Page 11

N ights on the town weren’t usual for Luke. In fact, his rare evening forays had usually been in a casino, keeping a surreptitious eye on Foxe. Or the occasional splurge on a beer or two in a small bar. But going to a club was a new adventure. One his meager wardrobe didn’t stretch to include.

But Luke had to wear something, so he went with what he had—a button-down and jeans. It was already dark as Luke went to the garage and climbed into his old car. One of the purchases he hoped to make while employed by the Marwoods was a new vehicle, but he needed to save enough to pay for it outright.

Payments would be difficult to make if Foxe couldn’t be convinced to stay put. Luke wouldn’t have a permanent address, and it’d be difficult to stay working if he was hopping from town to town. Luke didn’t enjoy thinking about the future.

Foxe’s communications continued to be sporadic, and Luke had to acknowledge there was a real possibility that he’d been abandoned. Despite his misgivings, Luke had sent more money to Foxe. His necromancer had ignored Luke’s questions about where the money had gone, which was both disappointing and scary.

If Foxe was being evasive, the answer was always that he’d blown everything in a casino. Luke hoped Foxe had at least purchased a car, otherwise he was getting around with the help of strangers. The last thing Luke wanted to think about was Foxe at the mercy of others.

As Luke pulled out of the garage and headed toward the resort where he worked, he let out a long sigh. He’d worry about Foxe in the morning. Tonight was about having a few beers and enjoying his first night at a club.

If he were lucky, it would also include a little time with Richard. Did the necromancer like to dance? Would he be wearing another of his shiny lip glosses? How would the stylish man dress for an evening out? Luke was eager to find out.

Luke sang along with the radio as he fought Saturday night traffic in Vegas. It was a balmy evening, and the Strip was brightly lit thanks to the many resorts. Cars were plentiful on the streets, but there were also people everywhere. It was a town infused with life, and Luke was happy to be part of it.

Patiently, Luke navigated toward the parking garage, which he thankfully didn’t have to pay for thanks to the generosity of the Marwood family and their attitude about caring for inspirits. In every way they could, the Marwoods elevated the lives of those they summoned or those like Luke who’d been brought to life by another necromancer.

Once he was parked, Luke exited the car and pocketed his keys. He went into the casino and smiled at how it overflowed with patrons. Luke checked his phone and pulled up the directions Richard had texted him earlier. He arrived at a door guarded by an inspirit he recognized. Luke didn’t know the man well, but he was part of the extensive security team Gabe managed.

The inspirit let Luke through the entrance to the private club, and a wave of loud music hit his ears. He stood there for a few minutes to get his bearings and admire the private Marwood club. There were booths upholstered in dark velvet along one wall and a cluster of smaller tables next to a long bar underlit with lights.

Like everything else stamped with the Marwood name, it was in the signature colors of their culture—black for necromancers and white for inspirits. Luke loved it.

A hand landed on his shoulder, and Luke barely bit back his scream.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you,” Gabe said loud enough to be heard over the music.

“Well, what did you think would happen if you snuck up behind someone in a nightclub?” Luke heard Richard reply.

Luke gathered his scattered wits and turned to face the newcomers. Whatever brain cells had survived Gabe’s accidental scare fled in an instant as he caught sight of Richard. He wasn’t wearing clear gloss or any of the subtle cosmetics he applied for work. Instead, Richard’s lips were painted a slick red. It complimented the smokey eye makeup that lightened the blue of his eyes and suited the pretty planes of Richard’s face perfectly. Luke’s dick responded instantly, and he swore the temperature of the entire club went up about twenty degrees as his gaze slid further down to take in Richard’s outfit.

The necromancer’s sheer shirt embroidered with dragonflies showed off more skin than it covered. He’d paired his delectable top with leather pants. Luke had to physically concentrate on breathing so he wouldn’t pass out from lack of oxygen.

Richard had effortlessly twisted him into knots, and Luke wished he could pull out his phone to take about a thousand pictures of the necromancer. The music changed, and Maribeth grabbed Richard’s hand.

“It’s our song, we need to dance,” Maribeth shouted as she tugged Richard and Eric past Luke.

“Are you dancing, or should we grab a seat?” Gabe asked.

Luke swallowed, but his throat was bone dry. His entire being was focused on survival and not running after Richard. He wanted to fall to the necromancer’s feet and announce his intention to dedicate the rest of his life to worshipping the man.

“I don’t know how to dance,” Luke managed.

“Me either,” Gabe replied and led Luke toward an empty booth. It had a reserved sign on the table, but that didn’t stop Gabe from sitting, so he supposed it was set aside for him.

Luke scooted his ass across the seat, and without his permission, his gaze tracked Richard. For the first time, he wished he hadn’t looked at the necromancer. The man was grinding his enticing frame to the thundering beat, and Luke swore his cock was throbbing in sync with every movement Richard made.

The night would be torture, but Luke refused to miss a minute of it.

???

Two hours later, Luke’s libido had calmed considerably. The few beers in his belly had helped relax him, and Luke was enjoying hanging out with Gabe. Rhonda—another important guard for the Marwoods—and her soulmate, Tasha, had joined them. The ladies danced some but mostly stayed at the table to chat.

Gabe had explained that the only humans at the club were ones like Tasha, who were aware of necromancy, which allowed them to speak unguarded. Although they didn’t stick to topics affecting either necromancers or inspirits directly, it was comforting to be himself with no barriers.

The fine company and spirits added to Luke’s enjoyment, but there was a damper on the evening. A large one. Richard hadn’t suddenly grown less enticing. On the contrary. The necromancer was a sexy dancer, and Luke liked watching him move.

Luke had learned—thanks to the wispy fabric of Richard’s shirt—that his tattoos went up to just below his elbows. Like his brother’s ink, the artwork was macabre and suited a necromancer with its skulls and bones. But Richard had added dragonflies. Luke wondered what the significance of that was to Richard.

But he didn’t ask. Luke had said little to Richard even when the necromancer took a break from the dance floor to have a shot or sip a martini at their booth. Little opportunity had presented itself.

Douglas had arrived shortly after Richard and stuck to the necromancer’s side like glue. Although Luke had known they were friends and coworkers, he hadn’t delved any deeper into their relationship. But as he watched them laugh and gyrate to the beat on the dance floor, Luke wondered.

Was there a private romance? It could explain the unbalanced situation at work where they shared a title, but everyone deferred to Richard. Luke didn’t like thinking poorly of others, but had Douglas been promoted because he was more than a friend to Richard?

Or was Luke jealous because Douglas was the one Richard took home at night?

The entire evening was as bracing as a cold shower. Luke wished he could rewind time to avoid learning the truth, or perhaps it was better to have his inappropriate but constant fantasies crushed.

Douglas slung an arm around Richard’s shoulders as the latest tune stopped and the DJ hyped up the crowd. Instead of watching to see what would happen next between the pair, Luke gave his full attention to his beer. The corner of the wrapper had come unstuck, and Luke toyed with it as if it was the most important thing to focus on at that moment.

If he kept his gaze off Richard, he’d miss conclusive evidence that he belonged to another. It was pathetic to use avoidance to justify the crush he wasn’t ready to let go, but Luke couldn’t help it. For weeks, Luke’s feelings for the necromancer had grown unchecked. It was a novel experience for him, and he’d relished it. But now all he felt was stupid.

Douglas, Richard, Eric, and Maribeth crammed onto the round couch around their table, and Luke chugged what was left of his drink.

Maybe he should’ve stayed home and done his laundry.

“We need drinks,” Richard announced.

“Woo woo shots,” Douglas insisted.

Luke glanced up as Richard flashed a sexy grin at Douglas.

“You read my mind,” Richard told the inspirit.

“I know all your favorites,” Douglas replied with a wide smile for Richard.

Luke’s desire to puke was enough to tell him he’d spent too much time lusting after Richard. How deep were his feelings, and why had he allowed them to grow unimpeded? The reality was he didn’t know Richard well. All he saw was the professional side Richard displayed at work. Clearly, there was a lot more to the man.

“Of course you do,” Maribeth chimed in. “You’ve been friends forever, and you work together. Richard isn’t exactly a mystery.”

“I don’t know about that,” Douglas commented, turning his head away from Maribeth to stare at Richard. In his eyes was undisguised adoration, and that answered the lingering questions in Luke’s mind. That wasn’t a look one friend gave to another.

At least Luke had fantasized about Richard from afar and been smart enough not to make a move on another person’s man. Gabe had explained that the bond between soulmates didn’t happen immediately. As they grew to care for each other, the two souls merged closer. Other inspirits and necromancers couldn’t detect the link until it was complete.

Were Richard and Douglas on that journey toward connecting their souls fully? Luke supposed he’d learn that in the coming weeks and months if he stayed working for the Marwoods. And while it was disappointing to have his fantasies trampled to oblivion, Luke wasn’t quitting his job.

He needed the work and the money. It was his fault he’d allowed his imagination to run amok. Had he missed signs at work that Douglas and Richard were lovers? Or were Douglas and Richard too good at keeping what they wanted hidden from their staff?

“Luke, do you want another drink?” Maribeth asked as a server approached the table.

With a shake of his head, Luke offered Richard’s cousin a smile. “Nope, I should head home soon, so I need to sober up.”

“So unfair that inspirits and necromancers don’t have to worry about hangovers and can still drink when they go out because the alcohol runs through them so fast,” Tasha complained. “Being human has so many disadvantages.”

“Pretty sure that stuff gets better for you once your bond is complete,” Maribeth remarked.

“Well, this bonding stuff takes too damn long then,” Tasha exclaimed.

Rhonda kissed her girlfriend softly. “Our bond is nearly complete.”

“About time,” Gabe teased, and Rhonda elbowed him.

“Stop showing off because you’re the only pair fully bonded at the table,” Rhonda countered, narrowing her brown eyes at Gabe, who grinned unrepentantly at her. Eric and Gabriel left no doubts they were a couple—Luke had envied them every cuddle and smooch since the night started. They were lucky to have each other. So were the other two couples at the table.

At least Maribeth hadn’t met her soulmate yet, otherwise Luke would be the lone odd man out.

“Luke, you weren’t really thinking of leaving yet, were you?” Maribeth asked.

“Yeah, I don’t want to sleep all day tomorrow,” Luke replied, though the truth was he wanted to escape. His imagination was going to do things it shouldn’t if he stayed, and Luke had to prevent any future fantasies. It was inappropriate to lust after someone’s boyfriend or soulmate. Luke had to find a way to halt his dreams immediately.

Easier said than done.

“Leave Luke alone, he has laundry to do too,” Douglas said. “The man has a right to head home whenever he wants.”

Something in Douglas’s tone told Luke he was eagerly awaiting Luke’s departure, and he hoped he was wrong about that assumption. Had Douglas figured out that Luke had unsuitable feelings for Richard? If so, would Douglas have Luke transferred or fired?

A single invitation to a night out had twisted Luke into a hopeless mess of tangled knots, and he wanted the comfort of his quiet apartment.

“Did you want us to order you a coffee, Luke?” Richard asked once the rest of the table had given the server their drink orders. “It could help you stay alert on the drive home.”

“Sure,” Luke replied, though he wanted to slide to the floor and crawl out of the club. Even Richard wanted to be rid of him.

At least Luke had enjoyed his time with Gabe, Rhonda, and Tasha. They were probably the only three people at the table that’d be sad to see him go. Luke slumped a little in the booth and allowed the conversation to flow around him without bothering to listen to any of it. He was leaving right after he finished the coffee he didn’t want. If he wasn’t sober enough to drive, he’d take a nap in his car until it was safe to operate a vehicle.

But he wasn’t staying at the club a minute longer than necessary.