Hagen, Lynn - Murphy's Madness [Brac Pack 15] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Read Free Page A

so many damn choices on a menu.
    Finally, after a million years, Tangee smiled at them then walked away, placing the order ticket in the window for George to fill.
    “Tangee,” Ludo called the mate’s attention.
    Tangee turned his head and smiled at Ludo. “Did you find him?”
    Would he be back here if he did? “No, he closed early.” Once again he found himself breathing out slowly. He loved the mates, but at times they could push someone’s blood pressure through the roof. “Would you happen to know where he lives?” Ludo asked through a tight smile.
    “Uh, why?”
    Argh! Just shoot me now and get it over with . What the hell did it matter? He’s a mate, you can’t throttle him, he’s a mate, you can’t throttle him. Ludo kept repeating the mantra in his head over and over again, hoping it worked. “I need to speak with him.”
    “He’ll be open tomorrow.” Tangee offered as he walked over to another table and began to talk with the customers.
    Ludo headlocked Cody and dragged him into the kitchen. He couldn’t kill a mate, but he could take it out on a warrior. They were built tough, and Ludo was actually losing his mind right about now. It didn’t matter which warrior, anyone would do.
    “What the hell, man?” Cody shoved Ludo off of him. “Have you lost your mind?”
    “I need to find the bookstore owner. Please help me out before Maverick kills me for harming a mate.” Ludo yanked the black band from his hair and ran his hand through it so hard he pulled strands out.
    “What’s going on, Ludo?” Cody leaned against the counter in the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest.
    “Why is everyone giving me such a hard time?” Ludo threw his hands up exasperatedly. “Can’t anyone just answer a question around here?”
    Cody’s brow slowly lifted, but he said nothing, waiting for Ludo to answer him. He could see he wasn’t going to get an answer until he gave one.
    “Fine, he’s my mate. Now will somebody in this place answer my fucking question?” Ludo couldn’t shake that desperate feeling. Which was odd considering his mate was a resident here and not a tourist driving away. His whole damn body itched to get it wrapped around the elusive man.
    He didn’t remember any other warrior having such a strong reaction and wondered why it was affecting him like this. It was as if he had to find him before he lost him.
    What sense did that make?
    “Tangee,” Cody yelled toward the dining area. About damn time he got some help. Ludo paced the kitchen as he waited for the mate to get in there.
    “Yeah?” Tangee walked slowly into the kitchen, eyeing Ludo cautiously. He knew he must look like a nut job running around in circles shooting questions off that were bizarre to them.
    “Do you know where Murphy lives?”
    As Tangee shook his head, Ludo felt his heart plummet. “Sorry, no.”
    Ludo wanted to crumble to the floor and kick his feet in a tantrum. This was unreal. He went through all of this only to end up back at square one. No closer to his mate than when he’d started. The only thing he gained from this was a name and a damn migraine.
    “Let me call the house, see if anyone knows.” Cody pulled his cell phone out.
    The only thing Ludo could do was have a seat back at the counter. He pushed his plate aside, no longer interested in eating. He wanted Murphy in the worst way. When you knew there was someone out there that was handpicked for you, it made it almost impossible to have patience. Fate thought Murphy would be perfect for him, so he desperately wanted to get to know the man. He wanted to lay his eyes on him and show him how wonderful they could be together.
    Keata’s hand shot over to him, stilling the fork he was beating against the counter. For once, he didn’t jump away from a mate. He just started bouncing his leg instead.
    How damn long did it take to ask where someone lived? He stood and started pacing the diner. Every time he passed the table full of human