The Royal Flush (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles(Book Three))

by Simmons, D. N.

  Antonio looked at Natasha, his light brown eyes trailed over her body with a mixture of bloodlust and sexual desire.

  “Hello,” he replied with an Italian accent. His hands smoothed back his slick hair, making sure every strand was in place.

  Natasha blushed and waved. Xavier tossed Antonio a warning look, but remained silent.

  “Antonio, how nice to see you,” Darian said upon entering the room followed by Tony and Sergio. He made certain to allow Antonio the benefit of sensing a fraction of his aura.

  Frightened by the powerful sensation he was feeling emanating from Darian, Antonio rose from the chair, walking towards him, offering him an apology. “Mr. Alexander”

  “You will call me, Master,” Darian demanded.

  Antonio swallowed hard. “Yes, Master. Look, about earlier ... I’m sorry. I have an image to keep up, you know how it is?” His voice was shaky as he spoke and he lowered his head as if he were afraid to look Darian directly in his eyes.

  Darian took hold of Antonio’s chin raising his face to meet his own.

  “The blood that flows through your veins belongs to me. We are forever bound, I will always be your Master... don’t ever disobey me again. I will not tolerate such disrespect,” he said threateningly. Then with a harsh shove, he sent Antonio sliding across the floor, only to be stopped by the fireplace which he hit with a resounding thud, shaking the antique vases that adorned the mantle.

  Antonio grunted from the pain, but refrained from making any more remarks. Slowly he rose to his feet as Darian settled into one of the chairs. Natasha sat on the sofa, still amazed by Darian’s display of power, though she too, remained silent. Xavier was unruffled as were the others, each aware that a leader must show his or her strength if they are to keep their members in line.

  Antonio settled on the end of the sofa next to Devin.

  “M-Master... what can I do for you?” he asked apprehensively.

  Darian smiled then spoke. “One of my vampires has gone missing, and, as far as we know, two other shape-shifters are missing as well. I was wondering if you may know anything that can be of help to us.”

  “I didn’t do it,” Antonio declared nervously.

  “I know that. Do you know who might have, or why?” Darian asked. He crossed one leg over the other and folded his hands in his lap.

  “Shit, I don’t know. I know there’s been some talk going around about some top secret drop. I don’t know what the drop is for. I heard that some people are paying a shit-load of money and it’s like, government protected, or some shit like that. Can’t nobody touch that shit but the government, so I don’t know what the fuck’s going on,” Antonio said.

  “Do you mean an illegal dealing with the US government?” Xavier asked curiously.

  “Yeah, I guess. Look, there are these two cops that I talk to on occasions, like when you guys wanted those weapons when you were in Russia. Well, these two cops made sure that I got the shipment. They might know something about this, you can talk with them,” Antonio suggested. He darted a nervous glance at Darian then looked at Xavier again.

  “What are their names?” Sergio asked.

  Antonio turned to look at Sergio, he knew that Sergio was a shape-shifter; he could smell it in his blood. He also remembered him from Russia. His eyes trailed over the others, some faces he recognized, some he didn’t. “Ryan Davidson and Jesse Foster, they’re on my payroll, they’re also with the S.U.I.T. division.”

  Darian’s eyebrows creased, but he remained silent.

  “Do you think this is a shipment of weapons?” Tony asked. Everyone turned, looking at him, then back to Antonio.

  “That’s my guess. The only reason why anyone would get in bed with these two is for weapons. Not to mention, it must be some pretty high-tech shit. Even the underworld is shut out on this drop. Normally, I know everything that going on in my city, er...” Antonio look at Darian apprehensively. “ ...This city, but I know very little about this exchange.”

  “Taking everything into consideration, I think it’s safe for us to suspect that this ‘drop’ is about weapons and I think these people paying a ‘shit-load’ of money are connected, especially with supernaturals turning up missing all in the same time span,” Sergio said as he settled back into the cushions of his chair.

  “A hunt?” Natasha blurted out, finally ending her silence.

  All eyes turned to her, making her feel uncomfortable. She was never a person who wanted a lot of attention. Even in high school she was the modest student, always made the honor roll, but was never in the popular school cliques.

  “I think you’re right,” Darian said softly. “This wouldn’t be the first time that supernaturals have been hunted. We have to find them before they receive their shipment.”

  “Rachel is very young and from what I understand, so is Gary. Do you believe they chose them because of that fact?” Elise asked.

  “Interesting question and it does seem possible,” Darian answered.

  “The first thing we need to do is contact these two S.U.I.T. officers, and find out who they’re working for,” Xavier said.

  “I’m going to call Xander and tell him what we know,” Natasha said as she pulled out her little cell phone from her pocket. She dialed Xander’s number and waited.

  “Hello?” A female answered.

  “Hello, it’s Natasha, may I speak with Xander, it’s very important. Is he available?”

  “Hello, Natasha, this is Tatiana and yes, my husband is available, one moment,” Tatiana said. There was a moment of silence before Xander spoke.

  “Natasha, I take it you have news?” he asked in his charming British manner.

  “Yeah, we believe we have a lead, or at least a link to a lead,” Natasha said. She began to tell Xander everything that had been discussed by the others and he listened carefully to the information.

  “I’m sure Warren knows who they are, I will contact him. We may not get our information right away, because he’s working right now in the field. But as soon as he has it, I’ll call you.

  “Oh. Okay, makes sense.”

  “Thank you,” Xander said.

  After their conversation, Natasha slipped her phone back into her pocket.

  “Can I go now?” Antonio asked Darian respectfully.

  Darian nodded. Antonio rose from the chair bowing humbly to the man he now acknowledged as his Master before leaving.

  Sergio watched Antonio as he exited the room.

  “He’s a testy little son-of-a-bitch, isn’t he? Are you sure that’s all he knows?” he asked Darian.

  “That’s all he knows, it’s enough,” Darian said. “Xander is going to ask Warren to track down these two cops. It would be wise if they trail them. Most certainly, they will know something about this mysterious ‘drop’. We need to speak with them.”

  “How’d you... oh, I forgot, vampires have excellent hearing.” Natasha smiled shyly once she realized how Darian knew about her conversation with Xander.

  Elise and Sergio rose from the sofa. “Darian thank you for your help. I’m going home now, I need to rest, but please don’t hesitate to call. Devin wants to stay here to wait for John. That won’t be a problem, will it?”

  “Of course not. Besides, I’m sure John will be happy to see him when he gets home,” Darian replied with a smile.

  He rose and approached Elise, kissing her lightly on her cheek. Sergio stiffened imperceptibly, but said nothing.

  “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” Elise said to everyone in the room then she turned and left with Sergio following behind her.

  Devin looked at Darian. “Thanks. I think I’ll just go up to John’s room.” He rose from his seat and headed up the staircase.

  “So they hope to hunt supernatural game, do they,” Darian said, almost to himself. He slid his hands into his pocket as he thought about their dilemma.

  “My guess is, the weapons they’re going to use will be the silver-nitrate and ultraviolet
gel bullets. It makes perfect sense seeing as the government is involved,” Xavier said reflectively as he rose to his feet.

  “What are you guys going to do?” Natasha asked almost innocently.

  Xavier looked at her, “Whatever we have to.”

  Darian only nodded.

  Natasha remained silent as she thought about that response. In Russia, she witnessed first-hand the extent of their perseverance. She knew exactly what Xavier meant when he said ‘whatever we have to.’ She saw Darian and Tony speaking and decided to go back to her bedroom as to not disturb them.

  Xavier followed behind her, stopping her before she went into the room.

  “Are you going to be all right?” he asked her.

  She nodded. “I just hate what’s happening. You know, is it me, or are you guys always wrapped up in something?”

  Xavier chuckled sadly. “It most certainly would seem so. Before the exposure, supernaturals mainly had other supernaturals to worry about.” He smirked and snorted. “... Now we have ‘rogue demon hunters’, the law, human rebel hate groups and who knows what else. I must say, I do long for the days of the past.”

  “When I get Gary back, I’m going to kill him,” Tony said as he walked past Xavier and Natasha in the hallway.

  “I take it, he doesn’t mean that?” Natasha asked.

  Xavier shook his head. “He’s angry that Gary was taken through a little fault of his own. And that he can’t help him right now.”

  “Oh. But it wasn’t Gary’s fault.”

  Xavier looked at her. “Gary should have sensed that he was in danger. His guard was let down. He’s young, and there’s still so much for him to learn. I believe Tony is blaming himself for Gary’s naiveté, Tasha. Under those circumstances, he can’t help but feel somewhat responsible. Gary is his fledgling as well as his lover.”

  “I hate this... all of it.”

  “I know. Come, I don’t like to see you so distressed. Don’t worry.” Xavier grabbed Natasha’s hand and led her into their bedroom. She sat on the bed, he sat down beside her. Both looked up when Darian entered.

  “Is Tony going to be all right?” Natasha asked.

  Darian nodded. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine, why is everyone asking me how I’m doing. I’m just pissed that there are assholes out there who are messing with my friends!”

  “So you’re pissed off.” Darian smiled.

  “Well, yeah, aren’t you? You guys are just so calm... I don’t understand it,” Natasha admitted, looking at them.

  “Ahhh. Natasha, it’s not that we aren’t upset. Gary is a part of our coven, he’s important and we care about him. But ‘flying off the deep end’ as you like to say, is just not the thing to do right now. We have to keep ourselves grounded so we can think rationally. Do you understand?” Xavier looked at Natasha as she nodded. “We know they are alive and that means we still have time to save them.”

  “Exactly, so let us not waste that time panicking. We have to focus on our strategy. By the way, when Xander contacts us about these two S.U.I.T. officers, we’ll have a better idea of what we’ll need to do,” Darian stated.

  Xavier nodded in agreement.

  “I understand now. By the way, what did you say to Tony?” Natasha asked, knowing full well that she was being intrusive.

  “I told him that we would find Gary for him, not to worry. I also told him to go to the club, I want him to keep an eye out for the two Gary left with,” Darian said.

  “Oh. I know, I… was being nosy.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” Darian said.

  “No, but you were thinking it.”

  “No I wasn’t, I had other thoughts on my mind, actually.” Darian sat on the bed close to Natasha.

  “I hope you weren’t thinking about that, I am so not in the mood,” Natasha said as she shook her head.

  “No, of course I wasn’t thinking that,” Darian lied. “I just thought you might like a massage, I can see that you’re tense.”

  Xavier chuckled softly to himself as he looked at the both of them. Darian tossed him a look as if to say;,“You better not give me away.” Xavier winked.

  Natasha watched both men.

  “Okay, what’s going on? I’m feeling completely left out.” She looked at Darian. “And don’t think that you pulled a fast one on me either, I know that your mind was completely on sex as it is most of your waking hours and giving me a massage was something you just said to save your own ass.”

  Darian laughed. “All right, you win. But would you like me to give you that massage?” His Greek-accented voice was as smooth as silk and twice as alluring.

  “Oh, you’re good. Yes, please.” Natasha removed her shirt and bra, laying them on the night stand.

  Darian smiled as he slid over on the bed so that she could lie down on her stomach. Xavier handed him a bottle of oil from the night stand drawer and he applied the oil evenly over Natasha’s back, rubbing it in gently as he massaged her aching and tense muscles.

  “Ooohh, that feels wonderful,” she moaned.

  “I’m glad you are enjoying this,” Darian said.

  “If the two of you don’t mind, I want to go to that club Gary mentioned to Tony. If the people who kidnapped Gary actually took him to that club, someone there may have seen something. I want to go check it out,” Xavier said as he reached for his car keys.

  “I think that’s a good idea, call me immediately if you discover anything new,” Darian said.

  “Be careful, Xavier.” Natasha looked at him as he stood in the doorway.

  “Don’t worry, I will,” Xavier promised as he turned to leave.

  Darian continued to massage Natasha, feeling her muscles relax. She closed her eyes, relishing the sensation of his strong hands over her soft skin.

  “I don’t want to sleep alone,” Natasha mumbled as she yawned.

  “And you won’t have to, I’ll be here with you,” Darian whispered softly into her ear.

  “Thank you.” Natasha could no longer stay awake, she slowly drifted off to sleep and Darian laid down beside her, pulling her into his arms.

  He looked down at her slumbering form and smiled. She was so fragile to him, so beautiful and innocent in so many ways. In the time that he’d known her, she’d never ceased to amaze him. He understood, without a shadow of a doubt why Xavier fell in love with her. He understood because, he had fallen in love with her as well. He relaxed his own body as he lay next to her, brushing the stray strands of her hair from her face. He thought about the night before when they had made love and how he felt, content. He felt that way with only two other people in his entire life. His Maker and Xavier.

  He forced himself out of his revere and began concentrating on their current situation and what decisions would have to be made depending on the information they received. He didn’t like what he had heard thus far and he believed that it would probably get worse. Nonetheless, he would be ready for whatever was to come.

  Chapter Seven

  The telephone rang just as Warren walked back into the house, morning newspaper in hand. He answered on the fourth ring. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Warren, have you located the two officers?” Xander asked.

  “I was just about to call you. Those two officers were on the S.U.I.T. covert Infiltration Team, but recently, they were transferred to my department, the Investigation Unit. Are you sure this source said they were involved?” Warren asked, still shocked by the information. “I mean, these guys are top notch, they’ve been here since the beginning?”

  “That is what I was told. I’m asking you to set aside your personal feeling towards these two officers and watch them, see where they go, find out what they might know. If there is a plan to hunt supernaturals, I don’t want to waste a moment's time. We need to move quickly if we are to save Nicole and the others,” Xander stated.

  “I know, I know, I just can’t believe they were mentioned as being involved in this. I’ll do what I can from my end.�
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  “Good, I’ll have Adrian trail them as well.”

  “Okay, I’ll call you if I find out anything new or just to check in.” Warren closed his cell phone.

  “Was that your father, um… I mean Alpha?” Matthew asked. He handed Warren a mug filled to the brim with ginseng tea.

  Warren took the mug, smelling its contents, his nose wrinkled, but he sipped the tea.

  “Yeah,” he said after swallowing. “They want us to keep tabs on Ryan Davidson and Jesse Foster, it’s suspected they might know something about what’s going on or even be in on this.”

  “Shit, are you sure? I mean Ryan and J are two of the S.U.I.T.’s best.” Matthew asked surprised.

  “I know, I know... but that isn’t going to stop me from checking them out. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be true,” Warren said as he slouched against the sofa, physically and mentally exhausted.

  Matthew sat next to him, gazing at his troubled expression and frowned. “Warren, you haven’t slept in two days. I know you’re exhausted, you have to be. I’d be dead on my feet by now. In fact, I think I am.”

  Warren nodded slowly as he stared forward as if in a daze.

  “Look, why don’t you try and get some rest, I’ll check out the boys, see what’s up,” Matthew suggested.

  Warren came to himself unexpectedly as if rising out of deep concentration, he looked at Matthew blankly then the meaning of his words soaked in. He shook his head.

  “No, no, I can’t involve you in this. This is our problem, I don’t want anything to happen to you. I’d never forgive myself.”

  “Look, I’m a big boy. I can take care of myself. Besides, we’re partners and to me, that honor doesn’t end when our shift is over,” Matthew said sincerely.

  Warren studied him, his words were hitting home, making him love and respect his partner even more.

  “You really believe that, don’t you?” he asked tenderly.

  Matthew nodded. “You know that I do. I hate seeing you so stressed out.” He laid a hand gently on Warren’s knee. “If I can help, please let me help you.”