Kim Dare - Handcuffs and Glory Holes (Rawlings Men)

Handcuffs and Glory Holes A Rawlings Men Story By Kim Dare Resplendence Publishing, LLC http://www.resplendencepublishing.com Resplendence Publishing, LLC 2665 S Atlantic Avenue, #349 Daytona Beach, FL 32176 Handcuffs and Glory Holes Copyright 2009, Kim Dare Edited by Christine Allen-Riley Cover art by Chel Hickerty Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-166-5 Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Electronic release: July 2010 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental. To everyone who needs to be rescued. Chapter One The door leading into the back room of the club creaked open. It was the cue Willis Evans had been listening for, for over twenty minutes. As the sound of footsteps crossing the tiles floated into his cubicle, Willis lowered himself to his knees. The floor in the pokey little space was much the same as hed always found itcold, hard and far from clean. The partition wall shuddered as the door into the neighboring cubicle was pulled closed behind its new occupant. Willis took a deep breath and let it out very slowly when he heard the lock on the other mans door slide into place. All his attention focused in on the hole between the adjoining spaces. A few seconds passed, and a foil wrapper was offered through it. Willis stared at it for a moment, as if hed never seen a condom before. Finally, his brain kicked into gear. He took the packet from the man on the other side of the glory hole. It was nice of the guy to offer him the choice, but a seconds consideration had Willis slipping it into the back pocket of his jeans. No point wasting it on a blow job when there might be someone whod be willing to use it for something more than that later. Fabric rustled. Willis turned his gaze back to the hole linking his world with the other mans. The edges of the opening might have been rough when it was first cut, but at some point some practical-minded visitor to the club had covered the perimeter with masking tape. The DIY job had been pristine when Willis had first visited the cubicle, several months ago. The strips were peeling away now, battered by constant friction. Past the circular frame created by the remaining partition, Willis watched strong hands reach for a button up fly. The lighting was dim, full of shadows, but as Willis stared through the hole, he could have sworn a spotlight shone on the other mans crotch, as if it was highlighting a personal little peep show, being put on just for him. The top button slipped through the denim, then another. The hands that unfastened the other guys fly were big, masculinea working mans hands. More buttons were quickly undone, it wasnt long before Willis knew his first date for the evening was going commando. Pushing back the denim, the other man exposed a long, thick shaft, already half hard with expectation. The guy wrapped his fist around his cock, stroking himself three or four times before finally offering his cock up to the hole. He was tall, the hole was only just high enough to accommodate him. Licking his lips, trying to work some moisture in a mouth left dry by unaccountable nerves, Willis leaned forward and took the tip of the offered cock into his mouth. There was no reason to be anxious. It was just a blow jobhe should have been able to do that in his sleep by now. Willis closed his eyes as simple instinct encouraged him to suckle gently around the head of the other mans cock while it rested snugly inside his mouth. He took a little bit more of the shaft between his lips, dipping his head toward the hole in the partition. Just a blow job... A tiny satisfied sigh drifted through the partition and, as easily as that, something inside Willis settled. The pleasure in the soft little sound soothed a part of him that had been neglected for far too long. It was just a blow jobjust a chance to feel another mans pleasure and know he was the guy who made the other man feel that good. As Willis felt all his concerns about the wider world begin to fade gradually away, there was no just about it. Swirling his tongue around the tip of the other mans cock, Willis formed his lips into a neat seal around his shaft. The only important thing right then was the man before him and it didnt matter if he was on the other side of a wall. And it didnt matter if he was a stranger rather than the kind of master that Willis would have sold his soul for the privilege of kneeling before either. The shaft filling his mouth stiffened further and Willis felt himself fall helplessly into the moment. Before. After. For the first time in far too long, everything but the present stopped mattering to him. As reality started to slip away, Willis helped it along, chasing it from his mind, desperate to live in a world where everything really was as simple as a hard cock and a willing mouth, if only for a few minutes. Sucking more greedily around the strangers shaft, Willis dipped his head further forward, trying to take more and more of the other mans erection, until his forehead nudged against the partition. A slight change of angle, allowed him to slide his mouth a little further down the shaft. The head of the other mans cock slipped into his throat as his lips kissed the base of his dates cock, where it nestled between neatly-trimmed dark curls. Pulling back, Willis ran his tongue along the vein on the underside of the shaft. Before the tip of the other mans cock could slip from between his lips, he bowed his head again. Pre-cum begin to leak, hot and salty, onto his tongue, making him all the more desperate to satisfy the other man. Something about the stranger called to him. It made him hope the other guy would be pleased with him, in a way Willis had thought hed given up daydreaming about a long time ago. Willis closed his eyes very tight. Reality wasnt important right then. The truth surrounding his life didnt matter. While he knelt there in the shadows, he was free to pretend the world was any way he chose to imagine it being. No one could even catch sight of his expression and guess what he was doing. And he couldnt be whipped for it, if no one knew. Perfect... Willis couldnt hold back a responding whimper as the word crept through the wall. Blinking his eyes open, he looked up at the battered partition, as if there was really some chance hed see a dominant there, pleasure in his eyes and praise falling from his lips. Thats right... The other man coaxed, his voice rough with pleasure. Willis moaned his reply around the guys shaft, doubling his efforts to beg the other mans orgasm out of him. A movement high above his head caught his attention. Fingers curled over the top of the wall. The other man rocked his hips, making the most of the leverage his strong grip on the partition could grant him. He fed his shaft into Willis mouth again, moving faster with each thrust as he raced toward the edge of pleasure. A glance down and Willis saw the toes of a very well polished pair of boots poke under the barrier. It wasnt enough. Closing his eyes, Willis pictured the wall disintegrating between them. He imagined one of those wonderfully powerful hands sliding into his hair, holding him in place. Even without the other mans fingers tangling in the messy blond strands, Willis stilled, willingly giving up all control to the other man, as he let him take his mouth however he pleased. As the shaft thrust deep between his lips, Willis licked and suckled around it, praying for another word of praise. The strangers rhythm faltered. Willis sucked harder, his cheeks hollowing out as his lips tingled with friction. The man buried himself inside Willis mouth as he came, spilling across his tongue almost faster than he could take. Willis swallowed rapidly, determined not to miss a drop, and for once it had nothing to do with fear of being punished. He wanted so badly to make it perfect. Even if there was no way the guy would see if he failed or succeeded, even if there was no reason why the hell hed even care how a casual blow job from a faceless, nameless stranger ended. Just for a few seconds, Willis wanted to believe he was good enough to make it perfect for another man. The guys hips stilled, but he didnt immediately pull away. Even if it hadnt been perfect, at least the orgasm had been good enough to take his breath away. Willis heard the other man drawing in deep lungfuls of air as he recovered. Willis stayed pressed up against the barrier between them, letting him soften gently in his mouth, suckling tenderly around his cock, drawing out the moment for as long as he could. Good boy. Before Willis even had time to relish the words, the other man pulled away, his shaft quickly disappearing back through the glory hole. Willis sat back on his heels. He couldnt remember the last time kneeling in that gloomy little space had left him hard. Pressing the heel of his palm against his straining fly, he quickly wished away his erection before anyone could notice it and set about reminding him that wasnt supposed to be there for his own pleasure. When he heard the other man unlock the door into the adjacent space, Willis remembered that his job wasnt quite finished. Scrambling quickly to his feet, he managed to open his own cubicle just in time. The guy already had the door leading into the club half open, but he looked over his shoulder as Willis stared across at him. It wasnt a crowded room, but their eyes did meet across it. The other man was older than Willis and darker. He was taller and broader across the shoulders too. The larger man smiled slightly. Willis found himself smiling back, somewhat shy now that he was face to face with the man hed just gone down on. The guy didnt say anything before he left. As the door closed behind him, Willis leaned his temple against the cubicle door. He barely had a moment to close his eyes and memorize the smile before the door into the club swung open again. Phil, one of the doms who worked for Willis master, stood in the doorway. Willis waited for a command, to see if he was going to be ordered back into the cubicle, or if his master had other plans for him now. Out, Phil ordered with a jerk of his head. He grabbed hold of Willis arm as he led him through the main rooms of the club. Pain shot through his shoulder, as the dominant half dragged him into another, rather different, back room on the other side of the building. His master, Marshall, sat on a high backed chair at the far end of the room. Phil pushed Willis forward until he stumbled and fell to the floor at his masters feet. Rawlings just left, Phil reported. Willis pulled himself up onto his knees, settling his hands behind his back, presenting himself the way hed been trained, as the other men spoke over his head. You made sure he got a good look at you? Marshall asked, as he turned his attention to Willis. Keeping his eyes on the carpet in front of his masters feet, Willis nodded. Hell recognize you if he sees you again? Willis nodded again. Yes, sir. He tightened his hands into fists behind his back, praying his master wouldnt guess how his heart rate kicked up a notch at the idea of being allowed to see the other man again. A door opened and closed somewhere on the other side of the room. Youve got the paperwork? Marshall demanded, sharp blue eyes deserting his submissive in favor of the newcomer. Someone stepped forward to stand beside Willis. A grubby boot kicked into his shin. Papers were passed to his master. One of them slipped from the little pile and floated to the floor in front of him. Willis picked it up, his eyes automatically scanning it. He stopped short. It was a birth certificate for a Willis Evans. The only thing wrong with it was the dates. The year scrawled on the certificate put him at fifteen rather than nineteen. He lifted his gaze for a moment as his master snatched it impatiently from his hand. The dominant didnt even glance toward him as he shuffled through the rest of the papers. Good enough to fool the tabloids? For a few days at least, the man whod delivered them promised. Willis watched Marshalls lips curl into a smilethe one that usually meant he was about to put the boot inhard. Thatll be long enough. His next day off is tomorrow, someone spoke up from behind Willis. Suddenly, the submissive found himself once more the focus of his masters attention. Get him to the room off Henry Street. You know where the cameras hidden. Put on a good show. Tell him you like it rough, then turn to the camera and cry your eyes out. But The back of his masters hand caught Willis hard across the side of his face. His head snapped to the side, pain flaring through his cheek. His hand rose to cover his head, far too late to be of any use. Closing his eyes, Willis waited, frozen in that position. He knew better than to speak to his master that wayjust like he knew better than to think a slap would be all hed get for it. Seconds passed. The next blow didnt fall. Youre bloody lucky I need you pretty for the cameras, his master snarled, his fist tugging at Willis hair as he dragged him back up onto his knees. Yes, sir, the submissive whispered, as quickly as he could. His master pushed him away, sending him sprawling to the floor before the other dominants. Scrambling up onto his feet, Willis quickly backed away from them all, before his master changed his mindor came up with a punishment that wouldnt leave too many visible marks. Knowing what would happen if Marshall caught him hiding away in some quiet corner, Willis forced himself to stay near the center of the main room of the club, where he could be easily found if his master, or his masters friends, wanted to get off. It was stupid to think the guy on the opposite side of the glory hole was any different to any of the other men whod screwed him since his master had decided he preferred to share his submissive rather than keep Willis for his own personal use. No doubt the guy hed just sucked off was just as big a bastard as all the others whod used his mouth over the last few months. Willis closed his eyes for a moment, his palm once more rising to nurse his stinging cheek. When he opened his eyes again, he looked around the club and the men who lingered there. There was no room for silly little daydreams in a place like that. The guy probably deserved whatever Marshall had planned for him anyway... * * * * I ... um ... bugger. Sergeant Conrad Rawlings stopped staring idly at the list of coffees on the board behind the counter and glanced to his left. A young blond man stood at the next till, frantically patting his pockets. I must have ... um... the boy faltered, as if unable to bring himself to finish the sentence. Conrad didnt need to hear the rest. The guy had obviously left his wallet somewherealong with his coat from the look of it. The day wasnt anywhere near warm enough for a man to wander around in a thin white t-shirtnot that it didnt provide a very nice view... His jeans were like a second skin too. Just as Conrads subtle inspection of the other man came back up to his head, the guy glanced over his shoulder. The younger man seemed to do a double take when their eyes met. Conrad couldnt help but mentally echo the other mans earlier statement. Bugger! The boy looked away soon enough, but knowing hed already recognized him, made it impossible for Conrad to do anything other than come to his rescue. Stepping out of the line he was in, Conrad joined his friend from the glory hole in front of the other till. Passing a note across the counter, he added. And a regular coffee, black, no sugar. Thanks. The waitress took the money. A minute later, Conrad was on his way out of the shop, his own cup of coffee in hand. His foot had barely hit the pavement before he felt someone fall into step next to him. Thanks. Youre welcome. Conrad sped up a little. The boy was several inches shorter than him. He had littler legs. Somehow he still kept pace with him through the crowds. I forgot my wallet. Yeah, I noticed, Conrad said, not once letting his gaze stray to the man on his left. Im not usually so dopey, the other guy offered. Conrad said nothing. As they reached a junction, he allowed himself one quick glance at the younger man. Hed wrapped both his hands around his paper coffee mug, trying to get whatever warmth he could from it as the autumn wind rushed around them. Dragging his gaze away from him, Conrad looked back to the traffic lights. Would you like to screw me? All thoughts about how freezing the boy had to be, shattered inside Conrads mind. Traffic signals forgotten about, he blinked down at the younger man. What? I do owe you for the coffee, he reminded him, an inviting little smile playing around his lips. Call me old fashioned, Conrad said, allowing no hint of a smile to sneak out in return. But I dont pay for sexnot even with hot beverages. Suddenly the smaller man didnt look half so cold as he had a moment before. Heat rushed to his cheeks. His gaze dropped to the pavement and stayed there. Conrad was pretty sure this was exactly why he was better off sticking to glory holes and the kind of clubs that were dark enough to make the men he screwed unrecognizable. He wasnt cut out to look someone in the eye when they had sex, then ignore them the next time he met them. And he wasnt cut out to give a boy in need the brush off either. Conrad. The pretty little blond looked up at him, all confusion and big grey eyes. Conrad Rawlings, Conrad clarified, holding out his hand to him. The younger man freed one of his palms from the half-drunk coffee cup and shook his hand. Willis Evans. The lights finally changed. The crowd moved forward. The little guy stuck to Conrads side, for all the world like a puppy showing off a newly discovered ability to walk at heel. He even looked up at his master every so often, to see if he was pleased with him and might be inclined to offer him a treat. He couldnt have screamed his submission more loudly if the jeans and t-shirt had been replaced by a leather harness. Conrad took a deep swig of coffee and pushed that image out of his head as quickly as it had snuck past his defenses. Id have offered to do whatever you wanted for free, I just thought, since you did buy me the coffee and everything. Maybe it would be fun to kill two birds with one stone? And Willis obviously didnt have the cash to pay him back any other way. Conrad would bet good money on the fact the wallet hed misplaced didnt even exist. No doubt someone else in the queue would have anteed up the coffee money for him if Conrad hadnt been there. It was probably far from the first time the submissive had wrangled a warming drink that way. When he actually heard the other mans stomach growl during a lull in the traffic at the next junction, Conrad knew there was no way in hell hed be able to walk away and leave Willis no better off than hed found him. He tossed his empty coffee carton in a bin and considered his options. I know somewhere we could go, Willis suggested. Conrad met his eyes for a moment. Its not far from here, the submissive added, with a hopeful little smile. For a few seconds, all Conrad could do was stare down at him. When the lights changed and he stepped forward, the younger man reached out and tugged gently at the sleeve of his coat, nodding toward a side street. Conrad shook his head and kept walking. The place I know is I know a better place, Conrad cut in. The boy hesitated then, as if he was suddenly uncertain he wanted to go anywhere at all with him. Conrad stopped and waited for him, but he kept his mouth shut. He might not have completely cured himself of taking up strays, as his family liked to call it, but he liked to think hed reached the point where he knew there was nothing he could do to help someone who wasnt ready to accept his assistance. The sub looked back to the side street he seemed so fond of. Maybe we could go back there afterwards? he asked, tentatively. Conrad nodded. If thats what you want. There was no reason way they couldnt go back to the boys place later. A quiet place to talk would probably be useful. The submissive returned to Conrads side. He made no further complaint as Conrad led him toward a nice little caf on the next street. The younger man hesitated on the threshold, but he quickly caught up again as Conrad led the way to a table near the back of the room, right next to a huge old fashioned radiator. A nudge sent the boy to sit in the corner next to the heater. Even while he looked confused as hell, there was something irresistible about him. And the memory of a very wonderful mouth wrapped around his cock wasnt the half of it. Willis called up far too many possessive and protective instincts inside Conrad for the dominants peace of mind. The older man held back a sigh. He knew there was a good reason why he stuck to lovers he never set eyes on... The boy looked around the quiet little caf as if hed never seen one before. Taking a laminated menu from the far side of the table, Conrad pushed it in front of him. Im fine. I can just wait while you... Willis looked across at the waitresses, as if she might attack at any moment. Or I could wait outside, if Read the menu. Pick something to eat. Um...my wallet, I... The younger man didnt even try to meet his gaze as he said it. Breakfasts on me. Big grey eyes looked up at him then, their expression unreadable. No repayment necessary, Conrad added. The other man looked down at the menu in silence for a few moments. I... I enjoyed last time we met, he blurted out, suddenly. So did I. No man should look like hed been given the world on a stick, just because he heard a guy admit he liked being blown. Conrad smiled slightly as a pleased little blush stole to the other mans cheeks. No doubt hed make one hell of a good submissive for the right master at some point in the future. Not now, the boy obviously had other things he needed to deal with before he should be thinking about that, but still You ready to order? a waitress asked as she stopped next to them. A glance across the table, and Conrad knew the younger man wasnt ready to make any sort of decision for himself right then. A breakfast special with everything and two mugs of coffee, thanks, Conrad said, before the sub had a chance to get flustered. Willis made no comment on the order, even after the waitress left. Are you using? Conrad asked, doing his best to make the question sound no more threatening than a bland discussion about the weather. Willis looked him in the eye as he shook his head. Working for street money? Conrad asked, in that same easy tone. The younger mans gaze dropped. For a moment, Conrad expected him to bolt, but he held his ground. I wasnt asking you for money. Lifting his eyes, he held Conrads gaze, as if begging him to recognize it as the truth. I believe you. The waitress came back before any other questions could be asked. The breakfast special they served there really was special. The platter almost took up half the table. Conrad nodded to the space in front of the submissive when she asked who it was for. Willis looked up at him, once more all confusion. Eat. I dont He blushed when his rumbling stomach cut in with truly perfect timing. Willis picked up his knife and fork. The first few mouthfuls were hesitant, as if he expected the plate to be snatched from in front of him at any moment and he wanted to be ready to apologize as soon as it was. Gradually, simple survival instinct took over. Willis didnt turn his attention back to Conrad until the last scrap was cleared. Then he looked back down at his empty plate in horror. When was the last time you ate? Conrad asked. The blush came back, but even after it had faded, there was a little color in his skin now. He still looked like he could do with a few more good meals to put a little bit of depth on his bones, but the hunger was gone from his eyes. Hunger for food anyway, the submissive kind of hunger was still there, shining as brightly and as temptingly as ever. Standing up, Conrad retrieved his jacket off the back of his chair. When he nodded for the younger man to walk out in front of him, he casually dropped his coat over the submissives shoulders, as if it was no big deal. Willis looked at him as if hed grown another head. Youll get cold! Hed get cold in a thick jumper, walking next to a boy in a thin t-shirt... Conrad just shook his head and left his jacket wrapped around the other mans smaller frame as they walked out into the street. Conrad looked both ways along the road. The sensible thing to do would be to find out exactly what had gone so wrong in the younger mans life, and deliver him to someone who could help him. A decade on the police force had provided him with a huge list of organizations who could be relied upon to help a man back onto his feet. It would be the sensible thing to do. Except, when he looked down at Willis, Conrad didnt feel that sensible. He wanted to take him home and wrap him up in an insane amount of cotton wool. And possibly, if the guy was still interested when he was back up on his feet and ready to make a clear decision, bind him up in roughly the same amount of leather. Conrad forced himself to at least try to be rational. Theres a place You promised youd go back with me, Willis suddenly reminded him. Conrad hesitated. Yes, he had agreed to go back to the boys place with him. And even if he was no longer sure it was wise for him to be all alone with a man who called to him in a way no other submissive ever had, he knew a man didnt help someone by lying to him. He nodded his agreement. The relief in Willis eyes made him sure hed made the right choice. As he let the other man lead the way, Conrad turned his attention back to his plans for him. He wouldnt have made it into the club where theyd first met if hed been under eighteen, which ruled out a few different organizations. There was always St. Tristans, though. Theyd give him a room if he was under twenty-one. He took a sideways glance at the younger man. He could easily pass for the right age, but it was hard to tell for sure. How old are you? All the color drained out of the submissives face as the question hit the air. Conrad frowned. Willis? Nineteen, he said, his voice suddenly horse. Im nineteen. Just then, they reached the side street the submissive had pointed out to him on the way to the caf. Down here? Conrad asked. Willis just stared along the road, as if hed never seen it before. Conrads jacket slipped part way off his shoulder as someone bumped into him on his way past. Willis pulled the coat back around himself. He looked down at it for a second. Then he shook his head. Willis? No. The younger man shook his head again as he took a step back from him. When Conrad reached out to steady him, he jerked away as if hed raised a hand to strike him. Please. The younger man took off his jacket and pushed it at against Conrads chest. You have to... I... Ive changed my mind, sir. Im sorry, just Conrad caught hold of Willis arm, as he stumbled over a curb stone. I can get the money to pay you back for Thats not important. Just tell me what Conrad didnt even have time to finish the order before the boy slipped from his grip. One minute Willis was there, the next he was gone, rushing through the crowd, down the side street and out of sight. Conrad looked down at his jacket. Cant be helped until hes ready to be helped. Just because he knew it was a fact, he didnt have to like it. As Willis stepped into the small dank room, his eyes went straight to the camera hidden in the corner. His heart was racing so fast, he couldnt catch his breath. He closed his eyes for a moment as he leaned over and rubbed at the stitch in his side, but he didnt have to wait long before the door swung opened and slammed closed behind him. A shadow blocked out whatever weak rays of light managed to sneak into the room through the dirty window. Im sorry, sir. I couldnt His masters hand closed around his arm as Marshall spun him around. Willis kept his gaze down, as if that might somehow help, even when he could feel his masters fury pouring off him. Wheres Rawlings? I... He wasnt interested. I tried to bring him here, but he wouldnt The first blow took the submissives breath away. As he doubled up, the next lie died on his lips. Dropping heavily to his knees, Willis curled in on himself. He closed his eyes very tight and remembered the look in Conrads eyes as hed stared at him across the table in the caf. For the first time Willis could remember, he didnt feel guilty for displeasing his master. Hed taken a lot of beatings from the older man over the months. He couldnt help but think that this one, at least, was worth it. Chapter Two What the hells going on? Conrad looked around the station in amazement. The corridors should have been nigh on deserted that time in the evening, when it was late enough for everyone else on the day shift to have left, but still too early for the night shift to have brought in the worst of the drunks. Instead, the hallway was crammed packed with dozens of handcuffed men, and even more cops. Im a genius, thats whats going on. Conrad glanced over his shoulder, just in time to see one of his many cousins reach his side, grinning from ear to ear. EdI should have guessed. Where that sort of bedlam reined, Ed Rawlings couldnt be too far away. Any particular brand of genius involved? Drug bust, Ed specified. Bloody huge drug bust. I should get a sodding Oscar for this one. Best actor. Best choreographer too. I had every sodding one of them dancing to my tune. Conrad smiled slightly. The younger man was almost bouncing up and down with excitement. Conrad looked him over. It was never easy to guess what his cousin would look like next time he saw him. This particular incarnation was bleached blond with black contact lenses and a fake tattoo scrawling up his neck and across his cheek. How long were you undercover? Couple of weeks. Ed pulled up his hood, slouched, and suddenly he didnt look like a cop in a slightly scruffy hoodie, but a genuine Anti Social Behavior Order waiting to happen. He paced around a bit, doing a bloody good impression of a caged animal ready to attack at any moment, and scaring the hell out of most of the constables who hadnt learned to recognize him. Leaning against the wall, Conrad watched it all with due appreciation, until he caught sight of another familiar face down the corridor. Willis? Hed only taken one step in the younger mans direction when a scuffle had another officer calling for assistance. By the time the situation was under control and Conrad looked down the corridor again, there was no sign of the younger man. Did you see a pretty blond boy, about nineteen...? Conrad trailed off as he looked over his shoulder and saw a strange expression on his cousins face. Anything interesting happen to you last Wednesday? Ed asked. There was obviously no point expecting the other man to make any sense so soon after coming in off an assignment. Leaving Ed in his wake, Conrad made his way through the station, until he finally caught sight of Willis sitting in the corridor leading to the interview rooms. Willis? The younger man looked up. Conrad didnt think it was possible for the boy to get any paler than he already was, somehow he managed it. The lack of color only made the bruise on his temple look even darker and more painful. Crouching down in front of the younger man, Conrad reached out and pushed the submissives hair back off his face to get a better look at it. Have you been checked out? Willis swallowed. I saw the police doctor. He said Im fine, sir. And whos responsible for this? You, by all accounts. Conrad looked up. Inspector Jarvis stared down at him, his expression even more serious than usual. What? Conrad looked back to Willis, but the younger man looked just as confused as he felt. Apparently youve developed a taste for beating the hell out of underage rent boys, Jarvis informed him. Conrad stood up. What the hells going on? Inspector Jarvis sighed and pushed open the door leading into the interview room. Conrad automatically helped Willis up off his seat, careful in case there were other injuries hidden beneath the submissives clothes, and they followed the inspector and another detective into the room. Its been a long day, it looks likely to be an even longer night, Jarvis said. One question before anyone says another word. Did Sergeant Rawlings do this to you? Willis looked from Jarvis to Conrad and back again. He shook his head. Jarvis looked over his shoulder at Conrad. Wait outside. Conrad felt his hackles go up at the idea the boy might be lying because he was scared of him, but he went out into the corridor, knowing that was the quickest way for him to get back in there and find out what the hell was going on. Ed was waiting for him just outside the door. A few seconds later, Conrad had brought his cousin up to date on what he knew. The undercover officer nodded as if it suddenly all made perfect sense to him. I guess if he cant get you for The door swung open. Conrad strode back in to the room, vaguely aware that Ed was still on his heels. He says it wasnt you, Jarvis informed him. The iron band that had wrapped itself around Conrads rib cage relaxed and let him breathe a little. But his pimp says it was, the inspector added. The band came back, tighter than ever. Pimp...? Didnt you know you were talking to Marshalls pet rent boy? Conrad dragged his eyes away from the submissive for a moment. Detective Constable Simmons stood next to the inspector. It was wrong to assume that just because the man was the Chief Inspectors son, hed automatically be a complete prat. In this particular case, Conrad was willing to accept that any such assumption was completely true. Dismissing the constable from his mind, Conrad looked quickly back to the younger man. The submissive sat at the table, arms wrapped around his body as if struggling to hold himself together. Marshalls pet rent-boy. Bile rose in the back of Conrads throat at the thought. I guess if Marshall cant frame you for screwing him, this is his next best choice, Ed piped up from where hed settled himself in the corner of the room. What? Toby Marshall. Drugs and skin mostly. Sadistic bastard too. Apparently you really pissed him off at some point, because hes put a lot of effort into working out how to frame you. And you didnt think that was something I should know? Conrad asked, making some attempt at keeping his tone calm in deference to the submissives presence, but not entirely sure he succeeded. If hed known that, perhaps hed have been able to... Conrad wasnt even sure, but it would have bloody well included making sure Willis hadnt been beaten black, blue, and many interesting shades of purple. I knew he was after a cop called Rawlings, Ed shrugged. That doesnt really narrow it down around here. Last time I counted, there were a couple of dozen of us in the force. Conrad looked back to Willis. The boy kept his gaze on the table, as if afraid to look up. Anyway, Ed went on. He was supposed to be the honey in the trap, lure you in front of a camera and put on a good show for them to send to the papers. Police sergeant screws underage rent boy. Would have made one hell of a headline for one of the scandal rags. Conrad held up a hand, stopping him short. Under-age? With the birth certificates to prove itnot bad forgeries, Ed allowed, with the air of a connoisseur. The tabloids could have probably got away with claiming they thought they were genuine. Conrad just kept staring at the submissive. How old would the genuine certificate make you? Nineteen, sir. It sounded as honest an answer as it had last time he asked, just before the submissive bolted. Still, its a good thing for you that you didnt take the bait, Ed announced. What? I heard him tell Marshall he damn near got on his knees and begged, and you werent interested. Willis gaze flashed up to meet his. A seconds eye contact was all Conrad needed. He hadnt been able to go through with it. He saw it in the younger mans eyes, along with the shame and the pain that flooded his expression. Whatever hed told his pimp, the simple truth was, when it came right down to it, he hadnt been able to go through with the plan to frame him. If were done with all the touchy feely bullshit, the younger detective began. Its time he answered a few of our questions about his friends. No! Willis eyes opened very wide with the word. Im not saying anything. He hesitated for a second. Ill say that Sergeant Rawlings didnt hurt me, that he hasnt done anything wrong. Im not saying anything else. Simmons shrugged. Hell change his mind soon enough when he finds out that the cells are all full and hell have share with a few of the others. Doubt theyll be happy when we tell them all hes agreed to testify against them all in exchange for being released without charge. Conrad stepped forward. The constable didnt look impressed. If hes Marshalls little bitch-boy then Suddenly, Willis was also on his feet too, standing between Conrad and Simmons. Yes, I am. What? Simmons looked from Conrad to Willis and back again. Willis shoulders shook as he took a deep breath. Yes. Thats exactly what I am. So you can throw me in any cell you like. Do you really think theres anything any of those guys can do to me that they havent already done a dozen times over? The room fell completely silent. I wont say a word againstagainst any of them. And if that means being locked up for refusing to cooperate or whatever the hell its called, he shrugged, as if he knew his life inside prison would be that much different to his life outside it, and he was past the point of expecting anything different. Excuse me, for not feeling too sorry for Marshalls whore, the constable muttered. The only thing I care about is the information he has on Thats enough! Jarvis cut in. The room fell silent as angry glares replaced raised voices for a few moments. You, stay where you are, he ordered, pointing to Willis. Everyone else, out. Ed and Simmons filed out. You too, Jarvis called to Conrad, when he would have stayed behind in the hopes of having a few minutes alone with Willis. Conrad strode across to the door. Looking both ways along the corridor, he caught sight of a familiar head of blond hair. If he couldnt find an actual Rawlings to sit with the boy, a man who was engaged to a Rawlings was the next best thing. Hadley! The constable turned around and made his way across to him through the bedlam. Sit with him until I get back. The younger man nodded and disappeared into the room. A hurried text, and Conrad was soon striding into the incident room. Whats your deal with him? Inspector Jarvis asked as he reached the older mans desk. Anonymous hook up in a club. And, apparently, an aborted blackmail attempt the next day. Is he under arrest? Most of Jarvis attention seemed to be on the report he was reading. He was picked up with a couple of dozen others... He turned over the page. You know how these operations always end up going down. Arrest anything that moves. Sort out the wheat from the chaff later. So you dont actually have anything on him except for him being pimped out and beaten to hell and back? Conrad asked. The inspector pushed his hand through his hair. It was a bad habit for a cop to get into every time the job stressed him out. The older man didnt have a lot of hair left to tear out. His lawyers on his way anyway, Conrad informed him. His pimps lawyer is already here. Hes the DC began Willis lawyers on his way, Conrad repeated. Ed stood on the other side of the desk. Conrad saw his lips twitch. He could guess what the other cop was thinking, and he was right. Tony was just going to love being dragged to the station for a pro bono case at this time in the evening. * * * * Willis looked up as the door leading into the interview room swung open. For a moment, he let himself hope that it would be Conrad coming back, that hed be able to see the other man again, if only for a few minutes. The man who walked in looked a bit like Conrad. He had the same dark hair and broad shoulders, the same jaw line. But he wasnt Conrad, and the sense of ease that Willis had found in the other mans presence didnt arrive with his man. Striding across the room, the guy set a brief case on the small table, and extended his hand toward Willis. Antony Rawlings. Ive been retained to represent your interests. He nodded to the policeman whod been standing by the door ever since Conrad left. Thanks Hadley, I can take it from here. Willis swallowed down his nerves as the constable left them alone. I dont, I mean... Conrad arranged for me to represent you, the lawyer cut in, taking a seat opposite Willis. I dont understand... I... The other man looked him up and down, seeming to take in every detail. Have you ever been arrested before? Willis shook his head. Good. Heres the basic idea of how it worksIm on your side. And right now, that means Im going to get you out of here as quickly as possible. All you have to do is tell me the complete truth. Can you do that? Willis offered him a cautious nod. The older man started firing off question after question at him. Willis head was still swirling with the echoes of them all, when the door was pushed open again. Conrad walked back in. So did other men, but Willis only had eyes for the dominant. Conrad offered him an encouraging little smile, but he stayed on the other side of the room when all the others came closer. Willis was vaguely aware that people were talking to each other above his head. Individual words jumped out at him. Innocent. Police bail. Victim. Witness. Released without charge. Forms. Evidence. Custody. Address. They all swirled into a jumble around him as more and more terms flashed back and forth across the room, from the lawyer, to the policemen and back again. Willis dropped his gaze for a moment, before looking back up and meeting Conrads eyes across the room. He couldnt look away then. Their eyes were locked and he was trapped by him in a way he never truly had been by Marshall. Police bail. The words tugged at the edges of Willis conscious. Willis! Conrad broke their gaze and the submissive was freed to look toward the inspector. Youre going to be released on police bail. Do you understand what that means? the older man asked. Willis shook his head. Were not charging you with anything right nowyoure being released without charge, but youll have to come back and answer our questions whenever we want to speak to you. Understand? Willis managed a nod. And that means youll have to give us an address where well be able to find you. Willis hesitated then. Is myis Marshall being released too? No, hes already been charged. Weve got enough on him to put him away for a very long time. Willis was vaguely aware that the older man was talking to him the same way hed speak to a child. Unexpected sympathy shone in his eyes as he looked down at Willis. You were living with him? Willis nodded. Do you have anywhere else you can stay? Willis stared down at the tabletop. I could probably arrange the lawyer began. He can stay with me. Everyone in the room turned to look at Conrad. Willis was no exception. He stared up at the dominant, waiting for a punch line. Are you sure thats a good idea? The words floated over Willis head from someone behind him. He looked back to the desk, not able to watch the other man realize he didnt actually want him anywhere near him. Im sure, Conrad said. Not knowing what to say, Willis stayed silent as the other men talked around him. There seemed to be a lifetimes worth of forms that needed to be filled in and men Conrad needed to talk to. With every second that passed, Willis was more and more certain he was going to be sent back to Marshall, put in a cell like the other cop had said and just left there to rot. By the time Conrad actually walked him out of the station and held open a car door for him to get into the passenger side, Willis heart was racing so fast, he could barely breathe. The door clicked shut. Conrad walked around to the other side and slid behind the wheel. Do your belt up, Willis. Hands shaking slightly, the submissive did as he was ordered. Conrad pulled out of the car park in silence. Willis nipped at his bottom lip as he tried to hide his nerves and failed. Conrad, sitting next to him, radiated perfect calm and control over everything. Just being sealed in the relatively small car with him, tempted Willis to relax and simply relish the dominants presence. He closed his eyes for a moment. He couldnt ever remember feeling safer. Then the engine stopped. Were here. Willis blinked his eyes open. It was hard to see where here was in the darkness. Conrad got out of the car and walked around. Lacking an order to do otherwise, Willis stayed where he was. The dominant opened the car door and helped him out. His hand stayed on the small of Willis back, as if he thought he needed steadying as the dominant walked him a little way along the road and to a gate leading to a basement. They were down the steps and inside a flat before either of them spoke. You okay? Conrad asked as he closed the door behind them. Willis nodded. Yes, sir. The dominant walked forward, into a neat little living room. They really were in the sergeants own home. The mans presence filled the space. Questions? Conrad asked. Why are you being so kind to me, sir? Willis blurted out. Conrad smiled slightly, apparently not the least angry about being questioned that way. Maybe for much the same reason you refused to frame metwice. Willis closed his eyes for a moment. He knew why hed done that. He might have more sense than to admit it out loud, but he knew. He was half sure that hed fallen in love with the other man the first moment hed set eyes on him. Maybe even before that. Maybe hed even fallen in love with him through the glory hole. Whatever Conrads motive for being kind to him was, it wasnt the same reason. He looked up and met the other mans eyes. There was a strange expression in them. Conrad looked away from him before he spoke. Youre exhausted. You should get some sleep. Turning away from him then, Conrad led the way to a bedroom, pointing out the bathroom on the other side of the hallway on the way past. Standing just inside the bedroom door, Willis waited for an order. Conrad walked across to a wardrobe on the other side of the room. Willis tried to glimpse past the larger mans shoulder, wondering what was going to emerge from the shadowy space. Conrad turned around with a blanket and a pillow under his arm. He retraced his steps to the bedroom door. Where are you? Willis cut himself short, but he knew it was too late. He braced himself for the blow, but none came. Ill be on the sofa in the living room. Conrads hand was already on the door handle when Willis finally scraped together the courage to speak. Im not too tired to make sure itll be good for you, he rushed out. The older man was very still for several long seconds. I didnt bring you here to screw you. Willis swallowed. I dont mind Conrad cut him short with a shake of the head. Maybe its best that you think of this place as a safe house. Youre safe here. Willis nodded, his gaze remaining on the carpet. He got the message. He wasnt to make himself too at home, this wasnt his home. The other man was just letting him stay there for a few days out of some misguided sense of pity. Conrad reached out and tucked a knuckle under Willis chin, guiding him to tilt his head back and look up at him. Safe, the larger man repeated. That means no one demanding anything from you. It was the nicest way Willis had ever heard a man turn another guy down. He nodded his understanding. A moment later, he was on his own in the room. Willis looked around it. It was a nice roomnicer than hed seen in a long time. There was nothing special about it, it was just ... nice. The kind of room a nice man might sleep in. Unable to face the prospect of lying in the other mans bed on his own, Willis walked past it and looked out of the window, into the little courtyard garden. There was a low military style footlocker set just below the window. Sitting down on the hard wooden surface, Willis pulled his feet up in front of him and wrapped his arms around his legs. Hed been stupid to think the dominant had meant anything but to offer him a bed for the night. Willis shook his head at himself. So stupid. Marshall had told him he was an idiot often enough, that he didnt know why he should be surprised to find the dominant had been right. The other man had told him other things as wellthings hed tried not to believe. Willis closed his eyes as he finally forced himself to face the truth. His master had obviously been rightso very, very right about it all. Chapter Three Willis had no idea how much time passed before he heard a footstep in the hallway, followed by a quiet click as the bedroom door was opened from the other side. In Marshalls house, he knew what it meant when a man came to his room in the middle of the night. It inevitably meant pain, of some sort or another. Here he had no idea. Part of him was sure the other man was just checking up on him, another was convinced the guy had realized Willis didnt belong there and wanted him out of his house that minute. The door handle rattled, as if the dominant had seen he was already awake, but didnt think Willis had heard him open the door. Unable to turn around and face the other man, Willis kept staring out the window. Couldnt sleep? Conrad asked. Willis shook his head, not willing to trust his voice to stay steady if he tried to speak. Do you want to talk? the dominant asked after a while. Another shake of the head, still directed to the darkness outside the window, was all Willis could manage. Willis? The younger man swallowed as he heard Conrad take a step into the room. Its fine, sir, Willis managed. You dont have to... He closed his eyes for a moment. Im sorry I got the wrong impression before. Conrad took several more steps forward. I guess I was better at playing pretend than I thought, Willis whispered. What? Willis forced out a strained little laugh. I used to pretend that he didnt really mean it. Another step brought the dominant another foot closer to him. The first time he ordered me to take money for it... Willis dropped his gaze from the window to stare down at his hands. The knuckles were white from the grip he had around his own legs, but he still couldnt keep the words back. And Conrad just listened. If hed told him to shut the hell up it would have been so much easier, but he just listened, and Willis couldnt stop the truth tumbling out. After that first time, I went back to him, thinking hed be pleased with me. My master hadnt been pleased with me for so long. I thought, maybe it would be worth it if... He shook his head. Marshall just laughed. Told me that was it. No man who didnt need to pay for it would stoop so low as to lay hand on me now. I thought hed change his mind. That somehow Id ... But he never did. The last words were barely a whisper. Conrad stepped forward again. And thats why you think I...? he asked. Youd have screwed me, Willis said softly. A few days ago, youd have screwed me. And youd have enjoyed it. But that was before you found out what I am, wasnt it? He closed his eyes again, shaking his head slightly. If hed gone where the other man wanted to take him rather than try to get him to go back to that stupid room with the camera in it, maybe he could have at least had a few hours with the dominant, something to remember. But it was too late to wish for that now. It doesnt matter, Willis whispered, shrugging the whole babbled mess aside. He waited for the sound of footsteps leaving the room. That didnt happen. He heard Conrad take a pace forward instead. Tensing up, he forced himself to stay very still and simply wait for the first blow. He had it coming for his bloody cheek if nothing else, rambling on at the other man, complaining after hed gone out of his way to help him so much. Conrad lifted his hand, but when his knuckles touched Willis cheek, the gesture couldnt have been gentler. The dominant sat on the footlocker next to him and guided Willis to turn to face him. He was going to be nice about it. He was going to explain exactly why he had no interest in screwing him anymore, why his master had been right. Suddenly Willis knew he couldnt let that happen. He tried to stand up and put some distance between them, but Conrad stopped him short as he leaned forward and brought their lips together.