Jerks Like Us Book Three

by BLMorticia

  “Hey, a little help here.” Kao released a ragged breath and placed his hands on his sides. Standing was beginning to become a chore. His feet throbbed from all the dancing he’d done. He’d been running on adrenaline the last portion of the show, but that energy was fading. “Hello?”

  “Kao?”

  At the sound of Gaia’s voice, Kao breathed a sigh of relief. “Yeah, Gaia. I got a little turned around.”

  Gaia came into view wearing a weird expression. “Gaia what’s wrong?”

  “I… oh God, I can’t do this. Please just let my sister go, take me instead!” She screamed.

  “What are you talking about? Gaia?”

  Gaia clutched her purse close to her chest. “I’m so sorry, Kao. I hope you can forgive me someday.”

  “Huh? For — ” Kao didn’t get a chance to speak before someone drove him to the floor from behind. He struggled, and kicked his legs, but this man was a lot bigger than him.

  At least these goons weren’t drugging him this time.

  “Gaia, what the fuck is going… it was you all along? Fuck, Brody was right. Help! Brody!” Kao squirmed in this guy’s hold. If only he was at full strength, he could fight the guy off.

  “Ohh, Kao. Remember I said you’d regret leaving the band?”

  That voice.

  Kao didn’t think he’d hear from this jerk until he got to Seoul, but seemingly, the snake had a lot of connections. Or was it Executive Won who helped him? Kao didn’t know. “Fucking dick!” Kao continued to fight with the oversize mongrel, but he couldn’t get away. Kao wasn’t surprised the last asshole he talked to before leaving the dorm would be behind these attacks. But Gaia too? That he had a hard time believing, but since she was in on it, he’d be pressing charges against her too. “You’re both gonna pay for this. I swear to God, you will.”

  “Oh, your threats don’t scare me. You know we’ve got a score to settle. A big one. And this debt will take a lot to be repaid, my dear friend. It will cost you dearly. I can promise you that.”

  * * * *

  “What the fuck! Where is he?” Brody had run from one end of the venue to the other, asking had anyone seen him. Venue workers had said he ran to the far end, but no one noticed where he’d gone.

  Brody had already checked Kao’s phone for messages or clues. Anything that would’ve pointed to where he’d gone.

  Brody was having heart palpitations, thinking the worst.

  Why didn’t I run after him?

  Brody hadn’t because Kao was already mad. Besides, there was security everywhere around this place. He had backup to guard the man. Why hadn’t he stuck to Kao like white on rice. Brody would never forgive himself for slipping up.

  “Brody, we’ve searched everywhere. The fans are out of the venue and security members as well as police are outside, guarding the place. If someone’s got him, they won’t get out.”

  Brody rubbed the hair on his chin. He put Kao’s phone in his pocket. “Dammit, I should’ve followed Kao.”

  “We all should’ve.” Lawrence bounced on his feet. “We’re gonna find him.”

  “How can you be so damn calm? Huh? Is it because you had something to do with his disappearance? Huh?” Brody pushed Lawrence hard, almost making him fall.

  “Shit, Brody, if I had something to do with it, why am I here?” He snapped.

  “You’ve had someone working for you. Where the hell is Gaia? She might be your freaking accomplice!”

  Lawrence pinched the bridge of his nose. “Brody, Goddammit, I told you…” Lawrence stopped talking. “Wait. I don’t know where Gaia is.”

  Brody smirked. “Suuurre you don’t. Start talking asshole or I’ll break your face!”

  “I swear to you I’ve got nothing to do with this. And I’m anything but calm right now. I just don’t want to jump to conclusions. He’s gotta be okay. He’s just gotta be!” Lawrence held his mouth and shed tears.

  Brody tapped his shoulder, feeling a little guilty. “Okay, I’m… sorry. Dammit, I’m just so —”

  “Brody! This guy says he saw a someone leaving with Kao.” An officer ran up to them, corralling a man who appeared terrified.

  “You did? Who?” Brody turned away from Lawrence to the man.

  “A lady. Pretty, long black curls. Then big guy … hold star Kao.”

  “Shit!” Brody pushed his hand through his hair.

  “What the hell? Gaia had him kidnapped?” Lawrence screeched.

  “Guess so. Did you see anyone else or the car? How about the license plate?”

  The man shrugged and shook his head.

  “Wait, let me try.” One of the security men spoke Italian to the witness.

  Brody sighed aloud, knowing he’d failed kao. Not only had he messed up the relationship part, he allowed someone to take him.

  Damn.

  Brody had a bad feeling about this concert. He almost asked Kao to call it off, but he knew Kao wouldn’t do it. He was stubborn, hardheaded, and…

  I’m falling in love him.

  “Brody, he says black foreign car, a sedan. He also said the big man wasn’t letting him go. They looked to be struggling.”

  Brody snapped out of his daze. “Fuck. We’ve got no clue where they went, or… oh God.”

  “I can’t believe Gaia would do this. I’m stunned.” Lawrence offered.

  “Me too. I suspected you more than her. I’m still not totally convinced you’ve got nothing to do with this, but that’s neither here nor there. Officer Pagnozzi, is there any way we can send an alert to all police? We need to canvass the whole country. Stop any cars from leaving the border.”

  “Of course, Brody. We’re on it already.”

  “Good. I don’t know where to begin to look. Where the hell would Gaia take him in Italy? Lawrence, had she said anything weird or acted funny?”

  “She did when we were in the dressing room before the show, but she ran out so fast, we had no chance to ask her. Damn that girl.” Lawrence appeared visibly shaken.

  “Fuck. All right. We’re gonna have to look too. I really don’t want to start asking random people had they seen him because it will cause mass hysteria.”

  “Agreed. We gotta try finding him on our own and hope he’s all right.” Lawrence added.

  Brody nodded, then turned to Officer Pagnozzi. “We’ll split up. Do you have a car I can use?” Just as Brody was talking, Kao’s phone pinged. He tapped the screen. “What’s this?”

  Lawrence and Officer Pagnozzi leaned in close. “Wait, that looks like a locator app. It’s Gaia. She’s sent a message saying where they are.” Lawrence said.

  “Why the heck would she do that if she had him kidnapped?” Brody asked.

  “Who cares! We need to go there.” Lawrence said quickly.

  “Yes, we do. And I know where that is,” Officer Pagnozzi said. “It’s an old villa on the other side of town. My parents live near there. We can all go. I’ll call for backup and ask for no sirens. That way we don’t alert them that we’re coming or alarm the residents. My men will escort you to the van while I instruct two of them to stay with the witness. Then we will leave.” Officer Pagnozzi barked out instructions to his team.

  “Okay.” Brody and Lawrence followed a group of officers out of the backstage area. He ran faster than his legs could carry him, hoping Gaia wasn’t leading them astray or into a trap.

  No matter what, Brody had to find Kao.

  So much for the non-dangerous job.

  All of a sudden what seemed like crazy fans harassing their favorite KPOP star had turned deadly.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kao sat in the chair across from Gaia who appeared scared.

  BJ and DO, his former bandmates from SK4 had driven them to a small house, far away from the venue. Their goons, one of them the same guy he saw at the desk back in Los Angeles, pushed them inside and tied them up, telling them to await their fate from the master.

  Kao figured that to be Executive Won or someone from his staff
. Who else besides these two would hold a grudge against Kao?

  Still dressed in his concert attire, Kao was sick to his stomach. He was angry, but also scared he might not get out of this alive. Why the hell had he been so stupid to leave Brody’s side? If only he’d stayed close, he’d be at his hotel resting for the next show, not fearing for his freaking life.

  If he got out of here alive, Gaia, BJ, and DO would all feel Kao’s wrath.

  “Kao…”

  “Don’t say a word to me. I trusted you Gaia! I gave you a job with good compensation and this is how you repay me?” Kao snapped.

  “I know,” she cried. “I’m sorry, but they have my sister.”

  Kao cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “When I wouldn’t go along with their plan, they kidnapped my baby sister in Seoul. They’ve had her ever since we got to Europe. I had to do comply or else they’d hurt her.”

  Kao dropped his head. “But why? All because I left the band?”

  “That, and me leaving WRL. I actually hinted that to Brody in Paris, but I got scared. There were moles on our team, Kao. Your stylist, two of the lighting people. They work for WRL. They’re part of the reason people were following you.”

  “Shit. Why hadn’t I figured that out? Why the heck didn’t you go to the police, Gaia?”

  “I was scared, Kao! And I still am. They’re promising to let my sister go, but I can’t be sure. I’m all she has. We have no parents, no one to take care of us. I’ve always watched out for her. I had to protect her first and foremost.”

  “So, does this have to do with the girl that attacked me in Los Angeles?”

  “Separate incident. That had nothing to do with WRL as far as I know. Please believe me, Kao. I swear, if my sister’s life wasn’t on the line, I would’ve asked for help.”

  Kao released a ragged breath and lowered his head. Was Gaia really telling the truth, or was she acting? Kao was too tired to figure it out.

  Just as he was about to ask her more questions, Kao heard yelling and then gunshots. “Shit.” Kao struggled against the ropes, but nothing was moving. “What the hell is going on?”

  More gunshots sent Kao into a frenzied panic. He rocked the chair to the side, but he couldn’t get out.

  “I think we’re being saved.” Gaia said calmly.

  Just as she finished speaking, policemen ran in, followed by Brody, bolting to his side. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Yes. Oh God, I’m so glad to see you!” Kao didn’t care that he was mad at Brody. He was here, in front of Kao, ready to rescue him.

  “Me too.” Brody kissed Kao’s head and untied him.

  Kao leapt into his arms, hugging him for dear life. He cried on his shoulder, clutching his back. “I swear I’ll never be that stupid again.”

  “It’s okay. We were both a little pigheaded. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

  Kao straightened and looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry, Brody. I was so selfish, I…”

  “Shh, it’s all right. We’re gonna start all over and date properly. Right now, I need to get you out of here before anyone starts asking more questions.” Brody turned around with Kao in his arms.

  Gaia looked at Kao. She was in handcuffs but smiling. “Please be happy, Kao. The most important thing in the world is love. Never forget that.”

  “Thank you, Gaia.” Brody said to her.

  “Just please get my sister to safety. I don’t care about myself. Only my sister.” The police led her out of the room.

  “So, she was telling the truth then.”

  “About?”

  “I’ll fill you in on the way back. Just please get me out of here. Please.” Kao couldn’t stop shaking.

  “With pleasure, baby. With pleasure.”

  * * * *

  “So, she did it to save her sister?” Brody asked, as they soaked in the bathtub. Kao lay against Brody’s chest. They’d ordered two bottles of wine to relax after this hectic evening. Despite Brody’s feeling on liquor, he allowed it.

  “Yeah. That’s what she claims.” Kao sipped from the glass.

  “Hmm. I don’t know. I suppose it all fits with what Officer Pagnozzi is getting from BJ and DO. Damn, Kao, these guys hated you that much?”

  “Jealousy, I suppose. That’s neither hear nor there because I’m nailing all their asses to the wall. Them, the stylist, lighting people, everyone. Gaia I’m not so sure.”

  “Well, even if you don’t she will be charged with being an accessory to a kidnapping. He might get jail time for that.”

  “Well I don’t think she deserves anything more. She did send my phone the signal, right?”

  “Yep. Led us right to her. Pagnozzi and I are grateful they hadn’t taken you further into the countryside, because it’s a possibility her signal wouldn’t have gotten to your phone.”

  Kao put his glass down and shuddered against him. “My God, Brody, I was so scared. I was angrier at Gaia, but hearing those damn shots sent me into a panic.”

  “I know baby, but it’s all over now. You’re safe. BJ and DO can’t leave Italy, and they’re contacting Won to see how involved he was.”

  “Good. I… I’m glad.” Kao pulled Brody’s arm around him and kissed it. “Listen I…”

  “No, no. Not now. I want you to relax. As I said at the house, we’ve both got a lot to work on. We’re gonna start all over. I’m going to take you out on a date, even if it has to be to my room.”

  Kao laughed. “I was just going to say, you were right. We do need to slow down. Its wrong of me to expect you to quit doing what you love.”

  “While that’s true, I think I might be able to find something else to do. And uh, your condo is gorgeous. I stayed there, remember.”

  Kao chuckled and clutched Brody’s hand tighter. “Yes, I do. And if you really want to move in with me, we’re gonna have to set some ground rules, but if you want to wait that’s fine too. I just need you, Brody. In any capacity I can get you.”

  “You got me baby. Still wanna fire me?” Brody asked with a smile.

  “Yes.” Kao said simply and turned around wearing a large grin.

  “What?”

  Kao ran his hand through his hair. “Yes, because I want to date my man, not my bodyguard. We’ve still got two days in Italy, before we head to Sydney. I want your mind free and clear, not worrying about crazed fans jumping me on stage.”

  Brody sighed aloud. “Okay fine. Since the idiots are caught, I’ll ask to be taken off.”

  “No, I’m really firing you. I want Arturo to send a replacement to meet us in Sydney, because me and my man need protection.

  Brody clasped Kao’s face, bringing him in for a kiss. Brody moved back. “Bodyguard or not, no one is getting near you ever again.”

  “Oh, I know that, but I don’t want them by you either.”

  “I’m more than capable of taking care of both of us.”

  “So am I hotshot, but again, I don’t want you working the rest of this trip. We got sights to see, lots of fucking to do. We also need to go get tested do I can fuck you raw.”

  Brody gasped and yanked Kao in for another lip-lock. “Oh damn, yes, then in that case, I’m going to enjoyed getting fired.”

  Author Sharita Lira’s personal note

  In June of 2011, my cousin Scottie Collins took his own life. After his death, my uncle informed me he did it because he was gay and felt he had no one to turn to. When I learned this, my writing took on a whole new meaning. It was no longer about writing hot, sexy stories or making lots of money. It was about letting people know they can be happy with who they are and be loved for it.

  One thing I try to stress in every book is it’s okay to be different and you’re never alone. If no one understands or you feel you need some help, don’t hesitate to ask. Reach out to your local GLBTQIA+ organizations to talk to someone about how you feel. Here’s a short list of organizations that can help with your feelings as well as supporting you through life.

  Th
e Trevor Project

  It Gets Better

  Point Foundation

  GLAAD

  GLBT Hotline

  Task Force

  Read Nerds Like Us

  Will has the dumbest luck!

  Will is a poor suburban white kid with no clue what he’ll do in life. When his nemesis exclaims, he’s sitting at the wrong table, Will braces himself for a punch that could alter his face. No amount of makeup would cover that up.

  Enter James who is the handsome bisexual version of Richie Rich. Instead of burying his head in the books, his plans are derailed when he stops a bully from manhandling Will. Despite walking away, James makes up his mind he and the cutie will get better acquainted.

  Although James rescued Will, he isn’t convinced the jock likes him. Not until the impromptu meeting at the mall snowballs into something more.

  Will is the first guy to pique James’ interest. Extra kudos for wearing skinny jeans and nail polish. But will that nerd accept one of James’ kinks? Although the chances are high, James worries his valiant effort to save the dorky hottie will be wasted.

  This book is a kinky, sexy, low-angst standalone with an adorable dork who has an affinity for guyliner, and a handsome stud who likes frilly things and cum play.

  You have been warned!

  **This is the full version to the story What I Like About You, part of the Beautiful Skin Anthology

  Nerds Like Us is part of the "Like Us" collection. All books are standalone, with its only connection being the supporting characters.

  Buylink

  Read Fools Like Us

  Fortunately for Courtney, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas…

  Courtney enjoys traveling, so when his friends suggested Sin City, he jumped at the chance. While there, he lets it all hang loose, with the intent on snagging a “high roller.” Besides, it isn’t like he has a man, unless you count his ex, who won’t take no for an answer.