Fabian was blown away by Atticus’ confession. Why would this stunning creature and wonderful man think that he wasn’t enough? Slowly, Fabian walked to the side of the bed and sat on the edge, his gaze never leaving his mate’s. “Why would you think that, mate?”

  Atticus shrugged one shoulder and began to bite his bottom lip. “I’m a nobody and you’re...you. You’re leader of this coven, and live in this lavish home, and have more money than god if you could pay four million dollars for me. And then...just look at you. You’re…” ―Atticus waved his hand toward Fabian motioning to him from head to toe― “and I’m...this.”

  Fabian reached out and took Atticus’ hand. Immediately a flash of heat engulfed him as a jolt of electricity raced up his arm, down his spine, and settled in his cock. “And this, you, are magnificent, Atticus. You’re beautiful and sexy, and from what I have learned about you so far, you’re a good person and a sweet man. I already think you’re fabulous,” Fabian stated sincerely, and he meant every word. He thought his little mate was wonderful, strong, and brave. He was fierce and fiery, but shy and sweet at the same time.

  “But what could we possibly have in common? And how can you think I’m sexy? I’m just a little shrimp of a vampire. No other of our kind look like me. You’re all so much bigger and stronger. And look at how dumb I was for meeting Diego, a total stranger.”

  “What we have in common I can’t answer yet because we still need to learn things about one another. And how could I think you are sexy? Well, because in my eyes you’re beautiful. And one of those things I find sexy is your size. Not all vampires are big like me and my brothers. Look at Jasper. He’s my brother and he’s built more like you. It takes all shapes and sizes to make this world go around, and I, for one, like a man smaller than me. I always hoped my mate would look like you. I like taking care of people, watching over them, and keeping them safe, and always hoped fate would bless me with a mate I could take care of, but in turn would take care of me. And you don’t have to be big and strong in muscle to do that. You just need to have a big heart and I already know you have that.

  “And being dumb is not how I would describe you. Someone who was hurting, lonely, and looking to be loved. Someone who was willing to put himself out there and want to give his trust to another, that’s not dumb, my mate. That’s being alive. We all want someone to love, who will love us in return. Someone to share our lives with, and the only way any of us do that is to take the risk and put ourselves out there. You did nothing wrong, Atticus. From what B.B. said, you insisted on meeting this Diego in a public place that you felt safe in. A place where more of our kind were in hopes you would be protected. That’s not a dumb person. That is someone who took a risk, but still knew there could be danger and took the steps necessary to keep themselves safe,” Fabian replied with a smile.

  Atticus looked back down. “A lot of good that did me. I still got taken,” Atticus mumbled.

  “How did that happen, Atticus? We have watched all the surveillance footage and saw you leaving with Diego, but you didn’t look like you wanted to go. So, what happened?”

  “I got there early to fill out an application for a job. I heard they were looking for a new bartender and a few waiters. After I met with the manager and he told me he would call me that week after he saw a few more applicants, I sat at the bar and waited. Diego snuck up behind me, a half hour earlier than we said we would meet. I figured he did like I did and was scoping it out first to make sure meeting a stranger was okay.” Tears began to spill from Atticus’ eyes and he started to tremble, but he continued.

  “When he ordered me another drink, I took a few sips, then suddenly felt hot, but also clammy. My head started to spin and I just wanted to lie down. Something screamed inside my head that I was in trouble and needed to get out of there. Then Diego said something to the bartender, but I couldn’t understand what they were whispering about. Suddenly, I felt cold air hit me and I realized I was outside and that I was alone with Diego. I wanted to fight him and run back inside, but my legs wouldn’t listen. He walked me to his car, put me in it, then drove away. I went for the door handle to get out. I knew I was going to be hurt jumping from the moving car but I didn’t care. I was gripped with panic and I knew I had to do something. When I reached for the handle and opened the door, Diego punched me in the face, pulled over, and dropped me in the trunk. Once we got to where we were going and he let me out, he injected me with something, and the next thing I knew I woke up in that cage,” Atty explained, his body shaking.

  It broke Fabian’s heart to see anyone like this, but especially his mate. He was afraid of moving them too fast and scaring his mate, but he couldn’t help himself. Fabian quickly turned and slid closer, lifting Atticus up, then settling him in his lap as Fabian rested back against the headboard. Atticus leaned into him, laying his head on Fabian’s shoulder and pressing his face into the side of his neck. Fabian wrapped his arms around his mate, running a hand up and down his back tenderly as he shushed him softly, telling Atticus everything would be okay and assuring him that he was safe now and always would be.

  Like in the car a few hours ago, Fabian was struck with just how perfect Atticus fit against him and how good it felt to have his mate in his arms. He rested his cheek against the top of Atticus’ head and closed his eyes, enjoying the moment, happy that he could give his mate even a small amount of peace.

  They sat like that until all of Atticus’ tears dried up, his body relaxed, and all the sobs had stopped. Then, to Fabian’s surprise and delight, Atticus remained. He didn’t even try to pull away or move out of Fabian’s arms.

  Atticus drew his head back and looked up at him with those beautiful blue eyes and Fabian melted. Then the sweetest thing he had ever heard came from his mate’s lips in his angelic soft voice. “Will you kiss me?”

  Fabian smiled and leaned closer, brushing Atticus’ lips lightly with his, then he ran his nose softly up the side of his mate’s, and down again, as their hot breaths mingled. “You never have to ask for my kiss, Diletto. They are always for you and only you,” Fabian said against Atticus’ lips, then pressed down, joining them in their first kiss.

  Atticus gasped slightly, but didn’t pull away, he moved in closer, giving back what Fabian gave. His pretty angel’s hands flattened against his chest and Fabian hissed as if singed by fire, Atticus’ touch burning into his memory. If his eyes weren’t already closed, he would have closed them just from the heavenly feeling he got from that small touch.

  Atticus’ hands slid up his chest, over his pecs and collarbone, then slid around his neck and tangled in his hair. Fabian was lost to the pleasure and slid his tongue out, licking across the seam of Atticus’ mouth, asking for entrance, and his mate gave it to him. Atticus opened his lips and Fabian gently thrust his tongue inside, luxuriating in the taste of his mate.

  Tightening his hold and tilting his head, Fabian deepened the kiss, locking them together. Atticus moaned and Fabian swallowed it down, taking Atticus’ pleasure inside himself. Their tongues tangled together in a dance of desire as Fabian drew out more moans from his mate. From just this one kiss Fabian knew he would never get enough of the man in his arms. Atticus tasted sweet, like strawberries, with a hint of masculinity underneath, and Fabian wanted more. Needed more. He loved the feel of a man in his arms, pressed against him, under him. The slide of his cock as it entered a warm, welcoming, male body. But this, the thought of those pleasures with a mate, was much more. The thought of the pleasures of the flesh with Atticus was all consuming.

  Not wanting to break the passion so clear between them, but needing air, Fabian slowly pulled back, sliding his tongue across the roof of Atticus’ mouth to grab one last taste until he could kiss him again. Fabian nipped his mate’s plump bottom lip, causing Atticus to whimper, then he licked away the pain. A slight tinge of coppery goodness tingled on his tongue, causing Fabian’s already hard cock to thicken more and strain against his zipper. The bite of pain becoming uncomfortable. But Fabian would not let his mate go. Fabian didn’t think he could wait any longer to claim what fate had gifted him. Just that small drop of his mate’s blood was a thousand times more potent than Atticus’ mouth.

  “You taste better than the finest wine, baby. I think I am already addicted to you,” Fabian whispered, then gave Atticus one more small kiss, before pulling back. Their gazes met and Fabian loved the glazed look in Atticus’ eyes.

  “Wow. I have never been kissed like that before in my life. Not that I’ve had a lot of kisses, but that was just...wow,” Atticus panted.

  “I couldn’t agree more, Atticus. That was the most spectacular kiss I have ever shared.”

  “So, now what do we do?” Atticus’ voice trembled slightly, showing that his trepidation

  was returning.

  “Honestly, Diletto, I would love to claim you right now and make you mine, but I don’t know if you’re ready for that. We only just met and you’ve been through something that no one should have to endure, and I don’t want to frighten you,” Fabian replied honestly.

  Atticus looked at him shyly again, and Fabian found his heart falling for the man a little more. “I want you, too. Even though what happened was frightening, and the worst thing I have been through, I’m glad nothing worse happened then what did. I want nothing more than to be with my mate, with you, and to claim each other and begin our lives together, but it just seems wrong to jump into bed with someone I only just met and make the kind of commitment we both know comes with a mating so soon.”

  “Then we will wait. Nothing needs to be done now. There is no rush. All I ask is if you would stay here with me so that I can keep you safe until all this blows over. I don’t think I will be able to handle you being out of my sight, and those monsters are still out there. Here you will be safe. My brothers and I, along with the sentinels, will do everything in our power to keep you and B.B. from harm.”

  “I can do that if it eases your worry. And you’re right, it will also ease mine. I’m terrified to go out there. Back into the world. Back to my life. And I don’t want to be away from you, either,” Atticus confessed.

  “I’ll talk to Jasper and have him get one of the guest rooms ready for you to have as your own. In the meantime, we can get to know one another and then when you are ready, we’ll claim each other. How does that sound?” Fabian asked with a smile, trying to let Atticus see that what he was saying was true, and to make his mate more comfortable.

  “I would like that. Thank you.”

  “I know you only just ate, but you look like you could still use some nourishment. Dinner is almost ready, so why don’t you go in and take a shower. Take your time and I’ll bring you some fresh clothes. Then, once you’re ready, we can join the others and I will introduce you to my family.”

  “Okay. I’d like that. I also want to thank them for everything they did to save me.”

  “Alright, let’s get started,” Fabian said, and as much as he didn’t want to, he released Atticus as he slid them both to the edge of the bed, then helped Atticus from his lap, and made sure he had his footing. Once Atticus closed the bathroom door behind him, Fabian touched his lips as he closed his eyes again. He hadn't been lying when he told Atticus it was the best kiss of his life.

  Fabian heard the water in the shower turn on, bringing him back from his musings and he stood. He needed to borrow some of either B.B.’s or Jasper’s clothes until they could get some of Atticus’. He also needed to bring his mate more blood. It would help him to heal. Fabian went to the door to get the items for his mate. He smiled bright as he left the room, loving the sound of that. His mate.

  CHAPTER 15

  A week had passed and Atticus found himself falling in love with his mate. Fabian had been so good to him, kind, patient, understanding, and romantic. He brought Atticus a fresh glass of blood in bed every night when he woke, and made him breakfast when he came downstairs to join the rest of them.

  Atticus had found out from Jasper that before he came, Fabian and his brothers had gotten up and started their day right away, running around taking care of things in the coven, trying to get everything straightened out from Malcolm Dean’s mess. But since he and B.B. showed up, they now all sat together in the kitchen and had breakfast, chatting and getting to know each other before they started their days. Or nights as it were, being vampires. B.B. even changed his schedule around so that he would be up with them and sleep when they all did. It was nice, and for the first time since his father died, Atticus felt like he was part of a family.

  Atty loved the way B.B. and Silas were together and was taking great joy in seeing his friend falling in love. B.B. deserved to have someone amazing in his life and Silas fit the bill.

  Agent Snow had come by a few times to give them updates on what was happening with the case, and Atty had been shocked to find out that King Raven had told Fabian to bid whatever necessary to rescue him, and the vampire king had given the money himself. Not that Fabian wasn’t rich in his own right, because the man was stinking rich, but the king insisted it was his place to help all paranormals.

  Fabian had also told him how they had grabbed the two other men who bid on him the night of the auction and they had been taken to King Raven’s castle for punishment. The sentinels had also been able to grab a few of the others on their way out, even a few humans, and they were all being dealt with by the king. They had hoped to get more of them and save more of the slaves but were unable to that night.

  With the auction being held at his father's old Marina, it was easy access for human trafficking. They would come in boats, like some had that night, then when the auction was over, slip out into the Straight and make a quick run to the open ocean and international waters, which was making the FBI’s investigation even harder.

  With help from Kalen, Agent Snow was able to track down where Sir, or Viscardi was his name, was located and Snow had people watching him. But because Viscardi was a vampire too, they couldn’t put him on the human’s radar.

  Kalen was able to get a lead on where they had set up the dating website and Snow, Saber, and a few of the sentinels were going to head over there to see what they could find, as Kalen tried to shut down the website. Atty had no idea how he was going to do it, but Kalen was trying to get access to the website’s servers or something like that and download a virus so that any of the members trying to login would get the virus and be locked out of the site for good.

  He was also digging into their client list so that they could go out and find the ones working for Viscardi. At the same time, Kalen was keeping his eyes on the auction site and following almost all of its clients to see when and where another auction would be.

  Atty understood they were all trying their best to put a stop to this ring of traffickers and rescue any slave that went through it, but he worried every day about the men and women who had been left behind.

  “Has anyone seen Fabian?” Kalen asked as he walked into the library where Atty and B.B. were sitting.

  “He was in his office speaking with Agent Snow on the phone a few minutes ago. Would you like me to get him?” Atty asked as he put his book down and stood.

  “Let’s get him together. I have something for you all to see,” Kalen replied, then turned and headed toward Fabian’s office. Atticus and B.B. looked at one another with raised brows, then quickly followed.

  When they found Fabian in his office, Kalen asked him to have Agent Snow come also. He said that what he had to show them was very important. They made their way to Kalen, Saber, and Silas’ office and waited for Agent Snow to arrive. It had only taken him fifteen minutes to get there, and once he stepped into the room, Kalen began. “Thanks for coming. Let me start off by saying that what I have done, there is no way you can take the credit for, Snow. I know you’re pretty good with computers, but you don’t have my skill,” Kalen said proudly and a little cocky, which made Atty want to laugh out loud. Especially when he heard the soft grunt that came from Snow as he glared at Kalen.

  Kelan only chuckled, then went on. “I don’t care how much of what I do you need to take credit for to keep the humans from discovering us, but this you’ll have to bring me into it. Sorry. Anyway, if you’ll all look up here at the large monitor.”

  Fabian moved from behind Saber’s desk and came closer, sitting on the chair next to Kalen. He reached his arm out and without hesitation drew Atty against his side. Atticus loved how open Fabian was with his affections. He really wanted to sit in his mate’s lap, but hesitated, wondering if Fabian would welcome it in a serious meeting. The craving to sit and be held by his mate became overwhelming and Atty figured this was as good a time as any to test if Fabian was open to his advances. With his mate being the bigger of them and leader of a coven, and Atty being so much smaller and a nobody, he didn’t know if his mate would welcome him taking initiative or if he would be offended. He didn’t think Fabian would be like that. The man had only shown him care, gentleness, and kindness, but…

  Oh, hell. Fabian was his mate and he knew down to his bones that he had nothing to fear from his mate. He should stop being afraid and just do as his instincts suggested. And right now, they wanted to be sitting on his mate’s lap, damn it. Without another thought, Atticus moved, sliding over to stand in front of Fabian, then he sat, settling in on his lap and leaning back against Fabian’s hard chest.

  Without hesitation, those strong arms wrapped around him, pulling Atty closer, and soft lips kissed the side of his neck. Warm breath caressed his flesh as Fabian whispered in his ear for only him to hear. “Thank you, mate.” He wasn’t sure what Fabian was thanking him for, but hell, he loved the shiver of desire that raced through him from Fabian’s softly spoken words against his skin. Visions of their naked bodies entangled, writhing together, flooded his thoughts, and Atty felt his cock stir.

  “So, you’re saying what exactly?” Snow asked, bringing Atty back to the conversation.

 

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