Death Kings

**Slater**

“They were looking for me all this time,” Artemis gasps from the doorway.

“Ven aquí, Diosa,” I order.

She complies, walking over to sit in my lap sideways. I wrap her in my arms. She lets out a sigh, relaxing with her nose buried in my neck. She licks it before popping her head up. I moaned softly, but she wasn’t paying attention to me. Her focus was on examining Preston Chancler. The way they are studying each other is by charging the atmosphere. Hunter sizing up prey to be devoured, only I couldn’t tell which one was which.

“Aye que lástame, ustedes dos! Absolutamente no. Ya hay demasiados hombres con los que tengo que compartir. NO!”

“You can cut the sexual tension in here with a knife. Why is Slay frustrated? Something about too many men he must share with. Share what with whom?” Camden comes in, asking questions with his eyes locked on Artemis.

He takes a moment before he finally notices Preston. “My pocket psychopath whispering boyfriend is here!” He then wraps his arms around Preston from behind, lifting his slighter body in the air.

To Preston’s credit, he doesn’t squirm out of Camden’s arms. He must remember their first meeting five years ago. Wiggling equals Camden tightening his embrace. Preston just relaxes until Camden places him on his feet once again.

Preston whorls on Camden with a finger to the larger man’s chest. “What have told you about calling me? A- being called pocket size is offensive. B- I’m not a psychopath whisper! I’m an operative handler. C- I’m not your boyfriend.”

Camden gives a droll look. “You’re as short as Artemis and need to eat more. She is healthy. Do you even eat?”

A snort sound unbidden from me I clear my throat attempting to hide that awful Camden encouraging sound. Artemis, though, is in the throes of an uncontrollable belly laugh. She is laughing so hard that she is having difficulty breathing. Preston's eyes are shooting daggers at me, but when he looks at Artemis, amusement shines in his eyes instead.

When she has calmed down, wiping the tears from her eyes, Preston extends a hand to Artemis. Camden is wrong, they aren’t the same height. Preston is an inch or two taller. She shakes it as he introduces himself. “Preston Chancler. You must be the beautiful Artemis. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Artemis returns the shake. “Cam must like you. He rarely lays claim to people,” she responds.

Preston chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his head. His arms are defined with muscle when he flexes. It shows off the tattoo on his inner bicep of a Tengu Oni mask surrounded by blood-splattered black feathers. I know from Weston and looking at the kid, that half of his heritage is Japanese American.

A Tengu Oni is an interesting choice because it represents the duality of good and evil, much like the Death Kings' organization itself. The Death Kings are comprised of good people who want to make this world better, but technically, we are murderers.

“I don’t mind Camden. Have you ever met Ransom?”

“Yes. He is one of the few friends Cam and Slay have. What about him?”

“I grew up with him as my older brother, sort of. My older brother Weston raised my younger brother, Stetson, and me. We lived with Ransom, Jase, Arson, and Lachlan.”

“I’ve heard Weston talk about you and Stetson. It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” Artemis says, biting her lower.

“What have said about biting your lip, Diosa?” I question her, pulling her attention from Preston.

“You would make suck your cock the next you saw me, do it?”

I hum. “Do it again and I will put those lips to use,” I threaten.

Vamos, nena. (Come on, baby girl.) Take Papi up on his challenge. Muerde ese labio. (Bite your lip.) Let’s see if you want Preston or not. Just as I finish that thought, Camden’s mother pops her head into the doorway, rapping lightly on the door with her knuckles. I mentally groan. Por supuesto, ella esta aquí. (Of course, she is here.) To make matters worse, Artemis squirms against my lap, which has me needing to adjust.

“I thought I would let y’all know we are here. I see you have company, so I won’t stay long.”

Camden moves to hug his mom and kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you for keeping them for an hour after school today.”

The older woman gives her son a soft. “Anytime, Camie. I love you,” she says, patting his cheek and walking off.

Tallulah McCoy is a beautiful woman in her sixties with light brown hair and hazel eyes. She has an infectious smile and exudes a maternal aura. Lula has spent many nights talking to me while I was in tears. She is one of the few people I told what I went through at the hands of my uncle Axe. Camden would watch as I fell apart in her arms, asking her what he could do to ‘fix me’. She would always reply to him, “My dear body, you cannot fix what has been done to him, but you can be present for your friend now.” I love that woman as if she were mi madre, and, in many ways, she is.

“I should get going,” Preston hedges.

“No, stay for dinner. Ronin and Xavier should be here shortly. Let’s eat together can continue the discussion as a team on how to get us clear of the Ravagers.”

Artemis’s face lights up at my words. Her eyes are looking intently into mine. “You and Cam are getting out?”

She is searching for a lie when I say my next words clearly, “Yes. We are getting out. Your ex-boyfriends are going to help us with that. Preston wants us working full-time with him as leaders and trainers of future Death Kings’ operatives.”