The Protector

by Jessie G.

  The man leaned close to be heard over the music, but only got about three words into his speech before their boy shut him down. The blond got points for consideration, neither sneering nor laughing off the man’s attempts. It was downright polite of him to stop it before he embarrassed himself any more. When the man hovered in indecision, the blond said something and offered a small, patient smile. Whatever it was, the man nodded and walked away. That was good. Saul wasn’t sure he wouldn’t have been across the dance floor to physically remove him if he hadn’t.

  Where the fuck had that thought come from? As if he’d ever leave Javier’s side to go to the rescue of a total stranger, especially one who didn’t look like he needed to be rescued. Glancing down at Javier, Saul realized he wouldn’t have had to leave Javier’s side. Those protective mama bear instincts would have had Javier right in step with him. What would that bright, beautiful man think of two such fucked up bastards?

  Javier glanced up at him curiously. “Is something wrong?”

  Realizing the groan in his head had escaped, Saul nodded toward the dance floor. “Surfer boy is here.”

  “Oh, this night just gets better and better. Where?” Javier sat up a little straighter and looked around. Saul nodded toward the dance floor and watched Javier, recognizing the moment he spotted their prey. Javier wrinkled his nose and Saul knew before he spoke what his objection would be. If that boy was theirs, he would not be showing that much skin. When that boy was his, it would be the first lesson he’d learn. “Someone should tell him a little mystery goes a long way.”

  Javier wriggled against him and looked up expectantly. That look asked him when he was going to go get what was theirs. They didn’t even know the man and they were already having thoughts of owning him. Then again Saul’s thoughts always leaned that way. Once he wanted something or someone, his thoughts veered toward possession, ownership and control—it wasn’t normal by anyone’s definition of the word. Javier leaned more toward garden variety jealousy, and his little angel knew just how to shut down a potential threat.

  On the dance floor, the object of their interest turned again and Saul eyed the line of his bare back down to the tiny pair of black briefs he was wearing. While his friends had money sticking out of theirs, he did not, and when a hand tried to snake a bill into the waistband, he quickly danced away. Again, so damned polite. The persistent shit stepped forward, his approach more intimidating than the last guy, but their surfer boy just continued to smile.

  “Saul…” Javier whispered.

  “Relax, I want to see what he does.” Javier looked at him in disbelief. It wasn’t like him to sit idly by, but the boy wasn’t theirs, didn’t know them, and hadn’t asked for help. It was entirely possible he was just playing hard to get, making himself stand out from his friends who didn’t know the meaning of the phrase. And there were bouncers all along the edge of the dance floor; the boy could get help if he needed it.

  When their boy had to dance away again, he put about two feet between him and the would-be suitor and planted his hands on trim hips. In a heartbeat he went from bright and bubbly to seriously pissed-off. Though they couldn’t hear over the music, it was clear their boy was firmly and not-so-politely telling the guy off.

  “I can’t believe we’re still sitting here,” Javier huffed.

  “The bouncer is walking over,” Saul pointed out.

  That apparently wasn’t good enough. “You should have gone.”

  Saul couldn’t stop his frown of annoyance. Did Javier think it was his job to save everyone? “As much as I wouldn’t want to see him hurt, I wouldn’t risk leaving you alone to save his bare ass. If he’s old enough to be in here then he’s old enough to known better than to show up to a place like this, dressed like that.”

  “I know you don’t blame victims for the way they dress, so what’s the deal? Honestly.”

  Honestly, he wanted to know if the boy could take care of himself. Being Javier’s savior and sanity were a full time job. If Javier really wanted him to consider a third, and they were both really considering the blond, it would have to be someone who could take care of himself. Even thinking it made him feel selfish, but in his private thoughts wasn’t he allowed to be? There were times he felt so wrung dry that he worried about his ability to see to Javier’s needs. In contrast, Javier had a lot he was eager to give the right person. He was pining for the fairy tale, someone to fall head over heels for, to do sweet little things for, to be romantic with…stars in his eyes and all. Javier would swoon over the chance to shower that bright little package with love. Saul only had the darkness inside himself to give. Who in their right mind would want that?

  Chase returned with their drinks and looked curiously over at the dance floor. “See something you’re interested in, Sir?”

  With one final glance at Javier, Saul said, “That blond dancing with his friends, do you know him?”

  Chase didn’t have to look again. “You mean Kip Veil?”

  “Should I know that na…” Saul started.

  “I knew I recognized him,” Javier cut in excitedly. “Saul, that’s Kip Veil!”

  “So I heard, does that mean something to you?”

  Chase and Javier looked at each other, and Javier’s expression fell just a little. “He’s one of Tex Harrington’s boys. He’s a porn star, Saul.”

  Saul looked back at the dance floor. Their surfer boy spotted them and, as if he knew what was being said, the bright, welcoming smile withered and died. With a small nod, he turned and walked off the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd.

  CHAPTER 7

  Kyle

  Kyle weaved his way through the crowd and headed toward the private room the club set aside for them. He knew he should have left an hour ago when the signing had finished, but Ryder and the others had been persistent, claiming it had been ages since he’d gone clubbing with them. A few well-placed barbs about him getting old and boring were all it took to convince him; well, that and the memory of the two hot studs from the café the day before. So he let the music and the fantasies move him until he was almost in the right frame of mind for a hookup. Something, anything, to ease the ache his new dual obsession caused.

  At least until the drunk slithered over, spit flying everywhere when he offered Kyle a thousand dollars for a blow job right there on the dance floor. Kyle’s stomach clenched at the thought, but he kept the polish on Kip Veil’s smile and managed to get rid of him. A few minutes after turning the guy down, Ryder’s on-again-off-again boyfriend was leading the same guy to a dark corner. He didn’t begrudge him jumping at the chance to make a thousand dollars; it wasn’t that long ago that he would have done the same.

  That killed a little bit of his buzz and he was getting ready to go over to the bar when the next player came up to bat. Granted, this one was sorta handsome and kinda hot with his brawny, athletic build, but his approach was damned creepy. Kyle tried to be understanding. Yes, there was a time when he would have shaken his ass to encourage tipping. Yes, the guys he was with were still happy to take that money. Yes, he’d gone onto the dance floor in his briefs, allowing himself to get pulled along instead of taking five minutes to put his clothes on. So, yeah, given that he was practically a dancing invitation, Kyle could cut the guy some slack…right up until he got all handsy and pushy.

  Kyle got the whole collar thing, respected it...maybe was even a little jealous of it. However, to suggest that he was not only fair game, but that he was expected to welcome anyone’s advances because he was un-collared, was so far removed from reality that Kyle felt a real shiver of fear. While he prided himself on his strength and ability to handle himself, he was smart enough to recognize when he was outmatched on both the physical level and the crazy scale. Luckily the bouncers recognized the problem and diffused it.

  At that point he was pretty much done and was turning to tell Ryder that he was heading out when he saw them. Actually, he saw Chase and was making a mental note to say goodbye to his cousin
when he saw who Chase was waiting on. What were the friggin’ odds? His smile was as immediate as the boner in his briefs.

  Across the club he couldn’t hear a word they were saying, but he saw Chase look his way, saw Javi have his little fan freak out, and then they both looked at Saul. Even Chase looked crestfallen when Javi told the man of his deepest, darkest dreams that he was nothing more than a sex worker. Kyle knew he wrapped it up in the pretty bow known as porn star, but a whore was a whore. When those dark eyes sought him out, Kyle could feel the scarlet letter burn bright on his chest. At that point there didn’t really seem to be any point in sticking around.

  Alone in the dressing room, he closed and locked the door before pausing long enough to take a deep breath. When that didn’t ease the ache in his chest, he walked over to the sink and splashed some cold water on his face, then looked at the reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t vain to call himself pretty—all the components that made up his face were put together in a simple, somewhat pleasing manner. If he had a stand out feature, it would be his eyes. Certainly he wouldn’t call himself handsome; it was a masculine term that made him think of men like…yeah, that line of thinking wasn’t going to help.

  “Kyle!” The door knob jiggled and he rushed over to his duffle bag. No way was he going to be caught in his underwear again tonight.

  “I’ll be right out!”

  “Let me in.” Chase pushed against the door.

  “Just...just give me a sec.” It didn’t take a minute to drag on his jeans and t-shirt, and stuff his feet in his Vans. A few more seconds to fish out his wallet and his cell phone, then he shouldered the bag and opened the door. “Hey, man, I’m just heading out.”

  Chase blocked the doorway. “He invited you to his table.”

  Bullshit. It was bullshit. Chase was just too sweet for words, but Kyle wouldn’t take a coerced invitation. There were plenty of gorgeous men in the world, gorgeous couples too, many of whom would be happy to have him in their bed for a night. He was Kip Fucking Veil, right? He definitely didn’t need to have his cousin arrange a hookup for him.

  “Can’t, I’ve got an early shoot in the morning and I need to get some sleep.” Kyle stepped forward, but Chase didn’t move.

  “Nice try, but remember, I was there when Tex told you that you had the whole weekend off.”

  “Well...then I have to wash my hair.” Kyle rocked on the balls of his feet, itching to move Chase out of the way and knowing he wouldn’t lay a hand on him.

  “Wow, that was very gay diva of you.”

  “Look, Chase, I’ve never crossed the line, but if you don’t get out of my way, I will physically move you.” When Chase just scoffed, Kyle sighed. “I appreciate whatever you said to them, but I saw the look on Saul’s face, on all your faces…”

  Chase cut him off. “So you do know them?”

  “Well, we didn’t fuck on the table at the café, if that’s what you're asking.” Not for lack of interest on his part.

  “I’m asking how you know them,” Chase clarified, his expression a combination of interest and concern.

  “Oh.” When Chase refused to budge, Kyle stepped back into the room and let his cousin close them in. “It’s not a big deal. I ran into them at some café not too far from the apartment Tex arranged for us. There was a little moment of... well, something...or nothing...I don’t really know. Then they went on their way. Just a brief...whatever.”

  “Sometimes I wonder how you ever became a porn star, much less Kip Fucking Veil. So you totally botched it?”

  Since he had no idea how he pretended to be Kip Veil, he couldn’t enlighten Chase. “Didn’t even try. I think I was staring like a creepy stalker...ironic, huh? Then there were some words…” There was Saul’s voice—he remembered every nuance of it, but the words not so much. Oh, the names, yeah, those he remembered. “Then there was a moment when...hmm…” Yeah, that mind-blowing moment when Javi’s warm breath made him bust a nut in his shorts. In a public restaurant. Right before they walked out the door.

  “Okay, I’ve heard you get a little tongue tied over a guy, but that? How long was this something or nothing encounter?” Chase had that affectionately amused look he got whenever Kyle forgot to turn on Kip.

  That’s how Kyle thought of it anyway, that he flipped some internal switch whenever he had a public appearance or a scene or would be in situations where he needed to be cool, calm and personable. Kip was a smooth-talking flirt who never got tongue tied around anyone. “I don’t know...however long it took me to eat my salad. No, no, they left before I finished. It doesn’t matter, you saw the look on their faces. Extend my apologies and everyone will be relieved.”

  “Kyle, all I did was tell him your name when he asked. His partner recognized you and, after you walked away, Master Saul asked me to invite you to his table. That’s all that happened while I was standing there. No one was saying anything bad…”

  “I don’t care what people say.” And if he did care, no one would know. Not even Chase.

  “All right.” Chase didn’t sound convinced, but he didn’t call him a liar either. “I was asked to extend their invitation. You’re free to refuse it, of course.”

  It took Kyle a second to realize Chase was heading for the door and called out, “Where are you going?”

  “To extend your apologies, like you asked.” At the door, Chase looked back at him. “I’ll arrange to have security escort you out so you don’t get mobbed. Will you need a cab?”

  Instead of answering, Kyle asked, “You really didn’t say anything else?”

  “Like what? My super popular porn star cousin is actually painfully shy. Would you be interested in a pity ménage?”

  Kyle rocked on the balls of his feet as he considered that. “I guess that does sound ridiculous.”

  “You guess?” Chase nearly choked. “Kyle, I’m hoping he’s more eloquent about it, but I get the sense you made an equal impression on them as they did on you.”

  Kyle caught his reflection in the mirror and frowned. When he didn’t say anything, Chase came to stand beside him so that they were both looking in the mirror. Chase was taller than him, so even though they had that same strong, compact build, Kyle thought he looked manlier because of his height. Chase was also stunning and the only reason most people didn’t ogle him was out of fear of Master Ty. He’d thrived and bloomed in that relationship, so much so that he glowed. Next to him, Kyle felt lackluster—older, weary, and simple.

  “It probably won’t amount to anything, you know. I’m back on the road in two days.”

  “How will you know if you just leave?” Chase asked, snagging the strap of Kyle’s duffel bag and sliding it off his shoulder. “And Kyle?”

  “Yeah?”

  Chase paused before opening the door and looked back meaningfully. “Leave Kip Veil here.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Saul

  Five times. That was the number of times Javier asked him why they weren’t going after the blond themselves, and by the way he fidgeted, Saul figured number six was imminent. The simplest answer was that the decision had to be his, not theirs. It didn’t help that Javier continued to refer to him as Kip. Obviously that was a stage name and Saul wanted to know what it was hiding. That initial smile had been the biggest anyone had ever given him. Even Javier didn’t smile at him like that. Bright, eager, genuinely happy, and then it was just gone. Kip, or whatever his name was, deflated before his eyes and trudged off, leaving him wanting more.

  “Saul,” Javier whispered, pulling him from his thoughts. Saul followed Javier’s gaze and saw Chase leading Kip through the crowd. Gone were the skimpy briefs and in their place was a pair of bleached skinny jeans and a concert tee. His white blond hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d run agitated fingers through it, and he looked unreasonably nervous. In between asking why they hadn’t chased the boy down, Javier had gone on and on about his porn career. Reconciling what Javier thought he knew with the skittish man approaching their table
was impossible.

  Those pale blue eyes, which had been darting in every direction, shot to his and Kip stumbled. How had he survived in the porn industry with so many tells? Considering where they were, Saul might have been inclined to think it was an act. He’d encountered simpering subs who couldn’t bow low enough or utter enough sirs, but they rarely showed real fear until he had them prostrated and bound, bringing their fantasy to reality. And when it was over, so was the simpering sub act. With some distance still between them, Saul could see the anxiety in those eyes and he didn’t think it was an act at all.

  Only steps from the table, Kip squared his shoulders, lifted his chin slightly and those pale eyes turned to ice. Ah, there was the haughtiness he’d seen earlier. It changed him, the effect making him appear unapproachable and daring. After seeing that unguarded anxiety, this sudden shift was nothing short of a challenge. This was the act and, as hot as it was, Saul didn’t want it sitting at his table. On his knees...oh, he’d dare the boy to give him that haughty look.

  “Master Saul,” Chase murmured as they came to stand beside the table. The waiter turned to offer an encouraging smile to the blond, took a closer look, and gave a disappointed shake of his head instead. With less enthusiasm than he started with, Chase muttered, “May I introduce you to Kip Veil?”

  The blond smirked and offered his hand which Saul promptly ignored. “No.”

  “Excuse me?” That haughty tone coupled with a quirked eyebrow was perfect. The half-hearted erection he’d been enjoying most of the evening raged to full, painful life and Saul knew his grin was nothing short of evil anticipation. He wanted more. Wanted to see that disdainful toss of those blond locks so he had a reason to grab them in a tight fist and drag that smirk right down to his groin. See how haughty the blond was choking on his dick.