Enforcer - 8. Chapter 8

If it goes to voicemail, I’ll just hang up.

Jed’s finger hovered over the screen’s “end” button, but just as he was about to press it, the line went silent.

“Hello?”

At the sound of Buzz’s voice, Jed closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh of contentment. “Hi, Buzz. It’s Jed.”

“Hi, Jed.”

“Is it okay to talk?”

Buzz paused for split second before he answered. “Yeah.”

Jed had talked to Buzz enough to know when something upset him. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s nothing.”

Jed could hear the hesitation in Buzz’s voice. He wanted to comfort the man, even if it was over the phone. “You know you can tell me anything, don’t you? We’re friends, right?”

“Yeah… we are.”

“Good. So tell me what’s up.”

“It’s my brother. He’s been pissed at me for a while. I should be moved in with Shauna by now. He needs me in Eldorado.” Buzz stopped. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear about this.”

“No, I do.” Not really. But when Jed said Buzz could tell him anything, he really did mean it. He wanted to be that person for Buzz.

“Derek wants to move up our mating.”

A growl escaped Jed’s throat at the mention of that bitch being Buzz’s mate. He attempted to cover it up with a cough. “Sorry.”

“If I mate with her, we’ll imprint.” Buzz paused. “It would break any other mate bonds. And Derek. He…” When Buzz continued, it was in a whisper. “He killed a man today. We went to school together, graduated together. Christopher was gay. Derek had him killed. Right in front of me… to teach me a lesson.”

Jed wanted to throw up. Then he wanted to go out and kill something, starting with Buzz’s brother. But then he heard Buzz’s broken breath and he threw all that to the side. “Buzz. Can you switch to video chat?”

“I don’t know….”

Jed pressed the button on his phone’s screen to initiate the video connection. After a moment, Buzz’s face appeared on his screen.

His mate’s face looked so sad and vulnerable. It made him appear younger than he was. Seeing the welled up tears pushed Jed’s protective instincts kicked into overdrive. He didn’t want to push Buzz, but he hated seeing him hurt. And seeing him crying was like a silver dagger plunged straight into Jed’s heart.

“Hey, Buzz.”

“Hi.” Buzz sniffled and tried to smile.

“Listen, you have to do what you think is right. You do have options, you know.”

Buzz shook his head. “You don’t understand. I have a duty…”

“I do understand, Buzz. It’s my duty to protect my alpha’s mate. I would die to protect Parker and my pack. Hell, I almost did.”

“You almost did what?”

“I almost died.” Jed told Buzz about Ethan the crazy psycho wolf and about his silver poisoning. “I was in pain for a long time. That silver shit wrecked me. I lost weight. I couldn’t even get it up.”

“Um, you didn’t seem to have that problem when I last saw you.”

“When I smelled you, it fixed it. Since then, the pain is a lot less as well. It’s almost gone really.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I don’t know if was the forest or maybe it was the mate bond. All I know is when I met you, everything was better. Your smell is like lycan Viagra.” Jed snickered.

Buzz tilted his head to the side. “You really think we’re mates, don’t you?”

“I don’t think. I know. Don’t you feel the pull?”

Before Buzz even answered, Jed saw it on his face. He did feel it.

“I feel something… But Derek said—”

“I don’t care what he said,” Jed snapped. He spoke with conviction, needing to prove to Buzz what he knew to be the truth. “He doesn’t have a mate. He doesn’t know. I look at you, or think of your scent, and I know, Buzz. I feel it deep in my bones. I can still remember your smell like it was yesterday. I’ll never forget it.”

“What if you have to?”

Jed shook his head. “I won’t. Not as long as I live. There will never be another for me, Buzz. Even if the bond could be broken, it won’t break on my end. Not ever. I could love you so easily.”

“Jed… Please….”

Buzz looked away from the screen and Jed knew he had pushed too far. He just couldn’t help himself. Maybe Jed needed to change the subject.

“You’re so handsome, Buzz.” Jed’s voice dropped in timbre. “So sexy. Look what you do to me.”

Jed panned his phone down and let Buzz see his engorged erection. The foreskin was already pulled back, revealing the red and leaky head. When he heard Buzz’s intake of breath followed by the softest of moans, Jed smiled. He took his big cock in hand and started to stroke, letting his man see what he was doing.

“Let me see you, baby.”

Jed held his breath as Buzz went still. Then the video stuttered, and the camera moved randomly around the room as Buzz slid down his pants. When he finally revealed his dick to Jed, he just about shot his load then and there. Buzz was as aroused as he was.

“You know what I would do to you, if I was there?”

“What?” Buzz was panting now, the camera back on his face. His cheeks were pink, flushed from arousal.

“I would take you in my mouth and suck you, slowly and gently, taking you all the way into my throat. Then I’d get my fingers nice and wet… let one slip between your legs, teasing your hole, circling and rubbing before slipping into your body.”

“Oh god.”

“Then I’d give you my cock. And you know how big it is. I’d make you feel so damn good. You wouldn’t know what hit you. I’d ruin you for all others.”

The two men stared at each other through their phone screens as they pleasured themselves.

“I’ve never… done that. You know, had that done to me…”

Buzz’s quiet admission of his virginity threw Jed over the edge. “Oh fuck!” The phone slipped out of his hand as his cock exploded, sending ropes of semen flying in all directions.

As soon as he could recover, Jed grabbed his phone, not wanting to miss another second. He stared mesmerized at his phone’s screen, watching his man’s face. Buzz’s eyes were closed tight, his lips parted, his cheeks red. He let out a series of soft moans, his breath coming in pants as his orgasm overtook him.

“Jed,” he moaned softly.

To Jed’s eyes, he was absolutely beautiful. They were silent for a couple of moments, until Jed finally voiced what he was thinking. “I wish I could be there with you.”

“I’d better go.”

“I’ll talk to you soon?”

Buzz’s eyes darted to the side. He couldn’t meet Jed’s eyes when he said, “Yeah. We’ll talk again soon.”

* * * *

Zef let out a rebel yell as Jed’s truck slid sideways in the mud.

Jed was having an awesome time with his little brother. He was in a great mood. And who wouldn’t be, after having sizzling hot phone sex with their mate the night before?

It had been such a long time since Jed let go and had fun like this. He let out a bark of laughter as he brought the truck to a stop. He turned on the windshield wipers and activated the fluid sprayers. The mud smeared across the glass. Jed hit the button again, until the window was clear.

“That was fucking awesome. These two-tracks aren’t as good as Camp Timber, but Colton would have my ass if I tore up the camp.”

“I bet.” Zef paused for a moment. “Is he a hard alpha to live under? He seems pretty relaxed, but then he killed that rogue wolf.” Zef managed to sound impressed and scared at the same time.

“He is, unless you’re fucking with what’s his. Then you definitely don’t want to mess with him.”

“Yeah. The way he shifted and kicked Seth Forrest’s ass… People still talk about it. It was epic.”

“I think he would’ve killed Seth if Parker hadn’t intervened.”

“Yeah, no shit.” Zef looked out the window for a moment before turning back to Jed. “I miss having you around.”

“Yeah. I miss you guys, too.”

“Sometimes you don’t seem happy there.”

Jed let out a sigh. “It’s not that I’m not happy. I’m just going through some stuff… That silver poisoning took a lot out of me.”

Zef sat up and looked over at Jed with eyes full of worry. “Dad said you were okay. Aren’t you?”

In that moment, with eyes full of unshed tears, Zef looked so young. Jed wanted to hide him away from how shitty the world could be. His little brother was tough, though. He would make a fine enforcer some day. “I’m fine, Zef. Really.”

Satisfied with Jed’s answer, Zef nodded and smiled. “You do seem better today. Just like your old self.”

As they drove through the village of Timber to get to the highway, Jed pulled into the only gas station in town, parking in front of one of the old-fashioned pumps.

Zef looked around Jed toward the small building. “Is this place even open? Gas is cheaper in Forest View if you can make it.”

“Yeah, the hours are hit or miss, but old man Buchanan can use the business. We gotta support our community, you know. I’ll go find him and pay while you pump.”

Jed shut off the truck and climbed out. He adjusted the baseball cap on his head and looked around. Hearing a noise from one of the open garage bays, he headed in that direction.

Old man Buchanan had an old Chrysler in the bay with the hood open, working on the carburetor. The balding man carefully examined the part, twisting it around with bony fingers. He looked up when Jed entered, peering at the younger man over the top of his reading glasses.

“Hey, Mr. B.,” Jed said with a smile. “I wanted to pay for my gas.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder, pointing toward his truck.

“Sure, sure.” Buchanan pulled an old, threadbare rag from the pocket of his blue coveralls and wiped his hands as he shuffled into the lobby and the dusty, greasy counter that held the cash register. “Was about to close up for the day.”

Jed looked over at the clock on the wall, but noticed the time was stuck. Apparently the battery ran out and the old man didn’t bother getting up there to change it. He pulled out his cell phone to check the time. It sure was early to be closing.

“I put in twenty,” Zef said as he entered the lobby. “Oh, sweet.” His attention was drawn to the car in the bay, and he wandered over to give it a closer inspection.

Jed gave Mr. Buchanan a twenty dollar bill. The old man fumbled over the buttons on the old-timey cash register until the drawer popped open with a ding. He slid the money into the otherwise empty drawer.

Jed couldn’t help but notice how empty the cash register was. “Business is kinda slow, huh?”

“At this age, I work what hours I can.”

“Mm-hmm.” Jed nodded politely. “Well, thanks.”

Jed followed Buchanan into the garage where Zef tinkered with the carburetor.

“Here ya go,” Zef said, handing the part back to the older man, before turning back to his brother. “Ready to go?”

Buchanan frowned as he looked over the part. “Hey, who said you could play with this?”

Zef dramatically rolled his eyes. With the depth of sarcasm only a teenager could muster, he said, “You’re welcome.”

As he looked over the part, Buchanan’s eyes began to twinkle and a smile spread across his face. “Can I get you boys a soda?”

* * * *

Jed parked his truck at the curb in front of his parents’ house. He’d barely shut off the engine before Zef had hopped out and took off. He followed Zef as his eager brother raced through the open garage and into the house.

“Dad!” Zef called out excitedly. “Guess what?”

“Stop all that running, boy. What’s got you so worked up?” Jed’s dad, John Stone, got up from the table where he was in the middle of a huge slice of pie. He wrapped an arm around Zef’s shoulder while he reached out and squeezed Jed’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you, son.”

Jed nodded. “You too, Dad.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Zef said impatiently. “Listen. Jed is gonna buy the old gas station in Timber!”

Jed shook his head. “Not. That has ‘bad idea’ written all over it.”

“Old man Buchanan—”

Their father raised an eyebrow. “Zef.”

“Sorry. Mister Buchanan wants Jed to take over running the place, and he’ll sell it to him over time. And he can hire me as a mechanic! Isn’t that awesome?”

His father ignored Zef’s over-the-top enthusiasm and turned to his older son. “Jed? Is this something you’re interested in? Is this a sound investment?”

Jed shook his head again. “I don’t think so. I don’t see how I’d make money. The place looks like it’s about to die.”

Zef practically bounced on the balls of his feet. “That’s because Old— Mister Buchanan wants to retire. He can’t run the place like he used to. He’s too tired to keep it open, so he’s gonna move to Florida where his daughter lives.”

Jed lifted a hand. “Okay, simmer down. Even if I took over the station, I doubt Forrest— er, Alpha Forrest, would let you work for me. So don’t get all excited for nothing.”

Zef let out a huff and pouted. “That’s not fair. We’re family!” he whined.

John thought for a moment. “If you’re serious about this, I think you should talk to a professional to see if it’s a viable business.”

“Do you know anybody?”

John actually winced at the question. “The pack uses Parker’s dad’s company…”

Jed raised an eyebrow. Barney Montgomery was a slimy, double-crossing asshole who sold out his own son for money. That Alpha Forrest still gave him business said a lot about that man as far as Jed was concerned. “Yeah, that is not an option. I wouldn’t even think of suggesting it to Colton.”

“I imagine not.”

“I’ll talk to Colton. He might know someone else.”

“Good. You want to join me for a piece of your mama’s pie?”

Jed rubbed his belly. “Oh man, I could fuc— uh, I could eat up a piece of pie right now.”

* * * *

“So what do you think?”

Jed leaned forward in the recliner, resting his elbows on his knees. Parker and Colton were sitting across from him on the rec room sofa, cozied up together like they tended to do. Colton stroked the hairs on his chin thoughtfully. “It sounds like a win-win on the surface.”

“If I’m running the station, I’ll be around here less.” Jed shot his eyes toward Parker.

“Right.” Colton frowned. “And with me at work…”

Parker sighed. “I don’t need a twenty-four/seven bodyguard. Ethan is dead.”

“We’ll talk to Buck,” Colton decided. “Get in touch with the accountant who does the books for the store. Buck could tell us more about the station’s traffic as well, since his store is across the street.”

“Good idea, boss.”

“Then it’s settled.”

* * * *

“Sit down, dear.”

Buzz hurried to help the elderly woman with the tray she struggled to carry. “Let me help you.”

“No, no. I’ve got it. Sit, sit.”

He reluctantly sat down at the dining room table. He wasn’t sure why he’d even come here in the first place. Aunt Edie was the pack’s oldest living member. She wasn’t really his aunt, but everyone called her that for as long as Buzz could remember. Buzz had questions though, and Edie was the only person he could think of that might know the answers. He also felt he could trust her not to get on the phone and tell his business as soon as he left the room.

With trembling hands, Aunt Edie painstakingly poured Buzz a cup of tea, then one for herself. “Help yourself to a cookie.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Buzz took one of the sugar cookies and set it on his plate. After taking a nibble of the cookie, he took a sip of the hot tea. Tea wasn’t really his thing, but he smiled politely at his hostess. “Mmm. It’s lovely. Thank you.”

“Now what can I do for you, young Buzz?” She set her teacup down on its saucer. “It’s not often someone as important as you comes to see someone like me.”

“Well, I don’t know how important I am.”

“I hear you are moving, to take over the southern territory.” Okay, so obviously she was clued into the pack gossip. The “southern territory” was how Derek now referred to what used to be Eldorado.

“I suppose that’s one way to look at it.” Buzz took another drink of tea. “I wanted to ask you a question. About mates.”

“Mates? Hm.”

“Do you think Fate gives everyone a mate?”

“Who am I to presume what Fate does?” she said with a shrug. “Of course not everyone finds their mate, but when they do, it is cause for celebration. Are you concerned your woman is not your mate?”

“I know she’s not my mate.”

“I see. Don’t despair, dear. I do know that Fate loves second chances. You will imprint on your bride and you will live happily together, same as if you were mated. You’ll not know the difference.” She smiled at Buzz before sipping her tea.

“So if either of us had a mate out there…”

“The imprint would change your scent. I suppose if you had a mate, they would never even recognize it. And I suppose Fate might find them another.”

Buzz took a sip while he carefully chose his words. “What if I had already found my mate, but instead imprinted with Shauna? What would happen to… my mate?”

As if she didn’t hear his question, Aunt Edie picked up the teapot and warmed her cup, taking her time to fill it to the brim. She picked up another cookie and placed it on her plate before breaking it in half. Rubbing her hands together, the excess sugar dropped onto the plate.

Her rheumy eyes lifted and bore straight into Buzz’s soul.

“If you tempt Fate with such disregard, don’t be surprised when she bites you back.”

Buzz left Aunt Edie’s house still confused and unsure. He’d hoped the elderly woman would have given him the answers, maybe solved his problem.

In a daze, he walked down the sidewalk toward his car.

“What are you up to?”

Buzz turned to see Roy approaching him. What the hell was he doing here? Was the man following him? A confrontation was the last thing Buzz wanted right now.

The African-American man wore a spaghetti-strapped tank top, which showed off his huge chest and arms. Not for the first time Buzz wondered if he shot up with steroids. Would steroids even work on lycan physiology? The man was so top-heavy, he honestly looked like he could topple over at any second. And someone really needed to tell him that landing strip he had between his bottom lip and chin looked stupid.

“Keep your eyes to yourself, bitch. All this, this is for females only.”

“Oh my god. You are an asshole, but rest assured, I do not want to fuck you.”

“What did you just say?” Roy’s face contorted with anger as he picked up the pace, not stopping until he got into Buzz’s face.

Buzz’s canine teeth dropped and his eyes shifted, flashing amber. “Are you challenging me?”

Roy’s eyes flashed in response. “You’ll know when I do. Trust.”

“Then I suggest you back off.”

Roy stepped back, his eyes returning to their deep brown color. “Soon, bitch. Soon.”

Then Roy actually did the DeNiro thing, pointing at his eyes with his fingers, then pointing them at Buzz.

“Really? Are you for real?”

Buzz shook his head, and with a sigh, got into his car.

He had to pack and get the hell out of here.

* * * *

Buzz stood outside his family home one final time, the only home he had ever known. He wanted to remember it back when it was a happy place. When his parents were still alive and he was a young pup who didn’t have to worry about things like duty and marriage and mating.

With a heavy sigh, he slammed the trunk closed, then tossed his backpack into the passenger seat. After one last look, he got into the car, started it and pulled out of the driveway.

Approaching the I-80 Highway junction, he slowed down to get a good look at the sign: right lane exit for I-80 West to Sacramento CA.

Buzz passed the exit and merged onto I-80 East.