His Dark Knight Ch. 04

Alone, in the privacy of his shower, Zander allowed the guard of his mind to slip. Flashes of Rei filled his mind. Rei naked and sprawled out across his bed. Rei on his knees, his pink tongue darting out between swollen lips as he licked at Zander's cock head. Soon, his mind took in the darker parts of his fantasies. He saw Rei bound for his pleasure. Saw him bent over that large desk in his office, his ass red and stripped, Zander's belt tightly in his fist. He had taken Rei in so many different ways with his fantasies.

With each stroke of his hand, the fantasies took up more of his mind. For a moment, Zander felt as if he would lose his balance. He braced himself against the tiled wall, his forearm flexing as it accepted his weight. He could feel his release burning so close to the edge.

It was at that moment that his mind chose to bring up the one image that was guaranteed to send him over the edge.

Rei, he was at the club that was owned by Zander's longtime friend and mentor. His tight shorts emphasized the round, plump ass that begged to be grabbed. His green eyes were light with mischief and happiness. While this wasn't the most erotic fantasy he had of Rei, it was probably the most significant. Because around Rei's slender throat, the boy wore the mark of ownership. The collar was thick and black, a small nameplate proclaiming him for what he was visible even in the dim light.

Owned.

Desired.

Cherished.

The vision did what it was meant to do. With a throaty groan, Zander felt himself releasing all over the tiled wall of the shower. At Zander's age, he had experienced countless releases in his life, both by himself and by his partners. With Rei though, the climax was much stronger. Zander sagged as he felt the strength leave from his legs. His ass planted on the built-in seat that had been placed in his shower. Water beat against his chest as he continued to pant, the cum washing away as if it had never been there.

Zander wanted Rei. He could easily admit that to himself. Rei, however, Rei was all things innocent whereas Zander considered himself a monster. He wanted to give Rei the best chance possible. He knew Rei up until this point had had a horrible life experience. Zander had never met a sweeter boy and thinking about what had been done to him caused a fiery rage to burn inside him that made him feel out of control.

'Rei needs stability, not this.'

With an inner curse, Zander forced his heart back into the tightly sealed black box he had created over the years. He couldn't allow these feelings to get in the way of his work. Right now, that was what had to be important to him.

He stood in the shower to finish washing his hair and body, his mind thankfully silent.

Rei could hardly recognize the house that he had lived in for the past week. The lower floor was filled to the brim with finely dressed people who mingled. Everyone seemed to have at least something in their hand when it came to food or drink. For that, Rei was happy. Layla's food was being appreciated and consumed by all those around.

He joined the party with Zander. After getting dressed, Zander had shown up at his room to escort him down. Rei had been in the middle of attempting the tie with no big success. Zander had only smiled at him before helping. Having Zander's hands so close after so long had set his heart racing. He barely gained control of his breath before Zander was pulling away and nodding at his fine work.

At first, he had ventured into the grand room that held the large tree. He had watched as each child sat on Santa's lap and proclaimed their wish for Christmas. What none of the children knew, of course, was that the presents under the tree held exactly what they wanted. Each parent had given their child's list to Zander at some point in the past few months and now those presents sat nestled under the tree just waiting to be opened. While most of Zander's employees could easily afford the gifts themselves, thanks to the very generous bonus Zander gave each year, Layla had told Rei that this was what Zander truly enjoyed.

Rei had left the room at some point, thankful to be away before the inevitable screaming started. As he walked, he realized hardly anyone spared him notice. All eyes had been on him and Zander when they had appeared at the top of the staircase at the beginning of the party. Rei had worried that the attention would persist throughout the night. It seemed though, that as long as he wasn't around Zander, he wouldn't have to worry. Each time he had spotted the man, there was always someone close by his side. He realized that Zander used this party as a way to establish the business in a more relaxed atmosphere, but Rei couldn't help but wish that the man of the hour was given at least a small break. Instead, Rei busied himself by staying mostly out of sight.

It was during this mission that his nose picked up a rather delicious scent. The first time he had tried Layla's fudge, he knew he had found perfection. She had balanced the treat just right with vanilla and caramel that left Rei addicted to their taste. He followed the tray through the house and into the kitchen. The plates and serving trays were still piled high with food. Layla had been offered the night off so that she and Martin could celebrate the holiday and party. But both had adamantly refused. While they didn't expect any of their guests to be a real threat, Martin was above all Zander's bodyguard. And being that so many people were currently in his home, Martin had wanted to stay close by his boss' side. Layla had more than agreed, saying that the food was her contribution and she would see it that not a single person went hungry. Apparently, the same thing happened every year and now the whole thing had turned into a joke between the three. He wasn't surprised at all to walk in and see Layla in her flowered apron. She had just pulled a sheet of the bite-sized treats from the oven and smiled while looking over at Rei.

"I was wondering when you would be coming in here. How is the party, sweetheart?"

The smile never seemed to leave Layla's face. She fluttered around the kitchen, grabbing one of the smaller plates and setting it down in front of Rei. She added some of the treats she had just pulled from the oven and gave Rei a small wink.

Rei felt his own smile at that point as he sat down at the island bar. He didn't touch the treat, knowing it was still much too hot to really enjoy. "The party is okay, I guess. I've never been all that comfortable around crowds."

Rei looked down at his hands, allowing the sounds of Layla's work to relax him.

"I understand what you mean. A crowd that size would make anyone apprehensive."

"Not Zander..."

Rei realized he had spoken the words allowed when Layla stopped in front of him.

She looked at him, her hands covered in the flour that she had just used to powder the counter. There was a knowing in her eyes that at one point would have set Rei on edge, but instead, allowed him to take a deep breath. The look that said that Layla really did understand, more than just the words that Rei had spoken.

"Maybe Zander isn't right now, but that is because he has had years of practice being in front of people. I remember him as a teenager, that boy would rather strong-arm his way out of anything that meant dealing with people."

It was always weird to hear Zander be referred to as "boy". Rei knew Layla didn't mean it in any derogatory way. To her, he still was the boy she had helped provide for.

"I just don't want to embarrass him. I know this night is important to Zander, but I honestly have no idea what to do." Rei took his eyes away from his hands in search of Layla's.

"Rei, I don't think there is any way that you could embarrass Zander. You don't have to put on a show or be someone you aren't for him. Just be yourself and everything will be just fine." Layla reached out to touch Rei's clasped hands. They both laughed when they saw the white print she had left behind from the flour. She handed him a towel before turning back to her work.

The knot in Rei's gut had slowly started to release. Layla's words had helped to reassure him for those few stolen minutes, but Rei knew it was only a short reprieve. He still didn't know if he could be the person that Zander desired in his life. All of this was too new for Rei to understand in a single week. With a shake of his head, Rei quickly grabbed the last of his treat. He knew if he sat any longer his mind would fall down a whirlwind of what could or could not be. He waved over his shoulder to Layla before he headed back to the party.

"Mr. Clarke, the mediator for Mr. Conway is here now." Zander felt Glenn's presence by his side before he even began to spoke. The main event for the night's festivities was about to start. While Zander wasn't thrilled meeting with the mediator, he understood that some leniency could be taken during the holidays if it meant getting what he wanted. Conway was one of the leading businessmen, his net worth close to rivaling Zander's own. To have Conway on his side would mean new avenues for both companies. Zander hated relying on another in order to gain what he coveted, but strategically it was necessary for all businessmen. Even those like himself.

Zander excused himself from his current companion, one of the smaller business owners on the outskirts of the town. His business had been going under and Zander had struck a deal. The baker got to keep his shop, and Zander added to his control. Glenn led him over to where the man stood, back in the corner near the kitchen to offer the smallest bit of privacy. For tonight it would have to do.

Zander had never met the man standing before him now, preferring to allow his assistant to be his own go-between. Something about the man, however, seemed peculiar. The mediator stood almost a foot shorter than Zander's 6'5. His hair was an ordinary shaggy brown, his skin obviously tanned artificially. All in all, the man before him was just an ordinary, everyday average man. Zander gave himself an inner shake as Glenn made the introductions.

"Mr. Clarke, this is Mr. Raymond. He is on the Board of Directors for Mr. Conway and also owns one of the accounting firms that are under Mr. Conway."

"Mr. Clarke, it is my absolute pleasure to finally be able to meet you. I hope we will be able to work well together." The man's smile seemed genuine. Yet as Zander shook his hand, he couldn't help but feel the hint of recognition.

"Raymond, I shall hope so for both of our companies. I like to know about those who I work with. Please, tell me about yourself. Are you married? Have children?" Zander kept his smile gentle even with the buzz between his ears.

Glenn looked at his boss curiously, he knew for a fact that Zander only cared about those who were under him. Those were the people he needed to keep happy, not the outsiders. Ignoring his assistant, Zander shifted his focus on the man before him.

Raymond, seeming a bit nervous quickly tripped over his words. "Oh yes, well..." He coughed into his hand as if to clear his throat. "I am married yes. My wife Olivia of fifteen years. We have a son together, Ray Jr. named after myself. They are actually both here tonight."

"Raymond is your first name?" Zander cocked his brow. He found it unusual for a man to be introduced by his first name with a meeting such as this.

"Yes, just a habit I picked up. My name is Raymond Tal..."

"Father...?"

Three sets of heads whipped to the side as Rei stepped closer, letting the kitchen door shut behind.

Zander turned his attention back to the man in front of him. That is when he saw it.

Raymond eyes where the exact shade as Rei's. Looking closer, he could see that the shaggy brown hair seemed dull as if it weren't the natural color. He could imagine Raymond Sr. without his tan and dye job, and he could see that he would be looking at the mirror image of his Rei. Raymond's look of shock was enough to quell his suspicions.

Zander looked back and forth between the two.

"Rei, this is your father?"

Rei had yet to blink since laying eyes on his father. He wasn't sure when the last time it was that he had seen the man standing before him. Raymond Talman Sr. hadn't changed at all. Growing up, Rei always knew his father hated the way he looked. With light hair and skin, Raymond would often rant about how his looks stood in the way of gaining any sort of standing in the business world. He went to great lengths to hide his feminine looks, never allowing anyone to see him without his mask. The fact that Rei had inherited those looks just made his father angrier.

The look the man gave for the moment was almost pleading as if begging Rei to claim he was mistaken and that this man was in fact not his father. Rei knew how quickly those eyes could turn.

Rei felt his head begin to nod when a figure approached his father's side.

"Dad, is everything alright? Mom and I were looking everywhere for you."

The boy was everything that Rei was not. Even at a young age, he towered over Rei. His dark hair imitated Raymond's dyed hair perfectly. His skin held an olive tone, his eyes a rich brown. Even three years younger than Rei, this boy's hand showed signs of muscles and strength beneath his skin.

"Ray, I'm just dealing with some business right now. Go find your Mom and let her know we will be leaving soon."

Hearing the son's name and seeing the simple touch to his arm broke the floodgate inside of Rei. His father had never shown an ounce of kindness to him. Rei could feel the tears welling in his eyes.

And Zander witnessed it all.

Zander watched the brave boy who had stood up to so much, fall apart at what could only be described as a betrayal. Zander wanted nothing more than to pull his boy into his arms and comfort him. But first, he had to deal with the trash.

"Mr. Talman, I believe we shall cut these talks short." Zander had turned towards the man; his voice had lost all its warmth.

The man recoiled as if he were struck but quickly nodded. "Of course, Mr. Clarke. I'll come by your office first thing Monday."

"Don't bother." The rage had begun to boil inside of Zander, he knew he had to keep calm or else. "I no longer wish to do business with your company. Send my regards to Mr. Conway."

"Excuse me?" The question was posed with a cry of disbelief.

"Exactly as I said, Mr. Talman." Using the man's surname as though it were a curse and unable to keep his anger from his voice, Zander spoke sharply. "I refuse to do business with a man that has absolutely no morals. Glenn, please see that Mr. Talman and his family are escorted out."

Zander turned to leave, to finally be able to console his little one before he felt a grip on his elbow.

"Do you have any idea who I am? Without me, you won't get near Conway!" Raymond's voice had risen beyond his previously pleasant tone.

Zander could see the pure fear on Rei's face. This man terrified his boy. Because of this man, Rei had faced such cruelties. Zander took a deep breath.

"Release me, Mr. Talman."

Without a word, Raymond turned his hatred filled gaze on Rei. "You did this. You stupid, useless, piece of shit. Once again, ruining my life that I've worked so hard to build! I should have killed you when I had the chance."

Before even a thought could cross his mind, Zander felt himself turning. His hand, having clenched into a tight fist, came up quickly to meet the middle-aged scum in the jaw. He heard the small cry behind him louder than the entire room. Some onlookers had stopped in their tracks when the confrontation had started, yet now every single pair of eyes were on the pair.

"Raymond!" A tall, almost plastic looking woman crouched next to where the man had fallen. Looking at the woman, whose voice expressed concern despite her frozen face, it was easy to assume that this was Mrs. Talman. Seeing her, it was obvious where the son had gained his appearance, and even more so the appearance that Raymond seemed eager to duplicate.

"Mr. Talman, this is your last chance to leave my house by your own accord. If you don't drag your pathetic ass out of my house immediately, I'll have no worries taking you out myself. Now get the fuck up and leave while you still can."

Raymond Sr. rose to his feet in a huff. "You will be hearing from my lawyers Clarke. This is assault!"

A cold smile graced Zander's lips, "I welcome you to try."

Whether it was the look of rage barely contained in Zander's blue and grey eyes, or Raymond Sr. finally showing that still possessed some form of self-preservation, the family quickly shuffled out of sight, Mrs. Talman supporting a dazed husband while their son tried in vain to cover the large wet spot that showed clearly through the front of his pants.

By this point, whispers could be heard throughout the room, most pointing from Raymond to the shivering Rei. The roaring in Rei's ears was deafening, his eyes glued to the floor. He had heard the many conversations between Glenn and Zander about how this meeting was necessary and important. There had been so many phone calls exchanged between each man with what he now knew was his father's company. A weight settled in Rei's gut, knowing he was to blame for this madness.

Glenn moved swiftly to the center of the room, doing his best to disperse the continuing onlookers. A few stayed longer to gawk as if hoping Zander would turn on Rei for causing this spectacle, though once they realized that wouldn't happen, they quickly moved on.

A groaning sigh had Rei's eyes peeling away from the floor. Zander's head had dropped back as if seeking so sort of calm from an unknown source above him. After a few moments, Zander's large hand worked its way through his long black hair.

"Come on, Rei. Let's enjoy the rest of the night now."

Shocked and stunned were the only two words that could describe what Rei currently felt. "But... um..." His eyes traveled towards the door.

Zander looked back over his shoulder just enough to see the boy behind him.

"Everything is okay now, Rei. You have nothing to worry about."

The man's voice had returned to its normal and smooth tone. When he had threatened Rei's father, his accent had thickened, his hard-won control slipping through his emotions. Yet now, he acted as if nothing were amiss. Rei took a small step forward before working up his courage. Two more steps brought him directly against Zander's back, his arms wrapping around the man's waist, his face remaining hidden in the fine material of the suit jacket.

"Thank you." Even with muffled words, he was certain Zander had heard him. No one had ever stood up for him before, yet now, Zander had done so three times.

Overcome with his own surprise at the giving touch of the boy, Zander's mind took a moment longer than usual to respond. Slowly with the hand that had been bloodied by the punch given to the worthless scum, Zander cupped the smaller set where they lay against his stomach.