by Chandra Ryan
Hank brushed him off. “I’m going to go see who’s shooting and at what.”
The statement had been so matter of fact, he didn’t process it until the other man took another step toward the barn door. “Wait. You can’t go out there. Whoever is shooting will start shooting at you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
He grabbed Hank again. “Really? Are you bulletproof? I didn’t think so.”
“What do you suggest? We can’t stay in the barn all day. We’ll be pinned if they storm it.”
After a few more seconds passed by with no more gunfire, the barn returned to the tense quiet as the animals settled down. “I don’t think so. I think they’ve gotten whatever they came for.” Before Hank could go commando on him again, Thom pulled out his cell phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“The police.”
Hank shook his head and stormed out the door. The phone rang in Thom’s ear as the call went through, but he ignored it. He focused on the silence and waited for another gunshot. When none came, he allowed himself to take a deep breath.
Relief rushed through him, but irritation quickly followed. He’d told Hank not to leave the barn. He couldn’t have known for sure the shooter had left. Yet the man had stormed out of the safety of the building with little care for his own life. What kind of person did that?
“The kind with a death wish.” His words sliced through the eerie quiet of the barn. Even if the trucker didn’t belong to Drew’s cult, he was bad news. Any man who rushed toward gunfire had disaster coded into his DNA. So why were the crazy ones always so damn sexy? He shook his head in disbelief as dispatch answered his call.
He stayed on the line until the woman took all his information then went out into the yard to find Hank. No shots followed him when Hank had exited the barn. Maybe whoever had been firing left. Staying in the shelter and waiting for the police seemed cowardly.
Scanning the yard cautiously, it didn’t take long to spot him. He stood by his rig, yelling into a cell phone so loud Thom wouldn’t be surprised if the entire county could hear him.
“They shot out six of my tires.”
His rig had been the target? Why would anybody shoot at a semi? The realization added to his confidence in the decision to leave the barn. Neither he nor Hank had been in danger. Not if the person had been aiming at a truck.
“Of course I have a spare. Two spares. One on a rim and one without. What I don’t have is six. Isn’t there a mechanic in Los Lobos?” Silence filled the air for a few more minutes. “Fuck. You’re telling me he can’t get out here until tomorrow? Are you serious? Fine. I’ll call a service. They’ll have me up and going in no time.”
“I know a guy who owns—” Thom’s offer went ignored.
“Come on, Drew. I’m sure he’s a good mechanic, but I can’t wait for him. I need to get these crates loaded and get back to town.” He lowered his voice to a register too low for Thom to hear so he took a couple of steps forward. He wasn’t nosy, but if Hank knew something about the people shooting up his farm, then Thom deserved to hear whatever he said in the conversation.
Hank looked up from the ruined wheels and met his gaze for one exhilarating second then he broke the contact and turned so Thom faced his broad back. “I don’t believe in coincidences, either. If I’m the target…. Okay. Fine. I’ll sleep in my cab, but Jackson better be out here at first light.” He hung up after the final words in the cryptic conversation.
Had Hank been the real target after all? Nobody had ever taken shots at the farm until the truck driver showed up. The only thing to take any real damage had been the truck.
If Hank were in danger, Thom couldn’t let him sleep alone in the cab of the truck. “You don’t have to stay in your truck. I’ve got plenty of rooms in the house.” Sure, Hank happened to be hot as hell. Thom’s cock had gone hard when Hank had been frisking him in the barn, but he had to keep their relationship focused on business. He needed the income Drew would bring him, which meant keeping him happy. Having one of his men shot at while on his farm definitely didn’t count as a great start.
Hank turned to face him again. This time he wore an easy smile. “I gave Drew a hard time because he won’t let me call anybody else to come fix the rig. Something about insurance claims. It’ll be all a lot easier for him if I have his mechanic do the work. I’m really okay sleeping in my cab. It’s a comfortable setup, but I wanted him to make him feel bad.”
“Oh. Okay.” Disappointment made his tone a little flat, but he doubted Hank would notice. “I’m going to order a pizza after the cops leave. You’re more than welcome to a couple of slices.”
Hank started to say something, but his words were lost as another loud shot splintered the silence. Burning pain enveloped Thom’s thigh as his legs collapsed. He crashed to the ground, but the jarring pain he expected from the fall never happened. Instead, a weird numbness filled him.
“Fuck!” Hank’s voice shifted into something like a growl as Thom’s hold on consciousness grew weaker. “The police are almost here. You have to stay awake.”
Maybe he hadn’t growled? Maybe it’d been the sirens he’d heard? Nothing made sense. “Somebody shot me.”
Chapter Two
Hank ran his fingers through his hair as he fought against the need to pace. He had to do something. Frustration ate at him—insisted he move. He had to keep it together. He needed to plead his case to Drew. He’d been amazed when Drew had shown up at the hospital to check on Thom. The opportunity to speak privately with the Alpha couldn’t be lost.
“No.” Drew’s firm answer made the frustration shift to rage. He kept the emotion firmly in check, though.
“He was attacked because he tried to help us.” He had to make Drew see the logic behind his argument.
“You don’t know why he was attacked. There’s no proof the attacker is aware of his connection to my pack.” Drew kept his voice low. The hospital hall might be teeming with human doctors, nurses, and visitors but the conversation would stay between them. “Also, he isn’t helping us out. We made a business deal. We both benefited from it.”
“He agrees to sell us his crops and is shot when we go to pick up our first delivery? It’s a pretty big coincidence, don’t you think?”
The Alpha looked at the glass partition separating them from Thom’s room. “Did you smell anything out of the ordinary when you were out there?”
“No. The gunpowder overpowered anything else.” He closed his eyes and the moment the bullet cut through the farmer flashed through his mind. The sights and sounds remained vivid, but he couldn’t recall any unusual scents. “My gut tells me we played a role in this, however.”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong.” Drew released a deep breath. “But you’re still on the fence about coming back to the pack. I’m taking a chance on you.”
“I know.”
“Because I think you’re worth the gamble. But I can’t extend the hospitality to a human. It’d put the pack in too much danger.”
A small growl escaped before he could stop it.
“It’s frustrating.” Drew’s voice was calm yet commanding. “I know. I don’t want to see him hurt. I like the guy, but I’ve got to think about my pack.”
“There are humans living in the pack. They’re part of the reason we need him.” He glanced from Drew to Thom’s room as he spoke.
“Yes.” Drew’s voice had started to sound strained. “We do need him because more humans live in Los Lobos now. Those humans can’t hunt for food like we can. But,” he paused, giving the word emphasis, “those humans are mated to Wolves who’ve taken a blood oath to me. There are consequences if they say anything about us. Even if there weren’t consequences, they have a vested interest in keeping our secret. They don’t want their mate to die. Which is exactly what would happen if they told anybody about us.” Drew held his gaze until he was forced to look down. “Is that what we’re talking about here? Do you
want to say the oath and take him as a mate? Put your life in his hands? Because as far as I know, you met him today.” The harsh tone made him wince.
Had Drew admitted to knowing Hank was homosexual? He shook off the idea. Drew had only been pointing out how ridiculous the idea had been. Nothing more. “Fine. He can’t recover at Los Lobos. I get it.” The situation sucked, but he understood. Drew’s hands were tied. “Staying in Los Lobos isn’t the only way for us to protect him.”
“I’m listening.”
The simple statement won over another piece of his soul. He felt the shift. If Drew still wanted him after hearing the whole truth, he would eventually take the oath. Any Wolf would fight for their Alpha, but they would kill for an Alpha who took their counsel. He needed to wait for Thom to be okay before he took the oath. “Would you be willing to place a couple guards in the woods around his farm and let me stay at his place while he healed?”
“He would have to invite you to stay with him. I don’t have any authority with him. I can talk with Ryker about the guard, though. He knows the watch schedule. He’d be the one to determine if we could spare a couple of Wolves.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I didn’t make any promises.”
Hank smiled and nodded. “You’re willing to check into it. That’s enough.”
“I’ll know something for certain before he’s discharged.”
“Thank you.”
Drew nodded before turning on his heel and walking away. Hank wanted to check on Thom—make sure he didn’t need anything, but he couldn’t stop himself from watching the Alpha leave. His Alpha. If Drew would have him, he’d take the oath. The man had won him over.
When Drew turned a corner, Hank took a settling breath then crossed into the small room. The stink of anesthetic and blood assaulted him and for one second he had to force himself to breathe. There were few things he hated in this world as much as the sticky-sweet smell of human blood.
“You okay?” Thom’s weak voice highlighted the ironic nature of the question.
“Asked the man in the hospital bed?”
Thom laughed at the reminder. “What? I was shot, not blinded. You and Drew were having a pretty intense conversation. Then you went white when you came into my room.” His smile died. “The doctor didn’t tell you something about me, did he?”
“No.” He smiled. “I’m pretty sure divulging your prognosis would get him fired. Hospitals take patient-doctor confidentiality pretty seriously.” He took a seat in the chair next to the bed. “We were talking about the shooting. The police don’t have any leads. Makes us worried the threat might still be out there when you’re discharged.”
Thom’s brow wrinkled as he frowned. “Oh. I hadn’t thought about what might happen when I go home.”
“Can’t blame you. You won’t be going home for a couple of days, and I’m sure you’ve got a lot on your mind right now.”
“I figured you guys were talking about your delivery.”
Hank’s heart melted a little. Here the farmer was, laid up in a hospital bed with a bullet wound and he worried about their delivery. “Drew made sure the delivery was taken care of. His mechanic already replaced the tires. There’s still time for me to pick it up and drive it to Los Lobos tonight.”
“I am real sorry about the chaos.”
“No need to apologize. This morning added a bit of adventure to an otherwise-boring week.” Hank didn’t want him to feel bad for anything, especially since his gut still told him the attack was on the Tao pack more than the farmer. “I do need to run something by you.”
“Okay.”
Here goes. He took a deep breath and started, “Drew and I think you might benefit from a little extra help around the farm. Only until you’re healed.”
Thom cleared his throat. “I’ve got help. Also, I’m not an invalid.” He sat up straighter in the bed as if the action would prove he was capable of taking care of himself.
“We didn’t mean to imply we thought you were. Running a farm has to be a hard on a good day. You’re going to be laid up for at least a couple of weeks. We wanted to help. An extra pair of hands couldn’t hurt, could it?” He held his hands palm up in front of him as he spoke.
Thom glanced at Hank’s hands and the sweetest shade of red swept over his cheeks—like strawberries in the summer. It took every ounce of control he had not to run his fingers along Thom’s blush.
“Whose hands?” He shook his head and coughed lightly. “I mean, who would you send to help with the farm?”
“Me.” Hank said the word so softly, it might as well have been a whisper. “Before you say anything, you should know I’d need a place to sleep while I’m there.” His heart raced and his stomach knotted with sexual tension as he imagined sleeping in a warm bed next to the handsome farmer.
Thom’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped into an O as he stared at Hank. “You?” Surely the man wasn’t suggesting what Thom hoped he was. Gorgeous men didn’t drop from the sky and throw themselves into his bed.
“I’m strong and capable.” The trucker’s chest puffed up at the question as if he’d been insulted. “You won’t find a better man.”
Thom shook his head. “No. I didn’t mean….” He took a deep breath. “I appreciate the offer. Thank you. I’ve got a bed you can use.” His face heated even more as he pictured Hank sleeping next to him, his blond hair messy from a night of sex. “In a guest room. I’ve got a guest room you can have.”
Hank laughed. “Much appreciated.”
The beeping of medical equipment filled the room, and his leg burned where he’d been shot, but he could only stare at Hank’s warm smile. He hid some emotion there under the surface. The man had a tangible air of danger around him. Was it a mistake to let him stay in his house? He’d been nothing but kind since the moment they’d met. Drew was intimidating. All his men were. He’d also always been an honest man. A good man. Thom couldn’t imagine Drew being around a dangerous or dishonorable man.
He shook the thought out of his head. He’d imagined it. Or he’d misread the situation. Maybe the drugs were influencing him. “No. I’m the one who should be giving thanks. Drew has been a life saver from the moment he stepped onto my farm.”
One of Hank’s brows quirked. “This was my idea. Drew approved it, but I came up with it.”
The simple statement held the power to make his heart race and his cock swell. He’d never had such a strong reaction to a guy. The sensation had to be insane. Hearing Hank say he wanted to stay at the farm shouldn’t make him hard. It did. Unfortunately, the flimsy hospital robe and sheet did little to cover his reaction. “Okay.” He shifted trying to make his erection less noticeable.
“Excuse me, Mr. McKay.”
He looked up to see a cop had joined them in the tiny room. Perfect. More testosterone is such small place was the last thing he needed. “Yes, Officer?”
“I’m Detective Lee. I need to ask you a couple of questions.” He pulled out a notebook and pen. “Do you know anybody who might want to harm you?”
“No.” He shook his head with disbelief. “I’m a farmer. We don’t make many enemies.”
“What about ex-girlfriends or wives?”
The laugh slipped out before he managed to stop it. He regretted the outburst when Hank raised one brow in question. He’d have to come up with a suitable explanation. “Sorry. No. It’s been years since I’ve been in a relationship. Even then, we parted ways amicably.” He’d never wanted a relationship and neither had the men he’d had sex with. They’d been together for a night or two and then they’d moved on. Sometimes he’d remained friends with them but not always. He’d never broken any hearts, though.
“Any bad habits? Gambling? Drugs?”
“No. I don’t make enough to gamble or do drugs.”
The officer snorted. “You’d be surprised how few people care about their income when they get hooked. It’s why we ask.” He flipped ba
ck through his notepad. “What about your business. Any high-interest loans?”
“I’d sell before I took one of those things. I’d rather turn the land over to a corporation and get some sort of profit than throw the value away on interest payments.”
“Speaking of which, anybody make an offer on the land lately? Any potential buyers seem overly eager?”
“You’re thorough, aren’t you?” He paused as he thought back to the most recent offers on the land. “There are always offers, but none seem pushy. They all took it well when I turned them down.”
“I’m only looking for some sort of lead.”
He wished he could help the man, but he led a quiet, simple life. “I’m sorry, but I can’t think of a reason anybody would take a shot at me.”
“What about you?” he asked as he looked at the truck driver. “According to the report, you were there at the time. Did you see or hear anything?”
Hank sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Thom couldn’t help but watch the move and wish they were his fingers gliding through the silken strands. “I’ve gone over it a thousand times in my mind but, no. I didn’t see or hear anything useful.”
“Keep thinking about it. If you do remember anything, even if it’s small, give me a call.” He gave them both business cards and then left.
Thom expected to relax after the officer left. The room had been too crowded with three large men dominating it. Instead he became intensely aware of Hank’s presence once more. The attraction coupled with the pain meds made his mouth dry and his pulse race.
“It’ll be okay. They’ll catch whoever did this.” Hank rested a palm against his arm as he spoke. The gesture was one of reassurance, but the warm pressure and calloused skin made the ball of tension in the pit of his stomach become heavier.
