The bell on the diner door tinkled as someone came in. Trent paled and tried to slink down in his seat. Collin turned to where a moose of a man scanned the interior, then zeroed in on Trent and lumbered over in the way guys with more muscle than their frame could really support did when they moved.
Collin got up and crossed his arms over his chest, meeting the bear guy’s gaze, and damned if he didn’t pause in his movements. But he stayed and did this staring thing that seemed to unnerve Trent to the point that he shook, and taps emanated from under the table.
“Can I help you?” the server asked, and the moose of a man turned around and left once more. “Your food will be right out,” she said to Collin.
“Thank you,” Collin said, and sat back down. “He a friend of yours?”
Trent shook his head. “I never saw him before, but I bet he’s one of Soren’s men. They make themselves known and don’t say anything. I know they’re just trying to intimidate me… and it’s working.” The server brought their plates, and Trent took a single bite before setting down his burger. “Like I said, I don’t know what I’m going to do.” He nibbled a little more and seemed to give up. “What did you do when you were in the Army?”
“One of my duties was to defuse explosive devices. I saw one a little too late and lost part of my left leg. I have a prosthetic and can walk pretty normally now. But before they found that particular aptitude, I worked with the military police.” Collin had imagined he could join the police force at one point once he was discharged, but that was just another dream that had gone up in smoke. He hated when that attitude worked its way in—the past was over and there was nothing he could do about it. His foot was gone, and Collin needed to learn to make the best of what he did have.
At least Trent began to eat. “You’re really strong, and you have the intimidating thing down good.” He actually smiled a little, and danged if Trent didn’t shoot up on the cuteness meter. Not that Collin was looking for a guy at all. Still, he wasn’t blind. The most interesting thing of all was the fact that Trent obviously had no idea about how he looked. His hair seemed like he had just rolled out of bed, though not in a purposeful-bedhead sort of way. His T-shirt was a size too big and hung on him, but it was vintage Star Wars, which said the guy had taste in his geekdom. “Do you think you can help me?”
He really didn’t know. Collin was unsure if he wanted to get involved. He barely knew Trent at all, and yet he knew that fear in his eyes. There were no indications that Trent was lying. What Collin figured was that Trent was an honest person who saw honesty in others and jumped at a chance rather than being suspicious. He knew guys just like that in the Army, and there were some days when he’d give just about anything to be back with them again.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Collin said, and finally Trent smiled again, a little shyly.
“Thank you. When do you need to be out of your place?” Trent asked, glancing toward the door. “Is that guy gone?”
“I think so. Though if he was sent to intimidate, it’s likely he’ll still be around. And to answer your question, I have to get out tomorrow.” He ate a few bites of his chicken. It was a little dry, so he added some mayo. Trent finished his veggie burger, and Collin wondered how Trent could survive. He was thin and seemed to have all this energy, and yet the only thing he ate was part of a veggie burger. “Do you really like those things?”
“They’re okay. I saw this show on television about how we’re hurting the planet by all the stuff we’re doing to grow a lot of food needed to support all the people. So I try to go vegetarian in order to do my part to be easier on the planet. I think it’s important to do whatever we can to make sure that we turn the world over to the next generation in better shape than we found it. At least we should try to.” He pushed back his plate and finished his soda. “Do you want to see the room?”
Collin knew this was the ultimate decision time. If he agreed, he was also most likely agreeing to help protect Trent from Soren. But he needed a place to stay, and Trent seemed like a nice enough guy. It was only for a few weeks, and deep down, Collin needed someone to need him. Yuri sure as hell hadn’t. Hell, it had been since the Army that he’d felt like he could contribute to his own life and someone else’s. Since being hurt, it was kind of like he was the one taking all the time and not giving. Collin held his breath, looked into Trent’s earnest eyes, and nodded. “Sure, let’s go take a look, and on the way, you can tell me more about this business with Soren Severson.” God, he hoped he didn’t come to regret this decision.
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