Chapter Twenty
The week that followed their dinner with Lord Hades and Consort Ali passed far more quickly than the previous one.
Der Spiegel’s fact-checking team confirmed every detail - the three independent metallurgical analyses all matched with Ewen’s records, the financial records had all been verified, and the former Hardline employees’ testimonies held up under scrutiny.
When Klaus called them into his office on Thursday afternoon, Ewen’s revised article was displayed across three monitors.
“It’s solid,” Klaus said, satisfaction evident in his tone. “We publish Monday morning, the same time as The Guardian, Le Monde, and NRC Handelsblad. You get the byline, Mr. Cross, with Der Spiegel noted as having first publication rights.”
Ewen’s relief flooded their bond so strongly that Lamont had to suppress a smile.
“Thank you,” Ewen said quietly. “Thank you for believing in this.”
“Thank you for bringing this to us,” Klaus replied. “With your own story and the documentation, the way you implemented personal stories of the victims and their families… This is the kind of journalism that matters.”
The meeting with Redford Stone was even more productive, although it went on a lot longer than the one with Klaus.
Lamont had translocated them to a hidden gargoyle keep in the Appalachian Mountains.
It had ancient stone walls carved into the mountainside itself and was completely invisible to mortal eyes.
Redford himself was an impressive man. He was eight feet of solid muscle when fully shifted - something he only did because Ewen mentioned he’d never seen an actual gargoyle before, although he’d maintained human form for their discussion.
The man had dark eyes and close-cropped dark hair, giving the impression he could be intimidating if needed, although he was friendly on introduction.
The interview was a slightly different story, taking nine hours in total, with meal breaks every three.
Redford seemed determined to question every piece of evidence and go over every point in Ewen’s story.
There were times when Redford asked questions that Lamont hadn’t even considered, but as Redford explained - their case had to be completely airtight.
“Arcturus Group,” Redford had said, spreading financial records across the conference table.
“This group is tricky. They’re a private military contracting company that is legally registered in Delaware, but that seems to operate through shell companies in the Caymans.
They’ve been on our radar for two years, but we have never been able to pin anything specific on them, despite the number of bodies and missing people associated with their operations. ”
“The payments to Arcturus started when I first contacted Cortesi,” Ewen explained. “It was a monthly retainer, paid through Winters’s daughter’s consulting firm.”
Redford’s expression darkened. “You’ve already said that you believe Cortesi’s accident wasn’t an accident.”
“That’s right, it’s too coincidental,” Ewen agreed. “And my Cairo contact died in a car bombing while I was being held in that basement? Again, too coincidental.”
“Hmm…let’s not forget they tried to bury you in that basement.” Redford’s gaze shifted to Lamont. “It was a good thing your mate found you in time.”
Lamont’s hound had rumbled approval at that, satisfied that someone else recognized the threat against Ewen.
By the end of the meeting, Redford had opened three separate federal investigations - one into Hardline Defense Solutions for contract fraud and corporate manslaughter, one into Martin Winters for bribery and corruption, and one into Arcturus Group for murder and conspiracy.
He’d also quietly frozen several bank accounts and placed surveillance on the key players.
“We got confirmation that your article will go public on Monday. My teams will move in on Tuesday morning - all part of a coordinated effort. This will involve numerous agencies, as there are many jurisdictions in play here, but it will be done, and I’ll be monitoring each arrest personally.
After what you’ve gone through,” Redford added, “I’m not going let this get fucked up now. ”
Walking out of that keep, Lamont had felt the first real lightness he’d experienced since Ewen stopped him for that brief moment in Egypt. The end was finally in sight.
Which meant it was celebration time. Ewen had been exhausted after the interview, and they spent most of Friday resting and eating, watching movies, and not talking about anything serious at all. But at six, Lamont told Ewen to shower and get ready. He was taking his mate out for a meal.
Lamont adjusted his collar and checked his reflection one last time.
He’d dressed in dark slacks, a charcoal button-down, and a lighter gray jacket that was tailored to fit over his shoulders, but still gave him room to move.
He pulled the leather tie out from his hair and shook it out, flicking it back over his shoulders.
From business to pleasure mode, all thanks to a hair tie, he thought with a grin.
Ewen emerged from the bathroom looking absolutely edible in fitted black jeans and a deep blue shirt that highlighted his blue eyes.
“You clean up nicely,” Ewen said with a wink and a grin.
“So do you.” Lamont pulled him close, breathing in his mate’s scent before letting him go. “Are you ready for a proper date, where we walk rather than translocate and actually have to pay for the meal?”
“It’s about time.” Ewen grinned. “Ali’s going to want a full report, you know. He’ll probably quiz me about it when we go for Sunday dinner there after our holiday.”
“Then we’d better make it a night worth talking about.”
Klaus had recommended Nobelhart & Schmutzig, a small restaurant in Kreuzberg that focused on locally sourced ingredients and intimate dining.
The space was cozy without being cramped, and its dim lighting and exposed brick created a romantic vibe.
Their table was tucked into a corner, that was private enough that no other guests would overhear them.
The sommelier brought wine - a crisp Riesling from the Mosel Valley - and Lamont watched Ewen’s face as he tasted it, his cock twitching at the look of absolute pleasure Ewen showed.
“This is nice,” Ewen said softly, after the sommelier left. “Really nice. I can’t remember the last time someone took me to dinner just because.”
“Well, technically, it is a celebration, but you should get used to it.” Lamont reached across the table, threading their fingers together. “I plan on taking you to dinner regularly. Breakfast too. Lunch, sometimes, and if the occasion calls for it, we can even go out for midnight snacks.”
“Such a romantic,” Ewen teased, but his smile showed his teeth, and his fox was clearly content.
They ordered the tasting menu, and each course was better than the last. Beetroot with goat cheese and walnut. Pikeperch with celery root and brown butter. Venison with juniper and autumn vegetables. All fresh and beautifully cooked.
In between courses, Ewen shared stories about his mom and some of the weird creations she’d come up with for them to eat when money was tight.
Rather than it being a depressing conversation, Lamont could see how special it was that Ewen was sharing those memories with him.
It was clear that a lot of Ewen’s work ethics and caring nature came from the woman who’d loved him first.
“What’s the first thing you want to do in Santorini?” Ewen asked, stealing a bite of Lamont’s venison.
“Besides you?”
Ewen choked on his mouthful, his cheeks flushing. “Lamont.”
“What? I’m being honest.” Lamont grinned. “But after that, I think it would be really romantic to be cuddled up somewhere comfy, watching the sunset. They’re supposed to be spectacular.”
“Wow, Ali has rubbed off on you.” Ewen chuckled as he reached for his glass. “I didn’t hear any mention of museums or archaeological sites.”
“Well,” Lamont drew out the word. “Santorini is the home of the ancient city of Akrotiri,” he admitted.
“The consort might have forgotten about that when he suggested it. It was buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE. It’s remarkably well preserved, and I haven’t actually visited there yet.
But I promise I won’t spend all our time there. ”
“Just most of it.”
“No,” Lamont said quickly. “The consort will want details about our holiday, so…maybe just a few hours? On a rainy day when it isn’t much fun being on the beach?”
Ewen laughed. Through their bond, Lamont felt his mate’s happiness, the simple joy of being together without worrying about anyone or anything else. It was an addictive feeling, and Lamont mentally saluted Lord Hades’s mate. Consort Ali did have good ideas, even if he was pushy about them.
Dessert was a dark chocolate mousse with sea salt and olive oil, paired with a sweet wine that complemented it perfectly. Ewen hummed with appreciation, sucking the last of the sweet treat off his spoon with a happy sigh.
“After the story publishes” - Ewen said quietly as he put down his spoon and pushed his finished bowl aside - “and the FBI makes their arrests, what are we going to do then?”
“Then we go to New York, so you can pack whatever you want from your house, and then we’re translocating straight to Greece.” Lamont had already planned it out. “Two weeks, minimum. Beach, sunshine, food, wine. With a few ancient ruins thrown in if you’re feeling generous.”
“I think I can manage that.” Ewen’s foot found his under the table. “And after Greece?”
Lamont realized they’d never really had the chance to talk about the benefits of being with a freelancing hellhound.
“We can go and do whatever you want. We could stay in New York if you prefer, or divide time between there and my other houses.
I have places in London, Cairo, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires.
We can travel for work or take more vacation time.