Free Hagen, Lynn - Maverick's Mate [Brac Pack 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Lynn Hagen

collapsed to the floor if Maverick hadn’t caught him.
    His mate wet a clean towel, wiping Cecil’s mouth. Maverick pulled Cecil back in his arms. He closed the bathroom door to contain the foul odor. His mate grabbed the blanket from the bed and sat in the cushioned chair in the corner of the room. He wrapped Cecil to his neck and cocooned him in his arms.

    * * * *

    “Hello?”
    “Hi. This is Thomas down at the recreation center. Is Cecil available?”
    “Not at the moment. Can I help you?” Hawk wondered why the recreation center would be calling Cecil. He was a volunteer. Missing Friday wasn’t like missing work.
    “Um, well, I needed to talk to him about Johnny.” The guy hesitated. Hawk didn’t like the guy’s tone. With everything going on, secretiveness wasn’t going to cut it. And who the fuck was Johnny? “Explain.”
    “Well, if you could let him know that when he didn’t show, Johnny became very upset. He had an anxiety attack and had to be taken to the hospital. I just wanted to see if it was possible for him to go and calm Johnny down. He and Johnny have become close, and I thought that if anyone could calm him, it would be Cecil.”
    Hawk didn’t like this. Was Cecil cheating on Maverick? No, Tank had been there. Tank wouldn’t tolerate a wandering mate, would he? No.
    “I’ll pass the message on.” The guy thanked him and reluctantly hung up.
    Hawk knocked softly on Maverick’s bedroom door. When he heard Maverick’s gruff voice telling him to come in, Hawk stuck his head around the door.
    “How is he?” Hawk felt for the little mate.
    “Resting. Did you need something?” Maverick asked.
    “I just got the strangest phone call for Cecil. One of the guys down at the recreation center called in regards to someone named Johnny. Said when Cecil didn’t show, this Johnny had an anxiety attack, had to go to the hospital.”
    “Oh, god. I have to go.” Hawk watched as Cecil tried to sit up then turned green. “I have to help Johnny.”
    “Lay down, baby. Who’s Johnny, and why did he have an attack from your absence?” His Alpha questioned the small mate.
    “He’s mildly retarded. We became friends, and he relies on routine. I broke that by not showing. I have to help him.” Cecil explained.
    “I can go and explain to him that you’re sick. Would that help?” Hawk had an image of a little kid crying and calling for Cecil. He felt like a heel for being cold on the phone with Thomas.
    “Please. Can you give him my phone number so I can talk to him? Take Tank, he knows what Johnny looks like. Gonna — ”
    Hawk watched as Maverick hauled Cecil up, running to the bathroom, making it just in time for Cecil to toss his cookies.

    * * * *

    “What do you mean he brought the guy here? Hawk was supposed to give Johnny Cecil’s phone number, not kidnap him.” Maverick demanded. What had Hawk been thinking? Obviously he wasn’t. That man’s family was going to go crazy once they realized Johnny was missing.
    Maverick blew out a breath, running his hand over the top of his head. “Hawk must have had a good reason. Please let me in on it.” Maverick stood there, crossing his arms over his chest, and waiting for the warriors reply.
    “Because, sir, Johnny is his mate,” Tank replied.
    “Shit,” Maverick bit out, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Well, I guess I have no choice but to defend him. When he has his mate situated, tell him to come see me.” Tank bowed his head and closed the door behind him.
    Maverick sat in his leather chair behind his desk. He pulled at his soul patch, deep in thought. He knew Hawk would defend Johnny to his death. Maverick wouldn’t step between the two and felt for the guy who tried. This was going to get messy.
    Maverick dropped down into the chair behind his desk. He pinched the bridge of his nose as his eyes closed. What the hell was going on around here? His home had gone from stuffy and boring to chaotic. Not that he would trade it — his