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

“First of all, even if you doubt the existence of God, a christening won’t hurt anyone. Is it not better to take the precaution in case you’re mistaken? Secondly, Beast…” Laurent wrapped his arms around Beast and pulled him aside. “Our friends will be there for Marcel either way, but Magpie is a very rich man. If he wants to get involved, it will only be for Marcel’s benefit.”

Beast scowled, glaring at the piles of boxes the delivery men were tirelessly removing from the truck. “All this is already a headache.”

“Are you saying you don’t want any of this?” Shadow asked, appearing right next to them out of nowhere.

Gray followed him at a leisurely pace, no longer bothered by anything, including the forthcoming end of times. Laurent thought his attitude was short-sighted, considering that Baal’s coming would wipe them all out of existence, but he had other things to deal with. Namely, Beast’s stubbornness.

“Of course we don’t want any of this. My kid won’t be raised as some kind of rich wuss!” Beast snarled.

Laurent was taken aback, unsure of how to interpret the words. “A good income is the key to the pursuit of freedom.”

Shadow wasn’t listening of course, too occupied with the delivery men. They were carrying a delicate-looking desk down the ramp at the back of the truck when he walked up to them and took the piece of furniture out of their hands. “I’ll take this one then.” He put the desk on one arm and jumped off the ramp, approaching Gray with a smile. “We can put it in the gym and use it for free weights.”

Gray snorted, covering his face with one hand. “It’s too delicate. Are you sure you don’t want something for our room?”

“Not the crib, please,” Laurent said. “I do find it rather charming.”

Beast inhaled loudly and glared at him. “Oh, so you’ll just accept all this? You give that monster a finger, he’ll want your whole hand!”

Laurent bit his lip. He wasn’t greedy, just… practical. “There’s no reason to refuse a hand extended in friendship. He has no family to call his own.”

“And that surprises you?” Beast asked, dismissing Shadow, who singlehandedly carried a large cupboard with carvings of knights out of the truck.

“I want this one. Could I have this one, please?” he asked with the joy of a child tasting candy for the first time. Beast waved his hand in dismissal, and Laurent had to watch the precious cupboard leave their possession.

“I suppose not. But maybe becoming a godfather could change him for the better.” Laurent pulled on Beast’s hand. “How about we go to our apartment and see which item could fit in the baby’s room?”

Beast exhaled and gestured toward Knight, who at last put Nao down and approached them with a wide grin. “Need help with painting the walls pink?”

Beast was having none of that. “Not in the mood right now. Can you have this moved into one room? We’ll think what to do with all that crap once we see all of it.”

Knight shrugged but winked at Laurent before going off to chat with the delivery men.

“Can we have the desk, or are you gonna think about that too?” Gray said, petting Shadow’s broad back, as if all this was acceptable to him.

Beast glanced at the piece of furniture and nodded begrudgingly. “Yeah, sure, take it. It’s gonna go well with your minimalist room.”

Gray shrugged and leaned against Shadow’s body, playing with a strand of long black hair that happened to nudge his hand. “I don’t live on my own anymore. I think Shadow should feel it’s his space too. It’s all about compromise.”

Beast huffed, his face reddening. “You’re gonna teach me about compromise? Seriously? Take the goddamned desk and go!”

Gray wasn’t bothered by the outburst, and left with a smiley Shadow and two pieces of expensive furniture.

Laurent took a few seconds to come up with something to say. “Is it the gold that bothers you so much?”

He followed Beast back to the car, and since they were only driving to the garage, he chose not to buckle his seatbelt. Beast had veins bulging on his forehead when he switched on the engine and sped away from the truck so rapidly Laurent stiffened, holding onto the seat.

“It’s everything. This whole thing is too much to handle right now. We should have other priorities,” Beast growled as he drove along the building.

Laurent shook his head, done with pandering to his husband’s anger. “We can’t close our eyes and pretend it’s not happening.”

“Meaning what exactly?” Beast asked, parking the car in his space directly across from the garage door.

“What is the point of worrying about impending doom all day if there’s nothing we can do right now?” Laurent opened the door as soon as the car stopped and was glad to feel the steadiness of the cement floor. “Might as well consider how to organize Marcel’s room, or how he should call each of us. Because we can’t both be ‘father’.”