CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO | England, 1891

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

England, 1891

brAYDEN WALKED UP TO the door and took a long breath. He really didn’t want to do this, but sometimes, you just had to intervene. They’d all seen it before, many times, but as far as mated or mating males went, Vincent had to be the dumbest fucking idiot out there.

In the beginning it had been funny. At least he and Craig had enjoyed some hilarious moments watching from the sidelines. Then he’d seen Kate suffer, and now his brother, and all humor had disappeared.

Brayden knew his brother. Vincent was not an asshole; in fact, he was quite the opposite. He had more compassion for females than most of the males in the castle. Probably because in his eyes, every vampire was his.

But where Kate was concerned, he was a first-class idiot.

He’d been sure the king would come flying out of the castle the day her carriage had departed. He’d even had a bet with Craig, which he fucking lost, that Vincent would follow her within two days. When he hadn’t, they’d all sat down over a few ales and scratched their heads.

“Maybe we were wrong,” Craig pondered.

“As the most recent mated male among us,” Tom spoke up. “I’d agree he is mating. But fuck me, he’s in major denial.”

They all nodded.

“Honestly, yours was bad enough. God, it looks painful. I hope it never happens to me,” Brayden said, shaking his head. He’d watched many of his friends and colleagues mate over the years, and rarely was it smooth sailing.

Tom had been fortunate with Lucinda. It had happened very quickly, which was fortunate because she was a Russo: Roberto Russo’s daughter, their archenemy; though he was now dead at Brayden’s fathers’ hand after he had challenged him for the throne. Now Lucinda’s three brothers were continuing the rebellion, with her older brother Stefano in what appeared to be a leadership role.

They had their eyes on him.

Lucinda had left the family fold and now resided in the castle with Tom, working for the king.

God, if their mating had dragged on as long as Kate and Vincent’s was, it would have been a bitter battle for them all. Not that it had been all rainbows and teddy bears. At all.

Tom laughed. “I’ll remind you of that one day. But yeah, it’s not easy,” Tom admitted, sobering fast and rubbing his hand over his jaw. “Fucking not easy at all.”

No, thanks.

Brayden was happy getting his cock serviced by all the gorgeous males and females who waved their farewells, flushed with the remnants of their orgasms, as they promptly left afterward.

Plus, he had his orgies, and they were a beautiful thing.

Brayden particularly liked the new feature he’d had installed recently. A solid member hidden away in a roll-out drawer, which one could pull out and impale a female on.

God, he loved it.

Only recently, he’d selected a female for a private session. With the water feature flowing and the candles flickering, her golden skin had glowed deliciously as he warmed her up.

Licking her from top to bottom, he’d fingered her pussy until she was wet and gasping.

“Do you want to play, little one?”

“Yes, prince. Let me service you,” she’d begged.

“Not me, precious, I want to watch you fuck one of my toys,” he said, gripping her chin. “Will you do that for me?”

Of course she nodded. They all wanted to please him. He didn’t want to lie; that got him seriously aroused.

He took her hand and led her over to the side of the room, pulling out the drawer. The solid white molded cock sat tall and proud.

Brayden heard her little gasp and took one of her breasts in his hand. “My lord, that’s...big.”

“I know you can take it. You are wet and ready for it,” he assured, sliding his finger into her pussy once more. “I’m going to stand here and watch you.”

He nudged Elizabeth, or maybe it was Marie, on the bottom, and she licked her lips with a little glint in her eye.

Brayden smiled, rubbing his cock.

Yes . He knew he’d selected the right female for this bit of fun.

She stepped over and grabbed it, studying its girth. Then she turned to face him, backing over it.

“That’s it. Line your pussy up.”

Elizabeth-Marie slid her fingers inside herself and spread her juices, preparing her body. His cock jerked, so Brayden took it in his hand and began rubbing it up and down.

Fuck me.

“Good girl. Now sit down on the cock for me. Slowly, take it inch by inch.”

She did as she was told. Her knees bent as the white, bulging head entered her pussy, moaning as she took more of it inside her until, finally, she let out a long groan.

Fucking hell, this was a wet damn dream.

Brayden spied her rock-hard nipples and wanted them in his mouth. Harder and harder, he stroked his cock, come leaking from its head. His eyes darted to her pussy and back to her mouth, then down again.

“Pinch your nipples,” he ordered.

He could have tied her arms in the straps he’d had installed, but he was playing. That would be another night. Or if she disobeyed.

“Now ride it. I want you to fuck it.”

Using her legs, she rode the solid member, taking her breasts in her hands, gasping as she began to fuck the cock faster. She lost eye contact with him as her eyes rolled back. “Yes, oh God, my prince, fuck ,” she cried.

Her body trembled as her orgasm screamed out of her.

Fuck me.

“My, my, what do we have here?” He heard from behind him, and Brayden grinned.

Craig stepped up beside him, his own heavy cock in hand.

“A shiny new toy.”

Craig grinned. “May I?”

Jesus , Brayden was close to spurting. This was going to take it to a whole other level.

“Taste her.”

Craig stepped forward and knelt, licking the female’s pussy as her orgasm leaked out of her.

“De-fucking-licious.”

Brayden stepped forward and grabbed a nipple, twisting it. He could see Elizabeth-Marie was in her own pleasure zone, being fucked by the two powerful vampires. “Fuck me with your mouth,” he ordered, pressing his red, swollen cock into her mouth. In and out he thrust, holding her head as he went deep down her throat.

He looked down, watching Craig suck on her clit, his hand around the rear filling her. He was a goner. His seed poured into her mouth.

When he pulled out, he could see the wild need in the commander’s eyes.

“Shall we take this to the sofa?”

“Fuck yes,” Craig agreed, lifting the female respectfully off the white cock. “You ready for some big cock now, Marie?”

Okay, Marie it was then...

Not enough.

Brayden followed the two of them to the large sofa and watched as Craig flipped her onto her knees.

“Take me in your mouth, sweetheart,” Craig said, perching on the back and spreading his legs. “And the prince can get his cock in from behind.

Christ. He loved sharing with this guy. He knew how to fuck right.

Hard again, Brayden ran his hand up and down his cock and placed himself behind her. Pressing two fingers into her ass, Marie tried to fling her head back, but Craig gripped her hair in his hand. He winked at Bray just as he thrust his thick, heavy cock into her tight cunt.

“Touch your clit,” Craig instructed her, guiding her head up and over his cock.

Brayden watched, plunging in and out of her, as his friend fucked her mouth, fucking both her holes.

“Fuck me,” he cried as his cock spilled once more.

“On my cock, now,” Craig ordered, flipping the female like a pancake and flopping on the sofa cushions. He glanced at Brayden, and they both knew the fun had just begun.

And damn, he’d been right. Brayden intended to keep choosing delicious moments like those for as long as he could. But for now, he had to intervene and get Kate and Vincent together. A king without his queen was a...grumpy motherfucker.

“Brayden, just fucking knock and get in here.”

I rest my case.

He opened the door and found his brother sitting in an armchair with a whisky.

“So you don’t knock anymore?”

“You knew I was there.” He laughed and planted himself in a chair. “And since when did we drink at”—he looked at his watch—“one in the morning?”

Vincent tossed it back. “Since I became king and did whatever I fucking wanted.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Have you actually slept since...”

“Since? What’s with all the sinces ?”

“What?” Brayden asked, his forehead puckered.

“What.”

“Have you slept?”

Vincent shrugged before walking across the room and pouring another three fingers.

“ Since Kate left?”

The king turned and glared at him, pointing. “Do not say her name.”

Brayden shook his head and stretched out his legs. He wasn’t leaving until this was resolved or the king actually threatened to remove his head, a possibility for the first time in their whole lives. The guy was unstable and mating, but who else could do this? It was either him or no one. And they couldn’t have an unstable king threatening people over ships and shit.

“I will say her name, and you need to face what’s going on, Vince.”

Another pour.

“Vincent!” he said louder.

“Go away.”

Brayden ran his hand over his face. Time for dirty tactics. If Vincent was trying to bury his head in the sand and pretend Kate no longer existed, Brayden was here to fuck up his plan. Because it wouldn’t work. A male couldn’t exist without his mate and remain sane for long.

And clearly, the king’s sanity was fading fast.

“Well, she’s probably fucking Riccardo right now, in any case,” Brayden casually said.

The whisky shot down the king’s throat, and he poured another one.

And now, for his killer move...

“A pussy like that has to taste like goddamn strawberries. What—”

And cue the angry flying king.

The crystal glass in his hand shattered, and the next minute, Brayden was up against the wall. And goddamn it, he was working really hard to keep the smile off his face. It was only the fact this was bloody serious that made him be able to do so.

Vincent’s eyes bulged from their sockets, his breath rich with whisky.

“Do NOT speak of her.”

“Her wet pussy?” Brayden croaked, smirking.

He didn’t particularly want to die, but he had a job to do. His father had told them to look out for one another, and right now, Vincent was a blind man.

“Wet, juicy pussy needing a big, long fuck,” Brayden taunted, really wishing he didn’t have to think about Kate’s lower bits.

Further up the wall he went. “Stop it, Brayden. Fuck you!”

Okay, enough playing. He’d had enough. Brayden whacked Vincent’s arms, and he dropped to the ground. He pushed the king a few steps away and straightened his shit.

“You know, while we wait for the ships, I think I’ll organize a short trip to Rome. See if Kate’s been serviced.” This time, he jumped to the left as Vincent tried to grab him. “One look at my cock, and she’ll be all over it.”

Leap.

“Perhaps I’ll take a few of the males.” He tilted his head. “You think she’s into threesomes?”

“Fuck you!” Vincent yelled, jumping over the sofa and chasing him up the stairs.

“Or likes it in the rear?” Brayden called as he leaped back down onto the ground floor.

Things were cracking and breaking around them, but needs must and all that.

“If you touch her, I’ll fucking kill you!” Vincent swore, dropping beside him in a crouch.

Now Brayden was done playing. He grabbed the king and slammed him against the wall. His fangs came out as he stared into the surprised face of his brother.

He knew about the blood. Of course he did; he was a Moretti. But Brayden was stronger. They both knew it, but rarely did they test it, and never had he exhibited this power in front of anyone else. Craig thought he knew, but he didn’t; though if anyone strongly suspected, it was the commander.

It didn’t matter; he trusted the male with his life.

But no one knew, and no one would ever fucking know.

“Get the fuck off me, Brayden,” Vincent growled. “Now.”

“No. Right now, I am your brother,” he growled back. “And you are not the king.”

“I am always the fucking king. Step the fuck back.”

Brayden wasn’t interested in this conversation. Vincent was trying to distract him and redirect the conversation, but they were going to talk about Kate whether he liked it or not.

“Stop talking. Now, get your head out of your ass. Go to Rome and go get your mate,” Brayden growled. “Otherwise, you are no use to any of us as king.”

“Fuck you.”

Brayden dropped him on the ground and walked back into the living area, taking in the damage they’d created. He picked up a chair and righted it.

“I’m serious,” Brayden said, kicking the coffee table pack in place.

“She’s not my mate. I’d know,” Vincent growled.

Brayden let out a sigh.

“Bullshit. Everyone in the castle knows Kate’s your fucking mate. Every-fucking-body.”

Vincent kicked the sofa, and it bolted across the floor. “I asked her to come to America, and she declined!” he shouted.

Brayden crossed his arms and stared at him.

“Look, I don’t know how this love shit works, but did you...you know?”

“What?” Vincent asked, eyebrow raised.

“I don’t know...” Brayden shrugged then frowned. “Maybe we need Tom here.”

“The fuck? No. I don’t need Tom,” Vincent shouted. “I...I just asked her.”

Brayden pursed his lips. “With flowers and stuff?”

Vincent frowned.

“No. I asked her to come...as you know, a friend.”

“Oh. My. Fucking. God!” Brayden cried, throwing his arms in the air. “Jesus, save me! Do you or do you not want to fuck that female?”

Dark eyes darted at him.

“That!” He pointed at his brother. “That’s the crazy mating look.”

“I am not going to have sex with Kate only to break her heart when my mate comes along,” Vincent said, exasperated.

Brayden ran a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated growl.

“Alright. Let me get my crayons and paint you a goddamn picture,” he told his glaring brother. “Another male bending Kate over and fucking her.”

“I warned you,” Vincent growled.

God, give me strength. Please don’t let me be this completely fucking stupid when I eventually meet my mate.

“You love her,” Brayden spelled out, going for all the feels now. “If no other male can touch her, it means you love her.”

Vincent shook his head. “I’ve checked the mirror; my eyes have not changed.”

Brayden flung his head back. A mated male and female’s eyes ended up with a dark ring around them once mated; it was always one of the last signs. It was not a reason to walk away from the vampire you could barely breathe without.

It was official. His brother was a moron.

“Right now, Riccardo is making a move for Kate,” Brayden said as Vincent’s eyes darted to his. “He told Craig and me he was going to make her his. He’s going to move her into his family home and, well, fuck her brains out, I guess.”

Brayden watched as Vincent’s face turned from red to some kind of purple color.

Fina-fucking-lly!

“Get your team, and where the fuck is Regan?” Vincent yelled as he marched out the door. Then he stopped, turned, and pointed a finger at him. “If you are lying or fucking wrong about this so help me God...”

Brayden grinned.

“Regan!” the king roared.

TWO HOURS LATER, THEY were on their way to Rome.

Craig was leading, then Vincent, Brayden, Tom, and two of their senior lieutenants at the rear, all on a mission to get their queen. Or at least, that’s what Brayden hoped.

“You have her address?” Vincent called out for the third time.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Tom winked at Brayden, and they shared a grin.

“We’ll have to stop—” someone started.

“We are not stopping!” Vincent ordered, digging his heels into the side of his horse, sending him into a gallop.

The rest of them followed suit and rode without rest to get the girl.

Literally.