"Uncle!" three small dumplings attacked me, before I could respond.

"I did not see you since... since... forever! You, you abandon me-e!" Dumpling number three stated as he scaled my body.

"What! No!" I feigned sorrow and exasperatedly opened my eyes in shock as I looked down to him.

Unable to keep up the façade I broke into big smiles and pinched his chubby cheeks. I helped him secure a seat in my arms and ushered in the other two boys.

Axel grunted, "Who trained you hooligans! I am the man of this house! You should greet me first!" His words started strong, but withered into a playful laugh at the end.

"Alright, alright, that is enough go back to what you were doing." He chased them off. I tried to place dumpling number three down. No matter how hard I tried he wouldn't rest his feet on the floor.

"Hey come now no pouting we'll play later. Okay?" He shook his head, gripping me tightly. Four minutes and a lot of promises later, I finally got him off me. He ran 'tap tap' down the hallway on his chubby legs to join his older siblings.

"Is it just me or are they getting bigger?" I stated in confusion.

Gentle laughter could be heard from around the corner.

"Yes they are. They've inherited their father's gene's it seems," said Michelle, as soon as she saw us. She greeted us both and showed us to the dining room. We entered closing the wooden double doors behind us.

"This better be worth my time!" The anger in my voice could not be hidden. The current occupants of the room glanced at each other and looked back at me.

"Boss, we didn't expect that you would come here today."

Irritated, I cut them off, saying, "The point is?" I stared at the man and woman duo before me.

"Tendom is making big moves in all of his territories. They have been lynching our men in droves." said Tina. That sleazy mother fucker! Who...

"What is the status of those who survived?" said Axel. His words effectively broke my train of thought.

"We haven't had any contact since Thursday," said the man who went by Feerel. I walked off.

"Today is Monday! What is your purpose if you only bring old news!" I shouted at them. The woman flinched slightly. Axel waved away my words.

"What we need to do is get a full report on all of his actions in the last year. You can't pull something of this magnitude out of your ass."

I stared at the two who listened to Axel's instructions. Why do I feel like I got the worst breed of followers in the entire history of this family! All the previous heads had the perfect group working closely with them. I get ... this! The discontentment in me surged like a tidal wave rushing inland.

"If that is all, then get to work!" The two underlings left the room quickly without looking back. Axel sat down at the table.

"What do you think he's up to?" said Axel. I looked away.

"I don't know." I passed my hand through my smoky grey hair. "I've lost my appetite. In fact I need a drink and some peace of mind." Catching on to the clue Axel got up and walked me out to my car.

"Hey if anything comes up give me a call." said Axel, while leaning on the car. I smiled.

"Always! Brothers?" I asked, holding my hand out. He smiled. It was infectious and I soon found myself beaming back at him.

"Brothers!" I replied.

Axel held my arm at an equal distance giving it a slow, but firm squeeze. I avoided his eyes pretending to not notice the emotion held in them. I pulled my hand back into the car. Driving off, I was unsure of when I'd see him again. Brothers or not, everyone needs space. I headed back onto the highway with the perfect spot for a drink in mind. Centuries Pub.

The smell of alcohol and cheap perfume filled my senses. This may not be 'la crema de la cosecha' in terms of hotspots, but it had its merits. I walked up to the counter. A slim man with soft features addressed me.

"Hello. What can I get you today sir?" said the bartender. I smiled lazily.

"One pint of the house specialty." He took out a glass and filled it up.

"Here you are, one craft beer!" I thanked him and paid, leaving a generous tip. The few patrons of the bar appeared drunk and on the verge of falling over.

My dark eyes glazed over, as they landed in a corner to the far left. Leaning back in the most relaxed manner sat a man nursing his glass. His hazel eyes, round and somewhat alert were focused solely on the bottle before him that was sitting on ice. I walked over. Taking in his lean, muscular body that pulled against firm, dark brown skin, I bit my lip.

Not realizing I had reached the table, I looked into his eyes, saying, "Do you need help with that?"

Five seconds had yet to pass when I heard him mutter, "Well aren't you handsome!"

His deep voice stirred within me and I quickly responded, saying, "I'm not half as handsome as you." Embarrassment covered his face. My eyes followed his every move. Waiting on that perfect opening. The handsome guy chuckled to himself. There we go!

"Hey can I?" I pointed to the seat across from him.

"Yeah why not?" He said. His smile revealed two perfect rows of white teeth. Oh God.

"I'm so rude. My name is Ace. What's yours?"

"Damien," said the handsome man. I raised an eyebrow while giving him a quick once over.

"That's hot!" His eyes opened ever so slightly in shock. I took a few gulps of the beer. He turned to the side avoiding my eyes. Did I read him wrong? Maybe he's not ...

"Thanks," said Damien. He scrunched his face in drunken confusion. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." He said as he turned his attention back to me.

"I doubt, but the same could be said about you," I replied. He froze after hearing my words. Fuck.

"Relax! Relax we're here for the drinks no?" I quickly smoothed over my words, before taking a sip of beer. If there's even a slim chance of having him, I'm not letting him run away!

"Yeah, but I think ... I've had too much to drink. I ... have to ... leave." His words came out a tad slurred. "We should keep in contact though!" said Damien. He looked at me with a hopeful expression.

"Sure!" I responded before giving him my personal number. He pulled out his phone and saved the number. I took in his side profile. Short cropped black hair, prominent checkbones, a sharp angular jawline, full flush lips...

Damien's chuckles garnered my attention. "Bite any harder and you'll bleed." I snapped out of my thoughts. Fuck, I did not just stare like that! I released my bottom lip and avoided his gaze. He got up and removed the half empty bottle from the container. Darkness? I looked up to see him hovering over me.

In the span of a heart beat he reached out placing his soft lips on mine. The chill of the beer warmed in me instantly. My eyes fluttered closed. I followed the tempo he set; Allowing him to roam my mouth without restrictions. His tongue teased mine slowly, taking the air away. Yes! I moaned into his kiss. He released my lips from his passionate touch. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe, in the next second I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Don't forget to message me." I whispered hoarsely, as I stared into his hazel eyes. He smiled tracing his index on the outline of my lips.

"I won't." He took back his finger and turned around. I watched in the direction that he left in long after he exited the building.

Did that just happen? F...

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