Chapter Sixteen
By the time they reached the cabin, Niles' car was already there. The door stood open, light spilling out into the darkness where Niles stood waiting along with Troy.
The van stopped and everyone got out, helping the former blood slaves into the cabin. Tank caught a glimpse of Ale and Troy hugging before the two walked in and closed the door behind them. Then everyone got to work.
Tank watched in amazement as Niles assessed and treated every slave, taking minutes to treat each one before moving onto the next.
Troy had food and drink prepared and after being treated by Niles, he made sure all of them had something to eat and drink.
Jacques appeared minutes after they had and was sitting quietly talking to some of them, holding their hands and whispering words of encouragement. Miguel stood nearby a tense look on his face and Tank approached him and reached out, hand on his shoulder.
"What's wrong?"
"Jacques is struggling but he won’t leave them. They thought they were free, and when each one of them left the hospital, they were there to pick them up. They know exactly what they were. Poor bastards had no chance of escape."
"Well, we’ve got them now. The vampires won’t get hold of them again."
Miguel nodded as he looked down at his feet. "I wish we could have done more sooner."
"So do I, but we’ve got them now. At least they’re out of that ring and can hopefully one day move forward with their lives."
Niles walked over to them and Tank hugged him, kissing him on the cheek. "How are you feeling?" he asked as he looked up at the deepening bruise on his forehead.
"I'll be all right. Better than them anyway. I think if we can keep them here for a day or two to give them chance to recover and then look to move them, that would be the best thing. They need at least that long just to regain some strength and put on a bit of weight. Some of their injuries need time to heal."
Chester walked over and reached out a hand to Niles, who shook it. "Thanks for being here, Niles. How much time do they need before we can move them to a safer location? A couple of days or longer?”
"I was just saying you’re probably looking at a couple days at least and then we can look at moving them. They need that long just to recover. They’re underweight, malnourished, and have been fed on as well. Plenty of good food, drink, and rest and hopefully in a couple days they’ll be ready. Have you got somewhere lined up for them?"
Chester nodded. "Several locations actually. We don't want to have them to move all together in case they are found, so they’re going to be separated into groups of two and then we’ll spread them out over the State."
“Good plan," Miguel commented.
"How’s Jacques handling this?" Chester asked, his gaze on Jacques as he sat with the former blood slaves.
Miguel shrugged, watching Jacques as well. "He wants to be here to help them, and whatever comes after that, we’ll deal with."
"Don't forget we’re all here for him if you need some support."
Michael nodded again. "I know, and thanks, guys."
Miguel walked over to Jacques and when Jacques saw him, he stood and hugged him, burying his face in Miguel’s neck.
"Right, they’ve been treated, they’ve had food, water, and medication. Let's get them all to bed and give them a few hours of rest and then we can start again in the morning."
The next hour was spent ensuring the location was safe and secure before they settled down to get some sleep. It was agreed that Ale and Troy would stay and would contact Miguel and Jacques if needed. They planned to meet up the following day to finalize the details.
Tank left, walking Niles over to his car, and when they reached it, Niles turned, and asked, "You coming back to mine?"
Tank nodded, leaning his hip against the car. "Yeah, I'd like that."
"We can talk more when we get there."
Tank pushed away from the car and watched Niles get in and drive off. He got in his truck, and with a last glance at the cabin, he too pulled away.
❊❊❊
Niles threw his keys on the kitchen table and opened the refrigerator, grabbing two bottles of beer. He heard the front door close, and Tank’s footsteps as he walked along the hallway. When he reached the kitchen, he paused at the door and they looked at each other across the room.
"So, how are we doing this?" Tank asked. He tugged on his hair and when he realized what he was doing, he dropped it with a grimace.
Niles chuckled. "We are going to have a drink, talk, and then, I believe, make up sex. I've heard that it's very good and I want to try it, to see if it's true."
Tank flashed a grin. "Okay, but I want you to know I told my family about you and, as I suspected, they disowned me."
Niles dropped his head. "God, I'm so sorry, Targon. If you don’t want this or you just want to talk..."
"No, it is the way they are." Tank shrugged. "But you know what, I think I’m better off without them because, with them, my future isn’t my own. It’s a future where they choose who I marry, and have my life all planned out for me, but it's not one I want. My future involves you. I meant it when I said I loved you, Niles. I'll do whatever I have to do to get you back."
"You told your family about us, and you’re here now. That's enough for me. All I’ve ever wanted was my mate. I love you too, Targon."
Tank glanced at the bottles in Niles’ hands, and murmured, "I don't really want the beer, do you?"
Niles put the bottles on the side and slowly walked over to Tank. When he reached him, he stared into his eyes, and said, "No, I only want you."
Tank lifted his hands, his fingers running over Niles ‘cheeks and he brushed his lips over Niles’. "I've missed you." The emotion was evident in the words.
"Missed you too."
The next thing Niles knew was Tank pushing him up against the wall as he ravaged his mouth, his hands tunneling into Niles' hair and holding him tight.
Niles opened up, letting Tank's tongue in and moaned deeply. He'd missed this, his mate, his touch, his scent.
Niles broke the kiss and grabbed Tank's hand, dragging him behind him as he ran up the stairs and into the bedroom. They stopped and stared at each other before Tank closed the distance between them and took Niles' face in between his hands.
"I love you," he murmured before kissing him again.
They kissed hungrily, pulling at the other's clothes, desperately trying to strip each other naked. When they finally had nothing but bare skin between them, they tumbled onto the bed and Niles' hands touched him everywhere they could reach. He needed to feel his mate’s skin under his hands, needed to touch him and stroke his flesh.
He rolled Tank over onto his back and moved down his body. He needed too much, wanted too much, as he sucked Tank's dick into his mouth, getting it nice and wet. He couldn't wait to feel his mate in him. He needed to feel him now.
This was where he was meant to be, and who he was meant to be with.