The Protector

by Jessie G.

  “What does that mean?”

  They both rose and gathered up their trash. While Saul walked it to the pail, Javi leaned across his table until warm breath was tickling his ear. There was no actual touching and Kyle literally gripped the edges of his chair to prevent himself from reaching for the man. Javi continued to breathe warm puffs of air against his skin until he shivered. At his reaction, Javi chuckled darkly and whispered, “We think you’re hot, too.”

  With that they were out the door, totally unaware that he’d just come in his shorts.

  CHAPTER 3

  Javier

  “Red sent over some pictures.” Javier motioned the guys over and they huddled around his cell phone as he scrolled through them. Red’s talent always humbled him a little. Once Saul asked if he ever had dreams of going to college and having a career. No matter how often he tried to remember the time before, other than his sister Lily and fleeting memories of the parents he knew he loved, the rest remained a mystery. Knowing that his memories often shifted as a form of protection, Javier had come to believe it was for the best.

  Believing that didn’t stop him from wondering. Red had turned his art into a business, Bull had done the same with his love of cars and Davin was devoting his life to the outreach center. Was caring for his family a worthwhile passion? At the end of the day he enjoyed the work he did, but he knew at least half that feeling came from being with the people he cared about.

  “When’s the big grand opening bash?” Liam asked, breaking into his thoughts.

  “September twenty-first.” Javier glanced over at Billy. “Suits and ties required.”

  “What the fuck?” Billy’s collection of jeans and t-shirts was almost as legendary as his collection of knives. Javier couldn’t remember ever seeing him in anything else.

  “Shit, can’t recall the last time we got dudded up.” Liam looked over at Billy thoughtfully. “Not sure my old suit still fits me and for sure Chris’s doesn’t. What about you, man? We gotta hit the store and make sure we’re representin’ the garage right.”

  “‘Course mine fits, what’re ya trying to say? Did I gain weight?” Billy looked down and ran a hand over his chest and abs. Billy was a bear, muscular and thick, and beneath an impressive layer of fur was a collection of artwork that might someday rival Bull’s.

  Javier looked over and caught Saul rolling his eyes. It was a weird Twilight Zone moment where the brawny jock was excited to shop and the bear was worried about his weight...and Javier loved every minute of it.

  “Dav still need painters this weekend? We’re free...but never easy. Right, broski?” Liam laughed and nudged Chris, gaining both a smirk and an eye roll that was all brotherly love.

  “I didn’t know they needed painters.” Billy focused on Javier’s cell phone in an attempt to look casual and failed miserably. “Sign me up, too.”

  “What are we all signing up for?” Owen strolled in from the lot and Javier felt the shift around him. As a unit, Chris, Liam and Billy watched Owen’s approach. He’d seen it before, the complete sync between the four of them, but standing in the midst of them was something altogether different. There was energy in the air that linked the four of them. It made Javier wonder what people felt when he and Saul were in sync.

  When no one answered, Javier spoke up. “The crisis center needs painters this weekend.”

  At the last second, Owen stepped slightly to the left before stopping. The movement ensured that Javier wouldn’t feel closed in by the four of them. At times he wished they didn’t have to go to any lengths for him, but he appreciated the efforts they all took to ensure his stability. Owen looked around, his eyes lingering over each man equally, communicating something, before he finally met Javier’s eyes. “What day?”

  Billy looked over at Liam, who shrugged. “Both.”

  Owen rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and looked away. That move changed the energy in the air. What had felt like a steady, harmonious hum became agitated. The other three shifted again as Owen continued to avert his eyes. When he finally answered, his tone had become guarded and distant. “Sorry, Saturday’s a no go, but if you guys still need a hand on Sunday, count me in.”

  Billy groaned. “Shit, I forgot about your tests. You still need a ride?”

  “Naw, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Owen slid back a step, compounding that emotional distance with a physical one. “Where’s Bull?”

  Javier met Owen’s panic-stricken gaze and felt his heart break a little. “With Red at the…”

  “What kind of tests?” Liam cut in as if he hadn’t spoken; the question and the tone forcing Owen back another step. Even Liam’s speech, which had taken a turn toward ghetto over the last few months, changed.

  Javier drifted back toward Saul, leaving the four men uncomfortably watching each other. “I know I should pretend I’m not staring, but this is better than those novelas my tia used to watch.”

  Saul glanced over and shook his head. Javier almost told him about that feeling, that energy in the air, but he knew Saul would assess the situation quickly. If he needed to step in, he would. “Maybe they should all just fuck each other, a big sweaty foursome, and get it out of their systems.”

  Owen slid back another step, only this time the other three stepped forward as one connected unit. As often as Javier witnessed the connection between them, there were many times he saw Owen struggle to find his place in it, and felt the defeat when he couldn’t figure out where he fit in. “Look, it’s just some follow up tests from when I was in the hospital six months ago. Nothing big. Someone tell Bull to call me.”

  Chris leveled Owen with a glare that dared him to take another step. Frozen in that gaze, Owen didn’t move when they closed in on him. Chris continued forward until they were toe to toe, chest to chest, and Owen didn’t flinch when Chris tipped his chin up until they were eye to eye. Speaking for Chris, Liam asked, “You were in the hospital six months ago?”

  “Yeah, it’s nothing. Just...Chris...it was just some panic attacks. Which kind of feels like a heart attack, but it’s not, it wasn’t. I promise, Chris, it wasn’t.” The jumbled mess was a painful accompaniment to his wary expression. “I…it’s nothing…I didn’t want to worry…I mean, you don’t have to worry.”

  Chris huffed out an unconvinced breath and Liam asked, “If it wasn’t a heart attack, why the follow up tests?”

  When Owen leaned into Chris, Javier was sure he didn’t realize what he’d done. How many times had he seen Owen eye Chris longingly? Not sexually, but desperately seeking a haven and not knowing how to ask. Javier knew he was lucky, that all he had to do was look at Saul a certain way and Saul would know he needed a place to be weak.

  “It’s what they do to cover their asses. Told me to watch my diet, work on relaxing, take a few tests, that sort of shit. Chris...” The last desperate whisper seemed to shatter the bravado Owen was trying to maintain. Before Liam could speak for him, Chris gripped Owen’s elbow and guided him out of the garage, leaving the other two watching in stunned silence.

  “I think that’s the first time I’ve seen them separate.” Javier gave up staring and joined Saul at the car he was working on. “That foursome would be pretty fucking hot. Almost as hot as a threesome with that surfer boy would be.”

  “It’s long overdue. I get the brother bond, but Owen is breaking under the pressure of trying to please them both. Throw Billy into the mix and it’s nearly impossible.” Saul looked up and grinned. “Surfer boy, huh? Yeah, that fits. He was hot and getting hotter watching you give me your tongue.”

  At the reminder, the anticipation he’d been trying to tamp down washed over him again. “Saul.”

  Sometimes he’d catch that look in Saul’s eye, that craving before he tried to hide it. Right now Saul wasn’t hiding it, not even a little bit, and Javier could only hope he’d never hide again.

  “Lick your lips for me, pequeño.”

  If possible, those black eyes darkened even more when he did. Ja
vier inched closer, needing...just needing. “Saul, it’s after four, maybe we can leave early.”

  “And ruin all that delicious anticipation? Not a chance.”

  The slamming of a car door interrupted his response and they both turned to watch another customer cross the lot. Tall and tan, and clearly agitated, it took only a second to recognize a man neither had seen in several years. “Is that Evan Winston?”

  Before Saul could respond, the man stopped and pulled off his glasses, staring as if he’d seen a ghost. “Master Saul? Javier?”

  Saul came around the car and stood behind Javier. “He was a friend and never part of Durango’s business.”

  “I know, I’m not afraid.” That was only partially true. Anyone from those days posed a potential threat to them. Though Evan had never been in league with Durango, the fact that he owned one of the most successful BDSM clubs in Miami put him in the position of rubbing elbows with men who would like nothing more than to see them dead.

  Saul looked at him carefully and was apparently satisfied by what he saw. A strong hand touched his lower back, encouraging him forward, as Saul greeted the man. “Evan, man, it’s good to see you.”

  Evan was slower to get over the shock and continued to stare until Saul cleared his throat in warning. “My...fuck...it’s been years. I’m sorry for staring. We don’t get a lot of his crowd at the club since we cleaned house, but we heard the rumors.”

  “What’s the saying? Tales of our death have been greatly exaggerated.” This was the first time Javier heard that anyone thought they were dead. They’d gone into the Florida prison system under their own names, had gotten out and taken jobs under their own names. Saul seemed to believe that Durango wouldn’t come after them, not in prison or after, and so far he’d been right. No one could accuse them of hiding when they were living right there in Miami.

  “I’m so glad to see that for myself. Wait until Master Clay hears.”

  “Clay? Is he living in Florida now?” While Saul considered Evan a friend of sorts, it had been Saul’s connection with Master Clay that really created that bond. Saul didn’t trust anyone enough to call them friend back then, but he had come to trust Master Clay and Evan by extension.

  “Still going back and forth, but over the last year he’s started spending most of his time here.” Evan absently stroked his collar, the touch reverent, and it brought a secret smile to the man’s lips. That tactile reminder of their bond to another could provide a sense of security to a collared sub, especially when their Master wasn’t near.

  Seeing the heavy silver choker had Javier reaching instinctively for his own naked throat. “Master, did you say?”

  “Oh, hmm.” Evan grinned broadly. “A lot has changed.”

  Saul glanced at his hand and Javier quickly dropped his arm. A collar was on Saul’s ‘never again’ list and was yet another thing Durango had robbed him of. There was a touch of anger in that dark gaze and Javier knew Saul felt the loss as equally as he did. It took visible effort, but Saul returned his attention to Evan. “You were never quite happy as a Dom.”

  “No.” Another car pulled into the lot and Evan blushed a little. “I, ah, actually have two Masters. Just...don’t go anywhere for a sec.”

  With that, Evan rushed over to the Jeep and said something to the driver. The man shrugged and pulled into a spot, then jumped down and laughed when Evan grabbed him up. As they watched, the other man stroked a hand through Evan’s hair and leaned in for an affectionate kiss.

  Unable to hide his sigh, Javier leaned into Saul’s side. “Reminds me a little of our surfer boy.”

  Saul looked down at him in surprise and he realized what he said. Our surfer boy. About a year ago, he tried to talk to Saul about a third, one that could help them bridge the gap they’d been unable to cross themselves. Javier had long ago accepted the reality that he would never be what Saul needed sexually, and in some ways the reverse was also true. Having borne witness to his abuse, Saul would never be comfortable pushing his boundaries. Being the only person Javier would ever trust to do that made it all the harder to accept. Was he to spend the rest of his life defined by those years? They were due for another conversation, overdue in fact, but with Evan walking back toward them, it wasn’t the time or place.

  Evan’s grin said more about the man at his side than any words he used. “Sir, this is Master Saul and his partner Javier. They’re old friends of Master Clay’s.”

  Saul didn’t correct either description as he offered his hand in greeting. “Evan clearly has to catch us up. Nice to meet you…?”

  “Tory, Sir.” Evan flushed and ducked his head when Tory had to complete his introduction. In the past Evan had been…different…trying to come off as something he apparently wasn’t. Not that Javier gave two shits what other people were going through back then, but Saul had obviously seen through the ruse. “It’s a pleasure to meet friends of my men.”

  When Tory held his hand out to him, Javier just looked at it in surprise, “Uh…”

  “Our dynamic is somewhat unique and, while Evan refers to me by title, we both belong to Master Clay. I don’t want or expect any of the formalities that title might bring,” Tory explained before glancing at Saul apologetically. “Unless you mind?”

  Javier knew Saul didn’t mind and would even be encouraged if he had taken the other man’s hand. It was such a simple, normal thing to accept a handshake from a new acquaintance, but he didn’t have the balls to do it. Because Saul knew that, he took the responsibility for Javier’s slight as his own. “I mind.”

  Tory let his hand drop and offered another apologetic smile. “My apologies, I meant no disrespect.”

  “None taken, I know it can be difficult to decide what works outside the scene.”

  Tory shook his head at that. “No, not at all. I know what Master Clay expects of me and always use that as my guide. While it may seem weird to those outside the lifestyle, it’s important enough to me not to care what anyone else might think. My role in Evan’s life doesn’t change the fact that you’re a Master and I am, at the heart of it, a collared sub. You’ll be afforded the respect you deserve and I can only hope that one day you’ll feel comfortable allowing me to befriend your partner.”

  Javier knew he was gaping, he just couldn’t stop himself. Tory spoke confidently, meeting Saul’s gaze directly so that he would see the words were sincere. This man was living his dream, it wasn’t a game or a scene or...he called it a lifestyle. They’d seen the power dynamic between Alaric and Davin evolve, but Alaric had never been in the scene and had created their own way of going about it. This...this was fantasy come to life, everything he once dreamed of, right there in this confident little package. Javier suddenly had a ton of questions, but because of his inability to accept a simple handshake he had placed a wall between them. Tory would honor what he now perceived as Saul’s wishes and leave him alone.

  “Sir, I don’t mean to interrupt, but we have to be at the airport shortly.” Evan looked at his watch in concern. “You two should come by the club tomorrow night and see Master Clay for yourself. And definitely stay for their session in the public room. Master Tory has become quite a legend at the club.”

  Tory rolled his eyes. “Because your selection of pain sluts is seriously lacking.”

  “The reality is a rude departure from the fantasy.” The interest in Saul’s tone was unmistakable, as was the message when those dark eyes landed on him. It defied reason that Saul would know he’d been unable to think of anything but those old fantasies of late, but that look was a clear warning. One he wasn’t sure he was capable of heeding.

  Tory sneered a little. “Amateurs.”

  “So, you’re a masochist?” Javier asked curiously. While there was no denying Saul controlled him, that he didn’t make a move without some physical or verbal cue from Saul, it was not the formal arrangement Tory and Evan obviously shared with their Master. Nor was it the formal arrangement Saul—whose reputation as a sadist was unpara
lleled—would have chosen. Saul set aside that part of himself on that fateful day in Durango’s office and, if that look was any indication, he wasn’t going to open himself up to it anytime soon.

  “With an extraordinary pain tolerance,” Evan bragged.

  “I should wear my cape then,” Tory teased gently, offering Evan another affectionate smile before meeting his gaze with that open, direct one of his own. “There are many aspects of the term that do nothing for me. I am submissive only to Master Clay and my trigger is only the pain he gifts me with, though it isn’t necessary for me sexually. It simply heightens the experience when we engage in that type of play.”

  Evan looked at his watch again and, understanding his need to be prompt, Saul asked, “So, what really brought you here?”

  “That piece of shit BMW.” Evan glanced quickly at Tory before leading Saul out to his car and leaving Javier alone under Tory’s curious gaze.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you. Will you please let Evan know I am waiting in the Jeep?”

  Of course, Evan would see Tory walking back to his car, but it was the courteous thing to say. Before he could walk away, Javier blurted out, “No, you don’t have to do that.”

  Again Tory smiled gently. “You both should come tomorrow night, though I don’t make the same guarantees as Evan. Yes, Master tends to push my limits in the public room and I love him for it, but I have no idea if that makes for a great show or not.”

  “So you’re all together in a…” Javier trailed of, uncertain of the terminology.

  “Triad? Yes. We live together, and Evan and I are both collared to him.”

  “And it works?” Javier could see for himself that it did, but he wanted to hear Tory say it. Once again he was reminded of the blond from the café. That tight little package, with his boyish good looks and expressive eyes—could he love their differences equally?