Kelvin #5: MM Fated Mates (Tangled Tentacles), page 14
It was Kelvin who shook his head. “Not one that we’ve found so far. The sex slave rings were franchises creating income. Same with the dragon egg business. But our facts don’t lie and neither do our witnesses. All of these atrocities point to one person. There’s also some activities that are still going on, that will need shutting down and careful handling too.”
“What sort of things?” Then Ben put his hand up and shook his head. “No, you know what. Don’t tell me. Let me look surprised on the day.”
“It’s probably for the best.” Magnus looked down at his fingers joined with his mate’s, before looking up again. “I’m sure I don’t need to impress on you how important keeping this secret is. You are the only person outside of a bunch of mated brothers who knows about this. The only one.”
“Your veiled threats aren’t necessary, my friend, although I do understand the need to state them.” Ben’s smile was rueful. “How about we get our meals served and some drinks in. You can tell me how you met your mate – give me hope that I’ll find mine one day soon.”
“That was a funny story actually,” Magnus said. “Call for our meals. My mate and I worked up an appetite before we came down here.”
That subtle glow of satisfaction emanating from Kelvin through their bond lasted all the way through dinner.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kelvin
The casualness of the evening was easy for Kelvin to follow, even if he could sense his brother’s tension. If Magnus had felt it, he’d not mentioned it. Kelvin wasn’t one for being out in the field, but there was no way he was going to stay at home like Alexi wanted and leave his mate to deal with what was coming next.
The information Ben had given them had been relayed to his brothers. Kelvin’s mind was running amok with everything while he tried to work out how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. He’d always been that way, needing to see how things added up. It was why he had an affinity with numbers.
When Ben had left them three hours before, they’d returned to the room and Kelvin had once more shown his mate what his tentacles were capable of. Now Magnus was snoring heavily, and Kelvin’s mind was working through everything they knew.
What’s eating you? Todd’s voice came through loud and clear as Kelvin stared out the bedroom window down at the near empty streets.
Are we ready for this? For a face to face meeting with a changeling? What if the council are all cowed by this ass and won’t listen to reason? They’ve done fuck all to stop all the dreadful things that have been happening. Can we put our trust in them? All this time we believed they were there for us, to protect us. And yet the head honcho says no, and they all follow like lambs! Shifters have died because they’ve only wanted to protect their own asses.
Did Ben come across as someone who didn’t believe you? Who wasn’t going to stand up for you guys? He’s agreed to the plan and has given us information.
Nope he wasn’t lying. But what if he gets scared like the others and changes his mind? This fucker has gotten rid of other council members. The fear, is it ingrained in the existing members? The fucker holds a lot of power. We do not know what he is capable of either, not fully. They say he’s a dragon, but is he? What abilities does he have? Fuck, there are too many variables to this I don’t like it, Todd. This is my mate in the line of fire.
Todd made a noise that was half snort half groan. Your kraken will not stand by and let anything happen to your mate. I’m more than sure Magnus is capable of taking care of himself, the Fates match us perfectly. I get you need everything lined up, Kelvin, it’s how you have always been, but shit, sometimes it’s just not possible.
Kelvin swallowed the sigh. Todd was right. He glanced back at his sleeping mate. The soft lamplight cast a glow over his golden skin, highlighting the planes of his face and showing the raw beauty. The feelings in his chest were what was making everything so hard, they grew deeper every day. He couldn’t imagine being without Magnus now they were together.
And that was the issue. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Magnus, Kelvin did. It was the reality of the unknown factors and how many shifters had been murdered all in the name of what? If they could just work out the why of everything, it would be the key that unlocked everything else. Without it, Kelvin felt they were all at risk.
I know, he finally answered as he got up and went to the bed. Go to bed, Todd. I’ll need you rested and raring to go for what’s to come.
As he slid back under the sheets, Magnus rolled towards him and slipped an arm over his chest, laying his palm over his heart. Kelvin placed his hand over Magnus’s and closed his eyes, working on shutting down his thoughts.
I get why you’re worried, I trust you and your kraken, but I need you to trust me too.
I do trust you. Fuck, the thought of losing you…
Magnus opened his eyes, fully alert in an instant, and stared deep into Kelvin’s. “We are going to send that fucker to hell where he belongs. I will not let him stop me living a long life with you. I swear.”
The kiss when it came held the promise that matched the words. Kelvin’s lips parted and he sank into the sweetness of the emotions degree by degree. I won’t let anyone, or anything, take you from me.
Same. Magnus’s kiss stopped his brain from working and Kelvin accepted what his mate was offering. What Magnus was trying to convey. Together they could achieve anything.
~/~/~/~
Three hours before they were due to leave there was a knock on their suite door and Azim, Danik, and Marvin walked in.
An hour later they were well into the discussion of what was going to happen that evening.
For someone who’d been through what Azim had been, to now be in a position of facing the man who appeared to have potentially orchestrated his kidnapping, Azim sat as calm as a damn cucumber next to Marvin. There was no obvious anxiety coming from him as he nodded at Magnus when he had checked that he was happy with his part of the evenings plan.
Victor’s displeasure at his mate being put in the line of fire had been projected onto all the brothers. Kelvin got it, but as Todd pointed out to him the day before yesterday, all their mates were strong, and Kelvin was focusing on that.
Marvin’s head moved from left to right between Danik and Magnus as they conversed. There was something about the level of intensity that he showed when paying close attention, that said he missed nothing. He looked very smart in his cream sweater and pressed trousers. There was no sign of excessive hair, showing off his striking features. Hopefully, he’d find his place in the world once they’d dealt with everything.
Danik drew Kelvin’s gaze as he continued to pace in front of the sofa Magnus was sitting on next to Kelvin. Danik, who seemed to think best while moving, never stopped as he fired another question at Magnus.
“So, we’ll have no issue getting access into the military compound?”
Magnus shook his head, his dark hair was messy after the repeated running of his hands through it over the last hour since everyone had arrived. “Ben is going to meet us at the gates. I have the code used to allow access to the compound. When the security team ask us questions, we have the correct info we need, so there shouldn’t be any issue of us being told to take a hike.”
“Good,” Danik’s head bobbed, “Good, so do we know how many others will be in the actual council meeting room?”
“Only the council members, so twenty-one shifters, in the main room. Those guarding the council members are kept outside.”
The snort came from Azim. “They must feel very confident no one is going to mess with them.”
“They’ve kept themselves out of the limelight and assume they are untouchable. Wouldn’t you feel confident?” Magnus stated, his expression serious. Same as it had been since everyone had come into their hotel room.
“Is this all going to stop the bad man?” Although Marvin’s voice was quiet, everyone focused on him. Up to now he’d been silent.
“Yes,” Kelvin said with determination.
“Yes,” Magnus answered at the same time.
They looked at each other and Kelvin grinned at Magnus, reaching for his hand. Their fingers clasped together, and Kelvin felt all of Magnus’s emotions. There was excitement, anticipation, anxiety, and a heavy dose of ‘let’s get on with this’.
Magnus glanced over at Danik. “Is everything else in place?”
Danik’s smile was wide and dangerous. “Yep, there is no way the fucker will be able to avoid what’s gonna happen. Todd, with Ben’s help, has the full layout of the building, so our dragons know exactly what to do.”
“Great, we just have to get into the room and talk through everything we know. Hell, you never know that might be enough for the other members to finally react and grow some balls.”
Magnus tilted his head at Azim when he finished speaking. “Fear is a bloody huge motivator and fuckface─”
Marvin’s laughter boomed out stopping Magnus from continuing. “Is that a real name?” He asked between the continued gaffs of laughter.
A tint of pink coated Magnus’s cheeks. “No, but it suits our guy.”
“Right, shall we finish up discussing the steps, Alexi is giving me a headache.” Danik sounded grouchy as he rolled his eyes heavenward.
Choking back the bubble of laughter at the disgruntled expression Danik wore, Kelvin nodded knowing how overbearing Alexi could be. “Tell him to get a grip.”
“I have, you try!”
Alexi, give Danik a break.
What, why?
Don’t play innocent. Danik needs to focus. There is a lot at stake now behave.
I am behaving…
Yeah, tell that to someone who doesn’t know you. Now stop.
“Danik, I’ve told him.”
Danik gave him a grateful smile and Kelvin focused on the others in the room. “Now what’s next? Time is ticking and we only have two hours before we need to leave.”
The conversation continued until everyone was happy with what was going to happen and what their role was. They left the hotel in the hire car they’d picked up the day before.
On the drive no one spoke, the tension was palpable as the compound came into view.
“Show time,” Magnus muttered as Kelvin pulled up to the gate and pressed the button to open the window.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Magnus
No, Magnus wasn’t happy that Kelvin had to wait in the car outside, while Ben led the rest of them through the compound to the meeting room. The krakens had believed that would probably happen, and it was all part of the plan. Honestly, it was better that no one on the council other than Ben knew that there was a kraken involved. In theory, because of their powers, the krakens could easily command the council, but they’d always chosen to stay hidden from other paranormals.
Even so, Magnus felt the twinge in his gut at leaving his mate alone. Kelvin was there as back up. He’d refused to stay in the hotel with the dragons who’d arrived just as they were leaving. Ben might suspect that Kelvin and Magnus could share a mind link, but no one had any idea at all that Kelvin had a similar connection with his brothers. As far as hidden communication methods went, they had it covered.
“Azim, are you okay?” Magnus stuck to one side of Azim, with Marvin on his other side, while Danik used his bulk to shield Azim from the guards on the other side who were peering at them with undisguised curiosity.
“I would be better if someone calmed Victor down. He’s hating this,” Azim hissed. “Honestly, you’d think some people would have respect for their significant others and their ability to look after themselves.”
Magnus could understand. Kelvin wasn’t saying anything through their bond, but the anxiety wasn’t doing a lot for his Zen either. “They can’t help themselves,” he muttered, as Ben approached a large double door and was talking to the guard in front of it. Everything screamed military from the unicolor walls, the tiled floors, and the chrome accents at waist height down the length of them.
There were no signs on the few doors they had passed, and nothing to suggest what was beyond the door they were in front of now. Magnus could only assume the lack of bars meant they weren’t being led to a lockup, although he didn’t believe Ben would betray them. The man knew too much, even before they’d come along, and while Magnus wasn’t stupid enough to think someone who could do awesome things with a cock was also a great person, he did get a good feeling about Ben’s concern with the idea of possible corruption within the council itself.
Ben came back, his eyes on Magnus. “Some of the council members aren’t happy that you’re here and have tried to restrict access to a single person. But I impressed on them the fact that this was a huge plot that had been conducted by multiple parties, over multiple states. I also threw in the fact that there was a very real potential for the government law enforcement agencies to get involved, thanks to the data collected by the Thalassa Security company.
“Brilliant.” Magnus glanced down at Azim. “Are you going to be all right? Danik will go first and then you.”
Azim nodded. His jaw was tight and there was a flash of red through his eyes, but he tilted up his chin. “I can do this.”
“Good man.” Turning, Magnus could see Marvin was eyeing up the guard’s uniform by the door. “Are you going to be all right. I’m going to be with you all the way and I won’t let anyone take you or touch you.”
“Because we’re family?”
“Exactly.” Breathing out long and loud, Magnus nodded at Ben. “Let’s get this done. I sure hope what we’re told about the council, that you’re all stronger than others of your kind is true.”
“I guess we’ll find out.” Turning back to the guard, Ben indicated that the doors be opened.
~/~/~/~
You’re too close to the changeling.
Magnus almost flinched as he heard Kelvin in his head. I’m in the same room as him. We knew that was going to happen. Let me focus.
The smell is unnerving all of us. Victor’s picking it up through Azim and Alexi is worried sick about Danik.
You can explain how the hell you can sense scents through a spiritual mind link another time, mate. Magnus made sure he was next to Azim and Marvin. No disrespect to the bear, but he could take care of himself. I’m leaving my mind open, as promised, but let me focus, please. There’s a lot of tension in this room.
Feeling Kelvin pull back in his mind, just a touch, Magnus glanced around quickly taking in the exits – there were only two – a lack of windows, and the horseshoe nature of the table didn’t help matters. Ryujin Urt wasn’t sitting at the top of the horseshoe as one would expect, but rather four seats to the left of it. Presumably so as leader, he wouldn’t get shot or attacked by anyone breaking in and yet not knowing what the leader looked like.
Magnus recognized the faces as the ones Todd identified as council members during their briefing two days before. As Ben broke into his spiel about why the men were at the meeting, Magnus did a slow pan of the council members, lingering on Urt, so that Kelvin could pass on any details necessary for phase three of his plan.
You never told me what phase four of your plan was. This was Kelvin just making conversation. Even so, it wasn’t as though Magnus had an answer.
Not entirely sure at this point, but getting the hell out of here is the main focus and making sure our family comes out with me.
“Special Agent Fallows,” Ben’s voice cut across his thoughts. “Can you inform the council why you insisted on this meeting and then we can hear from your valued witnesses. You have my assurance that you are all safe within these walls.”
Ignoring Marvin’s snort, Magnus inhaled sharply and then let out a long breath very slowly. Give me strength so I don’t fuck this up.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Magnus
“I have been investigating the disappearance of my sister for the past two years…”
Magnus laid it all out – his initial concerns, his suspicions backed by facts through further investigations leading him to the sex slave rings which he found out were part of a franchise organization, and his concerns they were part of something bigger when forensic accountants noticed money was unaccounted for in many instances. He then introduced Danik, who with the air of a man laying out a case before a judge, took the story through the investigation of a local chapter of the franchise.
This included relating how he’d spoken to one of the men who had paid money for a specific type of paranormal to be delivered to him, and the fact Danik had been the only person in his precinct who believed the stolen were still alive and had been actively looking for them. Because part of the criminal organization was working within the precinct Danik worked for.
This caused a bit of rumbling among some of the council members who were looking at each other with expressions saying, “did you know about this? I didn’t know about this.” They did know about it, Ben had said as such, but it was typical they were all trying to absolve themselves of any blame when it was laid out for all to hear.
“Former Detective,” Shanga, the lion representative spoke up. “You claim this was all at a local level, and while the story is shocking and extremely troubling, I’m failing to see why this has importance at a council level. From what you describe, the local franchise of this distasteful practice has been disbanded. No further action is required.”
Damn lion shifters are always so lazy. Kelvin’s voice came through and Magnus quickly covered his mouth so his grin wouldn’t show.
“The sex slave operation has franchises all over the country and related to all paranormals,” Danik said firmly as if willing the lion shifter to argue with him. “From the council perspective, shifters were the most common paranormals ordered in accordance to weight, height, gender, and species, ultimately this was something that impacts us all. Perhaps hearing from one of the victims might stir your sense of common decency. Sir. Azim, would you mind?”
