Better Friends and Lovers

Chapter 29 - Part 2

(Setting: Hotel in New York City, Friday, Early Evening, POV/Brian)

I watched from an armchair as Danny donned his tuxedo for Justin's opening. He loved clothes even more than I did and was a perfectionist about every detail. It was fun watching the process from black silk thong on out. He caught my eye in the mirror and smiled.

"What do you think? Vest or no?" He held up a deceptively simple looking black vest which had a subtle silver pattern worked into the material. I motioned for him to try it on over his crisp white silk shirt and it looked fantastic, emphasizing the slimness of his waist and the breadth of his shoulders. The tuxedo was custom made and the ultimate in modern fashion, which meant that it looked as though it was from the nineteen twenties. The look suited Danny's slim musculature. I stood behind him and leaned forward to suck below his ear. He bent his head back to give me better access. I smiled against his skin.

"You look lickable, as always. Let's just stay here and play 'debauch the piano player' instead."

"Too late, he's already debauched. Instead, why don't you help me with my wrist studs...stud."

I groaned but he just gave me a lopsided grin in the mirror, the dimples on one side deepening as he tipped his head in consideration of his tie. I held out my hand for the small onyx and platinum squares and walked around him to grasp a wrist.

"Are you ready?" I asked as I fastened his cuff. His hair fell forward, brushing my face as we both looked down at what I was doing. "It isn't too late to back out if you have second thoughts, you know. It's a fucking art show...not Carnegie Hall. We get a replacement piano player, or they do without, or...."

Danny brought my hands up to his lips. Intense green eyes held me in their gaze until my words faded away. All trace of the dimples were gone as he answered in his deep voice.

"You know I can't do that, Brian. God, how unprofessional do you think I would be? I committed to this. I can't run away now, 'ready' or not. But if I'm not ready now, when will I ever be? I've made Edward the excuse for every failure in my life for almost ten years now. I refuse to do that anymore. Being here these past couple of days, especially being here with you, has reminded me how much I love this city. I want to be able to work here again, to try out against the best...not just on the the catwalk, but singing and dancing here too. Fuck, I should be doing cabarets here when I want to perform in front of a live audience, not singing at piano bars in Pittsburgh because it's easier. I won't be this age and look like this forever."

He frowned at his reflection. I stood behind the most beautiful man in New York and leaned my head on his shoulder, staring at that same reflection, wondering what he saw that could possibly make him frown. I caught his eye and smiled at him, tongue in cheek.

"You won't always look like this? Then fuck, this relationship is over. I have it on good authority that I'm always going to be young and beautiful and if you aren't with the program...."

Danny's laugh rang out. He turned around to hug me tightly. "God, I love you so much. That 'good authority' had it right. You are the most beautiful man in creation; you always have been and you always will be. All I can hope for is to do my poor pathetic bit to stay worthy of you...and of course, provide you with mind blowing sex to make up for my fading looks as time goes by." His hold tightened for a moment as he rested his head on my shoulder.

"I don't necessarily expect anything to happen tonight, and maybe this whole weekend will be one big anticlimax, Bri, but I just feel like after it's over, I'll have this weight off my shoulders that's been there for so long. Thanks for standing by me and for supporting me in this. It means a lot that you understand that it's something I need to do...this confrontation is long overdue."

We kissed again, taking the time to really enjoy it, running our tongues slowly over warm lips and exploring each other's mouths, familiar territory after so many months but it was more than enough to stir both of us to aching hardness. I couldn't imagine a time ever coming when this man failed to excite me simply by being in my arms. Fucking romantic bullshit, but true, and I always tried to be honest to myself. Just like in our successful Rizzuteri Jewelry commercial, I was the reluctantly romantic man, but Danny, with his charm and persistence, had transformed me. Going with a sudden whim, I twirled him around the room, humming in time to my steps. He laughed in surprised delight, following my lead easily, taking up the lyrics in a strong baritone.

It's still the same old story

A fight for love and glory

A case of do or die.

The world will always welcome lovers

As time goes by.

Oh yes, the world will always welcome lovers

As time goes by.

(From "As Time Goes By," composed by Herbert Hupfeld)

After a few more spins around the room, Danny pulled away slightly.

"If we don't stop, I'm going to have to get undressed...or find a really fast dry cleaning service," he whispered ruefully. "You have too strong an effect on me still, and it takes just a few minutes with you to turn me back to being that starry eyed kid again. I want so much to stay here and make love...."

"Wasn't that what I was suggesting? You should always do what I suggest." And let me keep you safe, was what I wanted to add, but I knew I couldn't. Not to Danny. It was the surest way to make his smile disappear. Any hint that I was treating him as less than a man would piss him off, and worse, make him take unnecessary and unacceptable risks. Fuck, like this whole weekend wasn't an unacceptable risk. As much as he praised me for supporting him in this endeavor, I felt like a fraud because I knew that I wanted to haul his perfect ass back to Pittsburgh.

I pulled him closer again, keeping my expression teasing, but giving serious thought to whether I could seduce him into missing the opening. Not a chance, I concluded regretfully. He smiled and pushed me away even as I pressed my cock against his.

"You wouldn't be trying to get me to let down the lovely Lindsay now, would you, Brian Kinney?" He arched an eyebrow at me knowingly.

Fuck. I forgot about Lindsay's stake in this. If I knew him, Justin would be happy as a clam if Danny didn't show up, but Lindsay would be furious. Danny's smile deepened at my nonplused expression, but a moment later his expression grew serious and his jaw tightened.

"It's alright, Bri, much as I want you, I've more discipline than to allow even you to seduce me into not showing up...not that you would try such a thing, right?" He went on talking without waiting for my response. "I can stop playing around eleven. Should I take some clothes to change into or are we coming back here? I think I'm going to want to unwind at a dance club for awhile and shake the stink of Edward Simon off me before we are in for the night. Does that work for you?"

I let him distract me with a discussion of where we would go after the opening, and what clothes he should wear, whether to change at the gallery or come back here, and a million other fucking details while I swallowed the bile that kept rising in my throat at the thought of Danny being exposed to Edward Simon's sick plots.

I looked at his slim, strong figure in the dark tuxedo and told myself I was being ridiculous; I'd seen him fight, and he was tough as nails for all his deceptive gracefulness. There was a knife holstered in his Prada dress boots, a thin switchblade Luke had given him years ago. He carried another one sewn into his waistband. Two picks for locks were in his wide shirt cuff. You'd never know they were there unless you were looking for them. He didn't always have such items on his person, just when he thought he might need them. He showed them to me months ago when I objected to him working in a club in a rough part of town, and he assured me that he'd been in far worse places in Europe, and Etienne and he had both designed custom made clothes to accommodate their knives and picks. Later on, he showed me how skilled he was at escaping cuffs and ropes...and at turning the tables on me. The memory brought a smile to my face. He caught my look and grinned back at me as he shrugged into his jacket.

"That expression looks promising. Want to share?"

"Just thinking about when you showed me your skill with a lockpick and knife...maybe I could get a repeat demonstration tonight?" I raised an eyebrow.

Danny threw his head back and laughed. "Count on it...come on, we'd better hurry or I'll be late and the art director will dock my pay...or cut off my balls...I'm beginning to have serious doubts about that story where you claim you lost a nut to cancer; I've got to tell you, the longer I know your best chick friend, Bri, the more I suspect...."

He continued teasing me all the way down to the lobby. Only Danny would tease a man about testicular cancer. Actually, that isn't true. I would too, I thought with a grin as I followed him out to the street.

*******************************************************

(Setting: Slightly earlier that evening; The Village, NYC/Jersey City, NJ; POV/Miguel)

I looked at my watch as I headed down the stairs at the PATH stop. I had enough time to catch a train to Journal Square, meet up with this friend of the "Ebony Angel" and then head back toward Times Square to make the opening in plenty of time for my grand entrance...even if I did have to run the eight blocks down from the Garden stop. I figured I could change at O'Keefes' hotel room, which was practically across the street from the gallery. No way was a cab going to wait for me in Jersey City, even if I wanted to spend the money to ride out there and back.

I'd lied a bit to Juan about where I was going, but the lead was a good one and I didn't want to pass it up. I wasn't being stupid. At least, I kept telling myself that. An old friend who used to know my brother Leon had checked the guy out for me. The name was legit. He was a brother who did time but was clean now. He knew Simon's black angel from their school days together. They'd started out rapping together, but this guy had gotten busted pretty young while the Ebony Angel, plain old Marcus Allan, then, had moved on to dancing and transferred to a school for the performing arts. Allan had been a singer and dancer trying to make it on Broadway when Simon found him. He actually had been one of the more talented angels, and the grapevine said he'd simply moved on to other things after his year of living large with Edward Simon. This guy claimed he'd heard I'd been asking around and there was more to the story if I really wanted to hear it. Translation, if I had the cash to pay for it and the balls to risk Simon finding out.

It wasn't exactly safe but I guess I was feeling like I had to reestablish my machismo after the way the O'Keefes had just moved in and taken over my investigation of Simon. Sure, I'd asked for their help, and I'd be the last one to complain about how they'd thrown themselves into it, but it'd left me feeling like I was standing on the sidelines now. They were a bit overwhelming, to say the least. They were like a fucking white version of the Wayans brothers. You lost track of how many there were, but every time you turned around, there was another one.

I grabbed a seat and kept to myself, my knit cap pulled low on my forehead. Last thing I wanted was to meet up with someone I knew. I had that kind of luck. I could be in the middle of the fucking desert and meet up with a neighbor of my Tia Lucy. So the PATH to Jersey on a Friday night when I was dressed like a hood was no stretch at all. Hell, it was practically a sure thing. I made sure to scan the car before getting in but for once, I was lucky and saw no one I knew. The trip was uneventful and the train didn't even go out of service or stop or any of the other little tricks that it likes to do when I need to be somewhere. I actually got there ahead of time.

Nonetheless, it was already getting dark by the time I walked briskly out of the station at Journal Square. I lingered for a minute and bought a pack of cigarettes. I hadn't smoked in years but it wouldn't hurt to have something to do with my hands if I had to wait for the guy or to offer him a smoke if he did show. Guys who did time always wanted a cigarette, in my experience.

"Didn't your mama ever tell you smoking stunts your growth?" I looked up and groaned to myself. I could not fucking believe it. Jamie O'Keefe was grinning down at me, his slightly shorter (as if that word could ever be used in connection with a man who was six four in his bare feet) brother John standing next to him, conspicuous as only two huge white guys that screamed money can be in the middle of a ghetto.

"Nah, she was too busy telling me to mind my own business. I guess each mama has her priorities," I sniped back as I pulled out one of the cigarettes that I hadn't intended to smoke but now needed. Jamie laughed appreciatively but John glowered as he grabbed my arm, tossing money down on the counter to cover his brother's purchase of a handful of candy bars. He shook his head at the candy, disgusted, while Jamie shrugged, swallowing one of them in a single bite. I must have looked like I had Jersey's biggest, best looking parole officers as I was strong-armed out of the store. Either that or a new buddy cop movie was being filmed and I was the token Hispanic bad guy.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" John hissed, looking up and down the rapidly darkening street. "Or is it Danny you want killed, distracting everyone so that we're off rescuing you while he's in the lion's den...did you happen to forget what the fuck tonight is?"

I yanked my arm free. I struggled to hold onto my temper. "I didn't fucking forget. It isn't like Danny needs me there...or he wouldn't if you two giants were back with him where you belong." Great, Miguel, insult the man. So much for ever getting a reference from him. "Why are you here anyway? And how the fuck did you find me?"

"Easy," Jamie said, talking through a mouthful of chocolate...God, he was gross. Gorgeous, but gross. Daphne could have him.

"Swallow first, then talk," John told him, rolling his eyes. He looked at me, and he must have done that creepy mind reading thing that O'Keefes do sometimes, especially this one as he digressed to explain the bad eating habit. "Comes from eating on the run all the time in the ER. He wasn't always this much of a pig. He just needs so damn many calories at his size, and rarely sits down to a real meal. Anyway, we knew where to find you because Juan called Danny, and Danny sent us. Between the two of them, they guessed that you would be getting off here, once Juan saw you take the PATH in those clothes. Anywhere else and you wouldn't get back in time, he figured."

"He followed me to the train stop?" Jesus, couldn't a man even trust his twin? Of course, I was the one who'd tried tricking Juan in the first place, but I conveniently ignored that fact.

Jamie was the one rolling his eyes this time. "Of course he did. You were heading out on your own little Man from U.N.C.L.E. trip here and didn't even take a sidekick. Notice how I brought a sidekick with me?"

John snorted. "Hate to burst your bubble, beefcake brother of mine, but you're the sidekick in this dynamic duo. Now, let's get Miguel to wherever he has to go so we can all get back. We'll wait outside..."

I let out a huff of breath in exasperation. They looked at me, green eyes quizzical under mobile dark brows.

"How the fuck do you two..." I bit back an ethnic word and reined in my temper enough to choose a politically acceptable word, "white boys expect to remain inconspicuous in this neighborhood, dressed like the off-duty lawyer and doctor that you are? I can appreciate that the local muggers might think twice before taking you on, but..."

"Anyone with legitimate business with you should be willing to talk to you notwithstanding our presence. The reason we came and didn't send just anyone, which we could have done, we've got enough contacts up here in New York, not to mention cousins, is the fact of our resemblance to the Dark Angel. If this guy you're meeting is a contact of one of the other Angels, Danny figured he probably knows of him, and would be curious about anyone looking so much like him, but not afraid. He was adamant that you not go into this alone, Miguel, and quite frankly, I don't blame him. I think if you thought about it, you'd have to agree. Where the fuck was your head?"

John's voice was quiet, but stern. I looked away, too stubborn to admit he was right but too smart to keep arguing when I knew I was wrong. Jamie's large hand came down on my shoulder.

"Come on, let's get a move on. I for one think this is all a big fuss over nothing."

"Jamie, quiet." John's voice was tense. "Miguel, get between us. Our car is around the next corner but I'm not sure we're going to get there without any trouble. We're being followed."

I slowed my pace so that I was between those two walls of muscle. I glanced up ahead. No cops were in sight, but we were only about a block and a half from the rail station, where there were people. A cop could always be found there. I reached into my pocket for my cell phone...and my knife. As I did, four guys stepped out from the alley in front of us. Jamie pulled me over so that our backs were against the building to our right. Now I could see the two guys trailing us. Six to three, and two of the mother-fuckers looked as big as Jamie. Oddly, the men in front who'd been in the alley were whiter than white, looking Scandinavian even, while the two men following us were black.

"Can we help you gentlemen with something?" John asked coldly. I noticed he had both of his hands in his pockets. He and his brother were both using their broad shoulders to block me from view. So use that, Martinez. I dialed 911 with my cell still in my pocket, keeping my eyes straight ahead. I had the volume down, but had to hope that the dispatcher would figure out something was wrong and send a car to check it out. If the others were doing the same, three phones sending distress calls had to alert them.

"Yes, we gentlemen would like to borrow your phones, toss them on the ground, now." The gun was pointed directly at me. "I have no problem with shooting the Spic first to prove I'm serious, O'Keefe."

"He's Mexican," John replied mildly. I almost laughed hysterically; this was not a time for political correctness.

The tall ash blond grinned, apparently in agreement. "Tell you what, I'll make sure his tombstone gets it right. But if that phone of his doesn't have an end call on it when it hits the ground, he's a dead man one second later and the same goes for anyone else with busy fingers; he dies if your phones are sending calls."

"Hit end, Miguel," Jamie murmured. While I appreciated the thought, I didn't need his permission. I didn't want to die right away. Our three phones hit the ground and damned if they didn't check them before one of them smashed them with his boot.

Blondie looked happy when his henchman was done kicking the destroyed phones into the sewer. "Why don't we move into this convenient alleyway and have a little talk, gentlemen?" We can conduct that little interview that Mr. Martinez wanted to have into matters that are none of his business. And to think that you said your mama taught you to mind your own business...guess you didn't learn your lessons well, did you?"

I felt kicked in the gut. This guy somehow knew what we'd said as early on as the convenience store. I glanced at John; he looked grim. Jamie was starting to slip off his leather jacket and John barked at him to leave it on. He was right. The slight loss of flexibility was worth the added protection from knives. This was not going to be a fair fight. I doubted they were herding us into the alley to execute all of us. Although that was a concern, it wasn't Simon's style. Three dead bodies attracted too much attention, especially two men of the O'Keefes' importance. We were going to get an ass kicking, which was why there were so many of them. And I might well get beaten to death as part of the brawl, not hard to do when you know how, which these guys clearly did. I wondered, with a cold feeling, just how good of fighters the two brothers were, since I suspected as soon as they were down, I was a goner. The four added men must have been called to the scene when the brothers showed up, throwing off Simon's plans.

"This is bullshit," Jamie suddenly announced and swirling around, knocked the gun from Blondie's hand. It went skittering down a sewer drain similar to the one his buddy had so gleefully sent our cell phones.

"Per!" One of the other blonds called out and then jabbered something in a foreign language as Jamie tossed the guy over his shoulder. John took advantage of their confusion to pull me back into the alley so that we were past the narrow opening into a wider spot but they were still on the other side, Jamie backed his way in as well, using his huge legs to hold them off.

"Great as long as they don't have more guns," I whispered.

"We deal with it as it comes, now be ready, he's letting them in," John said, an unholy gleam in his eyes.

They were fucking nuts. It was like a game to them. Jamie tossed three in, one toward me and two toward John, then slammed the fourth one back into the fifth. John fought two of them, using karate moves like he was his youngest brother's age...or maybe his son's, but soon enough I had all I could do to handle the one I was given without paying his fight any attention. My opponent was one of the big Scandinavians, and soon enough, he pulled out a wicked looking knife, so I pulled out mine, shocking him, from his expression. What the fuck did he think? I was going to let him gut me like a herring? Damn Viking or whatever he was.

"John, some help here soon, Cowboy Per is waking up."

"Yeah, ok." I glanced over at John and saw that he had his opponents down to one but was struggling with the second one, and Jamie was close to being overpowered. I'd been trying to take my guy down without "hurting" him too badly. I could hear Leon's voice in my head, "When it is you or them, Mig, you gotta make sure it's them." That credo had landed my big brother in jail, and jail had killed him, but if I didn't fight like a man here in this alley, the way he taught me, me and my friends might not get the chance to argue whether it was justifiable force. Some fucking lawyer I would be...afraid of the system I was joining to protect me so I let myself die in an alley.

I stabbed...the way I knew how, fast and sure and meaning it, and my man went down with a scream that I knew sent chills through everyone else in the alley. Getting knifed to the gut hurt, Leon always said, especially when you included the liver. The distraction gave me the chance to pull John's attacker off and slice his arm. Blood gushed out. It was a vein, not an artery, but he didn't know that and it sure looked impressive. He could bleed to death through it...eventually.

"I'd keep pressure on that if I were you and wanted to live," I told him, a cold snarl on my face. John nodded at me with grim approval and we both turned to help Jamie.

We were each ensuring that the remaining three were staying down when the already familiar accent of Per could be heard.

"I think it is time for this little play to end." He stood at the opening to the wider part of the alley, holding a second gun. Of course there's always a second gun, I thought, annoyed with myself for not going over to kick him in the head when he was first stirring. But then, none of his buddies had gone over to him for it either.

"Agreed." Another accented voice cut in, this one a clipped British accent. The O'Keefes and I looked at each other

"You're late, Dr. Main."

Simon's man George walked forward, dressed in his usual black.

"I didn't know I was expected. I suppose that was naive of me. Mr. Simon anticipates most actions."

"George.." John's voice was low, strangled sounding. For the first time during this whole mess, he looked in danger of losing control. Jamie reached out a hand for his arm and I moved closer.

The white haired man in black glanced at him momentarily, but he looked back at Per with the gun immediately.

"It's fine, John, everything is as you would expect it to be. What Mr. Dvorokkson is neglecting to mention is that I am late coming to Mr. Martinez' assistance, not to his, but then, I did not know, as I suspect he did not, either, that you and your brother would be here. It changed the locale of the ambush. If it were not for that ghastly scream...good work, by the way, Mr. Martinez, a non-fatal but quite disabling wound, I would guess, if treatment is rendered soon, but as I was saying, I was driving by quite perturbed until I heard that indication of an altercation."

"Well, Dr. Main, that is interesting, but the fact remains that I have a gun trained on your young friend. Now that you are here, I can complete my job."

"But I have a gun trained on you and a second one on your brother, and while you may be willing to die for Mr. Simon, are you willing to consign him to death as well? These young men may not be willing to kill but are you willing to take that same chance with respect to me?"

Fuck, I wouldn't. Those were killer eyes if ever I saw any. But what did they mean he was here for me? And Simon expected his arrival and ordered me killed in front of Main? Or Main killed too?

Per was hesitating. Jamie was edging in front of me but John held him. "Leave it to George," he whispered. He said that but I noticed that he was trying to angle himself over as well. Fucking heroes. As he reached his other arm out, no doubt to pull me behind him, I took a step out of his range. The last thing I needed on my conscience was the death of one of the O'Keefe brothers, when it was my stupid machismo that put us all in the middle of this trap in the first place.

"Miguel, look out!" I felt my ankle grabbed. I flailed to try to regain my balance even as I heard a couple shots ring out.

"Call the police, and an ambulance," George ordered as his voice came closer. Why was he coming closer? Shouldn't he be watching that Per guy? I was lying down, I realized to my surprise, and it was cold. I wished someone would help me up. All these guys looking out for my welfare and no one helped me up off the ground when someone pulled me down, some heroes.

"Miguel, lie still...put this under his head..." That was better, except I think it was one of their leather coats, and they needed to keep them on...the leather protected them from knives.

"Kick that guy in the head, John, make sure he's out for the count this time." Jamie sounded nasty...who knew such a nice guy could sound so mean?

Oh fuck, that hurt. What were they doing?

"Sorry, Mr. Martinez, but I have to check this area out, see where the bullet hit. What do you think, Jamie?"

"Fuck...you've got sterile clamps on you? Who the hell travels with an emergency medical...never mind, yeah, clamp...I think you're okay doing that...give me some gloves....I'll wash the area and set an IV, you've got a fucking IV, you're like fucking Batman with that coat of yours...where is the damn ambulance..."

"George, you're bleeding too..." John's voice was worried. They all were worried. I wasn't worried. Someone gave me a needle and I didn't even hurt. Was that good or bad? I used to avoid the needles the guys said took away all the pain. But if an O'Keefe thought it was okay to take, it must be okay, right? Not like I was in any position to complain...I couldn't even get off the damn ground. Someone was shot. George was bleeding, he must have been shot.

"I'm fine, just a scrape. Per was always a bad shot when panicked. He probably would have missed Mr. Martinez if his brother had not pulled him down into range of the bullet when he was knifing him. You young men shouldn't have missed the last knife. Your brother Luke would have been ashamed."

My brother would have been too. I heard the ambulance. I wondered if Leon heard sirens while his blood spilled out. Maybe the sirens of a lock-down starting in the prison. Sorry, Mama. I'm so sorry. I felt tears in my eyes, much to my surprise. Juan was the twin who cried, never me.

"You're not going to die, Miguel Martinez, you hear me, you're not going to die. I didn't leave Danny alone in order to permit you to die on me." The fierceness of the man's words gave me hope even as they gave me something new to worry about-if this was what faced me, what was going on with Danny?

*************************************************

(Setting: Same evening; Simon Gallery; POV/Brian)

I looked around the room. Something was very wrong. Jamie and John had driven out to intercept Miguel, who'd gotten some lame ass idea in his head to go play detective. I could tell from looking at Juan and Daphne that no word had been received from any of them yet. Damn, but Juan looked just like Miguel tonight. I'd seen them each in their own skin, so to speak, last night. They were like night and day. Miguel was by far the more masculine and serious brother. Tonight, Juan was Miguel. What was interesting was that his entrance with Daphne caused Simon to do a double-take and leave the room abruptly. I decided to follow. Danny was safe at his piano, entertaining a group of rich queens, and Justin safely standing with Lindsay, talking with some art critics. I slipped through the side door that Simon had taken.

I found him talking in urgent tones with a large, muscular blond.

"What do you mean there is no answer? Connect with your brothers and do it now! How many mistakes do you think I will tolerate tonight? Martinez just walked into the room looking hale and hearty and you tell me there has been no word from Per's team?"

"He asked for help when the other two showed up, Mr. Simon..that was over an hour ago...." The large blond paused as he noticed me. Simon turned around and gave me his wolfish smile. Vance had a smile just like that.

"Trouble, Simon?"

"Nothing I can't handle, Brian. I do wish you would call me Edward, as Danny and Justin do. After all this time, is there any reason we can't be friends?"

I thought of the mark on Danny's buttock, the small scar that was the only disfiguring mark on his perfect body, a mark caused by this monster's obsessive desire to own my lover. Something of what I was feeling must have shown on my face despite my effort to appear expressionless because his blond bodyguard moved toward me menacingly.

"No, Lorm, it is all right. Brian here is quite the alpha of his group...much like Per." Simon then switched to another language, one which I couldn't recognize, but whatever he told the other man made him turn to me all smiles. A smile that didn't reach his blue eyes, I noticed as he walked toward me easily, like a big blond cat. No, not like a cat, more like a Viking, I thought, reminded of when Danny and Jamie posed for that series of romance novels about the brothers years ago, and wore the infamous bracers that so intrigued Emmett and Daphne. Daphne even had the books but never figured out that the golden blond Vikings, Alek and Alarik, with their green eyes and manly chests bared on the covers were her fiancé and his little brother.

"Please forgive my rudeness, Mr. Kinney. A friend of Danny O'Keefe's is to be treated as an honored guest, I am reminded. May I get refreshments for you?" I was so busy trying to place the accent, Danish or Finnish was my guess, that I didn't notice the needle in the blond's hand until it was too late; the telltale stinging could be felt in my upper arm that he held in a firm clasp.

"Fuck," I gasped as the room started to spin.

"Possibly," Simon agreed, "but my main objective, as always, is Danny. You would be but an appetizer, pretty as you are. Take him to my viewing area, Lorm." I felt myself being picked up as easily as if I were Gus's size and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. I could only hope Jamie and John showed up soon. I prayed that Danny had enough sense to realize that something was wrong and get away from Simon. Yeah, right. And leave me behind. Not a chance, was my last thought before darkness overtook me.

****************************************************

I could hear voices first, even before I was aware of being conscious, although the pain in my head quickly convinced me it wasn't more dreams. Danny's voice. And Justin. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying but they were talking. To each other, it seemed. Damn, my head hurt like a mother-fucker. My old supplier Anita must have moved to Manhattan and now was dealing to Simon. I tried to focus on the voices. My head wasn't ready for my eyes to open and a quick survey of my body told me I wasn't going anywhere too soon anyway. I was tied up, sitting in some kind of chair. At least it had arms and a back to it. What a prince this Simon was...for a raving lunatic. Justin, couldn't you have figured out that your fuck buddy was a nut case on your own, I wondered bitterly.

"I don't give a flying fuck where Edward is, Justin, I want to find Brian and get out of here." Danny sounded like he was barely holding on to his temper. "I'm not going to explain this to you again. I sent Daphne to Mt. Sinai. Miguel is hurt, badly, and Jamie and George are too. We need to get there to see them. And all of us need to get the fuck out of here, you too, if I have to carry you out and take you to your mother. I'm tired of pussyfooting around with you."

"Who the fuck do you think you are? You're trying to ruin my show...is that why you agreed to play? Just to pull a stunt like this? Miguel was here with Daphne and he was fine. Then you go over to them and they go dashing out of here, causing a scene...then you send Lindsay home. Seriously, just who the fuck do you think you are?"

There was the sound of flesh on flesh. No help for it, I had to look and see who threw the first punch. Or slap. The sound alone should have told me, I realized as soon as I forced my eyes open and looked through the smoky window in front of me. Danny was shaking his head. Justin was holding his hand in his armpit.

"Remind me to teach you how to punch some time," Danny said mildly. I couldn't resist a smile. How like him. "And I'll show you how to block a punch like I just did too, hurts, doesn't it?" He grinned at Justin but little Sunshine was having none of it; he hurled himself at Danny, furious. I tried to pull out of the restraints that held me, but they were too tight. I was gagged as well, so there was no way to get their attention. Fuck. Danny held Justin back easily but I had no way of knowing how much time they had before Simon would return. Or where the hell we were.

"Justin, calm down! Listen to me! I don't want to hurt you but I will if you don't stop this, please! Where is Brian?" Danny voice cracked on the last question.

"Haven't you figured it out? How stupid can you get?" Justin was practically in tears.

Huh? Danny's expression matched my own bewilderment. He sat down on the couch and pulled Justin down next to him. Looking around the room I was in, I could see that there seemed to be some kind of speakers projecting the sound into the room, which explained why I heard them so clearly. This room was sparsely furnished, with a couple of chairs, a chaise, and a small wetbar. There were two doors, one presumably the exit and the other possibly leading to a bathroom. At least I hoped there was a nearby bathroom. I had no idea how long Simon planned on keeping me here, or how long it would take the others to arrive and rescue us. My watch was gone, I noticed. It was a small detail, but it bothered me, as it added to my feeling of disorientation. How long had I been out?

Danny was soothing Justin down...or trying to, without much success.

"Justin, no one, and certainly not me, wanted your opening to go badly. On the contrary, I was doing everything in my power to ensure its success. But now we have something more important to think about. Brian is missing and..."

"And Brian is always the most important thing. Haven't you learned by now that when Brian is 'missing' it just means that 'something came up?' Brian is off somewhere getting his cock sucked, or he's fucking someone. Didn't you notice how hot Edward's new bodyguards are? Brothers. Triplets, I think. Big, blond and Danish."

"Really?" Danny grinned at that, the fucker. He really was my kinky boy; despite the circumstances, which were decidedly not funny, I couldn't help but be amused at his expression.

"If Brian is off doing triplets and didn't invite me, he is in so much trouble. I've never even done twins, for triplets I would even forget my rule about blonds, I think." He lost the grin. "But seriously, Justin, tempting as that image is, I really don't think Brian is off tricking right now. He wouldn't do that...."

"You really are stupid, aren't you? No wonder you were so shocked to come upon us fucking in his office."

I watched, helpless, as Danny, with a sigh, pulled Justin close. Thank you, I thought, frustrated that I was stuck here. Justin needed calming down, then I needed the two of them to get their asses out of this insane asylum and return with help.

One of the doors clicked behind me.

"Ahh, it appears that things may get interesting now. Are you comfortable, Brian?" I scuffed the chair on the ground. I didn't want to turn away from the scene in front of me, but I didn't want my back to that bastard either. Something had happened to Miguel and Jamie. Fuck, I hoped it wasn't anything too serious. I was glad Danny had sense enough to get Lindsay and Daphne, as well as Juan out of the place. I wondered how he'd managed it so quickly, especially Lindsay, who wouldn't have listened to him as easily as the other two. But that still left John unaccounted for, as well as George, the man Danny was counting on, missing. I glanced up at the smiling Simon. How I itched to slap that smug look right off his face.

"Why, Brian, you look positively feral...let me remove that gag. Lorm tends to get carried away when it comes to bondage. This room and the one below are completely soundproofed. You can only hear them through the speakers and there is no way for them to hear us, so feel free to make as much noise as you like."

He pulled the gag out and I took several deep breaths. I was never all that comfortable breathing just through my nose thanks to the many times my loving father had broken it but I would be damned if I thanked the prick for removing the gag. He smiled at me knowingly then turned his gaze back to the two in the room in front of us. We were slightly higher so we had a perfect view of everything in the room. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

"He really is a beautiful creature. He was a lovely boy, but perfection as a man, don't you think?" Simon stroked my cheek as he leaned over me, his chest pressing against my back. He was older than me by quite a few years. I knew from Danny that he was well over the forty-nine that he admitted to, but he didn't look or feel it. It was a powerfully muscled body I felt against mine and it was difficult to repress a shiver as his hand drifted down to my chest. Where the fuck was John?

"We are deep inside the upper level of the Gallery, Brian. Anyone who comes looking for us will be told we left to go partying...you and Danny insisted on accompanying Justin for his safety. Before dismissing the workers for the night, I made sure the girl Jenn heard me tell the doorman that, with a suitable moue of discontent. She is always around, listening at corners, so this time I put her talent to my use. Most people don't even know these rooms exist. So, there is no fear of interruption. In case you are concerned. Justin seems to be sure that you have found entertainment. Sad, isn't it? To be so cynical, so young? Whatever could have made him that way, do you think?"

I gritted my teeth as the hand continued to stroke downward on my bound body. He really was a sick fuck. "I have no clue, why don't you be quiet and maybe we'll hear him tell us?" I suggested calmly.

He laughed at me. He hooked the other chair with his foot and pulled it behind mine, sitting so he could straddle my narrower chair and still lean over me, resting his arms on my shoulders. I could feel his breath in my ear.

"Why, Brian, to hear Justin tell it, you're quite the multi-tasker, and perfectly capable of carrying on a conversation, or listening to more than one, while someone caresses your body...and it is a fine body." He skimmed his hand lower on my chest, reaching down to my abs this time. I did my best not to flinch.

"Kind of old for you, aren't I, Simon? I haven't been a twink for quite a while."

He chuckled. "You must have been quite a pretty boy. Much prettier than Justin. As pretty as Danny, I'm willing to bet. You Irish boys seem to have such lovely complexions, when you aren't full of freckles, but instead have that lovely darker complexion, rosy cheeks that darken to a tan, black Irish, wouldn't you call it? His eyes are as green as a shamrock, but I think yours are changeable, both of you with sinfully long lashes, and those lush lips...prettier than any girl's could be without the aid of cosmetics."

Fuck, the old queen was making himself hot discussing my face. He reminded me of that old pervert Marvin, that closet case who wanted me to fuck him to get his account.

I forced myself to ignore his roving hands and hot breath and looked at Danny and Justin. Danny had Justin practically in his lap, crying on his shoulder. Fuck, if this weren't so serious it would be hilarious. He looked so at a loss as to what to do.

"Justin, buck up and get the fuck out of there," I whispered.

"I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that," Simon advised. "I think our little Justin has an agenda. He thinks you're off fucking my bodyguard, remember, and he also thinks Danny is misrepresenting himself as pure and innocent. I suspect there is a reason he brought Danny to our little playroom, which he knows has a viewing room. I mentioned to him that I would try to locate you for him and bring you here. It was his idea to bring Danny there to wait for you when Danny wanted to look for you. I suspect he hasn't mentioned that I offered to look for you, or that I wouldn't bring you right to them but rather to a place where the two of them would be seen by you without Danny knowing it. Catching on yet?"

I looked at Simon, torn between being unbelieving and appalled.

"What possible plan could Justin have? He and Danny hate each other. Danny is only comforting him because he knows I would want him to be nice. He has little patience for Justin's tears, and has no attraction for him at all."

"Well, he may need a little help, then, won't he?" Simon conceded, still smiling, his hand roving under my shirt now, near my waistband. I squirmed.

"Would you stop that?" I hissed. "I'm not into bondage with insane billionaires. Quirk of mine."

The blow took me by surprise; he'd been so affable up to that point. My head snapped to the side and with my arms bound to the chair, there was no way to stop my neck from wrenching painfully.

"Don't call me that," he warned, still in his pleasant voice, as much as I could hear it over the ringing in my ears.

"Sorry," I muttered. Memo to self, insane man doesn't like references to money. Haha.

Simon rubbed the place where he hit me. "I don't want to mark your face, so don't make me angry again. I forgot and bruised your pretty cheek and nose. Let me get you some ice and a cloth for that blood. I fear it may be broken."

I shook my head, trying to clear the ringing. Danny was still holding Justin, but the dynamic had changed. Justin, what are you up to?

***********************************************

(POV/Justin)

I got O'Keefe to hold me, even though it was apparent that he was still impatient to get on with his search for Brian. Like Edward Simon's suite was the kind of place you could just wander through, poking your head into unlocked rooms. I'd lived there for a good part of a year and I didn't know where all the rooms were. Or how to get into them. I had no idea where George's private quarters were, or any of the bodyguards, for that matter. Edward had several rooms he used, and this was just one of them. The Playroom. I wondered if he was watching us now, and if he had Brian with him. Probably not, Brian hadn't been gone long enough to be done with Lorm, much less all three of them. Brian was nothing if not thorough in his fucking.

I tried not to hate anyone but I really thought I hated Danny O'Keefe. If it weren't for him, Brian wouldn't be so distant with me now. He sat here, patting my back, comforting me, as though he had nothing to worry about with Brian missing, so confident that Brian would never cheat on him, even though he knew Brian had cheated on him with me. Right in front of him. Somehow, like always, Brian must have talked his way out of that one and like stupid little Justin, Danny took him back. But maybe if he knew that Brian wasn't quite as forgiving when it came to his boyfriends?

"Justin, please think for a moment. Where in this place would Brian be likely to go? Or where would Lorm take him? I...I need to see him, okay? If you want to prove to me he's tricking, that's fine, you can laugh in my face."

He was humoring me, as though I were a child. Brian used to do that sometimes and I hated it. I looked up into his green eyes, and for a moment, I almost lost my resolve. He did seem to be suffering. There were beads of sweat on his forehead and he looked anxious. His grip on my upper arms tightened.

"You're hurting me." I looked down at his hands pointedly and he let go at once.

"I'm sorry...fuck...I didn't mean to...." He pushed his hair back, and leaned back, putting more space between us.

"It's okay, I just bruise easily. Let me get you some water. You look like you're melting in that suit. Then I'll try Jenn, she's one of the girls who works here. I'll see if she's seen Brian, okay?"

I walked over to the refrigerator and got some of Edward's special water. I felt some qualms about what I was doing, but it wasn't like it would hurt him or anything. It was the same stuff Edward gave me sometimes to help me relax. George said it was safe.

*********************************************

(POV/Brian)

'Cell phone, Danny,' I thought. 'You can use your cell phone to call for help, reach John or something.' But Simon seemed to read my thoughts. He smirked as he came back, pressing a makeshift icepack and towel to my nose. He placed a water bottle to my lips as well.

"Don't get all excited, Brian, they can't call out. Phone signals can be jammed from that room when I want them to be, and trust me, this is one of those times that I want them to be. I'm surprised Justin never noticed that before. And you may as well drink the water...if I wanted to drug you I could just give you another needle, couldn't I?"

Good point. I was thirsty as hell. Plus, the blood running down my throat was making me nauseous.

"Could you loosen these ties on the same theory then? You could always just take my word for it that I will be good and not try to overpower you."

He chuckled again. I was beginning to really dislike that sound.

"Maybe in a bit. I'm afraid that you might get a little agitated soon so it is best to keep you tied up. How about a little bet, Brian? You seem like a man who likes to take chances."

"Not me, Simon, I have given up on the risks in my staid older youth."

That amused him, more chuckles. I was beginning to think he was sipping joy juice.

"You notice how the water I gave you has a white label? How would you like to bet, oh, say, a kiss versus your getting one of your arms freed that the water he brings Danny has a black label? Quickly now...white like yours and safe, or black, and...something else?"

"White..." Please let it be white, baby, don't play games, Danny is there to help you.

"How do you bottle it like that?" I asked, dry mouthed despite the sips of water he was so helpfully giving me, one arm free would be a help.

"It helps to have stock in a bottling company," he said absently as he stared intently into the room in front of us.

He smiled broadly. "Ready for that kiss, Brian? Make it a good one and I just may free one of your arms anyway, to show you what a gracious winner I am."

My heart sank; before Simon's head bending toward me blocked him from view, I could see Justin handing Danny a bottle with an ominous black label.

*********************************************

(POV/Danny)

I shrugged out of my jacket and stood up as Justin held a bottle of water out to me. I was barely holding onto my temper, but losing it wasn't going to do me any good at all. I automatically checked the bottle for a seal before twisting the cap off and taking a deep swig. The label was in a foreign language I didn't recognize but it looked untouched and safe enough. Trust Edward to import his water from somewhere besides France or Italy. He always had to one-up everyone. Maybe it was Danish, like his bodyguard.

Damn, I wish I had more information from John to go on. Just that one quick phone call that there'd been a fight and to get out as quickly as possible, Miguel and Jamie were hurt, Miguel badly. I knew Miguel shouldn't have gone off on that trip of his, it just smelled of Edward. Friends of his "angels" don't suddenly appear and want to talk. The trouble was, how do you convince anyone that you weren't the crazy one, that all this caution and paranoia was justified? I knew Jamie had been half convinced we were all being a little nuts. Much as he disliked Edward, he really couldn't see a successful businessman going so far as to actually harm someone. Now he was in a hospital, fuck, and I was stuck here with blondie, wondering where the fuck Brian was. I needed George. Why wasn't he here yet? John said they'd be here as soon as they could in case we had trouble leaving. This had to count as trouble leaving.

I paced up and down, gulping the water. I tossed the empty container into a wastebasket by the bed. Funny room Justin had brought me to, it had a large screen TV on the wall, huge really, the screen looked more like a window. There was a full bar too, plus a gigantic bed, some cabinets, a couple of chairs and a couch. Like a combination rec room and bedroom. Trust Edward to have something like this handy. There was probably a sound system somewhere. There were controls on the wall and something that looked like an intercom.

"Fuck, it's hot in here." I looked at Justin. "Did you call that girl yet?" I hadn't been able to get a signal on my phone for some reason but maybe he had more luck.

"No, it isn't working, maybe there's a storm outside or something. Do you have to pace like that?"

"No, I can leave...I don't think Edward's coming here with Brian. Let's go looking for him." I turned and staggered. What the fuck?

Justin came over to me. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"I don't know...feel dizzy." He helped me over to the bed. I blinked, trying to clear my eyes. Something was wrong. My legs felt like they would've given out if he hadn't helped me. It almost felt like I had a fever. I was burning up. I unbuttoned my vest, pulling off my tie and using it to pull my hair back. Justin eased the vest off my shoulders. I looked up at him, surprised.

"What are you doing?"

*********************************************

(POV/Justin)

I didn't like O'Keefe, but I had to admit, he was sexy like this. Edward's Special Blend Danish Water gave a flushed look to his cheeks, and brightened his green eyes so they shone like emeralds beneath those black lashes. When he reached back to tie his long hair back, with his vest gaping open, you could see his chest and arm muscles actually bulge and ripple beneath his white silk shirt. I remembered what he'd looked like on stage at Babylon, in his thong and tights, dancing, and suddenly wondered what it would be like to see him up close and naked. Did he really have Edward's initials branded into his ass cheek?

I reached over and eased the vest off his shoulders. He looked at me, tipping his head to the side.

"What are you doing?" His voice was deeper than it had been. I thought of Brian's face if he were to come in and catch me with his precious Danny. He'd been furious when he thought that Michael and I had slept together, and all we did was fall asleep in the same bed. Gross as the thought of sex with Michael was to me, it'd been just as gross to him to consider sex with me. But, this was different. Much as I hated Danny O'Keefe, I had to admit he was hot as hell, and there would be poetic justice in taking him down a peg...him and his "I don't fuck blonds" attitude. Not that I wanted to fuck him, not really, but maybe fool around some, just until Edward showed up with Brian. I was sure Edward wouldn't mind, it was practically his idea, after all. He'd even mentioned the water, although kind of as a joke. I pretended I was just trying to make him more comfortable by taking off his vest.

"You're hot, aren't you...I mean, besides the usual way you're hot. Why are you staying so over-dressed? You don't plan on going back to the piano, do you? You've pretty much put an end to the show tonight."

He looked guilty, as much as someone having trouble staying focused could. Damn, he really did seem to be having trouble from just one bottle of water. Maybe it was from drinking it so fast?

"I don't feel very well, Justin. My head hurts. I really need to find Brian now."

"You don't look very well, either. Why don't you lie back against these pillows and I'll try to find Edward?"

Danny smiled at me anxiously; even that had a sweet look to it, very boyish. I felt a little guilty as I pushed him back against the pillows stacked at the head of the bed, and walked to the door. He held his hand to his eyes and stayed put, but he was bouncing his leg in an agitated fashion. I frowned back at him. It occurred to me to wonder if he was taking any medicines that might be interacting with the water. Fuck. Migraines. Danny got migraines, Daphne had said at the Benefit, and took medicine for them, which is why he wasn't drinking. I needed George.

I tried the door. Locked. Damn it.

I went to the intercom. "Edward, Edward, I need you, are you there?" I pressed several of his rooms, trying to locate him. "Edward, please answer!"

*********************************************

(POV/Brian)

I was ready to panic. The leisurely kiss Simon forced on me was enough to make me gag but I played along, hoping to win freedom for one of my arms and then work my way free from there. It was all too clear that something was wrong after Danny ingested that water. He wasn't getting horny or even just out of it. His reaction seemed to be perplexing Simon, which really worried me. He put the gag back up, with a brief apology, the asshole, and was ready by the wall when Justin's call for help came, anticipating it when Justin found that he couldn't get out of the room. They were locked in there, something that obviously surprised Justin.

"Justin, I'm here, what's wrong?"

"I'm in the Playroom and the door's jammed or locked or something. I can't get out. Danny's not feeling well...I... he drank some water and now he is acting oddly... is George available?...Have you found Brian yet? Maybe they should go get him checked out by a doctor?"

"I'll be right there...Brian's tied up at the moment and George is otherwise engaged but I will see of what assistance I can be."

Simon switched off the intercom and looked down at me.  "Well, pleasurable as our kiss was, I must bid you adieu. Greater pleasure awaits me...one I've waited a very long time to enjoy, I must say. I shall remove your gag, however, and let you enjoy the show with all your teeth gnashing pleasure. I'm not sure yet how I will go about this for your maximum discomfort, Brian....whether you'll get to see Danny fuck Justin first, or me fucking Justin, perhaps while he blows Danny, or shall I go right to me fucking Danny? All while I know that you are watching...helpless to do anything about it...and Danny not knowing a thing about what he is doing...delicious, isn't it? All these months I've had to think of you enjoying my Danny's body...now you get to watch me enjoying it...paybacks are a bitch, don't you agree?"

"Simon, if Danny's in trouble, you have to get him help. He looks sick from whatever was in that water...do you want him to end up like that other kid? That Stephen, whoever he was?"

Simon frowned. For a moment I thought he was going to hit me again. Then his face cleared.

"You know of my Silver Angel? Then I would hazard a guess that Danny's little faint down there is merely a charade to draw me out...how quaint...he is swooning for me. He's doing it quite well, too. He looks very much as Silver used to appear when he took too much of a certain...something. I didn't think Danny had ever seen him like that but no doubt Angel had re-enacted it for him. Those two were quite good at playing little scenes, I'm sure you know that, being such a close family friend. What one could do, the other could do as well. Having one of them was almost like having the other...almost but not quite, I found. Did you ever try that, Brian? Ever fuck the original Dark Angel?"

"You're a perverted bastard, Simon," I whispered. "Danny is ill, he needs a doctor."

"I'm afraid my staff doctor is permanently indisposed. He went on one too many rescue missions and his position on my staff has been terminated. Along with the missing twin...clever how they did that...a Miguel Martinez in two places tonight. It confused me for a while...but now I'm assuming that the Martinez I saw here tonight was in fact the actor. Indeed, he's a better actor than I gave him credit for being. I must say, I usually can anticipate these things. I didn't expect that switch. A trick to your side but I take the hand because the real Miguel still fell for my ploy and despite his unexpected help... and his expected help in the person of my good friend George, he was taken away from the altercation by ambulance with what I was told were fatal wounds. I do hope my report was accurate or I will be most displeased. By the way, Lorm is quite angry with your boy Danny, I should mention, as he knows that it was Danny's two brothers who helped injure Lorm's two brothers, although I suspect George played a hand in that. I'm sure you can appreciate how that makes Lorm feel; we must hope he keeps his professionalism, don't you think?"

"Damn it, Simon, Danny has nothing to do with any of this. If you care about him like you claim..."

Simon's face darkened.

"Don't presume to tell me how I feel about Danny. I have studied him for years...what are you, his bed partner for a few months? A friend of his stupidest brother's for a couple of years over a decade ago? I know everything there is to know about him. What he likes to eat, how long he sleeps at night...if he sleeps at night and what he does when he can't... I know each man he has slept with more than twice for the past nine years and every woman he has fucked. But most of all, I know the real Danny from the actor, I know his skill at toying with people, and now that I know he knows of Silver, I will not be fooled again tonight. He is frightened now because he is not in control and he will try to play me. Rest assured, I will not let him."

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a reply. He waited for one, maybe to enjoy hearing me beg for Danny again, but when I stayed silent, he turned away, laughing that damned chuckle as he left the room. Was Danny just pretending to be in trouble? I hoped so. Surely if Danny were in real trouble, Simon would get him help. He was obsessed with Danny, but wanting him didn't include wanting to see him harmed, I hoped. To some extent, Danny had been counting on that fact. He'd laughingly assured us, when John and I were worrying about everything that could go wrong, and Jamie pooh poohed the risks, that Jamie was right; he said the last thing Simon would ever do was anything to harm his "perfect face and body."

But what if Simon grew desperate from frustration, or out of control with one of those bursts of anger?

I watched as Simon and the big blond bodyguard, Lorm, entered the room. They lowered the lights and the blond remained by the doorway while Simon headed over toward Danny and Justin. Justin was sitting next to Danny, just patting his leg soothingly, stopping him from bouncing it.

"Danny, are you feeling alright?" Simon bent over him solicitously.

"Dizzy." He rubbed his hand over his chest. "Feel funny... heart racing... like I've been dancing hard... head hurts too...lowering lights helped... thanks." His voice was low, but Simon must have upped the volume to the room I was in when he was at the controls as I heard Danny clearly despite the fact he was barely murmuring.

"You're just warm, I think, why don't we take some of these clothes off you?"

Danny smiled a half smile, his head tilted back on the pillows. "Justin wanted... take my clothes off too, what is it with you guys...wantin'... take my clothes off? I need my clothes. Need...need my clothes right...right where they are."

I couldn't help smiling a little at the image he presented, angry and miserable as I felt. The comment about his heart racing like he'd been dancing had been a little reassuring...dancing didn't make Danny's heart race. I couldn't imagine what would, given his conditioning...except a drug...but I doubted he would use a dancing analogy, even drugged, to explain a racing heart unless it were total bullshit. So, his heart probably was racing as that was something that could be checked so easily but his head might be using that fact and he was playing it up a bit for sympathy? Or he was sending a message to me in case I could hear him? Or was I grasping at straws, I thought with disgust.

Danny did look cute, tilting his head like that. How could Simon want to harm him? He should realize he looked damn fuckable too, which wasn't a good thing. I doubted that it would occur to him to throw up or do something else to turn off the Crypt Keeper. What the fuck was Justin thinking, giving Danny drugged water? Maybe he didn't know? I had only Simon's word for it that Justin knew the difference. Maybe Simon was handing me a total line of crap. I struggled against the ropes and thought they felt a little looser. I tried to remember everything Danny had taught me about escaping from being tied up, which was surprisingly a lot. He was fond of playing "Worst Case Scenario." How to get out of your car if it goes off a bridge into a body of water; how to escape a burning skyscraper from the top floor, how to escape being tied up by a raving lunatic. Trust Simon to fuck up those fond memories for me. Unfortunately, much of Danny's advice depended on you being conscious when you were caught in that worse case scenario in the first place.

As I slowly made progress with the ropes, I watched the proceedings with increasing dismay. Simon had Justin take off Danny's shirt, despite his protests.

Justin paused. "He doesn't want me to take it off."

"That's right, he doesn't want it taken off," Danny agreed, his voice low and amused. Poor Danny, he still sounded basically clueless. If he weren't so out of it, he would be either terrified or furious. Neither would be good right now.

"How would it be if Justin takes his shirt off too, and then you finish taking your shirt off?" Simon suggested.

"Why would I want to see Justin with his shirt off? Is he hot, too? I don't particularly think he's hott, no offense, blondie." Danny smiled sweetly at Justin, who was glaring at Simon. The old bastard laughed as Danny dragged out the word hot the second time he said it, then offered his blithe apology, such as it was.

"What is wrong, Justin. You heard him, he means no offense. And I happen to think you are very hott." He pulled Justin close and kissed him. It was obscene, seeing that old guy pawing someone Justin's age, his eyes carefully watching to see if it had any effect on Danny, much as he'd been kissing him earlier during the art show, watching me to see if I gave a flying fuck.

I didn't; Justin was old enough to make his own choices, although this was a piss poor one and it made me angry he was being so stubborn and stupid. It seemed apparent that Danny couldn't care less either. His hand was stroking the silk of his unbuttoned shirt and his eyes were half closed as he split his attention between the bodyguard and Justin.

"Lorm, get some more water for Danny, he seems overheated still...the black label please."

"Edward, I don't think it's a good idea. Danny takes medicine for migraines..."

"He'll be fine, a little headache medicine won't interact with this water, Justin."

"It isn't just headache medicine, Edward, he takes a daily medicine...something like Topamax...the same kind of medicine they give epileptics..."

Simon stilled. Then he exploded. "You lying little bastard!" He slammed his fist against Justin's face sending him flying across the room. Danny leaned forward trying to grab him but he was too slow, all he was able to do was stop Simon from following after Justin by holding onto his back.

"Whoa, Edward. Stop...man, hold it....what's going on. Don't do that. Calm down. Why're you hitting Justin...You don't hit people...you have people to hit people. Sit, talk to me. You, big blond guy, get Justin some ice for his face. Fuck, Edward, what did you do? My head hurts and you're yelling...sit still. If it's that big a deal, I'll take my shirt off, just stop hitting people."

My heart was racing without benefit of drugs as I watched the ugly scene. Danny still seemed half out of it, but he managed to get Simon calmed down and with a nod to the goon, Justin was picked up and put in one of the chairs with an ice pack to his face, which was rapidly swelling. I was relieved that the "black labeled" water was forgotten as Danny permitted Simon to pull off his shirt. I still wondered just how out of it he really was. His reflexes were certainly slower than normal; any other time, he would have been able to stop that punch had he wanted to; but maybe he didn't want to blow his act. Not to spare Justin a punch. Yet, he genuinely seemed to be trying to block it and his face reflected dismay when he failed, which he quickly masked. He was fortunate that no one else was watching him or that alone may have given him away. Of course, his body failing to respond also would dismay him if it was unexpected. So, was he hiding how capable he really was, or how disabled the drink had made him? Damn. The circular thinking was intensifying my own headache.

Now that I thought more about it, Danny had been taking Topamax a few months ago, but he mentioned that he didn't think it was helping and was considering trying something different. First, however, he had to wean himself off the daily medicine, which lingered in the body. I couldn't remember if he was off the first medicine and whether he'd started the new one or not. He'd been drinking when we were in Ibiza, and started with some kind of medicine again after that. Damn, why couldn't I remember? I didn't know if it was the needle that Simon had given me that had turned my brain to mush, or all the time sitting and worrying, or perhaps the punch to the head but I was beginning to feel stupider by the minute.

"Edward, I'm so tired. Can't I just sleep on your shoulder like this?"

Danny was stalling for time. That had to be it. I didn't care how drugged he was, there was no way he would unconsciously or consciously want to curl up on Edward Simon's shoulder for a nap; the man had been the source of his nightmares for the past nine years. Plus, Danny had an odd quirk, he always had to sleep on the left side. But he was on Simon's right. Once again, I wondered if he knew I was watching? Or if it was his way of making sure he didn't get too comfortable and fall asleep?

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable out of those tuxedo pants when you rest?" Simon suggested as he leaned back against the headboard. He shot a look up at the window where he knew I was watching and smirked at me. Justin looked up...shit, his face was purpling across one side. The ice was keeping the swelling down somewhat but he must be in pain. He was keeping quiet though, his eyes large and teary. Oh Justin, when are you ever going to learn to think of the consequences of your actions before you act? You can't always rely on your life to be charmed. Sometimes the handsome, wealthy older man who seems so exciting is a monster in disguise. Hell, sometimes? Be honest, Kinney, all the time. But I was never as much a monster as Simon.

Or so I tell myself.

Justin was staring hard at the window. I wondered if he knew I was up here, and if so, if he had any idea what my situation was. Tricking was not quite it, Sunshine. Unfortunately, Danny's efforts to stall until the calvary got here were probably reinforcing his conviction that Danny was a class A slut. Justin probably thought I was up here with the rest of the Danes, enjoying the show. Simon was mind-fucking us all. I sat there and seethed as I watched him play with Danny's hair, untying it from the ponytail he'd put it in earlier.

"That feels nice," Danny murmured, wiggling his rear down the bed a bit...and away from Simon's body. He gave the impression of moving closer, unless you really watched and saw that his head was closer, but pretty much all the rest of his body was in less contact with Simon's. Hope flared again that he was more in control than I'd feared.

"Maybe I should leave you two alone?" Justin's voice was shaky.

"That won't be necessary, Justin. I think you should stay...Lorm is looking lonely over there and he's had an upsetting day. As soon as he remembers to get that water I asked him to get for Danny, I think maybe you could help him forget his problems." Simon's voice was silky steel as he dropped his bombshell. The Dane smiled wolfishly as Danny looked at him from under his lashes, measuring him, I was sure of it now. The man was huge, but size wasn't a factor with the skills Danny had. I'd seen him spar with Jamie and easily beat him. This man was as big as Jamie and looked to be about Danny's age, maybe younger. Luke had taught Danny how to fight far bigger men, and win. But this wasn't Danny at his best, and he had no idea what type of fighter this man was. As Simon's bodyguard, he had to be good. Danny once told me George was one of the few people who could give him a tough time in a fight without weapons, and with weapons, could slaughter him.

Danny had weapons...his knives...if he could get to them.

"I don't want black water," Danny complained, sitting up and slightly away from Simon.

Danny had his hand by his boot. Shit, he had to be careful, Simon was watching him like a hawk. I hated sitting and watching this unfold. Justin's face was white, except where the mark of Simon's punch stood out like an angry purple stain.

"Are you feeling better, Danny? No need for a nap after all?" Simon inquired solicitously.

Danny looked over at him, still with the same sweet smile, his dimples showing on both sides of those full lips. "You just want me to take my pants off, Edward...and see if you can get another of my thongs...you don't fool me. It's a nice one too...black and stretchy...but with no uncomfortable string in the back...it's a sports thong...you have to get some...they're the best. I'll show you sometime if you're really good." Danny gave the man an impish grin as he toyed with his waistband, then he bounced on the bed a little. He frowned as though his head hurt.

"Bouncing is not a good idea...I don't think more water is a good idea either...maybe a beer is what I need...normal beer, no black label beer. Tell Mabel, no Black Label." He smiled again, perfectly friendly as he slipped his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the pillows again. I assumed he had both knives now, and while it seemed obvious to me, I was looking for it. The question was, did Simon suspect?

"Danny, why don't you come closer?" Simon smiled and reached out for him. "Lorm will get you some water...or beer, whatever you want, but I think you'd better take it easy. You still look a little flushed."

"I don't want Lorm hurting Justin." Spoken flatly, Danny looked Simon in the eye. "Send Lorm out of the room, Edward, and I'll sit down." Danny stood up from the bed and moved away as he said that. He staggered slightly in doing so, blinking in surprise. God, let that be an act, I prayed. Simon was watching him through narrowed eyes and Justin looked surprised, whether by Danny's stagger or his defense, I couldn't tell. The big bodyguard was getting the water as though nothing was happening, I noticed. That worried me.

"Why concern yourself with Justin, Danny? Justin wasn't too worried about you. You aren't feeling well because he gave you drugged water. It contained a combination of something rather like Ruffies, you heard of that, haven't you? And a form of Viagra...I'm sure you've noticed your rather, um, distracting condition...I know I have, and alas, I cannot attribute your arousal to my charms."

Danny's sport thong and baggy cut tuxedo pants weren't doing much to hide his sizable erection now that he was standing up. Damn, Simon must be reveling in this. Who the fuck makes up bottles of this stuff with his own label? A rich sick fuck, that's who.

"Justin...you gave me Viagra? Fuck, man, that was cold." Danny edged between Lorm and Justin, keeping one eye on the big blond and one on Simon. Careful, Danny, I willed.

"You have any... idea... how...fuck... un...uncomfortable this is? ... thought I was... all hot and bothered... over you....then Edward... damn....I should...should...make you fuck Lorm there."

Danny ended up next to Justin's chair. He couldn't have blocked the scene any better if he'd had graph paper. He was between both Lorm and Justin, and Simon and Justin. Now if only he could handle that and keep them both safe. I thought I knew what he was doing. As long as he could hold Simon's interest with his antics, he could hold off any irreparable harm and give the others time to bring help. By now, Daphne and Juan had to know something was seriously wrong here. All Danny had to do was use Simon's fascination with himself, but that was the risk of what he was working with; it was a dangerous game, especially if Simon had already called his bluff. It was his body that was the stake.

"You don't need to do that, Danny...I'm already willing to permit Lorm to fuck Justin...it isn't such a harsh punishment. Lorm is an attractive fellow."

"If you like blonds," Danny nodded agreeably, falling gracefully onto the arm of Justin's chair.

"Why doesn't everyone have some black label water...or wait, is that it, the ruffie with a side of stiffy water...man...I hate this, Edward...why can't Justin just be spanked? Or something...not hit...no more hitting...." He looked inspired. "Does he want to be fucked by Lorm? I mean, Lorm is kinda...yeah, he's big and Justin...he's little...plus you hurt him." Danny looked at Simon expectantly. Simon looked back, amused.

"Is it fatiguing remembering to seem disoriented? You seem to have shaken off the effects of the water remarkably quickly, Danny. At least the cognitive ones...although I believe you may be dismayed by the other side effects when you attempt to use those knives you so cleverly pocketed. Your reflexes, you will find, are much slowed...that effect, as well as the arousal effect of the Viagra aspect of the beverage, will linger far longer. I highly recommend you toss the knives away before you attempt to take on Lorm or I will have to give him permission to defend himself in a like manner...and I would so dislike to see your lovely body marred by scars as you attempt your heroic, but futile stand."

Danny kept the slight smile on his face but I could tell he was shaken but Simon's calm assurance. It probably confirmed what his body was telling him. The big Dane stood across from him, the black labeled bottle in one hand, a cocky smirk on his face, as he waited for Danny to make his move. He didn't even bother to take off his jacket.

Danny, on the other hand, very deliberately sheathed his knives back where they'd been. No tossing them aside randomly...his cognitive abilities were back, and no doubt had been. It made sense. He always processed alcohol quickly and had a strong head. His susceptibility to headaches of late hadn't changed that. He just paid for it later. He took off his boots and his belt, then stood facing the far larger man like a modern day warrior, his long hair flowing down his bare back.

"If I win, what do I get, Edward...will you show me Brian? Is he okay?"

Danny's voice was calm but deep. He once told me my voice got higher when I was nervous...his got deeper, a function of his deliberate effort to maintain control. Edward laughed at him.

"Ah, Danny, always trying to get a better deal. You are fighting for Justin's virtue at the moment, remember? Brian bet on that same commodity earlier...and he lost. I fear that Justin's virtue is not a safe bet these days."

Bastard. Danny paled and even Justin looked shaken. I stood as best I could while tied to the chair and banged my head against the window. All four men looked up, Simon's face furious, Danny's relieved, Justin's shocked and the Dane...who the fuck cared how he was looking...Danny immediately launched at him with a volley of kicks that sent him staggering back, dropping the damned water bottle.

Good boy, I thought grimly, use every advantage you can. Unfortunately, the advantage was short-lived. Danny was slow, far slower than I'd ever seen him, even when teaching demo classes or sparring with kids like Hunter. His speed was usually dazzling; this was like someone was playing a video of him in half time. Soon he was on the receiving end of blow after brutal blow, refusing to quit even after it was clear that the other man was just toying with him.

Finally, Lorm had him pinned on the ground, his large body holding him completely, with one arm pressed over his throat so that he could barely breathe. Danny struggled to break the hold but none of his moves were working. Simon got up and strolled over to the refrigerator, pulling out another bottle of water with a black label.

"I think all that exertion has got to have made our young man thirsty, don't you, Justin? I also think that the stronger formula is warranted, given how easily Danny shrugged off the effects of the last one...and tried to play us all for fools."

"Edward, please...don't. Is Brian okay? Was that Brian in the viewing room? Why is he up there? Why is he just watching all this happen? What have..."

Edward turned to look at Justin. "What have I done? Is that what you want to know? Are you in any position to ask that of me, Justin? Brian watched as you played your little prank on Danny. Of course, he also was watching as Danny performed his little act, pretending to be more impaired than he was.. I wonder if he enjoyed the shows? It isn't over, you know...I get a turn now. Seems only fair, don't you think? You've both been rather bad boys. Put Danny on the bed, Lorm. And remove his pants...I believe he still has one of his knives in the waistband of those. Oh, and for heaven's sake, let him breathe...I don't want his throat damaged. Perhaps now he will be grateful for some water?"

Danny was gasping by the time the goon let up the pressure on his throat. He was man-handled over to the large bed and tossed onto it. He made no protest as his pants were yanked off, leaving him in just the black lycra thong. It provided fairly full coverage in the front but was nothing but a couple of strings on the sides. His chest was heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He didn't even react when the blond cupped his large hand over his cock and fondled it after removing his pants, but Simon caught the gesture and spoke sharply in Danish. The man shrugged and moved away.

"Before I drink that...whatever it is you're trying to give me, may I have real water...please?" Danny looked up at Simon, his eyes their darkest green but otherwise expressionless. I ached for him, his body was battered but his spirit seemed stronger than ever as he stared Simon down. Gone was the teasing manner of earlier. Danny was laid out like a buffet for this man who'd stalked him for years and his options were running out but he was defiant in making his request. And where was I, the man who'd promised to keep him safe? Trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Simon smiled down at him, his hungry gaze not missing a detail.

"Of course you may have water. I don't want you getting dehydrated. A drink of water first...then are you hungry...perhaps you need a bathroom break? A rescue after that? How much more time do you think you can buy, Danny? Your brothers aren't coming, you know. They were here and left already; they are looking for you elsewhere."

Danny showed no reaction to either the sarcasm or the news. He merely leaned on his elbows and permitted Edward to hold the water to his lips, real water if the white label meant anything. Simon watched him drink, his look difficult to read. It was almost...regretful? Apologetic?

"Danny, why do you have to make everything so difficult? I only want to take care of you."

Jesus. Simon was whining now. I almost liked him better arrogant. How the fuck would Danny handle this? The man was insane and had more personalities than Joanne Woodward in "Three Faces of Eve." Or maybe he was up to Sybil's level. Justin looked confused as well while even the Danish bodyguard was shaking his head.

"Edward, I'm sorry but my head really does ache. My whole body hurts now from the pounding I just took. I'm worried about my brothers, and fuck, I still don't know what you did with Brian. Just tell me what you want...if I can do it, I will. Just don't make me drink your funny shit, okay? My dick hurts already from that stuff and I don't want to end up in the room next to Stephen. You won...isn't that enough? Let Justin go, why don't you...you got me...do you really need him raped by your gorilla there...no offense, gorilla, though fuck you for groping me."

Danny put his arm over his eyes and stretched out. I had to think he knew how absolutely gorgeous he looked like that and was counting on that softening Simon up. Figuratively, that is. Literally, that guy must have been hard as a rock. I wasn't sure he was breathing. It must have seemed like every wet dream he'd had for the past decade had just come true. He had Danny O'Keefe in his bed finally, clad only in a skimpy black thong that barely covered his large cock, one leg was bent at the knee, giving a peek at his balls and asscheeks, the other was stretched out, showing the graceful line of his calf and thigh, only a couple of thin black lines at the hips sparing him from total nudity in profile. His chest rose and fell with his deep breaths, his voice husky from being choked but it still sounded sexy as all get out. Each muscle on his abdomen and chest was clearly defined as he lay there, totally exposed to Simon's greedy view, seemingly helpless.

He was beautiful. Beautifully masculine and perfect.

Simon's hand shook as he reached out and caressed Danny's pectorals. Danny's breathing stilled momentarily, but then continued at the same measured pace. I hated watching, but couldn't look away. Justin had his hand stuffed in his mouth, as though afraid to make a noise and draw attention to his presence. The bodyguard was watching avidly. Simon had to keep the man in the room...or drug Danny further...to ensure his own safety. Which meant that Justin was probably stuck in the room while Danny was raped. I couldn't see Simon acceding to Danny's request to let Justin go free. He would have to worry that Justin would summon help, for me if not for Danny. Would Simon tie both of us up? Justin and me? And what was he planning on doing with all of us after this, I suddenly wondered, a cold fear growing. Could he hope to drug us all so we wouldn't remember this night? He couldn't plan on killing all of us...could he?

For the moment, all was still. Danny kept his breathing as steady as he could with his damaged windpipe, and Simon seemed content to watch him lie there, moving his hand lightly along his body. The more time that elapsed, the better our chances that John and Jamie would return, I hoped. Unfortunately, Justin couldn't stay quiet. The suspense must have been killing him. I could sympathize but I was ready to throttle him when he did speak up, breaking the spell that seemed to hold Simon enthralled.

"Edward...can I go to my room...please?"

Simon seemed startled out of whatever internal musing he'd gotten lost in.

"Justin...I almost forgot you...my dear bright angel...forgive me! I have a wonderful idea. Danny doesn't want you touched by Lorm...he's quite adamant about it. I will have to compensate Lorm some other way, although indeed, that groping was quite unprofessional...poorly done on his part I think. But you wanted to show Brian what a slut Danny is, didn't you, Justin? You wanted Brian to come upon you with Danny the way Danny found you with Brian? That is why you gave him the drugged water in the first place, isn't it? You knew what its effect was."

I felt sick as I watched Danny be reminded of that horrible time in his life and realized that Justin, whom he was trying to help, still thought so little of him that he'd been trying to set him up in order to cause trouble between us. He sat up partially, leaning on his elbows, his hair shielding his face from Simon's view as he stared over at Justin, who cringed down into the chair.

"You did this to me, Justin? You not only knew you were drugging me, you planned for Brian to see me with you? You knew where Brian was all along? He's up there behind that screen, isn't he? Why? Why the fuck would you...oh, forget it..."

He turned back toward their tormentor, who sat watching him like a cat with a particularly entertaining prey. Danny raised his chin challengingly as he met that look. Even as I was terrified for him, I couldn't help but be proud of him. His anger at Justin had managed to bring him back from whatever place he'd retreated to following his defeat by the bodyguard and his body's failure to rescue him. At least now he had an explanation for it whereas before he must have been terrified by his condition even as he exaggerated it in his effort to mislead Simon and buy time.

"Edward, is this night over yet...there will be an end to your game at some point, won't there? Then Brian and I can go home?" His green eyes flashed even as his voice dripped with sarcasm.

Danny must have come to the same realization I had...Simon was getting in pretty deep if he ever planned to let us go, but he'd tried to present the question in a manner in which it could be answered lightly.

Or ignored.

"I have a new deal for you, Danny, because, believe it or not, I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do. And I know how fond you are of negotiating and making deals. So, since I've only ever wanted you in my bed by your choice, I have a couple of deals for your consideration. You didn't want to see Justin harmed by Lorm. Although perhaps with the recent revelations, that has changed. Justin has two choices...he can choose to be fucked by Lorm, who is, I agree, a rather large fellow and, I must confess, has a reputation for being a bit rough...or Justin can choose to be fucked by you, his competitor for the handsome Kinney and the man he has wronged, if you would be so generous as to agree to fuck him, with all the skill for which you are famous. As for me, I get the pleasure of watching my two angels together, light and dark, a fantasy I confess to harboring for some time now."

I wasn't sure I'd heard Simon right, except that Danny's shocked expression confirmed it. He was actually suggesting that Danny fuck Justin in front of him, while he just watched?

"You're kidding, right? You want me to rape him instead of your gorilla doing it?"

I was as horrified as Danny sounded. His voice was so harsh it didn't even sound like him, far worse than it had been after the Benefit. It rasped along his lowest register with the question. Simon was clearly amused at Danny's distress as he patiently explained.

"It isn't rape if he chooses you, Danny. If he does choose you, you also have a choice...you can comply, in which case, you are done for tonight, no more performances...or you can decline to perform with Justin and but instead agree to submit to whatever I want...but willingly and without fighting me. No drugs. In that case, Justin is free from being required to participate in further performances."

I noticed Simon didn't bother explaining what would happen if Justin chose Lorm...none of them really expected that to be the case. After seeing how he'd treated Danny's far larger, stronger body in the fight, and the way he was clearly spoiling for more violence, it would be suicidal for Justin to have sex with that creep. Simon also didn't say Danny was free from all further performances, just for the night. But that should give John and Jamie enough time to find us unless they had been seriously hurt, in which case the entire O'Keefe clan should be descending upon this place.

"I can't..."

Simon smiled ferally as he interrupted Danny's protest.

"Of course, you can refuse both, Danny, in which case Justin goes to Lorm and you and I continue to play our game...that is always an option." Simon watched Danny carefully. Justin was essentially a non-entity to him now, his pawn that he was willing to sacrifice now that he had the King in his sights.

Danny turned to Justin. "What do you want, Justin? You started this...tell me what you want."

I wanted to scream at Danny, don't do this...but I knew he had no choice. Even if it didn't hold out some hope of his not being raped by Simon, which I didn't expect Simon to honor, it was against his nature to let someone smaller and weaker be hurt if he could prevent it. Hell, it was against his nature to let someone bigger and stronger be hurt if he could prevent it.

But I hated, with every fiber in my being, the thought of him being forced to have sex with Justin, and Justin being forced to accept it.

"Please...I know I have no right to ask, but please, I'd rather you...." Justin looked as young as he had when I met him under that lamp post as he stared at Danny pleadingly. God, it broke my heart to see them like this. I could kill Edward Simon. I vowed to do exactly that if I could only get free.

Danny was leaning on his elbows still, the bruises from the beating he'd taken from the Dane beginning to show against his tan, as he looked between Justin and Simon.

"Edward...please don't do this," he asked quietly. Simon merely smirked at him, seemingly satisfied. I realized then that he had every intention of fucking Danny as soon as he could. He just wanted to torment Danny as much as possible first, and to destroy our relationship in the process if he could. No matter what, I couldn't let the events that he was forcing upon the three of us change how I felt toward Danny...or stop me from being there for him. Justin would survive, I realized. He was a born survivor. It was Danny that Simon was out to own, or destroy. Doing what Simon wanted would destroy him no matter how much he pretended it was a matter of choice for the two young men.

"I am leaving the choice to you and Justin, Danny. How much fairer can I be?"

Simon spread his hands and shrugged; the silver and black hair, tailored suit, and urbane appearance at such odds with his sick, twisted mind. The whole thing was surreal. I felt as though I were trapped in a really bad nightmare, like one of the ones that made Danny wake up in a cold sweat and spend hours dancing in the middle of the night. Real people didn't tie other people up, or drug them and make them perform sex acts. But then, the Sapp had tried to do something similar to Justin when he was a kid working as a go go dancer years ago; this was just a rich man's version of the same game. Justin attracted trouble and this time Danny was caught in the trap with him after years of avoiding it successfully. The weight of guilt was crushing me as I watched to see what Danny would do, knowing full well what his choice would be. At least, I thought I did.

*********************************************

(POV/Danny)

I looked at Justin, huddled on the chair, and knew there was no way I could lay a hand on him. Even if he didn't look all of fifteen sitting there, his eyes wide and frightened as he stared at Edward and me, his knees pulled up to his chest, all I could picture in my mind was telling Brian later that I saved my own ass by fucking Justin's. I had no idea how much time had passed but I knew that John and Jamie had to be moving heaven and earth to find me by this point. Daphne and Juan had to have told them that Brian and I were still here at the gallery.

If they weren't too badly hurt to come to us, that is. But if they were, Daphne would know to call for more help. Even if she were really worried over Jamie, she wouldn't forget about me, she was too level headed for that. John would have to be dead not to call on our cousin Dennis for help. That thought was not comforting at this point.

Damn, my head was killing me. I wished that whatever the fuck Justin had given me included a painkiller besides just fucking me up. I think I got another concussion when the blond gorilla threw me to the ground that last time. Would serve Edward right if I started puking all over him. I stood up slowly and shook my head slightly, trying to clear my vision, which was blurring, but shaking it proved a mistake as shooting pains almost sent me to my knees. I could see Edward wave the gorilla back; thank God, I wasn't up for more man-handling. I wished Brian were here, but then, it was just as well he wasn't. He'd just be another weapon for Edward to use against me. Like Justin.

Which brought me back to what I had to do. Fuck. I ignored the fact that I was, for all intents and purposes, naked to Edward and the gorilla's perverted eyes as I tried not to stagger over to Brian's old boyfriend. There were marks on Justin's arms, and I realized with a start that they were from my fingers, where I'd grabbed him earlier. Shit. No wonder he looked so terrified of me, if I'd bruised him like that without even thinking. I glanced over at Lorm, and his angry glare told me that he resented my taking his toy away. I'd seen his type before; he liked hurting people, smaller people. He had enjoyed holding me down beneath him, having me struggle and unable to break his hold, but he wasn't able to put as much force into it as he wanted to use. He'd been told not to mar my looks, I suspected as none of his blows landed on my face. He wouldn't hold back with someone like Justin if he thought he could get away with doing real damage. I didn't trust Edward to hold him in check, which was exactly what Edward wanted me to worry about, of course. But I would be damned if I would let him make me into his monster.

I reached down and grabbed my abandoned shirt, unable to hold back a wince as the movement caused more of the shooting pains. I steadied myself on Justin's shoulder, hiding my weakness by leaning down as though I were kissing his ear while I tucked his arms into the sleeves of my shirt.

"Put this on, and keep it on," I whispered. "There are lock picks in the cuffs. When you can, palm them. If Lorm comes near you, stab him...hard... in the throat, or back of the neck...the balls, wherever you can make it do the most damage...nod if you understand."

I could feel him gulp hard against my throat as I nuzzled him and then nod.

"Good boy," I told him, then brushed my lips across his. I wondered why I did that as I moved away. I know he did, his face showing his shock and bewilderment. But part of me couldn't help but think of the Justin I saw for the first time years ago, that young boy who held onto Brian so happily as they walked down Liberty together; Brian so tall and cool in his leather and shades and Justin so achingly young and innocent in denim and a baggy t-shirt, talking a mile a minute.

This is for you, Brian, I thought, as I turned slowly and walked back to a shocked looking Edward.

"Can you turn down the lights some more, please? My head is really starting to hurt," I told him quietly as I sat down on the bed again.

Edward made a motion to the gorilla who walked over to the panel by the wall. The lights were dimmed. Edward crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you up to now, Danny? And please, no more play-acting. Remember what happened to the boy who cried wolf."

I leaned back against the headboard, adjusting the pillows. Fuck, I was tired. The fool-proof plan that seemed so great when discussed back home had really gone to hell, I thought, and was hard pressed not to laugh hysterically at Edward's chagrined expression. He really was disappointed at the idea that I wasn't going to put on a show for him with Justin before he got to rape me. I wondered whether he needed the visual stimulation to get it up, and was immediately grossed out. I wished Hunter were with me to share these morbid thoughts with, since he was the only person I knew who had the same kind of sick sense of humor I did. Of course, I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone...not even Justin Taylor, who was the only one of us who kind of deserved it, and even he didn't. Fuck, I wasn't even making sense to myself anymore, I realized.

"What was your question, Edward?" I tried to look sincere, but I really just wanted to rest. I was conscious of a vague sense of arousal from the drug, but the pain from the beating was doing a pretty good job of keeping that under control since I was never one to enjoy pain all that much. The more this head pain took over, the more I seriously doubted whether I would have been able to fuck Justin, so it was just as well I made the choice I did, I realized. I wondered if Edward would want me to top? When that thought almost made me start to laugh I realized that I was still under the influence of something...the thought of sex with Edward never made me want to laugh.

I was about to make the offer to top just to see what kind of reaction it got from Edward the rapist when I realized that sitting up was a serious mistake. It was Gorilla the Dane who earned his pay by realizing that I was not leaning over to whisper sweet nothings in Edward's ear and brought a trashcan over in time for me to vomit into it.

"Hold his hair back," Edward hissed to someone, either Justin or Gorilla, I wasn't sure. I was too busy dying.

Poor Edward. He waited and plotted for almost a decade to have his wicked way with me and just when he has me in his clutches, his pet gorilla goes a little overboard in the subduing and leaves me a puking mess. I wanted to tell him I'd puked on better men than him but I didn't have it in me.

I needed George. Or Brian. Someone to take care of me. I was conscious of Justin wiping my face off. I noted that he still had my shirt on and that it was a good thing. It was important, I knew, that Justin keep the shirt on, even if I couldn't remember why anymore.

"Danny, stay awake. Drink this."

Don't drink from open bottles. One of Brian's rules. Always be safe and follow Brian's rules. I turned my head away even though I was so thirsty and my throat hurt so badly. I couldn't drink when I didn't open the bottle. I clung to that truth. Brian. I needed to find him. Tell him I was following his rules. Besides, my head was on fire with pain and only Brian knew how to make the pain go away. I remembered that too. Something was seriously fucked up but if I could get to Brian, it would be okay. I tried to sit up but something heavy was weighing me down.

"No, you're not leaving...I can't let you go now..."

"Edward, no!"

I wanted to tell Justin not to make so much noise but the feeling of my briefs being pulled off suddenly and my legs pushed up and spread made all other thoughts flee. I needed to do something or Edward Simon was going to be fucking me in another moment. I started to pray but there was so much noise suddenly.

*********************************************

(POV/Brian)

I was confused by Danny's actions in wrapping Justin in his shirt until I remembered that Simon had only made him get rid of his knives; his lock picks, four inch long steel pins that were sharp enough to pierce through skin were still hidden in the deep cuffs of his tuxedo shirt. He was trying to give Justin some means of protection, which also meant that he was not going to go through with having sex with him.

Danny was going to sacrifice himself instead, I realized. I worked against the ropes that held me, trying even more frantically to get free as I next saw Danny become ill. At first, I hoped it was another act, that perhaps he was making himself ill to stall for time, but as it continued, I realized that he would not be damaging his throat so badly when he could have done something else if he were going to fake illness. Simon was pacing in an agitated fashion as Justin and the bodyguard tried to help Danny as best they could. At one point, even the bodyguard suggested that maybe a doctor was needed, but Simon shut him up with the pointed reminder that an outside doctor would want to know who caused the injuries to his patient.

Just when I was debating throwing myself through the window, chair and all, I heard the scrape of a key in the lock of the door behind me. A tall brunette with impossible purple streaks in her hair peeked in through the slightly cracked open door.

"Thank God, you're here. I've looked in almost every room in this frickin rabbit warren. Come on, we have to go save Mig's boy Picasso and the Angel guy! Oh, wait, you can't." With that, purple hair girl came into the room and flicked out a switchblade.

"Who the fuck are you?" I asked as she made short work of the ties. I staggered a bit as I stood up, my legs and arms were numb from being in the same position for so long.

"Cyprian...but you can call me Jenn. No time for more explanations now. There are some large men downstairs trying to get in and the doormen are keeping them out so far. Come on, I know you want to rush right in to the Playroom, but trust me, we need the back up, I've been biding my time for two hours now, hiding in a closet until the rest of the goons left. It's just Lorm and the three guys downstairs right now. The big guys who just showed up with George should be able to take them but we need to get down there now and show you to them, so hurry."

She was dragging me as she spoke. I didn't want to leave where Danny was, but watching through that window wasn't getting me any closer to him so I followed, going as fast as my numb legs would allow.

The girl Jenn took me down a back stair that led to the main showroom where a very disheveled looking John and Jamie, along with their cousin Dennis were arguing with three large guard types. Jamie was leaning against the wall, holding his side.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I was told that Mr. O'Keefe and Mr. Kinney left two hours ago to..."

"John, hurry...Danny's in trouble. Call for the police now," I called across the room. John swung a fist without waiting for another word as did Dennis. Jamie was busy dialing. I didn't see any sign of George or Miguel, which worried me, given Simon's earlier comments. Yet, I thought the girl had said that George was with them, so where was he?

Soon enough, we were heading to the room where Danny was being held. It was locked. Dennis and Jamie looked at each other, then with a silent communication, made ready to take down the door.

"Jamie..." John put out his hand as Jamie stood next to his cousin and they readied to slam into the door. "Let me, you're already hurt."

Jamie shook his head grimly and shrugged off the hand. "I have fifty pounds on you and there's no time. He's got Danny in there and Brian says Danny's in bad shape. I'll survive a door; Danny may not survive any delay. On three, Den, one, two, three."

Almost five hundred pounds of O'Keefe muscle and bone crashed into the door and it gave way. I went straight for Simon, who was bent over Danny on the bed. Dennis was caught up with two of the men from downstairs who'd followed us while John was busy with the blond bodyguard, Lorm. Jamie was bent over, bleeding from his side and I spared him only a glance. I was focused on pulling the monster away from Danny, who looked unconscious as he lay sprawled beneath the man who'd been preparing to violate him. I'd jumped over Justin, who was on the floor, looking like he'd just been tossed there. Perhaps he had been.

"Kinney, how did..."

I punched Simon in the face while he was still asking his question, and then hit him again even as the blood was spurting from my first blow. I had to grab his naked body to get a grip on him as he was completely undressed now, and the sight of his still erect cock, not even sheathed in a condom, infuriated me so much I kept slugging away at his face and stomach, then kicked him in the balls a few times until he collapsed to the floor screaming.

"Brian...Brian?"

Danny penetrated my red haze of fury I was in. His voice was rough, laced in pain and fear and instantly recalled me from my total focus on taking revenge on Simon. What the fuck was wrong with me? I needed to take care of Danny, I realized. A quick glance revealed that John was tying the Dane up while Dennis was cuffing the two guards he'd subdued and Jenn was helping Justin. I joined Jamie at the head of the bed to check on Danny.

"Kiddo, you okay?" I asked as I sat next to him gingerly, looking at Jamie who was examining him slowly, his expression unusually grim.

"Peachy," he rasped as his hand reached for mine. His torso was a mass of bruises. Up close I could see just how bad they were and it was far worse than I had been able to tell from the viewing room I'd been in. I suspected he had some cracked or broken ribs and he'd be lucky if there was no damage to his kidneys based on the dark bruising in that area.

"Where does it hurt, Danny?" Jamie's voice was gentle for once, which fact alone was worrisome.

"Everywhere." Danny answered with a ghost of his old smile. "I knew you guys would rescue me. Thanks. 'Fraid I have another concussion though. Head hurts...real bad, Jamie."

"Okay, we'll take care of it, Danny boy, you lie still. I think you cracked a few ribs here too. But your head is hard, it'll be okay...you've been puking, I'm guessing, it smells like it," Jamie teased as he felt along Danny's ribs and abdomen, and for once Danny didn't object to the nickname. Jamie frowned repeatedly when Danny gasped in pain as he pressed down in certain areas. He called over to Dennis and met him by the door to ask him to go downstairs and see if he could hurry the ambulance. The two men had a low voiced conversation while I stroked Danny's hair. John walked over to join them. John then came over to tell me that he and Dennis were taking the men to another room to lock them away for safekeeping until the police got there while Jamie was the one to go check on the ambulance again. Jenn took Justin away to clean him up and get him dressed.

"We'll be back for Simon...I don't feel like carrying a naked old bloody guy at the moment...man, did you do a number on him," Dennis commented as he threw one of the unconscious guards over his shoulder and led the other, conscious one out in front of him. I turned back to massaging Danny's head. He gave a weak smile.

"Feels good...was worried about you, Bri...you okay?"

"I'm fine. You rest your voice, we'll talk later." I bent down and kissed him gently.

He smiled again faintly. "I smell like puke again. Sorry."

"I'll put up with it...Danny...I'm so sorry...." I didn't know how to begin to apologize for not protecting him, for what Justin had done to him, for all that had happened.

"Shh, talk later, it's over now," he whispered, his thumb stroking my palm.

"No, it's not. It's never going to be over for us, Danny. You belong to me and you always will." The cold voice from behind me sent a chill through me. I had thought he was unconscious. I had thought wrong.

I felt as though a block of ice had just settled in my chest. I looked up from Danny's beautiful face and turning, saw across the room where Edward Simon stood, having managed to crawl to a table and pull out a gun, which he was pointing directly at Danny.

Simon looked me in the eye.

"If I can't have him, there is no way I'll let you have him either, Kinney. Surely you realize that now? He belongs to me, not you. He was always supposed to be mine. It was bad enough that you took what should have been mine, but I could have forgiven that, after all, I took Justin away from you. I made him mine in ways that he was never yours. But you've ruined everything now. George is gone, and Danny isn't the same anymore...and Justin isn't the same...you've fucked it all up! I need George to make it all right and he's gone! So Danny and I will join him and you'll be the lonely one."

The madness was clear in his eyes now. I searched for some words to calm him down, or at least to shift his focus...and his aim... away from Danny.

"Put down the gun, Simon, and let's talk." I measured the distance between him and Danny, cursing to myself that I was on the wrong side of the bed. All I could think to do was to throw myself over Danny and protect him from any shot, but that wouldn't necessarily spare him damage from a bullet that could pass through me. The gun looked like a large one, although I was admittedly ignorant of firearms.

Danny's eyes were wide with concern, but he had his hand pressed against my chest.

"No," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. He'd guessed my intent and was struggling to move away from me.

"Danny, stay."

"Don't move or I'll shoot now," Simon warned, his voice high pitched and bordering on hysterical. He didn't notice the door opening behind him. I moved my gaze down to Danny quickly so as not to give anything away. His eyes were fixed on Simon, but I knew he saw George edging his way silently closer as he stopped his struggle to move away from me. He was perfectly still, barely breathing.

"Let me get some pants on at least, Edward," he asked, his voice a rough whisper. "I'd hate to die naked. Please, the pictures would be so mortifying for both our families, can you do that for me at least?"

He was good. I'd never fully appreciated what an accomplished actor he was since his dancing and singing eclipsed that talent. But at that moment, as he tried to keep Simon focused on him, while George crept up on the madman, there was no trace of hope in his voice and he sounded perfectly resigned to his fate. If I didn't see George behind Simon with a nasty looking knife poised, I would be desperate to do something to forestall the ending Danny seemed to see as a forgone conclusion. But I knew how much faith he had in the white haired man. Almost as much as he'd always had in his brother Luke. One of the reasons he was so willing to come up here was because he was sure that somehow, some way, George would protect him. George was late to the mark, but he was here now, and from the look of determination on his weary face, he was determined that Danny would survive this encounter. He was mere feet from striking distance.

John came back into the room just as Simon pointed for me to retrieve Danny's tuxedo pants.

"What the fuck! How did Simon get a...George!"

George sprang as I dove over Danny's body to shield it as much as possible. A shot rang out, then a second one. I felt a sharp stinging pain along my side as I pulled Danny down and over to the floor on the far side of the bed, away from Simon and his gun. John, crazy man that he was, rushed toward the two struggling older men as Jamie and Dennis followed him into the room. Jamie looked over toward the others then kneeled by us.

Danny was limp in my arms, but appeared to have been unhit. His eyes were closed in his white face.

"Danny, Danny...he's not answering," I told Jamie rather stupidly. Jamie shone a light in his eyes and listened to his heart for a second, having found a medical bag from somewhere.

"He's unconscious but relatively stable. Let me see you." I tried to pull away from him impatiently but even as beat up as he was, his strength was too much for me. He looked at my side and relaxed a bit.

"Thank God for small favors...bullet just nicked your rib and was deflected. Small caliber. It probably would have gone right into Danny though if it hadn't hit you, so you saved him. He's not in any shape to take any more insults to that body of his. God only knows what they did to him, besides what looks to have been a brutal beating and the obvious assault by Simon, which we were able to stop before it went very far. He's been drugged, I suspect, he'd have to have been, for anyone to have given him such a beating, that's clear. I also suspect a head injury...do you know any more? The fucking ambulance is delayed due to an accident so they're sending a copter. Apparently there is a heliport on the roof of this place for Simon's use. Den got clearance based on Danny's condition to get him airlifted to the nearest trauma unit. Looks like we have a second unit needed. Fuck it if I let them take Simon first though."

Simon? Looking over I could see that Simon was down on the ground, bleeding heavily from a knife wound. Dennis was holding something to it, trying half-heartedly to staunch the bleeding while he looked over at John and his patient. John had George, who was down as well, and looked like he was bleeding from more than one place, the worst being what looked like a fresh gunshot wound to the chest. Fuck.

"Jamie, go help over there if you think you can leave Danny with me. I think it's going to be important to him that the white haired man over there survive." I looked up at the big man who nodded grimly.

"He already took a lot of damage earlier. I didn't think he'd be able to stand when we got here so wasn't surprised when he disappeared. He said he had something to take care of before he could meet up with us. Talk about showing up in the nick of time."

Jamie listened to Danny's heart one last time and with a worried look, picked his brother up and placed him gently on some blankets and pillows he'd pulled from shelves that stood next to the bed, pointedly deciding with a shake of his head against placing him back on the site of his assault. Just then, John called urgently for him to come over and help with George. Leaving me with Danny, he hurried over.

"Bri, you there?" The rough whisper was hard to hear. I stretched out next to Danny and held him as close as I could without putting too much pressure on his battered body.

"Yeah, kiddo, I'm right here. You're going to be okay. Just hang on tight. We're going to get you to a hospital."

"George...you...there was a gun...did anyone get shot?" He moved in my arms, agitated. I tried to soothe him.

"Yeah, but nothing serious." I looked over at the three large O'Keefe men working on George, Jamie directing the activity now in a low voice, with Simon left unattended but restrained this time, no chances being taken. It didn't look good for George, but Danny didn't need to know that.

"Yeah, we're okay. Just some superficial wounds, and George took some injuries earlier. Jamie is taking care of him now. Simon is hurt too but I'm guessing we can all cope with that." I said that last bit in my snarkiest voice, trying to distract him.

"Need George...need to see him," Danny rasped, making an effort to pull out of my grasp. He was weaker than I'd ever seen him.

"You need pants too, but some things have to wait a little bit, okay?" I kissed him gently and stroked his hair away from his face in the way I knew he found soothing. I could see the pulse in his neck jumping whereas before it was barely moving. The drug Justin gave him must have been a variation on what he'd had the night Miguel had called us up here to deal with him, only Danny didn't seem to be all that horny, no doubt due to the pain he was in. One minute he was barely conscious and the next his body seemed to be jumping.

"Your face...all swollen...I can tell, Edward did it...his ring...left mark on your cheek...where were you? Couldn't find you...." His eyes were open a crack again and I could see slivers of green through the lashes.

"Great, my cheek will match your cheek," I joked but he only grimaced and tried to raise his hand up to touch the swollen area. I'd be lucky if I didn't have a broken nose again, and I could see where the cheek was swollen up on the left. Maybe it was finally time for that nose job. I took a deep breath through my mouth and bent closer to whisper in his ear.

"Danny, I saw pretty much the whole thing. Simon had me tied up in some kind of room overlooking this one. I'm so sorry I couldn't get to you, to help you. I wanted to, I heard it all, saw what happened, from the moment Justin..." I couldn't speak for a moment.

Danny managed to pull my hand away from his hair and looked at my wrist. It was raw and bleeding from where I'd been tied to the chair for the two hours or so that Simon had played his sick games. I blinked away the moisture from my eyes as my battered lover moved my wrist to his lips and kissed it slowly, then looked at me through his narrowed eyes.

"Sorry is bullshit...someone told me that. Kiss other wrist but...tired...do it later...."

He closed his eyes again. Fuck, his chest wasn't moving.

"Jamie...need you over here...now!" I yelled across the room frantically as I pressed my ear to Danny's chest and willed that slight beat to grow stronger again.

*********************************************

(POV/John)

As I watched Jamie work frantically to save George's life, I cursed myself for losing it when I'd entered the room and I'd seen Simon holding the gun on my baby brother. George was a rock, but he'd lost a hell of a lot of blood and he was almost fifty years old. His heart had stopped once already but between the three of us we were able to get it going again. I ignored the statistics my mind was bringing to the fore of how often CPR was ultimately fruitless...the recipient survives long enough to die later at the hospital. George was tough and we wouldn't let him die. Danny would never forgive us if we did. I also ignored the voice inside me that was suggesting that George had never intended to survive this battle. There had been something fatalistic about the man when he separated from us downstairs. He'd slipped me a thick envelope, with the terse comment that I was to look at it when "this was all over" but he was gone before I could say a word. I had a pretty good idea what the papers were, and it didn't bode well for a happy ending to tonight.

Thank God Jamie had found a fully equipt medical bag, no doubt George's own, and had used it to patch up what he could of the man's wounds, as well as Brian's gunshot wound and even Simon...the bastard. I would have let him bleed to death. I guess as a doctor, Jamie was bound to do something for him. Dennis had gotten word that the medi-copter was only minutes away...finally...so he went to the roof with one of the few cooperative employees and a beat cop who'd made it to the building and was going to lead them down to us. Two other cops were keeping watch over the goons Simon employed. Taylor was still with that girl...thank God for her too. She had him dressed and was standing guard over him like a mother tiger with a cub in a corner of the room. She was watching everything carefully. Taylor seemed to be in shock but quite frankly, he was the least of my worries.

"John...must talk to you."

I looked down at George. He was gray with exhaustion and pain. I glanced at Jamie for guidance.

"Better see what he wants, he won't rest till he tells you probably, but try to make it quick...he needs to take it as easy as possible. He's stable for the moment, but you know..." He didn't finish the sentence. There was no need to; death was written on the man's face. Despite that, a smile ghosted over his patrician features. His gray eyes flicked up at Jamie as he struggled to talk.

"Doctor...there is...a needle and...small vial in...pocket...antidote...give Danny... subcue...150...important...."

Jamie looked doubtful.

"After tests," he suggested.

Irritation flashed on the older man's face.

"Too late then...give now...heart could stop...coma...like...other boy...worked on this...just in case. Must give to him....migraine med....counteragent....please...for...Luke."

Jamie looked at me shocked. I searched the man's pockets with shaking hands, avoiding Jamie's gaze, until I came upon the needle and vial that he spoke of. I looked at him then.

"There's no time to explain now...just, you can trust him, okay? If he says this is safe to give Danny, it is, and if..." There was no time to say more, as just then Brian started yelling for Jamie. Fuck, Danny was worse. Jamie grabbed the needle and bottle and was over to our brother in a second. George's clutching hand stopped me from joining him. Within a minute of the injection being given, I could see Danny's breathing pick up and Brian leaning weakly against Jamie in relief. Damn, I wish that helicopter would land. I could faintly hear noises that I thought might be it. George was talking again.

"He'll be okay...medicine will work...promise. Not much time...must tell you...Briana..."

I thought I could guess what he wanted to tell me about Briana. I'd guessed Angel's secret years ago, but thought it might give the man a measure of peace to confess. Still, his next words surprised me.

"Didn't know...thought...Edward's. He found out...last summer. I learned... today. Birthdate...Luke lied, Danny...Angel too...she and I...one time...after Stephen...it was...comfort. I would have protected her...Danny...more. If I knew."

The pain in his face was more than physical at this point. Ah, Angel, the trouble you caused, I thought. Yet, I thought I knew why she didn't tell this secret. How do you tell the older brother you worship that you slept with his lover? Especially when he was buried so far into the closet that no one other than the two of us in our extremely close family had ever, to my knowledge, ever even guessed his secret. I suspected because of the nature of legal matters he entrusted to me and he'd let slip a few comments when discussing Danny and our father that confirmed my suspicions. Angel filled in the rest of the blanks when I visited her once and questioned why she and Danny trusted George so much. He'd met Luke before the first Gulf War when our brother was in the Special Forces. It was after his divorce. The Englishman was a higher ranking medical officer and I think he was assigned to protect him or something during some joint project. I never got the whole story; the two of them were like fire and ice, to hear Angel tell it, but something closer than a deep friendship ultimately developed according to her. Whatever it was, it sealed her lips when it came to revealing Briana's paternity, so that even Luke, using all the considerable intimidation he was capable of, could not get the name from her, although he'd been satisfied the child's father wasn't Simon. He fully intended to pursue it further when he came back from his mission in Afghanistan...but he never did. He left his good friend George to watch over the child and his two young siblings, confident in the man's ability to keep them both safe.

"It isn't important now, George, you must stay calm, conserve your strength...Danny still needs you, Briana needs you."

"Briana needs...Danny. He is...good father. Keep them safe, John. Keep my family away. Left instructions. Will. Unentailed estate...the two of them. You'll handle. Heir is cousin...Nathaniel, he gets...rest."

He closed his eyes. I bowed my head. The paramedics rushed into the room. They started their triage, and wanted to take Simon first, on the basis that George wasn't stable enough yet for the flight and Danny was stable enough to wait. Brian and Jamie made it clear to them that Danny was to go first, and insisted that they take George and Danny together.

"Wait," the thready voice of the man at my knees whispered. "Not me...Brian and Danny first."

I stood up, guided by some instinct I didn't quite understand.

"You'll take the two young men first, Brian Kinney who was shot by this other man, and my brother, Danny O'Keefe who was beaten and drugged with an unknown substance and could code at any moment. I don't care what determinations you think you want to make, the innocent victims of the criminal attack will be taken ahead of the attacker. We shall move the other two to the roof and await the second copter. Stop arguing over it and get a move on."

"You'll take responsibility if that man there is harmed by delay?" the one medic asked, indicating Simon.

"I'll take the credit with pleasure," I assured him. "Now get moving."

We followed them to the roof. Danny and Brian were loaded onto the first helicopter, and I insisted that Jamie go with them. Dennis stayed below with Justin and Jenn once we had George carried to the roof as well, to ensure the kids' safety and make sure nothing happened with so many of those guards bound and waiting for more police. There had been a major traffic accident a few blocks away and it was preventing aid from getting to us apparently. Simon had certainly had the devil's own luck this evening. He would have prevailed, but for George, who'd turned the tide our way at every crossroad...and the unexpected help from the girl Jenn, or Cyprian, as she liked to call herself, who'd been put in place by Miguel months ago. Indeed, Miguel himself was an unexpected wrench in what was looking more and more like a long planned, and convoluted plot by Simon. Simon had thought he'd isolated Justin from anyone who would help him, and was furious enough when he discovered Miguel's existence, to plan for his hit rather rashly. In that, he hadn't counted on Miguel having planted a spy in the gallery months ago just in case she was ever needed, a long-sighted move very much like one of Simon's own. Jenn had hidden herself in the gallery and waited when she heard Lorm dismiss all the other normal workers, guessing that something was planned for tonight. The fact that Miguel couldn't be reached only added to her suspicion that the shit had hit the fan. Once the place cleared out and Lorm and Simon entered the room with Danny, she worked on locating Brian, whom she'd last seen being taken away by Simon.

Brave girl. I wasn't sure how happy I would have been if a child of mine had taken such risks in the lair of a madman, I was barely holding back a breakdown in the face of the fact that my youngest brother had almost died at that madman's hands, but there was no time for indulging in one now so I reined in my emotions, as usual, and focused on the second helicopter that was landing.

I was concentrating so hard on the copter, I didn't notice the man come up behind me until I felt a gun press into my back.

"Don't make a sound," a deep voice growled. I barely held back in time the reflexive move that would have disarmed the gunman, a move taught to me over two decades ago by the very man holding the gun on me now. Thank God he never completely lost his telltale accent, or the revealing fact that few men spoke from a height five inches above my own six foot four. Somehow, I wasn't surprised. Luke was always larger than life and the idea that a mere sniper's bullet could put an end to someone as vital as him, and leave his powerful body to rot on a mountainside in Afghanistan just never struck me as believable. Stupid, I knew. People died in wars all the time. But Luke had always seemed invincible. Now, as I felt the warmth of his tall, spare body behind me, I was transported back to our childhood and it was all so easy to pretend that this nightmare had just been one of his elaborate spy games. I was now captured, and doing his chores for a week was the worst penalty I would have to incur in that world; sisters and brothers didn't die back then and I didn't have to fight for their lives for real against bad guys with real guns and knives. Despite my best efforts to comply with his order, I was unable to hold back a sob.

"Ah lad, we don't cry. What would Dad say to one of his boys crying over a little spilled blood and some bruises? The little one will be fine, he is the toughest of the lot of you...takes after Mama, he does. And you can't tell me you're crying because I'm here with you, you who didn't cry when you thought I was dead...I know these things, you made me proud, you and Danny did, how you held together. Ah now, lad."

I was pulled into the strongest arms I'd ever felt while I cried out the stress of the past several hours. It was ironic that the two strongest men in my family were the two homosexual sons of Patrick O'Keefe, not that my father ever knew about this one. It would have killed him, I think, for his "war hero" son to have been one of those "fairy boys." Luke left for war, and never came back home to stay. He dated lots of women and even married briefly, offering no reason for his divorce other than that it didn't work out for him. His ex-wife, a lovely woman, still sent the family cards at holidays and, to my knowledge, mourned his death like a widow. His military benefits went to her as he'd never changed his beneficiary forms. Other items were tied up in a trust he created before he left on his last mission, a strange arrangement which gave me pause after the news of his disappearance reached us. Missing in action is such an unsatisfying non-conclusion. No body ever found, presumed dead. When Angel and dad died and Luke didn't show up, even Danny gave up hope of a miracle. Yet, here Luke was, tonight of all times to rise from the dead.

If I weren't so happy to know he was alive, I could kill him.

As soon as I composed myself, I lifted my head and looked at him accusingly. His hair was liberally mixed with white, but long like Danny's, which was a shock, since he'd always kept it cropped in an army style buzz cut. He had it back in a pony tail. He looked like a throwback to the sixties, with little wire rim glasses and a beard and mustache, also salt and pepper. Despite the white in his beard and hair, his eyes were as bright and young looking as ever in his tanned, lined face, while the body that held me felt rock hard with muscle. He was four years older than me, but at forty-three, he looked both years older and younger at the same time. It was almost as though he were wearing a disguise of an old man's hair and beard...which wasn't beyond the realm of possibility, I realized. He caught me staring at the hair and laughed.

"Ah, 'tis mine. Think this is what the baby will look like in another sixteen years, all black and white in his pretty curls? Not him, I'm thinkin', he'd dye it before he'd let the gray show, but there aren't many fancy hair salons where I've been staying. We haven't long, Johnny, good as 'tis to see you, but I need to get Linton, well, I guess you know him as George, to help, and soon. He's a tough one but not invincible like yours truly."

Luke gave me his insouciant grin, but there was an edge of worry to it, and always, that element of danger that seemed to overlay everything Luke did or said since he reached adulthood.

"What about him?"

I indicated Simon, where he rested on a stretcher, an attendant by his side. Luke's expression hardened.

"I told Simon what would happen if he ever dared to touch our Danny again. I wasn't sure about Angel; Linton convinced me she may have caused her own death, but this was completely Simon's doing. He knew what the consequences would be, which is why he tried to kill Linton earlier tonight. Even with me gone, he knew Linton wouldn't let him harm Danny. He fully intended to take Danny away with him if he could. This wasn't going to be some one of. He wanted to bloody own Danny. As his sex toy. He had a chartered plane ready to take them to Denmark, you know. He was kidnapping the boy for good this time. He is going to die."

"Luke, you can't..."

I stopped my objection as he turned to look at me coldly. There were people around, a second helicopter was landing, but I knew from that cold stare that Luke had his plan fully made to end Simon's life. I also knew that whatever he planned, it would present no risk to me; that was the way Luke did things. He kept his family safe, and he took any threat to us, especially us younger ones, as a personal affront. I was bitter enough to wish he had seen fit to arrive a day earlier and spare Danny and Jamie a lot of pain, not to mention Brian and myself. He must have seen something of that in my face.

"I dinnae plan it this way, Johnny lad. I never would have wanted you hurt and worried like you've been, or the young ones so hurt. I was delayed. I almost dinnae make it. Forgive me, please. A ghost soldier doesn't always have full control over the favors he is calling in to work this type of personal mission. Even now, I'm flying by the seat of my pants, I am, but I've got all the contingencies, as you would call them, covered, I'm thinking, so you'll be safe. Simon won't be troubling you any more...and Linton, well, Linton will have to be gone too. He will 'die' like I've died, if you understand."

"Wait, what do you mean, aren't you back now?" I felt as though my head were swimming. I grabbed his arm. "You're not going to..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

"No!" He actually looked shocked for once. "I thought you understood about Linton Main and myself." I nodded slowly and he smiled ruefully. "I'm not as brave as Danny. I'm going to see him made well, then we'll go back to where I've been. He has some atonement to work off. He stayed here before because he couldn't forgive himself for what he'd done. I'm thinking that I can provide him with plenty of more worthy young people who need his help, old people too, where I've been working for the past couple of years. It won't matter whether he has a license, what will matter will be his skill, and he has plenty of that."

"What about us, your family?" I sounded like a child as I asked the question even as I knew the answer. His raised eyebrow as his light green eyes looked deep into my own told me he knew that I understood, but he humored me with answering anyway.

"You know better than any of the others, Johnny, that there is no place for me here. I'm not needed in Pittsburgh, but at least my memory serves a purpose...and I kind of like that. I don't have the kind of courage Danny had, to brave them all. Hell, I didn't even have the courage ever to tell him, and I let him confess to me that he liked men while I kept silent. All I could do was teach him how to protect himself from stronger men and let him wonder how I knew so much of what he needed to know. I let Brian Kinney give him the rest of the details about the life. I could face death, but not shame or being ostracized. Now, I work with children in the hill villages in the country where I 'died'...my own atonement for a lifetime of war and hypocrisy. I have peace finally. If Linton gets well, maybe I'll even have love. But I left this job unfinished in my old life, so this old soldier had one more appearance to make. It would be helpful if you would say that you saw Linton loaded onto the copter too, but if you can't, I'll make do without that. Either way, that copter is going to get lost over the harbor and crash. The pilot and attendant will be okay, don't worry, they're both excellent night jumpers, but the buckles that held them and Linton will be found to be defective if the wreckage is ever found and their bodies presumed to have washed away. Simon's body will be the only one ever found in it. And he won't be alive...his neck will have broken, most likely in the crash I'm thinking."

I knew that nothing so important as Simon's non-survival would be left to chance. I agreed to be a witness to the loading of the helicopter, in exchange for the promise of one letter a year, minimum. It was a harsh life my ghost soldier brother had chosen for his atonement. I wanted to have some idea of when he had joined our parents in heaven for real.

"You still drive a tough bargain, O'Keefe," he grinned. "Next to the little one, you're the best. But it's a deal."

With a smile, he gave me a last hard hug, then bent and picked up his lover as though he weighed no more than a child and disappeared into the shadows of the roof. The other attendants had already been dismissed by the pilot. I stayed and watched the second helicopter take off; after a moment, it veered off in the opposite direction from that taken by the other copter. Edward Simon wouldn't notice. He was already dead. I turned and headed downstairs to find Dennis and the others and head to the hospital. It would be time to start giving statements to the police as well. I needed some coffee. It would be a long night.

*********************************************

(New York City in Brian and Danny's Hotel Suite; Sunday Afternoon; POV/Brian)

I left Danny sleeping in the bedroom and went to join the crowd that had gathered in the living room of the suite. In addition to John, Jamie and Daphne, who were sharing the suite with us, Emmett, Hunter and Brandon had crashed in the living room last night, coming up yesterday to visit Danny in the hospital. Some of them were still at the hospital now, visiting Miguel. He was still there, and from the sounds of it, was lucky to have survived. The doctors were crediting the amazing emergency work done at the scene of the attack by Jamie and George. He would be okay and was expected to make a full recovery. Juan was over there as well, visiting, along with Emmett and John. They were going in shifts to visit and promised to bring Jenn, "the Cyprian" back later for us to treat to dinner while Jamie and Daphne took a turn visiting.

Danny had just been discharged a few hours ago and was sleeping again, which Jamie assured us was the best thing for him. Between his bodily injuries and his deep grief over George's death in the freak helicopter crash that ended Friday's nightmare, he hadn't said much over the past two days. I couldn't get over how lucky we were that Danny hadn't been in that second copter instead of Simon. We were so lucky John had put his foot down and insisted Danny and I go first, and together. Somehow the second copter had taken a wrong turn and gotten lost over the water, rather like JFK, Jr.'s plane reportedly had done, and it had taken a dive straight down into the harbor. The wreckage still hadn't been located as there had been two days of rain since, but the Coast Guard held out no hope of survivors. Good riddance to Simon, but I hoped George Main, the Viscount of Linton, as he turned out to be, died painlessly. The loss was wrenching to Danny, and was making his guilt over this whole episode that much more difficult for him. The fact that the damage to his throat made it impossible for him to talk about any of it didn't help.

Looking around the room, I saw that Jen Taylor was there too. Great, just what we needed. I liked Jen a lot, but I really wasn't in the mood for family time at the moment. How did our suite become rehash central, I wondered. Looking further, I noticed that Justin was hiding next to Daphne. Ah, that explained Jen's presence, when she normally would be too well bred to intrude. He must have been discharged from the hospital as well. He'd been admitted at Jamie's suggestion for "evaluation," detoxification really, and had nowhere else to go. Jen probably was there to convince him to go with her...wherever. To the hotel she'd reserved for her visit to his show that now wasn't, or back home to Pittsburgh if she really got her way. Simon's property was surrounded by yellow police tape; not the place for a young gai boi to be staying, all things considered. Certainly not in his mommy's opinion. Not even in his old boyfriend's opinion, if he were to ask me, which he probably wouldn't. Not Justin; no, he would just move in with me again and hope I wouldn't object.

I would object. The last thing Danny needed was Justin staying in our living room while he regained the strength to travel back home. From the look on his face, Jamie agreed. His glower couldn't have gotten any more apparent. Justin looked pretty pathetic, with the side of his face swollen and purple, and one eye almost closed. My nose had been set in the hospital and the plastic surgeon had drained the swollen cheek while he had me under so I actually looked better than Justin, with just a small splint on my nose. There wasn't even any bruising under my eyes. I made sure to get the guy's card as he did great work. There was no trace of Simon's ring mark on my cheek either, just a thin line where he'd worked some kind of magic. He assured me that even that mark would disappear in a matter of weeks; all I had to do was stay away from the tanning booth for a few weeks. I was going to make sure Danny got that damned scar removed from his ass finally. It could be his Christmas present to me.

"Well, all this little wake needs is..." There was a hard rap on the door and a shrill voice could be heard from the hallway.

"Asshole, you in there? Open up!"

"Well, as I was saying..." With a heavy sigh, I walked over and opened the door to Debbie and Carl. She pushed her way past me as Carl shook my hand and mumbled an apology.

"I'm sorry to intrude, Brian, but we got up here late yesterday and went over to the hospital this morning, as soon as she found out from Emmett that the boys were discharged and here..."

He handed me two carryall bags of food. I refrained from asking what the fuck I was supposed to do with all this food while staying in a hotel. In actuality, Em probably would find a way to fix it, and there was a kitchenette. Since I didn't want to give Debbie the opening for offering to prepare it, I simply called thank you over to where she was fussing over her "Sunshine." She waved a hand at me in acknowledgement.

"Oh my God, look at you, Sunshine, what happened to you? That monster! Your beautiful face! Jennifer, I don't know how you aren't crying...did you see these bruises on his arms?"

In true Debbie fashion, she'd pushed up the sleeves of the kid's t-shirt after seeing him wince as she hugged him and the dark purple bruises on his upper arms stood out in harsh relief against his pale skin. Jen Taylor made a sobbing noise as Daphne matter of factly, God bless the girl, pulled Justin back and straightened his shirt.

"Justin got knocked around a bit but he's going to be fine, Debbie. He's really very lucky."

"Lucky? You call that lucky? Someone man-handled the poor baby, some monster! And Brian, where were you? I thought you and Mr. Black Belt came up here to rescue him? He looks all battered, the baby, and you just have a sticky tape over that beak of yours? This big oaf of Daphne's looks fine and where is...there he is...why he looks as perfect as ever! What do you have to say for yourself, you and your plans to beard the lion in his den?"

Danny was leaning in the doorway of the bedroom, staring at Justin's arms, his face a handsome mask. Debbie was right, to some extent. Simon had given strict orders to the Dane not to touch Danny's face, so with the soft suede zip up jacket and black sweatpants that he was wearing, there was no visible sign of the terrible beating he took. His long hair was covering the dark marks around his throat, even, so he simply stood there silently and listened while Debbie berated him. I waited for Justin to speak up and explain how Danny had fought desperately to save him from the huge bodyguard, but his bright blond head was bowed. He didn't say a word.

Debbie looked around.

"What is wrong with you people? Isn't anyone going to tell me what went on here?"

Danny spoke, his voice still very harsh and rasping, and in fact, he wasn't supposed to be talking at all according to the doctors.

"I'm not sure...I'm somewhat confused about that night...but I think I made the marks on Justin's arms."

"What!" Debbie screeched the word more than said it. The others who didn't already know from my telling them had varying reactions, Jen and Carl especially looked shocked, Brandon and Hunter looked approving although somewhat surprised, while Jamie and Daphne looked upset, for Danny or with Justin, it was hard to tell which, maybe both. Justin looked up at Danny finally, his eyes guilty but he still said nothing.

As several voices started talking, asking variations on the theme of "why," I headed over to Danny. So did Debbie, unfortunately, hand raised to deliver one of her infamous slaps.

"Well, I may not be a black belt, but I'm more than a match for your weight, pretty boy, try taking me on," she said pulling her arm back and aiming for his head. I moved forward quickly to catch it as he showed no signs of even ducking.

"Fuck, Debbie, the last thing he needs is another blow to his head. Touch him and you are out of here, got that?" I delivered my threat in my calmest, most serious voice. She was upset, I knew that, but she could not be permitted to hit Danny. I pushed Debbie over toward Carl.

"Please keep her restrained until she hears the truth," I told the retired cop, who nodded. I next looked at Justin. "Do you want to tell them or will I have to do it?"

Justin just looked at me helplessly, eyes pleading with me to let him off the hook. Danny was slumping against the doorframe at this point. Jamie stood up with an exclamation and strode over to where Danny was. He put an arm around his brother to support him as he glared at me.

"Brian, this is fucked up. If you don't tell these people what happened right now, I'll show them. You don't think Danny tried to help Justin, Mrs.Novotny? He almost died trying, thanks to your little Sunshine drugging him so he couldn't even defend himself, much less Justin. Take a look at this."

With that, he pulled the zipper down on Danny's jacket, ignoring his brother's groan of protest and pain. The move revealed that his chest was covered in deep purple and black marks; there was literally no area of normal, unbruised skin left on his torso. Jamie lifted away his hair and showed the line where his throat had been compressed.

"His whole body is like this. Danny merely gripped Justin's arms when Justin was trying to seduce him and wouldn't take him to Brian...when Justin was playing Simon's game and landed them both in Simon's clutches. Yet, Danny's injuries were sustained protecting Justin from a beating. He could have sat back and waited, conserving his strength to fight Simon. John and I were on our way. Don't worry Danny, I'm not giving them any more details of what was done to you, but bottom line, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Novotny, my brother laid his own life on the line for that selfish little prick and Justin hasn't even been man enough to thank him, or apologize since they've gotten away. Another man lost his life saving them, and one more is still in the hospital, and the only thing that happened to Justin was a slap to the face from his psychotic boyfriend, oh, and being shaken by Danny. I think he should be on his knees thanking Danny and Miguel for rescuing him from a madman."

Justin's tears were falling freely, as were those of the women in the room. I reached out for Danny who, after pressing his brother's shoulder and giving him a half smile, took the step over to me and leaned against me stiffly. He closed his eyes briefly, as he tried to zip his jacket back up. I brushed his fingers away and did it for him then leaned him back against me, supporting his weight as much as I could while we both stood. I got the feeling he wanted to handle this while on his feet if he could. His heart was beating fast. I rubbed his back comfortingly. As much as Jamie's wish to support him was understandable, Danny didn't need a scene right now.

"Danny...I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry, for everything." Jen Taylor was first to break the silence. Danny shook his head and looked at me helplessly, pointing to his throat. He gave Jamie a look which clearly said for him to shut up.

"Jen, it's okay. Danny wanted this thing resolved with Simon and he wanted to help Justin too. He never wanted Justin hurt and would never have shown you his injuries, but the truth is, as Jamie just pointed out to you in his own tactful way, no one escaped unscathed, certainly not Danny. He can't talk due to the injury to his larynx, at least he shouldn't talk, or he could do permanent damage to his voice. He also lost a very good friend Friday night so the whole thing is rather distressing, for him and I'm sure for Justin, so this isn't the best time to be rehashing it, do you understand, Debbie? Can we just table it for now? Please accept that Danny did everything he could, and believe it or not, so did I, and so did Jamie. Jamie isn't saying anything, but he has his own collection of knife wounds and bruises under his clothes."

"And Brian was beaten and shot, so they're all the walking wounded. Blondie's bruises wouldn't even get an honorable mention if we were to talley the battle scars up," Hunter piped in. Trust the littlest hustler to get the last word in.

"I'm worthless, they all got that, okay?" Justin finally spoke up. His face was still damp with tears. I didn't know what to say. No, you're not worthless, even though you're still acting like a brat and you drugged my lover and almost got him killed? Our eyes met, his pleading and mine expressionless. I refused to let him manipulate me again.

It was Danny's croaking voice this time that broke the silence.

"I remember now. Justin did help me...tried to pull Edward away...just before you got there...he got thrown to the floor...but that extra distraction helped....a lot. Saved my ass."

Danny gave Justin his beautiful, full, double dimpled smile, and Justin looked dumb-struck.

As Danny rested his head back on my shoulder, Justin looked at me with understanding in his eyes. I think he was finally getting it...that I had moved on, just the way we both had planned. Danny's words, absolving Justin somewhat, made it easier for Debbie and Jen, at least, to move on to another topic. They started bustling around getting food out of the bags for everyone. Daphne insisted that Danny lie down on the chaise, which he agreed to do if I would lie down next to him, or beneath him, holding him between my legs, resting back against my chest.

After Hunter brought him a piece of chocolate cake, which was soft and moist enough to pose no problem for his tender throat. In fact, it seemed likely that Debbie would set aside the entire cake for her new favorite once she saw the look of delight on his face as he took a bite. His thinness was a personal challenge to her. Knowing that the drug left him with very little recollection of that night, just flashes of memory, I whispered in his ear.

"Did that really happen with Justin?"

Green eyes looked back at me, then looked around the room, where Jamie was now talking civilly to Justin and Carl by the television set, Daphne on his knee. Brandon was teasing Jen and making her smile while Hunter was standing guard, keeping his grandmother away from Danny and me by engaging her in a discussion of his private life.

He smiled softly. "It could have."

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