Snake Snack Page 3

  “Not a pleasant man, your boss,” Simon observed and Darwin looked up to see him perched on the edge of the couch. If he thought Simon was imposing the night before, today the impression was reinforced. Dressed in tight black jeans with a matching t-shirt that strained across his biceps, Simon was every bad-boy-biker fantasy come to life.

  “I…er…” Darwin shook his head, trying to clear decidedly lecherous thoughts. What did he say? Oh yeah…. “Stock boys don’t have lives of their own apparently, nor do they get sick. He’s going to dock my pay for this, you know.”

  “That’s one more reason for me to take you out for breakfast. The food in the diner where I got the coffee from smelled nice.”

  “Let me get dressed.” Darwin was acutely aware his cock was fighting to get free of his blanket. I need clothes. I need clothes now. Otherwise, the only thing Simon will get to nibble on is me after I plaster myself over his body and start taking chunks out of him.

  Positive his cheeks were flaming red, Darwin grabbed the first clothes that came to hand before escaping to the bathroom; the only place in his studio apartment where he could get some privacy. How can my damn mate seem so…so…stoic? If it wasn’t for Simon’s evident bulge, Darwin would swear his presence had no effect on his mate whatsoever.

  Splashing his face with cold water was enough of a shock to get his cock to go down long enough to pee. Darwin grimaced at the t-shirt he’d grabbed. It was one he wore when he went clubbing and barely covered his midriff, but he wasn’t about to go out looking for another one. His jeans were no better; Darwin grunted as he tugged them on and fastened them. He felt fluttery…yeah, that was the word; like his insides were going to take flight right out of his throat. And it wasn’t just because he was taking an unscheduled day off. He wanted…he needed…he…. “I need food,” he told his reflection sternly. And a makeover, his critical brain added. You look like shit.

  Flicking the finger at his reflection, Darwin sauntered out of the bathroom well aware he looked like a rent-boy. Well, if anyone can carry off that look, it’s me, he thought. Some of his fluttering settled as Simon’s mouth dropped open. “I’ll just get my jacket,” he smiled.

  ~~~~/

  Many considered Simon cold and he didn’t deny it. But his blood was positively boiling as he led his sexy mate down the street. He wanted to walk behind and protect that ass highlighted so perfectly in denim. But if he did that then everyone got a solid look at his mate’s front, which didn’t make him happy either. He settled for staying by his mate’s side, glowering at anyone showing a speck of interest.

  “Your shifter is showing,” Darwin said quietly as Simon led him into the diner.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Simon moved Darwin to the back of the place and made sure he was sitting to block his mate from public view.

  Darwin sniggered as he sat down. “That, right there. You don’t want anyone looking at me. People don’t act like that here.”

  “I want you to feel comfortable while you’re eating.” If his mate insisted on going out showing his assets, it was only right he respect his mate’s decision and protect him from unwanted advances.

  Which was proving harder than anticipated. “You’re that dancer at the boy’s club,” their server, name tag Anne, gushed as she brought over menus. “You look even sexier close up.”

  “Thank you kindly.” Darwin’s smile should be illegal; never to be used in public. Anne was clearly smitten as she babbled on about a night out she’d had the week before.

  “The specials of the day?” Simon didn’t feel a shred of guilt at interrupting the love fest going on. Although hiding his wince as a boot hit his calf wasn’t easy.

  “You were very rude,” Darwin whispered when Anne finally left. “I don’t get much recognition in this town and it’s nice when someone appreciates what I do.”

  “Getting recognized for parading around naked and flaunting your bits for money is hardly an achievement,” Simon snapped back, then wished he’d kept his mouth closed. Darwin’s face shut down and his scent was tinged with anger and hurt.

  “I suppose being a store clerk, or cleaning offices is probably beneath you too.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just you come out dressed as though you’ve got a huge ‘fuck me’ sign over your head….”

  “Oh great, now you don’t like the way I’m dressed.” Darwin stood, his eyes flashing. “You know what. You can stick your breakfast and anything else you had to say to me. I’d rather stock shelves than spend another second in your company.”

  “Sit down.” Simon’s hiss elongated the S and seeing fear cross his mate’s lovely face didn’t help his mood. He took a deep breath. “Please. This is difficult for me. You look like sex on a stick. You won’t let me touch. People are lusting after you. Please, just sit down and let me feed you at least.”

  Darwin stood for a long minute, his lips pressed into a sharp line. Anne came over two steaming plates of food in her hands. “Everything all right boys?” She put the plates on the table.

  “Yeah,” Darwin smiled at her as he sat down again, but Simon noted it didn’t meet his eyes. “Everything’s fine. Boyfriend’s being a dick, you know?”

  “Straight or gay, we all have those, right?” Anne laughed. “Make sure he buys you something nicer than this meal.” She was still laughing as she walked away.

  “Thank you.” Relief swamped Simon’s body when Darwin picked up his knife and fork.

  “I’m hungry.” Darwin started eating and Simon forced his focus onto his own plate. His tongue hadn’t let him down. The food was delicious, but apart from asking him to pass the salt, Darwin didn’t say another word.

  Chapter Six

  This constant freaking arousal is a bitch. The meal over, Simon suggested they go for a walk and Darwin was seriously wishing he’d taken the time to change his wretched clothes before he’d gone out. His cock was caught in a vise and he was sure he’d have zipper marks along his length before the day was done. Simon was still acting like a bodyguard or a nanny; even holding his hand as they crossed the road. But his hulking demeanor and the sour look on his mate’s face was making it hard for Darwin to think, let alone say anything. He knew he’d overreacted in the diner but saying sorry wasn’t in his repertoire.

  He was just about to give up and suggest they go back to his place when Simon picked him up and dashed down a side alley, putting him down carefully beside an overflowing dumpster. “What the he…”

  “Shush,” Simon put a finger over his lips. Darwin bit back the urge to nibble on the sexy smelling digit. If he thought Simon was tense before, it was ten times worse now. “Someone’s following us and since my friends wouldn’t hide from me, I’m figuring they’re after you.”

  “Me?” Darwin’s squeak was muffled by Simon’s finger. His eyes widened and his heart pounded out of his chest. Lenin. It could only be Lenin. “You have to let me go,” he whispered urgently, wrenching his face away from Simon’s hand. “I know who it is. You won’t…you can’t…you need to get away from me now before he realizes we’re together.”

  “Like hell and besides, it’s too late. He’s been following us the last ten minutes.” Simon looked around and Darwin checked too. The alley was a dead end. One door with bars across it. No escape there. He whimpered, fearful for Simon. Lenin had been texting him for weeks, showing him what he’d do if he ever saw Darwin with someone else. How could I be so stupid?

  “Shift,” Simon said suddenly. “Shift and I’ll put you in my pocket and take you back to the apartment.”

  “It’s not me in danger, you stupid idiot,” Darwin fumed. “It’s you. Lenin won’t hurt me. He wanted to eat me, but he prefers torturing me with despicable texts at the moment. You should see….” Darwin snapped his mouth shut.

  “You and I are going to talk about this later,” Simon’s eyes were flat and hard. He stood up, his fluid movements reminiscent of his snake form. “Wait five minutes and then go back to your apartment. I’ll me
et you there.”

  “Wait.” Darwin put his hand on Simon’s leg. “What are you going to do?”

  “You said he won’t hurt you. I’m going to see what he wants with me.” Simon touched the back of his hand, then stepped away. “I can handle myself. You get home. I’ll see you there.”

  Simon disappeared before Darwin could say another word. For a long moment, he did nothing but shiver, clasping his knees to stop them from shaking. No. I’m better than this. He forced himself upright. Unfortunately, when he got to the end of the alley, there was no sign of Simon or Lenin and there were too many conflicting scents for him to follow.

  Darwin looked back at his apartment. It wasn’t far, just three blocks away. Narrowing his eyes, he thought he could see a couple of bikes parked out front. Simon’s friends. They are dropping his bike off today. Without second guessing his decision he sprinted as fast as he could, dodging pedestrians, cursing as he almost tripping over a dog. As he got closer he could see two men; one gesticulating towards the apartment the shorter one shaking his head. What were their names?

  “Rocky,” he stammered as he stopped in front of them, breathing heavily, praying he wasn’t making a mistake. “Is one of you Rocky?”

  “That would be me, sexy thing, and you are?” The taller one eyed him up and down. This close, Darwin could smell the wolf scent and as much as his animal wanted to bolt up the stairs and lock himself in the apartment, he forced his feet to stay still.

  “I’m Simon’s….” He waved his hand, worried about the people walking past. “You know. Look, you’ve got to find him. A guy was following us. He’s really mean. He tortures for fun. He won’t hurt me but he’s threatened to kill anyone who gets close to me. He saw me and Simon walking together and you know how Simon is with…you know.”

  “Actually, we don’t. We’ve never seen anyone with Simon before, but that’s fine. We know what you mean.” The smaller man held out his hand. “I’m Mal, Rocky’s conscience. You’d better get up to your apartment. Simon will want to know you’re safe. We’ll….”

  “You stay with him. I’ll go see if Simon needs a hand.” Rocky took off at a trot, his long legs covering the distance far quicker than Darwin could manage.

  “I hope he remembers not to shift,” Mal touched his arm. “Come on. Let’s put on some coffee. Simon will need it when he gets back. You can tell me all about this stalker of yours.”

  “I didn’t realize he was a stalker,” Darwin muttered as he led Mal up to his apartment. Lenin taunted him with gruesome pictures, but they weren’t of anyone Darwin knew and he thought maybe Lenin had just found them online and sent them to upset him. He only knew the man was in town because he’d seen him a few times at the club. The man’s eyes had never left him, every time Darwin performed, but he never came close. In fact, apart from the texts claiming he’d kill anyone he got close to, for the most part, Darwin could ignore his existence. He’d never thought he was being followed, before today. Fuck. Simon. Please be all right.

  ~~~~/

  Simon trailed Lenin until he got into a black fancy car. Taking note of the license number, he watched as it drove away before heading back to Darwin’s apartment. There was something almost familiar about the tall, slim man; something tugging at Simon’s memory. He was a shifter; that much was obvious from the way he walked, the way his head kept darting from side to side. But Simon couldn’t pick up any scent and that…that just wasn’t right.

  His behavior wasn’t right either. It was almost as though Lenin knew he was being followed but didn’t care. With so many people around it wasn’t as though Simon could bail him up about it, but the casual way he sauntered down the street, far too well dressed to be shopping nagged at Simon. The whole situation was off.

  So engrossed in his thoughts, Simon jumped as Rocky appeared in front of him. “What are you doing here? I thought you guys went back last night.”

  “Bike delivery.” Rocky grinned as he fell into step beside him. “So, what’s with the other snake? That was who you were following right? Did you get him to leave that little sexpot alone?”

  “He was a snake?” Simon mentally slapped himself. “That’s why I couldn’t pick up his scent. It was getting mixed up with my own.”

  “Don’t see how it could,” Rocky scoffed. “That man’s evil and he stinks. There’s something definitely not right with him. It’s like he’s rotting on the inside.”

  Simon always knew his friend’s sense of smell was so much stronger than his. As a snake, he picked up scents through his tongue and it wasn’t as though he could go walking around with his tongue out. Rocky’s wolf could pick up a speck of fly poop a hundred yards away if he was looking for it.

  “I didn’t smell anything like that when I was at the club last night and I didn’t pick it up today either. I could sense we were being followed; the guy’s not that good at it.” Simon quickened his pace. “I need to talk to Darwin, find out who this scumbag is and why Darwin’s so scared of him.”

  “You need to get him back to Arrowtown,” Rocky said. “I know you were all fogged up with scenting your mate and all that, but Mal and I could smell a number of shifters in the club last night and Ra almost got into a fight with one of them when he wouldn’t leave Seth alone.”

  “Why here?” Simon eyed the humans who gave him and Rocky a wide berth. “Who’d want to live where they can’t shift and they get jailed for looking at someone the wrong way?”

  “Power. Money. Some shifters still think they can rule human towns although the laws are so biased against us, it’s hard to know how that could happen.”

  “Yeah, but some of these shifter towns aren’t that great either,” Simon said, remembering what Darwin had told him the night before. “Good for predators, not for little guys like Darwin and Seth.” He pulled open the apartment complex door and ushered Rocky inside. The elevator was out of order; nothing unusual there.

  Rocky growled as he sniffed the air. “Coyotes,” he snarled. “A lot of them and the scents are fresh too.”

  “Fuck, Lenin was a diversion.” Simon sprinted up the stairs, his fangs dropping as he caught a hint of blood in the air. On the second-floor landing, they found the source. Rocky snarled at the sight of Mal, unconscious in a pool of blood.

  “Fucking bastards,” Rocky dropped to his knees, cradling Mal’s head. “Find your mate. Hurry.”

  Running up the remaining stairs, Simon’s heart dropped as he saw the splintered wood around the door. The neat apartment was trashed; the couch cushions slashed, pots and glasses strewn around the room. Over by the bed, it was worse. The bed stank of fecal matter and every article of Darwin’s clothes was torn or splattered with bodily fluids.

  “Darwin,” he called out quietly. “Darwin are you in here?” Simon froze listening for any sign of life. “Darwin,” louder this time. Without thinking, Simon shifted and slid free from his clothes. He almost recoiled as the stink hit his tongue, but he forced himself to check the entire apartment thoroughly. In his animal form, Simon couldn’t see as well as other animals but he did have the ability to detect heat and his tongue could pick up the slightest hints of Darwin’s scent. None of them recent.

  “Fuck,” Simon snarled as he shifted back and retrieved his clothes. There was nothing he could do about Darwin’s apartment or his belongings. But…something nagged the back of his mind from the night before. Stepping over destroyed clothing, Simon studied the floor on the other side of the bed. To the naked eye, there was nothing unusual about the wooden boards. Although one board stood out; there were faint scratches around a nail hole. Nothing a human would notice, but something Simon wouldn’t miss.

  Tugging hard, Simon fell on his ass as the board came free and his eyes widened when he spied a long gun case. What the hell is my mate into? Carefully removing the case, he opened it and shook his head at the neatly arranged bills of every denomination. My mate’s a thief? Is that why Lenin is after him?

  Knowing he wasn’t going to get any an
swers from a pile of money and reminding himself it didn’t matter how Darwin got the money, Simon emptied the case and searched for his bag. Someone had been through it, but his stuff was left untouched. Probably because none of his clothes had the chance to smell like Darwin yet. That’ll change when I get him back.

  But as he went to find Rocky and Mal he wasn’t sure how easy that was going to be. With nothing but a name and a license plate to go on and being in a human rather than shifter town, Simon wasn’t sure what the hell they were going to do next. But one thing his snake and he were in agreement about; they would find Darwin if they had to tear the whole town up looking for him. He’d happily get locked up if it meant his mate was safe.

  Chapter Seven

  Darwin groaned and gingerly touched his head, his fingers came away sticky with blood. “What the hell?” he muttered as he struggled to sit up. Woozy and stinking of coyote, he remembered being taken but didn’t see Mal anywhere. Did that mean the small wolf shifter was dead? Simon will never forgive me if something happened to his friend.

  Looking around wasn’t making him feel any better. His ankle was chained. He could get out of that easily enough, but the concrete blocks and lack of furnishings made hiding difficult in either form. If only I hadn’t been such a jerk at the diner, I’d be home with Simon right now doing the horizontal mumba. Fuck. Darwin hoped Simon meant what he said and could look after himself. For now, he had to worry about his own predicament. Why the hell had coyotes taken him? He’d never met one before, let alone done anything to warrant being locked up.

  His answer came with the sound of a door unlocking, a slender bulk filling the door frame. “Lenin? Since when do you associate with coyotes?”

  Lenin flicked off an imaginary piece of fluff from his sharply cut suit. “They have their uses; they do as they’re told. Unlike you. I thought I warned you what would happen if I saw you associating with anyone else?”