Watchful Friends - The Good Friends Stories, #6 - E-book - ePub

Stefan is back at Green Acres, after his adventures with serial murderer Lucas Blackstone, to find his household grown by one. Michael Winslow, son of Gregory, and Will's old lover has taken up reluctant residence in the Great Devaney's home. Why has he come: to speak with Will; to have it out with him; hurt him; get revenge for his perceived betrayal (what he did with his dad) or something else?There's so much anger in him (it must surely erupt at some point?) but is it merely a mask for some other feeling? Where has Michael been these last couple of years, what's he been doing, and what does the newly hired chilly bodyguard Mr Kline know of it?Is Michael going to be an issue and, if so, how big of a one?The tension is high, and everyone is watching everyone else.
William is watching Michael. Is there a chance for reconciliation? Does he want that?He has eyes on Lucas. How did he come to know Stefan, how did he escape confinement, why is he at Green Acres? For him? Does he want that?Michael is watching Peter. He sees how protective everyone is of him: Devaney, the stable-hand, the bodyguard, Will, even Blackstone (and he knows who he is even if Peter doesn't seem to).
If he came to Stefan's with intent to get revenge on Will would going through Peter be the way to do it? Will slept with his father. Ought he even up the score by going with someone he cares about?The dynamics of Devaney's household mean that simply having sex with Barrington would do little to upset anything. Peter has earned the right to do what he pleases with whoever he chooses. Michael would have to do a lot worse than simply have sex with the man to hurt anyone.
Does he really have that sort of hurt in mind?If he does, he will not get the chance. Stefan is watching Peter and he swore he'd never take his eyes off him again. But will he be distracted: this time by Blackstone?That man has invited himself into his home and he finds himself lacking the power to make him leave. Because he doesn't want to?They've done things together - some nice; some nasty. Is he secretly keen to keep doing those things?Devaney is a man used to being in charge regarding.those matters but it was surprisingly enjoyable to cede control to someone far stronger than him, but is it the sex he's more interested in repeating or the other, redder, things they did together?There's still the matter of that film being out there.
Evidence of the hurt done to his precious Peter. Sick scumbags are still getting off on it and that will not do. They should be dealt with but who by?Lucas is keen to carry on that work, but does he desire Stefan's aid? That man proved an adept student when it came to the bloody red things but maybe all Blackstone now wants from that man is the other stuff. William introduced him to the fleshy pleasures, which proved shockingly delightful.
He greatly enjoyed Peter's sweet charms but has only just begun to explore Stefan's. Would he rather pursue those adventures with him?Maybe Winslow would make a better pupil and helper in dealing with those scumbags. Son of a known gangster (killer?), is he a killer too? Mr Kline seems to think so. Just what does he know about the Winslow lad?That man is keeping a cold-eyed watch but who does he see as the biggest concern: the gangster's son with his barely contained rage, Will (with his knack of drawing dangerous men to him) or Blackstone (he too knows exactly who he is but is oddly keeping his own counsel on the matter)?Lucas's gaze is as far reaching as Kline's and is everywhere: on Stefan, on Will, on Peter but it is broad enough to encompass Michael too.
What is it he sees when regarding him: possibilities or problems?Is Michael a threat: to Will, to Peter, to Stefan's unique set-up?Must Lucas act against the man to prevent trouble?Will would not like that, but Blackstone is a man not afr...