Hell On Wheels Read online

  “Thanks. I’ll remember that.” Cory went back to work feeling as if Lu had just taken a peek into his soul.

  * * * *

  At three in the morning, Cory climbed on his bike for the long ride home.

  “You want me to follow you?” Tao asked, pulling up on his silver motorcycle.

  “No need. I’m fine.” Cory snapped his helmet into place and smiled.

  Tao’s big brown eyes stared at Cory for several moments before he gave a slight nod and roared off down the street.

  Despite being bone tired, Cory managed a good speed as he pedaled his way toward home down the early morning empty streets. It was probably better he hadn’t found someone to invite over anyway. What he really needed was to take a long shower and get the green out of his hair. The stuff was really starting to itch. He’d never had issues before, but maybe his skin had changed. Duh. You’re dead you stupid fucker.

  Cory slowed as he neared his apartment building. Climbing off his bike, his legs felt like rubber and he had to take a moment to get his bearings. He was in the process of hoisting the heavy bike onto his shoulder when he was struck from behind.

  The bicycle fell, tangling itself between Cory’s feet. He went down like a ton of bricks, never seeing the face of his attacker.

  When he regained consciousness, Cory tried to roll to his side but the pain was too much. He put one hand to his ribs and reached for the back of his head. His hand came away sticky with blood and cheap green hair dye. When he tried to get to his feet, the simple movements made his head spin. Falling back to the sidewalk like a rag doll, Cory emptied the contents of his stomach.

  Think. Think.

  Despite the pain, Cory managed to dig the phone out of his pocket. He hoped Lu had genuinely meant the offer he’d made earlier.

  “Lu.”

  “Hate to bother you, boss, but I need help getting upstairs to my apartment.”

  Lu chuckled. “What, fall off your bike?”

  “No. Someone jumped me. I know I have a concussion, and my guess is the bastard aimed at least one kick to my ribs while I was down. I could probably make it upstairs on my own, but I can’t leave my bike out here on the sidewalk. I just can’t afford to replace it right now.”

  “We’re on our way,” Lu returned.

  Cory detected a slight edge to Lu’s normally smooth voice. “If you’re busy, don’t worry about it.”

  “Don’t be daft. Can you get inside the building? I hate the thought of you out in the open.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll try, but I need to hang up now. I feel another wave of nausea coming on.”

  “Shit. Okay. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Cory didn’t even get a chance to close his phone before he once again threw-up. He’d suffered a concussion as a child by falling off the monkey bars in the local park, and spent nearly half a day throwing up until his parents had finally taken him to the emergency room.

  Cory wiped his mouth on his arm and tried once again to get to the front door. Standing wasn’t an option, so he tried to first crawl before opting for trying to scoot. Nothing worked. With each movement, the nausea returned. He finally gave up and closed his eyes against the dizziness.

  When he heard a car braking hard nearby, Cory opened his eyes to the sight of Lu and Dominic running toward him.

  Lu surprised Cory by easily lifting him off the pavement. Cory grabbed his side, trying to protect his ribs.

  “Sorry,” Lu offered.

  “It’s okay. Just get me upstairs,” Cory told his friend.

  “We thought we’d take you back to our place. You shouldn’t be left alone,” Dominic cut in, picking up Cory’s bicycle.

  “No. I need my own bed. I’ll be okay,” Cory insisted. He’d never been comfortable sleeping at someone else’s house.

  Lu and Dominic shared a look between them before Lu carried Cory toward the front door of the building. “Have you always been this hard headed or is it something new?”

  Cory reached for the back of his head. “This is one instance when my hard head probably went a long way in saving me.”

  Chapter Two

  “Bathroom,” Cory instructed as soon as they entered his apartment.

  Lu swiftly carried him to the small room and gently set him down in front of the toilet. Cory crossed his arms over the seat to support his forehead. He was thankful he’d cleaned earlier in the day. Nothing was worse than facing a dirty toilet bowl with a queasy stomach.

  While Cory closed his eyes and prayed for the room to stop spinning, he heard Lu turn on the faucet. Moments later, a warm washcloth was pressed to the back of his head.

  “You’ve got yourself a nasty gash,” Lu commented.

  “Do I need stitches?”

  Lu chuckled. “No. I can seal the cut. I’m not so sure about the concussion though.”

  Despite his rolling stomach, Cory grinned. It wasn’t often Lu admitted he was unsure about something. “Just do your best.”

  “I’ve got to say, this green stuff is nasty.” Lu leaned over to meet Cory’s gaze. “Sexy as hell on you, but nasty all the same.”

  “Thanks.” Cory tried to stifle a laugh, knowing the movement would be painful.

  “Of course the majority of your ass is hanging out of your new pants. That sorta counterbalances the yuck from the green,” Lu added with a wink.

  “Stop ogling Cory’s ass,” Dominic reprimanded from the doorway. “Do you want me to call someone?”

  “No. There’s no one,” Cory admitted. Damn, what a pathetic statement.

  Lu tossed the washcloth into the sink. “Will you rinse that for me, love?”

  Lu once again made eye contact with Cory. “This may sting a bit.”

  “Do what you have to.”

  “I’m going to basically cauterize the wound closed,” Lu explained.

  “You mean you’re going to burn me?” Cory asked, suddenly uncertain. “Maybe I should just go to the emergency room.”

  “Did you hear that, Dom? Cory doesn’t trust me.”

  Insulting his rescuers definitely wasn’t Cory’s aim. “No. Go ahead. Just don’t make fun of me if I end up pissing myself.”

  Lu snorted. “Humans.”

  Cory closed his eyes as Lu squeezed the wound closed. There was a brief sting and Lu sat back on his heels.

  “All done.”

  “What? That was it?” Cory questioned. “Why didn’t you do that with my lip?”

  “Because you wouldn’t let anyone get near you and because the cauterization leaves a completely different kind of scar. It wouldn’t have been pretty on your face, but with all this gorgeous blond hair covering the back of your head, no one will even know it’s there.”

  The statement brought to mind Draco. Cory had wanted to ask about him for a couple of weeks, but had held back. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.” Lu took the washcloth back from Dominic and continued to clean the blood from Cory’s hair.

  “Why did Draco’s scars vanish, and I still have mine?” Cory asked.

  “Because it was time for Draco’s to disappear.”

  With his stomach somewhat settled, Cory put a hand to his side and turned to lean his back against the bathroom wall. “What do you mean?”

  Lu threw the washcloth toward the hamper and rested against the bathtub. “Very few people here realize the power they have over their own bodies. I guess that’s a good thing or The City would be filled with men who looked like me.”

  “Excuse me?” Cory was confused.

  “Just as you chose your everlasting age when you came here, you also have the ability to change almost anything about yourself. You have no power over anyone else, of course, but you do have the tools to change yourself. To be the person you’ve always wanted to be. To look like the most gorgeous creature you’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  Lu chuckled. “That’s where looking like me comes in.”

  “So you’re saying I can remove the scar jus
t by wanting it?” Cory questioned.

  “No. I’m saying you can remove the scar if you truly feel you deserve it. Draco is finally coming to terms with his shame.” Lu snapped his mouth shut. “Well, let’s get you to bed.”

  Cory allowed Dominic and Lu to help him to his feet. If releasing his shame was required to remove the scar, Cory had no doubt he’d have the damn thing for eternity. He had no desire to release what was his duty to bear.

  A thought struck him as he was led into the bedroom. “Is that why they say everyone is beautiful in Heaven?”

  Dominic pulled back the covers and Lu waved his hand. Suddenly naked, Cory used his freehand to cover himself as much as possible. The action seemed to amuse Lu.

  “Do you have any idea how many cocks I’ve seen?” Lu asked, still chuckling.

  A growl from Dominic, and Lu laughed even harder. “Relax, love, I’m much older than you are.”

  Despite Lu’s statement, Cory continued to try to cover his bits while he was helped onto the mattress.

  “Lay on your side,” Lu instructed. “Dom? Will you find a big pan or bucket from the kitchen?”

  “Under the sink,” Cory instructed as Lu covered him.

  Once Dominic was out of the room, Lu sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s not my place to probe into your life, but I will tell you that anger, shame, hatred, bitterness…and all the other negative emotions work against you in The City. Those feelings are what you’re forced to confront on a daily basis. That’s what Hell is all about. That’s why you’re here.”

  Cory shrugged one shoulder. “I’m ashamed of myself. I’ll readily admit it. I was a horrible person when I was alive. But I’m trying to become a better man now.”

  Lu cupped Cory’s cheek. “Then you’re ahead of most people here.”

  “Here’s the bucket.” Dominic narrowed his eyes at Lu’s hand on Cory’s face. “What the fuck is going on?”

  Lu rolled his eyes. “You are such a dominating bastard at times.” He grinned and blew Dominic a kiss. “And I love it. But I’m simply trying to soothe, not stimulate.”

  Dominic set the red chore bucket on the floor beside the bed. “Anything else I can get you?”

  Cory didn’t want to go against Dominic when he was one hundred percent. No way would he take him on the way he felt. He subtly removed Lu’s hand from his face. “I have a bottle of pain relievers in the cabinet above the coffee maker. Would you mind terribly bringing me the bottle and a glass of water?”

  Dominic glanced at Lu.

  Once again, Lu pursed his lips and gave Dominic an air smooch. “I promise to keep my hands to myself.”

  By the time Dominic left, Lu was quite tickled. “I love it when he gets that way. I’ll admit sometimes I like to push his limits just to get his blood pumping. Dominic in full Alpha mode is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

  “You’re lucky you’re strong enough to stand up to someone Dominic’s size if you need to. I can’t imagine trusting someone that big not to try and overpower me,” Cory admitted.

  Lu tilted his head to the side. He started to reach for Cory but stopped himself and crossed his arms. “Is that why you won’t give Tao the time of day?”

  “Excuse me?” He’d never been rude to Tao.

  “He’s a gentle giant. He’d never hurt someone he cared about.”

  “Are you talking about me?” Dominic asked, striding into the room.

  A single black eyebrow rose as Lu turned to address Dominic. “Conceited much? I was talking about Tao.”

  Dominic handed Cory three tablets and a glass of water before bending to give Lu a deep, but short, kiss. “I learned from the best, babe.”

  “You hear that, Cory?” Lu slapped Dominic on the chest. “Completely irreverent.”

  Dominic sat on the chair beside Cory’s dresser. “So why are we talking about Tao?”

  “I have no idea,” Cory said.

  Lu sighed. “Tao practically drools every time he looks at you. Yet you barely make eye contact when he tries to gather the nerve to talk to you.”

  “He’s big,” Cory mumbled.

  “Yes. Believe me, big has its advantages.” Lu glanced at Dominic. “Several advantages.”

  “I’ve seen the way Tao gets with customers. He tosses them around like toys.” Cory took a moment to swallow his pills and take a drink before handing the glass to Lu.

  Setting the water on the bedside table, Lu nodded. “Yes he does. Have you noticed that nine times out of ten the men he tosses are the ones who’ve given you a hard time?”

  “It’s his job,” Cory countered.

  “Kind of. He’s supposed to help remove unwanted elements from the club. He’s not required to take the removal process so personally. Which he does when it pertains to you.”

  Lu started to reach for Cory’s hand but stopped and looked at Dominic. “Permission to soothe?”

  Dominic rolled his eyes and nodded.

  Lu covered Cory’s hand and squeezed. “Tao’s protective of you because he likes you.”

  “Now. But that doesn’t always mean he’ll use his size to protect me. What if I do something to piss him off? He could snap me like a twig.”

  Once again, memories of his childhood and teenage years ran through his mind. Always being picked last in physical education class was the least of his childhood traumas. How many times had he been jumped for his fucking lunch money? Once his sexuality got out in the open during his junior year, things got even worse. His parents had to drive him to school because the tires on his car wouldn’t last a day in the parking lot. He’d spent almost every weekend scrubbing dried eggs off the front of his family home. It really was no wonder he started drinking at the age of seventeen.

  “Tao’s not that kind of man. Do yourself a favor and at least get to know him before you make that kind of judgment against him,” Dominic cut in.

  * * * *

  “Where’s Cory?” Tao asked.

  Terry shrugged. “Nick called and asked if I could fill for a few days.”

  Tao’s hands fisted at his sides. “They didn’t fire him because of what happened last night did they?”

  “I don’t know, man. Go ask ’em.”

  Tao pushed away from the bar and strode toward the stairs leading up to Nick’s office. He pushed the intercom at the bottom of the steps and waited.

  “Yeah,” Nick answered.

  “It’s Tao. Can I talk to you?” He heard the lock disengage and pulled open the heavy door. Although the door was made of steel, the rest of the staircase had clear walls like the offices.

  When he reached Nick’s office, he took a calming breath and knocked.

  “Come in.”

  Tao stepped inside and shut the door. “Where’s Cory?”

  “Upstairs. He ran into trouble last night after he left here. Lu and Dominic stayed with him overnight, but it was decided to bring him here rather than leave him alone today. Galen’s playing nursemaid.”

  Tao’s gut twisted at the news. “Was he hurt?”

  Nick leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “He was hit on the back of the head with something. Evidently while he was unconscious, whoever hit him decided to kick him in the ribs. Nothing life-threatening, but he’s too sore to move much today.”

  Tao licked his lips. A glance at the clock on the wall told him he was due to be on duty in less than thirty minutes. “Do you think I could go up and see how he’s doing?”

  Nick stared at Tao for several seconds. “His ribs were hurting pretty bad earlier so Lu mixed up some crazy concoction and made him drink it. You can go up, but don’t be disappointed if he’s asleep.”

  “Thanks, boss.” Tao turned to leave.

  “Do me a favor,” Nick said before Tao could get out the door.

  “Sure.”

  “After Cory gets back to work, I want you to make sure he gets home okay every night. I’ll pay you an extra hour’s wage a day.”

  Tao gripped the door handle so
tight it was a wonder it didn’t turn to powder in his hand. “I’ll make sure Cory’s safe. No need to pay me.”

  Tao left the office and climbed to Nick, Baz and Galen’s third floor apartment. He felt like kicking his own ass for not following Cory home the previous night. He’d had one of his feelings and he should have known enough to trust it, but he’d let Cory decline his offer without putting up a fuss.

  Before he could even knock, the door opened and Galen stood with the phone at his ear. Galen stepped back so Tao could enter and gestured to the phone. “Okay. I’ll see you in a bit.”

  Tao took off his shoes and set them outside the apartment before entering. There were some customs he simply wouldn’t give up, and wearing shoes inside a house was one of them.

  Galen hung up and gestured to the bedroom. “Nick said to let you see him even if he was asleep. I haven’t checked on him for an hour, so if he wakes up, ask him if he needs anything.”

  Tao glanced at the rich furnishings on the way to the indicated bedroom. He’d sat on a couch a time or two but had never felt the need to purchase one. The door wasn’t latched, so Tao slowly pushed it until he could see Cory’s sleeping form. He glanced over his shoulder but Galen was nowhere to be seen.

  After entering the room, Tao sat cross-legged on a small rug beside Cory’s bed. His height allowed him the opportunity to watch Cory on the raised bed, something else Tao had never owned. If he were back on his home island, he would be able to get his hands on plants that would soothe Cory’s pain. Although Lu had been thoughtful enough to recreate the tropical feel of his home in a small pocket of The City, the plants weren’t the same.

  Cory shifted and his eyelids began to flutter. His face twisted in apparent pain moments before he cried out. “I’m sorry!”

  Tao quickly knelt beside the bed and reached out. “It’s okay. It was just a dream.”

  Cory opened his eyes and flinched away from Tao’s touch. “Tao?”

  Feeling rejected, Tao sat back on his heels and bowed his head. He should have known better than to reach out for Cory. His size had always been a problem. He’d been the biggest child in the village, the biggest warrior, always the biggest. It hadn’t mattered that he’d always gone out of his way to be extra careful with others, people were naturally afraid of his appearance.