With Caution

hurt, his face felt like it was going to explode.
    Dirk’s breath was foul, heavy with alcohol, as he hissed in Remi’s face. “I will not have a fucking faggot for a son.” He shook Remi, his fingers digging into Remi’s neck.
    Remi’s vision went white. His short nails raked at Dirk’s hands, to no avail.
    “Let go of him!” Billy screamed. The sound of skin slapping against skin registered at the edge of Remi’s consciousness, then the vise grip around his throat abruptly ceased.
    He fell, his face hitting the cold wood. Pain slammed into his head. He gasped for air, trying to relieve the tight burn in his chest. His arms felt heavy, but he managed to get them under him.
    “Get off me, you little fag!”

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    A loud crash and a gurgling sound followed.
    Remi’s clouded vision cleared and he raised up, trying to see what had happened.
    His throat hurt so much he couldn’t yell.
    Because of the tears, he saw the black boot aimed at his face too late. It clipped his chin, knocking him to the ground.
    Billy lay on his back, his arms and legs at odd angles. There was a jangle and rustling, Dirk mumbling something. But Remi couldn’t tell what, it sounded like he was in a well. Then pain exploded across Remi’s shoulders. A deafening crack rent the air seconds after the sting sliced into Remi’s skin. He tried to escape but the heel of Dirk’s boot across his cheek stopped him. Again and again the pain flared, over Remi’s back, his butt and thighs. It hurt so badly he just wanted to die, anything to make it stop. He stared at his best friend, his lover, willing him to get up.
    Billy never did. He didn’t even move.
    The sharp jab of a boot toe met Remi’s ribs repeatedly until his whole body went numb.
    Billy’s broken body blurred and eventually everything went black.
    Remi sat straight up, gasping for breath. It was like someone was squeezing him so tight he couldn’t breathe. His chest burned and he could almost feel the hand around his throat.
    Arms encircled his body, pinning his own arms to his side. Oh God no. He had to get away, he had to—
    “Shh… It’s okay, it’s only a bad dream. I’ve got you, pup. You’re all right. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
    Jake. It was Jake. Remi relaxed, collapsing back into his mate’s arms, trusting Jake to hold him. He stayed there for several minutes, his head on Jake’s chest, listening to his heartbeat and his reassurances.
    Wrapping his arms around Jake’s wide back, Remi squeezed tight. He was safe now, Jake was here and wouldn’t let— No, no, he wasn’t in danger, it was a dream.
    Jake rubbed his back, making circles. “Talk to me, pup. What was that about?”
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    With Caution
    Remi closed his eyes, slipping down until his arms rested on Jake’s waist and his head was in Jake’s lap. He liked it when Jake called him pup.
    Over and over, Jake stroked his hair, combing his fingers through it.
    “I keep having this dream. I’ve always been woken up before anything happened, but this time…”
    “This time you didn’t. Tell me about the dream, Remi. Maybe together we can figure out why you keep having it, and why it turned into a nightmare this time.”

    * * *

    Jake caressed Remi’s cheek, pleased to find his mate snuggled into his touch even in sleep. It lessened the ache in his chest somewhat, knowing Remi was aware of his presence. Being careful not to disturb Remi, Jake lifted his mate’s head and scooted down in the bed. Once he got settled, he kissed Remi’s forehead.
    Blinking back tears, he rested his cheek on Remi’s for a second, trying to gain his composure. His heart hurt—that was the only way he knew how to describe it. The physical pain as deep as the mental one. Hell, his stomach was queasy too. Fuck, how had Remi survived? No wonder he’d repressed the memory. And Jake was convinced it was a memory. What Jake knew of the injuries Remi had suffered that night were consistent with Remi’s scars.
    Reaching past Remi, Jake grabbed his cell phone and flipped through his phonebook.
    He kissed Remi’s cheek as the phone began to ring. “I love you, pup.”
    Remi made a soft sound, almost like a sigh. A little smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
    Rolling onto his back, Jake stared at the ceiling while his hand idly stroked Remi’s hair. He had to tell Rhys. If they could prove Dirk had murdered Remi’s first lover,