“What are you doing?” Bell snapped into the phone. Bell heard a lot of noise and fumbling in the background, then a car door opening and slamming.
“I drove up the road to park because I thought you and the alpha were going to be a while. It’s only been forty minutes, my Lord,” the young vampire weakly explained, but all the puny excuses served to do was stroke Bell’s fury.
“I don’t give a goddamn if it’s only been one minute,” Bell fumed, trying to keep his volume to a minimum inside the small winery, making his words come out as a snarl. “You are never permitted to sleep on the job. Get to the front door, now!” Bell’s eyes fell shut, his chin dipping to his chest. The hand on his neck was so hot. Bell swallowed at solace flowing over him. He just barely held in his moan as his chest loosened and his face softened.
“That’s it, pretty bird. Give me all that anger.” Wrath’s lips were against the shell of his ear and his godly hands felt as if they were everywhere on his body… doing their majestic thing. The sudden sound of Wrath’s rough voice made him gasp with excitement. “I can’t resist your call, Belleron. Did you know that you’re summoning me when you get mad? Hmmm. The way you smell when you are angry is an aphrodisiac to me.”
Wrath kept his face tucked behind Bell’s long mane of hair and out of view of the onlookers. Not everyone could receive his burning irises.
Bell took long, calming breaths, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to.”
Wrath’s laugh was sinister. “No apologies needed. That’s like being sorry for being beautiful.” He wove his thick fingers into Bell’s hair and held their faces close. “Feel better now, little bird? Wolf says it’s time to go.”
“Yes.” Bell smiled slowly. Hell, he wanted to hate that nickname, but the way Wrath said it in that tortured, throaty growl, made him love it. “But, what’s going on out there?”
“The people gathering mean no harm, they have grievances. But Wolf thinks a crowd of desperate people can become unsafe, and I agree.”
“What do their grievances have to do with us and our dinner?” Bell knew they wouldn’t get any answers continuing to sit there. Damnit, he hated to leave when they’d been having such a nice experience. Then Wrath’s instantaneous appearance had Bell wanting to end the date in another traditional way. “How else can I summon you, besides with anger, Wrath? How can I call for my Ira tonight?”
Bell felt the temperature between them rise.
Wick bounded from his large desk in his and Justice’s office when Bell exploded through the door with Alek close behind.
“Bell, calm down.” Alek said in his rumbling bass. “I’m sure none of what happened was Wick’s fault.”
Bell ignored that statement. “Wick what in the hell is going on? Alek and I were practically ambushed coming out of dinner.”
“It’s nothing to be worked up about. I believe we’ve contained the situation for the most part. The Lord Protector went with some guards to inspect a coven in Portland. He should be back in a moment now.” Wick said checking his watch. “I’m sorry we didn’t have time to brief you sooner. But, we didn’t think it wise to disrupt your mating again.”
“Disrupt it for what? What situation?” Bell bit out. “Just say what’s going on now, Wick. Is there news on Alessandro?”
Wick stopped short, standing in front of him. “I would never hold that back from you. I know finding him is high priority. But, this has to do with your mate’s heroic stunt he pulled earlier this week by running into a burning building in front of dozens of people.”
Alek sat on the worn black leather couch and rested his elbows on his knees. Bell had to stop himself from staring at how well Alek’s thighs filled out his jeans. Damn, he really pulled off the sexy, mountain man look with all that scruff and wavy, deep-mahogany and silver hair. He had to glance away from him in order to focus on why he was upset.
“I apologize for being late,” Ramon said, by way of greeting when he came into Wick’s office, leaving five of the guards standing just outside the door. “I had to reprimand Covell. He’s been demoted, my Lord. I take full responsibility for his negligence.”
“It’s okay, Ramon.” Bell went and sat next to Alek, not liking the miserable expression he’d worn since they made their way through the small throng of sad people.
“What happened?” Wick asked.
“At first we were enjoying the night so much that we didn’t pay attention to the whispers and stares once we sat down. But, as a crowd began to form outside, it was hard to miss. There were vampires, shifters, and humans there. We couldn’t stand in the lot and listen long because some of the more desperate ones started to grab for us. They were jerking on Alek’s arm, and tugging on my coat. It got… scary. We wanted to do something, but it was too many and they were practically stepping on each other and bowling people over to get closer. I addressed them the best I could but it was getting out of order. I informed them that new polices were being implemented and that they should go to their coven leaders, their alphas, or their loved ones for more support. But, I’m afraid these individuals may’ve already reached their last resort. When Covell finally got the vehicle through the parking lot, we jumped in as fast as we could.