feel Loco trembling. He didn’t argue when Loco carried him to his truck and climbed in.
“Please forgive me. I knew you were outnumbered and defenseless, and I left you here.” Loco hugged Tangee to him tightly.
“Loco, you’re going to crush me,” Tangee protested. He pushed against the large man’s chest, trying to breathe again.
“I left you, and you were...where the hell are they?” Loco’s eyes turned crimson, and his canines descended. Rage filled his face.
Tangee knew he had to calm him down and fast.
“They didn’t. Mark saved me in time. The cops just took them 44
Lynn Hagen
away.” Tangee ran his hand down the side of Loco’s face. He was still shaking, but his nerves were starting to settle down some since his mate had arrived.
“I heard the conversation. Timber wolves do have exceptional hearing. I didn’t think the police would believe you the way those bastards treated you.” Loco kissed him, relief flooding his face.
“Did you go ninety miles an hour or something? You got here pretty fast.” Tangee laid his head on Loco’s chest, feeling safe and warm now that his man was here. It only confirmed his earlier decision to get out of the city, but what to do with his mom and sister?
Loco looked sheepish. “One hundred.”
“Loco, you could have killed yourself or someone else! Don’t do that again,” Tangee gently chastised him.
“I’ll do it again when I get a phone call like that.” Loco opened the truck door, pulling them out, and back into the store where Mark waited.
Tangee’s nerves were a wreck, but he tried his best to appear calm. If he told either of these men how truly shaken he was, they wouldn’t let the subject go, and that was something Tangee wanted desperately right now. To forget that it had ever happened.
“Thank you. Anything you ever need, you call me and it’s done.
Anything.” Loco man-hugged Mark.
“Just doing what any friend would do.” Mark shrugged. “And you will never have to worry. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“What secret?” Loco eyed him warily.
“Exactly.” Mark smiled at Loco and then turned to Tangee. “Are you going to be okay?”
No, “Yes. Thank you for getting here so fast.” Mark nodded at Tangee then walked out of the store.
“You think he knows?” Tangee whispered to Loco.
“I think so.” Loco had Tangee call the manager and explain to him what had happened and to tell the guy he quit. Loco threatened to toss him into his truck and tie him down if he argued about it.
Loco’s Love
45
“I need to talk to you.” Tangee grabbed his coat and cut the interior lights first, making it known that the store was closed. With the extra key hanging by the register, Tangee locked the door.
“Anything. What is it?” Loco helped him into the truck then sauntered over to his side, sliding in and starting it. “I’ve decided to, you know, be with you.” Tangee had a horrific thought. “Do you still want me?” he added in a rush.
“What do you think? Of course I do. So you’ll move in with me?
I’ve already lined up a new job for you. My friend Cody is half owner of a restaurant and has agreed to give you a try as a waiter. I don’t want you working at all, but I know you want to support your family on your own.” Loco pulled from the lot. “I’ll take you home to pack tonight, rather than in the morning. You’re not spending another minute here.”
“I didn’t say anything to Mark. I need to tell him.” With everything that had happened, Tangee forgot to mention his decision to his long time friends and boss.
“I talked to him awhile ago. He’s in agreement with me. You need to get out of the city.” Loco entwined his hand with Tangee’s, kissing his knuckles as he steered with one hand. It felt unreal that someone like Loco wanted him and not just because they were mates. Anyone could be mates, but Loco acted as though he wanted him. Maybe he didn’t have the worst luck, not with a guy
Learning to Kill: Stories