From Blood to Roses

by Laurin Kelly

  "What did he look like the last couple of times he came in? Any different than before?"

  Candy squinted. "Now that you mention it, he looked kinda sick. Not that he was much to look at before, but he was paler, I guess, and skinnier. And I think he might have lost some hair."

  So Dwyer had been visibly ill the last time he'd been in here. Had probably even known or at least suspected he was terminal. It gave Rob an idea. "You said he would see the manager before doing his thing. Did he do that the last time he came in?"

  "As far as I know."

  "Okay." Rob was feeling positive; it was very early on in the job and he already had a legitimate suspect for the person holding the will. A strip club manager would be used to keeping quiet about the things that went on with his customers, as well as making money under the table and being tough enough to protect the will with violence if necessary. "You did well." He took the gun away. "Get off my lap."

  Candy scrambled to her feet, visibly still wary and frightened. "Can I go now?" Her eyes darted to the door.

  "Not yet," said Rob, standing. He tucked the gun back into his pants. "First, you and I have some business to take care of." He reached into his wallet and pulled out two hundred dollar bills, holding them up.

  Candy looked at him in complete disbelief. "What... what do you want me to do?"

  "I want you to take me to Rick's office. You're going to pretend like nothing is wrong. You're not going to tell anyone about me or about anything that happened here tonight. Ever. It's three times what you'd get for opening your legs, so I expect you to be convincing and discreet. Think you can handle that?" Candy nodded, and Rob handed over the cash. "Good, because I don't like wasting my money. In fact, if I were to find that someone took my money and then did the opposite of what they were paid to do? I don't think they'd be around for long after I found out about it. And I would find out. You believe that?"

  "Yes. I believe it. I'll do just what you want, I swear."

  "Then we have an understanding," said Rob. "Take me to your boss. Now."

  Less than ten minutes later Rob was well into beating the shit out of a quickly disarmed Nelson. "Tell me where it is," he said. "I'm not going to tell you I'll let you live, but I can stop making it extra painful along the way. Do yourself a favor." He grabbed Nelson by the hair and drove his knee into his face.

  Nelson dropped to his knees on the floor, spitting out a glob of blood. "Fuck you."

  "Okay, the extra painful way. Don't mind if I do." He delivered a vicious kick to Nelson's torso, following it up with three more in quick succession. Rob felt a rib break. He grabbed Nelson's shoulder, flinging him helplessly onto his back. With an icy smile he stomped on Nelson's hand, grinding down on it ceaselessly.

  "Stop!" The word had a wet, burbling quality to it; Rob wouldn't have been surprised if he'd lost a couple of teeth by this point.

  "Now you're being smart. Where is it?"

  "Under the desk."

  Rob grabbed Nelson by the hair again, dragging him along while he kicked the desk chair out of the way and ducked to look under the desk. He pulled a small filthy rug away, revealing the top of a hidden compartment. "So it is."

  He got back out from under the desk and smiled coolly at Nelson. "Your cooperation is greatly appreciated," Rob slammed Nelson's head into the side of the desk and dropped his unconscious body to the floor. Flexing his fingers, he returned underneath the desk and opened the compartment, rooting around until his fingers touched what felt like stiff paper. Rob shifted back, his fingers clutching the envelope he'd retrieved.

  "Hands where I can see them," said a sharp voice. "I must say, it's rather interesting, us meeting this way again. Except this time you got to do all the hard work for me."

  Rob couldn't believe it. It was the same guy who'd killed Ryan and made off with the drugs and cash. It wasn't like he never ran across certain other mercenaries from time to time. With such a small pool of people who were considered the best at what they did, it was inevitable. But to have almost the same scenario with the same person in less than a year? It had a sense of predetermination that Rob found unsettling.

  Still, he kept his reaction calm. "So, you going to give me a name this time? Since we seem to be running into each other it might come in handy."

  "If what's in that envelope is what I'm looking for, we won't be meeting again. You'll be far too dead for that. But there's no reason you can't know the name of the person who ended you." He paused. "Kelan Pratt."

  "Kelan."

  "You're not going to be rude now, are you?" Kelan made a tsking noise. "After how forthright I've been? Come now, quid pro quo. Who do I have the pleasure of besting once again?"

  "Rob Diorso."

  Kelan laughed lightly. "Such a solid, manly name. I approve."

  "I can't tell you how happy that makes me."

  Kelan snorted. "I can tell how much my approval moves you." He smirked. "As fun as this is, best we get down to business. Open the envelope, Rob." His fingers tightened on the gun. "Show me what's inside it."

  Rob thought about rushing Kelan, but knowing how fast he was and judging the distance, he'd get nothing but a bullet for his trouble. To hand the will over to him Kelan would have to come closer, and Rob could risk jumping him. He'd relieve him of his weapon, pinning Kelan with his bulk. He'd take out his own gun and gladly show Kelan what it was like when Rob was on top of him holding a gun instead of the other way around. He remembered how Kelan had teased him with sweeping touches and lithe hips thrusting against him. Rob would complete the turning of tables, ending with his own victory this time. He'd have to kill Kelan, of course, since he knew about the will and his orders were to eliminate anyone who did. But at least he'd have the chance to know what it felt like to press down on that slender frame, maybe rock his hips a time or two before pulling the trigger.

  Kelan frowned. "I'm getting impatient. Open the fucking envelope."

  Rob did as instructed and reached in, pulling out the contents. But instead of a paper document, he withdrew a handful of glossy photos. He held them out to Kelan, who stayed put.

  "There's nothing else in the envelope?" Rob obligingly held it upside down and shook it, showing Kelan that it was empty. "And nothing else in the safe?"

  "Nope."

  "Those photos aren't what I was looking for. You?"

  "I was looking for a document. A will, to be precise."

  "What a coincidence." Kelan tilted his head. "So am I. Would it happen to be the will of a man whose wife used to work the pole out there?"

  "As a matter of fact, yes. Looks like we've been hired for the same job again."

  "An interesting coincidence. This leaves me with a fascinating dilemma. I could kill you right now, taking you out of the picture and guaranteeing that you won't find the will before me."

  "Or?" Rob raised an eyebrow. He was surprised Kelan was considering anything else.

  "Or I could let you go, since you've been so helpful this time around. Who knows, it could happen again. You coming in handy, that is." He brought the gun down, though Rob noted he made no move to re-holster it. "I've been doing this for a long time, and it's becoming tedious. Knowing you're out there, looking for the same thing? It adds a little spice to the mission. A challenge. It's been far too long since I've had one, and since I'm confident I'll come out on top, I think I'll indulge myself." Kelan smiled, a glint coming to his blue eyes that wasn't hard to interpret.

  Rob could feel a heat building between them. It was like the brief connection he'd felt in Austin, but stronger. "Anything else you might want to indulge yourself in?" Rob noted how Kelan's eyes subtly shifted to his chest for a moment.

  "Oh, all kinds of things." Kelan reclaimed eye contact. "But for now I'll leave it at that. You can get up now, by the way. Slowly."

  Rob rose to his feet. He looked at the photos in his hand, having almost forgotten about them. "I'll put these back. Not like they'll do either of us any goo—" He broke off, staring at th
e photos.

  "What is it?"

  "This look like anyone you recognize?" Rob held out one of the pictures.

  Keeping a tight grip on his Glock, Kelan drew closer and reached out, plucking it out of Rob's hand.

  The photo was of a man and woman, both naked. The woman was riding the man while he looked up at her, his face twisted in pleasure. His hand was on her breast tweaking her nipple. As soon as Kelan looked at the photo his eyes widened in recognition. "Senator Brock McLennan."

  "The pride and joy of the Republican party. Young, upstanding, and completely devoted to his lovely wife and infant son." Rob shrugged. "Apparently when he's not beating the political drum for the GOP, he likes to fuck hookers at a skanky strip club in the middle of nowhere."

  Kelan looked down at the still unconscious form of the club manager. "You think Nelson was blackmailing him?"

  "Either that, or planning to, from the look of it," said Rob. "It's interesting information, but I'm going to put these back. Unless you have any objections?"

  "Be my guest."

  Rob got back down on his knees and ducked under the desk; he put the photos back in the compartment and secured it. He got back up, wincing. He sucked in a breath and rubbed his right knee with his hand. Rob looked up at Kelan, the corner of his lips curving ruefully. "I guess I've been spending too much time on my knees tonight."

  "That can happen, from what I've heard" Kelan licked his lips, eyes heating. "Luckily, I have excellent knee strength. I could probably spend all kinds of time down on them if it were necessary."

  "I'll bet." Without warning, Rob lunged at Kelan, securing the wrist holding his gun and using his weight and momentum to slam Kelan up against the wall behind the desk. Kelan's eyes narrowed but he made no attempt to struggle or escape. Rob pressed his pelvis against Kelan's, staring into his eyes. Their mouths were so close they were breathing each other in.

  "You going to kill me now?" Kelan’s tone suggested he really didn't care what the answer was.

  "No. You're not the only one who likes to indulge on occasion." Taking Kelan's other wrist in his hand and pressing both against the wall painfully hard, he sealed his lips over Kelan's.

  At first they both kept their eyes open. But the kiss got rougher, hotter, and they both gave in with quiet groans. Teeth nipped and bit, lips suckled and tongues tangled wetly. Rob lost track of where he was and the world narrowed to the feel of their mouths against each other and their bodies grinding each other into hardness. But after several minutes, the sound of breaking glass from behind the office door caused them both to freeze, bringing them back to reality with a jerk. They tore apart, chests heaving.

  Rob stepped away from Kelan, releasing his wrists and holding his own hands out where Kelan could see them. Kelan stayed smashed up against the wall briefly before peeling himself off.

  "Until next time," said Kelan, his eyes lingering on Rob's swollen lips.

  Rob resisted the urge to adjust his jeans, his erection making them uncomfortably tight. "Until then." He folded his arms, looking pointedly at the door to the basement. Kelan gave a short nod, then slipped through the door as silently as he had come through it.

  Rob turned to look at the bloody heap of Nelson's form still unconscious on the floor. There didn't seem to be much point in killing him since he obviously didn't have the will, and Rob bet he was hardly the type to go to the cops over getting beat up in his office. Based on Nelson's facial bone structure, it looked like getting the shit kicked out of him might be a regular occurrence. Stepping around Nelson's unmoving body, Rob walked through the office door and secured it closed behind him. He saw Candy waiting at the bar; he caught her eye and held it with a warning glance. She smiled broadly and blew him a kiss.

  He got into his car and pulled away from The Fox Hole, thinking about his and Kelan's parting words, anticipation rolling through him like a slow burn.

  Four

  There was a large flat screen TV in the room Rob used as a makeshift gym, though it stayed off more often than not when he was lifting weights. The physical exertion both sharpened and cleared his mind, so he often used the time to go over the finer points of his current job. He chose a pair of 25 pound dumbbells and started his first set of bicep curls, staring straight ahead but not really seeing the blank screen of the TV.

  He went through the most likely suspects for the keeper of Dwyer's will, which he'd been compiling since Nelson hadn't panned out. There were a few that looked good, but his next destination would be Darius Adams, a former college football player turned security detail. He'd worked for Dwyer for two years before leaving to start his own security company the previous year. Dwyer had not only given his blessing but even invested in Adam's fledgling business. It wasn't a huge operation, but Rob was familiar with the business and they had an excellent reputation. Rob had completed a hit on a man protected by the company a few months ago, and it took much longer than usual to gain access to the target. And once he did, the man guarding him hadn't gone down easy.

  He finished his third set of curls then dropped the dumbbells on the rubber-coated floor. Grabbing a small towel, he wiped his face and neck. Rob caught sight of himself in the full-length mirror, primarily installed to check the precision of his form when lifting. His body was big, muscular and strong; it was as much a weapon as any gun in his arsenal and he kept it just as finely tuned. His grey tank top was wet with sweat, sticking to the planes of his chest and torso, and the deep cut neck revealed slick, dark hair. His calves and thighs were equally downy, disappearing into jersey shorts that clung to his toned ass.

  The memory of warm, pale fingers caressing and petting him in an Austin hotel room flickered distractingly through his mind. Aquamarine eyes taking measure of his physique, the hot slide of a limber tongue and a stiff, needy prick sawing against his own in a sleazy strip club. He recalled how Kelan had stared at his lips after their kiss like he couldn't tear his gaze away, and the corner of his mouth twitched up involuntarily. But when he saw the beginnings of the smile in the mirror it disappeared quickly from his face. Whatever was going on, he needed to focus. Not stand there like some smitten teenager.

  Rob headed for the shower. He turned the spray to blistering hot, shucked his sweaty garments and tossed them to the floor. He stepped into the shower, groaning as the steam and water seeped into his sore muscles, tipping his head back to wet his hair. Reaching for the bottle of shower gel on the shelf behind him, Rob pumped a generous handful and worked it into his hair. The lather dripped down onto his shoulders and chest and he added more gel, working it over his furred chest and armpits to wash all traces of perspiration away.

  His thoughts turned to where Adams would have the will. His bet was on a small apartment that Adams kept in the city. The security would be tight, considering Adams's occupation. Rob would have to do some serious research and recon before attempting to gain access. He couldn't take too much time, though. Time was money, and every day he worked this job was a day when he didn't collect the second half of his payment and move on to the next one.

  And Kelan's out there investigating too. Can't let him beat me.

  Rob pictured Kelan standing above Adams's body, holding the will in his hands and gloating about having bested Rob once again. That satisfied smirk and the light of triumph in his pretty eyes. As he ran his hand down his solid stomach and onto his groin to cleanse himself, he encountered an unexpected firmness. He looked down at his half-hard cock and drew soapy fingers along the top of the shaft, almost detachedly watching it swell and fatten further.

  Rob wasn't a stranger to jerking off; the isolated nature of his lifestyle certainly made that predictable. He never really bothered to fantasize about specific men when he did, but as he took himself in hand this time and closed his eyes his mind filled with silky white skin, soft brown hair, and a taut slim body.

  He worked his cock firmly with a soap-slick palm; his fingertips caught on the tip at the bottom of the down stroke, squeezing briefly
before sliding back up. In his mind, the wet pressure on the head became Kelan's pink tongue, swirling over the spongy flesh.

  I have excellent knee strength. I could probably spend all kinds of time down on them.

  When Kelan had said those words two nights ago they'd been heated for sure. But there was also a sort of control to them, and the cadence told Rob that Kelan's flirtatiousness was calculated. But Rob's mind turned them softer, more breathless in his fantasy. He continued them far past where Kelan had left off.

  "I could spend all night on my knees for you," Kelan said. He flickered the tip of his tongue on that sensitive spot where the head and shaft met, then stiffened it and drew the point over Rob's slit. "You've given me a lot to work with." Rob started to smile, but it turned into a groan as Kelan opened his mouth and engulfed his prick, lips sliding up the stiff length until they were buried in his thick pubic hair. Kelan bobbed forward and back on Rob's cock, making enjoyable noises occasionally.

  Rob threaded his fingers through Kelan's hair, gripping firmly but not yanking. Kelan's lush mouth was stretched wide around him, his eyes huge and pupils blown out until there was just a thin ring of iris around them. One of Kelan's hands crept around to his ass, pulling Rob towards him and encouraging him to thrust.

  Rob complied, pushing his hips forward every time Kelan's hot mouth sucked him in. He savored the twitch in his thighs and the tightening of his balls as his orgasm approached. He pulled Kelan off roughly by the hair and grabbed his pulsing dick with his other hand. Kelan looked confused at first but caught on quickly with a small smile and knowing eyes. He opened his mouth wide, sticking out his tongue so the back laid flat against his lower lip and chin. Rob tilted his head back with a jerk as he felt his seed rise up, and Kelan closed his eyes just in time to receive the thick, warm spurts of come all over his face. Rob could see his throat work as he swallowed what had landed in his mouth, bringing his tongue back up to sweep around and gather all that he could reach.