CHAPTER SEVEN
Valerian contacted the Master and gave him the update.
He, too, recognized the risk in such a trip but understood that Valerian could not deny his mate.
"We did not kill the elder Tuffin, so someone else did, and most likely one of his own men, for reasons unknown to us.” Master DuCane pointed out.
“This could be very dangerous for your mate.”
"Yes, sir, I agree, and I will be at his side. No one will get close enough to bother him.”
“Take as many with you as you wish. Do not underestimate the Ackerley group, and I do believe they have a hand in whatever is taking place here.
" Master DuCane was being cautious because Theo was at the center of whatever threat was present, but Valerian trusted his own abilities when protecting his mate.
“Ian and Brice are already there keeping watch.
They reported that Parson and a few of his men have already arrived.
I can handle a few wolves, and Ian and Brice can pick up the slack if things go south.
" Valerian explained his position, and the Master nodded, but his eyes were filled with something other than acceptance.
He went outside to the small terrace where he’d left Theo to wait and found him in deep conversation with Eddie.
He was the beloved of Robert, one of the Master's most trusted guards and security specialists.
Eddie was a kind and gentle soul, his pure heart treasured by all, and Valerian could see the two of them becoming fast friends.
They said their goodbyes and headed back to Detroit and the offices of the Tuffin Agency.
"Why are they meeting you at the office and not at the family home?
" Valerian was simply curious. He figured it was easier to cause mayhem at a large office building rather than at a residential location, but he wondered what Theo's explanation would be.
“We really don’t have a family home. Father lived in an apartment downtown, as do my brothers and me.
We were all separated by several miles. No one lived close by, so the only time we got together was at the office.
" Theo looked over at him sadly. “We were not a close family except when it came to matters of business.”
"Sounds pretty cold," Valerian remarked.
“It was.” He answered softly. Valerian didn't ask about the mother because he'd already gotten that information from Easton's report. The two oldest boys had a different mother than Theo. Their mother died in an accident, apparently fell down the stairs when they were quite young.
Theo's mother was paid to leave after giving birth, and she did, never to be heard from again. When and if he ever wanted to talk about that stuff, Valerian would listen, but he would never force him to share.
"You think I'm being foolish, don't you?" Theo stated when they were nearly there. The lights of the city were in view. Valerian glanced over at him briefly and then turned back to the road ahead.
“I think you’re doing what you believe you must. You know the risk, and that's why you allowed me to come along. I do not judge you, I will never judge you.” Valerian tried to make himself very clear.
“With that said, of course, I expect you to follow my lead and trust me every step of the way because, yes, I think this is some sort of trap.”
The Tuffin building loomed up in front of them, and Valerian chose to park in the lot across the street. “The basement garage is not safe in situations like this.” He stated and did not wait for a response. He exited the car and helped Theo out of his seat, keeping him close to his side.
“Stay right there and do not wander." He said, looking down at his innocent little mate.
He'd contacted Ian and Brice before leaving Mt.
Pleasant, and they said they would meet him inside but would remain out of sight.
They crossed the street, careful to keep their eyes on everything and everyone in their periphery.
Valerian chose to enter through the front doors.
He turned around several times, checking his back and feeling like someone was there.
It wasn't a bad feeling, just persistent, so he assumed it was either Ian or Brice.
“Stay close.” He repeated to Theo as they entered the elevator.
They got off on the first floor and took the stairs to the second floor.
No one was there, but Valerian could feel many sets of eyes on them.
When they stepped out into the hallway, Valerian took Theo’s hand just in case they needed to move fast. The tension and lies hung heavy in the air.
"I'm to meet them in Larry's office, which was fathers. It’s the corner office up ahead.” They must have stood in the hall a little too long because Larry came out into the hall with Justin following behind.
"This way, Theo.” He motioned them forward, but Valerian didn’t move.
After another minute, Larry came forward cautiously, looking around like it wasn't part of the plan.
"What's wrong? Come in and we'll discuss the funeral plans.
" He reached out his hand toward Theo, who instantly took a step back.
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to conduct our business here.
” He reached into his jacket, and Valerian pushed Theo behind him.
Larry smiled and pulled out his phone. “We’re alone here, you know the building is empty.
It's just you, your boyfriend, and us." He punched something into his phone and returned it to his jacket pocket.
“By us, I mean Justin and me and Parson and his men. You remember Parson, don't you, Theo?” Larry gave a smug wink in Theo’s direction.
“He works for the Ackerley family, and they have asked him and us to exact payment for the breakdown of business two days ago.
Your shenanigans cost them a lot of money.
" Larry stepped back as Parson and his gang of wolves entered the now too-narrow hallway.
Parson stepped up as the two humans retreated to the office behind them.
"I know what you are, Valerian, and normally I would be very cautious, but even a hellhound will have its hands full coming up against ten jackals.” Parson signaled his men.
“Get him, boys.” Larry appeared with a gun and took a random shot at Theo before being thrown bodily back into the office by Parson.
Valerian pushed Theo further behind him after taking the bullet in his shoulder but he hardly felt it. Human weapons had little effect on hellhounds but could badly hurt his mate. It was then that Ian appeared and grabbed Theo.
“I’ll keep him safe." He shouted, and Valerian handed him off to Ian. Theo reached back for Valerian.
"Go with him." He said, and Theo did not question.
The wolves started advancing, and Valerian blocked the hallway, destroying every wolf who came into reach.
Then the jackals were released. Ten heartless beasts intent on nothing but destruction.
They went into a half shift and kicked the remaining wolves out of their way as they advanced on Valerian.
Valerian was not impressed even when ten more joined their number.
No one really understood the abilities of a hellhound, especially one who spent nearly a century in the darkest regions beneath hell.
The jackals continued to advance as Valerian backed up to a reception area, giving him more room.
It was then that someone came up to stand next to him, the someone he sensed as soon as he'd entered the building.
“Thought you might need a hand.” He turned to see his brother Kass standing there. “And I was right.” Valerian smiled.
"Let's do it." He said, and they both shifted, not a half shift, a full hellhound shift, and the very air began to shake.
The jackals, being jackals, still attacked, although there were no wolves or cougars in sight.
They cut through them one after the other, never stopping until the last jackal lay dead on the floor.
Valerian then set his sights on the office at the end of the hall, where he could see Parson standing there observing the battle.
Valerian ran at him, but Parson slammed the door as if that would stop him.
Valerian went through the thick oak door as if it were not ever there.
Parson was trying to get out the window, and the brothers were emptying their handguns into Valerian with no effect.
Brice rushed into the room and came up beside Valerian.
Valerian shifted back to his human form.
"Theo is safe outside and is waiting for you.
The building is clear except for these three.
" He paused and then offered. "Let me take care of them.
They are his family regardless of their treachery.
. . it would be better if I handled this, sir.
" Valerian agreed. He didn't want Theo to look at him and see the man who destroyed his brothers.
They deserved everything they got, but not at his hand.
He looked over at Parson, who had lost all of his gloat and superiority. "Take care of him, too." Parson frantically tried to open the window, but it wouldn't budge. Valerian patted Brice's shoulder as he turned to regard his brother standing in the doorway.
"Time to go collect your mate," Kass stated, and they headed down the hall to the elevator and were just leaving the building when suddenly the north corner of the second floor exploded in a burst so fierce it shook the ground.
“Brice took care of it, apparently," Kass remarked while squinting up at the remains of the north corner.
"Explosives?" Valerian questioned, although very impressed that it only removed the one section of the second floor and possibly just the one office. “The man has real skill.”
“It’s his specialty.” Ian cut in.
“Good to know," Valerian stated.
“Yes, that could come in handy.” Kass agreed.
Theo came running toward him, arms out, and Valerian caught him and lifted him up in his arms for a firm, possessive kiss.
Theo wrapped his arms around Valerian’s neck and held on with a surprising strength.
"I was so worried, Valerian." He cried and buried his face in Valerian's shoulder.
Kass and Ian said their quick goodbyes and left them to their privacy.
Valerian carried him over to their SUV, before placing him back down onto his feet, but kept him in the circle of his arms. "It was a trap, baby. Your brothers and Parson were ordered to kill you in retaliation for the chaos of the last meeting.”
"The Ackerleys ordered it?" He asked.
"It would appear so, but you need not worry. It has been reported to Master DuCane and he is sending a contingent of soldiers and specialists to deal with the Ackerleys and to level all their interests. They will not be a problem for you going forward.” Valerian opened the door and helped Theo get settled.
“Are Larry and Justin. . ." He trailed off, unable to finish.
"Yes, and Parson and everyone he brought with him." Valerian waited, watching his mate's face for anger or upset, but all he saw was relief.
“I should be sad, but I'm not. I feel free finally free." He looked up at Valerian with his love shining in his eyes. "I have you, and I have a new beginning. I love you, Valerian. Thank you for hearing me, thank you for saving me, and thank you for protecting me from the horrors of my life.”
"I love you, baby, with everything that I am." He kissed him quickly and then pulled back to stare into those beautiful eyes. “Let’s go home and get you fully settled.”
“I never really had a home before. Thank you for sharing yours."
“Ours, it’s ours.” Valerian corrected.
“Our home." Theo threw himself at Valerian again, hugging him tightly. Valerian held him slightly, overcome by the intense emotions being channeled by Theo.
“Maybe we should get a nice hotel room for the night and head home in the morning." He suggested that his need for his mate was building with every touch and every look.
“Yes, let’s do that.” Theo laughed. “I need you so bad right now.”
Valerian was behind the wheel in an instant and booking a five-star hotel while pulling out of the parking lot.
Theo reached over and placed his hand on Valerian's thigh, and Valerian moved it up so that it cupped his hard cock.
"Keep it right there, baby." He smiled. Theo instead began to open Valerian’s pants and quickly had him in hand.
He smiled at Valerian and then dropped his head into his lap, taking his large cock down his throat.
Valerian came out of the seat for a moment and then managed to pull off to the side of the road and stop.
Theo took him over and over, taking all of him and massaging with his marvelous muscles.
Valerian couldn’t help himself and began thrusting and threading his fingers through Theo's hair, holding him steady.
The moment was astounding and more than he'd ever expected.
His mate was a constant surprise and a total beauty.
Theo took him to the base and worked his throat and tongue until Valerian lost it, falling apart and coming in a burst that filled Theo's mouth and leaked from the corners.
Theo licked him vigorously, catching every bit, letting nothing escape.
Valerian gradually caught his breath and regained his bearings, and let out a very satisfied chuckle.
“Oh, my love, that was outstanding, fucking outstanding.
You can do that anytime you wish; you have my permission.
" He chuckled again, and Theo giggled and tried to tuck Valerian back into his pants, but Valerian had to assist.
“Let's get to the hotel," Valerian stated as he pulled away from the curb. “I want to return the favor.” He winked at Theo.
“You have my permission," Theo responded audaciously. “Now hurry.”
“On it.”
THE END