“Gabriel.” Ashby’s voice was shaky. Gabriel crossed the room and pulled Ashby into his arms.
“I thought I lost you, I thought they had taken you from me. I felt the bond break,” he whispered to Ashby.
“Not without a whole lot of kicking and screaming.” Ashby held on tight and buried his face in Gabriel’s shoulder.
“I hear you have been taking care of things while I’ve been recovering.” Gabriel lifted his face and his eyes immediately fell on the marks on Ashby’s neck. Pain filled his face. Ashby shook his head.
“I’m OK, I’d do it again in a heartbeat to get you back.” Ashby cupped Gabriel’s face. Gabriel took his hand and kissed the center of his palm before turning to the desk and pressed the middle button on the intercom.
“Hey, Ashby, what’s up now?” David asked.
“It’s not Ashby,” Gabriel said, wrapping an arm around Ashby’s waist, turning them to face Rhys and Roman.
“Prince Gabriel! Thank fuck you’re OK!” Daniel screamed into the intercom causing Ashby to wince.
“I have another fun project for you,” he said, giving Ashby a wink.
“Seriously? A fun project?” Daniel asked breathless.
“I want you to hack into that ABA owner’s life. Dig until you find the dirt I know is there and I want you to make his life go nuclear,” Gabriel said his voice taking on a hard edge.
“Fuckin' A, what did this guy do?” David asked.
“He hurt members of this coven,” Ashby said, watching the tears drop down Rhys’s cheeks.
“Initiating program Seek and Destroy,” David said in a serious tone.
“We’ll keep you posted. Consider this guy toast,” Daniel said before they heard the beep indicating the call was over.
Ashby looked back to Rhys. Mikhail had a hand on his shoulder to comfort the man.
“Rhys, why did you never bring this to my attention?” Gabriel asked. Rhys just stared at the floor.
“You’re not the most approachable man, my love. But don’t worry you have me now, we’ll work on it,” Ashby said, patting Gabriel’s arm.
“My coven doesn’t trust me?” he asked sounding hurt.
“No! Prince Gabriel no! It’s just that we know that you deal with far more important issues that impact our entire race. We try to take care of these matters so you aren’t bothered,” Rhys explained, his face going pale.
“How can I hope to save my race when I can’t even protect my own coven?” Gabriel’s head fell back until he was staring at the ceiling. Ashby wacked Gabriel on the chest to everyone’s surprise.
“For starters you can stop trying to take care of everything. Do you hear yourself? You’re trying to manage an entire race, a coven and multiple businesses. I don’t care how old you are, that’s just impossible. Start letting your coven support you more. Turn over all regional coven meetings to Roman. He can handle more than being your personal assistant. Have Daniel and David create an online feedback forum so that coven members across the globe can reach out to you. Have them create a program that filters for keywords that would indicate an urgent matter. They can also create a program that can correlate all the missing shifter information that you have and spit out next victim possibilities or how they are all related. Reach out to Arkadia for assistance. Rebecca Arkadion is a literal genius. She can probably give you fresh perspectives since she isn’t biased one way or another despite being mated to Aleks, and I can help with the coven.” Ashby finished up his minirant, breathlessly making eye contact with the men in the room. Roman scowled, Rhys looked nervous, Mikhail’s lips were twitching, and Gabriel stared down at him a look of pure shock on his face.
“It’s what I would do.” Ashby stared down at the desk wondering if he had gone too far. He looked up and was about to apologize when Gabriel laid a finger on his lips.
“Roman, you’re in charge of all intercoven relations including the organization and running of the covens on a regional, national and global scale.” Roman started to sputter, unable to form complete sentences.
“I know you prefer to stay in the background, but Ashby is right, I’ve held you back long enough.” Roman dropped his head to his desk and repeatedly began to pound his head against the shiny wood. Gabriel reached down and pressed the intercom button for the twins.
“David, Daniel, I need you to create an online program that will allow me to manage and communicate with coven members around the world. I also want you to work with Mikhail while he’s here to compile the information that we have gathered concerning the drug ring and murders and see if there are any patterns.” Gabriel smiled down at Ashby, who was staring back at him with wide eyes.
“Will Mikhail try to kill us…again?” Daniel asked timorously. Gabriel looked up and raised an eyebrow at his old friend. Mikhail sighed.
“I’ll try not to,” he said flatly.
“You’ll be fine,” Gabriel said as he released the button. He removed his finger from Ashby’s lips.
“Ashby, would you please assist me in the running of this coven?” he asked. Ashby could only nod.
“Even if that means moving here?” Gabriel asked, and he could see the uncertainty creep into Ashby’s eyes.
“We’ll figure something out,” Ashby said hesitantly.
“Gabriel, since it’s the first day for you to be on your feet, might I suggest you and Ashby go lie down and take a nap? Both of you have been through a lot in the past couple days. I think Roman might want to have his breakdown in private,” Baptista said from the doorway, jerking his head toward Roman who was still pounding his head on his desk and muttering.
“Excellent idea,” Gabriel said, taking Ashby’s hand.
“Ready for a nap, mon ange?” Gabriel asked.
“With you? Always.” Gabriel wrapped his arm around Ashby’s waist as they walked toward the door.
“Rhys, can I ask that you also take on a new responsibility? Could you help me to identify problems that our coven members may be reluctant to share with me? Possibly act as a liaison?”
“If you think I could help, then I will do whatever you need.”
“Do you need me to do anything?” Mikhail asked dryly.
“Yeah, don’t kill the twins.”
* * * *
“Are you not happy here?” Gabriel asked after he closed the door to their apartment.
“I love it here! Everyone has been wonderful…it’s just…it’s not home to me. I miss my apartment, my shop and my friends,” Ashby said, sitting down on the black leather couch. Gabriel walked over and sat next to him, pulling him close.
“We can have your things shipped here, maybe it would feel more like home if you were surrounded by your own things,” Gabriel suggested. Ashby looked around at the immaculate, museum-like apartment and shook his head.
“My things wouldn’t look right here. Some of my things are silly.”
“We can completely redecorate the apartment, gut it and design it anyway you would like,” Gabriel offered.
“What about my shop?” Ashby asked quietly.
“Do you know anyone in Arkadia that you could leave the day-to-day management to?” Gabriel asked.
“It wouldn’t be the same. I stock things a certain way and I have customers that I see every day. Mojo only trusts me to make his banana splits. I also do birthday parties at the shop, they are important to me.” Ashby rubbed his face against Gabriel’s chest.
“Mon ange ,it sounds like you don’t want to live here with me, it is as if you have already made up your mind.” Ashby looked up to see the hopelessness in Gabriel’s eyes.
“What if you could live in Arkadia?” Ashby asked turning on the sofa until he sat on his knees facing Gabriel.
“That is impossible. The protective perimeter keeps any vampire from entering Arkadia. It’s been that way from the beginning and with good reason,” Gabriel explained.
“Rebecca is proposing that you and the coven be allowed in Arkadia. She said she would discuss it
with the other town leaders,” Ashby said excitedly.
“Rebecca must love you very much.” Gabriel took one of Ashby’s hands.
“I’d like to think that she does, I love her. She said that we are the family that we chose for ourselves.” Ashby bounced slightly on his knees.
“I would not get my hopes up if I were you, angel, not even Rebecca can make changes that affect the entire town without the support of others.” Gabriel watched his bouncing mate with an amused smile on his face. His angel seemed to be overflowing with life and he wanted to keep it that way.
“Angel, I want you to go back to Arkadia until the ones responsible for these attacks have been taken care of,” Gabriel said, pulling Ashby into his lap and wrapping his legs around his waist.
“But we don’t have any idea of how long that will take. Don’t you want me here? I was going to help with the coven remember.” Ashby’s eyes brimmed with tears. The sight of Ashby’s pain nearly destroyed Gabriel’s resolve to keep his angel safe, and right now the safest place for him was Arkadia.
“I want you with me at all times. Never doubt that. I’m jealous of the time I lose with you when we sleep. But I am willing to sacrifice the time with you to ensure your safety, and with the changes you suggested I should have a much easier time taking care of things until your return.” Gabriel pulled Ashby close as his little fox burrowed into his chest whimpering.
“But I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too, mon ange, but I want you safe, no I need you to be safe.” Gabriel kissed the top of Ashby’s head, inhaling his scent from the cloud of blond curls.
“I need…” Ashby whispered and began to grind his body into Gabriel’s hardening prick.
“I will always provide for you, my angel. Always,” Gabriel said, and with his claws ripped apart Ashby’s pants. He pulled back from Ashby to reach the fasteners to his slacks. Ashby immediately reached between them and began to stoke his hard length.
“Bite me, take what you need from me and pound this thick cock into my hole so that can feel you deep inside me when I’m alone in Arkadia.” Ashby panted. Gabriel’s head fell back as the image his angel painted scorched him from the inside.
“Are you sure? I hurt you.” Gabriel hesitated and Ashby shook his head, sending his curls flying.
“I need this, I have to give you what you need so that you’ll be strong when I’m gone. I’m not afraid.” Ashby leaned forward and deliberately bit down on the meaty flesh connecting Gabriel’s neck to his shoulder. Gabriel moaned deep in his throat and retracted his claws. He reached into his slacks pocket and pulled out a small tube of slick. Ashby raised an eyebrow.
“That sure of yourself?” he asked jokingly. Gabriel shook his head.
“That hopeful.” He slicked up two fingers and eased them into his mate’s tight passage. Ashby sat back on his fingers then raised up, fucking himself on Gabriel’s hand. Gabriel watched mesmerized as his angel looked down at him with lust in his eyes, tempting him the way no devil could. He could feel his own desire filling him until he was harder than he had ever been before.
“This will be quick, mon ange. I’m not sure I can last long with you looking like every lustful fantasy I have ever had.” Gabriel breathed heavily. Ashby looked through his lashes at his mate and reached between their bodies to guide the heavy cock into his waiting hole. He rocked his body and pulled off the invading flesh before slamming back down, driving him home. He took what he wanted from his mate. When he felt himself getting close he tilted his neck and Gabriel leaned forward.
“Thank you,” he whispered and eased his fangs into Ashby’s neck, prolonging the pleasure of penetration. He grabbed Ashby’s hips before planting his feet on the floor and began to lift his mate’s body off his prick before snatching him close again, all the while pulling at his neck. Ashby cried out and came, shooting spurts of cum between them. Gabriel extracted his fangs and looked Ashby in the eye before leaning in for a kiss, never breaking eye contact. When he came he did so staring into Ashby’s eyes. Never had he experienced anything so intimate or soul searing. Ashby wrapped his arms around his neck and began to cry softly.
“I love you, my prince,” he whispered brokenly.
“I love you, too, my angel,” Gabriel said, memorizing every detail of his mate before he had to send him away.
Chapter 15
As Ashby, Emmett and Connor walked into the diner the next morning after the hour-long drive from Purgatory the conversations stopped. Ashby was glad he had driven his own car back so that the Arkadion brothers hadn’t seen him crying as they drove away. Ashby felt his cheeks heat in blush as everyone stared.
“Ashby!” He heard the scream only seconds before a small body plowed into him. Immediately the small body started bawling and it wouldn’t release the stranglehold it had around his neck. Incoherent words were sobbed into his shirt and the only thing he could do was make shushing motions and sounds.
“Rebecca, I’m fine. Everything is OK, you have to calm down,” Ashby said rubbing Rebecca’s back in an effort to get her to let go of him. In the background he heard the diner phone ring.
“She’s fine, Ashby’s home and she’s a death grip around him. Yes…yes…she’s fine. Go back to work Aleks,” Ashby heard Ma say.
“Ma, some help please,” he said, still trying to unwrap Rebecca’s arms.
“Now Rebecca let the boy breathe, he can’t fill you in on what’s been happening with you wrapped around his throat,” Ma said pulling Rebecca back and handing her a tissue.
“I’m sorry! It’s just…just…he could have died!” Rebecca started crying again. Rian and Kate walked up and steered Rebecca over to where they had been sitting and sat her down next to Damian, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders and cuddled her. Ashby opened his mouth to start his story when he heard the diner door slam open. There, standing in the doorway breathing hard was Nic. Ashby stood, feeling tears fill his eyes. Nic pushed a chair out of his way and grabbed Ashby into a hug. Just seeing Nic made him feel safe enough to let some of the emotions he had been holding back come to the surface. Between Nic and Rebecca he really felt like he had come home.
“Vampires…and attacks…and you were poisoned…and you locked yourself in the goddamn freezer!” Ashby could see fear in Nic’s face and leaned forward to place a brotherly kiss on his cheek.
“I’m perfectly fine now, really.” Ashby pulled Nic down to sit beside him, Nic refusing to let go of his hand.
“Long story short, the drug ring that is responsible for the missing shifters has targeted me to get Gabriel to back off on the investigation. Which really only proves how stupid they are, Gabriel won’t stop now until they are wiped off the planet. So to keep me safe Gabriel sent me home to Arkadia.”
“We’ve missed you so much Ashers!” Rebecca said with only a slight sniffle.
“Lord yes! The pride has acquired three hotties of the highest caliber. First there’s Talon. That man is huge, climbing gear required if you know what I mean…” Rian began.
“Rian…” Kate said.
“Then there’s Rex, be still my heart…” Rian clutched his chest.
“Rian!” Kate covered Rian’s mouth with her hand.
“Wha!” was Rian’s muffled reply. She removed her hand.
“They are sitting right there,” she said pointing to where all three lion shifters were staring at them from one table over. She gave a little wave and they waved back smiling.
“So?” he asked. Kate rolled her eyes. Talon grinned, whispered something to Rex and Kent before all three stood and pushed their table next to the table where Ashby sat with his friends.
“And who is this delicate morsel?” the largest of the three drawled in a deep southern twang, smiling down at Ashby.
“That is our mated best friend. Mated best friend Ashby, this is Talon. The guy next to him with the soulful brown eyes is Rex and the wholesome piece of eye candy is Kent.” Rian introduced the three lions to Ashby.
“Nice to meet you.” Ashby offered his hand. Talon took his hand and grinned down at the size difference, his hand nearly twice the size of Ashby’s.
“What are your plans for the day?” Rebecca asked, scooping up Sebastian from the floor. He immediately started purring before curling up in her lap resting his head on his front paws and going to sleep.
“I’m heading home to get a shower and change into some of my own clothes. I’ve been living out of the twins’ closet and they are a bit wilder than I am. Their names are David and Daniel. Daniel is the zanier one and David is the slightly more serious one. This is one of Daniel’s T-shirts,” Ashby said, pointing down to the T-shirt that proudly declared “One size fits all.” Rian burst out laughing.
“I’m stealing that T-shirt. You have to introduce me to these twins, they sound like a blast,” Rian said, eyeing the shirt.
“You guys would love them. They really took care of me at the club, I wish I could show them my shop. They hadn’t tried any human food since they were turned and absolutely fell in love with ice cream when I started having them try different things,” Ashby said, looking at Rebecca. She shook her head at his silent question.
“We’re still deliberating on that matter, Ash. We could arrange for Arkadian Night at Purgatory so we can meet your coven,” Rebecca said, playing with her straw wrapper. Ashby nodded.
“You’re mated to a vampire?” Talon asked, leaning back in his chair.
“Yes, I’m mated to Prince Gabriel,” Ashby said. Talon’s eyes grew wide and Kent sat up in his chair.
“Excuse our lack of formality, Your Highness, we weren’t aware of your station,” Kent said softly. Rex gulped.
“Your Highness? Who? Ashby?” Rian asked, looking from Ashby to Kent.
“Oh Ashers we didn’t greet you properly either,” Rebecca said. Kate smacked her forehead at the use of his nickname.
“I’m still getting used to the formalities, but you all are my family, I don’t really expect it from you.” Ashby felt flustered. It was second nature to hear it from the coven, but this was Rebecca for crying out loud.