Page 2 of Wolf's Whistle
Red Oaks
Present Day
Wednesday, Second Week in June
It was Richard’s night off from the bar. He had taken his computer to Kinko’s to print out additional resumes. He got off the bus at his stop and walked the two blocks to his studio. A well-dressed man stepped out of a limousine and spoke to him as he began to enter the building. “Are you Richard Kerrigan?”
“Yes, I’m Richard Kerrigan, but I want nothing to do with Mr. Kasun, so please leave me alone.”
The man blew out a breath. “I don’t know a Mr. Kasun. I represent Mr. Etienne Daurensbourg, who has recently married Mr. Julio Reyes. I am Gilbert Renaud. My employer asked me to find you as a wedding present for his husband.”
“Julio? I haven’t heard his name in ten years. Is he okay?” Astonished, Richard’s jaw dropped open.
“Mr. Reyes will only be in town until tomorrow morning. If you come with me, you can see him for yourself. I will arrange for your transportation home after the visit.”
“I thought you worked for Davilor Kasun, but Kasun wouldn’t know about Julio.”
Gilbert opened the door of the limousine. Richard hesitated, but after a few minutes got into the backseat. He missed Julio, even after all these years. He was the only friend Richard ever had that didn’t have an agenda.
After thirty minutes, the limo rounded the circular driveway of a house that had to be over thirty thousand square feet. Gilbert stopped the limo at the entrance. There were cars parked everywhere.
“Eh…Gilbert, where are we?”
“This is Mr. Daurensbourg’s home in Highland Park. I am one of his assistants. If you follow me, I’ll bring Julio to you.” Gilbert brought Richard to what seemed like a breakfast room and asked him to sit and wait. Richard scanned the room. Strangely, he smelled peaches. There must be a bowl of the ripe fruit on the kitchen counter.
§ § §
Gilbert signaled Etienne.What are those two up to?Julio wondered.
Etienne nodded and turned to Julio. “I have another wedding present for you.” He wore a secretive, pleased smile.
Julio scolded, “You shouldn’t have bought me anything else. I have everything I need, right here.” He hugged his husband. Etienne motioned Gilbert forward.
Gilbert approached him smiling. “Alpha Mate, we found Richard Kerrigan. He’s waiting for you in the breakfast room.”
Julio broke out into a huge smile. “Thank you Etienne, Gilbert, I can’t believe you did this for me! Come with me and I’ll introduce you to Richard. Besides, I couldn’t find my way in this barn anyway.”
Etienne laughed and put his arm around Julio’s shoulders, and they made their way to the breakfast room.
Julio gasped. Richard’s head was visible from the entrance to the room. His red hair had turned to a darker auburn. It called him like a beacon. Julio stopped and frowned. He knew that posture from when they were kids. Something was very wrong in Richard’s world. He sent a message to his Mate:Richard is in some kind of trouble. I recognize those lines on his forehead.
Maybe we can help,Etienne offered.
Julio flashed his Mate a brilliant smile.Maybe we can.He held out his hand.
“Richard, by the gods, I thought I’d never see you again,” Julio greeted his old friend.
Richard stood, ran to Julio and gave him a hug. Etienne emitted a low growl, and Julio sent him a terse message over the Mate link.Don’t be stupid. I told you we were childhood friends. It would be like screwing my brother.
Etienne backed down gracefully by holding his hand out to Richard. “I’m Etienne Daurensbourg, Julio’s husband.”
Richard glanced around the room then back at Etienne, smiling. “Julio, with your determination, I always knew you’d do well.”
He cocked his head. “Until recently, not as well as you think, but tell me about you. Why are you still in Chicago? I would have thought that Silicon Valley called your name years ago. Sit down with us so we can talk. Gilbert, do we have any Coke?”
“Most certainly. I’ll bring you two cold cans right away. Etienne, would you like a beer?”
“I’m sorry, Richard. Would you like a beer instead?” Julio asked.
