Ethan didn’t fall into a deep sleep. The rattling of the train was just a touch too arrhythmic, lulling him one moment, clashing with his senses the next. He was tired enough to want the sleep, not just need it. Tired and sore and weary. All this way, all that effort—all those deaths. Only to have it all ripped away from him. But they were dead. Three fifths of the Cabal leadership were gone, which was what he’d wanted. So why didn’t he feel released?
Jack woke him when they were an hour out from their final stop. It was dark, almost midnight, and Ethan barely felt refreshed. Guilt speared him, too, when he saw the drawn cast to Jack’s face. His lover had obviously stayed awake, doing as he’d promised—keeping watch. Had he slept since Dharavi? Perhaps a few short naps while Ethan had been driving, but nothing substantial. He hadn’t woken Ethan to swap places once during the twelve-hour travel time.
“Do we have much further to go?” he asked as they prepared to leave the train. Rather than waiting until they reached the terminal, they were going to jump off on the outskirts of the city.
“Couple of hours.” Jack shrugged ruefully. “It’s been a while, remember. I might get us lost.”
Ethan squeezed his arm reassuringly. “I trust you.”
Jack nodded, and then they left the sleeper. The companionways of the sleeper class carriages were mostly empty, just a few night owls wandering the confined spaces. The general carriages were more chaotic but it added confusion as they made their way to the rear of the train. They jumped off while still outside of Trivandrum, capital of Kerala. This was where Jack’s mother had lived before moving to Australia to be with his father. Ethan suspected Jack’s safe place might not be an Office one.
The pace Jack set wasn’t taxing, whether because he was accommodating Ethan’s injuries, or simply tired himself, Ethan couldn’t work out. It took them just over three hours of walking, through a city that was very British colonial in appearance, until they reached the beach.
“Oops.” Jack looked out at the dark water. “We overshot.”
“By much?” Ethan could have kept going but the urge to be somewhat secure was pushing on the edges of his hollowness.
“Nah. Unless we’re still too far north.” Jack turned around slowly. “It’s been so long.” The words were quiet, pained.
About to reach for him, to say something comforting, Ethan didn’t get a chance when Jack moved into a darker shadow between two buildings. “I need to check a map. Can you keep an eye out?”
“Of course.” Ethan leaned against the wall of the building next to Jack’s hidey-hole, scanning the street.
Jack was barely a couple of feet away, but the space between them felt greater. He’d been quiet during the walk from the outskirts. Perhaps it was weariness, or perhaps it was Ethan’s fault. It had been his crazy need to hunt down the Cabal leaders, dragging Jack into danger over and over while doing it. Forcing Jack into a flimsy plan that had failed to do anything other than hurt them both.
Jack swore softly as he joined Ethan. “We’re only a block off target. Shit. I should remember this.”
“Jack, it’s all right. You got us here, that’s all that matters.”
Jack mumbled something under his breath, then gestured down the street. “It’s not far. Come on.”
Ethan followed obediently, not wanting to annoy Jack any more than he already had.
One block down, they turned into a narrow, pitch-black alleyway. Part way along, Jack stopped and looked around.
“How much can you see?” he asked Ethan softly.
“Some. What are you looking for?”
“A marking on the wall. It should look something like two interlocking circles.”
Ethan studied the brick walls of the buildings on both sides, finally finding the faint remains of spray paint several meters further down. “Jack, over here.”
Jack joined him and crouched, gingerly shifting some of the detritus away from the wall under the mark. “Here it is.” With a grunt, he hauled open a small hatch in the base of the wall. “There should be a ladder there. Can you see it?”
Crouching beside him, Ethan peered in. His eyesight was better in the dark than most, but even he couldn’t penetrate the gloom within the opening. “I can’t see anything down there.” Wanting to prove he wasn’t just a burden, he turned and lowered a leg into it, feeling around until he hit what he hoped was a ladder rung. “There’s something here. I’ll go first.” He continued down before Jack could protest.
“Fine,” Jack sighed. “It should only be about ten or twelve feet. I was much younger the last time I used this passageway.”
Definitely not an Office initiative, then. If it was family associated, then what could Jack’s Indian family be into to require a secret entrance?
Curiosity starting to grow, Ethan slowly made his way downward, finding the floor moments later. The darkness was almost complete, just a faint lightening around the opening above, but the soft echoing of trickling fluid and the stagnant water smell suggested they were in a storm drain.
Jack landed beside him, one hand out and groping until he found Ethan in the dark. “Can you see much? I’m totally fucking blind.”
“I’m not much better, I’m afraid.”
“There used to be fluorescent marks on the walls. Hopefully they’re still there. Let me just close the hatch.”
Once the hatch closed, Ethan’s slight eyesight advantage was gone. Then he made out a faintly glowing arrow on the wall and pointed it out to Jack. With a triumphant grunt, Jack grabbed Ethan’s hand so they wouldn’t lose each other in the dark and went in the direction of the arrow. Although the marks were regular, their progress was still almost painfully slow. Jack moved his feet in a shuffle, looking for ground obstacles. Ethan actively paid attention to the corners they took and the number of steps between, just in case he needed to get them out of this place. The familiarity of the exercise kept him focused and alert, less like he needed to just stop and curl up into a ball. Jack, however, seemed to be flagging the longer they moved through the dark. Ethan was about to suggest he take the lead when Jack stopped.
“Jack?”
“I think we’re here.” He dropped Ethan’s hand and felt over the wall. With a relieved sigh, Jack grabbed something and pulled on it.
“Where are we?” Ethan traced the same area Jack had been touching and found a metal handle on the end of a nylon rope that dangled from the ceiling.
“Under a hotel on the shore of Veli Lake. Before they changed the laws about homosexuality, this was one of the few places people could come and be themselves. Though I suspect it’s still in use. Minds and hearts don’t change as fast as laws.”
Right then, a creak of old hinges echoed from above and then a sliver of faint light cast a pale illumination over Jack.
“Namaste?” Jack asked softly.
A male voice said something in a language that didn’t sound much like the Hindi Jack had been speaking. Jack replied in the same tongue, but when he was done, the other person didn’t respond for so long Jack tensed up and Ethan readied to either fight or run.
“Jack?”
Jack jerked, then, in a soft voice, “Raja?”
The hatch above was opened fully. Ethan and Jack both flinched from the wash of light.
“Sorry, sorry,” the man above said hastily.
“It’s okay.” Jack held a hand up to shield his eyes. “I didn’t think you’d be here.”
Ethan hurriedly put his sunglasses on and peered up at the man. It was Jack in twenty years. Skin slightly darker, wrinkles around his eyes and grey at his temples. Still a striking man, especially when he smiled. It was a confused smile, but happy as well.
“Let me get a ladder.” Raja disappeared from the opening.
“Your uncle?” Ethan asked softly.
“Yeah. I haven’t seen him in fifteen years.”
Looking upwards, Ethan tried to see what lay beyond. “He runs the hotel?”
“Owns it. We used to stay
here when we came to visit. Had a whole floor for the family. Meera loved it because she could go days without seeing me. I loved it because there seemed to be a large amount of very good-looking men walking around the place at all hours.” His smile was sad. “I was sixteen when I worked out why they were here. Mostly because I followed this gorgeous young man down to the basement and watched him kiss his male lover goodbye, then leave through that hatch.” He pointed to the opening. “So of course I had to go through it and explore. I got lost. Took me nearly a whole day to find my way to the entrance we used. There are a couple of others, as well.”
“Your family must have been worried about you.”
Jack laughed. “They barely even realised I was gone. Raja worked out where I’d disappeared to and fetched me back. I adored my uncle so I promised to keep his secret for him.”
Ethan didn’t miss the past tense. “It must have been nice knowing you would have a sympathetic uncle when you came out.”
The humour vanished in an instant. “He wasn’t sympathetic.”
“But . . . this place. Surely that meant he—”
“Here you go,” Raja said just then, and a rope ladder rolled down into the storm drain.
Jack went first, then Ethan went and emerged to find nephew and uncle sharing an awkward hug. Raja was speaking softly, patting Jack’s back. Jack nodded but didn’t relax.
The basement was dim and filled with old furniture, boxes, and cobwebs. A single shaded bulb hung from the ceiling and a door in the far wall was slightly ajar. The room smelt musty and stale.
When he could, Jack pulled away and reached for Ethan. The urge to back away flared. Jack knew he didn’t like being touched in public. But this wasn’t really public, it was Jack’s uncle, and the tremor in Jack’s hand spoke of a need other than the usual distracting affection. Jack had been very patient with him the past several days, willing to do whatever Ethan wanted, and had ended up in danger for his loyalty. And what had Ethan done for him?
He moved before he knew he would do it, leaning into Jack and clasping the hand of the arm Jack wrapped around his waist.
In English, Jack said, “This is Ethan. Ethan, my uncle, Raja Munjanattu.”
“Pleased to meet you, sir.” Ethan held out his hand.
Raja looked between them, at the hands resting low on Ethan’s hip, then at his nephew’s face. He took Ethan’s hand in a firm shake. “Pleasure to meet you, Ethan.” His accent was thick but clear. “Though I wish it had been under better circumstances.” To Jack he added, wryly, “I assume this isn’t a happy visit, considering your choice of entrance.”
“Yeah. We need to stay out of sight for a while. Will you help us?”
Another assessing look between them, then Raja nodded. “Of course. You’re family. No need to ask.” Then he smiled. “I won’t even ask why. I’m just glad you felt you could trust me.”
Jack ducked his head and the arm around Ethan tightened.
“Thank you,” Ethan said to Raja.
Raja gave him a vague smile. “You both look very tired. I’ll take you to a room now.”
“One of the private ones,” Jack said.
His uncle frowned, then nodded. “You’re in luck. The private rooms are all empty at the moment. I’ll have to make up the bed for you.”
“Just bring us sheets and we’ll do it.”
Jack’s perfunctory tone and words got Raja moving, but there was a slump to his shoulders. This reunion probably hadn’t gone the way he’d imagined it would. Perhaps because Ethan, a stranger, was there, or perhaps because Jack had shown his uncle just why Ethan was with him. Though if Raja facilitated clandestine assignations between gay people, while knowing Jack was gay, Ethan’s presence shouldn’t be that surprising. Maybe he disapproved of how they’d arrived, secretly and hoping to hide, meaning Jack’s whole motivation was about protection, not getting in touch with family.
Ethan brought up the rear of their little convoy, following the other men through the door, up a narrow staircase, across what appeared to be another storage room and into another dark staircase. They went up four flights and came out into a lushly decorated salon. Thick carpets covered a polished wooden floor, intricate patterns in red, gold, and brown. Large, wingback chairs where paired up around small, circular, marble topped tables. A couch ran along one wall, a divan along another. The other two walls had two doors each.
Raja pulled out a key and unlocked one of the doors. “This room was cleaned this morning. I’ll get you some sheets and toiletries. Look around and let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
Jack didn’t move, so Ethan went in and switched on the light by the door. The room was a full suite, with small kitchenette, lounge area, and through another door, a large bedroom with a full bathroom.
Returning to the lounge to see if Jack had made it in, Ethan heard him and Raja talking softly in the salon. They spoke in the same language as earlier so Ethan had no chance of understanding, but the conversation didn’t sound relaxed.
Raja caught sight of Ethan in the suite’s doorway and broke off what he’d been saying to Jack, and asked in English, “Is everything okay with the room?”
“Yes. I was hoping we could also impose on you for something to eat?”
“Of course. The chef has gone home, but I can bring you a few things until the morning shift arrives and prepares breakfast.” He glanced at his watch. “Which won’t be long, actually. In fact, you’re lucky I heard the bell ring for the hatch. I’d been out and was just returning when you rang it.”
“Lucky us,” Jack muttered as he turned and came towards the room. “Let me guess, you were out with your wife?” Not waiting for an answer, he brushed past Ethan and went into the suite.
Raja watched him disappear, expression blank. He dragged in a couple of deep breaths and, voice slightly harsh, said, “I’ll be back soon with your stuff.”
No. Not a happy reunion at all.
God. What had ever possessed Jack to think this was a good idea? He should have just hauled Ethan into the middle of nowhere and called for an Office extraction, damn the fucking political situation to hell. But the lassitude that plagued Ethan had scared him and he’d wanted to get him somewhere warm and as safe as possible as fast as he could. This place had lasted thirty odd years as a secret from everyone but its clients; it would be a good enough space for Ethan to recover for a couple of days.
If only it hadn’t come with boat loads of bad memories for Jack.
Standing in the lounge room of the suite, Jack rubbed his hands over his face, trying to scrub away the anger and resentment. He hadn’t thought Raja would be here. His uncle had pretty much left the hotel in the hands of his managers—who were aware of the secret rooms—for years, spending most of his time in his new resort at Ponmudi. His wife, Lavanya, had her own apartment complex she managed at Valiathura Beach. As far as Jack was aware, Raja and Lavanya hadn’t lived together in near a decade.
It was all just so much shit, and Jack had willingly walked back into it. Fuck it, coming here felt worse than coming back into India itself.
“Jack?”
Right on cue, there was Ethan with his wary but curious whole-sentence-in-his-name. Answering any of the questions he might have right now would only make Jack angrier.
“I’m going for a shower.” Jack spun on his heel and headed for the bathroom.
Ethan trailed at a safe distance. “There aren’t any towels.”
“Raja will have brought some up by the time I’m done.”
“As you wish, Jack. I’ll bring one in for you when he does.”
“Thanks.” Jack’s current mood wasn’t Ethan’s fault, but he couldn’t look at him right then either.
In the bathroom he stripped fast and threw the sweat and salt encrusted clothes into the bottom of the shower. It wouldn’t be as good as a proper wash, but it was better than nothing. He forgot to care about having nothing to wear afterwards the moment the hot water hit his skin, thou
gh. Christ. How long had it been since he’d gotten properly clean? Not since he’d been back in India, that’s for sure. From the moment he’d touched down in Mumbai he’d been racing after Ethan, or with him. It felt good to be out of those clothes and washing away some of the grit and debris under the hot, hard spray.
A knock on the frosted glass of the shower broke through his momentary bliss.
“Jack? I have soap and other things for you.”
Sliding back the door, Jack accepted the handful of products from Ethan. “Thanks.”
“Towels and sheets have also been delivered. And there are snacks and drinks as well.”
Before Ethan could back away, Jack leaned out and gave him a swift kiss. “Thanks.” He meant it more this time. “I just . . . I didn’t think he’d be here.”
Ethan nodded and, instead of leaving, turned off the light. The open door allowed some light from the bedroom in, but it was low enough Ethan could remove his glasses. Then he removed his clothes and the bandage around his ribs. The clothes joined Jack’s in the bottom of the shower, and he stepped in as well.
“Shit,” Jack hissed as Ethan pressed up against him. Arms going around him automatically, Jack buried his face in Ethan’s neck.
Ethan held him tightly as the water cascaded over them. “I’m sorry, Jack. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t pursued this doomed affair, you wouldn’t be here.”
Jack laughed. “Can’t argue with that, but it’s okay. I know why you did it. And I chose to follow you.”
“We’re one as bad as the other.”
“Seems like it.” Pulling back, Jack ran his hand through Ethan’s wet, greasy hair. “We’re as disgusting as each other at least.” He grabbed the shampoo and squirted a generous amount into his hand. “Stand still.” And he rubbed the product into Ethan’s hair.
Ethan tried, but after only half a minute, he was biting back moans, tilting his head into Jack’s massaging fingers, and backing into him. Shower sex would be amazing, but more than a general contemplation of the subject left Jack feeling even wearier. What he really wanted was to fall into a bed between clean sheets, wrap himself around Ethan, and sleep for a day. Possibly two.
When Death Frees the Devil Page 26
