Chapter 10

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Brian made sure the Taylor family got safely back to Dee's apartment. Once they were there, Brian told them to stay put. They were not to go out and they were to make sure that the door was locked and the security chain was on. The only people they could let in were Brian, Justin, Dee or Emmett.

While Justin was calming his mother and sister, and making sure they would follow the instructions, Brian made a phone call. When that was complete he told Justin that he was going out for a while. Justin, of course, didn't want Brian to leave. They all felt much safer with Brian there. However, Brian was not going to be deterred. He told Justin to make dinner for them all and he would be back by the time it was ready. He left Justin and his mother fighting over who was going to do the cooking.

Molly locked the door behind Brian and watched her mother and Justin dragging pots and pans out of the cupboard and food out of the fridge. She sat down on the sofa and let out a long sigh. It had been scary when her father grabbed her. She knew he could be mean, but he had never really hurt her. He mostly picked on Justin, and lately her mother. She didn't know where she found the strength to get away from him, but she was proud that she had managed it. She was never going back to that hick town where they made fun of her brother and were scared of her father. Several girls had approached her at school that morning wanting to know who the great looking guy was who had dropped her off and kissed her. She was tempted to tell them that he was her boyfriend, but she knew that might get Brian into trouble, so she just called him a friend. The girls had been very impressed and had invited her to eat lunch with them. This new school might not be so bad after all.

Brian walked out of the apartment building. He looked up and down the street scanning the parked vehicles for a red pickup. He didn't see anything that remotely looked like that. That was good, but it was also bad, because it meant that they didn't know where Craig Taylor was, just that he was in Pittsburgh. He could be anywhere, hiding and watching. Brian knew he had to do something about that.

With firm resolve Brian strode over to his Jeep and climbed in. He smelled a faint hint of apricots and smiled to himself. Justin had earned his punishment for that little transgression, and they had both enjoyed it immensely. Brian started the car and pulled out of his parking space. He headed down the street.

&&&&&&&

Meanwhile Craig Taylor was checking into a sleazy motel. It was cheap and not too filthy, and not all that far from Liberty Avenue. Now that he knew where his wife worked and where his daughter went to school, he no longer needed to sit outside the apartment building. He was pretty sure they would stick to their plans that they had made before he arrived. None of them had many resources to fall back on, although his bitch of a wife had cleaned out his bank account. It was good that he had always kept some money separate from their joint account. That was what had got him to Pittsburgh, and that was what would pay for this room such as it was.

And then there was the tall man who drove the Jeep. He seemed to have more money than any of the others, but Craig knew he was a fag. What could a fag do to him, even a well off fag? The man seemed to be his son's boyfriend. Craig shivered. He didn't understand how they could be together. It was thoroughly disgusting. If he could do something to put a stop to it, he would.

Craig pulled out his wallet and counted the cash he had with him. He had credit cards but he didn't want to run up too big a bill while he was in Pittsburgh. He needed to make some decisions and finish up his business in a hurry. He would take Molly and head home as soon as possible.

&&&&&&&

Brian pulled up outside the office building. He got out of the Jeep and walked towards the front doors. He drew in a deep breath as he headed inside. This wasn't going to be pleasant, but it had to be done.

"Melanie," Brian said as the lawyer came out of her office to greet him.

"Kinney, what can I do for you?"

They went into her office and Brian waited until she had closed the door before he started to explain.

"It's about Justin's father."

"His father? Isn't he down south somewhere?"

"He's an abusive son of a bitch and he's here in Pittsburgh."

"Did he come after his son?" Melanie asked with a frown.

"As far as he's concerned, he has no son."

"Then…?"

"He came after his wife and daughter."

"But … are they here too?" Brian nodded. "How the fuck did that happen?"

"Justin was talking to his mother on the phone when his father came home unexpectedly. He figured out who she was talking to and roughed her up. Justin was scared for her safety, so we went to Georgia and brought his mother and his sister back here."

"You did what?"

"You heard me."

"When did you take on the role of knight in shining armor?" Mel asked sarcastically.

"That's shining Armani!" Brian retorted. Then softly he admitted, "I … I did it for Justin."

Mel's voice softened a bit too at Brian's frankness. He certainly had it bad over this kid. "When did all this happen?" she asked.

"A few days ago."

"And what are they doing here? Where are they staying?" Melanie asked.

"They're at Dee's where Justin was staying."

"And he's with you," Melanie said knowingly. "How convenient for you!"

"That had nothing to do with it," Brian protested. He knew she wouldn't make this easy for him.

"So why are you here?"

"Craig Taylor tried to grab Molly when she was coming out of school today."

"Holy fuck! What did she do?"

"Hit him with her backpack and ran into the school."

"I think I'm going to like that girl," Melanie laughed.

"She's got spunk," Brian agreed. "But she's also afraid her father's going to try the same thing again, and she may not be so resourceful or so lucky next time."

"She doesn't want to go back with him, I take it?" Brian nodded. "We need a restraining order," Mel said going into lawyer mode. "I need to talk to Justin's mother and set the wheels in motion. I assume there's no kind of custody agreement between the Taylors?" Brian shook his head. "Then I need to petition for one. When can I see Justin's mother?"

"Her name's Jennifer, and you could see her right now if you come with me."

"Okay," Mel said scratching some notes on a pad on her desk. "Let me finish up a few loose ends here and I'll meet you at the front of the building in ten minutes."

"Um … thanks, Mel," Brian said hesitantly.

"You did the right thing … this time," she added as Brian left her office.

Some time later, Melanie was seated in the living room of Dee's apartment talking to Jennifer Taylor. Justin and Brian were setting out the food for everyone to eat. They would have to do dinner buffet style since the little table in the kitchen wouldn't accommodate them all.

"Soup's on," Brian snarked as he placed the pile of plates beside the food.

Everyone assembled to get some salad and the casserole that Jennifer and Justin had made while Brian went to visit Melanie. Dee and Emmett had been in Dee's bedroom discussing wardrobe and came bouncing out. When they all had a plate of food they pulled up some of the kitchen chairs and sat around the coffee table.

"Did you come up with a plan?" Justin asked Melanie as he took a bite of his food.

"This is fabulous!" Emmett said waving his fork around after he tasted the casserole. "I may have to hire both you Taylors if my business takes off."

"Thanks Emmett," Jennifer smiled. "I hope that happens. Working at the diner is okay, but it's not exactly my cup of tea."

"You're doen great, Mom," Justin said patting his mother's hand.

"Thank you, honey. I try," Jennifer said with a smile.

"What is the fucking plan?" Brian demanded. He wanted to take Justin home and fuck him and maybe spank him again. Brian shifted uncomfortably as his cock swelled in anticipation.

Justin gave Brian a glare until he realized what was happening and then he blushed. "Um, yeah, Melanie, what did you decide?"

"We're going to apply for a restraining order. That's the first thing. Then I'll start the process for a divorce and custody of Molly going to Jennifer."

"A divorce?" Molly said in a small voice.

"It's necessary, honey," Jennifer said. "Otherwise we'll never be free."

Molly looked scared but nodded at her mother.

"All of this takes time," Brian said. "What do we do in the meantime? We know Craig is out there somewhere lurking and waiting."

"There isn't much we can do," Melanie said. "Until Craig makes a move, we're stymied. Maybe he'll give up and go back home."

"He won't give up," Molly said knowingly.

Justin nodded his head in agreement. "But what about when he tried to grab Molly today?"

"We could report that, but it likely won't accomplish much. I'll use it to get the restraining order. What we need to do is make sure that Jennifer and Molly aren't alone."

"I can watch Mom at the diner, but what about Molly's school?" Justin asked.

"We were late getten away from the diner, and that's when Craig made his move," Jennifer said sadly. "I'm so sorry, honey." Jennifer looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes. "Maybe I should just go back with him. This is so complicated."

"You're not goen back," Molly declared.

"That's for damn sure!" Justin agreed. "You know you like it here. I don't want you going back to that … danger."

Jennifer smiled weakly. "Okay," she said mustering her resolve. "Let's get this over with as soon as possible."

They spent the next few minutes planning a schedule of people who could walk Molly to school or pick her up afterwards. For each there was a back up in case someone was delayed. With that all worked out Brian and Justin said they would take Melanie home and then go to the loft for the night.

In the Jeep Melanie sat next to Brian while Justin rode in the back. They were quiet on the first part of the ride to the Munchers.

"Mel," Justin said, "thanks for helping my mom."

"You're welcome, Justin. If there's one thing I can't stand it's a bully, and that's what your father is."

Justin nodded and didn't say any more.

"What happens if Craig tries to grab Molly again? Can we have him arrested?" Brian asked.

"We might be able to, but there's no guarantee. He can always claim he just wanted to talk to his daughter and she wouldn't cooperate. We'll be on shaky ground."

Brian frowned. They needed a way to get Craig Taylor to go back home and leave his family alone.

"What are you thinking, Kinney?" Melanie asked watching Brian's face.

"Nothing."

"Don't do anything stupid," she warned.

Brian ventured a look at her but said nothing else. They pulled into the driveway chez Munchers, and Melanie got out. Brian climbed out too.

"Where are you going?" Mel asked.

"I want to see Gus."

Mel snorted. "Once in a blue moon," she said sarcastically.

"You should thank me for that, and it's not a blue moon month," Brian snarked.

They all made their way up to the door and Melanie let them in. Lindsay had just changed Gus and the baby looked and smelled all fresh and new. Justin chucked the little guy under the chin and held onto his little hand as Brian cradled Gus in his arms.

"You can put him to bed," Lindsay said to Brian. He smiled at her and carried Gus upstairs.

"He gets bigger every time I see him," Justin said.

They sat down on the sofa and Melanie filled Lindsay in on the situation with Justin's family.

"I hope Craig can be stopped," Lindsay observed.

"He will be," Brian said coming down the stairs. "Gus is out like a light."

"That's good. I'm glad you came in to see him," Lindsay said.

"We have to go," Brian replied looking suggestively at Justin.

"Yeah," Justin grinned, and just like that they were gone.

Some time later they lay in Brian's bed all sated and content. Justin leaned his head against Brian and he felt Brian's arm slide around him.

"It'll be all right, Sunshine," Brian whispered.

"I hope so. I get scared for my mother and Molly."

"I know," Brian said gently as he rubbed Justin's arm. "But I think it will all work out."

Justin looked up into Brian's eyes, and was about to ask why Brian thought that, when his lips were crushed in a kiss and Brian got him all worked up once again. He never did get to ask his question.

&&&&&&&

Four days later Craig Taylor stumbled back to his motel after having more than enough drinks in a nearby bar. He was thoroughly frustrated and pissed off. He had followed Molly to and from school every day, and had yet to find a chance to get her alone. There always seemed to be one fag or another with her. He was beginning to think he should have brought his rifle with him, and he could have put an end to this fiasco a lot faster.

With unsteady fingers he pulled out his room key and tried to hit the hole in the lock. He was sick and tired of staying in this dump and wanted to go home. He would do that as soon as he finished his business in Pittsburgh, and that needed to be soon. Finally he got the key in the door and was about to turn it in the lock when the door was yanked open from inside.

Hands grabbed the drunken man and hauled him inside the room. The door slammed shut and Craig heard the chain lock being dragged across.

"Wha…?" he started to ask, when a wad of cloth was rammed into his mouth and a gag was tied around his head.

Rough hands yanked at his clothes and soon he was standing naked in the middle of the room. There were four men all dressed in leathers, several showing much more skin than Craig cared to see. They all had masks of one kind or another over their eyes.

"So, Craigie boy, you ready for a party?" one man asked. He seemed to be the one in charge. Craig shook his head in desperation while two of the men grabbed his arms and held him in position. "Oh come now," the man continued. "We brought a special treat for you. See, over there." The man pointed to a leather contraption hanging from the ceiling of the room. Craig stared at it in wonder and fear.

"Let's get this party started," one of the men said with an evil grin.

Craig shook his head and tried to stop trembling. He had no idea what they intended to do to him, but he knew he wouldn't like it. He blinked hard trying to keep the tears back. His ass clenched and he was afraid he was going to shit himself.

"We hear you hate fags, Craigie," the first man said. "We plan to show you what you've been missing. Welcome to our little fag party. You're going to be our honored guest in the sling for this evening."

Craig moaned and tried to protest. The sounds coming out were little more than whimpers. Craig wanted to throw up but he knew he'd die with the gag in his mouth if he did.

The men dragged a struggling Craig over to the sling and made short work of hoisting him into it. His wrists and ankles were quickly secured.

"I bet you've never been in one of these things before, Craigie," the first man commented. "Well, relax. We're going to show you all the finer points of fucking homo-style."

Craig tried to kick and break loose, but he was firmly secured in the sling. He tried to scream for help but nothing would come out except little mewling sounds.

"You might as well stop struggling," the man said. "It's pointless. We will have our way with you."

They all chuckled and one of the men reached in and grabbed Craig's dick. It remained flaccid in his hand even as he jacked it several times.

"I think he's a tad scared. He'll never get it up," the second man laughed. "But that doesn't matter. I can always get mine up and that's the important thing."

Craig whimpered some more.

"How does it feel to live in fear of what's to come, Craigie?" the first man asked placing his face very close to Craig's. "This must be how your wife felt when you beat her up. Maybe it's how Molly felt when you tried to grab her at school. I'm sure it's how your son felt when he was being beaten by the town bullies. But he's just another fag, like us, so you had no sympathy for him. Just like we will have no sympathy for you."

Craig felt his stomach turn over and he thought he was going to throw up. Maybe he should, and then they would have to take the gag out of his mouth or let him die. Maybe it would be better if they did kill him. He felt the sweat beading on his forehead. Maybe this really was the end of his life. Better the end, than to be raped by these four men, and he was sure that's what they were going to do.

The men leered at Craig grabbing their crotches and seeming to arouse themselves. Craig felt himself go cold even though he was sweating.

"You know, Craigie, you're a little old for my taste. Right guys?"

The men all nodded and a couple of them grunted their agreement.

"We might just decide to let you off easy if you agree to a few terms," the first man said. "How would you like that?"

Craig nodded his head vehemently. He would do anything to get out of this sling and avoid what they had promised to do to him.

"You're not from around here, are you?" Craig shook his head. "Suppose you agreed to go back home and stay away from your wife and children? Leave them alone to start a new life. If you did that, I might be inclined to let you off easy."

Craig nodded his head. He could do that. He'd been wanting to go home.

"And when the divorce papers arrive, you sign them and never give it another thought," the man continued. Craig nodded again. "Looks like we might have a deal here, boys. But … you break this agreement and we'll hunt you down. We know you live in Smithton, Georgia. The fag network extends to even that hick town. There's no escape from us if we decide to take you down. Do I make myself clear?"

Craig's eyes got very large but he nodded his head.

"That's good. Just a friendly reminder for the future; keep an eye out over your shoulder. You never know when a disgruntled fag might come after you," the first man said. "Let's go, boys."

Craig watched as the four men walked towards the door, and one of them took the chain off. Surely they weren't going to leave him there like that. He struggled and bucked and tried to make some noise.

The leader turned and walked back towards Craig. "I bet you want us to let you out of the sling, don't you?"

Craig nodded and tried to look contrite.

"I think the housekeeping staff of this fine establishment deserves a treat. They'll have a good laugh when they find you in the morning."

"No, no, no!" Craig tried to scream, but only muffled whimpers came out. They were going to leave him there. He would be a laughing stock, and whoever found him in the morning would think he had… Jesus fucking Christ! He needed to get out of this thing right now. He renewed his struggles frantic to get loose.

The four men watched from over by the door. They wanted to be sure he couldn't get loose at least until long after they were gone.

"Craigie boy, a piece of advice. Instead of struggling to no avail, I suggest you calmly contemplate the error of your former ways. You have all night to think about it. It might make you a better person in the morning."

With that they opened the door and disappeared, closing the door firmly behind them.

Craig lay in the sling, his heart pounding and sweat running off his body. They hadn't raped him and he wasn't dead. But he almost wished he was.

&&&&&&&

Brian thrust into Justin seeking the release that they both needed. Days of watching Jennifer and Molly and never letting them out of their sight had gradually taken their toll on all of them. This felt good. It was just what they needed.

"Oh yes, Brian! Right there," Justin called out. "Harder."

And then he was coming and so was Brian. They slumped onto the bed and rolled apart. Brian pulled Justin back against him after he had removed the condom. They fit together perfectly, even their breathing falling into sync.

"That was awesome," Justin said breathlessly.

"Awesome," Brian agreed with the same breathless voice. He held Justin's sweaty, sexy body against his own as their breathing gradually slowed down.

Brian's cell phone rang at that moment. It was sitting on the nightstand beside the bed and Brian reached for it.

"Yeah," he said into the phone. He listened for a minute then said, "Good, and he agreed to everything? Thanks, Cliff. Oh yeah?" Brian chuckled. "I'd almost like to have seen that. No, I guess not. Let me know who finds the package. Thanks again, Cliff. I owe you one." Brian closed the phone and set it down. He reached for a cigarette.

"Who was that?" Justin asked.

"Just a guy who did a favor for me." Brian lit his cigarette.

"What kind of favor?"

"It's not important," Brian said taking a long drag of his cigarette. He handed it to Justin who took a puff. "Sleepy?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, it's late, and I have Molly patrol in the morning."

"Then let's get some sleep," Brian said. "Maybe we won't have to do that for much longer."

Justin wondered what Brian meant by that, but he was too tired to bother asking. He drifted off to sleep.

Brian lay awake for a long time, finishing his cigarette. Finally he stubbed it out. He couldn't help but picture Craig Taylor hanging in a sling in a sleazy motel. He'd love to be there in the morning when the cleaner walked into the room. With a little chuckle he finally fell asleep.

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