Chapter Four
“Hello.”
“Santino, it’s TJ. I need some help with money.”
“Speak to Cody.”
TJ chuckled. “It’s about a case. It’s closed now, but one of the individuals involved has come into some land and we’ve found money, too.” Santino heard the deep exhale and waited. “Can you come over and help?”
“I can have a look for you. Who is the person I’ll be dealing with?”
“His name’s Orsen Catlow. Seventeen.”
Santino’s eyebrows shot up. “The boy from the hospital?”
“Yeah. If you’re free, you can come over. Cody’s cooking.”
“So I’ll survive.”
“I lived on my own before Cody came along, but I can admit he is a far better cook than I am. Say six?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there. I’m just finishing off a case now, and handing it over to the team. I don’t expect to be called to court, but you never know. Want me to bring anything?”
“Nah, we have it covered. Seeya later.”
Santino hung up and sat back in his chair, intrigued.
He’d heard much about Orsen Catlow since news broke about him killing his father.
Self-defense, from what Santino heard. Pausing, Santino sighed softly.
To have to kill a parent when that parent was supposed to protect and cherish you.
What kind of life had Orsen lived? Santino knew they had been so broke that Ambrose had made Orsen set traps to catch the local wildlife.
If Orsen had inherited money, then why had they lived that way?
Why beat Orsen? Humming to himself, Santino shook his head. He’d find out soon enough.
Putting the final touches to one of the cases he was currently working on, Santino closed the file and emailed the details over.
Once that was done, he jumped in the shower and freshened up.
Making sure Charlie had what he needed, Santino got in his car and drove to TJ and Cody’s house.
He’d been there a few times recently and liked spending time with the couple.
The age gap disappeared fairly quickly when you saw them together.
Cody was all tall and strong, but quietly confident.
A man who knew what he wanted and went for it.
That was how he’d been with TJ, who by all accounts struggled at first but then accepted Cody’s love.
Santino ignored the scars he’d seen on Cody’s wrist, the few track marks in the crook of his elbow.
He never asked, but he knew Cody had seen him looking at them.
If Cody wanted to tell him his history, then Santino would sit and listen, but he didn’t need to know.
The gossip had filled him in on some of it, especially how Cody’s parents, Cass and Emily, along with Angelo Ricci, were now behind bars, and his younger sister Cassy lived with her uncle Carter and his wife Toni.
Carter was married to TJ’s ex-wife, Toni, after TJ had apparently set them up on a blind date.
Shaking his head, he parked behind TJ’s truck and got out. Imagine divorcing someone, then still loving them enough to find them the perfect man. They all got on well and shared custody to the point Santino knew TJ and Cody regularly looked after Carter and Toni’s two children as well.
Santino walked around the back and waved when Cody spotted him. Cody froze, then slowly picked up his T-shirt. That was when Santino saw his back. “I’m sorry. I should have come through the front.”
“It’s fine.” Cody pulled his T-shirt on and shrugged. “Only a few people have seen them. I tend to keep them covered.”
“A whip in the hands of someone inexperienced can do considerable damage.”
“You know about that?” Cody flipped the steaks as he spoke.
“I’ve been on a certain scene. I investigated the club as funds were disappearing.
The accountant had his hand in the till, so to speak.
I always had this view that it was disgusting and perverted, but that’s far from the truth.
I have stayed in contact with a few of the Doms and subs I met there.
It isn’t for me, but I learned a great deal about trust from my time there. ”
“I guess you would have to trust the person holding the whip.” Cody checked the potatoes. “It didn’t happen at a club.”
“No reputable club would ever allow something like that to happen. Some of the others might.”
“It didn’t happen in a club,” Cody repeated. “I think these are ready. Want to let TJ know you’re here? I think it’s cool enough to eat outside.”
Taking the dismissal for what it was, Santino walked into the kitchen and paused when he saw a young blond-haired man sitting at the table. “Hello. I’m Santino.”
“Orsen.” The words were barely audible, but he heard them and nodded.
“How are you feeling?”
Orsen sagged in his chair, then hissed and reached up to rub his left shoulder. “I’m better.” Orsen glanced up at him, then back to the table. “Thanks.”
“Cody said the food is ready and we can…” Orsen jumped up and practically ran outside. “Eat outside.”
“Was that Orsen?” TJ came into the kitchen with a bag and put it on the side. “I have soda, water, and juice.”
Santino knew they rarely had alcohol in the house, but he didn’t know why.
Though after seeing Cody’s back, he had to wonder if the two were linked.
“Cody said the food is ready. That appears to have motivated Orsen to leave, or it could have been seeing an unfamiliar face.” Santino moved next to TJ.
“I came around the back and surprised Cody.”
TJ stopped and nodded. “I see.”
“I apologized. I won’t come that way again.”
“Was he fine?” TJ turned and looked at Santino, his green eyes focused on him.
“He was Cody. I recognized his scars for what they were, and thought he should know.”
“Did he talk about how he got them?”
“No, and I didn’t ask. You’re still getting to know me, but I know when to ask questions and when to remain silent. It’s his story to tell, and if he doesn’t want me to know, then that’s the way it is.” Santino pointed to the sodas. “Want me to take these outside?”
“Please. I’ll grab the stuff out of the fridge and bring it out. And Santino?” Santino paused. “Thank you.”
With a nod, Santino carried the sodas outside and walked over to the table, placing them on it. “Need a hand?”
“Nah, I got this.” Cody placed a plate with several steaks on the table and another with baked potatoes, steaming hot and looking perfect. “TJ getting the salad?”
“I’m coming.” TJ brought over a large bowl of salad and several tubs filled with what looked like coleslaw and other dishes. “Tuck in everyone.”
Orsen dove in and Santino watched him take a small steak until Cody coughed, then Orsen put it back and picked up a larger one. If what he’d heard about Orsen’s background was correct, then it wasn’t a surprise that he’d chosen the smallest for himself.
As he ate and made small talk, Santino kept an eye on Orsen and noticed the other two did as well.
He was small for his age, slim too, but if he knew TJ and Cody, then they would be working to put some weight on him.
He’d heard about Crompton as well. An old ornery man who’d taken Orsen under his wing.
That had surprised many in the town, and a few had made comments that TJ had shut down.
What startled Santino was Orsen’s eyes. They were a beautiful blue. An electric blue. Bright and captivating. Striking, but right now they appeared flat and dull. He barely looked up from his food, and Santino knew if he was to be of any help, he needed to be able to talk to him.
“Orsen, I hear you’ll be eighteen soon. Any plans for after high school?”
Orsen went rigid, glanced at TJ, who nodded. “I don’t go to high school.”
“Did you graduate early?”
Orsen threw his cutlery on the table and stood. “No! The bastard wouldn’t let me.” He ran off inside the house, and Cody stood, but Santino stopped him.
“I made the mistake. I’ll correct it. If I’m to assist him, then I need to be able to talk with him. I didn’t know he hadn’t been to high school, so I’ll apologize.”
Santino left the table and went inside, then stopped to listen.
He could hear harsh breathing coming from the living room and slowly walked inside, pausing to give Orsen a chance to compose himself.
Once Orsen had calmed a little, Santino said, “I apologize. I was unaware of your circumstances. TJ asked me here to discuss finances with you. He hasn’t mentioned much about your background. ”
Orsen sniffed. “I shouldn’t have shouted at you.”
“I believe you’ve been through a difficult time recently, and no, TJ hasn’t told me much. The town gossip has. You’d think they’d find something constructive to do with their time. I try to imagine them as little birds pecking away. They squawk like birds.”
Orsen snorted, then gave him a small smile. “I’ve given them plenty to talk about.”
“Can I sit with you?”
Orsen’s eyes widened. “You’re asking me?” That was telling, and Santino shelved it for later.
“Of course. I’m coming into your space. You might want more time alone.”
Orsen lifted his head, his blond hair flopping over his forehead. “I’m okay. Sometimes I forget.”
Sitting, Santino asked, “Do you want to talk about it here, or should we do it at another time? I heard you’re living with Mr. Crompton, so I can come and visit you there, or we can meet in a more public place. You may feel safer there.”
“Safer?”
“As I said, the gossip mill has been doing its thing. I’m aware you had to take your father’s life to save your own.”
Orsen sucked in a breath, his eyes narrowing. “Do you always come out and say exactly what you want?”
“I could sugarcoat it for you, but I believe you would want me to be honest with you. No lies or hidden agendas.”
Orsen watched him, those intense electric blue eyes glued to Santino’s own chocolate ones. “I think I would like honesty from you.”
“Good, then that’s what you’ll get.” Santino looked at his clasped hands dangling between his legs. “When did you last attend high school?”
Orsen opened his mouth, then slowly closed it. Color flooded his cheeks, and he looked away before mumbling, “I can’t do math or English. That’s why they asked you here. To help me with the money.”
“You agreed to my help, though.”
“I did.” Orsen’s eyes flickered to his, then away. “I can’t do other things either.”
“I’m a forensic accountant. I come in, look at accounts, and follow money trails. See what I can find, so yes, I know numbers.”
“You’re good at numbers, then? And other things?”
“I am. Why do you ask?”
“They think I should go back to school, but I can’t do any of the things the kids can, and I’d be so far behind. I don’t want to go into class with kids younger than me.”
“Depending on how much money there is, you could hire someone to teach you privately. You would have to sit for exams at some point and learn the core subjects. I would have to check state requirements on homeschooling as well to be certain.”
“But I wouldn’t have to sit in class. I could learn at home.”
“You could, yes. If that is something you want to do and have the means to fund it.”
“From what they’ve told me, I do. I don’t know if I want it. They said I have fifty acres too, but I could sell it, then I wouldn’t have him around.”
“Don’t rush to sell. Give yourself time to move on. You’ve suffered more than one trauma, would be my guess, so learn to live first. Figure out what you like and dislike. Go into town and try new foods, wear new clothes. Figure out who Orsen Catlow is.”
Orsen grimaced. “I don’t want his name.”
“Then you can change it. This is your life. You get to live it now. Be the man you want to be.”
“I’m gay,” Orsen whispered, his eyes darting up to meet Santino’s then quickly moving away. “I never told him. He would have hurt me more.”
“I’m gay too.” Santino smiled at the shocked look on Orsen’s face.
“You are? You don’t look gay.”
Santino chuckled. “I wouldn’t think TJ or Cody looked gay either. Some men and women do look gay, and others don’t. We are who we are, regardless.”
“I want to kiss someone.” Orsen’s eyes shot open. “Shit.”
“I won’t tell anyone, and your first time should be with someone who will cherish you.”
“Santino! Orsen! Come and finish your food. I slaved over the grill cooking it.”
Santino stood and held his hand out to Orsen. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be on Cody’s bad side.” Orsen stared at his hand, then gently slid his hand into it and smiled.
That soft touch sizzled along Santino’s arm and he watched Orsen walk ahead of him, his own brow furrowed. Now what did he do with that reaction?