"Why doesn't he owe Erik restitution?" Casey asked. "Erik was the one he kidnapped."
"Technically, he does, but as his mate, Jeb is collecting it."
"Oh." The frown was back. "So, what's he got Randal doing? Community service or something?"
Rob sighed. "Or something."
Luca pressed his lips together to keep from spilling the beans. He badly wanted to, but he could see just from looking at the guy why Randal had kidnapped Erik instead. Casey looked as if a stiff wind would blow him over. He needed to be protected, not thrust into the middle of his pissing contest with Jeb.
"Is there somewhere I can lie down?" Luca asked. "I'd like to take a nap."
Maybe he could sleep through the next forty-eight hours.
Chapter Five
Okay, so sleeping was out. No matter how many times Luca closed his eyes, he couldn't sleep. Now that he knew they could be together, he couldn't stop thinking about the man. Every thought went to Randal.
He wondered what Randal was doing now. How was he feeling? Was he excited that they were going to be able to be together? Did he miss his father and brother? How was he going to feel moving into Luca's apartment above his tattoo studio? Did he miss Luca as much as Luca missed him?
Luca dropped the curtain and turned away from the window he'd been looking out of. It wasn't like he could see anything anyway. It had grown dark and he did not have shifter sight. He could see only as far as the outside lights allowed.
Before he could walk back over and stretch out on the bed, someone knocked on the door. Luca crossed the guest room he'd been given and opened the door. The sunlight blond who stood there was actually a couple of inches taller than Luca.
"Can I help you?"
"Are you Luca?"
"Yes."
The man held out his hand. "I'm Erik."
Oh.
Luca shook his hand before waving it back toward the room. "Do you want to come in?"
Once Erik stepped into the room, Luca debated closing the door, but decided to leave it open. He didn't want anyone to get any ideas about what they were doing in here. Knowing his luck, Jeb would think he was trying to kidnap his mate and demand even more restitution.
"Casey tells me that you're Randal's mate."
"Yes." Like he'd deny it now that he knew they could acknowledge it.
Erik crossed his arms. "Where is he? Why isn't he here with you?"
"Uh..." Damn. This had been the perfect opportunity to put Jeb in his place, and Luca couldn't do it. "You might want to ask your mate about that."
"I'm asking you."
Luca reached up and rubbed the sudden tension bunching the muscles at the back of his neck. "I'm afraid I can't answer that for you. I wish I could. You really should ask your mate."
"Erik, what are you doing in here?" Jeb snarled as he stormed into the room.
Luca was really glad he'd decided to leave the door open.
"I wanted to know where Randal is."
"I told you—"
"You didn't tell me anything other than that you had it handled."
