Once more they aren't mine. I make no money off of them.
I Don't Even Want to Know
Assistant Director, Orrin Travis, the Honorable Orrin Travis, retired federal judge stared at the threatening, unopened file laying on his desk. My first day back from vacation and I already have one of Team 7's creative writing projects.
The Magnificent Seven, were without question the source of a great deal of pride for him as well as the reason behind his high blood pressure.
Sammi Coffee, his secretary had greeted him first thing with a cup of her perfectly made coffee, the file and an evil smile.
"No antacid?" Orrin sighed.
"It's on your desk," she smirked.
I've put it off as long as possible, Travis sighed. Why do I feel like I've just been thrown under the bus?
Opening the file he reluctantly picked up the expense report with a groan. Wonder if Ezra managed to get by Chris with a ruined suit again? Limo rental, clothing allowance, hmmm not too bad. Tanner must have gotten a new rifle. WHAT IN THE HELL? Memberships to two different sex clubs? Have they got a dog, now? Why are they billing for a collar? Must be Standish's, as much as it cost. Earrings? Buck again.
"Sammi," Orrin called on his intercom.
"Yes, Judge," Sammi answered immediately.
"Get Larabee in here for me please," Travis growled.
"Judge, did you look at the whole file? It will answer a lot of your questions," Sammi suggested.
Was that a snicker? Orrin stared at his phone.
With a sense of trepidation, he laid the expense sheet to the side and picked up the report. Several photos slid out onto the gleaming mahogany desktop.Travis stared at the photos, looking over at the enclosed expense sheet, he sighed. Looking back at Vin Tanner's picture he groaned. I don't even want to know. How do I explain this to the bean counters? A collar and earrings?
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TWO WEEKS EARLIER
Team 7 was working in conjunction with the FBI on this case. Ezra had been worming his way efficiently into the organization for close to a month with Vin working as his bodyguard. The two teams gathered for a briefing on the situation.
"Marcus Marini is ruthless," Ezra began as he handed folders around. "He's well established as an arms procurer."
"His competition is scared shitless of him," Buck retorted.
"For excellent reasons," FBI agent Spencer allowed. "I was there when we found Sparks," the man shuddered.
"He's one ugly character, that's for certain," Josiah frowned over the profile he had prepared.
"I have ascertained that Mr. Marini has an Achilles' heel, which possesses a possibility of exploitation," Ezra admitted.
Chris glanced up at the suddenly hesitant undercover specialist.
"Mr. Marini is deeply involved in the bondage scene," Ezra continued without inflection.
"What the hell's that?" JD glanced at Buck.
"Means he's into whips and chains to get his rocks off," Buck growled.
"Sick," JD wrinkled his nose.
"How can that help us?" Spencer asked.
"You want our buyer to have the same kind of twist?" Josiah frowned down at his file.
"I feel that this would be the most feasible situation," Ezra nodded uncomfortably.
"We send Chris in as a buyer who's into bondage?" Spencer frowned.
"Won't go down tha' easy." Vin's soft growl was heard.
"Why not?" Chris asked calmly.
"They'd spot yah fer miles. Yer responses would be all wrong," Vin explained. Tanner rose slowly from his chair and sauntered around the end of the table. Without warning he smacked Chris on the side of the head with his open hand.
"Reckon tha' proves mah point," Vin spoke from his sprawled position on the floor. "Chris don't act like no bottom," Vin chuckled.
"What's a bottom?" Chris demanded.
"A bottom is the submissive member in a bondage scenario," Ezra explained. "I wasn't implying that Mr. Larabee behave in such a manner," Ezra snorted. "Mr. Marini would not conduct business with a submissive, he'd simply confiscate their assets."
"Chris could do a top. Wouldn't be all that much different than being boss," Josiah smirked.
"Vin?" Chris frowned.
"Ya'd have ta bring yer own toy er Marini'll set ya up wit' someone," Vin drawled. Startled looks shifted around the table.
"Ezra's already known as the fixer, so yah cain't use him," Vin allowed. "JD ain't going," Tanner snarled softly in warning.
"Vin, I'm not a kid," JD barked.
"Didn't say ya was, JD. We need ya ta do yer magic. Surveillance is gonna be a mess. JD, they's gonna be mostly nekid women all over. This is Buck were talking 'bout here," Vin reminded, as chuckles escaped the seated agents.
"One of my agents?" Spencer suggested.
"I'd prefer working with someone I'm familiar with," Chris responded and Spencer nodded in agreement.
"Nathan?" Chris considered.
"No, Nate would break cover when somebody got whooped on," Vin shook his head.
"I must concur," Ezra responded.
"Josiah'd git more attention than JD," Vin sighed.
"Reckon that leaves you. Now, don't it cowboy?" Chris flashed a wicked grin to the clearly uncomfortable Tanner.
"Ah hell," Vin groaned.
"Marini has seen him as a bodyguard," Spencer growled.
"Easy enough ta deal with. Yah jus' sent me ta make' sure ole Edward Starcher wasn't cheatin' on ya," Vin explained. "Ezra did all tha talkin' I never spoke ta none of 'em, tha' would be expected."
"Ezra?" Chris asked.
"Yes, Mr. Tanner is correct in his supposition," Ezra frowned. "Mr. Tanner, you have taken into consideration the possible repercussions?" Ezra questioned in concern.
"I know," Vin acknowledged .
Yes, Vin I believe you do know what could happen better that any of us. Ezra smiled sadly into the suddenly ancient eyes.
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ASPEN, COLORADO
The first meeting was set up between Marini and Larson. Larson was to meet Marini at a local S&M club. Last minute plans were made and the men dressed at the office.
Chris was dressed in his favorite color, tight black button fly jeans and a form fitting black T-shirt were topped with the black duster.
"Put these on," Vin tossed the spurs that normally decorated the two men's desks to Chris.
Larabee sat down and began fastening them to the heels of the black cowboy boots.
"Damn! Junior, what do you almost have on?" Buck smirked.
Chris looked up and stared speechlessly at the tracker.
For once Vin wasn't dressed in layers of clothing. Tan colored, high waisted, butter soft, doeskin pants clung as tightly as a second skin to the sharpshooter's body. Soft doeskin moccasins came to his knees. The laced fly drew attention. A silk shirt matched the startling blue eyes. Full cut, the shirt was gathered at sleeves, neck, and wrists than loosely laced down the front. Vin's hair had been brushed smooth and curled well past his shoulders.
I never noticed, his hair is more auburn than brown. Chris grinned as he spotted the knife hilt in the top of the right moccasin.
A SIG 9mm was in the shoulder harness under Vin's left arm. "Still yer bodyguard," Vin growled at Chris' questioning look.
"Yeah, but who's guarding your body Junior?" Buck chuckled.
Vin squirmed under Buck's perusal.
"Damn Vin, ya got a sausage in them britches or are ya really hung like that?" Buck laughed as the color ran up Vin's face.
"Ain't room fer nothin' but me in these damn things," Vin snarled. "Maybe Chris' little fellers do all right all crowded up like that but tha twins ain't got room ta breathe".
Quickly suppressed snickers greeted Vin's outburst. The narrowing of Chris eyes warned of serious repercussions if the teasing got out of hand.
Buck made a quick grab and pinned Vin for a moment. Pulling out the neck of the shirt he smirked. "Nipple ring, Junior?" he snickered.
Shocked looks crossed the others' faces.
"Lost a bet," Vin admitted, shamefaced.
"Sounds as though the wagers could have proven to be of interest," Ezra flashed dimples at the blushing Tanner.
"Don't never play strip poker wit' Marilyn,'" Vin sighed as the agents laughed.
Vin raised troubled eyes and locked gazes with Chris.
"You OK, Vin?" Chris demanded, as he approached him with a steel collar in hand.
"I'se fine," Vin gritted out, lifting his hair to allow Chris access. "Want ta git this over with."
Vin noticeably trembled when Chris slipped the collar around his neck and snapped the lock closed.
"Ah hell," Tanner muttered.
"Cowboy?" Chris asked in concern.
"Be alrigh' in a minute," Tanner took a couple of deep breaths. "Let's do it," He growled. "Least now I'se not a stray," Vin noted wryly "Got me a collar and all."
"I've got an appointment for a flea bath and your shots," Chris teased.
"Yer havin' way too much fun wit' this, Larabee," Vin warned.
"Heard they make better pets if you get 'em fixed," Spencer suggested.
Grins were exchanged as Tanner's hands moved down and forward in a protective motion.
"That ain't even funny," Vin snarled at the laughing agents.
Chris glared at the dark steel snugged around Vin's neck, a ring lay against the tanned skin at the base of his throat. "Hell, if I'm going to leash you," Chris snarled.
"Know ya won't iffen ya don't have ta," Tanner responded softly in a voice full of trust. He lifted a doeskin jacket with heavy fringe and slid it on.
Chris shook his head as he studied the tracker. "You stay close Cowboy, don't want somebody stealing you," Chris growled.
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"Do I want to know?" Arthur Klienstiver, a local ATF agent asked as he watched Larabee and Tanner stalk down the hall.
Jennifer Morton ran into the wall as she tried to watch the pair walking the other direction.
"You all right, Jenny?" Klienstiver asked with a laugh.
"That's a crime," the woman snorted.
"What is?"
"Vin Tanner! I'd never have guessed he was hiding that body under all those clothes," she snorted.
"You're old enough to be his momma," Arthur teased.
"Wouldn't mind changing that baby's diaper," she sighed. Silence greeted her comment. Color ran up the 50 something woman's face. "I'm mature not dead and I do love window shopping," she giggled as she started back down the hall.
"You know, I'm kinda glad I don't know what women talk about, when there aren't any men around," Klienstiver admitted.
Several "Amens" greeted the comment.
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The Limo pulled up at the club and a doorman opened the door. The impeccably dressed Standish AKA Starcher exited. Vin trailed closely behind. Just to the left of Chris.
"Mr. Marini, will have procured a table for you Mr. Larson," Ezra drawled softly. He walked beside Chris as they entered the club. Vin trailed closely just behind Chris' left shoulder.
"Mr. Marcus Marini, my employer, Mr. Christopher Larson," Ezra introduced the two men.
Chris coldly studied the man in front of him.
"Mr. Starcher has indicated that you might be interested in doing a little business," Marini indicated a seat at the table.
Chris moved to a chair placing his back to a wall. Ezra sighed and shook his head as he settled into the first chair. Vin slid silently into place against the wall behind Larabee. The agents carefully ignored the nude woman kneeling by Marini's chair.
Marini turned and stared at the expressionless Tanner for a long minute. "I understood that was a bodyguard," Marini growled.
"Among other things," Chris answered coldly.
"Why the masquerade?" Marini frowned.
"No masquerade, let's just say that he's very loyal. Some things can't be bought. He keeps the hired help honest," Chris turned to Ezra with an unreadable look.
"I understand Mr. Larson, never more than a ten percent handling fees," Ezra shifted slightly.
Marini, Starcher, and Larson were joined by Everett, Marini's second in command. After being searched for a wire by Everett, the men got down to business. Conversation was polite and cautious.
Chris frowned as a powerfully built dominatrix studied Vin. She stalked over moving in an intimidating manner. Smiling in a feral manner, she reached out to touch Tanner.
"He's mine," Chris growled in warning. Gazes locked and the woman backed away cautiously. A few moments later, Chris glared as yet another stranger approached Vin.
"Vin heel," Chris ordered. Tanner sauntered over to the table and knelt on the floor at Chris' left. Damn Vin what did you do just walking over here?
Reckin I got Marini's attention.//
//Well, he certainly isn't paying attention to business. You stay out of reach of his pet over there, if you want to leave with everything you came with.//
"He's lovely," Marini reached out to touch Vin.
"He isn't housebroke," Chris warned, brushing the hand away.
Marini's eyes lit as he studied the slightly ducked head.
"Perhaps a trade," Marini smiled, indicating the amply endowed woman.
Chris narrowed his eyes as he examined the now displayed woman. Glancing down at the bowed head at his left, he lifted Tanner's chin studying Vin's eyes.
//You OK Cowboy?//
//Right now, I'se sure grateful yah ain't Bucklin.//
"Vin, get rid of that jacket," Chris ordered
Tanner gracefully slid the jacket off his shoulders, allowing it to fall on the floor behind him.
"He's armed?" Marini questioned.
"I didn't come here to play tonight," Chris returned.
"A shame," Marini licked his lips as he gazed on the tracker.
Vin glared back.
"He requires discipline," Marini stroked his belt with a hungry smile.
"Ain't yers," Vin growled.
Chris' fist sent Vin all the way to the floor. "Who said you could speak," he growled at the shaken Tanner. //Damnit Cowboy stay focused.//
Vin immediately pulled himself back to his knees, crossed his wrists behind his back and placed his head to the floor.
"If you shame me again, I'll give you to him," Chris threatened. Chris snapped his fingers and Vin pressed close to the chair against Chris's leg.
Marini grinned as he studied the bent head.
"He has fire," Everett enthused.
Chris tensed as he felt Tanner tremble. //Damnit Vin are you all right.//
//I'se fine, just don' like'm lookin' at me.//
Chris growled softly and pulled a leather leash from his pocket snapping it to Vin's collar. Reaching down he brushed his hand lightly over the younger man's back. Softly he murmured "Sh, Sh little one business first. You'll just have to wait".
Ezra blinked at the soft whimper from the tracker. Marini just took the bait my friends.
"So easily heated?" Marini smirked at Tanner's rising color. "A blush, ahh so arousing," Marini sighed softly.
Chris grinned inwardly at the furious glare the exhibited woman gave Vin. "Business," he reminded.
"Thursday, we will talk business," Marini decided. "Are you certain you will not trade, at least for tonight?" Marini asked.
Chris examined the woman then brushed a hand over Vin's curls. "I'm not a fool, Marini. Toledo steel for pot metal? Not hardly," Larabee rose to his feet.
Tanner automatically stood at the same time.
"Vin get your jacket," Chris ordered.
Ezra smirked at the quick gasps from several club goers, when Vin bent and lifted the soft leather.
Chris gently brushed a hand across Vin's split lip and down his throat to the collar. Tanner silently pressed into Chris' back and side. "No, heel," Chris ordered and turned to leave. Vin followed on his leash.
Ezra shook his head as he studied the impact the pair had on the surrounding partiers. There should be some way to make a profit off of this. Ezra chuckled and turned to follow.
"Would Larson consider selling him?" Marini asked hoarsely.
Standish stopped to answer. "Mr. Larson seems quite content with his pet at this time. I seriously doubt he would sell," Ezra smiled. "Thursday," Ezra nodded and slipped out after the pair.
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Vin was the first one in the Limo, quickly followed by Chris and Ezra.
"Get it off," Tanner demanded pulling on the collar.
"Easy cowboy," Chris soothed as he unlocked the despised metal. Getting hemmed in by the crowd on the way out, was the last straw.
"Easy now, Brother Vin," Josiah voice soothed from the driver's seat.
He was taking deep panting breaths and visibly shaking. "Damn! I'se sorry Chris," the sharpshooter stuttered.
Chris rubbed the shaking shoulder.
"I need a shower," Vin growled finally.