Back was Rue’s frown. “I didn’t mention he was an alpha.” As he was watching Dad closely, he didn’t miss the slight wince, and he quickly added up what was going on. “You had him investigated, didn’t you!”
Good God, what if Kendrick found out?
It took a second before he nodded, and Rue let go to take a step back, unsure how to react.
“I have met Kendrick once before, Rue, just to be clear.”
“He never mentioned it.” Rue had to wonder why.
“Maybe he forgot, is it relevant? What is, is that I protect what I love—my family. When you have your own, you’ll understand there is nothing you won’t do to prevent harm coming to them. I needed to know that the man my son is serious about is worthy of him. I won’t apologise for it.”
Rue should be furious. But to have someone want to protect him from harm, how could he be mad about that when it was Dad? Then he considered his brothers’ mates. “Did you do the same to Hollis, Frey, and Ziggy?”
He had to know if it was just him.
“Of course I did.” A sheepish look came and went.
“Oh my God, they don’t know, do they? Silas, Taylin, and Booker? You didn’t tell them.”
Dad shrugged, not looking at all comfortable. “They never asked. If they had, I would have told the truth.”
Rue believed him. “You trust me not to tell them.” It wasn’t a question.
“I do.”
That right there was why he couldn’t find it in himself to be pissed off. Honesty. Dad and Popi never shied away from the hard questions. It just wasn’t who they were. “You’re right. I won’t unless they ask me.”
“I expect nothing less.” He returned to the seat. “Now, when are we officially meeting Kendrick?”
Rue chuckled. “I’ve booked a table for dinner on Thursday. It’s Kendrick’s day off.”
He took two steps back to Silas’s desk, then swung around, giving Dad a serious look. “I don’t want to know what you found out about Kendrick, okay? I trust him.”
“Good.”
That one-word reply said everything, leaving Rue with another idea. One he had been playing around with, looking at possibilities, and it seemed this was the right time to bring it up. “Can we talk about where I need to be based?”
“I see…” Dad’s head tilted, a shrewd look in his eyes. “I hope he realizes how lucky he is.”
Rue grinned widely. “I believe he does.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Lane
“My love, it doesn’t do to look so smug right before we’re heading out for dinner. Rue will notice and figure out you've been meddling.”
Lane fluttered his eyelashes at his husband in the bathroom mirror, returning to sorting his hair, unconcerned. He wanted to make a good impression, despite having met Kendrick before. This time was different because it was never on his radar that his son would need two mates, not one.
Lane easily readjusted and was excited to get to know Kendrick the way he had Monty. What he remembered about Kendrick was a charming smile and friendliness, the kind that wasn’t forced.
“I mean it, Lane, you have to tread carefully,” Derick warned, kissing the side of his neck, his whiskers brushing against his skin, warming it and causing a shiver of desire.
“I’ll behave.”After chatting to Kendrick.He kept that to himself, having already pumped Monty when they’d spent the afternoon baking. It was the perfect chance, and one Lane hadused while no one else was around to stop him. He’d always had high hopes for Monty and Rue. The moment he’d met Monty at his interview, he’d felt he’d be perfect for Rue. Witnessing Monty sitting on Rue earlier in the week was exactly what he wanted to see. Open affection, something Rue tended to avoid at all costs—he needed that.
Monty had confessed to being honest with Rue about his feelings. The omega had no problem sharing, and he’d used Lane as a sounding board about his feelings for Kendrick, once Lane had assured Monty he had no problem with this new dynamic.
It was important that Rue, who carried a shield to protect his emotions, had men who would see past those barriers. It warmed Lane’s heart how much Monty loved his son.
