Hell Is Burning

by Morgan Kelley

  Greyson released the long strand of chain to tuck himself back into his pants. When Emma didn't move, he held out his hands to help her back to her feet.

  “You really can’t move much in that dress, can you?”

  She laughed. “If I go down, I’m screwed.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “And that’s a bad thing?”

  “Greyson Croft, you know what I meant.”

  Yes, he did, but he was allowed to have a dirty mind. No one needed to know what he was thinking.

  His wife would be going down later, and for that fact, so was he.

  “We should get going.” He’d rather not, but they had to make an appearance.

  “Can I sit on your lap in the limo?” she asked, playing with the long chain. Emma didn't miss how he couldn’t look away from it. The shiny metal was hypnotizing him.

  Oh, she was keeping this little gem in their secret room for when they wanted a sexy rendezvous.

  “You never have to ask, Em. This lap is all yours.”

  When he dropped his arm around her waist, he didn't hesitate to give the ‘leash’ a tug.

  “Meow.”

  Yeah, it was going to be a long night. Greyson couldn’t wait to get her alone.

  Later, he was going to have his kitten.

  Repeatedly.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  The ride to the event in the limo, with the entourage, was entertaining. Greyson made sure there was champagne, and lots of laughter. Dante and Steele were sitting close together, holding hands. Emma was indeed in Greyson’s lap, running her fingers through his hair. Chris was having some champagne as he had a good time with people he called friends.

  This was something he’d never experienced before. This kind of wealth had eluded his family, but now he was getting a taste of it.

  For a rough cop, he could enjoy this.

  As they approached the museum, everyone checked out the lights being projected onto the four stories of stone. They flashed and formed a LVPD badge.

  It looked like the commissioner was going all out for this one.

  Chris was grateful he was a guest, and not the host. This kind of party wasn’t really his thing, but as captain of homicide, he had no choice but to attend. It was always bad business to piss off the top cop.

  He knew that from experience.

  “Holy shit! Look at the media!” he said, pointing at the people behind the barriers. They looked about ready to climb over the barriers to get to the approaching vehicles.

  Most of the cars there were Lincolns, so as soon as they saw the stretch limo, they knew who was inside.

  It nearly caused a riot.

  Emma glanced over. “Yeah, that’s normal. You get used to it.”

  Greyson was worried about his brother. While he was still holding Steele’s hand, he looked nervous. He was out, but this was being broadcast all over the city. Once he left this limo, holding his boyfriend’s hand, he was beyond OUT.

  He was in the media spotlight to be judged.

  “Are you going to be okay?” Greyson asked.

  Steele glanced over. “If you can’t do this, I completely understand.”

  He swallowed. “It’s not the gay thing. It’s just all the attention. I’m used to being in the shadows. It’s a little overwhelming.”

  “I’ll go first,” Chris offered.

  Emma grinned. “Just jump out, wave a little, and forget them. It’s time to relax. We’ve had a rough week. Grab some champagne, dance with your sexy doctor, and don’t dwell on it.”

  The limo came to a stop.

  Chris waited until the driver opened the door. The noise was a million times louder than he expected. When he heard his name being announced, he exited the vehicle.

  Dante took a deep breath. As the limo driver told the announcer their names, he had no choice but to jump into the deep end of the fame pool.

  “Let’s go!” he stated.

  Stepping out, his hand was firmly clasped in Steele’s. That gave him enough strength to pull it off. Once out there, he could hear the murmurs of the Croft name, and he waved at the cameras, trying to do his brother proud.

  Then he heard a roar.

  It wasn’t for them.

  Greyson and Emma stepped from the limo when their names were announced. Dante watched his brother and sister-in-law work the crowd. Normally, they were cops. Tonight, they were the Crofts, and that meant the richest, most powerful people in the city.

  Greyson pulled his wife toward him and dipped her low, the chain dangling almost to the ground. Then he kissed her.

  The media ate it up.

  The king and queen had arrived. His devotion and adoration for Emma was clear for everyone to see.

  When he set her mouth free, his arm was around her waist, holding her to him.

  As they headed toward his brother, Greyson smiled. “That’s how you make an entrance.”

  Dante laughed as they headed into the museum. It was all decked out inside, and they felt so much calmer now.

  As soon as they were in the door, Trudy Booker approached. “Emma! That dress is amazing! You have to tell me where you got it! I wonder if they have it in pink. That’s my favorite color.”

  Emma could tell. The woman was always wearing it. Wherever she went, pink was surrounding her like a frothy cloud of sugary sweet cotton candy.

  Greyson momentarily freed his wife to greet the woman. “Trudy, you look well.”

  “Oh, Greyson, I am. Thank you for noticing. I hope you all have a good time,” she stated, moving off to greet the next couple.

  “She’s in charge of this, isn't she?” Emma asked.

  “Yes, she’s trying to fill her time now that her husband is gone. I can’t blame her,” Greyson stated. “It had to be hard. At least she’s not popping into the office to ask me questions about her husband’s case anymore.”

  Yes, that was probably a good thing.

  Working their way through the crowd, Greyson noticed two more people approaching them before they could hit the hors d’oervres and get some champagne.

  “Emma Croft!”

  She turned to see two of her favorite people. Harrison Tyler, and his now fiancé Jeffrey Martin, were approaching as they checked her out.

  She greeted them with a warm hug.

  “Dear Lord above, is that a Herb Vasquez?” Harrison asked, running his hands down the green material.

  “Yes,” she said, laughing. “How’s show business?” Emma asked.

  “We have a show idea, and you have been dodging my calls. We need a backer, and now that Randall, bless his soul, is gone, that’s you.”

  Emma introduced the rest of the people around her. “This is Dante Croft, I’m sure you’ve met him. He is in charge of our business ventures. You can call my office, and he’ll talk business with you. Greyson and I are just the figureheads.”

  He shook the man’s hand. “We saw you come in. Are you two a couple?” Harrison asked.

  Before they could answer, Jeffrey stopped him. “Don’t pump the sexy men for information, Harry. They’re holding hands. Of course they’re a couple.”

  The men began bickering.

  Finally, Harrison waved his hands flamboyantly, signaling their departure. “We have to have dinner and talk some time.”

  Then something else caught his eye.

  “You’ll have to excuse us! We have to see them!”

  The man was like a social butterfly, pollinating every flower he could.

  Greyson grabbed some champagne from a passing tray for his wife and family. “Dante, Steele, this is to your coming out,” he said, raising his glass. “May you be happy forever.”

  Dante was touched.

  As was Steele.

  They clinked glasses and took a sip.

  “And if you go that gay, I will be forced to kick both of your asses,” he said, referring to Harrison Tyler.

  Emma laughed, as did all the men.

  “I see the commissioner,” Chris F
ord stated. “I’ll go talk to him about what you needed from the paper,” he stated.

  As he walked away, Greyson pointed at the dance floor that had been set up. “Will you dance with me, Emma?” he asked.

  She smiled sweetly at him before taking his outstretched hand. When their fingers touched, there was still that spark between them.

  When they found a place on the dancefloor, they fell into each other’s eyes.

  Dante and Steele stood not far from the edge of the dancefloor drinking their champagne.

  “Do you like to dance?” Dante asked his boyfriend.

  “I actually do.”

  He handed a passing waiter their glasses. “Will you dance with me?”

  Steele was hoping he’d ask. Hand in hand they moved through the dancing crowd to a spot not far from Emma and Greyson. When Dante wrapped his arms around his partner, they moved slowly to the music.

  “Are you still nervous?” Steele asked him.

  The funny thing about all of it was that Dante wasn’t in the least. At first, he thought there’d be more stares, and while some people were ogling them, they weren’t being rude.

  “No. This feels right.”

  Dante could see his big brother not far away. He was kissing Emma. Slowly, he brought his lips to Steele’s and shared the same kind of lip lock.

  The public display of affection caught the man off guard.

  When he pulled away, green eyes met silver. “That was really nice.”

  “Marry me.”

  They stopped moving.

  “What?” Steele asked, unsure he heard what Dante said to him.

  “I asked you to marry me.”

  Steele didn't say anything. Finally, he found the courage to speak. “No.”

  Dante sucked in a breath. “Why not?”

  “I don’t want you asking me to be your husband when it’s because you mother stirred the pot.”

  They stood motionless in the middle of the dance floor--that ugly truth sitting between them.

  “I didn't ask you because of my mother, Steele. I asked you because I want to marry you. I want us to be a permanent thing. Wasn’t that the plan all along? I get out of the military, we come out as a couple, and then we start a life together? Correct me if I’m wrong, but marriage is the next step, right?”

  Steele wasn’t sure he could believe him.

  Dante pulled him toward his brother and Emma. “Grey!”

  The man broke the kiss with his wife. “This better be important. I was kissing my girl.”

  “I just asked Steele to marry me, and he said no. He thinks it’s because mom keeps asking when I’m getting married.”

  Greyson’s gaze flickered between the two men. Dante looked mad, and Steele looked embarrassed.

  “Dante wouldn’t do anything my parents ever asked him to do, Steele. In fact, normally, he does the exact opposite--thus following me into the military, getting all those tattoos, and ignoring all the rules. If he asked, it’s because he wants to marry you.”

  He didn't know what to think.

  Steele wanted to believe it, but he’d been burned before. His big fear was Dante was only taking gayness out for a test drive. The last thing he wanted was to get his heart handed to him again.

  Or be left at the altar.

  Dante didn't understand what the issue was. “What? Not grand enough?” he asked.

  Steele went to say something, but obviously he was missing the big picture.

  “Don’t do it, Dante,” Greyson warned, seeing that glint in his eyes.

  The man didn't listen.

  He set his partner free and wove his way through the mass of people to the DJ. Leaning over, he whispered into the man’s ear.

  “Oh God. He wouldn’t,” Steele stated. “Please tell me he’s not going to do what I think he’s going to do.”

  Emma started laughing. “When Dante does things, he goes big. This would be an example of ignoring what he’s told not to do.”

  They watched as the DJ handed him a microphone and cut the music. In front of the richest people in Vegas, Dante was making a stand--for love.

  “Hello, everyone. You may or may not know me. I’m Dante Croft. I’m sure you’re familiar with my family.”

  They all turned to stare at Greyson and Emma.

  “I’ll kill him later,” Croft muttered from beneath the fake smile. “Painfully.”

  “Thank you,” whispered Steele. “I can’t believe this.”

  “I bet you’re wondering why I’m interrupting your dancing, well, there’s a good reason. I just asked my boyfriend to marry me, and it wasn’t what he deserved. He definitely deserves something so much grander, so here it is.”

  Dante jumped off the stage, landing on the dancefloor. As he approached, the crowd moved out of his way. Even Emma and Greyson slipped into the throng of on looking dancers.

  “Steele, I love you. I fell for you the second I saw you, and there’s no one in this world I’d rather be with than you. Everything about you makes me happy. Your smile brightens my day. When I get to hold your hand, that hole in my heart is filled. I know you probably deserve someone better, but I’m willing to love you for the rest of our lives. I’ll keep you safe, I’ll always come home at night, and I’ll never betray you by breaking your heart.”

  Steele’s eyes filled with tears. That was what he needed to hear.

  “I will always love you. If you say no, I’ll accept that, but life is short. Vegas will finally allow us to get married now, and I’m free from the military. Be my husband. Let me be yours. I promise that there will never be a dull day in your life, and that’s saying a lot considering what you do for a living.”

  Greyson grinned.

  His brother was definitely a Croft to the core.

  “Marry me. Please take me into your heart and never let me go. I can guarantee that it’ll be the best thing in both of our lives.”

  With that, he dropped to his knee.

  “Be my husband.”

  There was a hush over the entire room as everyone waited to see what the man would say.

  Steele could barely breathe. The man he loved just proposed in front of two hundred strangers. If that didn't mean something, nothing did.

  “Dante.”

  “Say yes.”

  He held out his hand to the man on his knee. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  There was a cheer as everyone began clapping around them. Steele pulled Dante into his arms, and they kissed. When they broke apart, both men were teary eyed.

  “I meant it. I’ll be everything you need.”

  They rested their foreheads against each other.

  “Looks like I get another brother,” Greyson said as the music started back up. “We were wrong. This was a good week. I adopted a grown man-child, and a man I respect is marrying into the family.”

  Emma kissed them both. “Welcome, Steele. It looks like you’ve just made it permanent.”

  He couldn’t believe it.

  This was something he’d waited for all his life, and it was happening. The man he loved wanted him, he’d made it official and public, and the family he’d admired from afar was about to be his.

  It was a damn good day.

  And he knew it.

  Croft grabbed more champagne, and they all made a toast. “To the gay men in my life. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  They all laughed.

  It was a really great moment.

  From across the floor, he watched them celebrate. It pissed him off to no end. He hated the Crofts, and they had to pay for the hell they’d raised in his town.

  Tapping his employee on the arm, Dominic Marianna was ready to play dirty, and he knew just how to do it.

  “Kenneth, call in that guy we spoke about the other day,” he stated.

  “The one you wanted to take Croft out?”

  “Yes. He’s got a different job first. I think I know how to destroy that family.”

  Kenneth pulled out his p
hone and made the call.

  “Tell him there’s a new target.”

  He did just that.

  As Dominic Marianna planned a murder, surrounded by cops and rich people, he didn't care. He was going to break the Crofts, and get what he wanted one way or another.

  He was done fucking around.

  Dominic meant business. He knew a way to get into Terrace Glen, if it was the last thing he ever did.

  * * * Croft & Croft * * *

  When Greyson snuck off to talk to the commissioner, he left his prized possession with people he could trust. If Emma wasn’t safe with the captain of homicide, then who would she be safe with? At least he could trust the man to keep her protected while he was trying to convince the commissioner to throw his weight in their favor.

  As they watched everyone dance, Chris knew it was time to discuss the matter at hand--the condo. While he told Greyson he’d take it, his intent was to try and convince Emma that it was completely insane. Croft was unmovable, but Emma might compromise.

  “Want to dance, Emma?” he asked.

  She smiled at him. “I’d love to. Let’s go.” Emma pulled him out to the floor and went into his arms. “Thanks for asking,” she stated. “I love dancing.”

  “Yeah, me too, but that’s not why I asked you. We need to talk, Emma.”

  She heard his voice go serious. “What’s wrong, Chris? Are you okay?”

  “What the hell were you thinking giving me a freaking condo? Are you out of your mind?”

  Emma laughed. She’d forgotten about it, but her husband must have handled the situation.

  She was glad.

  No one deserved it more.

  “I’m being serious. That’s an insane gift! People don’t hand out these kinds of things in everyday life. Why can’t you just buy me a coffee mug that says ‘World’s Greatest Boss’?”

  If he was that worked up, she had a solution. “Well if the timing is the issue, then it’s for your birthday.”

  He shook his head. “You buy a guy like me a baseball hat, not a two thousand square foot condo in some luxury high rise.”

  “Why not?”

  “Emma! Because.”

  She stopped dancing and stood her ground in the middle of the dance floor. “Chris, you deserve it. I want you to sleep safe at night, and being there will ensure that. You’re not some rough around the edges cop who deserves less than everyone else. I know what you did for Curtis. You talked him down from the ledge. That alone earned you a place in our lives, and a safe place to call your home.”