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Strip 'n Dales |
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"Okay, if Chris comes by, just get him into the dressing room and I'll sneak out. Anybody else, knock on the door three times," Buck said hurriedly.Vin nodded and Buck slipped into the room. Vin had told him where the envelope was hidden and he easily found it. He opened it and gasped when he looked at the photos, then shoved them back into the envelope, just as Chris had done, replaced the chair and beat a hasty retreat out of the room.
"Well, what was it?" Vin asked in a frantic whisper.
"Uh, Vin, it's..." Buck hedged.
"It's what!" Vin said, his voice rising with his frustration.
Just then, Chris stalked down the hall.
"Thought I told you to get ready," he growled at Vin.
"I'm goin'," Vin muttered, giving Chris a good glare before he left.
"You, too Buck," Chris ordered.
"In a minute pard," Buck replied. He reached out a comforting hand and laid it on Chris's shoulder. "I saw the pictures, Chris," he stated simply.
Chris nodded back at him sadly. "Then you know why we've got to get him out of here. It's too dangerous for him, and probably for all of us. There's more going on here that meets the eye. Tonight's it Buck. We'll have to find another way."
"We will, Chris, don't worry. And I'll keep my eye on Vin backstage."
"Thanks Buck," Chris said. He looked at his watch. "Almost showtime," he announced bitterly. "Better get going. See you two in a little while." He turned to go. "And be careful," he warned.
+ + + + + + +
Two men sat in a hidden room in the basement of the nightclub, directly under Frank's office. They watched closely as black and white images flickered over a small monitor installed in the room. One of the men leaned forward to turn up the sound on the picture as they watched the scene unfold before them.
"Adam knew they were up to something," Julien, one of the burly bouncers said to Frank, who sat beside him.
"Yes, he did. I'll have to reward him for tipping us off to Chris and his two boys," Frank said tightly as he stared at the two men, caught on tape, searching Frank's office. "And it's too bad. I had such plans for Vincent," he added with a tinge of regret.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll still be able to find something to do with Vincent, or Vin, I guess it is," Julien amended.
Frank rubbed his hands together as he favored Julien with an evil grin. "You're right Julien. No reason why I can't enjoy myself a little bit, is there? After all, it might take a little bit of convincing before we find out why Chris, Vincent and Buck came to Strip 'n Dales."
"You think they're the law?"
"Could be, or they could work for one of our competitors. Either way, Mr. Williams will want to see them."
Julien nodded. "What would you like us to do?"
"Let the show happen, let them think nothing is out of the ordinary. And then strike when the time is right. Have them brought up to the cabin."
"All of them?" Julien asked. "Even Jessie?"
"Yes, all of them. I think there's more to the situation than meets the eye."
Yes sir," Julien answered. "I'll tell the others."
"Good. I'll stay out of sight for now, then head up to the cabin. Have someone contact us when you're on the way up."
+ + + + + + +
Chris sat in the audience, observing the crowd for what he hoped was the last time. It was all so sleazy, he thought to himself with a grimace of distaste, as he watched the men eyeball Jessie as he danced. Even though Strip 'n Dales billed itself as an upscale gentleman's nightclub, it was nothing more than a meat market. And his lover was the next up to be on display, ogled by the hoards of men sitting in their chairs with rapt attention, dollars fisted in their hands, ready to pounce. He wanted to puke at the sordid scene, but quelled the urge by taking a long pull on his glass of beer.
He craned his neck and looked all around the club, but nothing was amiss. Relaxing a bit, he watched as Jessie left the stage to appreciative catcalls from the audience, then listened to the corny routine from the emcee. Finally, it was time for Vin's entrance. Chris sat up even straighter in his seat.
Vin stepped out onto the stage and started his act. The crowd greeted him enthusiastically, cheering and whistling as he did a bump and grind near the edge of the stage. Several men clamored to their feet as Vin began flinging away articles of clothing, surging forward, money in hand, trying to get Vin's attention.
Chris stood, himself, to watch the show, eyes glued to Vin's glorious body as the younger man stripped down to his leather thong.
Suddenly, the lights went out. Two gunshot blasts cut through the silence that immediately followed the darkness. The club erupted in total chaos as audience members panicked, bolting for exits, yelling and screaming. In the midst of the pandemonium, Chris's first thought was for Vin, and he pressed into the crowd, intent on finding his lover.
"Not so fast, Mr. Larsen," a deep voice ordered in his ear, as the barrel of a gun was jammed into his side. He stayed still, not wanting to endanger any of the civilians milling around them, by trying to run and having this man fire shots after him, into the crowd. He felt another man sidle up next to him and in the next instant, his hands were pulled back sharply and handcuffed behind him. The man with the gun grabbed him and forced him toward the back of the club, the other man clearing the way for them.
The lights burst back on as they entered the dressing room. Chris watched, horrified, as Vin, clad only in his leather thong from his stage costume, fought in the grasp of two huge men, that Chris recognized as bouncers for the club. The gun was cocked and pressed into his side sharply as he struggled to get free to help Vin. "One wrong move and we'll shoot him, and then you," one of the men growled, as they tightened their grip on him. Chris vainly searched the room, hoping desperately to find Josiah, Buck or Ezra there to help them. But he and Vin were on their own.
The two men holding him pushed him forward and out the rear door. He twisted back around to look for Vin, but was shoved forward again, out into the cold night air, tripping and landing sprawled out on the dirty asphalt of the parking lot.
He rolled over just in time to see Vin break free from the two men holding him. Before he could get very far, they recovered and fell onto him, crushing the smaller man to the floor. Vin was quickly handcuffed and dragged across the floor and out the door, where he was dropped into a heap next to Chris.
"Don't try anything," a gruff voice warned, as two guns were cocked and held near Chris's and Vin's heads.
"Mister, if ya didn't like the show, all ya had to do was ask for your money back," Vin joked bitterly.
"Well, ain't you the funny one," one of the bouncers said as he bent down and back handed Vin across the mouth. He looked at the blood pouring out of the cut with satisfaction. "Maybe that'll teach you to keep your trap shut," he jeered.
Vin was about to retort when Chris caught his eye, giving him a frown and quick shake of his head. 'Button it up, Vin,' Chris told the younger man silently, and this time, Vin listened, shivering, but laying quietly as the cold air bit into his bare skin.
Chris felt hands on his feet, and soon cold steel came in contact with his ankles, as his feet were shackled together. He turned to see Vin receiving the same treatment, then looked up as he heard a vehicle heading toward them. One of them men moved forward and directed the van into the alley, then opened the back doors. Chris and Vin were yanked to their feet and shuffled to the van, then were lifted and thrown into the back. The doors were slammed shut, leaving them in total darkness, cut off from the front of the van by a metal divider. They slid forward and backward helplessly as the van pulled away rapidly, then turned sharply out of the parking lot and out into traffic.
"Ow!" Vin yelped as his still tender ribs slammed into the side of the van after the vehicle swerved, then rounded a bend quickly. In the next second, he rolled over, all the way back across the floor, coming to a stop against Chris's body.
"Easy Vin," Chris soothed, positioning himself so that Vin would hit against him instead of the hard metal of the van next time he rolled. He felt Vin shivering against him and tried to curl himself around the smaller man to warm him.
"Thanks Chris," Vin whispered gratefully, warming up a bit as Chris's body heat enveloped him.
"Anytime pard," Chris said, wishing he could see Vin's face in the darkness. He settled for finding his lips instead, and kissed his lover lightly. "I love you Vin," he whispered, "and we'll find a way out of this, don't worry."
"I love you too, Chris," Vin whispered back, losing himself in the kiss for a few sweet seconds. Then reality intruded again. "Where do you think we're goin'?"
"Don't know, but it feels like we're goin' uphill."
Vin nodded, then realized Chris couldn't see him. "Yeah, it does," he replied. "Feels like it's gettin' colder, too," he added, shivering again.
"Maybe we're headin' up the mountains," Chris speculated, tilting his head as he listened to the van engine start to whine loudly as it struggled up a steep incline.
"Yep, we're definitely goin' up," Vin said softly. "What's the plan?"
"We sit tight and look for an opportunity. But don't try anything too risky Vin. Buck and the others'll be looking for us before too long."
"Okay Chris," Vin agreed quietly.
"But this does tell us one thing, Vin," Chris said.
"What's that?"
"We're on to something and we've made somebody nervous."
Vin leaned closer into Chris, a sick, sinking feeling filled the pit of his stomach as he realized Chris was right.
+ + + + + + +
"Son of a bitch!" Buck cursed as he woke up handcuffed and shackled in the back of a large, fast-moving vehicle.
"Buck, you're awake? Are you okay?" a scared voice sounded near him.
"Jessie?" Buck asked. "That you?"
"Yeah, it's me," Jessie answered with a small sigh. "They hit you over the head with a gun when you were helping me at my car, remember?"
Buck leaned his aching head back against the cold floor of the van with a groan. Now it was all coming back to him. Jessie had come off stage and realized he'd locked his keys in his car. Vin was dancing on-stage and only Buck was around, so Jessie had asked Buck if he would help him get into his car. Buck grabbed a coat hanger and followed the younger man outside. Next thing he knew, he was waking up in the back of the van.
"Who did it Jessie?" Buck asked.
"Julien and another of the guys," Jessie replied with a catch in his voice. Buck caught the hesitation.
"What is it Jessie? What else aren't you telling me?"
"I saw Chris and Vincent, too. They were handcuffed like us and I saw them get put into a van like this one."
"Shit!" Buck cursed. "They're on to us!"
"Who? What do you mean?" Jessie asked, puzzled.
"Never mind, kid," Buck said.
"No!" Jessie said stubbornly. "I've got a right to know. I'm involved in this too, you know!"
"Okay kid, settle down," Buck whispered. "We're ATF agents--me, Chris and Vin. We're undercover, investigating some murders at Strip 'n Dales. Guns were involved in one of the murders, that's how we got involved. Anyways, I figure somebody's on to us."
"Do you know?" Jessie asked.
"No, but I can guess a few people who might be in on this thing," Buck answered.
"Adam and Frank," Jessie said flatly.
"Why do you think that?" Buck asked.
"I saw Adam fight with Vincent...Vin, that one day. And then Vin got hurt. And Adam seems real scared of Frank sometimes. And I've seen Frank with a lot of different men, and some of the dancers, and then they never come back to the club. It's like they disappeared or something."
Buck leaned toward Jessie excitedly. "Jessie, if we showed you some pictures, do you think you could tell us if any of the men were ones that you saw talking to Frank?"
"Yes I could," Jessie assured. "But first Buck, we have to get out of here."
"Thanks for reminding me, kid," Buck said ruefully.
+ + + + + + +
After what Chris figured to be another hour, the van slowed and turned down a gravel road. He and Vin were bounced around for several minutes, before the vehicle finally stopped. A minute later, the back doors swung open and flashlight beams shattered the dark interior of the van. Chris and Vin, momentarily blinded by the halos of light as they struggled to sit up, were dragged by their feet out of the automobile. A rush of cold air hit them, as they were pulled to their feet and pushed forward toward a cabin. Vin stumbled and went down, biting back a small cry of pain as a sharp rock embedded itself into a bare knee. A stinging backhand blow to his face drove him flat onto the ground in the next instant.
"Careful Baines," one of their captors said to another. "Don't want to damage the merchandise. Boss'll be mad, he wants that one looking good for him, remember?"
The guard named Baines mumbled a string of curses under his breath as he yanked Vin up by his hair. "Get up pretty boy!" he barked. "Don't wanna be late, you've got a date waiting for you," he taunted.
"How do I know he's my type?" Vin jeered back. "Maybe I'm just not in the mood for a date tonight."
Baines raised his hand to Vin again, but was stopped with a grunt and disapproving shake of the head from the other man.
Chris breathed a silent sigh of relief, then met Vin's eye quickly, wordlessly begging him to keep quiet.
"Now isn't the time to antagonize 'em Tanner.' He had to keep Vin quiet or no telling what these people would do to his lover. And he shuddered inwardly at their comments about Vin having a "date." He hoped the rest of the team had noticed their absence by now and were working on a way to find them. In the meantime, he was going to have to think of something fast to keep Vin from being hurt again.
+ + + + + + +
A few more steps and they were at the door of the cabin, which was flung open as they slowly stepped up to it, encumbered by their shackled feet.
"Vincent! Chris!" Frank greeted from the doorway. "Glad you could make it!"
"Like we had a choice Frank!" Chris growled. "What the hell is all this about?"
"All in good time Chris," Frank said with an oily smile. His beady eyes swept over Vin hungrily. "And might I say how delightful you look tonight, Vincent? That thong certainly becomes you, although I'm sure you'll look equally stunning without it. Guess we'll just find out later, won't we?"
"Creep!" Vin spat out angrily, trying to back away as Frank reached out to stroke his cheek. Baines held him in place, while the other two guards grabbed Chris, who had tried to throw himself at Frank when he'd started in on Vin.
"Oohh, so feisty Vincent!" Frank cooed, "just the way I like 'em!"
"Leave him alone Frank," Chris ground out, glaring at the nightclub manager.
"I'm afraid I can't do that Chris," Frank said with a forced sigh. "He's just too tempting to pass up, and you see," he said, lowering his voice to whisper at Chris conspiratorially, "I've had my eye on him for some time. But you know that already. You've seen the pictures, haven't you? Did you like my private stash, Chris? I've got others, you know, and I plan on acquiring more."
"You bastard!" Chris yelled, lunging at Frank, but being held back once more by the two armed guards.
"Tsk, tsk, Chris. Jealous are we? Don't worry, I'll find somebody for you, too," Frank assured with a wink.
"Where do you want 'em boss?" Baines asked Frank, breaking into the conversation.
"Hhmm, well, I'd like Vincent in the bedroom....," Frank began, watching with amusement as veins bulged in Chris's neck and forehead as he struggled to break free, and Vin stood silently, his face turning a pasty white. "But, let's bring them both in the living room first," Frank decided, changing his mind at the last instant.
The guards shrugged their shoulders to one another, and led the two men into the living room.
"Leave the cuffs and shackles on, and tie them to the chairs, please, gentlemen," Frank ordered. "And gag Mr. Larsen, or whatever his name really is, if you will. He tends to run his mouth a little too much for my taste."
"What about this one?" Baines asked, gesturing to Vin.
"Oh no, don't gag him," Frank said, with mock horror. "I've got plans for that tasty little mouth of his," he said with a slight chuckle in Chris's direction. He stood behind Vin's chair, waiting until both men were tied to heavy chairs with strong ropes wound around their waists and thighs. He leaned over and began to run his hands over Vin's bare torso, pinching his nipples cruelly. Vin gasped and flinched, but was unable to move away from the probing hands. Chris strained against his bonds and shouted garbled obscenities through his gag at Frank.
Frank smiled over at Chris. "Enjoying the show?" he asked condescendingly.
Chris yelled again, pushing against the ropes binding him to the chair.
Frank laughed and walked in front of Vin. "I've waited a long time for this Vincent. You're not going to disappoint me, are you?"
"Go to hell!" Vin shouted and spat at Frank's face.
"That was uncalled for Vincent," Frank said calmly. Too calmly, Vin should have realized, because Frank grabbed his hair a split-second later, twisting it harshly around his hand, forcing the younger man's head backward. He crushed his lips down onto Vin's forcing them open, jamming his tongue into the moist cavity. He pushed Vin's head back farther, shoving his tongue harder and deeper into Vin's mouth. The smaller man tried to pull away, but the ropes held him tightly and Frank increased his grip on his hair, pulling it even more painfully and holding his head in a vise-like grip. Vin gagged and Frank mercifully ended the one-sided embrace.
"You sure are a hot one Vincent," he purred, releasing Vin's hair from his tight grip and stroking it for Chris's benefit.
Vin looked down at the floor, as his face burned with shame at his humiliation, unable to meet Chris's eyes. He knew Chris would be disgusted with him for letting Frank kiss him like that. 'Should have done more to fight him,' he silently berated himself. 'Now Chris is never gonna want to kiss me again after that creep had his lips all over mine,' he thought sadly to himself.
But if Vin would have raised his eyes and looked over at Chris, he would have seen the love and compassion for the younger man shining in their aqua depths. Chris was, in fact, blaming himself for allowing Vin to be put in this predicament in the first place. "Should have seen it coming. I knew how much that bastard wanted him. I saw the damn pictures in his office. Should have pulled Vin out right then and there,' he condemned himself silently.
Baines and another guard had been standing in the back of the room, watching Frank. He now turned to them.
"Have you heard from Julien and the others yet?"
Baines shook his head. "No, they were leaving a few minutes after us. Should be here or checking in with us any minute."
Frank nodded and turned back to Chris and Vin.
"Your two friends should be joining us shortly, but in the meantime, I'm sure you're wondering why I've brought you here."
Vin still refused to look anywhere but at the floor, Chris mumbled something through his gag that sounded like a curse.
"Silence is golden, Chris, remember that," Frank taunted. Chris stared him down menacingly. If looks could kill, Frank was already a dead man.
"Well, as I was saying," Frank began again, now slightly unnerved by Chris's glare, "Strip 'n Dales is just a side line for our organization. We deal in other more exciting business ventures, such as gun-running, drug smuggling and adult videos. The strip club business gives us a nice cover for our activities, wouldn't you say Chris?" He looked at the taller man with amusement. "No, don't bother answering that," he said, laughing at his own mean-spirited joke. He walked over to stand in front of Chris, then pulled up a chair and sat down next to the man. Chris stared back at him hatefully.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm spending all this time explaining things to you, when I could just kill you and be done with it." Chris refused to acknowledge him, so he continued on. "You see, I've got plans for you, all of you. Vincent will be an excellent addition to our movies. Jessie will, too and I think Buck will be a very enthusiastic actor once he learns his role. You Chris, I'm not so sure about. I'm not certain there's a place for you in our organization. We may have to have a parting of the ways, if you know what I mean."
Vin looked up quickly at Frank's words, blue eyes blazing.
"Don't you fuckin' touch him, you bastard!" Vin shouted.
"Well, well, this does get more and more interesting," Frank exclaimed. He looked at Vin, then back to Chris. "I think I'll keep you around to keep Vincent in line. He seems very attached to you." He walked over to the sharpshooter and began to toy with his hair. "I was planning on waiting until your friends got here to start our little party, but after that kiss, Vincent, I just can't seem to wait any longer." He called to one of bodyguards, "Baines, cut Vincent's ropes for me, please and escort us into the bedroom."
Vin and Chris both stared at Frank in horror.
"No, I ain't goin' in there with you!" Vin shouted, fighting against the ropes, heedless to the pain as they cut into his bare torso.
"Oh, I think you will Vincent, if you want to keep Chris safe," Frank countered.
Vin stop struggling and looked at Frank with disbelief.
"That's right Vincent. You behave yourself and I won't let any harm come to Chris. You don't do as I ask, and I can't be responsible for what misfortunes befall your friend," he threatened.
Vin looked at Chris mournfully as Baines sliced through the ropes binding him to the chair. Frank stood him up and began pulling him to the bedroom. Vin followed meekly, knowing he would do anything he had to in order to keep Chris safe. Tears filled his eyes as he stared at Chris's pain etched face, wishing he could comfort his lover in some small way. "I'm sorry Chris," he whispered as he was led past his lover.
"No, Vin! Don't do this!" Chris tried to scream through his gag, his own eyes welling up as he imagined what Vin would be going through to save him. "God, no!" he screamed again, this time loudly enough that Vin was able to understand him. The sharpshooter stiffened and stopped walking for a second, almost looking like he was going to try and fight. Then Frank and Baines pulled him forward once again, and he resumed the sad, silent march to Frank's bedroom.
+ + + + + + +
"JD, you have a fix on them yet?" Nathan asked tersely.
The youngest of the seven shook his head sadly, his eyes never leaving the computer screen. He, Nathan, Josiah and Ezra sat in the surveillance van outside Strip 'n Dales, waiting anxiously for the blip on the computer screen that would indicate one of their tracking devices was activated. Minutes ticked by, as the three men leaned forward, one by one, to watch over JD's shoulder, adding another pair of eyes to the seemingly fruitless search.
"You sure you put the trackers on?" Nathan asked Josiah and Ezra.
"Yes Nathan, we placed the devices on Adam's and Frank's vehicles," Ezra reassured for the tenth time since they had been sitting there.
Nathan nodded wordlessly, exactly as he had the other times he'd asked the question. He turned back toward JD, peering over his shoulder.
"There! There it is!" JD shouted in unison with Nathan.
"I'll get us going," Josiah called, heading for the driver's seat. Ezra joined him in front, and JD and Nathan began shouting directions to him.
"Looks like they're heading west Josiah," JD said.
"Where are they now?" Josiah questioned.
JD did some quick calculations. "Not too far from here, and it must be Frank's car, 'cause we saw Adam's out back earlier tonight. They're about 15 minutes ahead of us."
"Just keep calling out the directions, and I'll get close to them," Josiah promised as he gunned the van westward.
+ + + + + + +
"Here we are Vincent, alone at last!" Frank smirked. Baines remained outside the door, to stand guard, and he shut and locked the door as Frank pulled Vin into the elegantly furnished bedroom.
Vin looked around the room nervously, his eyes resting on a video camera, mounted on a tripod.
"Now, now, don't let that alarm you Vincent," Frank cooed obscenely, running his hand over Vin's nearly naked body. "No need for stage fright Vincent. You'll get used to it," he assured, and yanked Vin over toward the brass bed. "Now you're not going to give me any trouble are you?" Frank asked with a leer. "I can always call Baines in here, and he won't take kindly to it. Might take it out on Chris, and you wouldn't want that, would you?"
Vin refused to acknowledge Frank, but stood quietly next to the bed, head hanging down.
Frank slapped Vin across the face. "Answer me when I speak to you Vincent!" he demanded.
"No."
"No what?" Frank yelled again, slapping Vin hard, a second time.
"No I'm not going to give you any trouble," Vin forced out, his cheeks stinging from the blows.
"Good," Frank gloated, reaching out a hand to stroke one of Vin's reddened cheeks. The sharpshooter flinched, seeing Frank's hand descend to his face again, causing Frank to chuckle.
"Vincent, I don't want to have to hurt you, but if you force my hand again, I will," he explained. He reached into his pocket and produced two small keys, quickly unlocking the handcuffs from Vin's wrists.
"Get on the bed Vincent," he ordered.
Vin looked at him and hesitated slightly.
"Do it Vincent, or I'll have Baines pay a little visit to Chris," Frank threatened.
Vin sat on the bed immediately.
"Now lay back, arms above your head."
Vin did as Frank said, and the older man locked one part of the handcuffs to a wrist, and the other part to the bed railing. He retrieved another pair of handcuffs from the bedside table and did the same with Vin's other wrist. Then he removed the chains from Vin's feet.
"Comfy?" Frank asked.
Vin turned his head away, staring at the far wall.
Frank lunged on top of Vin, grabbing his chin and jerking it toward him.
"So beautiful, but a slow learner," he said gruffly. "Look at me when I talk to you!" he barked, then brought his mouth down onto Vin's possessively. He pried Vin's lips open, forcing his tongue deep into Vin's unwilling mouth, probing and plundering mercilessly. Bile rose in Vin's throat from the unwanted , kiss, but he forced himself to passively accept the abusive treatment, thinking about what would happen to Chris if he didn't.
"Oh, that was very nice, lover," Frank teased, rubbing his body against Vin's. "You're getting me so hot, Vincent." He stood up and turned on the video camera.
"We'll have lots of fun watching this later, I promise," Frank said. "Maybe I'll even invite Chris to come in here and watch it with us." He laughed evilly as Vin paled at his words, lips beginning to tremble.
"Now don't be shy Vincent. Adam didn't like this at first, either, but he loves it as much as I do now. I think I'll even let the two of you make a movie together. I know Adam would love to have another go at you," he joked viciously, eyeing Vin's still bruised ribs. Leaving Vin on the bed, he turned to rummage around in the drawer of the bedside table, bringing out a small knife. He turned to Vin with a cruel gleam in his eye.
Vin cringed as Frank began running the tip of the knife down his body, just skimming the skin. The man revolted him, but he hung on, keeping his emotions in check to save Chris.
Frank smiled when the knife tip reached Vin's leather thong. "This is a nice little ensemble you have on Vincent, but I think you're a little overdressed." He sliced through the thong, leaving Vin now clad in only his skimpy g-string. Frank moved the knife to the thin band of material, then hesitated.
"No, I think I'll leave that on for now," he said hoarsely, licking his lips as he took in the sight of Vin, naked and spread helplessly before him. His cock sprang upward eagerly, pressing against his pants. He stripped them off quickly, then shed his underwear, and straddled Vin, rubbing his hand over the small, thin cloth of the g-string. He increased the pressure on Vin's penis, stroking it harder and faster, hoping for a reaction from the younger man. But Vin just laid there, not even struggling against the handcuffs as Frank groped him.
"Vincent, I'm disappointed in you," Frank growled. "I thought you'd like performing for the camera."
Vin just looked at Frank blankly, not uttering a word.
Frank toyed with the thin band of the g-string again, running his hands up and down Vin's hips. Vin's cock still refused to respond.
"Oh all right," Frank huffed and turned off the video recorder. "I guess you are a little shy Vincent. I'm not going to waste the tape right now. Maybe later on when Adam gets here," he threatened.
Vin breathed a silent sigh of relief. Granted, he was still in an awful situation, but at least Chris would be spared from having to watch the video of Frank ravaging him. He closed his eyes as a flash of pain ripped through him as he thought of his lover. 'Would things ever be the same between them after what happened? Would Chris still want him after Frank had his way with him?'
His eyes flew open as he felt Frank moving closer to him. He recoiled with disgust as Frank sat on his chest, cock in hand, bringing it toward his mouth eagerly. He turned his head to the side sharply, to avoid the offensive organ, but Frank grabbed the side of his face with one hand, forcing it forward again.
"Open up Vincent," he ordered, squeezing Vin's jaws painfully. Vin's mouth popped open and Frank began to jam his thickening cock into it.
Vin gagged on the huge organ that filled his mouth and rammed against the back of his throat. He was beginning to choke as Frank shoved in deeper, and his oxygen starved body acted on instinct. Vin bit down on Frank's cock, sucking in a big gulp of air when the large obstruction was removed from his throat and mouth.
"Oh...God!" Frank uttered in a strangled voice as he held his wounded organ in his hands. "You bastard!" he yelled at Vin, backhanding the bound man harshly. "You'll pay for that Vincent!" he threatened.
"Baines!" Frank yelled, still holding his throbbing cock gingerly. "Get in here!"
Baines stuck his head in the door in a split second. "What's up boss?"
"Give me your brass knuckles, Baines, Vincent is in need of a lesson."
"Want me to do it boss?" Baines asked eagerly.
"No, this one is mine....all mine," Frank said determinedly. "But why don't you stick around, maybe you can help me."
"Sure," Baines said, entering the room all the way and shut the door behind him. He reached in a pocket and withdrew his brass knuckles, handing them to Frank.
"Hold his legs down for me Baines," Frank commanded, and stepped forward to the bed. He looked down at Vin's lip, blood slowing leaking out from where he had backhanded him.
"I'm very angry with you Vincent," he began in a strangely controlled voice. "I had such plans for you. Now I'm afraid I'll just have to give you to Baines, or one of the other men," he continued with a sigh. "And believe me, Vincent, they won't be as considerate of you as I've been." With that, he drew back his metal encased fist and struck Vin in the mouth.
Vin's head snapped backward at the blow, stunning the sharpshooter. Blood now flowed freely from his cut mouth, running down his chin, onto the bed sheets. Before Vin could recover, Frank began pummeling his bruised side.
Vin tried to roll to protect his injured ribs, but Baines held his legs tightly, keeping him vulnerable to Frank's battering, brass-knuckled fist. After the third strike, blackness shrouded the edges of his vision and he began to slip away into unconsciousness. He closed his eyes, welcoming the darkness. Frank hit him one final time, then looked up at Vin's slack face.
"Don't you ignore me like this Vincent!" he bellowed crazily, landing several stinging slaps to Vin's face, rousing the semi-conscious sharpshooter from his stupor. He held Vin's face tightly, digging his fingers into the beaten flesh, laughing as the injured man gasped from the pain.
"Now are you ready to try this again Vincent?" Frank jeered, rubbing his stiff erection on Vin's torn, bloodied lips.
Vin squinted up at Frank, by this time barely lucid. Frank pressed his cock harder against Vin's lips, causing the younger man to hiss and cry out softly from the pain. Frank took the opportunity to shove his swollen member past Vin's slightly parted lips and into his mouth. Vin tried to fight him, but Frank continued to push himself in farther.
The phone on the bedside table rang, and Baines hurried forward to answer it. He spoke quietly for a few seconds, then hung up the phone and turned to Frank.
"Boss, Mr. Williams wants to meet with you. He's sending a car over for you, and wants you to bring the papers. Said you'd know what that means."
Frank pulled himself out of Vin's mouth with regret. He was so hard and excited after plunging himself into the warm, moist cavern that he was ready to burst. "Sorry Vincent, we'll save this for later," he said, patting Vin lightly on the arm as he stood up. Vin moaned and tried to pull away from the touch. His side burned with white-hot agony at every breath, his face throbbed and his wrists ached. He could hardly remember where he was and what had been happening, the pain was so great. His eyelids flickered closed as Frank and Baines left the room, leaving him naked and alone, still handcuffed to the bed. He wanted to sleep, but something nagged in the recesses of his mind. He forced himself to stay awake and recount everything that he could remember. He whispered to himself in the dark, trying to keep his mind focused. He needed to remember, there was something very important he was forgetting about. "I was at the nightclub, and then in a van, and then....." His face twisted with the effort of thinking, trying to blot out the pain that filled his mind, overwhelming it. And then he remembered. "CHRIS!" he screamed out of his cut, battered mouth. "Chris!" he yelled again, tearing his lips open even more as he screamed his lover's name. "Oh God, Frank told me if I didn't do what he said, he'd hurt Chris. And I didn't do what I was supposed to do. He's gonna kill Chris! He's already killing Chris!" he chanted over and over again in the dark room. "It's my fault! I killed Chris! Why didn't I do what Frank wanted!" he droned on and on, his voice breaking from the strain, losing consciousness at last as his body finally gave into the pain.
+ + + + + + +
Adam gunned the engine of Frank's car to pass the slow moving van as it began its ascent up the steep mountain road. He recognized the van as one of theirs, laughing to himself as he thought about what had happened at the strip club after he left.
"Be seeing you soon Vincent, hope you're in there, 'cause we've got some unfinished business," he smirked as he sped away.
+ + + + + + +
"What was that?" Jessie asked fearfully as the van he and Buck were riding in lurched suddenly.
"Don't know, but it didn't sound good," Buck answered, as the van slowed and then stopped.
"Buck, we're stopping!" Jessie said with alarm.
"It'll be okay, kid," Buck assured. "Just stick with me."
A minute later the rear doors swung open.
"You!" one of the guards barked, pointing at Buck. "Get out."
"What's up fellas?" Buck asked casually.
"Shut up and get out. We've got a flat and you're gonna change it. No reason for us to get dirty."
"Sure thing fellas," Buck said with a smile. "But you're gonna have to uncuff and unchain me if you want me to do it." He couldn't have planned it better himself. They were going to get the world's slowest and worst tire change. He'd do his best to stall them and buy some time for the others to find them.
One of the guards came forward with keys. "All right, we'll do it, but you better not try anything. We'll have our guns on you the whole time."
"Okay fellas, don't worry, I won't try a thing," Buck said, as his hands and feet were freed.
+ + + + + + +
"JD, you still got him?" Josiah yelled to the back of the van.
"Yep, keep on the same course, Josiah. He's slowed down, and we're gaining on him."
They drove on for several more minutes, when the outline of a large vehicle loomed ahead of them. Josiah halted the van and looked back at Nathan and JD.
"Everything still okay?" Josiah asked.
"He stopped, but we're still getting his signal," JD replied.
"Well, there's a van or something pulled over just ahead. Could be part of the gang's, especially since this isn't the most travelled road. I think we should stop and check it."
"I concur with Mr. Sanchez," Ezra chimed in. "Perhaps, Mr. Sanchez can step out of the van, while Mr. Jackson and I, remaining concealed, slip out the back and surround them? It could be for naught, but I'll wager that vehicle is involved with our present situation."
"Sounds like a plan, Ezra, let's get to it," Nathan agreed. "JD, keep a watch on that monitor, and then keep an eye on things outside when we pull up to this other van."
JD nodded and they took off again.
+ + + + + + +
Minutes later, they pulled to a halt behind the disabled van, Josiah keeping the headlights trained on the vehicle. He looked closely into the glare of the light, making out a familiar form, changing a flat tire.
"Sweet Jesus, that's Buck!" he exclaimed to the others.
"With two men standing over our compatriot, keeping a watch on him," Ezra added.
"Okay, let's stick to the plan," Josiah said. "I'll come out, Nathan and Ezra, you sneak around the other side and surround them. JD, you're the back up. Let's go."
+ + + + + + +
"Evening gentlemen," Josiah greeted cheerily. "Need any help?"
"No thanks," one of the men answered back, hiding his gun quickly. "We're about finished here. Why don't you just go on your way. Don't trouble yourself about us."
"Oh, no trouble at all friend," Josiah replied breezily. "See, I used to be a mechanic. Just can't help but stop when I see someone with car trouble. Guess it stays in your blood." He sauntered over to Buck, acting like he was watching him work. "Nathan and Ezra are coming up behind those two. Be ready," he whispered to Buck. "Good work, looks like you've done this before," he said loudly to Buck for the benefit of the others. He could make out Ezra and Nathan's shadow behind the two men. "Well, I can see you have the situation in hand, I'll be going."
Just then, Ezra and Nathan leapt forward, knocking the men to the ground. Josiah and Buck stepped forward to assist, and the two guards were quickly overpowered, both knocked unconscious.
"Am I glad to see you fellas!" Buck said boisterously. "Jessie and me were kidnapped from the club. They let me out to change the flat, but he's still in the back of the van."
They opened the doors at the back of the van and pulled Jessie out. Keys to the handcuffs were found in pockets of the unconscious men, and when the cuffs were removed from Jessie, his and Buck's were placed on the two guards, who were then gagged and shoved into the back of the van. They went back to the ATF van and climbed inside.
"Buck, Jessie, do either of you know where Vin and Chris are?" Josiah asked.
Buck and Jessie both shook their heads.
"We've been tracking a car, it passed the van a few minutes ago. It's either Frank's or Adam's, and it's stopped now," JD said.
"You think it'll lead us to Vin and Chris?" Buck asked hopefully.
"It's the only lead we've got," Nathan explained.
"Well, let's quit talking and get to it!" Buck shouted. "What's the plan?"
"JD, do you have a lock on the coordinates?" Josiah asked.
"Yeah."
"Well then, let's all get in the other van, and drive. We won't look suspicious, since they must be expecting the van. I'll drive, with Ezra up front. The rest of you hide in the back."
"What'll we do then?" Jessie asked.
"We'll figure that out when we get there," Buck said with a wry smile. "Let's go."
+ + + + + + +
"Frank?" Adam called as he stepped past the guards and walked into the cabin. "Frank? I'm here!"
"Adam," Frank said flatly.
"I thought you'd be happy to see me," Adam pouted, disappointed at Frank's lack of enthusiasm.
"Oh, I am Adam," Frank said, "I was just expecting someone else. Mr. Williams is sending a car for me, so I'll be leaving for a little while." He smiled coyly at the young man before him. "But, I have something that will amuse you in the meantime. Come into the bedroom with me."
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