GaryK

I can certainly understand that and it's admirable. In my case I was adopted so I don't feel as strong a need for a blood-son. To me family is about more than blood.

Because this is such a stupid poll I voted for stupid choices, and corrected CJ's poor spelling: 1. No one, as there is no cliffhanger 2. Declair declare this chapter cliffhanger-free.

I'll be adopting a son later this year. He was supposed to be my foster child a couple of years ago but got yanked away from me at the last minute. He's gonna come live with me when the state kicks him out of foster care at 18.

I feel betrayed. Betrayed I tell you. I thought the goat had good intentions when I agreed to a postponement in the posting schedule. In fact he knew all along this was gonna be one heck of a cloudhanger and that he'd be leaving us hanging for an extra-long amount of time. Bad goat!

I guess it's up to the bikers and the AF guy to come to the rescue. I'm rushing to finish beta-reading a chapter for an author. I shouldn't even be posted here. So I don't have time to look back at the chapter right now. Sorry about that. Are all the concussion grenades accounted for? Has Dimitri dropped any of them?

What kind of shot is Brandon's gun loaded with? Is it possible he could swing around and shoot Dimitri in the head before Dimitri has a chance to slice Chase's throat, and without injuring Chase in the process?

Oh yeah. I forgot about that photo. I guess maybe you're the one we should take up a collection for.

Thanks for that Benji. It probably is starting to get dark by now. Given the guys know they're in danger why in the heck would they be planning an outdoor cookout in the dark?

Wasn't it getting close to time for the cookout? I'm not sure if that means it's close to dark though. I forget what time of year it is so DST could make it light later into the evening. Either way I think you make a good point... let's hope the bikers recognize the AF guy as what he is and not as someone trying to harm the boys. One lesson I think we can learn from this, as if we haven't already based on real events, is bikers are not reliable when it comes to being security guards. I blame Helen for that and it seems like she may have to pay the ultimate price for her mistake.

Eeks. I agree with Benji. Don't bother opening the window first though.

That makes a lot of sense.

I think a Sicilian Vergine Marsala would be good. It's aged for 5-7 years in oak barrels and is top-quality Marsala. I know it's typically considered a dessert wine. But it happens to be exceptionally good with meat like goat and lamb. It's the perfect sweet compliment to gamey meat.

As much as I'd like to I can't always please everyone. Just relax and enjoy the feast.

Given what's happened why would the bikers blow away the AF dude? Surely they realize he's heard the gunshots too and at this point it seems reasonable they'd all be allied in a common cause. They may not like each other, but the bikers I know aren't stupid (I've got a HA member as an admin on one of my forums) so surely they'd realize that ultimately they have the same goal in mind: protecting the boys.

Other. Throw him off a cliff where he lands on the Echidna. After he dies a slow painful death due to massive loss of blood then TalonRider can lift him a few hundred feet off the ground and drop him to tenderize him. Skip the altar crap cause Steve isn't worthy of it. His cliffies are almost as bad as CJ's. Just proceed directly to the spit and then serve up roasted goat on Echidna skewers. [Edited for grammar]

I feel bad for Mason. He trusts his boyfriend to drag him to this convention and then he has to deal with all this good-natured ribbing that makes you all look like a bunch of pervs. Yeah, I know you all are a bunch of pervs, but really, you could have been a bit better behaved, right? Then again, that wouldn't have been nearly as much fun. We should take up a collection to pay for the PTSD treatment Mason is gonna need. Ben, you are all a bunch of characters.

The Echidna?

That's why I specifically mentioned being sure he doesn't see it as a date. You're taking him along as a friend in order to introduce him to other gay people and gay establishments. Hopefully he has enough social skills that he can take it from there.

Surely Eric has got to realize Dimitri isn't going to be satisfied with only one member of Instinct being killed. So why does he seem so willing so sacrifice himself in what will surely be a failed attempt to save the others? I've read and re-read that section of 43. I can't see how there's any secret code in Eric referring to Brandon as Brand. The only thing I can think of is maybe Eric has seen one of the bikers at the window and wants to be sure Brandon stays focused on him and that Dimitri does the same thing. Thus maximizing the chances of success for one of the bikers to take out Dimitri. It's admittedly a far-fetched theory. But it's all I can come up with at this late hour. I'll be interested to see what you make of if when you post tomorrow.

Groan. Now I regret telling CJ it was alright to wait another week before posting 44. Great chapter, CJ. That's the nicest thing you'll see from me tonight. Calling you a goat would be an insult to goats so I won't do that. I have faith that Jim and his guys will come to the rescue. If not the fire is roaring and a roasted goat hollow-horned ruminant of the genus Capra will soon be served! He does keep saying that doesn't he? Maybe he's delusional enough to think if he keeps repeating it eventually it'll come true. ---------- OK, time for some serious analysis. Dimitri thinks he's got the situation well in-hand. Little does he know the bikers heard the gunshots and have taken up position around the house. One of them will see Dimitri holding a knife to Chase's throat and with a deft aim will shoot Dimitri in a way that'll make him fall free of Chase thus sparing Chase any further injury. Helen has abdominal wounds. If she gets treatment in enough time she'll eventually be alright. I have to reluctantly give TheBitch

Did you feel suitably tortured? Cause it looked to me like you were having a heck of a good time!

Happy Birthday Have a beer, but please, not on me. I'm wearing freshly laundered clothes, LOL. I'll be happy to pay for your beer though.

And this is wrong because of what? Does it make you feel like less of a man or something? Hey, I'm not one to put stuff in my hair or wear cologne. But I'd tolerate it if it were part of an evening of fun with good friends. It does appear you're having a good time, right Rob (I think that's your name, sorry if I got it wrong)?

Thanks Trebs. I hope Mason has a good sense of humor!

The pale one, LOL. I like the second photo cause I think it shows you know how to cut loose and have a good time. Your other pix have been so much tamer compared to this one. Yay for knowing how to live life to its fullest!