Page 9 of Honey Heat
And honestly, if Matias started to act like Boone, he would scare the hell out of his pack. There was something comforting in knowing Matias was always assessing any given situation, always in control. That allowed the rest of them to relax and have a decent life without worrying every second about something jumping off.
And Matias had Elijah. His elegido had changed the alpha in small ways, which told Lucio that Matias was finally happy.
“I was only there to check the cameras. Finding Ethan was—”
Boone held up a hand, and Lucio’s words instantly halted. “It doesn’t matter if it was accidental, son. He’s all I got, and I’d rather die than let anything happen to him.” He stuck out his hand, and Lucio shook it.
As big as the bear shifter was, his grip was surprisingly gentle.
“Since we have our own clan doctor, I’ll be taking him home. Just wanted to thank you for what you did.”
Boone clapped him on the shoulder. Lucio wasn’t a small guy, but the clap jerked him forward slightly.
“Dr. Martinez said moving him would do more harm than good.” Lucio wasn’t sure why he was telling Boone this. The doctor could’ve handled it, yet his wolf was snarling at the thought of Ethan leaving.
What the hell?
“Then I guess I need to speak with the doctor.” Boone walked off, heading in the direction Dr. Martinez had disappeared to.
Lucio crossed the room to check on Ethan. The guy was lying there quietly, eyes closed, looking pretty exhausted.
And beautiful. Cinnamon-brown hair and gorgeous hazel eyes. He was small for a bear, with delicate features. Lucio had been stunned when he’d learned Boone was Ethan’s father. The two looked nothing alike, but it was possible Ethan took after his mother.
“I can feel you staring at me,” Ethan said with closed eyes. “Do I look as bad as I feel?”
You’re more beautiful than a rain-drenched forest. Lucio sucked at poetry, but he loved being in the forest on a rainy day. Best thing in the world.
“Maybe a little battered,” Lucio said, taking a seat in the chair he’d occupied for hours already. “Your dad tells me you’re heading home, osito.”
Ethan’s eyes open, those hazel gems hinting under the fluorescent lighting. “That’s a good forty-minute drive.”
Moving closer, Lucio rested his hand on the bed, unable to resist tracing his finger over Ethan’s. “Dr. Martinez thinks you should stay here until you can handle the trip. What do you want to do?”
“Does it matter?” Ethan trapped Lucio’s finger with his own. “I’m just the patient.”
“It does matter, hermoso. Just because you’re the patient doesn’t mean you don’t have a say in your care.”
What was Lucio doing? This was between Ethan, Boone, and Dr. Martinez. Just because Lucio had found the bear shifter didn’t mean he had anything to do with Ethan’s care. He’d done his part, and now Ethan would be on the mend.
Lucio’s involvement needed to end here. Yet he couldn’t make himself get up and leave. That single finger lying over his felt as though it had trapped his entire body.
“I don’t want to spend almost an hour in a pickup,” Ethan murmured. “I’m afraid it’ll make everything hurt even worse than it already does.” His finger tightened then fully retreated. “I’m tired, Lucio.”
Hearing Ethan speak his name so softly did weird things to Lucio’s insides. He pulled back, telling himself to back away and not get so invested. To not make this beautiful man’s problems his own.
“Get some rest, osito.” Lucio tucked the covers around him, brushing aside his cinnamon hair from his eyes. “Nadie te hará daño mientras yo te cuide, cariño.”
“Hmm?” Ethan’s eyes were already closed, his face serene. His hand found Lucio’s and clasped it, hanging on as he dozed off.
Lucio was at a loss. Ethan seemed terrified one moment and sassy the next. He would just have to wait until the sedatives wore off before he could discover Ethan’s true personality.
The thought froze him. Lucio wasn’t going to be around long enough to find out anything. He needed to walk his ass right out of the clinic and not look back.
With a sigh, and Ethan still grasping his hand, Lucio sat back, feeling like a creep as he watched his osito sleep.
Chapter Three
Before heading to the clinic, Lucio stopped at Lizard’s. He wasn’t sure what the bear ate, so he got a little of everything.
