Chapter Six

 

 

 

Olly forked a huge pile of syrup-soaked pancake into his mouth.

“Oh, God, that’s so good. I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” He smacked his lips together, then attacked the rest of his breakfast. He speared a plump blueberry, then crushed it between his tongue and the roof of his mouth. Sweet juice burst across his taste buds. “All I need for perfection is a huge mug of coffee, preferably a latte with extra froth and vanilla syrup.”

Aiden, sitting across the table from him, chuckled.

“I think it nearly killed Joe to let you have the pancakes. Caffeine would push him right over the edge.”

“It’s the first day of my holiday, celebration is a requirement.” Olly ran his finger around his plate, scooping up the remnants of sticky syrup. He sucked on his finger gleefully then gave his empty plate a woeful stare. “Where did it all go? Did you steal one of my pancakes?”

“You practically inhaled that stack—it barely touched the sides. Don’t blame me.” Aiden lifted his coffee mug in a mock toast.

Olly stuck his tongue out. “Stop taunting me. How come Heath lets you have coffee, anyway?”

“He says that I’m even more of a brat without caffeine than with—it’s a compromise. Besides, I don’t drink that much of it and it doesn’t make me bounce off the walls like it does you.”

Olly pushed his plate away. He shifted in his seat, attempting to get comfortable. Aiden raised a knowing eyebrow.

“Someone got a good spanking this morning.”

“And you didn’t?” Olly shot back.

His friend’s cheekbones flushed a delicate shade of pink.

“Ha! I knew it.”

“Can we change the subject?”

Olly giggled. Considering the kink level of Aiden’s relationship with Heath it never failed to amaze him how shy Aiden could be. Heath was a hardcore Dom. He didn’t let Aiden get away with anything. Aiden in turn pushed all Heath’s buttons with his rebellious, snarky attitude. They were perfectly matched.

“I’ll let you off because we have to go through all the arrangements for the party. I want to show you my outfit and you promised to let me see yours too,” Olly said.

“Okay. The planning folder is in the library so why don’t we go and sit in there?” He stood, giving his ass a surreptitious rub, which Olly spotted instantly. “Heath said that he and Joe are spending the morning with the contractors, so we won’t be needed.”

“I’m meeting Joe here for lunch at one, so that gives us three hours. We’ve been planning this so long I can’t believe it’s less than two weeks before it actually happens.” Olly bounced on his toes, excitement coursing through him. He was determined the party would be the biggest, best event The Edge had ever seen.

He grabbed Aiden’s hand and towed him out of the staff restaurant along the corridor leading to the library. The room was one of his favorites in The Edge’s main building. It was cozy and warm. Small groups of squishy armchairs surrounded low tables stacked with magazines. The walls were lined with ceiling-height bookcases, a remnant of the building’s past as a stately home. There was even a sliding ladder for getting to the top shelves, though Joe had banned him from using it after he’d caught him hanging upside down from the top rung one time.

He made a beeline for the table set in the bay window. There was a fantastic view of the assault course so Olly could pretend he was studying the latest nursing periodicals or reading when he was actually ogling course participants as they sweated over scramble nets and walls. Since The Edge’s business had switched from corporate events to a venue for specialized military training, the eye candy had improved enormously.

“No one to watch today,” Aiden said, sinking in to an armchair.

“I don’t know what you mean.” Olly feigned innocence.

“Olly, the last time we were in here you practically had your nose pressed to the glass. The smudges are still there.”

“But they were Marines,” he said, as if that explained everything.

“They weren’t even here for physical training, they were doing one of Joe’s psychology sessions. I can’t believe they did the course for fun.” Aiden shook his head.

“They were shirtless Marines.” Olly gave himself a little shake. “So much yummy in one place is not to be resisted. It’s against the law.”

“Joe didn’t think so.”

“I know! He’s so mean. I only looked—it’s not as if I touched. He put me in chastity, fucked me up against the wall, then wouldn’t let me come for three whole days.” Olly licked his lips. “God, I love him so much.”

“Like that isn’t obvious every second of every day,” Aiden said with a sigh.

“You can talk,” Olly retorted. “Every time you set eyes on Heath you go all gooey.”

“I do not!”

“Well, your version of it. You get all snarly, Heath threatens you with something delicious, you melt into a puddle of lust.”

“I… You… I give up. Let’s talk about the party before I feel obliged to damage you.” Aiden grabbed a ring binder from the table between them then flipped it open.

Olly stuck out his lower lip and made it tremble. He widened his eyes and waited for Aiden to cave.

“Not going to work, Olly.” Aiden bent his head over the folder.

Olly did his best impression of a scolded puppy.

“Fine. I’m sorry. You’re my best friend and I would never, ever cause you lasting harm.”

“You have your fingers crossed, I know you do.”

Aiden placed his hands, palms down, on the table. “Who covered for you the last time Emile left a tin of homemade hazelnut brownies on the counter, then wondered where half of them had gone? Is that the action of a bad best friend?”

“Um…no?”

“No. And who went and fetched help when you went to investigate the squirrel’s dray in the oak tree and got stuck?”

“You can’t count that one—you brought Joe and Heath. They both laughed at me for the rest of the week.”

“Fine, I could go on all day with examples. How about the time you were rock-pooling on the west beach and got nipped by a crab? I bandaged your finger and rescued your sea-glass collection.”

Olly tilted his head to one side and contemplated his chances of beating Aiden in this argument. “Okay, I still love you. We can talk parties now.”

Aiden shook his head. “Thank goodness. What do you want to go over first?”

“Everything,” Olly replied.

Not very helpful, but he really did want to go over every detail. Heath and Joe had trusted him and Aiden with making all the arrangements. It was a big responsibility and Olly was determined not to screw it up.

“Okay.” Aiden passed Olly a notepad and pen. “You make notes about anything we still need to do.”

“That means I’m in charge, doesn’t it?” Olly chewed the end of the pen. “I don’t like being in charge.”

“The only thing you’re in charge of is that pad,” Aiden growled. “I’ll tell you what to write if it helps.”

All the anxiety left Olly’s body as he absorbed Aiden’s words. For a sub, Aiden was quite good at giving orders. The only person he ever gave up control to was Heath. There was understanding in Aiden’s eyes. He smiled, his handsome face lighting up. Olly could only giggle.

“You know me too well.”

Aiden patted his hand. “We’re in this together. We make a great team.”

“It’s a sub-mission!” Olly fell about laughing.

“Oh my God, we are never going to get this done, are we?” Aiden banged the folder on his knees.

“Sorry.” Olly wiped tears from his face and pulled himself together. “Go ahead. I’m ready. Promise.” He didn’t like it when Aiden got scowly. He could be good.

“Invitations.” Aiden checked his sheet. “We sent out one hundred and fifty. The RSVP deadline was yesterday.”

“I haven’t gone through yesterday’s post yet, but we have had eighty-five written responses, thirty-two emails and six phone calls. That leaves twenty-seven ignorant, anti-social friends who haven’t replied.”

“How many confirmed?”

“One hundred and ten. Only thirteen said they couldn’t make it, for a mixture of reasons—inconvenient family stuff mainly, weddings, christenings, those kinds of things. Saul Telford’s partner is undergoing chemotherapy and isn’t up to the trip from Cornwall, so they are forgiven.”

“Make a note to send flowers and a card from us,” Aiden said.

Olly noted it down. “That’s a good idea. With husbands, wives and assorted plus ones, I have a running total of two hundred and thirty guests.”

“Wow! I thought we’d get a lot more people declining than that. Good job we over-estimated on the catering.”

“This is the party of the year. It helps that Carey is closing The Underground for the weekend. Practically the entire membership is turning out. They’ve even hired some coaches so people don’t have to drive.”

“Which is good because I don’t think we could fit all the cars in otherwise. Do you think we should chase up the outstanding replies?”

“We need final numbers for Emile, so I’ll volunteer to do that. It’s not many calls. I can get through them this evening.” He scribbled the task on his list.

“No bribing or threatening people, Olly.”

“Would I?”

“You feign innocence just as well as any Oscar winner, but I know you. People who can’t come are not insulting you personally.”

“I know. But I don’t want anyone to miss out. Joe and Heath have been running a successful business for ten years and I want all their friends here to celebrate.” He drummed his pen against his pad. “What’s next?”

“Music. You were putting together the playlist and I need to get it set up on the equipment. There are two DJs coming from The Underground and they’re going to take it in turns, but they work on computers so I can get everything loaded in advance. They’ll play in between the live band’s sets.”

“Peanuts!” Olly stood abruptly, scattering his pen and paper. “I left my phone at the hospital. It has the song list on it.”

“It doesn’t matter, Olly. We can do it another time—”

“No, I need it, especially if we are going away for a few days. I’ll have to drive over to Bourton and fetch it.” He made for the door.

“Wait! I’ll drive you,” Aiden said. “Joe wouldn’t be happy if he found out you’d driven with that wound on your arm so new.”

Olly poked at his stitches. They itched like the devil, and now that Aiden had drawn attention to them he desperately wanted to scratch. “You’re right. Joe would freak. As long as you don’t mind, we can easily get there and back before lunchtime.”

“It’s not a problem, but I’m taking one of the company vehicles. I refuse to drive that yellow excuse for transport you call a car.”

“As if I would let you anywhere near my baby. Fifi needs delicate handling and you drive like you’re competing in the RAC Rally.”

Aiden sniggered. “True. Let’s go, before Heath or Joe hunts us down for some menial slave labor.”

 

* * * *

 

Joe, Heath and the foreman of their building contractor sat around the table in one of The Edge’s many meeting rooms. Plans were strewn between them and each man clutched a mug of coffee. Joe pored over the list of works, checking everything off in his head, making sure nothing was missing.

“Ted, are you sure you can get everything by next Friday? There’s a hell of a lot to do and we have hundreds of people descending on us that weekend.”

“Trust me, Mr. Denton, we have everything planned to the last detail. We specialize in jobs with unmovable deadlines. I have a big crew arriving this morning and you are paying good money for their expertise.”

“Please, call me Joe. Carey Hoffman speaks very highly of your work. You did a fine job at his club and I understand you’ve also handled renovations at his new business venture in Hampshire.”

“That’s right. That job was a real pleasure to complete. Everything done to the highest quality. I only wish I could afford to take advantage of the facilities. My Florry would be in seventh heaven there.”

“Florry?” Heath asked.

“Florian De La Croix, my sub.”

“I don’t recall seeing you at The Underground,” Joe said.

“We have a free membership, courtesy of Mr. Hoffmann, but we live in Gloucestershire so it’s only an occasional treat, I’m afraid.”

“So your crew is accustomed to our more unusual requirements?”

“Absolutely. I have twenty guys coming here to work. Three are active lifestyle Doms. The electrician, Sparky, is a sub. We all keep an eye on him for his Master, who’s an archeology professor at Cambridge University, would you believe?”

“Takes all sorts.” Heath chuckled.

“Yep, the rest of the guys are straight but open-minded. I don’t tolerate bigots on my crews. We come in all shapes, sizes and colors. A fucking rainbow-flag-flying example of tolerance in action.” Ted guffawed.

His good humor and positive outlook was infectious. Joe felt all his worries slip away.

“Well, we have your guys set up with delegate rooms and our chef, Emile, and his team are on site to see to your catering needs. He already has a list of dietary requirements and will no doubt be cooking up a storm to keep your energy levels up.”

Heath snorted. “Only because he wants his new walk-in freezer installed first.”

“The way to a man’s work ethic is through his stomach.” Ted patted his flat belly. “The freezer is first on the list anyway. I have a team set to refurbish the playrooms, another small crew to work on updating the top floor of the accommodation block, and then there’s resurfacing the rear car park and re-building part of the stone wall around the cottage garden.”

“What happens to the outdoor jobs if the weather turns?”

Ted shrugged. “We get wet.”

Joe grinned. “I like your attitude. You know where my office is, and Heath’s, if you need anything. Is it likely to be a problem if we are away for a couple of days?”

Ted shook his head. “Not at all. I can always get you on the phone if I need anything desperately. Your plans are nice and clear but there are always unexpected things that crop up.”

“Good. Well, the trip isn’t decided yet. I’ll let you know if we do decide to disappear on you. At lunchtime I’ll introduce you to my sub, Olly.”

“And Aiden. He’s mine.” Heath put more emphasis than necessary on the ‘mine’ part of that sentence.

“Message received and understood.” Laughter lines crinkled around Ted’s light gray eyes.

“If either of them gives you any trouble, you come straight to us. Olly can be…a handful.”

“Oh, believe me, Joe, your sub’s reputation precedes him. As does yours, Heath.”

“Olly does tend to leave an indelible impression.” Joe sighed. “Speaking of… I should go and check up on him. He’s been out of my sight for almost two hours. Chances are he’s found some mischief to get into by now.” He shook Ted’s hand. “I’ll see you later. Heath has a rooming list for your men and will help you get started.”

Joe left Heath and Ted to carry on sorting out arrangements for the next few days. He wanted to give Carey a call to see if there was a convenient time for a visit to The Retreat. It would be great to get away, even it was only for a couple of days. The whole team at The Edge had been working long hours recently. Their courses were in great demand, helped in no small part by Dave Becket’s connections to any number of clandestine organizations. Joe had developed almost a dozen courses in line with their requirements. In addition, their BDSM seminars and residential weekends were heavily over-subscribed, with long waiting lists. He and Heath were stretched to the limit. They were going to have to start thinking about bringing in some new staff pretty soon or he and his partner would need therapy.

The party they had planned signaled the end to ten successful years, but also a new start. Joe’s priorities had changed since Olly had invaded his life with his insatiable energy and willing submission. Work was no longer his priority, Olly was.

“And where is the brat?”

Joe pushed open the library door, fully expecting to find Olly and Aiden gossiping in their favorite spot by the window. Their party-planning folder was on the table, but there was no sign of either of them. Joe did a quick tour of Olly’s usual haunts but could find no trace. He wasn’t too worried. They had probably gone for a walk out to the beach. Still, a little niggle of concern gnawed at his gut. He headed back to his office to find a bright pink Post-it stuck to the door. He read out the message written in Olly’s scrawl. “Left phone at Bourton, gone to collect. Aiden driving, back for lunch.” There was a big heart drawn at the end of the sentence. “What am I going to do with you, Olly?”

Joe went into his office and dialed Heath’s mobile.

Heath answered with a gruff “Yes?”

“The brats have gone on an unsanctioned road trip. It seems Olly left his mobile at the hospital yesterday. Aiden has driven him over there to fetch it.”

“Can’t leave them alone for five minutes, can we?” Heath chuckled. “Aiden will take care of Olly, don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried. I am going to spend the next ten minutes planning appropriate punishment.”

“You’re supposed to be working, not enjoying yourself. Give me five minutes and I’ll come and join you. Make sure there’s a fresh pot of coffee on.”

“You’re worse than Olly.”

“You know it.”

Joe disconnected the call. He scooped fresh grounds into his machine, decanted bottled water into the well then set the machine going. By the time Heath ambled into his office, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the small room.

“Ted good to go?” Joe asked as he poured two mugs.

“Already going. He certainly knows how to give orders. I’m sure we can trust him to get the job done. A couple of his guys make me feel small—God knows what he feeds them. Emile is going to be like a pig in muck catering for them all. There’s nothing he enjoys more than seeing his food appreciated.” Heath lowered his lanky frame into a chair. “It’s all coming together, isn’t it?” He chinked his mug against Joe’s.

“What’s the toast for?” Joe asked, taking his own seat.

“New beginnings.” Heath stretched out his legs. “And not a moment too soon. I’m exhausted. I want more time with Aiden, time to travel and see the world a bit.”

“I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been thinking about starting some recruitment.”

“We should put the word out at The Underground. Sound a few people out about running some of the courses here. I’m sure there would be interest. For the military stuff we can get recommendations from Becket.”

“Agreed, and in the meantime I think we need to microchip our subs.” Joe sipped his coffee then gave an appreciative sigh. “Olly probably thought he could get to the hospital and back before we noticed, though he did leave a note.”

“It’s getting on for lunchtime. They should be back soon.”

The phone on the desk rang. Joe rolled his eyes but picked up the receiver.

“This is The Edge, how can I help you?” He listened for a few seconds, his grip on the receiver getting tighter. ‘Police,’ he mouthed the word at Heath.

Heath put his coffee down and leaned forward. Joe put the call onto loudspeaker.

“We don’t know the exact situation at the moment, sir, but the hospital management said we should call you. There’s a situation at Bourton and your partner is involved.”

“How long ago did this happen?” Joe asked, stomach clenching.

“The gunman barricaded the ward about half an hour ago. As far as we know there are four hostages, one of whom is Nurse Glenn.”

“What about Aiden Anders? He and Nurse Glenn went to the hospital together.”

“Not to our knowledge, sir. We believe the other hostages are a doctor and two patients.”

“We’re on our way.” Joe shoved his chair back.

“Sir, that’s not a good idea. The situation is volatile—”

Joe slammed the phone down. “Fuck that. Let’s go.”

Heath was already heading out of the door.