“How close are you to ending this?” He asked.
“I have four teams on the streets, and they haven't located Massey, but they've dispatched most of his men. A good share didn't hang around after the attack and the murders of his underbosses. Those that remained were compensated handsomely, from what I've learned, but no matter, they have not survived to collect.” Killian explained in detail.
“He has shifters on his payroll, and he seems to know exactly what they are. We were attacked at the cabin, five humans and a jackal. Only the jackal got away." Torin glanced to his left and saw Shae going toward the bedroom with a bag of what looked to be potato chips. "Are you allowed to tell me why the Master wanted these men eliminated?"
"Massey and his organization were teaming up with a shadow company to develop the lowlands. It looked legal and above board, but it wasn't it was a money-laundering scheme on Massey's part, and the shadow company was using it to gain a foothold in this town. Magics and the kindred are involved. The Master wanted to end it before it got started. Eliminating Massey and his crew would have stopped it for now.” The stress was showing in Killian’s eyes.
"I think Massey is more involved than just laundering," Torin added.
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s comfortable with shifters, jackals on his payroll. He’s clearly familiar with our world he probably thinks he can work with the magics and control them. He strikes me as the overconfident type."
"He's an idiot, like I said before," Killian stated offhandedly.
"I assume you're taking out the magics along with Massey's men." He ventured, knowing Killian liked to leave no loose ends.
"Every last one of them." He smiled, and Torin reciprocated.
***
Shae found the bedroom and stretched out on the plush king bed. It was a marvel of comfort and support, the bed of his dreams. The only thing missing was that tall, dark dream in the other room. He should be shaking in his boots, hold up with an assassin in a vampire coven while a crazed killer hunts for him, but now all he can think about is how good Torin's arms felt around him and how good his lips felt on his needy cock.
He protected him in that room where everyone stood there, feeling on the edge of destruction. Those guys were more than Shae could handle, and they hadn't even said a word to him. The atmosphere nearly sent him into a faint, but Torin's support kept him conscious, if not calm. The Master a man Shae had seen in a magazine once looked exactly as he did then, ten years ago. Vampires don't age, and the thought that he was in a room where he was the only human should have had him panicking worse than he was.
It was Torin's presence, his touch, that made it okay, made his heart stop racing, and his fear begin to ebb. The man who was probably deadlier than all the others combined was the one who made him feel safe. His mind circled that thought over and over, and all he could come up with was his heart knew thetruth. Those other guys might be fine, but he wouldn't ever let his guard down around them, not like he had Torin.
The title "beloved" was sincerely taking shape in his mind and everything Torin had explained made sense now in what he was experiencing in the real world. Real world, what the hell does that even mean anymore?
He heard Torin enter the room and close the door behind him. There were no words, just intent. Their eyes met, and the fire present in Torin's gaze told him all he needed to know for now anyway. The desire he had bubbling in his core was mirrored in that look and in that heat.
"Before morning, I will join those hunting Massey and his men. You will stay here. You are safe here. I know you're feeling the aura of power emanating from those in charge, and don't let that concern you. Master Hadden and his people are no danger to you. He's a powerful vampire, and he leads this Coven, and he respects the sanctity of a beloved. Your place in my life gives you access here."
"Yeah, they scared me a bit, but I knew I had you, and you wouldn't let them hurt me," Shae said exactly what he was feeling. He wasn't one to play around, and he preferred a frank exchange over games. Games just wasted time and energy, two things that seemed to be at a premium lately.
"Anyone who dares to raise a hand to you will promptly lose that hand, I promise you." Torin's tone was serious, not a shred of humor in that threat, and Shae found that fact pleasing.
"Thanks, that's good to know." He wasn't sure how to react, but he wanted him to know it was appreciated. Torin moved to the end of the bed and began removing his clothes: first his jacket and then his shirt. He kicked off his shoes, then opened his pants. He stopped and looked at Shae.
"Strip, baby, it's time I claimed you properly and thoroughly." That should have been frightening, but it wasn't. Shae felt a flash of excitement and anticipation.
“Yes, sir.” He responded eagerly and quickly slid out of his t-shirt and sweats. Torin was naked now and moving up and onto the bed while never breaking that seductive stare that was making Shae so damned hot.
Torin’s hands smoothed up Shae’s legs, stopping at his hips and massaging the area with his thumbs. Shae's cock was instantly hard when Torin ghosted his breath across the sensitive head. A sensual moan escaped Shae's lips, and Torin ran his tongue from base up to circle the head, sensitizing the flesh and driving Shae right out of his mind.
"I really need you, Torin." He made the plea and heard a soft chuckle, and then his cock was suddenly in a hot, moist embrace, and Torin was eating him alive. It took his breath away every move set his body on edge, pushing him to the point of climax. Then Torin eased back, ending the onslaught only to begin again and push him so hard his heart was hammering, and his breath was locked in his throat.
Shae tried to form some words of encouragement, but words were impossible, as was breath. Torin worked him hard, and Shae could feel the moment that it was lost, and he suddenly had no control over any part of his own body because Torin owned his body and soul. He took him to the base of his throat, and the pressure was explosive. Shae came in a torrent, feeling his body move and come apart in this man's hands. He arched his back and stiffened, feeling the rush of sensations wash over him and through him.
Torin took it all and licked him clean. It was unbelievably intimate, and Shae loved every minute of it. The sensationscontinued to burn and titillate. Torin nuzzled his groin and then trailed hot kisses up his chest to his lips. He kissed him hard and exacting, taking everything Shae was giving and demanding so much more.
Shae was still stretched from their last time, which was their first time. Shae had never known so much care and attention from a lover. Torin treated him like he was the most important person in his world. Torin moved his kiss to Shae's throat and abruptly entered him, slamming fully inside in one thrust.
Shae held him, digging his fingers into Torin's shoulders, unable to hold back the power of his reaction to the sensations rocketing through him. The fullness was fantastic, and the rhythm had Shae nearly bouncing off the bed. He would have flown off if Torin wasn't holding him fast and steady, making every thrust count; every thrust was felt throughout Shae's entire body.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Torin loved how Shae responded to his body and how their needs aligned. He was perfect, and he belonged to Torin. The details were unimportant at this point. Shae was getting the gist of his new world, and he would understand it all in time. Right now, he needed to get his mark on Shae, complete their bond, and make sure everyone knew who this precious little man belonged to.
