PROLOGUE
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The beast had reawakened. How or why was not important. It demanded blood. Sacrifice.Revenge.
The pinnacle had been within reach. One final kill. Two for the price of one. An exclamation point to end the nightmare once and for all. A private detective. A former police officer. It should have been a piece of cake for such an accomplished killer. Many things went wrong that final night. Thankfully, it was possible to rewrite history.
There was much to be learned. More and better planning was the key to eternal glory.
When the blood finally flowed, it would wash way all the sins of the past. It would cleanse. Rejuvenate. Invigorate. Injecting fresh life, where all that had been left standing was in ruins.
The beast would rise again. Hungrier than before. Stronger. Unstoppable.
Events had already been set into motion. Anyone who tried to get in the way would not survive to tell the tale.
Let the feast begin.
1
Cope
The Police Benevolent Association Ball had been billed as the social event of the winter. In Copeland Forbes’ mind, it was boring as hell. Dressing up in tuxedos had been fun, as had posing for the professional photos taken when they’d arrived. Cope had attended his senior prom with a neighbor girl. He felt vindicated, being able to walk into the ball on his gorgeous husband’s arm.
When it came to the dinner, the chicken had been lukewarm and rubbery. He’d taken a few bites of the runny mashed potatoes before pushing his plate away. He’d noticed Tennyson doing the same. He’d rather eat tuna noodle casserole for an entire month straight instead of one more bite of that awful meal. The ball benefited several Salem area charities, so Cope didn’t mind the cost of the meal so much, but a stop at the McDonald’s drive-thru was in order for the ride home.
“When do you think we can get out of here?” Ten asked, speaking low enough not to be overheard.
“I don’t know.” Cope shook his head. “Jude, Ronan, and Fitz are the belles of the ball.” He pointed to where their husbands were standing with the Mayor of Salem and the Governor of Massachusetts. When the group had come together, a professional photographer snapped a picture of them all smiling, with their arms wrapped around each other. Cope had no doubt the picture would end up framed on their living room mantle.
“To be honest, I don’t like that we left the kids with a babysitter.” Ten wore an uncharacteristically deep frown. “We’ve never left them with a neighbor girl before.”
The original plan had been for the kids to spend the night with Carson and Truman, but at the last minute, the velociraptors had come down with the stomach bug that had been going around the elementary school. There was no way the kids could stay with them and Kaye had other plans for the night. Cope had wanted to sacrifice himself to stay home with the kids, but Jude mentioned Courtney Wilcox, a young woman who babysat for other families on the block. She was a junior at Salem State University, majoring in early childhood education. The other parents had given the young woman sterling reviews. Jude had argued it was only for one night. Cope had given in. His reward had been a horrible meal and worse, nearly every woman and gay man in the place was openly flirting with Jude.
His asshole husband was taking it all in stride. He pasted on his too-bright smile, shook hands and hugged people like he was running for office. Cope had no doubt all the people who’d fallen for Jude’s charisma would vote for him in a heartbeat.
“Earth to Cope,” Ten said, with a bemused grin.
“Oh, sorry.” Cope turned his attention from Jude and back to Tennyson. “I haven’t seen this side of my husband in quitea while.” When he and Jude first met, Cope’s future husband had been a dog. He flirted with every man he met and fucked every guy he could charm into bed. Cope thought Jude would never settle down enough to be boyfriend material, never mind husband material.
Jude had surprised everyone when he fell for Cope. He gave up one-night stands, his friends with benefits, dating apps, and gay clubs. He’d gone from being a walking billboard for Trojan condoms to being a responsible husband and father. The change had been nothing shy of miraculous.
“Neither have I.” Ten sounded concerned. His eyes were on Ronan, who was glad handing with everyone who came up to him, but wasn’t remotely as flirty as Jude.
Not that Cope minded. This was only one night. Tomorrow, they’d be back to their usual life. Dinner and bathtime for the kids, followed by story time. They’d spend an hour or two watching television in bed before Jude would make his move. It was a predictable life, but one Cope wouldn’t trade for the world.
“Oh lord, is that guy is kissing Jude?” Ten whispered, the panic in his voice was obvious.
A short, blonde man Cope did not recognize was indeed kissing his husband. Once on each cheek like they do in Europe. The man settled his hands on Jude’s biceps and appeared to be squeezing them. What the actual fuck? What was worse than his husband being publicly felt up like a heifer at auction, was the fact that Jude was lapping up the attention. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned that this man, whoever he was, had completely invaded Jude’s space and seemed perfectly comfortable staying there.
Part of Cope wanted to turn away so he didn’t have to see what Blondie’s next move would be, while the other half, wanted to go over there and grab Jude by the ear and haul him away.
“I know what you’re thinking. Don’t do it,” Ten said.
“I don’t get people. Jude’s wearing his wedding ring.” It was a big silver ring he’d picked out in Arizona. You couldn’t miss it. Although, Blondie appeared to be doing just that.
“For some people, the ring is a challenge. They love getting married men to pay attention to them. If you go over there and grab your husband, that guy wins. He might not get to take your husband home tonight, but he knows Jude will be thinking of him when he’s falling asleep alone on the sofa.” Ten seemed more interested in keeping Cope calm than in being upset that Jude was preening like a peacock. Meanwhile, Ronan stood at the dessert buffet eyeing another custom made cupcake.
Fitzgibbon came back to their table and slumped into the seat Jude had used for dinner. “I’m exhausted. I’d forgotten how horrible socializing was. I just want to go home and go to bed.”
