He stripped his clothes off.
“Someone brought the bag in?” It held most of Snoe’s clothing, including a suit he was going to need for the next step in the plan.
“Right here,” Blade said.
Snoe went into the bathroom and turned the knob for hot water. The room filled with steam, and his shoulders sagged. He pulled himself free of his clothes, wincing at every sting of dried come making his clothes stick to his body. He jumped in and groaned from the hot water cascading down his body. It didn’t matter to him that there was little to no pressure; it was the fact that it was hot water and not an ice bath.
He had four shifters and only one more to go. Snoe had no idea what the man looked like. He’d tried remembering multiple times, but what he remembered most was the pain. It shouldn’t impede his plans, but he still didn’t like the fact that he was leaving an unknown out there. As much as it pained him, he thought about what his stepmother would do. She’d probably hire someone to find out exactly who he was and have him killed already, but Snoe was lacking a few things in that problem—money and connections. Not for long.
Chapter Fourteen
Smooth
“Where are we going now?” Smooth asked.
They’d been on the road too long for his liking, only allowed to stretch their legs a few times during the drive. Master hadn’t even let Smooth sleep in; by the time one guy came out to change shifts with him to guard the cars, Smooth had laid down and closed his eyes for what felt like a split second before Master was telling him to wake up.
Sleeping in the moving car was fine, but it didn’t feel like proper sleep. Smooth yawned as he cracked his back and pushed his leg against Master’s, trying his hardest to get some attention. Master wore jeans that left little to the imagination and a loose sweater. His hair was freshly washed and combed back into a low ponytail. Smooth just wanted to pull Master’s hair free and drag him over to his lap and have his way with him.
“I can feel your eyes on me,” Master said, glancing Smooth’s way.
Smooth shrugged. “What can I say, I enjoy looking at beautiful things.”
Master’s face reddened, and a thrill went through Smooth as he enjoyed the reactions he pulled from the man who meant everything to him.
Master broke eye contact but leaned a little closer to Smooth. It was a start, but Smooth was aiming for Master to end up on his lap.
“We can’t possibly hold shifters in the trunk of the car forever and drive around. Not to mention that we will have to get rid of these cars soon.”
“We aren’t taking them back to the cottage?” Nyght asked.
Master shook his head. “No, that’s too risky, and I need them alive. I have the feeling if we take them back to the cottage, they will end up dead before I can use them.”
“But they tried to kill you—don’t they deserve death?” Wolly asked.
They were all in agreement. The ones who had placed their hands on their Master deserved worse than death.
“Yes, but they are going to help me instead,” Master said. “I just need to get them to a secure place first.”
They came to a stop outside a large brick building. Other buildings that looked abandoned surrounded it. Nobody was outside lingering—then again, Master had explained that it was cold outside, and most people stayed indoors. Smooth and the others could tell it was cooler than the demon realm, but it didn’t bother them in the way it did Master. The air always made him shiver and bundle himself in more clothes.
They got out of the car, and Smooth shook out his legs. He glanced around and noticed quickly he wasn’t the only one to do so.
“Gunner and Joker, you two stay with both cars,” Master commanded.
“Can I kill anyone who makes a move?” Gunner asked.
Master hesitated for a second but in the end nodded. He fixed the collar of his button-up before looking both ways and walking across the street. They proceeded down a cramped alleyway until they came to a metal door. Master put his finger to the door and wrote out symbols invisible to them. Magic tickled Smooth’s nose and made the hair on the back of his neck stand up before it went away. The back door flung open, nearly hitting Master. Nyght grabbed their master just in time.
“It’s okay,” Master whispered.
It quieted down their growls of anger. A young man with unruly, curly red hair, shirtless in ripped jeans, stood in the doorway. His eyes went wide when they landed on Master.
“I just attended your funeral. Too bad it’s not true,” the young man said.
This earned more growls from them, but Master seemed unfazed by the man’s words. He smiled at him.
“Holy shit, Max is going to blow his shit,” the young man exclaimed.
“Hello, Rigg. I see you’re still hanging on Maximus’s cock,” Master said.
Rigg shrugged, leaning against the door and looking Master up and down.
“Well, you know his dick is pretty impressive. After all, you had it too before I came along.”
Master sighed. “Yes, he loves an easy lie.”
Riggs shrugged. “Takes one to know one.”
“Are you going to keep me outside or let me in?” Master asked.
Rigg smiled, his eyes flicking to Smooth and then Nyght and the way he was holding on to Master. His lust-filled eyes traveled to Blade, Dox, and Wolly as well.
“Are you willing to share?”
Master took a step forward, dislodging himself from Nyght’s hold. “If you keep this up, I might just let them play tug-o’-war with you.”
Master didn’t smile, and Smooth knew all too well what he meant. Magic crackled as Rigg’s fingers twirled in the air. His head tilted to the side, and he bit down on his glossy lips. Smooth rubbed his nose in annoyance.
“Can I kill him?” Blade asked.
Riggs’s eyes went big at the question, and his hands dropped to the side as he stood straight. The magic that had been bothering them a moment ago was gone.
“No, you can’t kill Riggs, he is Maximus’s favorite hole, and I need a good working relationship with Maximus,” Master said.
“What the hell are they?” Rigg asked.
Before Master could even answer, Rigg waved his hands in front of his face.
“Never mind, don’t answer that.” He took a step away from them, rubbing his arms vigorously. “Whatever you’re playing with, I don’t want to touch it. Max is upstairs in his office. You know the way, show yourself up. I need to go shower.” Rigg was gone in a flash, running faster than any human Smooth had ever seen.
Master took a step in. He visibly shivered, and as soon as Smooth crossed the threshold, he knew why. Magic washed over him like sticky syrup. He rubbed his arms, feeling uncomfortable and wanting to go back to the alleyway. He glanced at the others and noticed they had the same reaction as him.
“It’s just a barrier,” Master said. He took his jacket off and hung it on the wall before heading toward a metal staircase. They made their way up the stairs and knocked twice on a paint-chipped door.
“Come in,” a hoarse voice said.
Master didn’t hesitate to open the door. A rush of warm air brushed against them. Smooth scratched at his beard. Heat plus the sticky feeling wasn’t all that great.