“Whatever.” Rolling his eyes, he stomped up the steps and pushed past Sin.
On entering, all Cecil managed to see was a flash of red. He yelped as he found himself pulled into a bear hug by what he was almost sure was an actual fucking bear.
“Welcome, laddie!” boomed the giant that was squeezing the life out of him.
He heard Benji snap, “Oy, you big oaf, let him go!”
Cecil gasped for air and stumbled when the man set him down. Sin’s hands were instantly on his waist, stabilizing him. But the minute he was no longer in danger of falling, Cecil moved away.
“Aw, Benji, just givin’ the wee lad a warm welcome.” The redhead laughed, his fangs flashing with his broad smile.
“Roth, not everyone is comfortable with such a greeting. Something I know you are well aware of, as we have spoken about this before,” Sin drawled stiffly.
Seeming unbothered by the other man’s stern tone, Roth chuckled. “I’ll mind one of these days, promise.”
Now that his face was no longer stuffed in Roth’s chest, Cecil studied him.
Gods, was he huge. Roth had to be seven feet tall. His short hair was a bright orange red. It was a shade that was more commonly seen on humans than immortals. A spackling of freckles covered his pale face, neck, and hands—basically, whatever skin was visible, the tiny little un-uniformed dots were there.
The slightly oversized, navy-blue sweater and blue jeans the man was wearing did nothing to hide his muscular form. The navy made Roth’s robin-blue eyes shine brighter. Cecil did wonder how the man managed to find clothes that would be baggy on him.
Then there was Roth’s accent. While older immortals all tended to have a slight one, Roth’s was the thickest Cecil had ever heard. Judging from the very limited amount of First Realm movies he’d watched, he would say it wasScottish. And considering how thick it was, Roth must have spent a lot of time in the other Realm.
Based on the man’s…whole existence, Cecil would say there was a high possibility that Roth was a human and immortal hybrid.
Sin gave him a tight, unhappy smile. “I apologize, Cecil, some of my men are a bit rambunctious.”
“Rambunctious? Is that what we are now?” Roth barked out in laughter. “I remember when ye used tae call us spirited, boss.”
Cecil fidgeted when the big man eyed him. He had to force himself to not step back. In his experience, big men were violent. Actually, in his experience, most men were violent, but men Roth’s size could cause more damage.
“Well now, I’ve been right rude, have nae even introduced myself.” The man put his hand out. “The names Roth Fergus, second-in-command of the Bellfall branch. Nice tae meet ye.”
Unless he was hitting on someone for money, he didn’t like to touch others. But for the sole purpose of finding out how big it was, Cecil shook the man’s hand. Roth’s hand completely engulfed his, but the behemoth was surprisingly gentle.
“It’s your fault we downgraded!” Benji huffed.
“Aw, are ye feelin’ neglected? I know I’ve been busy lately, but if ye had said somethin’, I would have made time.” Roth smirked and rubbed Benji’s head.
Cecil hadn’t thought Benji could get angry. He’d been wrong. The growl Benji let out when Roth messed up his mohawk had been rather impressive.
Slapping the man’s hands away, Benji hissed, “Don’t touch me! And who the hell would miss you?”
“Benji, language,” Sin chimed.
Roth let out a snorted laugh at the reprimand.
“Sorry, boss,” Benji apologized before glaring at Roth. “What are you snorting about, you…you jerk?! Who the heck would miss you? Ugh, if I never saw you again, it would be too soon!”
Because Sin had said nothing to correct it, mentally, Cecil added ‘jerk’ to the words he could say around Sin. Though he had no intention of not swearing anyway.
“Ye know ye love me, laddie.”
Benji’s face turned beet red and he stuttered, “I don’t love you!”
“Ye do. Who would nae love this arse?” Roth turned around and slapped his ass.
That, apparently, had been too much for Benji. The man jumped on the giant’s back, wrapping his arms around Roth’s neck.
