Page 5 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“You have nothing to fear, Molly.” Aaron continued to assure her and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head.

“Let’s go with them, Molly.” Ronan agreed. “We knew he wouldn’t give up easily, and maybe these people will believe us. Jordan has no power here.” They walked together to the Police station located one block down on the same side of the street as the coffee shop.

Aaron never released Molly from his embrace. Ronan, jealous of the support Molly was receiving, wished that someone was holding him right now. The two cops led the way and kept looking back over their shoulders to make sure they were following.

Ronan wasn’t sure how this was going to play out. If worse came to worse, he decided to give Jordan what he wanted. He would not stand by and see Molly hurt or charged with a crime. He would contact Jordan and agree to whatever he wanted with the understanding that Molly was released and would never be bothered again. That thought made his stomach begin to retch again.

The man wasn’t ugly, but his attitude and the power and control he exerted on others made him unattractive. Jordan Randall was a very unpleasant man when denied his wants and desires. Ronan was fairly certain his life as Jordan Randall’s boy toy would not be a pleasant life. He had witnessed Jordan humiliate his current boyfriend over something as trivial as not having picked up Jordan’s dry-cleaning in a timely manner.

It suddenly dawned on him that perhaps his current boyfriend was also blackmailed into the position. Jordan liked force and making people do what they didn’t want to do. He hoped that the authorities of Lonepine would believe them and take their side in this matter, although he knew it to be a long shot at best. Authority types tended to stick together.

…

Lance squealed his tires as he came to a stop in front of the Black Bean. He saw Aaron up ahead with two of his officers and two . . . humans. ‘The trouble must be coming to a head,’ he thought as he ran to catch up to the group.

“Aaron.” He spoke as soon as he was close enough. The group came to an abrupt halt. Aaron and the two officers turned to regard him and waited as if for direction. Ronan turned at the same time.

He had been feeling a little nauseous until now. Suddenly he was overcome with such a sudden flash of carnal craving that it startled him. The man behind them calling to Aaron was shockingly gorgeous. That was the only way he could describe him. His height, body, black hair, and black eyes were the sum total of every wet dream Ronan had ever had in his entire life.

He’d never had this kind of reaction to anyone, and it startled him. Ronan felt rather than saw the man give him a once over, and then he turned to question Aaron. It was obvious by his quick dismissal that he found Ronan lacked somehow, but still, Ronan let his gaze travel the man’s broad chest encased in a snug white button-down and then down his waist and narrow hips. Ronan wondered what he looked like beneath those snug, faded jeans.

“Are they being arrested?” the man asked incredulously. Upon hearing those words, Ronan returned to reality and let the daydream pass. This man was someone important; he was someone that everyone answered to; Ronan could sense that in the actions of the other men. He shook off the ridiculous lustfulness of his thoughts and let his gaze drop to the sidewalk.

He stepped back from the group of men and moved closer to his sister. He was no match for men like these, either mentally or physically. Like Jordan, they were probably used to taking what they wanted and treating the weaker like shit. Ronan hated feeling helpless, but that was exactly how he felt. Everyone around them was suddenly in control, and it ate a hole through him.

He looked at Molly and realized she was feeling the same way. The men were talking among themselves, something about the APB and the need to get a statement, so Ronan whispered to his sister in hopes that they would not hear.

“We need to get out of here. These guys are all authoritative assholes, and they’re scaring the hell out of me.” He noticed his hands were shaking and tried to shove them into his pockets. Molly took his hand and held it.

“We will, when we can, I promise.”

“They’re going to send me back. They won’t believe us.” Ronan stated, defeated. “If they do, I’ll go along with whatever Jordan wants. I can’t let him hurt you.” Ronan’s eyes darted around the area in hopes of seeing an escape route.

“Quiet!” the man shouted, and the silence fell like a hammer. No one spoke, and everyone stood still. He moved to stand in front of Ronan for a moment and then reached out to tuck his knuckle under his chin. He raised Ronan’s face up so he could look into his eyes.

“Don’t be scared; I will never send you back, on that you have my word. Trust me, you are safer here than anywhere on the planet.”

Ronan was shocked that this man had heard every word he’d said to Molly amidst all the talking and noise on the street.

“My name is Lance Hendricks, and I am the Mayor of Lonepine. What is your name?” He already knew, but he wanted Ronan to tell him.

“Ronan James, and this is my sister Molly.” Lance was a nice strong, capable name, and Ronan liked it. Trust me, he said, and crazy as it was, Ronan felt as if he could. The man had an aura about him once he came close that made Ronan relax and feel safe, for the moment anyway.

He watched as Lance’s eyes bore into his, searching for agreement or understanding. He wasn’t sure, but he enjoyed it. Finally, Lance looked over at Aaron, although his hand did not leave him and Ronan found the connection comforting. He let his palm brush across Ronan’s cheek, and his hand came to rest on his shoulder as he gradually pulled Ronan close and seemed to almost tuck him under his arm. It was exactly what Ronan had desired not ten minutes ago, and it made him feel safe and secure.

The man was huge and solid and smelled amazing. Ronan had to concentrate very hard on not reacting to his nearness. Not a good thing to have happen in front of a man who was probably as straight as the day was long. He had found that there were very few men comfortable and secure enough in their own sexuality to be flattered by the attentions of a gay man.

It was best to keep his attraction to himself. He wondered if Lance had sensed how scared he was, and this was simply a show of comfort. He didn’t care, comfort rarely came these days, and he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity even if it was temporary and meaningless.

“Let’s finish this discussion inside.” With those words, everyone walked into the Police Station without further discussion. Ronan noticed the strange looks that they garnered from the two cops as they watched the way Aaron and Lance were holding them. The officers were very careful not to get close to either him or Molly. Before, they were full of authoritative bravado, and now they acted like two school boys in fear of being disciplined.

“We didn’t know.” They defended themselves to Lance and Aaron.

“Well, now you do.” Lance’s statement was harsh and final, and both men lowered their heads in response.

Chairs were shuffled around, and soon they were all seated with Lance still keeping a protective arm around Ronan and Aaron doing the same with Molly.

“Explain why you accosted these two fine people,” Lance demanded.

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