Blood Match

Chapter 3: Opening Act

The next day flew by as a barrage of workers, waiters, and security personnel descended on the gallery. Liam would have felt completely overwhelmed if not for Tristan, Leo's able assistant.

Tristan had been the deep, bass voice that Liam had heard on the phone the night before. Six-foot-four, blonde, blue-eyed, and built like a proverbial brick house, his appearance made Liam think more of a prizefighter than an assistant.

But within five minutes, Liam realized that this tank of a man knew his business. He had arranged the security perimeter and the placement of personnel for the event, spoken to Claude—a world-class chef in Leo's employ—to determine the refreshments, and supervised the installation of the new fascia board over the gallery entrance.

The city also made Broad Street a priority in cleanup and snow removal, so the area was perfectly clean for the opening. When Liam asked Tristan about it, he simply replied that Mr. De La Cruz had put in a request with the Mayor that Broad Street receive priority attention. Liam wondered who this man was, who had wandered into his gallery.

The sun set at 4:30, and at 4:35, Leonidas De La Cruz was showered and picking out what he was going to wear to the opening. He chose a navy blue Giorgio Armani tuxedo with a shawl collar, Ferragamo black leather loafers, a Rolex Submariner in stainless steel for his left wrist, and a platinum signet ring of the Order of Malta for his right-hand ring finger. The look he chose was elegant but understated. He smiled to himself as he thought about the outfit he had sent over for Liam. He only wished he could see the look on his face.

He pulled out his phone and dialed Tristan.

"Yes, sir," Tristan answered immediately, almost as if he were expecting Leo's call.

"How are the preparations coming along?" Leo said, taking one last look at himself in the mirror. He had chosen to wear the tuxedo without a shirt so that his tattoos were on display.

"All is progressing smoothly. I am about to help Liam get dressed—I anticipate a bit of a struggle, since he doesn't realize that we are not allowing him to wear the pullover and jeans he has been sporting all day." Tristan chuckled deeply.

"Gently, Tristan. Don't spook him," Leo said, smiling. He knew that Tristan would manage the situation with delicacy and care. Liam was in very good hands.

"Mr. Von Anderson, it is time to change for the opening," Tristan said, bringing a black and silver garment bag with the monogram LDC printed on it.

"Change? I was going to wear this," Liam said, gesturing to the pullover and jeans he was wearing.

Tristan simply smiled. "I'm afraid that won't do. Trust me, you will be much happier in what Mr. De La Cruz has selected for you." Tristan gently placed the garment bag in Liam's hands and guided him to the back office.

Liam simply shook his head, wondering what he had gotten himself into.

As Liam exited the office, Tristan gave him the once-over, nodding to himself.

"Perfect. Mr. De La Cruz was right—the Dior classic tux in ecru, paired with the Christian Louboutin black leather loafers, is perfect with your coloring. Here's the final touch," Tristan said, handing Liam a small box.

Liam opened it and found a Rolex Submariner in gold and stainless steel. He gasped as he looked at the watch. This watch cost more than he made in a month.

"Tristan, is he for real?" Liam said quietly.

"Mr. De La Cruz was very specific in his directions. The watch is yours. He hopes that you will not mind the fact that it is the complement to his own, which is stainless steel. He asked that gold be included in your watch because, as he said,

“Seeing you is like seeing sunlight made flesh."

Liam put the watch on and took a deep breath. "How do I look?" he asked. At that moment, he heard a voice behind him.

"Magnificent."

Leo’s admiring words echoed as he turned the corner, entering from the main gallery room. Liam froze and couldn’t even take a breath for almost a minute. There stood Leonidas De La Cruz, decked out in a navy blue silk tuxedo, his bare chest on display, showcasing tribal tattoos through the opening of his jacket.

"Are you ready for your opening act?" Leo smiled at Liam.

"I'm not sure. This all seems like a dream. Leo, this watch and these clothes—it’s too much. I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’ve already done so much," Liam said, putting a hand on Leo’s arm.

"Nonsense. It’s only money—and when you’ve lived as long as I have, you realize that the only use you can have for money is using it to make someone else happy. Let me do this small thing for you, Liam. You deserve a little happiness." Leo said, touching Liam’s cheek.

"Okay, Leo. And thank you. Thank you for helping me fulfill my promise," Liam said, hugging him.

Leo was startled for a moment but wrapped his arms around Liam and returned the hug warmly.

Liam walked around the gallery with Leo as people strolled through, looking at the various photographs. But the picture that garnered most of the attention was the one in the center of the gallery—the picture of Alex.

Leo was standing with Liam when a very handsome older man walked over. He had a younger man in tow, who looked at him adoringly.

"Mr. De La Cruz, thank you for the invite. I have not seen such talent in a hundred years. The eye of the artist is incredible. The picture in the center of the gallery is absolutely amazing. I wouldn't mind meeting the model—the life in him is mesmerizing."

The man spoke with such hunger, Liam found himself becoming angry and territorial. Alexander was gone. He belonged to him and no one else.

"Mr...." Liam spoke up, with a bit of an edge.

The older man turned to Liam, a little annoyed at being interrupted.

"Sinclair. Harrison Sinclair. And you are?" Harrison's voice dripped with barely concealed disdain.

"This is Liam Von Anderson, Harrison. And the model in the portrait you were admiring so intently was his husband." Leo's voice took on a coldness that startled Liam.

Harrison caught the edge in Leo’s voice and took a step back. The annoyance that had flickered over his face at being interrupted quickly disappeared, replaced by wariness.

"I didn’t know. Please forgive me. It’s just that he is so strikingly beautiful," Harrison said, trying to find excuses for his comment.

"Yes, he was. I’m sorry, Mr. Sinclair, but he has passed on, so I am unable to introduce you to him," Liam said flatly.

Liam could feel Leo’s hand around his waist, offering support and stability. He allowed himself to lean on Leo, finding comfort in both his physical strength and the sense of protectiveness emanating from him.

"Harrison, if you don’t mind, I think Liam and I should socialize with the other guests. After all, this is his gallery opening."

Leo pulled Liam away, keeping his hand around his waist as they walked.

"Insufferable cretin," Leo said softly as he walked with Liam. "I’m sorry he offended you. Would you mind if I went back and took him outside and ripped his head off?" Leo asked calmly.

Liam looked up at him, a little startled.

"You—no, no ripping off heads. I know that vampires feel things intensely and are very territorial, but no. Don’t you commit mayhem for me, Leo. Promise me."

Liam took Leo’s face in his hands and looked into his eyes. He held him there and held his gaze until he felt Leo’s head nod in agreement.

"Alright, Liam. You win, my friend. Harrison Sinclair’s head will remain attached to his body," Leo said, smiling.

"Good. Thank you. Now let’s go meet some of these elites you have invited. I really want to meet the mayor."

Liam reached down, took Leo’s hand, and pulled him along.

Leo found himself thinking about this complicated man who had woken up his heart. How long had it been since he felt so protective about anyone? He had wanted to separate Harrison’s head from his body when he saw the change in Liam’s demeanor after Harrison’s insensitive remarks.

Liam Von Anderson had awakened something in Leo, and he knew that his life would never be the same again.

Thank you for reading my story, join us again and see what fun Leo and Liam get up to. Don’t forget to subscribe for additional content and glimpses into what inspired me to create Blood Match.