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

Vanni heard a car pull into the driveway and closed his book as he glanced at the clock. Damn, when did it get so late,he thought as he hurried to the front door and pulled it open. He smiled as he did and said, “It’s about…” His words died on his lips when he saw Abbie and the lieutenant. “Nooo,” he moaned. He backed away, hands in front of him as if to ward them off, to ward off why they were there.


“Vanni,” Abbie said quietly. She stepped inside and reached out to him. When he shook his head and moved away, she said firmly, “Please sit down.” When he just stared at her she sighed. “Vanni, please. I know this is hard but…”


“Hard?” he spat out. “Hard? I know why you’re here. He’s dead. Yeah, hard doesn’t even begin to cover it. Damn it!” He spun around, grabbed the first thing that came to hand which was the book he’d set down moments earlier and hurled it at the wall. Then he picked up a glass sitting on the side table and threw it as well.


Chapter 40