Stevens-Journey [Brac Pack 20]

Brac Pack 20

Steven’s Journey

Steven Barlett is on the run from David, his ex-boyfriend, who thinks settling their differences requires a fist. But Steven takes a secret with him, and David is willing to kill to keep it quiet.

Roman Lakeland, the youngest of seven and the foreman on the construction crew that is helping to expand Brac Village, has finally found his mate, Steven, who is living in a shelter for the battered.

Roman takes Steven home, showing him a life Steven never dreamed was possible. Roman's family takes to Steven, and their lives finally feel complete. But when someone on his crew threatens his mate’s life, Roman is out for blood.

Can Roman show Steven how to be his own man? Can he even keep Steven alive? And can the Lakelands and the Brac Pack stop the evil that Steven's ex, David, has unleashed?

Genre:
Alternative (M/M or F/F), Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length:
37,001 words

STEVEN’S JOURNEY

Brac Pack 20

Lynn Hagen

EVERLASTING CLASSIC

MANLOVE

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

IMPRINT: Everlasting Classic ManLove STEVEN’S JOURNEY

Copyright © 2011 by Lynn Hagen

E-book ISBN: 1-61034-712-9

First E-book Publication: August 2011

Cover design by Jinger Heaston

All art and logo copyright © 2011 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

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Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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Steven’s Journey
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STEVEN’S JOURNEY

Brac Pack 20

LYNN HAGEN

Copyright © 2011

Steven climbed into the back of the SUV, wondering what he had just gotten himself into. He thought life couldn’t get any worse after his parents died, but he had been wrong.

“I have to go.” Steven reached for the door handle, ready to jump out and diffuse the situation. “If I go with him, he’ll leave your friends alone.”

Taylor, the person he had called to get him out of this abusive situation, reached out and grabbed his arm. “Not in this lifetime. They can handle their own, trust me.”

Steven became silent as he looked over the seat to the street behind him. “Are you sure? I don’t want to cause any trouble.” David could be a real prick and Steven didn’t want these kinds people to have to face him.

“No trouble. You’re not the one who is causing trouble.” Steven glanced back to see the three large men that had come with Taylor, arguing with his boyfriend. David jerked his arms around, his face turning a deep scarlet. Fuck, he looked so damned pissed. Steven was surprised when David walked into the building without a fight and the three men turned toward the truck. That wasn’t like David. Steven sat back as he wondered how had he let his life get so out of hand?

8

Lynn Hagen

One of the large men slid into the driver’s seat as another one opened the passenger door and got in. The last one climbed into the back and sat next to Taylor. Steven scooted over to the far door, fisting his hands in his lap as he prayed for the courage to go through with this.

“You’ve already met Dagon.” Taylor pointed to the man in the backseat. Steven leaned forward and nodded toward the muscle-bound man. “That’s Tryck and Law.” Taylor pointed to the two sitting up front.

Steven gave them a weak smile, unsure that he could do this. He was leaving everything familiar behind and going into the unknown.

It was scary as hell to him. Maybe he should get out and do this another day. “You’re safe. They won’t hurt you.” Taylor spoke in a gentle voice.

Steven nodded. Drawing a deep breath, he turned away from the vehicle’s occupants and looked out of the window. He watched as his apartment building and everything he had known slowly faded away as the SUV pulled from the curb. His fingers gripped the door where the window ended and the door began, feeling as though his stomach was tied in knots.

Had he really just left David? Was he crazy? Steven knew he had to get out of that abusive relationship, but what had he gotten into now?

He’d met Taylor in the restroom of a buffet-style restaurant, crying his eyes out in a booth after David had struck him for the first time in their four years. Taylor had heard him and given Steven his phone number, telling him to call if he ever needed anything, even if it was only someone to talk to.

When David struck him this time, Steven had called. Now he sat in the back of a stranger’s vehicle, going into the unknown. Steven only hoped his life got better from this moment on.

Steven’s Journey

9

The driver, Tryck, exited the highway and drove through a small town, parking outside a diner. His eyes drank everything in as Taylor got out, waving for Steven to join him.

Steven climbed out, closing the back door, and then stood there feeling unsure about everything. He shoved his hands in his back pockets as he took in the sights all around him.

There had to be something in the water around here because not only were the men who came to rescue him large, but so were the men standing across the street talking. Again, what the hell had he gotten himself into?

Taylor took him into the diner where they ordered some food.

Steven sat quietly as they ate, his eyes taking everything in. Once they were finished, Taylor paid the bill, and then they walked across the street.

Steven became fascinated and a bit intrigued when Taylor approached the tallest man he had ever seen. He wore jeans, a leather jacket, and biker boots. The tall man had long black hair down to his waist in one long braid, tied off with a leather thong. Steven stood there in awe as his head craned back to stare up at the man.

Taylor touched Steven’s elbow as he guided him toward the gathered men. “Maverick, this is Steven.” The giant turned and smiled down at him. Maverick’s eyes softened as he spoke in a very deep voice. “Hello, Steven.” In an odd contradiction to the power he saw standing in front of him, Steven’s body began to relax as the kindest eyes he had ever seen gazed down at him.

Steven gave him a closed-mouth smile before speaking. “Hi.” Taylor pointed to the two buildings under construction and then singled out the one to his right as he explained to Steven what the building was being built for and that Steven would be staying the night there. He told Steven of his desire to be a counselor and how he was Taylor’s first case.

10

Lynn Hagen

“I feel honored.” Steven softly chuckled. “Is it all right for me to stay here?”

“That’s what Maverick”—Taylor pointed to the giant—“is discussing with the crew now. I’m pretty sure it will be. If not, we have plenty of room at the Den for you until it is.” Steven stared at Tate’s Resource Center and then back at Taylor, his head tilting to the side as he brushed a hand through his shoulder-length black hair. “Why are you doing all of this for me?” Nobody had ever gone out of their way to help him before. Steven could tell right away that Taylor was a kind and caring guy, but he wasn’t too sure about the rest of these men.

Dagon stepped up behind Taylor, wrapping his strong arms around his boyfriend’s shoulders as Taylor answered Steven.

“Because no one should live in fear. I believe everyone should live a satisfying, if not fulfilling, life.” Steven watched Dagon lean forward and kiss Taylor. He could see the pride on Dagon’s face for his lover. Steven looked around, feeling strange watching the couple cuddle. He noticed one of the construction crew workers staring at him from inside the resource center. The worker was doing something with the large window, but his eyes weren’t on the job at hand.

A faint grin touched the man’s lips before Steven averted his eyes.

Now was not the time to ogle the gorgeous man. He was already in one mess. Although Steven no longer loved David, and hadn’t for awhile now, that didn’t mean he was on the prowl for another man.

When he glanced back up, the worker was still watching him.

Steven had to admit, he was intrigued.

Steven walked into the resource center with Taylor, looking around at the bare place. Even with the dust and sparseness, it was better than sleeping under the same roof as David. A park bench would have been better than wondering if his ex was going to get pissed at something he did or said and strike him again.

Steven’s Journey

11

Steven noticed the worker still watching him. It was unnerving and exciting at the same time.

Steven stayed busy for the next few hours helping put things away that a dozen people had brought to the center.