With Caution

walked to the buildings.
    Jake caught the ball and followed. “You didn’t tell me he was a rez cop.”
    “I didn’t?” Remi’s steps faltered.
    Staying quiet until they were inside, Jake shut the door and leaned against it. “You know you didn’t. Why?”
    48
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    With Caution
    Remi groaned and his shoulders slumped before he turned around. “I was afraid you wouldn’t help me. Most people are intimidated when they find out what Dirk does for a living. Being a rez cop has a lot more leeway than a city cop. The feds only get involved when there’s a murder. There are supposed to be checks and balances, but…” His gaze was cast downward.
    Fuck , Jake hated that look. It was the same look Remi had the other night when he’d admitted to being abused by his dad. It was shame. “You have to trust me, Remi. If I’m going to help I have to be able to prove he’s a dirty cop or a danger to Sterling. He is, right? Both of those?” Tossing the ball onto the couch, Jake pushed off of the door. He knew damn well he shouldn’t but he went to Remi, catching his chin and making him look up.
    Remi closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into Jake’s hand.
    Jake stared, mesmerized. It was such a subservient reaction. He had never seen a werewolf react this way. Only his human lovers had ever been this submissive. He sort of understood how mating worked, but it still baffled him. Remi was straight, yet here he stood once again showing a willingness to physically surrender to Jake. And damned if it didn’t make Jake harder than a fucking rock. Of course, the smell of Remi all sweaty from playing ball didn’t hurt either.
    Remi blinked. His eyes turned canine and the scent of arousal grew strong.
    It took every ounce of willpower he had, but Jake stepped back. He wanted nothing more than to take what his mate offered, but he needed information to try and protect Sterling and Remi. “Tell me about the murder.”
    “What?” Remi’s voice cracked. A blush tinged his face before he abruptly moved away and began pacing. The scent of lust turned to unease and Remi’s shoulders stiffened. “How’d you know about that? You started looking into it already?”
    Interesting. Once again Jake had to wonder if Remi had even realized he’d nestled into the touch until after Jake had drawn attention to it by pulling away. “Yes, I’ve started looking into it already, I told you I would. Now, I need you to tell me what you know.”
    “There isn’t much to tell.”

    www.samhainpublishing.com 49
    J.L. Langley
    “According to my source there’s a lot to tell.”
    Shrugging, Remi walked off toward the kitchen. “Not really. It didn’t have anything to do with Dirk.” He opened the refrigerator, withdrew two beers and tossed one to Jake.
    Jake caught it and set it on the coffee table. “Remi.”
    Remi sprawled on the couch, propping his feet on the table.
    Jake hadn’t seen the posturing in the last two days. The smug air was back. Whatever happened, Remi had no intention of letting on that it bothered him. Jake knew damn well this was Remi’s way of keeping his friends at bay, but it pissed Jake off anyway. Maybe Remi’s distance was due to the kiss last night.
    Remi didn’t say a word.
    When Remi finally looked at him, Jake sat there, holding Remi’s gaze. Jake was not going to let Remi hide from him. Maybe it was selfish but he wanted everything, the bad and the good.
    Fidgeting a little, Remi turned away. He set the beer on the table so hard some sloshed out, and he ran his hands over his face. “Billy and I were on our way back home from the movies. We got jumped crossing a field. That’s all there was to it.”
    “By who? Did you see who attacked you?”
    “Don’t know.”
    “You didn’t know them? Or they didn’t catch them?”
    “I don’t remember. I got the shit beat out of me. All I remember is waking in the hospital, with Simon, Bobby and Chay around me. Dirk had work to do like he always did and my mom was taking care of Sterling, who had just been born.”
    Jake closed his eyes, getting his emotions under control. He couldn’t imagine not having a family to count on. Before his parents died, they’d been wonderful. They’d been strict at times, sure, but there was never a doubt they’d loved Jake and Tina. It was amazing that Remi had the relationship he did with Sterling since he certainly had nothing to compare it to.
    Opening his eyes, Jake found Remi staring at