Chapter Eleven

“I’m beginning to think I should rent a room at the club,” Karl griped. “Kitty told me that Alex has acquired the building next door. He intends to turn it into more space for the members to play and hang out in on an extended basis for an extra fee. She’s also planning on taking one of the suites herself and giving up her apartment in the West End.”

“Well, there’s a good reason to move that has nothing to do with the never-ending shitshow of a war.”

It was also interesting intel. He hadn’t known about Alex’s expansion plans. Maybe he could do the same. Alex would likely be reasonable about the rent, given Trey’s less-than stellar income. And it would put him closer to Demi, which would be both a blessing and a curse. God. He’d been such a weak bastard, taking the boy like that, roughly against a door. In a storage room no less. Demi deserved silk sheets and tender kisses, not splinters in his ass and bruises on his lips.

Mixed messages? What a fucking understatement that had been. And, boy, did Demi have his number, all that talk of moving out and sleeping with other men. He’d known exactly where Trey’s buttons were and had methodically, brutally and gleefully pushed each and every one. Even understanding what he was doing, Trey had been helpless to keep from reacting with unbridled fury and possessiveness. He’d been, if not proud, then content with how he’d handled Demi’s frightening and unrealistic expectations of what their having sex meant. In the span of less than twelve hours, he’d torched his own accomplishment.

“What’s eating at you, Trey?”

He gave his partner the side-eye. “Nothing.”

“Oh, no, can we not get on this ride of denial again?”

Trey blew out a noisy breath. “Fair point. It’s Demi.”

Karl snorted. “I already know that. I meant what’s new about Demi that’s bothering you?”

“I’m sorry. Were you not in the room when I dragged him out and… You know.”

“Not all the details, and I like it better that way. I take it you’ve been castigating yourself over your lapse ever since. I figured as much. That’s why I was nowhere to be seen before you and the kid reappeared. I take it the conflicting feelings weren’t improved by whatever it was that happened between you.”

“No, they weren’t. The only thing we managed to do was agree he wouldn’t date other men.”

“You mean fuck them.”

Trey took his eyes off the road long enough to glare at his partner. “Yes,” he bit out.

“That doesn’t seem fair, Trey, given that you aren’t willing to commit.”

“Because it isn’t!” he roared and instantly regretted his outburst.

Karl, damn him, merely chuckled. “God, that kid has you by the short hairs.”

“My point, exactly, but I don’t know what to do about it. I only know what I can’t stand at the moment and that includes making a commitment to Demi and not wanting any other man to have him.”

“Poor bastard,” Karl muttered.

“Thanks. That helps a lot,” Trey snapped, then shut his mouth because he was only making a fool out of himself the more he talked.

By the time, they entered Alex’s office, Paz was already there, nursing a giant mug of what smelled like coffee. He looked a little worse for wear and accented that impression by giving Trey and Karl a brief nod before practically sinking his face into his drink. The usual gang was ensembled, minus all the boys. Trey almost sighed in relief. That last thing he wanted was another encounter with Demi before he’d had a chance to remotely consider how he was going to handle everything. He was even happier when Alex asked him to close and lock the door.

He raised his eyebrows when he turned to face the room. “Is there someone in particular you’re keeping out?” The answer was kind of obvious, except Alex surprised him.

“Quinn. He’s out dancing and I don’t want him to hear any of this. I don’t think my nerves can take another instance of his being in the middle of a fight. And,” he added, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I don’t want to have a new argument, having just ended the previous one.”

“I agree,” Emil chimed in. “Jase is a sweet boy, but nothing gets him steamed more than thinking I’m heading into trouble without him by my side.”

From where he sat with a laptop, Val snorted. “Sucks to be you. When I want Mackie to stick in one place, I simply lock him up.”

Emil scowled. “Unless he safewords, then you’re just as stuck as the rest of us.” He turned to Trey and Karl. “I’ve got cookies and coffee here if you want.”

“No, thanks.” Trey went over to the couch and slouched down. He nodded in greeting at Harry, then skittered his gaze away because he couldn’t face Demi’s father yet.

Karl, of course, headed straight for the food. But Alex was starting the meeting, asking Paz to run through his experience at the bar. It made as much sense as it had the first time Trey had heard it, and everyone in the room agreed that the doctor had stumbled upon useful information, thank fuck. Because Trey and Karl had racked their brains for hours trying to figure out where Cadoc might have set up his lair.

“I’ve run a search on that place,” Val said, taking over the conversation. “It changed hands within two weeks after what went down in Wales. The former owner wasn’t making a go of it, apparently, and sold the whole set-up, including the building. There was a general notice to creditors, as well as a filing at the registry of deeds.”

He tapped the computer keys. “The buyer is a Massachusetts limited liability company formed right before the sale.” He glanced up. “There’s only one name listed for manager and registered agent, a lawyer in Boston named Seth Murphy.”

Trey jerked his chin toward his partner. “I know what we’re going to be doing first thing tomorrow morning—unless you think that’s a bad idea, Alex. If we rattle the lawyer, he’s bound to report back to Cadoc.”

“He will indeed.” Alex drummed his fingers on his arm rest. “We can only risk it if we can do more than ask him questions. I suppose it’s too much to hope that we can find some leverage over him.”

“Hm-m.” Trey mulled over that idea. “How did Cadoc find him?” he asked the room at large. “Human criminals usually hire shifty attorneys, guys as lawless as they are. I have to assume that Dracul did the same and taught that lesson to his sons. I can’t believe this Murphy character is ignorant of what goes on in the private club area.”

“If he is,” Karl interjected, “we could interview him without concern. Once he learns what his client is up to, he’d want to distance himself from it and help with the investigation.”

Trey nodded. “Yeah, right, except how do we know which way he swings? Unless…” He leaned forward as the idea snapped into place. “On the theory that any lawyer a pimp would use might be also a customer, someone he came across while running boys, maybe this Murphy is known to the boys.”

“You’re thinking Mateo,” Karl said, right before stuffing a cookie into his mouth.

“Right. That’s the kid who gave us the description of Cadoc,” he explained to the others, because he hadn’t actually bothered to name him before.

“Yes, the one your vice cop friend is holding somewhere safe,” Alex offered. “That would be convenient if he recognizes this lawyer. Can you print out a picture of him, Val?”

“On it.” A few seconds later, Alex’s printer whirred. Val got up to take the picture off and handed it to Trey.

Murphy was middle-aged and non-descript, not that it mattered. Trey had learned a long time ago that some of the worst criminals looked like your typical mild-mannered uncle. He folded the paper and tucked it into his inner breast pocket. Then he glanced at his watch. It was late, but not too late. So, after pulling out his phone, he called Craig. The fucker’s number was still in his contacts.

“Trey, this is a surprise.” The guy hadn’t lost his silky phone voice, either.

“I need to see the kid,” he said without preamble. “I have something to show him.”

Craig blew out a breath over the line. “It’s hardly the shank of the evening, but I suppose you wouldn’t be asking if you didn’t have a hot lead.”

“We hope so.” This is where it got tricky. No way he could allow Craig in on the kill. The last thing they needed was yet one more person in on the big secret. “Tell us where the kid is and Karl and I will meet you there.”

“Sorry. I’m not giving that out over an unsecure connection. I’ll meet you and drive you there.”

Trey mulled that over. He didn’t want to have to explain why he was at the club. “How about we meet in front of the station instead?”

“Fine. Thirty minutes?”

“Sure. See you.” Hanging up, he spoke to the room. “We’ll go meet Craig and speak with Mateo.”

“We heard,” Val said.

Of course, alien hearing. “Right. Let’s go, Karl.”

His partner slurped up the rest of his coffee before going to wrap a fistful of cookies. At Trey’s look, he said, “What? I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bribe the kid with something sweet.”

“I’ll call you later, Alex.”

“We’ll be waiting with bated breath, Sergeant. And, in the meantime, we’ll plan the assault on the pub. We’ll only get one shot at it, so we must take our best one. Cadoc never had his father’s intelligence but he has a cunning for survival that makes him less than an easy target.”

“Awesome. At least it’s not a fucking castle,” he said as he walked out of the door.

 

* * * *

 

Mateo munched on his cookie as he stared at the grainy photograph. The kid was clearly more interested in his treat than in helping the investigation. Still, he could hardly refuse, given that the police were all that stood between him and a murderous pimp. The boy’s eyes shifted to one side before going back to stare at the picture. It was all the ‘tell’ Trey needed.

“Who is he?” he asked before Mateo could try to weasel out of the truth.

“Um-m.”

“Come on, Mateo,” Craig urged from where he stood over the boy’s shoulder. “You know our deal. We need the truth, and the faster we get this guy off the streets, the safer you’ll be.”

Mateo crunched noisily on his cookie. “Yeah, okay. I recognize him,” he added, handing the piece of paper back to Trey. “He’s a customer.”

“You’re sure?” Trey pressed.

The boy nodded. “He’s kind of a mean dude, you know?” He made a face. “Makes you cry sometimes.” His gaze flitted up to Trey’s. “I think he wants the boys not to like what he’s doing. Gets off on playing at rape.”

“Charming,” Karl observed.

Just Cadoc’s type. Trey almost said it out loud before remembering that he wasn’t with the in-the-know crowd. Christ, I’m tired.

He rubbed his eyes. “Okay, anything else?”

The boy shrugged. “Not really. I don’t know his name or anything.”

“That’s okay. We do.” He motioned to Karl that it was time to go.

Craig stepped forward. “Give me the name.”

Trey shook his head. “Sorry. This is still a murder investigation. The vice element is peripheral at best.”

“Don’t be an asshole, Trey. However you might feel about me, we’re cops. I’m protecting what is currently your only source of information. The least you can do is keep me in the loop.”

Karl moved on ahead, leaving Trey to deal with the awkward mess. “All I can tell you is that an informant of mine led us to this guy.” He rattled the paper. “We think he’s the legal side of the prostitution ring, but we needed leverage, and your boy here just gave it to us. If it leads anywhere, I’ll let you know.”

There…some truth with a lie slid in. When Murphy rolled—and he would—Trey and his alien friends would shut Cadoc down and make up some excuse as to why there was no body to pick over when he brought Craig in to deal with the trafficking victims.

Craig stared at him suspiciously, knowing him too well. Trey kept his expression as open and blank as he could. Finally, Craig nodded. “Okay, fine. Do it your way. Give me a minute with Mateo then I’ll drive you back to the station.”

Relieved and trying not to show it, Trey followed his partner out.

 

* * * *

 

“I’m sorry,” the young man huffed out, “Mr. Murphy can’t be disturbed.”

Trey bared his teeth at the receptionist. “My badge says otherwise. Either you buzz him or we go straight in.”

Of course, Trey intended for both to happen. The moment the flustered guy pushed the intercom button, Trey surged forward and opened the door to Murphy’s office. It took no more than a few strides. This wasn’t some swanky office in the financial district. Murphy obviously didn’t have well-heeled clients. No surprise there. Cadoc went with someone both vulnerable to blackmail and easily co-opted with the lure of illegal sex.

The lawyer sputtered in outrage, the phone in one hand, as they entered. He stood from behind his desk. “What is the meaning—”

“Mr. Murphy, sir. I’m Detective Sergeant Duncan and this is my partner, Detective Anderson. Please sit down, because we have a lot to discuss.”

“I have no idea what I could possibly have to say to you. If this is about one of my clients, I have to claim attorney-client privilege. You have no right to that information.”

As Karl shut the door firmly behind them, Trey approached the desk. “Very true, sir. Fortunately for us, we’re here about something that isn’t protected.”

Murphy sucked in his chest and stood straighter, not that anything was going to make the man taller. The picture hadn’t shown how short the slender man was. What did Mateo say about this guy liking to hurt the boys? Bet it strokes all sorts of inferiority complexes in you, doesn’t it, fucker?

Out loud, he said, “We have some questions for you regarding soliciting boys for sex, some of whom are undoubtedly underage. That really adds to the charges and the prison sentence, doesn’t it, Karl?”

“Yes, sir.” Karl grinned evilly as he said it.

Murphy sputtered. Trey cut him off. “Fortunately for you, Mr. Murphy, we come with a solution that should please us all. Why don’t we sit down and discuss it?”

Murphy flapped his lips a few times and swallowed noticeably hard before doing as told. Then, Trey and Karl did the same. The plan had been worked out over the past day with Alex et al. They were going to strike fast, that night. All they needed to do was put the fear of God in this asshole and keep him under control until it was time to move. He hoped like hell it would go smoothly. At least the boys they loved would be out of the fray this time. That one bit of news made Trey happy enough that he was able to put aside the problem of what to do with Demi in the future.

“So, Mr. Murphy,” he began, “here’s what you have to do to keep from spending the rest of your life in a cage.”

 

* * * *

 

Demi uttered a squeak as he was grabbed by the arm, a sound quickly muffled by someone’s hand over his mouth. Mackie’s, as it turned out. The boy dragged him into the very storage room where Trey had delightfully ravaged him. They weren’t alone, however. Quinn and Jase were also there, the first one standing on top of an old high-top table that Jase was holding steady. When Mackie shut the door, he released his hold.

Demi frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Sh-h-h,” the others admonished him in unison.

Demi asked again in pantomime, spreading his arms out and popping his eyes.

“We’re trying to listen in on the meeting in Alex’s office,” Mackie said in a whisper.

That’s when Demi noticed that Quinn had his ear to a vent on the wall. He opened his mouth in a silent O, even as he realized that if sound could travel that easily between the rooms, it was entirely possible that Papa and the others had had an earful of what he and Trey had done in there. Oops. Better for Trey to never learn about that.

“I didn’t know there was a meeting,” he whispered back.

Quinn climbed down with Jase’s help and the two came over to huddle in a tight circle. “That’s because Alex and the others have decided to keep us in the dark.”

“Seriously?”

Quinn nodded. “Ever since I agreed to take classes at community college with you, Alex and I have reconciled, as you know.”

Demi did. Quinn had gone back to sleeping in Alex’s bed, and Demi was surprised to find that he missed the company. With his virginity gone, that overwhelming need to come every five minutes had left.

“So, I didn’t find it too weird that he encouraged me to dance more over the last couple of days until I realized that there were closed-door meetings going on. That got my suspicions going. Even during our epic fight, he still insisted I stick close. He’s never shut me out of his office before. When I asked him about it, he distracted me by fucking me silly.” He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Now, Demi understood how that could happen. He was able to join in with the others with playful sympathy.

“Anyway,” Mackie picked up the thread, “Quinn told Jase and me and we’ve both tried to ply information out of our men. Val strapped me to the Saint Andrew’s Cross and that was that.” He looked at Jase.

“Emil baked me my favorite cake, Black Forest. I forget my own name with that inside me. Oh, then I had Emil inside me.”

Everyone sighed in appreciation. Demi wished he’d known, except he hadn’t seen Trey since their time in this very room. “Is my man in there now?” he asked, liking that he could refer to the cop that way, at least among this group.

“He is,” Mackie confirmed. “We’ve been trying to hear what’s going on, but none of us can, not even me with my enhanced senses. We’re hoping you’ll have better luck.”

Without any further coaxing, Demi broke away and leaped onto the table. He pressed his ear against the vent and opened up his hearing to the maximum. Murmuring came through that got clearer the more he concentrated. While full sentences were allusive, he heard enough to get the gist—Cadoc, the name of some place and that there was going to be a raid later that night. He listened until the topics turned to fueling and arming up for the fight, then he jumped back down.

Once more, he and the other boys huddled. “It’s on for tonight. I know the time and the place and basics about what they’re going to do.”

He licked his lips as he thought about it. “I know the natural inclination is to follow them, but I propose we leave before instead. We tell them we’re having a boy’s night out. That will hopefully cause them to put their guard down, because it plays right into their misguided attempt at keeping us safe.”

He shook his head. “Those dopes. Haven’t we proved that we can take care of ourselves and help?”

The was a general murmur of righteous agreement before Mackie said, “That is diabolical, Demi.”

He grinned. “Thanks. I agree, even if I do say so myself.”

“Right,” Quinn echoed. “Now, we have to plan it out. We need somewhere that the men can’t possible overhear us.” He peered up at the vent. “The problem is that none of has a private space.”

“No,” Demi added, “we don’t. But there is a place in the building that we can be sure the men won’t disturb us—or think about at all, really.” He hated doing it. Dafydd’s domain was his for a reason. Demi had already breached it and had been lucky to be welcomed. Would the Welshman do the same for the others and help to plan a way to bring down the man’s son?

He explained to the others what he meant. “Give me a few minutes. I need to see if it’s okay with him.”

Surprisingly, Dafydd didn’t bat an eye over it. He’d sanctioned the use of his room as a staging area for their machinations. He stood by his window, staring out through a crack in the drapes at the world below. It was only when the boys had finished and were heading out to change into nicer clothing to make their story more believable that Dafydd brought the hammer down.

“I’m coming with you, then.”

Startled, everyone froze and turned to stare at him.

It was up to Demi to say what they were all thinking. “That’s probably not such a great idea.”

Dafydd pulled back from the curtains. “You think so? Why? To protect me the way the men here are doing for you?”

Ouch, hoisted on my own petard. “Well, um…it’s kind of different, isn’t it? You’ve been so isolated and to go out for this? Plus,” Demi added dropping his gaze. “You know how this is going to end for your son.”

“Cadoc is Dracul’s in every way. He is a monster who will do monstrous things until he’s stopped. Please don’t worry on my account. I-I need to do this for my own sanity. I won’t interfere.” He huffed out a laugh. “It’s not like I’m going to try to save him or anything.”

That actually hadn’t occurred to Demi. It did now, except he’d come to know Dafydd quite well first in Wales, then in this very room. He couldn’t imagine that this damaged man would really do anything to perpetuate the misery Dracul had started.

“No, of course you won’t. And you have as much right as any of us to come.” He didn’t dare look at the others as he spoke for them all. No one disputed him, however.

In fact, Mackie said, “You know, in a way, it gives us more cover. What’s better than us helping Dafydd go out in the world?”

Dafydd’s lips quirked. “That settles it, then.” He looked down his front. “I don’t think I’m dressed right for it, though.”

“That’s okay. I have something you can borrow from when I was younger and shorter. Come back to my room with me.” Dafydd hesitated, and it took Demi a moment to realize why he might not want to do that. “Or, I can bring it to you.”

Dafydd shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll come.”

And that was that. None of the others said anything other than hasty goodbyes and promises to meet down in the garage in an hour. Mackie was taking them out in his vehicle so that they would have maximum flexibility of going where and when they wanted. And, they really did need to go out and eat, given how early they were leaving. Demi could only hope that Dafydd wouldn’t freak out during what was likely his first experience in a restaurant.

They all scattered, once in the hall, Demi electing to take the stairs up to his family suite, Dafydd on his heels. When they entered, their luck turned because there was Dad pacing the living room with a fretting Idris. He stopped the second he spied them and rocked side-to-side.

“Hello, Dafydd. It’s good to see you. Have you come…?”

“He’s here to try on clothes, Dad,” Demi jumped in because he could see the color rising on Dafydd’s cheeks. The man was flustered and getting upset. They didn’t need the extra drama.

The man surprised him. “Is he…? Is he all right, then?” he asked with a nod toward the baby.

Dad gave him a gentle smile. “He’s teething. That’s all.”

“Oh.”

Demi thought Dafydd might actually go to the child, but no, he stood there, not looking at his son anymore or saying anything.

“All right, let’s go look in my closet.” Taking Dafydd by the elbow, he steered him around the living room and into his bedroom.

He swung the doors to the walk-in wide and stepped into the jungle of clothing. “Let’s see what might fit.” He went farther in to where his older stuff was tucked away.

Dafydd didn’t follow him immediately, however. He stood staring in the direction of the living room, as though he could see through the walls. Demi thought he might go back, but then with a slight shudder, he turned in Demi’s direction and joined him.

 

* * * *

 

“This is a fire lane, Mackie,” Quinn said from the back seat. “You can’t park here.”

“I’m not. We’re merely sitting.”

“I don’t think a cop will appreciate that distinction.”

“It’s a risk we have to take. This is the only spot where we can see the entrance to that pub without also being easily seen by our men. We don’t want to fuck up their plans because they abort to get us back to ‘safety’, like the overprotective jerks that they are.”

Mackie was right. It was still risky given that it was late and the crowds in the area had thinned significantly. They had had hours to kill while waiting, lingering over their dinner. They had chosen seafood, at Demi’s suggestion. It was food Dafydd was familiar with, and the guy had weathered his first time in a restaurant with surprising ease. Maybe centuries of keeping up with Dracul’s capriciousness had left him quick to adapt to any situation. Regardless, he seemed to enjoy himself, albeit in an almost silent way. He sat quite still between Quinn and Jase.

A familiar figure approached the pub, catching Demi’s attention. He leaned forward to stare out of the windshield. “Hey, it’s Dr. Paz.”

Mackie hummed. “So it is. Was he supposed to be part of the plan?”

“I didn’t hear anything about him, but then again, I came into the middle of the conversation. He must be, though. No way it’s a coincidence, and he’s on our side, isn’t he?”

“Of course he is, mun.” Dafydd’s voice brooked no argument. “He’s a good man, make no mistake, and he shouldn’t be in harm’s way. Not again. What are they thinking?”

And just like that, Demi understood how much Dafydd was one of them.

 

* * * *

 

Trey checked his watch. It had been ten minutes since Paz had entered the pub. Trey turned to glare at a sweaty Murphy, who sat in the back seat with Karl. “You’re up. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you how important it is for you not to fuck up. It’s the difference between seeing the light of day again as a free man before you die and not.”

The lawyer tugged at his collar. “I understand. No need to be vicious about it.”

Trey bared his teeth. “And there was no need for you to brutalize vulnerable boys, but here we are, heh?”

“Come on,” Karl said, opening the door and dragging Murphy by the arm.

The moment they left the car, Trey hopped out and sprinted over to the SUV where the Stelalux men were positioned. When he opened the door, he could hear Karl’s voice over the monitoring device Val had rigged him with. The sunglasses dress code worked in their favor. Val had already had a pair rigged for this kind of surveillance. Once inside the vehicle, Trey could see the video feed on the dashboard screen, as well.

Karl, bless his little heart, was reinforcing the rules on Murphy as they headed into the pub. It was nearly closing time, except that the private club could stay open as long as it liked. That would give them a chance to conduct the raid with as few humans around as possible. The place was already fairly empty, from what Trey could see. Karl positioned himself to catch sight of Paz. The doctor sat at the bar, sipping a beer. He nodded in a particular direction, confirming that Murphy was leading Karl to the right spot.

Trey and the others watched intently as Karl followed over to a bookcase in the corner where a large man wearing a dark suit and sporting sunglasses stood at parade rest. This was another bit of luck. According to Murphy, this was the man who had engaged him. As far as the lawyer knew, it was this mere human named Kevin Fuchs, who ran the show. And Fuchs had a long list of arrests and convictions for vice-related activities and violent offenses. It made him the perfect fall guy.

Cadoc had helped them in being smarter than they’d anticipated. Because he’d kept to the shadows, when they turned him to dust, no one would worry about the lack of a body. Everyone would accept that Fuchs was their guy, at least where the prostitution ring was concerned. The scary man with the scarred face had been the dupe who fronted the operation and acted as the enforcer who ran the boys and even killed when needed. Too bad he’d gotten away, but at least the head man would be behind bars. That story wrote itself, thank fuck.

Of course, there would never be legal closure for the murders of Father Ted and Umi. Although everyone would accept that the guy who’d escaped was the killer, he wouldn’t be caught. The cases would stay open, a mark against all concerned. Yet, Trey couldn’t bring himself to frame even a fucker like Fuchs for crimes he hadn’t committed.

Karl and Murphy stopped in front of Fuchs. “Good evening.” The lawyer’s voice sounded almost normal. “This is, ah…a good friend of mine. He’s here as my guest.”

Fuchs’ expression remained stony, although it was hard to tell his expression with those glasses hiding half his face. “I see. He understands the rules.”

“Naturally.” This was where Murphy’s natural defensiveness helped their cause. His indignant tone sealed the deal.

Without further comment, Fuchs activated a hidden device and a narrow section of the bookcase opened. Then the men descended a narrow, winding staircase into an underground world decorated like an eighteenth-century brothel. At least, that was Trey’s impression. There was a lot of red velvet and black lace, plus disturbingly young and pretty boys scantily dressed. Some wore frilly girl-type lingerie, others were more obviously masculine. It was like something out of a movie, an echo of Club Lux, except there boys were all of legal age and anything they did with the members was purely voluntary and entirely of their own making.

Plus, however alien Alex and his ‘family’ were, they weren’t monsters. The same couldn’t be said about the hulking figure sitting in a large, high-backed and overstuffed chair in the corner. Like a gargoyle, Cadoc presided over the large room with a boy sprawled on his lap. No, impaled on the creature’s dick. The boy’s eyes were at half-mast, probably high on something. He reminded Trey of Umi, who then reminded him of Demi. Cadoc had a type, apparently.

Those thoughts caused him to mutter his concerns out loud. “Are we sure the boys are safe tonight?” He hadn’t liked learning that they had all gone out for the evening.

“Relax, Duncan,” Val said from the passenger seat up front. “They’re on a mission to help Dafydd adjust to society. They’re probably back at the club by now.”

“They are going to be very pissed off when they find out what we did,” Emil observed.

“They’ll get over it,” Alex replied.

Trey wasn’t convinced about that. He had a feeling the men were going to have some lonely nights in their future. As did he, but that was nothing new. And once this was over, he could take the time to figure out how he wanted to handle the Demi situation.

A moment later, all thoughts of the boy fled when Cadoc turned his dead-eye stare in Karl’s direction. This was the risk they had to take. After the fight in the underground T storage room, the hybrid would know Trey. The hope was that he’d never had the chance to see Karl in any setting that would out Karl as a cop.

“That’s the bouncer,” Murphy said in a low voice. “Good luck with him. He makes Fuchs look like a pussy cat.”

“You let us worry about that,” Karl replied. A boy came up to flirt with him. Trey could only imagine how hard it was for Karl to keep in character. “Sure,” he said, “I’m up for a party, but my friend and I want to stick together. You know, a foursome?”

“Anything you want, big guy,” the boy cooed. “Right this way.”

Karl allowed himself to be tugged away but managed to keep his camera positioned so that they could watch Cadoc. Then Paz left the pub and came over as the rest of them were piling out.

“I count twenty or so people, including the staff, still inside the bar and restaurant area,” the doctor said as he took the seat vacated by Emil. “I have no idea what the kitchen situation is, though.”

“That’s my job,” Emil assured him before shutting the door.

“Thank you, doctor, for you excellent help this evening. Please wait here and lock up.” Alex got out to join the others.

Trey popped his head back inside before shutting the door. “Hey, doc, I thought you might want to know that Dafydd went out tonight with the boys. They had dinner or something. Good sign, huh?”

Paz’s face lit up. “Yes, very. Thanks.”

Now, Trey really put everything out of his mind except checking one final time that his gun was loaded. He palmed his badge and, letting the aliens enter first, followed them into the pub. They’d planned out their movements carefully. Alex and Val raced straight toward Fuchs, restraining him before he could activate any warning system in place. Emil headed for the kitchen, while Harry positioned himself in the dining area.

Trey held up his badge. “Everyone, if I could please have your attention. This is a police raid. I need everyone to leave the premises now, please, patrons and employees alike. No need to run, but don’t dawdle. Forget your bills and tabs, too. It’s all on the house tonight.”

No one moved at first, surprise causing them to hesitate. And in the age of the Internet, they might have even thought it was some kind of prank. “Now!” he repeated in a louder and sterner voice.

A herd of employees fled the kitchen, as well, courtesy of Emil, who was shooing them from behind as if they were a gaggle of geese. That also helped get everyone moving, and Harry was guiding them along like a flight attendant, as if finding the door would be too hard for the humans. Satisfied that those men had the evacuation under control, Trey pocketed his badge and pulled out his gun. He followed Alex and Val as they frog-marched Fuchs down the stairs.

There were screams now from the boys and cries of alarm from the patrons. Unlike the legitimate pub customers, these guys knew what a raid meant to them. Trey planted himself at the foot of the stairs to stop any escaping. Across the room, Karl disentangled himself from a boy and pulled out his own badge and gun.

Trey took the whole room in a glance. He saw a short hallway at the far end. “Karl, check whatever rooms might be down there and flush out the occupants.”

Then he turned his attention to the main show. Having knocked out Fuchs, Alex and Val had Cadoc cornered. They couldn’t take a shot, however, because the fucker had the boy from his lap held up in front of him by his armpits. The kid was so strung out, he didn’t even struggle—or maybe he’d learned not to fight back. Regardless, he made an effective shield as Cadoc kept the boy between him and his enemies’ fatal bullets.

Trey ran to join them, hoping to find an opening. Cadoc was quick, his movements almost a blur as he backed away to a spot behind his chair. Then, in the blink of an eye, he tossed the boy at them and disappeared.

It was Val who caught the kid and gently lay him on the floor before the three of them took off after Cadoc. No surprise there was a secret escape route. As Trey followed the aliens into the dark, mustiness and mildew assailed his nostrils. He stumbled in everyone’s wake, his human eyes at a disadvantage until he thought to take out his phone and turn on the light. The others were already out of sight around a bend in the old brick tunnel. He pressed forward as fast as he could.