The time had come. All eyes were on him. Samuel needed to speak... but the words seemed stuck in his throat.
It was
he that had organised this meeting, booking an audience with Ben Samson and Kerr Galvin at their office space in The Luminary. Here they all sat in Kerr's office, finally settled in his lounge area after everyone had chosen their seat. Kerr was in one of the armchairs and Sam was in the other, opposite him, leaving Ben on the long couch in between and Remi on the plush
ottoman situated to the right of Sam's armchair. It was in the large space close to the plate glass wall and might have been brought there specifically to cater for Remi's wings. Sam was impressed, if that was the case.
So far, the only words spoken between the four men had been meaningless pleasantries. They'd exchanged names and polite enquiries after the general wellbeing of the others but now the pressure to get to the real agenda was on. Ben and Kerr were looking expectantly between Sam and Remi, the four of them forming a haphazard square (though Remi was sticking pretty closely to Sam, their knees pressed against each other) so that they could all see one another from where they sat. The vampire power couple had no idea why they were there, though, and they seemed eager to get on with it.
Sam swallowed and cleared his throat, realising belatedly that he hadn't planned out the content of the meeting into a strict order. He'd thought he'd just start at the most logical place and continue from there but, now that he was under pressure, that seemed like a really stupid idea. Why hadn't he made notes? Brought palm cards? Jotted something onto his phone? Beneath the scrutiny of Ben's intense gaze, he immediately felt like a failure and doubt undermined his resolve. He cleared his throat again, wondering if they thought he was overdressed in his grey suit and maroon tie. It'd seemed like a formal occasion, so he'd... his whirring thoughts cut off the instant he felt Remi's warm hand on top of his, stopping his fingers from tapping his knee with a gentle squeeze.
It was what he needed. A gesture of reassurance. With a grateful smile at his lover, Sam sat up a little straighter and looked Ben in the eye. "We're here for a few business-related things and some personal ones as well," he opened, relief trickling through him as his voice didn't waver. He sounded calm and together! He switched his eye contact, looking at Kerr instead. "We need your help. But let's start with the business." He looked back at Ben.
"We wanted to tell you that Remi got fined by the Ward for flying in the city uncloaked. We paid the fine but District Leader McCloud summoned him anyway. He made real nice with Remi but he didn't hardly spare me a glance," Sam drawled, a wry twist lifting the corner of his mouth. The apparent humour didn't reach his blue eyes; they showed how upset he'd been by Jake's treatment. "Interestingly - well,
generously, I guess - he's given the penthouse of The Capital building to Remi to live in. Bought it for him without being asked. Remi signed the papers and took it over last night and Jake was all over Remi, smiling and grabbing at him. All the while, he talked about what good
friends they'll be and how
glad he is to have an angel in the neighbourhood. My question is this: do y'all think he's gonna put Remi in danger? Like... what do you think he'll bribe Remi into doing?"
~*~
Kerr blinked at Sam's blunt question, finally managing to snap out of his worshipful daze. From the moment he'd first seen Remiel, with his oh-so-white wings, beautiful face and graceful demeanour, he knew he'd been staring. He hadn't been able to help it. The wings... they were just so
white and
real! They were huge and awe-inspiring and Kerr couldn't help but wonder what his long-dead mam would say if she saw him taking a meeting with an
actual angel. There was something so much more imposing about Remiel than Zoheret or Saraekiel could ever manage, he didn't know exactly why. Maybe it was just the shiny white feathers? Maybe it was Remi's palpable
goodness? Either way, he hadn't had to say too much during the initial conversation, allowing him to wallow in all his religious, fanboying glory over the angel in his office.
Nothing tainted awe like the mention of Jake McCloud, though. Kerr's brow furrowed and he glanced at Ben, immediately conflicted. Remi shouldn't have taken Jake's bribe in the first place, though he could understand the guy accepting. It wasn't every night someone offered you a multi-million dollar home just because they wanted to manipulate you. Kerr was also excited by the prospect that Jake wanted to buy Remi's loyalty so that he'd hold the best weapon against the dark angels infesting the city. Perhaps he'd even use Remi to attack? A thrill of excitement washed through him at the thought that Remi could
kill Saraekiel.
He held his tongue for the time being, his gaze raking Remi's form thoughtfully, wondering if this beautiful man could plunge a blade through the heart of his fucking nemesis and release him from the one blight on his relationship with Ben once and for all. A guy could fantasise.