Surrender

by Cassandre Dayne

  “I’ve had only a few lovers, detective and Greg Barnes wasn’t one of them.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you didn’t sleep with John and perhaps were angry enough that you needed to take care of his blasphemy?”

  Aleks moved closer and stared down into Jax’s eyes. “Are you accusing me of something detective? If this boy defiled my car-“

  Jax held his hand up. “This is fresh paint and my guess is that you’ve been home no more than an hour and John died sometime just before midnight. Whoever did this to your car is certainly full of rage but has nothing to do with John. Now, can we go inside and talk?”

  Aleks snarled and shook his head as he walked toward the outer door. “This is getting out of hand. Your instincts tell you I’m not the killer.”

  “My instincts have been known to be wrong. Why do I sense there are many things you need to tell me?”

  He turned only slightly and hissed. “You know nothing of what you’re talking about detective.”

  “Then you need to tell me. Whoever is killing these kids had a vengeance for some reason and one way or the other you’re smack in the middle.” Jax shook his head. The man wasn’t going to budge without being pushed further.

  “You still believe me to be the killer.”

  Jax waited until they topped the stairs to say anything. Out of the corner of his eye he could see two shredded large envelops on his table and spilling over onto the floor was a smattering of what appeared to be pictures. From the way Aleks glanced over at them, he wasn’t happy with whatever story they told.

  “Would you like a drink, Jax Steele because I could certainly use one?” Aleks poured two glasses and strode toward Jax shoving the drink in his direction.

  Jax shivered as their fingers touched and what seemed like a jolt of electricity shimmied down his spine.

  Aleks’ eyes flew open as the touch lingered. He leaned down and allowed his eyes to travel over Jax. “Shefera drambole.”

  Jax scuttled back. ”What?”

  “A saying from my country.” Aleks snarled and walked a complete circle around him breathing in his scent. “You’re in the middle of something fairly dangerous Jax Steele and while I’m unable to tell you everything, I’ll tell you enough.”

  “Enough? What the hell is enough, Aleksandr? You will tell me everything. I have three dead kids that are directly tied to you in brutal crimes that are very sexual in nature with a horrific brutality with little clues except for one eyewitness that described someone that looked remarkably like you! And now you’re eluding to some clandestine dangerous what, operation here? You’re spouting a language I’ve never heard so I suspect that you’re hiding something. Damnit! You’re going to come clean or I will press charges Aleksandr. I have no choice. In truth, I sent a black and white to pick you up and of course you weren’t here. While I can smell the scent of sex from a woman, I need for you to tell me where you were from about nine thirty tonight and then I need to verify those whereabouts. If I can’t then I will arrest you. Are we clear?”

  Aleks took a long sip of his drink as he swirled the remainder of the liquid in his glass. “Crystal, detective. And you’re correct that I was enjoying the scintillating flavor of a woman, which I do from time to time and I’m certain that Felicity will have no problem telling you I was with her from about one until almost three this morning.”

  “Felicity?”

  “You will know her as the Mistress Dragon, owner of the Dark Towers.”

  “Felicity Jennings, why am I not surprised?”

  Aleks chuckled. “She understands me Jax and makes no claims. She can handle what I am.”

  “And what are you?” Jax studied his face and while he detected a growing arrogance, he didn’t smell any lies. Although so far there was no alibi and there was no doubt Aleks was well aware of that.”

  “Tell me Jax, how have you been feeling?”

  “Feeling?”

  “Yes, has your body reacted oddly to anything over the last two days?’

  “You mean since you tried to seduce me?” Saying the words sent a wave of nausea slicing into his stomach as if saying them meant so much more.

  Aleks raised his eyebrow. “It is what you want Jax and what you’ve been craving but for tonight that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “Then what are we talking about and where were you between the hours of nine-thirty and the moment you were with Felicity?”

  “Detective, I have many enemies and ones who would if given any opportunity destroy all that I have and all that I am. I’ve also worked very hard to build something I truly love and am not willing to see it go down into flames without a fight. That being said, you need my help and instinctively you know that I’m not the killer. I have reason to believe that someone is trying to not only frame me for these murders, but has perhaps a more sinister reason for dragging me in the middle of this. I also believe he or she will reveal their true designs in the not so distant future and while their efforts up to this point have been little more than amateurish, there may be someone else pulling the strings. So perhaps instead of constantly sparring with one another, we should work together or there may be more bodies that fall.”

  Jax eyed the man and his conviction and wanted to laugh. “Your arrogance is overwhelming. I suggest you continue Aleks and tell me why you believe you’re being framed.”

  “Very well.” Aleks strode to the table, picking up a handful of photographs. “These were waiting for me when I arrived and given the state of my car, my guess would be that the person was waiting for me as well.”

  Jax stared down at the shots and each one was more damning than the others. “What the hell is this?”

  “This detective is something I believe your killer is behind and you’re very right that I’m infused right in the middle of this.”

  It was the last two pictures that caught his attention. One was clearly of Aleks in an almost embrace with blond subject photographed from the side and the other of himself and Aleks in a… Sucking in his breath, Jax swallowed hard. “Your recent lovers or what appears to be your lover? The positions are compromising enough.”

  “Yes detective. And before you ask, you’re right. The picture in your hands is one of the men from the picture you showed me the other day.”

  “Brent.” Now the entire connection had been made.” Jax studied the pictures and gazed at the perimeter of the loft. For the photographer to get a good shot meant he was outside on the fire escape. He walked toward the window and peered out into the darkness. There was one building that might have been used but it would have to be one hell of a telephoto lens. The thought simply wasn’t plausible. Turning, he scrutinized Aleks’ expression. The man was rattled. If the picture was released with he and Aleks even appearing as if they were in a compromising position then the case could be thrown out. He or she wants us to play along. This was nothing more than an ugly game with murder as the prize. Was he partially an intended target all along?

  “If that is his name. He came to me as a friend of a friend and used the name Derek. I quite frankly had no intention of using him but I was in a bind and needed a last series of pictures. He assured me that he’d modeled before and needed the cash. I didn’t detect any drugs on his system so perhaps against my better judgment used him. He was very green but his body was delicious and he allowed me to get some very racy shots as you would call them.”

  “And you seduced him.”

  Aleks took the last swallow of his drink. “I’m not proud of it as he had been curious about being with a man but had only fooled around. I took advantage of his flowering desires and he agreed, his curiosity getting the better of him. It was only after we were finished that he broke down. I’ve never seen a man cry as hard or bolt as fast. It was almost pathetic.”

  “Pathetic? Well, he might have gotten himself killed because he allowed himself to become your lover. Where are his pictures?”

  “Still at the gallery I don’t believe anyone pur
chased his little collection. They were very racy and for some far to brutal to display.”

  “Well, I think I need to see those pictures, Aleks.”

  “I’ll call the gallery when it opens and arrange a private showing for you.”

  Jax gazed back at the pictures. Two of the three were dead. “You do realize this could be a hit list of sorts.”

  “Yes, and Felicity received a set as well.”

  “And you’re telling me that John hasn’t posed for you since he left your employ months ago?” Jax fingered the pictures. Could there be two killers or was the connection simply because all three men looked alike?

  “I assure you, detective. I refuse to get involved with any that have drugs. I…can’t handle it,” Aleks looked away.

  Jax caught his look but let it go. “What does Felicity think?”

  “She was pissed at the breach in security. When I returned and found these I attempted to call her before you arrived but there was no answer.”

  “No answer? You didn’t seem to think that this was an important detail?” Jax grew alarmed.

  “Detective, the club is open into the wee hours of the morning serving special clients. I’m certain that she would just be getting competed with her tasks right now. As far as the pictures, if I grew alarmed as many times as I’ve had something like this happen, this I would surely lose my mind.”

  “I don’t like this, Aleksandr. While you may be used to this type of behavior because of your own, there are three dead bodies with you as the single direct connection. Your play toy could be in jeopardy if for no other reason than that.” Jax pulled out his phone and allowed his eyes to settle onto Aleks’. “I’m going to have someone check on her and then we’re going to talk about who could be doing this.”

  The moment of silence sliced through the heat of their anger and finally Aleksandr nodded.

  “Agreed.”

  ***

  Jax clipped the phone to his belt. “They’re going to the club first and then to her house. I’ll need to talk to the Sergeant but I believe that protective custody will be in order until this case has been completed. I also called a crew to take fingerprints of your car. I doubt the person or persons have been careless but we need to make sure. Now where were you before you went to the club to see Felicity?” Jax flipped through the pictures studying each pose carefully. “You need curtains.”

  “I won’t be scared away by a maniac,” Aleks hissed as he paced back and forth in his living room. Snarling, he glared out the window and fingered the key. Admitting seducing Brent might not have been the best course of action but even he realized the connections were a brazen threat.

  Jax laughed. “Well, this maniac some pretty damning pictures, Aleksandr. He or she could certainly use these to his advantage.”

  Advantage. Yes, this could indeed be the case and the detective had no idea what the pictures could be used for. Aleks cocked his jaw. He hadn’t anticipated Durac’s move at all. To have exchanged blood with Detective Steele meant he was running scared and the situation with taking the amulet had seriously upset the entire regime. Heads were going to roll literally. Normally the master of controlling his human subjects, it appeared by the remaining essence that Durac had gone too far. Jax could be turned easily enough and he could be controlled without his intervention. It was a bargaining chip.

  “I need to toe the line completely with this investigation. There can be no missteps.”

  “I understand that your status could be compromised if your office believes us to be lovers.” Damn Durac for putting him in this place. He also wondered whether Durac was simply angry that he was interested in the good detective. Pondering the thoughts was not going to get them any closer to finding the killer. Sadly it would mean that he could no longer read Jax’s thoughts. Durac wanted an edge. He didn’t need to read Jax’s mind to see just how troubling the entire situation was for him. The good detective had a secret of his own. If Durac was telling the truth and the Jicard’s were in town then they might realize how important Jax Steele truly is.

  “Aleks, I’m serious about this. We can talk here or we can talk downtown.”

  “Yes detective. I’m well aware of what can happen. The truth is I was visited by a friend last night and he stayed until just before I left for the club.”

  “He?”

  “I assure you one that has nothing to do with this case. An old friend from out of town came to see me.”

  “You certain of the timing?”

  Aleks wasn’t certain of anything but it wasn’t time to bring the detective into the fold just yet. He would have to eventually. “Yes.”

  “He an ex lover of yours?”

  “Why do you ask, detective?”

  “Don’t play games with me here. Someone is either coming after your models and perhaps your lady friend because they’re unhappy you have chosen another or it’s nothing more than a ploy to guide us off the track. I suspect you know which it is, Aleksandr.”

  “Durac and I go back to the old country as our families ran in the same circles. He was once close to me yes but I grew tired of his dark games and decided to make a life of my own. He would enjoy being together again but I think no. If you’re asking if he is capable of murder Detective Steele, I believe that he is indeed; however, I’m very keen on his presence and he was not here during the first murders.” What he wouldn’t tell the detective was seeing Durac with another boy. The scent outside wasn’t Durac’s but the old words were from the homeland. “Tell me detective, where do we proceed from here?”

  Jax sighed. “I need to know more about your art. When did you begin planning the gallery event?”

  “Several weeks ago Stuart approached me. I had a couple of pieces in his gallery up to that point but he said the interest had been picking up and he suggested I have a complete showing. He mentioned that several people were interested in more.”

  “Did he tell you where the interest came from?”

  “He had certain inquiries on his website and they were followed up by a few phone calls.”

  “Tell me Aleks, not undermining the beauty of your art in the least, but have you sold many pieces up to now?”

  Aleksandr eyed him and finally sighed. “No Jax, I’ve sold few in the states other than to collectors of sorts and you met some of them that even flew in for the event. As you now understand my art is a different taste. In Europe there are many galleries that show and sell these types of pieces on a regular basis. Europe has different appetites.”

  “Then did it not surprise you that suddenly you were very popular?”

  “It crossed my mind but Stuart assured me that some of the clients were from out of town and would travel a distance for my work so I didn’t give it another thought.” What was the detective getting at?

  Jax walked toward the back of photographs that had been stacked against the wall. He flipped through several before he spoke. “Perhaps this isn’t about you.”

  “What are you thinking, detective? Are you suggesting that someone is using my art to get to me to perhaps get to someone else?”

  “I’m suggesting you tell me truly what happens when you take these pictures, Aleks. You’re a good looking, creative and intelligent man and certainly don’t need to get your kicks from the young men you use. No, I don’t believe you’re the killer but I do think inadvertently you know who it is and I also believe you have at least one idea of who it might be.” Jax turned and stared into his eyes. “I think we have a killer with a horrible sense of humor who’s taunting me and baiting you.”

  He certainly wouldn’t put this past the Jicards. Cunning, they used every method available to them to gain territory. If they were able to take down a future King and his supposed mate along with ruling the city, then what better way of taking more than their share. Aleks had led real monsters into America. They would have to fight together. “You need my help.” As I do yours. While he couldn’t read Jax’s thoughts his body language alone was enough to te
ll him that the man was at wit’s end unsure of what to do.

  Jax rubbed his eyes and looked away. “I’m in uncharted territory here. Not only have I not dealt with such a violent serial killer with such an expedited time frame before but I don’t know enough about you…about this…”

  Hearing the catch in Jax’s voice, he lifted an eyebrow. Perhaps finding out more about Jax Steele’s past was a good idea. “Allow me to help you, Jax. You need to learn about the black art of S & M from the standpoint of experiencing it. I can teach you many things.”

  Jax turned and gazed down the length of him, hesitating before he spoke. “Don’t get me wrong Aleks, I do need to learn but the truth is that whoever took those photographs is under the distinct impression you and I are lovers. The connection is three men who worked for you giving you kinky art. If he’s baiting you then we need to spice up the worms. However, I won’t use a civilian to move this case forward as it’s too dangerous but for whatever reason that you are the very center of attention, then so be it.”

  “What are you suggesting detective?” Growing hungry, Aleks tamped back his desires sensing Jax was close to acknowledging his longings.

  Jax swallowed and shook his head. Rubbing his eyes, a long sigh escaped past his lips. “I’m suggesting you teach me and use me as a model and then we see where it goes. I think the killer might find my representation too good to resist. He wants to see us together.”

  Yes, he does. “Interesting thought,” Aleks smiled and envisioned tying the sexy man to one of his apparatuses. Licking his lips, his cock twitched. This could be the perfect way to draw the Jicards in the opening. “You’re certain this is what you’d like?”

  Jax opened and closed his mouth several times before his spoke. “Like? I have no other choices.”

  Aleks cocked his head and sensed that while the majority of the idea was based on the case, there was a degree of his request that meant clearly Jax wanted to learn and this would be the perfect excuse for his soul to be able to accept what he craved. Jax Steele could become a hero while he took down Aleks’ ultimate enemy. Aleks was also keenly aware that playing would allow him to see if Durac was telling the truth. “Very well Jax but I don’t take pictures that are faked. You should understand that before we begin.”