Dagon's Ride [Brac Pack 19] (14 page)

“Okay,” Steven said quietly into the phone.

“I’m not going to hang up. Just stay on the line with me until I get there.”

“Taylor?”

Taylor shoved the address at Dagon and waved his hand for his mate to get his ass moving. Dagon tore from the parking space and hit the on-ramp, driving quickly down the highway.

Taylor stared out at the passing cars as he listened to Steven breathing. “Are you there?”

“Yes. I just wanted to say thank you.” Taylor closed his eyes and knew he had made the right choice when he decided to open the shelter. When he had told the mate,
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Drew, about it, Drew had become just as excited as Taylor had felt.

“You’re welcome.”

He could hear Law in the background talking on the phone. He knew the warrior was talking to Maverick. “We need that shelter tonight. Is there any way they can get the essentials complete so the first occupant can sleep there?”

Taylor strained to listen as he held the phone, listening to Steven breathe. Law gave Taylor a thumbs- up, letting him know Maverick was taking care of things on his end. He let go of the breath he had been holding.

Taylor sat in silence on the phone as they exited the highway, turning down city streets until they came to the address Steven had given him. “We’re outside. I’m sending a friend up to get you, Steven. He’s very tall, very built, with black hair and green eyes.” Taylor shoved at Dagon, waving his hand for his mate to move it.

Dagon slammed the truck door closed, his eyes scanning as he disappeared into the apartment building.

“Someone’s knocking,” Steven whispered in a panic.

“It’s Dagon. Open the door for him, Steven.”

“O–Okay.”

Taylor could hear Dagon’s voice on the other end of the phone and knew his mate was there. “I’m going to hang up now. I can hear Dagon. You’re safe, Steven.”

“O–Okay.” Steven hung up, and Taylor let a rush of air leave his lungs.

“You’re doing a good thing.” Law patted Taylor on his shoulder.

“Thanks. But now the hard part begins. Helping Steven put his life back together.” Taylor sat back, staring out at the street that lay beyond the front windshield. He had no clue what he was going to do, but he was willing to go above and beyond to help Steven get his life back.

“Fuck,” Tryck shouted as he jumped out of the SUV, Law bolting out right after him. Taylor swung his head around, looking over the
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seat as two large men approached Dagon, one of them yelling and grabbing at Steven.

Steven was cringing back as Dagon shoved the scared man behind him. Taylor jumped out of the truck, pulling Steven away as the Santiago brothers handled the two men. “Get in.” Taylor opened the back door, scrambling in behind Steven.

“I have to go.” Steven reached for the door handle. “If I go with him, he’ll leave your friends alone.”

Taylor grabbed the frightened man’s arm. “Not in this lifetime.

They can handle their own, trust me.”

Steven blinked up at him and then looked over the seat to the street behind him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

“No trouble. You’re not the one who is causing trouble.” Taylor looked back to see the brothers walking toward the truck. He caught a glimpse of the two guys that had tried to take Steven away as they walked into the building. They looked pissed as hell. Taylor prayed that was the last they saw of them.

Tryck slid into the driver’s seat as Law opened the passenger door and got in. Dagon climbed into the back and sat next to Taylor.

“You’ve already met Dagon.” Taylor pointed to his mate. “That’s Tryck and Law.” He pointed to the two sitting up front.

Steven looked like he wanted to bolt from the truck as Tryck and Law nodded at the frightened man. “You’re safe. They won’t hurt you.”

Steven nodded and looked out of the window. It must be scary as hell for him to go with strangers after being abused by someone he trusted. Taylor mentally clapped his hands at Steven’s bravery. Taylor was even more determined now to make sure Steven got his life back together.

Tryck parked outside the diner as Taylor got out, waving for Steven to join him. He wanted the shaky fellow to get a good meal in his belly. He was way too thin in Taylor’s opinion.

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His mate and his brothers crossed the street to check on the construction and to see if the resource center was fit for Steven to stay the night in. Once the man had eaten, Taylor walked with Steven across the street.

Maverick was standing there with Cecil, talking with one of the workers. He reached out and touched Steven’s elbow, nodding toward the Alpha. Taylor cleared his throat as he approached. “Maverick, this is Steven.”

The Alpha turned and smiled down at the shorter man. With Maverick’s height of six nine, everyone was shorter. “Hello, Steven.” Steven gulped and shot a glance at Taylor before looking back at Maverick. “Hi.”

Taylor pulled Steven aside, explaining to him what the building was being built for and that he would be staying the night there. He told Steven of his desire to be a counselor and how the man was his first case.

“I feel honored.” Steven softly chuckled. “Is it all right for me to stay here?”

“That’s what Maverick,” Taylor said, pointing to the Alpha, “is discussing with the crew now. I’m pretty sure it will be. If not, we have plenty of room at the Den for you until it is.” Steven stared at Taylor, his head tilting to the side as he brushed a hand through his shoulder- length black hair. “Why are you doing all of this for me?”

Dagon stepped up behind Taylor, wrapping his strong arms around his shoulders as Taylor answered Steven. “Because no one should live in fear. I believe everyone should live a satisfying, if not fulfilling, life.”

Dagon bent down and kissed Taylor on his neck. “I love you.” Taylor could feel his face heating up. “I love you, too. Now let me take care of Steven.” He batted his hand at his mate.

* * * *

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Dagon felt pride tight in his chest as Taylor talked to Steven. His mate was brave, compassionate, and kind. God, that was such a turn-on.

Remi pulled up, he and Drew walking across the street. Dagon talked with Remi as Drew spoke with Taylor and Steven. Once everything was settled, Remi volunteered to keep watch over the place for the afternoon, and Dagon volunteered to relieve Remi tonight.

With shifters, rogues, and now Steven’s abuser involved, they wanted to ensure Steven was safe.

Everyone and anyone who could help out came from the Den, bringing cots and other items seeing as how the shelter was partially open now.

Dagon helped bring in some makeshift desks until the ones Maverick had ordered were delivered. He noticed how the foreman kept watching Steven. He was installing the electrical work as his eyes constantly followed Steven’s movements as the first occupant of the shelter helped set everything up.

He nudged Law, nodding toward the foreman as they both watched him watch Steven. “Do you think we need to keep an eye on him?” Dagon asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’ll let Remi know.” Law left his side as Dagon sought out his mate. Taylor was putting some towels in the closet, humming to himself. Dagon had never seen a more gorgeous sight. He looked around the building, amazed that all of this was Taylor’s doing.

“I can feel you watching me.” Taylor smiled as he turned around, walking straight into Dagon’s arms. He reached up and planted his lips on Dagon’s, giving him a heated kiss.

“You keep that up,
cachorro
, and I’m liable to use one of these cots.”

Taylor laughed as he pulled away. “I can see working next door to each other is going to be very interesting.”
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“You have no idea.” Dagon patted his mate’s ass as he winked at him.

“Perv.”

“Tease.”

Dagon pulled Taylor through the almost completed building.

“Let’s go have dinner.”

“Good, I’m starving. I didn’t eat when Steven did. I was waiting for you.” Taylor shouted to Drew that he and Dagon were going to grab a bite to eat, Drew waving him on.

They exited the building into a beautiful evening. It was dusk out now, Dagon’s favorite time of day.

They spotted Thomas, the rec center counselor, sitting at the counter enjoying a meal. “How is everything coming along?” he asked before shoving a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

“Good.” Taylor sat next to Thomas, telling him about Steven.

“Well, it looks like you guys opened up just in time.”

“It looks that way.” Dagon took a seat next to Taylor.

“How’s it going, Keata?” he asked Cody’s mate. Cody owned half the diner, Keata coming to work with his mate every day. He noticed Keata taking a more active role at the diner. The mate helped George out when he needed it and served the customers when it became busy.

Right now he was chowing down on dinner.

“I am good. How are you, Dagon?”

The mate’s English had come a long way since arriving in Brac Village. “Good. I’m real good.”

Frank took their orders, handing them over to George as Dagon laid his hand on the small of Taylor’s back. The contact made him feel connected to his mate in a small way. He could feel the utter joy coming from Taylor at the moment, and a sense of peace settled inside of Dagon.

Taylor leaned his back against Dagon as he talked with Thomas.

Dagon wrapped his arm around Taylor’s shoulder as he spoke with Keata.

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Once they finished eating, they bid their farewells and headed home.

* * * *

Remi watched the foreman as Drew talked quietly with Steven. If the shifter thought he was going to make a move on a defenseless human, Remi would string his balls up like Christmas tree lights.

He casually walked over to the stalker, watching him while he worked. “Is there a reason you keep watching Steven, or are you looking to rest your face on my fist?”

“What?” The foreman turned toward Remi, bewilderment in his eyes. Remi pointed to the man’s eyes, a smirk on his face.

“Don’t play that innocent game with me. I’m watching you watch him, and I’m not liking it one bit. If you make a move on him, I’ll crush your balls under my fucking boot.” The screwdriver dropped from the foreman’s hand as he stared wide-eyed at Remi. “Are you fucking crazy or something?”

“Or something,” Remi snapped. “I’ll be watching you.” Remi made a
V
with his fingers, pointing them from his eyes to the foreman’s. He mouthed
I’m watching you
as he turned away.

Remi felt better knowing that the foreman knew he was being watched now. He had a smug smile on his face as he took a seat behind the makeshift desk, watching the foreman watching Steven.

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Chapter Ten

Dagon sat in a folding chair on the sidewalk as he watched the construction crew work on his shop and the shelter. People walked around him, staring down at his sitting form as though he’d lost his mind.

He shrugged, not caring what anyone thought. He was tired and cranky, having stayed up all night patrolling the shelter. A good day’s sleep and a hot shower was what he wanted and not necessarily in that order. But the one thing he wanted most was to curl up next to his mate.

Ludo, one of the warriors, pulled his truck in front of Murphy’s Bookstore, his mate climbing out of the backseat. God, he was a sight for sore eyes. He stretched his arms above his head as his back popped. Fuck, he was tired.

Taylor spotted him and raced across the street. “I missed you.” Taylor reached down and planted a big, wet kiss on his lips.

“I missed you, too,
cachorro
.” Dagon ran his hands down Taylor’s side, enjoying the feel of his mate. It felt like a lifetime ago that he stood in Taylor’s backyard and talked with him on the phone.

They hadn’t heard anything else about Taylor’s mom, and the oldest brother, Brad, had taken over the house. Josh and Taylor couldn’t care less. It wasn’t as though Brad had been an active part of their lives anyway.

“How is Steven?” Taylor asked as he stood.

“I don’t know. I haven’t bothered him. He went to bed last night, and I stayed outside patrolling the area. He might be awake.” Dagon stood, stretching some more before following Taylor inside. It was a
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few degrees cooler inside the building. Maverick was having central air installed within the next week or two, but Dagon stood there letting his skin cool off as Taylor walked to the back where Steven was sleeping.

Dagon inhaled the smell of the new building, letting the scent of a freshly painted room permeate his lungs. Taylor and Steven walked up front. Dagon had to bite back a chuckle at Steven’s disheveled look.

“I just wanted to let you know we’re nearing completion.” The foreman walked through the front door, his eyes locking on Steven.

“I’ll let Maverick know,” Dagon said as he walked over.

“The name’s Roman.” The foreman stretched his hand out.

“Dagon,” he said as he shook the man’s hand. “Can I have a word with you?”

“Sure.” Roman walked outside with Dagon. He whirled around, getting right into the foreman’s face.

“I don’t know what you are up to, but if you go anywhere near Steven, I’ll kick your fucking ass.”

Roman snarled as he stared Dagon down. “What is with you wolf shifters? Are all of you Timber wolves psychotic assholes?” Dagon shoved a finger into Roman’s chest. “I have no clue what you are talking about, but that human in there has been through enough. He doesn’t need someone trying to put the moves on him.

Back the fuck off,” Dagon warned.

“First of all,” Roman said, shoving his gloves in his back pocket,

“I’m not trying to put the moves on him, as you so eloquently put it.

He’s my mate, so you back the fuck off.” Roman took a stance, squaring his shoulders as he glared at Dagon.