Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 113332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“Has Magpie left yet?”
Beast sighed, but one look outside confirmed their guest was surely still here, because he wouldn’t have left without his drivers. “Why? Do you want to accuse him of something again?”
A short silence gave Beast the satisfaction he craved. “No, I wish to apologize.”
Beast leaned against the wall but frowned when his shoulder managed to chip some plaster. “Oh. That’s… unusual… good to know. Meet me in the kitchen?” he asked, knowing Laurent wouldn’t have appreciated anything about the orgy.
“See you there.” Laurent hesitated for a moment, but his voice remained upbeat. “Beast? I love you.”
He disconnected, making Beast stare at his own reflection on the screen. That was nice, but… dramatic? Maybe Laurent felt guilty over starting the conversation that had been overheard by Baal. Oh well, Beast wouldn’t be complaining. His husband was the most beautiful man in this whole fucking building, and Beast doubted there would ever be a time when he’d tire of hearing sweet words from him.
It wasn’t as if Laurent used love declarations sparsely, but never quite as casually, which gave Beast high hopes for the upcoming night. No orgy could equal the closeness, intimacy, and intensity of making love to Laurent.
He asked Knight and Vars to mind their guests and went straight to the club’s private kitchen upstairs. His veins buzzed with heat and kept him warm, despite the faulty heaters and the damp radiating off the old walls.
Laurent was already waiting for him, holding two glasses of red wine, his hair back to its immaculate state.
This was getting better by the second.
Beast took one of the drinks from Laurent’s hand and gave him a kiss. “Hi there.”
Laurent smiled when their mouths touched. He always looked at Beast as if there wasn’t a scar on Beast’s body, up to the point where it didn’t matter that Beast would never regain his former self. In Laurent’s eyes, he could see himself the way he felt on the inside.
Laurent clinked their glasses. “To a safe and prosperous future,” he said as if he was a mayor celebrating the erection of a monument.
Beast snorted and put his arm around Laurent before sipping from the glass. He wasn’t a wine kind of man, but Laurent thought it was a celebratory beverage, so Beast complied.
“To us. To the future. To a great, long life together,” he said, playing with a strand of brown, wavy hair.
Laurent wrapped his arm around Beast’s waist. “I know we fight sometimes, but you don’t know how happy you make me even in those trying moments. When I made my pact with Baal, I had no idea what getting everything I thought I wanted would mean, yet I got much more. These modern times aren’t perfect, but they offer unlimited possibilities.”
Beast’s chest pulsated with warmth, as if he were breathing Laurent’s compliments in the form of air. “I’m sure once... the problem is dealt with, all the sacrifices will be worth it. You said you wanted to see Magpie?”
“Yes, please.” Laurent tipped his glass and gobbled up the contents in a manner so unrefined Beast laughed. But he was quick to finish his own wine as well and led Laurent downstairs, toward the loud noise that made the floor under their feet tremble with each beat.
Laurent’s hands were so small when compared to his, yet their fingers—a set of thick stubs and another of digits that were long and graceful—fit together so perfectly it sometimes took Beast’s breath away. He imagined some men in his position would have found such a strong attachment dangerous, too close, but throughout years of solitude, he’d realized that money, and even respect, were secondary to the happiness of having a truly close bond with someone. He’d made sacrifices for Laurent, and he’d make them all over again, were it necessary.
Knowing his lover’s discomfort with the public sex, he steered him around the party area, and while that didn’t spare them the view of casual lovers here and there, they reached the guest room without much issue.
Malachite looked up at them without a word, his face remaining hidden behind mirrored shades, even though it was dusky in the hallway.
Beast put his hand up in greeting. “I know he’s with someone, but we’ll wait until he’s ready to see us.” He didn’t enjoy having to offer Magpie that much courtesy, but they were partners now, and Beast hoped to continue the mutually beneficial relationship even after Baal was long gone.
Malachite exhaled, his sunglasses reflecting their faces yet hiding what the bastard was thinking. How long had it been since the poor guy had gotten any sleep anyway? Beast imagined that this man might be among the few humans Magpie had made pacts with. The question was whether he’d signed away his life, or agreed to a certain number of years in service.