The Winter Moon's Wolf Part 16

And maybe clean up.

Without any warning, Dean suddenly started chuckling.

Cade raised onto an elbow to study him. Bright eyes sparkled upward. "I just got Chris' nickname. Fur ball." He snorted.

Cade joined him then he tapped a hip. "I guess we should get up."

Dean reached for his phone, squinting at the screen. "Mom left a message." He replaced it and rubbed a hand down his face. "Let me jump in the shower." He pushed his head deep into the pillow to meet Cade's gaze. "They're done with Gemini's. The tear down is going to start soon."

"Have you thought about what you're going to do?"

"I want to rebuild."

Cade cupped his groin, catching the condom. There were things they needed to discuss and he really didn't want to do it in his current condition. He hoped to convince Dean to move to Silo, with him. Not something to discuss right after s.e.x, nor in their current disheveled states. He grimaced. "Let's get cleaned up. I'll make breakfast."

"You do that. You're a better cook than I am."

"Only because you don't like cooking."

Dean arched an eyebrow. "And that proves me wrong how?"

Cade chuckled and swatted at a scooting rear. He was beginning to really like that rear, too.

Chapter Thirteen.

Cade worked in the kitchen, putting together something for the both of them. At least since he'd been staying around more, Dean was keeping actual food in the house. He didn't mind cooking it, if it was actually there.

Shaking the pan to rush the melting b.u.t.ter, he listened for the other man in the shower.

He didn't have any idea what Dean's plans were and didn't want to try to guess. This was one of those things they really needed to discuss. Cade wanted him in Silo. He could could move to Ca.s.san, but he'd be an hour from his brothers and the clinic. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Except for their college years, they were never apart. They were the only family they each had, even as it appeared to be growing lately. move to Ca.s.san, but he'd be an hour from his brothers and the clinic. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Except for their college years, they were never apart. They were the only family they each had, even as it appeared to be growing lately.

First Jamie, Dean and Maya, and if Duncan hung around for Ed...

A knock on the door interrupted his musings. Setting the pan on a cold burner, he ambled for the door. Expecting one of the police officers that had been around the most, he was shocked to find a woman bundled up in a coat. Standing on the step below her was, more than likely, her husband. The man was a dead ringer for Dean. Cade swallowed, slowly, as they each stared for a few seconds. By their expressions he wasn't who they'd expected either.

"Hi," she said, startled. She stared in bright confusion at Cade. She hunted over her shoulder, clearly looking for Dean's car, then faced Cade again. "I thought Dean lived here."

"He does, ma'am." He opened the door wider. "He'll be right out." They walked through the door. Was he ever glad now that he'd put on his sweats.h.i.+rt and jeans. s.h.i.+-it. s.h.i.+-it. Dean's parents. Dean's parents.

He offered a hand when he closed the door. "I'm Cade."

"Ann," she responded, slipping off a glove to shake.

He faced Dean's dad.

"Trent."

"Nice to meet you both."

They stood in awkward silence.

Cade fidgeted. "Excuse me?" He spun and aimed for the bedroom. He heard zippers and whispers. He didn't doubt for a second he was the subject of those whispers.

"Dean?" He opened the bedroom door and walked in. He found him sitting on the bed, listening to his messages.

"c.r.a.p," Dean muttered as the message played. Horror and worry darkened his gaze. "Mom-"

"Is here."

"f.u.c.k!" he barked. "I told her not to come."

"They're both here."

He sc.r.a.ped a hand down a now clean-shaven face. "s.h.i.+ts.h.i.+ts.h.i.+t. Why?"

"I think we both know." And Cade's gut twisted because of it. "She is going to flip when she hears everything, and sees your neck," he added quietly. It was still vivid enough to be noticeable, even days later.

Dean's palm circled his throat. His eyes shut. A few breaths helped ease the panic in his eyes.

"Let's get this over with." He stood. "Did they act funny about you?"

"Surprised."

Dean nodded absently. "Sorry. I should have told them about you before now."

"So they meet me now. Not what I would have preferred, but I'm not going anywhere, regardless." If he could, he'd stay with Dean every second until the person behind the attacks was caught. Even after, he had no intentions of leaving the man.

Cade trailed Dean from the bedroom.

"Hi, Mom. Dad."

Ann engulfed him in a hug. "Did you get my message?"

"Like two minutes ago," he replied, patting her kindly before letting her go.

"Oh, no wonder. I called two hours ago."

"I know," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Two hours ago, I was asleep. It's usual at that time of the morning. I told you you didn't have to come. There's nothing here either of you can do."

"We can be here for you," she staunchly denied. "We have a hotel room at that place outside of town, where we stayed before."

Dean let out a slow breath. "Okay." Resigned. Resigned. Cade really felt for the man. Cade really felt for the man.

"Have you eaten?" Cade offered. Might as well keep going as though nothing was wrong, until something changed that.

"Just the nibbles on the flight," Dean's dad replied, taking a bit more interest in the conversation with the mention of food.

Ann scowled at her husband. It appeared she wasn't as willing to give Cade a mother's stamp of approval. Not yet.

Cade didn't take affront to her att.i.tude. He had to pa.s.s criteria.

"Cade was making breakfast," Dean explained.

"Sounds good to me." That earned Trent another dirty look.

"I don't mind," Cade said, turning for the small kitchen. Better to get out of the direct line of fire.

"Why is his hair so long?" Cade heard the abrupt whisper.

Dean snickered. "Because he likes it that way. And so do I."

"You always were drawn to the bad boy types," she complained.

With his back turned, Cade bit his lip to not expose his laughter.

He heard Dean urge his parents to take seats in the living room. "He has tattoos, too."

Dean's mother groaned, making her son laugh. "Come on, Mom. He's a great guy. He's been sticking with me through it all since everything started."

Cade tried to not listen but the house wasn't overly large as he put together omelets and bacon. Dean regaled them of meeting Cade, the fire, meeting Cade's brothers- "And what happened to your neck?" Trent asked with concern.

"Uh, well." He paused, and Cade heard the tension as it tightened his voice. "There have been other problems."

Cade turned down the heat on the pan and spun to rest against the counter to listen, to give Dean his support.

"Someone caused a roof collapse at Gemini's."

Ann gasped.

"Unfortunately, we were inside at the time." Cade knew he hated to admit to that part.

"Are you kidding?" Trent said, a protective firmness appearing as he sat straighter on his seat.

"No." Dean slashed a hand through his hair. "So not only is there an open arson case there's also an attempted murder investigation going on."

Ann paled. "And what does that have to do with your neck?"

Dean searched, landing on Cade with a troubled gaze. He stayed locked on Cade as he explained, "We think the same man behind the bar fire and the collapse has a vendetta or something against me."

"And you never mentioned any of this!" Ann cried. She leaped to her feet. "That's it. You're coming home. Now!"

Trent and Dean both stood. "Mom!"

"Now, Ann," Trent tried to reason.

"This is why I didn't say anything!" Dean shouted gruffly. He caught his mom by her shoulders and held her still, staring down at her pale, taut features. "I knew you would do this. I'm fine. Cade is staying here, or I'm there with him, until the guy is caught."

"I lost Daniel because of that d.a.m.ned bar! I'm not losing you too!"

Dean shook his head at her. She remained stiff and angry as she glared while they both fought and tugged. Finally, she acquiesced and embraced him.

"The bar isn't what got Daniel killed. You know that." He sighed, a pain-filled sound. "Daniel died trying to keep the peace, to protect the people surrounding him. I miss him, too."

Cade swallowed, stifling the rush of anguish. He would shatter if anything happened to Quade. He would never be the same. There was no comparing the depth of pain Dean lived with to anything he could possibly imagine. Cade would never be able to come close.

"I have no idea what ties all of this to the bar, other than it's been the means to hurt me the most."

Ann sniffled where she hid against Dean's shoulder. Trent stroked her back. Cade turned around to give them some privacy.

"The police are working on it. They have suspects. For all I know, that's why this happened." He lifted his chin, exposing his throat. "I'm fine, aside from the bruise and the soreness I had for a day or two."

Cade noticed he didn't attempt to explain how he managed to escape his attacker.

Dean gently steered his mother to the couch cus.h.i.+on where she'd been sitting with his dad. "Now, relax. Okay?"

"We still think you should come home," his mother persisted.

"I'm not coming home, not to Michigan."

"It's him, isn't it?" she nearly whispered, though Cade had no problem hearing her.

"I'll let you know," he hedged. "There's too much going on right now, so either accept it, or don't. But if you can't, then you might as well go home because I don't need the stress right now."

She huffed. Cade heard that too, even with his back turned to them.

"Fine. We are here to help."

"Then don't push at me about returning to Michigan. It's not going to happen."

Cade focused on the stove in front of him. He couldn't help the small flair of happiness Dean's words stirred. He was selfish enough to hope that he was the cause behind his refusal.

Dean walked into the Sheriff's department that afternoon. "Hi," he said in greeting to the officer at the desk. "I got a message from Officer Archer to come talk to him."

"Let me page him." Dean was waved over to a row of seats.

A few minutes later, Kelly appeared through a heavy security door. "Dean, come on back."