Debt and Ownership

Long before the dawn came Jake found himself sitting on the couch staring at the large pile of paperwork on the table in front of him. He waited long enough for Mason to fall asleep before he crept from the soft folds of the bed. Lying beside a sleeping mob boss equated to sleeping next to a hibernating bear. The paperwork seemed standard enough. Bills for operating fees for half a dozen night clubs, a few casinos, some other small yet more legitimate businesses all stacked together neatly. Quarterly reports on growth and profit margins. Nothing screamed drug money or loan sharking, but he knew that’s what Mason did for a living. He stumbled over some more suspicious looking notes in the margin of the accounting records. Fuck. The costs of various services jumped now and then, by the end of the fifth page the total was up in the thousands. Jake shook his head.

“For a smart kid you sure are an idiot.”

Jake jumped at the rough voice in his ear. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

“I know exactly what you meant to do. You would have found out tomorrow anyway. Tomorrow we deal with this mess.” Mason waved to the paperwork before taking a long drink from his glass.

Jake flinched when Mason raised his hand. Strong fingers carded through his hair for a moment. Jake’s entire body tensed for a long moment. Those fingers caressed down his face and held his chin upturned toward Mason’s own blank visage. If only Mason showed emotion occasionally, Jake might not be at such a loss all the time.

The mob boss leaned down and gently plied the lips of the confused boy, with his own. A breath hitched in front of him and he smirked against those flush lips. He briefly traced the seam with his tongue and they parted. He immediately plunged in, his tongue exploring the sleepy taste of Jake’s mouth against his own. Mason held the face tilted up. Slowly he moved away, surveying the closed lids the slightly stiff expression over his entire body.

Jake left out a yelp as the hard palm connected with the side of his face. The contrast of the hard smack versus the soft kiss sent Jake reeling. He looked up at Mason, a betrayed scowl of shock scrawled across his face. His left hand clutched his cheek.

“Don’t nose around my things again. I wouldn’t even let that red-headed bitch get away with this much.” Mason swallowed down the last of his brandy. Moving Jake with a shove on his shoulder, he pushed Jake from his spot, took it, and pulled the boy into his lap.

Jake sat lifeless as a doll. The slap rang out against the kiss in his mind. Sitting in Mason’s lap brought back memories of the earlier hand job. He clenched his eyes shut in anticipation, praying to shut out anything that might happen in the near future.

“Relax.” Mason pulled him back against his chest.

Jake attempted to lean back, his spine still stiff.

“I said relax.” Mason whispered in his ear.

Forcing himself to soften, Jake let out a tense sigh.

“Good boy.” Mason kissed over Jake’s clothed shoulder.

Deft fingers unbuttoned Jake’s shirt causing him to shiver at the awareness of the soft unintended touches against his naked chest.

“Today.” Mason kissed his bare neck. “I’m going” Another kiss caressed his upper shoulder. “Take away that innocence.” Another kiss at the edge of Jake’s shoulder became a playful nip.

Jake stiffened at comment.

“Don’t worry. I don’t mean your precious cherry, though I’m going to take that as well.” Mason chuckled in Jake’s ear while nibbling one lobe.

Jake shuddered and attempted to move away. His body fought his own reaction; his mind struggled to understand this not so subtle seduction. Everything, Mason wanted everything and more.

“That’s it, baby. Relax.” The soft purr Mason breathed coaxed an answering moan from Jake.

The click of Jake’s belt buckle seemed to echo in space as Mason undid it and unzipped the offending garment quickly.

“Sit up for a moment.” Mason rearranged the boy in his lap, gentle coaxing and guiding the boy until he was reverse straddling Mason, Jake’s weight on his knees and calves while he sat in Mason’s lap.

Those gentle lips never stopped moving. Those hands caressed him, seduced him, placated every urge he had before he knew he had them. Uncharacteristically rough, Jake’s pants were yanked down to his knees freeing his growing and lengthening cock. With a startled groan he acknowledged Mason’s naked lap against his bare ass.

“Relax.” Mason whispered like a budhist chant.

Jake shifted, tried to get away from the bare skin.

“Calm down baby. I’m not going to take you now.” Mason nipped and licked at his shoulder.

Jake shifter further away. He let out a loud yelp as he was shoved forward. His hands slapped against the cluttered table as he toppled forward. A sharp smack came down on his ass. He tried to get up, but two strong hands yanked his knees apart shifting his balance backward.

“I told you to stay still and calm down.” Mason’s voice was stern and cold again. He planted another heavy handed slap down on Jake’s ass.

Jake attempted to move again.

A third heavy slap came down. So hard that Jake’s elbows gave out and he slammed to the table. Paper skittered from the table as Jake attempted not to topple over. It was all happening so quickly, too quickly.

“Stop” Jake croaked as the slaps rained down. His ass burned like fire. “Stop.” Tears came. Helpless. Hopeless.

“Shh.” Mason wrapped his arms around Jake and lifted the now tearful boy up into his lap. “Even like this you’re beautiful. I told you to relax.”

Jake wiped his face self consciously.

“I told you I wasn’t going to take you.”

“Yes sir.” Jake replied coldly.

“Are you ready to calm down?”

“Yes sir.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “This is what you wanted Jake. This is what you pushed me into. You wanted her place. You got it. You wanted to save her family. They’re saved.”

“Yes sir.”

“Don’t be flippant.” Mason warned.

Jake said nothing. He sat back in Mason’s lap limply, complying with the soft touches.

“You felt good, didn’t you?”

Nothing.

“Answer me.”

“yes sir.”

“Stop saying yes sir and answer me.” Mason said sternly. “I’m not playing games. You belong to me.”

“It felt good.” Jake mumbled

“Than why are you fighting me?”

Nothing.

“I own you Jake. Eight years is a small price for your sister’s happiness. For everyone’s happiness.” Mason condoled.

“I know.”

“Do you?” Mason’s voice was cold and stern as always. “Today I’m going to show you, Jake. Then you really will understand. Get up and get dressed.”

. . .

An eerie silence flooded the gym that morning. The gauntlet seemed to move in slow motion, Jake’s entire concentration on edge. Mason’s words rattled around in his head like loose screws in a tin can. He didn’t know what to expect or not to expect, but something lurked around the corner.

The silence continued on the car ride while Mason went to his usual meetings. By the last stop of the evening differed than the usual. Jake looked around at the other men in the car. No one moved.

“Go in there and collect our payment. This guy is way overdue.” Mason smirked.

Jake nodded stiffly and walked to the door. A hand clamped down on his shoulder.

“I’m coming with you.” Obi stated, pulling on his dark shades, “Backup”

Obi led them nearly two blocks from where the car parked and drove off. The driveway echoed like a cemetery walkway at midnight. The house in front of the two enforcers didn’t seem to be occupied. Jake rang the bell.

They waited for a long moment. Obi lifted one large boot and with all the grace of a commando kicked in the lock to the door, swinging the door violently on its hinges. Obi waved one massive hand and Jake stepped inside.

Inside the house silence rang out against the mess in discord. Jake walked into the living room, immediately realizing why that was. A pair of little girls sat curled up in the corner, their bodies turned into each other, each girl simultaneously trying to hide herself and her sister at the same time. A quick movement from the corner of Jake’s eyes immediately set him on edge. A balding man suddenly swung at him with a heavy drunken fist. Jake managed to dodge it easily after all of the training. The man stumbled to the floor, falling hard.

“I wouldn’t do that again. Jake here may be new but he isn’t stupid.”

The drunkard looked up at Obi in shock.

The blonde leaned against the wall of the living room, his glasses hiding his expression.

“Obi! I didn’t realize it was you guys. This kids new. Didn’t realize”

“Cut the crap” Obi’s clipped reply paled the drunk on the floor. “You know it’s time to pay up, so out with it.”

A low mumble was the only reply.

“What was that?” Obi stood closer.

“I can’t pay.”

“Are you sure about that?” Obi took off his coat.

The drunk scuttled backward. “Wait, wait.” A moment of thought crossed over the man’s face. He stormed over to the two little girls, wrenching them up by their small fragile wrists.

The little girls squeaked their fear, tears rolling down their faces as one protested. A hard smack shut her up.

“Take them.” The drunk dragged the girls forward and shoved them at Obi. “They’ll fetch a good price.”

Obi just stood for a moment.

Jake ground his teeth and moved to help the little girls.

Obi put out his arm preventing Jake from moving forward.

“What the hell makes you think we’re going to take these two kids.”

“Someone will fuck them. Look.” The drunk pulled out up, messily smoothing her clothing and holding her face in one hand.

Jake resisted the urge to hit him.

“You just smacked one across the face. That’s going to bruise. No one’s going to touch something that small and that thin.”

The little girl tensed in her ragdoll pose.

“Just take her. She’ll pudge up easily. Just take her. She’ll be good, won’t you girl.” He shoved her forward. “Show him.”

The little girl started to cry, her shoulders shook with her silent sobbing. She moved toward Obi quickly and without a word, she reached for Obi’s zipper.

Obi moved back. “No need honey. Why don’t you and your sister go to the kitchen.”

She shied away and hurried, towing her sister behind.

Obi’s voice became cold after the little girl’s disappeared around the corner. “Let me make this clear. We want our money. Now.”

“Just take the girls. They’ll be worth it. I swear.” There was a pleading tone in the man’s voice.

“Now.” Obi stepped forward removing his jacket.

“No. Wait.” The man began to stumble backwards, his hands raised protectively. “I got enough for a payment right here.” He went searching through a box and then crossed the room to the table next to Jake. “Really I do. I swear.” He fumbled with the paper and mess strewn about. “I got it. Right here.”

Without warning he swung around attempting to stab Jake the flash of metal that Jake couldn’t make out. He heard a shriek from the edge of the room where the two little girls stared in awe. He barely dodged the second swing of the knife and something snapped. His fist connected with something hard. He kept hitting. He closed his eyes against the feeling of flesh against his fists.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, you sick fuck.”

When he opened them again the girls were screaming. His fists hurt. Obi had him around the waist dragging him back from the room. He remembered walking to the door; his hands were wet with blood. A car picked them up, but it wasn’t the same from before.

“I can’t believe you just did that kid.” Obi was laughing and patting him on the back. “I’m not gonna tell Mason you lost it. After all, you just saved me some leg work.”

Mason was nowhere to be seen. Jake took a shower, scrubbing his skin. He studied himself in the mirror. His hair grew longer fell into his eyes. His body looked firmer, he felt quicker. Surprised by his own quick reflexes, he stared at his knuckles tore against the rotten teeth of the man from earlier.

Jake dressed quickly.

He walked out the front door.

He walked down the stairs.

He opened the front door.

He left.