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“T here’s a problem in back.” The bartender spoke to Rall. “People are reporting screams from a closet.” The bartender smiled.

"Yeah, probably someone getting fucked into next week, and I get to walk in on it." Rall pushed away from the bar and took a leisurely look around the room. Speaking of being fucked into next week, he really needed to find a willing body soon.

Maybe the guy in the closet will be up for round two when he gets there. He laughed at the thought. So far, he'd had plenty of offers, but no one had piqued his interest. For some reason, he was suddenly becoming picky, and even the sweet, tender twinks weren’t turning him on.

The moment he entered the back of the bar he noticed the heaviness in the air. It was not right, something was off, and it was affecting him in a way that left him suddenly anxious. It wasn’t just someone getting reamed in the closet there was something devasting going on here and Rall took immediate notice of the silence. He moved quickly toward the closet.

There were no sounds from inside. There was blood on the floor, and the scent was familiar. It turned his world upside down. His previous humor over what was happening in the closet vanished in an instant, and it was replaced by a cold and focused awareness.

He was almost afraid to open the door and lay eyes on what was beyond. His heart was beating in his ears, and his vision narrowed to the door in front of him and nothing else. Grabbing the handle, he jerked it open, and there on the floor with clothes torn and his body bleeding was a man.

Recognition hit him at once, but he had to keep it under control. Too much was happening, and too much needed to be done; he had no time to flip out. The smell of blood filled the air and filled his mind as a heated red rage engulfed him.

His vampire was thundering beneath his skin in response to the vision before him. This man, who looked to be in his early twenties, was struggling to wrap his clothes around him and to get up.

"It's okay, you're okay," Rall said softly while reaching out to him. He wasn't one to coddle or soothe. It wasn't in his wheelhouse, but the man needed a gentle hand, a soft voice, and he was going to do his damn best to deliver. "Here, take my jacket.”

Rall blocked the doorway so no one could see the poor man hoping to give him a modicum of privacy. He helped him pull on the jacket and adjust his clothing so that he was covered. The man did not look at him and did not speak. Rall gave him a visual once over and he appeared to be physically okay although there were plenty of cuts and bruises.

The bleeding had stopped, and his wounds were surface, the physical wounds. He most certainly had other wounds that went deep, and their seriousness was reflected in his gaze, his expression, and his stance.

Rall reached out to steady him, but the man reared back panicked and afraid. “I’m not going to hurt you.” There were tears in the man’s eyes which he tried to hide by wiping his face with the back of hand. Rall reached into his pocket and gave him his handkerchief.

“Please let me help you.” The man finally nodded and stared at the floor but did not speak. Every stupid fucking comment he’d ever made about the easy ass attainable in this establishment came back to shame him. Assaults made such comments so unfunny.

Rall just wanted to take him into his arms and bundle him up, keeping him safe from all the pain and threats that were circling him. He didn't know his name, and his heart was screaming for something more, either contact or acknowledgment or simply a glance so that his man would see him.

“How is he?” Trent a fellow soldier came up behind him startling him since he was so focused on the man in the closet.

“He’ll be fine I got him.” Rall blocked Trent’s view of the room not wanting the man to be on display. “Clear the area and I’ll take him to the surveillance room to relax and compose himself.” It wasn’t long and the back area was vacant. Trent got everyone out and gave Rall the all clear.

Rall stepped closer to the man who was bent over cowering in the corner of the closet. He carefully placed his hand on the guys shoulder and although he flinched, he did not pull away. “Come with me. You can stay in the surveillance room relax and tell me what happened.” The guy shivered and then nodded his head. “Everyone is gone there’s no one out there. You’re safe with me.”

The man was short enough that he fit under Rall’s arm and seemed to be okay at this point with being held. Rall relished the touch and closeness of the man and guided him out of the closet and across the hall to the surveillance room. They entered and Rall quickly closed the door. The room was empty. Trent had cleared it for him. It was quiet and subdued only lighting was the glow of the monitors on the wall.

Rall brought him over to the small couch against the wall and sat him down. Rall crouched down in front of him. "Is there anyone you want me to call?" He asked and tentatively reached out to take his hand. He was surprised when the man did not balk, so he took his hand and held it like a lifeline. The grip was fierce and frightened. Rall’s heart went out to him, and he wished he had some way of making him feel better.

There was so much Rall wanted to say, and so much he wanted to do, but it would have further frightened the poor man, and he couldn't do that. He would not knowingly add to the man's stress. After several minutes of silence, he finally looked at Rall, and their gazes were linked. It was then that Rall felt the full meaning of the word beloved. It was radiating through that connection and through their clasped hands. Every minute he spent with this lovely man brought them closer and sealed their bond tighter.

"Don't call the police, please. I couldn't deal with anyone knowing." It was the first time he spoke, and he was pleading. It broke Rall’s heart all over again.

“I won’t call the police. You’re in control here and you call the shots.” He tried to reassure him. “What’s your name?”

“Luke Harris.”

"My name is Rall Smith, and I work security here." He paused and then asked. "Do you live around here?" Luke shook his head and gripped Rall's hand with both of his. He was seeking comfort but didn't realize it. Their connection was growing, and the pull was affecting him. Rall channeled peace and stillness to him as best he could, considering they'd just met, and their connection, although growing, was still slight.

"I've never been to the Blood Rose before. I thought it might be fun, and it would help me clear my mind." He dropped his head and started to cry very softly, and Rall instantly sat beside him and put his arm around him. The tears were devastating. Rall had over-emotional hookups cry before, but those tears were greedy, controlling emotions, and they never touched Rall. But Luke's tears were like fire to his nerves and his needs.

"It's a good place to forget things and live a little, and people who come here usually have fun. I'm sorry you were treated so badly. We don't condone such behavior at the Blood Rose, and I wish I'd been alerted to your situation a little sooner." Rall still had so little to draw on to try and comfort his beloved. He was feeling so inadequate.

All his years of taking things as they came and never over thinking did not prepare him for any true depth of feelings. He held Luke and could feel the shame and despair coursing through him, and it was devastating.

“Tell me what happened . . . if you can.” He knew enough to try and get him talking to get the pain out of his head and put it into words that could be dealt with. Suppressing the memory was tempting but not healthy in the long run. He wanted his beloved whole and happy and healthy.

Rall with a very tentative touch pushed the dark blonde hair away from Luke’s eyes. “Talk to me Luke.” He urged gently. Luke swallowed and then glanced away. Rall missed the touch of those hazel eyes and wanted them back, but he controlled himself and waited. Luke was in control, and he wouldn’t take that from him. Within a few minutes Luke began his voice soft and hesitant.

“I started this evening with a visit to my boyfriend’s apartment that’s about a mile from here.” He spoke haltingly pulling his words together like it was a struggle. “I was warned that Adam was cheating on me and that he was with the other guy.” Luke stopped and took a couple of deep breaths. Rall was not thrilled to hear about a boyfriend, but he would deal with that guy when the time came but for now he would listen.

“Was he with the other guy?” Rall prompted.

“Yes, it was pretty awful.” Another deep breath and then he squeezed Rall’s hand. “I left and started walking and then I found myself here.” It was becoming clear that his man had endured a hellish evening.

"I'm sorry," Rall whispered and hugged him close.

"I just wanted to have a few drinks and then go home and wallow in the betrayal. I didn't want to be bothered." After another pause, Rall reached over, grabbed a bottle of water, and handed it to him. Luke took his time removing the cap and taking a drink.

"He forced me into the back hallway. I fought him, and he didn't get what he wanted. He was so strong, but I made as much noise as I could, and there was someone who heard, and there were voices in the hall. It scared him, and he took off." He stopped and took a long drink of his water and then put the cap back on and set it aside.

There came a knock to the door and Rall got up and answered. It was Trent with a blanket for Luke. “I thought he might be cold.” He said and Rall thanked him. “We caught the guy he was a shifter. He won’t be bothering anyone ever again.” With that he closed the door and brought the blanket over to Luke.

“They caught the guy who did this.” He said as he wrapped the blanket around Luke and sat back down beside him.

"I won't press charges. I won't talk about this." Luke started to panic, shaking his head and trembling. Rall again put his arm around him and slowly settled him down.

“We took care of it. The police are not involved.” Rall told him, hoping to settle his mind.

“Is he dead?” Luke sounded stricken.

“No, not that he didn’t deserve it. We convinced him of the error of his ways, and he won’t be bothering you or anyone else again.” Luke nodded and seemed to understand. Rall wasn't sure if the guy was dead or not, but obviously, he wasn't going to share that with Luke.

Luke took a long, cleansing breath and then dropped his head to Rall's shoulder. "You're the best thing that's happened to me this evening, maybe even this whole year." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "I saw you at the bar, and I thought how handsome you were, and then that creep got in my face and wouldn't go away. What a night, what a fucking awful night."

“You handled yourself well under the circumstances.” Rall just held him and let him draw strength from him. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore but better. I should go home.” Rall was not on board with his beloved leaving.

“I have someone getting you a change of clothes so just relax there is no hurry. You can stay here as long as you like.” Rall gently urged.

"I shouldn't impose on you," Luke mumbled. "I watched you and wished that I could meet you, but I didn't want to meet you like this."

"We were meant to be," Rall whispered. "I was there for you in your darkest hour, just as Fate designed."

"That sounds romantic." Luke chuckled, and it was real and light.

“It is romantic.” Rall stated. Luke was getting stronger but emotionally he still a way to go. The wounds were healing having reacted to their close proximity. Beloveds have the power to heal one another but Luke simply believed that his injuries were not as bad as he first thought.

"I think I'll stay at a hotel tonight. I have a nosey roommate, and he's going to ride me all night with questions. He's friends with my now ex-boyfriend, so he knows all about that fiasco.”

“Is he the one who told you the guy was cheating on you?”

"No, he probably knew, but he never said anything. I wouldn't doubt that he finds the whole thing hilarious. If he finds out I was assaulted at the Blood Rose, it will be all over town before morning.”

"Not a friend?" Rall asked sarcastically, and Luke shook his head vigorously.

“Definitely not a friend and never has been.”

"I work for Conall Rose, and all of the people working here at Blood Rose do. The warehouse situated behind and off the alley is not what it appears." Rall was working his way up to asking Luke to come stay with him. He needed more time to work out their relationship, and having him spend the night together would be ideal. It all depended upon the strength of their burgeoning bond and how much trust he had in Rall.

"I have an apartment there. It's nice and comfortable, and I'd like for you to come home with me. I understand that you do not know me, but I think you have a sense of who I am. Everyone who works for Conall Rose lives there, and it's nice."

“Why?” The one word was spoken so softly that Rall barely heard it, but the meaning was huge. Rall turned fully toward him and cupped his face in the palms of his hands staring at those beautiful hazel eyes. This was forever here in his arms looking at him with eyes that pleaded for understanding searched for acceptance. He wanted this to be real but there remained a shadow of fear.

“I won’t ever hurt you, Luke. I'm not asking for anything except the opportunity to let you rest in peace and to get to know you better." Rall moved his hands and tightened the blanket around Luke's shoulders. "It's a short walk, just a few hundred yards, and you won't have to worry about anyone staring at you or asking you questions you don't want to answer."

Luke didn’t answer right away taking time to think. So much had happened this night he was fearful of making a decision, but his heart was urging him to accept this man. When he noticed him at the bar he thought it would be pleasant to watch him and dream of knowing him, having him, planning a relationship where there was none.

Rall was here sitting with him taking care of him and offering him a place to rest for the night. There was a knock at the door and Rall brought him a change of clothes. He turned his back while Luke changed out of the torn, bloody clothes.

It felt good to change but he put Rall’s jacket back on. It was giving him a source of comfort he did not understand and wasn’t going to question. He wanted this man ever since he laid eyes on him and now he was asking him to go home with him. It was Luke’s dream come true but now it seemed sad rather than exciting and expectant.

“You don’t owe me anything. I’m not your responsibility even though it may look that way.” He forced a half smile, but Rall did not smile.

“Come and stay with me until morning at least and then I’ll give you a ride home if you wish.” It was strange but the offer felt different it was not a suggestion it actually sounded like he wanted more than just one night. But Luke discarded the assumption immediately because that was crazy. He was being a kind man and Luke was going to take him up on his offer.

Rall was no danger to him if he wanted to take advantage; he had plenty of opportunities already. He was attentive and thoughtful, and Luke was not ready to be on his own or to return to his apartment. "Okay, I would appreciate the chance to rest and prepare myself for another day. Hopefully, it will be a better day than today."

"Today was unfortunate in many ways, but it was not all bad." Rall finished with a wink and stood while helping Luke to his feet. "Do you feel well enough to walk? If not, I can easily carry you." The offer was touching, but Luke assured him that he could walk.

"It's not far, just across the alley." He explained.

“Thank you for being so considerate.”

"Not a problem at all." Rall pulled him closer to his side as they left through the back and headed across the alley. They approached a set of double doors that looked decidedly nondescript, but as soon as they opened, his assessment changed.