Surrender

by Cassandre Dayne

  “I understand that Aleksandr all too well. I wouldn’t suggest this if I believed there to be another way, I assure you.”

  “Do you? When we were in my playroom, you were very uncomfortable.” Moving forward slowly, he kept his gaze locked onto Jax. The man’s heart was racing, his blood pulsing and Aleks was as turned on as he’d ever been.

  “I was…unprepared.”

  “And you are now detective for what I have to offer you? You’re prepared now to face what your body and your mind has yearned for I believe for years and to allow yourself to relish in the pleasures of a man?” Aleks hovered behind him allowing his hot breath to slice across the shimmer of Jax’s neck. He could detect Jax’s ragged pulse clearly. He could also smell Jax’s hunger, rich and strong and ebbing toward needing to be filled and not just from his cravings of the flesh. There was too much of Durac’s venom flowing through his body. Hissing, Aleks realized that Durac had gone too far. Jax would need to be fed soon enough or face becoming very ill and while Aleks would love to turn the delicious man, it was not yet time and Durac would then own him.

  ***

  Jax shivered and licked his lips. “I… There’s no other way with this case that I can see. The killer is toying with all of us, Aleks. The pictures are nothing more than a taunting.” He closed his eyes, his body shimmying back and forth. As a single sigh pulsed past his lips, he reached out and gripped the side window casing, tilting his head to glance into Aleks’ eyes only briefly. “Don’t get me wrong, Aleksandr, I’m not going to be involved in sex games but the shoot needs to look real enough so that the killer believes we are very close.”

  “Trust me detective, the shoot will look real indeed. When would you like to begin?”

  “Tomorrow night. I want to look at Brent’s photos at the gallery today so can you please arrange it with Stuart. I also want to have the time to talk with Felicity and see the pictures that were sent to her. She may know some things that you are not aware of.”

  “Detective, I don’t believe Felicity knows anything in truth. She’s been a good friend and an excellent business partner as well as someone I can enjoy pleasure with but I don’t confide in her nor does she spend much time with me.”

  “Business Partner? The club?”

  “We are partners, yes.”

  “Very interesting, Aleks.” Walking to a series of painted art, Jax stood staring at one in particular. Turning around slowly, Jax studied him carefully.

  It was the look on Jax’s face that intrigued him and for the first time, Aleks felt the pull of his people. His powers were awakening. As his eyes shifted toward the window, he knew they were being watched. “Detective Steele, I’ll call and make arrangements with the gallery and then tomorrow night, we’ll begin your training.” As Jax tilted his head to stare into his eyes, Aleks knew that the acquiescence had begun.

  “I’ll need to take the photographs and I need for you to find Stuart as soon as you can. I want to see those photographs of Brent. I have a feeling our killer is growing very hungry.”

  “Oh detective, there’s no doubt in my mind the killer is very hungry indeed.” As he watched the color inflections change in Jax’s eyes, he realized the detective wouldn’t have twenty-four hours before the biting hunger would settle in. The question remained, was Durac truly looking for the amulet or was his feeding on Jax another ploy? Either way, Aleks knew he was going to keep this bit of information private as long as possible. “I’ll call him at his home if I need to and let you know. Then I’ll meet you there to answer any questions that you might have.”

  Jax nodded and turned to leave. Cocking his head, he turned back slowly and stared into Aleks’ eyes. “I’m not who you think I am at all. This is only a case to me.”

  Aleks allowed the intensity of the moment to settle into both of them. “Have it your way detective but I assure you what you’ll experience has the potential of not only changing your mind but allowing you to appreciate the most amazing moment of ecstasy you’ll have in your life. It would be a shame to allow your fears to hinder the moment.”

  “I assure you Aleksandr I’m very comfortable in who I am but thank you for your concern.”

  As Aleks watched him walk away, he smiled. “I have no doubt detective you will belong to me soon enough.” Gliding to the painting, he gazed down and pressed his fingers over the ancient crest of his people and wondered what it would be like to be king.

  Chapter Eleven

  As Jax climbed the front porch steps to his house, his phone rang. Gazing down at the display he smiled. Damn he was glad to hear a friendly voice. “Hey Amanda, I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  Hearing an edge in her voice, he stopped. “What’s up?”

  “My oldy but goody finally gave out on me. Can you give me a lift?”

  “Where are you?” He stared down at the large brown envelope behind the storm door and immediately his hackles were on edge. He opened the door slowly and the second his fingers touched the package he had no doubt what was inside. “Where are you?”

  “I said I limped my way into a parking lot off Broad Street Jax. You’re didn’t hear a thing. What are you doing?”

  Cradling the phone against his shoulder he fumbled to get the envelope open. “Sorry, another long night. Give me the address and I’ll be right there.” He barely caught the numbers as he stared at another set of damning pictures. “All right. I’ll be there is a few.” Shaking his head he walked to the side of the porch and looked around the corner. “Damn it to hell. Fuck!” He glided off the porch and walked around to the side of the house. There was no way to tell in the myriad of stones and straggled grass that anyone had been standing in the exact spot yet the view must have been magnificent.

  As he stared through the open blinds he cursed. Why the asshole had taken photos of him jacking off was at minimum interesting but he had a feeling it was nothing more than playing being done by the killer. “But why?” If the jerk wanted him off the case then he would have sent a series to his Sergeant but since he had no ugly messages it meant a game. He glared at the other two pictures that had been taken with Aleks. “Interesting buddy.” The words sliced across the pictures appeared to be from a scarlet sharpie. A Faggot Cop – Who Knew…

  The one interesting thing the pictures told him was clearly the killer was probably male and definitely homophobic. It was time to check every man on the list that had ever modeled for Aleksandr. As he reached for the phone, it rang. “Mike.”

  “You and I need to work on our communication skills buddy. What the hell you doing getting the department to secure a hooker?”

  “Felicity is no hooker.”

  “Well ya could have fooled me buddy. What gives the princess the need to be saved?”

  “Mike, it’s a long story okay? Is Felicity safe?”

  “She’s fine. Her place is trashed as hell but she’s just fine.”

  Jax rubbed his eyes. Exhausted, every part of his body tingled. “Trashed?”

  “As in spray paint all over the place from what I heard and boy, what they said about her was pretty interesting.” Mike chuckled.

  Jax had a pretty good idea. There was no doubt the freak was playing games. “She was never an intended target. But she’s okay?”

  “It happened while she was at work. The black and white showed up just when she did.”

  “Anything missing?” Jax guessed the snazzy work was the same person that trashed Aleks car.

  “Nah. At least not that she could tell from what I was told. It wasn’t random though, the shit they wrote on her walls. Hey, how the hell did you know there was an issue with this chick anyway?”

  “What shit?” Jax flipped through the photos again and snarled. One way or the other he was going to take this freak down.

  “Something about being a faggot lover and she’ll get hers. They took pictures and they’ll be here waiting for you. She’s pretty shaken up about this but from what I heard she’s more
pissed than anything. From what they could tell, the guy must have been laying in wait for her. She was supposed to have been home a good two hours before. Maybe he got spooked. One neighbor heard some commotion and finally went banging on her door.”

  “Check it out Mike, I got my hands full.” Jax suspected her after hours party had saved her life. “Check out every detail and make sure they get anything that might even possibly be evidence. I doubt he’s made a mistake but we can’t overlook anything.”

  “Will do. You need to tell me something to tell the Sergeant, Jax. He’s livid and he’s got a big meeting with the Mayor. Wants you ass in here pronto so we can compare notes. He was screaming something about heads rolling when I came out to call you. Plus, he had a visit from Greg Barnes’ parents this morning too. They’re thinking of hiring an attorney.”

  “For what reason?”

  Mike chortled into the phone. “Get this, supposedly the guy called 911 two nights before he was killed cause he saw some guy taking pictures of him when he was in the shower. When he didn’t get any response he called the precinct directly and I guess they refused to send anyone out. Now the parents are making a big deal about it.”

  “Interesting.” Jax stared down at the photo collection. So the pictures were indeed a prelude to the murders. Another souvenir perhaps? “When is the press conference scheduled?”

  “Around four I think but I’d get your ass in here sooner.”

  “I gotta pick up Amanda and take her home and then I have one stop to make. Tell the Sergeant I have some interesting new information.”

  “Well it better be good buddy or I think our asses are in a sling.”

  “Oh, I have a feeling our killer is getting restless and stupid,” Jax breathed.

  “Let’s hope so because if one more dead body shows up and we still have no real clues, I can tell you we both can kiss our careers goodbye, Jax. I strongly suggest you get your ass in here as soon as you can.”

  “I hear you, buddy. Did any odd pictures arrive at the station, Mike?”

  “What are you driving at?”

  “Just curious. Aleks had a set sent to him that contained some interesting racy photos.”

  “Uh-huh. Wait a minute, you talked to him and didn’t bring him in? Are you out of your mind?” Mike admonished.

  “I know what I’m doing.”

  “I sure as shit hope you do cause if not you’re going to get your ass canned.”

  “I know.” And he wasn’t sure that would be the worst thing to happen to him. Jax had no sooner clicked off the phone than it rang. An unlisted number flashed across the screen. “Detective Steele.”

  “They were purchased by a lone entity.” Aleks rumbling timbre skated through the phone.

  “The pictures? All of them?”

  “Every last one in the gallery. They were picked up last night.”

  “Isn’t that a little odd to have one person purchasing the remainder?” Jax had to smile. Whoever the cunning killer was might’ve just made a mistake. Either that or the person was aware that they were getting close. It was simply too juicy to pass up.

  “It is and there has been a request for additional photographs as well and a painting. And from the little Stuart told me, the requests go beyond what I’m comfortable with.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Aleks sighed into the phone, his breath hoarse. “While I do enjoy certain proclivities Jax, I’m not one who enjoys certain methods of torture and what the unknown purchaser would like borders exactly on that.”

  “I don’t like this at all,” Jax hissed, rubbing his eyes. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

  “There’s something else.”

  “And?” Jax heard Aleks breathing heavily.

  “And while Stuart probably didn’t understand, the request was clearly stated, a eye for an eye, a soul for a soul.”

  Jax hesitated.

  “You do understand the meaning, don’t you detective?” Aleks snarled. “Pictures or more will die.”

  “Make the deal.” As trickles of pure terror raced down his spine, Jax knew one thing with certainly. Now they were getting somewhere.

  “Unfortunately you don’t understand, detective. I would have no models for such acts.”

  No, Jax knew damn well he didn’t understand and in truth didn’t want to know but he also was well aware the killer was guiding the path of the case in his direction. It was time to turn the tables. “He or she is daring you to provide this for him, Aleks. He or she is trying to push you into something and only you know what that is. I assume he wants me to be your model.”

  “Yes, detective and while I’ll make the deal as you say, you and I need to come to an understanding of what you’ll be dealing with. If this goes as far as I think it will need to go, then you must learn to trust me and there is only one way for that to happen.”

  Jax swallowed and felt the shiver trickle down his spine. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning Jax that you will have to succumb to my wills as my submissive. There is no other way lest we’ll be completely unable to fake the others.”

  Jax held his breath as stars floated in front of his eyes. Struggling to calm his pulse, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes as his visions of being taken by Aleksandr flashed in the back of his mind. Barely able to breathe, he resisted a moan that bubbled to the surface. “I…I understand. Make the deal with Stuart and try and find out all that you can about the purchaser. I’ll call you later and arrange a time for tomorrow night.”

  “Very well but you must place your complete trust in me. There can be no other way or you’ll run way from what you long to taste before I can truly help you share the joy and the passion. Don’t take this for granted.”

  Don’t take it for granted? His body shaking, trickles of sweat rolled down the side of his face. “Aleks, I’m putting my entire career on the line here because of this case. If you so much as fuck with me on any of this, I promise you that I’ll lock you away for the rest of your fucking life. Do you understand me?”

  “More than you know, detective.”

  The moment Jax hung up the phone, a burning wave of nausea gripped his entire body and as sweat eased down from his temple, he hovered next to the cool slab of the building and out of the direct sun. Thoughts of pleasure and pain mixed together in nothing more than a carnal moment of savagery. Visions of the boys, beaten to shreds and gutted by the man, the only other monster he’d known in his life would haunt him for the remainder of his life and while he’d done everything in his power to wipe them away, they were somehow fresh as when they had happened so many years ago. How many cases had he avoided for this very reason? His eyes opening wide, he realized the killing were similar. The subjects were completely different but the scenarios remarkably similar. Shaking, he closed his eyes willing his heart rate to calm down.

  Visions of the little helpless boy flashed in his mind. “God damn it!” As Jax wiped his hand across his slack mouth, he said a silent prayer that he had the courage and the strength to go through this. “God help me brother that I couldn’t save you.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the siding and for the first time in so very long, he allowed the tears to flow.

  ***

  He watched the couple and smiled to himself. It was simply too delicious. As he maneuvered the camera he knew he had a gem on his hands. The time was near enough where all of this difficult work would come to fruition. He wanted nothing more than to have his part of the prize. He remained in the shadows and cursed at the heat of the day already building to the level of intolerance. How he hated the wretched weather in the disgusting city.

  Waiting was insufferable but something that was required. Besides, he had a feeling things were going to turn around. The little city was obviously terrified as they should be. Aleksandr didn’t want something that was so precious and so he was going to take what was owed to him and more and the revenge he had waited so long to achieve would be the most of
victory. And the creature wouldn’t know what hit him. Sniffing, he lifted the camera and waited for another perfect shot. While this had started out to be entirely about Alexsandr, the realization about Jax Steele had driven the plan into another gear. Chuckling, he had to admit that seeing horror lace the man’s eyes from the intense staging efforts was sinful indeed. After all, Detective Jax Steele was a killer himself.

  He chuckled and snapped another group of photographs. This was nothing more than icing on the cake. And to think the good Aleksandr thought he had everyone fooled. Well, he would have the last laugh on the delicious vampire and out him as the monster in the process. He glanced at the pretty female and sighed wondering why he’d never been into the fair-haired beauties. She certainly wasn’t stunning like the lovely he’d almost tasted but she was feminine and even the wafting scent of her perfume stirred certain parts of his anatomy surprising him.

  He licked his lips and took several close-ups of her. Hmmm…perhaps a taste of her would be in order before the game had been concluded. Shivering, he knew what was required of him. The hold was too great. No, he needed to keep his eye on the entire game as the future of an entire race was at stake. “Soon, my dear one, soon enough and it will all make sense.” He laughed as he moved back into the shadows further and watched them, relishing in the lover’s kiss and the gentle touches that she gave him. She had no idea what she was involved with. She also had no idea what her man was capable of. As the ravaging hunger sliced through his system sending a chill racing into every cell in his body, he was certain of one thing, he would indeed be victorious and when he won, the family would take him in with open arms.