"Everyone stay safe," Rob said. "We want to catch this asshole, but not at the expense of any of you."
Randal nodded that he understood, as did everyone else. He appreciated Rob's words, even if he was pretty sure things were going to go sideways at the first opportunity. That just seemed like the kind of luck they'd been having lately.
He hoped at some point things would settle down enough for him to enjoy his new mating with Luca. Even though they had known they were mates for over two years and were even now mated, Randal knew there was a lot more to learn about his new mate.
He wanted to know everything.
"Are you ready for this?" Luca asked.
"Yes," he replied, simply because he wanted this all over with. "Please, let me go first. I know you want to be a part of all of this, but I really am stronger than you. If my father or brother goes furry, you can't fight them."
Randal shuddered just thinking about it.
"If it comes down to it, I'll step back and let you fight, but I will guard your back." Luca cupped Randal's chin in his hand. "You need to remember that you are mine as much as I am yours. I won't let you fight alone."
Randal really wished he would.
"Just...just be careful, okay? Neither my father nor my brother will hesitate to use you against me. We already know that."
"I'll be careful, mate. I promise."
Randal supposed that was the best that he could hope for.
He held the door of the SUV open for Luca to climb in and then walked around to get into the driver's seat. The plan was for them to make a show of arriving at Luca's place, gaining the attention of Ralph and Raymond so the others could sneak inside the apartment. Randal wasn't sure it was going to be that easy, but it was the only plan that they had.
Randal started the car and then drove around the block until they were on the same street as Luca's shop. He was lucky to find a spot directly in front of the shop. Before climbing out, he reached over and grabbed Luca's hand. "I love you."
Luca beamed at him. "I love you, too, Randal."
Okay then.
Randal climbed out of the SUV and walked around the front of the vehicle to join Luca on the sidewalk. His skin prickled with awareness. He knew someone was watching him. It took every bit of his control not to glance up toward the second floor window.
To make sure he pissed his father off enough to get him to act, Randal grabbed Luca's hand and pulled him in for a kiss.
Afterwards, Luca grinned up at him. "You're playing with fire."
Randal wiggled his eyebrows until Luca laughed. "Ready?"
"I suppose."
He didn't sound sure, and Randal couldn't blame him.
He kept a firm hold of Luca's hand as they made their way inside the tattoo shop. He held the door open long enough for Jeb and Billy to slip inside from the store next door and then walked down the hallway to the private stairs that led up to Luca's apartment from his tattoo studio.
"So, I was thinking of getting a tattoo," Randal said loudly. "If I gave you a few ideas, could you design it?"
Luca shot him a frown before replying. "Yeah, I suppose I could. Do you have any idea what you want?"
"I was thinking of something along the lines of a bear with your name incorporated into the design."
Luca beamed. "Oh, I could get a matching one with your name."
"Maybe you can design something for us both that will match." As much as he was just talking so Ralph and Raymond would hear them coming, and hopefully be distracted from the others entering the apartment, Randal kind of liked the idea of having matching tattoos.
"I can do that," Luca said. The smile fell from his face as they reached the door of his apartment. He swallowed hard. "Maybe I can work on it tomorrow. I think we could both use some rest tonight. It's been an eventful few days."
"It has."
