Page 32 of Perfectly Leashed
“Those mutts must’ve found the body and decided to pin the murder on a wolf.” Santiago cursed. “I have to let Matias know.” He glanced at Darcy. “Jefe had to stop him from punching Gilmore. Your mate was about to commit a crime to protect you. Never left your side in the restaurant, holding your hand while he waited on Martinez. Your wolf chose wisely.”
“Thanks.”
“By the way, Matias talked with Darcy’s boss at the pet store. She said he can come back when he’s ready.”
As Santiago walked out of the room, Luca glanced at Darcy’s sleeping form. How did someone who couldn’t control four dogs stand up to a corrupt cop who was much bigger than him?
His mate was full of surprises.
Carefully, Luca propped himself up on his good arm and then shoved against the mattress to sit up on the side of the bed, gritting his teeth the whole time to stop from shouting.
Gilmore’s bullshit had just set back Luca’s recovery.
And you’re about to add to that time. He didn’t care. Darcy deserved more than a chair to curl up in. The male belonged in Luca’s bed, no matter if that was here or at home. He never wanted to fall asleep again without Darcy in his arms.
Taking a deep breath, Luca used his good arm to ease under his mate, lifting him from the uncomfortable position.
Holy. Hell. Darcy weighed nothing, but his head dropped against Lucas’s shoulder.
Maybe he should’ve thought this through a little better. It felt like hot coals were pressed into his left side.
Suppressing the shout trying to escape, Luca eased them down onto the bed then yanked the covers over them before he could finally take a decent breath.
Don’t ever do that kind of dumb shit again. You trying to permanently damage your shoulder?
“You did not just pick me up and carry me,” Darcy growled, his eyes still closed. “Tell me I just dreamed that.” He opened his eyes and glared at Luca. “I did not just sit vigilant at your side, waiting on the doctor to work his magic, only for you to purposely put your recovery at risk.”
Getting chewed out by his mate was hot as hell. Luca was turned on while fighting a smile. “How’re you gonna punish me, cariño?” he asked huskily, rubbing his nose gently against his mate’s.
Darcy stilled, his breathing growing shallow. His gaze dropped to Luca’s chest as his eyes darted around frantically.
Luca eased back, searching his mate’s face. “That’s the second time you’ve reacted this way,” he said slowly, his voice a quiet hum. “If I’m causing a trigger, you gotta let me know, hon.” He ached to pull his elegido into his arms but gave Darcy the space he clearly needed.
Not comforting his mate hurt worse than his wound, but this wasn’t about Luca.
It was about grounding Darcy and helping him through this.
“He used to say that, only it was the other way around.” Darcy placed his palm on Luca’s chest, as if he needed the connection. “My uncle. Weird how trauma that’s not even yours can plant triggers in your brain. He hurt my aunt, yet I’m the one who glitches when...” His mate ran his fingers over the edge of Luca’s bandage. “You were just teasing me. I know that, but that switch inside of me didn’t care.”
Luca rested his hand on Darcy’s hip, brushing his thumb in a gentle motion. “It was still traumatic for you, even if you weren’t the one being abused. A loved one was suffering, and you were powerless to stop it.”
“I was fourteen when my mom got the call.”
Goddamn. Luca had no idea what to say. His mate had lost a family member to violence, by her husband no less. How in the hell did someone respond to that? Any thought that came to mind felt inadequate.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Darcy.” He slid his arms around his mate. “I’m sorry any of you had to, especially your aunt.”
Although Luca’s upbringing was its own kind of violent, most wolves’ lives were, it had never entered his mind to take out his pain on someone else.
Especially someone weaker than him.
And then Darcy had to watch the way Gilmore physically dominated him, uncaring how much pain he’d inflicted on Luca. No wonder his mate had been ready to commit a felony. He was watching someone else he cared about being abused.
Thank god he hadn’t been there when the deputy had Luca alone. But after what Santiago just told him, what Gilmore said now made twisted sense.
“What’s up with that bandage peeking out from under your shirt? He fight back? Try to defend himself? Your truck got a bullet. Maybe you did too.” There was no way the dumb son of a bitch hadn’t known the dead body had been decaying for two weeks.
Then he slammed his fist into Luca’s chest. The pain had nearly brought Luca to his knees. That was how his wound had reopened.
