Chapter Thirteen

"Talk about bad luck," Cyrus said quietly. "Are you just going to lay low for a while, or what?"

Apparently, when Storm started working for the secret organization, they'd already done a deep dive on him and knew about his family, which saved Storm having to have the same conversation twice. He was already going to have to explain the situation to his mate, and he wasn't sure if that was better or worse than falling off the bike – both situations were about equal in his mind.

Pax was busy charming Gwen. Figuring it was the best way to his little mate's forgiveness button, Storm took him straight to the bakery, told Gwen that Pax was his new partner, and that he could have what ever he wanted from the cake displays. Cyrus came over the moment Python alerted him to the fact they were back, and he and Cyrus were standing at the front window of the bakery.

"I don't even know what they're doing on this side of the country," Storm confessed. "They're from out of Florida, but Bullet said they were spending a few days in Bozeman before heading back that way. I've already told Pax I'd take him there to clean out his apartment, but I don't think that's a good idea right now."

"If it's just a case of waiting them out a couple of days, I'm not seeing the harm. No one knows the Alley exists, let alone how to find it, so if you and Pax just lay low… doing those mating things," Cyrus smirked, "You should be all right."

"Bozeman's got nothing to offer the likes of my family," Storm warned. "They don't leave their territory without a reason. Look, I know it's probably coincidence, but can your guys run a double check and make sure they have no connections to that bear I took care of last night? The bear was waiting for something or someone. It could've just been ritualistic, but something about this isn't sitting right with me."

"That would be one hell of a coincidence," Cyrus agreed. "Are they into shady shit?"

"Drug running, guns. I've not heard of them doing much else, but I've done my best to steer clear of them since I was fifteen. I couldn't believe my bad luck this morning. It's like the Fates are laughing at me." Storm looked over at the counter. Pax was eating a donut while Gwen hovered watching his expression. It was worth watching. Whatever Pax had put in his mouth clearly tasted good.

"Are you sure about that?" Of course Cyrus would see where he was looking. "Looks like the Fates gave you something to fight for – you could've just as easily still been at the bakery this morning when your family rode by, without your little pixie. Who would've saved you then?"

"Python?" Storm and Cyrus both looked at each other and laughed.

"Look, I'll put in a call, see if anyone has any information to share," Cyrus said quietly. "In the meantime, you'd better claim your mate before he's too sick to move. That's got to be the sixth donut he's had since he came in here. I'm not sure that's good for anyone, even little pixies. He's going to be on one hell of a sugar high when all that hits him."

"Could be fun. Thanks Cy and thank Python for me."

"He's down at the workshop with the car. Did Pax really say you hit the car with the side of your head?"

Storm nodded.

"Well, he's got Python worried about scratches in the paintwork now. He'll probably spend the next hour going over every inch with a soft cloth, making sure you didn't dent it."

"He missed my head by at least a foot." Storm chuckled as Cyrus left, before heading over to the counter.

"I like your new friend," Gwen smiled. "I was trying out some new recipes and Pax here said he'd be happy to taste test them. Is it true he's moving in with you?"

Storm's cheeks heated and his crocodile stirred. "That's right, Gwen, so you might have to increase the number of sweet things you make in a day. Pax, my dear, wouldn't you like a couple of meat pies to go with those donuts?"

"That sounds savory." Pax gave him a side-eye, but then he sighed. "Ms. Gwen, is it true that the bacon in the rolls you make him is honey cured?"

"It is indeed, made locally, too."

"I'll try a couple of your bacon rolls to go along with the order I've already picked out, and Storm can have a couple of meat pies. How does that sound, dear?"

Oh, that smile is so plastic. Storm's grin widened. Not only am I getting no cake, but he's going to tease me by eating my favorite bacon buns in front of me. "Sounds perfect, thank you." He pulled out his wallet. "You'll have to come for a run with me tomorrow morning. That's this lovely lady's cue to put the bacon on."

Pax slapped the counter and laughed, genuinely this time. "He thinks I look like someone who runs in the morning," he said to Gwen, and he sounded so outraged, she laughed too. "It's fine dear, you can run, I wouldn't make it past this door anyway, so you can just pick me up something on your way back."

Remembering what Cyrus had said about laying low for a few days," Storm said, "I might not be running either for the next couple of days. But we'll still be in for our breakfast order, Gwen, don't you worry. Have a lovely day." He eyed the boxes Pax had stacked up in his arms. "Did you want me to carry them for you?"

"No. Just steer me in the right direction," Pax huffed. "If you carry them, you might want to eat them, and we both know that's not going to happen."

"It's great to see you got yourself a man with the right priorities. Lovely to meet you, Pax." Gwen was still laughing when they left the bakery.