Freeing Demitri's Wolf by Charlie Richards (read books for money TXT) 📗

had been the only constants in his life for the last twenty years. It was odd, but he was fond of the damn thing.

He perused his clipboard as he strode up to the old firehouse. They were refurbishing it so it looked exactly like it would have nearly seventy-five years ago when it’d been first built. It was a cool job requiring plenty of specialized work and tedious detail.

“Okay, everyone,” Kiernan said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Here’s what’s on the agenda for today…”

Kiernan glared. “What the hell is this, Joe? That’s not anywhere near what it’s supposed to look like.”

Joe huffed a sigh and rolled to his feet. “So what? Like anyone else is going to know?”

“I’ll know, and when the historian comes through to verify everything, he’ll know, too,” he snapped. “Take the hearth apart and do it again. We can’t do the fireplace until you get it right.”

“What the fuck?” Joe mumbled, turning away. “Your little twink not put out?”

Rage tore through Kiernan, straightening his spine.

Slowly, he turned back to face Joe. His voice came out icy.

“What did you say?”

As if sensing the den of rattlesnakes he’d just poked, Joe licked his lips and swallowed hard. After several tense seconds, the fellow construction worker decided to go for teasing. “Awe, come on, boss,” he cajoled, though his voice wavered a bit. “After a date with a sweet piece of ass like I heard you had at Caribou’s last night, I’d a thought you’d be in a better mood today.”

His eyes narrowed as the rage simmered. “That was uncalled for, Joe,” he growled through a clenched jaw. “You would not want me speaking about your wife that way. I expect you to give me the same respect.” Fighting the urge to smack the surprised look off Joe’s face— Why the hell does he find my response surprising? —Kiernan added, “If you don’t, you will get written up for harassment. This is an equal employee opportunity employer.”

Immediately, Joe started back-pedaling. He lifted up his hands, palms out in placation. “Hey, boss. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. Demitri’s a good kid. Always keeps his nose clean, not like some other small town hooligans.”

Kiernan didn’t know whom Joe was talking about and didn’t care. Deciding he’d gotten his point across, he nodded curtly and strode away. Geez, he really needed to get a grip. What he’d said was true enough, but his overprotective temper had shocked the hell out of him.

Damn, when have I felt that protective over someone I’ve just met?

Shaking his head, he glanced at his watch, realized what he was doing, and headed to what would become the sleeping chambers, but right now was set up as a makeshift office. He wasn’t going to Macy’s Diner for lunch anyway.

Demitri didn’t start until one o’clock, so there was no point.

He’d have to wait until dinner to slip in and see the man.

Maybe Demitri would be able to take a short break and they could make out in his truck. Kiernan grinned at his thoughts and got to work.

Rubbing his hands on his jeans, Kiernan couldn’t believe they were sweating. The closer he’d driven to the diner, the more jittery he’d become. Shaking his head at his own ridiculousness, he shoved open the door and climbed out of the truck.

A dozen long strides carried him to the door and into the diner. Kiernan tried not to be obvious, but his gaze quickly swept the interior, searching for Demitri. He didn’t see him.

“Just you, sir?” the young hostess asked perkily.

Kiernan nodded at the smiling woman. “Is Demitri in tonight?”

Her smile faded even as she nodded. “Yeah. I can put you in his section, but take it easy on him?” She leaned forward and whispered, “He’s having an off night.”

“Please do. Is something wrong?” Kiernan wasn’t too proud to wheedle information about the man he wanted to become his lover from other people.

She shrugged, heading toward a booth near the back.

Interesting, normally Demitri worked the front. “Not that he’ll say. He just seems a bit, I don’t know…off.” Before Kiernan could question her further, the woman dropped a menu on a table and wandered back toward the front. Huh. Kiernan decided he’d have to figure it out for himself and took a seat.

It didn’t take long for Demitri to appear. Kiernan saw right away what the hostess must have seen. The vibrant young man from last night was gone and in its place was a subdued shadow of his normal self. Demitri wore a black, long-sleeved shirt, making his pale skin appear almost washed-out. His slacks were baggy, hanging almost sloppily on his lean frame. And it looked like all he’d done was brush his hair, so it fell into his face and eyes, instead of carefully styling the blond locks. With the way he kept his head bowed as he moved, checking customer’s drinks and conversing with his guests, Kiernan couldn’t even see Demitri’s eyes.

Something was clearly wrong. He hadn’t expected Demitri to tell his parents about them yet— and just thinking that made him feel a bit like a perv, but oh, well—so, what if he had and they hadn’t taken the news well? Would Demitri back away from him? Kiernan sure as hell hoped not, and he planned to have his answer soon enough.

Demitri made his way toward him, his movements slow, and Kiernan really didn’t like the surprise he saw in the young man’s eyes. “Hey, darling,” he greeted softly. “You feeling alright?” No reason he shouldn’t get straight to the point.

Kiernan watched Demitri nibble his bottom lip, a sign he’d learned meant he was thinking about his answer.

Finally, after several heartbeats, Demitri smiled tentatively and nodded. “Yeah. Fine. Just didn’t sleep much. I’m tired.”

“Uh huh, does that mean you don’t have the energy for hiking tonight?” he asked, flipping over his water glass so Demitri could fill it. Demitri concentrated on the glass as he poured iced water into it. “Probably not,” he whispered.

Kiernan just kept