Chapter Nine
Royce pulled Jesse closer and asked, “What do you mean his life is at stake? Why?”
“Because Jesse has the power to take them down.”
“Me?” Jesse asked. “I’ve got nothing.”
“Can we have more specifics and perhaps a little bit less cryptically?” Royce asked. His patience was wearing thin. He needed to know how to protect his lover and why this was happening in the first place.
“When my parents and grandpa were killed in the car accident, I had to go through all their private papers and wills,” Matthew explained as he tried to move his foot and cried out in pain. Coop grabbed a pillow from a nearby chair and gently placed it under Matthew’s broken ankle.
“We should leave you to rest, you’re in pain,” Jesse said. “I’m so sorry about your family, Matthew. They were always so kind to me.” He reached out and took Matthew’s hand.
“No. I’ve waited so long to find you I need to tell you. It’s been years since the accident, and I still miss them every day,” Matthew said. “Do you know they offered to adopt you from your parents, but they wouldn’t let you go?” Matthew looked wistful when he explained how his parents loved Jesse and wanted to give him a good home.
“No, I never knew,” Jesse answered. “I would have jumped at the chance.”
“We would have loved to add you to our family. At least now I know why they said no. I was going through Grandpa’s papers and found a copy of a will that wasn’t his. It was your grandpa’s, Jesse.”
“Why would he have Grandpa’s will?” Jesse asked.
“I believe it was to keep a copy of it safe from other members of your family. I’m sorry, Jesse, but I read the will, hoping it would give me some insight into what was going on,” Matthew explained. He blushed, as if revealing this information risked their friendship.
“It’s okay. I’m sure it has nothing to do with me. My parents, aunt, and uncle would have taken everything,” Jesse said. He leaned a bit farther into Royce, as if needing comfort from the memories.
“Well, you’re right and wrong. They did take over the homestead farm and land, but they’re running it as trustees until the real beneficiary takes possession of it.”
“Real beneficiary?” Jesse asked. “Who else would Grandpa have named?”
“You, Jesse. You’re the only beneficiary of your grandpa’s will,” Matthew said. “He left everything to you.”
Jesse tensed in Royce’s arms, “Me? He left the homestead to me?” Jesse said, incredulous. “Why?”
“Sweetheart, from what you’ve told me about your grandpa, he loved you,” Royce said. “He wanted to provide for you. That’s why he would have left it to you.” He rubbed Jesse’s back, comforting him. All the while, his own anxiety was choking him.
“My parents must have been furious,” Jesse said, before wrapping his arms around Royce. That Jesse sought comfort from him made Royce feel ten feet tall and trusted.
“This is where everything gets a little illegal,” Matthew explained. “You see, your parents, aunt, and uncle have been running the farm and pocketing the proceeds, since your grandpa died when we were children. They knew once you turned twenty-five everything would revert to you. They’d be accountable for all the money they took, over and above the generous trustee income they were paid to maintain the property for you.”
“But they never told me,” Jesse said. He looked to be in shock.
“Of course not, they never intended for you to find out. They ran you off before you ever had a chance of knowing, but now that a new lawyer has taken over the trustee income, they have a problem. Apparently, Mr. Foster wants to meet with you since he’s found a few discrepancies in the old lawyer’s paperwork. I can’t prove it yet, but I think the old lawyer was in on it with your family. I have all the paperwork with me to prove everything I’ve said.”
“How do you know all of this?” Spider asked.
“Hello, hacker extraordinaire…plus old Mrs. Gideon worked as the secretary in that law office for over thirty-five years. She knew your grandpa and suspected something was going on when I approached her. This is why I’ve been trying to find you. As well as you being my friend, I had to protect you before they got to you. Jesse, you can’t allow them to get away with this.”
“But what can I do?” Jesse asked.
“You go see that new lawyer and take control of your inheritance,” Spider said.
“But I don’t want the land; it only holds bitter memories for me.”
“There are several good farmers back there who’d be more than happy to buy it off you,” Matthew stated firmly. “Apparently your parents have been illegally upping the rent on the land every year. It’s a good chunk of land and your family doesn’t deserve any of it. They’re horrible people.” Royce noticed Matthew was getting winded and knew it was time to let him rest.
“Oh my God. That’s what Jerry was talking about when he said I didn’t deserve the ‘windfall’ and I had to disappear permanently.” Jesse curled into Royce.
“Don’t worry, baby, they won’t get a chance. We’ll contact that lawyer and get this all figured out. We also need to call Chief Graham so he’s on the same page,” Royce said.
“I’ll call Graham and I’ll let the team know we’ll be heading out of town soon. Jesse, where is the homestead?” Spider asked.
“Idaho, just outside of Boise. But what makes you think I’ll be going anywhere near there? I’ve never wanted to return to the place where my hell started. I’m sorry, but I can’t.” Jesse let go of Royce, stood, and walked out the door.
“I’m taking him home; it’s been a long, stressful day. We’ll talk about this again once Jesse has had a chance to calm down and Matthew has a chance to recover,” Royce stated before following Jesse out of Matthew’s room. He would talk this over with Jesse and figure out the best way of dealing with this inheritance. If his love didn’t want to return to Idaho, then no way were they going. But that still wouldn’t stop Jerry or the rest of Jesse’s family; they had to be held accountable for their actions before they had a chance to get near Jesse again.
*****
Jesse sat in the hot water of the tub, still feeling numb as the steam rose in swirls around him. Royce was sitting in front of him, offering his strength as he washed Jesse’s body. Jesse had no idea what he’d do without the man.
“It just…it just never ends. I’ll never have any peace,” Jesse stated in defeat.
“Yes you will. Remember, this is where we make our stand. I’ll do whatever you decide but there’ll be no more running, baby. You’re safest here and I’m sure we can convince the new lawyer to come down here to discuss what you want to do.”
“What do I do?” Jesse asked.
“Oh honey, that’s your decision. You need to do what’s right for you and I’ll back up any decision you make,” Royce promised before he lay back in the water and motioned for Jesse to join him. Jesse slid across the large tub and cuddled up to his beautiful partner, placing his head on Royce’s uninjured shoulder, their bodies entwined together in comfort.
“I know I shouldn’t be shocked by anything they’ve done, but to keep my inheritance from me? Christ, I’m twenty-nine now and Grandpa died when I was fourteen; that’s fifteen years they’ve been stealing from me.” Jesse sat up quickly. “The abuse picked up after Grandpa died; do you think that was payback for essentially being written out of the will?”
“I think they were always abusive assholes. Perhaps it gave them some sort of sick validation for their actions in their own minds, but if it hadn’t been that, I’m sure they would have found another reason.” Jesse had mentioned his parents had never spared the rod with him even before his grandpa’s death. “I’m also sure that that cult they belong to is benefitting from this arrangement as well.”
“Fringe church,” Jesse huffed. He didn’t believe any real church would behave the way they had.
“You say tomato…” Royce teased, and Jesse knew he was trying to lighten the mood a little for him.
“I still can’t believe any of this is true, but why would Matthew lie? It would explain why they wouldn’t let me go in peace. They can’t afford for me to randomly show up, but if I’m found dead then they would be my only living relatives and able to claim the land.”
“What’s on the homestead?” Royce asked.
“Farmland mainly. I don’t know how much land there is, but we were considered one of the largest cash crop farms in the area. They kept me out of the way of most things; they just didn’t want me around. How could parents not want their child?” Jesse asked. The pain in his own voice was almost too much.
“I don’t know, sweetheart, but I’ll always want and need you. I could never go back to my life before you came into it, so you’re stuck with me.” Royce’s voice was firm so as not to leave any doubt of how serious he truly was.
“I don’t think ‘stuck’ is the right word, baby, but I’m keeping you anyway.” Jesse laid his head back down and soaked in the love coming from Royce.
It was hard looking back at everything that had been done to him and knowing it was all because of money, plain and simple. Jesse had spent his life trying to figure out why his parents hated him and now that he had a possible explanation, he felt hollow. Money was the one and only reason for making his life hell.
“I never wanted to go back to Idaho, Royce. I don’t think anything could make me, not even this,” Jesse confessed.
“Then we’ll stay here and have the lawyer come to Brighton,” Royce suggested.
“I don’t want the property,” Jesse admitted.
“Then you can sell it like Matthew mentioned.”
“But it’s my grandpa’s.” How could he sell his grandpa’s land?
“Honey, it’s been yours for the past fifteen years, you just didn’t know it,” Royce explained. “Sit in front of me so I can wash your back.”
Jesse moved smoothly through the water and sat between Royce’s open legs. Royce’s hard cock slid between Jesse’s ass cheeks, the silky skin rubbing seductively as he leaned back against Royce. All the time his own cock throbbed with need at being so close to his naked lover. Royce slid his hand across Jesse’s shoulders and began to rub with those magic fingers of his, massaging as he washed. Slowly, Jesse’s stress began to fade away as he groaned with each squeeze. Though Royce was forced to use mainly his right hand due to his shoulder injury, the man could still melt Jesse like butter
“That’s it, baby, just relax. We’ll figure everything out,” Royce whispered as Jesse leaned farther back. Every move was carefully choreographed so as not to hurt Royce.
“They would have adopted me. So many years wasted that I could have been happy just because of a will. I love my grandpa but I wish he had just left everything to my parents, aunt, and uncle. That’s all the four of them ever wanted. No wonder Jerry wants me gone: he and his parents would lose control over the land.”
“I think Matthew was right when he suggested selling the land. You could do whatever you want with the money,” Royce advised.
“What if I want to give it all away to charity, LGBTQ charities directed at helping youths?” Jesse asked. He truly didn’t want any of the money and could remember wishing there had been a safe place for him to go all those years ago.
“That would be a beautiful way to honor your grandpa.”
“You think so?” Jesse asked.
“Yes I do. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. But we’ll give it some time after the sale of the land before you make any decisions, which will give us time to research various LGBTQ centers and charities,” Royce suggested.
“You’re going to help me?” Jesse asked as he turned in Royce’s arms.
“I’m at your side every step of the way, baby. As long as you want me to be.”
“Forever. I want forever.” Jesse wanted to spend this life and any others that they might be fortunate enough to have with Royce. He believed there was a higher power in this world and an afterlife. The way Jesse saw it, everyone was entitled to their own beliefs, and unlike his parents he would never force his views on anyone.
“So do I,” Royce whispered, before covering Jesse’s lips with his own. Jesse was always amazed by how soft Royce’s lips were as they began to nibble across Jesse’s jaw and down his neck. They were now facing each other, Royce’s legs over top Jesse’s, their chests touching, muscles straining to get closer as the kiss turned from gentle to demanding.
“I want you to make love to me,” Royce said, stunning Jesse into silence. Royce had always been the top when they made love. Jesse had never thought to even ask because he typically preferred to be on the bottom, but on odd occasions he needed to feel as though he had the control. When everything was going to hell around them, Royce was still thinking of him above everything else. Royce wasn’t a selfish lover. His love knew that Jesse needed to regain a bit of control after the day’s events.
“Are you sure?” Jesse asked.
“Yes, baby. I want to feel you inside me this time,” Royce murmured before he fisted both his and Jesse’s cocks and began to pump. The feeling was exquisite, pleasure holding him on the edge with every stroke. “Are you okay with us changing it up, Jesse?”
“Yes. I need that tonight; how do you always know what I need?” Jesse asked.
“I’ve told you before, you mean everything to me.” Royce began sucking up a dark mark on the side of Jesse’s neck. Oh, yes, mark me.
Jesse had to stay in control; he wanted to make this amazing for his lover. “We need lube, sweetheart. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Royce leaned back, grabbed the bottle off the soap rack, and placed it in Jesse’s shaky hands. This would be the first time he topped Royce; he realized it wouldn’t happen often because they both preferred to make love the other way around, but he needed to feel that control tonight. Jesse’s life had been filled with power struggles that always found him on the losing end. He’d never felt his own life was under his control, until he shared it with Royce. This was solid and secure, and Royce was his compass: no matter the storm, Jesse knew where home was.
Jesse raised Royce higher on top of his spread thighs, and Royce wound his legs around Jesse’s body. They would make love face-to-face. He put a liberal amount of waterproof lube on his fingers and began loosening the muscles around Royce’s hole. His love moaned out his approval. With utmost care he slid one finger up to the first knuckle, causing Royce to bear down, taking it in even farther. He was so tight.
“Yes, Jesse, more.” Royce groaned his need and it was music to Jesse’s ears. “Feels so good, baby.”
A few minutes later he was able to insert a second finger. Jesse knew he was being cautious but he had to prepare Royce properly because he wasn’t a small man. Small waves floated across the water in the tub in time with Royce’s flexing hips. Soon a third joined in and Royce cried out in pleasure as Jesse rubbed his prostate mercilessly; he wanted Royce senseless with need when he entered him.
As soon as Jesse felt Royce was ready, Jesse pulled his fingers free; his own need was bearing down on him and he could no longer wait. He lifted Royce higher in the water, his hole directly above Jesse’s hard cock. Slowly he lowered his lover, the combination of water and lube easing the way. The silky tight heat welcomed him in and he slowly bottomed out inside Royce. His face was a mixture of surprise and pleasure, as if he’d never felt anything like it before. Wait, has Royce ever bottomed before?
“So full,” Royce moaned out.
“Royce, have you ever done this before?” Jesse asked.
Royce brought their faces together, beads of sweat sliding down the sides of their faces. “Only you, Jesse, only you. Now move, I need you to move.” Royce moaned as he flexed his hips.
“I’ll give you what you need.” Jesse leaned forward and capturing Royce’s kiss-swollen lips. Need like nothing Jesse had ever felt before washed through him. He lifted Royce until only the head of his cock stayed inside, and then lowered him back down over and over again. Cries and moans filled the room; water sloshed over the sides of the tub as their pace increased.
Steam filled the room, giving it an ethereal quality. The mirrors were fogged, and sweat dripped from Jesse’s face as he drove deep. He was lost in a world of need and sensation, warm, wet bodies writhing in the hot water.
It didn’t take long before Royce said, “Baby, I’m going to come.”
Jesse wrapped his hand around Royce’s throbbing penis and began to pump. “Come for me, Royce.”
Seconds later Royce yelled and his body squeezed tightly around Jesse, signaling he’d found his release. Jesse managed two more strokes before his balls pulled up tight to his body and fire raced down his spine and out his throbbing cock, deep inside Royce’s tight heat. His body shuddered and shivered even though the water was still hot. Moments passed as Jesse held on to a silent Royce, whose body was draped over his own.
“Baby…? Royce, are you okay?” Was he too rough? Did he hurt his lover? It would kill him if he had.
Royce lifted his head. His eyes were still dilated and his face was flushed, but the one thing that stood out was the huge smile on his face. “I’m perfect.”
Jesse gently brushed a stray strand of red hair off Royce’s face. “Yes you are. You’re everything I could have ever wanted.”