Page 55 of His to Hunt

I shouldn’t snoop, but I’m overly possessive with the mating bond still forming like this. I need to know what my mate needs before she does. Solve her problems before she even realizes they exist.

Between the texts, missed calls, and voicemails, I get a fairly clear picture. Frank talked to Melinda. Melinda talked to her daughter. Shana talked to Madison. Now everyone wants to talk to Taryn about the mysterious man and her sudden disappearance.

“Fucking hell,” I sigh. “I told her I’d sort things out with Frank. I guess it’s time to keep that promise.”

I don’t want to leave her, but this will be easier if I’m alone. I lean down and nuzzle her neck until she stirs enough to open her eyes.

“You already want more?” she whispers.

“Always,” I growl. “But right now I’ve got a few things to take care of. People are getting worried about you, so I need to talk to Frank. Sort it out like I told you I would.”

“Remember, he was there for me when nobody else was,” she murmurs. “Even if it doesn’t seem like much.”

“I haven’t forgotten what you told me,” I rumble, kissing her neck before pulling away. “Rest. If you get hungry before I get back, you can order room service. Once you’re up, you should text Shana and Madison. They’re flipping out because they haven’t heard from you.”

“Did you go through my phone?” she asks, her eyes opening wider.

“Yes,” I snap. “Is that a problem?”

She’s quiet for a moment before she looks up at me. “No. I guess it should be, but it isn’t right now. I’ll text them soon. We normally text every day, but I’ve been a little… distracted.”

“I’ll distract you again as soon as I get back,” I smile, then walk to the closet.

Taryn watches while I get dressed, then I devour her lips one more time before I leave. This should be a fairly simple problem to solve. Wolves don’t sleep as much as humans, and I’ve needed less than I normally do with the mating bond driving me mad. That’s given me plenty of time to find out everything I need to know about Frank and his diner.

I could use a run, but with tension high in Covington after what I did to Joe and his asshole friends, it’s better if I drive. The traffic annoys the hell out of me on my way to the diner, so I’m glad to be done with it when I turn into the parking lot.

When I walk in, Frank is in the kitchen. There’s a woman I don’t recognize waiting tables. I find a seat, order some coffee, and let her know I have business with Frank. I watch as she delivers the message and Frank’s face pales when he sees me. He finishes whatever he’s doing in the kitchen and quickly hurries to my table.

“Sit down,” I order him in a no-nonsense tone.

“Is Taryn okay?” he asks as he lowers himself into the seat across from me.

“Do you actually give a fuck?” I ask. “Or do you only miss her because you need cheap labor?”

Frank’s lip twitches like he wants to say something but thinks better of it. “Look, Taryn’s one of Shana’s best friends. We’ve tried to help her. Yes, I know we could have done more, but we tried…”

“You’re not going to convince me that, with beautifully decorated empty bedrooms upstairs, your basement was the best you could do,” I snarl. “But I’m not here to talk about that. Taryn’s fine. She’s staying at the Casa Lusso with me.”

“Casa Lusso?” Frank asks, his eyes bulging slightly. “That place isn’t cheap.”

“No, it’s not. Now, let’s talk about your diner. I’ve had some time to look over your finances. You’re not doing well, Frank.”

“My finances? How did you-” he begins, but I cut him off.

“Don’t worry about that,” I cut him off. “This diner is just a way for you to stay busy while your wife earns the real money, but you’re not doing yourself any favors. You’re hiring felons to work in your kitchen. You didn’t even pay Taryn. Not really. Tips aren’t a salary, Frank. Especially tips from this place.”

“I know, but Melinda thought… I mean, we were giving her a place to stay,” he murmurs. “I couldn’t really afford to pay her.”

“And now that she’s gone, you can’t afford to hire a replacement. I get it,” I say. “Personally, I’d rather let you solve this problem on your own. Or not. I don’t give a fuck if you have to close this place down. But Taryn still appreciates what you did for her, which means I’m going to help you.”

“Help me? How?” Frank asks, then he lowers his voice. “Are you asking for a job?”

“No,” I practically guffaw in his face, looking around with raised eyebrows. “I’m going to hire a restaurant consultant for you. One who has done a lot of good work in New Salem. This place needs a facelift, a new menu, a cook that doesn’t eye-fuck your waitresses all goddamn day, and waitresses who can earn a decent living.”

“Sure, there’s a lot this diner needs, but I can’t afford any of it,” Frank says defensively. “We keep our personal finances separate.”

“It won’t cost you anything. Consider it an investment,” I snap. “The only thing you have to do is leave Taryn the fuck alone. Stop blowing up her phone. Stop calling her, leaving voicemails about how much you need her help. She’s not coming back, Frank. Ever.”