A Rumor of Peace

CHAPTER 36

SUMMARY:  Roark and Rodolphus.  Rodolphus finds the Family Box, and what he finds inside will through him into a tailspin.

A short time later, fresh from his shower, he slid into bed beside him, an arm slipping around his waist to draw him back against him, pressing a warm kiss to the nape of his neck.  "I'm sorry, baby," he murmured.

Roark turned to face him, hand raising to trace over the line of his jaw.  "Why should you be sorry?" 

"Roderick.  I have to admit, though, you handled him very well."

He gave him a smile.  "I've had quite a bit of practice of late.  As we weren't on Caprica any longer, Raphael tasked Severus with keeping Harry and I in fighting shape.  We spar every morning.  Why was he with you in the first place?"

"Riddle, of course.  He's furious you closed down the last of his businesses, captured the remaining incoming and outgoing deliveries, and taken all of his goods.  Except for those he has in a warehouse he has, so far, shared with no one else.  He demanded that we kill you both at once, but once we told him we were planning to kill you in front of him...he got VERY excited, and very pleased at that prospect."

A snort as Roark snuggled closer to that big, hard body.  "Of course he did."

"I told him we'd give the both of you you final warnings tonight.  Roderick insisted on coming with me, just as Maurice demanded he be allowed to go with Rabastan.  As the both of them are currently Riddle's bed buddies, he agreed.  I DIDN'T expect him to make a move on you like that, anymore than Rabastan expected Maurice to move on Harry, though given the eager looks we got when Riddle agreed to allow them to join us, we should have expected they were up to something."

"It wasn't your fault, Rodolphus, and I certainly don't blame you."

"Even so, I should have expected that they were planning something."

"Dolph, you can't, no matter how much you may want too, account for everything that others do, or even what they think to do."

A kiss was placed against his forehead.  "Well, no matter now.  They won't be bothering either of you, or anyone else ever again."

"Oh?" he asked, lifting himself onto his elbow, looking down at him with an arched brow and a look of amusement.  "And why would?"

"They were two of our targets as they had the information that we needed on who our spy was in the Colonial Garrison."

"Really?  And did they give you that information?"

Rodolphus arched a brow.  "But of course they did, darling.  It's Ardyn, just as we have always suspected.  Problem is, all we have is their word.  We still have no actual, tangible proof that we can use to arrest him with."

Roark could only shake his head.  "Why?" he asked.  "Why did he turn from his duty?"

"Drugs and money.  He wanted stronger pain meds that the base CMO refused him as unneeded, so he went to someone who could give him want he wanted."

"Riddle."

"Yes.  Tom Riddle bought him with all the high end pain meds and more money than he was currently making as a Captain."

A deep sigh of disappointment.  "I figured as much." 

"Besides," he said, returning to their original conversation regarding Roderick as he drew him back down against him, "he touched you.  That could not be allowed without some sort of punishment.  You are full aware I am a very possessive man, and watching him make a move on you...I nearly killed him then and there."