Chapter 16 #2
Bailey lowered his head, hiding his smile and reddening cheeks.
Nathan took hold of his chin and lifted his face to his. "Why not you?" he asked again.
Bailey shrugged. "I—I don't know. Men come and go, and not one really took much of an interest in me.
" Not like how Vito took interest in Zindel, he thought.
Such a Cinderella tale that he envied and felt he would never experience.
It wasn't that he wasn't happy for his best friend, but he hoped one day he'd also find a man who was the other part of his soul.
Could Nathan be that needle in the haystack?
Was this an opportunity he wasn't supposed to pass?
"Men desire me, but they don't want me, even when they claim they do. " He was tired of empty promises.
"Fuck those fools," Nathan said, then smirked. "But I should thank them for ignoring you. Because now I can have you all to myself."
"Stop," Bailey said in a hushed tone, then looked away coyly.
Nathan chuckled softly. "I'm serious. I want you all to myself. Ever since our first meeting, I can't get you off my mind."
Bailey looked up. "Really?"
Nathan nodded. "It's true. Full disclosure, my brother is married to Zindel's brother, Ze."
Bailey's eyes widened then. "You're... You're Nathan Bridger?"
"Yes, is there a problem?" he asked, hoping the gains he just made weren't lost, because he could tell that his words and honesty had an impact on Bailey.
"Yes—I mean, no... um... I don't know," Bailey said, blinking in confusion.
"How much has Zindel told you about us? My family, I mean?" Nathan asked before he revealed too much too soon.
"Don't get mad at him. He's just looking out for me," Bailey said.
"I just want to know what you know and why you had that reaction?" Nathan asked.
Bailey sighed and nodded. "This was when Zindel first started working here. He told me about his brother's club and how badass they were, but they couldn't save him because of who the Castiello family was. Then when he started dating Vito, I was worried for him, but Zin is a tough cookie."
"Are you a tough cookie?" Nathan asked.
"Do you need to ask that question?" Bailey asked with a little attitude.
"You're tough, there's no doubt about it. But are you able to handle what Zindel can?" Nathan asked, clarifying his meaning.
"Zindel is dating the mafia, but he stays out of it. Still, he can be caught in it just by association," Bailey said. "I worry for him all the time because of that."
"I'm not the mafia," Nathan said.
"But you are a family full of assassins," Bailey said.
Jesus fucking Christ, did Zindel tell his best friend everything? Nathan took a deep breath because he wasn't used to people who weren't in certain circles knowing about him and his family. He supposed Bailey could be the exception.
"Does that scare you?" Nathan asked him.
"A little, yeah," Bailey said. "Especially with this war going on."
"Did Zindel tell you all of that?"
"The news tells me a lot, you know. The police and media say it's all 'random crime violence,' but I know the truth. Your world is dark and violent," Bailey said.
"Not all of the time, and you'd never have to be exposed to what I do," Nathan said.
"Did you kill someone today?"
Nathan nodded. "Not today." Then he smiled widely.
Bailey scoffed and frowned at him. "Why are you smiling?"
"Because I've never just been able to talk about my life with someone who wasn't a part of it.
Someone who I wanted to have in my bed and in my life.
.. someone who I wanted to make my lover.
Before we had this conversation, I wasn't sure if I was ready to settle down, as you say, but now I know I want to.
I want to be this free in a relationship.
I don't even feel like you're judging me at this moment. "
"I'm judging you a little," Bailey said honestly.
"But is that judgment making you see me as a monster?"
Bailey looked at him then, really contemplating the question, and he shook his head.
"Had I not been in this world myself or had Zindel as my bestie or spent time with Vito at their home, maybe I'd have a different perspective.
But I don't see you as a monster. I mean, Ze is basically a serial killer, but he's not a monster. "
Nathan laughed at that. "Does Zindel even know what a fucking secret is?"
"We don't have any secrets between us. He knows I'd never betray him.
Whatever we share with each other, we take to our graves.
.. unless we have to tell someone in order to save each other.
That's how close we are. That's how much we trust each other," Bailey said with all of the conviction he felt.
"And that is why I have no more doubts about you, Bailey. I want you, and I think you can be just as strong as Zindel, and I will make sure to protect you from all dangers."
"I don't—"
Nathan grabbed Bailey's shoulders. "Just give me a chance. That's all I'm asking for. If in the end, you don't like me, you don't like my lifestyle, I will leave you alone."
"Really? You won't force me to be with you?"
"No. I want you to come to me willingly," Nathan said. "Will you give me a chance?"
Bailey stared Nathan in his eyes, looking for any hint of a lie, but finding none. This man was serious. "I must be out of my mind to even consider this."
"But?" Nathan asked imploringly.
Bailey took a few moments to think about his response. "Can I call you with an answer?"
Nathan released his shoulders and nodded. That was good enough. At least his foot was in the door. "Take my number."
"I don't have my cell on me."
"What's your number?"
Bailey gave it to him, and Nathan saved it into his contact list. "Perfect."
"You have about ten more minutes left on his VIP lap dance. Do you want one?"
Nathan smiled and nodded. "I'd be a fool to turn it down."
Bailey started to climb on top of him, but Nathan stopped him. "Don't make me cum."
Bailey smiled. "You want me to just edge you?"
"Exactly."
"As you wish."
Nathan smiled as Bailey climbed onto his lap. Yes, this was one man he knew he had to have, and he would. He promised Bailey he'd back off if he didn't like him, but that was only if he believed that to be true. If there was even a sliver of attraction, he would never let Bailey go.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Vito asked Nathan once the two met back up after his visit with Bailey.
Nathan smiled and adjusted the softening erection in his pants. "I did, and I'm looking forward to spending more time with him. Tell me, how much does he owe on his debt?"
Vito cocked an eyebrow at him as the two rode the elevator down. "Are you that interested in him?"
"Are we talking in the millions?" Nathan asked, wondering just how much money Bailey owed.
Vito shook his head. "About a hundred and sixty-seven thousand left to pay off... well, work off."
"What is your account information?" Nathan asked just as the elevator doors opened.
"You don't even know him, and you're willing to pay off his debt?"
Nathan shrugged as he followed Vito through the underground parking lot. "I have shoes that cost more. Furthermore, I want to get to know him, and within the confines of your club isn't ideal. I want him free to see and date me whenever I want to see him."
Vito nodded. "Fair enough." He gave Nathan his account details. "Once the payment clears, I'll end his contract, and he'll be free to go."
"Thank yo—" Nathan's words were cut off by the bullet that pierced his collarbone, sending blinding pain through his body.
Immediately, Nathan dropped down as he gripped his wound. Demir had Vito protected while the other six bodyguards took cover and shot back.
"What the fuck!" Vito shouted as he pulled his gun out. "Are you okay?" he asked Nathan.
"Hurts like hell, but I think I'll survive," he said through gritted teeth as he grimaced in pain. The bullet had gone straight through, and he applied pressure to slow the bleeding.
Three more of Vito's bodyguards fell in quick succession, their heads exploding as the bullets passed through their skulls.
"Kill these fucking motherfuckers," Vito said as he fired off several shots. Nathan could hear glass shattering from car windows as the bullets did their damage.
Demir went into action. "Get Vito out of here!
" he commanded to the other guards, who began backing up; one didn't make it, taking a bullet to his neck.
His blood squirted from the wound as he collapsed.
The other two took cover and protected Vito with their bodies as they tried to look for a way out.
Nathan noticed the precision of each shot that killed the bodyguards, whom he knew were wearing bullet-proof vests.
He had one on as well, and the bullet that hit him passed right through the shoulder strap.
Sure, the vests were more bullet-resistant than proof, but the gun that was being used and the bullets were powerful enough to make light work of their vests.
Not to mention all of the headshots told Nathan they were dealing with a skilled assassin.
From what he knew of the Jade Dragon Triad, they didn't have anyone in Chicago on that level.
Could they have called in help from Japan?
Nathan pulled out his gun and found one of their targets dashing between cars to get a better angle.
He dipped low under the cars and shot the man's ankle, and when he fell back, he shot again, splattering the man's brains all over the pavement.
Next he turned to see Demir engaged in combat with an Asian man.
"Holy shit, Aoshi Saitoh. Fuck!" he hissed.
"Who?" Vito asked as his eyes remained on the fight. He aimed his gun, waiting for the perfect moment to take a shot at one of their attackers.
"Saitome Yakuza's top assassin," Nathan said as he pressed his back against the car they were hiding behind.
"Was he the one who shot you?" Vito asked, then popped up quickly to return fire, killing one of their enemies with a head shot.
"I doubt it. I'd be dead if I'd been hit with one of his bullets, unless that bullet wasn't meant for me." He pressed his hand to his wound to stop the blood flow; more had gushed out when he killed one of their attackers.
"I'm going to kill that son of a bitch," Vito said.
"Sir, we have to get you out of here," one of Vito's guards said, not giving Vito the option to stay. Both remaining guards dragged Vito to his feet and ran him over to his car to get him out of danger, as Demir had commanded.
"Get Nathan," Vito ordered.
"We have to protect you first, sir," the other guard said as they continued to get Vito into the armored vehicle.
Nathan laughed to himself at the thought of being left behind to fend for himself.
Vito would be their priority; he was their boss's little brother and their underboss.
This wasn't the first dangerous situation Nathan had ever encountered; he knew he could handle his business.
He noticed that Demir and Aoshi weren't evenly matched, as Aoshi seemed to have more skill.
Both men were bloody from their intense fight.
Each man held a knife in his hand, and deep slashes and stab wounds decorated their flesh.
Nathan knew if Demir lost, he'd be next because, in his current condition, he was in no shape to fight an assassin of Aoshi's caliber.
Already, he was starting to feel lightheaded from the blood loss.
Still, he had to do something. Demir blocked a blow from Aoshi, but the man countered with a grappling move that took Demir to the ground.
"Fuck, he's going to give us hell," Nathan said, seeing the man gain the upper hand.
He had to act now. He jumped up and ran over to the two men, kicking Aoshi in the head and sending the man rolling off Demir.
Aoshi climbed to his knees after the roll and tossed his knife at Nathan, which he dodged, but then Aoshi was back on his feet and after him.
The wounds the man sustained didn't slow him down one bit; he was like a machine with the sole purpose of killing.
Nathan had to fight through the agony of his bullet wound to block and counter the feet and fists coming his way, as the man was fast with his movements.
Aoshi pulled another knife out, and Nathan cut himself on the blade when he blocked it, but before Aoshi could counter, Demir came in, stabbing Aoshi in the gut.
Aoshi grunted and jumped back, the blade still in his stomach.
He looked at both men, and Nathan could tell that he was sizing them up.
The screeching of car tires caught their attention, and that's when Aoshi took off toward the direction of the car.
Demir chased after him, and the windows of the car rolled down as gunmen started firing at him, causing Demir to duck behind a car.
Nathan fired back, shooting one of the gunmen in the head just as Aoshi climbed into the backseat.
The body of the man Nathan killed slumped over before someone pulled his corpse back inside, and the tinted window rolled up.
Aoshi fired back at them, and Nathan took cover just in time as two bullets struck the car he was using as a shield.
He watched, pissed off, as the black car sped away.
The elevator doors opened, and seven guards came spilling out, all of them running after the car and shooting at the same time. The car's bulletproof glass and body protected the occupants inside until they made a clean getaway.
"Come here, save Nathan," Demir yelled at the guards, gaining their attention.
"Yes, sir," they said and ran to the aid of both men, who were injured.
"You two, get the van," Demir ordered.
"Yes, sir," the guards said and ran off in another direction.
"Be careful of his shoulder; he took a bullet," Demir said.
"How are you, sir?" one of the guards asked Demir.
"I'll live," Demir said with a wince.
"Is the boss okay?" asked another guard as he lifted Nathan up with the help of another guard.
"Vito is fine," Demir said.
Nathan groaned from the pain of his wounds.
During the fight, his adrenaline was pumping; he had to disconnect himself from the agony to focus on his enemy.
It was part of his training, learning how to fight through the pain as well as tolerate torture.
It had been a very long time since he'd been shot, and he didn't like it one damn bit.
Demir added pressure to his deepest knife wound as he limped to the van with help from two guards, with Nathan limping behind him.
The van door opened, and Nathan climbed in.
He could feel his clothes clinging to him with his own blood, and his vision became blurry as he was carefully laid down on the backseat.
"Where... are we... going?" he managed to ask.
"One of our safehouses; a doctor will be waiting there," Demir said just as the car took off.
The motion of the moving vehicle was the last thing Nathan was aware of before he blacked out.