Free My Vampire Lover by J. P. Bowie Page B

pants. "Look." I glanced at his tan torso and gasped. His skin was a mess of welts and bruises.
"Jesus," I muttered. "Your father did that?"
"Yes, and he said next time, would be my end."
    "Oh, come on, he didn't mean it." But knowing what Delano was capable of, I was no longer sure of what I'd just said. The man was insane. What he'd tried to have his thugs do to Jean-Claude was evidence enough. Now, finding that he would deliberately beat the shit out of his only son and threaten him with death just because he was gay told me the man had to be stopped.
    "I'm calling the cops," I said, peering into my rear view mirror. Didn't look like anyone was following us. "I have a friend with the LAPD. He'll help us." "The cops? But my dad will kill me."
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My Vampire Lover
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"No, he won't, Jerry," I snapped. "He won't get another chance to touch you, if you let my friend help us."
     
He was silent as we pulled up outside my apartment. I could tell he was terrified at this turn of events. He was probably wondering how the chance of a quickie had suddenly turned into a fight for his life.
    "My name's Ron, by the way."
Luckily, Barney was at his desk when I called. "Can you come right over to my apartment?" I asked.
He sniggered. "You hot for me again?"
"No ... I mean, I could be ... but there's someone I want you to help. His life is being threatened..."
"This the same guy you called about the other day?"
"No. Someone else."
"Jeez, Ron. How many more people do you know who're getting threatened every day?"
"Just come over, will you? Please?"
A heavy sigh was followed by, "Oh, okay. See ya in a few."
I looked at Jerry, who sat on the couch, being rubbed on by Felicia. He sank back against the cushions and took her in his arms. I heard her purring, clear across the room.
    Traitor, I thought.
"I love cats," Jerry said softly, kissing Felicia's ears. His eyes glistened as he stared up at me. "Thank you for getting me out of there."
"My friend Barney will be here shortly," I told him. "Just tell him everything you've been through and show him the evidence—I mean, all those bruises. Why did he do that?"
    "I was seeing some guy, and he found out."
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My Vampire Lover
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Jean-Claude...
"He and one of his bozos—the one you punched earlier—
took turns beating me up."
"Your mother?"
"She left him years ago. Can you blame her?"
Yeah. I could blame her for leaving her son with a maniac, but I said nothing, just nodded.
"Then he told me he was going to get the man I had been seeing. Jesus, Ron. We hadn't done anything. I asked him over to the house when my dad was out. We just talked. He hugged me goodnight. He was really nice."
     
I know, I thought.
     
"They locked me in my room the night I was supposed to meet him. I felt so damned guilty about what they would do to him, and there was no way I could warn him. Anyway, they didn't manage to get him."
    So he didn't know his father had almost killed Jean-Claude.
"That's good," I said, clearing my throat. "Can I get you a soda or something?'
"Just water. I'd like something stronger, but better not with a cop coming 'round."
Was he old enough to drink? "How old are you, Jerry?"
"Twenty-five. I know, I look younger. Everyone tells me."
"Yeah, you do." I got up as someone hammered on my door. "Hope that's Barney," I said, seeing the tension on Jerry's face. I peered through the peek-hole. "Get your thumb off," I yelled, "or I'm not opening the door."
    "Fine, I'll leave you to your fate, then."
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My Vampire Lover
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I flung the door open. "Why do you always do that?" I asked, belligerently.
"'Cause I know it pisses you off." Barney bussed my cheek, and sauntered into the living room. "Hi, I'm Detective Barney Foster," he said, holding out his hand to Jerry. Was it my imagination, or did young Jerry blush slightly as he took Barney's hand and introduced himself?
    "So, Felicia left you again for another guy, Ron?" Barney chuckled as he settled on the couch next