Time to start the day, Kiernan decided.
“That looks really good, Joe,” Kiernan praised. He felt relieved the man hadn’t fought with him any more about fixing the stone hearth on the chimney. Using the correct design to make it look authentic made all the difference.
“Thanks,” Joe replied. The man looked at him, his eyes narrowed, as if trying to decide about something, but then all he said was, “I’m gonna grab a cup of coffee then get started on the bed frames.”
Kiernan nodded and watched him walk away.
Ready for a coffee refill himself, Kiernan wandered toward a nearly complete front room. Since the construction had been moved to other areas, they’d set up a card table with a coffee pot and insulated cups, just in case someone forgot their travel mug.
Kiernan refilled his mug. Lifting it to his mouth, he blew on the steaming liquid as he glanced outside…and frowned.
He couldn’t be sure if it was the same man, since now he wore a black t-shirt in the afternoon heat, but he was definitely watching the building.
“Who the hell?” he muttered.
“I’ve noticed him a few times over the last couple days,”
Joe commented from where he was fixing his own cup of coffee. “You recognize him?”
“No, I—” Just then, the guy pulled his cap off his head and ran a hand through thick hair, revealing a round face, glasses, and dark brown curls. “Son-of-a-bitch,” he snarled.
“That’s—”
Shit, I can’t really tell Joe that he shot Demitri with a tranq dart after Demitri turned into a wolf.
“Old friend?”
“No, he broke into my house and…” Kiernan frowned, wondering if he should suck it up and head to Reb’s. Tell him he thought the missing guy was hanging around his construction site. Were they watching Kiernan because they thought Demitri would be there? That thought caused a whole new wave of panic to wash over Kiernan. Where was Demitri? Was he safe?
To Kiernan’s utter shock, Joe glanced around, then leaned close and murmured, “So that’s one of the ones that got away, huh? I thought he matched the description.”
Kiernan swung around, sloshing coffee over his hand. “What did you say?” he growled.
Joe looked around again surreptitiously. “I don’t think we should talk about this here. Why don’t we meet for a beer?”
Kiernan’s initial response was to refuse. Have a beer with a guy who wasn’t human? No fucking way.
Evidently, Joe must have read his expression, for he chuckled and whispered, “By the way, I’m human.” He patted him on the shoulder. “You wanna talk, meet me at Riley’s at six. First round’s on me.”
It was five after six and Kiernan was still sitting in his truck. He’d been there for ten minutes. Did he want to know more about shifters? Would it make a difference about how he felt about Demitri if he did? What could a human tell him anyway?
Deciding there was only one way to find out, Kiernan pushed the truck door open and headed inside the pub. He swept his gaze over the dim interior and spotted Joe in the back at a secluded table, nursing a beer. Kiernan made his way there and eased into the booth across from the man. Joe flagged down a waiter and ordered a beer for Kiernan. They remained silent as they waited for it, and Kiernan felt a lot like how a bug under a microscope must feel.
Finally, once the waiter placed a beer in front of Kiernan, Joe commented, “Didn’t really think you’d show up.”
“Didn’t think I would either,” Kiernan admitted.
Joe took a sip of his beer. Setting it on the table, he leaned forward and softly asked, “Then why did you?”
Kiernan glanced around the place and grabbed his beer.
“So, how do you know about… them.”
Smiling faintly, Joe replied, “They’re called shifters, and most of them are good people.” He shrugged. “Just like us, they have their bad seeds, but they actually do a really good job of keeping them in line.” Rolling his eyes, he muttered, “Not like humans do.”
“What are you talking about? And you didn’t answer my question,” Kiernan pointed out, glaring.
Joe rolled his eyes. “I mean, the reason so few people know about them is because they understand the value of secrecy. Even when there’s fighting amongst them, they’re careful. Yes, there are a small number of bigoted scientists, which I’ve heard want your boy.” He grimaced. “I’ve heard about what happens to them when they’re caught.” Joe shook his head, his expression taking on a pained expression. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
“What? Who wants Demitri? Why?” he snapped. The idea of someone kidnapping and hurting his lover when he could do something to stop it turned his stomach.
“Keep your voice down,” Joe admonished.
Kiernan glared at him.
Shaking his head, Joe leaned forward again. “I know about shifters because I’m mated to one. My wife is a wolf shifter and the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I can’t imagine being happier.”
His jaw dropped. Kiernan couldn’t help it. “You’re mated to one?”
Joe scoffed. “Don’t act so surprised. Plenty of humans are.
If you’d get your head out of your ass and accept your mate, you’d be a hell of a lot happier.”
Kiernan reared back, trying to think of something to say.
“What the hell?” Okay, that wasn’t the most articulate response.
“Look,” Joe said, his voice softening. “I’ll be the first to admit that finding out about them is shocking, and there are a hell of a lot of things to adjust to, the fact that they can turn into a cognizant animal not-with-standing.” He smirked.
“But the benefits far outweigh any cons.”
Wait, what? What was that supposed to mean? Maybe he should have given his lover and his friends a chance to explain things to him. “Okay, explain that. Pros and cons?”
“Okay,” Joe said, drawing the word
