Jericho

by Nini Church

  Bear didn’t answer with a grunt or whiffle – no – he opened powerful jaws with six inch incisors near brushing Reno’s cheeks before letting a long low growl roll out, hot bear breath bathing his face. Reno took it as a yes and swelled with relief that Jericho would be okay with Metatron – his new father-in-law. That made Reno smile.

  When Bear eased back to nudge Reno to his feet, he prowled back, big head swaying up and down as if laughing.

  Reno couldn’t help but fucking grin too. A bear named Bear. Made of a bit of magic and a whole hell of a lot besides, he was fucking impressive.

  As they hulked down the hall together, Reno’s hand dropped to the beast’s back, running fingers through his thick fur. Bear was a beast of true worth. He’d protect Abe with his life and it seemed that included Jericho. Reno mirrored that with his Queen and King. Symbiosis settled over Reno, new respect growing as they entered the kitchen.

  Hands on hips, Fifi glared at Bear. “He can't stay inside...”

  Bear lifted his top lip, showing off a pair of very sharp incisors. One thickly furred shoulder brushed against Reno none too gently and he hit the wall with an oof.

  “Gotcha big guy. Gotcha.” Reno eased off the wall, grabbing his ribs. “Fi, Bear belongs to Abe. We got no say in the matter unless you want to take it up with Jericho. And he’s here to stay.”

  Sir Randy howled long and low from the hallway. His double slapping ears hitting repetitively as he bounded on short stubby legs into the kitchen, heading directly for Bear up on his hind legs staring joyfully out the kitchen window. SR flumped down next to Bear unaware of the danger he was in. Football style, Bear reached one massive paw down and tucked SR under his arm.

  With a wary eye on the massive hulk filling the kitchen, Fi grinned. “You don’t want to be inside, do you? I can tell you’re an outside kinda male. Mmhmm. Halleluiah. Elron? Darling?” Fifi had a way of making her voice carry.

  Elron popped his head into the kitchen. “Fi?”

  “Sweetie, you’re gonna have to build a house for a bear. Uh, maybe not a house, but a den of some kind. Even a cave will work. You need to get started right away.”

  Elron scratched his head, soft grey eyes on his wife of many years. When she pointed to something across the kitchen, he took one look. “I see him, hon, but he's surely not staying." Elron held his breath in the silence. He felt light headed – wasn't a damn pain in the ass dog enough! "Is he?”

  Fifi nodded yes, expression resigned.

  All the blood rushed to his head and a single breath escaped as Elron crumpled, lurching forward, going for a face plant on the hard stone floor.

  Reno snagged him before he hit.

  After returning from what Met called a short hop – where they had talked about Giaa and Mykos – Abe's twin, then spent time sparring, but Met called it testing, Jericho was glad to be home.

  At one point, with Met pinned to the floor, Jericho had demanded. "How did Abe summon me?"

  "Failsafe when she was born. Destiny gave her blessings by placing a beacon to her mate if ever she was in mortal danger."

  "But I only felt it once. She's been in a lot more danger since."

  "One time only blessing. What fucking danger?" Met tried to flip Jericho off, but the big Jinn held tight.

  "Kidnapped by a Demon." Jericho tried to keep Met down but couldn’t and found himself flying through the air to hit the back wall hard.

  Golden eyes blazing, Met roared, "Where the fuck were you? You fucking slipped up didn't you – "

  Jericho lunged back in as his fist cut off Met’s next accusation. He hammered home and all but flattened the big God's nose – he fucking bled like everyone else. Good to know.

  By the time Met's little test was over, Jericho had proved he was more than just a highly skilled warrior. He had shown drive, determination and the best hand to hand skills Met had ever seen. In Met's eyes the son of a bitch was a machine.

  Now, Jericho sat on the side of their bed listening to Abe's soft rifling snore. She was fast asleep.

  It ate at him she was so unhappy then on cloud fucking nine. Mood swings weren’t a good omen. Something might be really off and yet she refused to talk about it, brushing him off.

  Behind him, the door burst open – no knock or bit of courtesy offered – and Met entered their bedroom as if he owned it. He stood at the foot of the bed, golden focus on Abe. “It’s strong. Strong. Do you hear it yet?”

  Jericho knew exactly what he meant. “Yes. Once.”

  Met smiled. He’d keep Abe’s little secret.

  Imagine that.

  CHAPTER 21

  Jericho lay spooned against Abe as she slept on. Whatever that strange beat was he couldn’t sense it now. Met didn’t appear overly concerned about it either. Rather, he seemed oddly pleased. Perhaps even amused. He was a hard male to read. And his cryptic comment only irritated Jericho. He suspected it was what Met meant to do.

  Awake now, Abe shifted onto her back and turned to nuzzle his neck. “I had to have a nap. I couldn’t keep my eyes open after all the gymnastics last night.” She giggled.

  “Are you sore? I’ll run a hot bath, put in some of those herbs you like.”

  “Sounds divine.”

  “Abe the Gala’s tonight.”

  “I remember. Elron already packed everything into the car. He’s so efficient.”

  Jericho readied the bath before sweeping Abe into his arms. She smelled of sleep, honey, lemons and rain. He’d never get enough. They both undressed and Jericho settled into the tub with Abe on his lap. Steam rose around them along with the scent of herbs – soothing sore muscles to the max.

  “Tell me about this Gala.” Arms around his neck, she nestled against his chest.

  “Most races attend, sending at least one representative so its not just us Jinn. It's an annual Gala and raises money for the injured of every race. It’s called the WWF, Walking Wounded Fund.” He nuzzled into her hair. "Fits nicely with your race hospitals. Thank you for that."

  Abe ignored him, still refusing to speak about his outrageous behavior and negative spin as he sat in judgement on her – jumping from assumptions to conclusions and creating a world of hurt – oh yeah she still wasn't ready to talk about it. Hands swishing through the water, the scent of herbs filled the air, “Guess I’ll probably know some of them then.”

  “Quite likely.” On the floor, buried in his jeans pocket his cell phone beeped. “We have to get a move on or we're gonna be late.”

  “It’s as good a time as any. Though, I’m considering other stuff.”

  “Uh, uh. Can’t be late.” A lascivious grin widened as his hands dipped below the water, spreading her legs and finding his favorite tight nub. Long teasing strokes and Abe moaned loudly.

  One hand cupping her ass, he lifted her slightly to slide his hard cock into her wet sheath. A tweak to her clit and Abe’s muscles fisted tightly around him, little tremors seizing his cock as her pleasure exploded. He loved the way she did that.

  Jericho held her tight, enjoying the feel of her beautiful breasts in his hands as he tweaked and massaged her nipples, wanting their pleasure to go on and on.

  Abe moaned low in her throat. “Don’t stop. Please.”

  He thrust into her, long slow strokes driving her mad with pleasure. Fingers massaging her swollen clit, her hot juices flowed over his cock. It wasn’t going to take either of them long. His orgasm was right at the tip and hers rippled along his length as her hot wetness bathed and pulsed around his steel shaft.

  They both released at the same moment. Abe’s head turned to the side to kiss him as her orgasm continued to roll over her. Pleasure sizzled between them, water sloshing up the sides of the big tub as he thrust one last time, claiming every last drop of her pleasure and his.

  Abe sagged against him as he wrapped his arms around her tightly, kissing the top of her head. Deep blue eyes locking onto the outline of the square box sticking out of his low riders – hell, he meant to give it to h
er earlier.

  Languidly they soaped each other and rinsed.

  Abe settled back into Jericho's lap. “If we don’t move now, I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Out we go then.” Jericho stood with Abe in his arms, water flowing everywhere.

  “You’re making a royal mess, Jericho.”

  He laughed. “Let's get dressed. It’ll take a couple of hours to get there. We can put our party duds on after we arrive. Gala starts at nine.”

  Abe dressed comfortably in jeans, a white t-shirt and blue hoodie. Jericho, of course, wore black. He checked the front of his t-shirt, which made her snigger. Glancing up, he eyed her knowingly. “I’m on to you, myn lykyng.”

  She turned her back to him. That only meant she would lay low for a while and strike again soon with a couple more real doozies. T-shirts that fit Jericho to a tee.

  Ensconced in the back of the black limousine, it was all wood and hidden compartments around thick leather seats. Abe kicked her shoes off as Jericho rolled his eyes, busy on his cell, answering one call after another.

  It was the first time Abe had seen him wearing his politician hat. He was good at it. Smooth operator him.

  All shiny black hair and too handsome for his own good with muscles roping his incredible body – she'd have to tame the green-eyed jealousy monster – when other females were around him. Jealousy was an odd emotion and it sat heavy on her before she brushed it away, refusing to get caught in that web. Jericho was hers – all hers. If he knew what was good for him, he would walk softly around all other females.

  More importantly, Jericho knew she wasn’t into sharing.

  Reno, behind the wheel with no monkey suit in sight, instead wore black jeans and a black sweater. In front and following behind the limo were a convoy of vehicles. A black hummer directly behind and a big long bed Jimmie ahead.

  Jericho was taking no chances. Either on the road or at the Gala and never with Abe at his side. Cell set to vibrate, he tucked it away. “You’re awful quiet over there in your own corner.”

  “Just thinking.”

  “Care to share?”

  “Done with business?”

  Jericho nodded. “For now.” From the pocket of his low riders, he struggled to pull out a small blue velvet box before turning to Abe and snapping the lid open. “It was my mother’s. She wore it as Queen. It’s been passed down through generations and now it's yours."

  Abe didn’t appreciate his formal tone. Was this just another bit of business? Hackles up, she glanced at the humongous marquee cut pink diamond surrounded by smaller black diamonds all encased in heavy gold. A big ring, an exquisite ring, but Abe didn’t reach for it.

  Jericho stilled. Deep blue eyes flashed purple and back to blue again. WTF had he missed this time! Why was he always flatfooted with his female? Giving her the ring was supposed to make her deliriously happy. That certainly wasn’t happening – exactly the opposite in fact. Abe’s lips were turned down and her forehead was creased with furrows, appearing absolutely grim. Maybe she wanted to pick her own ring?

  Huh. He blew it again – killed the mood dead. Jericho was beginning to lose hope he’d ever figure out his female.

  “You are supposed to put it on my finger.” Gracefully, Abe swept her left hand out to him, nails buffed to a natural sparkle.

  Taking his time, Jericho slid the ring on her third finger. It fit snugly – the thick gold band ensuring it wouldn’t slip sideways since it was top-heavy.

  He guessed the right size. At least he nailed that.

  “Thank you. Very beautiful. I’m not complaining, but it’s awful big isn’t it.”

  Jericho smirked. “I think that’s the whole point.” He slid in close beside her, cupping her chin for a kiss. Their lips met and he sensed again a strong beat, one, two and gone. Tongues dancing, he dropped one hand to her hip, gripping hard as he pulled her to him. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t like it. If you want one of your own, we can change it up.”

  “A family ring means more to you I’m sure. I’ll get used to it.” Abe flashed her left hand around, even in the dark car lasers of cut light ran over the ceiling. It was a stupendous ring. An heirloom ring showing the world, the other races, she was Jericho’s mate. That he offered it to her like a business proposition took away all the glory, all the beauty, making it sterile with his here this is yours attitude. Was Jericho truly that graceless or just unaware?

  To date, he never actually said the three words she wanted to hear. Waited to hear. After all, she had shared those three words with the world – at least her parents and Jericho’s team. Refusing to give in to dark thoughts, Abe looked out the window, turning her mind to the Gala.

  In less than an hour, they arrived at huge wrought iron gates. Armed males dressed in dark camo moved up on either side of the limo. Only then did Reno drill the window down, announcing to the intercom, “King and Queen Sullivan.”

  Wrought iron parted and the gates swept wide as a guard hustled towards the limo, coming to an abrupt halt when seeing the detail of armed security surrounding the long black vehicle. He didn’t dare move any closer, but leaned down and instructed Reno, "Straight up the road to the main house. Someone will direct you from there.”

  Reno drilled the window closed, keeping security tight as they shot up the drive – armed males running full out on either side. When Reno pulled up under the wide portico, the armed males swarmed towards either side of the massive residence, disappearing out of sight.

  More warriors poured out of the Humvee behind and shot up the stairs, not waiting for anyone to answer the front door they barged through. All highly trained Jinn to a male, they weren't fucking around here. Their King and Queen on any one's turf meant extra tight security.

  Jericho's orders were very clear – “I don't give a fuck what anyone says or if they take offense. Once we’re inside, I want the area we’ll be travelling through totally fucking secure. Abe's safety is my top priority. Check everything. Twice. Keep it clean and tight.”

  Reno swung the driver’s door wide, climbing out. "Stay in the car until the all clear.” He closed the door and confirmed, “Lock down commencing."

  Inside the limo, titanium bolts shot home and steel shutters slid over the back and side windows as a second much thicker window shot up in front of the privacy screen between the front and back seats.

  Abe shivered, but said nothing. What was there to say? Him a King and her now a Queen. Never in a million, she mused to herself, trying for a lighter frame of mind than feeling caged inside the dark car.

  Jericho wanted to cuddle her, hide her away from the truth of their lives together – their future, but that smacked so much of mommy dearest’s behavior it sickened him.

  “Abe, security is tight. The team will ensure your safety. Don’t go anywhere unless one of us is with you. Not everyone is as nice as they seem.”

  “I know that, Jericho. We all wear masks.”

  Jericho lifted one brow, forehead creasing. WTF did that mean?

  Reno approached the limo, knocked on the steel shutter, signaling it was him as motors whirred to life, bolts released and windows became just windows again. A snap of a single lock rang inside the vehicle as Reno swung the back door wide. “All clear, my man. You two are the last to arrive. Conn and Zulu are gonna park the vehicles. Bags will be brought up in a jiffy.”

  Jericho hopped out.

  “A jiffy?” Abe smiled, shimmying across the backseat, beaming at Reno.

  Jericho grimaced. He hated when she beamed at any male. He helped her out and kept a tight hold.

  Caleb and Rad followed behind Reno who shadowed Jericho and Abe as they entered the cavernous foyer. Ornate to the nth degree, no surface was devoid of curls, naked cherubs and all manner of gold leaf covering massive twin staircases running up either side of the big room. Sweeping balustrades crossed the top with a single entryway beyond.

  Abe preferred simple lines and lots of color. “Whose house is this?”
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  “Leader of the Shifters, Roald Gildwood.” Jericho paused ever so briefly. “I, uh, don’t think you’ve met him.”

  Tall and wearing the quintessential butler get-up, an older male strode into the foyer. “Welcome, King Sullivan. My lady.” He bowed slightly at the waist. “Your suite is in the west wing. This way.”

  They waited outside their suite as Reno and Caleb conducted their own personal search – even though the rooms had been gone over twice by their armed warriors – while Rad stayed next to the butler.

  Caleb called out, “All clear.” He didn’t elaborate his electronics picked up no hidden microphones or cameras.

  Reno opened both doors wide, nodding to Jericho, confirming the room was physically clear and secure.

  Jericho turned to the butler, a gentle smile in place. “Thank you, Dithers.”

  “My pleasure sir. If I may, it is good to see you again and my congratulations to you both.”

  Abe beamed at him.

  “Thank you. We’ll be down shortly.” Before turning away, Jericho added, “We don’t wish to be announced.”

  "Very well, sir." Dithers bowed, trying to hide a smile – King Sullivan never was one to stand on protocol.

  After dressing quickly, Cal, Reno and Rad waited outside. Conn arrived shortly after, clutching the tie around his neck and pulling it loose.

  Kicking off her running shoes, Abe rolled her eyes. “Have I mentioned I hate formality. I’m more a no-shoes-kinda-girl.”

  “Smartass. I’m not sure anyone enjoys these events. But it’s good for our races to mix, even though we don’t really like each other. Keeps shit out in the open and the world workin’ the way it should.”

  “Like a yearly check-up?”

  Jericho growled out a chuckle. “Yeah, like that. And we also raise a lot of money for the WWF.” The pink diamond flashed on her finger as she took off her hoodie. Automatically, his eyes found her glorious breasts. And stayed there.

  “Stop staring and get into your gear, poohbah.”

  Commando, he pulled on black pants with black ribbon up the side, zipping them closed. Eyes locked on Abe, he held his breath as she ran one toe into the tip of a sheer white stocking and pulled it slowly up over shin, knee and lush thigh, a band of embroidered lace holding it in place.