by Lynn Hagen
His mate had lost his damn mind and Trigger was afraid to be gone too long. Dean just might bubble-wrap the house itself.
“I’m not sure what Bailey might want,” Corky said as he stood in the room, turning in a slow circle.
There wasn’t much to Bailey’s home. The furnishings were sparse. No photos hung on the walls, and no personal stuff was strewn about.
While Corky stood there high as a kite, staring at the coffee table as though it was the most fascinating thing in the world, Trigger went to the bedroom.
The room looked as though a squatter lived there. There was an air mattress on the floor, a crate that held an unshaded lamp, and Bailey’s clothes were folded in a few neat piles on the floor according to jeans, shirts, underwear, and socks. A single pair of tennis shoes sat next to the small piles.
Trigger gathered the clothing into his arms. He didn’t bother with Bailey’s personal hygiene things—if he even had any. He could use Walker’s stuff.
“Let’s get out of here,” Trigger said as he exited the bedroom.
Corky was no longer in the living room. He was in the kitchen, searching the cupboards, complaining that Bailey had no snacks. Trigger rolled his eyes.
If Bailey hadn’t pleaded with Walker to bring Corky along, Trigger would leave him. “Hey, let’s go.”
Corky headed toward the front door. “You got snacks where we’re going?”
That was a ridiculous question considering the Rising men were bears. “Yeah, I got snacks.”
Though Trigger wasn’t about to let Corky stay with him. Maybe Benny’s parents would allow him to crash at their place. This was a mess Trigger didn’t want to deal with, but he had no choice.
They headed to his truck as the rain that had been falling softly earlier picked up, coming down in hard sheets. Trigger jumped in and set the clothing aside.
“I’m freaking wet,” Corky complained as he climbed in.
“Don’t worry,” Trigger said as he started his truck and pulled from the curb. “Shit doesn’t melt.”
“Now you sound like my old man.” Corky crossed his arms over his chest. “He thinks I’m a piece of shit, too.”
Trigger furrowed his brows as he glanced at Corky. “I didn’t call you that.”
They spent the rest of the ride in silence.
* * * *
Bailey had slept for most of the ride. Or passed out. He wasn’t really sure which. But when he woke, he was no longer drunk. How he’d sobered so quickly was a mystery, but the reality of what he’d done sunk in as Walker pulled into a clearing and parked his truck next to a few others.
Bailey’s attention went to the lake, then to a pit where burned-out logs sat. There was a curtain of trees behind that, and beyond he thought he saw the outline of a house.
“Where are we?” Bailey grabbed his head. He shouldn’t have drunk on an empty stomach. He felt like he’d puke everywhere if he made any sudden movements. He might be sober, but he hadn’t escaped the aftereffects.
His body wasn’t burning up as it had been in Corky’s bedroom, but though they were burning lower now, the flames were still there, as if waiting to be stoked at any second
“Home.” Walker turned the truck off. “I’ll get you to the house so you can finish sleeping.”
Bailey was no longer tired. Worried, scared…no, terrified would be the right word. From what he could see from his seat, he was deep in the woods. “Where exactly is home?”
“We’re in the mountains.” Walker opened his door and got out. Bailey sat up and took a closer look at his surroundings. Trees, trees, and more trees. He wanted to know how deep in the mountains they were.
From the sight of the fading sun, he guessed they’d driven for a good hour, maybe more. If it had taken them that long to get here, then he was in serious trouble.
Bailey slid from the truck, his movements slow and careful. He was also freezing because he hadn’t put his shirt back on and hadn’t grabbed a coat. He’d never drunk like that before, and was now regretting draining half the bottle of whiskey.
His stomach lurched and Bailey slapped a hand over his mouth, praying he didn’t get sick, but he knew his prayer was in vain. The spit in his mouth tasted metallic, and bile inched up his throat.
Walker quickly guided him to a clump of bushes. “Get sick over here.”
“I’m not gonna—” Bailey would’ve gone headfirst into the bushes if Walker hadn’t grabbed him and held on to him as he spewed the whiskey.
“I’m dying,” Bailey whined. “I don’t wanna get sick. I don’t wanna.”
His stomach cramped as his legs shook. As he continued to puke, he promised himself never to touch a drop of liquor again if the gods that be made his gut stop churning.
“You’re a real hot mess.” Walker picked him up and carried him past the line of trees. As out of it as Bailey was, he still managed to look around at the houses that were spread far enough apart to give the occupants privacy, but they were close enough that walking from one to another wouldn’t take long.
One had a back deck with a pool, though the pool was covered. Another had a playset in the yard, while another looked more like a log cabin. One house even had a wraparound porch with a swing and hammock.
From the many toys he’d spotted, Bailey surmised that kids lived here, too.
Smoke billowed from chimneys as a few snowflakes fell. It had been raining when they’d left Grizzly Ridge. Maybe it snowed sooner here than it did in town because of the high elevation.
With no clothing on the upper half of his body, Bailey curled into Walker’s arms. They stopped at that back of a single-story house with a beautiful slab patio, complete with a garden surrounded by bricks. The back of the house was nothing but windows, with a set of sliding glass doors in the middle.
Walker set Bailey on his feet and opened the door.
“You don’t lock your place?” Bailey owned practically nothing, but he’d never dreamed of leaving his rental unlocked. He lived in the tougher part of Grizzly Ridge, where drug addicts were aplenty and home invasions were more common than they should be.
“No need to.” Walker stepped inside, then waved a hand for Bailey to join him.
Bailey was speechless when he stepped into the living room. A cream couch sat diagonally in the center behind a curved wooden coffee table. A fire roared in the fireplace, and a multicolored painting of a bear sat on the mantel. There were two brown leather chairs with fuzzy white pillows, a cozy window seat with drawers below, and even a vaulted ceiling. The entire room was rich with dark woods and cream walls.
Bailey had never been in a place so nice. He was afraid to move. He just might break something.
“In here.”
He followed Walker to the kitchen and was even more impressed. Five of his kitchens could probably fit into Walker’s. The floors and cabinets were dark wood, and the island in the middle was big enough for four chairs. The sink was in the island, while the stovetop sat on the long granite counter behind it.
There were hanging lights over the island, and a large plant sat to one side of the room. The kitchen had windows galore, too. Apparently, Walker loved seeing outside and letting the light in. Bailey’s mouth dropped when he saw a comfy-looking love seat tucked in one of the nooks.
This place had to have cost a mint. So why on earth had Walker gone nuts over him? From what he could see, Walker was loaded. He was also handsome as hell. What on earth did he see in Bailey?
“Make yourself at home,” Walker said. “The bedroom is down the hall.”
“If you don’t mind, I think I need a shower.” He’d gotten some gunk on him from getting sick. Bailey felt like a vagrant in Walker’s home as Walker led him down the hallway.
He stepped into a bedroom that made him feel as if he needed to shower before he went to the shower. Again with the wall of windows, and there was a fireplace across from the bed. Two cushioned chaises sat in one corner, and the bed looked cozy and inviting.
Walker waved to a dark wooden door. “It’s in there.”
The bathroom was just as fantastic with dark granite flooring and dark wooden cabinetry. The shower was a walk-in, and Bailey stripped in seconds before stepping in and letting the water wash over him for a good half hour.
He found fluffy towels in a built-in wall cabinet when he finally got out.
Tired and hungry with his stomach still cramping a bit, Bailey crawled into the bed and pulled the covers over him.
This had to be a dream. It had to be. No way would some rich guy go gaga over him and bring him home, unless he had ulterior motives. Walker had already proven himself to be a whack job, and Bailey wished he hadn’t agreed to come here. If he’d been sober, he wouldn’t have.
He should’ve just called the cops, but instead, he snuggled under the blanket and fell asleep.
* * * *
Walker sat on the window seat and watched his sleeping mate, thankful Bailey had come willingly instead of Walker having to kidnap the guy. And he would have. Walker wouldn’t have let his mate stay in town while he was in heat. That was asking to let his bear go apeshit.
He’d never seen anyone sleep curled up into a ball before or toss and turn so much. Within the first ten minutes of sleeping, Bailey had woken up and glanced around before falling back to sleep.
Walker didn’t leave the room until he heard a knock at the front door. He strode from the bedroom and closed the door behind him before seeing who it was.
Clint stood on his front porch, his thick jacket zipped, his hands stuffed into the pockets. “Bear or not, I hate this weather.”
Walker stepped aside and let his eldest brother inside. They moved to the kitchen before he asked, “What’re you doing here?”
Bailey was in mating heat, and Walker’s bear wanted to rip Clint to shreds for coming too close to his mate. But Clint’s fierce expression made Walker shove his beast down. In all honesty, the only thing that stopped Walker’s bear from going savage was the fact that Clint was mated and smelled like Dane.
“Got a call about some feeders close by. Just checking on everyone.”
Walker put the kettle on for some hot chocolate. Feeders were bloodsucking creatures who killed their victims. Walker had always thought them a myth, hearing stories about them when he was younger, but he’d sworn his father had been full of shit.
Apparently, for once in his miserable life, Clarence had been telling the truth. Since discovering feeders—that was the name everyone seemed to be going with—were real, the shifters of the mountains had been trying to no avail to track down where they slept.
If they slept. Walker wasn’t sure since very little was known about them.
“How close?” He emptied the contents of the hot chocolate packets into two mugs and turned to face Clint.
“The wolves picked up their scent about a mile from here.” Clint took a seat at the island. As much as Walker liked when any of his brothers visited, he was anxious to get back to Bailey. Then again, he wasn’t sure how long the human would sleep. Although he had sobered up, Bailey had looked exhausted.
“Another thing,” Clint said with a bit of amusement in his eyes, “you wouldn’t happen to have two mates, would you?”
Walker furrowed his brows. “What’re you talking about?”
“Well, I know Trigger didn’t pick another one up along the way. I’m guessing that human is with you.”
“Corky?” He grimaced. “Hell no. That loudmouthed little shit isn’t my mate. But Bailey begged me to bring his best friend.”
One of Clint’s dark brows rose. “So what the hell are we supposed to do with him?”
Walker shrugged as the kettle whistled. “Feed him to the wolves.”
“Unless he’s done something to them, I don’t see Jesse killing him.”
Walker poured the steeping water into the cups and passed one to Clint, along with a spoon. His brother stirred his drink before taking a sip.
“I was thinking of asking Benny’s parents to put him up while he’s here. They got their new place built, and I’m guessing Deloris wouldn’t mind someone to look after. That’ll give Benny a break from her constant hovering.”
Clint chuckled. “She does hover.”
“A lot,” Walker said. “I don’t see how Wade deals with it.” He blew across the top of his mug before taking a drink. “But as much as I’d like to sit here and chat—”
“He asleep?” Clint asked as he stood and set his mug on the counter. “I heard he was sauced when you broke into his house.”
Again with the amused look. Walker was so glad Clint was getting a kick out of this. “He might’ve had a few drinks.”
“Yeah, okay.” Clint headed for the door. “I’ll leave you be.” His smile slipped as he turned to Walker. “Lock your doors and windows. Lord knows you have enough of them.”
“What?” Walker asked. “I like plenty of sunshine and the ambient lighting at night.”
“You like getting naked in front of your windows, exhibitionist.” Clint opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “Which reminds me, stop giving Dane a fucking show.”
Walker’s bedroom windows faced the front of Clint’s house. At night, when all the lights were out in Walker’s bedroom, he could see into Clint’s living room. It was funny as hell that Dane had peeked at him, but apparently Clint didn’t find any humor in that.
Walker laughed. “Tell the cutie to stop watching me.”
Clint growled. “Don’t make me cut your damn dick off.” With those parting words, he trotted down the steps and headed across the yard.
“What’s a feeder?”
Walker turned to see Bailey standing at the end of the hall. He had a throw blanket tucked around his body, and his auburn hair was ruffled. God, he was a walking wet dream. Those dark blue eyes stood out in contrast to his pale skin.
“What was the question?” For the life of him, Walker couldn’t remember.
Bailey moved into the living room and curled onto the couch, staring out the many windows. “What’s a feeder?”
That was not a question Walker wanted to answer right now. “Sleep well?”
“Dodge questions much?”
Walker grinned. “Only the ones I don’t want to answer.”
“That bad?” Bailey asked.
“Not good.”
“Then we’ll come back to that,” Bailey said. “Tell me what you meant by bear. He turned and tucked his feet under him. “Are you talking about the rumors floating around Grizzly Ridge?”
Walker took a seat on the leather chair next to the couch—after locking the front door. He kicked his feet up onto the coffee table and settled in. “Depends on what rumors.”
He knew damn well what rumors Bailey was talking about. The ones that said the Rising men could either tame the wild bears in the mountains, or they were the wild bears. There might have been more rumors, but that was the only one Walker knew about.
Bailey ran his hand over the bite mark Walker had given him at the game store. “I’m guessing you can turn into a bear.”
“Actually,” he said, resting his entwined fingers over his stomach, “it’s the other way around. We bears can change into humans.”
Instead of freaking out, Bailey sat there studying him. Walker felt as if his mate’s gaze drilled right into his soul. “I think I need a drink.”
“I think you had enough already.” The mating heat would kick back in, and no way would Walker have sex with a drunk man. Not that he wouldn’t have sex with Bailey if they both were tanked, but not on their first time, and not when Bailey could become pregnant.
“I think I need something to eat.” Bailey grimaced as he rubbed his belly. “I think the puking tore my stomach apart.”
Walker wanted to tell him that the pain was more than likely his body changing, getting ready to carry a child. So far Bailey hadn’t freaked out. Maybe he could handle the news, but Walker didn’t want to take the chance Bailey might have a meltdow
n. It was one thing to find out bears could turn human, but quite another when a guy found out he would become pregnant.
Still, Walker opened his mouth to explain to Bailey what was going on with his body, but Bailey got up and held the throw blanket tight around him. “I’m gonna get dressed. Do you think I can get something to eat before I head home?”
Walker smirked as he stood. “Hon, you are home. You’re not leaving these mountains.”
He walked away as Bailey’s jaw dropped.
Chapter Four
Bailey hurried to the bedroom and threw his jeans back on, but he had to borrow one of Walker’s shirts—which was way too big for him—before he called Corky. He was surprised his phone worked so well high up in the mountains.
Corky answered on the second ring. “Yo, what’s up, dude?”
“We have to get out of here.” Bailey paced toward the expanse of windows and stared out at the woods beyond. He had to admit, this place was beautiful. And Walker’s house was nothing short of amazing. But he’d just said some psycho shit that Bailey couldn’t ignore.
“You want to leave in the middle of the night?” Corky asked.
“We need to get out of here. I think this guy is holding me hostage.”
Corky snorted. “This old couple has a fifty-inch television and all the snacks I could ever want. Are you kidding me? I don’t ever want to leave. They’re like the parents I never had.”
“You grew up with parents,” Bailey said.
“Don’t remind me. I think we should give this place a chance. Did he say what he wanted with you? I don’t think he wants to cut you up into tiny pieces or have you put the lotion in the basket. He probably just wants to have bondage sex with you.”
“Corky!” Bailey couldn’t believe he’d just said that. “I’m not having any kind of sex with him.”
“Okay, fine, don’t,” Corky said. “Just come over here and we’ll get back into that zombie game.”
“You brought your system with you?” Corky was utterly hopeless.
