Page 55 of Expecting The Unexpected
“This is none of your concern, Nug. Get your ass out of here,” Throg said, wanting the smaller Nakaka out of harm’s way in case all hell broke loose.
The little shit shook his head and marched right up to Throg, waving his finger in Throg’s face. “I will not. Spencer is my friend, and I’m not going to stand here and watch you flirt, and make out with another Nakaka, as if Spencer means nothing to you. You need to go to your Viata, Throg, and leave this dried-up crap pile alone.”
Tumm snarled, and started towards Nug, as if to hurt the tiny Nakaka. “I’m going to snap your fucking neck for speaking to me that way.”
Nug rushed behind Throg shouting, “Touch me and Groth will rip your arm off and beat you with it until you’re dead. He’ll... he’ll pin you to the wall and tear off your wings like a fly.”
Throg grabbed Tumm before the man could put a hand on Nug, softly saying, “Let me take care of this and we can go and... talk.”
The suggestive way Throg said the wordtalkmade it clear exactly what kind oftalkThrog was indicating. Tumm stood up tall and lifted his chin still looking as if he was going to strike Nug. That would not bode well for the man, considering Nug wasn’t lying when he said he was under Groth’s protection, and the Nakaka would rip Tumm’s head from his shoulders if he even touched Nug.
Thankfully, Tumm nodded and Throg called Nub to them. He did as Throg ordered, making a wide berth around Tumm, before standing next to his brother.
It was freaky how identical Nug and Nub were. They were both no more than five foot three and weighed maybe one thirty. They both had short, spiked, light-brown hair and they both had the most beautiful Persian-green flying-lemur-style wings. However, where Nug was annoying, mouthy and confrontational, Nub seemed more like Jory, docile and quiet... almost fearful of confrontation.
Throg looked directly at Nug, “Do you remember us talking before coming here.”
Nug nodded and opened his mouth, but before he could say anything that might let Tumm know they were onto him, Throg quickly said, “We need to all do our part in making sure everything and everyone is taken care of. That includes you and your brother. I know what Spencer is to me, Nug, and what I do or don’t do, is not something you should concern yourself with. As his friend, I would think you would understand that things are not as they seem, and let it go.”
Throg gave Nug a pointed look. “You know why we came here, Nug, and I’m trying to do my part... do what it is I was created to do, but I can’t do that if you insult Tumm and he harms you, or your brother, as he could rightfully do being an ancient’s oldest son. Now, Spencer is where he needs to be, and I’m where I need to be. No matter what happens, I swear to you Spencer will no longer be in harm’s way.”
Nug’s eyes widened when he realized what Throg was trying to say. He nodded, “I hear you Throg. I don’t like it, but... but...”
“Good.” Throg said before Nug could say another word. “You and Nub head down and mingle for a bit. I know Groth would be very upset if any harm were to come to you.”
Nug looked at Tumm and then Throg several times. Throg was getting nervous that the little Nakaka was going to argue, but instead he nodded and took his brother’s hand, “Come on Nub. I need to find Groth.”
Nub didn’t argue as he allowed himself to be led away. Throg gave a mental sigh of relief, and then turned back to Mennen. “You have a man to guard, and I expect you to do just that.”
“Yes, sir.” Mennen said, correctly understanding the underlined message. No matter what happened Spencer was his to keep safe.
Throg looked at Tumm, “Why don’t we go...”
Shaking his head, Tumm said, “Come with me. We can have privacy in here.”
Before Throg could stop him, Tumm opened his bedroom door and walked inside.
Throg made his way quickly into Tumm’s room, Mennen not far behind him. However, the guard was too good at his job and made sure not to look as if he was ready to defend Throg’s mate, even though he was just as ready as Throg. However, there was no sign of Spencer anywhere in the room.
“Close the door behind you, Throg. I just want to get a bit more comfortable.” Tumm said, with another of those supposed sensual looks and tones.
Throg did as Tumm said, giving Mennen a look telling the man to stay close. He got the message and nodded.
Tumm walked into the bathroom already removing his tie and the second the door closed Throg started looking around. Where the hell was Spencer?
Seeing the doors to the balcony slightly ajar Throg made his way outside into the darkness. Looking around and seeing nothing. He was about to turn and go back inside, when a slight movement caught his eye.
Looking down, Throg’s heart about stopped. Hanging from the bottom rail... just dangling like bait on a fishing rod, was his Viata in his sloth form. He was about the size of a small dog with a really flat head. His gray and white fur covered his body with black surrounding his round eyes looking like eyeliner that had gone wrong and black lips and surrounding fur that made him look like he had a permanent smile... damn, he was adorable. Okay, those long, curved claws might take a bit of the sweetness away, but Throg could only see him as adorable. He was thankful that Spencer didn’t have that algae he read about them having, and from the clean look of his fur, he wasn’t covered in parasites, so that was a plus too. Kneeling down, Throg petted his Viata, softly saying, “You are beautiful my Salvator, but can you please come from under there. My heart does not like your dangerous position.”
Spencer let out a squeak, that sounded like kind of sounding like a baby’s cry. It brought a smile to his lips, but the sound of Tumm calling his name had him standing and yelling, “I’m out on the balcony.”
Tumm came to the door with a towel wrapped around his waist, “I’m going to take a quick shower, care to join me?”
Another squeak came from the sloth and Tumm looked around, “What was that?”
Throg stepped in front of where Spencer was hanging to block Tumm’s view. “It must be a bird of some type.”
“I’ve never heard a bird sound like that before.” Tumm said, stepping further out onto the balcony.