Lucas pulled back. “I wouldn’t be intruding?”
“No, of course not,” Ramsey answered for them.
Lucas pulled away from Bennett, eying Ramsey with wariness. He held onto Bennett’s hand as if that grounded him somehow. It took Lucas several seconds to stop studying Ramsey and say whatever it was he wanted to say. “You must be Ramsey. I can tell you have a lot of power, like a leader.” Lucas turned to Bennett. “I don’t know what to do, now. Normally, we would shake hands, but that’s like me asking to read him right?”
Ramsey chuckled. “I’m not much on formality, anyway. Not for family. Come on, let’s get some breakfast.” Ramsey turned toward the diner.
Bennett and Lucas followed, still holding hands. Ramsey held the door open and that was when Lucas finally released him. Bennett placed a hand on the middle of Lucas’ back as they waited for someone to seat them.
It wasn’t long before a greeter seated them at a corner booth. Bennett purposefully had Lucas sit against the wall so no one would be able to come at him. Ramsey recognized Bennett’s intent with the seating arrangement and nodded.
Lucas noticed the nod and questioned it with one look. Bennett leaned over and kissed him on his temple instead of answering.
“So I’m just going to get right down to it, Lucas,” Ramsey said at the same time he turned his coffee cup up so the waiter would know that was what he wanted to drink. Bennett did the same.
“What does that mean, exactly?”
“It means we want you safe. You’ll have to follow my directions so I can keep you that way.”
“What sort of directions?” Lucas asked, with caution in his voice.
Ramsey smiled. “Things like not being alone ever.”
The waiter, Sage, came over then and the conversation died down. He poured coffee for Ramsey and Bennett.
“Hey, Bennett. I haven’t seen you around in a while.” Sage flirted with Bennett with his eyes.
Bennett might have welcomed it even a couple of days ago, but he didn’t now that he found his mate. Sage had a thing for Bennett and always had. They weren’t mates, so for that reason Bennett never entertained the shifter’s advances. He did find it flattering, though.
He grunted a noncommittal response and turned to Lucas instead. Lucas narrowed his eyes at the waiter. “I want orange juice. Thank you.” Lucas sounded as if he wanted to set Sage on fire or freeze him with his tone. It seemed either one of those things would work.
Bennett grinned until Lucas turned his irritated gaze onto him. Lucas turned back to Sage. “That will be all for now.”
Sage took a step closer to Ramsey, as if seeking his protection. Bennett’s eyes widened at the realization that Lucas was stronger than Sage. Sage sensed it, too.
Sage looked to Ramsey, who nodded.
“What is with that man? Someone really needs to tell him to keep his eyes in his damn head. If he spits or pees in my juice, I’ll have his head on a spike. Just wait and see.” Lucas took in their raised eyebrows. “What?”
“Oh, nothing,” Bennett said at the same time Ramsey started laughing.
“And here I was worried about his safety. I think your mate has it all under control, Bennett,” Ramsey said when he calmed down enough.
“Well, a human I can handle. It’s the guys with big fangs I need help with.”
“He isn’t human, baby.” Bennett kissed him again.
“He isn’t?”
“Nope. Snake shifter. Of the harmless variety, though.”
“How can you tell?”
“His smell, for one. Like dirt.” Plus, Bennett had seen the man shift several times throughout the years at clan meetings.
“And do you like dirt?” Lucas asked and opened his menu.
“Not really, no.”
