The Runaway Cat (Book 2 Cloverleah Pack Series) (25 page)

“If it involves Diablo doing any more of your shit for the FBI then the answer is
hell no. 
He’s my mate, MINE, and you guys have put him through enough already.  His resignation is final and he is going to be working for himself - with ME!”  Griff said firmly.

Walking over to the table, Tony sighed and sat down on one of the plush leather chairs.

“Look,” he said quietly, “I don’t pretend to understand what it means by this mate bond you talk about, but even I am not stupid enough to try and put Diablo back into the same undercover situations he has been in before.”

“Then what do you want, Tony, because I have to tell you right now your presence here is really upsetting
my
mate and as we were just on our way out to have a fun evening with our friends I’d like to get this visit over and done with.  No disrespect intended.”  Diablo’s voice was quiet but firm.  He had managed to extract himself from Griff’s possessive arms but he stood tall beside him, his own fists clenched.

Tony smiled as he looked over the two men standing together both ready to protect each other with their lives.  Diablo was so angelically beautiful and a perfect specimen of manhood yet Tony knew that mask
hid the ravenous intelligence and fighting skills the man had.  And Griff, the epitome of the perfect bad boy right down to his massively impressive body, tattoos, goatee and long hair, with his own fighting and strategic skills.  He wasn’t sure if either one of them was as yet aware of the level of skill the other had but Tony had done some digging of his own and he knew the two men before him were perfectly matched and that was outside of the bedroom. 

What they were like under the covers
Tony could only guess and as a straight man it wasn’t something he considered very often.  However looking at the two of them now, with Diablo still shirtless and in his leather pants and boots like every gay man’s wet dream, and Griff in his biker boots and own leathers Tony could only imagine the sex between them would be explosive.  It wasn’t just the look of the two men, as a couple and as individuals, it was the power he could sense that emanated from the pair of them.  As individuals they were stunning capable men, as a couple they were awe-inspiring.

Tony shook his head as he realized Griff had spoken to him.  The impatience on the man came off his shoulders in waves and Tony rushed to speak. 

“Sorry guys.  I was just wondering if you two were aware of just how compatible you were from an FBI perspective.” Tony saw the question in Diablo’s face and the man looked like he was going to say something but Tony carried on.

“
Look I have been doing my homework, especially about you Diablo and I can see that your talents have been seriously underused during the time you were on undercover assignments.  You have impressive fighting skills, solid weapons training and I understand you are one of the best computer hackers we had.  Your ability to judge people and situations is second to none that I can see and your skills complement Griff’s perfectly.”

“Yes well all of that information was definitely in my file I’m sure, but no-one I was assigned to work under seemed to get past my photo or physical looks. I worked bloody hard to be the best that I could be in every way for the FBI a
nd look where that got me.”  Yes, there was definitely a touch of resentment in the blond headed man.

Tony nodded, agreeing with both the spoken and unspoken message.  Diablo wasn’t about to be used by the FBI again and yet Tony desperately didn’t want to lose the man’s skills and abilities.

“I understand that Diablo, I really do.  But look what I want is for you to work with Griff - doing the same sort of things he does, but with him.” Tony held up his hand as he saw Griff start to speak.  “You have my word that neither one of you would be assigned without the other.  You would both work the jobs together.  You already have a cover, Diablo as Angel Bandures’s love interest…”

“Husband and business partner,” said Griff firmly.

“Husband and business partner,” Tony amended, “and in situations where a cover isn’t necessary and you are working on straight extractions then your respective skills will make the job easier for you both.”

Diablo and Griff looked at each other.

We had already decided that you weren’t going on your jobs alone anymore anyway. 
Diablo quirked an eyebrow at his lover.

Hmm and the pay is pretty good.

So we let him think this was his idea all along?

Yeah, but don’t give in to easily. Let him sweat a bit first.

You’re mean.

And yours.

And mine. 
Diablo smiled at Griff but when he faced Tony again his blank FBI face was in place.

“I don’t know, Tony,” Diablo said slowly.  “I mean Griff and I have talked about his missions and while we can both see the importance of the work he does my own experiences with the FBI have been less than stellar.
  I don’t even know if Griff wants to keep working for you when he could be working with me on our own jobs. There would be a lot less red tape involved.”

“Come on guys,” Tony said, frustrated, “You know I need you Griff because there are just some cases where sending in a team could result in just too many deaths.  But, but…”  He stopped for a minute and ran his hands over his face.

“Look the pay rate will be increased and obviously doubled because you will both be getting the same rate.  I promise you that I won’t question how you do the job you are given and you won’t have to deal with any reporting or stuff like that.  Just get the extraction and I won’t question your methods, or if you use anyone else to help you.  The FBI will give you all the back up you need with regards to your cover but given Diablo’s computer skills I will leave you to sort out how to go in and get the intended target out.  You will have minimal FBI interference and of course the guarantee that if you are arrested or taken in by law enforcement at any time then your cover will remain intact and I will personally ensure that you are released as soon as I am contacted.  I can’t do anymore than that.”

Is that a good deal my lover?

Hmmm, it is a damn site better deal than I have been working under before.

You still believe in this work don’t you Griff.

Yes, hon, I do but I will feel a lot better if we are working on these cases together.  I know it is what we had planned but hell to get paid for it as well is an added bonus.

Diablo looked at Griff and Griff smiled at Tony. 

“Okay Tony, you have a deal.  Draw up the contracts and we will sign them.”

Tony relaxed as he gave a huge sigh of relief.  He really didn’t want to lose Griff and to get Diablo included in the deal was just one better.  Opening his briefcase he pulled out a brand new phone and gave it to Diablo, but when he went to pass him a gun as well, Diablo shook his head.

“No, I don’t need that.  I prefer to get my own weapons.  I know what I am comfortable with and have a few in my stash already.”  Tony shrugged but put the gun back into his briefcase.

“One thing, Tony,” Diablo said. “What’s your leverage with animal control?”

“Animal control,” Tony looked confused and then his face brightened. “Oh you mean because of what…you know…what you are and all that.”

“Yes, shifters,” Diablo said firmly.  “There may be situations where it is not possible for me to accompany Angel as his partner, given some of the family’s homophobic outlook.  In that case I can still go with him in my animal form.  You did promise us that neither one of us would go into any situation alone.”

“Well, yes, I can pull some strings in animal control if you ever get picked up.  Er, just so I know, what type of animal are you so I know what to look out for?” Tony was curious now.

“Go on lover, show him,” Griff said with a grin on his face.  Diablo slipped into the bedroom, slipped off his pants and boots and shifted into the massive black panth
er that he was.  Padding silently back into the main room, Tony didn’t see him at first as he was still talking to Griff.  Diablo quietly made his way around the room and came up behind Tony’s chair and nudged his elbow, chuffing softly.

Tony started at the nudge and then when he caught sight of Diablo’s huge head and equally huge teeth he scrambled to catch his balance as he fell off the chair.  As Griff roared with laughter Diablo sat in his cat form, lording over Tony who was obviously trying to get on his feet.

“Don’t run, Tony” said Griff still laughing. “Just stay still.  You know how big cats like to play with their food.”

Tony eased himself back down onto the ground again watching wide eyed as Diablo prowled around him, tail twitching and growling softly.

“Does he know who I am?”  Tony whispered to Griff.  Griff just laughed harder.

“Of course he does.  We are as aware in our animal form as we are in our human form.  However,” he said, not being able to resist a spot more teasing, “We are a little less prone to impulse control when we are in our animal form - More instinctive and inclined to act in an animal fashion, if you get my drift.”

“Okay,” Tony said shakily.  He carefully put his hand out for Diablo to sniff and was rewarded with the big cat sniffing his hand daintily before butting his big head under Tony’s hand.  Tony got a tiny chance to feel the softness of Diablo’s fur as Diablo moved past him and went to lie at Griff’s feet rubbing up his legs with his nose. Chuckling, Griff knelt down and ran his hands through Diablo’s fur, causing the big cat to purr loudly.

“Wow, Diablo, you are a truly magnificent animal,” Tony said quietly.  “Is it okay, if I get up now?”

Diablo looked across at the man still prone on the floor and nodded slightly before standing up and stretching his long muscles.  Only after he had flexed all four legs and the muscles along his back did he pad quietly into the bedroom so he could shift and get dressed again.  When he went back into the main room Tony was standing with his briefcase obviously ready to leave.  The man smiled as Diablo approached.

“I can see situations where Angel having a big
ass panther by his side could be a real bonus and an amazing back up.  It just reinforces my belief that you two will work really well together.  You do know though, that most states require large animals to have a suitably sized collar and chain on to be allowed out in public?”

Diablo snorted. “Like Angel gives a toss about animal regulations.  But it might pay to ensure that Angel and
I both have permits to own exotic animals, and you might also want to draw up marriage licenses to show we are married.”

“Na, na,” said Griff.  “I do plan on marrying you properly my sweet.  We can f
ly to New York and do it there.”

Diablo poked his finger in Griff’s chest.  “Excuse me.  One, you haven’t asked me yet; two
, I haven’t said yes, and three I am not marrying Angel Bandures, even if I say yes to you, if and when you ask me.”

Pulling Diablo in close to his chest Griff bent his head down to give the man he loved a scorching kiss.   He didn’t just take Diablo’s mouth, Griff plundered it, his tongue reaching into all of the crevices of the man’s sweet mouth.
  When both men finally came up for air Diablo had a decidedly glazed look in his eye.  He shook his head and then stepped back from Griff.

“I am learning you know, you can’t get everything you want from me just by kissing me senseless my lover.  You are going to have to pull something else out of the bag if you want me to agree.” 

Griff grinned.  “Oh I will,” he said, his voice deep and with that sexy rasp that showed he was not unaffected by the kiss.

“Hmm,” Diablo stepped back further as Griff started advancing on him.  “Er…what happened to Tony?”

“He left while we were ‘discussing’ our impending marriage.”

“You noticed his leaving while you were kissing me?”  Griff nodded, still grinning.

“Damn,” Diablo swore softly.  He moved into Griff’s embrace and wove his fingers up into Griff’s hair.  “I guess I am going to have to work on my own technique.”  Pulling Griff’s head down to meet his own Diablo took over the kissing side of things.  His tongue gently teased Griff’s lips, his mouth barely touching his lovers.  When Griff started to moan under the gentle tease Diablo pounced, gently forcing his tongue forward, into Griff’s willing mouth he quietly lapped and sucked and bit and teased the bigger man until Griff was writhing his body against Diablo’s in blatant need.

When Diablo lifted his lips from Griff’s the bigger man followed, chasing, trying to get more.

“Please Diablo, need you, need you so much,” he begged with a growl.

Grinning Diablo looked at Griff.  His mate’s pupils were blown, his eyes almost entirely jet black.  The puffed redness of his lips were the perfect contrast to Griff’s black goatee
- the man’s face screamed of lust and desire.

“What’s the matter lover, didn’t you hear the door?”  Diablo smirked as he wandered over to open the door of their suite. 
Opening it to the sight of Kane, Shawn, Scott, Troy and Dean, all dressed in leathers and boots he laughed.

“Come
on Angel, the gangs all here.”  Diablo nodded for the guys to come in before pointing to Griff who was still standing where Diablo had left him, “Don’t mind Griff he just needs a minute.  We were testing out some specialized FBI torture techniques.”