Only he hadn’t, but everyone seemed to be equally freaked out to ask why he didn’t.
Killian relaxed his hand and put the gun back in the case.“Tell the mayor I’ll consider the offer. “Michael heard the slow exhale each of the guys make and it was like they could breathe again.“Right, Sir. “the leader said.Sir.The man didn’t dare call Killian by his name anymore.That meant Killian accepted the gift and two of the guys put the case in the trunk of their car.Neither spoke or asked questions.What they’d just seen was most likely enough to give anyone a pause. Absolutely anyone, regardless of whether they were the cruelest criminals out there.Michael had learned two things.The mayor was also involved in whatever it was the gang was trading with.And the other one was- Killian was damn good at using weapons.****When Michael checked last time, his watch showed 3 am. He got to his apartment and sent a quick messageSomeone's in t.r.o.u.b.l.e
"Yes, " Garrey said, "He was with the Bureau. His father was killed and he had been in the CIA too."Richard's face didn't betray anything and Garrey went on."He was killed not long ago during a mission."He explained."Family?""Mother works as an accountant, two younger sisters in college.""Your best American boy, isn't he?"Richard said, a slight sting to his tone and Garrey preferred not to answer.In moments like those Garrey remembered where Killian had learned how to turn into the embodiment of indifference in seconds. Only the student had surpassed the teacher."Out for revenge?" Richard asked, "He gets thrown out of the Bureau for blaming them for his father death?""Yes. While almost killing a few people in the meantime."This time Richard laughed."He looks quite impatient," Garrey explained. "he broke that casino owner's hand when he was sent out to pick up the money that one time.""It's what you hired him for.""Yes,
Earlier Jesse had told Michael he needed to be in the main office where most of the gang members were hanging out.Typically for any of the groups, or mafia organizations anywhere all over the world, the gang had a perfectly neat business in front of the law, with legal offices, such as the one they usually gathered at.They could be laundering money, presenting it as any business out there, it could be anything- from a construction company to a car wash.In their case- it was some marketing agency, although neither of the guys around looked like they knew what the latest trends were.As for negotiating buying or selling- well, maybe they did know a thing or two.Jesse sat heavily on the sofa in the open space of the office and slumped against the back. He draped his hand over the backrest and Mike saw some letters, tattooed on the inside of his forearm. It was an obviously super old ink and Michael assumed Jesse must have gotten it when he was twelve, or something.
The strong stench of alcohol, cheap perfumes and cigarettes hit him the moment he stopped the car at the address they were given.It was still a late afternoon, but Mike was sure there were people in here who hadn't left the table since yesterday.As usual, the front was some Chinese or Indian restaurant, in their case it was a Chinese one- and on the outside it was a relatively busy place where people went to have a few more shots after everything else closed and didn't want to go home yet or straight back to their wives after work.On the inside and what was somewhere on the back- was the biggest illegal casino in London and of course -that was the place where most of the money from this business was laundered.It had been obvious Richard was laundering money, but now Michael was seeing it wasn't only with art and antiques. Casinos were less profitable sometimes, luckily- also more easier to deal with. It was one thing having to break the nose of a casino owner who
Michael searched their paling faces.And they were terrified. Twice more than what they'd been only a few seconds ago.All men -and women included -were reacting to whatever it was, only in different ways. But one emotion was common.The men were emitting hesitation, confusion, bordering fear, and despite all that-attraction and fascination.There was only one person Michael could ever think of who could inspire suicidal tendencies and a boner at the same time."Why the hell is he here?"Someone whispered and Michael knew Killian was somewhere behind him.He glanced at his boss and saw Killian leaning against the nearest wall, dressed entirely in black in a long-sleeved shirt and pants. His eyes were fixed on Michael, following every single move he was making and had seen everything.How long had he been there/And his expression was unreadable - as always.Most of the women got up and scattered, while some of the men tried to move a
The butler tipped his head at Michael as he saw him enter the main part of the house. Then it looked like the man recognised who Michael was so the man simply walked away, ignoring him.Perhaps Christopher was finally getting used to the idea he'd be seeing more from Michael, or it was obvious he didn't deserve the butler’s attention in the slightest.Michael hadn't seen Killian since the accident in the casino. Nowhere.Two of the maids passing by greeted him."Hi, Michael," the taller blond one smiled and he saw the colour climb on her face."Uhh, yeah," he managed, but they were already walking away. She glanced back at him over her shoulder and Michael wondered how she knew his name.He went down the corridor when he heard footsteps behind him.Michael didn't need to turn around to know it was Jesse."Mike, I was just wondering…"He turned around and Jesse gasped."Woah!,""What?"Michael ran his hand instinctively over his closely cut hair. H
Michael and Jesse had finished with the task Garrey gave them earlier and he was now drinking from the whisky glass he'd sneaked in the small garden, away from everyone.It was a semi- secluded area, not far from the Manor, and Michael found a small bench, that was hidden behind a tall, nicely trimmed rose bush.By now, most guests were already drunk, and he decided they wouldn’t need him urgently for anything.He sat on the bench and took a long swig from the glassThe whiskey was bitter, burning his throat, but at the same time it felt great.He remembered Jesse and the expression written all over his face…Jesse hadn't said a single word to him after he’d realized Killian was Michael’s mate.Michael had been way too obvious. It must have been that.But then again, he hadn’t really done anything to betray any emotion or anything that might suggest his wolf was crazy about one of the most dangerous men out there
“I'll never do anything that threatens you, or anyone from the group because of that. ““You already are doing it! ”Michael paused.“Why would you say that? ““Because…” Jesse’s eyes were still fixed in his with that burning anger from the beginning of their conversation n. “Because he fucks Richard. He is Richard’s most valuable asset. He. belongs. to. him. Do you know what might happen if Richard finds out, hm?”“I...I never thought about it. “Michael admitted, and it was the truth.He’d never gotten to think that far.“We are all dead.” Jesse pointed at Michael, “ Even Garrey, probably, for taking you in. Me, for not telling anyone, you for… I don’t know. Probably for existing. He’ll feed his pet dogs with our asses.“Michael was quiet and Jesse looked away.“And you didn’t even
Why I care, Richard thought. Because you know it, and this is the first time you've decided you needed a bodyguard. But he stopped himself before he said the words out loud. Instead, he said, trying to sound casual.“I just don’t understand how you suddenly decide you need one. ““Maybe because I don’t want my brains spilled all over the wall next time I have to go talk to your new friend- the mayor’s - pawns. ““If this bodyguard you are talking about is so efficient that you chose him over all of Garrey’s men, then why haven’t I seen you much with him lately? “Judging by the expression on Killian’s face, he had hit a nerve.“Maybe because he is constantly sent somewhere doing things I don’t know about. “ Killian fired back.“Ah…well…”Richard refilled their glasses.“It seems that one of Garrey’s men…ah, what was his name again, the junkie one with the strange hair…”Richard pretended to search for the name.“Jesse. “ Killian
Mike stared at the screen. But he didn’t spend too much time doing so, because the moment he realized what had just happened, he threw the phone away, not caring where it landed, and looked out of the window. Killian was actually downstairs, looking up at his room, smoking. He. was. there. Mike rested his elbows in the window rail and Killian looked up. His wolf jumped inside him, shouting all kinds of things, but Mike ignored it, because his mind was going crazy just fine on its own without the wolf. Killian was a dark figure in the middle of the road, just one of the many figures among the others passing by, despite the late hour, at the same time so different from them. Mike’s neighborhood was one of the worst, run down buildings and all kinds of scums and gangs were hanging in around there. Although the most dangerous ones out there were probably him and Killian . Killian was watching him, and Mike smiled at him. He pushed away from the window and grabbed his jack
“Right, “Garrey said, “now that we are all here, we will brief you on the latest changes, and if you have any questions, ask Clifford, he will give you the details on the weapon exchange and…” And Garrey began. He kept talking, the other guys were talking as well. Instructions, money, bullets…something about cases with jewels, something about… whatever. Mike’s head was somewhere else. At least it was still in the same room. His eyes and mind were fixed on his mate. Killian made a step, then another. He came to stand behind Garrey. His hair was wet at the tips which meant he’d probably taken a shower just now. Killian’s shirt smelled like expensive detergent and whatever the maids were doing the laundry with. He’d had coffee just before he came here. Maybe more than one coffee, in fact, judging by the way the sweet scent still clung to him… Mike followed the darker lines of the tiny shades under Killian’s eyes and he assumed Killian hadn’t slept much either. Then Kil
The phone kept ringing. It was probably ringing for the 15th time and until Mike eventually gave up trying to ignore it . He got up to pick it up. “Jesse, what’s up?” “Mike!!” “Yes?” “Are you crazy! I’ve been trying to call you since last night, what the Hell Happened?” “I just…” Mike searched the room for cigarettes. It was dark, and he had pulled the shabby curtains down. His head was pounding. His wolf was bitter too. They had arrived yesterday, and Killian and him hadn’t exchanged more than a few words, just like he’d expected during the flight. Then he’d driven Killian to the manor and he was back to his place. And he hadn’t slept since. Mike didn’t find his cigarettes,since he was anyway supposed to Not have them, but then his eyes landed on the two empty packs from last night, discarded on the table. He groaned. “Mike! Are. You. There??” “Yeah, yeah, I’m here. “ “So??” “So I tried to catch a quick nap before tonight, Garrey mentioned there will be somet
Michael wished he could say he wasn't thinking. Or that it had been his wolf dictating his actions and moving his body towards Killian’s. But he couldn’t. It was him and he had done it with the clear mind he was making a mistake. Maybe the biggest one he’d made so far. Or ever. Well, at least it was going to be his last. Because the mistakes we made with the clear mind they were a mistake were the most dangerous ones. He still did it. Mike’s hand cupped Killian’s head and he leaned in. He was taller, but he bent over Killian slowly, giving his mate time to do something, to stop him, or anything that showed he didn’t want this. When that didn’t happen, Mike closed the little distance they had between them. And he was kissing Killian. His lips touched Killian's only briefly. Everything in Mike woke up, all his nerves, all his senses were awake and it felt like someone had stripped his skin off and it was just his nerves, the real him, unprotected by flesh and skin ou
They reached the hotel much faster than Mike wanted to. They got out of the taxi, wished the driver a good night and headed towards the entrance, Mike walking a few feet behind Killian. As usual, the polite receptionist greeted them, then one of the bell boys came and asked about their check out time tomorrow. Killian and the staff exchanged a few greetings and niceties in French, neither of which Mike understood and they headed up. Everything was as per the usual, compared to the last few days they had spent here. Only, there was a small exception. And that was- Mike had almost kissed Killian, and not only had he done it, it had been outside. They got on the elevator, neither of them still not speaking. The bell boy pressed the desired floor, a few people got on with them, then they got off. There was more wishing of good nights and goodbyes until Killian and Mike headed towards their room. Everyone was so nice, and bubbly, while Mike simply wanted to get away from
“When you go there, wait for Francisco to get out of the VIP room, don’t do anything before that. “ “Right. “ “He is going to have his bodyguards in the VIP, got it? So wait for him to go to the bathroom or if he doesn’t, have one of the girls distract him and take him to the Red Room. ”“Yes, Sir. “ “Good. Don’t do it there. And I don’t want any more involvement from the Italians. That was enough trouble for now. “ Garrey looked between all of them. “Okay? “ “Yes.” “Yes, clear, Garrey. “ They all nodded. It was a pretty simple task. The words were pounding in his head, and it wasn’t only because he hadn’t blinked any sleep at all, unable to close his eyes for more than five minute. His wolf had tried to rip his flesh in pieces every two hours, and that hadn’t helped either. They were in Garrey's office, and they were given the new orders for the next task. And since Mike hadn’t come back yet, Jesse had to stay here all the time and listen to whatever details they were giv
Gean and Mike went out of the building together half an hour later, after they’d finished their discussion. Killian was leaning against the car, smoking. He looked somehow troubled, and Mike wanted to take him in his arms. Perhaps he had been worried about Gean’s decision, and it was ridiculous of Mike to think Killian might have been worried for him, but nevertheless Mike’s hands were shaking with the need to tell him that Gean had agreed, then grab him and kiss him deeply. But he couldn’t. So he kept walking. The moment they showed up, Killian stubbed his cigarette out, and nodded. “Hey, Gean. “ “Killian. “ They still shook hands, because as it had become clear earlier and when Mike and Gean were still inside, Mike had assured Gean Killian knew nothing about it. The two exchanged a few words and Gean shared his decision to help Killian. Killian looked at him, surprised, but didn’t ask anything. They spoke the way they usually did, as if nothing had happened and as
Killian was eyeing him, the surprise was written all over his handsome face. He was simply surprised. “I told you to trust me. “ Michael said , and it was with all the content. He was merely trying to conceal the smirk from showing on his face. Killian shook his head, but smiled too. They were standing opposite each other right in front of the place where Michael and Gean had met and finished the discussion just a few minutes ago. Just as promised, Killian had not interrupted them, or asked what they were doing or going to talk about. Killian had taken Mike to where Gean’s most business meetings and discussions were happening.
Edward wiped his hands and took a wet towel, coming out of the bathroom.“I know it may sound weird, but I was thinking that maybe we could…”He hesitated, but then he decided he could just go for it.Edward came into the room to see the bed he’d left Jesse only a few seconds ago was empty, the wind blowing inside the room and playing with the curtain, because the huge window was left open.****“You should totally be freaking out.“Jesse was running through the dark forest, stepping on all kinds of twigs and rocks. He was still far from the city, but at least he’d manage