Broken Kingdom

by Stephany Wallace

  I chuckled, and she frowned. “Oh. You are serious?” Hmm, I had never thought of myself as a “gentleman”. Go figure.

  “You can turn here and park on the curb. I work right there. Secret Lair Comics.”

  I turned and enter the spot she had indicated. “You work in a comic book store?”

  She grinned, sliding a pair of hot pink glasses over her nose. They were round and way too big for her face. “Yep, I’m a nerd, big boy.”

  I chuckled, shaking my head. “As if I didn’t have enough with my little brother,” I mumbled.

  “Oh, you have a little brother? How old is he? Does he like comics?” She asked, as we stepped out of her car.

  “Not as little as you would think.” She had no idea. “Nyx is twenty three, and he’s obsessed with vampires. I have an older brother, too, Kyr, who’s twenty six.”

  “Three boys? Your poor mother.”

  I laughed. “We are definitely a handful.” My gaze fell on a place two buildings down the street. A police station. “Star, do you mind if I go somewhere and meet you back here in a little bit?”

  Gaby narrowed her eyes at me and I smirked. I was beginning to love when she did that, and I had to admit that she looked gorgeous in those glasses. “You are not going to steal my car, are you?”

  I chuckled, placed the keys in her hand and cradled her cheeks, kissing her. Damn it, what was it with the urge to kiss her? “I’m going to walk.” I whispered, on her lips and gave her one last peck, then turned around.

  I crossed the street and glanced over my shoulder, Gaby was still standing in the same spot, looking at me as I walked away with googly eyes. I grunted. Fuck, I really wanted that woman.

  I walked into the police station, and waited until someone was available to help me. If I was going to find Lorcan in the great, big apple, I needed help. And who better to assist me than the men in blue.

  “May I help you?” A beautiful woman in uniform asked from the counter, and I walked towards her. The gleam in her eyes suddenly changed as she took in the sight of me, innately responding to my charm. She straightened, and began playing with her hair.

  I smiled at her reaction to me. It wasn’t an unfamiliar one, but I wasn’t really interested. “I’m looking for a missing person and I’m wondering if you can help me.”

  Her eyes dropped to my lips. “We can do a report if it’s been over forty-eight hours, how long has he or she been missing?”

  “He has been missing for a week.”

  “And now is that you are opening a report?” The lady stared at me, unsure, and I knew I had messed up.

  I regarded the other officers, but they were busy, no one was looking at us. When my gaze returned to hers my royal markings were back and glowing. “I’m sure that doesn’t matter to you, gorgeous.” She smiled at the endearment, and bit her lower lip teasingly. “Will you check your system for me, to see if you can find any info on him? Last known address perhaps, or what he looks like?”

  She looked at me dazed by the magic of my royal command and the effect I had on her. “Of course. Anything you want. What is his name?”

  I smirked. “Lorcan Uldath.”

  “What a strange name,” she said, smiling.

  “Yes, it’s ancient European. Irish, to be exact.

  “Oh, how interesting.” She smiled at me and began to type in the computer while I waited. My gaze swept the place, making sure no one noticed us. “I found a record for him. Apparently he was caught breaking an entering about thirty years ago, but it was dismissed after the woman dropped the charges. However, the man had already been processed. There is an old picture of him, but I can’t find any updated info.”

  “Thank you, gorgeous. Print it for me.” Her eyes briefly glowed with the command. “And don’t tell anyone you gave me this info. It will be our little secret.”

  She grinned. “Of course. Do you still want to file a missing persons report?” I nodded, letting my royal markings recede. I didn’t need them anymore. “Very well.” She began typing again. “I’ll put out a BOLO. With his description.”

  “A BOLO?”

  She giggled. “Sorry, Police terminology. It’s a Be On the Lookout notice, so if any of our officers sees him on the streets, they’ll bring him in and we’ll contact you.” The woman leaned closer, her gaze briefly dropped to my lips then focused on my eyes. Her finger twirled around a loose strand of hair. “I really love the color of your eyes. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  My lips twitched. “Thank you. Is the pictured printed?”

  “Oh, sorry. I forgot.” She turned and reached for a machine in the corner. “How can I reach you? You know, in case we find him.” Her hand gently brushed mine as she handed me the paper.

  “I don’t have a cellphone, but I’m staying in the Waldorf Astoria. You can call there and leave me a message. My name is Arthur Winston.”

  “Such a manly name. You are very, very masculine.” She leaned over the counter, eyes filled with desire.

  I smirked. “Thank you, gorgeous. And you are very, very sexy.” I took her hand and kissed it. She whimpered and blinked, trying to regain her composure while I folded the paper and placed it in my back pocket. “Remember, you can call me at the Waldorf Astoria if you find him.”

  She nodded. “I will.”

  I winking at her, I left the station.

  * * *

  The man’s features stared back at me as I appraised the picture, walking back towards Gaby. Lorcan was an Elf—red hair, golden honey eyes, semi-tanned skin. He didn’t seem strange for someone who didn’t know any better, his hair was a bit long in the picture, hiding the only asset that would tell others who he really was. His pointed ears. What truth did this Elf have to tell me, and why had he left our realm? It wasn’t common for our people to leave, seeking refuge on Earth. What had he been running from?

  The bell at the door chimed as I entered the comic book store. There were a few people around, mostly guys, looking at the magazines and fandom memorabilia that were displayed in glass cases.

  “Hello, may I help you?” A young man asked, stepping beside me. My eyes continued to roam the place until I saw Gaby in the corner, opening a case, and showing one of the collectible figurines to a couple. I smiled. “I’m here for her.”

  “Aren’t they all?” He huffed, more to himself.

  I stood straight, towering over him. The man was skinny—exercising his body was obviously not his strong suit—he seemed more like the type to develop his mind instead of his muscles. He wore khaki pants, with a white button down shirt and an orange-checkered pull over. I crossed my arms and stared him down.

  “Oh, you are here for her.”

  “She’s mine,” I said, stepping closer just to make sure he understood she was not to be touched.

  “Of course she is.” He said, sarcastically. “That makes sense. I mean look at you… and look at her.” He looked up at me again and cringed. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  I sighed. I didn’t know what got into me. There was no need to scare the poor man. “Are you Gaby’s boss? I need to talk to him.”

  “Yes, I’m the owner. How can I help you?”

  “You are not going to fire her because she got in late today,” I ordered, although my markings remained hidden.

  He huffed. “Fire her?? She’s my friend and my best seller. Like I mentioned before, they are all here for her.”

  My eyes once again roamed the store, and I finally noticed the sly glances all the men gave her in between checking out the latest edition of his preferred comic. I grinned. I couldn’t fault them for that.

  “I’m going to be honest with you.” My gaze returned to him and the guy straightened. “I need to take her to brunch, and I want to spend the rest of the day with her, which means she can’t be working. How much do you sell in a day?”

  “Um, around two thousand.” He answered confused. “Maybe three, in my really good days, if Gaby is here.”

  “Doe
s she work every day?”

  His puzzled eyes swept over her, then settled on mine and he nodded. “From nine to five.”

  I smiled at him and placed my arm around his shoulders, walking him to the register. “Okay, I have a business proposition for you. What would you say if I give you fifteen thousand dollars, and you give Gaby the week off? I want to spend some quality time with her.”

  Hi eyes widened. “Can you do that?”

  I sincerely shrugged. Human currency was just paper to me. “Easily.”

  An amazed smile stretched his lips. “With that kind of money I could pay the last six grand I owe for the loan on this place, and get a few pieces of the limited edition merchandise I’ve been wanting to sell here. Maybe even a life-size Yoda.”

  “There you go, but you can’t tell her anything, and you still have to pay her.” He nodded almost jumping from excitement, and I chuckled. I took my wallet out, flipping my debit card at him. It twirled in the air, falling on the counter. “Charge it.”

  I signed the receipt and shoved it in my pocket a moment before Gaby stopped beside us with the couple she had been helping. I grinned and placed my hand on her lower back, feeling the need to touch her. It felt like it had been days since I had her in my arms.

  “Hey, Max. They will be taking this Batman, the Dark Knight special edition cowl. Can you charge it please?”

  “My pleasure,” Max answered giddy, while she placed the bust on the counter then pulled me aside.

  “Did you buy something?”

  I faked disbelief. “I would never dare buy anything from anyone other than you in this store.” She narrowed her eyes at me and I smirked.

  “I saw you signing something,” She crossed her arms.

  “It was nothing.”

  “Ash…” There was a warning tone in her voice. I liked it.

  “Can we go have brunch now? I’m starving.”

  She rolled her eyes, and then smiled at the couple that left the store with a bag. “I just got here. I can’t just leave with you for breakfast. It’s not like my boss is going to give me the day off because you are hungry, and keep following me around like a lost puppy.”

  I laughed. “But I am lost in this big dark world, and you are the only one who can help me.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her. “Besides, there is a certain wall we need to get to, remember?”

  She smacked my chest, attempting to hide her smile, but I could see it in her sparkling eyes.

  “Great news, Gaby.” Max said, walking around the counter. “You have the week off.”

  “I what?!” She shrieked. “No please, Max. I’m sorry I was late today. I’ll make extra hours if you need, but please don’t suspend me for a full week. I need the money.”

  He briefly looked at me. “Oh, you are not suspended. You have a week off with regular pay. I just came into some money and I’m going to pay off the loan.”

  “Holy flying pigs! Really?” She hugged him. “Congratulations, Max! I know how hard you’ve worked to push this store afloat on your own.” She squeezed him, bringing a smile to my face. The happiness she felt for her friend was sincere.

  “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I will be looking for new merchandise too, so I won’t be here and there’ll be no one to man the register. It’s just easier if we close in the mean time. You can return in a week. I was going to tell you when you arrived but then you got busy with the customers.” He lied.

  Gaby looked into his eyes the way she had done to mine in the car. Her jaw tensed but it was so brief I doubted he saw it. I did. I could pick up the tiniest changes in a person. She knew he was lying to her, but she didn’t say anything. Her gaze briefly shifted to me and she reached over the counter for her bag, giving me a perfect view of her heart shaped ass. I bit my lip, physically in pain.

  “Okay, then. Thank you so much, Max, and congrats again. I guess I’ll see you in a week.”

  Gaby threw me side-glances as we walked towards the car. I opened the door for her, then got into the driver’s seat. “I know you had something to do with ‘the money he came into.’” She said, with air quotes and I repressed my smile.

  “I have no idea what you are talking about.” I answered, driving to a place we had passed on our way here.

  “Yes you do, big boy, and let me tell you… I’m not amused. It’s good that you are rich and everything, but you can’t just throw money at people to get your way. And you certainty can’t buy me!”

  I frowned, sensing the emotion in her words, and turned to look at her. She crossed her arms and turned towards the window, avoiding my gaze but it was too late. I had noticed the change in her eyes, and I didn’t like what I saw. I chided myself in silence; I hadn’t meant to make her feel that way. Truth be told, I had no idea what I was doing, I just wanted to spend time with her. I parked in front of the restaurant, Serendipity III, and took a deep breath, reaching for her hand.

  “I’m sorry, Star. You are right, I am rich, and as bad as it sounds money doesn’t mean much to me. I didn’t even think twice before paying Max fifteen thousand dollars just to get you out of there.”

  “Hell’s hairy balls! You gave Max fifteen thousand dollars??”

  I nodded. “I paid six thousand for a bottle of whiskey last night, and it wasn’t the first time.” Her mouth dropped and I reached for her cheek. The back of my fingers slowly stroked her skin. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel bad. I thought I could spend time with you and make it worthwhile for him, you know. Maybe help him with the store. That’s why I paid him the money.”

  Gaby’s lips closed, and she sighed. “You did help him, more than you know. Max has been on his own for a long time and sold everything he had to start that store. His dad didn’t believe in him, so he got no help from his family. He works so hard to make his dream come true, and now that you gave him that money and he can pay the loan, everything he makes will be a profit. He’ll be good and won’t have to kill himself so much.”

  “How long have you known him?” I asked, genuinely interested. She spoke of him with such affection.

  “Since I started working there, it’s been almost three years. He’s a very nice person.”

  “Yeah, he seems like a good man.”

  Her lips curved into a small smile as she nodded, but the sadness in her eyes still tore through me.

  A heavy sigh left me, and my hand cupped her cheek. “I never want to make you feel bad about yourself, Gaby, or like an object that can be bought. I just have this inexplicable urge to be next to you.” I confessed. “I want to spend time with you, Star, I need to.”

  “You need to?” The light in her eyes changed while she looked into mine.

  I let her search my eyes, knowing somehow she could tell it was the truth. Gaby was like a human lie detector, I was learning. I didn’t care. I wanted her to know. “I don’t know why, it’s like you did something to me last night. You compelled me some how, and now all I want is to have you in my arms, kiss you… make you mine.” I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. “I want my lips on yours all the time.” I took her glasses off and she blinked, her breathing accelerating. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  She nodded, and the next second my lips crashed onto hers, my whole body tingled as the taste of her seeped into me. Her lips were sweet and luscious; I wanted to drink her all day long. When I pulled away, we were both panting.

  “Damn it, Gaby. You have no idea how much I want you.” I grunted, feeling the effects of her all over my body. It ached for her. “I’ve never stopped from claiming a woman before. I’ve never even thought while having a woman naked in my bed. But with you, strangely enough, I don’t event want to touch you that way until you are absolutely certain that you want me to.”

  I closed my lips over hers once again, feeling her respond to me with need. Gaby’s arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer until her chest pressed against mine. I wanted to feel her nipples against my skin again.

  “Last nig
ht, as I held you naked in my arms, I wanted you, but more than that, I just needed to make sure you were safe… with me.”

  “You did?”

  I nodded. “That is why I didn’t make you mine.”

  Gaby blinked, mortified, her eyes widening at the realization, and pulled away from me. “Wait! You mean we didn’t have sex?” Her cheeks turned a violent red. “Holy flying pigs. I was naked in your bed, you were naked, and still we didn’t have sex?!” She seemed to be having a panic attack.

  Understanding washed over me. All this time she had believed something happened between us. Was that the only reason Gaby had let me stick around? For a second, I feared that was the case. I didn’t know why, I had just met her, but I wanted her to want me. My tortured eyes focused on hers and I reached for her cheek, caressing her skin in an attempt to help her calm. I shook my head.

  “I tried to not even touch you, but you snuggled close to me in the middle of the night, and I wasn’t strong enough not to hold you. Damn it, Star. The feel of your body against mine…” I took a deep breath to steady myself, I was hardening for her again. “It took everything in me to stop you this morning.”

  She remained quiet for a few minutes. Her chest rose and fell sharply and I watched her, frozen in place, mesmerized once again by her, and afraid to break the connection our gazes had formed. A million emotions teased her eyes, until she settled on one… shock. “Why did you?” She finally asked, startled by my confession.

  “Because I don’t think you deserve that, Star.” I let out a ragged breath. “Last night you were drunk and half unconscious. I would have never done that to you. This morning I just wanted to make sure you were, well, you. When I have you in my arms, naked once again, I want it to be because you want nothing more than to have me make love to you, as desperately as I want to be inside of you.”

  She swallowed, looking at me as though that was not the answer she expected. Neither did I.

  Unable to stop myself, I kissed her again, and pressed my forehead to hers while her breathing slowed, returning to normal. “I’ve never wanted to spend time with a woman like I do with you, and I don’t know how long I’ll be able to, before I have to go back. So please, just let me.”