by Sophia North
Gabriel leaned back against the bar. He rarely spoke about his duties as Consul and with Lash and Malachai away on mission, found he missed having them around to act as a sounding board. And with Vlad having been an Elder, which by all accounts he'd excelled at, he wondered if he could ask more of him now that he was a Praetor.
"I believe you may have more use by returning to the ranks of power. I’ve been considering where to place you in the pecking order. How do you feel about being an advisor to me...on vamp matters?" he finished with emphasis.
"As long as we establish clear boundaries, I don't see why not. I'll run it by the Missus, she doesn't like it when I don't consult her over major decisions."
Gabe rolled his eyes. How had the vamp become so whipped? It was most unflattering and almost tempted him to rescind his offer. There were still a number of questions about Vlad's ascension to Praetor he was unsure about, but damn, he did rather like him. What harm was there in allowing him closer? Vlad had proven his loyalty to the Empire countless times.
"You do that," he replied tightly. "I see our escort is returning, so keep your mouth shut and try using your powers to listen to what they are thinking. Lesson number one."
Vlad snorted and placed his pint glass on the bar. "I'm not exactly a fledgling, mate."
Farmer Joe greeted them with a much improved attitude, the wolf even managed a slight deferential nod of the head. "Our Alpha invites you to join him upstairs. If you would follow me...Consul."
Gabe winked at Vlad, downed his scotch in one and replied: "See? Lang knows his place."
Vlad quirked an amused brow Gabe's way. "We'll see."
Following the wolf through the crush of the crowd, Gabriel kept one eye on noting potential problems as they made their way up a flight of stairs to the balcony area. He clocked there were about thirty wolves dotted around the club. Lang must feel he was rather important to require such a high level of security, or else he was expecting trouble.
A portion of the balcony was cordoned off for VIPs only. At the far end, sat in a booth, were the Lang brothers. Vlad's eyes widened in surprise. This was the second time he'd found the brothers together. Perhaps their wolf spat had been mended. Last time he checked, Ethan Lang had wanted nothing to do with his family. And yet, here he was, like a loyal lap dog at his older brother's side. How disappointing. Vlad had liked that Ethan was his own man...albeit a fucking annoying one.
Remember your purpose here is to listen, Gabe silently reminded.
Aye-aye captain. But FYI it is strange that Ethan has returned to the fold. I reckon something's up, Vlad's mind returned.
Isn't there always with werewolves?
Seated at the table, along with the two men, were an array of beautiful women dressed in a myriad of delectable evening wear. A particularly lovely brunette sat at the Alpha's side, immediately licked her lips suggestively at Gabriel the moment he arrived. Obviously a favourite of the eldest Lang brother, given her close proximity, Gabe made note of her interest in him. It could prove useful in the negotiations.
"Consul Rosetti, what an unexpected pleasure. I had not pegged you as a Rock fan...would have guessed Opera was more to your taste," Marcus Lang greeted. "And as for you, former Elder, I heard you were not a particular fan of Mitchell's, unlike your wife. She was a regular back in the day, wasn't she?"
His condescending tone needled at Vlad. It was no secret he'd threatened to have the place shut down after he had hauled Penny's ass out of the club a few months ago. Mitchell's reputation had not been stellar at the time given its services to the baser instincts of human and vamp natures. The catacombs underneath housed a warren of rooms where the limits of sexual pleasures were tested.
"I think it best we discuss business in private, don't you?" Gabe asked, his gaze moving to the women draped over the Lang brothers. Ethan, it had to be said, stared at Gabe with barely contained animosity, and seemed completely uninterested in their attractive company.
Snapping his fingers, Marcus did not break eye contact. "Ladies, if you will excuse us." There were a few pouts at being asked to leave, but they were quick to follow his instructions. The only one who tarried slightly longer than the others was the brunette, who made a point of lightly brushing Gabe as she passed, determined to leave a lasting impression. She did, but not in the way she was intending. Gabe saw Marcus's eyes narrow in disapproval by her show of interest in him. As he expected, she would make an excellent weapon to throw the wolf off his game should he prove to be a worthy foe.
"Drinks?" Marcus offered, as a waiter stood at the ready beside the booth.
"No, I don't expect we'll be here long. Vlad has a prior engagement and my tastes for the night have shifted from drink." Gabe made sure to let his gaze move to the group of women making their way down the stairs to the dance floor.
"Then I suggest you start talking. I too, have other interests tonight...Serpent ones."
Bold. Implying his loyalty may be up for grabs by the enemy was not the way to go with Gabe. "So you have been approached. Is this the reason for your latest spending spree? You think you have the upper hand at the moment. Might I suggest you rethink your position."
Marcus laughed at his insinuation. Fuck their treaty with Lowerton - they were out! Clean break, no deal exit. "May I return the suggestion. We both know the state of the Empire is not what it once was - Alessio's reign doesn't appear to be going very swimmingly. And now there are Warlocks back in town. Me thinks, Praetor, you are the one in trouble, not I."
“My, my - you seem very sure of yourself. What is the Brotherhood promising, equal say, equal rights? I don't fucking think so," Vlad bit out. Fuck his staying silent.
Gabe crushed his mind like a vice. He would not tolerate insubordination from one of his Praetors, friend or no. Vlad grimaced in pain and held his tongue.
"Glad to see you are well informed about my position...and identity,” Gabe spoke calmly. “If you are wise, you will save your bravado until you uncover all the facts about me. It is obvious you lack full disclosure. Once you realise your mistaken belief, I will be happy to entertain an alliance. As it stands, I do not care if you want to buy Buckingham Palace. Such matters can be easily reversed - as you no doubt know...very well."
Ethan's silent act ended in the same manner as Vlad's - unguarded words bandied when he was meant to say nothing. "Is that a threat?"
"No, pup. That's reality. Vlad, it is time for us to be going."
The pair slid in unison from the booth.
"You know where to find me when you are ready to discuss matters properly." Gabe nodded at the Langs, turned on his heel, and strode away.
At his side, Vlad growled. "I know I shouldn't have said anything, but did you fucking hear what they were thinking?"
"Yes. But unlike you, I am able to do two things at once. Use my brain and not rise to provocative thinking. Lang was merely putting on a show for us...his loyalty has not been bought. A first in my experience with werewolves, they are usually not so honourable."
Vlad gaped. His take on the Lang brothers was not even close. They had practically screamed traitors with their thoughts. They wanted power and would consider their position very carefully when choosing a side, which leant towards the Brotherhood from what Vlad had managed to make out.
Down on the dance floor, Gabe scanned the group looking for his goal of the night. A two bird one stone lesson for Marcus Lang and Vlad. Gyrating to the music the stunning brunette caught his eye. Yes, she would do nicely.
When she spotted him, she beckoned him to join her with lust-heavy eyes. Gabe tilted his head in invitation for her to come to him, which she did immediately.
"Good evening, my sweet," he said as she arrived. "How do you fancy getting out of here...with me?"
She did not hesitate, looping her arm in his, "I'm ready for anything you can imagine."
Gabe kissed her slow and lingeringly, making sure Marcus from his perch on high got quite an eyeful. When he'd finished, his hand rested po
ssessively on her firm ass. "Send my regrets to your hostess this evening," he remarked casually to Vlad, as he and his night's entertainment turned to leave. "Inform her I am unable to attend her little soirée due to unforeseen, yet delectable, reasons."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"MALTBY, YOU ARE HERE as my guest," Hannah gently chided, taking the empty champagne flute from his busy hands.
"Old habits, my dear, are hard to break," the older man answered, a hint of wistfulness in his voice.
Hannah winced inwardly. Leaving home meant leaving him. A surprisingly hard thing to do, as it turned out. She hadn't realised how much the family's faithful servant had been an integral part of her life until she'd left.
She pressed a kiss to his old weathered cheek, an act she'd performed regularly, and secretly hoped it would let him know how much she missed him without having to say so. They'd adopted a new habit in their relationship. Leaving things unsaid between them.
She knew Maltby had not been pleased at the prospect of one his chicks leaving the roost. Educational advancement was tolerated, but full out abandonment had not been on the cards, however silly it was for him to have felt it. Maltby also knew one day he'd see his charges moving on with their lives, starting families of their own. Carrying on the great tradition of their bloodline he'd been so proud to serve all this time.
"Thank you again for my desk and the grandfather clock. The place did not feel like home without them...and I'd have hated to ruin another Chippendale desk with my coffee rings," she joked.
"It was the least I could do. Couldn't let you settle in without your things. Did you receive your parent's gift?"
"Yes, they really shouldn't have been so extravagant. I hadn't expected them to send me the entire library."
"Those books have always belonged to the lady of the house...no matter what house she happens to reside in."
The Lyonsford book collection had been lovingly created by the 7th Marchioness in the late 19th century. An eccentric, who was deeply cherished by her husband, she was renowned as a lover of knowledge. It was rumoured many of the books had actually come from her famed uncle's Lord Rose personal collection. An even greater eccentric character than his beloved niece, with a penchant for occult mystery teachings.
"Hannah! Lawrence was just telling me how you refused to invite Gabriel Rosetti to your party tonight," Rebeka accused, as she walked into the living room. "Why would you be so inhospitable? I found the man to be absolutely charming when we met...bit too old for me, mind. But definite boyfriend material for you now that you've split from Pierce."
Gabriel Rosetti. His name alone had the power to illicit strong emotion from her, with anger topping the list. She could not believe what he'd done. How dare he erase her memory like it was nothing important. She and he...they had been so close to being with one another. The memory of which still haunted her dreams. God, how she wanted him.
To add insult to injury, he'd set his Praetor goons to watch over her. That is, when he wasn't lurking around himself. Yes, she knew every time he came near her. For some inexplicable reason she could sense him and his Praetors immediately when in her vicinity.
"That name is forbidden in my home. Do I make myself clear, Beka?"
"Goodness, my sister. Crystal...no need to be so defensive. Being inquisitive is not a crime is it? If so, call Scotland Yard immediately and ask for an Inspector Lang to come and arrest me. He is so delicious. But I call dibs on him, you do not seem to know what to do with handsome, sexy as hell men, my sister."
"Not Inspector Ethan Lang, Beka...honestly, I thought you had better taste than that," Penny remarked joining the burgeoning numbers in the room. "He is a most arrogant wol...er, man," she finished when Hannah sent her a warning look to mind her language.
The truce between the two friends was still fragile. Hannah had tore a strip off of Penny for her and Vlad's roles in duping her about what happened at Claridge's.
One false move and Penny would be right back in the dog house. And revealing too much about her knowledge of the supernatural in front of Hannah's family would not be the best way to build back some friend credit.
"You know Inspector Lang? Ethan, is it - what a delectable name. He wouldn't tell me what it was when we met," Rebeka rambled, her tongue running on before her brain had engaged.
"Have many run ins with Scotland Yard, do you?" Penny asked, quick to spy the hole in her story.
Hannah's heart skipped a beat. Surely Rebeka was not attracted to the Inspector for supernatural reasons, was she? Her baby sister had been quick to want Gabe when they'd met at Claridge's. Good god, maybe it was a family trait!
"Miss Rebeka, I think it is time we take our leave. It sounds like you and I need to have one of our special talks," Maltby interjected authoritatively.
On that note, in stumbled Lawrence...somewhat tipsy from his and Penny's resounding success at putting Hannah's party together. "Leaving? But...but..I am sure he will come. It's not that late."
Ding Dong.
"Slee," he slurred.
Maltby took one look at the young man and rolled his eyes. "Come along," he said to Lawrence as he walked past with Rebeka in tow. "Both of you need a good sobering up and it looks like there's a storm brewing outside - perhaps a nice rain shower will do the trick whilst we wait for our car," he looked down at his watch. "Which will be arriving in eight minutes. Lady Hannah, don't worry about these two. I shall see to both of them."
Hannah chuckled at the disgruntled looks on Beka and Lawrence's faces. This independent lifestyle had a quite a few perks. But Maltby's task of taking on her assistant went above and beyond what was required.
"Don't worry about Lawrence. I'll make a pot of coffee and see him home safely."
Maltby held up a hand. "No, the young man and I need to have words. Trust me."
"Honey, I've come to collect you," Vlad announced as he walked into the room.
Penny pouted. "Where have you been? You said your appointment tonight wouldn't affect our evening...and look, its nearly midnight and the party's over."
Enveloping her in his arms, Vlad pressed kisses along her neck. "We can have our own party, baby. I'm ready to set a new record, if you are."
She batted him away. "Stop trying to avoid answering me with your promises of Olympic bedroom antics." But quickly purred in his ear, "Start warming up, Viking."
Hannah had been listening to their banter with a somewhat wistful heart until the images of Vlad's night drifted into her mind's eye, completely unbidden. She gasped as she watched them play out and end with Gabriel's hand on another woman's ass.
"You were with him tonight," she hissed accusingly at Vlad. "And he...he wanted you to tell me about her, didn't he? I suspect he wasn't expecting it to be in such vivid detail."
"This fucking Consul cunt causes more problems than he solves," Vlad growled.
Penny listened to their exchange with interest. "You can read minds again?" she asked Vlad in astonishment. "I thought you said the ability hadn't yet kicked back in. Is this how you knew I wanted ice cream the other night? You've been reading my mind!"
Vlad pecked her outraged lips. "Only the dirty bits, love. Promise."
She immediately slugged him. It didn't make a dint, but he cringed anyway. There went his night of inventive sex with his wife. And he was so looking forward to it. Fucking Gabe and his well planted visions.
"Look, Hannah. I wasn't going to say anything. Why would I want to hurt you like that? But perhaps it's a good thing you saw how Gabriel behaves. It sucks, but there are times when you need to hear, or see, the truth."
Hannah's ire eased at Vlad's contrite look and offer of an olive branch. "And what truth is that?"
Vlad took a deep breath. What he had to say wasn't going to go down well, but it had to be said. "Maybe, you should take a page out of his book and move on too. For I've never encountered a colder fish than our beloved Consul. And he meant it when he said he is over you."
It was H
annah's turn to keep her feelings on the matter hidden, otherwise she may have snorted in derision. Gabriel may like to pretend he was 'over her' but he clearly wasn't. No, he was back in his usual spot in her garden, listening to their conversation. Not fucking the brunette he'd left with in the vision.
"Perhaps, you are correct, Vlad. Cheers for the advice. Ethan Lang did look rather tasty from what I saw of your night. My sister may find I am not the slouch she thinks I am in that department. You couldn't do me a favour and stage another heist in order to draw his attention? Worked a treat when you stole Penny's paintings."
"You told her?" Vlad shot a look over at his wife, wondering how much she was telling her friends about him. The thought of them gushing about it bothered him for some reason. He was not known as a sensitive sort.
"She was threatening to disown us - I had to do something...besides it was one of the most romantic things you've ever done for me. After giving me your child that is - and even though you'd sworn off ever having children."
"Baby, you know how much I want our daughter. Why would you ever doubt it?"
"Then it's a good thing you have such a positive attitude as there will be two of them."
"Twins?" he whispered reverently putting a hand on her stomach.
Watching them being so tender with one another wrenched at Hannah's heart. "I'd say it was about time the two of you go and spend some quality time together," she said softly, not wanting to break their spell but starting to feel like a third wheel.
Vlad straightened and put on his serious face. "I shouldn't have been so harsh, Hannah. I just don't want to see you get hurt. And Gabriel Rosetti will break your heart, trust me I know the type."
Penny stared worryingly at Hannah. "Don't give his High Holiness an inch. Vlad may think he knows best...but we women also know a thing or two. And my money's on him being madly in love with you. Too bad he's such a prick."
