by Cree Storm
"Bren, this wasn't your fault." Rene whispered softly.
Bren sniffled and Wiz handed Bren a tissue. Blowing his nose, Bren rasped, "Maybe if I hadn't gotten him so excited about planes he wouldn't have wanted to fly and maybe he wouldn't have been at the airfield. If he was never there, he would be alive today."
"You don't know that, Bren. Look, we have been doing this for hundreds of years. We've seen a lot of death and met some really sick fucks out there." Rene stated.
Cobra nodded then said, "And I can tell you something I've learned throughout all my years doing this. Everyone has a time limit. We may not know it, but it's there. If someone is meant to pass, then that is exactly what will happen."
Bren scoffed, "And what about you guys? Your time should have been over four hundred fifty years ago, yet here you are."
"We are an anomaly. D.O.A. was formed to hopefully help the human race. The problem is, by the time we are called in, humans have already died." Rene answered.
Nodding, Wiz replied, "We are not meant to save them all, but D.O.A. does its best to limit the number of humans killed."
"The point is, when Aaron was chosen, it would not have mattered where he went that day, this man would have killed him anyway." Cobra stated firmly.
Shaking his head, Bren replied, "You can't know that."
Rene sighed, "Yes, we can."
"No one can know that. Maybe the person saw Aaron walking and just grabbed him. That long dirt road to the airport was a prime opportunity." Bren argued.
Rene looked at the other men, and most were looking at Rene expectantly, causing him to say, "We know, because the man that is doing this picked him, not because of his location, but because of his name."
Bren's brows furrowed, "What? I don't understand."
"Aaron Archer was chosen for the exact same reason as Keith Krane and now Falon Fredricks was." Rene said quietly.
Bren's eyes widened and his body went ramrod straight, "His name? Both their first and last names started with the same letter."
Looking at the man with glasses, Bren said, "I'm sorry, I don't know your name."
Smiling wide, he said, "My name is Steve, but everyone calls me Wiz."
"Do you pee a lot or something?" Bren asked with a raised brow.
Everyone laughed, and Steve stood there looking confused, "Noooo, it's because I am a Wiz at the computer. You know, tech geek here."
With a slight nod, Bren asked, "Do you know how Falon died?"
"Same as the other boys. He was sexually assaulted and asphyxiated." Wiz replied.
"All the boys were killed on roads with the same letter as their names?" Bren asked.
Wiz nodded. "I'm impressed you caught that."
Bren snorted, "Don't be, Jude mentioned it the other night."
Looking at Rene, Bren asked, "This is all connected, isn't it? They names, where they were killed, and how it was done."
"We think so." Pit replied.
Rene could see that Bren was slowly putting all the pieces together. Damn, he was a lucky man. His mate was not only sexy as fuck, but smart as well.
Bren took that moment to look at Rene, asking "Whoever this guy is, is mimicking the Alphabet murders, isn't he?"
"We believe so, yes." Rene replied.
Taj rolled his eyes, "Okay, now that you know that, can we talk about the other boys now? I have a feeling this guy’s about to escalate soon. If we don't get ahead of this guy, more kids are going to die."
"Taj is right. Bren, what can you tell us about Keith?" Rene asked.
Bren pursed his lips and drew in an angry breath, "Keith was a good kid. He was not only responsible, but he was smart and sweet as well. He begged his mom for a puppy. Promised he would take care of it. Poor thing got a tumor and although it was benign, I had to remove it. I let Keith work in the clinic to pay off the surgery."
"And Falon?" Taj asked.
Bren blushed, "He was a nice kid."
"Why are you turning so red?" Wiz asked with a raised brow.
"Well, he kind of had a crush on me." Bren mumbled.
Rene smiled, "A boy with good taste. So how well did you know Falon?"
Shrugging, Bren replied, "He worked at the stables and always made sure that he was the one to take me on my rounds to work on the horses. He was talkative and always finding reasons to touch my hand or my arm."
Bren stopped talking as the reality of Falon's death sank in, tears clogged his throat. "He──He didn't de──deserve this. None of those boys deserved this."
Rene placed Bren's head on his chest, whispering, "No, Bren, they didn't. I promise you, we are going to do everything we can to stop this monster."
The song "Trouble" started playing from Bren's pocket and he quickly sat up and pulled his phone out, "Sorry, I have to take this, it's Jude."
Bren stood up and walked away from the men, "Hey Jude, what's up? Yeah, I know, I just found out."
His men started talking amongst themselves, allowing Rene to watch and listened as Bren spoke to his friend. He could not only see the heaviness of his mate’s heartache over the loss of Falon, but he could feel it within his own heart as well. It took everything in him to not go to Bren and take the man into his arms. He wanted to kiss every tear away and show him how wonderful it was to be alive.
"Pit, I think we may have a problem." Taj said, jarring Rene away from his thoughts.
"I know, we have to get some men to the Falon murder site."
"That too, yes. However, I think we have a bigger problem than that." Taj answered.
Turning to his friend he could see that his men were all looking at Bren in concern.
Rolling his eyes, Rene said, "Look guys, Bren isn't about to announce, over the phone, to his friend, that there is a group of men called D.O.A. investigating the murders, and that we are over five hundred years old with soul dragons, and as protection to the human world."
Wiz looked at Rene, saying, "As much as that's a relief, that isn't the problem Taj is talking about."
"Then what is it?" Rene asked in confusion.
Taj gave another glance to Bren then back to Rene, saying, "Don't you find it weird that every boy that has been murdered has been someone Bren knew on a personal level?"
Rene hissed, "My mate is not a fucking murderer!"
Taj opened his mouth to say something, but Wiz stepped in front of him, saying, "We don't think that for a second, Pit. However, we do think that somehow Bren is connected to the boys being chosen by the killer."
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Jude, can you run by the clinic and check on Steph? If someone has told her about Falon, she shouldn't be alone." Bren said in concern.
Jude snorted, "Yeah, I can ask Lex if he wants to come with me to check on her."
"Shit! I totally forgot I invited him to join us tonight. Can you tell him I'm really sorry I had to bail?" Bren asked.
"Sure, but I would really love to know why you cancelled? Hot date?" Jude asked.
Thinking about Azul and Rene, Bren gave a short laugh, "You could say that."
"Is he tall, dark, and handsome?" Jude asked teasingly.
Bren gave a sideways glance to Rene, then turned back and whispered as low as he could, "Jude, I have to say that Rene has to be one of the sexiest men I have ever laid eyes on. He's like seven and a half feet tall, glorious black hair, and the most amazing cobalt blue eyes ever."
Jude snickered, "Dude, do not play the shy boy with this one. Do as David Lee Roth always says──Jump!"
Bren laughed softly, "There are things that we have to work out before we go that far, Jude."
Jude scoffed, "Okay, let me ask you a couple of questions. Is he sexy?"
"I just told you he was." Bren replied.
Judy made a sound confirming Bren's words, "Yes, you did. Now, is he a good man?"
Bren nodded even though he knew Jude couldn't see, "It seems like it. But──"
"Do you like him?" Jude asked before Bren could finish his sent
ence.
"Yes, but──"
Bren heard a chair hit the floor on Jude's end. Bren could picture his friend pacing as he spoke, "No buts Bren. Your problem is you always want to analyze, get all the facts, and then when you decide to make a move, the dude is long gone. For once in your life, go with your instincts and fuck the facts. Better yet, fuck him. Nice and slow──fast and furious── however it needs to be done. No thinking and fact finding."
"But──"
"The only but involved in this conversation is yours, getting plowed into by Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. I'm serious, Bren. No thinking and analyzing. Just go with what feels right." Jude insisted.
"You don't understand, Jude. He──"
"No, Bren, you don't understand. It's time you stop worrying about the world and start doing things for you. When the hell is the last time you got laid?" Jude asked with damn near a growl at the end.
"I don't──"
"Seven years, Bren. The last time you got laid was over seven years ago. I remember it vividly. It was with the guy you roomed with your first year in college. You slept with him and the fuck wad switched rooms the next day." Jude stated.
Bren turned to make sure the others weren't listening, and was a bit comforted when he saw them talking amongst themselves, "Jude──"
"No, Bren, the guy was a douche. It had nothing to do with you being bad in bed and everything to do with the fact that he was a closet case that went for an adventure and then moved to his next conquest." Jude argued.
Bren sighed, "You can't possibly know whether I am good in──"
Again, Jude didn't let him finish before jumping in, "I don't have to sleep with you to know that you would be good in bed. I know you, Bren. You would be just as giving in bed as you are in person."
Bren hissed low, "I am not one to jump into bed with a guy I just met."
"And why the hell not? Steph said that he was a cop of some kind and seemed very nice and was as sexy as you said he was. I'm telling you, Bren, don't overthink this shit. That dick ass Bartly is not worth you becoming a monk. And what in the hell kind of name is Bartly anyway? It almost sounds like that purple fucking dragon that danced around singing the Wheels on the Bus."
Bren practically screamed, "I am not going to keep talking about my sex life with you, Jude!"
Realizing what he said and how loud he said it, Bren turned and was mortified to see twelve men staring at him in silence. Quickly turning back around, Bren lowered his voice, "Look, I promise to think about what you said, just check on Steph for me. If she needs me, call me and I will go to the clinic and stay with her."
Jude sighed, "No, I'll grab Rylee and see if Lex wants to join us to check on her. Just think about what I said, Bren. Who knows, maybe the man you are looking at is the man meant to be yours for the rest of your days. All I know is that a guy doesn't like to be analyzed and put under a microscope. His past is his past. We all have one. If you want to be this guy’s present, then take a leap of faith." Jude insisted more firmly and then hung up before Bren could say a word.
Slowly Bren tucked his phone back in place and turned around. The guys were still staring at him as Bren began to look around the room. He didn't know what to say or if he should say anything. Surprisingly, it was Taj that saved him, "How close were you with these boys? I mean on a scale from one to ten."
Bren shrugged, "Well, you know Aaron was a ten, Keith, probably a eight to eight and a half, and Falon, I would have to say a seven."
"Are there other kids you're close to?" Wiz asked.
Bren scrunched his brows and nose, confused by what they were asking. Suddenly his eyes widened, then furrowed in anger, "I am not a fucking killer!"
Pissed beyond words, Bren started for the door only to have Rene stop him, "Bren, you misunderstand our questions. We don't for a second think you are a murderer. However, what are the odds that you would know all three boys that were killed?"
Bren understood what Rene was saying, but there was no way in hell he had anything to do with this. Why would someone kill a child that he had come into contact with? It didn't make a damn bit of sense.
"We don't know how you are connected to this, Bren, but we really believe you are somehow a piece of this murder puzzle." Wiz.
"Do you have security footage in your clinic?" Taj asked.
Nodding, Bren replied, "I had it installed when I took it over. I have an entire security system there, actually. With the drugs I keep on hand for surgery and stuff, I don't want anyone having easy access."
"Good. We need it." Taj stated firmly.
Sighing, Bren replied, "Fine, but first, can I please have your names. I know that he is Cobra, and he is known as Wiz. He's Trevor." Bren said as he pointed each man out.
"Also known as Sparky." Trevor replied.
Snorting, Wiz said, "If there is a fire, Sparky is the one that can tell us how it started, where it started, and can connect any link one fire has to another."
Smiling wide, Sparky winked at Bren, saying, "It's a gift."
"Well again, I know your names──Oh and that one is asshole aka Taj. Who are the rest of you?" Bren asked
Everyone laughed, except Taj, and the guy that had drug him to Rene in back of the coffee shop. Rene stepped forward, pointed at a man with short wavy brown hair, "This is Gil Fuller. Nickname, Solo. He is my weapons expert and marksmen. If something──"
"Or someone." Wiz piped in.
Nodding, Rene replied, "Or someone needs shooting, he is the man for the job."
Pointing to another man just a few inches shorter than Solo, and who had blond hair instead of brown, Rene replied, "That is Bolton Lark."
"But you can call me Gunner." The man replied.
"I'm JC Gord, everyone calls me Nautical."
"Nautical?" Bren asked.
Nodding the man replied, "Yes, I am the one that guides the men to our destinations. I make sure that we have as little resistance as possible and that everything we need is in order."
"And I'm Wit Ference, but you can call me Blade."
Rene smiled, saying, "Solo is a weapons expert, and as good as he is with guns, Blade is just as great with knives. He is also our warlord, master of tactics and strategy."
"This lug head here is Camden Decker, but we call him Boomer." Cobra stated with a smile.
Bren raised a brow, "Please tell me it isn't because you are gassy?"
Boomer laughed so hard he turned bright red. Still laughing, Boom stammered, "N──No it is──isn't a flatulence problem."
"Yeah, right. Tell us that after dinner." Wiz said with a laugh.
Rene wiped at his eyes from laughing so hard, "He has the name──"
"Because he's good with bombs. I kinda figured that out on my own." Bren replied with a smile.
"The big behemoth of a man is Neilan Garoppolo." Rene said.
Bren looked up at the man that was almost as tall as Rene and Taj, and had just as many muscles. "And they call you?"
"Eagle. I'm the historian and treasurer. I'm the one the searches the archives and looks for any repeat offenders, and I am great at investments." Neilan answered with a small nod.
Rene turned his attention to the man that had not spoken a word to him since the moment he carried Bren behind the coffee shop, "And you are?"
"Casper." The man replied with a voice that seemed rusty from nonuse.
"His real name is Rance Caldwell." Rene replied.
Bren walked up to Casper, asking him, "How did you get me across that street to Rene without anyone seeing or hearing us?"
"It is my way." Casper replied roughly.
Rene sighed, "That is why he is named Casper. He can do things none of us understand. If he does not wish to be seen, he will not be."
"Okay, now that I know your names, I just want you to know that I promise to do my best in remembering them. It might take me some time, but hopefully I'll get there." Bren told them all.
"Does that mean you have agreed to b
ecome my sentience?" Rene asked hopefully.
Bren turned to Rene, "It means I'm willing to date for a while and get to know you. We can see where that leads us."
"Date? You are going to date our leader?" Nico asked in shock.
Wiz did his best not to laugh, but lost the battle quickly "I don't remember a time that Pit was denied."
Shrugging, Bren said, "I'm not denying him, I am just postponing things for a while. By the way, how did you get the name Pit?"
"Because Pit is the best fighter any of us have ever seen. He's like a Pit Bull. He goes for the juggler and doesn't let go until he has achieved his goal." Nico answered.
Bren looked at the man that said he was his mate, saying, "I think I'll stick to Rene."
Suddenly, something dawned on Bren. Turning to Wiz he asked, "Wait, did you say your leader?"
Nodding, Wiz answered, "Pit is the leader and president of D.O.A. If you become his sentience that means that you will help him lead our group."
Bren's eyes widened, "But I don't know how to drive a motorcycle."
CHAPTER NINE
Rene knew that Bren had understood what his team was trying to tell him. Rene sent Cobra and Casper with Taj to check out the last murder site, Solo and Sparky to go see the coroner, and Wiz went with Gunner to collecting any surveillance videos the investigator might have as well as talking to the businesses along the roads the bodies were found. Rene knew he should be doing more with this case, however, at the moment, his mating needs could compromise Rene right now and valuable information could be missed. So instead, he had taken Bren for a walk around the town.
Drago was a wonderful place to live. The people all knew each other, helped each other, and loved living here. They had all kinds of businesses in town, grocery stores, garages, beauty parlors,
