Page 4 of Honey Heat (Sin & Steel #9)

“Martinez Clinic on Oakwood Drive. It’s about ten minutes from Sin’s tavern.”

Nodding, Ethan dialed his father’s number from memory, fingers trembling slightly. The phone rang three times before a gruff voice answered.

“McCade.”

“Dad?” His voice cracked on the single syllable.

“Ethan?” The relief in his father’s voice was palpable. “Thank God. Are you okay? What happened, son?”

The flood of relief and questions from the other end made Ethan’s eyes burn with unshed tears.

“I’m at a clinic in town. On Oakwood.”

“We’ve been looking everywhere. When I learned a bear shifter was found…” Ethan could hear him swallowing. “I got caught up in trying to figure out who did this when I should’ve been at that clinic already.”

“Don’t. This isn’t your fault, Dad.” Ethan glanced away, not wanting Lucio to see his tears. “Can you come get me?”

“I’m already on my way. Are you hurt?” The sound of an engine starting punctuated his words.

“Yeah, but I’ll be okay.” Ethan glanced at Lucio, who had moved away to give him privacy but remained watchful. “A wolf found me.”

“I know, son. I owe him everything.” A brief silence. “I’ll be there shortly.”

“Okay. Love you.” Ethan whispered the last part, though he wasn’t sure why.

“Love you too, cub.”

The call ended, and Ethan handed the phone back to Lucio, suddenly aware of how close the wolf was sitting.

His dark eyes were kind, not cold like the men who had hurt him.

He had a strong jawline, full lips, and shoulders that filled out his henley in ways that made Ethan’s cheeks warm despite everything.

Gorgeous wasn’t a strong enough word. Lucio looked like he’d stepped out of one of those firefighter calendars Ethan’s friend Stewart was always swooning over.

“Thank you,” Ethan said quietly. Not just for the phone .

“ De nada .” Lucio slipped the phone back into his pocket. “Your dad’s a good man. He came as soon as we told him a clan member was found.”

That sounded like his father. Boone might be strict and sometimes overprotective, but he loved his clan fiercely, especially his only child.

“He’s coming.” Ethan was suddenly self-conscious about his own battered appearance.

“Good. Want more water while we wait?”

Ethan nodded, unable to look away from Lucio’s face.

Something warm and unfamiliar stirred in his chest, momentarily distracting him from his pain.

It was ridiculous to notice how attractive someone was when he’d barely escaped that place with his life.

Yet here he was, cataloging the perfect curve of Lucio’s mouth and the way his eyes crinkled slightly at the corners when he spoke.

“They wanted information about our territory,” Ethan said, not sure why he was telling Lucio this. “About our defenses. About my dad.”

Lucio nodded, his expression darkening. “Did they say why?”

“No.” Ethan looked down at his bandaged hands, remembering how they had methodically broken his fingers one by one. “I just want to rest before my dad gets here.”

“Take a drink first.” Once again, Lucio helped Ethan up to take a sip.

When Ethan had enough, Lucio lowered him back down, Ethan ignoring the way the wolf made him feel inside.

* * * *

Lucio stood by Dr. Martinez, who was looking over some paperwork as Boone stood over Ethan’s bed. His beefy hand fluttered over his son’s chest, like he wanted to touch or hug his son but was afraid of hurting Ethan even further.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Dr. Martinez murmured while tapping his electronic device. “His injuries are too extensive, and the trip home would do more harm than good.”

“Is there a reason you’re telling me this?” Lucio frowned while watching Boone talk softly to Ethan.

The love shining in Boone’s eyes said it all. His son meant everything to him.

“No reason.” Dr. Martinez smirked. “Just thought you should know since you’re hovering over the cub like a worried mama bear.”

A snarl rumbled in Lucio’s throat. “First off, he’s not a cub.” The guy looked young, but Lucio was certain of the fact. “Second, I found him, so I feel responsible for him. Don’t look beyond that, Doc.”

Any decent person worth their salt would do the same, especially since Ethan had looked near death when Lucio found him. He was just making sure the bear shifter was on the mend before he left.

Lucio rubbed his temples. Now that he wasn’t fully focused on Ethan, his hangover headache was making a reappearance.

Dr. Martinez held out a small bottle of aspirin. “Hydration helps with the morning after. Try drinking plenty of water.” He smirked. “I could hook you up to an IV to get those fluids in you. Put you right next to Ethan’s bed. Nothing brings a couple closer than matching hospital beds.”

Another growled ripped from Lucio’s. “We’re not a damn couple, and you’re not even funny.”

“I crack myself up.” Dr. Martinez walked away with a grin.

Lucio watched as Boone approached, his massive form blocking out his line of sight to Ethan.

“Thanks for… everything, wolf. If you hadn’t found my boy…” Boone ran a hand threw his hair. “I thought it was another clan member that was found.” He rested his hands on his hips, chewing his bottom lip.

It was such a contrast to see how open the bear alpha was compared to Lucio’s own alpha. He knew Matias cared about his pack, would die to protect them, but the guy wasn’t exactly known for sharing his feelings.

And honestly, if Matias started to act like Boone, he would scare the hell out of his pack.

There was something comforting in knowing Matias was always assessing any given situation, always in control.

That allowed the rest of them to relax and have a decent life without worrying every second about something jumping off.

And Matias had Elijah. His elegido had changed the alpha in small ways, which told Lucio that Matias was finally happy.

“I was only there to check the cameras. Finding Ethan was—”

Boone held up a hand, and Lucio’s words instantly halted. “It doesn’t matter if it was accidental, son. He’s all I got, and I’d rather die than let anything happen to him.” He stuck out his hand, and Lucio shook it.

As big as the bear shifter was, his grip was surprisingly gentle.

“Since we have our own clan doctor, I’ll be taking him home. Just wanted to thank you for what you did.”

Boone clapped him on the shoulder. Lucio wasn’t a small guy, but the clap jerked him forward slightly.

“Dr. Martinez said moving him would do more harm than good.” Lucio wasn’t sure why he was telling Boone this. The doctor could’ve handled it, yet his wolf was snarling at the thought of Ethan leaving.

What the hell?

“Then I guess I need to speak with the doctor.” Boone walked off, heading in the direction Dr. Martinez had disappeared to.

Lucio crossed the room to check on Ethan. The guy was lying there quietly, eyes closed, looking pretty exhausted.

And beautiful. Cinnamon-brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. He was small for a bear, with delicate features. Lucio had been stunned when he’d learned Boone was Ethan’s father. The two looked nothing alike, but it was possible Ethan took after his mother.

“I can feel you staring at me,” Ethan said with closed eyes. “Do I look as bad as I feel?”

You’re more beautiful than a rain-drenched forest. Lucio sucked at poetry, but he loved being in the forest on a rainy day. Best thing in the world.

“Maybe a little battered,” Lucio said, taking a seat in the chair he’d occupied for hours already. “Your dad tells me you’re heading home, osito.”

Ethan’s eyes open, those hazel gems hinting under the fluorescent lighting. “That’s a good forty-minute drive.”

Moving closer, Lucio rested his hand on the bed, unable to resist tracing his finger over Ethan’s. “Dr. Martinez thinks you should stay here until you can handle the trip. What do you want to do?”

“Does it matter?” Ethan trapped Lucio’s finger with his own. “I’m just the patient.”

“It does matter, hermoso. Just because you’re the patient doesn’t mean you don’t have a say in your care.”

What was Lucio doing? This was between Ethan, Boone, and Dr. Martinez. Just because Lucio had found the bear shifter didn’t mean he had anything to do with Ethan’s care. He’d done his part, and now Ethan would be on the mend.

Lucio’s involvement needed to end here. Yet he couldn’t make himself get up and leave. That single finger lying over his felt as though it had trapped his entire body.

“I don’t want to spend almost an hour in a pickup,” Ethan murmured. “I’m afraid it’ll make everything hurt even worse than it already does.” His finger tightened then fully retreated. “I’m tired, Lucio.”

Hearing Ethan speak his name so softly did weird things to Lucio’s insides. He pulled back, telling himself to back away and not get so invested. To not make this beautiful man’s problems his own.

“Get some rest, osito .” Lucio tucked the covers around him, brushing aside his cinnamon hair from his eyes. “ Nadie te hará dano mientras yo te cuide, carino .”

“Hmm?” Ethan’s eyes were already closed, his face serene. His hand found Lucio’s and clasped it, hanging on as he dozed off.

Lucio was at a loss. Ethan seemed terrified one moment and sassy the next. He would just have to wait until the sedatives wore off before he could discover Ethan’s true personality.

The thought froze him. Lucio wasn’t going to be around long enough to find out anything. He needed to walk his ass right out of the clinic and not look back.

With a sigh, and Ethan still grasping his hand, Lucio sat back, feeling like a creep as he watched his osito sleep.