Then he received what he was so desperately craving. Ciro’s thick cock pushed against his hole to the tight sheath within. The first insertion was slow and Carter held his breath as his toes curled. But it didn’t remain that way. Ciro gripped his hips, stood over him and fucked him hard, fast. Each push sent the Shiver’s cock so deep, Carter didn’t have a choice but to shout for his lover and tremble.
“Ciro…oh, damn. Ciro…”
In response, Ciro spun him around and drove into him again. This time, Carter’s knees were braced against Ciro’s firing hips, their gazes locked. Carter could tell when his lover was close. Ciro’s eyes changed from their beautiful, fiery gray to all blue, glowing beautifully within the darkness of the room. The curtains gust forward with a distinct sound like a windstorm had taken up inside. Still, he didn’t care. He clung to Ciro, their chests pressed tightly together, and allowed his climax to course through him a million miles per hour.
“Carter…” Ciro whispered, kissing the side of Carter’s head, nibbling on his ear then dragging his mouth down to Carter’s neck. “Good night, my darling.”
“But you…”
“Will be fine. Please, go to sleep.”
Carter was much too weak to complain but he made a mental note to do so in the morning. Ciro eased from him but didn’t go far. He only pulled the sheets over both their bodies and cradled Carter gently. Carter closed his eyes, muttering something his brain was much too fuzzy to decipher.
* * * *
Ciro lay awake staring at the ceiling long after Carter had fallen asleep again. Carter’s fears were still sitting on his heart, tugging at him. He understood them fully. He’d spent an eternity waiting for a lover to be so overly concerned for him, for that showed love. Finally, he’d found it, but walls were closing in on him, threatening to destroy that blissful peace he’d discovered with Carter. Aerios was a sore that had become infected, and now he had to deal with it or be swallowed whole by his brother’s rage and stupidity.
The hours ticked by. Still the sun was nowhere to be seen. Eventually, he closed his eyes for they were too tired to remain open, though he had no expectations of sleep. The next time Ciro opened his eyes, however, something poked his side. Jerking upward, he brought his hand around with the blade already manifested but frowned and made it disappear.
“Damn it, Ares,” he whispered fiercely to his brother. He pulled his body from Carter’s and ensured his lover was still asleep before getting off the bed. He stopped long enough to haul on a pair of pants then grabbed Ares’ arm and yank him from the room and into the den. “Can we please keep the popping in and out to a minimum? Carter is cool with it but I don’t want to push it.”
“Sorry—did not have a choice. We need to have a conversation about our brother and it needs to be now.”
Ciro rubbed his eyes and flopped into a nearby seat. Ares did the same, and for a moment, both simply sat in heavy silence. Neither of them were looking forward to the brash conversation that needed to happen. Ciro understood that. They both knew the consequences of that talk and Ciro was not sure he was ready for the outcome. Putting it off only made this worse, so Ciro leaned forward, braced his elbows on his knees and took a deep breath.
Ares was the first to break their silent pussyfooting around. “Your human, does he know?”
Ciro nodded. “I had to tell him after Aerios attacked at his office. I thought for sure he would run, but he’s taking it remarkably well. His brother, on the other hand, not so much.”
“So he knows what you are and, still, he remains?”
Ciro nodded again.
“Humans are very intriguing creatures. Their love can be so strong, yet they can be so volatile.”
“I had Sisqo guarding Carter and they were attacked by an Olympian immortal.”
“Say what? I thought your fight was only with the rogue Shivers.”
“That was my thought as well but it seems someone else wants Carter dead. The instrument of their choosing was Aceplese.”
“Aceplese? That sniveling little puke?”
“It seems everyone knew the guy but me. Either way, he did not look as though he had such connections but apparently looks can be deceiving.”
“No,” Ares replied. “But he sells his services to the highest bidder. It makes him worse.”
Ciro inhaled and nodded. “I gathered that after I brought him before Mother. It turns out Aceplese was the one who told Zeus of Mother’s location. She tried hiding from his advances. To keep me from leaving him with Mother, he told us who sent him to harm Carter.”
“Who?”
“Oracle Gnóseis.”
Ares surged up from where he was sitting and shook his head. “No. That cannot be correct. Can you trust his word? I mean, there is nothing else about him we can take at face value.”
“We would all tell the truth if we thought it would save our lives. Something has been happening with Gnóseis and this may just be the thing. You have to admit…she has not actually been straightforward with me, and now this?”
They fell silent again. Ares returned to his seat with his fingers gripping his long hair against his scalp. “I must get to the bottom of this. First Gnóseis was wrong about your predictions—does that mean she has been wrong about everything? And since she’s never wrong then it would mean she lied…but to what outcome?”
“I know not, brother. But we can figure that out another day. Why did you visit?”
“Oh, right. Aerios just set off a storm over the Caribbean.”
“But it is not storm season. The farmers wouldn’t have been expecting one—this could destroy everything for them.”
Ares smiled. “That I understand, brother. But Aerios cares not.”
“Is he there now?”
“Yes.”
“Then I must go. Please remain here and keep watch on Carter. I do not want any harm to come of him.”
Ares nodded.
Ciro climbed the stairs and hauled on some clothes. He grabbed a few things and shoved them into his pockets. He meant to leave but he just couldn’t without feeling Carter’s flesh against him once more. He pressed a kiss to Carter’s head. Instead of staying asleep, Carter moaned and looked up.
“You’re dressed.”
Ciro smiled. “Yes. I must go. My brother is causing pain once more and I have to stop him.”
“I’ll come with you. Just let me…” Carter was already halfway out of bed before Ciro managed to grab his arm.
“Not this time. I must go alone. It is in the Caribbean and since I cannot fly the human way, I must go without you. Ares will be here with you.”
“Ares? As in the God of War?”
“He is also my brother.” Ciro nodded. “Come. I can introduce you before I go.”
Carter continued out of bed and got dressed before Ciro led him down the stairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Descending the stairs, Carter wondered how Kofi would take the rest of all of this. It was easier for him, since his heart was leading the way, but what of Kofi? He’d been so upset the last time they spoke. Carter was trying desperately to give him space but with this new development, he wasn’t so sure space was the best of things. How was he going to explain Ares, the God of War?
Taking a breath, he smoothed a hand over his cornrows and licked his dry lips. He had to remind himself to take things once step at a time—fight one battle before beginning another. But even as he entered the den, Carter knew that was easier said than done. His mind wouldn’t focus on simply one issue. It kept flashing all of them together in a tangled web in his head. With some difficulty, Carter managed to pull himself together long enough to notice the large, muscular man by the window. If he’d blinked, Carter probably would have missed him, for he was standing so still. It was as if he were a statue. He was dressed in all black except for a red band around his left wrist. When he turned, Carter noticed dark eyes, a perfect face with long lashes and a proud nose. He stepped forward, his eyes focused o
n Carter even before Ciro spoke.
“Ares, please meet Carter Olabasu, and Carter, this is my brother, Ares.”
Carter shook the god’s hand, taking note of the strength in the shake.
“It is a pleasure, Carter.” Ares bowed his head reverently.
“Likewise.”
“Now I must go,” Ciro said.
Carter wanted to hold on to Ciro, just to keep him there. Fear rose within him and he clutched Ciro’s hand.
“It will be all right,” Ciro whispered, as if reading Carter’s mind. “Your eyes are filled with fear. If I require assistance, I shall call for it. Try not to worry. Why do you not bring Ares to Kofi and carry him back here? You and he will be safer within these walls.”
Carter smiled and nodded. He expected Ciro to leave. Instead, he stepped to Carter, wrapped an arm around his hips and pulled him into his chest. Carter moaned and instinctively his eyes drifted shut. With a helpless whimper, Carter offered up his lips and sighed dreamily when Ciro kissed him. Their tongues flowed over each other’s, drawing electricity through Carter’s being. Finally, Ciro pulled away and Carter slumped into the seat behind him. He watched as Ciro took one final look at his brother then vanished. Carter held his breath to steady his racing heart and hormones, before turning to look at Ares.
“Shouldn’t you be going with him?”
Ares smiled and sat across from Carter. He leaned in, leveling his gaze on Carter. “No. I am where he needs me to be, with his heart.”
Carter closed his eyes and slumped back against the seat. “I don’t get it. He may need help. No one can fight a war alone, you know? You’re just going to let him go by himself? How is…? I don’t understand.”
“One thing you need to understand, Carter. Ciro may not be a god, per se, but he is very powerful. And what is it that you humans say? A man with everything to lose is quite dangerous?”
“Actually, it says a man with nothing to lose is dangerous…but I understand what you mean. So I guess now we wait…”
“Now we wait. But he gave us something to do. Let us go to your brother.”
“I don’t have a car…”
“Neither do I, but I get around.” Ares shrugged. “Come, take my hand.”
Carter eyed him. “This is not A Christmas Carol.”
Ares blinked at him. “Say what now?”
“Um…never mind.” Carter was still uneasy for he’d seen all those movies and read those books. They all ended the same way when a supernatural character said something like ‘touch my robe’ or ‘take my hand’. Carter wasn’t sure he was ready to vanish in thin air and reappear somewhere else. That could not be natural for a human’s body. “I’m human.”
“I get that. Just, trust me, please?”
“Do you even know where my brother is?”
“Of course. What a question.”
Carter shook his head and reached out for Ares’ hand. The instant he took the god’s fingers, something happened. There was no snap of fingers, wiggle of the nose, or comedic sound like I Dream of Jeannie, but he did vanish. It was as if he had a million tiny fingers caressing his body, pulling him one way then the next. It was strange and uncomfortable but did not last long. Before he knew it, he was standing outside Kofi’s place.
“I thought it best we don’t just pop in. I know all this was hard for you, so I can only imagine what your brother would say if we simply appear.”
“Good call…” Carter agreed. He released Ares’ hand and almost instantly, Osaki appeared at their side. Osaki shimmered like a television with bunny ears antenna. It was very strange to watch.
“I was wondering when you would be here,” the samurai said, phasing from view for a few seconds before appearing once more. “I am very depleted. I must go back to Olympus.”
“I’m so sorry,” Carter said. “I forgot you were the one here. I thought Adrestia was with you…”
“She had to leave. I will be back the moment I am recharged.”
Carter nodded and after hugging Osaki, he watched as his brother’s guard disappeared. Rummaging through his pocket, he found Kofi’s house key and let himself and Ares into the house. “Kofi?”
Nothing.
“Kof?”
“In the kitchen!”
Carter hurried down the corridor and stopped at the door, watching Kofi silently. His brother stood preparing a sandwich while the television on the counter played a game with the volume muted.
“I can’t see him,” Kofi spoke without looking up from his work. “But I know he’s out there.”
“Who?”
“The God of War. Who’d you think I was talking about?” Kofi snapped. “The Samurai. I don’t feel him anymore but he was there—I know it.”
“I was just going to say, I am right here, so I am not outside,” Ares said, peeking over Carter’s shoulder.
Carter tapped his forehead into the doorpost. “Kofi, meet Ares—Greek God of War.”
“Great! We have an immortal Samurai, Shivers who pop in and out magically, so why not the Greek God of War?” Kofi muttered, twisting the cap back onto a bottle of mayonnaise. He then rested his side into the counter and eyed Carter. “What’s going on now? Giant apes climbing skyscrapers in Tokyo?”
“We want to take you back to Ciro’s place,” Carter explained. “It’s safer there.”
“It is only until Ciro’s battle with Aerios is over. After that, you can return here,” Ares told him.
Kofi’s shoulder rose and fell. “Can I talk to my brother—alone—please?”
Carter turned to glance at Ares, who nodded and exited the house. When he turned to Kofi again, his brother had this expression on his face that Carter knew all too well. Kofi was not impressed.
“Is this going to be what our lives will be like from now on?” Kofi demanded. “I have strange men following me around, popping out of thin air, me looking over my shoulders that one of your lover’s psycho family members will come after me and you? Is this it? When I said I was good with you dating again, and dating men, this was totally not what I meant. I meant some lawyer from Boise who thinks you have a nice ass! This—this is insane!”
“I know that. Do you think I meant for any of this to happen?” Carter found himself getting irritated and slowly building into a full outrage. “Kofi, for fuck’s sakes—I know you’re upset but damn it, cut me some slack. I’m dealing with this the best way I know how. And you throwing a fucking tantrum is not fucking helping.”
He stopped and tried to calm down but that didn’t work. “You’re not the only one pissed off about all of this. I am bloody furious. For the first time in years, I have a man who wants me, and not just for my money—no, he wants me and in a second it could all be gone.” Carter swallowed the lump in his throat and brushed his stinging eyes with the back of his hand. When he spoke again, Carter’s voice cracked. “Do you know what it feels like having to watch the man I adore fight with his brother? Do you have any clue what it feels like to have some wayward Olympic God wannabe come after me? Shit, I am dealing with this the best way I can.”
“Well, you’re fucking failing.”
Carter growled and swung, slamming his fist into the nearest wall. It left a massive hole in it. “And you’re not helping,” he fired back.
“What do you want me to do? You’re the one dating this Shiver. You should know how to deal with this!”
“Well shit. I should know how to deal with Greek gods and creatures invading my life, shouldn’t I? Because this kind of fucking crap happens to me every day.”
“There’s no need for that.”
“For what, Kofi? What the fuck do you want from me? You can walk away anytime you want. No one is holding a gun to your head making you stay. Shit man—I’ll have Ciro figure this out with his brother then you can go.”
“Don’t say that. You know I’d never leave you.”
“Then what? I’m supposed to stay here and put up with your accusations and asinine comments just because y
ou feel some misguided sense of loyalty to me because I’m your brother? I don’t need added pressure, not from rogue Shivers and definitely not from you.”
“Carter…”
“No. I don’t know how to handle this any more than you do and I’m trying here, but you just keep riding my ass—there is only so many times I can say I’m sorry and still mean it and right now I don’t know if I give a shit. I came here because I know I brought you into this and I’m trying to keep you safe—if you wish to stay here, I will have to ask Ciro to send Hades or Adrestia to keep you company until we can figure it out with Aerios. So take your pick. You are starting to make my head hurt and I really don’t need that right now.”
Kofi frowned but his face softened some. “Fine…I’ll come, but I don’t like it.”
“Noted.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ciro stepped into being, hovering over Cuba. The storm was still raging but the center of it was high above him in the sky. It was as though it was just sitting there. Below him, trees swayed dangerously from side to side and zinc from roofs blew loose, tumbling around while other debris mingled in the dangerous air.
He could sense Aerios, but there was no sight of him.
“Show yourself!” Ciro called. “Let us get this over with.”
Still Aerios stayed away, causing the storm to worsen. Frowning, Ciro held his hand down at his side and his lance appeared. It glistened in the rain.
“Ever since you were born, Aerios,” Ciro called, hunting his brother, “you have been broken. It seems you left the factory floor that way and no amount of fixing will help you. Zeus knows I have tried, Aerios,” he shouted to the now howling wind and drenching rain. “I have tried putting the fact you are my brother above my hatred for you.”
“How touching,” Aerios teased. “Like I said—I tried. But you’ve cured me of that horrible habit. It is so obvious my troubles will not end until I end you.”
Aerios appeared before Ciro, weapon in hand, and lunged forward. Ciro eased out of the way of the slashing trident and appeared once more behind his brother. The rain worsened then, drenching them both and showing Aerios’ growing wrath. Lightning and thunder followed closely as trees swayed to and fro beneath them. With Aerios’ rage came more damage to Cuba. Buildings blew apart like paper in the rain. Vehicles danced in the wind, slamming into other cars or homes. Crops the Cuban people worked tirelessly with to make a living sailed around them in a twister of chaos and it all broke Ciro’s heart.
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