Michael stepped out of the Diner holding his meager paycheck. After the blow up with David, he’d been unsure where to go. His mother and uncle still weren’t speaking to him after learning of what he’d done. After his visit with Brian, he decided to remain in New York, hoping that his best friend would come around and eventually forgive him for ratting out Justin to Hamilton. Michael had run out of money a week earlier; he’d worked double shifts in a small shit-hole restaurant all week with the hopes of being able to pay his rent; thumbing through the envelope of cash that the owner had passed him as he’d left the restaurant, Michael knew that paying his rent wasn’t going to happen. 
Standing in front of the restaurant, he looked out at the street before him; as with most streets in New York City it was bustling with cars and people. He recognized a few of his regular customers as they leaned into car windows.

He knew what it was that the young men were doing. He had talked to many of them over the last few weeks and had come to learn each of their stories, stories that were so familiar. He’d had a front row seat to one such story and now found himself struggling with his conscience over his recent actions. Each of the hustlers was young. Their physical appearance varied by hair color, eye color, physical beauty, but they all wore the same tell tale signs of use and abuse. They were thin, bruised, wary and no longer in possession of the spark that only youth truly embodied. 

Michael had become very fond of one hustler in particular. He always tried to find a way to get him extra helpings and discounted his food when he could. He ignored any connection between this particular blond and the one he’d turned his back on months earlier. He tried not to think about trying to undo his mistakes by saving the wrong boy. 

“Hey Michael.” The man looked up and met Jeremy’s eyes. “Got paid today?” The blond asked noting the envelope of cash. Michael nodded grimly. 

“Not enough for my rent.” Michael reported. 

“Tell me about it.” The young man replied as he scanned the street looking for any car on the horizon that be a potential customer.

“Well, I have to get home. I have to be back up here in a few hours.” Michael noted not wishing to watch Jeremy work. 

“You should go home.” Jeremy agreed. “You don’t belong here. You said you were from Pittsburgh right? Go back there.” 

“I can’t go home. “ Michael replied sadly. “I did something and well, it was bad.” He ended before moving away. 

“I’ve done lots of bad things.” Jeremy caught up to him. “Trust me.” He smirked. “You’ll do more bad things here than you could ever have done somewhere else.” 

“I turned a guy back into the escort service he worked for.” Michael wasn’t sure why he’d confessed but regretted it the moment the younger man moved away. 

“Which service? “ The blond asked in disgust.

“Hamilton’s—“

“Fuck!” The blond stepped further away looking at the brunet as though he no longer recognized him. “What’d he do to you?” Michael considered the question. He really wasn’t sure now what Justin had done to deserve such harsh treatment. Having lived in the young man’s shoes now for the past few weeks, Michael was beginning to understand how Justin had found himself on the streets, how he’d felt trapped by the shame of it all, and imprisoned by his own desperation. 

“He..” Michael began but knew anything he said would be a lie. “Nothing.” He finally admitted. “I didn’t understand.” He finally mumbled. 

“No shit. I bet Hamilton fucked him up.” Jeremy looked back up the street. “It’s a safer life in some ways but you cross a fucker like that and your life ain’t worth shit.” 

“Well, I have to go.” Michael moved away still wondering what he was going to say to his landlord. He had to come up with two hundred more dollars by tomorrow. He knew he could call Brian but somehow he felt unworthy now that he realized what Brian had been trying to do for Justin and how royally he’d managed to fuck it up for both of them. No, he would find his own way. He watched as a car slowed down pulling up to the curb. 

“Hey.” The disembodied voice called to him from the darkened car. “How much for a blow?” Michael shook his head and waved the guy off. He quickened his pace trying to put as much distance between himself and what he felt certain was his inevitable future. 

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

Brian had to know that Justin was safe. It had been a week and he’d never received a call. Not one. He cleared his throat as he dialed the number. Perhaps it was better that he keep making direct requests. Then Hamilton wouldn’t suspect any of the other names he had been trying to use.

“Hamilton Escort and Companions.” The woman’s voice greeted. She sounded so sweet and benign. Brian refused to focus on the irony of it all. 

“Yes, this is Brian Kinney.” Ann jumped at the sound of the name. This was her chance. 

“Can I please place you on hold for a moment, sir?” She asked glancing at the lobby full of men waiting to see Hamilton. 

“I guess,” Brian agreed reluctantly. Ann quickly buzzed a specific apartment above. It was a system Hamilton used in order to have the boys do a walk through while clients were debating on what merchandise they were in need of. A minute later Justin appeared and moved to Ann Carol’s desk.

“What does he want?” He asked his voice on edge. 

“In the kitchen, line two.” She stated softly giving him a little wink. Justin furrowed his brow then followed her instructions. Once he reached the kitchen he closed the door insuring his privacy as he pushed the line and picked up the receiver. 

Brian was just about to hang up in frustration when to his surprise Justin’s voice came to him from the other end of the line. 

“Hello?” The blond questioned. This was not standard procedure. He was NEVER allowed access to the phones. It was a strict policy. 

“Justin.” Brian spoke his name and it flooded the line like music to Justin’s ears. Ann Carol had believed him and was now helping him to remain in contact with Brian. It was so wonderful to not be alone anymore. 

“I can’t believe it’s you.” Justin managed around the lump in his throat. 

“How?” Brian asked in confusion.

“The receptionist is risking a lot to help us.” Justin offered. 

“When can I see you?” Brian asked. 

“I’m still being watched.” Justin offered helplessly.

“I have to see you again.” Brian demanded. “We have to find a way to get you out of there and away from that man.” 

“Won’t happen.” Justin replied sadly.

“I’ll make it happen.” Brian assured him. 

“Let’s just be happy for what we do have. I’m hearing your voice and still remembering the way your arms felt around me. I fall asleep wearing your bracelet.” Justin had long passed worrying about how corny he sounded. Life was too precarious to worry about such superficial shit.

“I’ll find a way to see you.” Brian promised. 

“I have to go.” Justin rushed hearing someone approaching the kitchen. “I miss you, Brian.” He hung up and moved away from the phone just as the door opened. One of Hamilton’s goons entered. 

“What are you doing in here?” He demanded then eyed the phone with suspicion. Justin refused to be baited, he continued to search through the refrigerator. 

“Ann Carol sent me to get her a diet Sprite, but I can’t find one.” He sounded frustrated. He slammed the door. “She can just find the fucking thing herself.” He moved past the man who stuck out his arm and halted the blond’s progress. Justin forced himself to keep up his bravado. 

“You’re hot.” The man observed moving to smell up Justin’s neck as his hand ran down the blond’s chest. 

“You know how Hamilton feels about inter-company fucking.” He pulled away from the man. 

“Why would he have to know?” The man asked refusing to release the younger man’s arm. Justin eyed him suspiciously. He wondered if this was some trick of Hamilton’s to test Justin. 

“He’d know. I’d have to report it.” Justin offered the standard operating procedure reply. The man laughed softly, then used his superior strength to pull the blond to him and take his mouth. Justin pushed against the man’s chest but it had little to no effect. The man pulled back leaving Justin’s lips red and swollen. 

“I think we could work something out, don’t you?” The man asked, his breath hot and moist on Justin’s face. Justin remained unreadable. “Let’s just say you give me an hour here and there and I’ll give you an hour here or there.” Justin felt a flicker of hope but refused to show it. This man, Dutson, was the primary goon on surveillance detail since Justin’s return. 

“Are you saying…” Justin began. 

“I’m saying exactly what I’m saying. You give to me and I’ll let you give to someone else.” He could tell that the blond was wavering. 

“What do I have to do?” Justin asked.

“You’ll be going out tonight.” Dutson stated. 

”I will?” Justin asked. He hadn’t heard this.

“I was just in the office. A repeat.” Dutson replied with authority. “I’m your detail.” Justin nodded. “We’ll work out the details as we go along.” Justin sighed then nodded his agreement. 

“And you’ll get lost?” Justin asked. 

“I’ll let you go wherever you want. Just let me follow and no funny stuff.” Justin couldn’t believe what was being offered. He could go to the loft, see Brian and all he would have to do is let this jerk fuck him occasionally. He could do that. 

“Fine.” Justin replied coolly. “I have to go get cleaned up if I’m working tonight.” The man released him. 

“Wear those black leather pants you wore two weeks ago.” Dutson ordered. “Makes me hard just thinking about it.” Justin turned and left the kitchen. He moved to Ann Carol’s desk and gave her the story about not finding the drink, then kissed her lightly on the cheek, whispering a soft thank you before turning to leave. 

It wasn’t much and it was all covered in strings, but it was hope and Justin was willing to crawl over glass to hold on to this last shred of hope. 

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

Justin cleaned up and wore the tight leather pants he was ordered to, as well as a tight white t-shirt. He looked at himself in the mirror; he looked tired, actually exhausted was more like it, he was still too thin and his ass wasn’t as full as it once was, but overall he still looked good. He continued staring at the man in the mirror, reminding himself that it was him. He heard a knock at his door; the door opened and Dutson leaned in.

“Time to go,” the hired gun growled; the man’s eyes trailed down Justin’s lithe body, and focused on the man’s ass. He gave Justin a slight leer before turning and heading down the hall.

Justin did the only thing he could do; he followed.

Dutson drove them in silence to Justin’s appointment. The man parked in front of a tall hotel downtown and turned to Justin. “Go on, I’ll be waiting.”

Justin momentarily let his surprise escape, “You… you’re not going up with me?”

Dutson shook his head. “I’ll wait here.”

Justin nodded and realized that the man – was not only breaking Hamilton’s explicit instructions by letting Justin out of his sight – was making an effort to prove to Justin that he was serious about the deal they’d struck earlier.

Justin got out of the car and headed into the hotel.

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

Justin returned to the car two hours later. No worse for wear really; his trick had been pretty friendly all things considered. Dutson looked at Justin, before pulling away. Remaining silent, Dutson navigated them through the city. Justin realized they weren’t headed back to Hamilton’s.

“Where are we going?” The blond asked.

Dutson glanced at the man and gave a slight smile; Justin suppressed the shudder that ran through his body, instead focusing on the road.

Dutson found an abandoned parking lot and pulled into it. He shut the car off and turned off the headlights. He opened the small glove box between the two front seats and pulled out a condom. He didn’t say anything as he unfastened his seat belt, leaned his seat back slightly and unbuckled his pants. He lifted his ass slightly from the seat and tugged his pants down enough to release his already thickening cock. He tore open the condom and gave his dick a few tugs before sheathing it.

“You’re fucking hot.” Dutson leered at Justin. “I’m going to love fucking you.” 

Justin knew it was time to pay the piper. He nodded, unfastened his own seat belt and began to move toward Dutson. The other man roughly tugged Justin up out of his seat, and gripped the blond’s leather clad ass, massaging roughly.

Justin felt his hand on his waist and tried to move out of his touch, but the man was too strong. 

“I get an hour after we’re done.” He reminded Dutson. 

“Sure, whatever.” Dutson replied. “You’re going to earn it.” Dutson unfastened Justin’s pants and unceremoniously pulled them down to the man’s thighs, leaving Justin exposed. Dutson all but picked Justin up, and maneuvered him so that he was facing away from him, towards the steering wheel. Dutson’s thick hands wrapped around Justin’s waist, his engorged cock was standing at the ready, and without any warning he pulled Justin back and impaled the man. Justin bit his lip in an effort to keep any sound from escaping, but he wasn’t successful. His whimpered grunt filled the car’s interior as Dutson filled him. While he was still somewhat open and lubed from his encounter with the trick earlier, Dutson had a huge prick and Justin wished the man had been more careful.

Justin wrapped his arms around the steering wheel as best he could and laid his head on his arms. He held on tightly as Dutson rammed his ass, knowing that he could endure this as long as he was able to see Brian.

Dutson leaned back further into the seat, and lifted Justin up as far as he could while still keeping his dick in the teen’s ass. He slowly lowered Justin back down, repeating this, watching as his thick cock slid in and out of the man’s tight hole. As his orgasm approached, Dutson tipped his head back and closed his eyes; his hips began to thrust wildly in the confined space, finally, with one final thrust he came.

Dutson allowed the car’s seat to comfort him while he regained his breath. He pulled Justin back against his chest and licked the man’s neck. “You’re good,” he whispered.

Justin tried to get up but Dutson held him in place for several more minutes. Finally releasing the blond, and allowing his softening dick to slip free. Justin began pulling his pants up when he heard the familiar sound of a cell phone going off. Justin finished buttoning his pants and flopped down into his seat. The phone continued to ring.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?”

Dutson only grunted; he pulled the phone out and looked at the call display. It was Hamilton. Dutson glared at Justin, who involuntarily slunk back further in the seat. “You didn’t mention our arrangement to anyone did you?”

“N…nn…no!” Justin managed.

Dutson glared at him for another moment, but he could see the truth in the blue eyes. While they were both benefiting from the agreement, Justin was certainly getting the better end of the bargain. After all, tight asses were a dime a dozen in this business.

Dutson answered the phone; mostly listening, and saying nothing other than “yes” and “no”, he gave Justin the occasional glance. Finally he disconnected and tossed his phone on the floor between them. He gave Justin another look and then looked down at his soft cock and the used condom. “Clean me up,” he ordered.

Justin wanted to object, but he did as he was told, again reminding himself that once he saw Brian it’d be worth it.

Once the condom was disposed of and his pants were fastened. Dutson started the car and began driving back toward Hamilton’s, the route all too familiar to Justin.

“What just a fucking minute,” Justin shouted, turning to look at Dutson. “We had a deal!”

“Yeah, I know.” Dutson said, almost sorry that he was breaking it. He may be a hired goon, but he was still a man of his word. “But Hamilton told me to bring you back now.”

Justin slumped back into his seat, pushing his fears aside. They rode in silence for several more minutes before Justin spoke quietly. “You fucking set me up.” 

“No I didn’t.” Dutson replied calmly. He looked at Justin, hoping the blond could tell that he was being honest. “He’d be pissed and you can’t tell him about what we have going on. It has to stay between us that is if you want to see your little lover boy again.”

Dutson knew about Brian. Fuck.

“I know who you’re going to be running after. I was there in that room while he watched remember? I was there while Hamilton made his point.” Justin looked away. “Hamilton wants him dead so just give him a fucking reason and he’ll do it. So you keep that fucking mouth of yours shut or we’re both dead. Understand?” Justin nodded numbly.

Justin was ushered into the man’s office. It was late, the lobby was empty. 

“What the fuck is this, Justin?” Hamilton threw Brian’s business card at the blond. Justin picked it up suddenly remembering that he’d left it in his coat pocket. 

“He was at the charity event.” Justin confessed. 

“You fuck him?” Hamilton demanded. 

“No.” Justin replied honestly. Hamilton moved around the side of his desk until he was facing the blond. 

“No?” Hamilton gave him another chance. 

“I was with Ketterly.” Justin replied. Hamilton slapped him hard then waited for the man to look at him again. 

“No?” He asked again. 

“I didn’t—“ Another blow interrupted his response. Justin took a deep breath as he once more turned his head back to face the man.

“No?” The man asked again. Justin hesitated. He wasn’t sure what to do. 

“He just gave me his card.” He replied and once more he was hit this time he lost his footing and almost went down. Hamilton pulled him back upright. 

“No?” He demanded again. Justin didn’t respond, so he was slapped again. His head was spinning as he blinked hard trying to clear his head. 

“No?” Hamilton asked again. Justin was now concerned for Brian’s safety. 

“I just took his card so he’d leave me alone.” This time it was a knee to the stomach that sent him down. Dutson’s strong hands pulled him back to his feet and held him in place. 

“No?” Hamilton asked once more. Justin shook his head and once more went down. He didn’t remember much more except the feel of Hamilton’s blows and Dutson’s hands holding him upright. 

He woke in his bed. He pushed himself upright ignoring the tilt to the room as he eased himself out of bed. He used the other furniture in the room to get himself to the bathroom where he threw up then washed out his mouth. He glanced in the mirror and noted the bruise on his face. ‘Fucker’ he thought. He lifted his shirt and noted the red and blue marks there as well. 

He more crawled than walked back to his bed where he curled into a ball and prayed that Brian was safe. 

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

It was a week before Hamilton sent Justin back out. He didn’t dare sully the reputation of his company by sending out damaged goods. He had sent the card back to Mr. Kinney at his office with four words written on the back “He paid for this.” He’d had one of his men watch the ad man for the next few days. He’d been surprised that Kinney hadn’t rushed over, pounding on the door, making a scene. Instead the man had remained calm, eerily unaffected by the news. Perhaps he’d finally learned his lesson. If he continued to interfere with Justin, it would be Justin who would suffer time and again. He was never going to be able to free the blond, but his action could get the young man killed. 

Justin used the time to heal and rest. He wanted to find a way to contact Brian. The incident with the card had increased Hamilton’s suspicions though and Justin found in increasingly difficult to leave his own room without an escort. 

Justin longed for his apartment again, crazy neighbors and all. He hated being under Hamilton’s watchful eye. He hated feeling so utterly possessed by the man.

Each day it was growing more difficult for the blond to find a reason to get out of bed. The first two days following the beating he’d actually wished Hamilton had killed him. He just wanted it to be over. He wanted to escape this life that now seemed to impossibly lonely, dangerous and damaging. He could no longer imagine ever being free again. In truth it was only the thought that Brian still cared that kept him going. Each night he pulled the bracelet out, careful to keep it out of the view of the surveillance camera in his room. He carefully tied it each night and slept with it on. He felt pathetic clinging to it the way that he did, but knew that as pathetic as it was, it was his only anchor and if he lost it, he would slip away. 

Hamilton hadn’t decided it was time for Justin to go out again, but an order had come in for him specifically. Hamilton knew that some of the bruising remained but at the same time realized that some of their clients enjoyed seeing the marks and at times even found it arousing to add their own personal tattoos to the merchandise. Hamilton didn’t want the blond killed, but he was still angry enough to look the other way if tonight’s client happened to want to add to the punishment package. The little lying sack of shit deserved whatever he got and Hamilton was certain to dole it out until the lesson was learned once and for all. 

The message was delivered. Justin groaned as he shut his door wondering how he would ever perform with all the lingering aches and pains. He dressed carefully. His ribs were still sore and he wondered once more if a few were broken. Dutson arrived as always. He seemed unaffected by Justin as they moved out of the building. Justin wondered if the man was merely acting or if he’d allowed himself to be duped. Maybe the goon had taken what he wanted and was now going to double cross the blond after all.

“I’m letting you off the hook tonight.” Dutson announced once they were on their way to the hotel. Justin stared over at him waiting for the catch. When the man didn’t speak for a few moments Justin decided not to push it. 

“I want to keep things even.” Dutson finally relented. “I owe you a few hours. Unfortunately this guy has you for the night so we’ll have to work something out for tomorrow.” Justin furrowed his brow warily watching the man. “What?” Dutson demanded. 

“I just don’t trust you.” Justin admitted remembering how the man had held him in place while Hamilton had beaten the shit out of him two weeks earlier.

“Would you rather I pull your head into my lap and fuck your face right now?” Dutson growled angrily. Justin shook his head and stared out the window. That was the last thing he wanted. He never wanted to touch the man again. He had to remind himself that it was the only way he could see Brian and know that the man was safe. 

“I’ll keep my end of the bargain. You kept yours.” Dutson replied as they pulled up in front of the hotel. 

“So when will this happen?” Justin asked before exiting the car.

“I told you, tomorrow.” Dutson replied clearly irritated.

“Hamilton will have your dick if he finds out.” Justin warned not wanting to be sold out. Dutson ignored the threat as he pointed to the door.

“You be good now. Go suck some cock and get your ass plowed, and I’ll be back to collect you around nine in the morning.” Justin flipped that man off as he slammed the car door. Looking up he took in the beautiful exterior of the hotel. He’d been here many times. He had a few regulars who always used the same room when they were in town; this was supposed to be a repeat. No name was given. Justin ran through his list of regulars. There were several older men. They were the easiest to please. Mr. Marshall just wanted to watch most of the time. Then there was Mr. Redman, he was odd and made Justin nervous. There was something bordering on violent in the man and Justin was always cautious not to do anything that might set him off. Mr. Paulson was older. He had very specific things that Justin was and was not allowed to do and say. He was into spanking as well. Justin really hoped it wouldn’t be Mr. Paulson or Mr. Redman. He really wasn’t up for either of those. 

He moved to the counter and asked if there were any messages for Taylor. He was handed an envelope by a nervous looking clerk. Justin knew that the man knew exactly what Justin was and why he was there. There had been a time when that sort of look would have bothered him, but now that he realized there was no future aside from endless tricks and hotel rooms, Justin found he no longer gave a fuck what anyone thought. It was about survival with the hope of five minutes in Brian’s arms keeping him alive. 

Once inside the elevator he opened the envelope and discovered that the room was on the fifth floor. That eliminated Redman and Paulson, he sighed with relief. As he exited the elevator he made his way down the carpeted hallway to the door. He knocked twice then stood waiting for whatever lay ahead. It took him a moment to drop into character, throwing off the bad attitude and adopting the seductive stance that always earned him a nice tip.

The door opened and to Justin’s surprise he found himself face to face with the Best Man. 
“Taylor.” The handsome man greeted the blond, taking in the black leather pants, jacket and wife beater. He licked his lips in anticipation. 

“I remember you. You’re the best man.” Justin became all business as he gave the man a seductive look. “Like what you see?” He asked noting the bulge growing in the man’s pants. Holden smirked and then stepped aside. 

“You had better come in before I jump you there in the hall.” Justin entered and moved immediately to the bathroom, checking it for any surprises. Finding none he next glanced in the closet. Holden watched him realizing these were the actions of a person who’d been hurt before. Satisfied Justin turned and appraised the man he’d been sent to please. 

“So just us this time?” He asked removing his jacket. “No happy couples to satisfy?”

“No happy couples.” Holden moved forward taking Justin’s jacket and carefully hanging it on the back of a chair. “Just us.” He moved up and kissed Justin lightly on the lips. It was just as he remembered, sweet and soft. He kissed him again this time deepening it. “I’ve thought of you so many times since that night.” He offered moving down the blond’s neck then back up to take his mouth again. 

“What have you been thinking?” Justin asked playfully wincing as Holden’s hands touched healing muscles. 

“Of how much I want to fuck you.” Holden began removing Justin’s shirt. “I wanted to fuck you that night, but it just didn’t seem right.” Justin looked away as he felt Holden’s hands drift to his belt. Holden noticed and wondered if Justin resented having it brought up again. He found himself wondering how many orgies the man had participated in.

“Do you mind that it’s just us?“ Holden began.

“You’re the boss. Whatever you want, you get.” Justin felt Holden remove his shirt then heard the man gasp. Justin knew the bruises were still there. They were better but still ugly. He felt embarrassed by them knowing that they signified his weakness. He held himself erect refusing to let his feelings show. 

“Who did this?” Holden demanded feeling a surge of protectiveness toward the blond. He’d seen enough victims of violence to know that it took a hell of a lot of force to inflict this kind of damage.

“Doesn’t matter.” Justin tried to distract the man kissing him then moving to remove his shirt. “I’m not bruised where it matters.” Holden stopped his hands holding them in his own. He waited until the blue eyes rested on his. 

“Have you seen a doctor?” He asked.

“No.” Justin admitted. “Look I’m fine. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.” 

Holden considered the young man’s words. Someone had beaten the shit out of this man and he intended to find out why. 

“Is this the type of protection your service offers you?” Holden demanded. Justin laughed, but there was no humor. He stopped when he realized that the man didn’t get the joke.

“The service protects itself.” He indicated that he was a result of that protection. 

“Your boss did this?” Holden pulled away from the blond. He felt the conflict rising within himself. He’d known he was walking a thin line given his position, but now he wasn’t sure that he could continue. 

“I pissed him off.” Justin replied softly moving closer to Holden. 

“I can’t do this.” Holden took another step away. Justin felt a panic surge through him. 

“You have to.” His voice was a little too desperate revealing both his fear and his age. 

“What happens if I don’t?” Holden demanded softly. “Will he beat you again? Will it be worse? Will he blame you? Why do you stay?” 

“It’s complicated.” Justin offered quietly.

“I’m smart. Try me.” Holden challenged. 

“It’s the rabbit hole.” Justin remarked bitterly moving away from the man and toward the window. “Once you go down, there’s no going back.” 

“Sure there is.” Holden offered no longer wanting to seduce the man but to help him. 

“No.” Justin spat turning on the man. “I tried. It cost me too much!” He yelled. “You don’t know shit about my life. All you see if some stupid ass guy you want to fuck, well let’s get on with it.”

“I can’t do this, not knowing what happens to you—“

“You didn’t mind watching your friends abuse me.” Justin challenged.

“They weren’t trying to hurt you.” Holden defended meekly.

“Bullshit!” Justin spat. “Two of those guys fucked the shit out me. They hurt me. They knew they were hurting me. YOU,” Justin emphasized, pointing at the man, “knew they were hurting me.” Holden looked away feeling the sting of truth. “So don’t get all righteous indignation and peace corps on me. You can’t save me, so just put away your Boy Scout uniform and find some other good deed for the day.” Justin stood his ground.

Holden stared at the man. For one so young, and having been through so much, he was still feisty, and Holden couldn’t help but respect that. Justin’s unwavering eyes stared into his own. “I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” Holden finally confessed as he turned away from Justin and walked toward his coat.

Justin groaned as he watched the man reach into his coat, presumably fishing for his cell phone to call Hamilton’s and complain. Justin was surprised when Holden returned and instead offered him a business card. Justin’s confusion was evident on his face; he looked up at Holden.

“Believe it or not, some people do care.” Holden said as he slipped his coat on. “The room is yours for the night. Your tip is on the counter,” Holden said, nodding his head in that direction. “I won’t say anything, I promise.”

Justin nodded and quietly whispered, “Thanks.”

“But you have to do something for me,” Holden said seriously. He saw Taylor stiffen.

“Calm down, Taylor, it’s nothing like that,” Holden said; giving the blond a gentle smile he slowly reached out and put his hand on the smaller man’s shoulder. “If you need help, anything at all, you call me, got it?” He asked, glancing at the business card that Justin still held onto.

Justin nodded but didn’t say anything. Holden gave him a smile and a quick kiss on the forehead before leaving.

Justin looked at the man’s business card, absorbing the information. Maybe Holden had been right, maybe some people really did care.