Otis was the first to speak up. “Can’t complain. It’s certainly preferable to taking a chance in my own home, if you know what I mean.” He raised his eyebrows at Theo with a knowing smirk. “I like it when they scream.”
Saul coughed a little. “Yes, well, that’s why it’s a good thing the owner thought to purchase an estate on such a large property.”
Theo declined to respond to Otis. He hadn’t cared for him since they’d first met, although he couldn’t discern why. There was nothing wrong with enjoying the screams of a submissive, but the way he’d said it had grated on him. He turned his attention to Barry instead. He’d felt much warmer toward him.
“What about you, Barry? Are you finding the accommodations here to your liking?”
Barry’s wide smile was genuine, Theo was sure of it. “Very much so. Conrad, my boy, is so delighted we have somewhere to be together now. It was so difficult before we discovered this haven, because I live with my sick mother and take care of her.”
Otis grunted. “Certainly, you can afford to place her in a home for the aged? Then you could have your lover with you, or if you wanted a variety, other lovers at your residence. Then you would only have to restrict your sadism for when you venture here.”
Barry cleared his throat and shifted on his feet. “I would rather my mother receive my personal care. When she was raising me, there never was a time where she sent me to live with strangers. I don’t see any reason to do that to her now.”
“Oh, phooey. What are you, a nurse or something? Let those who know what they’re doing look after her.”
Barry appeared very uncomfortable, but Theo didn’t want to interfere. He barely knew the two men. Saul seemed to be adopting the same tact.
“I suppose I’ll deal with that when it’s time. I don’t feel it’s necessary at this point.” Barry inhaled deeply then burst into a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I sent Conrad to one of the private rooms and I’m anxious to get as much time with him as I can.”
“Of course, old sport.” Saul smiled back as if no tension had existed just a few moments before. “Wouldn’t dream of keeping you from him.”
Barry dipped his chin, then strolled away. Otis fussed with his ascot. Theo had the sense that he’d figured out he was being an ass.
“That’s not a bad idea.” Otis seemed to have resolved whatever issue he’d been having with his necktie. “Time to find a willing boy.”
Theo didn’t bother with revenge schemes—otherwise, he might have suggested that Otis seek out Irwin. Once he was alone with Saul, Theo wondered if his friend had already made his own plans, or if he’d be available for a chat. He’d been somewhat successful at banishing Francesco from his thoughts, but seeing Javier—and recalling his background prior to Hampton Road—had brought the unfortunate yet lovely Francesco back to mind.
“Is it all that bad, old sport?”
Saul had a bit of a sparkle in his eyes as he regarded Theo.
A smile tugged at the corner of Theo’s mouth. “I can never hide from you, Saul.”
Theo wondered how to broach the subject of his encounter with Francesco. Should he pretend it was hypothetical, borne of curiosity over Javier? Or should he confide the complete truth to him? If I even know what that means.
Theo decided the situation called for the truth. Part of his dilemma was agonizing over whether Francesco was all right and why he’d taken such a personal interest. It wasn’t as if he’d never encountered a bum or a street hustler before. His stomach clenched. Francesco isn’t those things. Maybe he was them in the strictest sense of the words, but it didn’t feel right to refer to him in such a way.
“Would it be possible for us to speak privately, Saul?”
Saul patted him on the back. “Of course. Let’s head over to my study and I’ll warm us some brandy.”
Theo followed his friend to the cozy room that allowed for a small oak desk, a love seat and a wing chair. Like the rest of the mansion, the wood trim and paneling on the non-papered walls were done in a rich mahogany, and colors such as deep green, burgundy and royal blues were what accented the rugs and upholstery.
As soon as they entered Saul’s private work area, he indicated that Theo should take a seat while he sauntered to the bar cart. He poured the brandy from a cut crystal decanter into one of the snifters and set it on its side in the brass cradle of the warmer. Saul lit the small candle below it then regarded Theo.
“Why don’t you begin by giving me an idea of what’s on your mind while I get both of our drinks ready.”
Theo nodded. “Yes, of course.” Where do I start? “Actually, to begin with, I do have a couple questions regarding Javier. Or, more precisely, what it was that inspired you to bring him here to Hampton, to give him a hand even though he was a complete stranger to you?”
Saul switched the snifters out. “I see. Do you mind me inquiring as to why you’re so interested in that subject after all this time?” Saul chuckled. “Not that I mind speaking about my discovery of Javier, you understand. Merely that it seems to be out of the blue.”
Theo chuckled in return as he accepted one of the glasses. “I can see why you might feel that way.” Theo waited until Saul had taken his seat in the wing chair opposite him. “Well, as it so happens, I came across a young man about a week ago who is quite down on his luck, and normally, I would’ve avoided interacting with him, or perhaps given him a dime then gone on my way.”
Saul swirled the snifter of amber liquid. “Except you didn’t this time.”
Theo cradled his own glass, the heat a comfort as it radiated against his palms. “No, I didn’t. I still haven’t quite worked out what it was that made me…” He lowered his head. The truth. Theo lifted it again and held Saul’s gaze. “To be honest, he caught my eye. He has a rare beauty—however, I immediately pushed those thoughts aside. I’ll confess that I’m not completely certain that he is a man yet.”
Saul’s eyebrows shot up. “Ah. I see. So, was that it? Or did you speak with him?”
“I did. Quite a bit, actually.” Theo took a sip of his brandy before continuing, “I was also curious what sort of con he might be running—he was following me through the farmers market—because he also seemed very bright and engaging to me.”
“Was he?” Saul’s eyebrows were still raised.
“Yes. He was.” Theo let out a sound of frustration. “His circumstances are dreadful. And before you ask me, I believed everything he told me. I’ve never encountered anyone so unaffected, so…forthcoming. He never once complained about the horrors of his life, and didn’t ask me for anything other than what he was willing to sell me.”
Saul took a healthy swallow of his drink. “I imagine that he was what was for sale?”
Theo knew Saul was a non-judgmental man—his willingness to help Javier was a testament to that—but he had an odd sense of protection over Francesco. He didn’t want anyone thinking badly of him.
“That’s correct. From what I was able to gather, he’s had no choice. He’s been on his own for a while, living on the streets, with no one to watch out for him. But he didn’t tell me his tale as much as he blurted it.” Theo inclined his head, smiling as he remembered how excited and vibrant Francesco was when he spoke. “But the strangest thing about him was how damn happy he seemed, despite everything he’s been through and is suffering right now. Not only that, but he was more worried that I’m sad.”
“Are you?”
Theo sucked in a harsh breath. He set down the snifter a bit too hard on the side table and some of the liquid sloshed out of it onto the wood. “Oh dear. So sorry.” Theo plucked his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at the drops of brandy.
“That’s fine, old sport. Nothing to be concerned about.” Saul finished the rest of his drink, then set the empty glass on the small coffee table between them. “But let’s get back to how you’re faring. It sounds as if this observant young man you met at the market stalls managed to see something in you that perhaps
you’ve been avoiding?”
Theo leaned forward with his elbows propped on his knees, his hands folded underneath his chin. “I suppose I can at least admit that I’m not bursting with joy. That much is certain.”
“So, let me ask you this…” Saul appeared relaxed in his chair, with one ankle crossed over the opposite knee. “What is it about this young man that makes you wish to discuss Javier with me?”
Theo scrubbed his face with his palms, then sat back. “Why him?”
Saul shrugged. “He needed help.”
“Right, I know, but…” Theo shot to his feet then began pacing behind the small sofa. “So many people need help. Why was he the one you chose?”
Saul let out a long sigh. “Yes, that is the real question, isn’t it? Why? Almost everything in our lives revolves around that one small word, and rarely is the answer to it clear. All I can tell you, old sport, was that something spoke to me when I saw him leaving the hotel. It was like a spark.” Saul grunted. “And believe me, it wasn’t his beauty, far from it. He was disheveled, bruised—nothing about him presented itself as being happy, or even that he possessed a positive outlook. Or, any exceptional skills.” Saul shook his head, smiling. “I don’t know why, Theo. I really don’t. I followed my gut instinct, that was all.”
“And yet, it all worked out beautifully.”
“It did. However, it could have all been for naught, I could’ve been horribly wrong about him. There was no way for me to know for sure. I ultimately decided to bring him here because we had a nice long chat while we ate, and his manner, his words—everything that makes up the person who is Javier—cemented my belief that I should take a chance on him.”
Theo had paused at the middle of the love seat, gripping the wood-carved back of the Victorian sofa as he stared Saul down.
“But it was such a gamble. What if he’d robbed you? What if it had all been a set-up? And he’s a powerfully built man, what if he’d hurt you?”
Saul huffed. “I’m no lightweight myself, you know. I might not be a spring chicken like Javier, but I can handle any of the feisty young pups around here, thank you very much.”
Theo rubbed his forehead. “Look, I didn’t mean that. I just…” He tilted his head back and stared at the ceiling as if it could somehow foretell his future, then regarded Saul again. “I can’t stop thinking about him. I thought I could walk away, but I can’t. There’s something about him Saul, something special that I’ve never found in another man. The way he reacts to life makes me feel as if I’ve been wandering around in a fog all these years.”
“Although,” Saul arched is eyebrows. “You’re not entirely sure he is a man yet.”
Heat built in Theo’s cheeks. “You must think me an awful pervert.”
Saul burst into laughter. “Oh, I think all of us here at Hampton are awful perverts, but that’s beside the point. I only bring it up as a reminder. You might have to help him from afar for a while, that’s all.”
Theo nodded as he rubbed his thumb and forefinger along his thin moustache, smoothing it down. “Were you attracted to Javier?”
Saul shrugged again. “I found him attractive, yes, but I wasn’t interested in pursuing anything. Truthfully, the whole thing was rather selfish of me. I was searching for a manager at the time and been having dreadfully poor luck. He was a godsend.”
Theo couldn’t deny that. “But had you been attracted to him—”
“I hate to cut you off, old sport, but you are such a lawyer.”
“Excuse me?”
Saul winked at him. “You view things from every angle, pick it apart and analyze it. Check to make sure everything is absolutely perfect before you make a move. By the time you’re done with it, there’s nothing left to enjoy.” Saul let out a long sigh. “No wonder your young friend thinks you’re sad.”
Chapter Four
Francesco meandered down Wilshire Boulevard, doing his best to ignore the cool breeze that gave him a chill now and again. He would have to be extra thrifty with his money so he could save up for a jacket. Even the ones at the second-hand shop that didn’t have a bunch of holes were a dollar. Some were even as much as five dollars if they were fancier or long. He’d never be able to afford that. He hadn’t had a cap in a long time either. But maybe if he found a less-expensive jacket, he could get a newsboy too. They were just a quarter.
The one thing he couldn’t ignore, however, were the two fellas who had been trailing him for several blocks. Originally, Francesco had been heading to the public library to practice his reading and maybe kill a few hours by getting lost in other worlds before he headed back to work, but he’d thought better of it when he’d spotted the men on his tail. He wanted to test the guys to see if they were definitely after him by going up Hope Street then back onto the busy boulevard. If they were up to no good, he didn’t want to be somewhere quiet where the shady characters might roll him.
The loud clatter of the trolley cars and the nasally honk of car horns gave him comfort. He’d be safe if he didn’t go anywhere he might be caught alone. He’d have to lose them before dark, however. Not only wouldn’t he be able to chat up potential customers, but he’d never be able to get any sleep. I wonder if they were sent by the Traski brothers?
And if they were, he might have to leave Los Angeles for forever. If he’d been discovered by them even though he’d stopped hustling in Hollywood and had started working the downtown area, it meant that nowhere in the city was safe for him anymore. He tried to ignore the heavy feeling in his chest at the thought of going away.
He knew he was no good for Theo the way he was. Theo deserved a refined and cultured fellow, someone he could take into polite society. Francesco had determined that he would spend more time at the library and do some learning, and that he’d try to get more respectable clothes and improve his grooming. It would take a while, and he’d have to work extra hard to get the money to afford grander things, but it would be worth it if he could catch Theo’s attention.
Francesco jumped at a tap on his shoulder. He whirled around, gasping at the sight of the two men. They were young and thin, like him, but they were taller. Maybe they aren’t so bad.
“Hey, you. We were sent by Gregor to bring you back to Hollywood, so come with us.”
They’re pretty bad. Francesco swallowed hard, his heart thundering. “G-gregor?”
The other one jutted out his chin. “Yeah, ya dumb Dora. Gregor Traski. He warned ya before, so now you either come with us, or we’ll teach ya a big lesson right here, got it?”
Francesco fought to keep from panicking. The real lesson he’d learned early on was never to show any fear. “Oh yeah? Well I ain’t in their dang territory, so you guys are the dumb Doras for not knowing the difference between Hollywood and Los Angeles!” Francesco stuck out his tongue then ran like the hounds of hell were after him.
He veered down Grand Avenue, heading for Sixth Street. Between Fifth and Sixth was an alley he knew well. The back door of the bakery he frequented was there, and he thought he might be able to convince the owner who gave him day-old bread to take pity on him. If he could hide for a while, he could probably hatch a decent plan. It would be a long trek to the rail yards, but if he snuck around overnight, he might be able to get away with it.
Right as Francesco passed Sixth, he could swear that he’d spotted Theo’s car, but he didn’t have time to stop. But I can keep going through the alley, past the bakery until I come out on the other side. Then he could circle back to Sixth.
The farther he ran, the more out of breath he became and he worried that he’d lose steam before he made it all the way to what he surmised was Theo’s car. He hadn’t thought about what he’d do if it was—he wasn’t even certain he’d make it there anyway before he got caught and pummeled by the two bimbos he was sure were still chasing him. And he didn’t want to be ungrateful, but running in shoes slowed him down. He’d already been working up to a few blisters and he was pretty sure that tearing around the streets wo
uldn’t help him none.
As he rounded the corner onto Sixth again, he was more certain than ever that it was Theo’s Buick Packard. He had admired the pretty emerald green motorcar before he’d made his move on Theo. It had a shiny silver lattice grill and some sort of ornament on top that said the name of the vehicle. The object that was perched atop the end of the hood wasn’t a flying lady or a bird—only a round decoration—but it was still very fancy.
Sweat ran down his face, along his neck and had begun to soak into his shirt. He hadn’t had a bath in the fountain for two whole days and he’d probably stink up Theo’s clean vehicle, but he’d have to worry about that later. Francesco dove into the gutter. He hunched down between the back of Theo’s car and the one behind it to take a moment to assess the situation. He peered around the end of the bumper in front of him then jerked his head back. They’re coming. They were no longer running, but lollygagging nearby, about, searching for him.
He licked his dry lips then glanced around. The street was busy with lots of people going about their business, and he hoped to all the angels in heaven that Theo’s door was unlocked and that he wouldn’t get caught sneaking inside. He sucked in a deep breath and made a try for it, scurrying into the street to avoid being spotted by his pursuers who still lurked on the sidewalk. When Francesco gave the handle of the back door a tug and it clicked open, the relief hit him so hard his knees almost buckled.
After crawling inside, he pulled the door closed just enough that it concealed him, but not so it could be heard shutting. Francesco made himself as small as he could on the floor boards in case Traski’s thugs walked past.
Francesco yelped and slapped both palms to his eyes as the driver-side door opened.
“What the…?”
The silky-smooth voice from above sounded quite familiar. Francesco peeked through his fingers to be sure that his prayers had been answered. Theo. But those men!
Finding Sanctuary Page 5