Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Chapter 23 - IQ 147

ALEXEI

—What? — My lungs suddenly seem to have forgotten to do their job properly —. Xander... What are

you talking about?

—I'm sorry, Magnus — he mumbles nervously —. With everything that's happened, I've forgotten — I

notice his hands are shaking slightly and the eyes are wandering across the room, avoiding mine.

He's scared and now I'm anxious to know what he has to show me. I stroke his cheek gently, sliding my

fingers across his skin, down the contoured chin, lifting his face up, getting him to look at me again. His

pupils are dilated and constantly chews on his lower lip, leaving it red and shiny with saliva. I swallow a

sigh and try to concentrate on the subject.

—Tell me, kitty. Talk to me, I'm here for you — I try to keep my voice low and serene, I don't want him

to feel pressured to do anything he doesn't want to do.

—I have... I mean... — his hands are clinging tightly to my shirt —. If my equipment wasn't

disconnected during my... Absence — his gaze goes down in sorrow, before reconnecting it to mine —.

I may have evidence from inside Dimitri's mansion — I press my grip around him unconsciously, my

body is stiff and immobile as I watch Xander trapped in my arms.

—What are you talking about? — my tone a little more hostile than I intended, but I couldn't help it. If

what Xander says is true, we'd have a huge advantage over Dimitri.

—My piercing... My eyebrow piercing — he points with a small finger at the silver ring piercing in the

left eyebrow —. It's a camera.

—What?! — I immediately regret my reaction when Xander is startled —. I'm sorry, kitty. Forgive me — Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I rush to soothe him, running a hand through his hair repeatedly and leaving soft kisses on his face —.

But, Xander...

—I know. Believe me, I know — Looking away again at the revelation of my unspoken words.

The possibility that everything and I mean everything, has been recorded through that tiny camera on

his eyebrow is incredibly high, and the possibility that he is willing to expose that traumatic and

humiliating part of his recent past makes me incredibly proud.

There is no doubt about how brave and strong he is to be capable of facing it, especially so soon.

—I have to check my equipment first to be sure — he says after a moment of silence —. Didn't you

unplug it while I was gone?

—No. Everything was left as it was, except for when we had to do it before we came here — he nods

and slowly separates from me.

—Will you come with me? — A bit shy and insecure —. I don't want to do it alone.

—Of course, kitty. You don't even have to ask — I watch his Adam's apple move up and down before

turning, dress up quickly and head for the exit. I rush to follow him and now we're heading for the office

I set up for him.

Anxiety flows through my entire body, although I try to suppress it as much as I can since I don't want

him to feel it through our bond. By the time we get there, the room is in absolute darkness, so I hurry to

turn on the light as Xander initiates the computer. We both sit at the desk and stare at the startup logo

until he finally enters the main menu screen.

—Videos are deleted at the end of each month due to a setting I established — his hand rests on the

mouse and moves it, clicking on a series of encrypted and password-protected folders. I make sure to

save all his movements in my memory, just in case they are needed in the future —.if you ever need

access, the password is "MagnusCooky38".

—MagnusCooky38? — I ask with a laugh —. Really?

—Yes, you idiot — he stops to playfully punch my arm, but the smile on his face reveals to me that he

is not truly angry —. Don't mock, it's clever, no one would think of it — he turns and puts his attention

back to the screen.

—No, you're probably right — but I'm still laughing, relieved to have released some of the tension in the

air.

—Here they are — announces after a few seconds, pointing to a large number of videos with serial

numbers as titles. There are about fifteen, maybe more —. The recordings are automatically cut at

midnight and resumed at one o'clock in the morning.

—Doesn't matter how far away you are from your computer? — I ask surprised.

—No, the recording, once ready, is encrypted and uploaded to an untraceable email account and then

redirected to my computer — turning to see me —. As long as there is a source of Internet access, it

doesn't matter where in the world I am, the information will be properly stored.

—Well, it's a relief that Dimitri was stupid enough not to have his Wi-Fi protected — being ironic,

causing him to giggle.

—I don't think he's that stupid or careless. But the range of my little piercing here... — points back to

the pretty ring —. It's about two square miles. So someone within that limit did have their Wi-Fi without

a password.

—Two fucking square miles?! — My eyes open wide and I lean forward, closer to him —. Damn it,

Xander! Where did you get such a thing? — My eyes narrow, I look in shock at his pierced eyebrow —.

That thing is tiny for the amount of power and utility it has.

—I designed it myself — he reveals, excited, though he still laughs at my reaction —. One hundred and

forty-seven IQ, remember? — proud, while flicking his eyelashes.

—You should be working on bloody NASA, kitty — unable (or unwilling) to resist, I end up extinguishing

the short distance between our faces and I kiss him.

Fervently and intensely our lips move, savoring each other, and taking advantage of the solitude to

express our profound and powerful love. I do this because the carnal need, whenever I am with him, is

immense, almost overwhelming. But also because I know that what is about to happen next will be

quite a challenge and, although I do not doubt for a millisecond of his courage, I want him to be aware

that I will be here for him.

Xander groans softly between the kiss and that's when I force myself, with great effort and regret, to

split, ignoring the persistent and painful beat of my dick. Before I can't avoid taking things to the next

level, abusing his confidence. He gasps and leans his forehead against mine, while I try to get air into

my lungs again.

—I want to, Magnus — his voice just in a pitiful whisper, and I can see the emotional conflict developing

inside him —. But I don't know if I'm ready yet. I... — I place a finger on his lips, stopping him.

—You don't have to explain anything to me, let alone excuse yourself, Xander. Not now, not ever —

calmly but firmly, trying to express my sincerity —. I'll wait as long as you need it. The last thing I want

is for you to feel obligated to reciprocate. Okay? — He nods slightly —. Good, because I mean it. Only

when you're ready. Completely ready.

—I love you, Magnus. I truly do — he sobs sadly —. I don't know if I'm ready to see what's on those

videos and I don't want you to either. But I understand that it's necessary and, if it's going to help stop

Dimitri from continuing to cause harm to everyone around him, I'll take my chances.

He holds my face and whispers over my lips —. I just don't want you to hate me for it — My heart is

squeezed inside my chest and I feel like an incredible weight is resting on my back.

—What are you talking about? — confusion and anger battling inside me —. Why would I hate you? —

I separate from him so I can watch him in the eye —. He forced you, obliged you to do something you

didn't want to do, Xander. He took something from you that you weren't even willing to offer him and

nearly destroyed you. I could never hate you for that. Are you crazy? Why would you think something

like that?

—I... I don't know — tears slide down the cheeks and his body shakes. I approach and embrace him,

he sinks the face into my neck and inhales, managing to calm down almost immediately —.I thought

that... You wouldn't want me again when you found out that someone else could... Could have...

—Well, you thought wrong — I assure and interrupted him.

—It's just that I feel so dirty, Magnus — panting and my heart seems to be cracking some more —. So

broken, impotent. That I am no longer worthy of you. Please, help me — his arms encircle my neck and

press firmly —. I need you... So much.

—You have me, kitty — my throat is burning as I try to hold back the crying —. Everything about me,

you have it. Stop tormenting yourself like this. You're my partner, my life, the meaning of my existence.

If I have to repeat every minute how much I love you and how happy you make me, I will do it without

any doubts.

He kisses my neck and I shudder at the sensation of his sweet lips on my skin. We lasted a long time

there, hugging and saying nothing more to one another. Xander has stayed so still in my arms that I

thought he had fallen asleep, so I'm surprised when he finally wriggles out of my reach.

—Thank you — whispers, wiping the moisture from his cheeks with the shirt sleeves —. You make me

happy too, Magnus. Without you, I'd never overcome all this — he smiles at me and points at the

screen —. Shall we see them now?

—Yes, but we'll avoid the one that contains that... Event. Okay? — He nods and crosses the legs under

his body —. We'll focus on collecting as much information from the place as possible, every little detail

— I pause before adding —. Are you sure you want to do this? — he stares at me and in his eyes I can

see the determination and confidence burning brightly.

—Yes, let's do it.