Promise
Narrator: Toby
Julian leaned in close. “Toby, why didn’t you go through with it? If you’d executed Fabian and Mike, like you were told, you’d still be part of the Holy Boys gang. Instead, you got them out. You saved their lives. Why’d you do it?”
I shrugged. “Me and orders... not a winning combo.”
He studied me for a moment, clearly waiting for more.
Mike grinned. “I like this kid.”
Julian stood upright. He looked at Mike and at Fabian - his son. Then he glanced back at me. “So do I.” He placed a hand briefly on my shoulder.
This was the same man who had brutally whipped me a day earlier - before my hike with his other son, Florian, through the old mines. Tonight, everything seemed to have changed.
Julian turned to the others. “This is our chance to take the Holy Boys down for good. Thanks to Toby, we know exactly where they are. Tomorrow night, we hit their camp.”
“If we manage that,” said Fabian, “the whole area will breathe a sigh of relief.”
Mike nodded in agreement.
Julian turned back to me. “I’m sorry, Toby, but for now we have to keep you locked up. Until the judge decides, you’re still our prisoner.”
“Fair enough. I know I won’t be seeing daylight for a while.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do everything I can.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Florian looking at him with gratitude.
“Right,” Julian said. “Time to get some rest. We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
****
I let my eyes wander around the room. By City standards, it was a pretty basic guest suite. I’d seen fancier stuff in the homes of the rich assholes I used to scam. But compared to the rundown shacks Outside, this was full-on luxury.
Across from us was a massive bed, with the kind of soft sheets you just wanted to melt into. And in the corner was the door to our private bathroom. Everything we needed for the night, right there.
The idea of being locked up here with Florian tonight… yeah, I could live with that.
The last eight months had been a damn rollercoaster. But I didn’t want to think about that. Not now. Tonight, I was with Florian. Maybe for the last time.
I watched him through the open bathroom door. God, he was beautiful. And the way he cared for me… it was a hundred times better than anything I’d known with the Holy Boys.
From the moment I arrived at the Peel Bastion, it had felt like sinking into a warm bath. For the first time in my life, I actually felt welcome.
But I knew it wouldn’t last.
Soon enough, in front of the judge, all the crap from my past would come spilling out. Then they’d see me for what I really was. And then…
Screw that. Tonight, I wanted to feel like I belonged to him.
Florian came back into the room and let his eyes roam over me. “That’s how I like to see you. Completely naked.”
I smirked. “Can I see you like that too, later?”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yeah. You’ve got amazing muscles.”
“They’re there to protect you,” he said softly. “But also to keep you in line. Don’t forget who’s in charge here.”
“You are. Always.”
“Exactly. And you can prove it in a bit, by licking my fingers like a good little servant. I think you’ve still got a tin of mackerel sauce in your bag, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Florian.”
As I walked past him toward the bathroom, he gave me a smack on the ass. I turned around, surprised.
“Sorry, bud, couldn’t help myself. You’ve got one hell of a beautiful ass.”
Something stirred between my legs. I paused, kept my butt turned toward him - and yep, there it was. Another solid smack.
“Go on, brush your teeth and get into bed. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
****
With a hollow feeling I stared out over the terrain I’d called home for the past eight months. Where the Holy Boys used to run the show, dozens of officers were now hurrying back and forth, visibly excited. A few of my former mates were kneeling in the grass further away, cuffed and silent.
The raid had gone flawlessly. Most gang members surrendered straight away. Wise, because anyone who resisted got a good beating.
Only the two top dogs had escaped. Slipped away a few hours ago. Smarter than the rest - they’d figured out the cops wouldn’t be far behind.
I’d told the police everything I knew. Of course I had. The Boys had hunted me down like an animal. And before that, Lars and Frank had just used me for their own gain. What an idiot I was, only realizing that now.
But the hunt for them wasn’t over yet. On Frank’s computer I’d found four possible hideouts. They probably still thought those places were safe. No way they could know I’d cracked Frank’s laptop.
Florian pulled me out of my thoughts. “You alright, buddy?”
I smiled. Always good to see him. “Yeah, I’m good. I just hope they catch Lars and Frank.”
“My dad said you want to come with us when we go after them.”
“I do. I know, it’s crazy. I mean, technically I’m still your prisoner. But it’s just… They acted like they cared about me. And the moment I didn’t do as they told, they wanted me dead. I feel so completely screwed over and I just want to get back at them… Oh, never mind. I’ll probably just be in the way.”
“Not at all,” said Florian. “My dad and I talked about it and we actually think it’s a very good idea. You’ve already helped us a great deal. If you help us again by catching them, it’ll be another point in your favor when it comes to sentencing.”
“Seriously?” I said, surprised.
“Yeah. But there are conditions. You’ll follow orders to the letter and won’t go off on your own. No risks. No reckless stunts like the one in that mine the other day. Do you promise?”
I threw my arms around him. “Yes of course I promise! This is amazing - thank you!”
“That’s good. I trust you, Toby.” He brushed his fingers across my cheek and earlobe.
“Can I come on patrol with you?” I asked.
“My dad thinks it’s better if we go in separate teams. He wants us to focus on the mission rather than on each other.”
“Oh, um… yeah. Fair point,” I said, slightly embarrassed.
Florian handed me my backpack. “This is still yours. There’s a knife in it - my dad put it in. We found it nearby. If things go sideways, you’ll have something to defend yourself with.”
“I’d be better off with a gun. Frank gave me some shooting lessons. The one useful thing he ever taught me.”
“Sorry, Toby, but that’s not happening. You’re still technically a detainee. And anyway, you’ll be with a team of experienced officers. You shouldn’t need a weapon.”
So they didn’t fully trust me. Fair enough.
I looked inside the backpack and saw the knife. Well, better than nothing.
When we reached the patrol vehicles, Florian gave me a goodbye kiss. “You know what you promised,” he said sternly.
“Yes, Florian. No stupid stunts.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
****
Julian’s voice came loud and clear through the radio. “Toby! What are you doing on this channel?”
“There was just an explosion here,” I said. “Lars and Frank have done a runner, but they left a booby trap in their hideout. Karel’s injured. Gerard’s with him.”
Julian swore. “How bad is it?”
“Gerard says it’s not too serious, but Karel needs to go to hospital. There’s also a girl here, she’s injured too.”
“Yeah, Gerard mentioned her when I was just talking to him. Pamela, Lars’s girlfriend.”
“More like his fuckslave. He used to call her his cum bucket. Beat her up when she tried to leave him.”
Julian barked some orders to people nearby and turned back to the radio. “I’ll send an extra ambulance to your location. And we’ll alert the other patrols - there might be more traps in the other houses.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same. But they don’t need to check those places anymore. I know where Lars and Frank are. Pamela told me before the bomb went off. They’ve got a boat in the harbor at Heusden, about ten clicks from here. That’s how they’re planning to escape.”
“I know that harbor. Alright, I’ll send the others that way.”
“Good call,” I said, and after a short pause: “I’m heading to Heusden now to see if I can find their boat. I’ll try to delay them until you get there.”
“No way. You’re not going in alone.”
“I’ve got no choice. You’re all too far out.”
“I can’t allow that, Toby. Lars and Frank are extremely dangerous. You stay put and wait until backup arrives.”
“Well… you know I’m not great with orders,” I said dryly.
“Toby…”
I cut the radio with a flick of the switch.
How would Florian react if he heard this? Maybe I could make it up to him later.
I steered the vehicle in the direction Pamela had given me and floored the accelerator.
****
Waves lapped against the dike as the red sky in the east signaled the start of a new day. The Maas River used to flow here, but now it emptied into the sea much further east, near New Rotterdam.
From my position, I had a clear view of the little harbor below, lit by moonlight. It was mostly used by fishermen selling their catch at the market in Heusden. One of the boats showed signs of movement. I crept closer and saw Lars and Frank making preparations to leave.
I’d promised Florian I wouldn’t gamble with my life anymore. Just being here broke that promise. Julian had been right, of course. I didn’t stand a chance against the two of them on my own. All I could do now was get back to the car and radio it in.
But just as I was about to move, Lars and Frank stepped off the boat and headed into the village. Maybe for supplies. Or fuel. Didn’t matter. This was my chance.
I waited until they were out of sight, then climbed aboard. The cabin door was open - which saved me time, but also meant they’d likely be back soon. I took the torch from my bag, went inside, and flicked it on.
A dozen gold bars lay on the table, next to a sextant. In the floor beside it, a hatch. I pried it open. Below was the engine, several cables connected. I pulled the knife from my pack and cut the starter cable. That would keep them grounded for a while.
I zipped up the bag. Just as I was about to shut the hatch, my stomach twisted. I heard footsteps on the boat. A moment later, Frank stood in the doorway.
The beatings. Every one of them. Eight months of pain, flashing back all at once.
He stared at me, stunned. “What the hell are you doing here?” Then he saw the open hatch. “You little shit. Sabotage? You’ll regret that.”
He charged. Shoved me up against the wall. His hands locked around my throat.
No air.
My fingers clawed at his wrists - nothing. The world was spinning.
And then - release. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for breath. Everything tilted.
In front of me stood Florian, fists pounding into Frank, who was now slumped across the table. This wasn’t one of those neat, controlled police beatings. This was wild, unfiltered rage. Florian kept swinging, again and again. “Don’t. Touch. Him. You bastard.”
A second officer burst in. Then a third. It took both of them to pull Florian away. “Alright, that’s enough! We’ll take it from here.”
One of them cuffed Frank and shoved him into a chair. The other turned to Florian. “Steady on, mate. What the hell was that?”
Florian looked at me. The officer followed his gaze. “Ah. Right. Got it.” He came over and checked my throat. “Looks like you got there just in time.”
Florian didn’t say a word. His hands were still shaking.
The officer turned to me. “You’re Toby, yeah? I’m Joost. You alright, kid?”
I nodded. Just about managed to say: “His brother Lars is still around.”
“We’ll handle him. The others are only minutes behind us.” Then he noticed the gold on the table. “Holy shit, that’s quite the stash.”
“Yeah,” Florian said. “Probably from the City Bank job.” He glanced at me - couldn’t miss the note of blame in it.
“Well then, we’ll see it gets returned properly,” said Joost cheerfully. “The folks at the bank will be thrilled.” He grabbed a sack and started loading in the bars.
Not long after, the next patrol arrived. Quick discussion, then they left with Frank cuffed between them. Only Florian stayed behind.
He sank onto the bench and stared straight ahead.
Not sure what to do, I tried: “Thanks… for saving my life.”
He didn’t look at me. “Not now, Toby.”
I knew that tone. I was in deep trouble. They’d trusted me - Julian and Florian both - and I’d ignored their orders, done my own thing. No matter what my reason was, they weren’t going to accept it. Florian wasn’t going to accept it.
We sat in silence for a long while. I tried to read his face but didn’t dare say anything. All I could do was wait for the fallout.
A few minutes later, I heard footsteps on the deck. Julian came in, saw Florian, and froze.
“Jesus, Florian, your hand!”
“It’s nothing. Scrap with Frank. He came off worse.”
“That’s what you call a scrap? That needs bandaging.” He stuck his head back outside and called for a first aid kit. Then he turned to me.
“Thought you were being clever with that line? I’m not great with orders?”
“Sorry,” I said quietly.
“Yeah, I’ll bet. You’re lucky Florian found you so fast, thanks to the tracking device in your backpack.”
Right. Trust, but with a tracker in my bag. Nice.
“I let you come with us on one condition: that you’d follow instructions and not go rogue. I gave you a chance to prove you could be trusted. And you blew it, running off on some personal vendetta against your old mates?”
“I just couldn’t let them get away. And if you really trusted me, you wouldn’t have bugged my bag.”
“Still got an attitude, have you? Sounds like we need to have a serious chat about your behavior, kid.”
Of course. Here comes the lecture. Fire away, old man.
Florian stepped in. “Mind if I handle this? I’m the reason it happened.”
Julian turned to him, surprised. “What do you mean?”
“Last time, I went too easy on him,” Florian said, eyes fixed darkly on me. “This time I won’t.”
Julian hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea. Your hand…”
“Don’t worry. This time I’m not using my hand."
I felt myself shrink.
Julian looked at me, then back at Florian. “Alright. He’s yours. But let’s get that hand sorted first.”
An officer stepped inside with a first aid box. Julian wrapped his son’s hand with care. When he’d finished, Florian tested his grip and picked up the sextant still on the table.
“Good. Still works fine.” Another look in my direction - sharp.
“Great,” said Julian. “Then I’ll head back out. They’ve just picked up Lars in the village, so no more threat. Don’t rush. Take all the time you need.”
He and the officer left the boat.
****
Florian sat in silence for a while, staring straight ahead, occasionally throwing me a glare. The silence was almost worse than the spanking I knew was coming.
Finally, he spoke. “You promised. No more risks. No more reckless stunts.” His voice trembled. “You lied.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And what good does that do?”
“It won’t happen again. I swear.”
Florian gave a short, cold laugh. “You said that last time too.”
I felt my stomach twist. I’d really let him down. Just like I let everyone down.
He stood. “Remember what I said? That I’d hold you to your promise?”
“Yeah.”
His voice dropped low, steady and cold. “Well, here we are. You give me no choice.” He held out his hand. “Your belt, Toby.”
I wanted to say something sharp. Something cocky. Something to make myself feel less small. But nothing came. My fingers fumbled at the buckle, shaking with shame.
Florian waited. Patient. In control.
I swallowed, undid the belt, and handed it over in silence.
He tested the leather. “This’ll do nicely.” Then: “Strip.”
I began undressing in front of him. He didn’t stop me until I was down to my underwear. When I reached for it, he stepped closer and lifted my chin.
“Look at me while you take it off.”
His eyes locked on mine as I lowered the fabric down my legs. I belonged to him. I was his. But I didn’t know if he still wanted me.
He stepped back. “Stand here. Hands flat on the table.”
I obeyed. Bent slightly forward. Gave him full access.
He moved behind me, folded the belt - and waited.
The silence before the first strike was almost worse than the pain itself.
Then the belt cracked through the air and bit into my bare butt. A second lash landed just below the first. A third above it.
My whole ass was on fire, like I’d sat down on a scorching hot grill. And the lashes kept coming. Florian took his time. Each strike spaced out just enough to let the pain settle before the next. Measured. Ruthless.
I’d never imagined Florian would be the one to do this to me. Would this be the end of us? Had I ruined everything?
After what must’ve been dozens of lashes - I’d lost count - he paused. Leaned against the wall and looked at me.
I didn’t dare move. “Get out,” I imagined him saying. “Out of my sight. I never want to see you again.”
So I stayed put, hands on the table. Maybe I could hold off his judgment just a little longer.
Then Florian spoke, softly. “I felt sick when my dad told me you’d gone after those bastards alone. I was losing my mind. I could see it - what they’d do if they got their hands on you. And when I got here and saw Frank with his hands around your throat... If I’d been a minute later…” His voice cracked.
I tried to make sense of his words. What was he saying? What did this mean?
I glanced over. There was no anger on his face anymore. Just fear. He’d been terrified. For me.
… Fuck.
I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around him. He held me tightly, the belt slipping from his hand to the floor. His hand stroked my bare back. Our lips met.
Suddenly Florian pulled away. “I’m sorry, but you need to get back in position. I’m not done.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. Last time I went easy on you, and look how that turned out. This time, you get the full treatment. No matter how much I care about you. You need to learn there are consequences when you risk your life like that.”
His voice was firm. Unforgiving. But underneath it, warmth. Care.
Without protest, I turned and bent back over the table.
Florian picked the belt up from the floor and moved behind me again.
Instead of raising the belt, he placed a hand on my shoulder. “We’re doing this differently. Come.” He led me to the bench. “Wait here.”
I watched him rummaging through a few drawers in the kitchen. Then he grabbed a wooden cheeseboard with a handle. “My paddle’s still in the car, but this’ll do.”
He sat down and ran his hand gently over my naked body. “Do you know why I put you over my knee instead of over a table?”
I thought for a moment, then shook my head.
“Remember what I told you on the train from Zürich?”
I remembered it word for word. Of course I did.
He smiled. “I can see you remember. Good. Come here, then.”
Florian pulled me towards him and laid me over his lap. His left arm wrapped around my waist, and somehow, that made me feel safe.
He rested the cheeseboard lightly on my bare ass. “I promised I’d protect you. And I will. Even if it means protecting you from yourself.”
Then he started spanking me again. Calm, steady strokes - painful, as expected. The wood didn’t sting like the belt. It thudded. Heavy. Deep.
Even so, I welcomed it. Each blow reminded me I still belonged to him. He was the prince who had saved me. And he was still here. Still protecting me. He was spanking me, but part of me felt he was kissing me - with wood. I took it all. Accepted it as care.
At last, he pulled me upright. I rubbed my butt. It burned, but weirdly enough, it felt like comfort.
Florian traced the marks on my neck with his fingers, still looking worried. “I’d hate myself if anything ever happened to you,” he whispered.
I placed my hand gently on his chest and looked at him.
He kissed me, softly, on the lips. “You can get dressed. I’m going to see my dad. He’ll be wondering what’s taking so long.”
He walked to the door and opened it.
“Florian?” I said.
“Yeah, Toby?”
“I love you.”
His eyes glistened. “I love you too, buddy… more than you know.”
That’s the end of Part 1. The story will pick up and conclude in three more chapters. These are scheduled for July 5, July 9 and July 12 2025.
