Chapter 4

“Okay, let’s reset.” Jacks steepled his hand, elbows on the edge of the table. “Keiran, Avery, come sit down. Jamie, this is supposed to be fun, let’s take it down a notch. Danny…” He reached out, curving his hand over Danny’s shoulder. “Baby, the singer you first read about whose throat bled had strep throat. And the other ones dealt with different issues Jared would catch right away if Jamie showed any signs. He’s fine.”

Tugging his sleeves over his hands, Danny didn’t speak for a moment. Then he lifted his gaze, looking across the table to Jamie. “I’m sorry. I know I...overdo it a lot. I’ll work on it.”

Jamie groaned, rubbing his hands over his face and smearing some chocolate on his cheek. “It’s fine, you do you. I feel like the asshole now, but...yeah. I like Jacks’ idea. Let’s start over and make this fun.”

Nothing about this whole situation seemed the least bit fun so far, but Avery kept his comments to himself. Pulling a chair out beside Keiran, he reached into the container to grab himself a cupcake. Cinnamon, with a nice spicy bite to it. He kept an eye on Danny, not loving how much he was hiding in his hoodie. The cupcake Keiran had given him remained untouched.

If I know the guy as well as I think I do?

It would stay that way.

“So, I was thinking we could recruit a few of the subs from the club who are, you know, out, and do something really kinky for this video. The song Naughty for Santa is really sexy and edgy. It won’t be on the PG album, but the singles sales could bankroll the whole thing in a week if we do this right.” At first, Jamie sounded a bit uncomfortable, like he sensed the lingering tension, but then the idea seemed to take hold and his eyes shone with excitement. He dipped his fingers in the icing on his cupcake and licked it off. “We could have pole dancing and some strip tease that pans out. The subs holding whips and chains or… Oh! What if they unwrapped them in the gifts after the whole performance?”

Attention split between Jamie and Danny, Keiran reached over to take the binder and one of the scattered pens, tapping it against his bottom lip. He turned his focus fully to Jamie when Jacks pulled Danny into his lap. “I like that idea. We should have some women involved too if we want this to have a good reach, though, right? Some of the best strip clubs I’ve worked at had both men and women strippers and all of them had different genders in the crowd. I’m fine with catering to a gay audience, but if we’re looking at it from a business standpoint, why not have something for everyone?”

The discomfort in Jamie’s eyes returned. He picked up a pen to fidget with. “Yeah...I mean, that’s a good point, but… When Glam Grenade was topping charts all the time, we...sold the sex heavy. Like totally het-norm or whatever, but it was...awkward. I thought it was just me, but I didn’t really look too much at how Danny was dealing with those women who… Ugh, it’s hard to explain. They were older and professional and really sweet. But we had to act like we wanted them all over us, you know? I’m not doing that again.”

Leaning forward, Keiran held Jamie’s gaze. “Understood. And that’s not what I’m suggesting. Both you and Danny are openly gay now. How it happened wasn’t ideal, but regardless, your fans don’t expect that kind of performance from you. Would it bother you to have a woman dancing with another woman, or another man who’s het or bi, close to you?”

“No way! I don’t have a problem with women.” Jamie sat up straight. “I love women. You’ve seen me around Tracey and I’m not weird with her or anything. I was just making sure you knew it was a thing and we don’t go there again.”

Jacks cleared his throat, arms wrapped around Danny, who seemed to have completely checked out of the discussion. “Let’s mark it down as something to consider. We’re cutting close on time to bring people in, but I have some connections I can use if we decide to go in that direction.”

“So do I.” Keiran’s tone was level, but something guarded about his words made Avery sit up straight and reach for his hand. There was a slight tremble, one that was never there when he held a weapon. Not anymore. “I won’t come in on this project unless I know who we need, and that I can at least bring in some of my friends from the strip clubs I’ve worked at. I won’t demand rep for porn stars, most of them who are still in the biz are doing good. But I know a few people who this would be a great opportunity for.”

Jamie nodded quickly. “I’m good with that. Me and Danny aren’t stuck with a label deciding what’s mainstream enough anymore. I want this album to make it big so I’m open to anything. And I love the idea of this being a way for the people you know to have a better life.”

The muscle in Keiran’s jaw ticked. “Yes. But some of them are fine with the lives they have.”

“Keiran…” Avery glanced over at the other sub, mind racing as he tried to figure out what Dallas or Rhodey would do if they were here. He liked Jacks, but the Dom often seemed like he was still trying to figure out how to fit into his leathers. Rhodey would have them back on track already. Dallas would tap into the diplomatic skills Lawson had taught him. Avery wasn’t them, but he knew Keiran. This whole exchange was rubbing him the wrong way. He was being defensive. Avery needed to get his head in the game. And keep him off twitter. “This is good. You got your people in. And...these are our people, too. You’re not dealing with your ex or any of the assholes from your past. Neither is Jamie. You both need to let that shit go.”

Throat working, Keiran inclined his head. “You’re right. And...Jacks was right. This is supposed to be fun. And sexy. And we all know how to do that.” He rolled his shoulders. “Can we talk costumes for a bit? I need a Dom in charge right now. It’s...fucked up, but...yeah. I don’t want to be in too much control here. It’s messing with me.”

Every eye turned to Jacks, and he didn’t seem to love that, but he jumped on the topic he excelled in. “I am all over the costumes. We need something sweet to start with, then erotic and easy to take off while dancing. Let me know the general storyline you’re working with and I’ll take it from there.”

“Perfect.” Jamie scribbled down a few notes, glaring at the words as though each letter mocked him. He passed the pen and the paper to Danny when the other sub reached out, letting him take over the task. “If we’re talking costumes, I put aside a budget for it, so that’s all good, but I really want it to be, like...epic for the kids. That’s not why I brought you in, Keiran, but since Avery’s here and Tracey’s letting Ana join in, we might as well talk about it.”

Avery sat forward, almost putting his elbow in the cupcake he’d forgotten. “She doesn’t like dresses. She likes costumes, though. Maybe...can you have the kids be elves? So they can have fun dressing up, but not be stuck in stuff they’re not into. Or...like have different options and ask them. Snowmen and trees and...I don’t know…” Why don’t I know what Ana would want? I’m doing a shit job as a brother. “Boxes?”

Spitting out a laugh, Jamie looked from him to Jacks. “Uh...would that be an issue? Like making whatever costumes the kids want? Including… Boxes? You mean presents?”

“Sure.” Avery tried to see his sister enjoying that and shook his head. No, that wasn’t right. She’d want to be something strong. That could...bite. “Reindeer? Lethal reindeer. With...knives.”

Jacks’ lips twitched. “So the kids’ vids will include homicide?”

“No.” Keiran laced his fingers with Avery’s. “But I think we need to include them in whatever we decide.” His tone softened. “We don’t want any of them to feel like you and Danny did when you were young and being groomed for Glam, Jamie. Maybe...giving them this will feel good. Like a second chance where you have some agency and protection. Like you should have had back then.”

Inhaling roughly, Jamie looked down at his cupcake. “I’d like that. Let’s ask the kids. And Jacks, I know what your time is worth. I made a lot with my last collab. I’m sparing no expenses with this. If I don’t make a dime off it? I’m good with that. I just...want to make something special. I want… This holiday’s been so messed up for me because I can’t remember a single time it wasn’t staged. I want it to be...different.”

“It will be, Jamie.” Sliding forward on Jacks’ lap, Danny reached across the table to put his hand over Jamie’s. “We can have the sexy stuff. And the stuff for the kids. And...everything. You’re in control and you weren’t before. Not really. You have good ideas and no ones gonna try to make you happy just to shut you up. We’re all listening.”

Jamie wrinkled his nose. “Shit. They...really did, didn’t they? I mean, keep me happy to shut me up. I’d have ideas and...all of a sudden a new game I really wanted, or clothes, or toys, would come up and I was so happy they remembered. They were paid to do that, but I just...it was a little rush. I told myself it was because they cared. But it was...manipulative as fuck.” He closed his eyes. “I got so much shit to work through. I thought being stupid was my biggest problem.”

Expression stern, Jacks shook his head. “I’ve known you quite a while, my boy. And you’ve never been stupid. You had some challenges you’ve overcome. Others you’re still dealing with. But you’re smart in a lot of ways. Remember how much you’ve accomplished, all on your own.”

“Yeah...I’ll try.” Jamie straightened in his chair, pulling out his phone and placing it on the table. “Do you want to go over some of the songs and take notes for the videos? We can get a general idea of what we want them to look like and go from there.”

The meeting continued without any more hurt feelings and Avery let the voices flow around him, not really listening as he gave his full attention to savoring every last crumb of his cupcakes, then sipping the tea Jamie’s assistant brought in, serving them all quietly and tidying up. For a bit Avery watched him, curious if the older man was a sub. He didn’t go to the club, and the thorough background check Wren had done on him revealed nothing of interest. He’d worked as a postman for almost forty years and had a dozen grandchildren. One of the teachers was his daughter. Working for Jamie gave him a chance to spend more time with her and he seemed to enjoy the simple tasks.

A happy little chime sounded and Jamie pushed away from the table, grinning. “That’s probably Tracey. Reggie, would you mind letting her in while I go get some of the toys Ana likes so she won’t get bored with the meeting? Coal’s probably got one of his games.”

Reggie inclined his head, looking more like a butler than an assistant by the moment. He slipped out of the room, Jamie a step behind him.

A vibration against Avery’s thigh brought his attention to his phone. Pulling it out, he stood and walked away from the table when he saw it was Rhodey. “Hello, sir. Miss me already?”

“Cheeky sub.” Rhodey’s soft laugh was a gentle caress down his spine, his Dom’s hold on him crossing the distance with his voice alone. “Tracey just called to let me know the kids won’t be coming in today, they caught a cold or some shit. I’m guessing everyone else’s phones were off for the meeting. I still want you to see Ana—you’ll swing by with Keiran later and bring some of his soup for them.”

Already on the move, Avery caught up with Jamie in the hall, jabbing his thumb toward the conference room for him to go back. Connor was working security, and no one could get in without passing him first, but no need to take chances. “Someone just buzzed and we thought it was her. I’ll get eyes on who it is. Yes on the soup, sir.” He flicked his wrist, freeing one of his knives, just in case. “I think the meeting will wrap up soon, so it shouldn’t be long before I’m home.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stick around for the dress rehearsal?” Rhodey’s tone was teasing, and he didn’t sound concerned, so he probably had Wren checking the Center’s security cameras. There was no threat.

Damn it, today is going to be boring, isn’t it?

Angling for a good beating when he returned to The Asylum, Avery grumbled under his breath. “Not unless they’re doing a rendition of Sweeney Todd and I can provide the props.”

This time, Rhodey’s laugh sent a delicious chill over him, making goosebumps rise. “Or we can try out some roleplaying and I can bring my own, my moody little viper. Play nice with the other subs and I’ll put some pretty new marks on you when I’ve got you all to myself.”

At least that gave Avery something to look forward to. After hanging up, he smiled a bit sheepishly as Reggie came toward him, a strange look on his face.

How much did he hear?

Probably nothing by how preoccupied the old man was with the bundle in his arms. If Avery was lucky, it was a bomb and his day was about to get a whole lot more interesting. Would only take him a few minutes to disarm, but then he’d get to hunt down whoever had delivered it and…

Wait.

Bombs don’t wiggle. Or...gurgle?

“It’s…” Reggie’s brow furrowed as he held out the bundle to Avery. “A baby.”