The Lost Boys Emporium

A cold wind moaned through the narrow streets of the docklands, it’s chill belying the bright sky and sunshine. It was early and for most people in the city the day had yet to begin.

A car drew up to the rear loading entrance of an old, disused retail unit right on the dockside. Two men got out. One of them pulled a package of cigarettes from his jacket pocket. He placed a cigarette between his lips and took a long drag as he lit it. He stretched, put the pack away, and threw the keys to his companion. They’d pulled an all-nighter on this job and both were tired and hungry.

The other guy unlocked the trunk of the car. He lifted the lid and peered inside. There was some knocking and a muffled sound. The guy laughed.

“He’s a feisty little shit, ain’t he?” He said as his friend approached.

“He is now” the man said. “He won’t be.” They both shrugged. As long as they got paid, they didn’t give a shit. This kid was destined to be broken in. Inside of a week he’d be submissive and timid just like the rest.

They both reached in and pulled a struggling lump of boy from the trunk. He was wrapped several times around with tin foil blankets and bound with duct tape. Tape covered his mouth, too.

“Let’s get him into the basement quickly. I’m not convinced these survival blankets are that effective” the first guy said. “I don’t want any heat on my ass, especially from the company he’s been keeping”.

They literally dragged the boy inside.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jonno held the phone away from his ear. He wasn’t hearing anything close to what he wanted. He also disliked using mobile phones for comms. Too easy to infiltrate. But time was a factor here.

He sighed, brought the phone back to his ear. “How the fuck have you fucking idiots lost him?” He asked. His voice was calm, but inside he was seething and the man on the other end of the line would know that the boss was far from impressed.

The voice at the other end explained. One of the watchers intercepted and taken out. Signal disappeared. That’s all she wrote.

Again, Jonno held the phone away. He wiped his free hand over his face. He was dog tired. Worried about Connor, about his relationship with Jaimie. He’d pissed off Pavel. He’d been a part of the rift that was now open between Jaimie and Craig. Jaimie was missing and he worried desperately about that. He was making fucking stupid decisions. Getting old maybe. As a younger man he’d have mobilised the world and torn the docklands apart brick by tiny brick. Assuming anyone was stupid enough to get on his wrong side, of course. Different times.

“How did they manage to take out our watcher?” He asked into the handset, suddenly curious.

“Unknown” came the response. “They must have this place locked down pretty tight. We never saw them coming.”

Jonno thought about that. They were being played, he was certain. This had been in the works for a long time, to have this many eyes and ears on the streets.

“There’s a little good news, of sorts” the tinny voice in the handset said. “They have to be in a region of about five or six blocks. We know they never left by boat and we’re confident they didn’t break through the delta perimeter we established.”

“How confident?” Jonno asked. He was losing faith in his people.

“We’re confident. Totally. They’re in that six block section. I now it’s not much. It’s a big area…..but…..”

“But not as big as the whole city” Jonno finished. “You have the underground covered?” he asked, referencing the old sewage pipes and and smugglers tunnels under that part of the city.

“Completely. We have people who know the underground better than anyone. We’re sure about that.”

“Keep the perimeter secure. If a fucking rat leaves that area without a permission slip from me, I’ll loose my shit in a way no-one in this city has since since the eighties. Understand?”

“Y…y…yes sir” came the voice. They all knew the stories even if most of them were too young to remember. The year 1989 was an exceptionally violent year. It was when Jonno made his mark. The year of the Enforcer. People didn’t generally fuck with Jonno after that. “Will report in one hour. Out.”

Jonno tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. He closed his eyes. Everything was shit right now and he wasn’t making it any better. He needed advice. Scratch that, he needed support and advice and a shoulder to lean on.

Shit, he thought. I really must be getting old.

He turned the key in the ignition and the engine roared to life. He pumped the accelerator peddle in frustration. Revving her up like he wanted to break her. He knew what he had to do, but he was frustrated and annoyed and….. behaving like a child, he thought to himself.

He grabbed the phone and rang. A woman’s voice answered. “I’m coming to the house. I need to see Pavel. Now.” He said. He didn’t wait for a response. He hung up, tossed the phone back onto the seat, and put the car in drive.

“Fuck!” He shouted at no-one in particular. He hit the steering wheel.

He pulled out onto the main road and put his foot down. He had no time to sit and wallow in self pity. He needed to dig deep and find the Enforcer within. People needed him and he’d be fucked if he was going to let them down any more.

It was time for Jonno to take control.

* * * * *

Tristan stepped from the shower and stood in front of his full length, double width mirror. He studied his physique, his muscles bulging from the workout he had completed only minutes before. He took hold of his cock and cupped his balls. Good, he thought. All good to go.

He took the bottle of oil from the shelf and began to apply it to every inch of his skin. He had around fifteen minutes until his client arrived, plenty of time to become the oiled Greek god that had been requested.

Today’s client was the eighteen year old son of an Emporium regular. According to Tristan’s job sheet, the boy had recently come out as gay. He was desperate to lose his cherry and the father was keen to know for sure, so it was Tristan’s job to bend the boy over and test the his resolve. After today he was either going to be a card-carrying bottom in search of more cock, or a born-again straight who rued the day he stepped into Tristan’s parlour.

Tristan finished oiling himself up. He checked himself out in the mirror one more time, double checking that he hadn’t missed anything. He loosely tied a small towel around his waist and went to his client room to check everything was in order. This was going to be a quick session, so he wanted everything prepared in advance.

Tristan had a large chaise longue in the middle of the room set on a fluffy rug, with a small side table. On the table was lube, poppers, wipes…. Yeah that would do. The muscular Lost Boy went to stand at the further point of the room from the door to wait.

Tristan loved these sessions. He enjoyed taking some young, shy boy’s virginity. He had often been hired to test some young guy’s determination that he was gay and he wanted it. Often it was daddy footing the bill, and often daddy was just making sure before he faced the fact than his son was queer. Funny thing was, daddy was usually a regular and the hypocrisy always amused Tristan. But he loved being the instructor, taking his client from nervous and unsure to cock slut in the space of a single session. It was satisfying and gratifying in equal measure. His cock twitched at the thought.

There was a light knock on the door. A light knock, Tristan thought. Shy. Nervous. Excellent.

“Come” he said in a loud voice, his baritone rumbling in his chest.

The door opened slightly and a tall, slim young man stepped into Tristan’s room. He practically hugged the door as he closed it behind himself. He shuffled a little, his nerves on show for all to see. Eventually he plucked up the courage to speak. “I’m here for…..” He said, before losing his voice and fading into silence.

Tristan looked at his customer. Tall, maybe six feet in height. Slim, but not skinny. A shock of dark brown hair in a choppy style. Great cheek bones. Pretty face with shining green eyes. Tristan tilted his head to one side. Looked like a nice firm ass, two round peaches squashed together in tight, figure-hugging jeans. He took a deep breath. This was going to be awesome.

“You’re here to lose your virginity, yes?” He said, his voice quite and low and full of self-assurance.

The young man looked up briefly, taking a break from studying his shoes. “Y….. yes” he said.

“You’re here of your own free will?” Tristan asked. Always observe the formalities, he thought. They generate an almost mystical air. Besides, they turned him on.

The boy nodded. No eye contact.

“You understand the rules here in this room?” His voice rumbled.

“I do” the client said.

Tristan nodded. That last response was faster, clearer, no mumbling. Good, we’re getting some confidence.

“You understand that losing your virginity means taking my dick in your back passage?” Tristan said. He stifled a smirk. He didn’t have to say that, but he wanted to see this guy’s reaction to that degree of direct communication. I’m gonna fuck your ass, you know that, right?

The young guy’s head shot up and he made eye contact with Tristan. There was a moment of electrical energy between them. There was some fear in the boy’s eyes, for sure, but Tristan also noticed something else. Longing.

“Y….. yes” he said. “I know” and he resumed looking down at his hands.

Tristan nodded again. Good. One more question. “You know that once I’m in, I will continue until I finish no matter what? That’s the package your father bought and paid for. You understand that.”

“I understand” he said, his confident answer yet. “It won’t be a problem”.

Tristan raised an eyebrow. That was almost cocky. That was like saying I want it, and I won’t need you to take it out. There was a long pause while Tristan considered this fine young specimen. Just when he thought he’d left the silence hanging for long enough, just at the point where the young man was about to speak, to ask what next, Tristan took hold of the towel and pulled it off him, letting it drop to the floor.

The young man looked up. His bright eyes were fixed on Tristan’s growing cock. He looked hungry. It was a look Tristan adored.

“Strip” he instructed.

The client hesitated for only a few seconds before his kicked off his sneakers, practically tore his t-shirt off, and slid his jeans down those slender, almost harmless legs. In short order he was standing, fixed once more on Tristan’s cock which was now flying at half-mast.

“Briefs too” Tristan said in a quiet voice. This guy’s body was young, slim, lithe, pale. He was muscular but not overly so. Not heavy set like Tristan. It was exactly the kind of body Tristan adored. He was certain, now, that his client was absolutely a bottom and after some discomfort he was going to be a lot of fun. He’d try to do this without poppers. Just lube.

The young man reached into the waistband of his plain white briefs and slid them off. Tristan took a deep breath and sighed. Beautiful, he thought. The guy’s cock was slim too, uncut, with a trimmed thatch of brown public hair. The scrotum was tight and shaved by the look of it. The tops of his legs were hairless, and he had only light, patchy hair on his lower legs. An undeveloped teen, albeit a man in the eyes of the law.

Tristan stepped forward, right into the guy’s personal space. He ran both hands over the teen’s chest, eventually taking his nipples between thumb and forefinger. He caressed, watching with glee as goosebumps erupted all over the teen’s body. Tristan looked down and was delighted to see that cock had grown and it now stood fully erect. It wasn’t a bad specimen. He ran his hands down the teen’s bod and touched him there, cupping his balls and probing behind the sack. Precum was already drooling from the teen’s cock. It was a sign. A good one.

Tristan placed a single finger under the client’s chin and raised his head up. He held the boy’s gaze before ever so slowly moving his mouth forward. The boy closed his eyes and almost on autopilot he moved forward too. Their lips met and Tristan kissed the boy deeply. He slowly parted his lips and sent his wet tongue to explore. He was grateful that the boy responded in kind and they stood for long minutes simply kissing one another. It was beautiful. Tristan was excited; the boy was a good kisser.

Tristan decided he’d add something to the routine of these bookings. He sank down to his knees, kissing and licking the boy’s torso as he went. He took the boy in his mouth. Now erect, it was a fair sized cock. It was long, a little thin perhaps but Tristan figured the boy had some growth left in him, and it was rock hard. Tristan swirled his tongue around, pushing it under the foreskin and exploring. He was aware that he’d have to go carefully: if the teen blew his load now, he might not want to continue and the fun would be over. Worse, he wouldn’t fulfil his contract.

He licked and sucked gently gripping the boy’s hips with firm hands. Already the teen was beginning to thrust forward a little, finding his confidence in the new, warm feelings in his groin. Tristan could taste the salty juices of precum and reluctantly decided it was time to break away. As he took his mouth away from the boy’s erection, there was a small whimper. Tristan smiled.

“On your knees, over the chaise longue” Tristan commanded. The boy moved quickly to comply, more horny now than he’d ever been in his young life. No-one had ever sucked his cock before and he liked it. He liked it a lot.

He sank to his knees on the velvety soft, plush rug, his body over the seat of the chair and his ass pushed right back. Tristan followed, already on his knees. He buried his face in the boy’s ass, his nose and tongue deep in the crack between those peachy little cheeks. He lapped and the boy shivered from tip to toe, whimpered, and arched his hips so he could push his ass back as far as was humanly possible.

In the space of a few short minutes the teen had stripped in front of another man, had been kissed, touched, sucked, and now his hole was being tongued and rimmed. These were all new experiences, but of them all so far this was the best. The sensitive flesh around his anus, his perineum, right down to his ball sack…… god it was wonderful. How had he gone eighteen years and not known how extraordinarily amazing it could be to be licked there?

Tristan grabbed the boy’s cock. He began to expand his licking motion to encompass the underside of it, the balls, all the way to the top edge of his hole. Tristan loved this action and he knew he was good at it. The boy was melting, relaxing into the most wonderful sensations. After a few minutes of intensive tongue action, Tristan probed at the boy’s entrance with his index finger. The boy clenched instantly, but almost as quickly he forced himself to relax and Tristan was able to push the tip of his finger into the tight space.

This is a tight little hole, Tristan thought. The very horny side of him grinned, almost unable to wait the feel that tight elastic muscle wrapped around his shaft. The business-like side of Tristan the Lost Boy worried that this tight and clearly unused hole might find a big cock like Tristan’s quite painful.

He slid his finger in and out, licking and lubricating all the time. He quickly switched to two fingers, gently pushing them inside as he grasped the boy’s cock and tickled with his tongue. Finally he replaced his fingers with his thumb. The boy groaned a little at that, but he seemed relaxed and comfortable now.

Tristan reached over for the lube. He smeared copious amounts around the boy’s hole and fingered some into the passage. He took more and smeared it all along the length of his cock. It was far more than he’d usually use, but he wanted this to be good. With luck, he’d get another crack at this customer, but only if he liked the experience and wanted some more.

“Now, relax and when I say I want you to push out, okay?” Tristan instructed.

The young man visibly relaxed his body and arched his back a little. Tristan lined up his cock and pushed the head down onto the boy’s anus. He heard the boy take a deep breath. “That’s right, deep breaths” he encouraged.

Tristan pressed down with his thumb, pushing the head downward and in at an angle. Tristan always thought of this as the cherry-popping angle. The easiest way in.

The boy squirmed a little, let out a breath and took another. Tristan backed off a little. “Don’t forget to take deep breaths just like you were” he said. He pressed the head of his dick downwards again and applied some forward pressure from his hips. He pushed a little deeper this time before the boy squirmed again.

Tristan backed off again. He slid his thumb gently in the boy’s hole and probed a little, stretching and relaxing the muscles. He carefully pulled at the walls of the boy’s sphincter, spreading that tight hole open a little. Then he placed his cock back at the entrance, pushed down again with his thumb, pressed forward again from the hips until half of the cock head was inside. Then the boy shuffled and the momentum was lost.

Tristan was too much of a pro to get frustrated, although he really wanted to slide into that tight, hot opening. He pulled away again and the boy surprised him by saying, “j….just do it”. There was hesitation and nervousness in his voice.

“You certain?” He asked.

“Do it. I want it” came the boy’s replay.

Tristan shrugged. If the boy wanted his ass ploughed, who was Tristan to object? He lined up his cock again and pushed the head down with his thumb, harder this time. He made ready to heave forward, using his glutes as the anchor to push from. He took hold of the boy’s hip with his free hand.

“Count down from five” Tristan said, almost a whisper.

The boy began to count down, “F….five……f..f..four…..” He was stuttering every word, nervousness and sexual energy heightening the fear of the unknown. He got past “th…th…three…..” And started to say two, and that’s when Tristan pushed.

Never let them get to one or zero, he thought to himself. And in his experience, pretty young things like this, whose cherry was about to go, they were always most relaxed at “two”. It was long enough after they started counting so that some of the anxiety had worn off, and obviously at “one” they started clenching again.

Tristan’s cock shoved forward. The head met resistance but it was no match for the Lost Boy’s lubed muscle. The head popped through along with an inch of shaft and that’s when Tristan stopped.

“Ahhh” the boy cried out. “Ow!” And then he shut up. His initial clench wore off and he relaxed, and Tristan could feel the boy’s sphincter loosen its grip on him.

“Now breath. I’ll go at your pace darling, we have all the time in the world.”

The boy took a ragged breath, then another, and with each breath he relaxed and got used to Tristan’s member skewering his ass. Tristan began to apply some pressure and was gratified to see his cock sliding another inch deeper. He paused again, let the boy breathe and get used to it, before sliding further still. The boy wiggled a bit, adjusting his position and making that big hard penis inside him slightly more comfortable.

“Oh god…” he said, his voice quiet and low.

Tristan pushed all the way in until he was touching the boy’s ass cheeks. Tristan growled with pleasure and the boy whimpered. Tristan smiled. He knew that sound. That was pleasure.

The Lost Boy waited a while then slid out just an inch before pushing back. Then again. And again. Each time a little more travel. Each time the boy responding more, pushing back more to take it, arching his back like a purring cat on the outward stroke. Ever so slowly the experienced Tristan built momentum and rhythm.

Soon Tristan was almost all the way out, then all the way back in. The boy was moaning softly. Whimpering sometimes. In fact, all sorts of pleasurable sounds were coming from this guy. He started thrusting back with his hips as Tristan pushed forward and soon they were really fucking.

Now Tristan would ordinarily have cum and congratulated this virgin-no-more boy and considered it ‘job done’. But this was one tight, hot hole and he loved this slim, taught body and damn, but the boy was into it.

Fuck it, Tristan said to himself. Might as well enjoy this little bitch.

Tristan pulled right back and slowed down as he gently allowed the head of his cock to come all the way out. The boy’s hole was gaping and he whimpered and looked back over his shoulder. “Already?” He said in a soft voice that oozed “I want more”.

Tristan grinned. “Not by a long ways” he said. He hoisted the boy up onto the chaise longe and flipped him onto his back. He hooked those slim, almost hairless legs over his oiled, muscular shoulders and bent over the boy. He pressed his mouth down onto the boy’s and thrust his tongue forward as his cock impaled the slick, tight hole again. The boy’s eyes went wide and he tensed for second before wrapped his arms around Tristan and leaned into the kiss.

Within a few seconds Tristan was fucking the boy in long strokes, not too hard and fast, but not exactly beginner level either. The boy gripped Tristan with his legs and rocked his body, back in the rhythm and loving his first time.

“Harder?” Tristan asked into the kiss.

“Harder!” The boy replied, taking Tristan’s face in his hands and tonguing his mouth with fiery intensity.

You asked for it, Tristan thought. He fucked that boy. He really smashed that virgin hole as his ate his face. The boy responded beautifully, like a pro. He rocked into it, breathing heavily, his breathy cries begging for more.

A tear rolled down his cheek and Tristan began to wonder if he was going too far, but the boy started a breathy chant of “Oh god! I think I’m coming…..Oh god! I think I’m coming” so Tristan continued.

In less than a minute that boy’s chant had been reduce to breathy whimpers that sort-of resembled words until he cried out “Oh god! I’m coming now……”

Tristan felt the boy’s body spasm and rock and shiver as he came hands-free for the first time, a man’s meat inside him. Tristan felt the pulse in the boy’s sphincter that was wrapped around his shaft.

Okay, Tristan thought. Time for me to finish. This guy’s had his fill. Literally.

Tristan’s super-power was being able to come almost on demand. The other guys were always amazed by that. Tristan slowed down to a more sensual speed and forced his mouth wide open to kiss the boy. He gave himself a few seconds before pumping the lad full of hot creamy cum.

The boy felt that. He whimpered a little. His senses were in overload. His hole was used and hot. His balls and cock had that pleasant ache from having just come so hard. His body tingled. He was sweating. He could feel that hot wetness inside of him. It was every bit as wonderful as he always imagined it would be. That pain when Tristan first impaled him, that was long forgotten never to be properly remembered ever again.

Tristan kissed the boy a little more as he allowed his cock to slide free taking a dribble of cum with it. The boy sighed as that big rod was removed. He knew he was gaping and he loved it.

“You were good” Tristan confirmed. “For a first time, that was quite spectacular. I hope you’ll come back sometime for a little more fun.”

The young guy smiled, then grinned broadly. “That was awesome!” He said. “Am I allowed to come back? Is that okay? Do you do that…..?” He seemed hopeful, but unsure.

Tristan grinned too and leant down for a kiss. As he broke off a minute later he said “I break young guys in, sure….. but mostly I fuck for pleasure. You’re on the client list thanks to your father. I’m not cheap, no-one at the Emporium is cheap….. but I’d love for you to come back. You’re a lot of fun.”

The boy went for another kiss. “I’d like that” he said. “That was just so good. I’m going to be fucking horny for days!”

Tristan stood and helped the boy to sit up. He seemed embarrassed that he was leaking, but Tristan waved his hand to say ‘don’t worry’. “You’re cleaner than most new guys” he said as he went to grab his discarded towel.

“Er…yeah” the boy replied, a little red-faced. “I read up on what to do. I figured that was important.”

Tristan smiled. Good lad, he thought. “It is, but it usually takes a while for guys to get that. You did good. Don’t worry about stuff leaking out. After that, well….. it’s gonna happen, ok?”

The boy reached back to touch himself. He wasn’t quite closed yet and he looked a little bit worried. Tristan covered himself with the towel and returned to the boy. He firmly lifted his leg with one hand and touched his anus with gentle fingers. There was a little redness, to be expected, but nothing to worry about.

“You’re okay” he confirmed. “You’ll probably be a little sore for a day. Nothing bad. The concierge will give you some cream on the way out anyway, discreetly of course. And don’t worry. That hole will close right up within ten minutes.” He smiled reassuringly and boy smiled back.

“You really know what you’re doing” the guy said.

Tristan grinned and got a twinkle in his eye. “Yes I do” he said. They both knew this was no idle boast. “And if you were to come back….well…… I can show you things you haven’t even dreamed of.” He winked.

The boy blushed, but his grin was fixed firmly in place.

Tristan reached out and helped the boy to his feet. “Listen, I don’t usually do this but you’re a sweet guy. If you want, come take a shower. I’ll scrub your back.”

The boy blushed again, but he nodded. Tristan led him to the en suite bathroom and they showered together. It was a functional shower with some light touching, a little kissing, but Tristan knew that the boy needed a break before he’d be ready to go again.

The boy dressed while Tristan sat on his bed in his towel. When he was ready, he seemed unsure of the protocol. Tristan stood and went to him. He very gently, without making the boy feel uncomfortable, ushered him to the door and placed his hand on the door handle.

The young guy quickly kissed Tristan. He blushed. “Thank you” he said. “For…”

Tristan kissed the boy again. “No thanks needed. That was fun. You look after yourself… be yourself… and maybe I’ll see you sometime” he said.

The boy nodded and smiled, then he opened the door and left. There was an obvious spring in his step and Tristan smiled. He loved that, knowing that the boy was right now focused on that new feeling in his hole. He knew he could still feel Tristan there, and he would for hours to come. He’d remember his first time. It had been far better than most.

Tristan wondered whether the boy would actually return. He hoped so. He thought he could teach that guy some interesting moves. He wondered how many times the lad would jerk off thinking about today.

Tristan let his towel drop as he walked into his private room to get dressed. The Emporium team would be there in minutes and change the towels, sort out the couch, and generally tidy up ready for his evening client. He checked his job sheet. Ah yes, a regular. An older guy who loved to be bent over and stuffed full of cream.

Tristan smiled. There were worse jobs.

* * * * *

Jaimie crouched down and pulled up a daisy. He ran his palm over the closely mown grass. He looked up at the headstones. They had been cleaned recently and the were gleaming in the mid-morning sunlight.

“At least you’re safe now” he whispered. “And away from the harm in the world”.

He remained there, crouched down, his hand on the lawn, his eyes half closed, until he caught the tell-tale sound of footsteps on gravel. He didn’t need to turn. He knew it was Craig.

The gate opened behind him and closed again almost silently. Then a warm hand touched his shoulder. He longed for that touch. His heart broke for it. But there was work to be done today and Jaimie was in no mood to forgive. Not yet. Maybe not ever. He didn’t know yet.

“You shouldn’t have come”. He said without turning.

“I should have come to you earlier” Craig replied.

Jaimie stood. He turned to face his beloved Craig. He winced as his studied Craig’s face, noticed the faint bruise under his left eye. He reached out and touched it with two fingers. “How….?” He asked.

Craig looked sheepish. “Sam.” He said with a half smile. “After you left. Damien shouted at me. I was a little… angry and upset I guess... and I pushed him back. Probably harder than I meant to be. Sam took a swing at me. Never knew he had it in him.”

“Yes. There’s a lot of that about.” Jaimie said, his voice hard.

Craig winced. “That’s fair, I guess.” He said.

There was a long pause. Craig struggled to find the words he understood he needed to say. Jaimie just wanted to go and didn’t know a way to do so.

“Look” said Craig eventually. “I have spent two days being shouted at. Pavel and Arina arrived and they shouted at me. Christian arrived and he shouted at me. Not as much as he shouted at Jonno, but still…. Christian called my father, and he shouted at me, and when he realised I hadn’t come to find you already, he shouted even more. The only person who hasn’t shouted at me is the only person I want to shout at me.” His eyes had a glassy sheen, like he might cry at any moment.

“I am not going to shout at you. Not you and not Jonno.” Jaimie said sadly.

Craig went to touch Jaimie’s face, but Jaimie caught his hand and gently, but forcefully, pushed him away. “No” he said.

“I…” Craig started, but he found his throat closed up and his vocabulary had left him.

“I can’t do this now.” Jaimie said, resolved to leave. “And I won’t do this here.”

“But….” Craig stammered.

“No.” Jaimie said, his voice suddenly softer. “I love you so much that it hurts my heart… but I can’t. Because you betrayed me. You sent a boy to possibly the same fate as you know I endured. Possible worse! You know what that did to me. In fact, only you really know… And you knew how much I would hurt to see another boy in that situation. And you knew how I would feel if you acted alone, without conferring with me … You know how much I value that we talk about everything, and we agree. But you knew I wouldn’t agree. And knowing that, you went behind my back and did it anyway.” Jaimie’s words tumbled out, raw, emotional, and harsh.

“But…” Craig interrupted.

“No!” Jaimie said, cutting him off. “No. No… I’m going. Don’t follow me. Pavel is taking charge until I return… If I return.”

Jaimie gently pushed past Craig. He opened the gate and let it swing shut behind him. He took a deep, ragged breath and strode off, not looking back, tears streaming down his face.

The gravity of it hit Craig and he wept. He sank to his knees and he wept. He had been such a fool and he couldn’t even think why. He couldn’t lose Jaimie. He just couldn’t. He had to grow up and fight for this thing that he valued even above his own life.

* * * * *

Jamie’s car pulled up outside the manor house. It was a beautiful, ornate construction, carefully restored and kept in immaculate condition. It wasn’t Jaimie’s taste, but he admired it. He glanced up to see that both flags were flying. Good, they were both here. That would save time.

Jaimie’s driver opened the door and waited for Jamie to step out of the vehicle. He climbed the marble steps to where a man dressed in a military uniform saluted and held the door open for him. Another man, also uniformed, greeted Jaimie and shook his hand.

“Master Sandu-St.John, welcome back to Sandu Manor.” He beamed.

“Clarence” Jaimie said with a smile. “Thank you for receiving me. I see my aunt and uncle are both here?”

“Indeed,” the man said “They’re in Mistress Arina’s study awaiting your arrival.”

“Clarence, I would like my presence here to remain… secret.”

The man bowed his head. “As you wish, Master. I shall ensure all staff are briefed immediately. Now, shall I show you….”

“No thank you.” Jaimie interrupted. He had only been here a couple of times before, to the local seat of power of the Sandu empire, but he remembered the way. “I’ll find my way.”

The man bowed his head again. He turned and issued instructions in a clear, crisp voice. “Ensure all personnel are briefed: word of our visitor is to remain unspoken.”

Jaimie smiled, the first genuine smile for four days. He took a side corridor and walked to Arina’s study. It overlooked the gardens to the west.

It wasn’t long before Jaimie was at the great double oak doors of Arina’s study. They were dark and the grain of the wood was clear and distinct and deep. He raised a hand to knock, but the door flew open and suddenly Arina was there. She engulfed him in a hug that threatened to crack his spine.

“My darling boy” she exclaimed as she kissed his cheek, his forehead, his other cheek. “The things you have been through and then you’re tested again. I swear, I’ll whip that man of yours and when I’m through with Jonno he’ll wish.....”

Jaimie laughed for the first time in days. “It’s lovely to see you too, Arina” he said with a grin.

She smiled and messed up his hair with her hands. “Cheeky boy!” She said. Pavel stepped forward and more tentatively embraced Jaimie.

“It’s good to see you” he said. “And for my part, I’m sorry. I understand your pain, and I had no idea.”

“You understand?” Jaimie asked in a voice that sounded harsh to his own ears. His ill temper always at the surface these past few days.

Pavel looked down at his leg, the one he often rubbed when irritated, pained, or tired. “Well, I think I understand better than most” he said softly with a thin smile.

Jaimie hugged his uncle again. “Of course. I’m sorry.” He said, remembering Pavel’s history.

“No need to apologise to me.” He said.

Arina ushered the two men inside the study and closed the door. The three of them sat and Jaimie took a rare strong drink. They spoke for many hours.

As the discussion came to an end, Arina frowned. “You know you can continue to have all that you need from House Sandu” she said. “But are you sure? That this is the best way?” There was a pause before Arina added, “that you can do this thing?”

Jaimie’s response was emphatic. “I’m sure. If Pavel will continue to look after my affairs at the Emporium for a short while, I can see this thing done. Perhaps I should have done this in the first place. I’ll never forgive myself if we don’t get Connor or that poor boy back.” He paused and took a deep breath. “I guess in some ways I have made a name for myself by being rescued and having a head for business” he said. “But I guess, if I am to truly end this horrible trade that keeps returning like a cockroach, I need to toughen up and do some things that I don’t wish to do. That I don’t like.” He shot Arina a half-smile.

“You understand this man will stop at nothing?” Pavel added. “If it is him, I fear your association with me...”

“Pavel, I know.” Jaimie interrupted. “But it isn’t you. To be honest, I don’t believe he even knows you are associated with the Emporium. He simply sees a competitor - a successful competitor - undertaking business that he once controlled in the city. He sees success without the need to resort to violence. He rails at being told that if he goes down that old route, he will be stopped.... so he does it anyway and declares some kind of turf war. It’s not you, uncle. It’s me.”

Pavel smiled. “You don’t call me Uncle very often.” He said.

“Sometimes I just... I just need to be reminded I’m part of a family.” Jaimie replied. “Besides, I know you hate it and it’s fun to torment you. It takes the edge off other...things.”

Arina laughed and Pavel smiled broadly. “Jaimie, you can call me uncle any time. Arina and I...we will always be here for you. We couldn’t be more proud of what you have become and how you wear the family name. But take my advice?”

Jaimie sat back in his chair, warmed by Pavel’s uncharacteristically heartfelt words. “Of course” he said.

“Then two pieces of advice from an old fool who deeply regrets not having been strong enough to be more like you: seek out help, because the challenge in front of you is a hard one. Go and see Craig’s father. He has more contacts in the world you seek to to access than any of us. And he loves you dearly.”

Jaimie thought about that. He had avoided seeking out his father-in-law for obvious reasons. But Pavel was making sense and he couldn’t logically refute that. He nodded. “And the second point?”

“Forgive Craig.” Pavel said simply.

“Forgive.....?” Jaimie started. It was unlike Pavel to mention his relationship, let alone like this.

“Yes. Forgive.” Pavel said. “You two were made for one another. He loves you so much and you love him equally. Between Craig and that imbecile lump of a husband of mine, they did a stupid thing. I cannot honestly fathom what was going through either of their frankly unbelievably idiotic minds.....” he stopped and chuckled at his rant. “But their intentions were good. You should know, Craig is in pieces.”

Jaimie flushed red. He was embarrassed but he was angry too. He didn’t need this, not now. He sat forward and made ready to respond, but Pavel held up his hand.

“I know.” He said. Jaimie frowned. “I know” Pavel said again. “I may still murder Jonno and I know that’s only half of what you feel towards Craig.” He paused and met Jaimie’s angry gaze. “You don’t have to take my advice, of course.”

Jaimie started to speak, and stopped. He started again, but couldn’t find the words. In the end he had to concede that Pavel was right, but he stubbornly refused to admit that out loud.

Pavel chuckled. “Still, I hope you make him suffer as I am with Jonno.” Arina laughed loudly at that and Jaimie couldn’t help but join in. It broke the tension and Jaimie was grateful for that.

“Just don’t make them suffer too much, my brother and my nephew” she said through her laughter. “You’re both sour without your better halves. Remember that!”

Jaimie stayed that night and left early the next day. Arina met him at the main entrance to see him away. She hugged him fiercely. “When you do this thing, it...it changes a person” she said. “If there’s another way... take it. You’re too good to be embroiled in the darker side of this world.”

“I don’t know if I’m too good, but I know” Jaimie nodded. “I know.” He hugged Arina again, lingering to take in the scent of the mother figure he’d never had, and feel her warmth and be a child just for a second. As he broke away he said “Thank you both for coming here. I know you don’t like to leave your home.”

“This is home too. Home away from home” she said, waving away his thanks. “And I go where I am needed. I wish I could help you more, my brave, brave boy!”

Jaimie nodded, and he left House Sandu.

* * * * *

Jaimie was nervous, but he needn’t have been.

The butler led him to the family kitchen where Craig’s mother and father were playfully baking together. The man looked up and smiled broadly at Jaimie, at his son-in-law. The woman rushed to him and pulled him into a the sort of hug that any momma-bear would have been proud of.

“Frances....Eleanor....” Jaimie said when he was able to speak again.

Frances St.John waved his hand as if waving the problem away. “Jaimie, you have nothing to explain here. Nothing” he said earnestly. He wiped floury hands on his apron.

Eleanor nodded. “You’re welcome here at any time. You know that. And listen, my darling boy, you are doubly welcome when you and Craig are...not seeing eye-to-eye.” She said.

Jaimie nodded, relieved.

“If he weren’t so damn big I’d put that boy over my knee!” Frances said suddenly.

Jaimie laughed at that.

“Will you both be able to get past this?” He asked.

Jaimie nodded. “I need to deal with the problem. It’s gone on too long. When that’s out of the way, Craig and I have some talking to do.”

Frances nodded and he studied Jaimie intently for a few seconds. “You’re not here to talk about family. In that case, let’s retire to the drawing room where we can speak.”

Jaimie nodded and Eleanor placed her hand on his arm. She kissed his forehead before Frances led him away.

They made themselves comfortable in large drawing room where Jaimie brought his father-in-law up to date.

“How do you know it’s this man?” Frances asked.

“I was building a network with Connor. Not the network that Jonno maintains, but something more….subtle. I felt we needed a way of identifying those who were in need, in addition to Jonno’s connections. One of the young men we had been talking to agreed to meet with me in secret. We talked. He was clearly fearful and either would not or could not divulge where, he felt able to tell me who.”

“You trust this young man?”

“No, absolutely not. But he was honest with me. Of that I am sure. He said he could tell me the name because people were already whispering it on the streets, but he dare not tell me more than that.”

Frances nodded. He sat back and considered for a few minutes before he pressed a buzzer on his desk. A man knocked and entered almost immediately.

“Sir” he said.

Frances wrote something in a piece of paper. He handed it the the man. “I need to know where he is and quickly.” Frances said.

The man looked at the paper and raised an eyebrow. “I can tell you that now” he said.

“Oh?”

“He’s here, or at least within the boundaries of the city. One of his yachts is offshore now. He has business in some areas of concern for us and he sent word ahead.”

Frances St.John nodded and thanks the man. When they were alone again, he turned his attention back to Jaimie. “My son, let me tell you about a man I know. In the past we have done a little business together. He’s a very dangerous man, but he’s true to his word and I have always believed him to be honourable. If I am right, if I recall an old rumour well enough, he has a connection with your adversary. Not a good connection. He might be willing to help you and if so, he could be a formidable ally.”

Frances told Jaimie about his old business associate. He relayed everything he knew.

“Whatever you do, be careful. He’s tough old bird and his people are likely to shoot first and ask questions later. It will be difficult getting close to his yacht. He’s probably got it anchored a long way out. He dislikes his whereabouts being known unless he explicitly wishes it.”

“So is he affiliated with one of the major houses, or…..?” Jaimie didn’t quite understand how this man fitted into the world he now occupied. He had tried hard not to get drawn too far into the criminal side of family business and much of the Sandu-St.John interests were now entirely legitimate.

Frances chuckled in a good natured way. “No, he’s something different. He’s a global player, a gun runner, a smuggler, a dealer, a businessman….. he’s just about anything and everything. He is fabulously wealthy, although you might not know it to look at him. As I hear it, these days he’s a little more settled. But in his younger days….?” Frances made a face. “He earned a reputation as a tough man that nobody should cross.”

Jaimie nodded.

“Now, how are you going to make contact? I might be able to help, but I fear my channels could take days.”

Jaimie ran a hand through his hair. He had a crazy idea. Something Jonno once told him about the direct approach being best was ringing in his ears. “I have an idea about that” he said.

* * * * *

The inflatable boat bobbed in a very unstable way in the waves.

“You can prove that?” Pasqual shouted down to the young guy in the inflatable.

“I’m afraid I didn’t bring my driver’s licence. I don’t usually drive myself, you know…? For some reason my driver didn’t fancy squeezing in here with me.”

Pasqual laughed loudly. He gestured to his men to get a rope ladder. He retired to the lounge at the front of the boat and waited for his guest to tie off his inflatable and climb up to join him.

After he had been frisked, Jaimie was escorted into the lounge. Chris was permitted to follow, flanked by three security men.

Jaimie approached Pasqual and smiled. The older man was seated, a tumbler of some amber liquid in his hand, a lit cigar in the other. Jaimie thought this older man looked exactly like a gangster. He looked as he had been described.

Pasqual looked across at Jaimie. He raised his eyebrow again. He had heard of Jaimie Sandu-St.John, of course. In Pasqual’s line of work it paid to be informed. This man had a vaunted reputation, but he seemed like he was just a boy, barely older than Chris, he thought.

Chris moved to sit next to Pasqual. He glanced at his lover and said quietly, “I don’t need baby-sitters when something happens old man. I thought we talked about this?”

Pasqual rolled his eyes theatrically and threw a wink at Jaimie. “Aye-aye-aye!” He exclaimed, his arms waving around in front of him as he spoke. “We talked, yes, and I disagreed, and you disagreed, and I said I’ll do what the fuck I like and you sulked. Now, we doing this here in front of the Emporium boy…..?”

Chris grinned and Jaimie chuckled to himself. “Don’t mind me” he said as he sat opposite Pasqual, ignoring the security men trying to usher him to a different seat, further from their boss.

Pasqual smiled at that. “Not intimidated by the big bad men around, no?”

Jaimie smiled back. His azure eyes had an amused glint in them as he slowly shook his head. “Not really.” He said softly. “Comes with the territory…. No?” he mimicked Pasqul’s speech pattern and Chris laughed.

Pasqual studied the young man in front of him for a few seconds. Suddenly he grinned broadly. “Okay, I believe your bold claim that you are Jaimie Sandu-St.John” he said. Your reputation is that you have the big balls and I see that’s true. But more than that…. I don’t think anyone could replicate those eyes. If I wasn’t so crazy about my little prince here, I might like to fall into those eyes for a while.” He chuckled and sat back in his chair. “What do you need, blue-eyes?” He asked.

Jaimie chuckled. He sat back. “Some tea would be nice.” He said. “I’m fucking freezing!”

Pasqual guffawed with laughter. He turned to Chris. “You see?” He said. “Fucking freezing!” He gestured and several of the security men melted away and someone ran off to fetch some tea. One of the staff brought a thick blanket and placed it across Jaimie’s knees.

“Long way to come for tea” Pasqual said as he puffed on his cigar.

“I heard you serve good tea.” Jamie replied with a grin. “But I confess, a mutual friend suggested I come here for help, my father-in-law actually” he said.

“Your father-in……. Ah!” Pasqual’s face lit up. “Now I remember. You married the actual heir to old man St.John’s little empire! How is that old goat? It has been a long time since we sat down and lied to each other!”

“He’s very well” said Jaimie. “And he sends his best regards”.

“Okay then. So we establish the credentials and we have an associate in common. Now…. What do you want?”

“As I said, I am looking for help in a delicate matter. And I have some information that I believe will be interesting to you?”

“Help, yes, I figured” Pasqual said. “Let’s start with the information and see if you know something I do not.”

Jaimie studied Pasqual’s tanned and lined face. That voice was ringing in his head again, telling him to be direct. He took a deep breath and plunged in. “If I said Papachka, would it mean anything to you?” Jamie asked, his eyes locked with Pasqual.

Pasqual took a long drag on his cigar and sat forward. “Depends” he said. “You speaking Russian or… something else?” Pasqual, in turn, studied Jaimie.

Jamie nodded. “I don’t speak Russian.” He said. “Papachka is a man. I think you know that. I think you know him.”

Pasqual looked thoughtful. Thoughtful and serious. He paused for a beat before waving his hand and a man appeared. His appearance was similar to Pasqual’s, with leathery skin and long, greasy-looking hair.

“He was a man, I think you mean?” Pasqual said.

“He is a man” Jaimie corrected, emphasising the ‘is’. “I am currently finding him rather irritating.”

“Where?”

“Right now I can only say he’s based around the old docklands.” Jaimie said. He would have offered more, but Pasqual was already whispering with his colleague. The other man rushed off with a handful of the security. There was a brief period of shouting and then the engines of the yacht were fired up. They began to move at speed toward the coast, the lurching of the yacht as it pulled away unbalancing everyone.

As the yacht settled a man brought a tray with tea and little cakes. He set it on the coffee able and withdrew. Pasqual gestured. “Please…” he said. Jaimie poured the tea from the teapot. He left the saucer behind as he sat back and cradled the cup in both hands, letting the heat warm his chilly hands.

“If this is some game, it’s a dangerous one” Pasqual said. Jaimie remained quiet. He had noticed that the boy next to Pasqual was studying his lover intently. There was something here that the boy had never seen and that served to remind Jaimie that this was a dangerous place to be.

Long minutes passed in silence. The yacht moved at speed before anchoring offshore, close to the new harbour and its shining lights. A launch was dispatched with several men.

Pasqual seemed lost in thought. “My little prince” he said eventually. “Will you take our guest below and maybe see if you have something warm that will fit him? He’s about your size, I think. He’s cold and I need to make a call.” He glanced at Jaimie. “My men will quickly find contacts in your city. If the word Papachka has been uttered in the docklands, I will know it. You do not strike me as a liar, which is why I’m going to trust you for a little longer, I think. If I find you are trying to play me, I’ll have you thrown over the side and my men will use you as target practice before the little fishies finish you off, eh? I don’t care that you’re connected to the Sandu’s or the St.John’s. No-one will blame me after you mentioned that name in my presence. You understand that?”

Jaimie nodded. He locked gaze with the older man once more. “He’s there, more’s the pity. If I can point your men in the right direction, I am at your service.” He stood and turned to Chris. “If you do have something a little warmer, I’d be in your debt” he said with a thin smile and warmer tone.

Chris frowned and led Jaimie away, leaving Pasqual deep in thought.

“So, do I call you little prince?” Jaimie asked.

Chris rolled his eyes. “Please don’t!” He said with a musical laugh. “It’s bad enough that he calls me that. We keep agreeing that he’ll call me Christiano when people are here, but he ‘forgets’. He’s a hard man to change.”

“So I call you Christiano?”

“Actually just Chris if that’s okay. My name is Christian, but the old man won’t acknowledge that. He doesn’t like it.”

Jaimie smiled. “You make an interesting couple.” He said softly.

Chris turned. “Hey, I am quite happy with the age difference!” He said fiercely.

Jaimie held up his hands. “Whoa!” He said. “I’m not judging! I know how much fun an older guy can be, believe me. I didn’t mean the age difference, okay?”

Chris blushed. “Sorry. I’m a bit possessive of late. You… like older guys?”

Jaimie thought about that. “I guess I like all sorts of guys, but there’s one older man who made me very happy for a while. Still does, in some ways, I guess.” He thought about Jonno and he got a slight pain in his chest. Jonno would be going through hell right now.

Chris giggled. “I know that look. Big, was he?”

Jaimie laughed. He decided he liked this young man. He was a little immature in some ways, but he was a sexy little thing and he could see why Pasqual was with him. Jaimie liked his confidence. “Yes. Jonno is a big man in every way!” And they both laughed. “Maybe I’ll introduce you. See if Pasqual remembers your name when there’s competition around!”

“Come on” Chris took Jaimie’s arm. “Let’s get you something nice and you can tell me all about him!” And they rushed off.

In the lounge, Pasqual waited patiently while they fetched deSanto to the phone.

“Pasqual?” He said.

“I need you here now” Pasqual said quietly.

There was a pause. “What’s going on?” deSanto asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Papachka” Pasqual said, almost a whisper.

There was another pause. “Impossible” deSanto said with a derisive laugh. Then a pause. Then “It’s confirmed?”

“Not yet. But the guy with the information checks out, I think. There’s something about it that adds up.”

“What guy with what information” deSanto asked. “You’re making less sense than usual, for fuck sake!”

“You remember the rumour from a couple of years back?”

“Yes, we chased a ghost. A ghost, because we know he’s gone.”

“There was trouble in this city around that time. The trouble they had here where I am.”

“Yes I remember something about that…..”

“The Sandu lost boy legends all come to life” Pasqual said.

“Yes…. Yes. I remember. He turned up. There was some kind of turf war. That greasy little shit…. What was his name……the one we had to do business with some years back….?”

“Oleg”

“Yes, Oleg. That’s him. He was killed if I remember”.

“You remember it right, my old friend.” Pasqual took a long drag on his cigar, and another. “I wonder if there’s a connection.”

“Why do you say that, Pasqual. You’re not making any sense!”

“Because the guy who showed up with the information is the Sandu lost boy. He’s having trouble with……”

“Papachka……” deSanto said.

“Yes. A man named Papachka.”

“You think…..?”

“Yes. I don’t have the time for coincidences. Everything is connected.”

“Pasqual, if he’s there…. if he’s really there….. after all this time…”

“I know my friend. I know.”

“I will fucking kill him with my bare fucking hands and then I will piss on his corpse. ”

Pasqual nodded and sucked on his cigar. He thought a moment. Then: “Bring our people, deSanto. All of them. We help this lost boy. The motherfucker is not getting away this time.”

To be continued...