Page 11 of Bound to the Hellhound
CHAPTER SIX
“We need to force him to come back home," Larry stated as he stared out the window of his new office, which used to be his father’s office. “We don’t have much time remaining. It will be easier to kill him here than in Mt. Pleasant.” His words were void of emotion.
"Does he know that Father is dead?" Justin asked. He stood by the door waiting for Larry to decide on their next move. The investigator found Theo at the DuCane compound in Mt. Pleasant, but the place was a fortress with no way to gain entrance due to the time constraints they were under. "Theo always had a soft spot for his father, even though the man never showed him an ounce of care or attention. If he knew he would be calling . . . don’t you think?”
Larry turned slowly from the window and stared at Justin. “Now that’s a strong possibility." He said with relief, painting the expression in his eyes. “He wouldn’t be silent if he knew father had been killed.”
“We could insinuate that it was DuCane’s men who killed him.” Justin offered.
"We don't need to insinuate, let’s just put it out there that DuCane killed him.” Larry gave a half smile.
"Our only problem is that he doesn't have his phone; it was left in the basement when they took him. How do we make contact?” Larry considered the question for a moment. "Post it everywhere online, news outlets, etc. The police believe it was the result of a catastrophic fall just as we'd staged it. The posts will be brief, just that Nelson Tuffin has died."
"That could take more time than we have." Justin didn't like to be the bearer of bad news when it came to Larry’s limited patience, but his life was on the line here, too. Larry looked furious for a moment and then smiled.
"We'll boost our chances by hiring a few hit men. The jackals have no qualms about killing humans and have no fear when it comes to making a buck. The DuCane compound will not stop them.” He laughed. Justin wasn’t convinced, but their options were narrowing. He made arrangements to flee town and disappear if none of this came together, but he did not share that with Larry.
Then Larry’s phone rang. He pulled it from his jacket pocket, and his face lightened, and a terrible smile graced his lips as he answered. "Hello, Theo, we’ve been so worried about you.” He said, and Justin pumped his fist in the air. Everything was coming together perfectly.
Theo was living what people would call his best life at present, and he hoped it wasn't a joke or some horrible game. Nothing in what he saw or felt indicated deceit, and Valerian could not be evil; it was not present in anything he said or did.
It wasn't in his eyes, and evil was always present in some manner in a person's eyes. It wasn't in his words, and evil always exuded pain in some shape or form, usually in words when they had nothing else. Valerian was good; he would bet his life on it, and in a way, he was doing just that.
"You're thinking too hard, my love," Valerian commented. They still lay comfortably on the floor of the living room, too overcome to move or stray from one another. He reached out and pulled Theo closer, tucking him tightly against him. “I can feel your uncertainty and confusion. Talk to me, baby, ask me your questions. I will never lie to you."
Theo looked up and saw only concern, compassion, and a healthy dose of desire. What a combination. He had some questions, but he also had a driving urge to skip the chat. Valerian made his body sweat and his heart hammer in his chest. The need for this man was maddening and shocking. Valerian smiled indulgently and smoothed the hair back from Theo's forehead. He didn't speak; he waited for whatever Theo was gearing up to ask.
“I’ve been played for a fool many times.” He began and quickly continued, not wanting to inadvertently offend with such a statement. "I'm not stupid, but I am stupidly forgiving and tend to take some people at face value. It's something I'm trying to work on, but it's hard spending your life seeing everyone as an enemy.” He paused and took a breath.
“With that said, I had a sudden pang of unease based on my track record. It came and went as soon as I looked into your beautiful eyes and felt the truth of everything you’ve said." He took hold of Valerian's hand and stared at it, seeing the years of hard work and a hard life etched into the tanned flesh. Valerian pulled his hand close and kissed his fingertips gently and reverently, and Theo felt his heart pound once again.
"You've seen a lot in your life, and yet you chose me. I have nothing to offer you, not even a car or a bank account. My life is completely tied up with the Tuffin Agency.” He paused again and glanced away to his right as the embarrassment of his mistakes overtook him.
Valerian sat up, pulled Theo onto his lap, wrapped his arms around him, and dropped a kiss to the top of his head. He just held him like that for several minutes, not commenting on anything he'd said, but Theo could feel the support and the solidarity that existed between them. He also sensed a deep regard that he was afraid to call love, but that's exactly what it felt like.
“I will never leave you or betray you. My love for you is constant and complete. We have completed our bond, and you are now the mate of the hellhound, and we will be forever bound together body, mind, and soul." He spoke slowly and clearly, his deep voice vibrating the air and titillating Theo’s ever-growing desires.
Theo knew that he was being honest and speaking from his heart. Since the bond, he was able to connect with Valerian on a level that was so deep it could touch the unconscious. He felt Valerian’s urgency to be heard and to be clear. Theo kept nodding, taking in everything Valerian was sharing and allowing the peace to settle his mind.
Valerian abruptly stood up, still cradling Theo in his arms, and headed upstairs. Theo was certain that Valerian’s mind was going in the same direction as his own when he entered the large bedroom and then turned toward the attached bath. Showers were so erotic, and he longed to share one with Valerian.
Within a few short minutes, he found himself under the warm, gentle flow of water with Valerian at his back, massaging his muscles and soothing his tensions. He leaned the palms of his hands against the tile wall and lost himself in the exhilarating and rousing sensation rushing through him.
Valerian had the hands of a master, and wherever he touched was set on fire. He was hard and wanting in seconds and groaned out his need as he pressed his cheek to the wall. But he was instantly snatched by the waist and spun around. Valerian kissed him ravenously before lifting him and pressing his back to the wall, letting the water cascade over them.
Theo wrapped his legs around Valerian and felt his hardness pressing intimately against him. Before he could even process what was happening, Valerian was inside him and hamming out his need. The wild nature of the act was turning him on like nothing in his life. He sank his nails into Valerian's shoulders, holding on and searching out his own satisfaction.
Riding him like that was sending chills up and down his spine, and his cock was about to explode. The speed and the force and the sheer decadence were the stuff of hot fantasies, and yet here he was enjoying his hottest fantasy.
Theo felt the rush envelope him, and he squeezed his eyes shut and held his breath. Valerian plunged deep inside, stretching and filling him full, and he felt his teeth scrape across the surface of his bonding scar, and it sent thrills through him once again. He came hard, his body jerked and stiffened, and then he felt Valerian's sweet, hot release filling, satisfying, and satiating his desires.
“I will never get enough of you, your body calls to me, and your heart owns me," Valerian whispered, but Theo heard him and responded in kind.
“I am in awe of you and will remain so forever." Theo bared his feelings and did not falter.
“Forever.” Valerian seconded.
Valerian headed downstairs after their shower and pulled together a snack for his mate. Theo needed to keep his strength up, and Valerian intended to make sure he took proper care of himself. It was interesting getting used to having someone in his space, but I found that he loved every minute of it. When it was your mate, nothing got in your way, and nothing was ever more important.
