Chapter One

Music thumped in the parking lot, warning of the noise inside. A Halloween-themed weekend had people in costumes pouring out of Leather Bait. London had no clue if the kink club was normally as busy. While London's boss, Olek Kozak, had been to the club a time or two, London wasn't usually the guard he took with him. London wanted to resent this chore, but it was oddly nice to be out of the house. Since Olek married a few years back, the once ruthless weapons dealer now preferred the quiet life. Most days, London was good with that. He still made the same money while getting stabbed and shot at less often.

London picked his way through a sea of scantily clad men to get through the door. It was slow to dawn on London it was a gay club, which was dumb on his part. Olek was gay. Of course, he would go to places where he was comfortable. London had just thought Olek had only gone to Leather Bait for his husband, Vic. Vic's brother, Major, managed the place. Sometimes he needed Vic's help behind the bar. That wasn't something that had happened since Vic married Olek. Olek would rather die than subject his delicate husband to the horrors of manual labor. So Major had hired more help and Vic stayed home… as the husband of one of the world's richest and most deadly people should.

London headed for the bar, weaving his way through men grinding on each other. He kept his gaze locked on the pair behind the bar. They were identical in every way except for how they were dressed. Their light brown hair was a mess, as if equally overworked and frazzled. One wore some sort of chain halter top that covered absolutely nothing, leaving his lithe body on display. Several men openly enjoyed the show. The other was dressed like a belly dancer. Both had a massive audience. It took London a ridiculously long time to get a stool where he could keep his back against a short wall at the end of the bar while keeping an eye out for danger.

The moment his ass hit the seat, the pair slid his way in unison. Matching wicked smiles flashed his way.

"Trick?"

"Or treat?" Treat guy smiled around the lollipop in his mouth.

London looked between them. "That depends. Which of you is Casper?"

Treat guy stuck out his bottom lip and moved away, leaving Trick guy behind.

London focused on him. "I assume that makes you Casper."

Casper's gaze raked down London's body. An odd thought hit as London waited for his reply. He wished he could tell what color his eyes were. They were a light shade. That was all London could tell in the poorly lit club. Casper focused on his face. "I take it you're the guard Major said would meet me tonight."

London dipped his chin and held out his hand. "London."

Casper lightly shook his hand. It was a quick motion, but strangely still overly sexual. His small hand managed the lightest stroke before falling away. "It's nice to meet you, London. You're a little early. I don't get off until three."

"I wanted to scope out the joint." Since they were practically yelling at each other to be heard over the music, London didn't want to explain he was there to make mental notes. He wanted to see who watched Casper and Carver a little too closely. London was good at his job. He could tell when looking went deeper than a passing admiration into something darker.

Casper dipped his chin, letting him know he heard. He took a few orders before returning to London. "Can I get you something to drink while you wait? On me, of course."

London shook his head. He wanted to keep Casper talking. Learning what it was about the man that had caused him to be so dangerously targeted and relentlessly stalked was another part of the process. He eyed Casper. "What's your costume supposed to be?"

A smile snapped to Casper's lips. "Sexy. What's yours?"

London dropped his gaze to the expensive suit he wore. It was part of the dress code, and his jacket hid he was armed. He met Casper's stare. "Boring."

A sexy laugh burst from Casper.

London found himself smiling too. His chest warmed and his skin tingled. He couldn't look away from Casper's face.

His eyes sparkled with happiness. "I wouldn't say boring. Uncomfortable for the environment, maybe." He did another quick inspection of London. "Definitely not boring, though." Casper turned away to take more orders.

Without thinking, London's gaze dropped to Casper's ass. He blinked. Why had he checked out the guy? London was decidedly straight. Maybe being in a gay club fucked with his head a little. Curiosity won. He actively inspected Casper's body in a clinical way. For research. He had to consider every angle of a stalker. Casper was small but flawless. Even for a straight man, London was secure enough to admit the guy had a nice ass. If he was a woman, London would definitely appreciate the roundness. His pants hung low on his hips, showing off his obliques. Likely, Casper could have any man of his choosing. That probably meant a rejected suitor or someone too shy, sick, and twisted to pursue the twins in a healthy way. Of course, a healthy way would mean choosing a specific one and not expecting both to creepily fuck them. He didn't know why Carver wasn't interested in protection. Maybe he knew who it was and wasn't afraid. London had to consider every possibility. The stack of letters they had received didn't specify a certain twin. They were oddly worded, as if they should know who they were meant for, but both men claimed ignorance. Unfortunately, those letters were free of prints. Whoever this guy was, he wasn't dumb, yet he kind of was. He had fucked with someone with powerful connections. He would find himself in a shallow grave soon.

London's position at the end of the bar gave him the perfect angle to eye every face. No one stood out. Everyone, at some point, had looked the pair's way. Several had interest in their stares. A few were bold enough to approach. The twins were equally good at gently rejecting people without making it look or sound like a dismissal. London was more than a little grossed out by the number of suggestions made for the twins. More than once, he had watched the pair exchange quick disgusted looks. He imagined that was something they had dealt with their entire lives. Twins were a popular fantasy.

The night wound down and London's curiosity piqued. He realized the club was more than a place to party. People obviously considered it a community. The lights flared to life, and the music died. Several patrons jumped in to help clean and ready the place for closing. He was intrigued and, strangely, a little jealous. There was no place in the world where he so comfortably fit as the people under this roof obviously did here.

With everyone pitching in, the place was spotless in no time. Casper and Carver hugged before Casper bounced up to him, looking surprisingly energetic for someone who had worked their ass off all night.

"Are you ready?"

London dipped his chin and stood. "I'm at your service."

An adorable chuckle fell from Casper's lips. "Hmm. At my service. I like that." He headed for the door. London followed. As they reached it, London reached past him and opened it for him. He strategically placed his body where he blocked Casper from sight as he stepped outside. His gaze skirted the parking lot. Very few cars remained. None appeared to be occupied. There were no fogged windows or silhouettes. His gaze moved toward Casper. In next to no clothes, chill bumps covered his skin.

London peeled off his jacket and draped it over Casper's shoulders. Not only was he overheated from being overdressed inside a nightclub for too long, taking off his jacket exposed his weapons as a warning for anyone watching.

Casper flashed him a smile and slipped his arms inside the sleeves. "Thank you. I didn't think it was supposed to get chilly tonight."

London kept his gaze moving. "It's not. You're underdressed."

Another sexy chuckle met his claim. London's brain skipped a beat. Had he thought that sound was sexy? What was wrong with him? London shook it off. He wasn't a prude, and he could appreciate beauty in all forms. That meant less than nothing. He was solid.

London hit the button on his keys, unlocking the truck he drove for the night. He opened the passenger door and waited until Casper was safely inside before closing the door and circling the car. Still nothing unusual stirred around them. That didn't stop him from constantly checking his mirrors as he drove Casper home.

"Do you need an address?"

London shook his head. "Major gave me all your information. I ran by your place earlier to check its security. It's not great, by the way."

"That's comforting."

Casper's dry tone made London smile. "Don't take it too personally. Not everyone is as good as me."

Casper turned sideways in his seat and focused on London. London felt his stare like a physical touch. "How is that, by the way? Everyone keeps telling me how impressive you are, but no one has said how you got that way. Military? FBI? K9?"

A laugh burst from London. "None of the above. This is likely a matter of ignorance is bliss."

"Mhmm. Sexy and mysterious. Color me intrigued."

Heat climbed London's neck at the compliment. Truthfully, London wasn't what most people considered handsome, much less sexy. That wasn't a word he heard thrown his way. "Um. Thanks, I guess."

A soft, alluring chuckle came from Casper's side of the car. "Oh, dear. I've found a chink in your armor. Let me guess, you know a lot of blind women."

London rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't know what to say.

Casper patted his arm. "It's okay. I'll stop. It's obvious you don't like being praised by a man."

"I didn't say that," London grumbled under his breath. Truthfully, he was a little mad at himself. No one praised his looks, and the first time someone did, he had turned into a squirming kid. It seemed he didn't deserve compliments. Thankfully, Casper's duplex came into view. It gave London the perfect opportunity to change the subject. "Major didn't give me any information on Carver. He said Carver didn't want my help, so I didn't check his place."

As he put the truck in park, Casper made a dismissive gesture. "Carver is… Carver. He refuses to fear anything. It's a long story, but he has to handle things his way. But if it makes you feel better, he lives in the other half of the duplex."

A surprised laugh burst from London. "I could easily keep an eye on both of you. If nothing else, I could've given him a ride home."

Casper shot him a laughing look. "Um, no. Carver doesn't come home from the club. Not alone, anyhow, and that doesn't happen often. He doesn't like anyone to know where he lives. Plus, he can sneak away in the middle of the night. He's a free spirit."

None of that surprised London, but he didn't think he should say that. His first impression of Carver—the wicked smile and sucker—said everything to London. London was good at reading people. Carver liked his fun. Casper struck him as the more serious of the two.

Casper climbed from the truck before London had time to stop him. With a tired sigh, London jumped from the vehicle. He rushed ahead, trying to do his job.

"If you want my protection, you can't run ahead of me. Let me check our surroundings first."

Casper didn't look his way at the scolding. His steps slowed and his gaze locked on the front door. London followed his stare. There was a note on the door held in place by a knife. Casper's features hardened. He stormed toward the door.

London pulled him to a stop before he touched the knife. "Whoa. Whoa. Don't touch that. Let me take care of it." London reached into his back pocket and pulled out a pair of surgical gloves. He explained as he pulled them on. "The handle could be coated in anything. The right drug smeared on the handle, and you'd be out before you put your keys in the door. Then anything could happen to you." With his hands safely covered, London pulled the knife from the door. He looked Casper's way.

Laughter swam in Casper's eyes. "So… you just walk around with surgical gloves in your back pocket?"

London blinked. "Don't you?"

A bark of laughter burst from Casper. He covered his mouth at the sound. London couldn't look away from him. Someone wanted to do Casper harm and still he saw humor in the moment. London was fascinated. He forced his eyes away to check out the note.

"Trick or Treat?"

It almost looked like it was written in blood. Something dark and possessive rose in London's chest. Whoever this person was, they would never get to Casper. London would kill anyone who tried. This mystery person didn't understand who they had crossed. They were as good as dead already.

It felt like it had been ages since Casper felt safe. He had come to a point where he was scared to go home. Every shadow and noise kept him eyeing the corners, unable to sleep. He had been on edge for too long. With London at his side, Casper felt almost giddy. The relief was massive. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Maybe he was no closer to finding out who kept tormenting him, but London felt like a brick wall between danger and him. It was nice.

Casper unlocked the door. London somehow managed to protect Casper's back and ensure no one pounced from the darkened living room. Casper flipped on the lights and tossed his keys on the table by the door. London locked the door and double-checked the deadbolt before making a quick sweep of Casper's tiny place. While Casper waited, he reluctantly slipped out of London's jacket. When London had set it over his shoulders, the material had been so warm, Casper nearly cooed. He had sniffed the piece on the sly more times than he cared to admit. Damn. Major hadn't warned Casper the man would be this fucking yummy. He was solid and had the sexiest eyes. Long lashes surrounding hazel so bright, they were almost gold. A deep scar along his cheek probably scared the hell out of people. Casper was apparently into that. He had a strawberry-blond and freckles combination that was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, it was beyond obvious the dude was straight. He was probably less than thrilled with Casper's flirting. Likely, he would ask Major for sexual harassment pay. Casper wasn't very good at reeling it in. That was how he ended up working the bar at a popular fetish club. Everyone had their kink.

After setting London's jacket on the couch, he loosened the clasps on his chain top. He sighed as it dropped to the floor. As sexy as the piece was, it was also a nipple chafer. Casper picked it up and carried it to his bedroom. He found London checking under his bed.

"Don't blame me if you come across anything that leaves you scarred."

London glanced his way. "I don't even know what that means."

Casper chuckled as he found a pair of soft pajama pants. He stripped while he spoke. "You're a lot more innocent than you look, aren't you?"

London visibly kept his eyes straight ahead, avoiding eyeing Casper's body. Yep. Straight. Casper pulled on the pajama pants.

"Come on, gorgeous. I'll make us some warm tea."

"I don't like tea."

Casper never stopped smiling. "You'll like mine."

London made a sound between a sigh and huff. "The place is clear. I need to run out to the truck and grab my bag. You won't even know I'm gone."

Casper looked his way and winked.

For a moment, London held his stare. It was like he mentally checked out for a second. Then he simply walked away. Casper fought a laugh. The poor guy. He had no idea what to make of Casper. Casper headed for the kitchen and set to work, making them both hot tea. He would impress London one way or another.

He heard the front door open and close before opening and closing again. It was comforting listening to London shuffling around the house. He didn't feel so alone. When he made his way back to the living room, he found London in a white t-shirt and plaid pajama pants. The shirt fought for its life against London's muscles.

"Oh, damn. I missed the show. You couldn't wait five minutes before stripping?"

London blushed.

Casper's stomach muscles clenched. Goddamn. He was weak. Casper held out a cup. "Here. This will help you sleep."

London took the cup and sniffed. "Okay. It smells kind of good." He sipped while Casper intently watched. London showed no reaction, but he took a second drink and moved to the couch with his cup. "Apple?"

Casper joined him on the couch. "Spiced apple."

London set his cup aside. "Okay. You've impressed me."

Casper sipped his drink to hide his smile. He licked the cinnamon flavor from his lips. London's gaze dropped to Casper's mouth. Casper didn't think it was personal. He was just observant. Casper drew his knees up and settled against the arm of the couch. "Tell me about yourself."

London immediately crossed his arms over his chest, proving how uncomfortable the topic made him. He shrugged. "There's not much to tell. I'm originally from Serbia."

"Really?" That fascinated Casper. "You don't have an accent."

A gorgeous smile touched London's lips. Damn, he was hot. "I've lived here a long time."

Casper cocked his head. "How old are you?"

"Thirty-two."

"Proceed."

London laughed at the demand but did as told. "Back in the day, I was an underground fighter, which is a lot more dangerous there than anything I've seen here. One night, this guy approached me and asked if I wanted a real job with a place to live and a steady paycheck. I figured whatever that entailed was likely illegal, but I still said yes. Anything beat having to do the things I did just to eat and live in a hovel. Next thing I knew, I was in the U.S., living a life of luxury. What about you?"

Casper shrugged. "I imagine you know all about me already."

"A file only tells me the basics."

Casper's eyebrows tried crawling to his hairline. "File?"

A wicked smile stretched London's lips. "Of course. That's how this works. I have to know as much as I can if I plan to keep you safe. But telling me you live here, work at a bar, you're twenty-six, and have some dude who won't leave you alone doesn't really tell me about you."

"Fair." Of course, London would need to know some details. He shouldn't be surprised about a file. Casper set his cup on the coffee table. His gaze landed on the knife and note London had put inside a plastic bag at some point. He refused to think about that. Casper returned his focus to London. He was safer. "Let's see. My mom is one of Hollywood's scream queens. Despite that, Carver and I had a pretty normal childhood. Of course, Mom always went all out for Halloween. It's her favorite holiday, obviously. Just look at our names." Casper chuckled. He didn't hate his name, but he had been teased quite a bit as a kid. "Anyhow, we lived in L.A. until I was sixteen, then we moved here. It was an adjustment. Obviously, Florida weather isn't that different from L.A., but otherwise, it was night and day. I did some modeling and scraped by for a few years after graduating. Then it just got tiresome, so I sort of fell into mixology." Casper shrugged. "It's a living."

London's gaze moved over Casper's face. "You sound unhappy."

Wow. He was direct. Casper looked away and nodded toward the plastic bag. "What do you plan to do with that?"

Thankfully, London let the subject of his happiness drop. "I'll take it to Ransom for analysis. It might tell us more about who's doing this."

Casper nodded. That made sense. Olek's son Ransom could do anything the FBI could do but faster since he didn't need to go through legal channels. Casper stood. "Well, I guess we should try to get some sleep. Do you want to sleep out here? You can share my bed, if you'd like? It's big enough and you won't have to be cramped out here on the couch."

A sweet smile touched London's lips. "The couch is fine."

With a nod, Casper headed for his room. He gathered a pillow and a thick blanket before returning to London. "Here you go. If you get too uncomfortable, just climb in with me. I'm a pretty solid sleeper. Likely I won't even budge."

London dipped his chin. "Thank you."

With a smile, Casper headed to bed. It had been a long night. With London there, making him feel safe for the first time in ages, the exhaustion showed itself. His eyelids felt heavy. He hadn't slept well in forever. Casper already knew he would be dead to the world in seconds.