A cannibalistic serial killer targeting gay men is on the loose. Devin, who has become increasingly erratic in the last two months, just split up with Gary, his lover of three years. Vanni, a habitué of the gay clubs, makes extra spending money on his knees in the club johns. Is one of these men the killer? Or will one of them instead become the killer’s next target? Detective Hollis Robbins is in charge of the case. He intends to stop the killer, if he can. When the killer strikes again the four men’s lives intertwine as the search for the murderer intensifies. Will the attraction that two of them begin to feel for each other survive the hunt? Do they have the strength to continue on after tragedy strikes and teaches them that love can be bittersweet?

The Beast Within

“Thanks.” Hollis smiled slightly. “You’re good for bouncing ideas off, you know. Almost as good as my partner.”


Vanni flinched saying, “I hope you mean the partner you work with, not…?”


“Of course, who else?” Then realization hit. “No, I’m not with anyone. I’m pretty much of a loner outside of my job other than a couple of friends I hang out with.”


“Strangely enough so am I, believe it or not,” Vanni replied, a small grin quirking his lips. “Lots of acquaintances, damned all for friends other than maybe Devin.”


“I’d have figured you for having a ton of them.”


“You don’t make friends at clubs. You get fuck buddies, maybe, for the short haul, one night stands if that’s your thing, but rarely friends.”


Hollis nodded while he studied his face. “Then why hang out at them?”


“Other than the obvious reason? I suppose because it’s better than holing up at home watching crap flicks and drinking beer by myself.”


Chapter 19