Nathan was so pissed as he looked at Eliot, chained and drugged in the holding cell, that he wanted to beat the man half to death. The younger man wore nothing save faded slave pants that had holes in different places. His chest seemed unusually defined, his arms more muscled than Nathan remembered, and his bare feet somehow looked…vulnerable. Despite the sad state Eliot was in, anger continued to thrum through Nathan.

The guard asked doubtfully, “I don’t know, Sir, are you sure you can handle him?”

Nodding, Nathan said firmly, “I can handle him. Open the door.”

Lips pursed skeptically, the guard did so and Nathan stepped inside the barren cement cell. There wasn’t even any furniture, probably on the assumption that Eliot would be able to escape by breaking it apart somehow. He’d been placed in the ward for the most dangerous slaves; Category Nine, the ‘unmanageables,’ those who could either physically overcome just about anyone, or were psychologically adept at manipulating those around them into doing whatever they wanted. Eliot was capable of both and had been scheduled for termination, along with all of the others in the wing.

Eliot looked up at Nathan blearily, clearly fighting the numbing effects of the drugs as he slurred, “Nathan, sorry. I shouldna been caught. Someone ratted me out. Too many, even for me.”

Glaring down at him, Nathan snapped, “Don’t speak unless I tell you to, slave. If I hear one more word from your lying, betraying lips, I will gag you. And if you try to talk then, I will cane you. Do you understand me?”

While the drugs had clearly slowed Eliot’s physical processes, his mind wasn’t that far gone. And whether it was Nathan’s tone or words, probably both, something obviously told Eliot that he was skating on very thin ice. That Nathan’s fury was very real and not part of a cover. Nodding, Eliot slowly climbed to his feet, using the wall for support as the shackles clanked unpleasantly from his ankles and wrists. They were tightly cinched, leaving Eliot very little room to maneuver, which was exactly the point.

Nathan’s eyebrows rose when he noticed the hard-on and he glanced at the guard.

Smirking, the guard answered, “Side-effect of the drugs. Makes ‘em randy as goats. Most of the other guards’re tempted to take advantage of it, but these ones’re too dangerous for me.”

“Smart man,” Nathan said, knowing that anyone who tried to rape Eliot would end up dead no matter how tightly bound he was. “Move it, slave. Keep behind me and keep up or I’m leaving you here.”

Ignoring the loud clashing of the chains from behind as Eliot struggled to keep up, Nathan strode at his usual pace. It had only been chance that Alec had discovered Eliot arrested and ready to be put down as a Category Nine. If it had been even a day later, the young man would have been exterminated with a shot to the head, organs transplanted to the worthy, and then buried in an unmarked grave. Nathan knew that part of his anger came from fear at how close Eliot had come to dying, but the other part was a righteous burning that he’d been so thoroughly disobeyed. His rules had been flouted and not only had Eliot paid the ultimate cost, but he’d also come so very close to exposing them all and that, was unforgivable.

Nathan reached the plain sedan they kept in reserve for ‘official’ type stings and held open the back door. Eliot half-fell inside, not saying a word. Nathan barely waited until the slave had pulled his feet in to slam the door shut. He climbed in the driver’s seat and started the car, warning with a look in the rearview mirror, “I meant what I said back there. Not a word.”

Eliot remained silent.

Nathan had used his own personal money to buy Eliot, not wanting to divide the group over him. Parker with the notion that Eliot could be her own personal boy-toy would definitely result in bloodshed. It wasn’t the money that had been most difficult, though; slaves in Eliot’s category were cheap. It had been persuading the authorities in charge that Nathan wouldn’t end up a smear on the wall at Eliot’s hands that had presented the biggest difficulty.

While most slaves were sold to whoever had the most money, Category Nines were overseen with extreme prejudice. It had really only been his previous history as an Investigator that had allowed him a shot at Eliot. He’d made a lot of important contacts over the years and had used a few favors to get to the man in charge of the local Nines, Master Gregory Reynolds. Once in his office, Nathan had presented a dispassionate litany of why Eliot was better alive in his custody, than dead. The discussion had ended with a number of unspecified jobs to be taken care of in the future and Eliot had been sold to Nathan at Reynolds’ discretion.

And now Nathan had to figure out how to break Eliot without really breaking him. He had to make Eliot want to be his slave for this to work. If he couldn’t rein in the young man, if he couldn’t get to his submissive side, then all Eliot had gotten was a reprieve. Reynolds had been implacable about a review in three months to see if the young man remained a danger to the public.

Pulling into the garage of his apartment building, Nathan got out of the car and opened the back door. He didn’t wait for Eliot to get out, instead walking to the elevator and jabbing the call button with unnecessary force. Eliot had shuffled over by the time it arrived and Nathan got in without a word, the slave following with equal silence.

After six months of working together, Eliot was still mostly a mystery to Nathan. While he showed care and concern for the group at large, and Nathan in particular, Eliot had absolutely no problem dishing out violence on an astounding scale to those he deemed deserved it. Stepping into his apartment directly from the elevator, Nathan walked into the living room and stopped, turning to face his new slave. Eliot looked back at him warily, as if unsure what to expect, which pleased him.

The more off-balance Eliot was, the better.

Nathan took out the keys to the chains and spent the next five minutes unshackling Eliot. His wrists and ankles were bruised and cut from struggling, scabs formed already in the three days since he’d been marked for death. Nathan dropped the shackles off to the side with a loud clatter.

“Here’s the situation,” he began. “As of three p.m. today, you were going to be shot in the back of the head, your organs harvested, and then buried in an unmarked grave. That fate still waits for you if the man in charge of the Category Nines, of which you are now an official member, decides you remain a danger to the public. You’ve got three months to live if you keep going the way you are now. You can run, it’s not like I can stop you, and live your life as a fugitive. I’m sure you could even do it successfully for a number of years, but once you’re on their radar, the Empire always finds you in the end and you know it. Do you understand all of that, or are the drugs interfering?”

“I understand,” Eliot answered.

He didn’t sound quite as slurred as before and he stood a little more easily, as if the drugs were wearing off. Nodding, Nathan continued, “Good. Here is your new reality. You are my slave. I bought you. I own you until you die. There are no ands, ifs, or buts about it. You call me Master. If you need something, you ask nicely and you say ‘please, Master.’ You do what I say, when I say it. You obey every single rule I lay down. You do not talk back to anyone, not even Parker or Alec. You touch no one under your own initiative. You keep your eyes on the ground and walk behind me. You go nowhere without me. And that’s just to start.”

Nathan watched Eliot closely, noting the flex of his jaw and the way his hands clenched and unclenched. But he didn’t respond and his eyes lowered to the floor, which was actually more than Nathan had expected. Time to push things a little.

“Yes, you will eventually share my bed. Yes, you will get fucked by, or fuck, whoever I say. You will not respond with violence to anything done to you. I may beat you, I may cane you, I may even chain you up and leave you for hours at a time just because I feel like it. You don’t exist without me, slave, and whatever I do to you, you will accept. Strip and throw those out. Proper slaves don’t wear clothes.”

Eliot hesitated and then shoved down the faded cotton pants, picking them up and putting them in the trash in the kitchen. He returned to his previous spot and stood, waiting for the next order, his dick standing out at attention.

“I have work to do. Don’t move from that spot,” Nathan ordered and then just left him there.

Nathan pulled out his cell phone and called Sophie.

“Do you have him?” she demanded.

Nathan sat on the sofa and answered, “I have him. We’re at my apartment and I don’t want to be disturbed, understand?”

“Nate, do you really think…”

“No one, Sophie, and I mean it. He’s fine and I’m fine. We’re going to spend some…quality time together and that won’t happen with you guys coming over.”

She heaved a sigh and said, “Fine. But Nate, remember that it’s not his fault. It’s just part of who he is, so don’t punish him for that. We’re all the way we are because it’s in our nature.”

Nathan grunted noncommittally. “I’ll see you next week. Tell everyone to go have some fun. Legal fun. One slave in the group is all I’m going to allow.”

“Of course, darling,” she purred and then hung up.

Rolling his eyes, Nathan hung up and tossed the cell aside. He turned on the laptop and the television, flipping through channels until he came to a news station, knowing how much that would drive Eliot crazy. Settling the laptop on his thighs, Nathan checked his emails, going through them and sorting them into ‘urgent’ and ‘secondary’ status depending on the situation of those involved.

It was a few hours later that he got up and walked by Eliot on his way to the kitchen. A light sweat covered the slave’s face and body, a visible tremor running through him as he remained upright. Nathan filled a glass of water and then drank it in front of him before going back into the kitchen and fixing a sandwich. He ate it in front of the slave, keeping his eyes on Eliot’s face, even though the other’s eyes were on the floor. Eliot breathed through his mouth, as if trying not to smell the sandwich, and his hands clenched, but he didn’t move.

Nodding to himself, Nathan returned to the sofa and sat back down. He changed the channel to some inane reality show and started researching possibilities on the two most urgent jobs. They would have to wait until next week, but he could do the footwork in the meantime. He responded to each saying that they were in the middle of a job and would contact them the following week with a timetable for when the families could expect assistance.

It was almost six hours after getting home that Eliot finally collapsed. Nathan forced himself to stay exactly where he was when all he wanted to do was rush over and help the other man. It was another twenty minutes before Eliot whispered, “Please, help me.…Master.”

Nathan immediately stood and walked over to him, crouching by the fallen man. Eliot looked terrible, curled up in a ball on the floor. His hair stuck to him from the sweat and his face was pasty, his eyes half-closed as he shivered almost constantly. Shaking his head, Nathan said, “Why do you make it so difficult on yourself?”

There was no response, but it was mostly a rhetorical question anyhow. Sophie was right in that it was just Eliot’s nature to be as self-sufficient and independent as possible. Asking for help under any circumstance went against the grain for the man, but he had to learn, and fast, that everything now came from Nathan.

Putting one of Eliot’s arms over his shoulder, Nathan hauled him upright, grimacing at the sour smell of him and his clammy skin. It took a real effort to pull him over a shoulder and then stand up, staggering a few steps before catching his balance. The man was solid muscle, his lean frame deceptive in the extreme. Nathan walked to the bathroom and set him on the toilet, leaning him against the sink. When he was sure that Eliot wouldn’t fall over, Nathan turned on the hot water in the tub and flipped the plug into place.

“All right, let’s get you clean,” Nathan said.

He half-lifted Eliot into the tub, though the slave helped a little, taking some of his own weight on the move. Groaning as the hot water surrounded him, Eliot shuddered and held tight to Nathan, pressing his face against Nathan’s throat. Remembering what the guard had said about the drugs’ side-effects, he stayed still for a moment and let the other man compose himself.

Finally released, Nathan stood up, watching the water rise over Eliot until he was covered and then turned off the water. Pulling off his own shirt, Nathan tossed it aside and knelt beside the tub. He washed Eliot gently, with care, showing the other what it could be like if he only let it happen. He washed over the groin area without trying to arouse, not having decided to what extent he should use sex.

Eliot groaned and came without warning even from just so little stimulation. The flush over the slave’s face intensified and Nathan was caught between admiring how gorgeous the man looked like that, naked and trembling, and wanting to do a lot more than just wash him. He settled on a neutral, “It’s just a side-effect, Eliot, don’t worry about it,” continuing his washing.

Satisfied that the slave was as clean as he could be without being able to assist or stand, Nathan drained the tub and then started a fresh batch of hot water. He poured in some lavender and Epsom bath salts and said, “Relax for a little while, I’ll be back.”

Outside the bathroom, Nathan took a deep, deep breath, ruthlessly quelling the sudden need that demanded he go back in there and Claim Eliot in no uncertain terms. There were a number of ways to make Eliot his, to bind the slave to him, but force would absolutely not do it. Nathan groaned softly to himself and leaned against the wall while viciously twisting his dick until the pain deflated it.

At that point, he wasn’t all that sure he would survive breaking Eliot.

* * * *

The water felt so good that Eliot couldn’t even begin to describe it. Being clean for the first time in almost a week had a lot to do with it, but the heat seeping into tired and abused muscles was just about perfect, too. The drugs were definitely still interfering with his body; he felt sluggish and unresponsive even taking into account the lack of food, the beatings, and the exhaustion.

When Nathan had walked into that cell, it had been all Eliot could do not to crawl over and kiss the man’s feet. And then the gratitude and relief had turned in on itself at the coldly furious tone and hard words. He’d thought it was a con for all of about thirty seconds. When he’d realized that Nathan had been completely serious, Eliot had felt a glimmer of real fear. There wasn’t much that frightened him, certainly not in the physical sense of the word, but losing Nathan Ford’s respect topped his list.

The dictation of rules while standing nude under Nathan’s gaze had been hard to hear. Not the rules themselves, those didn’t bother him, but the cold tone in which they’d been uttered. He understood, mentally, why Nathan was taking this route even though it wasn’t necessary. The other man thought that Eliot would rebel, maybe escape altogether despite the tracker in his body. Part of him wanted to do just that, but Nathan had been right about the Empire, too. They always found the fugitives because men and women like Nathan were the hunters.

Eliot had always been a survivor and that was because he adapted. He would adapt to this new set of circumstances just as he always had in the past, but possibly with greater ease. Despite what Nathan had said earlier, Eliot knew the other man would never hurt him. He might beat him or cane him, maybe he would even chain him up and leave him for hours though Eliot doubted that, but Nathan would never cause permanent damage. And he damn sure wouldn’t give Eliot over to anyone else unwilling.

So now he drifted in the comfort of Nathan’s large tub, soft jets of water buffeting his body and the lassitude of coming still washing over him. It had been completely out of his control, just like Nathan had said, and he’d know the other man wasn’t trying to get him off, but the response lingered. Not that he was complaining, because it beat the hell out of the kicks and punches he’d gotten while drugged up and unable to fight back. They’d made sure to give him no leeway in the shackles.

“Fall asleep in there?”

Eliot shook his head and started to push upright, but Nathan crouched beside the tub and held him down.

“No, just checking that you weren’t going to drown yourself. I need to know if…do you have any injuries I can’t see?”

Nathan’s carefully worded question to see if he’d been raped, Eliot knew. “No.” and then he forced out, “Master.”

Out of all of it, that one word would be the most difficult to assimilate. Eliot had been on his own for so long, answering to no one, that to do so now in such a severe way grated.

“Good,” Nathan murmured.

He left again and Eliot relaxed back into the tub, wondering what the other man thought of the current situation. He’d never struck Eliot as an Abolitionist, but he hadn’t owned slaves either. Alec had peeked into Nathan’s finances towards the beginning and even before the Nigerian Job, the man had been loaded. Not that the money had saved his son, the treatment withheld on a pretext just long enough for the boy to die as a result. Eliot still wondered who Nathan had pissed off so bad that his son had paid the price.

Just as he began to drift into sleep, Nathan returned and ordered, “C’mon. Out of the tub before you fall in.”

It was even more difficult to move now that he’d rested. The drugs had worn off enough that he had more control, but less strength. His dick was still half-hard, which was embarrassing, but Nathan ignored it as he manhandled Eliot out of the tub. Feeling the other man dry him off restarted the endless cycle of arousal he’d been subject to since his arrest and subsequent drugging. At least it wasn’t as strong as before.

Eliot leaned on Nathan as the other man brought him into the bedroom down the hall. A pallet of blankets lay on the floor at the foot of the bed, which was where Nathan deposited him, albeit gently.

“You sleep there until you earn my trust again.”

The words hurt more than Eliot wanted to admit. He opened his mouth to say something, maybe apologize, and then closed it again in frustration. Nathan left the room without letting him speak but returned shortly with a bowl of soup, which he handed down to Eliot. Taking it in both hands, Eliot drank the hot broth slowly and gratefully. The flavor burst on his tongue, strong but not overpowering. He finished it in minutes and wordlessly gave the bowl back.

Nathan left the room again and Eliot sat there, unsure whether he was supposed to sleep, or just stay there. The other man returned a minute later with something dangling from his hand. That something turned out to be a plain, leather strap and Nathan wrapped it around Eliot’s throat, snapping it on from behind. It was cheap, rough leather and liable to fall off if he breathed too deeply. It said clearly that Nathan didn’t value him in the least and Eliot flushed in a combination of shame and indignation.

“You wear that until you earn my trust again.”

The words effectively killed the wind in his offended sails and Eliot let out a sigh, but nodded.

“Go to sleep.”

Eliot lay back and pulled the blankets over him. It wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly, but it certainly wasn’t the level of ease to which he’d grown accustomed over the last six months. Nathan turned the lights off on his way out, not saying another word to him and Eliot wondered how long the other man would keep up the relative silent treatment. It was the least of what he deserved, Eliot knew, but didn’t make things any more pleasant.

Adding insult to injury, the damned ‘Chain’ actually did pop off when he heaved a sigh.

* * * *

Nathan stood over Eliot’s sleeping form for a long time later that night. The glass of scotch in his hand felt heavier than usual, souring his stomach in a way it hadn’t in a long time. Eliot looked even younger while sleeping, one of his hands cupped under his cheek and hair fanned out on the pillow.

His life is yours now, Nathan thought to himself. You screw up, he dies.

He glanced at the glass of alcohol weighing down his hand and sighed, but walked to the kitchen and dumped it out. Rinsing the glass, he set it in the dishwasher and then went to the bathroom, splashing some water on his face and then staring at his reflection for too long. He made a face at himself and then brushed his teeth before heading back to the bedroom.

Stripping off the pants, he tossed them at the hamper and slid under the covers only to stare at the ceiling for a long time. Nathan woke between one breath and the next, not having remembered falling asleep or even wanting to. Yawning, he scrubbed a hand over his face and through his hair before returning to his state of staring at the ceiling. The shadows were more prominent thank to the coming dawn, but not very interesting.

He rolled out of bed and padded silently to the bathroom, taking care of business and getting into the shower. The hot water woke him the rest of the way and Nathan sighed as he wondered what in hell he would do all day. What little busywork he’d had was half-way done already. It wasn’t like he would be happy just lounging round all day, he wasn’t built that way.

Nathan got out of the shower and dried off, walking back to the bedroom to find Eliot awake and sitting up, although he hadn’t left the blankets on the floor. “Go ahead and relieve yourself if you have to.”

Eliot nodded and climbed slowly to his feet, wobbling on his way out of the room, but not falling over.

Giving the slave’s back a grimace, Nathan thought, Figures he can make a strip of leather look good.

He got dressed, keeping it casual in jeans and a light shirt. Eliot returned as he was pulling on socks, walking to the blankets and sitting back down. Which actually isn’t a bad idea, Nathan mused silently. Aloud, he asked, “Are you still tired?”

“Yes…Master,” Eliot replied.

There was still an audible hesitation, but the word had come faster than the night before.

Nathan’s lips twisted into a wry grin as he said, “Sleep until you don’t need to. Eat when you’re hungry. Relieve yourself when you have to. You can do all of that without needing permission for now.”

“Thank you…Master.”

Nathan nodded and left the bedroom for the kitchen and something to eat. He grabbed an apple and poured some milk, taking both back to the living room and turning on the news. Nothing good was going on in the world, not that he’d expected anything different, and he turned on his laptop. He tracked Eliot’s movements when the slave walked into the kitchen and then back towards the bedroom with a glass of juice and a sandwich.

Shrugging, Nathan returned to sorting his emails and responding to the new ones that had come in overnight. It was almost discouraging to see how many people got screwed over by the people who should’ve had more honor. Would have been discouraging, if he didn’t already think all those people in power were assholes who had no honor in the first place. It seemed like the more money and power someone got, the more likely it was they would turn out evil.

Lunch came and went before he saw Eliot again. This time the slave brought his sandwich to the living room and asked, eyes still on the floor, “May I eat in here, Master?”

Almost no hesitation at all that time, so Nathan decided to reward him. “Have a seat on the floor.”

“Thank you, Master.”

For a good ten minutes, Nathan watched the back of Eliot’s head more than the television. He finally shook off the odd mood and started surfing the online news sites. As time went on, Eliot’s head lowered onto Nathan’s knee and he slowly began to lean more and more against Nathan. Just as he was reaching to do something stupid like caress the fine hair, Alec popped onto their private IM system and saved him from himself.

AH: how’s our boy doing?

Nathan rolled his eyes at the screen, but typed…

NF: He’s fine, Alec. What did I tell Sophie about interruptions?

AH: hey, you’re online so it’s not interrupting!

NF: Technicality.

AH: really, how’s he doing? can’t be takin the slave thing good

Nathan looked at the back of Eliot’s head again and then typed…

NF: Seems fine so far.

AH: calm before the storm. don’t forget to lockdown all sharp and pointy objects.

NF: Goodbye, Alec.

AH: see ya.

Nathan shook his head and closed out the program, but thought about what Alec had said. And about what Sophie had said the day before. Eliot was taking everything really well. Much better than Nathan could have anticipated, truth be told, and he couldn’t thank the drugs anymore because they had to either be out of his system completely, or almost gone by then.

He didn’t fool himself into thinking that Eliot was actually submitting to him. No, he was surviving the best way he knew how, which was to adapt to new circumstances. Eliot could obey him without submitting in the least. He could obey Nathan with a smile on his face and still not be in the least a slave, except in name. The problem, of course, was that Eliot didn’t fear him or love him. One of them was required for someone to submit and neither applied in this case.

Nathan closed the laptop with a loud click, which jolted Eliot upright. That told him the man had actually fallen asleep and probably hadn’t meant to be leaning on him. He ordered softly, “Face me, Eliot.”

Eliot immediately turned around, though his eyes remained on the floor.

“Tell me what you did that got you arrested. Don’t leave anything out.”

“I was in…”

“No. Look at me and tell me.”

Eliot’s eyes lifted to meet his, the pale blue as unreadable as always. “I was in Brooklyn to help a friend in trouble with some bad people.”

“The mob?”

“Yeah. Anyhow. I was just going to reason with the guy who’d been harassing him but things got out of control. He got out of control. I figure now it was on purpose, but I don’t know why. All I know is that we got into it and he left alive, but showed up dead the next morning. Someone conveniently fingered me and there were about thirty cops banging down my hotel door. I almost got away, but someone got off a lucky shot and I got hit with a taser.”

Jesus, Nathan thought. Thirty cops and he still almost got away.

“So that’s the story. Someone wanted me out of the way and they definitely got that,” Eliot finished with a shrug.

Nodding thoughtfully, Nathan leaned back on the sofa and stared into space for a few minutes. It did sound like a setup. It sounded like a huge setup. Pulling out his cell, he called Sophie.

“I’m rather in the middle of something, Nate, can’t this wait?” Sophie answered, sounding out of breath.

“Whoever you’re with, get out,” Nathan ordered.

Parker’s voice came on the phone with, “She’s with me. Why? What’s going on?”

Nathan’s mind just about shorted out as he played out the possibilities of what they were doing that had them both breathless. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Where ah, where are you both?”

Sophie answered, “My place, why?”

“Eliot was set up. I don’t know if it was personal or maybe against us as a group. Until we know for sure, I don’t want any of you going off with old friends, flames, whatever. Just ah, stay together,” he finished.

Sophie’s laugh was pure wickedness and she replied, “That, we can do. Bye, darling.”

Nathan shivered at Parker’s giggle and then, thankfully, the line disconnected. He muttered, “I think I need a cold shower,” and then dialed Alec.

“So much for no interruptions,” Alec greeted.

Nathan countered, “Anyone contact you personally about helping them out with something?”

“No, why?”

Nathan explained what was going on and ended with the same warning not to go off with anyone.

“So what’s this mean for Eliot?”

“Nothing,” Nathan answered. “And we’re still going to have the next four days alone together. I just don’t want you or the girls to end up in a similar fate while we’re holed up.”

“Nate…”

“I don’t want to hear it, Hardison.”

Nathan hung up before the black man could protest further. Alec and Eliot had become reluctant, but good friends over the last six months, much to Nathan’s surprise. Alec actually seemed to be having a harder time with Eliot’s newfound slavery than Eliot. Looking back at Eliot, Nathan asked softly, “What would it take to make you fall in love with me?”

Surprise flittered across Eliot’s face, but he didn’t respond.

“It’s that or I make you fear me, Eliot, and I really don’t want to do that,” Nathan said honestly. “I need you to submit and you’re not going to. Reynolds, the guy in charge of the Nines…he’s the real deal, Eliot. He’s going to know, just like I do, whether you’re submitting or not. He’ll take one look at you and just know. So tell me…what would make you fall in love with me?”

Eliot looked uncertain for the first time in their acquaintance and then he said simply, “I don’t know.”

Nathan sighed and tossed the phone aside, slouching back against the cushions. This was going to take a miracle. Lips twisting wryly, he thought, Good thing that’s my new business.

* * * *

Eliot knew exactly what it would take to fall in love with Nathan, but he kept silent on the subject. Nathan already had so much of him that he was more than half-way there anyhow. Opening himself up the rest of the way would just be…he couldn’t be that vulnerable, not even to save his own life. If Reynolds executed him for it, well, Eliot wasn’t afraid of dying even though he’d really rather not.

“I think you need some clothes,” Nathan said abruptly. “Go grab a set of sweats from my dresser and some sneakers.”

Eliot opened his mouth to point out that he had clothes they could go get and then closed it again. If Nathan wanted to play dress-up, that was his business. Standing, Eliot walked over to the bedroom and rifled through the drawers until he found a comfortable looking sweat suit. They were a little long for him, but doable after he put on a pair of sneakers and rolled them up once.

Walking back to the living room found Nathan putting on his leather jacket and waiting by the door, so he joined the other man there.

Nathan reminded, “Eyes down, walk behind me.”

Eliot nodded silently and followed him out of the apartment. It was a quiet ride to the local mall, though a different tenor than the day before. Nathan hummed under his breath and looked almost cheerful, which made Eliot wary. The man obviously had a plan of some kind and that could be very bad. Nathan’s idea of ‘acceptable’ was different than most people’s and Eliot had learned to treat the man’s plans with caution. They invariably worked, just not always in the most comfortable way for those carrying them out.

It was just a mall, though, and Nathan outfitted him with jeans, boxers, thick socks, sweaters, gloves, boots, and a sturdy winter coat. All of which told him they were going on a trip, since the weather wasn’t all that bad. He wanted to ask where, but casual conversation wasn’t on his list of permitted actions yet. Nathan put the extra items in a small, newly bought suitcase while Eliot wore out jeans, boots, and a black, fitted sweater.

After the shopping trip was the airport, which surprised Eliot since he knew Nathan didn’t have any clothes with him. But then he was proven wrong when Nathan took a small suitcase out of the sedan’s trunk. Nathan gave him both cases and a laptop bag to carry, which took some momentary juggling. Tickets were bought at the counter and, after an hour of Eliot kneeling on the hard airport floor at Nathan’s feet, they were on a small, semi-private jet.

Eliot sat at Nathan’s feet on the plane too, once the seatbelt sign came off. He startled a bit when the other man’s hand rested on his head, stoking over his hair. It was a soothing caress, though, and Eliot slowly relaxed into it. He’d never been big on the whole physical contact thing, so it felt weird but, as things to endure as a slave went, it was a no brainer.

Between the rumble of the engines, the background noise of people talking, and the rhythmic petting, Eliot drowsed against Nathan’s leg for the second time. It certainly wasn’t what he’d pictured when he’d been arrested and sent down, that was for sure. The flight was a couple of hours and he yawned as Nathan urged him back into his seat for landing.

They emerged in Colorado and got a cab to a very nice, relatively small hotel. Eliot carried the bags inside and waited patiently as Nathan checked them in. It was annoying not to be able to look around, his training at conflict with his orders. The orders won out and he kept his eyes on the floor, following Nathan to the elevator and then to their room. The carpeting was very plush, which boded well for his knees at least.

Nathan prompted, “What are all proper slaves?”

It took a second for Eliot to figure out the answer. He flushed a little as he replied, “Naked, Master,” and began to strip.

“You can unpack us while I go check out the lay of the land,” Nathan told him, leaving the room. “Do not leave this room and don’t let anyone else in.”

Eliot breathed a sigh of relief once the door closed behind the other man. Lifting his head, he looked around and found a luxuriously decorated room that matched the carpeting. A single, king-sized bed with a lot of pillows and a puffy comforter took up a good portion of the sleeping area, while a sofa set faced a wall-mounted, flatscreen television. Eliot stood between the two and decided a bathroom break was in order first.

Walking to the bathroom proved the other room to be just as sinful, maybe more so with its massive whirlpool/tub combo and double sink and bidet. Eliot snorted at the bidet and used the toilet, washing his hands and splashing water on his face to shake off the fog that seemed to have settled around him.

Food was next on the list and he found a fruit basket on the table by the door. He quickly ate an apple and took some of the grapes over to munch on as he unpacked. It didn’t take long to put everything away in an orderly fashion and then he had no idea what to do without Nathan to plan around.

A knock at the door distracted him from the indecision and he walked over to peer out the peephole. A kid in hotel uniform stood next to a service tray covered in food. Lips pursed, he called out, “Yeah? Can I help you?”

“I’ve got room service for Nathan Ford,” the employee answered.

Eliot grimaced and told him, “Sorry, but I can’t let you in.”

“Well I can’t bring it back. Just open the door and I’ll leave it with you.”

“I can’t let you in,” Eliot repeated. “I’m sorry, but those’re my orders.”

The kid exclaimed, “It’s room service, not a freakin’ bomb!”

Eliot briefly entertained the notion of scaring the crap out of the kid, mentally enjoying it, but ultimately said, “Sorry. You can leave it there or come back, but you can’t come in.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Nathan’s voice said.

Peering out, Eliot saw the other man reaching for the door handle, which Eliot turned first and pulled open the door.

Nathan gave him a pleased look and said, “That was good, Eliot. Thank you for doing exactly as I told you.”

It was embarrassing how much the praise made him feel better. He immediately lowered his eyes and murmured, “Thank you, Master.”

The kid muttered something under his breath about new slaves as he pushed the table in and then held out something for Nathan to sign. He was gone inside thirty-seconds.

Nathan put his hands on Eliot’s shoulders and started massaging them. “God, you’re tense. Sit.”

Eliot moved as ordered, sitting on the sofa where Nathan moved behind him to resume the massage. It felt good, damn good, but he couldn’t help staying tense even as Nathan worked to unknot him. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched him outside of sex.

“All right, I can see that’ll have to wait until later,” Nathan observed dryly, letting go. “Stay put.”

Eliot did so, but looked over to watch as Nathan moved the cart closer. He took the cover off one to reveal a piled-high burger with fries and a couple of large onion rings, handing it over to Eliot. Grinning, Nathan said, “Thought you’d be about ready to chow down by now.”

“Hell yeah!” Eliot agreed, hastily adding, “Thank you, Master.”

Nathan chuckled and kissed the top of his head as if it were nothing and then returned for the second which turned out to be steak and baked potato. Eliot appreciated that Nathan didn’t shift him to the floor as they ate, that would’ve been too much like a dog for his comfort factor and might’ve ended in unpleasantness. Then again, Nathan knew him pretty well. He’d been doing everything right from the very start. Eliot didn’t like to think he was that predictable, so he was going with the idea that Nathan was just scarily perceptive; which they all knew he was.

Once dinner was done, Eliot was startled by Nathan’s next move. The other man stretched them both out on the sofa, lying behind him, and they just watched television for a couple of hours. Nathan’s hand alternated between Eliot’s hip and slowly rubbing over his stomach. He relaxed despite himself, eventually drowsing in the other man’s arms, resting back against him. It was very strange to be the one held, instead of the one holding, but…nice.

He barely felt the first kiss that Nathan pressed against the side of his throat, not really paying the small gesture much attention. Then the hand that had been moving over his abs slid further up and palmed his chest, covering a nipple and rubbing there lightly. Eliot shivered, suddenly and completely awake, and stiffened defensively.

“No, now, don’t undo all that relaxation,” Nathan ordered. “I’m just exploring, so just take it easy.”

Easier said than done, but Eliot forced himself to go limp in the other man’s arms again. Nathan kept his hand covering Eliot’s chest, but no more than that and eventually Eliot let himself relax for real.

“You don’t get a lot of hugs, do you, Eliot?”

The question sounded rhetorical, and amused, so Eliot just rested his head on Nathan’s arm. That seemed to be the right response, because Nathan’s other hand shifted from his chest to his neck, fingers brushing the hair away before warm lips descended. And stayed. Nathan sucked lightly at the skin a long moment and then licked a slow path up the side of Eliot’s throat. The simple caress was devastatingly arousing and Eliot moaned as his body responded instantly.

Nathan nuzzled at the back of his neck and murmured, “You taste good.”

And then there was nothing else. Nathan just held him until the news came on, not that Eliot even noticed what was playing on the television. He was too focused on the rise and fall of Nathan’s chest behind him, the casual weight of his arm around Eliot’s waist. The warm, moist breath against his bare skin kept him distracted, and the spicy, subtle cologne that was somehow grounding and enticing all at once.

Eventually, Nathan kissed the back of his head and ordered, “Up, slave. Time for bed.”

Eliot got to his feet and waited to see where he would be sleeping. Nathan went to the bathroom, so Eliot stayed in the sleeping area, turning down the blankets and tossing aside the extra pillows just to have something to do. Nathan came up behind him, wrapping arms around his waist and saying, “Thank you. Now go take care of yourself and come to bed.”

It wasn’t possible that he’d ‘earned’ Nathan’s trust again so easily, so there was only one possible interpretation to that command. He walked to the bathroom and took care of business, brushing his teeth as he thought about how the night would end. He’d been with men before, that wasn’t a big deal, it was just…it was Nathan. The last six months had been filled with the man; working his plans, following his rules, even getting some of his own past baggage taken care of because Nathan had given him a way to do it.

Eliot took a breath and returned to the sleeping area, standing beside the bed as he took in the way Nathan just sprawled there. He’d gotten undressed, his chest bare to view, chest hair dark over the lightly muscled torso. The rest of him lay hidden beneath the blankets, though they were drawn low to his hips. All the lights were out save the small one on the bedside table which cast a diffuse glow.

Nathan grinned at him and patted the bed, inviting, “Time for bed.”

Eliot climbed onto the bed and stretched out, turning his head to look at Nathan. Those blue-gray eyes stared back at him, as unreadable as always, and then the other man shifted closer. Nathan turned onto his side and slid a hand over Eliot’s chest, tugging him even closer until he had to roll onto his side, too.

Staring into Nathan’s eyes, Eliot whispered, “What’re you doing, Nathan?”

“Master,” Nathan softly corrected, staring back. “And I’m touching you.”

But then he was kissing, a soft, insinuating thing that laid Eliot bare as Nathan’s tongue pushed into his mouth. He opened to it, helpless against this particular strategy. Eliot could take any kind of pain others might dish out, but gentleness…that got under his defenses every damn time.

The kissing stopped just as Eliot grew breathless, his fingers tightening on Nathan’s hip, and he followed after Nathan’s mouth, wanting more. He got another kiss, but it was too short, and then Nathan rolled onto his back, drawing the blankets over them. Eliot found himself half-draped over the other man’s chest, one of his legs over Nathan’s. Desire still rolled through him, his cock filled and aching and resting on Nathan’s thigh, impossible for the other to miss.

Pressing his face against Nathan’s shoulder, he repeated, “What are you doing, Nathan?”

“Touching you,” Nathan murmured. “Go to sleep, my own.”

Surrounded by the other man, Eliot knew it would be a long damn time before he could.

* * * *

Nathan wanted to do more, so much more, but knew he had to tread carefully. It couldn’t be mere lust between them. It had to be love, or at least the start of it. He felt the hard length of Eliot over his thigh and wanted nothing more than to surround it with his hand or his mouth and bring the other man off. He wanted to bury himself in the younger man’s body, showing Eliot exactly what love could be like. Because he was sure, now, that if Eliot had ever experienced it, it had been a very long time ago. Maybe back with Amy when he was still innocent and tied to a simpler life.

So he held back and recited baseball stats to keep awake as Eliot slowly grew heavy with sleep. Going away had been a spur of the moment thing, but he knew now it had been a good idea. Getting them both out of familiar surroundings would ease the transition. He grinned at the second use of his name, knowing that he would have to punish that in the morning and looking forward to it.

Stroking his free hand over Eliot’s hair, he said softly, but clearly, “You’re safe with me, Eliot. Let yourself go. Let yourself love me. I won’t betray you, Eliot, not ever. You’re mine now and I will never let you go. You can trust me, Eliot, you can love me and not be hurt. It’s okay to open up to me, I will never betray you. I love you, Eliot, and will always take care of you.”

Not entirely the truth, but not entirely a lie, either. He wasn’t in love with Eliot, but could be so very easily.

If he let himself.

If he set himself up for that kind of heartache again.

* * * *

Nathan woke when sunlight hit him in the face and he lifted a hand to rub his eyes. Even before he could see clearly, he felt the emptiness of the bed and shifted onto his elbows to look around. Eliot sat a short distance away, cross-legged on a chair, watching him with an intent gaze. Even for Eliot, whom he trusted, it was a little creepy and Nathan asked, “What are you doing?”

“Watching you sleep,” Eliot answered simply.

Nathan’s eyebrows lifted. “I gathered that much. Why?”

Eliot shrugged and replied, “Nothing else to do.”

That didn’t sound entirely right, not with how serious Eliot had looked, but there was a knock at the door. He glanced that way and then back at Eliot.

The slave shrugged again, telling him, “I ordered breakfast. Should I let them in?”

Nodding, Nathan sat up and watched Eliot hop off the chair and walk across the suite to the door. The other man didn’t seem in the least concerned by his nudity, totally comfortable in his own skin. Nathan half-grinned, admiring the view, and then climbed out of bed to walk to the bathroom. He didn’t bother with a shower, just relieving himself and washing his face and hands before heading out to eat.

Eliot had set the tray at the sofa area again, the one from the previous night gone. There were a couple of bagels, some cream cheese, and a pot of steaming black coffee, but that was it.

“How did you know I wouldn’t want pancakes or eggs and bacon?” he asked, picking up one of the bagels to spread the cream cheese on.

Eliot sat next to him, pouring a mug of the coffee and putting it on the table in front of him as he answered, “I’ve known you for six months, Nathan. I knew your habits inside of two weeks.”

That was the second time Eliot had called him by name and Nathan bit into the bagel with a grin. Technically, it was the third, but Eliot had been stressed the first time so he wouldn’t hold that against him. Still, Eliot wasn’t stupid or forgetful; the name thing was deliberate now. A small rebellion to see what, if anything, Nathan would do about it.

He finished the bagel off and lingered over the coffee, thinking about what to do with his slave. An idea struck and he choked off a laugh, drinking some of the excellent coffee instead. Leaning back against the sofa cushions, he announced, “Every time you call me by name, I give you to Sophie for a three-hour block to play ladies maid in whatever fashion she chooses. So far, you’ve wracked up six hours. You want to go for more?”

Looking horrified, Eliot exclaimed, “Nathan, you can’t be serious!”

“That’s nine hours,” Nathan replied calmly. “I see a lot of pedicures and shopping trips in your near future. Girls night in, maybe, with foot massages and facials?”

Eliot’s jaw shut with an audible click.

Nathan grinned. “That’s better. See, you need to remember who you’re dealing with here, Eliot. Punishment doesn’t mean the same to me as everyone else. You know me? Well, I know you, too. I know what you love doing, what you hate doing, and what you’d rather be dead than doing. You might want to keep that in mind before breaking the rules next time.”

Eliot’s eyes remained on the floor as he reached for the last bagel half and silently began to eat it.

Chuckling, Nathan turned on the television to see what was going on in the world.

* * * *

Nine hours of being under Sophie’s command was enough to give Eliot the hives and he mentally kicked himself for not keeping in mind how devious Nathan was. It had been a small infraction and dealt with in an appropriately ‘small,’ if evil, manner. He shouldn’t have let himself watch Nathan sleep. Seeing him so vulnerable, and so trusting, had temporarily blinded Eliot to the man’s nature.

Temporarily.

He followed Nathan to the bathroom where the other man motioned him to get into the tub. Eliot did so and turned on the water, getting it good and hot, but not scalding. He was surprised when Nathan joined him there, but made room without question. This put him directly under the shower and he lifted his face to the spray, letting the water soak through his hair and into his skin.

Something hard and cool touched his chest and Eliot opened his eyes to find Nathan rubbing soap over him, followed by a slow hand. He smiled and asked, “Shouldn’t I be doing that for you or something?”

Nathan’s lips quirked briefly, but he just said, “Not this time,” and slid the soap down Eliot’s body until coming to his dick. Then he stepped forward into Eliot’s personal space and used both hands simultaneously to wash Eliot. The soap lightly moved over his shaft and balls, the other hand sliding up and down and then under to cup and roll his balls. Eliot’s breath hitched and he gripped Nathan’s shoulder for support as the other man played with him.

Eliot jerked in surprise when Nathan dropped to his knees and took him in his mouth. Hard turned to aching in short damn order and he held onto the slick wall and Nathan’s head as the sucking intensified. He didn’t try to move the other man, just held on for balance as his brain was turned to mush by way of Nathan’s mouth.

It didn’t take long for him to come, but it was the finger that pushed slowly inside him which sent him over the edge. Nathan didn’t even fuck him with it, just penetrated him with it the same moment he went all the way down. Eliot groaned as his balls emptied, body shuddering in a release he hadn’t had for a long time.

Nathan licked clean what the shower didn’t get and then stood, pinning him to the wall and kissing him with the same languor that left him wanting more.

* * * *

Still somewhat loose-limbed and stunned from the unexpected blowjob in the shower, Eliot trailed Nathan silently down the hall. He just could not figure the man out. On the one hand, his exacting rules and naturally commanding presence declared his position of authority without Nathan doing anything but be himself. On the other hand, he just…he cuddled…and gave blowjobs…seemingly without any notion that Masters just didn’t do stuff like that. Eliot had known his share of Masters over the years, though fortunately not from his current position, and none of them had ever shown the least bit of caring or compassion towards their slaves.

Then again, he thought, Nathan is trying to get you to fall in love with him. What better way than showing how…sweet…he can be? And how trustworthy.

Not that Eliot didn’t already know that.

Would it be so bad? he thought, almost wistful. There are worse fates than being in love with Nathan Ford.

It wouldn’t be bad at all, really. It would be great, except that Eliot knew for a fact that Nathan would never let himself return the feelings. To be so exposed and so vulnerable was something the other man wouldn’t do; not after what happened with his family. And yet…Eliot remembered waking up with Nathan lying on him, the other man’s warmth and scent surrounding him, the feel of his body covering him almost protectively… Just the fact that he’d slept the night through, peacefully, showed how far gone over Nathan he already was.

Nathan stopped at the restaurant attached to the side of the lobby and Eliot stopped automatically behind him. He listened as Nathan charmed a comfortable table towards the back out of the hostess and grinned to himself at it. Nathan just couldn’t help himself.

“You can sit, Eliot,” Nathan told him, taking the other side of the booth.

Eliot sat in the booth and tugged at the collar around his neck. The leather itched almost constantly. It popped off and he grumbled under his breath as he reached up to snap it back into place. The waitress arrived and Nathan ordered for them both just as Eliot opened his mouth. He closed it again and wondered if he would ever get used to the whole being ignored thing. Probably not.

Once the waitress had left, Nathan asked, “So who do you think set you up?”

Eliot thought about it, not really having had the time or opportunity to do so since the arrest. “I’ve got a lot of enemies, Na…Master. It could’ve been any one of a couple dozen people.”

“A couple of dozen?” Nathan demanded, incredulous.

Eliot quirked a grin at him. “I’m very good at what I do.”

The waitress returned with two beers and two waters, leaving as quietly as she’d arrived.

Shaking his head, Nathan took a sip of the beer and then said, “When we get back to the room, you need to make up a list so Hardison can track them all down. We’ll find out who it was.”

“And then what?” Eliot questioned curiously. “Damage done. There’s nothing we can do to reverse this, even if we kill them, which you wouldn’t do anyhow.”

“Death isn’t always the worst that can happen.”

A true statement if ever there was one.

Nathan continued, “I’ll see what needs to be done when we know who and why. For now, just write up the list. We’ll figure it out when we get back.”

The food was as good as the rest of the place, the club sandwich and fries very flavorful. Nathan had ordered a burger and fries for himself and they actually did talk as they ate, which surprised Eliot. It looked like the silent treatment was over and he was grateful for it. He was also more than happy to be able to look Nathan in the eyes again, not having realized just how much he needed to do so. He relaxed into the company and conversation and definitely noticed when Nathan rested a hand on his, thumb brushing back and forth almost idly.

“Okay. I’m going to hit the men’s room and then we’ll go see about your afternoon treat for behaving so well,” Nathan teased, smirking a little. “Why don’t you head out to the front door and get us a cab?”

Eliot grinned and countered, “The shower wasn’t my treat?”

Winking, Nathan replied, “Oh no. That pleasure was all mine. You need to go?”

“I’m good,” Eliot answered.

Nathan nodded and left the booth.

Eliot watched him go and then downed the last of his beer and enjoying the mellow feeling. He stood and walked to the front of the lobby, remembering at the last second that he was supposed to be holding himself completely differently. He cursed under his breath, but lowered his eyes as he approached the valet and said respectfully, “My Master needs a cab.”

“Sure thing, I’ll have one in a minute,” the man replied.

Relieved that there’d been no incident, Eliot stepped to the side to wait for Nathan to join him.

“And what have we here, an unattended slave?”

The voice was smooth and deep and set off all kinds of alarms in Eliot’s head. Keeping his eyes down, Eliot answered firmly, “My Master is in the men’s room and will be here momentarily, Sir.”

The man was big and stepped right into Eliot’s personal space, crowding him back against the wall. “You sound insolent, boy. Are you insolent? Do you need to be taught your place like a dumb bitch? You got the hair for it, pretty boy.”

“Sir, please, this slave is waiting for his master,” the valet said, trying to run interference.

The stranger snarled at the valet, “Get away from me before I have you beaten, you little bitch.”

There was nothing the valet could do except leave, of course, though Eliot hoped he would get some help.

Turning back to him, the man promised, “You and me are going to have to fun, pretty boy. I think I’m gonna Claim you as mine, since there ain’t no one here to say otherwise.”

It would only take three seconds to incapacitate the man. Three seconds and he could be free of the bastard whose hand slid down his arm and then reached for his crotch. Eliot tensed in anticipation of the groping, but it never came. A very familiar hand intercepted it, twisting first the hand, and then the arm, back sharply. Looking up, he saw Nathan’s well and truly pissed expression as he spun the offender into the nearest wall face first, pressing an elbow against the back of the neck and shoving the arm up so that the man gasped in pain.

Nathan leaned in and snarled something too quiet to hear, but which made the man pale and begin to sweat. He shoved the man away, tripping him on the way so that he fell onto the marble floor. Turning to Eliot, he grabbed Eliot’s shoulder and pulled him in tight. He could feel the rapid beating of Nathan’s heart and felt the anger in his rigid body as the other man asked, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

Shaking his head, Eliot’s answer was muffled against Nathan’s shoulder as he said, “No, I’m fine, Master.”

Loud and furious, Nathan demanded, “What the hell kind of place is this that I can’t even leave my slave alone for five minutes without someone groping him?”

The manager showed up almost instantly and Eliot was treated to a very different side of Nathan as the man practically dissected the manager for what had happened. Standing in the protective hold, breathing in the other man, Eliot couldn’t help the rush of arousal as his mind replayed the ten seconds from when Nathan had shown up to the stranger landing on the floor. He’d known that Nathan was intellectually dangerous, and he seen the man fight before, but this was the first time he’d ever truly seen Nathan as physically menacing. Not at the same level as Eliot, but then, few were.

It looked like there was more to Nathan than even Eliot suspected.

Ten minutes later they were in a cab with their meals comped for the rest of their stay along with any driving they might need done. Sitting in the backseat with Nathan, leaning comfortably against the other man, Eliot asked innocently, “Do we need to get you some blood pressure medication?”

Nathan barked out a laugh and relaxed visibly, squeezing him lightly as he replied, “No, I do not need blood pressure medication, but thanks. And I want to say how proud I am of you, too. You could’ve beat the man to a pulp and been gone before anyone noticed, but you didn’t. That deserves an extra reward, so I’m knocking off three hours with Sophie.”

“Just three?” Eliot needled. “I was very, very good back there.”

Laughing more naturally, Nathan allowed, “All right, we’ll split the different. Four and a half hours in Sophie’s very capable hands.”

Eliot took the deal with a grin, resting his head on Nathan’s shoulder. The city went by and then they were in the suburbs and then even further out to, not exactly farm country, but where houses were bigger and plainer, less suburbanized, and the land was parceled out to much large lots. And then he spotted a barn as the cab turned down a long driveway.

They got out of the cab and Eliot breathed in the cold, clear air with relish. The snow on the ground was only about six inches this early in the season and he grinned at Nathan as he guessed, “We’re going riding?”

“No, you’re going riding,” Nathan countered. “I plan to sit in the office and have some coffee while you commune with nature.”

Grinning broadly, Eliot said, “You can’t come out all this way and not ride, Master. I’ll even give you lessons. We won’t go faster than a walk.”

Nathan shook his head. “Horses and me aren’t really a good combination, Eliot, but thanks.”

Eliot pulled out the big guns. He took Nathan’s hands and stepped right up to him, pressing their bodies together and asking, “Please, Master? Go riding with me.”

Nathan held out for all of five seconds before giving in with a groan and warning, “If my ass hits the ground involuntarily, you’re in deep trouble.”

“Never happen,” Eliot promised, stepping back.

Nathan muttered something under his breath, but let Eliot pull him towards the barn.

* * * *

Eliot must’ve found the most even-tempered horse on the planet, because not only did Nathan not get thrown, he actually enjoyed himself. It was a great big yellow female horse that Eliot called, “A roan mare with a sweet temper.” The thing took sugar cubes from Nathan’s hand at Eliot’s instruction and then just followed him around, lips harmlessly, if annoyingly, going for his hair until it was time to load on all the saddles and stuff.

Eliot’s beast seemed like a nasty tempered thing to Nathan, but then, Eliot knew what he was doing. He punched the horse in the side after cinching the saddle and then got it another couple of notches tighter. Grinning over at Nathan’s questioning expression, Eliot explained, “Some of ‘em like to puff up so they can slip out of the saddle when you least expect it. I didn’t hurt him, just reminded him who was in charge.”

It looked like abuse to him, but then the horse snapped its teeth at Nathan and almost took a chunk out of him in the process. Those teeth were damn big and he glared at the black horse, snarling back at it.

Eliot tied the reins to the coral rail and then walked over to Nathan. “Okay. Lesson number one. Always mount the horse from the left side and once you’re up, keep your heels down. Don’t want them getting caught if you get thrown, ‘cause then you get dragged while she runs.”

“Left side, heels down, got it,” Nathan confirmed.

Interlacing his fingers, Eliot bent a bit and Nathan put his foot in the basket, grabbing hold of the pommel and pulling himself up, swinging his right leg over as Eliot lifted. He seemed impossibly high off the ground as he settled in the saddle, holding tight to the pommel.

“Relax,” Eliot commanded. “She’ll be able to tell you’re nervous by how tight you’re grippin’ her. She’s not going to do anything you don’t tell her to do.”

Nathan took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, forcing himself to relax.

“That’s better. See? She’s already happy you’re takin’ her out for a walk,” Eliot said, smiling. “She don’t get out much anymore, since most folks go for the younger ones. So hold the reins like I showed you and just stay put while I mount up.”

He watched the younger man swing up into the saddle as though it were second nature, feet not even touching the stirrups until he was in place. The horse reared up a little, but Eliot pulled down on the reins, forcing the horse’s head down until the rest of it followed. “That’s it, buddy, you and me are gonna get on real good. And I’m gonna let you have your head a bit if you’re just a little patient.”

The wind picked up just then, catching Eliot’s hair and Nathan’s breath as he watched the younger man ‘commune’ with the horse, leaning forward and whispering in its ear. It was a gorgeous sight, no one could deny that.

Then Eliot looked at him, an expression of pure happiness and contentment on his face as he said, “Just touch your heels lightly to her sides and she’ll start moving. Keep your back straight and just move with the rhythm of the horse. That’s it. You’ve got it just perfect, Na…Master.”

Nathan heard the slip even while concentrating on the horse beneath him. It was a good five minutes of ‘walking’ before he decided the horse wasn’t going to make a run for it or toss him off her back. Relaxing a little, he looked up and found Eliot grinning back at him, completely fluid in the saddle and looking like some kind of misplaced warrior or cowboy from another time.

“So now that you’ve got the hang of it, mind if I take him out for a jog?” Eliot asked.

Not at all sure he did have the hang of it, Nathan nonetheless nodded, unable to disappoint the hopeful look in the slave’s eyes. Without warning, Eliot kicked into the black beast’s sides and they were gone in a flash, a blur along the path. Nathan shook his head and patted the mare’s side as he said, “You just keep on going like you are and we’ll be just fine.”

She whinnied at him and plodded along at a much more acceptable pace.

Eliot was gone for a good five minutes, racing back along the path just as Nathan started to get worried. The wind had chapped his cheeks red and his hair was in complete disarray, but the broad grin on his face seemed to belie the conditions. He brought the horse to a stop and then turned him around so they were going in the same direction before asking, “Doing all right?”

Nathan nodded and replied, “Doing just fine. Did you have fun?”

“He’s perfect,” Eliot answered, patting the horse’s shoulder. “Just perfect.”

Smiling, Nathan told him, “We’ll come back before we head home, how’s that?”

Eliot practically beamed at him and said, “Thanks, Master.”

They rode along the path at Nathan’s speed, which was practically none at all, and about a half-hour later turned back. The country was gorgeous, but the temperature continued to drop as the day wore on. Nathan had no intention of either of them getting sick from being out too long. It was getting dark when they finally got back to the barn and Nathan could barely feel his backside. Eliot helped him dismount, though he mostly just slid down the horse’s side than actually dismounted. It felt strange to be on solid ground, as if he’d been on a boat and needed to get his legs back.

Eliot clapped him on the back and said, “You’ll get used to it,” before bringing both horses to their respective stalls.

“The hell I will,” Nathan muttered, following.

Once the horses were safely ensconced, Eliot grabbed Nathan by the shirt and pulled him in for a long, hungry kiss. Nathan let him keep control of it for a bit and then turned them so Eliot’s back was to the stall door.

Breaking off the kiss, Eliot gasped, “Let me suck you, Master, please.”

Nathan shivered with pure lust and shook his head, managing to say in a steady voice, “No. And don’t you have horses to take care of?”

Eliot sagged back against the door and nodded.

“Good. You can clean them up or whatever and meet me in the trainer’s office,” Nathan told him.

Then he kissed him again, unable to resist the flushed and wanting look on his Eliot’s face. Nathan left him still leaning on the door, the sight an unnecessary boost to his ego as he walked, whistling cheerfully, towards the trainer’s office.

* * * *

It had been a while since Eliot had been so frustrated by another human being. His general philosophy was ‘live and let live.’ Usually that meant if someone didn’t wind up doing what he wanted, which was rare, he’d just move on. Problem was that he couldn’t move on this time. Earlier, he’d been ready to just pull Nathan into a stall and give them both some release but Nathan obviously had other plans. Damn it.

He finished brushing down Midnight and found a carrot to give the beautiful gelding before going in search of Nathan. He found the other man talking to the trainer, over a cup of coffee. It was the first time he’d met the man, since they’d gone right to the barn upon getting there and he was startled to find a discreet but expensive looking Chain around the man’s neck. On the short side with light brown hair and brown eyes, Peter had the lean look of a man who’d been working outdoors his whole life.

“Peter, Eliot. Eliot, Peter,” Nathan introduced.

“Thanks for taking out Midnight,” Peter said, shaking his hand. “There’s not many can handle him.”

Eliot nodded and answered, “My pleasure, believe me. He’s a fine animal.”

Peter half-grinned as he said, “Yeah, it’s too bad his owner gelded him, but he thought the temperament would get easier if he did it. Might’ve been able to stud him out to the right dam, if he hadn’t.”

Nathan snorted and observed, “Didn’t improve his mood any that I could see.”

“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t,” Peter answered, shrugging. “Depends on the horse.”

Grinning, Nathan snagged Eliot’s shirt collar and pulled him in until his back rested against Nathan’s chest. “So we’ll be back on Sunday, if that’s okay?”

Peter nodded, telling them, “You know you’re welcome any time, Nathan. Just pop on in when you’re in the area. But you better see Lucas before you head out or he’ll be fit to be tied.”

Eliot prompted, “Lucas?”

Peter winked and explained, “Master of all you see here, myself included.”

If Nathan wasn’t Eliot’s idea of what a Master should be, Peter was nowhere near what his idea of what a slave should be. His attitude was that of a free citizen and he had no submissive side that Eliot could tell.

And then a new voice bellowed, “Nathan! I’m glad I caught you!”

Eliot turned to find a large, barrel-chested man with short, deep golden hair striding into the office. He easily topped six four and looked like he could bench-press one of the horses. His smile seemed genuine, though, and Nathan grinned as he stepped forward to shake the man’s hand. Eliot looked over at Peter to find an openly loving expression in place on his otherwise rugged face, which startled him.

Nathan took the hand and greeted, “It’s great to see you again, Lucas.”

Sharp gray eyes assessed Eliot for all of two seconds and then Lucas said, “Your slave?”

Nodding, Nathan said, “Lucas Bishop, this is Eliot.”

Lucas rumbled, “Now this must be a story. You with a slave? Never thought I’d see the day. Voluntary, yes?”

Nathan shook his head. “I’m afraid not, no. Eliot’s a Category Nine.”

Lucas looked at him sharply before glancing at Peter, who immediately walked over to stand behind his Master. Seeing them together, the way Peter leaned on the bigger man and how protective Lucas was, that was when Eliot saw the slave’s submissive side.

“Don’t worry, Eliot’s given up those bad habits, haven’t you, Eliot?” Nathan said dryly.

Eliot nodded and, since he didn’t know what to say, stayed silent.

Lucas looked doubtful, but allowed, “Well, if you vouch for him.”

Nodding firmly, Nathan said, “I do.”

“In that case, stay the night,” Lucas invited, offering a smile. “It’s a roast tonight and only the two of us with no guests for a change. I know how much you like Cecelia’s roast. I swear the woman’s psychic when it comes to folks just showing up.”

Nathan smiled. “That’d be great.”

“Head on up to the house and take your usual room,” Lucas told him.

Nodding, Nathan left the office and Eliot followed behind. It was a short walk beyond the barn to a large, two-story, log-cabin styled home with a porch. Inside was warm with one large room filled with comfortable furniture, a massive fireplace, and stairs leading up.

Nathan explained, “It’s a bed and breakfast, though they don’t usually have more than six couples up at a time. I met Lucas years ago when I was chasing a grifter outside Colorado Springs. The man wound up taking Peter hostage and I shot him to save Peter.”

“Is he still alive?” Eliot asked curiously.

Nodding, Nathan clarified, “Shot him in the ass.”

Eliot snorted. That sounded about right.

They entered a large room about three doors from the stairs and Eliot grinned at the solid, natural setting. He looked at Nathan who made a face at him and said, “You’re lucky it’s too cold around here to make you strip.”

That made him chuckle as he took off his jacket and asked, “What are we going to do for clothes since ours are at the hotel?”

Nathan did the same, shrugging out of his coat as he replied, “Oh, I expect going a night in the same set won’t kill us. Just a couple things here, Eliot. Lucas is extremely protective of Peter, so don’t make any moves that might be misconstrued, understand?”

Eliot nodded, having expected that, and took Nathan’s coat and his over to a stand in the corner, hanging them up.

“Peter’s also a voluntary slave, so their arrangement is…probably not much like what you’ve seen before,” Nathan continued slowly. “But it’s also something like what I want us to grow into.”

That did surprise him, but he nodded again.

“Okay then. I think we’ve given them enough time to calm down from finding out about your sordid past, so let’s head back downstairs.”

Grimacing at Nathan’s amused tone, Eliot trailed him back to the living room. Nathan promptly sat on the overstuffed chair nearest the fireplace and tugged Eliot onto his lap. He landed off-center with a surprised huff and looked up to find a grin on Nathan’s face. “Really?”

“Come sit on my lap little boy, tell Santa what you want,” Nathan teased.

Eliot groaned at the exaggerated leer, but Nathan was at least serious about him sitting on his lap. It took a few minutes to get settled, but he wound up sitting on the other man’s thighs, his legs intermingling with Nathan’s and resting against his chest with one of Nathan’s arm around his waist for support. It felt both very comfortable and vaguely insulting, especially when Nathan draped a blanket around them and combed fingers through his hair.

Not insulting, he mused, just…

He couldn’t find the right word, which annoyed the crap out of him.

* * * *

Nathan knew that Eliot was disgruntled about his current position and wisely didn’t try to talk to him about it. Mostly because he also knew that the younger man was enjoying the contact, even if he didn’t want to. They’d been sitting there for almost twenty minutes before Lucas and Peter came in through the front door. It was full dark by then and the heavenly smell of Cecelia’s roast hung in the air.

Lucas sat on the sofa while Peter disappeared into the kitchen, probably to see if Cecelia needed help, which she never did. The big man looked puzzled as he said, “No Cat Nine takes care of animals like he did. Midnight and Stella were done up real well. Never seen Midnight so quiet, either, which was his doing. Wrong place, wrong time?”

Nathan snorted and answered, “Went off the reservation and disobeyed me, which is how everyone gets in trouble.”

Eliot shook a little with muffled laughter, but didn’t argue.

“Anyhow. He didn’t want to get caught and put down a number of cops, non-lethally, before they put him down with a taser,” Nathan finished.

An ‘O’ of understanding surfaced on Lucas’ face as he commented, “Law enforcement types don’t like to be shown up.”

Nathan nodded agreement. “One of our other team members found out about it, I got in to see the local guy, and he let me buy Eliot instead of killing him.”

“I’m guessing you used that persuasion of yours,” Lucas observed, grinning.

Nathan’s lips twisted and he answered wryly, “Just a little.”

“So now what are you going to do?”

Nathan shrugged. “Go on with our lives.”

“But he is your slave?”

“Very much so.”

Looking bemused, Lucas finally said, “All right then.”

Peter called out cheerfully, “Dinner’s ready!”

Nathan kissed the top of Eliot’s head and mentally grinned when there was no sign of protest from the younger man. “Up, Eliot.”

Eliot grumbled, but climbed off, taking the blanket with him only to fold it and put it over the back of the chair. Nathan slung an arm over his shoulder and led him into the kitchen. It took up most of the back of the house, one half for cooking and the other for eating at a massive, wooden table. Lucas’ family had owned the ranch for three generations and the table had been there just as long, or so Lucas claimed. There were enough nicks and dents in it, as well as the intricately carved edging, for Nathan to believe him.

Cecelia beamed at him from her lofty height of five foot nothing, long blond hair tinged with silver, but otherwise unchanged. He hugged her tight and exclaimed, “Cecelia, it’s great to see you. You’re as beautiful as ever.”

She returned the hug and wagged a finger at him. “Flattery doesn’t get you dessert around here, mister!”

Grinning, he kept a hand on her shoulder as he introduced, “Cecelia Mallory, this is Eliot. Eliot, this is the lost love of my life, Cecelia Mallory.”

“Oh hush you,” she scolded, laughing as she shook Eliot’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Eliot.”

Eliot nodded in return and answered, “You too, ma’am. It smells great in here.”

“And it’ll taste even better. Go on and sit, all of you.”

Dinner tasted great, as it always did with Cecelia at the helm, and conversation was witty and filled with laughter. Nathan could see how baffled Eliot was when it came to Peter and Lucas’ interaction, even though the others probably didn’t notice. Given how openly loving the couple was, how much they adored each other, Nathan could understand the confusion. If Eliot had only ever been exposed to Masters who didn’t care for, or even abused their slaves, then this kind of setup would be confusing in the extreme.

Dessert was lemon meringue and just as incredible as the rest of the meal. Lucas and Nathan headed for the living room while Eliot and Peter stayed behind to help Cecelia clean up. She scolded them all, but it was a familiar sound and lacking force given her broad smile.

Lucas offered him a glass of brandy and Nathan hesitated, but ultimately shook his head. Eyebrows lifted, Lucas said, “Now I know you’re well and gone over that boy. Not that I blame you. I never pictured you with a slave, especially after what happened to your son and your wife leaving, but he’s good for you. Exactly what you need.”

Nathan grimaced as he sat in the same chair as before. “I sure as hell didn’t plan it, Lucas.”

“But you couldn’t let him die,” Lucas said.

Sighing, Nathan admitted, “It’s more than that. He’s a good kid, he’s just…a little wild. Not one for rules, that’s for sure.”

“But you think you can tame him.”

Nathan corrected, “Hope I can tame him. Hope, Lucas. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here, not really.”

The big man sipped at his brandy and then said, “Mastery’s a funny thing. You think you’re in charge, everything and everyone else says that you are, but it all revolves around them. I would kill, and die, to keep Peter safe. His happiness is all that matters to me. And if you can’t give Eliot all of you, then you should give him to someone who can, because he deserves that. It’s just not right to make him love you and not give him anything back, Nathan.”

Nathan stared pensively into the fire, knowing Lucas was right. Peter and Eliot came out of the kitchen a few minutes later and Nathan held out a hand to his slave. Eliot rolled his eyes, but resumed his earlier spot on Nathan’s lap, tugging the blanket down as he got comfortable. Peter curled up on the sofa, resting his head on Lucas’ thighs. Eliot fell asleep under the blanket, growing heavy in Nathan’s arms as he and Lucas talked about business.

It was past midnight before Lucas said, “We’ve got to be up in six hours to get the horses ready for the day, so I’ll say goodnight.”

“Yeah, probably a good idea,” Nathan agreed. He shook Eliot awake and the younger man blinked at him owlishly for a few seconds, rubbing his eyes. “Time for bed, Eliot.”

Eliot yawned and stood, keeping the blanket wrapped around him as Nathan stood and stretched, his back and ass already sore from the hour plus of riding that day. They all walked upstairs, parting at the top of the steps with more goodnights. Eliot climbed into bed without undressing, which made Nathan smile fondly. He’d seen Eliot go a solid forty-eight hours without sleep, but the younger man also enjoyed a good eight hours a night when they weren’t on a job.

He reached down to untie and then pull off Eliot’s boots. Next were the socks and then he managed to undo and pull off the belt, unbuttoning the snug jeans to give him a little more breathing room. Nathan took off his own boots, socks, and shirt, dropping all of it on the floor by the bed. Climbing onto the large mattress with Eliot, he tugged up the blankets around them and then herded a grumbling Eliot into his arms.

Chuckling at the annoyed, not-quite awake response, Nathan kissed Eliot on the temple and murmured, “Night, my own,” and let himself fall asleep.

* * * *

Eliot woke up before Nathan again, not that he was really surprised. There’d been no alcohol the night before, but Nathan wasn’t the type to rise with the sun. He hesitated a moment, but then decided that if the other man wanted a similar relationship to what Lucas and Peter had, he’d have to trust that Eliot wasn’t going to disappear. Still, he wrote a note and left it on the pillow before grabbing his jacket and heading outside to get the horses ready for the day.

There were two other hands who reported to Peter, Jake and Kyle, and they didn’t seem to think anything of him being a slave, if they even caught on to the fact. Peter looked surprised to see him, but pleased, too, smiling and greeting, “Thought you’d be out for a couple more hours.”

Eliot shrugged and answered, “Grew up on a ranch.”

“Ah. A native,” Peter teased, winking. “C’mon then, I’ll put you to work.”

First he helped mucking out the stalls while Kyle fed the horses and Jake and Peter pulled in more bales. He’d gotten rid of his jacket by the time he was done, working in his sweater and feeling a sweat building.

“Think fast!”

Eliot turned automatically and caught the brush tossed his way. Grinning at Peter, he asked, “Who first?”

“You start at that end and I’ll start at the other.”

“Got it.”

He’d groomed three horses down to their hooves before Lucas showed up and announced breakfast. The big man gave him an approving look as he said, “You do good work, Eliot. I’d be of a mind to buy you, if you weren’t Nathan’s. Speaking of, go wake that lazy Master of yours and tell him breakfast is ready.”

Eliot nodded and headed back to the house only to discover that Nathan wasn’t in the bedroom or bathroom. He was awake and nursing a cup of coffee when Eliot found him in the kitchen. He was about to sit at the table beside Nathan when Cecelia ordered, “Don’t even think about it, you! Go wash up proper and then you can sit at the table like a civilized human being.”

Grinning, Eliot nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am. Be right back,” before heading to the bathroom to clean up right. He washed his face and brushed his hair free of the hay that had managed to latch on while he was there. When he got back to the kitchen, everyone else was already there and Cecelia nodded in approval, saying, “Good boy,” as she brought a tray to the table.

Eliot sat beside Nathan, who snickered and echoed, “Good boy,” ruffling his hair. Eliot snorted and took the plate that Kyle passed his way. He snared some bacon for himself and put a couple strips on Nathan’s plate while he was at it. At Nathan’s questioning look, he said firmly, “You need the protein. Eat some eggs, too.”

“Hamburgers and steak aren’t enough protein?” Nathan countered skeptically.

Lucas laughed and advised, “Don’t bother arguing, Nathan.”

Nathan quirked a brief grin at Eliot and scooped some eggs onto his plate.

Breakfast was pretty rowdy with laughter and loud conversation that ranged from sports to horses to motorcycles. It was about an hour later that Lucas broke up the fun with a genial, “All right, those of you I pay or own, get to work.”

There were some rude noises, but everyone stood and headed out except for Nathan and Eliot.

Lucas looked at them and said, “You’re welcome to stay if you want to get in some more riding. Eliot certainly helped out earlier this morning.”

“Nah, I think we’ll get going,” Nathan replied. “We’ve got things to do. But we’ll stop back on Sunday. Thanks for having us, Lucas.”

They shook hands, and Eliot did the same, and Lucas headed in the direction of the barn.

Looking at Nathan, Eliot asked, “What do we have to do?”

Nathan gave him a mild look and repeated, “Things. C’mon. The cab’ll be here any minute.”

It was actually waiting for them outside and Eliot waved to Peter before getting in, settling beside Nathan. The ride back to town passed in a comfortable silence as he watched their surroundings grow more urban, though no one could call it city material like Chicago or LA or Boston.

Maybe Boston, he allowed with an internal grin.

When they got back to the hotel, Nathan didn’t have to tell him to adopt ‘normal’ slave behavior that the public found acceptable. He dropped his eyes and followed behind Nathan as they went back inside.

“Excuse me, Mr. Ford? I have an urgent message for you.”

Eliot wanted to look up and see what was going on, but stayed alert and ready behind Nathan while the other man read his message.

“Thank you,” Nathan said at last, tension lacing his voice. “Tell Mr. Erris I’ll meet him in thirty minutes.

“Yes, Sir.”

Something had gone wrong while they were out at Lucas’ ranch, of that Eliot had no doubt. Keeping his mouth shut, he followed Nathan into the elevator and waited until they were in the suite to look at the other man. Nathan looked thunderous, to put it mildly, and Eliot hesitated, not sure what he should do. If he’d been free, he would’ve just demanded to know who to hurt and be done with it. As it was, he just asked, “Something wrong?”

“That jackass who put his hands on you claims that you started it,” Nathan snapped. “Now he’s got an arbiter on hand to see about damages.”

Eliot’s jaw dropped and he exclaimed, “What the fuck? He can’t do that!”

That seemed to cut through Nathan’s anger. His gaze narrowed at Eliot and he ordered, “Strip.”

Rebellion hovered very close to the surface; close enough that he paused and opened his mouth to protest before thinking better of it. Scowling, he yanked off his sweater and t-shirt striding over to the suitcases to fold and put them away. He did the same with his jeans and boxers, boots and socks tucked against the wall next to the cases. His ‘chain’ popped off twice, adding to his irritation, and by the time he’d returned to where Nathan still stood, Eliot was about ready to tell him where to shove his orders.

“That jackass,” Nathan began coolly, “can do anything he wants. He’s a free man. A Citizen. You, are a slave. You’re my slave and as such, I hold you to a very, very high standard. I may have done too much, too soon, thinking that you could interact with Lucas and Peter as you did and still remember your place…which is where?”

Eyes on the floor, Eliot replied stiffly, “Naked and wherever you tell me to be.”

Nathan walked over to him and cupped his chin, tilting it up as he corrected, “Close, but no. Your place is at my side, right where you’ve always been, watching my back. Just like I’m going to watch yours for the rest of your life whether you want me to or not. You’re not just my slave, Eliot, I’m your Master.”

The other man’s fierce tone took Eliot by surprise and he stared into those deep blue eyes for a long time, trying to figure him out. Sliding his fingers into Eliot’s hair, Nathan’s grip tightened and he pulled Eliot in to kiss him, slow and deep and possessive. It felt good and right and he opened to it with a moan, hands gripping Nathan’s hips as he pressed up against the other man. The kiss went on forever until Nathan pushed him back, onto the bed, and then climbed up to settle between his legs. Eliot pushed his hands under Nathan’s shirt and drew his nails up his back, prompting a hiss and a rough jerk against him, the cloth of Nathan’s pants almost painful against his bare dick.

When Nathan pulled away, he was breathing hard and had the look of a man who was ready to take what he wanted. Finally. But instead of doing so, Nathan rolled off Eliot and straightened his clothes.

Eliot groaned in pure frustration.

“We’ll continue this when I get back. You stay put,” Nathan ordered sternly. “Don’t open the door to anyone but me. Understood?”

Eliot sat up and nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yes.”

Nathan grinned unexpectedly and observed, “You look good like that,” before leaving the suite.

Eliot flopped backwards on the bed and glared at the ceiling, ready to strangle Nathan’s seemingly iron control and immovable plan, whatever it was.

* * * *

Nathan had planned to spend a nice, relaxing afternoon with Eliot in front of the television, getting and giving foot rubs and massages. Instead, he had to deal with an interfering nobody and an arbiter who probably had better things to do. Hopefully whoever it was wouldn’t take it out on Nathan just for not being in town overnight.

The manager ushered him into a conference room where that asshole Erris waited with a women dressed in a casual but expensive looking outfit. She was blond and slender with a competent air and turned to Nathan with a smile and an open hand, which he took.

“It’s good to meet you, Mr. Ford. My name is Amy Wellers and I’ll be hearing both sides in this matter,” the woman greeted.

Nathan nodded and replied, “Thanks for coming, though I think you’re going to find there’s not much of a matter to mediate.”

Erris glared at him, but didn’t say anything.

Amy offered, “And on that note, why don’t we all sit?”

Nathan took a seat at the good sized table across from Erris while Wellers sat to his left at the head of the table.

“I’m going to have each of you tell me what happened from your point of view without interruption from the other. I’ve already spoken with the manager and three witnesses to the incident, but will reserve judgment until hearing from the both of you. Mr. Erris, please go first.”

“I walked towards the valet to get a cab where this man’s slave accosted me,” Erris snapped. “The slave insisted that his master came first and lured me into an alcove with promises of satisfaction. He was afraid of this man, terrified, and had to have the cab waiting. I can see why he was so scared, since the second Ford arrived, he grabbed me by the wrist and nearly broke it, shoving me and manhandling me and then threatening me! He threatened to cut my hand off if I touched the slave again and blind me, if I so much as looked at him!”

Wellers nodded soberly and then looked at Nathan.

Shrugging, Nathan confirmed, “I came back from the men’s room to find Erris had my slave cornered and was about to grope him. I stepped in and yes, I did threaten him, though I didn’t say I would blind him. He’s lucky I didn’t challenge him for touching my slave without permission. Eliot is new to me and still unsure of his place, but he’s been doing very well. Really, Erris is lucky that Eliot didn’t revert to type and take care of him, himself. As ex-military, Eliot certainly could have and escaped without anyone being the wiser.”

Erris paled at that tidbit, which gave Nathan some satisfaction.

He finished, “Erris harassed my slave, put his hands on my slave, unfairly berated the valet, and now he calls you in? It’s the most asinine thing I’ve ever heard.”

“The slave doesn’t even have a proper chain, how was I supposed to know that he was anything more than trash waiting to be disposed of?” Erris exclaimed. “And even if I did talk to the slave, there was no call for that man to cause me physical injury!”

Nathan bared his teeth at Erris and informed him, “Don’t touch what isn’t yours, and you won’t get hurt.”

“All right, enough,” Wellers inserted. “I’ve heard enough. Mr. Erris, this entire thing is a farce. The witnesses I’ve spoken to corroborate Mr. Ford’s account. I fine you two thousand dollars to be paid to the Empire Arbiters’ Fund and will file an official report of this account. If you file another false claim, there will be further action.”

“What? You can’t do that!” Erris shouted, jumping to his feet. “Do you know who I am?”

Nathan snorted. “Someone who’s going to get his ass kicked if he doesn’t shut up. Ms. Wellers, you need help here?”

She smiled at him and shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you. Good luck with your new slave, Mr. Ford.”

“Thanks,” he replied, leaving the conference room.

The whole thing had only taken fifteen minutes, so there was still plenty of time to curl up on the sofa with Eliot. Rubbing his hands together at the thought, he entered the elevator and smiled at the other people on it before stepping off a few moments later onto his floor. He slid in the keycard and opened the door, stepping inside with a cheerful, “Ready to pick up where we left off?”

There was no response, which prompted a frown. Nathan looked around the open suite and didn’t see Eliot anywhere, so he strode to the bathroom only to discover it empty as well. Taking a calming breath, he forced himself to stop and really look around the suite, going room by room. He knew that Eliot would never leave without telling him, the other man was too direct for anything less. It would impugn his honor.

He found nothing despite turning over cushions, pulling off the bedclothes, and looking through drawers and suitcases. Sitting on the bed, Nathan kept back the panic by sheer force of will. Eliot was gone and Reynolds would see it as an escape. Eliot would be on the run for the rest of his life if Nathan didn’t get him back asap. Pulling out his cell, he called Alec first.

“What’s up, boss?” Alec answered.

Nathan stated, “You need to block Eliot’s locator right now. Make it look like he’s here in the hotel with me.”

“He’s not in the hotel with you?”

“Someone took him, but the Cat Nine director won’t believe it or care, if he finds out.”

“I’m on it.”

“Good. Get tickets for yourself and the girls out here as soon as you can,” Nathan ordered. “And look into Eliot’s history. Go back as far as you can, Hardison. Whoever set him up in the first place is the one who took him now. We need to find him before…we need to find him.”

Sounding sober, Alec replied, “I’m on it,” and hung up.

Feeling sick to his stomach, knowing that even at that moment Eliot could be in the middle of a torture session or worse, Nathan stood and paced while he called Sophie.

“Well, if the lovebirds haven’t come up for air,” she drawled.

Nathan stated, “Someone took Eliot. Hardison’s getting tickets for you and Harper to come out here.”

“Where is here?”

“Colorado.”

“I’ll gather Parker and be ready when he’s got the tickets.”

“Thanks, Sophie.”

“Anything for you and Eliot, Nate, you know that.”

Fortunately, she hung up before he had to think of a response.

While he was pacing, Nathan spotted a slip of paper partially under the bed. He picked it up and found Eliot’s writing on the hotel paper. It was a list of names with a few underlined. He’d obviously started work on the list of possible enemies. Nathan called Alec back and gave him the list of names, telling him, “Start with Williams, Johnson, and Pearson since they’re underlined.”

“Got it,” Alec answered, hanging up.

Staring at the list, Nathan prayed as he hadn’t in a long time that Eliot was all right.

* * * *

Eliot wanted to kick himself for being such a rube. Not that he’d let the fuckers into the room, no, they’d had a card of their own to do that. But he hadn’t been ready for an attack. He’d been sprawled on the bed, writing names down and not paying any attention to the door opening by itself. He’d assumed and now he was paying the price, groggy and in pain from the taser that had slammed a thousand volts into him from across the room.

Fortunately, his kidnappers hadn’t found the small notepad that had fallen beneath the bed when Eliot had dropped, seizing from the electricity. Whether or not Nathan found the list and could get anything from it, he didn’t know. Hell, he still didn’t know who was behind the elaborate kidnapping scheme, stuffed on the floor of a van driven by two very large men he’d never seen before.

Eliot let himself drift in order to get his body back under control. He couldn’t rush this kind of recovery and didn’t try. He also wouldn’t be at full strength for a few hours so all he could do in the meantime was wait for the other shoe to drop. On top of the leftover reactions to the taser, plastic bindings kept his arms behind his back and his ankles locked together. There was nothing to work the plastic against, no sharp metal edges, so he was well and truly stuck until they cut him loose.

The vehicle stopped about a half hour after Eliot had come to, though how long that had been after he’d been taken, he didn’t know. One of the men dragged him over a shoulder and carried him through an underground garage to an elevator, which led directly to a penthouse. He was dropped unceremoniously onto the floor in front of a roaring fireplace and rolled without control almost into it, the flames uncomfortably close.

“If that isn’t a beautiful sight, I don’t know what is,” a woman’s voice drawled in a southern accent. “Eliot Spencer brought low. How very delightful!”

Eliot managed to crane his head around to find Deanna Pearson striding across the marble floor, tasteful high-heels clicking as she walked. She looked as gorgeous as ever, just a lot richer than he remembered. Last time he’d seen her, she’d been in ragged jeans and t-shirt, cursing him out while others held her back because he wouldn’t strike a woman.

Deanna sat on the leather sofa and crossed one shapely leg over the other as she continued, “Yes, my station in life has changed rather dramatically from the last time we met. But as they say, revenge is a dish best served cold so I’ve become rather frigid over the last few years. Climbed my way up to the top by way of the most expensive husband I could find. And now I think it a fitting punishment that since I’ve had to whore myself out to get to you, you can do the same.

“First, my two bodyguards will have some fun with you. I’m going to watch as they make you bleed the way my Trevor did in that work camp. And then, maybe after a few broken fingers and a very long beating, then will come the whoring part. And I’ll watch that too and enjoy every minute of it. I may even take a turn, if it looks like they’re having some real fun. I’ve got quite a few toys with your name on them, Eliot.

“Since my husband won’t return for a few days, we’re going to have plenty of time before I turn you out onto the street. Oh yes, I’m letting you go after all of this. Wouldn’t want to deprive the Empire of an escaped slave now, would I?” she finished, a coldly satisfied smile on her face.

As one of the men grabbed his foot and dragged him down the hall, Eliot began the deep breathing exercises that would let him get through the coming ordeal. He would block out as much of it as he could, since rescue wasn’t really an option. There was no way Nathan could find him before the pain started and probably wouldn’t even after they were done with him. The authorities would find him first and then he’d head to a Category Nine facility and heal up to be executed, good and proper.

The only thing he really wanted before the first punch landed, was for Nathan to know he hadn’t run off and left him.

And then the pain truly started and all he wanted was for it to stop.

* * * *

It took Nathan all of three minutes of standing helplessly in the suite to focus on Erris, knowing that the man had to somehow be involved. Leaving the hotel, he caught a cab to a nearby sporting goods store and bought a set of hunting knives, which he brought back to the hotel. Best thing about hunting knives were they were only traceable to the extent of which type of blade was used. Unless the blade itself was nicked in some identifying fashion, forensics couldn’t match them with absolute certainty to a specific, mass produced knife. He also stopped at a drugstore and picked up a pair or dishwashing gloves.

He called a courier to have them deliver an empty envelope to the concierge Nathan waited in the shadows of the phone alcove for the concierge to give it to a bellboy and then followed the bellboy to the room, smiling pleasantly at him as they walked off the elevator together. He made note of where the bellboy stopped as he passed by and then walked around the corner, waiting until the bellboy was gone to return.

He pulled on the rubber gloves and knocked on the door with, “Room service, Sir!”

Erris opened the door without apparent care as he was saying, “I didn’t order any damn…” but stopped mid-sentence, eyes going wide with alarm. Nathan grabbed the door before he could shut it and then slammed it back into Erris’ face hard enough that the man staggered back and fell to the floor. Stepping inside, he flipped the lock and informed Erris, “You’re going to tell me who took my slave or this rug’s going to get real bloody, real fast.”

Climbing to his feet, Erris wiped the blood from his nose and snapped, “Get the fuck out of my room! I’m calling security!”

Nathan took him down with a hard knee to the stomach and unplugged the phone, using the cord to tie Erris’ wrists behind his back. He hauled the other man onto a nearby chair and then pulled out a the largest knife from the bag, making sure Erris saw how good he was with it by lightly tossing it this way and that into the air and catching it by the blade each time.

“You’re going to jail for this, Ford!” Erris blustered between wheezes.

Leaning down to Erris’ ear, Nathan countered, “Oh yeah? Who’s going to tell on me? You? If you don’t cooperate, or hell, if you do and then decide to snitch, well, I’ll let you live but you better fuckin’ believe I’ll make your life a living hell.”

Nathan stood and pressed the blade casually to Erris’ cheek, just under the eyes. The man panted in fear, sweat already dripping down his face.

“See, I know a lot of people, Erris,” Nathan told him conversationally. “I know the kind of people who can sell you to point a, who sells you to point b, who sells you to point c, and by then, it’s all legit. You’ve got a locator and a paper trail, and you’re a fucktoy to some sadist for the rest of your very, very long life. I can, and will, make that happen. Are we clear?”

Erris licked at his lips and nodded, gaze riveted to Nathan’s.

“Good. Now who the fuck took my slave?”

* * * *

Nathan tugged the delivery hat down low as he touched the penthouse buzzer. Deanna Pearson. It had been Trevor Pearson on the list, but Hardison had found out that Trevor had died in a work camp after being convicted of a job gone very wrong. The widow apparently blamed Eliot for her husband’s misfortune because Eliot had walked away while Pearson had gotten nabbed. Of course, Eliot hadn’t been the one shooting up jewelry store patrons, either. He’d tackled Pearson and knocked him out after the first two shootings, leaving him tied up for the cops before escaping.

And now they knew at least one of the probably many reasons that Eliot didn’t like guns.

The door opened after his third press of the buzzer and a woman’s harried voice demanded, “What? What is it?”

Nathan pushed the gun against her stomach and looked into her eyes as he snarled, “Where is he?”

Her eyes widened in both recognition and fear. “How did you…Erris. That bastard ratted me out, didn’t he?”

Stepping into the penthouse, he kicked the door closed and ordered, “On that chair.”

She moved to sit on the indicated chair and he cuffed her to it. “I’m not going to kill you, so don’t bother screaming for help. I’m going to leave you to wonder when the hammer’s going to fall. And it will. Hard. Where’s Eliot?”

“Down the hall in the guest room,” she snapped.

He shoved her scarf into her mouth and strode down the hall, clicking off the safety on the gun, not sure what he would find. Cracking the door open, his gut churned with fury, guilt, and the need for vengeance. He kicked it open the rest of the way and shouted, “Get off him!”

There were two men in the room with Eliot, both big and muscled. Eliot was bent forward over a settee, hanging there with one man’s dick in his slack mouth while the other was in his ass. There was blood everywhere, all over Eliot’s naked body, the floor, and the bed, and he didn’t even seem conscious, but they were raping him anyhow. Nathan fervently hoped that Eliot had passed out a long time ago and didn’t know about this. That he would never know except in a vague, muscle-memory sense way when he came around to the pain.

They backed away from Eliot, hands in the air. The need to kill was as strong as it had been since his son’s death. He could put a bullet in both their brains and Erris would be implicated, since it was his gun. Erris was everyone’s patsy and while Nathan wasn’t above using him in the same way, these two fuckers didn’t deserve a clean death. His mind spun with possibilities that were temporarily put on hold in favor of getting Eliot out and to medical assistance.

“You, bind him to the bed,” Nathan ordered harshly.

Thug A did as he was told, cuffing Thug B to the bed with the leather restraints already in place. Restraints that had probably been used to hold Eliot in place. Nathan strode forward and brought the butt of the gun savagely down on Thug A’s head, knocking him out to fall across Thug B on the bed. He cuffed the man as well and then tucked the gun in the back of his pants.

Turning back to Eliot, he hesitated, not sure what kind of damage they’d inflicted, aside from the obvious. He ultimately decided that speed was more necessary and murmured an apology as he pulled Eliot over his shoulder. The slave was deadweight, unconscious for real and not just faking it for his captors’ benefit. That made it easier to walk at a fast clip, knowing no pain would accompany their escape. He didn’t even look at Deanna Pearson on the way out, sure that he would kill her if he did.

He took the freight elevator down and made it to the rental car without being seen. Thanks to some kind of security snafu at LAX, the rest of the team was still in LA, but Hardison’s talents were very useable from long distance. He’d taken out building security, claiming it had been surprisingly easy for such a high rent place, so there were no cameras to worry about. He gently lay Eliot in the backseat and then covered him with the blankets waiting on the floor. Taking a moment to cup the slave’s face, Nathan whispered, “I’m so sorry,” before forcing himself to leave Eliot there and get in the driver’s seat.

Once on the street, Nathan pulled out his cell and called Alec.

“You got him?”

“I’ve got him. Do it.”

There was rich satisfaction in Alec’s voice as he replied, “On it, boss.”

Alec would call the current husband who was on a business trip and inform him that his wife was in an accident and he had to return immediately. She’d been released, but really should have someone there to watch her. The cuckold should get back right around the time Pearson and her men were either getting free or had already done so, but hadn’t had time to clean up that room filled with Eliot’s blood. No matter how in love with her the husband was, the entire incident would raise serious questions.

It was just the start of what Nathan planned to do to her.

Nathan drove straight out to Lucas’ ranch, where a trusted doctor and safety waited. He pressed the edge of the speed limit, but didn’t test his luck by speeding; getting pulled over by a cop was the last thing they needed. They arrived just shy of nightfall and he hopped out of the car as Lucas, Peter, Kyle and Jake jogged over to the car.

“He’s in the back and they worked him over good,” Nathan said. “We should carry him in the blanket.”

Nathan took the side where Eliot’s head rested while Lucas took hold of the other side. Peter gasped on seeing Eliot, but only draped the other blanket over him to keep him warm on the trip to the house. It didn’t take long to get him upstairs where a man Nathan didn’t know waited in the bedroom. On the short side with a potbelly and gray whiskers, the man looked like an out-of-work Santa more than anything else.

“Nate, this is Dr. Hillson. He saw Peter through that pneumonia last year,” Lucas assured him.

And anyone that had saved Peter’s life was okay in Nathan’s book. Nodding, he stepped back and said, “I don’t know what kind of internal injuries he might have, but they only had him for four hours. Maybe, not too many?”

He hated the uncertainty in his own voice. Hated himself for letting it all happen.

Dr. Hillson smiled kindly at him and started looking over Eliot as he said, “I’ll look him over good, don’t you worry. Lucas, why don’t you take Mr. Ford down to get something to drink. He looks like he could use it.”

Nathan shook his head. “I should be here. If Eliot wakes up…”His words trailed off as Dr. Hillson pushed a syringe into Eliot’s arm and depressed the plunger.

“Eliot’s going to be out for quite a while,” Dr. Hillson stated. “I’m going to set him up with an IV and better drugs just as soon as I see what’s going on with him. You will only get in my way, Mr. Ford. Go have a drink.”

Lucas clapped Nathan on the shoulder and pulled him towards the door with, “C’mon, Nate. There’s nothing more you can do. Let Dr. Hillson take care of Eliot now.”

Feeling utterly useless, Nathan stopped resisting and walked out of the room with Lucas.

* * * *

It had been a long time since Eliot had woken to a blanket of drugs in his system, but the aftertaste in his mouth and the lethargy in his limbs were impossible to miss. It took some effort to open his eyes, but when he managed it, he wasn’t where he was supposed to be. There were no floral-printed walls and refined furniture, but rather masculine furniture and natural wood walls.

Frowning in confusion, wondering if somehow he’d dreamed the entire thing and they’d never left Lucas’ ranch, Eliot cleared his throat and rasped, “Nathan?”

The face that popped into sight was a kindly older man, definitely not Nathan, and he said quietly, “Your Master’s sleeping over there, Eliot. I’m Dr. Hillson, Lucas’ and Peter’s doctor, and you’re on their property. You’re safe now, son.”

Eliot’s eyes shifted to follow Dr. Hillson’s gesture to where Nathan lay sprawled on a nearby chair. His head was at an awkward angle that likely would be sore when he woke up and Eliot smiled fondly. He must’ve been awake for a long time to drop off like that.

“How do you feel?”

Eliot refocused on the doctor and slowly answered, “Can’t really feel anything. Drugs?”

Dr. Hillson nodded, brown eyes compassionate as he explained, “You were badly beaten, Eliot. You’ve got a broken left forearm, three broken ribs that we were very lucky didn’t puncture your lungs, and a lot of cuts, though not too many required stitches so I’m not expecting a lot of scarring.”

“And I was raped,” Eliot finished for him.

Sighing, Dr. Hillson confirmed, “You were. There was soft tissue damage to your throat, which is why you’re having trouble speaking, and several tears in your rectum that needed repairing.”

They’d double-teamed him. Everything was still hazy, but he remembered that they’d liked to take turns beating him, so why not raping him? Turning his mind from that, he asked, “What’s my recovery time look like?”

“As long as it needs to be,” Nathan interjected, voice rough with sleep. He moved to stand beside Dr. Hillson and continued, “You’re going to rest and recuperate for as long as it takes. I don’t want you rushing anything. We’ll stay here for a couple of weeks until you’re ready to be moved, and then we’ll go home.”

Eliot nodded, but his brief spurt of energy had depleted by then and his eyes drooped as he said, “Sorry about everything. Should’ve been paying attention. They shouldn’t gotten the drop on me.”

Nathan sat on the edge of the bed and cupped his face, lifting it so their eyes met as he said, “This is not your fault, Eliot, none of it. You were safe in our hotel room and should’ve been able to have your guard down.”

“I know better,” Eliot mumbled. “Never let m’guard down.”

The drugs that roamed his body rose up as Nathan’s hand brushed over his head in a soothing motion. Feeling safe for the time being, Eliot let himself fall into the calling darkness.

* * * *

“Sonuvabitch,” Nathan muttered tiredly.

He should’ve known that Eliot would turn it around on himself. And he could kiss goodbye any inclination the slave might have been getting to trust in him for his safety.

Hillson gripped his shoulder and told him, “He’ll be fine, son. Just needs some time. Support him and let him go at his pace, give him the control that he’s going to need to get through this. Might want to look into a therapist, too.”

Not that Eliot would talk to one even if he did go to please Nathan. Still, the older man meant well and Nathan nodded. “Thanks. I appreciate you taking care of him, Dr. Hillson.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow to check on him, but as long as he doesn’t move around much, he’ll be fine,” Dr. Hillson replied. “Just empty the catheter bag with the sterile gloves when necessary and keep an eye on his pain levels. Lucas knows how to take care of that if you don’t.”

Dr. Hillson left, closing the door softly behind him.

Staring down at Eliot, the slave looking so young and vulnerable, Nathan wondered if the other man would be able to trust him again. He’d known someone was after Eliot and hadn’t done a damn thing for safety precautions. There’d been no fake names, no special locks, nothing. What had happened was entirely his fault and there was no way to make up for it.

“Nathan? Dinner’s ready,” Peter called softly.

Nathan sighed and carded his fingers through Eliot’s hair before standing and following Peter out of the room. He felt old for the first time in a long time…since he’d lost his son…since before Eliot and the others had exploded into his life quite literally.

Dinner was in the living room on trays by the fire and just himself, Peter, and Lucas, which Nathan appreciated. He wasn’t up to seeing anyone else just then and was glad the rest of the team was still in Los Angeles. Nathan sat in the chair he’d last occupied with Eliot on his lap and tried not to think about the reason he was alone. He couldn’t and still manage to eat anything.

“How’s he doing?”

Looking over at Lucas, Nathan answered, “He regained consciousness for a few minutes, enough to know what happened to him and blame himself for not being alert enough.”

Lucas’ eyebrows went up and he guessed, “Ex-military?”

“Yeah,” Nathan replied sourly. He stabbed a fork at the beef and continued, “Not that it’s any help in this situation. He’d going to think worse of himself because of it.”

Peter offered, “I could sit with him for a while when he wakes up. Might help to have some company.”

“Not if Eliot’s unstable,” Lucas countermanded.

“But Lucas, he needs…”

“No.”

Nathan verbally stepped in, not wanting to cause friction to the most stable relationship he knew. “No, Lucas is right, but thank you Peter. Eliot’s dangerous even when he’s in control. Out of control and I honestly don’t know what he’ll do. It’s better if I’m the only one who sees him for a while. Well, and the doctor.”

Peter sighed, but let Lucas tug him into a one-armed embrace.

They ate in silence, which left Nathan alone with recriminating thoughts and dark memories of his own. He hadn’t thought of that time in his life for many years and with good reason. Back when he’d been starting out, when he hadn’t really known what he was doing, Nathan had found out the hard way that not all of his chases would end well. He’d spent two days at the mercy of a sadistic thief who’d shown him exactly why using his brain was a much better idea than attempting to rely on brawn he didn’t have.

The difference between what had happened to him and what had happened to Eliot was experience. Nathan had known, and did know, that he’d been a stupid kid at the time and very much at the other man’s mercy. He was lucky to have gotten out of that one alive and knew it, had known it at the time, too. He’d taken it as the severe learning experience that it had been. Eliot, though…Eliot would hate himself for not being able to get out of that situation even though he’d had absolutely no control. He would be angry and maybe even think he’d deserved it for ‘letting’ it happen.

Knowing he was as done as he would be, Nathan pushed the plate away a bit and sat back in the chair. He gazed into the fire, wondering darkly if Eliot would be able to get passed what had happened.

“Nathan? You okay?”

Nathan glanced over at Lucas and managed a brief twist of the lips, though he wasn’t sure it could be called a smile. Nodding, he said, “I’ll be fine. Think I’ll head on upstairs and check on Eliot.”

Lucas murmured something into Peter’s ear which caused the younger man to nod and leave them alone, collecting the plates and bringing them to the kitchen. Once he was gone, Lucas said firmly, “This wasn’t your fault, Nathan, just like it wasn’t Eliot’s. When someone’s after you like that, all you can do is batten down the hatches and hope you get them first.”

Leaning forward, Nathan replied, “That’s the thing. I knew someone was after Eliot and did nothing! I thought…I thought we were invulnerable and Eliot paid the price.”

“How did you know?” Lucas questioned.

Nathan frowned. “What do you mean?”

“How did you know someone was after Eliot?”

“He was set up, that’s how he became a Cat Nine. You know that.”

“No, I know he got caught by the cops doing something he shouldn’t have and maybe someone might have helped it along some,” Lucas countered sharply. “And that’s all you knew, too. Don’t take on more of the blame than is fairly yours. You had a lot going on and the idea that someone might have had it in for Eliot wasn’t high on the list. For all you knew, getting Eliot labeled a Cat Nine was revenge enough. And it would’ve been for anyone but a psycho, Nate.

“People like that…you can’t be on guard every second of every day. It’s just not possible. You do what you can and hope it’s enough. This time, it wasn’t. Next time, who knows? You learn from your mistakes and move on,” Lucas finished.

Scrubbing a tired hand through his hair, Nathan sighed and said, “I know that, really, it’s just…he’s my responsibility. After all is said and done, he needs to be able to trust that I’ll keep him safe. How can he do that, after this?”

Lucas shrugged and answered, “Give him permission to defend himself.”

Nathan blinked at him in surprise. “Excuse me?”

Rolling his eyes, Lucas repeated, “Give him permission to defend himself against a free citizen. The law only says that slaves can’t lift their hands to freemen on their own, not that they can’t do so when ordered by their Masters. Worst comes to worst, he gets a public caning and you get fined, but he’s still in one piece and safe, which is all that matters.”

It had honestly never occurred to Nathan. Such a simple solution and he’d never once thought of it. The laughter that broke free quickly became hysterical. When Lucas pulled him into an embrace, Nathan let the big man soothe him through it.

* * * *

Waking up the second time had less of the drugs and more of the pain, which caused Eliot to remain very still. His entire body hurt, but especially his arm, his ribs, and his ass. That was to be expected, from the doctor’s earlier report, but still hard to deal with. Lifting his unhurt hand, Eliot rubbed at his eyes and drew in a slow breath, letting it go with equal care. He scanned the room but found neither doctor nor Nathan until he turned his head. Nathan lay on his side on the bed, a foot of space between them, and a frown etched into his sleeping face.

Eliot reached out and brushed bangs off the other man’s face, smiling when Nathan mumbled and caught his hand while still asleep. He stayed like that for a while, enjoying the contact, but eventually had to concede to the pain. Twitching his hand against Nathan’s woke the other man almost immediately, blue eyes blurred with sleep as he asked, “Eliot? You okay?”

“Could do with more drugs,” Eliot replied, wincing at the pain in his throat. “Not too much, don’t like narcotics.”

Nodding, Nathan rolled out of bed and walked around it to get to the IV. He picked up a syringe from a nearby table and pushed about half the contents into the line. Setting the syringe back on the table, he moved to sit beside Eliot and said, “Doc’s going to be here in a couple hours. Think you can make it ‘til then?”

Eliot nodded and took Nathan’s hand with his good one, staring at their joined hands. Knowing Nathan as he did, the other man was taking all the blame on himself.

“You have my permission to beat the shit out of anyone who lifts a hand to you again,” Nathan unexpectedly said.

Startled, Eliot looked at him and asked, “What?”

Nathan nodded and repeated, “Anyone touches you and you do whatever you think is necessary to get rid of them. If you’re threatened, fight back. If someone’s got a knife or a gun, you do whatever it is that you do to get out of it. Screw the law. I’ll pay whatever fine they decide on and more to make sure you don’t get in trouble for defending yourself. Stupid fucking law anyhow. I’ll get that Senator to look into repealing it. He owes us big for taking out his main rival in those government contracts.”

Nathan’s fierceness both took Eliot by surprise and warmed him in ways he couldn’t begin to say. His hand tightened on the other man’s and he simply replied, “Thanks.”

Nathan brought his hand up and kissed the back of it, leaving it against his mouth for a few seconds before he said, “We’re going to work through this, Eliot. I’ve ah, I’ve been where you are and it’s not easy, but you can get passed this. I want this, us, to work, more than I thought I did. Whatever you need, I’ll make sure it happens.”

It hurt to think that Nathan had been in any kind of similar situation, but the haunted look in the other man’s eyes was undeniable. He didn’t know if that kind of knowledge was helpful or not, only time would tell. For the time being, he just nodded and whispered, “Water?”

Nathan nodded and released him to pour a glass of water. Eliot used the opportunity to brush a hand across his eyes without being seen. He offered a brief smile as Nathan handed over the cup of water and was glad when there was no offer of assistance. The water felt great, cool against his sore throat but not too cold.

“You mind if I ah, if I get back into bed with you?”

The hesitation was very un-Nathan-like, though Eliot appreciated the consideration. He nodded and Nathan walked back around and climbed under the covers. When Nathan slowly closed the distance between them, Eliot held very still, not sure how he would feel at the contact. Nathan slid his arm under Eliot and spooned up behind him, putting his other arm over Eliot’s waist. The change in position relieved pressure on his ribs, which was good, but the whole thing felt awkward.

And then he realized that Nathan wasn’t holding him like before, but just barely touching him despite the support. His left arm was strapped to his chest, but Nathan was mostly along his right side anyhow so Eliot twined their fingers together and hitched his arm around a little tighter. Nathan took the hint and pressed up more firmly behind him, nuzzling against the back of his neck, through his hair. Eliot let out a short, sharp sigh of relief that the confining position didn’t send him into some kind of unforeseen panic attack.

“I’m sorry, Eliot, so damn sorry,” Nathan murmured against his ear.

Eliot squeezed his hand and whispered, “We’ll be okay…Master.”

Nathan’s breath hitched, but he only kissed Eliot’s shoulder in response.

Smiling for the first time since his kidnapping, Eliot let the drugs do their part and Nathan do his, taking comfort from both.

* * * *

The next week passed with excruciating slowness for Eliot. He hated being laid up with a passion and that was under normal circumstances. He still didn’t remember details about what had happened with the bodyguards, but the sensations of helplessness and pain remained constantly with him. They probably would continue to stay with him until he was one hundred percent and able to use his own body again.

“You look like you could use some sleep,” Nathan observed, climbing into bed.

Eliot glared at him and snapped, “All I do is sleep! I’m sick of this damn bed!”

Nathan arched an eyebrow at him, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he curled up behind Eliot in their usual position and cradled him, taking the place of the stabilizing pillow. “Did you take your meds?”

Sullen, Eliot replied, “Yes.”

“I know you hate this, Eliot, but you need to rest in order for your body to recover,” Nathan said against his ear. “Doc Hillson’s swinging by tomorrow, so maybe you’ll get a little back to normal then. Out and about a bit.”

Not for the first time, Eliot protested, “It’s just my arm and ribs. I don’t know why y’all are treating me with such kid gloves! I’ve had worse.”

“It’s your ribs we’re worried about, and you know it,” Nathan scolded.

Eliot made a face the other man couldn’t see and silently conceded that a punctured lung really would suck. But by now his body should’ve been much further along than they were insisting. If they didn’t let him out of bed for more than time to take a leak soon, someone was going to regret it.

Rubbing a hand over Eliot’s abs, Nathan suggested, “I could take your mind off things, if you want?”

Eliot was going to ask how when Nathan’s hand slid down low on his belly, causing him to freeze up. They hadn’t done anything since his rescue, not even any real kissing. Nathan had just held him at night while he’d slept and given him the occasional kiss on the top of his head in passing. He’d woken twice from violent nightmares of the rape, though his conscious mind couldn’t yet remember what had happened. The lingering soreness in his ass and throat were more than enough to make him not want to remember.

“Or we don’t have to,” Nathan said, shifting his hand north again.

But Eliot wanted to and covered Nathan’s hand with his own, pulling it low again.

Nathan asked softly, “Are you sure?”

Nodding, Eliot answered, “I want my body back. I think…this will help.”

Nathan’s hand gripped Eliot’s dick and stroked it lightly, taking a loose hold and murmuring against his ear, “Just slow and easy, you and me, Eliot. Close your eyes, feel my hand on you.”

Eliot did as he was told and shivered as the hand around his shaft moved up and down, pausing at the top to rub the palm over and back around. It felt really good, a little rough maybe, with the lack of slickness, but as Nathan’s tongue slid along the curve of his neck and teeth tugged on his ear, that slowly grew to be less of a problem. He groaned as Nathan sucked lightly along his shoulder, pleasure rising to combat the constant aches and pains the drugs didn’t quite mask on the lesser dose.

“You feel so good, Eliot,” Nathan told him, rubbing a hard cock against Eliot’s ass.

Fear sliced through Eliot, freezing him in place, but Nathan didn’t do anything else, made no move to penetrate and he slowly relaxed.

“Nothing’s going to hurt here. Just feel good, Eliot.”

The softly spoken words echoed through him. He couldn’t help groaning again and spreading his legs to give better access when Nathan’s hand moved between them to cup his balls. His head dropped back onto Nathan’s shoulder and he arched into the caressing squeeze and roll of his balls. Nathan’s hand moved back to his shaft, jerking him with more purpose as pre-come dripped from his dick.

Nathan’s breathing had sped a bit to match Eliot’s and he said roughly, “That’s it, just feel good for me. Want you so much Eliot, going to make sure no one ever hurts you again, unless it’s me, and then you’re going to hurt so damn good.”

Eliot’s breath hitched at the thought of Nathan spanking him or…Claiming me…whispered through his mind and he cried out in unexpected need. Nathan answered with a stronger stroke, squeezing as he jerked Eliot off, all the while his own dick pushing between Eliot’s thighs. His body coiled, come leaking steadily now as Nathan’s hand moved faster and tighter around his cock. His legs tightened instinctively as he came, thrusting into the makeshift hole, come splattering over his abs and Nathan’s hand.

Nathan came seconds later with a low, guttural moan, humping against him and covering his thighs and ass with seed. Panting, forehead pressed against Eliot’s shoulder, he muttered, “The real thing’s going to kill me.”

Eliot gasped a laugh as he caught his breath, the endorphin release way better than drugs. Nathan shifted out from under him and walked to the bathroom, coming back with a damp, warm cloth. Smiling up at Nathan as he cleaned Eliot off, front and back, Eliot told him, “Thanks.”

Nathan smiled back and answered, “Thanks, yourself,” before tossing the cloth at the bathroom and climbing back into bed.

Eliot settled against Nathan with a contented sigh. He fell asleep to the soothing weight of Nathan’s arm over his chest and the warm support of the rest of him behind him.

…agonizing pain all over kept Eliot limp on the floor…the beating had degenerated into kicking…

…argument over who did him first…unconsciousness hovering, but never taking hold…

…arms lax and free, but too weak to fight…hauled over something soft, but firm…

…the first dick rams into him without mercy…in and out, over and over…the second dick forces into his mouth, the gun at his temple warning not to bite…

…helpless…pain…humiliation…urinating on him…they switch places…

…rage burns inside…too weak to fight back…

And suddenly, he’s not only strong enough, but his cast was pressed into Nathan’s throat, the other man struggling futilely from his vulnerable position. Eliot instantly jerked back, falling away from Nathan while the other coughed and dragged in huge gulps of air. Horrified at what he’d almost done and sick with the memories that were now very much in his conscious mind, Eliot stumbled from the bed.

He barely made the bathroom, falling hard on his knees to throw up into the toilet. Nathan rubbed his back while he heaved up his guts until there was nothing but bile. Leaning his head against the cool porcelain, Eliot stayed where he was as Nathan leaned over him to flush the toilet.

“You okay?” Nathan asked, voice hoarse.

Eliot nodded weakly, unable to speak yet. His body hurt from the awkward position, as if the beating and rapes had just happened all over again.

Nathan sighed and rubbed his back again. “I’m sorry, Eliot, it was too soon. I shouldn’t have…”

Ignoring the pain, Eliot twisted and covered his mouth. Shaking his head, Eliot said roughly, “I wanted it, Nate. I wanted you and I wanted my own body back.”

Nathan kissed his palm and drew it down, suggesting, “How about we take this somewhere more comfortable?”

Eliot nodded and let Nathan help him up, stopping to rinse his mouth and brush his teeth of the foul taste that remained. His ribs ached and his arm wasn’t any too happy, either, but he felt strangely better on the way back to the bed where Nathan waited. Eliot got slowly back onto the mattress and lay facing Nathan, though it was on his injured side, which still throbbed angrily to his pulse. A bruise had already started forming over Nathan’s throat, dark and ugly.

“You remember now.”

He didn’t know how Nathan knew, but Eliot nodded. “The worst part was by the time my arms were free, I was too weak, too injured to fight back. And it’s not like I can’t fight with just my legs, I’ve done it plenty before, but…they tasered me, and then the beating came fast on that, and…I know there’s nothing I could’ve done, but…”

“You feel lessened by it,” Nathan stated.

It was an uncomfortable realization, but Nathan was dead on.

Nathan reached out and took his good hand, lacing their fingers together as he said, “It’s going to take time, but you’ll get over it. Remembering and facing the memories is the hardest part.”

Eliot guessed slowly, “You never forgot.”

Nathan’s lips twisted and he confirmed, “Never even got close to a head injury. Didn’t even really pass out from the pain because he was very, very good.”

“What happened?” Eliot asked hesitantly.

Putting an arm behind his head, Nathan looked up at the ceiling as he relayed, “I was young and very stupid. Wasn’t nearly as smart or as careful as I thought I was and the man I was chasing decided to teach me a lesson. He held me for two days, just long enough that no one would miss me, but more than long enough for me to want to kill myself. The physical violation was the least of it, in my case. He was into head games and by the time he let me go, I was so screwed in the head, I could’ve easily killed myself.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No, no I hated the bastard too much to give him that satisfaction,” Nathan continued. “I repressed the whole thing for a few years and then nearly beat some guy to death for coming onto me. I was married by then and barely escaped jail and worse over the whole thing. Got therapy, did some serious soul searching, and came away from it stronger and smarter.”

Eliot hesitated again before asking, “Did you ever get him?”

Nathan looked at him then and gave a small, satisfied smile as he replied, “Oh yeah, I got him. Technically, it was for robbing one of the company’s very rich clients, but it didn’t matter. He wound up in a work camp where he came to a very unpleasant end.”

This side of Nathan always hovered in the background, though the man rarely let it out to play. Eliot knew there was more to Nathan than he let on to the world at large. The need for vengeance, the complicated games that let them sting people without getting caught, the ‘eye for an eye’ philosophy that went very deep. There was a darkness in the other man that would be scary in anyone, but in Nathan, it would be terrifying if he ever truly lost himself.

“What about you? Do you want to get Pearson for what she had done to you?”

Eliot’s first answer was an instinctive, ‘Hell yeah,’ but he restrained it as he really thought about it. He knew what Nathan was really asking. Did Eliot want them to suffer the way he had? That was the question behind the question. Keeping in mind that Nathan could pretty much make anything happen, Eliot finally settled on, “I want them punished for what they did, but…I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on anyone. Not even them.”

Nathan squeezed his hand and said, “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”

That didn’t mean Nathan wouldn’t punish Pearson and her goons in a way that satisfied his own sense of justice, just that he’d be sure and not tell Eliot about the details.

“Think you can sleep? Or do you want to talk more?”

“I’m wiped,” Eliot replied honestly.

“Then c’mon. Lie back on me.”

Eliot pointed out, “I could have another nightmare and hurt you again. Hurt you worse. I’ll just stay over here for a few days until I get settled.”

Nathan shook his head and ordered, “Over here now, Eliot. We’re not going to let this thing beat us, or separate us. I can take whatever your subconscious has to dish. Trust me, okay?”

Eliot wanted to, but he was afraid of his own strength.

“Okay. Now it’s not a request. C'mere.”

Which took matters out of his hands, as Nathan no doubt meant it to. Sighing, he slowly rolled over, presenting his back to Nathan’s front. It felt so good when the other man spooned up behind him that Eliot wanted to just sink into him, but he stayed stiff and unyielding. Nathan’s arms wound about him top and bottom, one over his waist and the other around his chest, near his throat. The confining position was clearly a challenge and it took a long time for Eliot to accept it, relaxing by small degrees.

Sleep took even longer, but eventually he did and finally, it was dreamless.

* * * *

It was early the next day that Hillson said it was all right to move around again and return to regular food.

“Now that doesn’t mean you can start muckin’ out stalls and riding,” Doc Hillson warned sternly. “I want you restin’ for another week before doin’ anything strenuous, understand me young man?”

Eliot grinned and gave a Boy Scout salute.

Nathan swatted his hand down and corrected fondly, “Wrong hand.”

Doc Hillson chuckled as he picked up his bag. “I’ll swing by next Monday for a final check over, but you should be good to go now.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Eliot said firmly, offering his hand.

Hillson took it and replied, “Any time, son. Now then, Nathan. Your turn.”

Nathan blustered his way out of an exam, which had Eliot laughing despite the fact that he’d dealt the accidental bruising. A few minutes later, he accepted Nathan’s help in putting on socks and sneakers, and then to the chair he’d come to think of as theirs in the living room. Eliot sighed in relief as he took in being upright for the first time in a week. The walk downstairs felt damn good, though he knew getting back to the bedroom wouldn’t be so easy.

Nathan grinned down at him and asked, “Better?”

“Much,” Eliot agreed succinctly. “All I need now is some beer and a tv.”

Chuckling, Nathan handed him the remote and said, “The beer’ll have to wait until you’re off the meds, but I’m sure I could get Peter to swing by and keep you company.”

Eliot winked and teased, “Killjoy.”

“You good for a bit? I’m heading out to meet the team at the airport and bring them in.”

Eliot grimaced, but replied, “I’m good. You know, you’d think that Hardison could manage to get them here with all his gadgets and GPS stuff.”

Nathan kissed the top of his head and agreed, “Practical application is not his strong suit. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

Snickering, Eliot nodded and picked up one of the magazines on the coffee table to leaf through. A television would’ve been better, but he’d take what he could get.

The door opened a few minutes later and Peter walked in with a broad grin. “There you are! We were starting to wonder if Nathan had buried you somewhere under the snow while we were sleeping.”

Since Lucas and Peter had both been in to see him a couple times over the last week, Eliot just grinned back and said, “Not yet, anyhow. How’s things?”

They talked easily for better than an hour when Cecelia popped out of the kitchen with a mug of hot chocolate. Eliot had a craving for coffee, but doubted that he’d get any if he asked. Nathan had been following the doc’s orders about food for the last week so caffeine was off the list.

“Thanks, Cecelia,” he replied, accepting the mug.

She beamed at him and answered, “My pleasure, Eliot. Peter, don’t forget you need to head into town and pick up groceries. I suggest you get to it before it gets dark.”

Peter nodded and stood. “Good plan. I’ll see you when I get back, Eliot.”

“Bye, Peter,” Eliot replied.

Nathan and the others were back about a half-hour later, before Eliot ran out of reading material, fortunately. He stood in time to catch Parker’s run at him, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tight enough that he winced. “Parker? Ah, a little looser, please?”

She let go instantly and exclaimed, “You look awful!”

Score one for the diplomacy Sophie had been trying to teach her. Eliot had forgotten how bruised his face was since Nathan had never brought it up and he’d gotten used to looking at it in the mirror. At least he looked a damn sight better than right after the beating, most of the marks fading towards lighter greens and yellows.

Parker instantly looked chagrined and apologized, “Sorry! It’s just, well, you do.”

He grinned and squeezed her shoulder with his good hand. “I do, yeah.”

Sophie and Hardison approached at a slower pace, Nathan directly behind. The two men carried a number of bags and cases while the women were empty-handed, not that that surprised Eliot much. They were all suckers when it came to giving the girls what they wanted, even when they didn’t ask. Hardison and Sophie were a lot more discreet in not mentioning his appearance.

Sophie smiled at him and gave him a gentle hug as she scolded, “No more off-team jobs.”

“No, definitely not,” Eliot agreed, rueful.

Hardison gripped his hand and pulled him in for a brief hug before saying, “Good to have you back, man.”

Eliot nodded. “Thanks.”

There was an awkward silence before Sophie announced, “This is quite the heavenly retreat you’ve found here, Nate! All in the middle of nowhere and without any of the amenities to which we’ve grown accustomed. How quaint.”

Eliot snickered as Nathan defended, “It’s quiet and peaceful! And the scenery’s gorgeous.”

“Yes, because we all know how much I adore scenery,” Sophie drawled back.

Haridson added, “I don’t suppose they have some kind of internet connection out here?”

Lucas entered from the kitchen to hear that and answer, “We’ve even got wireless.”

The big man wore a grin as he joined the group and Nathan introduced, “Everybody, this is Lucas, our host. Lucas, this is Alec Haridson, Sophie Devereux, and Parker.”

Lucas shook hands with everyone and said, “Good to meet you all. If you’ll follow me, I’ll bring you to your rooms and you can take a load off before dinner.”

Nathan caught his eye and said, “Be right back.”

Eliot nodded and sat back in their chair. He didn’t have long to wait before Nathan rejoined him, ousting him from the chair only to sit and tug him back down onto his lap. Eliot automatically curled into a comfortable position, his ribs supported both by Nathan’s body and the overstuffed chair arm. He sighed deeply, not having realized how much he’d missed this, and then asked, “What did you tell them?”

“Just that you’d been badly beaten,” Nathan assured him. “The rest is up to you if you want to tell them.”

Relieved, Eliot said, “Thanks.”

Nathan kissed his temple and answered, “No problem. So. We’ll be here a couple more days and then we’re heading home but, in the meantime, the team and I are going to head out and do some checking on Pearson. You’re to stay here and not overdo.”

Eliot shifted unhappily as he requested, “Don’t make this into a blood feud, okay? I wasn’t exactly innocent in all this.”

“Yes you were,” Nathan snapped instantly. “Yes, you were. Eliot, don’t ever think that you deserved what happened. Never. Her husband killed two people and you stopped him from killing more. No matter the circumstances of why you were there, it was a good thing you did. He got what he deserved and she should’ve let it go. She didn’t, and hurt you badly in the process, so she gets what she gets. And it’s not up to you anyhow, not this. This is my call.”

Eliot sighed, but didn’t protest further. The set tone meant that Nathan wouldn’t change his mind come Hell or high water. Footsteps coming down the stairs paused the conversation, so all he said was, “All right.”

“All right what?” Nathan prompted.

Eliot met Nathan’s gaze and grinned a bit as he repeated, “All right, Master.”

“Wow is that going to take getting used to,” Hardison announced, flopping onto the sofa with a laptop. “Not the Master thing, just you two all cozied up together.”

Eliot rolled his eyes and made a show of cuddling closer to Nathan.

Hardison made gagging noises as he flipped open the laptop and they all started laughing.

“What’s the joke?” Parker asked, sitting beside Hardison.

Smirking a little, Hardison answered, “Your mama.”

Parker frowned. “What? What about my mother? You don’t even know…”

“It’s a joke, Parker,” Nathan interrupted hastily. “You know, ‘your mother’s so fat she should get her own zip code?’”

Still frowning suspiciously, Parker replied, “It’s not a very nice joke.”

Eliot diverted her by asking, “You want to see the horses? There’s a really nice one there that even Nathan could ride.”

She perked up and nodded. “Definitely!”

Nathan murmured against his ear, “I’ll get you for that later.”

Eliot grinned at Nathan and climbed off him only to be swooped on by Parker, who took his good arm and put it around her shoulder. He leaned on her a little and let her lead him outside.

“Jacket!” Nathan called after them.

They paused at the door where Eliot’s coat had hung unused for the week and he tugged it on one arm while Parker made a show of zipping it and saying loudly, “He’s so bossy!”

Chuckling to himself, Eliot put his arm around her shoulder again and went outside, lifting his face to the fading sunlight and breathing the cold air with happiness. The sound of the horses in the stable came over the light breeze along with the smell of hay.

“You and your nature,” she teased.

Eliot laughed at that, not caring about the pinch in his side. No matter what had happened, it was damn good to be alive.

* * * *

Nathan watched Eliot and Parker leave with a fond smile, but it faded fast once the door closed behind them. He glanced at Alec and asked, “What do we have?”

“Pearson’s still in town, but so is her husband,” Alec answered. “Went to his lawyers behind her back, though.”

A malicious satisfaction slithered through Nathan and he prompted, “Divorce proceedings?”

“A belated pre-nup. Basically, he’s disinheriting her if anything happens to him or any of his kids from marriage number one.”

Nathan frowned, wanting more than that. He wasn’t sure how far he wanted to take it, but he definitely wanted more than that. “Any police activity?”

Alec shook his head and reported, “Nothing from the husband. And she ain’t fired those goons yet, either.”

“I didn’t think she would,” Nathan countered, shrugging.

Sophie spoke up with, “What if I give her a friend in her time of need? Suss out her weaknesses the old fashioned way?”

Nathan thought about it and then nodded slowly. “Not a bad idea. It gives us an in for whatever we do later. What’re her plans for the next few days?”

Typing on the laptop, Alec waited a few seconds and then told them, “Spa trip in the morning. Dinner with the husband at Chez Renoir at eight. Flying out to San Diego day after tomorrow on a private charter with her husband. She’s got a charity meeting morning after that and a late lunch in LA with some manager. Seems like she wants to be the next Andy Warhol.”

“That, we can use,” Nathan said, mind whirling with possibilities. “Okay. Sophie, tomorrow you’ll bump into her at the spa and become her best friend. How’s your photography knowledge?”

Sophie batted her eyelashes at him and purred, “Darling, if there’s a way to pose in front of it, then I know it well. I spent a month with this fashion photographer a few years back and he was…delightfully raw. Spent every moment with his cameras. I believe I learned it all by osmosis.”

Nathan snorted, but said, “Good. Hardison, throw in some suspicious financial activity on her part, would you? Be…creative. And check out the bodyguards in more detail. I want to know everything about them. Eliot’s damn sure not the first person they’ve done this to. Someone in law enforcement must know about them, be keeping an eye on them. Maybe we can help them out.”

Cecelia came into the room and asked, “Does anyone want anything to drink? Supper’s almost on the table, should just be another ten minutes or so.”

“I’m good, Cecelia, but thanks. And this is Alec Hardison and Sophie Devereux,” Nathan introduced.

Sophie and Alec shook hands with Cecelia and also declined drinks.

Once she’d left the living room, Sophie asked, “What’s Parker going to do?”

Nathan answered, “Keep Eliot occupied while I get acquainted with the husband. Hardison, what’s he doing tomorrow while Pearson’s at the spa?”

Alec typed on his laptop again and paused a few seconds before answering, “Got a breakfast meeting downtown, rescheduled from when he came tearin’ back last week. Seems like they’re coming to him now, which must mean it went well, last time.”

Sophie prompted, “What’s his business?”

Nathan and Alec answered at the same time, “Antiquities.”

She grinned and wagged a finger at them both. “Now stop that before you start sharing a brain, you two. And how does one do business with corporations and antiquities? Is he getting them to foster grants or what?”

Smiling faintly, Nathan motioned for Alec to go ahead.

Alec explained, “What with the stock market being crap these days, it’s all about diversifyin’ in a big way. The value of antiques always goes up ‘cause time don’t stop, so it’s a pretty safe investment, but long-term. Most corporations don’t want to be that long term, so hubby is goin’ after the big, family-owned corporations who are in it for the family well-being, not really the company’s. Some turn into personal investments, some company-owned and then ‘loaned’ back to museums for the prestige. Good publicity for everyone involved.”

“Until it’s not,” Nathan finished darkly.

Peter popped briefly out of the kitchen laughing and called, “Dinner’s ready! Come and get it!”

Cecelia’s voice echoed querulously, “I coulda done that, boy! Get some manners!”

Nathan grinned despite himself and stood. “I’ll get Eliot and Parker. You two go grab a seat.”

Sophie and Alec headed for the kitchen while Nathan walked outside. He passed Jake on the way and gave him a nod, getting one in return, and went through the main entrance. He looked around, but neither was in sight. Then he heard Parker’s voice and followed it down towards the end of the stables. He found them in the stall with the horse he’d ridden the week before. Parker looked completely enthralled as the mare ate sugar cubes from her hand and Eliot had a small grin on his face, rubbing his hand over the horse’s neck.

“Okay you two, time for dinner,” Nathan announced.

Parker pouted at him and protested, “But we just got here!”

Nathan shook his head and informed her, “You’ve been out here for about a half hour.”

“C’mon, Parker, Cecelia’s food is awesome,” Eliot said. “You’ll love it.”

She made a face at Nathan, but left the stall.

Eliot followed with a last pat to the horse. He accepted Nathan’s arm over his shoulder and leaned on him with a yawn. “I can’t believe I’m tired. I didn’t even do anything.”

Nathan countered, “You’re still recovering.”

“That’s a load of horseshit,” Eliot said with a grin. “I’m telling you. I’ve had way worse and gotten better faster. You’re coddling me too much.”

Nathan winked and countered, “You’re just getting old. Takes longer to recover you know.”

Eliot snorted. “You’re a riot.”

It was cold enough out that going back inside was a relief, not that Eliot seemed to notice the differences in temperature. Nathan briefly wondered just what Eliot would consider cold. He helped the slave out of his jacket and then tugged him in for a long, slow kiss. It took a few seconds, but Eliot opened to it, sliding his tongue along Nathan’s for a short make-out session.

“Hey, we’re waiting dinner on you two, you know,” Lucas said.

Nathan broke off the kiss and looked over to find Lucas grinning broadly at them. “We’re coming.”

He put his arm around Eliot’s waist and they walked to the kitchen door, where Eliot stopped abruptly and put his good hand on Nathan’s chest. Nathan gave him a questioning look.

“I just wanted to say…thank you. I’m sure all of this is more than you ever bargained for and I brought it on myself going off the reservation like I did,” Eliot said quietly. When Nathan started to correct him, Eliot continued, “No, I know that last part…the rape, wasn’t my fault, I meant becoming a Cat Nine in the first place. If it hadn’t been Pearson, it would’ve been someone else or another situation. I thought I was, well, untouchable and would’ve kept going like I had been until I got caught. I guess I’m just saying that I’m going to do my best to make this work. Master.”

Nathan had no idea what to say to that, but Eliot’s intense sincerity caused his throat to close with emotion. He cleared it and roughly said, “You’re welcome, Eliot,” before pulling him in for another, hungrier kiss. Eliot opened to him without hesitation this time, returning it just as eagerly.

Lucas returned suddenly and scolded, “Okay. Enough with the kissing already, I’ve got a bunch of hungry people waiting in here.”

Nathan broke the kiss into a smaller one and then stole one more before cupping Eliot’s face, getting a crooked smile in return. Shifting his hand to Eliot’s back, Nathan gently propelled him into the kitchen. There was a lot left to do before they could settle into their lives, there was no doubt about that. Even so, with the start of Eliot’s genuine submission to him, Nathan felt that they were halfway home.

Whatever else came, they would handle it together; as Master and slave, and as a team.