Brian sat down and smiled at his best friend. Michael smiled back and they continued to just look at the ocean waves from where they were resting in their hammocks. “This is perfect, Brian.” Michael said. “I know.” Brian told him. “You are so lucky.” “Why you say that?” Brian asked. “Well, here you are in paradise.” Michael told him excited. “You are thirty one years old and you are rich. And now all you have to do is lay back and relax.” Brian looked at his friend and smiled. “Michael, you are the lucky one. You have Ben at your side. You are not alone.” Brian said sadly. “You are not alone either. You have me and the family and Gus.” Brian smiled and nodded. He didn’t tell his friends it wasn’t that kind of loneliness. Brian had always been with tricks left and right but now after he had seen all of his friends pairing up he felt lonely. He wanted to at least see what all the fuss was about. Brian was sure that now that he had all the time in the world he would find someone. Brian wanted to be worthy of someone's love. He knew better than to think he could just keep on tricking forever. He wasn't getting any younger and he wanted someone who would love him for who he was. “Do you want a beer?” Michael asked. Brian nodded. Michael reached to grab a beer just to find someone standing there. “Can I help you?” Michael asked the stranger. “Hi, I’m Gene Foster and I’m looking for Brian Kinney.” “That’s me." Brian said staring at the guy. “Could I speak to you in private?” Gene asked. “Anything you have to say you can say it.” Brian told him harshly. “It’s about a job.” Gene almost whispered. “I’m retired.” Brian informed him. “I know that sir. Vic Grassi sent me here. He said you would help my employer.” “My uncle sent you?” Michael asked shock. Gene looked at Michael and then nodded. “I’m sorry but I can’t help you.” Brian told him. “Vic said you owed him and to tell you so if you said no.” “You owe my uncle something?” Michael asked. “Why?” Brian shook his head and got up. It had to be something pretty serious if Vic was pulling old favors. Brian put on his sandals and told Michael to stay and enjoy the rest of the day. Brian and Gene walked to the beach house. “What is the problem?” Brian asked. “Have you heard about Craig Taylor?” “Yeah, he is running for mayor.” Brian said. “Well, in the last couple of weeks he and his family were threatened. Just last night his son was shot. Luckily he is okay but we fear that next time he won’t.” “And this is where I come in.” Brian said. “You want me to protect his family.” “Actually just his son, he is the target because he is gay. A lot of people are happy that Craig is standing up for their rights to be treated as equals then there are some people that don’t tolerate what he is doing and what his son represents.” “You mean those fags hating homophobes?” Brian asked raising a brow. Gene nodded. “Would you come and do it?” Gene asked. “They say you are the best and Craig is willing to pay you anything you ask for. He wants his son safe.” Brian frowned. “I’ll think about it.” Gene sighed and nodded. “Here is my phone number. Call me.” Brian took the card and nodded. ~~~~~ Vic was whipping some eggs when Lola came into the kitchen telling him he had a phone call. Vic took the phone and smiled when he heard Brian in the other end demanding to know what was going on. “Calm down.” “Vic, you know that I’m retired now. I don’t want to do this anymore.” “It won’t be for that long.” Vic said. “What if he gets elected mayor? That’s four years, Vic.” Vic sat down on the stool. “Do you really think that they are going to elect a mayor who supports our kind of people? As much as we would like that I don’t think people are ready for that.” “Vic, he can’t afford me.” Vic smiled at the way Brian kept making excuses. “Yeah he can, for about ten years if he needs to.” Vic said. “Fine, what if the kid won’t cooperate? Remember what happen with James Luca? That kid was a brat.” Brian said. “You don’t have to worry about Justin. He is a nice kid. He does what he is told.” Vic said. “Vic.” “Brian.” There was silence at both end of the phone. “Vic, I’m having the time of my life.” Brian whined. “I don’t want to go there.” “Come on Brian, stop whining.” “I do not whine.” Brian hissed. “Brian, please do this for me. I promise him that his kid was going to live to see forty.” “Great.” Brain spit out. “Try to make me feel guilty.” “Imagine having to live life with the fear that someone wants to kill you.” Vic said. “Because you are gay,” “Fine, I’ll do it.” Brian grunted. “But you so owe me now.” Vic smiled knowing that it was a never ending circle of one owing the other a favor. “I’ll be there at least in a week or two. I have things to do here. Shit, you really owe me one this time man.” “No problem with me.” Vic told him laughing. “Is there anything else I should know?” Brian asked. “I don’t want anymore surprises.” “No, I’ll be sure to tell Gene that you are on your way.” “Whatever.” Brian said. “Michael says hi.” Vic smiled. “Tell him Debbie wants him to call.” “I’ll do that.” Brian said hanging up. Vic smiled and went back to making breakfast for Miss Molly. ~~~~~ Brian followed Gene into the office. To say that he was impressed was an understatement. He knew that the Taylors were well off. Brian didn’t know how well off they were until he parked in front of the house. Brian sat down and waited for someone to come and talk to him. Brian was thinking if he had made the right choice. He was in paradise literally, and now he was back on the job. He could get killed trying to protect someone when he could be resting. Brian put his hand on his gun and relaxed a little. “Brian Kinney.” Brian stood up and shook Craig’s hand. “Vic tells me that you accepted my offer.” Craig said sitting down. “It’s a very attractive offer.” Brian said. “I want my son safe.” Craig said. “Gene has the letters that we have received. They are all targeting Justin.” Craig said getting serious. Brian nodded. “How old is he?” “Justin is nineteen years old. He goes to PIFA and most of the time he stays there. Sometimes he would come home and stay but that’s only when Jen calls him to come have dinner with us.” Brian nodded. “Does he have a lot of friends?” “Not really he mostly hangs outs with his best friend Daphne.” Craig said. “He rarely goes out.” “I see.” Brian said. “Do you think he will accept moving out of PIFA and coming here?” “Why?” Craig asked. “It would be safer.” Brian said. “If he stays at the dorms I won’t be able to stay. Whoever is after him can get in and harm him or even worse kill him. I’m going to need some man power aside from the men you have around the house already.” Craig nodded. “Anything else you want?” Craig asked. “I want the rooms to the side of his occupy by me and one of my boys. I want to cover all bases. I want to check out the property and I would need a list of the people that come and go regularly. If anyone is coming to visit I would want to know that too. I don’t care if they have been long time friends of the family.” “Okay. I’ll make some arrangements.” Craig said. “Is that all?” Brian stared at Craig and wondered why he was doing all of this. “You won’t back away?” Brian asked. “Even if he is being threatened,” Craig shook his head. “Don’t think I don’t care about my son.” Craig said. “I do. I talked to him about it. He said that he wanted me to make a difference for everyone out there who needed my help. He even went as far as telling me that if anything happened to him to keep on doing my job.” Brian nodded. “If that is all we can go see Justin.” Brian got up and followed Craig out of the office. “Come on.” Craig said. “Justin is probably in the kitchen.” “How you know?” Brian asked. “That’s where he always ends up.” Craig said. Brian nodded and they walked to the kitchen. They found Justin stuffing his face with cake while Vic told him a story. “Hey Brian.” “Vic.” Brain said. “Justin this is Brian Kinney. He is going to be your new bodyguard.” Craig said. Justin looked up into Brian’s eyes. Justin swallowed and smiled. “Hi.” Justin said shyly. “I-It’s nice to me you.” Vic and Craig looked at each other with surprise at Justin’s shyness. Justin was usually straight forward. “Hey.” Brian said. Brian’s only thought was that he had found paradise, all over again in Justin blue eyes.