The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) - J. R. Ward Page 0,152

Assail knew the cause without the explanation.

“Whatever has happened,” he said as he walked over and opened his back door.

The chilly air irritated his nose, but he willed the sneezing away as all kinds of stuttering and snuffling came across the connection.

“He’s dead. My hellren … is dead.”

Of course he is, Assail thought. And I know why.

“I am so sorry, darling. What may I do for you in your mourning.”

The female sniffed a number of times. “Please come?”

“I shall. Give me ten minutes?”

“Thank you. I am heartbroken.”

No, you are his heir, he thought as he ended the call. And your lover is engineering all of this—and you are next in line for the coffin, dearest.

From out of the darkness, a huge form appeared upon the lawn, and Brother Vishous triggered the security lights as he walked forth unto the house.

“There’s been a death of some note,” Assail announced. “It appears as if Throe’s mistress’s hellren has passed.”

“Oh, really.”

“I am not paranoid yet, it appears. Accurate is more like it.” He met Vishous halfway across the lawn, and the pair clapped palms. “I knew that he was not long for this world. The question is how he passed—and I intend to find out.”

“There is a killer under that roof.”

“Indeed. And I shall let you know what I discover.”

“If you need back-up, we gotchu. And if you happen to find evidence of murder? I’ll be happy to put the ‘death’ in the sentence.”

“Agreed.”

“Oh, and if you’re still interested in the Master Lock, this is what you need.” Vishous gave him a silver tool that looked like a miniature screwdriver. “Use this like a key. It should work.”

“My thanks.”

Vishous clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re proving worth the skin you walk in, true.”

“I’m not sure whether that’s a compliment or not.”

“Smart of you.”

Poof! the Brother was gone, leaving nothing but a cold breeze behind. And in the wake of his departure, Assail turned back to his house, and called out, “Gentlemales? I am leaving.”

Ehric stepped into the open doorway. “Where to?”

“Naasha’s. She has had a change in station, as it were. Her hellren has passed—or been murdered, as may well be the case.”

“Interesting. Let us know if you require us?”

“I shall.”

Closing his eyes, Assail dematerialized and traveled in a scatter across the river to Naasha’s hellren’s estate. As he re-formed at the front entrance, he walked directly to the portal and opened it right up, eschewing any knocking or ringing.

Throe was standing in the foyer, and as he caught sight of the door opening, he frowned and then recoiled. “What … what are you doing here?”

Assail shut the heavy weight behind himself, and then teased his pocket square back into optimal position. “I have been invited here.”

“Then you should enter properly—by engaging the bell. You don’t live here.”

“And you do.”

“Yes.”

Assail crossed the distance to stop before the other male; whereupon he reached out and ran his fingertips down the lapel of Throe’s admittedly sharp black suit. The fucker was handsome … one had to give him that. Of course, he was also morally corrupt and about as trustworthy as a viper underfoot.

And wasn’t it true how that mix went together so very often.

“My dear boy,” Assail murmured, “if you do not know why I have been summoned, you are either blind or naive.”

Throe slapped Assail’s hand away. “I’m not your ‘boy.’”

Assail leaned in. “But you’d like to be, wouldn’t you.”

“Fuck you.”

“All you have to do is ask nicely and I’ll consider it. In the meantime, you might remind yourself that your mistress is going to be looking for her next victim—I mean hellren. And as numerous as your charms are, I believe you are missing one important criterion. Last I heard you were poor. Or at least what passes for poor by her standards. However, I do not have that problem, do I. Mayhap that is why she called me to her?”

As Throe bared his fangs and seemed prepared to offer a rebuke, the sound of hurried footfalls came down the winding staircase.

“Assail!”

Opening his arms wide, he accepted the fragrant, carefully tended-to tackle that hit him, and as he held Naasha close to his body, he met Throe’s eyes. Throwing the gentlemale a wink, Assail deliberately moved his hand down to the female’s ass and squeezed.

Naasha inched back. “The solicitor is coming. Will you stay whilst I meet with him?”

“But of course. In this, your time of need, I am e’er at your service.”

“They have taken my mate’s remains away.” Outing her silk