“So, have any of you seen Brian?” Michael asked. “He’s with Justin,” Emmett said. “They decided to stay longer in New York because they found Justin’s father.” “He must be having the time of his life,” Nicholas said. “Oh there they come,” Emmett said clapping his hands. “Baby!” “Hey Em,” Justin said and hugged him. “Did you have a great time with your father?” Patrick asked him. “Yeah right,” Justin said sitting next to his friend. “Oh my god,” Emmett gasped as he looked at Brian and Justin. “What happened to you two?” “It’s a long story,” Brian told them getting a chair to sit next to Justin. “Well?” Nicholas asked happy that Justin had sat next to Patrick who had to pull closer to him. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Brian said. “But what the fuck happened?” Michael asked. “You look horrible, Brian.” “We haven’t gotten much sleep,” Justin explained. It was true that the week they were held hostage with Justin’s father they barely slept. They were thinking the worst thoughts and stayed awake most of the night. “Why not?” Emmett asked. “Let’s just say that Justin’s father being alive was...a surprise to us. A really big one,” Brian looked towards Debbie. “Debbie, some food.” “I’m coming,” Debbie shouted at him. “But I thought you would be happy,” Patrick muttered. “I am,” Justin sighed. “It’s okay. The drive home was exhausting.” “He didn’t like the two of you being together?” Nicholas asked. “Oh no,” Brian said. “He asked me if I loved Justin and since I said yes he let me live and welcomed me into the family.” “You didn’t say that because you were scared did you?” Justin asked a bit worried. Brian kissed him on the temple. “I didn’t say it because he had a gun and could have killed me if I said no,” he muttered to the blond. Justin smiled happy to hear those words from the brunet’s lips. He knew that Brian wouldn’t lie to him. “Do you want something to eat?” Debbie asked seeing their appearance. “What the fuck happened to you two?” “Please,” Justin told her. “I’m starving.” “Here,” Brian told him putting two bills of twenty on the table. “Bring him all that he asks for.” Justin ordered for him, for Brian, and like three other people. By the time that Brian was full the blond was still eating. Nicholas had left for an appointment he had with some very important people. Michael had stayed and asked a million questions. Emmett and Patrick had kept silent knowing that if Brian and Justin didn’t want to talk then they wouldn’t. “Are you almost done?” Brian asked drinking his coffee. “Yeah,” Justin told him. “I have to go to the bathroom,” Patrick announced and Justin got up to let him move. Brian took the chance to sit next to his blond. Emmett got up and followed Patrick. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Michael asked. “I’m your best friend.” “We had a long trip, Mikey,” Brian said. “No big deal.” Justin looked at Brian and rolled his eyes. He took a sip of his juice and felt full. “I’m tired.” Brian chuckled. “Yeah, I could use a bed.” “Are you coming to Babylon tonight, Brian?” Michael asked. “I don’t know,” Brian answered honestly. “Can I have your keys to the loft?” Brian asked. “What?” Michael asked outraged. “I lost mine,” Brian told him. “So?” “Okay,” Michael reached for his keychain and took out the key that belonged to Brian. Justin cleaned his face and watched as Patrick and Emmett walked back towards them. He was sure that they were talking about him and Brian. “So what do you think?” Emmett asked as he got out of the bathroom with Patrick. “I think that you should stop following me,” Patrick said teasing his friend. Emmett grabbed Patrick by the arm and stopped him as he saw Brian and Justin getting up from the booth. “They look happy aside from everything that happened to them.” “Yeah but I still say that something horrible must have happened to them,” Patrick said and resumed walking back to the booth. “You guys leaving?” “Yeah,” Justin stretched. “I’m tired.” “Me too,” Brian threw an arm around his blond. “I’ll see you guys later.” “Bye,” Patrick muttered. Brian and Justin left to go home. When they got home they punched the code and Justin went inside the building. Brian looked at the car that had followed them. He knew they were there, Craig had sent them to protect Justin. Brian walked over to them and the guy in the passenger side rolled down his window. “Here is the key you wanted,” Brian told them. “Good,” he smiled. “I’m Gio and this is Alvin.” Brian nodded as he looked at the two men. “I’m going inside with Justin.” “I love this bed,” Justin said when he heard Brian sliding the door of the loft closed. “Yeah,” Brian agreed as he walked over to the bedroom as he stripped. He got in the bed and threw his arm around Justin to secure the blond close to his body. “I am going to close my eyes…” Justin muttered. Brian nodded not really caring one way or the other. He was going to close his eyes and he was going to sleep. Brian was emotionally and physically exhausted. “Then...” Justin mumbled. “Huh?” Brian just wanted to sleep and forget everything. “We can,” Justin sighed, “fuck.” Brian smiled briefly not bothering to open his eyes. He kissed Justin not sure where on his face and fell asleep. They were safe in each other arms now. *** Justin opened the door to find Marcus and his father there. “What are you guys doing here?” “Can we come in?” Craig asked. Justin nodded slowly. “What’s going on, dad?” “Not much,” Craig told him. “I wanted to see where you two live.” “I don’t live here, dad,” Justin let him know. “I only stay a few days out of the week.” “I know,” Craig told him turning around. “Of course you do,” Justin said. “I thought you would like to have dinner with me,” Craig told him. “I would have to check with Brian,” Justin said. “He’s going to be busy,” Craig replied. Justin frowned and then the loft’s phone started ringing. Justin went over to it and picked it up. “Hello?” “Justin,” Brian said. “I’m going to be late coming home.” “Did something happen?” Justin asked scared. “No,” Brian assured him. “I just have a shit load of work. Have a good time with your father?” “How do you know?” Justin asked. “He called me,” Brian said. “He invited me to dinner but I can’t. Sorry.” “It’s okay,” Justin assured him. “I’m going to go but I will be back soon. I’ll bring you something.” “That’s okay,” Brian told him. “Alvin brought me some food.” “He did?” Justin asked as he turned his back on his father and walked to the bedroom. “Are you really busy?” Brian smirked. “Yes, sunshine.” Justin thought that maybe his father was telling Brian to stay away. “Okay.” “Don’t worry, I’m okay,” the brunet assured him. “Later,” Justin told him. “Definitely later,” Brian muttered huskily over the phone. Justin felt his cock stirring. He hung up and smiled. “I’ll be there in a second, dad!” “Fine,” Craig said as he finished looking around the loft. He turned to Marcus. “Go get the car.” Marcus nodded. When Justin was ready they left. They went into a restaurant that Justin had never been too. It was nice and very private. They got a table for two. Marcus and Gio went inside as well and got a table next to them. “Are they always going to be following us?” Justin asked. “Do you mind it that much?” Craig asked. “I can tell them to wait outside.” “No,” Justin said quickly. “They have to eat too, I guess.” The waiter came and they placed their orders. Justin was feeling a bit uncomfortable with his father. He was staring into the face of an unknown man. The man he thought he knew years back wasn’t the same; not anymore. Justin had shattered when he learned the truth about his father. “So, I really want to talk to you,” Craig told him as he tasted the wine. He nodded at the waiter. “What about?” Justin asked. “Brian,” Craig told him. “Oh,” Justin whispered. “Dad, you are not going to do anything to him are you?” “No,” Craig replied. “Not yet.” “Dad!” Justin yelled. A few people looked at them with concern. “Lower your voice,” Craig told him. Justin felt his heart beating faster. He would die if something were to happen to his man. He looked down at the table as his hands gripped his own thighs. “Justin,” Craig said. “Brian is okay for the moment. Alvin is with him. There is something that I want to ask you.” “What’s that?” Justin furrowed his brows. “It’s about Brian,” Craig said. Justin nodded. He already knew that. “I don’t want you to be with him...” Craig was cut off by his son. “I don’t want to hear this dad,” Justin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How many times are we going to go over this?” Then he understood what his father was saying and he wanted to die. “Oh my god,” he whispered. “You are going to kill him if I don’t leave him.” “No, hear me out first,” Craig looked at his son. “I don’t want you to be with him because you think you owe him something. I can get rid of him.” Justin sighed with relief. “It’s not that. Jesus dad, don’t talk to me like that.” “Are you sure?” Craig asked. “He’s older and...I don’t know. I just don’t want anyone taking advantage of you.” Justin was relieved to hear his father’s concern for his welfare. His father did love him but he didn’t understand him or the love he had for Brian. Justin was scared that his father would kill Brian. “I really love him, dad. And he loves me too, we need each other.” Craig nodded. “Good. I wouldn’t want to have to beat his ass, does that sound better?” “It’s an improvement,” Justin assured him. Craig smiled feeling very accomplish with their conversation. It didn’t mean he would stop keeping a close eye on the brunet. Their food arrived and they talked about one another. Justin was surprised of all the new things he was learning. He wanted it all to be a dream or at least not hear about them but he couldn’t stop asking questions. Craig felt like he was meeting his kid for the first time. There were so many things about Justin’s life that he didn’t know but he was trying his best to learn. He was happy to hear that Justin had agreed to go see his sister. His little angel would be happy to see her brother. He was happy that he had his family with him again, at least the members that mattered to him. *** Brian was taking a sip of his morning coffee when there was knock on the door and Cynthia rushed inside. He frowned and arched a brow signaling that he wanted to know what was with her. “I was in my office when Millie came over to me. There is a man outside that wants to talk with you,” Cynthia informed him. “I told him that you were busy but he said that you would see him.” “Who is it?” Brian asked. “He said his name was Craig, but he didn’t say anything else,” Cynthia told him. “I told him that we could pencil him in for later and he kind of threatened me.” “What?” Brian asked taken aback. “He told me that you better want to see him or it was my funeral,” Cynthia said. “Jesus,” Brian said getting mad. He wasn’t going to let the man come into his life and start threatening people. “That’s Justin’s father. Tell him to come in.” “That’s your father-in-law,” Cynthia said and her attitude changed. “What did you do to Justin?” “What?” Brian asked taken aback. “Why would he be so mean?” Cynthia asked. “I mean he wasn’t actually mean, just scary.” “I didn’t do shit to Justin,” Brian spat out. “Get out of my office and tell him to come in. And stop calling him my father-in-law or I will fucking strangle you.” “Jesus,” Cynthia said. “What’s with everyone and the killing threats,” she muttered and went back to the reception to bring Craig to Brian’s office. “Brian,” Craig said once he was inside the office. “You could have called before you decided to come here today,” Brian told him. “And could you refrain from threatening my staff?” Craig smirked. “I was only playing. She’s a lovely lady.” Brian stared at Craig. “So, how can I help you?” “I thought we could talk business,” Craig said. Brian’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think our businesses have anything in common.” “I think we can help each other a lot,” Craig told him. Brian wanted to fucking jump the desk and choke the man. He kept calm and tried to find a polite way of turning Craig down without offending him. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Why not, Brian?” Craig asked. “We are practically family now.” Brian was fuming. He stared away not sure of what to say. He didn’t have a solution for his current dilemma. He had never been in this type of situation in all the years he had been in advertisement. “Brian,” Craig muttered. Brian looked up at Craig. “I’m going to give you an out,” Craig said. “You can have your life back.” Brian arched a brow. “What?” “Yeah,” Craig told him. “I’ll tell my guys to leave you alone and you can have all the control in your company.” “What’s the catch?” Brian asked. Craig grinned. “You are very smart man, you do the math.” Brian swallowed hard. “You want me to stop seeing Justin.” “You got it,” Craig told him. Brian took a deep breath. He didn’t even have to think about it. He would choose Justin over anything he had. But it did hurt that after all he had overcome and fought to run his own company now Craig was walking in and demanding to have part of it. “Brian, I’m waiting for your answer,” Craig told him. “Fine,” Brian said. “You win.” Craig was disappointed. He had been testing Brian to see what the man would do. He knew then that this wasn’t the man for his son. “You can take it all and do whatever the fuck you want with it,” Brian hissed as he got up. “Paint it pink for all I care.” Craig frowned and realized that he had been mistaken. Brian was accepting to give him part of the business. He smiled at the man who was pacing like a wild animal in a cage. “If you want to use my company for whatever the fuck so I can prove to you that I really love Justin then fine. Do it,” Brian hissed. Craig smiled from ear to ear. “I knew I could count on you. I’ll send you my accountant.” Brian sighed. He didn’t know what the fuck he was going to do with Ted. “What?” Craig asked. “My accountant is a friend,” Brian told him. “I can’t fire him.” “You don’t have to,” Craig said. “Let him do his job. My guy will know what to do.” Brian sighed and nodded. He went and sat back down. Craig got up and leaned closer to Brian. “You are a very lucky man,” Craig whispered. “Don’t screw it up with Justin.” Brian stared at Craig directly into his eyes. He still felt like kicking the man’s ass. He watched Justin’s father leave the office and he dropped his head on the desk. “Fucking A,” he spat out. *** Justin crossed his arms. “I just thought it would be okay.” “You have two criminals sitting in our living room and drinking our fucking coffee,” Brian gritted through his teeth trying to be as quiet as possible. “How is that okay?” Justin shrugged slowly. He looked at the floor and felt bad that he was making Brian so mad. “I was talking to Gio and he seemed like a pretty good guy.” Brian rubbed his face. “Justin, he kills people for a living,” he muttered. Justin bit his lower lip. “They are protecting us. Look, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I have ruined your fucking life.” Brian pulled Justin to him. He shook his head. “You haven’t.” Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s waist. “Let’s go out of town for a while.” “Where?” Brian asked. “I have a few days off from school,” Justin told him. “I thought we could spend that time together.” Brian thought it would be a good idea. “Okay.” “Great,” Justin smiled from ear to ear. “We can go see my sister. I really want to see her.” Brian nodded. “Look, I have to go to the office.” Justin pulled away. “Okay. I am hungry. I am going to order something. Do you want anything specific?” “Not really,” Brian said. “Can they stay or do you want me to tell them to leave?” Justin asked hoping Brian wouldn’t get mad again. “They’re here already,” Brian pointed out. “I’ll see you later.” “Where are we going?” Alvin asked as soon as Brian neared the door. “I’m going to my office,” Brian informed him. “Me.” “I’ll go with you,” Alvin replied. Brian looked at him for a few seconds and then nodded. Brian got in his Jeep and drove to work. He entered Kinnetic and went to his office. He picked up some papers he needed and checked a few files that Cynthia had left for him. When he was done he walked out and got in the Jeep. He drove to Lindsay and Melanie’s house. Brian hadn’t seen Alvin and he was okay with that. He didn’t like someone following him around. He fucking hated every minute of it. “Brian,” Melanie said dryly. “What are you doing here?” “I came to talk to you two,” Brian told them. “Hey,” Lindsay went over to him and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you okay?” “Sure,” Brian answered. “Where is Gus?” “He is with Debbie,” Lindsay informed him. “What did you want to talk about?” Melanie asked. “I want to take Gus for the weekend,” Brian told them. “We have plans,” Melanie replied. “Sorry.” “Did you want to do something with him?” Lindsay asked. “Maybe the other weekend you can.” “Too bad,” Brian told him. “I said I was taking him on the weekend.” Lindsay bit her lower lip. “Brian, we are going to go see my parents.” “Those fucking bastards,” Brian spat out. “What the hell for?” “Fuck if I know,” Melanie said. “Mel,” Lindsay said. “They want to see us.” “They want to see Gus,” Brian pointed out. “He’s right about that,” Melanie piped up. She rolled her eyes when Brian looked at her and grinned. “It’s not true,” Lindsay said. “Well then, it’s settled,” Brian said, “since they want to see you two then Gus can stay with me.” Melanie nodded slowly. She wanted Lindsay to see that Brian was right. It wouldn’t kill them if Brian spent some time with Gus. “Don’t make a habit of it, Brian,” Melanie told him. “I only want to spend some time with my son,” Brian told her. Lindsay smiled at him. “I like the sound of that.” Brian nodded and got up as he said, “then it’s settled.” “I’ll walk with you to the door,” Lindsay told him. Once Brian was outside he walked to the Jeep. He looked around discreetly and found Alvin sitting in his car a few feet away. He got in the Jeep and sighed. He was tired of the whole thing but there wasn’t a thing he could do. He was going to talk with Alvin and tell him to keep his distance. He didn’t want his family coming into contact with Craig or his men.
The chapter has been beta’d now. I want to thank Kami for letting me bother her with my tons of question. Thanks for the help Lala.