Night and Day by Rowan Speedwell

Author:Rowan Speedwell [Speedwell, Rowan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63477-090-3
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-03-09T05:00:00+00:00

DRIVING BACK into the city, he’s quiet again, as he was this morning, concentrating on weaving through the increased traffic, of both the foot and automotive kind. You’re stopped, waiting for a streetcar to pass, when he reaches over to touch the back of your wrist. “I hope I haven’t frightened you,” he says in a low voice.

You shake your head. You don’t know why you’re not frightened. You should be. But every time you think that, you see him as he was when you walked into that club, lazy at the piano, in that silly undershirt-and-tie combination, and somehow all the fire and heat and sun in the world can’t make you fear him.

But when you get back to the club, there’s a man standing outside with a pair of goons flanking him, and him you fear. He’s not very large, but there’s a presence about him that’s intimidating, more than can be accounted for by the goons. Dark unruly hair and eyes bright green and a little crazy stare at you as you get out of the car.

“So this is the new canary,” the man says.

“Dion,” Rick says warily. “What can I do for you?”

“Introduce us.” The guy has the accent of the streets, and his hands are gnarled like grapevines. He’s talking to Rick, but his bright crazy eyes never leave you.

“Nathan Petroff, meet Dion Winyard. He owns The Vinery over on Port Street.”

“Get it?” Dion chortles. “Vines? Winyard? Port?”

“Got it,” you say. “God of the grape, no doubt.”

The silence is loud. Then the man says in a different voice, “Smart boy. Did you figure this all out yourself or did Golden Boy here let you in on the secret?”

You shrug.

“It’s not that simple,” Rick says, and his voice is irritated.

“It’s always that simple,” Dion says. “Let’s go inside and talk about it.”

“I can’t stop you,” Rick says. “But the goons stay out.”

“The goons stay out,” Dion agrees.

Corinna is waiting when you get inside. Her suit today is black, pinstriped, and chilly, reflecting her expression, and there is no sign of the staff. “Hello, you drunken bastard,” she says, her voice uninflected.

“Hello, you frigid bitch,” Dion responds in the same tone. “Beat it. This don’t involve you.” He turns back to Rick and jerks his head at you. “What’s so special about this loser?”

“None of your business,” Corinna says.

“I said beat it, bitch.”

“The day I take orders from a drunken Johnny-come-lately like you, Dion,” Corinna says serenely, “is the day Zeus rises and kicks your filthy ass.”

Dion ignores her, his attention on Rick. “Another one of your hard-luck cases? Zeus fuck, Ricky, this place is full of them. What d’ya need one more for? I’ll take him off your hands. The Vinery could use a new warbler.”

Your blood runs cold, but Corinna says dismissively, “He’s too good a performer for a whorehouse, Dee.”

“He’s staying here,” Rick says. His voice is quiet, uninflected, but Dion grins.

“Is he? We’ll see.”

The place is still after he leaves, all of you standing frozen until after you hear the sound of the door closing.

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