Page 18 of Starting Over
Jude snorted, “And that nonanswer won’t fly with me. Trust me, I’ve been living with a shit ton of men that like to keep their secrets. The problem here is that your secrets involve my good friend here as well as myself. So, let’s try this again. Why did you not knock on my fucking door and tell us what the fuck was going on? Why hide in the fucking woods in the middle of fall where I know you had to have been freezing your nuts off since I saw no signs of a fire.”
Ryan snorted, “We’re dragons. We don’t need a fire. Cold doesn’t affect us as it does humans or even most shifters.”
“Well, bully for you,” Jude said, going into a stare off with Ryan.
Rain was nervous. He didn’t know if the two men were going to get up and start fighting or what might happen. However, hereally didn’t want any of that to happen… especially if he was the reason.
Rain went to speak, when Wyatt ordered, “Ryan, stand down.”
The tone had Rain’s cock taking an interest and he did something he didn’t intend to do. He looked at Wyatt… really looked at the man for the first time… and holy fucking shit, was he sexy.
Wyatt was taller than him by about a good six inches which would put him at around six foot or six foot one. He had a really stylish blond, almost military hair cut, however, the small spiked mohawk on top kind of said, bad boy, but in charge. However it was his eyes… his very caring cobalt-blue eyes that were on him at this very moment… those eyes had Rain drawn in so far, he wanted to melt into the man and never come out into the world again. “I’m sorry, Rain.”
Confused Rain asked, “Sorry for what?”
“Were you not listening? Wyatt was talking for a good two minutes, telling us how they were waiting and watching because Danny might come here to get to you. They didn’t approach us because it seems Danny has friends and family that might be living along this river and he didn’t want anyone seeing them and warning the asshole you might be here,” Jude said, then added, “What the hell were you thinking about so hard that you didn’t hear any of it?”
Rain felt his face, neck and ears heat once again and wished a giant black hole would appear under his ass and suck him in.
“Interesting,” Jude said, before asking, “Okay, so now that you’re here what are your plans?”
“We’re probably just going to go back to our campsite and keep watching. We know Danny is coming for Rain. We need to be here in order to catch him before he does that,” Wyatt answered.
Rain’s head shot up, but not before Jude snorted, “That shit doesn’t even make sense. Look, I saw one of you watching us… or at least I felt it. People around here aren’t stupid. They watch, they see and they know anyone new that doesn’t belong. Hell, I bet if you went to any store in this town and listened, they would be talking about me and telling stories they made up for lack of knowledge. Granted it might all be in French, but the stories are making their rounds.”
Shrugging, Ryan asked, “So, what does that have to do with us?”
“Because people saw you come into this town. Even if you’re not eating in town or shopping for food, they know you came into town and you didn’t leave. Now they’re going to be looking for you, and by that alone they’re going to put two and two together and come up with sixteen. I’m a stranger in a strange Canadian town that no vacationer ever comes to without a fishing pole, and now four more show up… again, no fishing pole, that would mean to them we’re supposed to be together. Yet, every time I’ve come into town it’s been alone, and I damn sure haven’t bought enough food for four guys your size.”
“So, you’re saying we’re drawing attention,” Wyatt said in understanding.
Jude nodded, “Yes, and if Danny hears about the five strangers, with no reason to be here… well, let me tell you, he doesn’t have to be a mathematician to put those numbers together.”
“We understand that, but we don’t have much choice. We don’t have a cabin and getting someone to allow a complete stranger to use one isn’t going to happen,” Tandris said.
“No, but here’s an interesting fact about this part of Quebec. They don’t normally mind someone borrowing a cabin around here, if it’s for survival. However, you don’t have to worry about that because I think you guys should just stay here.”
“What? No, we can’t do that,” Wyatt quickly said.
Jude snorted, “Yes you can. There’s more than enough room for you guys and us. I’ll just need to go and grab some groceries. This way you are as close as you can be in order to get your bounty if he comes. I know it will make Rain feel more comfortable… and most likely safer. I have a feeling it’s why he did that stupid as fuck stunt. Isn’t it, Rain? You left because you were concerned for my safety.”
Rain looked at Jude, his voice shaky, as he answered, “You’ve been so good to me, Jude. You’re a great man, and no, I don’t want Danny showing up and hurting you. I figured with your mate coming, you’d be safe enough if he did show up. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me. Besides, you and your mates have a lot to talk about and don’t need an audience.”
“If I don’t want an audience, I have no problem telling you. If I hadn’t thought these guys would help us, I would have told Wiz to send in the cavalry. Do I think Danny will find you? Honestly, I’m kind of hoping he does come looking. This way we can get his ass back in prison where he belongs, and we can figure out where to go from there with you.” Jude gave Rain a stern look. “If you’d have discussed this with me, instead of running off like a rabbit being chased by a wolf, you’d have known that. Instead you take off in the middle of the night… well, early in the morning, fall into an almost frozen river and damn near drown. Had Wyatt not been following you, I don’t even want to think about what happened.”
“I know. I’m sorry,” Rain said in a small voice.
Jude got up and went to Rain, clasping his cheek so Rain was forced to look in his eyes. It was surprising how gentle they were, when Jude softened his tone, “Besides, I don’t think your mate would have survived had you drowned.” He then turned to Wyatt. “Would you?”
Before Wyatt could say anything, the room began to fill with smoke… dark thick and terrifying smoke.
CHAPTER 8
“Damn it, Smoky, knock that shit off!” Jude shouted loud enough to make Wyatt’s ears ring since he had immediately stood up with Rain in his arms. “Rance, open the fucking door so we can air the damn room out.”
The sound of the sliding glass door could be heard, as Rain fearfully asked, “What’s going on?”
“What’s going on is my mates are here and for whatever reason they’re pissed.” Jude huffed still not having moved from his spot.