13: Buying Protection

DANIEL

I specifically requested Gianna to place Liam on office cleaning duty today.  I haven't had time to talk to him in the last two days. I have been avoiding him in hopes of suppressing my desires. I want him badly, and avoiding him hasn't dampened that.

I am expecting him to walk through the door any minute now, with cleaning supplies. 

The very thought of seeing him scares me delightfully. 

There was a light knock, and the knob turned. I swallowed hard. The door opened, and he peeked in, shyly at first. When his eyes found mine, he smiled, and it was contagious. I reeled in the comfort that I wasn't happy alone. He wanted to see me, and I, him.

“Hey,” he walked further into the room, closing the door. He was standing just a few meters away. 

“ Hi.”  I answered, getting on my feet. He fidgeted, clutching onto the mop tightly.

“What is it?” It was obvious he wanted to say something. “You know you can trust me,” 

He seemed to think about it. My gaze didn't stray from him.

“I have a question…” He began warily, getting me interested. “A Sensitive one…” he trailed. 

“Go on.” I encouraged firmly. 

He hesitated for a while, “Let's say I want to buy protection in here…”

At the mention of buy protection, my eyes widened.

“Things you do as payment are not pretty," I cut him off sternly. That was an easy of saying that his ass was the preferable payment. It always is.

“I don't have to do anything, I have cash,” he exclaimed, offended somehow. 

He is more naive than I had thought. The silly boy doesn't understand the implications of anyone catching a whiff that he has some bills with him. I shudder at the possible outcomes.  

“Where did you get the money from?”

“Does it matter?” He shrugged, upsetting the warden in me further. These are the same crimes I have been trying to eliminate, and here I was with a scared bunny, confessing of the same.

It was a bad idea to get involved with him. I was sure of that now. “I am just trying to survive like everyone else,” Liam retorted softly. 

Here I was again getting weak, for him.  

I took a deep breath, the man in me feeling like an asshole, for tramping on his effort, to keep himself safe, the only way he could. 

But the warden wanted to know how he managed to get cash. Could be his father, or perhaps his arrogant cousin. 

When I didn't say anything for a while, he became suspicious. The accusing glare in his face didn't sit well with my heart. 

“Liam…”

“I shouldn't have told you,” he snapped. “You are judging me already.” He looked away in frustration.

Do I understand his perspective? Yes.

But the situation wasn't amusing, at least not for the man of law. I made a mental note to increase security at the visitor's bay.  If someone as innocent as Liam could sneak cash through, only heavens know what others manage.  

I exhaled, pondering on what to do. A thought crossed my mind, maybe I could use the opportunity to pin down some notorious inmates and the guards involved. 

“Give me a day, I will find out which inmate can protect you from everyone else. “ I would do exactly that, but in a way that will aid my investigation. 

I will have Gianna sight someone, and then prompt Liam and once we are sure he has been paid, we will keep a close eye on him.

It will probably help us unmask how money gets spent and by whom.  Without risking Liam, of course. 

“I just want to stop looking over my shoulder every step I take.” Liam insisted.

“And you will,” I promised.  “But you have to be careful. If anyone suspects you have money, that sh*t will spread faster than wildfire. And you will be in grave danger.”

“You are the only one I have told.” I breathed out in relief. 

“Come here,” I commanded lightly, surprising him and me both. I would have taken my tone back, but he took a first cautious step and I stepped forward and met him halfway.  I raised my hands and placed them on his shoulders, surprising him further. Our gazes locked, “I am with you, not against you.”  I assured,

“ Okay," he visibly relaxed. 

Unknowingly, I pulled him closer, and he obliged willingly. His body fit perfectly with mine.

I wrapped him in a much-craved hug and inhaled his scent. His breath hitched, spinning my senses back.  I realized my mistake too late because his hands had already wrapped around my waist, as his head laid comfortably on my chest.