“I was on the street for a couple of months when I met Franky at a party.” Jacob squeezed his fingers. “It’s true, you know.”
“What?”
“That predators can zero in on the weak, and they know exactly what to say and do. He sweet-talked me, told me about his parties, flashed his money, bought me gifts. I told him about my parents, and he called them every name I ever wanted to. Made promises that he’d always look out for me. That I could count on him. First six weeks with him were like a fairy tale. Everything perfect. He didn’t even try to push me into sex until I was ready.” And he said it like the word tasted foul. “He was the first guy I went all the way with. I don’t know how I ever thought it would be that way forever.” Jacob glanced down at his forearm, where tiny white scars freckled the crook of his arm. “Within three weeks of popping my cherry, he had me hooked on heroin and started selling my ass like he had a dozen other men and women before me.”
“At fourteen?” Ben’s stomach twisted. Bile rode up the back of his throat.
“I was fifteen by then. But yeah, a kid.”
“And Marcel killed him.”
Pain flickered across Jacob’s expression. “Yes.”
“You didn’t want him to.” Ben made it a statement.
“No, I wanted him dead a thousand times over. I just didn’t want to watch him die.” And the horror of that memory shone in his eyes.
“Why did you?” Ben knew he shouldn’t have asked.
“Marcel said life is a gift. And Franky was giving his life to me whether he wanted to or not.”
Ben shook his head. “That’s not normal, you know, that right? Normal people don’t think that way. A gift?” He waited for Jacob to argue.
Instead, Jacob looked away. “I guess the answer to your question as to whether or not I would date you if things were different is I don’t know. But they’re not different, so it doesn’t matter.”
2
Jacob shut the hotel room door.
Ben waited on the sidewalk.
“Where do you want to go eat?” Jacob joined him. Ben smiled, and heat filled Jacob’s cheeks. When was the last time he’d blushed? He couldn’t be sure he had the first time he’d been naked and on his knees with Franky’s cock in his ass while he thrust and grunted like a hog in rut.
He might have, if he hadn’t been so angry, horny, and wishing he could disappear.
A feeling that plagued Jacob long after Marcel slit Franky’s throat. One so familiar he rarely registered it existed.
And when it suddenly didn’t?
With Ben under him, any and all self-doubt vanished. Its return, however, wrapped Jacob in a blanket of lead.
Ben tilted his head. “Did you hear me?”
“Oh, no, I was thinking.”
“That hamburger joint down by the drug store, is it any good?”
“If you like grease.”
“I love grease.” Ben dug the keys from his pocket. “So, you’ve been there?”
“Once or twice.”
“What happened to all that eating healthy and stuff?”
“They have turkey burgers.” Impressive ones for a hole in the wall with cracked Formica tables and vinyl chairs held together with duct tape.
Ben stopped with a scowl on his face.
“What?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
Jacob laughed. “Nothing.”
Ben shook his head and walked to the car. “What about milkshakes?”
Jacob stopped at the passenger door. “Pretty sure I saw them on the menu.” A car engine hummed behind Jacob. Dark gray paint flashed in his periphery.
Ben unlocked the door. “Let me guess. You don’t do milkshakes either?”
“I try to stay away from sugar and dairy.” A door opened and closed behind Jacob.
“Allergies?”
“Sorta.”
“Sorta?”
“Yeah, instead of my face swelling, my ass gets too big for my jeans.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on.”
“It’s true.” The stout scent of too much cologne joined the damp. Jacob turned.
Logan grinned, and the steel nose of a gun jabbed Jacob in the ribs. “Look at this, Jimmy. A two for one.” The passenger door on the Caddy opened. A large bald man in a button-up and slacks got out. He used his gun to motion to Ben.
Ben came around the back of the car with his hands raised, keyring over his index finger.
Logan stepped aside enough to leave an unobstructed view of the weapon pressed to Jacob’s side.
“Now.” Logan brushed his lips over Jacob’s ear. “Why don’t you and your friend take a ride with me.” His touch slid down Jacob’s hip.
“Leave him alone.” Ben took a step, and Jim raised his gun. They would kill Ben, and Jacob knew it.
“Aw, look at Mr. Ben Corbin being all hero and shit.”
How did Logan know Ben’s name?
“Or maybe he just got a crush on you, Jakey.” Logan pressed closer, grinding against Jacob’s ass. “Does the old man know you got a fuck buddy? Or maybe he likes to watch since he can’t get it up himself. That it, Jakey? That old fucker like to watch you eat Mr. Corbin’s ass or suck his cock? God knows I love to watch.”
Jacob held Ben’s gaze and begged him with a look to run. Just run.
Ben pressed his lips together.
“Now.” Logan nudged Jacob with the nose of the gun. “Get in the car.”
Ben lunged. It was a stupid move, but Jacob couldn’t stop some small part of him hoping beyond hope Ben could actually do something. The man in the suit stepped in the way, hooking Ben around the neck with one large hand and tossing him into the side of his car.
The sharp crack of Ben’s head against the door echoed through the parking lot. His keys clattered to the ground.
Ben was up on his feet again.
“Stop.” Jacob started forward only to be yanked around and pinned against Logan’s ugly caddy.
“Shut up, Jakey. Just shut up.”
A couple walking from their room to their car glanced their way.
“I’d really hate to have to start shooting people. The mess is a bitch, and I just had my suit cleaned.”
The couple ducked their heads and disappeared inside their car. Curtains parted in windows only to fall back into place again. Even in broad daylight the people around here would be too scared to call for help.
Ben grunted.
“Don’t do this, Logan.”
“Do what, Jakey?” The barrel of the gun inched around to Jacob’s stomach. “Mess up your boyfriend?”
A muffled thud and Ben groaned.
“Yes. Okay. Yes. Don’t hurt him.”
Logan clicked his tongue. “Now, why would I want to do that?” The man’s eyes glittered with lust.
“I won’t fight you. I’ll go. Just don’t hurt him.”
“Maybe I like it when you fight?”
He didn’t. Jacob had too many memories of how the man loved to wait until he was used up and hardly able to move. “Then whatever you want, okay? Just let him go.”
Logan turned his head a little but kept his eyes on Jacob when he spoke. “That’s enough, Jimmy.”
The impact of fist to flesh stopped.
“Thank—”
The gleam in Logan’s eyes brightened. “Put him in the car.”
“What? No, you said—” A smack to the back of the head sent the world on end.
“I said nothing, Jakey.”
Everything tilted. Jacob was pulled back and shoved forward. He landed face-first in the back seat. Another man sat behind the wheel, a second in the passenger seat. The guy on the passenger side grinned at Jacob who scooted to the farthest edge of the back seat.
Logan followed Jacob, then Ben and the man named Jimmy.
An ugly welt marked Ben’s jaw.
“Now, let’s all get nice and comfy, shall we?” Logan cornered Jacob against the door. “Lou.”
The
man in the passenger seat turned a little. “Yeah.”
“Take care of Mr. Corbin’s car for me, please.”
“Yes, sir.” He got out.
“We wouldn’t want to give anyone a reason to think Mr. Corbin did anything but go home.” Logan rubbed a hand up Jacob’s thigh. “I’d hate for the cops to disturb us.” He squeezed Jacob’s cock through his jeans. “Yeah…” Logan tossed a quick glance to the driver. “Get us back to the apartment, Mike, I got some long overdue catching up to do.” Logan pushed a hand under Jacob’s shirt.
“Get your fucking hands off—”
Jimmy wrapped a massive arm around Ben’s neck. He kicked the back of the front seat, causing the driver to curse. Red filled Ben’s cheeks, quickly turning purple. He clawed at the man’s arm.
“Please, Logan. You promised.” Helplessness shackled Jacob where he sat.
“Yeah, well, he needs to learn some manners, and Jimmy there has a college degree in etiquette.”
Ben’s eyes rolled up. Spit flecked his lips. His movements slowed.
“He’s killing him.” Jacob forced himself to look at Logan. “Please, man. Don’t. Whatever you want. Whatever it is, okay?”
“You say that like you got a choice?” Logan pressed their bodies together. His whisper warmed Jacob’s ear. “You ain’t got no choice, Jakey. You ain’t got nothing no more.” He made some room. “Don’t kill him, Jimmy. Not yet. Spoils the mood.”
Jimmy opened his arm, and Ben slid onto the floorboard, gasping.
“I suggest you stay down there,” Jimmy said.
But he wouldn’t. Even on the edge of unconsciousness, anger twisted Ben’s expression. He watched both men with stubborn determination.
“Ben, stop.” Would he listen to Jacob? “Stop, you’ll only make it worse. Please, just stop.”
Logan laughed. “I suggest you listen to him, Mr. Corbin. Jakey has a lot of experience with making things worse.”
Jimmy put his gun at Ben’s temple.
Jacob was pretty sure the only reason Ben obeyed was because of the gun.
“Now.” Logan tapped the muzzle of his pistol against Jacob’s cheek. “Gonna have so much fun with you, Jakey. Sooo much fun.”
Jacob’s inhale stuttered. Despite the drugs, far too much of the fun Logan had remained bright in Jacob’s memory.
“You touch him, and Marcel will kill you.” Ben’s voice wheezed.
Logan flicked him a look then returned his full attention to Jacob. “Let him try. And when my men get done breaking every bone in his body, you and Jakey here can watch me put a bullet in his head.” He tucked his gun back in the holster under his arm. “Don’t even think about going for it, Jakey. I got one of those fancy cop holsters; there won’t be no snatching it free.”
Even if Jacob did, the confines were so close, if he missed, he’d hit Ben.
Mike started the car and backed out.
“Now.” Logan yanked Jacob’s shirt, forcing the front open and sending buttons into the crack of the bench seat. “Mmm—” Logan walked his touch up Jacob’s stomach to his neck. “Past couple years has done you well, Jakey. Look at you, all cut and fit. Customers are gonna like that. A porn star body and pretty face.” Logan ran his thumb over the bottom of Jacob’s lip.
Fear cut hot lines up the sides of Jacob’s neck, welling into painful points under his jaw. The burn in his eyes bled to tears. He tried to blink them back, but they spilled down his cheeks.
Logan practically purred. “Look at you, acting all virgin and shit.” He pressed closer. Whiskey and cigarettes flavored his exhale. “First thing I’m gonna do when we get back is fuck you. Fuck you so good, Jakey. I’m gonna wear that ass out.” Logan stroked Jacob’s jaw, the touch too sensual to match the madness in the man’s eyes. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you. I got a fat bag of H with your name on it. Fuck, I loved how you used to beg for that stuff. Willing to do anything…” Logan panted. He gripped Jacob’s wrists. “Anything and everything.” He pushed Jacob’s hand against the bulge in his slacks. “Remember that, Jakey? Remember how you use to beg pretty like a puppy.” Logan used Jacob’s hand to massage his hard cock. “Maybe I’ll fuck that mouth first. Or maybe I’ll let Jimmy up there fuck your mouth while I drill your asshole?”
“Shut up.” Ben tried to climb up from the floorboard.
Jimmy shoved him back down.
Logan didn’t look at Ben when he spoke. “You know, maybe I’ll just have Mike pull over here. That next road maybe, up ahead. Put a bullet in your skull and get it over with.”
“What do you think, Jimmy? Kill him now, so I don’t have to listen to him run his mouth.”
“Anything you want, boss.”
“Mike,” Logan said.
“Yes, sir. I’ll find a spot.”
Ben would die if Jacob didn’t do something. He scooted forward. “You don’t want to do that.” He massaged Logan’s dick through his slacks.
Logan laughed. “Worried about your…” He groaned.
“You don’t want to waste time on him. You know you don’t.” Jacob tugged open the front of Logan’s pants and found the slit in his briefs. Jacob bit back the gag rising in the back of his throat. “How about I suck you off right here?”
Logan widened his gaze. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
Of course he did. Even Logan wasn’t that dumb.
But Jacob was that desperate. “Do you want me to or not?”
Lust warred with arrogance in Logan’s expression.
Mike flicked on the turn signal.
Jacob stroked Logan’s cock.
“Fuuuuck.” Logan moaned. “Never mind, Mike. We only got a couple miles. It can wait.”
Mike sped up and headed onto the highway.
Logan moved over Jacob until he smothered him, tainting every breath with cologne and parted his lips.
Could Jacob kiss him and not puke? A time long ago, sure. Even when the man’s mouth tasted like rotten teeth and ass. But the drugs enabled Jacob to do a lot of things he couldn’t now.
“Don’t get all shy on me now Jacob; we still gotta few miles and plenty of backroads for me to dump your friend on.”
The drugs had made it possible then. When he’d been jonesing for a hit. Nearly mad with withdrawal. A similar panic infected Jacob now. But the need was for a different kind of euphoria. Something Jacob didn’t even know he wanted until he’d tasted it.
Until he’d met Ben.
Jacob caught Logan’s mouth, using his fear in place of want to give truth to the act.
He worked the man’s lips, played his tongue over his brand new capped teeth while fisting his cock.
Logan moaned and gripped Jacob’s throat. He kissed Logan harder, mashing their mouths together, scraping their front teeth, whimpering, gasping, begging with every touch of his lips.
Not for himself, but for Ben. For the strength to somehow save him. He’d done nothing to deserve this.
But Jacob couldn’t say the same for himself.
“Fuck, you’re just the slut I remember.” Logan rolled his hips, thrusting into Jacob’s grip. “The perfect little piece of ass.” Logan bit Jacob’s ear.
Jacob didn’t pull away. Even when the pain brought a cry to his lips. He kept his focus on Ben and the man who held the gun.
A tick jumped in Ben’s jaw, and he dug his fingers into the upholstery.
Logan grunted in Jacob’s ear with every thrust. “That’s it, bitch. You know what I like.”
Jacob wished he didn’t. He wished he’d never seen Logan, never heard the man’s name.
Cars and semi-trucks flashed past. Mike reached the top of the off-ramp, pausing at the red light. He turned.
Jacob twisted his grip, using everything he knew about Logan to keep his attention on him rather than killing Ben.
Logan jerked, his movements becoming an ill-coordinated dance. Hot cum dripped over Jacob’s hand. He stopped stroking but didn’t dare let go until Logan pulled away. He s
at back, spent cock hanging from the V of his trousers.
They were parked in front of the motel, and Jacob hadn’t even noticed they’d stopped.
Logan raked his gaze to the mess on Jacob’s fingers.
“Lick it off.”
Jacob’s hand trembled.
“Don’t make me tell you again, Jakey. Lick. It. Off.”
Jacob brought his fingers to his lips and lathed his tongue over his thumb, sucking hard enough to hollow out his cheeks. Logan chewed his bottom lip, eyes tracking every movement, each finger as Jacob cleaned off what the man had spilled.
“We’re here, Mr. Hues.” The driver opened the door.
“Good.” Logan gripped Jacob’s face and squeezed until his jaw ached. “’Cause I got so much I want to do.”
Ben had no idea that a human being could be consumed with a rage so deep it blinded him. That it shorted out his reason. That it completely eliminated his sense of self-preservation.
Jacob’s pleading gaze was the only reason Ben stayed down. He would have gladly taken being shot if it gave Jacob a chance to get away.
With every grunt from Logan, small whimper from Jacob, Ben’s pulse shot higher until the drone of the road grated his nerves into screaming frayed edges.
Logan still grunted and rutted against Jacob when the driver pulled into a parking place. It was another eternity before the guy shuddered, and the scent of cum filled the car.
And Ben didn’t think it could get much worse until Logan made Jacob lick his hand clean.
Jimmy opened the door. “Get out.”
Ben must not have moved quick enough because the man twisted a hand in his hair and dragged him from the floorboard. Asphalt collided with Ben’s shoulder, biting into his skin, through his shirt.
Weight pressed down on Ben’s back, forcing the air from his lungs.
Jimmy laughed as he ground his shiny black shoe between Ben’s shoulder blades.
The other passenger door opened, and Jacob emerged, shoulders down, hair mussed up. His gaze came up then away. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he wrapped his arms around himself, somehow becoming much smaller than his six-foot height should have allowed.
Logan shoved Jacob in the direction of a line of hotel rooms. Near the end, the units expanded, becoming apartments.
SICARII: Part III Page 4