Page 30 of Perfectly Leashed
“We have a pack doctor.” Santiago slid a massive bag of rice under Luca’s head for support. “Dr. Martinez is on his way.” He looked at Darcy, assessing him. “Were you hurt?”
“No,” Darcy replied, his voice unsteady. “We were just walking the dogs when Gilmore started following us. Luca didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Furballs!” Santiago clapped his hands. “Now it makes sense.”
Darcy had no clue what the guy was talking about. “I walk dogs on the side. You know I have three jobs.”
Which he was running late for. By now, Darcy should’ve returned the dogs to their owners and getting ready for his shift at the pet store.
Thankfully, it wasn’t the weekend, but he was still shocked about the whole Lacey situation.
“Yeah, but I couldn’t remember what they were.” Santiago crouched next to Luca, gazing down at him. “Not exactly high on my priority list.”
Lizard resumed cooking like nothing had happened. Pans clattered against the stove, and meat sizzled while he expertly flipped eggs on the griddle.
Darcy’s stomach growled at the aroma of bacon. Despite the restaurant’s creepiness, the food smelled absolutely amazing.
“Why didn’t he fight back?” Darcy lowered himself to his knees. “He just let Gilmore haul him around.”
“Same reason I let Deputy Douchebag arrest me,” Santiago responded, his voice steady but with an edge. “Cop focusing on me meant his eyes weren’t on Percy. I can handle Gilmore. Percy? Wasn’t letting the deputy get close to him.”
“So, Luca let Gilmore handcuff him because of…me?” Darcy was baffled. “But we barely know each other. Why would he do that?”
Luca had gone along with Gilmore until the deputy threatened to arrest Darcy. That was the only moment Luca appeared feral.
“You’ll have to ask him.” Santiago winked. “I’m gonna check on everything outside and find out where the doctor is. You good?”
Darcy nodded. “I just want Luca to get better. Gilmore knew he was hurt and made it worse. People like him shouldn’t hold power.”
“That’s probably why he isn’t the sheriff. Mahoney might be close to retiring and doesn’t control his officers, but even he’s smart enough not to put Gilmore in charge.”
“Darcy,” Luca groaned, reaching out. “Elegido.”
“What does that mean?” he asked Santiago. “I heard him say it when he was snarling at Deputy Gilmore.” I mean, he was talking a lot of Spanish I didn’t understand, but I remember hearing those words.” As soon as Darcy took his hand, Luca seemed to relax.
Santiago had an odd look in his eyes then muttered a curse before leaving.
Fine. If Santiago wouldn’t explain, Darcy would use the translator app he’d downloaded.
He just needed to figure out the spelling. After several failed attempts, he finally got it...
Chosen one? What did that mean? Knowing the internet wouldn’t have much on wolf shifter lore, Darcy slipped his phone back into his pocket. He sat cross-legged on the floor, holding Luca’s hand as they waited on the doctor.
With gentle fingers, Darcy brushed back the damp, dark strands clinging to Luca’s pale forehead. Fighting for his wolf had shattered everything Darcy thought he understood about himself, like finding a sense of belonging amid the chaos.
“Don’t worry, dog whisperer. I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Eight
There wasn’t any lingering fog from his unconscious state this time. Luca’s eyes snapped open like a shotgun blast. His shoulder throbbed, reminding him of Gilmore’s fucked-up treatment. Luca wanted to gut the son of a bitch, but he’d spent the entire time fighting to keep his lycanthrope leashed. Even one second of distraction and it would’ve burst free.
His mouth tasted like cotton and antiseptic, and memories came in fragments—Gilmore's hands, the crack of his skull against pavement, Darcy’s voice cutting through everything else.
Darcy!
Panic flared before he could stop it. Where was his elegido? Had Gilmore arrested him too? Luca tried to sit up, muscles protesting, but gentle pressure on his chest held him down.
“Easy, hermano.” Santiago’s voice, calm and steady. “You’re safe.”
