by Jake Biondi
“Oh, my God,” David gasped. “Michael.”
“Don’t get excited. I’m sure it’s just a prank like last time.”
“Last time? This has happened before?”
Michael began to take some photos with his cell phone.
“Michael?”
“Yes, once before. It’s probably just some kids.”
“It’s scary gay-bashing is what it is. You have to do something.”
Michael smiled. “What, call the police?”
“Why are you being so cavalier about this? Someone is targeting you.”
Michael put his phone away and opened his car door. “I can take care of myself. Faster than a speeding bullet, remember?”
“Unless that bullet is speeding toward you,” David added as he got into the car.
As Michael dropped David off at the hospital and then headed to the police station, Emmett was walking through his restaurant. The design crew was wrapping up for the day and Adam was on a ladder adjusting a light fixture.
“Wow, things are looking great, Adam,” Emmett said, approaching the ladder. “Nice work.”
Adam finished with the light and then climbed down the ladder. “Thank you. We’re under a bit of a time crunch but we’ll make it. The crew has been working like crazy. Wait ‘til you see your condo upstairs. It’s looking amazing.”
“Can’t wait to see it.”
“And I arranged a meeting with Gino, Jensen, and Cole for first thing in the morning, once Jensen is released, to discuss the opening. I hope you’ll attend, that way we can get everything ironed out. It’s going to be epic.”
“Great work. I’ll definitely be there. Thanks for all your hard work.”
“My pleasure. This kind of planning excites me. It’s been a long time…”
Emmett hesitated and then said, “Tell me about Dustin.”
Adam gave Emmett an odd look. “Dustin? What about him?”
“What was he like…back in Seattle? When you two were together.”
“What does that matter? I know you hate him for shooting your brother. Well, maybe if your brother hadn’t--”
Emmett put his hand up. “Whoa. I don’t hate him at all. I’m trying to better understand him. What was he like?”
Adam took a breath and released his defensiveness. “He was sweet, sexy. I relied on him for a lot. He was my rock and we were very happy. Until…”
“Until he met my brother.”
Adam nodded. “It’s not your brother’s fault, but something in Dustin snapped after meeting him. He became distant from me, detached, preoccupied. No matter what I did to correct things, he pulled farther and farther away. He broke my heart and became obsessed with Derek.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sure that sucked. Hopefully, he’ll get the help that he needs. I know they are trying to arrange some deal to make that happen.”
“You’re lucky to have someone like Max in your life, someone who loves you and puts you first. I hope to have that again one day, too.”
“I’m not sure ‘lucky’ is the word I’d use,” Emmett mumbled. “But as my grandmother used to say -- there’s a lid for every pot.”
Adam smiled. “Smart lady.”
“Is Max around?”
“He ran to the hospital, but he should be back any minute.”
“I’m here,” Max said, walking through the front door.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” Adam said. “See you tomorrow, Emmett.”
“Thanks again,” Emmett told Adam, who escorted the two remaining workers out of the area so Max and Emmett could be alone.
“Hey,” Max said, removing his jacket and tossing it onto a nearby table.
“I wanted to apologize for Derek’s behavior. It was really inappropriate.”
“No problem,” Max said as he sat down in a nearby chair and gestured for Emmett to do the same. “He’s very protective of you.” Max raised his hand to touch his cheek. “And he has a great right hook.”
Emmett sat down on a chair opposite Max. “I’m sorry he punched you.”
“I’m glad you’re here. It’s important that we talk.”
“I’m not sure where to start.”
“I love you, Emmett. Very much. You know that.”
“I’m not sure of anything right now.”
“It only happened twice,” Max explained. “And it meant nothing. It was purely physical.”
“It means a lot actually. Apparently, I’m not enough for you.”
“What are you talking about? You’re the most incredible man that I have ever known. I have never been worthy of you.” Max hesitated, then added. “We are meant to be. Everyone knows it and we know it, too.”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” Emmett said. “Do you love him?”
Max shook his head. “I don’t know. There is a strong attraction between Dustin and me and we just acted on it, that’s all.”
“That’s all?”
“I fucked up. I know it and I own it. But we can get through this if we work together. I know it.”
“I’m not so sure. You have to figure out your feelings for him. And I’m just...numb. Heartbroken and numb.”
Max reached out and held Emmett’s hands. “I’m so sorry. You’re the last person on earth that I’d ever want to hurt. I love you.”
Emmett withdrew his hands from Max. “We will always be partners professionally, but I’m afraid that’s all.”
“Look at this place we have created together. It’s amazing and the opening is going to be fantastic. It’s a testament to how great we are together.”
“This place is incredible and we will run it successfully together. And I’m sure in time we’ll be able to be good friends again. But that’s it.”
Max’s eyes teared up. “I can’t lose you. I love you so much and I want to marry you.”
Emmett shook his head. “Words can’t undo what you have done.”
“Please, Emmett. We can get over this.”
“Jensen and I will be moving into the condo upstairs soon. Where will you stay?”
“That depends on whether the state’s attorney agrees to our deal or not.”
“Why?”
“If Dustin gets admitted to a facility for help, he said I can stay in his apartment. It’s his way of thanking me for paying for his attorney, I guess.”
“Wow. You’re moving into his place? This just gets better and better, doesn’t it?”
“I’d rather be living with you. You know that.”
“That’s no longer possible.”
“Please Emmett...”
“I’m looking forward to our big meeting tomorrow to finalize our plans for the opening. Sounds like Adam and Jensen have some great ideas.”
“Jensen knows...”
“Jensen knows what?”
“About me and Dustin.”
“What? And he didn’t tell me?”
“He didn’t want to hurt you. He found about it and he confronted me about it. He made me swear it would never happen again or he’d tell you. We talked more and I agreed.”
“I can’t believe he wouldn’t share that with me.”
“Don’t be angry at him. He didn’t do anything wrong. He cares a great deal about you. You’re special to him, very special.”
“I hope you’re not implying something.”
“It’s obvious how much he cares about you. Protecting your heart was his top priority.”
“It should have been yours, too.”
“I love you.”
Emmett stood up. “I need to get going.”
“Okay,” Max said, also rising from his chair.
“I’ll see you soon,” Emmett said as he left the restaurant.
Adam stepped back into the room and addressed Max.
“Everything okay?”
“I hope so. I really hope so.”
While Adam and Max wrapped up work in the restaurant for the day, Michael approached his father’s grave. He knelt down
next to it to take a closer look at the flowers that Keith Colgan had placed there during his recent visit. Michael adjusted the flowers before speaking to his father.
“Papa, I need your help and your blessing. I know Keith is responsible for taking you away from me and our whole family. But I love him so much. I don’t think I could ever love someone as much as I love him. I want to forgive him for what he did to you. I think, deep in his heart, he is truly sorry for what he did.”
Michael paused a moment, looked around the cemetery, and then refocused on his father’s grave. “I am so confused, Papa. I want to forgive him and move forward, but that feels disloyal to you and our family. Help me know what to do. I need your guidance, Papa.”
At the same time in the board room of Mancini Global’s corporate headquarters, Gino, Justin, David, and Derek were discussing the vineyard deed that had been discovered.
“We found it sealed tightly in the back of one of my mother’s paintings,” Gino explained as Derek perused the deed in front of him.
“We believe our father must have given it to her at some point during their affair,” David added.
“Son of a bitch,” Derek mumbled, casting a concerned look in Justin’s direction.
“Our attorneys have already researched it as well as the law firm that drew it up. Their information is on the front of the document.”
Derek looked at the bottom of the deed. “I remember our father talking about this attorney. I can ask Vince to look this over.” Derek looked up from the document to Justin. “Do you realize what this means? If Ciancio International owns those vineyards, they own our entire wine division.”
“Just hang on,” Justin said. “Let Gino finish.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Derek. David and I have talked it over and we are in complete agreement. We are going to have our attorneys draw up the necessary paperwork to transfer the property back to you, as it should be.”
“The Ciancio-Mancini feud is dead and we want to keep it that way,” David declared.
Suddenly, the door to the board room flew open and in walked Camille followed by two men dressed in black suits.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Camille announced as one of the two men took the deed from Derek’s grasp.
Gino stood up. “What are you doing here in Chicago?”
“Have you forgotten who runs Ciancio International now? Certainly not the two of you,” she said as she nodded toward Gino and then David. “Even with your shares of the company combined, you don’t run things. I do, just as your father wished.”
“David and I are in agreement about this,” Gino stated.
Camille smiled. “But I’m not. That deed gives our company complete control of the vineyards that my brother -- and your father -- started years and years ago. There is no way we’re giving up that control.”
Derek stood up. “We’ll fight you on this. And we’ll get them back.”
“My two comrades here are the best attorneys in the business. I have three words for you: bring it on.” Camille turned to leave as the two men held the door open for her. Then she turned back around toward the table. “But don’t worry. I’m in one hundred percent agreement with you both about the new wellness center. It’s great publicity for our company and it honors one of our family members. And you know how I love family.” Camille left the room and the two men followed her out.
The remaining men exchanged glances in silence as the Mancini-Ciancio feud rose from the grave.
Back in Boystown, Keith heard someone knocking on his apartment door. He slowly approached it as the knocks grew louder and more frequent.
“Just a second,” Keith yelled as he reached the door and opened it.
Emmett stood on the other side of the door, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I didn’t know where else to go.”
“Hey, come in. Come in,” Keith said, welcoming his ex-boyfriend into the apartment they once shared. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Emmett said, wiping his tears from his cheeks. “No.”
“Here, let’s sit down,” Keith said, closing the door and walking Emmett over to the sofa in the living room. “What happened? What’s the matter?”
“He cheated on me and I left him.”
“Wait...what?”
“It’s true,” Emmett explained, trying to hold back his tears. “Max cheated on me with Dustin.”
“Dustin? What the hell?” Keith got up from the couch. “Wait, give me a moment.”
Keith rushed from the room toward the kitchen. He disappeared from Emmett’s view for just a moment and returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“I think this will help,” Keith said with a smile as he sat back down next to Emmett. “Like the old days.”
“Thanks,” Emmett replied as Keith poured each of them a glass.
“So how do you know?”
“I overheard Dustin and him talking about it the other day. And I’ve spoken to Max about it directly, too. He didn’t deny it -- in fact, he admitted that it happened twice.”
“Oh, Emmett, I’m so sorry,” Keith said as he drank his wine. “This sucks.”
“I’m sorry for coming here and involving you. I was just taking a walk to clear my head and I ended up here.”
“I’m glad you did. I want to help, if I can.”
“No one can. Max and I are done…romantically, at least.”
“What about the restaurant and the condo?”
“We are still business partners and we will have to be civil with one another. But that’s the extent of our interactions for now.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Emmett took a drink from his glass and then looked up at Keith. “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I have a successful relationship?”
Keith put his hand on Emmett’s shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with you, nothing. The fault lies in your boyfriends, myself included. Max screwed up, not you. None of this is your fault.”
“Maybe if I were sexier or more exciting, he--”
“Sexier? Really? You’re one of the sexiest people I know. I have always thought so, even after our break up.” Keith hesitated and then added, “Our relationship ended because I was jealous and stupid, not because of anything you did. And then I further screwed things up by poisoning you to protect my relationship with Michael, which fell apart anyway.”
“That’s forgotten and forgiven,” Emmett said. “I know why you did what you did. And after you’ve been through something like the plane crash, you start to realize what’s important in your life. Family, friends -- and letting bygones be bygones.”
“Thank you,” Keith said. “I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”
Emmett threw his arms around Keith and held him tightly. “Just hold me…”
Keith did as Emmett requested, embracing him tightly and rubbing his back to comfort him.
After a moment, they pulled back from each other and looked into each other’s eyes. Keith leaned forward and kissed Emmett, pressing his lips hard against his. The kiss evolved into a long, passionate one as each man pulled the other closer.
Keith ran his fingers through Emmett’s hair, never letting their lips part. He grew more aggressive, as he always had when then were boyfriends. His hands worked their way up under Emmett’s shirt and massaged his chest and nipples while he kissed Emmett’s neck. Gradually, he pushed Emmett backward onto the couch and pressed his body upon him.
Emmett clawed at Keith’s back, pulling up his shirt and feeling his powerful back. Then he slid his hands under Keith’s belt so his fingers could massage Keith’s firm butt. Shifting underneath Keith’s weight, Emmett wrapped his legs around his aggressive ex-boyfriend.
Keith sat up momentarily to pull off his shirt first, then Emmett’s. As Emmett raised his arms to allow his shirt to be removed, Keith leaned forward and caressed his chest and arms. He pinned Emmett down, pressing his crotch into Emmett’s and kissing his muscled body.
Emmett tore open
Keith’s belt and jeans, watching as his erect cock broke free and slapped against his abs. Pulling Keith’s pants off and then his own, Emmett spread his legs beneath Keith’s body. He welcomed Keith’s tongue into his mouth and dug his fingers into Keith’s shoulders as Keith repositioned himself on top of him.
Fingering Emmett’s tight hole, Keith prepared to enter him. Emmett’s arched back and soft moans encouraged Keith to continue and he did, exerting his dominance over Emmett as he so often did when they had dated. His thrusts grew more powerful as he pushed himself into Emmett; his kisses kept Emmett’s mouth occupied.
Feeling his hard dick against Keith’s abs, Emmett ran his feet along the sides of Keith’s legs. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered as he welcomed Keith inside of him. Spreading his legs farther apart, Emmett allowed Keith to penetrate more deeply.
“You were always mine,” Keith whispered as he prepared to erupt inside Emmett. He thrust himself forward, grabbing hold of Emmett’s ankles.
With a loud groan, Emmett shot first, spewing warm cum between them and curling his toes in anticipation of Keith.
Smiling, Keith leaned forward and licked the cum from Emmett’s nipples. Then he kissed Emmett deeply as he erupted. Filling Emmett with his own warm mess, Keith pumped repeatedly, ensuring that not a drop remained in his cannon of a penis.
Keith eventually lay down upon Emmett, who folded his arms tightly around him. Emmett ran his hand along Keith’s cheek, then kissed him. They both closed their eyes, savoring their moment together.
In his small, dimly-lit apartment, the man sat facing the wall collage he had created. Hundreds of photos of Cole fit together like a giant puzzle. The man reached up and ran his fingers over several of the photos. Then he picked up the can of red spray paint on the desk in front of him and sprayed a large heart shape over the collage.
Looking down for a moment, he opened the desk drawer in front of him and pulled out of photo of Michael. He ran his fingers over the holes in the photo were Michael’s eyes had been cut out. Then he used the red spray paint to draw a large “x” over Michael’s face. Laughing, the man watched as the paint dried on the photo.
