Alternate Universe "Escorts"
PART TWO
There was definitely someone in the bed, with him, and Vin held himself still, as he woke to a dark room, in an unfamiliar bed. He relaxed, almost instantly, as he remembered the night he'd shared with Buck and Chris. He lifted his head enough to spy the clock radio on the night stand next to the bed. 4:13 a.m.His head was a little fuzzy from sleep and the Jack he'd ingested earlier, and he took a minute to think about what he was going to do. The idea of going back to sleep for a few more hours was tempting, but but he was still short on his back rent; if he got his shit together and got out of here, he could make it over to the diner before the truckers and the early delivery drivers finished breakfast. With any luck, he could make enough this morning, not to have to work tonight.
And, the truth was, he didn't want to be there when Chris and Buck woke up. They'd treated him better than anyone had in a long time. They'd treated him like an equal, like a person who mattered. He didn't want to wake up next to them, and find out that the night they'd shared had just been an illusion; that Chris and Buck had enjoyed the sex, but in the light of day, they didn't want to know him. Last night they'd been three men who liked each other, enjoying each other's company. Vin didn't want to find out that to Chris and Buck, he was just a body they'd shared, like he'd been to so many other men. He'd rather leave now, and keep his memories, even if they weren't real. The memories were good and he would use them to get him through the not-so-good times that were bound to come.
Vin waited until his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he could make out the furniture in the room, and then, sighing softly, he slid out from under the covers. He found his clothes and took them into the bathroom. He closed the door, before he turned the light on. He had to blink a few times against the light. Then he borrowed a toothbrush. It probably wouldn't make whichever of the two it belonged to very happy, but Vin figured, Chris or Buck could get another one, if it bothered him. He found the lube in his jeans and prepared himself. He was a little sore, but he'd worked when he hurt a lot worse. He dressed quickly and used a brush he found to work the tangles out of his hair. He surveyed himself in the mirror. His shirt was a little wrinkled, but the kind of guys he was after probably wouldn't even notice.
He turned the light out before he opened the bathroom door, and waited once again for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He smiled fondly at Chris and Buck's dark forms. Chris was on the left, and just as Buck had said, he was lying half on top of Chris. Maybe he'd run into them again sometime. . .
Vin opened the door part way, and then turned back around and looked at the two once more. "Thanks," he whispered, and went out into the hall. He twisted the button, so that the door would lock behind him, and then closed it softly. He tried the knob and was satisfied when the door didn't open. He turned and headed down the hall and was startled to find himself slammed up against the wall, with a heavy body pressing against him.
'Fuck!' he thought, 'A fuckin' cop!'
He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or pissed or afraid when he heard the voice of the customer Buck had chased away in his ear.
"You owe me," the guy hissed. "And, I'm gonna collect."
Vin could smell the alcohol on his breath, and the man's words were slurred enough that Vin knew he'd had more than a little to drink.
"You never paid me," Vin retorted and tried to push away from the wall, to no avail. The man leaning against him weighed a ton. A kidney punch took him by surprise and made him gasp out loud.
"You fucking whores are all the same," the guy sneered. He punched Vin's kidney again. "Think you call the shots."
"Fuck," Vin said. Pissed and a little afraid were definitely winning out over relieved. "Look, it didn't work out. Just let me be on my way, and we'll forget all about this." His back hurt like hell, and all he wanted to do was get the hell out of there, before someone noticed what was going on and called the cops.
"You're gonna get on your way, alright," another voice said. "Get in here."
The pressure on Vin eased a bit and he saw another man, standing in the open doorway across from Chris and Buck's room. 'Fuck! There were two of them! What was he going to do now?' A massive hand on his arm pulling him toward the room decided him. Afraid just took a big lead over pissed. He could struggle, yell for help, someone was bound to hear; but that would definitely bring the cops. And, he couldn't let that happen. Willing himself not to struggle, Vin let himself be pulled inside the doorway.
There was a chair pulled near the door, facing the opening. They must have been watching, Vin realized. Watching and waiting for someone to come out of the room alone. 'Why the fuck didn't I just go back to sleep?' Vin thought. He looked around the room, spying a dozen empty miniatures on the table. The men were pissed and drunk, never a good combination, especially for Vin.
One of them shoved him farther into the room. The other one hung a "Do No Disturb" sign on the doorknob and shut the door and locked the deadbolt. Vin was getting more alarmed by the minute. A few feet short of the bed, the man Vin hadn't known existed until a few minutes ago, backhanded him across the mouth. He fell against the bed and his customer dragged him to his feet. Vin broke free of his hold, only to find himself grabbed by the other one.
"Sit the fuck down," his customer ordered and the other man pushed him toward the bed. Vin sat on the edge cautiously. He might be able to break free, but he'd never get the door open, before they'd be on him. Whatever they were going to do, Vin had to find a way to make it as painless as possible for himself.
"You blew me off," his customer said angrily.
There was nothing he could say, that wouldn't piss the guy off more, Vin realized, so he kept his mouth shut. It didn't help, as the second man backhanded him again.
"You answer when we ask you a question. You got that?" he demanded.
Vin wiped the blood off of his lip. "I got it," he said flatly, not looking at them.
"Not yet you don't, but you're gonna," his customer said.
Vin kept his head down, frantically trying to think of a way out of this room. The guys were big, but they weren't in good shape, and they were drunk. But, they'd locked the door. They'd be on him, before he could get it open. God! How could he have been so stupid as to let himself get caught in the hallway? He knew the answer. He'd been too busy reliving the best night he'd had in years, maybe ever to pay attention. And, now he was going to pay a high price for it. He just hoped it wasn't too high.
"Get your clothes off." Vin heard. He wasn't even sure which one of them had said it. He didn't bother to look at them or answer. Instead, he focused on a piece of lint on the floor by the bed, while he methodically stripped his clothes off. He was naked, with his back to them and he barely heard the degrading comments they made, or the raucous laughter. He closed his eyes and pictured Buck and Chris and the way they'd looked when they'd laughed.
7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7
Buck's bladder woke him and he smiled, as he remembered the events that had transpired a few short hours ago. He shifted and realized that there were only two of them in the bed. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness; then he realized that the bathroom door was standing open, the tiny room obviously empty. Vin was gone.
"Damn," he cursed softly. They hadn't even had a chance to get his number, maybe get to know him a little better. The least they could have done was bought him breakfast and made sure he got wherever he was going safely. He sighed and slid out of the bed, as his bladder reminded him of what had awakened him in the first place.
7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7
Vin curled his body as best he could, and hoped they were done with him. His whole body hurt. His ex-customer's name was Steve, and his buddy was Jeff, Vin had learned; but he'd decided that Steve was 'Motherfucker' and Jeff was 'Fatfuck.' Fatfuck had fucked him and Motherfucker had tried, but couldn't get it up. He'd blamed Vin and had punched and kicked him a dozen times declaring, that he was gonna get his money's worth out of Vin's hide one way or another. Vin wished like hell he had been able to get it up. Getting fucked was a hell of a lot easier than having his kidneys pounded and being kicked in the ribs. He should probably be glad that Fatfuck hadn't joined in on the beating, but right now, the only thing he could think about was how he was going to get out of there, once they let him go. He wasn't at all sure that he could stand up, let alone walk out of there.
He was relieved to hear them laughing across the room, but alarmed at the sound of bottles clinking. They were already drunk and mean enough; more booze could only make things worse for him. He just wanted them to leave him alone and let him get the hell out of there. He'd crawl out if he had to.
7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7
Chris heard the sound of the shower running, when he woke. He yawned and stretched and scratched his belly, before turning to see who was up. He smiled, as he realized that neither Buck nor Vin was still in bed. Vin had taken a shower the night before, he remembered and his dick twitched. They must be in the shower together. He grinned and his dick throbbed at the idea; and why not, he thought; that shower was plenty big enough for three.
Just as he flipped the covers back and prepared to join them, the water cut off. He was disappointed for a minute, at the thought of missing out on whatever the two of them had got up to, but his dick throbbed happily at the sight of Buck walking naked out of the bathroom, toweling his hair dry, with a half-hard dick. Chris grinned, as happy as his dick was. Looked like they were gonna have another round after all.
"Vin's gone," Buck said, a twinge of regret in his voice.
"Well hell," Chris said, his dick wilting some. He felt the same regret he heard in Buck's voice, unsure if it was for the same reason or not. Sure, he'd wanted another go with Vin, but he also wanted – what did he want? Chris wasn't sure. Not to offer Vin a job, he'd already decided against that. But, something- exchanging phone numbers maybe; or maybe arranging to meet up again, not necessarily for sex. "Hell," he said again.
"Yeah," Buck said and sighed. He sat on the edge of the bed, and Chris scooted over to give him room. "Wish he'd stuck around."
"Any idea why he left?" Chris asked, looking at the door wistfully, as if he could somehow will Vin to be on the other side.
Buck shrugged. "Lotta reasons maybe," he said, looking at Chris. "Might not have wanted to horn in; might have regretted it; might just have needed to work; maybe all three; maybe he just doesn't like goodbyes."
"Maybe," Chris said and looked at Buck. "Had in mind to have another go," he said and looked down at Buck's groin.
Buck grinned, as his half-hard dick responded to that look. "That," he said, "can be arranged."
7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7
Vin's shirt hit him in the head. "Get dressed and get the fuck out," Fatfuck snarled at him.
Vin couldn't wait to comply, if he could just get his clothes on, without passing out. It took him twenty minutes of painful bending and twisting to get dressed enough, that he wouldn't call attention to himself. It hurt to straighten and he had to keep one arm wrapped tightly around his middle to keep from doubling over. He didn't think anything was broken, but he was certain that he was going to be pissing blood for some time to come. If he kept his head down, he thought he'd be able to get out of the hotel without raising any alarms. But, he would have to be careful not to let anyone see his face. One eye was swollen shut and he knew there was blood under his nose and around his split lip. But, he wasn't about to stay in this room a second longer than he had to. He'd just have to give the asshole at the motel the money he had and hope the guy would let him slide until he could work.
He started out of the room, when Motherfucker grabbed his arm. Vin hissed, as his ribs were jarred. They might not be broken, but they hurt like hell.
"You owe me," Motherfucker said. He reached down in Vin's pocket and pulled his wallet out.
Vin started to protest, but Fatfuck smiled coldly and moved closer to him, and he held his tongue. Motherfucker opened his wallet and pulled out the money he'd been counting on to pay for his room. He shoved the wallet back into Vin's pocket, empty of cash. "This won't even cover our bar bill," Motherfucker informed him. "Next time you make a deal, you better stick to it."
Fatfuck moved out of his way and Vin moved as quickly as he could to the door. They watched him fumbling with the lock, for several minutes, before he kicked the door in frustration. "Fuck!" he said.
They laughed and Motherfucker opened the door easily. "Get out," he said.
Vin had barely cleared the door when it slammed behind him. He looked around quickly, relieved to see the hall was empty. He leaned against the wall, trying to figure out what to do. He couldn't pay for his room. All his stuff was in there. He wasn't at all sure that he was going to be able to make it to his truck. And, if he did, he couldn't pay for the parking. What the fuck was he going to do? He straightened, and looked around again; still no one in the hall. He looked longingly at Chris and Buck's door. They would probably be willing to help him, but they'd have a lot of questions; questions Vin didn't want to answer. He stumbled down the hall toward the stairwell, when the sound of someone laughing coming from the stairs changed his mind. Fuck! He couldn't get caught out in the hall like this. And, he couldn't get on the elevator. If anyone saw him, they'd call the cops for sure. The sounds of people were getting louder and Vin cursed again, as he made a decision. He crossed the hall and knocked on Buck and Chris's door.
7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7 ~ 7
Buck whistled, while he pondered the room service menu. They didn't splurge like this very often, but he was very glad they had this weekend. He and Chris were both starving. Chris had gone to take a shower, leaving Buck with the task of ordering breakfast. He was just about to pick up the phone, when he heard a knock on the door. He hung up, wondering if they'd forgotten to put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Or maybe Vin had knocked it off when he'd left. Oh well, he thought; he'd tell the maid to come back later and then he'd order breakfast.
"Not now, darlin'," Buck said cheerfully, as he opened the door. "Fuck! Vin! What the hell happened to you?" he demanded, at the same time as he was reaching out to steady Vin, who was swaying precariously in the doorway. Vin looked terrible and had obviously been beaten. He was clutching his ribs.
"Chris!" Buck called, as he supported Vin and kicked the door closed. "Chris!" he called more urgently
"What?" Chris called back, before he came out of the bathroom. "I was-" His words died, as he spotted Vin. "Jesus, what happened?" he asked, and rushed to help Buck wrangle Vin onto the bed.
"Motherfucker and Fatfuck," Vin mumbled and then moaned softly, when Buck lifted his feet onto the bed. He clutched at his ribs with one hand. "Gotta get my stuff," he said weakly.
Buck and Chris looked at one another. Vin wasn't making any sense. They'd worry about that later. Right now, they had to find out how bad he was hurt.
"Call Nathan," Chris said, even as Buck was pushing speed dial, on his cellphone. Chris tried to move Vin's hand, so he could open his shirt and see how bad it looked, but Vin moaned and clutched his ribs harder.
Chris hurried to the bathroom and grabbed the rest of the clean towels and washcloths. He stopped at the refrigerator and grabbed the full bin of ice out of the freezer.
"Nathan 's coming," Buck said. "He'll be here in thirty minutes. I told him to come on up."
"He won't let me look," Chris said, sounding as worried as Buck felt. "Ribs might be broke. I'm gonna call the police," he decided.
Neither of them was prepared for the strangled, "no" that seemed to tear from Vin. "No cops," the injured man managed to gasp out.
Chris's eyes narrowed and his voice was tinged with anger. "Just because you're a hooker, doesn't give anyone the right to do this to you," he said. There wasn't any doubt in Chris's mind that a trick had done this to Vin.
"Please," Vin choked out. "No cops." He groaned and tried to sit up. He couldn't stay here.
Buck and Chris exchanged an uneasy look. There was real fear in Vin's voice.
"Stay put," Buck said and gently eased Vin back down. "We won't call the cops." He didn't know why Vin was afraid of having the police called, but they could sort it out after Nathan got there.
Chris finished wrapping ice in a towel and he laid it gently on the eye that was swollen shut. He moved the hand that wasn't clutching Vin's ribs to hold the towel in place. Vin wouldn't let him check his ribs, and there wasn't much else Chris knew to do, until Nathan got there.
He stood up and motioned Buck to the end of the bed. "Get the room for another day." He spoke softly. "Get some coffee," he added. "It's gonna be a long day."
Buck nodded and gave him a quick kiss.
Chris waited until Buck was gone, before turning back toward Vin, who was watching him out of the eye that wasn't swollen closed.
"We need to talk," Chris said. He grabbed a chair and pulled it up close to where Vin lay. "Buck thinks I'm naïve about the darker side of our business. But, Buck's a little naïve, himself, sometimes," he said. "What don't we know?"
Vin sighed and struggled to push himself up to a more seated position. He sucked in a breath as his body protested the small movements. Chris took hold of his shoulders carefully and lifted him up enough to put a few more pillows behind his back, so that Vin was propped up.
"Thanks," Vin said. "Buck's a good guy," he said softly. "So are you. Reckon I owe you the truth."
Chris put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.
"There's a murder warrant on me in Texas," Vin said. "I didn't do it."
"Fuck," Chris said softly.
"Every damn day," Vin said, bitterness creeping into his voice, for the first time since Chris had met him. "I used to be a bounty hunter. I was good at it. About a year ago, I was going after a bounty named Eli Joe Jefferson and I come across his dead body. I called the cops and the next thing I knew, they were arresting me. Turns out, it wasn't Eli Joe; he set me up. The dead guy was a man named Jess Kinkaid. His cousin was the arresting officer. Just about everybody in that town was a relative or a friend of his. They were talking about giving me the needle, after they let me get acquainted with every prisoner in the county jail. One of them turned his back and I lit out of there. Hell, for all I know, they wanted me to escape, so they could shoot me. They just didn't plan on me being so good at escapin'." He closed his eyes and leaned further back into the pillows. "There's a $25,000 reward on me in Tascosa. Call the cops and it's yours."
Chris stared at him for several minutes trying to process everything Vin had told him. Vin opened his good eye and met his gaze. "I didn't do it," he repeated.
"I believe you," Chris said, at the same time as he realized that he did. Vin stared at him, as if he couldn't quite believe what he'd heard. Chris repeated, "I believe you," softly.
"Ain't been no one-" Vin's voice broke and he turned away from Chris, stifling a gasp of pain at the movement.
Chris understood, or thought he did. Vin had been running for a year, with no one to turn to for help. Just having someone to tell his story to; and then to have that person believe him, had to be overwhelming. He still had a lot of questions for Vin, but they could wait until after Nathan checked him over. He took a miniature of Jack Daniels out of the mini bar and poured the contents into two glasses. Nathan would probably have a fit, but if Vin needed a drink half as bad as he did, Chris could live with Nathan's bitching.
"You want a drink?" Chris asked.
"Almost as bad as I want to erase the last fucking year," Vin said. Chris sat both drinks down, and helped Vin maneuver so that he could handle the drink without spilling it on himself.
"I bet," Chris said, and handed Vin the drink.
"Didn't mean to cause you no trouble," Vin said, and sipped his drink.
Chris just shrugged and sipped his own drink.
"Just didn't see no other choice," Vin said. "Bastards took the money I had. Can't pay for my room. Can't even get my truck out of the parking garage." His cheeks were red and he ducked his head.
"You want to tell me what happened?" Chris asked softly. "Who did this to you?"
"Motherfucker from last night," Vin said. "Had a friend with him. Fatfuck." He gulped down the rest of his drink and held the glass out to Chris. "Got anymore of that?" he asked harshly.
"Might not be such a good idea," Chris answered. Nathan bitching was one thing, but if Vin was hurt bad, more booze couldn't be good.
"Fuck, Larabee!" Vin said angrily. "I done been fucked, beat, and robbed. Another goddamned drink ain't gonna make things no worse."
"Alright," Chris said, not happy about it. He was less happy about hearing Vin say he'd been fucked as well as beaten. He'd have to be sure to mention it to Nathan. He didn't think Vin would.
Chris didn't bother with the glass. He just opened another miniature and handed it to Vin.
Vin's hand was shaking visibly when he took the bottle. He took a long drink and then swore,"Fuck!" His hand wasn't shaking quite as bad, when he sat the bottle on the nightstand. "What the fuck did I do -?"
"Nothing," Chris cut him off. "No one deserves this," he said. "Whatever you did or didn't do, they didn't have a right to do this to you."
Vin met his eyes and nodded tiredly. "I know," he said. "Just – can't help thinkin' sometimes-" his voice died, and he turned painfully onto his side, facing away from Chris.
Chris didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything, instead just squeezed Vin's shoulder gently. He was relieved to have an excuse not to say anything when he heard a knock on the door. He opened the door, expecting Nathan, but was surprised to see Buck, holding two large cups of coffee.
"How come you knocked?" Chris asked.
"'Cause I'm not as dumb as you think I am sometimes," Buck said and handed one of the coffees to Chris. There was no anger in his voice or on his face. "I figured you wanted me out of here, so you two could talk."
Chris's face twisted sheepishly. "Never thought you were dumb," he said softly. "But, you're right about us talking."
"Room's ours 'til tomorrow," Buck said. "Nathan called. He'll be here in ten minutes." Buck crossed the room and took up the empty chair beside the bed. He set his coffee beside the half empty miniature. "I figure that gives you about five minutes to decide just what you want me to know," he said to Vin.
Vin ignored the pain, as he turned toward Buck. "What I want you to know," he said, in a bitter voice, "is nothing." He sighed. "But, you got a right to know the truth. Chris can tell you," he said and closed his eyes.
Buck looked from Vin to Chris. Chris spoke, "There's a murder charge on him in Texas. He's been on the run for a year. Said he didn't do it. I believe him."
"You believe him," Buck repeated.
"Yes," Chris answered. "I do."
Buck nodded. "Alright then." He put a hand on Vin's arm. "I never knew a better judge of men than Chris. If he thinks you're telling the truth, that's good enough for me."
"Why?" Vin asked suspiciously, looking from one to the other of them. "You don't know me. How can you believe me?"
"We're not the enemy. We could have called the police the minute you knocked on our door," Chris reminded him. "But, we didn't. We want to help you. Seems to me, like you don't have much choice, but to let us."
"That's the story of my whole fucking life," Vin said. "No fucking choice at all."
Chris and Buck exchanged an uneasy glance. "Vin," Buck said quietly. "Our friend is coming. He's had some medical training. Let him look you over. If he says you don't have to go to the hospital, then stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we'll take you wherever you want to go."
Vin laughed, a harsh and unpleasant sound. "Right!" he said. "Like I got anyplace else to go."
"Where are you staying?" Chris asked.
Vin laughed that same ugly laugh. "As of now," Vin said, "no place. I'm two days behind, paying for the dive I been stayin' in. Clerk gave me an extension yesterday, but I can't pay for it. I had almost what I needed. And, I was gonna get the rest this morning." He hadn't intended to tell them, but he was just too tired, and hurting too much, and just plain sick of hiding everything from everyone.
Another knock on the door got all their attention. "Nathan," Chris and Buck said together.
Chris opened the door and stepped back to let Nathan into the room. "What happened to him?" Nathan asked, nodding toward Vin. "All Buck said, was someone was hurt." Left unspoken was the question, Chris knew Nathan would ask later; why hadn't they called an ambulance?
"Beaten," Chris said succinctly. He put a hand on Nathan's arm, as Nathan started to move toward the bed and Vin. "And assaulted," Chris added, too quietly for Vin or Buck to hear. "Go easy," he said.
Nathan nodded and Buck vacated the chair by the bed and Nathan slipped into it. "Name's Nathan," he told Vin quietly. "Like to look you over."
"Do whatever the hell you're gonna do," Vin said, no emotion at all in his voice and he didn't look at Nathan.
Nathan frowned. "Not gonna do anything, you don't want me to," he told the injured man. "Seems like you mighta had enough of people doin' whatever they wanted without givin' you a say."
Vin did look at him then. Nathan could see the fear in his eyes and the disbelief that someone he didn't even know would be willing to help him, without wanting something in return. And, Vin could see the compassion in Nathan's eyes. "Will you let me examine you?"
It seemed to the other three men, that Vin studied Nathan's face for a very long time, but in reality it was only a few seconds. "I'd be obliged," Vin said finally, color rising in his cheeks. "Sorry, 'bout before. Weren't no cause to be rude to someone tryin' t' help me."
Nathan gave him a forgiving smile. "Might want to take that apology back, when I start poking and prodding on those ribs," he said.
Vin laughed a little, a genuine laugh this time. "Might at that," he said. He reached for the miniature, only to have Nathan move it out of his reach.
"What fool gave you this?" Nathan demanded. Vin started to protest, and thought better of it. Chris and Buck smiled at one another. Chris shrugged and took a drink of his coffee, and then sat in the easy chair he'd sat in the night before. Buck watched Nathan ease Vin's hand away from his ribs, and then pulled one of the three remaining straight-backed chairs near Chris's.
They could hear Nathan speaking softly to Vin. Every once in a while Vin would groan or stifle a moan of pain and Nathan would apologize. After what seemed like hours, Nathan called out, "Need some help getting his ribs wrapped up."
"I'll do it," Chris told Buck. "I owe you for not ratting me out about the booze."
"You owe me for a lot more than that," Buck said. "We'll talk about how you can pay up later."
Chris chuckled. "Looking forward to it," he said and gave Buck a quick kiss, before moving to help Nathan.
Nathan wiped his hands on a towel Buck gave him and picked up the nearly cold coffee Buck had abandoned. He drank half of it. "No sugar, extra cream," he commented. "When did you start drinking coffee like I like it?" he asked.
"I was pretty sure you'd need it," Buck said.
Vin had slipped into an exhausted sleep and they talked in low voices, even though Chris didn't think an alarm going off would wake him.
"I don't think anything's broke," Nathan said. Lot of bruising, some tenderness, but no more than I'd expect. Asked him about the other," he said and turned to Chris. "He told me, he was fine and I didn't need to check."
"You let him get away with that?" Chris demanded.
"What don't I know?" Buck interrupted before Nathan could answer.
Chris glanced down at Vin's sleeping form, before motioning the other two to follow and then grabbing the chair that Buck had left near the easy chair and carrying it over to the table. He sat it down and sat heavily in the chair furthest from where the other two were.
When Nathan and Buck joined him, Chris aimed another wary glance toward the bed. Satisfied that Vin was still sleeping, he spoke quietly. "He told me the guy from last night did this to him. Said he had a friend. He told me, he was robbed, beaten, and fucked. I don't think he meant us," Chris said.
"No, I don't think he did," Buck said, stroking his cheek with his hand, glancing at Vin.
"Now, what don't I know?" Nathan asked softly.
Chris met his gaze steadily. "He's a hooker, too," Chris said. "Customer got a little too pushy, and Buck took offense. He chased the guy off, and we hooked up instead. He was gone when we woke up this morning. Didn't think anything of it, until he showed up, beaten and didn't want us to call the cops. I got Buck out of here-" He gave Buck an apologetic glance, and continued. "I knew there was more to him not wanting the cops involved than just him working. He was too scared."
Buck nodded his head, acknowledging that Chris was right. He'd known it, too.
"Anyway, I got Buck out of here, and he told me, he's got a murder charge-"
"Murder!" Nathan exclaimed, not loudly, but not nearly as softly as he'd been speaking before.
"He said he didn't do it," Chris said. "And, I believe him. That's not important right now," he said, only to be stopped by a skeptical look from Nathan. "Alright," he said. "It's important. But, I'm not going to turn him in. He's been running for a year; no one to turn to for help; putting up with assholes like the ones who did this to him. I'm not going to turn my back on him. I won't do it."
Buck shook his head. He hadn't expected anything less, from the minute he'd heard Chris say, "I believe him" for the first time. Chris was stubborn to a fault; and nothing could make him turn his back on someone, once he decided they were worth helping.
"Ain't just you, could end up in a mess of trouble from this," Nathan pointed out.
"I know it." Chris had no false notions of being able to keep the other two out of trouble, if Vin was caught. He wouldn't lie to any of them about it, including himself. "I can't tell you what to do," he said. "I won't try to stop you, if you think calling the police is the right thing to do. But, he told me he ran because he couldn't get a fair trial in the town he was in. He said the cop who arrested him was the guy's cousin. And, he said something about the dead man being related to half the people who'd be on the jury and the cops making cracks about letting the other inmates get acquainted with him. You know a little something about being railroaded for something you didn't do. Would you have stayed?"
Nathan remembered how he'd met Chris. He'd tried to help a man who had been hurt in an accident. Nathan had come on the scene and put a tourniquet on the man's leg, but the man had bled to death before any other help could arrive. The man's relatives had been furious and blamed him. They'd almost had the police on the scene convinced that Nathan had done something to the guy; and the police had been ready to arrest him. But, Chris had spoke up, from where he'd been standing unseen by Nathan and the others in the crowd.
"Those boys are lying." Chris had spoken up, even though Nathan hadn't known him at the time. "I saw the whole thing," Chris had said. That man, tried to help him." He had pointed to the body, still lying in the street. "He didn't do anything to hurt him. He didn't have anything to do with the accident."
The police hadn't arrested him, but it had been close. He probably would have been acquitted- probably. But, for a moment, Nathan had been terrified. It would have been too easy to become a statistic. And, once he was in the court system, anything could have happened; anything could have gone wrong. He could have found himself serving a long prison sentence, without having done anything wrong. He couldn't imagine what would have happened if the officer who'd ultimately decided to let him go, had been related to the man who'd died.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I wouldn't have stayed." He didn't point out that Chris didn't know Vin. Chris hadn't known him either.
"So, we aren't going to call the cops," Buck said, stating a fact, not asking a question.
"No," Nathan said. "But, what are we going to do? He's hurt, ain't gonna be able to work. You said he was robbed?"
Chris nodded. "That's what he told me."
"You ain't gotta do nothin'." Vin's voice was somewhere between dog-tired and pissed as hell.
All three men turned to face him. Chris started to say something, but Buck held a hand up to silence him.
"That's where you're wrong, son," Buck said. "And, you know it. We aren't the kind of men, who'd send someone out, hurt, with no money, and no one to turn to, to fend for themselves. We wouldn't do that to a dog, and you know it.
Vin blinked back his emotions. "I know it," he said. His voice was utterly defeated. "I'm just so tired."
"I know you are," Buck said. "Running wears on a man. Running and hiding and trying to stay alive and having to take a chance with strangers every night, that's downright exhausting. The one time you let yourself have something just for you, you end up paying a big price."
Vin was staring at him, with a dazed expression. How the hell did Buck know so much about him?
"My mama had to run from more than one man." Buck didn't wait for Vin to ask, before he explained. "Wore her out, too. Every once in a while, she'd say the hell with it and her and me would do something fun, something just for us. She paid the price for that." He didn't elaborate on what kind of price. "Look, you're hurt, and you're broke, and you need help. Let us help you."
Vin studied each of them, before nodding. "Ain't like I got much choice," he said.
"Good," Chris said. He moved to the empty chair on the other side of the bed and put a hand on Vin's shoulder. Vin turned toward him, and Chris spoke. "You need to let Nathan check you out all the way," he said too quietly for Nathan or Buck to hear.
Vin flushed, but didn't look away. "I ain't tore up," he said. "I was plannin' on workin', when I left. I got ready."
Chris was torn. Nathan should look him over, but Vin would probably know if he was injured down there. "Alright," he said. "I'll let it go for now; if you promise to let Nathan know if you have any trouble at all."
"I will," Vin promised. "Might as well know, I'm expectin' to be pissin' blood for sometime to come."
Chris winced sympathetically. "Keep an eye on it, if it gets too bad, we'll figure something out."
"Thanks," Vin said. He opened his mouth and then closed it, like he wanted to say something else.
"What?" Chris asked.
"Nothin'," Vin said. "Ya'll done enough."
"We've done more than enough," Chris said, disapproval clear in his voice, "for you to trust us."
"I do," Vin said. "I just don't want to take advantage."
Chris laughed. "Seems to me, like Buck and I were the ones taking advantage, if I remember correctly," he said.
"Asshole," Vin muttered. But, he was smiling. "Alright," he said, and sighed. "I owe the motel $150. $75 for the room and $75 for the clerk, 'cause he wanted double to register me with no ID. If I don't show up there in," he looked at his watch, "an hour; he's gonna take my shit and lock me out. I ain't got much, but it's mine," he said. "Don't wanna lose it."
"You won't," Chris said. "Buck will go and settle up your room and get your stuff."
Vin shook his head. "I already owe you too much," he said.
Chris assessed him carefully. "You can work it off," he decided. "Come work for me." He straightened and looked past Vin to where Buck and Nathan sat. "I asked Vin to come to work for the agency," he said.
Nathan frowned, "You think that's a good idea?" he asked. "Could bring a lot of unwanted attention. The police will overlook some things, but not harboring a fugitive."
Buck smiled. "I think it's a fine idea." He clapped Nathan on the shoulder. "You know Chris," he said. "He gets an idea in his head, nothing can shake it. Besides, you know you couldn't turn your back on him, anymore than we can."
"I wouldn't turn my back on him," Nathan said indignantly.
"He's right here," Vin complained. "Or don't I get a say?" he asked, turning back to Chris.
"You get a say," Chris said. "But, here's something for you to consider. We screen our clients. No one who isn't vouched for, by someone we trust is accepted. And, even if we do accept a client, anyone of us can turn down any individual client, no matter how important the client is, or how rich. I'd personally screen out any lawyers, or judges, in your case."
Buck walked over and stood behind Chris. He put a hand on Chris's shoulder.
"Sounds too good to be true," Vin said suspiciously.
"I can see why you'd think that," Chris said. "You've been working so hard to just stay alive and out of jail that you have no idea of what an asset you could be."
Vin drew back a little and gave Chris a look that said he clearly didn't believe him. He looked up at Buck to try to read him.
Buck laughed heartily. "What Chris is trying to say, is we've got clients who'd go crazy for you. You'd make the agency a fortune."
Vin snorted, "Not likely. Motherfucker didn't even want to give me the hundred he promised me."
"Not likely," Chris said. "Certainly, definitely, absolutely, no question. We don't deal with men like him. And, a lot of our clients are women. That gonna be a problem for you?" he asked.
"Women?" Vin asked, "or not dealin' with guys like him?"
"Smartass," Chris said, in an exasperated voice. "Well, is it?"
"The women," Vin said. "No. Reckon I'm more on the gay side of bi, than the straight side, but women are OK."
"Well, that's somethin' worth celebratin'," Buck said. "Who's hungry?" he asked, picking up the room service menu.
"I ain't said yes, yet," Vin reminded them.
"Well?" Chris demanded.
Vin looked from Buck to Chris, and then to Nathan, who now stood at the end of the bed. "Yes," he said.
All three of the others broke out in relived grins. "That's just fine," Buck said. Steak and eggs for everyone?" he asked, waving the menu.
"Not for him," Nathan said. "Eggs are OK," he relented, at the pitiful look on Vin's face. "But not steak," he added sternly.
Vin grinned at him. "Don't think I could chew it, anyway," he said. "Thanks," he said, and looked from one to the other of them. "For everything."
THE END
| PS: Yes, I know, Fatfuck and Motherfucker are still out there. You just
never ought to know when they might turn up again.
- Kim |