Modeling Death (8 page)

"How does that work exactly when two men get married?" Jacob had heard of two men getting married before but hadn't attended any ceremonies.

"I'm sure it works differently for everyone, but Cash and I are each going to pick someone to stand beside us on our big day. I'd like you to be by my side, but I have a bit of a problem."

"What sort of problem?"

"Cash saw pictures of you."

"And?"

"And he's worried you'll try and steal me away."

Jacob started laughing so hard he had to clutch the counter so he didn't fall down. "Is he crazy?"

"Thanks for your support," Will said in a dry tone. "I told him we had never been like that, but he saw that picture we took in Cancun, and you look amazingly gorgeous and shirtless; he's worried. I told him it was nothing, and I just know you're going to love Cash even if he's a jealous bastard. He's not the abusive jealous, just the growly jealous, so you can stop worrying."

The problem with old friends is that they know you too well. Jacob let out a laugh. "When are you getting married? I have fashion week next week so I can't get away before then."

"I know. I know. Another reason Cash is a little angry with me. I organized the wedding around fashion week. I didn't want you to be unable to come. I really want you there, Jacob. Please!"

"You can't really blame him." Jacob would be furious if his groom were considering the schedule of another guy to plan their wedding.

"I know, but I'm not budging on this. I needed more time to organize the wedding anyway. I was just unwise enough to mention our first date conflicted with Fashion Week. He hates the idea that I'm friends with a fashion model."

Jacob sighed. This wasn't the first time it had been a problem in their relationship. Will tended to attract possessive people, and most men didn't like to be measured against the standards of a model. Another reason the two of them usually had meals without Will's current significant other. Not that any of them held Will's attention for long, but they were possessive of the beautiful rich man for the short time he agreed to be on their arm.

"The wedding is in three weeks. Do you think you can fly to Seattle by then? I want to have the informal ceremony at our house and then Father can oversee the more formal version we're having in Victoria. You don't have to go to that one. I think Father is going to insist my older brother is by my side for that one. Unity for the press and all."

"I'd love to see your house and be part of your ceremony," Jacob agreed. "I'll make sure to get my calendar moved around. I think I'm supposed to be in Spain, but I'll see if I can shift things."

"Thanks, Jacob. I know it's really short notice, but my family is being relentless. I'm afraid if I don't commit to Cash soon they'll come up with a reason to separate us, and I don't want Cash to have to find creative places to hide their bodies."

Jacob laughed even though Will's tone didn't indicate Will was completely kidding. "I'll be there, and I'll make sure to bring a date." He was almost positive he could convince Guy to go with him.

"Who?" Will asked. "Are you dating someone?"

"I've dated a guy a few times, but I'm pretty sure he'd go with me if I asked."

"Fabulous, but don't bring some bum to my wedding."

"I won't; I promise."

"What's his name?"

"Guy Franks."

Will gave a gasp. "I know him. He's a friend of Cash's. I had no idea he was seeing anyone, but then I only met the man once. I'm going to have to talk to Cash about holding out on me. Guy is invited to the wedding too, so I'll put you two down together."

"It's a new relationship so Cash might not have known we're together. Anyway, I'll be there. Put me down as a definite yes."

"Great! I'll email you the details. I didn't want to email you the invite; that's so tacky. I'll overnight it to you tomorrow."

Jacob laughed. Only Will would think overnighting wedding invitations was a reasonable thing to do. It would cost him a fortune, but then, that probably wasn't a concern for him. "I'll see you then."

Still smiling, he hung up the phone. He wondered if Guy knew he was going to a wedding.

Chapter Four

Jacob went bright and early to see his agent, Mandy.

"Hey, superstar, what are you doing here?"

Jacob sat down and told her what was going on with the wedding. "I really need that weekend off."

Mandy stared at him for quite a while before letting out a sigh. "You know I'd give anyone else crap for trying to change their schedule."

"I know." Jacob ran his fingers through his hair as he waited for the verdict.

"I'll see if they'll change their dates, but if not, I'll have to give the account to another model. Maybe Gregor." He could see by the evil glint in her eyes she was trying to push his buttons.

"Give it to whoever you want to, Mandy. I'd like to do the shoot, but I understand if I have to be replaced. Not missing the best day of my friend's life is more important to me than a modeling contract."

Mandy pulled a sheaf of papers out of her desk and looked them over. "We're in luck. This one doesn't have your name specifically listed. We can give them the option."

"Thanks, Mandy. I really appreciate it."

Mandy stood up to shake his hand. "You've been a good trooper all these years Jacob, the least I can do is cover for you once in a while."

Jacob left the agency with a lighter step. Things were falling into place; he just had to make one more phone call.

* * * *

Guy was in the middle of a meeting, looking over the photos of another dead model, when his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Jacob and excused himself. Jacob might need him. Everyone else could wait.

"Hello, gorgeous. How are you doing this morning?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go to Seattle with me."

"Sure, when do you want the plane ready?"

Jacob laughed. "Perhaps I should give you more details."

Minutes later, Guy was roaring with laughter. "So let me see if I get this straight. You, the international gorgeous fashion model, need me for arm candy? You know Cash will never let me live this down. We've known each other for years."

"Does that mean you will or won't go as my date?"

"Do I get to pull out all the stops of an adoring boyfriend? Take you in my private jet, arrive in a limo?"

"Now don't get carried away," Jacob warned.

"Oh no. If I'm going to be your boyfriend, I'm going to enjoy myself."

He smirked when Jacob groaned over the phone. "You're going to be out of control, aren't you?"

"Yep."

"Will you do it?"

"Definitely. I'll clear my calendar."

"Thanks." He could hear the relief in Jacob's voice. He felt almost guilty for not telling his mate he planned on going anyway. It was more fun to be asked.

"This really means a lot to you, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, Will's been a good friend. I'd like to be there for him, and if his future spouse is unhappy because a model is attending, then he's not going to enjoy his own wedding. Hopefully, you can help squash any speculation."

"Don't worry; once Cash sees us together, he won't be upset any more." When Cash saw the bond between them, he would let his jealousy go.

Guy was still smiling when he entered the conference room. He was going to a wedding with his hot new boyfriend.

The investigation unit he'd pulled together looked at him when he re-entered the room. Guy's fortune had come from investing for hundreds of years, and he used a great deal of that money to run a private investigation and security firm on contract to the Wizard Council. Guy directed hundreds of operatives, and the only reason he was even here to do this particular investigation was because he was the only supervisor currently available. With an outbreak of magical crises lately, all hands had to pitch in. Guy had never been so glad of anything in his life. If he hadn't been investigating the murders, he'd never have met his mate. Fate was playing a heavy hand, and Guy couldn't be happier.

He looked over at his staff. "We need to backtrack and check up on who the models met with in the last few weeks. See if there is a definite pattern. Mandy emailed me the schedule of her models, but nothing popped up. Maybe they were all conned into doing a job on the side. Look through their emails and comb their apartments. We need to find out what happened before there are any more fatalities. Also, put out the word that we're looking for rogue magic users. Has anyone seen anything suspicious lately, any odd spikes of magic or unexpected sightings?" Despite the severity of the case, Guy couldn't stop smiling. "Niles, I want you to check out fashion shows and photo shoots. Talk to any other models they've worked with."

"Will do." Niles looked at Guy in surprise but didn't say anything. Niles was still feeling out his position. Niles actually worked for Cash but under Guy's direction. Guy's secretary wasn't as discreet.

"How is Jacob this morning?" Sheryl asked, smirking.

"
He invited me to a wedding. He said
I
can be his arm candy.
"

The open-mouthed surprise of Niles and Sheryl was worth the unprecedented sharing of his love life.

"What kind of guy calls you arm candy and you let him get away with it?" Niles asked.

"Have you seen that new billboard on Fifth?" Sheryl asked.

Niles blushed. "Uh, yeah. It's hard to miss. All the guy is wearing is that tiny, tiny bathing suit."

"That's the boss's new boyfriend."

"No shit!" Niles smiled Guy. "Nice going."

Guy felt the blush rise on his own cheeks. For a moment, he completely understood why Jacob might want to move behind the camera. The constant staring must be a special kind of hell.

"Anyway, let's get back to business."

Guy was still thinking of his lover later that day as he wrapped up his final meeting. He had his personal assistant send Jacob flowers to David's apartment. He wanted to make sure his lover didn't forget him. It wasn't until after they were sent that Guy realized he didn't know if Jacob was allergic to flowers.

His phone rang as he was leaving the building. "Hello."

"The flowers are beautiful," Jacob said.

"Not as beautiful as the recipient." Relief swept him as Jacob didn't mention any allergies.

Jacob laughed. "Did you practice that line?"

"Maybe a little. Are you available for dinner?"

"Sure, when are you coming?"

"I'll swing by on the way home. You can eat at my apartment."

Jacob's laugh was low and sexy. "I can think of all kinds of things I would like to eat at your apartment."

"Tease. I'm on my way. Don't forget to look pretty for me."

He hung up as Jacob was telling him in colorful terms what he could do with his look pretty comment.

Laughing, he told Joel to go by Jacob's apartment.

Minutes later, he was holding his beautiful man. At least he thought of Jacob as his man. He didn't know how Jacob viewed their relationship, but at least he knew the model was looking at them being together for at least three more weeks.

After all, they had a wedding to go to.

Chapter Five

Guy hoped Jacob didn't see him skulking around the runway. He'd used his magic to convince the person checking invitations that he was authorized to enter. It was a surprisingly easy magical push, which made him suspicious the murderer might be using the same technique.

With a few muttered words, Guy changed his appearance so anyone looking at him wouldn't recognize him. His dark hair lightened to a distinguished gray, his blue eyes deepened to a dark brown, and his height shrank approximately two inches. Although he knew Jacob would be pleased to see him in the crowd, this was one time it was better not to stand out. If the killer was around, he didn't want him to recognize Guy. He needed to keep a low profile.

Hiding by the back wall of the tent, Guy waited in the shadows as the models came out. He watched the crowds. Most of them had their eyes glued on the stage watching the female models strut their stuff on the catwalk, but a few were watching the audience checking out who was attending. Focusing on the crowd, Guy sent out tendrils of his magic to brush against the audience, seeking out any negative energy. After twenty minutes and way too many models with bouncing boobs coming down the runway, Guy decided the killer wasn't in this tent.

Ducking out the back, he called Niles. "Any luck?"

"Nope. But I saw a really hot model I think I'm going to ask out."

Guy laughed. "As long as it's not my model, go for it."

"No, I saw yours and can I say wow? His magic must be off the charts. He all but glowed when he walked down the catwalk."

A chill went down Guy's back. "Did you see anyone watching him?"

"Everyone was watching him. One of the other models had negative energy, but it felt more envious than murderous."

"Okay, keep an eye out."

The damn thing was an all day event, and the killer could be anywhere.

After spending the day watching more women in barely there clothing than he'd seen in his life, Guy was ready to grab his man and take him home. Quickly dispensing with his disguise, he went to the tent where he knew he could find Jacob.

"Hold it." The security guard came from the right. The man towered over Guy's six foot two frame and appeared twice as broad. "Do you have a pass?"

"I'm here for Jacob Reynolds."

The guard smirked. "I just bet you are."

"Fred, it's all right." Jacob came from out of the tent and patted the guard on the shoulder.

To Guy's surprise, the guard gave Jacob a cheery smile. "If you're sure, Jacob. If he's bothering you, I can get rid of him."

Jacob laughed. "No, man. He's my boyfriend."

The guard gave Guy a careful examination, as if trying to decipher why someone with Jacob's looks would be seen with Guy.

"Really?" Fred looked like he wanted to protest.

"Really."

Fred shrugged and made no further objection to Jacob leaving. Guy felt the guard's eyes on them as they walked away. "Is he always like that?"