He adjusted his black wig over his dark brown hair; he’d thrown the long blond one out after the incident at the hospital. The heat had died down, and he’d caught sight of Fielding and Livingston entering Trenton Security the day before. He was growing impatient. Nothing about his plan was working the way it should have. It was supposed to be so simple.

They were mindless brutes. Ugly and uncivilized, and they were outsmarting him, and he couldn’t allow that to continue. He’d switched out his clothes for more masculine and less androgynous, threw away his makeup and prosthetics. Years in the entertainment industry had its perks. He could make himself look like anyone he wanted, and even his mother wouldn’t recognize him. He’d tested out his skills on her several times.

He’d scrubbed himself down with bleach the other night he’d come back to the motel from Brawlers. Little was the weakest target, and he’d used it to his advantage. A bit of attention and flattery, the man couldn’t keep it in his pants. It had disgusted him to have that man’s hands on him, but he’d established contact, and that’s what he needed. He’d walk right into Trenton Security and walk out with Fielding.

The syringe was hidden in his jacket pocket, not enough to incapacitate but enough to make the man compliant. He checked both ways before he jogged across the street. Opening the door, he stepped inside. An empty reception desk filled the small waiting room.

“Hello, how can I help you?”

He turned to find the woman named Peaches standing there. He’d done his research, and she was as abhorrent as the rest of them.

“Yes, ma’am, I’m Nathan, I met Little at Brawlers the other night. He told me I should come by and see him sometime.”

“My boys do have great taste. He’s in a meeting, but I’ll take you to the break room. Do you have time to wait?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Stop with the ma’am bullshit, call me Peaches. Please, come with me. I’ll drop you off and head to the meeting myself. We shouldn’t be too long.”

“That’s great, Peaches, thank you.”

He watched as Peaches waved a card over a reader on a panel next to the elevator. That might be an issue if he needed one to get out. He strode to the elevator, stepped inside, and kept himself calm. It was almost over. He’d found the perfect place to hide Fielding until he could take him home.

“I think Fielding is in the break room. I’m sure he can keep you company.”

He tried not to appear too excited. The last time he’d seen Fielding up close was two years ago. They’d been at the same party. Their eyes met across the room, and Fielding had smiled, he’d seen the interest. Fielding wanted to be his and Fielding didn’t need to hide it anymore.

They stepped off the elevator, and he followed her down an empty hall.

“Fielding, would you please keep a friend of Little’s company until the meeting is over?”

“Of course, I’ve gotten a little bored waiting for Daddy to finish.”

He felt his nose curl up, but made his features relax.

“Be a good boy, and he’ll be done soon, then you two can go home. This is Nathan.”

“Nice to meet you, Nathan.”

He didn’t see any recognition in Fielding’s eyes, and he clenched his fists in his pockets. He didn’t want Fielding to figure out too soon what was happening.

“You, too, Fielding. I might go out for a smoke, so do I need a card key to get out? I saw you swiped one to get into the elevator.”

“No, just pick up the phone behind the reception desk and punch in twelve. Fielding can buzz you back upstairs.”

“That’s great, thank you.”

“You two have fun, we should be done in about an hour.”

He pivoted on his toes to watch Peaches until she disappeared.

“So, your dad works here?” He glanced back over his shoulder as he asked.

Fielding’s cheeks were pink with embarrassment.

“Um, did you want something to drink?”

“That would be great.”

He walked across the room, waited for Fielding to turn to the fridge and open it. He pulled out the needle and removed the cap, Fielding straightened, and he struck. He wrapped his arm around Fielding as he plunged the sharp point into the side of Fielding’s neck. The dose of the sedative wasn’t enough to take the man down, but he couldn’t carry him.

Fielding turned to him with wide eyes.

“It took me so long to find you.”