Interception (Dark Earls #4)

Chapter 1

Dorian waved at the crowd of adoring onlookers as he got into his car.

The red carpet was heaving tonight; Hollywood’s bright and beautiful were out in droves for the premiere of his latest movie.

Another hit in the bag, the studio was already talking about scheduling dates to begin shooting the sequel.

His PA, Debi, a perky nymph, was waiting in the car, and she ran through the list of people he needed to know who were going to be at the after-show party, but there was only one name he wanted to hear.

“Is Robin coming?” he asked. He really hoped so, but nothing was guaranteed these days. Not since he’d got hitched.

“Yes, he confirmed this morning. Although he did say he couldn’t stay long as he’s entertaining guests.”

Guests. Poor Robin, his freedom curtailed once again. The guy couldn’t seem to catch a break at the moment. There was always someone or something demanding his attention, be it at work or home. He might be Robin Flint, the most important man in Hollywood, but he deserved some downtime.

“Is he bringing anyone with him?” he asked, keeping his fingers crossed that the answer would be no.

She sucked the end of her stylus and re-read her notes. “No plus-one listed, and the venue is super strict, so if he does, they might not let them in.”

Dorian snorted. “I doubt anyone in Hollywood would deny Robin Flint anything. He owns this town.”

Dorian had Robin to thank for his career; he’d opened doors he hadn’t known existed.

Dorian had been more than happy to offer his arse at every opportunity in thanks, and he’d have been happy to continue doing so.

Pity that side of their agreement had hit a bit of a block.

They were friends at least, and there had been a couple of times when he’d felt like just another client, and that wasn’t okay.

He was willing to be patient up to a certain point, but he did have his pride, and he wouldn’t wait forever for Robin.

“Mel’s PA has let me know she’s there already,” Debi said, checking her phone. “Do you want to enter together—to put out a vibe that there’s a potential romance off-screen as well as on?”

He’d discussed the idea with his leading lady, but Dorian knew he would have trouble ditching Mel later, and if Robin wasn’t going to be there long, Dorian wanted to maximise his time with his favourite vampire.

Even if they weren’t fucking these days, he still considered him a close friend, and most of their interactions of late had been business-related.

He missed their casual encounters. “Let Mel know not to wait, I’ll see her in the club. ”

“How come we’re not at Atlas for this one?” Debi asked. “I thought you always used Robin’s place for the big parties?”

They used to, but Robin had made it clear it wasn’t an option tonight, citing not wanting to cause further matrimonial disharmony.

Robin’s new husband had far too much influence for Dorian’s liking.

“We discussed it, but the timing didn’t work.

Besides, it’s good to mix things up. Give other venues the chance to shine. ”

She used her magic to re-touch his make-up with a dab of powder and a swipe of lip gloss, and he was ready. Debi was a great PA. She’d been with him a few years now, knew when to push, when to look the other way, and most important, how to keep her mouth shut.

Her phone vibrated again, and she grinned. “Thought you’d be pleased to hear that the Pouty Prince is at a gala in England.” She winked at him. “Maybe those guests of Robin’s won’t be as interesting to him after all, and he’ll stick around a while.”

Debi had taken it upon herself to keep track of Prince Simon.

For the last few months, Robin’s stance was that he’d embraced monogamy, and he only wanted his one true love.

Robin’s husband hadn’t been too keen on Dorian, not that Dorian blamed him, as their relationship had never been solely business, and Dorian had been honest enough to say he’d be more than happy to fuck Robin whether he was married or not.

“What a shame,” he said. “We don’t want our loveliest vampire to get lonely.”

“So true, boss.”

Dorian had known Robin for a long time, decades, and Robin wasn’t the kind of guy to rein in his passions.

At some point, he was bound to want to enjoy more than one lover again.

He wouldn’t discount there being some sort of enchantment in play; Robin’s change of ways wasn’t natural, and his marriage had come out of nowhere.

Dorian might not be a relationship expert, but there had to be something weird going on with Robin’s new setup.

The car came to a halt, and the door opened.

A crowd waited outside the club, screaming and cheering; his fans were the best. He took a few minutes to pose for selfies and give out autographs before heading inside.

Hosting a party was a big deal, and he was a little miffed that Robin had said no to using Atlas.

It was the best paranormal club in LA, but Dorian had held his tongue.

There were ways and means to deal with Robin, and he would continue to be his understanding friend, and offer comfort where needed.

He’d been there to help on several occasions in the past, and he would be there in case Robin needed more support or a quick fuck. Dorian could be flexible.

Dorian allowed himself to be swept along into the VIP area of the club.

LA was stacked with places like this; there was always somewhere to have a good time, and they were grateful to have the patronage of an A-lister.

He nodded in the direction of several people as he passed, their faces familiar, but he didn’t remember their names, and he didn’t care to find out.

If they were important, he’d have already known who they were.

The booth he was escorted to was stocked with champagne and a flaming molten mojito, a nod to his dragon side, sat waiting for him.

Several of his co-stars were already seated, including Mel.

He kissed her on both cheeks, and they shared a series of toasts to the success of the film.

A few glasses of champagne gave him a slight buzz, but the mojitos really hit the spot, and he blew smoke rings from his nostrils to entertain his leading lady.

He sensed Robin had arrived; he could always tell when Robin entered a building.

Sure enough, there he was heading in his direction.

Robin was delicious, tall and perfectly put together.

He oozed sex appeal and looked amazing in a tailored three-piece suit, with not a single blond hair out of place.

Moon-pale with smouldering eyes, Robin could have easily been on the other side of the camera.

Dorian got up to greet him, exaggerating the effect of alcohol so he had an excuse to stumble into Robin and put his hands on his hips to steady himself.

“There’s my favourite vampire. I’m so glad you came. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t here.”

Robin hugged him back, but it was brief, and he stepped out of Dorian’s embrace. “I can’t stay long, but I wanted to show my face and celebrate the excellent news from the opening weekend box office.”

“You can’t race off, I won’t allow it.”

He grabbed Robin’s arm and pulled him into the booth and down to sit next to him. He shifted enough to unravel his tail and wrap it around Robin’s waist.

“Dorian, we’ve talked about this. Remove your tail, I’m not open to play.”

“I’m being friendly,” he said, pouting. “Surely your husband understands that you’re allowed to have friends.”

Robin shook his head. “You know what you’re doing, Dorian. Behave, or I’ll leave, and we can keep our interactions solely to my office.”

Dorian didn’t want to, but he removed his tail. “You used to be fun.”

“I still am, but I am also married.”

He’d heard most married vampires had lovers, and no one batted an eyelid. Maybe Simon was more sensitive than his peers. “He’s not here. And I get you don’t want to upset him, but he doesn’t need to know.”

“Dorian, Simon is my everything. I don’t want to be with anyone else.” Robin sounded sincere enough. “We used to have fun, but it was nothing deeper than that, and certainly not worth losing Simon over.”

Dorian huffed, a little smoke cloud of discontent escaping. Robin wasn’t someone who could be cajoled, and Dorian didn’t beg. He would either have to be patient or move on. “I’m sorry. You know I don’t mean anything by it. I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy.”

He lied for a living, acting meant he could convey a message he didn’t believe, and cover the truth that he hoped Robin would be his again. Simon might be a fae prince, but Dorian was the Prince of Hollywood, and Robin the king, so it made sense they should be together.

From the rumours he’d heard, or rather made it his business to find out, Robin’s marriage was a political one; it united two vampire houses.

Robin wasn’t stupid. He couldn’t say anything in the open to risk pissing off his Head of House this close to his marriage.

There had to be more to this; there was no way Robin happened to be married to the love of his afterlife without a run-up of some sort.

He poured Robin a glass of champagne. “A toast?”

“Of course.”

“To our future happiness… whatever that might look like.”

Robin shook his head and took a sip. “You are incorrigible.”

He didn’t sound too reproachful. Dorian leant in and grinned. He blew a smoke ring around Robin’s head. “You wouldn’t have me any other way.”