Chapter Two #3
Instead of the reluctance Phil had expected, Terry had almost seemed relieved at Phil’s orders.
It was as if Phil commanding him had made it all okay.
Like the way he’d wanted me to tell him what to do our first night at Gerard’s.
Another thought occurred to Phil. And his desire for the rape fantasy, for me to force him.
It was becoming clearer than ever that being told what to do was what his sub needed to thrive.
“It was Anson.”
Phil shook his head in confusion. “You mean that sub you told me about, the one you said was a simpering idiot?”
Terry snorted. “I don’t remember being that kind, but yes, he’s the one.”
“Go on.”
“He showed up out of nowhere at the studio. I was searching for a lens in the trunk of my car—” Terry squirmed as he cleared his throat and Phil knew there was a story there too.
“Well, anyway, when I straightened, there he was. At first, I couldn’t figure out what was going on, he was acting all weird, which is, shall we say, not that unusual when it comes to him—”
“To the point, baby.”
“Right. He finally told me that his Master wanted me—” Terry cringed as Phil clenched his jaw, anger threatening to burst out of him at the thought of any other man touching his sub. “And he got incensed when first I laughed then told him to fuck off.”
“But how did you get hurt?”
Terry flushed. “He was trying to kiss me, and I was struggling. He had me pinned against a soundstage so I yelled for help. He freaked out then threw me to the ground before running away.”
I’m going to kill him, ran through Phil’s mind, but it wasn’t what Terry needed to hear right then. “This is insane. Why would he be approaching you that way, and why was he so aggressive about it?”
“Yeah, that’s the part that unsettled me too. Anson kept saying Master Joe would hurt him, like really hurt him if I didn’t go along with it and I could tell he was genuinely scared. He even offered to pay me a shitload of money.”
Phil drew his eyebrows together. “I don’t like this at all. Something’s not right. You told me he was there the night of our scene, and after harassing you, Master Joe, Anson and their friends were all thrown out?”
“And Master Joe was pretty pissed off. He threatened Marty, the greeter. Said he’d regret it. Marty told me that Gerard’s uncle is friends with Master Joe, and that’s the only reason he was there in the first place.”
Phil grunted. “I see. I was beginning to question Gerard’s judgment.
But I think we should discuss this with Gerard, make him aware of the situation.
Even if Anson is a worm, he doesn’t deserve to be abused.
Who knows what this Joe guy is doing to him, or others for that matter.
” Another thing occurred to him. “Did you tell anyone, report what happened?”
Terry’s expression radiated discomfort as he squirmed on the couch. “I’d really rather not. I’m sure he won’t try anything again. He was obviously afraid he’d get caught, so I’m betting he’ll stay out of my way from now on.”
Phil considered it, the entire episode aggravating the hell out of him. “Well, I don’t know this Anson character at all, but if he so much as looks at you funny, I want you to tell me immediately, got it? He doesn’t get to keep harassing you.”
Terry let out an obvious sigh of relief. “Man, I should’ve just told you all this right away. You are so right about the whole giving you my worries thing. I was freaking out over what I should do.”
Phil arched his eyebrows. “You know that’s an admission that could lead to a punishment, right?”
Terry offered him a lopsided grin. “That’s okay. I think I could use some reminding.”
“Do you, now?” Phil smirked. He wanted to wrap Terry in an embrace, but he needed to tend to his elbow first.
Phil rose, offering Terry his hand. “Come on. Let’s take care of that scrape.”
Terry twined their fingers together, his firm grasp speaking to his need to be held onto. “Just no more kneeling right now, okay? I kinda bumped my left knee when he pushed me down.”
Phil bit down a growl. “Terry. You’re not helping your case here. You insisted it was only your elbow!”
“I know, I know. But I’m confessing all right now.” Terry came to an abrupt halt. “About my injuries, that is.” He wouldn’t meet Phil’s eyes.
“Baby? Why don’t we get you to the bathroom where I’ll help you wash and dress this elbow, then you can tell me about all the other punishable offenses you’ve committed while I rub some arnica cream into your arms and knee, hmm?”
Terry laughed shakily. “Sure. Can’t wait.”
“Sarcasm is on the naughty list too.”
Terry didn’t respond, and Phil was sure it was because it would’ve only added to the rapidly growing list of goofs Terry had made that day. Phil let out a mournful sigh.
I should do some confessing of my own.
As much as he didn’t want to upset Terry with the news about the film falling through, he had just as much of a responsibility to communicate with Terry as the other way around. Phil wouldn’t make the same mistake he had three years before.