Chapter 9
Marcello
“It is good to see you so…relaxed.”
I met Vincent’s gaze and glared. “I would be upset, and in some ways, I still am, but I cannot deny the fact that having my beloved here is what I needed.” I wasn’t just relaxed.
I was grounded. Abel had no idea just how much he did for me simply by being here.
For the first time in a year, I wasn’t hungry.
I didn’t crave the touch of him because I could just go to our room and pull him into my arms.
“And when do we get to officially meet him?” Vincent asked. “I’ve seen him briefly when everything was happening last week, and of course, Mazzi and Naldo have seen him. But that is about it. The others in the coven are curious.”
I narrowed my eyes. I was sure they were. Coven family or not, if any of them mistreated Abel or took advantage of him, they would pay for their actions. “I’ll talk to Abel about it,” I said. “He’s still getting used to things here and with us.”
“Yet here you are.”
I rolled my eyes at Vincent. “I’m here because Abel is still asleep and I wished to see what was in the kitchen for him when he woke.”
Vincent pointed at the doorway. “The kitchen is that way.”
“When did you become such an asshole?”
“Apparently, when I decided to collect your beloved for you and it brought the council down on me and our coven.”
“I didn’t ask you to do that. I could ask Abel to help with the council situation if you wish.
Maybe he can call…I assume Master Ambrosius and ask him to back off?
” I didn’t think it would happen, and I really didn’t wish for my beloved to be involved in family business if at all possible.
None of this was his doing. He had been kidnapped and brought here against his will.
Granted, he’d chosen to stay, but that didn’t mean he agreed to join the “family” business.
“I do not need your beloved fighting my battles with the created vampire.”
I made a face. “Very well. Speaking of my beloved, we need to get his things from Montana at some point.”
“Already done,” Vincent said. “They were put in one of the guest rooms upstairs since the two of you were busy fucking like bunnies.”
I stared at Vincent. “I don’t know what is going on with you to make you this disagreeable, but you truly are being an ass.
I was doing what any newly mated paranormal does.
If you haven’t gotten your dick sucked in too long, I think you should take that up with whoever is warming your bed.
” I stood. “I’ll be grabbing fruit for my beloved and then returning to our room since you’re in such a foul mood. ”
I made it almost to the door before Vincent’s words stopped me. “I apologize,” he said quietly. Vincent never apologized for anything. Ever.
I turned with narrowed eyes. “If you recall, I was making do without him. It was no way to live, but I did not ask for Abel to be brought here.”
“I know.” Vincent leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his stomach. “You may not have seen what others did, but you were on a path of self-destruction. I did what I needed to in order to save you.”
“Oh, I saw it, and I’ve admitted as much to myself and my beloved.
I even tried to get Master Ambrosius to end my suffering there in my room in front of him.
” I grinned, thinking back to how my little beloved had come running across the room, flying at the created vampire, and whacking him in the chest with balled-up fists.
Who would do that? Apparently, Abel would for me.
I’d spent the evening before and the morning up until that point trying to keep him away, and he was already loyal and fighting for me.
For us. He deserved everything I could give him and more.
“Do you realize how that would have destroyed him?”
“I wasn’t exactly thinking about that aspect of things just then. I did not want Abel part of this world. None of that matters any longer as that didn’t happen, and now, he cannot leave.”
“You have a beloved to think about.”
I narrowed my eyes again. “I’m aware of that. Care to tell me what you are hinting at? And why are you now acting as if I’m mated and things are going to change drastically? I am going to continue on as I always have.”
Vincent sighed. “We will discuss that later. After your beloved has had a chance to get settled.” Vincent leaned forward and placed his arms on the desk. “Is there a reason you stopped in here? Other than to annoy me?”
“That was never my intent. I only wished to stop in and ask about getting Abel’s things. Also, a request,” I said.
“Which is?”
“I want his father if he’s still breathing.”
Vincent’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“His father. You know how to find people just as well as I do, but you have more time.”
“You will need to give a bit more information. Why am I locating his father?”
“Because his father was the one who sold Abel into sex trafficking. I want him to pay for what he did to his son. This was years after physical and mental abuse. I want him.”
Vincent held eye contact for a long moment before he nodded. “I’ll see what I can do. No guarantees though. I would think the council has already done something with him for doing such a thing.”
“That was why the ‘if he’s still breathing.’ He won’t be the only one I take out. His brothers all abused him as well. I want them all to pay for what they did to him.”
Vincent nodded. He understood. We’d dealt with others who had caused past wrongs. We took care of others who were “issues” currently as well. It was part of who we were.
“I won’t keep you from your beloved, but if you could find the time when you’re not getting your dick sucked, send me everything you can about his family.”
I scowled. “You know, for someone who had my beloved kidnapped and brought here, you’re acting like you’re upset now.” I shook my head and left the office without waiting for a reply. I could just as easily find Abel’s father as Vincent could.
I left Vincent’s office, turning left to head toward the kitchen. I heard voices before I got there and found Mazzi standing at the counter. He was smiling at something someone was saying, and I stopped short at the new face.
“Ciao.”
The new face looked directly at me and smiled.
“Marcello!” Mazzi said before he rounded the counter. I leaned in and kissed his cheeks.
“Mazzi,” I said, my eyes never leaving the unknown face.
“So, this is Marcello? He will have a mate who will also be needing my services?”
I narrowed my eyes. Vincent must have been incredibly upset with me to not have told me that there was someone new in the coven.
“Possibly,” Mazzi said with a glance back at the new guy. “Marcello, this is Rio. He was sent here by Master Edison to help with my delivery.”
Ah, that made sense, then. I held out my hand in greeting. Rio shook it and then dropped it with a nod.
“I hear you are currently newly mated,” Rio said.
“Yes, but my beloved is an omega. He’ll deliver through an omega line if he’s caught.
” Personally, I didn’t see how it was possible that he hadn’t caught, but it did happen.
“I assumed that Sandro would deliver our child.” I turned to Mazzi.
“It is good that you have another warlock here to help with your delivery.”
“Yes,” Mazzi said, but the frown was unexpected. “You don’t know, I suppose, with you and Abel just claiming one another.”
“Know what?”
“Sandro took off,” Mazzi said. “Once Rio arrived, Sandro left.”
I looked at Rio, my thoughts racing. Where was our friend? “I guess you will possibly need to assist. We’ll have to make sure Abel is pregnant first though.”
“Of course.” Rio nodded. “I can do a quick examination whenever the two of you wish.”
Immediately, my protective instincts went up. Mazzi seemed to pick up on it. “It’s magical,” he said. “Literally a swipe of a hand over Abel’s torso.”
I nodded. “I’ll ask my beloved,” I said. I glanced back at Rio. “Are you here to stay? Or are you going back to…”
Rio offered a kind smile. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him. I…well, I didn’t. Especially if it was Master Edison who had sent him here to us.
“I am here for another month at least. I will be here for Mazzi’s birth, and after if needed. My coven in Brazil has two other doctors, and I am not necessarily needed.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m sure there is a story there. Why would a warlock coven need three doctors?”
Rio smiled. “They are my family. Distant cousins, and both are much older. They did not wish to come here for family reasons. I did not have anything or anyone holding me back, and I had no issues with helping out your coven.” Rio shrugged. “It is not as if I cannot protect myself.”
I nodded slowly. “Well, welcome to the coven. At least temporarily.” I pointed to the other side of the kitchen. “If you two will excuse me though. I came in to get some fruit for Abel.”
“There’s plenty in the refrigerator. But if you want something else, just say so,” Mazzi said.
I opened the refrigerator and saw the platter of fruit. I pulled it out and went in search of a plate, but Mazzi beat me to it.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I can fix a platter for him if you’d like.”
I sighed. “I am not quite used to having a warlock in the coven,” I said.
Mazzi touched my arm gently. “I understand you are upset with me. I probably shouldn’t have kidnapped your beloved, but I do agree with Master Vincent that it was for the best. You have your beloved with you now, as you should.”
I nodded. “If he hadn’t been—”
Mazzi smiled. “I’ve heard how he went at Master Ambrosius. We all have. We haven’t even met him properly, but he has everyone’s respect. He knew who Master Ambrosius was, and he still went after him when you were threatened. You have a feisty beloved, Marcello.”
I grinned. It made me feel great to know that the others respected my beloved. That didn’t mean that I wouldn’t be overly protective of him around them for now. That couldn’t be helped.