Atonement - Book Four (Man x Man)

Chapter 13

A gentle tap echoes through the room, and a woman strides in. The steady clack of her heels resounds off the walls as she approaches, with a man following close behind her.

 Displeased by the unwelcome interruption, Acer wheels around to scowl at her. "What?" he demands. "Is this 'bother the manager' day?"

 But his expression changes when he sees who it is—a short, burly man sporting a healthy weight and a generous mustache. 

"Sir." Acer stands and nods in respect. 

The man waves him off, turning to face Verando excitedly. The warlord tenses his body, ready to react if the man decides to attack, but instead, the mustached man greets him with a broad grin, extending his hand.

"I thought I recognized this man!" He says excitedly, "Benjamin Balan."

 Verando raises a brow, cautiously shaking his hand, giving Acer a suspicious glance. There was no way he could have predicted his arrival, which meant this mortal had been following him undetected. In his own defense, he had been rather distracted. "Alpha." He responds, standing to feel more in control of the situation. 

Benjamin measures hardly to his collarbone, and he makes a sound of delight as he witnesses the lycans reaching full height.

"Extraordinary! Every bit as impressive as they say." Mr.Balan drinks him in like a fine wine, practically salivating at the sight of him. It was an expression Verando knew well, a slave owner assessing the value of a piece of equipment. It was humiliating, degrading, and over all insulting, but it meant that there was perceived value here. 

 "How long were you intending to keep him here? I hope you're being accommodating?" Mr.Balan rolls his eyes, turning his attention back to the lycan warlord. 

"He lacks manners, truly. He didn't even send word that he had you here. I waited outside, but when you didn't come out, I figured you were tied up. A gentleman comes to a brothel and doesn't partake in the festivities! Work before pleasure, am I right?"

No amount of training could prepare him for the onslaught, and Verando does his best to keep his face composed and not look overwhelmed by the animated character. Who the hell is this guy? "I'm afraid I'm only here on business." He says casually. "I'm trying not to make a spectacle of it, just visiting an old friend."

Benjamin nods, still holding the man's hand and clasping his other hand on top. "A friend of Ace? Why?" He chuckles, and it brings the hint of a small to the taller man's lips. This mortal was dangerous, and the admittance to wait for him outside was disturbing, to say the least. Much as Acer was rubbing his temple and muttering about the awkward nature of the interaction, Verando decided how valuable this man was and if anyone would notice if he was missing.

It would be unwise to leave someone like this living if he showed this much interest in his people and their cause. He couldn't allow his cover to be blown just yet. 

"Ben, we were in the middle of a meeting," Acer says through his teeth, gesturing that he go, but the large male waves him off, checking his pocket watch as he confirms that he would have time to spare. 

"What's so damned important that you have to discuss it right now?" Mr.Balan demands, shaking his head with a 'tsk' at Acer's tone. "You act as if you're embarrassed of me, Ace."

"Acer has information that could potentially help put an end to the sorcerous, Corina," Verando tells him, and the blond glares daggers at him. Hmm. 

He found it very interesting that Acer did not want Benjamin to know the contents of their meeting. Smirking boyishly, dimpling his cheek, Acer rolls his eyes in patented warlord fashion before scooting over to undoubtedly surrender to Mr.Balan's attempt at joining their conversation.