***** Warning to readers: This chapter contains very dark, violent images and a rape. Proceed with caution. If this will be too upsetting skip this one and wait for the next. 

Chapter 12 

Vic was surprised to find his sister up and sitting at the kitchen table. 

“Sis.” He called groggily from the stairs. She looked up startled by the intrusion. 

“Hey, what are you doing up?” She asked sounding slightly embarrassed. 

“I was just about to ask you the same thing.” He gave her a knowing smile, “But my guess is that it has something to do with one of your sons.” 

“I only have one son.” Deb argued softly. Vic reached out and tested the coffee cup sitting on the table in front of her. It was cold. 

“Bullshit.” He smirked. “You have three, whether you like it or not.” 

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Deb argued knowing he was right. She watched as Vic got his own cup of coffee and brought the pot over to warm hers up as well. 

“So who is it?” Vic asked sitting down giving his sister a familiar look, one eyebrow raised in anticipation. 

“Michael.” She sighed. Vic nodded. He too was concerned for Michael. It was as if, when Brian had started showing signs of having feelings for Justin, Michael had rebounded in desperation, latching onto David without truly seeing the man for what he was. 

“I’m as sick about what David did as you are.” He sighed sipping his coffee. 

“That asshole. When I think about what he did to Sunshine.” She paused, her voice catching on the lump in her throat. “That poor kid, Vic.” She looked up, tears in her eyes. Vic reached across the table and took her hand. 

“We can’t fix what’s happened but we can sure as hell keep it from happening again.” He offered. “Did you reach his parents?” He asked his eyes still holding hers.

“They’re divorced. I got a hold of Jennifer. She was thrilled to know that we had seen Justin. She was ready to race up here to get him, but I told her that he needed some time. I was sure that he would be in touch with her when he felt ready. In the meantime she should just be grateful he was safe.” Deb replied.

“And that went over like-“

“A lead balloon, yes.” Deb admitted. “But then I just told her that if Justin wanted to contact her he would. She needed to back the fuck off.” 

“Of course because if Michael had run off and we hadn’t heard from him for months, you would be willing to just let him come to you right?” Vic sarcastically asked. Deb rolled her eyes realizing how ridiculous she must have sounded. 

“I’ll call her back tomorrow. She’ll have a shit fit now that she knows he’s back with Brian.” She shook her head. Vic nodded changing the subject back to Michael.

“Michael has to find his own way Sis. You can’t find it for him.” Vic offered firmly.

“How could he not see what a prick David is? How could he buy that bullshit story that Justin seduced his partner. Justin, all 5’8, 135 of him on David’s 6’2, 195.” Deb snorted in disbelief.

“He sees what he wants to see.” Vic admitted. “It’s just like all those years he held out some vain hope that one day Brian was going to want him for more than a friend. We could all see that it was a ridiculous fantasy, but to Michael it was real because he wanted it to be real.” Vic leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling for a moment. “I think though that this selective sight with David might prove to be more damaging than Michael’s life long infatuation with Brian.”

“So what do we do?” Deb asked, her helplessness showing in her voice.

“I’m not sure, but I think David will expose himself before all of this is over. He’s like a steam kettle waiting to blow. He despises the way Michael defends and loves Brian. One of these days Michael is going to take up for Brian and David is going to drop that cool guard and only then will Michael really see what that man is really like.” Vic offered sagely.

“Well I don’t want him to be alone when that happens.” Deb replied her voice filled with concern now. She had never considered David a menace to Michael but now she realized that Vic had a point. 

“Well then I suggest we launch Operation Expose tomorrow.” Vic winked at his sister.

“Operation Expose?” Deb asked in confusion.

“We both join Michael in constantly defending and praising Brian. Let’ see how long David can handle it without losing his cool.” Deb smiled at her brother. 

“I thought you said I had to let Michael find his own way?” She asked teasingly.

“I never said you couldn’t put out a few sign posts.” Vic replied then stood and offered his sister his hand. “Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we go into action.” 

********************************

Brian lay staring at the ceiling, the sound of Justin’s soft deep breathing lulling him to sleep. He tightened his arm around the man’s slim body and smiled as he felt Justin shift in his sleep cuddling closer to Brian’s body. 

They’d made love again that night. Brian rolled his eyes. A part of him was still struggling with the idea of what they were quickly becoming. He’d never planned on having a partner or lover. He had always seen himself staying alone and beautiful until he reached thirty and then he would die. Since his birthday had long passed, he had now extended that deadline to forty but everything else was the same. He had never asked for Justin’s love even though he’d felt Justin ask for his. He’d noticed it after their first night together. The way the blond looked at him, accepted him, pushed him, and stalked him. 

He ran his fingers through the soft blond hair as he whispered. “Who’s stalking whom?” 

The words weren’t answered but then Brian didn’t need any response. He knew the answer. He had stalked Justin. He’d gone after him, not once but twice now, and if he had to, he’d do it again. He had no intentions of letting the young man go back to the life he had waiting for him in New York. Justin deserved better. 

Brian wanted to believe he was merely acting out of concern and friendship. He was merely being a decent human being or maybe even trying to make up for a failing months back, but deep in his heart Brian knew it was more than that. He had missed Justin. He’d thought of him often and missed him. He hadn’t realized how much until he’d found him again a little less than a week ago. 

Brian smirked as he realized how quickly the blond could manage to turn his life upside down. Once again Brian found himself acting out of character, cuddling, making love, caring and actually admitting that he cared. Maybe though it wasn’t that Justin caused him to act out of character. Perhaps it was that with Justin, Brian finally felt comfortable being himself and this was his character. Beneath all the bravado and ice, he was still the same boy he’d always been wanting to be loved.

Justin mumbled something in his sleep. Brian heard the word ‘no’ and realized Justin was once more in the middle of yet another nightmare. He had no idea what Justin had endured over those long months, but after seeing the way he’d reacted to the man in the restaurant the day they left the city, Brian knew there had been some very bad days. 

He tightened his hold on Justin and whispered soothing words trying to coaxing him out of the nightmare and into a dream. He felt Justin’s body relax and allowed a satisfied sigh to slip through his lips. 

He wasn’t ready to admit it yet but on the deepest level, Brian Kinney was starting to acknowledge that he was in love for the first time in his life.

***********************************
Mason Hamilton sat in the dining room patiently waiting for his victim to arrive. He wasn’t sure which man he would see first but before the day was out, he would be certain that both men understood where things stood. Justin knew better than to leave the city without first calling in. It was a standing rule. A rule that was punishable and therefore was never overlooked, until now. 

Glancing in the far corner of the room, he nodded to one of the three men sitting at the table. They were experienced at teaching lessons. They weren’t the brightest individuals but somehow they managed to get Hamilton’s point across time and time again. 

Hamilton wasn’t surprised to see Kinney enter alone. He watched as the man strolled in, his expression unreadable. He waited for a moment to see if Justin was with him. When he realized Kinney was alone, he knew it was time to press his advantage. 

Brian had just opened the paper and begun reading the editorials when he heard a man clear his throat. Dipping his paper he glanced up and felt ice water fill his veins as he realized it was Hamilton. He wanted to rip the fucker’s face off and run all at the same time. 

“Mr. Kinney, I thought that was you.” His voice was loud and clear. Brian glanced around the dining room and spotted three thugs in the far corner. He glanced back up at Hamilton.

“What are you doing here?” Brian spat.

“ A little birdie told me one of my employees had flown the nest. I thought surely not, but since you’re here I can only assume that he is here as well.” He continued to stare down at Brian enjoying his superior position. “How is Justin working out for you? He’s one of our best you know.” Hamilton bragged. “He has an amazing ass and can suck a cock better than any man in my house.” He smiled but something about it made Brian want to knock the man’s teeth down his throat. 

“He’s pretty fucking traumatized.” Brian spat without thinking. Hamilton’s brow furrowed. 

“Is he not pleasing you? Let me have a word with him-“He motioned toward the entrance. 

“He was raped,” Brian spat.” but I’m sure you already knew that.” 

“He forgot rule number one.” Hamilton stated dismissively. “Always check the bathroom. That’s how the young ones wind up getting killed. They forget rule number one.” Hamilton seemed impassive about the matter. 

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Brian asked thoroughly disgusted. 

“What else is there to say? I gave him a night off to recover-“

“Someone held him down and repeatedly raped him.” Brian growled out, his voice a harsh whisper. “ He was brutally fucked both anally and orally for who knows how many hours and you gave him the night off? How fucking big of you.” Brian replied sarcastically. 

“You think you have it all figured out?” Hamilton replied. “Do you have any idea how much his little fuck up cost me in medical treatment that night?” Brian considered the man for a long moment sizing him up. He stood there in his Armani suit, in a 500 dollar a night resort living off the money Justin and the other boys he employed earned putting their lives out there every night, and what did Justin have to show for all his efforts? He had three shirts, two pairs of jeans, and a shit hole apartment. 

“Was there anything else?” Brian asked. “Or was this merely a customer satisfaction survey?” Brian spat. 

“Don’t forget clause five.” The man warned. 

“Clause five.” Brian asked irritably. 

“Clause five states that at anytime, if I feel you are working to the detriment of my employee, I can immediately remove said employee from your presence.” An evil smile crept over Hamilton’s thin lips. 

“You wouldn’t dare.” Brain challenged. 

“I know what you are up to Mr. Kinney. I will overlook your little jaunt out into the country this time, but understand this, if Justin doesn’t return on Sunday as planned, I will hunt him down and make him sorry that he ever listened to any of your bullshit.” Hamilton warned, then turned, leaving Brian shocked by he intensity of Hamilton’s fury and alarmed for the blond still sleeping up in his bed.

********************************

“Can you pass the syrup?” Emmett asked as Michael settled into the seat next to him. 

Deb looked slightly uncomfortable. She glanced at her brother wondering how to begin their operation. It was Ted who unsuspectingly launched the first strike. 

“Brian looked wonderful didn’t he, but then he always does.” He stated casually. 

“Well it wouldn’t be hard to look wonderful all of the time if that was all you thought about.” David’s quick response caused a small smile of victory to appear on Deb’s lips. This was going to be easier than she suspected.

“That’s not all that he thinks about.” Michael replied as if on automatic pilot. David shook his head but smiled to hide the frustration he now felt. 

“I thought Justin looked good considering all that he had been through.” Melanie chimed in, wanting to keep David’s unforgivable act fresh in everyone’s mind. 

“Justin’s just using Brian.” Michael spat. 

“Well given Justin’s profession I would have to say Brian was using him, isn’t that right David?” Emmett couldn’t resist. David narrowed his eyes at Emmett but refused to answer. 

“Brian was so thoughtful, bringing him here, trying to help him. He has a wonderful heart.” Deb jumped in. 

“Brian always did have a heart for others. He’s been there for all of us at one time or the other.” Lindsay stated helping Gus with his juice. 

“Never done anything for me.” David grumbled. 

“Sure he has. He didn’t tell me about the baths. I was pretty pissed at him at first but then realized that he was right.” Michael defended. 

“You go to the baths?” Deb accused. David gave Michael a look before meeting Deb’s gaze. 

“Once.” He replied. “Brian goes all of the time.” 

“Brian isn’t fucking my son.” Deb spat back. 

“Brian doesn’t go all of the time. He just goes every once in a while. He has to. He has that one fuck rule.” Michael argued around a mouth full of pancakes.

“Broke that rule with Justin.” Emmett chimed in playfully.

“Felt sorry for him, just like David.” Michael argued after he had swallowed the massive bite. 

“Was that it David? You felt sorry for Justin?” Vic leveled his gaze on the man. “I thought you were helpless to his charms?” David felt his face redden under the attack. 

“You know I’m not very hungry this morning.” He stood and carried his plate into the kitchen. 

“Thanks a lot Uncle Vic.” Michael grumbled still eating. “Why did you have to bring that up?” 

“I was curious.” Vic replied. “The story seems to be changing and I wanted the current version.” 

“Well the current version is that Justin blackmailed him into fucking him and getting some money.” Michael grumbled. 

“Why would he make him fuck him? Why not just blackmail him? Why not just say he was going to tell you that they fucked?” Melanie asked trying to get Michael to see that David was lying. David’s story made no sense. In a moment of weakness he was seduced by Justin ,now Justin was blackmailing him into doing it. Michael looked up, slightly thrown by the question. 

“Look I know what Justin did and no one here is going to change how I feel about it. He used David and now he is still using Brian, but not for long.” There was something about his tone that caused Deb’s breath to catch momentarily. 

“What have you done?” Vic asked his concerned evident as well. 

“I called the service Justin works for and told them exactly what that little shit was up to.” He continued eating. 

“You didn’t.” Deb challenged. 

“He’s a selfish little shit and you all just admitted that Brian gives to all of us. I had to protect him. He’s letting his desire to help Justin blind him to what Justin really is.” Deb exchanged a quick look with her brother. Vic stood and headed for the phone. He had to warn Brian. 

“What are you doing?” Michael asked.

“Warning Brian.” Vic replied. “And you had better hope that I reach him before whoever this is that you called does. Escort business is big business in New York and I’m sure a young man like Justin manages to make his boss tons of money. How could you be this stupid Michael? In trying to protect Brian, you’ve put both he and Justin in real danger.” Vic asked for the number to North Lake while everyone at the table stared at Michael in disbelief. 

*********************************

Brian returned just as Justin was stepping out of the shower. 

“Hey.” Justin smiled brightly. He reached for Brian and they kissed but there was something different. Justin stepped back in confusion. “What’s wrong?” 

“Pack your stuff. We’re leaving.” Brian announced. 

“Leaving?” Justin asked. “Why?”

“He’s here.” Brian continued moving as he began opening their bags and hurrying things along. 

“Who?” Justin asked in alarm.

“Hamilton.” Brian turned to face the blond. Justin went pale, his eyes growing wide. He rushed past Brian and quickly got dressed. 

“How did he find us?” Justin asked feeling panicked. His hands shook slightly in his rush to get things into the bag. 

“He said a little birdie told him.” Brian sighed. It had to be Michael. 

Brian brought in their things from the bathroom. Each man was silent as they worked; each lost in their thoughts of what Hamilton’s arrival meant for them. 

“Got everything?” Brian asked as he heard Justin zip up his bag. Justin nodded. Brian then reached for him giving him a reassuring kiss. 

“It will be okay Justin. I won’t let him hurt you.” Justin gave a disbelieving sigh. “I won’t.” Brian tried to reassure him but knew that Justin was far more aware of what Hamilton was capable of than Brian was. Brian realized that perhaps he couldn’t fully protect Justin, but he was going to do everything he possibly could to keep him safe. 

The phone rang as they headed for the door. Justin looked back but Brian shook him off. 

“We don’t have time.” Justin nodded as Brian opened the door.

“Going somewhere?” Hamilton laughed at the men’s surprise. Justin swallowed the fear he felt trying to maintain his bravado. It was harder than it had been before Brian had come back into his life. He hadn’t realized how many walls he had lost in the last couple of days. 

“As a matter of fact we are.” Brian argued attempting to push past the man. It was then that the three goons appeared. 

“Brian.” Justin’s warning came a moment too late as one man reached out, grabbing Brian and thrusting him back into the wall. 

“Let him go!” Justin moved forward dropping his bag and launching his body on the man who was strangling Brian. The man threw Justin off without any effort. Hamilton motioned for the other two men to move in. They grabbed Justin and began carrying the struggling man back into the bedroom. 

“Let me go.” Justin demanded as he kicked and pounded against the men with his fists. 

Hamilton smiled as he watched Brian fight against his attacker as well. Hamilton had the man released and Brian crumpled to the floor clutching his throat. The beast who had damn near choked him to death reached down and pulled him into the bedroom as well. 

“School’s in session.” Hamilton announced, his tone causing Justin to freeze and Brian to realize that Justin had been right. There was no way he would be able to save him from what was about to happen.

********************************

“There’s no answer.” Vic announced. 

“Leave a message.” Deb replied. Vic did as she suggested then hung up the phone. 

“What will they do to them?” Emmett asked his voice soft with concern.

“Who knows?” Vic shrugged. He was furious at his nephew. “You know Michael I know you hate Justin, though I will NEVER truly understand why.” 

“He’s a selfish little prick who---“

“Managed to open Brian Kinney’s heart enough to let him in.” Deb finished. “Let’s face it, you don’t hate Justin, you hate Brian. You know it was Brian’s choice and you can’t hate Brian so you hate the one he chose to love instead.” 

“That’s not true.” Michael demanded. “I could never hate Brian. He’s my best friend.”

“Are you his best friend?” Lindsay asked tears in her eyes. “Is that how best friends treat each other?” 

“You probably just got Brian killed.” Ted offered. 

“No I didn’t!!” Michael jumped from his seat. “Brian will be fine.”

“But what about Justin?” Melanie pressed on. 

“I don’t give a fuck about him.” Michael announced.

“So if he gets killed-“ Vic lead him.

“Then Brian won’t have to worry about that little shit anymore. He brought it on himself anyway. He’s nothing but a fucking whore now.” 

“You think Brian will EVER forgive himself if his attempt to save Justin gets that boy killed?” Deb asked her voice soft in contrast to everyone else’s. “Honey, you might as well bury Brian as well. He’ll never survive it.” 

Michael had heard enough. Everyone was overreacting. No one was gong to kill Brian over someone as worthless as Justin Taylor. They were all just trying to make him feel bad for calling the service. 

“I’m not listening to any of you anymore.” Michael announced. “Brian is fine and the sooner that little shit gets out of his life, the better off Brian will be.” He turned and hurried up the stairs, needing David’s reassurance more than ever.

********************************
Once in the bedroom, Hamilton tossed Justin onto the bed, while Brian was unceremoniously dumped into a chair which was situated in the bedroom’s corner. Brian immediately struggled and tried to get to his feet but was stopped when he saw the goon hovering next to him waving a small black pistol. The man held the pistol up and shook his head twice. Brian hopelessly sank into the chair and focused his attention on Justin.

Justin had maneuvered into a sitting position on the bed, he saw Brian sitting in the chair, with one of Hamilton’s men nearby holding a gun. “Please!” Justin shouted, “Don’t hurt him, I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt him.”

Hamilton chuckled and looked at the blond but spoke to Brian. “You see Mr. Kinney, sometimes the boys get a little out of hand and they need to be broken. The sooner this one,” Hamilton looked at Brian and then gave a smiling nod to Justin, “understands his place, the better off he’ll be.”

Brian shuddered at the thought of Hamilton hurting Justin and tried to plead his case, “Look, Mr. Hamilton, just leave the kid alone. I’ll pay you,” Brian looked at Justin and regretted having to say the next words, “more than I already have.”

Justin shrank into the mattress, remembering that Brian had bought his services. It wasn’t some fairy tale vacation they were on, it was business.

Hamilton gave a wicked smile and shook his head, “Nah, Kinney, he’ll make me more in the next few years than you could ever afford to pay. Maybe, assuming he’s still alive, after I’m done with him and he’s not bringing in the cash, then I’ll sell him to you.”

“He’s been through enough, you asshole!” Brian shouted as he jumped to his feet, momentarily surprising Hamilton’s goon. But before Brian could take a step, the man struck Brian across the forehead with the butt of his gun. Brian toppled back into the chair, shook his head and reached up with a hand to assess the damage. He pulled his hand back and looked at it; his fingers were red from his own blood.

Justin watched the scene unfold and was too stunned to say anything let alone move. With his attention focused on Brian’s predicament, Justin hadn’t even noticed that Hamilton had all but dragged him down to the end of the bed and was removing his jacket. Justin finally realized that he’d been moved and looked up to see Hamilton towering above him. Justin visibly shrank back which only seemed to encourage the other man as he gave a wicked smile.

“Are you ready to learn who you belong to?” Hamilton asked as he unfastened his belt and pulled it from his belt loops.

Justin sat on the bed silently, watching and knowing what was coming next.

Hamilton held the belt in his right hand and looked around the room before looking back at the blond before him. “Not quite as good a setup as my private play room, but it’ll do.” With that the man reached forward, and quickly bound Justin’s hands with the leather belt.

“No!” Brian shouted, immediately regretting the pounding that reverberated through his skull from the run in with the gun.

Hamilton rolled Justin over so that the blond was on his stomach and facing toward Brian. Hamilton yanked the man’s pants and underwear down below his knees before unfastening his own pants and crawling onto the bed and all but laying atop Justin. Hamilton fished in his pocket and retrieved a condom and a small packet of lube. He sheathed himself and squirted the small lube packet on his own dick before looking over at Brian.

“I bet he’s all ready for me, huh? You’ve probably loosened him up real good.” Hamilton chuckled.

“Don’t” Brian plead. “He’s had trouble and needs to take it easy.”

“I’ll be easy,” Hamilton chuckled. “Won’t I?” He asked Justin, giving the blond a hard slap to his ass.

Justin winced at the pain and looked forward, meeting Brian’s gaze. He felt Hamilton spread his legs and position himself. Justin cried out at the man’s unprepared intrusion, once again thankful that Hamilton had a small dick. Justin lay still has Hamilton went to work. After several minutes he looked to Brian’s eyes again, unsure what he would see there.

Brian watched in stunned silence as Justin was raped in front of him. The blond had kept his face buried in the bed’s comforter, finally looking up, the blue eyes made contact with Brian’s and Brian became more enraged at the shame and embarrassment he saw in Justin’s face.

Hamilton leaned forward, positioning his mouth next to Justin’s left ear, he continued to fuck the man as he spoke, “You… ah… you better… uh… come back to me… boy… or your sugar daddy… is a dead… dead man. Got it?”

Justin nodded and took one final look at Brian. He’d caused Brian enough trouble and this was it. Justin knew what he had to do.

*************************************

Hamilton withdrew, tossing the used condom onto Justin’s back before meeting Brian’s furious gaze as he dressed himself, untying Justin’s hands and retrieving his belt.

“Well boys I think we’ve made our point.” He announced. The two goons standing by Brian huffed, then obediently headed for the door. Hamilton reached forward grabbing a fist full of silky blond hair. Justin arched his back as he felt himself pulled off of the bed. 

“You remember what I told you boy.” Hamilton spat softly into his ear. “You come back or he’s dead.” He tossed the man away and Justin collapsed to the bed. 

Neither man moved even after the sound of the door slamming behind the intruders had faded. It was as if neither wanted to acknowledge what had just happened to them. Brian wanted to race to Justin’s side and assure himself that the blond was okay, but had no idea how Justin would react to anyone touching him at the moment. Finally it was Justin who moved. He pushed himself up off of the mattress and picked up the condom that had fallen from his back. He dropped it into the nearby trashcan as he gingerly stood and finished removing his clothing. Silently he padded naked into the bathroom. Brian heard the sound of the shower. It was only then that he too rose. He walked to the mirror and took a look at his forehead. It wasn’t bleeding anymore. He used a bottle of water from the mini-fridge to clean away the dried blood.

He watched as the blood disappeared and he found himself longing for a way to wash away all that had just happened. No wonder Justin was so broken. How many times had he been subjected to this sort of treatment, not just by Hamilton but by others? How many times had he been told he was merely a piece of ass both by word and deed? Brian wanted nothing more than to go in and comfort the young man but Brian instinctively knew that Justin needed his space at this moment.

The phone rang once more. Brian jumped at the sound of it. Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, he managed to get to it before the person hung up.

“Brian, it’s Vic, I’ve been trying to reach you.” The older man spoke. “Look Michael contacted that agency that Justin had been working for. He told them where you two are. I think you should get out of there before they find you.” The man warned urgently. 

The line remained silent as Brian tried to grasp the reality that it truly had been Michael who had sold them out. 

“Brian? Brian?” Vic called into the silent receiver. 

“Tell Michael they found us.” Brian’s voice was hoarse as he tried to form words around his raging emotions. 

“What? Are you alright?” Vic’s concern was evident. “Do you need us to come get you? Is Justin alright?” Brian glanced toward the bathroom at the mention of the blonde’s name. He swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. 

“Give Michael a message for me, will ya?” Brian asked. He took Vic’s silence as agreement as he continued. “Tell him that he is never to contact me ever again. It’s over. I’m done. If he or that prick he’s with comes anywhere near Justin again--” Brian stopped knowing his voice was about to break with emotion. Instead of continuing Brian placed the receiver back in its cradle knowing Vic would know what to say. 

Brian wasn’t sure how long he had been standing by the bed when he heard the shower turn off. Justin was about to emerge from that bathroom. Brian looked around the room as if he might find the words Justin needed to hear. Brian felt lost as he realized he had no idea what to say to the blond. How could Brian ever hope to take this last pain away?