by J. M. Dabney
Tank informed Scary he was leaving town but he needed to do one thing first. His best friend said he’d go home and pack, they’d head out together.
He’d shown up at Ian’s place and it was going to be a simple goodbye. Word got around quick. Ian trying to save his own ass from the crew almost ended Tank’s life. He could still feel the edge of Ian’s knife as it split open his face. The kicks and punches from ten guys with Ian pushing them to hit harder. A fist had knotted in his hair and wrenched his head back, pain and adrenaline numbed the sting as skin split opening his throat.
The pain of broken bones and betrayal made his impending death much easier to accept. The last thing he’d remembered was the laughter and men spitting on him. He woke up days later with Scary beside his hospital bed.
At that moment he’d shut down completely. The doctors said there wasn’t any reason for him not to talk—the damage not severe enough for permanent. He shook his head and looked down at the abandoned paperwork.
“I know that fucking look. Man, it never gets your oversized ass anywhere,” Scary slid onto a barstool beside him. “Ian was a long fucking time ago.”
Kind of a bitch to forget—Tank stroked his hand down the side of his face.
“Man, everyone has that one dick they’d pray or whatever to fucking forget. You gotta admit we got one helluva life now.”
Tank stood and slipped behind the bar to pour Scary a pint and shot. He slid them toward Scary.
Elijah—he dropped his hands.
“Elijah, what?”
Does he want me or is it just to get you—Tank asked and realized his mistake at the rage in Scary’s gaze.
“Don’t pull that pity-me bullshit. Don’t look right on a man your size. Elijah looks at that ugly mug just like he does me. The man has gotta have some major mental issues to fucking want us. We ain’t exactly the prettiest to look at.”
Tank grunted out a laugh.
We should break in and check his medicine cabinet—He reached for his pint and finished the contents in two gulps.
“I think security systems have changed since our B and E days.”
True. Still—Tank raised a brow.
“Knock off the shit, fucker. We got a man. How the fuck did we end up sharing that sexy little man?”
Did I push—He stopped when Scary threw his hand up.
“You didn’t push anything. Man, you should have seen your face the first time you saw Elijah. I thought you were gonna swallow your fucking tongue.”
He touched my scars—Tank hated to admit it.
“If you don’t wanna do this—”
Tank shook his head.
“Then what the fuck we gonna do? You know I don’t want your hairy ass right?”
You did not fucking say that—Tank signed horrified at the thought. At one time he hadn’t been, his best friend his first teenage crush. Back then the truth coming out terrified him and accepted the fact he needed to hide or die.
“Fuck, you should see your face.”
Asshole—Tank rolled his eyes and poured them both a shot.
“Knock off the cold feet shit. We’ve already committed to this and if we back out because you're an idiot it’ll hurt Elijah. I might be a bastard but I sure as fuck ain’t hurting that man for the world. He’s our boy whether we think we deserve him or not.
“We’ve fucked up enough over the years. Maybe it’s about our time for some sort of redemption.”
Tank swallowed the shot and went to pour another one when Scary swiped the bottle.
“No, no fucking drunk accounting. You know I can’t fix that shit. Bruno still hasn’t forgiven me for the last time I tried to do the books.”
Tank snorted. He swore Bruno was crying the day after getting the paperwork from Scary and called Tank.
“You don’t gotta be so fucking amused.”
He shrugged and retook his seat to get the paperwork finished and fill out the deposit. Tank rechecked the receipts and cash, slipped the receipts in an envelope, the cash and deposit slip into the money bag.
Scary steadily took draws off his pint as his hand shot out and grabbed Tank’s phone.
What the hell are you doing—Tank tried to get his phone back.
“I’m doing this for your own fucking good. Now shut up.”
He rolled his eyes as Scary unlocked his phone. Scary hit speaker and set the phone down.
Elijah answered, “Hi, Tank.”
“Hey, Elijah.”
“Scary, what are you two doing at 3 a.m.?”
“Shit, forgot you normal people sleep.”
“Hey, don’t be mean. You weird people should be in bed.”
“If you’d stuck your cute ass around here we would have taken you to one of our beds.”
Do not embarrass him—Tank signed then pushed Scary.
“Tank thinks I’m making you blush.”
“You are.”
“I’m going to ask you a question and you’re gonna be fucking honest, got me?”
“Of course. Is everything okay?”
Now you are making him nervous—He didn’t like the sound of Elijah’s voice and Scary was ignoring him.
“Tank’s being a fucking idiot and thinking he’s the odd man out.”
“What—did I do something?”
“No, you didn’t do a damn thing. Tank thinks we ain’t equal in this shit.”
“Oh, I mean I go from never having a boyfriend to having two. I'm still adjusting but I thought we were—”
“We’re doing fine. I told him you could deal with his ugly mug.”
“Tank is not ugly.”
He met Scary’s eyes and they smiled. There hadn’t been much for them to be happy about in their lives, now they had a chance. He didn’t want to fuck up and he was so sure he was.
“When you headed back?”
“Right after the meeting tomorrow, I should be home about eight.”
“Stay there, we’ll head that way after we get up. Text us the address and leave a key at the front desk.” Scary finally glanced at Tank and he nodded in agreement.
“Really?”
“We’ll take you out on a date. Maybe we’ll be able to celebrate a new fucking job.”
“Okay, I’ll arrange everything. I need to get to sleep.” Elijah yawned.
“Fine, you’ll get used to our hours soon enough.”
“I doubt it.”
“Get to bed.”
Tank waved and Scary rolled his eyes. “Tank says good night.”
“Good night, Tank, Scary. I’ll see you both tonight. Be careful going home and heading this way.” Elijah’s voice was quiet but firm.
“We’ll be fine, we’ve taken longer rides on Sundays.”
“Yea, yea, my big bad men can take care of themselves.”
“Quit pouting.”
“I’m going to bed.”
“Get some sleep; we have plans for you.”
“Okay.”
Scary disconnected the call. “Our boy is fucking fine. I’m headed home, you want me to take the deposit?”
Tank shook his head. He needed a long ride before he headed back to his cabin. Scary slapped him on the back and stood to head for the door. Gathering up the paperwork, he saved his work and closed his laptop, he took them back to the office to lock them in the safe. He slipped on his leather jacket, shoved the deposit bag in his backpack and shouldered it as he picked up his helmet.
Elijah was out, he’d kissed Tank on a public street, and he wouldn’t be another Ian. He didn’t have to pretend anymore and had a chance—finally something real. He set the alarm, locked the door and stepped out into the chilly night. Tank needed sleep, but like always it would well after dawn before he could close his eyes. The nightmares didn’t come every night as before but it still happened too often. He threw his leg over his bike and put on his helmet, securing the strap. Sleep would come soon enough and then he’d be able to see his man.
11 ENTER THE JUVENILE DELINQUENT
>
Elijah didn’t bother putting his suit jacket back on as he stood and looked across the cafeteria table at the Directors of the Center.
“Mr. Vaughn is was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for agreeing to the weekend interview request.” Kam smiled openly and he’d instantly liked her when she’d greeted him. Her black hair mussed high on her head the magenta tips catching the overhead florescent lights. “We hope we didn’t ruin any plans.”
“It was an honor to be offered the interview. I had to reschedule a date, but they’re meeting me here. They should already be at the hotel waiting.”
“That was sweet of them to drive down.”
Elijah could only smile. He hadn’t expected Scary and Tank to pull a no-show at work on one of their busiest and roughest nights to come to him for their date.
“Well, we won’t keep you, but we will say that your qualifications are exemplary and we look forward to working with you. As you provided all the information for the background checks that’s one less step, we still need to finalize a few things such as a formal offer, but we will be in touch soon.”
“Thank you so much.” He said goodbye to everyone and then headed for the door. Elijah walked the maze of hallways that was once a schoolhouse that the board renovated for the Center. He stepped out into the bright sun and paused, the job offer almost finalized. He had a possible new job, boyfriends, a new life and he couldn’t wait to start it.
He descended the steps and saw a thin figure beside the driver side of his car. They didn’t look to be much taller than Mina. Stepping softly around his car he had a moment of shock to find whoever it was trying to use a Slim Jim to open the lock. Then he was amused by the creative use of the English language which would make any of the crew proud.
“You know it works better if you have the keys.” He hit the button on the fob and watched a tanned, freckled face with huge, rounded eyes turn on him.
“Mister, you scared the fuck—”
“The name is Elijah and you’re far too young to cuss. Now, is there a reason you’re attempting to start your life of crime at an exceptionally young age.”:
“I’m twelve.” She stated proudly.
“Almost old enough to be tried as an adult.”
“You a cop?”
He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. This wasn’t the time to be amused, but maybe the Twirled Crew finally warped his brain.
“Sophie, you were supposed to wait inside.” Kam’s voice kept him from answering. “Oh, Elijah, she wasn’t bothering you, was she?”
He glanced at the juvenile delinquent and noticed her glare slash panicked look.
“No, she was very nice.”
Kam sent him a look that said she thought he was insane or lying. Apparently Sophie wasn’t known for being nice.
“Your daughter is lovely.”
“Thanks, but she’s been placed with me until she can find a permanent home.”
“Like that’s gonna fucking—”
“Sophie, watch your mouth.”
“She reminds me of someone.” There was a mischievous glint in her eye that seemed too much like Lucky. He didn’t think the world could take two of them.
“Her biological parents’ rights were just terminated and she’s available for adoption, but her socialization skills are a bit—”
“She’s like a feral child found in the woods after being raised by wolves.”
“Pretty much,” Kam agreed and snorted.
“I’m still here.” Sophie’s pout was almost too cute.
“She’s not exactly putting her best face forward when we’ve met with potential adopters.”
“Also older children aren’t as readily adopted.”
“Sad fact. Come on, Sophie, we have to get home to figure out dinner.”
“Will there be green stuff?”
“Children require vegetables to grow.”
“Man, there ain’t no more growing for me.” Sophie stormed off with her thin arms crossed over her chest.
“Bye, Sophie.”
“I hate that damn name,” She mumbled at a stage whisper as she disappeared.
“Sorry for whatever she was about to do, my partner and I are at our wit’s end. With her attitude she wouldn’t survive a group home, it would so go Lord of the Flies.”
“I think she’ll be just fine—be the total leader. She reminds me of my family back home, especially Lucky, he mentally and physically incapable of not saying everything that comes to his mind.”
“You must have a fascinating family.”
“Most of them are family of choice, my parents died when I was eighteen and left me to raise my six-year-old brother. Not even a year ago he fell for a tattooed heathen and his crew of misfits. They treat my niece like the Princess they nicknamed her.”
“Your brother was very lucky to have you. I better get to her before I have to fork up bail.”
“Completely understand.”
He and Kam exchanged quick goodbyes before she jogged off after Sophie. He opened his car door and slid into the driver’s seat. Scary and Tank waited for him at the hotel, but his mind kept going back to Sophie. Over the years he’d wondered what would’ve happened if he hadn’t been able to raise Brody. How much would he have missed? Even today would he have known where Brody was?
He pushed the thoughts away. He’d raised Brody, been there for every milestone of his life, first days of school and plays, and everything in between. His GPS automatically retraced his trip back to the hotel. He wasn’t entirely familiar with Atlanta, but knew enough to get around.
Fifteen minutes later he pulled into the parking garage and pulled into a spot near the elevator. Nerves started to dance in his stomach. Tonight wasn’t the first time he’d been alone with Scary and Tank, although this was the only time they wouldn’t be interrupted—just the three of them.
Being in a relationship with two men never crossed his mind, especially not men like his. They were the epitomes of bad boy and he so wasn’t. Hell, he’d never even had a parking ticket.
Sitting in his car all night wasn’t going to get him anywhere, he had a date he’d waited a long time for. He got out, hit the alarm button and headed for the elevator. He’d found himself drawn to Scary from the moment he’d met him at Twirled World. Anything developing between them was simply a secret fantasy. The natural inclusion of Tank took him by surprise.
Tank and Scary both had shadows of their pasts always darkening their gazes. It naturally kept them apart from everyone else. He found himself resisting many times from smoothing the deep grooves between Scary’s brows from his ever-present scowls. Also kissing Tank’s scars because even though Tank tensed when he touched them something lightened about Tank’s battle-ready stance.
He found himself stopping in front of his room so lost in his thoughts he hadn’t realized he even reached his floor. He pulled the card key from his pocket, inserted the card until it beeped and he pushed the door open.
The scents of body wash and leather filled the room. Two sets of saddlebags rested beside his overnight bag near the dresser. Large leather jackets hung over the back of the couch. He closed the door with a soft click and stepped farther into the room. The balcony door stood open, Scary and Tank’s large frames filled two patio chairs to overflowing.
He removed his tie as he went to join them and threw it to join their jackets.
“Been waiting long,” He asked as he stepped through the open door.
“Couple of hours,” Scary reached out to grab his wrist and pull him forward, Scary’s chin tilted up.
He smiled and then kissed Scary’s firm lips, what he meant to be a quick kiss turned instantly to an uncontrollable heat. Scary dominated his mouth—owned him. He couldn’t protest because it was exactly what he needed. He needed their domination as much as Scary and Tank seemed to need his submission, he loved not being in control.
Suddenly he felt himself turned and pulled down onto Scary’s lap, his ba
ck meeting the man’s bare chest. Rough fingers began to work the buttons of his dress shirt free and he watched as Tank loomed over him. Tank’s large, rough hands holding his cheeks, then Tank leaned down, but hesitated just before their mouth met.
“Hi,” He whispered then closed the distance.
Scary and Tank appeared to be similar, but this is where their differences came into play. Where Scary took and owned him, Tank played him with a gentle dominance, yet possessed him just as deeply as his friend. Tank worked his mouth perfectly, thrusting, then nipping, teasing him until he could do no less than whimper.
He faintly felt his body jerk just before the afternoon breeze tantalizingly stroked over his sensitive bare skin. Scary spread his hands over his chest and pinched at his nipples, he arched into the slight pain. Tank thrust his fingers into Elijah’s hair and tugged, just enough to cause his scalp to burn.
“After we’ve done this date thing all fucking proper,” Scary nipped hard at his ear. “We’re coming back here and we’re going to take that perfect ass. Do ya know why, boy?”
Tank gently eased the kiss, Elijah gasped for breath as he tried but failed to keep his hips still. The thick hard dick riding his crease caused his own to push at the zipper of his slacks.
“Why,” He stuttered out as Tank lightly bit and sucked at his throat.
“Because you’re ours.”
Tank growled his agreement.
Elijah swore his heart just stopped. This didn’t feel like a first date, this felt like a claiming—something permanent. His cynical side pleaded for him to deny it, but it couldn’t because this was what he wanted.
“Say yes.”
Those two simple words couldn’t come across as anything other than an order.
“Yes.”
Scary wrapped his hand roughly around Elijah’s cock and stroked him through the layers of his pants and underwear. He jerked and moaned.
“Think about what we’re going to do when we get you back here.”
He shuddered in the circle of Scary’s arms as Tank took his mouth in another rough kiss. Elijah didn’t want it to end. He didn’t want the date. All he needed was these two men. The way they didn’t make him feel awkward or out of place. Elijah finally found the place he belonged.
