The Beast (Black Dagger Brotherhood #14) - J. R. Ward Page 0,185

Markcus’s voice trailed off. “I wanted an adventure. I came unto that house to apply for a workmale’s position. The mistress passed by my quarters one evening, and then she summoned me unto her presence down in the cellar. She gave me some wine and…”

The male’s eyes seemed to cloud over, as if his memories were so dark and heavy they were capable of robbing him of consciousness.

“How may we contact your kin?” Assail prompted.

“I know not. I…” Markcus focused abruptly. “No, do not contact them. Not now. I cannot see them like this.”

As the male lifted his wrists with their tattoos, he seemed as helpless as he had been when chained in that cell. “What shall I e’er tell them? We are naught but commoners—I had to work for my passage on the ship to New York harbor. But all bloodlines have pride. And there is no … pride in this.”

Assail scrubbed his face so hard that his poor, fucked-up nose hummed. Which reminded him. He had to get more coke before he performed his duties at nightfall.

“You may stay with myself and my cousins,” he announced. “You will be safe there.”

Markcus shook his head as he ran his fingertips over the band on his left wrist. “Why … why would you do that?”

“It is as I told you. You are in need. And I find myself in need of serving someone.” Assail put both palms out. “And there is naught that is dodgy. We are but three males who cohabit one among each other.”

Naturally, he left out the coke habit, the fact that he had arguably whored out his relations, and also his past as a drug importer and dealer.

Was he starting fresh, then, he wondered.

Hmm. Considering the arms deal he had just made for the Brotherhood? Perhaps the term was more starting next, rather than fresh.

“Is there work to be done at your home?” Markcus nodded to Assail’s clothing. “By your wardrobe and your accent, it is clear you are a male of means. Is there work that I may perform so that I can earn my room and board? Otherwise, I cannot avail myself of your offer. I shall not do that.”

Assail shrugged. “It is but menial work.”

“No effort is menial if it is done well.”

Assail eased back in the chair and regarded the haggard scrap of flesh on the hospital bed. Even barely out of captivity—for over thirty fucking years—and already the male was showing a character of note.

“I shall have to leave you the now,” Assail heard himself say. “But I shall return prior to dawn, and when they will release you, you will come home with me. And that is what shall be.”

Markcus lowered his head. “I am e’er in your debt.”

No, Assail thought to himself. I rather sense ’tis the other way around, my good male.

Rhage and Mary walked arm in arm up the mansion’s grand staircase. As they ascended, she smiled as she remembered them waltzing around that empty gym. And then she flushed as she recalled what they’d done as the dancing had slowed to a stop.

That equipment room had never seen so much action.

“When did she say I had to be there?” Rhage asked.

“You’ve got about thirty minutes to get ready. It’s the I’ve Bean Waitin’ coffee shop down on Hemingway Avenue. I think Rhym is going by car, but you certainly don’t have to.”

“I’m not ordering anything while I’m there. I don’t want to have coffee breath.”

“Rhage. Seriously.” She stopped him as they came up to the second floor. “You’re going to do fine.”

Taking his beautiful face in her hands, she smoothed his worried eyebrows and stroked the shadow of his beard. “Just treat it like any other conversation.”

“I’m being interviewed to be Bitty’s dad. How the hell is that supposed to be like any other conversation? And, God, will you tell me what to wear? Should it be a suit? I feel like it should be a suit.”

Taking his hand, she led him in the direction of their room. “How about just a regular pair of slacks and one of your black silk shirts. She’ll be so distracted by how gorgeous you are, she won’t remember her own name, much less whatever she was going to ask you.”

He was grumbling as they entered their suite, and his attitude didn’t get much better as she shooed him toward the bath.

“No,” she said as he tried to pull her along with him. “We’ll get seriously distracted. Let me go