Page 29 of Jinn

“That’s the thing. Sure, maybe he’s angry that I keep ignoring him. Though killing me wouldn’t do a thing to help him get the recognition he’s looking for.” He sighed and slumped onto the couch. “It could be anyone. There’s a whole world out there that listens to our music. It could be an obsessed fan. People kill for so many reasons.” He looked up at Finn. “I’m actually pretty scared.”

Finn sat next to him and put his arm around him. “I won’t let anyone close to you again.”

Chapter Seventeen

Ajax

A week passed without any more attempts on Ajax’s life. He spent his days working on his music and his nights with Finn. During the day, Finn and Dax patrolled outside, keeping close eyes on the fans. The crowd had thinned, some obviously giving up on ever catching a glimpse of Ajax.

Ajax needed to get out of this house. He’d been totally honest about being a natural homebody, especially when he was working, but a buzzing restlessness had him in a block. “Smoke Moves” was coming along, but the more time he spent with Finn, the more some of the lyrics changed. He just needed to get out. Clear his mind of work for a little while so he could come back to it fresh.

With that thought in mind, he sought out Finn, finding him in the kitchen making sandwiches for him and Dax.

“I’d like to go out somewhere tonight,” he announced as he leaned against the counter next to Finn. “Maybe get some food, or maybe a club? Do you know of a place I could possibly blend?”

Finn used a knife to spread mayonnaise on a slice of bread. “I do know of a club. It’s run by another incubus, so a lot ofpreternaturals go there. They know what it’s like to not want to attract notice, so they’d leave you alone. But there’s no way you’d truly blend in.”

“Are there no humans who go there?”

“Lots of them, and that’s the issue.” He set the bread down on a plate and started to layer slices of ham over it. He grinned. “You could always wear a hat and sunglasses.”

“Yeah, that rarely works, but I will. Is there dancing at this club?”

Finn nodded. “And he keeps the place pretty dim until around midnight when the strobes come on. We could go early before there’s a big crowd.”

“Does that sound good? Dancing?”

“Love to dance, and I’ll especially love dancing with you.” Finn wiped his hands on a paper towel, then tugged Ajax into his body. “It’ll be good for you to get out. I’ll make it happen.”

“What about Dax? Should he go, too?”

“While I’d prefer to have two of us on you, he’ll stay here and make sure nobody else comes over the fence. I can protect you.” He dropped a kiss on Ajax’s forehead.

He’d been doing that a lot lately. Small gestures of affection that were making permanent imprints on Ajax’s heart. “It’s a date then. A real one. We can just eat here since you’re already making sandwiches, then head out. I can’t wait.”

“I’ll make a roast beef one for you.”

“Ah, a man after my own heart. One who pays attention.”

“I pay attention to everything about you.”

Ajax studied Finn’s expression because the serious note in his voice didn’t exactly fit their current mood—and sure enough, there was that brief hint of sadness that Ajax had come to dread. Just what was making Finn look like that? What was he thinking?

A night out would do them both good.

Two hours later, Finn led him into a nightclub that was indeed filled with a huge number of preternaturals. Ajax could see horns and different jeweled skin tones—there was even a group of big men with hooves for feet. None paid him any attention in his black cap and sunglasses. As always, he felt a little foolish for wearing dark glasses at night. But maybe he could let loose a little here. He did like the feel of the place, the heavy beats blaring from the speakers and the tables spaced wider apart than was usual in places like these. That was probably because some of these preternaturals were huge. He spotted two ogres as large as Dax at one of those tables.

They went up to the bar. Finn ordered a beer while Ajax went with a glass of cabernet. It felt like a wine sort of night. Wine always loosened him up, though he was already feeling the music tapping into his body. He couldn’t wait to dance with Finn. Feel all those muscles up against him, and he already knew the man could move his hips like a god.

Turned out he was just as good with those hips on the dance floor. Finn kept him close at all times, frowning at anyone who danced too close to Ajax. And he didn’t mind because he knew that not only was Finn doing his job, but there was a fierce sort of possessiveness to the way he held Ajax against him. The way he stared hard at him as their bodies moved together. It had raw desire building in his veins, made him stroke his hands down that wide chest and hold onto his waist tight. He slid one hand around to Finn’s back and pressed his groin to his, loving the flare of heat that blazed in Finn’s dark eyes. The sunglasses were hampering his vision too much, so he slipped them off to tuck them into the pocket of his jeans. He still wore the annoying cap; luckily, it wasn’t bright in the club, so he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be recognized.

He didn’t want anything interfering with this.

Sweat had Finn’s shirt sticking to that sexy chest, and it had darkened the edges of his hair. He smelled fantastic, musky and sharp. Finn pressed up against him and breathed him in.

The deeper the night grew, the more the music changed, and when Sleep Token joined the mix, Ajax decided this was the best club ever. He was a huge fan, and though he didn’t think of their music as dance club fare, the heavy, grinding beats were working with the mood of this place. By the cheering of the crowd of dancers, they agreed.

Finn ground his hips into Ajax, holding tight to his ass. Ajax tilted his head back and Finn went for his neck, sucking and biting. They were both hard as the music slipped over to an older Korn song. Finn didn’t miss a beat, sliding into that rhythm and tightening his hands on Ajax’s ass. By the time the chorus hit, their mouths were plastered together.

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