“Tall, dark, and soggy?” Indy’s voice was light, almost teasing. “Sorry, haven’t seen anyone except Mrs. Chen picking up her weekly roses.”
Silence stretched. Malik’s fingers ached from clenching them so hard. If they touched Indy, if they so much as breathed wrong near him—
“You’re sure?” the second demon said.
“Unless he’s hiding in my peace lilies, yeah, I’m sure. Would you like to check? They’re on sale this week.”
Another pause. Then footsteps retreating. The door opened then closed, a moment of outside traffic sounds before it died.
Malik waited, counting his heartbeats, before Indy appeared in the doorway. His face was pale, but he’d kept himself composed. His hands twisted together, then stopped, like he’d caught himself fidgeting.
“They’re gone,” Indy said quietly. “For now, I think. Who were…what were…” He stopped and took a breath. “Okay, so this is weird. Really weird. But I need help with something, and you’re here, and those guys looking for you seem worse than—”
He stopped again when Malik stepped forward. Their eyes met, and that pull between them strengthened, became almost visible in the air. Malik’s cheetah purred, a rumbling satisfied sound.
“You’re my…” Indy’s voice cracked. “That’s not possible. That’s not… People don’t just—”
“Why not?” Malik asked.
Indy stared at him, those violet-blue eyes searching his face like he could find answers written there. His breathing had quickened, and Malik could see his pulse fluttering at his throat. Fear and attraction and confusion all tangled together.
“I’m just in shock,” Indy whispered.
“I know.” Malik tilted his head, holding up a finger.
“What?” Indy jerked his head around, like the demons would materialize in the shop.
Malik heard the sound again. Small whimpers. The sound was muffled, but it was definitely coming from the back. “Where’s your back door?”
“In the back,” Indy replied. “That’s why it’s called a back door.”
A slow smile spread across Malik’s face. “Makes sense. Mind leading the way?”
His mate glanced toward the door. “Are you sure they’re gone? Those were demons, right? Why were they chasing you? Wait, don’t answer that. The less I know, the better.”
“Breathe,” Malik said.
Indy sucked in air, held it, then slowly released it. “Right. Breathing. I can do that.” He glanced toward the front windows. “Are they really gone?”
“For now.”
“That’s not very comforting.” But Indy was already moving toward the back door. Malik followed him through the storage room to a rear exit. The rain had softened to a drizzle, and the alley behind the shop smelled of wet pavement and garbage bins. A cardboard box sat against the wall, and soft whimpering came from inside.
“Oh my god! Dogs. Why would someone just throw away such beautiful babies?”
“A vet lives with me and my team,” Malik said. “I can take them there.”
“Your team?” Indy’s eyebrows rose. “What are you, some kind of special ops soldier? Wait, don’t answer that either.”
Malik knelt and examined them, careful with his touch. “I think this one’s leg is broken.” Nothing pissed him off more than seeing helpless creatures abused. If he found out who dumped them back here, Malik would beat their fucking ass.
Indy knelt beside him, his movements careful and gentle. Three small dogs huddled together, their fur matted and dirty. One had a gash along its side, another held its front leg at an awkward angle, and the third simply shook, its eyes wide with terror.
“Hey, babies,” Indy murmured, his voice dropping into something soft and soothing. “It’s okay. We’re going to help you. Don’t be afraid. We’re not meanies. I promise.”
Malik watched him reach into the box and saw how the dogs responded to his touch despite their fear.
“We need to move,” Malik said. “My vehicle is two blocks from here.”
