Running Blind

Title: Running Blind
Author: Midnighteyes
Pairing: Vin/Orlando. Orlando/?
Rating: R for strong language

Disclaimer: The characters that are in this story are fictional.. I'm not making any profite off this story. For entertainment only.

Summary: My life was never my own, for you see I was bought and paid for. I never had any choice in what he did to me. I was his slave.

Special thanks to my beta, Brittney. Without her viewpoints, I don’t think the story could be what it is..

**Special thanks to Ylith, for the banner... It was so sweet of you to do for me....

A/N: The characters are not mine but the story is, pleae do not copy!!

Chapter 18

“Thanks for coming. This means a lot to me,” Eric said as they walked off the airplane. He was still nervous about asking Jake to come along.

Jake smiled at his friend. “You know I’m here for you, bro.”

Eric smiled. “I’m glad I decided to come.”

“You know you would have regretted it if you didn’t,” Jake said, smiling back at Eric.

As they passed people in the terminal, Eric remained silent. He was torn between staying and facing his nightmares or running back to the plane and going home. He wanted to see his brother so badly, but in the process he had to see his non-caring, alcoholic mom and child molesting stepfather.

The two young men made their way over to the luggage carousel and waited for their bags to drop.

Jake watched Eric out of the corner of his eye. He could see the change in his friend’s attitude since arriving in Detroit. His posture became rigid, his movements mechanical. He knew this was hard on Eric and to some extent he was sorry he had talked his friend into coming back to this damn place. But he knew he would have regretted not seeing his brother when he had the chance. Sighing, Jake laid a hand on Eric’s shoulder, trying to draw his attention away from wherever it was.

Eric jerked at the unexpected contact. Realizing who it was, Eric turned his dark eyes toward his friend and stared into Jake’s blue ones, a question reflecting in their depths.

“Come on, Eric; let’s get a drink at the bar before we head over to your stepfather’s house,” Jake suggested with a nod in the bar’s direction. He could tell Eric was struggling with inner demons and wanted to distract him before Eric lost his nerve.

“Yeah,” Eric sighed before grabbing his luggage and heading in the bar direction.

Jake looked at his friend walking backwards. Grabbing his bag when it came out of the shoot, Jake followed Eric. By the time Jake got to the bar, Eric was already seated with a waitress taking his order.

Sitting down and looking at his surroundings, Jake noticed the place was small and empty but nicely decorated. The TV was blaring out the local news. “An unidentified man was found dead near Clark Park. Two young men discovered the body while out jogging. It was reported that the man eyes had been cut out,” The pretty, blond news announcer said. “In other news, police busted a local drug sting where twenty people were arrested…”

“Home sweet home,” Eric murmured, shifting his gaze back to Jake.

The barmaid came and set their drinks down, her gray eyes settling on Jake. “Anything else?”

Jake shook his head. “No, thanks.”

A shy smile crossed her lips. “If there’s anything else you need, sweetheart, you just let me know.”

Jake winked. “You’ll be the first.”

“You do that,” the waitress said as she sashayed back to the far end of the bar.

“Not even here for ten minutes and already you’re picking up someone,” Eric remarked, shaking his head.

“I can’t help it if I’m irresistible.” Jake’s dimples deepened as a smile spreaded across his face.

Eric snorted at the comment. He stared into Jake’s blue eyes. From the first moment he walked into his new dorm room and his eyes connected with Jake’s, he was lost. Eric never really considered himself gay, but when he stared into Jake’s eyes, Eric knew he was in love. He also knew Jake was into woman so his love was hopelessly one sided.

Picking up his drink, Eric took a long sip. He needed to get himself under control. “I know,”

“I can’t wait until I meet your brother. I hope he likes me,” Jake said excitedly.

“He will.” Eric smiled for the first time since arriving in Detroit. “He could never dislike or hate anyone or anything.”

Eric’s smile slipped. “Shit!”

“What’s wrong?” Jake leaned forward with worry in his eyes.

Eric’s body became tense, his jaw set hard and the dark depths of his eyes narrowed. “Fuck, it’s Karl,” Eric snarled.

“Karl?” Jake looked around in confusion. “Who’s Karl?”

“One of my…my…one of Vin’s lackeys.”

Jake turned his head and saw a very large, intimidating man walking toward the information desk. Of what Jake could see of the man, he was not one to mess with.

+

Karl went to the information desk. “Has plane 702 from Lexington landed?” Karl sneered. The girl looked up into dark, intense eyes. His face was set in harsh lines and his mouth was a severe frown.

“I…I...Hold on, Sir, let me check.” She tried typing the plane number in but with this very large intimating man a couple of feet away from her, she kept messing up.

“Well?” Karl yelled. The girl was stupid and one thing he could not stand was stupid people.

Finally the information popped up on the screen. “Sir,” the girl stammered out, “the plane landed fifteen minutes ago.”

“Have Eric Bana paged!” Karl demanded.

+

Eric saw the fear on the girl’s face as Karl yelled at her. He couldn’t hear what was being said but, by Karl’s body language, he could tell the large man was agitated.

Sighing, Eric stood up and pulled out his wallet. Laying a twenty on the bar, he reached down and grabbed his luggage.

“Come on, Jake. It seems our ride is here,” Eric said, his voice distant and cold.

Jake looked up, confused, but didn’t question Eric.

“No need to yell, I’m here,” Eric muttered as he walked toward Karl.

+

Karl turned around and saw Eric walking toward him. Eric had grown up, tall and strong. ‘Definitely a man,’ Karl thought, his eyes lingering on Eric’s muscular chest.

Jake watched this Karl guy stare at Eric. He saw the dark glittering lust swimming in the guy’s eyes. Jake shifted and coughed, trying to break the silence that formed.

Karl’s eyes narrowed as they shifted to a dark haired boy behind Eric. His intense eyes seemed to pierce Jake’s soul.

“Who’s this, Eric?” Karl asked, his eyes narrowing further.

“He’s Jake, my roommate and best friend.” Eric’s answer was short and choppy.

“You know better, Eric,” Karl chastised, nodding toward Jake.

Jake looked between Karl and Eric. He didn’t understand what was going on but he could feel the undercurrent of tension flowing between the two.

“I came for my brother’s birthday.” Eric’s voice became strained through clenched teeth.

Karl nodded. “Vin figured that. That’s why he sent me to pick you up. But you know the rules, Eric.” Karl became agitated. He had nothing against Eric. But he knew Vin hated Eric and Karl knew Vin could barely stand being in the same room with him. But Vin would be in a fit of rage if he knew Eric had brought a friend along.

“He’s coming with me, Karl, I need him there with me,” Eric pleading.

Karl stared into Eric’s eyes for several seconds before sighing. “All right, Eric, we’ll try but no guarantees. You know how your stepfather is about strangers in his house. If something happens and he won’t let Jake in, we’ll have to find him a suitable hotel room.”

“Thanks, Karl,” A grateful look passed across Eric’s face.

“Save the thanks; your friend’s not in yet,” Karl said as he turned and started walking toward the exit. “There’s a limo waiting for us,” he threw over his shoulder.

“What is going on Eric? What is he talking about?” Jake asked, his confusion evident on his face.

“Nothing, Jake. Everything will be okay,” Eric said, his voice flat but with conviction.

As they reached the stretch black limo, the driver opened the door. Eric, Karl, and Jake climbed in and the driver shut the door behind them.

Wasting no time, Karl nodded toward Jake. “Give me your ID.”

Jake looked at Karl, his eyes confused at the request. “Why?”

Before Karl could open his mouth, Eric spoke up. “Jake, he needs your ID so he can run a background check on you.”

Jake’s eyes widened as he looked from Eric to Karl.

“But…” Jake stammered.

“Now give me your damn ID!” Karl demanded.

Jake lifted his hips and grabbed his wallet out of his back pocket. Reaching inside, he pulled out his driver’s license and handed it to Karl.

Karl reached inside his jacket, puling out his cell phone and dialing a number. After several rings, someone must have answered for Karl read off Jake’s name, birth date, and license number. “Need a check ASAP,” Karl said, then flipped the phone shut. He shoved it back into his pocket.

“How long will it take?” Jake asked. He couldn’t leave Eric. He knew his friend needed him.

“We’ll know everything before we reach the mansion.” Karl’s voice was bored.

As the city zoomed by, Eric stared out the tinted window. He hated the cold concrete buildings, the constant noise and crowded sidewalks. He hated this soul-sucking city and never wanted to return. But here he was, back again, and he knew if he didn’t do something to get Orlando out, he would be sucked back into this life – a life he couldn’t live in. Looking down at his watch, he realized it was three in the afternoon. His brother’s party would be starting in a couple of hours. He just hoped he made it on time.

Jake stared out the other window. He could feel Karl’s eyes bore into him. The bodyguard didn’t trust or like him. He wasn’t expecting to have a background check run on him but he didn’t know what he was going to do if he couldn’t be there for Eric.

+

It seemed like hours before the buildings began to fade and green trees took over the landscape.

“Just about there,” Karl murmured.

Jake became more and more agitated. He’d long since started biting his nails. With Eric’s silence and Karl’s eyes boring holes into him, his nerves were reaching their limits.

The limo slowed down, making a right turn into a gated mansion when Karl’s phone started ringing.

Both Eric and Jake’s heads turned toward Karl.

“Showtime, boys,” Karl said, taking out his phone. “Yeah?”

Karl’s dark eyes bore into Jake’s as the voice gave him the information he needed.

As the limo came to a halt, Karl flipped his phone shut.

Jake held his breath, waiting for what the bodyguard was going to say.

“It seems your background check came out,” Karl said, handing Jake his ID back.

Jake let out the breath he’d been holding the entire time Karl was on the phone.

“You passed the first step. Now it’s up to Mr. Diesel whether you stay or not,” Karl explained as both limo doors opened.

Jake looked at Eric in confusion. “First step?”

Eric just shook his head and stepped out, Jake following his lead.

“Why are we getting out?” Jake asked, looking at Eric across the roof of the car.

“Nothing or nobody gets past this inspection.” Eric’s voice was devoid of all emotion as he stared up the long driveway.

Two guards stepped forward. “Put your hands on top the car and spread ‘em.”

To Jake’s surprise, Karl did what was asked.

As the guards patted the men down, they reached in and grabbed all cell phones, wallets, and any other personal items.

Jake was about to protest when Karl spoke up. “Nothing is allowed to go in except you. Everything that was taken from you will be given back when you depart.”

Jake looked over at Eric. His eyes were shut and his mouth was set. By the tension in his body, he knew Eric was about to snap.

Looking once again up the driveway, Eric’s thoughts drifted to his little brother. To anyone that looked at the breathtaking beauty that lay before their eyes, it would seem like paradise to live here. But for Eric, it was a beautiful prison, one from which there was no escape. His body started shaking at the thought of his brother being here.

After everyone was searched, the guards focused on the limo. One guard was in the back, searching between and under the seats, while the other guard took a mirror and went along the sides of the car.

”What is the mirror for?” Jake asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

“Making sure no one planted a bomb or tracking devices,” the young guard said as he exited the back of the limo.

Karl’s eyes narrowed. “Stop talking and do your fucking job,” he barked.

Billy gulped before running over to the gatehouse and retrieving a metal detector. Running to the limo, Billy started waving the wand over each man.

After everyone cleared the search, they got back into the limo and the gates were opened.

Eric stared out the window again. “Welcome back to hell,” he whispered to himself.

TBC

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