CHAPTER 4

“CAN YOU TWO WALK ANY SLOWER?” Demter called out, impatient, looking back at Joaquin and Sire lagging behind. “Fucking turtles.” She and Dae had gone ahead, leaving the two trailing in their wake.

Joaquin kept his pace slow, matching Sire’s step for step until Demter’s words seemed to spur Sire forward, and he walked ahead. Joaquin let him go, watching him instead, his gaze clinging to every movement but then he saw Demter reach out and take Sire’s hand, lacing her fingers through his, teasing him, claiming his attention.

Joaquin gritted his teath lividly. He quickened his stride, catching up in seconds. He stepped between them, gently but firmly prying Demter’s hand away and replacing it with his own. He smiled, soft and satisfied, as he looked down at their hands clasped together—fitting so perfectly, as though they had been made only for this.

“What are you doing?” Sire pulled his hand away sharply, stepping back, putting distance between them. “You’re creeping me out.” He turned and walked ahead to join Dae and Creed.

“Aw, it’s alright. I’m right here for you.”

He shot Demter a sharp look. This was partly her fault. If she hadn’t held his hand, he wouldn’t have felt that surge of possessiveness. “I’m the only one allowed to touch him.”

“Says who? He doesn't belong to anyone not even you.”

Her words struck him like a blow. But it didn’t matter, Sire was his. From the moment he first saw him, he had been his. “He is mine,” Joaquin said, steady and sure. “The moment I laid eyes on him, he became mine.”

Demter shook her head. “Really? Yours? Does he know? You keep on dreaming. He doesn't even care 'bout you. He is a straight guy, Qin.”

Damn it. If only he could tape her mouth shut.

“Shut up.”

“Just stating the fact- ”

She stopped abruptly, her eyes widening as she stared toward the storefront. Joaquin followed her gaze and saw it: a giant, fluffy brown teddy bear sitting in the display window.

Demter’s eyes lit up. She gave a soft, excited giggle and ran toward it. Mine! Mine! Mine!

Joaquin sighed, shaking his head, and followed her inside. She wrapped her arms around the bear immediately, hugging it tight, burying her face in its soft fur.

“You want it?” Joaquin asked, already scanning the shelves for something or anything that might suit Sire.

Demter nodded vigorously, beaming.

“Then buy it." he said.

“I don’t have money.”

“You’re wealthier than I do. Of course you have money.”

“I left my wallet,” she said simply. “You said you’d treat me.”

He hadn’t said anything like that.

“Please, Qin? I really want it! It’s so soft and fluffy!” She squeezed the bear again, pleading.

Defeated, Joaquin pulled out his wallet and his card. “I’ll pay." he said to the salesman who came forward.

Demter’s smile brightened. “Yey! You’re the best!”

Joaquin shook his head as she lifted the bear and walked away, leaving him waiting at the counter. She got me again.

The salesman handed back his car and held out a smaller, matching brown bear, with a grumpy little frown.

“Promo gift, sir,” the man said. “Comes with the big one.”

“Thank you.” Joaquin took it. He turned it over in his hand and smiled. It looked like Sire. Especially when he was grumpy. Cute.

He found Sire in the arcade, standing apart from the others, watching people play. Joaquin walked toward him slowly.

Sire’s heart was already hammering when the Spaniard came to him. Don’t let him get to you. You’re not weak. You don’t care. He fought himself.

“Here.”

Joaquin held out the small brown bear. Sire looked at it unimpressed then at him. “What am I supposed to do with that?” His voice was flat, dismissive. “I’m not a child.”

“It looks like you.”

Sire lifted an eyebrow. “I look like a bear?”

“When you’re grumpy.”

“When have you seen me grumpy?”

“All the time.” Joaquin softly chuckled. “If you don’t want it—I’ll give it to Dem.”

Sire snatched it back instantly. “I didn’t say I didn’t want it.” He held it close, scowling.

Joaquin’s face lit up.

Demter appeared beside them, carrying her giant bear. “Some friends just arrived. We need to greet them. We’ll be right back.” She handed her large bear to Sire after she spoke with Joaquin. “Hold this for me, will you? We won’t be long.”

Sire wrapped one arm around the big bear, clutching it, then watched them go.

They stepped into the elevator. The doors were about to close—when a hand stopped them. Three men stepped in. Guns were raised, aimed straight at them. Neither Joaquin nor Demter flinched. Not a flicker of fear.

“Don’t move.”

The doors slid shut. The air grew heavy, cold, dangerous. These men knew what they were capable of. Fear prickled beneath their bravado. Too many of their own had vanished after crossing paths with these two.

“I said don’t mo—”

Joaquin didn’t let him finish. He seized the man’s gun hand, twisted—and broke it. The man screamed, the weapon clattering to the floor. Before the others could react, Joaquin slammed the first man’s head hard against the wall. He slumped, dazed—then Joaquin shot him, clean and final.

Beside him, Demter had the second man in a grip of iron, her arm locked around his throat. He struggled, thrashing—then his neck was snap stopping his heartbeat. The third man fired; Demter used the body as a shield. Seven shots rang out. When the gun clicked empty, Demter threw the body aside, drew her own weapon—and fired. The third man fell, a single bullet through his forehead.

“Reeve,” she spoke into her earpiece, “three bodies. Cleanup in ten minutes.” She looked at Joaquin. “I’ve stopped the elevator. We wait.”

*

*

*

BACK AT THE ARCADE, Sire stood alone, staring at the small bear in his hands.

Do I really look like this when I’m angry? He tilted his head. The bear’s brows were drawn together—just like Joaquin’s when he was focused. Pfft. Cute.

He shook his head. Stop it. Why does my mind keep drifting to him?

He checked his watch. Twenty minutes. They should have been back by now. He kept glancing toward the entrance, irritation rising. What's taking them so long?

Creed noticed him standing alone and walked over. “Not playing?”

Sire shook his head. “Not in the mood. Do you know where they went?”

Creed’s gaze shifted. “I have no idea. They’ll be back for sure.” His eyes landed at the small bear in Sire’s arms. “Is that yours?” he asked. He knew the large one belonged to Demter.

“Yeah. Joaquin gave it to me.”

Creed smiled, patting his shoulder. “You should join us. Dae’s struggling with the claw machine and I am too.”

Sire declined and Creed didn't insisted to much. He watched him go back to Dae. He sharply glances at the entrance, still no sign of Joaquin or Demter. He went back on watching the people play.

“Give me my baby.”

Sire nearly jumped out of his skin. Demter was suddenly beside him, appearing as if from nowhere. He handed over her giant bear.

“Can I borrow some cash?” Dem asked.

“How much?” Sire reached for his wallet but then a hand covered his.

“Don’t lend her anything. She never pays back.” Joaquin said, stepping up beside them. He pulled money from his own pocket and handed it to her. “Here. Now go.”

“Only a thousand? Make it five ”

“You’re shameless.” Joaquin still gave her five thousand. “Have some dignity.”

"Yey! Thanks." Dem happily snatched the money and walked away.

“Cash?” she asked. “Lend me some.”

Sire watched them—something tight and unfamiliar twisting in his chest. He didn’t like how easy they were together.

“Here.”

Joaquin offered him a cornetto. Sire took it. “Thanks.” He took a bite. And now he feels somehow happy. Is he going crazy?

Joaquin watched him—his gaze dropping to Sire’s lips as they brushed the cream. His throat went dry. I want to taste that too. I want to lick him too! He swallowed hard, hands curling into fists at his sides as he calmed himself.

Sire felt the weight of Joaquin's stare. He looked up—and caught Joaquin slowly, deliberately licking his lip.

He swallowed. His heart stumbled.

“Not playing?” he asked, just to break the silence.

“No. You?”

“Not in the mood.”

The melted Cream dripped down on Sire’s finger. “It’s dripping—”

Joaquin took Sire’s hand and brought his finger to his mouth. He licked the sweetness away—slowly, thoroughly.

A jolt of electricity shot straight through Sire as he felt the warmth from his tongue . He pulled his hand back sharply, breath caught.

Then he turned and walked away!