could be taken from them.
“He’s going to be okay,” Ash said soothingly as he turned the corner. “Dr. Bjord knows all about our kind. He’s damn good at what he does.”
“But this is Warren,” Ryan said. “He better know how to fix our mate.”
Because if the doctor couldn’t, Ryan wasn’t sure what he would do.
* * * *
The pain had come out of nowhere. It curled his stomach into agonizing cramps. Warren was sweating like crazy, and the urge to vomit sat in his throat.
He was scared. Beyond scared. But admittedly, being in Ryan’s arms made what was going on less frightening. Seeing Ash take charge helped calm Warren in ways that seemed impossible in his tiny crisis.
Warren hadn’t had the love and support growing up from the people who mattered most to a child. He’d had Uncle Morgan, and that was something, but Warren had never felt as if he truly belonged anywhere.
He tried to remind himself that Ash and Ryan were totally wrong for him, that they were nuts. Ryan had proven that by saying he was a vampire and that Ash had canines. Completely bonkers. Right?
“Follow me,” the doctor said when he met them in the front of the clinic. Warren was in so much pain that he didn’t care he was being carried like a wounded kid.
He didn’t want Ryan to put him down. Warren needed to feel the safety of his arms as he was taken to an exam room.
“Everything is going to be okay.” Ash kissed Warren’s forehead. “Ryan and I are right here, baby.”
Okay, this was getting too damn weird. Now they acted as though all three of them were together, as if they’d been that way for years. For now Warren relaxed in Ryan’s arms, blanketing himself with the guy’s protectiveness.
“Put him on the table,” the doctor instructed. Warren had seen Dr. Bjord around town. The guy was handsome, with kind eyes and an easy smile. He was always with another guy who looked like he’d cut down anyone who looked the doctor’s way.
And crap, that same guy came into the room. He was wearing a white lab coat and a scowl. He was clearly irritated that he had to be awake at this hour.
Dr. Bjord laid a hand on Warren’s shoulder. “Tell me what’s going on.” He looked at Ash and Ryan. “Do you want me to clear the room?”
Ash started to take a step back, but Warren latched onto his wrist. “No, they can stay. It’s my stomach. I’m cramping badly and sweating.”
“Was this sudden?” Dr. Bjord grabbed an iPad from the counter and began tapping the screen.
“No, about two weeks ago it happened. Only it had been much worse. I just thought I ate some bad sushi from the gas station.”
Ash grimaced. “Never eat seafood from a gas station.”
“Never.” Ryan shook his head. “You’re just asking for trouble.”
Warren rolled his eyes. They were taking turns talking again. Did they even realize they were doing it? “Thanks. I wish you’d been in the gas station that day to stop me.”
“This started two weeks ago.” Dr. Bjord nodded. “And since then?”
“A lot of nausea. Some dizziness. And then tonight the pain was back. Can food poisoning last that long and come back like this?”
Dr. Bjord looked grim. “Not usually. Why don’t we run some tests and try to figure this out? You’re not afraid of needles, are you?”
Warren wasn’t going to admit in front of these big, strong men that he was terrified of them. It wasn’t having it in his arm. It was the anticipation of getting stuck with it.
He shrugged.
Ash kissed Warren’s cheek. “Want me to hold your hand?”
Warren looked aghast at him. “Go away.”
His cheek tingled where Ash had kissed it, and Warren had had to stop himself from leaning into it. One, hello, Ryan and Ash were his stalkers. Two, there were too many people in the room.
Ryan chuckled. “He doesn’t want to look like a wuss.”
“A lot of people are afraid of needles.” Dr. Bjord set the needle and a clear tube on the bed. “Close your eyes if you want. It’ll be over soon.”
Warren glowered at everyone. “I’m not a wuss. Just get your needle poking over with and fix me.”
Dr. Bjord narrowed his eyes. “Did I hear you say please?”
Warren bit his lower lip and felt himself blush. “Sorry. Please.”
He might not have been raised in the best environment, but Warren did have manners.
“If your mates will step aside, I can get this done,”