Love's Denial

by Joyee Flynn

  "We don't," he answered, almost cringing away from me.

  "I want it ordered. The Grand Duc approved of me making any changes I saw fit," I assured him before motioning to the front door monitors. "No one gets in here without first being verified. Handle that however you want for now, but eventually, we're going to put in a guard at the front gate. I also want to talk with whatever security provider you use. New gates need to be installed in the front and back."

  "I'll get you our contact's number and their catalog." Edmund nodded before rushing away. I wasn't quite done with him, but okay, at least he didn't have a problem taking orders from me. Looking at the time, I saw the Grand Duc had his next meeting in less than an hour. And that one was off the premises. I flipped open his schedule and saw I didn't have the information on who was working his security detail.

  When Edmund returned with what I’d asked for, I said, "Thanks, I also need to know who's on each of the details for the Grand Duc's security when he's got meetings off location."

  "I can get you a copy of that," he said, starting to turn away again.

  I chuckled as I grabbed his arm. "Wait, I've got more. Is there somewhere private where I can interview the guys on the detail? And later, when the Grand Duc is in his two o'clock meeting here, I want to question everyone who was there the day someone shot at him."

  "I can set you up in one of the back offices," Edmund answered as he gestured to follow him.

  "Thanks, Edmund, you're being really cool about all of this," I said as we walked towards the back.

  "I like my job, and I respect the Grand Duc. If you're here to help keep him alive, I'll do whatever needs to be done," Edmond replied. He was telling the truth, which made me feel better now that I had one ally who knew how to get things done. Edmund opened the door, and we went inside to a medium-sized office with no windows. This would work well as an interview room. "The Grand Duc is a great ruler and loves his people. He's truly brilliant, and the changes he's made are prosperous for our kind."

  "Nice to know you're on my side." I winked at him as I set everything down on the desk. "I want the guys for this afternoon's detail one at a time. I need the information on the cars you guys have and which you normally use for escorting his highness. I also need three guys you'd trust with your life, and the Grand Duc's, to help me do some of this stuff. Are you cool with that?"

  "Absolutely," he answered, smiling. Edmond started to leave, but then paused. "I'm glad you're here, Yuri."

  Before I could even respond, he left and closed the door behind him. I was glad someone wanted me, but the way he said it made me think Edmund knew a lot more than he was letting on. Taking a moment before the interviews, I dialed Councilman De La Cruz's number.

  "Yuri?" he asked when he picked up the line.

  "Yes, Councilman, I'm here."

  "Glad to hear your voice, son," he said, sounding relieved.

  "Why do you sound worried?"

  "Word got out we were sending outside help," he answered cautiously. "I think we should keep communications limited."

  "Understood, sir," I said, rubbing my hand over my face. Fuck! We just had problems all over. "Then I won't be giving you updates as we first discussed. I've made a good start, and the Grand Duc is onboard for whatever I need to do."

  "Good, that makes me feel better." He sighed.

  "Do I need to bring in backup, sir?"

  "No, just find some allies fast," he hinted, and I heard the message loud and clear.

  "About to start right now, Councilman."

  "Good, if you need me, call. I'll find a way for us to talk without ears around if need be."

  "Thank you. Take care," I said as we hung up. Seconds later, there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

  "Hi, I was told to report here by Edmund," a big guy informed me as he walked in.

  "Close the door behind you, and have a seat." He did as I asked, eyeing me over. I pulled out a fresh pad of paper and a pen. "I need your name, position, and number of years working here."

  "Rick Santos, I'm security team Alpha leader, and I've been here for over fifty years," Rick answered immediately.

  "You're on the detail for the meeting?" I asked.

  "I am." He nodded. "Can I ask who you are?"

  "Sorry, I figured someone would tell you." I chuckled. "I'm Yuri Stanalovic. I was sent by your council to assess the threat on the Grand Duc and keep his ass alive."

  "Good to know." Rick smiled. We went over the basic questions; who was on his team, procedures for when the Grand Duc was off the property, etc. He answered my questions thoroughly, filling in the blanks of things I didn't even ask. I started to get a complete picture of how security was run here. This guy was good, but the system sucked. Now for the hard part.

  "Next I'm going to ask you a series of questions. I want just a yes or no, got it?" I asked and waited until he nodded. "Do you want the Grand Duc dead?"

  "No."

  "Did you have anything to do with the attempt on his life?"

  "No."

  "Do you know who did?'

  "No."

  "Do you have any theories?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you happy with working for the Grand Duc?"

  "Yes."

  "Do you have any reasons to distrust anyone on your team?"

  "No."

  "Other teams?"

  "Yes."

  "Are you willing to keep secrets from your chain of command if I deem they should be?"

  "Depends."

  "On what?"

  "If it's something that could hurt the Grand Duc and if it could get me fired," he stated firmly.

  "The Grand Duc is on board with whatever I'm doing," I assured him. "I'm here to keep him safe, but we've got either a mole or moles, or this is an inside job. There are things I'm going to want kept quiet. I need to know if that's something I can trust you with."

  "Yes, as long as it's not something that will endanger the Grand Duc by not knowing."

  "Fair enough." I nodded, giving Rick the once-over again. "This next part stays between us. The Grand Duc and my liaison to the council know, but that's it. I know you don't want him hurt, so I'm trusting you."

  "You don't know that for certain. I could have been lying through my teeth," Rick growled, looking pissed.

  "I do know that, my gift is to tell when someone's lying," I answered. I saw the confusion on his face for a moment before a smile replaced it. "Now you see why I was sent, and my gift needs to be kept on the down-low."

  "I do. I will keep it a secret," Rick replied, still smiling. "We're going to get the son-of-a-bitch now."

  'That's the plan, but I'm surrounded by people I don't know if I can trust. And that won't help me protect the Grand Duc." I sighed and put my pen down. I took a moment to rub my eyes and gather my thoughts. "You're in charge of your team. I want one team to aid me in clearing people and getting this place into 2010 technology. Somehow, it got out that I was coming here, and the council may be compromised. Unless I bring in my team, I've got no one to rely on and help me."

  "My team won't fail you, they're good guys," he stated firmly. "Tell me what you need to get the Grand Duc to his meeting safely, and I'll get it done while you interview my team."

  "Oh, I like you." I chuckled as I handed him my list. "We're working with a little over a half an hour here. I'm trusting you to know which of those are the priorities if you can't get it all done before we leave."

  "I can get this done," Rick said after reading through the list. "Any of my guys give you problems, I want to know."

  "What would you think of having your team train with some warriors at the camp where I'm from?"

  "I think it's smart, but not until after we get this threat to the Grand Duc handled," he replied, standing.

  "Good, then let's do this," I said, smiling widely. I'd just found my ally and right hand man. The day was suddenly looking up.

  CHAPTER 3

  After interviewing Alpha team, I was sat
isfied with their answers, these were the good guys. I'd gone over how they were to flank the Grand Duc when they escorted him from now on. They were like Rick, all five completely on board for whatever was needed to keep Dominic safe. We headed to the main doors, just as Rick ran up and joined us.

  "We're all good, Yuri," he stated as he fell into step with me.

  "Nicely done, Rick," I replied, throwing my arm around his shoulder. "We might just keep him alive after all."

  "If you're all done being intimate, we have a meeting to get to," Dominic said from behind me. He didn't sound happy. Turning to face him, I removed my arm from around Rick and eyed Dominic.

  "Rick got a lot done that was needed in a very short amount of time," I explained. I wasn't really sure why I felt the need to explain. Dominic was out of line, but I needed him on my side. "I was just showing my appreciation."

  "By touching him?" Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why, isn't that quaint?"

  "You have two others joining you, correct?" I asked, deciding to ignore his questions and tone. He was acting more like a jealous lover than a charge in my protection. I didn't know what it meant, but we didn't have the time for me to figure it out.

  "Yes, Yuri, that is what the schedule says, does it not?" he replied snidely as he walked away from me.

  "Flank him," I ordered to everyone else. "Advisors in the front of the Grand Duc until we split at the SUVs."

  "We take the limo to the Grand Duc's meetings." Charles snickered as if I'd made a mistake. "It shows his importance, even in the human world."

  "Not when the main goal is to keep him alive," I answered, scanning the area before gesturing for everyone to proceed out the door. "Charles, you’re in the middle one. Your Highness, you’re in the first one with me."

  "This isn't how things are done," Charles growled as he followed us.

  "They are now," Dominic answered, without breaking his stride. "Do as Yuri orders or don't come to the meeting. It's your choice, Charles. I suggest you choose wisely."

  "Rick, you're driving," I said, trying not to laugh at the expression on Chuck's face. I opened the door for Dominic, who nodded to me as he climbed in. Once he was secured, I walked around the SUV and got in the back with him. Rick hopped in the driver’s seat and away we went. I turned to Dominic, who was staring straight ahead with a frown on his face. "If something happens, I want you down on the seat towards me so I can cover you."

  "So you want me in the sixty-nine position with you?" He smirked, turning to me. I just about swallowed my tongue at the images his words gave me, and tried to shake it off.

  "You're to face down so I can cover your head. You can heal from almost anything else besides a head shot," I answered, controlling my lust. I caught Rick's expression in the rearview mirror, he gave me that 'don't ask me' face.

  "Why are we in the first car? Isn't it normal for the one under protection to be in the middle one?" Dominic asked, frowning at me again.

  "And that's exactly what an attacker would expect, Chuck's the bait in case anyone tries something."

  "Smart, very smart." He nodded. We pulled up to the offices where the meeting would be held, and I was glad it was a short drive. Simply sitting next to Dominic had me itching to pull him into my lap and hold him. We waited until everyone else had exited before joining them.

  Since the meeting was with humans, I had to leave my sword at the castle and opt for normal security-issued Berettas. Good weapon, but I preferred my sword. I led the way inside and into the elevator. Half our group took one elevator and the rest of us took another one. The elevator was quite cramped; Dominic stood directly in front of me and moved all the way back to make room. I bit back a groan as his firm little ass pressed against my thighs and my dick hardened against his back.

  The little imp gave me a smirk over his shoulder, knowing full well what his nearness was doing to me. I wanted to shout at him, 'What the fuck? I thought you were straight'. The elevator ride seemed to last forever as we rode up to the thirty-fourth floor. When the doors opened and everyone started to exit, I grabbed Dominic's arm and pushed him behind me. He wasn't ready for the move, and his hands landed on my ass. I wanted to melt into the floor with lust, and I must have imagined it, but I swear he gave my butt a squeeze before taking his hands off me.

  "Even inside, I want someone blocking any aim at you," I informed him as we got off the elevator.

  "It's fine, I like the view," he mumbled. I wanted to drag him to the nearest corner and confront him but it would have to wait.

  "Mr. Aldrich," a man said as he approached us at the receptionist’s desk. He shook Dominic's hand and looked at all of us in shock.

  "Wonderful to see you again, Eric," Dominic said smoothly as he walked with the man. "Please forgive the extra security, but there was an attempt on my life last week."

  "Oh my, I understand completely," Eric answered in fluent French as he led the way into a conference room. Rick and I went in with them as the rest stayed out in the hallway. Charles and the other advisor, whose name I'd not even asked, came in as well. There were two more men inside who stood when we walked in.

  "I'm Patrick," one man just about purred as he walked over to me, also speaking in French. "I've not seen you before. Are you from around here?"

  "My French sucks," I answered honestly, hoping he'd get the hint. I wanted him to think I wasn't catching on to how forward he was being.

  "Oh, you are American," Patrick replied in English. Fuck! "I do love an American man, so adventurous. I'd love to give you a tour, show you anything you'd like to see."

  I went to open my mouth and quickly shut it. The man was just about batting his eyelashes at me. Fuck!

  "He is here for a while, Patrick, and he's working," Dominic almost growled out. "I don't think you're his type." That threw me, and if it had been anyone else, I would have sniped that I could answer for myself. But he was right, I was working.

  "Well, here is my card for when you are off work." Patrick winked at me and handed me his card before joining the meeting. I quickly shoved it in my pocket, trying to not be rude as Dominic was staring daggers at me. Looking at Rick for help, he quickly averted his face from me. Yeah, thanks man. Nice backup there. Douche.

  I switched back into bodyguard mode, ignoring Patrick's roaming eyes and Dominic's stares. Couldn't I just melt into the floor now? I was used to being invisible and in the background, all this attention was making me feel uncomfortable. And what was with Dominic? It was all very distracting and taking my focus off the job.

  Charles did most of the talking in the meeting for our side. I wasn't sure if that was normal in business meetings. Did underlings normally handle the bargaining when the main cheese was right there?

  "I am simply saying that I don't think this last shipment of your product was up to its normal quality," Charles stated firmly. "I have concerns about your quality control."

  "Yes, we do," Dominic said, turning to Charles and making his point quiet clear. Chuck looked quite peeved to be corrected like that in front of others, but kept his mouth shut. "We use your, and only your, office products throughout all my companies. I believe in long-term business relationships, not just shopping around for the best deals. That being said, we pay for a certain level of quality. I was very disappointed when I picked up one of your pens and, not only did it not work when I clicked it on, it leaked ink all over sensitive material I needed to sign."

  "That can happen to anyone, no matter how wonderful the products may be," Eric defended.

  "Yes, but it happened with three pens in a row, Eric," Dominic answered, raising an eyebrow. "And I asked random employees around my companies, who all said they thought the level of quality had been declining."

  "I'd have to look into that," Eric replied.

  "You do that," Dominic stated, and stood. "I wouldn't be bringing this to you if it were only about a few pens, we're both too busy for that. Check your records, we've had more service calls needed in the past six month
s than in the last three years. I pay for quality, and if this keeps up, we'll be finding it somewhere else."

  "Absolutely," Eric replied as everyone else stood. "I appreciate the face-to-face on this. Your father taught you well."

  "He died before I was old enough to learn anything business-related," Dominic said, straightening out his shoulders. I saw the obvious defensive gesture. "I respect the relationship we have built, that's why I'm here personally."

  "Of course," Eric replied sweetly as he led us to reception. I was glad when all the goodbyes were exchanged and we could go. Moments later, we were standing at the elevators. The first one opened, and I went to lead everyone on, but Dominic held me back.

  "Take the first two down and secure the area, we'll follow," I ordered, not wanting to draw attention to Dominic's gesture. They split in two groups and got on, and when a third elevator opened up, the two of us walked into it.

  "What a fucking wanker," Dominic growled once the door closed. "He likes to remind me every time we see each other that I inherited the companies from my father. So did he, just a decade earlier. Someone else I'd like to be rid of."

  "Needed a breather?" I chuckled. He nodded and leaned against the wall of the elevator. "It's none of my business, but why are you going to meetings like that? I mean shouldn't someone lower on the food chain go?"

  "One, it helps my cover with the human world," he replied, counting off fingers. "Two, if I didn't do it, Chuck would, and I trust him as far as I could throw him. Three, I'm still new to taking over, I want to be personally involved when there's a problem."

  "Makes sense," I answered after I mulled it over.

  "And what was that shit with you and Patrick? Are you that hard up for sex you have to flirt in my business meetings?" Dominic growled, standing up straight and stepping towards me.

  "I wasn't flirting," I exclaimed. "The guy acted like he was picking me up in a bar!"

  "Know a lot about that, do you?"

  "Why do you care, Dominic?" I asked, seething.

  "I don't," he snarled. "I simply think it was unprofessional of you, and you're on my dime."