Page 6

R all tossed the bags into the backseat and pulled Luke into his arms, backing up to lean against the passenger side door. "You have such a big, pure heart. You're a good man, Luke, and I do not deserve you, but I will fight to the death anyone who tries to take you from me." Rall took his lips in a sensuous kiss, thrusting his tongue inside, tasting and mapping the moist interior, learning everything about his man.

Rall would gladly fight all of Luke's fights for him from now until the end of time. His life and safety were Rall's responsibility now, and he would keep him out of harm's way. A sweet innocent like Luke deserved nothing but sunshine and happiness, and Rall would do his absolute best to deliver.

It was just past two in the afternoon when they returned to Rall’s apartment, and he was hoping for some time alone with his beloved. The morning had been eventful and now he needed the touch of his sweet love. His vampire was aching to secure their bond once again. But duty intruded on his plans.

"The guy who assaulted your beloved had accomplices," Trent called and captured Rall's attention immediately. "They worked together isolating a target and then played look out for one another. That’s why the piece of shit was able to get away at first.”

"Do you know where they are?" Rall was curt in his response, eager for more information.

"We already caught one of them, and he gave up the others before we killed him." Trent paused and then added. "I thought you might want to come with us. There are two more, and the fuckers were spotted at that strip joint next to the bowling alley on Kimball."

“I’m going with you.”

"Meet me in the garage in ten." With that, he closed the call. When he turned around, he saw Luke standing there, silent and expectant. He reached out and pulled him into his arms.

"There was a gang of them?" Luke sputtered out the sentence and pressed his face to Rall's chest and trembled.

"They're no danger to you, sweetheart," Rall assured.

"I know," Luke responded. "I'm safe with you. I'm always safe with you."

“Always.” Rall kissed him and hugged him tight.

“You’re going with Trent.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, but be safe please. I can’t lose you Rall you’re the only honest thing I know.”

"Wait here, and I'll be back. Then we can get you settled into your new home, and I can show you how soft my bed is." Rall teased, and Luke chuckled.

“I quite enjoyed the softness last night, but I look forward to another demonstration.”

"I won't be long." Rall dropped another kiss, and then he was gone.

Luke started to unpack his two bags but wasn't sure what to do with his things, so he stopped and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. He was surprised by how at home he felt in Rall's space; it was as if he'd always lived there. Luke was awkward by nature, so it was difficult for him to get comfortable anywhere new, but this was different.

This place and Rall felt like home to him when no place had ever felt like home, not even home. His family were cold, not abusive but distant so home never really felt like a safe space. The apartments he lived in just felt like a temporary shelter, they weren’t ever overly warm or welcoming.

He loved Rall, he loved everything about him. The man was magnificent. The supernatural aspect was a hill to climb but he’d get there. Having a sexy vampire as his one and only would never get old or boring. Rall was the answer to every prayer that had ever crossed his consciousness.

Rall had ask that he resign from his job at the florist and told him that he’d help him explore real estate again. Luke wasn’t sure if he was cut out for real estate, but he wasn’t against giving it another try. He glanced at his watch a figured his boss Sidney was in until five so he could meet with him and let him know that he would not be returning to work.

The florist was only a few blocks away to the north. It was a decent part of town, and the business was considered respectable apart from the suspected money laundering. They'd treated him well, and he wanted to meet with Sidney personally. He could get there and back before Rall knew he had left.

He called a taxi and headed out to the main street. The ride was short just three blocks to the north from the Blood Rose, but it spanned two very different neighborhoods. Stepping inside he saw Ross at the counter looking uncharacteristically stressed. Ross was a laid back take life as easy as possible kind of guy but today he looked ready to burst.

“What’s wrong.” Luke enquired softly while looking around. Ross glanced up at him and gave a tight shake of his head.

“You should leave.” Ross whispered and Luke wasn’t going to question. He quickly turned on his heels and headed for the door. A shot rang out in the back room then another and Ross dove for the floor as did Luke. Two more shots and then a man came rushing out of the back and grabbed Ross.

Luke was trying to quickly crawl to the door, but he was caught and hauled to the back room along with Ross. The place was a mess of flowers and pots and supplies broken and strewn around the room along with broken tables and several gashes in the walls.

Some serious shit had gone down before the gunplay, and Luke was panic-stricken. He could not breathe, and his heart was beating so fast that he thought he would die of a heart attack before any of these men had the chance to kill him. His brain was not accepting that, once again, he was in such a position.

This day had been a nightmare. Nothing in his life apart from Rall, the most amazing man in the fucking world, was what he thought it was. Had he been so damn blind that he didn't see the hate, the pain, the cheap, and the lies. One of the shooters hit Luke across the side of his head with his pistol, knocking him to the cold, concrete floor. "Stay down there." The guy shouted and then turned on Ross.

"Where's the money, Ross?" He said and pressed the gun barrel to Ross's cheek. Luke could see the floor beyond the workbench from his vantage point on the floor, and lying there were Sidney, the manager, and Willard, the owner, and they weren't moving. Blood pooled between them, and Luke's heart slammed into his ribs. His chances of survival were slim.

Regret swallowed him whole. All he had to do was wait like Rall had asked, and none of this would happen to him now. Every stupid assed decision he made today was disastrous, and now this one was probably going to kill him.

He was going to give his life for a fucking part-time job at a floral shop, and it wasn't even a good floral shop. He knew they were probably doing illegal things, but he thought since he wasn't involved, he was in the clear. Luke minded his own business, but he was going to end up paying for this lapse in judgment.

Rall and Trent found the cougar shifters at the strip bar. Fortunately, the bar was owned by a wolf pack, so they had no qualms with Rall and Trent dealing with the cougars as they saw fit. They tried to make a run for it when confronted, which was exactly what Rall and Trent had hoped.

They admitted to helping to snatch Luke at the Blood Rose along with many others during the last few months. They were cocky and unremorseful, thinking it was funny and that the humans deserved to be brutalized. They tried to take off out the back when they realized they were in trouble, but they didn't get far. Rall and Trent easily caught them before they made it to the back door. They wouldn't be a problem for anyone going forward.

The scene was cleaned up, and they were heading out when Rall was struck with a familiar feeling of panic. It was Luke, and the level of fear that spiked through Rall made him run for the SUV. Trent followed and managed to dive into the passenger seat as Rall tore away from the curb and raced through traffic.

“What happened?” Trent asked while closing his door and buckling his seatbelt.

“Luke, something is wrong. His heart is racing, and his panic is choking me.” Rall stared straight ahead focusing on following the call of his beloved. This day had been terrible for Luke and Rall should never have left him. The chances of further chaos were high and Rall should have been with him.

“He’ll be okay Rall. Fate will get you there in time.” Trent’s words gave him fleeting comfort as a fresh wave of terror washed over Rall. So many emotions debilitating heartbreaking emotions were tearing at him, and they all belonged to Luke.

"It's a florist," Trent exclaimed. "Didn't you say he worked at a florist shop?"

“He wouldn’t have gone into work.” Rall was filled with disbelief. “What the hell could happen to him at a flower shop?” He parked haphazardly and they both jumped from the car and raced inside.