Chapter 7

Brendan stepped into the club later the next night, his eyes nearly bulging out of his head at the sight that instantly assailed him. Walker or Simon was leaning over the bar, speaking to Stephen in an almost conspiratorial tone. Oh hell no, he thought. The tool was looking to befriend the young lad and have an ally at the club when needed? No fucking way. Not his Stephen. He didn't like how open and innocent Stephen always seemed to be. Predators pounced on that. He would know. It had been exactly what he'd done to get Stephen into his bed so quickly. He might have to play a game that appeared as if Stephen was free to explore where he wanted – but, that was anything but true. Brendan thought Stephen understood that. As he watched Stephen's eyes lighting up in enthusiasm as he spoke, Brendan decided he would have to make his point a bit more clear. Tonight would be as good of a time as any.

He approached the bar, eyes narrowing on Walker as he viewed the man watching Stephen intently. Too intently in his opinion. When Stephen turned and reached down to get into the small refrigerator to fill an order, he clenched his teeth in fury finding Walker's eyes lingering on the pull of Stephen's jeans against the tightness of his ass. What the fuck? This bloke was married to Danny Houston's daughter and was ogling up the help. He didn't view Stephen as simple help... Stephen was special in his eyes, but to a bloke like Simon Walker, that was exactly what he was. He wasn't sure what this was – genuine or a way to test him, but he didn't like it.

The thought that Walker could be hot for his Stephen filled him with rage. Stephen belonged to him. Walker was married... and to his enemy. He couldn't forget that. Although Danny had never confirmed the knowledge, Brendan had the feeling that Danny suspected he was gay. That only bothered him insomuch he knew Danny wouldn't come after him. He was too valuable. What bothered him was that he knew Danny wouldn't hesitate in making a lesson of any man Brendan came to care about. Walker was hovering too closely over Stephen. That brought that fear to life. Had Walker been hanging around longer than he'd known? Could he know something? If he did, he needed to do something about that now. He couldn't let Danny hurt Stephen. As Brendan looked at Stephen's guileless face, he knew he would do whatever necessary to keep the young lad safe.

"What are you about, Walker?" Brendan asked as he ambled fully up to the bar. "When we met earlier you said you was spending time with the Missus."

Stephen looked up from wiping the bar, a frown piercing his brow. "He wants to be called Simon."

Brendan's eyes narrowed on Stephen for a moment, before he affixed a cold gaze on Walker. "Does he now? It seems Walker is getting very familiar with my staff."

Walker cleared his throat. "I believe that is our staff now."

Ste looked from one to the other, knowing something was off here. "Uhhh, my shift is about done, Brendan."

Brendan nodded. "So it is." He looked at him intently. "In a hurry tonight are we?"

"No hurry, me." Ste colored slightly. "I told Walker I'd show him around."

Walker smirked at Brendan, intrigued by the animosity in his dark gaze. Something was going on here... and he intended to find out. He shrugged as he looked back towards Ste. "Its okay, Ste. We can do that another night. I probably should go see if the wife is getting along okay in the new place."

Brendan's eyes remained on Walker when he spoke his order to Stephen. "My office, Stephen."

Ste looked back and forth between them uncertainly, not liking in the least feeling like a bone in the grips of two hungry jaws. He threw his rag down on the bar, glaring at Brendan as he answered, "Whatever."

A muscle jerked in Brendan's jaw. He didn't like Stephen's behavior at all. He was trying to protect him. Staking a claim was impossible... but, he was doing the best he could without being obvious. He almost bit his lip as he watched Stephen moving from behind the bar, with Walker's eyes drilling into the young lad. His nostrils flared in jealous anger as he listened to Walker call out to Stephen.

"It was nice meeting you, Ste. Maybe you can show me around another night." Walker turned to meet Brendan's icy stare. "Perhaps on your night off – when there aren't so many distractions..."

Ste nodded, looking past Brendan to smile at Simon, knowing without looking that Brendan was still seething. "Sure, Simon. Be glad to do it."

Walker stared until Ste was out of sight, not turning to face Brendan until the door closed behind Ste. "Nice lad. Real nice."

"What's your game, Walker?" Brendan snapped, moving closer to his new nemesis.

"Game?" Walker asked innocently. "I am just getting to know the staff. That's all."

"Is that a fact?" Brendan looked at him closely. "I see other staff members about. I don't see you getting to know them."

Walker smirked. "Maybe they're not as engaging as young Stephen."

Brendan's back tensed when he heard Stephen's lips falling from Walker's lips. He was the only one that called him that. Fuck no. This wasn't going to happen. In between clenched teeth, Brendan clipped out, "He likes to be called Ste."

"Why don't you take your own advice then? I don't hear you calling him that," Walker continued on mockingly.

"What I call him is none of your damned business!" Brendan growled angrily. "Now, I'm going to go talk to Stephen. I'd suggest you go home and see to your wife. I don't have to tell you how displeased Daddy Danny would be if she becomes distressed."

Walker's lip curled upward in disgust. "That's pathetic, Brendan. I'm not so easily intimidated. You'll find that out in time." His eyes became as cold as Brendan's as he spat out, "You're hiding something here, Brady... and I intend to get to the bottom of it." His eyes flickered over Brendan in distaste. "Don't bother seeing me out. I know my way around. In fact, I'll be starting full time tomorrow. See ya."

Brendan's fists clenched at his sides as he watched Walker leave the club, his footsteps swiftly carrying him to his office. Opening the door, he slammed it shut just as quickly... his eyes biting into Stephen that was staring at him angrily from next to his desk. Brendan's gaze narrowed. The boy picked the absolute wrong time to spar with him. His attitude needed to change immediately. "I'm warning you, Stephen. Don't fuck with me."

"Fuck with you? What did I do, Brendan?" Stephen asked in bewilderment. "I was just having an everyday conversation with your new partner. Where's the harm in that?"

"He's dangerous, Stephen. Don't you get that?" Brendan paced back and forth, an agitated hand running through his hair. "He is kin to Danny Houston. I could tell you horror stories... but, I don't want to scare ye. I need you to trust me, Stephen. Most of all, I need you to stay away from Walker."

"I've met Danny. I know all about him. I think you've got Walker all wrong, though."

Brendan breathed in and out sharply, not liking how this little chat was going at all. "Stephen, I've been around. I know when someone is a threat. I'm warning ye. Stay away from Walker outside of the club."

Ste smiled at Brendan, moving closer to the wilder man. "Admit something to me, Brendan."

"What?" he asked in suspicion.

"Admit that you're jealous and I just might listen," Ste told him cockily, smirking as Brendan appeared to become even more flustered.

"Jealous? Me?" Brendan's eyes widened incredulously. "I don't get jealous! Look at me. I've got no reason to be."

Ste grinned even more. Yeah, Brendan was right there. He had no reason to be jealous... but, it was obvious that's what he was. "If you say so, Brendan..." Ste's voice was an all knowing purr.

Shaking himself, knowing he needed to get back on track and in control of this discussion, Brendan told him, "Time for jokes is over, Stephen. This is serious business. Now because of Walker's involvement with Danny, I can't come out with my relationship with you. Some covering needs to happen."

"Covering?" Ste asked, knowing he wouldn't like this.

"I want you to call that girl you're friends with. Set up a date... one out in public. Make it clear to everyone that you're into her..."

Ste gasped, unable to believe what Brendan was asking. He didn't want to date Rae... he just wanted to be with Brendan. "I won't do it, Brendan. I don't want to date Rae... and it's not fair to her."

"Sometimes we gotta do things we don't want, Stephen. It's all part of being a man. Now, suck it up and do what's right for you and your family." Brendan moved closer, his eyes boring into Stephen's. "These are bad people, Stephen. No weakness can be shown... nor any personal involvement between me and you. We'll get through this and then things can change."

Ste sighed. He didn't agree with hiding... but what if Brendan was right? What if he jeopardized not only his own life, but Brendan's and his kids as well? "Fine," Ste muttered. "I'll date her. Better watch out, Brendan. I might start liking it."

Brendan moved forward, clasping his big hand around Ste's neck. He pulled him closer until their breath mingled. Smashing their lips together, Brendan's lips claimed and caressed Ste's lips thoroughly... not one inch left unexplored. Pulling back, Brendan growled huskily, "Yeah. That's what I thought. You want me, Stephen. You'll always want me. For now you play this little role with your girl... but remember, you're always mine. When I want ye – I'll have ye." He kissed him again, both of them breathless and hungering for the other. "Mine until I say otherwise." As Brendan watched him go, he knew without a doubt he would never let him go.

TBC