Flynn, Joyee - Victor [Marius Brothers 4] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Joyee Flynn

  “Head’s another word for the bathroom,” I explained smiling at how cute he was when confused. I could almost see the wheels spinning in his head as he worked through what I’d said.

  “Like John or washroom, right?”

  “Yup, you got it, baby,” I answered as I kissed him on his temple. He’d let me braid his hair after our shower, and I liked the way it looked swinging as he walked. Maybe I’d see if he’d just get a trim instead of chopping it. I also liked the way the silky strands felt against my naked body when we were intimate or slept.

  We did our thing, Damian sneaking off to get some slushies, and I had an idea of what my brother was up to. He was having as much fun as I was showing Malachi new things and watching his reactions. Granted, he didn’t get turned on when my mate moaned or feel the desire to sink his cock in Malachi like I did. Or he better not have those feelings.

  “Hop in the back seat, baby,” I said, opening the door for him. He smiled at me, got in, and I closed the door before putting the pump back and closing the gas cap. I climbed in the other side a moment later and just about swallowed my tongue. My mate was naked and presenting his ass to me as his shoulders rested on the seat.

  “I want to feel your fingers again, Victor,” he begged as he glanced at me over his shoulder.

  “Fuck, I, um, yeah, forgot candy,” Damian said, and I growled at him, not having realized he’d opened the driver’s side door. He quickly set down the drinks and was gone as fast as he showed up.

  “Cover up right now.” I snarled as I pulled Malachi back to sit on his butt. I grabbed his shorts, yanked them on him as he started to shake, and I saw tears falling down his cheeks. “Shit, I’m sorry, baby.”

  “Why are you so mad?” He whimpered and I realized I’d done a great impression of a nut job dominant male.

  “We’re in public, and I don’t want anyone to see your hot little body but me,” I answered as I pulled him onto my lap. “Plus, what we share is just for us, okay? Damian shouldn’t see us being intimate.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know that,” he whispered as he buried his face in my neck. “No one ever cared if I saw in the cave. They seemed to like when people watched.”

  “There are people, not just demons, who like it when people watch their sexual activities.” I explained, trying to figure out the easiest way to get my point across and then settled on the rules. “But being naked in public is actually against human laws. You’re not allowed to show your groin to people except in your own home. Same with women and their breasts.”

  “So men can show their nipples, but women can’t? That seems unfair.”

  “Well some people get turned on by women’s breasts same as men’s dicks, so it’s off-limits in public.”

  “But I get turned on by the sight of your nipples, but those can be in public,” he replied, leaning back so he could stare at me. I saw the confusion written across his face and had no clue how to answer it.

  “Honestly, you’ve got me there, baby.” I chuckled and gave him a quick kiss. “I see your logic, but those are the rules. I’m not sure who came up with them, but it’s just not acceptable to run around naked in front of people. And I get jealous at the idea of anyone seeing my mate’s sexy little body. So that’s why I growled and got all pissy, but I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay.” He shrugged. “I’m just glad you’re not mad at me anymore. I didn’t know it wasn’t okay to do, I just wanted you.”

  “I want you, too, baby,” I replied, making my point as I moved my hips up so he’d feel my cock was hard. “And the way you offered up your firm ass to me was hot, just not in public or when people are around, okay? I like to keep our special moments and intimacy between just us, for just us. Does that make sense?”

  “Yes, you think I’m special enough that you don’t want to share me.” Malachi’s smile could have lit up the darkest hole right then, reaching his eyes. “I like that. You can be as jealous and possessive as you want with me.”

  “I’m glad,” I playfully growled as I licked along his neck. “You’re all mine, baby, and I can go all dominant male on you sometimes. I’ll never hurt you or hit you, I swear that to you, and in time you’ll learn not to be afraid of me when I snarl. But I like to be in charge and strong for you, so be prepared for me to throw you over my shoulder and have my wicked way with you.”

  “As often as you like,” he groaned as he rubbed his ass over my groin. I bit my lip to keep from telling him what I planned on doing with his tight ass as my brother came back into the car.

  “Here, I got you a slushie,” Damian said as he handed one back to Malachi, carefully not looking at my mate.

  “It’s okay, brother.” I snickered as I watched Malachi study the drink. “I explained to him about being naked in public and not sharing our intimate moments.”

  “Yeah, and no doing that in the house either unless it’s in your rooms.” Damian chuckled as he pulled the SUV out of the gas station. “Mother would have a fit if she ever walked in on that.”

  “Oh shit, this is like sugar heaven.” Malachi moaned before taking another sip of the slushie. I might have to make sure my mate never ate or drank anything in public either because when he made noises like that, all I wanted to do was find the nearest flat surface.

  The rest of the drive seemed to fly by as I napped before switching back off with Damian. I was glad when we pulled up at home I wasn’t the one driving so I could be with Malachi in the back seat in case he was nervous.

  “Wake up, baby. We’re home,” I whispered in his ear as I placed soft kisses along his neck.

  “I’ve never had a home before,” he said as his eyes fluttered open. Malachi smiled up at me warmly before turning to look at the Marius mansion as we pulled in through the gates. “That’s a house?”

  “It’s a really big house compared to most, but its home for us.”

  “I’m so going to get lost.” He groaned as he turned in my lap to get a better look. Damian parked in front of the house instead of the garages since we had some unloading to do and it wasn’t our SUV. We all piled out, and Malachi was holding my hand so tight I was surprised at his strength.

  “Nothing to be scared of, my mate. I’ll be with you the whole time,” I assured him as we got to the front door and it opened as the butler welcomed us in. “Thank you. Damian can tell you which items go to which rooms, and we also need to arrange for the SUV to be taken back.”

  He assured me it would be done with a smile and said he was glad we were home. I did notice his eyes going wide as he sniffed the air before schooling his features. I hoped that was the way everyone handled their reaction to Malachi’s scent since he obviously wasn’t a threat and holding my hand.

  There were shouts and growls of “Demon!” as we entered the kitchen. Malachi wrapped both hands around my arm and just about glued himself to my side.

  “It’s fine, everyone,” I said calmly, holding up my other hand at them. Riley, Micah, Stefan, Gabriel, Remus, and Noah had all shifted and were crouched and ready to pounce as they’d moved Patrick, Marian, and Mother behind them. “This is Malachi Owens, my mate.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Malachi,” my mother smiled sweetly as she pushed Gabriel out of the way and walked to us. She hugged my mate and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as he stood frozen wrapped around me and stared at her. “It’s okay, no one’s going to hurt you here, son. I think everyone was just startled at your scent.” She glanced over her shoulder and spoke louder. “Which is silly since we’re up early because we wanted to welcome them.”

  “Right, sorry,” Gabriel said sheepishly with his cheeks flushed as he came to shake Malachi’s hand.

  “What am I supposed to do with that?” Malachi asked as he looked down at my brother’s hand and then back up to my face. “Do I give him something?”

  “No, you shake it,” Gabriel answered as he drew his eyebrows together and glanced at me. I noticed the same confused look on the face
s in the kitchen as I hurried to explain.

  “It’s a form of a greeting between new people when they meet,” I said as I reached over and shook my brother’s hand. “My mother is more affectionate and hugged you because you’re family now. But most people shake when they meet someone new.”

  “What if I do it wrong like the kiss?” he asked, his eyes going wide as he stared at Gabriel’s hand like it might bite him after I’d let it go.

  “You’re smart, baby.” I kissed the top of his head as I pulled my other arm out of his hands gently. “Just do what I did and you’ll be fine.”

  “Okay.” He reached out slowly and clasped Gabriel’s hand. “Hi, I’m Malachi, and I’m not a real demon, I swear. I have a soul and everything.”

  “I noticed your eyes,” Gabriel said softly as if agreeing with him as he smiled at my mate. “Mother’s right, the scent threw us, and while we are normally better behaved, we’re not used to this ungodly hour in the morning.”

  “Sorry, we had to travel at night because the sun burns my skin.” They released hands, and I glanced around the kitchen. Micah and Remus both gave a wave to my mate, and I wondered why they were being so distant. I’d welcomed their mates with open arms into our family. Gabriel, Mother, and Damian had all done everything they could to make Malachi feel welcome.

  “I–I’m sorry, I thought I could do this, but I can’t,” Marian whispered as tears poured out of her eyes as she moved away from Riley. She eyed the kitchen door we were standing by, but then opted for the other door that led into the dining room and fled.

  “What did I do wrong? I said hi,” Malachi asked, staring up at me with fear and tears in his eyes as well.

  “Your kind has done a lot to my family,” Riley snarled, and it was then I saw he hadn’t shifted back.

  “Riley,” I gasped the same time as Mother did. Of all the people I’d expected issues from, Riley had never been one of them. He was one of the kindest, most accepting people I’ve ever met. “But we need your help, Riley. I need to know if I can claim him with demon blood in him.”

  “You think I’d ever help that thing,” Riley shouted, pointing at my mate. Instinctively, I pushed Malachi behind me. “We raced home from Ireland where Caleb needed us because you were in trouble. I thought we were coming home to figure out a way to undo the mating bond or help you get rid of that.”

  “Don’t do this, Riley,” Damian said as he moved to my side. I hadn’t even realized he’d joined us in the kitchen. “Give Malachi a chance, brother. He’s not a demon. I’ve spent enough time with him to know he’s a vampire with some genetic anomalies after his mother turned demon while carrying him. We’ve got confirmation on that from one of the Providence coven leaders who Malachi helped us rescue. You understand genetics, think like a doctor.”

  “His eyes aren’t blood red, Riley.” Gabriel continued as he gently moved me aside so Riley could see. “And I’ve never seen a demon cry before. Have any of you?”

  “No,” Micah and Remus said, and I noticed Noah was shaking in Remus’ arms. Well shit, two of my brother’s mates were freaking out over my mate.

  “Malachi can’t help how he was born anymore than the rest of us.” I stared at Riley, begging him with my eyes to please give my mate a chance.

  “Hi, Malachi, I’m Patrick Hawk, Stefan’s mate,” Pat said as he stepped forward, coming towards us.

  “Pat, no!” Noah cried out and grabbed Pat’s arm. “Y–You don’t understand what demons can do. This is the first one you’ve met, you can’t trust him.”

  “You, too, Noah?” I whispered feeling my heart breaking as I glanced at Micah and Remus. They kept their faces blank, and I couldn’t get a reading on either one of them. “Why?”

  “You don’t know what they did to me, Victor,” he whispered as he glanced from Remus to me.

  “Yes I do, brother,” I growled as my emotions shifted from hurt to anger. “I was there when we rescued you. I’ve been around more demons than all of you combined. I’ve killed more than any three warriors in this house put together. I know what a demon is, and Malachi is not one of them.”

  “I know what his scent is telling me,” Riley sneered, narrowing his eyes at me. “You forget, I’ve been around demons, too.”

  “This is bullshit! I’ve been there for each of you when you needed me, no questions asked. I sought retribution against Isaac when he hurt Noah. I helped Micah build your goddamn hospital, Riley. I’ve loved you like brothers! And now the one fucking time I need your support and trust you won’t give it to me? Fuck this, we’re out of here.”

  I pulled Malachi into my arms as the kitchen broke into mass chaos. Damian and Gabriel were begging me to stay and give everyone more time. Riley and Noah seemed to be of the opinion only Malachi should leave, while Remus and Micah stayed quiet. If I wasn’t so upset, I’d almost feel bad for them. They either sided with their brother or their mates. Stefan and Patrick were arguing with Riley and demanding he shift back.

  “Enough!” Mother shouted at the top of her lungs. In all the years I’d been on this earth, I’d never heard her do that. We all instantly went quiet, and I figured we all did for the same reason— shock.

  “They’re right,” Malachi sniffled as he patted my chest to get my attention. I stared down at him in confusion, not knowing who he thought was right. “They are your family, and this is their home. They have the right to feel safe in it. I need to leave, Victor. I don’t understand what’s going on or why they hate me, but I can’t put you in the middle of this.”

  “Baby, you’re my mate,” I whispered as my eyes started to itch. “You are my home. Where you go, I go. If they don’t want us here, then we’ll find another place to live.”

  “No one’s going anywhere,” my mother said firmly as she slammed her hand on the counter so hard it cracked the Formica. She turned to Riley and Noah with anger in her eyes. “I love you both and you are sons to me and Desmond. Victor is my son, and his mate will be treated with the same respect in this house you have been shown. I know you’ve been hurt by demons, so I think we can all understand your reaction.”

  “Except Malachi,” Damian whispered as he glanced between Mother and my mate. “He doesn’t have a clue what’s going on here, Mother.”

  “I know, we’ll get to that,” Mother replied before turning back to Riley and Noah. She pointed to my mate who was shaking in my arms as I pulled him back against my chest. “He’s been here for ten minutes and already I can see that he’s not a demon. He just tried to put Victor’s and this family’s needs before his own. He’s crying because you’re being mean to him, he’s afraid, and confused. Demons do not do that. So pull your heads out of your asses and act like adults!”

  “It is your home, Elena. As you wish,” Riley said with a formal bow before leaving through the dining room door without backwards look. Basically it was a polite way of giving my mother the finger after she’d just called him her son. What the fuck? I’d never seen this side of Riley.

  “He still has nightmares,” Micah whispered as he stared at me as if asking me to understand. “Marian and Riley still have nightmares from what happened all those years ago. I–I didn’t know he’d react like this, but I’m worried about him. I don’t care that Malachi is part demon or whatever as long as he makes you happy, Victor. I’ll talk to Riley.”

  “That’s all I can ask for,” I sighed and nodded as I held my mate closer to me. “I’ve never seen this side of him, and I never wanted to upset him, Micah. I love your mate like a brother. I’ve always been on his side. I j–just thought he’d be on mine when the time came.”

  “I don’t think this has anything to do with you, or even Malachi,” Micah said as he wiped his hands over his face in frustration. “Riley and Marian lost everyone to the demons in one morning without any warning. You guys don’t know the details, I do. And the reality is worse than what you could even imagine.”

  “He’s not one of them,” I whispered as tears were trying to fall
. “He’s sweet, and innocent, and loving, and is a lot like Patrick but different, too. And he’s so full of energy, Micah, so excited to learn and see the world outside of that cave.”

  “What cave?” Micah asked as he glanced from me to Malachi.

  “It wasn’t my story to tell.” Mother shrugged as I shot her a questioning look. We’d told her everything we’d learned about Malachi’s birth and captivity. “Let’s have some breakfast like civilized people and talk.”

  “Will you stay, baby?” I asked as I turned him around so I could look into his eyes. “Please stay and let me tell my family everything so they’ll understand. And they can tell you everything that’s going on so you’re not confused or take this personally.”

  “I can’t leave if you don’t want me to, Victor. You’re huge and way stronger than me.”

  “I’d never force you to do anything you didn’t want to, Malachi,” I said gently as I took his face in my hands. I leaned down and kissed each of his eyes softly before kissing his lips. “I’m asking you to stay. I’m asking you to help me explain everything to them so they’ll get to know the real you and accept us as mates. I can’t lose you, baby.”

  “I trust you, my mate,” he whispered after a moment, giving me a nod. Then he stood up on his tiptoes, pulling my head down to his, and gave me a passionate kiss. Malachi moved his lips to my ears so only I could hear him. “But afterwards I demand lots of loving and cuddling. I still didn’t get your fingers inside of me like I wanted back at that gas station. I’m feeling very fragile, scared, and like I’m going to lose you.”

  “Yes, we’ll love on each other for the rest of the day,” I said just as quietly. “And you couldn’t get rid of me if you tried. I’m addicted to you, Malachi.”

  “Okay,” he replied as he leaned back in my arms, searching my eyes for a few moments. “Then let’s explain to your family that I’m not a soulless, sadist demon and that I hate them as much as they do.”

  “You hate them?” Patrick asked as he helped bring food over to the table. Most of the staff wasn’t up yet, so for now it would be breakfast finger foods and drinks. But that worked because the less people who had to hear Malachi’s story right now, the better.