Chapter Four
HORVAN WATCHED as the jet Duke had sent taxied to a stop at the end of the runway.
Going home. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be there, but right then he yearned for his own bed, his mates on either side of him, their heads resting on his chest as they slept.
He ached to bury his dick deep in Dellan’s ass while Dellan did the same to Rael.
Their bond connected them at all times, but nothing beat the feelings and sensations that always occurred when the three of them made love.
Can you not have thoughts like this while I’m talking to Mrs. Landon on the phone? Dellan groused.
The day I don’t share how much I fucking need you is the day I die, so suck it up, buttercup.
Rael laughed. In the dictionary under Telling it like it is, it says, See Horvan Kojik.
Would you have me any other way?
The resounding No from both his mates was all the reassurance Horvan needed.
Do we have any idea how long we’ve got before we have to leave again? Dellan asked. And yes, you heard right. I said we. If you’re going on a mission to find Alec, you are not leaving me at home.
I’d kinda assumed that. Besides, tigers have claws and teeth, and I like my balls where they are. Horvan might be top when it came to sex, but he wasn’t stupid. He wanted it to stay that way.
Dellan’s mention of Alec was a sharp reminder of how much they had yet to achieve. He knew it had to be on Dellan’s mind too. It must hurt like a son of a bitch, knowing the enemy has genetically modified your son to make him into a killer . He also knew Dellan had high hopes of saving Alec.
Horvan had to be the practical one. We don’t even know if that will be possible.
He didn’t want to think about the upcoming mission, however. There was too much work to be done before he could do that. Hashtag was already on task, trying to locate the castle Seth had seen in his vision. Jake had been in contact with Orsini, who’d agreed to help them if they should find—
What, exactly? Horvan didn’t know, but Jake clearly had an idea. Enough of one to tell Horvan this next mission could be the most vital yet. Horvan had thought this mission had been pretty vital. Another camp gone, sure, but more importantly, they had Seth, Jake, and Jamie.
Horvan grinned. I guess Brick’s gonna be busy once we get home. Aric was a handful, and then some. And Seth? Horvan imagined Dellan had looked a lot like him when he was that age. I bet Seth can be a handful too.
Horvan didn’t envy Brick.
Does that mean Rael and I aren’t a handful?
Horvan chuckled. You’ve seen the size of my hands, right?
You know it’s going to be awful crowded at home?
Dellan added his own chuckle. I know it appears to be a mansion, but the house only has five bedrooms. Of course, there are Mrs. Landon’s rooms in the basement.
I could ask if she wouldn’t mind going to stay with her daughter, at least until Saul, Crank, and Vic’s place is built.
Unless you want Hashtag and Roadkill to move out and stay at the barracks with Eve?
Horvan snorted. Yeah, no. They’re much better with us. What about Jamie? Has he said that he wants to stay with us?
There was a pause. He hasn’t said a whole lot. If that’s what he wants, then fine. But I get the feeling he might have other plans.
And are you okay with that?
Another pause. I guess. Whatever he decides, I don’t think he’ll stray too far from us. Not now my dad’s back, and Seth too. And speaking of my dad… he’ll need a room too. For the time being, at any rate.
He saw through Dellan’s words. I don’t know Jake’s plans any more than you do, but I will make one suggestion. Give him some space. He’s been through a lot. Except thirty-one years was way more than a lot. Who knew what he’d been through?
And will those plans include Doc?
Horvan smiled. You’d have to ask him. It was kinda cute watching Jake and Doc circle each other. Since that first kiss—which had been a shock, but then again it wasn’t: There was a rightness to it Horvan couldn’t deny—they’d talked every minute they got.
You think they’ll do more than talk ?
Gods, I hope so. Horvan grinned. I know I still want to be fucking when I get to their age.
And enjoying it as much as I do now. He caught Dellan’s shudder.
Yeah, I know, you don’t wanna think about your dad getting it on, but consider this.
What’s the only sex he’s likely to have had during all his time as a prisoner?
Hmm? Forced breeding, probably. So if he and Doc wanna bump uglies, more power to ’em.
I say we give ’em some privacy and leave them alone for a while.
Dellan laughed. Okay, but they get the basement. Besides, it has a king, so they’ll have plenty of room to… whatever. Now, suppose you tell me what’s worrying you. I know my dad figures in there somewhere.
Horvan sighed. I can’t hide diddly squat from you, can I? Have you talked with Jake recently?
We talk all the time.
No, I mean really talk. He seems… tired.
The silence that followed spoke to the heart of Horvan’s concern.
Dellan’s heavy sigh said so much. He hasn’t talked about the camp or learning about Mom’s death or how he’s feeling. And that worries me. You said he’s been through a lot. I don’t think that even scratches the surface, and I don’t know what to do about it.
All you can do is be there for him. Like I said, give him some space. Let him readjust.
“Horvan, can we speak?” Aelryn’s quiet voice broke into his internal conversation.
We can talk later , Dellan told him. When we’re home. And by the way? I can’t wait to be sandwiched between you two either. Think we can talk Rael into taking both our dicks at the same time again?
Horvan let out a mental growl. Can you not say stuff like that? He turned to face Aelryn. “Sure.”
Aelryn’s lips twitched. “I seem to have interrupted something. Is this not a good time?” His nostrils flared.
Fuck . Well, tough shit if he could smell Horvan’s arousal. Get a good whiff, because no way am I ashamed of my love for my mates. He ignored Dellan’s chuckle. So you think this is funny? Wait until I get my hand on you.
Don’t you mean hands?
Horvan snorted. Oh no, sweetheart. And just for good measure, he sent Dellan a mental picture of him naked over Horvan’s lap, his ass tilted, the shape of Horvan’s hand-print clearly visible against the creamy skin.
Holy fuck, you fight dirty .
Horvan chuckled. You know it. Then he realized Aelryn was waiting. “No, it’s fine, we can talk.” He took another glance, noting Aelryn’s wrinkled brow, his gaze that flitted, never settling on anything for long. “What’s on your mind?”
“What’s happening here?” Aelryn blurted.
His demeanor was so far removed from the unruffled leader Horvan had come to know and respect that it gave him pause. “What do you mean?”
“Scott is with the inmates. We took them to the school in Boston for the time being. And….” Aelryn swallowed. “He says he’s found our mate. She was one of them.”
Horvan beamed. “That’s awesome.” Something in Aelryn’s manner checked his exuberance. “Isn’t it?”
“Of course it is, but… why now?” Aelryn demanded. “Why are our mates suddenly emerging?”
Horvan got where he was coming from. “There have been a few lately.”
“Yes, but….” Aelryn frowned. “Look at Hashtag and Roadkill. Military buddies for more than a decade, nothing more than friends, and no indication that they were mates. Then Eve comes along, and something clicks into place.”
“I can’t explain it either.”
Aelryn locked gazes with him. “What if something in the universe has also just clicked into place? Because there has to be a reason. I can’t believe this is nothing but mere chance.”
Horvan couldn’t believe that either.
“Maybe we’ll never know why this is happening,” he murmured. “Maybe we shouldn’t try to come up with explanations, but accept it for what it is.”
Aelryn’s dark eyes met his. “But you want answers too, don’t you?”
Yeah, he did.
“H, we’re almost ready to leave,” Brick hollered. “Unless you wanna stay here?”
Aelryn followed Horvan’s gaze. “I don’t blame him for what he did.”
“We talking about him dispatching Fielding without orders?” Not that Horvan blamed him either.
“If truth be told, he solved a problem for us. I don’t know how long we could’ve kept Fielding a prisoner.” Aelryn glanced at Horvan. “You do realize there could be a price to pay, once Theron learns of Fielding’s demise?”
“Yeah. We’ll deal with that when the time comes. First thing on the agenda is to find wherever Theron is hiding—and what he’s hiding.” He grinned. “I’ve always wanted to visit the UK. ”
“When we know where we’re headed, I’ll organize a team to join forces with you.
And I’ll put you in contact with Derek Ferguson.
He’s a team leader, based in the UK. A good man.
Maybe Richard Deveraux too, especially if you’re going to be in the north of the country.
” He clasped Horvan’s forearm. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Will I be seeing you in the UK too?”
Aelryn’s eyes glinted. “When it could mean finally meeting the leader of all Gerans? Which is what Theron is, according to Jake. Not to mention uncovering whatever he’s keeping in that room.” He smiled. “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Horvan had a feeling the contents of those stone caskets might turn their world upside down.
EVERYTHING IS moving so goddamn fast. And Jake was struggling to keep up.
Nicholas Tranter’s presence was the one thing that anchored him, gave him something to hold on to.
He managed a smile. “I see planes haven’t gotten any quieter in the last thirty years.
” He gazed out of the small window at the earth below.
“Not that I remember a thing about the last time I was in a plane. One minute I was in Rome. The next? I was waking up in the US with one helluva headache and unable to shift.”
All those years of not knowing what had become of his wife and son. Sure, he had Dellan back in his life, but learning the truth about Miranda had only caused more pain.
“It’s over now,” Nicholas murmured beside him.
Jake jerked his head to stare at him. “Do you really believe that?”
Nicholas sighed. “No, of course not. It’s wishful thinking on my part. But it can be over—for a short while. At least until we know more about Theron’s whereabouts.” He smiled. “You’ve more than earned a break.”
Jake didn’t want to talk about Theron. All that did was twist his stomach into knots and give him one bastard of a headache. He twisted in his seat to peer at Nicholas. “Why did you never marry?”
He shrugged. “I finished my studies, I became a doctor—and then I was recruited by the military. There was no time to think of such things. Life got in the way.”
“That’s bullshit. ”
Nicholas arched his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“I trust my instincts, and they tell me you’re not speaking the truth.” Jake covered Nicholas’s hand with his own. “If you can be straight with anyone, it’s me.”
That earned him a smile. “Except I’m not. Straight, that is. And neither are you, it seems. Have you always known you’re bisexual?”
“Always.” Jake couldn’t hold back a second longer. “Just like I always knew you had feelings for me.”
Nicholas’s breathing hitched. “You… you knew?”
He nodded. “But what’s really going to surprise the hell out of you? I had feelings for you too.”
“But….” Nicholas swallowed. “You and Miranda….”
“Who also knew how I felt. Want to hear the shocker? She suggested I sleep with you.”
His jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”
“She thought I should find out what I was missing out on.”
“Then… have you ever…. With a man?”
Jake bit back a smile. “Uh-uh. There’s only ever been one lover in my life, and that was her. What happened in the intervening years since they took me?” He scowled. “It doesn’t count.”
“No, it doesn’t,” Nicholas agreed with some vehemence.
He stared at Jake. “Okay, if you can be that honest, then so can I. The reason I never married? There was never anyone who made my heart beat the way you did. Anything else would have seemed like a poor substitute. It wouldn’t have been fair to them, because I would always be comparing them to you.
No matter who it was, they would have lost out.
And I guess part of me always hoped for the impossible. ”
“And what was that?”
Nicholas locked gazes with him. “That one day I’d find you again, and that I’d have enough courage to tell you I… I loved you.”
Warmth surged through him. “I loved you too.”
“And now? Do you think you can still love me?”
Jake smiled. “I wouldn’t be sitting here with you if I didn’t.” He paused. “I know it’s been years, but I… I want to take things slow.”
Nicholas chuckled. “You could’ve fooled me. That kiss was right off the blocks. ”
“I had to know.” Jake cupped his face. “But I’m really an old-fashioned kinda guy. I want to get to know you all over again before we take the next step.”
That hitch in Nicholas’s breathing was all the sweeter the second time around. “Then we are going to—”
Jake cut off his words with a kiss, keeping it chaste. “Yes, we are,” he whispered. “If that’s what you want.”
Nicholas nodded. “With all my heart.” Then he laughed softly. “You know, it’s my sixtieth birthday in a few days, but right now? I feel as though my life is starting all over again.”
Me too. Gods, I love him.
Nicholas stiffened, his eyes wide.
“Hey. What’s wrong?” Jake grabbed his hands.
“I just heard you in my head,” he blurted.
Holy hell.
What about now?
Nicholas gaped at him. “I have no psychic ability. How can I be hearing you? How is this possible?”
Jake’s heart pounded. I think you know why. Why not put it to the test?
Nicholas’s chest heaved.
Please, Nicholas.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. I love you too.
Tears pricked Jake’s eyes, and his throat tightened.
“But why now?” Nicholas demanded. “Why not when we were younger? And why didn’t we know this right away when we met again?”
Jake laughed. “You expect me to have all the answers? I’m as much in the dark about this as you are. And who’s to say there are rules for this?”
Dad? Are you all right? Dellan’s voice pierced the tumult of his thoughts.
Jake wiped his cheeks. I’m more than all right. I just found one of my mates.
The lack of response told him he’d stunned Dellan into silence.
Nicholas’s mouth fell open. “ One of…. You mean there’s another one out there somewhere?”
Jake nodded.
The universe had opened a door and shown him how little he knew.
Now all he wanted was to open the door to that glass room and learn the truth.