My Forever (15 page)

“Get up, baby. I want you to meet a friend of mine before I head to the bank.”

Kyle rubbed the sleep from his eyes and sat up. “We’re going out?”

“I am. I want you to stay off your feet as much as possible to help the bruises fade.”

“You’re leaving me alone with someone?” The thought sent a shiver down his spine. It dawned on him that they’d not spent a moment apart since the day Lucas had originally rescued him, but for Craig’s latest—and hopefully last—attack. That, coupled with the idea of being left alone with a stranger, had his heart thumping in his chest.

“Not just someone. I’ve known him for two and a half centuries and he’s the only one I would trust with your safety. Get dressed and meet me downstairs.” Lucas bent to tuck a lock of his hair behind one ear then left, closing the door on his way out.

With a groan Kyle slipped from the bed and took a quick shower. The trust Lucas had in his friend dispelled some of his doubts, but not all. He wasn’t sure when he’d become so dependent on the man. Even prior to the reassuring connection of their bond, Lucas’ strong confidence had given him a measure of his own. The shame he’d first felt at constantly needing to rely on the man instead of his own independence had disappeared some time ago. Putting his welfare and faith into the hands of his Master was as natural to him now as breathing.

Choosing a sedate outfit from one of the duffels, he made his way slowly down the wine-coloured, carpeted stairs and found Lucas talking with another man in the kitchen. The stranger was fairly handsome with short, brown curls and a build slightly leaner than Lucas’. His baggy plaid shorts and white button-up shirt topped with a black tie looked more like a fashion statement than a casual state of dress.

As he walked into the room, both men stopped talking and turned to him. Light brown eyes crinkled from the smile on the stranger’s face that would have been warm if not for the thin edge to it. Kyle got the distinct impression that the man didn’t quite approve of his presence.

Lucas went to him immediately and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Bastian, this is Kyle. Kyle, Bastian. He’ll be staying with you while I’m out. The groceries,” he said, indicating the numerous plastic bags in a corner of the room with a wave of his hand, “need to be put away. After that I want you to lie down. Bastian can show you where I keep my books if you want to read or you can watch more movies on the laptop but make sure you sit and stand as little as possible.”
 

“Yes, Sir. How long will you be?” He couldn’t resist casting a sideward glance at Bastian.

“Not too long. I’m just going to the bank then picking up more medicine for you. Town is only a ten minute drive from here.”

He bravely drew himself up and stifled the temptation to beg Lucas to take him along. One of the rules that had been set down at the beginning of their relationship was that Kyle would refrain from disputing any commands that were directly related to his health. It was originally meant to give Lucas the additional authority to determine how much he ate at each meal, which he didn’t mind so much, but now it was just damned annoying.

“Behave while I’m gone and don’t forget to eat breakfast.”

“Yes, Sir,” he replied, not quite able to keep the disappointment he felt from his tone. Lucas grinned knowingly then pecked him on the forehead before heading out. Kyle got to work on filling the cabinets and fridge with the groceries. To his utter relief, he found that the kitchen was filled with modern appliances and cookware. He was used to going without television and other such luxuries, but when it came to cooking, he preferred to take full advantage of modern conveniences.

Bastian’s eyes tracked his every action. It was uncomfortable to say the least. The charge of tension that filled the air kept him from wanting to strike up a conversation, and the man certainly wasn’t putting forth the effort, so he remained quiet. Lucas hadn’t specified what or how much he had to eat for breakfast so Kyle took an apple out when he was finished.

Going into the living room to retrieve the laptop, he heard Bastian walking behind him. To say he was creeped out would be an understatement. The urge to reach out through the link just to hear Lucas’ reassuring voice was strong but he held it in. The friendship between Bastian and Lucas was obviously important to his lover and he didn’t want jeopardise that by appearing wary of the stranger.

Snatching the laptop and case, Kyle let out a relieved sigh when Bastian stayed at the foot of the stairs, watching him ascend to the bedroom. Once inside, he closed the door and plopped onto the bed, grateful for the small degree of privacy. Thirty minutes into the movie he was watching, movement caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. Glancing up, he jerked upright and scrambled to the head of the bed.

Bastian stood with his arms folded across his chest and feet apart, a cocky look plastered on his face. Kyle glanced at the still-closed door then back at him. He was sure he would have heard or seen the man come in. Another push with his legs brought his back against the headboard, and that still wasn’t enough distance between them for Kyle’s peace of mind.

“So you must be the reason Deluc used his power.”

Kyle frowned, caught off-guard. “Deluc?”

“You probably know him by some other name since he was trying to keep his whereabouts hidden. Guess that’s pointless now, but hey, it’s only four years of running down the drain. Six years of rest and relaxation brought to a bitter end. He’s tough, though. He’ll get through this. No skin off your back, right? When he’s done going through the trouble of making sure you’re not killed in the process, you can go on your merry way knowing that your precious little life is safe.”

The sarcastic note in Bastian’s voice shook him as much as his words.

“What’s another four years of fleeing for his life compared to more than two hundred years of being required to kill his own kind? Oh, that’s right. You probably can’t even imagine the hell he’s gone through to protect your people and ours. You’re young, sexy and enjoying the fringe benefits of rich men like him. I can’t blame him, really. You are a hot piece of ass. Tell you what, after you’re done screwing with him, you can stay with me until it’s safe to get back to your plush life.”

Bastian advanced with a malicious gleam in his eyes. “I’d fuck you in a heartbeat, but I’m not as generous as Deluc. You’d leave with only what you came with.” Two more steps brought him to the side of the bed, leaving only a few feet of distance between them. “I can tell you’re a submissive. Deluc is a great Dom but he’s not the only one. I can guarantee you’d be satisfied every day with what I could do to you.”

Terror gripped Kyle’s heart and he bolted from the room, narrowly avoiding Bastian’s outstretched hand. By the time he hefted the front door open, tears blurred his vision but that didn’t matter. What mattered was the fact that the house was located a good distance from any surrounding neighbours. No one would hear his screams for help if Bastian chose to make good on his threat.

“Kyle?”

For the first time since meeting Lucas, the man’s deep voice caused something other than succour to fill him. Panic and turmoil crashed through Kyle like an avalanche. He couldn’t let his mate find out about Bastian’s harsh words. It would kill their friendship and Lucas would grow to despise him for it.

“Kyle, tell me what’s going on now.”

A sob hitched in his chest but he kept running. There was no good way for this to end. Disobeying his Master went against all of his instincts. Lucas would be furious with him when he got home. Even if the man didn’t hit him, his censure would be enough to hurt Kyle more than any instrument of pain could. Suddenly, Bastian appeared in front of him and he skidded to a halt too abruptly. Losing his balance, he cried out as he fell roughly onto his behind.

“Afraid I can’t let you get away, sweetheart. As much as I’d like to see justice done and watch you pay for putting my friend’s life in danger, Deluc charged me with keeping your ass safe. So let’s play nice and head back to the house.”

Anger broke through the fear and Kyle wanted to spit in his face when they were interrupted by the ringtone of Bastian’s cell phone. The man dug it from his pants pocket and answered, keeping his gaze levelled on Kyle. Kyle glared back, fuming from his position on the ground.

“He’s right here. We were just having a pleasant conversation.” There was a short pause, then, “Yeah, he’s fine.” After another pause, the man said, “I didn’t say anything to intentionally upset him. I was just telling it like it is.” Bastian’s face paled significantly with whatever words came from Lucas next. “How…how do you know he’s scared?”

“Because he’s my mate!”

Lucas yelled into the phone so loudly that Kyle was able to discern every word with crystal clarity. Bastian’s eyes went wide with shock.

“Oh…fuck. Deluc, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. I…” Lucas must have cut him off because Bastian nodded briskly then hung up the phone a few seconds later. “Kyle, please forgive me.”

Bastian took a step forwards and Kyle retreated. His ass was aching viciously but he pushed the pain from his mind. Though the look of regret shining from the stranger’s eyes seemed sincere, Kyle wasn’t about to trust the man. Neither could he give in to the emotions of anger and worry coursing through him from Lucas. Bastian may have come across as a complete asshole but his words rang true. They mimicked the very concerns he had expressed to Lucas the day before.

“Deluc is on his way. Please come back to the house with me where I can apologise properly. You have every right to hate me and I swear I won’t touch you if you don’t want me to.” He walked several yards to the side so that he was neither ahead of nor behind Kyle. “Shit, you’re shaking like a leaf.” Dragging a hand through his curls, Bastian mumbled, “Deluc is going to kill me for this.”

The wide gap that now separated them did nothing to ease his anxiety. The man had proved he could teleport and from what Kyle knew of the power, it meant that Bastian could catch him no matter how far away he was. Getting to his feet, he winced as blood rushed to his bruises. They walked back to the house together, Kyle stiffly and Bastian eyeing him yet again, only with concern instead of his earlier veiled contempt. Kyle stopped at the top of the porch steps and leaned against a side beam for support.

“Don’t want to go inside with me? Okay, I get that.” Bastian stayed in the yard, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I know you must think I’m a total jackass. Deluc is going to rip me a new one for this, so before I die a very painful and humiliating death, I want to say again that I truly am sorry. I love that man like a brother and I let my fear for him cloud my judgement. It’s hard for Tsielen to find a soul mate, the one person they want to spend the rest of their life with. But for Deluc…I never thought it would happen. He deserves it, though. More than anyone I know.”

Kyle watched him warily, anxious and full of dread for when Lucas would get back. If his mate asked him about what happened, he wouldn’t be able to lie, but the truth might drive a wedge between the two friends. The thought that he would be responsible for taking away another aspect of Lucas’ life tore at his insides.

Bastian’s voice carried, though he spoke quietly. “For what it’s worth, thank you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to find the one person willing to share their soul with me, and I’m glad Deluc found you.”

* * * *

Lucas pulled up to the house and jumped out of the new Chevy Tahoe Bastian had purchased for him. Kyle leaned against a pillar at the top of the steps, looking exhausted and utterly still, but his emotions were a riot. The skittish look in his shaded eyes, the one that he had worked so hard to abolish, sliced through him. When he reached the bottom stair and placed one foot on it, Kyle took a step back.

“Easy baby. You know I won’t hurt you.”

Kyle shook his head. His cheeks were streaked with tears though his eyes were dry.

“
You think I’m going to be upset with you?”
At his mate’s hesitant nod, Lucas sighed. “
I’m pretty sure that’s impossible. I don’t know what went on or how Bastian fucked up so royally in less than an hour, but we’ll make this right. You have to trust me.”

Lucas waited patiently, giving him the control to decide when and if he was ready to accept support. Kyle needed to be reminded that he had options. Two weeks of thriving as a submissive could not erase five years of enforced slavery. He would get there eventually. The man had a reserve of strength that was astonishing, but he often let his fear supersede it along with everything else.

Kyle flicked a surreptitious glance at Bastian’s lone form across the lawn, then flung himself into Lucas’ arms. His body trembled slightly and Lucas poured all of his relief and pride into his mate.

“I’m sorry, Sir.”

“Shhh. You’ve done very well. You conquered your fear and put your faith in me. A master couldn’t ask for any treasure in a sub more beautiful than that. My power over you is nothing without your willingness and trust. Never forget that, sweetness.”
Kyle nodded and held on tighter. “
Let’s get you inside and into bed. You need rest and I have a few choice words to say to Bastian.”

“Please don’t get mad at him. He was only trying to look out for you. It wasn’t his fault.”

Lucas creased his forehead and tried to look down but Kyle had a death grip on him. He bent to swing his mate up into his hold and was met at the front door by Bastian, who opened it then stood aside. Ignoring the man, he carried Kyle to the bedroom. After tucking him into bed and assuaging his frayed nerves until his mate was fast asleep, Lucas went back downstairs and found his friend in the living room. Bastian held two glasses and handed one to him. Lucas sniffed at it, recognising the scent of the special reserve brandy he kept in his liquor cabinet.