by BA Tortuga
“I won’t let them hurt you. You know that, right? I will keep you safe.”
“Not if it means you running away.” He’d taken a bullet for this man. He would again if he had to.
“I don’t think I’ll have a choice there, Sunshine. I think I’ll do it without even knowing what I’m doing.”
“I’ll be here to keep an eye on you.” Shifting, he moved off to one side, his arm around MJ’s waist.
Those blue eyes fastened on him, just as clear and lucid and MJ as they could be. “Hey.”
“Hey, Precious.” He kissed that mouth, staring into MJ’s eyes all the while.
“No matter what, I want you to know that it was worth it.”
“Love you, MJ. You know that. All the way here.” He put his hand over that hard belly again, rubbing a little.
“I know.” MJ wasn’t even blinking. “I miss you.”
“Oh fuck. I miss you so fucking bad.” He wanted to howl again. That urge just came over him a lot these days.
“Yeah. Sorry you kidnapped me yet?” Christ, how many times had MJ asked him that?
“Not one fucking bit. I told you that you needed a fucking vacation.” Sonny took another kiss, just because he had no idea when Jaime the Mexican would come back.
“Still won’t eat your fucking eggs.”
“Mmm-hmm. But you’ll eat my Ding Dongs.”
“You know it, Redneck.”
“Then it’s all good. Come back to me soon, MJ. I might kill that Cowboy friend of yours if you don’t.” His hands couldn’t keep still.
“I’m trying. I might be fucked on that front, but I’m working on it.”
“I got you, no matter what. Not giving you up.” Not if he had to keep a fucking butterfly net handy all his life.
“I’ll hold you to that.” MJ winked once, beginning to shake a little.
“Good.” Shifting them, he got MJ settled on the bed, easy in his skin, Sonny hoped. “Sleep, Precious. I’ll be here the next time you wake up.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
It took a long, long time before MJ let his eyes close.
A fucking long time.
Sonny understood. He didn’t know if he’d ever really sleep again.
Chapter Eleven
“COLBY, I don’t like this….”
He didn’t like any of this.
Duncan walked back and forth over the porch. Sonny’d come out of the other room looking like a wild man, coming over and decking Colby without a word. Colby’d taken a half-dozen hits before It swelled up inside him and he’d waded in. He could let Sonny hit him forever, screaming.
It was all wrong.
“Well, what do you want me to do, babe? I’m fresh out of ideas, and I can’t just leave this unfinished.” Colby dabbed at a split lower lip, smiling a little around it.
“I don’t know. This is just… desperately fucked-up. Can’t we… deprogram him or something?” Hell, Colby’d expected him to control himself.
“I don’t know. I imagine there’s a way, but hell, we can’t deprogram you.”
“Well, no. I think I’m way deeper fucked than that.”
“Yeah? You think it’s worse than Jay-Jay?” Cowboy leaned against him, loving on him a little.
“I think it’s… medical. I mean, I think Rick and MJ are too smart to be normal, but… I was grown when they got me.”
“Yeah.” Not that it seemed to matter to Colby, who seemed as addicted to him as he was to Colby.
He turned around, focused on Colby. “Are you paying attention, or are you watching my butt?”
“I’m torn.” Laughing, Colby held out a hand for him. “Look, I’m okay. Sonny’s unconscious, thanks to you. It’s all good.”
“You are not giving this the desperate panic it deserves.” He headed over, eyes on the window. “Can we go swimming?”
“Sure.” That hand wrapped around his, pulling him close so Colby could kiss him.
His lips opened and he let Colby’s tongue in. The kiss made all sorts of things settle inside him, if not all of his unease.
Of course, the sight of MJ passing across the window didn’t help that at all.
“Colby. He’s leaving.”
“Huh. Well, go change into your swim trunks, Doc. I’ll get Jay-Jay, and we’ll go after I tie him up.”
“Okay. Don’t let him hurt you.” He kissed Colby’s cheek. “We should do this one day without the company.”
“We will. I promise.” Colby kissed him back, hard on the mouth, before heading out to cut MJ off.
Duncan sighed, then went to get changed. He’d seen how fast Colby was with lassoes. It was sort of fascinating, really.
COWBOY MOTORED out after Jay-Jay, watching the man, trying to see what he would do. Damn it, why the hell had Sonny freaked out? If he hadn’t, he’d be awake, and Cowboy would be on the beach with Doc.
MJ was moving quick, heading down the alleyway between the buildings, dyed-dark head down.
Giving chase, Cowboy followed as quickly as he could, needing to see what was driving MJ, what the programming was. It had to be programming.
MJ didn’t even notice him, which told him how far gone his friend was. Jay-Jay paid attention. Always.
Where are you going, Jay-Jay? Cowboy’s fingers twitched, wanting to reach for a smoke, but the smell would distract him, warn Jay.
MJ headed straight toward a pay phone and stood in front of it, shaking visibly, like he was fighting someone. As Cowboy watched, the man cried out, grabbed the receiver, and yanked it out of the phone itself. Then, like MJ’d won the battle—maybe lost it—he held the broken receiver to his ear, dialed the phone, and started talking.
“Damn.” There it was. There had to be some kind of compulsion they’d planted to make MJ check in. Jay-Jay was stronger than that, though. Damned strong. He’d have to go through some trial and error to see what number MJ had called. The phone wouldn’t record random button pushing, and he hadn’t been close enough to see all the numbers MJ had pushed.
He’d remember the pattern, though. All he had to do was hit a phone himself and make his fingers follow MJ’s motions.
Finally MJ stopped talking, dropped the broken receiver without the slightest attention, and then MJ stood there, stared for a second.
Cowboy held his breath, hoping like hell what Jay-Jay did next was go back to Sonny.
Sure as shit, MJ turned around and made a beeline for the cabins.
Sighing, Cowboy rolled his shoulders, relief making him a little dizzy for a moment. He had no idea how long they’d dodge the bullet, but this time they had.
Thank God for Jay-Jay and that stubborn fucking brain. Maybe Duncan was right; maybe they needed to deprogram the man.
All they had to do was figure out how.
PADDY BOUNCED from window to door to window to door, looking for Neil, looking for danger, looking for anything weird, which, really, meant absolutely nothing at all, because what the fuck was weird these days, anyway?
“I’m going home.”
“You’re what?” He stopped bouncing and looked at Mrs. Boomer. She didn’t look so good, really. She looked a little… haunted.
“I am going home to my house, my store, my life. Tell Manning to come see me when he’s feeling better.”
“I…. You can’t.” Could she? Could you tell grown-up, old-lady moms no? If you did, did it work? Did you go to hell for that, if it was for their own good? Where was Neil?
“Have I missed something?” Neil came in carrying a pair of grocery bags, smiling at them mildly.
Neil.
Neil.
“She wants to go home.”
“Really?” Studying her for a moment, Neil smiled. “I can understand that. I really think we ought to wait a few more weeks.”
She actually smiled at Neil. “I miss my shop.”
“I miss the South of France.” Neil patted her shoulder. “We need to give it just a bit more time.”
“Do you know if they fo
und him yet? It seems like it’s been so long.”
“I’m not sure.” Neil was lying. They hadn’t talked about it, but Paddy knew Neil was lying.
He tilted his head and headed for the window again.
Wasn’t there a kid’s book called Stranger Danger?
“Padraic.” Gentle, not a bit chiding, Neil called to him, holding out a hand when he turned back.
“Neil.” He came, eyes searching that beloved face.
“Mmm. We’re fine. I was just out there, hmm?” Neil squeezed his hand.
“I know.” Except he didn’t. He didn’t know. What if they were coming again? What if they hurt his Neil again? What if he had to shoot someone again? What if what if what if what if what if….
“What if we have some tea?”
“Oh, I like tea.” Boomer’s mom clapped her hands and bounced. She was sorta like the crazy cat lady.
“Okay. I’ll make some.” He thought he might be a tea-making master.
“Wonderful. I bought biscuits,” Neil said, turning to Boomer’s mom again. “Ginger ones.”
“Ginger is a fabulous thing.” He heard Neil talking as he headed to the kitchen to heat water. He needed M&M’s, damn it.
Neil came in again, alone this time, moving close behind him to hug him tight. “How are you, love?”
He considered lying for a minute, but then he shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m….”
Tired?
Scared?
Worried?
In desperate need of running around in circles screaming woobie-woobie-woobie?
“I am remarkably sanguine.” Neil laughed, hugging him tighter. “No arm waving.”
“Woobie. Woobie.” He cackled, and then the sound turned into a long laugh.
Neil laughed along with him, lips just under his ear, hands smoothing over his belly. “That’s better, love.”
“Mmm.” He lifted his face for a kiss. They hadn’t… done anything. Not since before, and he wasn’t going to try or ask, but surely a kiss wouldn’t hurt….
It didn’t hurt one bit. Neil kissed him, lips hot and sweet on his, hands sliding on his shirt.
Oh, his Neil. His sweet Englishman. His love.
Yes. The one word rang in his head. Neil was ready. They just needed to get Boomer’s mother her tea.
He groaned a little, pressed close. Oh God. Really? Neil. Really?
“Really.” That was out loud as their mouths separated and the kettle whistle went off.
“I’ll make the tea.” He couldn’t stop smiling.
“Wonderful. I’ll arrange some biscuits and drug the one cup.”
There was a minute of guilt before it occurred to him that Mrs. Boomer liked being stoned, so that was probably very okay. They worked together quietly, moving easily around each other. There was a hum of energy, though, an awareness that had been all but gone.
His Neil was alive.
Free.
Awake.
Wanting him.
Wanting him for real.
One of Neil’s hands slid over his ass when the man passed by, fingers pinching a little. Just a bit.
“Neil!” He’d almost forgotten what that felt like—the way his belly jerked, went tight.
“Yes?” Innocent so didn’t work for Neil. Not at all.
“Tea.”
I want you.
Please, Neil. So much.
“Come along, sweet.” With a sideways grin, Neil was off, out to the living room to present Mom Boomer with a tray.
He bounced a little inside his shoes.
“Oh, sweet boys. Did you give me some good sweetener for the tea?” One blonde-and-gray eyebrow rose, just like Boomer’s scarred one did.
Neil nodded. “I did. Your favorite kind. It will ease your mind.”
“You’re a good man.” She started fluttering some. “I just worry about him, you know? I worry.”
“I imagine he’s fine,” Neil said, patting her hand. “Or at least working toward it.”
Paddy wanted to nod, but he didn’t think he could. There was no way Boomer could be fine. No way. Not after what they’d done to Neil.
That was gonna kill the mood for sure. Neil agreed, sending him a soothing wave of thoughts, reminding him what they were about to get up to.
Love you.
He closed his eyes, just trying to breathe.
“I think I’ll take my tea in my room.” Boomer’s mom was smiling gently when he opened his eyes. “I promise not to run off. Afternoon, boys.”
He waved, sort of distracted. “Now?”
“Now.” Neil took his hand, leading him to their bedroom.
He sort of vibrated like he’d had a six-pack of Jolt on top of a Red Bull bender.
Chuckling, Neil turned and locked the door. Then he got a kiss, one like he hadn’t had in who knew how long. Desperate. Needy.
Neil.
Neil.
His cock went suddenly, painfully hard.
“Yes.” Neil murmured it against his mouth, hands sliding all over him, touching him.
He couldn’t stop moving, stop thinking. It felt. He felt. He. Oh.
“Padraic.” Was that out loud? How could it be when Neil was kissing him breathless? Oh, God.
He reached out to touch, hands stopping right before they touched Neil’s skin. What if he hurt Neil? What if Neil was still sore? What if…?
“Stop.” Now, that was out loud. Neil broke their kiss to stare right into his eyes. “I want this. I’m ready.”
“For real?” He needed Neil to be sure.
“Very much. Please, Paddy.” He reached out, fingers sliding over Neil’s ribs, up to his shoulders. Sighing, Neil reached around him, tugging at his shirt. “Please.”
“Uh-huh.” He wasn’t sure what he was agreeing to, but it didn’t matter.
“Skin, Padraic. Come along, love. Get with the program.”
He chuckled at the gentle chiding. “Pushy.”
He stripped his shirt off, though, wriggling happily.
“I am. It’s been so long.” Like he didn’t know that. Heck, Neil knew he knew that. Of course, if he knew that, Neil knew that he knew. “Oh.”
Neil’s mouth.
Oh God.
“Is that what you want? More of this?” Neil licked over to just under his ear, then down his neck, nibbling a little.
His knees actually buckled, it felt so good.
“Sweet.” Yes. Oh, it was sweet. Right.
“I. Yeah.” He opened Neil’s jeans, trying to decide whether he remembered what Neil’s cock tasted like.
“You can make sure you know right now if you like.” When he sank the rest of the way to the floor, Neil pulled off Paddy’s shirt.
“Don’t hurt yourself….” Don’t stop. Please.
“No. No, I won’t. Now, come and get the rest of this off.”
“Yes.” He opened Neil’s slacks, stopping to lean in, lick at the flat, warm belly.
“Mmm. Oh, love. I have missed you so. Missed this.” There were scars there now, fine and tiny, but still pink instead of white.
He nodded, licking at one scar, then another, before taking Neil’s cock between his lips, tongue sliding on the shaft. Neil just moaned, rocking against him, fingers petting him, curling in his hair. It felt amazing to touch and be touched.
Oh, my Neil. He closed his eyes, lips sliding up and down, tasting every inch.
“Yes. Yours.” He could feel Neil shaking, feel the heat pouring off that fine skin.
He’d worried and worried and now he didn’t have to because he had this—had Neil in his mouth and touching him and loving him and it was so good.
They moved, turning toward the bed, his mouth popping off Neil for a moment. They stripped off the rest of their clothes before Neil sat on the bed, spreading for him, letting him move right back where he’d been.
He crawled over, tongue dragging over Neil’s inner thighs as he headed for the heavy balls.
“Love. Oh, love. I do ad
ore you.” Neil’s words poured down over him. So did Neil’s thoughts, and they were all about hot and yes and please and more.
He couldn’t stop smiling.
Loved him.
Neil loved him.
“I want you too.” Tugging at his shoulders, Neil tried to get him up on the bed, tried to touch him too.
He pushed the rest of the blankets off the bed before he moved up, then straddled Neil’s thighs.
“Oh, hello.” Laughing, Neil grabbed his butt, squeezing his asscheeks. Those long fingers were magic.
“Hello.” That laugh. He loved that laugh so much.
“Now, whatever will I do with you, love?” Neil answered his own question, though, kissing Paddy until his head swam.
He held on, brain hop-skipping over all of the many, many things Neil could do with him. They moved closer, Neil pulling him up and twisting them, and suddenly they were all over each other. Like octopus hands.
Except less slimy and suckery. Tentacles would probably leave hickeys.
Neil chuckled, licking at his lower lip. “I can do hickeys.”
“Can you?” He lifted his chin, daring Neil.
“I can.” Lips fastening on his skin, Neil sucked hard, bringing hot blood right to the surface.
His hands landed on Neil’s head, his hips bucking in time with the sucks.
Neil moaned again and again, but there was no pain, only need and love. Hickeys? Neil could do.
“I want you.” It was like a pressure right in the pit of his stomach, driving at him, burning him.
“How, love? How do you want me?” Neil pulled back to cup his cheeks in both hands.
“I don’t know. I need to come. I need you to come. Then I need us to do it again, just in case the first time was a fluke.”
“Well, then. I suggest we go with something simple the first time.” Neil grabbed his cock.
“Oh. Oh. Okay. Please….” He arched, hips bucking hard.
“So pretty. So hot. Your skin.” Neil loved him so much. He could feel it in the touch.
“Oh, fuck. I missed this. Missed you.”
“Indeed. Very much.” Neil could sound so formal, even during the most intimate stuff.
“Don’t stop yet.” He needed this to go on and on.
“No. Not now.” Sucking up another mark on his skin, Neil pulled at his cock, thumb rubbing hard at the tip.
