Page 18 of Guardian
No, I do.I give him exactly enough credit.I know what he’s capable of.And that’s the problem.
“Your text said he could be a millionaire.I can pay you a million.”
I hate the words and myself as soon as I’ve spoken.Bargaining for Ravi makes me no better than the rest of the sickos.But I’m doing it for his protection.
Brennan tsks.“Funny, I don’t remember texting that information to you.”He gives his driver an experimental swing.“For the record, I think it’s going to go higher.Didn’t want to get the young man’s hopes up, but it will.”He gives me a knowing look.“For some reason Ravi’s in a real hurry to get out of Belle Argo.”
Fucker.Ravi hating me enough to run away?It hurts worse than any bullet I’ve taken.
We’ve butted heads more lately, but that seems extreme.Besides, Brennan is an instigator.He loves to stir up shit.He’s lying.He’d better be lying.
“Whatever you may think, Brennan, Ravi’s still a kid.It wasn’t that long ago that his parents were murdered.You know as well as I do how trauma messes with people’s heads.Among other things, it negatively impacts their decision-making.”
He laughs.“Unless you’re about to show me a court order letting me know the kid, as you call him, no longer has the legal right to make his own decisions, then this has all of jack and shit to do with you.We both know that wouldn’t happen, because Ravi’s too fucking smart.No judge in the world would hand you legal guardianship of him now.You’ve got no say here.That’s probably eating you alive, isn’t it?”
I stand there seething as he repositions his driver at the tee, frowns at it, and then holds it out to the taller, tattooed caddy.“Jalen, give me the Calloway, if you would, please.”
Please.Brennan Doyle, gentleman.I almost laugh.
Except I’m having some trouble shaking off his comment.You’ve got no say here.That’s probably eating you alive, isn’t it?
On the outside, I won’t dignify that with a response.Inside?He’s right.It’s burning in my veins like battery acid.
“You know… I have to say I’m surprised, Masters.”Brennan lines himself up and takes a swing.We all follow the path of the ball as it sails down the fairway.
I’ve had too many years in the field to be gullible enough to take his bait.But I chomp on it anyway, like the desperate man I am.
“Surprised at what, Doyle?”
“Surprised you haven’t fucked that kid yet yourself.He’s practically begging for it.If you did, then all of this—” He makes a motion that I assume is meant to indicate our conversation.“—would be a moot point.”
“Are you fucking crazy?I’m his guardian.”
Deep down where my shame lives, my body stirs.Peering cautiously from behind the part of me that’s horrified by the suggestion of fucking Ravi, something I’ve made every effort to suppress wakes up.There’s bile in my throat even as my cock thickens against my will.
Images fill my head.One of Ravi with his legs wrapped around another man at that party, his tongue down his throat.The veiny, realistic dildo under his pillow.
The night he turned eighteen comes back to me full force.The night he climbed into my bed.I don’t want you to be my friend or my parent, Liam.I don’t love you that way.I want more.
You’re not my parent, but you could be my daddy if you wanted.
“You’re fucking disgusting.”I’m scolding Doyle as much as myself.Then, to twist the knife, I add, “I guess you can’t help seeing kids like him as nothing more than someone to use.To sell.I guess he’s lucky you haven’t tried to use him yourself.Rumor is, you like to sample your own merchandise.”
Brennan gives me a grin that makes me want to tear his face off.“Because I’m not too stupid to recognize an opportunity, even if it’s standing in front of me all curious and horny as hell.And thatkid—” He gives me a pointed look.“—is going to make us all a lot of fucking money.”
He slides the driver back over to his tattooed caddy and gives me his back.“You gonna join us for a game, Masters, or did you want to sling some more pointless bullshit?”
I assess the four men in front of me.I’m a quick shot.I could probably get a slug into Brennan Doyle before anybody else could react.If I did, it might do the trick.It might protect Ravi.
But Brennan said us.Ravi’s going to make “us all” a lot of money.
“Who’s us, Brennan?”
“What now?”He turns around, looking annoyed that I’m still here.He’s already dismissed my presence.Fuck him.
“You said he’s going to make us all a lot of money.Who’s us?”
“Oh Jesus, you’re full of shit.You know as well as I do these things aren’t a one-man operation.There’s me, there’s Rav, and then there’s everyone else involved.If you think I’m dumb enough to name names, you’re not the guy I thought you were, Masters.”
