The Love He Squirreled Away (13 page)

“Well, I won’t know until I ask.” Skylar’s voice lowered. “Look, I’m not sure what you’re hiding, but trust me, Dani. I can help.”

Daniel bit his lip, not feeling very open right then and there. Hell, he’d just been betrayed by a man he’d considered a close friend for years. “All right,” he finally said. “Perhaps we could meet up at Nico’s?”

“I’ll make arrangements with him and call you back,” Skylar said.

“Take care of yourself, okay, Dani?”

“Thank you, Skylar. You, too.”

With that, Daniel ended the call and turned to his mate. “Perhaps they can help us,” he said.

“I certainly hope so, baby,” his mate replied. “I certainly hope so.”

96

Scarlet Hyacinth

Soren watched his mate and Nicolas and suppressed a smile. It was nice to see Daniel relax a bit after all the stress he’d been through. Spending time with Daniel’s family hadn’t helped—Soren and Daniel were still keeping Carlie’s death a secret—so for a little while, they’d turned this visit into something more than information collecting.

Nicolas offered him a small smile as he carried a plate of snacks to the table. Soren could tell the hummingbird still felt a bit doubtful of him, but for Daniel’s sake, he was trying. Those meaty appetizers were clear evidence of the fact.

“You shouldn’t have done this,” Soren said. “We do appreciate your hospitality a lot.”

“It’s the least I could do,” Nicolas said. The hummingbird had been quite dismayed upon finding out the gun gifted by him caused such trouble in the pack. “And besides, it’s high time I got used to carnivores. All my friends seem to be getting mated to them.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any assistance?” Daniel asked, fidgeting nervously. His friend shook his head and headed back into the kitchen.

“That’s fine,” Nicolas answered. “I can handle it.”

All of a sudden, Soren felt the slightly unsettling sensation of another predator approaching. His mate and Nicolas must have sensed it as well. Nicolas emerged from the kitchen and placed another plate of snacks on the table. He was moving so fast it made Soren’s head spin, but he supposed that speed was to be expected from a hummingbird.

The Love He Squirreled Away

97

The door bell rang, and in a blur, Nicolas went to let his guests in.

Soren got up and, together with his mate, went to join the hummingbird. They reached the foyer just as Nicolas was opening the door.

“Hi, Nico, Dani,” Skylar Pierce said.

The three greeted each other, and Soren suppressed his own possessiveness when Skylar touched Daniel. At this point, he had a lot of practice in this frustrating endeavor. These were Daniel’s friends, so he needed to keep himself in check.

As Skylar hugged Nicolas, though, Soren actually thought he heard a growl. He directed his attention toward the second man who entered the hummingbird’s home.

Garth Mckenna was a big, blond man, although his size didn’t quite reach Soren’s. Soren discounted lions and other bigger cat-shifters as Garth’s species. That didn’t make the situation any less interesting. Garth gave Nicolas a look Soren was quite familiar with.

He’d seen it in Brody and in Liam, too. If Nicolas wasn’t Garth’s mate, Soren would eat his own shoe.

Skylar seemed startled by the sound. “Where are my manners?

Garth, I’d like to introduce you to Nicolas Shields, Daniel Gardner-Boyd, and his mate, Soren Wade. Everyone, this is my friend, Garth Mckenna.”

“A pleasure to meet you.” Nicolas smiled and turned into the perfect host. “Please come in.”

“Thank you,” Garth replied. “I’m glad to meet you, too.”

The answer sounded perfectly polite, but Soren could tell how tense the man was. He couldn’t blame Garth. Nicolas might be making an effort to open up to his friends’ mates, but from that to actually mating a carnivore was a long way. However, for Soren, this could be a good thing. Garth was more likely to remain loyal to them with Nicolas around.

“Did Skylar mention our problem?” Daniel asked as they went to the living room.

98

Scarlet Hyacinth

Garth blinked at Daniel, and Soren hid a smile when he realized the feline had completely forgotten about the reason of this visit. “He said a few things, but not specifically. Why would you want to go to The Grinder?”

At the question, Soren went all business. They sat down on couches and armchairs, and he began to explain the situation. At first, he tested the grounds a bit, just to make sure he could trust Garth. He couldn’t delay for too long, though, so in the end, he told the group all about Carlie’s death, the attack on pack lands, and Perry Jenkins’s involvement. “We don’t really know if he even told us the truth,”

Daniel added, “but I’m inclined to believe that he did. He’s a squirrel, after all. We’re not killers. Even if he could have planned an assassination, he wouldn’t have the ability to actually do it himself.

And those men I saw were no squirrels.”

Garth seemed thoughtful. “Well, I can assure you he was, indeed, involved with someone nasty. That “Cunning” person reminds me of someone I know. The Cunningham family is actually quite famous in the paranormal underground. If you want an equivalent, think mafia.”

Daniel paled, and Soren reached for his mate’s hand. “Mafia?” he asked. “What exactly are these people?”

“The heads of the family are sharks,” Garth answered. “They have many employed in their service. Most of them are aquatic creatures, squids, eels, even some crocodiles.”

“You seem to know a lot about this,” Nicolas commented.

Garth suddenly looked more nervous than Soren would have ever expected he could get. “I–I might have worked for them once upon a time.”

Silence. Everybody stared at Garth is shock. “You worked for the mafia?” Skylar finally asked.

“It was a long time ago, before I even came into contact with the agency. I’m free of it now.”

“How is that even possible?” Soren scowled. “I thought you didn’t get out of those things so easily.”

The Love He Squirreled Away

99

“I suppose you could say I had friends in high places. I did some favors for the right people, and in exchange, the persons—or rather, the person—in question got me out.”

Skylar still seemed shocked, while Nicolas’s willingness to compromise had melted into renewed apprehension. For whatever reason, though, it was the hummingbird who spoke first. “Okay. So can you help Dani figure out who hurt his friend?”

“I can try.” Garth hesitated. “Mind you, I haven’t talked to this guy in years, so he might tell me to go fuck myself.”

“Call him,” Soren urged. “If you can at least find out exactly who killed my beta, that’s going to be something.”

Garth nodded and got up. For a few moments, he seemed to hesitate. Soren gathered he’d have preferred to be in private for the call.

The feline stole a look at Nicolas and seemed to make a decision.

He retrieved his cell phone and dialed an unseen phone number. After a few moments, the person on the other side answered. Courtesy of his werewolf senses, Soren heard both sides of the conversation.

“Well, well. If it isn’t Garth McKenna, as I live and breathe.”

Garth’s supposed friend chuckled. “This is a surprise.”

“Hello, Byron. How have you been?”

The man—Byron—made of sound of discontent. “Same old, same old. So, are you going to tell me why you called? And who else is there with you? I can hear them breathing.”

Soren gaped. What kind of senses did the famous Byron have that he could distinguish the breathing of people from the normal static across a phone line?

“Actually, Byron, I need a favor, for a friend of Skylar Pierce.”

Byron chuckled. “Ah, yes…The Pierce family. They’re always so troublesome. What’s this about?”

“Do you have any idea if your brother is involved in any job right now?” Garth asked.

100

Scarlet Hyacinth

“I’m not his keeper.” Byron sounded irritated now. “You know that as well as I do.”

“Yes, well, from what I’m told, he might have attacked a pack of werewolves, killed the beta, burned their forest down, and attempted to assassinate the Alpha’s pups.”

“That sounds like something he would do.” Byron sighed.

“Jesus… Heathcliff is going to be the death of me. Is the Alpha of the pack there?”

Garth wordlessly handed the cell phone to Soren. “Soren Wade here.”

“Mr. Wade, this is Byron Cunningham. I understand you might have a problem with my brother.”

“We aren’t absolutely certain, but it seems so, yes.”

Byron hummed thoughtfully. “Well, if you’re not certain, why should I help you? Your dead bodies aren’t any of my business.”

Anger assaulted Soren. “Perhaps you’ll make it your business when I bring up the issue with the werewolf elder and all the packs of the country will be out to get you.”

It wasn’t entirely a bluff. This man’s brother had attacked the heirs of the entire werewolf nation. Soren’s people took that kind of thing very seriously.

“You’ve got guts, Mr. Wade, I’ll give you that.” Byron chuckled darkly. “Fine. I’ll deal with this. Meet me tomorrow at The Grinder.

You’ll have what you’re looking for.”

Soren opened his mouth to offer a reply, perhaps a word of thanks, but he didn’t get the chance. Byron ended the call without another word of good-bye, leaving Soren frustrated and confused.

“I suppose we’ll find out what he meant by that tomorrow,”

Daniel said.

Soren arched a brow at his mate. “We? No, baby. You’re only coming to The Grinder over my dead body.”

Daniel looked like he wanted to protest, but Nicolas stopped him.

“Dani, I hate to say it, but he’s right. It’s too dangerous.”

The Love He Squirreled Away

101

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go with him,” Garth offered.

“You have my thanks, Garth.” Daniel smiled, although his unease invaded his bond with Soren. “I’m relying on you.”

Soren pulled his mate close, hating the way Daniel rubbed his chest. He would solve this issue and then take care of his mate like he deserved. It was high time they started their lives together with no involvement from any outsiders. Just Soren, Daniel, and their kids.

That was his dream, and he’d do anything to make it happen.

They lingered for a while longer with Daniel’s friend, then the small gathering scattered. They all said their good-byes and agreed to meet up at Nicolas’s home the next morning. Soren felt a bit amused when he realized Garth stayed behind, supposedly to “talk” to Nicolas.

At last, Soren, Daniel, and Skylar headed out. After they exited the building, they went their separate ways, and Soren and Daniel were left alone once again.

Soren didn’t ask any questions or make any comments. He wordlessly gestured his mate into the car and got in as well. Once they were both safely buckled in, Soren started the far-too-long trip to the hotel.

As he drove, his mind went back to Garth’s story and Perry Jenkins’s explanation. Soren had never once heard of a Heathcliff Cunningham. The thought that this man, a man he did not know, was killing people because of an obsession with Soren hurt him to the core.

It was quite late by the time they reached their destination.

Different worries shrouded both their minds, polluting their connection. As soon as they entered their room, Daniel picked up the phone and dialed Carson.

Soren couldn’t help but smile as he watched his mate talk to Carson about their kids. It did wonders for his mood to see Daniel so invested in their care, so loving with them. He knew that even if the
102

Scarlet Hyacinth

kids had lost the affection of a mother, they would never lack a warm embrace or a kind word.

Soren’s well-developed hearing allowed him to hear what Carson was saying as well. “The kids are fine,” Carson assured them. “You know Angel and Clark love them to bits. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Carson,” Daniel answered. He paused and sighed. Soren immediately went to him and wrapped his arms around his mate’s waist, kissing his nape.

“Come on, baby,”
he whispered through their bond.
“Say good-bye.”

“I have to go,” Daniel obediently told Carson. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, all right?”

“Sure, Dani. Take care, okay? And keep us posted.”

Daniel ended the call and threw his phone down on the couch. He turned in Soren’s embrace and buried his face in Soren’s chest.
“Is it
horrible that I want you so much right now?”

“It’s not horrible, Dani.” Soren hugged his mate tighter. “I want you, too.”

Soren broke the embrace and took Daniel in his arms. He walked them to the bed and placed his mate down on the four-poster. He was momentarily left dumbstruck when Daniel looked up at him, his honey-brown eyes conveying so much trust and love it almost made Soren keel over. He forced himself to get over his awe and joined his mate on the mattress.

Ever so slowly, Soren began to disrobe Daniel. The first items of clothing that disappeared were the shoes and the socks. Soren massaged his mate’s feet, grinning smugly when his mate released a satisfied chirp. With every moment that passed, Daniel seemed to melt into the mattress, relaxing under Soren’s ministrations.

Encouraged, Soren allowed his hands to cover Daniel’s body. He undid the buttons of the other man’s pants, keeping his touch light so
The Love He Squirreled Away

103

as not to startle the skittish squirrel. Daniel surprised him when he shimmied out of the slacks, helping Soren to reveal his nakedness.

But even with Daniel’s obvious willingness, Soren was still reluctant to hasten things. When he got rid of Daniel’s pants, he directed his attention to the shirt. At an excruciatingly slow pace, he undid every button of the garment. He pressed gentle kisses over each inch of creamy skin he revealed, being more thorough than he’d ever had the patience to be. In the past, their passion turned their couplings far too rushed, and even if they did choose to take it slow from time to time, it was never quite like this.