Chapter Five

Casper didn't know what he expected. He knew London had an ultra-rich boss and he, too, obviously wasn't hurting for money. Casper had Googled the shirt London had casually left on his bathroom floor. It cost seven hundred dollars. Knowing all those details still did not properly prepare him for the ginormous house directly on the beach where London lived and worked. The guy had what looked like his own house inside a house. It was the wildest experience of Casper's life. There were also guards everywhere. Like, seriously, everywhere. Casper wondered if the president had this much protection. Everyone was professional as hell. He swore no one even looked at them as they came through the door. The guys just held their positions, looking serious and alert.

"Is this what you do all day? Standing in one spot, staring at nothing, I mean," Casper clarified.

A sexy smile flashed his way as London closed the door and stripped. "Basically, yeah. Olek has settled down considerably since he got married. We're all pretty useless now, but you never know. That could change any second. We have to be ready for anything. Olek still has enemies."

Casper moved to the huge, soft-looking bed in the center of the room and sat. He immediately sank. Casper fought the urge to throw himself backward and savor the obviously expensive mattress. Thankfully, the sight of London's cut body kept him from showing how out of his league he was. "Why are you changing?"

London pulled another high-dollar suit from the closet. "I'd planned to stay with you for a while, so I packed casually so you wouldn't feel uncomfortable in your home. Here, there's a dress code while on the clock. Technically, I'm working, so I have to dress the part."

That fascinated Casper. "You're expected to wear uncomfortable suits in your own home?"

London chuckled. The sound caused goosebumps to skirt across Casper's skin. "The more expensive the suit, the more comfortable it is."

Casper knew. "Oh, I believe that. I wore your shirt earlier."

London kept going, as if Casper hadn't interrupted. "However, if we're off duty, we can dress however we want. Honestly, it's not a matter of Olek caring how we look. He can't tell who's on duty if we're all dressed casually. If we're in a suit, he knows we're on the clock and doesn't have to worry about asking us to do anything. He's adamant about us getting our downtime, with no expectation of jumping at his every whim. This is our home. Olek wants us to feel like we're off when we are."

Casper nodded. "Oh. That's nice. I figured, since he's Ransom's dad, he must be pretty awesome to have raised someone like him."

London met his stare. His serious expression had returned, snagging Casper's full attention. "Olek is an amazing person, but don't let that fool you. He's also dangerous. There's a reason he has this many guards. He's not a man to be crossed."

"No crossing. Gotcha." For a moment, Casper wondered if he wasn't safer back at his place. He didn't actually know what Olek did for a living before his retirement. Casper was too scared to ask. Sometimes, ignorance truly was bliss.

As if London read his mind, he crossed the room and touched Casper's chin, forcing him to hold his stare. "This is the safest place in the world for you. No one could make it onto this property uninvited, much less inside this house. You're untouchable here."

Casper ran his hands up London's torso, parting the two halves of the shirt he had just pulled on. "I hope I'm not completely untouchable."

A smile exploded across London's face, stealing his breath. "You're too touchable for me. I need to take you to work."

Casper realized he smiled like an idiot. In the middle of the worst time of his life, he was happier than he had been in a long time. That was due to London.

London's eyes flashed with something unnamed. "Strip."

"I thought you had to take me to work."

"I do, but you need a costume. Strip."

Casper moved to his feet and slowly undressed, being a tease. London shamelessly watched. Only once Casper was down to his bikini briefs did London turn away. He moved to the closet before returning with another of his ridiculously expensive shirts. London dressed Casper like he would a child, sliding the material over Casper's arms before buttoning it. He left the top three buttons undone, then he draped a tie over the shirt. He tied it, but left it loose, hanging beneath the last undone button. With that done, he rolled the sleeves to Casper's elbows.

"There. Sexy and comfortable."

Casper had to admit he was comfy, and the long shirt hid more skin than he usually showed at Leather Bait. Still. "I sling drinks all night. I don't want to ruin your pricey shirt."

A wicked-sounding chuckle fell from London's lips. "Sexy, I've worked for Olek for fifteen years, making a ridiculous salary with zero overhead. Ruin all the shirts you want."

Damn. Sexy and generous. Casper stood no chance. He had to change the topic. "Wait. Fifteen years? How old are you, again?"

London worked on buttoning his shirt. "Thirty-two."

Casper nodded, even though London stayed focused on his shirt. Shock kept him bobbing his head. "You said you were an underground fighter. Yet you've worked for Olek since you were seventeen?"

London still didn't look his way. "Yeah. Olek is a bit of a stray collector. I was a homeless, angry teen when he hired me. All I knew how to do was make people bleed for my next meal." London finally met his stare for a moment. "He knew I had been working those fights to survive and would do anything for the life he offered. He was right. I have done everything. He never has to doubt my loyalty. But you should probably be repulsed by the things I've done to survive."

Casper knew there was a warning in that speech, except it had the opposite effect. He felt safe and warm. Casper felt less alone than he had in ages. With his heart swelling by the second, he watched London finish dressing. When he added his holster and gun, Casper's breathing hitched. It was probably wrong that he found the idea of London being deadly sexy, but wow. The guy really turned him on.

London caught him staring. "Does the gun make you nervous?"

Casper shook his head. "I was just thinking how drop dead gorgeous you are and how lucky I am to have your attention."

Another of those goddamn blushes tinted London's cheeks. It fascinated Casper.

"Why are you always blushing? It's like you don't own a mirror."

London shifted. His gaze slid away, as if uncomfortable with the topic. "People don't talk to me the way you do."

"Most people are idiots. I can't take my eyes off you."

London met his stare. Something grew between them. "The feeling is mutual. I imagine everyone looks at you, though. How could they not? Yet I still don't think anyone else sees what I do. Your beauty is so much more than skin deep."

No one had ever said anything so nice about him. There was no way London understood how his words moved Casper. Casper was a pretty face. He had been a professional model, so he wouldn't pretend he didn't know how he looked. Casper had men tripping over themselves at the club. None of that shit mattered, because it wasn't real. London, who had obviously never been with another man, saw past Casper's face and wanted him despite all that. He was in trouble.

"Why does it feel like I've known you forever?"

London didn't shy away from the question. Even though the topic was obviously getting deep, he didn't look away. "I don't know, but I feel it too, and I want to find out."

"Me too."

They continued holding each other's stare.

Casper broke first. "Despite where I work, I'm not one to share."

London gave him a sharp nod. "You have nothing to fear. Do I?"

"No. I've never been more focused." Casper hadn't seen London coming. It was absolutely insane. He hadn't been in a monogamous relationship in years. Yet, in less than twenty-four hours, he already knew he would scratch out someone's eyes if they tried to take London from him. He hadn't wanted anything this badly in his entire life.

London closed the distance between them. His lips brushed Casper's. "Let's get you to work so I can get you home again. You're too tempting standing this close to my bed."

Casper smiled so hard, his face hurt. It was flattering as hell being wanted by London. He hoped the way he felt never stopped. Casper was happy for once.

As they left London's bedroom, for a split second, he wondered if he should have offered Casper a way to cover himself until they got to the club. He should have realized straight away it was Casper, though. The guy obviously knew his worth. A few guards openly eyed him, making London's jealousy stir. Casper didn't seem to notice. Then Olek's husband, Vic, appeared. All the guards immediately returned to being professional.

Vic rushed Casper's way. "Casper!"

Casper squealed and met him halfway. "They hugged."

Vic pulled away, but he didn't let go of Casper's hands. "It's been so long."

"Well, you never come to the club anymore."

Vic laughed. "I'm settled. You look adorable. I forgot it was Halloween week. Are you sick of the costumes yet?"

Casper shrugged. "If you'd asked me that last night, I would've said yes. Thankfully, London offered me a comfortable solution."

Laughter danced in Vic's eyes. He flashed London a knowing look. "I'm sure that had nothing to do with how sexy you look in his shirt."

Heat exploded through London's face. He fought the urge to see how many people stared at his reaction. Thankfully, Casper and Vic were focused on each other.

Vic checked his watch. "I guess I'd better let you head out before you're late. But I'm so happy you're staying with us so we can catch up. I miss seeing you all the time."

"I'll make it a point to spend some time together."

Vic kissed his cheek. "I'll hold you to that." He focused on London. "Thank you for doing this, London. It would break my heart if anything happened to Casper."

London dipped his chin. "It would break mine too."

Vic's and Casper's reactions made his confession worthwhile. While Vic beamed, Casper looked at him as if the words had nearly moved him to tears. He wouldn't feel an ounce of shame for the one thing that had brought him happiness in years. London also wouldn't let a damn thing happen to Casper.

With a final goodbye, London led Casper to the garage. Casper headed toward the truck they had arrived in. London redirected him toward a nearby Hellcat.

"We'll change cars and lessen the chance of ending up with slashed tires."

"Oh. I hadn't thought of that." His gaze moved around the massive garage and the dozens of cars. "I guess it's a good thing there're plenty of cars to choose from."

London nodded as he opened the passenger side door for Casper. "True. Olek doesn't care what we drive, but this one is actually my car."

"Oh."

London closed the door and hid a smile. He liked keeping Casper on his toes. Maybe it was a little arrogant, but—despite all of Casper's compliments—London knew he wasn't strong in the looks department. But London had money and he could and would spoil the fuck out of Casper.

The moment they were on the road, Casper linked his fingers with London's. It was nice. He had always been a little jealous of those couples who always held hands. But London hadn't realized how badly he wanted it for himself until he held Casper's hand. Casper made him proud as hell. Even when they reached Leather Bait, Casper didn't let go. He gave London his full attention until the place got too busy for him to keep doing so.

Like last night, London kept his gaze on the crowd. Halfway through the night, his phone buzzed. A picture appeared on the screen of a guy with mean-looking eyes.

Ransom: Ask Casper if he knows this guy.

London: Why?

Ransom : I pulled some strings and called in some favors to get that blood ran. It's human and belongs to this guy. His name is Diego Alvarez. He's been arrested twice on suspicion of human trafficking, but miraculously never served a day.

London fought a growl. That meant the guy worked for someone big who could keep him safe. He glanced Casper's way. Casper was all smiles. He looked genuinely happy.

London: Honestly, I hate to ask. I think finding his place trashed was the final straw with this whole ordeal. He's not handling it well.

Ransom: Fair. Find Duncan. As the owner of Leather Bait, no one comes in or out he doesn't know. If this guy has ever stepped foot in that club, he'll know.

London: On it.

London eyed the place, searching for Duncan. The only reason he knew what the guy looked like was because he had to get Duncan's permission to be inside the members-only club. He spotted Duncan on the dance floor, grinding against his husband. London hated to break things up, but this was important.

While still keeping Casper in his line of sight, London made his way onto the dance floor. At his approach, Duncan's husband looked his way. His eerie-colored eyes made London lose focus for a moment. He quickly focused on Duncan instead.

"Sorry to interrupt. Do you know this man?" He passed the phone to Duncan.

Asia and Duncan eyed the phone together. Duncan shook his head. Asia focused on him with those odd monochromatic eyes again. "Is this who's stalking the twins?"

London reclaimed his phone. "It's very likely. When I took Casper home last night, there was a note stabbed in his door. It was written in blood and the knife's handle had been coated in fentanyl. The blood belonged to this guy. Since he's a known human trafficker, it fits his M.O."

Duncan jumped in. "I approve and issue every membership along with guest passes. He's never been here."

London chewed his bottom lip. Everything about this was just strange as hell.

"Trafficking is something I know a lot about," Asia said, cutting through his thoughts. "He wouldn't have to know the twins to target them. All it would take was him spotting them at the grocery store or anywhere, really. Maybe he has a client who has a twin fantasy. It doesn't have to be personal. It's all about the money."

None of that fit as far as London was concerned. "Whoever is stalking Casper is making it personal. He's been sneaking into Casper's house, going through his things, and taking photos of him while he sleeps. He's leaving bloody notes that make no sense. Wouldn't a trafficker have already stolen him, if that's what he wanted?"

Asia held his stare. His intensity proved his knowledge of the topic. "Not if he wants them both. Taking only one would scare the other into police protection. He'll wait until they're together."

The remark had London's gaze shooting back toward the bar. The twins were still fine. "Thank you for your help."

Duncan gave him a nod. "Of course. We want this solved too."

London smiled and turned away, leaving the pair to their dance. He reclaimed his reserved seat at the end of the bar and went back to watching the crowd. London had a face and a name now. Maybe the guy came in disguise. It didn't matter. London would find him.

Casper filled drinks with lightning speed while Carver flirted heavily with some bear-sized guy in a leather vest. Carver was all smiles and sneaky touches. Suddenly, Carver's gaze moved toward the dance floor. His features snapped closed. He straightened. London followed his stare. No one stood out. When he looked back, Carver had turned away, grabbing liquor off the back wall like nothing happened. London had no clue what had just happened. He hoped like hell Carver didn't know something that could get them all killed. Maybe that was the real reason he had refused London's help. It was a thought.