An Eye for an Eye (The Santorno Stories 2): The Santorno Stories

by Sandrine Gasq-Dion

  “God, I want you, Damon. I wanted you the first day I saw you.” Tyler panted. “When Coach said you’d be showing me the ropes, I prayed that wasn’t all you’d be showing me!”

  “I want you, too.” Damon kissed him again. His hands made their way to Tyler’s ass and he squeezed, pulling Tyler into his hips.

  “I had the same thought about you when we met. I think I could kiss you all night.”

  “You can kiss me for three more hours,” Tyler whispered.

  “Well then, stop talking.” Damon’s mouth descended on Tyler’s.

  *~~~*

  Jordan took a little trip to Global without telling Stefan. He took the stairs to the fifth floor and knocked on an office door.

  “Come in.”

  “Hello, Mr. O’Conner. My name is Dr. Jordan Youngblood. I believe you have something that I want very much.”

  “Youngblood? As in Isabelle?” Tristan checked out Isabelle’s father. He was taller than himself, and he looked so angry. Was there really such a thing as normal people turning homicidal? Should he yell for help?

  “That’s right. I want the pictures of my daughter, Mr. O’Conner. And you should be grateful that it’s me paying you this little visit. Have you heard of Damon Santorno?”

  “Who hasn’t? He’s a ruthless man.”

  “I’m married to his son.” Jordan waited for the information to sink in.

  Tristan gulped audibly. “That’s why my apartment was ransacked.”

  “Be glad that’s all that has happened so far. My husband, as good-natured as he is, does have a dark side. It would be a shame if it had to come out. It would really suck to be you.”

  “Are you threatening me, Dr. Youngblood?” Tristan blustered, trying to appear calm.

  “Nooo, I’m warning you, Mr. O’Conner. I can’t say absolutely that I could stop Stefan, so I have a proposition for you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You don’t want to be here, but Angela Santorno gave you no choice. Go see her. Tell her if she doesn’t let you out of this arrangement, you’ll go public with the blackmail and the pictures. She can’t risk the bad press and I’m banking on her not wanting to upset her nephew further. I expect you to hand those pictures over to me. Do we have an understanding?”

  “You’ll know by the end of the day. If I get out of this hell, I’ll give you the pictures. You have my word.”

  “Either way, I will have the pictures, Mr. O’Conner. If this fails, you can make bank that Stefan will come after you. God help you after that.”

  They shook hands and Jordan turned to leave. Turning back, he fixed the younger man with an icy stare.

  “You broke my daughter’s heart. Isabelle would never do what you accused her of doing. She truly had no idea what Angela had done. The only reason I’m not beating the ever-loving shit out of you for calling her a slut is that a neurosurgeon’s hands are too valuable to risk damaging.” He started out the door but suddenly turned back. “Hey, by the way — if you ever decide you want an actual brain, I can attempt the first transplant using you.” Jordan gave him a frighteningly cheerful smile and walked out, whistling.

  Tristan banged his head on the desk. He should have known. Aside from her powers of persuasion, Isabelle had been so innocent.

  “Shit.”

  That night, a package arrived at the Youngblood house. Stefan found the pictures inside, along with two letters — one for Stefan and one for Isabelle.

  “Jordan!”

  “Hey, what is it?”

  Stefan handed him the envelope. “What did you do?”

  “Moi?”

  “You were worried about me going rogue.” Stefan took Jordan’s hand.

  “As much as I love you, Stefan, I know what you would do. I can’t let you go down that road. Someone has to save you from yourself.”

  “I wouldn’t have hurt him. Much,” Stefan laughed sheepishly.

  They opened the letter to Stefan.

  Mr. Youngblood, here are the pictures; there are no copies. I hope I can live in peace now without having to look over my shoulder. I am genuinely sorry for the pain I caused your daughter.

  Tristan O’Conner

  “Yeah, he should be. He’s lucky I didn’t have his dick cut off.”

  Jordan shook his head. “Yes, there’s my little Mafia man.”

  “Relax. I’m kidding.” Stefan walked away and then paused and turned. “As far as you know.” He winked and left the room.

  *~~~*

  Everyone went to the family farm for Christmas. Alma had cooked tons of food, and the kids were hanging out down at Sanders pond.

  Jordan was outside with Damon Santorno, keeping an eye on Stefan and Bethany as they talked.

  “I’m worried, Damon.”

  “Stefan is not like me, Jordan. Yes, he is passionate but he is not ruthless.”

  “You didn’t see him.”

  “I spoke with him. He told me about his anger with Angela.”

  “Yeah, anger is putting it mildly.”

  “When it comes to family, Stefano is passionate, yes. But ruthless to the point of bodily harm?”

  “Have you forgotten Italy, Damon? He shot Gino in the head.”

  “Stefan had no choice. Gino was going to shoot me. As I recall, you shot a man as well.”

  “I’m not going to win this argument am I?”

  “It’s not an argument. You’re worried about Stefan losing himself to the dark side, and I am not. I know my son. He’s loving and caring. I thought you knew that?”

  “That’s not fair, Damon.”

  “Life isn’t fair, Jordan.”

  Stefan could tell that Bethany was nervous.

  “I’ve missed you, Bethany. How’s Trent?”

  “He’s fine, working a lot. Jacob told me he went to see you all the other night.”

  “Yes, I can’t believe how much he’s grown! I have a hard time seeing our children as adults.”

  Bethany smiled. “I guess he and Isabelle worked things out?”

  “She seemed happy when she came back inside from their walk,” Stefan speculated.

  “Look, Stefan — I want to apologize for the way things happened when Jacob left. I know Isabelle was hurt.”

  “Stop it, Bethany. Whatever happens with our kids is between them. You know Jordan and I never blamed you.”

  “I know. I just had a hard time facing you two after he left. What Isabelle went through, the nights she spent at my house crying. It hurt me that my son had caused her so much pain.”

  “Is that why you stayed away? Oh, Bethany, we love you. We always will.”

  “I love you guys, too.” She hugged Stefan.

  “Well — I think we can assume the kids are all right.” Stefan’s eyes strayed to Isabelle and Jacob, walking hand in hand.

  “I hope so. Eventually, he’ll have to go back. I don’t know what will happen then.”

  “They will work it out, Bethany.”

  *~~~*

  “Hey, Grandpa!” Damon practically tackled his namesake.

  “Ah, and how are you, grandson?”

  “Probably gay.”

  Damon laughed. “Have you met someone?”

  “Yes! His name is Tyler.”

  “Well he obviously makes you happy.” Damon smiled at his grandson.

  “Really? You’re not going to go all batshit crazy on me?”

  “Okay, I don’t know what that means. But I can’t imagine you think I would care if you are gay,” Damon laughed.

  “Good point, Grandpa. Come on, let’s go inside.”

  Heath and Leah Sanders were trying to keep up with their grandchildren — Charlie and Heath had them cornered, and the older pair was trying to keep up with the excited chatter.

  The family was gathered around the Christmas tree, squealing and laughing as presents were unwrapped and bright paper flew in every direction. Stefan and Jordan had always enjoyed watching the kids open their Christmas gifts. They laughed when eac
h kid smothered them with grateful hugs and kisses.

  Charlie suddenly jumped up. “Hey, you two need to get home!”

  Stefan was puzzled. “Because?”

  Damon plopped down next to them on the couch, practically in Jordan’s lap. “Yep. It’s our Christmas gift. Night alone for the two of you.”

  Jordan looked suspiciously at Heath and Isabelle. “Were you all in on this?”

  Heath smiled. “Why do you think we were late getting here?”

  “Go home. We’ll see you here in the morning,” Isabelle shooed them off the couch and the four kids hugged them at the same time. Stefan tried hard not to cry, but in the end, he couldn’t stop himself.

  “Aw, Dad, go home and have fun.” Heath winked at him.

  “Yeah and do a lot of stuff we can’t do yet,” Charlie wiggled her eyebrows comically.

  “You better not be doing stuff.” Jordan narrowed his gaze.

  Stefan broke in. “Come on, Jordan.”

  The house glittered with strings of light when the two men arrived. Their bedroom had sparkling cider set up, with champagne glasses and strawberries. The song they played at their wedding was playing softly.

  “Oh my God, look what they did.” Stefan was stunned.

  In addition to everything else, the kids had decorated the bed with flower petals.

  “That has to be Isabelle and Charlie,” Jordan chuckled. He read a note propped on the dresser: Don’t forget to light all the candles! Our parents won’t let us play with matches.

  After following the cue, he came up behind Stefan to remove his jacket. His hand made quick work of the buttons on his shirt and it joined the jacket on the floor. He ran his hands up Stefan’s back, and when Stefan pressed his back to his chest, Jordan took off his pants.

  “Turn around, Stefan.”

  His husband turned slowly. Jordan was taking off his shirt, and his eyes never left Stefan’s as he slowly lowered his zipper. They stood naked, admiring the other, eyes memorizing each curve.

  “You’re amazing, Stefan,” Jordan whispered. “Absolutely gorgeous. Inside and out.”

  He moved closer and his fingers slowly trailed Stefan’s chest. Stefan closed his eyes and savored the sensation as Jordan’s fingers reached his waist. He moved his hand around to Stefan’s back and ran it over his ass. Jordan took his other hand and traced Stefan’s lips, then continued down his neck as he pulled him closer. Jordan brushed his lips lightly to Stefan’s, loving the way it felt.

  “I love you, Stefan. God knows how much I love you.”

  “I love you too, Jordan. Make love to me.”

  They moved to the bed and Jordan’s hand slowly stroked Stefan’s inner thigh. He reached for the lube with the other and applied it liberally before inserting two fingers into Stefan. He added another finger and stretched and twisted, hitting Stefan’s prostate. He was rewarded with a load moan.

  “Jordan, please!” Stefan’s hips moved with Jordan’s fingers.

  Jordan lined himself up and entered Stefan slowly. He heard a low whimper and a sharp intake of breath when he moved in further. He timed his thrusts with his strokes on Stefan’s cock. They maintained eye contact and Jordan kissed Stefan slowly, loving the taste and feel of him. He picked up his pace. He knew he couldn’t last much longer — and judging by Stefan’s moans, neither would he. They both came crying out, sweat running down Jordan’s chest.

  They relaxed onto each other afterward, Stefan’s head comfortably on Jordan’s chest. His fingers made slow circles around Jordan’s belly button, making him laugh.

  “Even after all these years, Stefan, I can’t get enough of you.” Jordan kissed him.

  “I love you more now than I ever have. It just keeps getting stronger, Jordan.”

  “I love you, too. Always, Stefan.”

  ~*~

  When they got to the farm the next morning, the kids were playing outside in the snow.

  “Dads! Did you two have fun?” Damon winked at his parents.

  Jordan whistled. “Hey, all of you — come here!”

  The kids raced each other, faces red from the cold.

  “We want to thank you for what you did for us. That was incredibly romantic and thoughtful.”

  “Dad, are you going to cry?” Charlie giggled.

  “No. At least I don’t think so.” Jordan frowned.

  “What your dad is trying to say is that what you did for us was very sweet,” Stefan cut in.

  “Hey,” Heath grinned, “as long as you used the time wisely.”

  “Okaaay, so uncomfortable now,” Charlie chuckled.

  “Ha! Now you know how I feel when you brats talk about s-e-x! You guys get inside before you freeze.” Jordan waved them in.

  “We have some pretty spectacular kids, Jordan Youngblood.”

  “Yep, but then again, look who raised them.”

  Chapter 7

  Isabelle and Jacob had finally gotten a chance to go out alone — they had been surrounded by family or mutual friends non-stop. This was their first chance to sneak away.

  As they sat in Jacob’s truck with the heater on, Isabelle pressed up against him. He had his jacket wrapped around her.

  “Are you still cold?” Jacob rubbed her arms.

  Isabelle looked up at him. “No, I can feel your body heat.”

  Jacob bent and caught her lips. He kissed her slowly, their mouths fitting as if they had never been apart. Isabelle palmed the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

  She finally pulled away and focused her blue eyes on his brown ones.

  “I want us to make love, Jacob.”

  “Not in the car.”

  “No, in a hotel. I want to go somewhere I’ve never been, where’s it’s new.”

  “How about New Year’s Eve? I can make plans for us.”

  “That sounds wonderful. But I have to ask my dads. I don’t want to make plans without knowing what their plans are.”

  “I understand. I’ll have to check with Mom, make sure she isn’t planning a party.” Jacob kissed her.

  “You’re not going to fight me on this?”

  “Would I win?”

  “Probably not.” Isabelle smiled sweetly as she batted her eyes.

  *~~~*

  With football season over, Heath and Damon spent their usual practice time in the gym. It had become a routine. They were lifting weights today, and Damon was spotting Heath.

  “So, Tyler, huh?” Heath grunted.

  “Yup.”

  “Any good?”

  “Yup. How ’bout Lisa — any good?”

  “Yup.”

  “Sleep with her yet?”

  “Nope.”

  “She know you already did that?”

  “Yep.”

  “Has she?”

  “Nope. Has Tyler?”

  “Nope.”

  They switched, and Heath spotted Damon.

  “So — you going to with Tyler?” he asked.

  “Not sure.”

  “Scared?”

  “Fuck, yeah. You scared?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “I’d be her first.”

  “Well, good — she won’t know you suck. She has nothing to compare it to!”

  “That’s so original”

  “Has she met the ex?”

  “Nope. Hope she never does.”

  “Heath, they’re bound to run into each other.”

  “Not if I can help it.”

  “At least tell her what happened.”

  “All right. Shit.”

  Heath and Lisa were on the way to the bowling alley to meet everyone when he broached the subject of his ex-girlfriend.

  “I need to tell you something.”

  “You weren’t once a woman, were you?” Lisa joked.

  “No,” Heath laughed. “It’s about my ex-girlfriend.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  “We had dated for about six months, and when her parents found out about my dads we
had a very loud breakup at her house. We planned it so they’d think we were done, and were going to keep seeing each other without their knowledge. But during the argument, she used some words I didn’t like. When she came over later, I told her it sounded like she really meant the hateful things she what she was saying, but that she wanted to keep me anyway. Said that wouldn’t work. She accused me of fucking her and then using that accusation as an excuse to get out of being with her. That wasn’t how it was, Lisa. I swear.”

  “I believe you, Heath. Anyone who knows you would know better.”

  “Really, that’s it?”

  “What else do you want me to say?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’m just surprised.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t be. What’s this piece of work’s name?”

  “Melisa Ridge.”

  Lisa started laughing. “That bitch? Well, that explains everything!”

  “I take it you know her?”

  “Yeah, I’ve known her since seventh grade. God, I hate her. She stole every single one of my boyfriends.”

  “How? Look at you!”

  “Heath, I’m sure you weren’t her first. She put out; I didn’t.”

  “Well, she did say she’d had sex before.”

  “Oh, wow. I’m sorry.”

  “Hey — no, don’t be. Not your fault.”

  They finally got to the bowling alley and met up with the group.

  Charlie smiled. “Hey guys! Ready to bowl?”

  They bowled a few frames and Heath went to get another pitcher of soda. He was waiting for his change when he heard the last voice he ever wanted to hear.

  “Well, well, well — if it isn’t Heath Youngblood.”

  Heath turned slowly to see the topic of his and Lisa’s conversation. What was the saying? Speak of the devil and he — or she — shall appear.

  “Hey.”

  Melisa stepped up closer. “Miss me?”

  “Nope.” Heath grinned.

  “Oh come on, baby. You know you have.” Melisa put a hand on his ass.

  Heath pushed it off.