Page 14 of The Assassin
Irritation stirred in Ardan’s gut at the way Loki was touching Mancini, and Thor must have agreed because he seized Loki’s arm, dragging him back flush against his naked body.
“Mancini, don’t say a fucking word to Odin,” he growled out. He didn’t give Mancini or Ardan a chance to reply because he bent over to grab his pants, yanking them up his legs, before he nearly ripped Loki around the front of the house. Loki sent them a fluttery wave with a chuckle, and Mancini shook his head.
“They think they’re sneaky.” He touched Ardan’s arm again, but Ardan knocked his hand away.
“They’re not?” Ardan asked, forcing down the strange feeling clawing up his throat. He’d met Loki before, he was a good kid, probably no older than twenty, so he didn’t know why he cared that he’d obviously been flirting with Mancini.
“They’ve made fuck eyes at each other every time I’ve been here.” Mancini shrugged and stepped into the light of the moon. The swelling in his cheek had flared up and he needed an ice pack on there and soon. “Come on, let’s go clean up inside. We won’t get blood on the floor.”
Ardan let Mancini lead him around the front of the yard, up the steps, and through the front door he’d gone through earlier. One of the maids glared at them, but she didn’t stop Mancini from dragging him toward a set of curved marble stairs. Ardan had only ever been inside the barroom, so he had no idea where they were going. All he could do was trust Mancini wasn’t leading him to his death, and if he was, Ardan would fight back.
Chapter Four
Gabriel had been in this house four times before, and one of the visits resulted in him sleeping over with a special friend, so he knew his way around. Ardan stared at him cautiously, and Gabriel didn’t miss the way his gaze jumped to items that he could obviously use as a weapon. Amused, Gabriel he held back a chuckle, knowing that would only piss Ardan off more.
Ardan Murphy was prickly and had trust issues. The only one he trusted was Sloan Killough as far as Gabriel knew. Once upon a time, they’d been partners, though, worked together in getting their man. How times had changed so quickly. All because of one Italian bastard who didn’t know how to keep his fists to himself.
The thought of Leo Folliero had rage swelling in his stomach and his blood hot. He didn’t regret betraying Folliero. He’d deserved everything he’d gotten.
Gabriel led Ardan into a pristine bathroom with gray marble tiles, his and his square basins, and a shower wide enough to fit a football team. Everything about it shouted elegance and definitely didn’t suit a motorcycle club. He never understood how Odin came across the money for this type of mansion, but he also knew better than to ask. Odin was a proud man who protected his family, and brothers, and he was like Ardan in that he didn’t trust outsiders. He ruled Pleasant Beach with an iron fist and Gabriel could respect that.
Ardan eyed him suspiciously as he slipped through the bathroom door and stumbled to one of the basins. He turned the knob for the cold water and dropped his head. Cupping water into his hands, he splashed it over his face and winced.
Gabriel understood that feeling perfectly. His body hurt, ribs throbbed, and blood stained his shirt. The sticky feeling made him wince. He’d always hated blood, especially when it ruined his expensive clothing. There was no way he’d get the stains out of his shirt; it would need to go in the trash.
He smiled and went to the other basin, turned on the water and planted his elbows on the white marble counter. He did the same as Ardan, washing at the wounds on his face and watching the red-tainted water swirl down the drain until it was clear. When he raised his head, his face was a lot cleaner. There was a cut above his right brow, and his bruised cheek had started to discolor. Ardan could put up a fight, but Gabriel hadn’t expected any less. They’d never actually physically fought before and the thrill of it made his cock hard. He’d expected Ardan to have felt it, but either the adrenaline had distracted the Irishman, or he’d been too focused on winning.
Ardan hissed, and Gabriel glanced at him, noticing that Ardan was touching his bruised jaw and wincing.
“I’ve got a hard right swing,” Gabriel said.
Ardan glared at him out of the corner of his eyes. “I should kill you right here and now. There’s at least ten things I could use.”
“You could.” Gabriel grinned. “But I doubt Odin would be happy about it.”
“How do you know this house so well anyway?” Ardan turned off the water and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning his hip on the counter. “You’ve obviously been here a few times.”
“I fucked one of the Lords.” Gabriel pressed his finger against his jaw and pain throbbed along it, making him cringe.
“Which one?” There was a dangerous hint to his voice, and Gabriel smirked at him.
“It wasn’t Santiago, don’t get your panties in a knot.”
Ardan snorted and it sounded so uncouth that he raised his eyebrows at him.
“He’s dead.”
“What?” Ardan cocked his head, frowning.
“The Lord I slept with, he’s dead. Died at a shootout with the Jokers.” He turned and sat on the counter. It was thick and strong enough to hold Gabriel’s weight. “I didn’t know until I came back to visit him. Odin told me. Since then, Odin’s opened Pleasant Beach to me, with his permission.”
“Oh.” Ardan’s brows furrowed together. “Did you… uh.”
“Don’t get emotional on me, Murphy.” Gabriel laughed. “We weren’t in love. It was one fuck, but I enjoyed it enough to come back for another.”
“I didn’t know you were gay.”
“You never asked.”
