FallingLikeRayne

PARIS: As a couple of young men from la Griffe were helping to load Rayne's body into the back of a small, black Daihatsu van, Mikka took a moment to call Patrick and deliver an update, which was received with sombre optimism. His lover wanted to come straight to Paris but Mikka talked him out of it. The journey to Napoli had already taken more out of PJ McNamara than he cared to admit and Mikka had no desire to see him get sick because he was overdoing things. He promised to ring again in the evening or as soon as there was a change in Rayne's condition. He then called Dominic Warren, who had been checking out a couple of the other clubs.

NAPLES - XAVIER: Xavier lay on the edge of sleep, his body wrapped in a warm buzz of wine and the aftermath of fantastic sex. Aldo sprawled behind him, one arm and a leg draped over him. His breathing had settled into a deep, even rhythm, stirring the back of Xavier's hair lightly. The house was still and very quiet. Very faintly Xavier thought he heard the sound of waves rolling in on the shore, far below. He started to drift, a feeling of disconnection washing over him and a sudden tumble of emotions swirling into him, filling him up. There was anger and hurt and a deep sadness... too much to hold onto. Like it needed to get out of him or

Xavier flopped down on a couch in one of the farthest recesses of the house. It was slightly cooler in here but it still felt stifling to Xav. He wished Aldo had a walk in freezer, he'd gladly curl up in a meat locker. Instead he made do with the couch. Clutching one of the little pillows tight to his chest he lay down and put his back to the room. He was not going to cry. As soon as Dom and Rayne left he'd ask PJ if he'd send him back to San Francisco. That was where he belonged, that was what he knew. He'd go back to work and if Elian Iannopoulos ran into him some night on the street and bled him dry he wouldn't fucking care. He heard some