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around the counter, trying his best to appear unaffected as his thoughts raced as fast as his pulse. Thereā€™s only one reason Lee would show up here. He was looking for me, and now he found me, and thereā€™s nothing I can do but tell him it was my fault his brother died. The idea was terrifying and yet Darren found himself wanting to confess his failure, his guilt. Maybe if he did, he could findā€¦not exactly peace, never that, but something close to it. Something that would make it a little easier for Darren to live with himself.

Decision made, he set the plates in front of Laine and Severo, avoiding both menā€™s eyes. He knew he wouldnā€™t be able to avoid their questions and Laine proved him right almost instantly.

ā€œYou know that guy at the counter?ā€

ā€œYes, sir,ā€ Darren said. ā€œIā€™ll be right back with your coffeeā€”ā€

Darren froze when Laine grabbed his wrist. He shot a surprised glance at the man then immediately looked away.

ā€œDarren, I saw you when you saw him. Do I need to get involved?ā€

Laine probably would no matter what Darren said but he tried anyway. ā€œNo, sir, he was my best friendā€™s brother. I just didnā€™t expect for him to show up hereā€”but he isnā€™t a bad man, not at all.ā€ He hoped. He hadnā€™t ever known Lee wellā€”the man was almost ten years older than Darren, and heā€™d joined the military not long after Darren and Stefan had met.

ā€œWhat do you mean, was?ā€ Severo asked.

Darren cringed inwardly. He should have been more careful. Now he had to admit something that still turned him inside out to say. ā€œI mean, he is, but Stefan, he wasā€”he died,ā€ Darren muttered, unable to explain any better. Those two words made him feel like something was ripping into his guts with fiery claws.

Severo hummed something under his breath as Laine squeezed Darrenā€™s wrist, not hard enough to hurt, just enough to get his attention.

ā€œAnd he just showed up hereā€¦why? Maybe I should just ask him that myself.ā€

ā€œNo,ā€ Darren whispered, his teeth clenched to keep from yelling the word. ā€œHe probably wants to talk to me and thatā€™s fine. Lee was serving with the Rangers when Stefan passed, I donā€™t even know when he found out aboutā€”it.ā€ Darren wasnā€™t able to bring himself to say ā€˜Stefanā€™s deathā€™. He was already on edge, his eyes stinging. The last thing he wanted to do was break down in front of everyone. Anyone. ā€œJust, please, let me see what he wants first. I donā€™t want you to make him leave.ā€ Darren tugged against Laineā€™s hold but his relief was short lived when Laine pushed back his chair and stood up, looking at something over Darrenā€™s shoulder.

Darren took a step back and felt a wave of heat from a body close to his own. He peered over his shoulder, unsurprised to find Lee behind him, his handsome face devoid of expression.

The hand on his hip, though, that surprised Darren so much he yelped. Instead of moving his hand, Lee merely tightened his grip as he asked, ā€œIs there a problem here, Darren?ā€

The words were different from Laineā€™s question moments earlier, but not by much. And apparently Lee wasnā€™t the least bit intimidated by Laineā€™s dark scowl. ā€œThatā€™s what I was asking Darren. Maybe you should let him go.ā€

Darren felt like he was caught between two alpha wolfs vying over a prized meal. He didnā€™t relish getting caught in the middle. ā€œItā€™s fine, Laine, really, he just surprised me, thatā€™s all.ā€ God, people were staring. Darren wanted to curl up into a ball and hide. He hated drawing everyoneā€™s attention. ā€œCan you please stop?ā€ Darren begged quietly of Laine, ā€œPlease. Everyone is looking and Iā€”ā€ He stopped, his throat clicking as he swallowed. ā€œPlease.ā€ He didnā€™t know why he was begging Laine instead of Lee but he was. If he were honest with himself, Leeā€™s hand felt really good where it was, warmth seeping through the layers of material to warm Darrenā€™s skin. The fact that the hold was possessive didnā€™t escape Darrenā€™s notice, and neither did the aching hardness pinned uncomfortably between his thigh and his jeans. That part of him really liked Leeā€™s touch.

Laine finally nodded. ā€œAll right, for now, but we will be having a talk a little later, Mr.ā€¦ā€

ā€œLee Bausch.ā€ Darren shivered when Leeā€™s breath whiffed over the back of his neck.

ā€œLaine Stenley. Iā€™ll be looking for you to stop by and see meā€ā€”Laine hitched a thumb in the direction of the Sheriffā€™s Officeā€”ā€œtwo blocks that way. Before noon.ā€

Darren didnā€™t hear a reply but Laine nodded again then sat down and took a drink of his coffee. Lee tugged at Darrenā€™s hip. ā€œCan you take a break?ā€

Darren glanced around at the diner, blushing all over again as he saw the curiosity on the customersā€™ faces. ā€œMaybe. Let me refill a few cups and make sure everyone has what they need then Iā€™ll ask.ā€ He turned and walked around Lee, telling himself the manā€™s hand did not linger, it was only Darrenā€™s pathetic wish that it had.

Lee trailed his fingers over the sharp blades of Darrenā€™s hip. Even through the apron and jeans, he could feel the prominent bone. Darren had always been thin, but now he had more of a lean athleteā€™s build. And that bruiseā€¦ Lee wanted to know how Darren had got hurt, and if there was anyone he needed to deal with over it. The protectiveness was sudden and fierce, so much so that Lee hadnā€™t been able to sit there and watch the sheriff touch Darren, even if it was just a loose hold on the younger manā€™s wrist. If Lee hadnā€™t been used to keeping his emotions buried heā€™d have snarled at Laine and likely threatened to rip the manā€™s hand off if he touched Darren again.

It was an unreasonable reaction and Lee didnā€™t understand it, but as heā€™d struggled to hide his shock at finding Darren working in the cafĆ©, Lee had also found

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