“They exist, Jason, and one nearly took me out. Then my ex-boyfriend set me up for the okey-doke. He had me kidnapped, or tried to, by some hyenas. Grey tore the side door off the van and rescued me.”

  “Oh, I know they exist. I used to be at The Manacle all the time, remember? For some reason when the bouncer tried to erase my memory of them, it never worked.”

  What was freaking him out was the fact that Gem had gone through all of that and Jason had been clueless. He could have lost his cousin.

  “Is Dante a wolf?”

  Jason finished the tart he’d been nibbling on. He normally didn’t eat sweets like this, but since Dante had told him his health wouldn’t suffer, Jason was indulging. “No, he’s a cheetah.”

  Gem chuckled. “You’re mated to a pussy cat.”

  Jason liked that Dante called him kitten. He’d never said anything about it, but he hadn’t told Dante to stop either. That endearment felt intimate, and Jason loved it.

  “Even though he’s not a part of Grey’s pack, the entire town is helping to protect you, Jason.” Gem’s dark blue eyes softened. “I asked my mate to send guys to keep an eye on you.”

  Jason frowned. “No one came to Dante’s house.”

  “If you’d spotted them, they wouldn’t be doing their job.” Gem walked over and pulled two sheets from the oven. Jason inhaled the fresh scent of chocolate chip cookies. He just bet the chocolate would melt in his mouth right now, and he was dying for one.

  As if reading his mind, Gem set three of them on Jason’s plate.

  “Stop trying to fatten me up.” Not that Jason would turn them down, though. He’d never turned down anything Gem made.

  “Promise you’ll call more often.” Gem took off his oven mitts. “I worry about you, Jason.”

  “Aw, I love you, too.” Jason bit into one of the warm cookies and groaned. Too bad he didn’t possess Gem’s skills. Then again, if he did, he would have an extra thirty pounds on him. Gem had love handles, but they looked good on him. Jason had no self-control when it came to sweets, so he’d have more than love handles if he ate like this all the time.

  Dante had told him that he couldn’t catch diseases. He didn’t say anything about gaining weight. With all the sex they’d been having lately, Jason doubted the weight would stay on.

  “Now you need to get out of my kitchen before you eat everything I’ve baked.” Gem made a shooing motion. “But stop being a stranger. We need to hang out more. Thank fuck you’re done with the clubs.”

  Jason was glad he was done with the clubs, too. At first, they’d been exciting and something he’d looked forward to, but over time, the luster of it had worn off. He’d only continued to go when he was single, and in hindsight, clubs weren’t the best place to find boyfriends.

  Stephen was proof of that.

  “I’ll walk you out since I need to take these trays to the display case.” Gem grabbed one, and Jason helped with the other, resisting the temptation to nibble some more. He was full, anyway.

  The first thing Jason noticed when they exited the kitchen was how quiet everything was. Gem was in front of him and stopped so suddenly that Jason ran into him.

  He opened his mouth to tell his cousin he almost dropped his tray, but Jason noticed everyone was huddled in one corner. Kent and Dante were standing in front of the counter, their arms raised. Standing by the exit was Kevin, a big-ass rifle in his hands.

  Two cop cars came to a screeching stop outside as Gem tried to ease backward, Jason doing the same.

  “Get over there, you two,” Kevin said to them. Not that Jason was comfortable seeing a rifle in the guy’s hand, but there was a calmness to Kevin that made the situation even worse.

  Jason and Gem set their trays down on the counter then moved to the huddled group. Before Jason could pass him, Kevin clamped a hand over his nape and yanked him close. Jason’s insides went rigid.

  “Why?” Jason asked, feeling a mixture of fear and panic. “Why are you going to this extreme?”

  “You think you’re better than me?”

  Why on earth would Kevin think that? Just because Jason didn’t want anything to do with the guy didn’t mean he thought he was better than him. Kevin just gave Jason the creeps. Always had. “No.”

  “Liar.” Kevin’s grip on Jason’s neck tightened. “You were always that way. You didn’t even look at me in high school.”

  “I didn’t look at anyone in high school! I was a gay nerd that never fit in. If it wasn’t for Gem, I wouldn’t have had any friends. After what Stephen did, I was done with him, anyway.”

  Jason was shocked, and not just because Kevin was there with a rifle. Now that he thought about it, really thought, he recalled seeing Kevin in school. How had he forgotten that? How had Jason not remembered going to school with Kevin, Brett, and Chad? He’d gone to school with Stephen. The guy had played football. They hadn’t dated back then.

  Jason was a nerd and Stephen was a jock. Not until ten years later had Stephen approached him with interest. Jason should have run from him, but he’d let Stephen charm him instead.

  To be fair, Jason had kept his head down in school and hadn’t noticed a lot of people. He just wanted to stay off everyone’s radar so he didn’t get shoved into lockers or worse. The only reason he’d noticed Stephen was because the guy was so popular and good looking. Besides, who recalled everyone they went to school with?

  “Don’t say his name,” Kevin gritted out. “You don’t get to say Stephen’s name.”

  Everything became so clear to Jason. He was starting to understand Kevin’s motives and would have felt sorry for him if Kevin hadn’t put him in the hospital and then came after him with a gun. Still… “You loved him.”

  “And he chose you.” Kevin’s voice cracked before he dispelled an audible breath.

  “He also dumped me,” Jason reminded him.

  “Let him go and we can talk this out,” Dante said from across the room. He hadn’t been close enough to stop Jason from having to join the huddle, but Jason noticed how his mate inched slowly toward them, his nostrils flaring, his fingers flexing. “Let the others go, Kevin. This is between us.”

  All Jason wanted to do was run into Dante’s arms. He lifted his hand, as if to reach for Dante, then let it fall because Kevin still had a grip on him. Jason’s breath caught, then his bottom lip quivered. All Kevin had to do was push Jason forward, raise his rifle, and Jason would be dead.

  He didn’t want to die. He wanted a future with Dante. A lifetime just didn't seem like enough. They were just starting their future together, and in one swift move, Kevin could end it all.

  Jason had to find a way to stop Kevin. There was only two ways this could end, and Jason didn’t like one of the options. Seeing even one dead body was enough for him. He wanted Kevin to pay for what he’d done but not with his life. That would be too good for him, too swift. He wanted the guy to rot in prison.

  “This has nothing to do with you,” Kevin said to Dante. “This is between me and Jason.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” Dante countered. “You’re holding the man I love hostage. There’s no way I’m letting you hurt him.”

  Jason’s jaw dropped as his heart sped up. “You love me?”

  This was definitely not the time or place for this, but Jason was blown away at the declaration. How long had he waited for a guy to tell him that, for someone to love him?

  Before Dante could respond, Gem screeched and jumped onto the guy’s back. Jason spun and yanked the rifle out of Kevin’s grip, throwing it across the room so Kevin couldn’t take it back.

  That was all it took. Kent and Dante were on him in a matter of seconds. They took Kevin to the ground as the place flooded with cops. Deputy Lennox cuffed Kevin and yanked him to his feet.

  Jason walked up to him. Kevin looked anguished as he stared at Jason. “I loved him.”

  “I don’t give a shit,” he said. “You attacked me, put me in the hospital, and came after me with the intent to kill me. I hope you rot in hell.”

  Dante swept Jason up into his strong arms. Jason clung to him, holding Dante tightly. “I love you, too.”

  Dante placed a blazing kiss on Jason’s lips, holding his face. Jason wanted the man to never let him go. Dante was it for him. Jason no longer had to prowl the clubs to find Mr. Right.

  He had Mr. Right in his arms.

  “Get a room,” Gem said seconds before Grey stalked into the café and yanked his mate into his arms. “On second thought, I need to get a room.”

  The customers filed out, all standing in the sun as they gave their statements to Sheriff Weston.

  Jason turned to Gem. “Since when did you become fucking Rambo?”

  Gem had always been timid when it came to aggressiveness. Jason would have never in a million years thought his cousin would attack someone the size of Kevin, especially when he’d been holding a weapon. It seemed hanging around wolves had given his spine some steel.

  “I just waited for the perfect moment,” Gem said. “I wasn’t letting him hurt anyone.”

  “You do something like that again, I’m putting you over my knee,” Grey growled.

  Gem grinned. “You can’t threaten me with something I might like.”

  “You’re hopeless,” Grey said as he rolled his eyes.

  “And my hero.” Jason pulled away from Dante long enough to hug his cousin. “But Grey is right. Don’t you ever do anything like that again.”

  “For family, I’ll take that chance,” Gem said.

  For Gem, Jason would have taken that chance, too. He was just glad he didn’t have to. He still couldn’t believe his cousin had jumped a crazy armed man but was grateful Kevin’s hand was no longer on him. Jason shivered just thinking how close Kevin had been to him, how close he’d come to dying.

  Dante pulled Jason back into his arms. “Let’s go home.”

  Chapter Ten

  The night sky was gorgeous, a thousand twinkling stars in the distance. Jason stood there, his head back, his eyes closed, appearing serene as Dante walked outside and stood beside his mate. “What’re you thinking about?”

  Jason lowered his head and glanced at Dante. Dante would never get enough of staring into those baby blues. His insides still clenched when he thought of how Kevin had held Jason, that rifle in his hand. That image would haunt Dante for years to come, that helpless feeling, the need to kill riding him strong.

  But Jason was safe. He’d agreed to move in with Dante, and now Dante’s house finally felt like a home. He slid his arm around Jason’s waist, needing the contact.

  “That this is finally over,” Jason said. “Barring your ex doesn’t try to shoot you again.”

  Since that day, Dante hadn’t seen Cal. He prayed his ex had taken off, had terrified himself by shooting someone and had given up on Dante. All Dante wanted to focus on was his mate and their future. Nothing else mattered to him.

  “I go back to work tomorrow night,” Jason said. “I know you told me about the two-week honeymoon period mates get when they first claim each other, but I think I need the distraction to feel normal again.” He gently elbowed Dante. “Besides, I’m not living off of you. I don’t need a sugar daddy.”

  A laugh erupted in Dante’s throat. “I guess I’m old enough to qualify as one.”

  Jason’s smile was teasing. “You’re the oldest man I’ve ever dated.”

  Dante had started to respond when Jason’s phone rang. His mate pulled it out of his pocket then frowned. He looked up at Dante. “How are you calling me when you don’t have your phone?”

  Dante’s heart plummeted. He’d left his phone in his car. He’d assumed Stephen or Kevin had taken it since it was gone when his car was recovered. “Answer it but put it on speaker.”

  He noticed Jason’s hands gripping the phone harder, a frown furrowing his brows. His gaze shot from Dante then down to his hand. Jason touched the accept button then hit speaker. “Hello?”

  No one said anything at first. Dante wanted to know who had his phone. There wasn’t anything official in it, but he had pictures and phone numbers he didn’t want to lose. He was still trying to figure out how the person had guessed his password.

  “Where’s Dante?”

  “You called my phone,” Jason argued. “Don’t call me demanding shit.”

  Dante snatched the phone out of Jason’s hand, though his mate tried to get it back. Dante held up a finger, and Jason settled, though he didn’t look happy.

  “Cal,” Dante said. “How did you get my phone?”

  Now Dante knew how the person had gotten his password. Cal had known it when they were dating, and it hadn’t dawned on Dante to change it. He should have, and now he was cursing inwardly that he hadn’t.

  “There were three men,” Cal said as if he hadn’t shot Dante and they were on friendly terms. “You should be more careful about your surroundings, Dante.” Cal tsked. “You taught me that, but then you ignored your own warning. I followed the truck that was following you. I saved you.”

  Dante pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead. Jesus. “You didn’t save me, Cal. Two of those guys still came after me. One nearly shot me in a coffee shop.”

  “I saved you!” Cal took an audible deep breath after that angry outburst. “Yes, Kevin Brandt was a little tricky. He got past me, and for that I’m sorry. But you weren’t hurt, sugarplum.”

  Dante gritted his teeth as Jason narrowed his eyes at the phone. “You’re one drink of Kool-Aid away from complete insanity,” Jason snapped. “In fact, I think you’re already there.”

  Dante glared at his mate, but Jason seemed unfazed.

  “Here’s my opinion, which you didn’t ask for,” Cal said. “You should eat a bullet to save me from killing you.”

  Jason hurried inside. Dante followed and saw his mate grab the cordless phone off the kitchen wall. He dialed and moved to the dining room. Dante didn’t go after him. Hopefully his mate was calling the police station to tell them Cal had called Jason’s phone.

  “Who did you kill, Cal?”

  “His name was Brett. He was with the other two, but straggled behind. I snapped his fucking neck for daring to come after you.”

  “We could meet up and talk,” Dante suggested. He wanted to end this. They’d gotten the other ordeal taken care of, and now he wanted to tie up loose ends. Which was Cal and his craziness. He wanted the guy out of his life, for good.

  Dante also wanted to have a talk with Chad, the fourth guy in the group, to make sure Chad had no inclination of coming after Jason.

  “We don’t have to meet up,” Cal said. “Not when I’m right here.”

  Dante spun and saw Cal standing in the open doorway of the back door. He had a gun in his hand, Dante’s phone in the other. “Cal.”

  “You’re such a liar.” Cal scowled. “You had a restraining order against me, Dante. You moved away. You hooked up with another guy, and now you want to talk? Don’t you think it’s a little too late for that?”

  Cal’s hair was disheveled, as if he’d run his hands through it a million times. He had dark circles under his eyes and was visibly sweating. He disconnected the call and threw the phone aside then rubbed the back of his neck.

  “Cal, we can still talk.” Dante needed to get that weapon out of Cal’s hand. Shifters could heal from a lot of things, but a bullet to the head wasn’t one of them. And if Jason came back into the room, that would only send Cal into a tizzy even more than he already was.

  Please stay out of sight, Jason.

  Dante had to force his canines not to lengthen. “Put the fucking gun down, Cal.”

  He was done with this. They’d just dealt with Kevin that morning, and now Cal wanted to bring his craziness. Dante was so over ex-boyfriends and their lunatic friends. All he wanted was a peaceful life with Jason.

  With his superior hearing, Dante heard the sirens in the distance and knew backup was on the way. Soon Cal would hear it, and there was no telling what his ex would do when he realized cops were coming.

  Jason must have still been on the phone with the station. Hopefully he wouldn’t come into the kitchen. Cal was already unstable, and Dante didn’t want Cal to shoot him again.

  But the sirens grew louder, and Dante saw the moment Cal realized they were on their way. His face contorted into a mask of rage. “You’ve been stalling me.”

  Dante tried to get out of the way as Cal fired the gun, but he wasn’t fast enough. The bullet tore through his shoulder seconds before a second shot fired. He thought for sure he was dead, but it was Cal who’d dropped. Dante spun to find Jason behind him, his service weapon in his mate’s hands.

  Jason dropped the weapon and ran to Dante. Dante swept Jason into his arms, holding him tightly. “You’ve been shot.”

  “I’ve had worse,” Dante said.

  His mate was shaking, and Dante hated that Jason had just killed someone. Dante never meant for Jason’s hand to be force, and he was shocked his mate had done it.

  “Are you okay?” Dante pulled away, forcing back the wince because his shoulder was killing him.

  “Is he dead?”

  Dante looked over his shoulder. For someone who’d probably never shot a gun before, Jason had accurate aim. Cal lay on the floor, a hole in his head. He turned Jason away and guided him into the living room. “Yes, he’s dead.”

  “Thank god.” Jason let out a long breath. “Now maybe we can finally get on with our life together.”

  Dante liked the sound of that. His love for Jason had grown. His mate had saved him, had eliminated the threat without hesitation. How could he not love Jason a thousand times over?

  “You need to shift.” Jason pulled from Dante’s arms.

  “After I talk with the cops.” Swirling lights swept across his living room walls.

  “Then I can curl up with your cheetah like a body pillow.” Jason grinned.

  Dante loved the fact that Jason wasn’t freaking out over killing someone. That might come later, and Dante would be there for his mate. He would always be there for Jason. They may have started out thinking each other complete jerks, but Dante wouldn’t trade one single moment with Jason. The guy had sped into his life on Route 26 and hadn’t slowed down since.