Chapter 3
Chapter
Three
JAMIE
W alking over, it was obvious which of the two men was Wylder.
He looked so much like Sigurd, there was no mistake.
Except when he looked up and spotted them coming, Jamie was shocked by the radiant turquoise of his eyes.
Was Wylder a warlock like his uncle? Jamie had definitely never seen human eyes that color.
The man on the bench let out a small grunt as he pressed the weighted bar up and re-racked it. Wylder gripped the bar to help guide it, but once it was settled, he smiled.
“You did it, man! And here you thought you’d never get 150.“
The bench presser, blond curls, sweaty riot on his head, jumped up off the bench and stuck his fist out toward Wylder. “Right? It’s all thanks to you!“
“Nah,“ Wylder shook his head, grin still in place. ”You showed up and did the work. Be proud of yourself and then be ready to add five pounds next week.“
Blond curls laughed, bright and happy. “Couldn’t even give me five minutes, huh?“
Sigurd stepped up and clapped him on the back. “Gotta keep you striving for the next. Good work, Hollis.“
“Thanks.“ Hollis smiled at Sigurd before turning his gaze to Jamie. He stuck his hand out. “Hi, I’m Hollis. You must be Jamie.“
“That’s me.“ Jamie shook his hand. “Is that really a hundred and fifty pounds?“
“It is!“
“That’s awesome. Congrats.“ Jamie didn’t think Hollis looked like he weighed a hundred and fifty pounds. It was amazing he was able to lift weights that were heavier than he was.
“Thanks.“
“And this is my nephew, Wylder,“ Sigurd said, motioning towards his younger look-alike.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Jamie,“ Wylder said, a genuine smile on his face.
“It’s good to meet you, too.“
There was a beat of silence as they all regarded one another.
Wylder turned to Sigurd. “I meant to tell you, I saw another apartment this morning. I really liked it and it’s in my price range.“
Jamie had only known Sigurd for a day, but it was apparent even to him that this wasn’t welcome news.
Sigurd hummed, his lips pulling down at the corners. “More affordable than your current rent?“
Wylder sighed. “I’ve got to get out on my own at some point, Sig.“ He shot a glance at Jamie. “Seems like it’s time.“
Before Jamie could question that, Sigurd stepped closer to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “We can talk about it later. For now, I’m gonna show Jamie around and then head home for the day. Are you still good to cover here?“
“Of course. Don’t worry about the gym. You know I got it.“
Sigurd smiled, stepping away from Jamie to pull Wylder into a hug. “I know.“ He pulled back and patted Wylder on the shoulder. “Thanks, kid.“ He moved his gaze to Hollis. “Good to see you, Hollis.“
“Bye, Sig. Nice to meet you, Jamie,“ Hollis said.
“Same to you both.“ Jamie followed Sigurd away from the others to the opposite side of the gym where the fight cage stood empty. “You don’t want him to move out?” Jamie surprised himself by asking.
Sigurd let out a sigh, exactly like Wylder had only moments ago. “I just worry. His mother…my sister…died when he was only a baby. Barely 6 months old. He’s been with me since then, and…”
“Oh.“ Jamie’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry.“
Sigurd threaded the fingers of one hand through the side of the fight cage. “Thank you. It’s been a long time, but I still miss her every day.“ He gave Jamie a warm, sad smile. “She’d be so proud of the man Wylder’s become.“
“I’m sure she is.“
With a nod, Sigurd let go of the cage and pulled in a breath. “What do you say we head back to the house? You can get more settled in, and we can discuss what our everyday life will look like.“
Jamie nodded. “Sounds good to me. I’d like to start looking for a job as soon as possible.“
SIGURD
Sigurd’s brain was buzzing. Wylder’s timing couldn’t be worse.
He’s not moving yet , he reminded himself, only for his spinning thoughts to grind to a halt again at Jamie’s mention of a job.
Of course Jamie would want some semblance of a normal life, but Sigurd had hoped he’d let himself rest a little first.
“There’s no huge rush, you know.”
They’d just stepped through the gym doors, early autumn air cool on his skin.
Jamie stopped right there on the sidewalk and turned to face him. “Of course there is. I need money to live on, and eventually, this nightmare will be over. I’m going to need a deposit for a new place.”
Sigurd bit his tongue. Jamie didn’t know they were mates, and even if he did know, there was no guarantee that Jamie would want to stay with Sigurd.
He thought Jamie felt the pull, but it wasn’t the same for humans.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m in defense mode and thinking of what’s best for yours.
I wasn’t properly considering your feelings.
What did you do for work in Chicago? Maybe I can help with the search. ”
Jamie shot him a small smile. Sigurd swore it looked relieved.
“Thank you. I know you’re just trying to keep me safe.
” Jamie cleared his throat and started towards Sigurd’s SUV.
“I was the assistant manager of the produce department at one of the big chain stores. My boss was really understanding of this whole thing and said they’d help me transfer to a store here if I wanted. ”
“That’s kind of them. Is that what you want?”
As they reached the front of the SUV, a man dressed in dark clothes, hood up, and a black mask over his face, stepped out from behind it.
Sigurd barely had time to yank Jamie out of the way before the man raised his arm and shot at them.
It took a split second for Sigurd to realize it wasn’t a gun the man was holding, but a taser.
The taser wires stuck to Sigurd’s chest, sending the searing pain of electricity through him. He grunted and wrapped his fist around the wires, yanking the metal barbs from his skin. Pieces of his shirt went with them, but he barely noticed.
“Stay behind me,” Sigurd told Jamie, jerking the wires hard enough to tear the taser from their attacker’s hands.
Just as quickly, he called a stunning spell, making a glowing blue orb pop to life in his other hand.
The man sneered at him and reached into his inner coat pocket.
Chances were he was going for another weapon.
Sigurd wasn’t going to give him the opportunity to pull it.
“Sigurd!” Jamie’s voice ripped through him. He threw the stun spell at the man in front of him and spun toward his mate. Another attacker, dressed in the same dark clothes as the first, had a hold of one of Jamie’s arms, trying to drag him away.
Jamie pounded at the man with his other fist, twisting and pulling to try to get away.
Sigurd lunged at Jamie’s attacker as the gym’s doors burst open, Wylder and others spilling into the parking lot.
The man holding Jamie’s arm shoved him away, sending Jamie flailing into Sigurd.
Sigurd caught him, held him close to his chest, and called another stun spell, sending it streaking toward the attacker’s retreating back.
It burst against him in a rush of blue lightning, and he dropped like a stone to the asphalt.
“Derek and the hounds are on their way!” Hollis said breathlessly as he reached Sigurd’s side.
“Are you both okay?” Wylder asked, stopping at Sigurd’s other elbow.
In his arms, Jamie trembled and pressed his face into Sigurd’s chest. He wrapped both arms around him and held on tight. Keeping his voice low, he said, “Thank you, Hollis. Wylder, secure them, please, and watch them until the hounds get here.”
“Of course.” Wylder went to do as he’d been asked. Hollis followed him.
Sigurd walked Jamie back toward the building, away from where the others were moving the unconscious men, to keep an eye on them until the hounds arrived without letting an inch of space come between them. Sigurd thought he’d already heard the roar of motorcycles in the distance.
“Jamie?” he asked gently. He ran his hands over Jamie’s shoulders and down his arms, feeling another spike of rage when he reached where the man had grabbed him. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
Jamie shook his head and took a small step back, scrubbing at his face. “I’m fine.”
“Did Marcus have anyone with him in Chicago?” Sigurd had to ask.
He’d been expecting one man. One vampire.
Two attackers honestly hadn’t crossed his mind.
He knew his face was set in grim lines because the idea should have.
Maybe he’d been out of the trade for too long.
He wouldn’t be making that mistake again.
“No,” Jamie said, shaking his head. He looked over to where Wylder and a couple of the others were standing over the two men. Wylder had pulled their masks off. Jamie took two steps away from Sigurd before turning wide, confused eyes back to him. “That’s not Marcus.”