The Two Kings (Afterlife Saga) Read online

  “Umm Kazzy, I think the stuff needs stirring.”

  “Oh fuggle! You know I’m blaming you if it’s burnt!” I turned to him but he just looked smug, when I walked in he held me back by my waist and said,

  “It will have been worth it.” Then he let me go to save the dinner. He followed me in and Libby was greeting him properly, the way our mother had taught us.

  “Dominic, it is nice to see you again.” She said putting on her posh voice, no scouse in sight! I giggled to myself while stirring the dinner which had started to stick slightly at the bottom of the pan. I turned the temperature down and Libby came walking in with two bottles of wine. I hadn’t even seen Draven with anything in his hands but me. Libby mouthed the words “fancy” at me before putting them in the fridge. Draven followed behind and smelled the air.

  “Mmm, smells good.” I smiled at the compliment before giving him a wink.

  “I have just got to cook the rice and then we’re good to go.” I said just as Frank walked in from outside. He walked up to Draven and extended his hand.

  “Dominic, how ya doing? I noticed the Aston outside, Man that sure is a nice car!” I hadn’t even noticed the car he came in but now I was trying not to laugh. I knew he would bring it but what he said next did shock me.

  “Well if it’s alright with Keira, then I thought you might like to take a drive before dinner.” Frank looked like he was trying not to choke on his happiness.

  “HOLY SHIT would I!” Draven laughed, especially when Libby hit him for being rude.

  “Sorry babe, Hey Kazzy you don’t mind, do you?” He looked at me like I held all his dreams in my hand and could crush them at any second.

  “No of course not, go and have sensible speed fun!” I said and he came up to me and ruffled my hair.

  “Thanks kiddo, we won’t be long.” I thought he was going to drag Draven’s arm out after he came over to me and kissed me before leaving through the door with Frank. Me and Libby both went to the window and watched as two huge men acted like big kids. First he showed him the engine and you could almost hear Frank’s enthusiasm as we both expected him to start jumping up and down. Then Draven slammed the hood and threw him the keys! None of us expected he would let Frank actually drive and from the look on his face neither did Frank.

  “Well isn’t that sweet of him. I have to say I’m impressed Kaz, he is making a real effort and I think if he ever needed a kidney then Frank would be first in line. He has a friend for life now.” I grinned at her before turning to boil the kettle. The grin was both down to my sister being impressed and the idea of Draven ever needing a kidney.

  By the time they returned, me and Libby were chatting about them both and I had consumed another glass of wine and Libby stuck to her OJ. The door opened to the sound of Frank swearing about the power of the engine.

  “Man that is some serious shit you got there, I thought I was gonna lose her on that Fuc…I mean… Goddamn corner!” Draven was laughing at Libby’s frowning face at catching her husband nearly saying the F word. She got up and walked past him shaking her head.

  “Babe! Aww come on baby, you should have seen me, it was awesome!” He said as he followed her out to set the table. Draven was still laughing as he came over to me.

  “That was really good of you. I think you made his year, oh and you also have a friend for life.” I said laughing as I turned around to stir the rice that was very nearly done. I felt his hands on my shoulders and he leaned down to whisper to me. He moved the stray hairs off my neck with his fingertips.

  “I didn’t just do it for Frank. I like to watch you smile at other people’s happiness, it makes your soul glow.” I turned round to face him grinning and I pushed him lightly.

  “Don’t tease!” I said and he held up his hands and said,

  “What me?” Before his cheeky grin fell on my happy lips. I wouldn’t let him fully kiss me as I didn’t want to get caught by my sister again.

  “Now who is the tease?” He flicked me playfully on the nose and I frowned making him let out a rough laugh.

  “Tables set, Dominic would you like to come through?” Libby said as she grabbed the wine.

  “Sure.” He said to Libby before she left to take the bottle to the table. He turned but then stopped to look over his shoulder at me like he had forgotten something.

  “Oh and Keira, I am looking forward to a whole evening where you have to call me Dominic.” Then he left to take his seat in the dining room, leaving me biting my lip as always. Dating him, I was surprised that I had any bottom lip left!

  Libby came back to help me carry the bowls of food to the table and when I walked through I suppressed a giggle at the sight of the table laid out with her best china and silverware. I placed the bowls down and lifted the lids to release the smell of fiery spices. I pointed out the hot one and the mild one for Libby and me.

  “Damn that smells good,” Frank stated as he dug in. Libby smacked his head lightly and it was like watching a big kid get a telling off.

  “Frank! Guests first!” She said and Frank rolled his eyes at Draven.

  “Aww Lib’s, dudes don’t care about that type of shi…stuff.” He nodded to Draven for back up.

  “It is fine, please.” He held out his hand for Frank to continue. This made him turn to Libby and give her a smirk like he had won a round. It was like watching a non violent Punch and Judy show. Frank piled his plate and then we all dug in.

  “Damn Kazzy this is hot stuff! What do you call it?” Frank asked as he shovelled it down like it was going out of fashion. I said the answer trying not to laugh.

  “Well I call it…. Kazzy’s devilled Chicken!” As soon as I said it, all eyes were on Draven as he had erupted into raucous laughter and couldn’t control it. Frank and Libby looked at each other like he had lost it, so I added ‘private joke’ which was the truth. Once he had finished with his outburst, he leaned next to me and kissed me on the head before saying,

  “It’s delicious.”

  Everyone had seconds and I loved to watch people enjoy my food. Libby rubbed her belly and said,

  “Well, the babe’s had enough, but thanks Kaz that was lovely.”

  “Yeah cheers Kazzy, hot as hell but damn good!” Frank said as I took his empty plate from him before he started to lick it clean like a dog. Draven stood ready to help me but I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him.

  “Its fine, I’ve got it.” But Libby got up to help me anyway and I knew this was more down to her wanting to gossip in the kitchen.

  “Right, come on, please tell me…what’s wrong with him?” Libby asked as I opened the dishwasher.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh come on, there must be something wrong with him, otherwise we might have found the worlds most perfect man and then we could sell his DNA for millions!” I laughed with her but she was trying to be serious. I couldn’t exactly say “Well he is half Demon!”

  “So let’s look at the evidence, he’s kind, generous, rich, a perfect gentleman, utterly gorgeous to look at.....” She was counting off his plus points on her fingers and had to swap hands to continue, there was that many.

  “Oh yeah, and let’s not forget according to you, an absolute sex God in the bedroom with an extreme amount of equipment! And saving the best for last…he clearly and completely adores you!” She had me blushing and I was glad I was hiding my head as I loaded the dishes.

  “Come on...please give me something!” I shook my head at the conversation we were having and let the door slam.

  “Ok, so what’s wrong with Frank?” I challenged.

  “His feet reek!”

  “Libby!” I shouted at her for being mean….ok I knew it was true so I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “What? They do, and we’re talking premium French cheese style! And he snores. So that’s two things….your turn.” I got the cake out to cut it in half and started to add the whipped cream to the middle. Libby passed me the strawberries out of the fridge.
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  “Well there is one thing….he stares at me too much.” I said quietly but she just laughed, not taking me seriously.

  “Oh, poor you! Come on, that’s not a fault, why would you mind that?”

  “Well you know I get all shy and besides, it’s intimidating. He can be intense but mainly I don’t understand why he does it.” This made her smile turn serious.

  “Oh Kaz, it’s not hard to understand at all. You do remember all the attention you got in school? Everyone fancied you but they weren’t brave enough to ask you out.”

  “That’s not true!” I was getting defensive now but Libby wouldn’t back down.

  “Oh Kaz open your eyes, you’re beautiful and you never needed flashy, short clothes or loads of makeup to achieve that and sat in there is the proof! I mean, even now you have Justin drooling at the very sight of you. Frank said his brother was gutted to find out you’re dating someone. Does Dominic know you’re taking him to his club next weekend?”

  “No and I need to talk to you about that.”

  “Oh no, you can’t back out, do it for Frank and just palm him off with your friend RJ when you get there but please just do it this one time…ok?” I would have loved to have said no but she knew my guilt would be on her side, so I just nodded.

  “Ok, but I’m doing this for Frank!” I said sternly wondering how the hell I was ever going to break it to Draven? The thought created butterflies in my food filled stomach.

  “Anyway, getting back to Dominic, I’m just glad you have met someone that makes you so happy and he’s lucky to have you in my opinion.”

  “Thanks Libs and if I find out his feet smell or he grinds his teeth in bed then you will be the first one to know.” She hugged me and kissed my cheek.

  “That’s all I ask.” She said as I was still spreading the cream on the bottom base of the cake. She watched me as I heated the chocolate for drizzling like a women possessed. It soon became apparent what Libby’s cravings were when she had Frank running out at stupid hours to get her bars upon bars of chocolate.

  I added the sliced strawberries to the cream base before putting the top on. Then after putting it on a large plate, I poured on the runny, chocolate goodness and I thought Libby was going to pounce on me. I asked her to carry in the dessert plates for me as I thought it would be safer than giving her the cake, she might have run out of the house with it!

  On my way there I continued to think about the conversation and how glad I was that Draven didn’t just walk in on it, when I froze and nearly dropped the cake. My heart started pounding in my chest and my palms started to instantly sweat!

  I had forgotten the most important factor to dating a half Demon half Angel boyfriend…

  Supernatural hearing!

  Chapter 17

  Embarrassing Past.

  Libby looked at me as to why I had stopped dead in the hall way. What could I say? That Draven had most likely heard our entire conversation! Oh No, then it hit me, it wasn’t only the stuff about Justin that he had heard. Well one thing was for sure, if he didn’t know what I thought about sex with him was like, then he sure did now….In great detail!

  I knew I had to move but I couldn’t get my legs to work and Libby had given up waiting for me to come to my senses. I was staring down at the cake in my hands wishing it would just self combust so I didn’t have to go back in there. Libby shouted my name impatiently and when I didn’t answer, I heard her chair move along the wooden floor. Soon I found hands quickly taking the cake off me only they didn’t belong to Libby as I had thought. They were Draven’s and another thing I was forgetting about my unusual boyfriend was his ability to sense my thoughts when I was in meltdown mode!

  “Keira, look at me.” His voice was soft and gentle but I knew once we were alone it wouldn’t remain that way for long. I bravely did as I was asked and met a pair of dreamy dark eyes. He dipped his head closer to mine and I thought he was going to kiss me, he was so close.

  “Come back to the table, we will discuss this later and don’t worry…I’m not angry.” He said before taking my hand and leading me back to the dining room.

  “Kaz what have you been doing?” Libby eyed me questionably and Draven came to my rescue as I couldn’t think quickly enough.

  “She forgot a knife to cut the cake with, didn’t you love?” He said sweetly and then produced a large kitchen knife from behind his back as he placed the cake down. I just bit my lip and took the knife from Draven with shaky hands. I was about to start cutting the pieces when my hand felt all warm and tingly.

  It started to move without me controlling it and I knew Draven was worried that I wasn’t up to the task of holding a sharp implement. My hand and his mind cut everyone a piece and as soon as I placed my own down in front of me the knife was put down and I was once again in control of my own body parts. I felt Draven’s hand squeeze my leg under the table and when I looked to my side, he was smiling at me. This made me relax enough to start up the conversation again. Only Libby beat me to it.

  “So Dominic, I gather now you and Kazzy are dating, you will be staying in town longer than you usually do?” Libby asked as she devoured her baked dessert. Draven smiled at her question before answering it.

  “Yes, I will be making my stay here more of the permanent kind, however, I will still need to leave for a few weeks at a time for business but I will only leave when it is convenient for Keira to travel with me.” Libby looked just as shocked as I did. He wanted to take me with him! I was almost giddy at the thought!

  “Well that will suit Kazzy alright, she’s always loved to travel.” She nodded to me to jump in but I was still surprised at this new bit of information. We had never talked about his work before, let alone the idea of that work taking him from here. When I first found out that the Dravens didn’t come here for more than a few weeks at a time, I had just assumed that one day they wouldn’t be here and I would have to find a way to get over him. But then, of course, things changed when Draven and I had become an item but still, we had never spoken about the future. So to find out that I would be expected to follow him around the world was an easy addition to our relationship. Libby however looked both happy for me but also gutted that I would be taken from her for weeks at a time.

  “Can I ask what type of business you are involved in?” This was one thing Libby had always wanted to know but I still went red at her questioning.

  “Lib’s! What’s with the firing line?” I said but Draven just put his hand on mine and smiled.

  “Keira it is fine, I do not mind explaining my business. I deal in a lot of investments all around the world. These vary from anything to property, shares, nightclubs, casinos, hotels and even banks. My family have their hands in many different businesses but mainly we provide the money behind new ventures. Some payoff more than others, of course.” He said this with such business efficiency that it made me want him to repeat it to me in the bedroom, while he was wearing one of his expensive suits. Hearing this wasn’t just a first for my sister as I also didn’t know until now what his business entailed. Now I knew it was a bit of ...well.... everything!

  “And you mentioned family, do your parents also deal in investments?” Her question was a perfectly normal one…that is if his parents hadn’t been a high ranking Angel and Demon still living in Heaven and Hell! Oh dear…. I bit my lip and took a huge gulp of my wine that finished it off. Draven picked up the bottle and refilled mine before doing the same for Frank and himself.

  “No, I am afraid my parents are no longer with us. My brother and sister also share in our business but as the oldest, I am in control of the family’s assets, which includes running the company... most of which I can do from any country, with the occasional business trip” Ok now it was getting hot in here, why did he have to keep talking like that, it was just making my sexy fantasies aroused, one of which was where I would be his naughty secretary! And did he just say he was the oldest? I thought they were triplets. I quickly started to rack my brain as to
whether or not I had told my sister that? Then his hand gripped the inside of my thigh and I felt strong fingers start to caress closer to my sweet spot.

  I needed to focus, for starters this was most definitely not the time to be thinking about him ripping off more of my clothes, not at the dinner table with my pregnant sister and brother-in-law present. I tried to squirm away from his hand but suddenly his grip tightened before the point of pain and only eased when I shifted back closer to him. My god, he was demanding!

  “I am sorry to hear about your parents Dominic and I’m sorry for my curiosity, Kaz hasn’t really told us much about you but I guess seeing as you have only been seeing each other a short time then it’s understandable.”

  “I really don’t mind your questions Libby, I understand that our family generates a lot of questions when we come here and no doubt small town gossip follows but there is nothing out of the ordinary at our reasons for being here.” He said this with such ease that I choked on my mouthful of wine and started coughing at the burning in my throat. Draven started to pat me on the back and Libby passed me her water.

  “Sorry, went down... the... wrong way.” I coughed out again as it was like trying to swallow the lies that flowed so easily from his cunning lips. Oh man, now he was good, hell... he was a master at it and I suppose years of having to deceive humans helped. When I was drinking my water Draven eyed me as if to say “That didn’t help” but I just kept my eyes down.

  “Sorry Dominic you were saying?” Libby motioned for him to continue after my little episode.

  “Just that the reasons behind the VIP not admitting locals is that my clients prefer to keep their privacy and business intact. Only Keira has been allowed to work up there and this was for two reasons, the first being she was not tainted by small town gossip and knew what it meant to be discreet. And well the second reason…was more of a personal nature.” He grinned to himself at being able to watch me freely when I first started to work there.