The Knight Prince

Chapter 2

    “Mr. Nicolet?” the whispered, insistent voice repeated. For the first couple rounds, he willingly ignored it. It couldn’t be time to wake up because it barely felt like he just closed his eyes. Yet, when the annoying pest resorted to nudging his shoulder, there wasn’t any use at ignoring it any longer. “Hey, Boss-man. Wake up. Rise and shine.”

    “f**k, Rob. Stop already!” Adrian groaned, keeping his face firmly planted down in the leather couch, managing to keep any attempt at opening his eyes from happening. Maybe his personal assistant would get the hint too and leave him alone. At least for another… five or ten minutes.  s**t, an hour sounded good, too.

    “But sir,” Rob pressed. “You have a 9 o'clock meeting with the European investors. Which…” he could hear the bastard checking the time on his phone. He didn’t even need to look up to see what he was doing; Robert Meyer was as predictable as the sun rising at dawn. “… is in half an hour.”

    “Wake me up in fifteen minutes then,” Adrian muffled against the cushion. Having finally fallen asleep around five a.m., waking up at eight-thirty was still too damn soon! f**k the meeting! “No… get me up in twenty minutes.”

    “Uh, that will be a big NO. Not when you smell like the town drunkard,” he ribbed. “Get up. Shower. Get a suit on and I’ll have some happy juice and hangover pills ready for that jackhammer that’s going to beat your ass down once you stand up,” Rob snickered.

    If this was any other person, Adrian would rip the guy a new asshole for pestering him like this. But Rob had been his PA for the last ten years. He had hired him way back when he was getting his company off the ground, and they had been through the bullshit stress of all that. So, they were practically blood-bonded besties at this point.

    “Reschedule for later!” Adrian insisted. Playing two roles, one being a knight in the Order of the Sabatons, which was basically an old as f**k, clandestine sect of demon hunters, as well as owning a multibillion-dollar security company, was kicking his ass recently. Usually, he could handle wearing two hats, but right now, one was feeling heavier than the other. 

    A vacation would be a must after all this s**t died down.

    “This is already the reschedule of the other reschedule,” Rob pointed out. “If you keep these guys on the backburner like this, they’re going to pull out all together, which could cost you millions.” He nudged him again, inciting another growl from his boss. “And I know you’ll thank me about this later when you’re not dying from a raging headache. So, buckle-up Buttercup because we need to get this show on the road.”

    “I’m not a f*****g Buttercup!” Adrian graveled. “After this, I’m going to fire your ass!”

    “Oh, goody. Please, yes. Put me out of my misery!” There wasn’t a week that went by that Adrian didn’t threaten to fire him; it was a game of back and forth they often played because they both knew he was just shooting the s**t and wouldn’t ever follow through with it. Rob was invaluable to him. And not just because he could put up with his tempered, growling temperament, but also, he knew him like the back of his hand as well as the ins and outs of SecureTech International.  

    And not only that.

    Rob knew nearly all his secrets. He knew Adrian was a Lycan, knew about what was going on in the secret floors below the garage level of their office building, knew who Âlde Tire was and that demons, devils, vampires and the sort were very real.

    Adrian finally turned his head, looking up at his PA and regretted it. For one, already, his brain felt like it was being bludgeoned by said jackhammer. Yeah, maybe he shouldn’t have drunk that entire bottle of whiskey and passed out in his office instead of actually going home and calling it good. But after speaking with Âlde Tire last night about bringing in that Tainted child, he felt a bit rattled about what he had allowed himself to do. So, it was easier to press the elevator button to go up to the top floor of the building to his office, grab a bottle of bourbon, and settle his internal demons rather than head to the parking garage and drive his ass home.

    And then secondly, Rob looked too damn chipper right now for his liking. Adrian growled at his bright brown eyes and full smirking lips. Although his personal assistant was an attractive man with his neatly barbered haircut, dark tailored suit, and crisp white shirt that set off his toffee-colored skin, right now, he considered the man quite ugly for interfering with his sleep.

    “Ah, there we go! We have movement,” Rob cheered.

    Squinting against his raging headache, he growled at Mr. Happy Monday, “f**k off, Rob. Who made you my mother?”

    “You did when you hired me,” he laced his hands under Adrian’s shoulders and helped him sit up.  Even so, his head was already drooping as he aggressively rubbed his face. Feeling the prickling hairs under his chin and protruding from his neck, he knew he was going to need to shave, too. He usually kept his beard and moustache trimmed short, but having been on assignment all weekend, his five-o’clock shadow had definitely overgrown.

    “If you don’t want to drive home yourself, you could have called your driver. You know he’s on call 24-7 to take care of you.” He tapped his cell phone. “Or even called me to contact Dale. You employ us to help you, you know?”

    “Ok, Mom. s**t. Just drop it.” Adrian mumbled as he stood up. f**k- that was too fast. After teetering a second, Rob quickly grabbed his elbow for support.

    “You got this?” all banter lost as a serious expression pinched his face.

    Adrian pulled away from his PA, shaking his head.  “I said I’m fine. Back the f**k off,” he put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath.

    Rob held up his hands. “Alright, boss.” As Adrian made his way to a door on the far right of the office that led to his private suite, his PA called out. “And Son, next time you sleep in the office, at least sleep in that room. On a real bed. You’re such a bear after you crash on the couch!” His laughter came from deep in his chest and normally was a pleasant, rich sound, yet right now it grated on Adrian’s nerves.

    Responding with a quick middle finger salute, Adrian entered the private suite and ambled past the large bed as he made his way to the bathroom, though the fluff mattress and plump pillows begged him to collapse onto it and forget all his responsibilities this morning. But he knew Rob was right; he couldn’t sluff off this meeting today. He promised himself that he wouldn’t let this business fall no matter how demanding his real job had become.

    After kicking off his boots and peeling off the dark-colored attire he preferred wearing while stalking the New England area for miscreant demons and the like, which consisted of a leather jacket, jeans, and tee-shirt, he tossed them into the hamper as he strolled to the walk-in shower and pressed a few buttons to turn it on. As the water heated up, he waited at the sink basin, peering at himself through the large rectangular mirror, mostly just eyeballing for any injuries he may have received from last night’s confrontation. He paid special attention to the areas that were tattooed which covered a majority of his torso, back, and upper arms, knowing the ink could easily hide a wound.

    Not that he expected to find any. Last night, the bastards hardly touched him. 

    Yet, even though he knew he didn’t feel any injuries by those jackass demons, he knew better than to be dismissive, too. The paranoia all started last summer when he had been deeply clawed on the back by a demon. Only, he never knew he had been hurt because that dickhead’s claws secreted a type of venom that not only numbed the area insomuch that he couldn’t feel he had been injured, but also stimulated his body to bleed more. So, there he was, majorly bleeding out, and had no clue he was slowly dying until he got so lightheaded, he fainted. And he probably would have ended up six-feet-under if he hadn’t been partnered with another knight who had helped get him some medical attention.

    Once he cleaned up his face of errant whiskers with a quick shave, Adrian took an even quicker, hot shower before rushing to the walk-in closet with a towel hugging low on his waist. Although he had many styles of suits to choose from since it was well-stocked with a variety of selections, he hadn’t the luxury of being picky at the moment, so he grabbed the first one he touched, which happened to be a dark grey three-piece Windsor.

    Just as he was adjusting his tie, Rob was already rapping on the door. He was due in the conference room in ten minutes.

    f**k. He still needed to review the files. 

    After running some gel through his dark, ebony locks with his fingers, then styling it into some semblance of a pompadour, Adrian shuffled to his office. While skimming over the information for the meeting, Rob was beside his desk again, one hand gripping a small cup and the other palming pain pills.

    “You know I don’t need that shit.” Adrian didn’t bother looking up, his eyes still scanning over the files. Being Lycan had its perks; rapid healing was definitely one of them. Any trace of a hangover washed away with his shower.

    “This isn’t for you,” Rob rolled his eyes and popped the pills into his mouth. “When I said I’d be supplying a hangover antidote, I meant it was for me, dealing with your smart ass and all.” He downed the drink, sporting a simpering smile afterward. “Ready?”

    “Yep,” Adrian stood, closing his computer. “Let’s go make some money.”

    With a signature, handshake, and a smile, Adrian walked the European investors to the elevator an hour later, bidding them goodbye after a successful meeting. Although his company was generating a lot of money as it was from other projects, he was always open to make more, especially when any residual income would be filtered into his other career path of bounty hunting.

    When he passed by the secretarial desk with Rob tied to his side as always, Ms. Mallory informed him his ten-fifteen appointments had arrived and were waiting for him inside. Usually, anyone with appointments scheduled to take place in his office waited for him out here with her in the lobby. That is, except if they were knights. Even though Ms. Mallory wasn’t privy to knowing about his demon-hunter colleagues, there were certain protocols set in place she was aware of when it came to people who visited him.

    “Ok, thanks Ms. Mallory,” Adrian smiled at her as he walked by. The poor twenty-something year old looked like she was going to faint with his simple gesture. Though, he didn’t dwell too much on it; people usually had that reaction when he was in the room, which he could readily blame his genetics.

    Being Lycan, he was naturally tall, and at six-five he had achieved that quite easily as well as being largely built. Since he hit the gym on a daily basis, usually in the morning if he wasn’t shitfaced on a couch, it only improved his naturally muscular form. He attributed his attractive features to his parents who were insanely gorgeous people, but being Lycan also enhanced that as well. So, for lack of a better explanation, he was a magnet for attention just by walking in a room.

    For instance, just a bit ago in the meeting with the European investors, he was pretty sure he was eye-f****d by at least three of the seven investors present. Knowing he had this effect on people, of course he used it to his advantage, which no doubt most likely helped him score that deal.

    “Of-of course, Mr. Nicolet,” Ms. Mallory swooned. “Let me know if you need anything? Coffee, p-perhaps?” 

    “I’ll let you know.” Adrian momentarily eyed the beautiful, young brunette. Although she was totally his type, he never dipped his pen into the company’s ink, at least not here at SecureTech. Dealing with his employees after a one-night stand was a nightmare he adamantly vowed to avoid.

    Adrian could smell who was in his office well before he opened the door. As he strode over to them seated on the dark leather chairs in front of his desk, he welcomed them with a quick handshake.

    “Link. Audrey. s**t! What brings you back to New York? How is Paris? I thought you two were assigned there until spring?” His eyes volleyed between them. Lincoln and Audrey Déchue were mates, and basically family, because Link was his Aunt Jaelyn’s brother. He had joined the Knights of Sabaton well before he had and had been in the business for nearly two decades now, though the sixty-something year old didn’t look a day over thirty. 

    Link’s tawny cheek dimpled as he smiled. “We just got to the States early this morning. And Paris is Paris,” He shrugged before leaning in and giving Adrian side bro-hug. “Âlde Tire called us to HQ a few days ago. He didn’t tell you?” Audrey stood quickly from her chair to greet him. After whipping her long, red hair to her back, she hugged Adrian.

    “Hi Adrian. Good to see you again,” her pink painted lips turned upward; the freckles across her nose wrinkling. Audrey was a typical ginger beauty with pale skin and soft brown eyes. Though what wasn't typical about her was the fact that she looked like she was maybe twenty years old, but was actually over forty. The perks of not being completely human. Audrey and Link were witches.

    “Hey Aud. Good to see you, too” Adrian returned her smile, then turned back to Link. “I’ve been working under wraps on a case for the last few days, so no, I haven’t been briefed by Âlde Tire yet. I do have a meeting with him scheduled for…” he looked at Rob.

    “It’s your One-o’clock,” Rob said quickly, having already memorized Adrian’s schedule for the day.

    “At One,” he nodded back to Link. “I am sure I’ll be updated then. But, do you know what this is about? Did he say why he called you back?” His curiosity piqued.

    Adrian had worked extensively with Link and Audrey over the past decade. Link and Audrey’s magic prowess was unbelievable, and he always jumped at the chance to have them on his squad. Sure, he could beat up and rip the s**t outta almost any demon out there, especially when his rage took over, but to have knights who were witches on the team always made the hunt that much sweeter.

    As he leaned back on his desk, crossing his arms over his chest, Adrian watched Lincoln’s dark brown brows crease, his thick lips purse, as he deliberated with his thoughts. His hand stroked along the back of his neck before reaching up and rubbing it over his short, buzzed hair. “I think it has something to do with what happened to you last night.”

    Adrian balked as a deep frown cut into his features. “This about this baby?” He did not know why his stomach took a nose-dive, but it did. Why the f**k should he care about that kid?

    “No, I don’t know anything about a baby, yet? What baby?” Link looked confused, “Holy s**t, Adrian, did you knock some girl up?”

    Audrey’s eyes popped. “You find your mate?”

    “What? No. No! f**k no!” Adrian nearly choked. “I haven’t found my kamará yet and I sure as hell did not get anyone pregnant.” THAT was the last f*****g thing that he wanted right now. He was in no way ready to settle down and start a family. A Lycan had the luxury of not finding their kamará for decades, and he was loving that aspect of the mating ritual because his life was far too complicated for that commitment.  Sure he could just designate some Lycan to be his chosen mate, but what would be the reason to do that? He was quite fond of the no-strings hook-ups.  “Ok, forget what I just said. But what about last night are you referring to, then?”

    Link said, “Your report said you had caught your Tainted guy, but were also attacked by three demons.”

    “Pshh,” Adrian shrugged. “No big deal. I f****d them up and deported them to Hell along with the prisoner. It was nothing.”

    “To you, it was nothing,” Audrey’s manicured nails, the same hue of pink as her lips, delicately tapped on her knee. Adrian recognized that tick. The red-haired witch was upset about something. “There were attacks all across New England, all targeting Knights of Sabaton.”

    “What?” Adrian’s eyebrows shot up.

    Link continued, “It was as if they knew where the knights were.”

    “Yeah, the bastards did just pop out of nowhere,” Adrian nodded. “I was right in the middle of the deporting ritual. I just figured they heard me fighting with the Tainted One and came running.”

    Audrey frowned. “Well, you were a lucky one. Out of the fifteen knights who were attacked, three of them didn’t make it.”

    “What do you mean they didn’t make it?” Adrian pushed away from his desk; his fists balled at his sides. “These are f*****g knights we’re talking about. How could they be dead?” One couldn’t simply just join the Knights of Sabaton. The individual was monitored for years and then selected. The best of the best.

    Link shared Adrian’s disgruntled look. “It was an ambush, Aide. They were taken by surprise.”

    Audrey added, “We aren’t the only one Âlde Tire called in—” as if on cue, his office door opened. Everyone turned, tracking the new visitor as she strode into the room.

    Adrian bit his lower lip to keep his mouth shut and from drooling as he watched her saunter her sexy ass over to him. Though, his eyes drooled for him as they fastened on the long, gorgeous legs she was showcasing with her short black skirt. That, and her patterned blouse was open just enough to catch the glimmer of a gold necklace lost within the valley of her tanned breasts.

    “Darcy,” Adrian purred at the female Lycan. With her being one of his kind, and a female, sent his lust reeling. Though, that is all it ever was with Darcy. Lust. “Did Âlde Tire call you into town again, too?”

    “Seems he needs me here,” her smile oozed more thirst than sentiment as he caught her dragging her eyes over him as well. “I wish others would feel the same?” she teased. For years, they had been nothing more than a casual hook-up whenever she was in town. And that is all he wanted it to be, though she had suggested a few times for them to take it up a notch.

    Link cleared his throat, cutting through their banter. “When did you clock in, Darcy?”

    “Last night. I tried to call you but it seems you were out?” She smirked at Adrian.

    Realizing he hadn’t checked his phone at all, Adrian began patting at his pants pockets, then his coat pockets, before scanning his desk for it. When he heard Rob clear his throat, he looked over at the PA’s annoyed face as he held up his cellphone between them. “Where would you be without me, Boss?” he jibed.

    “Without a headache,” Adrian growled, snatching the phone from him. He scanned through his missed calls and noticed a few from Âlde Tire as well as Darcy who had called around the time he had decided to drown the rest of his morning in a bottle of whiskey. She smirked when he looked over at her. “Sorry, I was a bit occupied.”

    “Obviously.” Darcy’s long brown hair that was fastened in a tight ponytail at the top of her head swished behind her back as she walked over to a chair opposite Audrey. The witch regarded Darcy with a polite smile, though her chin tilted upward a tick as she looked away from her. “I had a moment with the child today,” her eyes were glued on him, “and the Taint gene seems to have skipped the baby.”

    He didn’t know why, but some sort of pressure lifted from his chest at her confession. Even so, he simply shrugged at Darcy, “Ok?” he brushed off.

    Is that why Âlde Tire called Darcy in? Adrian wondered. One of her Lycan gifts was to sniff out bad blood, the blood only those who bore the markers of the Tainted would have. They had medical tests similar to Darcy’s gift that they could run in her absence, but instead of waiting hours or days for results, her diagnosis was instant. Basically, she was a bloodhound.

    “We’re back to this mysterious baby again?” Audrey replied.

    Adrian ignored Audrey, replying to Darcy, “Seems Âlde Tire is pulling the old team back together. Something big must be going down.” He was sure they would all be debriefed at the meeting later, but his curiosity had spiked, and he was anxious for answers.  

    Someone was f*****g with the Knights of Sabaton and obviously had the teeth to cause real damage, too. But soon they’d realized their mistake. Because when he found out who was heading this assault, Adrian aimed to wreck that fucker up. This dickhead obviously didn’t know who he was messing with.