My Forever (14 page)

Kyle frowned. “Does your Queen condone this?”

“She is completely unaware of it. When the Mackaeo are sent to kill a Tsielen, they confiscate all of the criminal’s monetary possessions and give fifty per cent to the Queen. Last I heard they were giving an additional twenty per cent of what they gained from humans as well. They keep the rest to split amongst themselves and the Queen thinks they’re doing a better job taking care of criminals based on the increase in income.”

“I still don’t understand why we’re on the run.”

With a sigh, Lucas caressed his cheek. “A few Mackaeo have the ability to sense when others use their power. Because I used mine to find you, they’ll try to track me down and force me to join them. I was the only member in The Order with the ability to teleport and with my power they could probably double their revenues. It took me four years to shake them when I left. It shouldn’t take that long to lose them this time, though. I’ve been making preparations for this type of emergency for years.”

Kyle opened his mouth again but Lucas stayed his next question with a kiss. It was so full of longing and passion that he knew he’d been right. This big, intimidating, glorious specimen of a man—
Tsielen
—was scared of losing him. The thought aroused him more than any compliment Lucas had given him to date.

His cock swelled and he massaged it along a firm thigh. Lucas took it in hand and began stroking him in long, steady pulls. The kiss deepened and he moaned into the mouth devouring him. This was worth everything he’d gone through in life. The insufferable years of heartache, pain and isolation had all led him to this point, this man. His Master could be gentle and sweet, or exciting and rough. He loved it all. When his balls tightened and he teetered precariously on the brink of release, Lucas circled his thumb and forefinger just beneath the rim of the head and applied enough pressure to deny his orgasm.
 

“This is off-limits until I give you permission to come.” At Kyle’s whine, he increased the pressure.

“Yes, Sir,” he said breathlessly.

“Very good. Now let’s get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.” Lucas positioned him across his chest then was out in seconds.

The next few hours spent trying to follow his Master’s command and ignore his throbbing hard-on redefined the meaning of the word torture for him.

* * * *

Lucas cast another sidelong glance at his mate. Kyle had been distant and quiet for most of the day, his moods fluctuating between depressed and irritated, and now sullen. Considering the latest incident with Craig, it was understandable, but he didn’t know how much more he could take of his mate’s withdrawal.

He would always live with the shame and guilt of breaking his promise of safety. It was his burden to bear. Kyle, however, should not have to suffer for something he’d been powerless to prevent. Of course there was the option of professional help, though he hoped it didn’t come to that. As far as he knew, he was the only person Kyle had opened up to since his mom had died.

“Baby, nothing that happened was your fault. If you’re worried about Craig, I can send an anonymous call to the police and have a cruiser sent out to the cabin.”

Kyle gave him an incredulous look. “What? No! I hope that prick rots in hell. I hope he spends eternity kissing the devil’s ass and shovelling crap. I hope…”

“Okay, okay. I think I get the picture. Damn boy, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.”

“Low-life, rotten, slimy scum-sucking piece of…”

“And changing the subject. If that’s not what’s bothering you, what is?”

Thinning his lips, Kyle gazed out of the window. “Will we ever go back home?”

So that’s what this was about. Kyle was giving up everything he’d known to run with him. Granted there wasn’t much of a choice. If the Mackaeo found out Lucas had a mate, they would use Kyle to lure him out. Still, he hadn’t taken the time to realise how hard this must be for Kyle.

“No. I ported from there so they’ll find out it’s mine and seize it.”

“What about the store?”

“They’ll track that to me, too. They won’t be able to access my accounts but most likely they’ll try to sell it. I’ll set up arrangements for Amanda and the others to work for a few business associates I know if they want to.”

Kyle paused then said, “This is my fault. You have to leave your home, your business and friends, all because of me.”

He’d been wrong on both counts. Eventually he’d figure out his mate, but apparently it wouldn’t be today. “Sweetness, I took the risk of this happening long before I met you. It was very possible when I left the Mackaeo that I would have to run for the rest of my life. After I managed to hide myself, the only reason I bought the house and created my business was to stave off boredom. Eight hundred years of sitting on my ass and spending my wealth isn’t exactly appealing from my perspective. What I’ve lost is nothing compared to what I’ve gained. Do you understand?”

A shy smile lifted Kyle’s soft lips. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good, because I’d hate to have to restrict you from the playroom when we get there.”

“Get where?”

“One of my other houses.”

“It has a playroom?” Kyle bounced once then yelped.

“Down boy, and yes, there’s a playroom. I’ll give you a few days to heal then show you.”

The most adorable little pout played across Kyle’s face. “That’s just wrong. You tell me about it then make me wait?”

“Don’t worry. I have other plans for you.” An hour later they arrived at the house. Lucas had to pick up Kyle’s chin when they spotted it.

“
This
is yours?”

Lucas scanned the building and surrounding lawns. Everything seemed in order. “Yeah. I’ll have to talk to the lawn maintenance guy about cutting back some of the trees but I can’t see anything else wrong.”

“It looks like a castle. This is so awesome!” Kyle climbed out as soon as the car came to a halt and started exploring as fast as his bruised body would let him. Joining him, Lucas also took the time to admire the appeal of the house.

Large black rocks had been cut in half and sanded so that the flat sides lay flush with the outer brick walls and the rounded sides stuck out. Mortar held them in place along the entire outer surface, giving the appearance of a house made completely from stone. Two parapets towered ten feet above the roof on either side in the front and two more, slightly taller, stood up in the back. The windows were narrow and pointed at the top with cast iron frames and the front doors were thick enough to hinder a battering ram.

He had a penchant for gothic styles and this house had been too good to pass on. The interior had required a lot of reconstruction but looking at the place now, he didn’t regret a dime. When Kyle gasped as he bent over to get a closer view of the flowering vines, Lucas took his hand and led him to the doors.

“You can explore the grounds later. I need to make a phone call then apply more cream to your backside.” The doors slid open easily and he was no less impressed with the upkeep of the interior. He’d have to call the cleaning crew to cancel this week’s maintenance to afford them some privacy. All of the decorations and furniture were either gothic or antique, the only modern appliances being his computer and those occupying the kitchen.

At the claw foot sofa couch, he lay Kyle down and threw the quilt from the back over him. “I’ll grab the bags and be right in.”

“Did you bring the laptop?”

“Yes, it’ll be the first thing I bring in.” Lucas tucked him in and closed the doors on his way out. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he dialled Bastian.

“Whoever you are, you’ve got the wrong phone number.”

“Hello to you too, sunshine.”

“Deluc?”

“It’s me. I need a favour.”

Bastian growled into the phone. “Seriously? You’re gone for more than five years and call me out of the blue when I’m about to get laid? Damn, you’ve got some timing.”

With a smirk, he unloaded the trunk. It was good to know there were still constants in life. The sun coming up, seasons changing, and Bastian trying to get laid every chance he got. “Put your dick back in your pants.”

“Hold on, it’s gonna take me a while to get the beast back in there.”

Lucas rolled his eyes. In the background he could hear a woman’s shrill voice gradually rising, most likely with every excuse Bastian gave her. After the sound of a door slamming, the man came back on the phone.

“Great, thanks. Now what can my blue balls help you with?”

“Do you still have a few of the false identities and account numbers I left with you?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“Take the one of Jonathan Smith and buy a new car, something that can hold a lot of luggage. I’ll also need you to keep tabs on a liquor store I own in Ballwin, Missouri, under the name of Lucas Matthews. Check police records and the county clerk’s office for anyone that might enquire about repossessing the property. Next check the local hospital and morgue records for a Craig Morgan. If he’s dead, I’ll need the police file on him.”

“So I take it this isn’t a social visit?”

“I had to use my power so they’ll be on me again. We’ll be staying here for about a week then moving on.”

“Shit, man, what were you thinking? It took you four years to lose them last time.”

“I’m better prepared now.” He ignored the loud snort on the other end. “Buy some groceries, too. Make sure you get pancake mix, Texas bread and some fruit.”

“Anything else, your highness?”

“Nah, but I’ll think of something later.”

He hung up, smiling at Bastian’s string of epithets. There wasn’t a thing in the world they wouldn’t do for each other, but cock-blocking the man was tantamount to ripping a leg off…and he took joy in it every time. Picking up one of the bags and the laptop case, he brought them in to Kyle, advising him to only watch movies and not to contact anyone.

“No friends, remember?”

Lucas perched on the edge of the couch and ran his fingers through the man’s golden hair. “When this is over, I promise we’ll fix that. You can work on your diploma and start college. We can move anywhere you want.”

“I don’t want anywhere, I just want you.” The sincerity in his eyes echoed the honesty Lucas felt thrumming from the piece of Kyle’s soul inside him.

An unfamiliar ache clogged his throat and he tried to clear it without success. “I brought some DVDs,” he said, handing the case to his mate. “Take your pants off so I can put more medicine on you.”

“You don’t have to, Sir. I can do it.”

“No,” he snapped. At Kyle’s reactive flinch, he closed his eyes and silently berated himself. In truth, he hated having to apply the bruising cream twice a day. The proof of his failure marked in angry black and purple bruises cut him more effectively than any finely honed blade. During his career as an assassin, not a single innocent human or Tsielen had been harmed by his targets once he was assigned to take them out. And yet, he hadn’t been able to protect the one being that had come to mean the most to him.
  

Tightening the fist he kept on his self-contempt and guilt, Lucas focused on the feelings Kyle was emitting and to his relief there was no fear, only hurt. Not good by far, but an improvement. Opening his eyes, he saw that Kyle had his face tucked into his crossed arms.

“Look at me, baby.” Kyle complied with an ounce of trepidation. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that, but as your Dom it’s my job to take care of you, especially when this could have been prevented.” Stopping the young man’s protest with a finger, he said, “Don’t argue with your Master. Now show me your backside.”

The tension in Kyle’s muscles gradually faded as he spread the cream over his battered cheeks. The swelling had gone down but it would still be a few weeks at least before he could enjoy paddling and whipping the sweet ass…if ever. Kyle had shown enthusiasm over the prospect of making use of the playroom while they were here, but whether he would be able to handle being struck again, even in a sexual context, remained to be seen.
     
 

After screwing the cap back on, he draped the blanket over Kyle once more and set the laptop on the glass top coffee table nearby. “I’m going to bring in the rest of the luggage and make a few phone calls. There won’t be any food in the fridge until tomorrow so I was thinking about ordering pizza. Sound good?”

“Yes, Sir. Can we get Hawaiian and breadsticks?”

“Sure. Whatever you want.” As he moved to stand, a small hand on his held him back. “What is it, sweetness?”

“Are we moving here?”

Thankfully, he felt no blame or insecurity in Kyle’s emotions, only curiosity. “No, we have to keep moving for a bit to make sure we aren’t being followed.” Kyle nodded, seemingly unperturbed. Lucas moved but was again pulled back down.

“Are you going to call Amanda?”

“Yes, I was planning on it.”

“Can you tell her she was right, and that I said thank you?”

Lucas furrowed his brow but Kyle merely grinned and popped a movie into the laptop.

Chapter Eight

The next morning, Kyle awoke to a string of soft kisses along his jaw and neck. Sighing into them, he turned towards Lucas only to whine when the man moved out of his reach. He opened his eyes and saw that Lucas was fully dressed in his usual black attire with a jacket on.