Chuckling softly, just that fast, Tian’s ire fled him. A fresh wave of desire surged through him, surprising him with its intensity. His prick thickened in his jeans. He felt Roman’s answering erection when the gargoyle rocked his hips.
“Oh, damn!” Tian hissed, a shiver working down his spine. Confusion filled him. “I-I thought our desire for endless sex would ease after we claimed each other.”
Roman shook his head. “Oh, no, Tian, my mate.” Sliding his hand down, he palmed his dick through his damp jeans. “We will always crave each other,” he told him, his eyes glowing with heat. “Sex will only continue to get better between us.”
Tian grinned widely. “Oh, but I do love that knowledge.”
One of his greatest fears when getting into a permanent relationship was that he and his partner would one day lose interest in each other. With that concern alleviated, Tian slid to his feet and held out his hand. He grinned broadly at his debauched lover, glancing pointedly at the huge wet spot on his loincloth and enjoying the view, too. Roman’s erection was once again clearly defined behind the scrap of cloth.
“So, now that we’ve made a hell of a mess of ourselves, let’s go clean up a bit... so I can ride your cock and paint your chest with my seed and get you all dirty again.”
Roman groaned as he took his hand. “Hell, yeah.”
Chapter Twelve
Molt had been a painful process, but Roman had expected it. He was a little disappointed when his scars were even more prominent in his human form—that of what Tian called a sexy, tanned Caucasian with stunning purple-blue eyes. Tian had assured him he didn’t care about them at all, then he’d proceeded to kiss every inch of his newly formed body before riding his cock into oblivion.
That had been a week and a half before.
Now, Roman was in Chicago with Tian, who was handing in his final report to his captain as well as his resignation.
Roman couldn’t go into the meeting with Tian, much to his irritation. Instead, he sat in the waiting area. He wasn’t alone, which was definitely a relief. Tobias, Grateman, and Jeremiah sat with him.
Tobias had joined him for safety reasons, since Roman was still new to his human form. While it was rare for the clutch second to leave the estate, the gargoyles who would normally have gone on such an errand were both expecting. Einan wouldn’t leave Cornelius while pregnant, as they already had one hatchling to care for. Sapian was in the same boat with Missy pregnant, minus the little one at home.
Grateman was there as backup. He was a high-level tracker and good at his job. When he’d learned that Tobias was struggling regarding who could currently go on a trip to Chicago with him, he’d volunteered. His mate, Jeremiah, had been happy for a chance to sightsee in a place he’d never been before.
After Tian’s meeting, they were supposed to have a meal, then Roman’s mate was going to show them around.
The door to the captain’s office banged open, and Tian stormed out. A tall, slender male appeared in the doorway behind him, holding up an envelope. “This is not acceptable, Chavez,” the guy yelled—Roman assumed he was Tian’s boss, Captain Cain. “There’s follow up to complete. You can’t walk away from this now.”
While Tian had warned everyone that the captain wouldn’t appreciate losing his skills, surely that display was beyond normal.
Tian spun and walked backward. “Everything you need is in that report,” he claimed pointing at the file in the man’s other hand. “There’s no drug ring in Durango.” Tian didn’t stop there. “I haven’t had a decent break in four years. I’m not taking another assignment right now. I’m not taking another assignment at all!”
“This isn’t the way to get out, and you know it,” Captain Cain barked back. “Especially in your line of work. Where’s your notice? Huh? You have a duty to—”
Pointing at his boss, or ex-boss, Tian interrupted, “I’ve done my duty. You’ve run me roughshod for years just because of my sexual orientation and because I don’t have any connections.” His smile turned cold as he claimed, “At least none that you were aware of. It’s my turn for a life. Don’t bother contacting me, Captain. My last assignment is complete, and I’m leaving Chicago.”
Roman knew what was in the report that Tian again pointed at. Going with the story that the Falias Estate was a nudist colony, Raymond and Vane had doctored the pictures, so they appeared staged, or the images weren’t what they’d initially seemed. There were also reports in there that the complaints were false, given by Roger and Bethany Waldrip.
The explanation was that the pair’s application to the nudist colony had been refused, and their actions were retaliation. Roman didn’t know how to do any of what the other gargoyles did to hide the estate’s true occupants. When he’d absently leafed through the information on the drive up, however, it’d made for entertaining reading.
It also cleared up the matter with little chance for renewed inquiries.
“You won’t make it out of the city if you persist on this path,” Captain Cain threatened, his face turning a pinkish hue. “I’ll have your ass tossed in jail by Internal Affairs so fast you won’t know what hit you.”
Roman couldn’t stop the growl from erupting from his throat. Grateman patted his leg before rising. “Relax,” the dark-skinned human-looking gargoyle urged. “I got this.”
“Captain Cain,” Grateman called, pushing past a man who stepped into his way. “I’m Grate Regales, Tian’s attorney.” He held out a card that said Roman didn’t know what. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation, and while I know none of your boys in blue would counter you, I am not so inclined to roll over for your intimidation tactics.”
“Who the fuck are you?” the captain snarled, glaring.
“Attorney Grate Regales,” Grateman repeated, looking down his nose at the shorter male. A stern expression creased his features. “I’m from the union.”
Upon hearing those words, Captain Cain’s belligerent expression swiftly cleared. He drew himself up to his full height. Clearing his throat, he took a second to frown at the card Grateman had handed him.
Finally, the captain refocused on Grateman and asked, “How can I help you?”
“Officer Chavez feared you would have trouble accepting his resignation,” Grateman began, holding his gaze. “He has a fantastic track record of accepting just about any assignment you give him as well as a high-resolution rating.” Pointing at the file Cain still held, he continued, “However, as he has chosen to wed a man in another state, he feels it is time to move on, and that is not something you can stop him from doing.”
Captain Cain’s jaw sagged open for a second before he caught himself and snapped his jaw shut. He frowned at Tian. “You married and didn’t tell me?”
“It didn’t seem relevant,” Tian replied slowly, seeming to swiftly catch on to Grateman’s ruse. “If I choose to marry and move to be with that person—” He paused and shrugged. “My business.”
As Roman watched Cain mull that over in his mind, maybe trying to find a loophole, he noticed his lover’s sudden discomfort. Glancing around the room, he saw several looks of disbelief and a number of glares and frowns. He remembered a conversation with his lover.
Few people on the force knew of Tian’s orientation, and between Tian and Grateman’s comments, he’d just come out to everyone in the room.
Needing to offer his lover support, Roman ignored the conversation that Cain struck up with Grateman. He rose to his feet, using the cane at his side for support. In human form, he’d been encouraged to carry one and use it while out and about, just in case anyone became aware of his scars. Besides, while he didn’t technically need it, he found it sure made maneuverability easier.
“Where are you going?” Tobias hissed, touching his wrist.
“My mate just came out to a room full of cops,” Roman murmured in response. “I need to go to him.”
Tobias glanced toward Tian and must have recognized
the signs of his discomfort. He, too, rose, motioning for Jeremiah to do the same. The second nodded at Roman, essentially giving him permission.
Roman maneuvered across the floor, ignoring the others in the area. While he might be using a cane, he still made an imposing figure standing six-foot-two with broad shoulders and thickly muscled arms. At Jeremiah’s insistence, he’d worn high-end, pale blue jeans, a green polo shirt, and a navy-blue sports coat. Evidently, Grateman’s mate had a hidden fashion streak.
Roman hadn’t minded. He’d worn a loincloth for most of his life. What did he know about clothes? Plus, he’d sure enjoyed the appreciative light that had filled his own mate’s eyes when Tian had spotted him in his attire.
“Tian,” Roman softly called his mate’s name. “We just about set here?”
Tian smiled up at him, nodding. “Yeah. Let’s roll,” he responded, evidently taking his cue from the fact that he spotted Tobias and Jeremiah standing as well. “I don’t have anything else to say here.”
“This him?” Captain Cain interrupted, stepping around Grateman. “This the... guy you’re changing your life for?”
Roman just managed to keep from frowning at the not-so-carefully-concealed sneer in the man’s tone.
“Yes,” Tian confirmed. “This is Roman, my husband.” He glanced around the area for a second before lifting a hand in a wave. “Stay safe, everyone.” With that parting shot, Tian rested his hand on Roman’s back and indicated that he should head out. “So, hope you’re hungry. I programmed a great place into Tobias’s GPS in his SUV.”
While Roman kept half his attention on Tian, he still noted a couple of men with curled lips. There was also a pair that whispered together, but Roman couldn’t hear what they talked about. Grateman offering Cain a good day was too loud.
Roman felt Grateman at his back, which was a bit of a relief. He didn’t like the tension filling the room and wanted out of there. It wouldn’t surprise him at all if a few officers tried something.
They made it to the parking garage without mishap. Tobias slid behind the wheel of the SUV while Roman tugged Tian into the very back with him. In the peripheral of his vision, he noted Grateman settled in the passenger seat, and Jeremiah lounged in the middle.
Wrapping his arm around Tian, Roman pulled him close. He cupped his jaw with his other hand, using it to turn his mate’s face toward him. Lowering his head, he sealed his mouth over Tian’s and slipped his tongue inside. He spent the next couple minutes relearning his amazing mate’s mouth.
Something hit his shoulder, catching Roman’s attention. He broke the kiss, a grin creasing his lips when he spotted the pen on the floor near his feet. Glancing around the SUV’s interior, he spotted Jeremiah’s amused expression.
“So... did you want lunch? Or should we lock you in here so you can get it on,” the human teased, waggling his brows.
Tobias turned in his seat and smirked at them all. “Not in this parking lot,” he warned. “We already have a target on our backs from the local law enforcement. We’re not giving them any reason to interfere with us.”
As much as Roman would have loved to have his sexy mate ride his hard cock in the backseat of the SUV, he knew Tobias was right. He glanced around and noticed they were already at the eatery Tian had told them about. The signs of the place heralded the best Chicago dogs in the city.
Damn, they’d already arrived.
Roman released his hold on Tian, who climbed out of the back seat after Jeremiah. Joining the group, Roman closed the door behind him. He peered around the area. Still not used to the noise, goose bumps broke out on his arms.
Tian slid his hand into Roman’s, offering a reassuring squeeze.
Letting out a sigh, Roman smiled at him.
“How is a Chicago dog different from a regular hot dog?” Tobias asked curiously as he led the way toward the place.
“Flavor,” Tian immediately responded. “It’s a much richer, explode-in-your-mouth flavor.” He winked at Roman as he continued, “With your tongues, ya’ll will enjoy them immensely.”
Roman snorted, knowing Tian referred to the fact that a gargoyle had many more receptors on their tongue than a human... or even most paranormals. That was so they could track while flying through the air. They had to be better.
“They are good,” Jeremiah confirmed. “At least, the ones you can buy from the store are. We’ll have to grab a deep-dish Chicago style pizza before we head out of town, too.”
“Oh, yeah?” Tobias asked as he opened the door to the eatery. “They good, too?”
Jeremiah shrugged, grinning. “We’ll find out.”
“You guys don’t travel much, do you?” Tian asked, glancing between them.
Roman shook his head. “No.” He gave his lover a heated smile. “Not until we find that special someone.”
Tian’s cheeks took on a pink glow. “Ah, right. Sorry.”
Roman would be the first to say that he’d enjoyed the dogs... maybe a little too much. Between the group, they’d downed almost three dozen of them. Of course, most of them were eaten by himself, Tobias, and Grateman.
Sprawling in the back seat, his arm around Tian, Roman groaned softly. His mate chuckled, his expression amused. “Okay,” Roman mumbled. “I concede. Those were damn fantastic.”
“Oh, yeah,” Grateman agreed. He half turned in his seat to peer at Jeremiah. “Why’d you let me eat so much, baby?”
Jeremiah barked a laugh. “Yeah, like I have so much control over how many hot dogs you decide to scarf down, handsome.” He smirked as he leaned forward and pecked a kiss to Grateman’s lips, then teased, “You gonna be able to handle lifting heavy furniture on a full stomach?”
Roman groaned right along with Grateman.
Tobias laughed before asking, “You already put your home in the GPS?”
“I did,” Tian confirmed. “It’s the third Chicago address I entered.”
“Why’d you enter the precinct and the restaurant before your home address, Tian?” Roman asked curiously as Tobias got the SUV moving.
Tian shrugged. “Probably because I no longer consider that place home,” he revealed, cuddling up to his side. “My home is with you.”
Roman loved that response. Leaning down, he pressed a lingering, sipping kiss to his lips. “I love you, you know,” Roman whispered after he lifted his mouth a hairsbreadth from his mate’s. “Thank you for moving for me.”
“I love you, too, Roman, but I’m not doing it just for you,” Tian responded. “I’m doing it for us.” His smiled turned mischievous as he moved Roman’s hand to his stomach. “And for our unborn hatchling.”
Gaping, Roman peered at where his hand palmed Tian’s stomach. It took his brain a minute to catch up and process his mate’s statement. “Y-You’re pregnant?”
Tian’s cheeks darkened in a blush. “I am. Had Perseus confirm it right before we left yesterday.” He snorted as he mumbled, “Still think it’s a weird thing for a guy to admit, but I’m happy about it. Hope you are, too.”
Excitement of a different nature surged through Roman. He whooped with glee, then captured Tian’s mouth in a deep kiss. His length suddenly ached so badly, twitching and leaking behind his fly. Even his discomfort from eating so many Chicago dogs disappeared in light of the knowledge that he was going to be a father... that he and Tian were starting a family.
The other men, who’d obviously overheard, whooped and hollered, offering congratulations.
After they’d pulled up to Tian’s apartment building and climbed from the SUV, the other men clapped them on the back and offered even more well wishes.
Unfortunately, the jovial attitude ceased when they reached Tian’s door. The lock was broken, and the door was hanging half off its hinges. It appeared to have been broken in from a boot kick judging by the placement of the print near the door jamb.
“Holy shit,” Tian mumbled.
When he went to push the door open, Roman tight
ened his arm around his waist and pulled him closer, stopping him.
“Stay here until we’re sure they’re not still in there,” Tobias ordered. He signaled to Grateman and Jeremiah. “We’ll be right back.”
Roman nodded, keeping Tian close as the trio slipped into the apartment. “Do you have someone check on the place while you’re gone?”
Tian nodded. “I pay a guy on the first floor to walk through it once a week. He came just two days ago, and he said everything was fine.”
“Then it’s recent,” Roman mused.
“Very recent,” Jeremiah claimed, appearing and forcing the door wider. He beckoned them to enter. “The paint on the walls is still wet.”
After they had walked inside the apartment, Roman winced as he watched Tian’s jaw sag open in shock. Slurs had been spray painted on the walls. Pictures had been pulled from the walls and smashed on the floor. Even the cushions on the sofas had been slashed.
“Damn, Tian,” Roman whispered. He felt violated and it wasn’t even his space. “I’m so sorry.”
Tian shook his head, heaving a sigh.
Tobias reappeared, a deep scowl creasing his features. “The rest of the rooms look pretty similar, I’m afraid,” he warned. “Any idea who’d do this?”
Shaking his head again, Tian frowned as he peered around his trashed home. “No, I—” He paused. “But I can tell you.”
Tian eased from Roman’s grip and crossed to a bookshelf with a bunch of broken trinkets and an array of books strewn across the floor before it. Crouching, he swept his fingers through everything until he came up with what looked like a plastic toy train engine. He popped open a panel on the bottom and eased out a memory card. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he inserted the card into a slot on the side.
After a couple of seconds where he swiped over the screen a couple of times, Tian scoffed as he shook his head. “Well, I’m glad we didn’t come straight here after putting in my resignation.” He held up the phone, showing everyone the picture. “It’s my captain and a group of guys from my, well, my ex-precinct.”
The Truth is even Stranger Page 10
