The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) - J. R. Ward Page 0,136

her chest full of something so warm that she couldn’t bear to look at it too closely.

Standing just outside Throe’s bedroom, Assail turned about to confront the female who’d made the inquiry of him—all the while wondering what level of complication this was going to result in.

But it was only the maid who had been transporting laundry as he had come up the mansion’s back stairs—and the doggen’s eyes were wide and a bit frightened, hardly a suggestion of trouble even though his presence had been discovered where he should not have been.

Assail sought to reassure her by offering an easy smile. “I’m afraid I am a bit lost.”

“Forgive me, sire.” She bowed deeply. “I thought that the mistress’s guests were arriving closer to dawn.”

“I am early. But there is naught to worry about. Are the main stairs that way?”

“Indeed.” The maid bowed again. “Yes, sire.”

“Problem solved. You have been most helpful.”

“My pleasure, sire.”

He paused before he pivoting away. “Tell me, how many are expected?”

“There have been six bedrooms prepared, sire.”

“Thank you.”

Striding off, he left her in the hall, making a show of pretending to take note of the decor as he strolled with his hands in his pockets. As he approached the main stairwell, he glanced back. She was gone—and given her station in the household, it was unlikely she would say anything to anyone. Maids were little more than washer/dryers who needed to be fed—at least in terms of the hierarchy of staff.

She was more likely to be rebuked for interrupting the butler, even though she had news that was pertinent to the household.

Assail proceeded down the main stairs on a saunter. After all, the best disguise in a situation like this was to be out in the open—and he was prepared, his story set.

Alas, he ran into no other servants and no one else as he went to the rear of the house and reconnected with the staff stairs that he had previously ascended. Taking them back down to the basement, he stopped in front of the padlocked door.

Now that he was less rushed, he discovered a scent lingering in the air. It was one that he could not immediately place, but he did not tarry to suss it out.

Continuing on, he proceeded to the mistress’s dungeon and sneaked back in. Things had progressed with admirable efficiency, his cousins swarmed over the female’s naked flesh, blood marking skin and mattress alike, their cocks and her sex slick with orgasms. That Hermès tie was still in place over her eyes, however.

Such well-performing cousins he had—

The door opened wide mere moments after his return, and Assail looked over his shoulder.

“Well, well, well,” he said with a smile, “madam’s favorite houseguest returns.”

Throe was none too pleased, going by the tight brows and tension in his body. “I was not aware you were coming.”

“The cellular phone is an incredible device. It allows one to call others and to receive calls from others, resulting in meetings taking place.”

The mistress of the house moaned and arched as Ehric traded places between her legs with his brother.

Throe’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re doing here.”

Assail indicated the sex that was ongoing. “This is not enough of a rationale? And if you are so concerned about my presence, do speak with your madam. This is her show, is it not?”

“Not for much longer,” the male said under his breath.

“Busy with plans. Such a surprise.”

“Watch and learn.” Throe’s eyes glinted with malice. “This household is about to be transformed.”

“Do tell.”

“Enjoy her while you can.”

Throe departed, closing the door behind himself with no sound at all. Thanks to Assail’s ministrations.

As Assail turned his attention back to the bedding platform … he had the distinct impression a funeral was coming. The question was whether it was the master’s or the mistress’s first.

FORTY-SIX

Layla sat up on her elbows as Doc Jane began wiping off the clear lubricant from her big belly. This previously scheduled exam had turned out to be well-timed—even though she’d just had one, the double-check was reassuring.

“Yup, everything’s fine.” The physician smiled as she helped bring the pink robe’s two halves back in place. “You’re doing really well.”

“Just a little longer. And then I can relax some, right?”

“You betcha. Soon enough, those two sets of lungs will be at a point where we can handle them better.” Doc Jane looked across the exam room. “Any questions from the dads?”

From over in the corner, Qhuinn shook his head as he twitched in the chair and rubbed