Reynaud's Redemption, стр. 14

“Another article about us,” he said, turning the paper Reynaud’s way. “The arts and food section in the Times-Picayune has listed Cameron’s Bistro as the best new restaurant with five stars for the food.”

“That’s wonderful!” Reynaud yanked him into his embrace.

Cameron’s cock instantly came to life. Just being near Reynaud seemed to inflame Cameron’s desires, but when Reynaud touched him, it increased immensely. He was a walking, talking aphrodisiac.

“Yes it is, but—”

“But? But what? That’s great news, sweetheart.”

“It is, but… It makes me nervous.”

“Why?”

Cam sighed and returned to his seat. “So much good has been happening. I just don’t want it to end.”

Reynaud knelt before him and took his hands. “A lot has occurred in your life for so long. Don’t you think it’s time you hit a good streak?”

Cameron looked up at him. Reynaud was always so positive and grateful for whatever was given to him. Ashamed by his negative attitude, he leaned forward making a mental note to be more positive.

“You’re right. This is our good streak and it’s going great. No more dark-cloud talk from me.” He pulled his glass closer and emptied it. “I’m going upstairs to get ready for bed.”

Reynaud stood with him. “I want to switch out these tablecloths for clean ones then I’ll meet you up there,” he said, dropping a kiss on Cameron’s cheek.

“All right. Will you put this on the bulletin board? I think it looks fine.”

“Of course.”

Reynaud took the papers from him, and they went their separate ways. Cameron took the hallway dividing the house and the restaurant. He stopped in the bathroom first. After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he left the room with a towel pressed to his face. On autopilot, he walked across his bedroom drying off. The door shut behind him a moment later.

That was quick.

Cameron spun with an excited smile, expecting to see his beloved Reynaud. A gasp escaped him. His smile disappeared, and the towel fell from his hands. Dread rose within him. His brain screamed for him to run, or at least yell for help, but fear robbed him of his voice and froze him in place. Before Cameron’s mind could formulate what his next move should be, a large hand grasped his throat for the first time in three years.

“You seem surprised to see me, Cam.”

“Joe,” he managed to squeak. “I thought you were in jail.”

“I was and now I’m out.”

“H–how did you find me?”

“I had a little chat with your friend Simone. Everyone else I asked had a sudden case of amnesia, but I figured if anyone would know where you were, it would be her. You guys go too far back for you to just disappear and not tell her where you were going.”

“Simone wouldn’t tell—” The pressure Joe applied to Cameron’s throat stopped his words.

“I had to use some of my more persuasive techniques, but she eventually told me where she thought you might be. I didn’t believe a word of that bullshit, so I checked her emails and found one from you. You never mentioned where you were, of course, but the picture you sent her of you standing in front of the grand opening sign was enough to track you down.”

Cameron swallowed. His Adam’s apple bobbed against Joe’s palm, the action painful.

“All I had to do was Google Cameron’s Bistro —and voila!—here I am. Oh, by the way, you should give her a call in a few days to ask her how her hospital stay was.”

Cameron’s heart ached for his friend. He and Simone had been like brother and sister since meeting back in grade school. Though life and careers had sent them in different directions, they’d remained close and kept in touch often via text and email. The last thing he had expected was for her to be hurt for simply knowing him.

“I have an order of protection against you, Joe. You’re not supposed to be within five hundred feet of me,” Cameron reminded him on a gasp. “You’re breaking the law.”

“You think some piece of paper is going to keep me away from you? No court has the right to tell me when I can see my man or not. We’re going home.”

Cam shook his head. “I’m— I’m not going with you, Joe. I have a good life here. My restaurant is doing well and I— I have a new man. One who loves me.”

Joe’s hot breath caressed his face when he pulled Cameron close to plant an almost tender kiss on his cheek. The sensation was the equivalent of bugs running just beneath his clothes and over his skin. Cameron tried to shake the feeling off, but Joe’s voice only intensified it.

“Baby, what are you talking about? I love you.” He calmly flexed his fingers around Cameron’s neck.

Cameron pulled at the wide digits, trying to relieve some of the pressure on his windpipe.

“No, you don’t. I know what love feels like now. What we had was not…love.”

Anger flashed like lightning in Joe’s eyes. “You’re mine, Cam.” He shook his arm for emphasis. “You belong to me, and if I can’t have you… No one will,” he added through gritted teeth.

Beating his hands against the steel grip, Cameron gasped for air when Joe tightened his hold. Tears filled Cameron’s eyes as unconsciousness welled up, threatening to claim him.

“Relax, baby. When I get you home everything will be just like before… Back to normal.”

“Get your hands off him, you despicable bastard!”

Joe jumped, startled by the voice behind him. Looking over his shoulder, he released his hold on Cameron and shoved him backward.

Cameron stumbled to the wall, leaning on it for support as he massaged his sore throat. “Reynaud,” he said on a hoarse whisper.

Reynaud reached his bedroom and his blood instantly caught