Ms. V

Yes, a much more elegant solution, marine to marine. I could see Bubba being understanding of Clayton, too, as an agent that has facets to his diamond that need to be hidden from the common knowledge of others. You are a very fine writer, Rex.

Rex, I love, love, love the work and research you put in for this chapter and the reveal! I love when an author teaches me something or leads me to something new. The History 101 from your previous chapter is amazing writing, But having been a part of that time, too, it didn't take me anywhere I hadn't been. Your name blend for Clayton, however, lead me to Virgil Exner and then Harley Earl, then the birth of the Corvette, (the 1968 model is a personal favorite,) and then more! I am positively giddy. High praise as well, for your depiction of "old money" and how differently the excessively rich thinking can be in comparison. Having dealt with the strangeness of it from my mother's side, I feel blessed that she chose a simpler life to pass on to my siblings and me. I agree I got the feeling early on that Clayton wasn't testing Ryan, but was taking note of his ethics not just regarding money, but with friendships, relationships, and life in general. Something my age and experience has led me to regard in my relationships these days. They say, “with age comes wisdom,” if we’re lucky. ~chuckle~ All I see here is another opportunity that could be shattered or missed by lack of communication. I think Ryan taking the time to cool down is good. I'm just concerned that if he doesn't keep processing this while it's fresh, it will harden his thinking and heart from talking it through with Clayton. Hope he seeks clarity from a friend. Now would be a good time to bring in Rex or Joe, I think. I can’t wait to read on to see how you resolved this conundrum. 😃

Think you meant to type Benoit, right? Don't think anyone is hating on Ben, poor bugger. (Though I'm late to the game on this, and it probably doesn't matter. Regardless, I love reading the comments after every chapter. I'm learning a lot. =)

Who doesn't love a great story with a "feel good" end? However, I love just as deeply a tale that teaches me something or intrigues me to learn more about a subject. Huge praise to an author that is willing to pour a bit of research and illumination into such a wonderful tale! I think you're fabulous as well as talented. 😄

Ah, heartache at every turn with no simple solution. Levi would never desire to turn George. George would never want Levi to feed on another and lose that part of their connection should he be turned and they would have to feed on others. It has become a choice between the bittersweet endings they are willing to live out. I fear it will be a different yet still bittersweet decision for Levi and Matt. Ah, it is often the inevitable heartaches of life that make the love and relationships in our lives that much sweeter in the moments we have together.

Haha, I got lost a bit in the time and character jump, too. Your ending note would probably better serve you at the beginning rather than the end. 😊 So, Levi loves Matt enough that his fears are surfacing from his old life and losing George. Ah, the bittersweet seems unavoidable. Time moves so much faster than we want to think when we're young and in love. I love the shout out to the site and the internet for Levi. ~chuckle~

Oh goodie! They're back! For some reason, I thought each prompt would be a different story instead of a lovely way to build the first. I'm so happy to see you're building on it and such a steamy Chapter 2, too! So, is it intentional that you've drawn us into loving a little vampire without ever giving us a name? "My house guest" is so simple an avoidance with the nosy neighbor, that it took me almost to the end of the chapter to realize we don't know the little vampire's name. Matt's not using it while pleading, either, so now I'm pleading to know it. 😊

As you were so kind as to encourage me to make comments even though it may be long after a piece posted, I wanted to thank you for your kindness. You've made it easy, however, with such a delightful story that made my heart smile. 😊 So, I caught on a little thing early on that's small and easy to fix. When Matt is first feeling followed, my analytical brain hit a speed bump. When he first spots his "tail," the little vampire is gazing in the window of the bakery and peeking at him. You write that he blows it off and keeps walking for a few minutes and then decides to confront his shadow. It then reads that he's "herding him up against the wall of the bakery." It just shocked me out of the flow for a bit wondering how big this bakery is or how far he walked in a few minutes? Maybe it's just me and not an issue at all? ~chuckle~ You have a wonderful ability for character development in such a short piece. I've always struggled with writing such short stories. I think the stronger writers are those that can connect and convey so much succinctly. It's always easier to add and build than to cut and lose. 😁

The only thing I can think to add as a suggestion is the order of this chapter. I would prefer we get the satisfaction of this just before Chapter 25, right after the cliffhanger. Not trying to be evil, but pacing and tension would hold, and then we all get to spiral down first with Devyn's recovery and then the healing and love to restore us after the horror and tension that was Devyn's life before. IMHO it would be a healing end for us readers with the warm note that is the final chapter of Jason's POV. 😊

No, Devyn, don't kill yourself now when you're so close to being rescued!

The mark of great suspense writing, to me, is the possibilities the author can lay before you, some leading, some misleading, some just false. Curve balls and twists happening to characters crafted for empathy, sympathy, angst or just plane ole' anger. Lead me to have confidence in what direction it's all moving and then revealing something else that makes me doubt my assumptions. Sprinkling in the facts rather than just pouring them on in a rush like an action thriller. You, my dear, have us all jumping at shadows and on facts, and that's what makes you good.

I haven't commented on the last few chapters because the comments you had were great and covered good things. I had a feeling about the finances after Barry first showed Dave his net worth. It never seems as big a deal to the one that makes more as to the one who makes less. ~chuckle~ Big part of why I love the way you craft these stories is the reality of dealing with the issues of life. Kudos, too, for the shout out on other author's stories. Awesome way to build up the community! I'll be checking them out for sure. The thing that impressed me the most about this chapter, besides the connection between Rex and Barry, was the meds! You had us so involved with the finances and "Dave naked in bed," stuff, that the overmedication issue was an awesome revelation. That can be such a vital and realistic issue for those coming through trauma. It’s something so important for all of us to keep track of, and such a great insight to share with your readers. Advocating for our and our loved one’s health, questioning doctors, and checking on changes more is so important in this country's health care system! You blew me away, and I found myself yelling, "Yes! Yes! Yes!," to an empty room. LOL Watch out, your ninja skills are showing again!

Maybe it's just me, yet I had a different perspective than some of the other's comments. I got agitated for the AD and didn't see anything wrong on his part. The FBI didn't take away Barry's old life or kids. Frank's criminal actions did. You've done a sharp job of winning us to Barry's side, and I'm there, on board with his 2nd chance to be a good man. However, that doesn't always mitigate the consequences of all the small decisions and actions on Frank's part that put him on the slippery slope to being on the wrong side of the law and endangering his family and life. It was also his choice to kill off "Frank" to protect his children, too. That being said, the AD did walk into a storm of emotional chaos that Barry is struggling with daily. Dave and Doc are coming alongside, but they just got in place to help more actively when the AD had no recourse but to bring in a tough choice for them to make due to a time crunch. I'm sure there's more to it, but that's not all bad either when a perceived threat to Dave & Barry's future together teams them together, even when it affects Dave's career. They are choosing each other over everything else. To me, that's the beauty of your writing and the opening you've left for them to strive together to make the best decision for their future, regardless of where they live. Barry needs help being the better man he wants to be, and Dave is a big part of that, so Dave's career was going to have to become part of the equation for them to be together, regardless. IMHO

So, only one little blip hit my analytical radar as off. The line, "Proof of the old line of deep waters running still." The Latin proverb actually reads, "still waters run deep." I think the meaning you attributed to it is still the same and dead on for describing Barry. It's just such a fabulous story, I'd love to help take out any speed bumps for any other "crazies" like me.

"La Casa de Fuga" I loved the word play in that title, especially with it being a FBI owned B&B. ~chuckle~ Also felt authentic for everyone to have an agenda of what happens next in going over things with "Barry" and the limits of Frank being only human and in crisis, it keeps getting pushed and adjusted.

So, forgive my overly analytical brain but not sure you wanted to write this, "Cabbie does a full-power 360-degree turn in mid-street" this way. I'm guessing you meant a 180-degree turn? I loved the details around the cab and "Barry" catching on quick. Well, the whole scene really. You got ninja skills with actions scenes! I was wondering if David might turn out to be the love interest with the whole, big bro verses Frank teasing back about them becoming lovers. It's nice to be right once in a while. ~chuckle~ I'm really enjoying this wild ride you've started.

Rex, you are a rare and delightful find of an author! A fictional story that's not just contemporary with a good end, but believable on so many levels. This story is so possible, so credible, that I feel like if I find the right bar in the right suburb, I'll find Rex and Joe enjoying a drink. Of course, I'll then have to buy their next round! You've got me in your hip pocket for everything you'll ever write or post on here from now on! I’m a guaranteed sale and supporter!

I'm so with Rex on how to be there for his boy in the hospital. [“I'm doing my job here, you do yours.” NOT fucking moving from my Joe.] The knowledgeable staff might be there for his physical well being, but loved ones and later friends are there for his emotional and mental well being, which is critical, too. Another hit out of the park!

I absolutely loved how you wrote Joe's assistance to others coming from asides from them to Rex after the fact rather than Rex's witness. That is so much more how life works. It's great to be a witness to a lover's actions when they don't know we're there, yet in life, it's more of a combination. Some we see, some are shared with us by those affected. A reputation is a fact of life, good or bad; people love to talk. As for Rex, it says so much about him and his interaction with his community that there are those who come to his aid when the crisis hits. I always worry about the ones that isolate themselves to only the LGBTQI community out of fear, hurt or anger. Life has taught me that it is better to blend because let's face it, life is chaotic, and we're stronger in our interdependent relationships of all sorts than too much independence and isolation. Your voice and style are a gift. Your stories are a balm for my soul. Though I know this is your first work, it promises a bone-deep talent that will only improve, I'm sure of it. I haven't even finished the whole tale, yet I know, I'm already addicted to your writing.

Bondage in Joe’s future as a safety precaution, I love it! ~chuckle~ I love the take of Rex helping to slow Joe down on worrying and the rush to label or redefine how he sees himself. The culture puts so much pressure on us to label and compartmentalize. Yet, those of us that have aged well know it's just part of the whole package. You don't stop being you and the body of your experiences and life. Great job flushing out the history of Joe. It's the best way to get me invested in these characters and creates space for empathy, not just sympathy. I know I'm late to the table, yet I'm really connecting to your style of writing.

As fetching as the romance of the young can be, with it's heady beginnings, I am attracted to the tale of later in life sorts. Getting older is not for the faint of heart and the insecurities of youth got nothing on middle age. The season of life when we hope for someone to see past the cultural stereotypes of a "tall drink of water" to see the "full bodied wine" we've grown to be through the joys and knocks of life. I'm really looking forward to settling into this tale and savoring it.

I just discovered you through another of your stories and decided to start with your first and follow you through your tales. I have to say, the first one I read was dark but very well written. I'm so happy to find Penguin and the humor of this beginning. I'm looking forward to seeing this unfold.

Is it me or should the word "not" be removed from the sentence to make it true? Or even change the "able" to unable? "Interesting that the supposed hostage, one Nico Vanzetti, could not communicate with the family if he was somehow able to access the computers." I kept getting stuck on this, but that doesn't mean I'm right. ~chuckle~

I just have to say; I've been enjoying this story as a closet comic geek from the 70s and 80s. ~chuckle~ But this chapter and your execution of first Mark's point of view then Gerry's and how it strengthened the scene by screwing with the timeline was awe-inspiring genius! You got wicked skills, Dark.

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy...