Chapter Ten
The Attercop returned from the gym and tossed his bag in the corner just inside his condo front door.
His muscles were pumped. Adrenaline coursed through his veins.
He looked at himself in the mirror and was pleased with his progress.
He had to keep himself in shape, not that he was going for bulk, just toned strength.
The Attercop had no interest in gaining the bulky mass of Declan Hunt.
He thought of himself as a lean and hungry predator—swift and deadly.
He went to the front door closet and retrieved yesterday’s souvenir from his coat pocket.
The Attercop slid the twenty-dollar bill that Declan had given him between his fingers, then gave it a sniff.
His heart raced. He could swear he could catch a whiff of Declan’s ass.
He bet that Charlie parked his nose between those cheeks every chance he got.
And who could blame him? The Attercop would certainly do it, once he had the chance.
His thoughts drifted back to Friday night at Bar-None.
His disguise had been perfect. He’d been right there with the two of them, rubbing up against them as he’d passed behind, and they’d had no clue.
Even when he had mopped the drink off Charlie.
The only thing that had been standing between him and the little geek’s slim frame was a thin bit of cloth.
I should have spilled it on Declan, he thought.
He imagined what it would have felt like to run his hands over Declan’s muscular shoulders.
He let out a childish giggle at the thought.
The Attercop was aroused. It was time to spend a little time with Declan in a more intimate way.
He got up and stripped off his gym clothes, only leaving on his jockstrap.
He fixed himself a strong cup of coffee.
It was too early for vodka, and he wanted to be fully present for what he was about to do.
The Attercop sat down on the couch, opened his computer and pulled up Declan Hunt’s audio sessions with his therapist. He located a random, unheard file and hit ‘play’.
“So, today let’s talk more about Charlie,” the voice of Michael Colton said.
The Attercop took a sip of his triple espresso. Declan’s silence filled the room.
What will Declan reveal today?
The anticipation of Declan’s response to his shrink’s question sent a thrill down The Attercop’s spine.
The silence was finally broken by a sigh.
The Attercop pictured Declan, sitting where he had sat less than a week ago.
Declan’s palms would have been sweaty and his armpits would likely have been soaked.
The Attercop had no doubt that Declan being asked to open up emotionally would create discomfort.
He revelled in the thought of Declan being forced to reveal his personal secrets.
“Uh…what can I say. He’s smart—you know, book-smart. He’s not tainted, unlike so many guys I’ve known. He was so nervous when we first met, and terrified of screwing up. But somehow, he has more strength than I ever imagined.”
“What do you mean?” Michael asked.
“Well, for instance, there was an awards ceremony where I got a medal for service to the LGBTQ+ community. I had to give a speech and I was scared shitless,” Declan replied.
“You face people with guns, don’t you?” Michael interjected. “You’ve never said that you felt scared when that happens.”
Declan laughed. “Maybe if someone in the audience had been pointing a gun at me it would have been different. But, speaking in public isn’t my thing.”
“So what happened?”
“Charlie happened. He told me what to say. And he was standing there, right in front of me as I was speaking. I just stared at him and told him the story. It was as if no one else was in the room.”
Oh, puke, The Attercop thought.
“It sounds like Charlie is starting to have a deep effect on you,” Michael said.
“It’s like he…feeds me strength.”
“That’s interesting,” Michael continued.
There was a lengthy silence on the recording.
Declan cleared his throat. “I think I’m becoming less self-reliant.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Michael asked.
“It makes me feel uncomfortable,” Declan replied.
Michael continued. “And how long have you felt this way?”
“Well…I think it began when Charlie came to work with me. I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore because…I think I might be falling in love with him.”
The Attercop stood up and turned off the recording. He knocked back the remains of his coffee, then pitched the cup at the wall, where it shattered. This version of Declan Hunt did not play into his fantasies.
“Charlie Watts—you’ve taken my wild beast and tamed him. You’ve pulled out his teeth and claws and turned him from a circus animal that roars and struts, into a kitten that bats you with its fluffy paws.”
It was time to push Declan a little further. Time to bring back Declan’s fire and rage. Time to show Declan how vulnerable he truly was. Once everything was in place, The Attercop would enact the most important part of his plan and Declan would be his.