Lost - Two Timer series - 4. Chapter 4

Adam walked into his office building running into Justin holding a two full canvas bags at the elevator. Justin dressed causal as always jeans, top, and sneakers.

“Need help with your bags?” Adam asked, opening the cage door for him and taking both bags in one hand.

Justin flashed his alluring smile and kittenish eyes as he boarded. Adam shut the door and hit the button for their floor.

“Good morning, boss. I had to replenish the fridge, creamers, soda, water, energy drinks.”

“Did you use the petty cash?”

“Yes, and I have the receipt.”

“Good. And I have a case.”

“Cool, what is it?”

“A summons.”

“Boo, boring.”

“Every case can’t be exiting.”

The elevator stopped and Justin opened the gate. They entered the office and Justin put the items away as Adam entered his office to check his emails. Later Justin knocked at Adam’s door. “Come in.”

Justin carried in a cup of coffee sitting it on Adam’s desk.

“Have you had breakfast?”

“I did. In fact, my mom cooked it.”

“Your mom? Anton’s in town?”

“Yes, he is. He’s helping Patrick unpack the house.”

“Will he be there after work?”

“Not sure how long he’ll be in town. I’m assuming he’s going back home before I get back.”

“I would love to see him.”

“Well, I have to serve this summons and there’s nothing else on our plate today so when I leave, you can head over and visit.”

“Really, Patrick won’t mind?”

“I’ll call him I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“Who’s the summons for?”

“Sergio Blackheart.”

“The owner of Blackheart Gentlemen’s club?”

“How do you know him?”

“I don’t, but I know his club. It’s a bitch to get a membership. And once in, there’s a membership fee every month.”

“So, you never been inside?”

“No, But, they invited me to be, part, of the entertainment.”

“I can just imagine what that entailed.”

“Don’t let Patrick hear you say that.”

Adam allowed Justin’s comment to roll off his back as he took a sip of his coffee.

“Can you gather information about Mr. Blackheart and his club.”

“Well do, boss.” Justin left the room shutting door.

Adam dialed his home number and waited for a reply.

“Hello,” Patrick said.

“Hey Pat, listen, Justin wants to come over and say hi to mom later. I wanted to give you the head up.”

“Fine,” Patrick said, in a flat tone.

“Is everything okay? You seem upset this morning?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Babe, I promise I’ll be careful on the job.”

“Okay. What did detective Chance want?”

“He wants me to serve a summon.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. I got to wait until the establishment is open and that won’t happen until eight tonight.”

“But what about dinner?”

“Order something for us. Anything you want. And I’ll pick up those cupcakes you love.”

“You will?”

“Anything for you.”

Patrick stood in a white robe refresh from a massage, smiling.

“I bet you have a grin on your face,” Adam said, rocking in his chair, grinning. Patrick giggled in his ear making his comment true.

“You know me so well,” Patrick said. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t finish that. You have nothing to be sorry for. You worry about me how can I be mad at that?”

“I don’t want to add stress to your life.”

“But I love your stress, especially when you beg for me to fuck you harder. Or, suck your nipples while you’re on my lap.”

“Adam,” Patrick said blushing.

“Or when you say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like a kitten purring.”

“Don’t you have work to do?” Anton’s voice startled Adam to the point of almost falling out of his chair.

“Mom, I was talking to Patrick.”

“Patrick is busy unpacking he doesn’t have time for afternoon delights.”

“For one thing, mom, it’s still morning,”

“You know, your father still surprises me some afternoons…”

“Mom tell Patrick I have work to do.” The line went dead.

*************

Anton wore the same robe as Patrick smirking as he hung up the phone.

“There, he’s working. We can talk.”

“What about?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I have to admit I’m nervous about meeting him.”

“Wait until you see him, he’s so handsome.”

“Where does he live?”

“In an apartment on the north side. I have the address, we’ll take a cab.”

“I can call for a car to take us.”

“A car?”

“Yes, with a driver who’ll wait for us.”

“Perfect, I like the way you think Patrick. Now come on, it’s time for our facials. I’ll tell you what needs to be done while we relax.”

“Okay but before I forget. Adam said Justin will be by later, so everyone has to go before he gets here, or he’ll tell Adam.”

“What is it with you and Justin?”

“He gets under my skin.”

“Oh, Patrick, Justin is as sweet as you and if you two stopped for a minute and talk, you’ll see that.”

“I guess.”

“Come on, facials first then lunch. I hear the chief is making salmon.”

************

Adam told Justin he could take off at two to see Anton, leaving him alone to study the material on Sergio Blackheart. Even though it was just a summons Adam liked to be over prepared. He read the file three times before locking up for the day.

*************

“Justin,” Anton cheered as he greeted him at the door. They embraced as Anton kissed his flushed cheeks. “It so good to see you again.”

Justin walked in to the house holding Anton’s hand.

“I’m glad I got to see you before you head home,” Justin said.

“Oh, I’m not going home today. Patrick invited me to stay the night.”

Anton walked Justin into the living room where Patrick sat on the floor in front of the coffee table shuffling cards.

“Hi Patrick,” Justin said, halfhearted.

“Justin,” Patrick said, with the same effort as his eyes dropped back to the cards in his hand.

Anton been down this road before with his boys. Whenever they were mad with one another, they behave in the same way. Cold and in different towards each other.

“Well that greeting could peel paint,” he said to both.

Patrick remembered Anton’s advice and took the lead.

“We’re were about to play cards,” Patrick said looking up at Justin. “You’re welcome to join us. Anton made cookies.”

“Well, I don’t know,” Justin said when Anton nudged him with his elbow.

“That’s a great idea, we can play twenty-one,” Anton said, watching Justin.

He caught the hint and smiled turning to Patrick.

“On second thought, why not? I’d love to crush you in cards,” he said, sitting opposite Patrick.

With a flip of the cards Patrick danced them with his fingers as he showed his skill with shuffling. Justin impressed, grabbed a cookie and took a bite.

**************

Adam sat in his jeep across the street from the Blackheart club. As the lights to the social establishment flickered on. He climbed out and moved to the black steel entrance. He started to knock when the door opened. He had to jump back to avoid being smacked. A tall, broad shoulder, male stepped out wearing a tailored suit, with cufflinks, an ear stud and a ring on his thumb.

The man didn’t notice Adam at first, then as if a fog cleared he saw him.

“Where have you been?” The man said in a raspy voice, scanning Adam

“I’m sorry?” Adam asked.

“The boss is waiting for you.”

Adam understood he was being mistaken for someone else and took full advantage of the situation.

“Sergio’s inside?”

“Yeah, in his office.” The man stepped aside giving Adam full access. “Tell him George found you.”

Adam wondered what he meant but nodded, anyway. He entered, and the door shut behind him. Another man short and stout stood in front of him by a set of stairs going down. Adam stepped to him and wonder if Sergio’s office was down there. He started towards it when the man’s hand shoot up stopping him. Adam looked at him and waited for him to speak.

“The boss is that way, he’s waiting for you.” He pointed at a door marked, Employee’s Only.

“Oh, yeah.” When Adam turned to walk towards it, the man called to him.

“Tell him Sam found you,” the man said.

Adam again shook his head to the man as he opened the door and walked upstairs. He closed it behind him. When he reached the top, he eyed the hallway lined with carpet and paintings on the wall of naked people in different poses, that led one way. Towards another door more grander than the last one. He braced himself and headed to complete his mission before someone found out he’s an imposter.

Adam rose his fist to knock but decided against it opening the door. He walked into a splendid room with a leather couch, in front of a Persian rug, a full bar with a bartender, an in-ground pool, a big screen TV, a hand-carved oak desk in the far back of the room, and a spectacular view of the club below.

Impressed by the room, he walked further inside cautious of his surroundings. He moved to the view and gazed down at the empty room with a stage, several booths along the walls, In the middle of the booths several black platforms of different sizes stretched between them. Adam could guess what they used them for in Blackheart.

“You changed your hair,” said a sensual, voice behind him. Adam turned and to his surprise Sergio Blackheart did not look like his namesake.

He stood about Adam’s height, slim, with a long jaw and a pure face. Sergio wasn’t handsome, he was gorgeous. His black hair styled in a pompadour, the outfit tailored made the shoes Italian. Rings and bracelets garnished his long slender fingers and wrists slightly covered with a long sleeve paisley top.

As Sergio move closer, Adam, didn’t realize he drew a step backward. He’d forgotten for the moment why he was there.

“Look who’s being shy,” Sergio said, cupping Adam’s face and kissing him. At first the soft lips and inviting mouth held Adam captive. That is until Patrick’s face popped into his head bring him back. Adam broke their kiss and looked at the man who curiously stared back at him. Sergio’s grip didn’t yield.

“I can’t do this,” Adam said, trying to move out of his strong grip.

“Tell me, when you changed your hair. Did you also change your eye color?”

A banging on the door distracted Sergio for a moment allowing Adam to break from his grip. Adam had no more time and grabbed Sergio’s hand and place the summons in his palm. Sergio looked at the paper then at Adam’s smiling face.

“You’ve been served, Mr. Blackheart.”

Adam moved towards the door as it’s pushed opened seeing the first bodyguard, the one who almost hit him with the door, George enter. Adam moved towards him as the man reached out for him. He countered attacked and grabbed the man’s wrist and kneeled him in the gut knocking the wind out of him long enough for Adam to race down the hall to the stairs where the second man, Sam, was waiting at the bottom.

Adam skipped steps as he raced towards him crashing his shoulder into the man’s chest knocking him off balance sending him to the floor. He jumped to his feet running to the exit where a woman stood blocking his escape.

Smaller than Adam in height and weight, an albino beauty with brashness She blocked his escape, casting a cold stare towards Adam and holding a knife. He trained with women in the military and the police force so if she wanted to go toe to toe with him he had no problem with that.

“Stop,” Sergio ordered his people. He looked at the female then to Adam. “Let him go. He’s of no importance.”

Adam glared back at Sergio who smiled at him, then turned to the woman who’ve already stepped aside for him to leave.

Adam said nothing as he exited the building not taking his eyes off any of them. Once outside he returned to his jeep across the street and drove off.

Sergio walked up to the woman who whispered into his ear. He nodded and stepped outside to the sedan parked out front. The woman opened the back-passenger door revealing Devin sitting on the floor. The female told him there might be gun fire and to stay low. Devin looked at Sergio with a worried expression.

“Is it safe, Gio?” Devin asked, using the nickname he gave him.

Sergio smiled and held out his hand.

“It is now,” Sergio said, smiling at the frighten man. Much the opposite of the man he kissed in his office.

Devin took his hand and climbed out of the car, allowing Sergio to lead him into the club.