Lust for Vengeance

by Katsura

  Vinny knew that he was right about this.

  Fergus would obviously be spared that particular humiliation because of his status. But he just sat and looked back at Vinny noncommittally.

  "Anyway. If you will excuse me, Vinny.

  There is a call that I have to make."

  Fergus reached into his jacket pocket. He patted all of his other pockets in quick succession before he lifted his head and let out a growl. "Oh shit..."

  * * *

  Hugo sat at the kitchen table flipping Fergus's mobile phone open and closed over and over again, playing idly with it.

  He sat it against the coaster and hovered his finger over the entry simply titled "M."

  The wine glass he held in his other hand was half filled, and he pursed his lips and took a sip. Far too dry. It had been a long time since he'd actually enjoyed the flavour of wine, and he had come to realise that lately he drank purely out of habit. Perhaps if Fergus stayed home more often this wouldn't be the case, although tonight Fergus couldn't help being away.

  But the other nights? Well those were a different matter entirely.

  He made up his mind to call this mysterious M and find out who he was, as if he didn't already know. Suddenly his little dog started to bark, and it ran over to the back door and started to scratch at the wood furiously, its nails leaving an ugly set of gouges next to ones it had made before.

  "What is it, darling?" Hugo got to his feet and walked languidly to the door. "Is that Daddy back now?"

  He carefully unlocked the door and put on a petulant pout to greet his husband as the dog bolted past him and on outside into the cold.

  "Oh, Fergus, do catch him will you!" Hugo peered out into the darkness. The night's bitter chill forced him to close the long coat that he wore more tightly for comfort, but he still shivered. "I didn't expect you back. I thought you'd be up at the hideout!"

  His eyes widened a little as a man pushed past him and went straight on into the kitchen.

  It wasn't Fergus at all. It was Judas MacGregor, and he looked agitated as he picked up Hugo's wine glass from the table. He took a great gulp from it, as though the strong liquid was no more potent than water.

  "Where's Fergus?" Judas's voice sounded ragged and out of breath. He wiped his hand across his mouth. "We were fucking set up. Where is he?"

  Hugo ran outside, lifted the little dog, then came back into the kitchen with it. He swiftly locked the door behind him.

  "Calm down, Jude. You look terrible." He put the dog down and then placed his hands on Judas's arms. He guided him through to the sitting room, and Judas didn't object as Hugo showed him to a seat. "Sit down. I will get you a whisky."

  There was a full decanter of whisky on the sideboard, and Hugo went over and lifted it. He poured a large measure, his eyes firmly on Judas who sat down by the fire.

  Judas's fingers strayed through his--

  unusually for him--straggly looking hair and he sighed painfully.

  Of course it had been a set up, but there was no point in anyone rushing to tell Fergus about this. One of the reasons being that the job was over and so what could be done about that now?

  The other reason was more complicated, and Hugo did not want to get drawn into a conversation about it, especially not with the slightly deranged looking man who now sat at his hearth. Hugo had been good as instructed, and Fergus had told him everything. Given that he was always kept so isolated from everyone, it was never seen as a problem for Fergus to tell him things. There was never anyone for him to pass the information on to. So Hugo also knew that Judas shouldn't really be here right now but should be safely in custody somewhere suffering a bit of police brutality.

  Hugo walked over to the fireplace and handed Judas his drink then he sat at his feet and looked up into Judas's face. Judas had a lovely mouth. Hugo had always thought that, and he watched how the man's lips trembled slightly as he took a mouthful of the tawny liquid. All of those times when he had come around here when Fergus was away and Hugo had dearly hoped that the notorious Lothario would make a pass at him. But he never had. Hugo smiled and placed his hand over Judas's hand. "You are trembling."

  He lifted the shivering fingers and pressed them to his cheek. "You poor thing, you are so cold."

  Judas breathed heavily then he closed his eyes. A surge of pleasure rushed through Hugo as he felt the strong fingers entwine with his own.

  * * *

  Sleeping on a sofa felt like heaven when compared with a prison bed, so Vinny had no trouble dropping off to doze. He was completely

  exhausted.

  He

  gratefully

  slipped into slumber, hoping to find respite from his worries concerning Judas.

  He had been wrong, however, and sleep became just drifting from thoughts about the man to dreams about him instead.

  In the dream, Judas seemed to be looking for something and Vinny was trying to help him find it. They searched in many obscure places for whatever it was and never got any closer to success. Sleep became just as exhausting as being awake and Vinny's muscles twitched restlessly as they craved proper relaxation.

  The dream Judas was getting farther and farther away from him, and Vinny tried to reach him. He called out his name repeatedly, but a fog had shrouded them and although he could hear Judas's voice, he could not make out what he was saying.

  The small blurry outline, which Vinny had once known was Judas, faded as it became enveloped in a thick grey mist.

  Vinny couldn't help him anymore. He couldn't see him or hear him, and he felt a pain, just as though someone had kicked him in the guts.

  He cried out and crouched on the ground.

  Suddenly it all became familiar to him.

  The pattern on the floor. Dark grey tiles with lighter grey flecks.

  A chill crept over him.

  He knew what this place was.

  Prison.

  Someone came into the cell and Vinny looked up to see Judas. He was dressed in grey and he carried a box with his name written on the front of it.

  Judas. With no thick gold chain or no fancy sunglasses.

  He was wearing the drab grey shirt and trousers that Vinny had once been forced to wear. Vinny let out a howl of anguish.

  * * *

  Judas took another gulp of his drink and stared at Hugo. He had never been able to quite fathom the guy. He seemed so childlike sometimes, but Judas had heard from others that he could be a vicious little bastard.

  "We were set up." He allowed himself to sink back a little into the chair. "The cops knew."

  He wasn't sure why he let Hugo play with his hand like this, but it was oddly soothing and Judas really wanted a break from the panic that had steadily built up inside him for the last few hours. But now was not the time for a break. There was urgent business to attend to.

  "Oh did they, darling? You poor thing."

  Hugo squeezed Judas's fingers. "You look worn out. Just rest a moment. Let me light you a cigarette."

  Hugo reached for a cigarette box and he took one of the slim white sticks between his lips and inhaled as he lit it. He then leaned up and held it to Judas.

  Judas allowed him to place the cigarette into his mouth then shook his head as he took a deep draw of the much needed nicotine. "I can't rest. I need to see if Vinny is okay. Where is Fergus?"

  Hugo

  didn't

  seem

  to

  realise

  the

  seriousness of this revelation, and Judas asked the question again. He had managed to get away shortly after the others made their escape in the van, after he'd overpowered the customer. He couldn't believe that he hadn't recognised the guy as a cop before, but while the bastard had been fumbling for his radio Judas had taken his chance. He'd socked him full in the mouth, grabbed the gun off him and had been hiding out ever since. Only Fergus and probably Hugo knew where the hideout was. That was just basic security.

  At no point had anyone gotten hi
s mask off him and Judas was greatly relieved about this. Yes, he was pursued and yes, there would be cops crawling all over the place out there looking for him, but as far as he knew, they didn't know exactly who he was.

  He looked at Hugo, exasperated as he still had not answered the question but simply sat and smiled. Hugo held Judas's hand again, then brought his fingers to his lips to kiss them softly.

  "Fergus is safe at the hideout with Vinny and the others. He will be worried about you, and I know that he will want me to look after you."

  Judas pulled his hand away and sat up straighter. Pain shot through his back from where he had hit the ground in the bank full force, luckily not hitting his head at the same time. He blew out a cloud of smoke and then immediately inhaled again. "Hugo, the cops are after them. If they knew about the robbery they might know more. They might even know that Fergus organised it. I have to get to him."

  Hugo pursed his lips petulantly. "And who would have set you up? That blond man?"

  He rested his head on Judas's knee. "I don't like the look of him."

  "Mikhail?" Judas suddenly remembered his conversation with Fergus that night outside the lock up when Judas had said he wasn't entirely sure Mikhail could be trusted. But it didn't make sense for Mikhail to betray them. Why would he want to potentially send all of his best customers to prison? He had always came across as being shrewd and this would really have been so unlike him. There was something about him. He seemed to be able to accept all of them and not judge what they did for a living, and also he had been in on the planning meeting. Wouldn't that have put him at risk too if they were all caught? Still Mikhail's involvement in the set-up had to be a possibility.

  Everyone else in the room that day had actually taken part in the robbery, and the more Judas thought about it the more he had to consider why Mikhail had been there in the first place. "I never even suspected

  that

  Mikhail

  would

  be

  involved."

  "Mikhail." Hugo smiled and repeated the name softly. He took a deep breath.

  "Won't you come upstairs with me, Jude? I could make you comfortable in a nice warm bed. Fergus is fine and so is Vinny, and you could have a little sleep and then in the morning I will show you where the hideout is."

  Judas sighed, shaking his head, and he crushed the hastily smoked cigarette into the ashtray on the table next to him. The thought of the bed sounded amazing, and he really wished that he could accept the offer. A shower and a bed would do him the world of good. It would soothe the ache in his bones and give him a chance to think, but it was really not a good idea at the moment. Judas couldn't let go of the thought that Mikhail had possibly betrayed them, and frighteningly he had no idea where the brothel keeper was right now.

  This uncertainty made getting to Vinny and the others all the more urgent.

  "I need to go now, Hugo." He finished the rest of his drink. "Just tell me where they are and I will make my way there. There is no need for you to come with me. Just stay here and don't speak to anyone, okay?

  Lock the door and stay here."

  "You think I might not be safe?" Hugo lifted his head, his eyes large, and he held his coat closed again. "That Mikhail person might come here?"

  Judas shook his head, but he really didn't know what was likely. After all, if Mikhail had betrayed them who knew what else he could be capable of?

  Hugo suddenly got to his knees and threw his arms around Judas's waist. He leaned his head against Judas's stomach. "Then you can't leave me! You just can't! You have to stay here and look after me!"

  "Naw." Judas attempted to extricate himself from the embrace. He held Hugo gently by the wrists. Hugo felt so fragile, his voice childlike, and Judas struggled over what to do with him. There was no way he could take Hugo with him. "You will be fine, and you want me to get to Fergus, don't you? See if he is okay?"

  "Fergus will be fine." Hugo's dark eyes narrowed a fraction. "But I will be here alone with nothing but my little dog for protection. You have seen him. He is so tiny he would be no help at all." Hugo smiled as though he intended his comment to be some sort of joke.

  Judas looked disbelievingly at him, wondering how he could joke about anything so trivial at a time like this.

  "There has to be a gun about here somewhere. Fergus will have one...just look." Judas shook his head as he became increasingly irritated by Fergus's bizarre little spouse.

  "Is that what I should do? Find one of Fergus's guns and shoot that blond tramp if he turns up?" Hugo smiled, showing his teeth, and Judas had never noticed before how pointed his canines appeared. As the flickering flames from the firelight danced in the blackness of his eyes, he looked oddly devilish. "I think that I would like that...to put a bullet right in his forehead.

  Right under that mess of peroxide that he calls hair."

  "Hugo," Judas forced a laugh although he wasn't at all amused, "you are beginning to scare me. Now if you do as I say no one needs shot in the head. Just lock the fucking doors. Find Fergus's gun if you think that will make you feel safer, and stay put until you hear from us."

  "Oh, that sounds dull!" Hugo lifted his chin haughtily. "I by far prefer my version.

  I will get the gun and wait until he gets here and then--"

  "Tell me where they are! Shut up about shooting Mikhail and just tell me where the fuck they are!" Judas shouted. "This isn't a fucking game, Hugo."

  Hugo looked more peevish, and he got to his feet. He then immediately sat down again on Judas's lap and looped his arms loosely around his neck. "I will tell you...for a price..." His eyes glinted mischievously. "I will tell you for a kiss."

  Judas pushed Hugo off his lap and got to his feet. His fingers trembled with rage and frustration, and he had to fight hard to resist the urge to thump the little nutcase who now lay prone at his feet. But that would serve no real purpose other than to let Judas vent his anger. It wouldn't go down well with Fergus later either, and Judas had bad enough news for him already without the addition of any needless brutality on Hugo. "Listen, Hugo I have no time for this. I don't think you are hearing me right. Fergus could be in danger. They all could be, and I need to get to him, okay? Now tell me where the fuck he is and quit playing games with me.

  I am not in the mood for this!"

  Hugo's mouth turned down into a frown and he got to his feet from the spot on the hearth rug where he had fallen.

  "I don't know why you are caring so much about Fergus. He never gave a fuck about you getting caught, did he?" Hugo stormed over to the decanter and poured himself a drink, but before he could lift the glass Judas grabbed him and pinned him against the wall.

  "What do you mean he never gave a fuck about me getting caught?" Judas put his face only inches from Hugo's face. "Just what exactly do you mean by that?" Judas was aware of Hugo's eyes as they roved almost greedily over his mouth, and he breathed in deeply. The two of them were pressed close together now and Hugo began to move his hips gently. Judas stiffened as Hugo rubbed against him.

  "He hits me you know," Hugo whispered.

  "He is very cruel to me, and I have to do as he says. He makes me do such terrible things, degrading things, I couldn't even begin to tell you. I am so frightened of him, Judas, but if I had you to protect me..." Hugo slid his hand down and his long fingers traced the outline of Judas's cock through his trousers then he smiled.

  It was true what people said. Judas was always up for it no matter what the occasion. Had the situation been different, Judas would have laughed at himself or at least complimented his dick on its ability to man up even in adversity. Right now all that he could think was of how this was no time to get a stiffy, no matter how good the groping felt. Again he was struck by how strange Hugo was. Did he really think that now was a good moment to start cheating on Fergus? Or maybe he always cheated on him. No, that really wasn't likely. Hugo was messing with him. Stalling him. He clearly knew something about what happened at the bank, and Judas was
going to find out what that was.

  "I'd be so good to you, Judas. I see the way you look at me and I know that you want me." Hugo began kneading his palm against the hot tip that strained a little more to his touch. "I would do anything you wanted...and I mean anything. For you the things wouldn't feel degrading, they would feel wonderful and right. You are so beautiful, do you know that? I think about you when Fergus is fucking me. I close my eyes and imagine that it's you inside me. He is not good at anything, Judas...I only get off because I think about you. He's only good for paying the bills and hitting me."

  "I'll fucking hit you as well if you don't tell me what the fuck you meant by that..."

  Judas's

  eyes

  narrowed

  and

  Hugo

  continued to move his hand against him.

  "Isn't it obvious, Jude?" Hugo's eyelids fluttered as he leaned a fraction closer to kiss Judas's mouth. His lips moved softly and his tongue glided over where Judas's lips parted briefly, before he broke away from him again. "He thinks you are a fool, but I know that you are not. You know who set you up, don't you?"

  Judas's caught his breath sharply his lips tingling at the unexpected kiss. He could feel Hugo's breath on his mouth, smell the aroma of alcohol from him. His words began to slowly sink in. Judas looked at Hugo's eyes, which had now closed in a clear show of desire and although Judas was aware of the hand that still caressed him and of how his cock was helplessly reacting to that, he felt a cold chill move slowly down his spine.

  You know who set you up don't you?

  "Fergus..." Judas hissed the name bitterly.

  "It was him...of course it was him..."

  Judas let go of Hugo and took a few steps back, completely stunned that he had been so stupid not to realise this before. Of course Fergus had set him up. Mikhail had nothing to do with it. It all made sense now. Why he had not bothered to even try to get into the safe? It wasn't about the money. It had never been about the money.