Keata's Promise [Brac Pack 7] (12 page)
“You’ve got to be kidding me? These are state of the art appliances, industrial size refrigerators and marble counter tops?” Frank looked up at Cody then back down at the pictures. “Is that a seventy-two inch wide, heavy duty restaurant range with twelve burners? Did you look at the price?” Frank opened his mouth then closed it again like a fish.
“I told you, price isn’t a concern, and I don’t want to hear an argument. If I’m going to be a partner, it’s nothing but the best.” Cody looked back at Keata before continuing. “I live a long time. I want to make sure I have enough savings for me and Keata to live off of, please understand.” Cody implored.
“Is that really a triple glass and chrome refrigerator?”
“Yep, three swinging glass doors, nine shelves, and twenty-nine and a half inch depth, stores a lot of chicken strips in there.” Cody smiled.
“I bet we could. Okay, you buy the equipment, and I’ll oversee the construction.” They shook hands one more time before Cody latched
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on to Keata.
Frank’s eyes widened when Maverick stepped through the kitchen. “Frank Thomas, Alpha Maverick Brac.” Cody stepped aside with Keata once he introduced the two. If he was going to kill Frank, he didn’t want Keata close.
“Stay, Cody. You vouched for him, so you know the penalty if I disapprove.” Maverick stepped to Frank as Cody released Keata, setting him on his feet and pushing his mate behind him.
“Keata is safe, Sentry.” Maverick circled around Frank.
Cody watched as Frank’s eyes widened, but he didn’t attempt to run. The man must have known death stared him in the face, but he didn’t flinch. He stayed still for the Alpha’s inspection.
“Why should I trust you to keep our secret safe?” Maverick leaned over Frank, who was only five nine.
Cody saw the fear in Frank’s eyes before he quickly masked it.
Frank stood tall, taking a military stance. Cody was amazed that Frank looked like he would die proud if that’s what was about to happen. “I am a man of honor. Cody saved my life and is offering to renovate my business.”
“So this is about money?” Maverick stopped when he was behind Frank.
“Never. I refused him, but the man is too damn stubborn.” Frank still didn’t flinch when Maverick leaned even closer.
“Yes, Cody can be that.” Maverick bared his canines, circling around for Frank to see.
“As I have told Cody, I like our small town, and I don’t want military or reporters swarming the place.” Frank gulped slightly when he saw Maverick’s canines. Cody didn’t blame him.
“So you say. Why should I let you or Cody live?” Maverick asked.
“Cody, sir?” Frank looked at Maverick with confusion.
“Yes, Cody. He vouched for you, so if I feel you’re a threat, I eliminate both of you.” Maverick backed off, staring Frank straight in
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his eyes, letting the crimson show.
“I don’t know how to answer that, Alpha. Only that I repay what I owe, and I owe Cody my life.”
Cody said a prayer, not sure that Frank convinced Maverick. He could feel Keata pulling on his shirt behind him. He knew his mate didn’t understand what was going on, but you’d have to be blind not to see the threat the Alpha posed.
“Now your life belongs to me. Betray us, and it will be a long and agonizing death, Frank Thomas. There is nowhere you can hide.” Maverick walked out of the gutted kitchen.
“Did I pass?” Frank looked over at Cody.
“Thank fuck.” Cody blew out the breath he had been holding.
“Is that a yes? Because I need to know before I shit my pants.” Frank smiled.
“That’s a yes. But remember, if he even thinks you’ve betrayed us, you and I both will wish for death years before it comes.”
“Years?” Frank gaped. “I’m not sure I want to know about wolves anymore.
“Years. Now, as I was saying…”
* * * *
Frank was floored at the grand reopening when so many wolves came in to eat. Cody had never mentioned how huge they all were.
Even more amazing were the little guys hanging onto them. He recognized Keata and Cody, but the rest made his diner look like a kitchenette.
He also recognized Alpha Maverick. He had a small guy hugging him, which made the Alpha seem less intimidating. Maverick stared into the little guy’s eyes like he was the only one in the world for him.
Frank relaxed when Cody introduced him to the other Sentries. Frank was still trying to figure all of it out.
“I’m Tank.” Tank stuck his hand out to Frank. “I’ll be one of your
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best customers.” He smiled.
“I recognize you.” Frank laughed. “You order half the menu every time you come in.”
“Growing pup has to eat.” Tank slapped Frank on the back, damn near knocking him to the floor. “Shit, I’m sorry. I never had a human friend before, well, except for the mates. I forget my strength sometimes.”
Frank stretched his back. “No worry, I’ll send you the chiropractor’s bill.”
“Really?” Tank looked worried.
“Uh, no. Kidding.” Frank shook his head. He liked Tank.
“Oh, okay then.” Tank walked off.
“Great turnout.” Cody walked over to him, shaking his hand.
“Great.” Frank agreed.
Keata ran up to Frank, jumping around like a puppy. “Smoothie please.”
“
Anata no tame ni mo, wakai yūjin
.” Frank smiled.
“What?” Cody looked at Frank.
“I said ‘anything for you, young friend.’” He clapped Cody on his back.
“Better be all.” Cody gave Frank the evil eye. Once again, Frank waved him off.
* * * *
“He really doesn’t fear us?”
Cody looked over his shoulder to see Maverick standing behind him.
“He fears. Just won’t show it,” Cody explained.
“Hmm.” Maverick walked over to Cecil and pulled him in his lap.
Cody understood where Maverick was coming from just by watching him with his mate, still.
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* * * *
Frank stepped out of the kitchen. “Cody, we have a problem.” Frank stepped back as the entire room surrounded him.
“What’s wrong?” Tank looked over Frank’s shoulder.
Frank took a deep breath and shook his head, waving his arms.
“No, not that kind of problem. My cook just quit, says he ain’t cooking all this damn food.”
“Want me to go convince him?” Tank offered.
“You’d do that?” Frank looked up at Tank in amazement.
“Yeah, I like you. You feed me.”
Frank burst out laughing, “Nice to know. No, Tank. I just need to hire a new one. Until then”—he turned to Cody—“you’ll have to get hands on here.”
Everyone groaned.
“He can’t cook,” one of the wolves yelled.
“Gonna have to for now.” Frank chuckled.
“Got poison control on speed dial?” Remi asked.
“No, but since you suggested it…” Frank tried to hide his laugh.
“Hey,” Cody snarled at Frank.
“No snarling.” Keata patted Cody’s chest. Cody looked down at his mate with nothing but love in his eyes.
Frank was amazed at the depth to which these wolves loved their mates. He would forever keep their secrets with the new friendships he just formed.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.
You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.
Also by Lynn Hagen
Brac Pack 1:
Maverick’s Mate
Brac Pack 2:
Hawk’s Pretty Baby
Brac Pack 3:
Sunshine’s Savior
Brac Pack 4:
Remi’s Pup
Brac Pack 5:
Stormy Eyes
Brac Pack 6:
Oliver’s Heart
Available at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
- KEATA�S PROMISE
- THE END
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