CHAPTER 17:

"I'm sorry," Eliza said, her words coming as a bit of a slap to Alex's face. "I can't. Not tonight, anyway."

"Rain check then?" Alex immediately prompted. "I'm mostly free all week, when would work for you?"

"I'll have to check my schedule," she replied. "Can I...have your number?"

He smiled and held out his hand for her phone. "Only if you promise to call me."

"Promise," she said with her own smile and pulled out the device from her purse, setting up a new contact and handing it to Alex to fill out. He typed in the number he knew from memory and then took a silly selfie of himself to add it as the photo before handing it back. "So you won't forget me among all the other numbers you must have in there of other cute guys."

"Believe it or not I don't have that many numbers from charming young men. Those belong more to each of my sisters."

"Cute girls then?" Alex teased, smiling wider when he saw Eliza's face blush a bright red.

"N—no," she replied and tucked her eyes away from his. "Just...my friends, my sisters..."

"Well, I find that hard to believe. You're really adorable, I imagine a lot of guys would kill to sit where I am right now."

"They'd have to get past Angelica first."

"What, is that hard?" Alex asked, feigning innocence to how Eliza's sister could be a hard person to read.

"You're the worst," Eliza giggled. Their waitress came by and slid a check next to Alex, letting him know it was his bill. When he inquired about Eliza's half, she added with a flustered, "Angelica always pays for me, you don't have to worry about it."

"Oh," Alex said as he fished his cash out. "Shame, I had every intention of impressing you with picking up the whole tab. Well, next time." He counted off what he would need and then some more and handed it back to their server. "I won't need change, thanks." The sever disappeared with a nod and Alex turned back to Eliza. "So can I at least walk you back to your car?"

"Oh, I can't leave just yet. I'm waiting for my sister to get off so we can go home together."

"Ahh, so that's why you were sitting here all alone." Alex pretended like he didn't approve. "You know, Angelica really should consider hiring someone to sit with you and make sure you aren't lonely or bored while you wait for her."

"Someone like you, perhaps?" Eliza asked.

"Well, yeah. I think we'd look good together. I can keep away all the guys who aren't worthy and we can swap fairytales."

"Oh? And what fairytales do you know, Alex?"

He faltered for a moment. Folk tales and fables were never something he'd had an interest in, but he wanted Eliza to like him. "Okay, so, maybe I don't have any traditional stories to tell...certainly not any that I'm sure you haven't heard before. But I'll bet I can tell you a tale longer and more fantastical then anything else you've read."

"Oh really?"

"Yep, really." He would have launched into a tale, probably embarrassingly, right on the spot had they not been interrupted by Angelica slamming her hand down on the table and smiling at Alex in a way that he felt was a little forced.

"Heeey, hate to break this little jam up, but I just got off work and would really love to get home now," she said before turning and speaking more sweetly to her sister. "Eliza, you ready to go?"

"I thought you had another hour," she said, looking between the cute boy and her sister.

"It's been a little dead and they'll be fine," Angelica said. "I got someone to cover for me."

"Dead," Alex repeated as he looked out to the sea of people that filled the restaurant. "Right."

"I've scheduled everything that it can run itself now," Angelica countered. "The other hostess will be fine."

"Oh, well, Alex invited me out for ice cream, maybe we could all go together?"

"We have ice cream at home."

"You know, I'm not doing anything this evening, in case you didn't have Alex at home," Alex interjected and immediately felt the heat of Angelica's eyes as they swiveled around and told him, silently but not uncertainty, to keep his mouth shut. "Whoa-hoooo, that's a look," he added, deciding he felt lucky enough to push it. "I take it you do have a freezer full of Alex at home then."

Eliza giggled as she gathered her things. "Angelica, leave him alone. Alex has been very sweet."

"I'm sure he has been," Angelica replied. "But we really need to be going. Tell your roommate I said hi when you head back."

"Do you want a ride?" Eliza asked, ignoring the deep breath her sister took.

But as Alex stood up he realized his welcome was wearing thin on Angelica. "It's okay," he said. "I don't live very far from here and I enjoy the walk. Good exercise you know." He stood and bowed to Eliza, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "Til we meet again, I bid you adieu, fair princess." And he smirked as he eyed her, knowing at once that Eliza fancied him by the starry look in her eyes and the blush to her face.

But Angelica seemed less impressed as she ushered her sister along. "Okay, I'm sure we'll see you around then. Goodnight, Alex."

He sat back down to watch them leave, tapping his fingers slowly to count off ten sets of ten beats on the table in their absence. He didn't know why Angelica seemed so sketched out by him, but the last thing he wanted was to make it seem like he was gunna follow them home or something if he walked them out to their car. Sure he wanted to, but no sense in making one woman uncomfortable in order to woo the other.

Alex pondered that thought as he finally got up to leave. He'd thought he'd only sat down with Eliza because she looked, well, adorable but lonely all by herself. He was glad he'd introduced himself, she certainly was sweet and fun to talk too, but he wondered for the second time in as many days how a romantic relationship would fit into his current lifestyle. If Angelica was wigging out because she thought Alex was a scrappy, starving college student only attending Harvard because he'd lucked into some scholarship money, well, he couldn't imagine how hard she'd flip out if Alex told her what he did for money. So of course that meant he shouldn't pursue a relationship at this time, right?

But...he did kinda like Eliza...

No, he had to be practical. School came first, then a second well paying job and as soon as he could afford it a house, and then he'd think about pursuing a relationship. It's just that...a part of him wanted the intimacy, the comfort of sharing a life with someone. And besides, once all that other stuff was sorted out he'd likely be in his 30's and a cute, sweet girl like Eliza might be even harder to come by.

Alright, a compromise. Alex would attempt to get her to chase him and if she seemed really interested he'd find a way to make all that other stuff work around it. He smiled as he chuckled to himself thinking about how annoyed James was going to be when he showed up at his work to harass him for insider secrets on how to do exactly that.

Burr smirked as he considered the sleeping form of John Laurens sprawled out across his bed. It was almost too easy how well his plan was going and he almost couldn't believe the stupid boy had been so careless as to walk right into his little trap. He knew the drugs he'd slipped John had helped immensely, but there was almost a part of him that wished he hadn't resorted to that, just to see if he could have walked John right into the same cage on his words alone. Almost. Perhaps if John had been buddying up to anyone else but Alex Burr might have done that, but unfortunately for John that wasn't the case.

He pulled his phone out and snapped a few photos of John's still naked body. He'd need them in case he had to go into his contingency plan. As of now he was willing to let the boy live, since dead bodies and missing persons where just a nightmare to deal with when cops got involved and from Burr's research into John's family he'd likely be a high profile case. Not to mention the sudden disappearance of his roommate would likely set Alex on edge and the last thing Burr wanted was for Alex to think he couldn't track down a kidnapper or murderer if they came after him next, or some such silly thing. Only a nutjob or a real amateur would go for any of Burr's toys tho, and if they did, well, then that was an incredibly stupid move on their part.

The phone in his hands began to vibrate with an incoming call and Burr answered it with a tinge of annoyance. "What?" he said.

"Alex is still inside the restaurant and I need to go home soon," Maria's voice croaked through the phone. She sounded like she'd been crying.

"Well tough shit," Burr told her. "I told you to tail him and that's just what you're gunna do until I give you permission to go home."

"James is going to wonder where I am—"

"James works for me, Maria. I thought you understood that by now? But if it's really a concern for you I'll just call him and let him know you're gunna be working late tonight. In fact, I'll even be so kind as to let him know whose dick you thought you could sneak up inside you so you don't have to, sound good?"

"How did you—I didn't—you took me off the schedule!"

"Yes, I did. You've also been taken off the schedule for the next two weeks, so now if you want to get paid I suggest you keep your big brown eyes trained on Alex, like I know you have been when you think no one but your clients see you screwing his brains out." He peeled up the corner of one of the bandages on John's leg to access the damages underneath, frowning as he calculated how much he would have to allow for anyone to lowball on an offer for the boy if he decided to go through with selling him. "Oh and by the way, you've got a doctor's appointment in six weeks. I want you to be peeing on a stick every morning until then and showing me your results because I know you don't have any latex allergy, Maria. And you'd better pray your birth control is as good as you said it was because I know you only told Alex that so you could get him to ride you raw and give you a sweet squirt of his baby juices. Good job trying to hide the second round of it that you went for today, but you forgot one thing Maria, and that is that no matter where you or Alex go, no matter how far you think you can run, I will always find you."

He didn't wait for her reply, hanging up on the barely contained sounds of her crying again. Really, Maria was getting to be more and more of a liability then an asset these days. Maybe he ought to look into having her retired, he'd fetch a better price for her now then later anyway. It was a shame, as she was his second highest paid actress, but maybe it was time to pass that flame along to someone else. Alex would certainly appreciate the pay raise, as would may of his other employees. He decided he'd see how they felt about it after Maria's two weeks on the bench were up and if the majority seemed pleased with the arrangements he'd go ahead and make them permanent.

And as for John Anthony Laurens...oh what to do with sweet, little John Anthony Laurens...

He ran his finger down John's torso, mining cutting into him and imagining playing with his innards. Such a shame he had a well-to-do family that meant Burr had to reconsider murder. But then, it was John's well-to-do family that was going to keep sweet, little John Laurens in line. After all, Burr already knew about the kind of father John had, the kind of mother he had. And it was such a shame they didn't know their son as well as they thought they did. He really hoped John had the good sense to thank his parents one day for everything they did for him, the standards they held him too. After all, it was because of John's parents that John would live to see another day at all. That was something he should be grateful for.

Burr pulled out a ring box he kept in his pocket and opened it, smiling coldly at the two simple rings each embedded with a single diamond in them, only one was bigger then the other. "Yes, a parent really should do everything in their power to keep their child safe, shouldn't they?" he murmured to them before snapping the box shut again and closing his fist around it.

John woke up slowly, his head feeling as if it were stuffed with cotton. The first thing he was aware of was the fact that he was still naked. As he moved, he became aware of the mess seeping between his legs and with a small jolt the details of last night began to filter back into the forefront of his brain. He remembered going out, meeting a guy, saying goodbye to Lafayette...everything else seemed a little blurry...God, how much had he had to drink last night?

Enough to need the bathroom, apparently.

He got up and made his way to what he hoped was a room with a toilet and sighed in relief as he found what he was looking for. He sat down to do his business and put his still fuzzy head in his hands. How much alcohol had he had last night? He never drank enough to get hangovers.

John finished his business and looked around the bathroom, noting with a slight sense of unease how picture perfect everything seemed, like something out of a fancy hotel. But there was nothing personal at all about the room; no hairbrush or toothbrush, no lotion, no used scented candle or ruffled hand towel. John wondered if he wasn't supposed to be there, but then thought that his date last night wouldn't have let him stay over if he wanted him out, right?

Come to think of it...where was the handsome stranger from John's fuzzy memories? He crept back to the door and double checked the bedroom he'd woken up in but, just as he'd thought, he'd woken up alone. No sign of...Lester? Leslie? Was it...Leslie? Oh great, and the guy wasn't in bed, which meant he was up and awake somewhere and John would probably have to see him on his way out...didn't he say he owned the club downstairs, or was that something John's depression and medication riddled brain had dreamed up?

He spotted his clothes on the floor and quickly bent down to collect them, gathering the garments in his arms and shutting himself back in the bathroom. He fished his phone out of the pocket of his pants and swore when he saw he only had 5% battery left. And 15 text messages from Thomas. Five from Lafayette. He opened the messages sent from his best friend first.

Hope you are having a good time, mon amie.

How is your boy? I want to hear all about him when you are done with him! :)

Thomas is getting worried, mon amie, will you text us that you are alright?

I think you are quite busy, how you say, ride that dick? :) I will leave you alone now, but please text Thomas when you have a moment, he is worried. But do not worry if you need to be busy all night, I will tell Thomas to be more chill.

It was the last message that surprised John, sent only 30 minutes ago. Bonjour John. Thomas says you never checked in with him. Please call me when you see this. It was nearly 8 am, and John couldn't think of a single reason for Lafayette to be awake this early. Unless, he'd been waiting up for John. A pang of guilt hit him and he dug through his other pocket until he found Alex's phone, saying a silent prayer of thanks when he saw Alex's phone held far more of a charge, and punching in the number of his best friend which he knew by heart. The other end of the line rang four times before the French man picked up with a, "Bonjour, qui appelle?"

"Bonjour Laf," John replied, more out of habit. "It's me, John. I—I'm using Alex's phone. Thomas killed my battery with all the messages he sent or something."

"John!" Lafayette replied, sounding at once happy and relieved. "One moment Mademoiselle, this is actually important. John, où es-tu?"

"I, uhh...I'm still at that guy's house?"

"Comment était-ce, était-il bon?"

John wanted to ask why Lafayette was speaking in only French, but the comment he'd made earlier told him that the guy was standing around people he did not want to understand what conversations he was having. "Look, can we discuss that later, I need a bit of advice."

"Que veux-tu savoir?"

"Uh...what's...what the protocol for leaving? Do I just like...put my clothes on and go? Do I need to say goodbye? Can I take a shower first, is that weird?"

"Qui était top? Vous ou lui?"

John rolled his eyes. "Who do you think, Laf? You know I don't top..."

"Prenez une douche, si vous voulez. C'est le moins qu'il puisse offrir, non? Quelle est ton adresse? Je vais vous chercher et nous pouvons prendre le petit déjeuner."

"You're gunna think this is weird, but I'm still where the club is. Like, this guy's apartment was above it. At least, I think that's the case..." John checked the GPS on his phone and confirmed he was still at the location of the club they'd went too last night. "Yep, still at the club."

"Eh bien, prenez une douche et préparez-vous. Je serai dehors quand je viendrai te chercher, d'accord?"

"Okay, I'll see you in a bit Laf. Thanks."

"Je t'aime."

"I love you too." John hung up the phone and sighed. He stood up and locked the bathroom door in case Leslie came looking for him, then thought he was being silly. They'd just had sex, what did he think was gunna happen? Leslie was gunna bust in here and murder him with an ax? That was...ridiculous. And yet, John couldn't help feeling like he needed to lock the door.

He waited a minute after turning the shower on to see if anyone would come knocking, but when the apartment stayed silent John cautiously made his way into the shower and cleaned himself up. Or tried to, there was no soap. No washcloth or loofah. No shampoo, tho John didn't expect to have to borrow that. When he got out he realized the towels that were hanging on the rack were the decorative kind his mother had in their house, the kind she'd told her children a hundred times never to use as actual towels, they were meant only to look nice. But John couldn't see anything else for him to use, so he carefully removed one and patted himself dry with it, a touch of guilt coloring his emotions as he did so. He was very careful to hang it back up exactly as he'd seen it before sitting down on the bathtub edge to examine the wounds under his bandages. He decided the pads were becoming redundant, as the cuts had clearly clotted over and besides, he felt bad enough using Leslie's shower without asking; he didn't want to go snooping around for a first aid kit he had a feeling he wouldn't find.

John dressed himself and ran his hair through damp curls, mildly annoyed that he hadn't been able to find his hair tie. Oh well, he had a bunch back at the dorm. He unlocked the door and peeked out into the bedroom again, noting once more the lack of personal touch to the area. If it weren't for the mussed sheets, John would have sworn this room never got used for anything. He tried to smooth out the winkles of the sheets, but wasn't sure what to do about the bottle of lube or the, ahem, mess in the sheets from their activities, so he just put a pillow over it and shuffled quickly to the door.

The bedroom opened into a niche and John stepped out from it into a dining area. A long table set for eight with fine china, and John wondered if there was to be a dinner party later. There was a large open concept living room with all the comforts, but still nothing personal. No family photos, no clutter of knicknacks, no real signs that anyone even lived in the apartment. John felt goosebumps raise as he slowly wandered around, trying to remember where the front door was. He found an immaculate kitchen, two more bedrooms as devoid of personal belongings as the one he'd woken up in, even a laundry room that looked like it was never used and no sign of Leslie anywhere. Finally he found the front door with a note tapped to it, his name scribbled across the front.

John,

Sorry I couldn't be here when you woke up, you're welcome to help yourself to a shower and breakfast before you go, and I know my place looks like a neat freak lives there, but don't worry about any mess you make. I keep a maid service well paid to clean my place so it'll likely be put to rights by the time I get home anyway. I had a really great time last night. Hope you don't mind, but I got your number from the phone you had in your pocket. I'll call you later. There's a few things I want to discuss with you and until then I would appreciate if you kept quiet about us.

Leslie

PS The code to lock the place up behind you is 1804#, just punch it in to the keypad on the right and it'll give you 30 seconds to get out and close the door behind you. The guard downstairs will show you out.

He wondered what things Leslie wanted to talk about as he keyed in the code. Or maybe that was just what he'd said to try to let John down easy that he wouldn't want to see him again. Ah well, either way John was satisfied with the encounter, so if he called, great. And if he didn't? Well, surprisingly John felt that would be a blessing too. He stepped into the waiting elevator and hit the button for the ground floor.

Wait a minute... He dug in his pockets and puled out both his and Alex's phone. Which phone did he mean? He had to have meant Alex's, John's phone had a lock on it and it needed his fingerprint and face to unlock it. But it's not like Leslie wouldn't have had access to those things last night. Had...Had the guy gone through his phone while John slept?!

The doors to the elevator opened and John stepped out into the same little guardroom he faintly remembered from the night before. Only this time the guard sitting behind the desk was the man he'd met last night named Oak.

END CHAPTER