Page 3 of The Blood Guardian

The man was short enough that he fit under Rall’s arm and seemed to be okay at this point with being held. Rall relished the touch and closeness of the man and guided him out of the closet and across the hall to the surveillance room. They entered and Rall quickly closed the door. The room was empty. Trent had cleared it for him. It was quiet and subdued only lighting was the glow of the monitors on the wall.

Rall brought him over to the small couch against the wall and sat him down. Rall crouched down in front of him. "Is there anyone you want me to call?" He asked and tentatively reached out to take his hand. He was surprised when the man did not balk, so he took his hand and held it like a lifeline. The grip was fierce and frightened. Rall’s heart went out to him, and he wished he had some way of making him feel better.

There was so much Rall wanted to say, and so much he wanted to do, but it would have further frightened the poor man, and he couldn't do that. He would not knowingly add to the man's stress. After several minutes of silence, he finally looked at Rall, and their gazes were linked. It was then that Rall felt the full meaning of the word beloved. It was radiating through that connection and through their clasped hands. Every minute he spent with this lovely man brought them closer and sealed their bond tighter.

"Don't call the police, please. I couldn't deal with anyone knowing." It was the first time he spoke, and he was pleading. It broke Rall’s heart all over again.

“I won’t call the police. You’re in control here and you call the shots.” He tried to reassure him. “What’s your name?”

“Luke Harris.”

"My name is Rall Smith, and I work security here." He paused and then asked. "Do you live around here?" Luke shook his head and gripped Rall's hand with both of his. He was seeking comfort but didn't realize it. Their connection was growing, and the pull was affecting him. Rall channeled peace and stillness to him as best he could, considering they'd just met, and their connection, although growing, was still slight.

"I've never been to the Blood Rose before. I thought it might be fun, and it would help me clear my mind." He dropped his head and started to cry very softly, and Rall instantly sat beside him and put his arm around him. The tears were devastating. Rall had over-emotional hookups cry before, but those tears were greedy, controlling emotions, and they never touched Rall. But Luke's tears were like fire to his nerves and his needs.

"It's a good place to forget things and live a little, and people who come here usually have fun. I'm sorry you were treated so badly. We don't condone such behavior at the Blood Rose, and I wish I'd been alerted to your situation a little sooner." Rall still had so little to draw on to try and comfort his beloved. He was feeling so inadequate.

All his years of taking things as they came and never over thinking did not prepare him for any true depth of feelings. He held Luke and could feel the shame and despair coursing through him, and it was devastating.

“Tell me what happened . . . if you can.” He knew enough to try and get him talking to get the pain out of his head and put it into words that could be dealt with. Suppressing the memory was tempting but not healthy in the long run. He wanted his beloved whole and happy and healthy.

Rall with a very tentative touch pushed the dark blonde hair away from Luke’s eyes. “Talk to me Luke.” He urged gently. Luke swallowed and then glanced away. Rall missed the touch of those hazel eyes and wanted them back, but he controlled himself and waited. Luke was in control, and he wouldn’t take that from him. Within a few minutes Luke began his voice soft and hesitant.

“I started this evening with a visit to my boyfriend’s apartment that’s about a mile from here.” He spoke haltingly pulling his words together like it was a struggle. “I was warned that Adam was cheating on me and that he was with the other guy.” Luke stopped and took a couple of deep breaths. Rall was not thrilled to hear about a boyfriend, but he would deal with that guy when the time came but for now he would listen.

“Was he with the other guy?” Rall prompted.

“Yes, it was pretty awful.” Another deep breath and then he squeezed Rall’s hand. “I left and started walking and then I found myself here.” It was becoming clear that his man had endured a hellish evening.

"I'm sorry," Rall whispered and hugged him close.

"I just wanted to have a few drinks and then go home and wallow in the betrayal. I didn't want to be bothered." After another pause, Rall reached over, grabbed a bottle of water, and handed it to him. Luke took his time removing the cap and taking a drink.

"He forced me into the back hallway. I fought him, and he didn't get what he wanted. He was so strong, but I made as much noise as I could, and there was someone who heard, and there were voices in the hall. It scared him, and he took off." He stopped and took a long drink of his water and then put the cap back on and set it aside.

There came a knock to the door and Rall got up and answered. It was Trent with a blanket for Luke. “I thought he might be cold.” He said and Rall thanked him. “We caught the guy he was a shifter. He won’t be bothering anyone ever again.” With that he closed the door and brought the blanket over to Luke.

“They caught the guy who did this.” He said as he wrapped the blanket around Luke and sat back down beside him.

"I won't press charges. I won't talk about this." Luke started to panic, shaking his head and trembling. Rall again put his arm around him and slowly settled him down.

“We took care of it. The police are not involved.” Rall told him, hoping to settle his mind.

“Is he dead?” Luke sounded stricken.

“No, not that he didn’t deserve it. We convinced him of the error of his ways, and he won’t be bothering you or anyone else again.” Luke nodded and seemed to understand. Rall wasn't sure if the guy was dead or not, but obviously, he wasn't going to share that with Luke.

Luke took a long, cleansing breath and then dropped his head to Rall's shoulder. "You're the best thing that's happened to me this evening, maybe even this whole year." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "I saw you at the bar, and I thought how handsome you were, and then that creep got in my face and wouldn't go away. What a night, what a fucking awful night."

“You handled yourself well under the circumstances.” Rall just held him and let him draw strength from him. “How are you feeling?”

“A little sore but better. I should go home.” Rall was not on board with his beloved leaving.

“I have someone getting you a change of clothes so just relax there is no hurry. You can stay here as long as you like.” Rall gently urged.

"I shouldn't impose on you," Luke mumbled. "I watched you and wished that I could meet you, but I didn't want to meet you like this."

"We were meant to be," Rall whispered. "I was there for you in your darkest hour, just as Fate designed."

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