge?” Ron looked at Cheyenne.

  “No one that I know of. Cheyenne? Son?”

  “What? This is ridiculous.”

  There was doubt there. For both Hallie and Cheyenne. They weren’t lying so much as they seemed… scared.

  Jaxon buzzed beside him, hearing him, listening to him. He knew Jaxon could see the same things he could.

  “Then why are you so worried?” Sebastian asked, keeping his tone sympathetic.

  “A pack of wolves come into our town and threaten our pride and you want to know why we’re worried?” Sebastian’s head tilted, and so did Ron’s as Cheyenne stood, stiffened, shoulders coming up.

  Cheyenne’s eyes went wide, his whole body like a board from head to toes.

  One glance at Hallie showed her sinking down, shoulders rounded, her eyes narrowed. That was how a cat showed her nerves.

  Sebastian shifted his head the other way, Ron following his motions exactly.

  Cheyenne looked like a wolf ready to go into the battle.

  Are you seeing this, mate?

  Yes. He looks….

  Like me? Oh, Sebastian was dark and Cheyenne fair, but they had the same body language.

  Yes. Yes, exactly.

  Like one of us.

  “Cheyenne!” Hallie stood now, then planted her hands on the table. “Tell me what you know.” Her eyes flashed, and she backed her son toward the wall.

  “I don’t know anything!”

  She poked his chest. “You think it’s Cinturon. How can it be Cinturon? He’s in Paris.”

  Jaxon?

  On it.

  “He’s sick. Genuinely ill. He needs help.” Sebastian started to try and put pieces together, but he didn’t have all the information.

  “He’s my brother. As far as I know, he’s still in Paris.”

  Hallie slapped his cheek, claw marks appearing. “Don’t you lie to me. I’m your mother. I know when you’re lying.”

  “Now, Hallie…. Don’t beat the boy.”

  “If my Cinturon is out there hurting people and he’s covering it up, he deserves it.”

  Sebastian tried to calm everything down. “No one wants to hurt him, Cheyenne. But he can’t be attacking the pack either.”

  “I’m not…. This isn’t about you.”

  “No?” Sebastian wanted to growl, but he held it in. “Then why am I getting beat to hell? You tell me that.”

  “Maybe because you’re a shit.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “I’m a designer. A fabric designer. That’s it.”

  Jaxon was right there at his shoulder, fingers moving furiously on his phone.

  Ron rumbled. “Hallie. What are you not telling me!”

  The Alpha’s nose began to twitch, nostrils flaring.

  Hallie stared at Ron, her lips pressed into a hard line. Then she jerked her head at the other side of the room. “Come talk with me.”

  Ron nodded, reached out, and took her hand in his.

  Sebastian watched them go, knowing Gray wouldn’t have let Ron come in without a wire. Then he looked at Cheyenne. “Why are you so wigged out?”

  “I’m not.”

  “L
iar.” He leaned in, sniffing. “You smell like pack, in the oddest way.”

  “I am not one of you!” Cheyenne took a step back, baring his teeth.

  “No, but you can’t argue scent.”

  “I can’t—” Cheyenne looked around wildly. “I have to—”

  “Stop. Breathe.” Jaxon stepped up beside Sebastian. “You have to breathe. You’re not like your brother. I’ve seen him hunt. He’s crazed. We need to help him.”

  “A fox?” The man stared at Jaxon. “Seriously? You brought in a fox?”

  “He’s my mate.” Be careful, kitty.

  Cheyenne’s lip curled. “Must run in your family.”

  “Like your brother didn’t hire bobcats. Glass houses, puss.”

  “Will you two shut up?” Jaxon rolled his eyes. “We have a situation here. How do we find him? He’s going to get himself killed. Is that what you want, man?”

  “Of course not.”

  Twins. They’re twins. That explained the scent.

  “Then talk to us. You think she’s not over there telling Ron Zeller that he’s your father?” Jaxon dropped it, and even though he’d thought it himself, the words took Sebastian’s breath.

  No warning? Seriously?

  No. I had to hit him where he lives.

  We’ll discuss this later. He bucked up and pretended not to be surprised, even though he felt a little like he’d been punched in the gut.

  Cheyenne seemed to deflate. “He may be my sperm donor, but he’s certainly not my father.”

  “I’m sorry.” He understood, in a way. His parents had been taken from him so early that Uncle Ron was the only parent he’d ever known.

  “Are you?” Those eyes snapped green-gold fire. “Why? You’re his heir.”

  “That’s the rumor.” He tried not to roll his eyes. “He’s a good man, a great Alpha.”

  “He left my mother with two babies and a whole lot of nothing.”

  “Cheyenne, you have no idea what you’re talking about.” Hallie and Ron had joined them once more, both of them pale but calm. “I never told Ron about you. I left.”

  Cheyenne growled, the sound lupine and pack. “He’s nothing to me.”

  Ron chuckled. “You say that now, but I know. It changes things.” Ron put on a hand on Sebastian’s arm. “Not for you, but it changes things.”

  “I’m sure it does, but can we focus on the kidnapping and attempted murder thing for a second?”

  Jaxon actually snorted at him. He bit back a grin. This was all taking on the quality of a farce.