The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (2 page)

They had agreed to let George Masterson handle the arrangement for the weapons. Stand
ing at six feet, with an athletic build. George was the third youngest in the group at thirty-five years old. He was also the manufacturer and distributor of KRS-19, UV-LG7 and SLN-22 weaponry exclusively designed for the renown S.U.I.T. organization.

However, the transaction was taking longer than expected, since they were having to work with a third party to cover their tracks. Unfortunately, it was their first time dealing with these new people and they were all growing impatient with how the arrangement was being handled. Especially Richard, he was a man that was very much used to getting exactly what he wanted, when he wanted it.

“I’m just making sure none of this can connect us,” George said in his defense.

“I want Brian to procure the weapons,” Richard demanded.

George’s brow furrowed in anger. “You don’t trust me to get the job done?”

“How can a cobra trust a rattlesnake?” Richard said with a smug smirk. “Have Brian report directly to me once he makes contact with your man. This is not a suggestion.”

“As you wish, but we should be receiving the shipment within the next three days, maybe sooner,” George said.

Richard huffed.

“Let’s hope that it will be sooner. We’ve already waited long enough as it is,” he complained.

“One more thing,” Governor Andrew Wallace began.

“And what's that?” Richard asked, eyebrows cocked.

“We need to make sure that none of this, and I mean none of this falls back on me. I can't risk being exposed.”

“You're not taking any more of a risk than the rest of us, Andrew. Why do you think I've gone through such annoyingly great lengths to make sure we have as much distance from us from our targets?” Richard waited for his response.

“I know, but it was some of my intel that got us our targets, I don't want to be linked to any of this,” Andrew said.

Richard huffed. “Were you exposed in Washington? Were you exposed in Colorado? How about in Miami?”

Andrew shook his head.

“No? So why the sudden paranoia now?” Richard asked, folding his arms across his chest.

“It's closer to home for me and I just want us to be careful, that's all,” Andrew said.

“Oh for crying out loud, if you don't have the balls to go through with this, Andrew, get out now. Otherwise, shut the hell up about it. Either you trust me or you don't. Which is it?” Richard glared at the man.

Andrew sighed. “I trust you.”

“Anybody else having reservations?” Richard asked the others.

They all shook their heads or remained silent.

“Good. Now if you would excuse me.” Richard turned and exited the room.

Chapter Two

N
atasha drove along the expressway, her favorite R&B song blasting through the six speakers of her sports car. Off key, she belted out the lyrics not caring how the other drivers perceived her. Although, the last time she sang along to her favorite song, Darian had winced, which immediately ceased her “diva wannabe” rendition. She was in a good mood and heading toward Darian’s mansion in the suburbs. She exited the expressway, turning onto the main road. After driving an additional fifteen minutes, she finally pulled in front of their mansion and climbed out of the car. She looked at her watch, the time was 8:32P.M. She looked up toward the sky. The sun was setting and the last remaining rays of light created a golden and ruby horizon. She gazed at the beautiful spectrum for a few moments, silently wishing she could share a moment like this with the two men in her life. She inhaled deeply enjoying the scent of the freshly mowed lawn and blossoming flowers, then walked towards the door. Before she could ring the three-chime doorbell, a tall, muscular man dressed in a pair of black jeans and t-shirt opened the door. She looked up at him, smiling.

“Hey Billy,” she greeted.

The man smiled as he stepped aside allowing her to enter.

“How are you doing, Natasha?” Billy asked in his baritone voice.

“I’m fine, is Darian up ... or anyone for that matter?” Natasha asked with a soft chuckle.

Billy smiled.

“Mr. Alexander should be awake soon, I’ll let him know you’re here.” He walked toward the stairs leading up to the next level.

Natasha looked around the beautiful living room, eyeing all of Darian’s artwork. Four months ago a band of Russian mafia goons had raided the mansion looking for documents that contained the names of important politicians. The intrusion of Darian’s home resulted in the death of his human servants. Not to mention, his mansion was left a complete wreck.

The mafia wanted to open a black market trade on supernatural blood and other bodily fluids, and they needed the influence of certain politicians in high places to successfully open the trade. All of whom were in Darian’s debt at the time. In order to manipulate the situation and get Darian out of the way, Natasha’s best friend, Annette Balfour, had been slain and Darian had been charged and arrested for her murder. He was to be executed within seven days for the crime. Natasha, Xavier and Elise had worked together along with members of Xander’s Pack, Darian’s coven and Elise’s Pride to save Darian and bring the true criminals to justice. It was also at that time when Natasha decided to accept both Darian and Xavier as her boyfriends. Elise had finally excepted Sergio as her mate and Devin and John had sparked some intimate feelings of their own. Of course, by now the two men were pretty hot and heavy and
very
serious.

Natasha sat on the comfortable leather sofa in the living room waiting for Darian to arrive, thinking to herself about her situation. She thought about Darian and Xavier, how different their personalities were, remembering the first time she met Darian. He had been most egotistical and cruel, but he had saved her life. At that time she didn’t think she would want anything to do with him, but he had courted her along with Xavier and she began to see another side of him. He had his arrogance, there was no doubt about that, but he was also caring, tender, loyal and patient.

He had to be patient. Natasha wouldn’t tolerate any man who wasn’t. She found herself wanting to explore this side of Darian; she wanted him to open up to her. Unlike Xavier, who accepted Darian as he was, Natasha wanted more from him. She wanted human compassion and she dated Darian in hopes that he would reveal his humanity. It had been eight months from the first night they had met and still she held off having any intimate unions with him. She wanted to make sure that any intimacy they shared would be both loving and sincere, as it was for her and Xavier. Natasha believed that the love she felt for Darian was equal to the love he felt for her. As she waited, her heart thumped frantically in her chest for them to awaken. Their company was always something she treasured and she was looking forward to the fall and winter months when the nights would be longer as would her time with them.

Fifteen minutes passed before Darian walked into the living room. He gazed at Natasha from behind and smiled as he wondered what she might be thinking. She was extremely intuitive and he knew that something had her in deep thought. He was tempted to read her thoughts, but he refrained from invading her mind. He knew that she didn’t like it, although she’d never know if he did pry. However, he respected her enough not to. The two shared a mental connection that was created the night he saved her life eight months ago. She had been mortally wounded and when he shared his blood to heal her, their connection was formed. As promised, he worked with her to help control her ever-increasing psychic and clairvoyant abilities. He had found her amazing, a woman of such natural beauty and poise with such an inner fire. Yet, she was humble and very ordinary in many ways. To Darian, her personality simply sparkled. Just being around her brought out something in him that was once buried.

Her personality and beauty weren’t the only things that he admired. He adored her petite frame. One of his favorite secret pleasures was looking down at her upturned face as they gazed at each other. He watched her sitting on the sofa so patiently and thought about the night they first met. She had come to him, pleading for his help in catching two supernatural killers. She was so forceful, angry and yet afraid. When he refused to help, she slapped him which took him completely by surprise.

He had never been slapped by any human… at least not since becoming a vampire. Those who had thought about doing so always changed their minds before making such a daring move. He wasn’t sure why he had allowed her to strike him. Perhaps he wanted to see if she would follow through. He got his answer. She intrigued him at first, much like a new fashion or technology. But the longer he courted her, the more he began to understand the kind of woman she was, and he began to love and respect her. It frustrated him that he had not shared her bed. This was a new experience for him. Never had he been denied the passions of another that he fancied. Nonetheless, he had grown to acknowledge and accept her beliefs and their relationship continued to evolve.

“Hello Natasha,” Darian greeted in his smooth, Greek-accented voice.

Natasha jumped, startled. She turned around, her eyes panned over his attire for the evening. She had never seen him dressed this way before. He wore a pair of gray flat-front pants and matching button-up shirt. His long, wavy, black hair was tied in a ponytail. He leaned against the door frame, hands tucked into his pockets. She looked into his gorgeous forest-green eyes and smiled.

“Hi Darian, you know I hate it when you sneak up on me, make a sound or something next time,” she said, rising from the sofa.

Darian chuckled as he began walking towards her.

“If I had made a sound, you would have still been startled,” he purred.

The sound of his smooth, seductive voice sent tingles over the surface of Natasha’s skin. She wondered if the sound of his voice had the same effect on Xavier, Darian’s lover and second-in-command. He stood in front of Natasha, taking her into his arms in a warm embrace. She enjoyed the warmth of his body. She also loved the scent of his expensive cologne. Darian was always the distinguished gentleman, so debonair.

“How was work?” he asked.

Natasha exhaled. “It was okay. My boss is still getting on my damn nerves.”

Darian chuckled. “I’ve told you, you can quit anytime you want. You do not need to work.”

“I know, I still love my job, I love what I do. Besides, I’m thinking about going freelance anyway.”

Darian looked down at her, both eyebrows raised. “Really? That sounds like a pretty good idea, less confined.”

Natasha nodded as he leaned downward kissing her lips softly. When he pulled away, she frowned.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, slightly confused by her expression.

“You’ve fed already,” Natasha said, noting the warmth of his skin.

“Are you disappointed? Did you want to watch?” he asked bluntly.

“No. I was just noticing you were warm.”

She blushed, hoping that she hadn’t given anything away, although she knew she had. It was a guilty pleasure of hers, something she wasn’t so sure she wanted to admit to him or to herself. Watching vampires feed was something that she found very arousing.

Darian smiled.

“You know, it’s all right if you enjoy watching vampires feed, the whole experience is very pleasurable. And to witness it is almost like voyeurism, nothing to be ashamed of,” he said reassuringly. “It’s a natural response if it stimulates you.”

Natasha protested. “No, that’s not it! Don’t be ridiculous! I just... I just… never mind.”

She looked away, knowing that Darian wasn’t the least bit fooled. No point in denying it, he was far too intuitive to fall for her little white lie.

Darian chuckled again then released her. He slid his hands over the smoothness of her shoulders as his eyes took in her entire appearance. He admired the way the sexy black halter top enveloped her ample breast. His gaze traveled down to her clingy black satin layered skirt and his lips curled up in a wolfish grin.

“You look completely ravishing. Honestly, there is nothing about you that I do not adore.”

He made Natasha blush and a familiar heat stirred between her legs. She felt the same about him in many ways, although she did believe that there were a few things that he
could
improve on... but that was about it.

“Oh hush, you’re just saying that,” she teased. “If it’s one thing you vampires seem to be good as is saying all the right stuff.”

“Saying is believing, my love,” he whispered into her ear, causing goose bumps to rise on her the surface of her skin. He pulled away and looked in the direction of the window. He walked towards it and stared at what remained of the horizon.

“I do miss the sun at times... but the night is so very beautiful to me,” he said softly, but loud enough for Natasha to hear. She walked over to him encircling her arms around his tapered well-toned waist. Rising to the tips of her toes, she kissed the nape of his neck. He smiled then turned around to face her, wrapping his arms around her.