Page 68 of Nugget

“I don’t know. We reported everything months ago. It could have taken them this long to follow up, I suppose.”

“But why would they be asking for me?” Stryker questioned.

“That is a very good question.” Gavin glanced around. “Maybe I should have left you with Mal and Adam.”

“Or we could run!” Stryker thought that was a brilliant idea. “My bike is right over there.”

“We are not running.” Gavin turned to him. “I will protect you from anything.”

That was what Stryker was afraid of. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt. Bryce, Nate, Sam, Lawson and all my new friends.”

“The boys will already be someplace safe,” Gavin assured him.

“They are.”

Both of them jumped at the new voice. Gavin barked out a laugh before pointing up.

Nate peeked out of some kind of hiding place at the top of the tree. “The boys took the portal to Dean’s bakery. Logan and Shawn are with them. Trevor and I are watching the perimeter in case anyone else shows up. Right now, it’s just two men from the council.”

“And they want me?” Stryker asked.

“I don’t know. As soon as they pulled up Axel sent me and Trevor out the back and the boys to the portal. They are in an official paranormal council SUV though.”

“Official,” Gavin said. “Which means they can’t just take you. Not with you being my mate.”

“Congrats by the way!” Nate called down. “I love getting new brothers.”

Stryker grinned. “As soon as I get out of this, whatever this is, we’ll find some trouble.”

Gavin grabbed the back of his neck. “One crisis at a time, please.”

“Sounds good, Stryker. I’ll be up here if you need me.”

“He is one of the best snipers in the world,” Gavin reminded him.

Stryker waved up to Nate in thanks. At least his new friends would be okay. Stryker really couldn’t think of why the paranormal council would be looking for him, unless it was to take him away. That worried Stryker.

This wasn’t the first time that he’d had to run from the cops. Hell, Stryker usually knew before the cops arrived when they were after him. This was more like when the witches had captured him. Stryker wouldn’t have gotten away without the help of Dean and Noah.

“Let’s get this over with.” Gavin started toward the house.

“Wait!” He grabbed Gavin’s wrist to halt him.

Gavin turned. “I promise it will be okay.”

How did this man have any faith after what had happened to him and his family. Had the council even helped them back then? Huh, that was a very good question. Stryker was basing his fear off what he thought the council could do. And yet, even Gavin said that they didn’t have much contact with the council. Wasn’t Axel like one of the most powerful alphas in existence? Stryker had a few more burning questions.

Maybe the paranormal council needed to answer a few of his questions.

“Kiss me,” Stryker ordered.

Gavin grinned. He pulled Stryker close then wrapped his arm around Stryker’s waist. “I’ll kiss you if you make me a promise.”

“What’s that?”

“Promise me that you won’t run. That you won’t leave me. No matter what happens,” Gavin ordered.

“I promise.” He had absolutely no plans of leaving Gavin. If Stryker left, he would take Gavin with him. However, Gavin wouldn’t want to leave his family behind, which meant that Stryker had to stay. Needed to protect Gavin’s family.

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