Saving Alexander (33 page)

He hesitated and looked around.

“We realise that this is a sensational case and one that the public will be very interested in. However, with the connection to the rescue of Evan Harding, now identified as being the well-known author, Mr. Alexander Montgomery, we would ask both the press and the public to please respect both Mr. Sage and Mr. Montgomery’s privacy and let them get through this ordeal. Thank you.”

Alex looked at Sage then at Cully. “He didn’t mention the videotape or the bit about me killing Rudy. If they have the tape they must know that.”

“He’s a good man, that DS,” said Cully, frowning. “He at least tried to ask people to leave you and Sage alone. It’s going to get very messy out there, Alex. Everyone will want a piece of you.”

Alex nodded. “I know. They can ask me their questions but I won’t answer them. In time this will all die down if we keep playing the ‘No comment’ card. They surely have to get tired and move onto something else. I’m just worried about the Eric Rossi thing. I don’t want people to know about my past with Study in Scarlet. I don’t really care on my part, but I don’t want Sage tainted with it. Imagine if they find out he was seeing a man who liked to be debased and abused. They’ll paint Sage as some kind of pervert. I don’t see how this one can possibly turn out well if that happens.”

Sage reached over, placing a hand on his, wanting to reassure his lover. “Alex, whatever happens, we manage it. We can’t run scared on this one.”

Alex’s voice shook. “God, Sage, how could you say that? It could wreck your career, your life. All because you tried to help me. Look what happened to Eric. He was murdered because of me. How do I live with that?”

Sage reached up and ran a hand down Alex’s cheek. “You were
not
responsible for Eric’s death. Sarah did that. Alex, you can’t put that on yourself too; you need to let it go. Let’s not look at the dark side. Keep positive.” He smiled softly. “God, you were incredible back there. I thought you were going to shoot her.”

“I wanted to shoot the bitch. Thank you for trying to save me from myself. And you were my hero. You got the gun out of her hand.” Alex’s voice faltered. “I was so scared I thought I was going to lose you.”

Sage’s hand gripped Alex’s tightly. Alex lifted Sage’s hand, kissing it as he held it to his mouth. “I’m just glad you’re here, talking to me. I can get through anything as long as you’re here.” There was a loud knock on the door and Cully stood up to answer it. There was some soft muttering and finally he appeared.

“DS Doyle is here.” As he said the words, the detective appeared in the doorway. Alex stood up and moved over to shake his hand.

“Detective. Good to see you again.”

DS Doyle nodded. “Good to see you too, gentlemen. May I ask you some more questions?”

“Of course, take a seat.” Alex gestured to the chair at the other side of the couch.

The policeman sat down. “Please call me Reg,” he said quietly. “I think we all know each other well enough by now.”

Alex smiled. “I’d like that, but then you have to call me Alex. He’s Sage. No ‘Mister.’”

Reg looked at them both as Cully watched him carefully. “Did you watch the news?”

Alex nodded. “Yes. I wondered why there was no mention of the videotape. I would have thought I’d have been arrested by now for Rudy’s murder.” His voice was wry. “I’ve been expecting the boys in blue to turn up and cart me away.”

“There was no mention of it because it didn’t exist.” Reg’s voice was quiet. “I destroyed it.”

Alex’s mouth dropped open. “You destroyed it? Why?” Sage saw hope flare in his eyes. It flared in his heart too.

“I was the only one to see that particular tape in the office. I removed it and burnt it. There was no need for any of that stuff to get out. You’ve been through enough, Alex. I think you’ve paid your dues and this Rudy character was a real bastard. I didn’t see any need for you to have to go through all that again. I’ll take the consequences if there are any, though I frankly doubt there will be. No one even knew that tape was there. The only part I can’t get a handle on is your connection to Mr. Rossi. I wasn’t sure why he was killed.”

“He was killed because he hurt Alex.” Sage knew he had to make this believable.

He was an actor. He could do this.

Alex, Reg and Cully turned to look at Sage. Alex took his hand and Sage saw the question in his eyes.

“Eric Rossi attacked Alex at a function. He was drunk. Alex said something he didn’t like and Eric got physical with Alex in the bathroom, punched him. Alex told me about that little incident here in the office. He said it was done in the heat of the moment and he thought nothing of it. But Sarah didn’t like people messing with Alex, present company included. She told us Eric needed to be punished.” He squeezed Alex’s hand tightly in warning.

Alex took his cue and followed Sage’s lead. “I didn’t want to tell the police about the incident and risk it getting it all over the papers. I’d had enough of that. And it was really wasn’t all that big a deal to me. The man was an arsehole and he’d just had too much to drink.” He shrugged in apparent unconcern, and Sage thought he’d done very well.

Reg looked at them both strangely then nodded. “I see. We do have other tapes in our possession that I couldn’t do much with, I’m afraid, as the team who went into to Mrs. Brose’s apartment took custody of them. They’ll be watching them and reporting back to me.”

Sage’s heart sank. That meant the police would see all the sexual activity in Alex’s office. His face flamed at that thought. He cleared his throat, clutching tight to Alex’s hand.

“Um, there might some compromising stuff on those tapes.” Reg Doyle regarded him thoughtfully and Sage’s face grew warmer. “I’d appreciate it if you could make sure it doesn’t get leaked. Alex and I wouldn’t want our private home movies appearing on the porn channels on YouTube.”

The light dawned in Reg’s eyes and he nodded, his face slightly amused although going pink. “I’ll try and make sure that the viewing team keep it under wraps and as little as possible gets out to the papers,” he said primly. “And no one is going to believe this psycho woman if she tries to tell her side of the story, whatever that is.” He smiled nastily. “There are plenty of ways to discredit anything she says. I have my own arse to cover as well.”

“Reg.” Sage held up a hand and Reg took it. “Thanks for what you did for Alex, for getting rid of that tape. I appreciate it.”

The policeman clasped Sage’s hand warmly. “You two have been through a lot together. I think you both deserve a break.” He smiled. “Think of it as an early Christmas present. You haven’t forgotten it’s in a week’s time, have you?”

Sage laughed. “Actually, with everything going on, Christmas hasn’t really featured much on my list of things to do. I guess we need to some emergency shopping.”

Reg turned to Alex. “Alex, I’m sorry to hear about your ordeal at the hands of Mr. Rossi. I’m not sure I believe that whole story, you two, but it’s the one I’ll be telling. You two look after yourselves and Sage, please try stay out of trouble. My case load is bad enough as it is.” He grinned and walked into the corridor.

Sage watched him go. Alex cuffed his chin affectionately. “That was a stroke of genius. I just hope it gets left there.”

Sage shook his head. “We had to make some excuse for now. Reg isn’t stupid. When Sarah starts spilling the beans about you and Eric and Study in Scarlet, and why she actually killed him, he’ll know the truth then. The whole damn police force will know, no doubt. I just wanted to buy us some time. From what Reg said, he won’t want details being made public either, as it might put him in the spotlight. But if the worst happens and everything comes out, Alex, we’ll have to manage it. Together like we always do.”

Later that night when everyone had gone, Alex lay beside Sage in bed, stroking the hair back from his forehead, his strong hands gently caressing his jawline.

“I’m glad everyone’s gone home,” he murmured in Sage’s ear as his tongue delved into its depths. “I really want to make love to you.”

Sage shivered, his cock hardening. He had been tired but Sage’s sleepiness disappeared the minute Alex whispered his sexy message in his ear. He watched as Alex nibbled his nipples and Sage’s cock grew harder with every deliberately sensuous movement his lover made. Alex grinned at his greedy expression. “You have a bit of a tenting thing going on under there,” Alex observed with a sly smile. “Happy to see me, are we?”

Sage scowled. “Shut the hell up and get busy, you teasing bastard.” God, Alex naked turned him on like nothing else. His sexy torso, his beautiful cock, his shaven groin—Alex was just perfect. He held his breath waiting for the next step. Alex sniggered, his hands gently stroking Sage’s erection, making his body ache with need.

Alex whispered. “Strum my strings, Maestro. I promise it won’t take long. I’m really horny today. Then I will suck you dry.”

“As opposed to other times?” Sage said lazily, his heart skipping a beat at the words coming out of Alex’s mouth. His strong fingers grasped Alex and he slowly stroked him, playing his now-familiar tune on his lover’s dick. “I seem to remember you attacking me more than once in your desire to have my body.”

Alex’s body tensed against his, his warm skin sending thrills of sensation through Sage’s, his deep, panting breaths in Sage’s ear an indication of just how needy he was. Sage kept up his movements, finding Alex’s mouth and sliding past his lips, his tongue meeting Alex’s ravenous one. Sage loved the way his man tasted, all minty toothpaste and blackcurrant from the sweets he sucked throughout the day. He moved his mouth to nuzzle Alex’s neck, licking the sweat from his skin. Alex gasped and huffed beneath him, his hands slowly stroking Sage’s shaft, cupping his balls and driving him to distraction. The two men played a slow ballet of touch and release, a symphony of emotion and physical contact that left them both gasping as each one tried to please the other. Sage smiled against Alex’s mouth as he finally felt him pulse beneath his hands, hot fluid soaking his hand and arm, wetting the bedcovers and the sheet. He revelled in Alex’s moans as he came, his mouth hot against Sage’s ear, the breath deep and warm.

“God, Sage, your fingers are bloody magic,” Alex gasped. “I still say it must be the guitar playing. Every gay man should learn to play the guitar. Maybe we should open a master class.” Sage chuckled as Alex made his way under the bedclothes and Sage’s thighs tensed in anticipation as Alex’s mouth encircled his hardness, flicking his tongue over Sage’s shaft, nibbling the tip of him then rolled his tongue around Sage’s cock like a man devouring a lollipop. Sage closed his eyes, giving into the sensation as Alex’s fingers stroked his taint, cupped his balls, and slid a finger slyly inside his arse, causing Sage’s hips to rear up, pushing his cock into Alex’s mouth. Alex took Sage deeper, his throat muscles working around Sage, his expert movements causing Sage to grip the bedcovers and try to stave off the orgasm he knew was soon coming. Sage wanted this to last a little while longer. This slow sexual tango continued for what seemed like hours until Sage could hold out no longer, feeling his groin heat up beyond boiling point, the prickling in his backside intensifying. His cock swelled, and with a deep grunt he climaxed. Alex sucked him dry, his mouth hungry for more and finally Sage was spent and Alex raised his head off Sage’s now-spent cock. He smiled in triumph. “You tried to hold out, lover, but you had to blow sometime. That was pretty awesome.”

Sage reached down, pulling Alex up toward him, kissing his mouth which still tasted of Sage’s come. “You really know how to suck a man dry, babe. I love your bloody mouth, you know that?”

Alex kissed Sage tenderly as he moved to lie beside him. “I hope that relieved some of the tension, at least.”

Alex’s face grew serious as he moved onto his elbow, lifting himself up, looking down at Sage with eyes that told him everything about the depth of Alex’s feelings for him. “You saved me, Sage. I can never tell you how much I love you for that.”

Sage kissed him. “I love you too.” His tone was tender. “Now settle down to sleep and stop molesting me. We can start again in the morning.”

Chapter 32

Alex smiled as he watched Sage lead Annie and Tallulah Briar around the courtyard. It was good to see Sage back in his element with his horses. The snow fell gently, covering the ground in white, frosty flakes. Sage turned and waved to him as Alex watched out of the kitchen window. Miles came up behind him.

“It’s good to see him out there, looking so well,” he said quietly. “After all that the two of you have been through, this Christmas Day is turning out to be a real family affair. I can’t believe you got everyone together for it, Alex. It must have taken some doing.”

Alex had organised this one in record time. He’d sat Sage’s godfather down and told him everything about his past and what he and Sage had been through. Miles had wept, telling Alex he’d done the right thing in protecting a child and that there was no way he would ever judge him. It had been an emotional time for both of them and Alex was glad he had Miles in his life too. This was starting to feel like family to him.

“Oh, it wasn’t so bad.” Alex waved through to the lounge where Reg Doyle sat with his wife Lily, arguing with Dan and Cully about the merits of the latest football heroes. “Sage has some good people in his life. It wasn’t that difficult to convince them all to come and enjoy the turkey, even if I’ve never cooked one before. Thank God Lanie’s here. She’s a real treasure, Miles.”

Alex watched fondly as the small, stocky figure of Lanie Grainger bustled about preparing the table and the food for their guests.

Miles grinned. “She is at that. I don’t know what I would have done without her.” He looked at his partner in affection and she smiled at him from across the room. The door swung open. Sage came in, his breath frosty, his black hair speckled with snowflakes.

“God, it’s bloody freezing out there! I don’t know how Annie does it. She’s just taking Lulah for a ride then she’ll be back in.” He lifted a lid to one of the pots on the stove and sniffed. “Smells good. When will it be ready to eat? I’m starving.”