Eight Part 2

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Rouge was twin owned.

The trendy hotspot didn't even have a sign. Only those in the know knew where to find the business. And those who mattered could get in. The restaurant had limited occupancy. Only twenty guests could dine at once and the celebrity chef never worked longer than three hours. The model waitresses didn't like carrying items so the portions were humorlessly small and made up of garnishes more than the actual food.

The price tag on the food was outrageous making it even more exclusive. But Tanner had helped the twins out of some tight spots a century ago and a good friendship had developed between them. A small gathering or paparazzi and hopeful nobodies were milling around the glass door when Tanner parked. Luca was chewing on a teddy bear he'd grabbed as the two were leaving. "Ready Luca?"

"Luce guesses so," the were sighed.

He still wasn't collared--Tanner just could do it to him. He seemed to hate it so much... Tanner got out and locked the car. A few people turned to toward him. One paparazzi raised him camera but Tanner shook his head. "Save it for someone famous."

Tanner was well known. But he didn't classify himself as famous. He didn't have the 'star quality' as he liked it to call it. The vampires who had been in the spot light forever had the quality he talked about. Tanner didn't consider himself interesting. Besides, since when did business smarts make you qualify for that?

He stepped inside and the hostess smiled immediately. Jemma stepped forward to kiss his cheek and blinked in surprise at the were at his side. The boy was toying with the edge of Tanner's shirt. Jemma was floored when she saw how underdressed the two were. "Who's this?" She asked.

"Luca this is Jemma."

"Luca? What a cute name." Honestly she wasn't pleased to have an unleashed Beast wandering around the restaurant. It was a classy establishment. When someone brought their were they were always finally groomed and kept in Beast form. It was the only way he bosses allowed them. "You didn't happen to bring a leash did you?"

"Luca don't want!" The boy cried suddenly.

Jemma eyes him warily--would he attack? "It's okay darling." Tanner spoke softly to the creature, further confusing Jemma. "No I did not. Luca doesn't belong on a leash."

"But he's a were." She was confused. "You know how--"

"They insisted I come so I did. If they don't like me having my were here then we will both leave." His tone was stony. It held no room for arguments or further racist remarks.

Jemma sucked on her teeth. "I'll take you to your table." She finally said, trying not to look at the creature holding onto his pointer and middle fingers in a tiny fist.

The table was beside a beautiful painting of the night sky. Reagan was tipping his champagne with a scowl of annoyance. Griffin was engrossed in passing bread chunks to the massive gray wolf resting his head on his thigh. Tanner was astounded--the viscous creature had warmed quickly to him!

Tanner watched the beast taking the food tenderly between his teeth. Griffin ran his palm over his head and scratched behind his ears. Tanner cleared his threat and Griffin smiled up at him. Reagan huffed. "God! We were waiting for like ever!"

"Reagan. Always the charmer," replied Tanner taking his seat. He waved for Jemma to get Luca a seat but he shifted and jumped excitedly at Marco.

The big wolf huffed and flopped over purely for the enjoyment of the pup. Reagan looked absolutely disgusted. "What are you doing Tanner? God! Put that thing on leash!"

"They're not hurting anyone." Marco rolled over, bumping the table. Griffin caught his glass before it fell and took a sip. He seemed to be a very good mood--having a were agreed with him apparently. "How is he adjusting?"

"He hasn't had much time to adjust. We've spent more time in the car than at home."

"Funny. You know Griffin went out and bought that mutt a bunch of expensive shit--he's making it into a house dog--can you believe it?" Reagan's tone was riddled with disgust.

Tanner was shocked--taking an untrained were into your home was unheard of. And pets were usually displayed, not played with.

"Can you stop? For one night." Griffin's tone was hard and his eyes narrowed.

"Wow," scoffed Reagan. He drained his champagne and stood. "Lets go."

"You can take your ass to the car. I'm going to eat--I didn't just sit here for nothing."

Reagan and Griffin had been steady for almost three hundred years now. Tanner guessed the reason for their extended relationship was that Griffin was Reagan's Sire--those turned immortal tended to almost worship those who turned them. Tanner assumed that was why Sven turned from riches to servitude for him. His own Sire had been dusted thousands of years ago--and Tanner was glad for it. He had trouble remembering why he had been so ready to exactly what his Sire had to say.

But the rockiness was getting more and more apparent as the decades went on--Tanner imagined one of them moving on within the era. He was hopeful it was Raegan. He never understood what his friend had seen in the snobby human. Even when he heart beat, it was cold as ice. He cared little for anything but himself. And if he actually cared about Griffin, Tanner wasn't sure he knew how to show it.

Reagan swept outside to the car and Griffin's smile fell away, replaced by an exhaustion only a trouble relationship could muster. "What am I doing wrong?" He asked quietly.

Tanner opened his mouth to respond but a whine cut him off. He looked down at the werewolf who nudged his knee with his nose and sad brown eyes. A smile drifted across Griffin's face and stroked the werewolf. "Good boy," he murmured.

The tiny tan wolf scrabbled up his back and began to chew on an ear. Marco growled playfully and batted him carefully off. Luca skittered to a stop and turned, lowering to a bow, tiny tail thrashing as he let out a yip.

"Good lord Tanner. I never imagined you to allow something like this to happen. And at an eatery no doubt."

Tanner turned with a smile at one of the owners. It was either Ian or Seb--he could never tell them apart properly. His twin appeared almost immediately and looked down at the small ruckus. "Ian, Seb--you insisted I come?"

"Of course. We have some big news--but first, apparently, so do you. So which is yours?"

"The smaller one," Tanner said with a smile. "Jemma wasn't so fond."

"Jemma hates all animals--don't take it personally. Then again we didn't hire her for her kindness."

Beauty was a ticket to success in a work where you lived forever. Trends came and went but beauty was everlasting. "I didn't think you did. What's your news?"

"We know of the candidates for the election come the New Year."

Politics. They were important but they bored Tanner--especially with his boy rolling around the floor. He would rather watch him then hear about the greedy vampires who would be begging for his vote in the upcoming month. The election month was one of the most stressful for everyone.

Things changed drastically in it as a scrabble for power began. The life-time term was also a part of that. The demons, years ago, had passed a law limiting a vampire's term to one hundred years. So far there had been far more vampires than demons--especially in last five centuries. And as demon rights were consistently cut down, more demands for change were rising.

So when Tanner was told a demon was running for Leader, he wasn't surprised. It was a last attempt to save a race from completely going under the control of the dominate species. "Hm," mused Griffin. "And what's the chances of winning?"

"Who the hell knows," one of the replied. "Ian hates the idea but I'm all for modernism. If it wasn't for progressive thinking we'd be stuck in coffins, eh?"

"Please. All the soft-hearted vamps will be throwing away their vote. I say they shouldn't run."

"Did you bring me here to talk politics?" Tanner asked dryly.

Both twins grinned. "Of course."

It was set to be a long evening.

QOTC: thoughts?!

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