Saving Alexander (34 page)

Lanie tapped him across the knuckles with her wooden spoon. “As soon as it’s ready, young man. About another half an hour and then we can sit down to it.”

Sage grinned, pulling Alex close for a hug. Alex kissed his bristly cheek. “I’m glad to see you’re hungry. There’s plenty to eat, that’s for sure.” Sage released Alex and wandered into the lounge. Alex grinned as Dan waved his glass of wine at his friend. “Sage, my man. I was just telling Cully here about the time we chained ourselves to those railings. He seems to be quite taken with that story.”

Sage grinned, sitting down and soon the group were immersed in a lively conversation. Alex watched from the kitchen doorway, his heart full. He still couldn’t believe the point he’d got to, when he actually had people to call family. After everything that had happened, he’d found a sense of peace he’d never known before. Alex watched Sage as his blue eyes sparkled and his hands waved animatedly as he talked. An enormous surge of love for this man coursed through Alex’s body. Sage would never know just how much Alex owed him. He’d changed Alex’s life irrevocably for the better.

Alex went back into the kitchen to fetch a beer from the fridge. Filming for
Double Exposure
was now complete and now came the hard work of editing and reviewing the footage to make sure the series aired on time in June next year. Sage had already been offered the lead role in another TV drama series, which he was considering, as well as a fairly large supporting role in a new thriller movie being made. He was definitely going places, Alex thought. Everyone seemed to want a piece of him.

Reg Doyle came up beside him and smiled gently. “Penny for your thoughts, Alex.”

Alex smiled. “I was just thinking how lucky I was to have all these wonderful people here today for such a special time. I’ve never celebrated Christmas like this before.”

Reg laid a warm hand on Alex’s shoulder, squeezing it. “After what you and Sage have been through, you both deserve every happiness you can get. I’m just glad the media frenzy has died down for you both, although there may still be some hurdles to face as the case with Sarah Brose goes to trial. Personally I think the two of you will be fine. We managed to wrap things up quite tightly and I have a feeling no one will believe any ramblings that come out of that crazy woman’s mouth to question either of you.”

Alex knew that when Reg said “we” it was actually all due to the man standing in front of him that things had been managed so well and that the sordid details of his past had been kept under wraps.

“The videotapes we found at her place were watched and the necessary evidence on them were what we used to put her away. But they’re safe in lockup and I’ve made damn sure no one goes near them without me knowing. They won’t see the light of day if I have anything to do with it.”

Reg glanced at him. “I’m glad you and Sage finally told me the truth about Eric and your—situation—and the whole Study in Scarlet thing. While I’ll never understand why someone as tough as you felt the need for that, I certainly don’t judge it. And knowing about it made it easier for me to manage the situation for you.” He grinned. “I think I headed that one off at the pass. I painted Sarah Brose as a completely crazy lady, who had no idea what she was talking about.” He shrugged his shoulders guilelessly. “They found a whole load of really weird S-and-M literature and shit in her apartment. Some fairly dodgy stuff that lent credence to my story about her being a rather kinky bitch who liked to make up stories and had a few strange S-and-M habits of her own.” His tone was implacable. “I know it was wrong. If anyone found out I staged that I’ll be behind bars a long, long time. But it was worth it. And I know that I managed to keep things under wraps as far as the Rudy thing goes.”

Alex nodded. “You put a lot on the line for us, Reg. I’m still not sure why you did it all, but I’m not going to question your motives. Sage feels the same way. I can’t believe you put yourself at risk like that for us. You know we’ll never say anything to get you into trouble don’t you?”

He nodded fondly. “I know, Alex. As for my reasons”—Alex saw his fond glance at Sage—“let’s just say I like seeing two young people get a second chance to have a future they deserve.”

Alex nodded gratefully. “Sage and I owe you a debt of gratitude, Reg. Thank you.”

Reg shrugged. “It was a pleasure. Everything is as it should be. You and Sage are safe together. Sarah’s in prison—for the long haul, I hope—and justice has been served. It’s like one of your happily ever after romance novels.” He grinned wryly. “Talking of which, how’s the new book coming along?”

“Second in the series, fifty thousand words and counting. I’ve still got a long way to go but it’ll be in the stores next year at some time.”

Sage sauntered into the kitchen with an empty wine glass and smiled when he saw Reg and Alex together. “Anything I should know about going on between you two?” he teased as he opened the fridge to refill the glass with white wine.

Reg grinned. “Sorry, Sage, your young arse had just been usurped by a more mature man of experience and charm. You’ve lost out. I’m switching teams for Alex.”

Sage raised his eyebrows. “Really? Well then, I’d better try and convince him otherwise, hadn’t I?” He reached out, pulling Alex closer, kissing him hungrily.

Reg shook his head and left the kitchen to give them some time alone.

Finally Sage released Alex and grinned wickedly. “Could you really give that up?” he said softly in his ear as he nuzzled his neck.

Alex shook his head as he leaned into him, enjoying his scent and the warmth of his body. “I could never give you up. I love you far too much to do that.”

Sage pulled away, his eyes regarding his lover anxiously. “It’s been so hectic, what with Christmas preparations and everything, we’ve not had a real chance to talk about the really private stuff much. I’ve just assumed you’re okay, and as you’re still seeing Melanie, I thought you were doing fine. Am I right? Are you okay?”

Alex chuckled. “I’m more than okay. Melanie is over the moon.” He looked guilty. “She
was
very mad at me though for not being honest, because I never told her about killing Rudy. She says if she’d known it would have made a difference to my therapy, that I was punishing myself with Eric for killing Rudy. I suppose she was right. I never thought I could do without it. All I need now is you. The needs I had seem to have disappeared.”

Sage hugged him close. “I’m glad, babe,” he whispered with emotion. “But my offer still stands if you ever feel the need. Don’t forget that.”

Alex reached up to caress his face gently. “I’ll remember. Thank you, Sage.”

Sage let him go and Alex saw him take two small pieces of paper from his pocket. He watched as Sage laid them in an ashtray on the kitchen tab and bought out a box of matches from the kitchen drawer.

“What the hell are you doing?” Alex asked, puzzled. Sage kept quiet, picking up the two pieces of paper to show him what was written on them.

Chrysippus. Tallulah.

Alex looked at him with wonderment in his eyes as Sage lit the match and slowly set fire to the two pieces of paper.

“No more safe words.” Sage muttered. “It’s not going to be that easy to get rid of me a second time. We work together on whatever happens from now on, regardless of what it is.”

Alex pulled Sage into his chest, holding him tightly, feeling the beat of his heart against his own. They stood together in the kitchen for a while, until Lanie came in and frowned.

“The stuffing is burning! Sage, for goodness sake, get your lanky body out of the way so I can get it out of the oven.”

He grinned, moving aside, taking Alex’s hand and drawing him into the lounge. They sat down to join in the conversation and Alex cuddled up to him on the sofa. This was the best Christmas present he could ever have had. A family, a wonderful man in his life and finally some peace from the demons that had plagued him since he was eighteen years old. Alex looked around the room, marvelling at his good fortune. Maybe there was some truth in the happily ever after idea after all.

AUTHOR NOTE

S&M can be a healthy, happy choice between consenting adults.
Saving Alexander
is about one man’s punishment and self-torture, and should not in any way be construed as a condemnation of the lifestyle.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sue Mac Nicol was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. At the age of eight, her family moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where she stayed for nearly thirty years before arriving back in the UK in December 2000. She now lives in the rural village of Bocking, in Essex, with her family. Her plan is to keep writing as long as her muse sits upon her shoulder, and her dream is to one day be able to give up the day job and get that big old house in the English countryside overlooking a river where she can write all day and continue to indulge her passion for telling stories.

Sue is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and also a member of the Romantic Novelists Association in the UK. She is also a member of a rather unique writing group called the Talliston Writers Circle.

BOOKS BY SUSAN MAC NICOL

The Starlight series

Cassandra by Starlight

Together in Starlight

M/M Romance

Stripped Bare

Short Romance fiction

The Magic of Christmas

Confounding Cupid

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