Clan and Conviction (Clan Beginnings)

by Tracy St. John

  Each time Krijero refused and attempted to end his affair with the two men. He would avoid Gelan and Wynhod for a few weeks. The time spent away from them would be filled with memories and fantasies of being with them. Krijero would frequent the pleasure clubs during those hellish weeks, becoming too aggressive in his frustrations to play with the Nobeks he’d once drawn. Somehow, no other powerful men could compare to Gelan and Wynhod. Instead, he used the service Imdikos, men who would let him be assertive and dominant. The emptiness of fucking simply for release was no longer comforting, however. It just made things worse.

  During those terrible periods of time when Krijero separated from the pair he really wanted, Gelan and Wynhod made a point of keeping themselves available. They were there in the precinct’s shuttle bay when he landed first thing in the morning and when he left at night. As much as their work allowed, they came around the psych department to check on him. They followed him to lunch. They commed almost every night. They kept after him until Krijero’s shaky resolve crumbled and he allowed himself to be drawn into their everyday lives once more. He simply couldn’t stay away no matter how hard he tried or how certain he was the relationship would end badly.

  Meanwhile, his efforts to investigate Frenzy had stalled out. Even with the extra research access Gelan allowed him, Krijero had little luck getting anywhere. In the Southwest Mountain Territory, there were never more than a couple of cases of withdrawal a month that alerted the police the drug maintained a presence. Meanwhile, it had gotten worse in the other territories, stretching the law enforcement resources of those areas. Kalquor’s Royal Council had even gotten involved, calling for Global Security to place the growing problem under their jurisdiction. Global Security did not handle illegal drug enforcement cases, but there were rumors that Frenzy might become their first.

  Krijero found the lack of local activity more worrisome than if there had been a lot of it. He was convinced that where there was no smoke, a huge fire waited to be lit. He’d gone exhaustively through the records of two local military munitions companies along with the men in charge of them. He had come up with nothing that warranted suspicion. He was down to the last one in the precinct, Benor Industries. He’d purposely put off this one for the last because it was so huge and would take tons of personal time to research properly. Benor not only ran weapons manufacturing, but it also had interstellar transport, colony construction, and mining interests under its umbrella, to name only a few. Not only that, but Dramok Benor, the owner of the massive parent company, was a benefactor for the precinct. He had supplied state-of-the-art shuttles and weaponry to the Southwest Mountain Territory police headquarters for the last fifteen years, free of charge.

  Krijero could only imagine the shitstorm of trouble he’d be in if it became known he checked into Dramok Benor’s corporations for underhanded dealings.

  Well, it was time to either dive in or give up. Krijero had just finished working on a big senior/invalid fund-stealing case with Gelan and Wynhod, and he had nothing of particular note on the horizon. It was at the end of an unseasonably cold autumn day when he closed out all his files and switched off his computer at the end of the shift, with the promise to himself that he’d start on Benor’s holdings the next day.

  * * * *

  Wynhod scowled at Gelan. The two stood outside of Krijero’s department, waiting for him to finish his shift so they could go out for dinner.

  The Nobek said, “You know he’ll have a fit. He’ll probably try to leave us again.”

  Gelan’s expression turned dark. “I’m not going to allow it this time. You’re not the only one tired of playing his games.”

  Wynhod was glad to hear Gelan wasn’t going to let their reluctant Imdiko to push them away for weeks at a time this go-round. He hated trying to sleep at night without being curled around Krijero.

  He told his Dramok, “You know what I think we should do? We should tie his gorgeous ass up and fuck him nonstop until he says he’ll clan.”

  “The thought has crossed my mind, but he could challenge it later in court.”

  “Everyone sees us together. We have witnesses that would testify he’s with us more than he’s not. That shows intent to clan.”

  Gelan shook his head, making his braids whisper against the shoulders of his formsuit. “Too many know he’s dead set against clanning. Like that pain in the ass Dramok Jomik who sits next to him in his office. We’ll just have to keep biding our time, unfortunately.”

  “But you’re not going to let him pull the same stunt of avoiding us because he gets scared?” Wynhod asked, wanting ironclad confirmation.

  “No more of that. If he tries it, I’ll threaten to file a complaint against him for false enticement. He’s come back to us too many times to be able to fight that.”

  “Good. I hate going weeks without him.” Wynhod leaned against the wall and stared up at the illuminated ceiling. He sighed. “Is he ever going to trust us, Gelan?”

  “I don’t know. If I ever meet that fucking Dramok Pertak, he’s a dead man.”

  “Unless I see him first. But I will let you help me hide the body.”

  They grinned at each other. At that moment, Krijero walked out, his hair hanging over half his face. Wynhod no longer cared about the Imdiko’s messy appearance. Even on days Krijero wore wrinkled clothes because he had tossed them untidily in a drawer, Wynhod was perfectly fine with how he looked. The less others saw the handsome truth of his stubbornly unclanned Imdiko, the more comfortable Wynhod was. He didn’t want competition added to the obstacles already in his way of claiming Krijero as his clanmate.

  The smile the psych gave him as he joined them made something in Wynhod’s chest ache. The Imdiko said, “Hey. I’m ready to go.”

  Gelan slung an arm around Krijero’s shoulders and tugged him in the direction of the shuttle bay. “Then we’re out of here.”

  Wynhod fell into step with the pair, dreading the coming argument.

  * * * *

  Krijero was enjoying the night out. They were at the same bar-restaurant they’d had their first dinner in together. Tonight Gelan had commed ahead, getting the manager to save them a table by the balcony. A temperature field was in place to keep the cold air out, but it allowed them to see the first snowfall of the season. The lazily drifting flakes were beautiful, especially with the warmth of the nearby firepit keeping things comfortable.

  Plus he was with Gelan and Wynhod. That always made him happy … at least when he wasn’t reflecting on how sooner or later the two would come to their senses and find an Imdiko they really wanted. They were wonderful men.

  Gelan swallowed a mouthful of food. As full as his plate had been only two minutes ago, he’d already made a sizeable dent in his first portion. He and Wynhod’s appetites were incredible, both for food and sex. Krijero had no complaints about the second of those needs.

  Before shoveling in any more food, Gelan asked Krijero, “Did you put in for your vacation?”

  The Imdiko nodded. “Oh right. It was approved. It’s your turn to pick the destination, isn’t it?”

  Gelan smiled, and Krijero thought his expression looked a little forced. “We’re taking a very special trip to three different locations.”

  Krijero’s brows rose. “No kidding. What are we hunting for then?”

  “Parents.”

  Krijero knew he misunderstood the Dramok, and he snorted laughter over what it had sounded like. “Parents?” he said, ready to share in the joke of his faulty hearing.

  Gelan nodded. “You’re going to meet our parents and we’re going to meet yours. It’s past due.”

  Krijero’s laughter cut off. He stared at the Dramok as all the warm feelings he’d been enjoying bled away. “Why would we do that?”

  “Because we’re a group. We’ve been together, for the most part, for over a year now. It’s time.”

  Krijero’s posture stiffened. “I’m not joining your clan.”

  “I didn’t ask you to. I simply sai
d we’re visiting each other’s parents. Besides, it wouldn’t be right for you to join my clan anyway without our families getting to know us all.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  Krijero could see Gelan was serious. He really meant for them to meet each others’ families.

  It was too much. “I don’t want to.”

  “But you’ll do it. If you want to remain with Wynhod and me, you have no choice.”

  The Imdiko’s heart lurched. This was it. This was the final straw for Gelan and Wynhod. They had finally decided they were done.

  I can handle this. I knew this day was coming. So let’s do this with as much dignity as possible.

  Pretending his heart wasn’t shattering in a million pieces, Krijero said in a perfectly even tone, “I guess it’s time to end this once and for all then.”

  “No.”

  The Imdiko blinked. “No?”

  Wynhod growled, “Absolutely not. No more holding out on us. You will not disappear for weeks at a time. You’re going on this vacation and you’ll continue to allow us to court you.”

  Krijero slowly realized they weren’t dumping him after all. In fact, Gelan and Wynhod were going the opposite direction. They were pushing him again, which was almost as bad.

  His heart re-learned to beat again, but he scowled at the pair anyway. “You can’t make me continue to see you.”

  Gelan narrowed his eyes at Krijero. “Sure I can.” His expression grew thunderous, a look that made the psych go hot and cold all at once. “Don’t challenge me, Imdiko. I’m willing to let you join my clan in your own time … as long as you don’t do this disappearing bullshit I’ve been letting you get away with for the last few months. But if you try walking away, I’ll force the issue.”

  Krijero stared at the livid Dramok, stunned. Gelan was talking about finding a way to compel him to clan. He glanced at Wynhod and saw the same expression. But of course the two men were on the same page. They always were.

  He had to do something. He either had to make the final break right now or deal with the situation and do the stupid tour of parent clans. Or maybe Gelan was bluffing about forcing him to clan? Looking into that glare, Krijero didn’t think he was.

  The thought of walking away from Gelan and Wynhod for good, with no chance of ever making it right between them again, sickened Krijero. The idea of clanning with them and having them despise him later was just as bad.

  “I’m waiting, Imdiko.” Gelan’s voice came out as a warning rumble.

  Krijero needed more time to think, but he wasn’t going to get it. He could only stall for now until he figured out what to do.

  He blew out a breath. “Fine. I’ll meet your parents and you’ll meet mine. You should be brought up on charges of blackmail. Asshole.”

  Gelan’s expression eased. Wynhod’s did too, though he remained watchful, as if looking for the slightest sign that Krijero would get it in his head to jump up and run away. It was a tempting thought, running away. It would also be stupid. No one who wanted to keep his hide intact ran from an aggravated Nobek or an angry Dramok with a lot of Nobek tendencies.

  Gelan said, “No pouting, Imdiko. We’re going to have a nice evening, so take that frown off your face.”

  Krijero thought he had every right to look as grouchy as he felt. However, when Gelan got as domineering as he was right now, it was best to go along with him. Saddest of all, he liked how Gelan assumed control over him, like he really belonged to the man. Damn it, the two had him so screwed up in the head.

  Krijero forced his expression into acceptance of the situation. If he didn’t, he knew they’d make him pay later.

  * * * *

  Krijero’s stomach tied in knots as he let Gelan and Wynhod pull him into their sleeping room. They’d been strict and demanding all evening, insisting he finish his meal, enjoy the lemanthev concert they’d gone to, and have drinks afterwards. There had been no give to either of them. The moment Krijero tried to be withdrawn or angry, he got those telling warning looks that let him know to behave or else.

  He was sure they would be rough with him tonight. Or maybe punish him with some small humiliation for his attitude following the unwelcome news they would be meeting each others’ parent clans. While he couldn’t deny the anticipation that impending discipline always set off, making him semi-erect, he was also worried. Which was the point, of course.

  He thought that they’d bind him to the posts at the foot of the sleeping mat, but instead, they tugged him to the side of the bed. Then Gelan shocked him anew with the gentlest kiss Krijero had ever experienced. The Dramok drew him close, his tongue slipping into his mouth to carefully stroke Krijero’s. The Imdiko’s knees unhinged at the soft embrace, and the arms of both men, Wynhod behind him, held him up.

  Gelan smiled at him. “Having a rough night, Imdiko? It’s all right, you know.”

  Wynhod added, “We’ll take care of you. That’s what we want.”

  They undressed him, kissing and caressing everything they bared. Their hands were firm but kind. No swats. No rough handling. Krijero might have been one of Gelan’s fragile decorations that the Imdiko always skirted worriedly when he passed through the greeting room.

  Gelan and Wynhod laid him down on the bed. He tensed a little, expecting them to become their firmer, demanding selves. Instead, the two men continued to use tender touches, as soft as feathers on his skin.

  Gelan’s voice was low, soothing. “Relax, Krijero.”

  Wynhod added, “Just lay still. There’s nothing you need to do.”

  “Or worry about.”

  They were finishing each other’s thoughts, in perfect sync as usual. Unlike the Imdikos they had courted before him, Krijero felt comforted by them knowing being so entirely in tune with each other. Having them both on the same page where he was concerned took a lot of uncertainty out of the equation. If one man was happy with him, then so was the other. If he had to make up for something to Gelan, then he also needed to offer amends to Wynhod as well. They were united and Krijero never had to wonder where he stood with the pair.

  Right now, they were apparently determined to calm his concerns following the surprise of the vacation plans. Krijero realized they had been well aware he would be upset and were trying to make up for being controlling bastards. Damn it, they cared. It made his throat tight to know just how much he meant to them. Well, how much he meant for the moment anyway.

  Roughly calloused hands played all over his body, stroking and rubbing. Wynhod bit his thigh, sending euphoric toxin through Krijero’s veins, making him more aroused. Tongues licked, mouths kissed, teeth nipped, but it was all very gentle. When Krijero tried to touch back, to offer them the same pleasure they brought him, Gelan quietly ordered, “Lie still, Imdiko. Enjoy our attention. Don’t worry about us.”

  With Wynhod’s venom soaking in his brain, Krijero had no choice but to obey. He lay lax upon the sleeping mat, moaning as the other two continued to kiss and caress all over until his cocks curved tight towards his belly in eagerness.

  Gelan leaned close to deliver one of his body-melting kisses. His hand wrapped around Krijero’s primary dick at the base. As he delivered a languorous tasting to Krijero’s mouth, he stroked Krijero’s slick cock up to the tip in a firm grip. The Imdiko cried out in Gelan’s mouth, his ass coming up off the bed surface as delicious sensation licked its way through his loins.

  Gelan stroked again, down and back up. A heady surge poured heat into Krijero’s secondary prick. He balled up the bedding in his fists. Damn, it felt good to be handled this way. In the last year, his two lovers had learned exactly how to fondle him, what pressure he liked best, where to touch, everything. Krijero often thought they knew his body and its responses better than he did.

  Gelan released the kiss and his cock, much to the Imdiko’s dismay. Krijero made a plaintive sound at the retreating Dramok.

  “I’ve got you,” Wynhod whispered.

  The Nobek’s more primitive face
lowered down to Krijero’s, and he parted his lips for the coming kiss. Just as Wynhod’s tongue traced a wet path over his lips, the enforcer’s hand replaced Gelan’s on his cock. Krijero moaned and tried to jerk his hips forward, wanting to move in that wondrous tight grip. However, Gelan’s earlier command to keep still held his body down.

  It turned out he didn’t need to move. Wynhod’s hand worked up and down his length as he slid his tongue into Krijero’s mouth, seeking and tasting fully. The Imdiko stroked his tongue over Wynhod’s, enticing him to remain. Meanwhile, erotic heat billowed throughout his groin as the Nobek kept masturbating him.

  A slick touch traced gently around Krijero’s anus. He couldn’t contain the anticipatory shudder that traveled up his spine as Gelan’s thick fingers teased the puckered bud, sending extra thrills all through his body. As Wynhod continued to kiss him, Gelan’s warm mouth covered one of Krijero’s nipples, licking and sucking to bring electric excitement zapping straight down to his pricks.

  Two of Gelan’s fingers pressed on the Imdiko’s entrance. Krijero relaxed into the unspoken demand, opening to allow the invaders inside. Coated in Krijero’s juices, the fingers entered him easily.

  Gelan probed for the Imdiko’s cum spot, finding it almost right away. A blast of pure carnal need shot up Krijero’s spine, detonating in his skull and making him yell into Wynhod’s mouth. His cocks tightened and swelled. He was suddenly much more sensitive to the hand working him with long, quick strokes. Boiling ecstasy filled the second cock and shoved upward to threaten the primary. He was on the brink of spilling.

  Krijero shook his head, trying to free himself of Wynhod’s kiss to warn them. Apparently divining the issue, Gelan stopped teasing his nipple to whisper, “Easy, Krijero. Let it go. Come for us.”

  But they haven’t climaxed yet, the Imdiko’s mind whispered. However, his body had reached the point of no return. Eager warmth rose through his main cock, aided by Wynhod’s strong massaging grip. Gelan stroked the interior spot again.

  Everything in Krijero gut clenched hard, driving monstrous elation through his prick. Thick, hot ribbons of cum spurted out in an achingly gorgeous tide, coating his belly and chest. He howled in Wynhod’s mouth as the men’s touches demanded he empty himself for their pleasure.