Burkett Isle

Published by Phaze Books Also by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael Bound by Leather Dark Needs Dominion Dreams of Death Kitten Kitten 2 Onyx The Adventures of Captain Chase Sykes and Navigator Duncan Sampson The Cowboy and the Thief The Duke’s Husband The Power of Two Through the Dark When I Dream of You 2050

This is an explicit and erotic novel intended for the enjoyment of adult readers. Please keep out of the hands of children.

www.Phaze.com

Burkett Isle

a Phaze Raven HeatSheet by

MYCHAEL BLACK SHAYNE CARMICHAEL

Burkett Isle copyright 2009 by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

A Phaze Production Phaze Books 6470A Glenway Avenue, #109 Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222 Phaze is an imprint of Mundania Press, LLC. To order additional copies of this book, contact: [email protected] www.Phaze.com Cover art © 2009 Skyla Dawn Cameron Edited by Kathryn Lively eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-60659-528-2 First Edition – November, 2009 Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Prologue Death fascinated him, and each body propped against the cave wall reflected a myriad of its facets. Eighteen members of his army. He counted them as he always did, careful to include the newest addition. Decay had yet to set in, but in the damp atmosphere, the body would quickly rot. The skulls of his oldest kills, frozen in eternal macabre humor, grinned at him in silent approval of their latest recruit. “James Fox, we welcome you into the General’s Army.” A chorus echoed in his head as he paced before his assembled soldiers, reviewing his troops. “I’m happy to see none of you are going to argue with me over his inclusion.” His gaze traveled over them, pausing momentarily on the three troublemakers who’d raised a fuss during the last ceremony. He kept his expression stern, even when he glanced at Lilly. While she might be his favorite, he could allow no sign of it to show. She’d been particularly vocal against Neil’s joining. As he marched back and forth, his army remained silent, giving him their full attention. Bailey caught his notice, and he crouched down in front of the blonde. While most people might have been repulsed by the sight of Bailey’s flesh peeling away from bone, the general enjoyed the close study. Bailey, as a good soldier should, stayed calm and quiet under the scrutiny. After allowing a faint, pleased smile to cross his lips, the general straightened. “I don’t have as long as I like this time. James was a bit troublesome at first, and it took me longer than I expected to prepare him. I know you’ll all be helpful and fill him in on our rules and regulations.” “Sir, yes, sir.” Their voices amplified and echoed in the large cave. Content for the moment, he sat on the rock strewn ground,

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hands folded across his chest and knees drawn up. Since he prided himself on the state of his army, he made mental notes as to what uniform accessories needed replacing. The dampness was hell on metal, cloth, and flesh.

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Chapter One Joshua Finley rummaged through the closet, wondering what all to pack. His lover Ben Gregory would be home anytime now, and Joshua needed to have most of their stuff ready for the weekend. They were meeting their friend Joey Brandt where they’d all spent their childhood exploring. Josh couldn’t remember the last time he stepped foot on Burkett Isle, but he figured it’d all come back to him soon enough. He grabbed a few of Ben’s shirts and a few of his own, even though it no longer mattered. After a year of dating, the last six months living together, they shared clothes. Good thing they were pretty close to the same size. He stuffed the shirts and several pairs of jeans and shorts into the two duffel bags on the bed. When the phone rang, he realized with a groan that it somehow ended up in Ben’s bag. He dug to the bottom and found the handset, pressing the talk button before answering. “Hello?” “Hey,” Ben said. “Has Joey called yet?” “Not yet. You on your way home?” “Yeah. Hungry?” “Nah. I ate a sandwich earlier.” Josh sat on the bed and sighed. “Ben, is this really a good idea?” Ben didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “You talking about the campout on the island without cell phones thing? Or the campout on the island with the guy I stole you from thing?” Josh rolled his eyes. “You didn’t steal me from him, smartass. I broke up with him, and you and I started dating a good while later. He doesn’t feel like you stole me.” Ben chuckled, the sound rather dry and slightly humorless. “Whatever, babe. Anyway. Yes, we need the time away from work, cell phones, and everything else. In all honesty, he hasn’t said a word to me, aside from the expected ‘if you hurt him…’ shtick.”

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“Okay. I trust you.” “Good.” Ben’s smile came through the single word, easing a bit of Josh’s uneasiness about a weekend with their friend, who happened to be his ex-lover. “See you when you get home then.” “Yup. Later, babe.” Josh hung up and set the phone on its charger base on the bedside table. Then he picked up the framed photo beside it. He remembered Joey taking the picture about two months ago. Ben stood with his arm around Josh’s shoulders, head tilted to whisper in Josh’s ear while Josh laughed. What he’d said, Josh couldn’t remember, but then again, being close to Ben had the tendency to fog his brain. “Honey, I’m home!” Ben’s off-tune call drifted down the hall and Josh shook his head. “In the bedroom!” Ben paused in the doorway, leaning against the frame, and eyed the bags, then Josh. “We’ll be away for a weekend, not the next decade.” “Oh, shut up,” Josh laughed. “I only packed two bags. Besides, you never know when you’ll need an extra change of clothes.” He zipped the bags then walked over, arms snaking around Ben’s neck. “What time is Joey supposed to be here? Or is that why he’s calling?” “He’s supposed to call. Hopefully he won’t want to delay again.” Ben dropped a quick kiss to Josh’s lips. “I’d like to leave before dark. It won’t take us long to get there, but I don’t really want to be on the lake at night.” “He’s notorious for canceling shit and being late. You know that. When he says he’ll call or show up at a certain time, you have to add another hour.” Josh tugged Ben down for a better kiss, but the phone rang the second their lips touched. “And sometimes,” he grumbled, “the fucker has impeccable timing.” Ben reached around, slapping him on the ass as he snickered. “You deal with the phone, I’ll repack.” “Repack?” Josh stuck out his tongue. “Asshole.” He grabbed the phone and answered. “Hello?” The laughter only stopped when Ben pulled out some of the clothing and tossed it to the side. “Don’t wanna wear that or that.”

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It wasn’t hard for Josh to turn his back and ignore Ben. Ben continued to mutter to himself until Josh hushed him so he could hear Joey. “You’ll have to repeat that, I couldn’t hear you.” “I asked if you two are ready yet. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” “Oh. Yeah, we’re good, man. Just…” Josh rolled his eyes at Ben. “Ben’s being a pain in the ass.” “I am not,” Ben shot back, tossing yet another shirt onto the bed. It took Ben a few seconds to choose the shirts and pants he wanted. He stuffed them into the bag, then folded the discarded clothes and put them back in the dresser and closet. “Just tell him to be ready,” Joey laughed before hanging up. Josh set the phone back on the cradle and, taking advantage of Ben’s position, landed a hard swat on the man’s ass. “Difficult bastard,” he laughed. Spinning, Ben grabbed Josh’s hand before Josh could get away. “You want me to be sweet as sugar? That’ll cost ya extra.” “You’re a fucking tease when you know we don’t have time.” Josh pulled free and pressed close, one hand sliding down to rub Ben through his jeans. “But two can play at that game,” he whispered, stepping back again when Joey’s car horn sounded outside. He winked and grabbed his bag, heading out of the bedroom. “Who’s the real ass?” Ben grumbled behind Josh. “You’re gonna pay for that, ya know it.” As they approached the car, Joey opened the trunk for them, and Ben grabbed Josh’s bag from him. He threw them both in on top of his own stuff, then shut the trunk again. Josh laughed as he got in the backseat. “Promises, promises,” he said. “Hey, man.” He gave Joey a high-five hello. Ben smirked and nudged him across the bench seat in back. “Hey, Joey.” Then he leaned to the side and whispered, “I don’t make promises I don’t intend to keep.” “Make sure my upholstery stays clean, guys.” Joey glanced in the rear view mirror and smirked before pulling out of the driveway onto the street. Ben casually sprawled in the backseat, one hand on Josh’s thigh. “We could give passing truckers an eyeful, but I’ll behave under protest.”

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“You? Behave?” Josh gasped. “Hey!” Ben growled and half-attacked him, startling a low moan out of Josh when he hit a sensitive spot on Josh’s neck. “All right, kids, enough, or I’ll be sitting in back and one of you can drive.” “You heard the man. Now behave.” Ben slapped Josh’s thigh lightly, then removed his hand. “Still say you’re a tease,” Josh muttered. “Gotta be good at something, babe.” “You two ready for some relaxing and fishing? I’m expecting some damn good catfish.” Joey eyed Ben in the mirror. “I made sure they included fishing gear with the boat.” “As long as you or Josh clean and cook ’em, I’ll catch ’em,” Ben said. Josh wrinkled his nose. “Nasty, but yeah, I seem to always get stuck cleaning them.” Ben chuckled. “I’ll make it up to you.” “You’d better. Hey, Joey—how’d the trip to… uh… wherever—you went go? You find what you were looking for?” “I closed the deal but lost the boyfriend.” From Joey’s uncaring shrug, it was obvious he wasn’t hurt much over it. “Damn, on your own again.” Reaching forward, Ben lightly patted his shoulder in sympathy. “Not a big loss. Adam always left his shit all over the bedroom and bathroom. Annoyed the hell out of me.” Josh stayed silent. Joey’s lack of enthusiasm in just about everything relationship-wise had been part of the reason why Josh left him. They just didn’t mesh, and Josh finally admitted— to himself, anyway—that he’d had a thing for Ben for a while. How he ended up with Joey first, he had no idea. Ben nudged him. “You okay?” “Yeah, yeah,” Josh said. “Just zoned.” “You’ll find the right fit sooner or later, Joey.” Ben settled back, relaxing against Josh. The road they were on followed the contour of the lake, its water placid and gleaming under the high sun. Joey slowed the car to make the turn to the boat rental place. They parked and got out, Ben doling out the bags. Then he and Josh followed Joey toward the little dock house where they waited outside while

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Joey went in. “Man, I’ll be so glad to get a break,” Josh said. “It’ll be nice to see the island and cabin again,” Ben said. “Mom and Dad made sure it was stocked for us. They won’t be using it until the end of the month. Sometime we should bring out some of our other friends. Nobody ever believes me when I say my family owns an island.” Joey came out and tapped Josh on the shoulder. “Designated rower.” Josh took the oars and nodded at Ben. “Yeah, we should. We could also come out here, just us.” “Yep.” Ben leaned close for a brief but thorough kiss. “Come on. Let’s get moving.” They headed out to the dock and climbed into the small rowboat. Ben untied the rope, making sure it coiled safely under the wooden seat. The wide lake took about twenty minutes to cross, and the cabin entered into view as they neared the small wooden pier. Once they were close enough, Ben grabbed the edge of the island’s dock, then threaded the rope through an iron ring embedded in the wood. Then he jumped out and Josh handed up their bags. Joey climbed out, followed by Josh, and the three of them headed up the short walkway to the cabin. “Wow,” Josh said as he stepped inside after Ben unlocked the door. “Hasn’t changed a bit.” “Nope. Though the caretakers and the pool guy come regularly to keep it up. Joey, you can have my old room since the bed is smaller.” “No problem.” Joey followed Ben down the hall while Josh looked around. Nope. Not much had changed at all. It was still cozy but fully decked out in modern amenities. Roughing it? Not a chance. Not here, anyway. Josh went into the kitchen, knowing damn well it’d be fully stocked. Ben’s folks never skimped on anything. Josh figured it went with being relatively well-off, financially. “Remembering?” Ben’s arms slipped around Josh’s waist. “Yeah. No phones, no people. Man, this weekend is gonna be awesome.”

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Chapter Two The surrounding shrubbery camouflaged his position as he sprawled on his stomach in the grass. Though he couldn’t see the entire backyard, his field of vision was at least fifty percent, and he could see straight into the house with no impediment. On the hammock, Josh lazily swayed back and forth. A glass of lemonade sat on the stand near him. Clad in his bathing suit, he hadn’t gone into the pool yet. The general knew every movement of every person who came and went on this island. From the pool man who cleaned and filled the pool a week before the owners arrived, to the family itself. Every summer they spent varying amounts of time over the months in their so-called cabin. It looked more like a glorified version of a cabin with every modern amenity available. A tinge of disdain colored his thoughts concerning the Gregory family. “They’re harder to train, and more easily noticed when they disappear,” he mused to himself. “If I found the right candidate, I’d make an exception, but most of the time they’re more trouble than they’re worth.” His gaze followed the slowly swinging hammock and he smiled to himself. It was near time to pick a new recruit. The thought sent a thrill of anticipation through him. Since he always chose new members from the ranks of the less dead, it made his capture more difficult. The so called dregs of society, the ones who had been thrown away or regarded as unimportant by those more fortunate. The ‘less dead,’ as some experts called them. Sad, lonely creatures with hellish lives was more like it. Runaways, prostitutes, the homeless. It was a pity he couldn’t save them all, but he was only one man. And he only had so much time to pick and prepare new ones for his army. To him, the killing he did served a dual purpose. It saved

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some poor soul from living a wretched life on the streets, and it added to the ranks of those who would be with him after he died. He’d always been terrified of dying alone. The moment the thought occurred to him, he shook his head wildly to get rid of it. He wouldn’t die alone now; he’d made sure of that. Neither would the people he’d chosen. As he continued to watch Josh in the hammock, his mind settled into the place of empty calm he most preferred. It allowed him a more analytical view of the world around him, and his place in it. It helped him enjoy ever so much more his own ability to watch without being seen. The action gave him a power over others that they themselves were unaware of, and he liked it that way. **** The scent of Ben’s cooking wafted from the kitchen into the living room. Joey sprawled out on the couch, lazily flipping through the TV channels. When Josh sat on the other side of the couch, Joey lifted his legs then settled his feet in Josh’s lap. “Last time I talked to you, you were having a few troubles. Everything settled down yet?” Josh shrugged a little. “A bit. We still have our moments, but it’s getting better. I think we just needed time.” Joey gave Josh a lopsided grin. “I’ll kick his ass if he causes you any more trouble. How’s that?” Josh chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. You and what army, man? There’s a real badass beneath the leather and denim.” “Anything decent on TV?” Ben asked from the kitchen. “Not really,” Josh said. “Dinner almost done?” Ben walked over and gave Josh an upside-down kiss. “Mmm…soon.” “There’s not a damn thing on.” Joey dropped the remote down in disgust, then eyed the other two. He realized he’d made a mistake in letting Josh go right after Josh and Ben started dating. “If you two play tonsil hockey all weekend, it’s really gonna be a bore.” Josh grumbled when Ben pulled back. “Oh, like you haven’t been getting any. Trust me, we won’t spend all weekend in the

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sack, smartass.” Ben grinned. “We won’t?” “Fuck you,” Josh laughed, reaching up to whack Ben on the arm. “Feed me. Then feel free to challenge me on that.” “You’ll eat your words. That’s a promise,” Ben shot back. “You’re both making me wish I’d brought along a fuck buddy for the weekend.” “You should have,” Ben flippantly agreed before he headed back into the kitchen. “See?” Josh grabbed the remote. “We’re perfectly fine.” “You sure you’re not trying a bit too hard to convince me?” Joey asked with a touch of curiosity. “I think I know you better than that.” Rolling his eyes, Josh didn’t say anything for a moment. “We’re just different, that’s all,” he said finally. “We agreed to take things slow.” His toes pointed down, Joey kneaded them slightly into Josh’s thigh. “Did you agree to take it slow because you want to or because you don’t want to lose him? And remember, the last time I saw you, you were drunk off your ass and complaining about Ben.” “Both,” Josh muttered. “I love him, but…he hasn’t said anything like that to me.” “I think he cares about you, but I haven’t seen anything like love when he looks at you.” Joey sat up, then shifted to put his arm around Josh. Inwardly, he was rather pleased with the situation. “If it gets bad enough, you know you can always talk to me.” Then he released Josh and stood. “Maybe we should hit the liquor cabinet. They always kept this place well stocked. Want something?” “No, thanks.” Josh got up and wandered into the kitchen, looking somewhat preoccupied with his thoughts. As Josh walked away, Joey watched him out of the corner of his eye and smiled to himself before pulling several tall glasses from the cabinet. He had a really good feeling both Ben and Josh would be joining him. No doubt Josh had some serious doubts about Ben, and Joey enjoyed egging him on. Ben had never deserved somebody like Josh, and Joey wanted Josh back. Once he grabbed a bottle of vodka, he wandered into the kitchen.

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“Feel like a screwdriver?” he asked Ben as he passed the guy on his way to the fridge. “Sure.” Ben flipped the hamburgers on the stove-top grill. “Want one, babe?” he asked Josh. Josh sat at the table. “Hell, why not? Mix me up one, too, man.” After he grabbed a couple cans of 7-Up and the orange juice, Joey returned to the bar and mixed up the drinks. He gathered up all three glasses in both hands before returning to the kitchen. “There’s more where this came from.” With a smile, he set the drinks on the table, then sat across from Josh. Ben went to the table to get his drink and took a sip. He winked at Josh and gave him a grin on his way back to the hamburgers. “Oh, man, that’s good,” Josh said after a sip. “Burgers done?” Ben returned a couple minutes later and put a big plate of his signature teriyaki burgers on the table. “Yup. Fries coming up.” He got the basket of fries from the counter, then sat down beside Josh. All three of them dug in and between mouthfuls, Joey complimented Ben on the dinner. “I need to hire you to cook for me, man.” Ben smirked at him. “Keep one of your fuck buddies around long enough and make him do it.” “Yeah, right,” Josh mumbled in-between bites. “No one can touch my man’s cooking.” “True, but I’m not for hire. Unless somebody pays me some big bucks.” “I can promise you big bucks,” Joey tossed in as an inducement. Josh raised an eyebrow. “Now he’s pulling out the big guns.” Ben leaned over and whispered in Josh’s ear. Whatever it was, Josh snickered. “Shut up.” Joey smirked and settled back in his chair as he finished off his drink. “I’ll get you in my kitchen yet, Ben.” “Just fix me another drink, smart ass.” “Mmm…” Josh stole a quick kiss from Ben while Joey got up to mix more drinks. “You’ll have to fight me for him, Joey.” “Damn shame I forgot my swords. We could have fenced

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for him,” Joey quipped. As he stood at the bar, he glanced into the kitchen, happy to see the guys preoccupied. Then he pulled out a small vial and dropped a tablet into Ben’s glass. When he returned to the kitchen he set the drinks down with a flourishing bow. Josh mumbled something, mouth too busy with Ben’s. When they finally parted, Josh smirked up at Joey. “I’d kick your ass in a heartbeat.” “You never could in high school. Why don’t you two go relax in the living room, and I’ll wash up.” Joey took a quick sip of his drink before he started to gather up the dirty dishes. “I let you win,” Josh shot back. He got up, tugging Ben with him. “Come on, gorgeous. Let’s go make out while Joey does the dirty work.” Joey almost laughed but managed to stop himself. It wasn’t likely Josh would get much out of Ben since he’d spiked Ben’s drink with a mild sedative. Happy with himself, he filled the sink with hot water, added soap, and piled the dishes in the water. His thoughts were occupied with his own touch of glee as he methodically washed the plates and utensils. While he wasn’t overconfident, he did have the feeling Josh would return to him. He could hear the television and low murmurs from the living room. It didn’t take him long to finish the dishes, but he puttered around, wiping down the counters and table. Finally, he tossed the dish cloth into the sink, picked up his drink, and went to join them. “Dude. You can’t be tired,” Josh laughed, nudging Ben with his elbow. “Mmmhmm…” Ben’s response was muffled on Josh’s thigh. One of Ben’s hands rested higher up, fingertips close but not quite touching Josh’s crotch. Josh sighed. “So much for fooling around.” “Must have had a hard day at work.” Joey grabbed Ben’s shoulder, shaking him slightly. “You’re disappointing your man.” Ben yawned widely in answer. He squeezed Josh’s thigh lightly and mumbled, “Sorry, babe. Maybe I should hit the hay before I fall asleep here.” “Okay.” Josh bent down and kissed Ben’s head. “I’ll be in

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there in a bit.” “’kay.” Ben sat up and gave Josh a brief kiss before heading down the hall, already half-stumbling. “Oh, well,” Josh muttered. Drink in hand, Joey settled back on the couch beside Josh. “He probably just needs a good night’s sleep. You can keep me company and drink a couple more with me.” “Sounds good.” Josh drank the last of his screwdriver. “Another?” he asked, handing Joey his glass. “Sure thing.” Joey stood back up, hiding his grin. When Josh drank, he tended to get painfully honest. He also became really damn cuddly. At the bar, he made them both another drink, adding a stronger measure of vodka to Josh’s. “Ah, thanks, man,” Josh said when Joey returned, handing his glass over. Josh took a healthy swallow and choked a little. “Wow. Strong,” he laughed. “But good.” The more he drank, the more open he got, laughing and smiling. He stretched out, legs over Joey’s thighs. “I wish he’d just tell me one way or another, ya know?” “You might get him to, sooner or later.” Though Joey personally doubted it. Ben always had commitment issues for as long as they’d both known the guy. Joey really didn’t think Josh would get what he wanted. “Then again, it might take a really long time, and in the end, you’ll find out he can’t say it.” Josh rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. In the meantime, the sex is damn fucking good, man.” “That’s a plus then. Hope it makes up for what’s lacking.” Joey chuckled, one hand wrapping to Josh’s ankle. “I’ve been thinking seriously about settling down myself. That’s why I didn’t drag anybody along for the weekend.” Josh snickered, thoroughly drunk. “You? Settle down? Since when?” Joey glanced over at him, giving a nonchalant shrug. “Hey, I made a mistake letting you go. I realize that now, and I think it’s time I start taking things seriously. You know what I mean.” Josh gave him a lopsided smile. “Yeah. Anyone in mind yet?” “Sort of,” Joey murmured before taking another drink. While Josh was clearly a few sheets to the wind, Joey was no

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more than pleasantly buzzed. Josh never could hold his liquor very well. “But never mind about me. Is Ben working fewer hours? You said he’d been working extra and coming home really late.” Nodding, Josh finished off his drink. “Uh huh. He actually gets home before dark now. Got damn lonely on nights when he worked ’til midnight or so.” “Least you don’t have that to worry about.” Joey reached over, tweaking Josh’s nose gently. “I worry about you, ya know. Just because we’re not together doesn’t mean I don’t love you anymore.” Josh batted his hand away with a lazy swipe. “I’m a big boy.” “I didn’t say you weren’t, Josh, but you know you always got me.” Resting his head back against the couch, Joey closed his eyes, hand returning to Josh’s ankle. His fingers lightly skimmed over the warm flesh. “Remember those lazy Sundays we never got out of bed?” Josh hummed in agreement, leg shifting but not pulling away. “I remember. Ben and I have had a few of those days, but not many.” “I miss that,” Joey mused. “Haven’t found anybody else worth Sundays like that.” “You will,” Josh said with a slight smile. “He’s out there somewhere, waiting for you. You and I… We didn’t work out. That doesn’t mean I don’t care, though.” “We’ll always have feelings for each other. However, I’m beginning to wonder if there is anybody out there for me.” He rubbed Josh’s ankle for a moment before his hand traveled slowly to Josh’s knee, giving it a light squeeze. “You’re one of my best friends. That won’t ever change.” Josh groaned, stretching his legs out. “Jeez, didn’t realize how tender my knee was. You’d think the pain would be gone by now, this long after the wreck.” “I can massage it for you.” Good as his word, Joey expertly kneaded the muscles below the knee, then started on the muscles above it. “You know, I’ve thought a lot about us lately. Even when I try not to.” Josh winced when Joey hit a particularly tender spot. “Man.

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That feels…painful but good.” “You could use a good massage.” Joey caught on fairly quickly to change the subject for the moment. “Want one?” “If you’re offering, hell yeah. Might help me sleep.” He picked up Josh’s legs and scooted out from under him. “Take your shirt off and roll over on your belly. I’ll start there.” Josh sat up and pulled off his shirt. Then he flipped over, head pillowed on his arms. “Ignore me if I doze off,” he mumbled. “I’ll just wake you up and send you to bed.” Joey readily admitted to himself he’d do just about anything to be able to touch Josh again. The massage idea made a really good excuse. Sitting on the edge of the couch, Joey got comfortable before he laid his hands on Josh’s shoulders. The heat beneath his fingers made him shiver as he began massaging. Josh moaned softly. “Damn, that feels good.” He shifted a little, muscles flexing beneath Joey’s hands. Under the guise of running his fingers and palms firmly over Josh’s flesh, Joey leaned down and pressed a light kiss to Josh’s left shoulder blade. Though he was sorely tempted to taste, Joey just kept it to the soft pressure, then straightened. Josh didn’t respond, despite his shoulder muscle twitching a tiny bit. He turned his head and closed his eyes, sighing as Joey worked the knots out. “Damn. Didn’t realize how much I needed a massage.” “You could always hire me as your personal masseuse. You know how good I am.” Joey let his gaze roam leisurely over the expanse of Josh’s back to the edge of his jeans, greatly enjoying the sight. How many times had he kissed every inch of the body beneath his hands? Unable to help the train of his thoughts, he allowed them free rein. Josh snickered. “Yeah, feel free to fight Ben on that one, man.” “Why? Would he be jealous or something?” He ran his fingers along Josh’s back, thumbs pressing firmly along the middle of his spine, easing the tension of the muscles. “To put it mildly,” Josh mumbled. “As a friend, he likes you, but he’s definitely got a jealous streak a mile wide.” A series of light kisses followed the path of his hands as

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Joey muttered, “He’s got nothing to be jealous of. We’re just best buds. We always will be.” “Joey…” With a chuckle, Joey returned to strictly the massage. “I think you both take things way too seriously. This weekend is to relax and lighten up.” “I’m melting into the couch, man. How relaxed do you want me?” Josh chuckled. Joey lightly slapped his ass then stood. “About time for you to get to bed, or you’ll probably fall asleep right here.” Grunting, Josh got up. “Yeah. And this couch sucks for sleeping.” After a brief pause, he gave Joey a hug. “Thanks, man. Night.”

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Chapter Three did.

It hadn’t taken him long to find the one he wanted. It never

The one soul isolated from even the lowest, he stood alone on a corner. The others plied their trade a block away—drugs, sex, or both—and ignored the kid. Even through the makeup smeared across the kid’s face, he could tell it was a young one. His guess was late teens. The makeup couldn’t hide the gauntness of the kid’s face or the desperation lurking in those eyes. He didn’t even wear a jacket to protect him from the chill of the night. Instead, he was clad in a pair of obscenely short shorts and a fishnet shirt. The boy would look far better in the black and blue uniform of The General’s Army. Whatever he’d run away from had to have been worse than the streets. The thought should have unsettled most people, and occasionally some do-gooder or organization would throw a meal or place to sleep for the night at them; but lately, things were getting tight even for them. Sources of help were drying up. It didn’t seem to bother those who had taken up residence in the alley nearby and the stretch of railroad yard beyond. It might have been long abandoned by those who’d made money from it, but it was now inhabited by men and women huddled around fires built in trash cans. Large boxes and a few crates provided shelter from the elements. Cars drove by on the darkened street, a few stopping now and then. The drivers selected what they wanted to fuck, then drove off with their prizes. He watched it all, unobserved in his car. The squalor of several tenements stood as silent witnesses to the streets below, window lamps casting pale blobs of light onto parts of the street. Their occupants were as little interested in those living on the streets as they would be interested in flies. A regular Saturday night.

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After he started the car, he flicked the heater up. A moment later, he pulled up in front of the kid, rolled down the passenger window, and motioned for him to get in. “What do you want?” The boy asked as he leaned against the car. “How much for all night?” “That’ll cost you two hundred.” “Fine.” As he took the wallet out of his back pocket, the kid got into the car without a second thought. Souls were cheap these days. **** Josh wandered out of the bathroom, feeling much better after a long, hot shower. He secured the towel around his waist and followed the scent of coffee and pancakes into the kitchen. “Oh, babe… God, that smells good.” He walked up behind Ben, arms sliding around the man’s bare waist. “Where’s Joey?” “He went for a morning walk.” Ben leaned back against him as he flipped the last pancake. “Join me for breakfast?” “Mmhmm…” Josh kissed an expanse of warm, naked skin along the top of Ben’s shoulder blade. “Smell good,” he whispered, though he sure wasn’t talking about the food. “After food, gorgeous. Then you’ll have me all to yourself.” After transferring the pancake to the waiting stack, Ben turned to face Josh. Josh grinned and leaned in to lick his lover’s lips. “You know,” he murmured, “for the town bad boy, you’re incredibly practical.” “Only when I’m starving.” Ben’s arms snaked around Josh, deepening the kiss for a brief moment. For a few seconds, Josh relished the feel of Ben’s mouth on his, his lover’s tongue sliding across his own. Then his stomach growled, reminding Josh he really was hungry. “Okay, okay,” he muttered. “You win. Food first. Then I am so getting your ass back to bed.” “I’m always right.” Ben carried the plate to the table with a smirk on his lips. “Grab the milk out of the fridge, would ya?” “Smartass.” Josh grabbed the milk, butter, and syrup, then

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sat down. “Better be glad you’re hot and great at sex,” he laughed. “I think you’re more grateful about that than I am.” Ben gave him a sly smile as he helped himself to several pancakes. Josh sucked syrup off his finger. “And your point is?” he asked, lifting one foot under the table and sliding it between Ben’s boxer-clad thighs. “Only that you’re happier than I am that I’m great in bed.” Once he slathered his pancakes with butter, Ben poured a generous amount of syrup on them. “Which I will be reminding you of when we’re done.” Grinning, Josh dove into his breakfast, foot never quite still as he rubbed it along Ben’s thigh. When they were done, he took their dishes to the sink and ran water over them. He was surprised his head didn’t ache from last night, though he hardly remembered a damn thing. There was a good reason why he didn’t drink often. “In a hurry?” Ben watched from his perch at the table, relaxing back in the chair, hands crossed over his belly. “Man, that was a good breakfast.” Josh put the dishes into the dishwasher, then walked over. He twisted Ben’s chair just a tiny bit, plucked the glass from the man’s hand, and straddled him. The towel rode up, threatening to slip off completely, but Josh didn’t give a shit. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.” In a nonchalant manner, Ben opened the towel, completely exposing Josh. His hands slipped behind Josh to his ass. “Oh, yeah? How much of a hurry?” “Very,” Josh murmured, going from playful to horny within seconds. “Need it, baby.” “That’s what I thought.” One finger teasingly ran along the crack of Josh’s ass, and Ben’s other hand moved to the back of Josh’s head. An insistent pressure drew Josh’s head to him, and Ben’s lips silenced any other commentary. Josh moaned, rocking between Ben’s hand and his crotch. Threading his hands through Ben’s hair, he tilted the man’s head, deepening the kiss. Ben’s fingertip tapped his hole and Josh whimpered. “Please. Now.” “Bed.” Ben let Josh up, then stood. He led the way down

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the hall and as soon as the bedroom door closed, he pushed Josh against it, one hand wrapping tight around Josh’s cock. “Ben!” Josh gasped, hips jerking forward. “Fuck me.” Ben released him and grinned. “On the bed.” When Josh lay down, Ben handed him the lube. “Show me how much you want it.” Josh got two fingers slick, then spread his legs. He reached down and circled his hole before pushing both fingers in deep. “Oh, fuck…” he moaned, arching and bearing down. He thrust them in and out, other hand stroking his cock slow and easy. “Goddamn, that’s sexy.” The bed dipped between his legs and Ben bent down, capturing Josh’s left nipple in his teeth. Josh shouted and Ben’s growl vibrated through him. Then two fingers joined Josh’s, stretching his ass open further. “Fuck yeah,” Ben murmured, deep voice gone husky. “Ready for my cock, babe?” “Yes,” Josh groaned. “In me. Now.” They both withdrew their fingers and Ben’s sheathed cock pushed in their place. Josh moaned and locked his legs around Ben’s waist, ass lifting into every deep stroke. Propped on his forearms, Ben kept the rhythm steady, hard but slow, every entry taking Josh’s breath away. Josh stared up into his lover’s eyes, stunned by the sheer need he saw in them. Joey might not think Ben had any love there, but Josh knew. He just knew. “L—” Josh’s words were cut off by a kiss that made lightning spark along his spine. Ben sped up, nailing his gland with every other stroke. Josh somehow worked a hand between them and it only took a single pump of his fist and his back bowed, his moans swallowed as heat spilled between them. Ben murmured something—what, Josh couldn’t tell—and then he froze, letting out a low growl as his cock pulsed deep in Josh’s ass. Breathless, sated, Josh slumped into the bed. Ben kissed him softly, then pulled out. He tossed the rubber into the nearby trash can and promptly fell over beside Josh. “Now that,” Ben said in between breaths, “is how to start the day.” Josh chuckled. “No shit.”

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Chapter Four “Goddamn it!” Ben nearly fell out of the hammock, startled from the blast of cold water. He jumped up and stood, arms outstretched, and glared at Joey, who stood nearby, laughing so hard he doubled over. “I swear I’m kicking your ass…soon as I change clothes.” “Oh, that was priceless!” Sopping wet and grumbling, Joey’s laughter ringing in his ears, Ben stormed into the cabin. He ignored the trail of water he left from the kitchen and down the hall, cursing Joey’s idiocy the entire time. “Never ever again,” he muttered. “I’m hiding the damn water hose.” Times like this, he ruefully admitted—at least to himself— that Josh’s penchant for packing more than necessary actually came in handy. Now, though, Ben had on his last set of clean, dry clothes, which meant he had to dig out something from his old closet. Joey’s stuff lay on the bed, since it was only a twinsized mattress, and more spread out on the dresser. Ben went over to the closet and pulled the chain, illuminating the deep, walk-in space. He started rummaging through older clothes of his when something caught his eye. He shoved the row of shirts and jeans hanging on the bar to the side and felt ice form in his gut before it flared into white-hot rage. He snatched up a handful of the pictures and gritted his teeth. Josh. Josh and Joey. Josh and… In the all photos of Josh and himself, Ben stared at a frayed edge where Joey had torn him out of the picture—literally. Wet clothes forgotten, Ben gathered up the photographs and left the closet, slamming the door behind him. Joey finished mixing his drink, then turned to lean against the cabinet, watching as Ben stomped back into the living room. Ben scowled at him and slapped the pictures on the coffee

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table. “What the fuck?” Joey pushed from the cabinet and walked over. The moment he saw what they were, he scowled. “Any reason you were in my stuff?” “Your stuff?” Ben got in Joey’s face. “Those were in my closet! Just come out and fucking say it, Joey! Still hard up for Josh, are you?” “I seriously suggest you back off, dude. It’s not really any of your business what I have, now is it.” With a bored look, Joey took a sip of his drink. He set the empty glass on the table, then picked up the pictures. “Excuse me?” Ben grabbed Joey’s shoulder and jerked him around hard. “He’s my fucking lover!” Before Ben could blink, Joey grabbed hold of Ben’s arm and yanked. The moment Ben resisted, Joey used the movement to twist Ben around and wrapped his arm around Ben’s throat. “I said fucking back off. It’s not your business.” Ben’s eyes widened for a split second, then he jabbed the elbow of his free arm back into Joey’s stomach. It gave him a chance to get free and Ben spun. Just as he drew his hand back, another one seized his wrist. “What the hell?” Josh shouted. “Ben!” It took Joey a minute to catch his breath. “Christ, Ben. You need to handle that jealousy problem of yours. Next fucking time, I’ll hurt you.” Joey bent down to pick up his pictures once again. Ignoring both of them, he headed back to the bar. Joey calmly fixed another drink for himself before he disappeared into his bedroom. Josh turned a furious glare on Ben and practically dragged Ben into the kitchen. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Ben slammed his fist down on the counter and glared at him. “Why in the hell does he have those pictures? You still have a thing for him, too?” Josh’s jaw dropped. “What? Are you out of your mind? I love you! Why the hell would I still want my ex?” “You were certainly quick to come to his aid!” “To keep you from beating the shit out of him? Damn right! Last thing you need is Joey running to the police saying you

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attacked him. Fuck, Ben. Do you really not trust me that much?” “Me beating the shit out of him? You’re kidding, right?” Disgusted, Ben turned his back on Josh and stalked toward the bedroom. Josh hurried after him, closing the bedroom door to give them at least the illusion of privacy. “Yes. I walk in to find him doubled over and you ready to pound his face in. What am I supposed to think?” “I assumed you’d think something was really wrong to have pissed me off enough to go after Joey. You still love him? You were quick enough to stand up for him.” Josh looked like someone had slapped him. He dropped down onto the bed and stared up at Ben. “No. I never loved him. Not like I love you, babe. I wasn’t standing up for him. I was trying to diffuse a situation before it got out of hand.” He sighed and raked a hand through his hair, the fight going out of him. “I’m sorry, okay? I just don’t want to see you get carted off to jail…because you know he’d do it in a heartbeat.” The apology deflated a bit of Ben’s anger. He plopped beside Josh and stretched out on the bed. “I saw those pictures. Know it wasn’t your fault.” “I don’t know why he has them,” Josh said, lying down. He propped himself one arm and looked down at Ben. “I really don’t care, either. I’m yours, Ben.” Josh traced a line up Ben’s stilldamp shirt. “I promise you that.” Ben smiled sheepishly and held onto Josh’s hand. “I overreacted, didn’t I?” Josh chuckled and nodded. “A little.” He bent down, trapping their hands between them on Ben’s chest. “But that’s okay… I love you anyway,” he whispered, kissing Ben’s lips softly. “Lucky to have you,” Ben murmured. He freed his arms to snake them around Josh’s neck. He held Josh close, forgetting about the pictures and Joey, about everything that wasn’t Josh. He knew he had jealousy issues, but Josh still wanted him despite all that. Josh kissed his way along Ben’s jaw, down his neck. Ben hummed softly, eyes closing as the brush of Josh’s lips warmed his skin. Josh worked the wet shirt higher and Ben sat up, letting

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his lover tug the T-shirt over his head. Then Josh pushed Ben onto his back again, kisses gaining heat as they moved lower down Ben’s body. Fingers fumbled with his shorts and then he was naked, gasping as Josh’s fingers wrapped around his cock. “Josh.” Ben shuddered and groaned, hips rolling into the slow, languid strokes. “Please…” “What do you want, babe?” Josh licked Ben’s navel, tongue dipping in before moving south. “My mouth? My ass?” His fingertips drifted along Ben’s thigh, up to trace a line over Ben’s balls. “My cock?” “Yes,” Ben moaned. “In me.” He didn’t bottom often, but sometimes, he just needed to feel Josh deep, giving him the chance to let go for a while. Josh rose up and stripped, then found the lube and rubbers. A moment later, sheathed and slick, he knelt between Ben’s legs. Ben draped his legs over Josh’s shoulders, opening himself up as two of Josh’s lubed fingers eased inside him. “Oh, fuck…” Ben shuddered, the motion of those fingers, the sure touches, making his head swim. “Josh. So good…” “God, you’re gorgeous,” Josh muttered. His fingers left and then his cock pushed in, filling Ben like nothing else in the world. “Love you. No matter what.” Ben could only nod, a part of him wishing he could just say the words. He knew Josh loved him, but he wasn’t sure yet if opening up would do more harm than good. He’d been burnt one too many times with those words. Instead, he reached down and gripped Josh’s thighs, grunting every time Josh thrust inside him. “Yeah. Fuck. Right there, baby,” he gasped, eyes going wide. He stared up at Josh, then opened for another kiss. Josh’s tongue swept over his, stealing Ben’s breath as the rhythm changed. “Josh!” Josh grinned, rounded his hips a little, and plunged back in. “Right there. Oh, yeah.” Ben nodded and grabbed his cock, pumping fast. “Don’t stop. Oh, fuck… Yes!” Back bowing, Ben shouted, heat spilling over his fist and onto his stomach. Josh thrust deep several more times, then froze, coming with a low groan. He ground into Ben and finally collapsed, sliding out and flopping over onto his back. “Damn,” he panted.

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“Man, I so needed that,” Ben chuckled. “Why don’t I bottom more often?” “Hell if I know, but you sure won’t hear me complain if you do.” **** Once Cameron was settled, he began undressing the body. Cameron wasn’t yet dead, but he would be soon. He took off his hat out of respect before he stretched Cameron out on a plastic sheet. As he settled next to Cameron, he grabbed the boy’s hand. His gaze ran intently over the peacefully slumbering features. Cameron’s breath was already slowing as his body began to shut down. The lethal injection he’d given Cameron worked fast. It was extremely important he be with Cameron at this point. He had never let any of his recruits die alone; he’d always vehemently vowed to be there with them. Just as they would be with him when he died. His plans were always crafted around this very important time. The others crowded around in silent vigil, waiting for their newest member to join them. He checked Cameron’s pulse, and found it faint and erratic. It wouldn’t be long now. Heartbeats ceased, and he watched the metamorphosis with bated breath. Even in the solemn moment, he felt a familiar thrill as death took Cameron. Nothing could ever compare to this. Only in death did the human form take on such an incredible beauty. Only when Cameron’s muscles completely relaxed, did his body release the excrement and urine it had held. Unfazed, he started the process of cleaning Cameron up. Several minutes passed before he deemed the recruit ready for his haircut, then his uniform. He performed both tasks with an expertise gained from doing it many times before. There were several handmade uniforms in the chest next to him, and he selected the one he thought would fit Cameron the best. He’d made them himself out of the finest materials he could buy. Nothing but the best for his men and women. As he dressed Cameron, the others crowded around him in their excitement, and he had to wave them back. “Don’t be so

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impatient, soldiers. He’ll be ready soon.” He fastened the silver buttons with a great deal of pride before he stood to announce, “Cameron Ward, we welcome you into the General’s Army.” Cheers and hoots of approval greeted Cameron as he stepped back to review the rest of his troops. “I know each and every one of you will help Cameron with our rules and regulations.” “Sir, yes, sir,” they answered him with gratifying speed. Even though the tide wouldn’t turn for another two hours, he decided to leave the cave earlier than he normally would have. It wouldn’t do for anybody to notice him missing, and he had a few other things he needed to take care of.

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Chapter Five With Ben napping, Josh managed to get out and finally explore a bit. He hadn’t been on the island for quite a while. The late summer sun shone through the trees towering above him, light spilling onto the dirt-and-sand ground. If he remembered correctly, there was a path that cut through the woods not far from the cabin and it led down to a secluded beach on the northwest side of the island. Very little wildlife existed here, save for snakes, spiders, and other things he probably didn’t want to think about while trekking through the dense woods. He could hear the water lapping on the pebbled shore the farther he moved from the cabin. It felt good to be out alone, to give him time to think. Ben wasn’t a bad guy—quite the opposite, actually. He just had a few jealousy issues, though Josh knew where they came from. Between Joey’s continued—though not encouraged— attachment to Josh, to the fact that Ben had been burned before in relationships, Josh couldn’t exactly blame Ben for being distrusting in general. The farther into the small forest Josh walked, the closer the water sounded. He finally broke through the trees and grinned. The tide was out, leaving more of the beach exposed. Josh went down the hill and over a small dune and blinked. “Damn…” He stared for a moment at the cave, the entrance once hidden by water. He couldn’t remember ever seeing it in the past, but then, as kids, their parents were strict about getting too close to the water. Now, though, Josh was free to roam. He headed over, ignoring the water from the tide pool sloshing into his shoes. The mouth of the cave sat low to the rock floor and Josh had to duck to get inside. His foot slipped and he landed flat on his ass halfway in, and he sat there for a few seconds to get his bearings.

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As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he became aware of a foul stench permeating the air. He scooted down the slight slope of the ground and the smell grew stronger. He gagged and pulled the bottom hem of his shirt up, covering his mouth and nose. “What the fuck?” His eyes began to water and he stumbled, nearly losing his footing again. He caught himself on something semi-solid, then jerked his hand back. “Ugh!” Slime coated his palm and he slapped and wiped it on his jeans. Then he looked down and every molecule of blood froze over. Josh gasped and fell backward, landing hard. He scrambled out of the way, unable to tear his gaze from the yawning, halfrotten face staring back at him. His stomach rolled and his chest heaved as he took in the others—all dead, some more far gone than the others. Flesh hung from bones, falling off the faces. All the eyes were open, at least those that still had eyelids. Mouths opened wide, as if caught in screams. Military jackets clung to the decomposing bodies, all of them lined up like some kind of macabre company of soldiers. Only one thing looked out of place. He squinted and dared to lean forward. He snatched the baseball cap, black with a red anarchy symbol, off the stone ground. Dread coiled deep in his gut and he couldn’t breathe. “Ben. Oh, God…” His wits returning, Josh half-crawled, half-ran out of the cave, screaming for Joey. The images assaulted his mind, their rotten, leering faces guaranteed to give him nightmares for the rest of his life. And Ben… Oh, God… Heart slamming into his ribcage, clothes, legs, and hands covered in wet sand and mud, Josh finally reached the top of the hill and screamed. “Joey!” Joey ran, meeting Josh halfway. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?” “No!” Josh skidded to a stop, nearly doubling over and talking ninety miles an hour. “Cave. Bodies. Rotting. Dead. Ben! His hat. Oh, God, Joey…” “What?” Completely confused, Joey stared at Josh as he supported him into the house. “What the hell are you going on

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about? You’re not making any sense.” Josh shook, tears streaking down his face. “Dead bodies!” he shouted, throwing his hands in the air. “Dead, Joey! And Ben’s hat was there! He’s hurt or worse!” Joey captured both of Josh’s hands, his voice stern. “Calm down, Josh, and tell me what happened.” A blurry-eyed Ben walked out of the bedroom into the living room. “What’s all the yelling about?” Josh tore out of Joey’s grip and rushed at Ben. “You’re alive!” He grabbed the man’s face, looking over every single inch. “You. Your hat. Ben?” Ben blinked. “Of course I’m alive. What are you talking about?” He brushed tears from Josh’s cheek. “Josh?” Josh shook his head quickly, banged up backward against the wall, and slid down to the floor, body going numb. He stared at the far wall, voice not sounding like his own. “There’s a cave,” he said quietly. “Can only get there when the tide is out. I got curious…” He swallowed back the nausea at the memory. “There are bodies…several…some new, some…skeletal, rotten…” He looked up at Ben, another tear escaping. “I found your hat. I thought… Oh, God, Ben, I thought you were hurt or dead…” “Nobody has been in those caves for years, Josh.” Ben glanced over at Joey, then back to Josh. He crouched down and grabbed Josh’s hand, pulling Josh up and against him for comfort. “You trying to fucking bullshit us, man?” Joey asked. “This another one of your jokes, right?” “No!” Relieved that Ben was alive, Josh pulled away and stood on shaky legs. “You want fucking proof? Fine. Follow me, asshole.” With that, he stormed out of the cabin. When they both joined him outside, he led the way down to the beach and the tide pool he’d found, fuming at the fact that they didn’t believe a word he said. Fine. Let them see for themselves and then try to deny it. “I think you’re carrying the joke a bit too far,” Joey said. Ben stayed silent. His expression showed his uncertainty before he spoke. “I don’t think he’s kidding, man.” Joey frowned as if considering the possibility. “Those caves

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were just smugglers’ hideouts. Nobody has used them in over a hundred years.” When they reached the tide pool, the water was thankfully still out. Josh stood back and swallowed, staring at the mouth of the cave a little farther down. He flinched a bit when Ben’s hand touched his shoulder. “Down there,” he murmured. He took a deep breath to steel himself. Then he continued, stopping once more at the mouth of the cave. The smell alone sent him reeling, his stomach threatening to void itself of every meal he’d had in the past twenty years. All three of them remained silent as they traipsed into the cave. The odor grew stronger once they were inside. Enough of the light outside reached into the cave, highlighting the bodies within. Mouth agape, eyes wide, Joey stared. Ben stood beside him, just as incredulous. A second later, Ben grabbed Josh’s hand and stumbled out of the cave, and Joey followed. Ben’s next words came out in a rush. “We’ve got to get out of here before whoever did that comes back.” “Now you fucking believe me!” Josh spun on his heel and hurried back down the beach, confident Ben and Joey were right behind him. When they reached the cabin, he made a beeline for the bathroom and lost the war with his stomach, throwing up everything he’d eaten in the past several hours. A few minutes passed before Ben joined Josh in the bedroom. “Hurry up, babe. We have to leave.” Breathless, Josh nodded. He pulled himself up by way of the sink and splashed his face with water. “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He followed Ben back out into the living room where Joey waited. “We have to get to the cops.” “I tried to call the Leeawee sheriff, but the house phone is out.” Joey entered from outside, out of breath. “Boat is gone,” he panted. Alarmed, Ben stared at him, speechless. “Gone?” Josh repeated the one word. “There’s no way off the island.” “Oh, my God.” Josh dropped onto the nearest chair. “What

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do we do? It’s too far to swim.” “Fuck.” Ben ran around, locking the doors and making sure the windows were locked. As the situation started to sink in, Joey darted upstairs to help lock the cabin down. His footsteps could be heard running from room to room overhead. Ben came in from the kitchen. “We need to stay calm and figure out what to do. Maybe whoever did that isn’t still on the island.” Josh stared straight ahead, too numb to move. “Too new,” he murmured to no one in particular. He started shaking again and squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them abruptly. Every time they closed, all he could see were those faces. “Hey.” Ben came over and crouched down in front of him, hands on Josh’s knees. “Josh. Look at me.” When Josh did, Ben reached up and stroked his cheek. “We just need to keep a close eye on things. If it’s one person, then we outnumber him.” “And if it’s not?” “If it’s three, which I doubt, then we equal them. Plus we’ve got Dad’s guns. When I don’t check in with Mom, she’ll probably send the cops to our apartment, then out here.” “Everything is secure upstairs.” Joey hurried down the steps to join them. “I searched all the rooms and made sure the windows were locked.” Josh grimaced. “What kind of person could do that?” “I don’t know,” Ben said. “A very disturbed, very sick one.” A shiver rushed through Josh. Ben leaned in and kissed his forehead. “I don’t feel good,” Josh muttered. “I know. I need a shower after that,” Ben said. “Join me?” Josh groaned and shook his head. “Can’t move. You go.” He grabbed Ben’s wrist. “Use the hall bathroom—no windows— and lock the door.” “Okay.” Ben patted Josh’s leg, then stood with a sigh. “Be back in a few.” Josh watched him go, refusing to dwell on the sight of Ben’s hat in the cave. Joey moved silently to the liquor cabinet. He made several glasses without asking if Josh wanted any. When he was finished, he took two drinks to Josh. “Here. I think we both need

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a good stiff one, and not the best kind.” Josh took the glass, though he didn’t say anything right away. He sipped at the drink, not quite tasting it. “I thought he was dead.” Plopping heavily down beside him, Joey took a deep swallow of his own drink. “Has it occurred to you there might be another reason for his hat to be in the cave?” “Huh?” Brows drawn, Josh stared at him. “I ain’t even sure I want to say it, but you can be damn sure I’m not leaving you alone.” Joey gave Josh a defiant look as he gulped the rest of his drink down. Josh’s jaw dropped. “Are you suggesting he did that? Are you out of your fucking mind?” “You said you saw his fucking hat, Josh. Why in the hell was it in the cave?” Gaping like a fish, Josh snapped his mouth shut before answering. “I don’t know! But I know he’d never do something like that. Ben isn’t a violent person. Those…bodies… They were rotting, Joey. They’ve been there a while, the oldest ones. The newest barely looks like it’s a week or so old.” “He can be violent. In case you forgot, he attacked me over some stupid pictures. I don’t care what you think, I’m not leaving you alone with that guy. We’ll let the cops figure it all out.” Josh stood and paced the living room, the sound of the shower reminding him that Ben was only a few yards away. “He can’t be. No way. Ben’s not a killer, Joey. I love him. I know he isn’t a murderer.” “There were several bodies in the cave, Josh.” Joey’s voice was low, urgent in tone. “His hat was there with them. If we could get away now, I’d try, but we can’t. Just have to act like I don’t suspect him. God knows what he would do if he found out.” Josh stopped pacing and leaned against the closed front door. No way. Ben wasn’t a killer. He might have the occasional flash of temper and issues with jealousy, but Josh knew there wasn’t a murderous bone in the man’s body. But it also didn’t explain why Ben’s hat had been in the cave. When the bathroom door opened, Josh jumped, a bit startled. He caught a glimpse of

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Ben just before the man disappeared into the bedroom. Josh slid down to the hardwood floor, his heart twisting as much as his stomach had before.

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Chapter Six Ben woke up to Josh snuggled tightly against his side. He lifted his head just enough to see Joey still fast asleep on the couch. Something had been bothering him most of the night. He’d gotten a glimpse of the shiny, silver buttons, and they seemed somehow familiar. They’d been unusually large in size, and even though Ben hadn’t seen the details, he still thought he recognized them somehow. Where had he seen something like those buttons? He wracked his brain for several moments, trying to figure it out. Maybe he needed to return to the cave to get a better look at one of them. The idea wasn’t one he embraced with any enthusiasm. Where had he seen the damn things? Something about a picture. He vaguely remembered a picture. Somebody’s grandfather? Maybe. He frowned, and when he glanced over at Joey, it hit him like a ton of bricks. He’d seen buttons very similar on a jacket Joey had worn years ago. The coat had belonged to Joey’s grandfather. Then again…maybe he remembered the jacket wrong. Josh shifted, blinking sleepy eyes open. “Ben?” “Yeah, babe. I’m here.” Could it be Joey? Ben eyed the sleeping form on the couch with misgiving. The guy could occasionally be off, but he wasn’t that far off, was he? Josh woke up a little more. He scooted away a bit and studied Ben. “I… I thought I lost you,” he whispered. “What? No, I’m here.” He finally looked back at Josh. “Do you remember that old picture of Joey in his granddad’s jacket?” “Um…vaguely. Why?” “I think the buttons on it looked liked the buttons on those jackets the dead people were wearing. They looked familiar to me for some reason, and I remembered that damn jacket of Joey’s.” “What?” Josh sat up and scrubbed his hands over his face.

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“What are you saying? Just because they’re the same buttons doesn’t mean anything, Ben.” “Shh, I don’t want to wake him up.” Ben gave him a rueful look. “I know it sounds weird, but if those buttons are the same, then Joey knows something.” Josh seemed to think on it, then motioned toward the bedroom down the hall. He got up and headed for it, Ben following quietly behind him. Once they were in the room, Josh closed the door, but he kept his distance from Ben. “Joey’s…off a little, I admit, but do you honestly think he’s capable of something like that?” Ben eyed him with a touch of curiosity, noting the standoffishness. It wasn’t like Josh. “Hell, I don’t know. From everything I’ve read and seen, people like that never seem capable of it. I thought maybe I should go to the cave, just to look closer at the buttons, but I don’t like the idea too much.” Josh’s eyes widened. “No. No one can go alone. Either we all go, or none of us does.” He crossed his arms and rested back against the dresser, still not moving any closer. “There’s gotta be a way to reach the police. The phone’s out, the boat’s gone. Fuck. It’s like a horror movie, just too goddamned real for my taste.” “Only thing we can do is hole up here, babe.” He had the feeling Josh was being a touch too defensive, but he didn’t push it. “We’ll be missed tomorrow.” Josh chewed on his bottom lip. “No one goes anywhere without the others. We need to get back in there now.” “Good idea.” He opened the door and motioned for Josh to go out. **** Josh stood at the window, staring out at the dark forest behind the cabin. Behind him, Joey and Ben talked, but Josh didn’t pay much attention. His thoughts were chaotic and refused to be stilled. Could Ben really be the killer? The idea made Josh’s stomach churn and twist into unfathomable knots. No, it was impossible. Ben had a jealous streak, but most of the time he was as gentle as a kitten. Though over all the years

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Josh had known Ben, the man’s work supposedly drug him away for days at a time. It would have presented the perfect opportunity. Well, hell, Josh reminded himself sharply, so did Joey’s job. He glanced over his shoulder at the slight, almost fragile looking man. Not a strand of Joey’s spiky brown hair was out of place, and his clothes were impeccable. His brown eyes, though slightly wild at times, were generally warm. But wasn’t that a suspicious sign, the perfection in personal appearance? How much did he know about Joey? Joey tended to be exceedingly private, even when they dated. Josh thought he knew both of the men pretty well, now he wasn’t so sure. He didn’t really think it could be Ben or Joey, did he? Neither of them was capable of such terrible things. There could be someone else on the island, couldn’t there? While it wasn’t a big island, there were plenty of places for someone to hide. He frowned as he thought he saw something moving just beyond the line of trees. Josh strained to see whatever it was in the darkness, but couldn’t determine if he’d actually seen anything. “Once it’s daylight, maybe we should search the island. If somebody is here, they have to have a boat,” Ben suggested. Joey muttered in answer, “I think staying locked up in the cabin is the safest thing we can do.” Provided one of you isn’t the killer, Josh’s mind silently added. Stop it, Joshua Finley. You can’t really think Ben or Joey would kill people and dress their rotting corpses like that. An instant after he reprimanded himself, the doubting second thoughts crept back in. Was he in the same room with a killer? Just the idea sent shivers of fear down his spine and made him sick to his stomach. Josh scowled at himself for his lack of control. “We’ve got my dad’s guns. That’ll give us an edge, and I think we will be safe. You and I will go at sunrise, Joey.” Ben sounded pretty damned determined. “Sure. As long as we both have a gun.” The instant the comment was made, the tension skyrocketed between the two men. “Are you suggesting…” Ben started, but Josh shut him up

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as he whirled angrily on them. “Shut up, both of you! We’re staying in the cabin until help arrives.” “Sorry, babe.” “Yeah, sorry, Josh.” After they both apologized, Josh turned back to the window. He realized he was avoiding Ben and Joey, but he really couldn’t help it. No more than he could rein in his blasted thoughts. He gave Joey a strained smile and took the drink his friend handed him. “It’s okay. We’re all a little on edge.” Joey smiled back at him. “This is a fucked-up situation. We’re trapped on this damned island with an insane killer. We don’t even know if he or she is still on the island or not. Maybe the killer has a boat, and if we look for it, we can get the hell out of here.” From the way Ben rambled, he sounded as terrified as Josh was inside. See, he can’t be the killer. But what if he’s faking it? Ben was an expert at hiding behind masks when he felt he needed to. “Okay, guys, there are merits to both ideas. If we stay in the cabin, we’ll most likely be safe until help arrives. If we don’t crack first. But if we search the island, we might find a boat. Or if the killer isn’t on the island, we’ll at least have one less worry,” Joey said. No matter the crisis, Joey was always calm, cool, and collected. The analytical one. Were those signs of a serial killer? Josh remembered reading something about it, or he’d seen it on TV. He took a sip of his drink and winced at the direction of his mind. How could he think his two best friends would do something like that? His only friends in the entire world. How could he suspect them of any kind of atrocity? God, if it were one of them, Josh knew he’d fall apart. They were all he had. His heart didn’t even want to go there. He turned and leaned against the window sill. Ben was fixing them another round of drinks, and Josh’s gaze swept over the familiar body. From Ben’s shaggy brown hair to his cool gray-blue eyes, Josh loved every inch. Somewhere deep inside him pain welled up. It couldn’t be his lover, it couldn’t be. He refused to believe

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such madness. Wisps of Ben’s hair curled about his shoulders, making Josh want to play with them. When he turned around, Josh stared into the beloved eyes for a long moment. A faint smile creased Ben’s lips as he approached Josh. He kissed Josh’s lips softly, though Josh didn’t quite respond. Then Ben turned and headed out of the room. Josh desperately prayed his face didn’t show any of the inner turmoil he felt. A reassuring look crossed Joey’s face as he spoke, “Hey, it’s going to be okay. We’ll be fine. I just know it.” For most of his life, Joey had been there with the same promise every time something went wrong. Even when they’d broken up, Joey had been right about that, too. Weren’t serial killers supposed to be cold and emotionless? Neither Ben nor Joey was like that. He wondered if the other two suspected him. Josh knew he didn’t do it, but the other two might not be as certain, and he couldn’t blame them. Hell, he couldn’t stop the wayward drifts of his own mind. Maybe it wasn’t a killer at all. Maybe it was somebody who dug bodies out of graves and put them in the cave. Josh downed his drink, praying the ridiculous ideas would cease.

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Chapter Seven A dull, droning voice intruded in his sleep, but Josh couldn’t quite make out the words. It was Ben. That much Josh realized from the sound. His head felt heavy, and he couldn’t open his eyes right away. “I believe you’ll like my army.” Army? Josh tried to speak but found he couldn’t. He attempted to open his eyes, and when he managed to, he saw nothing but blob shapes. He thought he could make out the mass of Ben’s shirt not too far off. It looked like Ben was sitting in a chair, his back to Josh. “Ben?” Josh attempted to move, only to realize with a sharp bolt of fear that he couldn’t. “Ben. What’s going on?” “I didn’t want to do this, Josh, but I can’t risk anybody going to the cops.” A fog clouded his head, making it impossible for Josh to focus. Another distant form moved onto his hazy line of sight. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision, but it didn’t help. All he could see was a long something come down on Ben’s head. “Ben!” The next thing he heard was Joey’s voice. “It’s okay, Josh. I knocked him out. Give me a minute to get you loose.” “Joey? Oh, God.” The second he was free, Josh tried to jump out of the chair, only to find that his body didn’t want to work. “W-what? Ben?” Ben sat slumped over, silent. Josh’s heart thundered, slamming into his ribcage. Ben. All those people… Josh shook his head, heartache and fear coiling from his chest to his gut. Hot tears spilled down his cheeks as he tried to reconcile the man he loved with the killer he now saw. “No! God, Ben, why?” he cried, beginning to shake. Joey helped Josh up and into the bedroom down the hall. “You need to take it easy for a few minutes. You look like

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you’ve been drugged. It’s a good thing I didn’t drink that last glass.” Josh felt numb and simply collapsed onto the bed. “What about… Ben?” “I’ll make sure he doesn’t escape, Josh. Don’t worry about it.” Joey turned around and went back out the room. Several minutes passed before he returned. “I locked him in the basement. There’s no way out of there, and the cops can deal with him whenever they get here. God, I hope somebody sends them out here soon.” Throat feeling like cotton, Josh tried to swallow. He stared down at the floor as more tears fell. “I loved him.” He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face with shaky hands, the pain searing his chest as he fought back the urge to break down completely. “God, Joey… I loved him!” Joey dropped to his knees in front of Josh, hands covering Josh‘s. “You didn’t know. You couldn’t know. I can even barely believe it.” “All those people,” Josh whispered, voice hoarse from crying and dryness. “How? How could he do it? God, Joey… I loved him… I slept beside him… And…” “I don’t know. I really don’t know.” Joey crawled up next to him on the bed. “I doubt if either of us will ever understand.” Josh’s resistance broke and he curled into Joey, shaking as he cried. A part of him refused to believe it, though Ben himself had admitted to everything. Joey gathered Josh in his arms, slowly rocking them both. “Everything will be all right, Josh. I swear it will be.” Exhaustion began to set in and Josh let it claim him, dragging him into a deep, fitful sleep. **** Josh rolled over to find the other half of the bed cold. He blinked his eyes open and sat up, rubbing them for a second. “Joey?” He flung off the blanket, vaguely realizing he’d slept in his clothes, and left the bedroom. Ben wasn’t in the living room, but neither was Joey. Josh shivered when he remembered Joey had locked Ben up in the basement. He ran his hands up and

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down his arms, goose bumps rising. The house felt eerily quiet and vacant. “It wasn’t…fool…dead…” It sounded like Joey’s voice coming from the open door to the basement, but Josh couldn’t hear everything he said. Brow wrinkling, Josh crept toward the door. He couldn’t hear anything for several seconds, then came more mumbling. He eased the door open and went down the steps, taking each step carefully in the dim light. Why the hell was Joey in the basement? The first thing he saw was Ben sitting on the floor, gagged and tied to a post. When Josh went down another step, Ben’s gaze flew to Josh’s face, panic crystal clear. A second later, Joey stepped from behind one of the wooden posts, his back to Josh. “It really is a pain in the ass to have to give up my favorites, and I should make you pay for it, Ben. But I’ll just have to replace my army, and you’ll pay by taking the blame for the killings.” Joey crouched in front of Ben, his voice taunting. “At least I’ll get Josh back. I really didn’t want this to happen, you know. You wouldn’t listen to me about not visiting the island. If Josh hadn’t found the cave, I might have let you live. I had no choice but to drug you both. I made Josh think it was you who tied him up. He was too out of it to really know what was going on, and I do a pretty good imitation of you.” Josh froze, heart nearly stopping altogether. He bit his tongue to keep from making a sound and instead began inching back up the steps, praying to every god in existence that Joey wouldn’t hear him. When he felt the door, he slipped back out and forced back the urge to throw up. He had to get a weapon and fast. If Joey killed those other people, then he wouldn’t hesitate to murder Ben. Josh hurried down the hall to the master bedroom and flung open the door. He went straight for the gun cabinet and wracked his brain for the combination. Then he started turning the lock, hoping like hell he remembered the numbers. He thanked God when the lock finally clinked open. He got out one of Ben’s dad’s rifles and found shells on the little shelf at the top. He loaded the gun and readied it before closing the cabinet again.

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Then he went back to the basement door and took a deep breath before taking that first step down. Every body, every disgusting sight in that cave—it had all been Joey’s doing. Josh gritted his teeth, fear and rage making him want to run down there and blow Joey’s brains out just for framing Ben. “Usually I prefer to put others to sleep, but in your case, I have to make an exception.” Joey sighed as he waved the gun in his hand nonchalantly in front of Ben’s face. “Have to make it look like you tried to escape.” As he flicked off the safety, he continued, “I really am sorry, Ben. Just can’t have anybody finding out the truth.” Josh steeled himself and lifted the rifle, aiming for the middle of Joey’s back. “I’m sorry, too,” he said. Then he pulled the trigger. Shock registered on Joey’s face as he half-turned, the gun falling from his hand. He blinked in surprise once before he keeled over, crashing into a stack of boxes off to the side. A muffled shout came from Ben as he struggled against the ropes, several of the boxes falling on him. Josh hurried down the steps and kept a close eye on Joey, kicking the gun well out of reach. Then he knelt down and managed to get the gag off of Ben with one hand, never wanting to relinquish his own weapon, before undoing the ropes holding him. “Hurry. I don’t know if I killed him or not.” He urged Ben up and, rifle firmly in hand, ran up the steps behind Ben. Ben slammed the door behind him, then grabbed one of the chairs and shoved it under the doorknob. “That’ll make sure the bastard doesn’t get out if he’s still alive.” Somebody banged loudly on the front door. “It’s the Leeawee Sheriff’s Department.” As Josh moved to the front hall, Ben grabbed him and took the rifle out of his hand. “Don’t think that’s a good idea.” After he laid the gun on the kitchen table, he followed Josh to the front door. Josh opened it and blinked at the bright sunlight glinting off police badges. “Thank God,” he breathed. “Joshua Finley, Benjamin Gregory?” “Yes,” Josh said. He stepped back and let the officers

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inside. “Joey… He’s…” He glanced toward the basement. The other officer gave Ben a wide grin. “We got a call from your parents, Ben. They’ve been worried because you didn’t return home when you were supposed to. You better give them a call.” A look of recognition crossed Ben’s face before he answered, “Lenny, we’ve got a really bad problem here. There are several bodies in the old smugglers’ cave, and the killer is down in my basement. He’s been shot.” At first, none of the officers appeared to take them seriously, and Lenny joked, “I don’t think that’ll work as an excuse for your parents.” Josh’s jaw dropped. “Go look!” He pointed toward the basement door. “It’s Joey Brandt.” Lenny nodded at two of the officers. “Stepford. Wallace. Go check it out.” “It’s no joke,” Ben said quietly. “We haven’t been able to get off the island. I think he’s the one who cut the phone line and got rid of the boat.” “There’s a boat at the dock, Ben. It’s why we figured you were still on the island.” Wallace appeared in the doorway of the basement. “We’ve got a man shot, and he’s definitely dead.” Josh dropped into a chair. “He lied about the boat…” He blinked, the numbness returning. “He had it all planned. Every bit of it…” Lenny crossed his arms and looked pointedly at them both. “What the hell happened here, boys?” “Joey was going to kill me. He had me tied up in the basement,” Ben said. “He planned on shooting me and letting me take the blame for the dead people in the cave. You have to see the cave. Joey must have been killing people and hiding their bodies here. He didn’t want us to come out here for our vacation, but we didn’t listen to him. Come on, I’ll lead the way.” After Josh got up and joined Ben, all three of the cops followed them silently outside. Ben took Josh’s hand, his fingers tightening around Josh’s to still the trembling. “It’s okay, babe. We don’t have to go back in.” Josh swallowed hard. His brain stuck on autopilot, he let

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Ben lead them all toward the cave. He barely noticed his own footfalls as they took the wooded path down to the beach. When they neared the cave, Josh stopped, unable to go farther. He shook his head and stepped back. “I-I can’t.” “Stepford, stay with them.” Lenny barked out his orders. It seemed he might be finally taking Ben and Josh seriously. “Wallace, come with me.” The men disappeared into the cave and a moment later, Wallace ran out and began throwing up on the sand. Ben wrapped an arm around Josh, pulling him close. “They’ll take care of it now, babe.” For the first time since he’d woken up, Josh crumbled. He turned into Ben, face buried against the man’s chest, and broke down, entire body shaking for what seemed like forever. When Lenny emerged, he was white-faced. “Wallace, get yourself together. We need to get some help out here. I’m going to stay here, and I want you to take Ben and his friend to the station, then return here.” Without saying a word, the visibly shaken cop nodded before he gestured for Ben and Josh to follow him. Ben supported Josh as they walked to the sheriff’s boat. Josh ignored the urge to look back. Joey was dead; no more victims would fall to his twisted games.

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Chapter Eight Josh collapsed onto the couch, not nearly as numb as he had been several hours before. They’d spent the past few hours at the police station giving statements, explaining the weekend, and piecing together parts of Joey Brandt they’d never known existed. It was all over now, though. Josh looked up as Ben dropped their bags onto the floor beside the front door. Ben hadn’t said anything on the drive home, and he still didn’t say a word. He walked straight back into the kitchen and got a bottle of vodka out of the cupboard. Though the orange juice in the fridge wasn’t fresh, Ben didn’t seem to care. He poured himself a less than healthy amount of liquor into a glass, then added a splash of the juice. Finally, he said, “You want one?” “Yeah,” Josh said from where he leaned against the kitchen doorframe. “I need one, I think.” When Ben handed him a glass, Josh took it and sat down at the table, the tumbler cradled between his palms. He stared into the orange liquid, wishing to God this whole weekend had been nothing but one long, bad nightmare. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “For what, babe?” Ben sat across from him for all of the five seconds it took him to down his drink. Then he stood to get himself another. “None of it was your fault. I just can’t believe we didn’t know what a fucked-up person Joey was.” Josh swallowed around the lump in his throat. “But I believed him…when he said it was you…” He squeezed his eyes shut against the tears burning his eyes. “All those years, I thought we knew him. My God, Ben… I slept with him. I even let him lay in the same bed last night when I thought…” He shuddered. “…when I thought you were the killer.” “You slept with him last night?” Ben spun around and

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glared at Josh. “What?” Josh looked up, eyes wide. “God, no!” He shook his head quickly. “No, baby. Never. We were both dressed, didn’t touch except for a hug.” Josh’s stomach rolled and he stood abruptly, rushing over to the sink. The nausea subsided and his entire body shook. “Never,” he whispered, voice gone rough. “I would never do something like this to you.” Ben wrapped his arms around Josh and when Josh straightened, Ben pulled him close and gently rocked him. “I’m sorry, babe. It sounded wrong, that’s all.” He pressed a soft kiss beneath Josh’s ear, then nuzzled at the side of Josh’s throat. “We’ve…had a long weekend.” “I know you don’t want to hear it,” Josh murmured, turning to bury his face into Ben’s shirt. “But I love you. All that time, I thought I’d lost you forever.” “I’m too stubborn for you to lose.” Ben drew tipped Josh’s face up. “I think I might have realized it a while back, I just never said anything. I do love you, Josh.” Josh blinked. “You do?” “No, I’m just lying to you.” His lips twitched into a smile. “Asshole.” Josh laughed for the first time in what felt like ages. Then he sobered and draped his arms around Ben’s neck. “I love you so much. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Ben.” “See, I can still amuse you. And you’d do very well without me, you just don’t have to.” Ben chuckled, dropping a kiss to Josh’s nose. Josh sobered a bit and rested his forehead on to Ben’s chest. He shivered as thoughts of the weekend drifted back, refusing to let him forget any of it. “Is it…is it wrong of me to not feel anything? I killed a man I’ve known all my life, a man I spent years with as a lover. But…” “Shh…” Ben held him tighter, brushing a kiss to Josh’s hair. “I know. I can’t believe it either, baby. I thought we knew him.” “God, Ben. He killed so many people. When I pulled that trigger…all I could think about was killing him before he could do the same to you.” “I’m here,” Ben murmured. “I always will be. And so are

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you. We’re safe. Others are safe now, thanks to you.” Josh drew in a shaky breath. “I know. I know.” “Come on.” Ben urged Josh gently out of the kitchen, toward the bedroom. “I think we could both use a shower and a long rest after all this.” Josh nodded, unable to protest. He waited while Ben got the water going, steam filling the small bathroom, then he let Ben undress him. It wasn’t until Ben’s lips softly touched his that Josh’s brain finally kicked into gear. A low whimper escaped Josh and he shuddered as Ben’s hands pushed his button-down shirt off his shoulders. “In the water, baby,” Ben whispered. “It’ll help.” Josh stepped into the shower and closed his eyes. He leaned back against Ben, trusting in the solid strength to keep him safe and upright. The hot water rained down on them, and with a long, drawn-out sigh, Josh felt the last of the tension seep from his body. Ben’s kisses caressed his shoulder, his neck, hands gliding lightly over Josh’s sides and stomach. “I love you,” Ben breathed. “So much.” Josh swallowed around the lump in his throat, turned, and kissed Ben deep. “I love you, too.” “We’ll get through this. I promise.” “I know we will.” Eventually.

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About the Authors Mychael Black never set out to write erotic romance (or romance or erotica, for that matter). When Mychael first started writing (way back when), it was to be a fantasy author— someone along the lines of Tolkien or Mercedes Lackey. Mychael even thought about breaking into horror. Then, somewhere down the line, Mychael got hooked on gay porn. The rest is history. Born in Alabama in 1976, Mychael is known by many names. At this point, most people in the e-publishing world (readers and authors) know Mychael as Kay Derwydd. The name Mychael Black came about when Mychael started working with Shayne Carmichael. (See Shayne’s bio for the progression of that whole thing.) To date, Mychael has written countless works with Shayne, plus several single-authored works as Mychael Black. When not writing, Mychael can usually be found researching anything medieval—arms, armor, history, religion; anything Welsh—culture, language, history; languages—namely Welsh, Hebrew, German; and only God knows what else. Aside from research, writing, and editing, Mychael spends most of the time chasing down two young children and fighting off the plot bunnies left and right. More information can be found at the following places: http://www.geocities.com/mychaelblack http://mychael-black2.livejournal.com Who is Shayne Carmichael? His real name is Shayne Lee Smith. He was born in Itazuke, Japan to American parents. (ie Dad was in the Air Force). From the age of three to eight, he lived in Taiwan. He’s traveled a lot, and only discovered even more he wants to learn about the world.

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When not writing, Shayne is a self taught PHP and MySql dynamo. Or at least one would think from the number of scripts he’s been begged to write for free. With any spare time left to him, Shayne runs ERWI (Erotic Romance Writers International), aggravates his co-author, Mychael, to no end, often drowns under Mychael’s plot bunnies, and holds a forty hour a week job. Currently Shayne is working on a six book series, The Legends of the Romanorum. Blood Ties, Blood Magic and Blood Sins are being written by Shayne. The Prince’s Angel, And the Two Shall Become One, and Forever May Not Be Long Enough are being written by Shayne and Mychael. Included in the writing list are a few other books, Magic and the Pagan, Night Song, and numerous novellas and shorts. Shayne writes under the pen names of Sable St Germain and Shayne Carmichael. Sable was an RP character he used to play. Shayne Carmichael is a combination of his first name and Cian’s (Angel/sorcerer in The Prince’s Angel) last name. The character Shayne writes for in The Prince’s Angel is Mael Black. That would explain why Mychael’s last name is Black, and the character Mychael writes for is Cian. Shayne’s first official publishing contact is with Phaze for the Power of Two. A vampire D/s, BDSM story written with Mychael Black. The status of Phaze author has been one of their goals. Having achieved that, their next goal is to take over the world. Over the last nine years, Shayne has rped (roleplayed) and written both male and female characters. Gay, lesbian and het (vanilla and non vanilla). You could say he runs the gamut. He’s never believed whatever gender he happens to possess dictates what he can and can’t write. And he pretty much ignores anybody who thinks that way. Especially since he’s never been a vampire, were tiger, ghost or guide, but he writes about them anyway. Hell, he could be a woman pretending to be a man, or a man pretending to be a woman. He might be a 21 year old sex crazed female or a 60 year old dirty old man. It’s the world wide anonymous web, remember? In the anonymous vacuum of web space, nobody can hear you scream. They can’t tell your age or sex either.

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In the publication of most of his books and for advertising, his persona is male. In the comic strip The Beleaguered Lives of Mychael and Shayne, his persona is female. Why? He likes confusing the readers. Then again, maybe he’s a bit of both. Whether he’s a man writing gay, lesbian and kinky het or a woman writing gay, lesbian and kinky het, doesn’t matter. If he can draw you into a story with his words, he’s done his job. Who is Shayne Carmichael? Does it really matter? Shayne shares a website with Mychael Black, his partner in crime at http://www.theprinceangel.com. Excerpts for other works and several freebie stories are available on the site. To contact Shayne, email [email protected].

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