Scorched Edges Read Free

need to grasp the nettle and hope it doesn’t sting too badly.”
    Becket sipped his drink. “Just take it slow. Marty may not know it, but he’s just as submissive as you are Dominant. There’s a spark in him, though, and he’s very bright…he’ll overanalyze everything you say just because that’s what he does. I asked him last week why he preferred tea to coffee and ended up getting a lecture on the health benefits of different levels of caffeine, the use of plantation slave labor in India and South America and the entire history of the East India Company.”
    Beau swirled his water and listened to the clink of ice against the glass. “I have a really nice new gag that I haven’t used yet.”
    Becket laughed. “Well it could come in handy.”
    Their food arrived and Beau remembered just how hungry he was. Conversation took second place for a while as he appeased his neglected stomach.
    “Bad incident today then?” Becket asked, dipping a nacho in his bowl of thick cream.
    Beau glanced around to check that no one else was close enough to overhear their conversation. He knew what Becket did for a living and had no qualms about talking to him about the fire, but it was confidential information as far as anyone else was concerned.
    “No fatalities or anything like that, but we have a serial firebug on our hands and he’s only striking when my watch is on duty. He’s escalating and I’ve got a bad feeling about this one. Sooner or later someone’s going to get hurt…or worse.” He pushed his plate to one side. “This one’s clever…calculating. He’s playing a game, and at the moment, he has the upper hand. The police have nothing concrete.” Beau massaged his neck, digging his fingers in deep. “He’s leaving messages at the scenes as well. At the earlier locations, we’ve only found paint traces but more recently we’ve had the words ‘see me dance’ in red paint sprayed where we can’t miss them.”
    Becket’s eyes darkened. “The world’s full of fucking psychos. You need anything, you let me know. It’s not my jurisdiction, but I can always pull in a few favors for a friend.”
    “Thanks, Becket, I appreciate that.” Beau paused. “How about Marty’s phone number for starters? Or I suppose I could just stalk him outside your not-so-secret offices.”
    Becket rolled his eyes. “I can’t hand out his number as you well know, but I’ll give him yours and make sure he rings you, how does that sound?”
    “Sounds great. Thanks, Dave, you’ve got my contact details, haven’t you?”
    Becket nodded.
    “I’m not working for the next forty-eight hours,” Beau added. “First weekend I’ve had off for weeks, the rota has not been playing in my favor, which is why I’m going home to crash. It’s been a fucking long week.” Beau smiled as Christian came toward the table. “You’re a lucky man, Dave.”
    Christian moved like a dancer. He still wore his club uniform, the leather trousers and snug T-shirt accentuating his slender form perfectly.
    Becket spotted his lover and his face lit up with pleasure. Christian knelt at his side, head demurely bowed.
    “Hello, love. All done for the night?” Becket stroked Christian’s dark red locks.
    “Yes, Sir.” Christian peeked up from beneath his lashes.
    Beau watched the exchange of heated glances between his friends and rose from the table.
    “Enjoy the rest of the night, you two. Will I see you here tomorrow?”
    Becket nodded. “Christian’s working the evening shift again, so I’ll be camping out until he finishes, national security allowing.” He pulled Christian into his lap. “I’ll get in touch with Marty now and make sure he calls you in the morning. We’re not working the weekend either.”
    “That’ll be great, and thanks for your company this evening.” Beau shook Becket’s hand and gave Christian a brief pat on the shoulder. He left the club with a pleasant feeling of anticipation warming his gut.
     
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