Chapter Five #2
“Yeah, I mean, yes, sir.” Terry sucked in a breath as if to compose himself.
“I was alone because, well, you know.” Terry’s face flushed deep.
“Anyway, I went into the kitchen to get some water and was shocked when a client of mine was in there on a leash with a tougher, kind of scraggly-looking guy. I’d say this Master Joe was maybe ten or fifteen years older than me, leathery skin, built more like a bear, umm…
” Terry furrowed his brow. “To be honest, I was trying not to look at him. I was already nervous about my scene, Anson has always skeeved me out, and I was really endeavoring not to make Dom eye contact.” Terry chuckled. “No use egging anyone on.”
Gerard nodded, chuckling as well. “Go on.”
Terry swallowed. “But what really freaked me out was how harsh he was with Anson. I mean, I get the whole rough play thing, right? However, it was the vibe I had about the whole situation that had me feeling something was really wrong. Then when Anson cornered me at the studio, he was practically hysterical over this Master Joe really hurting him if I didn’t go along with whatever scheme the guy had cooked up. ”
“Your Master told me you said this Joe character wanted to see you and Anson together, wanted one night with you?”
Terry laughed nervously. “Yeah, that’s what he said, but it’s so ridiculous. Why would some Dom hurt Anson just because he didn’t procure another sub for him?”
Gerard sighed, the sound surprising Phil by how melancholy it was.
“I’ve met many of them over the years, I’m sorry to say.
Abusive assholes are everywhere in every form, but sadly, the BDSM world attracts quite a few.
There are so many misconceptions and assumptions about the lifestyle, that people with wrong intentions believe they can use it as a shield to hide behind while going after what they want. ”
Terry shivered and Phil placed his hand on Terry’s upper back. Phil was happier than ever that he’d insisted on driving Terry back and forth from the studio. Fortunately, the cable show he’d been taking stills for was on hiatus, so he was back to doing private sessions at his home studio.
“I’m sorry I can’t tell you more, Master Gerard.”
“That’s fine, Terry. Luckily, Marty was able to give me a very detailed description of everyone.
He said he’d been suspicious of them from the moment they’d walked in, so he’d been watching closely.
” Gerard smirked. “When your boy arrived, Marty kept an even closer eye. He figured if Terry got anywhere near them, he’d be in trouble. ”
“Uh…” Terry twisted his body to look up at Phil. “Can I ask a question?”
“Of course, baby. Be free to say whatever you want while we hopefully sort all this out.”
Terry faced forward. “So, did Marty know that I was there doing a role play scene? Because I was sure he was going to nab Phil when he took me down to the basement.”
Phil snorted and Gerard let out a hearty laugh.
“Yes, I’d warned Phil that Marty would likely take him down if Terry appeared to be reticent or resisting in any way. Not only that, but the bracelet alone meant that Terry wasn’t allowed to leave the main area unless he went back to Marty and turned it in.”
Terry whipped his head back and forth between Phil and Gerard. “So, did he get in trouble or something, you know, for not protecting me?”
Phil narrowed his eyes. Terry seemed very concerned about the possibility that the doorman might’ve been reprimanded because of him. Hmm.
Gerard wiped a finger under his eye. “No, not at all. When Phil arrived, he had a password that I’d given him.
Marty was aware there’d be a scene going down and he wasn’t supposed to interfere.
It was all agreed on ahead of time. Until Phil led you downstairs, though, Marty had no idea you were a part of it.
” Gerard had an impish smile on his lips.
“He said you were quite the little actor.”
“Me?” Terry huffed. “Hardly. I really was nervous as all hell.”
Phil squeezed Terry’s neck. “Language.”
Terry lowered his chin. “Sorry, Master Gerard.”
Gerard glanced up at Phil, a smile still playing on his lips. “Forgiven.”
Phil spoke up. “Now I have a question. Marty said this Master Joe is a friend of your uncle? But from what I understand from Eric, that isn’t true.”
“That’s right, it’s not. My uncle does have a friend who had expressed interest in coming to an event here, but I never would’ve allowed someone I hadn’t vetted to bring a collared sub—or slave in this instance—nor would I ever have allowed him to bring another Dom who I knew nothing about.
This is mine and Marco’s home. We’ve extended our hospitality to a select number of people in the BDSM community, and that’s it.
I’ll be honest, this incident has left us feeling less secure in what should be our safe haven. ”
Phil nodded, frowning. He’d been so caught up on whether it was a safe space for him and Terry, that he hadn’t taken into consideration Gerard’s side of things. “And I’m sorry for that. We’ve both been affected negatively by this. And I take it that your uncle has no idea who Master Joe is?”
“He doesn’t. As a matter of fact, he gave his friend a really hard time about it, practically accusing him of either being this Joe person or of telling someone else about my place.
You see, that’s just it. If he wasn’t my uncle’s friend, then how did these other clowns know about my uncle and know where to find me?
The only connection we can see is that the friend works in the film industry as a casting director for extras. ”
Phil winced. “That is pretty unsettling.”
“Umm…” Terry glanced up at him. “Maybe Anson found out about it somehow, then told Joe?”
The idea held merit. From what Terry had shared about Anson, he was still a newbie to professional acting. Phil regarded Gerard, who seemed to be mulling over Terry’s words.
Gerard narrowed his eyes, nodding. “Hmm. I’ll mention that to my uncle.
Maybe he can find out if Anson is signed up with the friend’s agency, or ever got sent out on any calls.
” Gerard leaned over to give Marco a kiss on the top of his head.
The sub had remained in perfect position throughout their entire conversation.
“It’s been stressful enough that I not only changed all the locks, but I invited Marty to stay with us temporarily until this mystery gets resolved.
” Gerard ran his fingers through Marco’s dark curls.
“He’s a former Navy Seal. Would’ve been career, but a knee injury during a difficult op ended that hope.
And as you can see, he’s also a formidable man. ”
Phil had to chuckle. Talk about understatements. “I guess there isn’t much else we can add.”
“I have another question.” Gerard regarded Phil. “It’s the one part of this all I don’t get. If Terry knew who hurt him at the studio, why didn’t he, or you, simply report it to the police?”
Phil ran a hand across the top of his head.
“I wanted to initially, and truthfully, it’s still not off the table.
Terry had his own reasons, which I’ll let him express.
Mine had to do with me being worried over the authorities either disregarding it because of the BDSM aspect, giving me and Terry trouble, or possibly giving the police an excuse to come over here and cause trouble for you. ”
Gerard arched his eyebrows. “Well. I have to say I appreciate you taking me into consideration.” Gerard shook his head. “Crazy.” He glanced up. “I can’t imagine what this is all about, and how we and our boys managed to get involved.” Gerard indicated to Terry again. “May I?”
“Yes, go ahead.” Phil couldn’t deny it was a rush to be treated as an equal by a long-term, respected Dom.
“Terry? Why didn’t you want to turn Anson in?”
Terry let out a sigh. “Look, I can’t stand the guy, not really.
He’s a complete ass…jerk. But at the same time, I don’t wish something horrible on him.
” Terry pulled his eyebrows together. “Maybe if I did turn Anson in he could get help to protect him from this guy who seems to control and probably abusing him. But at the same time, Anson was terrified, begged me not to call anyone because Master Joe would kill him.” Terry shivered again.
“And the last thing Anson is, is a good actor. Trust me.”
Gerard’s face radiated a pained expression. “God. The more of this story I hear, the worse it gets. Did he show up at the set the next day acting as if nothing ever happened?”
“Actually, he didn’t show up at all.” Terry had paled. “He had his agent call and say he was going to have to drop out of the show for personal reasons. That was the only info I was able to get from the director.”
Gerard held Phil’s gaze. “If anything else goes down, I’d like to ask you to get the police involved, even if it means having them come here. It’s your decision, of course, but I don’t see any good coming of hoping this will simply go away.”
Phil had been wrestling with the same thought ever since Terry had been hurt. “I agree. So far, there hasn’t been a hint of any more problems. But if that changes, I won’t put Terry’s safety at risk.”
“Great.” Gerard gave him a sincere smile. “I think we’re on the same page.”
Phil smiled back, hoping he was able to convey his own sincerity. He really did like Gerard. And I wouldn’t mind taking him up on his offer, either.
It was time to have a serious chat with his sub.
****