Page 9 of Primal Urges (Bikers of Mayhem #1)
“Look around this bar. Everyone in this place has secrets—things that we don’t want the world to know about.
Our lusts, our desires, our demons, even our pasts.
We all carry our own baggage. Some may weigh heavier than others.
But ultimately, it is our baggage to carry.
All of us are entitled to our secrets—to decide when and with whom we will share those secrets.
Is Lucas not entitled to his secrets? His own story to protect and keep hidden if he so chooses? ”
His boss was right. Caden was no saint. He’d done his fair share of activities that would have landed him in jail or earned him a first-class ticket to that eternal after-party buried deep beneath the earth’s core.
“Not having a cell phone, while uncommon, may be due to legitimate reasons. You’re probably also wondering what someone like Lucas is doing working in a place like this?”
Caden nodded. He was dying to ask his boss but didn’t want to question his decisions. Marcus might be a nice guy, but he also had a temper that you didn’t want directed at you.
“One of the first questions Lucas asked me when he walked into the bar was about our hiring process—specifically, whether we conduct background checks or call for references.”
Caden’s head snapped in the direction of the young man, who was now busy tucking in chairs that patrons seemed to leave anywhere they liked. Caden once found a chair sitting outside the women’s washroom. Did women stand guard while they peed?
“See? So he is a criminal!” Caden declared triumphantly. He wasn’t crazy, after all.
Marcus shook his head in disappointment.
“What are some of the reasons that someone might not want a background check conducted on them?”
Caden thought about the question for a moment. He wasn’t really sure.
“Because they might be on the run? Or hiding from someone they don’t want to find them?” Caden asked, staring at the elusive young man who looked like the last person who would ever commit a crime or be on the run from the police.
“Exactly. It’s hard to find places of employment these days that don’t run background and credit checks. Even setting up a cell-phone plan requires a credit check,” Marcus explained.
Caden turned his attention back to his boss. “Do you think that Luc might be in some kind of danger?” Caden asked, suddenly ashamed that he assumed the worst about the shy boy who got nervous around burly, tattooed men.
“Not sure. That’s one of the reasons that I hired him.
” Caden looked at Marcus, confused. “It wasn’t for his mad skills at washing dishes.
The boy was clearly lying through his teeth during the job interview.
But at least if I gave him a job, I could watch out for him and, if the time ever came, offer the kid protection or assistance if needed. ”
“Now I feel like an idiot for assuming the worst.”
Marcus reached across the table and grabbed hold of Cade’s shoulder.
“It’s because you care about this crew and your family.
” He gave Caden a warm smile and released his shoulder.
“Now, I want you to keep what we discussed just between you and me. Lucas’s past is his own to share with us when he’s ready.
For the time being, all we can do is watch out for him and be that supportive ear if he ever wants to reach out. ”
This was why everyone loved Marcus. He looked out for everyone and never forced anyone to do something they weren’t ready to do.
“Now, don’t you have something to do? I’m not paying you to sit here and keep me company. I’ve got online porn for that.”
Cade rolled his eyes.
“Are you even able to get it up at your ripe old age?”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
It was time for Cade to leave. Quick.
Not wasting any time, Cade slid out of the booth and jogged over to the front of the bar. In a few hours, patrons would be stopping by for their after-work drinks.
The sound of pebbles crunching beneath his feet made Caden cringe with every step he took. If he wanted this to work, he needed to remain undetected.
Throughout the night, he watched Lucas from a distance.
At first glance, the boy appeared to be just like any other hardworking American. He cleared off tables, wiped up spilled alcohol, and helped Alexis change out beer kegs.
Everything seemed to fit the role of busboy.
But when Caden took a step back and decided to look a little deeper, he started to notice the subtle red flags.
The flinches every time a large man jostled him, the lack of eye contact, the smiles that quickly vanished when he thought that no one was looking.
Whatever it was that drove Lucas from his previous life must have been big.
Caden needed to know.
Not that he was worried for the safety of his friends and family, but because he needed to know what he was protecting Lucas from. Yes, he had made the decision that Lucas was now a part of his family, and if he was in trouble, he was under Caden’s protection.
All through the night, Caden ran through scenarios in his head: an abusive father, trouble with a violent street gang, perhaps gambling debts that had gotten out of control.
Whatever it was, Caden needed to protect the boy from the threat.
And at what cost? that annoying voice inside his head asked.
I’ll do whatever is necessary.
He heard the voice inside his head begin to chuckle.
They have a word for what you are doing… it’s called stalking .
No. He wasn’t stalking. A stalker was a creepy dude who followed people home late at night and peeked in their windows…
And what is it that you think that you are doing? that pesky voice asked him once again.
Fuck you.
He watched as Lucas cut across Old Man Benson’s field and headed toward the barn he had out back.
What was Lucas doing?
Pulling open the barn door, Lucas disappeared into the wooden structure.
He ignored that feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him he had crossed so many lines—starting with following Lucas home after work to now, about to peek through his open barn windows.
No, he was not a stalker. Or a peeping Tom.
Try telling that to the judge as he passes his sentence at your serial killer murder trial.
Seriously, what was wrong with him?
Crouching down next to one of the back windows, Caden slowly lifted his head so he could peek inside without being noticed.
Not creepy at all.
God, if the guy ever found out, he would fucking kill him.
Well, maybe not kill him because of the size difference, but probably never talk to him again.
Or slip laxatives into his beer.
Either way, Caden would be fucked.
A light flickered on inside the barn, followed by another, and then soft music began to play.
Outside, Caden watched as Lucas climbed the wooden ladder up to the loft, which appeared to open up to a large living space.
It was the end of June, so the temperature outside at night was warm and comforting. Come wintertime, though, the barn’s temperature would not be so welcoming.
He wondered how long Lucas planned to live here. It couldn’t be comfortable or even enjoyable to reside in a large wooden structure that had previously housed animals and stored hay.
From what Caden could recall, Old Man Benson used to keep three horses in this barn, using them for work around the farm.
Why wouldn’t Lucas just rent a normal place? There were plenty of apartments for rent scattered around town.
Because most places performed credit checks and asked for references. He doubted that Old Man Benson did either of those things. He was a cheap man who only did the bare minimum.
One by one, the lights inside the barn turned off as the new boy in town prepared for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.
Another part of the Lucas mystery had been unlocked.
The more Caden uncovered, the more determined he became.
He needed to do more to help this kid. He wasn’t sure why he felt so protective, but god help the person who ever attempted to take advantage of his boy or do him any harm.
Lucas Braden was under his protection now.
As the last light turned off, Caden stole one last glance up at the loft. Somewhere, hidden in all that darkness, was a scared young man with a secret he kept hidden from all.
It was getting late, and he was already tired. Plus, he had his own little princess to check in on.