Chapter 8
“What the fuck do you mean?” snarled Logan.
“Cool it, bro. Have you seen how you look? And what’s with the smell? Open a window! I can smell your spunk all the way out in the hall. What’s going on?”
Logan slumped down on his drafting chair.
“Honestly, I’m not sure, but for the last two weeks, I keep getting hard…
day and night. No matter what I do, it won’t go down,” Logan said as he smacked the offending part of him.
“I jerk off to find some relief, but it doesn’t take long before I’m hard again. ”
“You said it’s been happening for the last two weeks?”
“Yes.”
“What are you thinking about when you get hard?”
Logan’s face turned red, “I don’t know. My fucking cock just gets hard.”
“I call ‘bullshit,’ bro. First of all, your red face says otherwise, and your constant hard-ons are the result of you thinking about someone. Now give…who is it?”
Logan ducked his face. Finally, in a voice so soft, Dakota almost didn’t hear it, his brother whispered, “Kieran.”
Dakota stared at his brother. Kieran? Kieran is doing this to my brother?
Oh shit! And in a heartbeat, he knew what was happening to Logan.
“Unfuckingbelievable! Kieran is your mate! Your Fated Mate!” Dakota rushed over to his brother and wrapped him in a bear hug.
“Bro! I’m so happy for you! You found your Fated Mate! How fucking lucky is that?”
Sitting there with his brother’s arms wrapped around him gave Logan some hope. If Dakota didn’t think it was weird than maybe Cody wouldn’t either. Finally, his brother backed away and gave Logan a smirk. Oh shit, now what? “What’s that about?” Logan asked, gesturing at Dakota’s face.
“Well, I’m just picturing Cody’s reaction when he finds out one of his ‘boys’ just happens to be your mate.”
“Kieran isn’t a ‘boy’,” growled Logan, using his fingers to mimic Dakota’s air quotes. “He’s twenty-one.”
“I know that, and you know that, bro, but the question is, does Cody know that? From what I’ve seen, he’s pretty protective of them.”
Logan groaned. “I know…exactly the reason I’ve been hiding up here.
Wait a minute. What if Kieran isn’t my Fated Mate?
I mean, his scent doesn’t do anything for me at all.
I thought it was the scent of your Fated Mate that called to you, but Kieran’s doesn’t do anything for me.
What if he isn’t my mate? What if I have something wrong with me? Maybe I should see Ian?”
“I don’t know about that part,” said Dakota, “but maybe you should speak to Jackson about it or Colton. They both went through it, so they should know more about the role scent plays in finding your Fated Mate. I would suggest Cody but somehow I think it’s best if you stay away from him right now until you figure this out. ”
“Oh fuck, bro, what am I going to do? My dick is sore, my wolf is fighting me all the time and I can’t keep hiding out. Shit I’m surprised Jackson hasn’t been up to see me.”
“Jackson has other issues that are bigger than dealing with your demon dick.”
“What’s the problem? Is it our dear uncle again?”
“Partly but let him tell you. In the meantime, you need to figure out what you’re gonna do about your hard-ons. You can’t keep hiding up here.”
“I know, I know…I just haven’t figured it out yet.”
“Well, I gotta go. Theo is waiting for me in the kitchen.”
“What’s going on with you and Theo?” Logan leered.
“Get your mind out of the gutter. Nothing. Cody assigned him to help me this week.”
“Really? What about Norman? Who’s he working with?”
“Norman? Don’t you mean Kieran? And for your information, Kieran is working with Zane just in case you want to see him.”
“Asshole. Go! I got work to do,” Logan said, returning to his drafting table.
“Sure…but Logan?”
“What?” Logan growled while bending over his drawings.
“Take a fucking shower! You stink! And open a fucking window or I won’t bring you my food anymore.” And with that, Dakota wheeled his cart out the door, shutting it quietly behind him.
~/~/~/~/~
Lizzie hurried to the kitchen to talk to Dakota after leaving the baby monitor with Frank who promised to take care of Jake and Jessica if they woke up from their nap.
She found only Theodore there, sitting at the island and reading a book.
“Hi, Theo, I’m looking for Dakota. Do you know where he went? ”
Smiling shyly, Theo replied, “Hi Miss L. He took Logan his lunch, although Dakota said it was more like early dinner. He should be back any minute and then he’s going to teach me how to make steak.” Lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued, “With his secret recipe. Shh! Don’t tell anyone.”
Lizzie walked over to the island and saw the sparkle in Theo’s eyes and the happy grin on his face. “I won’t tell anyone,” she whispered back, “I’m sworn to secrecy, too.”
Theo’s eyes widened, “He taught you, too?”
“Yes, and it’s so easy, you’re going to love making it. And Norman is going to love that you cooked for him.”
Theo bowed his head as a pink blush stained his cheeks.
“I hope so. When we were separated, we would tell each other about the dream dates we wanted to go on once we were free. Mine was cooking for Norman and serving him in a romantic setting…just him and me. That’s why I was so excited when Cody assigned me to Dakota.
I’m hoping to learn how to make enough different dishes that I’ll be able to make my dream date happen. ”
“That’s wonderful, sweetie,” Lizzie gushed.
“I’m sure you will since Dakota is a great teacher.
Have you told him this? You must! He’ll figure out what to teach you, so you can make it come true.
Oh my, I can help set up a table in your bedroom, so you can eat there.
I can see it now…flowers, candles, soft music.
What music do you like? Hmm, it has to be romantic and sweet.
Let me think…dang, nothing comes to mind right this second but just give me a day and I know I’ll think of a song for you to play.
When do you want to do this? Oh, I hope it’s before you go to Scotland. ”
“Well, I don’t know about Scotland. It depends if you’ll go with us…not that I’m putting pressure on you, but Kieran needs to go to Scotland.”
“Where’s Kieran now?”
“He’s downstairs with Zane…doing computer stuff. I think he’s trying to find a gay bar he can take us to because he wants to have some fun.”
“That does sound fun. Well, I’ll go see Kieran and come back afterward…Dakota should be back by then.”
“Good idea, Miss L. I don’t know what’s taking him so long. He said he needed to start dinner soon.”
“Don’t worry sweetie, Dakota will be here shortly. But I’m in a bit of a hurry as I have Frank watching, well, listening for Jake and Jessica to wake up.” With a wave, Lizzie was gone, leaving Theodore free to continue reading the beginner’s cook book Dakota had given him.
Walking downstairs to find Kieran, Lizzie thought about the promise she made Frank if he agreed she could go to Scotland.
Hoping Kieran wouldn’t have a problem with it or take it the wrong way, but her Frank had always protected her, so she wasn’t surprised about his concerns about her traveling without him.
As she walked down the hall to reach Zane’s den of nerds—at least that is what she called it—she first felt the heavy bass beat through the soles of her feet before hearing the muted pulsating music that accompanied it.
Knocking once and then again, Lizzie pushed open the door, only to be blasted with very loud music.
Slipping inside, she quickly shut the door behind her and stood in a corner of the darkened room, giggling as she watched Zane and Kieran bump and grind against each other in time to the music while color laser beams rotated overhead.
Waiting until the song was almost over before she stepped out where they could see her, she saw Kieran’s head whip around first, grinning at her before nudging Zane, who quickly turned off the music and the laser lights.
“Hi, Miss L, want to join us at the Cum and Bite Me Club?” Kieran asked.
“I helped Zane set up the laser show and the strobe lights and he picked the music since I’m a little behind the times…
if you catch my drift. But the name is all mine.
Catchy, right? Perfect for a gay club. Can’t wait to show it off to Theo and Norm.
They didn’t even know what I was talking about.
Can you believe that? Eighteen and never been to a gay club?
That’s a crime…a downright crime. I came up with this idea and Zane helped me plan it.
I mean, I know it’s not a real gay bar, but I figure just the dance part…
which is my personal favorite…is better than nothing at all.
Huh? I wonder if they know how to dance.
No problemo, we can teach them how to dance.
Of course, maybe we won’t have to because I think it’s inbred in gay men, you know, how to bump and grind. What do you think, Miss L?”
“I love it,” exclaimed Lizzie, “I think it’s perfect.
Makes me want to kick up my heels with Frank.
Oh, can you play any kind of music? I don’t have a problem with your music, but I know Frank’s not a bumper and grinder.
He’s more into the mellow crooners like Perry Como or Frank Sinatra.
” Lizzie’s eyes grew dreamy, “You know, before Dylon was born, Frank took me dancing many nights. We would sway to the music under the stars and then shift…” Lizzie’s face turned a deep pink as she remembered what their wolves would do.
Looking at Miss L lost in her memories, Kieran turned to Zane and said, “Yo, dude, we can change it up, so Miss L could have a night out with her man, right?”
“Sure, I can do whatever music they want and give them some mood lighting…”
“Great idea, but this is only temporary, just to show Theo and Norm what I was talking about. What we need is a room we can make into our dance club. Something for everyone. I can so see this in my mind…black walls, laser, strobe, and mood lighting, a place to sit and watch or have a drink…we could keep it to beers…and the name done in neon on one of the walls. The Cum and Bite Me Dance Club. Ohhhh, I can see it now,” Kieran squealed.
“Dude,” Kieran went on excitedly, “I know exactly where it can be. In the space Cody is making as a home for gay boys. They will need to learn how to dance and I can teach them. Wait until you see how well Theo and Norm do after I show them how to move. Shit, Zane, how do we do this? Talk to Cody or Alpha Jackson, or maybe Steel, since it’s his house? ”
“Ahh, Cody should be first. We can bring him down here and show him the set up. If he agrees, then we can take it to Jackson.”
“Freaking Fantastic! I bought these skinny jeans Miss L…wait until you see them…they look like they’re painted on.
I’ll pair it with this tight pink t-shirt and my dancing shoes!
Woo Hoo! I’m gonna look fabulous!” Kieran shouted as he twirled around.
“Dude, you have to let me dress you. I know exactly what you should wear. Let’s go see what you have.
Trust me, I’ll make you look gorgeous with your wild tribal thingy thing you have going on with those tattoos. ”
“Sweetie, this all sounds great,” Lizzie said, “and I don’t know when all of this will happen, but I have some news for you about Scotland.”
Kieran swirled, eyes opening wide and sparkling, “You can go with us? Oh, don’t tease me, please.
That’s your news, right? Oh, I better hug Franky and thank him.
Oh my god, I need to figure out what to take!
Did you tell Theo and Norm? What did they say?
Are they as excited as I am? Fuck! Overload!
” Kieran gasped as he plopped down on the floor.
“Whoa, Ki,” Zane said, chuckling, “Lizzie hasn’t said she was going. You didn’t give her a chance.”
Looking up from his position on the floor, Kieran raised his eyebrows, the question he wanted answered reflected on his face. And when he saw Lizzie nodding her head, a howl of joy and happiness poured out into the room.
Lizzie laughed at Kieran’s reaction. It was how she felt inside, all jittery and jumping for joy about her first vacation ever.
No council business, no set schedule to keep, free to see and talk to everyone and anyone that caught her fancy.
“I have to go,” she said, “but I have to tell you a couple of things. First, Frank made me promise I would take two enforcers with me and I would keep Colton and Ian informed about our whereabouts.” She chewed nervously on her lower lip as she waited for Kieran’s answer.
“No problemo, Miss L. Cody will be happy too.” Just then Kieran’s phone buzzed. Taking it out of his pocket, he saw he had a text from Dylon that said: Are you busy? Cody is ready if you want to talk now. Glancing at Zane, Kieran said, “Hey is it all right if I go and talk to Cody now?”
“Sure, I’ll just finish running some programs before dinner, so go ahead.”
Kieran tapped in his answer: Nope, I got time. Zane released me early. LOL
Dylon responded: See you in five. Our suite.
Kieran rose and dusted off his skinny jeans, before saying, “Miss L, I’m leaving too. Where are you headed?”
“I have to see Dakota and then get back to Frank who is on baby monitor duty.”
Crooking his arm, Kieran said, “May I escort you, milady?”
Laying her hand on Kieran’s forearm, Lizzie replied, “Certainly,” and walked with him out of the room, giggling all the way.
Zane closed the door and sat down at his bank of computer screens.
Kieran gave him just what he needed this afternoon—a break from his fruitless searches.
He was now at a dead-end—with both of Jackson’s requests.
Whoever owned the companies who paid Pablo to kidnap Colton when he was in Mexico were so well shielded that neither his specifically written program geared to ferreting out the smallest bread crumb nor his friends on the dark web could find anything about the owners.
As for the enforcers who worked for Silver Point at the time of the massacre—well, maybe; he still had some hope there—though, so far, he’d found very little.
Sighing in frustration, Zane leaned back and closed his eyes, entering his special space where his mind could work without any hindrance from real world problems.