Chapter 2

What was it about Manu that had Preston questioning himself? He'd have normally done what was needed and gotten out of there, but for some reason, he kept finding excuses to stay and help. Sure, his dad, Albert, was a part of that. Having a good place for him to live was what had pushed Preston into this line of work, but there was just something about the shifter that made Preston stick around. Plus, he got a kick out of seeing Manu try to keep his cool.

The shifter had a great grip on his temper, and Preston loved to prod at him to see how far he could push Manu. There was something about the shifter clenching his jaw or gritting his teeth that had Preston wanting to see just how far he could push until he exploded.

Childish but fun too.

The drive back was long and tedious, and Manu spoke the fewest number of words possible. Considering he was supposed to bring Preston up to date on the situation surrounding shifters, Preston found he knew almost as much when they reached Morefield Village than he did when they'd left the abandoned house.

Manu didn't want him around and it amused Preston, just like he knew chewing gum annoyed Manu, which was why Preston did it. He loved winding the shifter up. Seeing the way Manu's eyes glowed before Manu got a grip of his temper had Preston fighting the urge to laugh. It was fun, and he enjoyed it.

When they arrived in Morefield Village, Manu dropped Preston off outside the small apartment complex he was staying in and sped off without so much as a goodbye. That made Preston laugh as he headed to his little apartment.

He'd only been there a day. Not even a full one either. Manu had found him this place, let him drop what few belongings he had, then he was out in the field. News Albert had been moved to Salutem had helped and then another message that his old place had been cleaned and his belongings brought here. Preston admired their speed and efficiency, but wasn't sure how he felt about unknown individuals going through his things. It was to be expected, though. He was an unknown entity, and they had to keep everyone who lived here safe.

They hadn't seen everything though, as Preston kept items that needed to be secured in a separate location under a different name. He'd have to find time to retrieve those later, but for now, he wanted a shower, food, and bed. Then maybe jerk off thinking about seeing Manu explode in a rage.

That shifter made him want to hit him and fuck him, and Preston wasn't picky about the order. Maybe beat him, then fuck him or whatever. Just watching Manu glare at him was enough to give Preston a semi. Wouldn't take much to have him hard and horny either.

Finding the apartment, Preston checked the area, then let himself in. Pausing at the threshold, Preston waited, letting his senses search the place for him. He couldn't hear anything, and it felt like the place had been empty for a while.

Closing the door and locking it, Preston walked through the apartment, seeing it was a one bedroom. It was open concept, and the bathroom was off a short hallway. Nice and small and just what Preston needed. He didn't need some fancy place with fifty bedrooms and ten bathrooms. This would do him fine.

The bathroom was all white with a shower/tub combo, and Preston stripped, then grabbed his toiletry bag that had been left by the sink. Opening it, he found everything he needed and, turning the water on, Preston brushed his teeth as he waited for it to heat up. Once it was warm enough, he got in and groaned.

Closing his eyes, he tilted his head back and let the water run down his face. After a few minutes just to relax, Preston washed his hair and body, then grinned. Time to think of Manu doing all sorts of shit Preston knew the shifter wouldn't want to do.

Grabbing his dick, Preston stroked, biting his bottom lip as thoughts of Manu passed through his mind. Manu naked on his hands and knees as Preston fucked him from behind. Manu stretched out on his bed, naked and bound, so Preston could do whatever he wanted. Manu against the wall, Manu on the floor, Just Manu.

Yeah, Preston wanted Manu.

It didn't take long before Preston grunted and came, and with a smile, he cleaned up, then switched the shower off. Climbing out, he wrapped a towel around his waist, then padded to the bedroom and opened his bags. He found what he wanted in the second one and pulled a soft, long-sleeved shirt on, followed by a sweater.

In the kitchen, he checked the fridge and cupboards, finding them stocked with food. Someone had left a plate with sandwiches on it, and Preston took it out of the fridge. A mix of different meats that looked good and some orange juice, and Preston was set.

It was late, and he didn't fancy cooking, so the sandwiches would do. As he sat to eat them, his phone beeped, and he read the message from Deacon. Meeting tomorrow 10. My office.

That meant spending time with Manu, and Preston was already thinking of ways to get the shifter agitated. Yeah, he was a bastard, but there was nothing better than annoying Manu, knowing he could do nothing about it.

Finishing off his food and juice, Preston put his dishes in the sink, switched the lights off, brushed his teeth again, then went to bed. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Walking into the coffee shop,Preston saw the looks coming his way and ignored them. The aroma of coffee was too powerful to ignore and the crap at his was just that. Crap. He needed a decent cup to get him going in the morning and not the shit he had at his apartment.

Those freeze-dried balls of shit were not coffee, and no one was going to change his mind about it. Coffee needed to come from the finest beans, be ground to perfection, and then hot water to make a perfect cup. Yes, he was a coffee snob and proud of it. Too many years in the military drinking swill had him needing only the good stuff.

Waiting in line, he had the chance to people watch. Couples, families, loners. Mostly shifters too. He'd known about vampires. Everyone knew about vampires and after all the shit had happened, King Jacques had done an exemplary job of turning the negative public opinion around. Being open and honest and accepting of human scrutiny had helped. It also helped that Jacques was gorgeous, and when he smiled, most people couldn't help but smile in return.

When he'd stood in front of Congress and told them what he'd endured as a slave had helped, but also the point he made that no one, human or vampire, would be a slave again and how he would eviscerate his own species before he would let that happen had been the turning point. No one walked away from that hearing without knowing that Jacques meant every word he said.

Preston had been impressed, and he knew many humans had also been. Now the king had his own fan club.

When it was his time to be served, he ordered a muffin and a large black coffee to go and paid. He stood to one side, waiting for his order, and watched Manu head toward Deacon's office. The long-legged stride eating up the ground and the serious look on his face had Preston smiling. He couldn't wait to knock that look off his face. Probably replace it with a scowl or glare aimed at him.

"Here's your order."

Preston grabbed his drink and sipped it, the strong bitter taste coating his tongue and making him sigh. "Thanks."

"You're new."

Preston glanced at the woman and nodded. "Just arrived."

"I see." She looked him up and down. "I guess welcome to Morefield Village."

"Thanks. I think I'm going to like it here."

He winked and chuckled as she blushed, then left the coffee shop. "Hey!"

Turning, Preston watched a young man jog over to him, then look him up and down. Slim, with dark hair, and—what looked like—silver eyes, watched him. "Yeah."

"I'm Saxon. Sax. Mated to Jim. You're going to be working with him along with his brother, Rand. And me! I help in security, just not patrol."

"You're small."

"Really? I never noticed what with everyone being taller than me. Must have escaped my notice." Sax stared at Preston. "Great way to make friends, dickwad."

"Dickwad?"

"I'm feeling generous, so dickwad."

"Preston, by the way, and thanks for the generosity."

Sax snorted. "I am generous. Ask Jim. I only kicked him out naked once." Sax waved and walked back the way he came. Shaking his head, Preston saw Elliot standing outside his office, watching a man with three kids head toward the school.

"Elliot." Preston glanced back at the man and kids. "Nice family."

"Alvin and his brother and sisters. Parents left him to raise them."

"That was nice of them and for you to keep an eye on him."

Elliot's jaw hardened. "I tend to stay away from him. Don't need the complication."

"Complication?" Preston heard the man shout, "Slater" as a little boy ran off, then looked back at Elliot, but the shifter had disappeared inside. Why would this Alvin and his family be a complication to Elliot?

With a shrug, Preston followed Elliot inside and entered the room the meeting would be held in. He knew Deacon and most of the people or shifters or whatever already there and nodded, then grabbed a chair and sat. Manu wasn't in the room yet, and Preston lounged back in his chair, his legs spread out in front of him.

He wanted to see Manu's face when he realized Preston was there, ready and waiting. There was nothing better than making Manu bite back whatever it was he wanted to say.

"You find everything?"

"Yeah." Preston arched an eyebrow. "You searched my things, so you'll know not everything is there."

Elliot chuckled. "You knew we'd search your belongings. You're ex-military, like most of us. We're used to having less than no privacy."

"I need you to go to Costas so he can do a physical on you." Preston tilted his head, eyes on Deacon who had spoken. "We know you worked for them. We want to make sure they aren't tracking you."

"Should have done that before letting me in."

"Eli vouched for you, and I trust him," Deac told him. "You might not know they have something on you. Maybe under your skin where you wouldn't feel it."

"Never met them in person, but I'll go."

Deac nodded. "We're just waiting for Rand, Jim, and Manu."

"Manu and Jim will be coming off patrol and coming straight here. Manu is on his way now but had to do something first."

"Once they're here, we'll get started."

Preston closed his eyes and sipped his coffee, but he knew the moment Manu entered the room. His body came alive in a way he hadn't quite been able to figure out. He knew where Manu stood, and he opened his eyes just as the shifter sat.

Their eyes met and held, then Manu looked away, answering a question Eli asked. The sensation in his body, this hyperawareness where Manu was concerned, had Preston trying to figure out what was going on. Sure, he wanted to fuck Manu, wanted to make him scream—in rage or passion, Preston didn't care—wanted to make Manu…

"Right. Let's get started."

Preston grinned and sat up. Let the fun begin.