“Snooze, you lose,” I said with a wink.
“Ass,” he called back before climbing into the back seat.
Leon had already settled in the back. It always amazed me that his six-foot-eight muscular frame fit in the back. I’d offered countless times for him to sit in the front, but he silently shook his head and softly said he preferred the back.
“Ever been to a BDSM club?” Jeremy asked excitedly.
I shook my head. “We’re not going there for entertainment.”
“Oh, come on, relax. I know we’re going for business, but I hear places like this are wild. I mean, the place is called ‘The Dungeon.’”
“I don’t know about this place or demons,” Leon said quietly.
“Lee, don’t worry, bro. I’ll protect you,” Jeremy said with a chuckle.
I shook my head again and stared out the window. My mind wandered back to Lucas. Why did seeing him hurt bother me so much? Was this what Mike, Hayden, and the others meant by connection?
“You okay?” Walter asked, breaking my thoughts.
“Yes, it’s…. Nothing.”
“I’m sure Lucas will understand. By the way, what’s going on there?”
I opened my mouth, but quickly shut it. How did I explain? Walter hadn’t met his mate, so I couldn’t get his advice.
“I don’t know,” I settled on.
He gave me a side glare as he turned the wheel. “Really? He seemed pretty upset with the ‘I’ll call you’.”
“Dude, you used the ‘I’ll call you’ line on the cute little bunny?” Jeremy asked.
I growled out of frustration at myself and at Jeremy’s words, calling Lucas cute. He needed to stay away from Lucas. Lucas was too sweet to be dealing with playboy Jeremy.
“Jeremy, stop,” Walter chided.
“Okay, boss. So, this demon, why is he after Mike?” Jeremy asked, changing the subject.
Thankful for the subject change, I answered. “He doesn’t like that Mike is with Jake. Apparently, he wants Jake.”
“Does he know they’re fated mates?” Leon quietly questioned.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know Dominic texted Mike to stay away from Jake or else.”
“Maybe if he knows they’re fated, he’ll be okay with everything, and we won’t have to fight,” Leon said. I could hear the hope in his words. Leon really hated violence, even though he was an enforcer.
Jeremy patted Leon’s leg. “I don’t think it’ll be that easy, Lee. I hear some demons are tough. He might not care they’re mates. I mean, how do you know they’re fated? How does Mike even know? Fated mates are weird; who needs ‘em?”
“Mike knows,” Walter said from the front. “Your lion will tell you when you meet your destined mate.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. I really needed to know this answer.
Walter pulled into a parking spot and parked the car. He turned to me, and for a moment, everything else faded. The weight of his gaze was different—his eyes held a depth and certainty I hadn’t noticed before.
“I’m positive,” he said, his voice softer but carrying an undeniable conviction.
There was a silence. The air in the car felt thick with unsaid words. His assurance wasn’t just from hearsay; it felt lived-in. It made me wonder, did Walter meet his mate?
Oh shit,I thought as the weight of his words hit me.
