Page 3 of Mystique of the Fallen
But Grant didn’t think he’d left anything too dirty lying around or had been anything but accommodating. He’d picked up some stuff, which sufficed as cleaning to him these days, much to Reginald’s disgust.
Reginald hadn’t been at the condo long. They’d had sex, then Reginald had showered and gone home. He hadn’t slept over in many years—not since he’d married.
“I don’t remember,” Grant lied. If he was honest and told Reginald he didn’t think he’d done anything wrong, it would irritate him. Grant wasn’t in the mood to fight.
Reginald sighed loudly. “I told you I’d be there at eight.”
“I know. I was home.”
“Of course you were, where else would you be? I also told you to be ready.”
Grant closed his eyes, and his mouth thinned. A decade ago, Reginald would tell him that and Grant would dress in some of the expensive clothes his boyfriend used to lavish him with. They’d go out to dinner or a club. Grant had loved those days. Reginald had been attentive and—Grant had thought—loving.
Those magical few years while Reginald was working on his undergraduate degree had allowed dreams to spin in Grant’s head. He’d imagined them living together and sharing their lives. But Reginald was a Bradley. His parents expected success, and Reginald was an ambitious man. Reginald also liked to show off.
The picture in Reginald’s mind was of a perfect wife and children. He’d pursued that aspect of his life without telling Grant until he was engaged. Heartbroken, Grant had believed anything was better than being alone. So, he’d agreed to stay involved with Reginald. With the four-year gap in their ages, Grant hadn’t yet turned twenty-one when he’d made that decision. Although he’d started college with dreams of following Reginald into a law practice, the upheaval and emotional mess of his life had distracted Grant. He’d flunked out in his senior year.
Thankfully, he’d had enough hours to get his associate degree and qualify to be a cop in Arlington County. After getting his badge, he’d tried to break things off with Reginald. It’d been a disaster. Reginald had pursued him with a single-minded intensity. Grant wasn’t sure what his hapless wife had thought since Reginald was constantly following him.
Reginald had bought Grant everything—a car, a condo, watches, jewelry, and anything else he could think of. It wasn’t the riches that had won Grant over. He’d reasoned that Reginald had to love him if he was willing to go to such lengths. But control wasn’t love, and that was what Reginald had wanted. Grant belonged to him, and Reginald would not let him go without a fight.
“Are you still there?” Reginald demanded.
Grant’s mind had wandered, and he’d nearly forgotten Reginald was on the other end of the phone, growing irritated by his silence. Needing fortification, Grant dug into his popcorn and popped a few kernels into his mouth.
“I didn’t have time to get ready,” Grant said. What Reginald expected was for Grant to be stretched and naked so they could have sex with minimal fuss from his boyfriend. But Grant had stayed for dinner with Aunt Florrie and barely returned to the condo prior to Reginald’s arrival.
“Of course you did. I know what you do all day. I’m the one who pays you. You had nothing to do.”
“I’m sorry.”
“As you should be. You’ll make it up to me. Be ready tomorrow night at nine. One of the children has a recital, then I’ll be at your condo. Clean it before I get there; you live like a pig.”
Grant tried not to think about Reginald’s children or how he was hurting them by having an affair with their father.
“Okay,” Grant replied because he had no other choice. Until he was prepared to deal with the drama of ending things, he had to keep Reginald appeased.
“What are you eating?”
“Huh?” Grant asked around another handful of his favored snack.
“Is that popcorn? Of course it is. You eat that shit constantly. Why the fuck are you eating popcorn at nine in the morning? This is why you’re putting on weight. Stop snacking between meals.”
Grant glanced down at the small pooch of his belly and sneered. Reginald insisted Grant work out seven days a week and had furnished the extra bedroom in the condo with gym equipment to ensure he had no excuses. Too bad Grant wasn’t interested in sweating with weights or on any other machine. He preferred to veg in front of his television or play a video game.
His body wasn’t ripped anymore, but Grant didn’t give a shit. If Grant wanted to piss Reginald off, he’d suggest he go find another guy to fuck—one who’d put up with rules and control and was sculpted like a perfect male specimen. But Grant said nothing.
“Did you hear me? What is your problem this morning?”
“Nothing. Yeah, I heard you.”
“I don’t know what this attitude is about, but I don’t call you to deal with this shit. Now, listen, I have a task for you. I have a client who needs you to get evidence to help his case.”
“How can I help?”
“The woman he married is claiming he tried to murder her. I’m working to get some of her evidence dismissed, but he was stupid enough to do it in front of the security cameras. But in the months since he was charged, he believes she is hanging around a vampire. If we can prove that, the case will be closed. No judge will allow the case to go to trial if anyone is involved with that Council of Sorcery and Shifters.”
A pit formed in Grant’s stomach. From the little Reginald had told him, it sounded as if the man was guilty. It shouldn’t matter if the wife was living with a hundred people from the Council. If he’d tried to kill her, he deserved to pay. It was too bad Grant was a spineless wimp, and he gave no objection as he jotted down the details Reginald provided. He’d get the necessary evidence, and his conscience would eat him because he’d allow another criminal to stay on the streets, endangering everyone.
