21. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
S eryn's house was exactly four miles from Daruss's place. He drove because it was easier than having to tell Mitchell where to turn, especially since Todd and Evan bickered like children in the backseat.
"I'm not sharing a house with you. Not long term. You have two weeks to move out. Tell him, Seryn." Todd had grown bolder over time and Seryn thought it was because he'd finally figured out he could trust Seryn not to kill him since Seryn had promised protection. A promise Seryn was regretting.
"I need time to find another job." Evan was slowly getting pissed and also resigned to the fact Todd wouldn't forgive him. It was kind of sad. One poor decision made in a moment of weakness ruined the relationship. It had taken Evan losing his career and nearly his life before realizing it.
Todd sighed. "I know the feeling. I had zero notice when we broke up. I had to sell my blood and my body to some psychopathic vampire."
"Jesus, Todd. I thought you went to live with your mother." Evan whispered that last part, as if talking more to himself than to Todd.
"How about I kill Todd and you kill Evan?" Mitchell was only half serious. Seryn knew that, but Seryn would follow through if Mitchell wanted him too.
"Okay, Daddy."
Mitchell turned in his seat.
"Don't bring Seryn into your shit. If you can't fix it, figure out how to move the fuck on. That's what's going to happen. Got it." Mitchell had a deep, commanding voice. He rarely used it to get all Alpha with people. Mostly he was all charm, but when he flipped a switch, people listened.
Mitchell had done that this morning with Jude. Jude was a little more bold, willing to have it out with Mitchell despite what he said. His response had spoken of their familiarity with each other. But Todd and Evan didn't know Mitchell well enough to talk back.
"Sorry." Todd was the first one to apologize. And then Evan apologized, but to Todd he said, "I'll do my best to stay out of your way."
If Todd responded, it wasn't verbal. But Seryn knew Todd wouldn't change his mind, even though he still had feelings for Evan.
Seryn sighed and pulled into his drive. He punched in the code for the gate. And the black iron doors opened. The drive up wasn't long, and he could see the house come into view. It had been a while since he'd been home. He was looking forward to spending time in his own space.
"Holy shit, baby. You're loaded." Mitchell looked around as if he were in a zoo. He thought Mitchell had known that about him, but the more he contemplated it, the more he realized there wasn't any way for Mitchell to have known. Seryn didn't like to talk about money.
"Killing is lucrative."
"Who mows your lawn?" That's what Mitchell wanted to know? Of all the things he could have asked, that's the one thing he landed on.
Seryn found it hilarious, although he couldn't say why. Once he started laughing, he couldn't seem to stop.
Todd snorted and even serious Evan chuckled. It was Evan who asked, "Why does that matter?"
"Well, rich boy doctor. It's because poor people like me are usually the ones who do all the domestic shit for rich people like you."
"Skippy, one of the Dragon Skull members, owns a lawn care service." He also was a hitman who did vigilante type work for people in need. Most of the time, he charged those who hired him, but sometimes he'd do it for free, depending on the case. Skippy liked fighting.
If Seryn fell somewhere on the weird meter, Skippy was off the charts.
"Ulises cleans my house. He's one of the Skull boys."
"Can I live here for the rest of my life?" Todd asked. Seryn couldn't tell if he was serious, not that it mattered.
"No." Seryn parked near the front door. He'd put the car in the garage later. For now, he just wanted to be at home.
Todd sighed. "Damn."
Seryn shut off the engine and pocketed the keys before turning in the seat. "The gate has a code, as you saw, but so do all the entry points, including the glass doors at the back of the house. There are also cameras throughout the property and inside the house. Not the bedrooms or bathrooms, but everywhere else. You're perfectly safe here, including the guesthouse."
He was talking to everyone, including Mitchell, but he addressed Todd and Evan, mostly.
Seryn met Mitchell's gaze. "I'll show you around the security system later."
Mitchell nodded. "Is there anything off limits, baby?"
"Not for you, Daddy. It's all yours." The thought of spoiling Mitchell made him almost giddy.
Mitchell winked at him. "I meant for Todd and Evan."
"Don't enter the west wing." Seryn pointed to the left. "That's for Daddy and me."
Todd held up two thumbs, and Evan just nodded.
"One of you can stay in the guest house and the other can have the east wing. That should keep you away from each other."
"Do you have a chef?" Todd asked.
Seryn shook his head. "No. I've been away for a while." Seryn met Mitchell's gaze. "I'll be home more often now, though."
"I went to culinary school. I know I worked in a diner but that's because I worked for Evan's sister at her restaurant, and when we broke up there went my job, too. But I promise I can cook more than hamburgers. Whatever you want, really? If you just give me a job." Todd held up his hands as if he were praying.
"Cinthya shouldn't have fired you. It was wrong of her." Evan seemed to come to several realizations about Todd, all within ten minutes. "He's an excellent chef. He can also bake. His New York style cheesecake is the best thing you'll put in your mouth."
Todd gave Evan a reluctant smile. "Thanks, Evan."
"It appears a reference is the least I can do."
Seryn met Todd's gaze. "You're hired. And Evan?"
"Yeah."
"I know someone who's looking for a doctor."
Evan smirked. "Some of your criminal friends?"
"Yeah. But they'll pay you well. Better than at a hospital."
Evan nodded. "I'll think about it."
Seryn got out of the car and went around to Mitchell's side, grabbing his hand after he exited. He pulled him toward the front door. "I can't wait to show you my collections." To Todd and Evan, he called over his shoulder, "I'll show you the guest house and the east wing soon. Just…explore, for now."
Mitchell chuckled. "Slow down, sweetheart."
Seryn punched in the code for the front door so fast he almost missed a number. "I'll share everything with you. I promise."
"Collection of what, baby?"
"Weapons and bikes." It was what he loved the most, save for Mitchell. "I have a bike that would make you look so sexy."
"More like I'd make the bike look sexy." Mitchell wiggled his eyebrows.
Seryn chuckled. "I stand corrected."
"I can't wait to see your toys, baby."
Seryn hadn't ever had anyone to show his collections to before. He never thought he'd be willing to share them, but he wanted to share everything with Mitchell.
Seryn pulled Mitchell through the house to their wing, where he had his weapon collection. Along the way, Mitchell said stuff like "Holy shit, your house is huge" and "I've never been inside a mansion where I didn't plan on stealing something."
Seryn stopped on the stair above where Mitchell was, which made them eye level. "Do you like it?"
Seryn would sell it and buy something else if Mitchell wanted that. It was just a house. Adding security to another place was the only headache.
"What's not to like?" Mitchell eyed the painting on the wall as they went up the stairs. Seryn had bought it years ago after a job he'd done in New York City. The dark moodiness showed in the swirling black and white lines. A big arm with its hand fisted came out of nowhere. It reminded Seryn of his childhood and getting hit simply because he expressed his feelings. Every time he saw the painting, he told himself not to let anyone in, to keep his distance from people.
Seryn wrapped his arms around Mitchell and hugged him. "I think I want to take that down."
"If you like it, keep it. It's just intense, I guess." Mitchell returned the hug, rubbing his back.
"It's no longer relevant." He had let someone into his little bubble and his world didn't explode. That was something he hadn't expected.