Chapter Thirty Five
Randy jerked awake with a hard gasp; sitting up and finding his hands cuffed together in his lap. He blinked hard, so disoriented, so confused. Where was he this time? At home? At work? He honestly couldn't remember but for some reason knew it was really important that he did! He tried to stretch, groaning as he found every muscle in his body was horribly stiff and sore. Fucking hell what in the hell happened?-! He sat up a little higher, looking around but seeing nothing as a daze clouded and blurred his surroundings. Shit where was he?-! Why was he in handcuffs?-! Still groggy he tried to wrack his brain but the last thing he remember was...was...Shit his brain felt so jumbled he couldn't remember shit! He looked around in a panic, blinking rapidly as the world refused to come into full focus. Everything was just so damn blurry! "Cody?" He called out and got no response, fuck it was so quiet. He looked down, finally seeing that he was on a soft black leather couch in a small poorly lit room with red walls as he blinked away the confusion and haze still distorting his vision. He thought harder, his brain struggling to put itself back together. There was something about a car flashing in his minds eye that confused him but once the memory of the cold water set in everything else snapped and fell into place in an instant and he gasped as he jerked his cuffed hands out of his lap. Shit shit shit!-! Oh God they were so fucked! Hunter was dead and they were all so fucking screwed, that's what he should have remembered! "Cody!-!-!" He shouted in a panic and tried to stand and was relieved to find that his legs actually worked this time. He did stumble though, but only a little and caught himself on the arm of the couch. Fuck he was still dizzy!
"Randy," He jumped as from somewhere behind him as Tristan's voice came in a timid whisper, "Don't-Don't get up." Shit he hadn't even seen him there! Fuck he hadn't really seen anything!
"Why?" He rubbed his eyes, expecting them to hurt but they were clean, smooth and only just barely sore. Shit how long had he been out?-! Oh god and, where the fuck was Cody?-!
"Because Michael will know you're awake and come in-"
"Too late." Shit.
He jerked his hands away from his eyes, opening them wide and was glad that he could see now as Michael came out of nowhere and was suddenly standing beside him, wearing all black and grabbing his elbow, "I saw him on the camera dumb-ass."
Camera? Shit he hadn't noticed that either! Fuck focus Randy FOCUS! He glared down at Michael's hand around his arm before he yanked free, "Where's Cody?" To hell with the camera and the rest! He just wanted to know that Cody was alright! Fuck he had better still be alive or Randy would fucking lose it!
"He's around." Michael responded simply and took hold of his arm again, "In fact you'll be seeing him shortly to see him off but, we have other important things to discuss first, don't you think?" He grew confused as Michael's eyes flicked to the other side of small room and it was the first time he spotted Tristan sitting in a small high arm black leather chair; his hands cuffed like his own and stripped down to his tight black briefs and his hair tied back in a messy pony tail. And he looked utterly terrified. His face was stained with tears, his eyes red and swollen and still moist. Bruises spread out over his chest and arms in the shapes of fingers that grabbed too hard and pinned him down. Fuck he looked so worn down, so raw and defeated!
"I figured you would want to say a few words to Tristan before we got on with everything." Michael said him as he gave his arm a tug and made him take a step towards Tristan in his chair. "Seeing as how he's the one who told me where to find you and my favorite trick I was willing to give you that. Honestly, at first, I was going to let you and Cody have your time but when Tristan told me you were going to make your move in a matter of days naturally I had to act first to stop you." Randy almost scoffed at that. Of course Michael had to make the first move. Because Michael was out to win this...this game they'd been playing. And god damn it that bastard was always two steps ahead of him! And now, FUCK, just how much did Michael know about the plans he and John had already discussed?-! Did he know EVERYTHING?-! Oh god did he know about the men guarding his mother?-!
"Michael please don't do this." Tristan suddenly whimpered and tore him out of his thoughts, "Please, just let him go!"
"Shut up trick." Michael dismissed him with a hiss, "Or do you want to spend more time with Wade?"
Randy's jaw tensed as he looked down at Tristan and knew the truth before he could even form the thought of what Michael's threat was supposed to imply. Those bruises, those hand prints...Fucking, BASTARD. "No!" Tristan shook his head wildly, "Please I can't take anymore!" He was shaking so hard now, his little body seemingly so riddle with pain he was trying to conceal. And Randy couldn't blame him because, Michael liked to see people in pain. It got him off, made him feel good, turned him on-it flat out did it for him! Twisted fuck. So to deny him that might not seem like much but, when it was the only thing one had to use...
Tristan looked up, tears streaming from his eyes, "Oh god Randy I'm so sorry! I fucked everything up!"
He had to think quick to stop the first thing he wanted to say from coming out of his mouth. Because without knowing why or how Tristan had told Michael about their plan to escape, he didn't blame him, nor did he hate him like he knew Tristan feared he would. He just, didn't. In his heart he just knew that Tristan wouldn't hurt him like this; not after everything they'd talked about during those late night in bed when Randy just couldn't sleep. And especially, not after Tristan fell in love with him. Although it wasn't the same kind of love he and Cody shared, no, it was a connection of a trusted loved one, almost like a family member instead of a lover. Despite the fact that they'd slept together.
Randy would always be there for Tristan, he would always take care of him if he ever needed help...So why would Tristan throw all of that away? Because he'd chosen Cody?-?-? No that just couldn't be true because there was never any choice to make when it came to Cody. Randy never stopped loving Cody and Tristan knew that...But perhaps Michael didn't? Perhaps Michael didn't exactly know... everything?-?-?
Surely he didn't because then he would know it was pointless to try and convince him that Tristan would sell them out unless he had to. No one had ever truly cared about Tristan until Randy came along and the younger man knew that. He knew it and he'd never give it up without a fight! He'd never give it up unless he was forced to! That much Randy was still certain of!-!
He looked down at Tristan and wished he could tell him so but, this was a game and Randy had his part to play now. "So you did tell him about us?" He gazed at Tristan in disbelief, "You gave us up?"
Tristan nodded slowly, swallowing hard,. "I'm-I'm sorry," He whispered just loud enough for him to hear. "I-I had to."
"No he didn't." Michael immediately argued with an outraged scoff, "The kid is in love with you Orton, can't you see that?" He pushed him closer to Tristan in the chair with his question. "Come on now you broke the little guy's heart running back to the slut who dragged you into all of this! He's bound to be sore since, he was there for you, he took care of you and he lied and put his life on the line for you! He loves you and the humiliation of being turned down for a whore like Cody must have ignited such bitter jealousy and spite because the second he heard that you and Cody were leaving town without him he told us everything we needed to know. It was really that simple."
"He's lying!" Tristan choked out around his tears, "He said he would kill John if I didn't tell him where you'd been! He put a gun to his head!-!"
"Excuse me?" Michael arched a brow and wasn't at all moved by Tristan's frantic accusations, "Why would I do that when I had no idea John was in on the whole game until YOU told me that he was?" He rolled his eyes before turning his gaze to Randy with a sigh, "Seriously Randy think about it. I have millions in my pocket for a reason, I'm no fool. My entire life is fucking business. You know that. You also know that John knows how to move the product like no one else can or ever has. So why would I kill him before knowing he was undercover? He was my top guy before Tristan set me straight."
Randy listened as he looked back and forth between them, already certain of who he was going to believe but was more than willing to play the part of stupid when it came to Michael. Because then he wouldn't think him capable of anything else. And then? Well it didn't take a genius to figure out that that's when he would strike back and kill that son of a bitch. Like a snake curled and hidden within the bushes he would strike hard and fast, and before Michael even knew it. Granted he didn't know when or how but was certain the opportunity would present itself and this time, he'd be observant enough to see it!
"And now?" He squinted towards Michael slightly to hide the panic trying to rise and tighten his chest. Shit was John already dead? He hadn't realized it but that just might be so knowing Michael! John could have been dead since last fucking night! SHIT! "Where is he now?"
His stomach tightened as a smirk popped over Michael's lips, "He's here." And Randy's face clenched into a hard glare. He should have known he wouldn't get a simple answer. Michael was never that direct, that forward or to the point! But luckily by the look on Michaels face and the lack of boasting he would expect from him if John were dead he knew he wasn't. Because at that moment and if he were Michael would flat out brag about killing him as if it were some great accomplishment. He'd fucking celebrate while that sick bastard Jericho cut John's body to pieces. Michael was just twisted like that! So yes John was there but he was still alive; that was one plus they had now. And one was better than nothing.
"And just think," Michael added after a moment, "John, as well as the rest of you, would be just fine if Tristan hadn't sold everyone out to save his own ass-"
"I DIDN'T!" Tristan screamed loud and long, shaking his head furiously. "I DIDN'T!" He lunged to throw himself at his feet, shrieking as Michael caught him by the arm and yanked him around. "Don't you fucking move!" He hand shot up and struck Tristan hard across the face before shoving him to the ground and slapped the back of his head, "Worthless tramp!"
"Please!" Tristan cried in a high, pained voice, "Stop it!"
"God you are so PATHETIC!" Michael hissed down at him and gave his head another smack, "Just shut the fuck up and stop trying to save your own skin because your lies won't save you this time Tristan! They won't help you!" Tristan covered his head with his arms, falling back on his chins and ducked down as far as he could go, whimpering softly between sobs. And Randy finally had enough. He stepped towards them, shoving Michael's shoulder with his bound hands, "Back off!" He did his best to look torn, confused even. "What the fuck are you talking about?-! What do you mean his lies?-!"
"You dumb-ass isn't it obvious?" Michael hissed with a frown, stepping back as he boldly tucked his arms behind his back, clasping his hand loosely around his wrist, "He's just trying to save himself." He started to walk towards him but kept going, making a slow circle around them as he glared at Tristan still huddled on the floor. "The little slut even told me that you would be stupid enough to believe him if he tried to deny it because he thinks that he has you wrapped around his little finger. I said you'd be too furious but he insisted and said he'd play you like the fool you are."
"No!" Tristan's head snapped up wildly with his cry, "I never said that! Please Randy don't listen to him! Please you have to believe me!"
"Oh come on Tristan he's not going to fall for it." He paused as rolled his eyes at Tristan as if he were truly the most unintelligent creature he'd ever laid eyes upon. "He knows you were working for me the entire time. He knows what a pathetic little liar you are and he's not about to let you make a fool of him again."
Randy frowned hard, clenching his jaw so tight it hurt. What the fuck why was Michael speaking for him?-! He didn't think Tristan was lying! In fact he knew he wasn't because just as Tristan said he would NEVER say those things! Tristan wanted to get away from Michael just as bad as the rest of them did; so why would he do anything to jeopardize that unless he HAD to? He WOULDN'T. And no matter what Michael said Randy wasn't going to believe other wise! He looked down at Tristan, glaring, pretending he was buying into everything Michael was saying just to stall that much longer, or until he could think of something. "Please..." Tristan's shoulders fell forward with a sob as he dropped his head; shaking, trembling, crying so hard he didn't make a sound. He just sat there, shaking his head, crying, trembling, utterly broken. Fuck Randy hated seeing him like this, he was just a kid for fucks sake! God damn it it was like a knife in his fucking gut to see him so bruised and obviously violated. And not only that but Tristan was so young when he'd come into all of this that he never got the chance to have a real life outside of the only one he knew and that just wasn't fair.
Yes Tristan was a whore, it was a fact. But he could have been so much more! And he WOULD be if Randy could just figure out their way out of all of this!
"He's so pathetic." Michael sighed, shaking his head as his eyes rolled once more, "Just kill him already."
"What?" He jerked in surprised and glared at Michael, so confused. No fucking way did he just hear that right! Fuck Michael he was NOT going to kill Tristan! "I'm not killing anyone."
"Come on Orton the kid's a conniving little whore! Don't you want to settle the score before you die? Don't you want revenge on the worthless bitch that fucked you over?-!" Michael stopped with a snarl, grabbing his arm and squeezing hard as if he thought Randy only need a little more encouragement. "Come on Orton just fucking do it! Break his neck! Strangle the life out of him! Tare him to pieces!-!-!"
Tristan suddenly let out a terrified gasp, "No Randy please!" He cried hysterically, "PLEASE!"
"Gahhhh!-!" Michael snarled as he whirled around and gave Tristan another backhanded slap to his face, screaming down at him violently, "SHUT THE FUCK UP!-!-!" He tore him off the ground by his hair and slapped him again, this time splitting his lip and sending blood splattering in every direction.
Randy shoved Michael out of the way, struggling to maintain the act of buying into Michael's story and pulled Tristan to his knee's by his hair. He swayed, whimpering softly as he blinked away a gaze and the sting from Michael's brutal slaps. "Randy?-?-?" He tucked his hand beneath Tristan's chin and brought his head up, finding his eyes and searching them for calmness within his hysteria that he could use to tell him without words that, he wasn't going to kill him. He believed Tristan. And as he gazed into his tear filled eyes he really hoped the younger man would catch on. "I didn't do it..." Tristan cried softly, "Please Randy you're the only one who's ever given a damn about me...I would never chose Michael over you." Unless he were forced to, Randy knew that. "Please believe me." He cried harder, his small hands desperately curing around his wrists in a frightened grip. " Pleasepleasepleaseplease!-!-!" Oh god Tristan had no reason to beg! Oh god if only he could see that he would know that what he was about to do was or his own good!
With a forced snarl he grabbed Tristan by his hair once more; this tearing him off the ground still with both hands bound hands and jerked his small body around as he brought his arms over Tristan's head and yanked him against his chest. Tristan screamed and it was horrible but still he kept going and silenced him with his forearm, curling it around his neck in a choke hold. "You fucking whore," He hissed into his ear as the smaller man choked and gagged and thrashed about for his life. "I'll teach you to sell me out!" He tightened his hold, denying him air completely now as he pressed his lips to Tristan's ear. "Sleep." He whispered faintly to him over and over as Tristan fought like hell to claw and kick his way out. Oh god he still didn't see! He still didn't understand! "Tristan please just go to sleep!" Oh God Tristan actually thought he was trying to kill him! "Tristan!...Sweetheart!...Sleep!"
Tristan's kicking suddenly came to a stop, his hands falling away from where they'd tried clawing his arms, his mouth open wide as he gagged frantically with the last of his fading strength for air. Oh God Tristan please just go to sleep! Please oh god he couldn't fucking DO this! He started to let go but just as he did Tristan's head dropped and he fell completely limp. He loosened his arm and he slipped away, his small body hitting the ground with a solid thud. Oh God...Tristan?-!
He moved to stand over him, staring down at Tristan as if he'd been happy to kill him and could only hope Michael brought it as he watched to make sure he was still breathing. Fuck he might have waited too long! He may have squeezed too hard!
"You must think I'm stupid." Shit. He hadn't bought it! Fuck fuck FUCK! He turned to face Michael, putting himself over Tristan protectively. "Extremely." He agreed with a scowl and a nod, readying himself for anything. Might as well be honest! "You're the dumbest mother fucker I know." He was seething, his heart racing and the rest of him trembling with fear. Tristan was alive, he'd seen him take a breath. But still for a second there, for one horrifying, harrowing moment, he'd thought he'd accidentally killed him.
"I'm the dumbest mother fuck you know?-!" Michael sneered incredulously, "Oh yeah?-!" His eyes narrowed and every hair on the back of Randy's neck stood up. Fuck maybe he shouldn't have said that! Maybe that was too much of an insult at that particular moment! Michael's face turned red and he was standing so close he could feel him moving before he even realized what he was doing; and suddenly there was the barrel of a gun shoved against his stomach, aimed upwards to inflict as much damage as possible. A pure kill shot. "I was going to spare you the sight of it! I was going to let you say goodbye to him but, just for that," He hissed venomously threw his teeth, his eyes so wide with rage they were alive with it and nothing else. "I'm going to make you watch what I'm having done to Cody!" He pressed the gun in harder, his face twisting into a hard snarl. "You're getting a front row seat!"
Randy pressed forward as panic widened his eyes and drew a gasp from his throat. Oh god fuck a front row seat to WHAT?-! What was he doing to Cody?-!
He had to bite back a snarl as they dueled to stare each other down; he so wanted to lash out and knock him on his ass with everything he had! But fuck the gun digging painfully into his stomach made him nervous and from the look in Michael's eyes it was very obviously that he was a ticking time bomb. Michael literally couldn't wait to kill him and he shouldn't give me a reason-that's what Michael's eyes told him as he stared into their crazy empty blue depths. Fuck he needed to be really, REALLY careful!
"Why can't you just let Cody go?-!" He dared to ask because just couldn't stand the thought of Cody being hurt when Michael could just let him LEAVE. He could put him on a bus to anywhere and Cody would never come back or have contact with anyone there again! Jesus he didn't have to fucking DIE if Michael wanted to get rid of him! HE COULD JUST LET HIM GO!-!-!
"Don't ask me such stupid fucking questions while I have your gun in my hand because I'm just fuckin' dying to blow a hole in your chest!" He brought the gun up, smashing the barrel under his chin as he clicked the safety off, letting out a sinister laugh threw his rage, "Or your fucking head!"
Randy swallowed hard against the barrel of his own gun, craning his head up as far as it would go to escape the cold, bruising metal that could kill him at any moment. He wanted to close his eyes but at the same time he had to watch. He had to see Michael's finger hovering over the trigger. "Don't! Wait! What have you done to Cody?-!" He pushed his luck, "Where is he?-!" Michael pressed the barrel harder, "Don't worry, you're about to find out." He snarled and abruptly yanked the gun away and brought two fingers to his lips, whistling once and a door behind him swung open, "Yeah boss?" Came a voice he recognized as David Otunga's deep tone. "Is it time to move him?"
"Yes," Michael replied, shoving the gun into his pants against the small of his back, "But hurry up, there's been a change of plans. Take him next door to Christopher first then take Tristan into the room with the others."