Perfect

This is the edited chapter, hope you enjoy

Perfect

Edited by: Tom

~ Chapter 13 ~

Flashback Gabriel's POV

I was lying in my bed when the door suddenly bust open.

Headmaster Hogan was standing in the doorway his entire body quivering with outrage. "You did this!"

I stared at him with false innocence; I had known this was coming.

"I knew you were trouble the moment I set eyes on you, you dirty little worm."

Every since Derek had turned eighteen, Mr. Thompson and our group had been planning what to do now that Derek could financially support Elaine and the baby. After deciding to file for legal emancipation from her parents, Mr. Thompson had helped Elaine to contact a very good lawyer friend of his, who was setting everything in motion. He had also advised Derek and Elaine to get Tommy's birth registered at a hospital as soon as possible, so the judge would recognize them as responsible parents and not children trying to play house.

Now that we had our bases covered, their lawyer, Tyler Winthrop, after securing Derek's million dollar inheritance, had informed Elaine's parents of the up coming case against them.

Mr. Thompson had scheduled a meeting with Headmaster Hogan this morning to inform him of this situation. Elaine had been moved into a hotel temporally.

So this outburst was not unexpected. "What are talking about Headmaster?"

He stalked over to my head, fists clenching with rage. "Don't play stupid with me. I know you helped those little miscreants with their charade."

"And so? What are you going to do? Expel me?" I didn't move, I just laid there, still and calm, unafraid of his angry.

"Why you little...." He drew back his hand, and I prepared myself to fight back.

"I wouldn't do anything you would regret Mr. Hogan." Mr. Thompson said, his voice hard. "You don't want any more attention brought onto this school do you?"

The look on his face would have been comical if I wasn't so angry, all the muscles in his face tightened like a dry prune. He straightened himself, and narrowed his eyes. "Mr. Armstrong's parents have been informed of this unfortunate situation. They'll be arriving here within the hour." With that, he existed the room.

"Dickhead." I muttered.

Mr. Thompson chuckled. "He's running scared, and he has reason to be. I don't think he'll be working here for much longer after this. Especially when I tell the alumni board what I saw here today."

"Are Derek's parents really coming?"

"I'm afraid so."

My stomach knotted with worry. "Can they do anything to stop them from being together?"

"Not that I know of."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was waiting with Derek in Headmaster Hogan's office when we heard the pounding footsteps heading in our direction.

We had decided keep Elaine in the dark about this little visit until it was over, she would want to be here and we both knew she had enough to deal with right now. She didn't need the stress to facing Derek's parents.

The doors flew open and Headmaster Hogan along with two other people stepped in.

The woman was small, her hair blond, her face not showing her age, even though she must have been in her late forties. She carried herself with an air of superiority.

I looked over the man, Derek's father, who was barreling towards him. He was tall; his shoulders were broad, his hair silver.

"What the hell have you been doing Derek?" He had a voice that boomed across the room, it was laced with authority and demanded response, as if he was used to having people always follow his orders.

"I told you I wouldn't give her up." Derek said, his voice was clear showing no signs of fear under his father's bullying.

He jammed a finger in Derek's chest. "You. Will. Do. As. You're. Told." He said, emphasizing his words with hard jabs.

Mr. Thompson stepped in, removing Mr. Armstrong's finger from Derek's chest. "Sir, don't touch your son in any aggressive manner or I will advise him to press charges against you for assault." It was an empty threat. I don't think Derek could bring himself to do that to his family but his dad didn't know that.

"Who the hell are you?" Mr. Armstrong snarled.

"I'm Derek's teacher."

"So you're the upstart that's condoning this behavior. You'll never work again when I'm finished with you."

Mr. Thompson smiled sweetly at him. "I have an iron-clad contract with this school."

The confidence in Mr. Thompson's voice seemed to give him pause.

"How can you do this to us, Derek?" His mom spoke the first time. "And with that...that...tramp."

"Don't you say one word about her!" Derek growled.

"How dare you speak to you mother like that?"

"She has no right to speak about my fiancé like that?"

The roomed grew quiet; the only sound was harsh breathing. I looked over to Headmaster Hogan who was watching the scene with obvious relish.

Mr. Armstrong placed his hands on Derek's shoulder's changing his strategy from intimidation to reasoning. "Look Derek, I know you're infatuated with this girl now, but you're young. Who knows what your future will bring. You can't let this deceitful gold-digger ruin your life."

Derek brushed away from him. "Elaine's never wanted anything from me but love, and I swear if you say one bad word about her again you will never see me or your grandson again."

Mr. Armstrong's eyes narrowed. "Why would I want to see that little bastard? He's probably not even your son. Just another tick that slut has used to tie herself to y..." Derek's fist stopped him from completing his ugly sentence.

His mother gasped, and covered her mouth with her hand.

"Never Again." Derek said, his tone savage. "Say that again, and I swear I'll kill you."

Mr. Armstrong wiped the blood off his spilt lip with the back of his hand. "I won't let you ruin this family."

"Watch me."

"We'll see about that." He said ominously before dragging his wife out the door.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Present Day- Connor's POV

I woke him in the middle of the night. I couldn't resist. I was too amazed that I was in his bed, and the way he'd made love to me, had left me almost fearing it was a dream.

I slid one hand beneath the covers and gently stroked him until he was growing, hardening-and waking. "What..." he murmured in half asleep.

I rained tiny kisses across the golden brown chest, my hand now wrapped firmly around him below. It struck me how comfortable I felt this quickly, touching him so intimately, waking up beside him.

"Mmm," he said.

"I want you again," I whispered in the darkness.

"Then take me," he breathed.

Soon I sat astride him, gently impaling myself on him. Not long after, we were coming together, hard and furious, and I was collapsing on his chest and feeling the heaven of his arms falling around me just before sleep captured us both again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I awoke slowly, drowsily becoming aware of eyes watching me. I pried one sleepy eye open and was rewarded with sight of Gabriel sitting naked in a chair beside the bed. Deciding this required further investigation, I slid the other eye open.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

He looked up from what looked like a sketching pad, in which he had been engrossed with. He smiled at me. "Sketching."

"What?"

"You."

"Me?" I knew what I looked like in the morning, hair flat on one side, the other sticking up, and sometimes a handprint on the side of my face when I slept with it curled under my head.

"Yes." He said, grinning.

"Why?"

He cocked his head to the side. "Because you make an interesting subject."

"I do?"

"Yes, your face is..." He paused and studied me for a long moment, tilting his head from left to right.

"That bad?" I asked in mock horror.

"Of course not," he assured me. "Your face is interesting. Filled with character and.... " He trailed off then whispered. "Beautiful."

I blushed.

"Close your eyes for me, baby." He said tenderly.

I did as I was told, shivering at the sexy undertones in his voice.

I felt his hand run through my hair, "You look tense. Try to relax. This won't hurt a bit, I promise. I just want to finish this stretch."

I adjusted my position, letting the tension in my shoulders ease.

"That's much better." His drew his hand away, I heard him shifting and the slight rustle of paper. "Think of a memory, any warm memory you have."

"Ok." I said, letting my mind drift. An image of Gabriel popped into my mind.... Gabriel, at twelve, running to the tree house, pie in hand, and unknown to him me trailing behind...

"You're wearing an intriguing smile," he said. "What are you thinking of?"

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. "I'm thinking about an adventure I had when I was 7, playing detective." Warmth spread through me as I recalled the day in vivid detail. "I decided to fallow you in order to find out what you up to because you were being very secretive. I was hiding behind the gazebo when I spotted you running like dogs were biting at your heals, carrying you mom's pumpkin pie."

I heard Gabriel chuckling, "She worked forever to make it absolutely flawless for her Christmas party."

I giggled, I couldn't help myself. "And you of course had to take it."

"Of course."

"And eat the whole thing on your own." I laughed harder. "I still remember you, trying to shove it all in you mouth while, yelling 'OH, Oh, hot.'... Couldn't you have waited for it to cool?"

"No I had to get rid of the evidence."

"Do you remember the look on her face when it went missing?"

"Yeah." He snickered. "She turned all shades of pink, but she couldn't punish me because she couldn't prove I did anything."

His laughter faded, "Your Dad wouldn't let her."

A rapid succession of memories flashed through my mind: My dad and his Mom fighting in the kitchen when all of their guests were laughing and enjoying themselves. Me cowering underneath the table as she threw a plate against he wall. They had been shouting about Gabriel, my Dad asking questions I couldn't quite here over the loud music.

"I'm finished."

The soft words broke through my reverie. "Huh?"

"I said I'm finished with your sketch." He held the pad out to me. "Would you like to see it?"

I sat up and took the sketch, then studied the picture intently. It depicted me, as I was not used to seeing myself. Stretched out, naked except for the sheet covering my butt. My hair fell gently on the pillow, curling softly. A small smile played around the corners of my lips, as if I was dreaming about something amusing or happy. There was something self-satisfied and content about this person.

"Do you like it?" he asked, almost shyly.

I realized how nervous he was about showing it to me. "I do, very much. You're very talented."

He cleared his throat. "Thank you." He stood up. "I'm going to take shower."

He was half way across the room before I called out, "Gabriel,"

He turned to me. "Mmm?"

"Kiss me, good morning."

He grinned, strolled over to me. "That was rude of me wasn't it?"

"Yes, but I'll forgive you this once."

He was still smiling as his lips touched mine, brushing softly, then deepening the kiss for a brief moment before pulling away. "Morning, Gorgeous."

"Morning." I breathed out, while nuzzling my chin against his bristled jaw.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gabriel's POV

"Keep sanding, Tommy," I said, watching my godson remove the peeling paint from the garage door beneath the hot noontime sun. "I'll go get the paint."

"Okay, Gabriel."

I headed in the front door and through the small house to the kitchen, where I'd left the can I'd brought in earlier to show Elaine the color. While I was there, I stopped to grab a couple of soft drinks from the fridge.

"Dammit, where's that paper?" Elaine muttered, coming up behind me.

"Huh?"

I heard her shuffling through the stack of newspapers they kept by the kitchen door. "Oh, nothing. Just can't find Thursday's paper-there was a coupon in it I wanted. How's the garage door coming?"

I turned from the refrigerator to see my best friend wearing jeans and a red tank top that emphasized her shape more than usual, and I realized that until this moment I wasn't even aware of her possessing a shape.

"The scraping and sanding went slow, but we're about to start painting."

"Are you still taking Tommy to the movies afterward?"

I nodded. "We'll probably grab dinner to go, too, so you won't have to cook."

"Is Connor going with you guys?" She leaned against the counter next to me.

I shook my head. "Nah, he's missed two day's of reading and assignments. The only reason I left him at home is so he can catch up on all that."

"He can catch up on that stuff later."

"He's going to miss all of this week and probably next week too, I don't want him falling behind because of all this shit."

She beamed at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Huh, that's so sweet, your looking out for him."

I shrugged, uncomfortable.

"Am I ever going to meet this Mr. Wonderful or are you going to keep him all to yourself so I can't corrupt him."

I frowned, pretending to think it over, which incited Elaine to throw a grape at me hitting me straight on the forehead.

Elaine smirked at my shocked expression. "Bring him to dinner Saturday night."

"Sure, Lainey," I said, popping the top on my drink, "I'll have to check with Connor first though."

She smiled. "You do that."

The longer I looked at her, the more I noticed her hair seeming smoother, prettier than usual, and I could swear she wore a hint of lipstick too, which was unusual for Elaine who only wore lipstick on special occasions. "You, uhmm, got a hot date this afternoon or something?"

A blush of the same color as her top climbed up her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes. 'Mmm, that's new, Elaine never blushes,' I thought to myself, which made me more suspicious. "No. Why?"

"Just thought you looked nice, that's all."

She lifted her gaze to mine. "Thanks, I...guess I don't really take care of myself much anymore. You just happened to catch me on one of my better days."

I didn't know what to say. I doubted Elaine and I had discussed anything as trivial as our looks since we were teenagers. Part of me wanted to tell her she should take better care of herself, because she did look good today, but I knew there was something else going on.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

She bit her lip and gave me a slight nod, but I could see the guilt in her eyes. She was quiet a moment before she caved in. "Derek and me...we've not been spending enough time together. I've been caught up with work and Tommy, while he's...."

"He's not cheating on you is he?" I demanded, even though that didn't sound like Derek, he loved Elaine.

She shook her head venomously. "No, No, nothing like that." She blew out of breath of frustration. "We've been taking each for granted lately and what's happening with you and Connor made me realize that I just have so much time with him and I shouldn't just.... I don't know expect him to always be there, you know?"

"Yeah." I whispered, my heart ached every time I considered how close I came to losing him, that I could still lose him and I shook my head, letting the bad thoughts fall away.

"Listen, Lainey, if you ever want to go out, even spend a weekend away with Derek, Tommy can stay with me."

She stood on her tiptoe and wrapped her arms around me. "Thanks, Bighead. I think we will."

"Brat." I said, making her giggle.

I kissed the top on her head gently before pulling away from her, and then gathered the paint and soda, balancing the cans atop one another, before heading toward the front door as I maneuvered my way back out into the stifling heat.

As I watched Tommy's fist move in circles with the sandpaper, I recalled the time just after Elaine and Derek had gotten married. They had been so happy; their eyes seem to always sparkle whenever they looked at each. The way they loved each other made me ache for that, that feeling of completeness when you find your soul mate. I guess that's why I never settled for anything less, and now that I had it, I was never letting him go. Even if I had to go through my mother to keep him safe...

"Looks good, Tommy," I finally said, breaking free of my thoughts. "Now let's start painting so we can make the movie on time."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hunter's POV

"Can you do me a favor?"

"You know I would do anything for you, Doll."

"Can you go over to my place and get my Sociology textbook, I need it for a test next Monday."

"Sure."

"It's on my coffee table." Connor said, he voice soft. "And can you check my messages for me too, I left my Psychology professor a message but I'm not sure if he got it."

"Of course, I'll bring it right over. Give me the address to Gabriel's place

I wrote down the information and hung up the phone, then pulled on a pair of tight blue jeans. Grabbing a green t-shirt off the bed, I wearily made my way out of my condo.

This was a shitty day.

Well, to be honest, I've been having a lot of shitty days lately. I could no longer fool myself. I was bored. Actually that's not true I was lonely.... which is not something I like to admit to myself. I've always been the center of attention, actually I demanded it but lately I've been getting tired...tired of the clubbing, the physical and mental energy it took every night to be the person everyone expected me to be.

I was sick of coming home to a cold house.

I was around people all the time and there was an endless supply of men who wouldn't mind warming my bed, but I didn't want that. Meaningless sex, no matter what guys say, grows tiresome after awhile.

I guess finally seeing Connor with someone...No, not just someone, the One, was making me recognize that he was moving on. I didn't resent him that. I wanted him to be happy, but I was jealous. I had always been his soft place to land. The person he knew would always be there for him. Now Gabriel had taken that place in his heart.

Most people would think I was in love with Connor and I was. I loved him like the brother I never had, but any romantic inclinations had been evaporated at age twelve. I had dared Connor to kiss me and it had felt like I was kissing my Great-aunt Myrtle.

As I entered the elevator, my ringing cell phone caught my attention "Hello," I said, and then drew the phone away from my ear when my mother's screeching voice came on the line.

"Hunter Mikhail Donovan, How dare you not show up for Sunday dinner?" I winced at the use of my full name; she only used it when she was really pissed off. "I don't hear from you for two weeks," she continued. "And I slave away on in the kitchen..."

"Mama," I said, trying to end her tirade.

"Making all of your favorites," she continued, ignoring my interruption. "And you don't have the decency to show up. I swear I should have paddled your behind more when you were younger."

"Mama!"

"Don't use that tone with me, young man." She said, quietly, which made me worried. My mother yelling was a usual occurrence in my household, with two daughters fighting all the time, yelling was the only way anyone could get words heard. But when my mother spoke softly or got that serene tone in her voice, then only two things were possible: something was wrong or she wanted something. She would have said something sooner if it were the former, so it had to be the latter.

"What do you want, Mama?" I asked almost cautiously.

She signed dramatically. "What? Can't a mother want to spend time with her only son?"

'Uh huh, here it comes,' I thought, rolling my eyes.

"And if you would stop going out all the time and messing around with all those no good twinks, maybe you would find me a nice son-in-law and give me some grand babies." She said it like I was depriving her of her natural born right to being a Grandmother; only a parent can do that. Make you feel guilty for no reason. Neither Netty, Addison nor I could lie to her when we were growing up. One look from her and you would find yourself caving. Not that she didn't already know what you were going to say before you said it. She had a way of finding things out, God knows how.

She was the first person I had told when I realized I was gay. Well...thinking back it hadn't come as a surprise to anyone. I guess I had always known I was different and so had my parents. When I had told her, she kissed my checks, wiped my tears and said, "Oh is that all...there's no need to make a fuss, we've known for years."

Turns out my mom had figured out my sexuality early on and although my dad was hesitant with the idea at first, after going to some support groups for parents with gay children, and learning more about the issues gay men were facing, he began to calm down. You see my parents are both from Germany, and were raised in a strict catholic household. My mom however had always been very open to anyone and anything different. My dad^Åwell it took awhile to reconsider the teachings of the church.

Though I had the support of my family, the hardest part when growing up had been my inability to hide my sexuality. That sounds bad, but most guys can hide who they are during the high school years, which were the hardest because you're just coming to grips with who you are. But I couldn't, I guess that's what happens when you stand out. I couldn't help the way I talked, or the way I walked with the fluid grace, like a dancer, it was who I was. I was an easy target for bullies who only looked for beat up guys who fit the gay stereotype.

My flamboyant personality made it tough to date guys who were in the closet. Closeted guys wanted someone who could bend in, pretend to be a straight friend just hanging out, and I didn't blend well.

After some bad experiences like having my boyfriend walk past me as if I was a stranger on the street, while his friends snickered under their breath, I gave up on ever dating closeted men. With that decision made, it became easier to embrace all my eccentricities instead of trying to hide who I was.

"Hunter are you listening to me?" My mother said, making me aware that I had been staring at the buttons on the elevator without pushing any, for several minutes.

"Yes, Mama, I'm listening."

She snorted. "Yeah, right."

"Really, I was." I lied. "I'm sorry I wasn't at dinner but something came up." I didn't want to tell her about Connor over the phone, he was like her son and if any of her children were in danger, her protective features would go up. Knowing her she would probably want to single handedly hunt down whoever was hurting her baby and skin them a live.

I pushed the 4th floor button, and elevator brought me to the floor in a matter of seconds. "Look, Mama, I'm running an errand for Connor, can I talk to you later?"

"He's another one too, can't call me to see if I'm alive." She sighed. "Well tell him I said hello, and I want to see him next Sunday for dinner or he won't like the consequences."

"Alright, Mama I will," I said, smiling. "Bye."

"Bye, Darling." I hung up the phone and pushed it into my back pocket, then pulled out Connor's spare key to open his door.

Connor's apartment had always been cleaner than mine, which I guess came from him always taking care of the house when his Dad had been collapsing mentally. I on the other hand had always had my mom around to keep the house neat, not that I didn't have chores but other than cleaning my room and mowing the lawn, mom took care of everything. I still had yet to master the skills of picking up things now instead of later so piles of laundry wouldn't begin to form.

His textbook was on the coffee table like he said it was, as I bent to pick it up, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up on end and I realized I wasn't alone.

I didn't have time to scream before strong hands wrapped themselves around my arms, pulling them behind my back.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Connor's POV

I sat curled on the sofa in a pair on Gabriel's boxer shorts, (I hadn't packed any of mine, stress made you forget the simplest things), watching an old movie on cable, nibbling on the last of the chocolate chip cookies I had found in Gabriel's cupboard. Sweet things always made it easier to concentrate when I was reading something boring. After hours of studying I gave up and was resting my tired mind.

A knock on the door jarred me, and I flinched, my body instantly going on alert. 'Stop it,' I admonished myself, silently. 'It was probably just a sales person.' I knew it was irrational to jump at any sudden noise but it was hard not to be scare shitless when some one was lurking and waiting to kill me.

I dashed across the smooth tile on bare feet and checked the peephole, utterly surprised to see Gabriel on the other side.

"What's wrong, honey?"

He arched on arm against the doorframe. "I left and forgot my house keys."

I smiled, remembering the long drugging kisses he had given me on the porch before leaving. "I wonder why?"

"Mmm, must have been distracted." He said, before stepping inside.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and led me to the couch, pausing only to drop a plastic bag, I hadn't noticed he had been carrying, onto the side table. He sat down, and I cuddled up against him. "You're home early."

He shrugged, but didn't comment.

"You didn't have to hurry on my account. I know how much spending time with Tommy means to you."

"That's not why I'm early."

"Then...why?"

He pulled up my face close to his then said, "Because I did some paperwork, painted Elaine's garage door, and took Tommy to a movie, but the whole time...I was thinking about you." "I missed you too." I said, sounding a little breathless.

He tightened his arms around me; and I drank in his dark, rich scent.

He murmured softly in my ear. "If we're like this after a few hours, imagine what we'll be like if we have to spend a day apart."

"I guess you'll just have to take me with you wherever you go."

"I think..." His gaze dropped to my lips. "That's a great idea." His lips covered mine, and all my thoughts evaporated.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hunter's POV

I was swung sideways then a knee struck the middle of my back and smashed me to the ground, smothering all movements. Several things happened simultaneously, so fast I had no time to react. Legs hooked around my legs and held them tight, hands loosened my arms and clamped over my mouth and jerked my head back, and an iron-hand arm locked around my throat. In what felt like a fraction of a second, I was immobilized.

"Move, and I'll snap your neck"

The voice was cold and menacing, the words spoken so low I could barely hear them, but I understood them perfectly. The arm cutting off the oxygen was plain enough on it's own. I was pinned to the ground, unable to even bring my hands up to defend myself.

I couldn't breathe. My vision blurred and I managed a small gasp. The arm around my throat loosened the tiniest fraction, but it was enough for me to drag in some air.

Suddenly he lifted his weight and flipped me over on my back. "Take a nap," he growled, and his fingers pressed hard on the base of my neck.

I tried to struggle, but I was already oxygen-deprived and teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. He leaned over me, a black, featureless weight oozing menace,

'He's going to kill me,' were my last thoughts before the world went blank.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I was lying in the same possessed when I woke up. I blinked open my eyes, only to find myself staring up at barrel of a gun, a really big gun. My blood ran cold, when I tried to move my hands and found that they were handcuffed.

I look up and into the face of my attacker. I took in the mussed black hair, the unforgiving silver eyes, and a cruel set mouth, I could only wonder how I was going to get out of this alive.

Dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a white button down shirt, he had the haunted eyes of a prisoner on death row and the rough-hewn face of a gangster. He towered over me like a giant sequoia, without the beauty, all brawn and muscle and temper. The way he moved reminded me of a big predatory cat, a hungry one that enjoyed the kill as much as the feast.

"Don't try to move."

"Why are you doing this?" I said, my throat burning.

"Who are you?"

"Why?" I asked, trying to stall for time in order to come up with a plan to escape.

"Don't make this harder on yourself." He growled, his voice frightening.

"Hunter Donovan."

"Mr. Donovan, I'm placing you under arrest for the attempted murder of Connor McNeil, anything...."

"What?" I said confused. He paused from his speech. "Your under arrest."

"What?" I yelled. "I can't be... I didn't do anything.... You asshole, you've got the wrong person."

He gave me a droll look, and then continued reading me rights. "Excuse me!" I shrieked, my anger building, how dare he treat me like this? "Excuse me?" I yelled again, and when didn't pay any attention to me I began to kick my legs until caught one of his ankles.

He froze then slowly bent down to me, thrusting his face into mine, so close I could see the small chips of blue in his eyes. "Try that again, Asshole and you won't walk into the squad car, because I'll blow your knee caps off."

I swallowed nervously. "You...you're making a mistake. I live on the top floor; I'm Connor's best friend. I was just trying to get his textbook for him."

"Right." He said, with a patronizing sneer.

"I'm telling you the truth you... you horse's ass." I screamed, which only made his eyes narrowed more. "I didn't break in did I? I used a key."

"Which you stole."

"I didn't steal anything." This man was making my head hurt. "Check my wallet, my ID...Shit." I had left my wallet on my dresser.

He smirked at me. "This would go much easier if you corporate."

Humiliation washed over me when tears stung my eyes. I wasn't prone to displays of emotion, but the outrage burgeoning inside me-and the fact that this man seemed to be enjoying every second of this-was too much.

"Fuck! Fuck!" I said, closing my eyes because I had no choice but to wait for this mess to sort out. I knew eventually my identity would be discovered but until then I was stuck in this mortifying position and lord knows how long it would take before anyone would listen to me.

The fucking handcuffs weren't helping either; they were biting into my writs, cutting off my circulation. And this baboon's ass wasn't going to listen to any thing I had to say and I had no way of proving who I was^Å. `Wait a minute.'

"Pictures." The idea popping into my head. "In the entertainment center, there's an album with pictures of Connor and me."

He eyed me apprehensively and reluctantly went to investigate.

He came back a few minutes later with the album in hand, studying my face, then a picture he was looking at.

"This doesn't prove who you are," he said. "Just that you know Mr. Neil."

"You SON-OF-BITCH!..." I started swearing at him in English then, broke off into German, I couldn't speak the language but I did know all the bad words, and I threw them all at him, until the ringing telephone cut me off.

After three rings the answering machine came on, and Connor's voice filled the room. "Hunter, detective Haynes is going to stop by the condo today to check for any signs of anything weird and watch the parking lot surveillance. He picked up the keys from me this morning. I forgot to tell him you stopping by, if you bump into him, be nice Okay."

The man, detective Haynes went perfectly still. The intensity drained from his eyes, and he just stood there staring at me as if I had suddenly transformed into a rare and endanger species.

"Get these things off me." My voice shook, but I didn't are. God, I hoped he didn't apologize. An apology now would only make me angrier, and I didn't want to go another round with this dim-witted Neanderthal.

Quickly he bent down and un-cuffed my hands. I scrambled to my feet, rubbing my sore writs.

Lowering his head, he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger. "I don't believe this," he muttered.

I choked out a humorless laugh. "We'll see how overcome with disbelief you are after my lawyer gets finished you." It took all my concentration not to sway as I started for the coffee table to retrieve Connor's textbook. The last thing I wanted this man to know was that he'd shaken me down to the tips of my toes-and then some.

He regarded me through dark, somber eyes. "I thought you were... somebody else."

I steadied my shaking hand before picking up the book. "I got that."

He stooped to pick up my cell phone, which must have fallen in the scuffle and handed it to me. "I guess that means you're not open for an apology."

"Not on your life." I snatched the phone from him. Remembering my promise to Connor I strode over to the phone and press the play button on the answering machine.

"Don't touch that." He said, grabbing my hand.

"What? Is illegal now to check my friends messages for him?"

"No! Dammit!" He snarled, just before a message began to play.

An eerie, distorted voice said, in a singsong tone. "Did you like my surprise? I'm going to give you another very, very soon."

To Be Continued....

Comments? Suggestion? Feel free to email me at Ladylovey4@yahoo.ca