“You need to rest. I’ll watch over you, don’t worry, just sleep and regain your strength.” Thankfully Keagan was exhausted enough that he didn’t fight the order and allowed Sergio to cover and tuck him in. He bent and kissed his forehead, still blown away by the fact that his beloved was here in his room and in his bed. He wasn’t lost or dead, he was here and very much alive.
CHAPTER FIVE
Sergio left the bedroom door open and went into the living room to have a cup of coffee and relax for a few. This day had brought him his lowest low and his highest high, and his mind and body were still processing the events. He was pleased when Kash stopped by to check on him. It gave him a chance to unload some of his worries with a trusted friend.
“Congratulations, buddy.” Kash pulled him in for a brief hug and a pat on the shoulder. “How is he doing?”
“Recovering.” Sergio offered him something to drink, and then they sat down in the living room. Sergio sat so as to have a visual on the bedroom in case his beloved needed him.
He explained the situation at the hospital and the joy of finding his mate unconscious but alive. “Thank you for helping me through that. The very idea that I’d lost my beloved was a shock that tore me apart. I can’t even put into words the tremendous void of thought and feeling that overcame me.”
“He’s alive, Sergio, and that’s all that matters.” Kash brought him back to the base facts.
“Yeah, he’s alive. He’s been alive for months running and hiding and living on the street while I had a nice apartment and a good life.”
“What are you saying? You had no idea that Keagan was on the street or, moreover, that he was your beloved. Don’t go there, Sergio, be thankful and let that shit go. It’ll do you no favors to hold onto guilt because you have nothing to feel guilty about.” Kash pressed it home, and Sergio understood it wasn’t his fault, but the pain his beloved had to endure was hard to accept.
“If you’d known he was your beloved, you would have moved heaven and earth to find him. So, stop beating yourself up and glory in the fact you have found your beloved.” Kash ended with a wide smile that Sergio couldn’t help but reciprocate as his heart and mind began to lighten.
Sergio told him what Keagan said he’d seen in Cruise’s office, and like Sergio, Kash was not surprised that Cruise was also, most likely, carrying out hired hits. He had his hand in a lot of illegal pies, and a man like Cruise would not bat an eye at murder for hire as long as the money was right.
“He said the victim’s name was Jarod and he was human. Initially, he thought he’d walked in on a business meeting until Jason ripped out the guy’s throat.” Sergio explained.
“I’m surprised Cruise would even care if Keagan witnessed the murder. It wasn’t as if he weren’t doing as bad or worse to the staff daily. He nearly killed my Gage simply for not making enough in tips, and he did so in front of all the staff.” Kash made a point, but people like Cruise were hard to understand and didn’t behave like normal beings.
“Cruise liked to cause pain and suffering, as did Jason. They got off on it. Hunting and terrorizing Keagan was probably sport to them.” Sergio gave his theory, and Kash nodded absently as Sergio added. “I’m just glad they’re gone, and all the Hadden companies, corporations, and businesses have been thoroughly reviewed. We never want a repeat of what happened at the Ruby Light.”
“As livid as Master Hadden was that such evil had grown right under his nose, I guarantee it will never happen again. There isn’t a square inch of his empire that he hasn’t examined personally.” Kash stated.
“I wanted to ask you a favor.” Sergio changed the subject slightly. “My beloved has had a harrowing experience with vampires, and he’s still skittish as far as the Hadden Coven is concerned. So, I was wondering if you’d allow me to use one of your rentals for a few days, maybe a week? Just until I can get him comfortable with me and with us. Being in the Coven right now might not be conducive to him accepting his new life as my beloved and as a new member of the Hadden Coven.”
“Sure, I’ll get you the keys to the brick colonial on Arlington Ave. Keep it for as long as you need.”
“Thanks, Kash.”
“No problem, just relax and take care of your beloved.”
…
Keagan opened his eyes and looked around the room. He’d fallen back to sleep so easily, and it was a deep sleep, something he hadn’t enjoyed in months. It felt odd trusting someone like Sergio so quickly, but there was a connection between them, and Keagan could not deny it. Desire and comfort were just a couple of the things Keagan experienced when near Sergio Donato.
There was just something about Sergio that drew him in. The light in his eyes, the strength of his grip, and the scent of lavender soap, among many other things, all came together to make Keagan relax and just breathe. He looked around the room and noticed the space airy and open with a large window on the opposite wall. He was on an upper floor and could see for miles from that window.
He lay there quietly, taking in the calm surroundings and listening. He could hear someone in the outer room. Sergio was out there. He could sense that he was there. The security he felt was coming from Sergio’s presence. The vampire had brought him home, healed him, and dropped that bomb about
