“Right.”
“I’m afraid I have to go, Darek. Fortunes don’t build themselves. But you stay here and enjoy the drinks and the women, on me.” He flashed a wink and a shot of his pearly-whites and headed across the room where he disappeared in the crowd. A drink was placed in front of Darek, and he knew if he drank it, he’d have to hear shit from Megan. He pushed it aside and let the image of the millstone come back into focus.
He remembered the first time he’d ever seen it; the very first time he’d ever walked into that millhouse and was introduced to the others. Some, he knew. Others, he hadn’t yet met.
Camp Victory. His parent had forced him to go, and after the first year being okay, he volunteered to go the next. By then, his father wasn’t convinced it was working the way he’d hoped. He had wanted the camp to make a man out of his boy.
Pussy.
Bay had been at the diner that first day when he and his father had walked in to grab a bite to eat. His father had used the opportunity to talk to Darek about the military.
Joining the Marines seemed like a nightmare to Darek, especially since he’d seen what it had done to his father. He didn’t want to be an asshole like his dad. He hated everything about the man since he’d come home from the war years before. His entire personality had changed, and he had grown more violent, more aggressive. The verbal abuse was unbearable, and if it weren’t for his mother, who had put her foot down and nearly left after the old man had gotten physical, Darek would have been beaten daily.
Bay had no doubt overheard the conversation, and worse than that, he’d seen what had happened in the parking lot after the meal.
Darek and his father were about to get in the car when the older man opened the back of their car and threw his suitcases into the parking lot. “Do you know when I went in the Corps, I had to find my way around? I didn’t have anyone holding my hand and coddling me. I did it all on my own. I think it’s time you learn a lesson, boy. The camp is two miles that way. Hit the road. Maybe this will make a man out of you. Then you won’t be a worthless little pussy.”
Darek picked up his bags, and two were pretty heavy. He’d packed enough for an entire month. His dad got in the car and drove away before he could get a good hold on the third.. He was a skinny kid back then, even thinner since his dad had gotten worse at dinner time. He’d skip meals just to miss out of the latest tantrum.
“Boy, your old man’s a real asshole, you know it?” a voice said from behind him.
Darek turned around to see the platinum-blond male and thought for a moment he should turn him around and check him for wings. But he’d met the kid once before at camp and knew he was no angel. He and a group of other boys were known for their shenanigans.
“Yeah, I know it. Wish I didn’t.” Usually, he wouldn’t be okay with someone mouthing off about his old man, and the comment would have started a fist fight, but he was at the point where he didn’t care anymore. There was no family honor. He’d have to find honor his own way.
“Where you headed?” Bay asked. “I’m going up to Camp Victory for the next month. Drove myself this year.”
“That’s where I’m headed. I’ve seen you around there. You have a car?”
The guy nodded. “Yeah, I’m Bay. Bay Collins.” After that, Bay had given him a ride. Not only had Darek been driven into camp in the baddest fucking car he’d ever seen, but he’d met and made fast friends with Bay Collins.
Darek thought it was his lucky day, but it was actually a catalyst for the worst fucking day of his life.
Back at the club, Darek came to and realized he’d downed the drink. Megan was going to be pissed, but at least, he wouldn’t have to make another trip down to the pier.
9
Bay
Bay walked down the hall, looking for the room he’d bought for the night. He had a feeling getting Tad to meet with him again would be hard enough, and this time, he needed to catch him with his pants down.
He used his card key to unlock the room and walked inside. Tad was standing near the couch with his dick down Isabel’s throat. Bay was impressed. He hadn’t intended on his receptionist taking such liberties, but she seemed so unapologetic on her knees, working Tad for all he was worth.
“What the fuck is this?” Tad stepped away when he saw Bay enter the room.
“Don’t let me stop you. I’m just here to talk business. Isabel is paid to keep her mouth shut. Or full, whatever the case may be.”
Tad’s eyes were rolling back in his head as Isabel continued to work him, and Bay had a pretty good idea of how it felt since he’d enjoyed the pleasures of her on more than one occasion. Nothing was sacred when you worked for Bay.
“Get off.” Tad pushed the woman aside.
“Now, be kind,” Bay said. “You’ll earn the rest of your day’s salary when I’m gone. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to leave Isabel all worked up.” He turned to his receptionist. “You’ll please excuse us a moment. I’ll call you when you can come back up.”
She gave a smile and then headed out of the room.
“I thought she looked familiar.” Tad pulled up his pants and then sat on the couch.
“You’re going to have a visit from Darek soon. I’ve talked to him, so play dumb. That shouldn’t be a problem for you, huh, Pretty Boy? Playing dumb is kind of second-nature to you, right?”
Tad didn’t smile. Instead, he wiped his nose. Bay knew the guy was twitchy for a bump, so he took off his tie clip, which was a long cylinder, and unscrewed the end. The little spoon was just the perfect hit, and he offered it to Tad.
“No thanks.” Tad turned his head, and Bay was impressed.
“No problem. Guess I can’t let it go to waste.” He snorted the bump and then put his tie clip back in place. He didn’t carry often, but he’d worn the thing just for his friend.
“You could have just called,” Tad said.
“I could have, but we really shouldn’t be calling one another. And since you’ve already had your pants down and your shirt is off, I don’t have to make you strip. See there? How’s that for time management?”
Tad wiped the sweat from his brow. “You’re an asshole.” He shook his head, and Bay smiled.
“You’ll wish you were nicer to me when you hear me out,” Bay said. “As I said, Darek’s going to come sniffing around, so you play stupid. You knew her, but not that well, and then tell him that things are great. I’m going to hire you down at my restaurant. It’s not a big fucking deal, nothing prestigious, but your pretty mug will make a great host.”
“Are you shitting me?” Tad asked.
“No, I want you to stop this man-whore shit. I’ve already saved your ass once before, so it’s not that often I offer to do this shit twice. I’ll pay you better than most, and you’ll lay low. I want you to stay with your sister. I know you want to get out of there, but I think having her around will make you look less like a ritual killer.”