Hagen, Lynn - Stormy Eyes [Brac Pack 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) (4 page)

Keata.

Kyoshi wiggled his way free and ran to his cousin’s room, cracking his door open. Keata was fast asleep. Kyoshi watched him for a moment before he climbed back into bed.

“He okay?” Storm reached out and pulled Kyoshi back into his arms.

“Yes. He’s sleeping.” Kyoshi snuggled down, dozing back off.

“I’m really sorry your first experience with our country was a shitty one.” Storm was rubbing his hand over Kyoshi’s hair.

“Not your fault. I’m just glad we got away and Paul was kind enough to help us. I cringe at the thought of what could have happened to Keata. He’s a virgin, ya know. His first time shouldn’t be traumatic.” Kyoshi hoped his wouldn’t be either. For some reason though, he felt safe with Storm. His instincts told him Storm would be gentle with him, careful. He felt a connection he couldn’t explain, and that scared him. All he’d ever had was Keata and his mother. He never had a relationship. How were you supposed to act? He’d already started feeling attached to the warrior.

“He’s safe, Kyoshi. No one’s going to hurt him. I’ll have a little face-to-face talk with Ludo today. The other men would tear his limbs apart if he was being forward with Keata. Promise.”

Kyoshi turned to face Storm. He ran his hands over the blond strands he had been dying to touch. They really were soft as spun gold. “Can I brush it?”

“Of course.” Storm sat up, rolled off the bed, and grabbed the brush from the bathroom. He sat on the edge of the bed with his back facing Kyoshi.

Kyoshi brushed the long strands out, pulling them back in his hands to braid. The amount of hair this man had was ridiculous. His own hair was silky but thin. Storm’s was so thick he wasn’t sure he could do this. His mother often asked Kyoshi to tend to her hair. Hers was much longer but thin like his. Kyoshi parted it into three sections then asked the one question that was bugging him.

“What are you, Storm?” His fingers continued at its task.

“What do you mean, Kyoshi?”

“I see in your eyes something…different. Not the changing of colors, but an old soul. My mother believed that everyone’s soul belonged to a creature of nature. She believed mine to be a dragonfly. What’s yours?” The gentle tugging continued, only further down this time. It was hard, but he was managing.

“Wolf.”

“I believe it. You are fierce. But…still. Does your wolf truly exist? Truly live within you?” Kyoshi had sensed something different with not only Storm, but the other large men as well. It was in their eyes.

“Yes,” Storm answered.

“I thought so. And the men downstairs?”

“Wolf also.”

“Are Keata and I in any danger?”

“Never.”

“This is good.”

Keata had heard of shifters in old tales. Only, in Japan, it was a tale of Xiamen tigers, shifter cats that lived in the southernmost part of Japan. He never believed them, but with Storm’s revelation, he was beginning to wonder.

“There, I am finished. You have beautiful hair.”

Storm reached and pulled the braid over his shoulder, he looked impressed. Kyoshi had plaited his hair, and he was damn good at it. It was tight and smooth, no little hairs sticking out of the sides. Storm reached around and pulled Kyoshi onto his lap, holding him in his strong arms.

“Uh-oh. Stormy eyes try to kiss Kyoshi. Naughty, naughty.”

Kyoshi looked over to see Keata standing in the doorway.

“
Haven’t I spoken to you about knocking
?” Kyoshi gently chastised Keata in their native tongue.

“You aren’t yelling at him, are you?” Storm looked from Keata to Kyoshi.

“No, just reminding him to knock.” Kyoshi sat up straighter in Storms lap.

“Sorry, Kyoshi. I just got scared when I woke up alone.”
Keata stood by the door, waiting for Kyoshi to forgive him.

“Come, Keata.” Kyoshi held his arms out as Keata embraced him. “There is no need to be frightened, okay?”

Keata nodded. “Roger that.”

Storm chuckled as he ruffled Keata’s hair. “Come on, squirts. I need to buy you some new clothes.”

Chapter Three

“I need to have a talk with you, Ludo.” Storm entered the den, spotting Ludo by the bar with a few other Sentries. If Ludo did actually take advantage of Keata, he was going to break his fucking arm.

“Yes, Storm?” Ludo turned to welcome his friend, until he saw the look on his face.

“Did you rub yours paws on Keata’s ass yesterday?” Storm got right up in Ludo’s face.

“Never!” What was Storm talking about? “I brushed him off when he fell. That’s it.”

“Well, I have a mate who it afraid for his cousin to be here because he thinks your hand lingered a little too long on Keata’s ass.”

Blair and Oliver shot daggers at Ludo. The brothers had been molested by their own father, and they didn’t like to hear about anyone else being taken advantage of, especially someone as sweet as Keata.

A few of the Sentries stood a little straighter, coming closer. Storm could hear a few low growls.

“I never would do such a thing! I would never touch another wolf’s mate!” Ludo yelled.

“What did you just say?”

Ludo curled his lips in, shaking his head.

“Who?” Storm looked around the den to see what Sentries were there. Who was Keata’s mate? Who was the scumbag that would have to answer to him if they wanted near his mate’s cousin?

“I would never tell, but I do want to thank you for handling a delicate situation… delicately.”

It took a moment for Ludo’s words to register. Storm cursed as he looked around to see five angry Sentries ready to rip Ludo a new one and five mates looking at Ludo like a registered sex offender.

“Shit, Ludo. I’m sorry. All I thought about was Keata and making sure he was safe here. I’m truly sorry.”

“Yeah, Storm? I think it’s a little too late to close the door. The damn horse is already gone.” Ludo left in a rage.

* * * *

Storm had to find a way to make it up to Ludo. He couldn’t believe he went off half-cocked like that without hearing the wolf’s explanation. Now he’d annihilated the guy’s good name.

All he was trying to do was protect Keata. Not only did his mate love him dearly, Storm was growing fond of him as well.

“What no anal fee mean?”

Storm was trying to figure out what Keata just said. Anal fee? “Kyoshi, need your help.”

Kyoshi walked away from the mates as he talked with Keata. They were at the mall shopping, trying to make sure Kyoshi and Keata had everything they needed to make their stay here as comfortable as possible. The other mates wanted to tag along except Drew.

The mall was a trigger for him, so Remi took him out to dinner instead. The mall was where Drew used to buy his drugs from a drug dealer who hung out in the food court. Storm and Tank took care of that problem though.

“He is talking about no annual fee. Someone must have offered him a credit card.”

“Could you please tell him not to talk to strangers, to stay with you guys, please? We would hate to have to rip this mall apart…again.” They tore it apart when the Commander’s mate, Johnny, had been kidnapped by his own brother. Storm didn’t want Keata near anyone but those he came with.

“Will do. I’ll hold his hand to make sure the little escape artist doesn’t get away.” Kyoshi winked at Storm before grabbing Keata’s hand and leading him back over to the mates.

“Got your hands full, don’t you?” Maverick smiled as he slapped Storm on the back.

“Yeah. One guy that trusts
everyone
and one who has the sharpest tongue in the west.” Storm shook his head as he watched his mate take Keata from store to store. Maverick, Hawk, Kota, Micah and Storm all kept a keen eye on the guys. No one was kidnapping a goddamn thing today.

* * * *

“But I want. It twinkles.”

Johnny looked from Keata to Kyoshi. “What does he mean
twinkles
?”

“Sparkles.”

“Oh, I like twinkles, too, Keata.” Johnny grabbed Keata as they ran through the craft store.

“You guys feeling devilish?” Cecil had that look.

Blair leaned in and whispered, “We aren’t stealing another car, are we?”

“You guys steal cars?” Oliver and Kyoshi looked at the two in shock.

What had he gotten himself into? Kyoshi thought.

“Long story,” Blair and Cecil said in unison.

“No. I was just thinking that your mates should get matching wallets like mine and Johnny’s have.” Oh yeah, Cecil was feeling real devilish.

“Uh, okay.” Kyoshi had no clue what the nutty little American was talking about, but Storm had given him and Keata spending money. Shouldn’t cost too much. It was just a wallet.

* * * *

“Uh, thanks?” Storm looked at the very pink wallet Kyoshi had just handed him. What the heck?

“Yeah, uh, thanks.” Micah had no clue what he was going to do with a pink wallet with Tinker Bell on the front.

“Um, is this a joke, sunshine?” Kota opened his wallet, jumping back like he expected paper snakes or something to jump out.

Maverick and Hawk were laughing their asses off. Maverick remembered when Cecil handed him one with a unicorn on it. He said it was Johnny’s idea. Yeah, right.

“No, babe. Johnny thought they were great gift ideas.” Blair smiled up at Dakota, trying not to laugh, failing miserably. He bit the inside of his jaw trying to keep the hysterics at bay.

“Oh…Johnny.” Storm glared at Hawk.

“You don’t like my mate’s idea?” Hawk lost it again. He fell against Maverick he was laughing so hard.

“What’s so funny?” Johnny asked as he and Keata raced up to the guys.

“Nothing,” all eight men said at once. Hawk pulled Johnny up in his arms for a kiss before setting him back down.

“Come on, guys, we’re supposed to be shopping for clothes. Kyoshi, grab Keata so we can hit the department store.” Cecil turned to lead the way when he heard a curse.

“Where is Keata?” Kyoshi spun around. Panic was setting in. His cousin would be too trusting and walk away with anyone.

“KEATA!” Storm bellowed as everyone turned, and Keata came running at once.

“What wrong, Stormy eyes?” Keata panted.

“Kyoshi, tell him to please stay with us. No wandering around,” Storm begged his mate.

“I know what Stormy eyes say. No wandering.” He smiled a big goofy smile as he grabbed Kyoshi’s hand and raised the entwined fingers for Storm’s approval.

“I don’t want to lose you, Keata.” Storm rubbed his hand down the side of Keata’s face.

“No lose.” Keata turned to run off with the mates.

“He’s gonna knock three hundred years off of us, isn’t he?” Kota mumbled.

“You know it.” Storm shook his head as they followed behind their mates and Keata.

* * * *