In the Arms of the Beast (Kings of Hell MC 5)

“He knows.”

Laurent put his forehead against Beast’s chest and stayed completely still. They had been careful all along, only talking about such things when Magpie or Vars, whose body was Magpie’s domain, were there to counter Baal’s influence. Baal could have been suspicious about some of their activities, but before tonight he likely didn’t have proof the club was plotting against him.

Laurent might believe they were all in the same boat, but as the leader of the MC, Beast carried a disproportionate amount of weight on his shoulders. By choosing to make a deal with the devil for Laurent’s sake, he’d become a cog in the machine that could ultimately turn the world into nothingness. And even now, knowing what Baal’s end goal was, he would have chosen the same. Their love was worthy of any sacrifice in the world.

“He cannot affect us from the Other Side. His power lies only in making pacts with humans,” Laurent said.

Beast inhaled, shutting his eyes as he took in the familiar scent of pine shampoo in Laurent’s hair. “There’s plenty of people passing through the clubhouse during parties. Those parties that I need to throw if I want to keep my end of the deal with him. Because if I don’t, he’ll take you back to your own time to make sure you’re safe. We need to be vigilant.”

Laurent exhaled, hugging Beast more firmly, but they both knew it was Beast’s fault that they’d been heard by Baal. He should have bitten his tongue and waited for a trip off the premises. But no, he couldn’t wait to tell Laurent just how much he disliked his attempts to undermine Beast’s decision.

Beast licked his lips and glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting to see the tall horned figure looming in the empty corridor. He felt as if he should’ve been more shaken by being found out, but the fact that Baal had chosen to reveal his presence was a sign of the demon’s weakness. A man could only take so much stress until it got reframed into annoyance. Beast was too tired of this to be afraid anymore.

Chapter 3 - Beast

Nothing related to sex should ever feel like a chore, and while Beast wasn’t physically participating in the orgies he organized, he didn’t even enjoy watching anymore. Before he’d met Laurent, the decadent parties had made him self-conscious about his burnt skin, but he used to appreciate the loose atmosphere and sights, to some degree. Now that Laurent’s very existence hinged on whether there was enough fucking, drinking, and brawling under their roof, Beast wished he could spend his evening reading a book.

Here was hoping that once the portal was closed forever, he wouldn’t have to fulfill the conditions of his pact with Baal any longer. The orgies were still a club tradition to uphold, but maybe he once Baal was done with, he could leave the organizing to the other guys, because if they fucked something up, it would be their loss.

On the stage, Nao and another hangaround were engaged in a fellatio contest, but what were the rules and prizes? Beast didn’t know and had no interest in finding out. The jade glow cast by lamps placed around the space slid over bodies twisting like snakes swarming in a pit.

Past the door, some of the guests jumped around to music so loud it prevented Beast from thinking clearly. Some were dressed in complete outfits, others—not so much, but with minds stunted by alcohol and drugs they trembled and jerked in the primal mating dance that would end with cum on skin, walls, and floors.

So instead of getting a thrill while looking at the handsome, naked metalhead stretching his arms to the ceiling as he danced in a world of his own, Beast could only think of all the cleaning that would need to be done after the party if they wanted their guests to come back. Jake was pulling his weight in that department despite now being a full patch, and some of the hangarounds treated it as their job, but it was still a hassle.

The mess left by the parties, added to the daunting amount of renovations needed, particularly in the wing that had burnt down a couple months prior. Just last year, Beast had been pondering the option of moving somewhere else. Someplace that wouldn’t require so much maintenance. At least now he knew that part of the issue with the building, its electricity, its darkness, its rats, and constant breakdowns was the entity residing underneath its floor. Or really, wherever it wanted to reside within club grounds

Once the portal was sealed, maybe the fucking energy-saving lightbulbs would last longer than a month. For the first time in his life, he would have complete freedom, and while nothing was certain until Baal was banished for good, Beast’s thoughts kept drifting to plans he didn’t dare to previously harbor.