“Bloody hell,” Billy said from the doorway. “Where did you come from? You’re as handsome as Gareth and just as big.” “Bigger where it counts,” Geordie smirked. “What’s this then? Up to your old games, Gareth lad?” “Billy, this is Geordie Cook,” Gareth said. “He was my head of security back home. Geordie, this tasty wee bit of crumpet goes by Billy Red.”
“Too right he does,” Geordie laughed. “I’ve seen you before, love. In London.”
Billy struck a pose of polite interest. “I’m afraid I don’t recall.” “It’ll come to you,” Geordie said. “I’m a little tired from the trip, Gareth. Mind if I bow out?” Gareth shook his head. “I need to talk to Rick anyway. Billy, would you show Geordie to a room? Pete, stay for a minute.” After the door had closed again, Gareth gestured to Rick to speak.
“Marcial took it like I said he would: like a cattle prod where the sun don’t shine. He threatened to kill you, which I would take seriously.”
“Damned right I take it seriously,” Gareth said, getting to his feet. “If Marcial says he’s going to kill me, I expect him to try. I knew that when I made the new deal and I told all of my employees that security would have to be even tighter from now on. Isn’t that right, Pete?” Gareth asked.
“You sure did, Gareth,” Epiphano answered.
“Are you working for Marcial, Pete?”
“What?” Epiphano looked confused.
“Rick,” Gareth said, turning his laptop around on his desk. “Come here; I want you to see something. You, too, Pete; come on around the desk. Okay, what are we looking at here?” Gareth said, tapping the screen with a laser pointer.
“It’s the feed from the camera in the foyer,” Epiphano said immediately. “That’s right,” Gareth said. “This footage is from a couple of hours ago, when you, Pete, were on duty.” The three men watched as the door opened and a young man came in carrying three pizza boxes. He set them on the foyer table, picked up the money lying there, and left.
“You can see he didn’t do anything,” Epiphano said quickly. “I was watching him on the monitor the whole time.” “He was in the house alone,” Gareth said sharply. “He could have left a bomb!” On the last word, Gareth drove the stainless-steel pointer into Epiphano’s hand, pinning it to the desk. Epiphano cried out, but had the presence of mind to keep his hand still instead of jerking it away and doing even more damage. Rick gritted his teeth, leaned forward, and yanked the pen from the man’s hand.
“What the bloody fuck compelled you to do that?” Gareth asked coldly. “Because it’s stupid to maim a man that you’re counting on to protect you,” Rick said, his heart hammering. “And you’re not stupid, Gareth.”
“Pete,” Gareth said without turning around. “Go and get your hand looked at. And, Pete? If you fail me again, I’ll nail something else of yours to my desk.” Epiphano didn’t speak as he left. Gareth held out his hand to Rick and after a moment, Rick gave the drug dealer his pointer back. As he did so, Rick readied himself to defend against an attack, but Gareth simply put the implement on the desk. The gang leader’s rage appeared to have dissipated as quickly as it had flared.
“Thanks,” Gareth said. “I lost my temper. Nothing personal.” “I know that, Gareth, and my job is to look out for you, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“You’ll even protect me from myself?”
“If you let me,” Rick said. “So is Geordie going to be in charge now?”
Gareth nodded. “He’s good at what he does. A hard man, but that’s what the job needs.”
“Hard, huh,” Rick said drolly. “You mean compared to softies like you?”
Gareth smiled. “I hope I never find myself at odds with him. Are you hungry, thirsty, horny? Need anything?” “I’m good,” Rick said. “I think I’ll head off to bed.” “Good night then and good job, Rick, all around.”
Rick walked through the big house to the west wing as the adrenaline drained from his system, marveling at the fact that he was still alive. He entered the hall that led to his quarters and saw that the door of the room across from his was open. As he drew closer, he could hear Geordie’s voice.
“Billy Rose. Still as pretty as your name. Remember me now?” the man asked.
“Unfortunately,” Billy replied calmly. “That hurts, by the way.” “I was pretty sure it did,” Geordie said. “Pain is the only reliable way to get a whore’s full attention. Now I can be sure you’re hearing me. What are you doing here?”
“What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’re spreading your legs for the boss.” “So what? I’m not allowed to better myself?”
“Sure you are,” Geordie said. “The question before us is: Does Gareth know about your past, and if he did, would he care?” “No,” Billy said. “The question before us is: What will I do to make sure you keep your mouth shut?”
“You’re really pretty when you’re pissed off,” Geordie said. “How about a down payment?”
“Go ahead and tell Gareth. He knows I worked for Mr. Barrow.” “And before that?” Geordie asked silkily. “Would you really want me to tell him about your misspent youth?”
“Let go of me.” “Why so unfriendly? Pretend I’m the boss and take some dicktation.” “That’s a horrid pun and you look a right wanker grabbing yourself like that,” Billy said. “Do you intend to keep me here by force?”
“I won’t have to. You’re a smart lad. You know as well as I do that Gareth will look at you differently if I tell him you were a footpath-walking rent-boy who ended up in the nick. He’s careful where he sticks his willy, Gareth is.”
There was a long enough silence to make Rick wonder what was going on and then Geordie made a yummy noise. “Mmm-hmmmmm, that’s better,” Geordie purred. “Personally, I like a lover with experience, but a lot of guys are hung up on that virgin/slut thing. I think we both know what kind of guy Gareth is. Yeah, that’s nice. Get me good and hard, and I’ll shag you against the wall.”
Rick put a hand on the door and called out, “Hello, neighbor,” as he swung it open. Geordie’s head snapped toward Rick, quickly assessing the degree of threat he posed. “Mate,” he said. “Is your timing always this bad?”
Billy yanked his hand from Geordie’s pants when the door opened, and now stood looking everywhere but at Rick.
“I couldn’t have interrupted anything very private,” Rick said. “Unless this is Billy’s twin.” Geordie leaned closer to Rick. “Gareth says you come highly recommended, so I assume you know how to be discreet. Keep your gob shut about this.”
“I get the picture,” Rick said. “Gareth gave me the chain of command. It goes from you to Gareth, to God. Did I get the order right?”
“Gareth also told me you were cheeky,” Geordie said. “I don’t mind cheek as long as there’s respect at the back of it. What I don’t like are people who enter without knocking.”
“And people that don’t want company shouldn’t leave the door open,” Rick said. “I did call out, which I didn’t really want to do. If you had been unfriendlies, I would have completely lost the advantage of surprise.”
Geordie’s scowl eased. “True,” he said. “You have a suspicious nature, Rick. I like that in a bloke.”
“Thanks. I’m off to bed, unless you have any instructions for me.”
“I’ll come with you,” Billy said. “I need to show you which items to return to the store.” “I’ll see you later, then,” Geordie said as Billy and Rick left. “Thanks,” Billy said to Rick when the door closed behind them.
“I’m the protector of lost boys,” Rick said. “I told you that when we met.”
“I remember,” Billy said, looking to his left. “Your suite’s down there, right?”
Rick nodded. “Yeah. It’s really nice,” he said neutrally, wondering what point Billy was coming to.
“Could we talk?” the young man asked. Rick roused himself from the exhaustion of post-adrenaline rush. “Sure,” he said and led the way to h
is quarters. “I’ve had a hard day,” Rick said as he shut the door. “So let’s be as brief as possible.”
“Hard?” Billy said. “Someday I’ll have to get your definition of hard. Right now, I’d like your assurance you won’t mention anything to Gareth about what you just saw.”
“That’s your business,” Rick said.
“I wasn’t conducting business,” Billy said sharply.
“Well, one of you was,” Rick answered. “Sounded like bartering to me.”
A veil dropped over Billy’s eyes. “As you said, it hardly concerns you.” “Unless it affects my ability to do my job,” Rick said. “I was hired to keep Mr. Carey from getting hurt, which I had to remind him of a little while ago.”
“I see. You’re going to keep me from breaking his heart, are you? Don’t waste your time; he hasn’t got one.”
“Then why are you with him?” Rick asked bluntly.
Billy rubbed his thumb over his fingertips in the universal sign for cash.
“Money?” Rick said. “Bullshit. You’re beautiful and sexy as hell; you could have your pick of wealthy men.” “More like wealthy men have had their pick of me,” Billy said. “Don’t expect violins,” Rick said. “Everybody has it tough.”
Billy nodded. “Thanks for reminding me. I guess you’d like me to leave.” Rick’s heart twisted in his chest. It could hear Billy’s unspoken plea. It wanted Rick to tell Billy to stay. It wanted Rick to comfort Billy. “I’m really beat,” Rick made himself say. “I’m sure we’ll see each other tomorrow and we can talk more, if you want.”
“Yeah,” Billy said. “I still want to hear about your coming out. I’m always at the pool until lunchtime.” After the young man left, Rick flopped on his bed and lay there on his back with his feet on the floor. He stared up at the high ceiling and willed his thoughts to cease their flight. He didn’t like the direction they were taking. Rick told himself he could not go soft now. He absolutely could not feel sorry for the brittle, jaded toy boy. Under no circumstances must he start to care about Billy. Billy Rose, if he had heard Geordie right. What Rick needed to do was pass Billy’s full name on to Graciela. With a concrete short-term goal decided upon, Rick’s racing mind finally took a break. And that’s when Billy tiptoed into his thoughts like a cat burglar. Billy was what he was, but there was no denying that the kid was a smokin’ hot piece of ass.
As Rick relaxed, his mind drifted drowsily until it settled on the image of Billy as he’d looked the first day Rick had come to the house: Billy by the pool, dripping wet, skin gleaming in the sun, his wet white thong nearly transparent, clearly showing the curve of his long cock. In Rick’s dozy fantasy, Billy bent over and pulled aside the string that ran up his butt crack. Rick’s hand wrapped more firmly around his stiffening length, as limber Billy touched his toes and gave Rick an inviting look from between his legs. The undercover cop squeezed his cock, picturing the tip entering the kid’s glistening hole. Closing his eyes as his breathing grew labored, Rick shuttled his fist up and down his hard shaft, imagining Billy’s moans and soft cries as he thrust into him.
“Oh yeah, Rick, that feels so good,” Billy purred as he rocked back against the man that rode him. “You’re making me cum.” “Cum for me,” Rick murmured and fantasy-Billy spurted a milky stream into the pool. Moving more quickly now, Rick shunted his aching length in the clinging sheath. Billy ground back against his pelvis, rolling his hips as he flexed his thighs, bearing down on Rick’s shaft as it pistoned in and out. Rick leaned over Billy’s back, nuzzling the damp skin as his climax broke open, spilling hot jolts of bliss that ran together in one electrifying moment of ecstasy. Still holding his spent rod, Rick dropped into dreams with cum drying on his belly.
~ Chapter Five ~
RICK woke early, as usual, and went to the exercise room. Geordie was there already with Levere as spotter, and Rick lifted an eyebrow at the weight the man was pressing. Waiting until Geordie replaced the barbell on the rack, Rick commented. “Impressive.”
Do you lift?” Geordie asked as he sat up. Rick shook his head as he found a clear space and began his warm-up breathing and stretching. Geordie exchanged a glance with Levere.
“What’re you getting ready for, mate?” Levere asked. “Swanfucking-Lake?”
“Nope, just some yoga to loosen me up before the tai chi.” “I hear you really showed Pete up,” Geordie said. “Gareth says you can handle yourself. That says a lot coming from him. He’s not easily impressed.”
Rick snorted. “I’ve noticed. He’s got the buffest bodyguards, the coolest cars, the stateliest mansion and the hottest…. Help me out here. How do you refer to Billy?”
“A pain in the ass,” Levere said instantly. “But he’s no bimbo. I wish he was, but that lad is shrewd on a stick. He’s clever at putting ideas into the boss’s head. You watch; Billy will act like the new suppliers are beneath him, but he’s the one who brought them to Gareth’s attention in the first place.”
“Don’t you worry about young Mr. Rosie,” Geordie said, watching his reflection flex in the wall of mirrors. “I’ve got his number. The day is coming when the sun will no longer shine from Billy’s tight little arse.”
Levere leered at Geordie. “I’d like to find out just how tight,” he said. “That’s easy,” Geordie said. “All you need is a million pounds, a ton of coke, and a dangerous look. I’m one out of three, but that’s more than you.”
Levere smirked like a man that knows more than his audience does. “You think I couldn’t have Billy if I wanted him?” “Oh, you want him,” Geordie said confidently. “Every-fuckinbody wants Billy. Shit, even straight guys that meet him probably beat off to a fantasy of him blowing them. Am I right, Rick?”
Rick looked over. “Sorry; wasn’t listening,” he lied. “Why ask Miller? He’s gay,” Levere put in, turning to Rick. “Right?”
“Unless you’re interested in me, I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Rick said.
“Come on, mate,” Geordie said. “We’re just being guys here. Shootin’ the shit, as you Yanks say.”
“Well, if you must know,” Rick said. “I try not to limit myself, and I don’t like labels.”
“Is that it?” Levere said.
Geordie chuckled. “Let me be more specific. Would you give young Willem Rosen a root?”
“Sure,” Rick said. “If I had a bulletproof suit and a nonflammable dick.”
Levere and Geordie both laughed. “I’m starting to see what Gareth likes about you,” Geordie said.
“Another conquest,” Rick said lightly, licking his finger and making a mark in the air. “So Billy’s real name is Willem Rose?” “Rosen,” Geordie corrected. “Another edge I have over our Aussie friend. I knew Billy back in England. He was calling himself by his proper name the last I heard of him, but here he is, Billy Red again, bigger than life and just as fucked up.”
“Was he a pro?” Rick asked as he stretched to reach a towel. Levere grabbed the towel and tossed it to Rick. Rick nodded his thanks as he mopped at his face and neck.
“A pro? You mean a prozzie?” Levere asked.
“What that lad doesn’t know about pleasing a man isn’t worth knowing,” Geordie said. “Does that answer your question, Rick?” “Not really,” Rick said. “I’m just curious about the people I live with, but if this is a sensitive subject for you…”
“Easy, sport,” Geordie said. “Let’s not start pissing on each other just yet.”
Rick gave the Brit an easy smile. “It was just a little snap o’ the towel, bro,” he said. “It didn’t mean anything.” Mollified, Geordie took a long swallow of his water. “Billy started on the streets when he was around fifteen. Ran with a gang of rent-boys that sort of looked out for one another. Then a fella by the name of Barrow recruited him. Barrow had a stable of the most beautiful boys and girls you ever saw. Underage, a lot of ’em, but it was better than the street or the nick. Barrow catered to the bosses of the drug trafficking network, supplying
fresh flesh for parties and escort work.”
“I get the picture,” Rick said. “That’s when I met him,” Geordie went on. “I was working for the late, unlamented Jerry Villiers. Jerry was everybody’s mate until they found out he was gathering evidence for the police in order to keep his lily-white arse out of lockup. They found him on the steps of police headquarters with a Sicilian necktie.”
“What the fuck is that?” Levere asked. “It’s a punishment the Mafia used to save for squealers,” Rick said. “The throat is cut from ear to ear and the tongue pulled down through the gash.”
“That’s right,” Geordie said. “Someone pulled the little canary’s tongue right out.”
“Strewth,” Levere frowned. “That’s harsh.” “He was an arsehole,” Geordie said. “I met Billy because this arsehole procured him for the evening. Villiers was legless before the lad even arrived and pounced on him the second he cleared the door. Despite the tosser’s drunken state, Billy was as accommodating as only a thousand-pound-a-night hooker can be.”
“Does this story come to a point anytime soon?” Rick asked. “Thought you were curious, mate,” Geordie replied. “Go on,” Levere said. “I want to hear your story.”
“As I was saying, there’s Billy giving it his all, but Villiers’ willy is limp as linguine. He’s so drunk he can’t get hard. Naturally, the arsehole decides that this is Billy’s fault and that if he can’t fuck Billy, he’ll fuck Billy with the bottle of Scotch.”
“Strike me pink!” Levere exclaimed. “The dirty little bastard. Did he do it?”
“I had to help him, but yeah, he did it,” Geordie said. “And I’ll be buggered if he didn’t get hard after all.”
“The things they expect us to do for a paycheck, huh?” Rick said sardonically. Geordie met Rick’s gaze. “Don’t waste your time feeling bad for me, or Billy,” Geordie said. “He was cool as ice cream. Even reminded me to put the cap on the bottle.”
“That’s simple self-preservation,” Rick said. “I’ll see you later.” “Rick’s got a tender heart,” Geordie said to Levere as Rick walked away.
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