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

Gray’s brows lowered, and he widened his stance, as if he were expecting Beast’s attack. “I need a ruby. Only for now. I will try to get you a new one when all this business blows over.”

Beast folded his thick arms across his chest, staring right back at Gray, and Laurent could only imagine the turmoil his mind was going through, because it surely rivaled that in his own head. If Magpie had lied to Gray, he could have lied about the egg and they could have a little demon growing under their noses instead of their own flesh and bone.

Gray had come here to ask for their engagement ring, the one thing that could have kept his lover with him for a bit longer. But while Laurent didn’t know what he’d have said to that request a few hours back, there was no room for decisions left anymore. He moved his fingers so they hovered above the shiny red shell.

“It’s gone. It will serve a new purpose. I’m sorry.”

Gray’s face wen tense, his chest expanding. “What? We talked about this…”

Beast’s hands balled into fists at his sides. “It was your suggestion. I never committed to giving up my engagement ring. I would have, but now the situation’s changed.”

Gray’s pupils widened, consuming his pale eyes. “What? What for? What could have been more important? Are you making a gourmet omelet?”

Laurent snatched the egg off the cushion and took a step back with it, unwilling to believe his own ears. The suggestion was so vile his throat was already filling with a sense of nausea. If Gray intended to take the egg for its ruby-covered shell, Laurent was prepared to protect it with his own body. “It’s complicated!”

Gray squeezed his fist. “There’s nothing complicated about this. If I don’t have a fucking ruby by the next new moon, my partner’s going to die!”

Beast stood between Laurent and Gray, which allowed Laurent to breathe that bit easier. Beast was a wall of muscle, and Laurent never felt more secure than in his care. No matter how proficient Gray was at combat, Beast would fight him with the ferocity of no other man.

“Nothing’s gonna come from shouting at each other. I told you we will help. You already have the ghost’s ruby. It’s small, but now that the Pigeon Heart is secured, we can look for more as soon as tomorrow.”

“We had a ruby right here, on your finger! And no one’s going to help me out tomorrow, because everyone’s wasted! What could have been so important? We grew up together, like blood brothers, and you can’t give away a freaking piece of jewelry so that I don’t have to spend the last few weeks of my lover’s life searching for hope that might not be there?” Gray shouted.

Laurent didn’t dare come any closer with the egg in his arms, so he addressed him from afar. “Gray, please. We can explain. And I’m sure everyone will do whatever they can to help you.”

He hated to see the sense of betrayal pass over Gray’s features, but there was no right answer. The ring was gone.

Beast tried to squeeze his friend’s shoulder. “I understand you’re upset, but—”

Gray stepped back. “You knew. You knew what was at stake for me and Shadow, and you still chose to just use it for some fancy gift for Laurent? Fuck you, Beast.”

He turned on his heel and walked out despite Beast calling him back.

Laurent swallowed, feeling his face flush. Was that what Gray thought of them? That they would have gotten something wasteful with a gem so precious?

They stayed silent until Beast shut the door.

Laurent huffed. “Well, that was rude.”

Beast took a deep breath and exhaled when he turned to face Laurent. “Have you actually listened to him?”

“Y-yes, but he wouldn’t let us speak, and you know what this egg is. It’s not a flight of fancy. There are almost three weeks left until the next new moon. I am sure there are rubies left in the world Magpie hasn’t put his hands on, even if we have to steal them or buy them.”

Beast’s teeth gritted loudly, as if he were chewing on gravel. “If you were in his place, I’m sure you wouldn’t have listened either. Was this why you haven’t told me about your plans when we were going to Magpie? So that you wouldn’t have to explain yourself or reason with arguments that went against the decision you already made?”

Guilt froze Laurent on the spot. “No, I… never imagined you would wish to go against my idea. You hadn’t wanted to listen about the ghosts, so I figured it was better to just find out from Magpie if he was capable of the same feat as Baal. Of giving us a child. But yes, you are right. In Gray’s place, I would have most likely also pushed beyond boundaries of manners.”