BlackMoonRising (7 page)

Steve gently slid his cock head just past the ring of
muscles. “How does that feel?”

“Like heaven.” Herman sighed as he pushed back against
Steve.

“Enough?”

“More,” cried Herman. “Don’t make me beg.”

“But I want you to beg.”

“Please fuck me with that big, beautiful dick,” Herman
pleaded. “Now! I want all of it.”

Steve moved slowly inside him, inch by inch. It was hard not
to thrust right away and give it his all because the sensation of being inside
Herman was so great. This was the man he wanted to be with. As Herman groaned
in pleasure, Steve pushed deeper and harder. He soon fucked with powerful
strokes. His legs quivered and he was ready again, ready to come inside this
beautiful man.

His
man.

He saw Herman working his own shaft into the sheets. The
muscles in his biceps flexed as he moved his hand up and down.

“Herman.” Steve moaned. “Your ass is so hot.”

It wasn’t long until Herman groaned. They both shouted
shortly thereafter as wave after wave of powerful orgasms rocked through them,
like water flooding over a broken dam.

After they relaxed minutes later, Herman pulled Steve close
and closed his eyes. “You said you loved me. I’m not letting you go when this
is all over. I hope you know that.”

“Then hold me. I’m yours now.”

“I was yours five years ago, you brute.”

They held each other tight until the stove timer went off
and it was time to eat dinner.

* * * * *

Herman awoke to Steve’s cries—which had nothing to do with
sex. The sobbing started and then the muffled scream came from his throat. It
was Steve having the dream about his father again. Herman sat up and turned on
the bedside light.

Steve tossed from side to side, the bedsheets already pulled
from the mattress. His hair was wet with sweat and his face contorted.

“Steve, Steve, wake up,” Herman begged as he shook him.
“You’re home and everything is okay.”

As Steve opened his eyes, tears streamed down his face. “No.
Not again.” He suddenly became coherent and looked around the room. “Herman?”

Herman placed a hand on his chest and spoke softly. “I’m
here. Wake up, darling. Everything is all right. Do you remember what Nahla
said earlier?”

“My head is cloudy.” He shook his head from side to side.
“Remind me.”

“We’re supposed to write everything down about your dream.”
Herman kissed his forehead. “Let me do that for you. You’ve never told me all
the details and I want to hear them. I’m trying to help in any way I can.” He
took a pad of paper and pen from the nightstand.

Steve was ready to talk. His eyes narrowed and he frowned.
“My father and I had gotten off the bus on Chicago Avenue and were walking
north. He hadn’t worked that day. It was a late fall evening. Wednesday. Dark
outside—but early, around six. You know, dinnertime. We had picked up groceries
at the market and my mom planned to cook spaghetti and garlic bread when we got
home. I was happy.“

Herman wrote as quickly as he could. “Keep talking.”

“I think we were about four blocks off Chicago Avenue. It
was near our home. The lights weren’t so bright anymore and there are no longer
any businesses. Just residential buildings. This was an area where the trees
were thick and made it hard to even see the sky. I felt a gust of cool wind.
Leaves started to blow around us. I suddenly noticed that there weren’t any
people walking by.” Steve glanced around the room like he wasn’t there anymore.
His eyes appeared to look right through Herman. “It seemed like we were all
alone.”

“Go on.”

“But we weren’t alone.” Steve inhaled deeply. “My dad
grabbed my arm like he knew something was about to happen.”

“How could he know?”

“Shifters can sense and smell things that humans can’t.”

Herman nodded. “You weren’t a shifter then?”

“No. It happens at puberty.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m sorry, babe. Please
continue. Your dad grabbed your arm.”

Steve grimaced. “Suddenly a werewolf blocked our path on the
sidewalk. I’d seen werewolves before. They’re the strongest of shifters, with
some being violent-tempered. They go from wolf to human and back again as they
please. Not like me who can shift to any kind of domestic dog, but then needs a
break for recovery time. This werewolf was big and gray. It had black pupils
with yellow eyes that glowed in the dark. He snarled and growled and was
horribly scary.”

Herman shook his head in shock.

“My dad whispered for me to run as fast as I could. I knew
this was something I shouldn’t question and ran.” He put a hand over his eyes.

“What happened next?”

“When I heard my dad scream, I stopped and turned around. He
had shifted into a menacing Doberman, who stood on muscular hind legs as he
fought the werewolf to protect his son. But the werewolf was agile and faster
than my dad. The werewolf’s claws sliced him open.“ He swallowed hard. “All the
way down his chest.”

Herman dropped the notebook in which he wrote.

Steve talked faster. “He fell to the ground and I ran to
him. I didn’t care about the werewolf anymore. I wasn’t afraid. I wanted my
dad. He shifted back to human form once I reached him. I knelt and looked into
his eyes. He took my hand.” Tears streamed down his face. “He said he was
sorry, that he would always love me and the rest of our family but he wasn’t
going to make it through this. He could barely breathe and I knew he was going
to die.”

Herman wrapped his arms around Steve. “Oh baby, I’m so
sorry.”

“What I had to see was horrible. His body was opened up.”

Herman held him tighter.

“Wait a minute.” Steve withdrew from Herman’s arms. “There’s
something else that I hadn’t remembered until now. I looked at the werewolf. He
hadn’t left because he was hurt. Dad must have torn into him with his teeth.
There was a jagged wound that went above and below the werewolf’s left eye. He
rubbed it and I saw the blood glistening in the dark. That eye wasn’t yellow
anymore. It was mostly black.”

“Black?”

“Yeah. Black. There was something wrong with his front paw
too.” Steve frowned. “Left paw. Instead of five toes, he had fewer. Maybe
three?”

“Sounds like your dad hurt him pretty bad.”

“Not like he did to Dad.” Steve shook his head and let out a
breath. “It was over and I started screaming. The werewolf vanished before I
turned around.”

“Wow! No wonder you’ve had nightmares all these years. What
a horrific thing for a child to witness. I’m so sorry.”

Steve didn’t appear to be listening. “Fifteen years. Oh my
God! Could it be?”

“What?” Herman gave him a questioning look.

Steve furrowed his brow. “I need to know what’s under
Merlotti’s glove.”

Steve awoke with a yawn. Herman had helped him meditate
after the nightmare as Nahla had suggested, and he was finally able to sleep
about two hours in a row without tossing and turning. The sleep brought on a
nice dream about being in Cancun on vacation. Fun in the sun with his man. He
glanced over at Herman sleeping peacefully next to him.

“Herman.”

Herman turned to him with drowsy, sexy eyes. “What?”

“Wake up.”

“I’m awake.” Herman blinked at him.

“I want you to shut your eyes.”

“You just told me to open them.”

“Shut them.” Steve smiled.

Herman groaned and closed his eyes.

Steve leaned in close. He whispered, “I want you to imagine
a place with powdery-white beaches, warm turquoise water and palm trees that
sway in the breeze.”

“Sounds beautiful. Where is it and when are we going?”

“It’s Cancun and we’re going after we clear your name and
put this mess behind us.”

“It sounds like some kind of fairy tale to me.” Herman
opened his eyes and propped up on an elbow. “What brought this on?”

“I dreamed about being there.”

“Have you ever?”

“Oh yeah. Loved it. Seafood, sand, sun and tequila.” Steve
wrinkled his nose. “Perfecto.”

“Well, you’ll have to remind me to go clothes shopping when
you’re ready. I haven’t a thing to wear.”

“You won’t need many clothes.” Steve grinned. “Nothing will
be fine.”

“Well, boyfriend, nothing is only for you. I don’t think the
other tourists or locals would want me in nothing. What brought all this on?”

“I had a restful night. Turn over.”

Herman turned to his side.

Steve snuggled behind him. “I’m excited about the additional
details my nightmare brought with your help. Thanks.”

“You never explained what those details meant.”

“I don’t want to explain anything yet. Sorry. Might jinx
it.” Steve’s cock hardened as he pushed against Herman. He took it in his hand
and rubbed it against Herman’s ass. “Feel that?”

“A hard dick rubbing against me again. I’m never going to
get any rest living with you.”

“Complaining already?”

“Of course not. I’ve never had so much sex before. I think I
could get used to this day in and day out.”

Steve leaned over and whispered into Herman’s ear. “You’re
like a drug to me. A drug so good it should be illegal. I’m always horny for
you.”

“Ha ha. Real funny. That’s probably because I’m always
available.”

Steve laughed. “Well, it doesn’t hurt that you’re laying
here naked with nowhere to go. I think that ass is looking for action.” He
slapped Herman’s butt.

“Ow!”

Steve grabbed a condom and lube and squirted it on his shaft
and Herman’s beautiful ass, taking care to open Herman up with his fingers
first.

Herman gasped as Steve’s rod slowly joined their warm bodies
together. Steve thrust deeply inside him and they both moaned with joy.

“It’s just you and me.” Steve pulled him close. “Forever.”
It didn’t take long before the pleasure shot from his body into Herman’s.

* * * * *

While on the city bus, Steve received a text from his mom to
be extra-vigilant about his surroundings. She said she’d explain more once
Steve made it to the office.

Once he arrived, the mood there was somber.

Eric and Suzy sat in front of Joni’s desk. Eric had bruising
on his cheek, and a finger on his right hand was swollen from the fiasco at the
country club. He glanced up at Steve with a frown.

“What’s going on?” Steve asked.

Joni let out a breath. “We had a visitor earlier. A Merlotti
wolf. A beta sent by their alphas.”

“There are two?” asked Steve.

“Yep, I said alphas. Plural. As you know, we put the old
alpha in jail, where he remains. Looks like he still helps run things. I’m not
naive enough to believe otherwise. And as it turns out, Roberto Merlotti is
also an alpha.”

Steve’s face drained of color. “What?”

“Roberto didn’t like the little visit that you and Eric paid
to his club the other day, or Eric’s visit the day before that.”

“It’s his club?”

“He’s the owner. Turns out the old owner mysteriously
drowned off the coast of South Africa a few months ago. Go figure. His widow
put the place up for sale and since Merlotti had already been a member of the
club and was interested, he had the first chance to purchase it.”

“So is he legit, like we heard?”

“Not a chance. That must have been the propaganda the family
spewed. I checked with my contacts at the DA’s office. They’re sure he’s into
money laundering and who knows what else. They just haven’t been able to bring
any charges yet. He’s also bought a couple of other businesses in Chicago. He
seems to like shoe stores these days but they’re rarely open. Go figure.”

“How did he know Eric and I were there?”

“Cameras all over the place. Some of the pack members
recognized you two.”

“Guess we didn’t think that a country club would be spying
on their members.”

“But it isn’t a normal country club.” Joni stood from his
desk. “It’s the pack’s new den.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Great.”

“Eric told us about the conversation with Barbara and
Merlotti.”

“It’s obvious they’re a couple,” confirmed Steve. “But with
this new information, I’m wondering if Barbara was involved in the murder.
Maybe it was only Merlotti.”

“Once they marry, he’ll be even richer and have an estate
close to the club,” added Joni.

Eric raised his eyebrows. “Maybe Merlotti isn’t finished
killing yet?”

“You mean Barbara?” asked Joni.

Eric nodded. “And Herman.”

Steve’s heart thudded in his chest.

“How can we clear Herman and keep him safe?” asked Suzy.
“This is so frustrating.”

“We need someone to confess. I don’t know how that will
happen.” Joni shook her head.

“They need to slip up somehow,” offered Suzy. “Too bad we
have no evidence. Nothing on that whale knife except Herman’s fingerprints.”

“Every time I’ve seen Merlotti, he’s wearing gloves,”
offered Eric.

Steve bit his lip. Now was not the time to bring up the new
information he’d gleaned from his nightmare. He couldn’t be sure of anything
until he saw what was underneath Merlotti’s gloves. The rest of his family
certainly didn’t need to think of Dad’s death right now.

“Okay everyone, keep thinking caps on for that one. Time for
the next agenda item.” Joni let out a breath as she shuffled papers on her
desk. “We have a lead on the Butler fugitive and we need to be in Wrigleyville
at noon. He’s supposed to meet with a former associate and Steve and Eric will
be there to greet him instead. But in the meantime, I need updates on
everything else going on.”

So much for Steve’s day starting off so gloriously.

* * * * *

Herman was excited about Nahla coming over. He had Steve pick
up a few things from the corner market before he went to work and followed a
recipe to make an artichoke-cheese dip that he planned to serve with crackers
and fresh bread.

He couldn’t help but smile. Being forced to stay in Steve’s
apartment could be stifling at times but he found things to do. He was happy
that cleaning the apartment hadn’t upset Steve after all. But if he didn’t
start lifting some heavy-duty weights on a regular basis, the muscles that
helped define him would wither away. He flexed his biceps and tried to think
positive. A fireman needed to be strong, and Herman had every intention of
going back to work in the future.

Steve was somewhat quiet once home from work, but after a
nap and dinner things were better.

“Any further updates from Nahla?”

Herman shook his head. “I assume we’re still on. You okay?”

He nodded. “Another busy day, but nothing I can’t handle.
I’m feeling pretty good about tonight.”

“As you should. The power of positive thinking and all
that.” Herman gave him a hug. “We’ll get through this.”

Nahla arrived shortly before ten. She smiled. “The apartment
has an aroma of cheese and garlic. I love it.”

Herman set the still-bubbling appetizer down on the coffee
table. “Thought we all might like a little snack before we get down to
business.”

After a short time of casual conversation, the team readied
to work on Steve’s nightmares.

They went into the bedroom and Nahla tied a silver ribbon
around a white candle. Herman lit it and placed the candle on the bedside
stand. He put a silver earring of Steve’s on the windowsill. Steve sat on the
bed as Nahla turned the lights down.

“Watch the flame burn,” purred Nahla. “Imagine that you have
the peace and happiness that you’ve always wanted. Restful sleep comes easy and
dreams follow.”

“Herman is trying to help me with that.”

Herman grinned. What a sweet thing for Steve to say.

“Focus, Steve,” coaxed Nahla. “Close your eyes. Meditate on
peace and happiness. It’s a powerful spiritual tool. Once you’re completely
relaxed, go to the window with the candle.”

The room became quiet as Steve did as he was told. A few
minutes later he stood and walked with the candle to the window.

“Like I said yesterday, we have a black moon this month,”
Nahla murmured. “There are two dark moon cycles, with the second cycle being
what we are in right now. It holds great power in the spiritual world. That
power is yours to unleash if you believe. Now focus on the moon, even though
you can’t see it. The moon will help if called upon.”

“All right,” declared Steve. “I’m ready.”

“Say this chant five times and focus with every word.
‘Banish evil dreams from my sight. I’m looking for peaceful nights’.”

Steve spoke the words five times.

“Blow out the candle, take off the ribbon and put it around
your wrist ’til the morning comes.” Nahla folded her hands in front of her.
“The candle and earring will remain on the windowsill. Repeat this tomorrow
night with a new candle and ribbon to take advantage of the black moon’s
special power. I’m confident that your nightmares will be gone.”

Herman tied the ribbon around Steve’s wrist and tucked him
into bed. Nahla followed him out of the bedroom back out to the living room.

“Thank you,” Herman gushed. “I think I’ll sleep out here on
the couch as to not disturb him tonight. I’m hoping this will help.”

“It will,” Nahla confirmed. “No worries. The black moon
never fails.”

“I found your black moon specifics quite interesting. I
never heard about that phenomenon before.”

“This is truly a special time.” Nahla picked up her purse
from the couch.

Herman thought hard and deep. “If something came up and we
needed further assistance from the black moon, something unrelated to the
nightmares, would you be able to help?”

“Of course.” She hugged Herman. “Count me as a friend.”

As Herman shut the door he couldn’t help but think about the
black moon. Wouldn’t it be nice to look out the window and ask the black moon
to show them who killed his dad? Too bad it would never be that easy.

Or could it?