by Macy Blake
“Oh hell yeah. You did. You so did. I think I need to sleep now.”
Caleb rubbed his back, the sweat from their exertions slippery between them. “You need to eat, and drink something besides coffee.”
Andrew huffed. “Not gonna happen. I need a nap. You drained me dry.”
Caleb helped him ease up, and his softened cock slipped from Andrew’s hole. Even that much movement sent another shudder through Andrew. The loss, the emptiness, made him crave more, but his body’s limitations didn’t escape him. He’d be sore enough tomorrow as it was.
Andrew fell to the side and landed on one of the pillows. He sighed and wiggled around to get comfortable. Caleb got up and went to the bathroom, returning moments later with the condom disposed of and a warm cloth that he used to wipe down his own chest.
“Want me to clean you up a bit?”
“Not really. I just want to lay here and bask for a minute. Maybe an hour. Possibly two.”
Caleb wiped him off anyway. “I’m going to order room service. I’m starving. Want a burger?”
“I want a nap.”
Caleb kissed Andrew’s cheeks and nuzzled against his ear. “Nap then. I’ll be right back.”
It was the last thing Andrew heard, but he was aware when Caleb returned and settled against his side. They curled together, and Andrew slipped into a much-needed deep sleep.
Andrew woke the next morning to tickling kisses down his spine. He wiggled away, but Caleb grabbed his hips and held him still. “Cut it out,” he mumbled.
They’d gone three more rounds after Andrew’s power nap and Caleb’s snack. Of course, Caleb had made Andrew eat as well. He’d devoured the burger and fries, much to his lover’s amusement. Not a healthy thing on the plate, and Andrew hadn’t cared at that moment.
Caleb kissed his shoulders and blew on his ear. “Wake up, sleepy. We’ve got to get over to the house. Pop’s waiting on us.”
Andrew rolled over and looped his arm over Caleb’s waist. “Then you shouldn’t have kept me up all night. I need more sleep.”
“Come on.” Caleb poked his ribs. “Get moving.”
Andrew grumbled but managed to sit up. “I am going to get you back for this. You know that, right?”
“I’ll be waiting for it. Impatiently.”
Andrew grinned and opened his eyes. “I bet. Did the other pack get in okay?”
“They did. I called Pop a few minutes ago, and he said they were ready.”
“Ready? They have a plan?”
“Sounds like it. He didn’t go into it over the phone, so we need to get up.”
Andrew stood on shaky legs. “Damn, I’m going to walk funny all day. And you better not be smirking.” He glared over his shoulder, and Caleb covered his mouth to hide his grin. “Paybacks. Just remember. And please tell me I have time for a shower.”
“You’ve got time. I’ll join you.”
Andrew stumbled into the shower, his body a sticky, aching mess. Caleb turned the water on while Andrew gathered the soap and shampoo from the samples the hotel provided. He stepped into the shower with Caleb right behind him. After the hot water ran down his back for a minute, he woke up enough to function.
Caleb handed him a soapy cloth, and he wiped away the remains of his cum from his stomach and chest. They’d cleaned up after each round but done just a cursory job. He turned around to rinse his front, and Caleb began to soap up his back.
The hot cloth made a path down his sore muscles and sent shivers along his spine. “God, just having you touch me does this to me.” His cock began to fill, and he glared down at it. “Not the right time, buddy.”
Caleb chuckled and spun him back around. He tilted his head back to wet his hair, and Caleb was ready with the shampoo. He traced his fingers through Andrew’s hair, scrubbing gently at his scalp. Andrew wasn’t the only one affected. Caleb was ready to go again as well.
Andrew let Caleb finish washing his hair and turned to return the favor. Caleb pushed his hands away. “If you touch me now, we’ll have to do something about it. Damn, what you do to me.”
Andrew grinned and rinsed all the soap and shampoo from his body before stepping out of the shower. He wrapped up in a towel and held one ready for Caleb.
Within a few minutes, they’d gotten dressed and packed up their belongings. Caleb took Andrew’s hand in his as they made their way to the elevator. While they waited for the doors to open, Caleb pulled him in for a hug and kissed his forehead.
“I wish I could prepare you for what’s going to happen once we get back, but I don’t know. Just play it by ear, okay? Try not to say too much, and Pop and I will make sure to look out for you.”
“Caleb, am I in danger from these guys? They won’t hurt me, will they?”
“I will never let you be in danger from another wolf. It might be intense, that’s all. I’m being overprotective. I know you can take care of yourself.”
Andrew gave Caleb’s waist a squeeze as the doors opened. “Not in a room full of shapeshifting wolves. I’ll be careful.”
The ride to Caleb’s father’s house didn’t take long. The mountains glimmered in the distance, the sun rising over the peaks and sending rays of light through the trees. As they pulled into the driveway, those same beams bounced off the huge windows and reflected their surroundings.
Andrew stopped and stared before forcing himself to move and catch up with Caleb. No one was in the entry, so Caleb led the way to the living room. They found Alfonse, Jed, Monty, and the visiting wolves surrounding a large table that had been set up in the center of the room.
The television was on, split into a half dozen screens that showed the property from multiple angles. Andrew had wondered why no one was guarding the door. Now he knew. They’d been watched the entire time.
Chapter Eight
As plans went, the one Alfonse and his team came up with was simple. Caleb protested but didn’t stand a chance. Andrew would go in and get the lay of the land inside the Miller estate.
Andrew listened closely as the details were laid out. Danny was in there, maybe hurt, and he wanted to get his brother out of this alive. As much as he wished Caleb or one of the other wolves could be with him, he couldn’t imagine getting anywhere close to the Millers’ with a wolf at his side.
They all hoped he would be able to convince them that the DiMartinos weren’t wolves at all. With Caleb still alive and kicking after having silver inside his system, he might be able to pull off the charade. But none of them knew what evidence the Millers had or what had brought about their attempt on Caleb’s life in the first place.
Andrew drove to the Millers’ after having called Danny’s phone to confirm that he had the information on the layout of the house. The gate to the driveway opened when he approached, and one of the goons who’d beaten Andrew waited on the other side. He searched Andrew’s vehicle but found nothing.
He climbed into the passenger side and directed Andrew to drive.
Andrew complied and parked in front of the massive brick house. The oldest Miller son, Andrew thought his name was Graham, met them at the door. He looked shocked for a moment, his eyes widening before he schooled his expression.
“Good to see you again, Graham.”
Andrew couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice, but Graham didn’t acknowledge it. At least he’d gotten the name right. Andrew had never been the best at remembering names.
Graham took them to an office at the back of the house where Wesley Miller sat behind a massive desk waiting for them. Danny sat slumped in a chair, bruises covering his face. Andrew rushed to his brother’s side. Danny opened his eyes when Andrew touched his cheek.
“You came,” he whispered.
“Of course I did.” Andrew turned back to Miller and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. “I sketched out the interior of the house and marked where they sleep. I’d like to take my brother and go now.”
“I bet you would,” Wesley answered. “That’s not going to happ
en, as I’m sure you realize. We’ll confirm that this information is accurate, and then allow you and your brother to leave.”
“How are you going to confirm it?”
Wesley ignored him. “Graham, take the plans to the boys and see that they move quickly.” Graham hurried from the room, leaving Danny and Andrew alone with Wesley.
“Now, Danny, let’s hope your brother is as honorable as you say he is. I have a lot riding on this.”
“I didn’t lie. It’s all there. Please, just let us go. Now that Caleb’s better, they don’t need me anymore. So I have no reason to go back there. And I won’t. All I want is to get my brother and go home.”
Wesley scowled. “He’s better? How is that possible?”
“Because Andrew is an amazing nurse,” Danny said.
“Well, it wasn’t all that serious. He just had an infection. Crap, I shouldn’t have said that. Dammit.” Andrew grabbed Danny’s shoulder and knelt beside him. Wesley came around the desk and grabbed Andrew, forcing him to turn back around.
“An infection? Tell me.” He squeezed, and Andrew winced.
“Stop that. And yes, just an infection. I guess he got drugged a week or two ago at a club, and the needle broke off inside him. It was really weird, if you ask me, but all that happened was that he got an infection from it. Thank goodness. It could have been worse if it had been a dirty needle. He could’ve caught something.”
Wesley pushed down on Andrew’s shoulder, and he cried out in pain. “Are you certain?” Wesley demanded.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Andrew tried to push Wesley’s hand away, but the man was extremely strong.
“Nothing else happened?”
“No, sir. He had a fever, was weak, and the spot around the site got inflamed. It could’ve been worse, but he’s fine now.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.” Wesley stormed back around the desk and picked up the phone. “My office. Now,” he commanded.
Within moments, Graham and two other men rushed through the door of Wesley’s office. “Sir?”
“The son didn’t react to the silver. I think we received bad information.”
One of the men scoffed. “No, sir. Our source is very reliable.”
Andrew eyed the man. The set jaw, determined eyes. He had no doubts. He had the same dark coloring of Alfonse and Caleb. He decided to try to pass along a clue to Alfonse, who was listening to every word through a listening device Andrew wore under his shirt.
“What information? Maybe I can help. Well, you probably don’t need it. You look a lot like them. Are you a cousin or something? Is this a family squabble?”
The man turned to Andrew, and his glare sent a shiver down his spine. His anger was every bit as frightening as anything Andrew had seen so far.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to jump into something here. I just want to take my brother and go home.”
“Mario?” Wesley turned to the still glaring man. “Are you certain?”
Finally, a name to go with Mr. Glare. Mario. He hoped it meant something to the DiMartinos.
“I’m certain,” Mario answered. “And this one knows more than he’s letting on. I can guarantee it.”
They all turned to stare at Andrew. He tried not to squirm from his position kneeling on the floor beside Danny. “Listen, if I have any information you need, just ask. You know why I’m here and what I want. I’ll do whatever it takes to get Danny and me out of here in one piece.”
“I know exactly what it’s going to take.” Mario laughed. “I think we should send him back to them in pieces, Boss. Isn’t that your normal method of dealing with troublemakers?”
Wesley arched a brow. “No, actually. It isn’t.”
A pounding knock on the door drew everyone’s attention. The cavalry had arrived.
Graham went to the door, with Mario and the other man at his heels. Andrew could hear shouting voices and jumped to his feet. He pulled Danny up beside him and guided them back into a corner. There was no way he could make it to the door, and there wasn’t another way out.
“Danny, if you can get out the door, you need to go. Understood?”
Danny nodded. “What about you?”
“With any luck, I’ll be right behind you. My car is parked out front. Just get in and drive, okay? I left the keys in it.”
“Okay.”
Alfonse and Caleb burst through the door with Jed and Monty at their heels. From the clenched jaws and bloodthirsty glares, they weren’t here for a friendly chat. Alfonse stalked into Wesley’s space. Wesley had a good six inches of height on Alfonse, but he still took a hasty step back. No one could deny the force behind the man.
“You tried to kill my son. Perhaps I should take one of yours instead? The difference being, I will succeed where you failed.”
Andrew blanched. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Would Alfonse really kill one of the Miller boys? He tried to keep his expression neutral, but he didn’t think he quite succeeded.
With everyone crowded around the desk, the doorway was left unguarded. Andrew gave Danny a little push, and that was all the encouragement his brother needed. He scurried for the door and was out before anyone noticed.
Andrew wasn’t so lucky. The moment he moved, Caleb pivoted and caught him in his stare. “Don’t.”
He froze halfway to the door and then leaned against the wall. Caleb turned his attention back to his father.
“No,” Wesley said. “You don’t need one of my sons. This is all a misunderstanding.”
“No, you misunderstand,” Alfonse answered. “My nephew”—Alfonse spit the word out with such anger that Mario flinched and stepped back—“wanted what I’ve worked hard to achieve. What I’ve spent my life building, as did my father before me.”
“He told me you were….” Wesley trailed off.
Alfonse reached up and grabbed him by the throat.
“I don’t care what he told you. The boy hates that his father let his inheritance decay into nothing but a bankrupt business. He has nothing, so he wants what is mine. Come after me or mine again, and I will not be so forgiving.”
Alfonse pushed Wesley away and nodded to Jed and Monty. His guards grabbed Mario by the arms, and he struggled against them.
“Uncle, no.”
“Not another word, boy.”
Mario snapped his mouth closed and allowed himself to be led out the door.
Alfonse and Caleb turned to Andrew. Caleb moved ahead and held out his hand. Andrew grabbed hold, and Caleb pulled him out the door. Alfonse followed at their heels.
They reached the car, and Andrew climbed in front. Caleb got behind the wheel while Alfonse squeezed in beside Andrew. Jed, Monty, and Mario took up the entire backseat.
Alfonse’s clenched jaw and angry eyes kept Andrew from opening his mouth. He had more questions but forced himself to keep quiet. Caleb started the SUV and began the drive home. He reached over, squeezed Andrew’s leg, and left his hand resting there. His thumb traced a slow path along Andrew’s knee.
Andrew took what comfort he could from the touch. No one spoke for the entire drive. Tension filled the vehicle. When they parked, Jed and Monty dragged Mario inside. Alfonse waited outside the car for Andrew and Caleb.
“What happened to your brother?” The alpha’s voice was a low growl.
Andrew shuddered. “I told him to leave if he had the chance.”
“And he left you there?”
“Yes. I told him to go.”
Alfonse huffed and stormed inside.
Andrew turned to Caleb. “I take it he’s not impressed.”
“I think that’s an understatement. You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Glad you guys showed up when you did.”
“Once dad heard it was Mario, he didn’t want to wait any longer.”
Andrew could imagine. He knew all about family betrayal. “What happened to the others?”
“They’re still around.” He gestured toward the street where a larg
e truck rumbled to a stop. The other wolves stepped out, and they pulled a struggling Danny out of the backseat.
“Oh shit.” Andrew grabbed Caleb’s arm. “What are they doing with him?”
“You don’t really think Pop was going to let him off scot-free, did you?”
“But, why? He didn’t do anything.”
Caleb shook his head. “Let’s just go inside. We can talk it over with Pop and see where everything stands.”
Danny cried out for Andrew, and he watched his brother continue to try to free himself. “Danny, stop it. For God’s sake, these are the good guys.”
He did stop, but not out of relief. He glared at Andrew until he was jerked forward again. “You told me to leave. That’s what you said.”
“I know. We’ll just have to get this worked out. Don’t worry. I trust these guys.”
“Yeah, I bet you do.”
Andrew shook his head and went inside. Caleb followed behind him as did Danny and his keepers.
Alfonse waited in the living room. He gestured to a seat and Danny was forced into it. “Caleb, take Andrew upstairs for a few minutes. I need to have a serious discussion with this young man. And, Andrew, this is not the time to argue with me.”
Andrew snapped his mouth closed. He turned and marched up the stairs, grumbling under his breath.
“Stop it.” Caleb nudged him in the ribs. “He can hear you.”
Andrew scowled. “I don’t like being treated like a child.”
“He’s not. Come on.”
Caleb went into his room and shut the door. “I hated having you go in there alone. I swear, I’ve never been so worried.”
Andrew lifted his shirt and pulled at the tape holding the microphone in place. “I can’t believe they didn’t check me for this. I thought that’s what would trip me up.”
“I did too. Pop was right, though. They didn’t consider you a threat. Didn’t think you really knew our secrets anyway. You’re stronger than anyone gives you credit for.” Caleb pulled Andrew to him. “I didn’t underestimate you. Just worried.”
Andrew shook his head. “You had reason to. As much as I like taking care of myself, I was in over my head with all this. I hope it’s finally over.”
