Chapter Two

"I'm sorry." Kijani—as Deputy Kingsman had called him—sighed as the two stood alone in Jonah's living room. "I shouldn't have gotten so upset. That was unprofessional and inconsiderate of me considering your situation."

"Honestly, he deserved it." Jonah wasn't going to allow the guy to feel bad about giving Flint a taste of his own medicine. "You don't have to apologize for defending me."

Kijani had apologized, but he was still lingering. Not that Jonah minded. Having someone else there made him feel a little safer. It was getting dark outside, and for some ridiculous reason, Jonah couldn't stop imagining Flint escaping and coming after him. He didn't think it was an irrational fear.

People escaped while in police custody or prison. While Flint was far from a genius, they were dealing with a small-town jail where one mistake or slip-up could give Flint the opportunity to make good on his promise to make Jonah pay.

"Are you okay?" Kijani's voice was deep and full of concern.

" Okay packed up and left hours ago." Jonah held up a finger. "Actually, it left the day I met Arlo."

"The ex-boyfriend before this current ex-boyfriend."

"Are you insinuating that I go from one guy to the next like a bee pollinating flowers?" Jonah raised an eyebrow. Completely untrue. In his thirty-one years, he had only been in a handful of relationships, though it seemed lately he was looking for love in all the wrong places.

Maybe it was time to invest in a Magic 8 Ball for relationship advice or stick to his plan of getting a dog.

"I'm not judging you. How you dated in the past is your business, honey bee." He shrugged his enormous shoulders, a hint of a roguish smile on his lips.

"How I dated in the past? Are you saying my dating license has been revoked because of the wreck I was just in?" Oh hell no. Jonah was not being so effortlessly charmed by this guy. His now-ex-boyfriend had just been hauled off in handcuffs. Jesus, what was wrong with him? He'd been single for two months before he began seeing Flint.

Not that Jonah was even considering dating Kijani. He just couldn't understand what was with the fluttering in his stomach.

Why did he feel such an intense attraction toward the cop? This was out of character for him.

Kijani's hearty, booming laughter startled Jonah. He hadn't expected it, but the radiant sound filled the room, obliterating the menacing cobwebs Flint had left behind.

"I like your sense of humor." Kijani smiled. "The wreck is now gone, honey bee."

Jonah mentally face-palmed himself for being such a hot mess. He seriously needed to get Kijani out of there before another wreck happened. "Even though you were just doing your job, thank you for helping me with Flint."

"To serve and protect." Kijani's russet eyes grew soft and warm. Jonah's emotions parroted them.

"You probably have to get back to work." Jonah cleared his throat and averted his gaze, refusing to let things go any further than they already had.

Spending time and talking to Kijani had been a welcomed distraction from the inevitable freak-out that was sure to hit Jonah later. But he needed time to process everything, and he didn't want anyone witnessing his meltdown.

Kijani hesitated, as if unsure whether to stay or go. "I want you to have my cell phone number." He pulled out his notepad and pen and scribbled on the bottom sheet of paper. "Everything is going to hit you later, and you might need someone to talk to, honey bee."

Goose bumps slid along Jonah's body at the fact Kijani had read his mind.

"I've dealt with a lot of disturbance calls related to intimate partner violence." Kijani tore the paper free and handed it to him. Jonah's lips trembled as he accepted the phone number, and then he closed his eyes to hide the tears threatening to spill over from Kijani.

"Jonah?"

"I'm okay."

"I thought ‘okay' packed up and left hours ago?" Kijani said in a calm, soothing tone.

Jonah was holding himself together with sheer determination, but his determination was beginning to crumble under the intense pressure, like a dam on the brink of collapse.

"Do you have a support system?" Kijani asked.

"No." Jonah cleared his throat, his eyes still closed. He hadn't spoken to his mom in years and had no desire to do so. Their relationship had been rocky for a very long time. He was friendly with his coworkers, with the people who frequented the same establishments as him, but no one he could call for emotional support.

"If you need to, you can talk to me," Kijani sweetly offered.

Part of Jonah wanted Kijani to leave so he could deal with this in private, but another part of him wanted to beg the guy to stay so he wouldn't be alone. "That's kind of you, but this is my problem to handle."

Kijani gave Jonah's shoulder a gentle squeeze before removing his hand. "I get that, but you don't have to be in this alone."

Surprised by the sincerity in his voice, Jonah opened his eyes and looked at him. Then he nodded, unable to find the words to express his gratitude.

"I want you to know you can call me anytime, day or night, if you need someone to talk to." Kijani moved toward the front door.

With an abrupt jolt, Jonah took a step forward. "Kijani!"

The deputy pivoted to meet his gaze.

"I…" Jonah's trembling worsened as he fought to breathe. Being alone had never bothered him before. In fact, he enjoyed his solitude.

But not tonight. Not when he could still feel the throb in his arm.

With a fierce expression, Kijani closed the distance between them. Strong arms cradled Jonah and held him close. Jonah might have felt charmed and confused and even joked with the deputy, but right now, the only thing he felt was afraid.

He borrowed Kijani's strength in that hug, finally felt like he could catch his breath. Surprisingly, the dam hadn't collapsed like he thought it would. There were a few trickling tears as Kijani stroked his fingers through Jonah's hair, but there was no ferocious burst.

There was only a sense of peace, of protection and safety while tucked against him. Which made no sense to Jonah, but at the moment, he didn't want to try and understand it.

He only wanted to soak it in.

After a long moment, Jonah pulled back and stared up into warm, compassionate eyes. "Thank you."

Kijani brushed the pad of his thumb over Jonah's cheek. "Anytime, honey bee."

"I'm not sure you should call me that considering the pollination reference."

A broad smile curled Kijani's lips, showing off perfect white teeth. "It's our little inside joke."

"Because you think I go from one guy to the next?"

"Because you pass your nectar around until it becomes honey." Kijani's eyebrows knitted. "That…did not come out right."

"No, it didn't." Jonah would have been offended if the guy hadn't looked so bewildered. Which told him Kijani hadn't been trying to insult him. Though it hadn't worked, Kijani had been trying to flatter him.

Jonah was a little flattered.

Just a tiny bit.

"Do-over?"

"Are you sure you don't want to quit before I decide you're not as charming as I thought you were?" Jonah asked, realizing too late what he'd just said. The deputy was simply being kind, offering comfort, trying to lighten the mood. He was going to think Jonah really did pollinate flowers.

"You have to give me a chance to win back those brownie points." Kijani flashed him a smile.

Dammit, now Jonah was grinning like an idiot in return.

So much for not being effortlessly charmed. The next wreck was bound to happen because Jonah had yet to point out the fact he was still in Kijani's embrace. "Fine, you have one more chance."

"Let me hold on to that favor and I promise to win epic points," he said.

The dispatcher's voice through the shoulder mic shattered the quiet in the room, causing Jonah to jump.

"Easy now." Kijani rested a hand on Jonah's back, using the other to grab his mic. "This is Deputy Tenshi. Go ahead."

As Kijani responded to the dispatcher, Jonah was acutely aware of the warm hand still resting on his back, the gentle pressure offering reassurance. It was a comfort he found himself craving, even as he tried to remind himself of the reasons he shouldn't.

Jonah took a few steps back, breaking the contact. He really didn't want to be alone right now, but Kijani was on duty. He was just going to have to suck it up and deal with the deputy leaving.

"Is everything okay?" he asked when Kijani pulled his hand from his mic.

"I have to go." Kijani's forehead wrinkled when he glanced at the door.

"Go." Jonah waved a hand toward the door. "I'll be fine."

He chewed on his bottom lip. "Is it all right if I come back to check on you?"

Bad idea. The worst idea. "Yes."

"I promise to return, honey bee." The warmth of his smile echoed in his deep voice.

As Jonah watched him head out, the fluttering in his stomach returned.

* * * *

Kijani arrived on the scene, his stomach churning at seeing the tangled wreckage of three vehicles stretched out before him. A silver SUV lay on its side like a gutted animal, and a red pickup was mangled against a nearby tree, smoke billowing from under the crushed hood. The stench of gasoline and smoke hung heavily in the air as he got out of his patrol car.

The third vehicle, a white sedan, was in the middle of the road, a front tire missing and the entire backend pushed in so far that the car no longer had a backseat.

Emergency vehicles surrounded the chaos, their lights flashing as firefighters worked to extract victims from the wreckage.

Kijani's boots crunched over shattered glass and pieces of metal and fiberglass as he made his way to the SUV. A firefighter was on top of the vehicle pulling a woman out. When she was lowered to the ground, she wobbled then pressed her hand against her chest before an EMT made her lie on the ground.

"My baby!" The woman struggled to get up but collapsed.

With a powerful leap, Kijani landed on top of the SUV. The vehicle rocked slightly as metal groaned and creaked under his weight.

The passenger door had clearly bore the brunt of the impact. Even with his inhuman strength, Kijani wasn't sure he could pry it open.

Instead, he dropped down through the driver's door, wincing as his foot caught between the seat and armrest. Gritting his teeth, he tried to yank it free, but it was lodged too firmly. The small space limited his movements, preventing him from bending or twisting to free his trapped foot.

A grunt drew his attention, causing him to look over at the toddler strapped into his car seat. The little boy stared at him with wide, confused eyes. His chubby cheeks were smeared with something green, and he clutched a small bag of treats in his tiny fist.

"Hey, buddy," he said in a soothing and playful tone. "It's Uncle Kijani to the rescue."

As he spoke, the scent of gasoline grew stronger, now mixed with the sharp tang of engine oil.

"How we doing down there, Tenshi?" Sheriff Harper asked from above him.

" Trying my best not to scare the little guy while I try and get him out of here," Kijani replied. "The fumes are becoming more intense."

"You work from down there. I'm going to try and get this passenger door off," Sheriff Harper said.

"You wanna see something cool?" Kijani asked the little boy.

A pronounced set of dimples appeared as the kid's face lit up with a smile, making his bright blue eyes shine with innocence and trust.

Trust that the policeman would get him back to his mommy safe and sound. Fuck if that belief didn't punch Kijani right in his heart.

"Watch this, buddy." With a forceful thrust, Kijani yanked the passenger seat toward the dashboard with a growl. The metal of the seat groaned and creaked in protest, bolts snapping from their hinges.

The boy squealed, his treat bag crinkling as his arms wiggled around.

"Pretty cool, huh?" He tapped the boy's arm. "Don't worry. One day you'll be big and strong, too."

The boy gripped Kijani's finger in a tight hold and gave him a toothy grin. It was amazing how someone so small could make a grown man melt inside. The kid was a stranger to him, but in that moment, Kijani knew he would do everything in his power to keep the toddler safe.

"Let's get you back to your mommy." The seat now out of the way, he pulled his finger out of the boy's grip and slid a claw free. Using the sharp point, Kijani sliced through the straps, careful not to cut the child.

"I'm going to lift you up to Uncle Dominic, okay?" Kijani made a silly face and was rewarded with another high-pitched squeal. "I'm still new at the department, so you can't tell anyone I called my boss by his first name."

He gently gripped the boy under his arms and hoisted him free then lifted the toddler over his head.

"I got him," Sheriff Harper said right before he plucked him from Kijani's hands.

Kijani looked up and watched Sheriff Harper curl the little guy in his arms before they disappeared from sight.

Now Kijani could concentrate on freeing himself. He rocked the seat away from him and tugged at his foot. His knee whacked against the steering wheel, but his foot remained lodged.

"Son of a bitch," he snarled.

"Kijani, get out of there!" Sheriff Harper appeared above him again, his eyes wide, the toddler no longer in his arms. "The engine just ignited!"

His heart racing, Kijani renewed his efforts to free himself, thrashing his leg back and forth in an attempt to dislodge his foot from the trapped position. The steering wheel dug into his side with each movement, but he barely noticed the pain as the acrid smell of smoke filled the cabin.

"Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath, sweat beading on his forehead as he pulled with all his might.

The interior grew hotter. Kijani coughed, his eyes watering. I'm not going to get out of here in time.

His wolf forced its way out with a deep snarl, wiggling fiercely as it freed its paw from the seat. Flames curled through the vents, singeing some of its fur.

Kijani shifted back into his human form and hoisted himself up and out of the SUV, diving toward the ground and scrambling away. Moments later, the front half of the SUV exploded, metal and glass shooting in all directions.

Naked and breathing roughly, Kijani collapsed onto his back and stared up at the sky. Today couldn't end soon enough.

Deputy Slater Kingsman knelt next to him, his brows pulled tight. "You've got a piece of metal sticking out of your gut." He draped a thin, gray blanket over Kijani's groin.

Pain erupted inside of him now that Slater had pointed that out. Kijani looked down and saw a thick piece of silver about six inches wide and roughly five inches in length jammed in his abdomen.

"I guess the SUV wanted to leave me with a souvenir." He dropped his head and closed his eyes. "How's the kid?"

He wondered, too, about Jonah. Kijani worried about his mate being alone after experiencing trauma. He needed to get back to Jonah, but he first needed to heal.

"His dad showed up," Slater said. "He said they were heading to the hospital to be with his wife." He patted Kijani's shoulder. "He wanted your name so he could thank you personally for saving his son's life." He chuckled. "Luckily, he didn't stick around to witness you jumping naked out of the SUV."

No way Kijani would have been able to give a reason why he'd been nude while rescuing the guy's kid. Technically it had been afterward, but that still would have been difficult to explain.

"You can shift in my car." Slater helped him up. "I'll drive you home."

Kijani pressed a hand against the blanket to keep it in place, unconcerned that his ass wasn't covered. The police officers, firefighters, and EMTs were all nonhumans.

It was the people stuck in their cars, unable to pass, who would question why he was standing there without any clothes on. Kijani was too exhausted and in pain to care.

He winced as he slid into the back of Slater's patrol car, the small tears in the vinyl seat poking him in his ass. Kijani rested his head back and exhaled deeply. He couldn't shift when they were parked so close to traffic.

Kijani wished he'd gotten Jonah's phone number. At the time, he'd been more concerned with comforting his mate. Now all Kijani wanted was to hear his sweet voice. He'd also made a promise to return, and he didn't want to break it.

Go home and heal first. Jonah doesn't need to see you like this. Yet, the irrational thought had dug its claws in.

"Take me to Jonah's house," Kijani said when Slater slid into the driver's seat.

"Are you sure about that?" Slater stared at him through the rearview mirror while starting the car. "Is he aware that you're a wolf shifter?"

Kijani grimaced when the car began to move, rocking over the imperfections in the road, making his wound flare like it was on fire.

"You're also naked with a chunk of metal sticking out of your stomach. Aren't you concerned that'll wig him out?" Slater headed in the opposite direction of the traffic.

"Just take me there," Kijani said through clenched teeth.

"Pain makes people do stupid shit," Slater grunted.

It definitely did. After nearly being blown up and then getting a piece of metal in the gut, Kijani needed his mate. He was shaken, panicked, and could have died, which would have left Jonah to deal with this world on his own.

That was his driving thought, the one that pushed him to get to his mate.

When they pulled into Jonah's driveway, Kijani staggered from the backseat, but had just enough wherewithal to yank the blanket around his waist. He swayed as he climbed the porch stairs, his body trembling like he'd been plunged into freezing water, yet he was sweating profusely.

"Come on, man. Don't do this." Slater followed him. "The guy has been through enough today."

"I promised my honey bee that I would come back, and I intend to keep that promise." He shook his head and struggled to stay upright when a wave of dizziness struck him. Then he stumbled against the doorbell, keeping the blanket clutched to him only with significant effort.

"You're not thinking straight," Slater snarled behind him. "You're gonna terrify the shit out of your mate. Is that what you want?"

That wasn't what he wanted. The fear in Jonah's soft teal eyes was something Kijani never wanted to see again. He'd backed up, ready to leave, when the door swung open. Kijani's already delirious mind was sent into a frenzy at the sight of two versions of Jonah standing before him then three.

"Oh my god!" All three versions of Jonah looked at him with shock, and then there were only two again. Kijani stumbled through the door then teetered sideways.

"Shit," Slater grunted loudly as he pounded up the stairs.

Jonah gasped and jumped out of the way as Kijani spun, fell to the floor, and hit his head on impact.

"Mother fuck!" Slater's voice sounded distant as Kijani's wolf took over and burst free.