Black Collar Beginnings: New York (Black Collar Syndicate) by AN Latro Read Free Book Online Page A

but Caleb has spent time with the man, here and in the dirty streets of Thailand. He knows just what kind of anger lurks under that zen calm—just how savagely the man could act.
    And, too, he knows how deeply Rama loves.
    “You remind me of Seth,” Caleb says, softly. Black eyes widen, stare at him incredulously. He wonders if Rama knows him enough to know that is a compliment—the highest he canpay.
    No. There is one more. One that is long overdue, and suddenly urgent—Emma has been shown almost everything about his life, and work—but he hasn’t told her about Rama and the deal the kings are working. But he can’t bring himself to cross that line. Because if everything goes to hell and people start dying, he wants Emma safe and far away from it. It’s dangerous enough, bringing her into his inner circle.
    Everything is changing, too quickly. The year is winding down, and before it does, something will shift. And the kings—fuck. He doesn’t trust them. He hasn’t for a very long time.
    Caleb misses his brother. Misses the way he would turn any dark thought into a joke, the way his anger came in fits and passed as quickly. Missed the way Emma would turn blushing and shy, peeking at Seth when she thought neither would notice, but tartly putting them both in their place when stung.
    Mostly, he misses talking to him. He has carried his worry and fear alone, for too long. And this fear—he shakes his head.
    “I can’t move forward with the project yet,” he says hoarsely, not the words he expects to say. Rama’s eyes dart to him, startled.
    Caleb watches the other man, a younger prince, a foreigner. His sometime lover, and friend.
    A dangerous ally.
    “I need to find my brother before I commit to this, Rama.”
    Understanding flickers in liquid black eyes, and he inclines his head. “We can give you time. A little time.”
    Caleb’s shirt sleeves are unbuttoned, and rolled up, and he can feel Rama’s gaze on the ink, a flower that means so much to the other man’s family. His phone buzzes in his pocket, and he jerks, realizing suddenly how long he’s been gone. He stands, and Rama rises lithely with him.
    Caleb kisses him, a quick hard kiss. Rama’s hand is in his hair, his nails digging into the tattoo on his forearm. Just as abruptly, Caleb jerks away. “I’ll have an answer about the proposition by the first of the year.”
    Rama nods, and Caleb leaves him there, and goes to find Emma.

 
    Read an excerpt from Black Collar Empire out now!!
     
    Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City. October 16, 2011
     
    Rain pounds on the tops of two huge black umbrellas, one slightly higher than the other. Two brothers stand as the remnants of a long and winding funeral party that has already departed to seek shelter at a reception organized for the mourners. The brothers have been silent since well before the line of tossed roses ended. Their uncle had stood beside them for some time, wearing heartbreak on his face, watching the men in parkas doing their ghastly work. Even he had turned away when the casket began to lower.
    The world around them is a dreary, soggy weight, but the faces beneath the umbrellas are dry. The taller takes a long pull on a cigarette, hand moving mechanically. Mirrored shades set the scenery at an acceptable visibility, dimming the details. The pole of his umbrella rests against his other shoulder. His knuckles are white against the handle. The shorter, darker brother holds his umbrella in his right hand, abandoned in front of him as if it were some sort of lifeline. His suit jacket rests on his shoulders, covering the sling that will confine his left arm for some time. His deep brown eyes are heavy, with dark pools beneath them. The roots of his teeth are numb. Their shoulders are touching. They ignore the cautious glances from the men who start the machinery that will cover their dead father with the earth from whence he came. Ashes to ashes, or something like that.
    The Marzetti clan has