“A natural healer has the ability to heal a person by the laying on of his hands…just as you saw Colton do. Rare doesn’t even begin to describe him. In the human world, it would be called a miracle because humans limit their thinking to what can be explained by science. You and I know magic exists but humans don’t.”
“Holy shit. I bet Steel didn’t know this before he sent Colton down here. Oh shit!”
“I don’t think Colton is aware of what he is. The Shaman would have identified him in the first year of his life, but I think Colton was never told.”
“Are you going to tell him?”
“No, it isn’t my place. If his Alpha didn’t want him to know about his abilities, I must respect it. But if I were you, I’d talk to Steel to make sure he understands the level of protection required for him. Colton is extremely valuable.”
Slate looked around, relieved that no one was in the hallway. “Juan, please keep quiet. I’ll get more protection for him but the fewer who know the easier it will be for my men.”
“Si, let’s catch up with Colton and see how the new pup is doing.”
~/~/~/~/~
He decided to stop the attacks for now. If his new plan worked, he’d have a ton of money.Fuck this arid hell-hole slum.He wanted gambling, drinking and plenty of bitches willing to do anything. Drinking his beer, he sat in front of his dark TV, plotting and planning how to pull off the caper of a lifetime. No more shitty jobs, or bosses yelling at him.Nosiree. Foot-loose and fancy free to enjoy the finer things in life.That’s what he was going to have.
All because of opportunity! That’s what he found and he wouldn’t fuck it up. A chance like this didn’t come often. Maybe once in a lifetime and by gods, he would seize it. Now he needed an assistant. Taking a swig of beer, he thought about who he could approach. Someone who would do it without questions. Someone he could trust.Hmm. Yes, Oscar was perfect.
~/~/~/~/~
A week later, Colton was finishing up for the day but before he and Slate could leave, he had to update the patients’ charts. He sat at the nurses’ desk writing his observations about each patient and recording the results of procedures done during the morning. Slate was leaning on the counter, nervously watching the activity in the hallway. He was making Colton apprehensive and he planned to speak with him tonight.There’s a problem Slate knows about but hasn’t shared with me.Tonight he would find out what it was.
Slate tried to appear relaxed, but he knew he wasn’t fooling Colton. All week long, he kept getting quizzical looks from him as Colton tried to figure out why Slate was so on edge. But that was the problem. Slate had no idea why his wolf was constantly pacing and now snarling. Shit, next Saturday couldn’t come fast enoughfor him. Get Colton on the plane and deliver him back to his brother safe and sound. One fucking week, just one more fucking, nerve-wracking, anxiety-filled, sleepless week to go. Shit, he could do that—or could he?
“Slate, hey, Slate. Where did you go?”
“Huh, oh, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. Ready to go?”
“Yup.” Colton picked up his messenger bag and slung it over his shoulder. “So, what are you making for dinner tonight? A new Mexican dish for me to fall in love with?”
“Maybe. You’ll just have to wait and see,” he said as he ushered Colton out the door of the hospital. “Are you feeling like having a 5-alarm hot or something milder?”
“Better make it milder. I’ve got to work tomorrow and I don’t need any blow back from your cooking. Shit the last time you made something that hot, my tongue and stomach cursed you for several days.”
Slate joined Colton laughing about the memory of his last hot dish as they walked to their apartment.
~/~/~/~/~
Four days later, Slate heard knocking on the apartment’s front door while he was making dinner. Turning off the stove before telling Colton to stay in the kitchen, Slate could feel alarm seep into his stomach. He strode over to the door and sniffed.Shit,he could smell blood—and his enforcer, Turk on the other side. Yanking open the door and seeing blood on Turk’s clothes, he snarled, “What happened?”
“We’re under attack. Groose is hurt bad. I need your help, now. I got men pinned down while some asshole is shooting at us.”
Slate yelled to Colton, “Hurry…lock up after me and set the alarm. Donotleave the apartment. I’ll be back soon.”
Colton heard what the man said. Someone was hurt and he could help. He rushed to Slate and grabbed his arm, “Let me go with you. I can help.”
“No, it’s too dangerous. Stay here. Please Colton, do as I say. I have to go.”
Colton stared at the closed door after Slate left. Shit. Groose, whoever he was, needed Colton’s help. He was tempted to disobey and follow Slate, but what if his presence caused more harm? No, better to stay put and hope no one died. He reluctantly headed to the kitchen in hopes of finishing their dinner. Staring at the pot of chili on the stove, he finally admitted he was a babe in the woods when it came to cooking. Shit, where was Dakota when he needed him. Yeah, he knew—back home with his brothers.
Two more days until he left Mexico. As much as he enjoyed working with Dr. Luna, Colton was happy to be going home again. He missed Cody and Carson especially. And even though he’d miss the patients here, he couldn’t wait to see Jackson and be there for the birth of his pup. Sitting at the kitchen island, Colton propped his head on his hand, thinking about how big his brother must be. He could feel the excitement building about being in the operating room when the Dire Pup was born.
He didn’t hear the soft knocking at first, but it slowly penetrated his mind. Wary of who was at the door, Colton wasn’t going to answer until he heard a child calling out his name. He knew that voice. Colton had patched Oscar up after a bad fall while he was climbing with other boys. Turning off the alarm system, he opened the door to find Oscar shaking and covered in blood. Kneeling down, he asked, “Oscar, what’s the matter?” while trying to assess his injuries.
“Senor Colton, Slate needs you to come. He sent me to bring you. Please hurry.”
“Let me grab my bag.” Colton felt fear for the first time since he came to Mexico. Shit, what if something happened to Steel’s brother? What could he say to Jackson? His wolf was snarling and angry—it must mean Slate is in trouble.
