Sixx (The Stone Society, #7)

by Faith Gibson

  Now that everyone was present, Sin officially welcomed them all to his home. Since all the Gargoyles knew Rafael, Sin allowed his brother the honor of introducing Kaya as their Queen. Those who had never met her fisted their hearts and bowed, vowing their allegiance as well as their lives to not only her, but her unborn child as well. Once that was out of the way, Sin introduced Urijah to the West Coast clan members, informing them he would be overseeing the armory and sword training over the next few weeks. Sixx knew everyone except for the four males standing off to Sinclair’s right.

  “I’d like to introduce you to Banyan Sorenson, Landon Roxburgh, Gannon Hopkins, and Thane Sommers. All four males have recently relocated from New Orleans. In return, Barrett, Silas, Warren, and Steven have traded places with them, moving south to live along the bayou.” Sixx had been right in thinking Banyan was familiar. His name was well known throughout the financial industry. The male was keeping a close eye on Urijah for some reason. He would have to remember to tell the Norseman to watch his back. Or maybe it was his front the newcomer was interested in. Then again, Uri had previously lived in New Orleans, so maybe they were already familiar with one another.

  Dinner was served, and the chatter died down to a minimum while everyone dug into the wonderful meal Ingrid had prepared. Sinclair circulated between the tables, making sure his guests were getting enough food and drink. When he stopped at Rafael’s table, he placed his hand on his older brother’s shoulder. Sixx didn’t miss the way Rafe leaned into Sin’s body. Sixx had been an only child, with his mother dying during his birth, so he had no idea how it would feel to have not only one but three siblings. It was evident in their body language that Rafael and Sinclair were as close as two people could be without being intimate. He had seen the same bond in Nikolas and Julian, as well as in Gregor and Dante. A small tinge of jealousy nicked at his heart, but he dismissed it. It wasn’t their fault they were blessed with brothers instead of being raised an only Goyle.

  Sixx kept an eye on his surroundings while eating. Uri’s body language was a little friendlier now that he and Finley had come back from the garden. He prayed whatever was going on between the two of them would result in happiness for them both. He also prayed that his plan for wooing Rae back into his good graces would go positively. He was ready to settle down with his mate and be a father to his son. He wanted what the other Goyles had who had recently found their mates. The forever kind of happiness that came with being with the one who was made specifically for them. Had he somehow known Rae was his? Why else would he have bitten her? In all his years on this planet, he’d never felt the urge to let his beast loose with a female. It was sex for the release, nothing more. Nothing anywhere close to the explosiveness of being with Rae. Sixx hoped he would get to enjoy that again, and sooner rather than later.

  Once everyone had finished eating, the conversation turned serious. Sin explained the latest uprising of the Unholy. Finley was responsible for scheduling the patrol rotation, and Sixx offered his services. Even though Gordon Flanagan was presumed to be dead, it hadn’t caused the Unholy army he created to retreat into hiding. If anything, the lack of their leader fueled chaos among their ranks. If Gordon had left someone in charge in his absence, they weren’t doing a good job of keeping the monsters under control. When that topic was broached, Banyan was the one who said, “Maybe they do have a new leader, and his directive is for the Unholy to create havoc. Perhaps whoever is now in charge cares even less about what happens to the humans than Flanagan did.”

  Sixx had to agree with him. Things had been chaotic recently in New Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Perhaps whoever took over as leader of the Unholy army had a different agenda than his predecessor. When they were finished with the topic of patrolling, Rafael brought everyone up to date on their situation with Alistair. “Even though we have his daughter as a bargaining chip, we want to be prepared should he decide her life isn’t worth sparing. Banyan, I appreciate you handling training thus far. Urijah is here to upgrade the armory and to make sure you have the new swords he and Julian have been working on together. He is willing to help with training as well.” Both Goyles sat a little taller. Neither one said a word to the other, but they did nod at their King. Something was off about the situation. Sixx hated to pry, but once he had Urijah alone in the car, he was going to at least ask if he knew Banyan from his time in New Orleans.

  When business talk concluded, Urijah found his way over to Sixx. “Not rushing you, but I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

  Urijah was mostly a private person, and Sixx could feel the unease rolling off the Goyle. He clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Let’s say our goodbyes, and we’ll head home.” He used the word home on purpose. He wanted Uri to feel comfortable living with him as long as he was in California. They both thanked Sinclair for a wonderful evening and touched base with Rafe and Kaya. As they were making their way to the front of the house, a voice called out, “Urijah, wait up.”

  Both Sixx and Uri turned to see Finley jogging their way. He stopped in front of them and said, “I meant to ask you earlier if you wanted to come home with me. You know, hang out for a while?” Both his tone and his eyes were pleading. Uri turned to Sixx, but he wasn’t going to get involved. He glanced at the trees lining the driveway just to have his focus somewhere other than the two Goyles.

  Uri sighed, the internal turmoil evident in that one breath. “I guess so. Sixx, I’ll see you later.”

  Sixx turned back, smiling. “You two enjoy getting reacquainted. I have plenty to do to keep me occupied.” He held his hand out and shook with both males before heading to his loaner car. Maybe the two of them would settle back into the kind of easy friendship they’d had before Finley relocated.

  Sixx strode to the Veyron and slid into the driver’s seat. Before he started the vehicle, he synched his phone with the radio and found his driving mix. He planned on taking the long way home. The long way via a little house in New Lomita.

  Chapter Four

  Sinclair didn’t relax until Fin had left with Uri in tow. For several months he had listened to his new friend drone on and on about everything Urijah. Fin didn’t even realize he talked about the Goyle so much. While Sin preferred females, he could see the appeal of the blond Norseman. For a Goyle, the male was taller than most. His crystal blue eyes didn’t miss anything, reminding Sin of a hawk. Of course, Fin didn’t elaborate on his feelings for the male, but it was clear in the tone of his voice that he cared deeply for his best friend. Even then, Fin filled his nights and weekends with females.

  Vivian, Fin’s latest conquest, was trouble, and Sinclair was ready to find out just how much trouble she could be. The last time he had seen her, she not so subtly mentioned a friend she had who loved threesomes. And foursomes. Sin didn’t take the bait. He tucked that little bit of knowledge away for future use. Right now he was focused on his brother and sister-in-law.

  Sin couldn’t be happier for Rafael. Not only had he found his mate, but he was going to be a father. If Sin didn’t love him so much, he might be jealous. Sinclair was ready to settle down with the one true mate the fates had deemed his. It had been many years since he allowed himself to love a female. The hurt from losing them was too great. The other Gargoyles didn’t understand how he could marry a female knowing she would age and eventually pass on to the other side. Sin craved love, and he found a short lifetime with a female loving him was worth the pain of losing them eventually.

  “Bella Mia, relax. You’re going to give me an ulcer,” Rafe pleaded with his beautiful mate when she began helping Ingrid with the clean-up.

  “Yes, Kaya, please. You are here to visit, not work. Besides, I want to hear all about how you snared my brother’s heart.”

  Kaya laughed and smacked Sin on the arm. “You’ve already heard this story.”

  “Yes, from my brother’s point of view. Now, I would like to hear it from yours.” And he would. He found his new Queen to be not only charming but pretty as well
.

  “Very well.” Kaya settled in next to Rafael on the sofa. “As you know, I was investigating a multiple homicide. Vincent Alexander had kidnapped then taken out the delegates at the World Council looking for Flanagan’s brother. When the bodies were found at one of Rafael’s warehouses, he became a person of interest.”

  Rafael growled, “Person of interest, my ass. Try number one suspect.”

  “Who’s telling this story?” Kaya chastised, and Sin laughed when Kaya stared her husband down. The woman was fearless. The two of them were so unlike the older Gargoyles and their female mates. The times they are a-changing...

  Rafael picked up the tumbler full of whiskey he’d left untouched until then and took a sip. “Carry on,” he instructed, grinning. Kaya rolled her eyes, and Sin laughed even louder.

  “As I was saying, Rafael became a person of interest. Since he owned the property where the bodies were found, I placed a call to him, but instead of Rafael answering, he had Willow return my call. He didn’t want to answer my questions, so I went to his office and confronted him. I returned later to ask more questions, and he had set up an elaborate lunch. Looking back, I should have known something was off about him when he tried to seduce me with food.”

  “Ouch, Bella Mia. Your words wound,” Rafe joked with his wife. He picked up the hand he was holding and kissed her knuckles. In those few seconds, the world fell away, and they were the only two in existence. Sinclair wanted that so badly. That connection with his mate.

  “The next conversation I had with him was Rafe asking me to dinner and telling me to wear a dress. I was chief of police. What did I need with a dress? So, instead of turning him down, I went and bought a stupid dress.”

  “And what a dress it was. Sin, she had this black little number that hit above her knees. The neckline swooped down just enough to show the beautiful curve of her brea... Ooph!”

  Kaya elbowed Rafael in the side. “Stop interrupting. Anyway, to make this short, he wooed me. He wrapped his wings around me and took a bullet for me, thus saving my life. After I freaked out, I calmed down. I was kidnapped. We caught Vincent Alexander, case closed. I didn’t have a choice but to fall for him. Now, here we are.”

  “Sure you had a choice,” Sinclair said. “You could have told him no.”

  “You and I both know it doesn’t work that way. Once the mate bond kicks in, there’s no hope for anyone. Just look at Tessa. She tried for years to stay away from Gregor. That didn’t work. Poor Trevor tried to avoid Jasper. That didn’t work, either. Yes, I could have tried to stay away from Rafael, but honestly I didn’t want to.”

  Rafael smiled and pulled Kaya closer. “I’m glad you couldn’t resist. I can’t imagine my life without you by my side.” He kissed her softly on the lips before turning his attention to Sin.

  “What about you? Have you felt any stirrings that didn’t make sense? Like you wanted to throw up, or you felt like passing out?”

  Sinclair tossed back the whiskey in his glass. “Nope, but let me tell you, if I do, I will relish it. I am more than ready to settle down and start a family of my own. With all our brothers and cousins finding their mates, I’m feeling a little left out.”

  “Don’t fret, Brother. At the rate the rest of us are going, you’ll be growling on behalf of a beautiful female like the rest of us in no time. Changing the subject, I want to meet with the rest of the Clan by Friday. Sixx and Uri are staying here, but I want to get Kaya back home as soon as possible.”

  “That shouldn’t be a problem. I want you to see the construction on the armory before you head back.”

  “Speaking of which, what’s up with Banyan? He was staring a hole through Urijah. Did they know each other in New Orleans? Are we going to have trouble with them working together?” Rafael asked. Sin should have known Rafe would pick up on any out of the ordinary nuances between the males.

  “All I know is they were acquaintances many years ago. Banyan is a financial wizard, much like Sixx is. He is also a master with a sword. On the surface, he and Urijah are similar, but I don’t know either of them well enough to comment further. What time I’ve spent with Banyan has been enjoyable. The Goyle is smart, has a dry sense of humor, and is easy going. The two of them are going to be working closely with training, so we’ll have to wait and see what transpires.”

  Kaya stretched and yawned. “I’m going to head on up to bed. You two stay out here and catch up.” She leaned in and kissed Rafael sweetly. Even though it was a chaste kiss, there was emotion pouring from both his brother and Kaya. Sin should have looked away, but he was mesmerized by the two of them. He didn’t realize he had sighed aloud until Rafael chuckled.

  “Sin, you will find your mate,” Rafael promised.

  Kaya placed her hand on Sin’s shoulder, and Rafe growled. “Oh, stop it, you overgrown Gargoyle. Sin, thank you again. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, my Queen,” he responded softly as she walked toward the open patio door that led to the den.

  “You better not be checking out her ass,” Rafael grumbled.

  Sin threw his head back and laughed. He grabbed his flat stomach with his empty hand and continued laughing while looking at his brother. “It’s a nice ass,” Sin dared once he had his breathing under control. If he had been anyone else, Rafe would have never let him get away with such a comment, but he was Sin, Rafe’s brother and best friend. “Now that she’s gone inside, how about a cigar?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Rafe grinned, letting him know all was right between them.

  Sin cut the tip off the end of his stogie and passed the cutter to Rafe. “Any word from Greece?” Sin asked as he puffed the cigar to life.

  Rafael waited until his was cherry red before he responded. “None. I have a feeling our dear uncle is weighing the pros and cons of war. If he retaliates for the death of his son, he will lose his daughter. If he wants Kallisto to remain unharmed, then Theron’s death remains unavenged. I am hoping the female means enough to him that he puts aside his hatred for our Clan.”

  “I still can’t believe he hates humans enough to start a Clan war, especially with his daughter being one of the humans he hates so much.”

  “I believe it has more to do with Jonas going outside the Gargoyle lines than anything.” Rafe swirled the whiskey around in his glass before finishing it off.

  Sin stood and retrieved the bottle from the bar, refilling his brother’s glass. “Does Alistair want the Gargoyles to die off? If we do not mate with humans, we do not continue to be. I, for one, welcome half-human offspring. Now that we know the half-bloods do phase eventually, I worry about the future of our species less.”

  “Who knows what goes through his old mind? Even our mother is at a loss over the levels he has lowered himself to these last few months. I have a call in to Xavier’s man in Greece. I’m hoping he can get a feel for what Alistair has planned. He’s trying to get a man inside the compound. With Theron’s death and Carter’s disappearance, Alistair should be looking for a new right hand. He will be suspicious of anyone new, but there are a few men Donovan believes can get close enough without being too close.”

  “Whoever it is needs to watch their back. I’ve rather enjoyed training, even if it is to prepare for the possibility of war. It has been a long time since I swung a sword, and the workout is exhilarating.”

  “Exhilarating? Banyan must not work you as hard as Urijah does the rest of us.”

  Sinclair grinned at his brother. “Has sitting behind a desk made you soft? Or is it staying hidden away behind closed doors with a beautiful blonde?”

  Rafe cut his eyes at Sin. “I’ll show you soft, smartass.” Rafael grabbed his dick and sneered. Sin threw his head back, laughing. He had missed this playful side of Rafe. The one that disappeared when he stepped into their father’s shoes as leader of the Stone Society. He had missed his brother, period.

  Sin puffed on the fat cigar and blew smoke rings into the air above his head wishing Rafe and Kaya could stay mo
re than a few days. It felt good having them around. “Do you have to go back so soon?” he asked, not looking at Rafe. He didn’t want his brother to see how much he missed having him near. They were practically inseparable for the first four hundred years of their lives. Living on opposite sides of the country for the past two hundred had been hard. Harder than he would have ever imagined.

  “I’ve missed you, too,” Rafe whispered. Sin turned to look at him then, and Rafe’s eyes were shining. “Having Kaya in my life is such a wonderful thing, but no one will ever replace you in my heart, Brother. I have enough room in here,” he thumped his chest, “for you both.” Rafe puffed his cigar a few times before continuing. “Let’s play it by ear. If things with Alistair remain as they are, being he is calm for the moment, we can probably extend our stay.”

  Sinclair was overjoyed to hear it. He only wanted a little extra time to spend with Rafe until they were separated again for the gods only knew how long. “Most excellent.”

  Sixx had the windows rolled down and the music blasting. A Veyron was not the most practical vehicle to drive, especially in New Angeles traffic, but he opened it up when he had the chance. The car would be conspicuous in Rae’s neighborhood, but he couldn’t make himself drive the opposite direction to his home. When he neared the area where she lived, he turned the volume down on his radio and allowed the GPS voice to navigate the turns that took him to her home. Sixx didn’t dare stop, but he did slow to a crawl as he inspected the little house his mate and son called home. It was a neat little three-bedroom cottage.

  As soon as he found out about Desi, Sixx had looked into Rae’s past as well as her finances. There was no way he would let them struggle, not with him having an astronomical amount of money sitting in the bank. He had found that not only were they not struggling, but Rae was sitting on a nice little nest egg. She had been frugal with her money, and she and Desi were doing okay. Now that he had a record deal, Desi would be doing more than okay if he managed his money the way his mother did. Having a financial wiz for a father wouldn’t hurt, either.