by WL Knightly
“Fuck you. You’re both killers.”
“He’s being transferred to the penitentiary,” Bay said. “He’s scared you’re dead, but I told him you probably ran off to be away from him. Staged your own death, so to speak.” He liked toying with her about Logan, mostly because he was a little bitter that she gave herself to him.
“I don’t care about him anymore. I had just let myself love him when he told me, so it didn’t take much to come to my senses.”
“And yet, he pines for you from his prison cell.” He chuckled. “How pathetic. I would be willing to overlook that moment of weakness, especially since I found out that you used sex to make him spill a decade old secret. I have to say, that was pretty fucking impressive, and a total turn on. Further proof we’d be a good team.”
“I’m not like you,” she snapped. “I’m not ever going to hurt people like you do. I’m a nurse. It’s not in my nature.”
With that confession, he wondered why he’d even bothered. Surely, she was more of a nurturer than a deviant like he was, but he’d really hoped that he would be able to keep her around as long as possible. “I do wish this had turned out better. Enjoy your dinner.” He turned around and took a few steps.
“Wait, no wait!” She got to her feet as Bay turned, and she limped across the room, closing the distance between them. “Please, Bay. Please. I’ll do anything, just let me go. I’ll play nice; I’ll give you what you want.” She lifted her shirt and Bay smiled as she cupped her heavy breasts. “We can fuck, Bay. I’ll fuck you right now.”
He shook his head. She didn’t get it at all, and her offer was more insulting than a fucking turn on. “What I want is your sworn fealty.”
He turned and left her alone to think it over, not as convinced that he would win her over as he’d been when he first entered the room.
On his way out, he passed Lou who was carrying a big tray of food. “How’s this, boss?” The pasta dish smelled amazing, and there was even a slice of French bread that the man hadn’t scarfed down for himself.
Bay took the fork from the plate and left the spoon. “That’s better, and no more lights out. Let her scream at the top of her lungs if she wants to. No one will hear her.” He reached into the bowl and grabbed a saucy noodle and gave it a taste. “Not bad, Lou.”
On his way out, he got a call from Finn. “Tell me you’re not backing out? You’re not going to choke, are you?” Bay had jokes for days, but they went right over Finn’s head. He’d always been a bit dim, but he was loyal, and that was all that mattered to Bay.
“I did it,” Finn said, still breathless from his tryst.
“Very good. I’ll meet you at the penthouse in half an hour.” He shut off the phone and wondered what kind of footage Finn got and if it would be enough to ruin a campaign and worth enough to pay for a movie. He might just have to rethink the latter and shortchange him. The deed was done, and he highly doubted that Finn would put up a fight. The movie was going to be shit anyway, and he knew anything he put into it, he’d never get back. He really wished he’d never made the deal, but if he had Seth on film getting blown in a deviant sex act, it might be worth it.
11
Finn
Finn couldn’t believe what he’d done for Bay, and while he waited for Bay’s car to pull up at the penthouse, which he’d managed to get to first, he couldn’t tune out the thoughts in his head.
He didn’t mind what he’d done, but once he’d done it, he realized that not only was Seth on the film but so was he. Whatever ammo he was giving Bay could come back to haunt him, too.
He’s never going to pay me. He’s going to use the fucking tape against me, too. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Finn had let his desires get in the way of his common sense, and he let his trust in Bay weaken him. Just like before.
Finn had always been the more sensitive type, and Bay loved to aggravate him because of it, but when they were alone, Bay would always tell Finn that he was just fooling and that Finn shouldn’t be so tenderhearted when it came to him. The night of the ritual, when Finn had choked, Bay had pulled him aside.
Bay had left Seth in charge, and the two had walked out and around to the other side of the millhouse to stand in the moonlight. Finn had needed air, but Bay had been afraid he was going to bail.
Bay placed his hand on the boy’s back. “You can’t back out now, Finn. I thought you liked me.”
“I do. I’m your friend, Bay, but I can’t do it. She won’t stop screaming.” He had covered his ears before walking out, and he knew the other boys were having just as much trouble with the sounds. Several wanted it to end as much as him.
“You took a vow, and this is going to bond us even tighter. I hoped it meant something to you more than the rest.”
Finn turned his eyes up, and his breath hitched as he noticed how strikingly beautiful the creature before him was. Bay’s hair shone in the moonlight, and he radiated like a star. “Why me?”
Bay took his hand. “I thought my feelings were obvious, Finn. Yours are.” His voice was a whisper, and he looked back to the millhouse where the moans of the girl were still audible through the old stone walls.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I guess I was wrong, then. I guess I just hoped that what I wanted was true about you.” Bay pulled his hand away, and Finn felt an emptiness inside.
“I do feel the same. I do. I’m just scared. I’m scared the others will laugh.”
“They will, Finn, but not me. I’ll never laugh. This can be our secret, this longing we feel. It can be our special thing.” Bay’s breath was warm as he whispered close to Finn, and Finn knew that he would never want another human being’s approval like he wanted Bay’s.
“Do you really mean it?” Finn asked. “You feel the same?” He had never thought he’d find anyone who wanted to be with him the same way, who wasn’t afraid of getting caught and wouldn’t see it as something dirty. He and Seth had only explored together a little bit, and only once had it gotten to the point where Finn had been brave enough to blow him. Finn hoped that he and Bay could have so much more.
But Bay had been nothing more than a tease ever since.
Bay arrived at the penthouse, pulling up in his fancy fucking car in one of his fancy fucking suits, which looked like it had been specially fitted to make Finn want him even more.
Finn got out of the car and approached Bay’s car as he opened the door.
“Come on,” Bay said. “Let’s get inside. Neither of us should be standing around in dark places at night.”
Bay had a point, and without further ado, they went inside the building and got into the elevator.
“Do you have it?” Bay asked, holding out his hand.
Finn hesitated. “I just thought that I’d like to edit this footage. My identity is on it as well, and no offense, but I’d like to get it off of there before anyone sees it.”
“Still ashamed of who you are, I see.”
“Fuck you. I’m as straight as you are. I just happen to have an unhealthy affection for you.”
“Please, what you have is a fetish for dick. I won’t judge, mind you, but let’s stop pretending you’re not as queer as a three-dollar-bill.” The elevator came to a stop, and when the door opened on their floor, Finn stood against the back wall as Bay stepped out to his entrance. “What the fuck are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
“No, you’ve told me all I needed to hear,” Finn said. “I’m not giving you this footage to use against me. Call me any slur you want, but I’m not stupid. If you play nice, I’ll give you an edited copy.”
Bay squared his shoulders and then held the door. “Get out of the fucking elevator before I drag you by your dick and beat the shit out of you.”
“Can’t you even ask nicely?”
Bay’s nostrils flared. “Don’t fuck with me tonight, Finn. You made a deal. You’d get me this footage, and then I’d finance your fucking film.”
“You’re a fucking tease. I think you’re a
ll talk, and you’re obviously afraid to have me because you know you’re going to like it.”
Bay stormed into the elevator and grabbed his throat. “Do you think I need you for sex? I could take you any fucking time I want since we were fucking fourteen years old, but have I? Fuck no, and you know why?”
“Because you’re a fucking liar.” Finn thought back to all the times when he’d flirted and lured. He’d always had some kind of excuse not to go through with it, and Finn had tried to be understanding. He’d pined away for him like a fool, loving him even though he was never going to get anything in return.
Bay met his eyes. “No, it’s because you don’t trust me.” He let go of Finn’s throat and stepped back out. He went to his penthouse and opened the door.
Finn hurried out of the elevator and pushed his way inside. “I want to trust you. So, let me edit the footage.”
“Fine, but if you trusted me, you wouldn’t feel the need.”
“Here.” Finn handed him his phone and took a deep breath as Bay turned on the replay.
“You’re really committed to your mission. Impressive.”
Finn pulled the device from him, but Bay had already removed the tiny camera from the side. “Send me the file.” Bay gave him his warmest smile.
Finn growled under his breath but gave in. “Fine!”
While Finn prepared to send the file, Bay took out his phone. “Check this out.”
“Holy shit, is that Ethan Cline?” Finn would have recognized the Zodiac’s Virgo anywhere. He still had the same shit-eating smile and was apparently, according to the headline above his picture, having the worst luck with the ladies. The article said that he was having trouble with his model girlfriend.
Bay belly laughed, which was rare. “He’s working the more popular girlfriend angle, which apparently backfired.”
“I had heard he was doing well in Nashville, but I didn’t know that well.” Finn wasn’t much on his old friend’s music, but he couldn’t deny his talent. It was good to see someone else succeeding, even though it made him all the more anxious for his movie. He knew he needed to be focused on his art, but it was too hard while he was in New York and so close to Bay Collins.
Bay was busy scrolling through the article. “Yeah, he kind of took the whole Carpe Fortuna motto and ran with it.” Bay laughed and then walked over and sat on the couch. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” Finn wasn’t about to forget the things Bay had said, and he knew he should be leery of letting him get too close, but he just couldn’t help himself. He looked at the man and saw the only person he’d longed for in his life, not only to be with but to be like. People looked up to Bay. They listened to him, respected him, adored him, and some even worshiped him. Finn’s heart ached every time he looked at him. “Why do you and Seth hate each other?”
“Hate isn’t accurate,” Bay said. “I don’t really have feelings for him one way or the other. He dislikes me because he always thought that he should lead the Zodiacs. Even though it was my idea. He just always felt like he could run it better. The truth is, he wouldn’t last a fucking day with some of you. He has no business leading anyone or anything, especially in politics.” Bay chuckled softly as he stared at the phone.
Finn hit send on his own phone, and it only took seconds for the file to arrive in Bay’s phone. “Thanks. I won’t let anyone see it. I promise. It’s just leverage for Seth when I need it.”
Finn tried to act like it didn’t bother him. “Okay.” He still wasn’t sure he could trust Bay, but he couldn’t fight him, either.
It grew quiet, and then Bay gave him a nudge. “I’m sorry I grabbed your throat. I’m pretty sure it’s sore enough already.” He smirked, the slow smile spreading his lips.
Finn let loose a breath and rolled his eyes. The jokes were getting to be too much. “Seriously?”
Bay’s charming smile widened. “Come on, man. You’re the only one I can joke with. Do you think I sit down and talk to the others about anything? No, I don’t. Not ever, and do you know why?”
“Why?” He hoped that Bay would move closer and tell him how special he was, but that wasn’t going to happen, not tonight. He could tell that Bay was already too distant.
“Because the others are assholes. You’re a good guy. You come from a good family. You’re talented. You’re way more of a man than most of them.” He could listen to Bay talk about him forever, but he knew that didn’t mean he wanted him for anything more.
“So, are you going to fund my movie?” Finn asked. At this point, it was all he cared about anyway. He didn’t have room to feel too much about Bay.
“I suppose I should keep my word. But only on one condition.”
There were always conditions with Bay Collins. No one simply got anything for free. That just didn’t happen. “What condition?”
“You leave my name off the credits.” Bay could be terribly insulting, but Finn didn’t care. He wasn’t going to let the man ruin his excitement.
“It’s a deal. Probably best that you’re not associated with me anyway, considering the whole Zodiac thing. Did you get any more news?”
“About what?” Bay laid his head back and closed his eyes as if he’d had a long day.
“The killings. Have you heard anything more?”
“No, but it’s okay. I told you, if anyone is the target, it’s Logan. I’m sure the killer is just trying to find a way to get to him in prison. Probably waiting for him to get nice and cozy.” Something about Bay’s tone, the nonchalant way he spoke, gave Finn a sick feeling.
“You’re not going to let anything happen to him, are you? I mean, you’re his lawyer. You can do something, right? To assure his safety?”
Bay turned his head and met Finn’s stare with a twisted smile. “Of course. Just like I look out for you all.”
12
Darek
Darek and Lizzy finished the puzzle and then put on some old movies that she and Robert used to love. Darek enjoyed the trip down memory lane with her and hoped that he would learn more about the amazing woman he was falling head over heels for.
He was finally willing to admit it to himself, and he knew that it was only a matter of time before passion beat out his common sense.
He busied himself cleaning the kitchen while Lizzy was at the other end of the house.
“I put clean sheets on the guest bed,” she said when she returned to the kitchen. “I’m going to take my old room.”
He noticed that she didn’t want to stay in the master suite, where no doubt Robert had taken his last breaths. “Thank you. That’s perfect.”
She nodded. “I know it’s kind of silly since we’ve shared a bed, but I know that went against your better judgment.”
“Yeah, but I don’t regret it. Do you?”
“No, but you’re right,” Lizzy said. “If you’re going to move up and start working at the Bureau, it’s best we’re not sleeping together.”
He agreed, but he wished to hell he’d kept his big mouth shut. But on the other hand, he was glad she was okay with it. “It’s bad timing.”
“Yes, totally.” She walked over and took the sponge from his hand. “You don’t have to clean up.”
“I don’t mind.” He took the sponge back. “It’s the least I can do. Besides, you made a mess with the soup. It looks like someone bled all over the stove.”
She laughed and then leaned in and gave him a quick peck. “I’ll be right out.”
He finished up in the kitchen, and while he wiped his hands, his neck itched. He tugged at his collar. The damned thing must have had something in it. He’d itched all damned day. He tried to ignore it and went to the study as the water came on in the shower down the hall.
Robert had a nice study with a big mahogany desk and lots of plaques from achievements throughout his life and time with the Bureau. Across the room, there was a pair of chairs, and between them was a small table with a stone top that was covered with glass. Inside were several hunting k
nives and a few merit badges with a lucky rabbit’s foot. There was a file cabinet behind the desk, and he couldn’t help but wonder if it was the old case files a much younger Lizzy had worked on.
He hated to snoop, but he just might find out more about Lizzy and her father. He had a feeling the asshole abused her, and if not sexually, then mentally and verbally. He’d noticed that throughout the night, no matter how many times he tried to ask about her parents, she’d steer the conversation back to Robert. Were her memories of home so painful that she couldn’t even speak of them?
The cabinet, along with most of the desk drawers, were locked, but he noticed a basket with a stack of old newspapers and decided to give them a look. Midway through the stack, he came to an article about Emily Johnson’s murder and Gough’s prison sentence. The papers were in fairly decent shape, and he wondered if Lizzy had forgotten she had them.
“Finding anything interesting?”
Darek looked up, and Lizzy was standing in the doorway wearing an FBI tee and a pair of yoga pants. Her hair was still damp and pulled away from her face.
“Sorry, I just thought I’d look around. I hope it wasn’t a big deal.”
“Not at all. Those old papers have been there forever.”
“And here’s one you might want to see.” He held up the old article, not thinking it could contain anything she hadn’t seen before.
She walked over, and her face fell as she looked at the write-up. “I’ll have to take this and add it to my evidence.” She tucked the paper up under her arm and then took Darek’s hand. “I’m going to bed. Thank you for an amazing day.” She kissed his hand, and he reached up and stroked her cheek.