by Tyler May
“No. I’m going to do it.” He hands it to me. I run my finger under the sealed paper to rip it open. Inside is a piece of paper. I pull it out and read it out loud. “Every move, every step, he has watched and took note. He’s been watching you for years. Ask him about your mother.” I drop the note and it falls to the ground. Levi picks up the note and continues to read it.
“Ask him about college. Ask him about when he first met you.” He stops. “And then ask him about Derrick.”
“What?” I sigh. “What would Brian have to do with him?”
“That’s all it says.”
“This doesn’t make any sense.” I pace the floor. “What do I fucking do?”
“I should have watched more CSI and less Bravo,” Levi says honestly. I tilt my head. “I’m serious. Maybe Marcus is the key.”
“What do you mean?”
“Brian said Marcus. We need to find out if Marcus is behind this. I have an idea, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.”
“What?”
“How about Jeff? Maybe he knows something. I think you could get anything out of that man.”
“I think I could too. Especially if he knows I’m questioning Silver. I’ll call him and ask him to meet me somewhere. Maybe he can recognize the number.”
“Make sure it’s a place where you’re not alone.” I nod in agreement as I call. He answers right away.
“Greyson?” He is shocked to hear from me. “Is everything ok?”
“Yeah, everything is good. Are you alone?”
“I’m just about to leave work.”
“Good. Uh, do you think you could meet me, I really need to talk?”
“Of course. Are you sure everything is ok?”
“I just―I just need to ask you a few things.”
“Where do you want to meet?”
“Uh, the Silver Coffee at the university. Oh, and please don’t tell Marcus.”
“As long as you don’t tell Brian,” he says.
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Now I’m very interested in what you want to talk about.”
“Jeff, it’s not―just meet me there in about twenty minutes.”
“You’re coming with me,” I say to Levi.
“But you―”
“I don’t care. I’m so fucking pissed right now, Levi. I’m mad that I let this happen again. Why do I do this? Why do I attract men like this? Derrick, Jeff, and now Silver… What the fuck?”
“In Jeff’s defense―and I use that term mildly―he was s jackass, but he isn’t a stalker. And we don’t know about Brian yet. Let’s get all the information.”
“Let’s just go.”
We catch the subway and make our way to the university. The campus isn’t busy. It normally isn’t on a weekend. But the coffeehouse is full. I wave at Liz as we walk in. I scan the tables and look for Jeff. He’s not there yet. Levi and I take our seats at an empty table near the window. Brady comes over to greet us.
“Liz said you just came in with a friend. You ready to work tomorrow?” He smiles.
“Yeah, I’ll be here bright and early.”
“Good. Good. I won’t be, but Liz will.” He faces Levi. “So who’s your friend?”
“Levi Martinez. He’s my best friend.”
“Nice to meet you,” Levi says, putting out his hand. He shakes his head and realizes his blunder.
“Nice to meet you as well. So where’s that boyfriend of yours?”
“We just got back from a trip and he said he had some business to take care of.”
Brady laughs. “That man is all business.” He places his hand on Levi’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. I can’t help but notice the watch on his wrist. It’s the same watch Silver gave me.
“I love your watch,” I say and Levi glances over to look. His eyes go wide. Marcus said that Silver buys his men stuff. Silver assured me the watch was an original. Well, there’s nothing original about that.
“Yeah, I know. It’s kind of weird for a blind man to wear a watch, right?”
“No, not at all.”
“It was a gift and Liz likes it. Not to mention, it makes me feel normal. I know that sounds weird.”
“That doesn’t sound weird at all.” The door dings and I see Jeff walk in. I wave him over.
“I’ll let you two get back to talking. My wife is probably fuming that I’m taking too long. See you tomorrow?”
“For sure. Thanks, Brady.” He nods and walks away. Jeff joins us and instantly glares at Levi. Before he could say anything, I comment. “I asked him to come with me.”
“Ok. What’s going on?” Jeff sits next to me.
“I don’t know how to ask this or even start.” I look at Levi.
“Just come out with it, Grey,” Jeff says.
“You said that you heard Marcus talk a lot about Brian, I want to know about that.”
“Why the change?” Jeff leans back in the chair.
“What’s it matter?” Levi answers.
“He wants my help, right? I think I deserve to know why,” Jeff shoots back.
Thinking of how I can get around without telling him every detail, I only give him a minor snippet. “Something happened and I heard Brian talking to Marcus. It sounded pretty intense, like they are working on something together.”
“I’ve been thinking that same thing,” Jeff says and then rests his elbows on the table and leans in to talk quietly. “It’s the only reason I’m staying with Marcus. I don’t trust that guy and I know for a fact he and Brian have some type of agreement.” Levi shows Jeff my phone with the text messages. “Who are these from?”
“We were hoping you could tell us. Does the number look familiar?” Levi says.
“No. That’s not any number I know. These messages are pretty intense, Grey. Who’s Derrick?”
“It’s a long story. All I know is that the emails and the man in the gray hoodie stopped almost right after I met Brian. I played it off as something to do with my dad and I think I was premature. I should have pursued it.”
“You think Brian or Marcus was the one following you?” Jeff asks.
“No. The man was clean shaven. Brian has facial hair and I would have recognized Marcus. I’ve been in so many of his classes over the years here. I looked the man in the face at the laundromat. He did look familiar, but not to the point where I can positively ID him.”
“So you know him?” Levi questions. I nod. “Jeff, tell us more about why you think they’re working together. Like on what?”
“I don’t know. Marcus did tell me that Brian paid for your college.”
“You mean this year?” I ask.
“No. Since the beginning.”
“What? I’ve been going to school for five years.” My mouth drops. “The grant. It’s not a fucking grant. It’s him.”
“I told you I think he’s obsessed with you and Marcus feels the same way. Marcus is the one that helped him get the information from the college when it was due so he could pay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“I tried. You didn’t want to hear it.” He did try. “Marcus said that he does this with a lot of men. He gets an obsession and then controls them. He preys on the young, fragile men. Brady is one.”
“Brian said there was nothing between them.”
“And you’re going to believe him? Come on. The coffeehouse, the mortgage, and the watch―not coincidence, Grey.” Marcus must have told Jeff all about these things.
“How’d you know about the watch?” Levi questions him.
“Marcus told me. He said he saw yours when you guys were trying on suits.”
“Ok, but what does all this mean?” Levi is getting irritated.
“It means Silver isn’t the man I thought he was. What does he get out of it?”
“You. Control. Power over the weak. What does anyone get out of it? It’s the thrill. Some people thrive on stuff like this.”
“But what about the
text?” I lean toward Jeff. “I heard him say Marcus, so Marcus must want money for something.”
“That means he knows a lot more.” Jeff taps his knuckle to his lip, thinking. “I have an idea. We can go back to Marcus’ place and see if we can find anything. I have a key.”
“You don’t have to do that, Jeff.”
“Grey, he messed with me too. I don’t know how Brian or Marcus will benefit from any of this, but we have to find out why before something else happens. I have my car here. You boys in?” Levi and I look at each other and nod.
“Wait.” Levi stops. “How do we know that you’re not working with them? What if Marcus is there?”
“I swear on my life.” Jeff looks sincerely at me. “I would never put you in danger. I promise. I have nothing to do with this. And Marcus is here on campus. He’s doing some prep for the new semester. He said he won’t be home until this evening.”
My phone beeps. It’s Silver.
Silver: We need to talk. I can explain everything. Greyson, you have to believe me when I said that I will do what it takes to keep you safe. Please talk to me. I have something I need to tell you.
I’m sure you do.
I don’t respond.
~Chapter Thirty-Five~
My heart feels like it’s shattering into a million pieces as we drive to Marcus’ home. He’s actually not that far from Silver’s place. I never knew that. Apparently, I never knew a lot of things. Jeff pulls up in front of the building. He parks. “He’s on the fourth floor,” Jeff says as we walk into the building.
“So what’s our plan? We need a plan,” Levi states as we ride the elevator up.
“We look through his stuff to see if we can find any clues,” Jeff answers.
“Clues? We sound like we’re characters on Scooby-Doo or something.” Levi jokes. “Sorry, I, uh, get nervous and say stupid things like that.” Jeff laughs at him. “Honey, are you ok? Grey?” Levi asks.
“Yeah. I just want this over with.” The doors open.
“Right over here.” Jeff digs the keys from his pocket as we walk down the hall. He stops. “Shit.”
I glance over and Silver is standing in the hall next to Marcus’ door. “Jeff, you set me up?”
“No. I swear. I didn’t know.”
Silver walks over to us. I hold my hand out to stop him. I shake my head repeatedly. “What are you doing here?” he asks.
“I think the more appropriate question is: what the fuck are you doing here?”
“You read the text, didn’t you?”
“That’s your response?”
Silver looks around the empty hall. “It’s not safe here, Greyson. You need to leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere. It’s about time I start taking control of my own life. So what big secret has Mr. Brian Silver shaking in his pants that he’s willing to pay to keep quiet?”
He looks over his shoulder. “Greyson, now isn’t the time. I promise I’ll explain everything. Please go.”
“No, Silver―tell me what is going on?”
“Damn it, Greyson. You need to go!” he screams.
“How long have you known me, Silver? Don’t fucking lie to me. I know you’ve paid for my college. Why?”
“I told you. I’ll explain everything. There is so much I need to tell you, but I can’t right now.” He walks over to me and places his hands on my arms. I shove them away.
“Jeff was right. You had this obsession with me. What? Did you see me and figure you could pay your way into my life?”
“That’s not it at all,” he responds and tries to push me toward the elevator.
I shove him. “Don’t fucking touch me. You’ve done research for sure. You’ve followed me or had me followed just to get what you want.”
“No, Greyson. It’s nothing like that. Please leave.”
“It was you all along, wasn’t it? You were having me followed. The man in the hoodie works for you.”
“Of course not.”
“That’s why we went to your friend. Is Cynthia in on this too? Marcus is. Who else, Silver? What the fuck do you want from me?”
“The only thing I ever wanted was you.”
“And you got that. You had to play mind games with me as well? To ruin people’s lives? To scare me?” I’m shaking I’m so angry.
“Greyson―” He tries to come near me and I move back. “None of that is true.”
“How can I believe you? Is this what you did with all of them?”
“All of whom?”
“The men you wanted. Like Brady? I saw the watch.” He looks at me confused.
“What watch?”
“This one,” I say, holding out my arm. “He has the same one. Is he number seven?”
“Oh, my God. Greyson, this is all bullshit. You’re not safe. You need to leave. I’ll explain later.”
“Is that what you do? Reel them in when they’re young, like me, and pay for things so they’re at your will?”
“You’re making no sense.”
“You paid for my tuition. You manipulated me without me knowing.”
“I did no such thing.” He looks around. “Jeff, please take him away from here. You all need to leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I yell. “You did no such thing?” I chuckle. “You’re denying paying?”
“That I did, but it wasn’t because of you.”
“And now who’s making no sense? You wanted control of me. You wanted me to owe, to feel indebted to you.”
“No!” he says sharply. “God, you’re really running with this. None of this is true.”
“You wanted to buy me. I’m not someone you can buy.”
“I didn’t want to buy you. If I wanted that, wouldn’t I have told you?”
“A master manipulator would never do that. You would do anything to get what you want, and you want me.”
“I never denied that, but I’m telling you I didn’t manipulate you.”
“All to see me like this. Is this what you wanted?”
“Greyson, please.”
“All you had to do was tell me the truth. Why play games? Why try to buy me?”
“I didn’t do it for you!” he states harshly.
“You did it to get to me.”
“No. I didn’t do it for you,” he repeats.
“You did it to get to me.”
“Damn it, Greyson. I didn’t do it for you. I did it for her!” he screams and closes his eyes.
“Her?” I ask.
“Your mother.” He sighs. “I did it because you were her world. I needed to take care of you for her.”
I shake my head. “You’re sick. You’re seriously crazy.”
He laughs angrily pointing his head toward the ceiling. “Greyson, I’m not going to tell you again. GET. THE. FUCK. OUT. OF. HERE!”
“I’m calling the police. You need help.” I take out my phone. He grabs it from me. “Give me my phone.”
“You’re not calling the police.” He looks over to Levi and Jeff. “Please take him out of here. You all aren’t safe.”
The elevator dings and the door opens, Milo steps out. Silver stares and then stands in front of me.
“Hey, sweetie. What are you doing here?” Levi greets him with a kiss. He doesn’t answer, but looks directly at Silver. “Milo?” Milo walks over to Silver. Milo’s eyes are dark and mean. My eyes go instantly to his hoodie, the gray hoodie.
“Let them go,” Silver says.
Milo grins evilly, and then reaches in his pocket and pulls out a handgun.
Levi jumps behind Jeff. “I did not see this coming.” Milo points the gun at them.
“Get over by them. Jeff, open the door,” he orders. Jeff reluctantly unlocks the door to Marcus’s apartment as Milo demands. We all walk in with Milo following us with the gun. “All of you on the couch.” Silver grips my hand. We all sit.
“I don’t understand,” I speak up. “What did I ever do to you?”
“Shut up!” he ye
lls. “Just let me fucking think. Brian, I told you to come alone.”
“I did. They came on their own.”
“It’s true,” Levi adds.
“No comment from you.”
“Well!” Levi crosses his arms, rocks his head from side to side, and then leans back in the couch.
“Do you think this is a game?” Milo says to Levi.
“I’m not quite sure how to answer that.” He’s honest. “I’m so confused.” Jeff puts his hand on Levi’s knee and tries to comfort him.
Milo holds the gun pointed at us. Silver is calm, almost confident. Milo sighs and looks up to the ceiling. “This isn’t how I had this night planned.” His voice is deep and vindictive.
“Milo, what the fuck do you want?” I have no idea where this is coming from. The man has a gun and I blurt that out. He rushes over to me and points the gun directly at my head. Silver stands and shields me with his body.
“You hurt him and the deal is off,” Silver says and Milo chuckles darkly. He backs away.
“What deal?”
“The deal to keep me from blasting this bullet into your head.”
I swallow. “Why?”
“Don’t test him, honey.” Levi tries to stay calm.
“No. I want to know why.”
“And everything always goes the way Greyson Black wants it to.” Milo walks over to me and pulls me to my feet. Silver stands and Milo points the gun at my head. “Sit back down or your lover boy gets it.”
I stare at Jeff, Levi, and Silver on the couch. Milo has the gun pointed at my head. “What do you have over these men? All of them are ready to take a bullet for you. Sad, really.” He pulls me over to the adjacent wall. “It’s sickening that you play men this way.”
“I don’t play men, Milo.” I watch him carefully. He pulls a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and strikes one up. He holds it out to me. I take and hit it. Maybe being friendly is what this crazy man needs. We’re all silent while Milo thinks or at least I think he’s thinking. He looks completely different than he ever has before. His demeanor is not like the man that Levi was with.
“Are we just going to sit here and twiddle our thumbs?” Levi jokes.
“Sure, let’s get this show started. Is that what you want, Levi? Always a fucking drama queen.”
“I’m not the one that studied in dramatic arts,” he whispers to Jeff. “Although, I will say he acts very well.”
