Page 1 of The Master's Holiday

CHAPTER ONE

"It's for the weekend, Friday through Sunday. We'll be back Sunday night, and it's something I need to do for Walker. He's stood by me through all the upheaval, providing support and love, unconditional love, and I want to give back. I want to do something special for him." Nik explained to Josef the plans that he and Walker had put together.

It was going to be a time and a place where they could focus on each other and enjoy simply being together. There would be no crisis, no curses, no urgencies that would pull them apart, and it would be peace and relaxation.

“I think that’s a great idea. Walker deserves to have you to himself, and you deserve to have a few days serving only your beloved.” Josef, too, understood the sacrifices that Walker had made. "Walker has been talking to Isaac about a place in the Poconos, a very exclusive lodge, and he called it his dream vacation. I assume that’s probably where you are headed.” Josef smiled.

Nik nodded. “I made the reservation yesterday at the Glendale Lodge. It was short notice, but as we all know, money works wonders at opening doors and softening resistance, especially with humans.” Nik grinned, and Josef agreedwholeheartedly. When dealing with humans, the best bait is cold, hard cash.

“I booked the large suite with the river view and the terrace that he had spoken of so fondly. Nothing was going to deter me. I might have used a low-grade glamour to secure cooperation, but nothing will stand in the way of me giving Walker the weekend he so desired.” Nik was looking forward to the time alone and the rest he only knew when in the company of his beloved.

"Whatever it takes, Nik." Josef was behind him one hundred percent. “Walker has earned this and so much more.”

"He is the love of my life, Josef, and I would give him the moon if he asked for it. He is my ideal match and my greatest love, and I intend to make this weekend perfect. He will see his dream vacation come to life.” Nik vowed.

"Walker, you need to pack some swimwear for the hot tub. Make sure it's sexy.” Stanley, his best friend, relaxed on the bed while Walker went through his closet, picking out what he wanted for the weekend getaway that Nik had arranged.

“The Glendale is too sophisticated to have hot tubs in the rooms, but they do offer that spa experience. I'm not sure if I'm the spa experience type, though. I like my sexy times private, not in and among various service workers.” Stanley laughed at Walker’s modesty.

“You won’t show them anything they haven’t seen a thousand times.” Stanley retorted.

"Maybe so, but they haven't seen me, and they sure as hell are not going to see Nik." There was a little ferocity attached to the end of that statement, and Stanley chuckled while Walkergave him the side eye. “How would you feel if strangers were ogling your beloved Iker’s finer features?”

"The ogling would last just long enough for me to gouge their eyes out," Stanley responded truthfully.

“Just as I thought.” Walker tossed a few shirts and a couple pairs of jeans into his bag.

“You might need to dress up at some point during the weekend. You should bring a suit.” Stanley suggested and started rummaging through Walker’s closet. “My God you still have this.” He gasped and pulled out the suit Stanley had loaned him for his first visit to the Imperial Club and where he first met Nikolas Hadden. It had originally belonged to Stanley’s father who let Walker keep it for sentimental reasons.

“That’s my lucky suit Stanley and I will never part with it.” Walker smiled and held the vintage black suit up against him. “Still looks great.”

“But it’s not suitable for the Glendale.” Stanley continued to look through his closet and came out with a nice classic black suit. “Now this is more like it.” He took it and added a white shirt and tie and proper accessories and carefully packed it into a garment bag. “There now when you need it everything is in one place.”

"I don't know what I would do without you, Stanley." Walker teased.

“Of course you don’t.” Stanley faked the demeanor of the long-suffering and continued to add things to Walker's bag.

“Take a couple guards with you Nik you don’t know what you might encounter out in the woods.” Josef was insisting.

“I’ve taken on sorcerers from the underworld and devils from alternate dimensions, so I think I can handle a lodge full of humans on vacation, Josef. There is no need for reinforcements." Nik chuckled.

"I'm not questioning your ability, Nik, but it would be handy to have at least one of your own close by. Besides, you need a driver.” Josef carefully pointed out the positives of taking a guard with him. “Your driver Ellis and his beloved are on leave, so let me choose a suitable guard. He'll be there if you need him and out of your way if you don't." Josef would have preferred him to have two guards, but he would be lucky if he got Nik to agree to have one so he didn’t push too hard.

“Okay, I’ll take one guard because I would like to have a driver.” Nik agreed.

“Thank you. Is there anyone you would prefer?"

“No, I trust your judgment.”

“Dumas," Josef stated the name and waited.

“The hellhound. Do you really think I need a hellhound to accompany me and my beloved on our romantic getaway?” The sarcasm was not lost.

“Humor me.” Josef had nothing left.

“Okay.” Nik sensed Josef’s need for Nik and Walker to be properly protected and cared for. He understood, and honestly, he appreciated his concern. “It’s just a lodge owned and operated by humans and frequented by humans. I think any dangers are minimal.”

“Dumas has already been contacted and is ready to go when you are.” Josef told him. Nik side eyed him suspiciously but then smiled and patted him on the back.

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