When Death Frees the Devil

by L. J. Hayward

Ethan did, expression concerned. “Jack, are you all right?”

  “Yeah.” He leaned over, seeking his mouth. “Just need more of you.”

  Which Ethan gave, wrapping him in arms and legs and pulling him close. Jack grabbed their dicks and stroked them together, swallowing Ethan’s moans, cherishing every single one. Jack could have come like that but Ethan was insistent.

  “Jack.” He pushed up against him. “Inside me.”

  Letting their dicks go, Jack pressed his palm to Ethan’s belly. “Are you sure?”

  With a frustrated growl, Ethan bit his jaw. “Yes, I’m sure. If you don’t do something now, I’m going to have to take charge.”

  Flames licked through Jack’s entire body at the thought of Ethan taking charge. There were few things hotter than Ethan indulging his every naughty impulse at Jack’s very willing expense. But that would derail Jack’s overall goal for the night, and tomorrow.

  “Fine.” Jack worked a couple of fingers back into him, slowly thrusting and stretching again. “I just need one tiny, little, itty bitty thing first.”

  Eyes rolled back in bliss, Ethan barely managed a, “Which is?”

  Jack put his mouth right next to his ear and whispered, “Say it.”

  Gasping, Ethan’s whole body jerked. He grabbed a handful of Jack’s hair and pulled until they were looking directly at each other, then slowly, deliberately, Ethan said, “Fuck me, Jack.”

  Ethan woke with a start. For a moment, he couldn’t recall where he was, why he was sitting up, or that he’d even fallen asleep in the first place. The moment the hum of the smooth engine registered and the landscape of green hills came into focus, he remembered.

  With a little sigh, he adjusted his arse in the bucket seat. It still held a pleasant ache from the night before. Jack had definitely delivered on Ethan’s demands, keeping him up most of the night in his effort to win their little bet. Ethan couldn’t even be sorry he’d lost. Letting Jack drive wasn’t as big a deal as he’d pretended, and he had gotten exactly what he wanted for the night, twice, and two other orgasms that had been just as glorious and fun.

  “Hey, you’re awake.” Jack reached over to pat his thigh. “I was worried you might never wake up.”

  Snorting, Ethan really looked at the passing landscape. This didn’t look very familiar. He and Jack had made a couple of trips down to Helensburgh to visit Meera and Mati since he’d been released from hospital, and the ladies were supposed to be hosting today’s barbeque.

  “I’m starting to suspect, Jack, that my falling asleep, after being sexually exhausted on purpose last night, was all part of a grand scheme you concocted to not only get behind the wheel of my car, but to then kidnap her and me both. Where are we?”

  Jack’s chuckle sounded forced and his tone when he answered was almost hesitant. “There’s been a slight change of plans. It’s a surprise for you.”

  The strange wariness made Ethan wonder what the surprise could be. When organising today’s get-together, Jack had asked him a couple of times if he would like to invite Seven and Zero. While Ethan had been pleased to find an ally within the Cabal in Zero, and he was happy Seven had escaped the destruction, he wasn’t quite ready to bring them back into his life. Not now that he had a life he wanted. Not while he was still negotiating the intricacies of who he himself was in this new life. He didn’t think Jack would go behind his back and invite them, but he couldn’t imagine any other surprise Jack might have for him.

  Cautiously, he asked again, “Where are we?”

  “About ten Ks out of Cessnock, but our destination is about five Ks out of Pokolbin, so about half an hour before we get there.” Jack still didn’t sound overly confident.

  “The Hunter Valley. Are we going wine tasting?”

  Jack shrugged. “We can, if you want, but the barbeque’s still happening, just . . . relocated.”

  “Why? Didn’t Meera want to host it?”

  “Meera’s the one who suggested it. Who commanded it, actually.”

  Watching the siblings work at this new stage of their relationship had been intriguing. They were actively trying to change attitudes, yet they still didn’t always find a mutual point of agreement. Which, Ethan suspected, was simply a part of being a family. They didn’t always agree, but now rather than start a protracted fight and split apart over it, they could move on to something they could see eye to eye about. And usually that thing was Mati.

  “So Meera and Mati will be there?”

  “Yup. Lewis too. He’s picking up Mr. Cesare and Shorty on his way. And just as a warning, I also invited Lydia.”

  Ethan winced. “Is she coming?”

  “She said she might pop by. I told Lew and he’s okay with it.” A few kilometres went by, then Jack said, “She betrayed him but he knows why now. He said he’s okay with her at work, but he moved out of their place the other week.”

  “I know he was spending some nights at your Leichhardt apartment. Did he move in there?”

  “No. He found his own place, said he needed somewhere completely new. Start afresh and stuff.”

  Something was off about Jack’s answer. It wasn’t a lie but it wasn’t the entire truth, either. Did it have something to do with the surprise?

  “Have you chosen a name yet?” Jack asked before Ethan could interrogate him.

  Thoughts successfully diverted, Ethan turned back to watching the scenery. “Not yet.”

  “You really need to pick something soon. Tan’s not going to wait much longer and if he ends up picking, you’ll be John Brown for the rest of your life.”

  Ethan snorted. “There are worse names.”

  “Fuck yeah, but there are better ones, too.” Jack squeezed his thigh and gently said, “You could be Paul St. Clair, you know.”

  His head shake was instinctive. “I couldn’t. He’s gone. I’m not the man that Paul St. Clair would have become.”

  They reached Cessnock, the small town creeping up around them until they were driving down a main street and through the central business area. Jack made a turn and a sign announced Pokolbin eleven Ks away.

  “What about Sinclair, then?” Jack persisted as they left Cessnock behind. “You’ve used it before.”

  “It’s a possibility. I’ve also used Saint.”

  “Speaking as a lapsed Christian, I like it.”

  Surprisingly, discussing surnames was a pleasant distraction, especially when Jack started proposing ones that sounded dirty. It was such a good distraction that Ethan missed Pokolbin.

  Jack laughed. “There’s nothing to miss. It’s pretty much all vineyards.” Then he got serious again as he made another turn onto a narrow road that headed towards the hills just beyond the neat blocks of grape vines, looking more like coils of brown wire in the winter than plants. “We’re almost there.”

  Curious and wary, Ethan studied the landscape. It looked dry but, like the vines, everything was winter brown. There was green on the hills and that was where they appeared to be going, turning off the road onto a gated driveway. Jack pulled up beside a security post, wound the window down and punched a number into the keypad. The tall, wrought iron gate rolled aside and they went through.

  “This is private property?” Ethan asked.

  “Yeah. We have the owner’s permission.” He threw Ethan a slightly worried smile.

  Ethan frowned. “Jack? What is going on?”

  The drive curved around a large dam, a small flock of wild ducks paddling on the water, while large domestic white, brown and grey ducks wandered around the edge. Trees rimmed the water and the driveway, and the grass was green as it spread away to either side. There were paddocks fenced in white logs though no animals were in sight. Through the trees, there was a house slowly appearing.

  “It was a hobby farm. They had horses, goats, couple of cows, chickens.” Jack gestured. “Ducks, which the old owners left behind because they’re ‘part of the landscape.’”

  Suspicions growing, Ethan said, “And the new owner
s?”

  “Don’t mind the ducks. I mean, they’re kindah cute, right?”

  The drive circled around a neatly trimmed garden-bed of roses and lavender before the house, as well as continuing on around it to disappear behind the large, single storey structure. Most of its size, Ethan guessed, was the wide wrap-around patio festooned with hanging baskets of flowers and potted plants. The house was off-white render with green trim on the windows and a dark red roof. Chimneys graced either end of it, the north one sporting an old-fashioned weathervane. Solar panels interrupted the rustic air.

  “Looks okay, doesn’t it?”

  Jack sounded so worried Ethan’s suspicions were pretty much confirmed. “I like it.” And he did. Mostly for the fact that he couldn’t see another house, but also because it was beautiful, nestled into this gorgeous part of the world. “It’ll be a chore to get it secure, but I’d love to live here with you.” He leaned over and kissed Jack’s surprise-parted lips. “You sold your Leichhardt apartment, thus Lewis couldn’t live there anymore, and you bought this place for us. Jack, I love the surprise. I love you, so much.” He kissed him again and this time Jack had the wits to respond.

  A long while later, Jack said, “You haven’t even seen the best bit yet.”

  “There’s more?”

  “Just you wait.” Putting Victoria back in gear, Jack slowly drove around the house and the rest of the property opened up for Ethan.

  More paddocks, a small vineyard—it was the Hunter region, after all—a large undercover entertainment area, a pool with natural rock landscaping, and a long, six-bay garage. Jack parked Victoria in the bay closest to the house and turned her off.

  “I thought you could bring your other cars out here,” he said. “Or you could start another harem if you wanted. But the moment I saw this, I knew I had to buy this place. I think they had tractors in the last two bays because they’re larger. Maybe you could turn that into a work space so you had room too—”

  Ethan crawled into Jack’s lap to kiss him again. Jack laughed, the sound muffled, and wound his arms around Ethan.

  “You like it, then?”

  “It’s perfect,” Ethan enthused between kisses. “You’re perfect. I don’t deserve you. I want to fellate you, right here.”

  Jack kissed him like he was seriously thinking about it, but he pulled back with a small moan and pressed his forehead to Ethan’s. “You deserve me. You deserve this. You deserve everything and anything you ever want.”

  “You.” There was no hesitation, no doubt, no worry. “You, Jack. I don’t care where we are, or how many cars I have, so long as I have you.”

  “Good. Because you got me.”

  As much as Ethan also wanted to stay right where he was, his healing leg was mashed between Jack and the car door and was starting to ache. They untangled themselves, got out, and Jack took his hand, leading him.

  “There’s one more surprise.” There was a wicked gleam in his eyes this time, all nervousness gone.

  “Another one?” Ethan was already breathless with warm shock and love. He couldn’t imagine what else there could be, especially one that had Jack smirking like that.

  “I didn’t think we’d be able to pull this one together in time, but God smiled on me, thankfully. Well, that and a whole heap of sugar cubes helped, too.”

  Mute with wonder at Jack’s overwhelming joy, Ethan let himself be led around the garage. Stables backed onto it, surrounded by small yards. One of which was occupied.

  Sheila was sunning herself on the far side of the enclosed space but before Ethan could say her name, she seemed to sense him. Her head whipped around and, grunting happily, she flung herself into motion. Big feet slapping on the grass, she barrelled into the fence to greet him.

  Ethan threw his arms around her long neck as she snuffled excitedly at any part of him she could reach. He couldn’t believe it. The six-bay garage attached to a lovely house, surrounded by beautiful scenery and isolation was one thing, but this? If he hadn’t already believed Jack loved him, this single act would have convinced him. Ethan buried his face in shaggy hair, not even caring that her camelid scent would stick to him all day.

  It was ridiculous to have such an attachment to a half-feral camel he’d found while preparing for the Valadian job. She’d wormed her way into his heart over those few weeks with a needy persistence that had won him over. Jack hadn’t been so easily enamoured, even now keeping a little distance as he patted her shoulder, but he’d known what it would mean to Ethan to see her again, to know she was fine and happy.

  “When did you find her?”

  “Couple of weeks back. I found this place, saw the stables and sort of got nostalgic.”

  Ethan chuckled. He let Sheila go and turned to Jack, leaning against the fence. Sheila plopped her chin over his shoulder and blinked long, languorous lashes at his beautiful man.

  “It made me think of this dumb lump.” Jack gestured at the camel. “So, I said I was going to Canberra for that week, remember?”

  “Hmm. The one where Mati had to babysit me.”

  “It wasn’t babysitting, it was just coincidental that she was coming to the city that week to check out universities.”

  Ethan merely cocked an eyebrow and Jack smirked.

  “Either way, I went to WA and spent two days looking for her. She finally showed up, bit me, and ran away before I could get her into the trailer.”

  Sheila snorted and Ethan laughed.

  “I managed to coax her in with sugar cubes and then Lewis had a couple of junior assets from the Perth branch drive the trailer over here. She apparently bit them a couple of times, too.”

  “Poor baby.” Ethan soothed the camel with a pat.

  “Poor assets. Imagine being called on for a super-secret mission, only to find out it’s to haul that stinky critter across the Nullarbor, who then bit them for their troubles.”

  “She was scared and confused.”

  “She’s pretty much pure evil and you know it. Come on, the others will be getting here soon.”

  Sheila grumbled about being left alone again, but Ethan promised he’d be back with more sugar, and followed Jack to the house.

  The entertainment area had already been decorated with twinkling lights, long table and chairs in the middle, with wicker lounges, footstools and glass topped coffee table to one side. A large barbeque sat at one end and a bar at the other. Jack took him into the house, gave him a quick tour of the four bedrooms, two baths, office, living room, separate dining room, family room, and well stocked modern kitchen, all on polished hard wood floors, with soaring, exposed beam ceilings. Ethan was dazed by the time they grabbed beers from the fridge and went back outside to wait for the others.

  “Do you like it?” Jack asked as he leaned back on the banana lounge.

  Ethan settled in between his legs, back to Jack’s chest. “It’s an awful lot to take in so quickly. But yes, I like it. I love it.”

  Jack’s arm tightened around his middle. “Thank fucking Christ for that. Do you know how many times I second-guessed all this? I thought you’d hate it or hate that I’d done it without talking to you. And it’s not like I’m saying we live here full time. I don’t want to abandon the penthouse because I know it’s where you feel the safest. I just thought we could have this, too. Somewhere to be completely alone with each other, or on our own if we need some time apart. If you don’t—”

  “Jack?”

  He stumbled to a stop mid nervous ramble. “What?”

  “Trust me, I love it. You had me hooked the moment I saw the garage.”

  Jack took a few sips of beer, then said, “I knew it. You do love your cars, and that camel, more than me.”

  “So long as you know your place in the pecking order.”

  “Fuck you, Blade, and the camel you rode in on.”

  Ethan laughed.

  “So, any more thoughts on a name?” Jack asked when he’d calmed down.

  Sighing, Ethan relaxed into Jack’s
body. “Some. I think it has to be Ethan.”

  Jack’s hand, which had been idly rubbing his belly, stopped. “Are you sure? Seven told me how Ethan Blade came about.”

  “I’m sure. I’m not Ethan Blade, but I am Ethan. I have been since you first called me that in the desert, after Valadian died and we were in the stable. I may have only realised it six months ago, but that was when it happened. You said it without anger or derision. When you looked at me and didn’t see an assassin or an enemy. You saw me and said ‘Ethan.’”

  “Jesus,” Jack whispered, face pressing into his neck. “I’m so sorry I was a dick for so long. I should have realised then how much you meant to me, how good you were for me. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t have to be sorry, Jack. I didn’t know either.”

  It took Jack a while to gather himself, and when he did, his voice was rough with emotion. “So, Ethan is a good start. What about a middle name?”

  “Do I need a middle name?”

  “You do. I need to shout at least three names when you piss me off.”

  “Hmm. All right. How about Paul?”

  “Ethan Paul. That’s not bad. Now surname. Ethan Paul Sinclair.” He repeated it louder and angrier. “I can work with that.”

  “Ethan Paul Sinclair.” Ethan tested it out several times. “I think that’s it.”

  Jack clinked their bottles together. “Cheers, Ethan Paul Sinclair.”

  “Cheers.” Ethan took a sip and, wiggling out of Jack’s hold, stood. “It is a good name. For now.”

  Jack gaped at him. “For now? What the fuck does ‘for now’ mean?”

  Ethan smiled, leaned over, kissed him, and said, “Just that perhaps one day, maybe soon, you might want it to be Ethan Paul Reardon.”

  He left Jack in stunned silence and went to start his new life.

  I wanted to keep this one very short and very sweet (along the lines of “I love yous all!”) but thought I better name names . . .

  May Peterson . . . I owe you this entire book. No. This whole series! Without your tireless work on book one, book three and all the ones in between wouldn’t exist. You were a massive part of making WDMTD the book so many readers loved and you saved me again with this one.