Page 18 of Relentless Touch

Kevin’s smile slid into something softer. “Is it really that simple?”

“Yes.”

His mate looked as if he wanted to believe Rio, but too afraid to hope.

When the food arrived, Kenai set the plates and salad down. “Hope you’re hungry,” he said.

Kevin dug into the sandwich. His appreciation was obvious from the first bite. “Oh my god.” He groaned under his breath. “A sandwich should not be this good. I’ve just become addicted. I’ll have to wash dishes to feed my habit.”

“I might be able to sway the owner into overlooking the cost.”

“You’re the owner, pussycat.” His mate rolled his eyes, the smile remaining.

Rio found himself smiling just watching the guy eat. It was almost primal, the satisfaction of feeding his mate.

During one of the lulls, Rio glanced out the window. The black SUV was back. Parked across the street.

He slid his phone out under the table and shot a quick text to Zeppelin. SUV parked out front. Watching. Then he slipped his phone away and turned his attention back to his mate.

Kevin appeared thoughtful. “I just trauma-dumped all over you, but you haven’t told me much about yourself.”

“Not much to tell. I was born in New Mexico. My family moved around a lot. I settled here thirty years ago and built Glass Oak with my bare hands.”

“That’s your idea of not having much to tell?” Kevin asked. “You built a restaurant from scratch while I can’t even build a model car without gluing my fingers together.”

“I like to keep things simple.”

Kevin took a bite of his sandwich, chewed, then swallowed. “Is that why you live alone in the woods outside of town or are you hiding a secret serial killer life?”

“You took off before I could show you my collection of bodies stored in the basement.” Rio fought not to laugh when his mate’s lips slightly parted mid-chew.

His expression was priceless. “Please tell me your joking or I’m filing for emergency custody of Cheesy.”

Rio shook with laughter, imagining his mate walking into a courtroom, the raccoon in a baby carrier strapped to his chest.

“Oh my god.” Rio pressed a hand to his gut. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard.”

“Junior is not a source of entertainment,” Kevin sniffed.

Laughter shook Rio so hard, he leaned sideways in the booth. Kevin had collapsed into a fit of giggles, unable to hold back.

The raccoon conversation was hilarious, but not funny enough to shake him this hard.

It was a pressure valve finally being released inside of Rio. Not only for the situation with his mate, but decades of mounting bullshit being purged, thanks to his raccoon-loving menace.

Chapter Five

Movement caught Rio’s attention. Ameer had gotten out of his truck and was heading toward the door.

Goddamn it.

The thug adjusted his suit jacket and walked in like was an average, paying customer.

Amy was at the host stand and gave Ameer a bright smile. Her hand hovered over the menus as she shifted her weight. Her voice was polite, welcoming, unaware of the monster behind the pleasant smile.

“Welcome to Glass Oak. Table for one?” she asked.

Ameer didn’t even glance at her. He let his gaze sweep the restaurant, skipped right over the lunch crowd, and locked eyes with Rio. Amy opened her mouth again, maybe to try a different greeting, but by then Rio was already out of the booth and moving.