Page 19 of Honey Heat
First Ethan was attacked and now Chopper.
But this went further back. Luca nearly dying at the hands of Deputy Gilmore. Tomas and his elegido were both shot at the same time. Diablo’s mate had been kidnapped, and the list went on and on.
Lucio was so sick and tired of the people he cared about being hurt. Jamie nearly dying at his brother’s hands. Percy being locked in that shed to die from the sweltering heat. Jared’s own coalition trying to kill Miguel.
Sitting back, Lucio blew out a breath, gazing at the peaceful expression on his elegido’s serene face. Lucio couldn’t deny it any longer.
His wolf had chosen Ethan. From the moment the bear shifter had opened his eyes and whispered his own name, Lucio had been a goner.
And when he’d held Ethan through that thunderstorm? He could still feel the exact moment his wolf had softly growled mine.
That phone call? Lucio leaned forward and tucked the blanket against his mate’s shoulder. Lucio had returned to find Ethan missing. Panic and fear had set in until he’d heard whispering behind the desk.
And he’d overheard the conversation. Right when Ethan had confessed his confusion about his feelings.
Lucio had heard both ends of the phone call.
Ethan was more innocent than he’d initially thought.
“Wolf,” Ethan groaned as his eyes fluttered open, catching Lucio staring at him. The warm hazel of his gaze made Lucio’s heart stumble.
“Hey there, sleepyhead.” He smiled at his mate, the weight of his earlier thoughts momentarily forgotten.
“How long was I out?” He tried to push himself up with his bandaged hands, wincing at the effort.
“A few hours.” Lucio gently helped him into a sitting position. “How do your hands feel?”
“Like I whacked them pretty hard.” Ethan stared down at the bandages, wiggling his fingers slightly. “They do feel better though.”
“Glad to hear that.” Lucio adjusted the pillows behind his mate’s back, inhaling Ethan’s honey and pine scent. He wanted to tell his mate that his wolf had chosen him and that he’d overheard the conversation.
Instead, he reached for the water cup on the bedside table. “Thirsty?”
“God, yes.” Ethan reached for the cup but let his hands fall to his lap. “Would you mind?”
“Not at all.” Lucio held the cup to his mate’s lips. “Don’t drink it too fast,” he reminded him.
Ethan finally pulled away. “It’s not the first time I’ve injured myself.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “My dad says I have the spatial awareness of a drunk toddler.”
“That bad?” Lucio chuckled, setting the water aside.
“Sometimes.” Ethan glanced toward the hallway, making Lucio wonder what his elegido was thinking. “What’s it like outside?”
“It’s pretty decent. The sun’s out, but it’s not as hot as it’s been the past few days. Getting tired of staring at these walls?” Lucio would’ve gone nuts by now if he’d been the one in bed for days.
“Will you take me outside?” The request came softly, Ethan’s gaze hopeful. “Just for a few minutes. I need fresh air before I lose my mind in here.”
Even knowing how Ethan felt, Lucio hesitated. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, osito.”
“Please?” Ethan begged, his lower lip jutting out slightly in a pout that shouldn’t have been so adorable on a grown man. “I’ll be careful. I promise not to do anything stupid, like try to run a marathon or attempt cartwheels, which I suck at.”
The pleading look was impossible to resist. Those eyes were going to be the death of Lucio. “Dr. Martinez and your dad would kill me if something happened to you.”
Lucio still remembered Boone’s threat. It might’ve applied to breaking his son’s heart, but Lucio was certain it would extend to physical injury as well.
“Nothing’s going to happen.” Ethan gazed longingly toward the hallway. “Just a few minutes. I need to feel the sun and breathe air that doesn’t smell antiseptic.”
Already knowing he would cave, Lucio sighed. “Ten minutes. And if you feel dizzy or anything hurts more than it already does, we come right back inside.”
