Magpie got out of the Hummer with the majesty of a king arriving at his far-off outpost and graced his subjects with a smile that revealed a grill of gold and diamonds, which sparkled in the light reflecting off snow.
A fucking grill. Knight worked hard not to flinch.
And the worst—or best—thing about all this was that with his catlike grace and flawless looks, Magpie managed to pull off his ridiculous ensemble. With black, wavy hair, dusky skin and eyes blue as sapphires he was the most racially ambiguous person Knight had ever met. He could have been southern European. Or Middle Eastern. Or Indian. Or Pacific-Islander. Or part African American. Probably a little bit in between, but the way he seemed to embody so many features that usually didn’t go together was making Knight slightly uneasy. As if he were a mix of attractive characteristics from all over the world, glued together carelessly yet creating the perfect human specimen.
Beast cleared his throat and approached Magpie, with Knight following him closely.
“Welcome. It’s a shame you’re only visiting us now. It’s been what, fifteen years?”
Magpie’s gaze drifted off to the building behind them. “Yes, this place has changed slightly I see.” He shook Beast’s hand after taking off one of his purple leather gloves. The bodyguard stood close behind him, as tall as Beast and completely silent.
Beast cleared his throat. “We’re putting the building to good use.”
Knight easily sensed his friend’s discomfort and greeted Magpie with a handshake as well. “I hope you will stay a bit longer. We have a party brewing on Friday. Something tells me you’d enjoy it.”
Magpie raised his eyebrows, but smiled. “Oh, would I? Does it involve a hot tub filled with champagne?”
Knight grinned, and the price of real champagne—because he knew it was the champagne from Champagne region that Magpie meant—flashed through his mind. “How about Prosecco?”
Magpie laughed, and Knight couldn’t get over the fact that this guy wore a grill and traveled in a golden Hummer. He’d known him for years and every encounter had been as bizarre as the one before it. “One does not talk business without some champagne. Bruce will bring it over later.” He waved his hand at the bodyguard. “It’s most unfortunate what happened to King, but I am very fond of our little arrangement. Speaking of which, I would love to buy that pretty thing,” Magpie pointed to the engagement ring on Beast’s hand. “It’s a natural ruby, isn’t it?”
The red gemstones were Magpie’s favorites, and while many of the other jewels the Kings of Hell handled eventually found other buyers, any natural rubies that went through their hands ended up in Magpie’s hands. Considering how obsessed he seemed, it was a surprise that he wasn’t wearing any himself.
Then again, maybe Magpie had been somehow able to drive up the price of those precious stones by taking them off the market? Knight tried not to snigger at the thought of Magpie wearing a grill encrusted with rubies and looking as if he’d just drank blood.
Beast glanced at his engagement ring and swiftly covered it with his other hand. He was barely smiling. “It is, but it’s not for sale. Sentimental value, and all that.”
Magpie cocked his head. “Shame. Maybe you will change your mind one day.”
Knight highly doubted that, but he swiftly changed the topic and urged everyone inside. Turned out that other than delivering their ‘new accountant’, Magpie wanted to discuss some delicate business urgently and in person. Fortunately, the two bottles of expensive champagne weren’t enough to get anyone drunk, so negotiations went on in a friendly atmosphere.
Since Magpie had traveled to the clubhouse overnight, around midday he was eager to rest, which meant some much-needed time for Beast to cool off from having to maintain the entertaining persona that clearly drained his energy, and for everyone to think of the proposed deal. It did involve a great many natural rubies, and Knight’s skin was tingling as he imagined the increased value of their hidden safes. It would be a boost to club finances, but the new accountant—as suspicious as Knight was of him—would be a godsend if increased spending was to be effectively laundered.
Knight and Beast were left in the round space of the Church room while others left to refresh their minds. Beast seemed pumped out, sipping alcohol from a champagne flute that was so tiny and delicate-looking that Beast’s massive fist appeared even bigger, but Knight thrived on meeting new people and making connections, so he was still energetic and excited for the upcoming party. He’d managed to get good rapport with Magpie even if the guy was all Manhattan and new money, and they were… well, Brecon.
“That’s going well. What do you think?” Knight asked, patting Beast on the back.
“Good. I can’t help but wonder what his pact is. Because there sure as fuck is one. Beauty and riches? Sounds too straightforward.”
Knight shrugged. He knew the business connection with Magpie had been part of King’s package deal with the demon, but he wouldn’t be asking for details. “It’s been fifteen years and he hasn’t tried to fuck us over. Bet his pact, if there is one, is somehow connected with us. It’s all good.”
Beast downed the champagne and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the VP patch and slammed it on the table in front of Knight, watching him intently.
Knight’s heart picked up in his chest, and he slowly glanced back at his friend. “Why?”
“Only if you want it, Knight. I talked to the guys, and they’ll give you another shot. You’re working well as my right hand. People like you, so you get shit done. When they see my face, they get skittish. But you need to want it. It’s not just fun and prestige. It’s responsibility too. No bullshit lies, no fucking about.”
Knight swallowed and traced the patch with his fingertip. He vaguely remembered how resentful he’d sometimes been because of the responsibilities that came with the title. But at the same time he enjoyed being the center of attention. He liked dealing with people and succeeding at securing a good outcome for his club.
“Didn’t work out so well last time, huh?”
“You got distracted. You two summoned the ghost, things went to shit, and you were trying to protect him. Believe me, I get it.” Beast shook his head with a deep breath, and he was surely thinking about Laurent. “But I saw that since then you’ve learned to communicate more clearly, so maybe now you’ll know we’re not here to fuck up your relationship. We help each other. That’s what the Kings of Hell are about. Protecting and supporting our brothers and their families.”
Knight’s chest was heavy as if a stone had suddenly materialized inside his body. “Ah, we broke up,” he said, feeling compelled to smile.
Beast didn’t. “The fuck?”
Knight groaned and leaned back in the chair. “What do you want me to say?”
“Tell me how do you take on a lifelong pact for someone and break up the next day? That’s what I want you to tell me.” Beast clenched his fist on the table. “If you weren’t that into him after all, we should have shipped him off to Brecon, or wherever, and saved you the goddamn hassle!”
Knight’s entire skin burned. “He broke up with me yesterday. Do you think I just got afraid of the commitment and chose to wing it after last night? What the fuck?”
Beast’s glare became dark. “After all that, he fucked you over? Let’s go pay the motherfucker a visit, because this is bullshit! I don’t care how ‘fragile’ he is. He needs to learn some fucking manners!”
Knight clenched his teeth so hard it made his jaw ache. “Why do you always assume the worst about Elliot? It’s like you’re trying to find an excuse to get back at him for summoning Fane!”
Beast groaned. “Fine. Let’s just forget about Elliot as you fulfil your duties to the fucking devil until the end of your life. Fine. Are you gonna be my VP or not? It’s your choice, Knight. Will you just fuck about and do what you’re told, or are you ready to take on greater responsibility?” He tapped the patch. “This is a commitment, and I may make it sound like it’s a lif
e sentence, but it’s not. Some days I’m tired with everything I have to be in charge of, but it’s also a source of pride. We all work together to create good lives for every brother and those he holds dear. It’s not a prison. It’s a great joy. But you have to choose it for yourself, otherwise you won’t understand.”
Knight took a deep breath and stared at the patch, feeling hot and cold at the same time, as if Beast had dropped him into an icy river. It sounded like a relationship pep talk. In a way, Knight was already married to the club, forever tied to his chosen brothers. He’d always been loyal and tried to do everything in his power to support their common operation. Beast was right, the responsibility would come with more problems but also with more control. It would allow him to be in the midst of things and always support his prez when it mattered. For the club, he was ready to give up a great many things.
“I know responsibility. I promised him I would save him, and him breaking up things between us didn’t matter. I wanted to do this for him. Just like I’m willing to work for the club, even if it’s not always a bed of roses,” he said and grabbed the patch with a sense of finality.
Beast’s lips curved into that partial smile so typical of him. “I’m happy to see you stepping up, Knight. We will all make sure you get to fulfil your duty to him no matter what, just like all the Kings support me. You will see that there’s nothing better than to have others depend on you and you satisfying their expectations. We might all live outside of society, but we’ve created our own, and there’s great freedom in that, even if that means we have to work for it.”
Knight leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. The patch was crumpled in his fist when he looked at it, following the sudden trickle of red hot thoughts burning their way through his brain.
He loved his freedom, but that didn’t mean responsibility or commitment were bad for him. Could he ever enjoy his many one-nighters as much as he’d enjoyed his time with Elliot? Either way, he would be losing something.
Beast gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “Don’t look so miserable. You know how to do this job already, you’ve been a part of this club since we were kids. Sure, you will have to take care of shit when necessary, but you’ve done that many times before. You and I will be a great team.”
Knight waved his hand and packed the patch into his pocket, rising from the chair. “No, I know that. I want the position. I will be your man, and I won’t disappoint you this time. But now I need to talk to Elliot real quick. Whatever else you want to tell me, keep it in your head.”
Beast spaced out for a moment but then slammed his fist on the table. “So that’s why the fucker’s moving out! Right. Now it makes sense. I was too focused on Magpie to think much about it.”
Knight’s shoulders sagged, and his feet seemed to pull him deeper into the floor. “He’s what? What the hell? He was meant to stay!”
Beast cocked his head. “All I know is that Laurent’s gone with him to help him sort out his shit.”
“But where? Where is he?” hissed Knight, so hot he wanted to tear off his cut. He’d never ridden such an emotional roller coaster. Just the thought of Elliot leaving the clubhouse felt like being skinned.
“In his trailer.”
“You got to be fucking kidding me, Elliot!” Knight rubbed his face and stormed at the door. It was only the patch in his pocket that made him look back at Beast. “You... don’t need me now, do you?”
Beast leaned back in his chair. “No. Go do what you need to do.”
Chapter 33
Knight rushed through the corridors, all the way to the garage. He could hear Jake arguing with someone in one of the corners, but right now, this wasn’t any of his business. Without thinking, he walked toward his bike and drove at a speed he shouldn’t be really travelling at in the fresh snow, but he couldn’t delay any longer. What if Elliot was actually heading out somewhere else and only stopped by the trailer to pick up some shit?
Knight’s skull was so light it felt as if it would just fly up if it weren’t attached to his neck. His skin pulsed with heat. His stomach rolled while each muscle twisted into a red-hot bundle that would not unwind until Knight saw Elliot. Even his thoughts were so scattered he couldn’t really put them into words. The well-known drive to the trailer park took ages, but once he got through the gates, his heartbeat must have reached the rhythm of a jackhammer.
Elliot’s trailer was a sorry sight. Gray from dirt with the background of snow and some unintelligible pink graffiti painted all over the outer wall, it screamed misery. Elliot would not be staying in this place. Not in winter. Not ever. Over Knight’s dead body.
He parked next to the trailer, shocked to see Elliot’s car next to it, but questions could be asked later. He went straight into the small mobile apartment, opening the door to be greeted by a wisp of air so cold it felt like entering a fridge even in contrast to the winter outside
Two faces turned his way from the kitchen area. Laurent and Elliot were cleaning the place. An open suitcase lay on the table filled halfway with clothes.
Elliot stalled and blinked a few times. “Um… hi. Did I miss a call or something?” He glanced at his phone.
Laurent raised his chin and watched Knight as if he were some kind of judge.
Knight hissed, far too focused on Elliot to care much for the state of the trailer, but with each passing second he saw more damage resulting from lack of use in the harsh weather conditions. “What are you doing? You were supposed to stay at the clubhouse. And now you’re leaving without telling me? What the fuck?”
Elliot ran his hand through his hair, and his confusion was only infuriating Knight more by the second. Hadn’t they talked about Elliot staying at the clubhouse just last night? Knight had even left Elliot in his bed while he went to sleep somewhere else to not make things awkward.
“I mean… you were busy with club stuff, I didn’t want to bother you. And it’s not like I could move today. Look at this place.”
Laurent stepped closer. “Knight, I don’t think it’s your place to question Elliot’s decision on the matter.”
Knight’s entire body stiffened, and he glared at Laurent, squeezing his hands into fists. “How about you go out and see if there’s someone who actually wants to hear your opinion? You know, like the fiancé you haven’t talked to since last night?”
Laurent pouted like a child and crossed his arms on his chest, avoiding Knight’s gaze. “I’ll be outside if you need me,” he mumbled to Elliot, as if Knight posed a threat to him.
They both watched Laurent leave, and Knight slammed the door behind him. The moment the two of them were alone and the freezing, stale air filled Knight’s lungs, he stepped closer to Elliot, feeling like smashing his fists through the flimsy walls, so that the trailer would no longer be habitable.
“Why is the radiator not on? You’ll freeze!”
Elliot groaned and looked away. “The electricity got cut off. I need to work that out.”
“And what about the car? How did you get here? Laurent doesn’t drive, and you just lost an eye. Do you have a deathwish?”
Knight wanted to wipe the silly smile off Elliot’s face.
“I drove like a grandpa, and the roads weren’t busy anyway. Why are you so angry?”
Knight frowned. “I don’t know. Maybe because you’re running away after we’ve established that you’d be staying. And you said nothing. Nothing. I found out from Beast!”
The smile was gone. “I’m sorry. It kind of came up as I was talking to Laurent. And you were busy by then. I was thinking it might be better if I moved out for a while. A few weeks maybe? It’s… hard to be around you right now.”
Knight swallowed, and at once some of the burning anger was replaced by a heavy, slimy sensation deep in his gut. “But... you said you’d stay. You’d get a better room. And... you can’t stay here. I won’t let you stay here. You need care now, the injury is so fresh...”
Elliot pulled up his massive black sc
arf over his chin. “I’m afraid I’ll just fall back into you,” he whispered.
Knight watched soft, pale skin tense around Elliot’s eye, and the only thing he dreamed of was to smooth the mimic wrinkles with his thumb. He stepped closer. “Would that have been so bad?”
Elliot curled his shoulders, standing there like a wounded animal. “That’s so unfair, Knight.”
Knight swallowed some air and approached Elliot, stepping through crumpled paper and dirt left on the floor since Elliot had first moved to the clubhouse. Just standing so close to him was making Knight’s blood run faster, his hands aching for touch. “Why? Why the hell not? You know we’re a good fit! Even my friends noticed!”
Elliot moved back until his calves hit the bed. “Because you’ll hurt me in the long run. There will come a night when you see someone that you like, you’ll flirt with them, you’ll fuck them, and I will die. Do you understand?”
Knight swallowed, feeling anger bubble up in him again. “Oh, so you think that I can’t be faithful? Is that it? That I’d just break any promises and get laid with a new pretty thing?”
Elliot spread his arms. “It’s what you do, Knight! Everyone’s told me that. You sleep around with a lot of people, it’s your thing.”
“And why wouldn’t I? People want to fuck me, and there was nothing to keep me from doing that. But I’m a man, and I can stick to my commitments,” he growled and poked at Elliot’s chest through the black winter jacket Knight had bought him before Christmas.
My Dark Knight (gay biker romance) (Kings of Hell MC Book 2) Page 42