Henri - 7

 

Although he was still tense—always watching everyone who came to close to him in case someone might be one of Xavier's people—Henri did manage to enjoy himself in Taegan's company. The man was clever, witty, and truly seemed to like talking to his guests about whatever interested them. Taegan introduced Henri to several people that he told Henri were real friends, not clients. Some of them looked at Henri knowingly, as if figuring he might be Taegan's…most recent conquest, I suppose. The majority of them, however, treated Henri as yet another one of Taegan's numerous friends, who happened to be accompanying him at the moment.

 

Eventually, the barbecue wound down. Guests began dispersing as the sun lowered behind the trees, each thanking Taegan for a wonderful afternoon before heading to their cars. The caterers were already beginning to clean up as well.

 

"Alone at last," Taegan said with a grin when it was just him, Henri, and Miranda and company. "I'd like to suggest we go to my place, if it's all right with everyone. I want to know more about what happened to you." He put his hand on Henri's shoulder. "And what's being done to find your captor, before he finds you again."

 

"Why are you interested?" Ransom asked him.

 

"Because, as with the rest of you, I have a vested interest in stopping this man before he does something we all regret."

 

Ransom nodded. "I can accept that."

 

Taegan shot him a look. "I take it you're the one in charge, so to speak."

 

"Not in charge. We're all in this together. But I am a cop—a detective—so I have resources the others don't."

 

"Makes sense to me. Do you know where I live?" Taegan got nods from the others. "All right. I'll see you there in, say…twenty minutes."

 

"He's unquestionably a take-charge guy," Henri commented as he, Miranda and John walked to the car.

 

"He's definitely an alpha," Miranda agreed, "both in his human and wolf forms. He's also been around a lot longer than the rest of us."

 

"How old is he?" Henri wanted to know. "Like us, he only looks in his twenties."

 

"He tells people he's twenty-eight. From what I understand, he's actually at least a hundred and seventy."

 

Henri pursed his lips in thought. "That's not bad."

 

Miranda grinned. "Only fifty years older than you, in case you didn't do the math."

 

"I did," Henri replied before getting what she was implying. "Uh-uh, not why you're thinking. I just like to know what's what."

 

"Right."

 

"Mandi, quit teasing him," John said.

 

She arched one eyebrow, but did as he asked, much to Henri's relief.

Henri – 6

 

 

Henri was having some of the same thoughts as Ransom, wondering if Taegan was the sort of man who flirted with everyone—well, every man, if he was gay—who caught his eye.

 

"What looks good to you?" Taegan asked Henri when they arrived at the long row of barbecue pits, each one manned by a server wearing a bright red apron.

 

"Everything?" Henri admitted, as he tried to surreptitiously scan the crowd in the area for anyone who might be a bit too interested in him.

 

Taegan chuckled. "I'm not certain the plates are large enough. You can come back for seconds though."

 

"We all will, I'm sure," Miranda said, as she looked over the offerings. "At least twice."

 

John rolled his eyes. "She eats like a…a horse, and never gains a pound. Me, I look at food and have to work out for a week."

 

 "As if." Miranda patted his stomach. "All muscle and not an inch of fat."

 

The group, including Allyn and Ransom by then, bantered about what to select from the varied choices. Henri did fill his plate, then started toward the pavilion, looking for a vacant table. He felt a hand on his elbow.

 

"If you don't mind eating at my table…" Taegan said, gently steering Henri to one at the far end of the pavilion. "There's room for all of us."

 

"Surely you have a ton of friends you'd rather be eating with."

 

"Most of the people here are clients from my gallery. The barbecue is my annual thank you to them. My friends…? I see them often enough that their feelings won't be hurt if I don't invite them to join us."

 

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," Allyn said from behind them.

 

Taegan chuckled. "Not certain I'm a horse, but he's right."

 

By then, they were at the table. It seated six, which seemed to Henri to be somewhat strange, considering that the rest of the tables were long enough to hold a dozen people each. But then, he is the host.

 

"I like being able to actually hear the people I'm talking with, without shouting," Taegan said, smiling at Henri as they sat.

 

"Am I that easy to read?" Henri asked.

 

"You have a very expressive face." Taegan studied him for a moment. "There's something you're afraid of, and it's not me," he said quietly. "At least, I hope it's not me."

 

Henri tried to shrug casually. "I'm just not big on crowds."

 

"I see. Then why are you here? Surely Miranda told you this was going to be a big bash."

 

Miranda, who was seated on Henri's other side, leaned in, saying to Taegan, "I did, so he knew. Do you mind if I tell him, Henri?"

 

"I guess not," Henri replied hesitantly, after glancing around to be certain no one was within hearing distance.

 

"Henri's one of us," Miranda said very quietly. "Someone is looking for him because of that—or at least we're presuming he still is."

 

"That's doesn't sound good," Taegan replied, frowning deeply. "Is this someone able to…to sense what we are?"

 

"I wish I knew," Henri said. "He managed to capture me a few months ago. I think—although I can't prove it—he might have seen me shift. Still, he has to know we exist since he took me to a lab to experiment on me. A lab that was already set up for that purpose."

 

Taegan drummed his fingers on the table before saying, "We should talk more about this, but not now. Let's enjoy ourselves, eat excellent food and just relax. That is, if you can relax, Henri."

 

"I'm trying to."

 

"Just stick with me and you'll be safe. I promise," Taegan told him.

 

"Surely you have other things you want to do. After all, it is your party. I'm fine staying with Miranda and Allyn."

 

"I should be hurt you'd pick them over me," Taegan replied with a laugh. "Still, I understand. If you change your mind, I wouldn't mind having a handsome man keeping me company while I play the gracious host."

 

"Henri," Miranda whispered, amusement in her expression, "you're blushing again."

 

He swallowed hard, replying to Taegan, "I guess, if you need a buffer…"

 

"Great. Now, as I said a while ago, let's eat."

Henri - 5

 

 

 

"There's a million people here," Henri murmured as he, Miranda and John joined Allyn and Ransom outside the pavilion.

 

Ransom laughed. "Not quite that many…maybe a hundred."

 

"How can someone know so many people?"

 

"If you're rich, famous and charming," Allyn said, "it's not hard. Taegan is all that and more."

 

"Allyn and Miranda are no slouches in the friends department themselves," Ransom said, getting a nod of agreement from John.

 

"More like acquaintances," Allyn protested. "It's one thing to hang with the social elite. It's another to really call most of them friends. We know them from the events we go to. To most of them, we're just those rich kids with too much time on our hands."

 

"Too true," Miranda agreed. "Or we were until we got married. I don't think we've gone to a fancy ball or charity event more than what?" she looked at John "once a month since then?"

 

"We missed February, I think," he replied with a grin.

 

"You're right. And Allyn's really been slacking off."

 

Allyn nodded. "I'd rather spend my time with him." He hugged Ransom. "Much more…entertaining."

 

Ransom snorted. "You just like getting involved with some of the cases I'm on."

 

"Well, that too."

 

Henri listened to their bantering, then sniffed, and his mouth began watering. "I didn't realize I was hungry until just now."

 

"If you'd eaten breakfast…" Miranda said.

 

"I was too nervous."

 

"I know. So we'll make up for it. Let's go see what on the menu."

 

"Ribs, steaks, brisket, chicken, corn on the cob—that's just for starters."

 

Henri turned to see who was talking and couldn't resist staring at the man that he knew instantly, from the hair, had to be their host. Damn and double damn. No one has a right to be that good looking.

 

"Taegan," Miranda exclaimed, when the man hugged her—before he greeted John and Allyn.

 

"You must be—" Taegan looked at Ransom. "—Allyn's husband?"

 

"I am," Ransom replied, chuckling. "Ransom Carlyle."

 

Taegan turned his gaze to Henri, asking with a brilliant smile, "And you are?"

 

"Henri Bosier, a friend of theirs."

 

"Welcome to my party. I overheard that you're hadn't eaten this morning. Saving your appetite for what I have to offer here?"

 

"Perhaps?" Henri tried to smile back at him, though he had the feeling he'd failed miserably.

 

"There's no need to be so nervous," Taegan said. "I'm perfectly harmless—most of the time. Ask Miranda."

 

Miranda laughed. "He is."

 

"Come on then, Henri. Let's get you fed." Taegan grinned at the others. "You might as well join us, since you're with him."

 

"Is he doing what it looks like?" Ransom whispered to Allyn, as they followed Henri and Taegan.

 

Allyn nodded. "Probably. Taegan likes to flirt."

 

"Isn't he being a bit presumptive? There's no way he could know Henri's bi."

 

"I don't think that would stop him. If Henri shoots him down, he'll just move on to the next man who catches his attention." Allyn glanced around. "There are a few here who might."

 

"A player. I'm not sure I like that idea," Ransom said, eyeing Henri worriedly.

 

"Henri's an adult, and he has been around for a long time. He can take care of himself."

 

"He's also very vulnerable right now, because he's worried about Xavier."

 

Allyn slipped his arm around Ransom's waist. "Then having Taegan flirt with him is perfect. It'll take his mind off Xavier, at least for a little while."

 

"True, I guess."

Henri - 4

  

Sunday morning arrived, bright and sunny. That was good for a barbecue, not so good for Henri's nerves. If it had been dark and gloomy, he would be less visible in and among what he presumed were going to be throngs of people.

 

After all, why rent The Peristyle if he's only expecting ten or twenty guests?

 

He was so uptight that he didn't go down for breakfast for fear he'd lose it ten minutes later. By eleven, when they were supposed to leave, he was seriously considering backing out.

 

Xavier's going to be there. I just know it. He's been biding his time until he thinks I think it's safe. Then he's going to pounce. Good God, get a grip. There's no way that could happen. But if it does…

 

"So I get my ass out of there," he admonished himself. "He can't follow what he can't see, and it only takes a second to teleport. But if I don't know he's there—or one of his people—until it's too late… I'm being a coward. And so? I have a reason to be. And what if he figures out I'm not the only shifter there and grabs Miranda or Allyn or what's his name…Taegan? If I only knew how Xavier found out what I am, although I can guess. He may have seen me shift."

 

He remembered having run through the bayou—miles from his home—after shifting to his wolf form. It had been a particularly trying day with a group of tourists. They had insisted they had the right to tell him where to go, since they'd paid for his services and wouldn't believe him when he told them it wasn't safe because of the gators. He'd turned the boat around and taken them back, refunding part of their fees just to get them off his back. Then, pissed off and needing to work off his anger, he had gone for a run.

 

It had been getting dark. He had been tired, so he hadn't been aware until the last second there was something wrong—not until the dart had hit him in the neck. He'd managed to run a few more yards, hoping to make it to the thicket where he could hide until the tranquilizer wore off. He hadn't. The next thing he'd remembered was regaining consciousness in a cage. Xavier had been there, and before Henri had been able to do anything, the man had drugged him again—and had kept him drugged from then on. His senses had been too dulled to be able to do anything but endure Xavier's experiments. It hadn't been until a long time later that he'd been able to escape.

 

I won't let him capture me again! I'd rather die. For my sake, and for the sake of anyone who would have to deal with his genetically engineered shifters—if he's able to create them because of me.

 

"Henri? Henri?"

 

He jumped, startled, and saw Miranda standing in the doorway.

 

"You were off somewhere," she said. "Somewhere not so good, from the look on your face."

 

He grimaced. "I was remembering. And debating if I really can handle going with you today."

 

"Of course you can," she replied, coming to take his hands in hers. "We are not going to let anything happen to you. We all know what the bastard looks like, thanks to you."

 

"But what if he sends someone else?"

 

"One of us will be with you all the time, I promise." She stepped back, smiling. "You look quite handsome in that outfit. Not that you don't other times, but this one particularly suits you. Very sexy."

 

"Would everyone quit saying that? I'm not—"

 

"Yeah you are. Deal. And come on. It's time to go."

 

 

Henri - 3

 

 

Henri felt as if he was being watched as he, Allyn, and Ransom walked from Allyn's car to the clothing store. He glanced around, trying to see who might be interested in him.

 

Ransom slung an arm across Henri's shoulders. "Deep breaths. It's the ladies, not someone working for Xavier."

 

"How did you know?"

 

"You should have seen the look on your face. Trust me, the only ones interested in us are the women. After all, we are a trio of studs."

 

Allyn snorted. "Me and Henri, maybe. You, Ran, are just your average big, brawny dude in slacks and a shirt."

 

"And that can't be studly?"

 

"Not next to us sexy guys." Allyn grinned and danced away when his husband took a swipe at him. "Okay, we have arrived," he said seconds later, holding open the shop door.

 

Ten minutes later, Ransom was shaking his head, muttering, "I could get something like this at Target and it wouldn't cost me a hundred and forty dollars." Henri had to agree with him.

 

"Not even close," Allyn said. "Look at the workmanship, the style, the fit."

 

"I haven't tried it on yet. How do I know what it'll fit like?" Ransom said.

 

Ignoring his protestations—and Henri's—Allyn picked out several shirts, long pants and shorts, distributing them among the two men, then pointed to the changing rooms.

 

It took half an hour, but finally Henri and Ransom were outfitted to Allyn's satisfaction, from the skin out, with three outfits each. He paid the bill, ignoring Ransom's insistence that he could afford to buy his own clothes. "Hush," Allyn whispered. "Henri can't. If I buy everything, he won't feel as if he's a charity case."

 

"Good point," Ransom agreed.

 

The three men walked out of the store carrying bags, Ransom and Henri each wearing new shirts and jeans.

 

"I feel like… Well, I guess the way women do when they walk into a bar and all the men eyeball them," Henri said, noting the stares he and the others were getting from several women—and men—as they walked back to the car.

 

"Not used to it?" Allyn asked. "You should be. You're really quite sexy."

 

Henri dipped his head at the compliment. "I… Not really." He chuckled. "When I was living in Paradis, if I went wandering around like this, people would think I was crazy. I'm… I was a guide. I'd take tourists out on Bayou des Allemands in my airboat, so I dressed accordingly. For sure not in designer jeans and shirts that cost enough to clothe a small family."

 

Ransom stepped in before Allyn could reply with some blistering comment. "What we bought is needed to maintain the image we're trying to project. Before you get pissy, you know why Allyn has to do that. As for Miranda…? Being the rich socialite is a way to explain how she can afford to make sizable donations to all the charities she supports."

 

Henri blew out a long, remorseful breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't know—about her, that is."

 

"There's no reason you should have," Allyn told him.

 

"I've been living in the same house with her and John for six months."

 

"She's not one to brag about what she does. Half the time she does it anonymously because she doesn't want the resulting publicity. It could bring unwanted attention to us for the wrong reasons—like someone wanting to know how we managed to have so much money in the first place at our age, if you get what I mean."

 

"I… I do," Henri said after a moment's thought.

 

"Good. Now, let's get back so you can show Miranda what you bought."

 

"She'd better approve," Ransom grumbled. "There ain't no way I'm going back and exchanging anything."

 

Allyn laughed as he unlocked the car. "In your case, it's me that has to approve, and since I helped you pick things out, you're safe."