Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned herein. This is pure fiction, written for entertainment only.

Thank you all for your reviews! The tension mounts as the plot thickens. Enjoy!

-ooo-

Chapter 25

Jeff rubbed his eyes and yawned. It was five o'clock in the morning and he wished he could sleep in some more. Muti trudged along beside him as they headed to the horses' stalls to collect and wash the feeding bins. "How did it go last night?" he asked in a conspiratorial whisper.

Jeff stared at him blankly. "What?"

"You and Rauf … you know what I mean," Muti grinned cheekily at him.

Jeff flushed when he finally caught his meaning. "It's not what you think, nothing happened between us!" he said quickly. "Rauf is just watching out for me," he insisted. Muti gave him a look that said he didn't believe him. "I'm not lying to you. I already have a boyfriend and his name is John."

"Do you have a picture of him?" Muti asked eagerly. He was curious to learn more about him but each time he tried to probe, Rauf would interrupt and pull Jeff away. But Rauf was nowhere in sight right now which provided him the opportunity to dig for information.

Jeff shook his head. "They took me away when I was asleep, so I didn't get to bring anything with me." The moment the words left his mouth, he realized he had made a mistake. Rauf cautioned him not to say anything to anyone.

Muti eyed him curiously. "Who took you away? You didn't have anything with you when you arrived and that is odd. What's going on? Do you want to tell me about it?"

Jeff was stuck. He didn't know how to get himself out of the dilemma, but the most unlikely person saved him.

"Move along, will you? You're holding everyone back!" Kaseem snapped from behind them. He was woken up and informed that he had to help out with the chores but he insisted it was a mistake and went back to sleep. Rauf eventually came to get him. He told him that Master Tariq had left instructions that he should help out henceforth with all the chores. Kaseem's first reaction was to go and see him but Rauf stopped him. "There's no point. You know what he's like and you know he just ended the relationship. Now get up and help with the chores, no more excuses!" Rauf left him to get ready.

Kaseem's feelings were hurt. As he put on some clothes and dragged himself to the stables, he wondered what he did wrong. Things were fine between Tariq and him and he was hopeful that their relationship would last, but he was apparently wrong. His first thought was that the new boy had stolen Tariq from him but he had seen with his own eyes that Jeff had spent the whole of yesterday with Rauf, even last night. He couldn't understand why Master Tariq would dump him suddenly for no apparent reason. When he joined the others and saw Jeff without Rauf, he just wanted to take out his frustrations on him.

"Well! It has been a while since you got your lazy ass down to help us. Looks like Master Tariq is finally finished with you. Welcome back to the real world," Muti snickered as Kaseem glowered at him.

Jeff looked on uncomfortably as Kaseem dropped his pails and stepped up menacingly towards them. "Shut up! You're just jealous that he didn't pick you!" he jabbed his fingers hard at Muti's chest.

Muti slapped his hand away. "No one in their right mind would want to be your shoes! We have more dignity than you, prostituting yourself for the sake of a few privileges!" He turned to Jeff, "Come on Jeff, let's get on with our chores."

But, before Jeff could move away, Kaseem held him back roughly by the arm. "You are laughing at me like all the rest, aren't you?"

Jeff gave him a look of aghast. "I'm not like that!" He tried to leave but Kaseem gripped him hard by the wrist, making him flinched.

Muti intervened. "Let him go! This is between you and me, keep him out of it!" He tried to free Jeff from Kaseem's grasp but he held fast onto him.

"Think you're better than me because you're white, don't you?" Kaseem ignored Muti and kept his attention on Jeff instead, who shook his head fervently.

"No, you're mistaken. Now, let me go, you're hurting me!" Jeff struggled to free himself but Kaseem tightened his grip further, he wasn't done with him.

Muti's eyes narrowed with annoyance, he had seen enough. Without giving it a second thought, he pushed hard at Kaseem with both hands. Kaseem lost his balance and fell backwards but he immediately got up and rushed at Muti with a growl, sending him crashing backwards. He started pummeling him with his fists.

"Stop it!" Jeff shouted as he tried to pull Kaseem off his friend but he refused to yield. "Help me!" he turned to the others for help but they just stood by and cheered on instead. It was a break from their dull routine and they were enjoying the interruption. Jeff tried again to pull Kaseem off but he was much too strong. Muti was already bleeding from the mouth as he couldn't avoid the blows Kaseem rained on him, being pinned down fully by his weight.

Rauf appeared suddenly, having heard the commotion. He let out a growl of frustration as he moved forward quickly and hauled Kaseem off easily. "Stay where you are! You're in big trouble young man!" he glared at Kaseem who stood huffing with anger, ignoring his bruised knuckles.

Jeff helped Muti to his feet and grimaced at the sight of him. Kaseem did a good job on his face which had started to swell.

"Go wash up and then, see me in my office. You go with him, Jeff," Rauf addressed them first before turning to the others. "The rest of you get back to work, or I'll dock your pay!"

Everyone scrambled off quickly and before Kaseem could do likewise, Rauf hauled him back by his shirt. "You are coming with me!" and he dragged the reluctant boy to his office.

Jeff took Muti back to their quarters to get some first aid. "I'm really sorry. You got hurt because of me," he apologized as he swabbed the cuts generously with iodine.

Muti hissed with pain. "Take it easy, will you?" He grimaced as he rolled his tongue in his mouth. "Shit, I think I may have just lost a tooth." He put his fingers into this mouth and worked out the loose tooth. He held it up and sighed forlornly.

"I'm really, really sorry," Jeff started to sniffle.

Muti looked at him in surprise. "Why are you crying? I'm the one in pain."

"It's because of me that you two got into a fight," Jeff said in a wretched tone. "Everyone will start blaming me." He didn't want his newfound friends to turn on him.

"No one will blame you. They know Kaseem started the whole thing and I'm certain they will vouch for us. They are much closer to me than him, so don't worry," Muti assured him.

Jeff was relieved as the last thing he needed was more trouble. "Thank you for taking the punches for me. I know they were meant for me."

Muti smiled. "We're friends and friends look out for one another. You are new here and Kaseem is trying to bully you but I won't stand by and let that happen." He touched his face gingerly. "I'm hurting but I'll live. Let's not keep Rauf waiting. We still have to finish our chores even if a typhoon were to hit us now."

Both of them hurried to Rauf's office. Muti knocked before opening the door and stepped in with Jeff. Kaseem sent them a glowering glare but Rauf slapped the back of his head. "Trying to stir up trouble again after I've just warned you?"

Kaseem looked down in muted silence and shook his head.

"I'm going to say it one last time," Rauf spoke curtly. "You start another fight and you are out of here! Do you understand?"

Kaseem nodded, keeping his head down.

"Get back to your chores!" Rauf dismissed him.

Muti and Jeff stood aside as Kaseem walked past them. He sent them a glowering glare before taking himself out the door.

"Close the door and sit down. I want to hear your side of the story," Rauf ordered.

Muti told him what happened and admitted that he pushed Kaseem because he was hurting Jeff. Jeff concurred with his story and apologized for the trouble he had caused.

"You didn't do anything wrong. It was Kaseem who provoked you and Muti acted on it, but I expected you to know better!" Rauf scowled at Muti, who put his head down and apologized meekly.

Rauf sighed. "I want both of you to stay away from him. He's not in the best of moods and he's spoiling for a fight. Now, get back to work! We have wasted enough time already."

Kaseem kept to himself the rest of the day. The others avoided him, having been warned by Rauf to stay away from him. Everyone knew that he had just been dumped. They had mixed feelings about it but most generally felt that he should have seen it coming. Which master would regard a stable boy seriously in a relationship? Kaseem was living a lie and he only made a fool of himself.

Kaseem knew he was lucky to get off with just a warning from Rauf. Rauf might be strict but there was a compassionate side to him. He understood the cause of his misbehavior and had decided to give him a second chance. Kaseem had never felt so down in his life. Nobody spoke to him and Master Tariq deliberately stayed away. The relationship was really over. He felt like crying but chided himself for being foolish. Crying wasn't going to change anything. He sat and ate quietly by himself at meal times and went back to his chores without speaking to anyone. After dinner, he hid in his room, isolating himself from everyone else. No one really cared about him. He had been behaving like he was above them since he started a relationship with Master Tariq and everyone despised him. As he sat alone in the dark, he thought back to the past. Orphaned at the age of thirteen, he had nobody to turn to and resorted to pick-pocketing to get by. But, he was finally caught and put into a corrective home for three years. At aged sixteen, he was fortunate to be picked to go and work for the family three times a week and he had applied himself diligently. Rauf saw the potential in him and took him on full-time. Kaseem was finally able to move out and stayed on as a permanent employee at the house. He was paid a monthly wage, had his three meals taken care of and a roof above his head. He was very fortunate considering his circumstances and he thought better days had arrived when he finally caught Master Tariq's eye. But now, he was back to being a mere stable boy and he had lost the friends he had made by behaving like an idiot. He was upset and angry with himself for being so gullible. Master Tariq played him for a fool and treated him nothing more than a convenience to him. His action wounded him deeply and he wanted to lash back. Spurred by a moment of anger, he got up, intending to go and seek him out. He was lucky to catch him as he was about to leave for a night out with his friends.

Tariq was surprised to see him. "What do you want?" he asked in a brusque manner.

"Is this how you treat me? I thought we had something going on," Kaseem touched his arm and looked pleadingly at him. His anger had dissipated and he sought to reconcile with him instead.

"I don't have time for this!" Tariq brushed his hand off and turned to climb into his vehicle but Kaseem held him back.

"I may be a stable boy but I am human! I have feelings! What did I do wrong? Tell me and I'll change, I'll do anything to please you!"

Tariq's eyes narrowed with annoyance as he noticed the crowd that had gathered to watch them. The workers were enjoying the cool night breeze outside after dinner and heard the commotion.

"I don't have to answer to you, but since you're too stupid and ignorant to understand, let me remind you that I'm your master and you work for my family! Don't forget your place! Now, take your hands off me!" Tariq snapped.

Kaseem dropped his arm, his tears welling over. Tariq was uncomfortable by the display of emotion and tried to get himself away quickly. Just as he about to climb into his car, Kaseem shouted, "You have no heart! You're a callous bastard! God shall see you for what you are and make you pay for your sins! You will never have children to carry your family name and you will suffer a fate worse than death! Your soul will have no redemption and will burn in hell in eons to come!"

Infuriated by his words, Tariq turned and struck him across the side of his face. As Kaseem lay dazed on the ground, he heard him ordering someone to fetch him a whip.

Jeff watched in horror at the scene before him. He had stayed well behind the crowd with Muti but he was now pushing himself forward. Some idiot actually fetched Tariq a whip and he was lashing out with hard strokes at the boy who writhed helplessly on the ground. Kaseem didn't cry for help. He finally curled into a ball and covered his head to protect himself as the lashes continued to rain down on him mercilessly.

"Stop! Please stop!" Jeff broke from the crowd and ran forward. Muti muttered under his breath and took off in the other direction to get Rauf.

Tariq raised his hand again to bring down the whip but Jeff caught his arm. "Please, no more, he's hurt," he pleaded with him.

Tariq saw his opportunity. "You want me to spare him?" A quick glance told him that the stable master was not around. "Get in the car with me and I'll stop!"

Jeff hesitated but the sight of Kaseem's trembling and bleeding form made his mind up for him. He climbed in and Tariq grinned deviously as he dropped the whip and went in after him. Rauf and Muti came running just as the vehicle drove off. However, it came to an abrupt stop at a short distance when an approaching vehicle sounded its horn and blocked its path. Tariq cursed under his breath as he got out, ready to rant at the opposing driver when the passenger door of the other vehicle flew open and his brother stepped out with a scowl. "What the hell is going on here?"

-ooo—

"Everything seems to be working well. We can't get that wide a range but it will suffice our needs," Chris said. They had just tested the tracking devices.

"Can you hear us when we talk?" Randy asked as he studied himself critically in the mirror. The device was hidden inside his collar and it was unnoticeable.

"It's a one-way transmission. We can hear you but you can't hear us. It's the best we can put together with what we can find in their stores," Chris said apologetically.

"It'll do just fine," John said confidently. "As soon as we pick up the hostages' location, we will move in. You and Matt just keep out of harm's way and leave everything to us."

"Will we be getting any help from those people at the Trade & Manpower Board?" Drew asked anxiously. His anxiety climbed with each passing hour. He had done all he could to prepare Randy and although he seemed better equipped than before, Drew still couldn't help worrying about him.

Matt shook his head. "I haven't heard from them. It will take a while for them to get back to me. I guess we're on our own."

"Adl is prepared to help anyway they can. They have offered to be your guides as they know every square inch of this country like the back of their hands," Ashad informed them.

"Thank you, I appreciate all the help we can get. Once this is over, I'll make sure they are handsomely rewarded," Matt promised.

Chris asked, "Any news yet about the bank account?"

"Nothing so far. It may take a couple of days. Things around here work a lot slower; there is red-tape to get by. We have to put in our requests in writing and faxed it to them and it has to go through proper channels," Matt explained.

"Now, all we have to do is sit and wait for them to call," John sounded impatient. It was just past midnight and it would be another twenty-four hours before the other side make contact. "Check your weapons again and make sure you have enough ammo. We cannot afford to have anything go wrong," John reminded them.

The impact of what was going to happen struck Randy then and he was beginning to feel antsy. What if he fucked up? He could get himself, or some of his friends killed! Matt noticed his uneasiness and gave him a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "I'll be with you every step of the way, just follow my lead." Randy nodded nervously.

"Paul won't be coming with us tomorrow," Matt said. "Considering he just got married and is suffering from a concussion, I think its best he stays here with Glenn and mind the fort. Ashad will be coming with us instead. And he has just told me the good news. The guard has agreed to my terms. I'll have him out by tomorrow morning and Adl will keep him and his family under protective custody until this blows over. They assured me that no one will find out their whereabouts."

John breathed out a sigh of relief. "We finally have a witness who is willing to come forward. That is good news indeed."

"Oh, before I forget, the department will fax over some papers on the information you wanted on Bobby tomorrow morning. I gave them the fax number here, Matt," Chris informed them.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, we should all try and get some sleep. I'll see you guys in the morning," Matt got up and the others streamed out.

No one slept well that night as tension was high. Drew heard Randy tossing about restlessly. He sat up and said, "I can't sleep either. Want to head to the kitchen for a cup of coffee?"

They made their way down quietly and were surprised to see they weren't the only ones up. John gestured to the pot of coffee in front of him. "Help yourselves, I made plenty."

Paul got up to get more cookies. As he sat down, he said, "I eat when I get excited or nervous."

John snorted with disbelief. "Paul, you just like to eat, period. Jeff would agree with me if he was here." After Drew and Randy poured their coffee, John said quietly, "I hope he's alright." He couldn't even begin to think what he would do if anything happen to Jeff.

"They won't hurt him, he's too important to them," Paul reassured him.

"They might hurt him in other ways," John said as his hand tightening involuntarily around his cup. Everyone knew what he meant; Jeff could be violated in the worse possible way.

Paul spoke. "Jeff is tough, although he doesn't appear to be so. He will survive this and we'll be here to give him all the support he needs."

"I took this job as a temporary assignment but Jeff wants me to stay. Once this is over, I'm going wherever he goes," John said resolutely. "Once in your lifetime, someone special will come along. If you let him slip, you may never get him back again. Jeff is that special someone and I don't want to lose him."

Drew turned to give Randy a look which made him uncomfortable. John noticed and hinted subtly. "If you feel strongly about someone, you should let him know, or you may not get the chance to tell him again." He got up. "Have to try and get some Zs. I need all my faculties with me tomorrow. I'll see you guys in the morning. Good night."

Paul got up, getting his message. "I'm hitting the sack too. Good night" and he took the plate of cookies with him.

Randy and Drew were left alone. Drew spoke as he poured more coffee into their cups, "I admire John for a lot of things. He is not afraid to admit and show that he wants to be with Jeff. I can see that it terrifies him that something bad might happen to Jeff," he paused before adding, "and I know exactly how he feels."

Randy cleared his throat. He understood what Drew was saying to him and he had provided him an opening. "I appreciate everything that you have done for me. When this is over, I will take that much-needed vacation and … and I would like you to come with me."

Drew broke into a wide grin just as someone exclaimed, "Yes! He finally admitted his feelings!"

Both turned in surprise as Adam and Jay burst through the kitchen door. Jay grinned at them. "And about time too! Congratulations to the both of you!"

Randy flushed but demanded to know, "Were you ease-dropping on us?"

"Not exactly," Adam scratched his head sheepishly. "We couldn't sleep and came down for a nightcap and we heard you guys talking so we kind of listened in. We're pleased that both of you are finally getting it on."

"Wait, we're not getting anything on," Randy protested half-heartedly.

"Oh shut up, Randy! You like Drew, just admit it. It's a matter of time before you two get together anyways," Jay scolded as he set down two cups and filled them up.

"Jay is right. You should never let a good man get away," Adam said before sipping on his coffee.

Jay leaned towards Drew, "I guess you know Stephen pretty well. Is he going out with anyone? Do I stand a chance with him?"

Drew laughed. "I'm sorry, but you have to ask him yourself. I can't speak for him."

Jay sat back with a sigh. "He ran when I asked him out earlier. I haven't had a date for ages. Any advice for a pal?"

Drew's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Well, I'd suggest that you try getting him to ask you out instead. He prefers to do the chasing."

Jay's eyes lit up. "So, he likes to be in control, hmm… I get what you mean. A change of tactics is required on my part." He gulped down his coffee and got up. "I'm going to sleep on it. Thanks for the tip!" he clapped Drew on the shoulder. "Come on Adam, let's hit the sack!"

Adam got up with a sigh. "He's kind of bossy, isn't he?" and left on the heels of his friend.

"We should go to bed too," Drew said as he put their empty cups into the sink.

Both men went back to their room and lay down on their individual beds. A moment later, Randy spoke, "Tomorrow is a big day. Promise me that you'll be careful?" There was no mistaking the concern in his voice.

Drew flashed a grin in the dark. "I promise and you make sure you do the same. I'm holding you to that vacation, so don't disappoint me."

Randy laughed. "I'll try not to disappoint anyone. Good night."

Two floors up, Matt lay wide awake. He was exhausted but he couldn't sleep. He had been suffering from insomnia for quite some time. Running the company took up all his energy and time and he was looking forward to a good vacation with Jeff but all that went up in smoke with the recent troubles he had been having. He was afraid to take the pills prescribed by his doctor, as they made him feel lethargic and he wanted to keep his focus sharp the following day. His mind went through the things that could go wrong tomorrow. They weren't dealing with the normal run of common criminals but with extremely wealthy and powerful people, a force to be reckoned with. He knew the odds were stacked against them, but whatever happened, he was determined to get his brother and everyone out, or die trying. He finally fell into a restless sleep, the words, 'die trying' echoing over and over in his head.

-ooo-

Rishabh was shaking with anger. He had never been more furious in his life! It seemed like every one was turning against him! First, it was Benuaji, and now, he came back home to find his stable master had gone against his instructions and allowed his captive to run free! And, on top of that, his damn brother took a stable boy to his bed and as a result of conflict, almost whipped the boy close to death! His fury went up a few notches when he thought back to when he discovered Jeff in the car. The boy was shaking like a leaf, looking like a rabbit cornered and snared and his damn brother was about to bring him to town! If anyone caught sight of him and Benuaji was alerted, he would be screwed! And he couldn't even imagine if the boy had escaped and contacted his brother and the authorities swooped down on him. He, Benuaji and Nasir would all be screwed! They would land in jail and never see the light of day again!

Tariq was shocked when his hand flew out and struck him across the face. No one had ever hit him before. His face stung with the blow and the words uttered by his brother revealed just how angry he was with him.

"You didn't want to work, to learn, to do anything! I let you be, pay for everything you wanted and needed and how do you repay me? You took to bed a stable boy and you almost killed him under my roof! And you have the audacity to try and bed another! You were about to take him to town with you!" He was too furious to continue. Lifting the phone from his desk, he threw it across the room. It smashed against the wall, leaving a dent on it.

Tariq grimaced but kept his silence. He knew better than to say anything when his brother was in such a foul mood.

"I ought to just disown you right now!" Rishabh shouted, turning beet red with rage.

Outside, Rauf waited for his turn to see him. He knew that it would probably be his last day there. Kaseem was in bad shape. Rishabh refused to send him to the hospital as it would invite too many questions and he had called for the family doctor to come to the house instead. The boy was found to be in trauma. He had not uttered a word since the incident. His wounds were cleaned and dressed and he had been given a sedative to help him sleep through the pain. Muti had volunteered to stay with him. After what he had witnessed, he vowed to put their differences aside and offer him whatever comfort he needed. Jeff was presently locked up in the store room, awaiting his fate. Muti was confused. Why did Master Rishabh order him to be locked up? He could still hear Jeff crying in the distance. He had been pounding on the door for half an hour now, screaming to be let out. Muti wanted to go to him but he couldn't leave Kaseem alone. Even in his drug induced sleep, he was moaning deliriously in pain. Muti swore that as soon as Kaseem was sound asleep, he would go to Jeff.

Rauf was starting to question his faith for the family. For the umpteenth time, he wondered if he had made a mistake by not letting the boy call his brother. He gathered from what Jeff had told him that Master Rishabh had taken him from Sheikh Benuaji who had kidnapped him from his home. He had heard about Benuaji and his reputation super ceded him; he was not one to mess around with. Rauf knew that nothing good would come out of it. His master had bitten off something he couldn't swallow. He couldn't understand his actions and felt uneasy about the whole situation. His thoughts went back to Jeff. What would Rishabh do with him? And what would he do with Kaseem now that he was incapacitated? He was horrified to see the wounds inflicted by Tariq. It was a senseless, despicable act and he wanted to beat him into a pulp for what he did to the boy.

The door opened and Tariq stepped out, a furious scowl on his face. His brother had just grounded him for a month and he still couldn't believe what his brother had ordered him to do. Preoccupied with his own thoughts, he never saw the blow coming. One moment he was standing and the next, he was on the floor, dazed by the blow from Rauf. Rauf grabbed and lifted him up to face him. "You touch any of my boys again and I swear you will regret it! Do you understand me?" he hissed at him menacingly.

"Let him go! I have dealt with him already!" Rishabh appeared at the door.

Rauf dropped Tariq like a sack of potatoes. He crumpled to the floor, an astonished look on his face. Did the stable master actually deck him?

Rishabh spoke. "My brother will take over Kaseem's chores until he recovers. He will report to you in the morning, but if he doesn't show up, you have my permission to use the whip on him!" He glared at his brother, "You will work and eat with them until the boy is back on his feet! I'm done carrying you!" Turning back, he barked, "Come in and close the door, Rauf, we have to talk!"

Rauf was momentarily confused. Did that mean he wasn't going to be fired after all? With some mixed feelings, he obeyed, closing the door after him.

Tariq got to his feet slowly, still dazed by what happened. Sudden rage attacked him and he vowed vengeance. So, Rishabh thought he could force him to work in the stables like a commoner. He began to hatch his plan as he made his way back to his room.

-ooo—

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