Taming the Enforcer’s Flirt (11 page)

“May I help you, sir?” He asked, a bland smile on his face. “Do you have a reservation?”

“No, I’m meeting some people here.”

“Ah, of course, sir. This way.”

Except, the man didn’t lead him into the restaurant, but to the podium a few feet away. Already late, Einan frowned. “I’ll just look around the restaurant. They’re waiting for me.”

“That’s not permitted, sir,” the man replied quickly, his eyes widening, his expression incredulous. “What name is the party under?”

Einan realized he’d committed some faux pa, but couldn’t bring himself to care. It’d been three days since he’d seen his mate, and he was supposed to surprise him at this restaurant for a nice dinner. Gus and Tible had helped him arrange everything. They were bringing Cornelius, saying it was in congratulations for doing so well on his first test, then Einan would crash the party, and the pair would leave them to it.

Easy-peazy. Except this human wanted a name. Since Gus had arranged it, Einan said, “Look under Gus.”

The man shook his head, not even bothering to look. “I’m sorry. No party by that name is here this evening.”

Einan’s frustrated growl made the human pale a bit, his lips thinning with the strain of holding his fairly pleasant façade. A thought struck Einan. “What about Gustav Hermance?” he asked, giving the guy the rhino shifter’s full name.

Recognition lit the human’s expression and this time he looked at whatever paperwork he had on his podium. His brows creased. He glanced up at Einan then back down again. “I’m very sorry, sir, but Mister Hermance’s reservation is only for two.”

“What? Where is he?” Why the hell did he change it? Where was Cornelius?

He started looking around again. Taking a step sideways, he peered into the dining room. Just when he spotted the back of Gus’s bald head, the human stepped into his line of sight. “Please, sir. I’d be happy to seat you. I just need a few minutes to have a table prepared.”

Einan glanced toward the man and saw how pale he looked. He took a deep breath and stepped back once. He often forgot how intimidating he could look…even while in human form. He shoved his hands in his pocket, remembering hearing that looked unintimidating, and shook his head.

“I just need a moment of their time. I need to know why they changed plans.” Feeling the plastic in his pocket, he pulled out his phone and smiled, trying to appear disarming. “I could just call them over.”

“W-well, um…” the young man sputtered. He glanced toward where Tible and Gus sat, clearly uncertain what to do.

Just then, Tible glanced up and peered over Gus’s shoulder…directly at him. The gargoyle in human skin’s brows creased. He cocked his head. Then, he reached over and tapped Gus’s wrist as he drew his mate’s attention toward Einan.

Good. Now he’d get some answers.

Gus turned and looked his way, his brows lifting in surprise. Frowning, the massive shifter beckoned him over.

Einan grinned in triumph, although all he felt was confusion and frustration. “See. Five minutes.”

Beads of sweat dripped down the human’s face as he nodded. “Of course. Let me have someone get you a chair.”

Einan didn’t want to. He wanted to storm across the room and demand to know what the fuck had happened and where the hell was Cornelius? Instead, he nodded curtly and waited several minutes while the dude behind the podium told a server to get a chair.

After probably about three minutes, the guy finally motioned Einan forward and led the way to Gus and Tible’s table. By the time he arrived, the pair were staring at him, but looking extremely confused.

Even as Einan sat, Gus asked, “What are you doing here? I thought you were with Cornelius.”

“What?” Einan rested his elbows on the table and glanced between the pair of men. “What are you talking about? We made plans to meet for dinner. Where the hell is Cornelius? What happened?”

While Tible’s jaw sagged open, Gus paled, which was actually impressive since the big bald shifter was pretty fair to begin with. Except, their reactions didn’t bode well for whatever news they’d give him.

“I don’t understand,” Gus murmured. “Cornelius called earlier and said he couldn’t make it.”

“Well, why not? Why didn’t you call me?”

Gus flushed, a soft red hue creeping up his cheeks.

“What?” he snarled, although he did manage to modulate his voice. He really didn’t think drawing attention would be a good idea.

“He, uh, well…” Gus glanced between him and Tible before blurting, “He sounded out of breath. I thought you’d decided not to wait and had, um…” The flush darkened. “Well, he was out of breath and then he squeaked and said he had to go. Then, the line went dead. I thought you’d grabbed him.” He finished his words on a mumble.

Einan never would have figured the big man to be shy, but…yeah, he was. Then, the shifter’s words registered. “Out of breath? What?” Surely there were other reasons his mate would be out of breath than, well,
that
. “What exactly did he say?”

“Uh, that he couldn’t make it,” Gus muttered.

“That’s it? We plan this whole thing and you don’t even get clarification?”

From the looks he was getting from nearby diners, Einan knew he needed to keep his voice down. He was just having trouble doing it.

Gus scowled. “Hey. I thought he was with you. I thought you were the one who couldn’t wait.”

“Fuck,” Einan snarled, rising from his chair. “I gotta track him down. I’ll see you all later.”

Einan was halfway across the floor when he realized the two men were following him. He ignored them. His one goal was figuring out what had happened to his mate. He waved a hand at whoever stood behind the podium, but Tible actually stopped to speak a few words.

After Einan turned in his ticket, the valet retrieved his car in record time. He hopped into his SUV and sped out of town.

As he drove, Einan called ahead to Raymond. When the gargoyle picked up he snapped, “Have you seen Cornelius?”

“Yes, but I have this letter from—”

“I don’t give a shit about a letter. When and where did you see my mate?”

“Well, that’s what I’m trying to tell you,” Raymond squeaked. “Cornelius was with Vane. Vane was the one who gave me the letter.”

What the hell was Cornelius doing with Vane? “What does the letter say?”

“Vane said I couldn’t read it and that I have to give it to you,” Raymond replied. “I, uh…I don’t want to cross him.”

Einan growled low in his throat, even as he understood Raymond’s trepidation. Vane intimidated with just his huge size. If he’d given Raymond an order, it was probably done gruffly and curtly. His reclusiveness not only kept him from rising through the ranks, but hindered development of his people skills.

“Meet me on the porch,” he ordered.

Five minutes later, Einan pulled up to the mansion. He left the SUV idling and leaped from the building, jogging to the porch where he saw a pacing figure he knew must be Raymond.

He was right.

“Here,” Raymond said, disregarding a greeting as he held out a three by six manila envelope.

Einan snatched the thin item from Raymond’s hand. He slid the contents out and tilted them to catch the light. As he looked at the pictures and read Vane’s messy scrawl, Einan’s blood ran cold.

Dropping the items on the porch, Einan spread his arms and roared.

He knew exactly where Cornelius was.

Spinning, he shifted to his true form. His wings cut through his shirt as he popped several seams and the fabric fell from his shoulders. The seams of his thighs grew uncomfortably taut as his body grew. Spreading his massive wings to their sixteen foot span, Einan crouched, then took to the air. He ignored the shouts of those around him and leaped.

Einan took to the air and flew southeast.

* * * *

Cornelius stared at the cottage. It appeared, well, nice. Blue shutters on a yellow base. Window boxes full of colorful flowers. There was even a white picket fence. Cornelius didn’t know people used those anymore.

It really did scream his sister.

She must love this house.

He hoped she felt the same after this experience.

Striding up the walk, Cornelius focused on his keeping his breathing even. He reminded himself over and over that he wasn’t alone. He had a secret ally hiding in the shadows of the night. The plan was to go in and make certain Natalie wasn’t in danger. Then, Vane would be able to come in and well…the gargoyle hadn’t really been specific after that.

From the rather sadistic glee in Vane’s tone as he’d said it, Cornelius didn’t think he
wanted
to know the gargoyle’s thoughts.

When Cornelius reached the porch, for a moment, he just stood there. He knew Corbin waited inside. He’d never wanted to see the fox shifter again…ever. Knowing he couldn’t get out of this, he needed to help Natalie, Cornelius lifted his hand…only to see it trembling. He flexed and released his fist a couple times, then realized that was just a stall tactic. He rang the bell.

Cornelius heard movement from inside, the muffled sound of voices. A moment later, the door swung open and he found himself staring into Corbin’s cold-eyed smile. “Hello, pet. So glad you could join us.” He stepped back while beckoning to Cornelius. “Come in.”

It was the last thing Cornelius wanted to do, but he obeyed. The home opened into a small entryway. He could see the living room to his right and a dining room to his left. Both were empty. Fighting his instinct to wait for direction from the dominant man sweeping his gaze over him lecherously, Cornelius moved deeper into the house.

He ignored Corbin’s warning growl—one that told him the shifter had expected him to remain there waiting for instruction—in favor of finding his sister. The hallway led past several closed doors on the right, which he guessed were bedrooms and maybe a bathroom. The arched opening at the end revealed a decent sized kitchen and a breakfast nook. There, he found Natalie, but she wasn’t alone.

Three other men sat at the small table with her. Men he recognized. He’d never wanted to see these men either. They were Corbin’s pals, men he’d let fuck him at his ex-boyfriend’s order, Paul, Smithy, and Lence. They all turned and looked at him when he entered, their eyes lighting up with lust.

It’d never occurred to him that Corbin would have his friends with him. Surely they didn’t plan to attempt to fuck him right here, in Natalie’s home? Refocusing on his sister, Cornelius tried to smile encouragingly. “Everything will be fine,” he assured, pleased his voice came out even.

Natalie didn’t respond, at least, not with words. She simply nodded, her big eyes expressing her sorrow. Cornelius wanted to go over there and remove the ropes tying her hands together, but just then Corbin stalked into the room.

“You’ve picked up some bad habits, pet,” Corbin snapped.

Cornelius glared at Corbin. “I already told you. I’m not your pet.”

At one time, he’d loved being called pet by this man, thinking it a term of endearment. Now, he knew the truth. The man really thought of him as a pet. Not a man, with ideas and plans and dreams of his own, but as a dog, there to do his bidding and amuse him.

Corbin curled his lip, expressing his displeasure, even as a glimmer of delight filled his eyes. “I think it’s time to remind you of your place. Strip and present.”

Oh, hell no!
There was no way he’d get naked and bend over for a fucking…or even a whipping…with his sister in the room. In fact, he wouldn’t have done it if they’d taken her elsewhere. He’d rather die than end up under Corbin’s thumb again.

A burning rage surged sluggishly through his veins, giving him courage to do something he’d never done before. Cornelius crossed his arms over his chest, scowled at the shifter, and talked back.

“No, Corbin,” he said, purposefully using the man’s name, knowing how much it irritated him. Corbin only ever allowed him to call him
master
or
sir
. Never again. “I left you. That meant our relationship was over. What part of that was unclear to you?” Knowing whatever Corbin would say would be degrading and insulting, Cornelius rushed on. “I came because you threatened Natalie. How dare you go after my family.” He uncrossed his arms and pointed his finger at Corbin, then at the shifter’s friends. “You all aren’t doms. You’re bullies. Plain and simple. I’m not doing
anything
you say.”

To Cornelius’s horror, Corbin’s lips twisted cruelly as he pulled out a gun. Instead of pointing it at Cornelius, he pointed it at Natalie. “How about now?”

Natalie whimpered, her already pale face taking on an almost deathly caste. Her knuckles turned white as her folded hands tightened.

If Corbin had pointed the gun at Cornelius, it’d have been fine. If getting shot was the price he needed to pay to get out of this, he’d do it in a heartbeat. There was no way he wanted Natalie to be the one shot.

“Okay,” he murmured, all the while praying Vane decided to act soon. “I’ll take my clothes off. But if you lay one finger on Natalie, it’ll never be safe for you to sleep,” he stated. “I will kill you.”

That got Corbin’s attention, and he swung the gun toward him. Cornelius sighed mentally. At least the weapon no longer pointed at his sister. “Are you threatening me, pet?” Corbin snarled. He stalked closer, the promise of pain and retribution in his eyes.

Cornelius stood a good three inches taller than Corbin, yet still he felt as if the other man talked down to him. Refusing to be cowed, he met his ex’s gaze squarely and replied, “Not a threat. A promise.”

“It looks like we’re going to have to do this the fun way,” Corbin sneered. Never removing his focus from Cornelius, he called, “Smithy, get the rope.”

Smithy, a slender five foot six human who Cornelius would have labeled a twink if he weren’t so hell-bent on topping every man bigger than himself, rose from his seat. Snickering, clearly excited by the prospect of tying Cornelius up and forcing him to submit, Smithy hustled from the room.

“I’ll get everything ready in the bedroom,” another man offered. Paul, Cornelius remembered.

“The small bedroom with the full sized bed. It’ll be more fun,” Corbin stated.