Chapter 27
Specter
“Do you have a plan, bror?”
I shake my head, sipping my coffee while Wraith sits across from me at the dining table. I took the opportunity to sneak down while Colson was showering. He’s been hovering over me, and while I love his attention, I’m too agitated to stay down for long. I’ve got a stalker to hunt.
“The only one that makes sense also makes my skin crawl.”
“Yeah.” Wraith nods, stroking his beard. “But he won’t be alone.”
I take a deep breath, then blow it out slowly. “I know. He suggested he return to the apartment alone so if anyone is watching, they’ll see it.” I rub my forehead. “How the fuck am I supposed to be able to do that?”
“I’m gonna go ahead, right?” He puts his hand over mine. “I’ll clear the apartment and the surroundings. If anyone shows up, we’ll know it.”
Nodding, I close my eyes for a second. “Yeah, okay.”
Wraith sits back in his seat, sipping his coffee. “So you’re in love with him?”
I huff a laugh. “Fuck. I’m so gone.”
Wraith grins. “Never thought I’d see the day. Except for Carnage, I figured you’d be the last of us to ever fall. It’s fucking badass to see, man.”
“I never thought I would either. I thought I had some kind of defect, but beyond all that obvious beauty, he’s the most amazing soul. He can see beauty in the darkest night. He makes me want to see it too.”
“Damn. That’s beautiful, bror. Almost makes me want to get out there and try again.” He winks. “Almost.”
We laugh about that until my responsibilities sober me again. “If I want to keep him, and I do, I need to end this.”
“When does he go back to work?”
“Tonight.”
Wraith nods, twisting his lips, and I know that means he’s thinking.
“I can borrow one of the other cars and drive him there.”
My jaw clenches, but I nod, knowing I have to let this happen. “Okay.”
“I’ll make it look like I’m just an Uber driver and leave.”
“I’m gonna talk to the security and get there early. I’ll already be inside.”
“Excellent plan. While you’re there, I’ll go to his apartment.”
“Okay.” I scratch the back of my neck. “Fuck.”
“I know, but we’ve got this.”
“Got what?”
Colson walks in, looking like an absolute god. His hair is freshly blown out, falling in obsidian waves around his perfect face. His flawless skin, pouty mouth, and stunning eyes make my stomach twist in a good way.
I pat my lap, and even as he smirks, he obeys, settling on my thighs. I kiss his cheek.
“You look amazing.”
“Thank you. Were you talking about me?”
“About the situation, yeah.”
“Is there a plan, then?” He glances at Wraith, then back at me. “Well?”
“I’m driving you to Segreto,” Wraith says.
“I’ll already be there,” I say. “Wraith will then clear your apartment.”
Colson nods, his teeth grazing his bottom lip. “So I won’t be alone.”
“Never.” I brush my thumb across his chin. “Not ever again.”
His lips twitch into a smile. “I believe you.”
“Good. Your job is to live your life as you normally would. I’ve got the rest.”
“What if he doesn’t show up tonight?”
“Then we’ll do it again tomorrow night, and every night after that.”
He nods, but I see the concern in his eyes. “I did some digging on social media to see if I could figure out where Bradley is. I might know why this started now.”
“Tell me.”
“His mother died four months ago. His dad died three years ago. I wouldn’t doubt that somehow he blames me.”
Nodding, I ask, “Do you know where he’s at?”
“Sort of. He lives in Mistone. I tried to find out where he works, but nothing. No spouse either.”
“How old is he?” Wraith asks.
“A couple of years older than me. Early thirties now, I think.” Colson hands me his phone, showing me a profile on Instagram. “That’s him.”
I pull my head back slightly. “Goddamn. He looks older than his thirties.”
Wraith peers over my shoulder. “That’s drug use. I’ve seen it so much.”
“Great,” Colson mumbles. “Let’s add unpredictable behavior to the mix.”
“We’ve handled far worse, lillebroren,” Wraith says.
Colson smiles softly. “What does that mean?”
“Little brother.” Wraith grins. “We’ve got your back.”
Colson blushes and I rub his back. “Our family isn’t normal, but it’s yours.”
His eyes meet mine as he says, “I’m honored to be part of it.”
I’m about to close the distance and taste his pretty mouth when Wraith reminds us of his presence by clearing his throat. Colson smiles, tucking his hair behind his ear on one side.
“So we have a plan,” Wraith says.
“We have a plan.” I nod.
“I had another idea,” Colson says. “I think it could help.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll post on my page that I’ll be trying a new routine tonight. If he’s stalking my socials, he’ll see it. Maybe it’ll draw him out.”
My jaw tenses but I nod. “Good idea.”
Colson cups my face, searching my eyes. “Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“You’ll be careful tonight, and every night. You made me fall in love with you, so now you have to be okay. You have to come home.”
“I promise, mon amour.”
A beautiful smile sweeps across his face. “Very sexy, mon tueur.”
“I’d gag if this weren’t so damn beautiful to witness.” Wraith gets to his feet. “Let me know when it’s time to roll.”
“I will.”
Wraith leaves us and Colson wraps his arms around my neck. We sit like that for several minutes, not speaking, just breathing each other in. My chest feels full, as if it’s actually filled with tangible love for him. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced before.
“I can make you happy, Colson.”
“I know.” He leans in and brushes his soft lips to my forehead. “I’ve always believed in the beauty of human connection. It’s why I dance. It’s why music and literature and film exist. It’s why artists paint and sculpt. It’s la raison d'être, the reason to get up every day and try again.”
I smile, lost in the beautiful person he is.
“But I had no idea how much deeper, how life-altering it could really get. I didn’t want to love anyone. It’s safer and easier not to. There are fewer stakes when you keep to yourself.”
“Yeah.”
“I wouldn’t trade this feeling for safety though. Not for ease. Not for anything. I’d rather die knowing you loved me than live forever without it.”
I lift his hand and kiss the back of it. “How about living for a really long time with it?”
Colson smiles, nodding. “Sounds good.”
Arriving at Segreto, I take a quick look around, but it’s obvious no one but a few staff members is here. Colson talked to Jimmy and then Gus before I came, explaining the situation. We got the all clear for me to hang out inside.
I approach the door and knock. It opens a few seconds later and Gus gestures for me to enter.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey, Gus.”
“We got a chair set up for you in the back where you can watch the security cameras if you want to.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably float around but stay mostly out of sight of other customers. If he turns up, I don’t want him to know I’m here.”
“Is Cashmere okay?”
“He’s great. I’ll make sure he stays that way too.”
“Let me know if I can do anything to help.”
“Just do what you normally do. If you see anything weird, let me know.”
“You got it.” He claps my shoulder. “Jimmy said drinks are on the house tonight too.”
“Thanks, man. I don’t drink while I’m working, but I’ll have a soda or something.”
Gus leaves me and I case the backstage area.
There’s a door that opens frequently as workers file in for their shifts.
Need to keep an eye on it in case the jackass is bold enough to try that door.
I make a mental note, but then I see another one of the security guards sitting on a stool nearby, watching every person who enters.
Okay, that’s good. I’ll make sure he stays there the entire time the club is open.
Another hour passes before I see Wraith pull up with Colson on the front exterior cameras. Colson slips out of the back seat, just like he would from a ride service. He flips his hair off his shoulders, pulling his coat tighter around him as he walks toward the front door.
I exhale in relief once he’s safely inside, then I make my way from the tiny security office to the dressing room area. As soon as I see him, my heart flutters in my chest. Fucking hell, he’s so beautiful.
His eyes meet mine and his face lights up. As much as his aloof stare used to do it for me, this is way, way better.
“Hi, lover.”
Nodding, I approach him. “All good out there?”
“All good. Here?”
“Quiet. Normal.”
I start to follow him, but he presses his hand to my chest, shaking his head. “Give the other performers some privacy.”
“Right. Sorry.” My brow creases. “I just want to be wherever you are.”
“I know, but remember where I sleep and wake up.”
“I will.”
He pats my cheek in the same way that felt so dismissive before, but now I know he wasn’t immune to me. He was resisting.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“Je t’aime aussi, mon tueur.”
He turns and slips behind the curtains into the dressing area, leaving me desperate for more of him. I shake my shoulders out and blow out a breath. I need to keep my head in the game.
I settle in the security office again, watching him on the cameras as he moves elegantly through the club, more and more customers showing up as time passes.
My phone buzzes.
Wraith: Someone’s been here.
My jaw tightens.
Me: What’s going on?
Wraith: Found a note on the door.
He sends a picture of it. I zoom in to read the scratchy handwriting.
You have to come back at some point, you fucking faggot. When you do, I’ll be waiting. You can’t hide from me forever.
My blood turns cold. Faggot? Really? I’m going to enjoy ripping this fucker apart.
Wraith: This too.
Another picture comes in, of a stuffed hedgehog, slashed, with red paint on it. It’s gotta be Bradley. There’s no fucking way I’m letting Colson spend a single minute in that apartment by himself.
Wraith: I’ve been inside and it’s all good. Secure.
Me: That’s good news at least.
Wraith: This is some unhinged shit, bror.
Me: The drug addict theory is starting to feel accurate, huh?
Wraith: Definitely. Hold up.
I tense, waiting for a follow-up text. Did something happen? Did he show up? A few minutes pass before my phone buzzes again.
Wraith: A neighbor came over to talk to me.
Told me apartment security was doing rounds the other night, knocking on doors asking them to keep an eye out for a suspicious van and to report it if they saw it.
He said he only saw the guy leaving once but there wasn’t a note or the stuffed animal then, so this must be new.
Me: I guess that’s positive. It means we might have a good chance to find him soon.
Wraith: Agreed. I’ll keep you posted.
Me: Thanks, man.
My attention turns to the front as the MC announces Colson. I slip from behind the curtains and make my way to the back of the club where I can watch my little dancer but also keep an eye on everyone else.
Gus is near the front door, and he nods when he sees me. I settle into a corner that gives me a good view of the stage and most of the club. If anyone got wild, I could be there in seconds.
The lights dim, twinkling across the stage as the curtains pull back and the music starts.
I recognize Prince singing, but I’m mesmerized by Colson’s sexy strut onto the stage.
He’s wearing a silky robe that he lets fall away, revealing his tight, muscular body in a jock that hugs his incredible ass.
His nipples are covered by black tape in a X pattern, and he’s wearing high-heeled boots that look painted onto his lean calves, stopping just below his knees.
Beyond the boots, lacy stockings crawl up his legs to his thighs.
My mouth waters and my dick twitches. Fuck. Me.
The crowd is losing it, many of them on their feet already as they watch my man writhe on the floor, flipping and twisting his body sensually, teasing them with sexy, flirty winks. He meets my eyes, licking his lips as his hands slide over his cock and he rocks his hips back and forth.
As lost in him as I am, I’m still completely aware of my surroundings. So far, everyone’s minding the rules. That’s a good thing.
Colson does a backflip, slowly leaning back and lifting one long leg over his head until he plops down into splits. He rolls around the floor, pumping his hips like he’s simulating sex before shimmying back to his feet and bouncing that gorgeous ass at us.
As the song ends, Colson drags his hands up his body from his thighs to his hair. He licks his lips before sinking his teeth into the bottom one and slinking offstage.
Every man in the place is losing his shit over that performance, and rightfully so, but my chest is puffed up like a proud cock that Colson is all mine. They get to look, but I get to touch.
I get to love him.
I scan the room to check if anyone looks out of place, but everyone is laughing, talking, drinking. No one is sitting alone. That’s a good sign too.
I hurry to the back, unable to stay away a minute longer. I find Colson leaning against the wall by the dressing room, waiting for me.
He smiles when he sees me and pushes off the wall. “I knew you’d come back.”
“You are so goddamn stunning. So fucking talented. You should’ve been in the ballet.”
“Thank you. It was fun.” He steps toward me. “Wait until you see what I do on Sunday.”
“I literally can’t fucking wait.”
He smiles, but I see the tension creeping into it. “Everything good out there?”
“Yes.”
“I guess that was a dumb question. You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”
“No.”
“And my apartment?”
Fuck. “Wraith is there.”
“And?”
“And what? He’s there.”
His eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn’t press. “I’m gonna freshen up, then I’ll be out.”
Before he can get too far, I grip his chin and kiss him softly. He leans into me, letting out a soft moan as I plunder his mouth. His kiss renews my already strong resolve to end this soon.
He deserves peace, and I’m gonna give it to him.