The Truth is even Stranger

by Charlie Richards

  I want a kid. I want a kid with Roman.

  “You’re having deep thoughts,” Andre pointed out. “Anything you want to get off your chest?”

  Clearing his throat, Tian glanced Andre’s way. He hadn’t told his fellow teammates that he wasn’t actually one of them. Figuring there was no time like the present, hell, he would be seeing a lot of them eventually anyway, he nodded.

  “Yeah, yeah, I guess I do,” Tian admitted. “I’m sure you can imagine some of it, Roman being my mate and all.”

  “Yep, I know all about that. Got a sexy gargoyle of my own.” Andre grinned widely as he waggled his brows. He sobered quickly enough. “I know you haven’t bonded with Roman, yet. Can I ask what the problem is?”

  “No problem, really.”

  “Then what’s the holdup?” Andre pressed. “Everyone’s already noticed a change in Roman. He’s more approachable and actually eats meals with the rest of the clutch.” He reached over and touched his arm. “You’re good for him.”

  Pulling into the estate driveway, Tian leaned out the window and punched in his security code. As he waited for the gate to swing open, he turned and peered at his passenger. “Andre, I’m not a college student. I’m an undercover cop.” When Andre’s jaw sagged open, he held up his hand in an effort to stall any questions. “The gargoyles know. I’m here because someone hasn’t been careful about using their increased strength, and someone has reported it as drug use.” As he started his vehicle moving again, winding down the driveway, he continued, “When I wrap this up, I have to return to Chicago.”

  “Not permanently, though, right?” Andre touched his arm, redrawing his attention after he’d parked his car. “Roman is this clutch’s chef. Is there even a clutch up in Chicago?” Frowning, he clenched his hand into a fist and settled it on his thigh. “You don’t intend to leave your mate, do you? Because after all the time you’ve spent together, you walking away would most likely kill him.”

  That thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. “No!” Tian cried, quickly shaking head. “No, of course not.” He frowned at the other man, surprised and impressed that he was more worried about Roman than the fact that he’d claimed he was an undercover officer. “I have every intention of bonding with Roman.”

  “Does he know that?”

  Andre’s belligerent tone surprised Tian. He pushed aside his initial irritation and focused on the younger man’s words. Did his lover know? He’d told him he wanted to get to know him, that he didn’t want to share, and that he wanted to build a life with him.

  Wasn’t that marriage?

  What is my hold up?

  “You’re right,” Tian conceded, nodding almost absently. “I guess I need to talk to him about this.” Seeing the disbelieving look on Andre’s face, he snorted and rolled his eyes. “What? A guy can’t admit when he needs to reevaluate?”

  Nodding slowly, Andre’s brows slowly lifted. “Guess knowing when to reevaluate something would be a useful tool if you’re a cop.” He lifted one shoulder in a shrug as he asked, “Why did you tell me that, anyway?”

  Tian chuckled. “Because I plan to resign as soon as Detective DeSoto and the gargoyles help me come up with a plausible resolution.” Shrugging, he admitted, “I plan to move out here after that. Collin talked about getting me a job on the local force, but I’m not sure that’s the route I want to take, ya know?” That realization actually pleased him as he murmured, “I get the impression these guys are good at offering a chance at change.”

  Andre’s friendly grin returned. “Yeah. Yeah, they are.”

  Hearing another vehicle, Tian turned in his seat and spotted Detective DeSoto’s truck. He reached for his door handle as he held up a hand to Andre. “That bit about me being undercover isn’t common knowledge, yet, so, uh—”

  The other man’s bark of laughter cut him off. Andre grinned as he shoved open his own door. “Don’t worry, Tian,” he assured, winking. “I’m good at keeping secrets.” After Tian swung from the car and stood, Andre grinned at him over the hood of the Camaro. He mimed locking his lips and throwing away the key. With another laugh, he called, “Thanks for the ride,” then headed toward the front door.

  “What was that all about?” Collin asked, strolling toward him. “Oh, wait. I heard about Andre’s truck. Asshole brother.”

  Tian nodded. “Yeah. Is there evidence that he did it?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Collin confirmed, heading toward the estate’s front door. Tian fell into step beside him. Shaking his head, the detective continued, “Got prints on the rear right wheel well where he must have grabbed for leverage while slicing the tire. We also have cameras in the student parking lot.” He rolled his eyes as he continued, “Dumb ass. Anyway, I planned to talk to Andre after we get done to see if he intends to press charges.”

  Thinking of Andre’s comments in the car, Tian nodded. “I’m pretty sure he will.” He frowned, curling his lip before adding, “And if he says no, I can think of plenty of people who will try to convince him otherwise.”

  From perceiving how close the group of buddies and the other paranormals were, Tian kind of figured he wouldn’t be the only one who’d try to change Andre’s mind if he intended to let the behavior go.

  Collin nodded again. “Kind of figured.” He pulled open the door as a chuckle rumbled from him. “They get under your skin, don’t they?”

  Tian hummed in acknowledgment.

  Just as I thought. A new family.

  “Oh, son of a bitch,” Tobias snarled. “That rat bastard.” He glared at the photos before him. “We should have known!”

  “You think you know who sent these pictures?” Tian leaned forward in his chair, his elbows on his thighs. “And the messages?”

  There’d been one message from a man and two from a woman. If Tian had to guess, the female had been the same in both. The pictures had been sent from Durango’s postal code, but there’d only been a note, not a name.

  “Yes, we know who sent these items to your police,” Maelgwn rumbled, his tone thick with anger. “Why they chose Chicago is uncertain.”

  “They have a lot of gangs, so probably figured they’d get a swifter response from officers there,” Raymond piped up from where he was feeding the pictures into the computer.

  The small black gargoyle was enlarging them so they could figure out location and time. That way they’d be able to learn from their mistakes. He paused in his actions and glanced around the room.

  “What? I read the news.” Raymond shrugged, then continued, “Anyway, these notes make it sound like a local gang is trying to increase its territory looking out of state. No wonder they initially kept it in the department.” Humming, he added, “I think I might be able to change these a little so we can pass some of the pictures off as doctored as opposed to original.” He pointed at the one on-screen. “Hell, it’s a little hard to explain how Vane could pick up the end of a cement-based picnic bench.” He hit the button, showing a picture of Tible rolling a log that was clearly too heavy for the slender male to move. “This one, we can make the log look as if it was papier-maché.”

  “Okay, so we can work around these,” Collin murmured, frowning at the screen. He turned his attention to Tian and finally answered his question. “These were sent by the hunters. Their intentions were probably to stir up trouble... cause problems... tough to say.” He waved his hand absently before continuing, “Their names are Roger and Bethany Waldrip. We captured some of their hunters, and they’ve been mysteriously quiet for months.”

  Einan growled low in his throat. “Guess they weren’t quiet. We just didn’t see what they were doing.”

  “Right,” Maelgwn agreed. “Now we plan a counter against this.” He focused on Tian. “As much as I appreciate you getting us this information, are you certain you want to be part of this?”

  “Yeah,” Tian immediately responded, confused even about the question. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because
you haven’t committed to Roman, yet,” Tobias responded in his blunt fashion.

  “Uh, yeah,” Tian countered, frowning. “Yeah, I have.”

  Scoffing, Sapian pointed toward the little clock in the corner of the view screen. “Sun’s down. Why don’t you go tell him... because I don’t think Roman knows.”

  Tian rose from the table. “Damn it,” he grumbled under his breath. “I don’t know what the fuck he said to you, but my thick-headed gargoyle will know soon enough.”

  It wasn’t until Tian had stalked out of the room and was half-way to the kitchens in search of Roman that he realized the other guys might have been manipulating him.

  He was so lost in his head, when he exited the hallway and entered the main second-floor foyer, he almost ran another man down. Grabbing the guy’s arms, he vaguely recognized him as Nolan. The slender, dark-haired male was a horse shifter who’d been rescued months before and was living at the estate.

  “You okay?” Tian asked, continuing to hold the man’s upper arms as he caught his balance.

  Nolan’s big eyes widened—the look exotic since he had one blue eye and one brown one. Tian had heard that it was the same as when he was in his paint horse form. Then a flirty smile curved the male’s lips, and he rested his palms on Tian’s chest.

  “Oh, yes, thank you, Tian,” Nolan purred, rubbing over Tian’s torso. “So much better now. Any way I can apologize for almost running you over?”

  Tian took a step backward, releasing the male, but Nolan followed him. He thought quickly, trying to figure a way to extricate himself from the too-touchy male before anyone saw. Hearing a roar erupt through the massive, second-floor foyer, he peered over Nolan’s shoulder and spotted Roman’s thunderous expression.

  Aww, shit!

  Chapter Ten

  Roman had heard that Tian had arrived before dark, and that he was once again in a meeting with Chieftain Maelgwn. After waiting for almost an hour, he’d decided to take a meal to the meeting. He knew it was interrupting, but he couldn’t help it.

  He’d needed to see his mate.

  After piling all kinds of food onto a large trolley, Roman had headed to the elevator. He’d risen to the second floor, all the while getting an intense feeling of déjà vu. When he’d reached the end of the hallway, he’d paused at the entrance to allow several others to pass, nodding at them in greeting.

  Just as the path cleared, Nolan had come barreling out of the left wing and collided with Tian, who’d just exited the inner circle wing. Tian had gripped Nolan’s upper arms. A second later, Nolan had rested his hands on Tian’s chest.

  Territorial rage unlike anything Roman had ever before experienced surged through him. He finally understood the expression he saw red as he stalked across the room. His anger gave him strength and even his injury didn’t slow him down.

  Tian spotted him over Nolan’s shoulder. His eyes widened. He grabbed Nolan’s upper arms once again—Roman couldn’t remember when he’d released the other man—and used the hold to move the shifter behind him. While Roman hated having his mate move between himself and his prey, at least now the little worm wasn’t touching what was his.

  “Roman, Roman, stop,” Tian ordered. Lifting both palms, he rested them on Roman’s chest. While his hands were soothing, his voice came out sure and strong. “Roman, stop now.” He peered over his shoulder at a cringing Nolan. “You. Don’t move. You have some explaining to do.”

  His lover’s surprisingly firm tone cut through the fog of rage clouding Roman’s mind. He sneered at Nolan even as he wrapped his arms and wings around Tian. “That’s right, Nolan,” he snarled. “Why are you touching what is mine?”

  “Y-Yours?” Nolan squeaked. He wrapped his arms around his torso protectively. “But I thought—”

  Nolan stopped, looking so confused that Roman couldn’t hold onto his rage. Tian’s massaging hands might have had something to do with it, too. He just couldn’t manage to stay upset when he had his mate in his arms, safe and secure, touching him with kindness and reassurance.

  Letting out a soft growl, Roman forced his frown to ease. “Explain that,” he demanded gruffly. “Thought what?”

  “W-Well, Zahma and Gabe told me you were just having fun together,” Nolan mumbled. His cheeks turned almost scarlet as he hunched his shoulders. “Thought Tian might be interested in a change. Zahma said he heard Tian was looking for a new lover.” His lips twisting depreciatively, he mumbled, “Look at us. I’m about as different as you could get.”

  Tian slowly rotated in Roman’s grip. It took a couple pats to Roman’s hands, urging him to loosen his grip, but he got it done. Pressing his back against Roman’s chest, Tian peered over his shoulder at him and offered him a small smile.

  Returning his attention to Nolan, Tian stated, “It’s not that I’m not flattered. I am. You’re a cute guy.” Even as he spoke, Tian rubbed a reassuring hand over Roman’s forearm. “But Roman and I are mates. We don’t stray. You’re a shifter. You should know that.”

  “Y-You’re mates?” Nolan squeaked the question. His mismatched eyes widened even as his cheeks paled. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Zahma and Gabe said the rumors about you being mates wasn’t true.” He pointed at Tian’s neck, then Roman’s. “He said since you haven’t bitten each other, yet, you weren’t mates. You wouldn’t have been able to resist the pull. I mean, you’ve been together for days, so—” Nolan winced as he stared at the floor. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Look, it was a misunderstanding.”

  Tian began to reach out, probably to pat Nolan on the shoulder or something. Roman tightened his grip, and his mate returned his hand to Roman’s arm. He peered over his shoulder and gave Roman a stern look.

  Roman just shrugged one shoulder, unrepentant.

  Heaving a sigh, Tian returned his focus to Nolan. “Look, I don’t know why those guys would tell you something that was obviously not true.” Tian half turned in Roman’s grip so he could glance between them. “In fact, I really don’t think they should be able to get away with it. Regardless of what they were thinking, it was a dirty thing to pull. Aren’t there laws among your kind that forbid tampering with matings?”

  Discomfort suddenly surged through Roman, but he jerked a nod. “There are.”

  Tian scowled. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’d consider this tampering.” He focused on Nolan. “Will you share what Zahma and Gabe told you with someone... maybe Sapian?”

  Roman just bet Tian chose Sapian because the gargoyle was the mellowest of the enforcers. His bedside manner, so to speak, soothed others, relaxed them. He wouldn’t freak out the little male.

  And Nolan is damn skittish.

  And too skinny.

  Feeling bad for his aggressiveness toward the shifter, Roman huffed a sigh. He jerked a nod, then asked, “Is Sapian in that meeting you were at?”

  Tian nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Come on, Nolan,” Roman urged. “I have food and drink for those holed up in there. Come with us while we deliver it.”

  Nolan shifted from foot to foot, twisting his fingers in the hem of his t-shirt. His agitation was obvious. Finally, he jerked a nod.

  “Okay,” he whispered. Peering sorrowfully at them, he mumbled, “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’ve just...”

  Tian pulled away from Roman enough to rest a hand on his neck. Roman could guess that he squeezed or massaged the man’s nape, for the shifter immediately relaxed. He bowed his head and allowed Tian to urge him down the hallway.

  “You were lonely,” Tian murmured, ducking his head so he could comment directly into Nolan’s ear. His soft voice barely carried to Roman as he added, “No one can fault you for trying to fill a need.” Tian smiled at Roman. “You need help with your cart?”

  It took every bit of self-control he had, but Roman released his lover. “No. I’ll catch up with you.” After seeing Tian nod, he headed back across the foyer to his cart.

>   “That situation made you extremely uncomfortable.” Tian reached over and took Roman’s hand. “Are you willing to tell me why?”

  His mate’s astute comment caused unease to slither down Roman’s spine. Unable to lie to his mate, he nodded. Still, he couldn’t manage to open his mouth and explain.

  Tian massaged Roman’s fingers, then the palm of his hand gently. Nodding slowly, he cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll start then. I left that meeting early because I keep getting poked at for not bonding with you, yet,” he admitted. Sighing, his brows furrowed as he stared hard at him. “You know I plan to, right?” Tian shook his head before continuing. “I know I didn’t come right out and say it when we started all this, at least, I don’t think I did, but I plan to.” He squeezed Roman’s fingers. “I told you I wanted to explore the world with you.”

  A tightness in his chest, one Roman had been denying for days, eased inside him. He let out a slow breath. Even as he nodded, he saw Tian straighten in his seat.

  “You hadn’t known, had you?”

  Roman cleared his throat, finally finding his tongue. “I guess it was one of those things that I knew in my head, but in my heart, I still feared it wasn’t true.” He squeezed Tian’s hand. “We hadn’t discussed it, even though we’ve talked about most everything else.”

  Lifting his free hand, his palm out, Roman stayed any words Tian planned to say. “You’ve always been pretty straightforward with me.” He tipped his chin down as he scowled at Tian’s jeans without really seeing them. “I want to answer your earlier question... about my discomfort with Nolan’s actions.”

  “I’m happy to listen,” Tian encouraged. “You know that.”

  Roman cleared his throat once more. After taking a deep breath, he explained, “When I was around two hundred fifty years old, I started a long distance relationship with a woman named Gwen... a fox shifter.” He smiled sadly as he remembered her. “She had to travel for... her work you’d call it now. Anyway, I met her when she came and asked permission to repeatedly travel through the territory of the clutch I was with.”