The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (18 page)

“Come on, follow me,” Warren said to Matthew.

He walked off, but stopped and turned around when he noticed Matthew hadn’t followed him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked perplexed, then he realized that Matthew had never seen the mansion before. “Oh, that’s right, first time here.”

“Yeah, this place is beautiful, it’s amazing.” Matthew said, astonished. He looked at the artwork on the walls, and ran his fingertips over the intricate patterns of the wallpaper. “Did you grow up here?” he asked.

Warren nodded. “My room is upstairs. Look, Matt, I’ll give you the guided tour later, right now

”

“Yeah, you’re right, I’m sorry, let’s go,” Matthew interjected as he remembered the reason they were there.

Warren led the way and Matthew followed as they walked into the huge den. All eyes settled on them, Matthew grew nervous and stayed close to Wa
rren’s side.

“What did you discover?” Xander asked.

He was dressed in a tan long-sleeved, v-neck shirt and matching khakis. Tatiana, sat on the sofa next to Xander’s chair. Her eyes studied Matthew. It was her first time meeting him, she looked at him from head to toe, assessing him. She threw a glance over towards her husband and realized that he was doing the same thing very inconspicuously.

“You were right; Ryan and his partner are in on it. I believe we lucked up this time. Ryan received a phone call from a man who wanted to make arrangements to pick up the ‘package’. Ryan raised the price on him, which didn’t make the guy happy, but he agreed. They’re supposed to meet for the exchange in the old box factory on Jackson at ten o’clock tomorrow night,” Warren informed them.

“This is good news, we need to contact both Darian and Elise as they will need to know this as well,” Xander said thoughtfully.

Adrian rose from his chair suddenly and walked determinedly towards Warren. He leaned closer to him, his nostrils flared as he inhaled his scent.

“Adrian, let me explain,” Warren started.

“What’s to explain?” Adrian’s voice was laced with venom.

Matthew looked confused but cautious. Adrian walked over to him, circling him like a predator sizing up its prey. A low growl emanated from Adrian causing Matthew to stiffen.

“Adrian, back off of him, I’m serious!” Warren warned.

“You’re with me, Warren, not some fucking punk-ass human!” Adrian fumed.

“Not anymore, Adrian,” Warren said, instantly regretting the manner in how he was ending his relationship. But he was so enraged by Adrian’s behavior that the right words didn’t form in his head. It wasn’t his most tactful moment, there was no arguing that.

“Maybe I should wait outside,” Matthew suggested nervously.

“No, you don’t have to,” Warren replied.

“Naw, that’s a good idea, why don’t you wait outside.”

It was more of an order than a request. Adrian stepped up to Matthew once again, letting his aura rush over him. He looked at the others in the room, many of whom were looking in other directions, not wanting to be caught in the heat of the argument. Others, including Xander and Tatiana watched intensely.

“Come here!” Adrian said, grabbing hold of Warren’s arm and proceeded to drag him out of the den into the hallway but Warren wrenched his arm free from his grip.

“Don’t do that, Adrian. I don’t
belong
to you,” Warren warned, nostril flaring as he fought to control his own temper.

Adrian stormed out of the den and Warren followed.

Once in another room, away from inquisitive eyes, but not inquisitive ears, Adrian whirled around, furiously. “How could you bring him here anyway?” He looked at Warren, pure rage displayed on his face. “You disrespect me by bringing the
fucker
you cheated on me with here, to the very place where we live, parading your betrayal around our sanctuary!”

Warren winced at his Pack brother harsh words. “Adrian, I’m not trying to parade my ‘betrayal’ around you. I also wasn’t trying to disrespect you or my Pack. My coming here with Matthew wasn’t about hurting you. I was only trying to help Nicole and the others. Understand, it wasn’t about you at all.”

“So I guess the thought of me didn’t come to your mind when you were fucking him?” Adrian retorted.

“No, it did. Adrian please realize and accept that we just don’t make good lovers. We’re even more at odds as of late than we were six months ago. You had to have seen this coming?”

“Couples work things out. They just don’t go and fuck the next person their hot for.”

“Yeah, they sometimes do, when it’s time to start a new relationship and end an old one.”

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Warren,” Adrian said, stepping closer.

“We argue constantly about the most trivial shit! Not only that, but you’re too fucking controlling. Too possessive, I’ve told you this before

” Warren paused, taking a deep breath. “

Adrian, I love you. You know that I do but I needed something else in my life, and I wasn’t getting it with you,” he said as a matter of fact, but with concern still for Adrian’s feelings.

“What about
my
needs?” A
drian asked as he pointed a finger towards his own chest.

Warren shook his head. “You don’t need me, not like that.”

“You’re wrong, we’re supernaturals, Warren. The human in there… ,” Adrian pointed towards the closed door of the den. “ …He’s not of our world, he can’t understand what we are.”

“
You’re
wrong. Matthew’s more than meets the eye, he’s spe

”

Adrian snorted, interrupting Warren. “I swear I don’t want to hear that bullshit, either. If you even think about telling me he’s special, I swear I’m going to lose all of my reserve and whoop your ass.”

“Whatever Adrian,” Warren retorted, not fearing
Adrian’s threat, although he knew he couldn’t beat his best friend and now, ex-lover in a fight.

Adrian sighed deeply as he approached Warren, his hand encircling Warren’s waist, bringing him closer. “I need you, Warren, we’re good together. We belong together.”

Warren pulled away.

“Let’s be honest, Adrian, this whole relationship has been all about you,” he said, shaking his head. “Look, I’m not going to argue with you Adrian, especially not when everyone can hear us.”

“Why not? It’s not like it’s a fucki
ng secret. Everyone can smell him all over you,” Adrian growled.

“I didn’t want it to go down like this, but what is done is done. I love Matthew

”

“Oh my fucking God!” Adrian said then he threw his hands in the air. He walked away, only to turn and face
Warren again. “He’s a fucking human, what the fuck can he possibly offer you? You have to hold back on everything with him, he’s weak, useless. He can’t possibly satisfy you. This is a fucking joke!” Adrian yelled then he began to laugh. His laughter was a mixture of anger, humiliation and pain.

“Fuck you, Adrian! We’re through! Get over it!” Warren said angrily, finally losing his own temper.

Adrian began to pace back and forth before Warren, hands flexing curling into fists.

“I want his ass out of my fucking house,” he growled and stormed into the den walking towards Matthew.

Xander had risen from his chair and was approaching Adrian. He was quite accustomed to his son’s hot temper and didn’t want matters to get out of hand. Matthew stiffened when he saw how fast Adrian was approaching. Warren stepped in front of Matthew just as Xander reached for Adrian.

“Enough.” Xander said as he held onto his son’s arm. “We have more important things to worry about than this. Adrian step outside, get some fresh air, when you’ve calmed down, you may come back inside.”

Adrian’s cold sterling silver stare bored right through Matthew.

“I am calm,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I wasn’t asking,” Xander said sternly.

Adrian turned, looking at his father. The expression on Xander’s face let him know that he wasn’t going to get another option. He huffed before he snatched his arm away and walked out of the mansion, slamming the door behind himself.

Xander looked at Warren and Matthew and shook his head. “You know he’s right. Bringing him here without my permission is against my rules.” Warren started to protest, but he held up his hand to stop him. “I will let it go. We have more impertinent matters at hand. Come, walk with me.” He left the room.

Warren turned to Matthew. “Stay here, I’ll be back, don’t worry, you’ll be safe,” he said reassuringly. Matthew, trusting him, nodded and remained standing as Warren followed Xander.

“It was also very disrespectful to Adrian that you brought him here after sleeping with him, knowing full well that Adrian would smell his scent all over you,” Xander said once Warren caught up with him.

Warren lowered his head and nodded. “I know, this wasn’t my intentions. I never wanted to hurt Adrian, I love him.”

“I know that you do. I also knew that you two would not last long as lovers. I suppose you could say it was simply too much testosterone between the two of you,” Xander said with a hint of a smile.

“You could say that,” Warren agreed with a chuckle. “Xander, I love Matthew. I have loved him for years now, and I’ve held back because I didn’t want to be dishonorable to my Pack and because I didn’t want to put Matt in a relationship that would take a toll on him.”

“So why change your mind now?” Xander asked as if
he already knew the answer.

“I know that Matt is willing to go the distance and I no longer want to deny myself what I deserve. Does that make sense or does it sound selfish?” Warren asked concerned. He had always respected Xander’s opinion. Warren believed that Xander was the wisest man he’d ever known.

Xander looked at him, he couldn’t help smiling. He stopped walking and faced Warren.

“I care for you and your well-being. Matthew has proven himself to be a loyal and trustworthy person. I have no objection to the two of you being together. But know that you must be very careful with him, he is fragile, and he is human. It’s not selfish to want someone special in your life, but please end things with Adrian properly. I know that he can be quick tempered and may allow little room for subtleties, but he deserves a proper ending to your relationship,” he said. “I will not have the peace of this Pack, or my home, shattered because of this tactless blunder.”

Warren flinched slightly at the boldness of Xander’s words, but he understood him completely.

“I will, I’m sorry,” he promised.

Xander nodded and together they returned to the den. Matthew still stood silently against the wall and Warren joined him.

“Please forgive my rudeness, everyone. Let me introduced my friend here. This is Matthew Eric, my partner,” Warren said.

He began to introduce everyone to Matthew. After the introductions, Warren told Matthew that he needed to speak with Adrian. Matthew nodded and Warren walked outside. He found Adrian sitting in one of the wicker chairs on the back patio. He sat down on a bench.

“Adrian, I’m so sorry. I don’t want any anger or bitterness between us, we’ve been through too much together.” He was as sincere as he could be. Adrian remained silent as he stared into the forest in front of him. “Adrian, I was wrong to bring him here. I was wrong to sleep with him behind your back, I know that. I didn’t do it to hurt you, please believe that. You’re my Pack brother.”

“Just shut the fuck up, Warren,” Adrian said, annoyed. He looked at Warren finally. “I’m pissed off, okay? I feel wronged. But I’m not so easily broken that I would turn my back on my Pack brother. You’re closer to me than anyone else. I love you still, and I wanted us to be together, but obviously...” he trailed off, shaking his head.

The tone of his voice told Warren that he had not yet calmed down. He took several deep breaths then continued.

“If that
human
is who you want, then so be it. I won’t kill him if that’s what you’re afraid of. So you can go back inside and give me some space.”

Warren nodded, without saying another word he rose and walked back into the house. Xander was on the telephone speaking with Elise, telling her about the two S.U.I.T. officers. Next he called Darian’s home, leaving a message with Natasha to give the Master vampire when he rose for the evening. He invited both Elise and Darian to his home to discuss the matter further and both agreed.

“We have some time to spare while we wait for them to arrive,” Xander informed the others.

“We can’t do anything until tomorrow night. I hate all of this anticipation,” Tatiana said exasperatedly.

“I know sweetheart, I know,” Xander said softly as he comforted his wife, patting her hand lightly. “I suppose we can have dinner. I do not see any reason we should let our meal get cold. Matthew You are welcomed to join us.”

“I appreciate that, thank you,” Matthew said.

Warren led him into the dining room and he took a seat beside him as everyone else filled the room settling into their own chairs. They all dined, then moved back into the den to talk amongst themselves until they heard the doorbell.