Alex kissed his forehead. “Of course. Nothing would give me greater pleasure, my dearest Quinn.”
* * * *
“This is so fucking messed up.” Mackie put his chin on Quinn’s shoulder from behind and watched the television in their dressing room.
Quinn shivered at the images. The police were working to cut down yet another bloodless corpse. This one had been found hanging from the top of the Bunker Hill Monument in Boston’s Charlestown area. It was a tall, granite obelisk that looked kind of like a dick and housed an observation room at the top. Thanks to the killer, Quinn was getting a quick lesson on the sites of his adopted city.
“How did the killer even get it there?”
Unlike the bridge, this location didn’t seem like anything anyone could access at all during the night, being locked and secure. Somehow, the killer had done exactly that to hang the corpse out of the window. Thank God, the cameras were being manipulated to fuzz out the more gruesome details, although with a huge crowd of people all taking video, it seemed the images would be easily seen on the Internet.
Mackie stood back. “It’s like the guy really is a vampire. I mean, who else could climb that thing carrying a body? You’d have to be hella strong.”
Like Val—or Emil or Alex. Quinn shook his head against such thoughts. “Maybe he kidnapped the guy, made him walk up, then killed him.”
“And yet, the breathless commentary from the reporters indicates that there doesn’t even seem to be evidence of a break-in.”
“The media always speculates without having all the facts. We don’t know anything.”
“Except that someone is going around slaughtering guys, like every night now.” Mackie paced away and plopped onto the couch underneath where the television hung on the wall. “The family is secluded in Alex’s office again. They are clearly getting freaked out, even though all this doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the club.”
“Yeah, they are. I guess that’s because the FBI was here yesterday, making it seem like all of us are suspects.” Even as he gave the rationale, he wasn’t sure he believed it. Alex and the others seemed too intensely interested in what was going on.
“Did you know Demi is on lockdown?”
“Huh?” Turning off the TV, Quinn joined Mackie on the couch. “You mean he’s grounded?”
“No. Grounded implies punishment, and this is more that he has to stay in the building for the foreseeable future because of the murders. Harry and Lucien are being overly cautious, I guess. I mean, it’s not like the city is under siege or anything. So far, the killer is only coming out at night, and there’s like three million people to choose from. I don’t know why he’d go after one annoying teenager.”
He would if he’s targeting the Stelalux family. Again, the random thought took him by surprise. He wasn’t sure why he kept going back to the idea. Because the first victim was a member dumped outside the club, Alex and Val ran off to the second murder site, and they’ve given the killer a ‘pet’ name that is weirdly specific.
Quinn rested his head against the back of the couch. “This whole thing is freaking me out. It makes me want to ground myself.”
“No way.” Mackie jumped to his feet and grabbed Quinn’s arm. “We aren’t going to waste what’s left of this beautiful day cooped up in the gloom.”
Quinn resisted the tug. “I thought you liked it here?”
“Not twenty-four seven, and Val’s acting weird. He’s all tense and stuff, no fun at all, and he barely spared me a glance last night, let alone touched me.” He pulled up, proving himself stronger than he seemed. “Come on. I know the perfect place to go.”
“Not the crime scene?” Quinn asked with alarm.
“Of course not. I mean the Museum of Fine Arts. It’s amazing. You’ll love it.”
That idea piqued his interest. He allowed Mackie to pull him to his feet. “That does sound like fun, actually.”
Mackie took his phone out of his pocket. “Great. I’ll call for an Uber.”
“We should maybe let the guys know we’re going out.”
Mackie shook his head. “Nah. I told you they’re meeting in Alex’s office. They don’t like being disturbed, and besides, unlike Demi, we’re fully-fledged adults and can go out when we want.”
Knowing Mackie was right about their independence, he still felt that the situation with the serial killer and the obvious protectiveness of both Alex and Val warranted letting them know their plans. Yet, it was also true that they probably wouldn’t like being disturbed. And, if the dominant and submissive roleplaying that Val and Mackie adhered to didn’t require that kind of check in, then Quinn needn’t worry about it, either. It wasn’t as if he and Alex had an official monogamous relationship or anything. Even if they did, he hadn’t agreed to any ‘daddy’ arrangement with the man. He was free to go out anytime he liked.
He worried his lower lip as they left the room. “Let’s tell Kitty what we’re doing, just in case.”
Mackie turned and rolled his eyes at him. “Fine, if it makes you feel better. I promise, though, we’ll be perfectly safe. We’ll take a car there and back—no T. And no one is going to attack us in the museum, for God’s sake.”
Kitty gave them a dubious look when they told her on their way out, but she promised to let the men know when they became free. As promised by Mackie, the ride to the museum was uneventful, although all the driver wanted to talk about was the murder. It was a relief when they arrived at the immense building. For a second, Quinn stood staring at it.
“You’re right. It is amazing.”
Mackie laughed. “Dude, this is only the outside. Come on,” he said, linking arms. “Wait until you see what’s inside. You’ll be majorly impressed.”
From his first step inside, Quinn agreed that the guy wasn’t wrong about that. He had never been to a museum before—not one like this. It was filled with the kind of art he was used to seeing in books or on the Internet. He’d never expected to see famous paintings, ancient art and even mummified beings this close. Each level, hall and room contained more and more enticing things.
Mackie took him first to all his favorite spots. Not surprisingly, the tour started with the Egyptian exhibit, then onto the Greek and Roman one. He pointed out the pieces he said he kept coming back to explore because each time, he saw something new. Quinn could believe that. It was too much to take in all at once.
“See,” the boy said, bumping his shoulder and pointing to a piece of Greek pottery behind glass. “Boys fucking other boys has been around forever.”
Quinn’s cheeks heated and he looked around to see if anyone could have heard. “I know that,” he hissed in a near-whisper before moving on.
They ate a stupidly expensive late lunch in the nicest of the museum’s restaurants before taking a final tour of the remaining exhibits. It was hours before they emerged again. The sun was still mostly up because it was summer, after all, but there was a feeling of lateness in the air.
“We need to get back.”
“Nervous nelly,” Mackie said as he used his phone to call for a car.
Yeah, he kind of was, and maybe that was the residual fear he’d developed for the few weeks when he’d been on his own. A guy like Mackie, who’d spent a lot more time surviving without a safety net, probably didn’t spook as easily. Quinn knew he was safe, yet he still felt a measure of relief once they were in the car and heading back to the club. Back home.
The sight of it both relaxed him and made his heart beat faster. It already represented security for him and the place where he could find unbelievable pleasure. When he thought back on what he’d done with Alex less than twelve hours ago in that playroom, he both blushed and became aroused. There had been something naughty and thrilling about being cuffed, his ass exposed and vulnerable to another man. He’d trusted Alex to treat him right and he hadn’t been disappointed. Maybe the man was free now, and they could play again before dinner and work. He popped out of the ride the moment t
he tires stopped turning and headed quickly to the club’s double front door.
“Thanks, dude,” Mackie said to the driver as he followed Quinn out of the car. “Hey, what the fuck?”
Quinn tripped to a stop and turned to see what had upset his friend. A figure loomed, blocking his view. At first he thought it was Val because the guy was so tall and wide and dressed all in black. But when he tipped his head back, he saw that it wasn’t. This guy was nothing like the bouncer, except he had the height and coloring of the Stelalux family members—pale skin, dark hair and violet eyes. The man’s, though, sneered at him with such obvious menace that Quinn took an involuntary step back.
The guy hissed, like seriously snake-level with air roaring out of his mouth, and struck with the same metaphorical speed to grab the front of Quinn’s shirt with a tight fist. “I don’t think so, little boy.”
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” Mackie made a grab for the man. “Let him go.”
A split second later, the boy was sailing through the air, having been swatted by Quinn’s attacker with his free hand as if Mackie were nothing more than a fly. Mackie landed with a grunt on the sidewalk by the mouth of the alley and lay still. Quinn only had a second to gasp and try to go to his friend before the man hauled him close.
“I only have to keep you alive, not whole. Your choice.” He stared into Quinn’s eyes, his pupils changing color until they appeared to be dark red. No, that can’t be true. No one has red eyes. The man licked his tongue across his teeth and his fangs appeared to be incredibly prominent and sharp.
Panic made Quinn struggle. Grabbing the man’s hand with both of his, he tried to pry the fingers from his shirt. It was like moving granite—very cold granite. He had no effect. If anything, it egged the guy on. He smiled cruelly and lifted Quinn to the tips of his toes, even as he dragged him away.
“No! Hel—” A big meaty hand covered his mouth, muffling his cries.
Given the hour, this part of Boston had yet to become busy. No one was around that he could see. The man was carrying him away, and Quinn knew that regardless of what he did, he was going to end up dead, the same way the others had, because this had to be the killer. Nothing else made sense, and he realized, too, that this was who he’d caught glimpses of the other days when he’d been out with Mackie. He’d been stalked all along.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Mackie struggling to stand, his face a bloody mess. But there was nothing the boy could do except run for help. By the time he got to his feet and into the club, it would be too late. Surely this man was pulling him to some kind of vehicle.
Knowing the moment that happened he was screwed, he fought even harder. He dug his nails into the skin of the man’s hands and kicked futilely at his shins. Nothing worked. He was no match for this behemoth. His fate was a foregone conclusion.
Then a cry, like the kind ancient warriors would have made, froze him and the man both. A jarring thud came next, and it was strong enough to rock them. His assailant’s grip slackened and Quinn used the chance to jerk forward. He got free and landed on his hands and knees, the pavement making his palms sting.
Gasping for breath, he turned to look over his shoulder just in time to see a dirty, disheveled street person bash the attacker in the head with a board. A bloom of red spurted from the man’s head, the sight of it giving Quinn hope for the first time.
He took in a deep, ragged breath and screamed.
Chapter Twelve
Even muffled by the thick walls of the club, the scream shot right through Alex. He was running out of his apartment in a millisecond, his bag of blood lying splattered on his kitchen floor. He headed for the stairs and, punching through the door, he vaulted over the stairwell and thudded onto the ground floor. There was no one to see his inhuman feat and he didn’t care in any event.
That had been Quinn screaming. There was no question.
Val beat him to the side door leading to the alley by a half a length. Footsteps behind him told Alex that the others were also coming. Outside, at the mouth of the alley, a scene unfolded that both scared the shit out of him and eased his heart.
Adrian was fighting with the homeless veteran, Logan. It was a David-and-Goliath-type battle, although the human offset her height and weight disadvantage with agility and a wicked two-by-four with nails sticking out of it. Adrian swiped ineffectively at her while she danced away.
Mackie lay sprawled on his back, trying to stand and failing. Blood trickled from his forehead. Val first ran toward him before changing course and landing a flying kick to Adrian’s mid-section. Adrian staggered back before hissing his displeasure. With Val engaged in the fight, Logan retreated to help Mackie.
But none of that mattered half so much as seeing Quinn a few feet away from the fray. He crouched on his hands and knees, obviously also trying to stand, yet too winded to do so. An expression of abject fear marred his beautiful face.
Time seemed to slow down—or maybe it was Alex who sped up. He saw Logan bracing Mackie’s back to get him to a sitting position. The boy’s head lolled like a ragdoll’s. Val and Adrian squared off like the warriors they were. Three more people came to flank Alex. Part of him registered Emil, Harry and Kitty ranging across the alley.
Then a tremendous sound reverberated off the brick walls of the alley, a roar like a hurricane-force wind. Everyone stopped. All eyes turned to him. He still only cared about one set. Quinn looked at him, at first startled. His face morphed into such obvious relief that Alex’s worst fear—rejection—was abated. The boy’s lips moved, but Alex couldn’t hear what he said over that deafening sound. Where the hell is it coming from and how can I stop it?
It’s me. The realization came to him with a jolt. It was coming out of his mouth, and it was a warrior cry to rival all others.
He snapped his lips shut and took off once more. His target was Adrian and the guy was smart enough to realize it. Plus, he was outnumbered by overwhelming odds. He was running away before Alex took two steps. That hardly deterred Alex from pursuing him. He chased Adrian across the street and down another alley. The guy’s head start was too great, however, and he’d planned a more pedestrian getaway.
Adrian jumped into an SUV and gunned it just as Alex arrived. He made a swipe at the bumper, yet couldn’t gain any purchase to hold the vehicle back. He let out another roar as his quarry sped away. Damn it all. He’d liked it better when humans had relied on horses for transportation. As fast as he was, Alex could not catch a car.
He allowed himself one satisfying image of tearing Dracul’s lackey limb-from-limb before returning to what mattered most.
Quinn had gotten to his feet, although he wasn’t too steady. Val had already picked Mackie up and, stone-faced, held the still, groggy-looking boy against his chest.
“He needs you, Harry,” Val said to the older man, his voice oddly flat.
“Of course. Come on.” With a grimace shot in Alex’s direction, Harry ushered Val and Mackie back into the club through the alley’s entrance.
Emil stood next to Logan, his hand on her shoulder. “He should check you out, too.”
The woman still held her weapon, and she wiped at a bloody spot on her cheek. “Nah, I’m fine. That asshole barely touched me.”
Kitty approached. “Please, come inside and at least take a hot shower. It will help loosen your muscles after a fight like that. Emil will fix you dinner, whatever you want. You’ve earned it.”
Logan stiffened. “I don’t need a shower or a meal. I’m fine. Just helping out the boys here. No big deal.”
As much as Alex wanted to go to Quinn, he needed to be a leader of his people first. Honor dictated he make sure this ally was cared for. He approached her and stopped a few feet away.
He inclined his head, giving her the courtesy he would have afforded a member of the queen’s court. “Madam, what you have done here today for my family will not be forgotten. We owe you a debt that can never be repaid. Please allow us to show our app
reciation in these wholly inadequate ways. It’s all we have to give.”
Logan sniffed and swiped at her face again, leaving a dirty, red streak across her cheek. “I guess I could do with a wash and a meal. I mean…if it makes you happy.”
He bowed his head again. “Nothing would please us more,” he said in all sincerity. “Thank you.”
He shot Emil and Kitty a meaningful look. They needed to keep Logan in the club. She was now a target for Adrian. He wouldn’t let the woman’s interference go unpunished. Once they were headed back inside, Alex turned to do what he wanted and feared the most.
Quinn stood staring at him with wide eyes. When Alex took a step toward him, the boy did what Alex had been afraid of—stepped back.
Alex planted his feet, even though what he really wanted was to race over and scoop up the boy. “Please don’t be afraid of me.”
Quinn blinked a few times and shook his head. “I’m not. Not really. Just confused.” Putting his hand to his head, he added, “And kind of dizzy.”
Now, Alex did give in to his impulse and caught the human in his arms. He was pathetically grateful when the boy didn’t struggle against the hold. Then he went all the way and hefted him to cradle him tightly.
Quinn sighed and dropped his head against Alex’s chest. That show of trust nearly brought Alex to his knees. Then Quinn’s questions were like a bucket of cold water.
“Who was that man? Why were his eyes red? How are you all so fast and did you really roar?”
“Let me get you inside and I’ll see if I can answer your questions to your satisfaction.”
He treated Quinn like a fragile thing. Alex took care reentering the building and using the elevator back to his apartment. Quinn wasn’t fragile, though. He knew better. After all, Quinn had fought back in some manner instead of falling apart in the face of such terror. He was still showing courage and strength in acquiescing to Alex’s care, even though he’d witnessed frightening stuff.
Blood Dance Page 20
