Free Beautiful Monster: The Hunt (Book 2) by Jeanne Bannon Page A

he got the recognition he deserved from Those on High when all was said and done.
    “Yes, the park. Great idea.”

Chapter Eighteen
     
    The wind whipped eddies of the crispy remains of autumn’s discarded foliage, around Jack’s feet as he stood outside Boris’s house waiting. The beast would soon be leaving for his nightly hunt. Jack rehearsed what he’d say; how he’d convince Boris he was a fan of sorts. That he’d heard of him and was attracted to him—which, in actuality wasn’t far from the truth. Before Jack met Alina, he’d been doing just that, admiring and watching Boris from afar, trying to work up the nerve to approach him. A dangerous thrill ran through him when he thought of Boris; how handsome he was, how stealthy and unconcerned about his behavior. He’d known Alexei of course, the real Alexei and he’d heard of his demise and even though Jack knew for certain Boris was only taking up residence in Alexei’s body, he was still irresistible.
    Yet, Jack never did approach him. He thought on that now, perhaps it was instinct that kept him at bay? He’d chosen only to stand in the shadows, watching as Boris killed and fed. That had been a bit of an issue. He had his own problems with feeding and tried never to kill. Jack had a system—he had his “regulars”, those crazies who willingly let him feed on them. They got a kick out of being a meal for a creature of the night. They also got something else, a high. Jack remembered how it had been with the real Alexei, how many times Alexei had come calling when Jack lived in a decent apartment in Soho. He’d spend the night, they’d make love, and Alexei would feed. It always left Jack high as a kite, as if he’d just done a bump of cocaine.
    Then there was the night Alexei went too far. Jack tried to shake the memory away. There was no horror to compare it to. His transformation from human to monster was instant. At first, Alexei laughed as Jack writhed in the pain of transformation but he stopped when Jack turned his rage on him. They’d fought, and Jack was a worthy opponent, with the adrenaline of newborn fury boiling in his veins. Alexei fled, leaving Jack alone in his new life as a creature of the night, all alone to find his way in his new world.
    The creak of a door opening snapped Jack from his thoughts, his brimming anger now replaced by fear. Quickly, he went over the spell in his mind, repeating it a few times to make sure fear hadn’t pushed it from his memory. It was there, fully intact. Jack squared his shoulders and as quick as a breath, he was on Boris’s walkway, standing in front of the man who lived in his maker’s body.
    “Forgive my intrusion, but I think I know you,” Jack said with a smile so big it almost split his face.
    Boris’s eyebrows smashed together in a look of discontent. “Who the hell are you?”
    “You don’t remember me, Alexi? I know it’s been many years but...” He tried to look demure.
    Boris’s expression relaxed and slowly, a smile bloomed. “Forgive me, comrade, I do not remember your name.” He waved a hand. “There have been so many—”
    “No need to explain. I’m Jack.” He held out a hand. Boris took it in an iron grip and pulled him close. Jack could smell him now, the musk of desire leaking from every pore. Boris clasped his other hand over Jack’s.
    “So you came for a visit?” Boris said in a voice lined with silk. He sounded like Alexei though there was more of an accented edge to his voice.
    Jack licked his lips seductively. “If that’s what you want to call it.” Probes like tendrils tickled his brain. It was as if Boris was trying to crack open a walnut to look inside. Jack hoped with all that he was that the masking spell was strong enough to keep Boris from learning the real reason for his visit.
    “I was on my way out but now that you’re here, maybe it would be better if you came inside. We could ... catch up.” Boris kept a grip on Jack’s wrist and pulled