“Just so you know, I have exceptional hearing and sight because of what I am.” Maynard scooted closer and took a chance by placing his hand on Luke’s knee. “You’re shutting me down before you even give me a chance to get to know who you are. I think that’s unfair. I should be able to decide for myself if I can handle being with you. To be honest, my biggest obstacle is Diablo.”

  Luke frowned at him. “He’s the sweetest dog.”

  “Hello.” Maynard tapped Luke on the head. “I’m prey, remember?”

  Luke’s brows shot up. “I didn’t even think about that.” He placed his hand over Maynard’s, and Maynard’s body instantly reacted to the touch. “About a year ago I found him tied up in someone’s yard. I don’t even think anyone lived there anymore. He was emaciated and wanted to attack anyone who came near him. It took me what felt like forever to get him to trust me enough to rescue him and take him to the vet.”

  “That’s horrible.” Maynard was shocked. He knew animal cruelty existed. It not only angered him but broke his heart.

  “He’s been by my side ever since.” Luke cleared his throat. “We came into each other’s lives at a time when we needed each other the most.”

  “He’s like a therapy animal for you.”

  Luke nodded. “Not because of my time in the service. It was… It was afterward.”

  Maynard didn’t want to push Luke if he wasn’t ready to talk. He didn’t coax Luke to elaborate. They sat in companionable silence until Maynard finally spoke. “So you never want to consider being my mate?”

  “I—” Luke shrugged. “I’ll give it some thought.”

  That was all Maynard could ask for. Maybe by hanging out together—and now that Luke knew what was at stake—he would look at Maynard in a different light and want to be with him.

  Because it hurt too much to be apart.

  “Tell me about the guys you worked with,” Luke said. “Who do you think would come after you for tearing the department apart?”

  “There were a few guys who didn’t hide the fact they wanted me dead. If I had to put my money on anyone, it would be Carl Moody. His father is Sheriff Moody, and the sheriff is currently serving time for what he did. Carl was always spoiled, throwing his weight around, as if being the sheriff’s son equated to being royalty or some shit. He harassed people, beat up those who had drug problems, helped his dad with the meth lab, and was an all-around rotten person. I didn’t find out any of that until afterward.”

  Luke nodded. “Who else?”

  “Patrick Hemlay,” Maynard said. “He’s Carl’s best friend. They worked in tandem to make everyone’s life hell.”

  “Patrick is a cop?”

  “Was,” Maynard corrected. “He got fired when everything went down. Patrick’s brother, Johnson, also got fired.”

  “A lot of nepotism,” Luke said.

  “That’s a small town for you,” Maynard replied. “They weren’t too keen on the fact that I was gay, either. They kept it to themselves, mostly, because I was one of them. When shit hit the fan, they no longer held back. They made my life miserable to the point I put in for a transfer.”

  “How so?”

  “Spray-painted slurs on my house and car. Poisoned my vegetable garden I was growing out back. Flattened my tires on more than one occasion. Egged my house. Threw bricks through my windows when I wasn’t home.”

  Luke’s jaw clenched. “Sounds more like wayward teenagers than men who were supposed to uphold the law.”

  “Now you’re getting the picture,” Maynard replied. “This is what they did to other people before actions were taken against the department. Only they physically harmed others, shook them down for money, forced women to give them sexual favors.”

  Luke turned to face Maynard. “How did you find out what was really going on? You said you’d worked there for ten years. What finally clued you in?”

  “This younger generation doesn’t take shit,” Maynard said. “One of the women came to me because she said I didn’t seem like I was like the others. I had no clue what she was talking about. Then she told me how the cops really were in the town.” Maynard wrung his hands in his lap. “I still can’t believe I was so blind to what was going on under my nose. Not one resident said anything to me in all that time. I feel like I’d failed them, that if I’d realized sooner, I could have saved them so much heartache.”

  “They were afraid,” Luke said. “The station was corrupt, and they didn’t know who to trust.”

  That didn’t make Maynard feel any better. “Not all the cops were bad. A few, like me, took our jobs seriously, gave back to the community, and tried our best to help as much as we could.”

  “That’s amazing considering no one trusted you guys.” Luke turned his hand over and entwined their fingers. Maynard didn’t say anything. He didn’t want Luke to pull away. “I still think you did the right thing. Any place that corrupt needs to be shut down. Too bad they can’t kick out all the bad apples in congress.”

  Maynard snorted. “Then we wouldn’t have a working government.”

  That made Luke laugh. “Never trust a politician.” He sobered. “We’ll figure out who is after you, Maynard. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “Aw, that’s sweet. Considering I’m a shifter and you’re human, that really is a nice gesture.”

  A laugh burst out of Luke. “Hey, I can hold my own.”

  “Maybe, since Carl and his band of idiots are human.” He liked the fact that Luke wanted to protect him. Not that Maynard needed it, but it meant his mate cared. “Can I ask you something?”

  Luke’s gray eyes became guarded. “Depends.”

  “Do you feel the attraction between us?” Maynard squeezed Luke’s hand when his mate tried to pull away. “I’m not trying for an angle here. I really want to know.”

  “Too strong,” Luke admitted. “I miss your company. That’s what compelled me to find you, but, Maynard, I’m still confused and unsure about all of this.”

  Maynard nodded. “I understand. I just wanted to know if you felt the pull.”

  “The what?” Luke’s eyebrows dipped.

  Maynard tapped his own chest. “That feeling right here that makes you seek out your mate, that, no matter how hard you fight it, you have to be near that person.”

  “Oh.” Luke bit his lower lip, and Maynard recalled how good it had been to feel those lips on him. He wanted another kiss but didn’t dare ask. “Yeah, I feel that.”

  Maybe their relationship wasn’t as hopeless as Maynard thought.

  * * * *

  Luke had just cut off the crockpot, loving how the pot roast smelled in his kitchen, when his cordless phone rang. He grabbed it off the wall. “Hello?”

  “It’s been two years, Luke.”

  He froze at the sound of his aunt’s voice. He wanted to ask how she’d gotten his phone number, but he couldn’t make his voice work.

  “I know you’re listening,” she said. “I know his death weighs heavily on you.”

  Luke swallowed as he rubbed his throbbing leg. “Yes, ma’am. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Leon.”

  “Don’t say his name.” It sounded as if his aunt was crying. “You don’t get to say his name.”

  Stumbling back, Luke dropped into the kitchen chair. He wasn’t sure what else to say. His aunt loved and hated him, and Luke didn’t blame her one bit. The car accident had been his fault.

  Luke had known driving that stormy night was a bad idea, but he’d had no choice because Leon had been hot for some girl and he was drunk. Luke had allowed his cousin to talk him into driving him to her house because, otherwise, Leon would have driven himself. They’d never made it. Luke had woken up in the hospital, extensive surgery on his leg.

  Aunt Grace had been there, sitting by his side when he’d come to. She’d wept at his bedside, blamed him for Leon’s death, then walked out. That was when Luke had come to Willow Point, thinking a new place would give him a fresh start, but those haunting memories had followed him, plagued him, tortured him every single damn day.

  “I love you, Luke, but I hope you rot in hell.” She hung up.

  Luke sat there feeling numb as he curled his hand around the phone. His leg pulsed out pain as he set the phone aside and rested his face in his hands. Two years ago today it had happened. Two years and he still couldn’t get past the loss, past the blame he shouldered.

  Luke hadn’t been drinking that night. He’d hydroplaned on one of the backroads and wrapped his car around a tree. Leon had died on impact. Metal had embedded in Luke’s leg, and the doctors had dug it all out, leaving behind damaged muscles. He’d also cracked three ribs and had a concussion that had knocked him out.

  Luke had been wearing a seat belt. Leon hadn’t. But a seat belt wouldn’t have saved his cousin. Luke had seen pictures of the accident when the sheriff had come to question him. The passenger side looked like a monster had chewed it up and spit it out.

  “Luke?”

  Luke jerked his head up at the sound of Maynard’s voice. He hadn’t even heard the guy come in.

  “I was knocking for a few minutes,” Maynard said. “I was worried, so I let myself in.”

  Luke reached out and pulled Maynard to him, wrapping his arms around the guy while resting his head on Maynard’s chest. The pain was so fucking raw. It hurt so badly that Luke was surprised he wasn’t weeping like Aunt Grace had been doing.

  Maynard just held him. He didn’t ask what was wrong. He simply stood there while Luke sat in his chair, clinging to him. Even Diablo had come into the kitchen, resting his chin on Luke’s lap.

  Maynard ran his hand through Luke’s hair, the other gliding up and down Luke’s back. It was such a surreal moment. Never before had Luke had someone to comfort him, and even though he felt he didn’t deserve comfort, he couldn’t make himself pull away.

  Finally, he pulled himself together enough to ease back into his chair, letting his arms fall from around Maynard’s waist. Maynard still didn’t say anything as he let Diablo out to go to the bathroom and finished making dinner.

  Luke appreciated the space, appreciated the quiet. Maynard set a bowl of food in front of him after letting Diablo back into the house. There were fluffy mashed potatoes at the bottom of the bowl, the pot roast spooned on top. Maynard had even made biscuits to go with their meal and had poured two glasses of iced tea for them.

  “So, Thanksgiving is next month,” Maynard said. “I was thinking, since neither of us have anyone in Willow Point, we could maybe make a meal together and spend the day arguing over our favorite football team.”

  Luke smiled as he cleared his throat. “That actually sounds great, but aren’t you getting ahead of yourself? Halloween is a few days away.”

  “There’s no harm in planning ahead. We’ll have to decide on a menu. Do you like ham or turkey?”

  Luke looked aghast at Maynard. “It’s Thanksgiving. You have to have turkey.”

  Maynard chuckled. “I was hoping you’d say that. My mom used to make ham, which drove me nuts. Ham is for Christmas. Thanksgiving is all about the turkey theme.”

  “Totally agree.” Luke forced himself to take a bite of his food and groaned at how good it tasted. Not just the pot roast. Maynard’s mashed potatoes were heavenly, and the biscuits melted in Luke’s mouth.

  “Okay, so we agree on the same dish. How about side dishes?”

  Luke shrugged. “Standard stuff. Potato salad, baked beans, and a salad, because you’re an impala and like that grassy stuff.”

  Maynard looked horrified as he gaped at Luke.

  Luke burst out laughing, something he sorely needed. “You’re just too easy to mess with.”

  “Oh my god! I thought you were serious.” Maynard rested his hand against his chest. “Don’t do that to me.”

  “Couldn’t help myself. Like I said, you’re just too damn easy.” Luke smiled at Maynard, and although that feeling of sadness was still there, it wasn’t as intense. Even his leg had settled down. It seemed Maynard was good for him in ways Luke had refused to acknowledge, at least not until this moment. He hated fate because of that night, but he was starting to wonder what it would be like to share his life with the little impala.

  “I say we decorate for Halloween.”

  Maynard frowned. “Your house is isolated. I doubt the kiddos will come here. Maybe we go into town to enjoy the festivities.” Maynard looked at him as if Luke would shoot him down.

  “I’d like that.” It was time for change, even if Luke had to force himself to go.

  Chapter Six

  Maynard was in the store, shopping for groceries. Luke had insisted on coming along since the guy who’d shot Maynard was still on the loose, but Maynard could tell that walking around the store was taking its toll on his mate.

  “You should get one of those motorized carts,” Maynard said. “There’s no shame in using one of them.”

  Luke grunted. “No thanks.”

  Frustrated, Maynard abandoned their cart, left Luke standing in the aisle, and went to the front of the store. He’d never driven one of those motorized carts, but how hard could it be?

  After unplugging it, Maynard sat. He studied the panel for a moment, figured out how to turn it on, then pressed the little doodad to move forward. Then he crashed into the line of carts. Maynard tried again and managed to drive it to the aisle where Luke was waiting for him.

  “Nope.” Luke shook his head. “Not going to do it. Save that for someone who really needs it.”

  “Like you?” Maynard tried to stop but pressed the wrong doodad and ended up crashing into a shelf.

  “You’re gonna bring the whole store down,” Luke said.

  “I can master one stupid cart,” Maynard complained. “If you’re so worried, you drive it.” Maynard got up and transferred their groceries to the new cart. “Now you have to drive it. All our stuff is in the cart.” He grinned at Luke. “It’s actually kind of fun. It’s like driving a go-cart.”

  Luke arched a brow. “What, at five miles an hour?”

  “It gets up in speed once you get going.” Maynard waved toward the seat. “Go ahead, give it a shot.”

  “I’m too damn big for it.” Luke crossed his arms.

  “No, you’re not.” Maynard parroted Luke’s arm crossing. He was actually worried that Luke would be too big for it. “Chicken?”

  “Hardly.”

  “Then go for it.” Maybe challenging Luke would get him to sit down and give his leg a rest. “You’re telling me that old people have more guts than you?”

  Grumbling under his breath, Luke sat. He was a bit cramped, but he still fit. Maynard stepped onto the back, though he doubted he was supposed to. “Onward and upward!”

  Luke pressed the doodad, and they shot forward, crashing into a shelf. Maynard got down and picked up the boxes, putting them back. He thought Luke would give up, but his jaw was set and his brows were furrowed, as if determined to master the motorized cart.

  After a few rough turns and stopping abruptly multiple times, Luke was driving like a pro. When Maynard got off to grab something, he could have sworn he saw pleasure on Luke’s handsome face.

  “I think you’re having too much fun,” Maynard teased.

  “Copilots aren’t supposed to tease the driver,” Luke shot back. “Get your sexy ass back on the chair so we can fly toward produce.”

  Maynard laughed as he did what Luke said. They both grimaced when Luke nearly ran over a man with a cane. “Sorry,” Luke said. “Didn’t see you there.”

  The old man waved them off, and Luke took off quickly, while Maynard roared with laughter. They rode through the store like they were in a hotrod instead of a motorized cart, stopping when they needed to grab something. When they got to the checkout, they split the bill since Maynard ate at Luke’s most nights. It was only fair that Maynard paid for half the food.

  Luke even rode the motorized cart to his car. Yep, Maynard had won the man over about resting his leg when needed. Maynard wondered if he could talk Luke into getting a handicap placard. It would help him park closer to wherever he needed to go, putting less strain on his leg.

  In truth, Maynard wasn’t sure their mating would heal Luke. When Luke finally let Maynard claim him, Maynard’s saliva would transfer healing properties into Luke, making him immune to human diseases and enabling his mate to live as long as Maynard did.

  But would those same healing properties work on an existing injury? Luke still hadn’t told him what had happened, and maybe it was something his mate had been born with. Maynard didn’t think so. Luke had been in the marines. That much Maynard knew. He doubted the marines would have accepted anyone with that kind of birth defect, but what did Maynard know? It wasn’t as if he’d served his country. He’d chosen to serve in a different way and had been proud of his career until he’d joined the police force in Colorado.

  Maynard was working to get back that joy, but it wasn’t easy. Not when the people he should have trusted the most had betrayed that trust in such a brutal way.

  They loaded the bags. Then Maynard took the cart back because, secretly, he wanted to drive it again then met Luke at the car. His mate was in the passenger seat, just like he’d been on the drive there.

  To be honest, Luke didn’t seem the type to let anyone drive. He seemed like the kind of guy that liked to be in control, but when they’d left Luke’s house, his mate had insisted that Maynard drive to town. Luke owned a car. Maynard was driving it, but he didn’t question Luke’s decision.

  “I want to stop at my place to grab the large roasting pan,” Maynard said.

  Luke nodded but didn’t turn to look at Maynard. He simply stared out the window as Maynard drove. Maynard pulled into the driveway of his rental. He had been so unsure when he’d come to Willow Point that he hadn’t even bought a house because he wasn’t sure if this town would be right for him.

  With Luke there, maybe it was time Maynard set down roots. He parked and got out, telling Luke it would only take a second. When Maynard walked in, he froze. His entire living room was destroyed, and homophobic slurs were spray-painted on his walls.