Chapter 5

Justin couldn't help having a bit of idle curiosity as he was driven from the small airport, to what was obviously to be an undisclosed location. He assumed that was where this so-called 'hunt' would commence. He wasn't nearly as naïve as the almighty Sultan seemed to think. Despite his brave speech, he did realize his odds of eluding him were slim at best. However, he had decided to play the game. For what reason, he still remained uncertain.

Why had he agreed to Brian's terms? Had it been due to the hopelessness of his own life? The job that the manipulative Sultan had cost him hadn't been the end of the world; however, his constant inability to get ahead had been. It had seemed every door he ever got partially opened, only resulted in being slammed in his face. This had seemed ideal - that was, in the event that he could win the wager and leave here with a small fortune in his pockets. Looking around at the terrain that was more populated than he had thought when he imagined this island, Justin found his hopes of finding seclusion for 24 hours all the more unlikely.

Leaning his head back against the seat, his eyes only partially closed, Justin gave the impression of a man that was beaten, one that wouldn't put up a fight. Let them think that, he thought. As he rested, and gave the appearance he wasn't observing anything; in fact, he was taking everything in. The land seemed far more vast than he'd ever expected. In fact, nothing about this reality was what he had imagined. For some reason, he had expected something far smaller and desolate from Brian's little island. The truth of the matter was - it was anything but that. There were businesses being maintained on this island, a population larger than he could have expected. Perhaps someone would help him, even if only to hide him until the bet was over. His hand clutching at the parcel that he knew contained his necessities for this day long journey, Justin realized that was his only hope.

He wasn't sure how long they had travelled when the car came to a sudden stop. One thing Justin did realize, though. They had left the city and was in what was more isolated terrain. He was left with two options, really. Did he turn back and try to hide out in what was obviously the largest populated area of the island? He wasn't sure that was the wisest course of action. How could he trust anyone? In fact, he couldn't even communicate with them. So far, he hadn't discerned any that spoke English. He hadn't thought about that part of his predicament before starting this journey. In hindsight, there was so much he hadn't considered.

Abruptly, the driver urged him out of the vehicle, his orders very precise. He had been commanded by the Sultan to drive the young American around in a way that he couldn't find his way back to the airport. The detour through town was deceptive in a couple of ways. The boy could venture back, and seek help; however, that would just tighten the trap around him all the more. Most of those residents were loyal to the Sultan. He wouldn't find help there - that was, if any could even understand what would be ramblings to them. In addition, the town was far removed from the airport. The circles they had taken disguised that fact. Now, the boy would have a choice. Go back to town, or find his way with the provisions and offerings he had been given.

Snickering to himself, Halif deduced that the unknowing American would ride his horse directly into the Sultan's palace. How amusing of a sight that would be, except to the unsuspecting young man. With regret, he nodded his head in farewell, almost saddened his job was done. It would have been amusing to watch the young fox penned in. The true winner of this hunt never in doubt.

Looking over his shoulder as the driver he had briefly heard referred to as Halif, drove away in a cloud of smoke and dust, Justin slowly treaded over to his horse, thankful that it wasn't too large to mount. It took a couple of attempts to raise himself up; his experience on the back of a horse too slight to make a difference. Pursing his lips together, his eyes closing as he urged the horse forward, he hoped he could handle this part of his adventure. The last thing he needed would be getting thrown from his horse, and left out here alone to walk on foot.

Casting one last look at the town that was still visible, Justin shook his head and moved in the opposite direction. He didn't trust that town. His reasoning was clear in his own mind. Why would they drop him off so close to the edge of it - if it would benefit him to return there? No. That was a trap, and one he wouldn't succumb to. As the horse slowly moved into a trot, Justin was oblivious to the eyes that followed his progress. Had he saw them, he would have known his fate had truly been sealed from the moment the primitive Sultan had first laid eyes on him.

Brian barely looked up from his coffee when Ben slipped into his suite, his attention more on the file before him. He took another slight sip before replacing the cup on the saucer, a smile curving his lips. "Ahhhh, American coffee. It's quite good, actually - when done right. It doesn't compare with what I have back home... but, it is definitely enjoyable."

Ben arched a brow as he moved closer to his Sultan, for once unable to decipher his temperament. It was an alarming realization for him. He could always read Brian so well. Doing so made keeping his Sultan safe much simpler of a task. To be unsure of Brian's mood and intentions - here and now - wasn't a place of comfort for him. "I'll take your word on that, Sire."

"My dear Benjamin, you need to broaden your horizons. Everything pleasing in the world is not always found on the isle of Al Duran."

"I imagine it isn't; however, it is pleasing enough that I haven't found the desire to look elsewhere." Ben glanced at his watch, silently observing they had a short amount of time before their departure to the airport, more than a bit surprised by his Sultan's apparent nonchalance, most particularly in light of the bizarre circumstances at the end of their trip.

Brian curled his lip in irritation. "Apparently that wasn't always the case. After all, you did find Michael here in America, quickly deducing he wasn't something you wished to live without."

"That is correct." Ben looked at his Sultan with many questions in his mind. Something was very off with him. He didn't like this feeling at all. He wasn't going to touch the topic of Michael. There had never been any doubt in his mind that Brian disapproved of his choice. It was his hope that in time the Sultan and his partner would have a more amicable relationship; at this point in time, it didn't seem very likely. "Sire? Is everything okay? We should be preparing to leave, and you give the impression that time is of no value."

Standing to his feet, Brian picked up the all important file, before pushing his coffee aside. "My preparations were finished hours ago. The car is due to be picking us up shortly."

"I see." Ben looked around, a frown creasing his face. "Your luggage is already downstairs?"

Nodding, Brian agreed, "Yes, it is. I wanted no unnecessary delays this morning." Indeed not, he thought to himself. Delays were the last thing he wanted from this day. So much would be awaiting him at home. First, and foremost, would be the reunion with his son; then, before any other business called his attention, it would be the claiming of his new slave. He could hardly wait to be home again. Visions of Justin's semi-clad body being brought to his private chambers, all for the express purpose of giving him pleasure, tormented him long into the night. He had promised to be patient, and not force the issue; he would hold to that, doing anything less wasn't his way. However, he knew it would be difficult to manage. His greatest hope was that a similar need would be instilled in his soon-to-be captive. One that had the beautiful blond rushing headfirst into his arms.

His head lowered, knowing this was the only way he would be brave enough to ask the question, Ben brazened, "I take by your haste you didn't rescind your plans regarding young Justin?"

"I really don't care to have this disagreement with you again, Ben. I made my choice; it is final!" Brian snapped. He knew his anger was unreasonable... and yet, he wasn't accustomed to having his demands being questioned. He could understand it from Ben's point of view, though. As Sultan, he had never used his power in such a conniving way. In the past, he had extended offers to the men selected to his harem. Whether they accepted or not had been completely up to them. Justin hadn't been afforded such a choice. He couldn't take the chance with him. For one, they had met on his last night in America; however, more important than that, he just wanted him too fucking badly. He couldn't risk a rejection in his case. This entire process had to be unsettling for Ben. Never had he proceeded with a man so ruthlessly. As wrong as he knew it might have been, he didn't and wouldn't regret it. Justin was meant to be his... and before long, that was exactly what he would be.

"I apologize, Sultan. It's just so uncommon... and I fear for how he will disrupt your household."

Brian tapped Ben on the shoulder, his way of urging him to meet his gaze. "I am not blind to that, Benjamin. He will have a difficult time adjusting to the harem; and, I daresay, the other slaves won't make that easy on him. A couple of them are prone to such jealousy. He will spark disfavor in them immediately."

"His attitude won't benefit him, either." Ben smiled as he thought of Brian's harem slaves. "They are all fiercely loyal to you."

"They are each unique in their own way; however, yes, I think Justin will set himself apart from the rest." Brian smiled as he thought of the mischief he felt to be lurking behind the malevolent look in Justin's eyes, in particular, how much fun he would have in provoking it. He would bring him such pleasure; in fact, if Justin's responses even remotely matched the fire he displayed in his anger, they would be volatile together. In time, after Justin had more fully accepted his fate, Brian wondered how much time he would spend with his other slaves. There had never been a man that he had favored for more than a night or two above the others. Brian wasn't certain that would be the case with Justin. If that turned out to be the case, Justin's presence in the harem could be a disruption of lasting duration.

Checking his watch again, Ben obliquely observed, "If my translation is correct, Justin should have landed in Al Duran. He should be starting his journey."

Brian chuckled. "Not much of a journey - so to speak, but, in his mind, yes, it should be."

Following behind as Brian walked out of the suite, he waited until he was in the elevator with him, the guards discreetly flanking them, before he whispered, "He never stood a chance. Did he?"

"I never lose, Benjamin." A cold, cunning look fell over Brian's face. "Of course, you know that."

"Yes, I know that, Sire. However, I had hoped-"

His head snapped around, his eyes stabbing into Ben's when he spat out, "Hoped what? That I would let him ride around my island undetected? Have you forgotten who I am, Benjamin? An enemy could seize him unprotected; I can't take that chance."

"I hadn't thought of that, Sultan. It will just be disheartening for Justin to realize he never stood a chance." Ben didn't have a doubt the boy's devastation would turn into outright rebellion. Even in their short acquaintance, some variables were known. Justin Taylor didn't back down from a fight, and this was the fight of his lifetime. He couldn't win. The odds were unreasonably stacked against him.

Brian shrugged his shoulders, unwilling to admit that he didn't want to see a defeated look in his precious blond captive. He wanted to see the fire of many different passions - ones that he could offer a response, each one in their own fashion. Enforcing a cold, uncaring look on his face, Brian fervently responded, "That will enable him to accept his fate more fully."

Knowing he was going too far, especially in front of witnesses, Ben grumbled, "It's not fair to him, Sire. We both know that."

One look was all it took for Brian's guards to look down and away from the anger his most trusted guard had just provoked. Had they felt free to speak, or act, they would each request to be anywhere but inside this elevator that moved entirely too slowly for each of them. Brian's lips set into a grim line, he spat out venomously, "Watch yourself, Benjamin. I may allow you to advise me on many matters - however, this is not one of them."

"I beg your forgiveness, Sultan. I overstepped my bounds." Ben hung his head lower than he had ever done with his Sultan. He wasn't sure why he was being so argumentative with him - especially now. Brian was correct. Justin wandering around Al Duran unprotected when he was obviously there for the Sultan could be suicidal for the young man. Of course, Brian would want him monitored, not only to easily capture him, but to ensure his safety as well. In his mind, though, he did find that a convenient set of circumstances. He wasn't sure Brian wouldn't have cheated in any situation. Clearly, he wanted the boy that much.

"I don't want to speak of this again. I have made my decision, and it is your duty to adhere to that." He reflected briefly on Ben's words, unable to argue the validity of them. "Life is rarely fair, Benjamin. After the report I read on Justin, he has nothing to hold him here. His life will be good, he only has to accept his new surroundings and limitations."

Ben nodded; he wasn't about to state his opinion further. Young Justin didn't strike him as the type of man to adapt to enforced circumstances. A rebellion would be imminent. In the end, he only hoped the boy proved to be worth all the chaos his presence would create. One thing was more than clear to him. His job had just become more precarious. Once Justin began his harem life, and without a doubt, in time, the Sultan's most prized possession, life would forever be altered. For all of them.

TBC