by WL Knightly
Each of their group had dealt with things in their own way. Of that, he was certain, but there was one person who he knew would know the whereabouts of the others.
Another memory haunted him as he thought of Bay. Pussy. The hard memories of his father could be terrible, but thoughts of Bay had always brought him back to the day he’d met the guy at a small diner in Virginia. Talk about regrets; he regretted the moment he’d met Bay Collins.
“When you’re done daydreaming, we’ll check the security footage,” Lizzy said. “I’ve asked Max to check into the type of security they offered; if it was up to date.”
“Sounds good.” He tried to laugh it off. “I’m just so stressed at home. Don’t mind me.” He would hate for the girl to take him for some pervy asshole.
“Sorry to hear it. I know it’s not easy being responsible for everything there and having this type of case going on.”
“Yeah, it’s terrible.” He let out a long breath and knew he had to go see Bay as soon as possible, if only to save his own sanity.
8
Darek
The music pulsed through Darek’s ears as he walked around the dancefloor to the VIP section, where Bay Collins was surrounded by four half-naked women who all seemed eager for his attention. The lights danced off his platinum hair and his icy gray eyes. The guy looked like some kind of snow god, an ethereal being from a fantasy world, too pretty to be real, like Lucifer himself.
Same old Bay. All he ever wanted was for people to worship him, and it looked like he got his wish.
“Darek. How’s it going, man? Pull up a girl and have a seat.”
Two of the women turned away from Bay and held hands as they came around the table to give Darek their attention.
“Hello, ladies,” Darek said. “If you don’t mind, I’ll just have a minute or two alone with Mr. Collins.”
The women exchanged glances but didn’t leave until dismissed. Bay waved his hand, and they disappeared like obedient dogs. They were only for show anyway. Bay “The Slayer” Collins had to let people know who was in control.
Not tonight, buddy. Not tonight.
“Usually when I have guests, they call first. I’m surprised you found me.”
“I have my ways, you know, being a detective and all.”
“I hear you’re gunning for a position with the FBI.” Bay pulled his drink to his lips and gave a smirk before taking a hearty swig.
“Yeah, so I guess you’ve heard about the latest case, as well,” Darek said. “You know why I’m here, too?”
“I prefer to do business elsewhere, but since you’ve intruded on my evening out, I’ll be courteous.” He rattled the ice in his glass, but Darek knew that it was only to rattle him, not because Bay had any reason to be nervous. “I’ve heard of the murder. A girl with a zodiac tattoo gets carved up, and you suddenly start thinking of your past. Sounds like you’re finding yourself in a predicament.”
The case was hitting too close to home, and while Darek didn’t remember the event in question in its entirety, he knew it was bad enough for an innocent girl to end up dead.
“It’s the people in my past that I’m worried about,” Darek said.
“Oh? So, you’re not on some mission of penance, like our very own Carter Hamilton?”
Carter had gone into the ministry, using religion as his crutch. “We’re all dealing with what we’ve done, I’m sure. At least those of us with a conscience.” Darek knew Bay was a soulless prick who would light a person on fire to warm his hands.
Darek cleared his throat and tried again. He didn’t come to argue with the man or show him any of his cards. “I need to know what the others are up to. Particularly Tad Halston.” Bay gave a shrug, but Darek cut him off before he could deny knowing. “I know you’ve kept up with them all.”
“Tad’s cleaning himself up and living with his sister. Remember her? God, she’s always been so hot. Good looks run in that family, for sure.” Bay had always referred to the kid as Pretty Boy, and only because he knew it got under his skin. He preyed on all their weaknesses.
“She’s a gorgeous woman,” Darek said. “Now back to Tad. He’s been working as an escort.”
“Yeah, I heard that,” Bay said. “Poor bastard. He’s had it rough, I guess.”
“Carpe Fortuna. I guess not all of us have been so lucky with seizing fortune as others.” Darek glanced around the room, knowing that Bay secretly owned the club.
“Fortune means different things to different people,” Bay said. “One man might think being neck-deep in pussy makes him wealthy, while another just wants a nice home and family.”
“It must be nice to still be alive enough inside to see it all that way. Weren’t we all supposed to help each other, per the bylaws?”
Bay laughed softly, and the sound sent chills down Darek’s back. That soft, yet sinister laugh hadn’t changed much over the years. “It’s funny what you choose to remember. What your mind allows you to. Guidelines and rules. We were kids, Darek. Stupid kids making stupid choices. Besides, I’ve helped my fellow brothers. Most importantly, though, we’ve helped each other best of all by keeping our fucking mouths shut.” He raised his glass and took a long sip, finishing the drink. He didn’t even have to snap his fingers, and another was being poured.
“I was a stupid kid who made a stupid choice out of peer pressure, and I regret it every fucking minute of every day,” Darek said. “Can you say the same?”
“What’s life if we’re living it with a heart full of regret?” Bay stared through to his soul. Darek knew the guy didn’t have a heart. If he did, it was a blackened, blood-stained stone.
The image of the bloody millstone came back to him. The thing had been painted with their symbols, and Bay had laid the girl out across it.
“Don’t check out on me here,” Bay said. “I won’t pick you up off the floor.”
When Darek’s eyes focused, Bay had leaned across the table, a sly grin spreading his lips.
“I’m fine,” Darek said. “I don’t check out anymore.”
Bay had heard all about his problems somehow, and he wondered if there was a spy on the force. Someone Bay had employed to keep an eye on him. He’d thought it from the very beginning. Being a lawyer, Bay would hear some things through the grapevine, but others, he’d have to have a confidant. Bay had a lot of people charmed. He was known as “The Slayer” in the courtroom because he came in and left blood on the courtroom floor. Other attorneys hated to be up against him, and most were impressed that the new guy already had earned the level of respect he had from his peers. In his short time practicing law, he’d racked up quite the record number of wins and no losses.
Bay laughed. “You really think Tad had something to do with it?”
“I’ve got two mental pictures in my head that are lining up, and eleven people that I know are capable.”
“That doesn’t prove anything. Tad is just trying to get by with the escort gig.”
“So why not help the guy out? Offer him a job or something. You’ve got plenty of businesses around the city. Put him on something.” Practice what you preach, he wanted to say.
Bay tilted his head back and forth like he was thinking it over. “I’ll think about it. But he’s not your guy. And for the record, Logan Miller already called, equally as freaked out. He’s still sucking on the tit of his sugar mama, so I don’t think he’d ruin what he has with her to do in some young girl. You know, the young ones have never held his interest much.”
Darek figured it was because of what he’d done to one. “What about Lane? Have you talked to him lately?”
He chuckled as if Darek’s asking had tickled him. “You didn’t hear? The guy tucked tail and ran down to New Orleans after a pitiful losing streak.” Lane Simon had been from a long line of lawyers, just like Bay.
“He only went to law school to please his father and grandfather anyway,” Darek said. “I’m sure you can relate.”
“Relate? No, I love my job.
But you have a point. He wasn’t ever cut out for the gig.”
“So, maybe he’s bitter? Broken up that he’s a failure? He has a freak out moment and slices up the girl?” Maybe if he threw out a scenario or two, Bay’s wheels would start to turn.
“Not possible. He’s been in New Orleans for two months.”
“Anyone else from the gang that I should know about? How’s your life, Bay?”
“If you’re asking me if I did it, that would not only be bold, but lame. I have better things to do with my time.”
“Are you still a believer, Bay? You know, with all that bullshit you tried to indoctrinate us in? The zodiac? The astrology influencing our lives? The sacrifice giving us power? Who was that who used to feed you that bullshit by the loving spoonful? Your maid, right?”
Bay’s expression went blank, like Darek had thrown water in his face. “She was my nanny, and like I said, we were kids. I believed a lot of things back then.”
“Right.”
“I’m afraid I have to go, Darek. Fortunes don’t build themselves. But you stay here and enjoy the drinks and the women, on me.” He flashed a wink and a shot of his pearly-whites and headed across the room where he disappeared in the crowd. A drink was placed in front of Darek, and he knew if he drank it, he’d have to hear shit from Megan. He pushed it aside and let the image of the millstone come back into focus.
He remembered the first time he’d ever seen it; the very first time he’d ever walked into that millhouse and was introduced to the others. Some, he knew. Others, he hadn’t yet met.
Camp Victory. His parent had forced him to go, and after the first year being okay, he volunteered to go the next. By then, his father wasn’t convinced it was working the way he’d hoped. He had wanted the camp to make a man out of his boy.
Pussy.
Bay had been at the diner that first day when he and his father had walked in to grab a bite to eat. His father had used the opportunity to talk to Darek about the military.
Joining the Marines seemed like a nightmare to Darek, especially since he’d seen what it had done to his father. He didn’t want to be an asshole like his dad. He hated everything about the man since he’d come home from the war years before. His entire personality had changed, and he had grown more violent, more aggressive. The verbal abuse was unbearable, and if it weren’t for his mother, who had put her foot down and nearly left after the old man had gotten physical, Darek would have been beaten daily.
Bay had no doubt overheard the conversation, and worse than that, he’d seen what had happened in the parking lot after the meal.
Darek and his father were about to get in the car when the older man opened the back of their car and threw his suitcases into the parking lot. “Do you know when I went in the Corps, I had to find my way around? I didn’t have anyone holding my hand and coddling me. I did it all on my own. I think it’s time you learn a lesson, boy. The camp is two miles that way. Hit the road. Maybe this will make a man out of you. Then you won’t be a worthless little pussy.”
Darek picked up his bags, and two were pretty heavy. He’d packed enough for an entire month. His dad got in the car and drove away before he could get a good hold on the third.. He was a skinny kid back then, even thinner since his dad had gotten worse at dinner time. He’d skip meals just to miss out of the latest tantrum.
“Boy, your old man’s a real asshole, you know it?” a voice said from behind him.
Darek turned around to see the platinum-blond male and thought for a moment he should turn him around and check him for wings. But he’d met the kid once before at camp and knew he was no angel. He and a group of other boys were known for their shenanigans.
“Yeah, I know it. Wish I didn’t.” Usually, he wouldn’t be okay with someone mouthing off about his old man, and the comment would have started a fist fight, but he was at the point where he didn’t care anymore. There was no family honor. He’d have to find honor his own way.
“Where you headed?” Bay asked. “I’m going up to Camp Victory for the next month. Drove myself this year.”
“That’s where I’m headed. I’ve seen you around there. You have a car?”
The guy nodded. “Yeah, I’m Bay. Bay Collins.” After that, Bay had given him a ride. Not only had Darek been driven into camp in the baddest fucking car he’d ever seen, but he’d met and made fast friends with Bay Collins.
Darek thought it was his lucky day, but it was actually a catalyst for the worst fucking day of his life.
Back at the club, Darek came to and realized he’d downed the drink. Megan was going to be pissed, but at least, he wouldn’t have to make another trip down to the pier.
9
Bay
Bay walked down the hall, looking for the room he’d bought for the night. He had a feeling getting Tad to meet with him again would be hard enough, and this time, he needed to catch him with his pants down.
He used his card key to unlock the room and walked inside. Tad was standing near the couch with his dick down Isabel’s throat. Bay was impressed. He hadn’t intended on his receptionist taking such liberties, but she seemed so unapologetic on her knees, working Tad for all he was worth.
“What the fuck is this?” Tad stepped away when he saw Bay enter the room.
“Don’t let me stop you. I’m just here to talk business. Isabel is paid to keep her mouth shut. Or full, whatever the case may be.”
Tad’s eyes were rolling back in his head as Isabel continued to work him, and Bay had a pretty good idea of how it felt since he’d enjoyed the pleasures of her on more than one occasion. Nothing was sacred when you worked for Bay.
“Get off.” Tad pushed the woman aside.
“Now, be kind,” Bay said. “You’ll earn the rest of your day’s salary when I’m gone. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to leave Isabel all worked up.” He turned to his receptionist. “You’ll please excuse us a moment. I’ll call you when you can come back up.”
She gave a smile and then headed out of the room.
“I thought she looked familiar.” Tad pulled up his pants and then sat on the couch.
“You’re going to have a visit from Darek soon. I’ve talked to him, so play dumb. That shouldn’t be a problem for you, huh, Pretty Boy? Playing dumb is kind of second-nature to you, right?”
Tad didn’t smile. Instead, he wiped his nose. Bay knew the guy was twitchy for a bump, so he took off his tie clip, which was a long cylinder, and unscrewed the end. The little spoon was just the perfect hit, and he offered it to Tad.
“No thanks.” Tad turned his head, and Bay was impressed.
“No problem. Guess I can’t let it go to waste.” He snorted the bump and then put his tie clip back in place. He didn’t carry often, but he’d worn the thing just for his friend.
“You could have just called,” Tad said.
“I could have, but we really shouldn’t be calling one another. And since you’ve already had your pants down and your shirt is off, I don’t have to make you strip. See there? How’s that for time management?”
Tad wiped the sweat from his brow. “You’re an asshole.” He shook his head, and Bay smiled.
“You’ll wish you were nicer to me when you hear me out,” Bay said. “As I said, Darek’s going to come sniffing around, so you play stupid. You knew her, but not that well, and then tell him that things are great. I’m going to hire you down at my restaurant. It’s not a big fucking deal, nothing prestigious, but your pretty mug will make a great host.”
“Are you shitting me?” Tad asked.
“No, I want you to stop this man-whore shit. I’ve already saved your ass once before, so it’s not that often I offer to do this shit twice. I’ll pay you better than most, and you’ll lay low. I want you to stay with your sister. I know you want to get out of there, but I think having her around will make you look less like a ritual killer.”
“Fuck! You think they’re going to try to pin it on me?”
“No, asshole. I don’t
think that, but just in case, we’re prepared. Don’t worry, though. Darek won’t do a thing to stir up the past. So as long as you’re not responsible for that young girl…” Bay trailed off as his eyes bored into Tad’s. He was sizing him up.
“I didn’t do it!” Tad said.
“As long as you didn’t, then you have nothing to fucking worry about. Tell him you’re doing good. Carpe Fortuna and all that shit.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure he’ll buy it since I’m living with my sister. Do I really have to fuck Isabel?”
“Oh yeah, I promised her a good time, and she’s put up with my bullshit a little too much lately. Fuck her good, and I want her to get off a few times. She’s much more pleasant to be around at the office.”
Tad rolled his eyes, and Bay laughed. “Don’t be such a fucking prude. You’ve done much worse, and just think, this is the last time you have to whore yourself out to anyone.”
“To anyone but you, right?” Tad had Bay’s number, but Bay didn’t care.
“No, you’re not my whore, Tad. You’re my bitch.” He gave the guy a wink and headed to the door where he called Isabel back inside.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay and play, too?” Isabel rubbed his chest and gave him a warm smile.
“Tempting, love. But you make sure he takes care of you for me, and I promise we’ll be together again real soon.” He patted her bottom, and she purred like a kitten. Then she took Tad’s hand and led him to the bed. Bay turned and headed out. He’d seen enough of Pretty Boy.
Who knew gathering up a group of friends at camp would turn into a babysitting gig for the rest of his life? He should have kept his circle smaller, and then he wouldn’t have as much shit to deal with.
Through the years, he’d helped them all, except for one, and thank God for that. Tad, he’d dragged out of a sex den where the guy was servicing whatever came through the doors, man or woman, to support his habit. He was one step away from the grave, and Bay had only stepped in to keep him from doing something stupid like confessing during one of his lockups. He’d been arrested twice. Once for shoplifting and once for public intoxication.