Page 44 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“SO WHEREare you tonight?”

Vic lay on his side in bed, his phone propped up against a pillow. “It’s Tuesday, so it must be Rome.”

“You little jetsetter,” Saul teased.

“Less of the little,” Vic admonished.

“Biggest thing about you?” Crank lay in front of Saul, their fingers laced against Crank’s chest. He smiled at Vic. “Your heart.”

Warmth barreled through him at Crank’s words. “Love you.”

“Right back atcha.”

“How did today’s meeting go?” Saul asked.

Vic sighed. “Don’t ask.”

Saul’s gaze narrowed. “Do I need to get on a plane to Paris and go crack some heads? They weren’t mean to you, were they?”

Vic chuckled. “You make them sound like a room full of schoolkids.” Then he grinned. “Actually, that pretty much nails it where some of them are concerned.” He shrugged his shoulder. “To expect success every time is unrealistic. It’s just frustrating to run smack dab into a wall of apathy when previous meetings had opened the door to future associations.” He gazed at his mates. “Wish I was there with you.”

All he wanted right then was a night of being held, kissed, caressed….

“Aw, honey, we want that too.” Saul gave Crank a gentle push, shifting him onto his back. “Tell you what. You’re in charge tonight. You tell us what to do.”

Vic smiled. “Seriously?”

Crank nodded. “I might draw a line at some things, though.”

Saul peered at him, eyebrows arched. “Such as?”

Crank snorted. “You ain’t tying me up, for one thing. And you’d better not be hiding shit like nipple clamps in the nightstand drawer.”

Vic laughed. “Sounds to me as though Crank has been doing some research.”

Saul guffawed. “Is that what we’re calling porn these days?” He leaned in and kissed Crank on the mouth, and Vic’s cock stiffened at the low moan that tumbled from Crank’s lips. “Don’t get your panties in a twist. I had something far more… sedate in mind.” He turned his head to stare at Vic. “Wanna watch me fuck our mate senseless?”

Vic’s breathing hitched, and then he smiled. “Sure, but after that thirty seconds, what’ll we do with the rest of the night?”

“Oh, you guys are so funny,” Crank snapped. Then he stood and started stripping off his clothes. “Let’s get this show started. I want to see him get all hot and bothered, knowing ten minutes after he gets home, he’ll be on his hands and knees between us for hours on end.”

“There’s nothing I’d like more than to watch the pair of you.” Vic smiled. “Other than be there to join in.”

VIC STROLLEDacross the Sant Angelo Castle bridge flanked by statues of angels, thankful he’d taken Delore’s advice and come early: There were few tourists accompanying him as he approached the arched gateway to the round fortress set below the battlements, a many-sided tower to the left. The early morning sun sparkled on the surface of the Tiber, and he wished he had time to linger, to gaze into the still waters.

The museum was the oldest building Vic had ever had the occasion to visit. He knew its construction dated back to 139 CE,and that within its walls lay the remains not only of Hadrian, but also Marcus Aurelius, Commodus….

Crank would love this.Gladiatorwas one of his favorite movies.

He reached the gate and spoke with one of the security guards who stood inside the ramparts. Delore had been as good as his word, and Vic was escorted into the museum.

“Aspetti qui, per favore. Il signor Orsini sta arrivando. Sarà qui a breve.”

Vic waited as instructed, listening to the low murmurs of the tourists who followed the signs to the ancient spiral walkway that led up to Hadrian’s tomb. From his brief research, he knew Roman walls were still visible from the outside. He didn’t want to see ornately decorated halls, their ceilings covered in paintings, the glint of gold everywhere. Vic couldn’t wait to gaze on the only antiquities that interested him, ones that could teach him something about the origins of shifters.

Something new.

“Mr. Ryder.”

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