Page 15 of Mated to the Human: Volume One

The door closed behind them, and Hollis cleared his throat.

“So,” Neal said, not turning around. “Richard tells me you’re having trouble remembering who took you in and raised you after your mother died.”

Hollis rolled his eyes. He couldn’t help it. “No, Neal, I know exactly where I ended up after Mom died.”

He turned around, a thunderous look on his face. Neal’s gaze snapped from Hollis to Derek and back again. “You ungrateful little shit!”

A low rumbling growl came from behind him, but Hollis held out his hand to Derek. He was okay, and he needed to do this.

“You’re wrong,” Hollis said, feeling strangely calm. “I am grateful that I had somewhere to go. A roof over my head and food to eat, but I was a kid, Neal. A kid who’d just lost his mom, and you treated me and your sons like we were academy recruits and nothing more.” Hollis held up his hands. “Which, fine. I survived. I went to college, got myself a job, and moved out on my own. So, mission accomplished! I’m a fully functioning adult.” His voice was rising without him really meaning it to, but now that the words were coming, they wouldn’t stop. “So that means it’s time for you to back off and let me live my life. I am grateful to you, but I don’t owe you anything.”

Neal sneered, but before he could say anything, the office door opened again. Richard stepped in.

“You little shit,” Richard spat toward Hollis, not even sparing Derek a glance. “Your guard dog finally gave you a backbone, huh, Holly?”

Hollis sighed. “Richard—”

That was all he got out before Derek shot into Richard’s space, inhuman speed on full display, and lifted Richard off the ground with a single hand around his throat. “Richard,” he growled, voice grating and guttural in a way Hollis had never heard before. Derek turned, aiming Richard’s back toward his father so he could look from one to the other.

Neal sputtered. “Drop him!”

Derek tilted his head, eyes gone that unearthly red again as his power rolled out and filled the room. “No.”

The ceiling lights flickered, and Hollis swore he felt a tremor in the floor beneath his feet. Taking a step back, Neal’s back collided with his window. Richard gasped and spasmed, clawing at Derek’s arm. Derek didn’t seem to notice.

“Hollis has said his piece. Now I’m going to say mine. You will not touch him again. Do not call him. Do not seek him out. If he wants to speak to you, he will.” Derek flexed his arm, tossing Richard to the floor at his father’s feet. Derek let him gasp and heave for a moment before he continued, “This is the only warning you get.”

“Are you threatening the police commissioner of Solston?” Neal yelled, face purple with rage.

Derek moved so fast, slamming Neal back against the window, that Hollis flinched.

“Yes, I am. Touch him again, and I will burn your world to ash.” Derek lifted Neal, sliding him up the window until his feet no longer touched the floor. “Also, it’s none of your fucking business which citizens of this city are paranormal. You’re sworn to protect and serve them all.”

With a sound of disgust, Derek dropped Neal and turned, stepping over Richard to get back to Hollis. His eyes were perfect pale blue again. He took Hollis’s hand and lifted it, pressing a quick kiss to the back. “You okay?”

Hollis nodded, heart still beating fast.

“Good. Let’s go.” Derek didn’t look back as he led Hollis toward the door.

Neither did Hollis.

7

Hollis’s hands shook as he climbed off the bike in the clubhouse parking lot. He couldn’t believe it. He’d stood up to his uncle. Told him no, and for once, said how he really felt. The rush of relief and exhilaration after they’d walked out of Neal’s office had left him weak in the knees.

“Here,” Derk said, getting off the bike and unfastening Hollis’s helmet straps. His gaze roved over Hollis’s face. “You okay?”

A hysterical little giggle bubbled up out of Hollis’s throat. He slapped a hand over his mouth.

Derek’s eyes widened, but a smile pulled up one corner of his mouth. “Hollis?”

“No, I’m—” He tried, but giggles burst out of him again. “I’m…I don’t know. Relieved? Terrified?” He pressed his palms to his forehead. “In a state of disbelief, maybe.”

Warm, strong arms wrapped around him. He pushed his glasses up on top of his head and buried his face in Derek’s chest, breathing in the leather and char smell of him.

“You were scared of me back there,” Derek said quietly after a moment. It wasn’t accusatory, just a statement.

“A little.” Hollis huffed. “Not really, though. I wasn’t afraid of you hurting me or something, just the violence in general.”

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