Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 284 of 619

The gate closed behind Ajax and Elara. Inside the hall, his men had already broken open the wine. The sea gate was hidden, the dock safe, the walls whole. For the first time in a year, there was nothing left to build and nothing coming to kill them. Ajax stepped into the warm room and understood at once that idle men and full cups make their own kind of trouble. Beer and wine covered the long table. The men had stripped off their shirts in the hearth heat. Bran flexed a thick arm while Kael squeezed it and whistled. Torren pushed his chest out for inspection. They pressed hands to each other's shoulders and chests, trading compliments, laughing too loud. Ajax leaned in the doorway. He had bound each of these men with a chain and a touch. He was enjoying this. Tucker sat at the table's center, gold chains bright on his bare chest, a cup tipped in his hand. He worked the room the way he worked any room, listening, feeding a line, watching men lean toward him. He caught Ajax's eye and grinned. "Ajax," Tucker said. "Come feel this arm on Bran. Man's made of stone now." His words ran soft at the edges. Too much wine. Ajax felt Bran’s bicep. Tucker rose, swaying a little, and put a warm hand flat on Ajax's chest. "My door stays open tonight," he said, low, for Ajax alone. "After. Anyone who wants." Ajax flexed. Tucker grabbed his arm and locked eyes with him and held his longing gaze a long moment. Kael and Tarron slipped out of the room with their arms around each other. Fun for a night wouldn’t cost them anything.