Chapter Four

Major and Ransom's house was on the beach and only two blocks from where London lived with his employer. Since Ransom owned a security company, the system on his home was next level. As London rang their doorbell, he spotted a camera pointing their way. It gave him a thought.

"Ransom is the master of security. Why didn't you ask him to wire your house? We could probably already have this guy."

Casper flashed him a small smile. "He offered, but my place is a rental. I'm not allowed to change anything or mess with any wiring. I've lived there for less than two months. The last thing I want is to set my landlord against me."

Ransom answered the door. He looked between them. A smile lit his hairy face. "Hey. I hear you have a knife. That's some shit."

London nodded his agreement and passed the plastic bag along.

Ransom waved them inside. "Come on. This won't take long."

London waited for Casper to step inside before following. They'd had a nice lunch and London was a little tired. After not really sleeping, having his mind blown, and then eating too much, he needed a nap. He was like a too content cat. That wasn't a good thing, since he needed to be on alert to keep Casper safe.

They followed Ransom through the house. It was a gorgeous place, proving how much Ransom's business raked in. It surprised London Major still chose to work at Leather Bait. Before they made it to Ransom's office, Major appeared. Casper got pulled away by a hug and chatting. London kept pace with Ransom. Inside his office, London sat in the chair closest to the door, leaving room for Ransom to move around the room. After pulling on some gloves, Ransom took the note and knife from the bag.

He eyed the note first. "Well, that's disturbing. Let's run a few tests before I look for fingerprints. That looks like blood and there could be anything on the handle."

London nodded along. "That was my fear."

Ransom shot him a look. "It's a good thing you were there. It seems Casper finally got help at just the right time."

Ice ran through London's veins. If he hadn't shown up at Leather Bait on the night he did, Casper could be in real trouble right now. Ransom scraped some samples and added various chemicals to each test tube. London eyed the setup as he waited. Ransom probably had better equipment than half the alphabet government agencies. He also could likely hack the Pentagon with his computer setup. Ranson made a scary sound as things started changing colors.

"What is it?"

Ransom held up the two tubes that had turned colors. "Definitely blood on the note and fentanyl on the knife handle."

London's stomach dropped. "What now?"

"I'll send a blood sample to a friend of mine. He can find out if it's human blood. Casper should've taken this to the police a long time ago."

London snorted. He didn't know why Casper hadn't gone to the cops, but he thought they were useless. More than that, being as how—technically—London was a criminal, he had a huge contempt for the entire institution.

Ransom chuckled. "I know. Thankfully, their database is extremely hackable." He held up a fingerprint he had found. A bright smile stretched his lips. "If this guy is in their system, we'll know soon enough." He turned away and worked on scanning the print. "This guy is getting sloppy. This is the first time he's left a print."

Casper stepped into the room with Major on his heels. "What did you learn?" He sat on London's knee. London pulled him fully into his lap so he could settle against London's chest and be comfortable.

The entire room went still and silent. Major paused halfway between sitting and standing. The pair stared at them. Finally, Major sat, and Ransom cleared his throat.

"Um. I'm still working on it."

London appreciated Ransom not scaring Casper any more than he already was by telling him about the drugs. A few minutes passed. No one spoke. Finally, a ding sounded from Ransom's computer. He spun the screen their way.

"Do you know an Eli Franklin?"

Casper leaned forward and eyed the image. "No. He doesn't look familiar."

Ransom turned the screen back and inspected it. "I'll send someone to find him, but from the looks of him and his arrest record, I'd say he's homeless. My guess is, he's not our guy."

"Why would he be our guy?"

Ransom glanced up at Casper's question. "His fingerprints were on the note. Likely, he was paid to do someone's dirty work. I can't think of a single reason a homeless man, one you don't even know, would do this. This entire situation feels too personal."

Casper made a helpless gesture. "I can't think of a single reason anyone would do any of this. You know me. For the most part, I'm honestly kind of boring."

"You're beautiful," London said, interjecting his thoughts. "You don't have to do anything to attract a psycho when you're sexy and easy to watch—the way you are at the club. Obsession can be an ugly thing. I didn't see anyone last night who looked a little too interested to be healthy, but that may have been because they were busy paying a homeless guy to set up that note. If you caught someone's eye and rejected them, or even maybe they're too scared to approach you. Maybe it's moved to a dangerous level. If someone's already unstable, you honestly wouldn't have to do anything at all. They just have to think you've wronged them to go straight over the edge."

"Well, that's depressing."

London ran the back of his knuckles down Casper's arm. "You don't have to worry. I won't let anyone get to you."

Casper settled against his chest again, as if he could relax now. "I know."

London fought the urge to beat his chest like a caveman. Casper brought out a thousand things in him he had never experienced before. Ransom and Major stared at them as if they were working on a puzzle. London didn't care. In less than twenty- four hours, Casper had given him more emotionally than anyone ever had before. He wasn't ashamed to appreciate it. Maybe he would never have this feeling in his chest again. It was very likely no one would make him feel this strong and sexy after Casper returned to his normal life. He ached at the idea of becoming invisible again. London could see someone slowly slipping into insanity without Casper. Maybe he would be the guy's next stalker. Who knew? His sanity felt a little weak at the thought of never touching Casper again. Casper obviously wasn't as boring as he thought.

While Casper didn't feel like the trip to see Ransom had been productive, the day had still been good, and Casper had made an important discovery. Despite never being with a man before, London wasn't ashamed of him. He hadn't batted a single eyelash over Major and Ransom seeing them being affectionate. London was a dangerous guy. Casper could get used to having his attention.

He couldn't stop watching London as he drove. He was dressed more casually today. A black t-shirt stretched against his hard form. A muscle in his forearm flexed as he drove. Casper chewed his bottom lip and stamped down his lust. Fuck. His body knew what that solid body could do. He was trapped in a haze of longing, but he didn't miss the way London tensed and the car slowed.

London shot him a look. His expression was almost frightening. "Stay here."

His order snapped Casper from his haze. Casper's heart rate kicked up when London reached between the seat and the door, pulling out a gun.

He threw the truck in park. "Lock the doors behind me."

It took Casper a minute to figure out what was going on. His front door stood open. While he was forgetful sometimes, he fully recalled locking the door and pulling it closed behind him when they left. The moment London closed the door, Casper hit the lock button. He fought the urge to move to his knees and try to see better as London disappeared inside. Casper heard every breath he took. He wondered if he might hyperventilate. Then London reappeared and a wave of relief washed over him. He watched London head his way, his features set. It hit Casper. He realized he hadn't been the slightest bit concerned about his things. It was only London's safety he cared about.

He unlocked the doors for London.

London pulled open his and met Casper's stare. "Okay. We're headed inside together. You'll grab what you need for a few days and stay with me. It's not safe for you here."

Casper nodded. London sounded too confident. He couldn't argue. "What about my brother?"

London shrugged. "His side looks untouched. Honestly, I think this is more about you. If it makes you feel better, you can let him know where you'll be and let him know he's welcome to join us. But he's already turned down my help once, so I doubt this'll change anything."

That was true. Plus, Carver hadn't really been home much since their problems started. "Okay." He slipped from the vehicle and headed for the door. London fell into step behind, walking closely. He practically felt the way London eyed every possible hiding spot. Casper's steps slowed as he stepped inside. His clothes were strewn everywhere. There were pictures taped to the walls. Casper behind the bar. Him dancing. Casper sleeping. He felt sick. Then another bloody note caught his eye.

You'll be next.

"I'll be next for what?"

London's hard expression gave nothing away. "It's best not to think about it. Just grab what you need."

Casper turned his attention to the clothes, refusing to show his fear. He didn't want to touch them. There was no telling what had been done to them. He cleared his throat. "I have to work tonight. We're supposed to dress up for Halloween all week." He cleared his throat again. Casper couldn't meet London's stare. "We do a lot of theme weeks at work." He was just talking to fill the silence. Otherwise, he might fall apart.

"Maybe you shouldn't go to work. It's obvious you're being watched there."

Something inside Casper snapped. "This is my life! I won't be afraid to fucking live it."

London stayed expressionless.

Casper pinched the spot between his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You're under a lot of stress." He was so calm. That detail made Casper feel twice as bad for snapping.

Casper headed his way. He didn't know what he expected, but London gave it to him, nonetheless. London opened his arms, and Casper walked into them. Casper didn't think he had been held simply in the name of comfort in years before meeting London. The guy was so big. He felt like a buffer between Casper and the world. It was a steadiness he desperately needed. Things were starting to feel like they would never be okay again. Casper didn't know where to go from here.