“Well, Lelantos has been known to wander off, being a wolf and all.” Nikolai shrugged.
“You named a wolf Lelantos?” Cameron shook his head. “How appropriate.”
“He came to us as a puppy. Hunters have been trying to take a shot at him whenever he crosses too far.” Vince growled.
Max scrunched his forehead. “Lelantos, Titan of Greek mythology, god of air… oh… and stalking prey. I get it.”
“I’m glad the school is teaching you something.” Andrei patted his shoulder. “Are we ready?”
“Yep.” Colin pulled on his jacket.
They all spread out within miles of each other, Colin with Nikolai. They crossed the mountains and followed a stream. Nikolai pulled out his map and looked at his GPS. Colin looked up and around before taking his canteen out.
“You okay?”
“Yep.” Colin took a sip and checked out the darkening sky. “It’s going to get dark soon, huh?”
“Yes, we need to move.”
Another half hour had them even further out, and Colin pushed some bushes aside. There was a group of men around a fire and Colin suspected this was the end of the Markov property — or they had squatters. One of them men looked up and Colin pulled the branches back and turned around. Nik… was gone.
There was a low growl to his right and Colin tried to see through the thick brush. The next thing he knew, Lelantos was on top of him.
“Hey, boy.” Colin rubbed his fur.
“There he is!”
Colin looked up to see the group of men with guns trained on Lelantos. He got up and threaded his fingers in his fur. “Hey, um, we have him now. Sorry about that.”
“He’s going to make a great trade,” one of them said.
“You’re not touching him.”
“We can kill him… then you. No one will find you up here.”
Colin narrowed his eyes as Lelantos let out a low growl, his teeth bared. One moved toward Colin and then Nikolai was flying down on them from above. He hit one, and he went down with a loud cry; Nikolai was poised over the next one.
“Wanna be next, asshole?” Nik growled in his ear. “How dare you come on my property, try to kill my friend, and my damn dog.”
“That’s not a dog.”
“You wanna split hairs? I found you dead… such a shame.” Nikolai tightened his grip around his neck.
Colin could see Nik had a knife held to his lower back. He pushed it in slightly and the guy’s eyes went wide.
“Okay, okay!”
“Nik, let him go,” Vince said calmly as he walked up.
“Oh, shit.”
“That’s usually the reaction I get. Get the fuck off my property. It is still mine, even out here.”
Andrei showed up right behind him, and Lelantos went over to him, wagging his tail. “You have been a bad boy.” Andrei crouched down, petting him.
“Oh, fuck.” The three men were backing up now. “We meant no disrespect.”
“You tried to kill my nephew.” Andrei stood. “What kind of punishment do you think that would afford you?”
“Leave. Now.” Vince narrowed his eyes.
“Are you okay?” Nikolai asked Colin.
“I’m fine.” Colin nodded. “Jesus, Nik. Stealthy.”
“I saw them before you did. I had a feeling.”
Vince radioed the rest of the group, letting them know they had found the wolf and were on their way back. They headed down the mountain and Lelantos was ahead, keeping close to Andrei and Vince.
“He’s so cute.” Colin shook his head.
“He was protecting you,” Nik said.
“He got huge.” Lelantos looked about one-hundred-fifty pounds. He was solid black with green eyes.
Nikolai took Colin’s hand as they walked. They threaded their fingers together.
“Thanks for saving me back there.”
“I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt you, Colin.” Nikolai squeezed his hand.
Colin knew that look in Nik’s eyes. He was serious. “I know.”
Jensen waited for them to come back. The first thing he saw was black fur. Max’s eyes went wide and he started backing up. Jensen grabbed his hand.
“Not a good idea. Stand your ground.”
Max watched the black fur bounding at him, the green eyes prominent on the backdrop of white snow. Lelantos jumped on Jensen, knocking him on his ass. He licked his face and Jensen laughed, grabbing him by the neck.
“Ugh, you need a breath mint!”
“Oh, I gotta take a picture of this.” Cameron and Evan were walking up.
Lelantos’ head came up, smelling Evan. He got off Jensen and ran for Evan. Evan laughed and ran away. He got knocked down and Lelantos was licking his head while he stood on his back.
“Damn, you weigh a ton!” Evan laughed.
There was a loud whistle and Lelantos looked up to see Nikolai with his arms out. He plowed into him, knocking Nikolai down. “I think he ate too many rabbits.”
Brandon pouted. “He ate George?”
“You have been a vewy bad wolf.” Justin chuckled.
Cameron was shaking his head. “Why am I not surprised? The head of the Russian mob has a wolf as a pet.”
“Oh, he’s no pet.” Vince corrected. “He doesn’t like that word. He roams free, kills his own meals, once in a great while he eats what we give him, and he stretches out in front of the fireplace. Other than that he sets the rules.”
“So he’s like you, Uncle Vince,” Evan pointed out.
Vince nodded and Andrei chuckled. “Yes, but Vince is potty trained.”
Vince laughed loud, picking up Andrei and kissing him hard. “I’ll sleep at the end of your bed any time.”
Ivan greeted them when they got back to the mansion and told them dinner was almost ready. Everyone went to shower and Colin just stood under the water, letting it rush over him. He was sore. He hadn’t been scared today, even though he’d had a rifle trained at his chest, because he knew Nikolai would never allow anyone to hurt him. Just the thought of Nik gave him a hard-on. Colin sighed and stroked himself slowly, envisioning Nik’s lips on his, his hands on his body. The job of acting like he didn’t have feelings for Nik was becoming much harder.
He stroked faster, the image of Nik in his head. He heard Nik’s voice in his ear from last night. He had said he wanted him. Colin held onto the wall as he stroked faster. Nik’s hands on him, his tongue tasting all of him. Colin came with a low moan. He cleaned himself off and stepped out of the shower. The first thing he saw was Nik, half-dressed, on his bed. He had just gotten out of the shower himself and now was sprawled across his bed on his back, one hand behind his head, eyes closed. Colin’s eyes traveled his body. God, he wanted him. He stepped around Nik, trying to grab his sweats.
“I’m awake,” Nik said with his eyes closed.
“Yeah? Well I’m in a towel.”
“I’ve seen you naked.”
“We were what? Ten?” Colin grabbed his boxers.
“So you’re saying you have a lot more to look at now?” Nik rolled over on his stomach.
“Well, my dick is bigger than my pinky now.”
“Oh really?” Nik arched a brow, a sly smile played his lips.
Colin turned his back and pulled his boxers on under the towel, Nik ripped it off of him just as he got it over his ass cheeks.
“Hey!” Colin laughed.
Nik grabbed his hand and threw him on the bed, straddling him. He leaned over, looking into Colin’s eyes. “Colin.”
“Nik.” Colin tried to regulate his heartbeat.
Nikolai ran his finger over the cut in Colin’s arm. “You got hurt.”
“Oh, must have been the tree branches.” Nikolai had his finger to his lips. He brought it down to Colin’s arm and pressed it over the cut.
“There… all better.”
“Nope, still hurts.”
Nikolai looked into his eyes. He leaned over and let his lips brush Colin’s arm. He
saw the goosebumps pop up. The tiny hairs on Colin were standing straight up. He pulled back slowly, looking into his eyes. “How ‘bout now?”
“I think dinner’s ready,” Colin whispered.
Nikolai got up and went to the door. “See you there.”
As soon as the door shut, Colin let out a loud sigh.
Nikolai strutted down the hall. He was messing with Colin and he knew it, but he wanted to make sure he would be the only guy on his mind when he went home. He had heard from his sister that Landon was seeing someone and it was hurting her. He didn’t want the same thing to happen with him and Colin, so for now… he would torture him and keep him right where he wanted him. His and only his.
They spent the night telling stories. Nikolai sat in the lounge chair with Colin between his legs, leaning against his chest. Cameron had Evan nestled into him and Jensen was in Max’s lap as the fathers told their stories of their many missions. Justin laughed about the time he was stuck up on a mountain for a week watching a man’s house. Of course, his view everyday was of the man’s naked wife.
“Oh God, baby, I’m so sorry.” Brandon tried not to laugh.
“If I was into women, it would have been great. As it was, I finally took the shot when he came out of the shower naked.” Justin shivered. “Eww.”
“I’ll never forget when Uncle Tyler came down from the ceiling when I was kidnapped. No one even knew he was there.”
“Your father wanted to rip your kidnapper limb from limb, but we left that task to you.” Andrei grinned.
“As long as he was dead, that’s all I cared about.” Nikolai felt Colin’s hand tighten on his.
“Well, we should go to bed. It is midnight, and you all have a flight to catch,” Andrei said, getting up. “I shall say goodnight. I have a meeting in the morning.”
“ ’Night, Uncle Andrei.” Jensen hugged him tight.
“I look forward to seeing you again.” Andrei cupped his face.
Justin and Brandon hugged him and said their goodnights. Chris hugged Evan tight. “I miss you so much.”
“I know, Dad.” Evan held him. “I miss you too.”
“We will see you in May.” Dimitri hugged him tight. “I miss you very much.”
They all said goodnight and Colin climbed into bed. The wine was going to his head and he didn’t feel good. Nikolai got in bed behind him and closed his eyes as his fingers threaded in his hair.
“You know wine does this to you.” Nikolai rubbed his back slowly.
“I can’t wait until you come to visit. I miss you so much, Nik.” Colin closed his eyes as Nikolai’s fingers brushed his forehead.
“Shhh, go to sleep Colin.”
“I love you, Nik.” Colin sighed.
“I have always loved you, Colin.” Nikolai kissed his shoulder and pulled him into his chest. After a few minutes, he heard Colin’s even breathing and closed his eyes. “I wish you were mine.”
“I am,” Colin mumbled.
Nikolai sat up, looking at him. He was asleep. He knew that for sure. Colin always looked the same when he slept and his breathing was slow and even. Nikolai kissed his cheek lightly. He lay back and felt Colin take his hand. Their fingers threaded together and Nikolai finally let sleep take him.
They were saying goodbye at the airstrip, and Colin had a vice grip on Nikolai. They had been hugging for over ten minutes now, and Vince took Andrei’s hand, kissing his knuckles.
“He’s in love.”
Andrei watched his son. He was nuzzling Colin’s neck and his eyes were closed. “He could not have chosen anyone better. Colin is in love with him.”
“Can I —”
“No.” Andrei smacked his ass. “They will come to each other in their own time, my love. And knowing our son, it will be soon.”
Tanner was on his bed on his back throwing a tennis ball at the ceiling. Damon had gone out with Arielle for Valentine’s Day, so he was alone wishing he could talk to Nico, who hadn’t called yet. He let out a loud sigh and threw the tennis ball again. The doorbell rang and he waited for one of his dads to get it. It rang again and he heard his dad’s voice from the back bedroom.
“Tanner! Can you get that?”
Tanner sighed and pulled himself out of bed. He opened the door and blinked. He closed his eyes and opened them again. “Nico?”
“I was hoping, if you weren’t busy, you could go out with me tonight.”
“Nico!” Tanner plowed into him, holding him tight.
Nico held him close, tightening his arms around him. He had missed Tanner so much. “Is that a yes?”
“Let me go change!” Tanner ran to his room.
Nico came in the house and smiled at his uncle. Tyler hugged him tight. “I’m surprised you pulled it off. How did the meeting in Bangkok go?”
“It went. Of course they want in. I just ooze charm.”
“How many women were at the meeting?” Damon laughed.
“It was an equal ratio of men and women.”
“No wonder.” Tyler looked at him. “I bet they were salivating the whole time.”
“I think that’s why Grandpa sends me and Stefan to every meeting.” Nico winked.
Nico watched Tanner come out. He was wearing jeans and a tight black T-shirt that showed off his impressive body. Tanner had grown up. They said their goodbyes and Nico took Tanner out to the lake. He parked the car and came around to get Tanner. They strolled to one of the gazebos and Tanner saw lit candles and dinner.
“When did you do this?”
“On the plane over. I talked to the catering company and gave them an approximate arrival time.” Nico closed his eyes. “You didn’t need to know that. I should have said I’m Batman and I did it myself.”
Tanner laughed. “I see you more as Spiderman.”
“Really? How come?”
“You pull people into your web and they never want to get out.”
They sat and talked for hours about everything that had been going on since Ireland. Nico was telling Tanner about all the meetings he and Stefan had attended and how they kept themselves from getting bored.
“You threw things off the hotel roof?”
“Nothing that would cause death. Besides, it was over a park at night.” Nico chuckled. “Although the watermelon was a surprise, the water balloons were fun. The whole turkey I thought was bit much.”
“Who threw that?”
“Not me.”
“How old are you guys again?”
“Not old enough, I guess. I wanted to tell you. Stefan and I will be here over the summer working at Santorno.”
“You will! Oh my God, Nico!” Tanner hugged him hard. “I can’t wait!”
Nico held him close. He had missed Tanner so much. Tanner’s arms wrapped around him and he nuzzled his neck, smelling his cologne, the same kind he always wore, the same kind Nico could never get out of his head at night when he would lay there and think about Tanner. About how it had been to kiss him. They pulled away from each other and Nico rested his forehead against Tanner’s. Their hands searched for each other and their fingers entwined.
Tanner could feel Nico’s breath on his lips and he leaned in. His lips lightly touched Nico’s and he heard a small gasp.
“Oh God, I’m sorry.” Tanner pulled away. “I thought… Oh God.” Tanner ran.
“Tanner, wait!” He ran after him. Damn, he was fast.
He caught Tanner and pulled him around. He was crying, and Nico grabbed him and kissed him. His hands went into Tanner’s hair and he held him close, loving the feel of Tanner’s lips on his.
Tanner moaned and tightened his grip. Nico was searching his mouth and he swore he was going to come screaming. They broke from the kiss, both breathing hard, and he looked into Nico’s eyes. “But I thought…”
“I wanted to kiss you.”
“You did?” Tanner frowned. “But, that night, in Ireland…”
Nico held his face. “I —” He stopped and looked around. He put his finger
to his lips and motioned Tanner to follow him. They snuck over to the bushes and he pulled them back. There sat Damon and Arielle.
“What the hell?” Tanner exclaimed.
“We kind of were already here… and then we didn’t want to interrupt.” Arielle shrugged.
“Jesus, Damon.” Nico shook his head. “I could smell your cologne.”
“Well, to be fair, we kept quiet.” Damon came out of the bushes and helped Arielle out.
“We’ll just leave you two alone now.”
“Shit, it’s eleven-forty-five.” Damon looked at his watch.
“It is?” Tanner looked at Nico.
“Oh, fuck.”
Nico drove Tanner home. The whole time he wanted to tell him he loved him. Tanner sat quietly, looking out the window. By the time they got to the house Tanner was already halfway out the door.
“Tanner, wait…” Nico grabbed his hand.
“All this time.” Tanner looked at him. “I thought it was in my head. There were so many times I wanted to kiss you, thought you wanted to kiss me.”
“I did! I do…”
“Why then, Nico? Why didn’t you?”
“I’m six years older, Tanner.”
“So, in other words, I’m still a child?”
“I didn’t say that… I do want you. It’s just…” Nico ran a hand through his hair.
“I’m not old enough, right? Well then, when will I be? When I’m twenty?”
“I don’t know, Tanner! No matter what, I will still be older!”
“Tell me you don’t love me, Nico. Look me in my eyes and tell me you don’t love me, that you aren’t in love with me, that you don’t want to kiss me and make love to me.” Tanner just stood there, waiting.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why are you doing this? I want you. I’m in love with you, Nico. I always have been.”
“You’re young — ” Nico started.
“So what? I don’t know what love is because I’m young? God!” Tanner ran a hand through his hair. “You know what the worst part is? You want me and I want you. You are the one keeping us apart. Well, guess what, Nico? You got your wish!”
Nico watched him go inside and his heart broke. The only problem with him and Tanner being together was himself. His age was the one thing that always stopped him, and it was his own damned fault he wasn’t with the one person he loved most in this world.
Assassin's Angst: The Santorno Series Page 21