Almost The Last Trick

Predictably on the day after Christmas, the bar was almost empty. Okay, so this wasn’t the crowd that would be at home playing with the kids but more likely making the yearly visit to see the parents, if the parents were still speaking to them based on their choice of sexual partners. Okie the bar guy, recognized us, waved us in, Jake got a pitcher then found me at one of their tables for six. Clever idea, they put eight or ten clean mugs in the middle of the table upside down on a folded table cloth so no one had to go reaching over the bar to get one; If you wanted a frosted one, tough, they didn’t have those. The patrons here weren’t into the finer things but were appreciative of fine man flesh; For a bar that counted on the trades for the bulk of their business, it was a little outside normal. No women, none even tried to come in, all men which meant that later things could get somewhere between out of hand and down right porno. Jake grabbed two mugs, filled them and, right off the bat, I wanted to know about Jerry and Fritz and what the hell the big deal was.

“Listen, Matt, nobody knows the whole story, it’s partly hearsay, some gossip, some rumor but here’s what I’ve heard and you can take what you like or…I forgot…you could ask Jerry. From what I heard his Dad, Big Jerry was trying to retire and let Jerry run the whole place, only problem was…he didn’t really want to give it all up. I guess this was fine with Jerry who just worked on as if all was well, his Dad ran the company and he was second in command. Period. Okay, around then he lived with a guy called Fritz who was a kind of architect but did more artsy stuff, like installing art in big entrance halls, used pillars to do whatever, I don’t know, what I saw didn’t do much to me but he charged a ton to do it and the firm he charged most often was KelCon. Big Jerry didn’t give a shit who Jerry fucked, if he was happy then Big J was happy but when it came to business, he swore that little shit was screwing not only his son but the firm. What we know is that one day Big J was looking at another one of the installations that Fritz had put in and part of it fell, killed him right there, DOA. Jerry was very close to his father and just withdrew after the services, whether he threw Fritz out or he just left…anyhow because it was an industrial accident there was a coroner’s report which said…death was caused by unknown causes. Not an accident, which is pretty much what everyone thought but his unknown cause bullshit. That brought in the Sheriff who had another view and that report said, ‘suspicious’. Okay, now we’re trying to count backward and find out wherever one was at the time it happened and the only one who cannot come up with a valid alibi is…Fritz. What we do know is that Jerry and Fritz…didn’t exactly split up, seemed cordial but very quickly, he was offered a big job in someplace in the middle east and was gone. So…take out of that what you want and now I’m going to chug this sucker…”

Which he did leaving me to think. What Jerry had told me I would now call the ‘polite’ version of what happened. He’d said his Dad was trying to ease out but just couldn’t quite get it done…Fritz had never been mentioned, no problem in figuring out why not. That became a subject for later and for Jerry and me to talk about if there was any reason to. I joined Jake and tipped up my mug until I could see out of the bottom.

“How’d Christmas Eve go with your folks and your brothers?” I’d redone Jake so he didn’t look like the man they were used to seeing with his dead partner, Mikey.

“Shit, Matt, that’s what I started to tell you until you dropped Jerry Keller on me. Bro, you are a hero, you did just what you said and they did just what you said they’d do. They were so stunned by the way I looked, it was all they could talk about. I think one of my kid brothers may be around to see what you can do for him. But it made the evening a fucking lot easier and, like you said to do, I got out after dinner and before everyone got comfortable and started to reminisce. Matt, I’m gonna give you my ass and you can do whatever you want…”

“What about Jerry? Wonder if he’d appreciate my stepping out on him. Jake, I collared him.”

Jake was really taken aback. “You collared Jerry Keller? You? Wow he must really care a whole bunch for you…I guess I oughta be jealous…I was kinda hoping…you and me….”

“Jake, never give up hope. Just because something isn’t now doesn’t mean it won’t be. This is all real new and Jerry is moving very fast…”

“Yeah, but Matt, you collared him. Gotta mean more than a little something.”

“Lets just say for now….it means a lot to Jerry, me too, but what you told me really gives me some clues and news and views about him. Helluva nice guy, Jake, I really do like him…tell you what, tomorrow before we go car shopping I’ll take you by his, well, our place and give you the grand tour. There are rooms I haven’t even been in nor has he.”

Jake just looked at me while I refilled our mugs.

“Want to do something you’ve never done before?”

Jake looked curious but leery. “What?”

“Just hang around with me, be a twofer. You know, you, me, up against my fence….”

“Jesus, Matt, hooking? I mean, I’ve never done anything like that…”

“I’ll be beside you and, who knows, you might enjoy it, all depends on what the bait is for what tries to catch us.”

“Two of us?”

“Jake, I wouldn’t let you do this alone, it’s us or nothing. Two guys for two other guys or two guys for one guy, fuck, Jake, you’re a stud, better looking than me, younger…aren’t you kinda curious as to what might happen? Look at the result when you stopped by the fence and found..,me.”

He had a strange weird smile. “Together? You’d be right with me…”

I just smiled at him. “All I gotta do is go home, change into my hooker clothes, might find something to cheapen you a bit and…we’re off to see what the night brings.”

Two hours later Jake and I are leaning against my fence. I’m wondering if I’m going to need to tie him to something he’s so fucking nervous. As I could have told him, at this hour, nothing much usually turns up but you never know. Also, I wasn’t going to let us go with anyone or group that I thought had even an edge of problems…sure, I didn’t expect the Baptist minister and his associate to pull up but…whoever it or they were would have to be sober, be in a reasonable car or truck and show the money up front. Also be very specific as to what we were accepting money to do. In the back of my mind, I had an idea, given Jake’s good looks and my bulge but…we’d have to see. One thing, Jake knew every make, model and year of any vehicle so that was a help in determining a sale or no sale.

We’d been at this maybe an hour when a new GMC pickup pulled over and stopped. In one ear I could hear Jake say that it never cost less than fifty long and was only a year old. From the driver’s side a man got out, pretty tall judging by the height of his truck. Came toward us, smile on his face, good looking, about fifty, maybe a bit more.

“Gentlemen…”

“Good evening, Sir, something we can help you with? Need directions, people always get lost around here, ‘specially since most of the street signs got stolen…”

“Yeah, noticed that but I also noticed two fine looking pieces of man meat standing around, doin’ nothing. Interested in a friendly proposition?”

“Always are, good friendly propositions are hard to come by these days, I say it’s all them folks in Washington, spoils the friendly way of doing business. If I’m not being too curious, Sir, what you got in mind?”

“Two of you working together?”

“Yeup, wouldn’t let Junior here out without me. Gotta see he’s well taken care of…if you’re a father, you know how that runs….”

“Yeah, you got a good point and I think I have one for the two of you. A couple of guys and I were having our usual poker night and we got to thinking…a little entertainment would perk up the evening, get some working folks in, see what they could do…”

“Well, now, that’s a interesting idea. Guess the question might be what’d you and your guests think they’d like to see, no point in showing up, giving a show then somebody says, ‘yeah, but what I really wanted…’ you take my point.”

“I do and it’s a good one. Yessir, a very good one. We, uh, well we kinda were interested in watching….not going to get into this ourselves, two guys go a little beyond just fucking…”

“Interesting so far, guess I’d have to know just how far beyond fucking…?

“Well, Rob, he’s one of my buddies, has a special room for entertainment, kinda like to see what could be done in there. Here, right on my phone, I’ll show you some pictures.”

I looked, Jake was over my shoulder. “Well, sir, that’s a right fine looking play room you got there…problem is…Junior here has never been broken to the whip, always meant to do that…just didn’t get around. Now, you want to put me on that rack and have him fuck me, even get some blood….really stretch me out…”

“Uh huh, uh huh, that does have some interest. Tell you what, give me a sec to call Rob and the guys, mind if I take your picture?”

We looked good, Jake looked like a stud on the hoof and I clearly had some miles on me but was far more experienced. We were coming to a point where Jake was going to have to say yes or no. This was going to be serious and I hope he realized that.

The guy came back…”never broken to the whip, well, that’d be worth seeing, you on the rack, getting him mad with the whip so the blood incites him to not hold back…course, all this is bareback…”

He wandered back to his phone for a conference…back to us, still casually leaning against the fence.

“I, uh, that is we’d kinda like to know how you break a man to a whip, no one ever seen that.”

“Same way you start anyone who hasn’t done some thing, you get their attention, usually it takes at least two guys, they get him stripped then bring him on in, two ways, if you go the strength, you can stretch him out, make that back taut, curved good whippin’ shape or some guys like to put them on a wall, maybe hang ‘em naked, let the weight of their bodies stretch ‘em out. If you got one, put the guy on an X or a cross, fun one I saw, had the dude getting the shit whacked out of him while the pedestal he was one lowered him so he was getting impaled little at a time.”

Lee stepped back not talking into his phone, thinking…and bulging.

“Jake, they’re creaming in their britches…they want this but, one more time….do you want to do this, it’ll hurt. A lot.”

The dude came back. I opened cuz I wanted the upper hand. Stuck mine out said Matt, that’s Jake and you’d be….

“Lee, I’m Lee.” We should hands all around.

“Gentlemen, gotta tell you, what you describe is something we’d very much like to see and the fact that some of our guys could be involved in the tor….the breaking, well, that just sets some of us on fire. I’m saying….if we can reach a price, we’ll have us a deal and maybe tomorrow night…we can have ourselves a party.”

“Tomorrow? May be a problem, young Jake here has, uh, a previous commitment, couldn’t break it.”

Lee got very serious and very chilly. “We’re talking big bucks for, we figure, a minimum two or three hours work..probably something you gentleman have done before….”

“How Much?” Colorless voice, that should say, don’t start off with a low ball offer cuz we’ll just shake your hand and walk away.

“Well, we’re thinking, two nice guys, out on a night like this, probably need the money and sure what you’re offering sounds good so we’d be willing to go as high as….five hundred each. Good round number, a man can do something with money like that.”

“Jake, go get the truck, Lee ‘an I’ll stay here an palaver some more. Go on, do what I tell you, scoot.” And popped him in the ass.

“Nice kid. Yours?”

“Naw, couldn’t be that lucky, he’s sorta my ‘street son’. Now, Lee, you said something about five hundred….”

“For each of you.”

“Yep, I got that but I was just leaning here thinking…what’d you take to do what you’re offering us to do? Get whip broken, spend some time on the rack being fucked by one of your guys… what’s that gonna cost someone to see?”

He was absofuckinglutely gob smacked. Turn of events he could not have expected. Him? His buddies? Stripped, whipped, fucked, put on the rack…didn’t happen to people well, people like him. Of course in my mind, I’m thinking, you putz, don’t shit me, if you’ve got all that equipment then why are you out trolling for someone to demonstrate your own bondage and torture gear?

Lee stood there transfixed at even the idea but I could see, shocked as he was, course he knew we would never pay it, couldn’t pay it but…he hustled over with his phone out of ear shot but I knew he was telling the what we’d told him.

“Uh, we know this is a joke, cuz, well, sorry guy, but you’re a street prostitute…”

“I prefer the word, ‘whore’.”

He laughed, “Okay, street whore and you think you can offer me and my guys enough to do what we were willing to pay you?”

“Yep, that’s what I think.” About then Jake came around the corner with the truck, parked it behind Lee’s and rejoined us. “Jake, Lee figures cuz we’re whores out here taking the evening breeze on this day after Christmas that we can’t pay them to do what they wanted us to do. Whaddya think about that?”

Jake leaned against the truck practically forcing his bulge out about five inches. “Well, how many of them are there, gotta think about that.”

Lee snorted, “There’s five of us.”

“Good number, get quite a few things going at once, couple on the whip, two more on the rack and one hanging from a St. Andrews, watching as an big impaler starts toward his ass. Lesseee. They offered us five hundred per man and they’ve got five so …that’d make our offer have to be at least twenty five hundred, that’s five hundred per…”

Lee started away, “Aw you two, just a couple a hookers out to jerk me around, ends right here.” We had the same idea and grabbed him, one to a side then walked him around to one side of the pickup where he unlocked the aluminum box and I took out an envelope, reached in and only took one bunch of bills that had been bound together. Held it in his face.

“Now before you shoot off your mouth once more, I guess you better reconsider what your price is for you and your men to perform for me and my little buddy. Or, if you prefer, drop by our dungeon and we’ll let you do a solo for say, a grand?” From the sheaf I rifled out ten one hundreds. I could see his greed and also his crotch.

Not quite willing he took one last stab…”Okay, you got some money, how hot is it?”

“So cold if a bank were open I could open an account and they’d say, ‘thank you’ so, Lee, what’s it gonna be? You and the boys for us or you as a solo act? This deal won’t last much longer so hurry up.”

“What have I got to do…?”

“Pretty much what you’d expect, we’re gonna fuck you single then double, think you can suck our dicks at the same time in that mouth? Get a little whip action, leave you with enough to take home to the other boys so they can be jealous. Might have to shave off that moustache, I hate hair on my pecker. Put you on the rack, stick a man sized dildo up your ass, the usual, nothing you haven’t done before….is it.”

He licked his lips. “How much for me alone?”

Jake riffled through a stack…”I don’t know, guess around two grand ‘n if we think of something else, that pays extra. Sure you don’t want to let your buddies in on this? Bet they could use the cash.”

“Yeah, okay, I’ll do it. Two thousand, cash, up front, now.”

Casually as if he was selling raffle tickets at the county fair, Jake peeled off twenty hundred dollar bills, handed them to Lee, told him to count them and, while he did, I took something else from the box; Hand cuffs.

Lee did not like that but we put his money in his britches, cuffed him, blindfolded him, told him his truck was safe, we could guarantee it, got him in Jake’s truck and began the magical mystery tour of twelve or fifteen blocks that ended about a hundred yards from where we’d started, parked in back of the barbershop.

Got Lee out, through the door into my semi-dungeon, threw him on the bed and then the fun was about to begin.

Jake, who knew how to do none of this but was an eager learner, did know how to tie knots so I left him stretching and tying Lee while I quick stepped to do some business, mainly to keep my word. Little Jeff was home with Skip so when I explained the situation to them, and invited them to join us for the show, what I wanted was Lee’s truck removed to some place safe, like the officers parking lot at the police station. Never occurred to me he couldn’t get it done and, on a whim, had him check to see if the Captain was around; I owed him something and maybe he’d like to collect and, just incidentally, check out what we were doing. Nothing like an audience to bring out the best in a performer I always say.

Apparently calls had been made as a police tow truck had removed Lee’s vehicle and the Captain rang me to say that, yep, he did plan on dropping by, in civvies of course, and he hoped he and I could become closer acquainted in lieu of all the good deeds and extension of discounts he and his men enjoyed. Just to set him at ease, I suggested he bring his all weather, all-purpose fuck suit…one never knew what might turn up and I would truly hate to ruin his clothes. We both laughed. One thing, there was no way this party was going to be disturbed. In fact, like it or not, I’d thought to expand some of the going’s on to include some of our guests. For starters, and once we ripped off his clothes, everybody got to fuck Lee, sort of our welcome to our clam bake. After that, he would be moved into hair cutting central where he’d be tied into a barber chair and shaved completely, or, for fun, we’d let our guests take a hand at the clippers and blade just to join in. After that…well, looking at Jake, Jesus this is awful to say, I thought I’d take the Captain, whom I’d come to like on other occasions, upstairs and we’d service Jake after I lived up to my word, got his clothes off him, made sure he was comfortable then sucked him off. Probably edge him but that would be a surprise.

Given a little time, Lee wasn’t going anywhere, Jake left to pick up several cases of cold beer plus some Styrofoam coolers-had to offer refreshment, seemed only polite.

Captain called back. Uh, seems he had a buddy, really almost like a son to him who was in charge of the motorcycle division in a different precinct…just by chance could I see my way to letting him and a couple of his buddies….

“Well Hell yes, a course they’d be welcome and while I had him on the phone, suggested to Cap that some sort of arrangements for security for men-we really didn’t need to be interrupted-as well as vehicles. He appreciated my thoughtfulness and if any of the party slipped into the parking lot behind the shop, he’d see to it that whatever happened there, stayed there.

Which is when I decided to get a barbecue and charcoal some meat. Called Jake while he was out and put in another order also told him to pick up several boxes of studded condoms….just against whatever might happen. As he put the phone down I could hear him cackling. It was shaping up to be a good night.

Given some time before Jake returned from wherever he’d gone to get everything and assuming we’d be guest free for a time, I relaxed, took a shower, picked out something that said “I’m the Host” but also “I could be a piece of the action”. This last for the Captain. Behind all this was the specter of Jerry who was wearing my collar but…more because he wanted to than because it was a demand on my part. I’d never promised monogamy, never said I loved him, never said we were partners of any sort, just that there was a lot up in the air and a lot of time needed to pass before either of us made decisions…hell, after a couple of weeks, he might be glad to see me go-doubted it but it wasn’t a wholly dismissible thought and the reverse, I might tire of him, could be equally true. I was alone….picked up the phone I’d been given and pushed a button.

Sleepy head was just coming to, someone was offering him coffee about an hour from touch down. In simple terms I told him what I’d done with Jake-he roared with laughter, said next time we’d have to make it a three way-explained about Lee, explained about the cops and the Captain and told him, that, tired or not, he had to know what I was doing in his absence; In my mind it changed nothing but if he felt I’d pushed it..well, now would be a good time to say something.

“Shadow, as you said and proved it, you aren’t a pistol, you’re the whole fucking shot gun. Whatever you do, with whomever you do it…have a fucking good time, I’d say take pictures but that’s not such a hot idea….I’m sitting here watching clouds, fingering a collar….thinking…only Shadow would tell me the honest truth before there was anything to tell….that doesn’t happen very often if at all. Other than wishing you were here to give me a shave and wishing I was there to have a fucking good time…do I have to say more?”

“Nope, not a word. Hurry home, I’ll save you some barbecue….”

I heard the word ‘love’ as he clicked off.

There was a pause in the activity while guest, by whomever invited, made their way, Jake brought in supplies and I….checked on Lee just to make sure Jake hadn’t been too taught in tying Lee down. Also, and since he seemed only pissed off, not too secured, I collected his personal effects, told him I’d keep them safe, held up a pair of branding irons, asked him not to make a choice now but decide which would be most like “him” when applied also revealed an elastrator plus a really well woven bull whip-there was an amusing game that could be played outside, a version of one played on ice, called “Crack The Whip”. Lacking ice, well, that was why this was only a version of the original. And one thing I did know to do; Force liquid into him, for this kind of play, beyond the blood et al, dehydration could lead to shock and that was no fun for anyone. Although the better BDSM didn’t show it, getting fluids, water or something like one of the energy drinks was best, into your play toy was a given. I couldn’t know his financial philosophy but he’d gone after the two grand rather quickly which suggested-I heard Michael Douglas as Gordon Gecko-intone that ‘Greed is, for lack of a better word, good.”

Whether ‘Lee’-it was the name he gave me so it’s the name I’ll use, was grateful for this kindness is hard to know, certainly his vocalizations didn’t suggest it but…for two thousand dollars cash, I did feel his gratitude was less than might be expected and, anyway, nothing had happened to him. Yet.

Upstairs I took the moment to go through his things, found, what else?, he’d given me a fictitious name but then when I thought of the times I handed out handles that weren’t mine, he couldn’t be blamed. What I hoped was that when he screamed, he’d remember mine, nice to be cursed, shows that what you’re doing, you’re doing well.

Jake apparently couldn’t climb a stair case one riser at a time which made his arrival easy to discern.

“Got everything…how’s, the, uh, entertainment doing? I passed him on my way in…”

“Fine, don’t worry about him…I’m going to do something to you so, here, this chair, sit on it, this will take about one minute.”

Jake was too used to following my orders to wonder what I might do and, I suspected, too fond of me to not let me do whatever it as I had in mind…then there was the idea of Jerry…

Looking him straight in the face I said, “I had that outline beard, hated it while I did it and that’s it, off it comes.” The whirr of a pair of portable clippers tuned up, ran around his chin, over his lip and, just like that, apart from some hair on his jeans and in the blades, he was without a beard and back to looking more like his puppy dog self…a good look for him. “Thanks Shadow, I would’a said nothing but…I hated it too.”

‘It’s purpose was to change you, to shock your family off one topic and that’s done, or so you say, now I want back my Jake. Come here, give me a hug…I’ll take you downstairs and give you a full blade shave after fun and games…whenever that may be.”

Smiling his increasingly seen sunny smile he headed down stairs-I held my breath as he almost leapt from one riser to another several below it.

Time and experience had taught me that as there was nothing for me to do, taking a nap or at least lying down was a good idea. God knows how much energy I might have to expend later so now….me…bed….silence…dim….sleep.

I really need to have a clock or a watch or something that suggests the hour. Also, waking up with my clothes on was a relatively rare experience. Up, stretch that good post nap stretch and, while I had my arms first fully out then, fisted, back to my shoulders where I paused. Footsteps on the stairs, not Jakes, these actually only took them one at a time.

“Shadow? Okay to come in?”

Without turning, it was obviously someone I knew, I yelled back, heard the door open and almost immediately found myself with one arm around my chest, the thumb and forefinger on either side of my nipple while the other one covered my mouth.

“Shadow, it’s a friend, just with your back to me I thought…” and turned me around to see a fine looking man….I had no recollection of ever having seen. About my height, black cowboy boots, jeans, black turtleneck, good looking leather jacket, mirrored flight captain shades…

He smiled. Nice to surprise someone like you, hard to do I bet…close your eyes, put me in a navy uniform, a badge….

“Fuck, Captain, I apologize…”

“No need to, used to it. Once stood my a guy at the airport for like twenty minutes, knew where I lived, if they got the new lawn in and I’m almost ripping my balls off trying to think who the fuck this guy is….Finally he laughed, smiled and said…the last time I saw you was at your front door, you had on a pair of blue boxers, a t shirt and were carrying a mug…got it yet?”

“And I had it. Mick, my mail man, been mine for at least…ten years? So I understand when people do not recognize me, you aren’t expected to, it’s a part of being a cop that’s an advantage.” He smiled. “I, uh, don’t suppose you remember an offer….”

It was my time to smile. “Strip….it’s better that way and if one thing leads to another, well, you’re ready.”

“Oh, one thing first…the dude you’ve got for entertainment…looked familiar…you got any of his ID?”

I handed him his billfold which was when his face went from anticipatory to professional. “Without touching it, did he have a phone, did he make calls on it?”

“In his jacket.”

“You got a gun?”

I showed him my ‘Clint Eastwood special, a Magnum 357.

“You do this. I want you to sit on the edge of your bed, I’ll get that cute kid that hangs around you up here and I want you to stay there, put him beside you, you were in the service so…protect him. Got it?”

“Sir.”

“May be a long wait but do not get off that bed and do not put down that gun….do ya luv the guy I’m sending up?”

“No.”

“Good, that makes one thing easier.” In two steps he was beside me, looked into my face, my eyes, reached down, took my neck almost lifted me to him, kissed me, turned and was gone almost before I hit the bed.

Five minutes later a frightened Jake ran up the stairs, blew through the door and almost annealed himself to me. “Shhhhsahha dow, what’s going on, a man almost threw me up the stairs, told me to stay by you…”

“Do what he told you to do, sit here, relax, I’ve got us covered.” Jake shakily sat down, I put the arm that wasn’t holding the gun around his shoulder, nuzzled him told him I had him, it would be okay….

“Are we in trouble?”

“No, but I think we almost were….”

And we sat. Jake wore a watch which I tried not to look at so time didn’t have meaning. I remembered that Rod had suggested I cut a dormer an put in a window, make a nice window seat…but I’m not the window seat sitter type. By Jakes watch, two hours had past, then another thirty minutes. There were noises, sounds of cars moving in, one or two steps up my staircase but they stopped. Below us, in the ‘play dungeon’ there was some noise that was familiar to me, the sound of a man being, well, whatever was being to him that hurt. When the first scream came through the vent Jake stiffened and almost dragged me over.

From then on action was fast and loud. I heard two words, and a noise, “Shots fired”. Acting on instinct taught me in the service, I rolled down, gun at the door tucking Jake’s body underneath me, couldn’t see much of his save his legs. I knew to relax my arms, best way to keep control of the gun.

Outside, yells, two more shots, the sound of tires squealing, more yelling and as quickly as it started, it was over. I held my position over Jake until I was relieved.

Boots on the stairs, none I’d heard, knock at the door, “Shadow?”

“It’s open”

The Captain walked in facing a gun pointed straight at his nuts. “Stand down, it’s all over.” He came over, helped Jake out of full smother position, rubbed my suddenly very sore shoulders, pulled Jake to one side of him, arm fully around him.

“Cocksucker, you just must want reward money, better than working….put the piece down and lock it.”

“Jake, are you all right?” He had him stand, checked him over, swatted him on the butt then told him to go downstairs and get as many beers as he could drink from Jeff…we’d be all right.

“Wanna tell me about it and…I wouldn’t turn down a couple of foamies myself. You?” He leaned out the door. “Hey, Jeff, sent a six up here then set a guard at the staircase, I gotta debrief a witness.” He looked at me and winked.

“Shadow, you have the touch for finding louses, gotta give you that but this time….IF I understand this, he tried to pick up you and Jake but…you offered him money if he’d come inside and get the tar whopped out of him and the jerk took it….that about right?”

“More or less….Cap, he was really a putz, after few rounds of negotiation, my only purpose was to make sure that Jake had a good time and wouldn’t be damaged…you know his back story…”

Since there was no answer I ran him through the night Jake found me leaning against my fence. Also found out his partner had fallen from a bridge, ended up a headless corpse and Jake was one step away from offing himself.”

“I remember, some of our guys had to bring down the body and it was not pretty…Not At All. Shadow, you did a good thing and I can see why he’s stuck to you. At least for now.”

“Any way, the guy went for the two grand, blew off his buddies, wherever and whoever they were and are, came back here with us, Jake tied him down, I called to have his truck towed to the police lot and the rest you probably know.”

“You ever heard the phrase, it was in some movie, these have got to be the stupidest crooks ever? Well, you got the head idiot…on his phone were the numbers where his guys were, easy take down there and no problem here, you already had the least important tied up, ready for delivery.”

“Next time I’ll put a bow on it.”

Captain came right into my face. “Shadow, now that we’ve got that over, I’m here to collect an offer….if it’s still good.”

“Looking at you, I look forward to it…”

“Mind if we do it my way?”

“The customer is always right even on donated goods..” I smiled at him but he didn’t quite smile back.

“Strip, I want you in a jock, a T shirt and some white socks, that’s it. I want to see you get ready to go down and do what you’d said you’d do now, scoot, get naked.”

The outfit couldn’t have been easier to find and put on-just why this…well, I’d find out.

“Take the brace position.” Okay, we’d both been in the service, not a problem. He walked around me once, twice then, behind me snapped on the cuffs, reached around and put his hand over my mouth.

“Shadow, I’ve wanted you for a long time, Little Jeff didn’t realize it but every time I asked how you were, if he’d seen you, the little peckerhead was just as chattery about you as about his Skip. See, a lot of these guys really respect you, doesn’t matter to them what you do, they know, if it came to it, you’d come off that fence, just like a man…”

I bit his hand, hard. “Sir, I’m not a man, I’m a whore.” That got me slapped so hard I hit the ground and was then roughly picked up by one pit, almost dislocating it.

“Shadow, what you do and what you are, very different things. I don’t want a whore, I want you, a man, just like me. IF you ever, demean yourself like that again, I’ll have you in a cell, bread and water until you learn your lesson.” That’s when he slapped tape over my mouth and pushed me to the floor, putting one boot on my neck pushing me down.

“What’s it like to know that for once, you’re not in control, you’re not the dom, I am and I’ll stay that until we find a way to even the score.” He pushed on my neck until I was on the floor and his boot was on my back, hard on my back, I was meant to stay on that floor until he had other ideas for me. Heard his zipper go down, his pants fell on me and he got into my crotch, spread my legs, I could feel his cock wander around my ass.

“I want you to remember this. Thought about raping you, making you bleed, but we’ll settle for a hard, rough fuck…to start with.” To prepare the playing field he gave me a solid kick in the nuts. Then he was in me, hard, no caring for me, just plunged down until his whole very hard cock was at the bottom, fighting with my prostate, making me groan. Laying on top of me, bouncing up and down, sticking me with a prick that seemed to grow larger each time it ran down my chute, he kept telling me to remember being a submissive, remember what it felt like to be had by someone who didn’t give a shit, just wanted to get their rocks off and, afterward, would pull out, walk away still drooling sperm on the ground. He made his point.

He pulled out so abruptly that there was almost a pop, rolled me, ripped the tape from my mouth and stuck his penis to the bottom of my throat not caring that I could barely breath. Sure, I knew how to deep throat, would have done it to him with pleasure…and then he put his hands around my throat and slowly closed my wind pipe. Again, in my ear, telling me this was the death of a sub, of a nothing, a body used up. And I passed out.

Swimming into consciousness I was only aware of being held in strong arms and that….water was pouring on me. I thought about opening my eyes but decided, no, I’d already seen my life pass in front of them and why repeat the experience? Lips kissed mine, my eyelids, my throat, my chest…so I opened them to find I was being held by the Captain who was smiling at me, holding me, making a bizarre sort of love to me. What I could remember was the beating that had been handed off as sex, the falling to the floor when I’d been hit, the ache in my cheek, my ass felt as if someone had left their powerful electric mixer in it, my cock…

“Now it’s time to tell you that I love you, have for a long time and, yeah, I know, there’s another man in your life but if I didn’t get my bid in now….you’d never know. Unlike Jerry Keller, I can’t afford you every night unless now and again I can come to you or you can come to me…I, I’m so fucking sorry, Shadow, it just seemed the only way to get to you, through pain and punishment and then love so you’d see the difference.”

I moved to get away from him, to sit up, on a very painful ass, on the bench beside him in my own shower. Nothing to say to him. Nothing.

Quiet can be a wedge or a time when things only change. I looked at him, deeply, carefully and realized…this was a man, the sort that appealed to me as, apparently, I appealed to him. His head was bowed, waiting for some sort of response from me, anything but my frozen stare and unmoving body. He knew not to touch, to speak and, I wondered, if he knew that whatever I said next was going to influence his whole world. And I could find nothing to say so we sat there, the warm water, my bruises coming up, his cock flaccid, sorrowful, his strong hands wanting to make me better, his mouth aching to say…something but we just sat.

There is always a way to start a conversation and it doesn’t necessarily involve words. Slowly I slid from the bench, turned toward him, didn’t look up but took his sad cock in my hand, put my other one on his balls then leaned forward and placed it in my mouth. I could feel his tears falling in my hair, running down my forehead. Now just to get him hard so I could give him what I promised and, in doing so, give him what he wanted, me.

I suppose over time I could have got used to driving a Rolls, God knows it was as easy to drive as any vehicle with which I was familiar. Cruising baggage claim, Jerry finally came out hauling his two bags plus the carryon looking just like he did the day I’d dropped him off what? Ten days earlier.

“You drive, I’m so fucking tired I could wreck a Red Flyer Wagon.” Before I could shift into D he pulled me over, made sure I was well and truly kissed then flopped back; That man did exhaustion as well as anyone I’d ever known. That he had reason was a side issue…but for this iteration I noticed that his face was or had been sun burned that was now flaking off into tan; Impossible to wonder how much more of him was in the same condition.

“Anything interesting happen?”

“Usual. Police bust at the shop, five guys rounded up on drug charges, I almost shot the Captain of the precinct, Little Jeff makes great barbecue and I now know how much beer Jake can hold before he spews…Oh, I’ll get another medal for heroism and more reward money plus, probably another medal for being a good citizen but this time, I bet it’s going to be bigger..other than that, same o, same o.”

Somewhere in my recitation Jerry caught some of the verbs and, just like he’d had an adrenaline dump, came to. “Say what? What drugs? Five men at the shop? You shot a cop….? Shadow….”

“Slump back, first, I didn’t shoot a cop, as you have every reason to know, they’re some of my best friends and protectors. Second, I didn’t know he was a drug dealer, he was just a client that Jake and I turned into a trick and had stretched out on the rack in the down stairs play room. Jeff left the barbecue recipe…”

“Fuck the recipe, slowly, second by second, tell me what the hell you did.”

“I just did. I was bored so I took Jake out to the fence with me, kind of a twofer, and this guy pulled up, wanted to hire us for a party with him and some of his buddies….but I, sorry, used some of your money and turned him into a trick that Jake and I took back to the shop and that’s that. Oh, I didn’t have to use your money after all.”

“No, that’s not that. Drug bust? You almost shot a cop….Shadow, jeez I leave town and you’re running the St Valentine’s day massacre in a barber shop and how the fuck did the guy from the precinct get involved…?”

“I promised him a blow job, it was kind of a joke but he didn’t take it that way so when he came by to collect, the guy downstairs looked familiar and since I had his phone, the cops triangulated some numbers then all showed up in the parking lot behind my place and that’s that. Then we had a beer and barbecue and an all boys night. Please, Jerry, remember I called you and told you what I might do and you laughed, thought it was hilarious, told me to have a good time and that’s what happened although whether I had a good time or not….”

I could tell he wanted to be pissed off just couldn’t find anything I’d done-that I hadn’t said I would do (no one counts on a drug bust at their work place) including, if we got down to it, Jake. The Captain…was very personal, no one gained anything by going down that rabbit hole.

We rode on, me surreptitiously scanning the horizon for the Keller Tower, or some landmark that had any familiarity. I knew, from my previous return, there was one turn off the expressway and, if I could find it, after that I could almost drive through the wall and leave the car with Herb while taking Jerry with me even if I had to get a dolly of some sort to move him.

“Remember the first time? Okay, when we get home, same drill just different apartment. Strip, shower, shave, bed, nap…”

“With you?”

“As I said, remember last time?” At least he’d dropped the topic of what I’d done while he was away. Although….

“That’s the end of a nasty sunburn…do you need some Noxzema or something like that?”

“Uh uh, Hussein saw to it that I was coated top to bottom….Jesus that place is hot…finally got so I could put on a Thobe and some Sandals plus that weird winding cloth on my head.”

“Must have fit right in with all the other Sheiks…who’s Hussein?”

Jerry was on the edge of sleep, relaxed, glad to be with me or he’d never have answered that question.

“Just some guy over there, known him for years, good friend of the family I always bunk in with him.”

“So….Hussein has a pool and that’s where you got crisped?”

“Uh hmm. Don’t even have a tan line.”

Oddly, or maybe not, I wasn’t jealous. Glad he’d had a good time on what I knew wasn’t a ‘fun’ trip. Whoever Hussein was, and I’d probably know a bit more later, it evened the infidelity score as pertained to the Captain…who I also planned introducing to him. I looked over and there it was, the collar. Wonder how he explained that to Hussein…..

Once Jerry was solidly in dream land, and likely to stay there for several hours, I got out of bed, dressed, wrote him a quick note saying not much but enough to not worry him as pertained to my absence, went down stairs, got my pickup-Jake and I had found one, two year old Ford 150 with, where you didn’t spot them, a lot of bells and whistles. We’d got a shop maul, dented it, but one head lamp in sideways and a carefully applied crack in the window behind the crew cab. Just to test fly it, we tried out one of the interior features, the one that the Ford people said with certain alterations, it would sleep two. Comfortably. It did. At the same time-Jerry had given me an a great deal of money, close to a hundred grand, I insisted-for services rendered and prepayment in the future, bought Jerry a Cherried out Ford Raptor. The previous owner had let it go very inexpensively-actually, the salesman for it wore a badge and worked in the police impound yard-as the previous owner’s need for it had expired; Something 15 to 19 plus. Cap had worked that bit, he’d met and liked Jerry saying that if I cared enough about him to protect him then…that made him part of our inner circle….Our Inner Circle?

I was about half done shaving a guy when my ‘smart phone’ announced I had incoming (the satellite phones were overkill in the city…or even the whole nation). I could look and see it was sleepy head who had now found my note and was up. Apologizing to my client, I quickly answered, explained where I was, what I was doing and I’d planned on being “home” later after my office hours. Fine, he needed to go to his office see what was shaking there and suggested we’d meet back at the house….whenever we got there. Click.

Later we had a moment when neither Rod or I were busy and, rare for him, he brought up the developing problem I had with a three way including Jerry, Jake and the Captain. Meaning well but having to play a favorite, he said that Jake was too nice a guy to string along knowing that he wasn’t ever going to get to home plate on a permanent basis. In a level attempt to deflect that, perfectly correct, idea I asked him who his money might be on? That got him. It was easy enough to pick a loser but determining a winner? If I wanted money and power, stay where I was, move in, Jerry was a nice guy, a good man…he’d never know he wasn’t loved as fully as he was loving…there was that collar after all. The Captain? Never more than someone to whom I could go for a certain kind of affection, his age was against him, what he did was against him and that left Rod stuck in a swamp of his own making.

Just as a customer came through the door he abandoned playing match maker and just stay my best friend; I’d let him in on it when there was a clear winner.

But the day held one more surprise, this one from whatever is behind left field, over the buildings, across the expressway….Rod said he’d always wondered what it would be like to sleep with me…many days the aura of testosterone was so heavy even our clients left so hard they had to walk carefully.

I brushed that aside as a weird coda to his earlier ponderings however he said, “Nope, I may not desire you but…all these men can’t come to you for a bad time, I see some of them leave, so happy they almost stumble, buddy, you’re doing something awfully right and there’s no reason for me not to know. Pick a time and a day and….”

“Twelfth of Never good for you?” Assuming that ended that but…it didn’t. Rod came around the breakfront that separated our stations, put his arms around me, kissed me as well as gave my nuts a good feeling. “Find another date, say within the next week…Matt, I’m real serious.”

Yes he was. Rod and I had a lot of history, just none of it sexual. We’d met in the Air Force, stayed buddies ever since-it was Rod who pushed me toward barber school although I question he had any ideas as to the many convoluted turns that would take. During those years in green and camouflage he was aware I’d had sex with a certain number of me[CH1] n right up the chain of command and had no problem with it. Didn’t ask about it and, on occasion, was alternately the go – between a much higher up and me or as look out for one of those spur of those moment sessions that, without his watchful eyes, could have got me in serious trouble. His suggestion I get myself through barber school had validity in that while my body might desert me, the ability to cut hair and, most important, give razor shaves, would always be a way to at least survive. Did he expect my life’s work as a street hustler lay ahead? Probably not but even back then he did know I accepted money, sometimes favors in lieu of services rendered. Who else did he know who had a key to the motor pool garage and access to everything with motors within?

Just then Rod was presenting with a problem I did not need, would never need. Our relationship was long and very strong, what he was suggesting had the capacity to wreck it. I could and would avoid what he wanted but…that, too, led to a certain stress. For now, I put him on the back burner and concentrated on the three most pressing, Jerry, Jake and the Captain. And speaking of which….Jake strolled in. I was clientless so got him in the chair and, again, changed his look. Now, when finished, he looked like a nice guy, good worker, with well cut short hair that moved about in very little wind. He looked just like I wanted him to look and suddenly it came to me.

“Rod, if anyone shows up, and there’s nothing on my book for later, tell them, hell, I don’t care, tell them anything and to come back.” Didn’t give him time to answer just took Jake, zipped upstairs, changed into something in some style, put him in a Carhartt jacket that I used, dragged him down the stairs to my new truck-had him drive as I only had an lingering idea as to how to get there.

“Where are we going, Matt, I don’t get it, why the new hair cut…?”

“You’re going to meet Jerry.”

“Jeez, Matt, Jerry? I don’t know what I’d say or do….and at his place that palace up there?”

“He’s a really nice guy, you’ll like him” and to myself I added and he’ll really like you.

Herb did his usual almost salute, I had him add Jerry’s picture to the computer mug shots that got you in the door. We took the elevator to 38, I slipped the key in the lock and walked in to a very dark, very quiet apartment. Perfect, he was in bed and therefore naked. I actually took Jake’s hand in mind and pulled him toward the bedroom where there was one little light and one Jerry asleep on those great sheets.

Jake whispered that we shouldn’t wake him and I thought, we aren’t, you are and gave him a gentle shove which caused him to fall over Jerry and onto the bed. Jerry snapped to quickly, could see me but his instinct told him that Jake had fallen onto the bed. Good, that’s what I want him to think; Given that, he quickly checked him for wounds-of course there were none-but in the process their two faces were very close. Those long lashed, grey eyes, that face that was seeing something for the first time. Jake was almost in shock, falling on Jerry Keller, didn’t know him, knew of him, Matt’s friend but…Jerry sure was a nice guy, good looking too.

Jerry got out of bed, naked, and Jake just stared at him. In a very muted voice I introduced the two, suggested that while Jerry get dressed, Jake hang out and get to know him. Then I left the room, went to my closet, changed into one of the fashion plate outfits, was pleased that it was taking Jerry so long to dress, made myself a rare drink, grabbed some pillows and a soft throw, sat on the floor and watched the reflection of the sun set on the other side of the building. Behind me I heard the two of them come in and sit on the curved sectional. Raising my glass I offered to make a drink….no answer.

Right then I knew all would be well. It was a long shot but…Jake was just perfect for Jerry, knew his trade, his business, would be loyal, faithful, loving and, as I knew, was good at sex. Certainly this evening wasn’t going to seal the deal but it would go a long way. I got up, supposedly headed for the can, got behind Jerry, undid the collar and took it away. He put one hand back, trying to find me, to thank me but I knew all that.

Knowing what I liked at Jerry’s I found the shower that was a fountain, got in, had a steam bath, then a regular shower, turned on the very soft rain feature, laid down on the bench and went to sleep. That was two problems solved….and two to go. The worst of which, and the one which caused me to not quite enjoy where I was….Rod. He wasn’t going to be easy to put off and I wondered if there was something I didn’t know.

The Captain was the least of my worries and, frankly, the one I wanted. Not that I have a thing for older man but I did for this older man which went back to the time he’d presented Rod and me with our citizenship medals. Like me, he knew it all, could laugh about it, wouldn’t care that I worked the streets or worked the fence on the street. Sure, some of the guys, like Little Jeff and Skip would know but….that was fair. The only thing that was dicey was my profession if added against his as a law enforcer; In theory he could pick me up every day for loitering or pandering or solicitation; No one had but the mechanisms to do it were all there. Have to work on that one. In the warm, encompassing atmosphere I lolled over and slipped into a great sleep. Elsewhere I hoped, Jake had overcome some of his shyness and was able to talk to Jerry…..One last thing, out of the shower and found a bed. Son of a bitch, the sweet guy had window pane sheets on this one as well.

I suppose I should have expected the next turn of events. At some hour, strong arms reached into bed, picked me up and carried me away. “Oh yeah? Jerry, put me down, now, do you hear me….” I stared at him, not hard to do as our heads were less than twelve inches apart. Stupid ass didn’t put me down, just winked and kissed me. If I could have folded my arms and looked cross, I would have. Into a semi-dark room, dumped on some very familiar sheets.

“You’re in the middle. You knew, didn’t you, Matt…”

“Shadow….”

“How’d you find out, just answer me that?”

“I’m older and smarter and, to quote Judge Judy, if you live to be a hundred, you’ll never be as smart as I am.” That answer your question…and it was easy after this one started to tear up after he mentioned working for you. I flashed his picture to you and you got hard..one and one. Two. Got it? Good. Now, guys, I was asleep, I’d like to continue that activity so, if you’ll forgive me….” And started out of the bed.

“Uhm um, you’re sleeping with us, you’ve slept with both of us so…this is just having it all in one place.”

“Aw, guys, c’mon. Please, I love both of you, drop by my fence and I’ll give you a friendly discount but I am really tired…almost spent the night in your shower, or one of them, somewhere. You need to hand out maps to this place. Jake, when you move in, have some printed up, put them by the door or give them to Herb to hand out. People could get lost. Now, over and….”

“When Jake moves in….?”

“Yep, when Jake moves in. Once more around the park. You’ve both lost someone, you need someone and, this is just the guess of a very good professional, you’ll fall in love. Easier to have him here when that happens than driving all over town looking for each other…..Also…Let me up, I have an errand, promise I’ll be right back.” Grudgingly, they allowed me up…now all I had to do was find what I was looking for.

In the living room, under a pillow…..and back to the bedroom where two confused men were lolling on plaid sheets. I handed what I was looking for to Jerry.

“Okay, collar him, he’s yours, couldn’t be better. Jake, listen to me, from that first night, looking for me, looking for someone dead…I knew there was a guy for you. I know men, I’ve known lots of men and when I met Jerry, even though I didn’t even know you, I knew what would make him happy, what would make the guy he found happy….I’m just the sort of mutherfucker who doesn’t wait for people to wander around, bumping into walls when what they want is immediately available.” They looked at each other and had stupid, sheepish grins.

“We can’t both fuck you at once…”

“Well, you can but I’d have to tell you how to do it. Just, please, listen to me, give this a test shot, Jerry, let him live here….some of what you bought for me will fit him…you’ll love dressing him up, he’ll love being dressed up….in bed, the two of you will be warm and caring and maybe remind each other of what it felt like to be with the men you loved…not right away, nobody does that, but…Please, guys….”

Jerry was holding the gold collar in his hand. Jake reached out, took one side, pulled it to his neck. “Jerry…if you want me, want to test fly me…I want to belong to someone, I did, once and, well, apart from this dildo” he punched me in the shoulder, “never saw a man I wanted more…thought that the first time I saw you….on a job site…truth is, Matt, Mikey and I were going to split…that was to be our last Christmas and then, well, you know….”

I pulled his head to my chest, thought about it, pulled Jerry’s as well. “You’re like my two grown up sons, just…who fuck each other…”

I could feel them both crying, felt the tears run down my chest, held them harder…

“Shadow…come on, bunk in with us, just tonight….”

“Nope. And spoil the first date? What kind of dad do you think I am? The sort who stands on the porch and blinks the porch light for his kid to break it up?” I tried to get up and away. Jake stopped me.

“Jerry, I’d like to try being yours, I mean, if you’d like to try me out..you know, just for now…so…I mean…that’s a fine looking collar you got in your hand…look good on me, proud to wear it…If, you know..if”

Jerry snapped open the collar, Jake leaned forward and lowered his head, I heard the crisp permanent sounding snap then looked at them look at each other. Jerry had his hands on the collar with Jake’s hands just behind his. I slid out, found my way back to the room I’d been sleeping in, got back in bed and, finally figured I’d get a good nights sleep.

Several weeks later I was leaning against my fence, getting late, wondered if I’d get any business. Around the corner came a man wearing very worn jeans, the sort that have the hem in back chewed off by boot heels. Old but shined boots, a cowboy plaid snap front shirt unsnapped to about his clavicle, big hat with a wide brim, leather thong around the crown. Walked on by me then came back.

“Just got paid.”

“That so?”

“Yeup, shore nuff. I, uh, got a few bucks to spend on somethin’ to play with.”

“Really now, what kinda play you had in mind, cowboy?”

“Well, I figger I can spare about a ten spot, least for the right player.”

“What makes you think I’m the right player?”

“You just look like the sorta man that could be rode hard and put up wet..if you take my meanin’.

“Well, now, I’ve been rode hard before, kinda liked it, I did, you into bronco bustin’? Steer Wrestlin’?”

“Well, don’t know rightly about steers, I, uh, kinda prefer ‘em before they gets to be steers. Ya know?”

“So you’re lookin’ for a stallion to maybe try and break for a pleasant hour or two, ‘bout right, Cowboy?”

“Yeup, somepin’ like that. Far as ten bucks ‘ll take me.”

“Got a stall for whatever stallion you might be findin’…?”

“Fella told me there’s a motel, cheap, round here somewhere…even shows dirty movies iffen’ you got some quarters for the dirty movie machine.”

“Yeah, seems like I heard about that place…just, uh, I kinda like to make my own dirty movies…more fun that way.”

“Cain’t argue that…by the way…” He produced a badge. “Yer under arrest for prostitution…”

“Am I now.”

“Yep, turn around, gotta get you cuffed.” I turned around put my hands behind me, palms out.

“Guess you know the drill, can see that by the way you got your hands. Preciate that….”

“You’re Welcome.”

“Now, sport, I gotta feel you up, then pull you to me on account you can’t use your hands. Bet you’re a good kisser….”

“Find out….”

We turned and walked to the other corner, the one by the hotel that was burned out in ’48 where a car was parked.

“No cage in this one.”

“Nope, just another seat up front where I can play with my favorite hooker while I drive us home.”

“Your place?”

“Yeah, any objections?”

“Well, Cap, I was kinda looking forward to that sleazy motel with the dirty movies. If anyone would know where it was, it’d be a cop…”

“Matt, you are one sweet motherfucker….nice to have my own whore..”

“Nice to have your own cop to run you in on occasion.”

He started the car, pulled my head into his lap where he unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. “Not too far, think you can get it done?”

“Buddy, I’m a professional.”