Saving Ren (Barretti Security Series, Book 3) (20 page)

“Fuck,” Jagger murmured. “What about all the others? The mayor?”

“I met the mayor and his wife after I donated some money to a few hospitals in the area.”

“A few?” Jagger asked. “Jesus, how much money do you have?”

“None beyond my detective’s salary,” Declan said.

“But if you own part of your grandfather’s company-” Ren said.

“I give it all away.” The bitterness in Declan’s voice was clear and Jagger knew exactly what he wasn’t saying – he didn’t want a penny from the man who’d so cruelly dismissed him because Declan hadn’t turned out to be the perfect version of the grandson the old man had wanted him to be.

“To charity?” Ren asked gently.

Declan nodded. “Sylvie and I each inherited a quarter of our grandfather’s estate when he died. It came out to almost 6 million dollars for each of us. I wasn’t interested in the money so I just pretended it didn’t exist. When I found out Sylvie was sick again and that she wouldn’t get better, I donated all of it to charities that helped kids with cancer. I realized I could do some good with the profits from my grandfather’s company so I started donating that too. Homeless shelters, organizations that helped gay and transgender kids, hospitals…I tried to do it all anonymously but it got out what I was doing and people like the mayor started reaching out to me. Part of me wanted to tell them all to fuck off because I knew it was all just part of their game, but then I realized that I could use the connections to help others.”

Declan’s eyes shifted so they were staring at the ceiling. “Every time I’m around those people I feel like I’m still living my grandfather’s lie. I hate it,” he whispered.

Ren leaned over Declan and kissed him. “Then let it go, Declan. Put the lie in the past where it belongs.”

Declan closed his eyes. “They won’t accept us. They’ll say what we have is unnatural and wrong.”

Jagger spread his palm over Declan’s face and waited until Declan opened his yes. “Only the people that don’t matter will say that. The people who really care about us will see that what we have is amazing and perfect. That it’s what we’ve been searching for our whole lives.”

“Soulmates,” Ren said softly as he glanced at Jagger.

A smile spread across Jagger’s lips as he remembered his and Ren’s conversation about having more than one soulmate in life. He almost laughed as he remembered Ren’s comment about not believing in soulmates.

“Soulmates,” Jagger agreed.

Chapter 11

“Did you talk to him?” Jagger asked as he tucked the phone under his chin and began searching out his keys.

“Yeah. He said it’s a good time to tell Ren. He suggested we do it at Ren’s next session so he’s there to give Ren some extra support if he needs it,” Declan said.

“His next session’s tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Fuck,” Jagger muttered. “I’m nervous.”

Declan was silent for a moment too and Jagger guessed he was thinking the same things as Jagger – that all the trust they’d been able to build up with Ren would be decimated. But their bigger concern had been making sure Ren was strong enough to deal with learning the truth about Rafe’s childhood and they’d decided that approaching Ren’s therapist to find out how best to break the news to Ren would be the wisest course of action.

“He’ll understand,” Declan said firmly. “He’ll see that we were protecting him.”

God, Jagger hoped like hell that Declan was right.

“How’s Connor?” Declan asked.

“Struggling. He finally managed to talk Mags into letting him go home last night but I know he’s frustrated with how things played out.”

“At least he won’t need to testify since Sutter was smart enough to take a plea.”

“Thirty days in jail and two years probation? Fucker got off lucky,” Jagger snapped.

“Yeah, but if he so much as even looks at Connor, he’s back in for the full two years.”

Jagger knew it was better than nothing. And at least the lawsuit had been dropped as soon as Zane threatened Lionel Sutter with a massive countersuit.

“Are you on your way home?” Jagger asked as he finally managed to get the door open.

“Yeah, be there in fifteen.”

“Okay, see you in a bit. I’ll make sure Ren looks real nice for you when you get here,” Jagger added and he heard Declan let out a sharp breath.

“Be there in ten,” Declan amended and then he hung up.

Jagger found Ren in the garage working on his car. He had music playing on the stereo so he hadn’t heard Jagger come in. As much as Jagger would have liked to sneak in and place his body over Ren’s where it was leaning over the engine, he wasn’t willing to risk scaring Ren, so he called out his name instead. Ren’s physical appearance had changed dramatically in the three months since he and Declan had found him at the cabin. His body had filled out as a result of good nutrition and using the weights Jagger kept in the homemade gym in his basement had given Ren’s muscles some definition. His skin looked healthy and even had a touch of color from the sun and his hair had grown thick and lush. And while he still struggled with occasional nightmares, they were coming less often. Crowds continued to be his biggest challenge, so things like going down to the waterfront or the Market Place to walk around were still off limits. Loud sounds got his attention, but didn’t set him off like they used to and he’d even managed to start watching some lighter action movies as long as they didn’t have too much gunfire and bombs going off.

Since Ren hadn’t heard him, Jagger went to the stereo and turned it off. Ren looked up from what he was doing and Jagger smiled at the sight of the grease on his hands and smeared across his forehead.

“Hey,” Ren said with smile.

Ren’s smile was the biggest proof of his recovery. It was almost always present now and he wasn’t content until he had the people around him smiling too. If Declan had a bad day at work, Ren used every ploy to drag a smile out of him. And if that didn’t work, he unabashedly used his body which always did the trick. Ren had also started testing himself more by running errands like picking up groceries or gassing up their cars. The only thing he hadn’t done yet was talk about when he was ready to see his brothers.

“What are you doing?” Jagger asked as Ren bent under the hood of the car once more, leaving his ass on perfect display for Jagger.

“Just checking a few things,” Ren said as his ass shifted back and forth slightly. Jagger cursed - little fucker was playing with him. Jagger began unbuttoning his shirt as he moved closer to the car and he let his hands smooth over the denim covering Ren’s ass.

“Was there something you needed?” Ren asked from under the hood as he pushed his ass back against Jagger’s touch.

“Little shit,” Jagger murmured as he yanked Ren free from the car and slammed the hood down. He pushed Ren down face first on the hood and leaned over him. His hands covered Ren’s as he began rubbing his cock against Ren’s ass. “I think there’s something you need, isn’t there?” Jagger asked as he leaned down and nipped Ren’s ear.

“Yes,” Ren moaned.

“Do you want me to fuck you up against your pretty little car, Ren?” He skimmed his lips down Ren’s neck and then bit down gently.

“Yes, Jagger. Please!”

Jagger stood and yanked his shirt off. Ren made a move to stand but Jagger shoved him back down. Ren got the silent message and stayed where he was though his head was turned enough so he could see what Jagger was doing. Jagger nearly came when Ren licked his lips as Jagger freed his cock from his pants.

Jagger pushed Ren’s pants down and then searched out his wallet and found the packet of lube he needed. He slathered some on his dick and put a little on Ren’s hole. He leaned back over Ren and said, “I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’re going to beg me to come but you won’t, do you understand me?” He grabbed his dick and ran it up and down Ren’s crease.

“Yes,” Ren moaned.

“And when Declan gets here you’re going to suck his cock for as long as he wants and then you’re going to let him fuck you any way he wants.”

“Jesus,” Ren muttered. Jagger smiled as Ren’s body shook beneath his.

Jagger pulled Ren’s hips back so the angle was perfect and began pushing into him.

“God, yes,” Ren snarled as he drove his hips backwards to meet Jagger’s shallow thrusts. Once Jagger was fully seated, he pressed Ren back down on the hood of the car and began driving into him. He used his weight to hold Ren down and pinned his wrists when Ren tried to reach for him. Ren was begging for relief within minutes but Jagger kept up his brutal pace. But whenever Ren started to crest, Jagger slowed his pace dramatically. And then he started all over again.

By the time Declan got home, Ren’s shirt was covered in sweat and sticking to his back and he was whimpering in need as Jagger slammed into him.

“Look who’s home, baby,” Jagger whispered against Ren’s ear.

Ren managed to turn his head enough to see Declan but he was incapable of speech. Declan’s eyes were heavy with lust and he was already peeling off his shirt.

“Remember what I said,” Jagger said to Ren. Ren managed a nod and bit down on his lip. Jagger ruthlessly pounded into Ren over and over until his orgasm hit him and his come flooded Ren’s channel. He stayed inside of Ren until the last aftershock eased and then slowly pulled his dick out. Declan came up next to him and they both watched as Jagger’s semen began to trickle out of Ren’s ass.

Declan dropped to his knees and licked his way up Ren’s inner thigh before closing his mouth over Ren’s hole and sucking gently. Ren moaned at the contact and tried to push back on Declan’s face but Jagger placed his hand on Ren’s back to keep him still. Declan kept eating Ren for several long seconds and then he stood and turned Ren over and kissed him. Jagger’s breath nearly stopped at the sight of his come transferring from Declan’s tongue to Ren’s. The kiss turned hungry and impatient and Declan reared back and pushed his pants down. He grabbed Ren’s legs and dragged him forward a bit before ramming into him. Ren screamed in pleasure at the harsh treatment and Jagger felt his own dick stirring as he heard the sound of his come squishing inside of Ren as Declan thrust into him over and over again.

“Please, I need to come!” Ren yelled.

Declan kept up his brutal pace and Jagger angled around Declan and Ren’s body and closed his mouth over Ren’s dick. As he sucked on Ren hard, he watched Declan’s dick slide into Ren’s body and couldn’t hide the feeling of satisfaction that it was his own come that was glistening on Declan’s dick and easing the way for Declan to torment Ren with thrust after vicious thrust.

Declan came first but Ren was only seconds behind and Jagger happily swallowed every bitter drop of release that shot down his throat. He released Ren with a pop and then Declan was tipping his head up for a kiss while Ren lay unmoving beneath them.

***

“I’ll get it,” Ren called over his shoulder when the doorbell rang.

He thought he’d been smart by claiming first dibs on the shower but he’d barely managed to get any of the grease off his hands before Jagger and Declan were joining him. But at least the grease had come off a lot faster with three pairs of hands instead of just one and he’d managed to sneak out while Declan and Jagger were focused on each other. He’d lost track of time as he’d been working on his car so he hadn’t made the call to the restaurant to set up a dinner reservation like he’d planned before Jagger and Declan got home. His plan was to take them to dinner so he could finally tell them he was ready to see his brothers and that he wanted them there when he saw them. Ren had no doubt that his brothers would be confused to find him in a relationship with two men, but he was more concerned that they’d be upset with Declan and Jagger for keeping the truth from them for so long. Dom and Vin were the only family Declan had and Jagger needed the security of working for his brothers so he could finally put down roots in the city he’d spent so many years trying to stay away from.

Ren reached for the door and opened it. A man in his mid to late twenties with streaky blonde hair and blue eyes stood on the other side.

“Hi, can I help you?” Ren asked.

“Yeah, hi, I’m here to see Jagger. I’ve been trying to catch him at the office but I keep missing him and I didn’t want to do this over the phone,” the man said nervously.

“He’s in the shower but he should be out in a second. You want to come in and wait?” Ren asked as he opened the door wider.

The man seemed to hesitate for a moment before he finally entered.

“Thanks,” he said.

“How do you know Jagger?” Ren asked curiously.

“Um, he saved my life actually,” the guy said. “That’s why I’m here – to say thank you. Everything got crazy after the shooting and then the hospital…sorry, I’m babbling.” The guy let out a self-deprecating laugh and extended his hand. “I’m Rafe Barretti.”

Ren felt the bottom of his stomach drop out and he actually wrapped an arm around himself. “What?”

Rafe withdrew his hand nervously and looked around. “Are you okay?”

“Rafe?” Ren whispered. He covered his mouth with his hand and shook his head. “It can’t be.”

“It’s him, Ren,” Ren heard Jagger say and he looked up to see both his lovers standing half-dressed near the kitchen table.

“Ren?” Rafe said in wonder. “Ren!” he repeated and then suddenly he was throwing himself into Ren’s arms.

Sobs wracked Ren as he wrapped his arms around his brother. He could feel Rafe shuddering against him and the tears against his shoulder were proof the Rafe had lost it too. Ren finally managed to push Rafe back a bit so he could study him.

“You’re so big,” Ren said with a laugh. “We’re the same size now.”

Rafe laughed. “Yeah, no more sitting on me until I do what you tell me.”

Ren dragged Rafe into his arms again and stroked his hands up and down his back. He could feel the uneven texture of the skin through Rafe’s shirt and he froze because he knew instantly what he was feeling. Rafe drew back from him and said, “Long story.”

Ren forced back the emotion in his throat as he realized whatever story Rafe would be telling him about his past probably wasn’t going to be a good one.

“Come on, let me introduce you to…” Ren started to say as he grabbed Rafe’s hand and began leading him farther into the house but then his brain began to catch up and he stuttered to a halt. Rafe had come here to see Jagger. They knew each other. A chill went down Ren’s spine as he looked up and found Jagger’s eyes. Jagger knew Rafe had been found and he hadn’t told him.

“It’s a mistake,” Ren whispered. “It’s some kind of mistake.” His eyes went from Jagger’s to Declan’s and he saw the same exact thing – regret.
They both knew.

“Oh God,” Ren said as he took several steps back.

“Ren,” Jagger said. He saw Jagger take a step towards him but he threw his hand up.

“No! Don’t!”

“Ren, what’s going on?” Rafe asked.

Bile rose in Ren’s throat and he tried to swallow it back down as tears stung his eyes. But his stomach wouldn’t cooperate and he leaned over and vomited all over the floor. A glass of water was pressed into his hand and he quickly drank it down but it just came back up again. He scrambled back when he felt the familiar hands rubbing his back.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Ren, talk to me,” Rafe said desperately. “What’s happening?”

“Can you get me out of here?” he whispered.

Rafe looked between him and Declan and Jagger who only stood a few feet away. Both men looked like they were in agony but Ren didn’t care. He needed to escape.