“It’s a risk we’ll have to take, and it’ll prove Jody was playing us all along. Either way, his assassination and Kimble’s are already planned.”
“Good,” Grace said. “I want to be the one to take him out.”
“You will be,” he told her. “I want to be prepared for the meeting, though. I don’t expect him to be alone.”
“Doesn’t matter who’s around him,” she told him. “I don’t need to hit them all, just him. Someone else can take care of Kimble.”
“Let the moles handle this,” Chico insisted. “This will all look like an inside job, and while they’re fighting amongst themselves, we can move in and finish them off.”
“That sounds good,” Manuel replied. “Grace, you’ll have to enjoy the show from the sidelines along with me.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
After getting some of his things from home, where Mandalay healed Nic’s shoulder, Nic to take him to his place. He wasn’t sure living with him was a good idea, but Mandalay did agree that it was probably the safest.
Serena had told him she’d be staying with their parents for a few days anyway.
He undressed in the bathroom, having decided to take a shower while Nic did whatever it was he was doing in the living room. Mandalay assumed he was making some kind of plans for what he’d do tomorrow.
He turned on the shower and let the water run while he put his hair up. The rap on the door startled him, making him jump.
“Nic?”
“Were you expecting someone else, pretty boy?”
Mandalay smiled and pulled open the door. “I was about to take a shower,” he said. “Want to join me?”
“Yeah.” Nic moved into the room. “Are you okay? I mean, what happened today had to have been a little stressful for you.”
Mandalay laughed. “I’m not a teenager, Nic. He reached to cup Nic’s jaw. “Are you okay? I know losing your people must hurt.”
“I’m angry, and my chat with Jody only left me bent on getting whoever’s behind this.”
“But you have to be smart,” he said softly. “You can’t just go charging in, because I’m sure they’ll expect that. You have to be tactful.”
Nic gave him a considering look. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Especially with Kelley. I got the feeling you liked her.”
“I did. She was a sweet kid, and I already know where to start with her.”
“Where?” He unbuttoned Nic’s shirt and ran his hands up his chest.
“Her boyfriend,” he murmured. “He took her up there, and I doubt it was a coincidence.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? What would he have hoped to have gained by allowing her to be killed? Maybe he was just being a pr—why did he take her up there?”
“I don’t know what his goal was, but I’m going to find out,” Nic told him.
“Honey, just don’t tip your hand,” Mandalay said. “I mean, if you think he’s a mole, don’t push too hard.”
Nic kissed him and unbuttoned his pants. “I’m not going to accuse him of anything other than what I know he’s guilty of,” Nic assured him. “But I will be keeping an eye on him to find out if he’s one of the moles. I doubt he just took her up there to talk.”
“Maybe he took her up there to kill her, and he scented the hyenas and decided to leave her there for them.”
Nic nodded. “And I’ll kill him for it.”
Mandalay sighed. “Let Jody handle it,” he insisted. “You need to save your strength for the other battles to come.” He went and climbed into the shower, leaving Nic to get rid of his boxers and socks.
Plus, Nic needed to save some time for him. He’d put up with a lot but not always being last.
Nic joined him a moment later, and Mandalay turned to him.
“Let me wash your back.” The tension in him was palatable, and Mandalay wanted to wash it away.
Nic gave him a tired smile. “Mandy, you’re probably as worn out as I am.”
“Just turn around.” He squeezed liquid soap into the puff and rubbed Nic’s back.
Nic sighed and rested a hand against the wall. Mandalay didn’t have any advice to offer his mate that he’d want to hear. So, he kept silent as he washed Nic’s back and scrubbed the firm curves of his ass. He ran his hand through the soap, sliding down his lover’s back and glided his fingers down the crease to vanish between the cheeks.
Nic groaned, and Mandalay smiled and kissed his shoulder. “See how nice this is?” He teased the puckered entrance of Nic’s ass and pushed his finger inside. “Relax.” He caressed Nic’s side as he moved in closer.
“Mandy,” he said roughly.
“I know you don’t want to go there,” he crooned. “Just relax.” Mandalay drew his fingers out and pushed two back into the tight cavern.
“Uh-ah.”
Mandalay drew his fingers out and thrust them back in as he kissed the side of Nic’s neck. “Nic,” he murmured.
Nic reached back to stroke Mandalay’s thigh. “Do it,” he growled. “Now.”
Mandalay blinked. “Fuck you?”
Nic laughed. “It won’t happen too often, just don’t knot me, not here.”
Mandalay withdrew his fingers and pumped his cock. It was already leaking pre-cum and hard as a rock. So, Mandalay pressed the head of his cock to the entrance of Nic’s ass and slid into him. The tight ring of muscle gave, allowing his dick to sink in deeper.
Nic growled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve let another man take me.”
Mandalay smiled and nipped his nape. “I don’t want to hear about that.” He only wanted to savor the moment and take his mate’s mind off work and death. He wanted Nic to think of him and the life they could have together.
* * * *
Nic hissed from the bite of pain as the thick girth licked over the tight tissues of his ass. He hadn’t been fucked since he was a teenager, experimenting, learning what he liked.
He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against the cool tiles as his mate claimed another inch of his ass. He reached back to lock his hand behind Mandalay’s head.
“Don’t draw it out, baby. Take what’s yours.”
Mandalay filled him in a single long stroke, and Nic gasped from the pain cutting through him.
“I should have prepared you more,” Mandalay muttered, self-recrimination in his tone.
Nic chuckled. “I’m fine, Mandy. Fuck me, sweetie.”
At first, Mandalay took his time, stroking Nic’s sides as he slowly fucked him. Nic savored the gentleness, enjoyed only what an omega could give.
His strokes were easy, building the desire in him with a steady ferocity that made Nic burn all over. He moved with Mandalay, his wolf growing impatient with too-tender love-making.
“God,” Mandalay cried. “Your ass is fucking tight, Nic.”
Nic thrust his hips back, the hunger in him increasing. “Harder, Mandy. Show me you want me.”
Mandalay drew almost all the way out and powered back in. Nic reached back on a moan and stroked Mandy’s thigh. “Damn, but you feel so good,” Nic rasped out.
“Nic,” Mandalay murmured against his ear and gripped Nic’s hips tighter. He thrust into him, setting up a hard rhythm.
Nic gripped his own cock and pumped it, sliding his thumb over the head the way he liked. “Mandy. Baby,” he growled.
Nic pushed his hips back, and Mandalay drove into him, his dick filling him, retreating with a sweet drag that made Nic shudder. His head swam, and his heart pounded as desire raged out of control inside him.
Mandalay drove into him, a hand braced on the tile next to him as he pounded his ass. He would probably be sore, but Nic didn’t give much of a damn right now.
Nic groaned louder as he slammed his hips back, taking Mandalay to the depths of his ass.
Nic pumped his cock fast as Mandalay rammed into him. Mandalay stroked into him, taking him again and again.
“Mandy!” Nic screamed as he lost his load and was
swallowed by a tidal wave of bliss.
Mandalay drove into Nic again, and Nic let out a growl as Mandalay came inside him, the seed hot as it filled him. Mandalay cursed as his cock started to swell and pulled out of the tight clasp of Nic’s ass. Then, he leaned against him, wrapping his arms around him.
“Nic, god, I’m falling for you more every day.”
Nic smiled. “I feel the same way about you, my pretty baby.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mandalay was awake long after Nic dozed off. He was worried for him and afraid he’d lose his mate long before they even had a chance to fall deeply in love. He was scared, he admitted, and snuggled against Nic’s sleeping form.
His mate bore a mark on his shoulder still from today’s attack, and Mandalay was worried about the use of poison against them. He was prepared to heal a great many things, but he didn’t have enough items in his stores to make the amounts of antidotes they needed on hand.
Mandalay’s cell phone rang softly, and he rolled out of bed. With a look at Nic, who didn’t seem to have heard it, he padded to the dresser and picked up the sleek device.
After glancing at the display, he went into the kitchen before answering. “Hello?”
“I’m glad to hear you’re okay,” Jody said. “Things got nasty up there, I hear.”
“For a while,” he said softly. “They could have died. Where was back-up?”
“I’m not going to discuss strategy with you, Mandalay,” Jody responded in a cool tone. “I called for another reason.”
“Why did you call?” Mandalay demanded snappishly.
“Poisons were used,” he said. “How many attacks like that can we deal with?”
“From a healing standpoint?” Mandalay asked. “I’m sure you’re not asking for my advice militarily.”
“If I was in the room with you, I’d bitch slap you for the attitude,” Jody snarled in his ear.
Mandalay growled. He was sure he would beat the tar out of Jody if he attempted to put a finger on him in harm. So, he decided not even address that comment.
“You left him without a healer,” Mandalay retorted. “He could—we—I need more supplies,” he said.
“Order them,” Jody commanded. “Don’t tell me from where, just get what you need. I’ll make sure the money’s there to cover it and delivery. Don’t tell me what day. Tell Nic to handle it as if he were being watched.”
Mandalay frowned. “Jody?”
“No questions,” he said evenly. “Just do as I ask for all our sakes, and a little tip, Mandalay. Some of the best poison experts aren’t too far away. They might be able to get you what you need quickly.” The line went dead as if Jody was afraid to say more or that he might be overheard.
The best experts? He frowned.
“Who was that?” Nic asked.
“Jody,” Mandalay said, and turned to face his mate, who stood framed in the doorway clad only in boxers. He ran his gaze over the beautiful brown skin.
“What did he want? Did he ask to speak to me?”
“He wanted me to order supplies for poisons, and he wanted you to arrange everything as if you were being watched?”
“Call the wildcat healer, Nico, and then check with Silver. See if he can get the supplies we need and move them through the tunnels.”
“Okay.” He and Silver had been communicating some, but Mandalay had a better rapport with Nico. So, he called him, and they conference-called with Silver to set things up. When he was finished, Mandalay made a light meal for them in case Nic felt like he could eat.
Nic came back in, clad in lounge pants but still without a shirt. Mandalay’s gaze went to the ink. “Are you hungry?”
“A little bit,” he said as he went to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. “Is everything arranged?”
“I’ll get everything tomorrow morning,” Mandalay said. “They’re sending things to the store, labeled special order chocolates.”
“Why not through the tunnels?” Nic asked.
“Nico said work was being done down there.”
Nic nodded. “We’ll be doing some work on our end, too.”
“Is Jody worried about the mole finding out and stopping the shipment?” Mandalay loaded sandwiches on a plate.
“He might be,” Nic replied. “The loss of that land takes half of the lake from us. It cuts off access to Nightshade, and there might be a major attack planned on them or us.”
“We’re allied with Nightshade?”
Nic gave him a smile. “Jody’s all for helping the cats, but he has to be careful. Things are going on that might not be what they appear with him.”
“He’s not a traitor. He just looks like one?”
“I trust his word, and I want you to keep this conversation to yourself,” Nic told him.
“Of course,” he said. Nic must have been talking to Jody while he’d been on the phone. Mandalay would love to know more but decided not to push it right now.
Nic took the plate to the small table, and Mandalay grabbed himself a drink while Nic grabbed some potato chips and cookies. They ate in silence. Just as they finished the meal, Mandalay heard a rap on the door that had him frowning.
Nic left him to answer it. Mandalay cringed when he heard his mother’s angry voice.
“Where is my son?” Mya demanded.
“He’s in the kitchen,” Nic said. “How’d you get past security?”
“How did I—I’m a mother,” she snapped, and Mandalay looked up to find his parents breezing into the kitchen with Nic on their heels.
“Mandalay,” Mya exclaimed. “Why didn’t you call to let us know you were okay?”
“Serena said she’d let you know.” He grimaced as his mother pulled him into her arms for a tight hug.
“Pish-posh,” she admonished, giving him a stern look.
“You know your mother worries,” Cross said, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “Serena said the fight wasn’t that bad.”
Mandalay shrugged. “I guess it wasn’t for us,” he said. “We were as protected as we could be.”
“You shouldn’t have been up there,” Mya said.
“Nic was hurt,” Mandalay said, throwing Nic a look. “No one would go up to heal him.”
“Leon should have gone right away,” Mya said.
“There was an accident of some kind,” Mandalay explained.
“There was no accident,” Cross said. “Nothing major anyway. Nika took care of the problem while Leon sat around in his office.”
“How do you know that?” Nic demanded.
“I was there when word came in, and he told Nika to handle it on her own. She could use the practice,” Cross replied. “She took the nurse and left.”
Mandalay growled. “Nic could have died while they were playing jerk-offs.”
“Mandy, watch the language,” Nic said, giving Mya a glance.
“It’s true. Why does Jody keep him on?” Mandalay asked angrily. “He treats the gay men like we’re a disease.”
Mya and Cross were silent, and Mandalay sighed. He knew his parents didn’t care one way or the other, but they had better accept reality.
“If Nic had died, Leon would have, too,” Mandalay said.
“Son,” Mya said in a chastising tone.
His father sighed. “That would be going too far.”
“Too far would be allowing that jackass to live,” Mandalay scoffed and moved away from his parents to stand next to Nic. “Well, now that you know I’m okay, umm, can you leave? Nic and I have a few things to do.”
Cross grumbled under his breath, and Mya looked scandalized. Nic grunted, but Mandalay’s parents headed off to his relief.
“I can’t believe them,” Mandalay muttered. “I swear. Nic, do you think Leon could be one of the moles?”
“I wouldn’t peg him as anything right now other than a bigot with poor judgement,” Nic replied. “When he allows someone to die—”
“You almost died,” Mandalay snapped.
* * * *
Manuel looked up from the drink he was having while he studied a map of the wolf territory. The new data had just come in, giving him a full look at the entire property. He had a feeling he’d have to cut the den in half before he was able to claim the entire thing.
Jody had done well, but he wasn’t expecting him to hold up under the pressure that would come from his people, especially Kimble. That kind of problem would only make his moles have to work that much harder.
“What are you looking at?” Grace asked, joining him at the small table next to a wall.
“Maps.”
“I’m glad you’re not letting victory go to your head, because this could be a long battle even after we get rid of Jody.”
“I know.”
“But what after that? Do you seriously think they’ll let you keep this den? We were all set to move into the deer den we took over in Texas when your uncle gave it to someone else,” Grace said in a disgruntled tone.
“What do you propose I do, Grace?” Manuel asked curiously. “I’m still a low rung on the totem pole. I have to follow orders.”
“Oh please. We both know that’s not exactly true. They send you where we can take over. It’s time you made a bit more of a fuss.”
“My father said he would if I could close this out quickly, but I agree with you. I am tired of moving around,” Manuel said. He was ready to settle down and be a leader in his own den.
However, as long as his father was in control, he would do as he was told.
“My day will come,” Manuel said. “I’ll have my own operation and my own den, and this will pave the way. In the meantime, we won’t take Jody out right away. I’ll need him for part of the plan.”
“Other than taking another part of his den, what is that?”
“Execution of a couple of people,” he said.
“The healers have to go,” Grace said. “Without them, that will make taking over the den easier.”
“They are part of my plan,” he admitted. “Along with eight other key people, and then I’ll make my move to take over half the den.”
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