Hell To Pay: Hellhound Champions Book Two, page 6
“Thanks, Alpha.”
Shaq grunted. “Drew is trying to convince me to open a portal into Paris to get him a real baguette. He says the ones here are gross. He’s never actually been to Paris, so I’m not sure how he’s figured that out.”
As far as random subject changes went, it was one of Shaq’s better ones.
“I think he’s yanking your chain.”
“Probably.”
“He thinks it’s funny that you won’t tell him no.”
“I know. But it wouldn’t hurt to—”
“Shaq.”
“No. I know. But if he wants—”
“Shaq.”
“Yeah. No. I get it. It’s just—”
Sol couldn’t help laughing. They knew the rules. No portals for personal gain. It wasn’t even one set down by the goddess. It was Shaq’s own rule. They could move as they needed as long as the cause was for the goddess. Shaq made it clear to all of them that their powers weren’t simply perks of their role that they could use at their whim. He’d been very adamant about the fact. Extremely firm. No exceptions.
Shaq growled and took another drink from his mug. “He’s playing me.”
“You know he is. What you should do is go down to the bakery, get him a baguette, and watch his eyes bug out of his head when he thinks you broke the rules for him.”
Shaq squirmed. “I shouldn’t.”
Sol smirked and his alpha soon returned the expression. “There’s that specialty grocery store up the road. What’s the name of it? I bet they have something with a nice French label on it. Definitely French wine. Probably some stinky cheese.”
Shaq couldn’t hold back his smile. “And he’d like that, even when he realizes I’m teasing him, too.”
“You can turn it into one of your romantic date nights or whatever.”
“I like the way you think, Sol. Speaking of romantic date nights…”
Sol’s stomach flipped, and he hoped his alpha hadn’t figured out what he was doing. It was stupid. Cody was human and part of their pack. He’d never shown any interest in Sol—
“…I hear you’re letting Walt use your cabin for the weekend.”
Sol fought to hide his relief. Luckily, Shaq hadn’t noticed. He was too busy refilling his coffee mug and sniffing at the chicken Sol had marinating to notice.
“What’d you put in this, anyway?”
“Homemade teriyaki sauce. And yeah, I said he could use it. He’s still so distracted by all the noises in town. Last time he tried to go over to Shelly’s, he nearly gutted one of her neighbors who was yelling at a baseball game or something.”
“I remember. Poor Shelly had to squirt him with a bottle of water to get his attention.” Shaq leaned closer to the bag of chicken and inhaled again. “This smells really good. I think Drew would like it.”
“I can give you the recipe.”
Shaq grinned up at him. “Thanks. So, anyway, speaking of romantic—”
Sol swallowed his tongue again.
“—I think we should help Walt out a bit.”
Sol sucked in a breath and nodded. “How?”
“I’m thinking roses in the cabin. Like they’re going to some fancy resort or something. Shelly’d love it.”
“Yeah, but will she believe for a second that Walt did it?”
Shaq scratched his chin and poked around in Sol’s cabinets until he found Sol’s stash of cookies. He grabbed one out of the box and dunked it in his mug of coffee. “Maybe,” he finally said. “She’ll be so excited by the whole adventure.”
Sol thought it over for a moment before he shrugged. “I can handle it if you want. I was going to go out there tomorrow morning after work anyway to make sure nothing needed to be cleaned up. Maybe open the windows a bit.”
Shaq paused and gave him a look. “You’re not working tonight.”
Sol scowled. “Shaq—”
“No. The Jerricks said to rest.”
“You know I can’t lay around and do nothing.”
Shaq growled.
“Besides, I need to go into work for a little while. The guys need to see that I’m okay.” And he needed to see Cody. But that wasn’t the point.
“They know you’re okay. I told them.”
“Uh-huh. And when has that stopped either one of us from showing up to make sure? I don’t want them showing up over here. You know what’ll happen if they do.”
“You’ll end up taking care of them. You do realize they know how to cook on their own, right? I mean—”
Sol barked out a laugh. “Sure, Alpha. And when was the last time we showed up at your place and you didn’t shove food down our throats?”
Shaq glared and dunked another cookie.
“So, let me get this finished, and I’ll see you at the bar. I won’t stay until close, if that makes you happy.”
Shaq huffed. “It’s a start.”
“You should go check on Drew. I bet he’s awake by now.”
Shaq glared at him and shoved the last of the cookie into his mouth. “I know you’re playing me, but you’re right. I’m going to go see my mate. I’ll see you at the bar.”
Sol should have known it was too easy. He really should have. Shaq had let it go too easily. But his head was busy thinking about Cody, about the conversation they’d had, and the sex. Dear Goddess, the sex. It didn’t seem real. In a way, it wasn’t. But in another, it was the most fulfilling experience of his life.
He fired up the stove and waited for the skillet to get hot before sautéing the vegetables. When they were finished, he added the chicken. While it cooked, he divided the veggies into two containers. Cody hadn’t given himself enough time to make food. The only reason Sol did was because he was going in a little later than normal. When he’d realized how long they’d spent talking… well, he had to make sure Cody had something to eat. And he needed to show Cody he understood what he’d told him. Ask. He had no idea how he was going to ask Cody if he actually wanted the food he was making. But he’d figure it out. How hard could it be?
Sol made it to the bar early enough, but Cody was already there. He looked happy. It made Sol squirm a little knowing the smile was for him, but then again, it wasn’t. He assumed his position in the back of the room after sticking his food in the fridge. Walt had given him a dirty look. Walt always gave him dirty looks, though, so it was just another day.
Everything started normally. He watched Cody. Random supernatural beings came in hoping to catch a glimpse of Drew. He watched Cody some more. And then Shaq and Drew came in. His alpha’s mate took one look in Sol’s direction, and Sol knew he was in for it. Shaq did his normal rounds, stopping at the bar first to check on Cody. Drew, however, locked eyes on his target and never blinked. He stopped in front of Sol with a beautifully sweet smile.
“No,” Sol said. He wasn’t going to be the idiot Shaq was. He was perfectly capable of saying no to Drew.
“I didn’t ask you anything,” Drew said.
The smile got wider. And a little evil. Could omegas be possessed?
“Stop smiling at me.”
“You’ll thank me later,” Drew said. He winked—fucking winked—then turned and walked away.
Sol growled under his breath and got up to follow Drew, but Shaq yelled his name.
He marched over to his alpha, ignoring the confused frown he was getting from Cody.
“Take Cody to the cabin,” Shaq said.
“What?”
“Take him. Do what we talked about. Make it happen.”
“Shaq, I can—”
“You can do what your al—er, boss, asks you to do and not argue. Drew and I brought stuff. It’s in the back of my truck. You have to stop to pick up the, er, other things.”
Sol groaned and rolled his eyes.
Cody looked confused. “Um, Shaq?”
Shaq looked toward the kitchen—and seriously, he was a bull in a china shop. If Walt couldn’t hear what was going on and figure out Shaq was meddling, then he got what he deserved—before he leaned in and lowered his voice. “Sol needs to go look over the cabin. Make sure it’s all good for the weekend. But he, uh, he’s not supposed to be—”
“I’m fine.”
Shaq flashed his eyes at Sol. Fortunately, Cody was looking at Drew, who was trying to smother himself to keep from laughing.
“Sol, what happened? Did you get hurt last night? Is that why you never came back?”
Sol scowled at Shaq before turning to Cody. “I’m fine. Just…I’m fine.”
“But you’re not supposed to…do what?” Cody asked.
“No heavy lifting,” Drew provided helpfully.
Sol glared at him.
Drew beamed another smile.
“Sol?”
“Fine, okay. I’m not supposed to lift anything for a day or so, but I’m fine.”
“You don’t want my help?” Cody asked. He had a little wobble in his voice, and Sol ran his hand through his hair.
“That’s not what—”
“It’s fine. I’m sure Shaq can—”
“No. I just… I didn’t think you’d want to be stuck in a car with me.”
Cody shrugged. “It’s for Walt and Shelly.”
Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Drew scowled at him before bugging his eyes out in a pointed fix this now kind of stare.
“Cody, will you help me? Please.”
Cody looked up at him and searched his expression for a moment before nodding. “Sure. Like I said. It’s for Walt and Shelly.”
Drew sighed and leaned against the wall. Sol could feel the waves of disappointment coming his way. He went into the kitchen and grabbed the food he’d made earlier before walking back to the bar.
“Ready?”
“Sure,” Cody said.
“We’ll be back in a few hours,” Sol said.
“Take your time,” Drew chirped. He sounded entirely too perky.
Sol scowled at him. He led the way out to his Jeep and stuck the food behind his seat. Cody stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and shuffled nervously. Dammit. Why did they have to try to help? He’d been doing fine on his own. Even if they had no idea what he was doing. And even if they’d probably be disappointed if they found out what he was actually doing to get to know Cody better.
Sol growled and marched over to Shaq’s truck. He found the promised bag of supplies in the backseat and grabbed them in one hand. He only winced a little.
“Ready?” Sol asked after he stored the rest of the stuff in the Jeep.
“Sure.”
Sol climbed in and buckled up before starting the engine. His music blasted and he didn’t bother turning it down. No need to attempt small talk. He’d no doubt insult Cody and make the whole thing worse than it already was. Sol stole a quick glance over at Cody, but he was staring out the window.
He drove to one of the local strip malls and parked. “I’ll, uh, be right back. Just wait here.”
Cody glanced over at him. “Sure.”
Sol sighed and jumped out of the Jeep. Shaq had said roses, so Sol found a big bouquet of red ones. He personally thought they smelled horrible, but for some reason, they were supposed to be romantic so he grabbed them and paid. Walt owed him for this.
He was so focused on imagining what sort of revenge he’d get out of Walt—a week’s worth of chimichangas was high on his list of possibilities—that he didn’t realize Cody was staring at him with wide eyes until he opened the passenger door and heard Cody’s quick indrawn breath.
“What’s wrong?” Sol asked.
He looked around but didn’t see anything in the parking lot that would have Cody looking so panicked.
“N-nothing.”
“Good. Hold these, okay?”
Sol shoved the vase in Cody’s lap and shut the door again.
He was back around and in his seat moments later.
“Oh, right. For Shelly,” Cody said. He moved around in his seat and adjusted the vase so it was cradled between his legs. Sol didn’t envy that vase. Not at all.
Sol glanced over at him. “Yeah. Shaq said she needed flowers.”
Cody sighed.
“Is that wrong?” Sol asked.
“No. She’ll love them.”
“Oh, good. You just…are you sure?”
“Yeah, Sol. It’s good. Drive.”
Sol turned his attention to the road and tried to figure out what had Cody so messed up. He could never read him, and it had always bothered him. On the one hand, it was like he got every single expression Cody made. But he never seemed to react to them the right way. It took about fifteen minutes to drive to the cabin, and Cody didn’t talk the rest of the way there. Sol focused on the road and pulled off to the side once they got there. He couldn’t help sneaking another look at Cody. Cody’s eyes were wide and he looked around at the clearing with wonder. It was Sol’s favorite place, his own little hideaway that he’d been working on for a few years.
“Sol,” Cody gasped.
Sol grinned. Cody turned and met his gaze then gasped again.
“Nice, right?” Sol asked.
“Nice? Nice? You call this nice? Sol, crown yourself the king of understatement, man, because this is amazing.”
Cody shoved the flowers at him then opened his door.
“Sol.”
Sol got out and tried to look at his pride and joy through Cody’s eyes. He’d made it bigger than he needed, but he’d always hoped it could be a place for his pack to call home so he wanted extra room. Their primary place would always be with their alpha, but Shaq wasn’t the only one driven to provide. It seemed to be part of Sol’s makeup as well. The cabin itself was one of those designs from a catalog. Sol had seen the plan on some advertisement and known it was what he’d wanted. He’d bought the plans without even having any land to build on. It had been a long process, and one he was still working on when he could.
“You like?”
Cody gave him a look that clearly showed he thought Sol was an idiot before he ran up onto the porch. “No wonder Walt wanted to come here!”
Sol grinned and reached for the bags in the back of the Jeep. He had to juggle a bit to get them along with the flowers, but he didn’t want to take away Cody’s enjoyment of the moment. Of course, Cody took one look at him and shot him a scowl worthy of Drew.
“What are you doing? Give me that.”
He ran down the steps and took everything out of Sol’s arms.
“I can—”
“Shut it. Open the door.”
Sol grinned and reached under the porch swing. He kept the spare tucked there and needed to use it since he’d given the one on his keyring to Walt already. He unlocked the door and pushed it open, allowing Cody to go inside. He took the flowers from Cody’s hand and put them on the dining room table. He’d found a place that made big tables out of old, reclaimed barn wood. And the fireplace was built from river rock, half of which he’d gathered himself from his different adventures. If Cody knew about his world, he’d be able to tell him the stories.
That one, with the green flecks, was when the bunyip tried to attack tourists on one of those pontoon boat tours and Shaq had to basically pick it up and throw it through the portal. And that one, with the blue. He’d found it after a merman somehow got brought to shore after getting tangled in a fishing line. It had almost been a scandal, but of course, they’d made things right. That was what they did.
But Cody couldn’t know about his world, which was what made him getting involved with Cody even more dangerous. Then again, Cody would find out sooner or later. Shelly had figured it out, and Shaq made it no secret that he considered their human pack mates very valuable to him. Of course, he did. They were family, even if they didn’t know all the secrets. Cody followed him into the kitchen area and set the bags on the island. He kept looking around, taking in every inch of the space.
Sol unpacked the bags and let Cody wander. He kept a few wine glasses in one of the glass-fronted upper cabinets so he reached up and got them down, ignoring the twinge in his ribs at the stretch. Walt would find his way around the kitchen pretty easily, and Sol had no doubt he had plans to put his culinary skills to the test in an attempt to really impress Shelly, but he could at least have the wine glasses sitting out and ready for the bottle of fancy red wine Drew had no doubt picked out and added to the bags.
Cody stopped at the rear of the main room, silhouetted by the afternoon sun coming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It had been an extravagance, but one the builder he’d worked with had helped him achieve. They’d worked for weeks trying to position the cabin just so, and he’d gotten the view he wanted as a result.
Sol couldn’t resist joining Cody. He tried to let him have the moment to himself, but Sol couldn’t give it to him. He stepped up beside Cody and looked out the window as well. Cody leaned into him—not enough to touch, but so close—and Sol couldn’t help but smile.
“Beautiful,” Cody murmured.
Sol turned to him and found Cody smiling up at him. “Yeah.”
The air around them changed in that moment and Sol wanted nothing more than to pull Cody in and confess all his secrets. He clenched his hand into a fist instead. He’d ruin it. He knew he would.
“I brought… no, wait.”
Cody’s head tilted to the side and his expression shifted to a puzzled smile.
“I made…Shit. No. Would you…Goddess save me.”
“Sol?”
“I made food. Will you eat it?”
Sol was highly tempted to go find a cliff and throw himself off of it, but at Cody’s delighted laugh, he managed to refrain.
“You asked,” Cody said with a grin.
“Horribly and awkwardly.”
“But you asked. And yes, if you made food, I will eat it.”
Sol grinned. “Come on. Let me show you the rest of the cabin first.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Cody
Cody wouldn’t have believed such an amazing spot existed so close to his apartment if he weren’t standing in it. Sol’s cabin was perfect. He couldn’t imagine why he didn’t live there. Cody knew from Drew that Sol rented a house not far from where Drew and Shaq lived, but after seeing this place Cody couldn’t figure out why.
