Motivation

Russ let out a harsh growl as he flipped the table in front of him causing the monitor that showed the courtroom to crash to the ground. "Those sons of bitches are going to pay for this!"

Ry crossed his arms over his chest as he looked around at the mess now scattered across the floor of the small conference room. "Those bastards have already paid... with their lives and now the entire council and courtroom understand why." He found the busted monitor and lifted it, examining the cracked screen. "I'm curious to see how they will choose to handle this portion of the case now."

"It doesn't matter what they decide! I have to do something!" Russ had his hands tangled in his hair as he paced back and forth in the room, kicking at broken objects as he went.

Ry watched the boy paced around the room like a wild animal in a cage as he thought over their options. If he wanted quick transport, they would have to wait on Selena or Poseidon. His father had been in the room with them along with Raven, who he'd snuck in when Shelly had taken the witness box. He had zapped out almost instantly when the girl's unconscious body had hit the floor, and would no doubt stay by her side until she woke back up. It was true enough, the sea god had his fair share of bad traits; but he was also a caring, devoted man. It was this devotion that had rubbed off on all his sons over the years... whether Arei liked to admit it or not. Even Peg had quickly warmed up to the man once he'd gotten to know him. Ry shook his head."We could wait on father or take a boat... maybe a hippocampus... probably be faster..."

Russ stopped his pacing. "To where?" He sent Ry a questioning, skeptical look.

"Back to your island. If you truly want to help, and my suspicions are right, the best way will be found back on that island." Rysaid tossing the monitor back on the ground.

"How so?" Russ asked, following the giant man out the door of the conference room.

Ry looked around to make sure no one was around to overhear or see them. "Because I believe your uncle has dealings with the DeMarco's." When no one was in sight, he quickly leaped over the reception desk and pressed a button before agilely hopping back over. Pointing toward a thick metal door that was now opening, he said. "That way. I know where we can start with those questions."

Russ didn't hesitate as he quickly made his way toward the door, the large man following close behind. Once inside, he watched as Ry forced the door shut. Looking around the dimly lit hallway, he asked. "Exactly where are we?"

Ry smiled as he walked past Russ and began making his way down the cold, reinforced steel-lined corridor. "We are in the prison section of the Embassy. If we continue straight, we should make it to the cells where the vampire assassin is being held."

Russ arched a brow but didn't slow his pace. "Are you sure this is the best idea? Your powers don't work in here and I doubt shell sell out her clan with mere threats."

Ry sent him a sly smile over his shoulder. "No... Poseidon's water magic doesn't work here, but I'm still a demi-god, and your alpha form will still work well enough. Besides, she won't know I'm not at my full potential."

Russ's features contorted into amused skepticism as a half-smile curved his lips. "Just so we're on the same page, let me see if I follow your plan here. You expect to use my barely controlled alpha form as an interrogation tactic and hope that the mentally unstable psycho that tried to kill me on the beach don't push back enough to test your strength... or rather lack thereof?"

Ry shrugged. "I'm still powerful enough without the magic, but I believe coming face to face with the barely controlled alpha she tried to kill will be enough to loosen her tongue." He stopped at an even thicker metal door with bars across the top. Looking around the entryway, he quickly grabbed two discarded lab coats and hats. "Here put this on. If any of the guards ask, we were sent down to do further testing... or some bullshit like that." He pressed the garments against Russ's chest before putting on his own. He pulled a name badge attached to the jacket off and pressed it to the keypad of the door. A pleased smile curved his lips as the door swung open. "I love how recklessly cocky the council is. Makes my work ten times easier every time."

Russ was tucking the last of his blonde hair under the hat as he followed Ry forward. "I take it this isn't the first time you've snuck down here?"

Ry laughed, "You would be assuming correctly." His eyes scanned the room; and his smile widened as he noted the man seated behind an industrial-looking desk, surrounded by monitors. The smaller man glanced up broodily from the phone and took a double take. Ry held out his arms as the man quickly moved around the desk and shout into his embrace.

"What are 'chu doing here, Poppi?" The slight man said in a heavily accented whisper. "Did 'chu come here to see me?" A frown fell over the man's handsome, androgynous features as he leaned back enough to look up at Ry not releasing his hold around his waist. "Or are 'chu working?"

Ry hooked a finger under the man's chin, tilting his pouty lips upwards more as he bent forward. Placing a light kiss on his lips, Ry smiled down at him. "Oh Andre, you know even when I'm working it's always a pleasure to see you." He ran the pad of his thumb across Andre's still pouting lip before bending and kissing him again.

Andre's shimmering violet eyes searched Ry's. "So, I will see you when I get off work today then? You've canceled on me every time you've been here for the past six months!"

Ry glanced back a Russ before shrugging. "I'm sure we can fit in a dinner and maybe a short excursion after."

"The fuck we will!" Russ bit out. "We're in the middle of shit right now!"

Ry rolled his eyes dramatically. "Don't mind him, Puddin. He's pissy because I'm stuck babysitting his useless ass. I always have the time to work you in."

Andre released his hold on Ry's waist and balled his fists against his own hips, sticking one out in a sassy stance. "Except for the past six months?"

Ry shrugged a wicked smile curving his lips. "It's been busy, but the largest of that job is over." He threw his thumb over his shoulder toward Russ. "As long as the kid is with me and protected, my work is done."

Andre moved his gaze from Ry to Russ, taking him in for the first time. His brows flew up. "'Chu're not sleeping with him, too are you?"

Ry laughed out loud as Russ huffed out an indignant growl. "No, Puddin. Only you." He pulled Andre back into a tight hug. "Why don't you help me get my work finished faster, and while you're waiting on me to finish up, maybe you could call down a replacement to finish out your shift for you?"

Andre narrowed his eyes, studying Ry for several long seconds before finally nodding in agreement. "What does 'chu need from me?"

Ry smiled as he bopped the man's pert nose. "That's my good boy." He bent and gave the man another long kiss. "All I need from you, Love, is the monitors turned off, and cell number for a Bianca Von Cruise."

His frown deepened. "I don't even have to look that one up. She's a hateful bitch. She's been giving the guards hell since getting dragged in." Concern showed in the well-sculpted arch of his questioning brows. "'Chu're not planning on going in there a questioning her alone are 'chu?"

Ry sent him a confident toothy grin. "Not at all, that's why I have the kid with me. Don't worry that pretty head of yours over us. We'll be right back out those doors before you can get relief sent down." He bent and gave the man another quick kiss before spinning him around and patting his ass with three loud pops. "Now get over there and kill those cameras."

Andre did as he was told, quickly clicking several buttons. "It's done. The third cell on the left." His bottom lip settled into a worried pout. "Be careful, Poppi."

Ry gave him a wink with a wide charming smile as he turned. "Give us twenty minutes. Text me once your relief arrives and I'll meet you in our favorite spot." He waited for Andre's hesitant nod before turning the rest of the way around and heading down the corridor leading to the cells.

"So, tell me, 'Poppi', do you pimp yourself out for favors and information frequently or is it only this guy and the woman from that vampire clean-up crew?" Russ whispered as they walked past the first two cells.

Ry arched a brow at him as he took the clipboard off the wall that hung between the second and third cell on the left side. "Why jealous?"

Russ huffed out an irritated growl. "No, I'm just wondering how many poor people have been used and manipulated by you."

Ry sent him a quirky smile from over the edge of the file he was scanning over. "Big words coming from you. You want to compare notes or something?"

Russ snarled his lip at Ry. "I've never done that shit!"

Ry arched his brow again. "Really? You've never used a woman for sex while you were waiting on another to give in to your constant badgering and unwanted advances? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the name Gigi comes to mind." He rubbed his chin as he lowered the file. "Oh, wait isn't that the same woman that's your fiancé? The same girl that was on her knees begging for your attention outside of Raven's bar?" He let the snarky smile fall as he pressed the file against Russ's chest. "You are no better than me, kid." He nodded to the file. "Now read over these real quick before we go in there." Ry cracked his neck as he patted his pocket for the badge. "Ow! These are nice." He pulled out a pair of reading glasses from another pocket and placed them on his face. Wiggling his nose as he took the badge out of the other pocket, he commented. "Not bad… I think I'll keep them." His attention moved back to Russ. "Ready?"

Russ nodded and placed the file back into the clip on the wall. "You really think this is going to work? According to that chart, they've already questioned her to no avail."

Ry sent him a wicked smile. "Their methods are… less effective than mine." He sent Russ a wink as he stepped out in front of the cell.

"I can hear you; you know. Try your best. I have nothing to say to you." A bored voice said from the corner of the room.

Ry smiled as her cold eyes met his. Pressing the badge to the keypad on the front of the cell, he said. "Good, then I don't have to repeat my reasons for being here." He glared at her as the cell door opened. "I do hate repeating myself." He nodded to Russ to follow him in. "Do I need to introduce myself or do you already know that as well?"

She studied him for a few minutes before answering. "You are one of the sons of Poseidon." Her attention moved over to Russ and a cruel smile curved her lips. "I see I'll not be standing trial for actual murder. Your friends must have worked incredibly hard for your recovery."

Russ's lips snarled up revealing his sharp canines. "My friend did little for my recovery." He let his hands shift into claws.

Ry crossed his hands over his chest as he rolled his eyes and chuckled. Nodding toward Russ, he said. "You see, Ms. Von Cruise, my boy here is an Alpha with a bit of a grudge against you. Wasn't able to wear his hair with a side part for a whole four hours. This kid really likes his side part." A wicked smile curved his lips. "Now I'm going to stand here and let the kid have his way with you until you're willing to talk." He shrugged. "And if it takes too long, I may join in. You see, I have a hot date tonight that I simply can't miss." Bianca tried to hide her worry as Russ stalked closer to her, removing the jacket, and handing it to Ry causing his smile to widen. "Try not to splatter too much blood. I'd hate to add the cleaning bill for these lab coats to the list of shit you've fucked up." A low animalistic growl was the only reply Ry got as he watched Russ shift the rest of the way into his hybrid form.

Russ stepped farther into the cell letting the sharp claws drag across the steel walls of the cell, leaving white streaks in the once perfect metal. His head was lowered to hide most of his face until he was less than two feet away from her. He pressed the bill of the hat back enough to glare up at her menacingly, baring the mutant wolf teeth that now filled his mouth.

Bianca's nervous gaze darted back and forth between Ry and the wolfman. "No! You can't do this! Stop him and I'll tell you what you want to know!" She began fumbling frantically around the edge of the bed, but it was no use. The wolf was too fast.

Ry shrugged. "Too late now, he's already shifted. We'll just have to wait till he's had his fun before questions." Ry leaned against the cell doors as he watched Russ move closer snagging the woman by the throat as she fought against him and lifting her off the bed. He pushed away from the bars as Russ pinned her to the wall a foot off the floor and glanced over to him. {Good, he's in control.} "Who called in the hit? How did you know where to find us?"