"Do we have something going on here, Roman?” He glanced at the arm around him and then over at Roman.
"We do," Roman responded honestly.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for anything yet.”
"No rush, just making my intentions clear."
"Okay." He didn't sound upset or resistant, and that smile returned, so everything was going well. Then Roman's phone rang again. It was Samuel this time, and Samuel rarely called; he communicated through text almost exclusively.
“Hello.” Roman didn't get up but rather took the call there, and he kept his arm around Alex, idly running his fingers along his shoulder. If Alex heard anything or had questions, they could discuss it after.
“I spoke with Westley last night," Samuel stated. Westley was the coven's information specialist and capable of finding out anything about anybody, so Samuel had Roman’s attention. “I asked him about your beloved, the people he came to the club with last night, and the First National Bank. I asked him to find out whatever he could.”
“I’m listening.” What he had to say about Alex, Roman already knew, but his information on Jackson and the bank was eye-opening.
“The VP is a vampire named Finnian Shade, he's second in command of the Castile coven. Word is he has an affinity for the human Jackson Freed, and they’ve had a relationship going for months now." Samuel alluded to the fact that they may have an issue with the Castile coven, depending upon the relationship.
“The Bank has been operating as a money laundering site for the coven ever since several of their restaurants were bombed. Jackson has been a part of the laundering operation along with the vampires that are employed there. The other humans are not involved as far as Westley can determine.” Samuel gave the information solemnly without judgment.
Illegal activities were simply business as usual and not uncommon in their world. The only problem is the relationship between Jackson and Alex and the relationship between Jackson and Finnian. He didn't want his sweet beloved anywhere near Finnian Shade. The man had a dark reputation. Roman couldhandle him, but he doubted Alex could deal with someone like Shade turning on him.
“What is Jackson’s issue with Alex?” Roman asked, and he noticed Alex's attention suddenly focused on him and his phone call.
"Finnian Shade was showing interest in the new teller, and Jackson was getting jealous, according to the gossip." Samuel's tone changed to annoyance. “It’s all petty shit.”
"If that's Shade's stance, then he and I are going to have a problem," Roman stated, anger coloring his tone, but he managed to hold it down because Alex was listening.
"We'll take it as it comes, my friend," Samuel said. "I'll give this report to Drakon, so we'll have permission to do whatever has to be done when the time comes."
“Thanks.”
"If I hear anything more, I'll call." With that, he closed the call, and Roman tossed his phone onto the coffee table before turning his head to the right and catching Alex’s assessing gaze.
****
Alex couldn’t help but hear bits and pieces of the conversation, and it was obvious Roman didn’t care if he listened; otherwise, he would have left the room to take his call. He said some odd things like vampire and master, but Alex decided not to analyze that right now. Things were happening, and he had no idea what it all meant or where it would lead.
“What happened to Jackson?” He decided to start there.
“He was jumped in the alley, and he lay there till morning when garbage pickup found him," Roman spoke plain and simple, calm, no mood or theatrics. Roman watched and waited.Alex placed his hand on Roman’s muscled thigh because he wanted to, so he did.
"Thank you," Alex says while nodding his head and wearing a satisfied smile. “That is fantastic, I’m so happy for him.” The sarcasm brought a relieved grin to Roman’s face, and he pulled Alex in for a one-armed hug and placed a brief kiss on the side of Alex's head.
"Mr. Shade has no interest in me, and if Jackson thinks he does, then he is delusional." Alex wanted to make that very clear. He wasn't the type to sleep his way to a higher-paying position, and honestly, Mr. Shade would not lower himself to partake of the First National employee pool. “The Vice President observes staff from time to time and gives awards when warranted. He does not show interest beyond that, and he has never crossed a line as far as I'm aware."
“He and Jackson Freed are in a relationship, a physical relationship. Mr. Shade plows his ass on the regular.” Roman said all this and managed to keep a straight face. Alex could not believe it. "Jackson gets extra-long lunch breaks three times a week.” Roman raised his eyebrows in the universal way that channels understanding.
“How do you know all of this?”
"I work for a large organization. I have many sources and contacts, and we always keep track of rival covens. The affair is an open secret.” He added and dropped another kiss to Alex’s head. He loved the tenderness and connection those kisses conveyed.
“I had no idea that was going on. It’s so inappropriate." Alex twisted his expression, feeling the distaste of the information shared. "He's Jackson’s boss.” Roman smiled, seeming charmed by Alex's disgust.
“Jackson thought you were interfering with his sugar daddy, so he and a couple of friends tried to mess you up in the alley." Alex was having difficulty processing this information. The very idea that he would give it up for the boss was sickening.
“Well, Mr. Shade is handsome enough, I suppose, but it's just appalling, really. He's the boss, you don't fuck your boss. No one with an ounce of self-respect fucks the boss.” Alex made his stance on the subject very clear.
“Jackson had no such qualms, and I would appreciate it if you did not speak of Finnian Shade’s good looks in the future.” The expression Roman wore was hard to describe; it was a cross between playful and lethal.