by K. C. Wells
I can’t imagine Anson not appropriating it once I was captured. Judging by its cleanliness and minimalist appearance, it seemed Dellan was correct. He made a mental note to inquire the following morning as to the whereabouts of his own possessions. Anson must have stowed them somewhere. He hoped.
Once they were inside with the door shut behind them, Horvan stripped off. “I don’t know about you two, but that shower has been calling me all night.”
“Want some company?” Dellan asked, removing his own clothing.
Rael snickered. “Oh, I’m not sure there’s room.” He tugged his sweater over his head and shoved his jeans down to his ankles. It wasn’t long before the three of them were standing beneath the jets, kissing and touching, moving their hands gently over soapy skin, washing away the last traces of their day.
As far as Dellan was concerned, it was bliss. No frantic fumblings, no sighs of lust, just the three of them connecting in sensual pleasure. As the water sluiced away, it took with it Dellan’s last remnants of tension, leaving in its place a newfound confidence.
“There’s something I’d like to put to you,” he said as he toweled his hair dry.
“Something you’ve kept locked away from us,” Horvan said with a smile. “I’ve had this feeling all day you’ve been preoccupied, but I put it down to the stress of coming back to Chicago and meeting with the police. But it’s not that, is it?”
“I’m glad you said that, because I was about to,” Rael added, tossing his towel onto the floor.
Dellan sat on the ottoman at the foot of the bed. “How attached are you to your homes? What I mean is, would it be too much of a wrench to give them up?”
Rael stilled. “You want us all to live here.”
“Got it in one.” He gazed at them earnestly. “There’s plenty of room here. And we can give ourselves more privacy by judicious planting. That way, if we want to shift, no one would see. There are five freaking acres, for God’s sake.”
Horvan peered at Rael. “Your thoughts?”
Rael shrugged. “My place is a rental. I only live there because of its proximity to the forest. It’s not like I’m attached to it.” He gazed thoughtfully at Horvan. “And you?”
Horvan stroked his chin. “I can give up the apartment. That’s rented. But the place in Indiana….” He sighed. “That’s all mine. And I love those forests. I know we’d have space here, but it wouldn’t be the same.”
Dellan was prepared for this. “Then how about a compromise? We live here, and once a month we go to your place. It’s not exactly far, right? We’d be a two-home family.”
When Horvan smiled, the light in his eyes unclenched Dellan’s stomach. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” Rael looked toward the window and shivered.
What is it? Dellan was instantly on the alert. What do you sense? Horvan raced toward the window and peered out into the darkness.
Rael sighed. Nothing. It’s just… he’s out there somewhere. He didn’t need to say who. And he’s going to find us, isn’t he? Maybe not tomorrow. It could even be a year from now, but he will come. And he won’t be alone.
Dellan got up and walked over to where Rael stood. “It would be easy to succumb to fear,” he said softly, “but you know what? I’m not going to do it. I refuse to live like that.” He leaned in and kissed Rael on the lips. “Besides, there are better ways to spend tonight than worrying about him.”
The hitch in Rael’s breathing as Dellan kissed his neck, then moved lower, was delightful.
“I think I’ve been very patient, don’t you?” Dellan whispered, brushing his lips against the fragrant skin of Rael’s neck. “But I don’t want to wait anymore.”
Rael shuddered and closed his eyes. “Then don’t.”
Horvan moved to stand behind Rael, and they closed in on him, Horvan planting a trail of kisses over his shoulder. Rael’s shivers multiplied as Horvan lifted him into his arms and carried him to the bed.
Dellan loved Rael’s wide-eyed stare as they climbed onto the bed, moving toward him with stealth. Rael licked his lips. “I… I feel like I’m being hunted.” Another shudder rippled through him as he lay on his back, slowly tugging on his already stiffening cock.
Dellan smiled. “Well, you do have something I want.”
“And what’s that?”
He grabbed Rael’s knees and pushed them roughly to his chest, before shoving a folded pillow under his ass. “This,” he said, spreading Rael’s asscheeks and homing in on that enticing pucker.
Rael held his legs and let out a low cry as Dellan warmed Rael’s hole with his tongue. “I’ve been waiting for that,” he croaked.
“And I’ve been waiting for this.” Horvan was at Rael’s side, leaning over to take Rael’s dick in his mouth.
The noises that spilled from Rael’s lips were music to Dellan’s ears. Dellan gazed at Horvan as he sucked Rael deep, his own cock hard. They kept up their sensual assault, driving Rael to the edge again and again but never over it, pausing occasionally to kiss him, pouring their urgent need into every intimate embrace.
Then they changed position, Dellan flipping Rael onto his belly and tugging his hips higher until Rael’s ass was in the air, before diving back to tongue-fuck his hole. Then it was his turn to groan as Horvan pulled Dellan’s cheeks apart, stretching him wide, readying him for Horvan’s tongue. The physical sensations mingled with the internal groans and cries of joy as their minds connected, the three of them locked into a circle of spiraling pleasure.
How they got from the bed to standing in front of the full-length mirror, Dellan had no idea. But it felt like time had been suspended as he guided his dick into position, ready to slide into Rael, Dellan’s gaze focused on Rael’s reflected eyes.
“Please,” Rael whispered. “I want you inside me.” His hands were flat to the mirror, his body bent over, his gaze locked on the three of them.
Dellan slid home, and their mingled cries added to the exquisite tightness that encased his shaft. Then he stilled as behind him, Horvan slowly pressed the head of his cock into Dellan’s body, inching his way in, finally making them one flesh.
This was home.
Dellan kept his gaze locked on their reflection. Sandwiched between Rael and Horvan, his fingers dug into Rael’s shoulders as he pistoned back and forth, shuttling between filling Rael to the hilt and impaling himself on Horvan’s thick shaft. The sight alone was enough to bring him perilously close.
Horvan gripped him around the waist, yanking him back, the sharp slap of flesh against flesh growing louder and more frequent as Dellan plowed into Rael, his hips in constant motion. And through it all, Dellan heard them in his head, felt every sensation that thrilled them, and shuddered with every pulse of exquisite rapture that spiked through their bodies.
Oh God, I love you both so much.
It was as if Dellan’s words unlocked the release they sought, and Horvan cried out as he filled Dellan with his load. Love you. Love you, my mates. The throb of Horvan’s dick within him forced a groan from his lips, and Dellan trembled as he shot hard inside Rael, not easing his grip on Rael’s shoulders.
Rael arched his back and cried out, his come spattering the mirror, his shaft jerking as he came hands-free. Dellan shook as his orgasm jolted through him, making his legs tremble, but he held on to Rael, conscious of Horvan’s cock still inside him, his hands still encircling Dellan’s waist. Horvan bent over and kissed down Dellan’s spine, their thoughts a nonsensical mix of sensual joy and fulfillment and internal murmurings of love.
They found their way back to the bed, where Horvan took the center, pulling them both to him, as if unwilling to let them go. I never dreamed it could be like this. He held them close as they exchanged kisses and caresses, unable to lie still, their bodies moving against one another in a gentle undulation.
Dellan clung to them, opening his mind to their thoughts, exulting in each touch and embrace, lost in a joy so fierce, it made his heart sing.
/> You saved me. Both of you.
Rael brought Dellan’s hand to his lips. And we are never going to let you go. You’re stuck with us, forever.
Dellan thought that sounded goddamn perfect.
DELLAN HAD no idea what time it was. Darkness pressed against the small dormer windows, and no light intruded into the room. Yet his heart raced.
Something is wrong. Then he realized what had awoken him. Horvan was sitting up in bed beside him.
“What’s wrong?” Dellan whispered.
Horvan reached over him to switch on the lamp, flooding the room with warm light, jerking Rael into wakefulness. Rael blinked in the sudden brightness. Then he was wide-awake, bolting upright in bed.
“You feel it too.” Dellan’s heart was still pounding.
Horvan threw back the covers. “I hear it. There’s someone downstairs.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
HORVAN WAS out of the room and racing down the stairs before his mates were even out of bed. As he passed the rooms on the second floor, the others emerged, hot on his heels. Horvan said nothing but ran down the last flight.
In the hallway, illuminated by the moonlight that flooded in through the open front door, was the hulking form of a large man, and he was fighting with a—
“Fuck, that’s a black leopard,” Roadkill shouted.
The man had his hands locked around the cat’s throat, doing his best to keep it—and its claws—away from his body.
“I’d appreciate a little help here, Horvan,” the guy gritted out.
What the fuck?
Horvan snapped on the lights, and the dueling pair stilled for a second. Then the leopard wrestled itself free of the guy’s hold and headed straight for Horvan.
There was no time to shift, and Horvan knew this was going to hurt. From behind him came twin roars, loud enough to rattle the chandelier. The leopard jerked its head toward the sound and froze, its fangs bared, as one very pissed-off lion and an equally enraged tiger crossed the floor toward it, moving slowly with menace, their hackles raised.
That was apparently more than enough for the leopard. It turned and fled through the open door.
The guy straightened, brushing hairs from his jacket. “You took your time.” He gazed with interest at the lion and tiger who were circling him. “Well, hello there. Pretty kitties.” When Rael and Dellan growled, he hastily pulled back his outstretched hand. “Er, Horvan? Wanna make with the introductions? And fast?”
Horvan expelled a breath. “Guys, it’s okay. This is Robert Johnson, affectionately known to us as Brick.” He pointed to his mates. “Brick, these are Rael and Dellan.”
“Hey, Brick.” Crank greeted him with a wave. “Long time no see. And to bring you up to speed, Rael is the lion and Dellan is the tiger. They’re shifters. Horvan is a bear shifter, and these two are his mates.” He grinned.
Rael shifted back into human form with all of his usual speed, and Dellan shimmered back a little more slowly. “I’ll go upstairs and grab us some clothes,” Rael said quickly before heading up the stairs.
Dellan stared at Brick, sniffed, and smiled. “Well, hello.”
Satisfied any fur-flying incidents had been averted, Horvan glared at Crank. “What the fuck? You don’t think you could’ve put a brake on your fucking mouth?”
Crank rolled his eyes. “Dude. He fought a leopard in Dellan’s hallway. Then a lion and a tiger came charging down the stairs. Please, tell me how you were planning on explaining that.” Next to Crank, Hashtag smirked.
Horvan arched his eyebrows. “Uh, I was about to say they’re my mates. Brick knows about me, you dumbass. He’s a polar bear shifter.”
“All right!” Crank clapped Hashtag on the arm. “See, now that is a real bear. Not like H’s teddy bear.”
Before Horvan could smack Crank upside the head, Roadkill sighed. “Hey, Brick. Not that we aren’t happy to see you, but what the hell are you doing here?”
“Horvan called me yesterday when you guys got here. Said this place was too big to secure with just you four, so he wanted to know if I could come and keep an eye on the perimeter.” Brick gave a smug smile. “Seems like he had the right idea. I was patrolling the grounds when I saw a guy at the front door. Figured he was up to no good. When no alarms or motion-sensing lights went off, I got my answer.” He arched his eyebrows. “Any idea what the little black kitty wanted here?”
Crank snorted. “I suppose next to you, a leopard is a little black kitty.”
Horvan ignored him. “No clue. Maybe he was here to clean up anything incriminating Anson might have left.” He glanced at Dellan, who waved his hand.
“It’s okay. You’re only stating what all of us are already thinking,” Dellan said quietly. He addressed Brick. “We were going to start going through Anson’s computer tomorrow.” He stifled a yawn.
Brick gave him a firm stare, before gazing around at the circle of men. “Okay. You lot go back to bed. I’m gonna do my thing and make sure the alarm system is functioning again, and I’ll see you in the morning. We can talk more then.” He gave Dellan a warm smile. “I am really freakin’ happy to meet you.” Rael appeared at the foot of the stairs, a pair of sweats in his hand, and Brick nodded to him before glancing at Horvan. “You had to have two mates, right?” He shook his head. “The rest of us don’t get so much as a sniff at a mate, and you get two.”
Horvan gave Brick a hug. “Thanks for getting here so quickly. Sorry I didn’t react fast enough when I saw you and the leopard, but I didn’t expect you to get here until tomorrow.”
“Hey, you called, I was in the neighborhood, I came.” Brick gave them all a stern glance. “Bed. Now. Because it sounds like you’ve got work to do in the morning. Someone sent that guy here on a mission, and you need to figure out what it was. Now, point me in the direction of a kitchen. I’ll sort myself out a coffee—then I’ll be back out there.” His eyes twinkled. “Gotta make sure you have no more surprise visitors.”
Roadkill patted Brick on the back. “Glad you’re here, dude. I’ll sleep soundly now in my nice, comfortable bed, knowing you’re out there in the cold wind.”
Brick gave him the finger. “Polar bear shifter, remember? The cold doesn’t bother me like it does you daisies.”
Horvan trudged back up the stairs, calling out good night as he and his mates left the boys on the second floor. By the time they were back in their room, the three of them curled up in that wide bed, he was more than ready to get some more sleep.
Brick was right. They had some figuring out to do.
“HEY, YOU okay?” Horvan bent down and kissed Dellan’s forehead. “That sigh sounded pretty huge.” He sat down beside Dellan on the couch. Rael was fixing lunch, Hashtag was working in the office on Anson’s computer, and Roadkill and Crank were conversing with Brick on the patio while they smoked.
Dellan threw the sheaf of papers he’d been reading onto the coffee table. “There’s nothing here. Well, nothing untoward.” He’d taken folders from the office filing cabinets and had spent the morning poring over them. “Nothing about the drug. Or any indication who that man is. Just what I’d expect to find, related to the company.” He glanced in the direction of the office. “I gave Hashtag some space. I know he works best when it’s quiet.”
Horvan had taken him some coffee. “He was fairly disgusted how quickly he cracked the password. Made noises about how lax Anson was when it came to security.” He chuckled. “He went quiet when he hit the encrypted files, though.”
“Does he think he can get into them?”
Horvan laughed. “To quote him, ‘This might take a while.’”
“What was the password, by the way?”
Horvan stilled. “Your name. And I find that intriguing.”
“Halle-fucking-lujah!”
They both gave a start at the loud cry. Horvan ran to the office, Dellan behind him.
Hashtag was staring at the monitor and grinning. “You ain’t better than me, you piece of shit.” He
looked up at them, his eyes shining. “I’m in. And you’d better believe there are a ton of files in here.” He started tapping the keys, his gaze locked on the screen. “How about we start with this one?” Hashtag glanced at Dellan, then dragged a chair across. He patted its seat. “I could use you here. You might know what to look for.”
Dellan sat beside him. Horvan stood behind Hashtag’s chair, peering at the screen.
Rael came in, carrying plates of sandwiches. “If Mohammed won’t come to the mountain… I figured getting you away from work was a nonstarter.” He put them on the desk. “Have you made headway?”
Hashtag groaned. “For Christ’s sake, I just got in. Gimme a sec, all right?”
Dellan pointed to the screen. “Open that one.” Hashtag clicked on it, revealing a spreadsheet. Dellan peered closely at it, his lips moving as he read silently.
“What is it?” Horvan’s scalp was prickling, and that was never a good sign.
“Shipments,” Dellan murmured. “A lot of shipments.”
“Of what?” Rael demanded.
Dellan sagged back into his chair. “A product I don’t recognize. There’s only a code for it, which is strange in itself. And another thing. There are figures dating back a year but only relating to the size of the shipment. No sales figures.” He shook his head. “It’s like… whatever this is, it’s either being shipped free of charge or he simply hasn’t recorded the figures.” Dellan looked up at Horvan. “Like it’s a secret.”
“Any idea where these shipments are going?” Hashtag asked.
Dellan shook his head. “The destinations aren’t in here. Just codes.”
“And what are you thinking?” Horvan had a feeling he already knew the answer.
Dellan sighed. “That this is the drug they used on me. Anson was producing it and sending it out. But to whom? And why in such numbers?”