The Russos 12

by D. J. Manly

  But Tony was about to find out that although he had some things right, he had severely underestimated Nolan.

  One night at the hotel suite, after a very successful concert in New York City, Tony stood with his uncle Pepi, sipping a drink. The entire top floor of the hotel, including the pool, had been reserved for the band, and a bunch of half-naked guests ran down the hall and dived in.

  Nolan was standing a few feet away trying to separate himself from some half-naked girl. Tony looked at him and away. "Where's Drake?" He asked his uncle.

  "Don't know. Haven't seen him."

  Tony drained his glass. "I'm going to find him." He walked past Nolan, and started scanning the small groups of people hanging around here and there.

  Some old Russos song played in the background. He paused when he heard his father's voice on the recording. He felt the pain, sharp and acute, swallowing it.

  "He's not here," a voice said suddenly in his ear.

  He turned around to see Nolan standing there.

  "What?"

  "Drake. If you're looking for Drake, you won't find him here."

  "Who said I was looking for Drake?"

  "Aren't you always looking for Drake?"

  "I...ah...what?"

  Nolan laughed, looking around.

  "Where is he, then?"

  "Drake?"

  "Yes, Drake," Tony said impatiently. "You said he wasn't here."

  "He's not. He told me he needed some peace and quiet tonight. I think he went to the cemetery."

  "It's almost nine-thirty. They won't let him in."

  "He's Drake Russo. They'll let him in."

  "It's dangerous."

  "Drake's a big boy, and in more ways than one." A smile played around his mouth.

  "Oh, you're just dying to get a closer look, aren't you?"

  "You don't have a monopoly on his cock, do you?"

  "What...what do you mean? Drake and I...I'm with Angelo. Angelo is my lover, not Drake."

  "Um. So they tell me."

  "What is it you're trying to say exactly?"

  "Drake deserves to be happy. Your Dad is dead. Drake is still alive. He's an attractive...scratch that...a very attractive, sexy man. A man like that has needs."

  "And you...you think you're the one to take care of those needs?"

  "I'd like to try, if you'd give me a chance, that is."

  Tony met his gaze. "Me?"

  "Yeah, you, Tony. Look, I'm the kind of guy who likes to put my cards on the table. I like to know my competition."

  "Don't be fucking ridiculous. I'm not your competition."

  "Well, you sure as hell act like it."

  "Fuck off, Nolan. I don't give a shit what you think." Tony sneered. Then he dipped his head near Nolan's ear, and lowered his voice. "By the way, you look fucking pathetic panting after Drake all the time like that. You can't have him, you bastard." He brushed past him, and as he did, he hit him hard with his shoulder.

  Tony walked right into Mac, who'd witnessed the entire scene. "What in hell is going on?"

  "Nothing," Tony snapped. "Just keep that fucker away from me. I'm going after Drake. He went to the cemetery."

  "Tony," Mac grabbed his arm, "don't. Leave Drake, alone. You're playing with fire, especially now that we're back here in New York where we grew up. If you go to him when he's this vulnerable, you know what will happen."

  Tony yanked his arm away, and walked off.

  Outside, he flagged a taxi and told the driver to take him to the cemetery.

  The driver looked surprised. "Are you some kind of a weirdo? That cemetery is closed at this hour."

  "Just drive," Tony said.

  * * * * * *

  Drake stood in front of Johnny's tombstone for the longest time. It was a huge marble monstrosity overlooked by a fierce-looking angel. God, he hated that stupid angel.

  The cemetery was illuminated by tiny torches. He ran his finger over the engraving on the stone...beloved brother of...beloved father of... beloved...beloved... "My beloved," he whispered.

  "How I miss you. I know you're not really there, but that's all right. I feel close to you here somehow. Mama's nearby. I'm sure she'll take care of you for me."

  He'd killed the only thing he had ever really loved.

  Accident or not, it was he who had chosen to take that gun out of the drawer that night. He could still see Johnny begging him, struggling with the gun...then pow...the sound of that single shot which had gone straight into Johnny's head. Johnny had laid still, blood pooling around his head. And he had gone into some kind of a trance, wandering the streets like a zombie. He couldn't even remember where he'd gone. Finally, he'd stepped into that police station and confessed. He didn't care what happened to him at that point. He was sure Johnny was dead.

  And now he was. He was really dead. His death had had a great impact on them all. He was sure that Angelo had decided to take a chance on Tony because he realised how short life was. God, he had to protect that. And so far, he hadn't done so well on that one.

  "I love you, Johnny," he said aloud.

  "He always knew that," a voice answered.

  Drake turned around, surprised to see Tony standing there shivering in the night air. "What are you doing here?"

  "I came to see my father."

  Drake said nothing. He turned back to the grave.

  "What would Johnny had said if he knew what we did together?"

  "He would have approved."

  Drake turned to look at him. He was surprised Tony answered. He hadn't realised he'd spoken aloud.

  "He asked me to take care of you before he died."

  "He asked you to fuck me?" He searched Tony's young face.

  "More or less, yes."

  "He would have never..."

  Tony moved closer. He clutched onto the lapels of Drake's navy coat. "He did. He knew you, Drake. He knew what a sexual man you were, that you would miss that most of all...that you need with an appetite of..."

  Drake pulled Tony's hands away. "Stop."

  "I miss him too. And God help me, but the only time I've been able to feel him close to me is when I've been in your bed. You are my link to him. You're all of what's left of my father...a father my mother deprived me of most of my life. The time I had with him was so short, Drake," tears streamed down his cheeks, "it wasn't fair."

  "It was my fault. I took him from you. I shot him. It's the reason he's gone, Tony. Sometimes I can hardly bear it."

  Tony reached for him. He held him close. "Drake. No. No. My father wouldn't want you to feel responsible. He loved you so much. Let's go somewhere now. Make love to me, Drake. Oh God, I need to feel you close to me, inside of me."

  "Tony," Drake reared back, searching his eyes, "what about Angelo? He wouldn't understand."

  "He's not here," Tony sniffed. "He would understand if we explained..."

  Drake shook his dark head. "No. He wouldn't." He began to walk across the cemetery lawn, Tony on his heels.

  They walked in silence for a few minutes. When they reached the corner, Tony spotted the neon sign.

  Escape Motel. He placed a hand on Drake's forearm.

  He knew Drake saw the sign too. "Please," he whispered. "Let me hold you."

  Drake glanced at him for a second, his expression tortured, then he nodded.

  * * * * * *

  Angelo pulled into the underground parking lot at the hotel around ten-thirty. He hadn't bothered to call anyone. He wanted to surprise Tony. Once he'd identified himself to the desk, they gave him access to the Russo suite. There was a party going on, but that wasn't unusual.

  Mac was the first person he saw. He was standing at one of the bars looking a little distracted. When he spotted Angelo walking toward him, Angelo noticed that he seemed to stiffen.

  "Hey, you don't look happy to see me, Mac."

  Angelo frowned.

  "Ah, hey, what are you doing here?" Mac gave Angelo a brisk hug.

  "I came to surprise Tony and you guys. I
'm just in for the weekend." He looked around. "Where is everyone?"

  At that moment, Pepi walked over. "Angelo!"

  Angelo hugged his uncle. "Hey, Uncle Pepi."

  "Are you looking for Tony?"

  "Of course. Where's Dad?" He looked from one to another. When no one answered, he said, "What's the matter?"

  "Nothing. Nothing," Mac said. "Ah, Tony and Drake went to the cemetery."

  "It's a little late, isn't it, to be in a cemetery?"

  "Let me..." Mac began, "I'll call them on the cell."

  "I can call..." Angelo began.

  "No," Mac said, shaking his head. "I'll call them, tell them you're here. You just ah...visit with your uncle." He walked off.

  Pepi hugged him again. "I've missed you. How's everything?"

  Angelo was deep into a discussion about the makings of his new band when Nolan Carter walked over.

  * * * * * *

  Mac pressed Drake's number for the fourth time.

  "Pick up. Pick up, you asshole. Where are you? Where in the fuck are you, Drake?" He dialled Tony's cell. He got his message taker too. Finally, in frustration, he waited for Tony's message to go on, then said, "you are about to blow it big time, you fucking ass. Angelo is here at the hotel. Did you hear me?" He was screaming into the phone. "Angelo is here. He knows you're with Drake. You better get back soon or it's going to be a little hard to explain. Shit!"

  Mac paced a few times, then ran to the elevator.

  Ten minutes later, he was in the cab, headed to the cemetery. "Be there...be there..." he muttered between clenched teeth.

  * * * * * *

  The room was primitive at best, but Tony didn't notice. All he wanted was to get Drake's clothes off.

  He locked the door and walked over to the bed. He stripped off all his clothes and lie down, balancing on his elbows. He turned on the lamp.

  Drake had removed his coat. He stood there looking at him. "You look so like your father in that light."

  "I feel like my father right now, looking at you like this. Do you realise what it means to me to...?" He stopped. "Take off your clothes. Do it slowly. I want to watch."

  Drake laughed a little as he undid his shirt. Johnny.

  He smiled. Johnny had always loved his body, couldn't seem to get enough. He loved to look at it, touch it...taste it. Drake threw the shirt aside, fumbled with his zipper on his jeans, his hands shaking. Suddenly, warm hands covered his. "Let me."

  He closed his eyes. He could almost believe in that touch if he tried hard enough. He could almost feel Johnny's lips caressing his cock, his soft mouth swallowing his shaft. He lowered his hand and placed it in that silky hair, winding the curls around his finger. "Johnny," he breathed, moaning softly as Tony's mouth brought him to orgasm. He went to his knees, enfolded him in his arms, and held his naked body close to his.

  The realisation came over them both almost at the same time. Drake kissed Tony's hair. "I love you, Tony," he said softly. "But I don't want to make love to you anymore. We can't bring Johnny back like this."

  Tony nodded, wiping the tears off of Drake's face.

  "I know. I know that. I love Angelo. I miss him so much. And there's Nolan."

  "What?" Drake shook his head.

  Tony smiled faintly. "I think I really pissed Nolan off tonight."

  "How come? I thought you liked him?" Drake sat back on the floor.

  "I was jealous."

  "Of Nolan?" He laughed. "Why?"

  "I've been really possessive of you. I didn't want anyone touching you...and you know what...it's not because you're mine, it's because I still feel somehow that you belong to my father. Isn't that stupid?"

  "No." He shook his head. "But I still don't understand what Nolan has to do with it."

  "He wants you."

  Drake's eyes widened.

  "Drake. He's a good guy. He really likes you. He wants you. You should give him a chance."

  "I'm not ready for that. What we had...you and me...it didn't feel like..."

  "I know. You didn't feel like you were betraying Dad because I'm his son. But one day, Drake...you can't stay alone forever. You deserve to be loved. I have Angelo. He's everything to me. And I want you to find someone like that too. Promise me when you're ready, you'll try."

  Drake nodded.

  "Should we go back?"

  Drake smiled. "No. It's quiet here," he grunted, getting up off the floor, "although it's rather ah...tacky. Let's get some sleep. We'll go say goodbye to your Dad in the morning and I'll take you to breakfast. They'll be all passed out until noon anyway." He extended his hand, and Tony got to his feet.

  "You got a deal, but could you, ah...do me a favour...put some clothes on...I'm not a saint."

  Drake grinned, and reached for his pants.

  * * * * * *

  "So, you're Angelo Russo?" Nolan Carter put out his hand.

  "This is our newest addition to the band," Pepi said. "Nolan, this is my nephew, Angelo."

  Angelo shook his hand. "Tony says you're one hell of a guitarist."

  "Does he?" He looked surprised. He was holding a glass in his hand. He looked like he'd had a few. "I'm surprised he has anything good to say about me. Well, I saw you play once, Angelo. You have the moves. I was impressed. You're a fucking fantastic guitar player."

  "Thanks."

  "You look like your father, and that's one hell of a compliment," Nolan slurred, swaying a bit.

  "So I've been told." Angelo narrowed his eyes.

  This Nolan guy was really checking him out, but he could excuse him, because it was obvious he was pretty wasted.

  Suddenly someone came over to talk to Pepi, and his uncle excused himself and turned away.

  Angelo found himself alone with Nolan. "I'm not available," Angelo said suddenly, "and even if I was, you're a bit too drunk to do anything about it anyway."

  "That's too bad. I thought you would be available."

  "I'm Tony's lover. Didn't he didn't tell you that?"

  "It's a well-known fact, but facts are often...well..." He shrugged, looked around, and drained his glass, "only partially true."

  "What are you talking about? You're not making much sense. You should go and lie down, sleep it off," Angelo laughed.

  "You should stick around more often," he said.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Well, I'm very interested in getting to know your father better, but his nephew is a little overprotective."

  Angelo shrugged. "Johnny hasn't been gone long. He and my father were very much in love. Johnny was Tony's father, so I suppose it's natural."

  "Mac explained it all to me. It was a bit confusing at first, especially when it came to Tony and Drake."

  "I'm not following."

  "Well, I couldn't understand why a nephew would want to sleep with his uncle. But then they're not really related at all, are they?"

  Mac walked back into the hotel lobby and tried Drake's phone again. Voice message. "Drake, please, I beg you. Answer the goddamn phone. Angelo is here, now, at the hotel." He'd had no luck finding them.

  He'd done all that he could. He was just going to have to let the chips fall where they may.

  The moment Mac walked back in the door at the hotel suite, Angelo was on him. "Where are they?"

  Mac didn't like the look on Angelo's face, at all.

  "Who?"

  "Mac, don't fuck with me. Where are Drake and Tony?"

  Mac winced. He'd called his father by his first name. Never a good sign. "I...I don't know. At the cemetery, I suppose."

  "It's after midnight. They're not at the fucking cemetery."

  "Maybe they went for coffee."

  Angelo took Mac's arm and steered him off into an empty bedroom. He looked him in the eye. "I've known you all my life, Mac. Don't lie to me. You can't protect him. Where. Are. They?"

  "I honestly don't know."

  "How long has Drake been fucking Tony?"

  Mac looked down at the floor.

&nbs
p; "Mac! How long? It began before I came home this last time, didn't it...when I was finishing my contract with Concord...right after Johnny died?"

  "It's complicated, Angelo," Mac said softly, reaching out to touch his forearm.

  Angelo took a step back. "There's nothing complicated about fucking, Mac. It's the shit that goes with it that rips your insides to shreds."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Do? Let me tell you what I'm going to do. Right now, I'm going to get a bottle of something strong, I'm going to find a corner somewhere and I'm going to drink until I can't feel anymore. Then when they walk in here tomorrow, I'm going to be waiting."

  "You're not going to do anything...ah...crazy now, Angelo," Mac said. "I won't let you..."

  "You mean like kill them?" Angelo laughed harshly. "Oh no, that would be too good for them. Don't worry, Mac. When I walk out of here tomorrow, they'll both be very much alive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some serious drinking to do."

  Mac was frantic on the phone. Janet wasn't sure what in hell he wasn't talking about until she got him to calm down. "Mac, baby," she said. "What in hell is going on?" It was two in the morning.

  "It's Drake. He's with Tony. Janet, they've been...Angelo doesn't understand. It's the pain. It's the pain that brought them to this, and..."

  "What...you mean Drake has been...no, he wouldn't. He couldn't do that to his own son."

  "He didn't do it to Angelo. He didn't...Oh God, what a mess. Janet, it will kill Drake if he loses Angelo."

  "Kill Drake? I could kill him myself. That bastard. I can't believe he..."

  "Janet. What am I going to do? I can't find them. They're together somewhere, and---"

  "Where is my son?"

  "He's here in the hotel. I'll watch him. He's drinking."

  "Take care of my baby. What in the hell has possessed those two?"

  "Johnny. They both miss Johnny so much."

  "We all miss Johnny. That's...not an excuse."