Page 28 of Hidden Desires
“You’re going to have to earn that name from me. I can’t go around giving away all of my fantastic secrets.”
Blade chuckled.
“Fine. Keep your curious little secrets, my tiny friend. I’m going to go and finish off my chow.” Blade turned to walk away, but then paused and glanced over his shoulder. “The food’s awesome, by the way.”
And with that, Blade walked back over to join his buddies.
That was the moment that Ace fell in love with Blade. That single act of thoughtfulness and kindness would remain with him for years to come, filling his fantasies and desires—holding all future men against the man he couldn’t have.
Standing next to the table with salads, Ace wondered if he would ever meet a guy just like Blade. Hot, sexy, and always looking out for him.
9
BLADE
Taking in a breath, he let the coolness of the steel flow into his body. It calmed him, taking him to a place where everything was quiet… where everything made sense.
He’d been coming to this place in his mind ever since he was sixteen.
It was safe here. It was soothing. It was… judgment-free.
Opening his eyes slowly, he focused on the bullseye directly in front of him. It was about twenty feet away and was made of red spray paint on a black-painted board.
It was something that he and Caden had put together about five years ago.
Back then, it had been solid colors, on a smooth wooden board. Now it was all faded paint, peppered with jagged holes and chipped wood.
Initially, it was created as an instrument of aggression. A tool he used to vent his frustrations and take out his murderous rage on something that didn’t fight back. Something that would not send him to jail if it happened to survive.
Blade had a lot of anger in his younger years. He had his father to thank for that. But over the years, he managed to curb his murderous temper, and now it was more of a humming purr that only came out when his brothers were threatened or disrespected.
Loyalty. Family. Those were the principles he now lived by.
Blade didn’t pretend to be a saint. He knew that he wasn’t.
Over the years, he had killed a lot of people. Most of those had been rival gang members or people who tried to rip him off. Bad men. Evil men. The killing didn’t really bother him. He did it because he was defending his friends…his family. It was the lifestyle they lived. Brother’s till the end.
He was loyal and would do whatever was necessary to protect his family.
Focusing on the board, he let his mind drift, and peace and calm moved over him. He was back in his place.
Staring at the tiny circle in the center, he drew his arm back, then flung the knife at the target ahead.
The sound of the metal digging into the board was like an aphrodisiac sliding over him, giving him a high that he only felt when playing with his knives.
This was his happy place.
This was where he felt the most relaxed and in control. He could control his knives. He knew where they would go.
They weren’t like life: messy, complicated, and…unpredictable.
“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.”
So much for that calm and in-control feeling.
Blade ignored the voice behind him and the sound of footsteps as they stomped toward him.
“Look, dude. Why are you making this weird?”
