LOVE & STITCHES at The Asylum Part Six

 

The weekend is HERE!

Because of the great response from you guys, there will be back-to-back posts this weekend, so come back tomorrow for the next one! After that, there will be 2 or 3, depending on response, so don't forget to comment if you're enjoying each part so I'll know whether or not I'm posting them too fast! lol

Happy Reading!

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PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5

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“Reed?” Out in the bar, Jared paused to catch Reed’s attention at the table with Curtis.

The pair had split off to their own table while Jared had dealt with Jamie. Curtis nursed his own cup of coffee, Reed beside him. There was an air of burned toast in the bar, along with the strong scent of vanilla. 

Looking up, Reed pushed to his feet. “Yes, sir?”

“When Jamie comes out, make sure he has something sweet.” He brushed his hand through Reed’s curls, glancing at Curtis. “And you’re forgiven.”

“I will, sir.” Reed leaned over Curtis, brushing a quick kiss over his lips. He headed for the galley, slowing as he passed Quint, who was on his way back to his own table with a jug of purple liquid. He gave Quint a tight grin at his concerned look. “I’m good. Matt’s coming back later to help me put liquid stuff in new bottles. With big fat labels.”

Quint lowered his brow. “Finish what you’re doing and go sit down. You have been told repeatedly to take it easy. Either Jared will repeat it or I will if you don’t.”

“Quint.” Jared gave a small shake of his head, trying to prevent an argument. “Reed, no more cooking. PopTarts, something from the freezer, and juice. My orders. Lucky Charms for everyone.”

“Yes, sir, but also, it’s all good. I’m done with the pancakes and the hamburger.” Reed flashed him a grin, then scowled at Quint. “Go baby Pike. I’m good.”

Catching Reed around the waist with a gentle tug, Jared brought his boy with him. “Come with me, love.”

“Okay, but I gotta deal with stuff.” Reed followed him reluctantly. “Curtis is gonna be hurting all day and I f’ed things up for Lawson’s whole morning. I told Matt I could handle it. He’s got enough to deal with.”

Lifting Reed, Jared put him on the bar, then hopped up after him, standing on it. Everyone looked up at him, spoons and mugs halfway to their mouths. He held his hand out to Reed, folding his fingers in a ‘with me’ motion.

Frowning in confusion, Reed pushed to his feet. “Umm...sir? You good? Did someone fuck up your coffee, too?” He looked at Lawson, who was nursing his coffee like it was his last chance for survival. “That’s two, sir. I’ll be good now.”

Jared cleared his throat. “I want you to look out over this bar, Reed, and tell me the ages or approximate ages of everyone in here. An average is fine as well.”

“So we’re torturing me with math. Okay.” Reed’s brow furrowed as he looked over everyone. “Umm… Well, fuck, Seth just walked in. And now I have to write lines. Somewhere around thirty? But don’t quote me on it.”

“Excellent.” It didn’t matter that Reed’s math was unflattering to Jared’s own age. He had more important things to worry about. Namely, pounding some sense into the men in the bar. Lacing his fingers with Reed’s, he walked over the bartop to stand in front of Lawson. “Then we’ve established that everyone in here is definitely an adult. And should know how to make their own damned coffee. In addition, they should not be acting as if they are two-years old and entitled to a hissy fit if that coffee is not made for them by a man who is working to recover from major surgery...” He bent down to look Lawson in the eye. “And regrow his fucking liver.”

Pressing his eyes shut, Lawson took another sip of his coffee. “Yes. That was unfair of me. I know Reed wants to do everything and I didn’t consider how harmful that could be.” He opened his eyes and looked up at Reed. “I do appreciate the effort, but I am capable. If Matt is not home and wanting to do it, and Curtis is unavailable, please don’t try to keep up with both of them. I love you, just as you are. You do not need to try to be anyone else.”

“Yeah, but I know…” Reed stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I know having a good cup of coffee in the morning and not...anything stressful is big for you, sir. I’m just...I’ll catch up.”

“You will rest so we don’t worry about you, and let us love you because it’s our prerogative as family.” Jared nodded toward Quint. “And you, my boy. I don’t care how many subs you’re responsible for protecting. If they can’t use their brains to keep themselves safe, it’s no one’s fault but their own after the age of eighteen.” Jared hopped off the bar, holding out his hands to catch Reed. “There is a line of personal responsibility inside and outside this lifestyle, and Pike stepped over it. He gets to suffer the consequences. Not you.” He pointed to Curtis, then Reed. “Not him.” Next, himself. “And certainly not me.” The last was for Seth’s benefit. “And the next time you deck me, you’d better be prepared to find yourself on your ass, Bizzy.”

Quint spoke quickly before his Dom could. “Sir, I understand where you’re coming from. And I agree to a point. But I will get on Reed’s back when he’s pushing himself, whether he likes it or not.” He slid onto the bench beside Pike, drawing him close. “And I will help Pike through his very bad decisions. I’ve been helped through some of mine. Remember the first time I lost a patient after talking to him all night? I finished a bottle of absinthe. I have no room to judge, and you…” His voice broke. “You and Seth were there. I will do no less for those I care for.”

Behind Quint, Seth reached out to massage his shoulders, meeting Jared’s gaze. Blue eyes steady, hair swept back from his high forehead, he appeared every ounce self-possessed, unlike the previous evening. “I don’t think you can compare losing a patient to misjudging a throwdown by Rhodey, my boy. Pike makes a habit of rushing into things without thinking. And as much as I love my pixie prince, I will not dignify his actions with an equivalent explanation for his behavior, unless he has something to say that helps me to understand the situation differently.”

“Not really, sir.” Pike buried himself against Quint’s chest, hiding his face so his words were muffled. “It’s just...I think it’s like this with Curtis, too? We got drinks when we were really little. It was funny if we were fucked up after. But when we were big enough that we were supposed to handle it we got smacked around when we got goofy, you know? It was a challenge. And it meant something. I’ve still got it and so does he. Kinda. Please don’t ask me to shoot at anything. My dad did once and I missed my foot by an inch.”

Curtis slumped in his seat, arms folded over his chest, and looked out of the frosted glass window at the milk-white view. “I’ll do better and rescue Pike next time.” He darted a glance at Jared. “Like Noah pointed out.”

“Good man.” Sending Reed toward Curtis, Jared moved toward the gym door. “Reed, tell Jamie I said to get something sweet from the galley when he comes out. I need to check on Noah.”

“Yes, sir. Keiran made the pastries again. They’re magic so I don’t think I’ll ever pull them off.” Reed curled up against Curtis’ side, adjusting a few times. “I’m a lot better, don’t worry. And I’ve gotten wasted for worse reasons. This is kinda noble. You’re a whiskey Robin Hood.”

Lawson stood, bringing his coffee to the table as he joined them. “I do not agree, but I do understand. Just like you understand my issues before coffee. I’m...very grateful I’m able to have one without being mocked for it. Is there any chance you can make space for me? I am very much hoping Matt will return soon. I’m going to discuss him adding more employees so he can be home more often.”

Leaving things in the bar relatively calm, Jared sought out Noah in the gym. Half expecting to hear the sound of the shower, he was surprised to hear the punching bag thump-whumping in the workout room. Sweat pouring down his back, darkening the tips of his curls to near-black, Noah was a study in muscle and form. His stance perfect, blows powerful, he punished the bag like it had done him a personal injury.

“Come talk with me, tiger.” Jared spoke quietly from the doorway.

Lips twisting in an almost feral smile, Noah landed another punch, leaving a smear of blood behind. His knuckles would need to be tended to, but they’d been here before. That wasn’t a priority, the damage wasn’t the most severe.

“I fucking know why he’s like this. I spent months getting him past it. He used to…” Noah’s voice broke and he hit the bag again. “He used to wince when I brought him coffee in bed while he was healing. Why am I like this? I didn’t let Curtis bring him coffee then. He was still...I was afraid he’d use it. And now I am.”

“Tell me the whole story.” Only having gotten it in bits and pieces over the years, Jared needed to make certain he knew everything. Otherwise, he might hurt more than help. “I need to understand.”

Noah slapped both hands against the sides of the bag, holding it still. His blood dripped to the floor, slow still. It could wait. “His ex used to smack that first cup out of his hand. He had a cup every morning with his mom from the time he was twelve. Their one quiet moment. She wasn’t interested in him other than that and it was only when she was around. His ex made him tell him all that and used it. I...tried to fix it. I gave him that time and it helped.” Noah pressed his forehead to the bag. “When he was taken, he didn’t get that. I know he’s still healing. I know he put it off and Stephan’s working with him. But...I can’t fucking deal. He’s...I tried to make him strong. And he is. But when I see him not, I… Fuck!” He slammed his fist into the bag. “He won’t let me protect him. I see it, every fucking day.”

Coming around the bag into Noah’s line of sight, Jared leaned a shoulder against the wall, arms folded. “I hadn’t known that. About his mother.” He did know, however, that Lawson had shot his ex and that the crime—if it could be called such—had been covered up. “You made him see the strength he had within himself. It is a tool, once you put in front of someone, you also give them the capacity to use it.” Jared stared at his loafers, watching the patter of blood hit the blue mats from Noah’s hands. “Tie his fists behind his back, and you devalue the gift you gave him. It’s time—” He looked up. “Time to let go and let your birds fly, my love. They’re ready to do you proud. And love you the way you deserve.”

Noah let out a bitter laugh, shoving the bag and pacing away from it. “I told myself they were. Separately. When they came together I didn’t think I should let it happen. I hoped this place would...give them other options. And they clashed for the longest time. Whenever Lawson visited me in prison he was so frustrated. Curtis was making wild bets. Inviting members he didn’t approve of. I didn’t like not being there, but it seemed like they’d found a way to manage things as business partners. When they connected over Matt? I didn’t like it. But I waited. I want to be wrong, so fucking much. Curtis isn’t me.” He shoved away from the bag and punched it hard, the sound echoing through the room. “He’s not me.”

“Wrong about what?” Confusion tightened Jared’s brow. “About them needing each other? About Curtis not being you?”

Noah shook his head. “Lawson expects...more control than I can surrender. But he needs to feel safe. I can give that to Jamie, or...I try. I try to give it to Wren. To you. I can’t...give it to Lawson. Not the way he needs. And it feels...wrong to let him go and expect anyone else to. It fucking kills me. When they’re good, Lawson, Curtis, their boys, I relax a bit. But this morning...I feel like...I shouldn’t.”

“You feel like you want to take control.” Jared didn’t let his self-recrimination show on his face. He should’ve seen it when Noah had Dommed Curtis in the loft. It was obvious enough now. “I’m sorry for playing with that, love. I don’t have an excuse. I didn’t recognize the signs and believed we were tweaking Curtis’ nose. It triggered you harder. That’s my fault, not yours.”

Another shake of his head, Noah walked away from the bag and punched the wall. “No. Rhodey taught me not to be so fucking weak. It wasn’t even...I wanted a nice morning with our boy. I wanted to...give him what he needs. But...Curtis is reverting because of his damn cousin and Lawson isn’t where he should be. If I could set my head straight, I can get them both where they should be.”

This situation...called for a professional. Not that Jared’s training hadn’t included a certain amount of psychology, but he was in no way capable of sorting out Noah’s feelings. Giving it one more try anyway, because this was the man he loved, he stepped in close. “I need to touch you. Alright? Just a hug.”

“Okay.” Noah lowered his hands to his sides, letting out a soft laugh. “Can we avoid telling our boys I broke a few windows and then...broke myself here? Jamie doesn’t...this is an ugly part of our lives I try to spare him. And if Wren isn’t reminded of prison he wants to dissect me. Which I get, but...not now.”

Knowing Jamie would never bring the subject up with Noah, though Rhodey had spoken of the situation in front of him, Jared nodded, folding Noah into his arms. “The irony to me, on so many levels?” He kissed Noah’s damp temple. “Is that if you were with them, had the control with Lawson and Curtis you’d believed necessary?” Another kiss. “I, Wren, and Jamie wouldn’t be with you.” Breathing a sigh into Noah’s hair, Jared held him tighter. “You did so fucking well, my love, and the only person who can’t see it and keeping you from that last leap?” He leaned back a little. “Is you.”

“But...didn’t you see him? He was vulnerable. He claimed Curtis, he needs to hold on to that control. He shouldn’t be that way when his boy’s not with him and…” Noah let out a soft laugh. “You have a very good point. And I shouldn’t have let him get to me. He’s not mine anymore.”

Things around The Asylum had a funny way of coming full circle when you least expected them, but Jared wasn’t about to tell Noah that he’d stopped thinking anything was impossible a long time ago. Definitely when Rhodey took Danny under his wing, if not before. 

“He’s yours. He’s just not your submissive. And Curtis?” Jared twisted his mouth into a wry expression. “He’s a switch. But only for people he trusts deeply, and who are Alpha in the extreme. That includes you and Lawson.” He shrugged a little, loosening his hold but not dropping his arms. “That said, he loves Reed with his next breath, so that ship sailed. You both know it, but Curtis’ loyalty to you will always have him wondering what might have been if he’d been different. Or enough.” Honesty seemed best here. “But it’s not reality or the way things worked out. You’ve both been working on accepting that for a long time. Lawson too.”

Noah thumped his fist against his chest, splattering more blood. “Last night, against Rhodey? I could’ve done more. But I slacked off. I should still…” He paused, staring down at his hand. “If Lawson questioned when I let Jamie make mistakes, I’d be furious.”

“Yes. You would.” Jared tried and mostly succeeded at not staring at the strips of skin hanging from Noah’s knuckles. “But we both know as well that if Lawson were to develop a closeness with either of our boys, or you with Matthew, that things would thaw between you two. Right now, you are on opposite sides of everything. We are the only closed quad outside of me and an occasional moment with Reed.”

Noah’s expression tightened, but he nodded. “Yes. And it’s helped him. It’s strange, but...I have no issue with it. I thought Curtis and Jamie had something, but it hasn’t gone anywhere. And I still control them both. Lawson is...the issue. It’s not his fault. I am still...I’ve spoken to Stephan about when he was gone. I want to...erase it. But, needless to say, there are more pressing matters.” Finally, Noah looked at his hands and laughed. “Such as me making more work for the man I’ve loved for so long, who I’ve wanted to make things easier for, but...as Reed says, I exist.”

Chuckling, Jared ran his knuckles over the curve of Noah’s cheek. “Love, haven’t you realized by now that I’ll get my hands on you any way I can, and enjoy it?”

“I don’t want to be another job for you. I was once, and you left. I understand.” Noah brushed his fingertips along Jared’s jaw, leaving a warm trail behind. “But I never want to go back there again.”

“I... Never knew that’s what you thought.” Shock buzzing through his limbs, Jared glanced around the room for a place to sit. Seeing none, he returned his attention to Noah. “You were never just a job.” At one point he’d certainly been too young, but never just a job. “I made it my life’s work—if you want to call it that—to get you to trust me because I wanted you to survive. Every beautiful bit of you, so someday I could call you friend. Equal. And watch the brilliant boy become a competent and loving man.” He smiled softly. “Which you have. And I’m proud that we did that together. Can be together. I would do it a thousand times and be grateful for the privilege.”

“Yes. I feel the same. I don’t regret any of it, we both know I needed it.” Noah brushed his hand over Jared’s beard, tracing the parts he’d trimmed and smiling. “You were willing to let me go when I needed it. I tried to do the same with Curtis and Lawson. And now? When I’m tested?” He looked down at his bloody hands. “I fail. I wanted a nice morning for Jamie. Is he...okay?”

“Two things.” Jared shifted his weight to his opposite leg, adjusting his hold around Noah’s waist. “First, you will notice that I let you go when you needed it, and never said I wouldn’t or didn’t want to return.” He raised one brow. “You have returned to Lawson and Curtis as well. Perhaps, like you and I, you need to figure out how you all fit together now. Let it happen and just figure it out?” Tilting his head, he considered Jamie, and the confidential conversation they’d shared. With a sixth sense that didn’t need to be explained to be understood, he knew it had been a pivotal one for his and Noah’s boy. He would change. Perhaps not today, but soon. “Second. Jamie. We had a chat and a cuddle. He’s fine. Rhodey is spending time with him napping in the cigar lounge. It was sweet actually.”

“I think we need to go now.” Noah was already walking out of the workout room. “He needs the me who is...in control. Stephan said when I feel I’m not it’s acceptable to take a step away. And regain control. He wasn’t specific but I did it. Where is my boy?”

“Noah, love. Hold up.” Jared jogged to catch up to Noah’s long strides, placing a hand on his arm. “Your hands. You’ll worry him if you show up like this.”

Stopping short, Noah made a face. “We should fire Stephan. He really should’ve considered this.”

Jared’s bark of laughter echoed off the gym ceiling. “Come on, tiger. I can have you patched up in five minutes. You need disinfectant, a few snips so you don’t scar, and some flexible bandages.” He gave Noah a level look. “Use wraps next time, or I get to beat your ass.”

Grunting, Noah brought one hand up to inspect it. “Wren would love to see this. Rhodey always told me I wouldn’t have wraps on the field until he decided not to let me be a merc. ...Is that fat or bone? Again, our boy would have a field day poking at it. It’s...always appealed to me in some way. Is that wrong? The way he isn’t afraid of the darker parts of us.”

“Wren?” Flicking on the clinic light, Jared asked the question because he’d never really thought of Jamie as being afraid of Noah. More like inviting some of those less than wise impulses. “I don’t think it’s wrong. It’s certainly one of the things I enjoy about him a great deal.”

Noah nodded, sitting on the edge of the exam table, fresh paper crumpling under him. “Jamie sees me...in a romantic way. I love it and want to fulfill every fantasy. Wren has already seen me at my raw, broken self. It’s like...when he sees the blood and doesn’t look away? I can be the fantasy. The reality. And between them? Just me.”

“Do you mean that Wren sees the fantasy and the reality?” Settling Noah’s hands on a blue absorbent pad on the steel tray, Jared used the saline solution to clear away the blood and debris from the split sin as he spoke. “Or that Wren sees the reality and Jamie sees the fantasy?”

Noah stilled, fisting his hand and spilling more blood. “Wren saw...a part of me even you haven’t. What we went through challenged me on every level. Jamie sees...who I came out of the cage as. Who I want to be. And...I want to believe that’s real, too.”

Plenty of people had fallen in love with the ones who made them want to be better men, or who believed in the better version of themselves. “Is that how you think I saw you? Back then?” The stream of liquid turned the fresh blood a muted pink on the blue pad. “I’ve seen parts of you neither of them have.” He glanced up, then back down, focused on his task. “It’s not a fantasy. It’s part of your reality and who you really are, love.”

“You...don’t know who I was in prison. What I had to do to keep Wren alive. But...you know me well enough to figure it out.” Noah watched Jared work, his tone soft. “When we finally found one another again I believed...you knew it all. Even the parts you weren’t there for. And you made me feel...whole.”

Stilling, Jared lifted his head to meet eyes so much like Rhodey’s, and yet not. The naked need and vulnerability that had never been in Noah’s uncle’s eyes shone in this man’s. It was what made it possible for Jared to love deeply and with his whole heart with one but not the other. “Did you never guess that you did...do the same for me?”

A small smile curved Noah’s lips. “No. Part of me hoped. When you connected with Wren, when I accepted you could give him everything? I was prepared to let go, all over again. But for the first time, I was trying to find reasons not to. Not like I did with Lawson and Curtis. I didn’t want to control you to keep you safe. I just...loved you, even if I shouldn't. It was out of my hands.”

“You gave me a home and a family.” Rolling flexible bandage around each knuckle, over sterile gauze, Jared worked with care to keep Noah’s pain minimal now and as he moved over the next week. “I suspect you haven’t realized that it’s what we’d all say about you if we were to compare notes over bourbon some night.”

Noah grunted again, looking down at the bandage and flexing his fingers. “People say a lot of things. Ask Lawson if he’d propose to me again. I suspect he wouldn’t have anything nice to say about me then.”

Starting work on Noah’s right hand, Jared nodded slowly. “Do you wish you’d said yes?”

“No. I love him, but...I hope we can be friends one day. I don’t love him like Matt does. Or Curtis has, all along.” Noah’s lips slanted. “Or Reed, who I would’ve kept from both him and Curtis once, because I wanted...more. But...they are. More. Both of them.”

“Being that... How do the kids put it? Extra?” Jared tore a bit of bandage with his gloved fingers, having misplaced the surgical scissors. “He’d need more.” Smoothing out the bit of ragged material, he raised his brows at Noah, lightening the mood. “It’s why I’m there. To balance out Curtis’ boneheaded impulses takes two very steady Doms.”

Noah inclined his head. “He’s not the only one you see that way. Or is this simply competitiveness with Rhodey? If you’re unsure about Lawson and Curtis, I can’t imagine what you think about Jacks and Shea. But...well, Rhodey seems...to have adapted. In his way.”

“I thought I was joking.” Taking the bandage scraps with him to the trash, Jared tossed them in and peeled off his gloves. “But you could be right. I don’t know. About Curtis and Reed and Lawson, that is. I’ll need to think about it.” At the sink, he ran the tap, taking a few pumps of liquid soap from the dispenser to lather. “As for Jacks and Shea, they’re young. Danny is ten times more vulnerable than Jamie has ever been, and I don’t like seeing him with those two neophytes.”

“Mhm. Well, as I said, he has Rhodey now.” Noah flexed his hands in the bandages, as he always did, as though making sure he could still use them. “So no need to concern yourself.”

Turning so he looked at Noah directly instead of over his shoulder, Jared grabbed some paper towels to dry his hands. “Noah Leonov, are you telling me I’ve collected enough subs and to back off from my little Despereaux?”

“Not at all. I want you to win if Rhodey is making this a competition. But...I don’t see the appeal.” Noah lifted his shoulders. “You’re right, he is more vulnerable than Jamie. Jamie lived through that and thrived. I tolerate the boy because Jamie likes him. But…” The coldness in Noah’s tone wasn’t like him. Not anymore. “He can’t survive this life. And I won’t see you hurt because of it.”

“His not surviving is not an option.” Jared gave as much weight to his words as he could without tipping into argumentativeness. “And as someone who helped train both our boys to survive without us, if need be, I expect the entire Core to pull behind doing the same for anyone we accept into our midst...into our family.” He hiked up his chin, stepping closer to Noah. “Even if it means getting closer than we might be comfortable with.”

“Hmm...well I was determined to not take Rhodey’s lead—don’t get me wrong, I wish the boy the best—but if you’re that invested...we’ll see. He has terrible judgement, though. Shea gives him a challenge and he chooses Rhodey over you?” Noah let out an irritable huff. “The boy is as much of a fool as his Doms. I’m only just beginning to tolerate Jacks because he’s Jamie’s friend. I’m an asshole. Give me a break.”

“If you insist.” Jared issued a mock long suffering sigh, tugging Noah to his feet. “Now let’s go make sure the boys we do have aren’t succumbing to Rhodey’s whiles. God only knows how many times he could’ve fucked Jamie by now.”

“If this is a punishment, it’s working.” Noah went ahead of him, shoving out of the clinic, his bandages stained bright red. “He wouldn’t fucking dare.”

“It was a joke, love.” Running after Noah felt so completely undignified, it made Jared especially irritable. “Please try to make the bandages last twenty minutes.”

In the bar, Danny was sitting with Pike while Quint was off somewhere and Seth was talking to Lawson. “I checked your horoscope this morning. I wasn’t into that before, but it’s...really accurate. It says don’t take any chances and you will have your heart broken. Don’t move and don’t upset either of your Doms.”

“I won’t.” Pike chewed on a rib bone. “What else?”

“Oh, you have to communicate. Well, maybe you don’t. You’re kinda bad at it.” Danny opened a book in front of him. “Do you want to invest? Ashley said in her commercial to introduce the concept to anyone I like and I like you.”

“Yes.” Pike cleared his throat and called out to Seth. “Sir, can I have like ten-thousand bucks? I want to support Danny’s friend. She’s magic.”

Jared slowed, on his way through the bar, fascinated to hear how Seth would respond.

Never one to disappoint, Seth glanced up from his conversation with Lawson. “Sure, pixie. My wallet is upstairs. Later, when we go up.”

“No.” Quint glared at Seth and went to sit with Pike and Danny. He patted Danny’s hand. “Tell me all about this...predictive system. I’ll look into it. Also, I heard you mention you’re sharing this with Pike and waiting to tell Jamie because you will die today. As one of your doctors I can say that’s simply not true.”

Danny slapped down a colorful print out. “But just in case, look at this. Do you know a good lawyer? Jacks just fired his and I have some nice things to leave to people.”

 Pausing by the table, Jared ruffled Danny’s hair. “Good morning, my little Despereaux. Smiley... Little gremlin.”

“Sir…” Quint took the folder Danny had laid on the table and held it out. “Please explain to them that this is pure fraud? Pike wants to support Danny and Danny is...easily misled.”

“Do you trust me to take care of you and your Doms when you’re hurt or sick, Danny?” Jared crouched down, bringing his gaze level with the boy’s.

“Yes, sir. But Ashley just got a new contract for ads for this thing and…” Danny looked at the folder in Quint’s hand. “I’m not a fool. I won’t make a fortune, but that’s not the point. The system tells people how the planets impact them. Pike’s reading said he’d be recovering this morning—he got drunk last night and fell in the shower. It’s very accurate.”

“Even a stopped clock is accurate twice a day. It may feel correct, but it's a coincidence.” Jared tapped a finger on the colorful chart. “The statements are vague enough that they can be applied to many situations. Astrology is fun, and can be a fun conversation starter.” He tilted his head, considering what Danny might relate to. “It’s entertainment. Would you sell songs and tell people they were all factual? They have hints of truth, but aren’t the truth.”

“But…” Danny laid the file down on the table. “Shea said this is not my thing and he's right. But Pike is good with people. Maybe it’s the chance of a lifetime for him. Ashley said that in her ad.”

“Ashley would be the first to admit that she’s being paid to advertise something that makes its manufacturers money.” Glancing at the bar clock, Jared realized Wren would be down soon. Without any progress having been made on the birthday plans. “If you would excuse me, I’m sorry. I need to take care of something, and then I have a proposal to run by the Core.”

“Yes, sir. So do I.” Danny took a deep breath, looking at Pike. “So are you in?”

“Dude, you had me at the whole party thing. If we make enough we get a trip and food? Keiran would love this!” Pike grabbed Quint’s wrist. “Please don’t talk Seth out of it.”

Stepping into the cigar lounge, Jared stuck his head in, half worried he’d see the walls coated in everyone’s blood. 

Relaxed into the sofa, Rhodey petted Jamie, half-asleep on his lap, giving Jared and Noah long looks as they stepped through the doors. “Ah, so you have a leash on him. Good. This one’s better, he needed cuddles—Avery showed me how to give them. Keiran too. That took longer. But I enjoy watching him cuddle Avery and not poisoning anyone. I’ve gone soft.”

“I am not sure whether or not to be afraid.” Noah gave his uncle a strange look. “May I have my boy?”

“You asked all nice. Dallas was right, I didn’t have to kill him to get here.” Rhodey lifted Jamie, all curled up, and held him out to Noah. “Here you go. He’s cute. Don’t let him die or I’ll be mad.”

“I need to go out to get a new phone, but before I do, I wanted to ask you three if you’ll help me plan a surprise birthday party for Wren.” There, Jared had finally managed to get the words out with someone. “I’m thinking Halloween, horror movie themed. Costumes. Something. A haunted house perhaps? Keiran is already working on the cake.”

Taking Jamie from Rhodey, Noah cuddled him close, kissing his forehead. “Of course I’m in, my man.” He paused. “Costumes.” He kissed Jamie again, nudging him gently. “Wake up, love. We need you.”

Jamie blinked open eyes that were free of the kohl Jared disliked. He really was prettier with his near-translucent paleness and the visible smattering of freckles across his nose. Without mascara, his lashes were a reddish brown that complemented the cherry red of his cupid’s bow. 

“Sir? What do you need?” Jamie sat up a little in Noah’s arms, looking around like he’d awakened from a good dream and needed to reorient himself to reality. 

“Costumes for Wren’s birthday. It would be a bonus if you could keep Danny from getting roped into a pyramid scheme, but that’s a bigger task.” Noah chuckled and kissed Jamie. “If he asks you for a downpayment, you will say no. Let him and his ‘Doms’ drown in debt.”

Jamie groaned. “Not again. You’d think he’d’a learned from his dad how bad those things are.” Sighing a bit, he adjusted himself in Noah’s hold until he could wrap his legs around his Dom’s waist, his robe flowing behind him. “I had the weirdest dream that I was cuddled up with Rhodey... Nice. But weird.” He wrinkled his brow. “Um, sorry. What was the other thing?”

Coughing lightly into his fist, Jared cast Jamie a meaningful look. “Try, Jamie.”

The reminder of their earlier conversation brought a shame-faced self-awareness to Jamie’s expression. He nodded once, returning his gaze to Noah. “I’ve got this, sir. Costumes. Pyramid schemes a no-go.” Palms against Noah’s chest, he smoothed his fingers over his Dom’s shirt. “You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Maybe not, but I enjoy taking care of you.” Noah curved his hand under Jamie’s jaw and kissed him between his words. “And spoiling you.” Another soft kiss. “And showing all the other Doms how much they’re slacking off.”

“I beg your pardon?” Jared swung his gaze to Rhodey, who selected a cigar from the humidor, a glass of whiskey in a crystal highball in one hand. “I haven’t been slacking. You must be thinking of Rhodey. I haven’t seen him beat anyone in at least two weeks.”

Glass to his lips, Rhodey let out a soft laugh before he took a sip. “Why would I let you see it?” He tilted his head. “I suppose I could go beat Danny, it would be much less painful than him getting wrapped up in whatever scheme this is.”

Jared felt his own expression darken. “One does not beat the innocent.” The growl in his tone surprised him, and apparently Jamie as well, who swiveled to take him in, wide-eyed. Jared pointed a finger at him. “I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, sir.” Starting to pull his bottom lip between his teeth, Jamie stopped, licking it instead with a flash of black piercing. “I got it.”

Smiling, Noah bounced Jamie a bit in his arms. “That’s my good boy. Now, let’s go see if everyone’s in a better mood now that there’s food and coffee in them. And I’ll make you some pancakes myself to feed you.”

Jamie grinned. “Yes, sir. I think I just heard the gates open. We need to oil them. I bet it’s Matt.”

Watching them leave, Jared waited until the door closed, then turned to Rhodey. “I need to step out for a bit. I need a new phone and thought I’d go to Reed’s candy store. Do you need anything while I’m out?”

“You won’t be out.” Rhodey reached into his pocket, pulling out a phone that was an even newer design than Jamie’s. “Here. And I talked Phil into delivering Reed’s favorites when he’s running low. Give him a call if you’ve got anything in mind.”

Sunlight had made it to the cigar lounge window, winking off all of the crystal and glass, creating a shine on the deep burgundy leather, and showing the lines around Rhodey’s eyes that Jared was fairly certain hadn’t been there two years ago. If he’d had a mirror, he knew he’d see a few of them around his own.

Lowering himself into one of the chairs in the corner, he left the one facing the door for Rhodey. “How badly did I bollix things up for your security last night?”

“It’s handled, don’t worry about it.” Rhodey walked over, dropping the phone on his lap, then plunking down in the chair. “I like you focusing on this party. Enjoying yourself...or, I hope you will. We’ll be spending some time in the ring, though, you and me. Keiran’s right, even though he’s too sweet and took it back. You were slow enough for Seth to get a punch in. Let’s work on that.”

Jared’s lips slanted before he could stop them. “If I had known that’s what it took to get you in there with me, I’d have paid Bizzy off to do it sooner.”

“Don’t cream your pants over it, this isn’t going to be a whole show for the club.” Rhodey gave him a dry look. “I’ll fuck you if my nephew’s boring you, though. Maybe that’s the problem. Dallas always performs better after I go a few rounds on his ass.”

The smile slid from Jared’s face. Leaning over, he plucked Rhodey’s whiskey from his fingers and took a sip before he returned it. “Thank you for the phone.” He stood, the realization that there would always be the barrier of Noah between him and his one-time best friend, splashing cold water on his mood. “I’d like to use one of your safehouses for the party. Somewhere appropriately creepy.” Shrugging, he rolled his neck and shoulders to loosen the tension. “Please let me know if that is acceptable.”

“I’m on it.” Rhodey polished off his whiskey before rising to his feet as well. “Actually, I have the perfect place. Reed already thinks it’s haunted, so I guess it must be creepy. Never saw it that way myself.”

“Do you think it’s wise to bring him and Curtis to the place where they were after Curtis murdered his family?” Rhodey tended not to think of these things as an issue, but it’d be Jared and Stephan cleaning up the mess when Curtis was triggered.

Rhodey’s brow furrowed. “So...the wrong kind of creepy? All right, I’ll find somewhere someone else’s family died. Wren will enjoy that.”

The door opened behind Jared, bumping him so he got out of the way. 

Dallas poked his head in, the noise of the Core in the bar filling the room with Jamie’s guitar and Danny’s voice working out a song. “Hey.” Throwing Jared a smile, Dallas returned his gaze to Rhodey. “Avery doesn’t want you to know why he’s limping, but he fell from his silks. It’s not like him, and I’m totally telling you as a snitch.”

So much for party planning...and it wasn’t even a Monday.

Good thing, because if Thursday were going to be this much of a bitch, Jared didn’t want to know what that particular day would possibly have had in store.

****

Part 7

 

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