Chapter 10
“Fuck!” he says.
I look up from my phone, closing down a message I’m typing to Rafe.
“What? Have you found it, found out who did this?” I stand up from the sofa and stride the half a dozen steps to reach them.
“We have, and it’s not good.” He’s angry in a way that frightening. I’ve seen angry men. I’ve been that angry man, and I know it’s not a good emotion.
“We can sort it for you, but I’m sorry; it was one of our security operatives, they are all vetted and know the rules.
I’ve got him in the security room and logged into the computer system.
This is a secure system. He’s taken a still image and printed it.
I can see on the printer log that it was only one image,” Lucien says, and I’ll give him his due, he looks as disappointed as he does angry.
“I’ve never had this happen in the ten years we’ve been open.
You and your partner are not the only men known by the public, and really, I can’t understand why he did this.
” He looks back at the screen on his computer and another well measured ‘fuck’ is spoken.
“There’s more. Here, if you look at the footage from above the back door, he’s handing it to someone. ”
It’s a great camera, not grainy or distorted in any way.
I recognise the recipient, and it’s my turn to swear.
“That’s Louis. That man has been Rafe’s mentor for the last year.
Why? Why would he do this to us? He’s demanded five-hundred grand to keep this quiet.
I’m trying to persuade them it a Photoshop or AI prank.
But Rafe’s not a good liar, and his face spoke volumes. ”
Warwick spoke next. “What do you want to do next, Drake? Are you going to involve the police or are you happy to let us deal with this. I promise you, neither of them will get off lightly.”
“I’m happy to leave it with you, and I think Rafe will too.
I’ll have to check, but it shocked him, scaring him that after all this time someone has hurt us this way.
We haven’t had any looks or negativity from anyone at Bent.
You do have a wonderful club, guys. It would be a shame for this to get out. ”
Lucien nods. “Thank you. I appreciate your understanding and composure. I’m not sure I would be so gracious. Let us know what Rafe says.”
Warwick stands up from the desk. “I’ll walk out with you, Drake.”
When we reach the cars, he stops and leans against the driver door of his.
“Shit, Drake. I’m so bloody sorry. I can’t believe it.
Louis is a well-respected Dom and has been a member here from the start.
Never would I have thought he would do something like this.
I will deal with him; he will not get off with a slap on the wrist. I’ll sort it.
This man’s life as he knows it is over, I promise. ”
“Yeah, thanks. It’s been a clusterfuck of a day. I’d better get home; I don’t want to leave Rafe with his worry and fears running rampant for any longer. He’s seriously shaken, Warwick. I don’t know what he’ll want to do. I’ll call you later. Thanks for dealing with this so quickly.”
I drive home, wishing that knowing made me feel better. Rafe is going to be distraught when I tell him, even telling him nothing more is going to happen won’t help the feeling of betrayal. I don’t expect to see Grant’s car in front of the house when I pull up to the garage.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I walk into the kitchen and see Grant standing next to Rafe. I’m definitely not happy about Grant’s hand resting on my boyfriend’s shoulder.
“Your contract has been terminated. You no longer work for Rafe. This is all your fault, and you’re lucky we’re not involving the police,” Grant says, sounding disgusted with me. What the fuck has gone down here while I’ve been out? Out trying to fix this.
I stare at Rafe. His eyes are red-rimmed. He’s been crying, and by the state of his lip, he’s been chewing on it for god knows how long. Has he confessed to Grant?
Grant huffs. “I think I’ve told you what Rafe wants, Foster. So, get your stuff together and leave.”
Ignoring Grant, I step towards my lover, my Dom. “Rafe, look I know this is a shock. Can we go and talk privately?” I wait for Grant’s refusal, but Rafe nods, and we walk down to the office. “I know who’s behind the photograph. Louis,” I tell him.
Rafe’s eyes shoot to mine. “Louis? Why? I thought he liked us?” His voice a quiet shock filled with so much sadness, my heart breaks. “How did you find out?”
“I’ve been with the owners of Bent. They checked the security and computer logs, and it was him and the security guy.
Rafe, we need to talk about this. You can’t give up on what we have.
Please, baby?” I’m not averse to begging for this, for us.
I know this is the real thing. I look to the closed door, then gesture to it with my head.
“What’s he said, babe? Why has he turned up? ”
“He was worried about me. He says you must’ve coerced me into everything.” He struggles to look at me now. I can hear the anguish in his tone.
I take his hands and feel a little hope when he clasps mine. “I’m sure if I was the one coercing you, I’d be the one holding the crop, don’t you think?”
A small, minute smile twitches at the corners of his mouth, then it’s gone and a deep frown takes over. “Grant says he’ll drop me if you stay.”
I can’t help but think that would be for the best; he’s not good for Rafe, not in the long term.
“Do you really think he’s the best person to manage you?
He’s never going to let you be your true self.
Do you want to be in the closet for the next ten years, maybe longer?
You’re a Dom now, are you going to be able to keep that locked up inside you?
Can’t you see that’s not a good way to live?
” My eyes burn with unshed tears that if I blink will tumble down my cheeks.
“I love you. I love you so much, and I know you love me. Don’t do this to us. ”
“I…I don’t know, Drake. I need some time to think. I’m so confused.”
I know Grant has said some terrible things, has scared him into thinking he’ll be a flop if anyone finds out; that’s what’s driving him to do this.
I look at him, not believing what he’s saying.
Rafe’s fear of being found out he’s gay and then in a BDSM relationship has always been there, in the back of his mind.
“Okay, okay. I’ll go, but I don’t want to.
I love you, and you only have to call, and I’ll come. ”
Grant watches me without saying another word to me.
The smug look on his face has me wondering what he’s going to gain from splitting us up.
When I step out of the large front door, I turn one last time and see Rafe’s grief-stricken face.
I know I’m hoping he’ll say something and call me back. But he doesn’t.
He doesn’t call.
I walk into my parents’ home and plaster on a smile that even I know is false and won’t work on my dads.
“Which wayward son has run out of food and come home hungry?” my dad calls from the living room. Pops shushing him makes my smile a little brighter.
I hear him get up out of the chair and walk towards me. I’m not sure why my feet are fixed to the floor. I want to see him, to have him wrap his arms around me. To tell me I’ll be okay.
When he reaches the doorway and sees me, his smile drops, and sadness fills his eyes. “Oh, sweet boy, come here.”
I drop my bag and stumble the last few steps to reach him. He does exactly what I need. He hugs me, wordlessly comforting me. I bury my head in his neck and let the pain of the last twenty-four hours break free as I sob.
I take a step back, letting Pops release me. I wipe my eyes, and with a very tiny smile, try a weak chuckle. “I needed that.”
“Let me get you something to eat,” he says, and Dad lets out a chuckle. We all know Pops solves all problems with food.
“Good to see you, son.” He squeezes my shoulder as he follows his husband into the kitchen.
I settle in the chair that’s always been mine and put my hands on the table. “Am I okay to stay for a couple of days? I’ll see what jobs I can line up before I get myself a place.”
“You always have a place here, Drake. You know that,” Dad says as he puts a bottle of beer in front of me. “Thought you might need this.”
I nod my head, but don’t pick it up. Instead, I fiddle with the label, teasing the edges away from the cold glass bottle.
He sits opposite me, his lips in a thin line as he holds back from asking me any questions.
My parents know me well enough to know not to probe, that I’ll talk when I’ve got all the words ready in my head, including their replies.
I dip my head back down to the bottle I still haven’t taken a sip from.
“He chose his fame over me.” I shrug, sadness washing over me again.
“A Dom from our club took a picture from the security system and tried to blackmail him. His manager, who’s a homophobic dick, didn’t give him a choice, said he would drop him if he stayed with me.
Even though it was me who found out who it was and ensured it ended there and then. So, I got fired.”
Pops sits next to Dad, his face full of pain. “Oh, Drake, sweetheart. He’s the one who lost.”
I wait on the stairs as Grant watches Drake leave the house. I don’t understand how this has gone to shit so quickly, and more importantly, why I’m letting it happen. Drake says it’s sorted and is being dealt with, so why did I let him go?
“Okay, now that’s out of the way, we should get you out and about again. You need to be seen with some model hanging onto your arm and every word coming out of your stupid mouth.”