To Collar and Keep (12 page)

Harley smirked. “Generous, Ben, quite.” He turned to Bella and Mina who were watching intently, Mina’s hand inside Bella’s shirt stroking her nipple. “And does this suit you, love? Being close to your playmate?”

“Yes, very.” She nodded happily.

“Don’t call me generous till you see the paperwork,” Ben said.

“Paperwork? Nothing doing there. And I expect it. I mean getting the old stuff back and running. What’s your plan, Ben? Aside from sitting here watching the girls enjoy each other. I mean for the future?”

“Plans? I have my fair share,” he said noncommittally.

“Yeah, that’s the answer I expect for anyone not part of this clan,” Harley said.

“Then you’ll understand why I’m keeping mum till you cross over officially.” Ben gave him a shrug. “Sorry, cousin, I don’t think you’ll run to Boris to curry favour.”

“Sure as shit right there. So what is the deal here? I mean does Corbin have any clue how we do this and make it all legal?”

“
Funnily enough he mentioned it earlier.
It should be a declaration of intention before witnesses, maybe a blood oath for show.”

“Whatever gets ya hot, Ben.” He grinned and looked over at the girls again who had begun kissing each other sweetly.

“Cousin, you don’t get me hot in the slightest. They on the other hand.” Ben smirked at the girls. “Mina, love, I’m beginning to think you’re undersexed.”

Mina smiled at Ben. “No, just keeping my blood up for you. And why can’t I enjoy Bella? Harley doesn’t seem to mind.”

Harley grinned. “You got me there.”

“I didn’t say you shouldn’t. I’m very much enjoying watching you both,” Ben said.

“Then by all means ladies, enjoy yourselves while we talk business.” Harley winked at Bella. “So? You decided to move the clan completely to the compound? I think it’s a smart move.”

“I think so, it’s much safer. Not that we’re under threat in any way, but it means I can keep an eye on everyone.”

“How many people can the compound support? I mean, do you still have the staff?”

“About seventy-five more at a push. We have a full staff, hired with the help of a telepath friend of mine.”

“Well then, that’s good.” Sighing, Harley sat back and watched his woman and Mina kiss in a tangle of limbs. “Tonight’s dinner is going to be interesting. The question is should I go and see him like a man in private, or do it at the event tonight?”

“That depends on how much you respect the man,” Ben said.

Well, that was the question, wasn’t it? “He is my father, taught me to be the Satyr I am today. And I don’t wanna upset my mother.”

“Then you should give him the heads up. I can send Corbin with you if you like…and keep Bella company here.”

Harley grinned. “Yeah, I bet you will. Bella? What do you think? You wanna stay and play with Ben and Mina?”

“Will you be okay without me?” she asked.

He nodded. “I think it’s for the best, love, less I have to worry about.”

She nodded her understanding. “Just be careful, okay?”

He smiled. “Bella, he might be shady when it comes to Rummer issues, but he is my father, and I am his only son. Mother wouldn’t stand for him hurting me in any way.” The words left his mouth as a comfort for his female, but he didn’t really believe them.

Boris was ruthless and loved to win. He would sacrifice his knight, even his queen, if it meant winning the game of chess. Harley had seen him do it, and he didn’t think him and his mother were any different.

“Ben, call Corbin,” Harley said. “I would like to know what his thoughts are on this before we change history.”

“I’ll get him to come up,” Ben told him, giving him a look that said he knew exactly what type of man Boris was.

He stepped away to make the call and came back a few moments later. “He’ll be right over. I don’t believe he gave the impression he thought it was a good idea.”

“What, confronting my father or going alone? I, sure as shit, am not going alone. I’m defecting, not stupid.”

“You could use the phone or email him.” Corbin walked in, looking flushed. “I doubt even I could stop one of Boris’ rages.”

“Well, yeah, I’m a lot of things, but a coward isn’t one of them. He will be pissed, but he likes his place too much. So you in, Corbin?”

“You two are going to be more trouble than I thought.” Corbin sighed, shaking his head. “Fine, I’ll go with you. If I get to hit him, it’ll be worth it.”

“I’m hoping he’s gentleman enough to not resort to violence.”

“Still a Satyr can hope.”

Bella sat frowning at them both. “No trouble?”

Harley smiled at her. “I’ll be fine, you have fun with Mina and Ben. They will keep you well occupied.”

“Hmmm,” she said, sounding unconvinced, and he doubted it was about Ben and Mina’s ability to occupy her.

“Don’t worry, beautiful. I’ll bring him back in one piece.” Corbin beamed at her then clapped Harley’s shoulder. “Come on, kiddo.”

* * * *

Harley walked with Corbin
into the morning room of his father’s suite where Stephanya sat with a look of surprise on her face.

“Harlequin, this is a nice surprise! Where is Arabella?” she asked. Looking past him to Corbin, she frowned. “I know you.”

“That’s a nice surprise because I know you too.” Corbin smiled politely.

“C-Corbin? Is it you?” she asked and cocked her head. “We thought…we thought you were dead.”

“Me?” he sounded offended. “Please Anya, I have more lives than a cat. Despite some people’s efforts.” He directed the last at Boris. “I had to move quickly. How have you been, love? I kept an eye on you.”

Smiling, she went to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I am well, very proud of my Harlequin here.” She smiled at him. “I assume you aren’t here for a social call though.”

“They are here to see to see me, Steph.” He nodded to his Beloved. “We need some privacy, my love. Go to the spa. I expect your hair and nails done tonight.” He turned from her and looked at Corbin. “Am I to assume you are here to talk about joining Rummer?”

Corbin smiled, ignoring Boris and hugged Stephanya back, kissing her on the cheek. “Enjoy your day, princess.”

“We should catch up.” She looked at Boris and back at Harlequin. “Give Bella my love, darling.” She grabbed her purse and walked out of the suite.

Harlequin looked at his father. “A word, Father?”

“Of course. I’m dying to know why Corbin has shown his face after so long.”

“I’m sure Lord Corbin will indulge you, but I have a pressing matter.”

Boris frowned. “So? Corbin? What do you have to say for yourself?” he said, ignoring Harley.

“You know me, Boris, I get bored easily. I only ever pop up when things look like they’re going to get interesting. You should let your son speak, Boris. He has some bright ideas.”

“I am more interested as to why you are here with him. I wasn’t aware he knew his long lost uncle.”

Harley looked over at Corbin, and Boris smiled. “What? He didn’t tell you? He is your mother’s brother, which is the only reason I allow him to be so familiar with her, family and all.”

Harley decided to not let the information sway him. “Regardless of who he is, I’m here to talk business with you, Father.”

“So he is here to join Rummer, or are you taking me up on my offer? I have them both picked out, beauties in their own right. Callisa and Lenora.”

“No, Father, I’m not here to accept anything on that side of it.”

“And neither you should,” Corbin said. “Your father seems to be mixing up his words again, it happens in old age. He meant to say harpy instead of beauty, and I don’t even know what you meant by allowing me to talk with Anya. You don’t allow me to do anything. You have no control whatsoever over me, and if you think to control Anya in that way, we’ll have to rethink those words we had when I allowed you to take my little sister away.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Now why don’t you stop talking and listen to your son, though if you were capable of that, I doubt you’d be in this mess in the first place. Just try.”

Boris laughed. “And the coward gets a spine. It’s sad really. Corbin, you had it in you to be quite a Satyr. Now you’re just a low life running with the next generation. So what is it, Harlequin? Bella not what you imagined? She seemed like it last night, I’m surprised you allowed that with her father and clan present.”

“What I do with my Beloved is my business, Father. Now if we can focus on the reason for my visit, I need to know why you haven’t declared me as your successor.”

Boris leant back on the side table and smirked. “Why? Because you’re not. Not now anyway, you haven’t earned it.”

“Excuse me?”

Corbin chuckled, then smiled brightly. “I’m going to enjoy this.” He walked to the bar, helping himself to the good stuff, always keeping an eye on Boris.

“A prince must be willing to do anything for his clan, including taking extra women. It’s what’s good for the clan, and his holdings.”

“So you’re telling me that because I won’t take two other women and create a harem, I have no place at Rummer?”

“Not no place, but no place visible,” Boris said and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Son of a bitch,” Harley said and looked at Corbin who smiled and took a long drink of the scotch in his hand. “Well then, I’m going to have to resign.”

“Excuse me, Harlequin?”

“You heard me, Father. I’m not a puppet, and I’m not your bartering tool.”

“Oh, I happen to think you are. And where would you use that degree that means so much to you if not with Rummer?”

“I think Esben has something in mind for him at Tempest. Really, pushing Harley away has done him a wonder in benefits.” Corbin smiled. “Odd how the younger generation is suddenly the future of our race. It’s not surprising that’s often how life works. Maybe I’ll be a great Satyr after all. Eh?”

Boris, for all his refined finesse, turned purple with rage. “Bullshit. I won’t allow this.”

“You can’t stop me. You stonewalled me in my own clan, and I’m young enough, and not declared as a full clan member by your own doing, so I, like all the other young Satyrs here, can choose my own fortunes anywhere I see fit.”

“No, you can’t, not and keep Arabella. She was gifted to Rummer, and I gifted her to you.”

“And it’s against the law to steal collared women, we all know that,” Corbin said gleefully. “If he hadn’t collared her, it would be a different matter, but as it is, Bella is staying where she is. But I hate to think how this makes you look to the Greek contingent. You gave his prized daughter to a son you didn’t even think worthy enough to succeed you, and he took the girl and left for Tempest. If it makes you feel any better, Bella’s brother’s moved to Tempest as well.”

Boris’ eyes narrowed on Corbin, then he looked at Harley. “You do this, and you’re dead to me and your mother.”

Harley sighed. “You do this, and you will never know my children, and neither will Mother. Don’t push my hand, Father. You need me much more than I need you at this point.”

“Bullshit. You are nothing without Rummer.”

“That is where we differ.”

“Harlequin… Last chance…,” he said and pushed off from the table, stalking forward with violence in his eyes.

Corbin was in-between them before Harley could blink. “Touch the boy and your life won’t be worth living,” he growled low and threatening. “Now, so far, we’ve all been rather amicable. Let’s try and keep it that way. I doubt Anya would be pleased at being cut off from her only chance at grandchildren.”

“What she wants means nothing! Harlequin, this isn’t over.”

“It is, Father. I’m taking my rightful position with Tempest. I am half Tempest after all. There’s nothing to stop me, not in the eyes of the council. You can’t say shit.”

“No!” Boris said and stepped forward, his body a tight string resonating his caged malice. “You will not help that half breed bring Tempest back to glory.”

“Careful there, Boris. Don’t wanna blow a blood vessel. That half breed you’re talking about is mine to protect, as is Harley.” Corbin made sure his body was between Harley and his father at all times. “You wouldn’t happen to have a problem with Tempest’s former glory, do you? It’s not very glorious at the moment, but still, we manage to look more appealing than Rummer to your own son.”

“Sod off, you coward!” Boris said and swung at Corbin.

He ducked easily. “I’m the coward? What gives that impression?”

“Enough!” Harley sidestepped Corbin and decked his father, sending him sprawling. “This is over. In one hour I will be a full member of Tempest, and you will have to deal with all your bullshit yourself. You fucked this one, Father, and nothing now will change it. Resorting to violence? I thought you were more refined.” He dropped his wallet with his corporate cards, ID and keycards to his parents’ house in it.