Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 48 (M & TW)

Verando's POV

"Thanks for the cover, Tomas." His voice is distant as he watches me disappear into the crowd with my new bride. The Irishman frowns in response, his expression lacking confidence in their situation. 

"Randal... I'm beggin' ya now. Please. Don't do this. The bitch'll never know — she won't have a clue, so she won't."

Verando retorts with a harsh glare that silences the red-haired man. 

"I gave Natalia my word that I would do this for her in exchange for her help. I won't get caught, she said. This will change history, maybe for the better. At any rate, I can't risk her finding out and recinding her aid for Tonic." 

Slipping out of his frock and vest, Tomas produces a leather vest and a more breathable, white, long-sleeved shirt. As the warlord rolls up his sleeves and starts the process of loading knives onto his body, Tomas glares at the ground in silent protest. 

"Change your face, Tomas."

"Nae chance, Randal. I'd follow ye tae the ends o' the earth, but not wi' this. Ye'll be caught, sure as the rain falls — and then what, eh?"

Rolling his eyes, Verando slides the sword onto his hip. "Guess I best not get caught then, yeah? I'm nothing if not a man of my word; the moment I returned to Dezna, she would be at our doorstep wanting answers as to why it wasn't done. I have to fix this, Tomas; I've fucked up. 

I've ruined our lives in so many ways, I've made so many deals, I can't have the mafia coming after me as well as the Strigoi army. Natalia will not understand, and she will find out. This is my bed; I must lie in it."

"Nic will die with you." Tomas reminds him, as a last-ditch effort.

Hesitation crosses his face as he tightens his belt, his shoulders briefly sag. "I know."

"Randal-"

Verando grasps the man's arm firmly. "Not a word of this to anyone, Tomas. I was with you all night, do you understand?" 

Slowly, Tomas nods. 

"Best o' luck, lad. I hope to God yer as sharp as yer claimin' — 'cause you'll be needin' every bit o' it."

Slipping out of the room, it's easy to make his way through the crowd for his reputation had followed him whenever they frequented, and France was no exception. The people here still bear the scar of when the monarchy employed werewolves. 

After the reveal that the bodyguard of the Good King was, in fact, the infamous Alpha, people had been giving him a wide berth. 

It was nice to be avoided; there were few slowdowns, and no one dared question where he was going. Once out of the throngs of the public, he slows his pace to appreciate the night air and all its offerings: freedom, glorious freedom. 

His mind clear of the darkness that he'd been drowning in not even a short twenty-four hours ago, truthfully, if I hadn't released him, he would have escaped, anyway. Verando didn't dare dwell on the fact that I was so sure that he would run, that he would flee into the depths of the city and never return. 

Was such a reputation earned? 

At times, secrets were necessary. 

He couldn't allow me to know everything; he couldn't share every aspect of his suspicions and concerns, for there were so many. One of us had to sleep; there was no sense in both of us carrying the burden. 

Running his hand through his hair, he could still taste me on his lips. I filled his mind, the vision of my body under his fingers fresh in his mind, so full of life and desire, it was hard not to feel unworthy in comparison.