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Riley, Dion, Max and Saul's lives have finally collected into a singular path leading towards the end, but what this end means for these men is anyone's guess. The events of the past have led Riley to this moment and Dion's involvement in the present creates a scenario that will leave a trail of blood and tears in its wake. Whoever emerges victories from this struggle can neither called a winner or a loser, but what will be left at the end of it all will simply be the result of desire and longing for retribution and forgiveness.", "writing": "Chapter Thirteen\n\n``Saul?''\n\nWhy was he here? How could he have known?\n\nSaul glanced inside the cottage as he walked towards Riley. Riley backed away, ``You shouldn't be here!''\n\n``Riley, look, I don't know what's going on but I want you to come with me, now.'' He couldn't let Max find out Saul was here. The tiger would kill him, Riley knew it. ``I can't leave.''\n\nWhy? It was fine. Everything was fine until he showed up. He was ready, he was willing to die but now, of all fucking times, why did Riley see a thin thread of hope dangling over him?\n\n``Like hell you won't!'' Saul scoffed.\n\nRiley ran up to him and threw his hand over Saul's mouth. Riley hissed, ``Keep your voice down. How did you even find me?''\n\nSaul pushed Riley's hand away, ``After you left my apartment, I followed you. I saw them take you, Riley. I almost called the police but I didn't want you to get into trouble, I fucking regret that now. I went back to your apartment to look for any clues. I found your phone and don't be pissed at me but I looked through it, I found out who you went on that date with. It didn't take much digging around to find out who he was and where he might have taken you.''\n\nRiley shook his head, ``You don't get it. I want to be here. Go home Saul, I'll...I'll be back soon.''\n\n``Bullshit, there's no way you would have come back to see me, let alone fuck me, if you were planning on coming back!''\n\n``What...makes you say that?''\n\nSaul shrugged, ``It was the way you said goodbye. There was such finality to it that I couldn't shake this terrible feeling that was the last time I would be seeing you.''\n\nBut it wasn't me, that wasn't me who had sex with you. It was Dion, it was always Dion. ``Saul...after the first time we slept together, all those other times that wasn't...that\n\nwasn't me.''\n\nSaul hugged Riley close, ``I know. It's kind of crazy but I think I get that now. There's a lot going on that I'm not aware of but I looked all over town for you. I was so scared something happened to you. I don't need to know the details but I'm not letting you go this time.''\n\nRiley felt his eyes swell with tears. He buried his face into Saul's shoulder. ``I thought I was ready to die!''\n\nSaul felt Riley's body. Through his clothes he could feel the layers of bandages and the tenderness of the bruising. The cat swallowed, ``Hey, it's going to be fine. I got a boat docked on the pier, let's go.''\n\n``He'll find me, Saul.'' Riley tightened his arms around Saul.\n\n``Hey, hey, it'll be okay,'' He said these words but not even Saul believed it fully. Whatever was happening to Riley went deep, deeper than he was prepared to handle. But he resolved himself to be there for Riley, whether the wolf was conscious of it or not, Saul's affections for him were true.\n\nThe sound of a trigger being pulled back cut through the air, ``Well isn't this just fucking\n\ncute?''\n\n\f\n\nRiley and Saul jerked their heads towards the cottage. Max had a gun pointed at the two of them. Riley shot up and got between Saul and Max, ``Max, he doesn't have anything to do with this!''\n\n``You know, my patience with you has just about run its course,'' The tiger sneered.\n\nSaul was terrified but he wasn't going to let Riley shoulder the risk alone, he stood beside the wolf and took his hand. ``Whatever your issue with Riley is I won't let you hurt him!''\n\n``Bit late for that,'' Max came forward and wretched Riley away from Saul. He pulled down Riley's hoodie and revealed his beaten body to the cat.\n\nSaul gasped, ``What the fuck!''\n\nMax sneered, ``The wolf and I have an arrangement, one that he isn't about to back out of, isn't that right, `Riley'?''\n\nRiley felt as though his eyes bulging out of skull in terror, ``Max, that's enough. I'll come back inside, please let him go!''\n\nMax growled, ``I have a better idea, why doesn't the kitty here join us?''\n\nRiley snapped, ``No!'' Anything but that, Riley's mind was in a panic. How could he have gotten Saul involved in this? He never meant for this to happen.\n\nHe never meant for any of this to happen!\n\n``Don't worry, Riley,'' Saul held up his arms in defeat. ``I'll cooperate; just put the gun away, man.''\n\nMax smiled triumphantly and lowered the weapon, he yank Riley towards his face and whispered into the wolf's ear, ``Time to die for Micah.''\n\nWith those words there began and intense throbbing that started to spread throughout Riley's head, more so than anything he felt before. His entire brain felt it was crumbling into pieces. He cried out as Max dropped him onto the wooden floor of the deck. Saul made for him but Max once again raised his gun and threatened Saul to stay put with a warning shot that passed right by the cat's ear.\n\nRiley convulsed as his vision darkened and his senses shut down.\n\n``Riley!'' Saul called out when the wolf stopped moving entirely.\n\nMax rolled his eyes and kicked the back of the wolf, ``How long do you plan on laying\n\nthere?''\n\nThe wolf groaned and slowly started to stand, ``Shut up.'' Saul swallowed, ``Riley?''\n\nThe wolf glanced over at Saul with eyes that were so different than Riley's gentle gaze. They were the eyes of the wolf that had come to Saul's apartment many times with carnal desires.\n\nDion put his hand on Max's gun arm and lowered it to his side, ``Why don't you put that away for now?''\n\nMax faced the wolf and stared at him with a look that sent shivers down Saul's spine. It was not a look of respectful admiration but one of ire and lust. ``Oh babe, I missed your fucking face.'' He dropped the gun to the deck.\n\nThey kissed, though there was nothing tender or decent in the way their mouths met. Saul felt a rush of queasiness over their display. No one should ever kiss the way Max and Dion did on that deck. Violent growls emanated in their throats and it appeared as though they might rip each other's jugulars out at any moment. Dion clasped his fangs into Max's neck and Saul could see the tiniest trickle of blood trail down out of Dion's mouth.\n\n\f\n\nMax roared and pushing Dion back, he raised his claws and slashed down the front of Dion's exposed chest. Bloodied traces of the claw's path were now etched into Dion's flesh. Saul cried out but Dion smirked and continued to kiss the tiger.\n\nSaul inched forward, the gun was within reach. All he needed to do was grab it.\n\nHis advance didn't escape Max's notice even when he was in the throngs of his twisted enjoyment. The tiger threw Dion into Saul without any care for the wolf's wellbeing.\n\nSault grabbed Dion as they tumbled down to the deck together.\n\n``Oh, that wasn't very nice, kitten,'' Max chuckled as he retrieved the gun.\n\nSaul let go of Dion only to see his hands covered in the wolf's blood, ``Hey, whoever you are, are you alright?'' He said this knowing that whoever this wolf was, it wasn't Riley. Not anymore at least.\n\nDion groaned, ``Saul, fuck off.''\n\nThe wolf stood up making sure to stand in front of the gun's barrel.\n\nMax sneered, ``Get out of the way, Dion. I've changed my mind, the cat needs to die.'' Dion shook his head, ``I thought you wanted him to join us?'' ``Bastard went for my piece. No way can I trust he won't try again!''\n\n``Max,'' Dion spread his arms, ``If you shoot him, I'll bite my tongue off.'' The wolf placed his tongue between his fangs.\n\nThe tiger bore his teeth, ``You're bluffing. You wouldn't do that before I've had my fill of\n\nyou.''\n\nDion pressed down with his jaw. Droplets of blood hit the deck from his mouth.\n\nThis was madness, Saul thought, this went beyond insanity.\n\nMax roared and lowered the gun again. ``Piece of shit,'' he spat.\n\nDion smiled, the fur around his mouth was stained red. He then said cordially, ``How about we all go inside now?''\n\nHe turned around and helped Saul to his feet. The cat gave him a look of utmost sympathy and horror, Dion however winked as took Saul's hand in his. He squeezed it gently in a way that spoke volumes to Saul; it told him to trust Dion.\n\nMax groaned, ``Well hurry the fuck up then, before my fucking boner goes away!''\n\n``If it does, I'll just have to fix that, won't I?'' Dion said narrowing his eyes towards the tiger's crotch.\n\nMax led Saul and Dion towards the room with the black door. Once the candles were lit, and Saul could see the entirety of the room his reaction to the torture room was similar to Riley's. Saul had every instinct to run away as fast as he could. Dion kept his hand held firmly and with the utmost of assurance.\n\nMax stripped and donned the leather suit once again. He set the gun on his clothing. Dion released Saul's hand and approached the tiger. ``How do you want to do this?''\n\nWithout a word, Max grabbed hold of Dion's wrists and held them up high towards a pair of manacles that hung from the ceiling. He locked the wolf into them and tore off his hoodie and pants. Saul almost retched when he saw the full extent of the damage done to Riley's body. Max pulled a black cane from the wall and pointed it at Saul.\n\n``Sit there, don't fucking move. Don't even make a sound. You're going to witness this sick bastard's final moments.''\n\n``What does that even mean?'' Saul cried.\n\n``What did I just fucking say!'' Max roared and jerked the cane towards him.\n\nDion rattled the chains holding him to the ceiling, ``Max, don't leave me hanging here.''\n\n\f\n\nThe wolf raised his leg and ran across Max's leather clad ass. Max purred and threw on the black mask. He zipped up the mouthpiece and swung the came against Dion's back with all his strength.\n\nSaul could only sit and watch the horrid spectacle. Again and again, hit after hit Dion's smile didn't fade. He took all the punishment Max dished out and released moans of pure ecstasy. Max circled the shackled wolf, dragged the cane along the floor behind him. He returned to the wall and hung up the cane. Saul was sure that Max had enough but that feeling didn't last as Max retrieved a slender whip with a shimmering end.\n\nMax took a few steps back and started to twirl the whip. The first lash cut into Dion's arms, the second created a crimson line on his thigh. From beneath the mask, Saul could hear Max's manic laughter. Saul lost track of how many times Max struck Dion's body with the whip. The wolf's fur almost completely dyed red by the time the tiger dropped the whip.\n\n``Don't tell me that's it?'' Dion said through ragged breaths.\n\nMax removed his mask and pulled Dion close, kissed him, then pushed him back, ``Far from it.''\n\nSaul couldn't take any more, ``Stop it!''\n\nMax's eyes flashed with violence, ``I told you not to talk!''\n\nHe stood up, ``I can't let you keep hurting him like this, it's...it's revolting!'' Max grabbed Saul by his collar, ``Do you want to take his place?'' ``If it means you'll let him go, yes, I'll take his place!''\n\n``Hear that, Dion?'' Max sneered, ``This kitten cares so much that'll get in the way of our fun. What say we let him?''\n\nDion closed his eyes, ``I don't see the need for that. He wouldn't be able to handle it.'' Max dropped Saul and went behind Dion. He put his arm around his shoulders and\n\nrubbed his face against Dion's bloodied back, ``I would almost think you were looking out for this asshole. I'm wrong, aren't I? Please, tell me I'm wrong.''\n\nDion nuzzled Max with his snout, ``This is between you and me, love.''\n\nMax had reached his tolerance and reached down to his groin where there was another zipper stretching from below the waist of the leather suit to just under the buttock. He unzipped the silver trail and his erection issued out from the suit. He then stated to fuck Dion from behind.\n\nDion's eyes rolled back in his head while Max emitted horrid growls in the heat of their entanglement. This was it, he was going to fuck this wolf and then kill him along with the cat and then he would put a bullet into his own skull.\n\nNothing would be able to top this experience, this rush of total debasement and perversion that was unheard of since the early days of recorded history.\n\nMax was happy.\n\nMax was fucking happy.\n\nWith each thrust into the bloodied wolf's body he relished in his good fortune. How fortunate was he that Riley met Micah? How fucking brilliant was it that his brother was as sick as he was?\n\nAnd Dion, that God of pleasure the universe bestowed upon him.\n\nHe was the ultimate drug, the purest high Max had ever experienced.\n\nAfter Dion's death, there was no point to life. But die Dion must. There was no getting around that, such a pure and noble animal mustn't be allowed to live without Max at his side.\n\nHe could hear music, a choir of cherubs fluttered around Dion and him as the penultimate finale of their sexual congress neared its end.\n\n\f``I love you,'' Max purred.\n\nThen, the gun went off.\n\nMax dropped to the ground, blood pouring from his shoulder. Saul was standing with the smoking barrel in his hand, shaking all over as he kept the weapon focused on Max.\n\nHe reached up and quickly unlatched Dion from the ceiling. Saul caught his body and began backing away towards the exit.\n\nHe hissed at Max, who was reaching out towards them with fervent longing, ``You won't go near him again. Whatever your deal was consider it void. I'll spare your fucking life, if that means anything to you. You will never come into Riley's life, ever again!''\n\n``D-Dion!'' Max cried as Saul vanished down the hall.\n\nThe tiger began to roar. He cried out and pounded the floor. His vision was clouding\n\nover.\n\nWas this... how it all ended?\n\nSaul tried his best to keep Dion from dragging along the floor but his body was so heavy and the blood kept making him slip. They were almost out of the woods when he saw another boat docked beside his and a rabbit running towards them with a knife in her hand.\n\nSaul pointed the gun at her, ``Don't fucking try anything!''\n\nVal bared her teeth as she looked from Saul to Dion. ``Where is Max?''\n\n``He's in the cottage, he's alive.'' Saul glared at the rabbit. She tensed her legs and clenched his fingers around the handle of the knife. Saul hoisted Dion up and pleaded, ``Please, let us go. He's...he's suffered enough.''\n\nVal ran towards them and Saul fired the gun once more but the rabbit was nowhere to be seen. She ran past them towards the cottage.\n\nSaul quickened his pace and placed Dion gently in the motorboat. He untied the vessel and kicked away from the dock. The engine roared to life and within seconds the boat was out on the lake, Edgemost Isle fading away behind them.\n\nRiley was admitted into the ER at once after Saul docked the boat and called the ambulance. He was in the hospital for several days, all the while under police protection. Saul and told the authorities all he knew.\n\n``My friend, he was kidnapped by this sick fuck. He was tortured and held against his will, if I hadn't found him...he'd be dead.''\n\nA full investigation was launched into Edgemost Isle but there was no trace of Maxwell Grisham.\n\nAs for Micah, once the mob had hold of his body it was as though the man never existed.\n\nWhen Riley woke up in the hospital, Saul was right by his side.\n\n``Hey...I don't feel dead,'' Riley smiled weakly.\n\nSaul took his bandaged hand, ``Far from it.''\n\n``What...happened?''\n\nSaul stroked Riley's hand, ``Do you remember anything?''\n\nRiley shook his head, ``Nothing, but...I have this feeling....Dion, he...he saved me.''\n\n``I think he saved us both,'' Saul sighed, ``Riley, do you think you could ever tell me what happened to you?''\n\n``Honestly, Saul, I don't even know if I do myself.''\n\nSaul glanced towards the door, ``The police will want to question you next. All they know is that you were kidnapped, nothing else.''\n\n\fRiley turned away from Saul, ``What happened to Max?''\n\n``No one knows. I left him alive...for what it's worth. Also, I heard from the cops that Micah Grisham has just...vanished, without a trace.''\n\n``Oh...I see.''\n\nSaul ran his hand along Riley's forehead, ``Riley...if you want my opinion, what happened on that island, what went down between you and this Micah, let it die here.''\n\n``What?''\n\n``Even I can tell there was something fucked up happening with this guy. If...no one where to ever hear about them again I don't think the world would be worse off for it.''\n\nWas Saul right? Did the police need to know about Micah's death? He thought of the torture room in that cottage, Micah's darker desires and way in which he died. As far as the law was concerned if Micah was just gone then why dredge up his death?\n\nIt didn't feel right, none of this felt like a win for Riley.\n\n``Saul...I don't, I don't deserve to be forgiven.''\n\nSaul gripped Riley's hand, ``Maybe you don't, for whatever reason you feel that way, I can't even begin to imagine. Maybe you won't ever be forgiven but dammit Riley, you need to keep living. If for no one else's sake but your own do it for me...and Dion.''\n\n``But Dion, he wanted this to happen...which means I did.''\n\nSaul sighed, ``I can't answer that, Riley. But, when I was with Dion in that room I could tell he was doing everything he could to keep me alive even at the cost of his own life. I don't know what that means but if Dion wanted to preserve life, then that must you do too. I hope that means something.''\n\nSaul left shortly after and the police entered the room. Riley told them exactly what Saul told them, nothing more and nothing less. For the remaining time he spent in the hospital he was kept under watch but after he was given the clear to leave the police presence vanished altogether.\n\nSaul was waiting for Riley and took him back to his apartment. Haddish and Fairbrook gave Riley an indefinite leave of absence until he felt he would be able to return to work, they didn't even inquire about the company jeep, as far as they knew Micah had run off with it. A month went by, Saul would visit him every day and they would eat together. Riley would fall asleep in Saul's lap but as soon as the cat made to leave the wolf cried out. He plagued by night terrors every night since his release from the hospital.\n\nSaul made sure to keep an eye out for any signs of Dion but after the events of Edgemost Isle it was as though that aspect of Riley's persona went dormant.\n\n``I don't think he's gone,'' Riley said when Saul asked him about Dion. ``He's still...in me...I don't know what they means for me but Dion is part of me, I don't think that will change any time soon.''\n\nOne night, almost two months after his release from the hospital Riley's phone lit up and he saw a name that caused his legs to become numb.\n\nThere was a text from Micah or at the very least, Micah's phone.\n\nHe hadn't thought to delete or block the number, a fact he regretted in this moment.\n\nOnly one person was in possession of Micah's phone.\n\nRiley opened the text.\n\n`This is far from over. I will come back for you, Dion.''\n\nThat night, Riley packed a small suitcase and forwarded a termination of his lease to the landlord. He didn't tell Saul about the text, there was no way he could know about it.\n\n\fRiley needed to leave Highland immediately, that very night.\n\nLeaving his apartment would be difficult. He prayed that Saul was out, he would surely hear his door closing and check in on him if he was home. He slowly closed his door but as the clicking bolt reverberated down the hall he knew it was too late. He hurried down the stairwell closest to his apartment as soon as he heard Saul's door open.\n\n``Riley!''\n\nRiley sped down the stairs. He nearly fell down them as he scurried toward the parking lot door. He had his keys in hand as he hurried towards the jeep. He could hear the sound of feet smacking the pavement behind him.\n\nPanting, Riley turned to face Saul. ``Saul, don't try to stop me.'' ``What am I even trying to stop, Riley?'' Saul said exasperatedly.\n\nRiley shook his head, ``I need to leave. I can't stay in Highland anymore.'' Saul approached him.\n\nRiley, trembling, slid the keys into the driver side door. Saul threw his arms around Riley, ``Can't you just fucking trust me, this one time?''\n\nRiley felt his whole body spasm as his tears began to flow, ``I can't risk you getting hurt. I'll never be free, Saul. If you care about me, then you'll just forget about me. He's coming for me, for Dion, and I can't protect you.''\n\n``Then let me protect you!'' Saul cried.\n\n``Please!'' Riley howled, ``I don't love you. I'll never love you. That relationship you had, that was with Dion. Dion protected you, he cared about you. I couldn't give a damn about you!''\n\nSaul went ridged, ``You don't mean that.''\n\n``Oh I don't? I can't stand you. You had this entire fucking relationship with some unconscious part of me. I was never there for any of the sex you and Dion had. Fuck, you might as well have raped me!''\n\nSaul shook his head, his eyes clouding over with tears, ``I know what you're doing,\n\nRiley.''\n\n``If you do, then you'll fucking let me leave!''\n\nSaul let go and backed off.\n\nRiley and Saul stared at one another for what felt like an eternity, unspoken words issuing back and forth between the two men. Riley opened the door of the jeep and tossed his bag into the passenger seat. As he raised himself into the cabin, Saul called out to him, ``Where will you go?''\n\nRiley exhaled and looked out towards the road, ``North.''\n\nThe Haddish and Fairbrook jeep engine sprung to life and sped away from the parking lot. Saul remained until the jeep's light vanished into the dark of the night and with them the departure of Riley Conner from Highland and his life entirely.\n\nTo Be Continued in A Dark Engagement: The North.\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter Thirteen

``Saul?''

Why was he here? How could he have known?

Saul glanced inside the cottage as he walked towards Riley. Riley backed away, ``You shouldn't be here!''

``Riley, look, I don't know what's going on but I want you to come with me, now.'' He couldn't let Max find out Saul was here. The tiger would kill him, Riley knew it. ``I can't leave.''

Why? It was fine. Everything was fine until he showed up. He was ready, he was willing to die but now, of all fucking times, why did Riley see a thin thread of hope dangling over him?

``Like hell you won't!'' Saul scoffed.

Riley ran up to him and threw his hand over Saul's mouth. Riley hissed, ``Keep your voice down. How did you even find me?''

Saul pushed Riley's hand away, ``After you left my apartment, I followed you. I saw them take you, Riley. I almost called the police but I didn't want you to get into trouble, I fucking regret that now. I went back to your apartment to look for any clues. I found your phone and don't be pissed at me but I looked through it, I found out who you went on that date with. It didn't take much digging around to find out who he was and where he might have taken you.''

Riley shook his head, ``You don't get it. I want to be here. Go home Saul, I'll...I'll be back soon.''

``Bullshit, there's no way you would have come back to see me, let alone fuck me, if you were planning on coming back!''

``What...makes you say that?''

Saul shrugged, ``It was the way you said goodbye. There was such finality to it that I couldn't shake this terrible feeling that was the last time I would be seeing you.''

But it wasn't me, that wasn't me who had sex with you. It was Dion, it was always Dion. ``Saul...after the first time we slept together, all those other times that wasn't...that

wasn't me.''

Saul hugged Riley close, ``I know. It's kind of crazy but I think I get that now. There's a lot going on that I'm not aware of but I looked all over town for you. I was so scared something happened to you. I don't need to know the details but I'm not letting you go this time.''

Riley felt his eyes swell with tears. He buried his face into Saul's shoulder. ``I thought I was ready to die!''

Saul felt Riley's body. Through his clothes he could feel the layers of bandages and the tenderness of the bruising. The cat swallowed, ``Hey, it's going to be fine. I got a boat docked on the pier, let's go.''

``He'll find me, Saul.'' Riley tightened his arms around Saul.

``Hey, hey, it'll be okay,'' He said these words but not even Saul believed it fully. Whatever was happening to Riley went deep, deeper than he was prepared to handle. But he resolved himself to be there for Riley, whether the wolf was conscious of it or not, Saul's affections for him were true.

The sound of a trigger being pulled back cut through the air, ``Well isn't this just fucking

cute?''

\f

Riley and Saul jerked their heads towards the cottage. Max had a gun pointed at the two of them. Riley shot up and got between Saul and Max, ``Max, he doesn't have anything to do with this!''

``You know, my patience with you has just about run its course,'' The tiger sneered.

Saul was terrified but he wasn't going to let Riley shoulder the risk alone, he stood beside the wolf and took his hand. ``Whatever your issue with Riley is I won't let you hurt him!''

``Bit late for that,'' Max came forward and wretched Riley away from Saul. He pulled down Riley's hoodie and revealed his beaten body to the cat.

Saul gasped, ``What the fuck!''

Max sneered, ``The wolf and I have an arrangement, one that he isn't about to back out of, isn't that right, `Riley'?''

Riley felt as though his eyes bulging out of skull in terror, ``Max, that's enough. I'll come back inside, please let him go!''

Max growled, ``I have a better idea, why doesn't the kitty here join us?''

Riley snapped, ``No!'' Anything but that, Riley's mind was in a panic. How could he have gotten Saul involved in this? He never meant for this to happen.

He never meant for any of this to happen!

``Don't worry, Riley,'' Saul held up his arms in defeat. ``I'll cooperate; just put the gun away, man.''

Max smiled triumphantly and lowered the weapon, he yank Riley towards his face and whispered into the wolf's ear, ``Time to die for Micah.''

With those words there began and intense throbbing that started to spread throughout Riley's head, more so than anything he felt before. His entire brain felt it was crumbling into pieces. He cried out as Max dropped him onto the wooden floor of the deck. Saul made for him but Max once again raised his gun and threatened Saul to stay put with a warning shot that passed right by the cat's ear.

Riley convulsed as his vision darkened and his senses shut down.

``Riley!'' Saul called out when the wolf stopped moving entirely.

Max rolled his eyes and kicked the back of the wolf, ``How long do you plan on laying

there?''

The wolf groaned and slowly started to stand, ``Shut up.'' Saul swallowed, ``Riley?''

The wolf glanced over at Saul with eyes that were so different than Riley's gentle gaze. They were the eyes of the wolf that had come to Saul's apartment many times with carnal desires.

Dion put his hand on Max's gun arm and lowered it to his side, ``Why don't you put that away for now?''

Max faced the wolf and stared at him with a look that sent shivers down Saul's spine. It was not a look of respectful admiration but one of ire and lust. ``Oh babe, I missed your fucking face.'' He dropped the gun to the deck.

They kissed, though there was nothing tender or decent in the way their mouths met. Saul felt a rush of queasiness over their display. No one should ever kiss the way Max and Dion did on that deck. Violent growls emanated in their throats and it appeared as though they might rip each other's jugulars out at any moment. Dion clasped his fangs into Max's neck and Saul could see the tiniest trickle of blood trail down out of Dion's mouth.

\f

Max roared and pushing Dion back, he raised his claws and slashed down the front of Dion's exposed chest. Bloodied traces of the claw's path were now etched into Dion's flesh. Saul cried out but Dion smirked and continued to kiss the tiger.

Saul inched forward, the gun was within reach. All he needed to do was grab it.

His advance didn't escape Max's notice even when he was in the throngs of his twisted enjoyment. The tiger threw Dion into Saul without any care for the wolf's wellbeing.

Sault grabbed Dion as they tumbled down to the deck together.

``Oh, that wasn't very nice, kitten,'' Max chuckled as he retrieved the gun.

Saul let go of Dion only to see his hands covered in the wolf's blood, ``Hey, whoever you are, are you alright?'' He said this knowing that whoever this wolf was, it wasn't Riley. Not anymore at least.

Dion groaned, ``Saul, fuck off.''

The wolf stood up making sure to stand in front of the gun's barrel.

Max sneered, ``Get out of the way, Dion. I've changed my mind, the cat needs to die.'' Dion shook his head, ``I thought you wanted him to join us?'' ``Bastard went for my piece. No way can I trust he won't try again!''

``Max,'' Dion spread his arms, ``If you shoot him, I'll bite my tongue off.'' The wolf placed his tongue between his fangs.

The tiger bore his teeth, ``You're bluffing. You wouldn't do that before I've had my fill of

you.''

Dion pressed down with his jaw. Droplets of blood hit the deck from his mouth.

This was madness, Saul thought, this went beyond insanity.

Max roared and lowered the gun again. ``Piece of shit,'' he spat.

Dion smiled, the fur around his mouth was stained red. He then said cordially, ``How about we all go inside now?''

He turned around and helped Saul to his feet. The cat gave him a look of utmost sympathy and horror, Dion however winked as took Saul's hand in his. He squeezed it gently in a way that spoke volumes to Saul; it told him to trust Dion.

Max groaned, ``Well hurry the fuck up then, before my fucking boner goes away!''

``If it does, I'll just have to fix that, won't I?'' Dion said narrowing his eyes towards the tiger's crotch.

Max led Saul and Dion towards the room with the black door. Once the candles were lit, and Saul could see the entirety of the room his reaction to the torture room was similar to Riley's. Saul had every instinct to run away as fast as he could. Dion kept his hand held firmly and with the utmost of assurance.

Max stripped and donned the leather suit once again. He set the gun on his clothing. Dion released Saul's hand and approached the tiger. ``How do you want to do this?''

Without a word, Max grabbed hold of Dion's wrists and held them up high towards a pair of manacles that hung from the ceiling. He locked the wolf into them and tore off his hoodie and pants. Saul almost retched when he saw the full extent of the damage done to Riley's body. Max pulled a black cane from the wall and pointed it at Saul.

``Sit there, don't fucking move. Don't even make a sound. You're going to witness this sick bastard's final moments.''

``What does that even mean?'' Saul cried.

``What did I just fucking say!'' Max roared and jerked the cane towards him.

Dion rattled the chains holding him to the ceiling, ``Max, don't leave me hanging here.''

\f

The wolf raised his leg and ran across Max's leather clad ass. Max purred and threw on the black mask. He zipped up the mouthpiece and swung the came against Dion's back with all his strength.

Saul could only sit and watch the horrid spectacle. Again and again, hit after hit Dion's smile didn't fade. He took all the punishment Max dished out and released moans of pure ecstasy. Max circled the shackled wolf, dragged the cane along the floor behind him. He returned to the wall and hung up the cane. Saul was sure that Max had enough but that feeling didn't last as Max retrieved a slender whip with a shimmering end.

Max took a few steps back and started to twirl the whip. The first lash cut into Dion's arms, the second created a crimson line on his thigh. From beneath the mask, Saul could hear Max's manic laughter. Saul lost track of how many times Max struck Dion's body with the whip. The wolf's fur almost completely dyed red by the time the tiger dropped the whip.

``Don't tell me that's it?'' Dion said through ragged breaths.

Max removed his mask and pulled Dion close, kissed him, then pushed him back, ``Far from it.''

Saul couldn't take any more, ``Stop it!''

Max's eyes flashed with violence, ``I told you not to talk!''

He stood up, ``I can't let you keep hurting him like this, it's...it's revolting!'' Max grabbed Saul by his collar, ``Do you want to take his place?'' ``If it means you'll let him go, yes, I'll take his place!''

``Hear that, Dion?'' Max sneered, ``This kitten cares so much that'll get in the way of our fun. What say we let him?''

Dion closed his eyes, ``I don't see the need for that. He wouldn't be able to handle it.'' Max dropped Saul and went behind Dion. He put his arm around his shoulders and

rubbed his face against Dion's bloodied back, ``I would almost think you were looking out for this asshole. I'm wrong, aren't I? Please, tell me I'm wrong.''

Dion nuzzled Max with his snout, ``This is between you and me, love.''

Max had reached his tolerance and reached down to his groin where there was another zipper stretching from below the waist of the leather suit to just under the buttock. He unzipped the silver trail and his erection issued out from the suit. He then stated to fuck Dion from behind.

Dion's eyes rolled back in his head while Max emitted horrid growls in the heat of their entanglement. This was it, he was going to fuck this wolf and then kill him along with the cat and then he would put a bullet into his own skull.

Nothing would be able to top this experience, this rush of total debasement and perversion that was unheard of since the early days of recorded history.

Max was happy.

Max was fucking happy.

With each thrust into the bloodied wolf's body he relished in his good fortune. How fortunate was he that Riley met Micah? How fucking brilliant was it that his brother was as sick as he was?

And Dion, that God of pleasure the universe bestowed upon him.

He was the ultimate drug, the purest high Max had ever experienced.

After Dion's death, there was no point to life. But die Dion must. There was no getting around that, such a pure and noble animal mustn't be allowed to live without Max at his side.

He could hear music, a choir of cherubs fluttered around Dion and him as the penultimate finale of their sexual congress neared its end.

\f``I love you,'' Max purred.

Then, the gun went off.

Max dropped to the ground, blood pouring from his shoulder. Saul was standing with the smoking barrel in his hand, shaking all over as he kept the weapon focused on Max.

He reached up and quickly unlatched Dion from the ceiling. Saul caught his body and began backing away towards the exit.

He hissed at Max, who was reaching out towards them with fervent longing, ``You won't go near him again. Whatever your deal was consider it void. I'll spare your fucking life, if that means anything to you. You will never come into Riley's life, ever again!''

``D-Dion!'' Max cried as Saul vanished down the hall.

The tiger began to roar. He cried out and pounded the floor. His vision was clouding

over.

Was this... how it all ended?

Saul tried his best to keep Dion from dragging along the floor but his body was so heavy and the blood kept making him slip. They were almost out of the woods when he saw another boat docked beside his and a rabbit running towards them with a knife in her hand.

Saul pointed the gun at her, ``Don't fucking try anything!''

Val bared her teeth as she looked from Saul to Dion. ``Where is Max?''

``He's in the cottage, he's alive.'' Saul glared at the rabbit. She tensed her legs and clenched his fingers around the handle of the knife. Saul hoisted Dion up and pleaded, ``Please, let us go. He's...he's suffered enough.''

Val ran towards them and Saul fired the gun once more but the rabbit was nowhere to be seen. She ran past them towards the cottage.

Saul quickened his pace and placed Dion gently in the motorboat. He untied the vessel and kicked away from the dock. The engine roared to life and within seconds the boat was out on the lake, Edgemost Isle fading away behind them.

Riley was admitted into the ER at once after Saul docked the boat and called the ambulance. He was in the hospital for several days, all the while under police protection. Saul and told the authorities all he knew.

``My friend, he was kidnapped by this sick fuck. He was tortured and held against his will, if I hadn't found him...he'd be dead.''

A full investigation was launched into Edgemost Isle but there was no trace of Maxwell Grisham.

As for Micah, once the mob had hold of his body it was as though the man never existed.

When Riley woke up in the hospital, Saul was right by his side.

``Hey...I don't feel dead,'' Riley smiled weakly.

Saul took his bandaged hand, ``Far from it.''

``What...happened?''

Saul stroked Riley's hand, ``Do you remember anything?''

Riley shook his head, ``Nothing, but...I have this feeling....Dion, he...he saved me.''

``I think he saved us both,'' Saul sighed, ``Riley, do you think you could ever tell me what happened to you?''

``Honestly, Saul, I don't even know if I do myself.''

Saul glanced towards the door, ``The police will want to question you next. All they know is that you were kidnapped, nothing else.''

\fRiley turned away from Saul, ``What happened to Max?''

``No one knows. I left him alive...for what it's worth. Also, I heard from the cops that Micah Grisham has just...vanished, without a trace.''

``Oh...I see.''

Saul ran his hand along Riley's forehead, ``Riley...if you want my opinion, what happened on that island, what went down between you and this Micah, let it die here.''

``What?''

``Even I can tell there was something fucked up happening with this guy. If...no one where to ever hear about them again I don't think the world would be worse off for it.''

Was Saul right? Did the police need to know about Micah's death? He thought of the torture room in that cottage, Micah's darker desires and way in which he died. As far as the law was concerned if Micah was just gone then why dredge up his death?

It didn't feel right, none of this felt like a win for Riley.

``Saul...I don't, I don't deserve to be forgiven.''

Saul gripped Riley's hand, ``Maybe you don't, for whatever reason you feel that way, I can't even begin to imagine. Maybe you won't ever be forgiven but dammit Riley, you need to keep living. If for no one else's sake but your own do it for me...and Dion.''

``But Dion, he wanted this to happen...which means I did.''

Saul sighed, ``I can't answer that, Riley. But, when I was with Dion in that room I could tell he was doing everything he could to keep me alive even at the cost of his own life. I don't know what that means but if Dion wanted to preserve life, then that must you do too. I hope that means something.''

Saul left shortly after and the police entered the room. Riley told them exactly what Saul told them, nothing more and nothing less. For the remaining time he spent in the hospital he was kept under watch but after he was given the clear to leave the police presence vanished altogether.

Saul was waiting for Riley and took him back to his apartment. Haddish and Fairbrook gave Riley an indefinite leave of absence until he felt he would be able to return to work, they didn't even inquire about the company jeep, as far as they knew Micah had run off with it. A month went by, Saul would visit him every day and they would eat together. Riley would fall asleep in Saul's lap but as soon as the cat made to leave the wolf cried out. He plagued by night terrors every night since his release from the hospital.

Saul made sure to keep an eye out for any signs of Dion but after the events of Edgemost Isle it was as though that aspect of Riley's persona went dormant.

``I don't think he's gone,'' Riley said when Saul asked him about Dion. ``He's still...in me...I don't know what they means for me but Dion is part of me, I don't think that will change any time soon.''

One night, almost two months after his release from the hospital Riley's phone lit up and he saw a name that caused his legs to become numb.

There was a text from Micah or at the very least, Micah's phone.

He hadn't thought to delete or block the number, a fact he regretted in this moment.

Only one person was in possession of Micah's phone.

Riley opened the text.

`This is far from over. I will come back for you, Dion.''

That night, Riley packed a small suitcase and forwarded a termination of his lease to the landlord. He didn't tell Saul about the text, there was no way he could know about it.

\fRiley needed to leave Highland immediately, that very night.

Leaving his apartment would be difficult. He prayed that Saul was out, he would surely hear his door closing and check in on him if he was home. He slowly closed his door but as the clicking bolt reverberated down the hall he knew it was too late. He hurried down the stairwell closest to his apartment as soon as he heard Saul's door open.

``Riley!''

Riley sped down the stairs. He nearly fell down them as he scurried toward the parking lot door. He had his keys in hand as he hurried towards the jeep. He could hear the sound of feet smacking the pavement behind him.

Panting, Riley turned to face Saul. ``Saul, don't try to stop me.'' ``What am I even trying to stop, Riley?'' Saul said exasperatedly.

Riley shook his head, ``I need to leave. I can't stay in Highland anymore.'' Saul approached him.

Riley, trembling, slid the keys into the driver side door. Saul threw his arms around Riley, ``Can't you just fucking trust me, this one time?''

Riley felt his whole body spasm as his tears began to flow, ``I can't risk you getting hurt. I'll never be free, Saul. If you care about me, then you'll just forget about me. He's coming for me, for Dion, and I can't protect you.''

``Then let me protect you!'' Saul cried.

``Please!'' Riley howled, ``I don't love you. I'll never love you. That relationship you had, that was with Dion. Dion protected you, he cared about you. I couldn't give a damn about you!''

Saul went ridged, ``You don't mean that.''

``Oh I don't? I can't stand you. You had this entire fucking relationship with some unconscious part of me. I was never there for any of the sex you and Dion had. Fuck, you might as well have raped me!''

Saul shook his head, his eyes clouding over with tears, ``I know what you're doing,

Riley.''

``If you do, then you'll fucking let me leave!''

Saul let go and backed off.

Riley and Saul stared at one another for what felt like an eternity, unspoken words issuing back and forth between the two men. Riley opened the door of the jeep and tossed his bag into the passenger seat. As he raised himself into the cabin, Saul called out to him, ``Where will you go?''

Riley exhaled and looked out towards the road, ``North.''

The Haddish and Fairbrook jeep engine sprung to life and sped away from the parking lot. Saul remained until the jeep's light vanished into the dark of the night and with them the departure of Riley Conner from Highland and his life entirely.

To Be Continued in A Dark Engagement: The North.

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