A man older than Master by at least a few years stood behind an enormous desk. He was wearing jeans and a button-up, his salt-and-pepper hair combed back. Once his light blue eyes landed on Master, they lit up. Smooth didn’t like it one bit, the way the man looked at Master as if they were important to each other.
“Maximus,” Master said.
“My beautiful flower,” Maximus said, walking around the desk and making his way toward Master with his arms stretched out for an embrace.
That wasn’t happening on Smooth’s watch and none of the others’ either. They all took a step forward, growling a warning. Smooth was more than ready to tear the man apart just by the way he looked at Master.
Maximus stopped short, and for the first time since they’d entered, he looked their way. He waved his hands in the air, mumbling words. The only warning Smooth picked up on was his nose tingling from the magic. The next thing he knew, there was an insane amount of pressure on his back. It felt as if he was being pushed down by something incredibly strong. The magic was nowhere near the power level of a demon lord’s. Smooth shook it off, and so did the others. Master looked unfazed by what was happening.
“Maximus, I didn’t come here so you can flaunt your magical abilities,” Master said sounding unimpressed. He smirked. “Although this is a bit embarrassing for you.”
The pressure disappeared and Maximus took a step back, his eyes now wary from the five men surrounding Master. That was how it should be.
“You have acquired some interesting people in your death,” Maximus said.
Master shrugged. “Yeah, you could say that.”
Maximus’s lips turned down in a frown. “Little flower, what did you do?”
One of them was bound to cave to the pressure to talk, and it was no surprise it was Wolly.
“Stop calling him your flower before I fucking rip out your tongue,” Wolly growled out.
“Wolly,” Master chastised.
“I didn’t threaten to kill him,” Wolly whined.
“Yeah, instead you should just let us do it,” Blade said.
Smooth was on board with that plan. Master coughed to cover his laugh as Maximus took another step away from them. His hand hovered over his pocket.
“No need, Maximus. I didn’t come here to kill you, and they won’t do anything I won’t allow,” Master.
Maximus watched them for a second. “Are you sure you can control them? They aren’t like anything I’ve ever seen.”
Master nodded his head. “They are mine in every way, my loyal dogs.”
The compliment did a funny thing to Smooth’s chest. He’d never felt it before and had to keep himself from rubbing the area.
“If you say so, I’ll take your word on it, lit—” Maximus caught himself. “Snoe.”
Master gestured to the chairs. “I came here to discuss business.”
It was like switching a light switch. Maximus’s face changed instantly, and he made his way back behind the desk.
“By all means, please sit,” Maximus said.
Master smiled and took a seat. Smooth and the others stood around him, an intimidating force behind Master.
“Are you announcing that you’re alive and fighting for the seat at the top?” Maximus asked.
Master leaned back in the chair. “Something like that. I know the Widicker family hates the Blake coven and Hilde G. Newton-Blake.”
Maximus brought his hands together on top of the desk. “That is no secret between us, but just because we have shared hatred doesn’t mean we have business together. No matter our past, Snoe, I am not willing to risk my life, and Hilde is not someone to go against.”
Master seemed unbothered by his words. Maximus should be so lucky to lay his life down for Master’s sake.
“I know that, Maximus, which is why you will have nothing to do with it. You simply have to keep quiet about my whole ‘still breathing and walking around’ thing,” Master said.
Maximus leaned back. “Too easy. Only a fool would mention the sole heir to the Blake company and the rightful leader of the coven is still alive.”
Master smiled. “Good. Then this will go a lot faster than I thought. I have some goods I need you to hold on to.”
A smile graced Maximus’s face. “Oh, is it one of them?” His eyes went to Smooth before scanning the rest with interest.
Master’s smile dimmed, and anger flashed in his brown eyes; he quickly covered it by closing his eyes and letting out a breath. “No one will ever have one of them.”
Maximus put his hands up. “Fine, but whatever you’re asking me to hold on to better be worth it. I don’t do favors.”
“I expect nothing less from you,” Master said. “Five shifters, all males.”
Maximus’s hands fell flat on the desk, and his mouth opened.
“Are you insane?”
“I don’t think so,” Master said.
Maximus shook his head. “You’re telling me you have five full-grown shifters captured and alive?”
Master sighed.
“It’s almost as if his ears don’t work,” Blade said.
“I can hear just fine, but believing it is another thing,” Maximus said.
Master shrugged. “Do you want in or not?”
Maximus licked his lips. Smooth could practically picture the man rubbing his hands together in glee.
“For housing them, there will be a fee,” Maximus said.
“You can take it out of your cut,” Master offered.
Maximus shook his head. “Now what guarantee do I have that you will succeed and I’m not stuck wi—”
“Profitable merchandise?” Master asked.
Maximus laughed. “That is true. Either way I’m good. What’s keeping me from betraying you and keeping all the money to myself?”
“Maximus, I didn’t come here to play a game with you. I came with an opportunity,” Master said.
Maximus sighed. “Okay, well, let’s see this merchandise, then.”
Master and Maximus stood. They left the office and made their way downstairs to the open floor. It was empty, and as Maximus led them to a wall instead of the door they’d come in, Smooth wasn’t sure what was happening. Magic fizzled in the air again, and the wall disappeared and a garage door appeared.
“Go tell Joker and Gunner to bring the cars in,” Master said.
Wolly ran out, flashing past the man and across the street to their two cars. A few seconds later, Gunner and Joker pulled the cars into the warehouse. They got out of the cars, and Maximus’s frown deepened. He glanced at Master and then at each of them again.
Gunner growled at him, giving him a menacing glare as he made his way over to Master. Joker popped the trunk, and he and Wolly dragged out the four men from one car and the one out of the other. All of them were caked with blood and dirt, but their wounds were healed. Their yellow eyes glowed as they thrashed around on the floor trying to break their restraints.
Master had said silver worked best. By the hint of burning flesh, it was still working.
“Wow, you weren’t kidding. Do you know what their animals are?” Maximus asked.
“Two lions, a tiger, a panther, and a wolf,” Dox answered.
Maximus whistled as he circled the men squirming on the floor. “Okay, you have yourself a deal. I’ll keep them stored.”