Page 21 of Primal Urges

Caden thought about the question for a moment. He wasn’t really sure.

“Because they might be on the run? Or hiding from someone they don’t want to find them?” Caden asked, staring at the elusive young man who looked like the last person who would ever commit a crime or be on the run from the police.

“Exactly. It’s hard to find places of employment these days that don’t run background and credit checks. Even setting up a cell-phone plan requires a credit check,” Marcus explained.

Caden turned his attention back to his boss. “Do you think that Luc might be in some kind of danger?” Caden asked, suddenly ashamed that he assumed the worst about the shy boy who got nervous around burly, tattooed men.

“Not sure. That’s one of the reasons that I hired him.” Caden looked at Marcus, confused. “It wasn’t for his mad skills at washing dishes. The boy was clearly lying through his teeth during the job interview. But at least if I gave him a job, I could watch out for him and, if the time ever came, offer the kid protection or assistance if needed.”

“Now I feel like an idiot for assuming the worst.”

Marcus reached across the table and grabbed hold of Cade’s shoulder.

“It’s because you care about this crew and your family.” He gave Caden a warm smile and released his shoulder. “Now, I want you to keep what we discussed just between you and me. Lucas’s past is his own to share with us when he’s ready. For the time being, all we can do is watch out for him and be that supportive ear if he ever wants to reach out.”

This was why everyone loved Marcus. He looked out for everyone and never forced anyone to do something they weren’t ready to do.

“Now, don’t you have something to do? I’m not paying you to sit here and keep me company. I’ve got online porn for that.”

Cade rolled his eyes.

“Are you even able to get it up at your ripe old age?”

Marcus’s eyes narrowed.

It was time for Cade to leave.Quick.

Not wasting any time, Cade slid out of the booth and jogged over to the front of the bar. In a few hours, patrons would be stopping by for their after-work drinks.

The sound of pebbles crunching beneath his feet made Caden cringe with every step he took. If he wanted this to work, he needed to remain undetected.

Throughout the night, he watched Lucas from a distance.

At first glance, the boy appeared to be just like any other hardworking American. He cleared off tables, wiped up spilled alcohol, and helped Alexis change out beer kegs.

Everything seemed to fit the role of busboy.

But when Caden took a step back and decided to look a little deeper, he started to notice the subtle red flags.

The flinches every time a large man jostled him, the lack of eye contact, the smiles that quickly vanished when he thought that no one was looking.

Whatever it was that drove Lucas from his previous life must have been big.

Caden needed to know.

Not that he was worried for the safety of his friends and family, but because he needed to know what he was protecting Lucas from. Yes, he had made the decision that Lucas was now a part of his family, and if he was in trouble, he was under Caden’s protection.

All through the night, Caden ran through scenarios in his head: an abusive father, trouble with a violent street gang, perhaps gambling debts that had gotten out of control.

Whatever it was, Caden needed to protect the boy from the threat.

And at what cost?that annoying voice inside his head asked.

I’ll do whatever is necessary.

He heard the voice inside his head begin to chuckle.

They have a word for what you are doing… it’s calledstalking.

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