Fortunately, he did.
It took twelve men to carry the snake to Matt’s satisfaction. Vane fought back his amusement as he listened to his mate yell and holler at them, telling them to be careful, not to squeeze too hard, and to hurry up. As they all filed into the van, Vane lowered to one knee and continued to hold the shifter’s head as the rest of the carriers laid the beast down in coils over and around several large tree branches bolted into the sides of the space.
Once everyone was out of earshot, Vane smiled at the beast. “You’re safe now, shifter,” he assured. “Stay put and we’ll get you to safety. You have my word.”
The snake flicked out his tongue, then cocked his head. The shifter gave a slight nod.
Vane nodded. “Good. I’ll see you again shortly.”
After releasing the massive snake’s head, Vane backed from the vehicle, making it appear as though he were wary. He winked, then turned and hustled out.
“Let’s move!” Matt yelled. He handed Bud Wallice an envelope and snagged what Vane assumed was a bill of sale.
Vane quickly moved to catch up as his mate strode toward the car parked next to the van. He got there just before Matt and opened the vehicle’s back door for him, then climbed in after him. As he pulled the car’s door closed, Vane noted the van had already begun moving. Einan once again climbed into the driver’s seat and started them following.
“I saw the look on your face,” Matt murmured.
Vane turned toward his lover, his brows shooting skyward. “What? When?”
Matt took his hand and squeezed before setting it on his thigh. He smiled. “When we walked into that pathetic excuse for a shed earlier today.” He shook his head, grimacing. “God, I’d wished I’d brought my bottle of Purell. Disgusting.” He squeezed Vane’s hand. “You were in a place like that, weren’t you?”
Vane stared at his lover, his mate, his everything. Nodding slowly, Vane confirmed Matt’s words. “Yes, I was kept in a barred cage that fit inside those ropes.” He wrapped his left arm around Matt’s shoulders and pulled him close, then settled his right hand on Matt’s thigh. “The best I can figure is that some little boy found my egg while out exploring in some caves. The child had thought it a cool rock and brought it home.”
Scoffing, Vane shrugged. “When I hatched, the boy’s parents thought I’d be a great money-making opportunity. They sold me to some guy who owned a shady curiosity freak show.” He struggled to keep the bitterness out of his tone, but didn’t think he’d managed it since Matt squeezed the hand on his thigh. “I was sold a few times,” he admitted. “But always ended up in a place like that.” He waved a hand toward the back window, indicating where they’d come from.
Matt squeezed his hand again, gaining attention. “Well, today, you took at least one shifter away from all of that.”
Vane opened his mouth, intending to say only one shifter mattered, but he snapped his mouth shut just as quickly. That wasn’t true. That boa they’d rescued was just as important as Roland. Maybe not as abused as his friend might have been, but still important. Every life was important.
Before Vane could come up with a suitable response, the warble of Matt’s cell phone broke the silence. His mate answered, but the volume was turned down too low to hear. Vane found himself waiting with bated breath, wondering what the hell was being said. His mate nodded, then mmm-hmmmed, then let out a relieved sigh.
That has to be good, right?
Matt put his phone away and grinned. “Tobias got your friend out. He and three other shifters will be waiting back at the manor.”
Vane’s brows shot up. “The manor?”
“Yes,” Matt confirmed. “Nurse Leroy decided they were all too badly treated to travel, so he put them to sleep. In seventy-two hours, they’ll all wake up in their own rooms, complete with all they can eat buffets and plenty of luxury.”
A sound between a laugh and a sob escaped Vane. Damn, his chieftain was good.
Matt leaned close and pressed a soft kiss to Vane’s lips.
Wrapping his arms around his lover, Vane pulled him close and deepened the kiss. He sank his tongue in deep, sweeping it around his mate’s mouth and reveling in his mate’s wonderful taste.
“Hey! Knock it off!” Einan hollered from the driver’s seat. “Not all of us have our mate sitting on our lap!”
Vane respected his enforcer’s request and drew the kiss to an end. He sipped at Matt’s lips a few times before lowering his head and nuzzling his mate’s neck. “Thank you for helping.”
“You’re welcome, my gargoyle,” Matt replied. He cupped Vane’s jaw and tilted his head a bit, urging Vane to meet his gaze. “What do you say we hustle back to the manor so we can welcome them home? Huh?”
“Yeah,” Vane whispered, cuddling close.
Grinning, Matt rapped on the window and shouted, “Take Vane home, jeeves!”
He received a disgruntled sounding, “Yeah, yeah.”
Vane cupped his lover’s jaw and urged his mate to look at him. “Our home,” he insisted. “We’re going to our home.”
A huge grin split his mate’s features. “Yeah,” he crooned. “Our home.”
About the Author
Charlie started writing fantasy when she was eight, and after stumbling onto her first erotic romance at age nineteen, she realized her true calling. She now focuses on writing gay erotic romance, normally of the paranormal variety, with heroes of all kinds. With the help and support of her husband, Charlie finally fulfilled one of her life-long goals…move to acreage with her horses. You can often find her curled up with her laptop and a cup of tea or glass of wine, creating her next adventure. Charlie enjoys exploring the mountains of her new Oregon home on horseback, 4-wheeler, or motorcycle.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com
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