Wulf grunted but didn’t slow down. The guy had called Justin’s bluff. Wulf knew that Justin wouldn’t call attention to them—no more so than a mountainous man carrying someone over his shoulder down a dark street. No, there’s absolutely nothing suspicious going on here, Mr. Officer.
As Justin pushed himself up and gazed around, he noticed the bodyguard cut through the visitors’ parking lot of the hospital and head toward the car. Maybe they were going to retrieve the car so they could go back and run those muggers over. Justin’s eyes widened when he spotted Caleb standing by Demetri’s black BMW.
Caleb’s jaw dropped. “What the hell is going on here?” he barked. “Why are you carrying my best friend like you’re about to carry him away to your troll cave?”
Justin lost his grip and flopped back down. He smiled at Caleb’s indignity even though he couldn’t see the guy. Justin was staring at Wulf’s back. “What are you doing here?” Justin asked as Wulf slowed. “I thought your dad sent you home.”
“Do you think I’d leave you with Mr. Frost? I like you too much to subject you to him.”
If only Caleb knew how much Justin liked being alone with Demetri. “Yeah, god forbid I get stuck with a parental figure.” He inwardly winced. Again, Justin did not want to look at Demetri in that light but had to play things off with Caleb.
“Just call me your hero,” Caleb said to Justin and then added, “Put him down.”
Justin was finally lowered. He fixed his shirt with his good hand and glared at Wulf. “Next time a cab will do just fine.” He had an urge to kick the man in his shin.
“Okay, J,” Caleb said as he leaned against his father’s car. “Spill it. Why was Wulf carrying you like that, and where is dear old dad?”
“Being mugged,” Justin snapped and then shoved a finger in Wulf’s direction. “And this guy just left him.”
“What!” Caleb lurched off the car and moved quickly to Wulf, stabbing his finger into the man’s chest. “Take me to him right now, you worthless oaf!”
Wulf clenched his jaw, but he didn’t say a word, and he didn’t budge. Caleb paced in front of the man. “How could you leave him like that? You’re paid to protect him and you up and run at the first sign of trouble?”
“No,” Demetri said when he approached. “He did exactly as I instructed.”
Justin hid the smile at seeing Demetri. There wasn’t a hair out of place, and his clothes were as pristine as ever. He wanted to run over to the guy and hug him, glad that Demetri was safe, but he stayed rooted to the spot. Hugging his best friend’s father would be an awkward thing to explain.
“What happened to those muggers?” he asked instead.
“Muggers?” Demetri’s dark brows dipped low and then rose high. “Oh, those two men? Nothing at all.”
Evasive.
“But how did you get away?” Caleb asked.
Demetri stepped closer to his son. “The better question is, what are you doing here after I sent you home?”
Caleb jutted his chin in defiance. “Did you think I was going to leave Justin after he’d been hurt?”
This seemed to take the wind out of Demetri’s sails. He opened the back door to the car and waved for Justin and Caleb to climb in. Demetri closed the door and began to talk to Wulf as Caleb sagged back in his seat. “This has been one hell of a night.” He bumped shoulders with Justin. “But at least you’re all right. Had me worried when you didn’t wake for two days.”
“Two days!” Justin rubbed a hand over his forehead. “I was out for two days?”
Caleb’s smile faded. “Yeah. Your fever spiked, and the doctors were at a loss of what to do.” The man frowned. “Father was at your side the entire time.”
It was Justin’s turn to frown. “Why?”
Caleb threw his hands up and made the village idiot face that he was known for. “Because he cares about you, dork. You’ve been with our family for a long time.”
To know that Demetri had stayed at his side touched Justin. He glanced toward the door to see Demetri’s back, and then his eyes wandered to the guy’s sculpted butt.
“Did you just check out my dad’s ass?” Caleb asked. When Justin turned to his friend, Caleb’s eyes were wide, and his mouth was hanging open.
“No,” Justin said a little too quickly. “Why would I do that?”
Caleb eyed him critically. “You know, now that I think about it, you do get all weird when he’s around.”
“Do not,” Justin said lamely. “And if I do, it’s because I’m not used to such a strong and powerful man.”
Caleb shoved a finger toward him. “There’s that look!” He frowned and then began to laugh so hard he nearly fell off the seat. “You have a mancrush on my father. So gross.”
Justin shoved at Caleb’s side. “Knock it off. I do not. I just respect the guy.”
When Caleb settled back, wiping at his eyes, he said, “Right. You want him. Admit it.”
They both fell silent when the back door opened, and Demetri climbed in. He sat across from them, eyeing Caleb. The man didn’t look the least bit happy. The car began to move, and Caleb cleared his throat.