Page 107 of Mystique of the Fallen
Roman reached out and casually brushed the cop’s hand off Grant’s arm. “My mate is too nice to shrug you off, but you really need to keep your damn hands off him.”
“Thanks,” Grant said to Roman.
“You’re welcome, baby. Should we go?”
“Yeah, one quick thing first,” Grant commented, lacing his fingers with Roman’s as he glanced at the nameplate on the cop’s chest. “Listen, Smith. I’m a fallen knight. To become one, I had to die. Not like in my sleep or something. I lack memory of my human life, but it’s highly likely someone murdered me. Fun fact. I can sense lies. Reg here tells a lot of them. Might want to consider that. He’s not worth breaking any laws or losing your life because there’s no guarantee that you’ll wind up like me with a resurrection. And don’t do anything stupid like trying to arrest any fallen knight, sentinel, or reaper. That’s not going to work. Even if you managed to cuff me, I can teleport away. Be sensible, okay? See you around, Reg.”
Grant smiled at Reginald’s outraged gasp as he stalked out with Roman. Whatever he’d been in his past was irrelevant, and he wouldn’t bother thinking about Reginald Bradley again.
Chapter 36
“Do you have everything packed?” Roman asked as he sailed into the bedroom with his toothbrush in a handy travel case.
Grant stood over the bed humming as he placed a stack of clothing into his suitcase and whipped it shut. “Huh?”
“What was that?” Roman asked, tossing the toothbrush case in the general direction of his duffel.
“Hmm? What was what?”
“You just put some stuff in your suitcase, what was it?”
His mate’s mouth curved into a knowing smile. “Those, my sexy mate, are a pair of dragonskin pants. I thought I’d wear them one night.”
Roman charged to Grant and slipped his hands around his waist. “Or you could wear them every night.”
“I don’t want to offend anyone’s fashion sensibilities by showing up in the same pants every night.”
“Tell me why I should give a fuck about anyone’s opinion,” Roman said, tugging Grant closer as his mind conjured glorious images of Grant’s perfect physique in the black dragonskin pants. “All I care about is how gorgeous you’re going to look.”
“You’ve never seen me in them. They’re new. So, how do you know I’ll look gorgeous in them?”
“For starters, you look gorgeous in everything or nothing at all, but also…the dragonskin is going to mold to your every muscle. We may have to miss the evening festivities whatever night you decide to slip those on.”
Grant shook his head. “Nope. This is my first retreat. I want to soak up every second of being with our fellow fallen knights, sentinels, and reapers. This gives me an incredible opportunity to meet so many of the women and men who work for us. Plus, I want to pay attention to stuff so I can help with planning for next year. I know you guys kept me out of it this year since I had the parade to focus on, but this is for our people, and I want to give them my best effort.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll absolutely be involved in every future retreat. And you’ll love it. It’s one of the best weeks of the year.”
“What compares to it for you?”
“Training at the Ascension Center,” Roman replied, kissing the corner of Grant’s mouth. “I love welcoming new recruits and aiding them on their journey to becoming wonderful fallen knights.”
Grant grimaced. “Sorry you missed the last round of fresh recruits.”
“Seriously? I’m not.” Roman pulled Grant against him fully and closed his eyes to breathe in his mate’s wonderful lime scent. “Fate and Chand brought me you, baby. I would’ve sacrificed a great deal more than giving up my opportunity to work with our newest FKs to be with you.”
“Oh, I got the better side of this bargain. Within moments of being resurrected, my soul recognized you. Eight weeks later, we met, and I started falling in love instantly. You understand me. You’re my best friend. A fucking incredible lover. And I’m thankful for you.”
“I love you too.”
“Now, we need to get to the hotel before I either start crying little happy tears or I push you to the bed and have my wicked way with you.”
Roman smirked. “I’m cool with both the crying and being pounced on.”
With a roll of his green eyes, Grant pressed his mouth tenderly to Roman’s in a whisper-soft kiss that filled Roman with gratitude and unparalleled joy. Grant was a gift, and Roman would cherish him for eternity. Grant pulled out of their embrace, hauled his suitcase off the bed, and slapped Roman’s ass when he turned to pluck his duffel off the comforter.
“Let’s get going, Calixtus.”
Grant beat him to their shared garment bag full of the formal uniforms they’d need for the week, and they teleported to the Dérive station next to the hotel that the retreat fully occupied. They stepped inside, and Roman sped up. Despite the increased walking speed, Roman barely arrived at the check-in desk before Grant. Roman grunted as Grant barreled into him.
