The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three)) (40 page)

“L
isten, son, I need to speak with Elise.”

“When are you coming back home?” Sebastian asked.

“I believe we’ll be back tonight. Are you taking the phone to Elise?” Sergio asked.

“Yeah, here she is.”

Sergio could hear when Sebastian handed the telephone to Elise.

“Hi darling, by your son’s exhilarated reaction, I take it that everyone is safe and sound?” she asked concerned.

“Everything’s fine. No one was injured. Listen baby, we found another shape-shifter on the premises, a tiger. He’s about six or seven, bitten. No family, no Pride. What do you want to do?” Sergio asked, getting right to the point.

Elise thought for a few seconds.

“One minute,” she said and Sergio waited. “You can bring him home. We’ll see what we can do for him. I might be able to fine a tiger Pride that will take him. If not, then we will care for him. If we don’t, he will surely die if left alone.”

“Okay baby. We might be returning tonight. That’s if Darian makes it back before then. How are the little ones?” Sergio asked.

“Kicking,” Elise said with a chuckle. “And probably screaming.”

Sergio chuckled. “Tell them their Daddy misses them.”

“I will. They miss you, too. Natasha believes they’re going to be girls.”

“Are you kidding? Who’s the doctor? Those buns in your oven are charming and clever little lads, just like their old man,” Sergio teased.

“You mean prissy little girls, just like their mother?” Elise joked.

“No, I said what I meant. Although, I don’t really care what sex the babies are, I love them all the same. I’m just really happy that I got you knocked up,” Sergio said brazenly with a chuckle.

“Brute,” Elise giggled. “Wait a minute… you mentioned that you were hoping to make it back tonight if Darian returns in time. Where is he?” she asked, concerned.

“I don’t think it’s anything that you have to worry about, he just had to see his Master. Now, I love you and we’ll be home soon.

“Hurry home, we miss you.”

“See you then, baby.”

“Bye, sweetheart.”

Sergio clicked off his cell phone, putting it back into his pocket. He approached the boy, squatting down beside him. The boy looked at Sergio, his big round blue eyes widening slightly as he shoved another fork-full of hash browns into his mouth.

“What’s your name?” Sergio asked.

The boy swallowed then responded. “David Thomas.”

Sergio nodded. “Okay David, how do you feel about coming to live with us? You’re one of us, a shape-shifter and you’re alone, but you don’t have to be. We can protect you and take care of you. Does that sound like something you want to do?”

“You won’t send me away?” David asked, uncertain.

Sergio shook his head.

“What do you mean?” he asked, not sure what the child meant by
away.

“You won’t make me go to an orph-orph.”

“An orphanage?” Sergio said the word for the child, seeing that the boy couldn’t pronounce it.

“I don’t want to go there!” he shook his head repeatedly.

“No, we wouldn’t do a thing like that. If anything, we might be able to find a tiger Pride for you to live with, but we would never send you to an orphanage.”

“You’ll take care of me?” the child asked in a soft, tentative voice.

Sergio nodded. “As a matter of fact, I know someone who will scoop you up right away.” He chuckled to himself as he thought about Madeleine and her nurturing ways.

“Okay, I’ll go with you,” David said, feeling a little leery about going off with a stranger, but they had saved him, that much he remembered about the night before. And they were now feeding him, taking care of him and offering him a place to stay. Besides, he no longer wanted to live on the streets, eating out of garbage cans. Nor did he want to keep hiding from scary men who asked him to do nasty things. He felt a connection with them and decided to trust in them... he didn’t want to suffer anymore.

“Good. Eat up and get some rest if you’re still tired.” Sergio held his hand out towards him. “My name is Sergio Giovanni, and those people over there are my family and friends.”

He pointed to the others in the room then he proceeded to introduce them all to David.

“Hello,” David said after the introductions. Everyone smiled at him, some waved. David continued to eat his meal until his plate was empty. Then he laid down on the soft, white sofa, curling into a small ball. They watched his tiny body undulate with his breathing as he slept.

“Poor baby, he’s so frightened. There’s no telling the horrors he has had to endure,” Tatiana speculated, shaking her head. She sat down on the other sofa next to her husband.

Xander put his arms around her, bringing her closer to him, kissing her lightly on her temple.

“You are a beautiful woman and I would not be the man I am today if it were not for you,” he whispered softly into Tatiana’s ear.

She tilted her head, whispering into his ear. “Darling, I would like us to go back to Africa where we first met... and made love.” She darted the tip of her tongue, teasing the inner shell of his ear making him moan.

He gazed lovingly into her eyes. “That is a wonderful idea. We shall do just that.” He leaned forward, kissing her passionately.

“Ah this lovey-dovey shit is making me homesick,” Devin said with a playful pout.

“That’s right,
your
man is at home... sleeping the sleep of the undead,” Miranda teased.

“Your man is probably doing the same thing... oh wait, he’s probably cooking breakfast for everyone as we speak,” Devin retorted.

“He’s
not
my man,” Miranda protested, one eyebrow raised.

“Well okay, boyfriend, object of your affections, whatever. You and Daniel are
soooo
in love with each other,” Devin said with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

Sergio laughed. Miranda tossed him a heated expression.

“Don’t look at me like that. Besides, he’s right, it’s so obvious. When you don’t know he’s looking at you, he looks and when he doesn’t know you’re watching him, you are,” Sergio said.

“Daniel and I are just friends, we get along... that’s all,” Miranda protested in her defense as she tried not to blush.

“Look! She’s blushing. I knew it!” Devin exclaimed as he pointed at Miranda’s reddening visage.

“Get spayed,” she murmured with a roll of her eyes.

“Don’t you mean, ‘neutered’?” he corrected.

Miranda shook her head. “No, I was right the first time.”

Devin growled and hissed as he curled his fingers into claws mimicking a cat. “Meow! Hsssss! I’d better watch it, this one scratches back.” He tossed Miranda his boyish smile.

She looked at him, chuckled and rolled her eyes once more. “You’re lucky you’re adorable.”

“Adorable and cute,” Devin winked. “Besides, it’s written all over your face, what you feel for Daniel. You should just tell him.”

“Agreed,” Sergio added.

“Don’t you start, Sergio,” Miranda said.

“All I’m going to say is, if you like each other, say so already! Now I’m not going to say shit else on the subject,” Sergio said, his Italian accent thickening slightly.

Devin darted another glance at Tatiana and Xander.

“I’m so missing John right now,” he mumbled.

“Geez, pull yourself together.” Sergio looked at Devin, one eyebrow cocked.

Devin frowned. “I am together. I’m totally on top of things,” he said defensively, his chest extended outward.

Justin laughed from across the room. “On the bottom is more like it,” he stated under his breath while flashing a knowing glance at Devin.

Sergio chuckled but shook his head. “Arg! This conversation just took a turn for the worst.”

“What is it with you and homosexuals?” Adrian asked Sergio, genuinely curious. “I mean, you’re hot, but I seriously doubt every man on earth is pining for you.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. I don’t have anything against homosexuals. I just don’t want to hear about men together that way. I’m sorry,” Sergio replied as he stretched his long legs out in front of him.

“How is that not homophobia?” Justin asked.

“To be homophobic, I’d have to be afraid of gay people, or hate them, I don’t. It’s just when it goes sexual, I don’t want a mental image of two hairy, naked guys humping each other. Try not to hold it against me, I can’t help it… I’m all for the ladies,” Sergio explained.

“I won’t hold it against you.” Adrian shrugged. “I still think you have a touch of homophobia.”

“Well,” Sergio smiled mischievously as he held his hand up, his finger and thumb only a quarter inch apart. “ …maybe a little,” he confessed.

“I thought as much.” Adrian laughed as he approached Sergio, reaching down taking him into his arms, playfully attempting to kiss his cheek. Sergio squirmed out of his grip, sprinting across the room, laughing. The others in the room laughed at the high-spirited high-jinx.

“Don’t try that shit again!” Sergio warned, chuckling.

“Now who’s the pussy,” Devin teased.

“Hey you… hush it,” Sergio pointed at Devin who was laughing boisterously.

“Damn, you’re a jiggy bastard, aren’t you?” Adrian asked marveling at Sergio’s speed and agility.

“When I have to be,” Sergio replied giving Adrian a sideways glance.

“Relax, you’re not my type anyway,” Adrian said, chuckling.

He walked to a comfortable white chair, plopping down lazily. Sergio smiled as he returned to his seat.

“All right, enough of this tomfoolery,” Xander said, everyone with exception of his wife looked at Xander, perplexed. “What?”

Adrian smirked. “Dad, who on earth says ‘tomfoolery’ these days? What century are you in right now?”

“Adrian, be nice to your father… he
is
old
and
British,” Tatiana said, smiling devilishly.

Xander looked at his wife. “You are the one who is supposed to be on my side!” he smiled.

“Oh, I am… did you not hear me defending you?” She smiled coyly.

“Yes, my dear… and what a wonderful defense it was,” Xander said sarcastically then patted his wife lovingly on her thigh as she giggled.

“I’m just saying,” Adrian slouched in his chair getting more comfortable.

“To answer your question, son, I’m sure there are plenty of people that use that term frequently,” Xander said.

“Were they born in this century?” Warren asked, teasing Xander as well.

Xander looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “I knew that you and Adrian were going to ‘
gang’
up on me. It’s nice to see that you two have worked out your differences.”

“Yeah, we did.” Warren nodded.

“Don’t feel bad, Xander… Elise still says ‘shenanigans’,” Sergio chuckled. “I find the word funny and still appropriate based on people’s behavior. Just like this shit we just went though, that wasn’t anything
but
over-indulgent, rich people shenanigans.”

They all laughed as they couldn’t help but agree.

When the laughter died down, Justin felt it was the perfect moment to say something to Tatiana. He approached her, kneeling in front of her.

“I know I said this last night but I really want to thank you for saving my life, Matron.” He kissed the back of her hand.

“It was my duty and my honor.” She leaned forward, kissing him on his forehead. “And you are most welcomed.” Justin looked up at Tatiana, smiling before he returned to his seat.

“Man, I still can’t get over the fact that we met Darian’s Master!” Devin said, breaking the silence.

“You
know
! After seeing all that Darian could do, I had no idea that he even
had
a Master!” Justin said mimicking Devin’s excitement.

“His Master’s heart attack-inducing fine! I mean he’s the type of
hot
that makes you wanna slap your mama!” Devin said.

“Why would you want to do that?” Xander asked curious about the phrase.

“It’s an expression, that’s all. I was at the movies one time, and some chick said that about that hot actor Chad Pitt, and it was funny as hell, so I just started saying it,” Devin confessed.

“Ahh,” Xander sighed, still not understanding, “youth.”

“Not to mention, it’s such a mean thing to say. Shame on you, Devin,” Tatiana chastised.

“Hey! I didn’t think it up. You guys are making me feel bad,” Devin said, frowning.

“Good,” Warren smiled. “You should.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I now see the error of my evil ways and I don’t think I’ll be using that particular phrase in the future. Happy?” Devin looked at the others.

“That’s more to my liking,” Tatiana nodded.

“Okay, okay, okay,” Devin made an offhand gesture. “Well anyway, the man is gorgeous. I wonder how old he is.”