CHAPTER SIX
He could see that Shae was rattled, and that was understandable, but still it bothered him. His beloved should be calm and safe and not fear for his life. Massey was going to pay for this. Torin would make sure of it.
"The Master wants you to come in for your and your beloved's protection.
The Coven is the safest place for your beloved right now.
" Killian told him, and the offer was unexpected.
The contract was to kill Massey and his under bosses and remain completely separate from the Coven.
There was to be no connection between them apart from his handler.
Now Master Hadden was inviting him into his home.
"That would destroy the reason you hired me, an outsider, and it would connect the Coven to the hit." Torin reminded him.
“Master Hadden is well aware of that fact, but he will not leave you on your own and will not leave your human beloved without the additional protection of the Coven. Accept the offer, Torin.” He pressed. “Do it for Shae.” He added.
"Does he know what it is he's inviting into his home?" Torin asks in a deadly serious tone.
"He knows who you are, Torin, and he is asking you to come to the Coven. You know me, and you know the kind of man that I am, and let me tell you that Master Hadden fears no one." He made himself clear.
"Okay, we're on our way." With that, he closed the call and pulled Shae into his arms.
"It's not safe for you out here. Massey is looking for you, and he has enlisted the aid of shifters.
Master Nikolas Hadden has asked us to come to him, and he will protect you.
" Torin explained as best he could, not wanting to frighten his beloved, who was just starting to get the gist of supernatural existence.
“Shifters have enhanced olfactory abilities," Shae commented, and shocked Torin, who remembered that fact which had been among so many others. "They can smell me."
"And me," Torin added.
"We'd better get out of here," Shae stated.
“On it.”
He would have to expound on the special powers of the Shadow Demons once they were in the Coven and his beloved was secure.
Shae held on tight and leaned into the movements with Torin as they flew through the atmosphere's vibrations.
He's rolled with everything so far, but Torin knew that humans were unpredictable and the smallest things could undo all his hard work.
They came to a stop in the conference room on the thirty-ninth floor of the Hadden Center. The Master was there along with his second in command, Josef, and Killian. They were keeping the welcoming committee small, which was wise. Torin kept his arm around Shae and turned to regard the Master.
"Thank you for having us, sir." He said, and Shae cautiously peeked at the men in the room but never let go of Torin or moved his face away from his chest. Shae was spirited, gutsy even, but the men in this room gave off an air of strength and command that even had Torin checking for the exits, just in case.
"Massey had wreaked destruction on everyone present or connected to the spa day at his compound. He thinks that if he kills everyone, he will get the party responsible for the attack." Master Hadden stated.
“He’s an idiot.” Killian contributed to the conversation.
"A deadly idiot, unfortunately," Josef added.
“We have interceded and put those still alive under my protection.” The Master continued.
Torin noticed the Master's gaze never left him he was evaluating and assessing the level of danger Torin posed to his home.
It was an expected outcome of showing up at his door.
Torin would not have taken assistance from anyone; he never did, but his beloved was someone he would not risk, so he took help when it was offered.
“Logic dictates that Massey will know you had a hand in the attack.” Torin pointed out. “It will be common knowledge.”
"I don't care what he knows or doesn't know he is a dead man walking. I have several teams scouring the town. They will find him and the last of his men, and they will finish this." Torin nodded and tightened his grip on Shae, who looked up at him with those beautiful eyes.
“Will we be safe here, Torin?”
"Yes, baby, we will be safe here."
"You and your beloved have been through a lot." Master Hadden said, looking over at Killian. "Killian will show you to your room and fill you in on the rest."
“Yes, sir.” Torin glanced over at Killian, who was walking toward him. They headed for the door, but before leaving, Torin turned back to face the Master. "I am no danger to you, sir."
"I know, Torin." He responded kindly but firmly. "Take care of your beloved." Torin nodded and left with Killian.
"He knows your circumstances, Torin, and he wants you and Shae to be safe. There's nothing shady going on here. I know you live and work in a very different atmosphere but trust me that this is the best place for you both right now." Killian persisted.
The Master was worried about Shae and also worried about what would happen to Torin if something were to happen to Shae, and it was a valid fear. Shadow Demons were not known for their self-control when angered, and they made targets of anyone or anything that got in their way.
Torin understood perfectly where the Master’s concern and Killian’s concern came from. They’re dealing with Massey and his lot, and they didn't want to have to deal with the devil as well. The Shadow Demon needed to be monitored.
They were shown to a large suite on the twenty-second floor. He knew this was the floor where the guards and soldiers were stationed. His decision was understandable, but left Torin feeling restrained, and he didn't like it. Beggars cannot be choosers.
They entered the suite, and Torin released Shae, who hesitated at first, not sure he wanted to be very far from Torin.
"It's okay, look around. I would like to speak with Killian for a minute.
" Shae acquiesced and headed into the kitchen.
Torin heard doors opening and closing. His beloved must be hungry, he thought, and then turned his attention to Killian.
“How close are you to ending this?” He asked.
“I have four teams on the streets, and they haven't located Massey, but they've dispatched most of his men.
A good share didn't hang around after the attack and the murders of his underbosses.
Those that remained were compensated handsomely, from what I've learned, but no matter, they have not survived to collect.” Killian explained in detail.
“He has shifters on his payroll, and he seems to know exactly what they are.
We were attacked at the cabin, five humans and a jackal.
Only the jackal got away." Torin glanced to his left and saw Shae going toward the bedroom with a bag of what looked to be potato chips.
"Are you allowed to tell me why the Master wanted these men eliminated? "
"Massey and his organization were teaming up with a shadow company to develop the lowlands.
It looked legal and above board, but it wasn't it was a money-laundering scheme on Massey's part, and the shadow company was using it to gain a foothold in this town. Magics and the kindred are involved. The Master wanted to end it before it got started. Eliminating Massey and his crew would have stopped it for now.” The stress was showing in Killian’s eyes.
"I think Massey is more involved than just laundering," Torin added.
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s comfortable with shifters, jackals on his payroll. He’s clearly familiar with our world he probably thinks he can work with the magics and control them. He strikes me as the overconfident type."
"He's an idiot, like I said before," Killian stated offhandedly.
"I assume you're taking out the magics along with Massey's men." He ventured, knowing Killian liked to leave no loose ends.
"Every last one of them." He smiled, and Torin reciprocated.
***
Shae found the bedroom and stretched out on the plush king bed.
It was a marvel of comfort and support, the bed of his dreams. The only thing missing was that tall, dark dream in the other room.
He should be shaking in his boots, hold up with an assassin in a vampire coven while a crazed killer hunts for him, but now all he can think about is how good Torin's arms felt around him and how good his lips felt on his needy cock.
He protected him in that room where everyone stood there, feeling on the edge of destruction.
Those guys were more than Shae could handle, and they hadn't even said a word to him.
The atmosphere nearly sent him into a faint, but Torin's support kept him conscious, if not calm.
The Master a man Shae had seen in a magazine once looked exactly as he did then, ten years ago.
Vampires don't age, and the thought that he was in a room where he was the only human should have had him panicking worse than he was.
It was Torin's presence, his touch, that made it okay, made his heart stop racing, and his fear begin to ebb.
The man who was probably deadlier than all the others combined was the one who made him feel safe.
His mind circled that thought over and over, and all he could come up with was his heart knew the truth.
Those other guys might be fine, but he wouldn't ever let his guard down around them, not like he had Torin.
The title "beloved" was sincerely taking shape in his mind and everything Torin had explained made sense now in what he was experiencing in the real world. Real world, what the hell does that even mean anymore?
He heard Torin enter the room and close the door behind him. There were no words, just intent. Their eyes met, and the fire present in Torin's gaze told him all he needed to know for now anyway. The desire he had bubbling in his core was mirrored in that look and in that heat.
"Before morning, I will join those hunting Massey and his men.
You will stay here. You are safe here. I know you're feeling the aura of power emanating from those in charge, and don't let that concern you.
Master Hadden and his people are no danger to you.
He's a powerful vampire, and he leads this Coven, and he respects the sanctity of a beloved.
Your place in my life gives you access here. "
"Yeah, they scared me a bit, but I knew I had you, and you wouldn't let them hurt me," Shae said exactly what he was feeling. He wasn't one to play around, and he preferred a frank exchange over games. Games just wasted time and energy, two things that seemed to be at a premium lately.
"Anyone who dares to raise a hand to you will promptly lose that hand, I promise you." Torin's tone was serious, not a shred of humor in that threat, and Shae found that fact pleasing.
"Thanks, that's good to know." He wasn't sure how to react, but he wanted him to know it was appreciated. Torin moved to the end of the bed and began removing his clothes: first his jacket and then his shirt. He kicked off his shoes, then opened his pants. He stopped and looked at Shae.
"Strip, baby, it's time I claimed you properly and thoroughly." That should have been frightening, but it wasn't. Shae felt a flash of excitement and anticipation.
“Yes, sir.” He responded eagerly and quickly slid out of his t-shirt and sweats. Torin was naked now and moving up and onto the bed while never breaking that seductive stare that was making Shae so damned hot.
Torin’s hands smoothed up Shae’s legs, stopping at his hips and massaging the area with his thumbs.
Shae's cock was instantly hard when Torin ghosted his breath across the sensitive head.
A sensual moan escaped Shae's lips, and Torin ran his tongue from base up to circle the head, sensitizing the flesh and driving Shae right out of his mind.
"I really need you, Torin." He made the plea and heard a soft chuckle, and then his cock was suddenly in a hot, moist embrace, and Torin was eating him alive.
It took his breath away every move set his body on edge, pushing him to the point of climax.
Then Torin eased back, ending the onslaught only to begin again and push him so hard his heart was hammering, and his breath was locked in his throat.
Shae tried to form some words of encouragement, but words were impossible, as was breath.
Torin worked him hard, and Shae could feel the moment that it was lost, and he suddenly had no control over any part of his own body because Torin owned his body and soul.
He took him to the base of his throat, and the pressure was explosive.
Shae came in a torrent, feeling his body move and come apart in this man's hands.
He arched his back and stiffened, feeling the rush of sensations wash over him and through him.
Torin took it all and licked him clean. It was unbelievably intimate, and Shae loved every minute of it.
The sensations continued to burn and titillate.
Torin nuzzled his groin and then trailed hot kisses up his chest to his lips.
He kissed him hard and exacting, taking everything Shae was giving and demanding so much more.
Shae was still stretched from their last time, which was their first time.
Shae had never known so much care and attention from a lover.
Torin treated him like he was the most important person in his world.
Torin moved his kiss to Shae's throat and abruptly entered him, slamming fully inside in one thrust.
Shae held him, digging his fingers into Torin's shoulders, unable to hold back the power of his reaction to the sensations rocketing through him.
The fullness was fantastic, and the rhythm had Shae nearly bouncing off the bed.
He would have flown off if Torin wasn't holding him fast and steady, making every thrust count; every thrust was felt throughout Shae's entire body.