Chapter 24 Balthazar
TWENTY-FOUR
balthazar
I’m just about to relax while Deo is at the main house talking with Brogan when my personal phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out quickly, hoping it’s not my sister with more bad news, but I’m greeted by an unknown caller. I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to answer it so I do.
“Hello?”
“Money Man.”
My blood turns cold. He found my personal number.
“Hi, Vin.”
“You coward-ass motherfucker,” he spits. “Do you really think I can’t find you?”
“I know you can. I’m simply stating my case before you do. I didn’t take your money, Vin. If you’d listen to me, I can tell you exactly where it is.”
“Where you put it? Where you stole it?”
“It’s all there. I didn’t steal a penny. I’m not stupid. Come on, Vin, it’s been ten years. Don’t you trust me by now?”
“I don’t trust nobody. You fucking know that. Why’d you run if you’re innocent?”
“Excuse me, but you’re not exactly known for speaking first and shooting later. I don’t even know how this happened. Who started this rumor?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s looking pretty true to me, Money Man. First the account is empty and then you disappear. Not screaming innocence to me.”
“I warned you about the business deal. I told you it was gonna bring too much heat on you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“The fuck are you talking about?”
“Listen, Vin—”
“No, you listen.” His voice dips to that dark, dangerous place I’ve heard too many times to feel comfortable with.
It’s the voice he uses right before someone takes a bullet between the eyes.
“You can run, but I’m gonna find you, and if I don’t see your face in eight days, I’ll pay a visit to your lovely sister. Those are the facts.”
Before I can say another word, Vin ends the call, leaving me stunned on the couch.
I have to get out of here, but going back to face him is a sure ticket to my demise.
But my sister… I’m so fucked. A memory rushes back.
Nonna. Could she really help me out of this mess?
Could I go to her without involving Deo and ruining his perception of me?
And then what? Even if I somehow get Vin to accept the truth, I can’t just go back like nothing happened. I’ll always have a target on my back, and any one of Vin’s goons could pick me off at any time.
I’d have to start over somewhere new, rebuild my name without a single client recommendation. Starting over is better than dead though, and maybe Deo would let me stay here long enough to get on my feet. I have plenty of savings, but I need more to do.
Cold wind slams into me as the front door opens and Deo enters. He looks amazing all bundled up in a charcoal wool coat and scarf, his cheeks and nose a rosy pink. He smiles as he pulls his coat off.
“Hey.”
“Hi. All good with Brogan?”
Deo nods, grazing his bottom lip with his teeth. “Yep. They’ve got a date tonight.”
“That’s exciting. Are they younger or older than you?”
“We’re the same age, I’m a few months older. The family called us the twins forever until Brogan came out as trans, even though we’re more alike now than we were before.”
“And Brogan dates men and women?”
“Brogan dates whoever they fancy, but mostly male presenting people. Whether they’re cis, trans, or nonbinary doesn’t matter.”
“Is Brogan happy? They seem happy.”
“They are. They found that elusive state of believing in themselves so much that outside opinions don’t affect them.
Coming out changed them for the better. Brogan was super shy before and very insecure.
It was like their skin didn’t fit right.
Once they realized they were trans, everything shifted.
They found their style, their voice, and their confidence.
It’s been amazing to watch them grow into the person they were always meant to be. ”
“That’s wonderful. We all deserve to feel good in our bodies.”
Deo plops down next to me on the couch. “I agree. My insecurities never came from my looks or my sexuality. They came from not living up to something I put in my head a long time ago. I thought I was gonna have this big city life and make millions, but the reality of getting to that point is harsh. I wasn’t willing to play the games and be cutthroat to people to get a leg up, you know? ”
I nod, rubbing his thigh. “It is a competitive world.”
“I thought I wanted it and that I would, I don’t know, prove something to my family.
” He smiles, glancing down for a moment.
“The longer I’m here, the more I know I was meant for this.
This was always my destiny, and I can do anything I want with it.
I’m sleeping better, I don’t abuse my body with caffeine and junk food all day just to feel something, and I missed my family more than I realized.
I took the long way, but at least I got here. ”
“You’re gonna do great things. I’m sure of it.”
“Thanks.”
We fall silent for a moment while I wonder what’s on his mind.
Maybe all this newfound clarity is opening his eyes to this relationship and how fucked up it is.
He deserves a man who can commit fully, who can keep him and his family safe, and that man isn’t me.
I should tell him I have to go soon, but the words won’t come.
I don’t want to leave for several reasons.
I actually like it here. I like the work—it’s legal and wholesome.
But the biggest reason is that I like Deo.
A lot.
Far more than I should.
“I have an idea,” Deo says with a growing smile. “Why don’t we go to the bedroom?”
“For?”
“A little surprise.” He climbs onto my lap, draping his arms around my neck. “You’ve been a very good boy, Balt. Working hard, being sexy.” He squeezes my shoulders. “I bet you could use a little stress reduction.”
I nod, licking my lips. “What do you have in mind?”
“Trust me?”
The answer comes easily. “Yes. Not something I’m used to.”
“I know, but you’re safe here.” Deo grinds into me as he grins. “So tonight, just let it all go and trust that I’ve got you.”
Gazing into his eyes, I can imagine a future with him, as impossible as it is. Even if I figure out a way to deal with Vin that doesn’t end in my death, how could I build a life with Deo that wouldn’t drag him into that sordid world?
Deo brushes his fingers across my cheek, searching my eyes. “Is something on your mind?”
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
“You’re about to be a lot better. Come on.”
Deo slides off my lap and saunters to the bedroom, while I follow like a lovesick puppy. I don’t know what he has planned, but if it involves us getting naked together, I’m in.
Inside the bedroom, Deo turns to me and places his hands on my chest. “Why don’t you go freshen up? I have something quick to do.”
“You have me intrigued.”
“Good.” He playfully pushes me toward the bathroom door. “Give me a few minutes.”
“You got it.”
It’s hard to take my eyes off him, but I drag myself away and close the bathroom door behind me. I’ll take a quick shower which should give him plenty of time to do whatever it is he has planned.
While the water heats and I peel out of my clothes, I replay the last few weeks of living with Deo and his family.
This level of forced intimacy should still be awkward at this stage, but it’s the complete opposite.
It’s so normal and just… right. He fits me like a favorite sweater.
In a different life, we could’ve been the loves of each other’s lives.
That knowledge makes the inevitable parting sting even more.
I wash quickly and step out, taking my time to dry off and brush my teeth quickly. Then I crack the door. “Can I come out?”
“Yes.”
Opening the door, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t Deo sitting on the edge of the bed fully clothed. He pats the mattress. “Come over here.”
“What are you up to?”
“Trust, remember? Lie down, please. Make yourself comfortable. You’re gonna be here a while.”
My stomach flutters with excitement. “Yes, sir.”
“Ooh, that has a nice ring to it. What should I call you?” He taps his temple, looking deep in thought. “I’ll come up with something worthy.”
Taking my position on the bed, I settle in the middle, my cock already swelling with anticipation. “Is naked okay, sir?”
“Absolutely. It’s perfect, in fact. I don’t want to ruin any of your pretty things.”
“Speaking of pretty things…”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“You, Deo. Prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Sweet talker.”
“I mean it.”
“I know. Now be a good boy and put your arms above your head.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Though the temptation to resist is there, the curiosity about what he has planned is stronger, so I obediently raise my arms.
Deo smiles proudly as he leans over to open the nightstand. He pulls out two silk ribbons, which relaxes me incredibly. I was worried handcuffs were coming.
“Now I’m going to tie these loosely. It’s the spirit of restraint, you understand?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“And if you break free, all the fun stops. Got it?”
My cock twitches violently, making my breath hitch. “Got it.”
Deo works on securing my wrists, tightening the ribbons just enough to make their presence known. Then he proceeds to slide a thick rubber band around the base of my cock. Oh fuck. I immediately swell in his grasp, but the cock ring keeps things at bay.
“Can I ask a question, sir?”
Deo tilts his head. “Of course.”
“Are you about to fulfill a fantasy of mine?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Oh, he’s good. Excitement courses through me as I watch him open the nightstand again and pull out several items I can’t see properly in the dim lighting of the room.
“The good news is, you can scream and moan and beg as loud as you want to. No one will hear you out here.”
“You want to hear me beg, huh?”
“Maybe.” Deo straddles my waist, still fully clothed. “We need a safeword.”
I raise an eyebrow. “A safeword? What exactly are you planning to do to me?”
“You’re just gonna have to trust me. Now, safeword.”
Okay. A safeword I’ll remember. “Poodle.”