Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
The only thing that helped him remain in control was the feel of Adrian’s tense body pressed to his. Adrian had to be protected at all costs.
“How about we borrow the study for a bit, Yujian?” Ruben suggested. “It’s too noisy out here, and I’d like to talk a little business. You can leave your boy here with Matthys and his sister. They can entertain him while we chat.”
Adrian stiffened. The hand hidden inside Haru’s shirt gripped his side as if he were physically attaching himself to Haru so they couldn’t be separated.
“I don’t want to stay here,” Adrian mumbled. He lifted his head and flashed Haru a look overflowing with worry.
Haru leaned in and kissed Adrian’s forehead. “You stay here and play nice. Let Daddy work, and we’ll get you a pretty, shiny surprise afterward.”
In a heartbeat, Adrian’s expression flashed to something threatening. Haru suspected Adrian was preparing a list of all the ways he wanted to kill Haru. That was fine. It would help to keep his worries at bay while they were apart.
“Fine,” Adrian agreed sullenly. He slid out of Haru’s lap and to his feet. His powerful body slouched and yet he still exuded beauty and control, leaving Haru wanting to pull him close again.
Haru rose and straightened his clothes before taking a step to Matthys as he hovered at Ruben’s side.
“Not to worry, Yujian. We’ll watch over your companion,” Matthys stated with a lazy smile.
Haru grinned back with a flash of teeth. “Yes, you will. You will also keep in mind that he’s not my companion. He is my precious treasure. And if anything happens to him while I am away, I will pull out your spine with my bare hands and beat every one of your guests to death with it.”
As Haru spoke, all color drained from Matthys’s face. He swallowed hard and nodded quickly while Ruben chuckled beside him.
Vitor had said he could lean into the eccentric. It would be expected of him, though he probably wouldn’t expect Haru to be this kind of bloodthirsty eccentric.
“Come, Yujian. He’ll be fine,” Ruben repeated, and Haru followed him through the crowd and up a pair of winding stairs to a palatial study on the second floor that provided another view of the city. Once the doors were closed by a servant behind them, silence claimed the room. It was as if the party had stopped the moment they left.
“Don’t mind Matthys or his sister.” Ruben walked over to a dark wood sideboard and pulled the crystal stopper from a decanter. He poured a tumbler of amber liquor for himself and one for Haru, as if this were his own home. “They’re morons, but they have a strong sense of self-preservation. Nothing is going to happen to your treasure.”
“I noticed this about Matthys,” Huru murmured, accepting the offered glass.
“Self-preservation?”
“The moron part.”
Ruben grunted and motioned for them to take a seat in the chairs set off to one side of the room. For a study, there were very few books, which seemed odd. Or maybe not if Matthys was a moron. There were shelves of art, pottery, and other interesting collectibles that were worth millions. A sleek modern desk sat facing the windows, but there was nothing on the desk but a pad of paper, a pair of fountain pens, and a desk lamp. Otherwise, there was nothing to indicate that Matthys used it for actual work.
“The Drost family has been wealthy for generations,” Ruben explained. “Their kind of laziness is bred into them after so many generations. All they care about is protecting what they’ve got. They are so sure their money is always going to be there. They’ve got no hunger. No ruthlessness.” Ruben smirked at Haru and lifted his glass to him. “Certainly not like you.”
Haru nodded gracefully. “It has taken me many years to accumulate my hoard. It is not enough to protect it. I must eliminate all threats. I must be the strongest.”
Ruben hummed and took another sip of his alcohol. Only then did Haru dare to drink any of his own. It was a smoky beverage that warmed his chest. Not as nice as some of the liquors his people brewed and distilled, but it was tolerable.
“People like Matthys are easy to find. Followers. Willing to toss their money at anything that seems like a sure thing and doesn’t require any effort on their part. They make a donation and believe they are protected. Their work is done.” Ruben leaned forward, narrowed his dark eyes at Haru. “But you and I are doers. We don’t mind getting our hands dirty if it means having more control. A bigger slice of the pie.”
“And which pie are you coveting? Damardor?”
“New Rosanthe.”
Haru arched a manicured brow at Ruben. “Matthys made it sound like your little group is indifferent to who rules in this part of the world.”