A/N: This is gonna be a really short A/N because I'm insanely tired and I haven't got anything interesting to tell you guys. So enjoy, thanks for reading and reviewing, please do so again. And well, that's it. Nothing more to say. Ow… well… just this. Thanks to soul of a fire dragon for beta-ing!

WARNING: mentions of God, mentions of M/M sex, mentions of killing

DISCLAIMER: My muses say hi. They caused this story. I'm innocent.

Chapter 10: Actions speak louder than words

"I've done something incredible wrong, something so wrong that I doubt god will ever forgive me... I mean... I'll go to hell for it. That's not just what I think, but what I'm sure of will happen. I have slept with another man... and I haven't just slept with any other man, I have slept with Ra... with my bosses boyfriend. A young man, innocent, I've used his naivety to get him in bed and what is the worst about it... it's that I liked it. I actually got off on it. I enjoyed each and every moment of it. I'm such a bad person, the worst Christian ever. I don't deserve to live anymore, I don't deserve the faith, the trust god lays in me.

"I'm weak, so weak... There's temptations everywhere, teasing me, tempting me... is it God testing me? Does God knows how weak I am? Of course he knows. Time after time I failed Him, time after time He gives me another chance, so I can fail Him again. I don't deserve another chance, I can't take another test... I'm weak... so weak. I can't even resist the temptation of drugs, I'm a violent man. I killed, I hurt people, everything I do hurts people. What have I done to deserve this? Have I been tainted since I was a little child? Or am I punished for what happened to Brett... oh my little brother... I failed you Bretty... I failed you and now I make sure the life of others is as fucked up as yours. What happened to you, I did to others... and every time God forgave me... Why? I can't take this anymore... I've failed everyone... I've failed myself. All I wanted was to be good. But I'm evil…

"I'm even worse than everyone I know... worse than Chris, than Randy, than Jake... because they stand up for what they do... I... I just am a worthless, disgusting excuse of a human being. I can't do anything right, can't do a good thing in my whole life. I've slept with a man... with many actually... the late-night visits at that club... the money I've spend there. I've even asked my friend's father for a loan only so I can satisfy my disgusting, filthy needs... in the dead of night... nobody sees me... nobody recognizes me because I am disgusted enough by myself as it is. I've betrayed my little Bretty... betrayed my family, betrayed God and most of all I have betrayed myself and what I thought I stand for.

"I deserve not only to be humiliated but also to be punished... though... what is it if it became more than just sex, if it became love? Would god still hate me then? Would he be disgusted? I still would not be able to look into a mirror as long as I have this memory in my mind... but if it is more than that... more than disgusting, filthy, dirty sex... if it was love... it would change things, right?

"I love him, I really do. I think I always did. True love, so beautiful, so good... that it can only be made by God. Love is a gift from Him, isn't it? Something so pure can't be tainted by the Devil? I can't go to hell for that, right? I'm so tired... so confused... I don't know what to do anymore. All I know is that I can't fight it anymore. Being around him is like being around an angel. So soft, so beautiful, so innocent... can he be the angel send to save me? Please... tell me you have the answers. Tell me, cause I'm tired of fighting."

"A long, heavy sigh could be heard on the other hand, Father Brooks -clad in his pajamas, hair ruffled, eyes heavy with sleep- running a hand over his face and shaking his head.

"Ted... I think you know the answer to that, but let me say it again... What you have done is wrong, in so many forms and places. You have killed, you have taken drugs, you have slept with a person of the same gender... this is all not only against the law but also against what God stands for. It isn't right, it never will be. You cannot love someone from the same sex. It is impossible to do that. Us humans are not built for that, we were not born for that."

"That you think you love him is the work of the devil. That boy that you think is an angel send to save you, is send by the devil instead. What happened to your brother was work of the devil, it wasn't your fault Ted. But through that guilt, the devil got his leash on you and all your struggling, all the guilt you feel, is a sign that you are still good. You can still be saved. But you need to get away from them, you need to get away from the devils that you work for, from the constant temptation of drugs, the men sleeping together. As long as you stay in that nest of demons, you can never be saved."

It was people like Ted worked for that made him wish confession wasn't confidential and that he could go to the police with everything he knew. The stories this troubled man told him made him feel uncomfortable in his skin, the drugs, the killings, the violence, the relationships between men, because Phil wouldn't go as far as to call that abomination love, even if Ted believe it was.

"But I can't... I cannot leave Randy, the man who has done so much for me over the course of the years, the man who saved me so many times before, the man who always has my back, who is always there when I need a helping hand."

"God was the one to save you, Ted... not him. It was god who helped you through life, through the loss of your little brother, not Randy nor you."

Ted swallowed hard, understanding what Father Brooks tried to tell him but yet not convinced.

"Maybe it is like you say, but I can't leave Cody... He's so pure, so innocent. He is not like the others. He does not take drugs, he does not kill, he does not whore his body out. He is like an angel, an angel wrapped up in the devil's world. If I leave him alone I'm sure he will die. There will be no one left to save him."

Father Brooke's patience grew thinner with every passing minute. Never in his life had he met someone as stubborn, as blind as Ted, someone who knew what was right and what was wrong but was unable to see it.

"He'll be saved by god if he deserves it, Ted. It is not your job to rescue him... If it is his destiny than God will help him, will lead him into the right direction. And to add to that, if he sleeps with other men, even if it is only one, he is not as pure as you make him be. He is a sinner nonetheless."

Cody a sinner? That couldn't be true. Not his Cody, not his boy.

"Cody is not a sinner!" He snapped. "Cody is an innocent, send by God for me to save me... to bring him to God. He isn't raised like I am, he hasn't been taught about right and wrong. That's why he was sent to me. If I leave him there... I can't... I can't let his soul be taken by the Devil. Mike will.… Randy will... they will destroy him, corrupt him. No... I won't let that happen. Not to my angel."

"You can't Ted! You can't save another when you can't even save yourself. But if this man is as important to you if you say, bring him with you to church. I'll talk to him, I'll bring him to God if he wants that. I'll try to save him, Ted. But I can only do so if he wants that himself. Like I can only save you if you want to. Do you want to be saved, Ted? Be honest, look deep inside your heart and tell me. Do you want to turn away from the devil and his evil?"

Ted stayed silent for a few moments, contemplating what Father Brooks had just asked him. Did he really want to be saved? Did he really want out of the hole he was living in, the lie that was called his life? "Yes..." It was a breathed whisper but enough to reach Father Brooks ears and he nodded more so to himself than to anyone else.

"Good, Ted. Then bring me the boy and we'll see what we can do about it, about him... and listen to me from now on! You can only be saved from the devil and its work when you open your eyes and see the sins surrounding you, see what is right and what is wrong."

Jake looked confused at his phone as he slammed it down. The boss wanted to see him - alone - to bring him the money from the weapon deal. He wondered what was behind this. Mike always handled the business part with Chris. Jake didn't really mind. No matter how much he detested his boss, he wanted to keep his lover away from him. He didn't trust Chris' promise to stay away from him. The lust in his eyes had been obvious and Jake suspected that Chris felt more for the brunette than he would ever admit and would do anything to get him back. It wouldn't surprise him if this order had anything to do with that. Well... they would be rid of that dirty old man in a few weeks and if he had anything to say about it, Chris would then be either dead or behind bars. He turned to his love, who was eying him curiously from behind his desk. Mike had been working on his computer, but had looked up when Jake slammed his phone on the desk.

"Chris wants me to bring him the money. I'll be back in a bit."

Mike growled. "Be careful babe. I don't trust him. I've got a feeling he wants you and he's used to get whatever he wants."

A good fifteen minutes later he stood in front of the blonde's office, taking one deep breath after another. His Glock securely in his waistband and hands clenched into fists, he hesitantly knocked and waited for the older man's voice. "Come in."

Jake couldn't help but snort at the man's stupidity. How did he know it wasn't some stranger, some enemy, some killer in front of the door. It was ridiculous to just call anyone inside without even knowing who it is. Inhaling sharply for a last time, he opened the door finally, stepping inside the office. Chris was sitting behind his desk, Bourbon in his hand, joint in the other one as he looked up from his paperwork, the frown on his lips turning into a wicked grin as soon as he laid eyes on Jake.

"So there's Mike's delicious piece of muscle. You know... I hadn't expected you to show up so eagerly and I certainly didn't expect Mike to let you go this easy."

Jake growled. "You are the boss after all... so I didn't exactly have much choice. You wanted to see me alone, and here I am. So quit the bullshit and tell me what you want from me."

Chris stood up and walked towards Jake, halting a little too close for Jake to be comfortable. Irvine stank of hash and booze and Jake scrunched his nose at the foul smell, taking a step back at the same time. Chris smirked and took another step closer until he had Jake with his back against the door. The eldest rubbed his hand up and down Jake's biceps. The look of disgust on the larger blond was noticed but ignored.

"What I want from you, Jakey? You would wanna know that, right?"

Jake swallowed hard, trying to breathe through his mouth since the smell of Chris made him sick to his stomach. Trying his hardest to stay calm, his voice was calm but stern.

"Yeah... besides the money that is. You're doing business with Mike, not with me... so... what is it?"

Chris' smirk grew even wider as he ran his tongue over his lips, hand sliding towards Jake's chest to feel the bulging muscles underneath his shirt, eyes following the motions of his fingers, mesmerized by the ribbed body in front of him.

"You know Jake... I'm not someone to beat around the bush, so I'll say it as blunt as possible... I want you."

Their eyes met again and Jake almost had to throw up at the lust and desire in Chris' blues, his hands acting on an own accord and pushing the elder male away from him, making the blonde stumble backwards with a surprised growl.

His hand went to his gun and Jake had to refrain himself from pulling his gun and emptying it in the scumbag in front of him. In his mind's eye he saw it happening, the fear on Chris' face as the gun was aimed at him, him pissing his pants as he realized that Jake was serious, the sharp blasts from the gun, Chris' head exploding. These images made him smile and confused the blond that was still staring at him.

"I know you want me too, Jake. Don't lie to yourself. Don't you wanna see what Mike came back for time after time? Don't you wanna take revenge for all those times that I had him on his hands and knees, or bent over on this desk, or with his mouth around my dick? You saw how much he liked it, you saw how much he wanted it. Don't you think it's time for you to shake off his leash and start living for yourself? I'll make it worth it..."

"Go fuck yourself, Chris," Jake growled at his boss, not caring anymore about any consequences or respect as he got right into the other blonde's face, nose-to-nose, fist clenched tightly around his Glock. "I'm not a whore like you are. I don't fuck random people every chance I get and I especially don't fuck dirty, old bastards like you are. You've got what you wanted last week. We made a deal. It's over and done with."

Chris' smirk returned as he pressed his body close to Jake's, placing his hands on the tall man's hips, thumbs rubbing circles into the soft flesh underneath the tight jeans as he ignored the shudder of disgust from the young blonde.

"Au contraire... our deal was that I'd keep my hands off your lover... It said nothing about you... and believe me, darling... if I want you, I'll get you."

Jake pushed the dirty blond away again, lips curled into in a snarl. This time he used so much force that he send the older man halfway across the office and he slammed with his back against his desk.

"You keep your fucking hands off me. I don't want you and I'll never will. And in case you get weird ideas like taking a leaf out of Orton's book and try to force me in any way, I'll fucking kill you. Never think I'm bluffing."

Even in his drunken state the cold and the bloodlust in Jake's eyes made him shiver. Still, he didn't believe that Jake would really try to do something funny and he dared to add one last comment.

"I've never had to force anyone into my bed. Even that hunky bit of ass that you call your lover came willingly and enjoyed every minute of it. I don't care what it'll cost me and how long it will take me, I'll get what I want in the end. I always do."

Jake didn't care to answer, threw the bag with the money straight into Chris' face and stormed out of the office, slamming the door shut with so much force that it popped out of its sockets.

Explain!"

The eyes of the Englishman were cold as steel, his voice had a razor-sharp edge to it as he leaned on the desk, towering over his partner. Hunter gulped but met Regal's gaze dead on, still trusting on the family connection with Vince to keep his position unthreatened. If anything went wrong, he could always throw Regal out. This was his joint after all. Vince left it to him and not to this fat old man. He leant back, hands in the back of his neck, a denigrating smile around his lips.

"Explain what?"

"Can you please explain to me the phone call I just got? Can you explain to me why Glenn has called our weapon deal off? Can you explain to me why we lost this challenge?"

Hunter's mouth fell over in utter surprise.

"What? How? Who?"

"He didn't care to tell me. What he did tell me was that he would take his business to them from now on."

Actually, this was a lie. Regal and Glenn went way back and this was the main reason that Regal had been so hesitant to let Hunter handle this deal. But human trafficking was a little bit too uncivilized for William's taste and he had been so sure that there was no way that Glenn would do business with anyone else, especially because he knew Glenn's distaste for anything to do with Irvine. Therefore, he was rather impressed with Mizanin that he had managed to land this deal. Apparently, the guy had even better contacts than he had expected. He needed him, fast. Glenn had even hinted that if he did not take the boy from Irvine soon, he himself would. And there was no way Regal would let that happen.

"So it's obvious that you fucked up, AGAIN I might add. Do you have any idea how much money your laziness has cost us?"

Hunter exploded. "Me? Why me? How dare you to fucking talk as if it is my entire fault! You were the one who took his fucking time. If it wasn't for your high morals, we could have found someone for Glenn ages ago and the deal would have been sealed before someone else jumped in. You watch your fucking mouth, Regal. This company's still MINE… Vince has given it to ME, not you… so watch your damn mouth!"

Not for the first time this evening Regal felt something inside of him snap, jaw clenching, eye twitching as he took a very deep breath to calm himself. He knew that words would not help him any in this situation. Words never helped when it came to Hunter. Only actions would prove his point, only actions would get him further. It was time for him to do something about it.

"You know, Hunter. You are right. The company's yours… I'm just the sidekick in this whole story. Just the one helping your sorry ass out of the shit you maneuver yourself into time after time after time. From now on, I'll lower my morals to a minimum…" Lips twitched as he tried to hide a smirk, the plan already forming in his head. "… Maybe… next time I want a job done, I'll even do it myself. Who knows?"

Hunter was slightly confused by the sudden change of his companion's behavior, even a little scared –though he would never admit it, nor show it- leaning back in his chair again and eyeing the Englishman carefully with an arched brow.

"Whatever you say, Regal. We'll find a better job than that, a better deal. Glenn isn't the biggest fish in the sea."

Oh how wrong he was. Glenn was most definitely the most powerful, most influencal guy on the East Coast and not only Regal, but the whole US knew that… with the exception of the moron in front of him.

"What did it cost us? 50 Grand? That's nothing. We're still Number One in this business, in Atlanta, in Georgia, all over the East."

*Idiot… with that deal, Irvine and Orton have risen to the top without you even realizing it.* He kept the thought to himself though, knowing damn well that the blond, big-nosed, arrogant snob he was working with would never grasp the importance of the deal that had just slipped past their fingers. If he wanted to rise to the top again, he did not only need Mizanin and Hager, FAST, he also needed to get rid of this annoying bastard and he already knew how. He only needed to find the two goons first and everything would be fine again in a matter of time. As soon as Hunter was gone, not only would Mizanin willingly join him, but he would also take over and turn the business back into what it used to be: successful, ruthless and feared and respected all over the place. He would turn the company back into the best again, as it had been under Vince's regime. And after that was done, Irvine and Orton would be nothing else than some small fishes in an aquarium full of Piranhas.

"Yeah Hunter, we're still the best. No need to worry. I over-reacted." Putting on the fakest smile he could muster, he nodded his head towards the tall blond, almost bowing to him. "Now if I may excuse myself, I have to attend some serious business. I'm sure you can find us another deal, something big, on your own. I trust you there."

He did not even wait for Hunter's reaction as he turned around in a hurry and escaped the office rather quick, almost bursting out in a fit of laughter when the door behind him closed. Hunter would never know what hit him and the clueless and dumbstruck expression on his face WHEN it hit him would definitely be worth bathing his own hands in blood.

It took Hunter a long while before he could concentrate on his paper work again. Not only had it never been his favorite thing to do - all the bureaucracy and contracts rather being Regal's job - but that wicked smile, that stern, cold glint in Regal's eyes had him worried, fearing for his own life. Though the chubby Englishman was one of the most loyal partners his father-in-law had ever had, he had the weird feeling that the brunette was planning something big… something he wanted to hide from Hunter.

Enjoyed it? What do you think Regal has planned? Do you think Ted will really get Cody to go to church with him? How will Chris' advances affect Mike's and Jake's relationship? Give us your thoughts!

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