Indy stared at Teal and then nodded.
It’s weird they have that talking thing between them.
They’ve always had it. I remember their grandparents having it. Must be something to do with their history.
Deac?
Yeah.
Costas looked up at him, and Deac could see the tears in his eyes. I was worried about you when you didn’t answer.
I couldn’t.
I know. It was hard to sit back and wait.
There will be more times like this I think. They know we know.
They’ll still hide. The less chance of you finding one of them gives them the advantage. They want to remain hidden. They’ll watch and learn.
I know, but we have to do something.
No, you don’t. Deac furrowed his brow, but Costas continued, Make sure here and Morefield are as protected as you can make them, then sit back and wait. Get the word out as far and wide as possible. At some point, they’ll appear again.
Deac nodded and walked Costas to his car. They would sit back and wait. Watch and learn. Deac had to be ready; he had to have his defenses in place.
“You’re not alone, even though you feel like you are.”
Deac kissed Costas and whispered against his lips. “I have you.”
“Always. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
COSTAS SAT IN the conference room at the Town Hall in Morefield. He hardly knew anyone, but they’d all been welcoming. Indy arrived and slumped in his seat, his face in his coffee, and from the dark circles under his eyes, it was clear he hadn’t been getting much sleep.
They were waiting for one person, and Costas was curious and a little afraid to meet him. Elliot Young, the ex-SEAL.
As soon as Costas thought of him, the shifter appeared, only he wasn’t alone. Five others entered with him, and Costas could feel the tension in the room rise.
“Elliot, nice of you to join us, and you brought friends too.”
“Knock off the bullshit. You put me in charge of keeping Morefield safe, and these people will help me.”
“Want to introduce us?” Deac lowered his voice, and the hairs on the back of Costas’ neck rose. Deac wasn’t happy.
Elliot glanced at everyone sitting at the table, his eyes briefly pausing at Indy. “Sit.” He pulled out a chair and sat at the same time as the other men.
Costas watched, his eyes wide, and he glanced at Deac, trying to get a sense of what his mate was feeling. What’s going on?
Not sure, but I think Elliot has been recruiting.
All shifters? I can’t tell.
No. Four shifters, including Elliot, a human, and a vampire.
“Introduce me to your team, Elliot.”
Elliot nodded to Deac. “You know what they are already.” Pointing to the man at the end, Elliott gave their names. “Fabian Bisset, Manu Agarwal, Jim Malveaux, Albie Calbert, and Ray Black. I worked with them all while I served. They have tactical knowledge, weapons, strategies, plus more. They’ll keep this place safe. Three shifters, one human and one vampire. They’ll all relocate here. Some have families that will come too, others have friends who can help. I’ve passed details to Salutem security who are in the process of performing background checks.”
Deac’s eyebrows shot up, and Costas knew he looked the same. That’s impressive.
You’re telling me!
“Good work, Elliot. See, Deac, I knew he would work out.” Babs smiled and patted Elliot’s hand.
Indy chuckled and stood, holding his hand out to Elliot. “Welcome aboard.” He shook the hands of the other men and grabbed his jacket. “I need to head out and check on the baby. We need to find a foster family for her.”
“Poor love,” Babs murmured. “Losing her parents before she even knew them.”
Indy touched Babs’ shoulder as he left, waving to everyone else. Costas eyed the men opposite him, all tough and hard looking. They kinda scared him, but he knew Morefield would be in safe hands.
“I’m going to assume background checks will come back fine. Elliot, what plans do you have in mind?”
Elliot leaned forward, folding his hands together on the table. “I’ve spoken to Crocker Construction regarding a purpose built location for our main security office. They can fit us in, in around ten years or so, give or take a year.”
Deac grimaced and shook his head. “They have so much work at the moment. New residential homes, these outposts we’ve asked for, upgrading old businesses so they can be used again.”
“My brother’s in construction,” Manu said. “I put him in touch with Jake and Kris. They’re working something out.”
“He’ll move here and work with them?”
“He has his own company. Small like Crocker construction. I heard talk of a merger or sitting down to work out who could do what. There doesn’t seem to be any competition. If anything, I got the impression he’s needed.”
“He is, and I know Kris and Jake would welcome the help. With so many families moving here, we need to catch up. We have twenty-five shifters coming here too, so we’re looking at our existing housing.”
“You need to have someone in charge of housing and infrastructure. Someone full-time who can provide up-to-date figures.” Serenity looked up from her pad where she’d been writing. “It was okay before, you and Babs dealing with running with Morefield. Things have changed now. We have more shifters moving here, the risk from A.S., additional security needs, plus the day to day running.”
“You’re right. We only had a thousand residents, but that’s slowly increased, and it will continue to do so.” Deac wiped a hand over his face.
“You’re not alone, Deac,” Costas murmured. “You have people here who can help. Reach out to them.”
“I know. I guess I’m so used to doing the bulk of the work that I’m struggling to let go.”
“We need to liaise with Salutem and copy their set up.” Fabien stood and walked over to a white board. “Infrastructure, security, admin, finance. I can give you a complete list from A to Z if you want. You haven’t changed how the Town Hall operates since you took over, and it needs a serious update. That’s what happens when you are more isolated, as Morefield and, to an extent, Salutem are. We’ve been stationed all over the world, and we have knowledge from all those locations. We can help you get this place where it needs to be and protect the people who live here too.”
Ray nodded. “I agree with Fabian’s assessment. Use us, not only for security, but to bring Morefield to where it should be.”
Deac nodded slowly, his face in a blank mask, but Costas could feel the emotional turmoil inside. You work with what you have. You haven’t let anyone down. They have knowledge, experience, and skills that can help you and the residents here.
I feel like I’ve failed.
How have you failed? You’re here now doing everything you can with what you have available. Now, you have a hell of a lot more with these men.
“You two finished?” Elliot asked, rocking back in his seat.
“Not yet,” Costas snapped. I don’t think I’m going to like him.
Deac snorted. Yeah, me either, but if Babs is right, then I’ll suck it up.
“Elliot, the ball’s in your court. Bring Morefield up to date.”
Elliot stared at Deac then Costas and nodded. “Albie, do your thing.”
Albie flashed a quick grin. “So, this is where we need to start...”
“My head hurts.” Deac lay on his bed, eyes closed as he tried to blank his mind from the turmoil it was in. Elliot and his team had turned his organized, if a little chaotic, world upside down. Where he thought Morefield was running along fine, they showed it really wasn’t. That’s what he got for thinking he could handle it himself.
When people had retired from within the town hall, he hadn’t been quick to replace them. Morefield wasn’t a large place, and he had managed to keep things running. Now he was under no illusions that he�
��d let things slide as he ran from one disaster to another.
He needed to hire staff, and those staff would need to be trained. Money and more money. At least he had the money, having spent very little in the past few years. Good thing, too, considering he was going to be spending lots and lots of it.
He felt the bed dip and rolled toward it, snuggling into Costas. “What are you doing?”
“If you opened your eyes, you’d know.”
“Don’t wanna,” Deac grumbled. “Head still hurts. Hey, you’re a doctor—“
“Glad you noticed.”
“How about some meds?”
“Open your eyes, Deacon.”
“Oh, I’m Deacon now?” He opened his eyes then widened them. “Boxes. Why are there—“
“Can we come in now?”
Aurora pushed open the door, ran in, and jumped on the bed. “Hi, Deacon, or should we call you Pops?”
“Er, what?” Deac tried to sit up, but Aurora decided to lie on top on him.
“We’re living here now. Dad had us pack, and now we’re here.”
“When did this happen?” Deac looked up at Costas. “You were in the meeting with me.”
“And I had the girls do some packing. There’s still plenty left to move over, but we have clothes and toiletries here.”
“What about beds? Furniture?”
“Coming tomorrow. Tonight, we’re camping out. You have a large garden, so we’ve brought the tents, and there’s no school or work tomorrow. We can finish the move then.” Costas leaned close to Deac’s ear and whispered, “They wanted to do this. We’re family now.”
Deac swallowed and blinked his suddenly wet eyes. Shit, he wasn’t crying. Nope, not gonna happen. “I don’t understand...”
“Family lives together.” Aurora patted his face. “Did we break him, Daddy?”
Deac blinked then grabbed Aurora, tickling her. She giggled then laughed and begged him to stop. “Not too broken to tickle you.”
“Dad! I’m hungry!”
“Coming, Evan!” Costas stood and pulled Aurora off Deac. “We’re grilling. I hear shifters like meat.”
“I like your meat,” he whispered, grinning wickedly when he heard Costas gasp.
“Stop that. Young ears.” Costas pointed at Aurora who was watching them avidly.
Deac entered the kitchen to find a female version of Costas, counting steaks. “Hi, Deac.”
“Hey, Evan. Any soda?”
“Yep. I made sure we bought some with us.”
“Great.” Deac opened the fridge and realized his headache had gone. “Who’s in charge of cooking?”
All three pointed to him, and he pulled a face. “Not fair. I’ve had a hard day. Ask your dad.”
“Dad was there, too, and he had lots of patients to see. He needs a break.” Evan handed him the plate of steaks and a pair of tongs. “We had this talk, remember?”
Costas’ head snapped up. “What talk?”
“When I knew what you two were, I spoke to Deacon and made sure he wouldn’t hurt you.”
“She did a good job too.” Deac grinned. “I prefer Deac, you know.”
“Yep!” She grinned and Deac chuckled. “Should we call you Pops, instead?” She winked at him, and Deac laughed at her, shaking the tongs at her.
“When did you two talk? And why am I just finding out about it?” Costas stood with his hands on his hips.
“It was when we first moved here, Dad. After...” She looked away and whispered, “There.”
“Hey.” Deac put his arm over Evan’s shoulders. “You’re here with me now, so don’t go there.” He pulled Evan outside with him and pointed to a section of grass. “That’s where we’ll put the tents. Are we all staying outside?”
“Yes.” Costas kissed him as he walked past. “But we have two tents.” He waggled his eyebrows, and Deac grinned.
“Right, let’s get this food cooking!”
Deac had one of the best evenings of his life. He had his mate, his daughters, a family he never thought he’d have. They laughed and joked and complained over who was cleaning up, then it was shower, teeth, and bed.
The tents took far longer than he thought possible to erect, and by the time he had them up, he’d used his repertoire of swear words and was on repeat. Costas sucked his lips in when he saw the look of frustration on Deac’s face.
“They’re up.”
“I can see that.” The girls ran into one and immediately argued over who was sleeping where. “Welcome to fatherhood.” Costas kissed him as he passed. “Right, you two. Pick a side and stick to it.”
Grinning, Deac crawled into the opening and watched Costas handle their daughters. They came up with so many excuses why they shouldn’t go to sleep that Deac was impressed and a little scared. He was going to have to learn how to do this as well as his mate or they would walk all over him. Suddenly, he didn’t feel so sure of himself. Maybe he needed lessons before he fucked this up.
You’ll be fine.
How do they know to say that shit?
They’re kids. I think they have a class or something.
I’m scared.
Costas chuckled as he zipped up Aurora’s sleeping bag. “Stay.”
You should have seen me when I came home from the hospital. I had a four year old and a new baby, and I didn’t have time to grieve. I was a mess.
I’m sorry you went through that.
Me, too, but I wouldn’t be here now. It’s hard to think about the changes in my life over the last four years.
And the shit you’ve had to deal with. You are one hell of a man, and I’m proud you’re my mate.
Costas kissed his daughters then backed out of the tent. “I can hear you from out here.”
Deac held back his laugh when he heard the girls complaining. “I like them.”
“They have their moments.”
“How about we have one too?”
Costas stepped into Deac’s arms. “Why don’t we?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
COSTAS GIGGLED, LIKE really giggled as Deac struggled get his jeans off inside the tent. When he finally managed it, he grinned and threw them in a corner.
Costas opened the sleeping bags that they’d zipped together and gasped when Deac got in. “Cold feet!”
“But my dick isn’t.”
Costas rolled his eyes and snorted. “So romantic.”
“I’m freezing my nuts off here.”
“I can’t have that.” Costas reached between them and fondled Deac’s balls. He licked his lips and squeezed them. “When we are in bed tomorrow, I’ll show them some love.”
“And they’ll appreciate it.” Deac rubbed his dick along Costas’. “And now?”
“Now, you fuck me. Very, very quietly.”
Deac took his lips in a searing kiss, and Costas moaned into it, unable to hold back the sound. Deac chuckled against his lips. “Shh.”
“I’m trying.”
Deac kissed him again, his tongue sliding along Costas’. They tangled and danced, and Costas’ hands ran over Deac’s back, moving down to cup his ass. His fingers trailed along Deac’s crack, and Deac pushed up into it. Costas spread his legs, and Deac settled between them, causing Costas to whimper.
“Quiet.”
“I’m trying.”
“You said that last time.”
Costas pushed the tube of lube into Deac’s hand, and Deac kissed him harder, plundering his mouth with his tongue. Costas kissed him back, his body coming alive under Deac’s touch.
He heard the tube open and shivered, knowing what was coming next. He jumped when he felt lube covered fingers between his legs. “Cold,” he whispered. Deac moved over to one side and kissed him deeply.
“Sorry. It’ll warm up soon.”
Costas closed his eyes and bit his lip when Deac’s fingers ran over his puckered ring. He tensed, then relaxed, knowing how much pleasure Deac could bring him. Deac kissed his cheek and along his jaw, his fingers rubbing and pu
shing until one slipped in.
Costas moaned, arching up into Deac’s touch. Deac moved his finger in and out of Costas’ ass, and it felt wonderful, but he needed more. “Another one.”
Deac growled softly and pushed a second one in, and Costas whimpered as bliss rocked his body. He never knew his ass could bring him so much pleasure, so much ecstasy. Deac could make his body sing to whatever tune he wanted, and Costas loved every second of it.
Deac moved his fingers in Costas’ ass, and when he hit that spot, Costas lifted up off the ground and bit Deac’s shoulder to stop from crying out. Deac moaned and rubbed his spot, and Costas shuddered under his touch.
“Please,” he murmured, kissing and licking the bite on Deac’s shoulder.
He felt Deac move around, and then he was between his legs, and his dick was nudging his hole. “Ready?”
“Fuck, yes.”
Deac chuckled and touched his lips in a fierce kiss then pushed into Costas’ ass. Costas clenched, the pain radiating through his ass until it disappeared to be replaced by intense pleasure. In and out Deac moved until his dick was fully in Costas’ ass, and then he stilled, his lips kissing Costas’ face.
“I love you.”
Costas moved his hands up and cupped Deac’s face. “I love you too.”
Costas held him as Deac moved slowly, exchanging soft kisses. It wasn’t like their usual coming together, the fun and laughter was still there, but this time they were making love.
Costas’ hands touched Deac, slowly sliding over his skin. They shared gentle kisses, soft words spoken between them. Costas moaned quietly, feeling Deac’s body move over him, the flex of muscles bunch and relax, the warmth of skin under his palms.
Deac moved away from his mouth and licked over the mating mark, causing Costas to shiver. He loved having the mark touched. He’d become extra sensitive in that area, and Deac loved how Costas reacted when he touched him there. Costas knew this because Deac told him.
Deac moved faster, his breath ghosting over Costas, his quiet moans filling the air along with Costas’ own. He lifted his legs and wrapped them around Deac. He held Deac close, his eyes closed as his body heated up. He shuddered as waves as pleasure washed over him, and Deac moved faster, harder, inside him.
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