Debt and Ownership

[Disclaimer:This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.]

. . .

“Come on guys, last leg of it. Keep your speed up…” Obi panted as the three other men remained silent.


“This is so fucked.” Marcus panted as he slowed down the treadmill again.

Jake reached over and clicked the speed button up twice.

“It’s an honest three Marcus. If you cheat or slack off he’ll know.”

“Son of a bitch.” Marcus panted and slid backward on the treadmill and ran to the bathroom.

“When you’re done throwing up get back here and finish your third.” Jake continued to run, his own stomach lurched at the prospect of continuing his own third set.

“You’ve been running doubles for nearly a month now. Go easy on him.” Obi kept his eyes forward despite the conversation.

“We all pull triple what we’ve been doing… I’ve got three more to go Obi.”

“I know Jake, just ease up.”

“Fuck… How… Can… You… Be… So… Calm…” Leon spoke between heavy tight breathes.

“I’m not. There is just nothing left to panic about. It’ll get done. I’ve got no other orders until noon so I got another four hours to finish or I get worse.” Jake stopped and took a deep breath before jumping back on the treadmill. “One way or another, you get it done or you pay the price. Simple as that.”

“That’s some bitter shit, Jake.” Obi popped off his treadmill and wiped down his face and chest.

“You finish your run and we’ll get the rest of the sparring out of the way. You can take each of us in order.”

Jake nodded and Leon managed a gasped yes before Obi trailed off to find Marcus.

. . .

Marcus wiped his face off for the third time and took his time starring into the mirror at the spot on his chin where the blade skipped this morning. Rinsing his mouth our again he let out a hard sigh before drenching his face again.

“Get back out there and finish your second run.”

“First the little bitch and now you.” Marcus spat.

Obi didn’t take a second to think before his smashed Marcus’s head forward into the mirror before whipping him back into the wall. “I’d be very careful about what you say. Mason is your bread and butter.”

“And Jake is his boy, I got it.”

“I don’t think you do. You insult something that belongs to Mason and he finds out you’ll be paying those steep prices Jake was talking about.” Obi let go of Marcus and turned the faucet on in the sink. “Get out there and finish.”

“I don’t get it Obi. You didn’t give a shit about the kid while we were hassling him. Are you fucking him to?”

Obi brushed his shoulder back. “I’d be really damn careful what you say next. Jake belongs to Mason. He isn’t hired, he’s on contract. I’d be real careful not to insult Mason’s business to his lead muscle.”

“Just tell Jake to mind his own damn business.” Marcus turned and ran right into Jake.

“No problem, Marcus it’ll be the skin off your back not mine.” Jake walked past him, the healed scars on his back a clear reminder of Mason’s brand of punishment. “Come on Obi. Let’s get this out of the way. I got reps to do.”

Marcus sulked back to the machines for another round before “Let’s get this finished with.”

Jake easily won two matches against Leon but the other man was obviously distracted and not thinking of the match when Obi won two against him. Jake beat Marcus in a their matches and badly. There was little or no question as to why Jake beat him so badly, determined to put him on his ass as efficiently as possible. He touched the other man as little as possible, but as roughly as possible and let the meaning stand for itself.

The third leg had even Obi lagging between sets and panting heavily on the treadmill. One by one the others filtered out while Jake remained and continued his sets in silence. Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought about the strange journey he’d began a long time ago. What let him here to Mason’s lap, like some insane versions of a life’s mission? Only, the road here was torturous and all together one giant trespass on who he was. There was a time when the burn he felt in muscles now would have been the end of his efforts, but there was not stopping before completion. There would be no putting it off for a more opportune time or the belief that if it wasn’t important to his own desires it wasn’t necessary at all. An overwhelming cramp or pain in his arms meant switching to the next set of reps on his quads and returning to finish these when he could grit his teeth and push through it. There would be no mistaken leniency and nothing but harsh consequences for failure. His like outside of Mason’s control operated under a very similar set of rules. Everything about his new life wasn’t that different from his old life, but the man he’d become varied incredibly. There was something about Valda that changed a man, which made everything turn upside down.

“You’re here.”

Valda’s voice cut through his thoughts and he lowered the set of weights to the floor again.

“I still have two sets left.” Jake moved to the quad curl and lay down on the bench.

“Obi informed me you’re pulling sixes.”

“Everyday for three days now.” Jake pulled again finding words only when his leg relaxed. “Everyone pulls triple is what you said. I was already pulling double.”

“So now you’re pulling sixes and still fucking every night away.” Valda chuckled.

“You know I am.” Jake returned to his set.

“Finish up down here and then report upstairs.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The last few sets he nearly had to redo for lack of attention. Something wasn’t right when Mason called for him in person. The shower in the locker room was hot and well needed after such a long morning. Even under the soft stream of water, his meeting with Mason weighed heavily on his mind. Everything about him screamed on his mind. Everything about him screamed pure trouble. Without anything more than that to delay him, Jake dressed in his usual suit and headed up the stairs to the apartment. The door clicked carefully open and shut again.

“Jake!” Alice threw herself at him and Jake picked her up easily.

“Alice, what are you doing here?” Jake shot a wary glance at Mason.

“Come on, Jake lets go. Let’s just get out of here.” Alice pulled at Jake’s arm as he headed toward the door.

“I can’t just leave, Alice… I’m at work.”

“Jake… he’s lying you really don’t work here. You can come home. We’ll just leave.” Alice pleaded again still pulling at his wrist now and then.

“I work for Mason, I can’t just leave.”

“I told you I wasn’t lying.” Mason sat in his usual chair with his usual smirk on his face.

“Bastard.” Alice spat at him and Jake pulled her back away from him like Mason might bolt out of his seat and beat her. She quickly turned her venom in his direction, ripping from his arms. “I thought you couldn’t possibly go crawling to Mason and beg for his help… not after dad. But still… you did it anyway.”

“Alice. I didn’t come to him. He came to me.”

“Of course, he did and you were stupid enough to buy into his cheap lines.”

“Alice you have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Are you really taking his side? Are you defending that piece of scum?”

“Dad owed him a lot of money, Alice. Someone has to pay it back.”

“I’ll quit school, Jake. I’ll get a job… He’s the reason Mom’s dead. You don’t have to do this.”

“It’s already done.”

“I don’t want it. He can take his apartment and shove it. I don’t need his help.”

“This isn’t about him,” Jake petted her hair as he tucked her face against his chest and leaned his chin on her head. “Its about keeping you safe. There are bad people out there and no after school job or screaming is going to solve that.”

“Don’t you see that he’s the reason we’re in trouble again.”

“Shh… Alice. I know. I know he’s the reason. Stop crying. I know. You just study hard, go to college and stay safe. I’ll take care of the rest. Haven’t I always. Let me take care of this.”

“You always look after me.”

“And I’m not going to stop now.”

“You’re already different. I can tell Jake.”

“Shh.. calm down and breath. It will be just fine. I promise. I’m still your brother.” He led her down the stairs and put her in the passenger side of Obi’s car. With his thumbs he brushed away her tears before kissing her forehead.

. . .

“What exactly was that about?” Jake stormed into the apartment.

“I believe that’s my line.” Mason leaned back in his chair.

“What was my sister doing here? She didn’t know you lived here.”

“My men were escorting her to a doctor’s visit when she demanded to see me.”

“And they just brought her here. I doubt a freshmen in high school bullied you into anything.”

Mason laughed.

“She’s my sister, Mason. She’s not part of our deal.” Jake strode forward. “You have everything you want already.”

“Never-the-less she isn’t enamored with her big brother’s job.”

“She doesn’t need to be. Keep her safe; that is all you need to know.”

Mason stood up and grabbed Jake by the hair. “Let’s go talk now.” Mason dragged Jake to the back room, dumping him on the floor with a plop at the foot of the bed.

“Stand up, Jake.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jake felt a familiar dread uncurl and stretch in his stomach.

“If I want to talk about something I will discuss it. You belong to me Jake.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You give me your body. Your life; but not a word about your sister’s disdain.” Mason smirked as Jake’s shoulders stiffened.

“She’s not part of what I sold to you.” The pinch in Jake’s voice made Mason stop his movements.

“She belongs to me until the day your contract is finished.”

“No, she doesn’t. I do.”

“You’re aware that you’re pushing my patience.”

“Yes, sir.”

“This is a dangerous game you’re playing.” Mason smiled, “She’s right about that.”

“It isn’t a game.” Jake squared his shoulders and waited for the blow that never came.

“And if I’m willing to offer more?”

“What does that mean?”

“What if I offer your sister all of her dreams? What if I offer her college and all the things she’s ever wanted? Do you think she’ll take it?”

“No she’s smarter than that.”

“You took the contract.”

“Yes but you have nothing you can offer her worth what it will cost.”

“And what I offered you was?”

“Yes sir.”

“And if I offered her your freedom.”

“Its not up for sale. She won’t take on the whole debt. You heard her.”

“And if I told her about our other arraignment”

“Don’t” It wasn’t a plea or an order, just a statement.

“Telling me what to do?”

“No sir.”

“I’m not going to tell her anything.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“As long as you’re a good boy, she’ll never need to know a thing.”

“Yes sir.”

“On your knees Jake.”

“Yes sir.” Jake winced as he dropped to his knees, his muscles couldn’t hold up against an elegant shift to his knees.

“Crawl to me.” Mason’s eye caught the edge of pain at the corner of Jake’s lips and stopped him with a shoe on his shoulder. “Crawl up onto the bed.” Mason appreciated all the hard muscles moving beneath Jake’s shirt and pants, the expensive fabric moved gracefully along the long line of Jakes’ sore body. “Unbutton your shirt.”

When Jake began to move quickly, Maosn rolled his eyes.

“Slowly. Jake.”

Jake nodded, one hand fell to his thigh as he leaned back against the headboard. With the other he slowly undid each button on his shirt before pulling aside the placket of his shirt. The tempting strip of skin made Mason lean back against the couch appreciatively.

“Now the pants.”

Jake unzipped his pants and left them hanging open, the v of his dark boxer briefs. A bulge began to form, pressing up against the warm cottom fabric.

“You’re getting hard already.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Stroke yourself.”

Mason watched appreciatively as Jake pushed a hand down into the elastic band and squeezed the hard lump inside. “Enjoying yourself?”

Jake didn’t answer but let out a sigh as the bed dipped beside him. Warm lips ghosted over his and Jake let his tongue slip out and lick a stripe up Mason’s lips.

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Yes.” Jake hissed as strong fingers twisted one of his nipples.

“I think you’re beginning to enjoy this more than I do.”

Jake didn’t bother to reply; he pressed a deeper kiss to Mason’s lips.

“Good boy.”

Jake groaned as the firm hand stroked down over the side of his chest, inadvertently he spread his legs and cupped himself firmly as his hips thrust forward and his abs ached.

Mason looked down at the bright hazy eyes and shoved aside the hand in Jake’s pants.

“ung.” The moan was a sharp counterpoint to the soft panting pouring from Jake’s lips. Jake’s own hand snaked up the side of Mason’s jacket, eager to find skin as passion hot as his own.

“What would your sister say if she could see you now?” Mason whispered into Jake’s ear and nipped at it. The groan that Jake let loose made Mason’s fingers tighten on Jake’s cock.

“Don’t talk about her.” Jake pressed his entire body against Mason and pulled the other man down on top of him; his own hands pulled up the smooth shirt of fabric in hard fists. He practically purred as Mason pulled Jake’s head back with a handful of brown waves.

“My way not yours.”

Jake nodded and dropped his hand, his mind lingered on Alice for a moment and he pushed it away completely. There was no room here for any more thought of family here. Family was a distant place, something people far away, free people, could think about.

“Naked, now.” Mason moved away from the bed, tugging at the cufflinks on his shirt, shrugging off his t-shirt before revealing the healing flesh beneath it. Mason’s cock jumped at the site.

Jake tried not to stare at Mason as the other man undressed. There was something incredibly sexy about watching the other man undress. Mason was muscled and he knew the power those hands held: the power to make him moan or make him scream in pain. For whatever reason, both thoughts made Jake slip out of his pants a tad faster. Jake was so lost in thought that he jumped when two hands cradled his hips.

Pushing into that grip eagerly, ready to be rid of through entirely, Jake grunted and resisted the urge to plead. “Stop playing around and Fuck me.” Jake groaned.

“My pace, not yours.” Mason smirked and took his time rubbing up and down Jake’s thighs.

“Now.” Jake span around and pulled Mason into a rough kiss before the other man pulled away.

“No Jake.” Masson kissed down his neck, nipping at his jugular.

Jake practically growled. He gripped Mason’s shaft in one hand and searched the dresser for lube with the other.

A sharp smack on the ass made Jake groan and wiggle his hips. Jake refused the gentle touches and pushed Mason’s pants down, falling to his knees with them in hand. He made quick work of swallowing down Mason’s erection before the hand in his hair became painful.

“You want to be punished.” Mason growled and pulled Jake up before shoving him down over the bed.

“Not gentle.” Jake pleaded. “Any other time. Just not gentle tonight.”

Mason’s belt slid through the loops quickly. “Count them.”

“One.” Jake groaned, “Two, three, fuck, four. Stop.”

“You don’t listen.”

“Fivesixseven. Eight, jesus, nine, Christ, ten.”

“Do you think this is a joke. That I was playing some game.”

“Eleven. Twelve.” Jake panted. “No sir.”

“I think you do. If you intend to manipulate me you’ll have to try harder in the future.”

“Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty.”

It became like a sick game as Jake continued to count the stokes. His muscles gave out and he slumped into the bed as he counted

“Twenty-one. Twenty-two. Twenty-three. Twenty-four. Twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven.”

There weren’t even tears in his body, just deep pain and the sudden urge to cease to move entirely. Everyone pays their price.

“Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty three, thirty four.”

“Get out of my suite.” Mason dropped the belt.

Jake rose up slowly. Somehow there was strength left in him. “Yes Sir.” Jake pulled on his pants and tugged on the sleeve of his shirt with as little a wince as possible.

Twenty minutes later Obi escorted the blonde into Mason’s room. The next morning Obi looked ragged for lack of sleep and the blonde could barely walk but smiled sweetly with a blush on her cheeks.

Mason stepped through the doorway looking as perfect as ever. Jake looked straight ahead, his knees against the painfully cold tile.

“Up.”

“Yes, sir.”

Another lesson another day.