Running Blind

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

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

Special Thanks: To my beta Brittney, I don’t know how she puts up with me.

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

A/N Charters are not mine, but the story is.. Do not copy..

*Sorry about the chapter mix up half asleep when i post some of them.. I think i got them straighten out.. Thanks for understanding..,

Chapter 8

Angelina stood staring at Brad, a worried expression on her face. She had a good idea who had just called him. She prayed that she was wrong. When Brad turned around with a big smile on his face, her heart plummeted.

“Honey, I’ve got the job,” Brad said as he rushed over and picked Angelina up, spinning her around the room, his laughter filling the air.

She tried to be happy for him but her heart wasn’t into it.

As Brad glanced up, seeing the worried look in her eyes, he slowly set her down. “Honey, didn’t you hear me? I got the job?”

“Brad…” Angelina started.

Brad knew where this was going and he didn’t want to argue about it anymore. “Listen, honey,” Brad grabbed her arms that were folded across her chest. “This will be good for the both of us. Don’t you see: I’ll be making good money and we can have a good life?”

Brad finished his little speech with puppy dog eyes and pouty lips.

“Please, Brad, you don’t have to do this. My dad…”

Brad snorted. “Your dad’s work would kill me and for what, scraps?”

“Brad, these people are not people you can mess with. They say people disappear within the organization, never to be seen again. I…just don’t think I can go on without you,” Angelina nearly sobbed out.

“Oh, honey,” Brad said, walking over to her, wrapping his arms around her. He loved the feel of her next to him. From the moment he saw her ten years ago, he fell in love.

“I love you,” Angelina whispered into Brad’s ear.

“And I love you, sweetheart,” Brad whispered back. “All want is to give my girls nice things.”

“All I want is you. We don’t need expensive things; just want our happy little family.” The words lost their heat. She hated fighting with Brad.

Seeing her eyes water, Brad laid his hand on the side of her face. “I tell you what I’ll do,” Brad said, kissing her forehead. “I’ll try it for a couple of weeks – to see what exactly they want me to do. If it seems too dangerous, I’ll quit and work for your dad.”

Angelina’s eyes light up as a big smile spread across her face. “Oh, Brad,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a heated kiss on the lips.

As the kiss ended, Brad looked at the clock. “Honey, we don’t have time now but when I get back, I’m taking both of my girls out on the town. Then you and I will have our own celebration,” Brad whispered in a husky voice.

Brad pulled away, grabbing his jacket. As he headed out the door, Angelina called out, “be careful, sweetheart.”

Brad turned around, a big smile on his face. “I will.” Turning back, he closed the door behind him.

Angelina’s smile dropped from her face as Brad shut the door.

It was late when Brad came home that night. She was so worried when he left. Everyone in the city knew who Mr. Diesel was and what he was capable of.

Why couldn’t Brad be happy with a simple life? Why must he always reach for more?

+

As Vin left for the office, Ian walked up to the master bedroom. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liz, immediately calling her to his attention.

“Liz, go straight to the master bathroom and warm some water. Then bring some hot tea and do not tarry.” Ian’s accent punctuated each word.

Ian went to get some soothing lotion for Orlando. As he returned to the master’s bedroom, he saw Liz heading down the stairs.

“Liz!” Ian called.

Liz stopped. She turned around and headed back up the stairs. “Yes, Ian?”

“Girl,” he whispered harshly. “You know to use the servant stairs.”

Liz’s big blue eyes stared up into Ian’s stern face. “I’m, sorry Ian,” she whispered. “I promise not to let it happen again.”

Ian’s face softened. “Liz, I’m not trying…you just have to be more careful. If Vin saw you, he would be outraged and I cannot protect you. You have got to be more careful.”

“I will.” Liz’s face brightened when she realized Ian wasn’t going to fire her.

“Go on, do what I asked you. I must go and attend Orlando now,” Ian explained as he turned and headed to the bedroom.

“Orlando?” Liz asked, watching Ian walk away.

“Yes, unfortunately he needs us today.”

“What happened?” Liz’s voice was full of concern, with a touch of anger.

“Just do what you are told, girl, and bring the tea.” Ian’s voice offered no arguments.

Liz watched as Ian disappeared down the hall. If Orlando needed attending, then something bad must of happened. ‘Poor Orlando,’ Liz thought as she went down the servant stairs. ‘He didn’t deserve this treatment.’

Ian stepped through the doorway, his eyes taking in the breath taking beauty of the room.

Most people could work an entire lifetime, Ian realized, and still couldn’t afford half of the items this room contained.

Ian walked over and looked down. Orlando still lay amongst the furs, his slender leg sticking out. Reaching down, Ian ran his fingers through the long curls that fell along Orlando’s shoulders.

Leaning down, he whispered into Orlando’s ear, “kitten, you must wake up now.”

Orlando stirred at the voice. Shifting his head, he buried it under the pillow.

A smile spread across Ian’s wrinkled face “It seems like our little kitten has claws today.”

Reaching down, Ian grabbed the pillow and pulled it off Orlando’s head. Then grabbing the furs, he pulled them off Orlando’s body, leaving the young man in a small ball in the center of the large bed.

Ian drew in a sharp breath as he surveyed the damage done to Orlando’s body. He’d seen worse, but still there was quite a bit of damage.

Ian was used to Orlando nudity, to him Orlando was like a grandchild. He hated what Vin did to this precious boy. He could not express the hatred he felt in his heart every time he had to treat Orlando’s wounds.

The cool air hit Orlando’s body, causing him to shift uncomfortably. As his bottom hit the mattress, he let out a loud whimper and rolled back onto his side. Tears leaked from the corners of his closed eyes.

“I know, kitten. Shh, I’ll make it better,” Ian whispered. “I had some warm water drawn for you. I will help you get up.”

Orlando slid to the side of the bed and, with Ian’s help, he was able to stand up without his sore bottom hitting the mattress again.

Ian held onto his arms as he staggered into the bathroom. “Hold onto the bars while I sprinkle the herbs into the water.”

As Ian bent over, Orlando stared at himself in the mirror. He could see the welts on his backside and the dark bruising that started appearing along his lower stomach and thighs. It was so hard keeping up with all the rules Vin made. He really tried but he always seemed to be messing up.

“There you go, kitten,” Ian said, straightening up.

Grabbing Orlando’s hand, Ian helped him into the sunken tub.

The water felt good on his abused skin. He sat down carefully even though his bottom screamed in protest.

“It hurts, Ian,” Orlando whimpered.

“I know it does, kitten, just give the water a little time. It will make it feel better, I promise.”

Orlando lay back, closing his eyes. He knew Ian was right and he would try to do what he was told.

Ian grabbed the washcloth and started washing Orlando chest. His gentle strokes instantly soothed Orlando’s pain.

After lounging in the tub until the water turned cold, Ian helped Orlando out. Holding open a large cotton towel, Orlando stumbled into it.

“Ian, where is Heath?” Orlando asked as Ian helped him to the bed.

“I can’t say, Orlando.”

“I was going to ask Vin last night but it seemed there was no time.”

“Listen, kitten, please. If Vin wanted you to know, he would have told you. You must wait for him to state his reasons.” Ian’s voice was stressed.

“Okay, Ian, I won’t ask.”

Ian released a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “Okay, kitten, lay down on your stomach and let me rub the salve on you.”

As Ian applied the salve, there was a knock on the door.

“One moment, please,” Ian called out. “I had some tea made for you. I had a feeling you would want some.” Ian leaned close and winked playfully.

“Thank you, Ian, you always think of me,” Orlando yawned.

“Always, kitten. Always.”

Ian laid the towel over Orlando’s bottom and stood up. Walking to the door, he opened it and grabbed the tray that Liz had in her hands.

“Thank you, Liz. You may continue with your duties.”

“Is he all right?” she whispered, not wanting Orlando to overhear.

“He will be, now go back to work.”

Ian shut the door and brought the tea over. Setting it down on the nightstand, Ian poured Orlando a cup.

“Do you think you can sit up for a few minutes and drink a cup?” Ian asked holding the teacup within Orlando’s reach.

“Yes.”

Orlando struggled for a moment before finally resting on his side against the bank of pillows lining the headboard. Taking the teacup, he slowly sipped the warm liquid.

“You must rest now and try not to move. I will bring your lunch when it is ready. Just try and sleep,” Ian said, setting the empty teacup back on the tray.

Orlando slid back down into the bed, rolling back onto his stomach

Ian reached down and pulled the towel off him so the air could reach his abused skin.

As Ian gathered the tray, he could hear Orlando’s breathing even out. Sleep claimed the young man too easily these days. Ian knew he was escaping into his dreams like anyone in his situation would do.

Walking to the door, Ian glanced back one last time. Opening the door, he exited the room and gently closed it behind him, careful not to wake the beautiful, abused boy from his escape.

TBC

(Please review and let me know what you think... Without you/ there is no me...)