The Beast Within
GENRE: Gay Mystery Erotic Romance
LENGTH: 42,863 words
RATING:
A cannibalistic serial killer targeting gay men is on the loose.
Devin, who has become increasingly erratic in the last two months, just split up with Gary, his lover of three years. Vanni, a habituĂ© of the gay clubs, makes extra spending money on his knees in the club johns. Is one of these men the killer? Or will one of them instead become the killer’s next target?
Detective Hollis Robbins is in charge of the case. He intends to stop the killer, if he can.
When the killer strikes again the four men’s lives intertwine as the search for the murderer intensifies. Will the attraction that two of them begin to feel for each other survive the hunt? Do they have the strength to continue on after tragedy strikes and teaches them that love can be bittersweet?
EXCERPT:
Note: may contain sexually explicit scenes of a homoerotic nature.
- "Didn't know you hung out here."
Gary turned slowly to look at Vanni. "Why shouldn't I? Is this your private stomping ground? No one allowed unless they pay your 'cover charge'?" Gary's lip curled up in a sneer.
"Look, bitch, you might be able to get away with talking to Devin like that but I'm not him."
"Bitch?" Gary growled.
"If the shoe fits," Vanni told him with a smirk of amused condescension.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are but…"
"I'm the one who's watched you push Devin to the brink then walk away. He was a good man 'til you got your hands on him."
"He still is a good man when he's not ... when he gets control of his anger. If he gets control of it."
Vanni rested one foot on the rung of the barstool as he rolled a bottle of beer between his hands. "So what are you doing that makes him angry? Not putting out? Putting out to other men too?"
"It always comes down to sex with you, doesn't it, Giovanni?" Gary used his full name when he replied because he knew Vanni hated it.
"It's what makes the world go 'round they say." Vanni's brown eyes flashed dark with ire as he took a deep drink and set the bottle down on the bar. "No wait, it's love that does that but you wouldn't know since you don't love him, at least not the way you should."
"What the hell do you know about my feelings?"
"Like I said, I've watched you with him."
Gary shook his head. "No, you've watched him with me and there's a difference. We come to the clubs because they're the only thing that seems to relieve his stress. We come, we dance, and if I'm lucky we go home together and maybe fu ... make love."
"You're first choice was probably the more accurate one. You fuck him then you go home and leave him wanting more."
"When the hell did you become an expert in love?" Gary glared daggers at Vanni. "You wouldn't know it if it came up and introduced itself to you, Mr. Fucking Sex Machine, down on your knees half your life in some filthy john." The next thing Gary knew he was on his ass on the floor. He looked up at Vanni in shock while he rubbed his jaw. "Hit to close to home there ...H Giovanni?"
Vanni fisted his hands again then shook his head. "You aren't worth a trip to jail," he snarled. He turned quickly, strode to the door of the club, and vanished through it onto the sidewalk.
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