“I think you and your treasure would be very comfortable in Bellcairn,” Matthys stated.
“It is something to consider. I spend less time in Stormbreak now. The new king seems to want to be more hands-on with managing the country, and I’m not sure how that suits me. I considered Ilon, but they are less business-minded.New Rosanthe could present some opportunities in its current tumultuous state. I do not know. Money has become…boring. I have so much, and it’s easy to make more. I want something…different.”
Matthys shifted to the edge of his seat and leaned toward Haru. “Stay in Damardor longer. There are so many more like-minded people you must meet.”
Haru grunted in agreement. “You mentioned that there was someone you wished me to meet. Someone who needed my unique skills.”
“There is.” Matthys turned his head to peer through the crowd. His eyes widened, and he jumped to his feet. “He’s here now.”
Adrian lifted his head and watched as Matthys hurried over to another man’s side. He had black hair that was going salt-and-pepper throughout. A neat beard and mustache outlined his round face, through which beady eyes peered out. He was immaculately dressed in what looked to be a very expensive suit with a diamond tiepin that winked in the warm lights.
Matthys’s bossy, arrogant manner shifted in a flash. He was taller than this newcomer, but as he approached him, Matthys bowed his shoulders inward and bent his knees as if trying to shrink his appearance to make him less than this other man.
“Maybe this hasn’t been a wasted trip,” Adrian whispered in Haru’s ear.
“I pray it has not. I would very much like to burn this entire house to ash with all these people inside,” Haru replied in a low voice while maintaining a lazy smile on his lips.
“Me too.”
Haru looked away from Matthys and grinned at Adrian. “Do you think we will be allowed to keep that collar you wear?”
“Probably not. Why?”
Haru made a grumpy noise. “My cousin should gift it to me for a job well done. I wish to fuck you while you wear it and only it.”
Heat scorched Adrian’s face, and he wanted to punch Haru in the nose, but he couldn’t without destroying their cover.
Someone cleared their throat, saving Adrian from saying something he shouldn’t. They both gazed up at Matthys and the stranger standing nearby.
“Yujian Visconti, it’s my honor to introduce you to Ruben Deinum.”
CHAPTER 14
Omari Haru
Pleasantries were exchanged, and Haru managed to hold on to his tight smile without clenching his teeth. He’d survived plenty of meetings with rival dragon clans he didn’t care for. In each of them, he’d been expected to play nicely and not shame the Omari clan. Each time, those meetings were a test of his restraint and self-control.
Haru pulled on all those skills now as he held Adrian close. He wouldnotslaughter the monsters around him, as they drank and ate with abandon, while the people of Bellcairn starved and cowered in fear. He wouldnotendanger his Adrian. And he wouldnotbesmirch the honor of his clan or his cousin, King Caelan.
The only thing that helped him remain in control was the feel of Adrian’s tense body pressed to his. Adrian had to be protected at all costs.
“How about we borrow the study for a bit, Yujian?” Ruben suggested. “It’s too noisy out here, and I’d like to talk a little business. You can leave your boy here with Matthys and his sister. They can entertain him while we chat.”
Adrian stiffened. The hand hidden inside Haru’s shirt gripped his side as if he were physically attaching himself to Haru so they couldn’t be separated.
“I don’t want to stay here,” Adrian mumbled. He lifted his head and flashed Haru a look overflowing with worry.
Haru leaned in and kissed Adrian’s forehead. “You stay here and play nice. Let Daddy work, and we’ll get you a pretty, shiny surprise afterward.”
In a heartbeat, Adrian’s expression flashed to something threatening. Haru suspected Adrian was preparing a list of all the ways he wanted to kill Haru. That was fine. It would help to keep his worries at bay while they were apart.
“Fine,” Adrian agreed sullenly. He slid out of Haru’s lap and to his feet. His powerful body slouched and yet he still exuded beauty and control, leaving Haru wanting to pull him close again.
Haru rose and straightened his clothes before taking a step to Matthys as he hovered at Ruben’s side.
“Not to worry, Yujian. We’ll watch over your companion,” Matthys stated with a lazy smile.
Haru grinned back with a flash of teeth. “Yes, you will. You will also keep in mind that he’s not my companion. He is my precious treasure. And if anything happens to him while I am away, I will pull out your spine with my bare hands and beat every one of your guests to death with it.”
