Out Of The Shadows Read online

  He was glad that she didn’t press the issue, instead asking,“So, Jai is your boyfriend?”

  Dane smiled. It sounded odd referring to Jai as his boyfriend; he supposed that he was, but they had never really talked about that. Sure, they were mates, but in terms of being an actual couple, they barely knew each other. They had only been together a few weeks.

  “Kind of,” he told his sister. “He’s my mate.”

  Sasha grinned. “Oh, my God! That’s brilliant.”

  Being raised around weres, Sasha knew all about mates, even though they weren’t sure if she would be mated or not. The wolf gene had skipped her, but it didn’t mean that other traits hadn’t been passed on. It was entirely possible that she retained enough were genetics to have a mate out there somewhere, waiting.

  Now that it was all out in the open, Dane wasn’t quite sure what to say to Sasha. In his mind, he had already generated the reactions of his family if they found out. Sasha's acceptance had, for a fleeting moment, given him a spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could have Jai and not lose his family over it.

  No, it wouldn’t work like that, and he knew it deep down. No matter what Sasha thought, his dad would be a different story.

  “For the record, I like Jai. Mum will adore him, too.”

  Dane shook his head firmly. “No, Sash. She can’t find out, please, you can’t tell her.” He felt panic rising just at the thought. “If you tell her, Dad will find out. He’ll hate me.”

  Sasha sat down in the chair next to him, laying her hand on his arm. “You’re really freaking out about this, aren’t you? Don’t worry; my lips are sealed.”

  * * * *

  When Jai left the office that evening, he found Dane waiting by his bike. He was the first one out and he knew the others would be following soon and so he climbed on the motorcycle.

  “Get on.”

  He drove out towards home but when he reached the crossroads, he took a right, heading in the opposite direction. A few minutes later he came to the small dirt track that led alongside the park, up to the parking area near to the pond. The bike tyres crunched across the gravel as Jai parked the bike and climbed off. Hooking his helmet over the handlebars, he went to sit on one of the wooden benches that overlooked the water. He patted the bench next to him and Dane sat.

  “I like it out here. It’s peaceful,” he said, watching as a couple of slightly grubby-looking ducks swam past, sifting in the water for food. One glanced up at him and Dane, watching them as though to say, you’re sitting there and you don’t have any bread for us? They were so used to being fed by the public that they now assumed that was what people were for—supplying them with bread. The duck quacked huffily and paddled away again. Jai ran every morning and the park was part of his regular route; he usually stopped on the benches for a mid-run rest, finding them a good place to sit and work through whatever was on his mind that morning.

  “How’s your sister doing?”

  Dane smiled. “Driving me crazy.”

  “That must mean she’s feeling better,” Jai said.

  He stuffed his hands into his pockets and stretched his legs out. They sat in silence, taking in the quiet in the park and watching the ducks as he waited for Dane to say something. He could see the slight frown on his mate’s brow as he pondered whatever was on his mind.

  “I talked to Sasha about last night,” he said eventually. “She said she was fine with it if I was gay.”

  Jai smiled, turning to Dane, shocked. “You came out to your sister?”

  “Yes. She guessed what I was going to say before I said it,” Dane told him. “She promised not to tell my parents, or anyone else.”

  Jai felt a little disappointed that Dane was still determined to hide, but told himself that it was a start. Telling Sasha had taken guts.

  “I wish I could kiss you right now,” he said, “but I know I can’t, not out here.”

  He took a quick glance around to see if there was anyone to overhear their conversation. Now early evening, the park was almost deserted save for a few dog-walkers in the distance, the families and playing children gone home already. Covering Dane’s hand with his own, he laced their fingers together.

  “Stay with me tonight, Dane. In my bed.”

  Dane began to shake his head. “What about Sasha? I don’t know…”

  “We can be really, really quiet,” Jai replied, a wicked gleam in his eye. “I’m joking. I promise to keep my hands to myself. So, how come you were sitting outside the office?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “After I’d been to get the rest of Sasha's things from Nick’s place I took your Jeep back, but I didn’t feel like just going inside. I went for a walk and ended up near the office.” Dane told him, then looked a little embarrassed. “I actually sat out there for nearly an hour; I wanted to see you.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did. I spent the majority of my day wondering what you were doing, looking forward to seeing you again when I got home,” Jai confessed. He didn’t need to tell Dane that he had also spent a good part of his day replaying what it had felt like watching as his mate came whilst he fucked him, and wanting to do it again.

  Jai squeezed his hand. “Come on, let’s go home.”

  He stood and headed back to his bike. If they stayed here any longer, he was going to march right back to Dane and be damned about someone seeing. He was having a hard time keeping his hands off, wanting nothing more than to kiss his mate, to touch him. Dane climbed onto the motorcycle and slid his arms around Jai’s waist. His hands strayed low enough that his fingers brushed over Jai’s hardened cock. Even through the denim of his jeans, the touch felt like an electric shock, and he edged back in the saddle to press into Dane.

  * * * *

  By the time they actually reached Jai’s house, he was so hard it was uncomfortable. He forced himself to lock his bike into the garage but as soon as Dane stepped through and into the hallway, he kicked the door shut. Gripping the lapels of Dane’s jacket, he dragged his mate close and kissed him, desperately, hungrily. Dane responded to him, arms around Jai’s waist.

  “Sorry,” Jai whispered, stepping away from him, using every bit of will power he had. “I had to—needed to. Dane, please stay with me.”

  This time, there was no doubt in Dane’s eyes as he nodded and smiled. A sound from further inside the house made them both glance down the hall. Jai adjusted his jeans, trying—and failing—to hide his arousal,.

  “I thought I heard the door open,” Sasha said as they came in. She gave them both a once-over, smiling knowingly, but didn’t comment. “I was going to make spaghetti for tea, but I can fix you something different if you want.”

  All through the meal, Jai found himself wishing that it was over so that he could take Dane to bed. Immediately, he felt guilty. Sasha was making an effort, preparing a meal for them, and he felt bad for not appreciating it. Looking across the table, he caught Dane’s eye, seeing that the man looked just as guilty as he felt. It was good to know that Dane was as eager as he. They joined in with Sasha at dinner, listening as she told stories about her brother, laughing with her. Jai enjoyed himself, finding Sasha to be entertaining company. At present, however, he was sidetracked by the scent of arousal from Dane, the thought of later.

  After dinner, they made polite conversation and watched TV with her for a while, but Jai caught the heated looks that Dane kept sending his way.

  Luckily for them, Sasha took pity on them and announced that she was going to bed since she had to go to work early the next morning. Finally, it was just the two of them and Jai took Dane’s hand in his. Dane had not wanted to go to bed whilst his sister was still up, but now she was in her own room. He led Dane into his bedroom and closed the door.

  * * * *

  The following morning, Jai came into the kitchen from his run to see Sasha sitting at the table eating a bowl of cereal. She was dressed in her work wear of dark trousers and a white shirt, the red name tag pinned onto the shirt poc
ket. Getting up, she went to pour herself another cup of coffee, offering one to Jai, and sat down again.

  “Is Dane still asleep?” she asked.

  Jai nodded. “I tried to wake him before I went out, but he just stuck his head under the pillow and went back to sleep.”

  As usual, Dane had given him an “Are you insane?” look when he got up at six o’clock and put on his running gear.

  “You’re a wolf,” he usually pointed out sleepily. “It keeps you in shape without all this getting up at the crack of dawn shit.”

  When Jai had informed him that he enjoyed his morning run, Dane just groaned and dragged the covers over his head.

  “Honestly, you leave my brother to his own devices and he’ll still be snoring at lunchtime,” she said, eyeing him and smirking. “Then again, I’m pretty sure he didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  “I’m sorry, Sasha,” he told her. “I, we, never wanted to make you feel uncomfortable.”

  Drinking the last of her coffee, she went to rinse her cup and bowl in the sink.

  “You didn’t. Jealous, maybe,” she joked. Her expression sobered. “When he was back with the pack, before I left, he was really quiet and withdrawn, I can’t remember the last time I saw him looking as happy as he was last night, when he was with you. Just don’t hurt him; I don’t think he could take it.”

  “He’s safe with me,” Jai assured her. “Now, how are you going to get to work? You can borrow my Jeep if you want. You can drive, can’t you?”

  Once Sasha was gone—after she agreed to take the Jeep for the day—Jai went back to his bedroom. He stripped out of his sweaty clothes and showered before going to sit on the edge of the bed. Dane was sprawled on his back, one arm flung over his head and the covers kicked down to his waist, still asleep. Trailing his index finger lightly along the bridge of Dane’s nose, he smiled as the other man shifted in his sleep, wrinkling his nose. Jai tickled him again and this time Dane opened his eyes.

  “Morning,” he murmured sleepily. He rolled over, his hand reaching out to curl around Jai’s thigh, where he appeared to go back to sleep.

  Jai laughed softly. “Dane, you need to wake up. We have to be at work in half an hour.”

  It took him another five minutes to wake Dane, and five more before he was sure he could leave without his mate going back to sleep. When Dane finally hurried into the kitchen, still getting dressed, Jai glanced at his watch. His eyebrow rose questioningly.

  “I know, I know,” Dane muttered, fastening his boots, “I’m late.”

  Jai handed him a mug of tea, letting him drink it whilst he went out to start his bike. When he went back to lock the door, Dane met him in the hallway.

  “I know I can’t do this at work, so…” Jai curled his fingers into the lapels of Dane’s jacket and pulled him close enough to close his mouth over Dane’s. He kissed him hard, feeling his mate’s arms go around him. Jai stepped out of the embrace. “We have to go,” he said with a wicked grin. “Can’t be late.”

  Dane stared at him in disbelief as he went out and got onto the motorcycle.

  “How the hell am I supposed to concentrate after that?” he grumbled, swinging the door closed and letting it lock behind him.

  Jai chuckled. “Just making sure you don’t forget me.”

  Chapter Eight

  Dane was startled out of his reverie by his mobile phone vibrating on the desk beside him. He picked it up and looked at the screen, feeling his face heat up as he read the text message. Glancing around surreptitiously, he was relieved to see that no one else in the office was paying him the slightest bit of attention. He did, however, see the amused smile on Jai’s face.

  His phone vibrated again and he checked the text message. Getting so hard remembering you laid out naked on my bed.

  Dane’s cheeks flushed again and his gaze locked with Jai’s across the room.

  Stop it, he texted back, glancing around as Dex looked up.

  Jai glanced in Dex’s direction and shook his head; he hadn’t noticed anything. Sure enough, Dex went back to whatever was on his computer screen a moment later.

  Outside. 5 minutes.

  Dane shook his head minutely.

  Jai rolled his eyes, nodding.

  “Dane?”

  Ret’s voice made him jump, eyes wide as he stuffed the mobile under a pile of papers. Across the room he saw Jai’s shoulders shaking as he tried to conceal his laughter. He looked up to see his boss watching him expectantly.

  “I asked how your sister was doing.” He frowned. “Are you okay?”

  Dane nodded, avoiding looking at Jai. “She’s fine, or at least she is now that she’s away from Nick.”

  “Nick?” Ret perched on the edge of the desk. “Sorry—Jai mentioned that she’d had a bit of trouble but he wasn’t specific.”

  Dane felt a swell of gratitude for Jai for looking out for his sister, protecting her when he wasn’t sure what Dane wanted the others to know about the situation.

  “Nick was her boyfriend,” he said. “He was abusive to her and so she moved out.”

  Ret looked disgusted. “Has she got somewhere to stay while she gets sorted out? There’s a room at my house if you need it.”

  “Jai is letting her use his spare room, but thanks for the offer.”

  “If we can help in any way, or if you need any time off, just let me know,” Ret told him.

  For a while it seemed that everything was getting back to normal. Dane warned Nick that he wasn’t to contact Sasha when he and Jai went to collect the rest of her belongings from Nick’s house.

  “I mean it, Nicky. You don’t come near her, or even speak to her,” Dane informed the man. “Am I making myself clear?”

  Stubborn, Nick folded his arms across his chest.. “None of your business what I do,” he pointed out.

  Dane grabbed the front of Nick’s shirt in his fist, hauling the man closer until they were nose to nose.

  “Don’t push me, Nicky. Now, I’ll tell you again,” he said slowly. “If you bother her in any way, you’ll have me to deal with, and it’s really not a wise idea to piss me off.”

  For a while it appeared that Nick had listened to him and was keeping away from Sasha, but that didn’t last.

  “I saw Nick today,” Sasha told them when she got home from work a couple of days later. “He was standing outside the shop, watching me through the window.”

  “Did he say or do anything?” Jai asked.

  Sasha shook her head. “No, he just watched me. When I asked the security guard to go and get rid of him, he’d already gone.”

  “Is it the first time he’s done this?” When he saw Sasha hesitate, he knew that it wasn’t. “Sasha?”

  “It’s the first time I’ve seen him,” she admitted, “but there have been a few times recently that I thought I could feel someone watching me.”

  Dane jumped to his feet angrily. “I think it’s about time we had another little chat, Nick and I,” he said.

  Sasha glared. “What do you mean by another?” she demanded. “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t need you to fight my battles for me? I can take care of myself.”

  “But I’m just looking out for you,” Dane protested. “You’re my sister.”

  Sasha sighed. “I know, and I appreciate it but I don’t need a babysitter.”

  Dane knew it had irritated her when she was little how everyone would treat her like a fragile little doll because she wasn’t a were, and now here he was doing the same.

  “Fine,” he said reluctantly. “I want you to promise that you'll tell me if he appears again.” And if he so much as lays a finger on you I’ll break him in half, he added silently.

  * * * *

  One morning, about a week later, Ret came out of his office and headed for Jai’s desk.

  “I have an assignment for you. Michael is going to see Eric McIntyre and it’s your turn to do bodyguard duty.”

  Jai groaned inwardly. These visits were a regul
ar occurrence, with Alphas meeting if they needed to discuss business or pack alliances, or just as social visits. As Alphas, their status required that they were given protection when they travelled. As hosts, Eric’s pack would provide an escort when they reached town, but the visiting Alpha would also bring a couple of their own people. Recently, they had all been home visits, the other Alphas coming to them; they hadn’t had an out of town visit for a few months. The guards took turns on the out of town jobs and Jai’s number had come up this time.

  “I was going to suggest you take Dane along,” Ret continued. “I’m sure protocols aren’t much different from his old pack, but it’ll give him a chance to see how we do things here.” He glanced at Dane. “If you want to pass because of Sasha, one of the others can go instead.”

  Dane shook his head. “It’s fine, I can go. She keeps telling me she doesn’t want me hanging around looking after her,” he pointed out. “Besides, I know you’ll keep an eye out for Sash if she needs anything.”

  He had introduced her to the guards a few days earlier and they had all taken a shine to her, reacting with the same brotherly protectiveness that Jai had. If anything happened, they would be there in a heartbeat to help her and he knew it.

  Jai smiled inwardly as Dane spoke. This trip might be work, but it was still going to be more fun if it was with Dane.

  “Very well, you leave at ten o’clock,” Ret informed them, going back to his office.

  * * * *

  Two hours later, Dane stood beside Jai in the rail station with Michael and his wife. They looked for their escorts who would be waiting at the other side of the ticket barriers. Their hosts weren’t hard to spot, at least not to another wolf. To the other passengers disembarking the first class carriage, the man and woman looked like anyone else. The man towered above the crowd with his six-foot-three, muscled frame, the slender brunette looked small next to him, but it was clear that she would be able to take care of herself should she need to.