Aftermath by Bailey Bradford (best non fiction books to read txt) š
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- Author: Bailey Bradford
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Decision made, he set the plates in front of Laine and Severo, avoiding both menās eyes. He knew he wouldnāt be able to avoid their questions and Laine proved him right almost instantly.
āYou know that guy at the counter?ā
āYes, sir,ā Darren said. āIāll be right back with your coffeeāā
Darren froze when Laine grabbed his wrist. He shot a surprised glance at the man then immediately looked away.
āDarren, 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. āNo, sir, he was my best friendās brother. I just didnāt expect for him to show up hereābut he isnāt a bad man, not at all.ā He hoped. He hadnāt ever known Lee wellāthe man was almost ten years older than Darren, and heād joined the military not long after Darren and Stefan had met.
āWhat 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. āI mean, he is, but Stefan, he wasāhe 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 Darrenās wrist, not hard enough to hurt, just enough to get his attention.
āAnd he just showed up hereā¦why? Maybe I should just ask him that myself.ā
āNo,ā Darren whispered, his teeth clenched to keep from yelling the word. āHe probably wants to talk to me and thatās fine. Lee was serving with the Rangers when Stefan passed, I donāt even know when he found out aboutāit.ā Darren wasnāt able to bring himself to say āStefanās deathā. He was already on edge, his eyes stinging. The last thing he wanted to do was break down in front of everyone. Anyone. āJust, please, let me see what he wants first. I donāt want you to make him leave.ā Darren tugged against Laineās hold but his relief was short lived when Laine pushed back his chair and stood up, looking at something over Darrenās 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, āIs there a problem here, Darren?ā
The words were different from Laineās question moments earlier, but not by much. And apparently Lee wasnāt the least bit intimidated by Laineās dark scowl. āThatās 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 didnāt relish getting caught in the middle. āItās fine, Laine, really, he just surprised me, thatās all.ā God, people were staring. Darren wanted to curl up into a ball and hide. He hated drawing everyoneās attention. āCan you please stop?ā Darren begged quietly of Laine, āPlease. Everyone is looking and Iāā He stopped, his throat clicking as he swallowed. āPlease.ā He didnāt know why he was begging Laine instead of Lee but he was. If he were honest with himself, Leeās hand felt really good where it was, warmth seeping through the layers of material to warm Darrenās skin. The fact that the hold was possessive didnāt escape Darrenās notice, and neither did the aching hardness pinned uncomfortably between his thigh and his jeans. That part of him really liked Leeās touch.
Laine finally nodded. āAll right, for now, but we will be having a talk a little later, Mr.ā¦ā
āLee Bausch.ā Darren shivered when Leeās breath whiffed over the back of his neck.
āLaine Stenley. Iāll be looking for you to stop by and see meāāLaine hitched a thumb in the direction of the Sheriffās Officeāātwo blocks that way. Before noon.ā
Darren didnāt hear a reply but Laine nodded again then sat down and took a drink of his coffee. Lee tugged at Darrenās hip. āCan you take a break?ā
Darren glanced around at the diner, blushing all over again as he saw the curiosity on the customersā faces. āMaybe. Let me refill a few cups and make sure everyone has what they need then Iāll ask.ā He turned and walked around Lee, telling himself the manās hand did not linger, it was only Darrenās pathetic wish that it had.
Lee trailed his fingers over the sharp blades of Darrenās 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 athleteās 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 hadnāt been able to sit there and watch the sheriff touch Darren, even if it was just a loose hold on the younger manās wrist. If Lee hadnāt been used to keeping his emotions buried heād have snarled at Laine and likely threatened to rip the manās hand off if he touched Darren again.
It was an unreasonable reaction and Lee didnāt understand it, but as heād struggled to hide his shock at finding Darren working in the cafĆ©, Lee had also found
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