The night had not gone as well as he had hoped. What had begun with so much promise had become a series of highs and lows he could not have predicted.

Tiberius returned to Bait feeling conflicted. On the one hand, he was overjoyed. After the unfortunate incident at sea, Ryan had recovered beautifully and, ironically enough, her malaise, or his reaction to it, had cast him in a favorable light. His subsequent injury due to the flaming meat cooker had also turned out to be a positive, evoking the compassionate nature of his mate and her instinctive need to care for him. The highlight of his evening, of course, was when he had kissed her. In doing so, their bond had strengthened, allowing him to feel the depth of her desire for him and even catch a few glimpses of the incredibly intimate visions going through her mind.

Unfortunately, lurking beneath that lust and desire was a quagmire of disappointment and disgust. His mate was a woman of principle, and in her eyes, Bait was little more than a cesspool of human iniquity. As an owner, he was doubly reviled, because not only was he promoting such miscreancy but profiting from it, as well.

Tiberius understood why she felt that way. He had garnered enough glimpses to know that her unfavorable perspective was most likely rooted in her experiences as a police officer. Her exposure to the seedier criminal element had been decidedly negative and was bound to color her views.

While he understood that, he wanted to believe that she was open-minded enough to see that he was nothing like the Slick Ricks of this world. That yes, while essentially engaging in illegal activities, Bait also had a positive impact on the community, particularly for those with limited options. Bait afforded them choices that hadn’t been open to them before, including education, fair salaries, better working conditions, and health care, to name a few.

Convincing his principled mate could prove to be a challenge, but one he would gladly undertake. Many people now depended on him and Quintus, and if he could convince Ryan that he wasn’t simply lining his coffers, it would certainly make his path—their path—easier.

“What are you doing here?” Quintus asked, strolling into his office, looking quite pleased with himself. “I thought you would be sealing the bond with your mate. Was she not completely ensorcelled by your twenty-one-step romantic plan?”

Tiberius frowned. Quintus had been amused by his careful planning and attention to detail, believing outright seduction to be the proper course. Considering Ryan’s reaction to the sunset cruise and lobster as compared to his impromptu kiss, Quintus might have actually been correct in this case.

“Not quite.”

“A pity. I myself had a wonderful evening. Do you wish to hear of it?”

“Not particularly.”

“Well, I am going to tell you anyway, because I learned some interesting things about your mate.”

“Oh?”

“Do you remember the fiery redhead I spoke of the other evening? Well, I paid her a visit today. Did you know she owns and operates the pastry shop on the next block? Quite a good one, too. Ah, the female has a gift for crafting a buttercream icing that is absolutely out of this world. I highly recommend it, particularly on the nipples. And her Belgian chocolate ganache ... incredible! Somehow, the kinky little minx convinced me to dip my wick and went absolutely wild when I added crushed pecans to the mix. I tell you, my prince, chocolate is irresistible to human women.”

Tiberius, used to Quintus’s tales, waved his hand in a “get on with it” motion. “And this has to do with my mate how?”

“Oh, right. Well, according to the redhead, your mate is rather, well, I’m afraid there is no easy way to break this to you ... Your mate is rather parochial when it comes to pleasures of the flesh. It might behoove you to refrain from telling her your position here until the mating bond has truly had a chance to gain purchase.”

“I’m afraid your counsel comes too late, my friend. She already knows.”

“Ah,” Quintus said. “Is that the reason all did not go as planned?”

“In part.” Tiberius fixed them each a drink and recounted the events of the evening. When he finished, Quintus whistled.

“Bad luck for you, my friend, to find a mate who is not only appalled by creatures of aquatic origin but sexually repressed, as well.”

“She is not sexually repressed,” Tiberius countered, remembering the passion in her kiss and the erotic images in her mind. “She is selective. There is a difference.”

“Well, I suppose that is something the two of you have in common,” Quintus mused. “But what of the other stuff?”

“I must trust in the divine connection fate has forged between us. My mate is a reasonable woman with an admirable sense of right and wrong. I shall simply appeal to her logical mind and compassionate heart. I am confident she will come around in time.”

“For your sake, my friend, I hope that is true. However, you may not have as much time as you think,” Quintus said, sobering. “The fiery redhead was not the day’s only source of information.” He got up and paced in front of the sofa, something he only did when he was apprehensive.

“What has you vexed, my friend?”

“The visit from the cannabis merchant, Drew. Something did not ring quite true with his story, so I conferred with others who have proven reliable.”

“And?”

“And, even the mention of this ‘Black Eagle’ was enough to strike fear in their hearts. Prior to our arrival, he was quite high in the criminal power chain. Many of those we vanquished for their vile activities had been operating under his command. Apparently, he is displeased with our interference and wishes to rectify the situation.”

“Do we know how he intends to do so?”

“Not specifically, no. However, the general consensus is that his retribution will be executed with extreme prejudice.”

“A coup de maître?” Tiberius mused thoughtfully. “Clearly, he does not comprehend who he is dealing with. I have yet to hear of anyone capable of out-strategizing you, Quintus.”

Quintus accepted the compliment with a slight tilt of his head. “No, he will not be successful, and certainly not in a direct assault. However, we should inform everyone to be on alert. Those closest to us are in the most danger, your mate most of all.”

“If he even thinks of harming my mate, he will learn the true meaning of agony.”

“It is imperative that you solidify your bond as quickly as possible, Tiberius.”

“This is not something that can be rushed. If I push her too hard before she is ready, she will not accept the truth.”

“You say that you were able to feel her emotions and see some of her mental images?”

“The particularly strong ones, yes.”

“Then you have already forged a mental pathway. Perhaps you should consider visiting her in her dreams, when she is most susceptible to suggestion.”

“That is quite brilliant, Quintus.”

“I have my moments.” Quintus smirked. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must see about ordering more of that chocolate ...”

After Quintus left, Tiberius wasted no time in retiring to his personal chambers. He had some dream walking to do.