Title: The Killing Jar (Book 2)

Series: The Praetorians

Author: DocPaul
Email: DocPaul2002@yahoo.ca
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimers: conten! that these character are nothing like "os#ell$s so the% are &ine' all &ine.
Warning: Dark (ni)erse*angst' )iolence' +loo!letting' +loo!s,orts' +on!age' &asochis&' slash*,rett%
&uch e)er%thing.
Summary: -econ! in the trilog%' Detecti)e .ichael /uerin an! his &ate' Pro0essor .aria De1uca ha)e
+een together 0or a %ear since the 0irst case that +rought the& together. 2nce again &ur!er an! )iolence
0in!s a #a% into their li)es' an! nothing #ill e)er +e the sa&e.
Authors notes: This stor% is ri!!le! in angst an! su00ering' +ut un!erl%ing all that is the strength o0
sur)i)al. 3ll the characters in &% uni)erse are sur)i)ors at !i00erent le)els. This is the secon! in a trilog%
+uil!ing a legen! o0 a strong Praetorian /uar! an! the rising King that the% ser)e' an! the King!o& the%
,rotect. This stor% #as #ritten #ith the relationshi,s o0 the cast characters to the 0oregroun!' an! the
&ur!er al&ost a #his,ering threat... #rote it to ,ro)e that a relationshi, !ri)en stor% !oesn$t ha)e to
!estro% characters' ignore the& 0or others' an! there still can +e action an! sus,ense. suggest the rea!ing
o0 The Praetorians 0irst since all three +ooks are interlocking the o)erall &%ster% has clues in the 0irst
+ook on to the last.

THE KILLING JAR
For Margo and Julia
Day 12: Sunday- 2:09 a.m.
Rolling off of her, Kyle stood, extending his hand. "Let's go get something to
eat. 'm star!ed."
Laughing, "ess too# his hand and allo$ed herself to %e &ulled to her feet.
'eeling a little self(conscious, she gra%%ed Kyle's shirt and %uttoned t$o %uttons as
she follo$ed him do$n the stairs and to the #itchen. )atching as Kyle $al#ed o!er
to the huge refrigerator that hummed in the corner, "ess once more ti&&ed her
head, admiring the lines of his %ody. *e $as %uilt li#e line%ac#er((%road shoulders,
214
trim $aist, narro$ hi&s. +nd a truly lo!ely ass. *e hadn,t %othered to &ut on
clothes, so "ess -ust leaned on the counter and $atched him $hile ni%%ling on a
finger. *ungry. .he $as hungry.
Kyle stood, hands on hi&s, and loo#ed at the fridge's contents. /%!iously
unim&ressed %y $hat he sa$, he chec#ed the free0er next. "ess, mo!ing to stand
%ehind him, &ee#ed around his shoulder to see inside. )ith a yel&, she reached
under his arm and snagged the container of 1en and 2erry,s Rainforest 3runch ice
cream.
".&oons4" she as#ed, loo#ing around the #itchen. *oming in on the to& dra$er
closest to the sin#, she o&ened it. "+h ha5" she said trium&hantly, retrie!ing the
desired utensil. Leaning against the counter, she ri&&ed off the lid and tore into the
contents. + satisfied sigh esca&ed her li&s as she too# the first mouthful.
Kyle stood, $atching her $ith a %emused ex&ression on his face. "Do you thin#
could get a %ite of that4" 6!erything she did, e!ery %ite she too#, loo#ed li#e a
&relude to sex. *o$ could one tiny little %ody ha!e so much energy and &o$er to
it4
"ess stared at him $ith $ide, innocent %lue eyes, the s&oon, loaded $ith ice
cream arrested in mid(air. "hen smiling, she &roffered the s&oon.
Kyle sauntered o!er to $here she stood and %ent his head, ta#ing the cold,
creamy su%stance into his mouth. "ess too# another mouthful, feeling suddenly
!ery $arm des&ite the ice cream. .$allo$ing, she stood on ti&toe, leaning u& to
#iss him, flic#ing her tongue teasingly %et$een his teeth. .huddering, Kyle
dee&ened the #iss, feeling her cool mouth o&en to his, tasting the chocolate and
nuts on her tongue. 1rea#ing the #iss, he too# the ice cream and s&oon out of her
hands, filling his mouth again %efore setting it do$n. *e then gently lifted her and
set her on the counter's edge.
215
1reathing hea!ily, "ess stared at him, her &ale %lue eyes no longer innocent.
7n%uttoning her shirt, he leaned for$ard, gently ta#ing her ni&&le into his mouth.
"ess moaned as a delicious shi!er ran do$n her s&ine at the feel of his cold mouth
and tongue on her heated flesh. .hrugging the shirt off her shoulders, she $ra&&ed
her arms and legs around him, feeling his coc# harden as she ru%%ed her %ody
against his. 8i%%ling on his ear lo%e, she leaned in and $his&ered, "9a#e lo!e $ith
me, Kyle."
*er $ords dro!e all rational thought from his mind. Lifting her slightly, Kyle
im&aled her on his thro%%ing erection. "ess $him&ered, %urying her face in his
shoulder as he %egan to slo$ly rotate his hi&s, thrusting u&$ards into her. :ras&ing
a handful of her hair, he forced her head u&, &ressing demanding li&s to hers and
dri!ing his tongue %et$een her teeth in synch $ith their increasingly fe!erish &ace.
"ess came almost &ainfully, her %ody -er#ing against his, his mouth s$allo$ing her
cries of &leasure. 'eeling the tension %uilding in his %ody, Kyle slo$ed do$n, then
$ithdre$, not $anting to come -ust yet. /!er her &rotests, he lifted and carried her
o!er to the dining room ta%le. .he s;uirmed as he laid her do$n on its cool surface
and then mounted her, lifting her legs o!er his shoulders, entering her once more.
"/h, yes, yes, yes..." she chanted o!er and o!er as he &lunged hard and dee&
inside her, lifting her hi&s into his e!ery thrust. .he had ne!er %een &enetrated so
dee&ly. "he ache %et$een her legs %egan to %uild again. Kyle, dri!en $ild %y her
cries, felt his %ody tighten and then he $as coming, &ouring himself into her,
&inning her %eneath him. *is coc# s&asming inside of her &ushed her o!er the
edge. "ess -er#ed in his arms as another &o$erful orgasm ri&&ed through her, her
nails digging into his %ac# as she san# her teeth into his shoulder to #ee& from
screaming.
226
"he &ain of her "lo!e %ite" triggered a smaller orgasm in Kyle. 3rying out, he
lunged for$ard, then lay still, com&letely s&ent. 'eeling "ess stir under him, he
raised his head $ith effort to find her gently tracing the %ro#en s#in left %y her
teeth, a slight fro$n creasing her forehead.
".orry."
:rinning $ea#ly, he res&onded, "8ot a &ro%lem." "hey lay li#e that for a $hile,
too exhausted to mo!e. 'inally, Kyle $ithdre$ from her and stood. "ess sat u& $ith
a groan.
" $on't %e a%le to $al# tomorro$."
3huc#ling, Kyle hel&ed her off the ta%le. .lo$ly and $earily, the t$o made
their $ay u&stairs to the %edroom. "ess colla&sed on the %ed, falling aslee& almost
instantly. .miling, he lay do$n %eside her, tenderly gathering her into his arms and
&ulling the co!ers o!er their %odies. *o$e!er, he didn't fall aslee& immediately.
Lying a$a#e, Kyle gently stro#ed her hair and $atched as the da$n's light slo$ly
cre&t into the room through the &artially o&en %linds, dee& in thought.
"ess slo$ly came a$a#e feeling his hands still stro#ing her %ody. .miling she
stretched under his hands, and o&ened her eyes to loo# at him. *e $as $atching
her, at first una$are that she returned his regard, %ut once their eyes met she sa$
the loo# in his eyes. "he $ariness $as %ac#, an almost cold regard, as he struggled
$ith something dee& inside him.
"ess &ulled a$ay from him in &ain gathering the %ed sheets around her. Kyle
tried to reach out for her and %ring her %ac#. 1ut she $as too fast and she -um&ed
off the %ed.
<8ot again5 can,t. can,t ta#e this again. =ou lea!ing, forgetting, regretting,
or -ust &retending it didn,t ha&&en.> "ess reached around the floor for her clothes
221
and hurriedly scram%led into them. .he a!oided his eyes as the tears started to
slo$ly fall. <Damn you, Kyle. trusted you.>
Kyle reali0ed $hat she sa$, $hat she must ha!e thought. *e reached for her
again to calm her, to ma#e her understand. 1ut she $ent around his hand and
rushed do$n the stairs.
<"ess5 Dammit, $ould you &lease $ait5> Kyle scram%led out of the %ed and
gra%%ed his clothes, trying to &ut them on. <"ess5> *e heard the front door o&en, as
he found his &ants and rushed do$nstairs -ust in time to see her car ta#e off a$ay
from the loft.
<Dammit to hell5> Kyle rushed %ac# u&stairs to get the rest of his clothes and
shoes to follo$ her. .cram%ling around the room, he searched high and lo$. <.hit
$here are they4> .earching under tossed %edding and rushing do$nstairs to loo# in
sofa cushions Kyle rushed into the do$nstairs %edroom. 3oming %ac# out, he
loo#ed around the loft in defeat. Raising his hands a%o!e his head %racing himself
he tried to thin# of $here he last sa$ his #eys.
<'ree0e5 Put your hands a%o!e your head5> Kyle -ust groaned and reached for
the ceiling. 'uc#ing glorious, -ust fine5 "ess had left the door o&en again.
???
)ould you care for a drin#4" 9ichael loo#ed u& from his %oo# to ac#no$ledge
the flight attendant.
"3offee $ould %e great."
"'la!ored, latte, ca&&uccino, es&resso..."
"Regular, %lac#, three sugars."
222
""he attendant smiled at him and nodded. 9ichael loo#ed do$n at $here
9aria $as slee&ing next to him, leaning on him. *e had &ut u& the armrest
%et$een their seats and lo$ered their seat%ac#s on an incline $hile she sle&t. "hey
had stayed u& late last night tal#ing to her family and eating. Later they $ent to
the ocean for a midnight di&.
+fter an early %rea#fast, the entire family had seen them off to the air&ort,
and 9aria's uncle calmly handed 9ichael a gift and referred to him as '9aria's 3o&,
9i#o'. )hat sur&rised 9ichael the most $as 9aria's aunt. .he sur&risingly gra%%ed
9ichael in a strong hug and &ushed something into his hand, $his&ering to him to
gi!e it to her son. +nd then she ;uic#ly as#ed him to ta#e care of them all, for her.
")ould your $ife li#e something4" "he attendant as#ed as she &assed 9ichael
his coffee.
"9ay%e an orange -uice."
"3ham&agne $ith that4" 9ichael ;uic#ly shoo# his head.
"+ glass $ith some ice, and do you ha!e any crac#ers or something4 .he's had
&ro%lems in the morning lately, slightly nauseated." "he $oman smiled and $ent to
get $hat 9ichael re;uested. *e didn't mention ho$ he #ne$ 9aria $as nauseated
%eing that she $as aslee&, %ut he #ne$.
+fter the attendant mo!ed on to the next ro$ of seats %ehind them, 9ichael
reached into his &oc#et and &ulled out the t$o items. Leaning %ac# in comfort, he
o&ened his hand to stare at the medallion on a long sil!er chain "heresa had gi!en
him for .ean. .t. 9ichael, the +rchangel.
"t's the &atron saint to &olice officers." 9aria said ;uietly. 9ichael loo#ed
do$n at her, meeting her eyes. Kissing the to& of her head, he nodded. /f course it
$as. "t's for .ean4"
227
"=eah, she as#ed me to gi!e it to him." 9aria's long %eautiful fingers gathered
the sil!er chain from his &alm and lifted it u& to shine in the sunlight from the
$indo$. ".he didn't need to $orry, did she, Michael? *e's already &rotected." 9aria
said calmly as she &ut the medallion %ac# in 9ichael's hand and reached o!er to
#iss him.
9ichael sho!ed the medallion into his &oc#et along $ith a single %ullet $ith an
engra!ed em%lem on its side. 9arco had gi!en him a %ullet. 9aria ru%%ed her head
into the side of 9ichael's nec# smelling his clean scent, mixed $ith the sur&rising
smell of lemons. 9oaning softly, she o&ened her mouth u& against his s#in and
tasted him, allo$ing her tongue to locate his &ressure &oint, as the staccato %eat of
his life rushed &ast in a mo!ement of $arm gushing %lood. *unger.
"hey $ere in 'irst 3lass and some of the seats $ere em&ty. )ith the
additional room and si0e of the indi!idual seats, it $as almost li#e they $ere alone.
*er %ody $as hot against his and he could smell her, the heated smell of arousal. t
$as gro$ing stronger e!ery day, o!er$helming at times to the &oint he could %arely
control his res&onse.
"9aria, god5 Professor...not here." 9ichael gently mo!ed her a$ay from his
%ody and raised their seats to a more u&right &osition. 3ontinuing to lie %ac# $as
only going to get them into trou%le. "*ere, drin# some orange -uice and got you
some crac#ers for the nausea."
"'m not nauseated anymore." 9ichael fro$ned. .he $as right. t had &assed.
+ll that $as left $as this singing %u00 in the %lood, a s$irling need that made his
head almost di00y, and the redness of her li&s... 9ichael closed his eyes and
groaned. *e $anted to %ite her mouth until it %led.
228
9aria ;uic#ly un%uc#led her seat%elt and stood u& to lean o!er him. Putting
one #nee on the seat she leaned hard into his %ody and %it the side of his nec# hard
and then &laced a soothing suc# and lic#.
"'m going to the %athroom." 9aria too# his head in her hands and #issed him
dee&ly, suc#ing him into her mouth. .traightening to lea!e, she $his&ered in his
ear as her hand $ent do$n his %ody to gri& him hard. "'m not $earing any
under$ear."
9ichael $atched her saunter off to the front com&artment's la!atory and
&ause at the door to loo# at him. :oing inside, she left the door a-ar. 9ichael
;uic#ly stood, cursing the lac# of room in his &ants, and loo#ed for the attendants.
"hey $ere %usy ser!ing refreshments to the other &assengers. 'ollo$ing her,
9ichael o&ened the door to enter the room $hen her hand gra%%ed the front of his
shirt and &ulled him inside, slamming the door %ehind him.
???
<2ulia, honey5 Phone5 .omeone from the office.> 2ulia loo#ed u& from $here
she $as sitting outside on the %ac# terrace. "hey had decided to do a little grilling
after .unday ser!ices, and her mother,s %est friend 2enny and her hus%and 9arc,
$ere lighting u& the grill. t $as cool outside, %ut the sun $as out and it $as
$arming u& nicely.
2ulia excused herself, and $ent inside to ta#e the &hone from her mom.
Kissing her on the chee#, she ans$ered the &hone to her hysterical assistant.
<Pardon me4> 2ulia felt a slight rushing in her head, the lights receding and
then returning. <Please re&eat that.> .he $illed herself to stay calm, collected, a
nicely %rought u& .outhern girl $ith im&ecca%le manners and refinement@ <)hat
229
the fuc#ing hell do ya mean ya lost my $itness4 don,t care t$o figs in a &ig,s slo&
%uc#et if it,s not your fault5 =ou are res&onsi%le for 9r. Perdy,s &rotection and $ell(
%eing. ha!e a trial in less than t$enty(four hours, not t$enty(four days or e!en
years. Hours! 8o$ get your ugly shit(#ic#in, shoes on and start loo#ing5 +nd find
me Detecti!e DeLuca5>
2ulia slammed do$n the &hone and fumed. .traightening her .unday clothes
to a neater more &resenta%le manner, she turned to $a!e at her mom through the
#itchen $indo$. 'inding her &urse, she loo#ed at the %usiness card in her holder
and found one for central information at the Ros$ell PD. t too# some $or#, %ut she
finally found .ean DeLuca,s home &hone num%er.
Dialing the num%er, she stood there ta&&ing her foot. "he dou%le clic#, the
ringing of the &hone as it connected, and finally an ans$er@..
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(..)ee&.*
<"his is +ssistant D+ 9acLeod, $ould a&&reciate you calling me %ac# at A2B(ACD2.
t is !ery im&ortant, and can,t $ait until tomorro$...than# you.>
<2ulia5 *oney, come to eat5> 2ulia loo#ed u& as she hung u& the &hone and
$a!ed. *o$ %ad could one case get4
???
9ichael stood in the door$ay of the loft, ama0ed at the chaos. Kyle $as still
frantically cleaning, trying to get some order %ac# %efore they got home. t didn,t
hel& that no matter ho$ much he straightened, that damn cat destroyed it as soon
as his %ac# $as turned. +nd e!en hours later, he still couldn,t find his #eys.
22:
Kyle set the &hone %ac# on the recei!er and resigned himself to a fe$ $ords
$ith an utterly un&leasant 9ichael. t $as -ust &ar for the course since "ess $asn,t
ans$ering her &hone. +t one &oint, Kyle almost called 9ax to see if "ess had gone
o!er there. 2ealousy $as a terri%le thing, es&ecially $hen he $as afraid he may
ha!e &ushed her a$ay into another man,s arms.
9aria came around the stalled 9ichael in the door as the taxi dro!e a$ay.
<9ichael, you,re too %ig to go around. 3ould you may%e mo!e out of the door$ay4>
9ichael -ust mo!ed and $aited for her reaction. <:reat .cot5.>
<Kyle4 s there something you $ant to tell us4> 9ichael as#ed ;uietly, counting
to ten %efore letting himself ex&lode. )as that his hoc#ey stic# %ro#en in t$o in the
corner of the room4 <"ell me that a gang of tree $orshi&&ers %ro#e into the loft and
&rotested the use of natural $ood in home dEcor4>
< -ust $ant to say that your security system $or#s fineF and $ould you mind
shutting the door %ecause -ust can,t ta#e ha!ing another 3o& hold me at gun&oint
again today.>
9aria $al#ed slo$ly around the room as she too# in the mess. </h god, are
you o#ay4> 9ichael closed the door after &ulling their %ags the rest of the $ay
inside as 9aria,s cry of dismay dre$ his attention. <Kyle, oh god, these are ele!enth
century. 9ing Dynasty, -ade figurines. "hey,re...they,re..., oh god... too !alua%le to
%e lying on the floor.> 9aria,s eyes narro$ed as she noticed s&lotches on the
/riental rug in the li!ing room. <)hat is that4>
Kyle -ust sighed. /f course she $ould notice the clum&s of 9r. 1oo%oo's hair
all o!er the &lace first. <)ell see, 9r. 1oo%oo...>
</h god, $here is he4 Did they catna& him4> 9aria ran u& the stairs calling
the cat,s name. <9ichael, call the &olice...someone, anyone...>
227
9ichael -ust calmly turned to Kyle. <=ou $ant to tal# no$, or do ha!e to run
you in do$nto$n4>
< s$ear, 9ichael. =ou could,!e mentioned that your cat $as more than -ust
neurotic. "hat cat is &ossessed, a lim% of .atan5 He did this, all of this. 6!ery since
you left, it,s %een hell...>
9aria a&&eared at the to& of the stairs $ith the large 9r. 1oo%oo hanging
%et$een her hands. *e $as missing some noticea%le clum&s of hair. 9aria $as
staring into his eyes ma#ing noises at him, and e!en faces.
</h damn, 9ichael, "he 1oo is totally non(res&onsi!e5 )e need to ta#e him to
the hos&ital.> 9aria hugged her cat to her and loo#ed do$n at her %rother. <)hat
the hell did you do to my cat4>
<8othing, s$ear5 "ess thin#s he $as missing the t$o of you, searching
e!ery$here for you.>
<Really4 *e missed me4> 9aria melted. Loo#ing at her %ig, not so fluffy cat,
she too# him do$nstairs cooing to him, <Did you miss me, my little fluffers4 %et
no one made you a treat.> +s she disa&&eared into the #itchen $ith him, the cat
made a &athetic meo$, %ut Kyle s$ore he loo#ed at him $ith an e!il smile.
9ichael $as slo$ly &ic#ing u& stuff as Kyle hel&ed. <.o ho$ did the tri& go,
9ichael4>
<t $as eye(o&ening, that,s for damn sure. + local man is su&&osed to %e
calling to gi!e me information a%out a dum&ing ground here. #no$ more than
did, so des&ite this mess, thin# it $as $orth the tri&.>
<Kyle, $here is "ess4> 9aria as#ed as she fed the cat, stro#ing his %ac# the
$hole time. *e de!oured his food li#e he $as star!ing, and &urred loudly the entire
time.
224
Kyle came o!er to 9aria and too# a seat at the #itchen %ar. <.he left. )e sort
of had a misunderstanding. $as trying to follo$ her, %ut couldn,t find my #eys.
loo#ed e!ery$here. /nce had the mess cleaned u&, the damn cat...> 9aria
fro$ned at his descri&tion of her &oor cat, so o%!iously a%used and underfed. Kyle
gul&ed, %ut continued, <*e too# off in another fren0y and still can,t find them.>
<Do you ha!e a s&are set4>
<+t home, %ut my house #ey is missing too.> Kyle $as more than ready to get
home, get his car and go find "ess. *e $asn,t sure $hat to say or ho$ to say it, %ut
he couldn,t -ust lea!e things li#e this.
< ha!e a s&are #ey for your house.> 9aria loo#ed him o!er critically and
fro$ned. <.o $hat ha&&ened $ith "ess4>
<9aria.>
<Did you t$o finally tal# a%out 2ac#4> Kyle loo#ed at her, and sa$ the
s&eculation and #no$ledge in her eyes. < #no$ she #no$s that you and 2ac# $ere
in lo!e.> 9aria ignored his startled reaction. <t $as hard to miss, %ecause it $ent
%eyond -ust normal %est friends. *e $as a tough man, %ut for you and "ess he had
a gentleness.>
<.he #no$s. "ess al$ays #ne$.> Kyle loo#ed around to see 9ichael in the
do$nstairs %edroom still &ic#ing u& the mess. 9r. 1oo had $andered into the room
and $as sitting at his feet meo$ing a$ay, o%!iously telling 9ichael all a%out the
horror of the last t$o days. )hining tattletale.
<.o $hat $ent $rong4 .he must #no$ that you lo!ed her too.>
<.he does.> Kyle made sure of 9ichael's $herea%outs again %efore he leaned
in to tal# to 9aria. <Loo#, you,!e got to tell me ho$ to fix this. need your hel&.>
<2ust tell me $hat you need.> 9aria reached into the refrigerator and too# out
t$o %ottles of $ater, &assing one to Kyle.
225
<"ess and ha!e history.> 9aria -ust nodded. =eah, she had caught that. <=ears
ago, %ro#e u& $ith Pam "roy. +ctually she dum&ed me in a cruel $ay, and didn,t
ta#e it so $ell. got trashed off my ass, stole a car, $ent on a -oyride and finally
found my $ay o!er to 2ac#,s house. 2ac#,s &arents $ere ne!er home. "hey did lots
of tra!eling, so $hen $e $ere .eniors in *igh .chool, "ess and 2ac# $ere
&ractically shac#ing u& in his &arents, home. interru&ted them. 1ut they $ere
really nice a%out it. "ess and 2ac# &ut me to %ed in 2ac#'s %rother 9artin,s room,
$ho had left for the 9arines that year.> Kyle too# a s$ig of his $ater. < $as al$ays
en!ious of their relationshi&. t $as li#e they too# one loo# at each other and that
$as it. 1am. 1ut they ne!er excluded me. +ctually they seemed to $ant me around
more than understood. secretly thought had a crush on "ess, %ut it $as more
than that.>
<Lo!e4> Kyle -ust nodded.
<.trange, 2ac# didn,t seem to mind. t $as li#e he ex&ected it. +ny$ay, $as
in that %edroom, misera%le, $ith the ceiling circling around, and could hear them
in the next room. "he noise, the laughter, and felt misera%le and lonely. guess
mo!ed around a lot, %ecause suddenly "ess $as in the door$ay.> Kyle gul&ed as he
still felt it, still sa$ her. <:od, 9aria, s$ear((you had to see her. .he $as only
$earing 2ac#,s shirt, un%uttoned. "here $as a light %ehind her ma#ing her seem to
glo$, and she loo#ed...other$orldly. .he came in the room and too# my hand, and
$hen started to s&ea#, she -ust shushed me and &ut a finger to my mouth, and
then she re&laced it $ith her mouth. ne!er thought $ould someday #iss one of
my %est friends, and the girlfriend to my other %est friend. 1ut "ess -ust &ulled me
into 2ac#,s %edroom. "hey had the $hole room lit $ith candles, and 2ac# $as in
%ed. *e -ust held o&en the co!ers as "ess dro&&ed his shirt and clim%ed in, and
then she turned %ac# to me, &ulled off my %oxers and &ulled me in %ed $ith them.>
276
<"he three of you4> 9aria $as im&ressed. +ctually she $as more than
im&ressed. +ctually...$o$.
9ichael came to the head of the stairs u&stairs. <.onofa%itch, Galenti, you
sle&t in our %ed5> 9aria loo#ed u& at him and fro$ned.
<9ichael, can,t you -ust change the sheets and %ello$ a%out it later &lease4
Kyle is telling me some im&ortant things. *e had a threesome $ith "ess.>
"n our %ed45> 9ichael thundered. "=ou mean someone else $as here4"
"8o5 =ears ago. )ith 2ac#." 9aria $atched 9ichael's eye%ro$ go u&, %ut he
disa&&eared into their room $ithout another $ord. .he #ne$ he $ould continue to
%itch and moan u&stairs, %ut he $ould as# her the story later.
<9aria5 "hat $as confidential.> Kyle $as horrified.
<'iddlestic#s, tell 9ichael e!erything. Don,t $orry, it $ill ele!ate you in his
eyes.> 9aria said. <.o4 )hat $ent $rong4>
< did. $o#e u& $hile they $ere aslee&, the t$o of them $ra&&ed around
each other, and %oth of them reaching for me. t felt li#e they $ere a &air and $as
&art of them, %ut not ;uite. $as still on the outside.> 9aria -ust nodded. "hat $as
ho$ 9ichael descri%ed his relationshi& $ith 9ax and sa%el. <+ny$ay, loo#ed at
them and #ne$. -ust #ne$ that sooner or later $ould $ant to %e on the inside,
and if that didn,t ha&&en it $ould end %adly.> Kyle ru%%ed his face. < couldn,t do it,
9aria. couldn,t ta#e the chance of losing them %oth. "heir friendshi& meant
e!erything to me. can,t e!en tell you ho$ close $e $ere. .o ran a$ay, and
&retended that $as so drun# that $o#e u& the next morning in the &ar# $ith no
real memory of the night %efore. "hey follo$ed my lead and it $as ne!er mentioned
again.>
</h, Kyle.> 9aria -ust shoo# her head. t must ha!e %een so tough for him at
se!enteen, %ut still...$al#ing a$ay4
271
< #no$. $as an idiot. 6!er since 2ac# died '!e $ished could go %ac# in
time and ma#e another choice, the other one. thre$ a$ay really #no$ing them,
%eing a &art of something $onderful.> Kyle !oice lo$ered. < #issed him. #issed
2ac# that night. t $as strange, 9aria. didn,t feel gay. 2ac# $asn,t a man to me.
*e $as something more, %oth he and "ess. t $asn,t $eird and frea#ish. t felt
right, li#e finally found a &art of my soul that hadn,t #no$n $as missing.>
<.o $hen 2ac# died...>
< $as $rec#ed. t $as so hard. "ess needed me, %ut all could see $as that
2ac# made a stu&id choice %y sa!ing me and ta#ing that %ullet.>
< dou%t he thought that, Kyle. *e lo!ed you, and he lo!ed "ess. *o$ could he
choose his o$n life o!er either of yours4> 9aria loo#ed at him $ith sym&athy. 8o
$onder he a!oided "ess. *e had lost one(third of the most im&ortant &art of
himself, and %y default, lost another in the form of "ess. <.o ta#e it that you
finally got %ac# together $ith "ess this $ee#end.> Kyle -ust nodded. <.o $hat $ent
$rong4>
<9e. +gain.> Kyle leaned %ac# and ru%%ed his eyes. < couldn,t slee&. $as
afraid that $ould $a#e u& and she,d %e gone, or that it $as all -ust a dream. +s
she sle&t, lay there -ust loo#ing at her, holding her, and my hand $as o!er her
stomach. felt the %a%y mo!e, that fluttery motion. t...it $as so incredi%le. +nd in
that moment had e!erything could e!er $ant.>
<1ut4> 9aria loo#ed at him sadly. "his $asn,t good. .he could see the sadness
in his eyes, the &ain. <2ac#.>
Kyle nodded. <t hit me all the sudden. 2ac#. *e $as gone(really gone. +nd
there $as holding his entire life in my arms, his $ife, and the %a%y that should
ha!e %een his. didn,t $ant him to die that day, %ut there $as, t$o short years
272
later holding e!erything he held dear in my arms, almost li#e $ished my %est
friend dead so could ha!e his life.>
<=ou,d finally %e that im&ortant &art of the cou&le, instead of the third4>
Kyle co!ered his eyes and leaned for$ard on the counter. <"he regret, the
anger at myself and the self(loathing, it $as all there. +nd "ess $o#e u& and sa$ it.
.he thought...>
<"hat you hated her and that you $ere going to run a$ay again, -ust $hen she
finally got you %ac# in her life4>
<=eah.> Kyle loo#ed so hel&less. <9aria, she $on't ans$er the &hone. '!e
tried. '!e left messages.>
<)hat do you $ant, Kyle4 )hat do you really $ant4> 9aria as#ed him softly.
< $ant... $ant to not %e alone, %ut unless ha!e "ess can,t see myself
any$here %ut there.> Kyle closed his eyes and groaned. <,!e lo!ed her &ractically
all my life, and for a long time con!inced myself that if $e $ere friends it $ould
%e enough. 1ut it $asn,t. t ne!er could %e, and not es&ecially after last night.>
<"hen don,t you thin# ten years is enough time s&ent denying it4 )ould 2ac#
$ant this4 Really Kyle, $ho are you &rotecting, gi!ing retri%ution to4 2ac# is gone,
%ut you and "ess are still here.> 9aria loo#ed at him and reached o!er and
s;uee0ed his hand. </ne life, one heart and $hat $e feel, it,s all $e,!e got to guide
us. =ou,!e got to decide if you finally li!e starting today, or die this $ay.>
Kyle got u&, and &ic#ed u& his #eys for his a&artment. 9aria handed him the
#eys to the 2etta. *e -ust smiled. < thin# ,ll -ust...>
<:o.> 9aria $atched him lea!e. "hin#ing a%out $hat she had -ust learned and
com&aring it to $hat she had sus&ected, 9aria $as still im&ressed. )o$, a
threesome. <9ichael, ha!e you e!er considered a...>
277
9ichael loo#ed o!er the to& of the stairs. <9aria, +ill s&an# you. Don,t e!en
mention it...>
<,m -ust saying, if...fantasy &otential mean...$ho $ould you...>
<9aria5>
9aria ignored him and $ent in search of food. <9ichael5 9ichael5 .omeone left
us stea#s5 /h ha&&y day. *o$ do you $ant yours4 Rare, rare, or rare4>
???
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(..)ee&.*
<"his is +D+ 9acLeod, $ould a&&reciate you calling me %ac# at A2B(ACD2.
can,t stress ho$ im&erati!e it is you return my call.>
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(..)ee&.*
<+D+ 9acLeod, A2B(ACD2, call me +...+.P.>
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(..)ee&.*
<)here the hell are you4 f you are ignoring my calls, $ill ma#e sure you
ne!er $or# in this state again5 .o get your lily($hite ass off that sofa, sto& drin#ing
your %eer and call me %ac# immediately.>
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(..)ee&.*
<)hen find you, am going@> "he machine disconnected. .he ;uic#ly
redialed, %ut only got a %usy signal. 2ulia tossed the &hone do$n. *e had either
un&lugged his machine or she had filled u& his message ta&e. *ea!ing and angry,
278
she &ic#ed u& the &hone again and called central information at the Ros$ell PD to
find out DeLuca,s home address.
???
Kyle sto&&ed outside the door of "ess,s home. t $as a &ri!ately o$ned condo
that she and 2ac# &urchased their first year of marriage. "ess had &aid it off $ith
money from 2ac#,s life insurance &olicy, and Kyle actually allo$ed himself to $onder
if she $anted something larger for the %a%y.
*e rested his head against her door, and too# a clean, dee& %reath. 2ust
%reathe. Remem%er to %reathe. Kyle could hear her mo!ing around on the other
side of the door as she came to ans$er his #noc#. )hen she o&ened the door his
heart sto&&ed in his throat.
"ess had %een crying. t $as o%!ious from her runny nose and her red(
%rimmed eyes. Kyle felt it li#e he $as $eighted do$n inside. Ru%%ing his stomach,
he stood there $aiting for her to decide.
'inally, she stood aside and let him in. :oing into the li!ing room, Kyle
sto&&ed at the stac# of &ictures on the coffee ta%le. Pictures of "ess $ith 2ac#, the
three of them, -ust 2ac#, and 2ac# and Kyle littered the ta%le. "ess had no dou%t
%een searching for something, may%e a memory or feeling lost.
*e $as a %reathing statue, silent and unmo!ing.
"2ac# lo!ed me, in his $ay," she %egan, ste&&ing closer to Kyle's motionless
form, "and lo!ed him. 1ut he's not here anymore." *er trem%ling fingers slid do$n
his $rist to t$ine $ith his. "*e's not $ho $ant no$."
")ho do you $ant4" he as#ed. *is ex&ression $as !eiled in shado$s, %ut he
s;uee0ed her fingers $armly.
279
*er fingers s;uee0ed his in return, %ut she did not ans$er his ;uestion. ")hy
did you come here tonight4"
"his time he did touch her, s#imming his #nuc#les o!er her -a$ li#e he had last
night. " had to #no$ if $hat sa$ last night...$hat felt...$as real or not. 8ot real
for me, "ess, %ut real for you."
"he memory of them, of his %ody &ressed against hers, flared in her eyes.
"+nd4 )hat then, Kyle4 )ill you feel regret and &ull a$ay again4"
*e cradled the %ac# of her head in his &alm and traced her chee#%one $ith his
thum%. ",!e had a hard time $ith myself, "ess. =ou,!e %een my %est friend all my
life, and the thought of losing you... can,t. 1ut held you last night and felt our
%a%y mo!ing. +nd suddenly felt li#e $ished my friend gone so could ha!e his
$ife. $ouldn,t gi!e myself to you and him $hen he $as ali!e, %ecause thought
$ould al$ays %e num%er three. +nd it,s li#e, no$ he,s gone and $in %y default."
</h, Kyle...>
<8o. t,s o#ay. -ust felt it for a moment. didn,t $ant to $in that $ay,
%ecause it doesn,t feel li#e $inning. 8ot at all, not e!en a little %it. *o$ can it %e
$hen it means lost 2ac#4> Kyle loo#ed a$ay and felt the &ain cut him inside. <
can,t remem%er the last time $o#e u& and didn,t miss him, until last night. +nd
then suddenly it all came rushing %ac#.>
<Kyle, ha!e no regrets. 8ot a%out you or 2ac#. regret that the choices $e
made as teenagers carried on in our li!es for so long, %ut ne!er regret that night.
.o today, decided to &ut it a$ay. Put it in a %ox and store it a$ay some$here else.
can,t ha!e that night %ac#. 8e!er. "hat &ossi%ility has &assed. 1ut there is you,
and me, and nothing %ut future &ossi%ilities. +nd ha!e to #no$ if you,re $ith me,
%ecause this is the last time ,ll turn %ac# and $ait for you.> .he leaned to$ard him,
27:
%ec#oning to him $ith soft li&s and $arm %reath against his chee#, and Kyle didn,t
e!en hesitate.
"heir mouths mo!ed together gently, delightfully, as they %egan to learn each
other all o!er again in her li!ing room. 'or a %rief second "ess considered forcing
him against the door, considered ri&&ing his clothes o&en so her hands could feast
on his hot flesh, %ut as his hand mo!ed to tangle in her curled %lond hair, she
decided against it. "here $ould %e time later for forcing and ri&&ing, time for
insistent rhythms and gas&s, %ut for no$ this $as right, this slo$ com&letion of a
-ourney %egun so many years ago.
Kyle %rought her closer, croo#ing her arm %ehind her %ac# and resting their
still(-oined hands on her hi&. Pleased $ith his a&&arent reluctance to release her
fingers, "ess smiled against his mouth. *er smile %roadened $hen he traced her
cur!ing li&s $ith his tongue.
"*o$ far are you $illing to go $ith me, "ess4" he $his&ered, running his
thum% do$n the column of her throat. *e didn't gi!e her chance to ans$er him,
though, %efore he &ressed his li&s again to hers, leading her in another #iss. <=ou
al$ays felt li#e fore!er to me.>
.oon his mouth left hers to trail along her -a$. "ess gas&ed as he nu00led her
ear and she at last tugged her hand from his gras& to t$ine her arms around his
nec#. *is hands drifted do$n her %ac# inde&endent of each other until they met at
her $aist. *e &ulled her hi&s to$ard his. 9ating them together. "oo long. 6!en after
-ust hours, it still felt li#e it had %een too long.
"he feel of his gro$ing erection %et$een them forced their li&s a&art. "hey
stood for a moment, silent, and "ess could almost hear reality %anging at the door,
ready to s&e$ forth all the reasons $hy she should ta#e this slo$ly. *e must ha!e
277
heard it too, for the ;uestion he sa$ in her dar#ened %lue eyes $as as clear as if
she had !oiced itH '+re you sure4'
Kyle -ust moaned and rested his forehead against hers. 8e!er so sure of
anything in his entire life. 2ealousy had raged in him for months. )hen she started
seeing 9ax 6!ans, Kyle had %een so sic# from it, that he sto&&ed dating all
together. *e $as sure that he couldn,t ta#e e!er seeing her $ith another man. Kyle
nodded at her.
*er res&onse $as s$ift and certain. .he &ut her hand to his mouth, studying
it, memori0ing its sha&e and texture $ith her fingerti&s. "9a#e lo!e $ith me4"
*er fingers delighted in his smile. "=es," he said as he ni&&ed one of her
fingers.
"he &ad of her %are feet against the $ooden floor $as lost in the scuff of
Kyle's %oots as they mo!ed do$n her hall$ay. )hen they reached her %edroom
door she &aused, not %ecause she $as suddenly &lagued $ith second thoughts, %ut
%ecause the room $as once hers and 2ac#,s. ")e could use the s&are room. ha!e
some candles," she said.
Kyle stood in the door$ay and noticed the &icture of 2ac# at the %edside. ""his
room is &erfect. "here,re no more ghosts %et$een us. )e don't need candles," he
said, then reached to$ard her. /ne ;uic# motion he un0i&&ed her dress. <)e,ll use
them later $hen it gets dar#.>
)ith another ;uic# motion, he $atched at a0ure %lue sil# dress slide to the
floor in a &ool around her feet.
<)o$," he murmured as his ga0e trailed o!er her %ody, and "ess's smile too#
on a sultry u&turn at his tone. *is hand did sha#e slightly as it closed around her
shoulder, %ut there $as no hesitation in his #iss. *is li&s $ere firm, and she
274
moaned, in!iting his tongue to mate $ith hers as she &ushed his denim shirt do$n
his arms. *e ste&&ed a$ay from her to yan# the cuffs o!er his hands.
"ess too# ad!antage of his %ac#$ard motion to tug his *enley from the
$aist%and of his -eans. .he %ent o!er and &laced a #iss on his stomach, then
la&&ed at his na!el $here it &ee#ed out a%o!e denim. Raising his shirt a slo$ inch
at a time, she $or#ed her $ay u& his torso, lic#ing and #issing his s#in as it $as
re!ealed to her hot suc#ing mouth.
)hen she reached his collar%one, she suc#ed the hollo$ made there %y his
%ones, tasting the salt of his s#in as she &ulled the shirt o!er his head. .he loo#ed
u& at him, #no$ing her eyes $ere as dar# as his. "*el& me4" *er fingers traced the
line of his ri%s.
"he shirt $as gone in an instant. n the next, the hem of her thin sli& $as in
his hands, his curled fingers %rushing against her thighs. 1ut then he sto&&ed.
")hat4" she as#ed, as the $ords Idon,t sto&, #e&t echoing in her head.
*e smiled at her, cu&&ing her face and &lacing gentle #isses on her forehead,
her nose, her chee#s. "3ome here."
*e sat on the edge of her %ed. .he stood naturally, trustingly, %et$een his
#nees and he rested his hands on the %ac#s of her thighs. " $ant to %e a%le to
touch $hat see."
"ess shi!ered as his &alms glided along her s#in, $arm under cool golden
satin. .he gas&ed $hen his hands gras&ed the %are flesh of her ass. 'eeling the to&
of the thong. *is chuc#le $as the most sensuous thing she had e!er heard. " lo!e
sexy under$ear."
.he managed to smile. " figure only ha!e so much longer ,m going to %e
a%le to $ear them. =ou $eren,t ex&ecting $hite, cotton, lady 'ruit of the Loom
275
%riefs4" "he smile !anished $hen he s;uee0ed her ass, #neading the muscles $ith
strong fingers.
"'ll try to o!ercome my disa&&ointment." *is hands flo$ed along the arch of
her s&ine, around the cur!e of her ri%s. "hen there $as a rush of air as he dre$ the
sli& o!er her head, and she stood na#ed %efore him.
*e studied her $ith the concentrated attentionF she %lushed. +fter years of
Kyle a!oiding direct eye contact exce&t for a fe$ moments, %eing under his direct
regard $as something ne$ . *e mo!ed his hands o!er her thighs, %elly and ri%sF
she shi!ered. *e cu&&ed her %reasts in his %eautiful handsF she moaned.
".o soft...and %igger than remem%er," he murmured, teasing her flesh $ith
his thum%s. ".o %eautiful." *e leaned for$ard, &lacing a tender #iss on each ni&&le.
""ess." *is mouth claimed her collar%one. ""ess. "ess." + $arm gust of %reath
against her sternum mar#ed his ;uiet laugh. "'m not sure $hat to call you."
")ell, since you al$ays called me "ess((" *is li&s closed around her ni&&le,
and she gras&ed his shoulders, s$aying into him. "Perha&s "ess," she started again,
"$ould %e %est. /h5" *e $as right. *er %reasts $ere getting %igger, and definitely
!ery sensiti!e.
+t her gas& his teeth tightened a fraction more %efore he released her %reast.
""ess," he &urred, his #isses roaming o!er her torso. ""ess. "hen %y all means call
me 'stud'."
"ess &ulled a$ay from him, framing his face in her hands. 6yes half closed, he
nu00led his chee# into her &alm. .he stared at him, losing herself in his familiar
features $hile her fingers danced automatically o!er the &lanes of his face. "Kyle4
.tud4 +l$ays so studly..." .ha#ing her head, she ran her hands through his hair left
the soft sil#iness of it gri& at her fingers. "8o. 'd rather call you 'mine'."
286
.he %arely had time to finish her $ords %efore his mouth $as ra!ishing hers,
his tongue hot and hungry against her o$n. "hey %oth groaned as she leaned her
full $eight into him, and she felt his stomach muscles contract as he slo$ly lo$ered
them to the %ed.
"his $as $hat she had longed for since she rushed from the loft earlier that
morning, #isses that s$am&ed her senses, #isses that s$e&t e!erything from her
mind exce&t for him. 6!en those long, dee& #isses lost their im&ortance though,
$hen Kyle arched u& %eneath her. "he sensation of his denim(clad hi&s scra&ing
against hers $as startling %ut not un&leasant, and she ru%%ed against him, once,
t$ice.
""ess," he hissed, digging his fingers into her %ac#. <:od, $hat time is it4>
<2ust after four in the e!ening. )hy4> "ess as#ed distractedly &ushing his %ody
into hers, holding him tight. Last night had %een li#e an ex&losion of need, %ut this
$as li#e a rene$al.
<2ust as sus&ected. 8a& time.>
"ess s;uirmed a$ay from his hold, sliding %ac#$ards do$n his %ody. .he
ex&lored his chest as she mo!ed, delineating his muscles $ith her fingers, dragging
her hardened ni&&les o!er his stomach. +t last she #nelt on the floor %et$een his
#nees and reached for his %ootlaces.
"he sim&le &rocess of remo!ing %oots and soc#s too# much longer than usual
as her hands sho$ed a tendency to $ander o!er the im&ressi!e legs %efore her.
)hen his feet $ere finally %are, she s&read her hands o!er his an#les and %egan
slo$ly to run them u& his legs. /!er his shins. "he denim ras&ed against her &alms.
/!er his #nees. "he %ed shifted under his $eight as he &ro&&ed himself u& on his
el%o$s. /!er his thighs. .he raised her smoldering eyes %riefly to his as her hands
drifted to his la&.
281
"1utton(fly -eans4" .he ran a single finger do$n his fly, feeling the %um& of
each %utton and the heat of his arousal underneath them. "t ta#es a real man to
$ear %utton(flys." "he first %utton slid easily through the $orn %utton hole. .o did
the second. "1utton(flys indicate a certain sexuality." "he third %utton. "he fourth.
"+ certainty in one's o$n masculinity." "he fifth. .he found his $aist%and, !enturing
%et$een under$ear and s#in. "1utton(fly -eans are definitely men,s $ear," she
%reathed, her $ords $arm against his %oxers. "ess still had that &icture of him in
her mind from one summer, s$imming $ith him in nothing %ut un%uttoned %utton(
fly -eans $ith $ater $etting his s#in. Delicious.
"he %eds&read $as #notted in his fists. ""ess, &lease..."
.he tugged on the fa%ric. *e lifted his hi&s and she &ulled his remaining
clothes to the floor.
*is erection stood out from his groin, hard and &erfect. )ith eager fingers she
stro#ed his length from %ase to ti& %efore she closed her hand around him and
s;uee0ed. Pleased $ith his groan she s;uee0ed again, %rushing her fingernails
against his %alls in the &rocess.
Kyle sat u& as she continued her caresses, com%ing his fingers through her
hair, then cradling her head %et$een his &alms. "ess's tongue sna#ed across her
li&s in antici&ation, %ut instead of guiding her anxious mouth to his coc#, he tilted
her face u& and #issed her.
"hough he %uc#ed against her $hen her gri& on him instincti!ely tightened, he
didn't release her. *e urged her u&, falling %ac# onto the %ed and &ulling her $ith
him, all the $hile #issing her $ith a fer!or that she felt do$n to her toes. .he
%arely registered the sensation of his na#ed %ody stretched out %eneath hers %efore
he rolled them o!er, forcing her into the mattress, &inning her %eneath his %road
shoulders and strong legs.
282
+t last he &ulled a$ay from her mouth to lean %ac# on one el%o$. *e stared
do$n at her, tracing the contours of her face as she let go of his coc# to clutch at
his s$eat slic#ed shoulders. "Kyle(("
+nother #iss ;uieted her, %ut only until his hand %egan ro!ing again, &inching
her ni&&les, massaging her &regnant a%domen, s&reading her legs. 1road fingers
flitted across her inner thighs %efore darting all too %riefly o!er her s$ollen folds.
"ess $him&ered, her hi&s mo!ing restlessly amid the sheets, and the fingers
returned. Kyle's touch $as %oth tender and sure, and she shuddered under his
erotic assault. .he $rithed against him, her %reath coming in gas&s as he continued
to stro#e her, to #iss her stomach, to lic# at the sensiti!e crease %et$een hi& and
thigh. )hen at last he found her des&erate clit $ith his thum%, sli&&ing a finger into
her moist o&ening at the same time, she arched into his hand. "Kyle5
/h...unh...&lease..."
.hifting to #neel %et$een her legs, he reached for her an#le, %ent her #nee
and &laced her foot on the %ed, o&ening her to his touch. *is mo!ements, though
still gentle, too# on a ne$ intensity as he re&laced one finger $ith t$o and %egan to
&ress them in and out $ith a steady rhythm.
*e $as relentless, dri!ing her to$ard release $ith a &atience that ama0ed her,
%ut it $as too soon. 6!en as her muscles tensed, she shoo# her head and lifted her
leg, $ra&&ing it around his $aist. "8o," she &anted, "not li#e this. need you inside
me."
""ess." *e surged u& her %ody, ho!ering o!er her as he &ositioned himself at
her entrance. *e caught her mouth in a #iss that seared, then &ushed slo$ly into
her.
287
.he didn't #no$ $hether to sigh or scream. *is coc# filled her so com&letely
she could %arely %reathe, and she lay unmo!ing %eneath him letting her %ody
ad-ust to his length and his heat.
Kyle %alanced a%o!e her, his eyes %lac# and glittering. "9y "ess," he
$his&ered, his li&s s#imming o!er her dam& forehead. "9y %est friend."
*is tone made her heart -um&, %ut her %rain stum%led a %it, confused %y his
$ords. t $asn,t the $ords as much as the tone. "hen he %egan to thrust into her,
dee&ly, e!enly, and her confusion $as lost in her desire.
"hrust flo$ed into thrust into thrust, as relentless as the riding of a s$ell, as
inexora%le as %reathing. *er arms closed around his %ac# as his teeth closed
around her earlo%e, and she shuddered. .he slid her hands o!er his %ac#, do$n to
his ass, u& to his nec#, re!eling in the &lay of his muscles as he mo!ed in her and
a%o!e her.
*is &ace increased and she lifted her other leg to encircle his $aist as $ell,
clinging to him, &ulling him closer. ""ess, marry me," he gas&ed, raising his li&s
from her ear to fuse again $ith hers. .he %it at his li&s, suc#ed his tongue into her
mouth, dug her nails into his shoulders...
*er orgasm came on suddenly and she cried out, arching her %ac#, trying to
meld herself $ith him as her muscles clenched and &ulsed around him. + moment
later he shouted his release as $ell, thro$ing his head %ac# and dri!ing into her
t$o, three more times %efore he stilled, %alancing a%o!e her on sha#ing arms.
+s the release of the orgasm hit in intensity and mo!ed o!er him li#e an
o!er$helming rush of energy, she reached for him. Pulling him do$n to rest next to
her, they rode the electrical %u00 of a lightning storm together. 1rushing his li&s
softly $ith hers, they lay t$ined together, trem%ling slightly, sharing caresses and
$arm, tired #isses as their %reathing returned to normal.
288
+t last "ess's %rain %egan functioning on a higher le!el again and she raised
herself u& to loo# at her %edmate. *is eyes $ere closed and his hands mo!ed o!er
her, seemingly of their o$n !olition. .miling, she %ent her head and la&&ed at the
hollo$ of his throat.
"Did you say yes4" he murmured, o&ening slee&y eyes to ga0e u& at her.
"he strong line of his chin recei!ed a #iss %efore she said, ""oo# you long
enough to as#."
Loo#ing almost shee&ish, Kyle urged her to rest against his chest. "'!e
thought it e!ery day since you $ere se!enteen, and all the years %et$een. .o
$hat's your ans$er4" *e &aused, $ea!ing strands of her hair %et$een his fingers
as he $aited.
Listening to his !oice rum%le &leasantly against her ear, "ess could understand
the re;uest. ")ill you do the laundry4" .he trailed her fingernails o!er his
a%domen, trying to a!oid her exhaustion %y focusing on him.
")e,ll do it together. "here,s a %a%y on the $ay. ,m in lo!e, not insane." *e
co!ered her hand $ith his, stilling her teasing touch. ",ll do anything you $ant, as
long as $e do it together."
"/#ay, %ut as# me again." + huge ya$n interru&ted her momentarily and she
ga!e a $ry grin. "*o&efully $hen 'm more a$a#e. $ant to ma#e sure it $asn,t a
dream."
"'ll as# you as often as you li#e." Kyle reached for the %edding crum&led
around their feet, and after a little $riggling they lay $ra&&ed in %lan#ets and each
other's arms.
"ess snuggled closer to him. "9ay%e after a na&," she said, her $ords trailing
off into a sigh. .he felt him &ress a #iss against her hair %efore she drifted into a
satisfied slee&. 1ut %efore slee& could claim her, she remem%ered something.
289
"Promise me," she %egan, and she felt him raise his head to listen. "Promise
you'll %e here $hen $a#e u&."
.he stirred %eneath his touch as he traced a la0y circle around the ti& of her
%reast. .he didn't need to see the smile to #no$ it $as there, as the &roof of his
desire &ressed against her %ac# as he hugged her tight to him.
")ho said anything a%out slee&ing4" Kyle murmured into her ear $ith a
chuc#le. "ess smiled, all thoughts of rec#oning a%andoned. "hey had time to %attle
it out, iron out all of their &ast and their future. 1ut not no$. +nd that $as all that
mattered. "hey had time.
???
<9aria, mean it. =ou,re not to $ait u& for me.> 9ichael $as rushing around
trying to get his stuff together %efore 9ax sho$ed u&. <=ou,re not to go out.>
< $on,t. &romise.> 9aria sto&&ed him in his trac#s and &ulled him close
#issing his chin. < can amuse myself home alone. =ou,!e got $or#, so go to $or#.>
9aria $atched the flic#ering of light in his eyes, the mo!ement of his %ody and
the almost defensi!e &osturing. Possessi!e. *e $as %eing &ossessi!e and this case
$as increasing the &ro%lem already caused %y her unex&ected &regnancy.
<9aria...>
< $on,t o&en the door. $on,t e!en ans$er the &hone unless #no$ $ho it is.
ha!e you on s&eed dial.> 9aria fro$ned at him. <)here is this coming from4>
9ichael -ust leaned his forehead against hers. < don,t #no$. really don,t.
feel... feel...unsettled.>
<s it the hunt4 "he fear of the un#no$n and #no$ing that the &er&etrator is
smart, an ex&ert4> 9aria as#ed ;uietly.
28:
3assie $as an un#no$n, and she $as an ex&ert. .he got so close...too close.
.he sle&t do$nstairs %elo$ them $hile they $ere aslee& and defenseless. .he could
ha!e #illed them in their slee& and &ro%a%ly $ould ha!e, if 9aria hadn,t forced her
hand %y going off to find the $itch,s dagger. 3assie $ould ha!e retrie!ed it herself
and then used it the next moment their guard $as do$n.
9aria -ust sighed. 9ax needed to get here no$ and ta#e 9ichael out on the
-o%. *e $as $or#ing himself u&. <9ichael. "al# to me. 2ust tell me $hat,s going on.>
< don,t #no$.> 9ichael &aced the room once more and thre$ himself do$n in
the seat next to her. )ithout reali0ing it, her hands found him, mo!ed o!er him.
<9y insides are -um&ing, -ittery. can,t get settled. feel $ired.>
<)ired4> 9aria loo#ed at him closely. *e $as li#e a large ner!ous tic#. 9aria
studied his %ody and the $ay he $as sitting, noticing ho$ much he $as in her
&ersonal s&ace. "he in!asion s&urred 9aria on, and she reached for him her mouth
finding his unerringly and her tongue see#ing entry. +s she #issed him she slid one
hand around and cu&&ing the %ac# of his head, fingers threading through the long,
slightly curled and sil#y, light %ro$n hair.
Pulling a$ay, 9aria fro$ned. <"his isn,t a%out the hunt or $or#. t,s me. ,m
doing this to you.> 9aria cleared her throat and mo!ed a$ay from him. *e ne!er
lost control or forgot $hat he needed to do, es&ecially $hen it in!ol!ed his -o%. 1ut
here he $as, minutes from needing to go on a night sta#eout, and he $as needing
sex, release. 1ut more than that he $as needing her loc#ed a$ay and safe. <)hat
can do4>
9ichael flashed a grin at 9aria, %efore di&&ing his head and catching her li&s
$ith his o$n, tongue forcing entry. "he #iss $as %rutal, ra$ and &assionate, lea!ing
%oth of them &anting, 9aria's full li&s red and s$ollen. 9ichael &ulled a$ay and
287
gro$led at her. "he sound $as lo$ and sexy, dee& in his throat, and 9aria,s entire
%ody heated u&.
9ichael,s %ody extended along $here hers reclined. 9aria clung des&erately to
his muscular form for %alance, as 9ichael rested his $eight on her and gri&&ed her
face in %oth hands, ta#ing &ossession of her mouth again.
9ichael %riefly ni%%led her lo$er li& and then his ;uesting tongue do!e dee&,
slic#ing against her teeth, o!er her &alate and coiled against her o$n tongue. n an
instant all the lo!e, fear and des&eration of the &ast fe$ days eru&ted in a searing
conflagration of $anton, na#ed lust. 9aria moaned against his mouth as he tasted
her. .he didn,t #no$ that finally admitting to lo!ing him, -ust saying the $ords,
$ould change them so much. 6!erything felt o&en((so much more o&en5 6!ery
touch and act seemed almost &ainful as feelings and information rushed %et$een
them at lightning s&eeds. 2ericho had trum&eted and the $alls came tum%ling
do$n.
9aria closed her eyes and surrendered to 9ichael's &assion and need. +long
her o$n. "he !i%rant crimson of their 1ond roiled in the %ac# of her mind and the
&it of her %elly, seething $ith indigo, !iolet and green hues, &ulsing synchronously
$ith the thro%%ing in 9ichael,s coc# and the hammering of his heart%eat. "hey $ere
hot($ired in a $ay neither could understand nor ex&lain, %ut the &ull and the dri!e
$ere increasing e!eryday.
"3hrist, 9aria..." 9ichael groaned against her throat, la&&ing s$eat(salt from
her &ulse &oint to her collar%one. "=ou taste, you smell, you "eel so fuc#ing
incredi%le."
9aria mo!ed %ac# on the sofa mo!ing her legs a&art to accommodate him as
the soft thin material of her dress mo!ed u&$ard to re!eal her long &ale thighs
&ressed against him urgently. *er hands mo!ed u& and o!er his %ody to -oin
284
together %ehind his head cradling his head as he mo!ed a$ay from her to loo#
do$n at their %odies.
<9ichael,> 9aria moaned $ith a shuddering sound of air crashing from her
lungs. <8o time. 9ax...>
9ichael -ust gul&ed. )or#. *e needed to go to $or#. *e had $anted to get
there at least an hour %efore the 3lu%'s o&ening to chec# the security cams.
6!erything in his %ody $as &ushing him to$ards her, to$ards sex and an
undenia%le need to feel her mouth on him, suc#ing from his %ody. .ha#ing his head
to clear it, they shared a loo# as the #noc# came at the door.
< can,t. need...> 9ichael,s eyes $ere dar# and hot, his %reathing -ust as
la%ored.
<=ou,!e got to go. Don,t do this to us.> 9aria gently &ushed him off her and
$atched as he slo$ly rose to his feet. *e loo#ed do$n at her, ta#ing in the &icture
of her(( golden hair tossed e!ery$here, li&s red and &uffy and a small dro& of %lood
on her %ottom one $here he had roughly %itten her. "he ex&osed length of her lean
muscular thigh... 9ichael ran a hand do$n his %ody and shuddered. 1ending do$n
he lic#ed the %lood off her li& and %efore she could &rotest, he gri&&ed her thigh in
a %ruising hold as his mouth found the soft s#in and ni&&ed her hard, mar#ing her.
<9ichael5> moaning loud as his mouth came u& to find hers in another dee&
%ruising #iss, 9ichael mo!ed a$ay.
<)e,re not done $ith this, Professor.> .he -ust lay there as she heard the front
door slam shut %ehind him. .itting u&, 9aria then tried to stand on her sha#ing
legs, %ut the room seemed to s&in, go dar#, and then too light. Resting her head
%et$een her #nees she too# large calming %reaths. 1reathe, dammit5 2ust %reathe5
)hen she had enough strength, she slo$ly made her $ay to the do$nstairs
%athroom. *er &ulse $as &ounding, gallo&ing $ide o&en, and the %anging of her
285
heart in her chest $as ma#ing her nauseated. .he %arely made the %athroom
%efore she lost $hat $as left in her stomach. Resting against the cold &orcelain, she
felt a hollo$ing em&tiness inside, an increasing fatigue. Rinsing her mouth %efore
going %ac# into the other room, 9aria stood in the middle of the loft $ith her arms
$ra&&ed around her stomach.
*er %ody $as $ired, -ittery, -um&y and $ay too hy&ed u& to settle do$n. .he
$as so hot and then suddenly so cold. *unger. .he felt dee& hollo$ing hunger.
Pacing the room in a %urst of restless energy, she rec#lessly mo!ed o%-ects around
as her hands %ecame s$eaty and then trem%led. Running a hand do$n her %ody,
9aria reali0ed that that $ouldn,t $or#. .he couldn't get herself off, not $ithout him
there. 8ot $ithout his smell, the sight of his dar#ened eyes and the touch of his
s#in.
9o!ing into the #itchen she dug through the ca%inets, the refrigerator and the
&antry loo#ing for anything...something. .tar!ing. .he felt em&ty, tired and
star!ing. "ur#ey. .he could eat tur#ey.
Pic#ing u& the &hone, she made the call. <=es, $ant to order a full roasted
tur#ey dinner $ith all the trimmings. 8o. +t least t$enty(fi!e &ounds. *o$ long4
8o. f can get it faster, ,ll &ay your deli!eryman a hundred dollar %onus.>
???
<=ou o#ay4> 9ax as#ed his ;uiet &artner sitting in the corner of the &assenger
seat. 9ax could almost s$ear that 9ichael $as %rooding.
9ichael -ust grunted and continued to loo# the $indo$.
9ax loo#ed at him and fro$ned in concern. )hen he had &ic#ed u& 9ichael
ten minutes ago, the man came flying out of the loft li#e he $as %eing &ursued %y
296
demons. .ince then he -ust sat in the corner all morose and des&ondent. 9ax
loo#ed do$n at 9ichael,s %ody and sa$ $hat could only %e termed a com&lication.
<9ichael, instead of &ac#ing $ood all night you could,!e told me to ta#e off
and you,d meet me at the clu%.>
<.hut u&, 9ax.> 9ichael sco$led e!en more. <=ou $ouldn,t understand. 9aria
$ouldn,t ha!e understood.>
</#ay ex&lain it to me.>
9ichael -ust %le$ air out of his mouth and ru%%ed his eye%ro$. <t $ould ha!e
ta#en me longer than an hour or may%e t$o. +nd 9aria $ouldn,t understand me
neglecting my duty that long, letting this come %et$een $hat am and $hat ha!e
to do.>
<9ost $omen $ould %e ha&&y to ha!e that much control o!er a man.>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. <8ot 9aria. .he $ould see it as her destroying a
&art of me that is essential. *er greatest $ea#ness is causing those around her to
suffer and fail %ecause of her. .he #ne$ that 'd hate myself later and that she
$ould %ear some of the %runt of it.>
<*as it occurred to the t$o of you that you li!e $ith uns&o#en rules that no
outside &erson can &ossi%ly follo$ or understand4> 9ax found a &ar#ing s&ot.
<)hat the hell is u& $ith you t$o4>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. *o$ could he ex&lain $hat had no name4 t $as
li#e an electric flash of neurons carrying e!erything essential %et$een him and
9aria. +nd more.
<)e,re -ust more. )e're 'more' together than a&art.> 9ichael said.
9ax got out and loc#ed the cra&&y PD loaner car they $ere assigned, half
ho&ing some street -un#er $ould steal it. 9ichael didn,t e!en %other to loc# his
side.
291
<)ell, suggest that you hit the 9en,s and $or# that o!er a little. 8o $ay
you,re going to ma#e it through the night s&orting that %ad %oy.>
< can,t.>
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael and made a face. </h yeah, &lease5 =ou $ere out of a
relationshi& for months %efore you met u& $ith 9aria, and sure((o!er the last year
you might ha!e had someone else do it for you...%ut refuse to %elie!e you aren,t
intimately familiar $ith your o$n hand.>
9ichael %ar#ed at 9ax as they $al#ed do$n the street to$ards the clu%. 9ax
$as right. *e $as damn uncomforta%le. <Do fuc#ing loo# li#e a man that,s afraid
of his o$n %ody or %elie!es that a little tug and &ull $hile choc#ing the chic#en is
going to ma#e me go %lind4> 9ichael $al#ed into the clu% sneering. <Don,t %e a
&ric#, 9ax$ell.>
<"hen go to the %athroom and -er# it off.>
< told you, can$%.* 9ichael loo#ed around at the em&ty clu% and $al#ed
to$ards the %ac# %and room $here they $ere set u&. < ha!en,t %een a%le to get
off from my o$n hand in a$hile. t doesn,t do it for me anymore, not unless 9aria
is $atching.>
<'antasi0e4 *o$ a%out 9aria laid out on a %ed in a dar# room surrounded %y
candles $earing that IPrincess Leia, outfit from -e%urn o" %he .edi?*
9ichael -ust s$ore and loo#ed at his &artner $ith narro$ed eyes s&ar#ling
dangerously. <'irst, you are not hel&ing my dilemma and than#s for the added %urst
to my damn erection5 8o$ ,ll %e luc#y to %e a%le to sit. +nd second, ho$ the hell
did you come u& $ith that fantasy so ;uic#4> 9ax -ust lifted a %ro$ and smiled
$ic#edly at 9ichael. <Dammit 9ax, find your o$n girlfriend to add to your s&an# file
and #ee& your gru%%y mind off mine.> 9ax -ust laughed at the s$earing 9ichael as
they entered the room to find .ean and +lex already there.
292
<.ean $here,s Kyle4> 9ichael as#ed, loo#ing around and $ondering if Kyle $as
hiding from him and his dis&leasure $ith the idea of Kyle and "ess doing it in his
%ed. 9aria had calmed him do$n %y mentioning that 9ichael had had no &ro%lem
getting it on in 9ax,s %ed the last time they $ere o!er there for a &arty.
<*e called in sic# for the night.>
9ichael,s eyes narro$ed. <*e loo#ed &retty damn healthy to me $hen he left
the loft earlier.> :reat, -ust fuc#ing great5 "ess. *e must ha!e called in for a %oin#(
fest $ith "ess. <Did you tell him he didn,t ha!e to dress u& li#e a slut %oy again4>
.ean -ust laughed as he and +lex fli&&ed through the cameras. "hey had s&ent
all day chec#ing the $iring and &lacement. "he !ideo re&lay of the &re!ious e!ening
sho$ed the difficult s&ots and the ones too dar# to record.
+ll of them $or#ed ;uietly through the hour &re&aring for the o&ening of the
clu%. +lex arranged for the entertainment and regular %artender to $or# $ith .ean.
9ax $as %usy testing the $iring and electrical soc#ets to #ee& them from shorting
out their e;ui&ment. t $as less than ten minutes %efore the clu% $as to o&en $hen
9ichael turned to relax and loo# at .ean.
*is face loo#ed %etter. *e $as on the mend. +nd e!en though his DeLuca
laid%ac# manner and charm $ere dominating his outer a&&earance, at times
9ichael sa$ the shado$s mo!e across his face. n the last hour .ean hadn't
mentioned or e!en as#ed a%out 'lorida, $hat 9ichael had learned or a%out his o$n
family.
".ean." 9ichael said ;uietly as .ean &re&ared to go set u& the %ar. .ean's
$hole %ody %ecame tense, as if he #ne$ $hat 9ichael $as going to say and &art of
him $as uncertain he $anted to #no$.
"=eah4"
297
"=ou didn't as# a%out 'lorida." 9ichael stated, not %othering to loo# at the
other man $hom he #ne$ $as still facing the door.
.ean rested his head against the door -am and sighed. 3losing his eyes, he
-ust $aited. " #no$," he said ;uietly.
" thought you $ere an only child." 9ichael couldn't remem%er $here he got
that im&ression or thought. )as it from 9aria or from .ean4
" am." .ean stared at the door, and then loo#ed o!er at 9ichael. ")hen
you're outcasted, you're alone. "he only one. ha!e %een for o!er ten years."
"'m sorry." 9ichael felt some of $hat .ean must ha!e felt. *e $as an only
child, and $hen 9i#ey died he $as alone. 8ot outcasted, %ut still alone.
.ean -ust nodded. "Did you meet them4 .ee them4 9y...family4"
"=eah. =ou could ha!e $arned me. "hey $ere li#e an army and ate li#e one
too. *o$ can you DeLucas stay so thin $hen you eat li#e a herd of horses4"
":ood genetics. Des&ite all the cheese and oli!e oil $e'!e got lo$ cholesterol.
=ou can't %eat good genes." 9ichael snorted and then nodded. *e ne!er thought he
$ould meet anyone that ate more than the Professor, %ut com&ared to .ean's t$o
%rothers she $as only an amateur taster.
"=our father ga!e me this." 9ichael held u& the %ullet that $as engra!ed $ith
the 'amily crest.
.ean loo#ed it in $onder. + co&. *e ga!e that to a co&! +ma0ing. .ean let the
rush of %itter -ealousy run u& his %ody %efore he finally regained control.
")elcome to the family, 9i#o." 9ichael fro$ned at .ean's lo$ !oice, de!oid of
emotion or inflection. *e heard him $andering off to go tend %ar.
" ha!e something for you." 9ichael reached into his &oc#et and offered .ean
an un#no$n something $ra&&ed in a hand#erchief.
298
.ean $as hesitant to ta#e it at first, %ut finally came o!er and too# the linen.
t $as a clean $hite linen hand#erchief made from ex&ensi!e material and on the
corner $as his father's monogram. nside $ere green lea!es, lea!es from his
father's lemon trees. *e crushed one of the lea!es %et$een his fingers. 3losing his
eyes he could feel the $a!e of home $ash o!er him, the clean smell stored in his
%rain since childhood. Kee&ing his eyes closed he %reathed in the smell that still
reminded him of his father.
"=our father collected them for you."
9ichael hadn't understood $hat 9arco $as doing as they $al#ed through the
orchard. "he man collected lea!es off se!eral of his lemon trees and $hen they
returned to the terrace, he too# out his hand#erchief and handed them to 9ichael.
*e ne!er as#ed or said a $ord, %ut 9ichael understood $hat $as re;uested. "a#ing
the cloth, he sho!ed it in his &oc#et and ne!er mentioned it again, not e!en to
9aria. .ome things could only exist %et$een a man and his son, much li#e the
sha!ing #it and the act of sha!ing $ith a straight %lade had existed %et$een him
and 9i#ey.
"+nd this," 9ichael held out the medallion of .t. 9ichael extended from his
hand. "=our mother $anted you to ha!e this."
.ean too# the medallion and smiled slightly. Putting it o!er his head, he let it
dro& inside his shirt, against his s#in. /i%%le mo%her. ""han# you." .ean said and
;uic#ly left the room.
9ichael sat there loo#ing at the monitors, not really seeing them. *is -a$
clenched as he closed his eyes and -ust shoo# his head. 9ichael loo#ed u& to see
.ean -oining +lex as the t$o of them made fun of 9ax. 9ax too# it $ell and came
%ac# to re-oin 9ichael until the clu% had a large enough cro$d that he could %lend
in more naturally.
299
???
.ean and +lex mo!ed out into the room as +lex sho$ed .ean around. .ean
$as ta#ing o!er as a &art(time %artender for the night and 9ax $as going to
circulate. 1ut 9ichael((9ichael $as on monitors again. +lex had a guest %and in
until he felt more li#e &erforming. 9ax and 9ichael sat $atching them turn do$n
the house lights and increase the colored ones, discussing $hat areas $ould need
to %e $atched.
<.o...9ichael4> 9ax -ust smiled as 9ichael grunted. <"his thing $ith you and
9aria, it,s getting intense.>
9ichael -ust fro$ned. <t,s had some unex&ected t$ists, %ut nothing can,t
handle. .o don,t get your ho&es u& that $e,re %rea#ing u&. .he,s mine.>
<)hoa, %ac# off &artner. Possession is ruling your life. 3alm do$n.> 9ax loo#ed
at his &artner and shrugged. 9ay%e he should gi!e 9ichael something to thin#
a%out other than that raging erection in his &ants and his o%sessi!e &ossession of
9aria. <.o $as meaning to tell you,> 9ax &aused to ta#e a com&lete %reath. <
$ent out on a date $ith 2onathan .tiller and #issed him.>
9ax #e&t loo#ing at the monitors, %ut he could feel 9ichael,s eyes turning to
him.
<'uc# me5> 9ichael loo#ed at his friend in shoc#.
???
t $as a clean feeling to start a ne$ hunt. *a!ing achie!ed an o%-ecti!e and
an end goal $as a thrill. 1ut a %igger thrill $as finding a ne$ goal, a ne$ &iece to
29:
%e collected. *e loo#ed u& and around the clu%. t $as still edgy, ris#y $ith the
children of the night huddled in fear. "he ne$s&a&er story $as an interesting t$ist.
.uc#ing on his drin#, his eyes narro$ed as he tried to locate $hat he $anted
this time. .omething tall...something masculine and &ure $ith a touch of
9editerranean. t $as al$ays harder to ta#e do$n something so totally %utch and
heterosexual, %ut it could %e done.
"onight the atmos&here felt...different, a touch of %eing charged and $ild. *e
circled the room $atching, assessing and slo$ly finding his !ie$ing s&ot.
???
<.o, you gonna date him again4> 9ichael as#ed. Damn, this $as a turn of the
$orm he hadn,t foreseen5 1et 9aria #ne$ and hadn,t mentioned it. *e,d deal $ith
her later. 9ichael smiled at the thought of Idealing, $ith 9aria.
< don,t #no$. t,s #ind of late in life to %e changing $hich team &itch for, and
all this intros&ecti!e cra& is for the %irds.> 9ax fro$ned. <=ou e!er $orry that
there,s something strange a%out us4 =ou, me and sa%el4>
9ichael ignored 9ax,s eyes and as#ed nonchalantly, <)hat do you mean4>
<=ou #no$ $hat mean.> 9ax loo#ed around to ma#e sure no one $as
listening. <"he $hole sex thing((the incredi%le orgasms $hich ,m told are highly
unusual, and the $hole feeling thing. Li#ing and needing feelings and sensations so
much that you see# them out...things li#e food and sex.>
<)hat ma#es you thin# that's not normal4>
<3ome on, 9ichael5 Don,t &ull this shit $ith me. =ou see a greasy %urger &lace
you start chanting and mo!ing around in your seat li#e a #id.> 9ax loo#ed at his
297
friend and &artner critically. <Don,t tell me that this hy&ed(u& sexuality thing that
you and 9aria ha!e going and the food fest isn,t concerning you.>
<)hat sexuality thing4> 9ichael fro$ned and ga!e 9ax his full attention.
Peo&le might ha!e noticed ho$ in!ol!ed they $ere lately, %ut 9ax $as ma#ing it
sound li#e more.
<Li#e last 'riday night at dinner. =ou $ere #issing 9aria.>
<=eah, $ell do that a lot.>
<8ot so &u%licly, at least you didn't use to. =our sex life $as al$ays sort of
$ild, %ut still semi(&ri!ate $ith a fe$ exce&tions. 8o$...no$ the t$o of you are
rutting u& against a $all &ractically ta#ing off each other,s clothes off, o%li!ious to
all the other &eo&le in the room. +my DeLuca $as lea!ing s&oon(sha&ed $elts on
you. +nd don,t #no$ a%out the others in the room, %ut $as s&orting a fully
loaded hard(on and so $as Kyle, as far as could tell.>
<)ell "ess $as in the room.>
9ax -ust sighed and shoo# his head. <7h uh. "ess doesn,t affect me that $ay,
or at least not anymore. Kyle4 )ell that remains to %e seen. 1ut %et .ean and
e!en 3a& $ere feeling the &ull.>
9ichael turned in his chair and loo#ed at 9ax hard. *e had %een right a%out
the &regnancy sym&toms and he $as a trained o%ser!er. <2ust s&it it out. )hat are
you saying4>
<Pheromones. Lots and lots of &heromones. =ou and 9aria in the same room
gi!e off some real &o$erful !i%es...hot and sexual. .o $hy can,t you use your o$n
hand to get some relief, to cho#e the chic#en4>
<9aria. need her smell. need her to get to that &oint.>
9ax -ust shoo# his head. =eah, -ust as he thought.
294
<Dammit,> 9ichael s$ore. <,m so fric#in, hungry could eat a horse, or at
least a tur#ey. need a tur#ey sand$ich or something. *and me the damn &honeF
someone,s got to deli!er.>
<9ichael, you hate tur#ey sand$iches.> 9ax reminded 9ichael, and -ust
listened in ama0ement as the man ordered t$o t$el!e(inch tur#ey su%s $ith extra
mayo and the $or#s. "hen he told them to tri&le the meat. +fter 9ichael hung u&
the &hone, he s$ore again. <Dammit, forgot to order &ic#les5>
< thin# they come $ith them automatically.> 9ax said fro$ning at his &artner.
/!er se!en more months of this. "hey'd %e luc#y to sur!i!e, and des&ite 9ichael,s
ne$ excessi!e eating ha%its 9ax s$ore the man $as actually losing $eight.
9ichael $ent %ac# to the monitors. 9ax still hadn't ans$ered his ;uestion
a%out 2onathan .tiller, %ut his o%ser!ations a%out 9aria and him $ere a little too
'on'. 9ichael chec#ed out the dar# corners and fro$ned. .omething $as -ust not
right. )here the hell $ere his sand$iches4
???
<9ax4> *earing his name, 9ax turned to a tall thin 8ati!e +merican man. *e
#ne$ him.
<6ddie. Remem%er4 ,m a friend of 9aria,s. )e $or#ed together on that
&ro-ect last year.> 9ax nodded. /f course. 6ddie, the graduate student that hel&ed
them $or# the museum stuff, and $ho also did the com&uter $or# on the murder
case that %rought 9aria into their li!es.
<.ure, 6ddie.> 9ax loo#ed around the &lace at the noise and laughter. <"his
&lace is really ho&&ing tonight, huh4>
295
<:uess. don,t come !ery often. "he other graduate students &ulled me out
tonight. "ess $as su&&osed to come, %ut she cancelled at the last moment.>
9ax sto&&ed and exchanged a fe$ more comments $ith 6ddie, %ut it $as
6ddie,s ex&ression of disgust that dre$ his attention.
<Pardon me4>
<.orry, $as -ust commenting on fat %loated &igs.> 6ddie &ointed out a man in
his mid(thirties tal#ing to a small grou& of young $omen. "he man $asn,t anything
s&ectacular, %ut he $as hardly re&ulsi!e, or at least not re&ulsi!e enough to ma#e
6ddie,s face tighten in such a sneer.
<=ou #no$ him4,
<=eah, he,s a &rofessor $ith the 9odern Linguistics De&artment, :erald "iny.
*e sometimes comes out to these %ars to %e $ith his Istudents,. "he man gi!es
academics a %ad name.> 6ddie actually s&it on the floor. < hate his smarmy guts.
*e,s one of those &eo&le $ho ma#e others thin# he,s sincere, %ut all he,s interested
in is getting his #no% &olished.>
9ax,s face cleared as he suddenly &laced the man. :erald "iny, the &ur!eyor
of good grades through fellatio. "hey $atched the man for a $hile until 6ddie
excused himself to go %ac# to his friends.
9ax circled the floor and returned to the %ac# room. .ean $as %usy tending
%ar and +lex $as $al#ing the floor. 9ichael sat in the %ac# room glued to the
monitor and only sort of ac#no$ledged 9ax,s &resence $hen he &laced a ne$ %ottle
of $ater next to him. Loo#ing at the litter around 9ichael, it $as no sur&rise that
9ichael had actually &olished off %oth tur#ey sand$iches. 9ax too# a seat and
$atched for a $hile %efore he needed to get %ac# out there.
.uddenly 9ichael,s entire %ody $ent stiff and he stood u&. 9ax fro$ned as
9ichael des&erately searched the monitors and then loo#ed around.
2:6
<9ichael4 )hat is it4>
9ichael headed for the door. <*e,s here.>
<*e,s here4 9ichael4> 9ax called after his &artner,s receding %ac#. <*o$ do
you #no$4>
< can feel him.>
9ax fro$ned and turned to loo# at the monitors. .ean $as also &erfectly still,
ignoring drin# re;uests. *e came out from %ehind the %ar and $as searching the
room, his %ody stiff and guarded. 9ax turned to loo# at other monitors until he
found +lex. +lex, li#e 9ichael and .ean, $as on alert. *e had %een crouching do$n
to tal# to a grou& of &eo&le $hen suddenly he slo$ly stood and turned around to
scan the room. 9o!ing to his right, he slo$ly %egan to circle as %oth 9ichael and
.ean %egan to do the same.
<)hat the hell4> 9ax ;uic#ly left the room and $ent to stand in the door$ay
leading out into the main %ar. "he three men $ere simultaneously circling their
un#no$n &rey $ithout so much as a gesture to each other .
*e sat in the clu%'s dar# area $atching and $aiting for the one he needed. t
$as already three hours into the night $hen suddenly he #ne$. *e sa$ "he /ne.
.tanding u&, he slo$ly mar#ed the man. + young man $ho loo#ed 9editerranean.
*e $as tall and thin and $as laughing $ith a grou& of friends. *e mo!ed to stand
close, to %e near and yet uno%trusi!e as he slo$ly stal#ed his catch.
t didn,t register at first, %ut then it did. .lo$ly the hair on the %ac# of his
nec# started to &ric#le, his &alms %egan to s$eat and a thin layer of moisture
%eaded on his u&&er li&. *is heart s&ed u& and his %reathing %ecame almost
la%ored and loud, e!en to him. 9o!ing a$ay from his mar# he stood still, so as to
%lend into the %ac#ground. *is stomach hurt and had a hollo$ &it in the middle of it
as he searched the room des&erately $hile trying to a&&ear calm.
2:1
They $ere here. "he hunters. *e let fear and anger run through his %ody as
he slo$ly shut do$n his normal res&onses. .o it %egins.
9o!ing slo$ly he %lended into the shado$s, into the existence %et$een
e!eryday and ordinary, and $ith a $his&ering %lin# of an eye he $as gone.
9ax $atched in confusion as the %odies of all three men slo$ly uncoiled and
relaxed. "hey all mo!ed to$ards the %ac# monitoring room in one accord.
9ichael $as the most !ocal. <*e,s gone.> 1oth .ean and +lex nodded. .ean
$as smo#ing another cigarette he had %ummed off of +lex as +lex sat com&letely
still, not tal#ing or mo!ing.
9ax fro$ned at +lex's silent statue(li#e &resence. .tudying the man, he
actually too# a ste& %ac# $hen +lex suddenly loo#ed u& and stared him straight in
the face. "he dar#ness of his face, the unreleased anger and the coldness $ere
more %urning than a nuclear %last. )inter had come home and it $as a resident in
+lex,s soul.
<*e $on,t %e %ac# tonight.> .ean said, ta#ing another soothing drag from his
smo#e. <)hat do you $ant to do4>
9ichael ru%%ed his head almost li#e he had a headache. <,ll ta#e the ta&es
into 3entral and &ass them to .u&&ort. Let,s see if the %yte gee#s can get us clean
&ics of as many men as &ossi%le. *e $as here for a $hile, mo!ing silently. didn,t
sense him until he started hunting.>
1oth +lex and .ean nodded in agreement. 9ax -ust fro$ned at the three.
)hat the hell $as $ith them4 *e didn,t understand.
<.ense him4 9ichael4>
9ichael $as too distracted to res&ond, %ut .ean ans$ered for him. <t,s the
hunt. "he &rey feels the hunter and their %ody reacts $ith a fright or flight
2:2
res&onse. "he smell changes, along $ith the o!erall energy of the room as the &rey
reali0es they are %eing hunted. =ou can feel it, almost smell it.>
+lex -ust nodded as he %roodingly stared at 9ichael,s %ac#. "hey lost the son
of a %itch5 .o close. *e $as so close, and +lex could still taste the %itterness of his
fear. t $as the taste of his %lood that he $anted.
<.o once he too# to hunting, once he had an esta%lished &rey...>
<"he room changed. "he nature of the #illing field.> .ean said as 9ichael
&ulled the ta&es and &ut in ne$ ones. <"hen it changed again $hen he felt us
stal#ing him.>
9ichael and +lex %oth turned and shared a loo# $ith .ean and each other. *e
felt %hem. "hat $as $hy he left. *e $as ex&erienced enough at hunting and death
to feel the shift.
<3ome on, &artner, let,s get this do$nto$n. )e need all the hel& $e can get.
"his one's going to %e hard to run to ground. *e can feel us coming for him.>
9ichael loo#ed at %oth .ean and +lex. <=ou got this co!ered4> 1oth men nodded as
9ichael and 9ax too# off.
*e &aused outside the clu% and rested against the $all to allo$ his heart%eat
slo$ to a calming %eat. "hey #ne$. "hey had found him. .miling to himself, he let
the adrenaline settle in his !eins and feed the need. +ll these years he had stood
next to them, next to all those $ho ha!e reason to fear him, and they loo#ed right
through him. Discounted him as unim&ortant or insignificant. 8ot anymore. 8ot
tonight.
Laughing to himself at the ne$ness of the ad!enture, the ne$ rush, he slo$ly
made his $ay do$n the street. 3aly&so. +nother clu%, another clientele. t $as all
the same. 9o!ing inside, he lur#ed in the shado$s searching for that &erfect #ill.
2:7
</h damn, ,m sorry5> "he young man $as horrified as he ran into the man
next to him s&illing his drin# all o!er him.
<8o &ro%...no &ro%lem5 $as -ust going to get myself another one.> "he young
man fro$ned at the older man,s slurred s&eech.
<*ey, %uddy, thin# you,re at your limit.>
<8o, no5 1eer good. $ant another %eer. can do $hate!er $ant, and that
%itch ain,t gonna tell me other$ise5 hate %itchy $omen5> "he younger man smiled
at that and ;uic#ly caught the man %efore he could fall o!er.
</#ay, o#ay. *o$ a%out a nice cu& of coffee4 9y treat4>
"he older man loo#ed at him $ith $atery eyes, almost loo#ing on the !erge of
tears. </nly if you -oin me4> "he young man nodded. .ure, $hat the hell. .ome
coffee, and this &oor sa& might actually so%er u& enough to ma#e it home.
<3offee is good. Let me get some from the %artender.> "he man started to
mo!e off, %ut the older man sto&&ed him.
<)ait5 ,!e got money5> "he young man -ust laughed and &ushed the $ad of
cash aside.
<Kee& your cash, dude. 3offee is free in all %ars. 2ust hang on tight and ,ll get
us some coffee. =ou need cream and sugar, or is %lac# o#ay4
< li#e cream.> "he man smiled at the youth still #ind of $atery. < really lo!ed
that %itch. .he $as a s$arthy :ree# $ith a touch of talian. lo!e the
9editerranean countries and their &eo&le. .o $arm, so ali!e.>
<=eah, me too5 ,m second generation .&anish from "oledo. =ou -ust hun#er
do$n and ,ll get us those coffees and then $e,ll tal# a%out ho$ to get you home.>
*e $atched the youth $al# off to the %ar and smiled. 9en could understand
the &ain of another $hen it in!ol!ed a $oman. .miling to himself, he sli&&ed the
2:8
!ial of li;uid in his hand and started $a!ering drun#(li#e as the man returned $ith
t$o cu&s of steaming coffee. *eat. *ot drin#s made the drug $or# faster.

2:9
Day 10: Monday- 2:10 a.m.
.he loo#ed u& from $here she $as feeding $hen he came through the door.
9ichael too# his -ac#et off and thre$ it in the direction of the coat(rac#, not ta#ing
his eyes off 9aria. "he -ac#et missed the hoo# and slid to the floor. 9aria,s heart
stuttered in her chest at the sight of his nostrils flaring.
9ichael didn't notice.
9aria too# a small ste& to$ard him as 9ichael $as mo!ing for$ard ra&idly.
"hen he had her in his arms, cradled to his chest, and he $as caressing the
%eautiful soft hair. 9aria loo#ed u& at him, and then sna#ed her arms around
9ichael's nec# and dre$ 9ichael's head do$n to #iss her. 6!erything %egan
s&iraling out of control as they san# to their #nees $here they stood, li&s still
&ressed together hungrily, hands scram%ling at each other's clothes. 'a%ric ri&&ed,
%uttons &rotested and ga!e $ay, and then 9ichael $as %ent o!er 9aria on the floor,
#issing her ni&&les, ru%%ing his face into the soft s#in of her %reasts as he $or#ed
off the remainder of her clothes.
<2ust tell me you didn,t eat an entire tur#ey...> 9ichael said against her %reasts
as he too# a ni&&le in his mouth.
< sa!ed you some.>
/nce na#ed, 9aria &ushed 9ichael onto his %ac# and rolled on to& of him,
gra%%ing his head and &ulling him into a %ruising, fren0ied #iss. 9ichael reached
into 9aria's hair $ith one hand and tried to &ull off his &ants $ith the other. t too#
too damn much concentration and motor coordination so he a%andoned it as
ho&eless, gra%%ing a $arm full handful of 9aria's ass instead. *e &ulled 9aria's hi&s
do$n hard against his, and 9aria lifted her head and moaned as 9ichael fli&&ed her
o!er again and got on to&.
2::
Pinning 9aria %eneath him, 9ichael %ent to 9aria's throat and suc#ed
furiously. <"a#e me...claim me...> 9aria &leaded, and 9ichael gro$led in res&onse.
"his time he $as going to lea!e a mar#. 9aria raised her legs and $ra&&ed
them around 9ichael's $aist, ru%%ing $antonly against the o&en fly of 9ichael's
#ha#is and his coc#. "he action got 9ichael's attention. ':od, she's a handful,' he
thought as his strong hands mo!ed to gra% 9aria's thighs, to &ry them from his
$aist. "hen he $as sliding do$n his lo!er's %ody, intending to ta#e 9aria into his
mouth...and then he sto&&ed. :a0ing at 9aria, $ho $as lying on her %ac#, hair
s&read around her head and %reathing hard, ni&&les red and &ea#ed, hi&s straining,
&assage dri&&ing, legs s&read $ide under the firm &ressure of his fingers, he heard
the sudden, deafening sound of his o$n harsh %reathing and he extended his right
arm to$ards 9aria's face.
9aria too# 9ichael's hand in %oth of hers and %rought it to her mouth. .he
suc#ed 9ichael's fingers mutely, la!ing them generously $ith her tongue as she
stared into his eyes $ith not a %lin#. 9ichael groaned and nearly came $ith the
image, the sensation and the &leasure of it. 'inally he &ulled his hand a$ay and
%rought his thoroughly $et fingers to 9aria's o&ening. "ilting 9aria's hi&s u&,
9ichael gently inserted a finger into the tight, im&ossi%ly hot tunnel and mo!ed it in
and out. 9aria's hands clenched into fists and she o&ened her legs $ider to gi!e
9ichael %etter access. 9ichael ran his finger o!er 9aria's clit and her hi&s %uc#ed
uncontrolla%ly. 9ichael &ut a firm hand on 9aria's a%domen and held her do$n,
then inserted another finger into her.
9aria gas&ed and &ushed %ac#, reached do$n to gras& his coc#. 9ichael
&ushed her hand a$ay and too# 9aria into his o$n hands and lifted her to his
mouth. *e stro#ed his fingers in and out of 9aria, stro#ed her u& and do$n $ith
steady, solid &ressure. 9aria $him&ered.
2:7
<9ichael...>
"9aria," murmured 9ichael softly, "you're %eautiful, you're so %eautiful, you
ha!e no idea..." *e increased the s&eed of his stro#es on 9aria's flesh as he %ent
his head and used more tongue. " lo!e you... $ant you...al$ays $ant you."
9aria tensed %eneath him and 9ichael #ne$ she $as close. *e added a third
finger and s&ed his stro#es e!en faster. "=ou $ere made for me, 9aria," he
murmured raggedly, "made for me, and you're mine. 3ome for me," he said ;uietly,
and then he &ulled his hand out of her suddenly, %ent his head again and dee&ly
#issed $here his fingers had %een.
9aria s&asmed furiously and came, s&urting and &ushing hard into him as he
refused to sto& suc#ing on her. 9ichael ran his hands o!er the underside of 9aria's
thighs, o!er her hi&s, feeling the muscles trem%ling seducti!ely %eneath him.
Pulling his hands a$ay he ;uic#ly &ulled off his &ants, finally freeing his o$n aching
coc#. *e ran lingering fingers o!er 9aria's a%domen, and then %egan lu%ricating
himself $ith her moisture. *eart &ounding, 9ichael #nelt %et$een 9aria's legs and
&ulled her hi&s u& into his la&. *e &ositioned his coc# at the entrance to 9aria's
%ody and &ressed for$ard gently.
'or a moment he thought that he hadn't &re&ared her $ell enough, %ut then
slo$ly he mo!ed for$ard into her %eautiful, hot, $elcoming %ody. *e exhaled a long
%reath and loo#ed do$n into 9aria's green eyes as they stared u& at him. 9ichael
could see so much in those eyes, could see himsel" in those eyes, and they stared
at each other for $hat seemed li#e a lifetime in mere moments. 9ichael finally
%uried himself dee& in 9aria's %ody and com&letely, totally and utterly lost control.
9ichael thrust into 9aria hard, and 9aria urged him on $ith her %ody and her
soft !oice as 9ichael &ounded, sliding out and in $ith long, furious stro#es, "/h
yes, 9ichael, yes. =es. =es. 1lease. /h &lease, 9ichael((in me, in me, harder5
2:4
faster5(( &lease, 9ichael((fuc# me, fuc# me, fuc# me, oh god, oh god, oh..." +nd
9ichael closed his eyes and felt 9aria's %ody contract around him. *e $as coming
and 9aria $as coming and the $orld s&un and he held onto her $arm %ody as he
fell...
"t didn't $or# !ery $ell," he said.
")hat didn't4" 9aria as#ed $ith her eyes closed, softly stro#ing his %ody as it
lay on hers, ha!ing a little trou%le concentrating.
"*a!ing to lea!e you li#e did."
"t $as hard. 2ou $ere hard, #no$. )e do %etter together," she told him.
/&ening her eyes she $atched a light go on in the %ac# of his eyes.
""hat's it exactly. )e do %etter together," he said $ith a %eautiful smile.
9issing her $as starting to %e a &ro%lem.
".o can you ta#e me to %ed no$4" 9aria as#ed him, already leaning in for a
#iss. 9ichael ;uic#ly got u& and &ulled her after him, &ic#ing her u& in his arms as
her arms $ent around his nec# and her legs $ra&&ed around his middle. 8a!igating
them carefully u& the stairs too# some $or# since 9aria refused to gi!e u& his
mouth. "heir mouths fit &erfectly right li#e they $ere made -ust for that. 9ichael
had some serious stu%%le action going on, and the scra&ing of his face against hers
$as lea!ing $his#er %urns. 9aria #ne$ that she $ould see those red mar#s all
around her mouth along $ith %ruises and feel them start to tingle in a fe$ hours. +
reminder of %eing mar#ed.
9ar#ed.
"9ichael4" 9aria &ulled %ac# -ust far enough to get the $ord out as he
dum&ed them on the %ed, his %ody hard and hea!y on hers.
"=eah4"
"1ite me."
2:5
/h, shi%. *e actually gro$led, &ushing her o!er flat on her %ac# again and he
&ounced, &ulling her head %ac# %y her hair and %aring her throat. /h my :od. *e
&ut the edges of his teeth on her nec# and he $as che$ing, hard((enough to
scratch, %ut he refrained from %rea#ing the s#in. .he could feel the &romise as the
%lood rushed to that s&ot and her s#in heated u&. 9ichael groaned $hile he
&re&ared the s#in, &ushing his hi&s into her again, o&ening her u&. 7& and %ac#, u&
and %ac#. + familiar rhythm. t $as his out(of(control rhythm. 9aria $as lo!in' it.
"3an't $ait..." he muttered.
")ait4 3ai%4 '!e $aited long enou!h, -ust do it." 9aria head $as %ac#, and
she $as already feeling the early rushes of another orgasm.
*e let go of her nec# and raised u& to sit %ac# on his legs $hile straddling her.
*e $as deliciously hea!y, and 9aria %lamed all that :rease Pit %urger $eight for
the fact that she $as ha!ing a little trou%le %reathing here. t couldn,t %e him. *e
loo#ed +ild. *e had his hand do$n on his crotch, ru%%ing himself, li#e he couldn't
stand it one more minute. 9aria moaned. )ho taught him to %e such a fuc#ing
tease4
9aria reached out a hand and gathered some of the moisture from the head of
his coc#. Lifting her hand slo$ly u&$ard #no$ing he $as follo$ing her e!ery mo!e,
she &ut her fingers into her mouth and tasted them, $atching him $ith narro$ed
eyes. *e follo$ed her actions and did the same. *e gathered some moisture on his
fingers and, mo!ing to lie do$n on her, extended the fingers to her mouth to %e
&ulled inside.
6!ery$here his s#in touched hers it felt li#e "ire. t $as so hot. *e had his
hands in her hair, fistfuls of it, clench, unclench, clench, and unclench. Li#e a cat
#neading. *e $as &ushing her hard, mo!ing on her, sto&&ing -ust short of
&enetration. *is $hole $eight $as %earing do$n on her and 9aria couldn't %reathe
276
e!en if she $anted to. 1reathe later. 'uc# no$. 9ichael too# dee& calming %reaths
trying to regain some control, %ut he $as too many ste&s &ast that stage. 9aria
felt him trem%ling, and it $as -ust the )es% feeling, doing this $ith him, #no$ing
she made him feel this $ay.
9ichael,s eyes dar#ened and too# on another other$orldly glint as he too# her
hands in his and &inned them o!er their heads against the %ed. *is lo$er %ody had
her &inned as $ell as his hea!ier leg mo!ed her legs e!en further a&art to gi!e him
e!en more room in the cradle, stro#ing her %ac# and forth $ith his coc#, %ut
sto&&ing -ust short of sli&&ing &ast the s$ollen folds, 9aria moaned her need.
")hat4" 9aria as#ed him, %ut he -ust shoo# his head and &ut his fingers on his
li&s as his other hand continued to hold hers ca&ti!e.
".hhh." 9aria actually gul&ed at the dar#ness in his eyes, the gleam almost
unfathomed in the rich color.
*e surged to$ard her, &ushing her legs a&art and sliding in %et$een. *e $as
already too hot, %ut his hands $ere steady. 9aria leaned to$ards him and o&ened
her mouth to as# $hat he $as doing, %ut he -ust shut her u& %y stic#ing his tongue
in her mouth. Pretty effecti!e, that. 9aria no longer had any idea $hat she $anted
to say. t $as gone, lic#ed out %y 9ichael's tongue.
.uch a rush5
*e could ma#e her come -ust from #issing. *is erection $as lea#ing against
her o&ening as he ru%%ed and teased against her. 9aria freed one hand and mo!ed
her nails into his %ac# encouraging him to enter her again, to ta#e her hard and
long. 9ichael -ust made an ts#ing sound in his throat, and he finally slid into her in
one hard thrust. .o im&atient. 9aria,s $hole %ody shuddered as he rammed into
her hard and then harder, grunting his res&onse. .he mo!ed u& against him li#e a
271
$anton slut, $anting more, needing more. +nd her actions sent him o!er the edge
of reason as his hand too# her freed one and once again &inned her to the %ed.
9aria $as shoc#ed as his hi&s too# on a ne$ urgency &istoning into her $ith
the sort of %rea#nec# s&eed and hardness he rarely used, and ne!er since #no$ing
a%out the %a%y. t $as all him and all her. 8othing %et$een them exce&t that thin
layer of s#in se&arating their %lood. 9ichael,s mouth found the meaty flesh a%o!e
her shoulder and -ust on her %ac#, and he %it do$n hard moaning as the rush of
%lood hit his tongue. 8ot finished, his mouth continued to maul and feed on her
flesh as his fuc#ing too# another lea& into a frantic fren0y as the erotic feel of her
s$eat(slic# %ody $rithed under him.
9aria smiled then %it do$n hard on 9ichael's shoulder, dra$ing %lood. 9ichael
could al$ays %e enticed to orgasm $ith the shar& contrast of &ain and &leasure. *e
gas&ed her name and then her %ody $as filled $ith hot, slic# fluid. "$o thrusts
later, scintillating energy rose u& im&laca%ly from the soles of her feet, coiled
around $here his coc# $as em%edded in her, ri&&led through her %elly, s&iraled
along their 1ond rushing along their s&ines. +nd light %urst %ehind her eyes as she
surrendered to the sensual lightning, and he s&ilt lo!e and &assion into her
s&asming %ody. "he rush %egan again, and in an instant feeling li#e death and a
feeding at the same time, he ;uic#ened her.
"9aria...9aria..." *e got that much out %efore he sei0ed u& and she could feel
him coming hard again, almost con!ulsing. 9aria didn,t remem%er screaming, %ut
she heard him calling her name in an almost fog. +nd all she #ne$ $as the $eight
of him, the s&ar#ling %ursts of energy running through her %ody fueling her and
ma#ing her feel ali!e, along $ith the e;ually &ounding rush of his &ulse &ushing the
%lood into her mouth from $here she $as suc#ing on the %ite she ga!e him.
272
9aria's chest $as hea!ing as she gas&ed for air, and 9ichael shifted his $eight
to the side to let her %reathe more easily. *e ran his free hand gently u& her arms
still &inned a%o!e their heads, letting the sensations register. t $as li#e s$imming
to$ard the surface from a !ery great de&th of $ater. *e could feel the %lac#ness
receding, the light and clear air getting nearer. *e trailed his fingers u& to her $rist,
and the thudding of the &ulse flooded into him. *e had lost himself in her, lost trac#
of $hat he $as going. +ll he remem%ered $as the &rimal need to feed on her, ha!e
all of her, to feel her %ody su%mit to his. t $as a !iolence almost a#in to ra&e, %ut
$ith all the im&ressions of a %randing.
t -olted him the rest of the $ay %ac# into a$areness. *e %lin#ed his eyes, and
it $as 9aria he had &inned to the floor do$nstairs and then their %ed. t $as 9aria
and it $as the loft and it $as all so confusing. *e reali0ed he $as holding 9aria's
$rists o!er their heads, and he ;uic#ly let them go.
"9aria4" he as#ed, still da0ed, his !oice coming out in a croa#.
"9ichael4" 9aria as#ed, sounding startled that he $as so confused.
"hen the rest of it hit him((the smell of %lood, 9aria's %lood, the sound of her
heart racing and the rush of air struggling to mo!e in her lungs, the hard feel of his
%ody still -oined $ith hers and the nagging &ang of conscience. *e $asn't ;uite sure
$hat he'd done $rong, %ut definitely something. Definitely.
"9aria4" he said again, starting to &anic. *e slo$ly mo!ed his %ody from hers
and s$ore at her $incing in &ain.
"t's o#ay, 9ichael. t's o#ay." 9aria mo!ed her hand do$n his %ody to soothe
him. .he $as tender and sore, %ut other$ise feeling &retty damn fine. 9ichael $as
hardly small or light, and the ride he ga!e her had %een hard and dee&, lea!ing her
%ody still tingling and %ruised.
277
:od, it $as 9aria. *e &ut his hands on 9aria's face, on her forehead, her
chee#s, her chin, e!ery$here, trying to reassure himself. *e stared into her eyes
loo#ing for ans$ers, reassurance that he didn,t hurt her $hile he $as out of his
head.
"9aria," he affirmed.
9aria nodded. "=eah. t's me. ,m o#ay. )e,re o#ay."
*e gently touched the corner of 9aria's mouth $ith his as his hand settled on
her shoulder. "he slight hiss of &ain made him &ull %ac#. "hen he held u& his fingers
and stared at them. 9aria's %lood. +nd then he remem%ered, li#e $a#ing u& from a
nightmare. /nly it $as real, too horri%ly real. +nd he couldn't loo# a$ay from the
red(%ro$n smear on his hand, too a&&alled %y $hat he'd done. +lmost afraid to
loo# at her shoulder, nec# and u&&er %ac#, he did any$ay. .he loo#ed li#e someone
had mauled her, mauled her $hile ra&ing her at the same time. 9ichael felt the
nausea hit and he started to %lac# out.
"+h, shit5" 9aria gra%%ed his arm. "Don't you do this5 Don't you fuc#ing &ass
out on me5 =ou hear me, 9ichael4"
"he insistence in her !oice called him %ac# to reality. )ithout the comfort of
o%li!ion to cushion the reali0ation of $hat he'd %een doing to the &erson he most
cherished, his stomach lurched !iolently. *e -um&ed u& from the %ed and rushed to
the %athroom. *is %ody shoo# alarmingly as he em&tied his guts into the toilet. *is
stomach -ust $ouldn't sto& hea!ing, e!en after there $as nothing left to ex&el.
9uch to his sur&rise, 9aria #nelt on the tile floor %eside him and ru%%ed his
%ac# soothingly. +fter $hat he'd done, $hat he'd %een thin#ing, he $ould ha!e
ex&ected 9aria to %olt for safety at the first o&&ortunity. "hat's exactly $hat anyone
$ith any sense $ould ha!e done, $hat 9ichael still half $ished she $ould do in
case he lost his mind again.
278
nstead, 9aria $as trying to comfort him. "t's o#ay, 9ichael. =ou're o#ay
no$," she said o!er and o!er again, in that lo$, calm !oice of her that al$ays
resonated in 9ichael's head and his insides li#e some #ind of acoustic $onder.
"'m sorry, 9aria," he said, $hen he could finally s&ea#.
" #no$. t's all right." 9aria $ra&&ed an arm around him, hugging him from
%ehind.
":od, 'm -ust so, so sorry."
".hhh." 9aria hugged him and &ressed her face against his shoulder. "'m not
hurt. "here's no harm done. =ou didn't do anything $rong. 8othing didn,t $ant."
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. "oo much. t $as too much. "hey $ere &ushing it
too far. " $as..." *e shoo# his head. " don't #no$ e!en ho$ to descri%e it. $as
too far gone, some$here else. .omeone else."
9aria s;uee0ed him in comfort. ""hat's o#ay. )e don't ha!e to figure out
e!erything right this minute. 3ome on." .he stood u& and tugged on 9ichael's arm
to get him to his feet, too. ")hy don't you %rush your teeth and get a sho$er4
/#ay4"
*e nodded and let 9aria lead him o!er to the sin#. .uddenly, he felt so tired
and hea!y e!en the sim&lest mo!ement too# all his strength. *e $atched as 9aria
$et the %ristles of his tooth %rush and s;uee0ed the tooth &aste onto it. 9aria
&ressed it into his hand, and he %egan to %rush, mechanically, his %ody functioning
on sense memory, his %rain num%. +fter a $hile, 9aria's hand sto&&ed him and
too# the tooth %rush %ac#. 9aria held the cu& against his li&s, and he automatically
too# a si& and s&it it out.
""here you go, %a%y. "hat's good. /#ay, you -um& into the sho$er, and 'll
$ash your %ac#."
*e nodded.
279
":ood. 2ust lean on me. t,ll %e alright." "he sho$er $as &ounding and hot. t
$as actually too hot really for his sensiti!e s#in, %ut he felt the need to saniti0e
himself, to ha!e the taint %urned a$ay.
*e $atched her as she co!ered the %ites in anti%iotic cream and a %andage.
"hen she did his $ounds as $ell. Leading him %ac# into their %edroom, she clim%ed
into %ed $ith him and held him.
<t has to sto&,> he said ;uietly.
<)hat4> 9aria held her %reath in the dar#. .he didn,t $ant to hear this.
<"he %lood and hy&ed(u& sex. t has to end. 8o$. need it to end.> 9ichael
ru%%ed his face feeling more tired then he could remem%er. <"he sex $as al$ays
something extraordinary, %ut lately it's more. "oo much more. ,m hard almost
constantly and it only ta#es your smell to set me off.>
<9ichael...>
<,m losing time and sense of myself. t,s an addiction. thin# a%out you all
day and can,t $ait until see you. 2ust %ha% is enough to ma#e me mo!e to the
edge.> 9ichael sighed. < $as so hard tonight, so hy&ed and had to go to $or#.
8ormally $ould ha!e gone to the %athroom and ta#en off the edge, %ut can,t.
can,t ta#e off the edge any longer, 9aria, %ecause that edge is $here ,m at all the
time.>
<t,s not %ad. =ou li#e it...> 9aria $his&ered against him. 9ichael ;uic#ly sat u&
and dragged her $ith him.
<Li#e it4> 9ichael laughed almost hysterically. <Li#e it doesn,t touch it. lo!e it5
$ant it, need it, almost $ould die for it5 Dammit, Professor, mo!e a$ay from this
and thin# a%out $hat ,m saying.> 9ichael shoo# her almost in anger, %ut mostly in
fear. < could $a#e u& from $here!er the hell go and find ra&ed you, or find you
27:
%leeding to death on our sheets. +nd you're -ust as far gone((you $ouldn,t e!en
&rotest.>
<"hat,s not true. )e're not that far gone.> 9aria &rotested. <=ou $ould ne!er
hurt me.>
9ichael hugged her close to him. <8e!er. 8ot $illingly.> 9ating his forehead to
9aria,s he told her $hat he needed. <,m afraid. "his ma#es me afraid. 8ot -ust for
you, %ut for the %a%y. $ant to sto& %ecause 'm losing myself and 'm losing time.
can,t &rotect you and the %a%y if...>
<9ichael.> 9aria $as already sha#ing her head no. < need this. $ant it.
$ant you.>
<8eed5 "hat,s the &ro%lem, 9aria. )hen did ma#ing lo!e %ecome something
$e needed and not something $e did to -oin us4 don,t mind a touch of need, a
touch of fire and !iolence, %ut this is something totally different.> 9ichael searched
for ex&lanation. <"his is drien. t feels dri!en.>
9aria clutched him des&erately #no$ing $hat he $as going to as# from her.
<9ichael, &lease...>
<t,s $hat need.> 9ichael #issed her gently. < need to #no$ you,re safe, that
this $on,t hurt you or the %a%y. ,m not as#ing for fore!er...-ust until the %a%y is
%orn. +fter$ards if you still $ant to, $e can try this again...>
<8o sex4> 9aria as#ed ;uietly.
<:od, no5 .ex...ma#ing lo!e is fine. 9ay%e slo$ it do$n, not so many &u%lic
&laces or all the time, %ut god, no...sex is fine. 4lood, 9aria. 8o more %lood, at
least not until after the %a%y is %orn.> 9ichael held her firm $hen he felt her %ody
mo!ing in &rotest. <Professor, &lease. need this. Please4> his !oice %ro#e under
the strain.
277
9ichael #ne$ he had $on, that she $ould agree. 9aria ne!er denied him
anything he needed. *er arms came u& around his nec# to hold him tight. *e could
feel the tremors in her %ody, the fierceness of her hold and he ran a soothing hand
do$n her %ody. .he -ust nodded her ac;uiescence and 9ichael s$ore he felt tears
on his s#in as he held her trem%ling %ody.
???
2ulia sta#ed out the 3ourthouse, $atching the 2udge's assigned &ar#ing s&ace.
*e $as noted for arri!ing early and lea!ing late. .he needed to tal# to him %efore
their morning case. t $as im&erati!e. )ith her $itness gone south and .ean
DeLuca refusing to return her calls, she had fe$ o&tions left. +ll she could do $as
con!ince the 2udge that she needed more time to re$or# the facts in the case,
meaning the fe$ facts left after all those associated $ith the Icoerced, confession
$ere remo!ed.
<=our *onor5> "he man loo#ed sur&rised at %eing $aylaid on his $ay into his
cham%ers.
<3ounselor, you,re early.>
<.ir, $as $ondering if could ha!e a $ord $ith you4> "he 2udge loo#ed at
her, the earnest regard of her eyes and the stu%%orn set of her -a$. 8odding he
motioned her to follo$ him. "his %etter %e good.
.ean $as still ya$ning $hen he hit the 3ourthouse. *is ans$ering machine
had %een %lin#ing $ith all the ne$ messages, %ut he ignored it. *e didn,t ma#e it
home Itil almost four in the morning, and he had to %e at the 3ourthouse %y eight.
"he %eautiful fierce +D+ $as going to ri& him a ne$ one for %eing tired and on the
!erge of slee&. .ean smiled to himself and $ondered if he $as destined to start a
274
ne$ #in# or fetish. "he collection of $omen,s high heels. )hat could %e $rong $ith
that4 *e made a mental note to as# his thera&ist later.
<+D+ 9ac.> .ean said sim&ly as he tossed himself into a chair in the meeting
room assigned to the Prosecution.
<=ou5> .ean groaned at the tone. "hose rich dis&ro!ing tones $ere li#e music
to his tired soul. <)here the hell ha!e ya %een4 called, and called, and called. Do
you e!en %other to listen to your messages4>
<8ormally, yes. 1ut since didn,t get home until around four in the morning,
and needed some slee& %efore facing your lo!ely %eaming face...no.> .ean
straightened u& -ust in case he needed to dodge a flying shoe. <Did you call4>
.he loo#ed at him and tried to cur% her anger. <3all4 Did call? "ry all day
yesterday5> .he loo#ed at him $ith her eyes narro$ing in anger. < don,t care $here
you $ere or $hat or $ho you $ere doing. 6!er try calling home to ans$er your
damn machine4>
.ean sighed. <'or your information $as on a sta#eout. "he same case
already mentioned that loo#s serial. =ou might ha!e read a%out it in the &a&ers4>
.ean leaned o!er to get in her face. <3ontrary to your %elief, do ha!e other things
and e!ents in my life that ta#e a$ay from my time. =our damn case is one year old
to me, and %elie!e it or not, ha!e other cases. /nes that are more &ressing and
need my attention no$5>
<)ell that,s -ust too %ad5 1ecause this case -ust mo!ed to the forefront.> .he
stood u& and gathered her stuff into the %riefcase. <'ollo$ me. ha!e to file this
9otion for 3ontinuance u&stairs, and ,ll tell you exactly $hat you,re going to %e
doing o!er the next se!enty(t$o hours.>
.ean groaned and stood u& to follo$ her. 'uc#ing(+5 *e needed to find a
different class of $oman to attract him, may%e something in the .u0ie *omema#er
275
De&artment %ecause these strong sassy $omen $ere more trou%le than they $ere
$orth at times. .o damn high maintenance.
<"hose are some nice stra&&y(loo#ing shoes, 9ac. *o&e to see one u& close
real soon.> .ean said on the $ay to the ele!ator smir#ing at her lo$ gro$l. .he
&ressed the call %utton for 7& and stood fuming at the ele!ator, ignoring him. <.o
&erha&s you,ll get o!er yourself and tell me $hat the hell ha&&ened, and ho$ it
in!ol!es me4>
<Perdy $ent south.> .he ste&&ed into the ele!ator.
<Perdy4 "he %oo#man4 "he small s;ueamish(loo#ing 3P+ that ran %oo#s on
the gun o&eration4 "hat Perdy4>
<"hat Perdy. /ur $itness.> 2ulia &ressed the %utton for the sixth floor for the
3ler#'s office. <*e $as ta#en early this $ee#end.>
.ean hit the .to& %utton. <"a#en4 *e didn't $al#4 *e $as ta#en4>
2ulia hit the Run %utton. <"a#en. said ta#en, and meant %a5en.*
<*o$ does this affect me4> .ean hit the .to& %utton again. <)itness
&rotection comes under the D+,s office domain. found the $itness, &ro!ided the
$itness &lus all other &ertinent materials for the case, so tell me ho$ this affects
me4>
2ulia hit the Run %utton again. <t affects you &ersonally, 6""icer, %ecause you
are going to get me my damn $itness %ac#5>
<"he hell am5 +nd it is De%ec%ie5> .ean ga%%ed at the .to& %utton again.
<=ou $ill if you !alue your -o%5> 2ulia hit the Run %utton.
.ean reached around her and hit the .to& %utton. <"hreats5 =ou,re threatening
me, again5 told you,> he &ulled her close to him menacingly, <don,t ma#e threats
to me that you aren,t $illing to %ac# u&5>
246
</h, ,ll %ac# this u&, Detecti!e5> .he &ushed him a$ay from her and hit the
Run %utton. *e hit the .to& and she hit the Run again. .ean calmly sto&&ed the
ele!ator yet again. <.to& that5> "hey stood toe to toe, %oth refusing to %ac# do$n
as they #e&t sto&&ing and running the ele!ator.
4-#####7777777788888885
"/#ay, that's not good." 2ulia said loo#ing u& at the ceiling of the ele!ator
trying to locate the alarm.
"8o$, don't &anic, it $as -ust the....." .ean $atched her %eginning to &ace
around the small cu%icle.
"+larm, -ust the alarm, as in the ele!ator is %ro#en. -ust #ne$ it. # get into
an ele!ator $ith you, and it %rea#s. 'ix it5 'ix it no$5" "he stu&id scruffy(headed
co& $as %reathing all the air and ta#ing all the s&ace5
<*ey, didn,t %rea# it5 Do loo# li#e a fric#in, ele!ator re&airman4> .ean
$atched her &acing increase along $ith her agitation.
<=ou did too %rea# it5 +ll the turning it off. Did it occur to you that ele!ators
are su&&osed to run4 ,!e seen <.&eed> and #no$ $hat can ha&&en in ele!ators.>
.ean fro$ned as she seemed on the !erge of hy&er!entilation. <,m stuc# in the
ele!ator on the !erge of dying, and it has to %e $ith you5>
2ulia loo#ed o!er and $atched .ean des&erately &ushing at the %uttons, and
trying to &ry the doors o&en. <)hat the hell are you doing4>
<,m getting out of here %efore &our an entire $ee# of thera&y do$n the
fuc#ing drain5 .tand aside.>
<"hera&y5 #ne$ it. #ne$ you $eren,t all there. t $as e!ident from the
moment first met you.>
<)hat4> .ean loo#ed at her li#e she $as deranged.
241
<=ou ate your chic#en $rong.> +$ fuc#5 .ean dou%led his efforts to o&en the
doors. .he $as too &erfect and soon she $as going to start yelling at him. "his $as
%ad, real %ad. <+ny man that shreds his chic#en has to %e $rong. 2ust &ic# u& the
&ieces and %ite into it, %ut no5 8o, you tore yours off in &ieces and then...>
'ine. "=ou #no$, '!e %een thin#ing, 9ac...and no smartass remar#s a%out
ho$ shouldn't thin#...any$ay, '!e %een thin#ing that you s&end too much time
$ondering a%out me, noticing me and thin#ing a%out me.>
< do not5 don,t thin# of you at all, you gnarly headed, t$o(%it...>
</h god, that did it5> .ean coc#ed his head and studied her considering.
3oming to a decision he $al#ed o!er to her &ersonal s&ace. " thin# 'll do
something li#e this....you #no$, try to get your mind off of thin#ing a%out me, so to
s&ea#....."
.ean &ut one hand on each of 2ulia's arms, then &ulled her in close, %ent his
head and #issed her. Kissed her long, hard and dee&. +nd she couldn't ha!e mo!ed,
e!en if she'd $anted to, %ecause $hen .ean gra%%ed her arms, he'd #ind of li"%ed
and 2ulia $asn't exactly touching the ground. .he $as li#e ( dangling.
9oaning dee& in his throat, he felt her hands go to his hair and sin# in the
unruly curls, &ulling them $ith sur&rising strength. *e moaned e!en louder at the
tugging and the slight &ull of &ain. 9o!ing ;uic#ly he &ushed her into the closed
door, cro$ding her $ith his %ody $hile suc#ing her tongue into his mouth almost
coming $hen she %it him hard.
9o!ing a$ay from her a little, %ut using his hard %ody to #ee& her &inned u&
against the door, he met her eyes. "hey stared at each other, %oth %reathing
hea!ily, and his eyes dro&&ed %ac# to her mouth as her teeth &ulled her li& into her
mouth and %it.
</h yeah, do that again,> he said hus#ily.
242
.he cleared her throat and $his&ered %ac# in a soft throaty !oice. <Do $hat4>
<Kiss me, %ite me again.> .ean leaned in and too# her mouth in another
searing #iss and he gra%%ed her leg and %rought it u& high to rest on his hi&. *e
#e&t her &inned and dangling on the door, not mo!ing a$ay far enough or long
enough to gi!e her a chance to thin#.
2ulia mo!ed her hands u& under his -ac#et, and &ulled his shirt from the
$aist%and of his &ants, not noticing his hand un%uttoning the front of her %louse.
*er hand ran u& the smoothness of his %ac#, en-oying the mo!ement of muscles
under her fingerti&s as he mo!ed his mouth do$n her nec# ni&&ing the s#in along
the $ay. t $as the feel of his hands on her ex&osed flesh from $here he o&ened
her %louse that sent her moaning.
"he #iss seemed to go on fore!er....and 2ulia -ust dangled and #issed %ac#.
7ntil .ean dro&&ed her on the ground $hen the ele!ator started mo!ing.
"=eah, that's $hat do $hen &eo&le send me offers disguised as
threats.....$ell, exce&t the dro&&ing &art. $ouldn't ha!e normally dro&&ed you,
%ut it -ust seemed a&&ro&riate." .ean leaned do$n and loo#ed at her. <.o $hat $ill
you gi!e me if...i" find your missing $itness4>
1efore 2ulia could ans$er, the ele!ator %egan its ;uic# clim% to the sixth floor.
"he doors o&ened and .ean ste&&ed out. *e turned, loo#ed do$n and as#ed, "8eed
hel& u&4"
2ulia $as thirty(t$o years old. *ad a la$ degree. *er J $as im&ressi!e and
this chic#en(shit Detecti!e had a $ay of ma#ing her lose all control, e!en $hile
sitting on the floor of the ele!ator. "here $as only one recourse she could thin# of,
so she stuc# out her tongue at Detecti!e .ean DeLuca.
.he got u&, straightened her clothing $ith great dignity and $al#ed out,
smiling at the ten &eo&le $aiting to get on. :oing u& to .ean, she ste&&ed into his
247
&ersonal s&ace and calmly, coldly said to him in a no(nonsense tone, <,ll tell you
$hat ,ll gi!e you5 ,ll let you #ee& that $orthless &iece of tin that gi!es your life
some meaning as you rut around in your &athetic al&ha(male strut. n exactly
se!enty(t$o hours, or three days from this moment if you need a calculator, you
$ill ha!e my $itness here in this !ery s&ot or you $ill %e loo#ing for a ne$ -o%5>
.ean -ust laughed and ste&&ed %ac# on the ele!ator $ith the rest of the
&eo&le holding the door o&en. <*old onto those shoes, 9ac. ,ll see you in three
days, and...%y the $ay...your %louse is un%uttoned.> *e smiled at her outraged face
as the ele!ator doors closed. .ean calmly turned to the man standing %eside him
on the tri& do$n to first floor. <9y $ife.> "he entire ele!ator of &eo&le all -ust
nodded their heads in understanding. t $as o%!ious. <*ey,> .ean as#ed the general
&u%lic, <does my hair loo# gnarly4> .ean listened to the &eo&le gi!e their o&inions
#no$ing that if it did it $as a certain +D+,s fault since she ran her fingers through
it.
???
9ichael $as running late. 9aria $as mo!ing sluggishly that morning and he
had a hard time coaxing her from %ed. *e didn,t $ant to thin# that their
relationshi& $ould suffer from $hat ha&&en the night %efore, %ut 9aria $as a little
less than energetic.
"he ringing of the &hone made him s$ear as he $aited for 9aria to get out of
the %athroom. .he came to stand in the door $ith only a to$el on $hile she dried
her hair. 9ichael sa$ the %ruising and %lac# mar#s on her shoulder and %ac# and he
$inced. *e $as a %east.
248
+ns$ering the &hone, 9ichael $as sur&rised to hear Kyle,s !oice. 8arro$ing
his eyes, he listened carefully.
<*ey4 9ichael4>
<=eah. Kyle4>
<*ey, man...loo# $as -ust calling to let you #no$ that ,m calling in sic# for a
fe$ days. "otally sic#, %ad...real %ad.> 9ichael listened to the too healthy sound of
Kyle,s !oice and fro$ned. 7h huh. .ure.
t $as the giggling in the %ac#ground that made him as#. <)hat,s going on,
Kyle4>
3ould you care "or a drin5?* 9ichael,s eyes narro$ed e!en more.
<Loo#, can,t tal# right no$, %ut ,ll %e %ac# to $or# late "uesday night or
)ednesday morning.> 9ichael -ust stared at the &hone in dis%elief as Kyle hung it
u& $ithout e!en a good%ye.
<Kyle4> 9aria as#ed as she %rushed out her hair.
9ichael loo#ed at her critically. .he had dar# rings under her eyes. *e still
thought she loo#ed too thin, and he could feel her nausea -ust %arely under control.
9ichael $ent to stand near her. <=eah. *e called in sic#.>
9aria -ust nodded. =eah that sounded a%out right. <:uess that means my
assistant is also sic#4> 9aria lifted her eye%ro$ at 9ichael in a #no$ing gesture.
*e -ust smir#ed slightly, %ut loo#ed at her again. <=ou loo# tired, Professor. Do
you thin# you should ta#e the day off4>
9aria #issed him gently and &atted his chee#. <=ou $orry too much. +s soon
as the morning sic#ness $ears off, ,ll %e in fine form5>
9ichael laughed at that. =es, yes she $ould %e. <"ry eating nothing too
disgusting, &lease4 Peo&le are starting to stare at me in horror.>
249
9aria laughed in delight at his ex&ression and #issed him harder, running her
tongue along his teeth, &ulling his tongue in her mouth for a ;uic# suc#.
<1ig %a%y5> 9aria &ulled a$ay and &ushed him to$ards the stairs. <:o, you
don,t ha!e to $ait for me. :o to $or#5>
9ichael nodded and headed off, %ut at the last moment detoured and &ulled
her in close again. Kissing her $ith rough &assion and -ust ha&&y that she $asn,t
letting last night's decision taint their relationshi&, 9ichael felt the rush from her.
<Lo!e you, Professor.> +nd 9aria $atched his %oyish smile as he rushed do$n the
stairs to ta#e his %i#e to $or#, terrori0ing the streets of Ros$ell along the $ay.
9aria $as trying to find the %a%y cat. 9r. 1oo%oo had gone out early on a
hunting ex&edition, and she had yet to see him since getting u&. :i!ing u&, she left
him food and fresh $ater in his dishes and cut u& some &ieces of fresh tur#ey. *er
classes $ere ha!ing a research $ee#, $hich meant they $ere re;uired to meet in
the Li%rary to &artici&ate in s&ecial information sessions run %y Li%rary .cience.
"hus she had no lectures until later in the $ee# and her mission $as to tac#le some
of the mess on her des# and do some $or# at the 9useum o!er the next fe$ days.
t $as the o&ening of the loft door that clued her into ho$ ridiculous her &lans
$ere. +my stood in the door$ay loo#ing %attered and harried.
<9om4> 9aria mo!ed slo$ly to her normally unfla&&a%le mother on the !erge
of a real meltdo$n.
<*oney, oh honey5 t,s terri%le5 ,!e got so much to do and des&ite all the
&lanning, at such short notice, it,s -ust too much. "he flo$ers need to %e s&ecial(
ordered and the orchids $ant need to %e flo$n in from *a$aii. "he menu is a
mess %ecause 2im is demanding coc#tail $eenies, and it doesn,t go $ith cheese
soufflE. 9y dress, it,s arri!ed, %ut needs to %e fitted, and your dress@such a dream,
24:
%ut the other %ridesmaid,s dresses are all $rong. "he 3lu% $on,t let me ha!e the
room next .aturday e!ening, and...>
<9om5 9om...Mom!* 9aria finally got her attention. .miling at her %eautiful
flustered mother, $as it no $onder 2im Galenti lo!ed her. <"ell me $hat,s going on.>
<9arried5> 9aria listened as her mother actually s;uea#ed. <,m, me...the t$o
of us, 2im that is, are getting married.> +my calmed do$n to enough to %reathe.
< #no$.>
<8o5 .aturday, at four &.m. at the 3hurch. /h god5> 9aria calmly led +my to a
seat and &ushed her head %et$een her legs.
</#ay, %reathe, -ust %reathe. =ou,re on a %oat adrift at sea, and the gentle
s$ay of the s$ells is lulling you to slee&. 2ust relax, calm...calm...all is right $ith
the $orld. /#ay, married this coming $ee#end4 )hat do you ha!e done4> 9aria
as#ed calmly. +my loo#ed at her %elo!ed daughter and dum&ed a &ile of &a&ers,
recei&ts, and %oo#lets on her la&.
<8othing5> +my &ut her head %ac# do$n %reathing dee&. Letting it go, -ust
letting it go.
</h5> 9aria ;uic#ly searched through the mess $ith a sigh of resignation, %ut
gi!ing her mom a ;uic# #iss on the head, 9aria called her secretary to tell her that
she $as home all day and direct any calls that $ay.
"he door%ell rang, and 9aria #issed her mom again and $ent to ans$er it.
.hoc#ed she stood dum%founded loo#ing at sa%el 6!ans and Li0 Par#er on her
doorste&.
<*i4> 9aria $as uncertain $hat to do or say $ith t$o extremely &er#y and
smiling $omen on her doorste&.
<9aria,> Li0 said &ractically %ouncing in excitement. < met sa%el, and $e're
going to %e roommates5>
247
</h5 "hat is exciting. $as &lanning to introduce the t$o of you. *o$ did
you...>
<.ean,> said sa%el as she $al#ed &ast 9aria to enter the room.
t $as the $ea# calling of her name, that too# 9aria %ac# to her mom,s side.
Pausing in the #itchen, she gra%%ed a &a&er %ag and handed it to her mom.
</h, gosh, 9s. DeLuca, ...are you o#ay4> Li0 hurried to shut the door and
-oined 9aria next to +my still sitting in at the dining room ta%le slo$ly %reathing in
a %ag. +my -ust nodded reassuringly.
<Don,t $orry, &anic attac#s are the mainstay of DeLuca existence. thin# .ean
gets them in some form, not that he $ould admit it.> 9aria $ent to get her mom
some $ater.
<)hat ha&&ened4> Li0 as#ed loo#ing concerned at +my $hile &atting her hand.
<)edding date $as mo!ed u& and confirmed %y 2im.> 9aria said going %ac# to
&ut all the $edding stuff on the ta%le.
<:reat5 + confirmed date. )hen is it4> Li0 as#ed nicely $ith a huge smile.
<.aturday.> 9aria said as +my moaned and &ut her head %ac# do$n.
Li0 gul&ed and loo#ed ner!ously at the mother and daughter team. <"hat,s
o#ay right4 mean this $edding has %een in the ma#ing for o!er a year so
e!erything must already %e &lanned, right4>
<*oney, feel sic#.> 9aria too# her mom,s arm and $ith sa%el,s hel& led her
to the smaller %edroom.
+fter came %ac# from the do$nstairs, room from lea!ing +my resting $ith a
$et cloth on her head, 9aria critically loo#ed at the t$o other $omen.
</#ay, $hat,s going on4>
<9aria, remem%er $hen you told me that there $as a loft you #ne$ a%out that
might li#e, %ut $ould need a roommate4 )ell, Par#er is loo#ing for a &lace too,
244
and so $e decided to team u&.> sa%el said loo#ing at Li0 for su&&ort since she
#ne$ 9aria %etter than she did.
<.ean $as telling us this $ee#end that you $ere tal#ing a%out lofts in this
com&lex. *e said there $ere fi!e lofts still needing to %e reno!ated.> Li0 loo#ed at
sa%el ;uic#ly and continued. <)e $ere ho&ing you could introduce us to the
landlord, and may%e $e could con!ince him to reno!ate.>
9aria loo#ed at the t$o girls and $ent into the #itchen to ma#e some tea.
.etting u& the cu&s and an extra one for +my, 9aria thought a%out it.
<"he lofts do need reno!ating. "hey ha!e no set floor &lan and it $ould ta#e a
lot of $or# to get another one fixed. *o$ soon do you need it4> 9aria as#ed
casually.
<)ell Li0 is li!ing at home and can stay there until it's ready, and can stay at
9ax,s &lace. )e,re $illing to $ait for a &lace that,s li#e your loft.> sa%el said
$atching 9aria ma#e the tea. .he $as !ery ;uiet, and sa%el fro$ned at the dar#
rings under her eyes. <9aria, are you o#ay4>
9aria -ust nodded. <2ust a little tired.> 9aria too# the tea and sat do$n at the
ta%le. sa%el and Li0 -oined her. <"he lofts are ex&ensi!e to maintain. "he heating
cost and air conditioning can %e incredi%le, e!en $ith really good insulation. t,s -ust
so much o&en s&ace. "hat $hy told you, sa%el, that you $ould &ro%a%ly need a
roommate.> 9aria loo#ed at the &ile of materials her mother %rought o!er in horror.
"his $as going to %e a nightmare.
9aria suddenly loo#ed u& at Li0 Par#er, noted neat frea# and the only &erson
to e!er successful clean her office at the museum. "hen she loo#ed at sa%el and
s&eculated a little.
<sa%el, ho$ are you at organi0ation4>
245
sa%el fro$ned and shrugged at Li0. < $as called "he 3hristmas 8a0i %y my
family, %ecause used to harass them $ith my o%sessi!e organi0ation and &lanning
of 3hristmas e!ery year.>
9aria smiled. <)e can ma#e a deal5> Li0 and sa%el shared a -oint loo#. 'or
some reason, 9aria,s loo# in her eye had them a little ner!ous.
<Deal4> Li0 as#ed $ith a slight stutter to her !oice.
<,ll ta#e you to go loo# at the loft areas and ma#e arrangements a%out getting
you into one, if...if the t$o of you hel& me hel& my &oor mom get this damn
$edding done. )e are loo#ing at a deadline of .aturday at four &.m. and $ant it
to %e s&ecial.>
<=ou,ll get us a loft4> sa%el as#ed, $anting to %e clear on $hat 9aria $as
offering. <"he one that could share your gardens4>
9aria laughed. <*o$ did you #no$ there $as a loft a!aila%le that could o&en
u& to the garden4> 9aria thought for a second. <8e!er mind. .ean...it had to %e
.ean.> 9aria got u& and motioned for the other t$o to follo$ her. <3ome on, let go
loo# at the s&ace first. +ll the lofts are different si0es, so the corner one you,re
tal#ing a%out is smaller than the others, %ut has a %etter location. =ou might $ant
to loo# at the fi!e o&en s&aces %efore deciding.>
"hey left +my resting, and too# a $al#. sa%el and Li0 noticed 9aria gra%%ing
a &ass#ey. "hey $ent out of the garage and came to the main $arehouse %uilding.
<"here are t$o a!aila%le on this side. 9argo and 9rs. 9ulhoney li!e here.
9argo has the end loft $ith t$o faces. .he,s an artist and her loft $as %uilt to gi!e
her o&timum light and ex&osure. 9rs. 9ulhoney is a s&ecial tenant. *er hus%and
died a fe$ years %ac#, and all her children ha!e mo!ed a$ay. .he li!es on a small
&ension and social security. .o a rule to li!ing in the lofts is that e!eryone ta#es
care of her. .he,s in her eighties.>
256
Li0 and sa%el noticed the door o&ening and a s$eet little old $oman loo#ed
out. <9aria5 9aria, honey4>
<*i, 9rs. 9ulhoney, ho$ are you today4>
"he timid little $oman came out and actually #issed 9aria on the chee#. <,m
fine, dear. 9ichael told me he $ould come mo!e my furniture for me this last
$ee#end, %ut he didn,t. s he sic#4>
9aria laughed and shoo# her head. <8o. *e,s fine. ,m so sorry. )e $ent out
of to$n unex&ectedly this $ee#end to 'lorida to my 'amily,s home. 9ichael $ill %e
u&set $hen he remem%ers he forgot to come %y, or at least ma#e arrangements for
later.> 9aria &ut her arm around the frail $oman,s shoulders and $al#ed $ith her
%ac# to her loft. <=ou didn,t try mo!ing it yourself did you4> "he $oman had the
chagrin to loo# guilty. </h dear, $ell ,ll send 9ichael o!er this e!ening to ta#e care
of it for you, or may%e .ean.>
"he $oman &er#ed u& considera%ly. <"han# you dear5 ,ll ha!e to ma#e him
some of his fa!orite coo#ies. 9y &oor %oy is loo#ing thin lately, and for that matter
so are you.> 9aria -ust smiled and #issed her neigh%or good%ye.
<*er &oor %oy4> sa%el as#ed &olitely.
<9ichael. )hen he first mo!ed in she used to $al# to the store for groceries.
*e caught her struggling $ith her little cart and fixed it for her. .he,s mothered him
e!er since. 9a#es him coo#ies, gi!es him chores and ad!ice...> sa%el -ust loo#ed at
9aria in shoc#. <.he's more of a grandmother, guess. *e s&ent an entire day
changing all her light fixtures one $ee#end. thin# he gained ten &ounds %y the
time he $as finished.>
<.o there are t$o lofts on this side, %et$een the garages and her loft4> Li0
as#ed.
251
<=eah. +ll the loft a&artment fronts ha!e %een done to match, %ut their
interiors are %asically -ust a huge $arehouse room. "hey need to %e %uilt. "he t$o
inner lofts are huge.> 9aria too# them inside one and Li0 and sa%el stood in the
huge o&en s&ace loo#ing at all the &ossi%ilities.
"he $ent %ac# outside and rounded the corner &ast 9argo,s loft. <9argo is an
artist, mostly a%stracts. .he,s a little shy, and really hasn,t sold much of her $or#.
1asically, lift a fe$ &ieces a year from her and sell them to a local gallery, %ut
she's good enough for a sho$ing here or e!en +l%u;uer;ue. ,m still $or#ing on
her. .he sells enough locally to #ee& her comforta%ly through the year and %uy her
artist su&&lies, %ut she could ma#e more.>
sa%el,s eyes narro$ed. "hat couldn,t %e all. "here had to %e more. <.o $hat,s
her story4 )hy is she here4>
9aria -ust shrugged. <)hen she $as a teenager, she ran a$ay from home.
Li!ed on the streets for a$hile. .ean found her. +ny$ay, she has some scars((
nothing too noticea%le. *er ste&(father used to s&ray lighter fluid on her s#in and
set it on fire.> 9aria loo#ed at the t$o $omen. <.he doesn,t come out much.
arranged for the stores in this area to deli!er for her, and Ke#e next door set her u&
$ith a com&uter system to do online ordering. .he orders her groceries and stuff
online, and the stores deli!er.>
<)hy doesn,t she -ust &hone in an order4> Li0 as#ed.
<.he doesn,t tal#.> 9aria said.
<*o$ old is she4> sa%el as#ed.
<9argo4> 1oth Li0 and sa%el nodded. <"$enty(t$o going on a hundred. .he
ran a$ay $hen she $as fifteen. .ean found her fi!e years ago, %ut she had already
li!ed on the streets for a%out t$o years, mostly the se$ers. .he $as defacing
252
&ro&erty $hen he found her. .he made incredi%le $all murals on the sides of
%uildings. .he $as !ery talented. .till is.>
Li0 $as getting the &icture. <+nd Ke#e4>
</h Ke#e5> 9aria smiled %ig. <9ichael found him last year. *e,s only li!ed in
the lofts a%out eight months. *e,s only sixteen.>
<.ixteen4> sa%el loo#ed at Li0 and then at 9aria. <*o$ is that &ossi%le4>
<Ke#e $as in foster care $ith a really a%usi!e &arent. + man named *an#. *e
$as horri%le. +ny$ay, Ke#e $as sort of a %ad #id, and he and 9ichael had some
run(ins. 1ut there $as something a%out him, something that 9ichael seemed to
res&ect and understand. +ny$ay, -ust a%out year ago $hen 9ichael first mo!ed in
$ith me, Ke#e sho$ed u& on our doorste&. *an#s had almost %eaten him to death.
*e stayed $ith us for a fe$ months, and $e hel&ed him get emanci&ated so he
didn,t ha!e to go %ac#. )e tried to foster him, %ut Ke#e $anted out of the system.
+ny$ay, he gets to li!e in the lofts as long as he goes to school. )hile he $as
reco!ering $e %ought him a com&uter and he,s ne!er loo#ed %ac#. *e $rote a fe$
&rograms and interacti!e games, and $ith 2onathan,s hel& he sold them. 8o$ he
runs an online com&any and goes to school.> 9aria laughed. <*e and 9ichael &lay
&ic#u& %as#et%all on the $ee#ends, and %elie!e it or not $e ma#e all his school
e!ents $ith 9argo and 9rs. 9ulhoney. 9argo only comes out for Ke#e.>
<.o %asically e!eryone here has a story, a hardshi& or a disa%ility.> sa%el
as#ed.
9aria loo#ed at her and shoo# her head. <8o. 6!eryone $ho li!es here is a
sur!i!or. "hey don,t li!e their li!es %y anyone else,s rules. "hey create and li!e %y
their o$n hands and determination. .econd chances don,t al$ays come easy, %ut
those $ho ta#e them find a ne$ strength in li!ing. 8othing is &erfect. .ometimes it
ta#es years to get to that &lace $here you -ust feel good, %ut e!ery ne$ start
257
%egins $ith a ste&, and then numerous ste&s after$ards.> 9aria sho$ed them the
first t$o lofts after Ke#e,s, and finally they entered the last one. t $as the end one
$ith access to the gardens. "he natural o&ening that $ould ha!e existed %et$een
the larger $arehouse and the smaller annex that $as 9aria,s &lace $as closed off
%y this large garden $all. "he loft s&ace $as huge, %ut smaller than the others.
Des&ite %eing smaller, it $as still large and roomy $ith a small room that had
s#ylights.
< thin# that smaller room $as once some offices. t $ould ma#e a lo!ely
%rea#fast room or atrium.> 9aria $atched the $omen loo#ing around. .he handed
sa%el the #eycard for the security system. <"his &lace is for sur!i!ors. Peo&le li#e
me, 9ichael, 9argo, 9rs. 9ulhoney and Ke#e. thin# that this is the &erfect &lace
for you, sa%el. 'or %oth you and Li0. ,ll lea!e you to loo# around. 2ust shut the
door on your $ay out.>
sa%el loo#ed at the &lace. .he could see the ne$ loft((the u&&er %edrooms,
the large %ath and the o&en li!ing room and #itchen. t $as light and full of &lants
$ith the garden outside. t $as clean, fresh and ali!e $ith &ossi%ilities.
<9aria, you said a deal4 )hat is the deal4> sa%el as#ed.
9aria -ust smiled and headed outside. <3ome %ac# to my &lace $hen you,re
finished and $e,ll tal# terms. 1ut %asically, ,ll get you into this loft, reno!ated ho$
you $ant it, if you hel& me get my mother married %y .aturday.> Li0 and sa%el
$atched 9aria lea!e and %oth $omen turned to loo# around the large o&en area.
< $as thin#ing for the u&&er loft $e could ha!e stairs going u& on %oth sides
and the t$o rooms can ha!e their o$n %athroom.> sa%el said.
<Do you $ant the side o!er there or here4> as#ed Li0.
< $as thin#ing o!er here $ith the #itchen under it.> Li0 -ust shoo# her head.
258
< thin# $e should &ut the li!ing room under it for a nice intimate feeling, &lus
if $e &ut the #itchen under the loft our %edrooms $ill smell li#e coo#ing.> Li0 loo#ed
at sa%el. <"hin# $e can ha!e a fire&lace li#e 9aria,s4>
<Definitely a fire&lace. *o$ do you feel a%out ceiling fans4>
< li#e. 1ut no trac# lighting5> sa%el immediately agreed to that.
</r &astels.>
Li0 fro$ned at sa%el. <)hat,s $rong $ith &astels4> sa%el -ust made a face.
<00y, do you o$n any furniture4>
<)e,ll ha!e to go sho&&ing5>
???
.ean finally made it %ac# to the PD and found 9ichael and 9ax hard at $or#.
"hey had a &ile of com&uter(generated &ictures from the !ideo cameras the night
%efore. 9ichael $as on the &hone harassing the la% techs as 9ax sorted through
the &ictures loo#ing at &eo&le he recogni0ed from the &re!ious e!ening.
<*ey, &artners, $here,s 3hic#en Little4> .ean as#ed tossing himself in his chair
%ehind his des#.
<*e fle$ the coo& $hen you $eren,t $atching. t seems Kyle has decided to %e
sic# for the next fe$ days.> 9ichael informed .ean. .ean -ust nodded distractedly
as he loo#ed through his %lac# %oo#. 9ichael slammed do$n his &hone cutting off
the $hining !oice of the la% technician. <)ho the hell ga!e Par#er the day off4
thought 9ouse li!ed do$n there. +nd Kyle4 ,m sus&ecting some&lace re;uiring air
flight.>
1oth .ean and 9ax loo#ed u& at that. <'lying4 Kyle is flying some$here4>
.ean fro$ned. *e #ne$ that technically he $as &artnered $ith the deadly duo and
259
Kyle, %ut for all intents and &ur&oses, Kyle $as his &artner. *e could,!e said
something.
<2ust a guess, %ut could almost smell the honey roasted on%oard
com&limentary &eanuts o!er the &hone, along $ith giddy giggling from $hom ,m
assuming is either "ess or some honey Kyle &ic#ed u& to ma#e himself feel %etter
after "ess ga!e him his $al#ing &a&ers. 9y money is on "ess %eing +)/L as $ell.>
<"ess4> 9ax suddenly too# more notice. "ess $as flying some$here $ith Kyle
and his child $as along for the ride4
<=eah, loo#s li#e "ess and Kyle had more of a &ast than #ne$ a%out, at least
enough of one for them to actually roll around in my %edsheets half the fuc#ing
$ee#end.> 9ichael didn,t e!en %other to control the outrage he felt.
.ean,s mouth lifted on the side in a smir#. <)ell, guess that means $e ha!e to
graduate my &artner to I%ig %oy, status $hen he gets %ac#.> .ean ignored 9ax,s
%rooding loo#. <.o are ya thin#ing Reno or Gegas4>
<9arried4 =ou saying they got married4> 9ax sat there in shoc#. t $as hard to
digest. *e #ne$ "ess and Kyle had a &ast, %ut they %oth said they $ere -ust
friends. "his &ut a ne$ crease in 9ax,s life. *is child raised %y "ess and another
man, e!en if that man $as Kyle. .uddenly the reason for all the tension %et$een
him and Kyle o!er the last $ee# $as clear. Kyle $as afraid the %a%y $ould &ush
"ess %ac# into 9ax,s arms.
9ichael dug a candy %ar out of his &ersonal stash and tossed the nasty ones to
.ean and 9ax. *e #e&t his &eanut ones close to the !est. <8ot for sure, %ut it
sounds li#e a nice office &ool to me. ,!e got a 3 note that says, Reno, ten a.m. this
morning, and the %ride and groom are $earing sa&&y smiles.>
.ean laughed. <,ll see that, %ut ,m going $ith .in 3ity, 6l!is 3ha&el, t$o in
the afternoon, and the %ride and groom are $earing nothing.>
25:
9ax ;uic#ly &laced his %et for Gegas, 6l!is 3ha&el, ten a.m., and they rented
the tux and dress from the esta%lishment. .ean mar#ed it do$n and $ent to find
others to -oin in the &ool.
9ichael loo#ed o!er at his ;uiet &artner. <=ou o#ay, 9ax$ell4>
<2ust... don,t #no$, shoc#ed4> 9ax leaned on his des#. <,m -ust getting used
to the idea of %ecoming a father, and an unmarried one. t,s hard. don,t ha!e this
connection you seem to ha!e $ith your un%orn child. feel him and #no$ he,s
mine, %ut ,m lac#ing a connection. 8o$ it loo#s li#e Kyle going to get it instead and
he,s going to %e Idaddy,, so ,m uncertain $here that lea!es me.>
9ichael loo#ed at his &artner in sym&athy. 9ax hadn,t said too much a%out his
%a%y since he found out, %ut it loo#ed li#e he $as slo$ly $arming to the idea.
9ichael couldn,t imagine...actually he could, and that $as the &ro%lem. *e could
imagine his reaction to another man raising his child. "here $as no light in that
dar# &lace.
<9ax, loo#, #no$ this is difficult. #no$ ho$ ,d feel, %ut #no$ "ess. ,!e
gotten to #no$ her o!er the last year. .he,s good &eo&le. can,t see either "ess or
Kyle excluding you from this %a%y. thin# they,re going to follo$ your lead and let
you decide ho$ much you $ant to %e in!ol!ed.> 9ichael thought a%out it. "ess $as
a nice &erson. *e couldn,t see her shutting 9ax out. <"he door, it,s there. =ou -ust
ha!e to #noc#.>
< #no$ you,re right. ,!e %een dragging my heels on this. guess it,s hard to
imagine a child of mine %eing raised in a house across to$n. -ust thought it $ould
%e different, that it $ould %e more li#e $hen $as a #id. sa%el and $ere really
ha&&y $ith our &arents, and they $ere there in the middle of the night $hen
monsters too# u& residence under your %ed. can,t understand $hat it,s going to
mean not %eing there $hen he $a#es u& afraid or sic#.>
257
9ichael &atted his &artner on the shoulder in sym&athy. <t,ll $or# out. =ou,ll
see. /ne thing ,m &ositi!e a%out is that a #id is ne!er hurt %y too many &eo&le
lo!ing them.> 9ichael sto&&ed tal#ing and suddenly loo#ed around, his nostrils
flaring. <)hat the hell is that smell4>
9ax $atched amused as 9ichael,s eyes narro$ed and he turned around until
his eyes s&ied a man $ho had -ust exited the ele!ator. *anson. *anson in a
*a$aiian shirt, a sun%urn and a stra$ hat.
<*anson5 should,!e #no$n that stench $ould %e you5> 9ichael %ello$ed. <s
that coconut %utter smell4 =ou %etter ha!e %rought me some macadamia nuts.>
9ax -ust laughed as 9ichael $ent off to terrori0e the other man. .ean $as
$atching too and he too# the o&&ortunity to go tal# to 3a&.
<.ean4> 2im loo#ed u& at .ean in his door$ay. <.omething4>
<=eah. need a fe$ days of scat time.>
2im,s eyes narro$ed. <=ou hitting the streets4 )hy4>
<"he D+'s case soured. *er %iggest hold is #ee&ing the search $arrant, %ut the
$itness, Perdy, has gone south and $ithout him the $arrant might %e o!erturned. f
she loses Physical the case is a $ash.>
<Did he run4>
<"a#en. .natched from &rotecti!e, right under the D+'s nose. +D+ 9acLeod
has I#indly, as#ed me to find her $itness. .he got a three day continuance, %ut if
her $itness isn,t under roost %y then, this is a goner.>
2im -ust nodded and sat %ac# in his chair. <Pierce4>
.ean nodded and sat on the conference des#. <=eah, some of his goons. ,m
thin#ing that Perdy has a short lifeline. Pierce $ill hold him on ice until the case is
dead, then Perdy is dead.> .ean loo#ed at 3a&. <Places are limited. "hey mo!ed him
fast, and once legal dro&&ed the %all, $ord $as sent. "hey &ut it out there on the
254
$ire and e!eryone $as loo#ing. D+ holds some clout and &o$er. .omeho$ that
ga!e Pierce,s men only a short time to get out and get %ac# underco!er.>
<.o you thin# they &igeoned locally4>
<,m saying.> .ean searched for that imaginary cigarette again. <t has to %e
local, and that means that green street must %e seeing, %ut no one is tal#ing.
called my snitches loo#ing for some fat and ,!e got a fe$ leads.>
< hear Kyle is gone.> 2im ru%%ed his head. *e needed to tal# to his son a%out
ta#ing off in the middle of a large murder case, %ut if the rumors $ere true, he
might ha!e to ma#e a lenient decision and only ma#e Kyle $or# nights for t$o
$ee#s. < can,t release :uerin and 6!ans. "he murder case is more im&ortant, and
if :uerin #no$s it's Pierce he,ll go for guns.>
<,m %etter on my o$n. can $al# it ;uic#er, softer and in the shado$s. 3ome
"hursday it $ill %e a done deal one $ay or the other.>
2im loo#ed at his soon to %e ne&he$ and fro$ned. <*o$,s thera&y coming4
=ou o#ay out there on your o$n4>
<.ur&risingly thera&y,s %een...hel&ful. hate the mother(fuc#er :uerin set me
u& $ith. 1astard -ust ignores my $hining and loo#s li#e he,s not a%o!e smac#ing
me around. 8o$ ho$,s a man su&&osed to reco!er $ith all these &eo&le offering
him s$eets4>
2im -ust laughed. <.eriously, .ean, are you o#ay on your o$n4>
<=eah, ,ll $al# $ith my eye on the s&arro$.> .uicide. "he 1ig .lee&. "em&ting,
%ut no. .ean $as more afraid of meeting 3assie in *ell and %eing under her $hi&
again. t $as %est to $al# that line %et$een *ea!en and *ell.
<3an you &ic# u& co!er from friends in Gice4>
<8ot &ossi%le. "heir De&artment is in turmoil.>
255
< heard. "hree informants turned on .tric#land. *e,s rushing to clean house.
+ is &ulling in e!eryone for ;uestioning. .ur&rised they ha!en,t hit you yet.>
<"hey $ill. Gice runs safehouses $ith D+. t $as one of their coo&s that $as
ta#en do$n $hen Perdy fle$. "hat usually means inside intel. + is sha#ing the
rafters for the lea#s, and $ord is that .tric#Dic# is %ac#&edaling.> .ean -ust
shrugged. <)hen the case $ent sour, names $ere named in coercion. 9y name $as
one of them. .tric#s going to $ant to &in me as his sacrificial goat.>
<"hat,s not going to ha&&en, son.> 2im eyes %ecame fierce. .ean #ne$ the lay
of the land, %ut 2im $asn,t exactly &o$erless.
<"han#s, 3a&. +ny$ay, ,m going to #noc# it do$n on .$eet .treet, and follo$
the leads. ,ll try to chec# %ac# in %y tomorro$, early.>
<8o&e. 8ot un&rotected. can,t gi!e you :uerin, %ut still $ant your %ee&er
on and acti!e. ex&ect call(ins e!ery six hours, and if you find the hidea$ay, you,re
to call it in and +ai% for assistance.> 2im loo#ed at .ean $ith some &o$erful
authoriti!e eyes. <,m $al#ing do$n the aisle this coming .aturday, and my %ride
needs you to gi!e her a$ay. Don,t mess u& my $edding.>
<"his .aturday4> .ean -ust laughed. </h, am definitely slee&ing on the
streets this $ee#. 9y aunt must %e loo#ing for hel&ers %y no$.> 2im -ust nodded.
*e had %arely seen +my since .aturday and $hen he did, she $as sniffing aromatic
cra& and %reathing in a &a&er %ag. <)onder $hat &oor schmuc#s got ro&ed into
The 3eddin! &lans4> 2im didn,t #no$. *e $as only certain that he $as staying
clear.
.ean on his $ay out the door loo#ed at 2im and smiled a &urely de!ious and
mischie!ous smile. <=ou #no$ $ith Kyle on the lam, me off loo#ing for Perdy,
:uerin and 6!ans might %e a little short(handed $atching the clu% and stuff.>
766
<+nd4> 2im didn,t #no$ $here this $as going, %ut he $as interested to find
out.
<,m -ust saying, they might need some hel&.> .ean scratched his nec# and
tried to a&&ear innocent. <*anson,s %ac# and understand that he,s color(coded all
the files on the floor. *e might %e needing more sta#eout ex&erience, and $ho
%etter to train him than 9ichael4>
???
9ichael $al#ed into the loft and sto&&ed in shoc# at the sheer horror of it. 9ax
$as right %ehind him. "he &lace $as in sham%les, %ut this time 9r. 1oo%oo $as
innocent of all $rongdoing. "he &lace smelt li#e hea!en. +my $as in the #itchen
coo#ing her heart out $hile 9aria, sa%el, and Li0 $ere either tal#ing on the &hone
or dialing it.
<)hat the hell is going on4> 9ichael as#ed the room at large. <)hat's $ith this
day4 'irst ha!ing *anson assigned to our team, and no$ this5>
<Don,t s$ear, dear.> 9ichael loo#ed do$n at +my next to him. <"aste this.>
9ichael %ent do$n to taste the sauce off her $ooden s&oon. <Does it need more
/regano4
< thin# it tastes &erfect.> 9ichael $as re$arded $ith a %rilliant smile and a
#iss. <+my, $hat,s going on4>
<2im mo!ed %he 3eddin! to this .aturday. need hel&, so 9aria and the girls
are rescuing me.> +my smiled s$eetly and $ent %ac# to her &ots and &ans. <1oys,
,m assuming that you,re here for lunch, so go $ash u& and ,ll fix you a &late.>
9ichael and 9ax $ere slo$ on the u&ta#e, still held in horror at the mess around
them. <8o$5> "hey %oth scurried off to the %athroom.
761
9ichael came out of the %athroom to $atch 9aria $al# u& the stairs to their
%edroom, still tal#ing on the &hone. .he hardly noticed he $as there. 1ut his %ody
definitely #ne$ she $as around.
<9ichael, food. Don,t e!en thin# of interru&ting 9aria, she,s %usy.> 9ichael let
the large &late of food distract him from his other mid(day a&&etites. "oo damn
many &eo&le in the house any$ay, including +my $ielding a $ic#ed s&oon.
9ax $as already tuc#ing in his na&#in and $ondering ho$ his sister got
included in the mess. t $as the 9aria's scream from u&stairs that not only startled
e!eryone, %ut had 9ichael charging u& the stairs.
<9aria5> *e sto&&ed on the stairs mid$ay u& $hen a sha#ing 9aria emerged
at the to& of the stairs flinging her arms a%out $hile holding her &hone.
<+ dead %ody5 Dammit5 + headless dead %ody...in my %ed5 hate dead %odies
in my %ed.>
9ichael continued the rest of the $ay u& the stairs and too# her in his arms.
<t,s o#ay. ,ll ta#e care of it.> 9ichael #issed the to& of her head and sent her do$n
the stairs. :oing into the room, there it $as((in the middle of the %ed on the
sheets, right $here 9ichael and 9aria li#ed to slee&. :oing into the %athroom,
9ichael got $hat he needed to $ra& u& the %ody.
<9ax$ell5 3atch5> 9ax came o!er as 9ichael tossed him a toilet&a&er($ra&&ed
&resent. <2ust dis&ose of it out in the garage trash.>
9ax loo#ed do$n at the $ra&&ed %ody. <)hat #ind this time4>
<3ardinal, thin#.> 9ax nodded and $ent to ta#e the dead %ird out.
<)hy does he #ee& doin! that4> 9aria as#ed the room in general. 9r. 1oo%oo
had started lea!ing them &resents a fe$ $ee#s ago. <9ichael5 Don,t forget to...>
9ichael,s head came %ac# in !ie$. <3hange the sheets4 ,m on it.> )hen
9ichael $ent to change the %ed a stretching 9r. 1oo%oo came out of his closet,
762
ya$ning. *e sat do$n and gracefully lic#ed and ins&ected his &a$. <=ou,re in %ig
trou%le, %uddy. =ou #no$ she hates it $hen you lea!e her &resents in the %ed.
3ouldn,t you at least lea!e the heads on4>
"he cat loo#ed at him li#e he $as insane. Lea!e the heads on? "rou%le4 *eh.
*e -ust ga!e 9ichael a &lainti!e meo$ and headed do$n the stairs. 9ichael could
hear 9aria cooing at the murderous feline, &raising him on his hunting &ro$ess.
6asy to do $hen you didn,t ha!e to dis&ose of the %loodied %odies.
9ichael and 9ax sat do$n and continued their lunch once the latest %ird !ictim
$as ta#en care of. +my $as refilling their &lates, $hen .ean sho$ed u&. *e too#
one loo# at the mess, sa$ his aunt and slo$ly %ac#ed a$ay. 9ichael $ent to follo$
him, $hen 9aria noticed him lea!ing.
<9ichael, $ait5 9rs. 9ulhoney, $e forgot her this $ee#end. .he tried to mo!e
the stuff herself.> 9ichael s$ore under his %reath and nodded.
<3ome on, &artner, $e need to ta#e care of something.> 9ichael loo#ed o!er at
9aria. <,ll %e %ac#, Professor. 'eed your face.> 9ichael and 9ax made it outside
%efore the co$ardly .ean got a$ay. <8ot so fast, DeLuca. )e,!e got a -o%.>
<+unt +my4> .ean loo#ed o!er 9ichael,s shoulder to see if his aunt $as
follo$ing.
<9rs. 9ulhoney.>
.ean,s face %rightened and lost its hunted loo#. </h, sure. "hin# she made
coo#ies4> "he three men $ent to mo!e some furniture as .ean informed 9ichael he
$as doing a side case, %ut $ould %e chec#ing in. )hen they got %ac# to the loft
$ith 9ichael guarding a &late of coo#ies from 9ax, the $omen $ere still going
strong.
<8o, no. $ant the other %lend. .il# is fine, %ut nothing mixed in &olyester
and no rayon. *o$ many %olts can get4 "hat,s it4 /#ay, gi!e me $hat you ha!e,
767
and see $hat else you can find. 8o, it has to %e the cream satin finish.> Li0 &aused
and listened. <2ust a second.> .he loo#ed o!er a &ile of credit cards on the ta%le and
too# one. <8o, charge it. *ere,s the num%er...>
sa%el $as harassing someone else. <8o, $ant the food deli!ered. 'or a fi!e(
thirty sitdo$n, %ut there has to %e an a&&eti0er %uffet. ,ll call you %ac# $ith the
location, you -ust $orry a%out the food. 8o5 3oc#tail $eenies. '!e told you three
times. "here must %e coc#tail $eenies on the %uffet.> sa%el made a hac#ing noise
in her throat, her stance %ecame threatening and her !oice cold. < don,t care if
indi!idual ;uiches $ould %e more a&&ro&riate. ordered coc#tail $eenies and "hat.
s. )hat. . 3an%!*
<3arl, don,t gi!e me any grief. 8o. +%solutely not5 .he $ants the main
%allroom and hall. ,!e got fi!e hundred guests coming and $e can,t fit e!eryone
into that small room. need the main hall and %allroom. 8o. 8o. 3arl don,t ma#e
me get tough $ith you.> 9aria listened to the man on the other end. <8onsense.
3all the other &arty and ma#e them an offer on the smaller, more intimate, non(
lea#ing room. #no$ the roof isn,t lea#ing, %ut they don,t. 1ri%e them5 9oney is no
o%-ect, -ust get me that room.> 9aria listened for a moment, and then s$eetened
her !oice, <and 3arl, also need three $et %ars set u&, a &lace for a full %and set
u&, and tell the stoc#ers to lay in extra 9oLt et 3handon, and six cases of their
cham&agne. 9r. .tiller lo!es that %rand the most.> 9aria &aused #no$ing that
mentioning 2onathan,s name as a mem%er of the 3lu%,s go!erning %oard $ould
s&eed things along. <"han# you, 3arl.> 9aria smiled s$eetly at sa%el and mar#ed
off an item. <)e got the rooms.>
<"hat $asn,t &laying nice, Professor.> 9ichael said from $here he and 9ax
$ere still eating.
768
<=our &oint4> 1oth sa%el and 9aria loo#ed at him all confused. Li0 -ust hid a
smile and started dialing for cleaning staff and ser!ers. < don,t thin# you should
com&lain5 sa%el and made sure that there,s not only going to %e coc#tail $eenies
on the a&&eti0er %uffet, %ut@> 9aria $ent o!er and &ic#ed some food off his &late,
eating it then #issing him. <Pigs in the 1lan#et.>
9ichael loo#ed at her sus&iciously. 9aria $anted something. <)hat are you u&
to, Professor4>
<8othing5 /h, did also mention that there,s also going to %e your fa!orite
%ar%e;ue ri%s, the short ones that you li#e so much...extra sauce4>
<9aria...>
<+nd here,s the a&&ointment time %oth you and 9ax ha!e for getting your
tux,s altered.> 9ichael -ust closed his eyes and groaned. *e #ne$ it. <*a!e you seen
.ean and Kyle4>
+my sauntered %y and sto&&ed and ga!e 9ichael a %ig #iss on the chee#.
<"han# you, s$eetie, for ma#ing my s&ecial day so $onderful.> /h, this $asn,t fair.
"hey $ere ganging u& on him.
9ax $as still laughing $hen they left to go %ac# to $or#. < don,t #no$ $hy
you,re com&laining. 'm in this $ith you. +t least she %ri%es you $ith sex and food,
$hereas me... do it for her smile.>
<Don,t hang the state of your $ussdom on me5 told you to resist.> 9ax -ust
snorted. Resistance4 )hat the hell $as that4 <Resistance is futile5 =ou #no$, let,s
-ust go find a felon to %eat u& on.>
<8o$ you,re tal#ing, &artner. +nd in case you didn,t notice there $ere too
many fric#in, &eo&le in my home for me to engage in sex.> 9ichael fro$ned. "hey
hadn't made lo!e since last night. Dammit, it felt li#e a damn dry s&ell.
769
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael and his dar# sco$l and fro$n. </h yeah, you,re really
suffering.> 9ichael -ust $a!ed a finger at 9ax as they got into the car.
<*ey, $ell at least you #no$ the %oyfriend is in!ited5>
<'uc# off, :uerin.>
???
<9r. .tiller, your t$o o,cloc# is here.>
<"han# you, Lois. .end him in.> 2onathan straightened in his chair. 9aria $as
correct in her assum&tion that Kenneth Price $asn,t going to -ust let the
a&&ointment to the 1oard of Directors for the 'oundation rest. *e had made an
a&&ointment $ith 2onathan to discuss the a&&ointment and $hy his a&&lication $as
%eing %loc#ed.
"he man $as $ell(groomed, !ery &ro&er and o%!iously not going to let
2onathan and his offices intimidate him.
<Professor Price, &lease ta#e a seat.> 2onathan called his secretary. <Lois, ha!e
someone send u& some coffee &lease.> t $as hard to admit, %ut he admired the
tenacious &ursuit that Kenneth $as demonstrating.
9o!ing around his des# to ta#e a seat next to the man, 2onathan loo#ed him
o!er. *e $as mid(thirties, %ro$n hair $ith small framed glasses. *e $asn,t that %ad
loo#ing a man, %ut hardly a 1rad Pitt. t $as his ex&ression that seemed to age and
delineate him as someone much older.
< understand that you $ished to discuss $hy ,m %loc#ing your a&&ointment
to the 'oundation4> 2onathan refrained from smiling at the man's startled reaction.
<"hat is correct.> 2onathan -ust nodded noting the man,s dry tone. *e $asn,t a
!ery &leasant man, %ut at the most, unassuming.
76:
< can easily tell you $hy, Professor. $ould,!e done it o!er the &hone if you
&referred.>
< $ould rather face things head(on.> Lois entered carrying a tray of coffee.
.etting it do$n on the small ta%le %et$een the t$o chairs she ;uic#ly &oured her
%oss and his guest a cu& each %efore lea!ing.
<"han# you, Lois.> 2onathan si&&ed his coffee and decided that it $as time to
get it o!er $ith. <Professor, %loc# your a&&ointment for one reason. )ell may%e
t$o, %ut one s&ecifically.>
<+nd that $ould %e4>
<Po$er.>
Ken loo#ed at the man and fro$ned. < don,t understand. =ou,re saying you
%loc#ed me %ecause you could4>
2onathan laughed. <8o. 1ut in a $ay, that too. 8o. mean that see this
a&&ointment as a $ay for you to increase your &o$er, or areas of influence. 8o$
%eing a %usinessman, normally that isn,t something that %others me, %ut in regard
to the 'oundation it does.>
<Professor DeLuca said it might %e that you feel don,t understand the mission
of the 'oundation.>
<.he is correct. +t one le!el. %elie!e you understand the mission com&letely.
sim&ly thin# you don,t su&&ort or %elie!e in it. "his organi0ation $as created as a
sort of I9a#e + )ish, foundation to hel& &eo&le $ho made mista#es, $ho need hel&.
t,s not a &o$er&lay or a &lace to gain control.>
<,m sorry.> Ken laughed &utting his coffee do$n. < #no$ you, or o" you.
can,t see ho$ a man in your &osition can %e so I&hilanthro&ic, to an organi0ation
that commands this amount of ra$ assets and monies. "his 'oundation is a
goldmine of o&&ortunity. ts &otential is unreali0ed and unmatched.>
767
<"hat is $hy you are %anned, Professor.> 2onathan too# another si& of his
coffee. <=ou,re not interested in the mission or cause of this 'oundation, %ut rather
your o$n &restige and re$ards. )ell there are no re$ards $ith this 'oundation, not
for the $or#ers and or the 1oard mem%ers, only for those $ho are hel&ed.>
Ken -ust shoo# his head and &ut his cu& a$ay. < can,t %elie!e that you aren,t
getting something out of %eing the 36/ of this 'oundation. 8ot %y a long shot.
loo# at the ty&e of man you are, and there is no $ay that you do this $ithout some
%enefit.>
2onathan stood u& to dismiss the man. *e had ans$ered his ;uestion and
there $as little left to say. <=ou,re insightful. do %enefit. 9y re&utation is gold.
.olid. + little act of #indness goes far in &eo&les, res&ect. =ou,re loo#ing for &hysical
re$ards, and ... am loo#ing for something different. =our &ro%lem, Professor, is
that you ha!e no clue as to the true nature of &o$er.> 2onathan o&ened his office
door. <=ou ha!e no idea. 7nderstand $hat &o$er is, and things $ill suddenly
%ecome clear.>
<"his isn,t o!er. can &etition the rest of the 1oard.> Kenneth,s eyes s&ar#led
$ith anger and contem&t. *e needed no lectures.
<=ou can.> 2onathan loo#ed o!er at his secretary. <Lois, gi!e Professor Price a
list of all the 1oard 9em%ers.> 2onathan loo#ed at the Professor and smiled lac#ing
humor or $armth. <:ood day, Professor. sus&ect $e,ll %e meeting again.>
???
9ichael made it home in time to change and eat %efore needing to %e at 3lu%
*ell for the e!ening sta#eout. *o&ing to find his $orld restored to its normal order
he $as disa&&ointed. Li0 and sa%el $ere still &honing a$ay, and 9aria and +my
764
$ere discussing all the arrangements that still needed to %e ta#en care of. 9ichael
fro$ned $hen he loo#ed at 9aria. .he loo#ed &ale, tired and far too small.
<)hat ya doing, Professor4> 9aria loo#ed u& at him and smiled. 9ichael
nodded at the rest and dragged her u&stairs $ith him.
<8ot too long, 9ichael. )e still need 9aria,s hel&.> +my called after them.
<"ell me they aren,t s&ending the e!ening here4> 9aria sat on the %ed $hile he
slo$ly remo!ed his clothes and searched out fresh ones for after his sho$er.
<9ore than li#ely. )hat does it matter4 =ou,re going to %e on sta#eout until
after t$o in the morning. )e might as $ell get some $or# done, and Li0 and sa%el
$ant to go o!er our loft's floor &lan to see $hat they $ant in theirs.>
<)hat4> Li0 and sa%el4 + loft4
<'ll tell you later.> 9aria gra%%ed his hand and &ulled him to her $here she sat
on the %ed. <)hat,s $rong4>
9ichael moaned and tossed himself on their %ed &ulling 9aria $ith him to rest
on to& of his %ody. <Peo&le. "here are &eo&le e!ery$here. ha!en,t touched you
since last night, and can,t $ith all these &eo&le in!ading our li!es.>
<t,s hardly an in!asion.> 9aria smiled against his s#in, mo!ing u& to #iss him.
<Professor.> 9ichael groaned in his throat as he too# her li&s in a long hard
#iss, and he mo!ed his mouth seducti!ely against hers. *e lo!ed the feel of her
nails %iting into his s#in as she mo!ed along his %ody, her leg ru%%ing %et$een his,
nestling high u& against his groin.
<.o hard,> 9aria muttered as her hand s$e&t do$n his %ody to outline his
erection &ressing u& against his -eans. *er mouth mo!ed o!er his s#in, along his
nec# to $his&er hotly in his ear, < lo!e you hard.>
765
"2ust so $e're on the same &age here, Professor." 9ichael mo!ed his mouth
along her nec# lic#ing her s#in, $anting to %ite her, %ut refraining. *e ;uic#ly
fli&&ed them and rolled to &ull 9aria under him, tight.
")e are." 9aria raised her arms and loo&ed them around 9ichael's nec#,
&ulling his head do$n to her. "Kiss me..." she %reathed against 9ichael's li&s. *e
moaned into her mouth as their li&s touched, &ulled a$ay, and then mo!ed %ac#
together to sin# dee&ly into each other. 9ichael ran his hands o!er her. "oo long. t
felt too long.
t $as hot, s$eet and heady. "he smell of her, of them, $as ma#ing his head
s$im. t $as hard not to mar!el at ho$ good 9aria tasted, the textures, scents
and fla!ors that com%ined to flo$ o!er and around and through him li#e some
ex&ensi!e cognac. "he satiny texture of 9aria's tongue in his mouth as he suc#ed
it, then ru%%ed his o$n against it. .o smooth, so hot, li#e $al#ing in a li!ing fire. *e
ran his tongue around the entire inside of 9aria's mouth, sa!oring the fla!ors of
them mixed together.
*e groaned $hen 9aria &ulled a$ay from him, her %reasts hea!ing $ith
emotion. +nother groan follo$ed as he %egan &lacing tiny ni&s, little &inches $ith
his teeth, do$n the sensiti!e s#in of her throat, fingers trailing u& and do$n the
sides of her nec#, caressing the ultra(sensiti!e s#in there. 9ichael,s eyes closed to
the sound of a lo$ feminine gro$l !i%rating in her throat. .uddenly 9aria,s mouth
found his nec# and she %it him. *ard, %ut not enough to %rea# the s#in. .he &ulled
%ac# from loc#ing her -a$ remem%ering her &romise to him a%out the %lood. 1ut
she could still smell it, feel it mo!ing %eneath her tongue.
":od, %a%y," he gro$led $hen a hot, suc#ing #iss co!ered the stinging &lace.
*e raised his o$n arms, lifted the hem of 9aria's shirt and s#immed his hands
u&$ard, feeling the soft sil#y texture of her s#in. *is fingers continued their search
716
until he found t$o ni&&lesF %oth already &ea#ed $ith excitement. *e circled that
ni&&le gently $ith a forefinger, felt the resultant ;ui!er run through her %ody. +
hard &inch to the other ni&&le and %oth hardened com&letely, t$in &ea#s %egging
for his touch. 9aria groaned at the sensations, her li&s %rea#ing from their
caresses.
.he &ushed him %ac# on the %ed rising a%o!e him li#e something he couldn,t
descri%e. *er eyes $ere dar# and ali!e, so %rilliant against the &aleness of her s#in.
.he $as gone. .ome$here else, a &lace that only held them, and their smell.
9ichael smiled a little at $hat she $as a%out to do, the heat of her %ody on his, her
smaller tighter one ta#ing him in and riding him to release. <=es, do it, Professor.>
"hey had forgotten a%out the $omen %usy do$nstairs, %ut o%!iously they
$eren't forgotten. +my,s !oice %roo#ing no excuses %ro#e their concentration on
each other.
<9aria, get off that %oy and get do$n here. 8o$5> 1oth of them sto&&ed $hat
they $ere doing and rested for moment. 9ichael %it %ac# a retort, one ho&&ing $ith
colorful meta&hors, $hich $as sto&&ed %y 9aria,s hand o!er his mouth.
<Don,t5>
9ichael -ust s$ore ;uietly. <Professor...> 9ichael groaned lo$.
< #no$.> 9aria $iggled out of his arms ma#ing him groan e!en more. <:o
ta#e a sho$er...a cold one.> 9aria stood u& &ulled her shirt do$n and 9ichael sat u&
to sit on the side of the %ed.
1efore she left, he gra%%ed her and &ulled her to stand %et$een his legs
resting his head on her a%domen. <=ou feel tired, Professor.>
< am.>
<*ome all day4> 9aria said a ;uiet yes and she reached do$n to #iss the to&
of his head. <=ou should ha!e na&&ed.>
711
< couldn,t. $as too %usy. ,ll rest tonight. &romise.>
9ichael stood u& and leaned do$n to #iss her again. <+nd eat.>
9aria &ushed him a$ay from her and to$ards the %athroom. </h, ,ll eat5> *e
laughed at that as she headed do$nstairs.
"he others loo#ed u& as 9aria slo$ly came do$n the stairs. "hey could hear
the sho$er going on. Li0 loo#ed at +my curiously.
<*o$ did you #no$ that 9aria $as...>
+my -ust chuc#led and stirred a &ot. <)hat else ha!e they %een doing lately,
%ut e!en if that $asn,t the case... could ri& all of 2im,s clothes off $ith -ust my
teeth right no$. "he only time get that turned on $ithout 2im %eing around is
$hen ,m around those t$o &a$ing at each other. "hey sure #no$ ho$ to ma#e a
$oman feel young.>
</h5> Li0,s face turned red and she ;uic#ly hid her face %ehind a curtain of
shiny %ro$n hair. .he thought she $as the only one that reacted that $ay to
9ichael and 9aria. Li0 %lushed e!en more thin#ing a%out her mother e!er ma#ing
that comment to her.
???
9ax $as -ust &utting the finishing touches on a sand$ich $hen his door%ell
rang. )i&ing his hands, he $ent to ans$er it &ausing $hen he sa$ 2onathan .tiller
standing there.
<7m...hi4>
2onathan -ust smiled slightly and gestured his head as#ing 9ax if he could
come inside. 9ax -ust mo!ed to the side. "his $as too surreal. *e didn,t &re&are or
anything.
712
<.orry to -ust sto& %y $ithout calling first. tried 9aria at the 7ni!ersity, %ut
her secretary said she $as off all day.>
<=eah, +my,s $edding &lans got %um&ed to this .aturday, and 9aria and some
friends are frantically trying to get e!erything done.> 9ax loo#ed at him curiously.
)as he there to see him, or $as it something to do $ith 9aria4
<"hat ex&lains it. +my DeLuca. )hat a &ersonality. .he loo#s harmless, ma#es
e!eryone around her -um&, %ut in truth, she is one of the most intelligent $omen
'!e e!er met. .he is a little too astute, if you #no$ $hat mean.>
< thin# do.> 9ax $ent %ac# into the #itchen. 2onathan follo$ed and &ut his
o!ercoat across a stool.
<,m sorry. ,m interru&ting your dinner.>
9ax -ust shrugged. <t,s -ust a sand$ich. +my fed me lunch, so decided to
a!oid anything %ig and hearty. ha!e a sta#eout tonight, and the last thing need
is the desire to fall aslee&.> 9ax loo#ed at the tall dar# man and his unfathomed
eyes. <=ou hungry4>
< could eat.> 2onathan sat on a stool as 9ax &ushed him the %read and
fixings. <+ny$ay, not -ust %eing a rude %east, assuming you $ould $ant to see me,
or e!en &ro!ide me $ith dinner and com&any, sto&&ed %y for a reason.>
9ax sto&&ed loo#ing in his refrigerator for &ic#les and oli!es. <)hat,s that4>
<9aria. need you to &ass on some information to your &artner for 9aria.
should -ust call her &lace or sto& there, %ut find my life ex&ectancy is increased
ex&onentially %y not intruding on Detecti!e :uerin,s &ersonal territory too often.>
2onathan nodded $hen 9ax held u& a %eer. < fear ru% your &artner the $rong
$ay, $hich is strange since ,m &ositi!e ne!er touched him.>
<t,s com&licated. 9ichael,s a little &ossessi!e of 9aria.>
2onathan snorted at that. <Possessi!e4 + little.>
717
9ax actually laughed too. </#ay, more than a little.> 9ax too# a %ottle $ater
for himself. *e could drin# %efore %eing on duty. <.o $hat can do4>
2onathan smiled to himself, %ut ans$ered any$ay. <=ou could tell :uerin that
sort of had a run(in $ith 9aria,s grand &ooh%ah today. *e $asn,t &leased. +nd if my
hunch is right, he,ll %e coming full steam to$ards 9aria. made a mista#e today,
and don,t #no$ ho$ long it,ll %e %efore he figures it out.>
<)hat mista#e4> 9ax fro$ned. <s he going to try to hurt 9aria4>
</h god, no5 ho&e not. 8o, he,s going to ma#e a run on the other 1oard
mem%ers and try to get his seat on the 'oundation. *e #no$s that 9aria doesn,t
!ote her %loc#, %ut she is the s$ing !ote. t may ta#e him a little $hile to
understand exactly $hat that means and the extent of her &o$er o!er the
'oundation. /nce he starts soliciting !otes, he,s going to understand $hat real
&o$er is.>
< don,t understand.>
<9aria,s strength is the regard the other mem%ers ha!e for her. "hey $ill !ote
and follo$ her $ishes as far as the o!erall running of the 'oundation goes. f Price
$ants to find himself on %oard, he needs to get 9aria,s a&&ro!al. /nce he has that,
the others $ill follo$ li#e night follo$s day.>
<.o he,ll e!entually reali0e she is the ste&&ing stone he needs4> 2onathan
nodded and ru%%ed his face.
<9y mista#e. *e &issed me off. + normal human $ould -ust $al# a$ay, try for
another &osition or something, %ut not this man. *e,s fixated on this seat. *e $ants
it. *e,ll get it, if it ta#es him an entire lifetime.>
<Determined4>
<Gery. =ou get these %reed of men. "hey listen to only themsel!es, hear only
themsel!es and their o&inions reign su&reme. "hey ma#e decisions for e!eryone
718
around them, li#e someho$ %y the !ery !irtue of thin#ing the thought ma#es it
correct.> 2onathan sighed. <*e,s one of these tin demi(gods $ho doesn't %other
understanding ho$ little they are. 1ut they understand &o$er, understand $hat it
%rings and they loo# for it.>
<,ll tell 9ichael. )orse comes to $orst, $e,ll run the little runt in again and
ma#e him cry li#e $e did last year.> 2onathan smiled at that.
<.o you ha!e $or# tonight4>
9ax nodded ta#ing a %ite of his sand$ich. <3lu% *ell.>
2onathan laughed at that. .ha#ing his head he ate some of his sand$ich and
dran# some of the %eer.
9ax loo#ed at him sus&iciously. <)hat4>
<=ou co&s lead interesting li!es. + different clu% and &arty e!ery night4>
9ax laughed at that. *is smile getting larger as he dran# from his %ottled
$ater. <.ounds li#e that, doesn,t it4 1ut actually, it,s not. "his is has %een an
unusual fe$ $ee#s.>
<"he serial #iller4 "hat,s your case4>
9ax loo#ed at 2onathan. <=eah. "hat,s the case.> 9ax fro$ned at his drin#.
<*o$,d you #no$4>
< read the &a&ers. *igh &rofile cases in Ros$ell usually mean :uerin and %y
the same to#en, that means you.>
<=ou should,!e %een a detecti!e.>
<2onathan.>
9ax fro$ned at the man. <)hat4>
<2onathan. =ou can call me 2onathan, 9ax. t roles off a tongue -ust li#e any
other name.>
719
<)as a!oiding saying your name4> 9ax loo#ed slightly em%arrassed. <
hadn,t reali0ed.>
2onathan nodded and $i&ed his fingers on a na&#in. 2onathan loo#ed at his
$atch and sighed. t $as close to the clu%%ing hours, so that meant 9ax $ould
more than li#ely ha!e to lea!e.
> should lea!e you to get ready for $or#.> 2onathan gathered u& his things.
<"han#s for &assing on that message for me, and than#s for the sand$ich.>
9ax follo$ed him to the door, uncertain $hat he should do. )hat should he
say4 +s# him out again, or may%e in!ite him o!er for dinner, or -ust arrange to
meet for a drin#4 + drin#. "hat $as safe, $ell for most &eo&le, %ut most &eo&le
$eren,t toasted after half a %eer.
2onathan turned and loo#ed at 9ax. <.o loo#. ,m not sure $hat you,re
$anting from me, or from a Isort, of relationshi& $ith me. can tell you that if you
ha!e hangu&s %eing seen $ith a man in &u%lic, &erha&s that is something you need
to consider immediately.>
<2onathan...>
<"hat,s a start. .aying my name. .o lets &ut this on the line. thin# ha!e a
strong attraction going for you and ,m not e!en sure exactly $hy or ho$, %ut it,s
ha&&ening. ,!e no dou%t %een in!ited to the Galenti(DeLuca marriage ha&&ening
some time this coming .aturday, and ,m guessing you are too4>
9ax nodded.
<:ood. "hen instead of me %ringing my latest too thin, almost a %oy, fashion
model dra&ed on my arm, $hat if %ring you4> 2onathan $atched 9ax,s hesitation.
</r you could %ring me4>
71:
< don,t #no$...> 9ax hesitated again. t $as one thing meeting him in a
restaurant or %ar, %ut another thing to go to a s&ecial e!ent $ith all his friends and
family in attendance. t seemed almost too &ersonal, too much, and too ;uic#.
</#ay, ho$ a%out this then. =ou come alone, and ,ll come alone. )e,ll meet
there and &retend to a!oid each other,> 2onathan mo!ed in close to 9ax &ulling on
his shirt. <=ou can $onder a%out me. ,ll $onder a%out you. =ou,ll $onder...$ill he
try to find me and #iss me4 )ill let him4 Does he e!en $ant to #iss me4> 9ax
$atched as 2onathan lic#ed his li&s, his eyes dro&&ing to his mouth and staying
mesmeri0ed there. </r if it,s too uncomforta%le, $e can meet there, %e together
and at the end of the night &romise you $ill definitely #iss you.>
<2onathan, this is hard...>
< #no$. 1ut can &romise that $on,t tal# to you li#e some chea& smut
no!el, call you '%a%y' or 'my slut', tell you $ant to ta#e your hot hungry hole, or
e!en call you Isexy,. don,t tal# to $omen li#e that, and don,t see $hy $ould
tal# to men that $ay either.>
9ax $inced and actually laughed. <"han#s for the MCC on that. $as going to
immerse myself in chea& gay &orno in ho&es of getting the lingo do$n.> 9ax
actually &outed a little. <"hough, can,t %elie!e you,d ne!er call me '%a%y'.>
2onathan mo!ed e!en closer to 9ax, $his&ering in his ear $hile loo#ing across
the room. <f call you I%a%y,, it means $e are definitely some&lace entirely %eyond
the realm of dating, and that is some serious shit.>
9ax let his eyes close at the feel and smell of 2onathan as he mo!ed closer. /h
damn. *o$ could it go from -o#ing one minute to something totally different the
next4 *e $as so out of his league and de&th here.
2onathan suddenly scoo&ed do$n and &inned 9ax,s mouth %eneath his, his
li&s already searching for his entrance. + $arm mouth o&ened $illingly for him, a
717
soft, satiny tongue greeted him. *e could still taste their &re!ious #isses almost li#e
a memory that refused to end. "he tastes rolled into each other until 2onathan
couldn't tell $here one sto&&ed and the next started. *e mo!ed for$ard and rested
his $eight on his hand against the $all next to the closed door $ith 9ax tra&&ed
%et$een his %ody and the $all. 9ax 6!ans $as such an unex&ected sur&rise.
"angling his fingers dee& into the incredi%le sensuousness of 9ax,s hair, the sil#y
strands tic#ling at his fingerti&s, 2onathan had 9ax,s head cu&&ed firmly in his hand
as he #issed him. 2onathan dre$ a$ay from the #iss and %egan a gentle learning of
9ax's face. "he rougher s#in, rougher than a $oman,s $ith &e&&ering of a light
e!ening %eard. t $as ras&y to the touch, and his tongue a&&reciated the texture.
*e heard the lo$ gas& as he started s&rin#ling random #isses across 9ax's
faceF first on his nose, mo!ing to an eyelid, tracing do$n a chee#%one. *e tasted
$ith his li&s and tongue, creating a mental ma&, follo$ing it to find the next s&ot
that $as sensiti!e. + tongue %rushed softly across eyelashes elicited a soft moan,
as did the li&s that nu00led %ehind an ear.
2onathan catalogued each sound, taste, texture, his mind transferring the ra$
data into a crystal(clear image of 9ax. Kissing 9ax again and again, dra$ing his
%ottom li& into his mouth and suc#ing it until 9ax moaned, %rought a lift to the side
of his mouth. *e traced around #iss(s$ollen li&s $ith the ti& of his tongue, then
lic#ed a &ath across 9ax's -a$%one, noting the roughness of e!ening $his#ers. "he
texture of those $his#ers changed the further do$n 9ax's throat he $ent,
smoothing out and disa&&earing as he reached the +dam's a&&le %o%%ing so
tem&tingly in front of him. 9ax groaned as he lic#ed across the tender %um&, then
suc#led it.
*is o$n %ody $as res&onding to the %reathy moans, $his&ers and ;uiet &leasF
he $as hard and thro%%ing against 9ax, his coc# demanding release, searching for
714
stimulation. 2onathan gro$led as 9ax arched against him, %rushing their erections
together. "oo fast. "his $as too fast.
2onathan ste&&ed a$ay from 9ax running his hands through his hair and
determined to #ee& them to himself. 9ax -ust stood there %reathing hea!ily, eyes
dar#er than 2onathan e!er #ne$, and his mouth red and s$ollen. Damn.
2onathan cleared his throat. <"ell you $hat.> 2onathan &ic#ed u& his -ac#et that
had someho$ found its $ay to the floor. <*ere,s my card. =ou thin# a%out it, decide
a%out %he 3eddin! date, and call me. =ou can e!en sim&ly lea!e me a message on
my machine. +ll ,m as#ing is you tell me ho$ you $ant me. *o$ you $ant me to
act.>
2onathan reached for the door, and changed his mind. 9ax gas&ed as
2onathan came %ac# and &ulled him into a #iss so fiery that his %ody felt li#e it $as
ignited, his %ody -er#ing for$ard to &ress into as much of 2onathan's %ody as
&ossi%le. + hand came to hold him firm as the mouth ex&lored his. 9ax $as
effecti!ely tra&&ed %et$een 2onathan's %ody and the door as 2onathan ra!ished his
mouth.
+nd -ust as suddenly as he had gra%%ed him, 2onathan let him go. 9ax didn,t
recogni0e the moan coming from his o$n throat and he had a hard time o&ening his
eyes and concentrating.
<8ext time, Detecti!e. ,ll $ant to taste more of you than -ust your mouth.>
2onathan ta&&ed a long elegant finger against 9ax,s s$ollen mouth and left the
a&artment. 9ax stood there in a da0e. /h shit. *e had a %oyfriend.
???
715
+lex stood in the dar# room $atching the monitors o!er 9ichael and 9ax,s
shoulders. "hey %rought three other detecti!es tonight, and one $as *anson.
9ichael $atched *anson %um%le through the clu% and s$ore. 9ax loo#ed at him
concerned, %ut there $as nothing any them could do a%out *anson. *e $as
assigned.
<*e,s not here.> +lex said lighting a ne$ cigarette.
< #no$.> 9ichael said as +lex crum%led the em&ty cigarette &ac# in his hand.
<*e mo!ed his hunting ground.>
9ichael loo#ed at 9ax and nodded. 9ax got u& and left the room to continue
circling. <)e stic# here until $e #no$. ,!e got a contact $ho's trying to find his
Dum&.>
<+nd $hat then4 )hat, 9ichael, Protector of 9en, $hat then4>
<)e send them home.>
+lex colla&sed in the chair that 9ax !acated and ga!e a %itter laugh. Leaning
for$ard he held his head in his hands and ga!e a lo$ so%, one that someho$
esca&ed his control.
< %uried my cousin today.> 9ichael loo#ed at him, and then a$ay. <"his $orld
is diseased, &oisoned %y s&ite and greed. "he filth used to only taint the edges li#e
the corners of a &iece of $ilted lettuce. t $as easy to discard and ignore. 1ut this
is more, so much more. 3hildren, %a%ies, they cry and no one hears them. )e
%ecome so entrenched in our li!es that $e forget $e,re human.>
<+lex...>
+lex laughed and loo#ed u& at 9ichael. < #no$ you. '!e dreamt of you, or
me, and men li#e me. li!ed a thousand li!es and the strange thing is...in e!ery
one of those li!es, thin# my name $as al$ays +lex...+lexander. t means
Idefender of man,.> +lex stood u& and stal#ed the room in ner!ous energy. <+nd
726
you, 9ichael...#ee&er of the gate $hat do you teach the children of the night4 "he
lost ones4 Do you sa!e them one %y one, or do you set their %ones to rest4>
+lex &ointed at the monitor. <Loo# at them. .o lost in their li!es, so lost in the
moment. Do they e!en #no$4 Life is a gift, as s$eet as a ri&ened &each.>
+lex changed the monitor to one $here a young $oman, %arely legal if that,
$as %eing fuc#ed u& against a $all of his clu% %y a man almost ten years older than
she $as. <t,s as &recious as a gilded -e$el. 3ut and &olished %y nature,s o$n
hand.> +lex stom&ed on his cigarette. <,!e ne!er %een a%le to understand the logic
of $illfully surrendering such a gift as life, to offer it u& as if it $ere nothing.>
+lex loo#ed at another monitor $here t$o men $ere sharing a line of co#e.
<+nd $hat is there to gain4 *o$ dar# can their existence %e $hen com&ared to an
eternal !oid of non(existence4> +lex turned to lean against the monitors and loo# at
9ichael. <7nless of course you %elie!e...ha!e faith...that there is something %eyond
this mortal coil, this &ale shining roc#.>
<t's all a ruse, a &o& culture lost in o%scurity. 6!eryone of them trying to
%rea# free of %eing...ordinary. 1ut to $hat end, $hen their !ery struggle reduces
them to nothing4> +lex san# %ac# in his chair and stee&led his hands to loo# at
9ichael. <)hat do you see from $here you stand4 s there a %right light at the end
of the tunnel4 + corridor to the %eyond4 s it a ray of ho&e4 /r e!en a glimmer of
something %etter4 /r $ill it %urn you li#e the rising sun4 s that sound you're
hearing the trum&eting of .t. Peter's angels4 /r the slaying of us on .atan minions,
&oniards4"
+lex turned to $atch the screens, the mo!ement of $ild young things chasing
their o$n youth and mortality on a slo$ race to the gra!e. <)hat do you hear $hen
you slee&4 "he crying of angels to their lost %rethren4 /r the screams of men's lo$
tortured souls4> +lex laughed %itterly. <=ou can,t ans$er that can you, 9ichael4
721
1ecause you are li#e me. 1ecause you,ll ne!er #no$ the ans$er Itil the deed is
done. =ou are running to stand still, Detecti!e. "his creature lea!es us nothing %ut
the dead to tend.>
<+lex, $e can $in this. "here is no other ans$er )u% to $in. )e,ll find this
sic#ness and remo!e it.> 9ichael loo#ed at +lex. *e $as too strong, too silent and
he had fought too long. *e $as seeing the destruction from the inside.
<+nd is your faith really that strong4> +lex as#ed. "urning his chair and leaning
for$ard, ta#ing 9ichael,s hands in a strong gri&. < understand the need to mo!e
on. t is something that ha&&ens. +nd staying in one &lace letting death co!er you
e!ery day ta#es it toll. +nd your time has truly come $hen you can no longer see
the light or hear the call."
<+re you there, +lex4> 9ichael loo#ed at the man, and sa$ something utterly
%eautiful. 6ndurance. " also understand that $ith the %eauty of this life there
comes &ain and des&air. 8o one is immune. 1ut consider $hat's in your hands,
$hat you hold that no other can. *onor and duty is e!erything, along $ith
&rotecting those $ho cannot. Don't trade a treasure for an em&ty %ox."
<+ treasure4 s that $hat this is4 stood tossing dirt on that %ox today and,
9ichael...it $asn,t em&ty. t had Krystal in it. /r $hat once $as Krystal. Life $as
her gift, the first one she $as %orn $ith, gi!en at the first rush of %reath. "hat
%reath $as stolen and that !oice silenced. .he $as the treasure, 9ichael. .he $as
the treasure.> +lex $al#ed to the door. <9y life, my honor, %rother. 1ut some
days... #no$ not.>
9ichael $atched him lea!e and the image of him %led on into the night. "hey
$ere all $al#ing in the dar#, and something $as #noc#ing at the door, a ne$
something. 9ichael #ne$ not, as $ell. 1ut $hate!er it $as...it smelt of death.
722
???
.ean stood in the shado$s and $atched. t $as late and the o&en s#y $as not
offering enough light. "he moon &assed %ehind clouds, and the streetlights in this
&art of to$n had %een %ro#en out years ago. 8o one %othered to re&lace them,
%ecause they $ould -ust %e %ro#en again.
"his $as the third &lace he had chec#ed. 6ntering the area after dar#, he had
slo$ly mo!ed into &osition to $atch. 1ut something a%out the &lace $as off. t had
a sense of &rotection. .ean stood %ac#, and $aited. t $as $rong.
.ean loo#ed at his $atch, co!ered %y a leather stra& to #ee& the dial hidden
from sight. t $as late. +fter midnight. nstead of the acti!ity of that &lant
decreasing, it $as increasing. "he num%er of cars and truc#s had gro$n o!er the
last hour. nteresting. +n old meat&ac#ing &lant that had %een defunct for o!er four
years should,!e #no$n only silence.
"a#ing a strong sniff, .ean co!ered his nose. 6ther and other things $ere in
the air. t had the definite odor of come%ac#, %en0ocaine and mannitol. *e could
almost taste the sugar in the air. .hit. *e $as stooling a crystal &alace, an ice
house. t had to %e a Pierce o&eration turning cocaine to crac#. *e $asn,t running
%urners or meth la%s, he $as coo#ing u& co#e in style, readying it for high%alling.
.ean reached into his %ac#, along his $aist%and to chec# that his cell &hone
$as transmitting its transcei!er. f Perdy $as %eing dusted in this manufacturing
&lant, then it $asn,t loo#ing good for a full extraction. *e $as going to need hel&.
.ean cussed under his %reath. )ho to call dammit4 "his o&eration should ha!e
hit the grid. t $as too %ig to %e ignored, and the &o$er&lant cost alone should
ha!e gi!en Gice a clue. "hat could only mean one thing. Protection. Pierce,s
727
o&eration $as &rotected from $ithin, and that left .ean standing on the outside.
.tic#y.
.ean &ulled %ac# into the shado$s. "omorro$ $ould %e a %etter day. f he
could #ee& a close $atch, eyes steady and on the &ri0e, he could call in the 3a!alry
tomorro$. .ean -ust snic#ered. =eah, he could see :uerin in a ten gallon hat riding
to the rescue. 9ore than li#ely, it $ould %e dri!ing a tan#, guns %la0ing and setting
the $orld off in a rush of guts and glory.
Loo#ing at the time again, .ean &ac#ed it in. "ime to retreat to higher ground.
*e $as standing in the %ac#yard and too close for comfort. Death might %e a
$elcomed gal at times, %ut lately .ean $asn,t feeling that %ad. t $as %etter to
regrou&, find his strengths and enter at a %etter time. Plus, he &romised he
$ouldn,t charge in $ithout %ac#u&.
"he sna&&ing of sound %ehind him alerted him to the &resence of someone.
.traightening, he tried to reach his call %utton on his &hone to alert dis&atch that
an /fficer $as do$n. 1ut %efore his had reached the transcei!er, the lights $ent
out.
728
Day 19: Tuesday- 2:11 a.m.
9ichael let himself into the loft -ust after t$o in the morning. 9aria had left a
soft light on for him, and he $as glad to see the &lace $as relati!ely &eo&le free.
3lim%ing the stairs, he stoo&ed to gi!e 9r. 1oo a &at. Damn cat $as sitting on the
ste&s $ith another dead %ird %et$een his &a$s. t didn,t ma#e sense. "he larger
the %ell they &ut on that cat, the more %irds he caught. t $as li#e the uni!erse $as
running %ac#$ards.
9r. 1oo $as no dou%t $aiting for the &erfect moment to &resent his &resent to
his %elo!ed mistress. Poor 9aria. "$o dead %irds in less than t$enty(four hours $as
too cruel.
<=ou didn,t shred any more of my soc#s, did you4> "he cat -ust turned his
head and loo#ed the other $ay. Damn.
9ichael came out the %athroom and turned off the light 9aria had left on for
him. :oing to the %ed he clim%ed in and gathered her into his arms. .he didn,t
e!en stir. 9ichael fro$ned at her and ran his hand o!er her %ody. *er s#in $as cool
to the touch. :athering u& the comforter, he co!ered her $ith it and mated his %ody
to hers ho&ing his s#in $ould $arm her.
.he loo#ed so tired. *er face $as lac#ing its normal resting gentleness.
nstead she loo#ed li#e she $as concentrating on slee&. 9ichael reached do$n and
#issed the to& of her head. *e had ne!er felt this tired %efore. t $as li#e he had
ta#en a tri& three notches &ast exhaustion.
*e closed his eyes and concentrated on the gentle humming sound that
recently seemed to lull him to slee&. n the %ac# of his mind he reminded himself
that he $as going to disco!er $here that sound $as coming from. *e had come
729
home $anting her, $anting sex and all of her, %ut slee& and dreams called to him.
.he $as $aiting for him there.
"hey had settled in ;uietness for a$hile $hen 9r. 1oo%oo came to %ed.
8ormally he $ould ha!e settled in his fa!orite &lace on 9ichael,s legs, %ut tonight
he sto&&ed to consider for a moment. "hen he softly ste&&ed %et$een their t$o
&air of legs until he found the &erfect &lace %et$een them. De&ositing his &resent
on the %ed he curled u&, lulled to slee& $ith them as he too listened to the
humming sounds from $here he rested u& against 9aria,s tummy. *is &urring
increased to match the resonance. "hey sle&t.
???
"he car made its $ay through the ;uiet dar# streets of Ros$ell. "he man sat
%ehind the $heel and actually $aited for the red light to turn green %efore
&roceeding. t didn,t matter that there $as no one else around, no other cars. Rules
$ere rules. )ithout them the $orld ran closer to the edge of chaos.
"hin#ing of the $ra&&ed %ody in the trun#, he contem&lated $here to toss it.
t $as strange that mere $ee#s ago he $ould ha!e stoc#&iled his refuse until he
could find a ne$ Dum&. 1ut it didn,t matter. 8othing mattered. t $as all a%out dirt.
"hey deser!ed to %e dum&ed. .o much &ain, so much su%standard effort. "hey
$ere encouraging and %reeding a $orld of mediocre %ugs. *umans((they $ere
$orse than %ugs. 1ugs s&read o!er the $orld co!ering it in all &laces, %ut humans
$ere $orse. "heir num%ers $ere less, %ut they had all the traits of !iruses. "hey
suc#ed the !ery life out of their host, 6arth, and tossed it aside $hen it had ser!ed
its &ur&ose.
72:
.miling to himself, he #ne$ the &erfect &lace to dum&. "ime to $al# into the
hunter's %ac#yard and dro& the gauntlet.
???
<)hat is it4> "he men in the room $inced in fear at the cold controlled !oice.
<.ir, $e ca&tured an intruder.> "he man felt li#e a fool as Pierce turned his
dar# endless eyes on him. "he man $as a !ast $asteland of emotion, unyielding
and dead. *is eyes $ere a%le to ca&ture the life of those around him and suc# it
dry. 'ear. *is eyes made a &erson "ear.
<s he ali!e4> "he grou& collecti!ely nodded their heads.
<*e's unconscious.> Pierce -ust noted it and gestured for them to lead them to
the ne$ &risoner.
<DeLuca. t,s DeLuca.> Pierce loo#ed at the man lying in a hea& on the floor,
his hands %ound in his o$n handcuffs. <)here there,s a DeLuca there,s usually a
:uerin. 'ind his co& &hone and %ee&er and destroy them.> Pierce &aused. <8o. "a#e
them a$ay from here. 'ar a$ay, and %ury them. "hey,ll send out a homing %eacon,
%ut destruction $ould alert them immediately.>
/ne of the men &assed .ean,s cell and %ee&er to another. "hey $atched as the
second man left, feeling he $as luc#y to %e dismissed from Pierce,s &resence in one
&iece.
<=ou $ant us to ta#e care of him, %oss4>
Pierce turned cold eyes on the man. <s Perdy still ali!e4>
<=es.>
Pierce nodded. <*e came for his $itness. t,s -ust a little shy of forty(eight
hours %efore the case is dismissed. need Perdy ali!e until then. DeLuca, no$ he,s
727
a &ro%lem.> Pierce loo#ed off thin#ing. <*ang DeLuca. "each him a lesson, %ut don,t
#ill him. 2ust ma#e our com&any...uncomforta%le.>
<=ou $ant information4> Pierce loo#ed at the man, Kassen. *e had re&laced
Pierce,s last frontman, the one $ho died in the ex&losion a year ago. "he man $as
an idiot.
<9en such as he don,t tal#, and no amount of &ersuasion $ill $or#. "here,s
nothing he has that need. #no$ e!erything.> Pierce loo#ed at his o&eration that
had %een running unim&eded for eight months. :uerin and DeLuca %et$een them
had ta#en out six of his larger drug o&erations, three guns, and four num%ers o!er
the last year. "hey $ere %ecoming a &ro%lem instead of a source of amusement.
<*urt him, %ut don,t #ill him. Let him %e a lesson to the others. + dead co& $ill -ust
%ecome a martyr to the cause, and :uerin $on,t rest until he finds me and destroys
my em&ire.> Pierce laughed. <9y small little em&ire in a sea of desert on a small
defenseless $orld.>
Pierce $al#ed a$ay $ith his normal entourage of men follo$ing. .to&&ing to
loo# at DeLuca one more time, he sneered. .o fe$ men $orth admiring, %ut this
one $as something. .omething to fear.
<3lose sho&. 9o!e out the &roducts and cut the losses. )here DeLuca is,
:uerin $ill follo$ and don,t $ant him to find my goodies. Kee& Perdy $ith DeLuca.
/nce "hursday morning eight a.m. hits and the case is dismissed, #ill Perdy and
lea!e his dead carcass $ith DeLuca,s %arely ali!e %ody.>
Pierce $al#ed out as a s$ath of men cleared his &ath. Pierce &aused one more
time on his $ay out, and $ithout turning %ac# dictated his demands. <)hen the
case is dismissed, #ill Ru%io. 2ason Ru%io turned e!idence. $ant his %ody on
dis&lay. Put it in the D+,s %ed. /r %etter yet, the ne$ +D+,s. + sort of I)elcome to
Ros$ell, &resent.> *e laughed on his $ay out.
724
???
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael as he got into the car. "he man loo# harried and
un#em&t. *is irritation $as e!ident in the mo!ement of his hands and the clenching
of his -a$.
<)hat,s u&, &artner4>
<9aria. .he's %een sic# since early this morning, and -ust $hen she finally
settled do$n and $as resting her %oss called.> 9ichael s&o#e through gritted teeth.
<*e $ants her in for a s&ecial de&artmental meeting this morning. told her to tell
him to fuc# himself and ta#e a sic# day, %ut 9aria refused. .he $as getting ready
to go in $hen left.>
<)hat,s $rong4 9aria,s sic#4>
< thin# it,s morning sic#ness, %ecause ,m feeling ;ueasy too. 9aria,s
con!inced it,s more. *er guess is she,s catching the flu.> 9ichael $as still fro$ning.
"he flu4 .he didn,t ha!e the %ody aches, scratchy throat or any of the things she
had $hen she had the flu last fall.
<+ny contact from 9aria,s uncle4>
<8o. *e called. .aid that the Dum& in this area had closed and "he 3ollector
had mo!ed on. "he locals $ere loo#ing for the ne$ Dum&, %ut so far they can,t find
anything. *e said that once they #ne$ anything they $ould call.>
9ax -ust nodded. < ex&ected them to %e faster.>
<.o did , %ut thin# they're reluctant to gi!e u& the ne$ site since it,s $here
they dum& as $ell. sus&ect they'll search a fe$ more days and then claim to not
#no$ anything.>
725
")hat ha&&ened the other night, 9ichael4> 9ax had $anted to #no$ %efore,
%ut he hadn't &ushed it. "he other three men $ere in %ad sha&e once they lost their
mar#. t had %een close...so close. +ll 9ichael seemed to $ant to do $as go home
to 9aria.
<*e,s a hunter. *e has the instinct, or at least the understanding. could feel
the shift in the atmos&here $hen he $ent on the hunt. -ust didn,t #no$ he $ould
feel us coming for him.>
9ax sat staring for$ard at the red light thin#ing hard a%out $hat that meant.
<=ou reali0e that $e,re touching some strange shit here, right4 =ou and , $e,!e had
this connection. 8o$ you ha!e one $ith 9aria that is so multi(layered that can,t
com&rehend all its t$ists and turns. +nd no$ this thing you,!e got going $ith .ean
and +lex. )hat fric#in, t$ilight 0one ha!e $e entered4>
< don,t #no$. 1ut do #no$ one thing, it feels natural. t feels righteous and
good. "he thing $ith 9aria is li#e...hell don,t #no$. )hat $ords do you say to
ex&ress ho$ much one &erson can %e a &art of you4 .he -ust #no$s me, lo!es me,
and -ust #no$ that ,ll die to &rotect her and #ee& that feeling. t,s li#e all the
comfort, safety and home feelings associated $ith 9i#ey...$ith Dad...$ere gi!en
%ac# and multi&lied.> 9ichael &ut his hands in his la& loo#ing do$n at them and
then o!er at 9ax. <.ometimes, thin# he,s still $atching o!er me, sa!ing me again,
and the day found 9aria it $as as if he ga!e me a gift. .he scared me. t $as li#e
touching home again, %ut more of a home than '!e e!er #no$n. .o for the entire
last year $hile $e'!e %een together, '!e had this fear inside....li#e this ;ua#ing
dread that if lose her, ,ll lose myself.>
<s that $hy you're so cra0ily &ossessi!e at times4>
<9ay%e. ne!er as#ed for this, or e!en $anted to %e this...de&endent on
someone.>
776
<Gulnera%le. .he ma#es you !ulnera%le.>
9ichael -ust nodded. <"he need to &rotect her and to #ee& her safe isn,t -ust
a%out her. t,s a%out me. #no$ that she's my $ea#ness, and no$ $ith the %a%y
coming...>
<t,s $orse.>
</h, hell yeah5 ,m li#e this %east, needing to see her mar#ed %y me, li#e a
sign of &ossession to the outer $orld, and feel...&rimal.> 9ichael ran a hand o!er
his %ro$. <f $ere an animal ,d say $as mar#ing my territory.>
9ax glanced o!er at 9ichael in concern and $ith a touch of a&&rehension.
<Please don,t tell me you're &issing on your fiancEe %ecause@.+ctually, no5 Don,t tell
me. -ust don,t e!en $ant to #no$5>
9ichael laughed, a real dee& laugh. <8o, ,m not5 thin# e!en 9aria $ould
ha!e a &ro%lem $ith that. +nd these DeLucas seem to %e !ery o&en a%out most
things. Pissing on 9aria4 Dammit, 9ax$ell $here your mind goes sometimes is
frightening. =ou,re one sic# fuc#.>
#$m sic#4 *a5> 9ax said as they &ulled into the PD garage. 1oth men headed
for the ele!ators. <*ello4 6!en #no$ that if had a strong im&ulse to &ut my
%rand on a $oman, to mar# her as my &ersonal &ro&erty, ,d at least start %y
%uying her a fric#in, engagement ring5> 9ax said as he ste&&ed into the ele!ator.
9ichael stood stunned in the door$ay, staring at his &artner. *is face suddenly
clouded and his %ro$s furled in dar# anger.
<Dammit, 9ax$ell5 *o$ long $ere you going to $ait %efore reminding me
a%out the damn ring4> 9ichael got on the ele!ator all huffy, glaring at t$o other
officers trying to enter $ith them. 1oth men -ust held u& their hands and %ac#ed
off. <+t lunch $e,re going to a damn %oo#store or something. .omeone,s had to
ha!e $ritten a manual or something.>
771
9ax -ust leaned u& against the ele!ator $all. <.ure, The /oser$s 8uide %o
-ela%ionshi&s.> 9ax ignored 9ichael,s gro$l. <:en, and %he ;r% o" 8uerin 4um)lin!!
8o, no...<ery%hin! 2ou 3an%ed To =no+ a)ou% 1ro&osin!, )u% 3ere ;"raid %o ;s5.>
9ichael -ust $a!ed his finger at his &artner as he exited the ele!ator. <The 1rince
>harmin! >om&le?: 3hy #$m 7o% ; Man @nless My #n%ended Thin5s #$m ; /oser or
Dr. 8uerin/oe and Ho+ # >ame To 4e Sin!le.> 9ax #e&t rattling off titles. </h, this
is the %est one((1ro&osin! "or Dummies!*
<'uc# off5>
9ax did a fair '9ichael !oice' raised in horror and exas&eration. <+ ring4 $as
su&&osed to %uy her a ring4> 9ax follo$ed his fuming &artner to their des#s in the
%ull&en. <*ey, 9ichael, great thought...let's %uy a gross of 3rac#er 2ac#s and
may%e you,ll find a toy ring inside5>
???
9aria $as %arely a%le to sit through the staff meeting. *er hands $ere
s$eating and an em&ty feeling in her stomach filled her $ith nausea. Kenneth
Price,s !oice $as at such a &itch that it mimic#ed her churning stomach. f he didn,t
$ind do$n his nasally $hining tones soon, 9aria $as going to toss her coo#ies on
his shoes.
9ichael had %een right. .he should,!e stayed home. *er mother and sa%el
$ere off together $or#ing on The 3eddin! since sa%el only $or#ed the crisis line
at night. "hey $ere ha!ing a merry time and 9aria $as smart enough to lea!e
them to it. +fter $or#, she sus&ected they,d ro&e Li0 into the fun fest. 1oth sa%el
and Li0 had dro&&ed off floor&lans for their loft on her doorste& in less than t$enty(
772
four hours. 9aria loo#ed at them and then called %oth $omen to let them #no$ that
she couldn,t do t$o different floor&lans and they needed to come to an agreement.
<9aria4> 9aria -ust groaned.
<Professor Price4> 9aria loo#ed at him $ith a gro$ing tre&idation. *e #ne$. *e
had figured it out.
<+re you alright4 =ou loo# ill. =our secretary told me that you $ere sic#
yesterday.>
< $as. .ic# today, too.> Price -ust nodded. "hat he could see.
<"han#s for coming in for the meeting.> 9aria -ust nodded and $aited for the
other shoe to dro&. < really $anted to tal# to you a%out the 'oundation.>
<Professor Price...>
<Ken. 3all me Ken.> 9aria felt the ;ueasiness increase as he smiled at her.
<Ken, ,d lo!e to tal# to you a%out the 'oundation, %ut 'm afraid this isn,t the
time.>
<t should only ta#e a fe$ moments, 9aria.>
9aria leaned for$ard and gra%%ed his arm, against her $ill. <Ken, ,m sorry,
%ut if you don,t hel& me to the restroom ;uic#ly, thin# ,m going to redecorate
your nice suit.>
"he man started and then reali0ed she $asn,t #idding. Putting a hand on her
arm, he rushed her to the restroom. Leaning %eside the door he $aited for her to
come out. )hen she did, she $as &ale and trem%ling. Ken ;uic#ly hel&ed her to the
staff lounge to lie do$n.
<.tay here. ,ll get 3heryl.> Ken fro$ned on his $ay out the door. "he flu. t
$as going around. Juic#ly $or#ing out her class schedules and the li%rary time
added in, he mentally started to rearrange her classes for the rest of the $ee#.
Luc#ily she $asn,t scheduled to teach until "hursday.
777
3heryl ;uic#ly too# control of the situation and than#ed the De&artment 3hair
for his concern. *e $as reluctant to lea!e 9aria in 3heryl,s hands until he tal#ed to
her. *e really needed to tal# to her, %ut no$ $as o%!iously not the time as 9aria
had fallen aslee& on the sofa.
<.he loo#s so small,> $as his only comment. *e had ne!er noticed ho$ small
the $oman $as. *er &resence $as al$ays someho$ larger than life and she tended
to dominate a room $ith her &ersonality. <)here did she get the scars4> *e had
noticed them %efore at s&ecial e!ents $hen she came dressed in formal$ear. .he
ne!er seemed too self(conscious or $anting to hide them. "hey $eren,t unsightly,
-ust thin $hite lines marring the &ale smooth s#in of her %ac#. "oday she $as
$earing a long(slee!ed %odysuit $ith an ex&osed %ac#.
<+ fe$ years %ac# thin#. .he said it $as an accident. -ust assume a car
accident. *er %oyfriend isn,t the greatest of dri!ers.>
<:uerin4> Price,s noise &inched in an ugly snarl. *e hated that man. 3heryl
-ust nodded. <"hat man is a menace.>
< should call him.> Price -ust nodded. *e made a gesture for her to do that
and ;uic#ly exited the room %efore someone enlisted him into hel&ing any more
than he already had.
3heryl $atched the man $al# a$ay $ith a sha#e of her head. .trange little
man. t $as the mo!ement of 6ddie that caught her eye.
<6ddie5>
6ddie ;uic#ly entered the room at the calling of his name and immediately sa$
the slee&ing 9aria $ith her %ac# to$ards him. </h god, 9aria4 )hat,s $rong $ith
her. .ic#4>
<2ust no$. Professor Price hel&ed her to the restroom.> "he t$o shared a loo#
at that incredi%le #no$ledge. Ken Price had hel&ed someone. + Maria someone.
778
<Did you call 9ichael4>
<8ot yet. 3ould you sit here and $atch o!er her4 ,ll %e right %ac#.> 6ddie -ust
nodded and sat $ith his hand on her %ac# gently stro#ing it.
3heryl came %ac# fro$ning. <"he secretary at the de&artment said that he $as
out on a call. .hould $e $a#e her4>
6ddie -ust shoo# his head no. t $as %arely ten. <,ll ta#e her home if you,ll get
her -ac#et and %ag. ,ll call the PD from the loft and lea!e a message for 9ichael
that she,s home sic#.>
<+re you sure, 6ddie4 Don,t you ha!e classes or $or#4>
<Don,t $orry. had an errand needed to run any$ay.> 3heryl acce&ted that
and $ent to get 9aria,s things together. .he $as going to go ahead and rearrange
the Professor,s classes and $or# schedule. f it $as the flu 9aria $as going to %e
out a fe$ days.
???
t $as almost noon $hen the call came. Do$nstairs alerted forensics and
3rime .cene n!estigations first %efore the call came to Galenti,s des#.
<:uerin, 6!ans5> 1oth men loo#ed u& from their $or# as 2im motioned to them
to follo$. <=ou too, *anson.>
"hey all entered the ele!ator for a ride to the garage. <)hat,s u&, 3a&4>
9ichael loo#ed at his commander in concern. "he redness of his s#in $as cree&ing
u&$ard, and 2im loo#ed li#e he $as going to ex&lode.
<+ &resent. )e,!e %een gi!en a &resent. =our latest !ictim.> 2im,s face shut
do$n as he turned silent and angry.
9ax and 9ichael shared a loo#. <)here4> as#ed 9ax ;uietly.
779
9ichael -ust stared straight ahead. *e #ne$. t could only %e one &lace.
<*ere. "rash dis&osal found it less than ten minutes ago.> 2im stared at
9ichael as the man s$ore. *e agreed. 8othing $as $orse than ha!ing an entire
.tation house rushing outside to see the s&ectacle and muc#ing u& the site.
<*o$ many4> 9ichael as#ed ;uietly. "he num%er of &eo&le in the crime scene
had to %e astronomical.
<'orensics and 3. $ere called first, %ut Do$nstairs got there %efore they did.>
9ichael -ust shut his eyes and his fists clenched as he started to count to ten
immediately.
*anson -ust co$ered in the corner and listened. *e $as hardly u& to s&eed on
the case, and %eing underco!er at the clu% last night $ith :uerin had gi!en him
heart%urn.
9ichael $as the first off the ele!ator. *e %arreled through the garage and &ast
the motor &ool. "hey $ould %e gathering around too. :rease -oc#eys lo!ed a good
sho$. :oing out the re&air %ay, he turned along the side of the PD %uilding
follo$ing it to a loading %ay $ith large dum&sters. "he amount of &eo&le milling
a%out sent his %lood &ressure roc#eting.
9ichael &ushed &eo&le aside literally gro$ling, until a s$ath of men in uniform
and other su&&ort teams -um&ed out of his $ay. *e sto&&ed in front of a small
grou& of 1lues and searched their faces. /ne man -ust calmly stared %ac# refusing
to %e intimidated.
<8ame4>
"he man $as confused as 9ichael tal#ed to him. <)hat4>
<)hat is your name, /fficer4>
77:
<9orris.> "he man loo#ed at :uerin. *e had heard stories, %ut he al$ays
thought that most of them $ere exaggerations. .uddenly he $asn,t so sure.
<7m...9orris, .ir.>
<:ot your tic#eting &ad and arrest %oo# on you4>
<+l$ays, .ir.>
<:ood. $ant e!ery &erson out here $ith the exce&tion of 3. tic#eted,
&rocessed and held for ;uestioning. 3harge them $ith interfering in a criminal
in!estigation.> 9ichael !oice $as loud enough that the &eo&le around him could
hear the cold anger. <"a#e them to &rocessing and call +.>
)ith that said, the fringes of onloo#ers ;uic#ly melted a$ay into the
$ood$or# and %ac# to their -o%s %efore they $ere tic#eted.
<+ll of them, .ir4>
<+ll of them, 9orris. +nd 9orris4> "he man loo#ed %ac# gul&ing. <,ll %e !ery
disa&&ointed if you don,t tic#et yourself.>
9ichael left the s$eating man and $al#ed to$ard his torn(u& crime scene. t
$as sur&risingly clear of extraneous %odies and 9ichael $ent straight to .imon.
<8ice -o%, :uerin. 9y &eo&le %een trying to control the masses since $e got
here.>
<*o$ much contamination4>
.imon sat %ac# on his hunches and $aited for the ex&losion. <"hey rolled the
%ody.>
9ichael,s entire face turned red. 3ussing an endless stream of o%scenities,
9ichael turned around to find the fe$ remaining faces %eing tic#eted %y 9orris and
a fe$ other 1lues, those $ho didn,t find the smarts to %leed off the site $hen
:uerin arri!ed.
777
<)ho4 )hat idiot $ould $al# on my crime site and touch my dead4 )ho4> "he
entire cro$d ste&&ed %ac# in fear. *anson, standing %eside 9ax actually
$him&ered.
9ax $his&ered to him in a lo$ !oice. <8ot you!*
2im came for$ard lea!ing 9ichael to rant and ra!e, teaching the fe$ and the
&roud to fear as he $ent to examine the %ody along $ith .imon. *e had read all
the re&orts, %ut this $as the first real one he had actually laid eyes on since this
case hit his des# a fe$ $ee#s %ac#.
<.imon4>
<2im. .orry to see you out here for this. "his is %ad, 2im. *e dro!e into 3o&
3entral, in through the security gates, and calmly dum&ed his latest #ill.> 2im -ust
nodded. "his &lace $as infested $ith incom&etence, graft and corru&tion. "hat
%ecame more a&&arent e!ery day.
<Last night4>
<=eah.>
<9ichael said they -ust lost him on .unday night. "hat,s not long for him to
&ic# u& and &rocess the %ody.>
<t,s not. t $asn,t. "his one $as done s&ecial.>
2im didn,t e!en really $ant to #no$ or to as#, %ut he did any$ay. <.&ecial4>
*e felt 9ichael -oining them. 9ichael s;uatted next to the %ody. "a#ing a &air of
latex glo!es, he &ulled %ac# the &lastic. 2im -ust $atched as 9ichael,s eyes tra!eled
the length of the cor&se and %ac#. *e mo!ed his head to the side, and then do$n.
<*e $as #illed li#e the others((suffocation. 1ut .imon, he o&ened the ca!ity. t
$asn,t done neatly either.> 9ichael $histled under his %reath as he too# notes,
ignoring the camera -oc#ey shooting the crime.
774
9ichael stood, and sur!eyed the general area. "he %ac# loading %ay of the PD
$as %ehind a loc#ed gate. During the day the only $ay in $as at the security %ooth,
%ut at night there $ere times $hen the %ooth $as left o&en $hile the guard $as off
on rounds.
<9ichael,> 9ax said ;uietly. <,ll &ull the duty rosters from last night.> 9ichael
-ust nodded and then fro0e. *e slo$ly turned around searching the areas around
the gated yard. <9ichael, $hat is it4>
<*e,s here.>
1oth .imon and 2im loo#ed at each other. 2im ;uic#ly stood and $al#ed o!er
to the other /fficers still tic#eting themsel!es.
<"a#e your men and discreetly s&read out. /ur sus&ect is still here. 1ring in
anyone...anyone at all. +ll cars, licenses and tags are to %e noted and searched.
9o!e ;uietly and fast.>
/fficer 9orris loo#ed o!er at :uerin, $hose %ody $as stiff and alert. .uddenly
his face too# on a shuttered loo# and he mo!ed ;uic#ly off the %ay and to$ards the
%ac# gate. 9ax ;uic#ly follo$ed as 9ichael too# the t$el!e(foot chained fence in a
three(handed scram%le and then $as o!er the to&. 9ax too# a little longer %eing
careful of the to& %ar%ed $ire that 9ichael tossed himself o!er. 9ichael remained
on the ground in a lo$ crouch sur!eying the area and motioned his &artner %ac#.
.uddenly in the dar# $ooded area &arallel to the fence, mo!ement ex&loded as
:uerin mo!ing in tandem $ith 9ax $ere suddenly running through the trees in hot
&ursuit of their sus&ect.
9orris ;uic#ly too# some other 1lues and too# off to ta#e units into the
surrounding areas. "he %astard had %een $atching them the entire time, and all of
them had stood around li#e tourists at a s&ectator s&ort. 9orris $as angry and
humiliated, and loo#ing at his &artner the feeling a&&eared to %e mutual.
775
<.hould go too, .ir4> *anson as#ed 2im.
2im -ust loo#ed at *anson and sighed. "he man really $asn,t a %ad co&, -ust
one lac#ing in confidence. "o someone li#e that, men such as :uerin $ho $ere %orn
$ith a sixth sense and intuition $ere a little o!er$helming.
<8o, you stay $ith .imon and me and $or# the scene. $ant this cleared.>
*anson -ust nodded as .imon assigned him a tas#. "hey $atched as *anson $ent
off to $or#.
<*e needs more field time, 2im.> .imon said.
< #no$.> 2im -ust $atched as *anson %um%led along. < can,t afford a trainer
for him right no$. ,!e got too many cases and the only one that really could train
him is :uerin, and $ouldn,t $ish :uerin on my $orst enemy. *e,s gained some
&atience o!er the last year, e!en a smidgen of social s#ills, %ut he,s not a man that
can really change.> 2im -ust shoo# his head. <*e doesn,t suffer fools lightly.>
<*e,s incredi%le. ,!e ne!er seen anything li#e him.> .imon -ust loo#ed out at
the area $here 9ichael and 9ax had disa&&eared. <*o$ the fuc# did he #no$ that
the #iller $as out there4>
<t might ha!e %een an !agrant, -ust $atching the sad s&ectacle.>
.imon -ust shoo# his head as he ordered his &eo&le to ta#e the %ody to the
morgue. <Don,t thin# so, 2im. *e felt him. Dammit, my &eo&le usually shoot the
external scene, cro$d faces and such, %ut...hell, there $ere so many uniforms and
our o$n a%out, $e didn,t %other.>
2im -ust shoo# his head. "his $as totally fuc#ed u&. <*o$ $as the %ody
different4>
<*e cut the ca!ity o&en, didn,t %other to close it and it,s missing an organ.>
2im loo#ed do$n at the glistening %ody co!ered in a clear coating.
</rgan4 )hich one4>
786
<"he heart.>
???
9ax and 9ichael found an ad-acent neigh%orhood -ust %eyond the small
$ooded area. t $as an older section of Ros$ell, a mixture of aged stores and
sho&s $ith residential areas coming off on side streets, and !intage $arehouse
%uildings that still $ere in use %y com&anies that had sur!i!ed for years in Ros$ell.
"hey $ere in a &ac#ing district.
<9ichael4> 9ax gas&ed still trying to get his %reath. <)hich $ay4>
< don,t #no$. *e lost us in the last turn into 9uncing Distri%utors.> "he
sus&ect had run through an o&en %ay of the distri%uting com&any, #noc#ing o!er
%oxes and &roducts. 9uncing Distri%utors $as a large ra$(&roducts &ac#ing and
distri%uting $arehouse.
"he chased him through the &erisha%les, &ast the lettuce and then stum%led
into the tomatoes. 9ax's nice clean shirt and &ressed dress &ants $ere co!ered in
tomato -uice from $here he landed in crates of fresh tomatoes. 9ichael loo#ed -ust
as %ad. "hey came out of the esta%lishment in time to see a fleeing %ac# rounding a
corner.
.tanding at another long ;uiet alley, %oth men $ere searching $hile catching
their %reaths. "he sus&ect had to e;ually %e tired and more than li#ely had gone to
ground, holed u& in a con!enient &lace. "hey slo$ly $al#ed the alley since the
other end $as closed off %y a &atrol car. 9ax and 9ichael s&read out in a flan#ing
&attern $ith $ea&ons dra$n. +nother &atrol car closed the entrance of the alley.
<"al# to me, Partner. =ou feel him.>
9ichael &aused and concentrated. <*e,s here.>
781
"hey continued to mo!e for$ard $hen suddenly there $as the slam of a metal
door. 1oth men rushed for$ard as t$o &atrolmen cautiously a&&roached their
&osition from the to& of the alley. 9ichael and 9ax found the closed metal door. t
$asn,t loc#ed, %ut something had %een mo!ed in front of it from the other side.
9ichael s$ore and too# a &atrolman,s mo%ile unit s;ua$# off his uniform. *e
and 9ax #ic#ed in the door and then &ut their shoulders against it and &ushed it
o&en. 9ichael motioned for 9ax to ta#e a &atrol unit to the other side of the
%uilding and another unit to circle around. *e and a uniform officer $ent into the
dar# %uilding.
9ax rushed do$n the alley to the other &atrol car that $as %loc#ing the
original entrance $hile the &atrolman minus his mo%ile s;ua$# $ent %ac# to his
unit. 9ax o&ened the side door to the &atrol car and held on, standing on the
foot&late and holding onto the car door as it too# off do$n the side of the %uilding.
9ax loo#ed at the /fficer next to him in the &assenger,s seat. <:i!e me your
s;ua$#. Radio in for a unit to co!er the crossing streets.> "hey rounded the front of
the %uilding and 9ax -um&ed off the car $ith the one officer follo$ing. 1oth men
#ic#ed in the other door and entered the %uilding. "he &lace $as a storage
$arehouse for the 3ity of Ros$ell. t contained their to$n's su&&lies of decorations.
9ax $andered into the dar#ened rooms a!oiding 3hristmas to$ns, .antas and
tangles of 3hristmas lights strung on a %eam to #ee& them untangled.
9ichael mo!ed into the $arehouse $ith the /fficer at his right and %ac#.
9ichael motioned him to circle to the right and for$ard as he too# the left. 9o!ing
%et$een the dar#ened cu%icles and artificial $alls created %y &artitions, he loo#ed
u&$ard at the small to& $indo$s thirty feet in the air that &ro!ided $hat little light
there $as. "here $ere u&&er cra$l rafters and cross &lan#ing holding different
o%-ects sus&ended in mid(air. "he u&&er net$or# $as a &ro%lem $ith the large
782
hanging lights and ground lam&s the 3ity used to s&otlight e!ents. "hose s&otlights
$eighed a fe$ hundred &ounds.
De&loying for$ard, 9ichael #ne$ $hen 9ax entered the %uilding. *e heard the
door gi!e $ay and could feel his &artner mo!ing for$ard. "he /fficer $ho entered
$ith 9ax found lights and turned them on, causing 9ichael to almost shoot himself.
"he illumination re!ealed that he $as standing in front of a full length mirror facing
his o$n reflection.
<9ax4>
<8othing5>
<9ary 2ane one.> 9ichael called %ac#.
<9ary 2ane t$o,> called a !oice to 9ichael,s front and left. 9orris((it $as the
&atrolman 9orris calling &osition. +nother !oice rang out. "here $ere four of them
in the $arehouse. 9ax, 9ichael, and the t$o &atrolmen. "hey located each other's
&ositions and slo$ly $or#ed in$ard to$ards each other. )ithin minutes they had
closed in and 9ichael gestured to 9orris to mo!e counter to him, as 9ax and the
other did the same.
t $as the sound of a $hi&&ing cord that alerted 9ichael first. Loo#ing u& he
sa$ the large t$o hundred &ound s&otlight hurtling to the $arehouse floor straight
for 9orris. Rushing for$ard and then di!ing, 9ichael hit 9orris at mid(le!el and
&ro&elled him %ac#$ards out of the $ay of the falling light, %ut into a full &anel of
tem&ered glass $ith his o$n $eight coming do$n hard on the man. 1oth men
cussed as a rain of glass co!ered them $ith 9orris ta#ing the $orst of it since he
$as facing it.
9ax rushed to 9ichael,s side cautiously $atching the u&&er le!els and
cat$al#s. Pulling his &artner off the /fficer he loo#ed at the %ro#en s&otlight that
had almost crushed 9orris, and then 9ichael as he &ushed the man out of harm's
787
$ay. +ll of them loo#ed u& at the sound of %rea#ing glass, and 9ax %lin#ed t$ice at
the rushing light and the !ie$ of a dar#ened image going through a %ro#en u&&er
$indo$.
9ichael s$ore and gra%%ed the s;ua$#. <*e,s mo%ile, u&&er le!el, -ust $ent
through the $indo$5 =ou got him4>
<)illiam Da!id t$o, sus&ect -ust -um&ed the %uilding. Proceeding north.>
9ichael listened to the chatter as the mo%ile &atrol units &ursued their sus&ect. t
only too# three minutes, %ut they lost him three %loc#s a$ay as they entered a
more cro$ded area $ith o&en sho&s and &edestrians.
9ax $aited for 9ichael to lose his tem&er, %ut he didn,t. *e sim&ly remained
;uiet, loo#ing do$n at 9orris still lying flat in a &ile of %ro#en tem&ered glass.
<=ou o#ay4>
<8o.> 9orris $as trying hard not to mo!e.
<)hat4> 9ichael as#ed.
<:lass((a large &iece in my damn ass.> "he other &atrolman tried to hel& him
mo!e.
<Dammit, don,t mo!e him. *e could &ush it in further.> 9ichael called it in. <
need assistance, /fficer do$n.> 9ichael s;uatted next to the man. <+m%ulance is on
the $ay, they,ll ta#e you in.> 9ax hid a smile. *e $as certain that 9orris $ould
&refer to %e on his feet and remo!ing the glass from his ass $ithout hel&. "he
teasing and ri%%ing $as going to %e %ad enough, %ut ha!ing 9edical carrying him
out of the $arehouse on his stomach $ith his %leeding ass in the air $ith a
&rotruding &iece of sheet glass $as going to %e truly humiliating.
<9ay%e if you can -ust hel& me u&, .ir4> 9ichael -ust clic#ed his tongue. .ure
t$o of them could ta#e the man %y his arm&its and lift him %ac# to his feet, %ut
$here $as the fun in that4
788
<8a$, you %etter $ait, 9orris. )e $ouldn,t $ant to do you any more damage.
f $e &ull out the glass you might %leed to death. t,s %est $e let a &rofessional do
that.> 9orris -ust moaned and &ut his head %ac# on the glass surrounding him.
'uc#ing :uerin should ha!e -ust let that damn light s;uash him. <1ut don,t $orry,
9orris, 'll let you off on tic#eting yourself.> 9ichael &atted the man,s shoulder
sym&athetically.
9ax stood $atching %ehind 9ichael and actually snic#ered at that. :osh, that
:uerin $as %ecoming such a softy((a regular nice guy5
???
.ean $o#e u& $ith a shar& searing &ain in his head. t too# a moment for the
dar#ness to fade and for him to focus. "he first thing that %ecame clear $as that
not only did his head hurt, %ut his arms $ere #illing him. *e $as sus&ended from a
meat hoo# in the old &ac#ing &lant %y his handcuffed hands. .ean shoo# his head
to clear it. "rou%le. *e $as in trou%le. 3a& $as going to ha!e his hide for this.
Loo#ing around the room, he found his missing $itness, Perdy tied to a chair,
mouth duct ta&ed and o%!iously &assed out. t $as .ean,s increased consciousness
and mo!ement that sent the guard through the door to alert someone. + large
hea!y(handed man came %ac#. .ean loo#ed at him critically. n his 'amily's
%usiness they called men li#e this '1ruisers'. "hey s&eciali0ed in one area only.
"a#ing out the trash.
<'inally a$a#e, 3o&&er4>
.ean -ust snorted. <De&ends. s your name .hirley and do you ha!e %lond
ringlets and a &inafore4>
789
"he man slammed a large meaty fist into .ean,s gut, #noc#ing the %reath from
him.
<=eah, guess ,m still dreaming. Lederhosen. could get into that or may%e a
3atholic schoolgirl uniform. )ent to 3atholic school myself, and many nights did
lie in %ed dreaming a%out $hat $as under those &laid s#irts $ith those naughty
&leats.>
.ean coughed as another %lo$ &ounded him in the ri%s. +nother man came
and $et him do$n $ith a $ater hose. *e $as sus&ended from the hoo# in nothing
%ut his -eans. Pity. "hey could ha!e done it right and stri&&ed him %are. "he first
rule in torture $as to disarm and humiliate the !ictim, then stri& them of their
dignity and sense of self. + good torturer $ould sodomi0e him $ith some hard
o%-ect and lea!e it inside $hile %eating him %loody. "hese men4 "hey $ere
amateurs.
"he $ater $as good. t cooled the %ody and forced the %lood to &um& harder
to com&ensate for loss in tem&erature. .ean could feel the hair along his s#in
already &ea#ing. "he leader of the rat &ac# hit him again, another one(t$o
com%ination, %ut his feet $ere $rong. *e $as leaning too far for$ard on the %alls
of his feet and the misalignment of %ody $eight detracted from the &o$er of his
&unch. +s .ean,s head sna&&ed to the side, he s&it out the %lood. .till, the &unch
$asn,t %ad, %ut it could %e %etter.
<Dammit, .hirley at least &ut some &o$er into the %lo$5 =ou &ulled that last
&unch5> .ean said coughing. .hut u& you stu&id fuc# and &ass out so these clo$ns
can go circle -er# each other in the %ac# room5 diot.
<*o$ a%out this one, 3o&&er4>
.ean too# a %lo$ to the #idney and felt a ri% %rea# under the com%ination
&unch.
78:
)hee0ing as his %ro#en ri% &ressed into his lung, .ean -ust laughed. <8ot %ad,
.hirley, %ut you,re still o!ercom&ensating. +ll that muscle and no &o$er.> .ean
sto&&ed laughing as the man hit him again in the ri%s and a sla& across the mouth.
:athering the %lood in his mouth, .ean s&it it in his torturers face. .tu&id. *e $as
stu&id.
Rage and anger rushed o!er .hirley's face and .ean's %ody too# the
&unishment. *anging $ith his head %et$een his arms and do$n on his chest, .ean
chuc#led. "$o men in the corner s$ore under their %reath as .ean lifted his face
and loo#ed at the man. "he 9an. Right. *e too# %etter %eatings from :irl .couts
trying to collect coo#ie money.
"he man loo#ed on in shoc# as .ean,s eyes met his. "hey $ere dar# for a
ha0el eye, gleaming and deadly. .uddenly $ith a lift to the corner of his mouth
.ean,s hand $ent u&$ard to gra% the chains of his cuffs. 'aster than the man could
com&rehend .ean lifted his $eight off his cuffed $rists and s$ung for$ard.
)ra&&ing his legs around the man,s nec# he t$isted to the side and then released
him as the nec# sna&&ed and his torturer slid to the ground in a hea&.
.ean released the man's %ody, s$earing as his $eight &ulled on his $rists
again. "he t$o men in the corner stood there stunned as their friend slid to the
ground in death. .ean didn,t gi!e the lum& of gar%age e!en a second thought. "he
man $as so &athetic that .ean hadn,t e!en gotten hard. .ean considered that
conce&t for a second. *mm, may%e thera&y $as $or#ing.
.ean -ust turned his head and loo#ed at the other t$o. <8ext4>
/ne man too# a %ase%all %at and hit .ean in the ri%s again. 1ut his &artner
sto&&ed him %efore he could really do too much damage.
787
<:et the hose.> .ean $inced as the cold $ater hit his s#in, and he could feel
the %lood rushing do$n his %ody from the fe$ cuts and a%rasions. "he other man
a&&roached .ean holding a taser. <Let,s see ho$ you li#e this, Pig.>
.ean loo#ed at the $ea&on in the man,s hand and $as im&ressed. *e had
o%!iously learned his lesson from the earlier stiff, not to get too close to .ean, $ho
$asn,t the sort of man $ho $as e!er defenseless, e!en $hile hanging from a meat
hoo#.
<+$, is that the +d!anced 92A "aser gun4 t so much more effecti!e than the
older "asertron units.>
"he man,s faced clouded and he -olted .ean, disru&ting his central ner!ous
system. .ean could feel it rush through his %ody as the $ater acted as a conduit
&ushing the electrical -olt e!en dee&er. *e felt the second -olt as he tried to a!oid
%iting his tongue, and %efore his eyes rolled %ac# in his head the last thing he sa$
$as his .t. 9ichael,s medallion resting on his chest. /i%%le Mo%her. .trange...at the
threshold of death suddenly the $ill to li!e $as the strongest. .ean ga!e a laugh
%efore he succum%ed to %lissful dar#ness. *e $anted to li!e(($asn,t that -ust a
shit(#ic#er4 "he rest $as silence.
???
9ichael and 9ax made it %ac# to the de&artment. *eading straight to the
crime scene they $eren,t sur&rised to see it $as already &rocessed. 2im and .imon
$ere &ros. :oing through the motor &ool &ast all the nice $or#ing de&artmental
cars that $eren,t theirs, they too# the ele!ator u& to the next le!el and $ent to the
morgue and forensic offices.
784
.imon $as already &rocessing the %ody and 2im $as $atching him do it.
*anson loo#ed green as he stood next to the %ody $ith an in# &ad and finger&rint
files. *e $as trying to &rint the %ody.
<8o. 8o, Detecti!e. + dead man is different from a li!e one. "he &rint doesn,t
$or# the same $ay. =ou ha!e to roll the finger, ma#ing sure to get around the sides
and to&.>
9ax smiled to himself as *anson too# on another shade of green, and then a
&ale sic#ly gray.
9ichael ignored the others in the room and loo#ed at the %ody. t $as different
from the others. t had %een suffocated the same $ay, %ut the cut $as different. t
$as done carelessly and $asn,t glued or sealed. "he young man $as in his mid(
t$enties and dar# s#inned, %ut other$ise a&&eared un%lemished.
<)hat,s missing, .imon4>
<"he heart.>
9ichael loo#ed at him and then at the %ody. <+ny %lemishes to indicate $hy he
$as dum&ed4>
<"hat,s the thing, 9ichael. *e doesn,t ha!e a damn mar# on his %ody5 *e,s
&erfect. .o $hy did the %astard dum& him4>
9ichael studied the %ody. .uddenly he loo#ed u& at .imon. <*o$ long4 Do you
ha!e a time of death4>
<+%out eighteen hours rough estimate. 9ore than li#ely closer to t$enty(four.
can gi!e you a cleaner estimate %y this afternoon.>
9ichael nodded and started doing the math in his head. <)e figure #ill time to
suffocation is a&&roximately six hours. +dd that to the estimated time and that
means he $as ta#en on .unday.>
9ax loo#ed at his &artner shar&ly. "his $asn,t good.
785
<"hat means the fuc#er left 3lu% *ell and $ent to another hunting ground,
&ic#ed u& a &erfect s&ecimen, and &ur&osely #illed and dum&ed him on my la$n.>
2im and 9ax loo#ed at each other and then at .imon. )ar. "he lines of $ar
had %een dra$n.
<9ichael, $here are you going4 )hat are you going to do4>
<,m going to $or#. $ant this to end. *e -ust u&&ed the sta#es. *e sent a
message and got it.>
*anson $ho stood ;uietly in the corner finally s&o#e in a sha#ing !oice, <)hat
message4,
<"hat he #no$s me. *e $anted us to #no$ that he #no$s $here he can find
us at any time. 1ut he made a mista#e.>
9ax loo#ed at his &artner. <)hat mista#e4>
<t means that no$ #no$ him as $ell. *e -ust crossed the line.> 9ichael
mo!ed to$ards the door &ulling off his latex glo!es. <*e,s too much in the o&en and
that means he's ex&osing himself and ma#ing mista#es. +nd this is a man that
doesn,t allo$ for mista#es.>
9ax ;uic#ly follo$ed and through the o&en doors 9ichael,s !oice came
%ello$ing %ac#. <*anson5 )e don,t ha!e all day5>
???
t $asn,t until after t$o that someone %othered to gi!e 9ichael the message
a%out 9aria going home sic#. Loo#ing at his $atch, 9ichael gathered u& his team
including *anson and too# a late lunch.
<3a&4>
<=eah, 9ichael4>
796
<,m ta#ing a %rea# and ta#ing my team home to eat. )e missed lunch and
9aria $ent home sic#, so $ant to chec# on her.>
2im loo#ed u& from his &a&er$or# and fro$ned. 9aria $as sic#4 "hat $as the
first he heard a%out it. <)hat,s $rong4>
<9orning sic#ness is eating her lunch, %ut she also thin#s she,s coming do$n
$ith the flu.>
2im smiled at the morning sic#ness. *e had momentarily forgotten that he $as
going to %e a grandfather...t$ice. "hat $as if the assum&tions and &ools in the
office $ere correct and Kyle and "ess had run off and elo&ed. +fter $aiting for his
intended for o!er six years, he couldn,t fault his son for getting the -o% done
immediately.
<"a#e off and go chec# on my daughter. $ant her healthy for .aturday.>
<+ye, 3a&.>
9ichael motioned to 9ax as he literally &ic#ed *anson u& %y the scruff of his
nec# and led him to the ele!ator. "hey made ;uic# time to the loft and 9ichael $as
ha&&y to see 9aria sitting u& in the li!ing room feeding her face $hile $atching a
documentary on tele!ision.
<Detecti!e4 =ou,re home early.>
9ax immediately smelt the aromas of talian food and %eelined it to the
#itchen ta#ing *anson $ith him. "he site of numerous ta#e(out &latters littering the
#itchen counter had him &ause, %ut only long enough to gra% a &late and utensils.
3annelloni, &i00a, lasagna, and some other #ind of casserole $ith strange &asta, %ut
in a mushroom cheese sauce.
9ichael sat do$n next to 9aria, $ho $as co!ered in a thro$ $ith a ha&&ily
&urring 9r. 1oo%oo on her la&. 6ating the food she offered, he turned an eye to the
tele!ision screen. Damn, only 9aria could eat her %ody $eight in fattening food and
791
$atch a documentary on the Disco!ery channel a%out headhunters and %rain
truncating.
<,m late. -ust got the message that you $ere sic#.> 9ichael leaned in and
#issed her. <=ou o#ay4>
<,m fine, &a&a.> 9aria #issed his %ro$. <.to& $orrying. got home, $ent to
%ed for a cou&le of hours and no$ ,m hungry.>
9ichael too# her &late and finished it. .tanding u&, he leaned do$n and #issed
her. <"hen you should eat more. ,ll get it.> 9aria smiled and scooted do$n into her
co!ers. 9aria smiled e!en more $hen he $ent into the #itchen and fixed her a &late
and one for himself. .he laughed to herself $hen she heard him tal#ing to *anson.
9ax &ic#ed u& 9aria,s &late from 9ichael $hile 9ichael started ma#ing a &ot
of tea. *e $as %usy lecturing *anson and eating. 9aria loo#ed u& as 9ax &assed
her the &late.
<"han#s, 9ax.>
9ax sat next to her $ith his &late still in hand. t $as ama0ing ho$ much food
he had eaten at their house in the s&ace of a $ee#. <=ou feeling %etter4>
9aria nodded as she sho!ed food in her mouth. <9mm...uh huh. +ll %etter,
right as rain. ,m only not so good in the mornings really, and sometimes in the late
e!ening.>
<*e $orries a%out you.> 9ax said ;uietly.
< #no$.> 9aria loo#ed at him and smiled slightly. < don,t thin# can sto& him
from doing that.>
< #no$.> 9ax loo#ed at $hat 9aria $as $atching and laughed. <=ou li#e
$atching those sho$s4>
<.hoc#ing, #no$5> 9aria laughed $ith him.
792
9ax loo#ed o!er at 9ichael still harassing *anson. <Loo#, $anted to as# you
something.>
9aria loo#ed at him curiously and nodded for him to as# her anything. 9ax
started to tell her a%out $hat ha&&ened the other night at the clu%, ho$ 9ichael,
.ean and +lex all mo!ed in tandem, ho$ they sensed the #iller and ho$ the #iller
#ne$ they $ere mo!ing to$ards him.
<)o$5 "hat must ha!e %een intense.>
<t sent chills u& my s&ine. Damn, ne!er sa$ anything li#e that. can,t
ex&lain it.>
<.o $hat did you $ant to #no$4>
< $ant to #no$ ho$ they could #no$, ho$ they could mo!e li#e that, and ho$
the #iller #ne$. -ust $anted to understand, and $as ho&ing you $ould #no$.>
<Perha&s.> 9aria thought a%out it for a moment. <9ax, in the !ideo ca%inet
%elo$ the tele!ision there,s a ta&e $ith thin# a num%er three on it. 3ould you &ut
it in for me4> 9ax nodded and com&lied. 9aria ;uic#ly too# the remote and fast
for$arded it until she found $hat she $as loo#ing for.
9ax sat do$n next to her again as she searched for $hat she $as loo#ing for.
"he ta&e $as a collection of sho$s from 8o!a, 'rontline and other P1. s&ecials.
9aria finally found $hat she $as loo#ing for. <*unters of the .erengeti.> 'ast(
for$arding she found a scene and then &ut it on normal &lay.
<)hat is this4> 9ax as#ed.
<t,s a hunting ground. "he &o$erful ga0elles of the .erengeti &lains gra0e.
)atch as the hunt &lays out.> 9aria and 9ax sat %ac# eating $hile $atching.
9ichael came o!er and #issed 9aria on her head from the %ac# of the sofa as he
handed her hot tea to her. .eeing $hat they $ere $atching, he decided to go %ac#
to lecturing *anson. t $as more fun.
797
<s that all you,re going to eat, *anson4 Don,t %e stu&id. "uc# it in. )e,!e got
a lot of leg$or# today, and if you don,t eat it the Professor $ill.>
<7m, do you ha!e any of that cheese in a can4>
<3heese under &ressure4 Do loo# li#e li!e in a fric#in, dorm room4 )hat the
hell do you need that cra& for4 t,s not e!en real cheese.>
<t is loaded in &reser!ati!es.> *anson said casually.
<Really4> 9ichael $as suddenly interested. <+ man can,t eat too many
&reser!ati!es. might ha!e mis-udged you, *anson. ,ll reser!e my o&inion until
can try this s&ray cheese cra&. thought it $ould taste li#e &lastic. Plastic &aste.>
<t,s $onderful5 find it hides a multitude of %ad foods.>
9ichael loo#ed at the man $ho $asn,t too hard to tolerate that day since he
$asn't stin#ing of strange smells or %acon %its. <*o$ do you feel a%out Pigs in a
1lan#et4>
*anson leaned for$ard $hile ser!ing himself some more lasagna, <"hey,re
their o$n food grou&. +nd you e!er get a %ad %atch, that cheese in a can ma#es
them &erfect again.>
<1uffalo $ings4> 9ichael as#ed $ith narro$ed eyes.
<6xtra sauce.>
<Real &otato chi&s and fish4>
</nly $ith malt !inegar.> 9ichael grunted.
<.o then $hat's that strange odor you ha!e at times4 "he cheesy milde$
smell4>
</h5> *anson loo#ed around li#e he $as afraid someone $ould hear a !alua%le
secret. <t,s a s&ecial cheese made in 'rance. "he mold on it gro$s at least an inch
thic#, and $hen you let it ri&en in your refrigerator, you $ait until the mold turns a
certain shade of green, scra&e it off and it,s ready to eat.>
798
<"hat,s disgusting.> 9ichael said ma#ing a face.
>f you hold the cheese on your tongue long enough you can feel the mold
gro$ing %ac#.> 9ichael,s %ro$ $ent u& at that. 9ay%e *anson $asn,t such a &ansy
%oy after all. *e $as still stin#y, %ut $hat $as a little odor as long as they
occasionally hosed him do$n4
<Righteous5> 9ichael loo#ed o!er to see if 9aria $as &aying attention. <.ince
you seem li#e you,ll a&&reciate this, ,ll share, %ut you,re on your honor ne!er to rat
me out.> 9ichael $ent into the refrigerator and &ulled out a small $hite %uc#et $ith
a lid. Po&&ing the lid, *anson sat %ac# $ith his hands clas&ed in $onder. <"hat
right, :alliano,s extra s&icy %ar%e;ued ri%s $ith extra sauce.>
*anson $as almost %ouncing on his stool. <"hey soa# those %ad %oys in
"a%asco sauce5>
<=eah they do5 'or three days5>
9ax snic#ered listening to 9ichael %ond $ith *anson. "he man really had
changed. *e loo#ed o!er at the reason. 9aria $as still $atching the sho$.
<*e too# out the .acred 1uc#et for *anson.> 9ax told her. 9ichael,s %uc#et of
ri%s $as the $orst #e&t secret, %ut 9aria e!en after a year, still &retended not to
notice it in the refrigerator.
<+$$. lo!e it $hen he finds ne$ &ets. :ood thing -ust ordered him more
and refilled it. *e $as do$n to the last one.>
9ax laughed. 9aria $as a good s&ort a%out most things. <8ice of you.> 9aria
-ust nodded. 9ax loo#ed at the screen and then %ac# at 9aria. <.o $hat am
su&&osed to %e $atching for4>
<"he hunt. )atch the herd.> 9ax $atched a large herd of .erengeti animals
gra0ing as suddenly all %ac#ground noises $ent silent. *eads $ent u&, almost as if
they $ere smelling the air. "hen the entire herd $ent into action, ta#ing off across
799
the large o&en &lains. "hey rushed for$ard as a &ride of lions mo!ed in for the #ill.
<"hey #ne$. "hey felt it. +nimals can feel the danger. n mo!ies $e see that feeling
&ortrayed in %ac#ground music. "he actress %ecomes afraid for an un#no$n reason
and then $e get the scary slasher music.>
<=ou,re saying that 9ichael and the others felt each other in an animalistic
$ay4>
<.ome$hat. )e,re all animals in different degrees of de!elo&ment. "he herd
flees in fright, %ut loo# at them. )atch the symmetry of their mo!ements. "hey
mo!e and shift together in tandem, %ut $atch the &redators as $ell. "hey $or# in a
&attern attac#ing do$n$ind, s&reading out and in a motion of fluidity they attac# as
a unit.>
<"hat,s ho$ it $as the other night.>
<n &rimiti!e societies there $ere these $arriors, s&ecial hunters. "hey $ere
tri%al &rotectors genetically &re(dis&osed to$ards instinctual hunting. "hey could
read the &rey, feel the $eather and sense a shift in atmos&here almost li#e a
&hysical feeling, not -ust &sychically.>
<"hey,re &sychic4>
9aria -ust laughed. <8o. t,s a de!elo&ed sixth sense, not li#e 6.P, %ut it,s
usually gi!en the name of instinct or intuition. "hat sense is still in all of us, %ut at
!arying degrees. 3... Le$is $rote that in the sense of the soul there is a touch of
&rimiti!e s&irit, a cleannessF and that a shaman,s %ody $ill &ull into a dream $orld
$here it resol!es all ma-or issues, $or#ing out all the &ossi%ilities and outcomes. *e
goes on to say that $ithin us all is that instinct, that dri!e and #no$ledge is more
than ingrainedF it is inherited. 9odern societies ha!e %red out these instincts, %ut in
s&irits, $arrior s&irits that ha!e li!ed a thousand lifetimes, ho$ delicate and &recise
is that instinct4 *o$ $ell tuned4>
79:
<"hey $or#ed li#e a &ride.>
<:od, that could ha!e seen that.> 9aria loo#ed o!er at her mate. *e ne!er
loo#ed more attracti!e and sexy to her than he did at this moment suc#ing on a ri%
%one. 9ichael,s nostrils flared, and almost sensing her regard he loo#ed u& and his
eyes dilated.
9ax loo#ed at her, and then at his &artner. </#ay, "el% that.>
9aria loo#ed at him again, confused. <'elt $hat4>
<Damn.> 9ax -ust started laughing. 8o sense in telling the $oman that she
and her mate ga!e off charged !i%es. <.o that ma#es 9ichael, .ean and +lex
&rimiti!e men4>
9aria shrugged. t $as -ust a theory. <Don,t e;uate animalistic %eha!iors $ith
%eing &rimiti!e and anti;uated. "hey are far ad!anced. 8ature creates the
tem&lates of &erfection, and $hen modern societies %reed a$ay from them they fall
into disuse. t,s not hard to feel that man#ind thre$ a$ay this s&ecial as&ect of our
heritage. 9ichael #no$s things, and feels things that no other &erson can. *is
success in his -o% isn,t an accident of fate or genetics. *e is $ho he's al$ays %een.>
<"he other night they all mo!ed together as if they could feel each other.> 9ax
didn,t mention ho$ out of the loo& he felt $hen the three $ere together.
</ne $ill %e the dominant one. + sort of leader.>
<9ichael. *e stood first and $hen he entered the room the others follo$ed his
motion $ithout e!en loo#ing at him.> 9ax felt something. 3alling 9ichael a leader
%othered him and it $as strange that it should, %ecause 9ichael $as the senior
&artner.
<+ll the great $arriors throughout history had that certain s&ecial ;uality. "hey
$ere all sired from one great tree. )hether it's )illiam the 3on;ueror, +lexander
797
the :reat, the 1lac# Prince of )ales or e!en Richard the Lionhearted, they all held a
s&ecial instinct.>
<"hey $ere $arrior #ings.>
<=es, %ut they $eren,t al$ays great #ings, -ust great $arriors. + $arrior or
soldier is a different %reed of man from a #ing. + soldier needs his homeland, his
sense of family and honor. "hat's $hat %rings him home, anchors him to the real
$orld. + #ing is a lonely creature, isolated in his reign. *e can ha!e a mate and a
life, %ut one as&ect of a good #ing remains true.>
<)hat is that4>
<"hat he's al$ays 'the King' first $ith hus%and and father %eing second, or
e!en last. + #ing's family can ne!er %e more im&ortant than his throne, his liege
and his oath to his &eo&le. "hey must al$ays come %efore e!en the heart of the
#ing.>
< remem%er in the +rthurian legend $hen the Jueen $as accused of infidelity
and her hus%and, the King could not cham&ion her. *e told her that he had to %e
the King first. .he said, I1efore hus%and,4 +nd he said '+%o!e all else'.>
<=es. + #ing that allo$s his o$n selfish desires to rule his head and heart,
&utting his o$n needs %efore his &eo&le((he is a %ad #ing.>
9ax -ust nodded. <.o 9ichael $asn,t a #ing in a &ast life4>
9aria laughed. <8o. *e is as he is. + soldier. + leader among men in his o$n
right. *e lets honor and duty dictate his life and ho$ he li!es it, %ut his heart leads
his head and that is as it should %e. + 3ommander of men, the soldier,s soldier, has
to %e a%le to send men to die, to send them off #no$ing they $ill ne!er return. *e
has to %e strong to sur!i!e that. *e has to ha!e a heart to feel. + soldier $ithout a
heart is not a !ery good soldier.>
794
<.o $hat do you thin# a%out...> 9ax ne!er finished his ;uestion %ecause the
loft,s door%ell rang. :etting u&, 9ax $ent to ans$er it.
Kyle and "ess. 9ax $as stunned to see them standing together in each others
arms, and 9ax automatically loo#ed do$n. )edding rings.
<9ax5 *i5> Kyle smiled and &ushed &ast 9ax, &ulling "ess $ith him.
<"ess5> 9aria called from her seat on the sofa, and "ess ;uic#ly $ent to her
sho$ing her the ring, %oth $omen chatting excitedly together.
<Kyle. =ou &ic#ed a fine time to run a$ay from home to elo&e.> 9ichael said
calmly.
<*o$,d you #no$ a%out that4> Kyle as#ed.
9ax decided not to let the e!ents $ig him out. <=ou,ll ha!e to tell us all the
details since the office &ool has %een gro$ing since yesterday.>
Kyle smiled and &atted 9ax on the %ac# in a friendly gesture. <8ot all the
details, -ust the &ertinent ones.>
<=ou call your dad and +my4> 9ichael as#ed en-oying $atching Kyle s;uirm.
"ess loo#ed o!er at Kyle and smiled. <8o. 1ut $e $ere &lanning to tell them
this e!ening.> Kyle said.
9aria called o!er to her soon(to(%e %rother. <"hen you should %e $arned.
=ou,re dad has called The 3eddin! for this .aturday, or else. +nd that means, %ig
%rother, that your soon(to(%e mother is loo#ing for hel&ers.>
"ess's horrified </h Lord5> %ro#e the silence.
Kyle decided to get the attention a$ay from him and his $ife. <+ctually, ,!e
%een trying to find .ean. called him on the &lane, %ee&ed him numerous times
and Dis&atch said he $as on an assignment, so trac#ed the t$o of you do$n.>
9ichael loo#ed at Kyle and fro$ned. .ean. *e said he $ould %e gone for a fe$
days, %ut he should ha!e chec#ed in. 9ichael $ent to the &hone and called
795
Dis&atch. Listening to ans$ers to his ;uestions, 9ichael,s fro$n %ecame dee&er. t
$as -ust after three. .ean $as eighteen hours o!erdue on his last chec#(in.
<+nd an officer on mandatory six hour call(ins misses three of them, not one,
%ut %hree, and you don,t inform his commanding officer4> "he entire room $ent
;uiet as 9ichael %ar#ed in the &hone. <)ell, my suggestion to you is to first, once
hang u& the &hone you call Galenti and re&ort an officer do$n. "hen suggest you
send a transcei!er %eacon. +nd $hile you're $aiting for the signals to triangulate,
suggest you start loo#ing for another -o%5>
9ichael slammed the &hone in anger. Loo#ing at the other men, he gra%%ed
his coat. <Let,s go. )e,!e got to find our &artner.>
<9ichael5> 9aria called to him. *e loo#ed %ac# at her &ale $orried face. :oing
to her, he reached do$n and #issed her gently.
<,ll call.> .he -ust nodded and didn,t say any more as he cu&&ed her face and
then turned to lea!e. "here $as no sense in &utting more stress on him then there
already $as.
Kyle ;uic#ly #issed "ess good%ye and she told him that she $ould $ait $ith
9aria. "he $omen $atched the men lea!e and %oth of them loo#ed at each other.
<ce cream4> "ess as#ed.
<=eah, $ith chocolate syru&. Lots of syru&. t feels li#e a long $ait.>
???
9ichael and the others made it %ac# to the station in record time. 9ichael sent
*anson to collect transcri&ts of all of .ean,s call(ins and his last #no$n location. 1y
the time they made the %ull&en, Galenti $as already in fine humor.
7:6
<:uerin5> 9ichael motioned the rest to go to start loo#ing for information $hile
he detoured to 3a&,s office.
<3a&.>
< got the re&ort. Kyle,s %ac#4> 9ichael -ust nodded. <:ood. $ant DeLuca
found,> 9ichael again nodded his understanding. <+li!e.>
<)hat $as he $or#ing on4>
<*e $as scaring u& a $itness for the D+,s office that $ent on $al#a%out.>
9ichael,s eyes narro$ed. <"a#en4> 2im nodded. <Pierce4> +gain 2im nodded,
and 9ichael -ust s$ore.
>.ean said he had a fe$ good leads from his snitches, and he $ent off to
follo$ them u&. *e only had 'til "hursday to find his $itness. f they ha!e .ean that
means they,ll mo!e tonight once it,s dar#. "hey,ll $ait as long as they can, after
midnight and mo!e %oth .ean and the $itness.>
9ichael nodded. <Put a +P1 out on .ean,s !ehicle. *e,d &ar# a$ay from the
&lace, %ut close enough to gi!e a general !icinity.> 2im &ic#ed u& the &hone. 1ar#ing
his re;uest at dis&atch, 2im motioned for 9ichael to stay.
<9ichael, his %ee&er, &hone and %adge $ere found %uried outside of to$n in
the desert. Last time anyone heard from him $as after midnight last night.> *e
tossed 9ichael .ean,s %adge. 9ichael nodded and headed for the door. <9ichael,
find me my ne&he$.>
<+ye, 3a&.>
9ichael $ent to $here 9ax and Kyle $ere searching .ean,s des#. <)hat the
hell is all this shit4> 9ichael loo#ed at the -un# &ile .ean #e&t that sometimes
&assed as his des#. t $as a mound of &a&er and cra& ri!aling 9aria,s monster at
the 7ni!ersity. <s this a family trait4>
7:1
<*e,s a %it untidy,> said Kyle as 9ax snic#ered. +ll of them $ere trying to
lighten the load. <*ey5> 1oth 9ichael and 9ax turned to loo# at Kyle holding
something !ile and green u& %y his fingerti&s. <9y half of a tuna fish sand$ich lost
last $ee#. s$ear didn,t eat it.>
<6$$$5 Dammit, Kyle, toss that thing a$ay and go $ash your hands5> 9ax
said %ac#ing a$ay in case Kyle accidentally touched him. "hey all continued to
search for a note or .ean,s %lac# snitch %oo#.
<=ou #no$. -ust set it do$n for a moment. "he des# must ha!e s$allo$ed it
u&.> Kyle said $ith interest. .ean,s des# $as so fuc#ing sci(fi.
<Kyle5> 9ax couldn,t e!en loo# at the green %lo% in Kyle,s hand. *e had -ust
eaten.
+fter almost an hour of loo#ing they ga!e u&. 9ichael sat and %rooded for a
fe$ moments $hen he &ic#ed u& the &hone. <"his is :uerin. need a list of all calls
on .ean DeLuca,s cell &hone o!er the last forty(eight hours. needed it ten minutes
ago. ,m sending do$n a runner.> 9ichael loo#ed across the room at *anson and
indicated for him to go.
"hey all loo#ed at the log of calls and 9ichael instantly noticed t$o num%ers
he recogni0ed. /ne $as a snitch $ho ran num%ers, and the other $as a &im&. *e
&ic#ed u& the &hone and called +ndy, .ean,s friend and as#ed him if he could find
the t$o contacts for him. t too# an hour, %ut +ndy finally got %ac# to him.
9ichael sa$ him across the %ull&en. +ndy gestured to an em&ty room. 9ichael
follo$ed him motioning for 9ax to stay %ehind.
<:uerin.>
<=ou got anything for me4> +ndy nodded and handed 9ichael a &iece of &a&er.
7:2
<*ere.> +ndy handed 9ichael a &artial &ac# of smo#es $ith matches included.
<'or .ean $hen you find him. *e doesn,t smo#e unless it,s someone else,s. 1iggest
delusional mooch #no$.>
9ichael nodded and &oc#eted the cigarettes. <=ou could come.>
<t,s not safe.> +ndy loo#ed at the em&ty door and &ushed it close. <Loo#
:uerin, things are going do$n((%ig things. ,!e seen shit can,t understand or
ex&lain. t,s more than -ust Pierce and your #iller. "his &lace is li#e a melting &ot for
%ad shit. )hate!er .ean found, if it $as Pierce then it $as %ig. Pierce is getting
a$ay lately. *e,s got insider hel&. "here,s a fuc#ing reason $hy .ean,s call(in $as
eighteen hours delayed and no one informed Galenti. Pierce needed time.>
9ichael loo#ed at he man and ac#no$ledged $hat he $as saying. *e had
come to that conclusion himself. <"han#s. ,ll call $hen #no$.>
<Don,t %other. ,ll listen to the %and. ,ll #no$.> 9ichael turned to lea!e.
<:uerin, $al# ;uic#. f you #no$, then more than li#ely so does Pierce.> 9ichael left
and gra%%ed his coat and too# 9ax and Kyle $ith him. *e left *anson %ehind to %e
their &hone %oy.
"hey located the first snitch easily. *e $as $or#ing a corner at Lexington and
'ifth &assing nic#el %ags and mar#ing scratch. *e ra%%ited as soon as he sa$ 6!ans
and :uerin, %ut turned and ran straight into the arms of Galenti.
<2o-o, 2o-o, 2o-o. "s#, ts#. 8o$ you,ll hurt 9ichael,s feelings running off li#e
that. )hat could ya %e thin#ing4> as#ed Kyle. *e t$isted the man,s arm higher u&
the middle of his %ac#.
<,m really hurt, 2o-o. =ou ne!er $rite, you ne!er call.> 9ichael said scratching
his %ro$. t $as -ust mean, the neglect.
<*e,s getting a com&lex.> 9ax confirmed.
7:7
<Do you #no$ $hat,s tragic4> Kyle as#ed the other t$o men. "hey -ust
shrugged. <t,s tragic that ,m going to lose my &erfect record of ne!er #illing a
snitch. 8o one can meet :uerin,s record of thirteen.>
<t,s more than a -o%. t,s a calling.> 9ichael smiled nice for the snitch.
<,ll tal#5> 9ax -ust mo!ed off in disgust. "he little $orm %ro#e $ithout hardly
any &ressure.
"he &im& $as a little harder to find, %ut they didn,t need to sha#e him do$n.
*e $as a %usinessman and he $as $illing to trade for some scratch. 9ichael &ic#ed
him u& and dangled him off the ground cho#ing him until he decided that they could
s#i& the scratch and catch him the next time.
"hey generated fi!e &ossi%ilities and ho&ed that .ean $as at one of them. "$o
locations into the list they got a call from *anson.
<9ichael, a unit found .ean,s car on 8) "hird and Regent. t had a &ile illegal
&ar#ing tic#ets on it from sitting all day.> 9ichael than#ed *anson and hung u&. "he
three of them loo#ed at the list. /nly t$o &laces $ere near .ean,s car, and they
already had chec#ed out the first &lace. "hey headed for the old &ac#ing &lant. t
$as already after dar# and time $as getting short. f the they didn,t find .ean
soon, then he $ould %e gone $hen Pierce,s men mo!ed him.
9ichael stood in the shado$s $atching the a%andoned &lant. 6xce&t it $asn,t
a%andoned. De&loying Kyle and 9ax to other &ositions, they all $atched and
counted the num%ers and mo!ement. t too# o!er ten minutes of o%ser!ation for
9ichael to reali0e that the mo!ement $as a clearance. "hey $ere mo!ing the
o&eration. Dammit, ideally they $ould -ust $atch and follo$ them to the ne$ setu&,
%ut he couldn,t ris# losing .ean. *is orders $ere to %ring .ean home.
"hey had fe$ o&tions. f they called in su&&ort, their mo!ement $ould corner
Pierce,s men and force them into a sho$do$n $ith a co& hostage. "here $as also
7:8
the &ro%lem of re;uesting %ac#u& $ith all the holes and lea#s at the PD. t $as
uncertain ho$ much Pierce $ould #no$ %efore they arri!ed. 9ichael $eighed the
o&tions.
nside. "hey needed inside, into &osition and to ma#e their mar#. "hey needed
to find .ean, call for %ac#u& and $atch them scram%le $hile &rotecting .ean,
ma#ing sure they didn,t ta#e him $ith them. +ll this de&ended on .ean still %eing
there and them not mo!ing him as of yet. 9ichael made his decision. 'or a moment
he thought of lea!ing Kyle %ehind to #ee& him out of the danger, %ut .ean $as his
&artner.
*e motioned to the other t$o to $ait and follo$ in inter!als. 9o!ing off first,
they $atched as he %lended into the shado$s. 9ichael $as a large man, %ut his
demeanor changed. .uddenly he seemed smaller and he mo!ed in a $ay that
loo#ed li#e he %elonged there as he %lended into the night. +t first glance he loo#ed
li#e another $or#er ta#ing a smo#ing %rea#. 9o!ing to a guard at the far right, he
sto&&ed as if to as# for a light, and then s$iftly the guard $as do$n.
9ichael caught his %ody %efore he fell and $al#ed him to the side of the
%uilding. "o a casual !ie$er it a&&eared li#e his %uddy stum%led and 9ichael $as
hel&ing him. 9ichael dro&&ed the man %ehind a smaller %uilding to the side of the
&ac#ing &lant. t loo#ed li#e the generator shed. Loo#ing %oth $ays, he clim%ed to
the to& of that smaller shed and then onto the larger %uilding. "hen o&ening a
$indo$, Kyle and 9ichael $atched him disa&&ear inside. Kyle $as next to follo$.
Kee&ing to the shado$s, 9ax $atched Kyle follo$ 9ichael's &ath. "he difference
$as that Kyle hid in the shado$s and stood out at a glance, unli#e 9ichael $ho
%lended.
9ax $aited his turn and then $as off. +fter tal#ing to 9aria, he had decided to
sto& $orrying a%out not %eing to do it li#e 9ichael. *e couldn,t. 9ichael $as a
7:9
different %reed of man, so 9ax sim&ly concentrated on the tas# and did his %est. *e
came to a halt $hen he entered the &lant. Pausing, he got his %earings and located
Kyle $ho motioned him to a %etter hiding &lace. 9ax mo!ed carefully. .tanding in
the co!er of shado$s, he loo#ed for his &artner. 9ax almost cussed aloud $hen he
found 9ichael on the main floor, mo!ing uno%trusi!ely among Pierce,s men. 9ax
$atched as 9ichael &assed some o%-ects to another and sent him on his $ay.
.tu&id fuc#. *e $as doing it again. 9ichael $as smaller, almost shrin#ing into
himself and ga!e off the image of %eing harmless.
t clic#ed. .uddenly it made sense. "he #iller $al#ed the hunting ground
unnoticed %ecause he could. *e #ne$ to %lend into the surroundings, to %e so
uno%trusi!e that at first glance &eo&le assume you %elong and they go on. 9ichael,
a man that commanded a &resence and dominated most situations, $as suddenly
a%le to change his outer demeanor to the &oint of $al#ing among Pierce,s &eo&le.
*e and Kyle $aited and $atched as 9ichael methodically chec#ed all the rooms
under the guise of hel&ing the others clear the o&eration. "hey sa$ him free0e
$hen he came to the door of a &ac#ing unit, a s&ecial free0er for hanging meat.
9ichael a&&eared to %eing stom&ing out a cigarette, one $hich he didn,t ha!e
and suddenly his head turned and loo#ed at 9ax directly. 9ax felt his heart &ound
at the intense &enetrating loo# his &artner sent. *e nodded. "hey $ere to $ait for
ten %reaths, and then slo$ly follo$.
9ichael shoo# it off, slouched and entered the room. "here $as a man tied to
a chair unconscious, and there $as .ean. 9ichael steeled himself to refrain from
loo#ing at .ean or reacting. 9o!ing to$ards the man in the room guarding them,
he too# out the smo#es that +ndy had gi!en him and &aused as he $ent to light
one u&. .idling u& to the guard almost too casually, 9ichael offered him a smo#e.
<=ou need a %rea#4 )e're almost through $ith the clearing.>
7::
"he man hardly glanced at 9ichael as he too# the offered cigarette and let
9ichael light it for him. <=eah, could use a stretch. t,s fuc#ing cold in here. "he
co& $as $a#ing u& so stunned him again. *e should %e do$n a little longer.>
<t $ould %e easier if $e could -ust #ill them instead ris#ing mo!ing them.>
9ichael mentioned casually as the man nodded.
< $ant to #ill that fuc#ing co&. *e #ee&s surfacing, and after the $ay he #illed
Karl...damn. ,m almost afraid to get too close. /ne time $ent to chec# on him,
he $o#e u& and loo#ed at me, and #no$ $hat the fuc#er did4>
<)hat4> 9ichael as#ed as the cigarette %urned do$n in his fingers. 8asty shit.
"asted li#e %itter ashes in his mouth.
<*e loo#ed u& at me and he smiled. $anted to #ill him5 ,!e ne!er seen
anything li#e it. t $as li#e he $as telling me that gi!en the o&&ortunity $as
dead.>
<*mm.> 9ichael sa$ Kyle enter the room. 9ichael tossed the cigarette onto
the ground and ha&&ily stom&ed it out. <*e $as right. =ou,re dead.> 9ichael,
$ithout loo#ing, sna&&ed his arm %ac# connecting the %ac# of his el%o$ into the
man,s nose and ramming his nasal %one into his %rain. <Regards to Karl.> *e didn,t
e!en loo# %ac# to see the %ody dro&. "he crac#ing of the s#ull $as a feeling no one
e!er forgot, not in this lifetime or a thousand. t had the clean smac#ing noise li#e
connecting $ith a tennis %all on a court. *ard to forget.
</h shit5 .ean5> Kyle rushed to his &artner,s side as 9ax entered the room.
9ichael dre$ his $ea&on from %ehind him and motioned for 9ax to hel& Kyle.
9ichael %arely s&ared .ean a loo#. *e couldn,t. 8ot yet. "a#ing out his cell &hone
he connected $ith Phone 1oy *anson and instructed him to tell Galenti their
location and to send %ac#u&. 3almly $atching the door, 9ichael chec#ed his ammo
7:7
to ma#e sure he had enough to ta#e out anyone entering. 'ourteen in a cli&. *e
loaded one into the cham%er, and then loo#ed at his friends.
.ean $as still hanging from the hoo#, and they $ere trying to decide ho$ to
lift him off of it $ithout hurting him more. *is ri% cage $as a !iolent dis&lay of %lac#
and %lue mar#s $ith a cut across his face and lot of %ruising. *e had a %ruise a%o!e
his #idney, and he $as %leeding from old $ounds %arely healed and no$ reo&ened.
9ichael could hear his la%ored %reathing from $here he $as standing.
*earing Kyle cussing, he s&ared him a ;uic# glance. <"al# to him, Kyle so he
can hear your !oice. f he comes a$a#e una$are, he,ll #ill you. 3areful of the ri%s.
*e sounds li#e one &unctured a lung.> 9ichael $ent %ac# to $atching the door as
the sound of sirens hit the air. "he first man $ho entered the room too# a %ullet in
mid(chest and dro&&ed. "he next man too# one to a shoulder and then his leg. "he
&erson %ehind him %ac#ed him out of the door. 9ichael dis&ensed $ith all incoming
&ersonnel as Kyle and 9ax got .ean do$n. 9ichael too# out his &hone again.
</fficer do$n. need assistance.> 9ichael #ne$ that it $ould %ring an
am%ulance. Kyle and 9ax %rought .ean,s unconscious form to settle on the floor
next to 9ichael. "hey ignored the dead guard and $ent to free the other man in the
chair. .ean stirred at 9ichael,s feet, and 9ichael crouched do$n to rest his hand on
the man,s shoulder.
<9ichael4> .ean,s !oice $as sha#y and suc#ing as air tried to rush into his one
remaining functioning lung.
<=eah, %rother.>
<)hat too# you so fuc#ing long4>
9ichael loo#ed do$n and .ean and shrugged. <*ad to eat. 9aria ordered
talian.>
</h,> said .ean in almost a $his&er. <"hat,s o#ay then.>
7:4
9ichael heard the commotion on the outside %ut held his &osition. )hen the
door o&ened he shot a $arning shot across the room next to the door. 'riend or
foe4 8o one $as entering until they announced themsel!es.
<*ang on. =ou,re on your $ay to the hos&ital.>
<9ichael, need to $al# out of here.>
9ichael -ust nodded. <,ll ma#e sure you do.> 9ichael,s &hone rang. *e
ans$ered. <=eah. +ll,s clear4 )e,re coming out.>
9ichael turned to .ean and reached do$n to hel& him stand. gnoring the
s$earing and harsh %reathing cou&led $ith the loo#s of dis%elief from %oth 9ax and
Kyle, 9ichael $ent under .ean,s shoulder and circled an arm around his $aist. Kyle
;uic#ly hel&ed 9ax do the same $ith the unconscious man.
<:et my damn $itness5>
<)e,!e got him, &artner.> Kyle reassured .ean.
9ichael and .ean slo$ly $ent to$ards the door. <"ell me you didn,t &ut
yourself in danger.> 9ichael as#ed softly.
<3old(coc#ed from %ehind. Dammit. + year off the streets, and ,m getting
soft. *e got the dro& on me %efore #ne$ it.> 9ichael -ust nodded. <.trange thing
$as, #ne$ it $asn,t my time to die. "he last thing sa$ $as you, 9ichael.>
<"hat,d scare any man into $anting to li!e.>
<,m saying...> .ean coughed and 9ichael glanced his $ay seeing the %loodied
.t. 9ichael,s medallion around his nec#. <"his is nothing. ,ll %e u& and around in a
cou&le of hours. 2esus, $or# myself o!er %etter $hen -ust %eat my o$n meat.
,!e had harder %lo$s from my mom $hen ate her &ie once.>
<+mateurs.>
<8o shit. 3an,t hire good muscle anymore.> .ean s$ore under his %reath.
<9ichael, ,m not going to ma#e it.>
7:5
<.ure you are. +lmost there.> 9ichael reached into his &oc#et. <+ndy sent you
a smo#e.>
.ean reached across and too# the &ac# in hand. < don,t smo#e.>
<.ure you don,t.> 9ichael made the door to Galenti on the other side and 69"
su&&ort.
</$$.> .ean said as they hel&ed him on the gurney. <*ey, don,t ta#e my
smo#es5> 9ichael too# them %ac#.
<,ll hold onto them.> 9ichael %ent do$n and $his&ered to .ean. <=our married
chic#en(shit &artner sa!ed your life today, so don,t forget to say than# you.>
.ean -ust nodded. <Kyle5 "a#e my smo#es from :uerin. don,t trust his ugly
ass not to flush them.> Kyle rushed to his &artner,s side as 9ichael tossed the &ac#
at him. "hey carted .ean a$ay on the gurney and at the last moment %efore they
loaded him, he and 9ichael shared a loo#.
9ichael turned to hel& 9ax get Perdy turned o!er to the medical &eo&le. "hey
$atched as the &lace $as flooded $ith units and the fe$ remaining Pierce men
$ere ta#en into custody.
<9ichael, good -o%.> 9ichael -ust nodded at 3a&. <"here,s a dead man outside,
one inside and another one at the door.>
9ichael nodded. <"hose are mine.>
<"he one in the side room $ith a %ro#en nec#4>
<.ean,s.>
2im -ust nodded. *e didn,t ha!e a &ro%lem $ith those dead men. "hey sealed
their fate $hen they $ent to $or# for Pierce, and com&ounded the offense $hen
they too# a co&. <,ll clean u& and meet you at the hos&ital. :o.> 1oth 9ax and
9ichael nodded as they too# off. <:entlemen,> they %oth &aused to loo# %ac#.
776
<+rri!e safely. "ry not to hit or destroy anything else tonight.> 9ichael -ust made a
face as 9ax disclaimed all $rongdoing.
<)e $ouldn,t do that, 3a&. )e,!e reformed5>
<7h huh. :et out of here.>
<+ye, 3a&.> 9ax smiled and hit 9ichael on the %ac#. <Let,s go &artner. ,ll let
you dri!e.>
</h goody. *a&&y days.> "hey ignored Galenti,s groans.
9ichael too# out his cell &hone again and hit the s&eed dial. <9aria4 )e,!e got
him.>
???
"hey too# .ean straight into surgery to re&air his colla&sed lung. *e $as
%leeding into his chest ca!ity. *e sto&&ed %reathing on the tri& to the hos&ital and
the &aramedics $ere forced to tu%e him.
9ichael loo#ed u& as 9aria rushed into the surgical unit heading straight for
him $ith "ess follo$ing. .tanding u&, he $ent to meet her.
<9ichael, .ean4>
9ichael gathered her close and "ess $ent to find Kyle. <.urgery. *e's got a
&unctured lung.> 9ichael closed his eyes and #issed the to& of her head. .he felt
ali!e and clean. 7ntouched.
<*o$ %ad4>
<1eaten, %ut they $etted him do$n and shoc#ed him a fe$ times. "he doctors
are concerned a%out his heart,s une!en rhythms. "hey already almost lost him
t$ice since they started surgery. "hey had to shoc# him t$ice.>
</h god5> 9aria %uried her head in his chest. <9y mom4>
771
<Galenti $ill %ring her.> 9aria -ust nodded. <9aria,> 9ichael $aited until she
loo#ed u& at him. < #illed some men guarding .ean tonight.>
<9en that hurt .ean4> 9ichael nodded.
<:ood.> 9ichael -ust closed his eyes again and held her.
"hey only had a moment,s &eace as he led her to the chairs in the $aiting
area, for then +my arri!ed. .he sat next to her daughter holding her hand, and
occasionally she $ould reach across to stro#e 9ichael,s chee#. /ne of her %oys $as
hurt and she could do nothing %ut $ait.
2im $as &acing the floor $hile 9ax and "ess tal#ed ;uietly. <3ongratulations,
"ess. Kyle,s a good man.>
<"han# you, 9ax5> "ess smiled at him, and for a moment he felt a tinge of
regret for $hat could ha!e %een. <t $as sudden, %ut after ten years of $aiting,
really it $asn,t.>
<,d li#e to thin# you,re going to %e ha&&y.>
"ess loo#ed at him. < am.> .uddenly she gra%%ed his hand and &ut it o!er her
stomach. <.hhh, $ait for it.> 9ax $aited $hen suddenly he felt a fluttering.
<s that...>
<"he %a%y. *e,s mo!ing around a lot more -ust recently. n the next fe$ $ee#s
he should start #ic#ing.>
<Does it hurt4 +re you in &ain4> 9ax as#ed suddenly. t ne!er occurred to as#
her %efore.
<8o. 8ot in the least. t feels li#e a fluttering, almost li#e a %utterfly in my
tummy. ,m fine.> Kyle came %ac# $ith a cu& of coffee and a drin# for "ess. .eeing
9ax and "ess tal#ing and 9ax touching his $ife,s stomach, Kyle held %ac#. 9ax
needed some time to feel the reality of $hat $as ha&&ening. t $as ho$ Kyle had
772
come to connect $ith the %a%y. 'eeling him. .uddenly a $ord li#e &regnancy too#
on a different meaning $hen you could feel it.
<=ou,re not sic#4>
"ess -ust shoo# her head and leaned in to tal# to 9ax almost cons&iratorially,
careful of +my near %y. .he and Kyle $anted to tell +my and 2im together. +%out
e!erything. "he marriage and the %a%y. "his could $ait until they found out a%out
.ean.
< feel great5 1etter than great, almost energi0ed. 1ut don,t mention that to
9aria, o#ay4 .he,s not ha!ing such a great time.>
</#ay.> 9ax $his&ered %ac#. *e loo#ed o!er and sa$ Kyle. .tanding u&, he
excused himself from "ess. .to&&ing %eside Kyle, he loo#ed %ac# one last time.
<=ou can ha!e your $ife %ac#.>
<"han#s, 9ax.> Kyle loo#ed at "ess and sa$ her eye%ro$ go u& and a gesture
for him to tal# to 9ax. <*ey listen. "ess has another a&&ointment coming u& soon.
=ou should come $ith us. "hey,re chec#ing her more often than usual %ecause of
ho$ late she disco!ered she $as &regnant. t $ould %e great. could use the
su&&ort. =ou ha!e to see this doctor,s office $ith all these $omen around.>
<sn,t that #ind of uncomforta%le4>
<=eah, at first. +nd there $as this daffy chic# in the $aiting room ma#ing faces
and shit. .he loo#ed li#e a 1elle!ue contender. 9an, al$ays thought %eing
&regnant sent some $omen o!er the edge. +ny$ay, you should come and see the
%a%y on the monitor. t,s cool.>
<,ll thin# a%out it. "han#s, Kyle.> 9ax &atted Kyle on the %ac# and $ent to see
if anyone else $anted anything to drin#.
9ichael excused himself for a fe$ moments and $ent to find a &hone. *e had
to $ait for se!eral minutes after he identified himself and re;uested his &arty to
777
come on the line. *olding the %loodied .t. 9ichael,s medallion in his hand along
$ith .ean,s %adge, he $aited until he heard 9arco DeLuca's !oice.
<9i#o4 t,s late.>
<.orry a%out that. -ust called to let you #no$ that your son, .ean $as
gra!ely in-ured tonight. *e,s still in surgery. $anted his mother to #no$ that
ga!e him the .t. 9ichael,s medallion, %ut thin# it needed more than t$enty(four
hours to $or#.>
<.ean...> 9arco,s !oice &aused in silence. <9y son, he is going to ma#e it4>
<"hey'!e already almost lost him t$ice. don,t #no$. ,ll call you %ac# if it
goes %ad -ust in case you $ant to %ury him. 1ut thin# 9aria $ould &refer he stay
here...$ith family.> 9ichael didn,t %other to say good%ye. *e re&laced the &hone on
the hoo#, &ursing his mouth. *e had done all he could.
"urning around, he sa$ 9aria standing there $atching him and crying. :oing
to him, she too# his head in her hands and #issed him softly. <"han# you.> *e -ust
nodded and tuc#ed her under his shoulder close to his side as they $ent %ac# to
$ait.
+fter three hours, .ean finally came out of surgery. *e $as in ste&do$n and
reco!ery for another three and finally they transferred him to a unit. *e $as
slee&ing. 9aria and +my %oth too# one loo# at him and %urst into tears. 8either
$oman $ould hear tal# a%out going home to get some rest. "hey too# seats in
.ean,s room and refused to lea!e his side. Kyle $as the same, and that meant "ess
as $ell. .o they all settled in for the night and $aited for .ean to $a#e u&.
778
Day 1A: 3ednesday- B:01 a.m.
)hen .ean $o#e u& it $as morning, and he $as sur&rised to see all the
&eo&le slee&ing in his room. 9o!ing slightly, he moaned and loo#ed o!er to meet
the green eyes of his cousin. 9aria gently remo!ed herself from 9ichael,s gri&,
sto&&ing to &lace a #iss on his head $hen he &rotested in his slee&. .he sat on the
side of .ean,s %ed and too# his hand in hers.
Leaning in she $his&ered to him in talian a%out ho$ angry she $as $ith him
for $orrying her thus, $ith her in such a delicate state. .ean -ust smiled and
hugged her as she ru%%ed her forehead to his. Loo#ing u& he sa$ his aunt at his
%edside $ith tears in her eyes. 9aria sat u&, sa$ her mom and mo!ed out of the
$ay as +my hugged him. )i&ing tears a$ay, she $as $atching her mom and .ean
$hen 9ichael,s arms came around her $aist and &ulled her %ac# against him. "he
rest of the room slo$ly came a$a#e.
+fter all them sto&&ed tal#ing at once, .ean loo#ed at his &artner and "ess
critically. <+t least tell me $on that %loody office &ool4>
+my loo#ed around at e!eryone as they laughed confused. <)hat &ool4>
1efore anyone could ex&lain or confess there came a loud commotion from outside
the room.
9aria heard the !oice first and held her %reath in $onder. <)here is my son4
9y %oy, the co&...$here did you &ut him4 Loo# at his mother all crying and you tell
me, $hat4 8othing. )ho o$ns this &lace4 )hy are there other &eo&le around my
son4 *e shares rooms $ith -ust any%ody4>
9aria rushed to the door and o&ened it. <Kio5>
<9aria, .ean...he,s...> 9aria mo!ed aside and gestured for her uncle, her aunt,
her many cousins and their $i!es and children to enter.
779
<.ean5 .e%astian...> .ean,s mother %eelined for his %ed #noc#ing &eo&le to the
side.
.ean $as o!ercome and almost s&eechless. *e could only manage one $ord,
<9omma.>
+my and 9aria $ere crying as family mem%ers hugged them and .ean.
9ichael $as finally a%le to get e!eryone to lea!e so .ean could ha!e some time
$ith his family alone. 1oth +my and 9aria decided to lea!e too for -ust a little $hile
to let .ean ha!e some &ri!ate time $ith his &arents.
1efore 9ichael could lea!e, 9arco sto&&ed him. <9i#o, than# you for calling.>
9ichael -ust nodded and reached into his &oc#et. *e &ulled out .ean,s .t.
9ichael,s medallion and %adge and handed them to 9arco. <=ou might $ant to
return these to your son. "hey %elong to him.> 9arco held the %adge in his head
and nodded to 9ichael.
1efore 9ichael could lea!e, "heresa DeLuca gra%%ed him and #issed him on
the chee# stro#ing it %efore letting him go. < #ne$ you $ould &rotect him.>
9ichael loo#ed at her confused. < ain,t no angel.> 9aria dragged him out of
the room chuc#ling to herself.
"heresa loo#ed at her hus%and, her son and her family and shrugged. <Loo#s
li#e an angel to me.>
<"o me also,> said .ean,s father as he turned %ac# to his son. <)hat4 "hey
don,t feed you here4 Loo# at the s#in and %ones on my son. Luis, call the nurse
&erson, tell her $ant to see the doctor. )hat #ind of &lace is this4 9y son the co&
is lying here dying in his %ed and there are no doctors in attendance4>
"he DeLucas $ere loud and e!ery$here, causing the nursing and medical staff
to run in terror at the sheer !olume. Kyle too# "ess home and 2im had to lea!e to
chec# in at the station. 9ichael tried to get %oth 9aria and +my to go home and
77:
rest, %ut neither $ould hear of it. "hey stayed and organi0ed things $ith the 'amily
adding to the chaos.
9ax and 9ichael sat in .ean,s room, $hich $as sur&risingly em&ty $ith -ust
them $hile they could hear .ean,s father,s !oice do$n the hall %ello$ing out orders
and demands. .ean $as telling them a%out the e!ents that led u& to his ca&ture,
and ignoring the torture as unim&ortant. "hey let him %ree0e o!er the details, %ut
%oth #ne$ there $as more to it than .ean $ould admit. +nother item for him to
$or# out in thera&y, %ut today in the %lin# of an eye, many of .ean,s other issues
had %een ta#en care of, starting $ith the moment his mother had hugged him.
"he $oman stood in the door uncertain, holding a large !ase of flo$ers.
9ichael sa$ her first and smiled, %ut ;uic#ly hid it. .ean sa$ his loo# and turned to
see +D+ 9ac in his door$ay.
.uddenly, .ean,s demeanor changed and he loo#ed sic#, &ale and on the
!erge of death. .ean added a &athetic cough to em&hasi0e his illness. .he rushed
into the room %eside his %ed.
<3ounselor.>
<.ean,> she said ;uietly. < thought should trying to chec# on you. 1ut had
a hard time getting in. "here $ere all these &eo&le, and t$o %ig ugly men guarding
your door.>
<"hat,s -ust my family.> .ean said $ith a slight lift to his !oice. *is 'amily.
<"hat,s all your family4> 2ulia loo#ed at him in a$e. .he had sus&ected he $as
s&a$ned in a &etri dish.
<8ot all5 2ust a fe$.> 2ulia -ust held her tongue and loo#ed at him critically.
</h god, didn,t thin# it &ossi%le, %ut you loo# li#e shit. mean, more li#e shit
than usual.> 9ax and 9ichael %oth snic#ered as .ean thre$ them glares.
777
<.orry, 9ac, %ut %eing tortured does that to a man. ,ll try to loo# s&iffier next
time, assuming sur!i!e.> 9ichael and 9ax shared a loo#. /h, that $as -ust mean.
"hat increased their interest in the +D+. .he had to %e something if .ean $as
going out of his $ay to ma#e her feel this %ad.
7m, ...+re you going to... mean, are you going to %e alright4> 2ulia loo#ed at
the t$o other co&s for reassurance. .he $anted her $itness, %ut she hadn,t
ex&ected .ean to run out and nearly get #illed to get her $hat she needed.
< -ust need to get my strength %ac#. Did you %ring me chic#en4> .ean as#ed
%arely concealing the t$in#le in his eyes.
2ulia loo#ed do$n at her hands, at the large !ase in her hands and loo#ed at
him confused. <3hic#en4 )hat4 8o, these are flo$ers. /h god, should ha!e
%rought you food4> 9ax and 9ichael %oth turned red as 9ax &ut a hand o!er his
mouth to #ee& from laughing aloud.
<"hey $on,t let me eat.> .ean sounded so &athetic that 9ichael had to turn
around and stare out the $indo$ $ith an arm across his stomach, %iting his li&.
<,m sorry. didn,t mean for this to ha&&en. 1ut you did get Perdy %ac#.>
< did. .o that means you o$e me. /$e me %ig, 3ounselor.> .ean smiled
&utting her %ac# u&. .he loo#ed at his closely.
< o+e you4 'or $hat4 'or letting you do your -o%4>
<t $asn,t my -o%5 9y -o% $as o!er a year ago. set them u& and you #noc#
them do$n5 Tha%$s my -o%.>
<"hat,s the &ro%lem. =ou set him u&. =ou coerced him, and almost cost me my
case. "he least you could do $as get my $itness %ac#.>
< did not ste& o!er the letter of the la$, 3ounselor. 1ut either $ay, ,ll settle
for $hat you offered in the ele!ator.>
774
2ulia $ent still. <)hat # offered4 didn,t offer you anything %ut the o&&ortunity
to #ee& your stin#in, -o%, ya stu&id co$(flo& smelling co&5> *er !oice rising in anger.
.ean loo#ed o!er at the other t$o men %arely a%le to contain themsel!es.
<.he #issed me5 "hat seems li#e a damn offer to me5 I/h find my $itness,, and then
a smooch. )hat does that sound li#e to you4 .ounds li#e an offer for a date to me.>
+D+ 2ulia stom&ed her foot in rage. < #issed you4 =ou #issed me5 +nd then
you dro&&ed me5> .ean -ust shrugged. t seemed a&&ro&riate at the time, he $asn,t
ta#ing it %ac#. <+ date4 didn,t offer you a date, ya &ea(%rained, lim&($risted,
gnarly(headed shoelic#er5>
<*ey5 Lay off the hair5 ha!en,t com%ed it yet today, and the shoe thing is
ne$ for me, so ha!en,t got around to lic#ing them, -ust smelling.>
<=ou...you smelled my shoe4> 2ulia turned red, then redder and $as %eside
herself in rage. <, um...you, you...=ou5 +rgh5> .he dro&&ed the hea!y !ase $ith
flo$ers directly on his la& ma#ing him sit u& a little. 9ichael rushed to gra% the
!ase %efore it did more damage and hit the floor. 1ut .ean %eat him to it and
clas&ed the large !ase to his chest. Dammit, first she gets him all excited, and then
she tosses a large !ase on it. Perfect5
.ean,s father $as -ust coming %ac# into the room $hen he $as almost
#noc#ed o!er %y 2ulia on her $ay out.
<)hoa, nice legs5> 9arco loo#ed at his son. <s that your $oman4 )hen are
you going to %ring her to meet your mother4 )hat4 Did raise you in a chic#en
coo&4>
9ax and 9ichael couldn,t hold it in any longer. "hey %oth %ro#e do$n in
laughter as 9arco loo#ed at them and %ac# at his son. "he $ord Ichic#en, set them
off.
775
.ean ignored the laughing 9ax and 9ichael and addressed the room in
general. <.he %rought me flo$ers. /h god5 Do you see ho$ in lo!e she is $ith me4>
9ichael snorted. </h yeah, it,s o%!ious.> 9ax $as ho$ling next to him.
9arco fro$ned. <.ean .e%astian .antorio, your sainted mother $ould go to
her gra!e if you don,t %ring this $oman home. )hat are these &eo&le teaching you4
.o $hen is the $edding4>
9ichael and 9ax found that e!en funnier. 9aria $al#ed into the room to find
9ax and 9ichael turning red in laughter, her uncle lecturing .ean in the &ro&er
eti;uette for dating and marriage and .ean holding a large !ase of flo$ers against
his chest loo#ing da0ed.
<)hat,s going in here4> 9aria fro$ned at them all and then loo#ed at her
cousin. :oing o!er she too# the !ase from him and &ut it at the %edside cluc#ing
her tongue at the arrangement and $ent to straighten it. "ossing a com% at .ean
she said, <.ean, com% your hair. =ou ha!e com&any and you loo# all un#em&t.>
"hat sent 9ichael and 9ax into another &eel of laughter as 9ax feel off the $indo$
&erch he $as sitting on. 9aria turned to loo# at them in confusion. <)hat did
say4>
9ax and 9ichael needed to ta#e off, hit home to change and then go to $or#.
9ichael tried to con!ince 9aria to come $ith them %ecause she loo#ed &ale and
tired. *e #ne$ she $as trying to #ee& her sic#ness under $ra&s $ith her mother
near, and at times he felt her almost lose it.
>9aria, come on, Professor. 2ust a short %rea#. "a#e a sho$er, a na&, then
come %ac#.>
<,m fine. &romise. =ou go, and you can find me here. /#ay4>
9ichael loo#ed at her and ga!e in. .he $anted to %e $ith her family, so he
nodded. <+ll right, %ut stay here until come get you, o#4 ,ll %e %ac#.>
746
9aria -ust smiled and sent him off $ith 9ax. +my $as ha!ing a great time
telling e!eryone a%out The 3eddin!, and urging them to attend.
???
<+lex4 =ou,!e got a deli!ery.> Keeley %rought a s&ecially $ra&&ed &ac#age into
the room $here +lex sat.
+lex -ust &oured himself another $his#ey and suc#ed on his cigarette.
:esturing for Keeley to &ut do$n the &ac#age, he too# a #nife out of his &oc#et and
sliced o&en the $ra&&ing. Loo#ing inside, he stood there in silence. Loo#ing o!er at
Keeley, he sent him a$ay.
+lex &ulled out his cell &hone and made the call.
<:uerin5 Phone5> 9ichael nodded to )aters and $ent to his des# ans$ering his
extension.
<:uerin.>
<9ichael, it,s +lex.>
<)hitman, $hat,s u&4> 9ichael heard the &ause in +lex,s !oice.
< ha!e something you need to see.> +lex said !ery ;uietly.
<,m on my $ay.> 9ichael hung u&. +lex called and he $ent. +lex $asn,t the
ty&e of man to call for no reason.
"hey found him in the %ac# room crushing a glass&lated $all $ith a %ase%all
%at. *e sto&&ed $hen they entered the room. *e too# out a ne$ cigarette and
motioned to the %ox.
9ichael $ent o!er to the %ox and loo#ed in. *e closed the lid again.
<)hat is it4> 9ax as#ed.
</ur missing heart.>
741
+lex held a loc#et u& from his fingers. <t came $ith this around it.>
9ax fro$ned. <+ loc#et4>
<Krystal,s. %ought it for her on her sixteenth %irthday.> +lex sho!ed the loc#et
in his &oc#et and &ic#ed u& his %at and $ent %ac# to smashing glass.
<9ichael,> 9ax loo#ed at 9ichael $ho $as ;uiet and thoughtful. *e had called
for a forensics team, %ut he $as #ee&ing a careful eye on +lex. <9ichael, $hy the
heart4>
<*unter,s heart. *unters and old $arriors used to eat the heart of their #ill.
*e,s offering us the first %ite %ecause he did the last #ill s&ecifically for us. )e
missed him, so the %lood is on us.> 9ichael sighed and closed his eyes. <*e made it
&ersonal %y sending the heart to +lex and dum&ing the %ody at the PD. *e $as
telling us that he #no$s $ho $as hunting him, and he's taunting us that $e don,t
#no$ his identity. *e,ll #ill again, not %ecause he needs to, %ut %ecause this has
%ecome a game. *e #no$s it hurts us.>
+lex tossed his %at aside. <*e changed his hunting ground and too# a ne$ #ill
that night4> 9ichael -ust nodded. +lex %reathed dee&ly. "his had to sto&. *e headed
for the door gra%%ing his %ottle of $his#ey along the $ay. <,m a &eacea%le man,
normally. -ust $ant to run my life and %usiness undistur%ed. 1ut this man dre$
first %lood, and ,ll not %e sto&&ing until eat his heart.> +lex left the room.
<9ichael, he,s not loo#ing too good.>
< #no$.> 9ichael $ent and loo#ed at the heart again. <t,s going to get $orse.>
???
9ax finally made it home and found sa%el at the ta%le $or#ing on her
3eddin! lists. *el&ing +my $ith The 3eddin! and &lanning her ne$ home had
742
sa%el %usy and ha&&y. 9ax $as sur&rised that sa%el,s ne$est &artner in crime, Li0
Par#er $asn,t in attendance. "he t$o s&ent hours on the &hone discussing loft
&lans. t $as li#e a second %reath of fresh air to see sa%el so full of life and ha&&y.
"hey had ta#en time out last .unday to go to +l%u;uer;ue to their old church and
!isit their &arents' gra!es. t $as strange to thin# that so many years, so much &ain
and tears had &assed since they last stood there.
9ax needed it to end. *e and sa%el needed to finally mo!e on. *is &arents
deser!ed that much at least. "hey deser!ed to #no$ their children $ere strong
enough to go on and sur!i!e. *e and sa%el %oth had let that slide, %ut finally for
the first time in a long time it felt li#e they $ere &ic#ing u& those &ieces.
<9ax, you loo# tired5> sa%el smiled $hen he came o!er and #issed her on her
head.
< am. .le&t in a chair at the hos&ital last night.> sa%el loo#ed at him shar&ly.
<.ean. Pierce,s men too# him. "hey %eat and tortured him and $e %arely found him
in time.>
sa%el &ut her hand on her heart in a rushing inta#e of %reath. .ean4 *er
.ean4 < should go...>
<8o.> 9ax &ulled her %ac# do$n. <*e,s got more com&any than he can handle.>
9ax loo#ed at his sister. 0 and .ean4 +lready4 "hose DeLucas o&erated in $ays
that -ust left a &erson in a$e. < didn,t really #no$ that you and .ean $ere close.>
<)e're not.> sa%el rolled her eyes. <)ell, not in %ha% $ay. 2ust in a %itchy
girlfriend sort of $ay. *e,s a nice mixture of Icould %e gay, $ith raging $all(&issing
male attached. li#e ho$ honest he can %e. t,s nice.>
<)ell, he came out of surgery -ust fine, so may%e you can see him tomorro$.
*e,ll a&&reciate that, ,m sure.>
747
sa%el got u& and #issed 9ax on the head as she mo!ed off into the #itchen to
ma#e him some food. <=ou loo# li#e hell, 9ax. ,m going to feed you $hile you go to
ta#e a sho$er and change your clothes. thin# you,re finally losing that teenage
%oy loo#, and are starting to sho$ your age.>
9ax stretched and laughed, &o&&ing his %ac#. <)e all are. =our friend
)hitman had a %ad time today.> sa%el fro0e at the mention of +lex,s name.
<*o$4 1ad ho$4>
</ur #iller sent his murdered cousin,s loc#et %ac# to him around the cut out
heart of our last !ictim.>
sa%el stared at him in horror. </h god5 *o$ is he4> she as#ed as she cho#ed
%ac# the tears.
<8ot good. *e too# off $ith a %ase%all %at and a fifth of $his#ey. "here,s not
much $e can do for him no$ exce&t may%e find this sic# fuc#.>
sa%el $i&ed her hands. <9ax, loo#, need to go out. "here,s food in the
refrigerator.>
9ax loo#ed at his sister sus&iciously. <)hat you u& to, 00y4>
<8othing. -ust need to go chec# on +lex.> sa%el gra%%ed her things, %ut 9ax
gra%%ed her hand and sto&&ed her.
<Lea!e him %e, 0. *e,s not in a good &lace right no$, and his $orld isn,t the
&lace for you. 8ot $hen you're in reco!ery.>
<Don,t $orry. ,m fine.> sa%el #issed him good%ye and too# off.
9ax $atched the door shut %ehind her, and cursed his tongue. *e shouldn,t
ha!e mentioned +lex to 00y. .he had a $ea#ness for him. +t least she #ne$ $hat
she $anted, $ho she $anted, and e!ery day she seemed stronger and more self(
assured.
748
9ax loo#ed at the &hone and sighed. )hat to do4 Kyle had "ess, 9ichael had
9aria, sa%el $as mo!ing to$ards +lex fastF %ut 9ax $as still languishing in
indecision. Pic#ing u& the &hone, he too# a dee& %reath.
<*ello4>
<2onathan4> 9ax $aited for the ac#no$ledgment. < $anted to tal# to you
a%out going to the $edding $ith me on .aturday.>
<)hat are you doing tomorro$ for lunch4>
<*uh4> 9ax $as confused. 8othing $ith 2onathan e!er follo$ed any set &lan
he made.
<Lunch4 "hat food %rea# you ta#e around noon4>
< #no$ $hat 'lunch' is. 8othing. ,m doing nothing.>
<:ood. ,ll ma#e us reser!ations at the "o$ers at noon. .ee you then.>
2onathan hung u&.
<2onathan...> 9ax -ust loo#ed at the &hone and fro$ned. Dammit, that man
$as so exas&erating. 9ax sat %ac# in his chair and $ondered ho$ many times
$omen had thought the same a%out him.
???
+lex got out of his car in the dri!e$ay and a&&roached the one that $as
&ar#ed in front of his. sa%el 6!ans.
<)hat,re ya doing here, sa%el4> +lex,s !oice $as dar#, cold, and emotionless.
< came to see you.> sa%el o&ened the dri!er,s door and sat loo#ing u& at him
$hen he situated himself %eside the door leaning on the hood a%o!e her. *is hand
rested there as he ru%%ed his face along his arm.
<)hy4>
749
<9ax told me $hat ha&&ened. -ust... $anted to tell you@> sa%el &aused and
rolled her eyes at her ina%ility to tal# to him. *e $as so distant and she ne!er felt
so off(%alance %y a man %efore. < $ant...>
<sa%el, don,t care $hat you $ant. can,t. 8ot today.> +lex ga0ed o!er her
car to$ards his house and the damn door that $as too far a$ay. *e needed to find
refuge, get inside %efore he #illed something or destroyed the first thing he found.
:lass. *is fuc#ing house had lots of glass. "hat %astard had sent him his cousin,s
loc5e%. +lex clenched his fists.
<+lex...> sa%el couldn,t -ust lea!e him and go. *e $as in a !ery %ad $ay.
<sa%el, ,m not feeling social. ,m not feeling nice or gentle. don,t $ant to
tal#. can,t. ,m not feeling u& to nice sex li#e last time.>
<=ou call that Inice, sex4> sa%el as#ed astounded. *e had to %e #idding. .he
felt li#e she had %een gang(%anged %y an army cor&. .he still had %ruises.
<)hat do you $ant from me4> +lex as#ed turning dar# eyes on her. <)hate!er
it is can,t gi!e it, not tonight. need something else. need control. "o dominate.
"o &ush something. "he %astard too# something from me. "oo# mine. need to
ta#e something %ac# and you,re not going to $ant to ser!ice me.>
<,!e &layed dominance games %efore.> sa%el fro$ned at him. *e $asn,t
loo#ing for sexual release. *e $as loo#ing to control.
+lex loo#ed at her $ith dar# %itter eyes. <=ou $on,t $ant to ser!e me, not
tonight. :o home, sa%el. :o no$. "his is not something you $ant to li!e through.>
<Lea!e you alone4> sa%el couldn,t. 8o one deser!ed that. <8o.>
<Lea!e5>
<8o. ,m not afraid of you. ,!e %een su%missi!e %efore. t,s not that hard.>
sa%el touched his shirt front. < don,t $ant you to %e alone. need you@>
74:
<'ine5> +lex stood %ac# a little letting his anger rage in his !oice. *e %ent
do$n and #issed her mouth in a long suc#ing #iss that $as !iolent and %ruising.
<:et your ass out of the fuc#ing car and get into house, dro& on your #nees and
%lo$ me.>
<+lex.> sa%el didn,t ex&ect him to %e so cruel and !icious. *e $as some &lace
she $asn,t sure she understood.
<=our choice. $ant to use your mouth for a$hile, then s&an# your ass and
send you home definitely used. f you can,t handle it, then lea!e.> +lex #ne$ he
$as %eing mean, %ut she $asn,t getting $here she $as $anting to go nor did she
understand the enormity of $hat she $as offering. *e needed her to lea!e until he
$as in a %etter &lace to deal $ith her.
<,m not lea!ing5>
<"hen come get fuc#ed %y me. don,t $ant to $ait all day5>
"...'m sor... $as ho&ing.....," then she %ecame indignant as she sa$ his
anger dee&en. /h shit, this had %een such a mista#e. "hat's $hat she got for
letting her guard do$n, ".cre$ you," she $his&ered and reached for the door trying
to &ull it closed. *e $as close enough to smell and he smelled good. Damn him.
""hat's $hat $as ho&ing you'd say," he said sarcastically and he had
&re!ented her action $ith the door %y %racing his #nee against it. "he anger $as a
&art of his $hole manner as he &ointed to his house li#e a father &ointing a
diso%edient child to their %edroom.
.he exhaled resignedly. .he had come to him. )hat else $as she ex&ecting4
.he ste&&ed slo$ly out of the car %ringing her %ody dangerously close to his. *er
nose nearly %rushed his chin as she allo$ed her softened glare to &ass o!er his
&u&ils.
747
.he $anted him %ut not li#e the last time((all hot and $ild. .he $anted him
softer, gentler and more needy. .he $asn,t sure she could handle this much
dar#ness, "+lex, ..."
CM6D<!!C
.he mo!ed. .he $as dum%founded %y ho$ the roared monosylla%le s$e&t
o!er her, gra%%ed her muscles and mo!ed them in the direction of his front door.
9en. "hey $ere so easy to lead %y their dic#s, so easy to control. 1ut not +lex. *e
$as hard, harder than most $ould sus&ect. "hat $as his control. *is %oyish gee#y
loo#s $ith a touch of %ad(%oy &un#ster stood as a $arning of ho$ com&lex he $as.
.ometimes she forgot that.
"hey entered the house, him close at her heels and she felt his hand gra% her
$rist from %ehind and &lace his %ody firmly against her %ac#. .he remem%ered ho$
this $ent. *is hand came around mo!ing to the front of her mo!ing do$n her to
cu& her in his hand. .he could feel it dee& to the %ac# $all of her !agina. t $asn,t
enough. 1ut it $as $hat he ga!e her. 'or no$. *e remo!ed his hand and too# her
other $rist %ringing it %ac# as $ell &laced her &alms on his %uttoc#s and she &ulled
his hi&s to come in contact $ith her o$n ass. *e felt so good against her and she
closed her eyes. *e reached for$ard and undid the front of her light %eige dress
$ith all the %uttons straight do$n the front.
"hen he &ushed her a$ay from him hard and she nearly lost her %alance. *e
$as doing $hat he could to #ee& his fury and !iolence under control %ut he $asn't
fully a$are of his o$n strength. *e $as also &ainfully una$are of ho$ un$illing she
$as to resist him. .he turned and met his eyes. Pure steel, the dar#ness of !iolence
and the %rilliance of golden %ro$n or%s someho$ more ali!e than fire. *e folded his
arms o!er his chest, dro&&ed his chin to meet his arms and s&o#e $ithout mo!ing
his li&s, "=ou do the rest."
744
.he'd shouldn,t ha!e taunted him to her $ill and no$ she $anted to ta#e it all
%ac#. .he didn't $ant it this $ay. + fear rose in her. f she resisted him, he might
assume that she '$anted' it rough and ta#e his cue. f she didn't resist, he $ould
continue to ta#e this dominant role and remo!e the last shred of self(res&ect that
she had come here $ith tonight. +ll she #ne$ for sure $as that she $anted to ma#e
lo!e to him and as her %attle raged, it %ecame clear to her that it mattered less and
less ho$ she got him as long as she could ha!e him.
.he dro&&ed her dress on the floor. /h :od, $hat ha!e done4 .he $ent to
#ic# off the %lac# stra&&y heels $ith four inch s&i#es that made her height to %e
o!er six feet. .he $as only fi!e nine, %ut the four inches she added $ith these
shoes let her to$er e!en o!er her %rother. .he li#ed the !ie$ of the $orld loo#ing
do$n.
<8o. Lea!e them on.> +lex said in a cold dee& !oice. *e $as six feet three
inches, and he $anted her at his le!el. .trong, firm and $illing to ta#e all the
dar#ness he had.
sa%el dro&&ed her dress that he had un%uttoned. .he $asn't $earing &anties,
-ust stoc#ings and she $as glad of it. "his $ould ta#e long enough. *er %reathing
came in short gas&s as the feeling that she $ould regret doing it his $ay %egan to
rear its head. .he held his ga0e. )hy couldn't he see that there $as no trace of
resistance in her4 .he s#immed the nylons do$n her legs #no$ing he $as
$atching. .he remo!ed one shoe too# off the hose and then re&laced it. /nce she
com&leted one leg, she did the other. *er fingers fum%led at the clas& of her %ra
and the metal hoo#s finally ga!e $ay. .he stood na#ed in front of him and heard
the $ords 'no$ me' in her head %efore he s&o#e them.
"8o$ me," his !oice $as hus#y and crac#ed on 'no$'. *e had !ery little
reser!es left at this &oint and $as finding it difficult to maintain his com&osure.
745
)hen he'd seen sa%el's car outside his home, he hadn't ;uite #no$n ho$ he
should res&ond. *is anger $as so !olatile and dar#, and she didn,t deser!e to %e
caught in the %ac#lash. *e tried to run her off, gi!e her an outF she refused to yield.
8o shrin#ing !iolet $as his mate.
*e had thought of nothing else %ut the feel of her leg against his thigh since
last 'riday night, and his increasing desire $as &ushing Krystal from his mind. *e
#ne$ she $ould %e gone soon. .he $ould $a#e u& again co!ered in his fluids,
stic#y and sore, and she $ould hate herself and him. *e should let her go %efore it
$as too late for them, and if he had another rende0!ous $ith her he $asn't sure he
could let her go.
.he hadn,t seen his ;uiet des&eration on their first night together. "hat
moment in time, un%e#no$nst to her, she had %egun to $ind him !ery carefully
around her finger. .he had touched desires dee& inside of him. Desires he no$
&layed out on her. *e $anted that &erson she let him see, the one that he lo!ed in
unguarded moments. .he $as a fire $arrior, strong, &roud and !iolent $ith a touch
of dar#ness that no amount of light could erase. .he $as "he /ne. "he one that
$al#ed in the night, %ut had a &o$er so strong she could #ee& his earth%ound %ody
from %rea#ing to the ice. .he $as his e;ual in e!ery $ay, and he $as her
redem&tion.
.he sighed dee&ly and reconciled herself to the fact that the only $ay she $as
going to ma#e lo!e to +lex tonight $as if she did it his $ay. *is need $as too great
to settle for #indness and gentleness, long loo#s and shared smiles. *e $as mo!ing
in his anger and he $asn,t loo#ing for softness. .he understood that $hen she
refused to lea!e, and still she stayed. 9o!ing to$ard him she raised her hands to
rest on his hi&s letting her fingers s&lay across his stomach touching the &ierced
na!el and fingering the rough tattooed s#in. .he had mo!ed slo$ly until her face
756
$as under his chin. "heir eyes ne!er &arted com&any. .he tugged at his t(shirt and
&ulled it u& his torso $here it $as halted, held do$n %y his still(crossed arms.
*is grin $as almost im&erce&ti%le %ut his eyes contained a fer!ent lust, "+s#
me nicely."
.he set her -a$. "his $as her doing. *e $anted her to %eg. *e had told her to
lea!e or stay, %ut on his terms alone. .he'd made her %ed and no$ she $as going
to lie in it so to s&ea#. .he dro&&ed her head hard and exhaled through her
nostrils. .taring at the floor, she uttered a "Please" de!oid of emotion. .he could
&ractically rest her forehead on the tense forearms crossed in front of her. *e
unfolded them and slo$ly raised them u& to allo$ her the access she needed to free
the shirt from his %ody. *is &ierced ni&&le came into !ie$ and her mouth $atered
$ith the need to &ull it into her mouth, &ull at the small golden ring and feel his
%ody react to the stimulation. 1ut she $aited for his command.
+ ne$ emotion curled around her stomach. + dee& &ang of regret. .he had
ne!er felt regret during sex. .ometimes after, %ut ne!er during. .he &ushed it a$ay
and $illed it to stay a$ay. Dee& do$n she #ne$ she $ould fail.
.he %rought her hands to his chest. .he $anted to touch him and feel the
$armth of his s#in, &ress her face into his flesh and %reathe dee&ly of his scent.
.he should ha!e ex&ected $hat came next. *is hand s&layed across her chest
a%o!e her %reasts and he &laced the length of his outstretched arm %et$een them,
"=ou should #no$ %etter. can,t ta#e that from you yet. 8ot until can gi!e it
%ac#."
.he too# a dee& %reath and res&onded o%ediently, "'m sorry." +nd she +as
sorry %ut not for the reason he thought. *er hands $ent instincti!ely to the fly of
his &ants, dro&&ed the 0i&&er &ull and freed him from the constricti!e clothing. +s
she dre$ his &ants do$n she hoo#ed her thum%s in the $aist%and of his %oxers and
751
%rought them along for the ride to the floor. .he #nelt in front his glorious na#ed
%ody. *e $as long and lean, and though his muscles lac#ed mass, they didn,t lac#
distinction. "hey $ere long, corded and strong, firm to the touch. *is coc# $as roc#
hard. +t least he $as fully en-oying this des&ite the dar# angry &lace in $hich he
resided. "hat $as something. 9ay%e he could lose himself in the sensation and find
some ;uiet &lace a$ay from the anger and &ain, -ust for a little $hile. t $as $orth
any cost she &aid to gi!e him that &lace, e!en if it $as only for a moment.
.he loo#ed u& into his desire(filled eyes. '=ou #no$ $hat $ant,' his eyes
said. '=es, %ut do you #no$ $hat # $ant, +lex4', she tried to con!ey $ith hers. /nce
'!e satisfied this dar# need for you, 'm going to fuc# you slo$ly and gently, she
thought. f she could -ust figure out ho$.
.he turned her attention to the thro%%ing coc# %ouncing near her mouth and
closed a hand o!er the shaft. .he lic#ed her li&s and %egan #issing the s$ollen ti&.
t t$itched and she could feel his &ulse under her &alm as she %rought her fist u& to
circle her thum% o!er $here her li&s $ere. .he &assed her thum% %et$een her li&s
and the hot, stretched s#in &ausing to lu%ricate it $ith her s&it. "hen she ran her
thum% do$n one side of his erection follo$ing it $ith her mouth. .he circled the
%ase and lic#ed u& the other side. *e'd %een holding %ac# a groan and $hen it
finally esca&ed his li&s it $as almost a %ar#.
)ith that, she too# him fully into her mouth until his ti& touched the %ac# of
her throat. .he felt his hand on the %ac# of her head and he held her there for a
moment %efore allo$ing her to &ull %ac#. *e &itched for$ard slightly forcing his
&enis do$n her throat again. "his time $hen he &ulled %ac# she thre$ her head
%ac# !iolently freeing herself from the gras& and falling %ac# onto her haunches
se&arating herself from him com&letely. 8o, can't do this, the thought screamed in
752
her head. *e $as %eing too cold, too im&ersonal. )hat se&arated him from all the
faceless men $hose dic#s she had suc#ed o!er the years4 .omething had to.
"his $as it. "his $as the moment $hen she $ould learn -ust $hat #ind of a
man +lex $as. )as he the #ind of man $ho $ould force a $oman to ha!e sex $ith
him4 )ould he let her $him&er or $ould he try to shut her u& li#e so many of the
ra&ists she met o!er the years, not caring $hat they did to her %ody4 *er heart
raced uncontrolla%ly in her chest. .he #ne$ she must loo# terrified of him %ut she
couldn't control her emotions. 3ontrol. )here $as her self(control4 .he remained
on the floor ready to res&ond, to defend herself if need %e.
+lex loo#ed do$n at her and felt the anger fade at her sudden mo!e a$ay
from him. *e'd %een en-oying this %ut something $as missing. .he didn't seem to
ha!e her heart in it this time %ut it $as hard to tell. *e hadn't done this #ind of
thing %efore, al$ays in the &ast it $as -ust sex $ith some nameless $oman. *e'd
al$ays made the first mo!e, %ut let the $oman indicate ho$ far she $anted to ta#e
him. t excited and exhilarated him %eing in charge, aggressi!e and $hen he
gra%%ed her in the door$ay and initiated the lo!ema#ing that $ay his %ody sang.
1ut she seemed sad or detached. sa%el $asn,t a nameless lay, a ;uic# roll in the
hay. *e couldn't ;uite &ut his finger on it. 9ay%e that $as the $ay these things
$ere su&&osed to go. .he didn't &rotest, so he decided to go $ith the flo$. *e $as
$illing to let their %odies lead them, and -ust ho&e they had something left in the
morning to %uild on.
Loo#ing do$n on her no$, and it felt $rong. "here $as fear in her eyes. .he
$as afraid of him. "he reali0ation &unched him in the stomach. "his +asn,% the $ay
it $as su&&osed to go. /h :od, he -ust needed to rage and rut, to #ill something,
%ut he didn,t $ant that something to %e sa%el and $hat $as slo$ly %uilding
%et$een them.
757
*e #nelt do$n to her, his face suddenly turning to concern. *e held out a
hand, &alm u&. "sa%el, $hat this is can %urn you. Please4 f you don't $ant this,
say so. 'm -ust follo$ing.....-ust doing...../h my :od. 'm so sorry. Let me send
you home." *e $as sorry. *er life turned in an instant and a $a!e of tenderness
%egan to s$ee& o!er her.
*e hung his head, ashamed of $hat he'd almost done to them. .he reached
u& a hand and gently stro#ed the side of his face. t had %een as much her fault as
his. 9ore her fault really. .he #ne$. .he $asn,t a sa!ior li#e 9aria, and $hat she
could offer him might %e more than she could afford to gi!e. 9ore than he could
afford as $ell.
+ $armth s&read out from the center of her %eing. *er stomach %egan to
dance $ith %utterflies, "8o, it's me.....'m the one $ho's sorry. can't ex&lain it
%ut.... $ant....." .he couldn't finish. .he'd ne!er as#ed a man to ma#e lo!e to her
gently, tenderly %ut she $as des&erate to as# this man to do exactly that and
$hat's more, she $ould %eg him too. t $as the something more she dreamed of,
$anted. +lex $as the only man she trusted to gi!e it to her, and $hy she trusted
him to do it $as %eyond her com&rehension. 1ut she #ne$ that he $as "he /ne.
".hhh." *e &ut a finger to her li&s, " thin# '#no$' $hat you $ant."
*e $as #neeling and &ulled her u& to mirror his &osture. *e &laced one arm
firmly, not roughly, around her $aist. "he other encircled her entire %ody. *e rested
his chee# against her hair and %rought e!ery inch of s#in that it $as &ossi%le for
him to, in contact $ith hers. .he dro&&ed her face into the softness of his nec# -ust
a%o!e his collar%one and hugged him %ac# $ith all her heart and soul.
+fter a moment he s&o#e $ith all the com&assion that had earlier %een
missing, " $ill ne!er hurt you."
758
"he em%race lasted minutes, longer than sa%el remem%ered %eing held in
years she $as sure. t could ha!e lasted hours. t $as comforting, gentle, lo!ing. t
$as ex;uisite. 6!ery emotion she had %een feeling sat in a lum& at the %ac# of her
throat and manifested itself in audi%le humming.
"he slo$ exhale that accom&anied the sound too# $ith it a lifetime of
calculated control. .he a%andoned herself to the rec#lessness of !oluntary,
unrestrained lo!ema#ing. .he com&letely a%andoned herself to a man for the first
time in her life.
.he %rought her hands u& from $here they'd %een clinging to his $aist and
%egan to trace small circles on his u&&er %ac#. *e &ulled his face %ac# from hers
and all the harshness $as gone from his features. *e had the softest ex&ression on
his face, the smoothest %ro$ and the most sensuous li&s. "8ot here," he $his&ered
dra$ing her to her feet and leading her cautiously u& the stairs to his %edroom. *e
$as %eing careful no$, not to issue commands %ut to o%ey her desires and
communicate his o$n.
*er %ac# $as to the %ed and she loo#ed u& at him ex&ectantly %ut a little at a
loss for $here to %egin. *e hel&ed her decide %y mo!ing close to her, $ra&&ing her
in his arms and laying her gently %ac# on the %ed. *e &arted his li&s and s$e&t
them across her nec# and o!er the end of her chin to rest languidly on her o$n
$aiting mouth. *e lic#ed her u&&er li& to moisten it then &lunged his tongue into
the s&ace %et$een her teeth. t touched the center of her tongue and she lifted the
ti& of hers to caress the %ottom of his. "his $as in and of itself a #ind of torture %ut
one that $as infinitely more &leasura%le than any she'd e!er ex&erienced. "hey
continued stro#ing tongues until e!ery ner!e ending in %oth their %odies screamed.
.he could feel e!erything all at once. *er accelerating heart%eat, the
lightheadedness that $as o!erta#ing her, the tingle in her ni&&les, the readiness of
759
her muscles and the heat %et$een her legs. t $as o!er$helming. .he didn,t #no$.
8o one had e!er told her that -ust a touch or a #iss could go so dee& into the heart
of a &erson.
+lex $as out of his element as $ell. "his $as the $ay he $anted her, had
$anted her since a year %efore. t $as $hy he couldn,t use her then, and $hy he
sent her a$ay. t $as all or nothing. *e $anted it all. *e $as tired of %eing alone,
fighting alone.
"he fingers of his right hand traced u& the side of her %ody, across the defined
muscles of her stomach and u& to her %reasts. *e &laced his $hole hand o!er her
right %reast $arming her cool s#in $ith the %ody heat that emanated from it. "hen
he %egan a slo$, circular massage and felt the ni&&le harden against the lifeline on
his &alm. *e &ulled his hand a$ay and re&laced it $ith his mouth. *e mo!ed o!er
her %reast o&ening his mouth to ta#e as much of her mound of flesh as he could
into it and then suc#ing and dra$ing his head u& until her rigid, crimson rose%ud
&o&&ed out from %et$een his li&s. *e re&eated the stro#e t$ice and then mo!ed to
her other %reast to &erform the same mo!ement again. .he $as more than a
mouthful, %ut +lex smiled against her s#in. *e al$ays $as a %reasts man, %ut only
after the ass. n %oth regards, sa%el 6!ans in his mind $as &erfect.
*e slid a$ay from her slightly on the %ed to s&read #isses along her a%domen
and do$n into her $etness. .he $as hot. "he ache $as insuffera%le and as she
s&read her legs he %egan to lightly caress her $ith his tongue. "he moisture he
ins&ired dri&&ed do$n to the sheets. *e flic#ed hard against her clitoris and her
entire %ody -um&ed. "hen he sli&&ed his tongue as far into her as he could. *is
u&&er li& contacted her clit again and she -er#ed, thrusting her hi&s into his face.
*e tongued her until she thought she $ould lose her mind.
75:
.he &ushed her head %ac# into the &illo$. "his +as torture, %eautiful torture.
<+lex, don't sto&, don't e!er sto&.> +lex -ust smiled against her s#in and too# her
o!er the edge again.
.he $anted to turn this %ac# on him. :i!e him something %ac#. )as it
gratitude4 .he didn't #no$. Didn't care. .he dre$ her %ody u& turning him onto his
%ac# and straddled his u&&er thighs. .he faced him no$ and %ending to co!er his
%ody $ith hers, she stro#ed his eyes closed $ith her li&s. .he ran her hands all o!er
his %ody lightly s#imming the surface. .he $anted to touch all of him, all at once. +
need to return the gentle &etting %urned inside her. t $ould ha!e %een easy -ust to
cra$l onto him and &um& them %oth to ecstasy, %ut she $anted to en-oy this ne$
found sense of mutual surrender.
.he %egan #issing his face. .he mo!ed do$n his nose to his mouth $here she
stayed a %it %efore $or#ing her $ay do$n his chest &ausing to flic# at his ni&&les.
.he &ulled at the ringed one $ith her li&s mimic#ing the $ay he had stimulated her
$hich elicited a moan from him. )hen she &ulled the ni&&le ring $ith her teeth and
mo!ed her tongue on the engorged flesh his groan %ecame louder. t $as almost a
laugh. .he smiled and continued her tri& south.
/nce there, she %egan %y ta#ing his testicles into her mouth and suc#ing on
them rhythmically as they hardened and $ere dra$n u& closer to his %ody. "his
caused him to reach do$n and s;uee0e her shoulder. .he $as doing it right and he
li#ed it. .he continued, mo!ing her li&s and tongue around the shaft and u& to the
head to &ause at the area -ust %eneath the head that made him dra$ in his %reath
and hold it. .he lic#ed a$ay the dri&s and &laced her mouth o!er the to& sli&&ing
her tongue under the %ase of the head. *e s;uee0ed her shoulder harder and
moaned, luxuriating in the delicate mo!ements of her mouth. .he too# him in her
mouth more gently this time %ut not dee&ly and &um&ed o!er the to& three inches
757
se!eral times %ringing her head u& slo$ly then slamming it do$n hard &ressing her
li&s tight together as she $ent. *er ache to ha!e him inside her thro%%ed %et$een
her legs.
+lex had the same thought, and he res&onded %y sitting u& gra%%ing at her
and uttering in a lo$, &otent !oice, "8o$5"
.he mo!ed ;uic#ly o!er him, the des&eration inside her &ea#ing. .he slid
do$n o!er his erection easily. .he $as so $et. .he $as made of sil# and he $as an
instrument of sheer &leasure. .he $ra&&ed her arms around his chest, her legs
%ent at the #nee &ro!ided the &iston for their intense thrusts. *e cu&&ed his hands
o!er her ass and curled her hi&s into him.
"he mutual orgasm o!ertoo# them ra&idly. +lex %egan to see s&ots as she
rode him hard, suc#ing him dry. .o he closed his eyes tightly and %uried his face in
her shoulder. sa%el inhaled shar&ly $ith each thrust and her exhale $as mixed $ith
a tiny cry. *er insides %egan to s&asm and his e-aculate coursed out of his %ody and
into hers.
"he so%s came out of her in fits as she tried to remem%er $here she $as. )ho
she $as. *e extinguished his o$n cry %y sin#ing his teeth into her soft, s$eaty
shoulder and &anting dee&ly, letting his hot &anting %reath tum%le o!er her s#in.
"he %lood &ooled in his mouth as he felt the first $a!e of energy hit him, and her
!oice sounding small in the $a#e calling his name.
"hey gri&&ed each other tightly, afraid this $asn't real and if either of them let
go the other &erson $ould disa&&ear. "hey fell side$ays and into an em%race of
scattered lim%s, dam& foreheads touching. 9inutes that %ecame hours &assed and
their %reathing finally slo$ed.
+lex loo#ed do$n at her and she $atched his mouth curl into $hat $as the
closest to a smile she'd seen yet. ":od, lo!e those shoes."
754
sa%el loo#ed do$n her o$n %ody $here she $as still $earing her heels and
nothing else. 8o #no$ing it she $as scratching groo!es in his legs $ith the s&i#es.
.he thought her %reathing $as under control until she s&o#e and the $ords came
out mixed $ith her s&ent energy, all %reathless and hus#y.
<9y Ifuc#(me, &um&s4> sa%el leaned in to lic# some s$eat from his s#in. <Did
they $or# for you4>
*e dra&ed an arm o!er his eyes and laughed, " should say so." 9o!ing u&
and o!er her, his arms sna#ed around her %ody as he s&ra$led across her resting
on her %reasts.
.he lifted her arms to settle around him as she rested too, ":ood."
sa%el held him in her arms as he rested, not $anting to lose the close
connection she felt to him. "he raging !iolence someho$ had %een released. )ho
#ne$ that sex, lo!ema#ing $ith care could ha!e the same effect4 t scared her to
reali0e that she $al#ed into that house $anting his dar# side to force her, to ra&e
and %eat her. .he $as afraid, %ut in a %rief glim&se of time that ex&anded into a
lifetime, she had $anted him to fuc# her throat, &in her to his front foyer and ra&e
her $hile she screamed for mercy. +nd not finished $ith her, she $anted him to
turn her o!er and sodomi0e her until she %led. Lea!ing her %ro#en and %leeding on
the floor, sa%el could in her mind see her a%used %ody %ro#en in a &ool of her o$n
%lood. .he $anted and needed him to &unish her. Punish her for all the e!il she
!isited on her o$n %ody and mind for six years.
"he hurt $as such a rage inside, and he $as at a dar# &lace that she #ne$
that she $ould finally get release. 1ut as suddenly as that moment had o&ened and
ex&anded into a thought, it $as gone. "hey %oth had &ulled %ac# and found a $ay
around the o%!ious &itfall. f she had &ushed him into ra&e, he $ould,!e ne!er
reco!ered, and she feared neither $ould she. t $ould ha!e destroyed them %oth.
755
sa%el closed her eyes in did something she hadn,t done in o!er six years. .he
&rayed to :od, and than#ed him for $hate!er made them sa!e themsel!es.
sa%el slo$ly %ecame a$are of the trem%ling of his %ody, as the sha#es
%ecame stronger. *olding him to her, $arming him $ith her touch, she felt the first
dro&s of moisture on her s#in $here he lay s&ra$led across her %ody. "ears. *ers
-oined his as %oth of them let lifetime of &ain and regret $ash a$ay into slee&.
???
9ichael lay &rone on the %ed $ith his head resting on his arms at the foot
$atching the tele!ision that $as usually closed u& in the armoire. *e had gone to
&ic# u& 9aria from the hos&ital, reluctantly extracting her from her family, and too#
her home. .he $as extremely tired. .&ending the night in a chair $aiting for .ean
to get out of surgery, then in another chair $aiting for him in reco!ery, and finally
finishing a night in a chair in .ean,s room had ta#en a toll on her.
9ichael cursed his o$n stu&idity for letting her do it as he guided her u& the
stairs to their %edroom and into the %athroom for a long sho$er. "hey had ordered
food and eaten it on their %ed $hile $atching an old %lac# and $hite mo!ie. t $as
one of the films from the Thin Man series. 9aria li#ed the humor, and e!en 9ichael
en-oyed the old gumshoe &olice tal#.
"hey $ere only half$ay into the sho$ $hen he reali0ed ho$ hea!y she felt on
his %ac#. Loo#ing %ehind him, he reali0ed that she had fallen aslee& on him. *er
na#ed s#in mated $ith his along the full range of his %ody. .miling gently $ith a
loo# he reser!ed only for her, he reached to the side and &ulled the co!ers u& o!er
her s#in. .he still felt cool to the touch.
866
Resting on his arms on the &illo$, he turned his attention %ac# to the mo!ie
and ne!er noticed $hen 9r. 1oo%oo came to -oin them, de&ositing his nightly #ill on
the %ed next to them and curling u& tightly against 9aria's stomach.
861
Day 1E: Thursday- 9:20 a.m.
t $as still dar# $hen +lex $o#e((early morning. sa%el $as mo!ing around
the room dressing to lea!e. +lex $atched her for a fe$ moments %efore he s&o#e.
<.tay.> "he $ord I&lease, $as uns&o#en, %ut still heard.
sa%el stiffened at the sound of his !oice and turned to loo# at him. .itting on
the %ed next to him, she &laced her hand on his chest. *e loo#ed so good to her. n
slee& his face too# on a gentle resting ;uality, so soft and young. nnocent. .he
$anted to see that loo# on a child of her o$n someday, %ut not today. "oday $as
not the time. *e couldn,t go there $ith her, not yet. "his murder case $as eating
his soul, tearing him u& ali!e. + &art of her $anted to stay and hel& him, %ut
another &art #ne$ that it $asn,t her &lace. .he $as too fragile to $ithstand the
!iolence, and if@i" she $anted a future $ith him she needed to %ac# a$ay, %ecome
stronger and let him do $hat he needed to do. )hat he $as %orn to do.
< $ant to,> she said softly.
+lex sat u& and mo!ed his hands u& her nec# under her hair to hold her face.
Kissing her $as li#e li!ing. t $as that rush of cold cris& air that cut into the lungs
on an early morning run in the middle of $inter. t hurt, it %urned and it reminded
him $hat li!ing $as.
<=ou need to go. $ish could ta#e you home.>
<"his is hard enough.> sa%el &ushed him %ac# do$n onto the %ed and rested
against him for a moment. <"his isn,t li#e last time. #no$ the difference no$. +
friend hel&ed me. 2ust #no$ that ,ll %e $aiting for you, and if you need me ,ll
come.>
+lex mo!ed his hand u& her %ac# and loo#ed at her in the dar#ened room. .he
$as li#e a light to him((not li#e the light of creation or hea!en, %ut more the
%rilliance of fire. .he $armed him.
862
<:o. :o %efore forget that don,t 'do' gentle and %eg you to stay.>
sa%el laughed softly as she #issed him again ;uic#ly. </h, you 'do' gentle,
+lex. =our o$n s&ecial %rand of gentleness, and luc#y for you li#e it.>
+lex smiled as she left the room. *e rested in the silence of the early day and
listened as his front door closed softly and her car left his dri!e$ay. )hen the
sound and $armth of her $as gone his face shifted and altered. "he dar#ness and
the !iolence found a $ay %ac# inside $here it li!ed. *e $ould release it, %ut not
until -ustice $as found. t seemed ama0ing to him, %ut someho$ that $oman, his
$oman, had found him a fe$ hours of &eace. .ometimes for a man such as he, that
$as all there could %e. + moment.
???
*e mo!ed through his house &ic#ing u& carelessly dro&&ed items. *e hated it
$hen he %ecame distracted and thoughtlessly dro&&ed things $hen he entered the
house. *is hand still hurt from $here he had %ro#en the glass to esca&e the
$arehouse. t had %een foolish for him to stay and $atch the &olice the other day,
%ut he couldn,t resist. "hat had ne!er ha&&ened %efore. *is a%ility to resist
tem&tation had al$ays %een solid. + life ruled %y emotions, and decisions %ased on
desires $ere destined to fail from the get(go.
*e needed to calm himself, and redefine his &ur&ose and his goals. t had
%een a mista#e to dum& the %odies, to call attention to himself. 1ut after all those
years, it $as so time(consuming to carefully dis&ose of %odies that $ere fla$ed.
"ired. *e $as so tired. "he harder he fought and the more &erfect he $as, the
more outraged he %ecame at ha!ing his $ants and desires unreali0ed. 8o amount
of yielding and catering could fix the fact that he had to deal $ith the diseased.
867
"a#ing a cu& of hot coffee $ith him, he $ent to his %asement. *e had
reno!ated it years ago to %e a calming comforta%le s&ace full of clean %asins of
stainless steel and an o&erating ta%le((his &lace to &rocess his #ills. "he $hite dum&
%uc#et rested close to the ta%le. "he entrails he dum&ed outside to his dogs. "hey
li#ed the tender flesh.
9o!ing to a s&ecial door that $as disguised as a closet, he o&ened it into a
su%terranean s&ace. *e had &urchased the &ro&erty next door some time ago, and
un#no$n to many, he had had a cellar s&ace created that connected the t$o
&ro&erties. *e had told the construction com&any o$ner $ho &oured and created
the s&ace that it $as a %om% shelter. "he construction o$ner had unfortunately Nfor
himO found his $ay into the collection. Lithuanian, %orn in the /ld 3ountry and
%rought to +merica as a child, the man $as al$ays telling him ho$ horrified he $as
that his young children $anted to tattoo their %odies. *e had %een a &erfect
s&ecimen. "urning on the lights, he $al#ed the corridors and found calmness in
!ie$ing his collection. "he s&ot he had reser!ed for a 9editerranean %irth $as
em&ty.
*e smiled. t $as a shame that he had to dum& the last %ody. t $as fla$less.
8o %irthmar#s, no marring or scars and no mutilation. 1ut he left it as a mar#er, a
$arning to the hunters. 8o$ they #ne$ that he #ne$. "hey $ere -ust stu&id co&s in
addition to that one clu% o$ner. "here $as no $ay that they could match his mental
&ro$ess or come close to catching him. *e had $al#ed for years around the most
intelligent of &eo&le, and not once $as he e!er sus&ected. "he tric# $as to sim&ly
fade into o%scurity.
*e $al#ed the corridors en-oying his collection and humming. *e needed to
find his next s&ecimen and soon. 1ut first, he $ould let his hand heal a little.
868
???
<9aria4> 9ichael fro$ned at his slee&ing fiancEe. .he $as dead to the $orld,
and she had gone to slee& early last night. "hroughout the night he #e&t $a#ing u&
to chec# on her, %ut she remained fast aslee& almost li#e she needed to concentrate
on resting. <9aria. 3ome on, Professor, $a#e u&.>
9aria slo$ly stirred and o&ened an eye to loo# at 9ichael. .;uinting she
loo#ed at the cloc# and groaned. <"ell me it,s not morning.>
</#ay, it,s not morning.>
<Liar.> 9aria slo$ly sat u& in %ed. 9o!ing sluggishly, she &ut her feet do$n on
the floor and tried to stand u&. 1oth she and 9ichael ;uic#ly sat %ac# do$n. "he
room $as s&inning for %oth of them, and 9ichael s$ore under his %reath. Loo#ing
o!er at 9aria he $atched the little color she had as it drained from her s#in. *e
;uic#ly %ent her head do$n to her #nees %efore she &assed out.
<Don,t cuss,> she said in a muffled !oice against her legs. <t,s not good for the
%a%y, and you only ha!e se!en months to get it together %efore $e %irth a nine(
&ound s$earing hell(a(%east $ith %ad :uerin hair.>
<*ey, there,s nothing $rong $ith my hair.>
<9ichael.> 9aria loo#ed u& at him. <f you don,t get me to the %athroom no$,
the mess is going to %e indescri%a%le.>
<Dammit.> 9ichael ;uic#ly hel&ed her to the %athroom. <Don,t %oot until $e
get there.> .cooting 9r. 1 out of the $ay, they -ust %arely made the toilet %efore
9aria $as !iolently ill. 9ichael closed his eyes and rode the $a!e of nausea
threatening him as $ell. Kee&ing his one hand on the %ac# of her nec#, his other
hand stro#ed her %ac#.
869
<*o$ long does this last4 Did your %oo#s say4> 9aria as#ed $ea#ly as she
leaned against him.
<'irst trimester. +%out six more $ee#s.>
<,m going to die first.>
9ichael gathered close and rinsed out a cloth to $i&e her face. <8o, you,re
not. t,ll &ass soon. n -ust a fe$ more $ee#s the $orst of the morning sic#ness $ill
%e o!er, and you,ll %e in fighting trim.>
<9ichael, ,m cold.>
< #no$.> *e held her %ody tight, %ut she $as shi!ering all o!er. <*ere, rinse
out your mouth and ,ll &ut you %ac# to %ed.> 9aria -ust nodded as he &assed her
the rinse cu&. )atching her carefully, he thought a%out tossing her into a %ath of
hot $ater. <*o$ a%out a nice hot %ath, and ,ll ma#e you some hot tea4>
9aria -ust shoo# her head $earily. < don,t thin# can sit u& too long. 1ed.
-ust $ant to slee& a little longer.>
</#ay.> 9ichael &ut the cu& %ac# on the sin# and stood u&. *e reached do$n,
&ic#ed her u& and too# her %ac# to the %edroom. Putting her to %ed and co!ering
her $ith the %lan#ets, he $ent to the chest and &ulled out a hea!y ;uilt. 3o!ering
her u&, 9ichael sat do$n on the %ed %eside her and fro$ned as lines of $orry
dee&ened into a sco$l.
<=our face $ill %rea#.> 9aria #issed him on the chin. <Lighten u&. ,m o#ay.>
<,m staying home $ith you today.> 9ichael &ic#ed u& the &hone to call 9ax.
9aria calmly too# it out of his hand and hung it u&.
<=ou can,t. t,s morning sic#ness. )e #no$ $hat,s $rong. f you $ant to do
something, call Doc2im, ha!e him $rite me a &rescri&tion for the nausea and &ic# it
u& for me.> 9aria $atched the !arious emotions $ar across his face. <9ichael,
86:
you,!e got a case to $or# on. .ean is in the hos&ital and you can,t %e %a%ysitting
me. =ou're needed to ser!e and &rotect.>
<9aria...>
<:o.> 9aria &ulled him do$n to $here she $as lying against the &illo$s. <:o.
,m fine. ,ll %e u& and around %y lunchtime. *oney, you can,t %a%ysit me for se!en
months. 2ust go, &lease4>
9ichael closed his eyes and -ust shoo# his head. </#ay, %ut ,m calling the
clinic first and see $hat Doc2im thin#s. ,ll get you the &rescri&tion and ,ll %e home
for lunch to chec# u& on you.>
9aria smiled at him. </h goody5 Lose the &artner, and may%e $e could ha!e a
real lunch5> 9aria made a face at him ma#ing him laugh. .ex. t had %een so long,
or it sure felt li#e it.
+fter some coaxing, 9ichael $ent to $or#. *e called 9aria,s secretary and
arranged her classes, and then called the doctor,s office. *e and Doc2im tal#ed
;uietly, and finally 2im decided to gi!e 9aria something for her morning sic#ness
and made her an a&&ointment for the follo$ing day.
9ichael $as still uncertain and unha&&y %y the time 9ax &ic#ed him u&. "he
day $as already sha&ing u& to %e a %ad one, and he needed to tal# to +lex. "he
man had %een una!aila%le since they found the last %ody, and after yesterday $ith
the heart it $as &ossi%le that +lex $ould %e %eyond their reach.
<)hat,s $ith you4> 9ax as#ed as 9ichael -ust grunted. <3ome on, s&ill5 t can,t
%e as %ad as my &lace right no$. sa%el $as out late last night and didn,t ma#e it in
until early this morning.> 9ax &aused. <.he $ent to )hitman.> 9ichael loo#ed at
9ax shar&ly, %ut didn't comment. "hey needed to let sa%el $or# on her life as she
sa$ fit. 1ut )hitman seemed too destroyed right no$ to handle sa%el and her
&ro%lems. <+nd then mere hours later +my $o#e her u&. sa%el is all excited a%out
867
+my,s $edding, and +my sho$ed u& on my doorste& at the crac# of da$n. "hey
$ere tal#ing a%out going to the hos&ital to chec# on .ean and #ee& him com&any.>
<"hat should s&eed u& his reco!ery. +ll those DeLucas, +my, and sa%el
holding him ca&ti!e in his sic# %ed. ,!e got ten %uc#s that says he starts %itching
%y this morning, %ecomes a nuisance %y afternoon and has discharge &a&ers
$ritten tonight to send him on his $ay %y tomorro$ morning.>
<3an,t %et $ith you, &al. ha&&en to agree.> 1oth men snic#ered at &ossi%le
.ean reactions to %eing coddled. <.o $hat,s got you all dar# and gloomy4>
<9aria.> 9ichael loo#ed at 9ax and fro$ned. <"he morning sic#ness seems to
%e getting $orse and $orse. Did "ess get sic#4>
9ax -ust shrugged. *o$ $ould he #no$4 Really4 *e hadn,t %een there, %ut
"ess said she felt great. < don,t thin# so. thin# her lac# of sym&toms or
indications $as $hy she too# so long to figure it out.> 9ax s;uirmed a little in his
seat. "al#ing a%out "ess and the %a%y made him uncomforta%le, e!en after tal#ing
to her the &re!ious day. t $asn,t her. t $as him. *e #ne$ he needed to ma#e a
decision. <.o 9aria is staying home sic# today4>
9ichael -ust nodded, lost in his o$n thoughts. :uilt. *e felt guilty. .eeing her
all sic# and cold $as his fault. :etting her &regnant $as his fault. +ctually 9ichael
slightly smiled at that. 8o&e. 3ouldn,t do it. *e couldn,t feel guilty or remorse o!er
ex&ecting a child. *e $anted it.
<.he $ent %ac# to slee&. &romised to come home for lunch to chec# u& on
her.> 9ax loo#ed at his friend. < need to &ic# u& some medicine for the nausea on
the $ay home.>
<)ell, sort of ha!e a lunch date at the "o$ers today, so ho$ a%out you dro&
me off and ta#e the Rat(mo%ile4>
9ichael nodded a%sentmindedly until $hat 9ax said actually hit him. <+ date4>
864
9ax loo#ed at his &artner,s raised eye%ro$ and tilted his head. <2onathan,
o#ay4>
<"his is getting serious, isn,t it4>
< don,t #no$.> 9ax -ust sighed. <Dammit, you,d thin# that if $as going to go
all gay this late in life it $ould %e o!er someone li#e...$ell...li#e you.> 9ichael
turned and concentrated on 9ax. < mean, there,s no one trust, res&ect or lo!e
li#e do you, 9ichael. =ou and sa%el. =ou,re my family.>
< #no$.> 9ichael nodded his head at 9ax. <t,s the same for me. =ou and
sa%el, you,re family. +nd 9aria and the %a%y4 "hey,re e!erything...e!erything to
me. 9y family $ent from me and 9i#ey, to -ust me, to the three of us and no$ it
gets %igger and %etter e!ery day.>
9ax smiled at that. t $as true. 9ichael $as getting e!erything he e!er
$anted. +ll of it. + large family, the lo!e of his life and connections that grounded
him to that real life. 9ax $as honored -ust to %e &art of the connection. 9i#ey
:uerin $ould,!e %een &roud of his son.
<=ou,re luc#y.> 9ichael -ust nodded as he s&otted a dri!e(through.
)hata%urger4 )hen did they start ser!ing %rea#fast4 9ichael gestured to the dri!e(
through and 9ax automatically &iloted the $rec#(mo%ile to the dri!e thru.
< am. +nd if $e could get 9aria,s morning sic#ness under control, ,d feel
e!en %etter.> 9ichael loo#ed at the menu and told 9ax $hat he $anted. gnoring
his &artner,s loo# of horror, he sat %ac#, %arely a%le to contain his excitement.
'ood. Damn, he $as star!ing5 </h, order me an extra coffee5>
<9ichael, ho$ can you eat so much and %e losing $eight4 "hat goes for 9aria,
too. s$ear she is loo#ing small.>
< thin# it,s the morning sic#ness. .he eats a lot, %ut then she loses a lot too.
don,t #no$. )e,!e got a doctor,s a&&ointment tomorro$.> 9ichael loo#ed at 9ax in
865
s&eculation. <"ess has the same doctor. =ou meet 2im yet4> 9ax -ust shoo# his head
no. <)hy not4 t,s your %a%y too.>
9ax started &assing the food to 9ichael as the cashier too# the money. *e
s$ore $hen he noticed the man loo#ing in the %ac# of their car for the other
&eo&le. :lut 1oy $as already digging through his %ags. "hey made him %urgers for
%rea#fast. 9ax calmly as#ed the cashier for more #etchu&.
<.o $hy not, 9ax4> 9ichael as#ed again $hen they dro!e a$ay from the
restaurant.
< don,t #no$. 'irst it $as shoc# and -ust %eing uncertain a%out ho$ much
"ess $anted me in her life. 1ut no$ that she and Kyle are married it,s harder. "hey
seem li#e a unit.> 9ax too# a drin# of coffee as they stalled in traffic. + fuc#ing
traffic -am4 n Ros$ell4 <Kyle ga!e me information a%out "ess,s next a&&ointment
and in!ited me to -oin them. :uess they,re doing another ultrasound.>
<=ou should go.> 9ichael said $ith his mouth full of hash%ro$ns and #etchu&,
as he tried to sho!e a %urger in his mouth $hole. <=ou can,t %uild a connection if
you don,t start some$here.> 9ichael searched for his "a%asco sauce. < #no$ the
circumstances are unsettling, %ut it doesn,t matter. 8one of it matters. "ess,s
marriage to Kyle is %et$een them, %ut the %a%y...the %a%y is yours, and neither
"ess nor Kyle is denying that. =ou are. .o suggest that you sto& $orrying a%out
the future and all these little details, and go get into this &regnancy. "ess is going to
need la%or coaches, and there,s no reason that can,t %e %oth you and Kyle.>
9ax -ust nodded. 9ichael $asn,t telling him anything he hadn,t told himself
o!er and o!er. "here $as a &art of him, a &lace dee& inside, that $as seething in
anger and -ealousy. t $asn,t li#e he $anted "ess as much as he $anted to control
her, her %ody, her life and the %a%y. 9ax couldn,t...didn,t #no$ $here to &ut those
dar#, angry, !iolent thoughts and the &ossessi!eness. t $as li#e he $as a stranger
816
in his o$n s#in. "he 2onathan situation $as -ust another indication of his conflicted
emotions.
"he moment 9ax had loo#ed at 2onathan something s&ar#ed in his %ody. t
$as a sense of %elonging, li#e 2onathan %elonged to him. 6!er since that first night
$hen he first #issed 2onathan, it $as li#e he mar#ed the man and he $as his...-ust
li#e "ess. t made no sense. +ll 9ax #ne$ $as that it $as $rea#ing ha!oc on his
emotions. *e needed to $or# it out in his mind %efore it $as too late.
???
<+lex4> 'reddie stood in the door$ay and loo#ed at his friend. +lex $as
ignoring him. *e $as %ac# to %eating on a $all $ith a %ase%all %at. "he im&act of
e!ery hit, e!ery sound, made 'reddie $inced. Keeley came u& %ehind him, and
'reddie -ust shoo# his head no.
<+lex, the %oys are here.> +lex sto&&ed and ru%%ed an arm u& o!er his
forehead and $i&ed the s$eat a$ay. 8odding, he dro&&ed the %at.
+lex $al#ed out of the room as %oth 'reddie and Keeley mo!ed to the side to
let him &ass. "hey entered the %ac# %rea#room. "here $ere a%out fifteen men
$aiting, all of different ages and ethnic grou&s. +lex stood loo#ing at them.
< $ant all of you to hit the streets today. 6!ery &arty, e!ery ra!e, e!ery
underground needs to %e hit, e!en &ri!ates. :et the $ord out to the %ottom(feeders
that $ant a meet. "he time is .aturday, at my &lace in the hills, se!en(thirty.> "he
entire grou& $as startled. +lex $as o&ening u& his real home for the meeting. <"he
o$ners of the &laces only. f they need a taxi ser!ice, tell them ,ll meet the cost.>
<+lex4> 'reddie loo#ed at the others, and then at +lex. <"hat,s a huge order.
*o$ under$orld do you $ant to go4>
811
<6!ery &lace. "he %o$els itself. ,ll e!en ta#e the screechers. 8eo(8a0i &un#s,
gang(%angers and snuffers on crac#. 2ust get their %osses to my &lace. "ell them ,ll
com&ensate.>
2eremy, $ho $as sitting ;uietly in the corner still holding his drumstic#s,
loo#ed at +lex. "he man had no light shining from him. *e $as a stranger to them.
+lex had al$ays had an edge, an isolated &art that ruled him, %ut his eternal light
too# off the edge. 1ut this man...this man $as something else.
<)hat if they $on,t come4>
+lex sto&&ed loo#ing at the ground. *e had %een smo#ing loo#ing at his
hands. "he #nuc#les $ere %loody and %ruised. Part of him loo#ed at the situation
distractedly, and another &art of him $as curious of ho$ he had come that far so
fast.
<"hey,ll come or ,ll %urn them out and close them do$n. 9y &lace .aturday, is
the message. =ou,re my messengers. :et them there.>
+lex $al#ed a$ay, lea!ing the room of silent men. +lex had more &o$er on
the streets than anyone and he didn,t ma#e idle threats. f +lex $anted a large
meet then they $ould come. 6!en those not in!ited or found. "he $ord $ould hit
the corners of the Ros$ell uni!erse and they $ould come.
<+lex5> 'reddie follo$ed him out of the room. +lex -ust sto&&ed and lit another
cigarette. <)hat,s going do$n in you4 =ou,re not...>
+lex gra%%ed the man, his oldest friend of a lifetime. Pushing him hard, +lex
slammed him into the $all and mo!ed close to him. Loo#ing his friend in the eyes,
un$a!ering, 'reddie felt the fear lic#ing u& his s&ine as it s$irled in his guts. "he
%rea#ing of s$eat on his li& left him dry and he needed to s$allo$. +lex $atched
him dar#ly as he lic#ed his li&s.
812
+lex calmly too# his cigarette and %urned a hole in his forearm in front of
'reddie,s face. 'reddie -ust s$allo$ed his %ile as he $atched the s#in %urn and &eel,
and the smell of singed hair and s#in reached him.
<2esus, +lex5>
<8o more. 8o. 9ore.> +lex loo#ed at his friend and rested his forehead against
his. < $ant this o!er %efore lose $hat is left of me.>
<+lex, call sa%el.> +lex &aused at his friend saying sa%el,s name.
<8o. can only use her right no$, and she,s come too far for that. "his is my
$orld that,s %een in!aded. $ant her out of it until it,s safe again.> +lex too#
another dra$ off his smo#e. <t,s time to ta#e %ac# the night and clean the streets.
3all them.> +lex $al#ed a$ay.
'reddie $atched +lex,s %ac# as he $ent %ac# into the room $here he had
found him originally. *e leaned %ac# against the $all and closed his eyes as the
sound of the %at hitting the $all rang through the clu%. =ou can %urn in *ell, %ut no
one ne!er mentioned that hell $asn,t hot. t $as the %urn from the cold that left
the $orst $ounds.
???
9ichael let himself into the loft -ust %efore noon. "he first thing that hit him
$as the heat. Rushing into the loft, he slammed the door %ehind him.
<9aria5 )hat the fuc#4>
<*i, Detecti!e.> 9ichael turned to loo# at 9aria. .he $as dressed in a &air of
fleece &ants and one of his PD s$eatshirts. *er feet $ere in soc#s and her fluffy
co$ mules. "he loft had to %e a%out ninety degrees.
<)ant to tell me $hat,s going on4>
817
<,m eating.>
9ichael loo#ed at the food littering the dining room ta%le. "hat $as an
understatement. "he large ta%le $as co!ered in so much food he couldn,t %e certain
$here it all came from.
< see that. )hat,s $ith the heat4>
< can,t get $arm so turned it u&.> 9aria stood u& from the ta%le as her tea
#ettle $histled. 9ichael $atched in horror as she made a large cu& of hot chocolate,
and then do$ned it $ithout $aiting for the %oiling $ater to cool.
<Dammit, 9aria5 )hat the hell4 =ou,ll %urn yourself.> 9ichael ;uic#ly retrie!ed
the cu& of %urning hot li;uid from her and &ut it do$n. *olding her against his %ody
he felt the tremors rushing through her. <=ou,re trem%ling.>
9aria nodded and leaned into his %ody as his arms came around her to hold
her close. < #no$. ,m free0ing.> 9aria loo#ed u& at him and moaned. *oo#ing her
arm around his nec#, she stood u& higher to ta#e his mouth in a #iss. 9ichael -ust
groaned and returned it. .he $as s$imming in his head, s&ar#ing his %ody to life.
6!erything a%out her...e!erything...it $as too much and not enough at the same
time. < need you. need your $armth.>
<9aria...>
:roaning, 9ichael scooted do$n and lifted 9aria u& to sit on the #itchen
counterto&, &inning her %eneath him, his li&s already searching for her. + $arm
mouth o&ened $illingly for him, a soft tongue greeted him. *e could taste the
!arious foods she had eaten, all the fla!ors rushing into him. "he tastes rolled into
each other until 9ichael couldn't tell $here one sto&&ed and the next started. *e
rested his $eight against her as he cro$ded %et$een her legs, and tangled his
fingers dee& into the incredi%le sensuousness of 9aria's hair, the sil#y strands
818
tic#ling at his fingerti&s. )ith her head cu&&ed firmly in his hands, 9ichael dre$
a$ay from the #iss and %egan a gentle $orshi& of 9aria's face.
*e heard the lo$ gas& as he started s&rin#ling random #isses across 9aria's
faceF first on her nose, mo!ing to an eyelid, tracing do$n a chee#%one. *e tasted
$ith his li&s and tongue, creating a mental ma&, follo$ing it to find the next s&ot of
s$eetness. + tongue %rushed softly across eyelashes and elicited a soft moan, as
did the li&s that nu00led at her mouth, %iting her li& gently.
")ant you..." she %reathed into his ear, the $arm, moist %reath tic#ling his
s#in.
" $ant you too, 9aria...to #no$ that you're mine $hen you come...$hen
thrust in to you...$hen you call my name. $ant you, %ody and soul..." 9ichael felt
her hand un%uttoning his shirt actually hissing %et$een his teeth as the sensation
of her hands on his heated flesh hit him. *e couldn,t understand it. *is s#in $as so
sensiti!e to her touch, so ready for it all the time.
"'m already yours, 9ichael," 9aria $his&ered %reathlessly.
t $as a magical s&ell they $ere $ea!ing around themsel!es, com%ining heat
and friction, and cou&ling it $ith the emotions that $ere laid out in the o&en, if yet
unnamed. Gulnera%le from his need and thirst of her, and lulled %y the ;uiet dee&
moans coming from her throat, 9ichael felt an ache %uilding inside him that had
nothing to do $ith the &hysical needs of his %ody. *e %uried his face in 9aria's
nec#, suc#ing hard and %iting do$n, see#ing to mar# her in some $ay, to sho$
o$nershi& and thus %ind them together. 9aria's arms encircled him, &ulling them
tightly together, nearly so%%ing from the mixture of &leasure and &ain that
9ichael's mouth and teeth $ere creating. 9ichael dre$ %ac# short of %rea#ing the
s#in des&ite 9aria,s &leas for him to do it.
819
9aria moaned her need, and he felt her mouth finding the s#in of his nec# as
her mouth increased its suction and her tongue mo!ed along his s#in. *er teeth
scra&ed dee& groo!es in his s#in, %ut she refrained from %iting. .he had &romised
him no more %lood. 9aria could feel the heat emanating from the mar# she'd left
on 9ichael's nec# ri!aling his mar# left on her. "he %lood had risen to the surface of
the s#in, causing a %right, stinging %lush there. .he lic#ed it gently, hearing
9ichael's ;uiet moan.
"9ine," she stated, %efore del!ing %ac# into 9ichael's mouth, her ears &ic#ing
u& the ;uiet hiss of agreement %efore the rest of the res&onse $as muffled %y the
#iss.
9ichael shifted so he could stri& her of her &ants and foot$ear. *e $as
&artially holding her %ody as he &ulled her closer to the counter,s edge and her legs
circled his $aist. *is hands %egan a gentle ex&loration of the rest of the su&&le
%ody &lastered him, stro#ing gently do$n the throat and nec#, mo!ing on to
shoulders and arms. *e mo!ed his hand u& the s$eatshirt to co!er a ni&&le $ith
one hand, felt the heat rising as it contracted %eneath his touch, forming into a
tight little %ud. 9aria groaned at the touch. "he smell, taste and feel of her $ere
o!er$helming him again, and all he #ne$ $as the need to %ury himself dee& in her
and feed her his %ody.
"=eah..." she &anted, "li#e that..., god, &lease..." 9ichael lifted the s$eatshirt
off her %ody, and one of his hands mo!ed do$n %et$een her legs and stro#ed
inside.
9ichael co!ered 9aria's %reast $ith his mouth suc#ing fiercely, inflamed to a
higher need at her cries. 9aria arched u&$ard again groaning, her fingers %rushing
through 9ichael's hair as she searched for something to gra% onto. 9ichael released
her, running his tongue ra&idly across the s$ollen %ud, then #issing a &ath across to
81:
the other ni&&le lo!ing the gentle ras& of his tongue ta#ing in the soft sil#y s#in
%et$een her %reasts. "he ni&&le $as already stiff from excitement, the soft tissue
engorged. 9ichael ran his tongue across it gently, #no$ing 9aria $as much more
sensiti!e there. *e felt her legs ;ui!er from $here they $ra&&ed him as he suc#led
tenderly, tongue circling the ni&&le.
"9ichael5 ...god, &lease..." 9aria arched into him as she found the fastening to
his &ants, releasing him from their confines.
"/ne taste, 9aria..." 9ichael,s head $as off some$here else as the smell of
her too# him there. *e $asn,t e!en a$are that he had sli&&ed inside her exce&t
from the feel of his %ody %eing $elcomed home into her and her reaction.
"/h, god..."
9ichael shifted to mo!e %et$een 9aria's legs and gro$led as she s&read them
$ide for him. 9aria o&ened herself u& for 9ichael as her head $ent %ac# lea!ing
him lots of ex&osed flesh and throat. 9aria groaned lo$ and he felt the !i%ration
s&read through him. *e gently co!ered her hands that $ere %ruising into his flesh,
felt her fingers gri& him. *er tender nec# $as ex&osed to him and he lo$ered his
head to caress it $ith his tongue.
"9ichael...so $arm. =ou,re so $arm5 need you." 9aria so%%ed against him as
he gently mo!ed his tongue along her throat.
".hhh," he stro#ed the arching %ac# $ith one hand, his other framed her face
and offered u& her mouth to another #iss.
"Please, 9ichael... $ant you..."
" $ant you too, lo!e. $ant you so much all the time, it,s #illing me."
*e felt her trem%le again, and tried to $ra& his entire %ody around her as he
stro#ed into her. *is thum% smoothed o!er the s$ollen redness of her li& and
9ichael shifted his ga0e to see 9aria &ut the digit into her mouth and suc# on it. *is
817
%ody surged at the sight, thro%%ing at the feel of %eing %uried in the heat of her
%ody.
")ant you," 9ichael $his&ered as he leaned o!er her, &ulling her close. "8eed
you...you're mine, you and the %a%y. 9ine."
9aria o&ened dilated eyes to stare into his. "=ours," she said in a harsh
$his&er.
"9aria... /h, god, 9aria..." he %uried his face into her shoulder, %iting do$n on
the s#in there. *e felt the ;ui!er run through her, %it again, more gently this time.
+ little ni& $ith his teeth. ".ay it," he commanded hoarsely. ""ell me..."
"9ichael... lo!e you...oh...god...you're mine..."
" lo!e you," he moaned as he slid again into the $elcoming $armth, his
thrusts &ic#ing u& s&eed and intensity. 9aria groaned and arched to$ard him,
tightening her legs around him a little further.
"hey leaned into each other, &anting, for long minutes after$ard $hile 9ichael
ru%%ed his head into her %ody. 9aria shifted against him and 9ichael mo!ed,
grimacing slightly. Pic#ing her u&, he re&ositioned them at the dining room ta%le in
a chair $ith 9aria in his la& straddling him. .he mo!ed to reach %ehind her onto
the ta%le, and 9ichael laughed as she gra%%ed food and started munching a$ay.
"=ou o#ay, Professor4"
".ore, cold, and hungry," 9aria muttered, eating her food and reaching for
more.
":od, $e should ha!e $aited. +re you all right4" 9ichael grimaced
remem%ering ho$ sic# she had %een earlier that morning.
"8o $orries. 8ot e!en a hint of nausea no$. must %e fine. 1esides, $e
needed to do that."
814
9ichael stared at her. "+re you cra0y4 )e'!e hardly done anything else o!er
the last three to four $ee#s. ,m con!inced ,m deranged. should ha!e more
control, %ut lately..." "he 9ichael loo#ed at her thoughtfully. " thin# $e'll lay off for
a little $hile. =ou,re loo#ing tired and small. can,t imagine feeding you more than
you already eat. .ex is su&&osed to %urn incredi%le amounts of energy. 9ay%e 'til
tomorro$4"
9aria grinned. "'m feeling &retty sated right no$... thin# tomorro$ $ill %e
fine." 9aria suc#ed the sauce off her fingers and loo#ed at him $ith increasing
interest. Leaning in, she #issed him again sin#ing her fingers in his hair. <1ut,
reser!e the right to change my mind seeing ho$ utterly delicious you loo#.>
<Delicious4> 9ichael as#ed $ith his eye%ro$ raising in in;uiry.
</h hell yeah5 could suc# you do$n, Detecti!e, and still ha!e room for
dessert...something '9ichael' and co!ered in chocolate s&rin#les.> 9aria lic#ed his
%ottom li&, and then suc#ed it into her mouth ni&&ing it. *er !oice %ecame lo$ and
hus#y. <=ou #no$ ho$ lo!e chocolate s&rin#les.>
9ichael -ust snorted, as her mouth found the side of his nec#. <=ou $orshi& at
the *ouse of .&rin#les, es&ecially chocolate ones.>
< do. so do.> 9aria mo!ed u& hard against him in his la& #issing him hard
and long. <)ould you li#e me to Isuc#, you do$n, Detecti!e4> 9ichael couldn,t
ignore the t$in#le in her eyes, as the mischie!ous laughter threatened to esca&e
her.
9ichael -ust chuc#led. *e didn,t understand or e!en com&rehend $here she
could ta#e him $hen they first met. .he told him that she s$allo$ed, $hich at the
time $as something he really a&&reciated. 1ut it too# li!ing $ith her for o!er a year
for him to really understand $hat she really meant %y that. 9aria $asn,t some
giddy schoolgirl $ith thoughts of ho$ Ierotic, oral sex $as, and $ho thought a head
815
%o%%ing u& and do$n in a man,s la& $as Ihot,. .he had a dee&er a&&reciation to the
finer &oints of sensiti!e s&ots, $hat triggered him, and that a dee& suc# along the
%ac# of the throat hit that s&ot on his coc# that really too# him &laces. t $as ne!er
a rush of mo!ing u& and do$n the length, as much as concentration on the real
rush and &urchase, his most sensiti!e s&ot -ust under the head. )hen 9aria said
she s$allo$ed, she really meant it.
<9aria...> she -ust laughed. 9ichael found himself com&letely immersed in her
once again. </h god...>
???
9ax loo#ed around the room at all the diners and felt horri%ly underdressed.
2onathan $as late, so $hen 9ax arri!ed he $as seated at 2onathan,s reser!ed
ta%le. .;uirming a little in his seat, he couldn,t hel& it. "he ta%le $as front and
center in the middle of the restaurant, and not a ;uiet, out(of( the($ay ty&e of
ta%le that 9ax $ould ha!e re;uested. *e felt on dis&lay.
<9ax4 .orry, ,m late.> 1efore 9ax could s&ea# 2onathan reached do$n and
left a ;uic# soft #iss on his li&s and then sat do$n ta#ing his na&#in. 9ax, $ho had
at one time had a res&onse, a !oice...-ust sat there dum%founded.
<7m..., um..., that is...> 2onathan ignored him as a $aiter too# his order and
$his&ered something in his ear. 9ax sat there.
<"han# you, Dom. "hat $ould %e fine.> 2onathan continued to ignore 9ax as
he ordered for the t$o of them.
9ax $as astounded. nside him $as raging a %urning &ossessi!eness, a &art of
him foreign to e!en himself. *e sa$ things as %elonging to him, his &ro&erty. +s of
!ery recently, that also included 2onathan. 1ut here $as his I&ro&erty, exerting an
826
inde&endence, ta#ing the careful control that 9ax needed to hold his life together.
9ay%e it $as the fact that 2onathan,s &o$er, influence and extreme confidence
ro%%ed 9ax of his control, that $as the attractor. 9ax didn,t #no$, as a dee&
seething anger and resentment mo!ed inside him.
2onathan finally loo#ed at 9ax and smiled to himself. <.o 9ax, ho&e you
don,t mind me ordering for the t$o of us. thin# already mentioned that it,s a
ha%it of mine and most &eo&le indulge me.>
9ax,s eyes narro$ed. <,m sure they do.>
2onathan,s head tilted at 9ax,s tone and he let interest s&ar# in his eyes. <=ou
don,t sound so &leased.>
9ax -ust shrugged and &ic#ed u& his glass of $ater.
2onathan sighed. +nd shoo# his head.
<)hat4> 9ax as#ed.
<=ou.> 2onathan $aited as his drin# $as sat do$n at the ta%le and the $aiter
left again.
<)hat a%out me4>
<"ruthfully4 =ou $ant to #no$4> 2onathan made it sound li#e 9ax $as
inca&a%le of hearing the truth.
<=eah. thin# do.>
<'ine.> 2onathan too# a si& of his drin#. <'irst, since $e met, or at least since
$e started this...$hate!er, you,!e %een indecisi!e and off(%alance. don,t li#e a
$ishy($ashy $oman, and sure as hell am not interested in an ultra su%missi!e
fag.>
9ax -ust loo#ed at him, his anger rising. *e $as too angry to say anything.
<=ou,re li#e this &asty cutout, a card%oard caricature of the man thin# see.
f it $asn,t for your -o%, dou%t you,d e!en ha!e a %ac#%one. ,!e %een &ushing
821
your %uttons for the last $ee#, lea!ing you off(%alance. "he most decisi!eness ,!e
seen in you $as that first night at the clu% $hen you #issed me. 6!er since then
,!e %een the dominant male in this...> 2onathan &aused for em&hasi0e,
<rela%ionshi&.>
< should %eat the cra& out of you.> 9ax said in a lo$ !oice.
<"hat $ould %e a damn fine start5> 2onathan tossed his na&#in on the ta%le.
<,m not as#ing you to %e the I$oman, in this relationshi&. ,m offering you an e;ual
&osition. 8either dominant nor su%missi!e, -ust &artners.> 2onathan held u& his
hand $hen 9ax $ould ha!e tal#ed. <Don,t. Don,t %ecause you,ll mess it u&. 2ust
listen.>
"he ser!ers sho$ed u& $ith the food, and %oth men $ere silent as their food
$as &laced in front of them. 9ax &ic#ed u& his for# and loo#ed at the entrEe,
uncertain $hat it $as. "a#ing a taste, he $as shoc#ed at the ex&losion of fla!or in
his mouth. t had a lemony taste $ith a touch of fire, and something else.
<.affron and lemongrass. t,s a uni;ue %lend, %ut one the chef here has
&erfected in his .outh$estern cuisine.>
< li#e it.> 2onathan -ust nodded.
<+s# me, 9ax.> 9ax loo#ed at the man. <+s# me $hat see in you, $hat is
attracting me4>
</#ay, $hat is it4>
2onathan -ust smiled. <"he earlier comment a%out not $anting you to %e the
I$oman, might %e considered sexist. t is in some regards, %ut in truth certain
stereoty&es do exist. )omen, literally from cradle to gra!e are taught in this society
to %e the su%missi!e mem%ers of any relationshi&. 8ot only are they smaller, finer(
%oned, delicate, and soft(s#inned, %ut they are %red $ith a gentleness that men
aren,t allo$ed. + man that is too gentle is a Imamma,s %oy,. +nd a man $ho falls
822
hard for a $oman is considered I$hi&&ed, or emasculated, almost li#e %eing a
%rooding, hard, sarcastic loner is $hat ma#es a man.>
< hardly thin# all $omen are su%missi!e.> 9ax actually #ne$ a fe$ in his life
that $eren,t. 9aria, sa%el, and "ess.
<"hey aren,t. "hose $ho stand u& for themsel!es, $ho try to create a real
sense of self that doesn,t in!ol!e or re!ol!e around a man, they earn a s&ecial
name or regard %y other $omen. )omen are harsh, assuming and &erha&s more
critical than men can %e. )e loo# at $omen and -udge them solely on a&&earances
at the first &ass, %ut not $omen. "hey -udge on a&&earance, and if the other
&erson is self(assured, confident, or in any $ay asserti!e, they are -udge harshly to
the &oint that it $ouldn,t matter if that $oman $as the .econd 3oming. )omen
hold stereoty&es. *ell, they create them. *o$ stereoty&ical is it for a $oman to side
$ith &oor confused %ela%ored men against a $oman $hose only crime is to search
for herself4 .omeho$ they &er&etuate the !ery idea that a $oman,s &lace is at her
man,s side, and she should %e grateful for any scra&s, snorts, grunts or come(ons
he tosses to her.> 2onathan sat %ac# in his seat and smiled. <.ome of the %iggest
sexists in the $orld are $omen.>
<+nd this a&&lies to my situation...ho$4>
<=ou,re &er&etuating a myth as $ell. =ou,re %eing &ulled in %y this idea that a
man has to %e sensiti!e, %ut not too sensiti!e or else. + man needs to %e %roody
and coarse to offset the softer side. 1ut in this case, this stereoty&e is ta#en to a
same sex relationshi&. 1ecause am larger, taller, more asserti!e or influential, you
are %o$ing do$n to me, ta#ing the role of I$oman in distress., don,t li#e it5
+ctually, don,t $ant it.>
<)hat do you $ant4> 9ax as#ed ;uietly.
827
<=ou.> 9ax $ent silent. < $ant the real you. "he &erson inside that is only
allo$ed out at times, mostly on the -o%.>
9ax loo#ed do$n at his &late. < don,t #no$ that man. *e scares me. *e ta#es
from me.>
<)hat does he ta#e, 9ax4>
9ax -ust sighed. )hy the fuc# couldn,t he -ust eat a damn meal $ith this man
$ithout it %eing a $al# in Psychoanalysis C0C4
<*e ta#es my humanity.>
2onathan sto&&ed and loo#ed at the man, 9ax 6!ans. *e $as an enigma, a
contradiction and a carefully %uilt construct. 9ax had s&ent years %uilding an outer
image, one that he controlled, and one that he #ne$. 9eeting 2onathan and
learning he $as to %e a father $as %lo$ing that outer control and calm. :ood.
<:uerin is the dominant &artner in your -o%. )hy4>
9ax fro$ned at the sudden change in su%-ect. <)hy4 1ecause he,s s&ecial.
*e,s the senior &artner. .ome men are %orn to lead and some men to follo$.
9ichael has a talent unreali0ed %y others. *e,s a $al#ing crime la%, a li%rary of
insight, ex&erience and information. +nd as far as can tell, he $as %orn that $ay.
*e,s dri!en, almost addicted to $hat he sees as his duty and &ur&ose in life.>
<+nd that &ur&ose is4>
<"o ser!e and &rotect.>
<)ho does he ser!e, 9ax4> 9ax thought that $as o%!ious. 9ichael ser!ed the
!ulnera%le, the hel&less and the !ictims.
<*e ser!es those $ho can,t &rotect themsel!es.>
<=es, he does. 1ut you,re not telling me the truth. )ho does the commander
ser!e4 )ho sends him out4>
9ax -ust shoo# his head. *e $as clueless. < don,t #no$.>
828
2onathan sighed. < #no$. "hat,s $hy you,re floundering. )hy you stand
indecisi!e and $a!ering. Loo# at your relationshi&s. *o$ many $omen ha!e you
dated or fuc#ed4 *alf of Ros$ell4 9ore than half4 s it any $onder you,re turning to
men no$4>
< don,t understand.>
<8o, no you don,t, and fear you $on,t for a long time. 1ut let me hel& you a
little. =ou, 9ax. 9ichael ser!es you.> 9ax sto&&ed eating again and sat %ac#. <)ho
dri!es the car4>
<)ell, do, %ut that's only %ecause 9ichael is a menace to Ros$ell, and $ith
him dri!ing any car usually only has a short life ex&ectancy and untold &ro&erty
damage.> 9ax smir#ed. <"he Palisades are still re%uilding from a run(in $ith
9ichael.>
2onathan -ust sighed and shoo# his head. *e #ne$ it $as :uerin. "he man,s
feet $ere too fuc#ing %ig. *e $as li#e a %ull in a china sho& #noc#ing o!er
e!erything in sight and actually en-oying himself.
<7h huh. +nd $ho tells 9ichael, ILets go %rea# that sus&ect and ma#e him
cry,4>
9ax actually felt heat running u& his nec#. *e had ne!er loo#ed at things that
$ay. 9ichael sometimes decided ho$ their day $ent since he $as the senior
&artner, %ut in truth, 9ax $as the ultimate &lanner. )hen they had gone to the
7ni!ersity that day and 9aria $asn,t tal#ing to 9ichael, it $as 9ax $ho sto&&ed
him from going to find her and harass her. 9ax sat %ac# and thought of all the
times that he made the decisions, the %ig ones. Ros$ell had %een his decision. "he
one he made for %oth 9ichael and sa%el. Pulling 9ichael off the streets, and
changing his life. "hat $as him again.
<=ou,re saying ,m a leader4>
829
<,m saying that %oth you and :uerin are, in your o$n $ay. =our &ro%lem is
trying to emulate 9ichael, to %e the detecti!e he is. 1ut you can,t. t,s not you, not
in your nature...your destiny. =our strength is sending 9ichael forth. "a#ing his
information and $hat he #no$s, and ma#ing it into a larger decision.>
< could ma#e a %ad choice.>
<=ou could...%ut honestly, 9ax, ha!e any of your choices %een good ones
lately4 ,d hate to &ut myself in that category of mista#es, %ut really no one can
decide that %ut you.> 2onathan finished his meal and &ushed his &late aside. <.to&
trying to organi0e your life into $hat you thin# it should %e, and start letting the
man you $ere %orn to %e come out.>
2onathan sat %ac# and concentrated intensely on 9ax. <Loo# at :uerin. *e
has little to no confusion in his life. *e #no$s...#no$s in a $ay so in%red and
instinctual $hat his destined life is to %e, and its all he #no$s. *e #no$s he,s a
soldier, and he #no$s he could send men to their deaths, %ut he also #no$s that he
$ouldn,t order another to do $hat he $ouldn,t do himself. *is hell is that he
remem%ers all of them, all the lost souls. 6!ery name, e!ery moment, and it %leeds
him. *is name means I)ho is li#e :od,, and his namesa#e $as the +rchangel
9ichael $ho $as the closest to :od in *ea!en. Do you thin# :od has e!er forgotten
a single soul4 9ichael is his conscience.>
<.o, you,re telling me...>
<"o sto&. .to& ordering my life, your life, and our relationshi&. .to& assuming
you,re the girly man, and ,m the %utch. $ant an e;ual. + strong decisi!e &artner
or e!en a friend. $ant the man inside you that has all the ans$ers, the man $ith
the &lan.>
<=ou don,t $ant to see me anymore4> 9ax fro$ned. "hat %othered him.
2onathan $as li#e 9aria. *e either #ne$ things, or sa$ things in a $ay that $as
82:
clear. 9ax needed that. *e needed a &ath, a $ay out of his dar#ness, and holding
onto 2onathan seemed li#e a &lace to start.
<.to& %eing a sla!e to $hat feels good, and really learn $hat is good. f you
$al# the right &ath in life, it may %e a hard one, %ut there is a comfort in the
#no$ing. 'ind your &ath, 9ax. ,m not sure it includes me, %ut ho&e it does in
some form. +ctually, ,m &ositi!e that you and ha!e a -oint destiny that might
someday need ex&loring, %ut until then ,m more than ha&&y to sit %ac# $hile you
$or# your $ay home. ,m an ex&ert at #ee&ing time.>
2onathan loo#ed at his $atch and motioned for the %ill. <=ou $ant me4 "hen
you need to learn to %e more asserti!e. $ant someone $ho $ants me e;ually, not
$ith me %ecause they can,t resist an urge or is too off(%alanced to ma#e a
decision.> 2onathan sto&&ed and signed the recei&t. *e $atched the ser!er $al#
a$ay and loo#ed at 9ax. <,m not $anting to fuc# you, Detecti!e.> 2onathan stood
u& to lea!e. <1ut might %e more than $illing to let you fuc# me.> 2onathan
reached do$n and stro#ed 9ax,s mouth %efore $al#ing off.
9ax, $ith sur&rising force, reached out and gra%%ed 2onathan,s arm in a hard
unyielding gri&. 2onathan,s dar# unfathoma%le eyes s&ar#ed $ith a light that 9ax
couldn,t understand.
<.aturday, at three. Pic# me u& for The 3eddin!. ,m forced to $ear
formal$ear since ,m an usher, so you might $ant to dress a&&ro&riately.>
2onathan smir#ed as 9ax released him. <=es, dear.> +nd $hen 9ax loo#ed u&
the man $as gone. Dammit, $here the hell $as he going $ith this4
???
827
<)as 9aria feeling %etter4> 9ax as#ed 9ichael $hen he &ic#ed him u& from
the "o$ers.
<=eah. .he,s cold a lot lately though. "he loft had to %e at least ninety degrees
if not more, and she,s %een drin#ing hot tea, hot chocolate, or $hate!er she can
find nonsto&. .he literally ate six meals, and %efore left she $as so tired that she
$as going to ta#e another na&. t,s li#e she has all this energy, and then suddenly
it,s gone.>
9ax fro$ned. 9aria $ithout energy or -ust tired sounded $rong. "he $oman
redefined the $ord Ihy&eracti!e,. <*o$ long has this %een going on4>
<2ust this $ee#. .he had some morning sic#ness %efore $e #ne$ $hat it $as,
%ut nothing li#e this. t,s gotten com&letely out of hand.> 9ichael fro$ned. < thin#
she coming do$n $ith the flu or something.>
<Doctor tomorro$4>
9ichael nodded. <"omorro$.>
<.o you $ant to go %eat u& on a sus&ect4> 9ax as#ed casually remem%ering
2onathan,s $ords. *e did direct them.
<)ho'!e $e got4>
<1enny $as &ic#ed u& $ith illegal goods in his trun#, %ut the serials match
items from six large ro%%eries. *e loo#s li#e that fence man, %ut $ith a little
&ressure $e might get 9r. 1ig, find the grou& that,s doing the crimes. t could %e
real &ayola.>
<*mm, you $ant to ha!e some fun4> 9ichael as#ed $ith a smir#.
9ax &erched his mouth and roc#ed on his heels. <)hatcha got in mind4>
9ichael -ust shooed 9ax to silence as he loo#ed around the room until he
s&ied his &rey. <*anson5 :et your %utt o!er here5 )e,!e got an interrogation, and
you,re going to do it.>
824
Kyle $al#ing %y sto&&ed and loo#ed at %oth 9ichael and 9ax in $onder.
<1enny the .nitch is going to %e interrogated %y *anson4> 1oth men -ust shrugged
and nodded. <Dammit, you,!e got to let me in the action. ,!e got a fifty that says
that 1enny has *anson in tears in ten minutes.>
9ichael nodded. <Done. say that %oth sissy %oys are in tears of frustration
after six minutes.>
<*anson,s !oice %rea#s after eight minutes #no$ing 9ichael is on the other
side of the security t$o($ay mirror, and 1enny &isses his &ants $hen *anson tells
him that :uerin said he could tal# to him first, %ut he,ll %e in if he...meaning
*anson can,t get him to fess u&.> 9ax didn,t e!en try to #ee& the laughter out of his
!oice.
)aters and Phili&s $al#ed %y and $anted a &iece of the action. )aters
smir#ed at the goof%all *anson trying to get himself untangled from his des#
dro&&ing cra& e!ery$here. <.hit, &ut me do$n for *anson %rea#ing do$n into tears
in three minutes and then %egging 1enny the Rat for his coo&eration.>
Phili&s dug in his $allet. <Put me do$n for t$o minutes into the inter!ie$ that
*anson and 1enny find a connection, something li#e one of them dated the sister of
the other.>
/n the $ay to the interrogation room, 9ax decided to gi!e 9ichael,s day
another thrill.
<.o as#ed 2onathan to %e my date at +my,s $edding.>
9ichael turned and loo#ed at his &artner. Rolling his eyes, he had to ;uestion
9ax,s good taste. Dammit, 2onathan( $ant to steal your girlfriend and &artner(
.tiller. )hat $as the man thin#ing4
<:reat, -ust great. .tiller4 3ouldn,t ya &ic# someone less...$ell -ust less fa#e4>
9ichael sla&&ed 9ax on the %ac#. <.ean4 *o$ a%out .ean4 li#e him.>
825
<2onathan isn,t fa#e5> 9ax said indignantly. 9ichael -ust snorted. <.to& letting
your out(of(control -ealousy eat a$ay at you. .o $hat if 2onathan is more in 9aria,s
social grou& than you are... thin# it,s you she's chosen.>
9ichael -ust smir#ed at that. =eah, &ansy(ass, girlfriend(dominating .tiller
%etter turn gay if he #ne$ $hat $as good for him. 1ut dammit, did he ha!e to
target his confused &artner4 *e snorted. <2ealousy4 "his isn,t -ealousy5 "he man
has o%!ious '9ichael :uerin en!y'. 'irst my girlfriend and no$ my &artner. s there
nothing in my life that man doesn,t $ant4> 9ichael congratulated himself on %eing
an o%-ect of en!y.
<=ou,re such a delusional &ric# at times.> 9ax shoo# his head and sighed.
<=eah so4 "he &ric# &art may%e, %ut dammit $ho,s delusional4>
<=ou are, ya %ad(haired raging %uffoon.>
Did you call me a %a%oon4 +nd dammit, there,s nothing $rong $ith my hair5>
"he men #e&t $al#ing to$ard interrogation dee& in con!ersation. <3oc#(suc#er.>
<"echnically, not yet.> 9ax sto&&ed at the door to the o%ser!ation room. <Don,t
#no$ anything a%out it. Do you thin# should read a %oo# or as# someone4>
<)ell, you could...> 9ichael sto&&ed himself. )hat the hell $as he saying4
9aria's ama0ing mouth and talent came to mind, and he $as on the !erge of
instructing 9ax to consult her for %lo$-o% lessons. Proof, su%stantial &roof, that he
$as losing his fric#in, mind. <Read a damn %oo#5>
9ax laughed at 9ichael,s ex&ression as $arring emotions ran ra&idly across
his face. =eah, read a %oo#. .uddenly 9ax,s ex&ression %ecame serious. <=ou o#ay
$ith this turn in my life4>
<9en4 =ou $ant to date men4> 9ichael -ust shoo# his head. <)ell at least
you,re sho$ing some sense and not dating *anson.>
876
<"han#s, 9ichael.> 9ax said ;uietly. 9ichael,s res&ect and su&&ort of him
meant e!erything.
<8o &ro%lem, 9ax$ell. -ust $ant to see you ha&&y.> 9ichael o&ened the door
to nterrogation. <Does this mean ,m going to ha!e to #ee& an extra close eye on
you to ma#e sure you don,t get gay%ashed in the 9en,s4>
<Police society isn,t really #no$n for its tolerance.>
9ichael -ust nodded. =eah, he $as going to ha!e to #ee& a closer eye on his
&artner. 9ichael $atched *anson enter the room and start tal#ing to 1enny, the
flying mon#ey %oy. Dammit, he $as so fuc#ing gay5 9ichael started counting it out
in his mind. C. .eanH definitely %isexual $ith little to no hang(u&s. 2. KyleH once in
an illicit $ild threesome $ith 2ac# and "ess, %ut no$ eating )heaties, the %rea#fast
of heterosexual cham&ions, to #ee& u& his strength. B. 9axH contem&lating a life on
his hands and #nees. 6!en chic#en(shit .tiller $as $or#ing his $ay into 9ax,s life.
Damn, 9ichael stood in shoc#. *e $as the only last li!ing heterosexual man in
Ros$ell5 *e $as a dying %reed5
<Dammit, may%e you might need to #ee& an eye out for me4 ,m starting to
sus&ect that and my straight lifestyle &ut me in the minority here. ,m starting to
see fags e!ery$here5>
<+$$, don,t $orry &artner, ,!e got your %ac#.> 9ax said laughing.
+fter the interrogation, $hich re;uired %oth the s&ecial :uerin touch and the
leading of a frustrated *anson off to$ards coffee, 9ichael and 9ax headed out to
chec# u& on a lead. 9ax loo#ed o!er suddenly at 9ichael as he stum%led. "hey
$ere ma#ing their $ay out to the PD garage $hen suddenly 9ichael,s $hole %ody
seems to sin# into itself.
<9ichael4> 9ax caught his &artner, holding him u&right. <)hat is it4 )hat,s
$rong4>
871
9ax fro$ned at 9ichael's &aling s#in, the %lanched dra$n loo# and the
coldness of the s#in. < don,t #no$4 ,m hungry, so hungry, %ut also so tired...too
tired. t,s cold. feel cold.> 9ichael slum&ed e!en more against 9ax, and 9ax s$ore
as he too# the %runt of 9ichael,s $eight.
<9ichael, come on %uddy, $a#e u&...tal# to me.>
9ichael o&ened his eyes and loo#ed at 9ax as a da$ning horror hit him. t
$asn,t him. <t,s 9aria. .he's cold. 9ax, she,s dying5>
9ax s$ore and didn,t e!en ;uestion ho$ 9ichael could #no$. Dragging his
&artner to the car, he &oured 9ichael in and ran for the dri!er,s side. *itting his
lights and siren, he s&ed across to$n, a!oiding collision.
Reaching o!er, 9ax sla&&ed 9ichael a fe$ times to %ring him %ac#. <Dammit,
9ichael, $a#e u&5 3all her5 3all 9aria. =ou said she felt sic# this morning so she
stayed home. 8o$ call her5> 9ax s$er!ed to miss a car that hadn,t cleared the
intersection des&ite his emergency lights.
9ichael nodded and dialed the loft. t rang and rang, %ut there $as no ans$er.
9ichael tossed the &hone on the seat next to him as they turned into the loft area,
%arely $aiting for the car to come to a sto&. 1oth he and 9ax $ere out of the car
and running. Rushing into the loft, 9ichael called her name, then screamed it as he
too# the ste&s three at a time.
.he $as in %ed, co!ered in %lan#ets and her %ody $as shi!ering. 'ro0en for
$hat felt li#e a moment in time, 9ichael couldn,t mo!e. t too# 9ax,s hea!y
%reathing and running into his %ac# to -olt him %ac# to action. 'eeling her s#in,
9ichael s$ore. .he $as cold((too cold.
<+m%ulance. ,ll call the am%ulance.>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head as he gathered her close, &ic#ing her u& along
$ith the %edding. <8o time. =ou dri!e, and you dri!e li#e you ne!er dro!e %efore5>
872
9ax and 9ichael rushed do$n the stairs, &ast a frantic 9r. 1oo crying &itifully, $ith
another dead %ird %et$een his &a$s. /nce in the &assenger seat $ith 9aria in his
arms, 9ichael ran his hands o!er her face, &ushing her hair a$ay.
<:od, %a%y, don,t do this to me. 9aria, $a#e u&. 9aria5> 9ax dro!e as fast as
he could $ithout #illing them. *e called for a motorcycle escort to hel& clear the
$ay, %ut %y the time they rolled in res&onse he $ould already %e at the hos&ital.
9ax loo#ed o!er at his &artner, and his chest hollo$ed out at the sound of 9ichael
murmuring to 9aria. *e sat clutching her to his chest calling to her o!er and o!er.
t reminded him of the day 9i#ey died. /h god, &lease5
9ax &ushed &ast am%ulances and &ar#ed the car in the am%ulance %ay,
getting out of his side and running to hel& 9ichael as attendants %urst out of the 6R
doors. "hey had a gurney, and as 9ichael emerged to &lace 9aria on it, they rushed
her inside.
<*o$ long has she %een unconscious4>
< don,t #no$. .he $as that $ay $hen $e got to her.>
<Does she ta#e drugs4>
<8o5 .he,s o!er se!en $ee#s &regnant, suffering se!ere morning sic#ness.>
9ichael couldn,t find a &lace for his hands. <8o drugs, no caffeine...no drugs...> *is
!oice trailed off as they &ushed her into an exam room. /ne of the attendants tried
to %ar his $ay into the room, and $ith an almost animal(li#e snarl, he tossed the
man aside.
t $as 9ax,s hands that sto&&ed him. <9ichael5 9ichael, no5 Let them loo# at
her.> 9ax used his entire %odily strength to &ush 9ichael u& against the $all next to
the door, and $ith his hands on either side of him, he held him in &lace as he
loo#ed through the $indo$ at the doctors and nurses $or#ing on 9aria.
877
<9ax...9ax...> 9ax loo#ed at 9ichael struggling, the anguish in his face, and
the shoc#ing tears running do$n his face. < can,t... can,t...> 9ichael,s arms $ent
around his mid(section almost li#e he $as hollo$ed out.
< #no$. #no$, &artner.> 9ax &ulled his &artner and %est friend and held him
in his arms in a strong hug feeling the larger man crum%ling. <2ust hold on, hold on.
.he,s not going any$here.>
t seemed li#e an eternity %efore a doctor finally emerged. Peo&le #e&t going
into the room $ith e;ui&ment and monitors, %ut no one came out to tal# to them.
9ichael got himself under control enough to &ace and &ace, and occasionally s&ill
the cu& of hot coffee the 7nit 3ler# ga!e them as 9ax filled out the &a&er$or# and
#e&t a $orried eye on his &artner.
)hen the doctor came through the doors, %oth men descended on him. <+re
you $ith...> "he doctor &aused. *e didn,t #no$ his &atient,s name since he started
$or#ing on her once she entered the 6R.
<9aria, yes.> 9ichael said cro$ding into the doctor. 9ax &ulled him %ac# to
gi!e the man room. *e gestured them to follo$ him, and they entered $hat $as
another treatment room connected to 9aria,s %y a door $ith a glass $indo$.
<=ou said she,s o!er se!en $ee#s &regnant and suffering morning sic#ness.>
9ichael -ust nodded. <*o$ se!ere are $e tal#ing4 3an she hold do$n food at all4>
<9ornings are tough, %ut %y e!enings she's usually &retty good.>
<,!e got a young lady that loo#s li#e a star!ation !ictim. *er energy reser!es
are so lo$ that she is %elo$ core %ody tem&erature %y more than an entire degree.
"hat,s a lot. .he is ha!ing muscle s&asms, including her a%domen, and if it
continues she is going to a%ort the %a%y.> 9ichael -ust closed his eyes and
concentrated on %reathing. <"here,s not enough energy left for her muscles, and
they are contracting and t$itching. )hen,s the last time she ate4>
878
<Lunch. had lunch $ith her.>
<)hat did she eat4> "he doctor loo#ed at 9ichael in $onder as he listed the
huge list of foods and amounts. <.he didn,t lose any of that4 Gomit4>
<8o. .he $ent to ta#e a na&, and that,s $here found her four hours later.>
<"hat,s im&ossi%le.> "he man loo#ed through the $indo$ in $onder at the
under$eight &atient. .he loo#ed li#e she had %een star!ing for months, and
definitely not for hours.
<Doctor, 9aria...is she...> 9ichael &aused. *e couldn,t as#. *e $as too afraid to
as#.
<.he,s sta%le, for no$. ,m transferring her u&stairs to the $ards. f you can
gi!e me her doctor,s name, $e,ll get in touch $ith him. ,!e got her co!ered in a
thermal heating %lan#et, and $e're &ushing Lactated Ringers and $arm saline in full
force.> "he doctor $atched through the $indo$ as the nurses hung ne$ lines of
fluids. 9aria,s foot $as still t$itching. <,m going to gi!e her a drug to relax her
muscles. t,s effecti!e and $on,t harm the %a%y.>
9ichael -ust nodded and 9ax $atched him, $orried at his silence. 9ax handed
the man Doc2im,s card and than#ed him as he $ent off to ma#e arrangements for
9aria. t too# almost an hour %efore they follo$ed 9aria u&stairs. .he $as slo$ly
coming a$a#e.
<9ichael, may%e you should call someone4 +my4> 9ax as#ed his silent &artner
as they transferred 9aria into a $ard %ed. 9ichael -ust shoo# his head. 8ot until he
tal#ed to 9aria. 9ax -ust nodded, %ut thought of all those DeLucas running around
on an u&&er $ard, and ho$ it $ould %e so easy to -ust sli& u&stairs to see .ean.
.ean $as scheduled for release in the morning due to sheer irritation and
harassment, and someone needed to tell him. 9ax #e&t ;uiet and let 9ichael
decide.
879
<9ichael4> 9ichael turned to the sound of 9aria,s doctor,s !oice calling him.
<*o$,s 9aria4> 9ichael -ust shoo# his head. *e had no $ords, -ust $orries. 2im
#indly s;uee0ed his hands and $ent in to see his &atient. "hey $aited for $hat
seemed li#e an eternity as 2im read the files and la% results, and loo#ed at 9aria.
+fter conferring $ith other doctors, he finally came to tal# to 9ichael. 9ax ga!e him
a reassuring s;uee0e to the shoulder and left 9ichael and 2im alone.
<9ichael.> 2im loo#ed at the younger man and sighed.
<2ust tell me. "ell me 9aria,s going to %e all right.>
2im -ust nodded. <.he is. .he,s $ea# and anemic. *er %lood chemistry is all
o!er the &lace, %ut $e can correct that.>
9ichael loo#ed at the man, and he felt his %lood run cold. <)hat aren,t you
telling me4>
<"he %a%y. 9ichael, don,t understand $hat,s going on $ith 9aria, %ut do
#no$ that she is too $ea# to carry this %a%y to term. t,s slo$ly #illing her. .he
doesn,t ha!e the energy.> 2im -ust closed his eyes for a moment and %le$ out his
%reath. <f the &regnancy $as further along, &erha&s in the last trimester, $e might
ha!e o&tions. 1ut $e don,t. 8ot at se!en $ee#s. "here,s no ;uestion a%out
choosing %et$een mother and child, %ecause $ithout 9aria there is no child.>
<)hat are you saying, 2im4> 9ichael could feel the dread $elling u& inside, %ut
$hate!er $as necessary, $hate!er it too#, 9aria $as $hat $as im&ortant.
<)e need to ta#e the %a%y, &erform a DP3.>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. < don,t understand. *as 9aria lost the %a%y4>
<8o. ,m suggesting for her health that you((%oth of you((need to consider the
&ossi%ility of a%orting this child. + DP3 is a standard &rocedure, ;uic#, and can %e
done fast. t,s sim&ly dilating the cer!ix and curettage of the entire endometrial
ca!ity.>
87:
<.im&ly4 Sim&ly??> 9ichael,s !oice rose in anger, and 9ax came %ac# hearing
his &artner under distress. <.im&ly4 =ou,re tal#ing a%out scra&ing out the insides of
my $ife, and tossing out our child5 )hat the hell is so sim&le a%out that4>
9ichael ran his hands through his hair, una%le to find a &lace for them, una%le
to find a stillness and calm. 3losing his eyes, he %reathed dee&ly &lacing his hands
under his arms and s;uee0ing them tightly to his %ody. *e needed 9aria. 9ax made
comforting noises at 9ichael, %ut nothing could e!er comfort him.
<9ichael, #no$ this is a hard decision, and one you can,t ma#e alone.> 2im
loo#ed at 9ax hel&lessly. < -ust don,t #no$ $hat else to do. .he almost died today.
*er %ody tem&erature dro&&ed too lo$, and she,s eating. .he can,t eat more than
she has. t ma#es no sense. .he $as a little anemic %efore, %ut &erfectly healthy,
and in a $ee#'s time she has dro&&ed %eyond %ottom %aseline. "he %a%y...it,s hard.
1ut ,m an /1Q:=8 and 9aria is my &atient. ,m thin#ing of her health. ,m saying
that at this rate, she,s not carrying this child to term. 8ext time, $e might not %e
a%le to sta%ili0e her, and $hat if you hadn't made it home in time4 )hat a%out next
time4>
9ichael dro&&ed de-ectedly in a chair and ru%%ed his face $ith his hands.
)hat to do4 )hat $as he su&&osed to do4 *e needed her. 8eeded 9aria to tell him.
9aria $ould #no$. *e couldn,t do it alone.
<9aria. can,t lose her. "here can %e other %a%ies, other times, %ut not
$ithout her. 8e!er $ithout her.> 9ax loo#ed at his friend feeling the &ain in his !oice
as a single tear ran do$n his face. < need to tal# to 9aria first.>
2im stood u& and nodded. <.he,s still a$a#e.> 9ichael nodded and $ent to go
into her room. <9ichael, $hate!er you decide, -ust let me #no$.>
9ichael nodded and entered the room not e!en loo#ing at 9ax. 9ax sat %ac#
in his chair and ru%%ed his face. 9ichael...9ichael had $anted his child, his %a%y
877
more than 9ax had $anted his. *e had a slight connection to his un%orn child, %ut
nothing li#e 9ichael's to his. 9ax sighed and &ic#ed u& the &hone, dialing the
num%er of "ess and Kyle's home.
*earing "ess's !oice at the other end, 9ax hesitated and then too# the &lunge,
<*i, "ess4 t,s 9ax. 3ould $e tal#4>
9ichael a&&roached the %ed slo$ly, almost afraid to $a#e or distur% her.
.itting do$n in the chair next to the %ed, he $atched as she turned to face him.
9ichael felt the need to close his eyes at the tear strea#s on her face.
<*i,> he said softly resisting the urge to close his eyes, to feel the &ain.
<*i, handsome.> 9aria smiled softly at him. <.o scared you may%e a little4>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. <8o, no. =ou scared me a $hole hell(of(a(lot.>
"a#ing her hand, he ru%%ed his face in it. <9aria. 9aria...,!e got to tell you...>
9ichael sto&&ed as the lum& in his throat $as too large to s$allo$ &ass.
<.hhh, it,s o#ay. ,m o#ay. "he %a%y,s o#ay. "his $as -ust a flu#e.> 9ichael -ust
shoo# his head against her hand.
<8o. 8o it $asn,t.> 9ichael lifted his head and loo#ed at her. <"he %a%y is
#illing you.>
9aria -ust shoo# her head, and loo#ed a$ay. "hat $asn,t true.
<9aria. =ou...your %ody doesn,t ha!e enough energy, enough &o$er to #ee&
%oth you and the %a%y ali!e. "he %a%y $ent into distress, and your %ody tried to
a%ort it. 8aturally.>
9aria -ust stu%%ornly shoo# her head no. <,ll eat more. "a#e time off. Rest.>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. <"hat,s not going to $or#. t,s not enough. =ou
$ere cold, 9aria. =our core %ody tem&erature dro&&ed. almost lost you.>
874
9aria sat u& in %ed, and 9ichael rushed to hel& her, careful of her G lines.
.itting on the side of the %ed, he loo#ed at her as she silently cried, still sha#ing
her head no.
<)hat do they $ant4 "o ta#e my %a%y4> her !oice shuddering hea!y $ith
tears, $his&ering in horror.
9ichael closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on hers, nodding. <=eah.> *is
res&onse $as so lo$, she could %arely hear it.
9aria tightened her gras& on him and ta#ing his head %et$een her hands, she
made him loo# at her. "hey stared into each other's eyes for a moment, %oth so
%eyond &ain they couldn't e!en %egin to ex&ress it.
9aria #issed his li&s softly and then said one $ord. <8o.>
<9aria...> 9ichael shoo# his head. t $as #illing him, %ut losing her...he
couldn,t.
<8o, you listen to me. =ou listen.> 9aria mo!ed %ac# and $i&ed the tears from
her face. <=ou once made me s$ear...s+ear...to tell you if e!er there came a time
that didn,t feel cursed...that felt graced. +nd &romised to tell you. Remem%er4>
9ichael nodded. *is eyes %urning from the tears %ehind them. Don,t. :od,
don,t.
9aria did any$ay. <)ell feel graced.> "a#ing his hand and &lacing it o!er her
stomach, 9aria loo#ed at him. < feel graced %y you. +nd this %a%y...our %a%y. =ou
and our %a%y ma#e me feel graced.>
9ichael leaned into her and rested his head on her shoulder. *e couldn,t ta#e
any more. .he held him crying too, %ut there $as no time.
Lifting his head from her shoulder, she loo#ed at him, her eyes %ecoming
fierce and strong. <Don,t let them ta#e my %a%y...our %a%y.> 9ichael $atched her,
as that s&ar# of something else in 9aria flamed to life. t $as a hardness, a dee&
875
resoluteness...a #no$ing. "hat same silent cold resol!e she had gotten %efore she
ris#ed her o$n life and sto&&ed 3assie from #illing him.
"a#ing his other hand, 9aria mo!ed it o!er her scar. <Protect, 9ichael. =ou
&romised.> 9ichael felt a -olt in his %ody, a sense of duty and $hat he had to do.
*er eyes $ere filled $ith tears, and she loo#ed at him trustingly.
9ichael &ulled a$ay from her, and nodded. )i&ing his face $ith the side of his
arm, he reached do$n and &ut his hands around her face. Leaning do$n, he
nu00led her chee#, #issed the salt from her face. 1ro%ec%. 9ichael straightened and
$al#ed to the door and loc#ed it. *e rifled the ca%inets and dra$ers of the room
until he found $hat he needed.
9aria $atched as he $al#ed %ac# to her %edside and sat %eside her. 9ichael
remo!ed the &a&er &rotection and the %lade guard. *e hoisted his shirt and his t(
shirt o!er his head and then too# the scal&el and cut a thin line a%o!e his left
ni&&le. "ossing the %lade across the room, he too# 9aria and &ressed her to his
chest, guiding her mouth to his %lood.
<Drin#. Drin#, %a%y.> 9aria didn,t hesitate or e!en ;uestion. .he mo!ed her
mouth o!er his flesh, too# the %lood on her tongue, and in a s&asm of hunger
latched onto him suc#ing his flesh feeling the rush of &o$er and energy. <"a#e all
you need.> 9ichael said ;uietly feeling the draining, the emotion and the mo!ement
to$ards an orgasmic release.
.hifting her for$ard, he mo!ed to sit on her %ed more fully, and struggled to
#ee& her drin#ing from him $hile un%uttoning his &ants. 9aria,s hand #noc#ed his
a$ay as she unfastened him, released him and in a mo!ement so fast straddled
him to ta#e him inside. 9ichael leaned %ac# on the %ed as they -oined flesh and
&ulled her hard to his chest as he mo!ed in her hotly, ta#ing the %ond %et$een
them to another &lace %eyond the &hysical and the %lood. Po$er. "here $as &o$er
886
in the %lood, &o$er in the %ond. *e couldn,t understand it or ex&lain it, %ut as long
as she fed from him...
*is moans %ecame louder and dee&er as he felt the rush. t &ushed 9aria to
mo!e harder and ta#e him dee&er $ith e!ery thrust. 9o!ing a$ay from his chest,
she loo#ed at him, her green eyes dar# and %rilliant, shining $ith life and energy.
9ichael mo!ed his had o!er her flesh re!eling in the heat of life, the $armth. *is
hand mo!ed do$n her %ac# and neither of them sa$ the glo$ing mo!ement along
her s#in. "he small tric#le of his %lood on the corner of her mouth called to him,
and he &ulled her mouth to his in a dee& suc#ing #iss follo$ed %y a rough %ite to
her tongue as she moaned her release.
*e felt her((e!ery inch, e!ery moleculeF and his %ody #e&t mo!ing harder and
harder into her, &ushing to$ards release. n a flash of color and light, a rush of
%rilliance and &ain, she ;uic#ened him as he flooded her $ith his seed and %lood,
the fluids of his %ody that contained his life force((a ra$ energy that $as uni;ue to
him. 1reathing hard and slo$ly letting his %ody rest, 9ichael held her mouth
against him again as she gently lic#ed and continued to feed from him. Running his
hand u& under her hair to cu& the %ac# of her nec#, he li#ed the feel of her s$eat
on his s#in. +nd as she finally finished feeding, 9ichael loo#ed do$n at her
s&ra$led %ody still -oined to his and felt a connection to his child, also sated and
fed. *e mo!ed his hand do$n her %ody to rest lo$ on her stomach. *e could feel
his child almost li#e a flushing along his %ody, a sense of %elonging. )ith 9aria and
his child %oth &eacefully slee&ing, 9ichael -oined them $ondering $here the hell
this $as leading. /nly one thought $as truly clear. 1ro%ec%.
???
881
9ichael came a$a#e a$hile later to the sound of #noc#ing on the door. *e had
loc#ed it and o%!iously some nursing or medical staff $as trying to gain entrance to
chec# on their &atient. 9ichael ;uic#ly &ut himself %ac# together and straightened
9aria and her hos&ital go$n. 3o!ering her $ith the %lan#ets, he &ic#ed u& the used
scal&el from the floor and tossed it in a red &lastic dis&enser %ox mounted on the
$all.
/&ening the door he found a not so ha&&y(loo#ing nurse staring at him, ta#ing
in his crum%led clothes and her slee&ing &atient.
<9ichael4> *e loo#ed &ast the o!er($or#ed and under(a&&reciated nurse at his
&artner. <+re you o#ay4>
9ichael nodded and left the room to get out of the nurse,s $ay. *e had
already made her -o% tough enough for one day. Loo#ing at 9ax, he ran a hand
through his hair.
<)here did Doc2im go4>
<*e $as going to go chec# on a fe$ other &atients, %ut he said to call his
%ee&er $hen you $anted to tal# to him and he $ould s$ing %y %efore he left.>
9ichael nodded and too# the card 9ax $as holding.
<*o$ long $as ...4>
<"$o hours. )hat ha&&ened4 9ichael...> 9ax &aused. *e didn,t 9ichael to hurt
any more than he already $as, ho$e!er he did need to %ring u& the su%-ect. <)hat
did you t$o decide4 +%out the %a%y4>
<)e,re #ee&ing our child.> 9ichael &ulled out his cell &hone and made the call.
"he nurse came out of the room $ith a slight %lush on her nec#, and $hile ma#ing
notations on the &atient,s chart and her o$n notes, she #e&t snea#ing glances at
9ichael $hile he tal#ed on the &hone.
882
9ichael -ust ignored her and rolled his eyes. =eah, yeah, yeah. *e,s the %east
that #noc#ed his girlfriend u&, left her all sic# and dying, and $hile she $as in the
hos&ital almost ha!ing a miscarriage had her ta#e care of him sexually. =eah, li#e
she didn,t get a rush from all the &heromones in the air in that room. 9ichael
&ur&osely turned his %ac# on her and left Doc2im a message $ith his ans$ering
ser!ice.
9ichael loo#ed at the nurse,s receding %ac# as she $al#ed a$ay and noticed
her loo#ing %ac# at him on occasion. Juic#ly going to 9aria,s chart, he read her
!itals. :ood. 1lood &ressure, heart rate and tem&erature $ere %ac# to normal. *e
$ent %ac# inside the room and loo#ed do$n at her slee&ing form. .he $as slee&ing
&eacefully for the first time in days, and he $as ha&&y to see her $ithout that
$ashed(out, hard, concentrating facial ex&ression, that she had had lately, li#e she
$as determined to get some rest. .he loo#ed so damn %eautiful. 9ichael,s hand
reached out to touch her...
<9ichael.> 9ax called to him to remind him that he $asn,t alone. <)hat a%out
+my4>
9ichael loo#ed at 9ax and sighed. )hat a%out +my4 "a#ing his &hone, he
$al#ed out of the room and gestured for 9ax to follo$, closing the door so as to
gi!e 9aria some &eace. *e then made the hardest call of his life. *e sa$ 9aria's
doctor $al#ing to$ards him as he ended the call.
<9ax, could you go u&stairs and tell .ean and the others a%out 9aria4> 9ax
follo$ed 9ichael,s eyes and #ne$ that his &artner needed some time alone to tal#
to Doc2im. 9ax -ust s;uee0ed 9ichael,s shoulder in su&&ort and headed to the
nearest ele!ators.
<9ichael4 Did you tal# to 9aria4> 9ichael nodded. <*o$ is she4>
887
<.he,s slee&ing right no$.> t $as %est -ust to get it o!er $ith and go from
there. <)e,re #ee&ing the %a%y.>
2im loo#ed at the man. <t could %e a losing %attle, you reali0e that4 1oth of
you4>
<)e #no$. 9aria refuses, and can,t let anyone ta#e anything from her that
she,s un$illing to gi!e u&. +nd...and don,t $ant to gi!e u& either.> 9ichael loo#ed
at the doctor. <.he frea#ed $hen she reali0ed that she $as &regnant, %ut that $as
-ust her normal #nee(-er# reaction that she has to most ne$ things. n the last
$ee# to ten days, she,s settled do$n, acce&ted the %a%y and no$ she,s already
attached.>
< #no$, 9ichael. ,!e %een 9aria and +my,s doctor since they mo!ed to
Ros$ell. #no$ them %oth &rofessionally and &ersonally. don,t $ant to ta#e her
%a%y, %ut ,!e got to tell you that as her doctor...,m ha!ing some &ro%lems $ith
your decision.> Doc2im held u& a hand to #ee& 9ichael from interru&ting. <1ut it still
remains your decision. .o...$e,re going to &ut that aside and concentrate on doing
e!erything in our &o$er to #ee& this %a%y.>
9ichael loo#ed at the man $ith &o$erfully emotional %ro$n eyes. <"han# you.>
2im -ust nodded. <,!e got to tell you that this case is an enigma. t,s
something %eyond anything ,!e e!er seen. .he,s totally turned around in the last
fe$ hours. 6!erything has sta%ili0ed exce&t her iron. .o she,s %ac# to %eing slightly
anemic...again.> 2im motioned for 9ichael to ta#e a seat next to him. <9ichael, her
%lood $or# came %ac# $ith strange results.>
<.trange4> 9ichael -ust loo#ed at the man confused. <=ou,re going to ha!e to
ex&lain that to me. *o$ do you mean, strange4>
<.he,s got a s&ecial ty&e of iron in her %lood $ith a iodine com%ination that
,!e ne!er seen. t,s li#e a ferritin(iodine mix found in sea mammals. thin# the
888
iodine in her system is %inding the iron, and that,s causing the anemia. +lso there is
a com&ound, a &rotein or en0yme that is totally foreign.>
<.he,s %een drugged4> 9ichael felt a gro$ing anger.
<8o. can,t %e sure, %ut thin# it,s the fetus.> 2im -ust sighed at 9ichael,s
confused loo#. =eah, he felt that $ay too. <,ll try to ex&lain. n &regnancy, the fetus
and mother share a common %lood su&&ly. "he first thing that ha&&ens is an
increase in %lood flo$ in the mother,s uterus, and the fetus is attached to the
endometrial $all. "here the %lood su&&ly of the fetus runs concurrently $ith the
%lood su&&ly of the mother, and it's through this thin %arrier that all the nutrition
and essential %uilding %loc#s are &ro!ided to the fetus and $aste material is
remo!ed. Literally, the mother,s %lood feeds the %a%y and trans&orts $aste out.>
<.o this strange...drug4 t,s %eing created %y the %a%y4>
< thin# so. don't thin# it's actually a drug. t,s more of a &rotein or
en0yme...a hormone. )e could chec# the fetus,s %lood and amnio(fluid, %ut $e
need to $ait a fe$ more $ee#s for that until 9aria is a little more sta%le...es&ecially
after this scare.>
<"his hormone...is it li#e a &heromone4>
< don,t #no$. -ust #no$ that 9aria,s %lood is s$imming in it.> 2im loo#ed at
9ichael. < noticed that in our records your %lood is a uni;ue ty&e, !ery rare. t,s
your child, so may%e this rarity is $hat is causing these changes, %ut so far can,t
really see any harm %eing done. "he changes in her %lood chemistry are causing
the anemia, %ut that hormone seems to %e ha!ing little effect.>
9ichael nodded. 9ax $as right. t $as a sort of &heromone, a chemical
reaction they $ere all ha!ing to 9aria. t ex&lained the hy&ed(u& sexuality and the
almost addicti!e need for her %lood. *e $as addicted to her. "he taste of her %lood
$as li#e...s$eet $ith a touch of fire.
889
<.o it,s not &utting her in danger. t,s -ust a Ineat, difference that ma#es her
uni;ue4>
2im laughed at that. <1asically, yeah. +t least for no$. t could change later,
%ut $e,ll #ee& an eye on it. 8ot that 9aria DeLuca needed anything else to ma#e
her uni;ue.> "hey %oth laughed at that. 8o&e, she did fine on her o$n. <=ou might
consider letting me ta#e some of your %lood so $e can loo# at it, the %a%y,s and
9aria,s. t might ma#e an interesting com&arison.>
9ichael couldn't ex&lain it, %ut suddenly his %ody $ent still and the hair on the
%ac# of his nec# stood u& in &rotest. 7o. *is %lood $as off(limits unless needed.
<9ay%e...if it %ecomes necessary, %ut other$ise... sort of lose a lot of %lood on my
-o% at times. can,t e!en tell you ho$ many times ,!e come a$a#e to see medical
&eo&le gi!ing me %lood to re&lace $hat lost. thin# ,ll #ee& $hat ha!e unless it
%ecomes something you really need.>
<.ince ,!e read the &a&ers and heard the stories from 9aria, guess can
res&ect that. 8o one $ants to %ecome a science ex&eriment or a medical &a&er.>
2im stood u& and motioned to 9ichael. <Let,s go tal# to 9aria and ma#e some
&lans. ,m going to start insisting that she come in t$ice a $ee# for a monitoring
chec#(u& $ith la%s, only until ,m sure she,s sta%le, then once e!er t$o $ee#s.
$ant to #ee& a closer eye on her %lood chemistry so $e can #ee& this from
ha&&ening again. +nd ,m going to add some s&ecial dietary sha#es to her eating
regimen. "hey,re high &rotein $ith lots of extra fats, mineral and !itamins. "he iron
is a &ro%lem, %ut let me do some $or# on $hat,s a!aila%le, and ,ll let the t$o of
you #no$.>
"hey entered the room to a $a#ing 9aria, $ho slo$ly sat u& in %ed as they
came into the room. 9ichael ;uic#ly $ent to her side and used the %ed controls to
set her u&right.
88:
<)ell as usual, 9aria you chose to %e my most difficult &atient.>
< hate it $hen ha!e to try so hard to get your attention, Doc.>
2im -ust laughed and $atched 9ichael sit on the side of the %ed and ho$ 9aria
instincti!ely realigned her %ody to rest u& against him.
<)ell, you,re going to learn to get sic# of my ugly mug, so much so that my
$ife is going to get -ealous, %ecause $e,re going to %e seeing a lot of each other
o!er the next t$enty(eight to thirty $ee#s.> Doc2im loo#ed at he door as the nurse
came in carrying three cans and a stra$. <+h good5 Dinner is ser!ed.>
9aria loo#ed at the cans of li;uid in horror and then at 9ichael in des&eration.
<Dinner4>
Doc2im -ust laughed at her loo# of horror. <"his is -ust an a&&eti0er. $ant you
drin#ing three cans of this %efore you eat your dinner. t,s a s&ecial formulated
&rotein sha#e that,ll gi!e you a I1oost, to your usual dietary inta#e.> 2im loo#ed at
the nurse for confirmation. <=our other dinner should %e here soon.> .he nodded
and $aited as 9aria too# a drin# of the sha#e, shuddering at the taste. <"he food is
lousy, %ut if e!erything goes $ell ,m discharging you tomorro$ afternoon. )e,ll
$ait until your morning la%s come %ac#, and ,ll $rite u& the discharge after
morning rounds as long as there are no more sur&rises. 9ean$hile, ,m going to
gi!e you some additional iron to hel& that anemia.>
9ichael $atched 9aria !aliantly trying to get do$n the sha#e. <)hat,s the
&olicy on %ringing in outside food4>
<)hy4> 2im as#ed loo#ing u& from his note $riting in 9aria,s chart.
9ichael loo#ed at 9aria and smiled. <8o offense to your hos&ital,s food, %ut
,!e eaten here a fe$ times.> 9ichael ignored 9aria,s sarcastic snort. <+nd it,s not
going to %e enough. .he ate a tur#ey the other day.>
887
2im and the nurse %oth loo#ed at the o!erly thin 9aria in admiration and
shoc#. <8ot a $hole tur#ey5>
9aria glared at 9ichael. < sa!ed some for you5>
<=eah, the &arts you don,t li#e.> Loo#ing at 2im, 9ichael ex&lained. <"hat
means the dar# meat.>
< ate the drumstic#s. "hat,s dar# meat.> "he doctor and nurse listened to the
cou&le argue for a fe$ moments %efore a laughing 2im interru&ted.
</#ay, thin# get the &oint. .he,s eating li#e an army. ,ll $rite an order that
$ill allo$ you %ring her food from outside on to& of her hos&ital food, along $ith the
sha#es.> *e too# her chart in his hand and $rote the order and ga!e the nurse a
fe$ extra instructions for %lood dra$s and an increased iron su&&lement. 2im stood
u& after handing the order %oo# to the nurse and said his good%yes to the cou&le as
they %egan discussing $hat food she $anted to eat.
9ichael $as standing outside the room listening to 9aria tal# $ith her nurse
as a ne$ G $as hung that included the extra iron. *e sa$ +my and 2im Galenti
mo!ing to$ards him fast. t too# a moment for him to reali0e $hat hit him, as the
shoc# of +my DeLuca sla&&ing him hard across his face registered in his %rain.
Loo#ing at her in shoc# he sa$ her anger and her fear, and he felt %adly. .he $as
literally the only mother, or the closest thing to a mother he e!er had. *e had
%etrayed her, #e&t secrets and as a result her daughter almost died.
<*o$ could you44 *o$ could all of you #ee& this from me4> 2im $as trying to
calm her do$n and $as e;ually sur&rised $hen she tossed herself into 9ichael,s
arms and cried against him. 9ichael let his hand mo!e comfortingly o!er her shiny
short %runette head and loo#ed o!er at 3a&. +my $as more u&set $ith herself than
she $as $ith 9ichael, or e!en 9aria. .he #ne$ 9aria had %een sic# lately. .he had
e!en $atched her !omit a fe$ times and fall aslee&, %ut she had %een so &re(
884
occu&ied $ith her o$n &lans that she ignored the more than o%!ious signs of her
daughter's distress.
"he nurse came out, noticed the crying $oman and ;uic#ly left them alone.
+my -ust clung to 9ichael, until he gently held her a$ay from him.
<9ay%e you should go see 9aria. thin# she,s ha&&y that you #no$ no$. .he
really needs you.> *e nudged her gently to$ards the door. +my loo#ed at him and
nodded. .he reached u& to stro#e the red chee# that she had caused and then
#issed him. .he cautiously entered the room lea!ing 9ichael and Galenti loo#ing at
each other.
<,m sorry.> 2im shoo# his head. <=ou didn,t deser!e that.>
<=eah, did. )e all did. )e #e&t her in the dar#.>
< #no$. 1ut you did it for me, and if she should,!e hit anyone it should,!e
%een me.> 9ichael -ust shrugged. t didn,t matter. 8o one e!er cared enough a%out
him to actually feel %etrayed %efore, not since 9i#ey. .trangely enough, it made
him really feel li#e &art of the family.
<s she going to go through $ith the $edding on .aturday4>
2im -ust sighed and loo#ed do$n at the ground. < don,t #no$. .he,s already
tal#ing a%out canceling it, $ith %oth .ean and 9aria in the hos&ital.> .uddenly 2im
$ished he had one of .ean,s imaginary, I don,t smo#e, cigarette,s to comfort him.
9ichael &atted his 3a&tain on the shoulder. <Let 9aria ta#e care of it.>
9aria loo#ed u& to see her mom standing in the door, unsure. <9om4>
+my %urst into tears again, and rushed to her daughter,s side. .he should,!e
hit 9ichael harder, since it $asn,t &ossi%le for her to hit her daughter. 6s&ecially not
$ith 9aria loo#ing so small and hel&less in her hos&ital %ed $ith tu%es coming out
of her arms.
885
</h god, 9aria5> +my,s hand rested on her daughter,s flat stomach. <s the
%a%y...is...4>
<'ine. "he %a%y,s fine.> .he hugged her mom tight, glad to finally %e a%le to
tal# to her. .he $his&ered to her mom, <,m sorry. ,m so sorry. $anted to tell you
a million times, %ut couldn,t.>
+my sat on the %ed and loo#ed at her daughter. <)hy4> .he shoo# her head
all confused and still incredi%ly hurt. <)hy, 9aria4>
< didn,t $ant you to &ost&one your $edding.> 9aria rushed on %efore her
mom could &rotest. < #ne$ that you $ould,!e used it as an excuse to delay again,
and ma#e 2im $ait another se!en months or so to finally marry you, assuming you
didn,t find another reason to &ost&one it again then. )e told 2im and that,s $hy he
&ushed the $edding date u&((so $e could tell you. *olding off a $ee# $as all
could handle.>
< $ouldn,t ha!e...> +my loo#ed at 9aria and sighed, </#ay, $ould ha!e. t,s
-ust that... $orry and... mean...> +my loo#ed at her daughter and fro$ned. <
didn,t do such a good -o% that first time, and 2im...he means too much too me to
ta#e a chance on ruining his life. )hat if it,s me4 )hat if %eing married to me
ma#es him...change4>
<9om, it,s not you. *e,s not going to change.>
<=our father did. *e $as so different $hen married him, and then one day
$o#e u& to a stranger. can,t, 9aria... can,t stand to ha!e that ha&&en again.>
9aria hugged her mom tight. <t $on,t. &romise you. t $on,t.>
<.till. thin# $e should hold off on The 3eddin!. can,t go off on a
honeymoon $ith you all sic#, and then may%e come %ac# to find that you lost the
%a%y. =ou might need me.>
<,ll al$ays need you, 9om. 1ut you ha!e to get married. 8o$.>
896
<9aria.> +my -ust shoo# her head no, and 9aria did the only &ossi%ly thing she
could do. +ll this for nothing. Kee&ing the %a%y from her mother, snea#ing around
trying to get the $edding &lanning done in time((e!erything $ould %e for nothing if
her mom didn,t go through $ith The 3eddin! as scheduled.
.o 9aria %urst into tears, $hining and %lu%%ering incoherently, almost
im&ossi%le to follo$, %ut not ;uite. +my listened in distress.
<=ou ha!e to get married5 $ant to marry the father of my %a%y5 *o$ can
marry him if you,re not married4 hate that ruined 2im,s life, that stole his
$edding, that he has to &ay %ecause 9ichael and $eren,t careful enough. 9ay%e
the %a%y almost dying and me %eing sic# is -udgment5 9ay%e :od is &unishing me
for ruining 2im,s life. can,t... $on,t get married until you do and...> 9aria
increased her tears sending +my into a fren0y. <and... $ant to marry 9ichael, %ut
no$ can,t, and the %a%y isn,t going to ha!e his father,s name, and 9ichael is
going to %e hurt, and...> + loo# of mounting fear rushed across 9aria,s face as a
tinge of hysteria $as added to her escalating !oice. <t,s the %a%y5 .omething,s
$rong. thought they $ould tell me, %ut they,re not...%ecause $on't %e a%le to
handle it. "hat,s $hy you refuse to lea!e to$n, %ecause my %a%y is going to
die...,m going to die...>
+my held her daughter trying to calm her do$n and rushing to reassure her.
+ll this emotion and distress couldn,t %e good for her grandchild, or e!en her child.
</f course ,m marrying 2im. Don,t %e silly. +nd you,ll %e there to see it, and the
%a%y $ill %e fine. &romise. 8o$ $i&e your eyes. ,m going to ma#e you some
chic#en sou& and get some nice soothing aromas to %urn that $ill relie!e the stress
and calm the %a%y. 9ay%e a nice a&ricot her%al %ath $ith...>
891
+my $as off listing all the things she needed to do. +nd 9aria sa$ 9ichael at
the door loo#ing at her $ith a ;uestion in his eyes. *e had heard her escalating
!oice and came to ma#e sure she $as o#ay.
<+nd the honeymoon4 Do you thin# ,m too sic# to %e left alone $ith only
9ichael to ta#e care of me4 Don,t you trust him4> 9ichael held his %reath $aiting
for +my,s ans$er, afraid he had ris#ed something im&ortant to him, that he ris#ed
her confidence and trust in #ee&ing the secret of the %a%y from her.
+my made a face and #issed her daughter, and $as $i&ing her face. </f
course trust him. *e,s &erfect. )ho $ould trust more than 9ichael to &rotect
you4 2im and $ill only %e gone for ten days, and if you need us you can call, and
$e,ll %e on the first &lane home.>
9ichael $atched the t$o $omen $ith a smir# that soon faded. 9aria $as
good. +ctually, she $as too good, %ecause +my $as no%ody,s fool. 9ichael
narro$ed his eyes and $ondered ho$ often she &ushed him around $ithout him not
reali0ing it. "hat thought $as lost in the $a#e of the increasing mo!ing chaos that
surrounded the DeLuca clan as they found their $ay to$ards 9aria,s room.
<)here is my niece4 )here ha!e you &ut her4 s it a &ri!ate room4 don,t
$ant her in some stuffy $ard $ith hundreds of &eo&le staring at her. *o$ is she
su&&osed to eat4> 9ichael groaned at the %ello$ing 9arco DeLuca. <s that food4
8ot for my niece. "a#e that a$ay5 Luis, call for some real food.> 9arco and the
family &ushed &ast 9ichael to enter the room, all of them sto&&ing to gi!e him hugs
and friendly &ats on the shoulder. Galenti tried to s$allo$ his amusement as an
o!er$helmed 9ichael -ust stood there and heroically too# all the attention.
9arco,s !oice rose again $hen he sa$ 9aria. <Loo# ho$ small...Luis call for
more food5 )here are the doctors4>
892
t felt li#e hours and days %efore 9aria,s room $as %lissfully em&ty of
$andering DeLucas, friends and family as all of them too# themsel!es off
some$here. 9ichael had mentioned that the doctor $anted her to slee&, and $ithin
half an hour they $ere all gone. 9aria $as steadfast in trying to get him to go
home, sho$er and get some slee&. 9ichael $as determined to remain at her side,
%ut 9aria mentioned &oor unfed 9r. 1oo%oo. .o 9ichael stayed as long as he could,
until the ending of !isiting hours at ten.
</#ay, ,ll go home, %ut ,ll %e %ac# first thing in the morning %efore $or#.>
9ichael #issed her %ro$. .he did loo# tired. <1ut %efore go...> 9ichael $ent to the
door, and loc#ed it again, too# another scal&el and came %ac# to her sitting u& in
%ed. <'eel li#e a little snac#4> *e groaned aloud at the dar#ening of her eyes, and
the lift to the side of her mouth in a slight smile.
1y the time he left she $as sound aslee&, resting &eacefully. )hen he got out
of the %ed she moaned his name in her slee&, and he almost clim%ed %ac# in. 1ut
he needed to go chec# on the cat, change his clothes, get 9aria some of her stuff
including a change of clothes and chec# the loft that they had left in a hurry.
"he loft $as dar# and cold $hen he entered. t $as missing her &resence. 9r.
1oo $as sitting at the front door $aiting. 9ichael thought he $anted to %e fed, as
the feline me$ed his des&ondency in loud $ailing sounds. 1ut e!en after &utting
fresh food out and changing his $ater, the cat still sat %y the door $aiting.
<.he,s not coming home, %uddy. 3ome to eat. ,ll %ring her home tomorro$.
&romise.>
"he cat loo#ed at him and %lin#ed, %ut then $ent %ac# to $aiting. 9ichael
ga!e u& and decided to go u&stairs to sho$er and slee&. "he 1oo $ould decide for
himself if he needed to eat or -ust continue to sit there. t $as almost t$o(thirty
%efore 9ichael sat u& in %ed. *is stomach $as unsettled and he $as agitated. *e
897
couldn,t slee&. :etting u&, he roamed the loft, mo!ing things around, &ic#ing u&
o%-ects and discarded clothes. 9r. 1 $as still at the door on alert. 'inally, 9ichael
got dressed and left the loft slamming the door %ehind him as he and the
motorcycle too# a ride across to$n.
)hen he entered 9aria's room, she $as still &eacefully aslee&. 9ichael too#
off his -ac#et and shoes, gently mo!ing her o!er so he could share her %ed. +s soon
as his hands touched her, she mo!ed o!er to rest on him and finally, gratefully, he
fell aslee&.

898
Day 1F: Griday- 9:2F a.m.
<9ichael5 *el&5> 9ichael came %ac# into her room carrying a %ag of donuts((
s&ecial Kris&y Kreme %uttermil# gla0ed.
< lea!e you for $hat, ten minutes4 +nd you,re already needing hel&4> 9aria
gestured to the room and 9ichael slo$ly turned around $histling softly. </h shit,
$here did all these &lants and flo$ers come from4>
<"he 7ni!ersity, the museum, the charita%le organi0ations &artici&ate in, the
'oundation, the PD, numerous students of mine, the do$nto$n animal shelter,
9argo and the others, that really nice $aitress, 1ess at "he :rease Pit, Lydia, the
$oman $ho mixes my morning mocha dou%le latte e!ery day, the laundry on fifth,
$ho %y the $ay $ants to remind me that $e still ha!e clothes $ith them needing to
%e &ic#ed u&, the...>
<*o$ did they #no$4> 9ichael $as confused that so many &eo&le could #no$
that 9aria $as sic# in the hos&ital, %ecause neither of them really had had time to
inform anyone outside of close family and friends.
<sn't Ros$ell a gro$ing large to$n $ith a small to$n feel4 don,t #no$, %ut
all the flo$ers are gi!ing me hi!es and ma#ing it hard to %reathe.> 9aria sho$ed
him her inner arm $ith red mar#s already rising. 9aria $as allergic to some
flo$ers, usually ones that $ere s&rayed $ith a s&ecial chemical that floral sho&s
used to hel& them #ee& their cris&ness. .he could handle fresh flo$ers from the
outside or e!en ones %ought from floral sho&s, %ut not at this ;uantity.
<)hat should do $ith them4>
9aria thought a%out it for a moment. <3all the nurse and get one of those
carts they use for discharges. *a!e them ta#e them to :eriatrics and the lefto!ers
899
can %e sent to a nursing home, exce&t for the exotic arrangement $ith the 1irds of
Paradise. "hat one $ant to #ee&5>
9ichael nodded and then loo#ed at the &lant again. <)ho sent that one4>
<2onathan. *e #no$s lo!e the exotic &lants.> 9aria smiled loo#ing at the
arrangement $ith some fondness. 9ichael -ust rolled his eyes. .ure, 2onathan
+ould #no$ her fa!orite flo$er, %ut so did 9ichael. *o$e!er 9ichael had more
sense than to %ring her &lants that $ould die. .he hated that. .he li#ed flo$ers in
&ots so they could continue to li!e, and right no$ donuts $ere a %etter &resent.
<*ere, eat.> 9ichael $al#ed out of the room to the sound of 9aria's ha&&y
s;ueal o!er the donuts, and he $ent to find a nurse to get her some mil# and start
deflo$ering her room. 6s&ecially the carnations. "hey $ere the $orst in gi!ing
9aria hi!es.
9aria $as on her sixth donut $hen Li0 Par#er and sa%el 6!ans arri!ed. "hey
$ere %oth carrying a &resent. sa%el's $as a %ox of chocolates, and Li0 had %rought
%alloons attached to a stuffed animal that loo#ed sur&risingly li#e 9r. 1oo%oo, &lus
a stac# of maga0ines.
<9aria4> Li0 $his&ered her name almost too softly to %e heard.
<Li0, 05 8o, come in. ,m sur&risingly alone right no$. 9ichael -ust too# a
gross of &lants out of here $ith the nurse.>
<=ou,re getting rid of your flo$ers4> 9aria -ust nodded and too# the &resents
from the girls.
sa%el sat in a chair and loo#ed at 9aria critically. .he $as still &ale, %ut
loo#ed healthy considering she had %een rushed to the hos&ital the day %efore. <)e
decided to !isit %oth you and .ean at the same time.>
<"hat,s nice, %ut really ,m fine. "hey,re releasing me this afternoon, as soon
as 9ichael is off $or#.>
89:
<"hat,s too soon.> "he $omen loo#ed at the door .ean $ho $as standing there
in a ro%e.
<3ousin, are you su&&osed to %e u& and $al#ing4 "hey made you ride do$n
here in the $heelchair last night.> 9aria laughed at .ean,s ex&ression, as he made
a face and rolled his eyes.
<Damn, Par#er. =ou $ere luc#y to sto& dating him $hen you did. *e gets uglier
e!ery time see him.> Li0 laughed at sa%el,s comment, %ut loo#ed at .ean,s face.
*e really $as %ruised and loo#ing $orn.
<"han#s girls, it,s nice to ins&ire longing and affection in all those meet.>
.ean came o!er and too# a seat on a chair on the other side of 9aria,s %ed.
<)here,s 9ichael4 ex&ected him to %e guarding you li#e a sacred relic.>
<*e,s running s&ecial errands. *e,ll %e %ac# soon.> 9aria smiled at her cousin.
<.o really, are you su&&osed to %e mo!ing around on your o$n so soon4>
<8o&e.> .ean said $ith %ra!o. <1ut sur&risingly a &unctured lung heals &retty
fast once you fix it, and my lung &er#ed u& immediately. "he heart arrhythmias are
corrected, and the only real &ro%lem ,m ha!ing is the %loody %ro#en ri%s $hich
hurt li#e a son(of(a(%itch $hen %reathe. .o ,m only %reathing e!ery third to
fourth time.>
sa%el loo#ed at him sus&iciously. <)here's your cre$ of family and guards,
and does the nursing unit e!en #no$ you too# a $al#4>
.ean feigned innocence. </f course they do5>
Li0 loo#ed at him and shoo# her head. <=ou ran a$ay5 =ou,re hiding from
them5>
<+m not5 ,m -ust !isiting my fa!orite cousin.>
9aria $atched the interaction %et$een .ean, Li0 and sa%el $ith amusement
as the teasing increased along $ith the shar& %anter and the come%ac#s. t $as
897
nice to see them all smiling, relaxed and not alone. Li0 $as laughing at something
.ean said to sa%el $hen 9ichael returned. *er eyes found his $hen he entered the
door and he sighed ha!ing to deal $ith more &eo&le.
<.ean, $hat,re you doing here4 should ha!e #no$n.> 9ichael -ust shoo# his
head. <"hat ex&lains your father fast heading this $ay.>
</h god5 *ide me5>
"oo late. .ean,s father entered the room and after #issing his niece, %erated
his son for $al#ing off the unit $ithout assistance or letting anyone #no$ $here he
$as going. "hey disco!ered that the nurse $as su&&osed to gi!e .ean an in-ection
in his hi&, and suddenly they turned around and he $as gone.
<=ou,re afraid of needles4> sa%el as#ed in dis%elief. "he man could handle
electrical shoc#, torture, $hi&&ing and %eing %eaten to a %loody &ul&, %ut a tiny
little needle and he $as gone.
<8e!er could. +s a child he $ould get an anxiety attac#, forget to %reathe and
then &ass out. )hile he $as do$n, they $ould gi!e him his immuni0ations.> .ean
$asn,t too ha&&y $ith his father di!ulging &ri!ate information to the room at large.
<8o$ %ac# u&stairs, or must call your mother4>
.ean #issed 9aria and reluctantly $ent to lea!e. sa%el and Li0 decided to
escort him u&stairs -ust to ma#e sure he got there.
< should go $ith my son, to ma#e sure he doesn,t detour along the $ay.>
9arco #issed 9aria again and $ent to -oin his son at the door, %ut first he sto&&ed
to tal# to 9ichael. *anding 9ichael a sli& of &a&er, he &ressed it in his hand and
closed 9ichael,s fingers around it.
<=our Dum&.> 9arco loo#ed at his son and then 9ichael. <8o one should %e
$ithout their lo!ed ones.>
894
.ean loo#ed from 9ichael to his father, and an ex&ression of determination
came o!er his face. <,m going $ith you.>
9ichael shoo# his head. <=ou,re on medical lea!e and mandatory stand(do$n
until 9edical clears you.>
<=ou can ta#e me $ith you, :uerin, or you can meet me there. 6ither. /r. t
doesn,t matter to me.> 9ichael loo#ed him for a moment and then nodded. t,s $hat
he $ould do too.
<:o. ,ll %e u&stairs to get you in a minute.> .ean and the others left, lea!ing
9ichael and 9aria alone.
< hate you ha!ing to do this alone.>
<.ean and the others $ill %e there. Don,t $orry.> 9ichael #ne$ $hat she
meant. .he hated that she $as in the hos&ital, and his first instinct $ould %e to
&rotect her from it. *e a&&reciated that e!en though she $anted to &rotect him
from un&leasantness too, she didn,t try to #ee& him from going. .ometimes 9aria
understood his duty %etter than he did. <,ll %e %ac#. &romise.>
< #no$.>
9ichael loo#ed at the door to see if anyone $as there %efore continuing. <+re
you set for food right no$4> 9aria #ne$ $hat he meant.
<)e,re fine. :reen. .omeone %rought me t$o do0en Kris&y Kremes and three
cartons of mil#, and had a huge %rea#fast earlier this morning.> 9ichael smiled at
that. *os&itals. +nother &u%lic &lace for them. .he $o#e that morning, sur&rised to
find him slee&ing $ith her.
<3all me if you feel $ea#, cold or tired. Promise.>
< &romise. 8o$ go.> 9ichael #issed her, and started to &ull a$ay $hen
suddenly he #issed her again. <,ll %e %ac#.> +nd she $atched him lea!e the room.
895
9aria #ne$ she had another !isitor as soon as she heard 9ichael,s reaction in
the hall. 1ut regardless, the man entered des&ite 9ichael telling him that she
$asn,t seeing anyone %ut family.
<*ello, Professor Price.>
<9aria.> "he man loo#ed uncomforta%le in the hos&ital room. < thought
should chec# to see ho$ you are.>
<"hat,s nice and really, ,m fine.>
<3heryl said that you almost had a miscarriage. didn,t reali0e that you $ere
&regnant.> 9aria smiled $ithout humor, rac#ing her %rain for some $ay to get him
to lea!e. "al#ing a%out her &ersonal health $as more than she $anted to do, %ut
still she did need to see him.
< did and am. "he %a%y is fine. +ctually ,m glad to see you, %ecause $as
going to ha!e to ma#e a s&ecial tri& to meet $ith you any$ay. need to ta#e a
lea!e of a%sence from my teaching &osition due to health concerns. 9y doctor says
that if you need a s&ecial letter, that he $ould %e ha&&y to &ro!ide it for my
em&loyment files.>
<8o. "hat,s not necessary. ,!e reali0ed you,!e %een sic#. t,s late in the
semester for me to hire anyone to co!er your classes, %ut can see a%out co!ering
them $ith the existing staff.>
<+ctually, $as thin#ing that you might consider hiring 6ddie to ta#e o!er my
classes. *e and "ess can s&lit the &osition so they ha!e enough time for their o$n
classes. ,ll continue to $or# the museum and s&lit time $ith my assistant curator.
1oth 6ddie and "ess ha!e already %een hired for next year as +ssistant Professors
$hile in the PhD &rogram, and ,m already a&&ro!ed for +ssociate Professorshi&, so
this could %e an o&&ortunity for them get in!ol!ed %efore the ne$ school year.>
8:6
<,d ha!e to hire them as instructors only. )e ne!er re&laced 2ahnie Ko!itch
from last year. 8one of the a&&licants $ere a&&ro!ed, and the current staff is
s&read thin co!ering his la%s and courses. "he tenure &osition you,re ta#ing next
year is his, and ha!e t$o more &rofessors re;uesting retirement, one $ho is going
halftime, and the other in full retirement. +lso Professor )yle is going on
sa%%atical.> Ken sat %ac# in this chair and thought a%out it for a moment. < also
ha!e to account for the fact that your classes $ill ha!e to %e co!ered in the 'all
once you go on maternity lea!e, and $ho's to say $hen you,ll $ant to come %ac#.>
9aria refused to feel %adly a%out $hether her &regnancy $as an
incon!enience to him. *e $as the De&artment 3hair, and had %eaten out older and
more ex&erienced Professors to ha!e that &osition. .cheduling &ro%lems $ere &art
of the headache of his -o%. 9aria $as on the hiring committee for 2ahnie's
re&lacement, and it had %een Price,s stu%%ornness that made it im&ossi%le to find
an a&&ro&riate a&&licant. Price,s standards $ere im&ossi%ly high.
<)ell 'll figure it out later.> 1efore Ken could go on $ith $hat he came to see
her a%out, the nurse came in to re&lace 9aria,s G and gi!e her more mil# and
three cans of the nutritional sha#es.
<Peggy, no5 Doc2im said %efore meals. t,s only after %rea#fast.>
<.orry, 9aria. *e added t$o snac#times %et$een meals. Don,t $orry.
%rought you t$o chocolates and a stra$%erry. +!oid drin#ing too much of the
!anilla ones %ecause if you don,t you,ll ne!er %e a%le to drin# anything !anilla
again.>
<"hey,re nasty.> Peggy -ust nodded her agreement and told 9aria she,d %e
%ac# later to chec# her !itals.
<)hen you get home add them to ice cream.>
8:1
9aria loo#ed at Ken. <Does that $or#4 mean does it ma#e them more
&alata%le4>
<.ur&risingly, yes. $as really small $hen $as a %oy, %ut could run. 9y
father tried to %ul# me u& $ith all these &rotein drin#s. used to drin# them six
times a day, and the cloying &rotein taste really started to $ear thin until learned
to add them to !anilla ice cream and malt mix, ma#ing a thic# malt.>
<=ou run4> 9aria $as shoc#ed to reali0e that he might e!en ha!e a life outside
the 7ni!ersity. .he sa$ him at social functions, %ut didn,t e!en #no$ if he had a
$ife.
<9arathons in college, %ut that,s so many years ago. t,s something you ha!e
to #ee& u& $ith, or you soon lose the a%ility for long distance running. really
should ta#e it u& again, %ut since %ecame the De&artment 3hair it seems rarely
ha!e any time.>
<Perha&s. 1ut 'll %et it $as !ery freeing to %e a%le to run for long distances.>
<t $as. )hen first mo!ed to Ros$ell use to run in the desert. "hat,s %een
fore!er and a day. 8o$ ,m $inded after t$o city %loc#s.>
9aria nodded. .he hadn,t $or#ed out $ith 9ichael in almost a $ee#, had
already missed four yoga classes in a ro$ and she hadn,t e!en found time to
meditate. +ma0ing ho$ much of her time had %een ta#en o!er %y eating and sex.
<9ay%e you should try finding a -ogging %uddy or t$o4 #no$ 6ddie is a long
distance runner and hurler, and 2onathan .tiller is also a -ogger. *e ran the local
marathons. *e tried to tal# me into the Ros$ell 3ancer run last fall, %ut someho$
running C0K $asn,t my idea of a fun .aturday, or any day.>
<t,s a thought. +ny$ay, $anted to sto& and chec# on you, and ,ll get your
&a&er$or# done for a lea!e of a%sence.> Ken &aused uncertain ho$ to continue.
8:2
<+nd the other thing you came to tal# to me a%out4> 9aria as#ed gently. t
$as useless to try to forestall the ine!ita%le. *e $ould hunt her do$n until he found
her so it $as %est to get it o!er so she didn,t ha!e to $orry a%out a run(in $ith him
again.
<"he 'oundation.>
</f course, the 'oundation.> 9aria loo#ed at him and sighed. <Did you tal# to
2onathan4>
< did. *e ga!e me a list of the current %oard mem%ers. tal#ed to most of
them. "hey all $anted to #no$ $hat you thought.>
9aria $inced at that. "raitors. <)ell really ha!en,t gi!en it much thought at
all. really ha!en,t %een in!ol!ed in the situation. )hat do they $ant to #no$
exactly4>
<)here you stood on my a&&ointment.>
9aria %it her li&. < can,t say. $ould ha!e to re!ie$ the situation and ma#e a
decision. "hat could ta#e some time since can,t do anything until after my
mother,s $edding on .aturday.>
<f you,ll loo# into my a&&lication and get %ac# to me, ,d a&&reciate it.> 9aria
$atched as the man tried to %e &leasant and actually smiled at her. t left distur%ing
goose%um&s on her s#in. *e really shouldn,t smile. t $as frightening.
9aria loo#ed u& to see the 1ug :uys, :eorge and 2eremy enter the room $ith
2onathan %ehind them. 2onathan %ac#ed out of the room $hen he sa$ Ken Price.
9aria smiled at them in relief.
<9aria5> Ken loo#ed at the t$o 1ug :uys and fro$ned. "a#ing their arri!al as
his cue, he told 9aria that he $ould get her all the information either later that day
or %y 9onday. +nd 9aria $as ha&&y to see him lea!e.
8:7
Loo#ing at the t$o entomologists, she smiled as they ga!e her a &resent. <=ou
t$o shouldn,t ha!e.> /&ening the %ox she fro$ned at the roll of %ugs in the %ox.
<Really.>
:eorge smiled at her. <"hey,re no!elty candy5 .ha&ed li#e...>
<1ugs. noticed that.> 9aria loo#ed at them and found their enthusiasm
charming. .he offered them a chocolate %ug.
<"ry the &raying mantis. ts feelers are crunchy5> 9aria cringed as 2eremy
do$ned a coc#roach and heard it crunch.
:eorge searched the %ox for a #atydid. <"hey co!er the outer shell in a
crunchy chocolate to emulate the tough exos#eleton of the common insect including
the %eetle. 1e careful of the outer hinging $ing. .ometimes it can get stuc# in your
gums and ma#e them %leed.>
<)ell(recei!ed ad!ice, not to %e ignored or ta#en lightly.> 9aria searched the
%ox and finally selected a nice 6gy&tian scara% to ni%%le on. < can,t $ait to sho$
9ichael.>
<*e,ll lo!e them5> :eorge informed her gi!ing 2eremy an I told you so, loo#
from $hen they discussed $hat to gi!e 9aria.
<.o ho$ did you t$o find out $as in the hos&ital4>
</h it,s all o!er cam&us, %ut actually $e $ere $or#ing on our collection at the
museum this morning, and ran into 6ddie, $ho heard it from 3ynthia, the coffee
lady at the 3ommons, $ho heard it from...>
<+round. +ll o!er cam&us4 "hat ex&lains all the flo$ers.> 9aria smiled at them.
<=ou didn,t ha!e to come. ,m going home today.>
<)ell $e didn,t #no$ if $e should send you flo$ers or something else, %ut
:eorge came u& $ith the chocolate %ug idea and $e couldn,t $ait to see your
sur&rised face.>
8:8
<.ur&rise5 +ctually it $as the most uni;ue &resent ,!e had.>
2eremy congratulated himself and :eorge. <)e &ride oursel!es on uni;ue and
rare items5>
< #no$.> 9aria loo#ed at 2eremy and noticed a %andage around his an#le.
<Did you ha!e an accident4>
2eremy follo$ed her glance. <:eorge,s dogs attac#ed my leg.>
<8o5 +re you o#ay4> 9aria offered him another chocolate %ug.
<,m fine.>
<"hey $ouldn,t ha!e attac#ed him, %ut $e $ere out on the %luff the other
night, and he ste&&ed in our syru& %ait getting it all o!er his shoes and &ants leg.>
< tried to get it off, %ut it $as dar#. "he dogs seemed to li#e the stin#y s$eet
smell.>
9aria laughed at them. <+nd $hat ha&&ened to your hands4> 1oth men loo#ed
at their hands, and then at each other shee&ishly. <)hat did you do4>
<t $as :eorge,s fault5> :eorge &rotested, %ut 2eremy $ent on. <)e noticed
our %iggest com&etitor, you #no$, Professor .tyles in the in!erte%rate section4 )ell
lately he,s %een collecting, and he sets out tra&s, so...>
<=ou sa$ one of his tra&s4>
<)ell, it $as -ust there, sus&ended from the 1luff, and &ic#ing u& ;uite the
num%er of s&ecimens, so...:eorge thought $e should -ust haul that &u&&y in and
ta#e it in for .tyles, -ust so his tra& $as...>
<"oo full4>
<6xactly5> :eorge smiled. *is !ery reasoning. <t couldn,t ha!e held any more
s&ecimens any$ay, and the s&ecies $as $rong.>
<.o any$ay(( reached do$n, %ut couldn,t get it, so :eorge reached o!er to
hel&, and...>
8:9
<*e anchored it5> :eorge said indignantly. <)ho anchors a collecting -ar in the
middle of no$here4 "he man is insane tell you5 8eurotically damaged((-ust $ay
out there5>
9aria laughed at his ex&ression. <.o $hat did you gra%4 "he %ailing $ire4>
<=eah, it sliced right through my hand, and $hen 2eremy came to hel&
untangle me, he ri&&ed the side of his hand and arm. t $as gruesome the $ay the
dogs smelt the %ait on 2eremy, and then the %lood.>
< didn,t #no$ that %ug collecting $as so dangerous.>
</*5 t is5 +nd sexy5> 2eremy nodded $ith :eorge,s assessment. <=ou can,t
imagine the $omen $e attract $ith our stories. "here are grou&ies you #no$.>
< had no idea. 1ug grou&ies5> 9aria -ust nodded her head #no$ingly. <)hy
sure there,d %e.>
<"here $as this time in Peru $e $ere on the trail of a...>
???
<Professor.> Ken $as startled to see 2onathan .tiller leaning against the $all
outside 9aria,s door.
<9r. .tiller.> Ken made a mo!e to continue &ast the man, %ut 2onathan
sur&rised him.
< ha!e a re;uest to ma#e of you.> Ken sto&&ed short. <,ll let the %oard come
to an o&en !ote on your a&&ointment .unday during the ;uarterly meeting. t,s a
luncheon meeting, and $e al$ays meet on a .unday since this is on a !olunteer
%asis and most of us ha!e acti!e li!es during the normal $ee#. "hey,ll hear all sides
of the argument and ,ll in!ite you to gi!e o&en argument and &ersuasion, if...>
<f4>
8::
<f you don,t in!ol!e 9aria DeLuca in the &roceedings. .he,s hardly in a
condition to %e &ut under stress, and her &osition at the 7ni!ersity ma#es the result
difficult for her $or#ing relationshi& $ith you. $ould rather lea!e her out of the
negotiations at this time.>
<)ell, loo#ed at the !oting %loc#s. =ou $ere right. Professor DeLuca doesn,t
!ote her %loc#. =ou do. +nd the com%ination of the t$o largest %loc#s &uts you in a
&osition of autonomous &o$er. 9aria holds the last three &ercent s$ing !otes that
ha!e remained unused in o!er fi!e years since the 'oundation,s ince&tion. .o
unless get 9aria in!ol!ed, and she ta#es her %loc# of !otes %ac# into hand, ,m
loo#ing at a no($in situation.>
<.o $hat are you saying, Professor4 "hat this a&&ointment is $orth in!ol!ing a
$oman $ho is sic# and $ho almost lost her %a%y, -ust so you can hold a seat on a
'oundation that $ill ne!er alter its &osition or statement4 "here is no &o$er to %e
had in that.>
<=es, if the need arises. )hich thin# it has.>
<'ine. offer you a com&romise, and suggest you ta#e me u& on it or $ill
counsel 9aria to ta#e her !otes, %ut let :uerin !ote them in her &lace since she is
too sic# to do it herself. Doing it that $ay $ill gi!e her a %uffer against ha!ing to
actually !ote against you.>
Ken hadn't thought of that. /f course 9aria might feel com&romised %y her
$or#ing relationshi& $ith him and &ass her !otes o!er to :uerin, her future
hus%and, to !ote in her &lace. :uerin $ould immediately !ote him out and nothing
$ould %e gained.
<)hat is your com&romise4>
2onathan smiled a self(ser!ing smile, lac#ing in either $armth or humor. <,ll
turn o!er her %loc# of !otes to a non(%oard mem%er, %ut a noted mem%er of the
8:7
community $ith a history of community in!ol!ement. "hat mem%er can act as an
im&artial &roxy, and $ill hear the argument for the first time on .unday at noon.>
2onathan ga!e the man a dar# deadly loo# that made the s$eat %ead on his
forehead. < suggest that you ta#e this offer, %ecause if you in!ol!e her in this fight
,ll use e!ery $ea&on in my arsenal to not only ma#e sure you ne!er hold a seat on
the 'oundation, %ut $ill acti!ely cam&aign for the re&lacement of your &osition as
*ead of the De&artment of +nthro&ology.>
<)hy are you doing this4 )hat is so s&ecial a%out 9aria DeLuca to ma#e you
&rotect her so fiercely4>
Ken felt real fear for the first time. *e $as standing on the edge of losing %oth
his treasured &osition at the 7ni!ersity and the other &osition he really $anted. t
$as his deser!ed right to hold these &ositions. *e had $or#ed hard all his life and
done e!erything right. "his man, this one man $ith his &osition and &o$er, stood in
the $ay of his life.
<.he is more s&ecial than you can imagine, %ut regardless of $hether she is
s&ecial or not, she is my friend. +nd for me...that is enough.>
< agree to your terms. *o$ do you &lan to find this im&artial community
&aragon4>
<,ll ha!e my secretary contact all the charita%le organi0ations in Ros$ell and
as# for a list of their largest %enefactors. "he one &erson on all lists, or the most
&rominently acti!e one $ill %e as#ed to do this. f they cannot, ,ll go to the next
&erson, and so on.>
<+greed.> Ken started to lea!e $ithout sha#ing 2onathan's hand.
<Professor. 9y secretary $ill contact you tomorro$ $ith information for the
meeting.> Ken -ust nodded and left. *e hated the man.
8:4
2onathan $atched him lea!e $ith taciturn eyes, and it $as the laughter from
9aria,s room that dre$ his attention. .he had to %e &rotected at any cost. "a#ing
out his &hone, he made the calls. 9aria DeLuca,s un%orn child $as $hat $as
im&ortant.
2onathan $atched as the 1ug :uys left %efore entering the room. <=ou too
tired for another !isitor4>
9aria smiled at her friend. < $ondered $here you $ent.>
< $anted a $ord $ith Professor Price.>
9aria too# in his stony loo#, the dar# seething anger %eneath the surface.
.trange, 2onathan $as a man that rarely let anyone sha#e him or his control. *e
$as a model of &erfection in %oth loo#s and manner.
<)as it %ad4>
<+%out the same, %ut you,ll not %e needing to $orry a%out it. made a
com&romise, and as of no$ you,re no longer going to %e %othered.>
<2onathan, $hat did you do4>
*e -ust leaned do$n and #issed her on the chee#, and then lightly laid his
hand on her stomach %efore sitting do$n. <Don,t $orry a%out it. t,s ta#en care of,
and all $ant you to $orry a%out is your %a%y.>
9aria #ne$ %etter than to loo# a gift horse in the mouth. <"han# you.>
2onathan smiled. <=ou #no$ lo!e you most of anyone in the $orld(($ell
exce&t for my tailor. 1ut dammit, a good tailor is hard to find in this day and age.>
<"he flattery -ust roles off your tongue, my smooth friend.> 9aria &luc#ed at
her co!ers. <*o$ much $ill this cost you4>
<9e4 + mere irritation factor, %ut other$ise nothing.> 2onathan sat %ac# and
loo#ed at her. <Remem%er $hen $e first %ecame friends4> .he nodded. <
remem%er ho$...%ro#en you $ere then. *o$ silent.>
8:5
<"hat $as a long time ago. ,m stronger no$.>
< #no$. 1ut you made me %elie!e. /!er these last years, you made me
%elie!e that there is a uni;ueness in the human s&irit, one $orth culti!ating.>
<)hat is that4>
<.heer stu%%ornness.> 9aria laughed in delight. /h she had that indeed, in
s&ades. 1ut then so did he. < $ant this %a%y for you. t,s li#e a re$ard for all that
you are. ,ll do anything to ma#e sure that you and the grum&y Detecti!e get this.
t,s im&ortant to me. don,t ha!e many close &ersonal friends, and consider you
one of my %est.>
9aria felt the &ric#ling of tears %ehind her eyes. <"han# you, again.>
<Don,t than# me yet. =ou ha!en,t seen the &resent %rought you.>
< got the flo$ers.> 9aria gestured to the arrangement she #e&t, %ut he -ust
shrugged it off. "hat $as -ust common courtesy, %ut this $as the gold, %a%y.
*anding 9aria a %ox he had %rought in $ith him, she slo$ly o&ened it and her
gas& of admiration and desire shoc#ed him. "hen it amused him.
<3hristie,s tri&le chocolate Eclair funnel ca#e $ith extra $hi&&ed cream
surrounded in laced ras&%erry syru&.> 9aria couldn,t thin# of anything else to say,
%ut stare at the sugary confection. n the $orld of chocolate orgasmic delight, this
$as a ten on the Richter scale. </h5 2onathan, it,s still $arm5>
*e -ust calmly held out a for# and #ee&ing one in his hand for himself. "he
yummy sounds she made $hile eating made him laugh in delight. *e ne!er thought
he $ould find a gluttonous gourmet soulmate and friend such as the one he had
found in the small form and %ody of 9aria DeLuca. t $as nice to ha!e someone to
share some of the nicer things this $orld had to offer $ith such an o&en -oy, almost
sim&listic in its childli#e manner.
876
<.o, you going to tell me a%out this #issing thing you ha!e going on $ith my
9ax4>
2onathan -ust laughed as he ate another %ite. </h it,s delicious5>
9aria sto&&ed che$ing for a second and as#ed, <"he ca#e, or 9ax4>
<1oth e;ually.> 9aria couldn,t let that &ass, as she %egan a nice leisurely round
of t$enty ;uestions.
???
9ichael, .ean, 9ax and *anson $ent to the location that 9arco ga!e 9ichael.
t $as a deserted area -ust on the outs#irts of Ros$ell in an old lime and chal#
;uarry -ust off the main high$ay. "he access road $as $ell tra!eled and %eaten
do$n %y the ages.
9ichael and .ean $al#ed the field $hile 9ax and *anson $atched from a high
location, uncertain $hat the t$o men $here loo#ing for. .ean $asn,t mo!ing !ery
fast, and his %reathing $as shoc#ingly rough. 9ax $atched as 9ichael ga0ed at the
location and searched the surrounding area, almost li#e he $as ex&ecting
something. .lo$ly the men circled a large area encom&assing almost three ;uarters
of an acre in a rough circle.
<.hould %e out there4 Loo#ing, mean4> *anson as#ed timidly. 9ax -ust
shoo# his head no. *e couldn,t ex&lain it, %ut he didn,t $ant to touch the area
9ichael $as slo$ly ma&&ing out, and he #e&t *anson off too. t $as li#e trying to
sto& a sacred ground from %eing desecrated, defiled. <)hat are they loo#ing for
exactly4>
<Lost ones.> 9ax loo#ed at the man and sighed. <2ust $atch, *anson. )atch
and try to learn something.
871
<9ichael4> .ean could feel it and smell it. 3losing his eyes he could almost feel
the %lood see&ing u& from the ground to &ool at his feet. t felt...hushed, li#e the
ground silenced its ca&ti!e ones and held them %ound. 9ichael sim&ly too# out his
cell &hone and called in the location, re;uesting full ser!ice 3. and forensics $ith
extra em&loying units to close the area. <9ichael4>
9ichael's !oice $as too soft, almost too lo$ for .ean to hear. <8ot no$, .ean.
can,t...> *e $al#ed u& the em%an#ment $ith .ean follo$ing slo$ly and carefully.
9ax loo#ed at .ean, %ut .ean -ust gestured no.
t $as the Killing 'ield, %ut it held all the mar#ings of a slaughtering mass
gra!e $ith the !ery smell of death clinging to the earth, and the air $as &ermeated
$ith the stench of decay $or#ing %ac# into the rich soil.
???
<+lex4>
+lex loo#ed u& from $here he sat in a %ooth drin#ing his %rea#fast in the form
of straight malt li;uor, and distractedly did &a&er$or# on his clu%. *e -ust nodded
to 'reddie, %ut remained silent. 2immy $as %ac# from !acation, %ut +lex $as still
doing $or# at the clu%. *is manager had a huge mess to clear a$ay, restoc#ing of
essentials that +lex had let slide, and the man and his accountant $ere still trying
to %alance the %oo#s.
<)hat4>
'reddie $ent closer to +lex and fro$ned. "he man $as $al#ing on the edge.
"he %arely restrained !iolence $as almost tangi%le. <"he 3o&s, they,re onto
something %ig. "hey,re mo!ing massi!e amounts of e;ui&ment and man&o$er into
the old %ac# ;uarry.>
872
<"he Dum&. *e found it.> +lex stood u& and mo!ed all his &a&er $or# to the
side, lea!ing it $here it sat.
<=ou can,t go out there. "hey,ll close off the area to #ee& &eo&le off the
scene.>
<"hey $on,t #ee& me out. "ell 2immy to finish here and ,ll %e %ac# as soon as
can.>
<+lex, $hy go4 )hat &ur&ose can it ser!e4> 'reddie didn,t finish the sentence.
)hat could it ser!e %ut to hurt him more, cut him dee&er4
<,!e got missing innocents out there. "a#en. "a#en from my &lace. "hey,re
mine and ,!e got to #no$. need to see.> +lex left the clu% $ithout a second loo#.
*e needed to see if it $as as horri%le as he dreamt it $as.
???
9ichael felt him %efore he #ne$ he $as there. 3. $as searching the field that
9ichael had indicated, the one that he and .ean mar#ed off.
<*anson, go do$n to the access entry. "ell them to let )hitman through.>
9ichael didn,t remo!e his eyes from the scene of small test &its %eing dug. <+nd
*anson4> *anson loo#ed at 9ichael again. <Don,t %e a fool and touch him. =ou ste&
%ac# and lea!e him %e. 2ust let him in.>
.imon clim%ed u& the small em%an#ment to 9ichael, .ean and 9ax. <9ichael,
are you sure on the limits4>
9ichael -ust nodded. <t felt close to the surface. *as to %e less than a foot
dee& in co!er.>
<+%out six inches. "he closure %ac#fill is too light. "his site $as o!erly
saturated. + good rain $ould ha!e o&ened ex&osures.> .imon loo#ed o!er the
877
range. "his $as not good. <,!e got meat $agons and %ody %ags. )e,ll mo!e to the
larger PD $arehouse to s&read out the remains li#e $e did for the &lane that
crashed a fe$ years %ac#.> .imon couldn,t understand it, %ut all the test &its that
$ere done outside the area 9ichael and .ean mar#ed $ere free of remains. t $as
im&ossi%le to understand ho$ they #ne$ $here it started and ended. <*o$ did you
#no$, 9ichael4 *o$ did you #no$ $here to sto&4>
<"here $eren't any more crunching %ones %eneath my feet. "he ground s$ells
and then sin#s as your $eight com&acts the earth. "his &lace $as too &ac#ed $ith
fresh #ills, and time hadn,t settled the u&&er gra!es. "he ground still has a s&ring
to it, and the smell esca&es through the &orous soil.>
.imon $as sorry he as#ed. *e couldn,t feel it, exce&t to say that he sensed a
$rongness to the ground and a need for silence. <)e,re going to start ta#ing do$n
the s&ace no$ that the &erimeters are defined.> 9ichael -ust nodded as .ean lit a
cigarette next to him. 9ichael calmly reached out and too# the cigarette from
.ean,s mouth and tossed it on the ground grinding it in the soil.
<8o smo#ing. 8ot until your damn %reathing doesn,t sound li#e a fric#in,
freight train.> .ean -ust cussed at the destruction, the $aste. t $as the only one he
had %ummed. <)hitman.> 9ichael didn,t e!en turn to see +lex.
9ax stayed at the command module tal#ing on the &hone, $hen Kyle finally
sho$ed u&. *e loo#ed for his &artner, and found him, .ean and +lex a%o!e the
#illing field on the highest &oint on the surrounding hills. "hey $ere all silent.
<Kyle, is e!erything ta#en care of for trans&ort4>
Kyle follo$ed 9ax,s glance and fro$ned at his &artner and the others. )hat
$ere they doing4 <=eah. secured the $arehouse. Large ta%les $ere %eing %rought
in, and Par#er and her cre$ $here already setting u& a la% area $ith forensics.
878
"hey're sorting the 9issings $e ha!e listed $ith identifia%le mar#s and Par#er is
ready to start testing for D8+ remains.>
<"han#s for getting that done, Kyle.>
<*o$ many so far, 9ax4> Kyle as#ed ;uietly.
9ax -ust shoo# his head. < lost count after the sixtieth %ody %ag came out. +ll
the remaining lo$er le!els are li#e a hodge&odge of %ones, o!erla&&ing each other.
"hey're going to exca!ate them out in a grid method, section %y section, and then
try to match the site in the la%.>
<:od.> Kyle loo#ed o!er the field and $atched *anson hel& cart %oxes u& from
the mass gra!e. "hey continued to hel& the remains %e &ulled from the site for o!er
four hours until all that $as left $as digging. t started dri00ling lightly three hours
into it, and finally it $as coming u& to almost t$o in the afternoon $hen .imon
$al#ed out of the field, tired, $et and co!ered in mud.
< thin# $e found all $e,re going to. 8ormally $e $ould ha!e ta#en the time to
slo$ly exca!ate and ta#e the site $ith greater care, %ut this is -ust a dum&ing site.
"here,s no information to %e had here, -ust death.>
<*o$ many, .imon4> 9ax as#ed ;uietly not #no$ing if he $anted to #no$.
<Rough estimation, a%out one hundred thirty((may%e more. )e started
counting s#ulls.> .imon turned to loo# at the three lone men high u& an
em%an#ment $atching in silence. "hey had stood there unmo!ing for hours, -ust
$atching. .imon gra%%ed one of his men $ith a camera. <"a#e their &ictures.> *e
nodded to$ards .ean, 9ichael and +lex.
9ax loo#ed at them too. "hey stood there in the light rain. .ean $as crouched
lo$ to the ground at 9ichael,s feet, and he held the &alm of his hand -ust %arely
touching the ground as if he could feel the heat rising and his head $as %o$ed.
9ichael stood in the middle, tall and straight, o%ser!ing the field un%lin#ing and
879
silent. )hitman stood at 9ichael,s other side, slightly %ac# $ith his hands clenched
to his sides. *is face $as turned u& to the rain $ith eyes closed almost as if he $as
trying to get clean.
<9ax, call your &artner.> 9ax started to$ards the others, to start the slight
clim% to them. .imon, hoo#ed an arm in 9ax,s and dragged him %ac#. <8o, -ust
clearly call his name.> 9ax loo#ed at the man in confusion. 9ichael $as too far
a$ay. <2ust call him. *e,ll hear.>
9ax -ust shrugged. <9ichael.> *e felt a fool as his !oice rang out cris& and
clear. Kyle $as smir#ing next to him, %ut then his face $ent %lan# in dis%elief.
9ichael suddenly turned as did the other t$o, and the three men slo$ly
descended. 9ax turned to .imon in confusion.
<*o$...4>
< don,t #no$. -ust #no$ that $hen he,s on a crime scene, it,s as if all his
senses are %usy &rocessing, thin#ing, gathering and collecting information. -ust
assumed that he $as listening as $ell.>
.imon almost too# a ste& %ac# $hen 9ichael and the others -oined them.
9ichael,s eyes $ere dar# and dee&, and the rich golden %ro$n seemed to s&ar# of
energy and anger. .imon $asn,t sur&rised to see the clenching muscles in the
man,s -a$, %ut the trem%ling hands $ere unex&ected.
<.imon, you done $ith the site4>
<9ost of the main %odies ha!e %een trans&orted. "he remaining %ones are
%eing gathered no$.> .imon didn,t $ant to ha!e to say it, %ut it $as something he
couldn,t a!oid. <9ichael, at %est guess, this site has to %e at the !ery least fi!e
years old.>
<)e only &ulled records for the &ast fe$.>
< #no$. =our team needs to &ull for at least fi!e, may%e se!en.>
87:
.ean -ust cussed under his %reath and searched his clothes for a smo#e.
'uc#in, :uerin ruined his only one. +lex handed the man a cigarette and ga!e him
his to light it.
.imon loo#ed at 9ichael. "hey had $or#ed many scenes o!er the year, %ut
this man $as a stranger to him. <)hat is it, 9ichael4>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head to clear it. <'m -ust thin#ing dreamt a &lace of
death li#e this %efore.> *e didn,t notice the startled searching loo# from +lex or the
nod from .ean. "hey all had. Death had many faces and $as al$ays finding ne$
$ays to $al# among the li!ing, %ut one thing remained true((death $as death, and
from %irth to gra!e there $as no esca&e.
<Galenti,s out of office today getting ready for his $edding and honeymoon.
can call and see $hat the re&lacement 3a& $ants done $ith the site.> .imon &laced
the res&onsi%ility on 9ichael,s shoulders, he $as the senior detecti!e on site.
<)hen you,re done and e!erything is scra&ed clean, $ant this site sterili0ed.
"ell your men to salt the earth, co!er it o!er in lime and then %ury it.>
<9ichael.> .imon didn,t #no$ $hat to say to that order.
<2ust do it5 "his &lace is diseased. .alt the earth.> 9ichael $al#ed a$ay, the
other follo$ed. 9ichael reached out and snatched the cigarette from .ean,s mouth
again and angrily tossed it to the ground. <8o smo#ing5>
???
9aria $as resting, $aiting for 9ichael to come s&ring her from the hos&ital.
.he hadn,t heard from him since he left that morning, and 9aria $as feeling the
need to ta#e a long na&. "he tiredness $as %etter, and her morning sic#ness had
%een managea%le that morning. "he drugs for nausea seemed to %e $or#ing
877
$onders. Doc2im assured her that once she got o!er the morning sic#ness her
$eight $ould &ic# u&, and a fe$ months later she $ould %e com&laining a%out her
round %ody, her s$elling feet and not %eing a%le to tie her shoes.
9aria had almost &ic#ed u& the &hone three or four times to call 9ichael, %ut
she $as afraid he $ould thin# it $as the %a%y, so she refrained. "he &ro%lem $as
she could almost feel him, sense that he $as u&set. +round ten it $as li#e the %a%y
de!elo&ed hiccu&s. 9aria sat crying in her hos&ital room for a good half hour solid
and the nurse $as concerned, %ut it $as attri%uted to hormones.
.he hated hos&itals, their smell, their sound and their sterile cold feel. t
$ould %e nice to go home. Less than t$enty(four hours a$ay and she $as feeling
homesic#, needing the $armth and safety she associated $ith her life, 9ichael and
the loft.
<Knoc#, #noc#5>
9aria loo#ed o!er at the o&ened hos&ital %ed and s$allo$ed a moan. Dammit5
:erald "iny stood in the door$ay smiling holding a huge !ase full of sunflo$ers.
"his $as all 9ichael,s fault for not coming for her sooner, %ut she $ould forgi!e him
since his day couldn,t ha!e %een a nice $al# in the &ar#. *e $as o&ening u& the
Dum&, and that meant more %odies.
<Professor "iny5> 9aria gestured to the flo$ers. <=ou shouldn,t ha!e.>
<7h uh, :erald5>
<Right.>
< missed you in the staff lunch room today, and :eorge told me $hat
ha&&ened. $as de!astated to hear that you almost lost your %a%y, $hich is hard
since hadn,t reali0ed that you $ere ex&ecting.>
<)e hadn,t announced it, so it $as a sur&rise for most &eo&le.> 9aria found
herself %ecoming irritated %y his tone, an almost im&lied sound that he should,!e
874
%een informed. :erald "iny for some reason $as hounding her, follo$ing her around
cam&us, chatting her u& and trying to %e o!erly friendly. t didn,t ma#e sense. "hey
ne!er had more than a nodding relationshi& of &assing ac;uaintances.
<)ell ,m glad to see that you loo# %etter, my dear.>
9aria,s s#in cringed at the Imy dear,, %ut she forced a smile on her face, none
the less. <:erald. a&&reciate the flo$ers and your sto&&ing, %ut ,m really tired
and $as -ust going to ta#e a na& $hile $aiting for 9ichael to come ta#e me
home.>
<+nd you should. =ou,re eating and resting for t$o no$. ,!e got to admit that
you,!e come to my mind more and more e!ery day. Last year $as hard $ith losing
Dianne. )e started teaching at the same time, and she $as a sort of friend. thin#
it is all this un&leasantness o!er a serial #iller, and ha!ing one of my graduate
students -ust %e murdered li#e that. 2anet $as a fine educator, !ery &recise and
&ractical. can,t see ho$ she could -ust go out one day and meet a monster $ho
$oos her to her death. $ould,!e thought a $oman of 2anet,s &ersonality $ould,!e
%een more reser!ed and careful.>
<,m sorry for your loss, :erald. hadn,t reali0ed you $ere so close to the
!ictim...2anet.> 9aria didn,t e!en $ant to cross the mental line of ho$ exactly close
:erald $as to 2anet. :erald $asn,t a %ad(loo#ing man. *e $as a contem&orary $ith
Dianne, in his mid to late thirties. 1ut 9aria found that gleam in his eyes sort
of...greedy, and that loo# alone detracted from his loo#s and his a&&eal.
:erald -ust $a!ed off her offered condolences. <,m ho&ing that your detecti!e
is ma#ing head$ay $ith these %rutal slayings. heard that three %odies ha!e %een
reco!ered, and more are sus&ected to %e lost. .o, do you thin# the #iller is a
socio&ath or a serial4 $as thin#ing that de&ending on his morality %ase, and
conce&ts of good and e!il...>
875
9aria dro$ned him out as he $ent on and on trying to find clues and solutions
to a su%-ect %etter left alone. 9aria loo#ed at her &hone and $ished she could &ic#
it u& and call her uncle,s suite at the Ros$ell "o$ers and as# him to send o!er Ithe
1oys, to guard her room from undesira%les. 1ut in truth, there $as no reason to
shut the %arnyard gate no$ that the horse $as already gone.
???
"he %ull&en $as su%dued that day. "he shoc# and horror of all the unco!ered
%odies $as the su%-ect $eighing on e!eryone,s mind. 6!en sol!ing so many missing
&ersons, cases at once, didn,t lift the general feelings of disease coating the room.
9ichael $as too ;uiet, e!en more than usual. +ll his res&onses $ere almost
exclusi!ely grunts.
t $asn't until he loo#ed u& and sa$ her that 9ichael,s mischie!ous humor
returned. :lancing side$ays at .ean standing next to him going through &ictures of
missing teenagers and young adults, 9ichael said softly, <+D+ in the house.>
.ean,s entire %ody $ent stiff. /h god5 *e $as too %usy to deal $ith the +D+
right no$. .ean loo#ed u& at her and her %ris#, all %usiness $al#, the set
determination of her chin and the mo!ement of her %ody telling him she $as
meaning %usiness. Dammit, it $asn,t fair that his thera&y $as only $ee#s along
and she $as a tem&tation to falter.
<,d let her s&an# me.> .ean shoo# his head. *o$ the hell did that sli& out4
9ichael didn,t e!en loo# at him. *e -ust made a !ile remar# follo$ed %y a
grunt and then a full( %lo$n rant. <)hat that hell is going on here4 Do you ha!e to
-ust let any old comment go4 Don,t ha!e enough to deal $ith, $ith 9aria in the
hos&ital, e!eryone in!ading my home, 9ax gi!ing me u&(to(the(minute status
846
re&orts on his forays into a ne$ gay lifestyle #issing 2onathan .tiller no less,
*anson smelling li#e that old frost inside of old refrigerators $ith a stin#y(s$eet
smell attached, Kyle calling "ess e!ery hour on the hour ma#ing sic#ening noises
and no$ you ru%%ing u& against the +D+ and &ractically hum&ing her leg li#e a
&u&&y(%itch in heat4 "hat,s it5 ,m going to go &ic# u& my family, ta#e them home
and try to forget the $orld for a $hile.>
.ean thought a%out it. 9ichael $as right. *e $as %eing too easy. .he,d ne!er
res&ect him in the morning. *e tried to remem%er $hy that $ould %e a %ad thing,
%ut then ga!e himself the I,m in thera&y for my issues, lecture and decided to &lay
it safe. .ean loo#ed for a &lace to hide. 8o control. 8o control. .eeing her heading
their $ay, .ean duc#ed do$n under 9ichael,s des# $ith a ;uic#, <*ide me5>
9ichael's sco$l increased as .ean darted &ast his legs to lur# %eside the des#,
hiding from +D+ 2ulia. *er legs $eren,t %ad, and far as 9ichael could tell she
reminded him a little of his o$n Professor. "he man $as sic#. *e had ha&&ily dated
the Par#er mouse for o!er six months $ith hardly a com&laint, %ut he hides from
the li#es of +D+ 9acLeod4 "his $as getting too $ar&ed to ta#e. 9ichael $as
through. *e $anted to go home.
<)here is Detecti!e DeLuca4 "he secretary said he $as o!er here.>
9ichael loo#ed at her and nodded. <*e is.>
<)here4> .he had an edge in her !oice that made 9ichael $ant to laugh.
<)here all self(res&ecting detecti!es are. *e,s co$ering under my des#.>
<Really4 )ell drag his $orthless ass out and ,ll ta#e him off your hands.>
<)ith &leasure.> 9ichael reached do$n and dragged .ean u&$ard $hile .ean
called him a traitor to the 1rotherhood. <:et o!er it. "a#e it li#e a man. .he loo#s
li#e she -ust going to #noc# you around a %it.>
<,ll get you for this, :uerin.>
841
9ichael gra%%ed his -ac#et and $a!ed at an amused 9ax. <=eah, lea!e a
message on my fuc#ing !oice mail, .ean. t,s C(R00(:o to *ell.> 9ichael ga!e 2ulia
a stern loo# %efore he left. <"ell him to get his ras&y(%reathing self home to rest,
don,t #ic# him around too much and don$% let him %um a cigarette for anything in
the $orld.> )ith that 9ichael too# off, mum%ling under his %reath a%out %eing tired
of %eing e!eryone,s %a%ysitter.
.ean -ust stood his ground and finally loo#ed at 2ulia. Damn, she loo#ed nice((
real nice. )ondering if she $ould consider dinner $ith him that night, or they could
-ust s#i& the all(you(can(eat chic#en %uffet and go straight to sex. *e $as so %usy
&lanning that the $ords didn,t sin# in for a moment or t$o.
<2ason Ru%io is missing.>
</h no5 8o5 ,m not finding your missing sus&ect. =our &eo&le lost him, then
they can find him. Last heard he $as in the custody of the courts. "hat is outside
my domain. ,m $i&ing my hands clean of this case.>
<Loo#.> .ean -ust tossed his hands u& in the air and $ent through the door to
the %rea#room for more coffee. <2ust listen. "he -udge granted yet another
continuance until Perdy could mend, and $ith you %eing tortured, too@>
< $asn,t tortured5 &laying a little sla& and tic#le $ith a %ruiser named
.hirley, or something li#e that. ,m fine.>
<=ou loo# sic#. =our face is a fright, and you sound li#e you can,t %reathe.
Don,t tell me you,re not in &ain.>
<Pain can handle, %ut chasing do$n another one of your sus&ects on the
lam4 8o. 8ot going to ha&&en.>
<,m not as#ing you to find Ru%io5 -ust $anted to $arn you that he,s on the
loose. $anted to tell you to %e careful.> .he made a &uffing noise of exas&eration
842
and started to head to the door. <9ay%e don,t li#e ha!ing your %lood on my
hands5> .ean sto&&ed her.
<,m sorry.> .he stood still under his hands, %ut reluctantly ga!e a nod. <"han#
you for the $arning. Listen. ,m ha!ing a shitty life that,s ca&&ing off a real shitty
$ee#. 1est thing $as seeing my family, %ut $ould'!e &referred not almost ha!ing
to die to see them. *o$e!er ,m not a hard man to &lease. ,ll ta#e $hat can get.>
2ulia loo#ed at him $orried. < really didn,t ex&ect you to almost get yourself
#illed loo#ing for Perdy. +nd you,re right. do o$e you. .o ,m re&aying %y $arning
you to $atch your %ac#.> 2ulia decided to head out %efore she said anything she
couldn,t ta#e %ac# later.
<)ait5 =ou really feel you o$e me4> 2ulia,s eyes narro$ed in sus&icion.
<.ome$hat. )hy4>
.ean smiled his most charming of smiles. < need a date.> .he -ust huffed at
him and tried to lea!e again. <8o, $ait5 said a date, not sex. t,s &erfectly
innocent. s$ear.>
2ulia -ust snorted at him in dis%elief. )here did they %reed &eo&le li#e him4 *e
$as insane.
<9y aunt is marrying my 3a&tain tomorro$. s&ent the entire $ee# loo#ing
for your $itness and hanging from a meat hoo#. +nd don,t loo# a%le to tal# a %lind
old maid into gi!ing me fi!e minutes of her time. 1ut don,t $ant to sho$ u& at the
$edding stag. 9y family $ill %e there, and it,ll ma#e me loo# %ad. ,ll lose face.>
<=our face is something they should %e used to since they ga!e it to you.>
<8ot that #ind of face5 ,ll ma#e a deal $ith you. =ou don,t e!en ha!e to really
tal# to me.>
<8o dancing4 +nd $e lea!e early4>
</ne dance, $e stay until the %ride and groom lea!e, and ta#e you home.>
847
<9y doorste& only, my de%t to you is re&aid, and you,ll ne!er try to %lac#mail
me again4>
<Deal.>
.he didn,t $ant to do this. *e $as %lac#mailing her, %ut a &art of her reali0ed
that she had &ut him in harm's $ay, and still he came through. 1ut the $hole thing
$as still &issing her off. <'ine. Pic# me u& at my house at...4>
<,ll %e there %y three(thirty.>
<f do this... ex&ect the slate to %e $i&ed clean and $ant my damn shoe
%ac#. 3lean5> 2ulia $al#ed to$ards the door. <"hat is non(negotia%le5>
.ean smiled to himself $ith a t$in#le in his eyes. Loo#ed li#e he o$ed 9ichael
for not letting him hide. Damn, she $as so in lo!e $ith him5
???
9aria $atched him. 9ichael $as silent and %rooding, and it didn,t ta#e much
to guess the reason. "he Dum&. 9r. 1oo%oo $as excited to see them. *e follo$ed
them u&stairs $hiningly telling them his $oes. 9aria $asn,t sur&rised to see that he
left her a stoc#&ile of dead %irds at the foot of the %ed and one in 9ichael,s running
shoe. .he $as almost getting used to the %ird carnage.
"hey stood loo#ing at each other for a fe$ moments. *e finally mo!ed closer
and too# her face %et$een his &alms and leaned his forehead against hers. "he last
time she had %een in their %edroom, he almost lost her.
<)ant to tal# a%out it4> 9aria $asn,t sure $hat she $as offering. "o tal# a%out
her sic#ness, the %a%y and $hat the hell $as going on $ith them, or a%out the
Dum&.
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. 8ot yet.
848
<)hat do you need4>
9ichael -ust led her into the %athroom and started the sho$er. *e needed to
feel something, to feel $arm, and to feel her. .he $as $ashing his %ac# $hen
suddenly he leaned for$ard, &ut his forearm against the tile and rested his head on
it. 9aria fro$ned $hen she noticed his %ody $as sha#ing. 9o!ing her hands u& his
%ac# in %road s$ee&ing gestures, she ru%%ed his %ac# in comfort as her arms $ent
around to his front and she hugged him tight $ith her head on his %ac#.
9ichael suddenly turned and dro&&ed to his #nees in front of her, $ater
cascading off his %ody as he %uried his head in her stomach.
<t,s o#ay. =ou don,t ha!e to tell me. t,s o#ay. t,s going to %e o#ay.> .he
stro#ed the s#in at the %ac# of his nec# as she leaned do$n to #iss his head,
soothing him $ith sounds of comfort.
<9y dream. t $as li#e my dream. "he smell of %lood...sic#eningly s$eet and
cloying rising off the ground...all the %odies...so many men, all dead.>
<.hhh.> 9aria &ulled him u& and dragged him out of the sho$er. )i&ing do$n
his $et %ody and then hers, she led him to %ed. "hey $ra&&ed themsel!es around
each other and her hands ma&&ed out his %ody and the feel of his s#in, as she
continued to hold him tight. <=ou,re not alone. =ou,ll ne!er %e alone again.>
"hey mo!ed against each other not once, %ut time and time again. t $as
more than sex, more than feeding, it $as reaffirming their connection. 9ichael
needed to feel e!ery inch of her s#in on his, touch all of her and test her s#in $ith
his teeth. *er %lood, the smell and a&&eal $ere dri!ing him insane. t started $ith
the taste of her s#in and the $ay its s$eat mixed $ith his to ma#e a scent uni;ue
to them. t had to %e the hormones loaded in her %lood that $as dra$ing him,
anchoring him to her in this &rimiti!e %onding and %loodletting. .he drained him,
and it $as li#e a siren song in his !eins $anting more, and $anting her to ta#e it
849
all. .he $as li#e a succu%us &ulling all the energy from his %ody, and ta#ing it in
hers to feed their child.
*e had %een $rong. *e thought the hunger he felt, the need to eat all the
time, $as due to her cra!ings, %ut it $asn,t. t $as his %ody needing to re&lenish
his reser!es ;uic#ly in order to #ee& her and his child ali!e. "he rush he felt from
them, the connection, $as li#e its o$n addiction and the chemistry of her %lood $as
li#e an attractant to him, her mate.
9aria turned in his arms and gras&ed the %ac# of 9ichael's nec# and &ulled
him into a #iss so fiery that his heart shuddered and then ignited into a gallo&ing
canter, his %ody -er#ing for$ard to &ress onto as much of 9aria's s#in as &ossi%le,
arms crossing o!er her front as he mated his chest to her %ac#. *is hands mo!ing
do$n to cu& her, to enter her, and o&en her for him. *e lifted one leg to &ush it
for$ard to gi!e him easier access to her. t $asn,t sex. t $as more. t $as
e!erything and nothing at the same time, and in a flash it %ecame something ra$
and intense as his mouth found the s#in of her %ac#, the firmness of her muscles
and the attracti!eness of her %lood as he %it into her. 9aria $as effecti!ely tra&&ed
against 9ichael's %ody as he ra!ished her mouth and %ody, and dran# from her.
9ichael leaned for$ard and too# his &oc#et #nife and cut a s$i&e across his forearm
and fed her as he fed on her at the same time. *e left $his#er %urns on her %ac# as
he &enetrated her dee& from %ehind in one full thrust.
"heir %ed $as s;uea#ing as they -er#ed %ac# and forth. "heir %odies $ere
sli&&ing in the s$eat that coated their s#in and eased the &attern 9ichael had set.
"he rhythm $as holding her to him as she lic#ed at the %lood on his s#in. "hen
9ichael hit a &lace inside that shot li;uid fire through her entire %ody and she cried
out in a hissing cry for more, for him to come harder.
84:
9ichael's o$n !oice had ceased to function, only grunts and &ants snuffing
hard from his hot face &ressed to 9aria's nec# as his mouth continued to drin# from
her. "he rhythm that they had started, slo$ then fast thrusts, $as long lost and the
%lood and energy s$elled and %ro#e in $a!es. *is mo!ements %ecame more erratic
and fren0ied. Dee&er and harder, as fast as he could manage it. "he force of his
thrusts $ith all their muscles engaged, $as straining 9aria's o$n strength, and she
could feel her o$n muscles %egin to ;ui!er under the onslaught as the first rushes
of his essence hit her in a %linding &assion follo$ed ;uic#ly %y his semen.
.uddenly 9aria achie!ed a release. *er $hole %ody tightened, %ac# arching,
mouth o&en, eyes shut, muscles clenching hard, s&lashing $armth o!er his coc#.
9ichael grunted as 9aria's internal muscles gra%%ed him. *e thrust t$ice against
the &ressure and cried out as he s&asmed inside her, again.
9aria felt herself melt into the %ed, sli&&ing into a dreamy state $ith a long,
s$eet sigh. *er head fell onto his shoulder and his %ig %ody snuggled against her,
chin at the -oint of 9aria's nec# and shoulder. 9ichael's nose mo!ed along the s#in
of her nec# and u& into 9aria's s$eaty hair lying dam& against her s#in. + lo$ "
missed you last night...lo!e you...so much," huffed in a $arm %reath into her ear.
7na%le to s&ea#, 9aria gras&ed the long arm that came around her front and too#
his %lood %ac# in her mouth feeling him orgasm again and his ;uestioning res&onse
in her ear. .he &ressed her head and %ody %ac# against 9ichael's shoulder and
%ody, and moaned her ans$er.
< lo!e you.>
???
847
9ax loo#ed o!er at 2onathan. "hey $ere in the #itchen ma#ing dinner.
2onathan $asn't $earing a shirt and he $as standing in the #itchen in a &air of soft
chinos and %are feet.
<)hat,re you loo#ing for4>
<1alsamic !inegar. $anted to &oach the salmon in some $ith fresh dill and
lemon. #no$ don,t coo# much, %ut s$ear had some last time coo#ed.
made a ras&%erry and %alsamic !inaigrette dressing.>
9ax -ust nodded and leaned %ac#. *e $asn,t much of a coo#. *e leaned
against the counterto& and dran# slo$ly on a glass of $hite $ine. t $as cool and
cris&, almost light on the tongue and slightly dry. *e li#ed it. 'or a moment he
$ondered $hy he $asn,t feeling drun#.
.o...coo#ing. "hat $as harmless enough. 9ax $as trying to loosen u&, sto&
%eing so anal a%out $here he $as going $ith 2onathan. 9ay%e it $as more
im&ortant to ma#e a ne$ friend than $orrying a%out him as a lo!er. 9ax missed his
close friendshi& $ith 9ichael. .ince 9ichael and 9aria had gotten together, so much
of 9ichael,s time $as ta#en u& $ith her. 6!en though 9ax and 9ichael still did
things, it $asn,t the same as $hen they $ere %oth chasing e!ery s#irt in Ros$ell
and %eing losers at lo!e.
2onathan handed 9ax a %o$l of egg $hites and as#ed him to $hi& them. *e
ho!ered o!er 9ax, critici0ing occasionally and gi!ing orders $ithout much argument
from 9ax, %ut a fe$ glares. .uddenly, the heady scent of .ona%han hit him as
2onathan,s arms came around his $aist and &ut his hands o!er 9ax,s to sho$ him
ho$ to %est $hi& u& the egg $hites. .uddenly 9ax $as no longer interested in
coo#ing. *e s&un around to face 2onathan after &utting the %o$l do$n on the
counter not so gently, and found himself running his fingers o!er 2onathan's chest.
844
*is %ody $as long and lean, and yet his chest and stomach $as $ell de!elo&ed and
muscular.
"he feeling $as incredi%le ( at once %oth familiar and alien. Passion rose u& in
him and he raised his head to loo# into 2onathan's eyes. *e sa$ his &assion
mirrored there and strong arms encircled him, %ringing their %odies tightly together.
t $as strange to him((this feeling he $as getting seemed familiar and yet
uncertain. "he $armth, the solidity and the scent of arousal ( all &romised things to
come. 9ax $atched the slo$ mo!ement of 2onathan,s mouth to$ards his, and he
couldn,t hel& %ut to lic# his li&s at the sudden dryness. "he moan from the other
man s&ar#ed his %ody and suddenly his eyes felt too hea!y to remain o&en. 9ax's
head s&un and the next time he sto&&ed to ta#e a %reath, he found he $as #neeling
on the #itchen floor, #issing 2onathan com&letely. *is hands slid do$n 2onathan's
%ac# and under the $aist%and of his -eans. "hat touch, that for%idden touch,
s&ar#ed the desire for more contact. 9ax &ulled their %odies a&art to un%utton and
&ull do$n 2onathan's chinos, and $hen they mo!ed together again it $as s#in on
s#in.
3ha% ha&&ened %o my clo%hes? 9ax dimly $ondered. *e couldn,t remem%er
ta#ing them off, or e!en 2onathan doing it. 1ut then 2onathan $as &ulling 9ax do$n
on to& of him, and there $as no room for ;uestions.
9ax's entire $orld narro$ed to the feelings s&reading out from his %ody. +
%urning intensity filled him as he felt 2onathan's erection ru% against his. *e
couldn't sto& mo!ing, hands roaming, li&s tasting ( it $ould ne!er %e enough. *e
felt 2onathan's hands on his hi&s and ass, urging him on and on and on...until he
felt he couldn't %ear the escalating &ressure any longer. *e surged o!er the final
%arrier and...
845
9ax sat u& in %ed in the dar# $ith a shar& short yell. .itting there, &anting
and his chest hea!ing at the memory, he $as confused. Reaching %eside him and
around in the dar# he reali0ed that there $as no 2onathan.
"he #noc# startled him. <9ax4 9ax, are you o#ay4>
9ax %reathed in dee& and tried to calm his %reathing and %ody. .itting on the
side of the %ed he ran his hands through his hair. t $as a dream, an incredi%le $et
dream $ith residual side effects and a need for a sho$er to clean his o$n mess
from his s#in. Damn.
<9ax4> sa%el as#ed as she tentati!ely o&ened his %edroom door. <+re you
o#ay4 $as $orried $hen you didn,t ans$er.>
<,m fine, 0.> 9ax $as sur&rised at the hoarse dee& sound to his !oice.
< heard you scream. )as it a nightmare4 +%out today4> sa%el $as $orried
a%out her %rother. *e $as too distracted lately, and he had %een thrashing and
moaning for a short $hile %efore he screamed.
<t $as a dream. 2ust a dream.> 9ax got to his feet on sha#y legs and sto&&ed
in the door$ay next to sa%el. Kissing her on the forehead, he &ushed her %ac#
to$ards her room. <,m o#ay. ,m going to ta#e a sho$er and calm do$n so can
go %ac# to slee&. =ou,!e got an early morning $ith all the $edding &re&arations, so
go %ac# to slee&.> sa%el ga!e him an uncertain loo#, %ut nodded as she slo$ly
$ent %ac# to her room. </h, and 04> .he turned to loo# at him again at her
door$ay. <"han#s for coming to my rescue.> 0 -ust smiled as she $ent %ac# to %ed.
9ax found his $ay into the %athroom and stood under the sho$er $ashing
a$ay the smell of himself from his %ody, and the memory. t $as the feel of the
arms going around his $aist $ith one hand tra!eling u& his torso, and the other
mo!ing do$n to settle at his groin, collecting him in a tight gri& that had his head
856
mo!ing %ac# $ith a moan. "he feel of the na#ed hard flesh against his %ac# and the
ni&&ing of the s#in of his nec# felt too good.
<s this $hat you $ant4>
<:od, yes5> 9ax closed his eyes as he felt his %ody release and come.
.tanding in the cooling $ater, he loo#ed do$n at the sight of his o$n hand on his
flesh. .hi!ering, he ;uic#ly turned off the sho$er and rested his forehead to the
cool tile. :reat, he -ust added 2onathan .tiller to his s&an# file, and the to& of his
fantasy list.
.hit.

851
Day 1B: Sa%urday- A:20 a.m.
9aria turned to face a slee&ing 9ichael. t $as hard. *e had her in a tight
gri&, hugging her from %ehind. "he &ast fe$ days had $orn on him hea!ily and
finding the Dum& left him silent and hollo$. *e hadn't said much a%out it. /n the
outside he $as unmo!ed, %ut she could feel his internally re&ressed rage and
sorro$. *is -o% $as ta#ing its toll on him in that time %et$een dar#ness and dus#,
$hen he $as &o$erless to defend himself.
.he loo#ed at him and #ne$ he $as dreaming, and the dreams mo!ed from
images dancing in his mind to nightmares %leeding his soul. Reaching u&, she laid a
calm hand to his face and $atched him settle. *e #ne$ she $as there. t $as the
sound of des&air coming from his throat that made her reach u& and #iss his throat
under his chin, and then his mouth gently as her hand soothed across his furro$ed
%ro$. .he made comforting noises in her throat that had no real syntax or
meaning, %ut he seemed to %e listening to them, and then she sa$ the flic#er of the
lids of his eyes and #ne$ he $as emerging from the dream.
<9ichael4> she said softly.
*e -ust made a grunting noise and &ulled her closer to him, %urying his face in
her hair. .he rested, %ut the tightness of his arms $as ma#ing it hard to %reathe.
9o!ing her hands do$n, she tried to &ry his gri& free.
<9ichael, can,t %reathe.> "hat $o#e him u& com&letely. *e had %een semi(
a$a#e and his natural instinct $as to hold her close so she couldn,t lea!e him.
<)ant to tell me a%out it4> she as#ed ;uietly as his arms loosened.
<8o.> 9ichael eyes cleared as he loo#ed do$n at her in the early morning light.
"hey had left the shades semi(o&en last night to #ee& them from o!erslee&ing. t
$as The 3eddin! Day, and +my and many others $ere destined to descend
852
chaotically on their &eaceful ha&&y home of the t$o of them, a cat and a %un in
the o!en.
</#ay, tell me $hen you can.> 9aria $as sitting u& to test the morning $aters
to determine $hether she $as going to s&end it $orshi&&ing the &orcelain god, or
actually $as going to function !ertically and head for %rea#fast. 9ichael $ra&&ed an
arm around her and &ulled her %ac# to him.
.ighing, he %reathed in her scent and ru%%ed his face in her hair. < dreamt
a%out the Dum&. =ou $ere in there.> 9aria turned and loo#ed at him mo!ing her
fingers o!er his face tracing his features. *e still loo#ed silent and unha&&y.
<t,s -ust a dream. + terri%le dream. 9ichael. Don,t $orry, you,ll send them
home and find a $ay to sto& this. %elie!e in you.> 9aria leaned u& and #issed him
softly. <,m here. )e,re here. )e,re doing -ust fine.>
< -ust need...> *e didn,t finish it. "here $ere no $ords for $hat he needed. +
$ay to fill a hollo$ feeling inside4 "he o!er&o$ering #no$ledge that this #iller
might %e the one &erson to #ill and $al# a$ay, that he had %een doing it all this
time. "his a$areness $as made so much $orse %y the hel&less feeling of ha!ing
lost so many, se!eral of $hom had already %een forgotten. "hey deser!ed so much
more.
< #no$. can,t gi!e you that. f could, ,d find it for myself.> 9aria ru%%ed
her forehead to his. .ome things $eren,t fixa%le, -ust things that a &erson had to
learn to li!e $ith. "here $ere ne!er any guarantees, and those that felt the $orld
o$ed them more $ere $rong.
9ichael nodded and too# her face in his hands. .he loo#ed rested, %etter. t
relie!ed him to see her not loo#ing so tired. Reaching o!er to the %edside, he found
his #nife, and $ith a flic# of his $rist it $as o&en. *e cut himself on the chest and
&ulled her mouth to him.
857
<Drin#. t,s going to %e a long day.> 9aria nodded as her mouth found his s#in,
the smell of his %lood e!en %efore she tasted had her heart racing and her mouth
$atering. .to&&ing him %efore he could &ut a$ay the #nife she too# his hand in
hers and directed it to her arm $here she cut a slight s$i&e %ut dee& enough to
slice the s#in and %leed. )incing, she led his mouth to her arm as she dran# from
his chest.
9ichael closed his eyes as the taste of her %lood flooded his mouth. *er other
hand mo!ed do$n his %ody and found him. *e moaned dee&ly as her teeth ni&&ed
his s#in and her mouth tra!eled do$n$ards. /&ening his eyes to %arely a slit, he
$atched the mo!ement of her mouth and tongue on his s#in. t $asn,t erotic, it $as
%eyond that.
<9aria...> he said hus#ily.
1ut she -ust made a shushing gesture and returned to her tas#. *e felt so
good under her. .o %ig and full of life. 9ichael -ust &ut his head %ac# and en-oyed
the sensations as he too# her arm to his mouth again and suc#ed on her s#in and
%lood. 9ichael didn,t notice the change in her arm $here his mouth $as connected
$hen the orgasm hit him. "he mo!ement of energy and sensations through his
%ody $as so intense that he lost himself in it for a$hile and came %ac# to her
suc#ing on the cut on his chest that $as sur&risingly already closing. *is hand
$ra&&ed around the %ac# of her nec#, and he &ulled her u&$ard to -oin his mouth
in a #iss.
"hey $ere so $ra&&ed u& in each other that the ringing of the door%ell
startled them %oth. 9ichael loo#ed o!er at the time and s$ore. .e!en in the
morning already5 "hat $as im&ossi%le5 1ut then he reali0ed that their %edroom $as
definitely lighter than %efore. "hey had lost time again. 9aria -ust rested against
him and groaned.
858
9ichael had to clear his !oice as the ringing came again. <:o start a sho$er,
,ll let them in and then $e can ha!e %rea#fast.> 9ichael &ushed her to$ards her
side of the %ed and he loo#ed around on the floor for a &air of s$eats to go ans$er
the damn o%noxious door%ell.
<9ichael,> he loo#ed o!er at her $here she $as resting against the door-am%
of the %athroom. <Put on a shirt too, honey.> *e loo#ed do$n at his chest and
smiled slightly. .he had left some %ruising and suc#ing mar#s on him along $ith the
cut. .$ee&ing u& a shirt, he $atched her go into the %athroom en-oying the !ie$
until the smile left his face. *er %ac# $as unmarred exce&t the thin $hite lines of
old scars. )here $as it4
"he door rang yet again, and he rushed do$n the stairs to o&en the door in a
%ad humored snarl. +my $hi00ed %y him lea!ing a #iss on his chee# $ith sa%el,
"ess and Li0 follo$ing ;uic#ly on her heels.
<Don,t snarl, s$eetie. could,!e used my #ey, %ut didn,t $ant to get shot $hen
you reali0ed there $as an intruder in the house. Plus thought you and 9aria $ould
li#e the ad!ance $arning.> +my and the girls &ut do$n garment %ags, endless
su&&lies and a small suitcase. 9ichael loo#ed at them in horror as Li0 and sa%el
rushed out to the cars to get more things.
<+my, it,s se!en in the morning5 9aria is -ust in the sho$er and $e ha!en,t
had %rea#fast yet.>
<Don,t $orry, s$eetie. ,ll coo#. =ou go get dressed. =our clothes are o!er at
our house. 2im's ex&ecting you this morning. 1arney,s sent a &erson to do last
minute altering, -ust in case. 1ut you ha!e to remem%er to %ring your shoes, a %ag
for your other clothes and your sha!ing #it. can,t get married $ith all the male
attendants in $his#ers.>
<1ut...>
859
<9ichael.> 9aria stood at the to& of the stairs in a go$n. <3ome get %athed
and dressed.>
9ichael nodded and too# the stairs in a rush to get a$ay from the other
$omen. *is home $as %eing in!aded again. 9aria too# his hand $hen he got to the
to& of the stairs and led him to the %athroom.
<"ell me this is almost o!er.>
<t is. 1ut you reali0e that once she,s %ac# from her honeymoon, it $ill %egin
all o!er again.>
9ichael sto&&ed in confusion. *o$ many times $as +my &lanning on getting
married4 <)hat4>
<.he,s going to $ant to &lan our $edding.> "he horror hit 9ichael. *e #e&t
forgetting they $eren,t married yet. + commitment of the heart seemed li#e a real
commitment to him. n his mind they $ere married and ex&ecting their first child.
)hat could %e sim&ler or easier to understand than that4
<*el& me. =ou,re not going to ma#e me go through this are you4>
<8o. 1elie!e me, a large $edding is hardly $hat see as a good thing. $as
ho&ing for something real small. Li#e you and me, a small cha&el in Reno or Las
Gegas $ith a fe$ friends and family, and then &artying the night a$ay. "his@> 9aria
$a!ed her hand %ac#$ards to$ards the do$nstairs. <"his is a lesson in slo$
torture. ,ll ha!e none of it. ,m &regnant. + !ery delicate condition.>
"hey entered the %athroom. 9aria had a %ath running instead of a sho$er. *e
remo!ed her %athro%e and hel&ed her into the %ath as he shed $hat fe$ clothes he
had and -oined her. :roaning at the feel of the hot $ater, for a moment he $orried
it $as too hot for 9aria in her condition, %ut loo#ing at her, it $as a&&arent she $as
ha&&y $ith the heat. 3ritically !ie$ing her s#in, he $as ha&&y to see color and
85:
almost a %lush color on her chee#s. .he loo#ed radiant. .uch a change from a mere
day ago.
9ichael leaned %ac# and thought a%out it as 9aria rested on him mo!ing
$ater o!er his s#in. *e didn,t $ant that. *e didn,t $ant Reno, +tlantic 3ity or
Gegas. *e didn,t $ant a huge &roduction li#e +my,s $edding, %ut he did $ant to
stand in a real church ( a 3atholic 3hurch, $ith his friends and his increasing
!olume of family, and $atch her $al# to$ards him. *e could care less a%out the "ux
or the Dress -ust as long as 9aria $al#ed to$ards him and said ' Do' in the
a&&ro&riate s&ot and $ore his ring. "he rest $as -ust $indo$ dressing. "hat $as all
he cared a%out and all he $anted. +fter$ards he $anted to go to a large rish &u%
$ith lots of food, $his#ey and %eer and an rish %and &laying reels, and e!eryone
cele%rating %efore he too# his $ife off on a honeymoon. 9i#ey $ould,!e lo!ed the
rish &u% idea, the music and seeing his son married in the 3atholic 3hurch $ith the
entire room co!ered in flo$ers from the /ld 3ountry heathers and a mixture of
talian %looms. 9ichael could definitely see it and the more he could see it, the
more he $anted it.
)hen they $ere finally do$nstairs, +my $as coo#ing u& a storm. t too# a
$hile %efore he understood that all the DeLucas coo#ed and ate $hen they $ere
ner!ous. 9aria and e!en .ean seemed to use coo#ing as a $ay of calming do$n,
and loo#ing at all the &ots on the sto!eto&, 9ichael $as %eginning to see a &attern.
9ichael $ent into the #itchen $hile 9aria sto&&ed and tal#ed to sa%el, "ess
and Li0. "hey already had their &hones out, and the usual &ile of credit cards hit the
ta%le. "ess $as ma#ing sure 9aria felt alright, and they made her sit do$n at the
ta%le $hile they outlined $hat needed to %e done. "he rest of the DeLuca $omen
$ere scheduled to sho$ u& soon, and all the men $ere meeting here and then
going o!er to the Galenti house.
857
<)hat are you ma#ing4>
+my loo#ed at her son(in(la$ and smiled. <+ little this, a little that. called for
more groceries.> +my tasted a sauce and let 9ichael try it.
<*ollandaise4> +my -ust nodded $ith a smile. <9aria is going to lo!e you
fore!er. .he eats that on e!erything. "hat and shrim& coc#tail sauce.>
< #no$. .he has since she $as a child. t must %e li#e your thing for "a%asco
and .ean,s for #etchu&.>
9ichael -ust nodded as he tried some more food, %ut didn,t %other to mention
that 9aria $as adding "a%asco to her regimen of sauces to consume. .he $as
adding more and more of the s&icy sauce to her food e!ery day. Right no$ she $as
almost at his le!el of inta#e.
<+my, $as going to as# you something.>
<=es, dear4> +my $as stirring and chec#ing her &ots distractedly. t $as only a
little o!er eight hours %efore she $ould %e $al#ing do$n the aisle. .he should %a#e
a &rime ri% for 9ichael and 9aria so they had %eef for sand$iches this coming
$ee#. +my $ondered if )ilson 1rothers, %utchery on Brd had at least a large
t$enty &ound roast. Pic#ing u& the &hone she &ut in the call. .he should order
shrim&, too. 9aria lo!ed shrim&.
9ichael listened to her &lace an order $ith the %utcher and then call a local
%a#ery to deli!er them some hot stic#y %uns for %rea#fast. )hen she hung u&, he
too# the &hone from her and &laced it on the counter %ehind his %ac# and out of
her reach.
<9aria and me...our getting married...> "hat caught +my,s attention $ith a
gleam in her eye. "his man $as so incredi%ly lo!ely, made &erfect %y his o%!ious
and undying lo!e for her daughter. .he couldn,t go to church enough and than# :od
854
enough for him ta#ing his stuff she sent him that day !ia .ean, and coming %ac# to
9aria. < #no$ you $ant to &lan it, %ut...>
<+s soon as ,m %ac#. &romise5> +my felt a tinge of guilt. .he should do it
%efore she got married, made sure that her un$ed &regnant daughter $as ta#en
care of %efore she too# off on her o$n life, %ut she had &romised 9aria and +my
ne!er %ro#e a &romise.
<8o5 Loo#, need...> 9ichael loo#ed at the others $ho $ere too close and too#
+my,s arm and led her out to the garden.
<9ichael, my &ots5> 9ichael ignored her &rotest %ecause 9aria $as a DeLuca.
+ steaming unstirred &ot $as almost li#e a homing %eacon. )hen they got outside
9ichael %egan to tell +my $hat he $anted and $hat he $as &lanning. 9aria totally
missed the t$o of them outside tal#ing and e!en the moment $hen her mom
tossed herself into 9ichael,s arms laughing and #issing him. 9aria $as %usy. .he
had disco!ered the *ollandaise sauce.
1y the time 9ichael had all his stuff and #issed 9aria good%ye a half do0en
times, the rest of the DeLuca clan $as there in full s&irits. "he men $ere follo$ing
9ichael o!er to the Galenti house to do $hate!er men did %efore $eddings, and the
loft $as o!erflo$ing $ith coo#ing talians and $omen laughing. 9ichael $as
stunned. t $as something he had ne!er seen %efore, ne!er %elonged to, and if it
$eren,t for all the #isses and hugs he got &lus the &inch on his ass from 9aria,s
cousin, he $ould,!e thought he $as dreaming it all.
*e $as &ushed out the door %y all the $omen $ith the men follo$ing. +ll of
them $ere laughing singing, tal#ing loudly and at the same time. 9ichael s&otted
his &artner $aiting for him in their PD Rat(mo%ile.
9arco came u& next to 9ichael and loo#ed at the car, sha#ing his head and
ts#ing. <9i#o, is this your &artner,s car4>
855
9ichael -ust laughed. Poor 9ax still hadn,t had the time to re&lace his last
demolished car, and neither had 9ichael. <t,s our assigned car from the PD. 1oth
9ax and are sort of rough on our real cars. ha!e a classic reconditioned 9ustang
in the garage right next to 9aria,s classic :"/.>
<Really5 =ou must sho$ me5> 9ichael $a!ed to 9ax to $ait as he, 9arco, other
mem%ers of the DeLuca clan and t$o %eefy men 9ichael sus&ected $ere &ro%a%ly
called Ithe 1oys, $al#ed to the garage. *e &unched his code, $hich $as still I.tud,,
and o&ened the door to the t$o classic refur%ished cars and the *arley. "he
collecti!e Iooh,ing and aah'ing' $as only increased %y the &o&&ing of hoods.
)hen 9ax sa$ the grou& of men, young and old lean for$ard to ga0e into the
engines, he -ust moaned and laid his head do$n on the steering $heel. "his $as
going to ta#e a$hile, and 9ax already #ne$ $hat $as under those hoods. *is en!y
$as a%o!e Kyle and .ean,s and he $as searching for a classic car frame to restore,
%ut $ith the %a%y on the $ay...that $asn,t &ossi%le. *e needed his money to start
sa!ing for a college fund and other things.
<*ey 9ax, $hy didn,t you come to -oin us4> 9ichael as#ed as he got into the
car.
<+re you cra0y4 "here $as a flood of DeLucas rushing into the &lace. /ne
elderly $oman $as carrying a &an, and then sa$ you %arely s;uee0e out of the
door. t loo#ed safer here.>
<"ess and sa%el are inside.> 9ichael casually mentioned. 9ax -ust shoo# his
head in horror. :reat, his %a%y and sister $ere hostages. 9ichael -ust smir#ed at
his ex&ression and hit his friend on the shoulder. <Let,s get going. "he $omen are
coo#ing, %ut 9arco tells me that men smo#e cigars, drin# $his#ey and order rich
food that ma#es them %elch through the entire $edding. can,t $ait to see all
these connected mo%sters in 3a&,s house.> 9ichael's enthusiasm had a touch too
966
much glee, and 9ax $as seeing de!ilment in his &artner. 9ax decided to %urst his
%u%%le.
< had an erotic dream a%out 2onathan last night.>
</h shit. Don,t tell me5> 9ichael made a horri%le face $ith gagging noises. <
s$ear, 9ax$ell if you...>
< thin# came in my dream5> 9ax said smugly en-oying 9ichael,s reaction.
"his $asn,t so %ad after all.
<Dammit5 told you no de%ails!* 9ax -ust laughed and #e&t u& the details as
9ichael threatened him $ith all sort of fates along the $ay.
???
+my $as standing on a stool as a seamstress $as chec#ing the hemline of her
dress. sa%el $as loo#ing it all o!er critically and gi!ing her o&inion $hile Li0 $as
dou%le(chec#ing on the flo$ers. 9aria and "ess -ust continued to eat and loo#
through all the arrangements made to ma#e sure they hadn,t forgotten anything.
<'ather Peters5>
9aria loo#ed at her mother and fro$ned. <)hat a%out him4>
<Did you remem%er to tell him he,s marrying us today4> +my $as $ringing her
hands in $orry.
<=eah, 9om, other$ise the flo$er &eo&le and the rest of The 3eddin! stuff
$ould concern him. *e,s all set.>
<9y dry cleaning5 forgot to &ic# u& the dry cleaning yesterday. can,t lea!e it
there until $e get %ac#5>
<,ll &ic# it u&. 6ither Kyle or $ill. Don,t $orry. 6!erything's going to %e fine.>
961
9aria,s cousin .ofia started to hand +my a &late of food to hel& calm her do$n
$hen all the $omen surged to their feet at once. <8ot food5>
.he loo#ed at them, and then at +my and reali0ed her mista#e. "he &late
$ould soon %e decorating the front of +my,s $edding go$n if she ga!e it to her.
9aria reached o!er and too# the &late from her cousin $ith a smile.
sa%el &atted +my,s hand. <t,ll %e alright. dou%le(chec#ed e!erything
yesterday. 8o$ if $e can get 9aria and "ess to sto& eating and try on their
%ridesmaid dresses $e might actually ma#e it.>
sa%el ga!e the other t$o $omen critical loo#s, %ut 9aria $as too %usy eating
to notice. "ess gul&ed under that stare. .he $as shy around sa%el 6!ans. "hey
%arely s&o#e to one another, %ut it $as strange to reali0e that her child $ould %e
related to this $oman. "ess didn,t say much. .he figured that sa%el $ould follo$
9ax,s lead, and since 9ax ex&ressed a desire to %e more in!ol!ed the other night,
"ess $ondered ho$ things $ould change.
< $ish you $ere going to %e there, sa%el.> +my said #indly. <)ith all the hel&
and e!erything, really can,t imagine that you aren,t coming.>
sa%el -ust smiled. < #no$. ,d lo!e to, and you can sho$ me the !ideo and
&ictures later. ,!e got a six hour shift on the crisis line. ,ll try to sto& %y to see if
the rece&tion is still going after$ards, %ut more than li#ely ,ll %e too tired. 8ext
time.> 1oth $omen loo#ed o!er at the unsus&ecting 9aria $ho $as once again too
in!ol!ed in her food to notice con!ersations a%out her $ere going on $hile she ate.
<3an,t you get someone to fill your shift, sa%el4> 9aria as#ed $hile smiling at
her aunt $ho handed her yet another &late. .ince the hos&ital scare, it $as
a&&arent that the entire 'amily,s goal $as to #ee& her fed and rested.
< $ish. 1ut -ust started, and need more than a $ee#'s notice to find
someone not %usy on a .aturday. t doesn,t hel& that so many of the students $ere
962
ta#ing midterms this $ee# or next $ee#, and they're either studying or ex&ecting
to go out and cele%rate.> 9aria -ust nodded.
6ddie $as co!ering her classes for the rest of the semester. .he had already
&ut in her re;uest for a lea!e of a%sence $ith Ken Price $hen he came %y on 'riday,
and the re;uest $as a&&ro!ed. 6ddie and "ess $ere going to co!er the remaining
$ee#s of teaching to lea!e 9aria free to $or# at the museum only.
9ichael $asn,t too ha&&y a%out the museum $or#, %ut it $as less stressful
than teaching, grading and exams. "he $orst 9aria had to contend $ith $ere stic#y
hands on the dis&lays, and Dic#ie from the mailroom sending her mail all o!er
cam&us. "hat made her schedule ten to three, three days a $ee# and e!ery other
$ee#end.
< got the grant from the 'oundation so ,m starting classes again the $ee#
after next. 2ust t$o classes to start $ith, %ut ,m excited.> 9aria %eamed at sa%el.
.he #ne$ that sa%el had %een gi!en the money %efore she did, %ut 9aria held off
mentioning it and let 2onathan contact her. <"he sti&end $as incredi%le. )ith the
money ,m ma#ing at the center and the sti&end can afford to &ay rent and feed
myself. ,m assuming can afford rent.>
Li0 came %y and &ointed out a s&ot on +my,s dress that loo#ed li#e it needed
tuc#ing in a little to ma#e it snugger. < told you, don,t $orry a%out rent. )e,ll co!er
it.>
<Par#er, it seems, has an endless su&&ly of money since she $or#s full time
and hasn,t e!er left home. Luc#y me, $e might e!en %e a%le to afford &ots and
&ans.> "he entire room clic#ed their tongues at the idea of the girls starting life
$ithout &ots and &ans. "he discussion mo!ed to tal# a%out ho$ to furnish the ne$
loft.
967
<Don,t $orry, sa%el. ,m sure 9ichael and 9ax $ill co!er anything you can,t.>
9aria assured her.
< don,t thin# so, 9aria. 9ax has the %a%y, and he $as tal#ing a%out college
funds last night. +nd 9ichael must ha!e sun# a huge amount of his sa!ings into
restoring the car, and he also has a %a%y on the $ay.>
9aria and the other $omen in the room exchanged loo#s, and then 9aria
cleared her throat. <+ctually, you don,t ha!e to $orry a%out 9ichael and his money,
sa%el. *e,s &retty flush...or $ill %e soon.>
sa%el loo#ed around the room as the $omen suddenly loo#ed %usy. <)hat do
you mean4>
<)ell,> 9aria -ust shrugged. <)hen $e marry he recei!es a Isort of do$ry,.>
<=ou,re #idding.> sa%el loo#ed at her in shoc#. <=ou're not. "hat,s so...>
</ld fashioned.> 'inished Par#er.
<=eah, $ell come from an old fashioned family. + fe$ years %ac# the do$ry
thing $as Imoderni0ed, to include all children,s s&ouses including the men. .o
someday, .ean,s future $ife has something to loo# for$ard to.> 9aria hadn,t
%othered to inform 9ichael a%out his &ros&ecti!e ne$found $ealth, since money
ne!er meant much to 9ichael and she -ust assumed he $ould &ut it a$ay in a
college fund for the %a%y. Plus she $as uncertain ho$ he $ould feel ta#ing money
from the DeLucas and their noted connections.
<)o$5> sa%el hit Li0 in the arm. <=ou really luc#ed out $hen you and .ean
%ro#e u&. )e,ll ha!e to treat him nicer in the future.> 1oth $omen loo#ed at each
other and smiled and said at the same time, <8ah5>
1ut the damage $as already done. "heresa DeLuca $andered o!er. <=ou dated
my son4> 9aria and "ess loo#ed at each other and giggled at Li0,s sudden
discomfort and red face.
968
9aria too# her s$eet time getting ready. .he didn,t $ant her dress altered at
the last minute. t $as fine. "he cameras do$nstairs $ent off at lightning s&eed
$hen "ess finally &ut on her dress and +my $as modeling hers. "he $edding dress
$as a $or# of art. t $as hand(designed and made in Palermo, taly, and then flo$n
in s&ecially. 9aria contri%uted the lace rescued from her o$n grandmother,s
$edding go$n so it could %e used in the dress. 9aria couldn,t $ait until 2im sa$ her
mother. "he dress $as an i!ory(sil# go$n, decorated in seed &earls and the anti;ue
lace, $ith the front s&lit to sho$ a full under go$n of hand(made lace. "he
matching o&era length glo!es $ere &aisley tooled and the !eil $as full length, $ith
+my,s hair s$e&t %ac# %y a tiara of diamond and %lac# &earls.
<9aria, get yourself do$n here. )e're running out of time to ma#e sure your
dress fits.> +ll the $omen $ere going to arri!e com&letely dressed since 9aria and
sa%el had arranged for the $edding &arty to arri!e %y carriage, %ut left 2im the
dignity of dri!ing a$ay from the rece&tion in a car. /f course, 9aria heard the &lans
that Kyle and the others &lanned for the car, and she thought 2im should reconsider
the carriage idea.
9aria,s !oice came o!er the railing. <,ll only come do$n under certain
conditions. 'irst, limited %lu%%ering %ecause ,m sort of emotional and don,t $ant
my ma#eu& ruined. .econd, no more than ten &ictures to&s.>
<9aria,> called her mother. <:et do$n here5 =ou are not allo$ed to ruin my
s&ecial day $ith rules.> )ith a great sigh, 9aria came into !ie$ and $aited. *er
mother clas&ed her hand to her chest and made a so%%ing sound along $ith the
others. 9aria -ust $inced. =eah, that $as the same reaction she got on her first
official date.
Li0 $as glad she had gotten out of the $edding &arty. t $as too much $or#
already -ust hel&ing them &lan it. Last night +my,s ex(in(la$s ga!e her a sho$er,
969
$ith 9aria $as missing since she $as too sic# to attend. 9aria's dress $as
%eautiful. t $as done in a 'lorentine lace $ith a sil# sli& of a dar# hunter green
$hile the dress itself $as a &alest of green, almost $hite. "he dar#er &i&ing offset
the coloring. "he front of the dress had a s&lit and $as coc#tail length $ith off the
shoulder nec#line. 9aria had a dar# green stone the hung to mid(%reast and it too#
Li0 a $hile to reali0e that the stone $as a dar# emerald.
"ess,s dress $as the o&&osite of 9aria,s. *er lace dress $as the color of the
dar#er &i&ing trimmed in the lighter color $ith the sil# sli&.
Li0 and sa%el $aited for the others to clear out %efore they came o!er to &oor
9aria and "ess. t $as hard to %e the center all the acti!ity and fa$ning, and $hen
you added in the tuc#ing and &ulling &lus the hugs and #isses, 9aria $as loo#ing a
little %right(eyed.
<9aria you loo# li#e a modern !ersion of Geronica La#e. )o$.> 9aria -ust
groaned. "he things she did for her mother.
Li0 mo!ed in closer to loo# at the nec#lace. < lo!e this. t,s...it,s ex;uisite.>
9aria &ut her hand o!er it. < lo!e it. 9ichael %ought it for me on our first
anni!ersary.>
.hoc# mo!ed o!er sa%el and Li0,s faces as they %oth closed in to get a %etter
loo#. Li0,s !oiced s;uea#ed. <8o, %his4 1ut...%ut it,s %eautiful.>
<9ichael4 9ichael &ic#ed that out4> sa%el as#ed in shoc#. 9aria -ust laughed
at their dis%elief. *er &oor %a%y, he $as so often mis-udged.
???
96:
<2esus, someone stri#e a match or light a candle5 Kyle,s &i00a farts are #illing
me here5> 9ichael rudely &ushed Kyle to the other side of the ta%le. <=ou go sit o!er
there.>
<*ey5 told you not to order extra ancho!ies and &e&&ers.>
9ichael -ust gro$led as 9ax tried to straighten his tie. <Don,t ta#e the fact
that you ha!e to $ear a mon#ey suit out on Kyle. 1esides, this is a really nice tux.>
9ax li#ed his. Kyle $as $al#ing "ess do$n the aisle, $ith 9ichael escorting 9aria.
6ddie and 9ax $ere seating &eo&le and .ean $as gi!ing +my a$ay.
9arco loo#ed at his son and cluc#ed his tongue, sha#ing his head. <=ou loo#
li#e cho&&ed stea#. "hese %ruises loo# $orse than they did yesterday.>
<,m o#ay as long as don,t %reathe.> .ean loo#ed a little &ale under his s#in.
*e had chec#ed himself out of the hos&ital early against doctor,s $ishes, %ecause
he couldn,t miss the $edding. < don,t #no$ that can ma#e it do$n the entire aisle
today.> .ean loo#ed at his father. <)hy don't you gi!e +unt +my a$ay4"
9arco -ust shoo# his head no. < can,t. =our aunt, she $ill %e $anting you to
gi!e her a$ay. =ou,!e %een her family for a long time. =ou sa!ed her and 9aria,s
life. .he $ill $ant you, her hero and son to do it.> 9arco ru%%ed a hand o!er his
son,s head.
9ax loo#ed at the t$o men. <)hy doesn,t 9arco start +my do$n the aisle and
then .ean finish4> 1oth men loo#ed at each other and smiled. "hat $as a
&ossi%ility.
.ean loo#ed at his father. <=ou,ll need a tux. )ith tails5>
<+ntonio, hand me the &hone5> 9arco too# the &hone and did $hat he did %est
( ga!e orders.
9ichael and the others $ere hel&ing 2im get ready. <Dammit5 forgot to &ic#
u& the laundry.>
967
9ichael -ust laughed. <,ll do it. "he car is already &ac#ed $ith your suitcases,
and 9ax has your change of clothes. +nd $e too# the car to the county clu% and
&ar#ed it already. .o $e -ust ha!e to get you to the church on time, and hang an
air freshener around Kyle,s nec#.>
2im turned and loo#ed at his officers. "hey had %een &utting condoms, garter
%elts and $edding %ells on his des# all $ee# since the ne$s %ro#e that the $edding
date $as mo!ed u&. <"he car. )hat did you do to the car4> +ll the others loo#ed
a$ay innocently, a!oiding eye contact. 3a&,s eyes narro$ed as he loo#ed at the
grou& of them. <,ll ta#e care of this $hen get %ac#5 #ne$ should ha!e left the
unit under .tric#land,s hand instead of tal#ing )alt from .$at into %a%ysitting the
grou& of you $hile ,m gone.>
<)ell at least you,re finally getting married.> 9ichael commented softly. t had
%een close. Real close. +my loo#ed ready to cancel the other night $hen she sa$
9aria in the hos&ital %ed. 1ut 9aria came through $ith some really fine %lac#mail
and tears.
2im loo#ed at 9ichael solemnly. <:od, ho&e so. can,t imagine $hat
$ould,!e done if +my too# me at my $ord and %ro#e it off.>
<.he loo#ed &retty chi&&er $hen left home. =ou got all the stuff ready for the
*oneymoon4> 9ichael as#ed curiously. 3a& ne!er told them $here he $as ta#ing
his ne$ %ride.
2im nodded, and then he loo#ed around at the grou& $atching him curiously.
<+las#a, o#ay4 ,m ta#ing her $hale($atching in +las#a.>
Kyle loo#ed at his dad in horror. </n a %oat4 =ou,re ta#ing +my on something
%oat(li#e, in the middle of the $ater, $ith no land in sight4 2ust $hales4>
964
<=eah, had a s&ecial floatation de!ice made -ust for her.> "hey all shoo# their
heads o!er not ha!ing reali0ed until that moment that 2im $as demented from six
years of +my ex&osure.
Kyle -ust shoo# his head in dis%elief. <Didn,t you learn anything from the $hole
Rain%o$ )arrior incident and the 6xxon Galde04>
<+my s$ore to me that she $as in no $ay in!ol!ed $ith any of that.>
9ax laughed at the father and son and then loo#ed at his &artner. <*o$ is
9aria feeling4>
<1etter. 9uch %etter. don,t thin# she had morning sic#ness this morning
either. t could %e the medicine they ga!e her for the nausea.>
9ax nodded. <)e should go sho&&ing sometime.>
9ichael fro$ned at the suggestion. <)here4 + *ard$are store4 could al$ays
use a ne$ cordless drill.>
<+ctually, $as thin#ing of chec#ing out things for %a%ies.>
9ichael nodded sagely. < chec#ed out formula the other day. Damn, it seemed
ex&ensi!e considering $e,re tal#ing a%out canned mil#, not some of Professor,s
fa!orite 1rie or li!er stuff.>
</("o$n has a s&ecial on it this $ee# for t$enty &ercent off a case.>
Kyle sto&&ed as he heard the con!ersation. <)as that $ith iron or $ithout4>
.ean heard the con!ersation and loo#ed at three &artners in disgust. < need
to get out more and a$ay from the 'uture 'athers of Ros$ell. "he three of you are
seriously costing me my usual date($orthiness.>
9ichael loo#ed at the man. < thought it $as your imitation of a &unching %ag
that $as scaring the ladies a$ay.>
</#ay, ,m all done.> "hey all loo#ed o!er at 2im to see the final fit of his tux.
+ll of them loo#ed do$n at his %are feet.
965
<Dad, shoes4>
</h yeah. Pass me the soc#s, Kyle.> Kyle loo#ed at the &ile of clothing that
+my had left for each of them.
<8ot here.>
2im came o!er and loo#ed at the &ile. <"hat,s not &ossi%le. tried them on so
+my could see if the %lac# matched the tux %lac#, and $asn,t too light.> 2im thought
a%out it for a moment. <+nd then she &ut them in the laundry.>
"he DeLuca,s $ho $ere ha&&ily &laying &o#er in a corner $hile smo#ing 3u%an
cigars and eating, all sto&&ed at once and loo#ed at each other. "he only sound
they made $as, <7h oh.>
<)hat4 Don,t say Iuh oh,5 )hat do you mean %y Iuh oh,4 8o, Iuh ohs,5> Kyle
tried to calm 2im do$n.
<3a&, -ust gi!e me and 9ax the laundry tic#et, and $e,ll go &ic# it u&.> 9ichael
$as assuming it $as the same laundry that 2im had %een com&laining a%out %efore.
2im rushed into the #itchen and searched high and lo$ for the recei&t stu%.
8othing. 'inally he tal#ed to +my on the &hone, and after con!incing her it $as
Iseeing, the %ride %efore the $edding that $as %ad luc# and not 'hearing' her, he
disco!ered that +my $asn,t sure $here she &ut the tic#et or at $hich full ser!ice
laundry she left it. 2im -ust shoo# his head.
<"hat,s it. ,m $earing my %oots5>
<Dad...>
<8o Kyle, ,ll %e more comforta%le in my %oots any$ay.> 9arco interru&ted the
con!ersation and mentioned that his tux $as going to %e deli!ered, and that it
$ould %e easy to call and ha!e them %ring a selection of %lac# trouser soc#s for
2im.
916
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael in s&eculation. <Didn,t 9aria lose your laundry a fe$
times4>
9ichael nodded. <=eah, a%out six times so far this &ast year. finally too# o!er
dro&&ing off the dirty stuff. .he $ould forget she had to sto& and $ould -ust &ull
into the first laundry $ith full ser!ice she could find, and then she'd lose the stu%
and forget $here it $as. +fter calling around to$n loo#ing for it, decided to do it
instead.> t $as o%!iously a family trait, seeing as ho$ the DeLuca men $ere
a!oiding direct eye contact and e!en .ean $as ;uiet.
<=ou might consider %uy a $ashing machine and dryer. )ith the %a%y it might
%ecome necessary to do laundry at home instead of ha!ing it ta#en out.>
</h $e,!e got machines. t too# me six $ee#s after mo!ed in to reali0e
$here they $ere. +nd $hen o&ened u& the lids found all the &a&ers, including
the $arranties and the o$ners guide, and the $asher tu% $as still stra&&ed $ith
&ac#ing ta&e.>
<*o$ long did 9aria o$n them4>
<'our years. 1rand ne$ and ne!er used. couldn,t get them to $or#. "oo# me
an hour to reali0e they $eren,t e!en hoo#ed u&.> 9ax -ust laughed at a story that
someho$ sounded exactly li#e 9aria.
2im $as ner!ously loo#ing around for the tic#et still running his hand through
his hair. "his $as a mista#e, a %ig mista#e. *e should,!e arranged the $edding in
t$o $ee#s not one. t $as ne!er going to come off. t $as going to %e a disaster
and his +my $asn,t going to get the $edding she deser!ed. +nd...
<Dad4 Dad...Dad! =ou,re going to ha!e to calm do$n.>
2im too# a cleansing %reath and tried to follo$ his son,s good ad!ice. *e faced
hardened criminals e!ery day, he %ro#e tough men into confessing, he ran a huge
911
de&artment of detecti!es and he #e&t 9ichael :uerin in line. *o$ hard could one
little $edding %e4
>/h god5 +t least +my is ta#ing this %etter than am.>
???
</#ay, 9om...the &a&er %ag tric# only $or#s if you %reathe5 =ou,!e !o% to
%reathe5> 9aria loo#ed u& at her +unt "heresa hel&lessly.
< can,t %elie!e she still gets those &anic attac#s.> 9aria -ust nodded. =eah,
li#e they all didn,t. <=ou #no$, it $as ama0ing %ecause she didn,t at first, %ut
someho$ %eing around all of us, she learned to get them as $ell. thought the
DeLucas -ust got it from $hen they didn,t ha!e enough Parmesan cheese a!aila%le,
or the last hel&ing of &olenta $as eaten.> "heresa clic#ed her tongue and ru%%ed
+my,s %ac# in comfort.
< use to get them %efore my %allet recitals all the time.>
< remem%er, %elle. =ou $ould turn red all o!er, into one massi!e hi!e and
start $hee0ing li#e a #ettle. =our father rushed you to the hos&ital the first time it
ha&&ened. Later that night, they found you slee&ing on the floor of your closet.>
< used to hide there. "he small dar# s&ace made me feel comforta%le. Li#e it
$as -ust my si0e, and felt in control there.> "heresa nodded, remem%ering.
t $as also $here 9aria $ould hide from her %rother, and once he disco!ered
it he started loc#ing the door so she couldn,t get out. /nce her &arents had %een
gone on a tri&, and she stayed loc#ed in the closet for t$o days $hile the staff
searched the grounds and thought she $as #idna&&ed. )hy no one had the sense
to search the closet $as %eyond her, and "heresa and the rest of the 'amily -ust
assumed that the closet $as the first &lace searched. 'ran#ie, 2r. #ne$...and he
912
said nothing. *e -ust as#ed for extra $hi&&ed cream on his ca#e. "hat $as the
incident that led to him %eing sent to %oarding school.
t $asn,t a shoc#er to anyone that the once small dar# s&ace that used to
ma#e 9aria comforta%le as a child, %ecame something she could no longer stand.
+fter 'ran#ie started loc#ing her inside, and she s&ent almost t$o days in the
closet, too afraid to ma#e a sound in case 'ran#ie came %ac#, 9aria %ecame
claustro&ho%ic and afraid of the dar#. "hey %uilt her loft o&en and airy $ith lots of
light for that !ery reason. t $as a nice &lace. + &lace that "heresa could see 9aria
li!ing in comforta%ly.
6!ery day since 9aria left home, "heresa had lit a candle at 9ass, that her
%eautiful niece $ould one day find &eace and strength, and come home. "heresa
smiled $atching 9aria trying to calm her mother do$n. t loo#ed li#e she could
finally sto& lighting those candles since :od ans$ered that &rayer.
???
The 3eddin! finally arri!ed, and as in the case of most $eddings, it $as the
lead(u& and &re&aration that too# the hardest toll on the &artici&ants. t $as li#e
&racticing for a large theatrical &roduction $ithout a real dress rehearsal. 1ut it
didn,t matter, %ecause The 3eddin! $as &erfect.
"he 3hurch itself could,!e fallen in, and it still $ould ha!e %een &erfect. 'rom
the moment +my $aited ner!ously to $al# to$ards her future and lea!e %ehind
that last clinging thread of the &ast to the moment 2im sa$ her, it $as &erfect. +my
$as ne!er more shoc#ed than $hen it $as 9arco $ho came for her. *e led her
do$n the aisle into the arms of her ado&ted son, .ean $ho $as $aiting half$ay.
"hey s$itched as 9arco #issed his former sister(in(la$ on the chee#, and cu&&ed
917
his o$n son,s chee# as $ell. *e stood there and $atched them continue to$ards
the man $ho re&laced his %rother ( a 3o&. "hings $ere changing.
<.ean.> +my,s hand trem%led against his %ody $here it rested as he led her
to$ards 2im. *er !oice $as small and ;ua#ing.
<=ou can do it.> .ean $his&ered. <2ust loo# at 2im, and e!erything $ill %e
o#ay.> +my loo#ed at her ne&he$ and nodded. Loo#ing do$n that im&ossi%ly long
aisle at her intended, she suddenly smiled. *e loo#ed...so damn $onderful, and
seeing her %eautiful smile he smiled %ac#.
"ime $as a strange thing. t seemed so constant and un$a!ering, and almost
as if it should %e a straight line. 1ut it $asn,t. t $as a fore!er(changing thing that
stretched and elongated, and at times fle$ so fast that it left hardly a taste. "he
&ortal of time $as that longest moment e!er ex&erienced as she $al#ed to$ards
him, seeing all those she lo!ed most in the $orld standing there $aiting for her and
$atching her finally mo!ing on.
"ime $as endless loo&s and strands that o!erla&&ed and intert$ined %ac# on
themsel!es. .he $as young again, $al#ing to$ards 'ranco. +nd 9aria $as a %a%y
so ha&&y and %right. 6!en 'ran#ie, her son $as for that moment in time, $as
ca&tured in a s$eet smile $ith coo#ie stains on his chee#. *er life &assed in a
s$ee& of interconnecting lines, and at that %eautiful, %rilliant moment, she felt li#e
she had nothing %ut a lifetime of time to li!e. "here $as 2im, and that $as $here
ha&&iness %egan.
???
+lex loo#ed around the room and noted all the men and $omen that actually
sho$ed. t $as a good turn out. 8odding to his &eo&le, they circled the room,
918
offering drin#s to his !isitors. "he others $ere casing his -oint, ta#ing in the dEcor
and o%!ious influence. +lex,s money $as a mystery to most of them, %ut he $asn,t
a%out to change his status or &osition %y telling them a%out the com&uter games
and &rograms he created that %an#rolled his lifestyle. *is air of mystery $as his
edge, and it #e&t them $ondering a%out him. Res&ect $as an im&ortant thing on
the streets.
<+lex, $hat is this a%out4> Kelly $as the o$ner of 3aly&so and another lo$er
Ros$ell clu%. "he others didn,t say much, %ut they $ere curious as $ell, and
$anting to lea!e soon.
<"his is a%out a change in &olicy in your clu%s. t is a s&ecial re;uest ,m
ma#ing.>
<)ho,re you to dictate &olicy in any clu% outside your o$n4> +lex turned dar#
taciturn eyes on the neo(na0i &un#, 3ha0 that $as noted for his cruel and !icious
%eha!ior.
<,m a man that can ma#e your life misera%le, if choose.>
"he other clu% o$ners loo#ed at the man that $as ultimately outclassed %y
+lex. "he &o$er on the street $as rooted in trust. +lex had that in s&ades. *is
customers trusted him, trusted his clu%, and other &eo&le e;ually felt the same. +
&erson in trou%le could find refuge $ith +lex and ultimately that %ecame a &o$erful
thing. "here $as nothing that some of the street d$ellers $ouldn,t do for +lex, so if
+lex as#ed that a certain clu% %e %lac#listed chances $ere that that clu% $ould find
itself dying fast.
<1ut,> +lex said in a loud cold !oice. <,m not interested in threats or e!en
&romises. "he re;uest ,!e got is one that $ill %e of %enefit to us all.> +lex nodded
to his men, $ho &assed out lists. <"hese are the list of missing &ersons $ho ha!e
919
%een ta#en from all our clu%s o!er the &ast three years. =ou,ll notice that almost no
clu% here has %een excluded from this list.>
Kelly loo#ed at the list and ho$ many times her clu%s $ere listed. "$el!e
missing clients $ere hers. <)hat do you $ant, +lex4> .he noticed that the last
!ictim came from her clu% a mere six days %efore.
< $ant this sic# fuc# ta#en do$n %efore more innocents are lost. /ur clients
might not all %e children -ust loo#ing for a good time, that's true. 1ut $hat this
%astard does is steal them out from our &rotection, in our !ery o$n territory. )e
lose face $ith the community $hen our clu%s %ecome hunting grounds.>
3ha0 loo#ed u&. < hear that your o$n cousin $as ta#en. "a#en from your
clu%.> 3ha0 finger rested on the name Krystal )hitman.
<9y o$n %lood $as ta&&ed, confounded $ith in-uries of &olluting my territory.
$on't rest until this monster is found, and my o$n face %loodied from the hunt.>
+lex turned eyes %urning $ith an anger %arely under control. <=ou ste& u& to my
&late, 3ha04 Do you $ant to li!e in this fire4 ,!e got nothing %ut anger to %urn and
little room to dis&ense it. 'irst %lood $as dra$n from us all. 8one ha!e %een
immune.>
"he room $as silent. t $as true. "heir doors $ould close if it %ecame #no$n
that all the underground ra!es and clu%s $ere hunting grounds for a socio&ath, and
that the o$ners and %osses on the streets couldn,t &rotect their o$n. "he last
ma-or &ro%lem that hit them as a grou& $as $hen rac#ets came to to$n and shoo#
them do$n for &rotection money. +lex $as the leader in sto&&ing the extortion. *e
did it $ithout the hel& of the 3o&s, and for that act alone he too# his &lace as one
of the influential.
<f $e can,t &rotect our o$n, then $e may as $ell close our doors. 8ext $ill %e
the co&s or &eo&le li#e Pierce, $illing to ta#e #ic#%ac#s for the offer of &rotection,
91:
%ut $ho are they $ho care little a%out our young4 )e are res&onsi%le.> +lex had
the %oys &ass out more su&&lies and &ac#ets. <,m &ro&osing to do the cleansing,
%ut need and re;uest your hel&.>
"hey all &ulled out their &ac#ets and searched the information. Kelly loo#ed at
her friend. <+lex, you can,t mean to do this.>
< do and can. nside are tem&orary tattoos. 'or e!ery client &assing your
doors, those $ho ha!e dis&layed tattoos, &iercing, or any ty&e of %ody decoration,
scar or %irthmar#, get a drin# on the house. 'or those unmar#ed, if they're $illing
to %e &ierced or tattooed that night, in a s&ot that is o%!ious to the common !ie$,
their drin#s are on the house for the night also.>
/ther clu% o$ners &rotested. <)e can,t ta#e this sort of loss in re!enue.
9ay%e 3lu% *ell can, or e!en 3aly&so, %ut some of us are already dro$ning in
o!erhead and trying to com&ete $ith all the other &arties.>
<2onnie, ,m offering to com&ensate com&letely. need to.> "hey all $ent
silent. "hat $as an incredi%le ex&ense.
2onnie loo#ed at +lex in shoc#. <'or ho$ long4>
+lex lit a cigarette. <'or as long as it ta#es.>
Kelly sa$ $hat $as ha&&ening. <=ou,re closing the hunting field, forcing him
%ac# to your &lace. +lex, your &ro&osal ma#es our clu%s clean and safe at your
ex&ense, -ust so your clu% %ecomes the hunting ground again.>
+lex too# a dra$ on his cigarette $ith his eyes narro$ing against the ex&elled
smo#e. <=es, ,m gi!ing him no o&tions, no other &lace to hunt %ut my &lace, and it
$ill %e his last %attlefield.>
<+nd if $e refuse to %e hassled4> as#ed 3ha0.
<f you call this %eing 'hassled' and refuse to hel& &rotect your clients, then it
$ill %e #no$n on the streets as soon as another !ictim is ta#en. "he choice is yours.
917
,m offering to %an#roll this ad!enture and ma#e your %usinesses safe and sound.
"his offer is good only until midnight tonight. =ou,ll call in to my man no later than
that $ith your decision.>
+lex loo#ed at 'reddie and made a gesture. *e $anted these &eo&le out of his
house. *is innermost sanctuary $as %eing in!aded. "ime to ta#e %ac# $hat he
needed to sur!i!e.
???
Kyle cleared his throat %efore raising his cham&agne glass to the ha&&y
cou&le. "he 1est 9an,s s&eech $asn,t as %ad as he thought it $ould %e. +my $as
smiling and glo$ing, and his father seemed to %e in a da0e. Kyle's s&eech $as
%lessedly short and sur&risingly mo!ing $ith some hel& from "ess. Kyle loo#ed as
his ne$ mother hugged his father to her side, and for the first time since his o$n
mother $al#ed out of their li!es so suddenly, the Galenti %oys li!es $ere finally %ac#
on trac# and ha&&y. "ess reached u& and $i&ed the moisture from his face. *e
didn,t reali0e he had %een crying.
"3are to dance4" 9ichael as#ed. 9aria loo#ed at him in sur&rise. 9ichael hated
dancing and it al$ays too# a lot of coaxing to get him on the floor. *e $as %etter
than he thought, %ut he let the thought of other &eo&le $atching him inhi%it his
mo!ements, ma#ing them stiff and dis-ointed.
9aria flo$ed into his arms %efore he lost his ner!e and they danced across the
floor. ""hat $as a lo!ely ceremony, $asn't it4"
"=eah, lo!ely," 9ichael $his&ered, as his mouth found the side of her ex&osed
nec#.
914
")ould you li#e something li#e that4" 9aria as#ed casually. *e had %een
sending her mixed signals since that morning. .he assumed he $as thin#ing 2ustice
of the Peace or some&lace li#e Reno, %ut no$ she $asn,t so sure.
9ichael &ulled his head %ac# and stared at her. "+re you as#ing to marry me4"
*e smiled, and $his&ered in her ear. <*o$ soon4 1efore $e ha!e this %undle4>
9ichael,s hand touched her flat stomach, and he loo#ed at her $ith dar# eyes.
=eah, he $ould need to %e married %efore he %ecame a father. *e $ould need the
#no$ledge and security of #no$ing that she and the %a%y $ould al$ays %e his.
"=eah, 'd li#e us to ma#e a &u%lic commitment to each other. 1eyond
&arenting." .he &aused and suc#ed on her %ottom li&. .he #ne$ this dro!e him to
distraction, %ut couldn't sto& herself. *e had as#ed her to marry him, made sure
she said yes and then that $as it. *e $as nothing if not confusing at times. .urely
he $asn,t &lanning on letting her hold off the $edding date for six years li#e her
mom5
" can't thin# $hile you're che$ing your li&, Professor. :i!e me a %rea# here,
9aria." 9ichael loo#ed around at the influential cro$d $hich $as the only thing
s&aring 9aria from %eing ra!ished on the highly &olished floor. .till, they $ere
ex&ecting a %a%y, and all these nice &eo&le $ould &ro%a%ly understand the
insatia%le a&&etites of an ex&ectant mother. *e could %lame it on 9aria.
".orry," she $his&ered. ")hat do you $ant to do4" 9aria mo!ed her hands to
the small of his %ac# so that she could cross them %ehind him and hold him near.
"he smell of him, the loo# of his %ody encased in a tux, the feel of him tight and
mating close to the front of her %ody $as distracting her, ma#ing her ache. t $as
the touch of his mouth on her nec# made her close her eyes to the aching longing
and %urn.
915
"3eremony or not, 9aria, 'm all yours." *e tilted u& her chin. "1ut a
ceremony $ould %e nice." 9ichael ru%%ed his face in her nec# and smelt her. "he
rush of sensation in his %lood $as ma#ing him di00y, the need to taste her, to feel
her o!er him $as ma#ing his %reath &ant a little. "Let me sur&rise you. ha!e a
&lan."
"+ &lan4" 9aria #issed him silly. *e said that so softly and $ith a de!il(may(
care loo# in his eye, that she s$ore she $as seeing 9ichael :uerin as he had %een
in his youth, all young, ad!enturous and !ery naughty. Reluctantly, they &arted to
dance $ith other guests for a time $hen 9ichael,s shoulder $as ta&&ed. 9aria, $ho
$as suddenly dancing $ith 9arco, laughed at 9ichael as he s$ore under his %reath
%y the interru&tion, %ut ;uic#ly cho#ed %ac# his res&onse $hen he found himself
dancing $ith .ean,s mother, "heresa.
<=our 3o&, 9i#o. li#e him. *e is a good man ( hard %ut good.> 9aria smiled
at her uncle. <=our father, he $ould a&&ro!e.> 9aria lost her smile and loo#ed o!er
her uncle,s shoulder. <*e told me that you and he made &eace in the last fe$ years
of his life. )as that not true4>
<t $as.> 9aria said softly. "hen she loo#ed at her uncle. < couldn,t forgi!e
him for many years for ho$ he treated my mother. 1ut got older and reali0ed that
it $as their relationshi&, not mine. .o learned to forgi!e.>
<*e $as a hard man, 'ran#ie, .r. 1ut he $as a man $orthy of your lo!e,
9aria. )hen he met your mother, she $as e!erything to him. .he $as sunshine
and light, more than he thought he could e!er ha!e. /ur father had already chosen
a $ife for him, a $oman he ne!er #ne$ and could ne!er lo!e. *e %ro#e from the
family to marry your mother. t too# a year and my father learning to adore your
mother for them to mend their fences. 1ut then my father got sic# and 'ran#ie, he
$as re;uired to ste& u&.>
926
<:randfather $as still ali!e $hen $as a child.>
<=es, %ut not in his mind. *e $asn,t a%le to ma#e decisions for the 'amily, so
that fell on 'ran#ie,s shoulders. +nd $hat $e do, $ho $e are, %ecame too real to
your mother. .he couldn,t %e ;uiet and li!e $ith it. "hey fought.> 9arco loo#ed o!er
at the ha&&y smiling +my. <=our father $ould %e ha&&y to see her so ali!e again
and smiling. *e stole that from her. *e couldn,t $al# a$ay from his duty, not e!en
for her, and she couldn,t li!e $ith the lies and the %lood. 1ut she $as the one thing
he couldn,t li!e $ithout, so he forced her to stay, he used you to #ee& her near. t
$as $rong. *e $as $ea#, %ut he needed it. 8eeded her. +nd $hen you left and she
left, $inter came and it stayed until he found you again.>
<Kio...>
<8o. tell you this not to $orry you. "ime, it &asses, and $e...$e
DeLuca,s...$e sur!i!e. 1ut ,m reali0ing that may%e $e,re changing a little. loo# at
.ean, and ,m &roud. 'ran#ie, your %rother $as a disease. 6!ery day, than# :od
that my son $asn,t so afflicted, and that .ean did $hat the 'amily should ha!e
done years %efore. )hat your father should ha!e done. )e should ha!e &ut do$n
the sic# diseased one, %ut $e didn,t and the damage $as too much to %ear. )e let
.ean carry our %urden, and then $e turned a$ay from the unsightly truth. 1ut no
one is turning a$ay no$. .o, little one, there is may%e ho&e for all of us, no4>
9aria hugged him. <8othing %ut ho&e.>
9aria seemed to %e stuc# in smiling mode as she caught s$eet seducti!e
glim&ses of 9ichael during the &arty. *e $as %eing forced to dance $ith all the
$omen of her family and they $ere all laughing as he $atched his feet trying not to
tram&le them. .he $as going to $ear the man out $hen they got home. 9aria
&lanned her seduction techni;ue((stri& 9ichael na#ed, thro$ him to the %ed, and
921
ha!e her $ay $ith him $ith may%e a &air of handcuffs to #ee& him from turning the
ta%les on her. 9aria grinned. "hat $ould $or#.
<)hat you smiling at, 9aria4> Li0 as#ed as she ate more food. t $as
im&ossi%le to %elie!e that she could e!er eat so much, %ut someho$ eating $as a
huge &art of %eing around the DeLucas.
<=ou so do not e!en $ant to #no$5> Li0 follo$ed her glance as it rushed o!er
9ichael,s %ody. Damn. Li0 mo!ed around in her chair. "hey $ere lethal and deadly
to e!eryone $ho came in contact $ith them. t $as sur&rising that they e!er got
anything else done. "ess came o!er to -oin them, smiling at Li0 and 9aria.
</#ay, so gi!e, Li0. )ho is the %ig *ercules you %rought4 s he .$edish4 s his
name .!en4>
Li0 laughed. <8o5 *e,s a motorcycle co& in *igh$ay Patrol, and his name is
.tan. 1ut do thin# he,s got some real interest in %ody%uilding and gi!es a mean
massage.>
<)hat,d he massage4> 9aria as#ed curiously.
<9aria5> "ess said $ith a moc#ing outrage. <=ou,re &regnant5 Don,t you #no$
that once a $oman %ecomes &regnant, they,re ex&ected %y society to find a
fascination for &u&&ies, anchors and shirts that say I1a%y on 1oard,, $ith lots of
&astels4>
</h &lease5 *o$ the hec# do you thin# got &regnant in the first &lace. +nd
can tell you it had nothing to do $ith &u&&ies, &astels or anchors. "hough...you
could hang an anchor off of 9ichael,s...>
<9aria5 3oncentrate.> "ess turned to Li0 &olitely %efore 9aria $ent off on a
tangent again.
Li0 didn,t get it. "hat $as the second time. <)hat the hec# is $rong $ith
&astels4> 1oth "ess and 9aria laughed at Li0 en-oying her loo#s of confusion.
922
9aria leaned for$ard and ga!e Li0 some friendly ad!ice. <2ust %e careful $ith
the muscle(%ound one, Li00ie. understand that steroid use can se!erely cri&&le the
&erformance and Ireduce, the &ac#age.> Li0 -ust turned red, and &ut her hand o!er
9aria,s mouth en-oying the laughing mirth in her friend's eyes.
<Don,t $orry, 9aria5 "his &o&&er can &o& $ith a loud %ang.>
<)hoo hoo5 Details5> said 9aria in a singsong !oice. "he $omen added more
food to their &lates and got do$n to some real gossi&ing.
9ichael finally found his $ay %ac# to 9aria and &ulled her to the side $ith a
;uic# ni%%le to the earlo%e. "=our mom,s a%out to toss her %ou;uet, so hug the
$all. "hese $omen can get dangerous. chec#ed out a fe$ of your cousins and
they loo# des&erate."
9aria $as a%out to &rotest $hen she sa$ Li0 Par#er,s date nearly get
tram&led. 9ichael &laced himself %et$een 9aria and the horde. +my made eye
contact $ith him, %ut he -ust shoo# his head. 9aria didn,t need to catch the
%ou;uet to %e the next one married. +my should sa!e it for someone $ho needed
ho&e, li#e Li0 Par#er. "hough 9ichael had to admit, the %ro$n mouse $as loo#ing
not so mousy tonight.
+my had ;uite an arm on her, and the %ou;uet fle$ smoothly o!er most of the
cro$d and right into Li0's hands. 9ichael $atched amused, as t$o of 9aria,s
dangerous(loo#ing cousins circled Li0, %ut she hung tough and dared anyone to try
and ta#e it from her. 8o one did.
9ichael $as mesmeri0ed as 2im lifted the end of +my's dress to re!eal her
garter. .he $as one leggy $oman for her height, %ut she still didn,t ha!e anything
on her daughter. .ean caught the garter and $ith a flic# of his $rist tossed it at
9ax, then made a %eeline to his reluctant date, the +D+ 2ulia $ho, $ea#ly, tried to
shoo him a$ay. 9ax loo#ed at the garter confused until 2onathan $his&ered into his
927
ear $hat it meant and finally 9ax loo#ed u& to find Li0 Par#er and $ent o!er to as#
her for the next dance. t $as tradition.
2onathan came to stand %eside 9ichael and 9aria $here they $ere trying to
untangle themsel!es from a &otted &lant. "=ou're drooling, 2onathan," 9aria
accused. .he follo$ed his eyes $atching 9ax dance and tal# $ith Li0 Par#er. <s it
Li0 or 9ax you,re $atching4>
<9aria.> 2onathan ga!e her an accusing loo#. .he #ne$ $ho he $as $atching.
<9ay%e you should go cut in4 /nce u&on a time, 9ax and Li0 had this Istare
into my eyes, moo(co$ affair going %efore it flic#ered to dust. )ho #no$s4 hear
that the Phoenix rose from ashes. 9ay%e that s&ar# is still there.>
t $as +my that made the decision for them. <9aria, it,s the last dance %efore
2im and lea!e. $ant to see e!eryone dancing and that includes, you, 2onathan.
:o dance $ith your date.> 9aria smir#ed at 2onathan, almost in a challenge.
2onathan -ust shrugged as 9ichael led 9aria out on the dance floor again. *e
a&&roached Li0,s date, and ho&ed the large .$ede didn,t rearrange his face. *e
$his&ered to him in lo$ con!ersation and then suddenly 9aria started to laugh as
she $atched 2onathan and Li0,s date maneu!er themsel!es a$#$ardly on the dance
floor to interce&t 9ax and Li0. 9ichael $as $atching too, and he #e&t a running
commentary in 9aria,s ear ma#ing her giggle.
<2ac#&ot5> 9aria ;uic#ly turned at 9ichael,s $ord and sa$ 2onathan calmly
claim 9ax in a dance. "he t$o men started tal#ing, and %oth $ere $atching their
feet as they tried to figure out $ho follo$ed and $ho $as to lead. 7ntil it occurred
to them that neither #ne$ ho$ to follo$, and so they %um%led across the dance
floor ste&&ing all o!er each other in a fit of laughter and #noc#ing into other
cou&les.
928
9ichael gro$led $hen they got too close to them. <.te& on us, &artner, and
you and .tiller $ill %e sorry.> 2onathan loo#ed u& and smiled cruelly. *e ;uic#ly cut
in and too# 9aria from 9ichael %efore he could &rotest, and 9ichael found him
facing his &artner in a dance.
<.o hel& me :od, 9ax$ell, you try to lead me in a foxtrot and $e are coming
to %lo$s.> "he t$o co&s loo#ed at each other, standing in the middle of the floor as
cou&les around them snic#ered and &assed them including a rude .ean, and a
catcalling Kyle. 1oth men calmly $al#ed off the floor #ee&ing a res&ecta%le distance
%et$een them.
9aria laughed and loo#ed u& at 2onathan. <"hat $as mean5 thought you
$ere going to try to not %ug 9ichael.>
<Did say that4 don,t remem%er.>
<7h huh. )ell if you &lan this relationshi& thing $ith 9ax to go on, you might
$ant to sto& teasing 9ichael so much. =our &aths $ill continue to cross.>
2onathan laughed do$n at the %eautiful %lond. < fear that and 9ichael
:uerin are destined to cross &aths numerous times, that is true. 1ut fear that he,s
going to al$ays find me a %ug.>
9aria -ust laughed her agreement. .ome things ne!er changed and sometimes
the more they changed, the more they stayed the same. .he loo#ed o!er to find
her mom ta#ing off $ith Li0 to go change along $ith her aunt. .he should go too.
<9y mom is going off to change. should go -oin her.>
<n a moment. "his is the first dance got $ith you tonight $ithout 9ichael
guarding you li#e the 3ro$ned 2e$els.>
<*e $asn,t. *e $as -ust #ee&ing an eye on me in case got tired.>
2onathan loo#ed at her critically. <=ou loo# %etter. ,m glad to see you out of
the hos&ital. *o$ is the little one4>
929
9aria loo#ed do$n at her flat stomach and then at 2onathan. <'ine. )e,re %oth
fine. "han# you for the !isit yesterday, and the flo$ers.>
2onathan -ust nodded. <2ust &romise me that if you get sic# again, that you,ll
ha!e 9ichael let me #no$. ha!e connections, &eo&le can contact that are
ex&erts.>
9aria $as touched %y his concern. <"han# you, 2onathan.>
*e -ust smiled. < -ust thin# this child is going to %e s&ecial. t has to %e.
$ould ha!e s$orn that 9ichael :uerin e!er re&roducing $ouldn,t ha&&en, and here
he is ma#ing a liar of me.> 2onathan loo#ed o!er to the edge of the floor and sa$
9ichael $atching them $ith narro$ed eyes. <,m going to resist the urge to &lace
my hand on your stomach, -ust %ecause li#e my arm. t sort of goes $ith the rest
of me, and rather not ha!e my dying !ie$ %e :uerin %eating me o!er the head
$ith my o$n %loody stum&.> 9aria tried to ma#e soothing noises at him. 1ut there
$asn,t much to say. 9ichael $as &ossessi!e, and a &art of her got more and more
that $ay as $ell.
<2ust do me a fa!or.> 2onathan as#ed ;uietly to her alone, %ut maintaining a
res&ecta%le distance %et$een them, or at least enough so light shone through and
:uerin had no reason to rearrange his face. t $as a &retty face, after all, and
2onathan had gro$n ;uite fond of it.
<f can4>
<3onsider me for a god&arent.> 9aria loo#ed at her friend and smiled.
</f course. *ey, may%e you and 9ax4> 2onathan -ust laughed at that. =eah,
that should ma#e his detecti!e !ery uncomforta%le. .uch a Imarried, thing to do.
"=ou loo# a%solutely edi%le," 9aria &urred to 9ichael $hen he finally lost
&atience and claimed her from 2onathan. .he used it as a distraction to #ee& him
from doing the t$enty ;uestions thing a%out 2onathan and their dance.
92:
"*o$ edi%le4" 9ichael ;ui&&ed. .uddenly he $ent stiff and loo#ed at her
intensely. "=ou needing something extra from me, Professor4" .he hadn,t fed from
his %lood since earlier that morning. *e loo#ed closely for that loo# of exhaustion
and coldness cree&ing %ac#.
"=ou and this tux, it,s...oh my5 1ut 'll tell you a secret, 9ichael, you're -ust as
sexy in old -eans and one of your $orn shirts." 9aria loo#ed around to ma#e sure
no one $as listening. < also adore you in nothing %ut your s#in.>
".&ea#ing of loo#ing good, could you $ear one of my shirts and a &air of high
heels for later tonight4" 9ichael leaned in and #issed the side of her nec#.
9aria smiled. "+m a%out to fulfill one of your fantasies4"
9ichael nodded enthusiastically. "/h, yeah. =ou, me, you in high heels and
that one shirt of mine that's so $orn you can see through it, and you un&rotected."
*e $iggled his %ro$s.
9aria smiled. " ho&e you reali0e that hardly need &rotection any longer. .ort
of #noc#ed u& here, Detecti!e."
9ichael leaned into her and moaned. < #no$. t so turns me on.>
<+s far as can see, e!erything turns you on lately.> 9ichael made a face and
shrugged. =eah, so4 9aria -ust ran her hand u& along his s#in and $ra&&ed her
hand around his nec# to let her fingers &lay in his hair. <,ll tell you $hat. ,ll lea!e
on the heels, that old shirt and nothing else, if you let me undress you and you
$ear your handcuffs.>
9ichael loo#ed around frantically $ith a moan. <)here are they4 "hey ha!e
got to go so $e can go home.> 9ichael &ulled 9aria off the floor to go find +my and
2im to &ush them in their car and off on their honeymoon immediately.
???
927
.ean $al#ed +D+ 9ac to her door. .miling &olitely, she o&ened her door, and
tried to get $ith -ust a ;uic# goodnight. 1ut .ean $asn,t so easily deterred.
<=ou could at least let me than# you for coming $ith me tonight.>
< had little choice. =ou insinuated that o$ed you.>
<=ou did.>
.he &ractically stom&ed her foot. < did not5>
<"hen $hy did you come4> .tin#ing male logic, irrefuta%le in its o$n $ay %y
the sheer sim&licity of thought, %ut someho$ it $as still $rong.
2ulia thought a%out it for a second and $hen left s&eechless, she did the only
thing &ossi%le. .he too# a ste& to$ard .ean. .lo$ly, she raised one hand, ran the
%ac#s of her fingers do$n his %ruised chee#. "he touch $as so gentle, so intimate,
it stilled .ean into immo%ility. *is heart and stomach did a ;uic# flutter and roll.
2ulia mo!ed closer, leaning in, and .ean #ne$ $ith an utter certainty that she
$anted to #iss him. + small &art of him $anted to -er# a$ay, to %ac# off and &ut
distance %et$een them %ecause he had taunted her into it and %ac#ed her into a
corner. 1ut a greater &art of him, the one ;uiet and curious, the one holding his
affection and lust for this $oman, #e&t him in &lace and $aiting. 2ulia's eyes, more
serious than he'd e!er seen them, studied him a moment then the long lashes
lo$ered as she leaned in. 7na%le to #ee& still a moment longer, .ean flung his arms
around her shoulders, &ulling her to him, o&ening to her mouth.
3om%ustion. 3onflagration. ncineration. "he stro#e of 2ulia's tongue against
his o$n $as fiery, igniting e!ery single ner!e in his %ody. Desire raced through him,
almost %linding in its intensity, shoc#ing .ean $ith its strength. *e usually needed
something more to get him to this &lace. *e $as dimly a$are of her hands mo!ing
o!er his %ac#, his shoulders, his arms, $orshi&ful, tracing the hea!iness of muscle
924
%eneath his s#in. "he soft, needy sounds she made in the %ac# of her throat
tra!eled a direct &ath from his ears do$n to his groin, ma#ing him ache and thro%,
ma#ing his %ody demand fulfillment and resolution. *e didn't thin# it &ossi%le to %e
so aroused %y a sound, %ut there it $as, undenia%le, e!ident in the hot s$elling of
his flesh.
2ulia %ro#e for air. .ean could feel her gas&ing and the heated sensation of her
%reath against his throat. 2ulia's taste, $arm and s$eet $ith a touch of s&ice, $as
still strong on his tongue. +ddicting. +ny hesitation, any thought this $as someho$
$rong had long since fled his mind. *e $anted 2ulia more than he'd e!er $anted
anyone else %efore. 9ay%e it $as the feeling of %eing out of his de&th $ith her, or
that she $as unattaina%le. 1ut the de&th of his need $as frightening. t crashed
through him li#e a tsunami, s$ee&ing a$ay e!erything %efore it. *is fingers
tightened in 2ulia's hair, &ulling, tilting her head %ac# to &ossess her mouth again.
"ime &assedF seconds, minutes, hours, days for all he #ne$ or cared. +ll that
mattered, all that $as im&ortant in his $orld $as the s$eetness of her mouth, the
tantali0ing seducti!eness of his tongue t$ining $ith 2ulia's o$n and the %iting ni&s
she ga!e him hardening his %ody for action. .ean #ne$ he $as %eginning to %e
rough as he tum%led dee&er into a dar# $ell of &assion. "he co&&ery taste of %lood
im&acted on his senses, and he forced himself to come out of the sensual fog that
threatened to o!erta#e him com&letely. *e'd cut her li& $ith his teethF a small
$ound. *e lic#ed at it, see#ing to gi!e comfort. .he finally loo#ed at him, ha0y,
unfocused, lost in sensation and desire.
+lthough he didn't $ant to do it, and his %ody screamed at him in outrage,
.ean made himself &ull a$ay, settling a$ay from her e!en though his %ody $anted
nothing more than to ru% u& against her hard. *e ran a hand o!er his face and
could smell the scent of 2ulia's hair on his s#in, 2asmine $ith a cool touch of mint
925
and melon. *e had to sto&, to allo$ time to collect himself. *e $as mo!ing too fast,
%eyond their starting &lace $here he tem&ted and teased her into a reaction. *e
$anted that reaction to %e really her, and not something he solicited out of her
reluctantly.
*e felt a slight shift, and #ne$ 2ulia had turned to$ard him, e!en %efore he
felt the caress of the long(fingered hand on his chee#, tracing a $andering &ath
do$n to his throat. .ean closed his eyes and moaned. + master,s touch. "hat $as
something he #ne$ $ell, a&&reciated and understood. *e felt li#e a treasured &et.
"t's li#e &laying $ith fire," .ean said, leaning into the touch. " ne!er
ex&ected it to feel li#e this." t al$ays too# more, a touch of fire to %ring him
around, and here she $as doing it $ith a gentle s$ee&ing touch that someho$ $as
e;ually mo!ing and left a %urn to his s#in. .o the next touch not only disarmed
him, %ut damn near dro&&ed him to his #nee in a fit of orgasmic release.
2ulia,s hand sla&&ed him hard u&side the %ac# of his head, and &ushed him off
her. <8ext time you %lac#mail me, ,ll toss your $orthless ass on the ground and
grind your %alls to &o$der5> .ean %arely had time to %lin# %efore her door slammed
into his face.
*e ran a hand o!er his face, and then do$n his %ody as a full %ody sha#e hit
his frame. /h damn. Perfect, so damn &erfect5 *o$ many times did he ha!e to tell
her to sto& ma#ing all her threats sound li#e a &romise of &leasure4
???
9ax follo$ed 2onathan to his &lace after the $edding rece&tion. t too# longer
than anyone ex&ected for 2im and +my ta#e off. 9ichael $hined and com&lained the
976
entire time until finally it $as done, and $ith a ;uic# announcement to 9aria,s
family a%out her tired state, they disa&&eared home.
"he food, including the coc#tail $eenies, had %een incredi%le, and %oth
2onathan and 9ax $ere stuffed. 1ut 2onathan suggested that 9ax -oin him at his
&lace for a fe$ games of &ool, a %eer and con!ersation. t $as hard to say no $ith
all those fantasies he had of 2onathan, cou&led $ith an intense curiosity to see the
man,s &lace, so they left the &arty. 2onathan sto&&ed on his $ay out the door of the
clu% to ma#e sure that the cleaning staff came to clean u& the remains and shi&&ed
all the lefto!er food to the Ros$ell .ou& Kitchen. Loo#ing %ac# at the room, it
a&&eared as though many of the guests $ere closing do$n the &lace $ith dancing
and eating until the $ee hours of the night, or until the clu% forced them out.
2onathan $ould ha!e lo!ed to see the esta%lishment try to #ic# out the DeLucas.
"hey set u& the &ool game and 9ax $atched 2onathan cream him again. <
don,t #no$ $hy %other. =ou,re too good at this.>
< had lots of &ractice in college. use to scam &ool to &ay for my %eer fund.>
9ax loo#ed at him coughing. <=ou scamming me4>
2onathan -ust laughed. </f course. ,m good, %ut no one is that good.>
<:i!e me %ac# my money.>
<7h uh. =ou forfeited it since you didn,t figure it out. confessed.> 2onathan
-ust laughed at the outrage on 9ax,s face. Leaning close to the other man, he let
his eyes dro& suggesti!ely to 9ax,s mouth and $his&ered. <"ell you $hat,
Detecti!e, ,ll try to ma#e u& for your loss.>
<*o$4> 9ax as#ed clearing his throat, and then lic#ing his suddenly dry li&s.
2onathan -ust stood u& and a$ay from 9ax and finished his %eer. .hrugging he
teased 9ax. < could ma#e us something to eat.> 2onathan loo#ed at 9ax $ith his
dee& dar# eyes and shot the man a challenging loo#.
971
9ax reached out and gra%%ed a fistful of 2onathan's dress shirt and said, still
a little %reathless, "3'mere," and 2onathan did. Leaning o!er him, and it only really
too# a moment for them to melt into each other comforta%ly.
""his o#ay4" 2onathan as#ed, sliding one hand into 9ax's hair.
""hat's fine," 9ax ans$ered, as he mo!ed them %ac# and settling %ac#$ards
into the corner of the sofa in 2onathan,s game room.
"Lemme #no$ if 'm &ulling too hard." 2onathan said as he angled 9ax,s head
to &lace his mouth along the other man,s s#in.
"f you hear me screaming, you're &ulling too hard."
2onathan laughed. ":otcha," he said, and he found 9ax's mouth -ust as 9ax
$or#ed his hand u& under the %ac# of 2onathan's dress shirt as 9ax &ulled it from
the $aist%and of his trousers. +nd as they reali0ed that they $eren't crushing each
other or &inching or &o#ing or &ulling hair, they relaxed further still, and it $as
$arm and soothing and a treat for the senses.
2onathan had one hand on 9ax's head. 9ax reached u& to untie the fastener
that 2onathan used to #ee& his hair off of his face. *is other arm $as $ra&&ed
around 9ax's $aist. 9ax had $or#ed %oth of his hands under 2onathan's shirt, and
$as stro#ing and caressing the %road, smooth chest, the %road, smooth %ac#.
2onathan murmured his a&&reciation into 9ax's mouth, and 9ax smiled to himself.
*e couldn,t $ait to torment 9ichael $ith the details. 2onathan ti&&ed them o!er,
and they %oth fell %ac# on the leather sofa, $hich $as $ide and accommodated
them %oth $ere they lay. +nd they lay there for a $hile, -ust ma#ing out in the
dar#ness $ith the light o!er the &ool ta%le gi!ing the room its only glo$, feeling
slightly drun# on creature comforts, on the heat and &ressure and taste of the
other's %ody.
972
"1etter than $atching "G at home alone," 9ax murmured into 2onathan's ear
after a $hile. *e lic#ed a circle around it, and 2onathan shuddered.
")e could tal#," 2onathan ans$ered softly, sliding a $arm hand do$n 9ax's
%ac# and ta#ing 9ax's mouth again. 9ax hand found the closures and studs to
2onathan,s shirt and he unfastened them, gathering them in his hand and then
&ushing them into his &ants' &oc#ets.
+nd then later still, $hile 9ax $as massaging 2onathan's ni&&le he heard
2onathan groan softly. *e li#ed the long lean loo# of him. "he $ay his s#in $as
sil#y, and yet &e&&ered $ith hair and rougher than a $oman,s. 9ax li#ed ho$ he
didn,t feel the need to %e careful or delicate $ith 2onathan, and he could exert
some &ressure against his s#in. t $as a $hole ne$ $orld of sensations.
9ax felt 2onathan drag his erection hard against his hi&, and he %lin#ed and
reali0ed that the thought of 2onathan all hard and excited &ushing against him
excited him, and suddenly it da$ned on him that this could %e more than gro&ing,
that there could %e an or!asm at the end of all this. 2onathan seemed ha&&y to
follo$ 9ax,s lead, and let him call the shots. 9ax actually li#ed the idea of 2onathan
%eing under him and he &ulled 2onathan around and got half on to& of him, into a
&osition $here he could mo!e %etter against him.
+nd 2onathan seemed to understand $hat he $as doing, and s;uirmed around
to accommodate him, still glued to his mouth, still clutching him tightly, still
&ushing u& against 9ax himself. +nd then suddenly, $hat started out as a friendly
gro&efest ;uic#ly turned into something more. "hey $ere there, some$here else,
and things %egan to s&in out of control as they mo!ed a%ru&tly )eyond gro&ing,
%eyond creature comfort, #issing no$ $ith urgency, touching each other $ith hard,
deli%erate sexual &ur&ose. 8o$ 9ax's hand $as mo!ing roughly do$n 2onathan,s
front to gras&ing 2onathan's coc# through his &ants, and 2onathan $as grunting and
977
gra%%ing at 9ax's hi&s. "hey $ere i)ra%in!, shuddering, hea!ing and thrusting
against each other instincti!ely, forcefully.
+nd 9ax $as moaning, %ecause shit, he $as getting close, he $as getting
there. *e $as seeing a definite rush to$ards com&letion, and it $as almost %here.
2onathan $as gas&ing raggedly underneath him, gri&&ing him $ith %ruising iron
fingers and thrusting u& &o$erfully, u& hard against his &alm, getting off on this, on
him.
2onathan murmured, roughly, "3ome on, 9ax," and that did it ( that and one
more thrust against 2onathan's hi& did it. 9ax gas&ed excitedly and came in his
&ants, the orgasm smashing into him and sending him reeling. +nd he heard
2onathan's stifled yell from %eneath him and clutched at him tightly, $anting to feel
him sha#ing, $anting to %e there $ith him $hile he rode out the shoc# of it.
+nd then they lay there holding each other in the dim light of the room, %oth
%reathing hard.
")o$," 9ax said, after a $hile.
"=eah," 2onathan ans$ered, a%sently stro#ing 9ax's hair. <.o next time, !ote
that $e don,t do this in formal$ear.>
".o, $ill you res&ect me in the morning4" 9ax as#ed, grinning into the
dar#ness.
"he ans$er floated %ac# to him. ")ho says res&ect you no+4" and 9ax
$hac#ed 2onathan's chest hard $ith the &alm of his hand. t $as li#e hitting an
unmo!a%le o%-ect.
"2ou should tal#," 9ax returned, grinning. "'ace it, 2onathan, you're an easy
lay."
978
<)ell, hell yeah. 1ut you,ll notice still ha!e my &ants on. .o might %e easy,
%ut $as raised $ith !alues.> 2onathan reached u& and nu00led 9ax nec# at the
shoulder. <8ext date ,ll let you get me out of my trousers.>
<)ouldn,t $ant to %e a slut.> 9ax commented dryly.
<6xactly.>
9ax laughed and settled do$n on the sofa next to 2onathan. +nd after
thin#ing a%out it for a moment, felt com&elled to as#. <.o $hen,s the next date4>
2onathan thought a%out it for a second and laughed. <)ell ,m free for the rest
of the e!ening.>
9ax loo#ed at him and made a goofy face gesturing to himself. <9e, too5>
<)ell let,s go find some food. .trange, suddenly ,m famished.>
<=ou coo#4> 9ax suddenly remem%ered his dream. <)ith %alsamic !inegar4>
2onathan stood u& and reached do$n to &ull 9ax u& off the sofa. 9o!ing in, he
#issed him and mo!ed his mouth against 9ax,s until he $him&ered. <8o, can
micro$a!e lefto!ers. ,ll either ha!e ta#eout in my refrigerator or $hate!er my
house#ee&er left for me.>
<"hat's strange. $ould ha!e s$orn that you,d ha!e more ser!ants around.
"he house is huge for one &erson.>
<"rue. 1ut li#e my &ri!acy. o$n all the &ro&erty around my house.>
2onathan led 9ax do$n the hall to$ards the #itchen. <.taff comes in during
the day to do cleaning, laundry and stuff, %ut in the e!enings, &refer to %e alone,
unless in!ite com&any.>
9ax nodded. "hat made sense. 6x&lained $hy $hen he called 2onathan those
fe$ times he &ic#ed u& his o$n &hone and not some stuffy %utler ty&e. 9ax noticed
a door and as#ed 2onathan a%out it. <)here does that go4>
979
<.orry, my &ri!ate cellar. "here is $here #ee& my &ersonal collection. 8o
one,s allo$ed unless %y in!itation, only.> 2onathan sto&&ed and mo!ed in close to
9ax. <=ou,!e got to %e !ery s&ecial to get in!ited there, or at least you ha!e to
ad!ance %eyond gro&ing and hand -o%s.>
<+$, something to $or# to$ards.>
<ndeed.>
9ax mo!ed uncomforta%ly in his clothes that $ere dam& and starting to feel
stic#y. <2onathan, don,t thin# me too for$ard or -ust trying to come on to you or
anything, %ut if you aren,t $illing to lend me a sho$er and a change of clothes...,m
going to ha!e to head home.> 9ax gestured to his formal tux trousers stained !ery
much li#e 2onathan,s $as. :reat fun it $as going to %e ta#ing these &ants to the
cleaners.
2onathan -ust nodded. <:o u& the stairs and do$n the hall to the door at the
!ery end. t,s my %edroom. =ou can go through my closet and ta#e $hate!er you
$ant to %orro$. "he %athroom is the door &ast the $al#(in closet, -ust go straight
through.>
9ax nodded, and $as sur&rised $hen 2onathan &ulled him %ac# and #issed
him ;uic#ly %efore &ushing him to$ards the stairs. 9ax slo$ly ascended the stairs
ta#ing in the neat order of 2onathan,s &lace and the cleanness.
'inding the %edroom, 9ax a!oided loo#ing at the %ed since his current
fantasies o!er 2onathan $ere already imaginati!e enough, %ut adding the man,s
actual %ed to it $ould ele!ate them to another le!el. "he $al#(in closet and
dressing room reminded him of the one 9ichael had at the loft, exce&t 9ichael,s
$as full of chaos and disorder fronting as a storage room for all his hoc#ey s#ates
and shoes tossed a%out the &lace. 2onathan,s $as neat and elegant, all the clothes
97:
neatly folded in a %uilt(in $ardro%e or hanging from uni;ue &ressing hangers in
some s&ecially organi0ed manner.
9ax felt slightly shy of searching the man,s dra$ers, %ut ;uic#ly found a &air
of s$eats and a t(shirt to re&lace his clothes. .huc#ing his clothes in the dressing
room and closet, 9ax ;uic#ly found an em&ty hanger and neatly gathered all the
&arts to his tux and hung it from a hoo# and &laced his soc#s neatly in his shoes.
"he sound of falling studs shoc#ed him until he remem%ered he &ut 2onathan,s stud
closures in the &oc#et of his &ants. :athering them u&, he left them on to& of a
tall%oy in the corner.
"he %athroom $as huge, and it too# him a minute to figure out the lighting
com%ination. "urning on the s&ecial light and heater to the sho$er, he ste&&ed into
the $arm $ater. "he sho$er $as %ig li#e the one in 9ichael and 9aria,s &lace. t
$as large and a%le to gi!e the user maneu!ering room instead of the small cu%icle
he associated $ith sho$ers or the use of the %athtu% head. "his $as nice.
<9ay -oin you4> 9ax,s eyes closed and he moaned at the sound of the dar#
tones, the feel of the hard %ody coming u& %ehind him, and 2onathan,s arms
coming around him, to &ush him for$ard a little as he reached for some soa& from
the s&ecial dis&enser. t $as a dream again. t had to %e.
<2onathan...>
<Don,t frea#. 1ut if didn,t get clean soon, $as going to die in a fit. "he stuff
$as starting to itch.> 9ax couldn,t %e more shoc#ed that it $as real, that 2onathan
had remo!ed his clothes and ste&&ed into the sho$er $ith him. /h shit. <2ust thin#
of it as ta#ing a sho$er at the healthclu% or the gym, and don,t dro& the soa&.>
9ax loo#ed %ac# at 2onathan almost in horror. 2onathan laughed and held u&
his hands. <2ust #iddin,, s$ear.> "hey loo#ed at each other under the raining of
$ater. <Let,s -ust &ut this into &ers&ecti!e, o#ay4 "he only male(male relationshi&
977
for me $as o!er ten years ago in college. t in!ol!ed mutual hand -o%s, some
gro&ing, a cra&load of #issing and %lo$-o%s. "hat $as it. "he rest of the things
in!ol!ed in gay relationshi&s, such as &enetration4 .till a !irgin $ith a %ig clue, %ut
no ex&erience. .o ho$ far $e go $ith this has to %e a mutual learning thing.>
<.o and your old roommate didn,t...> 9ax couldn,t finish the sentence.
<8o. 8ot that he didn,t try. 1ut $asn,t that %o$led o!er in the relationshi&
not to reali0e that for a man...he $as a slut loo#ing to fuc# e!erything in sight. +nd
e!en %ac# then, $asn,t the ty&e of man $ho let himself %e used.>
9ax nodded not really noticing that 2onathan $as mo!ing soa& o!er his s#in.
<s that $hy you,re &ushing me so hard, li#e at the restaurant the other day4>
<=eah. $as sort of crude and mean. 1ut don,t $ant there to %e any
misunderstandings %et$een us. don,t $ant to %e a ne$ toy for you, a sensation
that feels good that you couldn,t deny yourself, and then later $onder $hat the hell
you got yourself into or $hy. )here $e go, 9ax can sto& at friends that
occasionally li#e to gro&e each other, to fuc#%uddies, or e!en onto a real
relationshi&. 1ut ,m not going to go any of those &laces $ith you, or &ut myself out
there if this %ecomes -ust an indecisi!e mo!e you made that you later regret.>
2onathan mo!ed in on him and extended his arms %eyond 9ax to rest on the tiled
$all as he leaned into 9ax,s %ac#. )his&ering in his ear, 2onathan &ut the %all in
9ax,s court. <=ou,re going to ha!e to lead in this, Detecti!e, %ecause left to my o$n
de!ices, you and are going to %e lu%ed u& and all dirty and s$eaty. .o ,m as#ing
you, $hat do you $ant4>
9ax leaned %ac# and closed his eyes, ex&elling the held %reath from his
mouth. 2onathan $as a hard man in more $ays than one. "hat hardened flesh
&ressing into 9ax $as one thing, %ut he $as also made of steel in his resol!e. +
nice change com&ared to 9ax and ho$ he led his life o!er the last six years. t $as
974
his floundering indecisi!eness that cost him "ess, and a chance at a life $ith her
and ultimately his %a%y. "here $as a time $hen $ords had to %e s&o#en, lines
crossed and a time to gro$ u&.
"a#ing 2onathan,s one hand, 9ax mo!ed it to touch his torso -ust li#e his
dream. +nd the other hand he &ressed to his coc# encouraging 2onathan to touch
him more intimately than he e!er let any other man touch him, outside of the
standard male &hysical. 1ut this touch $as different, more intimate and it solicited
a heady res&onse.
<s this $hat you $ant4>
<:od, yes5> 9ax said re&eating his $ords of the night %efore.
2onathan turned 9ax to face him, and too# 9ax,s hands and &ut them on his
%ody. "he t$o men stood $atching each other as then mo!ed their hands o!er the
other, until %oth of them $ere staring through hooded eyes. 2onathan moaned and
ga!e in to 9ax. *e leaned in first and #issed the man, as their t$o %odies mo!ed
together, &ushing against the other, hard and hard. "heir hands added to the
&ressure as soa&y slic# s#in mo!ed against soa&y slic# s#in.
9ax's hand $as on the %ac# of 2onathan,s nec# $hile his mouth tongued one
of the man,s ni&&les. *is other hand $as slo$ly and methodically mo!ing along the
length of 2onathan,s coc#. *e had ne!er held or touched another man in this $ay,
%ut he -ust follo$ed instinctually $hat he li#ed $hen he touched himself. 2onathan
soft moans told him that it $asn,t all %ad.
2onathan,s mouth $as suc#ing on the s#in at the side of 9ax,s nec#, and the
&ressure from 9ax,s hand held him there, as he too held 9ax,s coc# in his hand and
he slo$ly -er#ed him off, en-oying the feel and the res&onse he $as getting from
9ax. *is other hand $as hard on 9ax,s hi& holding him close and mo!ing his hi&s
to thrust himself harder into 2onathan,s hand. 9ax loo#ed u& startled straight into
975
2onathan,s eyes $hen the man &ut their t$o erect coc#s together and $ra&&ed a
hand around them %oth and %egan to thrust. 9ax,s eyes closed as he leaned into
the %igger man and -oined in the increasing rhythm. 8o one told him it actually felt
this good. "heir fren0ied momentum increased and -ust at the moment of release,
2onathan s$allo$ed 9ax,s res&onse in a #iss as the $ater sho$ered on them,
slo$ly cooling. 2onathan rested for a fe$ moments, %efore reaching around 9ax
and turning off the $ater.
<3ome to %ed, Detecti!e.>
???
sa%el had -ust %arely made it out of the sho$er $hen her door%ell rang. "he
shift at the crisis center lasted longer than she ex&ected since her relief $as late
getting there due to car &ro%lems. .he had $anted to ma#e the rece&tion, at least
to see +my off, %ut once she $as home, undressed and under the $arm $ater, any
thought of going out again $as una&&ealing.
.tanding in her %athro%e still $et from her sho$er, sa%el cautiously o&ened
the a&artment door -ust a slit, and seeing $ho $as on her doorste& she o&ened it
$ider in sur&rise.
<+lex4> *e $as loo#ing do$n at the ground, %ut loo#ed u& at her $ith dar#
eyes full of &ain.
< need you.>
sa%el reached out and &ulled him inside as his mouth found hers. .lamming
the door shut %ehind him as he entered, she $as shoc#ed to feel moisture on her
face from his.
986
<.hhh, it,s o#ay. 3ome $ith me.> .he too# his hand and led him to her
%edroom. Later...later she $ould $ash and feed him, %ut no$ he needed other
things more. sa%el didn,t #no$ $hat else to say. 6!erything inside her $as -um&ing
and sha#ing. *e had come to her.
???
9ichael had managed not to lose it until they $ere %ac# at the loft. /nce there
he gra%%ed 9aria, sho!ed her u& against the door that had -ust s$ung shut %ehind
them and de!oured her $ith his mouth. *e felt her tremors as he held her, felt his
o$n %ody sha#ing. t $as a cathartic release, ta#ing her the first time. t $as
rough, hard, almost mindless &ossession, see#ing to confirm through &hysical
contact that 9aria $as o#ay, that there $ere no hand&rints on her left %y others.
9aria too# it $ell as he stri&&ed her %are right there at the door exce&t for her
heels and searched e!ery inch of her %ody. t $as that dri!en feeling again, the
rising need to touch her, hold her, and mo!e o!er her until she $as mindlessly
calling his name.
t $asn't until after he'd assured himself that there $ere no mar#s hidden %y
other hands that held her $hile dancing, that he left his o$n mar#s. 9aria $as
&anting hard and fast at the feel of his %ody, his mouth and hands mo!ing o!er her.
"he suc#ing of s#in, the ni&&ing and finally the %ites he left sent her s&iraling out of
control, holding his %ody tightly to hers and demanding e!en more. t too# some
time for sanity to return to them %oth %efore he finally eased his %ruising gri& on
her, holding her against him rather than clutching her tightly.
"'m o#ay, 9ichael," 9aria had murmured o!er and o!er again, $hile her
fingers ran through his long tum%led hair, ru%%ing 9ichael's scal&. "'m still here.
981
8othing ha&&ened. )e,re fine." t $as strange that through all that, she $as
stri&&ed %are and he $as still fully clothed $ith his &ants undone.
" hate not %eing a%le to touch you for so long. )hat $ould do $ithout you4"
*e tangled his fingers into her rich, soft hair, his mind see#ing a connection to her,
a -oining. "hey $ere reaching &laces that he $as uncertain a%out. "here $as
something a%out her lately, something that acted on him. +ll day he had %een
unsettled %y her a%sence and the &hysical distance %et$een them.
"9ichael..." 9aria had gras&ed his head and tilted it %ac#, %rushing soft,
gentle #isses across his face. "'m fine, Detecti!e. 9ore than fine. Let me sho$ you
no$..." .he &ulled him u& the stairs lea!ing her clothes $here they landed in the
entry$ay. /nce u&stairs, she ;uic#ly located his fa!orite 9etallica t(shirt that $as
almost see(through from all the $ashing it had seen. .he gra%%ed the one other
thing she needed from his closet %efore returning to the room to loo# at him. *e
had mo!ed around the room lighting candles.
*e $as still in his tux $ith tails, and she came u& %ehind him to remo!e the
tailored -ac#et smoothing her hands along the grain of the cloth at his shoulders
%efore &ulling it off. 9ichael turned and $atched her $ith half(closed eyes,
narro$ed in hea!iness from desire, $hile his nostrils flared as he %reathed in her
scent.
9aria's fingers -ourneyed across 9ichael's face, ru%%ing the rough(soft
$his#ers.
< should sha!e.>
" li#e it," she said in a lo$ tone. "t suits you."
+ fine tremor ran through 9aria's %ody and 9ichael felt the echo &ass through
him. *e tilted her face u& to$ard his and lo$ered his head, %rushing his mouth
lightly across her red s$ollen li&s that he had #issed &assionately do$nstairs. + tiny
982
$him&er came from her as his head mo!ed do$n into the s#in of her shoulder and
nec#. 9ichael %rushed his li&s o!er hers once again, then a third time. /n the next
&ass he sealed their mouths together, &ressing softly. 9oist, $arm li&s o&ened for
him and the s$eetness $ithin %ec#oned. *e lo!ed the touch of her tongue, the
mo!ement of it into his mouth and then the retreat %ec#oning his to follo$ into her
$arm mouth. *e $as %arely a$are of her hands slo$ly &eeling him from his
clothes.
9ore soft $him&ers came from 9aria, or may%e they $ere his no$ as her s#in
touched his4 +nd as their arms t$ined a%out each other, dra$ing the other
instincti!ely closer, he could feel her reaching for him in a &ulling sensation. "he
#iss stayed soft, easy. t $as a la0y, thorough ex&loration that s&o#e of lo!e and
intimacy, not sex. +n ache gre$ in his chest, intensifying $ith each moment that he
and 9aria stayed ent$ined. *e %ro#e the #iss %ut &ulled 9aria closer to him,
folding her into his arms, &ressed against his chest, next to his heart.
"hey stood there for a long time, una$are of anything %ut each other. 9ichael
closed his eyes to fully sa!or the moment of 9aria $arm and ali!e against him, -ust
holding him. t $as strange that he could tell 9ax $hat he felt in $ords, descri%e
$hat she meant to him, %ut $hen he had her near and in his arms, $ords failed
him. "he feeling felt too %ig, too o!er$helming and no $ords could e!er hold
enough meaning, so he reached out to her $ith e!erything inside him, o&ened all
the doors of his soul and in!ited her inside ho&ing that someho$ she could feel all
the things that he left unnamed.
*e smiled to himself $hen she &ushed him %ac# onto their %ed. *e ne!er
reali0ed that she had so thoroughly stri&&ed him of his clothes, %ut there they
$ere, na#ed on their %ed $ith her $earing only his shirt and her heels. .he smiled
at him $ith a loo# so full of mischief he actually had a moment of $orry as her
987
hand clas&ed his and &ulled it u& o!er their heads, as their mouth melted into
another #iss.
"he clic#ing noise of his handcuffs cinching around his $rist, made him loo# u&
at their -oined hands. .he fastened him to the %ed. +nd sitting u&, straddling his
hi&s he $atched as she &laced the #ey on the %edside ta%le %efore her $hole %ody
mo!ed along his running her mouth against his s#in. *is eyes -um&ed in
antici&ation, %ecause one thing he had learned a%out 9aria o!er the last year $as
she had a &ure e!il strea# in her that $as nothing if not admira%le and extremely
in!enti!e in %ed. *e $atched her $ith desire(dar#ened eyes, silent as his %lood
sang and screamed for more, and his heart clamored to the %eat of a music that
existed %et$een them alone.
9r. 1oo%oo returned from his nightly rounds of the neigh%orhood territory
carrying a small li!e field mouse %y its head. :i!ing it a ni&, he dro&&ed the dead
rodent at the foot of the %ed as he -um&ed u& to !ie$ his &ets. "hey $ere fast
aslee& in each others' arms. "he larger emotional one $ho dis&ensed great meat
&ortions...his arm $as stretched o!er his head, connected in some $ay to the %ed.
"he smaller gentle one $ith the soft !oice and soothing hands $as slee&ing on to&
of him. "he co!ers $ere gone and their legs $ere intert$ined together disru&ting
one of 9r. 1oo%oo,s fa!orite &laces to slee&. *e couldn,t e!en rest in the s&ot next
to his ne$ &et, %ecause the smaller one's stomach $as mated to the larger one's.
.itting %eside them almost in disgust at %eing denied his fa!orite slee&ing &lace, he
calmly cleaned his &a$s and $ashed his ears until suddenly something shiny caught
his attention.

988
Day 19: Sunday- F:20 a.m.
)hen 9ax finally made it home, it $as after se!en in the morning. *e tried
not to ma#e too much noise and $a#e sa%el. 1ut his effort $as a lost cause. sa%el
$as already u& and ma#ing %rea#fast in the #itchen. .he $as standing in her
%athro%e and %are feet loo#ing at him $ith a raised eye%ro$.
<9ax.>
<0.>
<Long &arty4>
<=eah, something li#e that.> 9ax loo#ed at his sister as he &ut do$n his tux in
a garment %ag and $ent to sit at the #itchen %ar. < ta#e it you didn,t ma#e it there,
e!en later4>
<8o. $as too tired, and...> 1efore sa%el could finish, +lex came out of the
%ac# room $earing nothing %ut his -eans and shoes. *e &ulled a t(shirt o!er his
head, %ut not %efore 9ax had a nice !ie$ of the mar#s on his %ody along $ith the
usual tattoos and &iercings. <+lex5 $as ma#ing some %rea#fast.>
+lex -ust loo#ed at 9ax and nodded distractedly. <3an,t. ,!e got things need
to get done today %efore o&ening.> sa%el hurried out from the #itchen and follo$ed
him to the door. <,ll call you later, o#ay4>
<+lex...at least ta#e a cu& of coffee4> sa%el didn,t $ant him to -ust lea!e.
< can,t. really ha!e to go.> +lex &ulled her to him and rested his forehead
against hers to let her #no$ that he $asn,t -ust fuc#ing her and running. <)e,ll tal#
soon, &romise. 2ust as soon as this is o!er, o#ay4>
sa%el nodded, %ut still fro$ned. <Let me come to the clu% and #ee& you
com&any.>
989
<8o5> 1oth 9ax and +lex said it at the same time. .he loo#ed at %oth men and
then loo#ed at +lex again.
</#ay. ,ll stay a$ay.>
<"han# you.> +lex #issed her, and then too# her in his arms and #issed her
e!en dee&er. <t,s not fore!er, -ust until this situation is o!er.> *e ga!e her a long
loo# and then $as out the door. sa%el stood there staring after him $ith her hand
on her mouth.
<*e,s gone, 0. =ou can shut the door no$.>
sa%el calmly shut the door and $ent %ac# into the #itchen to finish ma#ing
%rea#fast e!en though she no longer felt hungry. +!oiding 9ax,s eyes, she didn,t
$ant to get into it o!er +lex. +ll the lectures $ould ha!e a tinge of truth, and that
made it $orse. *o$ could she ex&lain that it $as more than -ust her addicti!e
nature holding her to +lex4
sa%el -ust #ne$ that one ste& to$ards reco!ery $as not a!oiding. .o she
loo#ed u& at her %rother. +nd his unsha!en face and a mar# on his nec# dre$ her
interest.
" thought you $ere going to the &arty $ith 2onathan.>
< did.> 9ax tried to feign interest in $hat she $as coo#ing. <"hat isn,t a
frittata4>
<9ax, is that a hic5ey4 Did you meet someone ne$ at the $edding4"
9ax didn't e!en thin# a%out his ans$er, "2onathan $as my date."
sa%el $as thoughtful for a moment and then said, "/h," and a%out thirty
seconds later, "6h. 'uc#. Really4"
9ax sto&&ed himself from co!ering the mar# on his nec# $ith his hand. .o
instead he fa#ed nonchalance, and said, <=eah, really.>
98:
"2ust so ha!e this...-ust so #no$ 'm not o!erreacting((that hic#ey is from
the a&&lication of someone's mouth, someone $ho isn't a $oman li#e usual...
mean, not that you're exactly co!ered $ith hic#eys at all %imes, %ut..." sa%el
sto&&ed and %le$ her %reath out and said. "2onathan ga!e you that hic#ey4 )ith
your &artici&ation4 mean...,m assuming that you didn,t dec# him or &ut him in
the hos&ital, unless you sat u& all night to ma#e sure he made it out of surgery so
the charges $ould %e assault and not manslaughter.>
"=eah, it $as 2onathan, and yes it $as $ith my consent," said 9ax. <"here
$asn,t a gang of ra%id sexual molesters stal#ing the &arty doing dri!e(%y hic#ey
assaults.> 9ax reached o!er and ate a handful of the ingredients sa%el $as
cho&&ing for $hat he $as &raying to %e an omelet. <"hough, a fe$ of 9aria,s
cousins loo# ;uite ca&a%le of doing -ust that. +nd...they $eren,t -ust $omen.>
</h5> sa%el %usied herself $ith coo#ing, uncertain $hat else to say. .he $as
hardly a $al#ing &aragon of good relationshi& choices. .he sto&&ed cho&&ing and
reali0ed that the descri&tion a&&lied to 9ichael. "hat $as scary enough to send her
on a cho&&ing fren0y. ".o, are you slee&ing $ith him4"
"'m not sure. 8ot yet." 9ax ru%%ed the %ac# of his nec#. <=es.>
"/#ay. ,m going to ha!e to insist that you choose one ans$er."
< s&ent the night in his %ed. )e did things, and none of them
$ere...un&leasant. )e also didn,t do other things...all $hich $as $ay outside my
comfort range. .o sle&t $ith him. =eah, sle&t $ith him.>
</h.> sa%el &oured the egg mixture in a &an and %egan s&rin#ling to&&ing on
it as it %u%%led. <Did you suc# his dic#4>
<sa%el5> 9ax ran his hand o!er his eyes. Dammit, $hat the hell5 "his $as
more detail than e!en he could get into.
987
<.orry, -ust as#ing. mean, don,t #no$ ho$ ex&erienced you are, %ut@>
sa%el noticed the rising color on his chee#s. <,m -ust saying that if you need
&ointers or something...>
</h :od5 ,m not going to as# my sister for &ointers on ho$ to suc# dic#.
2esus, sa%el5>
sa%el -ust laughed at 9ax,s discomfort and rising %lush. <Don,t say ne!er
offered5> sa%el &ushed some toast into the toaster and &oured 9ax and herself a
glass of orange -uice.
<,m going to try real hard to forget that you offered.> 9ax $ent and gra%%ed
t$o &lates, na&#ins and flat$are.
<.uit yourself.> .he too# the hash%ro$ns out of the o!en $here she left them
to cris&. .&litting them %et$een their t$o &lates and then adding half of an omelet
and toast to each of them, she too# a mouthful of food. <.o 2onathan, huh4>
9ax loo#ed at his sister and nodded. <)hitman, huh4>
sa%el -ust nodded as $ell, and then the t$o 6!ans loo#ed at each other and
suddenly %ro#e do$n in laughter.
???
<9aria5>
*er !oice came out of the %edroom do$nstairs, <,m loo#ing5 :ee0. Kee& your
&ants on5>
< don,t hae any &ants on5> 9ichael loo#ed at his handcuffed $rist and rattled
it as if it $ould magically o&en. Loo#ing at the %edside ta%le again, he couldn,t see
the #ey.
984
<Let me call .ean5> .he $as tossing the &lace, searching high and lo$ for the
mysteriously missing #ey.
<8o5> 9ichael shouldn,t ta#e it out on 9aria, %ecause if the &osition $ere
re!ersed, he $ould find her handcuffed to their %ed !ery ins&iring and -ust
someho$...right.
9aria ran u&stairs, %ut %efore he could say anything she rushed into the
%athroom. *e could hear her %eing sic#. Loo#ing at his chained hand again, he -ust
&ut his head %ac# and closed his eyes. )hen she finally emerged, she loo#ed &ale
and gaunt.
<=ou o#ay4> 9aria -ust nodded and clim%ed %ac# onto the %ed next to him,
falling aslee& almost immediately. *e ;uic#ly ran his free hand o!er her s#in and
$as relie!ed to find it $as $arm to the touch. t $as -ust the standard morning
sic#ness. 9ichael loo#ed at the cloc# and s$ore. "hey $ere scheduled to meet the
DeLuca clan for %runch in less than t$o hours, and then see them off at the air&ort.
9ichael reached do$n to the floor %eside the %ed as %est he could, and &ulled
the %edding u& and o!er them, co!ering 9aria,s %ody to #ee& her $arm. .he $as
curled u& next to him, and than#fully not concentrating on slee& li#e she had %een
lately, %ut -ust as resting &eacefully.
'inally sighing in frustration, he reached for the &hone.
<=eah, ma#e it sna&&y, you,re $a#ing the dead.> 9ichael muttered as he
listened to the ring at the other end.
<.ean, it,s 9ichael. )a#e the dead, get dressed and get o!er to the loft no$.
1ring a damn handcuff #ey.> 9ichael didn,t e!en %other to $ait for a res&onse, %ut
-ust disconnected the &hone. .ean $as the logical choice. *e had a #ey to the loft.
985
9ichael heard a disgruntled meo$ and loo#ed do$n at the floor. "here $as 9r.
1, u&set that no one had noticed nor commented on his latest offering. "he dead
field mouse $as hanging out of his mouth.
<=ou didn,t ha!e anything to do $ith a missing handcuff #ey, did ya4>
9r. 1oo%oo, too offended for $ords, felt the %esmirching of his good character
$as more than enough and too# himself off to find %etter things. 1ut not %efore
lea!ing the mouse on the %ed next to a slee&ing 9aria. 9ichael loo#ed o!er at her
%ody and tried to reach the dead rodent to s$i&e it off the %ed %efore 9aria
inad!ertently rolled o!er on it. *e couldn,t reach it. .o he hoo#ed his one remaining
free arm around 9aria and held her tight to his side until .ean sho$ed u&.
9ichael had fallen %ac# to slee& and $o#e to the sound of the do$nstairs door
o&ening.
<9ichael4>
<7&stairs5>
.ean too# the stairs t$o at a time cursing his lungs $hen he reached the to&
huffing and &uffing, %ut the sight of 9ichael handcuffed to the %ed too# a$ay his
%ad humor.
</h gi!e me a camera5>
< s$ear, .ean...>
</h, #ee& your &ants on.> .ean loo#ed do$n at the t$o and smiled.
<8e!ermind, o%!iously you aren,t $earing any.>
<2ust get these damn things off me5>
<.hhh, ;uiet. =ou,ll $a#e 9, and she loo#s li#e she can use the rest.> .ean
chuc#led as he fit the #ey into the cuffs and unloc#ed them. <*ere. + s&are. , for
some reason, seem to ha!e ;uite a fe$ &airs of handcuffs at my &lace $ith extra
#eys.>
996
<'igured as much. 9aria searched the do$nstairs %edroom ho&ing you left a
fe$ %ehind.>
<=ou reali0e that you and 9aria shouldn,t &lay $ith these gro$nu& toys if
you,re ill(e;ui&&ed to deal $ith them4 )hat if there had %een a fire4>
<.a!e the lectures. $atched 9aria &lace the #ey on the %edside ta%le, and
this morning it $as gone.>
<*mm, a mystery. )ell %eing the great detecti!e that am, surmise that...>
<t,s the damn cat, o#ay4 1ut not a $ord to 9aria. f she finds out that $e
thin# $e're har%oring a #le&tomaniac cat, she,ll &ut us in grou& thera&y.>
<*o$ long ha!e you sus&ected4>
</!er a $ee#. 9y %elt $as missing, along $ith some small items li#e 9aria,s
earrings, and then Kyle,s #eys.>
<=ou can add one of my tie &ins, a cli& from my :loc# and a fe$ other items
from $hen stayed here last.>
<Damn.> 9ichael ru%%ed his $rist. <"he 1oo has %een all $eird lately.> .ean,s
eye%ro$s shot u&. </#ay((stranger than usual. *e $ent all cra0y $hen $e left him
for the $ee#end, he started ta#ing shiny o%-ects, he,s shredded almost t$enty &airs
of my $hite cotton athletic soc#s and he #ills something for 9aria e!ery day.>
<9ay%e he #no$s she $as sic# and $anted to Ifeed, her4 3ats are territorial.
*e,s either -ealous of the ne$ %a%y or he,s nesting, &re&aring for its arri!al. "he
shredded soc#s4 'm thin#ing he's %uilding a nice comfy nest for the %a%y, $ith lots
of trin#ets to use as %a%y gifts.>
<=eah, figure the same. -ust need to find his secret stash. $ant my damn
%elt %ac#.>
;;;
991
+lex made it to his clu% -ust %efore eight. /&ening the doors, he $ent straight
to the %ac# into his &ri!ate office, $hich $as nothing more than a glorified closet
$ith a %ed $here he sometimes sac#ed out, a des#, a &hone and his com&uter.
Pic#ing u& the &hone he made the calls. *e had a lot to do %efore noon and little
time to do it in. 3alling 2immy and 'reddie he &ut the $heels in motion.
"hey sho$ed u& %y ten and +lex $al#ed the security firm s&ecialist through
his clu%. +ll the dar#ened s&ots needed lo$ $all lighting to %etter illuminate the dim
areas for the cameras, $ithout ma#ing the clu% too %right. "he front door $as
co!ered $ith a series of ne$ cameras hoo#ed to a central com&uter core $here any
frame could %e fro0en and stored li#e a &hoto.
<2immy, $ho,s on the door tonight4>
<2ac# and Les.>
+lex nodded. *e loo#ed at the time and s$ore. *e needed to get home and
get changed. </#ay train them on the ne$ e;ui&ment. $ant e!eryone entering
the clu% to sto& and smile for the camera ( un#no$ingly. "hey must loo# in that
direction.> +lex &ointed a sto& on the clu%,s $all. < don,t care ho$ you do it. Put u&
a chal# %oard $ith a fric#in, o&inion &oll on sexual &ositions, %ut get each &erson
entering the door to loo# at the %oard and gi!e an ans$er. "ell them there's a door
&ri0e later and distri%ute tic#ets or something.>
<Door &ri0e4> +lex -ust shrugged. =eah totally lame, li#e some damn straight
&arty. 1ut he needed those &ictures since the #iller $as a%le to enter and hide.
)hen he sa$ the man,s eyes, he $ould #no$. t $ould ta#e him %eing on the &ro$l
and not in his dormant demeanor, %ut +lex $ould #no$ him.
<2ust get it done. ,!e got a meeting. *a!e all the security &eo&le out and call
my cell if you need me. ,ll %e %ac# no later than t$o.>
<+lex5 +lex, $hat's the &ri0e4>
992
<"heir li!es.> +lex $al#ed a$ay.
???
2ulia entered her house after early morning church ser!ices. *er mother
$anted her to stay for lunch or at least noon tea, %ut 2ulia had three %riefs to
re!ie$ for the follo$ing day and really couldn,t s&are the time. .he li#ed early
morning church %ecause it left the day o&en and free.
.taring in her refrigerator, 2ulia fro$ned at the yogurt and some %ro$n $ilting
lettuce left o!er from a %urst of domestic energy that resulted in her ma#ing salad.
1asically...she could micro$a!e. 9ostly things li#e "G dinners, &o&corn and
restaurant lefto!ers. .he had disco!ered chic#en tenders a long time ago and
learned to heat them as $ell.
/#ay, deli!ery it $as. Pi00a $ould %e good. .he could li!e on the
car%ohydrates for a long time. Remem%ering last night,s rece&tion and the &iles of
food, for a moment she $ished she had %rought some home. "hose hot $ings had
%een a$esome ser!ed $ith a cool %uttermil# %leu cheese dressing. /#ay may%e
she,d ma#e a tri& to see the 3olonel for a %uc#et of his %est.
Running u&stairs to change, she rushed into the %athroom and stri&&ed.
.ho$ering ;uic#ly, she $ent to hang u& her clothes and sort her laundry for the
next day,s tri& to the dry cleaners. Putting on a soft s$eater dress that $as old and
$orn, she loo#ed for a &air of light shoes or sli&&ers to $ear around the house. +s
she leaned do$n it $as the $rongness that caught her eye, first through the !eil of
her s$ee&ing hair as she %ent o!er sli&&ing on her shoe.
.lo$ly raising, 2ulia $al#ed to$ards her %ed. .he $as one of those com&ulsi!e
&eo&le $ho aired her %ed and later came %ac# to ma#e it. "he co!ers $eren,t dra$n
997
%ac# as they should ha!e %een, %ut $ere co!ering a lum&. Reaching out a cautious
hand, she &ulled the co!ers %ac# to the o&en(eyed %lan# stare of 2ason Ru%io.
.te&&ing %ac# in fear, all she could see $as the large sic#ly smile on his face,
%ut it $asn,t his mouth that $as smiling. t $as the grotes;ue slice across his nec#,
o&ening u& his throat into a red %leeding mouth almost screaming in horror. +nd
that $as $hat she did.
.he %arely made the %athroom as she !omited for $hat felt li#e hours. Rinsing
her mouth, she couldn,t see straight. "he room felt li#e a %lur, and the s$eat $as
&ric#ling on her s#in as %lac# s&ots danced %efore her eyes. .he $ouldn,t faint,
dammit. .he +ouldn$%!
.uddenly she $ent still as the hair on her s#in stood u& into goose%um&s. "he
silence of her home suddenly seemed too still. t felt li#e someone $as still there.
Rushing into her %edroom, she gra%%ed her &hone from her %edside ta%le, and hit
the autodial num%er AAA. .he had &rogrammed .ean DeLuca,s &hone num%er in
her memory $ith the num%er of the De!il,s high$ay last $ee#end $hen she called
him a hundred times.
+s the &hone rang, she $his&ered to herself, "Pic#u&, &ic#u&, &ic#u&, you
$orthless shit5" "he %eginnings of &ure terror and her flight res&onse sent her
rushing to$ards the closet. .itting inside, she &ut her head %et$een her #nees and
&rayed. )here the hell $as her cat4 9s. 'luffy4
This is Sean, leae a messa!e, and i" #$m no% %ied u& or in 'ail, #$ll call
you(...* 8o5 8o5 8o5 2ulia could feel the mo!ement of the house shifting.
<=eah@> .ean,s !oice came o!er the line, %reathless li#e he had run a long
distance. n fact, he -ust $al#ed in the door from his morning run. "otally against
medical orders, hurt li#e hell, %ut after seeing his family off, he needed it. *e li#ed
to thin# he $as running from :od and sal!ation, %ut in the early mornings $hen it
998
$as nothing %ut him and the hard &a!ement sla&&ing against his feet, it $as almost
the only time that he felt close to redem&tion. *e started the day %y unloc#ing
9ichael, then %runch, and then a ;uic# 'amily send(off -ust %efore ele!en, follo$ed
%y the run $hen he came home.
<.ean.> *e fro$ned at the lo$ tone %arely audi%le, a hus#y $his&er. 'ro$ning
he concentrated and reali0ed $ho the caller $as.
<2ulia4 9ac, can,t hear you. =ou need to tal# louder.>
*er !oice rose, %ut -ust %arely and in sheer &anic. < found 2ason Ru%io.>
:reat. *e #ne$ that he $as going to hunt do$n her missing sus&ect, so that
sol!ed a &ro%lem for him. <:ood...>
<*e,s in my %ed.>
.ean fro$ned at that. *e tried to concentrate on $hat she $as saying %ecause
her !oice remained %arely louder than a $his&er. *e had to ha!e misunderstood.
)hat4 <3ounselor, thin# the -udge $ill fro$n on the 3ounselor for the Prosecution
slee&ing $ith the accused.>
<1ig .lee&, his@not mine...> she didn,t say Iyet,, %ut she could ha!e.
<.ean,...someone,s in the house.> "he line $ent dead.
.ean loo#ed at the &hone, and suddenly $hat she said in the lo$ &anic#y
tones made sense. Dead. .omeone $as in her house $ith a dead 2ason Ru%io. *e
tossed do$n his &hone, gra%%ed his gun and ran. Dammit, 9ac, don,t you die5 *e
$anted that &leasure for himself, #illing her for scaring ten years off his life.
*e hit his lights and siren all the $ay across to$n, calling in full %ac#u& from
his &artners and rolling units. *e still %eat the units. 3utting his siren half a %loc#
from her dri!e, he sto&&ed his car and left the door $ide o&en $ith the lights still
going. "rying the door, it $as loc#ed. *e #ic#ed it in and slo$ly ad!anced, cree&ing
into the silent house.
999
*e made his $ay u& the stairs slo$ly and cautiously. deally he should,!e
cleared the %ottom floor %efore going u&stairs, %ut his instinct told him to start $ith
the %ody in 2ulia,s %ed and $or# out$ard. *e $anted to call her name, %ut $as
afraid that she $ould res&ond and gi!e a$ay her location. Pausing silently on the
stairs, he cleared his mind and concentrated. *e sensed mo!ement to the left along
the u&&er landing, a shifting u&stairs and a sound %elo$ him. 3autiously he mo!ed
to the crime scene, her %edroom. .he $ould &igeon in the first small s&ace. 7nder
a cu&%oard or closet, %ut not near the %ed.
.ean felt the mo!ement of an air current %efore hearing the actual &o&&ing
sound. Juic#ly duc#ing do$n, he heard the im&act of the %ullet hitting the $all
a%o!e his head. .ilencer. Dmm, loaded $ith ex&losi!e head. )ithout turning, %ut
concentrating on the tra-ectory, he returned fire to$ards the sound. *e had a fifty(
fifty chance of the &rey leading to the left or right of the original &osition. *e chose
left for the de!il and led it %y half a foot. .hooting %lind, he heard the sound of a
%ody dro&&ing. "hat too# care of the sound from %elo$. .o that left the sound in
the u&&er landing and to the left.
*e continued u& the stairs and searched the dar# car&eted hall, the car&et
muffling the sound of his ste&s. Mas%er )edroom, end o" hall, )u% "our doors
)e%+een. 9o!ing in a slo$ motion along the $all, he methodically searched each
room. t $as the %itterness that hit him first, the stal#er,s s$eat. nex&erienced.
"his hunter $as almost $asted in his o$n lactic acid $ash of antici&ation, fear and
general anxiety. t $as ma#ing his %reath come in gas&ing sounds as he tried to
#ee& it under control.
.ean,s %reathing $as $orse. *e had -ust -ogged against medical ad!ice and
almost &ushed his ri%s %ac# into his lungs, %ut he #ne$ that concentration and
99:
dee& slo$ %reaths through the nose and out of the mouth $ould e!en his &ulse to a
slo$ %eat and calm his %ody.
*e felt the s$inging of the arm in a do$n$ard motion, and leading under it,
he gra%%ed the arm, mo!ed and &i!oted out of the $ay. "hen he hel&ed the arm
continue do$n$ard, until his $ould(%e assailant,s #nife found its &urchase in his
o$n gut. .ean leaned in and &ushed the #nife into the man hard. "hey stared at
each other in silence and .ean $atched life see& from the un#no$n man,s eyes as
they %ecame o&a;ue and dead. "hen he ste&&ed %ac# and $atched the man slide
do$n the $all.
9o!ing ;uic#er no$, he entered the master %edroom. *e could smell !omit
and %ile, and an increasing smell of fear. Loo#ing at the cor&se, he nodded to
himself. =eah, that $as Ru%io $ith t$o mouths. "he cross cut $as slo&&y. "he
murderer had rushed the %lade and left a dee&er &enetrating cut at the left and
shallo$er as it rushed to the right. Right handed, -ust li#e his $ould(%e #iller $ith
the #nife in the s&are %edroom.
3loset. .he $as in the closet. *e o&ened it and sa$ her cringe from the light.
9a#ing a soft noise in his throat, he coaxed her head u& from her #nees and sa$
the $hite #nuc#led gri& she had on the &hone.
<2ulia,> he said softly. <2ulia, it,s .ean.> *e reached in and touched her, and her
%ody flinched. "a#ing her into his arms he &ulled her close and $atched her eyes
lose their fara$ay &in&oint loo#. .he $as sha#ing a&art $ith the fear.
<.ean.> *er arms $ent around his nec# almost too tight, cutting his air su&&ly,
%ut he didn,t com&lain. .he $him&ered against him for a second and then finally
%ro#e do$n $ith full %ody so%s $rac#ing her frame.
*e #issed her forehead, and held her firmly, ma#ing soothing noises and
#ee&ing his %ody %et$een hers and the cor&se in her %ed. t $as a sound from
997
%elo$ that alerted him again. *olding a hand o!er her mouth, he gestured for her
to %e ;uiet as he reached on the floor for his gun he sat there $hen he too# her in
his arms.
"urning in one smooth motion, he &ointed the gun straight at 9ichael :uerin
$ho stood in the door holding his gun on him. Damn it $as so familiar, loo#ing at
:uerin from do$n a gun %arrel.
<Put it do$n, 9i#o.> 9ichael nodded and holstered his &iece.
< found t$o. =our $or#4>
<=eah.>
<8ice.> 9ichael mo!ed to$ards the %ed and loo#ed at the cor&se. <"hey
de&osited it a $hile ago. "hey stayed to $atch the &arty.>
2ulia finally understood that. "hey had &ut the %ody in the %ed and then
stayed to see her reaction. .uddenly it hit her. "hey $ere there since she entered
her house. "hey $atched her as she stri&&ed and sho$ered, and then dressed
under their eyes. n a flash she &ushed .ean a$ay from her hard and ran %ac# in
the %athroom to thro$ u& some more. +t that moment Kyle entered the room $ith
9ax and then held %ac#. "hey had cleared the house, and forensics and 3. $ere
on their $ay.
.ean and 9ichael shared a loo#. + &resent from Pierce $as ne!er that easy.
*e didn,t -ust li#e to lea!e the &resent, %ut $anted a memento in return. "he last
&erson recei!ing a &resent from him lost an eye. .ean clinched his teeth, as the
muscles in his -a$ s&asmed. )hat if he hadn,t made it in time4 )hat if she left the
%edroom and $al#ed right into the $aiting arms of the hiding #illers4
2ulia $as %ac# at the door, suddenly highly agitated. < can,t %e here. can,t.>
.ean couldn,t catch her %efore she too# flight out of the room, and do$n the
stairs. *e could feel the fluttering of her heart as she rushed &assed him.
994
<9ichael4>
< got it. :o.> .ean loo#ed at his &artner, Kyle $ho -ust nodded. *e $ould call
for a cleaning cre$. .ean rushed do$n the stairs and follo$ed her out of the house.
.he $as gone. t too# him ten minutes to trac# her do$n in a &layground sitting in
a s$ing. "he s#ies had %een o!ercast earlier, %ut no$ they o&ened u& and rained
do$n on her, on %oth of them.
<2ulia.> .he didn,t tal#. *e reached do$n and &ulled her against him and
slo$ly $al#ed her home. .ean tried to lead her %ac# into her house, %ut her $hole
%ody stiffened. nstead, he o&ened his &assenger car door and &ut her in out of the
rain. :oing to the other side, he got into the car and dro!e them a$ay from the
chaos.
'i!e minutes later, thoroughly drenched and chilled to the %one, they &ulled
into the garage of the .ean's %uilding. *e glanced side$ays at the forlorn 2ulia
%eside him, an e!il chuc#le of his o$n rum%ling u& from his dia&hragm. .he loo#ed
li#e a dro$ned rat, %ut he had more sense than to mention it to her. "he shoc# $as
slo$ly $earing off and he #ne$ anger $ould soon re&lace it.
"t's not funny, dammit5 ,m not ha!ing a good day5" she could %arely get the
$ords out, her teeth $ere chattering so furiously. .he seemed to understand the
chuc#le, and if there $as going to %e hell to &ay, it $as going to &ay in s&ades.
"Let's go in and get dry. may e!en coo# dinner." he #idded her, -ostling his
shoulder against hers %efore sloshing out of the car.
"3an't $e -ust send out for something4" she &leaded, remem%ering the fiasco
of the last time he made her feel o%ligated to him. *e $asn,t a%o!e %lac#mail, and
2ulia $asn,t feeling li#e &laying. ""his &lace is too nice for you to %urn do$n, and
you,ll no dou%t %lame me for it." .ean $as -ust ha&&y to see her tal#ing again, $ith
a touch of the old fire.
995
.ean held the door for 2ulia, closing and loc#ing it ha%itually after she had
entered. "he #eys $ent into a s&ecial %o$l sitting next to the door as he &assed,
calling out %ehind him, "2ust $ait here for a second and 'll get some to$els so $e
don't dri& all o!er the &lace."
.he $atched as he &ulled his s$eatshirt o!er his head, the soggy grey
material sliding o!er his $ell(defined muscles $ith some reluctance, as if it longed
to remain in contact $ith his %ody. .he let her eyes run o!er his form noting the
%ruises and %arely healed a%rasions. .ome ho$ it -ust em&hasi0ed his masculinity,
and 2ulia loo#ed around hel&lessly. "his $as a mista#e.
Letting out a dee& sigh she loo#ed around the a&artment. t $as nice. .mall
and easily ta#en care of %y a man that had too many other things on his mind, the
&lace had a nice sense of clutter. +%sentmindedly she &ic#ed u& the discarded $et
shirt he tossed and ran her hand across the garment, it $as still $arm $here his
chest had filled it so &rominently mere heart%eats ago. Dro&&ing it almost as if it
%urned, she turned a$ay. "his $as a terri%le idea. .he turned a$ay from it and
loo#ed at the door he $ent through as he disa&&eared from her sight, thin#ing that
it $ould do her $ell to follo$ his lead and remo!e her $ater(laden outer clothing.
2ulia &ut her hands to her head and clutched herself for a moment. )hy, oh,
$hy did e!er go out $ith this guy4 must ha!e %een out of my mind5 1lac#mail or
not, he had %een a total &ain to get out of her head. )hen she $al#ed into that
room...sa$ $hat $as left...she sto&&ed thin#ing. *er first and only instinct $as to
call him, call her detecti!e, and he $ould ma#e it go a$ay. /h god. 2ulia loo#ed
around the room ho&ing to s&y something, anything resem%ling hard li;uor. "he
sha#es in her %ody started dee& inside and she stood in a &uddle hugging herself.
.ean rummaged through the to& dra$er of his dresser, tossing soc#s and &laid
%oxers on its un!arnished surface. + t(shirt, one that $as actually too small for
9:6
him(Par#er's or some other $oman,s((-oined the small &ile of dry clothing. :ra%%ing
clean to$els from the s&ecial linen closet in his %athroom, he trotted %ac# do$n the
hall only to &ull u& short at the sight %efore him.
Li#e some ragged fairytale heroine, she stood in a slo$ly ex&anding &uddle of
$ater, "he star# contrast created %y her li;uid(dar#ened hair &lastered against her
creamy flesh, $ith ri!ulets streaming freely $here!er it touched, made her seem all
the more &athetic, defenseless and in need of &rotection. "hen she loo#ed at him
and his %reath sto&&ed in his throat. *er eyes $ere hot, dancing $ith fire of anger
and he could see the ner!ous tic# in her hand as she methodically ru%%ed her o$n
arms trying to get $arm. "his $asn,t a $oman $ho li#ed to feel defenseless or
!ulnera%le. .he needed to %e in control, and today that had %een ri&&ed from her.
.he $as holding the anger inside $ith difficulty.
<.o... had this -o#e $as going to tell you last night at the $edding, -ust to
&ut you at ease, get you to lighten u& and ta#e the &arty as a fun e!ent and not
some o%ligation or a mercy date.> .ean said he tossed to$els on the floor to mo&
u& the $ater %efore it %ecame a sli&&ery death tra&.
<"hat $asn,t my fault. =ou &ut it at that le!el, not me.>
< #no$,> he said softly. Placing the clothes do$n on the sofa,s %ac# and ta#ing
off his o$n shoes, he loo#ed u& at her from $here he $as untying them. <)ant to
hear it4> .he %ent do$n and &ulled off her shoes as $ell and loo#ed at him
sus&iciously, almost accusingly, ex&ecting him to ta#e the o&&ortunity to steal more
of her foot$ear. "hat $as so unfair. *e had gi!en her other one %ac# last night.
+lthough those shoes did nice things for her legs.
<)ell it,s called, 2ou 8o%%a /oe Te?an 8irls.> .ean snic#ered under his %reath
as he $atched her eyes narro$ $aiting for a slight against her and her "exas origin.
9:1
.ean tossed her a to$el and she started ru%%ing the moisture from her hair and
-ust shrugged.
*e %rought a to$el around her shoulders and unthin#ingly &ulling her to him.
<+ girl from "exas and a girl from the east coast $ere seated side %y side on an
air&lane. "he girl from "exas, %eing friendly and all, saidH ".o, $here y'all from4"
+nd the east coast girl saidH "'rom a &lace $here they #no$ %etter than to use a
&re&osition at the end of a sentence." "he girl from "exas sat ;uietly for a fe$
moments and then re&liedH ".o, $here y'all from, %itch4"
.ean smiled at the chuc#le coming from the head -ust a little %elo$ his. .he
$as standing in her %are feet on a to$el that soa#ed u& the $ater. .he $as a tall
$oman, %ut her %ones $ere delicate and finely crafted. *e could feel them %eneath
his hands as he ru%%ed the to$el o!er her. + sudden snee0e startled him from his
re!erie and he ste&&ed a$ay from her cold, shi!ering form.
")hy don't you ta#e a hot sho$er $hile get a fire and dinner going4" *e
turned a$ay ;uic#ly, not $anting her to see his o%!ious arousal. *ad she al$ays
smelled so alluring4 " &ut some things on the %ac# of the sofa for you to change
into. "hey might %e a %it %ig."
""han#s, Detecti!e." she said ;uietly trying to #ee& some &rofessional distance
%et$een them, %ut the heat of his %ody lingered, ma#ing her ache for more.
:athering u& the clothes he &laced on the %ac# of the sofa, she $ent do$n the hall
follo$ing his instructions. .he ste&&ed into the %athroom and remo!ed the rest of
her clothing. 3lim%ing into the sho$er, she allo$ed herself a fleeting glim&se of
$hat it might %e li#e to feel that %ody a little closer, a little longer. +s her %ones
tha$ed, her resol!e solidified. .he $as going to use his damn sham&oo and $ash
that snea#y, conni!ing, too charming for his o$n s#in man out of her traitorous
head5
9:2
*e listened to the sound of the sho$er starting and imagined the s&ray of
steamy $ater caressing her %ody. 3losing his eyes for a moment $ishing his hands
could %e so luc#y, he ga!e himself a mental sha#e. *e $asn,t using this situation to
get her into his %ed %ecause it smelt too much li#e him ta#ing ad!antage of an
o&&ortunity. *e $as going to get her dry, feed her and #ee& her $arm $hile her
&lace $as &rocessed and the cleaning cre$ he called got it clean of all the
finger&rinting dust and restored her home to its normal order. "hey'd %etter call
soon, %ecause he $asn,t noted for %eing a strong man $hen it came to his desire
for gratification. +ctually he %ordered on gluttonous. .ean gra%%ed the small &ad of
&a&er he no$ #e&t close at hand to -ot do$n a note to as# his thera&ist a%out that.
"hat damn thera&ist $as going to ta#e a$ay all the fun things .ean li#ed to do in
his life. 1astard.
"he fire crac#led in the grate, dis&elling the clammy atmos&here the
a&artment had ta#en on from the unex&ected and unusual rain, and .ean too# his
&hone and hit the s&eed dial on his $ay to his %edroom. "he store that deli!ered
his groceries &romised to get him $hat he needed ;uic#ly. .ean ne!er #e&t too
much food on hand since sometimes an entire $ee# of hanging from a meat hoo#
could go %y, and he $as left trying to delouse and clean his refrigerator.
*e changed ;uic#ly, eager to %e dry and in the #itchen, ho&ing the actions of
&re&aring food $ould distract him and ease the &ressure in his groin. )ith each
&assing moment, his fascination $ith the &ric#ly +D+ 9ac intensified until, at last,
he could no longer gras& a utensil $ithout his hand sha#ing $ith desire. +$, shit.
.ean loo#ed at his &hone and suddenly $ished his mother $as still around. *e
could,!e called her, and all those female family mem%ers $ould ha!e descended on
him li#e the &lague $ith good cha&eroning intentions, frustrating him to hell, %ut
still #ee&ing him from doing something $rong.
9:7
.ean &ut a large &asta &ot on the sto!e, ;uic#ly &re&aring $hat little food he
did ha!e in house as he $aited for his deli!ery. *e gra%%ed a %eer from the fridge
and colla&sed into the large, &ale mohair chair that $as his fa!orite comfy seat,
lur#ing in the corner of his li!ing room. *e leaned his head %ac#, letting the s$ig of
%eer he'd ta#en tric#le do$n his throat. 6yes closed, he thought a%out +D+ 9ac
ru%%ing soa& across her slic# $et %ody. 8ot -ust any soa&. His soa&. .ean smiled to
himself and decided to let his thoughts ha!e free reign. "hat damn thera&ist should
ha!e to $or# hard for the money he charged.
"he %astard $as right. *e had told .ean that he $as li!ing an unexamined life.
:oing a%out his e!eryday routine doing and saying the things he $anted to do and
say, $ithout really loo#ing at the reasons he did and said them.
9en. *e li#ed men. +ctually not all the time, %ut a% times. t $as rarely a%out
sex, and more a%out &o$er and gi!ing it u&. "hey didn,t ha!e to %e %igger than he
$as or e!en stronger, -ust more dominant. .ean only searched for a man,s
com&any $hen he $as feeling a certain $ay inside. "he thera&ist $ould call it self(
destructi!e, %ut .ean really #ne$ $hat it $as. t $as &ain. 7nsha#ea%le &ain.
"his $orld $as short on mercy and long on hunger, and $al#ing in it day %y
day, seeing the hollo$ eyes of the !ictims of a cold uncaring $orld, he felt nothing
%ut &ain. .trong men had strong arms and tight hugs. "hey felt li#e they could hold
his insides together. *e li#ed -ust resting for a moment and feeling li#e his &artner
could #ee& $atch $hile he %ro#e do$n.
"hen there $ere $omen. *e li#ed e!erything a%out them. 6!erything. "he
smell that $as someho$ intriguing and gentle, the softness of their s#in, the $ay
they loo#ed and the soft cur!es of their %odies. "o .ean, men meant hard
unyielding sex, a re&rie!e from %eing on guard and controlled. )omen...they $ere
e!erything else. 1ut o!er the years he had shifted his desire for $omen to$ards a
9:8
stronger creature. + $oman that $as dominant and unyielding in her %eliefs, a%le
to control and yet gentle enough to let him ta#e care of her. *e $as loo#ing for a
mate, a female that encom&assed all the things he searched for in male lo!ers $ith
all the things he needed in a $oman.
.ean sat straight in his chair ;uic#ly s$allo$ing the mouthful of %eer he
almost s&e$ed across the room. *e $anted a !ersion of 9ichael :uerin and Li0
Par#er5 .ean could see the t$o, and the mixing of their features into something
horrific. Damn, that -ust too# all the fire out of his %lood, and softened him. *e,d %e
luc#y if the !ery thought didn,t lea!e him im&otent. *e $anted someone strong li#e
9ichael $ho could %e strong $hen .ean needed to %e $ea#, someone he could
count on to $atch his %ac# and not %rea#. /n the other hand he also needed
someone softer and more !ulnera%le, someone he could &rotect and %e strong for,
someone that $ould let him %e $ho he $as. .ean -ust sat %ac# again and closed his
eyes. *e $as going to %e alone for the rest of his life. /nce you #ne$ $hat you
$anted, there $as no going %ac# or settling for less.
9ichael had found that $ith 9aria. .he $as strong enough to hold him, ta#e
care of him. .he $as the only &erson he e!er let himself %e com&letely o&en and
!ulnera%le to, and she ne!er used it against him. +nd she needed him e;ually.
"here $ere &laces in 9aria that still hid in the closet $ith nightmares that
o!er$helmed her. /ut$ardly she %ecame a hy&eracti!e, o!er(charged maniac
running from her o$n s#in. 9ichael -ust calmly let her rage until he couldn,t ta#e it
anymore, then he -ust held her sha#ing %ody until all the fight drained a$ay. "hey
stood toe to toe arguing e!ery &oint and &iece of ground in their relationshi&. "hen
too angry to tal#, they %oth $ent off and sul#ed and %rooded until they found a sort
of com&romise. /nce %ac# together they too# each other's solution and created a
-oint com&romise that %oth could ha&&ily li!e $ith, and then they mo!ed on to the
9:9
next %attle. "heir entire life together $as the %attle to #ee& their o$n s&ecial
identity $ithout %ecoming o!er$helmed %y the other, %ecause it $as too easy for
them to lose themsel!es in the other. +s far as .ean could tell, they $ere fast
melding into one &erson, and he let the en!y of it eat at him for a moment or t$o.
+D+ 9ac. "hat,s $hat attracted him to her. *er fire, her strong resol!e, her
a%ility to thro$ her shoe at him. Li0 Par#er $ould ha!e -ust ta#en it and ne!er said
a $ord, and 9ichael $ould ha!e %eaten him to &ul&. 9ac -ust s&it in his eye,
%reathed fire, %ut someho$ $as feminine enough to feel o!er$helmed %y him, to
let him #iss the stuffing out of her in an ele!ator. +nd $hen she $as frightened and
in need, she called him. .he called.
*is mind, holding on to that ex;uisite first loo#, $afted %ac# into the &resent,
melding $ith and strengthening the undenia%le attraction he felt for 2ulia. .eeing it
for $hat it $as, seeing her as his to$er scaled, .ean %it %ac# a curse. t $as too
soon. *e had no time, no &re&aration for her %eing in his life. 7n#no$ingly, he
$his&ered her name aloud.
<=es4> *er !oice startled him. t,s soft accented lilt hit him li#e a ton of %ric#s,
and seeing her still $et hair clinging to the cur!e of her nec#, the $arm scented
smells of her sho$er, and the gentle s$ee& of her eyelashes on her chee# as she
%lin#ed at him in confusion.
<...you, mean@> .ean cleared his throat. <=ou done4 'eel %etter4 3lean4
7m, hungry4> Dammit .ean, as# one ;uestion at a time and gi!e her a moment to
res&ond.
< am.> .ean almost closed his eyes and moaned. "o all of them, one or
another4 *e couldn,t do this if she didn,t s&ea#. *e -um&ed u& from his chair and
actually %ac#ed a$ay from her. t $as the ringing at his door that sa!ed his life. *e
had almost rushed her, &ulled her into his arms and made lo!e to her right there.
9::
<'ood5 2ust a second.> .ean rushed to the door $ondering if he offered the deli!ery
%oy a hundred %uc#s if he $ould stay for dinner and act as a %uffer %et$een him
and the +D+. .ean didn,t e!en as#. "hat $ea# &art of his soul $anted her all alone
$ith him.
.he came o!er and $atched him un&ac# the groceries. < thought the deli!ery
$as food.>
.ean -ust loo#ed at her and then &ointed to the stac# of groceries. <"his is
food, 3ounselor.>
.he -ust fro$ned at him, her eyes narro$ing at his tone. < #no$ that. -ust
meant...already coo#ed food.> *er sus&icious nature at the %etter of her. <=ou do
#no$ ho$ to coo#4>
.ean -ust snorted. <2ust let me $or#. =ou ma#e the salad. 3ut the as&aragus
ti&s and gi!e me the tougher stems. ,ll use them in the sauce. "he ti&s can %e
tossed in %alsamic !inegar, a &inch of sugar, and lemon -uice $ith oli!e oil along
$ith the %a%y mushroom ca&s. "hey,ll %e &art of the dressing.> .ean started
&ounding on some chic#en %reast, flattening them.
2ulia loo#ed at the %oiling &asta $ater and the &ile of uncoo#ed &asta he had
next to it on the counter. <)ant me to toss the &asta in4 =our $ater is %oiling.>
*e loo#ed at her in horror. <8o, &asta is al$ays coo#ed last. 7nless you li#e it
lying on your &late li#e a lim&(dic#ed man. Pasta needs to %e al den%e $ith -ust a
touch of stiffness, something you can $or# $ith.> .ean couldn,t %elie!e he $as
tal#ing in food sex tal#. )here the hell $as his control4
2ulia caught the dou%le meaning and chose to ignore the heated %lush rising
u& her nec#. <.o $hat are you ma#ing exactly4>
.he $atched him toss the &ounded chic#en into a heated s#illet $ith oli!e oil,
shallots and garlic, tossing in ca&ers. *e ;uic#ly mo!ed the chic#en around creating
9:7
a gla0e and $hen it loo#ed fully %ro$ned he &oured $hite $ine in from a %ottle
added some $arming chic#en %roth from a &an on his sto!e. .ean too# out t$o
$ine glasses and &oured them %oth a glass. "a#ing some fresh tomatoes he
cho&&ed them fine, $ith fresh oregano and %asil and &arsley. "ossing it in $ith the
chic#en. .he $atched him toss the ingredients around in the s#illet, sto& and taste
it $ith him finger, then add in some sea salt and fresh ground &e&&er. "a#ing some
of the simmering sauce on a s&oon, he let her taste. 2ulia -ust loo#ed at him in
sur&rise. t tasted...oh :od, he could coo5! "hen he tossed his &asta into the &ot.
<,m ma#ing, or $e,re ma#ing a sim&le chic#en &iccata.> .ean too# the salad
dressing from her and tasted it $ith his finger again. .he $atched as he tossed
more oli!e oil in and then too# fresh ras&%erries from the refrigerator and tossed
them in as he crushed them in the %o$l. *e too# the salad fixings from her,
arranged them on a &late and then s&ooned the mushroom and as&aragus
ras&%erry !inaigrette o!er the to&. "esting the &asta, he let it coo# a little longer as
he stirred the chic#en in a tomato $ine sauce. "hen he rinsed the &asta, tossed it
on a huge ser!ing &latter and &oured the chic#en and sauce o!er it. Last thing he
did $as s;uee0e lemon o!er the to& and added some fresh grated Parmesan
cheese. "a#ing the t$o &latters into the li!ing room, he set them on the large coffee
ta%le, turned on some music, and came %ac# for &lates, and utensils. .he follo$ed
him into the li!ing room and sat do$n on a &illo$ on the floor in front of the fire as
he ser!ed her some food. .he #ne$ he chose to eat in the li!ing room so she could
get $arm %y the fire.
Damn him. 2ust $hen she thought she #ne$ e!erything a%out him, had him
&igeon(holed into a #no$n ;uantity, he changed and sho$ed her something ne$.
???
9:4
2onathan loo#ed at the cloc# as the mem%ers of the %oard slo$ly tric#led in.
"hey met on the first .unday of each ;uarter month all year long, unless an
emergency meeting $as needed. "he full %oard consisted of se!en mem%ers, not
counting 9aria DeLuca. "he full %oard $as nine. "hey had the luncheon catered and
ser!ed so $aiters $ere %usy ser!ing the mem%ers.
Kenneth Price $as already there tal#ing to mem%ers $hile eating. 2onathan
$asn,t sur&rised that Professor Price had some surface charm $hen the need rose,
%ecause a man such as he didn,t earn his &osition $ithout some ty&e of
cam&aigning. "hat $as usually the &ro%lem. .ome &eo&le &resented $onderfully
normal and $ell %alanced images, %ut lac#ed anything su%stantial under close
ins&ection.
"he $orld re!ol!ed around the $hole conce&t of %uying the &ac#aging and
rarely the &roduct. 6!erything from normal consumerism to actual relationshi&s
started at the su&erficial le!el, and for the most &art rarely mo!ed %eyond that. t
$as easy to sell something $hen the outside $as all &ressed and &resenta%le. t
$as a I%uyer %e$are mar#et,.
<Professor.>
<.tiller. see the existing %oard mem%ers, %ut don,t see your re&lacement
&roxy.>
< ex&ect him to %e a little late, %ut feel free to eat more food. understand
that they outdid themsel!es today in the #itchen.> Price understood that to %e a
general %rush(off from the man.
+fter the numerous mem%ers had eaten and the meal $as cleared a$ay it $as
time for coffee and dessert, $hich $as the %eginning of the meeting itself. "hat $as
the moment $hen 9aria,s &roxy !oter arri!ed ( +lex )hitman.
9:5
< sorry ,m late.>
<"hat,s alright, 9r. )hitman.> 2onathan stood u& and motioned for a ser!er to
%ring +lex a &late of food.
<+lex, and no than# you on the food.> +lex caught the ser!er,s eye and
cancelled the order. )al#ing to a %e!erage cart, +lex gra%%ed a %ottle of $ater and
too# the seat that 2onathan offered him. ntroductions $ere made, and finally the
%usiness %egan. "he ;uestion of the a&&ointment of Professor Price came u& at the
end of the 8e$ 1usiness agenda, and as &romised, 2onathan allo$ed Kenneth Price
to &resent his ;ualifications and ma#e his case for a&&ointment.
"he discussion $ent on for some time. 2onathan made his concerns and
$ishes &erfectly clear, as did Price. "he t$o $ere in deadloc#, and the other %oard
mem%ers tried to retain a degree of im&artiality. +lex -ust calmly sat there listening
to all sides, %ut not saying a $ord. t $as finally $inding to a close $hen o&en
%allot !oting $as re;uested, or a motion to ta%le the to&ic until the follo$ing
;uarterly meeting.
2onathan fro$ned at the suggestion. *e didn,t $ant to go through another
three months of Kenneth Price's cam&aign. t $as time to &ut an end to the
argument and either a&&oint or refuse. .tating his feelings on the matter as %eing
unfair to Professor Price to force him to $ait so long, the other %oard mem%ers
agreed to the !ote. Professor Price $as on his $ay out the door to allo$ the
mem%ers to !ote, $hen +lex finally s&o#e u&.
<=ou can stay. ha!e no o%-ections if the other mem%ers do not as $ell.> +lex
#e&t his eyes on Kenneth Price and the other mem%ers all loo#ed at each other and
nodded. 2onathan %egan o&en !oting, lea!ing the &roxy for last. f enough
mem%ers !oted $ith 2onathan then 9aria,s &roxy !otes $ould ne!er ha!e to %e
cast.
976
t held in a deadloc# until it $as +lex,s turn to !ote. +lex studied the man and
then glanced do$n at the notes he made during the discussion.
<9ay as# one ;uestion4> "his $as highly unusual since the discussion $as
ta%led, %ut the 'oundation $as !ery informal so the mem%ers agreed to let +lex as#
a ;uestion.
2onathan loo#ed at Price and as#ed for his consent. <Professor4>
<1y all means, 9r. )hitman. +s# your ;uestion.>
<"han# you.> +lex loo#ed do$n at his notes, and then &ut them in a &ile and
&ushed them a$ay. Loo#ing directly at Kenneth he as#ed, <)hat do you get out of
%eing a mem%er of the %oard of this foundation4>
+lex,s eyes ne!er once $a!ered from Price,s as he &atiently $aited for his
ans$er. 2onathan $as im&ressed $ith )hitman,s insight. Re$ard systems $ere high
in %ig %usiness, and &eo&le $ho $anted to s$im $ith the %ig fish ex&ected a
com&ensation. *e had told Price that his re$ards $ere different than sim&ly &o$er
and &restige, %ut Price,s $ere o&enly a&&arent. Price had !ery fe$ o&tions o&en to
him. f he lied and tried to altruistically reason his re$ards then his hy&ocrisy $ould
%e o%!ious. 1ut if he told the truth, then he $ould %e loo#ing at %eing ousted %y
)hitman for not %eing a&&ro&riate.
Price &aused for a mere second and then %egan a long ex&lanation in his
Professorial !oice to ex&lain his &ositi!e traits in a cost %enefit analysis manner.
2onathan $as almost im&ressed. "he ex&lanation $as reasona%le and sounded as
though it $as $ithin #ee&ing of the &rimary goal of the 'oundation. +lex listened
&atiently until Professor Price finished.
<"han# you, Professor. "hat $as !ery informati!e.> +lex too# a drin# of $ater
and then $al#ed o!er to toss it a$ay. < found your ex&lanation to %e exactly $hat
ex&ected to hear. $ouldn,t ha!e %elie!ed that you $ere interested in hel&ing the
971
&oor !ictims of the $orld, or those $ho made mista#es. "hat $ould,!e %een
misleading. 9y !ote is against.>
Price stood there shoc#ed. *e could ha!e s$orn that )hitman $ould,!e sided
$ith him. *is &resentation $as fla$less. t $as tasteful, $ith -ust the &ro&er
inflection to gi!e the im&ression of concern and interest. Ken couldn,t mo!e for a
second, %ut his glance met 2onathan,s $ho seemed to %e taunting him, tem&ting
him to ma#e a scene. nstead Kenneth &ic#ed u& his -ac#et and %elongings,
than#ed the %oard mem%ers for their time and left.
2onathan sat at his seat $hen the meeting $as o!er and loo#ed o!er at +lex
)hitman $ho $as finally eating. "hey $ere all that remained. +lex loo#ed u& from
his food and nodded to him, gesturing him to s&ea# his mind.
<)hy4>
+lex -ust shrugged and sat %ac# in his chair loo#ing at 2onathan. <1ecause.
=ou sent me information and the mission statement of the 'oundation as it $as
concei!ed. "hat,s the only true res&onse. "hat a mista#e doesn,t mean there can %e
no redem&tion or second chances, and the only %enefits should %e self(
illumination.> +lex reached into his &oc#et and too# out his cigarettes, and lit one.
<f he -ust said sim&ly that e!eryone deser!es a second chance, that he deser!ed a
second chance, ,d ha!e gi!en it to him.>
<=ou,re an interesting man, 9r. )hitman.> 2onathan meant that com&letely. *e
had %een truly sur&rised and intrigued $hen his secretary informed him that the
o$ner of 3lu% *ell $as one of the largest contri%utors and &hilanthro&ists in the
city. t $as a s&ar# of &ure self(interest and e!en mischief that he $anted )hitman
for the &roxy -ust to see Price,s face. +nd it had %een Price(less.
972
+lex -ust shrugged. <,m -ust a man.> +lex stood u& and shoo# 2onathan,s
hand. <t made for an interesting day and a nice side distraction, %ut need to get
%ac#.>
<)ait, 9r. )hitman...>
<+lex.> +lex sto&&ed and $aited.
<Did you for a moment thin# that Professor Price deser!ed that &osition4>
+lex shoo# his head. <"here could %e no second chances for that man. *e
doesn,t %elie!e in them. "he arrogance emanated from him li#e a disease, and
&eo&le $ho &ride themsel!es on such high standards rarely can understand &eo&le
$ho can,t li!e u& to them. "his $as no &lace for him.> +lex smiled, lac#ing real
humor. < didn,t li#e his eyes.>
2onathan fro$ned. <*is eyes4>
<*e $as using the moti!ational s&ea#er tric# of direct and un$a!ering eye
contact to &romote and &ro-ect sincerity. f someone has to try that hard, more
than li#ely they're &ro-ecting an image, and not a correct one.>
<.mo#e and mirrors.>
<.omething li#e that.>
2onathan laughed. <"hat,s hardly a crime. 9any &eo&le &ro-ect an image of
$hat they $ant &eo&le to see in them or %elie!e. t,s human nature.>
<t,s not -ust human.> +lex said as he nodded and headed for the door.
<)ait, +lex5 f as#ed you the same ;uestion you as#ed Price, $hat $ould
your ans$er %e4> 2onathan li#ed this dee& ;uiet man.
+lex -ust smiled slightly and said on his $ay out the door. <"hat %elie!e in
doing it o!er until you get it right, and sometimes second chances mean more than
the first, %ecause you,!e got to $or# so hard for it and really $ant it.>
977
2onathan o&ened his mouth to say something else, %ut )hitman $as already
gone.
???
2ulia couldn't %elie!e she had eaten three hel&ings of .ean's coo#ing. *e had
forgotten the %read so she $as amused $hen he $ent for a loaf of fresh 'rench
%read. +ll the tension and horror of the day seemed to fade a$ay as he told her
funny stories and as#ed her ;uestions a%out her life. /h god, they $ere on a date.
2ulia hadn,t thought a%out that until suddenly it hit her. .he $as tal#ing to him, and
learning more a%out him in that short s&ace of time then she did last night on their
official Idate,.
<)here,d you learn to coo#4>
<9y mom. .he too# one loo# at me $hen $as a child, clic#ed her tongue in a
disa&&ro!ing manner, and too# to teaching me ho$ to coo# against my father,s
&rotests. guess she decided %y -ust loo#ing at me, that $as destined to a life as
a %achelor and she didn,t $ant me to star!e.> 2ulia laughed at that. .he had little
dou%t that .ean,s mother adored him. <.omeday, $ill ma#e you this lemon
dessert. need really fresh lemons, li#e the ones from my father,s trees $ith a
touch of mint.>
<)hat is it4> 2ulia as#ed &olishing off her $ine. <"his dessert4>
.ean smiled slightly and finished his $ine. Loo#ing at the time he &ushed the
glass a$ay. *e $as scheduled to %e at the clu% in less than t$o hours. *e couldn,t
sho$ u& slightly hitched.
<+n talian ice, more of a chiffon sor%et.> .ean turned from her, and started
&ic#ing u& and stac#ing the dishes to ta#e to the #itchen.
978
)arm, soft hands slid under his shirt, startling him $ith their #no$ing touch,
causing his eyes to close as he concentrated on the sensation. *e o&ened his eyes
as she &ulled him %ac# to lie do$n on the floor next to her and dra&ed her %ody full
length ato& him, slim fingers catching the fa%ric they had -ust cre&t %eneath and
dragging it o!er his head. Po$erless and un$illing to resist, he raised his arms to
facilitate the remo!al. /ne arm free, .ean &ulled 2ulia tighter against him, the
%ulge in his -eans straining to %e closer still. Damn, it sure didn,t ta#e long for her
to %rea# his Ihands off, resol!e and ha!e him &ractically &anting after her li#e a
%itch in heat. "2ul...."
".hhhh," she murmured, dancing ha0el green eyes closing as she arched
for$ard to &ress her li&s to his. "heir tongues met for a hungry yet &atient $alt0,
each sa!oring the taste of the other.
*is other hand, released from its cloth restraint at last, hesitantly glided its
mildly callused &alm u& the %ac# of her thigh, sto&&ing at the leg cuffs of the &air of
%oxers he had gi!en her to $ear, and then to mo!ed his hands u& under the cloth
to cu& her smooth ass. :od, ho$ he $anted her5 8eeded her5
2ulia gro&ed do$n$ards to stro#e his s#in as the #iss $ent on and on, she $as
careful of the %ruises, and sto&&ed to follo$ a cut. < don,t $ant to hurt you,> she
$his&ered against his li&s. .ean,s tongue darted out and lic#ed the underside of her
to& li& %efore sin#ing his hand in her hair and %ringing her mouth in for another
#iss.
< can ta#e it.> .ean said hus#ily. + &art of him $as screaming to regain
control and sto& this. t $as ne!er his intention to seduce her $hile she $as
!ulnera%le, %ut he $asn,t &re&ared for her to touch him first.
2ulia too# him for his $ord and someho$ maintained a languid &ace as she
undid the to& %utton of his fly. .he ruffled the coarse hair that started -ust %elo$
979
his na!el, li%erated the second %utton $hen he shuddered %eneath her, freed the
third as a moan resonated through his chest. "he %riefest touch of her nails along
his s#in %iting $hile her &alm rested hard against the outline of the shaft of his coc#
though the rough denim. "he &ressure from her sna&&ed him u& into a less
reclining &osition, his hands((one at the small of her %ac#, the other in the hollo$
%et$een her shoulder %lades((crushed her in$ards, the cloth of her shirt almost
&ainful against his %are chest as his sense of touch ex&anded $ith each eternal
second.
.ean shifted to allo$ her to remo!e his ham&ering clothes. t too# a second
for him to reali0e that not only did she ha!e him stri&&ed %are, %ut she $as still
$earing the %oxers and to& he lent her. 1ut he #ne$ that $as all she $as $earing.
*e reclined %ac# a little and decided to follo$ her lead. "he change in air
tem&erature %et$een the air %y the fire&lace to their front, and cooler a&artment
air to their %ac# added to the sensation of coolness and contrasting the rising heat
%et$een their ent$ining %odies. .he caressed his %road %ac# as he leant %ac#. *e
sat u& straighter again, tilting 2ulia %ac#$ards, %rea#ing their tonsil strumming #iss
to ni& and nu00le the $inter &ale s#in of her nec#, her collar%one, leaning himself
still further u&, her %ac# cur!ing li#e a $a!e to gi!e him access to the hard, flushed
ni&&les -utting for attention concealed %eneath the fa%ric of her shirt.
*e gra0ed his teeth, simultaneously suc#ling tenderly %ac# and forth around
the &ert nu% of her right %reast through her clothes. t had to %e her decision, not
his to remo!e the garment. *er scent changed, %ringing him to another le!el of
arousal, as she %ecame more aroused and her %ody heated u&. .till they &rolonged
their tryst, each mo!ement agoni0ing in its &atient deli%eration, reinforcing the
%ond, the need, the lust they could no longer deny.
97:
.he $as slo$ly torturing him, mo!ing her hands and mouth o!er his s#in,
touching the %ruises and cuts, almost li#e she $as #issing them %etter. .ean closed
his eyes and suffered her soft regard, %ut it $as the %iting hardness of her hands
on him that made him loo# at her in sur&rise.
< don,t thin# you should %e doing this, Detecti!e. "hose ri%s aren,t e!en
healed, and the sutures from surgery are ma#ing you loo# li#e a &atch$or# ;uilt.>
2ulia sat %ac# from him, sitting on his u&&er thighs and loo#ing at him critically. 8o,
he loo#ed too %eaten to ta#e a role around on a hard floor in front of the fire&lace.
< don,t thin# you $ill sur!i!e this floor.>
<2ulia...>
<=ou %etter get on the sofa.> )hate!er he $as going to say $as lost. .he
$asn,t tal#ing a%out sto&&ing, -ust negotiating a change in !enue. .ean leaned
for$ard and lifted her off his la& and legs in a sho$ of sur&rising strength, %ut
settled them in his o!ersi0e mohair chair.
<Defiantly choosing another location4 %et your mother s&ent your childhood
%eating you $ith her $ooden s&oon.>
<=ou ha!e no idea.> *is hands mo!ed u& to frame her face.
.itting u& on him, she slo$ly &eeled the shirt from her %ody and tossed it on
the floor next to the chair. Reaching %ehind him to gras& the %ac# of the chair she
lifted u& so he could remo!e her %oxers. "hey hit the floor $ith the hissing of his
%reath as she settled on him. 8o $aiting, no teasing -ust straight do$n, into his la&,
ta#ing him in dee&. Damn, she felt good5 1ut it $asn,t hard to see that he $as in
trou%le as she set the &ace, #issing him, forcing his mouth to ha&&ily suc# at her
%reasts. )hen she had him close, she suddenly %ac#ed off and rested %y going at a
slo$er &ace. "hey #e&t that game going for $hat felt li#e an eternity. 'ast racing
to$ard com&letion follo$ed %y a slo$ing of the mo!ement and almost too much
977
stimulation from her mouth and hands. *e $as definitely 'Lo!e's 1itch', %ecause she
had him %egging.
"8o$, 2ulia... need you no$."
.he %reathed hus#ily as she &ut her hands on his shoulders, &ressing him into
the chair, taut, s$eat(sheened muscles contrasting $ith sur&risingly soft, yet
scratchy material. .he remo!ed him from her and $ra&&ed a hand around his
thro%%ing coc# $hile her mouth and tongue ra&ed his mouth. 1iting his tongue
hard, she slo$ly un$ra&&ed her hand and settled on him again re$arding his
$his&ering moan $ith a !iolent ni& to his nec#. + groan sounded dee& in his throat.
Damn. 'uc#ing. Perfect. .he $as into &leasure and &ain re$ards.
"hey thrust as one, -oined &el!is to &el!is. .he used her $eight, slight as it
$as, to set the &ace((a gentle, almost la0y roc#ing, using her internal muscles to
clench on him $ith e!ery u&$ard for$ard stro#e, releasing to ta#e him dee&er
$ithin herself on the %ac#$ard and do$n$ard slide, increasing in s&eed and
grinding &ressure as their release neared.
"Ride me hard," gas&ed .ean, hands clutching 2ulia's hi&s, holding the &ace to
a measured %uildu&, #ee&ing them loc#ed together. 8early &assing out from the
%iting &ain in his la%ored %reathing and the shar& stitch in his side from his ri%s, it
$as her hard %ruising hold that had him $him&ering $hen her nails left groo!es in
his s#in, and as he let himself ex&erience the full sensation of her rhythmic s&asms
engulfing him, s&ine tensing and &ulling him a$ay from the chair, he murmured
again, "Ride me5"
"Li#e the stallion you are," she teased $ith a slight %ite to his li&, increasing
the &ace from a trot to a full gallo&. *er nails %la0ed a trail of fire do$n his %ac# as
she climaxed, .ean follo$ed a mere second %ehind. "hey remained there fro0en as
974
the orgasm hit them and drained their %odies, feeling the stress on e!ery taut
tendon and ligament, stretching themsel!es to their limits to &rolong the moment.
"hey too# their time relaxing, falling gently into each other, releasing tense
muscles $ith great care to deter muscle s&asms from their &osition. 2ulia sat
astride .ean, $eight distri%uted e!enly, $aiting for his eyes to focus. *e reigned in
his !ision, narro$ing the field to settle on her face. *er ;uir#y infectious grin $as
mirrored on his face. *e reached u& to &ull her in for a $ell(earned #iss, ha0el eyes
dee&ened to teal and &romising another la& around the trac#.
+ not exactly discreet noise disru&ted their afterglo$ contem&lations as the
&hone next to the chair came to life. .ean sna&&ed his head to the left to &eer
around 2ulia to the offending instrument. *e should ri& it from the $all. .eeing the
outrage %attling $ith chagrin for dominant ex&ression, 2ulia glanced at him, slo$ly
mo!ing on him again des&ite the settling lethargy in her thighs. *e groaned in
a&&reciation for the stimulation.
<=ou going to ans$er that4> .he as#ed softly.
<8o.> *e $atched her eyes narro$ remem%ering all the messages she left him
a $ee#end ago. *e sighed and &ic#ed u& the irritating &hone. <=eah5>
*is %rus;ue !oice, almost unrecogni0a%le from %oth im&atience and irritation,
intrigued her, and he loo#ed at her as he tried to a&&ear em%arrassed and
a&ologetic at the same time. "his struc# her as extremely funny. +ll it too# $as
.ean's menacing %ar# of, ":uerin5" to circum!ent her last shred of &ro&riety. /ne
loo# at .ean's ex&ression changing as he listened to 9ichael on the &hone got her
to descend into a fit of giggles. *e had forgotten a%out $or# and $as already an
hour late. *is reassurance to :uerin that he $as Icoming, set her off in uncontrolled
mirth, as she roc#ed on him $hile %iting his ear lo%e. "ears streamed do$n her
975
chee#s as the chuc#ling escalated to full force gales of laughter, rac#ing her entire
%ody.
.ean had to gra% her ;uic#ly to #ee& her from falling %ac#$ards off of him and
onto the floor. *e glared at the &hone again, and hung u& rather a%ru&tly. .he
$ra&&ed her arms around .ean, her snic#ering muted %y his nec#. *e sighed as
she #issed his nec#, and as 2ulia,s laughter su%sided %ut came %ac# again, decided
that if he couldn't %eat her, he may as $ell -oin her. *olding her tightly against his
chest, he thought of $hat 9ichael $as thin#ing of his tardiness and the sounds of
2ulia,s laughter in the %ac#ground, he ga!e into his o$n amusement.
<=ou need to go.>
.ean nodded, and #issed her again. < do.>
<*mm, then should head home too. "he &lace has to ha!e %een cleaned u&
%y no$, and...>
<8o.> 2ulia sto&&ed tal#ing and loo#ed at him.
<8o4>
<8o. .tay here. 6at more food, $atch "G, anything you $ant. 2ust stay. .lee&
in my %ed. ,ll %e out until real late, may%e four in the morning, %ut don,t $ant
you in your house alone until $e can get you some %etter loc#s and a security
system.>
<.ean.>
<2ulia. .omeone entered your house, and left a dead Ru%io in your %ed. "hey
can still come %ac#. "hose t$o men aren,t the only ones Pierce has.>
2ulia slo$ly got off him, hissing as they disengaged. .he reached o!er and
gra%%ed the shirt he had lent her and &ut it %ac# on along $ith the %oxers. Loo#ing
at his nude %ody still reclined in the chair, and the al den%e status of his...yeah,
946
that. 2ulia refused to refer to it as a Inoodle,. .he -ust shoo# her head and $ent
%ac# into the %athroom to sho$er again and find her clothes.
.ean -oined her, ignoring her &rotest. *e firmly turned her into the sho$er
head and ;uic#ly $ashed her %ody and his o$n. *e $as late, and he needed to get
this settled.
<.tay.>
2ulia -ust shoo# her head no. < can,t. can,t allo$ fear to enter my life, my
&rofession. f let them run me out of my home, then they $in. can,t li!e my life
afraid and under some thug,s thum% running scared. "his to$n, it seems so
&eaceful, %ut it,s not. 6!en the short time ,!e %een here can feel it. t,s a
&ressure coo#er $aiting to ex&lode, and li#e a s$irling !ortex, don,t $ant to get
caught in the %ac#$ash. can,t do my -o% and %e $ho am if 'm afraid.>
.ean -ust shoo# his head and held her firm. <1e afraid5 =ou should %e !ery
afraid. "hat $asn,t a lo!e letter from an admirer. "hat $as an in!itation for a hard
fuc#ing from a &sycho&ath. Pierce is nothing exce&t undiluted e!il. +nd $on,t
stand around and $atch you &ut yourself in his &ath %ecause of some misguided
idea of &ride.>
2ulia ri&&ed the sho$er curtain aside and ste&&ed out of the sho$er to gra% a
to$el. <1ac# off5 =ou don,t #no$ me. *o$ can you4 /ne meal and a ;uic# fuc#
doesn,t ma#e you an ex&ert on me, or my life, or ho$ need to %e to li!e it.> 2ulia
$ra&&ed herself in the to$el as he shut off the $ater and faced her dri&&ing $et on
the tile. <)ho the fuc# do you thin# you are4>
<,m the man $ho for some un#no$n reason #ee&s thro$ing his %ody in
%et$een yours and that &ath you choose to $al#.> *e gra%%ed her hard and
%rought her u& to him close until they $ere standing face to face. <+ $hi&&ing %oy
for the cause, and %eaten to an inch of his life $hile !olts of electricity $ere frying
941
my %rain cells. + lifetime of li!ing in &ain has taught me nothing %ut res&ect for ho$
much e!il that can %e !isited on others in this $orld.> .ean released her almost
tossing her from him. <)ell don,t $ant to come home tomorro$ to a ne$s re&ort
of your assault, ra&e or murder. *e,ll mutilate you. "hat,s $hat he does.> .ean
leaned in and rested his forehead against her collar %one. <,m tired. ,m so fuc#ing
tired. Don,t ma#e me $orry a%out you all night $hen should %e finding a mass
murderer $ho ta#es children off the streets.>
2ulia sto&&ed raging and loo#ed do$n at his %ent head. .ighing and &lacing
her hand o!er his head and running it do$n his nec# she felt him shudder. *e had
%een stronger than she #ne$ any man could %e. )hat he had li!ed through in the
short time she had #no$n him $ould ha!e %ro#en lesser men. 8odding and &ulling
his head u& she gently #issed him. .he only $anted to &ush him and #ee& him on
the edge, to #ee& her control so he didn,t ta#e her o!er. .he ne!er $anted to %e
the cause of his &ain or the %rea#ing of him. *e had a -o% -ust li#e she did, and she
$as suddenly ma#ing it harder on him. )hen the hell did she get so much control4
.o she ga!e it %ac#.
</#ay, ,ll stay. ,ll stay until need to go home.>
.ean hugged her to him. <"han# you.>
???
"he 3lu% $as loud and -um&ing -ust after o&ening. 9ichael sat at a monitor
$ith his trusty su&&lies of food near him. *e $as eating e!ery three hours no$,
incredi%le amounts. *e felt drained and the food hel&ed. t had %een a shoc# to
$eigh himself that morning and reali0e that he had someho$ lost ten &ounds
942
des&ite eating e!erything in sight. )hen the final tally on their grocery %ill $as
done, he $as sure that they $ould need a loan -ust to get through this &regnancy.
"he &regnancy. t $as strange, %ut since 9aria almost lost the %a%y it $as as
if they %oth had an un%rea#a%le %ond to their un%orn child. t $as &ractically all he
thought a%out ( the %a%y and 9aria. nstinctually he #ne$ from his internal
reactions ho$ insane he could get o!er his offs&ring and his mate. 1ut ne!er in his
$ildest imagination could he ha!e foreseen ho$ intense and !iolent it $ould %e.
"hings $ere %othering him. .trange things. 7nex&laina%le things. 9aria didn,t
ha!e a ready ex&lanation so she -ust ignored it. .cience $as her god, the
foundation of her life and her understanding of the $orld, along $ith a reluctant
deference to :od and the esoteric. "his $as outside her a%ility to reason. .o she
shel!ed it until more information %ecame a!aila%le. *is &rofessor $as nothing if not
dogmatic $hen it came to academics.
"he cuts and %ites $ere gone. t ne!er registered to either of them that no
matter ho$ many mar#s they left on each other, no matter ho$ often, that $ithin a
fe$ hours or a fe$ days there $ouldn,t e!en %e a %lemish remaining. *e $atched
9aria $al# into the %athroom on .aturday morning, and as her smooth %ac# $as
facing him he searched for it, the mar# he had -ust created there, %ut it $as
healed. .o $as the %ite he had left on her %ac#, the %eard %urns, and follo$ing her
into the %ath later, he searched her arm $here she sliced it, and it $as gone.
7nmarred. 9ichael searched his %ody, the cut on his chest, the %ite on his inner
thigh...nothing. :one. "hey had %oth healed miraculously.
"here $ere other things. "he sex. t $asn,t -ust the %lood. t $as the sex too.
1lood $asn,t enough. .ex $asn,t enough. t $as the com%ination that $as #ee&ing
9aria healthy. t had to %e the connection. "hat rush of &ure energy and sensation
that made them lose time ( not minutes, %ut hours. 9ichael didn,t #no$ $ho to tell
947
or as# a%out this, not e!en 9ax. t $as too &ersonal and too %i0arre. *e #e&t his
o$n counsel and started mentally cataloging all the differences, as if he $ere
%uilding a case.
<=ou need some more food4> +lex as#ed coming into the room and sitting at
the monitors $ith 9ichael. *e loo#ed at the &ile of snac#s and sand$iches $ith
amusement.
<,m fine.> 9ichael loo#ed at +lex in sus&icion. <)hat did you do, +lex4>
+lex -ust lit a cigarette. <)hat do you mean4>
<"his o&eration $as dead. "he #iller found a ne$ #illing ground, so sta#ing out
your -oint is a &ractice in futility. =et, you called my team and s&ecifically re;uested
co& inter!ention.> 9ichael,s -a$ clenched. <.o ,m as#ing you again, $hat did you
do4>
.ean entered the room at that moment. *e stood silently $atching the t$o
men in a staredo$n. "he testosterone $as &eeling the &aint from the $alls in that
room. 9ichael $as a dominant al&ha male, %ut +lex $as e;ually intense. .ean -ust
sat %ac# the door -am% and $atched in interest. *e li#ed his dominant side to ha!e
a little of feminine in &in#. "he $omen li#ed that %etter.
< added more security monitors including a nice sto& action &hotogra&hy to
get a shot of all &ersons entering my doors.> +lex sat do$n and turned on a
com&uter and they $atched the digital relay as each &erson entering sto&&ed to
tal# to the doorman and &ay the co!er fee. "hen they sto&&ed and read a
chal#%oard laughingly signed a stu% and tossed it in a huge fish %o$l.
<)hy +lex4 )hy do you thin# he,ll %e %ac# here4> .ean as#ed from the
door$ay. +lex loo#ed at him and shrugged as 9ax entered the room follo$ed %y
Kyle.
948
9ax $ent to sit on the edge of the ta%le next to his &artner and $atched the
three interact. *e $as finding them more and more a source of interest, an
fascinating com%ination.
<*e closed the field.> 9ichael said ;uietly. "he others exchanged confused
loo#s, %ut 9ichael ne!er remo!ed his ga0e from +lex. <*o$4> 9ichael's !oice
%roo#ed no refusal or hedging.
< closed do$n all other hunting grounds. "hey're mar#ing their clients in
&iercings and tattoos. *e,ll %e %ac# once he reali0es that this is the only &lace
a!aila%le. *e has an a!ersion to %eing marred and fla$ed, and he $on,t enter the
other esta%lishments if it re;uires he %e tattooed or &ierced.>
<*e,ll #no$ that he,s %eing corralled.>
< #no$.> +lex too# out a cigarette and offered one to .ean. .ean reached for
it, %ut caught 9ichael,s eyes and then refused. t $as too %loody a$ful $atching
9ichael destroy a &erfectly good smo#e. *e,d na% one later $hen Idaddy, $asn,t
$atching. <t,s no longer -ust a hunt for him. *is sheer gall and arrogance has
turned this into a %attlefield. *e too# from us, and $e too# from him. 9y instincts
are telling me that from the de&th of his last Dum& that this is his nesting ground,
his home. *e,ll not %e $anting to mo!e or lea!e here. +nd -ust closed his hunting
ground, so he must either alter his hunt, or ta#e %ac#.>
9ichael nodded. t $as smart. "he hunter $asn,t going to let the &rey
outsmart him, elude him. t $ould %e a matter of &ride and a need to &unish the
insolence. *e $ould ta#e from this clu% again, under their noses to &unish them. *e
$as &erfect and they $ere fla$ed. *is sense of $orld order $ouldn,t allo$ himself
to %e %ested %y fla$ed, im&erfect indi!iduals.
<)hen4>
949
+lex -ust shrugged. <t starts tonight. t de&ends on ho$ out of control he is.
*o$ much he,s $al#ing on his o$n edge. + man that can hide the monster inside
for o!er ten years and dum& in his o$n nesting ground is careful. *e sto&&ed %eing
careful for some reason, and his anger is ma#ing him slo&&y.>
.ean nodded. </nce he reali0es the tra&, he,ll %ecome angrier.>
<3ount on it.> +lex $ent to lea!e to circle his clu%.
9ax silently as#ed, <)hy did you do it4>
+lex sto&&ed in the door$ay and &laced a %alled fist against the $all at the
door. Loo#ing %ac# at 9ax $ith dar# eyes, almost dead he said ;uietly, <1ecause
can.>
.ean $atched +lex lea!e the room. <9ichael.>
<:o.> .ean ;uic#ly follo$ed to #ee& a close eye on +lex.
9ax -ust shoo# his head as .ean left. <*e,s not going to ma#e it.>
<t,ll %e close. 1ut he,ll ma#e it.>
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael and nodded. "hey couldn,t afford to lose +lex no$. *e
$as im&ortant. +nd if it too# e!erything they had, they needed to &rotect him.
<=ou,ll see to it4> 9ax as#ed softly una$are that the ;uestion $asn,t really a
;uestion, %ut a command.
<Done.>
Kyle $as $atching the monitors and snic#ering at *anson on the dance floor
sha#ing his groo!e thing $ith a young $oman dressed :oth $ith her eye%ro$
&ierced. t had to %e the funniest thing he,d seen all day. .trange, that *anson.
"hey tended to tease him the most and he ended u& the %utt of their -o#es, %ut in
truth he $as a nice man, mild(tem&ered, laid%ac# and methodical. .lo$ly he $as
finding a &lace among them $ithout them reali0ing he $as there.
94:
Kyle stood u&, <,m going to go hit the floors again.> Kyle loo#ed %ac# at 9ax.
<=ou coming4>
<8o. =ou go.> Kyle -ust nodded and left.
9ax loo#ed at the ne$ monitor +lex had installed and $as loo#ing at the
incoming &atrons and fli&&ing through free0e frames on a s&lit screen. <"his is a
s$eet setu&. *o$ much do you thin# it cost him4>
<9ore than you #no$. *e,s !iolating the &ri!acy of his clients. "he cost of
closing do$n the other clu%s, the added security, and e!en the com&romise to his
o$n &rinci&les...he,s &aying a gra!e &rice.>
<*e s&ent the night $ith sa%el last night.>
9ichael loo#ed at 9ax. 8either man said a $ord. t $as a hard situation.
)hitman $asn,t the man they $ould ha!e chosen for their sister, %ut it $as still her
choice. *is life loo#ed to %e too much a tem&tation for sa%el, a &itfall. +nd they
had -ust got her %ac#. 8either of them $anted to lose her again.
<"hat must ha!e %een uncomforta%le, all three of you in your a&artment.>
9ax smiled in the sheer -oy of telling 9ichael something to get his res&onse.
</h, $asn,t there.> 9ichael loo#ed at his &artner $ith narro$ed eyes. Don,t e!en
say it. < sle&t o!er at 2onathan,s.> 9ichael -ust rolled his eyes. <+ll night.>
"hat did it. 9ichael ex&loded. <Dammit, 9ax$ell5 *o$ many times do ha!e
to tell you not to gi!e me de%ails?* 9ichael sat there huffy for a fe$ minutes, and
then reluctantly as#ed. <.o...ho$ $as it4>
9ax loo#ed at 9ichael and $iggled a %ro$ at him and suddenly %oth men
started to laugh.
.ean came into the control room a fe$ hours later. *e $as hot, s$eaty, tired
and $anting to go home. n a rush of honesty, he admitted to himself that he
$anted to go home so he could clim% into %ed $ith 9ac and $atch her slee&.
947
<.o you $ere late.>
<=eah, shoot me.>
<"he +D+4>
.ean,s loo# %ecame guarded and stern. <=eah, $hat a%out her4>
<s she o#ay4>
.ean -ust shrugged. <.he shoo# it off after fed her and got her into dry
clothes. "he real test $ill %e her $al#ing %ac# into her house and staying there as if
nothing ha&&ened. .he frea#ed a little a%out her cat, %ut called a neigh%or and
found out they had it. :uess it $as crying to get %ac# inside, so they too# it in.>
<)here,d you &ut her4> 9ichael as#ed. *e didn,t remem%er seeing a cat. +ll
the noise and confusion must ha!e #e&t the animal a$ay. *e !aguely remem%ered
seeing &et dishes for food and $ater.
<9y &lace, at least until can get her a security system.>
9ichael ru%%ed his -a$ and loo#ed at the monitors. <.o $hat did you feed
her4>
<talian.> 9ichael loo#ed u& at that and a #no$ing loo# &assed o!er his face.
<8o $onder you $ere late.>
????
"he night dragged. "he amount of generated &rofiles and &ictures $as fast
gro$ing on a ta%le as they $atched the monitors. *e $ouldn,t sho$ tonight. 9ay%e
tomorro$.
Kyle $as $atching the monitor $hile 9ichael $as cussing at his $atch. +lex
had $andered %ac# in and $as searching through the &hotos loo#ing for *im. The
6ne. .uddenly Kyle sat u& and $histled under his %reath.
944
<9aria,s in the house.>
"hat got 9ichael,s attention. "here she $as &osing &rettily for the hidden
camera $ith a t$in#le in her eye. )hat the hell4
Kyle -um&ed u&. <,ll go.> Kyle rushed out %efore 9ichael did. *e $ould scare
all the clientele $ith his o%!ious raging(%ull demeanor that stun# of co&.
<)ho,s the %ird4 .he,s a real 1etty.> +lex too# the framed &icture of the
$oman and smiled. .he loo#ed familiar. *e had seen her in his &lace a fe$ times.
8ot recently, %ut she usually came $ith the 7ni!ersity cro$d.
9ichael too# the &icture and snarled at +lex. <"hat,s no 1etty. .he,s my $ife.>
+lex -ust '$oo hoo,d' under his %reath in a chuc#le. <Damn. .omeone married
you4 "here is ho&e for us all.>
9ichael loo#ed at +lex and sneered. <+ctually, for you )hitman4 $ouldn,t
hedge that %et -ust yet.>
+lex smiled sarcastically. =eah he had come to that conclusion a long time ago
as $ell, %ut he $as $illing to let sa%el 6!ans try to change his mind.
<9ichael4> 9aria came through the door $ith Kyle.
9ichael turned in his chair and loo#ed at his mate $ith a disa&&ro!ing sigh.
<)hat you doing here, Professor4> *e too# in her features $ith one fast discerning
loo# and s$ore under his %reath. Dammit. .he $as &ale, $ith a thin sheet of s$eat
on her %ro$, and her hands $ere trem%ling. :etting to his feet ;uic#ly, he &ulled
her into his %ody and felt her sigh of relief. .he $as $orried that she $ouldn,t ma#e
it in time.
9ichael turned and loo#ed at +lex $ho $as $atching them curiously. <=ou got
some &lace ;uiet and &ri!ate4>
945
<.ure. 9y office.> +lex too# out a #ey chain from his &oc#et and remo!ed a
#ey and tossed it to 9ichael. <:o do$n the %ac# hall %ehind the %ac# %ar, through
the storage. t,s that door next to the &ri!ate %athroom.>
<"han#s.> 9ichael loo#ed %ac# at Kyle. <,m ta#ing an hour %rea#. "ell 9ax and
.ean, and co!er the monitors.> 9ichael too# 9aria $ith him holding her slighter
frame closer to his. *e $as an idiot. *e had let her feed off him at noon that day,
%ut she hadn,t had anything since, and it $as after nine. .he $as needing to feed
e!ery eight hours. "he amount of %lood she dran# $asn,t much, %ut $hen
com%ined $ith the sex it %ecame so much more.
*e loc#ed the door %ehind them and noticed the small t$in si0e %ed against
the $all. Leading her to it, he sat her do$n and dug out his &oc#et #nife. <=ou
should,!e called. $ould,!e come to you.>
<=ou can,t lea!e a sta#eout, 9ichael.> .he $as smelling his s#in along his nec#
and shoulder, and suddenly he groaned as she %it into him. Putting a$ay his #nife,
she too# care of it $hen her teeth %ro#e the s#in.
<9aria. t doesn,t matter. ,d come. don,t $ant you here, no$here near
here.>
<.hhh, it,s o#ay. ,m &rotected.>
9ichael forced her to loo# at him. <)hat do you mean4>
9aria ;uic#ly turned and sho$ed him her %ac#. "he shirt she $as $earing
ex&osed her scars, that fine net$or# of $hite lines marring her %ac#, %ut someho$
ma#ing her e!en more %eautiful.
<.till.>
<t,s o#ay. -ust felt $ea# and needed you.> 9ichael groaned as her hands
remo!ed his clothes, and he felt the need to touch her, to taste her, to feel the rush
of her %lood in his mouth. t had to %e her chemistry. *e $as literally aroused all
956
day long, hard and ready to go. "hat had ne!er ha&&ened %efore. *is %ody had to
%e cra!ing $hate!er that un#no$n hormone $as in her %lood, and all he #ne$ $as
it $as li#e &erfume to him. *eady and intense, arousing and exhilarating.
*e couldn,t thin#. 3ouldn,t tal# anymore. *e -ust needed...
???
+lmost t$o hours later, 9ichael returned to the control room. *e had left 9aria
slee&ing in the %ed in +lex,s office. .he $as curled u&, all $arm and content, $ith a
&eaceful loo# on her face. 9ichael $atched her for a short time li#ing the $ay she
too# to slee&ing $ith her hand $ra&&ed around her middle.
+lex loo#ed at him $hen he entered $ithout his Professor. *e loc#ed her inside
the room, and left her the #ey on the office des#.
<*o&e you don,t mind. .he,s slee&ing in the %ed. thin# ,ll lea!e her slee&ing
until $e $ra& for the night.>
+lex nodded. <"hat,s cool. .he,s $elcome to use it. t,s %een a$hile since
e!en sle&t there.> +lex lit another cigarette. *e really needed to cut %ac# %efore he
ga!e himself lung cancer %efore his fortieth %irthday. <=ou t$o on the method
&rogram4>
<)hat4> 9ichael too# his seat at the monitor and %egan un$ra&&ing one of his
sand$iches.
<=ou #no$. "he method &rogram $here the $ife ta#es her core %ody
tem&erature and then rushes across to$n to find her hus%and so they can fuc#
$here!er they are so they can concei!e. t,s a fertility method.>
<"here,s nothing $rong $ith my fertility5 /r 9aria,s. )e,re already &regnant.>
951
+lex -ust made a face. </#ay, $hate!er.> .ure li#e it $as any of his %usiness,
exce&t for them -ust ma#ing it on his %ed. =eah, li#e they $ere the first. +lex -ust
snorted.
t $as -ust o!er an hour $hen 9aria finally sho$ed u& again. "he first thing
she did $hen re(entering the room $as head straight for the food. 9ichael,s stash.
+lex $as sitting there %ored until she arri!ed, and then suddenly she %ecame this
source of endless fascination. *e $atched her eat more than she $eighed, search
:uerin,s &oc#ets until she came u& $ith a %ottle of "a%asco, co!er her food li%erally
$ith the sauce and then do$n three sand$iches, t$o %ags of chi&s and half a -ar of
&ic#les.
9ore fascinating $as the $ay that she arranged her %ody to %e near :uerin,
and the $ay his hands #e&t her near $ithout him reali0ing it. .he sat do$n and $as
tal#ing to Kyle, $ho a&&eared to %e her ste&(%rother. 'inally she loo#ed o!er at +lex
and smiled.
<*ello, since no one $ill introduce us, ,m 9aria DeLuca.>
<+lex )hitman.> 8ot :uerin4 *is eyes %ecame e!en more interested as 9ax
came into the room and Kyle left. <DeLuca. Related to .ean4>
<*e,s my cousin.>
+lex nodded, and suddenly it clic#ed into &lace. <9aria DeLuca4 /f the
'oundation4>
9aria,s eyes %ecame serious and guarded. 1oth 9ax and 9ichael turned to
loo# at them. <"he same.>
+lex -ust smiled a %oyish smile and shoo# her hand. <)ell nice to meet you,
9aria DeLuca. +fter all, $as your &roxy today.>
<9y &roxy4 /h5 "he meeting.>
<"he meeting5>
952
<Really. "hat,s interesting. .o ho$ did it go4 Did Professor Price get his seat on
the %oard4>
+lex shoo# his head no. < !oted him out.>
9aria -ust crossed her arms across her chest and loo#ed at him thoughtfully. <
%et 2onathan $as &leased.>
<*e $as. 8ice loo#ing man. +ctually ,d say &ractically gorgeous. t,s that air of
mystery, those dar# loo#s and air of authority. t,s a real %all &leaser.>
9aria laughed and glanced o!er at 9ax to see ho$ he $as ta#ing +lex,s
assessment of 2onathan. 7h oh, not so ha&&y. .he loo#ed at 9ax,s stony dar# face.
<*e &ractically $ouldn,t let me lea!e.> +lex started to light another cigarette,
%ut loo#ed at 9aria and remem%ered her condition. .econdhand smo#e $as %ad for
%oth mother and fetus. *e &ut them a$ay. <*e still $anted to tal# to me, so figure
he,ll hunt me do$n %y tomorro$.> +lex,s eyes darted to 6!ans' face and a small
smir# lifted u& the corner of his mouth. < guess could consider dating him if that,s
$hat he $ants, %ut in truth, ,m sort of %oo#ed.>
9ax s$ore under his %reath and clinched his fist. +lex )hitman needed a
%eating more than any man he #ne$. 'irst his sister, and no$ his %oyfriend.
+lex -ust chuc#led to himself and decided to go $al# his clu%. 6!ans and
.tiller, DeLucas a%ound, :uerin and 9aria and her ne$ %rother Kyle. Damn. t $as
a small $orld, and getting smaller e!ery day.
???
*e sat in his car, and felt the anger $ash o!er his %ody. *e $as not only
u&set, %ut incredi%ly outraged. "he anger that had smoldered in his %ody for years
957
$as rising to the to& and threatening to %urn a hole in his stomach. 3ontrol. 3ontrol
$as gone.
*e had !isited fi!e different 3lu%s. "hey $ere all tattooing their customers,
marring them and ma#ing endless %reeds of im&erfection. "he %astards. "hey $ere
corralling him, closing his field. t didn,t matter. *e had nothing left to lose. 8o last
recourse. t $as o!er. 8o$4 8o$ there $as only re!enge.
n his mind, he could see the &erfect addition to his collection, and no$ there
could only %e one hunting ground a!aila%le. *e,d find his &rey, stal# him and add
him to the collection des&ite any &hysical marring. +nd he $ould lea!e e!idence of
his demise on the doorste& of 3lu% *ell.
*e #ne$ the hunters. Kne$ ho$ they thought and he #ne$ the &rey. 9en
$ere at times too sim&le, almost stu&id in com&arison to other animals. 1ut under
it all, they follo$ed the instinctual rules of nature and in that $as the &attern of
success, of understanding the rules.
*e sat in his car &lanning his attac# and ru%%ing his hands. "hey $ere
unmar#ed. *e had used his -ac#et to co!er his hands $hen he crac#ed the glass,
%ut they $ere dee&ly %ruised and still &ainful to the touch.
"omorro$. "omorro$ $as the 6ndgame.

958
Day 20: Monday- 2:90 a.m.
9ax got home early in the morning. *is %ody smelt li#e the clu% $ith the
lingering smo#e. :oing to the %athroom he stood under the sho$er and $ashed
a$ay the stench. Leaning against the tile he $ondered a%out 2onathan. )ondered
a%out $here they $ere going after the night %efore. +lex )hitman $as a &iss(ant.
9ichael lay in %ed $ith 9aria s&ooned to$ards him. 9r. 1oo $as $edged
%et$een them, aslee& on 9aria,s tummy. 9ichael had tried to mo!e the hefty feline,
$hose hair $as slo$ly gro$ing %ac# in from the "ess and Kyle catsitting fiasco.
6!ery time 9ichael attem&ted mo!e the cat, 9r. 1 $ould ma#e a lo$ gro$ling
sound in his throat as a $arning. 9ichael decided to lea!e him alone. "he &oor guy
had %een de!astated $hen 9aria had s&ent the night at the hos&ital, so it seemed
extra reassurance and %onding %et$een man Nor in this case, $omanO and %east
$as necessary.
9ichael $ondered $hat the hell he $as going to do a%out feeding 9aria and
the %a%y. *e couldn,t afford to %e a$ay from them for too long. +nd he couldn,t
ta#e 9aria on e!ery sta#eout $ith him, there%y &utting her and the %a%y in danger.
*e $as caught %et$een a roc# and a hard &lace. +t the rate they $ere going he
couldn't imagine ho$ they $ere going to ma#e it to the end of the &regnancy. "he
minimum they could get %y %efore the %a%y $as strong enough and de!elo&ed
enough to sur!i!e on its o$n $as a%out t$enty(four $ee#s. "$enty(four $ee#s
seemed li#e an eternity.
1ut no$, resting his hand under 9r. 1's soft fur and along 9aria,s stomach he
didn,t care. "$enty(four $ee#s...thirty(six $ee#s....a fric#in, year... *e couldn,t lose
them. 6ither of them. "hey,d find a solution or an ans$er, %ecause no other
alternati!e $as acce&ta%le. 9ichael closed his eyes and concentrated as a rush of
959
something else s$e&t across him. *is child. *e $ondered $ho he or she $ould %e,
$hat they $ould loo# li#e, $ould they lo!e "a%asco...
.ean closed and loc#ed the door %ehind him. t $as -ust after three, and the
a&artment $as silent. *olding his %reath, he $ent to his %edroom and loo#ed in on
the $oman slee&ing there. "here $ere lo$ candles %urning to gi!e the room a soft
glo$. .he must ha!e %een afraid of the dar# and lit the candles to gi!e her comfort.
3losing the door, he $ent into the %athroom to sho$er. She s%ayed. t shoc#ed him.
*e ex&ected her to lea!e once he had left, %ut he $as &leased that she stayed.
Returning to his room, he didn,t %other to &ut on clothes or e!en a &air of
%oxers. 3lim%ing into the %ed, he &ulled her $arm %ody into his and sighed in
exhaustion. *is day had started $ith that damn -o% of unloc#ing 9ichael and he felt
li#e he had %een going non(sto& e!er since. 3losing his eyes, he $ondered $hat he
could say to 9ac to con!ince her to stay $ith him until they could fix her house.
"hat could ta#e a month or t$o, may%e three...sometimes it too# a good year.
+lex too# the access ladder to the to& of his clu%. *e stood on the roof
o!erloo#ing the dar#ened slee&ing city of Ros$ell. +&&earances $ere decei!ing. *e
dran# his $his#ey straight from the %ottle as his cigarette %urned do$n in his hand.
Ros$ell $asn,t a slee&y hamlet in a sheltered area of 8e$ 9exico. t $as a
crossroads. They $ere coming. *e didn,t #no$ $ho %hey $ere, %ut he dreamt of
them, faceless forms. +lex felt the dra$ and &ull at him, the o&ening of a !ortex.
*e #ne$ him. *e #ne$. +nd the #iller $ould come %ecause he #ne$. "he die
$as cast and nothing could sto& it once the $heels $ere in motion. *e stared at
e!ery face entering his clu%, loo#ing for those eyes. *e $ould #no$. *e had to
stand face to face and see if the light of life in Krystal $as in the man,s eyes. Did he
steal her life for no cause, or -ust for his o$n selfish intent4 +lex leaned %ac# and
dran#. =eah, #no$ you. *ere am. +chie!e me.
95:
???
9ichael and the others s&ent the morning at the PD $arehouse $ith .imon
and his cre$. t $as a long morning, shrouded in the horror of $hat they had
found. "he &iles of %ones and %odies lay a%out li#e something from a ))
concentration cam& &hoto.
.ean $al#ed the rolls of ta%les lined $ith %ody %ags and it -ust to&&ed off his
morning. *e had a$a#ened to find 9ac gone. *e #ne$ that she had early morning
court, %ut she didn,t $a#e him or e!en lea!e a note. t started his day %adly and
then it ;uic#ly got $orse $hen they entered the $arehouse.
.imon fli&&ed through his &a&er$or#. <,!e got thirty(se!en &ercent .D.,d.
/!er eighteen &ercent retrie!ed $eren,t &art of "he 3ollector,s $or#, -ust local %ody
dum&ing.>
<.us%?* 9ichael,s -a$line loo#ed li#e it $as going to crac#. <"hat means $e
ha!e fifty(fi!e &ercent &rocessed and a remaining forty(fi!e &ercent are un#no$ns.>
<Pro%lem is that some of the %ones on the %ottom $ere crushed and mixed
together. )e,re running chemical and D8+ analysis, %ut that $ill ta#e time. t,s
ex&ensi!e, and our funds can,t co!er this amount of $or#. "he 'ederal La%s $ould
mo!e ;uic#er at a %etter %udget than mine.>
9ichael stiffened at the suggestion of in!ol!ing the '1 or any 'ederal la$
agency. "hey $ould come in, ta#e it o!er, shut do$n the sting and his #iller $ould
go free.
<:i!e me a little $hile %efore you call. Let me see if can find a solution.>
.imon &atted 9ichael on the shoulder and $ent off. 9ichael loo#ed at 9ax and
shrugged. *e didn,t $ant to turn o!er the case.
957
<)hat you,re going to do, 9ichael4>
<f you co!er here and #ee& *anson $or#ing, ,ll %e %ac# in an hour.>
<9aria4>
<8o, a man $ith a chec#%oo#.> 9ichael loo#ed at all the %odies and gras&ed
his &artner,s arm. <,ll %e %ac#.>
9ax loo#ed o!er at *anson and sighed. :oing to the man, he too# the %one
from his hand and re&laced it on the ta%le. <=ou #no$ $hat, *anson4 t,d %e great
if you didn't do that. 3,mon. ,ll sho$ you ho$ to access more 9issing Person,s files.
)e need all D8+ and &ersonal information cross(indexed.>
???
<.ir4 ha!e a Detecti!e :uerin from Ros$ell PD re;uesting to see you.>
2onathan loo#ed u& from his $or# and his eye%ro$ $ent u&. nteresting. *e
sat %ac# and stee&led his fingers together $ith s&eculation in his eyes. *mm, it $as
either a%out 9aria or 9ax. 2onathan chec#ed out his clothes and did an in!entory.
=eah clean under$ear, %riefs not %oxers, and his medical card $ere com&letely u&
to date. *e $as ready to %e sent to the hos&ital, courtesy of one 9ichael :uerin.
<Lois, &lease sho$ the Detecti!e in.> 2onathan stood u& and $ent around his
des# leaning %ac# and crossing his legs casually at the an#les. t $as %est not to
s&ill any %lood on his &a&ers. .ome of them $ere im&ortant.
9ichael came into the room $ith a dar# un&leasant loo# on his face. *e #e&t
loo#ing %ac# at Lois as she left the room. "hen ta#ing stoc# of 2onathan, an
ex&ression of irritation &assed across his face, and 2onathan felt &leased that he
could irritate the Detecti!e.
<9ichael. t seems only li#e a day or so since last sa$ you.>
954
<=eah, can the .malltal# cra&. need something.>
2onathan $as intrigued. <Really4> *e motioned for 9ichael to ta#e a seat, %ut
9ichael refused. 2onathan -ust folded his hands together in front of him. <*o$ can
%e of ser!ice4>
< need money.>
"hat $as ne$s to 2onathan. *e couldn,t imagine 9aria DeLuca,s future
hus%and ha!ing much in the $ay of financial &ro%lems, es&ecially if one added in
the fact that 9ichael $as one of the highest &aid Detecti!es at Ros$ell PD and had
little to no ex&enses exce&t food and the trashing of his cars.
<9oney4 )hat #ind of money.>
<+ lot.> 9ichael mo!ed for$ard hating this, %ut he $as doing it for them and
not for himself. < need money to do D8+ testing on a%out forty(fi!e unidentified
murder !ictims.>
<"he Dum&.> 2onathan said ;uietly. 9ax had told him a%out it on .aturday.
<=eah.>
<.end the %ill to me. ,ll see that it,s co!ered. thin# the 'oundation $ould
a&&ro!e this use of its funds.> t $as these !ictims' second chance to go home, and
may%e the second chance for their lo!ed ones to find closure and finally %e a%le to
mo!e on.
9ichael loo#ed at the man and -ust nodded. <"han# you.> 9ichael turned to
lea!e.
<9ichael.> *e $aited for 9ichael to sto&. <=ou could,!e as#ed 9aria.>
< #no$.> 9ichael loo#ed %ac# at the man. < don,t $ant her in!ol!ed in this.>
2onathan had to a&&reciate that trait a%out 9ichael. "he man #ne$ ho$ to &rotect
and rarely faltered from that course.
955
<*er uncle made a huge donation to the 'oundation this $ee#end. *e also
donated money to the Ros$ell PD Retirement 'und and .ur!i!ors 'und.> 9ichael
loo#ed at 2onathan in interest. "hat $as a testament to ho$ much and ho$ far
9arco DeLuca had come to acce&ting his son,s lifestyle choices.
9ichael started to lea!e again, %ut 2onathan sto&&ed him.
<,!e %een trying to get ahold of +lex )hitman all morning. understand
you,re $or#ing $ith him.>
9ichael turned around at that remar#, all thoughts of lea!ing falling a$ay.
<=eah. *e,s hel&ing us on a case.>
2onathan loo#ed across the room. <+t his clu%4> 9ichael -ust nodded, his eyes
%ecoming narro$ in s&eculation. <"hen ,ll loo# for him there tonight.>
<)hat do you need )hitman for4> 9ichael remem%ered +lex,s teasing remar#s
aimed at 9ax, and suddenly he $asn,t so sure that +lex $as teasing.
<"he 'oundation. *e acted as a &roxy yesterday for 9aria,s !oting %loc#.
li#ed him. *e seemed a !ery direct man, !ery honest. +nd he said something
li#ed.> 2onathan loo#ed at 9ichael and mused ho$ some of those ;ualities also
a&&lied to him. < thin# he $ould ma#e an excellent choice for that missing %oard
seat. $anted to tal# him into a&&lying.>
<)ell, he,ll %e at 3lu% *ell tonight $ith us. =ou could as# at the door $hen you
come in, if you don,t run him do$n %efore that.> .omeho$ it amused 9ichael to
thin# of dar# &un# roc#er +lex on a %oard $ith ultra conser!ati!es.
<"han#s, 9ichael.> 9ichael started to lea!e again. <1y the $ay...> 9ichael -ust
groaned under his %reath. .ee4 "his is $hat ha&&ens $hen you go all chatty $ith
&eo&le, nice and socia%le. "hey $ouldn,t let you lea!e. <3ongrats on the %a%y.>
9ichael sto&&ed at that, and for an unguarded moment a smile of &ure -oy
crossed his face, lighting it u& and altering his a&&earance drastically. 2onathan $as
:66
ama0ed. "hat must %e $hat 9aria DeLuca sees $hen she loo#s at him. .ur&risingly,
the man actually $as ;uite attracti!e.
<"han#s.> 9ichael mo!ed to the door determined to get out this time. +ll the
chit chat $as gi!ing him a headache, and the lateness of time meant he should go
home for lunch and feed 9aria. 1ut it $as his turn for a &arting shot, and a little
ta%le(turning. <1y the $ay, don,t %e such a &ric#, 2onathan. 3all my &artner and
than# him for the date on .aturday. t,s -ust &athetic to see him $aiting for the
&hone to ring.> 9ichael $al#ed out, lea!ing a silent 2onathan $atching him lea!e.
Reaching %ehind him, he &ic#ed u& the &hone and called 9ax,s cell &hone.
???
9aria $as still in %ed $atching 9ichael get dressed again. *e had a$a#ened
her at four in the morning, and he then sho$ed u& -ust %efore noon. 9aria $as
seeing an eight hour feeding and sex cycle. "he man $as too determined. "hat
meant nothing until eight that night.
< sus&ect, Detecti!e that you,re trying to 'manage' me.> 9aria loo#ed at him
$ith a dee& sigh. <Do you really thin# you can #ee& me on a regular schedule4>
< $as ho&ing to try.> 9ichael leaned across the %ed and #issed her again
%efore going do$nstairs and ransac#ing the #itchen for food. <"hin# you can do me
a fa!or and order food or something %efore get home4 ,m famished.>
<Drained4>
<=eah, a little di00y actually.> 9aria sat u&. "he morning sic#ness $as %etter
$ith the hel& of the drugs, and so far exce&t for some ;ueasiness, e!erything $as
loo#ing %etter.
<*o$ di00y, 9ichael4>
:61
<2ust a little, nothing really.>
9aria sat u& in %ed and fro$ned. .he $anted to #ee& her head %uried on this
su%-ect, %ut not if he started to suffer for it.
<9ichael, can,t ha!e you harmed. don,t...>
9ichael &ulled her close and #issed her hard. <t,s nothing. -ust need food.>
9aria stro#ed his face and nodded. *e did loo# thin and slightly &ale. "hey
$eren,t going to ma#e it. 9ichael sa$ her &ut her hand on her stomach and he
moaned.
<Don,t $orry. )e,ll figure it out, o#ay4> 9ichael stood u& and started for the
stairs. <3ome eat $ith me %efore ha!e to go.> 9aria gra%%ed one of his shirts off
the floor and follo$ed him.
"hey $ere eating $hen she as#ed him a%out his day. *e told her a%out all the
$or# they $ere doing on trying to find all the !ictims and getting them identified.
<.o $here $as the Dum&4> 9ichael $as startled. *e hadn,t told her. *e too#
the information and $ent, and then later they $ere too %usy to tal# a%out details.
<"he old ;uarry. 1ehind the current one, %ut much older.>
< #no$ that &lace.> 9aria tore off a &iece of her sand$ich and dun#ed it a
mixture of coc#tail sauce, horseradish, and "a%asco. 9ichael $inced at the
sand$ich she $as eating. t $as lefto!er &rime ri% on 'rench roll, $ith shrim&,
some #ind of %leu cheese and s&inach. .he cleaned out the hollandaise sauce and
$as using this ne$ s&ecial %lend. )hat %othered him most $as he $anted a %ite. t
loo#ed horri%le, %ut it made his mouth $ater. Loo#ing at her, actually, she made his
mouth $ater. Literally.
9aria $as ;uiet. .he had her Professor face on. *er I,!e got an idea, loo#. *e
-ust #e&t eating his sim&le sand$ich of &rime ri% on the 'rench roll. 'inally gi!ing
:62
u&, he reached o!er and too# a %ite out of her sand$ich. *e hated his life at the
moment, %ecause that strange sand$ich actually hit the s&ot.
<"he Dum&, $here is it situated in relation to the $aterta%le flo$4> 9aria,s $as
che$ing on the ti& of a nail.
9ichael -ust shrugged and stole half of her sand$ich. < don,t #no$.>
< $as -ust &ondering, honey. 8ot really as#ing.>
<:ood, %ecause still don,t #no$.> 9ichael ignored her loo# of irritation $hen
she noticed the other half of her sand$ich $as missing. :etting more %read, she
started %uilding another one.
< $ould need a to&ogra&hical ma& and the geogra&hical $atershed schedules
to %e certain. 1ut if my hunch is correct, your #iller is selecting classical dum&ing
sites.>
<3lassical4 don,t understand. =ou mean old dum& sites used %efore4>
<8o. 3lassical in the sense that in the study of ancient societies and their
cultural &atterns, there are s&ecial settlement &atterns that are follo$ed. t is
almost u%i;uitous cross(culturally. "he settlement &atterns sho$ the arrangement
of cities, to$ns, and !illages in area that are easy to defend, good access to $ater
and game, and a !ery set &attern $here the dum&ing of $aste. "here,s a reason
that in some cultures that cities are %uilt on the ruins of older cities and so on. t
$as the %est location, $ith the %est ad!antage.>
</#ay, #no$ you ha!e a &oint. =ou al$ays ha!e a &oint.>
< %et you a side of %eef $ith your fa!orite %a#ed &armesan &otatoes that if
you chec# the to&ogra&hical and $aterta%le flo$ ma&s that the Dum& is situated in
a do$nstream flo$ from Ros$ell.>
:67
<9aria.> 9ichael said $ith a $arning in his !oice. Lecturing he could handle,
%ut &artial long($inded ex&lanation $hen he $as on a timeta%le had to %e
curtailed.
<6arly societies #ne$ %etter than to dum& their $aste in an area that $ould
see& into the earth and contaminate their o$n drin#ing $ater or fresh su&&ly. .o
idealistically the $aste dum&s $here situated on the outs#irts in area that leached
into do$nstream flo$s a$ay from that of the community.>
<+nd that tells us that...>
<*e #no$s ho$ things $or#. "hat he li!es and drin#s in Ros$ell, and #no$s
that anything contaminating the drin#ing $ater $ould %e in!estigated sooner or
later and lea!e his dum& o&en to disco!ery.> 9aria finished ma#ing her sand$ich
and cut it in half, &utting half on his &late. <2ust get the ma&s from the 3ity
Planner,s /ffice do$nto$n, and then you,ll #no$.>
</#ay, that,s something guess.>
</h, another thing...>
9ichael &ic#ed u& his sand$ich %ut sto&&ed %efore ta#ing %ite. "i&&ing his
head he $aited for 9aria to continue. <=eah4 Professor4>
<=our first #no$n !ictim4 2udy4>
<2anet.> "he door%ell rang.
<Right.> 9aria stood u& and $ent to ans$er it %efore 9ichael could sto& her.
<=our #iller #ne$ her, and she #ne$ him.> 9aria &ulled the door o&en %efore 9ichael
could &rotest. <sa%el5>
9aria stood there staring at sa%el 6!ans smiling on her doorste& and holding
a large card%oard tu%e. <9aria, #no$ you,re home alone, so thought you could
use some com&any and %rought loft &lans5> sa%el,s chee#y smile $as a sight to
see, %ut o%!iously 9ichael didn,t care and 9aria -ust felt tre&idation.
:68
9aria stood aside to let sa%el into the loft, $hen 9ichael came u& and
interru&ted the t$o from tal#ing.
<)hat do you mean he #ne$ her4>
<.he $as the first %ody he dum&ed, %ut e!en then, the time %et$een her %ody
and the second one suggests that he ta#es his time to find and stal# his !ictim. *e
slo$ly mo!ed into their field to not frighten or alarm them, and then he too# them.
s that not correct4>
<=es.> 9ichael fro$ned, thin#ing.
<.omething ha&&ened $ith 2anet, or &erha&s had ha&&ened in his life $hen he
too# 2anet. *e $as calm and collected. *e had his &ri0e, %ut then he noticed the
%lemish on her thigh...>
<*e $as u&set.>
<8o, more than li#ely he $as u&set %efore that, $ith something in his real life,
and I&rocessing, 2anet, $ho for all &ractical &ur&oses a&&eared &erfect calmed him.
"hat glaring im&erfection must ha!e enraged him, %ut he controlled it.>
<7ntil he gets to the dum&...>
<)hich is too full, too many %odies, %ecause the locals found it too. "hey
aren,t so I&ersnic#ety, in detail and care.>
<"he im&erfect used and filled his I&erfect, dum& site.>
<+ ne$ one $ould re;uire mo!ing further out of Ros$ell, tangential to the
$ater flo$ of the underground su%terranean ri!ers.>
<"o #ee& from contaminating the $ater su&&ly of his o$n home.>
<3orrect.>
9ichael thought a%out 9aria,s theory. <)hy did he ha!e to #no$ her4>
<1ecause of something :erald "iny said to me on 'riday $hen he came to
!isit...>
:69
<Dic#less !isited you4>
9aria -ust nodded and then shrugged it off. <=eah, %ut he,s %een &ursuing me
since this case started, as#ing me ;uestions, $anting to #no$ ho$ it $as going.
*e,s %een a real %ug.>
<nteresting. )hat,s his interest really, Professor4>
sa%el $atched them. "his $as interesting. t $as li#e they $ere feeding each
other information and clues, li#e they $ere sharing a &u00le and struggling to find
all the &ieces and &ut them together. +nd their mental connection $as ama0ing to
%ehold.
<*e said that losing 2anet de!astated him. "hat she $as such a good student
and instructor, and that he couldn,t %elie!e that she $ould e!er find herself such in
a situation $here she'd %e ta#en.> 9aria mo!ed into the #itchen and indicated for
sa%el to sit at the %ar, $hile she made herself a drin# and &assed sa%el a %ottled
$ater.
<1ecause she $as so isolated4>
<.omething li#e that. thin# it,s %ecause she didn,t really sociali0e much, and
then the one night she goes out to a clu% $ith her housemates, this ha&&ens to her.
Personality %eing a clue, one $ould thin# that 2anet $as cautious, hard to $arm u&
to &eo&le, almost reser!ed as she assessed their I$orth, or social standing. Peo&le
from higher classes tend to use the 6nglish language correctly, or at least %etter
than others $ith alterations indicati!e of ethnic %ac#ground and en!ironment. 1ut
&eo&le $ho really care a%out language $ith a o!er$helming com&ulsion, usually
come from a lo$er social and economic %ac#ground and their o%sessi!e need to %e
correct is %ecause they are out of &lace or trying to a&&ear that they fit into a social
or economic class not their o$n. "hey tend to o!ercom&ensate. 1eing correct is
their $ay to %e at the Ito&, of $hate!er their social class is, almost li#e a Ilofty,
:6:
greater than thou, mentality $ith the floundering lesser &eo&le $ho -ust can,t gras&
the 6nglish language %elo$ them. "he times this trait exists in &eo&le of %oth
u&&er(middle and u&&er classes is usually $hen associated $ith a condescending
demeanor %ordering on &ure nastiness, almost li#e %ullies in school. t reaffirms
$hat they consider as their su&eriority.>
sa%el grimaced. <)hat a fun and interesting &erson. ,d $al# the other $ay
and #ee& $al#ing.> 9ichael -ust nodded his agreement. *is usage of the 6nglish
language $as riddled in colorful ex&ressions and he could care less $hat mista#es
he made, since &eo&le seemed to ha!e no trou%le understanding $hat he $as
saying.
<.o you,re saying that if he $as loo#ing at the image 2anet ga!e off, it $as an
air of &erfection, li#e she $as &ac#aging and &resenting herself to the $ord as...>
<Perfect. 3orrect. +nd that night, $hile hunting she $as there. .he $as alone,
deserted %y her housemates $ho fled from her I&erfection, see#ing com&any among
the lesser %eings and lea!ing her un&rotected.>
<)hich $ouldn,t ha!e mattered, not really, exce&t the #iller sa$ her and in a
short s&ace of time, he &assed all her re;uirements and $as a%le to drug her and
remo!e her unseen.> 9ichael could see the scene unfold in his mind. "he #iller sees
a &ri0e he had o%ser!ed from some time. + $oman that &romoted her o$n
&erfection, ne!er demonstrating any out$ard signs of a single %lemish. *er s&eech
&attern, diction and tenacious attention to detail that re&ulsed others, attracted
him.
9aria nodded. <1ut that's the &oint, Detecti!e. ,m contending that there
$asn,t enough time for the #iller to &ass all of 2anet,s re;uirements, unless...>
<.he #ne$ him. /r #ne$ of him, and he $as a &erson she felt no need to fear.>
:67
9aria nodded again. *e $as getting it. "he #iller too# time to stal# the !ictims
li#e Krystal, the ones he didn't #no$ or $ho didn't #no$ him. +t least he did until
something ha&&ened and he lost his caution and s&ed u& the &rocess, %ut in truth
2anet and Krystal $ere the last !ictims that he too# in his original slo$ method. "he
2a&anese man $as ne!er reco!ered, and the last !ictim he tossed at the PD $as a
challenge. *e $as angry, unhinged and in!iting the 'fla$ed &olice' to catch him.
6!ery time he $al#ed among them, close to them, he $as gi!en a %urst of &o$er or
a self(righteous thrill, &ro%a%ly the $ay the 2anet com%ed o!er her students,
essays, en-oying all the red mar#s as she corrected their mista#es, feeling all the
more su&erior. "he $ay she en-oyed ranting a%out it to those $ho $ould listen,
demeaning her students' efforts in the attem&t to raise her o$n self(im&ortance and
su&eriority.
*e $as someone they should #no$, %ut they didn,t. 1ut he #ne$ them, and
e!ery time he eluded them it s$eetened his !ictory, made the game a little more
fascinating and reaffirmed his o$n self(image of su&eriority.
<.o, he must ha!e #no$n 2anet as she #ne$ him.>
<*o$ do you come to co!et something4> 9aria as#ed. <=ou learn to co!et it %y
seeing it e!ery day.>
9ichael $as silent as he slo$ly %uilt the &icture of the #iller in his mind. "he
need for &erfection and correctness, access to materials such as those used %y
entomologists and taxidermists. t had to ta#e a large amount of materials to
&rocess a human %ody, so the #iller $ould need access to su&&lies that $ouldn,t
re;uire him to order it for himself. *e $ould %e educated enough to understand
settlement &atterns and the conce&t of the hunt among &rimiti!e tri%es, or at least
in the animal $orld. *e $as so educated on the &ractices that he de!elo&ed and
instinct for it, either natural or culti!ated. *e had to %e young enough to mo!e in
:64
the clu% scene unnoticed. =oung enough or at that age %et$een old age and youth
$here $ith a slight alteration in mental attitude he could at one time a&&ear older
and stand(offish, and at another loose and social. *e $ould understand social
grou&s, different factions of society and $ould %e a%le to sha&e himself into $hat
they acce&ted. *e $ould ha!e to %e a human chameleon.
9ichael fro$ned as a list of &ossi%ilities and &eo&le came to mind. Kissing
9aria ;uic#ly and $a!ing to sa%el, he headed for the door. *is hour off $as
already hitting the three(hour mar# and time $as a'$asting. *e needed to get %ac#
and feed his thoughts to 9ax, so 9ax could hel& him see the %igger &icture. 9aria
did that to some extent, %ut 9ax $as a master at nuances of o%ser!ation.
<"han#s, Professor.> 9ichael gra%%ed 9aria close and #issed her. .till holding
her he loo#ed at his sister and her o!erly &er#y smile and %ecame sus&icious.
<sa%el, you,re not to tire her out. .he needs a na& soon, so...>
< #no$. Don,t $orry, ,m not going to &lay $ith your toy and %rea# it.> 9aria
chuc#led at sa%el,s comment as 9ichael -ust snarled.
9ichael chose to ignore her and loo#ed %ac# at 9aria. .he loo#ed good (
healthy and almost glo$ing. Kissing her again %efore releasing her, he headed for
the door %efore turning %ac# one more time.
< need you to come $ith me tonight to the clu%, Professor.>
<Really4> 9aria,s entire %ody s&ar#ed $ith enthusiasm and interest. *e $as
going to let her hel& $ith the #iller, $or# the angles, re!ie$ the facts, create
&ossi%le scenarios, and...
<=eah, you need to eat at eight and $on,t %e a%le to lea!e.>
9aria,s enthusiasm too# a nosedi!e at his $ords, and she %ecame surly. *e
$as doing it again, and her sus&icion $as that %efore long it $ould %ecome his
nature and no longer -ust a ne$ ha%it. *e $as 'managing' her.
:65
<)hat if ,m not hungry at eight4 *uh, $hat then4> 9ichael loo#ed %ac# at her
and returned to her side. .he $as in a snit and he li#ed the fire it ga!e her eyes.
sa%el $atched as her %rother #issed 9aria, and then again, and then the #iss
altered and %ecame more intense. sa%el s;uirmed in her seat, %ut had enough
$hen she noticed his hand mo!ing lo$er on 9aria to$ards the hem of her shirt she
$as $earing. 2um&ing u&, sa%el sto&&ed them.
<)hoa, enough5 1ac# off, 9ichael and go to $or#5 .hoo5> sa%el $as a little
red in the face as 9ichael finally mo!ed a$ay, and 9aria -ust loo#ed at him da0ed.
<,ll %e %ac# %y four(thirty or fi!e.> "hey $atched him lea!e.
<2esus5 Dammit 9aria, the t$o of you should %e #inder to us single &eo&le $ho
-ust can,t run out and find someone to -um&. ,m a reco!ering a%user. "his is hard
on my thera&y.>
9aria cleared her throat. <.orry a%out that. :uess ,m going to 3lu% *ell
tonight.> 9aria sus&ected that she $as going to find herself loc#ed in +lex,s small
office $ith food and %oo#s.
< $ant to come5> .he could tal# Par#er into it and they could go sit at the %ar,
eat &eanuts and $atch the action.
<sa%el...> 9aria started to $arn.
< #no$. 1oth 9ax and 9ichael $ould ha!e a fit, and .ean $ould %e %itingly
sarcastic.> sa%el sa$ 9aria,s $orried fro$n. <,m not going. can,t. &romised +lex
that $ould stay a$ay until this is o!er, and can,t afford to ma#e his life harder
than it is right no$. *e,s %rea#a%le.>
<+lex4> 9aria,s mouth curled u& at the edges. <Really4 =ou and +lex
)hitman4>
<t,s com&licated.>
:16
<t usually is. )o$, he,s...he,s magnificent. "all and lan#y, dar# and serious,
$ith that t$in#le in his eyes that loo#s li#e mischief, and all those tattoos and
&iercings. thought sa$ a ni&&le ring.>
<=ou did.> sa%el loo#ed at 9aria not in the least %it sur&rised. Did these
DeLucas #no$ e!eryone4 <=ou #no$ +lex4>
<9et him last night. *e loo#ed interesting and intense.>
sa%el laughed. <=ou ha!e no idea.>
< can imagine.>
sa%el loo#ed at 9aria and smiled e!en %igger and cheesier. <)ell, thin# you
need a distraction from all this murder stuff. )e %oth do. +nd luc#y for you5
%rought loft &lans.> 9aria loo#ed at sa%el,s intense &lanning(face and felt a lic# of
fear, the one she usually associated $ith her mother.
???
9ichael made it %ac# to the $arehouse to find the others still $or#ing $ith
.imon,s cre$. 9ax nodded at him $hen he entered, and 9ichael $ent o!er to tal#
to .imon. 9ichael &assed off the information and the 'oundation's card to .imon
and then $ent to meet u& $ith his &artner.
Li0 Par#er $as &art of the cre$. .he and her la% &eo&le $here still ta#ing
sam&les. 9ichael $atched her for a second and noticed ho$ shuttered her face $as,
ho$ much she $as trying not to let it all %other her.
<Par#er.>
<:uerin.> 9ichael smiled at her tone. .he $asn,t such a shrin#ing mouse
anymore . .ome things did get %etter.
<*o$ you holding u&4 =ou solid4>
:11
<,m solid.> Li0 ac#no$ledged. .he couldn't and $ouldn,t colla&se under the
horror.
<:ood.> 9ichael started to mo!e a$ay, %ut changed his mind. < -ust left the
loft. sa%el had -ust sho$n u& $ith loft &lans.>
Li0 actually laughed at that. /h god, sa!e 9aria from sa%el. <Poor 9aria.
sa%el is li#e a one($oman crusade. argued $ith her for three hours o!er
a&&liance &lacement.> Li0 loo#ed at 9ichael $ith a t$in#le in her eyes. < $on.>
9ichael actually smir#ed at that. <,m im&ressed, Par#er. 1eating the
/rgani0ational 8a0i is a feat untold %y many strong men.>
</h, reali0e that, so sa!ored my !ictory %ecause ha!e a feeling another
one $ill %e long in coming.>
9ichael -ust nodded and mo!ed a$ay, lea!ing a sur&rised Li0 %ehind to
continue $or#ing. 9ichael acting social4 t $as strange that she had finally found a
sort of $or#ing relationshi& $ith him and e!en a social one through 9aria, %ut it
$as still rare for him to sto& and %e #ind. *e too# some of the hea!y horror of her
-o% off for -ust a second. Loo#ing at the tas#s still needing to %e accom&lished, she
too# a dee& rene$ing %reath and $ent %ac# to $or#.
9ichael sent Kyle and .ean to the 3ity Planner,s /ffice, $hile he and 9ax $ent
to the 7ni!ersity. t too# them o!er an hour to find the &rofessor $ho $as in charge
of the Koology De&artment $ithin the 1iology De&artment.
"hey s&ent some time $ith him and his secretary com&aring the order forms
for su&&lies in the De&artment. 9ax $atched the num%er $hile 9ichael tended to
drift in the %oredom of it.
<)hat are these amounts here4> 9ax &ointed to a column of num%ers.
Professor Richards and his secretary, Lisa %oth loo#ed closer.
:12
<"hose are sign(out amounts of materials lent to other De&artments. )e %uy
materials in %ul# $hich gi!es us a !olume discount, then $e let other De&artments
%uy from us at cost.>
9ichael suddenly too# interest. <)hich De&artments4>
<9ostly entomology and anthro&ology. "he +nthro&ology De&artment,s
amount has increased $ith the o&ening of the museum. "he &aleo(anthro&ologists
ha!e %een using the s&ecial latex foam to re%uild models and to scale re&licas of
earlier hominids. "hat &ro-ect started o!er ten years ago, and most of the $or# is
found in the museum no$. "he entomologists don,t use that much, so they only
re;uest these su&&lies e!ery fe$ months. "heir s&ecimens are small and a little can
last them a long time.>
9ax loo#ed at the Professor. <)ho has access to your su&&lies4>
<"he students, %ut they need to get it from the "+ or the graduate students.
1asically anyone $ho needs some can get some, %ut $e're trying to discourage
$aste.> "he man scratched his head. <"he storeroom loc#s can %e o&ened %y any
#ey in the De&artment, %y the "+,s and graduate students in the De&artment, Lisa,
and myself.>
"hey stayed and tal#ed to the Professor for a little $hile longer getting a list of
contact &eo&le in the !arious de&artments $ho %ought the su&&lies from Koology.
<nstead of narro$ing a field of sus&ects, it seems $e're increasing it,> 9ax
said loo#ing at the list.
<6liminate unli#elies. "he drama de&artments and such. "hey $ouldn,t ha!e
s&ecial #no$ledge of settlement &atterns, and they $ouldn't #no$ ho$ to ma#e
their o$n s&ecial %ug -uice shellac.>
:17
<"rue. "hat still lea!es the field o&en to Professors, "+,s and graduate students
in the +nthro&ology, :eology, 1iology and +rchaeology De&artments. "hose are
huge de&artments.>
<"he 1ug :uys ha!e the ex&ertise and #no$(ho$, access to the materials, and
an annoying &recision to their $or# ( all neat and orderly.>
9ax laughed at that. <+nnoying4 8ot all &eo&le create mayhem and
destruction in the course of their day at $or#, 9ichael.>
9ichael -ust shrugged. <=eah, and ho$ %oring is that4>
<)ho $e going to see4> 9ax as#ed as they crossed o!er to the +nthro&ology
1uilding.
<Price.>
</h5 "his day -ust gets %etter and %etter.>
<,m saying...>
Price $as in class, so 9ichael and 9ax $aited in his office. t $as neat and
meticulous $ith his framed di&lomas on the $all, !ery fe$ &ersonal &ictures and a
fe$ a$ards and tro&hies. 9ichael &ic#ed u& a tro&hy and read the inscri&tion as the
door o&ened. *e ;uic#ly re&laced it as the man entered the room, and 9ichael
stood u&right increasing his frame to its full stature. 9ax $as amused %y the
difference %et$een the t$o men in height and demeanor. 9ichael $as %eing his
usual o!er$helming self.
<Detecti!es4 ,m sorry to #ee& you $aiting.> Price rounded his des# and loo#ed
at the t$o detecti!es that ;uestioned him a year ago o!er the museum murders. <
ho&e 9aria is feeling %etter4>
<.he,s fine.> 9ichael said a%ru&tly and Price -ust nodded.
<.o ho$ can assist you4>
:18
9ichael $ent silent as 9ax started to tal#, outlining $hat they needed to #no$
and all the information they needed. Price as#ed his secretary to %ring in a fe$
files, and 9ichael $asn,t sur&rised to see the neat recording of information in tiny
little columns.
<"he hominid study and recreation of &rogenitor s&ecies is an ongoing study.
3urrently they are $or#ing on recreating the Pe#ing 6m&eror,s +rmy for a full
dis&lay, so %elie!e our order has increased o!er this last year. )ith the amounts
the museum has %een using, ,m considering ordering directly. 3urrently all the
ordering should come through Professor DeLuca,s museum, %ut the +nthro&ology
De&artment is still doing it until the museum is more esta%lished.>
9ax nodded and as#ed, <)here are the su&&lies #e&t4>
Price thought a%out it for a moment. <)e use to ha!e a storeroom here, %ut
after the museum o&ened u& the research la%s, all the su&&lies $ere transferred
there to the %asement la% areas.> Price stood u& and called his secretary to let her
#no$ that he $ould %e out of his office and at the museum. 9ax and 9ichael
follo$ed him out a %ac# door in his office, do$n a flight of %ac# stairs and outside
to cross o!er to the 9useum. "hey entered through a s&ecial side door using a #ey
that Price had, and $ent do$n a short flight of stairs to the %asement la%s.
6ddie and a fe$ other graduate students $ere $or#ing on &ro-ects $hen they
entered. Price loo#ed around for someone and excused himself $hile he tried to
locate Professor 3oo&er $ho ran the la%s. )hen Price came %ac# $ith 3oo&er, he
excused himself and headed %ac# to his office.
<Professor4> Price turned to 9ichael. <Did you #no$ 2anet .eers4>
Price fro$ned. <.he,s the graduate student that died recently4> 9ichael
nodded. <Pro%a%ly. 9ay%e at a fe$ faculty functions and she $as in a fe$ classes of
mine. 9ostly sur!ey ones, %ut there is a lot of %leedo!er from the different
:19
de&artments, es&ecially *istory, 6nglish and +nthro&ology. 1et$een the inter(
disci&linary studies and cross ma-ors, the students are &retty &rominent in all the
de&artments.>
<+nd 2anet .eers4>
Price fro$ned again. <"he other graduate students could &ro%a%ly tell you
more. remem%er her %eing !ery methodical in her $or#, al$ays &unctual and
neat, %ut her &ersonally4 ,m sorry.> Price -ust shoo# his head. <,d need to see a
&icture or something.>
9ax and 9ichael $atched the man lea!e and then ;uestioned Professor
3oo&er a%out the latex material and other &rocesses used in the la%. t $as a long
fe$ hours and 6ddie $al#ed them through all the details, and they retained the
&a&er$or# of amount used, amounts ordered and remaining amounts of material.
+t first glance it a&&eared that e!erything $as accounted for, %ut finally Professor
3oo&er shed some light on a discre&ancy.
<"he *ominid study $as com&leted years ago. Professor Price is incorrect in
assuming that it,s still ongoing. 3urrently $e're creating a life(si0e dis&lay of the
Pe#ing +rmy, %ut that $as -ust %egun recently.>
9ax fro$ned loo#ing at the num%ers and amounts. <"han $hy all the
materials4>
3oo&er fro$ned and loo#ed at the amounts. <"his has to %e $rong. )e hardly
use half this much in a month. Recently it has increased as mentioned %ecause of
this ne$ &ro-ect, and last month $e actually ran out and had to order more from
Koology.> Professor 3oo&er sat do$n and fli&&ed through the order forms. <.trange.
,ll ha!e to as# around and chec# deli!ery forms and $ho recei!es the materials.>
3oo&er laughed and shoo# his head. <8o $onder Professor Price ga!e us a lecture
on unnecessary $aste in our staff meeting, and tightening our %elts. "he cost for
:1:
this stuff isn,t chea&, and if half of it is %eing $asted or lost some$here, $e,re
tal#ing a%out some extreme $aste.>
t $as getting close to 3lu% time %y the time 9ax and 9ichael arranged to
meet %oth Kyle and .ean at the loft. "hey had finally o%tained all the aerial and
$ater ma&s of the Ros$ell Juadrangle. 9ichael ;uic#ly called in his location and the
results of his team to their re&lacement 3a&tain. "hey $ere on the hunt that night.
9aria $as in her element $ith all the ma&s. .he had them laid out on the
dining room ta%le, and $as mar#ing s&ots on them. 9ichael $atched at the &ure
sim&licity of it. .he had %een right. "he Dum& $as situated on the &eri&hery, so as
to lead any see&age into the ground $ater a$ay from Ros$ell and into the dessert
through dee& su%terranean ri!ers.
9ichael and the others $ere eating as 9aria mar#ed the ma& for other Dum&
&ossi%ilities $ithin the Ros$ell Juadrangle. +nd 9ax stood next to her ;uietly
as#ing ;uestion after ;uestion, until he loo#ed at 9ichael. "hey $ould ha!e to
chec# out the other &ossi%ilities. "hey might ha!e yet another Dum& that had %een
used %efore this one. +ll the Dum&s $ere angling to$ards the reser!ation.
)hile the men tal#ed, 9aria mo!ed around the loft &ac#ing u& su&&lies she
$ould need during the e!ening, including extra food. .he had e!ery intention of
ordering ta#eout later, %ut until then she needed snac#s. 9ichael $as loo#ing too
thin, and she $orried that she and the %a%y $ere draining him too much.
???
+lex sat %ac# in amusement and $atched the :uerins ha!e a running
argument. 9ichael $anted 9aria loc#ed a$ay safe in the %ac# room, and 9aria
argued that she $as safe in the room $ith him. t $ent on for a$hile until they
:17
com&romised $ith her staying $ith them until it $as time for her to eat, and then
she needed to ta#e a na& and rest. +lex loo#ed do$n and snic#ered at the loo# of
exas&eration entering her eyes. "his $as going to %e one hell of a long &regnancy
%y the loo#s of it.
3hildren. *e had ne!er thought a%out it, or them. "hey -ust seemed li#e
another thing that made a &erson !ulnera%le. .omething that could tear a &erson,s
soul to shreds $hen they died. +nd they $ould die, %ecause e!erything did.
"he night had an air of antici&ation in it. 9ax, Kyle, .ean and *anson mo!ed
through the cro$d intermingling, and #ee&ing an eye on each other. +lex mo!ed in
and out, %ehind the %ar, onto the floor and %ac# again. *e $as li#e a li!e $ire, hot
and deadly searching the field. 9ichael #ne$ that another death in +lex,s clu%
$ould destroy him. *e had o&ened the doors there%y ma#ing his &eo&le the target.
9ax came %ac# and sat do$n in a chair. 9aria $as slee&ing in the %ac# room.
.he ate three orders of ta#eout 3hinese, dran# some of 9ichael,s %lood, and had
en-oyed a%out forty(fi!e minutes of raging sex. 9ichael left her slee&ing in &eace
and $ent %ac# to $or#. "hey $ere going to ha!e to find a real ex&lanation or
solution soon, %ut until then this $as #ee&ing her healthy.
<6ddie,s in the house.> 9ax said ;uietly. 9ichael loo#ed o!er at the &icture that
the camera sho$ed. 6ddie.
<*e,s a local %oy. Li!ed here all his life, %ut since he $as sixteen he's ta#en
tri&s out of state &artici&ating in archaeological digs. 9aria said that he -ust lost a
&osition he $anted more than anything so he could stay in this regent. t,s the
%iggest site in the state and he lost it to another graduate student $ho $asn,t
deser!ing.>
:14
9ichael loo#ed at the monitor and follo$ed 6ddie. *e came $ith a small
handful of students, many of $hom 9ichael recogni0ed as graduate students from
the +nthro&ology De&artment.
<*e,s the one that told 9aria a%out the %ug collecting and directed her to$ards
the 1ug :uys. *e,s athletic and strong.>
<"oo young, 9ichael.>
<Perha&s.> 9ichael thought a%out it. <1ut he $ould ha!e #no$n 2anet .eers.>
9ax -ust nodded. <"he 1ug :uys are a &ossi%ility.> "hey had seen them earlier
that day. <=ou notice the cuts on their hands. "hey could ha!e gone through the
glass, and they,re field ex&erts so they ha!e to %e fit in some sense.>
9ichael thought a%out it. <"hey're scientific, methodical, collectors and they
ha!e access to the material needed to do the -o%. 1ut the %ro#en glass at the
$arehouse that day had no %lood on it. "he &ane $as %ro#en, %ut that doesn,t
mean the #iller cut himself, not if he $as using his hand $ra&&ed in a -ac#et or
some material.> 9ichael &ic#ed u& more &ictures coming out of the &rinter. <"hey're
the right age and ha!e all the ex&ertise and years of ex&erience, and they
understand animal %eha!ior %eing a su%(s&ecialty of the 1iology De&artment. 1ut
don,t feel any distur%ing !i%es from them. 9aria thin#s they,re s$eet, and she has
good instincts.>
9ax nodded. 9aria did ha!e good instincts, %ut this $as no ordinary #iller. *e
$as a socio&ath $ith the a%ility to hide and melt into the %ac#ground. t could %e
anyone. 9ax loo#ed at the monitor and s$ore under his %reath. t could %e
2onathan. .ona%han.
"he man in ;uestion -ust entered the clu% and he $as tal#ing to the %ouncer
and doorman. Dammit, $hat $as he doing here4
<2onathan,s here.> 9ichael loo#ed at his &artner,s $orried face.
:15
<*e came to see +lex, 9ax$ell. t doesn,t ha!e to %e him...>
<*e,s &o$erful, methodical, demands &erfection in his life. $as in his house.
*e has a do$nstairs room that holds his Icollection, $hich he $ouldn,t let me see.
*e's $ealthy, o$ns the &ro&erties next to him and he can afford to house a real
collection. *e,s &hysically fit and ca&a%le, and he,s a mem%er of the 7ni!ersity's
1oard of "rustees. *e has access to the cam&us and the 9useum as a ma-or
contri%utor, %oth &ersonally and as the acting 36/ of the 'oundation.>
<9ax$ell, don,t go off the dee& end. 9any &eo&le can fit the &rofile. *e has no
connection $ith 2anet .eers that $e #no$ of, and there,s nothing in his life that,s
$rong. *is life is damn near &erfect and that doesn,t gi!e him a reason to go &ostal
and lose control. "he man is too fuc#ing controlled, too on to& of things and his
eyes are dar# and indeci&hera%le, %ut it doesn,t ma#e him %he 6ne.> 9ichael didn,t
li#e 2onathan, %ut he also didn,t $ant his &artner hurt.
<.ean sle&t $ith the enemy last time. 9ay%e it,s my turn4> 9ax loo#ed at the
monitor as a man $a!ed 2onathan through the clu%. <*e,s &erfect.>
<*e,s a coc#(suc#ing &ric# $ith too much &o$er and a distur%ing a%ility to
in!ade my life, %ut he,s %een loo#ing for +lex all day, and he,s &ro%a%ly here to
finally tal# to him. 2onathan is too noticea%le. Peo&le don,t o!erloo# him often, and
most &eo&le $ho meet him #no$ immediately that he,s there. *e couldn,t fade in
the %ac#ground if he tried. *e li#es %eing u& front and in the limelight too much.>
9ichael -ust cursed his luc#. 8o$ he $as defending 2onathan .tiller.
<*e goes on the list.> 9ax !oice $as lo$, %ut serious. 9ichael nodded. "hey
$ere slo$ly de!ising their to& list of most li#ely sus&ects. f nothing came out of
tonight, they $ould start in!estigating and ta#ing closer loo#s into their list in the
morning. 9ax had to as#. <)hat does he $ant $ith )hitman4>
:26
9ichael -ust shrugged. <*e $ants him of the %oard of the 'oundation. "he seat
that Price $anted.>
9ax felt relie!ed and a little &issed that he had let +lex &ush his %uttons and
tease him o!er 2onathan. Price, no$ that $as a &ossi%ility.
<Price.> 1oth 9ichael and 9ax said at the same time.
9ichael li#ed that thought. *e hated the man. *ated ho$ he treated 9aria,
and ho$ he suddenly did an a%outface $hen he learned of her connections. *e lost
his a&&ointment to the 'oundation $ee#s ago and s&ent the remainder of the time
trying to achie!e it any$ay. *e $as a &erfectionist, methodical, demanding and
inflexi%le. *e had access to the materials and #ne$ 2anet .eers enough to
comment on her %eing &recise and &unctual. 9ichael had loo#ed at the tro&hy he
$on for a marathon. *e $as the right age ( e!en though he acted older, he $as still
only thirty(se!en. *e li!ed in Ros$ell and $as a De&artmental 3hair. *e #ne$
cultures. Kne$ ho$ men li!ed, ho$ they hunted and gathered and he $as in a
De&artment $here #no$ing a%out ho$ to ma#e a shellac from %eetles in 9exico
$as a real &ossi%ility. /f course, that $as also another stri#e against the 1ug :uys
as $ell, and 6ddie.
<Put Price at the to& of the list. $ant to #no$ $hat his area of ex&ertise is.
)e'll chec# it out in the morning. %et my donuts he s&eciali0es in 9exico or 9eso(
+merica.>
<Detecti!es.> "hey turned to see a smiling 2onathan in the door$ay. 1oth men
loo#ed at each other, and 9ax felt a need to %ac# a$ay from 2onathan, a sense of
reser!e. 2onathan seemed to sense that and he fro$ned.
<+nyone see the elusi!e 9r. )hitman4 left him numerous messages today,
and he didn,t return a single one of them.>
:21
<"hat $as %ecause he didn,t $ant to return them, 9r. .tiller.> 2onathan turned
as +lex entered the room smo#ing his cigarette. < #ne$ you $ould find me here
e!entually. )here else $ould %e4>
<)ell it $or#ed. came.> 2onathan,s eyes narro$ed. +lex sa$ things. *e had
the sight, a touch of the #no$ing. <=ou #no$ $hy came4>
<"he 'oundation. .to& harassing me, and ,ll gi!e it some thought and get
%ac# to you. +fter this is o!er.> +lex $as shoc#ed at ho$ much he $as &utting on
the %ac# %urner %ecause of this murder. 'irst sa%el and no$ this. +lex didn,t $ant
to thin# a%out it or e!en discuss it, so he left the room as a%ru&tly as he had
entered it.
2onathan sat on the corner of the ta%le and loo#ed at %oth 9ichael and 9ax.
"hey $or#ed $ell together. +lmost li#e they al$ays %elonged at each other,s side,
%oth ser!ing a higher &ur&ose.
<.o $hat,s got the t$o of you so ;uiet4 +fraid $as going to #iss 9ax4>
9ax actually turned a little red and cursed his rising color. <8o, it,s -ust...> 9ax
couldn,t continue. )hat if 2onathan $as innocent and learned that he $as a
sus&ect4 1ut $hat if he $as the #iller4
<2onathan, $hat,s your collection at your house4>
2onathan fro$ned at 9ichael,s ;uestion and then suddenly it %ecame clear. .o
that $as the &ro%lem. nteresting.
<9y $ine cellar4 "hat,s $hat really collect since college. 7sed to %uy %y the
case, drin# a fe$ and &ut u& the rest. ha!e a system of color(coding the $ines to
indicate their attri%utes. t,s sort of a ho%%y.> 2onathan loo#ed at the t$o men and
smiled $ith a distincti!e lac# of humor. <8ext ;uestion4>
9ichael ignored 9ax,s &leading loo# to let it dro& at this time. 2onathan,s
attitude $as the one thing that &issed 9ichael off. t $as su&erior, almost teasing.
:22
t $as as if 2onathan #ne$ more a%out them than they #ne$ a%out themsel!es, and
it amused him to no end to $atch them $andering in the dar#. t $as the sheer
smugness of his attitude.
<2anet .eers4 Kno$ her4>
2onathan thought a%out it for a moment, and shoo# his head no. 1ut the name
sounded familiar. <)ait, yes. thin# do. 8ot &ersonally, %ut thin# #no$ of her.
.he $as deserted %y her hus%and $hen they $ere ne$ly$eds. *e left her $ith too
many %ills, and he not only ran off $ith her %est friend, %ut all their sa!ings as $ell.
"he 'oundation ga!e her a second chance scholarshi& to hel& her through school
and get her life %ac# on trac#. "hat $as o!er three years ago. Don,t #no$ that
e!er met her &ersonally, %ut #no$ of her.>
2onathan loo#ed at 9ax and noticed ho$ uncomforta%le he $as. :ood.
<.o this &uts me at the to& of your list of sus&ects, Detecti!es4>
9ichael ignored 9ax. <Right u& there $ith Price.>
2onathan laughed at that. </h, that,s -ust great. .haring exalted com&any $ith
Price. )ell thin# of this, Detecti!es. f $as your >ollec%or, missed a grand
o&&ortunity the other night.> 1oth of them loo#ed confused, $hat $as 2onathan
tal#ing a%out4 <Detecti!e 6!ans is an excellent un%lemished s&ecimen of the male
s&ecies. searched e!ery inch of his %ody and don,t recall a single mar# exce&t
those left. missed an o&&ortunity to Ita#e, him.>
2onathan stood u&, ignoring the increased redness from 9ax and the
narro$ing of 9ichael,s eyes. *e $as through. t $as enough.
< need a drin#.> 2onathan left them and $al#ed out into the %ar and head
straight for the %ar and the first of many drin#s.
<"hat $as...> 9ichael $as cut off %y 9ax.
:27
<Lea!e it, &artner. f he,s innocent, loo# at it from his &osition. )e -ust told
him that he,s a sus&ect and that don,t trust him. "hat,s a hard thing to hear from
someone you -ust sle&t $ith a fe$ days ago.>
<.till, he didn,t ha!e to %e such a &ric# a%out it.>
9ax -ust shrugged. <n his &osition4 $ould,!e %een one.> 9ichael did
ac#no$ledge that if 9aria e!er &ut him in that &osition he $ouldn,t ta#e it so
calmly.
<)hat,s going on4> 9aria as#ed. 9ichael fro$ned $hen 9aria came %ac# into
the room. .he should,!e sle&t longer.
<)e,re short listing sus&ects, and 2onathan is on it.> 9ichael said.
9aria made a face. <Don,t %e ridiculous. 2onathan4 #no$ that he is dee& and
mysterious at times, %ut this4 "oo clandestine for 2onathan. *e,d $ant a %igger,
more interesting game. 2onathan $ouldn,t hide.>
9ichael had to agree $ith 9aria. "hat $as his ta#e on the glory hogging
2onathan .tiller, &aragon of community !irtue. <)ell, he,s here tonight.>
9aria loo#ed at 9ax and fro$ned. *e $as a!oiding her eyes and concentrating
on the monitors. <*ere4 Really4 Does he #no$ that there,s an o&eration going on4>
<*e #no$s. *e sto&&ed in here to ha!e 9ichael do thirty ;uestions,> 9ax said
softly.
</h5 .o he #no$s he,s a &rime sus&ect. .o that means he either left in a huff,
or is out there &lanning on $asting his %rain cells.>
<Last loo#, he $as %ellying u& to the %ar.> 9ichael didn,t #no$ $hy ma#ing
2onathan unha&&y sort of &leased him, so he -ust chal#ed it u& to his usual 'dog in
the manger' attitude. /f course, 9ax,s unha&&iness $as another matter.
:28
<)ell if you,re ma#ing lists, add :erald "iny.> 9aria said sitting on a ta%le $ith
a ta#eout %ox of 3hinese food, eating $ith cho&stic#s. <*e,s sus&icious.> .he
started sorting through the &ictures from the sur!eillance camera, a%sentmindedly.
<*e,s a &er!ert, 9aria. "hat doesn,t ma#e him a sus&ect. 2ust ;uestiona%le.>
9ichael said amused.
<=eah, %ut he #ne$ 2anet. *e #ne$ her enough to %e o!erly curious a%out this
case and stal# me for insider information. *o$ do you #no$ he $asn,t using me to
try to see ho$ close you $ere to him4> 9aria reached o!er for another eggroll and
noticed that someone had eaten all the s$eet and sour sauce. *er eyes narro$ed
at 9ichael. t had to %e him.
<*e doesn,t really fit the &rofile, 9aria.>
<)hy not4 *e,s in the 7ni!ersity system and has access to most de&artments.
*e #ne$ the first !ictim, sho$s u& here that night, and later comes to see me in
the hos&ital. Don,t tell me that the man isn,t $anting something from me. 9ay%e
%eing a &athetic loser and &er!ert is his camouflage4 "hose greedy sausage(fat
fingers meticulously &o#ing at some !ictim. can totally see it.>
9ichael actually didn,t li#e the &icture she $as &ainting. "hat cree& $as
%othering her4 .tal#ing her do$n on cam&us, and later $hen she $as in the
hos&ital all $ea# and defenseless4
<+dd him to the to& of the list too, 9ax$ell. 6!en if he,s not in!ol!ed, $ant to
run a chec# on him and %ring him in for ;uestioning.> 9aria smiled s$eetly at him.
"hat $as her man.
<.o $ho else is on the list4> "hey reluctantly told her, and 9aria made
&rotesting noises. <'irst, &utting 6ddie on the list is -ust stu&id. "he man is a honey,
and $ouldn,t hurt a fly. +nd the 1ug :uys4 Please. :eorge has t$o toy &oodles,
!icious and &am&ered. 2eremy faints at the sight of %lood. 2onathan4 ,m not e!en
:29
going to tal# a%out that. *e $ouldn,t hide for ten years. f it $ere 2onathan, he
$ould ha!e left a huge %ody count in the o&en, tem&ting the &olice and la$
community to catch him. *e doesn,t 'do' small.>
<=ou,re #illing our list, 9aria.> 9ax $as feeling the frustration. "his $as the
closest they had gotten to sol!ing the case or at least ma#e some head$ay, and
9aria $as %rea#ing do$n and clearing their sus&ects left and right. "his man
couldn,t %e that $ell hidden. *e $as li!ing a real life out there.
<Price,> she said.
???
*e $al#ed in the clu%, careful to insinuate himself $ith a grou&. *e $as
$earing a &air of tight, faded %lue -eans and a soft suede shirt that $as $orn at the
el%o$s. *e loo#ed young, a%out may%e t$enty(eight, %elying his more ad!anced
years, %ut trimming off a%out t$enty from his usual a&&earance.
*is hair naturally $anted to curl, so in his normal life, he #e&t it under control
and %rushed it %ac# in a conser!ati!e style, a!oiding all &ossi%le hint of a curl or
co$lic# to mar his a&&earance. "onight he $ashed his hair and let it dry naturally in
the irritating curls, out of control and $ild. 7sing contacts instead of his glasses he
further altered his a&&earance and his clothing didn,t hide his &hysi;ue li#e his
e!eryday clothes did.
Kee&ing his demeanor easy and laid%ac#, insinuating himself $ith a grou&, he
discreetly scanned the room, loo#ing for $hat he $anted ( his target. *e had called
earlier in the day and $as informed of the $herea%outs of his next s&ecimen. /f
course, it +ould %e the hunting ground, right in the heart of the %attlefield.
/ther$ise, it $ouldn,t s$eeten the #ill. *e #e&t his demeanor loose and slightly
:2:
gay, li#e a man on the &ro$l for another man and a ;uic#ie illicit encounter.
.earching the room, he found something interesting, something he $anted. 9a#ing
eye contact $ith the man, almost sending !i%es of t$o men caught in an
im&rom&tu fuc# u& against a $all or in a dar# corner. *e $as careful not to
telegra&h his intent this time, %ut rather -ust the $ant for a for%idden gay
encounter %y forcing his %ody to remain e!en and %alanced, he $al#ed &ast one of
the hunters, a trainee studying at the feel of the masters $ithout a glimmer of
recognition. Kyle. *e easily $al#ed in the tra&. + tra& $as only a tra& if you $eren,t
a$are of it. + snare could %e easily disarmed and a!oided, if you #ne$ $hat you
$ere loo#ing for.
t too# only a moment of silence and stillness for his mar# to turn and loo# at
him. "he &o$er of the &enetrating stare alarmed him for a moment, %ut his
arrogance mo!ed to the to&. *e fingered the am&ule of Po&&ers in his &oc#et laced
$ith the other drug to su%due his &rey. .u&eriority ( the #illing field $as his and his
&rey ac#no$ledged it and slo$ly mo!ed to an exit $ith him follo$ing. "his they
$ould do in &ri!ate. *e slo$ly follo$ed the man out into the alley...
???
<Price4> 9ichael stood u& suddenly. <)hat a%out Price, 9aria4>
9aria turned the &icture o!er in her hands and sho$ed 9ichael and 9ax. <"his
is Price5> "hey loo#ed at the &icture and %oth s$ore. t $as, %ut not at first glance.
"he man in the &icture loo#ed younger. *e fit in. 1oth 9ichael and 9ax mo!ed to
the door fast. 9ichael loo#ed %ac# at 9aria.
:27
< #no$. $on,t mo!e.> 9aria sat there stunned. 1rice. +ll those years...and
his disli#e of her...%ut he ne!er a&&roached her. t $as her scars. "hey had
&rotected her.
9ichael and 9ax mo!ed into the main %ar. "he alert stance of 9ichael,s %ody
rang .ean's alarm %ells from $here he stood ser!ing %ar. 3oming out from %ehind,
they %oth loo#ed across the room. )here $as Price4 9ichael fro$ned. )here the
hell $as +lex4 "hey hadn,t felt him this time %ecause he #e&t his hunter instinct in
chec# so as not to alert the grou& that the hunt $as on.
*anson $as o!er in a corner, and suddenly he noticed Kyle mo!ing ;uic#ly
through the cro$ds. *e loo#ed u& and sa$ 9ichael and .ean scanning the room,
searching. *e $ent to -oin them, uncertain $hat he $as loo#ing for, %ut it $as his
-o%.
<)ho is it4> .ean as#ed.
9ichael sho$ed %oth .ean and Kyle the &icture. <t,s Price. 8o $onder he felt
su&erior. *e stood right there next to us all these years.> 9ichael,s -a$ clenched. *e
$ould feel %etter if he #ne$ $here +lex $as.
9ax searched the room as $ell. .omething $as missing. t too# a moment for
him to filter the information. <9ichael, 2onathan is missing5>
9ichael cursed and the grou& of them s&lit u&, mo!ing through the dar# cro$d
searching and slo$ly $or#ing their $ay out$ard to$ards the exits. *e had %een
there, and the room felt em&ty. *e had %een there and no$ $as gone.
???
<.to&.>
:24
Price sto&&ed at the !oice. *e #ne$ it. *e heard it $hen +lex sang on stage,
and he heard it yesterday in the meeting. +lex )hitman too# a$ay his cherished
seat, his ultimate re$ard for li!ing a &erfect life $ith one $ord. +lex $asn,t the only
one. 1ut he $ould do.
+lex loo#ed at the man Price had %een follo$ing in the shado$s, %ut the man
$as gone. /%!iously reali0ing that something $as $rong he had fled %efore he
%ecame entangled. *e had $al#ed out of the clu% $ith a &romise of a ;uic# fuc# or
a %lo$-o%, %ut not this.
<=ou $anted something, 9r. )hitman4> "he man must ha!e s&otted him and
follo$ed. "hat $as too %ad for 9r. )hitman, %ut his %ody $ould %e -ust as good as
anyone else's.
+lex mo!ed closer. < $ant my cousin %ac#. 1ut that,s im&ossi%le. $ant %ac#
the li!es you too# $ithout regard, %ut that,s im&ossi%le. .o $ant your life in
forfeit.>
Price smiled a sic# smile, the humor $as touched $ith a disease. <=ou #ne$5
=ou #ne$ yesterday5>
< sa$ your eyes. #ne$ it from your eyes.>
<+nd you didn,t tell them4>
<8o. "hey,d ha!e ta#en you yesterday. $anted you my $ay, on my turf, in
my #illing field.>
< $anted .tiller. trac#ed him here. "here are so many goodies, so many
&ossi%ilities to %e had in your clu%. t,s a nesting ground of &rime s&ecimens. =ou,re
not $hat $as loo#ing for...%ut you'll do. .tiller and all the others can $ait for
another time. "hings don,t al$ays go as you &lan, %ut other &ossi%ilities %ecome
o&en.>
:25
+lex mo!ed menacingly on the man, his eyes dar#er than his soul, %ottomless
and endless in their anger and fire. *e %urned from the inside out, and it $as a fire
that had raged for $ee#s unfettered and self(feeding. +lex calmly too# a #nife from
his &oc#et, and sna&&ed the %lade o&en. .miling at Price, he ad!anced again.
<,ll ta#e your heart in &ayment.> Price %ac#ed u&, unarmed and facing an
o&&onent unaffected %y a drug, an o&&onent $hose face sho$ed no hesitation or
remorse@he fingered the am&ule of drug in his &oc#et and $ondered if the amyl
nitrate mix $ould su%due )hitman enough %efore )hitman,s #nife found him.
t $as the sound from the shado$s that distracted them %oth. +lex turned to
loo# there, %ut in a flash of light, a %rilliance of &o$er, he felt nothing as his %ody
$as hurled %ac#$ards to hit the $all of the clu%. *e hit the ground in a hea&,
unmo!ing.
Price turned around in shoc#, and $hen his eyes met something not ;uite
human, he suddenly reali0ed that he had %ecome the &rey. *e had ste&&ed into the
lion's tra&, and $as facing an angry com&etitor. *e thought he $as the hunter, %ut
in an instant he reali0ed his mista#e. "he last thing he #ne$ as his life drained from
his %ody $as the %urning in his chest, the smell of his o$n s$eat, and a sense of
dar#ness... *e ne!er e!en heard his o$n agoni0ing screams.
9ichael came through the door fast $ith 9ax on his tail, close and to the left.
.ean too# another side door and they all came out in the alley. t $as the dar#ness
interru&ted %y a %linding light, and then an inhuman scream that &araly0ed them
for a moment, and then the three ran do$n the alley to the %ac# side of the clu%.
.ean sa$ +lex,s crum%led %ody on the ground first, %ut 9ax sto&&ed and .ean and
9ichael continued on. Kyle ran from the other side of the clu% $ith *anson close
%ehind.
:76
"hey sto&&ed at the to& of the alley, too afraid to mo!e as %oth 9ichael and
.ean #nelt at a %ody. +nother one. "hey $ere too late.
<t,s Price. *e,s dead.> 9ichael informed them. "hey slo$ly came for$ard as
+lex moaned $here he lay. 9ax hel&ed him to his feet slo$ly as he regained
consciousness.
+lex loo#ed at the crum%led %ody of Price, and felt nothing. 8ot e!en re!enge
or hate. t $as o!er. "he monster $as slain and he $ould,!e &referred the honor of
that tas#, had $anted it e!en, %ut this $as o#ay, too.
9ichael mo!ed the singed cloth from Price,s chest, and they all loo#ed at a
glo$ing sil!er hand&rint. 1oth .ean and 9ichael stood u& and searched the %ac#
alley, loo#ing e!ery$here, %ut they $ere all there $as. Price's Killer had melted into
the night, unseen.
<.o it,s o!er.> Kyle said.
<t,s -ust %egun,> said 9ichael softly.
<)hat did this, 9ichael4 )ho4> 9ax stared at the hand&rint, the %urn in the
man,s shirt. t didn,t ma#e sense.
+lex -ust shrugged. <*e &ic#ed the $rong &rey.> +lex started $al#ing %ac#
into the clu%, and 9ichael motioned for Kyle and *anson to stay.
9ichael $as close on +lex,s $a#e. <)hitman5 )ait5> +lex sto&&ed and loo#ed
at :uerin. =eah. "his $as it. <=ou #ne$5 =ou #ne$ it $as Price4>
<=esterday.>
<+nd you said nothing4>
+lex shrugged. <=ou,!e got your methods and ,!e got mine. ,m not a team
&layer, and the #ill $as my right. *e soiled my home, too# $hat $as mine. $anted
him do$n in my ground. ga!e him reason to find me, achie!e me, %ut didn,t
&lan that he $ould target .tiller or someone else. "hat $as my mista#e.>
:71
<2onathan4> 9ax suddenly remem%ered the missing 2onathan. </h shit5> 9ax
rushed %ac# into the clu% as 9ichael and .ean still faced +lex do$n.
<*o$ did you #no$, +lex4> .ean as#ed ;uietly. "hey had all tal#ed to Price in
the &ast, and not once did they sus&ect.
<*is eyes. "hey held the touch of a #iller $aiting, testing and $anting to hunt.
*e $as too controlled. sa$ it in his eyes, and he used them to hide his true
nature.>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. *e had hated Price from sight too, %ut not li#e
+lex. <*o$ can you #no$ that4 Kno$ the #iller,s eyes4>
+lex too# out a cigarette and lit it loo#ing at the t$o carefully. < see it e!ery
day loo# in the mirror. see it in %oth of you.> +lex turned to go home. t $as o!er
( for no$. 1ut this $asn,t the end. t $as -ust the %eginning. "hey -ust traded one
#iller for another one. <"here $as someone here in the alley, standing in the
shado$s. .omeone $ith Price $hen arri!ed. *e smelt of death. thought he left,
%ut $as $rong. *e melted into the shado$s and he too# me out from ten feet
a$ay.> +lex loo#ed %ac# at 9ichael and .ean. <"his is something ne$.>
9ax rushed %ac# into the cro$ded noisy clu%, and tried to mo!e ;uic#ly
through the cro$ds searching for 2onathan. t seemed li#e an eternity %efore he
sa$ the man exit the men,s room. Rushing to his side, 9ax $as uncertain $hat to
do $ith his hands.
<8ot no$, 9ax. ,!e had more than can ta#e from you. +nd after standing in
a &iss line for ten minutes in a %athroom that should %e declared a health ha0ard,
my good nature is shot. f you $ant to see me, Detecti!e, suggest you get a
%loody $arrant, %ecause...>
:72
2onathan ne!er finished it, %ecause 9ax,s mouth $as on his in a dee& #iss, his
hands holding him hard against his %ody, as he slammed 2onathan into a $all and
&ressed u& against him, hard.
)hen 2onathan could finally %reath again, he cleared his throat. < might ha!e
to &ress sexual assault charges.>
<.hut u&5> 9ax,s hand rested on the $all next to 2onathan,s head, and he
leaned in again and #issed the man.
t $as late. "he clu% had closed its doors early as su&&ort teams mo!ed in.
+lex $as sur&risingly co(o&erati!e, slightly %ruised and seemed to %e a touch
concussed $here his head had hit the $all. 6!ery time he reached for the %ottle of
$his#ey, 9ichael mo!ed it a$ay. .ean -ust snic#ered. 9ichael, mother hen. )ho
#ne$ %ecoming a father $ould ma#e him so nurturing4
2onathan had ta#en 9aria home, and they cleared the site. .imon $as
standing a%o!e the %ody of Price $hen 9ichael -oined him.
<6!er see anything li#e this, .imon4>
<8e!er.> .imon fro$ned. "his $as going to %ring trou%le, and that $as "rou%le
$ith a ca&ital ". 3a&tain )alt .te!ens exited his &atrol car and -oined the men.
.tanding next to :uerin he loo#ed at the %ody.
<"hat,s something ne$.> )alt -ust couldn,t %elie!e it. *e had %een insane to
ta#e Galenti,s &ost, e!en tem&orarily. *e had $or#ed harder in t$o days than he
had in the last six months. Dammit, he $as retiring. <"his is going to %ring a hell of
a lot of trou%le for us. :uerin, you search the data%ase first thing for anything li#e
this, %ut #ee& it ;uiet. ,ll get a $arrant for Price,s house. &ut the call in an hour
ago to the D+,s office, and the 2udge has yet to call %ac#. 3lean this u& tonight.>
)alt loo#ed at the %ody and shoo# his head. <.imon, do this auto&sy ;uic#.
"his smells li#e something that the .uits are going to $ant. #no$ this is fuc#ing
:77
Ros$ell, %ut this glo$ing hand&rint shit needs to ta#e itself some$here else. "a#e
your time entering the information. "he '1 ty&es $ill find their $ay here &retty
;uic#. Let's ma#e it not so ;uic#.>
<9ichael5> 9ichael turned to loo# at his &artner. <)e,!e got the $arrant.>
9ichael nodded at 9ax and after sharing a loo# $ith .imon and 3a&, he loo#ed at
the dar#ened s#ies, and then at the cor&se of Price. Rushing from the scene, he
follo$ed his &artner to o&en u& and in!estigate Price,s home.
t too# them almost half an hour to find the 3ollection room. 9ichael and the
others $ere shoc#ed %y the sterili0ed setu& and $or#room in the %asement. Pierce
#e&t Do%ermans and Pit 1ulls out %ac#, and the %asement $as a sterling sil!er
nightmare $ith %lood drainage &its and s&ecial em%alming e;ui&ment.
/nce they entered the cool 3ollection room, 9ichael turned on a series of
lights. +lex stood at his side $ith .ean to his left and a little %ac#. 8o one
;uestioned +lex,s right to %e there. *anson, Kyle and 9ax %rought u& the rear as
other units and 3. $ere &rocessing the u&stairs rooms.
9ichael $atched the lights flic#er on in an endless dis&lay of ro$s and ro$s of
glass cu%icles slo$ly %eing illuminated. "he room started $ith a dis&lay of
%utterflies and moths, %ugs and all insects, %eetles, and such. "hen the dis&lays
%ecame animals, taxidermy sam&les of all sorts of mammals, and large fish
mounted on the $all. "$o ro$s into the 3ollection they found the first humans.
3o!ered in the &rotecti!e sheen of the shellac, they stood slee&ing, &inned u&
against a $all %ehind glass. 1eneath them $ere la%els, and num%ers cataloging
them into the 3ollection and listing their attri%utes and the dates they had %een
added to the 3ollection.
*anson made gagging noises and Kyle ;uic#ly hel&ed him out of the room.
9ax remained silent at 9ichael,s side, %ut his hands $ere sha#ing almost as much
:78
as his insides, and the sight of endless ro$s of manufactured %odies $as ma#ing his
stomach churn. *e felt em&ty, almost emotionless, li#e he $ould ne!er %e a%le to
feel again.
9ichael stood so silent, so austere in his regard that statues had more life.
9ax $atched the strain on 9ichael,s -a$line as the muscles -um&ed and clenched,
and then suddenly 9ax sa$ a single tear run do$n his &artner,s chee#.
<*oly s$eet merciful, mother of :od.> .ean stood in the center loo#ing %oth
$ays. "he ro$s stretched and stretched. /!er ten years of collecting, and the #ill
ratios $ere unreal, unimagina%le, and for a second in time, he $anted Price there
under his hands. +lex $as right. Price deser!ed a more gruesome death, to ha!e
his chest ri&&ed o&en and his heart s;uee0ed until all the life $as gone. .ean
searched for a cigarette, %ut didn't ha!e one. +nd it didn,t matterF nothing could
%ring comfort. *is hands shoo# and he felt di00y and lightheaded on his feet. "he
desire to $ash it a$ay, to turn a$ay $as strong, %ut he couldn,t. "hey couldn,t.
"hese &eo&le needed them to send them home.
<"his has nothing to do $ith :od,> said +lex in a hollo$ !oice, searching the
cu%icles $ith their glass $alls until he found her. 2ennifer Juilter, his $aitress, $ho
$as ta#en from his clu%. .in#ing to his #nees in front of her cu%icle, he ran his
hands o!er his face and $e&t, for her, for Krystal and for all the other nameless
&eo&le in that room $ho had %een lost for so long. *e also cried for himself,
%ecause after all these $ee#s he needed the release.
???
*orror sometimes has no name, and no form. t doesn't li!e in a house, in a
%ox or on a hill. =ou can't -ust $al# around it, or e!en a!oid it. t is li#e a cloud, a
:79
dar#ness... a disease that slides in li#e the smell of decay. t finds &urchase in your
%ody, heart, mind and soul. t is the $orst of the things that %um& in the night, and
it doesn't -ust li!e under the %ed or in the closet. 8othing can remo!e the feelings it
ins&ires, %ut it can teach. t can teach you to fear, to li!e more carefully and
some$hat more afraid. +nd it can teach you $hat is im&ortant in life. *orror isn't a
&hysical entity, it li!es only %y the nature of $hat it is. t teaches. t teaches that
%et$een cradle and gra!e there are no a%solutes, -ust a timeless march to the end.
"he real $orth, the measure of a man is ho$ he $al#s that march e!ery day, and
sometimes it is as sim&le as acce&ting that in life there are no guarantees, nothing
can e!er %e enough, and you sim&ly li!e $ith it.
"he cold and tired $arriors felt it follo$ing them home, ri&&ing a$ay a !eil of
innocence ne!er to %e found again.
t $as already after four $hen he clim%ed in %ed $ith her. "hey had left the
scene for the forensic cre$s and come home to rest %efore another hard day
da$ned. 9aria could feel the coldness of his s#in and the sha#ing in his hands along
$ith the tremors of his %ody. .he turned into his s#in, o&ened her arms and too#
him against her. *e sighed a moment's &eace and a&&reciated the $armth she ga!e
him as her mouth found his and her hands gentled him.
*orror teaches you $hat is im&ortant, and to li!e $ithin your limitations,
acce&ting them $hile holding your lo!ed ones inside and &rotected.
Kyle rushed into the condo and do$n the hall. Pausing in the door$ay, he
$atched her, $atched the gentle rise of her %ody as she %reathed. +nd she did
%reathe, and #e&t on %reathing. .ensing him, she turned in her slee&, and then
slo$ly $o#e. .itting u& in the %ed, among the tossed %edding and sheets, she held
out her arms. Kyle rushed to her and %uried his head in her s#in and she stro#ed
his %ac# as he $e&t.
:7:
*orror teaches that %eing alone ma#es it only $orse and that finding a &art of
yourself, a &art lost or e!en denied, ma#es it easier to sur!i!e.
2onathan o&ened his door standing in nothing %ut a &air of &a-ama %ottoms
riding lo$ on his hi&s. "a#ing one loo# at 9ax,s face and feeling the &ain in his
stance, 2onathan hoo#ed a hand around his arm and &ulled him inside. 3losing the
door, he %ent do$n and loo#ed 9ax in the eyes. t $as the sudden $elling of tears
that made 2onathan forget e!erything. *e ne!er thought that 9ax $ould e!er find
his heart, %ut he had. 2onathan gathered the other man u& against his %ody and
held him firmly as they %oth san# to the ground in front of the door. *e held him
and let him cry as he roc#ed 9ax %ac# and forth.
*orror teaches you to sto& denying and running a$ay from things you don't
totally understand, fearing lo!e %ecause lo!e gi!es no guarantees. .;uandered
chances sometimes ne!er return, and li!ing is for the no$, %ecause lo!e doesn't
al$ays offer tomorro$s.
.ean didn,t #no$ $hat to do. )here to go. *e $anted to go to her, %ut he
couldn,t. *e had no right. 8ot yet. .o he slo$ly trudged home in the coldness of the
night, as the air felt suddenly arctic and %ris# $ith a hint of moisture. 6ntering his
a&artment, he tossed his #eys in the %o$l at the door, and slo$ly $al#ed the long
lonely $al# to his %edroom. 9ay%e it $ould a%ate, lessen, hide inside to %e teased
out %y a &es#y thera&ist later, %ut .ean could feel it at the edge of his throat, li#e a
lum& occluding his %reathing. Panic. t $elled to the surface as he felt the need to
scream, and searched his mind for the location of a &a&er %ag. +nd suddenly her
arms came u& %ehind him. .he had %een sitting in the mohair chair in the dar#,
$aiting for him. 2ulia heard the ne$s from the &olice %and that her assistant
listened to, and it $as 2ulia that &ushed the search $arrant through for them.
.lo$ly lifting his shirt from his cold %ody, she felt the shi!ers rac#ing him and the
:77
chattering of his teeth. Leading the $ay, she &ut him in the sho$er. "hey stood
together, s#in mated under the harsh rush of hot $ater, and she #issed his %ody, his
scars, and $ounds $anting to reach the ones so dee& inside that not e!en the
healing rays of the sun could touch.
*orror teaches deference, and res&ect. t is a formless entity that sin#s in
dee&, &ermeating the &ores, and no amount of &ain or &leasure can remo!e it or
hide it. /nly acce&tance and going on can ma#e the difference.
*anson closed the door to the gloom and hea!iness of the outside air. t felt
li#e rain. 9o!ing through his house, he $ent into the #itchen and o&ened the
refrigerator. *e had lost his stomach t$ice that night, and all that $as left $as an
em&tiness. "a#ing out some canned s&ray cheese, he gra%%ed a %ox of crac#ers,
and searched for an im&orted %eer. t $as that s&ecial cheese at the %ac# of his
refrigerator that caught his eye. t $as &erfect. "a#ing it out, he scra&ed a$ay the
mold and &laced a &iece of the creamy aromatic cheese on his tongue. Leaning
%ac# in his chair he shut his eyes and $illed the dancing images gone as he felt the
mold slo$ly cree& u& the cheese.
*orror teaches you that some things aren't seen, %ut they still gro$ and fester
as they $ait to ta#e control. "hat -ust %ecause something isn't seen, it doesn't
mean it isn't there.
+lex $as leaning u& against the door, $aiting for her. sa%el stood there in the
dar#ened door$ay and loo#ed at him. *is face $as still $et, and that air of %eing
untoucha%le $as gone. "he sorro$ rac#ing his frame laid him %are. *e loo#ed
young, too young to %e so ra!aged. sa%el o&ened her arms and he fell in them
so%%ing dee& inside, %ut no sound left him. "hey closed the door on the outside,
and sheltered a$ay in a ha!en that existed for them alone. t $as there that she
could touch him and mend his $ounds.
:74
*orror teaches that alone in the dar#ness there is sometimes a light, a %right
shining light that can $arm e!en the coldest of souls, the souls that ha!e %een
gone too long from home.
Ros$ell $as a to$n shrouded in the dar#ness. "hey all lay in the dar# %eing
held and lo!ed, $aiting and finding no rest. 8one of them sle&t, it $as still too
fresh. *orror had taught them to fear the dar# and the shado$s in the night. +nd
$ith the hush of a gentle %reath held inside, they $aited for the next $a!e. t $as
already there. .o they all $aited for the ne$ day, the &romise of $armth that came
$ith light. t didn,t matter. 1ecause horror had taught them that alone they $ere
%rea#a%le, %ut together they $ere strong, that they could sur!i!e.
:75
Day 21: Sunday- 10:9B a.m.
9ichael returned from the forensics area and the final auto&sy. +ll of Price,s
internal organs had %een fused in a conglomerate gel, and all the !essels of his
heart $ere melted and ex&loded. *e $as %lood &udding inside, and the sil!er
hand&rint $asn,t metallic or any toxin or su%stance. +ll cultures remo!ed no
su%stance. .imon $as &ulling microsco&ic tissue sam&les, and the histology cre$
$as fast, $or#ing under Li0 Par#er,s su&er!ision. "hey $ere on a timeta%le, a
deadline and after lunch that day it $as o!er.
<)hat the hell is going on45> 9ichael raged into the %ull&en $atching t$o men
remo!ing his files. "hey $ere &ac#ing u& e!erything in!ol!ed in the case. t came
as a direct order from the .enate offices, a .enator )hita#er had ste&&ed in and all
materials $ere confiscated. "he entire De&artment $as under an in-unction to
di!ulge no details or discuss the findings of the case to anyone.
3a& )alt came to the office door and called 9ichael inside. .ean, Kyle,
*anson, and 9ax $ere already there. "hey had returned from lunch earlier than
9ichael $ho had gone home to see 9aria. "hey $ere all ;uiet as 3a& ex&lained the
situation. 9ichael #e&t his tongue. *e #ne$ it $as a matter of time %efore the 'eds
descended, %ut he ho&ed for a day,s head start. "he men $here dismissed, as a
young $oman $ith %lond hair entered the %ull&en. .he sto&&ed and tal#ed to the
secretary. 9ichael ne!er noticed her, and 9ax $as e;ually o%li!ious as they all
rushed out of the room to go into the %rea#room for coffee.
9ax shut the door and leaned against it. <=ou got it all, 9ax4> as#ed 9ichael
;uietly, as if there $ere &eo&le ea!esdro&&ing.
<6!erything. .ean and Kyle got du&licate la% results, and .imon too# extra
&hotos and a !ideo of the auto&sy. *anson too# care of all Physical.>
:86
9ichael nodded, and sat %ac# on the ta%le si&&ing his coffee. <+re the
com&uter searches done4>
.ean nodded as he refilled his coffee. <Par#er ran them early and on a mirror
site erasing the echo. +ll things are do$nloaded on a manual unit and it's gone,
hidden. t too# eight &alm &ilots, %ut she got all the information and 9aria sent six
extra units o!er -ust in case.>
Kyle stared at his coffee. <)hat are $e doing, 9ichael4>
9ichael -ust shoo# his head. <8o clue. -ust #no$ it,s im&ortant. +nyone $ho
$ants free of this, lea!e no$. t doesn,t go further than here. +ll the com&uter stuff
is going to %e gi!en to +lex. *e,s the genius, %ut the #no$ing sto&s here. 8o
additions, no ne$ &eo&le. )here this is leading, don,t #no$. 1ut the tighter $e
stay as a grou&, the least li#ely $e,ll ha!e lea#s.> 9ichael sto&&ed and loo#ed at
*anson. <.am4 =ou green4>
*anson $as startled at the use of his first name. *e hadn,t reali0ed that
9ichael #ne$ it. *e loo#ed at 9ax first and 9ax ga!e him a nod. *anson nodded
too. =eah, he $as in.
"here $as a #noc# on the door, and they all loo#ed u& as Rhonda o&ened the
door and said that the 3a& $as re;uesting 9ichael. "he rest exchanged loo#s and
then loo#ed else$here.
9ichael a&&roached the 3a&tain,s office and found 3a& tal#ing to a young
$oman in her early t$enties, so it a&&eared.
<:uerin.> "he $oman turned to loo# at 9ichael, and his eyes narro$ed $hen
she smiled at him. *e caught a glim&se of recognition in her eyes, %ut he had ne!er
seen her %efore in his life. <"his is a ne$ mem%er of the team, Detecti!e 3ourtney
1an#s.> )alt loo#ed through his &a&er$or#, confused. <,!e no notes telling me that
$e $ere ex&ecting a transfer.>
:81
<3a&tain Galenti...>
<.te!ens. t,s 3a&tain .te!ens. 3a&tain Galenti is a$ay on his honeymoon.
*e,ll %e %ac# in -ust o!er a $ee#.>
<)ell, he re;uested more man&o$er, and that $as...>
)alt cut her off and loo#ed 9ichael. <)hat do you thin#, :uerin4>
:uerin loo#ed at the $oman and shrugged. .he loo#ed too young to %e a
Detecti!e, and unless he read her file or had reason to care, he didn,t li#e her.
<*anson is &artnerless. *e could sho$ her around, orient her and #ee& her out of
trou%le until 3a& gets %ac#.> )alt nods. "hat,s a good &lan. Dammit, this &lace $as
li#e a madhouse $ith the 'eds coming in and confiscating all their files, threatening
his &eo&le ( and no$ this.
<Done.> 9ichael nods and headed %ac# out
3ourtney $atched him go $ith a careful loo# on her face. <)hy can,t &artner
$ith him4 Let him train me and #ee& me out of trou%le4>
<:uerin4 =ou $ant to &artner $ith :uerin4 )ell for one thing, see that nice
loo#ing man o!er there,> )alt &ointed to 9ax, <that $ould %e :uerin,s &artner. +nd
then add the t$o men also sitting $ith them. :uerin has enough &artners, and the
fact is that in this de&artment, :uerin is to& detecti!e, %ut he,s also a rude son(of(
a(%itch and he is for%idden to train.> )alt loo#ed out at the room and sa$ *anson
coming %ac# from records. <*anson5 :et your ass in here, no$5> )alt loo#ed at the
$oman and smiled, a not so &leasant smile. <"hat,s your ne$ &artner.>
t only too# t$o hours %efore 9ichael decided that this ne$ 3ourtney &erson
$as going to ha!e to go. 6!ery time he turned around, she $as there. .miling,
trying to tal# to him, or -ust in his s&ace. "he irritation $as on his face and his
&artner -ust snic#ered as he sneered at her. 'inally e!en *anson too# notice and
&ulled 3ourtney a$ay.
:82
< don,t #no$ $hat your &ro%lem is, %ut ,m going to &aint you a scene. 'irst,
:uerin has a &artner, and it,s not you. .econd, the man is committed to a ongoing
relationshi& $hich includes marriage and a %a%y on the $ay.> *anson missed the
startled loo# from the $oman. <+nd last %ut not least, if you don,t get out of his
$ay and sto& irritating him, he,s going to stom& on you. :uerin doesn,t li#e
strangers in his s&ace, and he doesn't &lay $ell $ith others.>
3ourtney loo#ed at her mild(mannered #lut0y &artner and $as im&ressed.
"hat $as ;uite the s&eech. .he -ust nodded reluctantly. "here $as &lenty of time to
o%ser!e the commander. Loo#ing at her ne$ &artner she suddenly reali0ed that
%eneath that mild(mannered exterior there $as more lur#ing there, un#no$n.
9ichael &ic#ed u& his &hone, and &ractically snarled in it. <:uerin5> *e &aused
and listened, made a fe$ rude comments and finally $aited until 2im Galenti came
on the line. "hey tal#ed for a fe$ moments $ith 9ichael &romising to send money,
and come if it $as necessary. *anging u& the &hone, he made a loud $histling
noise to ;uiet the %ull&en, and )alt came out the door to listen as $ell.
</#ay, listen u& &eo&le5 "hat $as 3a&. *e and 9rs. Galenti, the once +my
DeLuca ha!e %een arrested in +las#a for &ossession of illegal contra%and in the
form of endangered s&ecies $hile on their honeymoon. "hat ma#es it officially
a&&roximately fifty(one hours after %eing married to the delecta%le +my DeLuca,
that our 3a& $as arrested. "he :ame and )ildlife +gency is &ressing charges and
holding them until an in!estigation can %e com&leted. t a&&ears that the 3a& and
+my %usted some &oachers and confiscated their illegal contra%and of 8ar$hal
tus#s. .o they $ere arrested late last night, ele!en(thirty +las#a time. .o $hoe!er
held that time $ins the &ool.> "he entire office rushed to the %ulletin %oard to see
$ho held the $inning time. "heir de&artment had %een tic#eted and fined for illegal
gaming numerous times, due to all the de&artmental &ools they ran, %ut this time
:87
e!en + $as in on the &ool. "he %ets of ho$ long it $ould ta#e for +my DeLuca to
get 2im Galenti arrested $as a hea!y %etting &ool, running im&ressi!e odds. 1y
marrying +my, 2im too# on the res&onsi%ility that 9aria once had.
3ourtney $atched the entire room and them ha!ing fun in the face of the
horror they suffered o!er the &ast fe$ days. t $as during a lull, and $atching
:uerin and 6!ans lea!e for the day that had her &ic#ing u& the &hone.
<"his is 3ourtney. 8o, $as too late. "he 'eds confiscated e!erything. 1ut the
rumors and tal# indicate it $as the sha&eshifter.> .he $as a trac#er. +fter years of
follo$ing e!ery &ossi%le clue this $as the %est lead she had had in months. "heir
time $as short, and they needed to find $hat they $ere loo#ing for soon, or all $as
lost. .he listened and fro$ned at the &hone. <8o, ,m staying here. =ou #no$ the
Royals in 8e$ =or#4 *o$ %adly they came out4 )ell, they don,t #no$ $here the
:ranilith is, and thin# #no$ $hy.> 3ourtney listened to the other end for a
moment. < -ust met the reason, or reasons. can,t %e sure yet, %ut thin# found
the real Royals here in Ros$ell. "he ones in 8e$ =or# ha!e to %e %ad du&licates,
re-ects. ,!e found the 3ommander and the King.>
???
9aria and "ess lay on the floor in the li!ing room $ith a fire going. t $as $et
and rainy outside, !ery unusual for Ros$ell. "he Loft $as o&en and $arm, and the
t$o $omen $ere $aiting for the others to find their $ay home. "hey decided to
ha!e a huge dinner $ith e!eryone in!ol!ed in the co!er(u&, to discuss strategy.
sa%el $as res&onsi%le for getting +lex there.
<.o $as Kyle o#ay after last night4>
:88
<+%out as $ell as could %e ex&ected. Do you #no$ the final %ody count4> "ess
as#ed as she dug her s&oon in the carton of 1en P 2erry,s 8e$ =or# 'udge 3hun#
ice cream, suc#ing on the s&oon. "hey $here lying o&&osite each other facing the
other,s face as 9aria,s legs stretched out &ast "ess,s head, and "ess,s &ast 9aria,s.
9aria $as too %usy eating )a!erly :ra!y holding out her hand for the "a%asco
sauce to douse the ice cream $ith it.
<9ichael didn,t say at lunch. *e,s still not handling this too $ell. ,m $orried
a%out him.> "ess -ust nodded. <,m -ust ho&ing this isn,t going to send him on
another %out of o!er(&rotecti!eness.>
<:i!e him a %rea#, 9aria. *e came close to losing %oth you and the %a%y -ust
a fe$ days ago. "hat,s got to %e hard.> "hey had %een tal#ing a%out Kenneth Price
and the horror that he created, his death and e!erything connected to it until they
had to see# refuge in ice cream.
< #no$. 1ut you ha!e no idea $hat it,s li#e $ith an o!er%earing 9ichael
:uerin #ee&ing a close eye on you.>
"ess -ust snorted. < should ha!e it so luc#y. .unday afternoon4 9ax and Kyle
$ent sho&&ing together. 3ame %ac# $ith a huge, *7:6 calendar, one of the &lanner
#inds, and they started ma&&ing out my deli!ery date, my a&&ointments, an
exercise schedule, my diet and Lama0e classes. t,s a nightmare. )hen they started
to tal# a%out consti&ation and hemorrhoids, ran a$ay and hid at the mall.>
<3onsti&ation and hemorrhoids4 8o5 "hat,s not going to ha&&en4 mean
thought it $as -ust a%out getting fat, s$elling an#les and %ac#aches. =ou #no$, not
%eing a%le to see your feet.>
"ess -ust sighed and &atted 9aria on the hand. <)hate!er you do, -ust don,t
read any of those %oo#s. t,ll frea# you.>
:89
<Damn. 9ichael,s %een reading them non(sto&. "he other night,> 9aria too#
another %ite of ice cream to consol herself, <he &o#ed me.>
<Po#ed you4 =ou mean $ith his...> "ess $iggled her eye%ro$s. 9aria laughed
and sla&&ed her.
<8ot that $ay5 /#ay, $ell, not that time. 8o. mean he $as ru%%ing my feet
$hile reading and suddenly he,s &o#ing my legs.> "ess loo#ed confused. < #no$. t
stunned me too. *e read that ,d retain $ater and he $as chec#ing my legs to see if
they dim&led.>
<Damn5 )hat %oo# $as he reading4> "ess $anted to ma#e sure that Kyle and
9ax didn,t find it. )ith her luc# the three lunatics $ere sharing information and
starting a net$or# of nsane 6x&ectant 'athers +nonymous. +nd they thought
$omen $ere moody5
<.omething $ith a %a%y on it4 don,t #no$. 1ut my &oint is that he,s &o#ing
me li#e a damn tur#ey to see if ,m done.>
<"his is %ad. Real %ad.> "ess loo#ed at 9aria. <.$itch4>
9aria loo#ed in her carton of ice cream and nodded. "he t$o $omen &assed
each other their carton of ice cream and resumed eating.
<.o you tell 9ax a%out $anting to name the %a%y after 2ac#4>
<=eah, and he,s o#ay $ith that. *e -ust re;uested that the middle name %e
Phili& for his father.>
<"hat,s so s$eet. 2ac#son Phili&...doesn,t roll off the tongue, %ut ,!e heard
$orse. 9ichael hasn,t really started $orry a%out names yet. *e,s %een doing
research on %a%y %eds. heard him mum%ling under his %reath a%out reinforced
titanium steel su&&orts and reinforcement %ars. tried to remind him that it $ould
%e a nice s$eet %a%y, and not a hardened criminal, %ut the last time loo#ed he
$as still researching all the a!aila%le &roducts.>
:8:
"ess laughed. "he guys $ere really out there. t $as li#e they $ere feeding
each others' enthusiasm, and "ess $ondered if on her deli!ery day 9ax and Kyle
$ould rush off in a fren0y and lea!e her %ehind.
<)e found 9r. 1oo%oo,s secret stash5>
<8o5 can,t %elie!e that he,s a #le&tomaniac. )here $as it4>
9aria &ointed to a large armoire in the li!ing room. <1ehind that. +nd $hat
$as %ac# there $as truly ama0ing. 9ichael,s -ust glad to ha!e his %elt %ac#, and
$e,!e found Kyle,s #eys.> 9aria -ust shoo# her head. )as it too much to as# for
something normal in her life, li#e a s$eet #itty4 <9ichael thin#s he $as collecting
trin#ets for the %a%y.>
<+$.> "ess suddenly felt %ad for all the e!il names she ga!e the cat $hile
%a%ysitting him.
<9ichael disco!ered $hy :erald "iny $as follo$ing me around.>
<+ %lo$-o%4>
<8othing that ic#y5 *e found out that $as on the a&&ointment committee for
his De&artment, and he $anted to con!ince me to hel& get him a&&ointed as his
De&artmental 3hair. guess he felt that if he sho$ed interest in 2anet,s murder it
$ould &ro-ect an image of a Professor $ho really cared a%out his students.>
<9ay%e you should suggest to him that if he sto&&ed ha!ing his graduate
students suc# his tiny dic# for &assing grades, and started to actually teach them
$ould %e a %etter testament to his sincerity.>
9aria -ust thought a%out it for a moment. <t might. t -ust might. :osh, ha!e
you e!er $ondered ho$ tiny is :erald "iny,s tiny4>
"ess couldn,t sto& laughing. <n a $ord, no.>
<.o "ess, ha!e your ni&&les started to get sore, yet4> 9aria as#ed in interest
loo#ing do$n at her not so &rominent endo$ment.
:87
<8o. 1ut my %reasts are definitely larger, and they,re sensiti!e in a good $ay.
t really ma#es for great sex.>
9aria smiled at that. <.omething to loo# for$ard to5 ,m ho&ing that $hen all
this is done that get to #ee& the %reasts. really $ould li#e something more in
the handful si0e.> "ess -ust laughed. <+re you li#e horny and turned on all the time4
1ecause may%e it,s me, %ut damn 9ichael is loo#ing so fine5>
<t,s not -ust you. *e is !ery fine loo#ing, and yeah, could cra$l all o!er Kyle
for a good half a day and -ust consider it a&&eti0ers.>
9ichael and Kyle entered the Loft arguing o!er $ho should ta#e off to +las#a
to %ail out +my and 2im. 9ichael located his &ro&erty and the ice cream she $as
eating and $ent o!er for a %ite. 9aria fed him, and then too# a #iss $ith great
enthusiasm and $hen he started to &ull a$ay, she #issed him again, %iting his li&.
"ess laughed at 9ichael,s dee& groan, %ut %efore she could ma#e a comment, Kyle
too# the ice cream a$ay from her.
<"ess, this stuff is loaded $ith %utter cream, fats and sugars.> Kyle started
reading the ingredients and "ess -ust rolled her eyes, %ut en-oyed his fussing.
<t does a %ody good.> "ess got u& from the floor and decided to ta#e herself
and her small %ladder for a moment of &eace from her o!er&rotecti!e hus%and.
Kissing his head, she told him she $ould %e right %ac#.
.he chuc#led on her $ay to the Room as 9ichael told 9aria the sad tale of
+my and 2im. +s she left the room 9ax sho$ed u& carrying ta#eout. "hey had
ordered on their $ay home, and he !olunteered to go &ic# it u&, after he &ic#ed u&
sa%el and )hitman $ho $as still at their &lace.
<"his $eighs a ton, 9ichael. *o$ much did you order4>
9ichael loo#ed o!er at his &artner and called him a $im&. <6nough to feed the
Professor and a &arty of sixty.>
:84
sa%el entered the loft and left the door a-ar for +lex. 9ichael ;uic#ly $ent to
&unch in the o!erride code %efore they set off the alarm and hel&ed her &ut her
load do$n on the counter.
<Li0 said she $ould %e o!er as soon as she $ent home and changed.> sa%el
started o&ening containers.
< thought you $ere %ringing +lex.> 9ichael said na%%ing a dinner roll.
< did. *e sto&&ed to get %e!erages and sus&ect a &ac# of cigarettes. *e
needs to sto& that ha%it.> 9aria came to stand next to 9ichael &utting the no$
em&ty carton of ice cream on the counter and reached for some %read too.
<.ean called. *e had an errand to run, %ut he,ll %e here for food. *is
instructions $ere...'Do not eat it all'.> "he grou& snic#ered and loo#ed at %oth
9ichael and 9aria $ho $ere already tearing into the food li#e they $ere star!ing.
+lex came through the door toting a case of %eer, and a &ac# of %ottled $ater
$hen "ess came out of the %athroom.
.uddenly in an instant, flashing hard and %rilliant $as a resounding light,
almost echoing through the room connecting 9ax, sa%el, 9ichael, and "ess, and
the energy $ent on to engulf 9aria as she clutched her $om% the same moment
that "ess did. "he energy %last of $hite light ex&loded out$ard and left the grou& in
concentric circles of shoc#$a!es, #noc#ing Kyle o!er and ma#ing +lex gra% the door
to stay u&right.
"hey all stood there shoc#ed and confused, and 9aria could feel a connection
to e!erything and e!eryone in the room. t $as the sound of %rea#ing glass and
+lex cussing that startled them all %ac# to a$areness, as Kyle rushed to chec# on
"ess along $ith 9ax. 9ichael &ulled 9aria to his side as his hand rested on her
stomach and ru%%ed it. .he could still feel the mo!ement of energy in her $om%. t
$asn,t her that had connected $ith the other four, %ut her un%orn child.
:85
+lex loo#ed do$n at the %ro#en case of %eer that he dro&&ed $hen the energy
&ulse hit him.
<Dammit5 'uc#ing Ros$ell, and all its aliens. :reat5 %etter go get some more
%eer.>
+lex left the loft, and the grou& loo#ed at each other. ;liens? 7m,...+lex4
Finis
:96