by Donya Lynne
Sev wondered what was so important that Ari would keep it a secret from everyone to the point he struggled to finally reveal it to him. "Just take your time, babe. I’m not going anywhere." He shoved in his last bite of pizza and sat quietly, waiting for Ari to work up the courage to speak.
Minutes passed and Ari finished his own pizza, set down his plate next to Sev’s on the coffee table, then turned to Sev. "I never wanted to be an enforcer."
Sev frowned. Was that it? Was that the big secret? "Okay."
Ari shook his head as if he could hear how lame his statement was. "I know it sounds like no big deal, but you have to understand my dad."
"You became an enforcer because of your father?"
Ari nodded. "My course was set before I was born. It didn’t matter what I wanted to do with my life. My mind wasn’t mine to make my own decisions. I’ve always done what my father expected of me. I’ve always put my own feelings and my own desires second."
"If you don’t want to be an enforcer, then what do you want to be, Ari?" He took Ari’s hand in both of his, turning toward him.
The hard lines on Ari's face softened. The tension around his eyes eased. He smiled softly. "A musician. That’s what I want to be."
"Then do it."
The hard edges and tension returned. "I can’t."
"Why not?"
"You don’t understand the influence my dad has on me, Sev. I can’t defy him like that."
"It’s your life, Ari, not his."
"I know. Shit, I know, but it’s hard."
"Nothing worth having in life is ever easy, Ari."
Ari looked up at him and Sev got the feeling there was more. A chill of dread wrangled his spine. He didn’t have to wait long for the hammer to drop.
"My dad is also homophobic. So is my mom. As in, I-am-so-dead-if-they-find-out-I'm-gay homophobic." Ari paused. "They can't know I'm gay."
Thud. That was the sound of Sev’s heart falling. If Ari couldn’t go against his father when it came to his occupation, it stood to reason he couldn’t oppose him about his sexuality, either. And where did that leave Sev? Hopefully not outside standing in the cold rain without an umbrella.
"What are you saying, Ari? That this has to end right now before it even begins?"
"God no!" Ari gripped his hand.
"Then what? How is this supposed to work if you can’t even admit to your own parents you’re gay and that we're," he almost said mates but quickly corrected himself, "…together?"
"I don’t know. But it has to."
"Why?" Sev wondered again if Ari was feeling the truth of what was really happening between them.
"Because…" Ari’s gaze dropped. "Because I can’t lose you now that I just found you."
Well, that was something. Sev would have preferred to hear because you’re my mate, or even because I love you, but under the circumstances, this was better than nothing.
"I don’t want to lose you either, Ari, but sooner or later you’ll have to tell your parents about me. Io, too."
Ari flopped his head against the back of the couch and stared up at the ceiling as he blew out a heavy breath. "You heard him tonight, Sev." Ari rolled his head and glanced at him. "You heard what he called you."
"Yeah, so? Like I said earlier, I’ve heard worse."
"Io would make our lives together a living hell."
"Only if we let him, and I know I won’t." Sev gave Ari a hard look, challenging him.
"He’s my best friend, Sev."
"And what am I?"
Ari gazed at him then looked down shamefully, clearly understanding what he meant by the question. In a way, Sev felt he was being unfair to Ari, because he had known Io a lot longer than him. But shit, Ari and Io had never engaged in sex, and Ari certainly hadn't been honest with the guy. Otherwise, Io would have known Ari was gay and Ari would have told him that he never wanted to be an enforcer. So, obviously Ari already trusted Sev a lot more than he trusted Io.
Does he realize we're mates?
"Look, Ari. If Io really is your best friend then he’ll understand this. He’ll support our relationship. That is, if you want a relationship with me. Do you?"
Ari lifted his hand and kissed it. "More than anything. I’ve never been this happy with someone, Sev. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you."
He caressed Ari’s cheek. "Me neither, babe, but I don’t want to be just another one of your secrets."
Ari turned his face into Sev’s palm and kissed it before turning to look at him again. "I know. I don’t want you to be, either, but I need to work through this. Just be patient with me, okay?"
How could he resist anything his mate asked of him? "Of course I will, babe. But please don’t make me wait forever."
Ari paused. "I won’t. I promise."
"Once everyone sees how happy you are, they’ll understand. Everything will be fine."
"I hope you’re right, because I want this. I want you."
Sev scooted closer and kissed his cheek, right by his ear. "I can’t say I’m sorry that your dad made you be an enforcer, though. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise."
"I know," Ari said. "At least one good thing came out of it."
"You’re a good enforcer, if it’s any consolation." He kissed him, just once, a slow and simple kiss.
"Sure, I’m good at it, but I don’t love it. Not like you do." The mood in the room eased in one respect, but ramped up in another as Ari pressed nearer and licked Sev's neck.
Sev grinned and scooped Ari onto his lap with one arm. "I was born to fight. I was made to fight." He thought about the iron skin his mixed blood had given him. If he hadn’t been built to fight, then he didn’t know who was.
"Not me." Ari stole another taste of Sev’s neck as he tugged him by the hair to grant better access.
He loved that. Ari gripping his hair and pulling was the most mind-bending turn-on.
"What were you made to do?" Sev settled under him.
"Besides music?" Ari nipped his neck.
"Mmm, yes. Besides music. What were you made to do, Ari?"
Ari purred and Sev's toes curled from the erotic sound. "Make love to you," Ari said. "I was made to make love to you."
Sweet Jesus. That was what he wanted to hear.
Their hands worked together to push Sev’s boxers down to reveal his erection.
"Do you want to know what I was thinking about last night when I was kissing that woman at Four Alarm?" Ari said.
The way Ari asked with a secret smile on his face made Sev grin.
"Tell me."
"You. I was thinking about you."
"Oh yeah?" Sev felt like he was melting into the couch as Ari’s hand wrapped around his cock and slowly stroked him.
"Uh-huh." Ari’s lips closed on his neck and sucked.
"Unh. God, that feels good." Sev’s head swiveled to the side. "What exactly did you think about?"
With a pop, Ari’s mouth released his throat and his tongue lapped over the love bite he'd just given him.
"I thought about us six weeks ago, in the kitchen. I thought about kissing you." Ari licked him again and trailed his tongue to the other side of his neck. Sev sighed and rolled his head in the opposite direction. "I thought about what might have happened if I'd asked you to stay. I imagined your hand on my cock, stroking me."
He found Ari’s erection. It had peeked out through the separation of fabric in his boxers. He swirled his palm lightly over the head, then closed his thumb and fingers around him for a few good strokes.
"Mmm, yes, I imagined you stroking me just like that, Sev."
"What else did you imagine?" Sev turned his head into Ari’s neck and lightly bit him, making him purr again.
"That you did stay the night with me six weeks ago." Ari's lips brushed over his ear seductively as he whispered with erotic heat. "That I bent you over the kitchen counter and fucked you."
It was Sev’s turn to purr, along with shiver, followed with a shot of growl.
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"Fuuuuck."
"Can you see why I was so into kissing her?" Ari said, grinding into Sev's hand.
"I thought you wanted her."
Ari shook his head and scratched his fangs against Sev’s skin. "No, I wanted you. I want you now. I want you tomorrow. Fuck, I want you forever, Sev."
Mates. Is Ari aware of what he's saying?
He could hardly contain himself and reached around with both hands and gripped Ari’s ass. With a harsh yank, he pulled Ari further up his lap so their cocks pressed together. Ari quickly adjusted his grip and wrapped his hand around both of their hard-ons.
"What are you saying, Ari?"
Ari brought his mouth to Sev’s but didn’t kiss him. Nose-to-nose, mouth-to-mouth, he searched Sev’s eyes as they breathed each other’s air.
"I don’t just want you to be my first, Sev. I want you to be my last. My only."
He feels it, but he doesn't realize it, does he? Give it time.
Sev stared back into Ari’s topaz eyes and found sincerity, honesty, and trust. Ari was serious. Perhaps he was oblivious to the developing bond between them, but it was clear Ari felt it even if he didn’t recognize it for what it was.
Sev already knew he was head over heels in love with Ari, so nothing would please him more than for the two of them to be together. As in, together.
"I want that, too. I knew within a week of meeting you that I wanted this." He pumped his hips in time with Ari’s hand as he masturbated them both.
Sev knew they had a lot to work out together. Ari was dealing with heavy shit. Io and his parents were huge influences on his life, and he was only just now growing the wings to take off on his own path. Sooner or later, Ari would have to come out to his family, Io, and everyone else if a relationship with him was to work. But he seemed to be on the right path to make that happen.
"It won’t be easy, you know," Sev said.
"I know, but I want this. With you. I want you."
Ari’s chest pumped hard against his.
"It feels good, doesn’t it? Opening up like this? Knowing who you are?" Sev had never worried about hiding who he was. His mother had known early on, and he never purposely tried to keep his homosexuality a secret. He didn’t simply volunteer the information, but if it came out, so what?
"You feel good." Ari’s free hand ranged up Sev’s chest.
He was fast-approaching the breaking point. His cock felt good nestled against Ari’s, his hand massaging them both. Up. Down. Up. Down.
"Kiss me, Ari. God, kiss me."
Ari’s mouth plastered over Sev’s and his tongue plunged deep to wrestle with his. Fuck. So good. Ari felt so good. He was close. His scrotum tightened, his spine tingled, his chest heaved for breath as Ari claimed him. His imminent orgasm reared up.
With an assertive growl, Sev gripped the back of Ari’s boxers and pulled. The back seam ripped open and Ari groaned against his mouth, knowing what Sev wanted, wanting the same thing.
Without breaking their deep lip-lock, Sev pulled Ari up and parted his ass cheeks as Ari rose on his knees and positioned the head of Sev’s cock at his puckered entrance. As he sank down on him, Sev shoved his hips up. They met in the middle, each grunting against the other's mouth.
Thrust-thrust-thrust then shuddering bliss.
Just that quickly, Sev exploded inside Ari just as Ari’s body stiffened and trembled. Hot spurts of semen shot out over Sev's stomach, and he pulled his mate down so he could share the offering with him, rubbing his stomach up against Ari until they were both coated with his erotic fragrance.
Only then did Ari finally release his mouth as the two gasped for breath. "Oh my God, wow."
"Mmm." Sev rolled Ari's nipples between his thumbs and forefingers, grinning with contentment as his receding orgasm continued thrumming through his muscles. "We're good together, aren't we?"
Ari’s body shivered again and he squeezed his eyes shut through another grunt as one last spasm emptied his cock. Sev felt the tiny convulsion through the wall of Ari’s rectum.
"I take that as a yes," Sev said.
"Yes, fuck, yes." Ari collapsed against him. "What have I been missing all these years? Is it always this good?"
Sev wrapped his arms around Ari. "Usually. As long as you’re with the right partner, anyway."
"Don’t ever leave me then. God, I think I’d die if you did."
Yes, you would, my mate.
"I know I would." For Sev, the connection forming through the mating link was already strong enough that if Ari walked away, it would kill him. He knew it would. A lot of males couldn’t survive the loss of a mate, and Sev knew he would be one of those statistics if he lost Ari. God, he hoped Ari acknowledged his side of the mating bond before it was too late.
"Huh?" Ari said.
"Nothing, babe. Just let me hold you."
The two embraced on the couch, letting their bodies calm down from another set of intense orgasms. Eventually, they would get up and go back to bed, but right now, this was fine. This was perfect.
CHAPTER TEN
Three hours before sunrise, Lakota Bannon pulled into Chicago. He was a day early, but he had made unexpectedly good time during the night. After stopping at a gas station to fill up, stretch his long legs, and buy a bottle of water – he didn’t drink alcohol, anymore, whether he was driving or not – Lakota got back in his Suburban and checked his GPS. He was only a few miles away from Felice’s house.
He was nervous. In truth, he was shocked Felice had finally agreed to see him. It had been centuries since he'd – he didn't want to think about what he'd done. He dropped his head in shame, the guilt nearly overwhelming him. She was a better person than he was, dreck or not, because he didn’t deserve a second chance. He didn’t deserve her kindness.
With a fortifying, deep breath, Lakota brushed back his pale, shoulder-length hair and put the Suburban in gear. After pulling out onto the street, he checked his GPS again and followed the directions toward Grant Park until he slowed in front of a row of quaint, brick townhouses on East Benton. He ticked off the house numbers until he stopped in front of the one where Felice lived.
Sitting in his Suburban, staring at the cozy home, Lakota trembled with shame and fear. How ironic that a male as tough and strong as he was would be reduced to a quivering wuss over a decision as simple as whether or not he should ring her doorbell. He checked his watch and huffed. Shit. It was too late and he needed to get to his hotel. She was probably asleep, anyway.
Yeah, yeah, you’re just making excuses, you big chicken.
He heard clucking, squawking chicken noises in his mind as he put the Suburban in gear. That's right, bwaaaak, bwak, bwak, bwak. I'm a chicken. So what?
After circling Lake Shore East Park, he pulled out on Wacker, drove down to Wabash, crossed the bridge, and arrived at the Trump Hotel.
Everything he owned was in the Suburban. He had sold or donated everything else so he could start over fresh here in Chicago, near his daughter. The fact that his firstborn son, Severin, also lived here was simply a bonus. One way or another, he would atone for his sins and make things right. He had already missed too much of Severin’s life.
After parking in the Trump garage, Lakota grabbed his overnight bag and suitcase, locked up the Suburban, and headed inside to check in. Tomorrow night, he would have no excuses. He would meet Felice as planned, take any shots she hit him with, and begin forging his new life.
* * *
Gina entered the hotel after getting back from pulling recon on AKM and walked up to the desk.
"Good morning." The attendant smiled warmly at her.
Yes, it was morning, wasn't it? Gina was ready to settle down to sleep after a meal and a relaxing bath. "Good morning. Could I place an order for room service?"
"Certainly. Do you need a menu?"
"Yes, please."
The desk attendant handed her a menu, and while she considered her options, a tall man with shoulders as wide as the state of Illinois s
tepped up beside her and plopped his suitcase on the floor.
"May I help you?" The clerk stepped over to him.
"Reservation for Lakota Bannon."
Gina’s ears pricked up. Bannon? That was Severin’s last name. Without wanting to appear like she was being nosy, she casually glanced up at him and grinned as he looked over and caught her eye. The eyes were bluer, and the hair was a lighter shade of blond and shorter, but other than a few differences in their features, Lakota could have been Severin’s brother, or his father. With vampires, it was hard to tell.
"Morning," he said to her.
"Morning." She looked back down at the menu while the clerk processed Lakota’s reservation. Did she really have one of Severin's relatives standing next to her? Could she have fallen under a luckier star? The name was right, and he sure looked like Severin. This was just too much of a coincidence. Maybe getting close to Severin would be easier than she thought if she could find a way to use this to her advantage.
Suddenly, she realized he was looking over her shoulder, and she glanced up at him again. He really was a striking male. Perhaps she could mix a little business with pleasure, get close to him, and use him to get close enough to Severin to kill him. It was worth a shot.
"Oh, sorry. I was just taking a peek." His voice was deep and resonant, full of power. "My name is Lakota." He smiled at her.
"Gina." She tilted her head in greeting. "Are you hungry?" She flashed the menu at him.
"Yes. I’ve been driving all night. Us night owls, huh?" He gave her a look that made it clear he knew she was a vampire, too.
The attendant addressed Lakota, "Would you like to order room service as well, sir?"
He looked away from her and nodded once at the attendant. "Yes, I think I would."
The attendant handed him a menu.
"What brings you to Chicago at such an odd hour?" she said.
Lakota's gaze browsed over the selections. "Family. You?"
Oh, I'm just here for a little assassination. No biggie.