“You sing?” Sage asked.
Sage hadn’t been very far from him all day and Lucas wondered if he wouldn’t be from now on. Lucas didn’t mind. He and Sage had a connection that would last a lifetime, and he was glad he had made a friend out of such a shitty situation.
He was concerned about Sage’s mental health. His clinginess suggested there was a lot of emotional damage. Physical trauma Lucas could fix, but the emotional issue was another thing. He might be able to wipe Sage’s memory. Maybe. But even if he tried that Lucas didn’t think it would be a long-term solution to Sage’s problem.
“A little bit, yeah.”
“Don’t let him fool you, Sage. He’s amazing,” Kristin said.
He felt completely helpless when it came to Sage.
Some wounds only heal over time, baby,Bennett said through their bond.
Lucas looked at Bennett, tilting his head up at an odd angle. Bennett’s hand came up to palm the front of his neck and they kissed. He really wanted to roll onto his stomach and kiss his mate until they forgot about everything and everybody around them, but he restrained himself.
Bennett ended the kiss and winked at him. Lucas smiled.
Ladon brought out the guitar and Lucas sat up, taking it in his hand. He spent a few minutes tuning it and then started singing a song that had been on the radio for the last few months. They played it enough that Lucas didn’t have too much of a problem memorizing the notes. It was really simple, as was the band’s writing style. The song reflected his relationship with Bennett.
He sang about holding him and about the fact that Bennett kept his heart from getting broken. That last part would probably be truer the more their relationship progressed. He went right into another song about leaving everything for his mate. It had a faster beat, but Lucas slowed it down a little.
I’d leave it all for you too, baby,Bennett said through their bond.
Bennett sat up and kissed him on the cheek when Lucas ended the song.
Kristin stiffened as she sniffed the air.
Forrest shifted and stepped onto the grass, Vaughan following his lead.
Lucas squealed as Bennett lifted him onto his feet. “Stay behind me, baby.”
Lucas nodded even though it was pointless since Bennett had his back turned already. He gripped his T-shirt in one hand and the guitar in the other as he peeked around Bennett’s broad back.
Ramsey came around the side of the house, carrying someone Lucas didn’t recognize. He had blood all over his face and clothes, and he limped as he walked over. Ramsey collapsed in the yard, letting the big guy in his arms fall to the ground.
Forrest and Vaughan both shifted and ran to Ramsey since they were closer. Mother Estelle followed.
Lucas let go of Bennett’s shirt and leaned the guitar against the house. It looked as if Ramsey might need his help.
“Garridan.” Bennett held the stranger's hand.
Ramsey called for Lucas.
Lucas touched Bennett’s shoulder.
“Can you help him?” Ramsey asked.
Lucas nodded. “I need to know what’s wrong with him first.” Lucas got down on his knees beside Bennett then and took Garridan’s hand.
He saw Garridan pick up a little dark-haired boy. He then saw the same scene from the little boy’s perspective and knew instantly the scene was Bennett’s memory. He pushed it aside for now, not wanting to invade the man’s privacy any more than necessary.
“Let go of him, Bennett. Just for a second.” Lucas smiled. “I’m sorry. I’m having a hard time focusing. I’m worried about you.”
“Don’t fix him if it’s going to drain your energy, Lucas. I won’t have you hurt. Not even for Garridan,” Bennett said.
“I’m just going to poke around. See if I can fix each thing with a tiny bit of energy instead of a lot all at once.”
Bennett nodded and let Garridan’s hand go.
