CHAPTER SIX
Arman wanted to get out of Chicago and back to Belleville as soon as possible.
Being in a city that was not his own left too much up to chance, and the safety of his beloved was continually at risk.
There were factions in Chicago, be they vampire or shifter, that would take great pride and glory in harming what he holds most dear.
Chris finally came around and agreed to protection, and he has agreed to go with him.
Regardless, with or without agreement, they would be going back to Belleville in the morning, and Arman was not leaving without Chris.
He could take all the time he needed to come to terms with his new existence, but he would do it in Belleville with Arman, and that was final.
They headed out front to the waiting car with Arman staying alert and watchful.
This was not his town, and the undercurrent that touched him was anything but friendly.
The Rose Coven was powerful, and it held itself above the petty battles and inconveniences of others, but there were those in the shadows that wanted chaos . . . at any cost.
He kept Chris behind him and held his arm until they were in the car.
His driver had Chris' address, and they were quickly on their way.
His guards were in another vehicle closely behind them.
They drove in silence, Chris obviously lost in his thoughts, and Arman watching everything.
There was something in the wind. All these years on this earth as a warrior knight, executioner, champion, soldier, and fixer had sharpened his instincts to notice the slightest change in the air, the mood, the land, and he was feeling a change.
Chris tightened his grip on Arman’s hand and looked over at him. "This is the choice you're making. You want this?" The silence was not to process his own feelings but to analyze Arman's. "I've seen who you were and who you are. How will I be enough for you?"
Within a few minutes, the car came to a stop at the curb in front of Chris’ apartment building, but Arman signaled for his driver to wait.
He turned to Chris, and he cupped Chris’ face in his strong hands, tilting it so he could look into his eyes.
He trained his gaze on Chris, taking in every nuance of expression.
He wanted no misunderstandings and no thoughts of not fitting in.
"There were no choices made, my love. I found you, my Fated love, the love that I have been looking for all my life.
I knew you were in the world somewhere, and I always watched for you.
Friday night was the night Fate brought us together.
" He kissed him quickly; he couldn't resist taking a taste as he continued.
"I can tell you in all honesty that I want this; I want this very badly. You are mine, and I will never let you go." He kissed him again. His thumbs stroked Chris' cheekbones as he held him tenderly.
"I have no power, no influence, no degree, no assets of any value I . . .” His words were cut short with a hard kiss that slammed into him.
Arman was making his mark and making himself clear.
When he finally pulled back, he looked at his beloved, knowing that he was enough; he would always be enough.
“Your power and your influence reside right here.” Arman placed the palm of his hand over his own chest. “You are my heart.” Chris leaned forward and rested his forehead on Arman's chest. Arman threaded his fingers through his hair gently and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head.
"You are all that I need, Chris, just as you are.”
***
"There looks to be someone following Arman and his beloved. I don't think he's aware of it yet. They're keeping back and switching out; it's a professional surveillance by the look of it." One of the guards watching the situation reported to Drakon.
“Do you know who they are?”
“No, I haven’t gotten a lead on them yet. They’re fast and subtle.”
“Keep following them. Has Arman spotted you yet?”
"Oh yeah, he had us pretty quickly, but he knows who we are and hasn’t confronted us.”
“Try to get a fix on the others and report back. I’ll send you a couple more men.”
“Yes, sir.”
Drakon passed the report to Master Rose.
It was important that they keep a lid on anything that might interfere with Arman Kane and his beloved.
"Apparently, Arman does not have a problem with us following him, so have them stay close and, if possible, get between Arman and whoever they think may be tailing him.
" Master Rose paused and then asked. "Where is Arman headed? "
"Looks like he's taking his beloved to his apartment, possibly to pack. I hope he's not going to leave him there on his own. It would require us to split the men following him in order to provide protection.”
“He won’t leave him there alone. Arman is from the old world, and he has old world skills and sensibilities. If we suspect that someone is following him, I’m sure Arman suspects the same. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a battle on our streets.”
“Whatever happens, we will keep it contained.”
“I’ve seen this man’s work; it will be bloody.”
“Fuck I just got word they came at him as he and Chris crossed from their car to the apartment building. Three vampires and it's a mess, a fucking mess according to my man." Drakon chuckled. "He's taking them apart."
“Send a cleanup crew.”
***
Arman could feel the pressure of eyes on them the minute he exited the vehicle.
He was aware of Master Rose’s men keeping an eye on him, but this was different.
This was desperate and impatient with an edge of fear.
He pulled Chris close as he looked up and down the street.
His guards followed, feeling the same edginess and uncertainty.
Something was in the air, and it wasn't good.
The distance from the curb to the front stoop of the apartment building was about forty feet, and they'd gone maybe ten feet when things started to go down.
Three men came at them, two from the left and one from the right.
Arman moved Chris back to the car and threw him inside, slamming the door. His driver stood guard.
Arman drew his sword and ran it completely through the first vampire that attacked him with a dagger.
"Don't bring a dagger to a sword fight," Arman said as he split him in half.
The next was beheaded as he swung his sword in an arc, taking the head in a clean slice, and the third was incapacitated by his guards.
Body parts were strewn across the sidewalk with blood flowing, and men from the Rose Coven swarmed the area.
Arman grabbed Chris from the car and carried him inside, covering his eyes so as not to see the slaughter.
There was time enough for him to discover everything about Arman; he didn't need to see this today.
He signaled for his men to turn the captured vampire over to the Rose Coven.
He then took the stairs, racing up to Chris' apartment, getting inside, and closing the door.
Chris had not spoken a word, and his body was shaking, and his breath was labored. "What did you see?" Arman asked.
"Nothing, the driver blocked my line of sight." He spoke haltingly and held tight to Arman’s jacket. He had not yet let him down but rather continued to hold him in his arms. Chris needed the contact and security, and so did Arman.
"I saw them come at you with knives. I thought they were going to hurt you." He struggled to breathe and to calm himself. "I could have helped you. Why did you push me away?"
Arman was moved by Chris' desire to stand with him.
"You are human, Chris. As my bonded beloved, you have improved healing, but you would not survive a knife fight with a trained vampire soldier. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt.
I can take a lot, and I have had plenty of training.
Let me protect you and take care of you; it is my responsibility. "
"I don't want to be a burden I want to be there for you. Sitting in the car, I felt useless." Arman could accept the desire, but it would be impossible for him to put Chris in any sort of danger. “You could train me.”
“I’ll consider it, but you mean too much to me to take chances with your life.
I will always put you first and will always protect you it's just how I'm wired.
" Arman wanted to squash the idea of fighting by his side, but he also did not want his beloved to feel lost or vulnerable.
"I will train with you once we're home and settled, but you must promise to follow my instructions and, when in battle, you always do as I tell you. "
"I will, I promise." He nodded his head vigorously.
He was in shock. Arman could see the signs, so this was not the time to get too deep into anything.
He needed to relax and for his adrenaline to settle.
He walked over to the small sofa and sat down with Chris still in his arms. There was a small throw there, and he tucked it around Chris, who was starting to experience chills.
There came a knock at the door, and he called for them to enter because he knew who it was. Master Rose and his lead enforcer, Drakon, entered the apartment. Chris did not open his eyes and did not stir.
“How is he?” Master Rose asked as he came to stand in front of Arman.
"He's in shock, but he'll be okay."
“Good, I’m glad.”
"Do you know who led the attack?" Arman asked, knowing that Master Rose would have that information already.
“The three who attacked you were from the Cass Coven in Naperville.” Arman nodded.
“We don’t know the motive for the attack.
The Master of the Cass Coven is in town, having come for the Gala, and is staying till Monday.
We plan on speaking with him. I will know if he ordered the attack.
The captive has been taken to a secure location and will be questioned.
" Master Rose was studying him, getting his measure in a way he had not done while in their negotiations.
"You're a fierce fighter." He said at last. "I could use a man like you.
If you ever decide to leave Belleville and the Trento Coven, you will find a welcome home with the Rose Coven.
" That was an offer that few received. Conall Rose was notorious for keeping his Coven smaller and accepting only those he saw as the best.
"Thank you for the offer, and I will consider it."
"It stands open any time that you decide." Arman nodded, and they got down to business regarding the Cass Coven and the cleanup taking place out on the street. Any onlookers were immediately dealt with, and Arman's men assisted in the containment.
"Your men have some special talents for dealing with onlookers," Drakon spoke up. "Is it magic?"
"They were trained under a Mage. The magic they employ is natural and not from the darkness."
“That’s very handy.”
“Yes, very.” He agreed.
“I know you will want to speak with Master Lucan Cass, but I'm asking that you allow me to handle that for you. If he called for the attack, I’ll hand him over.
He's a snobby bastard, and I believe he may set you off even if he had nothing to do with the situation.
He rubs everyone the wrong way and is just a patently dislikeable man.
" The way Master Rose said it brought a smile to Arman’s lips.
“He sounds lovely.” He said sarcastically.
“Not even a little bit. He’s someone I tend to avoid because I don’t trust myself not to kill him.”
“I’ll trust you to deal with Lucan Cass for now." Arman agreed, although if Cass was at the heart of this attack, Arman would take care of him and anyone else who dared to put his beloved in danger.
After Master Rose and Drakon left, Arman sat on the sofa with Chris in his arms until he began to stir. He slept for a little over an hour, and when he woke, he immediately asked when he could start training. "Once we're home and settled, we can put a schedule of training together." He promised.
“I should get up and take a shower and dress and pack.”
"Take your time, my love, we have all day." Arman kissed the side of his head. Chris sat still for a few more minutes and then started to get up, and Arman assisted him.
“I have coffee and tea in the kitchen if you’d like a cup.”
"You go get ready, and I'll prepare a couple of cups of coffee," Arman suggested, and Chris nodded. “How did you like your coffee?”
"Just black, no milk or sugar."
“I’ll get it ready.” He stood and watched Chris slowly and carefully make his way into the bedroom. He did not close the door, which Arman appreciated. Within a few minutes, he heard the shower turn on, and he walked to the kitchen and dialed Trey, his lead guard.
“What do you have?” He asked.
"They were Master Lucan Cass's men, but I couldn't get a read on whether he sent them. Although, it seems unlikely that it was anyone else. They have no reason to attack you and your beloved." Trey gave his opinion.
"My thoughts exactly," Arman added.
"What does Cass have against the Rose Coven or me? He might have been trying to embarrass Master Rose."
“He is very deferential to Master Rose.”
“Reason being?”
“He wants to do business with the Rose Coven. The Cass Coven does not have access to Chicago.” Trey's revelation gave motive; it was an emotional and trivial motive, but it sounded like the action of this Master Vampire.
"Find me, Master Lucan Cass."
"Yes, sir." With that, he closed the call just as Chris exited the bedroom dressed in form-fitting, well worn jeans and a white pullover. He looked so good. His hair was still wet, and his complexion held that rosy glow. He was gorgeous.
He handed Chris the cup of coffee, and he took a long sip and then set it on the counter. "Thank you."
“You’re welcome.” Arman pulled him into his arms, having been apart too long. He kissed his cheek and then took his lips in a hard kiss. He holds Chris with one arm, pressing him against his side, and looks around.
“How much of this stuff is yours?” He asked.
"The furniture was here, and the other touches I picked up at thrift shops, so I don't need to bring them with me. I just need my clothes and my personal items from the bedroom and bath."
"I can provide, so just bring what you can't live without," Arman told him.
"Sounds good, I hate packing." He disappeared into the bedroom and came out a few minutes later with a backpack and a tote bag. "This is all I need." He set them aside, picked up his coffee from the counter, and took another sip.
"I need to call Jason and let him know that I'm moving to Belleville. He's going to be surprised." Arman nodded and moved to the kitchen to check in with Trey, giving Chris the privacy he needed.