My Boyfriend is a Monster (35 page)

“Yes his family,” the Raven said grabbing the beige folder and weighing it in his hand.

“I am told they are not to be trifled with,” the Crow said trying to imagine what was in the folder.

“With good reason,” Merrick said looking for his drink. “They have stood against every kind of Monster clan and organization at one time or another.” He found his glass and took a drink. “And they are all still alive. It isn’t because of their personality and negotiating ability I can assure you. You’ll find it all in there,” he said letting the Raven place it on the table and open it showing pictures of Nathan’s family and extended associates. “The Chakan half are all Rings and the other half are Elementals. Their family extends from their Ranch to every corner of the Planet. They are very connected and they are all extremely dangerous on their own. Together they are a fucking natural disaster with a mind of its own,” he said taking another sip. “In this scenario, it is best not to go running towards the tornado.”

“Agreed Mr. Merrick,” the Raven said then looked at his lover.

She was a little insulted at first but then nodded. “Agreed,” she said reluctantly.

“That being said, addressing the rumor of Nathan being of all Five Rings, well that is still being debated and like I said while you were gone,” Merrick said turning to the Crow. “I only know he is extremely powerful.”

“A challenge,” the Crow said with a grin.

The Raven looked at Merrick who did
not seem to be concerned with her comment. It gave him satisfaction that Merrick already trusted him to carry out the objective that was instructed. Catching a glimpse of the waitress he gave her a nod which she acknowledged and headed to the bar.

“Now, you will be heading to Chicago immediately I’m guessing?” Merrick asked.

“We were going to go by boat,” the Crow said disappointed.

“By boat,” Merrick said a little confused.

“We were going to take the Queen up the Mississippi to Davenport. Then cross the river to East Moline and just take 88 to Chicago,” the Raven said.

The Crow saw the urgency in Merrick’s eyes and decided the Mississippi could wait. “Maybe we can just drive straight to Chicago then when this job is over we’ll take the Great Lakes to Montreal.”

“Fabulous idea lover,” the Raven said agreeing. “Have you ever been to Montreal Mr. Merrick?”

“A couple of times,” he said taking a drink.

“Wonderful city,” the Raven touted.

“So Mr. Merrick, I can smell the Elemental dripping off you, may I ask what kind?” the Crow asked taking another drink of her martini.

“Water and Air my dear.”

“Hmm, being a Pirate, that would of made you a formable foe,” the Raven said raising his glass.

“It came in handy, that and a little bit of luck I suppose,” Merrick said raising his glass.

“Do not be
so modest Mr. Merrick,” she said taking a sip of her martini before raising it.

“Yes indeed. I’m sure cleverness played more of a role in sculpting your reputation,” he said tipping his glass forward.

“Yes, if only more had a bit more cleverness,” the Crow added.

“Here, here,” Merrick agreed enjoying their polite toast and
the stroking of his ego.

The waitress appeared with more drinks and set them on the table. “Gentlemen I hope this wasn’t too quick” she said.

“Not at all my dove,” the Raven said happily exchanging his empty glass for one that was full.

“Thank you,” Merrick said taking his.

“Not fast enough,” the Crow said then blurted out a laugh that caught on to the rest of the table.

The waitress laughed with them although she wasn’t exactly sure what the joke was. She wiped d
own what she could then took the empties and disappeared until the new ones became empty.

“And what will happen to this Nathan, eventually,” the Crow asked.

“Marcus has made it a top priority.”

“From what I
heard, for some time,” she said looking at Merrick who gave her a look that did not deny the statement.

“If Marcus Licinius Crassus wants him, then Marcus Licinius Crassus shall have him,” the Raven said with a smile. “When sun rises then falls, when one wakes then sleeps. Weary death drifts into town, and unsuspecting is touched while curtains fall. Realizing he has chased his days, down to zero. Only then does he know the sound of Death’s whisper,” the Raven said lost in the moment.

The Crow raises her glass. “Quoth the Raven,” she said with a dark smile.

The Raven raised his glass but did
not get a chance to speak.

“Nevermore,” Merrick said with his glass already raised.

The Crow looked concerned and waited for her lover to react. The Raven tipped his glass forward with a smile. This time they touched their rims and a clang echoed from it. The night went on and so did their stories of chases and escapes and battles on ground and at sea. Tonight they were friends, tonight they were story tellers.

CHAPTER 15

ONE: The Date

N
athan thought he was nervous when he went to Martin and Todd’s diner party slash theatre show. That could not even register how nervous he felt tonight. Attempting to walk across the street for a second time he now made a conscious effort to go with the flashing walk sign. Mere seconds ago he did not, resulting in him walking out in front of a cab and fighting off every instinct he had to leap over it. He relied on the drivers reflexes, which thankfully were as quick as his reflex to yell obscenities. Including the explanation that he was running behind schedule (Nathan did not point out that he was wasting even more time explaining this to him) and that Nathan’s lack of intelligence was going to get him killed, give or take a few F bombs. Nathan did apologize but realized this was insufficient since the cabbie gave Nathan the finger and reminded him he was a moron and drove off. Chased by other cabs that were honking their horns and giving both of them the finger.

Crossing the street this time without incident he stood in front of their building. He noticed his hands were a little clammy and a tiny bead
of sweat had formed just a little to the right, under his hair line. He wiped at it before it had a chance to race down his cheek. Taking a deep breath he calmed himself and felt no evidence of a repeat offender. Nathan could not actually remember the last time he had sweat. Almost, when his sisters walked into the store, but knowing he was going to get a beating was second to his excitement of seeing them. He could recall a few games of roof top tag where the game was pretty intense. Or whenever he and Louis pissed off Bo or all three of them pissed off Maggie, which was cause to get a little sweaty. But the last time he actually sweated over pure anxiety and fear was eluding him.

Deciding to prolong the agony he took the
stairs, like a normal person would. Getting heavier with each step he could feel it drape over him. Finally he reached the first floor. Actually getting to the first floor was an accomplishment all in itself. Everything inside him told him to run home and call and say he was sick or a parent died. “Not a parent,” he said to himself. He thought that when he eventually worked up the courage and did have a date with Lily, he would hope it would go well and lead to another, then another. Meaning eventually he would have to explain the sudden resurrection of a mother or father. Making the first introduction awkward and ultimately dangerous, for him, when his mother found out he killed one of them off. 

Now the thought of taking her to a family dinner with Louis, Bo, Serenity and, oh dear God Maggie, started to make his stomach churn. Churning faster at the thought of his Mother meeting her made his head and stomach feel overwhelmed. At least his Father could level the whole thing out, hopefully. Then suddenly he stopped.
Getting way to ahead of myself
, he thought.

“You can do this,” Nathan assured himself and began the next flight. Taking one step to start he took another then another. “Maybe she’s just as nervous as you,” he said and took a deep breath. Suddenly he realized he was gasping. Never losing his breath leaping around the city, building to building, he
realized he needed to settle himself down. Taking another deep breath Nathan tried to think of calming and soothing thoughts. Like just morphing in to his more Monstrous like state and pound on the door, drag her to the restaurant, growl when she didn’t laugh at his jokes and just basically force her to have a good time. Opening his eyes he came to the obvious conclusion. “That might freak her out,” he said and laughed. “Chances on a second date might be slim,” he laughed again. “And who the hell am I talking too?” Deciding this was silly he limbered himself up. “Idiot,” he said and suddenly became a blur as he raced up and around the stair cases. Faster than reading a sentence in a book he was at the top. Entering the hall way he walked to their door. Forcing the anxiety away with all his might he knocked. His new found confidence must have been all in his fist because it seemed to have disappeared with the final knock. Anxiety and fear found their way back like a geyser as his stomach felt like it was practicing for an Olympic event.

“Shit!” he exclaimed slamming his foot on the floor just as he noticed the door was already open. He wanted to act on every instinct that was telling him to run away screaming.

“You forget something?” Lily asked relieved to see that Nathan seemed to be as nervous as she was. This was perfect since she felt she already had to change again, it would make it the third time tonight. Her arm pits were designing sexy sweat circles on her shirts earlier. And nothing tells a man come hither like the seductive call of the underarm circle stains. Lily wasn’t sure if Nathan would be drawn to it like the alluring call of the sea sirens that sailors were warned about, so she changed.

“Sorry” Nathan said while hoping he could come up with something to explain the yelling and stomping, anything would do. Not being able to he just stood there looking pathetic since he was sure his vigorous thinking plastered all over his face resembled a man trying not to let out gas in front of a first date.

“Are you okay?” Lily asked looking him over and wondering that maybe he actually did have to go to the bathroom.

“I’m nervous,” Nathan blurted out and instantly felt a mountain fall off his shoulders.

Lily laughed. “Me too,” she said holding up her arms. “I had to change my shirt three times,” she said without thinking and lowered them quickly.
Did they already begin?
she wondered.

“Gross,” Nathan said with relief. It made him feel so much better.

“Oh my God,” Lily muffled mortified from behind her hand.

Nathan saw how devastated she was. “Don’t feel bad, I doubled that before I left,” he lied hoping that it made her feel better. “I mean, I was really nervous too.”

Suddenly Lily did not feel so nervous either. Instead she became shy noticing Nathan looking at her. She smiled and tilted slightly the other way.

Taking advantage of her humility
he gazed at her beauty. He noticed her hair to how her makeup was not overpowering. Instead it highlighted the perfection of her face. He noticed how her clothing gently draped over her curves in a way that accentuated her splendidly. It was enough to expose every contour, making them sexy but mysterious enough to invoke exploration of every inch. She looked radiant.

“Okay, I feel better,” she said noticing him looking at her. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome . . . you know, I can fix this nervous problem.”

“That would be an impressive feat,” Lily said letting a chuckle escape. “How?” she asked getting nervous again.

Letting all the anxiety and fear rush to his head until every sound around him became faint and distant. He let it pour into his eyes until everything started to become blurry. It reached every fingertip and every toe until his whole body went numb and every sense was dulled. Then becoming completely afraid and overwhelmed to the point of having nothing to lose he did it in one motion. Leaning towards her while never taking his eyes off of hers he slipped his arm behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back. Drawing her closer until their bodies were pressed against each other he could feel every beat of her heart. He felt her deep breath of anticipation as her hands grabbed his shoulder and back. Using him as an anchor to press her closer only fueled his eagerness. Brushing his lips slightly against hers they could both feel each other’s bodies get warmer. He gazed into her eyes as he brushed his fingers along her cheek. Realizing that he could not begin to comprehend how perfect she was he held her cheek with his finger. Closing his eyes Nathan kissed her ever so gently.