As soon as Kale heard Aiden's voice, he visibly relaxed. The low, menacing cadence was like a loving caress to him. Aiden was there. Everything was okay. Jason took Kale's loosening body as acquiescence. He hugged Kale to him tighter and nuzzled his ear.

"That's better, Tiger. "

Kale's eyes met Aiden's. Yup. Jason was dead. Not that he noticed, he was too busy mumuring in Kale's ear and rubbing his back. What was with the sweet words? Rambling about being back where he belongs. How right they were for each other. And if Kale wasn't mistaken, there were confessions of devoted love. Surreal, no. This shit was repulsive. Kale watched Aiden stalk towards them. Felt Jason's body stiffen when Aiden's hand landed on his shoulder.

"I said, hands off. Do it on your own or I will do it for you."

When Jason made no move to let go of Kale, Aiden ran his hand along Jason's arm. Stopping when he got to his wrist. His fingers tightened around it and he pulled it up and off Kale. Twisting it to where Jason's arm was behind him, trapped between him and Aiden. Kale took a deep breath and stepped away. Jason struggled, trying to get away. Trying to reach for Kale with his free arm, but the more he moved, the worse his wrist, arm, and shoulder suffered. Desperately pleading for Kale to come back to him. The dipshit was completely ignoring the fact that Aiden had a hold of him. Kale kept shaking his head and backing away.

Aiden placed his mouth an inch from Jason's ear. In a calmly malicious tone, he said, "let me teach you a little bit about the animal kingdom. I'm like a lion, I protect what's mine." He twisted Jason's arm, torquing it at an odd angle. "Like a lion, if there is something threatening my pride, I eliminate it. You, are like a mangey hyena. Dragging your nappy, flea infested ass around my cub. You, are an irritation." Another crank up. "What do you think happens next?"

Jason spoke past the pain and ground out, "Fuck off, old man."

"Wrong answer."

Kale watched as Aiden twisted Jason's arm. A sickening, grinding pop was followed by a scream of pain. Jason fell from Aiden's arms and landed with a dull thump. Aiden looked up at Kale and pointed. "You didn't do what I told you to."

Great, Kale. That was a smart move. Now he's going to pop your arm out of socket. You're going to be a greasy spot in music section carpet. A ripple of fear was replaced when Aiden pulled Kale close to him. The cold, determined aire transformed and worry etched his face."You okay?"

All Kale could do was nod. His eyes never moved from Jason's prone body on the floor. "Yeah, uh...yeah. I'm fine. Is... Is he going to be okay?"

"Who fucking cares! Kale, that's the second time that douchebag has tried to get to you! What are you going to do if I'm not around and Aiden can't come to your rescue!?" Raven was seething mad. Her multicolored hair bouncing as she paced in front of Kale and Aiden. The One Bitch Wonder had returned. Every foot fall that landed by Jason, looked hesitant. Like she was tempted to kick his ass, even if he was passed out in the floor. How perfect would it be if he had pissed himself? Stupid ass. She finally gave in to the urge. Her purple Converse flew back and made contact with his tailbone. "Damn, I thought that would be more rewarding."

"Second time?"

Oh shit. Forgot that one detail when telling him about Jason. Good job, Kale. "Can I say opps and get away with it?" Puppy eyes stared up Aiden.

"No, what's with this being the second time?"

Kale never had a chance to explain. Raven jumped in the middle and told Aiden the whole sordid story. By the end, Aiden's jaw was clenched tight and a vein was bulging on his forehead. And oh lookie, the creeper was waking up.

"Raven go call the cops again." She nodded and had her phone out instantly. Jason's ranting had her stomping her foot by his head and walking away.

"The fuck? What happened?" Jason looked around and his eyes happened to land on Kale. Wrapped in Aiden's arms.

"I believe you seem to have dislocated your shoulder. Must suck, I've heard it's quite painful."

Aiden could have been invisible for all the attention Jason paid him.

"You little shit. What the hell are you doing with the geezer?"

Kale protested when Aiden let go of him. Tried to keep himself as close to Aiden as possible. Warm, steadying hands grabbed his shoulders. "Stay right here, Shorty." Aiden kissed his forehead and then added, "Right. Here. No moving, until I say you can."

Damn it, he had to blush and duck his head away. The boy was too distracting. Aiden pushed down the reaction that blush brought out of him. Then turned to Jason. That cold, evil glint was back in his eyes.

"Listen you little fucknut, I'm only going to say this once. You see that boy over there? He's mine. And I don't like how you've treated him. Say one more word and your shoulder will be the least of your problems."

Jason was stupid. Very, very stupid. Because the next words included Kale and faggot. Jason was flipped onto his stomach, arms pulled back and folded behind his head. He had no time to react. It would have been useless anyway. Aiden was squeezing them together. The resistence getting tighter and tighter. "You better pray those cops get here fast." A terrified squeak from Kale had him easing up.

And just in time. Two police officers were being led by an angry Raven. She was on a rant about being at work after hours. All the blame landing on the floppy armed douchebag in the floor. Who just so happened to have an angrier Aiden on top of him.

"You better make sure you write on that tablet of yours that this is the second time I've called because of this ass."

The respect Aiden had for Raven shot up a couple more points. The girl was a spitfire.

Thirty minutes later, Jason was in a squad car and on his way to an all expenses fined visit to jail. Raven locked up behind her, Kale, and Aiden. Their footsteps sounding out of place in the dark, empty parking lot. Aiden didn't like it. Thoughts of Kale being out here at night, by himself. Nope, not again. He'd drive him to and from work if he had to. Jason wasn't getting the chance to catch Kale alone. Raven had taken care of him so far, but...

"Why don't you two come stay with me and Reegan for a while?"

A shimmer of excitment had Kale looking up at Aiden. He couldn't hide the smile, even if he hid his face, it was heard in his voice. "Really?"

Raven on the other hand, snorted. "No thanks. I like my sleep and I know what happens when you three are in a room together."

Please, please, please don't let her...

"Say it, Kale. Say it! Uhhhh... I...fucking...love...you. Unnnnngh. RAWWWWRRRR!!!" She shuddered and said in a low tone, "I'd need brain bleach and ear plugs."

Kale stiffened. Waited for Aiden to say something. The laughter rang out in the night and Kale relaxed . And Aiden thought Reegan was bad. Jeeze, this girl gave her a serious run for the money. "At least see if Jeremy will come stay with you, will you?"

"Glady. That has added benefits. And I won't be scared for life." They reached Raven's car and she turned to Kale. "I take it you're not riding with me?"

Kale looked between her and Aiden. Dopey smile plastered on his face. "Nah, I think I'll be riding with the grizzly." Raven laughed and got in her car. Aiden pulled Kale close as they watched her back up and drive away.

"Grizzy, huh? I'll show you a fucking grizzly." Aiden let out a bearlike growl and swept Kale off his feet. His teeth never left Kale's throat. Across the parking lot and back to the entrance of the store. Kale's body smashed against the car and Aiden attacked. The bites increasing in pressure. Changing from playful nips to sensual nibbles. Kale's laughter faded into soft moans. "In the car, now. Or we're going to be arrested ourselves."

"Mmmkay." Kale was thankful the car was so close. If not, he wouldn't have been able to walk to it. He got in and smirked when he saw Aiden adjust himself.

"What are you smiling about? You're in trouble."

"What! Why!?" Smooth Kale, anger the bear.

"I remember asking a certain person to stay where he was."

Oh yeah, that.

"And what was the first thing I saw when I got here? That very person being mauled by an abusive shithead."

"Sorry." Kale's head dipped down. Remorse washing through him.

"Do you know what my first thought was?"

Kale shook his head. Not looking up at Aiden.

"Fuck, not again. The next was, fucker is going to die."

"Not again?" Confusion was clearly evident. How not again? He had forgotten to tell Aiden about the first time. It didn't make sense.

"Reegan's story, not mine. Ask her." Aiden reached across the seats and held Kale's face in his hands. "I saw you there, so freaked out and my heart broke. My poor baby, being manhandled and too upset to fight that asshole off. I wanted to kill him."

"Sorry." Damn tears were blocking his vision. Slipping down his cheeks and collecting along Aiden's hand.

"Yeah, not that I am wanting a next time. But if there is one, you stay where I tell you to."

"I promise."

"Good. And tomorrow, we're going to the station and you're filling for a protective order."

Kale nodded, no sense in arguing. Aiden's words didn't sound arguable. The car purred to life and they left the parking lot. First stop, getting Kale's stuff for an undetermined amount of time. Next, the home that would be his.

For an undetermined amount of time.