A huge dark-skinned human with muscles for days and sporting a wide smile approached Shadow. “Hey, girl. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
“Darwin.” She gave him an equally warm smile, one Nik didn’t care for, even though he knew this was the guy who ran The Shelter.
“We have your fave tonight,” he said. “Chili.”
She laughed, and the sound wrapped around Nik like a warm hug. “Nah, I’m good.”
Nik got a bowl and shuffled to the boy. The teen glanced up, and though he smiled, Nik recognized the strains of pain and sadness in his blue eyes. “Not eating anything else?” he asked Nik, taking the bowl. “The food’s good.”
Nik shook his head. “I just want…” He did a quick sweep of the massive containers of cut-up fruits. “Yeah, that.”
The boy cast him a puzzled look, then nodded. Nik had no idea what he’d sensed and did a quick scan of him. A slight buzz of the boy’s psychic abilities brushed against Nik’s psyche. Right.
Liam handed over the bowl of diced fruit. Nik stepped to the side, his attention shifting back to Shadow, now seated beside a thin blond woman feeding a toddler. Yeah, his mate also possessed psychic abilities. Did it occur because of the otherworldly blood running in her veins, or was it…genetic? Contemplative now, he popped a grape into his mouth.
What are you eating?her soft voice coasted in his mind.
Fruit,he said, tone dry.So, you like chili?
How do you know—never mind.She cut him a furtive side glance and scrunched her nose when she met his stare.Stop eavesdropping.
A small smile playing on her mouth, she refocused on the woman. Nik wanted to laugh. Hell, Shadow was his entire life. He would do anything for her.
“She helps get the homeless settled here,” the boy said, drawing Nik’s attention back.
Faint color streaked his cheeks at Nik’s arched brow. He hurriedly added, “Seen her here a time or two.”
Even unaware, the sibling bond was strong.
And that gave Nik the perfect opening. He popped another grape into his mouth. “You’ve been here long?”
Liam shrugged. “Yes.” Then he added, “Doing community service.”
“For?”
A deeper red tinged his face as he served another person. “Stole a car. It gave me what I wanted.”
Aaandunderstanding pinged. It wasn’t for the thrill of it or that the boy wanted the Porsche—since he possessed an expensive Suzuki—it could only be to either rile Enzo-fucking-Argo or get away from him.
“Yo, Liam?” A skinny, dark-haired female came over, ignoring Nik. Yeah, the homeless were invisible. “I’ll take over here. The kitchen needs clean-up.”
“Excuse me,” the boy murmured and shuffled for the door.
Nik did a quick scan of the place and surrounding area, but all appeared calm. He followed Liam.Shadow, I’m in the kitchen,he telepathed her.
Okay. Liam?
He heard the worry in her tone.He’s fine.
Liam glanced back, opened his mouth, then shut it, seeming not to care it was against the rules or whatever. Fruit bowl in his hand, Nik wandered to the exit door and remained there.
The smaller prep room was even more chaotic with chatter and helpers moving about. Liam gathered several bulging refuse bags and hauled them outside. Nik left his bowl on the crowded table and trailed behind him.
In the narrow alley, the boy made his way to the dumpsters farther up. Two sturdy humans dressed in black strolled toward them. Nik’s warning radar stirred.
The shaven-head man seized the boy, slamming him against the wall.
“What the hell do you want?” Liam snapped.
