“I will. Good night, Daddies.”

  “Good night Chip,” Forrest and I said.

  “Sweet dreams,” I said, then Alex came back on the phone.

  “Are you taking the blue cure now, Layton?” Alex said.

  “Yes, He is,” Forrest said. “As soon as we get off the phone.”

  “Bye, then,” Alex said and hung up.

  While I put my phone back on the table and put on a tank top. Forrest grabbed my container of blue cure. He kissed me, then led me by the hand into the bathroom.

  “Don’t worry, I got lots of extra toilet paper at the office earlier, we’re set to go,” Forrest said. “Sit on the throne then open your mouth wide.”

  I sat down, opened my mouth, and Forrest poured the cure down it.

  “Let the games begin,” I said.

  “You have no idea what’s coming your way,” Forrest said.

  Chapter 40

  Agony and Relief

  THE PAIN WAS as bad as when I’d had food poisoning a few years ago. I had action on both ends… and not the good kind of action. Forrest never left my side and to take my mind off things I’d look at his legs and the full pouch of his briefs. He wore a T-shirt but when the pain in me was at its worse I looked down at Forrest’s sexy bare feet. At one point Forrest put the bucket in my lap then sat on the floor and rubbed my feet. Another time he stood next to me and gently kissed the side of my neck, but didn’t suck. That whole side of my neck looked like one huge hickey, when I checked it in the mirror, but I still thought it was worth it.

  The first hour was the worse of it, but there were still breaks in between sessions on the throne—otherwise known as the toilet. After three hours it all stopped suddenly.

  “This is how Alex was when it was over,” Forrest said.

  “But it’s only been half the time,” I said. “Did our one hour of giving into the Diony influence cut my suffering in half?”

  “Do you feel hungry?” Forrest said.

  “Ravenous,” I said.

  When Alex returned he found Forrest and I snuggled up in bed napping.

  “I’m home,” Alex said then he kissed me and Forrest. “How did things go?”

  “They went,” Forrest said. “Something smells good.”

  “Two Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches courtesy of Jimmy,” Alex said. “He said that the sandwiches would microwave better than a steak.”

  “Go eat, Layton,” Forrest said.

  “I am hungry,” I said. “You, take the cure.”

  “Hang on a minute,” Alex said. “You took the cure at eight, maybe a little before, Layton, how are you better already?”

  “The whole giving in and letting go process cut my time in half,” I said, then reached up and pulled Alex down on top of me. Forrest leaned over and we all rolled around for a few seconds. Alex giggled, then stopped when he saw my neck.

  “What’d you do to our poor baby?” Alex said to Forrest.

  “Leave him alone, I enjoyed every second of it,” I said. Alex touched the side of my neck and I winced. “It’s a bit sore now, but I still enjoyed it.”

  Forrest moved to kiss my neck, but Alex put his hand between us.

  “Are you gonna fill in for him?” Forrest said and kissed Alex’s neck. “Don’t worry, you’re too pretty for me to put a hickey on your neck.”

  “Forrest was just marking his territory and making me his and yours,” I said.

  Alex got up from bed. “You sound like you’re talking about a dog. Next thing you’ll tell me he peed on you too.”

  Forrest and I laughed loudly and Alex covered his face with his hand and shook his head. “Please tell me you two didn’t… what the hell—of course you did.”

  “Don’t be jealous,” I said, jokingly. “Next time the three of us shower together we can put our mark on you.”

  “I’m too pretty to be peed on,” Alex said and we all laughed.

  When I got up from bed I noticed that Alex spotted the red marks on my nipple, and didn’t say a word, but, Forrest did as he got up from bed.”

  “Layton likes feet, and while I like feet I love nipples and Layton has nice ones.”

  “I see you had a preference for the right one over the left,” Alex said, as he heated my sandwich in the microwave.

  “It would certainly seem that way,” Forrest said and smiled. “Layton, if Alex, the boss man, says it’s alright I know a place where we can get you a nipple ring.”

  I looked at Alex for a reply to Forrest’s comment.

  “We’ll see about that,” Alex said. “Layton, you eat. Forrest, there’s a cure waiting for you.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Forrest said, and saluted Alex.

  “Hang on a minute,” I said. “You didn’t ask me the question, Alex. For that matter neither did Forrest.”

  “I could see the answer in your eyes and it made me happier than I could say,” Forrest said.

  “I knew the minute I walked inside and saw you two snuggling in bed,” Alex said.

  “Well, I’ll say it anyway.” I turned to Forrest, and put my arms around his neck. “I love you.” We kissed softly but deeply. I really did love my Forrest just as much as I loved my Alex.

  I WAS SO FAMISHED that I managed to eat despite the groans of pain coming from the bathroom. When I finished eating I went and rubbed Forrest’s feet to help him relax, like he’d done for me. His suffering didn’t seem any worse than what Alex and I had endured earlier. There was no great emotional upheaval—our earlier session had definitely helped matters. Alex and Forrest both insisted I go to bed after the first two hours since I had the auction to attend. I tried to argue with them, but I lost.

  The clock alarm sounded and I shut it off without even opening my eyes. Forrest’s strong arm pulled me into his warm body and I melted against it. His breath in my ear sent tingles from my head to my toes.

  “I love you,” Forrest whispered.

  I turned so we were able to look in each other’s eyes. The look of pure bliss on his face brought a smile to mine.

  “How do you feel?” I said, then gently ran my hand along the side of his chiseled face.

  “More happy than I’ve felt in a very long time,” Forrest said. “I have relief and I’m at peace. Thank you for helping me beforehand.”

  “We helped each other,” I said.

  He reached for my hand and kissed it. “Alex is exhausted.”

  “No need to whisper,” Alex said. “I’m awake. Forrest, I forgot to mention how much I enjoyed spending time with Chip.”

  “He’s a great kid, isn’t he?” I said.

  “So well behaved and smart too,” Alex said.

  “He has an awesome dad,” I said.

  “Three awesome dads,” Forrest said.

  “You really did do a great job raising him,“ I said to Forrest. “Well, I can’t lie in bed all day like you two princesses. I’ve got an auction to get ready for.”

  “What are you going to wear?” Alex said, while looking at my neck.

  “I brought my suit and a tie,” I said.

  LETICIA CALLED AFTER we were all up. She and Chip were nice enough to offer to bring up breakfast. I was looking in the mirror while getting dressed and Forrest walked up behind me, put his arms around me, and finished buttoning my shirt.

  “You look handsome in a suit,” Forrest said, then gave me a squeeze.

  I pushed my ass up against his crotch and wiggled it. His cock was hard and I could feel it through his plaid shorts. He had on a tank top that showed off his gorgeous arms.

  “If we hadn’t taken the cure, there’s no way I could’ve left you to go to an auction,” I said.

  Alex took our picture then waved to me.

  “Don’t tell me you no longer find me irresistible,” Forrest said.

  “Oh, I still do believe you me,” I said. “Maybe Alex can fill in for me while I’m gone.”

  “Alex can do that,” Alex said then walked up and put his arms around both of us. I can do that, but I miss the three of us being together… in a sexual sense.”

  “I know, babe,” I said. “It’s my fault and I’m sorry. We’ll remedy that when this case is over.”

  “Layton, I forgot that Chip told me he owes you some money,” Forrest said.

  “I have the receipt in my wallet, we’ll square that away when I get back,” I said.

  “I’m grateful for the fact that you lent him the money and didn’t just give it to him,” Forrest said. “I’m trying to teach him about money.”

  “I understood that when he told me he had allowance money but not on him,” I said. “He didn’t ask me to buy him the book, I offered to lend him the money.”

  “He told me that,” Forrest said and kissed me. “You’re a good dad. And Chip loves the flip-flops you bought him.”

  There was a knock on the door and Alex, who was barefoot and dressed in shorts and a T-shirt went to answer it.

  “Hi, Daddy,” Chip said and hugged Alex before making the rounds to Forrest and me.

  Leticia put the food on the table then walked to me. “I can see Alex wasn’t exaggerating about the neck incident. That does go above the collar.” She opened a bottle she held and began applying cream to my neck.

  “It beats stitches and broken bones,” I said. “And it cut the cure time by half for both Forrest and me.”

  “That’s amazing,” Leticia said. “Anything that cuts back the time of that ordeal is worth it in my book. Do you feel in tip-top shape again?”

  “I do,” I said. “And the three of us, Forrest, Alex and me are still together.”

  “The four of you, don’t forget Chip,” Leticia said. “But point taken. I really never doubted you would still be together.”

  “Because of the whole Triad Group thing?” I said, watching Alex divvy up the food between himself, Forrest, and Chip while setting places and food for me and Leticia.

  “That and the love between all of you was clearly evident. There, all done.”

  I looked at my neck. She’d managed to conceal the visible hickey marks. “You’re used to doing this,” I said.

  “Well, I was young once and I didn’t dare come home with a hickey. At least not one my parents could see.”

  AFTER EATING AND visiting a while I made my way downstairs and to the porch of the main building. Ronnie was sitting in a chair dressed in a navy blue suit with a gray tie and dress shoes. I was glad I’d brought my dress shoes and tie to wear to the auction.

  “Dimitri asked me to escort Natasha in case there are problems,” Ronnie said. “Not with you, but anyone else who might be there. You look well rested.”

  “So do you,” I said. “You look good in a suit, Ronnie. Maybe some smart and single man will take notice.”

  “Here’s hoping,” Ronnie said.

  Natasha walked onto the porch dressed in a fitted red jacket with matching slim skirt and black stiletto heels. Her hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. She was holding the door open behind her

  “Wow,” I said. “If only Dewey could see you now.”

  “I can,” Dewey said, exiting on crutches.

  “You’re a lucky man, Dewey,” I said.

  “Don’t I know it.” He shook my hand then sat in a chair next to Ronnie.

  “It’s good seeing you out and about,” I said.

  “Yeah, well I still scare the occasional kid or two with my face but—”

  “Some kids deserve to be scared,” I said and we all laughed.

  “Naw, not really,” Dewey said. “Most kids are good—and parents can make it what they call a teachable moment… or some such shit.”

  We laughed again. Dewey was in a tough situation but he was making the best of it.

  “Layton, do you mind if Ronnie and I follow you in his car,” Natasha said. “I want to come back early.”

  “She’s worried about me,” Dewey said.

  “The lady’s allowed to worry about you,” I said. “No problem, Natasha. If you can work out that translation on the map thing that’s all I need. You can leave whenever you want after that.”

  Natasha kissed my cheek.

  “I’m watching you, Layton,” Dewey said. “I don’t want you suddenly turning straight.”

  “Your wife’s a real beauty, but no worries there, brother,” I said, then turned and saw Sassy’s Mustang pull up. “That’s my ride.”

  Sassy parked in front of the porch, then got out of her car. She had dark glasses on and a tight black suit consisting of a short-sleeved jacket with peplum and a pencil skirt. Instead of her trademark platforms she wore red shoes with high stiletto heels. But, she was still in the habit of sucking on lollipops.

  “She’s a beaut’,” Ronnie said.

  “The car or the woman?” I said.

  “Both actually,” Ronnie said.

  I introduced Sassy to everyone and we waited for Ronnie to drive up behind Sassy’s car before I got in the passenger side of the Mustang. As she started the car, Sassy looked at me and smiled.

  “Are you ready for this, Layton?” Sassy said.

  “We’re just going to an auction,” I said.

  “By now you should’ve learned to be ready for anything,” Sassy said as she drove.

  Chapter 41

  Players at an Auction

  “WHAT’S SO UNUSUAL about this auction?” I said.

  “The players who’ll be there will also be at the key,” Sassy said. “Some of them might even be a bit out of the ordinary.”

  “No ghosts or zombies, I hope.” I looked back and checked to make sure Ronnie was behind us.

  “Nope, none of those,” Sassy said. “A few psychopaths maybe, but that’s why there’ll be a private firm dealing with security at the hall rented for the auction.”

  I looked at the large red purse next to Sassy. It didn’t match her outfit and looked highly suspicious.

  “Hidden camera?” I said. “In your purse.”

  “Of course.”

  “It’s a bit obvious,” I said. Then it hit me. “Where’s the real camera you’ll be using—after they confiscate the purse?”

  “Why, Layton, you know we’re not allowed to bring any picture taking equipment inside with us. Even cell phones need to be checked in before entering the hall.”

  Turning, I scanned her and tried to find where she might hide a camera. Maybe in one of the buttons on her jacket. Her earrings caught my eye but the big crystal drops on them were too clear to hide anything. She wore a large Bakelite bracelet studded with rhinestones, but it looked authentically vintage.

  “I give up, Sassy, where’s the camera you plan to use to take pictures of the map?” She touched her right earring. “That stone or crystal is so clear I’d be able to see a camera hidden inside.”

  “A good lens should be clear,” Sassy said. “The camera is in the top part where the post is.”

  “Ingenious,” I said. “And if they happen to find that camera?”

  “I have this one.” She held up her wrist with the bracelet.

  “My aunt collects Bakelite jewelry,” I said. “I never would’ve thought it was fake.”

  “That’s because it’s not,” Sassy said. “I told you Daddy and his people were good.”

  “I didn’t doubt it when it came to weapons. I’ve seen your car trunk, remember. So your dad is good at all the spy gear stuff, huh?”

  “Pretty much, but weapons are his forte. To change the subject, I heard you took the blue cure.”

  “How’d you hear about that so quickly?”

  “It’s already been put in your record,” Sassy said. I have a friend who works in the records department of the organization. Their security really is too lax.”

  “It sure does seem that way,” I said.

  “There are reasons for that,” Sassy said. “But that’s a topic for another day. I’m glad you didn’t suffer a broken arm or leg. And I don’t see any visible scars.”

  “It requires more than that to take me down,” I said.

  “I had to suffer through the cure once,” Sassy said. “It wasn’t fun. How long did it take you to work the junk out of your system?”

  “Three hours,” I said. “An hour if you count the ‘giving in’ time.”

  “My God, you were able to cut down the time that much,” Sassy said. “Whatever you had to do was worth it.”

  “Oh it wasn’t that bad,” I said, then grinned.

  “Hmm,” Sassy said. “I’ve seen a picture of Forrest, he’s a real hunk. But I thought giving into the Diony thing would bring out the hyper male inside both of you and make you tear each other apart.”

  “Maybe that’s just foreplay in my world,” I said, and laughed. “And it’s alpha male not ‘hyper male’. Leticia warned us of what might happen, so we were prepared for it.”

  “Oh, so one of you played at being submissive.”

  “Guilty as charged,” I said. “And it was actually enjoyable. Well, in truth we took turns at things.”

  “That’s actually quite incredible, Layton. For the two of you to feel so at ease with one another that you could be both dominant and submissive is huge.”

  “We did have sex before everything with the cure.”

  “I don’t know how you do it, Detective Shayne. You have not one, but two gorgeous men completely under your spell.”

  “I love them both,” I said before I’d even realized it.

  “They’re very different types looks wise. Which type do you usually fall for, the pretty boy or the masculine hunk?”

  “Forrest is more the type I normally fall for,” I said. “But Alex just captivated me from the second I laid eyes on him.”

  “If you had to choose between them, who would win out?” Sassy said.

  “Both equally,” I said. “Is that the typical way these Triad Groups work?”

  “Yes,” Sassy said. “There’s no getting away with subtly hinting around—you’re too clever for me.”

  “Don’t underestimate yourself,” I said. “The whole process of giving into the Diony junk was extreme. I felt like I was almost out of control. If I hadn’t kept my mind on the clock like Leticia suggested, then who knows?”

 

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