Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154735 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 774(@200wpm)___ 619(@250wpm)___ 516(@300wpm)
When they finally parted, Eddie had to wipe his eyes. He wasn’t the only one.
“I shall treasure this always,” the male said as he held up the envelope. “I… it was most unexpected.”
“As I said, the King himself has a son,” Tohrment murmured.
The male nodded. And then gripped the heavy arm of the fighter in front of him. “And may I say that I am sorry for your loss.”
With that, they both composed themselves, the male returning to the far side of the desk to blot his face with a handkerchief, Tohrment looking up at the ceiling, around at the books, down at the floor, as he blinked fiercely. And as the Brothers receded back to where they had been in their lineup, there was this very guy-thing where everybody pulled-it-the-fuck-together.
This time, the head of the household sat down in his chair with control, and he reopened the envelope. Sliding out the contents, Eddie was interested to find that it was a pressed satin bow made up of a pair of red and black lengths, secured by a diamond cluster. The reverence with which the gift was handled was clear, and as he placed it on the blotter and stared, he shook his head.
“Most unexpected, indeed. And my shellan, who suffers so, will pin this unto her mourning dress.”
“Your mourning is the King’s, and he would have come himself, but the times are fraught.”
“Yes, indeed they are.”
Tohrment glanced back at the others. “And that is why, I am sorry to say, you and your remaining bloodline and all your staff must depart from these premises right now.”
The male looked up in alarm. And before he could ask, the Brother Vishous stepped up and took over. “We have reason to believe that the Omega’s son was in this neighborhood last evening. We’re not entirely sure how or why he was here, but his presence was irrefutable.”
Tohrment continued, “There is a very real possibility that he’s already aware of your home. He may have even been on your premises. We cannot urge you with any greater gravity to relocate right now. Further, we would request that you allow us to remain on-site.”
“The Omega? Here?”
“We think he might have followed the remains of your son,” Vishous said. As the male blanched, the Brother shook his head. “We can’t be sure, but it’s a logical inference. And what we don’t want happening is him showing up again, maybe even tonight, with slayers.”
“Please,” Tohrment said, “take your mate, whatever other family you have, and all the staff under this roof, and dematerialize immediately to your safe location.”
“N-n-n-now?” the male stammered.
“Don’t take a car, don’t take your things, just go,” Vishous echoed. “Now.”
With a shuddering breath, the male seemed unable to process anything. But then he fumbled his hand toward a phone that sat beside a brass lamp with a green glass shade.
Picking up the receiver, he punched three buttons and rose unsteadily to his feet. When he spoke, his voice was sharp. “We need to leave the house—don’t ask any questions. Tell your mistress I am coming the now. Get her ready—then find Marls, Twina, and the other maids and inform them we’re departing. I’ll gather Charle and the cooks, the chauffeurs, too. We’re leaving. Right now.”
When he went to end the call, the receiver clattered around its cradle so badly, Vishous stretched out an arm and was the one who put it back where it belonged.
Then his eyes bored into the male’s. “We want to stay here. In case they come—and we think they will eventually. If they do, there will be fighting. Do you understand? And though we’re not going to worry about what gets damaged if we engage, I will promise that we’ll fix whatever gets broken.”
The male blinked a couple of times.
And then his fine features darkened into pure vengeance. “I care not about this house or anything under my roof. Just kill the bastards. Kill them all.”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
The night passed very pleasurably indeed for Rahvyn, and ’twas not all exploits of a carnal nature—although much of it was. Lassiter and she very much enjoyed the bathing temple, and several romantic strolls. Further, his private quarters were so cozy that she felt instantly at ease, and the fountain outside of them was enchanting.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked her.
Standing in the marble courtyard, in front of a beautiful blooming fruit tree, she reached up and touched one of the branches. Then she looked over her shoulder. On the far side of the colonnade, the doors to his chamber were open and the messy bed with its white sheets and pillows made her flush.
A smile haunted her lips as she measured the zebra print on the walls. Pink and black. They had laughed that he had put things as such just to get a rise out of the Brother Vishous.