The place was way bigger than what he’d initially thought.
Enormous, and it felt bigger the more he was walking on the long corridors, following the servant.
How many servants did Richard have, anyway?
Thirty?
As he was walking with the servant, they passed by at least five more.
Two of the maids they passed by eyed him and cast their eyes downwards when Michael tipped his head to greet them.
As soon as they were out of earshot (or at least they thought they were)
Michael heard one of them saying:
"He is SO hot, I wonder if he's the new bodyguard Mary told me about."
Really? You think so?"
"Yeah, do you see anyone That sexy around here?"
They continued giggling and discussing him, and Michael shook his head.
He wasn't sure if he was a bodyguard yet, though.
In fact, he had no idea what he was supposed to be doing tonight. They made a few more turns on the corridors, his feet sinking in the soft deep red carpet on the floor.
The walls were decorated with even more paintings than he'd seen downstairs and Michael realized he'd seen some of them before.
Online.
Some of them cost seven digits and Michael didn't want to think how many more there were in the studies and the rooms. Of course, Richard was more than wealthy, but seeing everything like this, in front of him, kind of gave him a pause.
And the manor- one of the gang's leaders manors, in fact-
it was one of those places that when if you looked at it from the outside and from a big distance, you weren't so impressed by its colossal sizes.
Because you only saw the front.
It was totally different when you were inside.
And it usually was the other way around, because as they said- one could appreciate things for what they were when they were being looked at from afar.
It was not like that here.
But then again- nothing was as per the usual, with Richard’s men or anything that had to do with him.
The facade was only the top layer.
And the further you wet in, the more you got involved with the gang, the more surprises were lurking in the dark corners.
Michael glanced through one of the tall French windows and saw the huge backyard that could fit five more houses like this.
It was crazy.
Richards’ men, Michael repeated in his head. Killian was not only one of them, not simply another underling, or a guy working for Richard.
He was the man, sleeping with Richard.
At first, Michael had thought it had been highly unlikely- when Benjamin gave him the information.
Now he was discovering that was exactly the truth and the information had been correct. The next thought came, this time it was the expected one.
Michael wasn’t indifferent towards Killian. Physically.
And it wasn’t just the wolf in him. The man, the human part in him, wanted the cold, intense eyes on him. He wanted Killian on some very primitive, physical level.
It had to be that. It wasn't like he was interested in him as a person- he knew what kind of person Killian was.
Everyone did.
Because besides the startling perfect face and body, Killian was insane.
His blue eyes weren’t the only thing Michael was thinking of, though.
To get himself out of his absurd trance, as he was already riding the “things not to think about” train, Michael asked.
"What am I supposed to be wearing, because I don't know if you'll be able to find anything my size?"
The servant walking in front of him glanced briefly backward before he turned to look back ahead again.
“Are you here in the place of Mr. Van Der Berg?”
“The Mr. Who?” Michael asked surprised and cursed himself internally. Those Englishmen with their names and high-class accents, and each one of them sounding like a member of the royal family.
Not only the owners of the fancy houses but their servants, too.
“Mr. Gareth’s place.Van Der Berg is his last name.”
So this was Gary's full name. Okay. It wasn't what Michael's information was saying, however.
"Sir."
The servant added.
The butler had pronounced “Sir” somehow mockingly as if he was saying it only because his stuck-up nature wouldn’t allow him not to say it, and as if it was obvious to literally everyone Michael was far from being a respected citizen, let alone a “Sir. “
“Oh… no…I'm not, no. “ Michael said simply. “At least I don’t think so.“
He remembered Garry being quite against him accompanying Killian but that was pretty much all of it.
“Really?”
The man asked, and Michael expected more questions to follow, but instead, the man only let out a short sigh and continued walking.
“Why?” Michael asked although he hadn’t sensed any change in the air between the two of them.
“Is it usually him who accompanies Killian?”
“Oh, no. It’s Mr. Gallagard who attends the official dinners. With rare exceptions, such as this one. “
”Richard?”
Michael asked again, stupidly, “I meant to say, Mr. Gallahard. So he doesn't go with Killian?”
“Ah, here we are, “ the servant chirped, making it sound like a dismissal.
They stood in front of a tall, wooden open door, and Michael didn’t need to peek inside to see it was something that resembled very much a dressing room.
They have dressing rooms, Jesus. What is this, the Plaza? or Casino Royal, maybe?
Michael thought.
“There’s an evening suit prepared for you, Mr….?”
“Scott. “
He provided quickly.
"Michael Scott."
It was the first time ever he’d given his real name on a mission. Well, this was most likely his last one, so he was starting to accept the facts for what they were.
Michael had assumed the gang would have already discovered his real name- considering how powerful and influential they were. What he counted on was the fact the Bureau and his superiors had managed to conceal his real records and files well, so that no one- even the gang, would be able to trace them or link the CIA to him as one of their agents.
“Right.“
The servant tipped his head and made a retreating step.
"I'll leave you to it then. Please call for me if you need any help."
He gave a curt not in Michael’s direction and made to leave. His eyes, on the other hand, were saying-
“What the hell is this peasant doing here?”
Yes, that was the look, Michael could very well say without having any unordinary abilities.
The man’s scornful look was obvious enough. And the entire time it had felt as if the butler was the one dismissing him, not the other way around.
“Sure,” he muttered and got in, “I’m starting to wonder what the hell am I doing here, too. “
His missions usually included gunfights and kicking assess, not getting dressed fancy or walking around in manors.
Michael glanced in at the fancy dressing room and the suit with a tie he had no idea how to make into a flawless knot.
***
He was given a perfectly made suit and after the whole struggle of putting the tie on, Michael went to find Killian when he was ready.
He was not going to be, as he'd assumed, a driver. Micheal was accompanying Killian to one of those super fancy dinners he’d only heard of, the ones we’d all had heard of, but never thought we’d actually attend for real. He’d most likely be presented as his bodyguard, and Michael checked the gun he was given.
Not that he couldn’t rip apart everyone in close range in less than five seconds, but he figured growing fangs and tearing people apart at a gala wouldn’t be something anyone was ready for.
Especially the CIA or his boss when they found out.
Michael walked the spacious corridors and wondered if he could search Richar’d office if it happened to be empty. There was still probably time before they left, so he could use the few spare moments chack whatever he could find in Richard's study.
He followed the scent and his nose helped him find the way to Richard's study very easily.
Only the room wasn't empty.
His senses told him he was approaching it, but Richard was definitely in there. And he wasn’t alone. Michael’s whole mind was flooded with Killian’s scent and Michael slowed down his pace and clenched his teeth.
Of course Killian was in there with Richard.
they're probably just talking
Mike stared at the screen. But he didn’t spend too much time doing so, because the moment he realized what had just happened, he threw the phone away, not caring where it landed, and looked out of the window. Killian was actually downstairs, looking up at his room, smoking. He. was. there. Mike rested his elbows in the window rail and Killian looked up. His wolf jumped inside him, shouting all kinds of things, but Mike ignored it, because his mind was going crazy just fine on its own without the wolf. Killian was a dark figure in the middle of the road, just one of the many figures among the others passing by, despite the late hour, at the same time so different from them. Mike’s neighborhood was one of the worst, run down buildings and all kinds of scums and gangs were hanging in around there. Although the most dangerous ones out there were probably him and Killian . Killian was watching him, and Mike smiled at him. He pushed away from the window and grabbed his jack
“Right, “Garrey said, “now that we are all here, we will brief you on the latest changes, and if you have any questions, ask Clifford, he will give you the details on the weapon exchange and…” And Garrey began. He kept talking, the other guys were talking as well. Instructions, money, bullets…something about cases with jewels, something about… whatever. Mike’s head was somewhere else. At least it was still in the same room. His eyes and mind were fixed on his mate. Killian made a step, then another. He came to stand behind Garrey. His hair was wet at the tips which meant he’d probably taken a shower just now. Killian’s shirt smelled like expensive detergent and whatever the maids were doing the laundry with. He’d had coffee just before he came here. Maybe more than one coffee, in fact, judging by the way the sweet scent still clung to him… Mike followed the darker lines of the tiny shades under Killian’s eyes and he assumed Killian hadn’t slept much either. Then Kil
The phone kept ringing. It was probably ringing for the 15th time and until Mike eventually gave up trying to ignore it . He got up to pick it up. “Jesse, what’s up?” “Mike!!” “Yes?” “Are you crazy! I’ve been trying to call you since last night, what the Hell Happened?” “I just…” Mike searched the room for cigarettes. It was dark, and he had pulled the shabby curtains down. His head was pounding. His wolf was bitter too. They had arrived yesterday, and Killian and him hadn’t exchanged more than a few words, just like he’d expected during the flight. Then he’d driven Killian to the manor and he was back to his place. And he hadn’t slept since. Mike didn’t find his cigarettes,since he was anyway supposed to Not have them, but then his eyes landed on the two empty packs from last night, discarded on the table. He groaned. “Mike! Are. You. There??” “Yeah, yeah, I’m here. “ “So??” “So I tried to catch a quick nap before tonight, Garrey mentioned there will be somet
Michael wished he could say he wasn't thinking. Or that it had been his wolf dictating his actions and moving his body towards Killian’s. But he couldn’t. It was him and he had done it with the clear mind he was making a mistake. Maybe the biggest one he’d made so far. Or ever. Well, at least it was going to be his last. Because the mistakes we made with the clear mind they were a mistake were the most dangerous ones. He still did it. Mike’s hand cupped Killian’s head and he leaned in. He was taller, but he bent over Killian slowly, giving his mate time to do something, to stop him, or anything that showed he didn’t want this. When that didn’t happen, Mike closed the little distance they had between them. And he was kissing Killian. His lips touched Killian's only briefly. Everything in Mike woke up, all his nerves, all his senses were awake and it felt like someone had stripped his skin off and it was just his nerves, the real him, unprotected by flesh and skin ou
They reached the hotel much faster than Mike wanted to. They got out of the taxi, wished the driver a good night and headed towards the entrance, Mike walking a few feet behind Killian. As usual, the polite receptionist greeted them, then one of the bell boys came and asked about their check out time tomorrow. Killian and the staff exchanged a few greetings and niceties in French, neither of which Mike understood and they headed up. Everything was as per the usual, compared to the last few days they had spent here. Only, there was a small exception. And that was- Mike had almost kissed Killian, and not only had he done it, it had been outside. They got on the elevator, neither of them still not speaking. The bell boy pressed the desired floor, a few people got on with them, then they got off. There was more wishing of good nights and goodbyes until Killian and Mike headed towards their room. Everyone was so nice, and bubbly, while Mike simply wanted to get away from
“When you go there, wait for Francisco to get out of the VIP room, don’t do anything before that. “ “Right. “ “He is going to have his bodyguards in the VIP, got it? So wait for him to go to the bathroom or if he doesn’t, have one of the girls distract him and take him to the Red Room. ”“Yes, Sir. “ “Good. Don’t do it there. And I don’t want any more involvement from the Italians. That was enough trouble for now. “ Garrey looked between all of them. “Okay? “ “Yes.” “Yes, clear, Garrey. “ They all nodded. It was a pretty simple task. The words were pounding in his head, and it wasn’t only because he hadn’t blinked any sleep at all, unable to close his eyes for more than five minute. His wolf had tried to rip his flesh in pieces every two hours, and that hadn’t helped either. They were in Garrey's office, and they were given the new orders for the next task. And since Mike hadn’t come back yet, Jesse had to stay here all the time and listen to whatever details they were giv