Expecting The Unexpected

Chapter 5

“What do you mean?” Groth asked for the first time.

“I’m wondering if the reason those flash drives are scattered about, is so we are so busy chasing them for answers, and not watching what’s going on within our own house walls,” Hron stated thoughtfully.

Nodding, Groth replied, “That could be. But, the one we had did lead us to know about the originals being targeted.”

“Yes, but what if that flash drive was a lure. Give us a bite and we go for the entire fish, only to have a sea monster destroy us all when we’re not looking.”

Nodding, Groth finally spoke. “I agree it could be what’s happening. So, what do we do?”

“Throg? Any ideas?” Hron asked.

“Me? Why are you asking me?” Throg asked in surprise.

Hron snorted, “Throg you are older than dirt. You’ve seen plots and plans of all kinds, and security has always been your specialty. What do you think we should do?”

Throg thought for a moment. He was shocked that Hron would even ask his opinion on this, but was honored for the Caliph’s trust he was showing him. “I think we put two people on finding those drives, and we pull together our security team. With Dak gone, and you sending people to help him and Topaz find Jade, it kind of leaves us shorthanded, but maybe Petree would know of some good men that could help, and I think the gem brothers would be a huge asset. They know the people here, where you could hide bodies, and possibly even know a person that might shine a light on things.”

Shaking his head, Emerald replied, “No one has been talking about a coup that we’ve heard of, or we’d tell you.”

“Oh I have no doubt you would. I’m just saying that you know enough of the people here to ask around and see if they’ve heard anything in the rumor mill. The Nakaka are still leery of us.”

Holding his hand up to stop Hron or Groth from interrupting, Throg continued, “Yes, things are getting better, but you all know that they are still not as trusting as they need to be in order to talk to us about people spouting s**t about us being here, and if Tamale was behind a lot of what happened here, and these people knew or suspected it, they are going to be even less likely to trust us. However, the gem brothers offer a bit of familiarity, and with that they might be willing to talk to them.”

Nodding, Hron stated, “I agree. Are you three willing to help?”

“Of course, Caliph. We will start to discreetly ask around,” Emerald replied.

“Good. I welcome you to our guard,” Hron stated with a nod.

Emerald drew back, “Just like that?”

Shrugging, Hron replied, “I know you may not understand this, Emerald, but yes, just like that.

You three have helped raise your brothers into the men they are, and from what I’ve seen, they are great men. This wouldn’t be the case if you were bad men out to get me. So, yes, I welcome you into the guard.” Turning to his most-trusted ancient guard. “Throg, I know you’re supposed to be my guard, but I need your experience in investigation more than you standing behind me with your arms crossed looking badass.”

“What do you mean?” Throg asked.

Hron quickly answered, “I need the clutch protected. With Dak gone that means I need Groth to lead up security. You’re right that we still need to try and get our hands on those drives. I want you to lead that search.”

Nodding, Throg replied, “Of course, Caliph.”

Standing, Hron said, “Good. Get with Spencer and find me those drives.”

Throg’s eyes widened, “Spencer? Wh… um… I really don’t think….”

Hron’s features hardened. “I know you two butt heads, Throg, but he’s the best chance we have to help you figure out where those drives might be. His computer skills are beyond amazing. I expect you two to put your differences behind you and find those drives.”

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Throg rasped out. “Yes, sir.”

“Good, now I’m off to find my Viata. You all know what to do.”

As Hron and the others left the office, Throg stood there, seemingly unable to move. The thought of spending so much time with his Viata scaring him more than any threat the clutch might be facing.

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2 “I changed my mind. I don’t want to do this,” Spencer said, trying to turn around.

Elijah refused to let Spencer get away as he grasped him by the shoulders and turning him back around, “You need to know if you are pregnant or not, Spencer. My brother is a doctor, and he can help us find the truth, and because he’s a doctor, Caden is bound by client patient confidentiality. Now come on.”

Spencer sighed. Gods, how could he have been so stupid as to tell Elijah his suspicions? One time. It had been one stupid mistake… okay, that wasn’t fair, what had happened between him and Throg that fateful day wasn’t a mistake, at least, not to him. After all, Throg was his mate, and Spencer had been hard as a rock from the moment he had scented the man and realized who Throg was to him.

Spencer had been terrified, and as a result always seemed to be at his sarcastic best whenever he and Throg were in the same room from day one. After what had happened to him and his friends when the clutch had been taken over by Chantal and his goons, killing Caliph Tamale and his inner circle, the last thing Spencer had wanted was to find himself mated to a f*****g gargoyle, but fate had a funny way of not giving a crap what someone thought. However, Spencer had refused to go down without a fight, and it was one of those fights that had brought Spencer and Throg together in one of the most frenzied, animalistic fuckfests of his life. Just thinking about that day made his d**k hard.