Chapter Two

Drekk frowned at Ryen’s slumbering form and left before he succumbed to temptation and joined him in bed. He grabbed a set of clothes, dressed and headed out the door, sealing the unconscious male inside.

For the past few weeks he’d watched and waited, wondering how long Ryen might take before asking for help. He should have known better. Erin, Ryen’s sister, had told him as much. But he’d thought he could outwait the stubborn male.

“Why the hell live in pain if you don’t have to?” Granted, Drekk doubted Ryen had considered a blow job as a means to heal. His dick twitched, feeling Ryen’s mouth all over again. Good night, but he hadn’t expected to feel any of that. The sexual frenzy Drekk had anticipated. He’d felt a furious attraction from the minute he’d laid eyes on Ryen. Though Ryen avoided any subject pertaining to his own needs, Drekk wasn’t unaware of the lingering stares Ryen gave him when he thought no one was watching. But the quagmire of feeling accompanying his physical reaction... Drekk didn’t know what to make of it.

He’d experienced much in the millennia of his existence, but never such chemistry with another. Perhaps that explains it. Chemical attraction. Drekk also couldn’t ignore the empathy he felt for Ryen. He’d seen Ryen tear men apart, had witnessed the male injured, nearly dead, which brought back memories of Drekk’s first time away from the labs, a memory he quickly suppressed.

Freedom always came at a price, Drekk reminded himself as he entered his rover and manually drove to his associate’s house. He needed distance, time to get his mind off of Ryen and back on his job. His friend and partner, Rafe of Mardu, was an undercover peacemaker who used the cover of Cheltam, a criminal with connections the System wide. As only one of a handful of people who knew what Drekk truly was, Rafe held a coveted tenet of trust. The rest of the System wouldn’t hesitate to kill a hated Creation—a being not born from under the gods’ watchful eyes, but by mans’ clumsy hands.

The current standing order among both civilians and peacemakers mandated certain annihilation of any and all Creations. The System council had justification for enacting such a decree. Years before Drekk’s time, scientists on planet Eyra created beings meant to serve the greater good. Instead, those same ‘Creations’ had turned into genius, raving psychotics that killed half the planet’s inhabitants and began a takeover of the System. The Eyran War of 2845 had ended badly for all involved, with the Creations and their Creators deemed the biggest losers.

The war and the law hadn’t stopped the scientists on Eyra from producing more Creations. Those handful who’d survived from Drekk’s generation blended into the populace, unlike Ryen and his family. He and his sisters had the eye and skin colour that could only belong to an artificial being. Not to mention Ryen’s sheer size and strength, which topped even that of most Raggas.

Memories of Ryen’s power stirred Drekk’s libido, and he worked to suppress the unwanted desire that continued to plague him whenever he thought about the troublesome male. His skin itched, his temples throbbed and his loins burned with an unnatural hunger; the plague of his ‘Created’ existence. Sometimes it hit harder than others. His fierce attraction to Ryen wasn’t helping matters, but Drekk resolved to push past it. He had more control than this.

Breathing deeply, he called on the meditation techniques that helped him sate the beast within. Though thoughts of Ryen still plagued him, he managed to accept his physical attraction and desire, forcing himself to be patient. Grumbling under his breath, he welcomed the rover’s sudden deceleration in speed.

The rover pulled in front of the Cheltam residence. Located in one of Tekar’s greater slums, the north-eastern sector of the small province catered to the criminal element.

Cheltam fit in right at home. The area around the street remained empty, though plenty of eyes watched his progress as Drekk made his way into Rafe’s secure mausoleum. After several twists and turns, Drekk found the study and entered unannounced.

Rafe, as usual, sat at his desk, his golden eyes narrowed as they stared at Drekk without welcome. Drekk glanced to Rafe’s right, aware his lack of greeting had more to do with Erin’s state of undress than any real hostility on Drekk’s behalf.

“Drekk?”

He smiled at the scantily clad woman. Erin wore a black skirt that barely covered her ass. Her shirt was unbuttoned to her navel. Golden skin glittered with arousal as she nervously stepped away from Rafe. Still, she glowed with happiness, and Drekk couldn’t fault Rafe for wanting to keep her all to himself. The woman had beauty and brains, and a fierce love for the man she’d claimed with her whole heart.

“Erin. You look wonderful.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, aware the action would annoy Rafe to no end.

“You need something, Drekk?” Rafe growled.

“Just wanted to double-check the status of our next job.” Drekk sat in an antique Elaran arm chair.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Rafe muttered, then began an hour-long discussion on what their next project entailed—exposing a detailed scam involving crooked peacemakers and illegal mining from the Cortami caves in barbarian lands. “But the mining ring isn’t going anywhere. Like I told you before, we’re clear for a solid week.”

“Good. I can use the break.” As can Ryen. “So what’s the story on your brother?”

“Which one?” Rafe snorted. “Gar has a lead on Sernal, finally. The ass doesn’t want my help, so I’m not going to interfere. Yet.”

Drekk wondered at Rafe’s calm. Sernal, Rafe’s oldest brother, had been missing for several days. The second oldest, Gar, was after him. And Gar on his own, without someone to rein him in, was never a good idea. “You’re letting Gar take charge of Sernal’s rescue?”

“We still don’t know it’s a rescue,” Erin added, circling behind Rafe. She twined her arms around his neck and leaned close. “Gar only said he’d found Sernal and would soon bring him home.”

“Have I told you how glad I am that I don’t have brothers?” Drekk chuckled.

“Speaking of brothers...” Erin stared, waiting.

“He’s doing better.” Since I forced him to ease up. Drekk crossed his legs recalling such ‘ease’. Who knew Ryen had such a talented mouth?

“He wasn’t the last time I saw him.” Erin frowned. “Ryen looked pissed off, more agitated than usual. He needs me to help him.”

“He’s not ready to see you yet. Your brother is a stubborn, arrogant ass. He has no concept of what the phrase ‘I need help’ means, and he gets a thrill from bugging the crap out of me.”

“He likes you.” Rafe grinned. “I say that with surety because you’re not dead yet.”

Rafe.

Erin.” Rafe shook his head. “You know I’m right. Ryen’s a lot calmer around Drekk than he is around the rest of us. Besides, Drekk’s dealt with this kind of situation before. Let him help your brother.”

Erin studied him for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. But I want you to bring him by soon. Please?”

Drekk nodded. “I will. I promise.”

“Erin, why don’t you give Drekk and me a chance to talk,” Rafe suggested. “Go wait for me in the bedroom and take off your clothes. Make sure you’re nice and wet for me.” Erin flushed. “Not in front of Drekk,” she rebuked in a low voice.

Drekk didn’t know why she felt embarrassed. Not long ago he’d watched her and Rafe engage in some delightful carnality that made him long to share the same...with Ryen. He could all too easily imagine taking Ryen’s virgin ass, of wrapping his fist around that monstrous cock and watching it explode.

“Do it now.” Rafe’s order had the desired effect. Erin glared at her mate before turning on her heel. Despite her glower, arousal wafted around her. The natural submissive in Erin responded to the dominance in her mate. Drekk couldn’t help wondering if Ryen would ever respond in kind.

“That scent goes straight to your head,” Drekk murmured as she flounced from the room.

“It does. She’s not happy with me, so she’ll make me pay. I love it when she makes me pay.” Rafe grinned, and Drekk grinned with him. “Now tell me what the hell is really going on with Ryen.”

“Like I told Erin—”

“Please. After five years, I know you a little better than that. Is Ryen as bad off as I think he is?”

“Not now.” The orgasm and the amount of seed he’d swallowed had healed much of his pain and rage. How long that would last was anyone’s guess. “He needs time to relearn.”

“Relearn what?”

“How to respond to others without violence. Even when he spent time with Anin, he was always poised to protect her. The man was bred to fight.”

“Which makes him perfect to work with us. Imagine the two of you working for Cheltam. I’ll be the talk of the town.”

“Braggart. You already are. No one can take their eyes off Erin. I do believe her Creators took the best of every Nebite pleasurer in existence to Create her. Every male in the System wants her.”

Rafe took his measure, testing him. “But not you.”

“Why, because my last lover was male? I’m not discriminating about gender when it comes to relationships. Rafe, Erin is a walking wet dream.” Drekk continued as though Rafe’s anger weren’t a palpable thing. Damn, the Mardu was fun to rile. “As entertaining as I find your jealousy, no, I don’t want her. I find myself interested in her male counterpart. Ryen is every bit as beautiful as she is. He’s just...harder.”

“Really?” Rafe smirked.

“That’s not what I meant.” Though come to think of it, Ryen had been deliciously solid.

“I meant he’s harder to get to know.”

“You just make sure you can handle him. I won’t have you or Erin hurt by an uncontrollable warmonger.” Rafe sobered. “If it comes to it, I’ll take care of the situation.” Drekk knew he meant it. “Don’t worry. I’ve been around enough of my kind to know when to stop. Ryen is far from that edge.” Or so Drekk hoped. “I’m going to take the next few days to work some intense therapy with him. You have no idea what they did to him in there.”

“Erin told me some of what she went through. She said Ryen suffered ten times worse.

After seeing what he did to those assholes at the labs, I can readily believe it.” Rafe grimaced.

“Help him, but be careful. I’ve gotten used to that ugly face of yours. I don’t want to break in a new enforcer.”

“You still owe me from the last job we did. I’m not going anywhere until I’m paid in full, Cheltam. Now go take care of your woman before she brings half the city down on your bedroom. Her pheromones are all over the place.” Drekk stood sporting a hard-on. “Unless you don’t want her, because I’d be happy to—”

“Get the hell gone.” Rafe cursed and stormed from the room. “Erin,” Drekk heard him yell. “Tone it down before I smack that ass bright red. And if you don’t want to be punished all night, I suggest you be waiting for me on your hands and knees.”

“Ah, true love.” Drekk chuckled and let himself out the front door, eager to return to the male he considered his responsibility.

In the rover heading home, he pondered his troubled housemate. The drugs Ryen had ingested would wear off in a few hours. How would Ryen behave then? He wouldn’t remember what Drekk had done. From what Ryen had told him about his psychotic Handler, Drekk knew it was for the best.

Synster, that homophobic prick, had tortured Ryen repeatedly for four years. The physical and emotional abuse had forced Ryen to shut down, letting his anger build. That constant rage needed an outlet, one provided by the labs in the forms of warfare and orgiastic repast. Considering what Drekk knew about Ryen’s appetites, it was no wonder the male had a hard time releasing that inner rage.

Yet it was that storm in Ryen that gave Drekk hope. The violent Creations Drekk had encountered over the years wouldn’t hesitate to hurt others to relieve that pressing ache.

Ryen refused to take a female, worried for her safety. Such consideration spoke of his character even as it added to his burden. If he wouldn’t sate his needs, they’d grow. And they had. The Cortami barbarians should consider themselves lucky they’d only lost two of their number when Ryen could have easily killed them all.

It had taken strong pheromones along with the opiate he’d given Ryen to calm the male. Though Drekk didn’t want to presume, he thought perhaps his seed had done the same. Ryen certainly succumbed to passion quicker than Drekk would have thought, especially considering Ryen’s bias against same sex encounters. Then again, Ryen had need.

Drekk shifted to relieve some of the tension from his uncomfortable erection. Just thinking about Ryen aroused him. An irritating reaction, one he couldn’t remember ever having before, even with Master. What that man could do with restraints...

Shaking off such carnal thoughts, Drekk focused on his current mission. To make Ryen whole. To that end, Drekk needed patience. He would ease Ryen into his new life with kindness and understanding. After they talked about Ryen’s feelings, his needs and... Shit.

Who the hell was he kidding? That approach had failed dismally with Drekk. Why did he assume Ryen would respond well to niceties? The bastard had head-butted him, for stars sake.

Such violence, such hunger. Drekk knew well those feelings, which made him want to help Ryen all the more. He felt a kinship with the stubborn male because they were so much alike. He wanted badly to hold Ryen tight and soothe his aches, as much as he wanted to push him away as far as he could.

The memories, the violent urges that possessed Ryen lay buried in Drekk, as evidenced by his recent need to meditate. As hard as Drekk worked to exorcise those demons, they never quite disappeared, nor would they. Predisposed towards chaotic aggression, he struggled to overcome those ever-present tendencies. Working for Cheltam helped a lot.

Purpose, the need to protect and serve directed in an altruistic light made his life worth living.

Serving will help Ryen as well, if the stubborn lout will let me in. ‘Nice’ didn’t work with me.

No, but remember what did.

Drekk turned right at the next intersection, a new destination in mind. He exited the rover and entered the large, underground store with a goal. Bypassing the whips and rods, he lingered over the collars. He selected one and continued on, adding items as he imagined working on Ryen. Picking up a pair of magnecuffs, Drekk moved to a vast assortment of bright and shiny objects. It’s all about control, he remembered his Handler say as if it were yesterday. Which gave him a hell of an idea...

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