Page 6 of Softer Than Stone (Fangs & Felons)

CHRIS

Perhaps kissing a civilian while running for our lives wasn’t the best-thought-out decision I’d ever made, but it was so worth it. I’d managed to pull a full smile from him. That was leagues above a barely there twitch of the lips.

What I needed to do was focus, especially as we pulled up at the safe house. Callen would be pissed I’d let Waru drive rather than hooding him. It would mean shutting the place down after this. Apparently, I was full of questionable decisions today.

We parked around the back after another loop, my focus not straying from the wing mirror—not that I technically needed to, as Smythe had already given me the all clear.

Waru turned off the engine and peered at me. Nerves danced in his gaze, and he swallowed hard, the audible click sounding loud in the cab of the car.

I shouldn’t… I really, really shouldn’t have, but I reached out and took his hand in mine. The first time we’d been dodging bullets, so I hadn’t had time to commit to memory his elegant fingers or how much I liked the fit of his palm in mine.

“When we head in,” I started quietly, “the first thing that’ll happen is you’ll be checked out. Make sure you didn’t pick up any scrapes.”

His brow jumped high. “Any scrapes I might have got would be healed by now.”

“True.” Our shifter healing meant fast healing.

“But humour me, yeah? It’s just protocol.

” What I didn’t explain was that there were several advanced weapons out there that could cause some serious damage to shifters and vampires.

A simple nick from a treated flying bullet had the potential to cause serious infection.

That wasn’t information the SICB or the government wanted to be common knowledge.

“Okay. And then what?”

I kept my tone light, concern growing in my gut as he started to flag before me. “We’ll get you set up with something to eat and drink before the adrenaline crash really kicks in. Then you’ll be asked a few questions. After that, you’ll be all done.”

“I’ll be fine. I don’t need to?—”

I cut him off, not wanting to call bullshit, but I figured he hadn’t noticed the trembling in his hands. “I know you’ll be fine.” He pursed his lips. “We’ll just follow the process, okay?”

A sigh escaped his parted lips, followed by a nod.

“Let’s get this done.” Reluctantly, I released his hand before getting out of his car. I’d already clocked Michaels’s SUV and the van we used for tech support that Smythe must have driven back. There was only one Eclipse vehicle in sight.

I led the way and typed in the code when I reached the door, then placed my thumb against the reader.

The door unlocked, and we stepped into a small holding area.

Once I closed the door behind us, I reached the retina scanner, passed, then typed in a secondary code via the security app Lucas had designed.

The final door opened, the quiet grinding highlighting just how thick the steel door was. Yeah, Callen was not going to be a happy bunny about giving up this safe house.

Once inside, I took a moment to gauge Waru’s reaction to the space.

The main room stretched before us, open and inviting despite its purpose.

Warm wood tones and soft lighting made the sitting area feel almost cosy, with a pair of plush couches positioned around a low coffee table.

The dining area flowed seamlessly into a sleek, modern kitchen.

The counter was quartz, polished to a high sheen, and every appliance looked like it belonged in a high-end showroom.

“Wow,” Waru muttered, his eyes darting around the space. “This is not what I expected.”

“Yeah?” I asked, amused.

He nodded, gesturing vaguely at the room. “It’s… homey. Not what I’d picture for a safe house.”

I chuckled. “Lucas likes his comforts, and Callen believes in good morale. Happy team, effective team, or something like that.” Which was all bullshit.

The truth was that after a major criminal takedown we were involved in a couple of years back, a whole lot of shit happened, and damage had been done.

Our budget since then had been super healthy.

Waru’s lips twitched, a spark of levity in his expression. “Still feels weird.”

Before I could answer, the sound of the entryway door cycling through the locks preceded Michaels’s arrival. He strode in with his usual casual confidence, a grin plastered on his face as he caught sight of us.

“Chris,” Michaels greeted, giving me a firm handshake before pulling me into a brief hug. His tone was all professional, but his smile turned downright mischievous as he turned to Waru.

“And you must be Waru.” Michaels extended his hand. “Michaels. It’s nice to meet you properly. We didn’t really have time for introductions earlier.”

Waru hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking Michaels’s hand.

“Likewise,” Waru said, though his eyes darted nervously towards me.

Michaels’s grin widened. “Don’t worry. We’re just going to get you checked out real quick. Standard protocol.” He gestured towards the room off to the side of the pantry.

Waru glanced at me again, clearly searching for reassurance. “I’ll be right here,” I said, giving him a slight nod. “You’re in good hands.”

Michaels clapped him on the shoulder lightly, guiding him towards the medical room.

Once they disappeared through the door, I exhaled and headed towards the back.

The hallway led to the more secure parts of the safe house.

Three bedrooms, each behind reinforced doors with their own keypads, lined one side.

On the other were doors leading to the holding cells and the interview room.

Lucas was waiting for me near the farthest door.

The vampire looked as unflappable as ever, his sharp features softened slightly by the calm confidence he radiated. A faint smirk curved his lips as he spotted me.

“Chris,” he greeted, his voice smooth.

“Boss man.” I returned the nod before stepping closer, sure in his head he was rolling his eyes at me. He wasn’t a fan of being called boss man.

“How’s our guest?”

“Shaken but holding up,” I said. “Michaels is with him now, running through the protocol.”

Lucas nodded, then gestured for me to follow him into the back office. Once the door clicked shut behind us, he leaned against the desk.

“Updates?” I asked.

“Jenna will be transferred after her interview,” Lucas said. “Another unit is handling her and her sister. Brax is… predictably pathetic. He’s giving us enough, but it’s clear he was a puppet, not a player. And as for the tiger….” He grimaced. “Annoying as hell, but reluctantly cooperative.”

I snorted. “No surprise there.”

Lucas tilted his head, studying me. “This case isn’t going to be ours for much longer. Callen’s on his way, and he’s made it clear this is being shifted to another team.”

Frustration curled in my gut, but I kept my face neutral. “Figures. We were dragged into this mess, and now they’re pulling us out.”

Lucas’s smirk returned. “Bright side? A few days off.”

I grunted in response, though the thought of some downtime wasn’t unappealing.

“Anything else I need to know?” I asked.

“Not for now.” Lucas straightened. “Focus on getting Waru through this.”

I nodded, the weight of the case fading slightly as I left the office.

Waru’s well-being was my priority now.

It took four hours before I could get Waru out of there and home safely. Since eating and his interview, he was at the point of crashing. His eyes were heavy, almost glazed and unfocussed. While the calories had picked him up a little, what energy he’d stored was almost gone.

He didn’t even put up a fight about me driving him home in his car.

I stared at him for a moment, taking in the wide set of his nose, the gentle slope of his cheekbones, and the way his dark lashes fanned against his skin.

His lips were slightly parted, and the soft rise and fall of his chest was a soothing rhythm.

Even with the tension of the day weighing him down, there was an innocence in his expression, as though sleep had granted him a brief escape from reality.

The urge to let him rest battled with the knowledge that he’d be more comfortable inside.

“Waru,” I said softly, reaching out to gently touch his shoulder.

He stirred, scrunching his nose before his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he blinked at me in confusion, his gaze struggling to focus.

“You’re home,” I murmured, smiling despite myself.

“Oh.” His voice was groggy, and he rubbed at his face before yawning. “Right. Home.”

I opened the car door and walked around to his side, pulling his door open. Waru fumbled with the seatbelt for a second before I reached in to help him. He blinked up at me, still a little dazed, and let out a quiet laugh. “Guess I’m out of it, huh?”

“Come on, sleepyhead,” I teased, offering my hand to help him out.

Waru’s house was small and modest, but there was a warmth to it that suited him. I led him to the door, and when we stepped inside, I hesitated. His nerves were palpable, his steps slowing as the reality of the day seemed to catch up with him.

“You okay?” I asked softly.

He looked at me, his eyes shadowed with worry. “I… I don’t know. It’s just… a lot.”

“I can arrange security,” I offered. “They can sit outside, keep an eye on the place.”

Waru hesitated, his brow furrowing. “It all happened at the restaurant, though,” he said, his voice cracking slightly. “What about my staff? My restaurant?”

“They’re fine,” I assured him. “The SICB secured the place and checked on everyone. Your staff is safe, and the restaurant is locked up tight.”

The tension visibly drained from his shoulders, and he sagged against me, his forehead pressing into my chest. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close. His warmth seeped into me, and I felt his breath hitch against my shirt.

“You need to sleep,” I murmured.

He nodded against me, his voice muffled. “Yeah. I do.” He pulled back just enough to look up at me, his eyes vulnerable but steady. “Stay?”

I hesitated. “Waru….”

“Not like that,” he added quickly, a faint flush creeping into his cheeks. “I just… I don’t want to be alone.”

After a beat, I nodded. “Okay. But I’ll take the couch.”

His frown deepened, and he shook his head. “No. You’ll take the bed.”

“Waru—”

He grabbed my hand and tugged me towards what I assumed was his room with surprising determination. “The bed,” he repeated firmly, leaving no chance for argument. Not that I wanted to.

In his bedroom, he didn’t waste time, stripping down to his boxers before turning to me with expectant eyes. “You too.”

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You’re bossy when you’re tired.”

He raised an eyebrow, and I relented, tugging off my shirt and jeans before climbing into the bed.

Waru didn’t hesitate, curling up against me like a koala. He was all warmth, his head resting on my chest and one arm slung across my torso.

“Goodnight, Chris,” he mumbled, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

“Goodnight, Waru,” I whispered.

In less than ten seconds, he was asleep, his soft breathing a balm to the chaos of the day.