Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Spade
The club pulsed around us, vibrating through the floor. Bodies were packed tight, their sweat and sin clinging to the air. It was my kind of place. But the best part of it was the man sitting at my side.
My man.
I tipped my glass back, then nudged his arm. “Does this mean you rule over Riker?”
His lips twitched faintly. “Riker and his family are different.”
“How so?” I asked.
Soren exhaled through his nose, gaze drifting out over the dance floor, passing over the grinding bodies. “They came into my territory years ago.”
That got my attention. “Territory, huh?” I echoed, leaning one elbow on the table. “Sounds like our club. We have our own area we look after.”
“I know. Riker is full of information.”
Snorting, I shook my head. “Yeah, he is. He’s also a big ball of energy. But he’s been good for our president.”
He smiled. “I’m glad they found each other.”
“Me, too, or else we mightn’t have met.”
His gaze darkened. He hated the thought of that.
I rested my hand on his thigh and squeezed. “Riker and his family?” I pressed, to change the subject. I didn’t like seeing him upset, even from a thought.
He took a sip of his drink. In the days and nights we’d spent in my room, I’d discovered that a lot of the stuff about vampires wasn’t true.
They could walk in the sunlight, drink and eat, and garlic or crosses did nothing to them.
But a stake to the heart or being beheaded could kill them.
However, they were faster and stronger than most creatures.
Soren rested his hand over mine as he said, “I felt them the moment they crossed the boundary. Fox shifter, bear shifter, and tiger shifter. They were strong, fierce, and walked right into my club—this one—to demand a meeting. I gave it. I was bored, and they intrigued me. We walked out of the room as friends, and sometimes they pay me for assistance in certain jobs.” Soren smirked.
“It’s hard not to love Riker, but once you meet Deacon and Nox, I believe you’ll enjoy their company too.
Eventually. They’re gruffer, sharper, but have this soft side when it comes to their fated mates. ”
I nodded. “I get it with Riker. It was easy to like him. But he hasn’t brought his brothers to the club yet.”
“He will, and when that happens, it’s probably best to start with a small group of members than to have everyone there.”
I tipped my chin up. “I’ll talk to Prez and Riker.”
Soren smiled. “You’ll have to let me know when this’ll happen. I’d like to see you meet them.”
I winked. “You got it.” I took a sip of my drink before telling Soren, “One time, I asked Riker what he does for a job.”
Soren’s lips twitched. “Did he tell you?”
“He danced around it, saying a bit of this and that. That the family has businesses. But I had a feeling there was more. Am I right?”
“You are, and since you’re in our world now—and you’re mine—I can tell you anything you desire.”
“Fuck, I like the way you say I’m yours,” I muttered before leaning in to capture his lips.
He sighed against them, happy to take my tongue in front of everyone. The knowledge sent happiness and pride sweeping through my body.
I nipped at his bottom lip and watched with a smirk as his fangs descended.
His tongue slipped out to lick over one before they disappeared again. “My pet, I’ll allow a few more questions and another drink, but then I need you upstairs with me.”
My cock stirred. “Deal.”
“To answer your previous one. Riker, Deacon, and Nox do have businesses that bring them in a large amount of income, but they also work for the council—as in the supernatural council who governs over us all. Though, every major species holds a seat, so it’s fair.
The shifters’ mother being one of them.”
“What do they do for them?” I asked as another two drinks were set on the table. The woman bowed, tits swinging, before retreating. I pushed one toward Soren before I grabbed the other.
“Assassinations. They bring justice to those of us who wrong our world in one way or another.”
I stilled and blinked. “So… all the talk Riker does about killin’ is real?”
His chuckle had my gut somersaulting. I fucking loved the sound of his voice. “Riker never lies about killing. His animal relishes in it. As does Deacon’s. Whereas Nox is the one who hungers to slaughter in his human form.”
“Goddamn,” I muttered, nodding, impressed by the brothers.
“Exactly.”
“Are the brothers the only ones you’re close with?”
“There is one other. Dashiel. He’s an elf whom you will meet one day. We’ve been friends for decades.”
“An elf?”
“Yes.”
Leaning in, I whispered, “Like, with pointy ears?”
He chuckled. “Yes. He is a prince among his kind.”
Nodding, I took another sip. “I look forward to meetin’ the ones you call friend.”
“Do you have family outside of the club?”
“Nah, they’re long gone.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Snorting, I shook my head. “I didn’t mean they’re dead. They moved away a while ago. But they’ve never liked who I am—a biker—so they want nothin’ to do with me. Doesn’t bother me, though. I’ve found a family I can count on.”
He brushed his finger over my jaw. “You have.”
“And now you’re a part of it too,” I told him… like he didn’t already know. But as soon as we’d claimed each other, he became mine. Husband. Partner. Mate.
“I am.” His fingers dug into my thigh. “Let’s finish our drinks.”
His need for me was growing. I could feel it as well as see it, and I wanted him just as much.
We fell into silence, but it wasn’t the awkward kind. It was easy, pleasant. Around us, the club carried on with music, laughter, and bodies grinding together, but I pushed all that aside and focused on one thing.
Soren.
He watched his people with a small half smile on his goddamn stunning lips.
Until there was a shift within him, and his expression blanked.
Soren went still. Like something had suddenly occurred to him and he didn’t like whatever it was.
I angled toward him. “What is it?”
He blinked. “Sorry?”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. Too quickly.
I snorted. “Yeah, all right. And I’m a priest.”
His lips twitched faintly, but he didn’t look at me.
That was all the confirmation I needed.
I leaned in closer and ordered in a low tone, “Talk to me.”
After another long beat, he reached under the table, and I heard a click before a bubble of what seemed like clear liquid surrounded our area and then disappeared. “A gift from Dash. Well, an inventor in his kingdom. It will protect us from being overheard for ten minutes.”
“And why don’t you want us overheard?”
“I don’t want to put ideas in anyone’s mind.”
I jerked back slightly. “What do you mean?”
His gaze snapped to mine, sharp now. “You being with me has risks.”
I straightened a little, studying him. “What risks?”
Soren exhaled slowly, as if he were forcing himself to rein in his emotions. “Being with me paints a target on your back, Theo. There are things out there—other supernaturals—who would use you to get to me.”
I held his gaze, unflinching. I wasn’t scared, and there was no way I’d give him up now. Not fucking ever.
“I know I can protect you,” he continued. “But there are… variables. Dangers I can’t always predict.”
For a second, I just looked at him. Then I barked out a short laugh. “Is that what’s got you all twisted up?” I shook my head, setting my glass down. “You think I don’t know what I signed up for?”
“This isn’t a game.”
“No shit,” I shot back. “I may be just a human,” I went on, tapping my chest. “But I’m not helpless. I can take care of myself. And I’ve got my club at my back.”
My brothers would do anything for me, like I would them.
The tension between us stretched, feeling tight and charged.
Then, slowly, Soren nodded. Though, I didn’t think he was agreeing but maybe accepting what I said.
Sighing, I cupped his cheek. “I’m not brushing off your concern.
I get it. The same fear lives inside me when it comes to you and your safety.
But we can deal with whatever comes our way together, babe.
Don’t worry about something that hasn’t presented itself, and don’t treat me like I can’t hold my own.
I’m sure there are weapons I can get a hold of that’ll help end others who’re stronger.
” Like the woman I met here on the first night.
I didn’t want to say “monster” because Soren would never be a monster to me. He was just mine.
Soren sagged a little and sighed deeply. “Yes. Of course. I… I just can’t lose you, Theo. But you’re correct. I’ll speak with Deacon and Nox about weapons.”
I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I can’t lose you either, babe.”
“Come on,” he said after a moment. “Let’s go to my place.”
I didn’t argue. I wanted to be alone with him too.
When we left the booth and headed for the stairs, people moved out of the way and tipped their heads down in respect. I wasn’t sure I’d get used to shit like that, but hell, it was a rush seeing their reaction toward my mate.
Once we were on the second level, my attention went to the opposite side of Soren’s home. “What’s over there?” I asked.
Soren didn’t stop. He kept making his way toward his door, but he explained, “It’s where my employees take their clients for feeding or fucking.” He paused, looking back at me. Maybe to see if I was shocked, but I’d pretty much already guessed. Just wanted to confirm it.
I whistled. “Must make cake on it.”
He smirked. “It does well.
“Smart business,” I commented.
He smiled and shrugged. “It keeps things controlled. Consensual.”
I nodded once. Couldn’t argue with that.
“Come on,” he added, turning again.
His apartment was exactly how I remembered it. Clean. Minimal. Expensive without being loud about it. Every piece placed with intention.
Very Soren.
I kicked my boots off near the door as I heard the soft click of the lock behind me before I felt his presence close. Only he didn’t touch me. Not yet.
I turned slowly, meeting his hungry gaze as the air shifted, and he stepped forward. Then we collided with mouths and hands. This was exactly where I wanted to be. With him. Always him. I was never gonna get enough of my fated mate.