Valentino's Cowboy [Brac Village 10] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (12 page)

“What do we do? Kenyon now knows about Wood elves.” Abe took in long breaths, breathing out slowly. He no longer felt safe in Valentino’s home. They had been invaded and in turn, Abe felt violated. “I don't want to stay here.”

Valentino enveloped Abe into his arms, holding him close. Abe soaked up the safety his mate gave him, even though he didn’t feel it after what had happened. “I’ll call the ranch. We could stay there until we figure out what’s going on.”

Abe knew that was a big sacrifice on Valentino’s part. His mate was going to have to be around Gavin. Abe just hoped like hell that they didn’t kill each other. The way his week was going, that just might happen.

“Go pack some clothes while I make the call.”

Abe quickly left the living room, still shaken up by what just happened. He could still feel the imprint against his temple of the cold, hard steel. He grabbed some articles of clothing, not paying attention to what he was gathering as a sob tore from his throat.

He had nearly died. That bastard had nearly shot him. It could have gone so wrong. Abe could have been lying on the floor…dead.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Valentino said gently when he stepped into the room, pulling Abe into his arms. “It’s all right, my little cowboy. You’re safe now.”

Funny, Abe didn’t feel safe. He felt like the gun was still lodged against his head. “Our home was broken into, Valentino. How safe could we possibly be? He’ll be back. That guy won’t give up until he’s captured me.”

What made Abe feel worse was the fact that they had his wallet and inside the wallet was the only picture he had of his parents. He wanted his wallet back. He wanted that photograph back.

“We’ll figure this out and then you, me, and Roger will take a long vacation.”

Abe pulled back, staring up at his mate as if he had lost his mind. “Doesn’t Roger belong to someone?”

Valentino winked at him. “I’m pretty sure they’ll let us borrow him.”

As scared as Abe was feeling, he gave a small laugh. It seemed his mate knew just how to cheer him up when Abe felt like everything was falling apart around him. He wiped his face on his shirt and then finished gathering his things.

Valentino threw some stuff in a bag and then both of them headed for the door. “Are you sure about this? I know you really don’t want to be at the ranch.”

“Your safety comes first, hon. If I have to be around Gavin, so be it.”

Somehow Abe didn’t trust Valentino’s easy acceptance. He had a feeling that the shit was going to hit the fan. But there was nothing he could do about it. They needed to get out of here before that goon returned.

* * * *

“What the hell do you mean you had to run?” Kenyon asked in an acidic tone. “You had one objective, and that was to bring me that elf.”

“The guy who was with Abraham turned into some kind of large cat. I shot at him, but I’m not sure if I hit him or not.”

Good help was so hard to find. He knew he should have sent his second, but instead, Kenyon had sent in this fuck-up. Now the elf knew someone was after him.

“Do you want me to try again?”

Kenyon walked past the yahoo and kept on going. He gave a slight nod to the guy standing behind the incompetent man. “No, I won’t be needing your services any longer.” As he exited the warehouse, Kenyon heard the fatal shot ring out.

He was going to have to talk with his henchman about using a damn silencer. Was everyone around him incompetent?

Climbing into the back of his car, Kenyon dialed his phone as his driver pulled off. “You’re up.” He hung up the phone and settled back. If Debrosky—his second-in-command—didn’t bring him the elf, Kenyon was going to fetch the little man himself.

* * * *

Valentino could tell that Abe liked being back on the ranch. He sat in the living room chatting away with Steven and Alex. Valentino knew right away who the two men were from his mate chatting about them at the clinic.

Abe seemed more at ease here. Valentino was beginning to wonder if maybe he hadn’t made a mistake taking Abe away from the ranch.

“And you say he got in without anyone detecting him?” Malcolm asked as he stood next to Valentino. “Seems a bit odd.”

Valentino had been too busy enjoying the afterglow of their sex and hadn’t been paying any attention. “I heard him, but I thought it was Abe.”

“It happens. It isn’t like your place is a fortress. People have invaded here before. But you’ll be safer in numbers.” Malcolm patted Valentino on his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go get some coffee.”

Giving his mate one last glance, Valentino followed the bear into the kitchen. Even though he hated to admit it, Malcolm was right. He and Abe would be safer with more men around them. “I’m still going into work tomorrow. I won’t let whoever it is upset my life.”

Malcolm went about making a fresh pot of coffee. “Then do it the smart way,” Malcolm said. “Have a few of Maverick’s men at the clinic.” The man must’ve detected Valentino’s resistance. “It’s not about you, Dr. Prayze. Whoever this man is, he’s after Abe. Think about your mate’s safety.”

The bear had to go and pull the safety card. Valentino hated the fact that he needed help to protect his mate, but Malcolm was right. There was no way he could do his job and keep an eye on his mate twenty-four seven.

“I had you both set up in Abe’s old room.” Malcolm set the coffee mug in front of Valentino. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to.”

As much as he appreciated the gesture, Valentino wasn’t going to stay hidden forever. He and Abe had a life to live and he wasn’t going to let some jackass make him tuck tail and run. Not for long at least.

“Something wrong with one of the animals?” Olsen asked as he stepped into the kitchen, filling a coffee mug and taking a sip. He leaned against the counter, eyeing Valentino.

“Dr. Prayze and Abe will be staying with us for a minute,” Malcolm answered.

Valentino could tell that Olsen wasn’t too happy with the news. “Does Gavin know?”

Malcolm gave a deep chuckle. “Last time I checked, this was my house. I don’t need Gavin’s permission.”

Olsen’s hand squeezed the mug tight. “But you know this is going to cause problems. Dr. Prayze still thinks that Gavin hurt Abe on purpose. How could you let—”

“We don’t turn anyone away, son.” Malcolm’s tone was firm, telling Olsen that he wasn’t going to hear any more about it.

“If this is going to cause a problem,” Valentino began. “Abe and I—”

“Nonsense,” Malcolm cut in.

“But, Pa!” Olsen began to argue. “Don’t you even care that—”

“Don’t you ever question my loyalty to my family!” Malcolm bellowed. Valentino actually sat back, moving out of the way. The father looked intimidating as hell as he faced off with his son. There was no way he wanted to be caught in the middle of that conversation.

Olsen took in a deep breath as he set his coffee cup in the sink. If looks could kill…

“All I’m saying is that Gavin is walking around here blaming himself for what happened. Maybe he is to blame, but the last time I checked, there was something called forgiveness.” The man stormed out of the room. Malcolm looked tired as he took a seat at the table. The last thing Valentino wanted to do was tear this family apart. He felt like shit because Malcolm was caught in the middle.

“I think maybe Abe and I should go stay at the Den.”

Malcolm held a hand up. “I have never turned anyone away who needed help and I’m not going to start now.”

That might be true, but Valentino knew he couldn’t continue to stay here. Who had he been fooling? He wasn’t ready to forgive Gavin and his presence was only causing problems with the bear clan. “I really appreciate what you’re doing, but I insist.”

Valentino pushed from the table and sought out Abe. He was still sitting in the living room, but he was alone. “You look damn sexy sitting in front of that fireplace, my little cowboy.”

Abe smiled as he stood, walking over to him and lacing his arms around Valentino’s waist. His mate laid his head on Valentino’s chest. He was taken aback considering Abe had never made the first move in anything affectionate, but all he could do was wrap his arms around his mate and thank the heavens that the stranger hadn’t killed the small fey. His insides froze at the thought of anyone hurting Abe. “I think we should go stay at the Den.” Valentino ran his hands over Abe’s blond hair.

Abe pulled back, gazing up at him. “Why, did Pa ask us to leave?”

Valentino could see the hurt and disappointment in Abe’s cornflower-blue eyes. The guy had already felt as if he never belonged to this family. He couldn’t allow the man to think that they were being booted off the ranch. “No. I just think it would be better for everyone’s sake if we stayed somewhere else.”

“That’s utter nonsense,” Riley said as he walked through the front door. He removed his cowboy hat, wiping at his brows. “Who in the hell lit a fire in the living room? It’s ninety degrees outside.”

Abe looked guilty as hell. He twisted his mouth to the side, his eyes darting around. “Heck if I know.”

Riley walked over to the fireplace and extinguished the fire. “You two will be staying here and I won’t hear any more about it.”

Turi walked into the house next, practically beaming as he glanced over at Riley.

“I know that look,” Abe said. “I had the same look when I first got here. Turi is infatuated with Riley.”

“He is?” Sterling asked as he walked down the steps. The human didn’t look too happy as he glared at Turi. “Well, Riley is mine.”

What amazed Valentino was the small pig that followed at Sterling’s feet. The dang thing had a ribbon around its neck and…were its nails painted? The small pig ran over to Turi and butted its head into Turi’s foot.

“I think Bacon is defending Sterling,” Abe snickered. “You better watch out, Turi.”

The fey blushed deeply as he shot out the front door. Riley looked like he wanted to jump Sterling’s bones for laying claim to him.

Sterling and his pig walked out the front door behind Turi as the twins sauntered in. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Chauncey chided. “And yes, that was a pun.”

Valentino rolled his eyes.

“Looks like you aren’t
skerd
of your mate anymore. Did he lay it on you?” Chauncey winked as he shoved an elbow toward Abe.

“Chauncey!” Riley chastised. “Don’t get pissed if Dr. Prayze knocks you on your ass.”

Chauncey reached out and ruffled Abe’s hair. “He knows I’m just having a bit of fun.”

Valentino wasn’t sure what to make of the interaction. He hid his smirk when Abe reached out and knocked Chauncey’s arm away. “You’re a big dork.”

“Oh, feisty,” Chance piped in. “I say he was claimed.”

“Go away, Chance,” Abe barked as he turned seven shades of red. “It’s none of your business.”

Chauncey wiggled a finger at Abe’s face. “Look, he’s blushing.”

Valentino let out a soft chuckle. Abe looked like he was ready to knock them both on their asses. As long as the two didn’t get out of line, Valentino was staying out of this. He could tell they had a long bantering history together. He also liked the fact that Abe was riled up and not looking scared any longer.

“Keep it up and I’ll tell Curtis you were flirting with Turi,” Abe threatened.

“Was not!”

“What are you arguing about?” Curtis asked as he walked into the house. “I’ve been working hard all day. Please don’t tell me I have to come home and save your ass.”

Chauncey cut a glare at Abe. Valentino’s mate just smiled innocently at Curtis.

Valentino knew who Curtis was because he had met him and Chauncey a month or so back when he visited the bookstore.

He was starting to see the relationship Abe had with everyone. How the man thought this family didn’t care about him was beyond Valentino’s understanding. Even though Chauncey was shooting daggers at Abe, Valentino also saw the mischievousness in the man’s grey eyes.

“Nothing is going on, honey bunny.”

This time Valentino let out a loud laugh. It was funny as hell to see such a big man kowtow to a little human. Riley was grinning from ear to ear as Chance rolled his eyes as if embarrassed that his twin was such a wuss.

Valentino hadn’t really known this family. He had heard great things about them and then the accident happened that soured his opinion. But the longer he stood here, the more he saw just how much they cared for each other and those they considered friends.

“Are they messing with Abe, Dr. Prayze?” Curtis asked.

“Call me Valentino.”

“Why does he get to call you by your first name?” Chauncey complained.

“Boy, don’t you have work to do?” Malcolm asked as he walked into the living room.

“Nope,” Chauncey said. “Got it all done.”

“Yeah, right,” Abe muttered. “I’ll believe you worked hard when pigs fly.”

“I heard that,” Chauncey complained as he crossed the living room and headed toward the kitchen. “Any dinner left?”

Malcolm shook his head. The man looked like he had been dealing with Chauncey and his craziness for far too many years. “You already ate, Chauncey, twice.”