Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Trying to plan a party on such short notice was apparently very easy as a member of the Luchesi family. Jupiter did almost everything on the phone under Ugo's name and then slipped out to accidentally give his phone to Ugo. Jupiter later claimed that he had no idea how Ugo had gotten it from him, perhaps during their earlier struggle, and now they were expected to host a party in a few hours.

Emil and Sal were furious, and they got into a screaming match with each other over what to do. Ugo somehow caught wind that he was actually having a party, and Emil refused to back down. Sal finally gave in, but he ordered more security and loudly declared they could use it as a show of strength to help recover from the obvious blow the raid had dealt their reputation.

All of this Jupiter was too happy to tell Trev, and it was nice being on the same side for once.

Jupiter hadn't even threatened to tie Trev up when he left earlier to slip Ugo the phone.

Trev was even more surprised when Jupiter came back holding a garment bag. "Ah, is that for your funeral?"

"Very funny." Jupiter rolled his eyes. "It's for you."

"Me?"

"You're coming to the party with me tonight."

Trev laughed. "Seriously? You're going to have your hostage as your date?"

"Yup." Jupiter smirked as he handed him the bag. "You're going to behave, stay by my side at all times, and stay quiet."

"I don't think I can do any of those things."

"Ha ha. You can." Jupiter rolled his eyes. "And you will. You need to be with me so we can leave, remember? Unless you want me to go without you."

"Meanie."

Jupiter grinned.

Trev draped the garment bag over the bed so he could unzip it. " No ."

Jupiter scoffed. "What?"

Trev gestured to the suit inside. "No."

"Stop just saying no . What's wrong with it?"

"It's ugly." Trev wrinkled his nose. "I'm not wearing that."

Jupiter huffed. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to find something in your size on such short notice? Come on. What's wrong with it?"

"It's black on black. I really am going to look like I'm going to a fucking funeral." Trev groaned loudly.

"This isn't a date," Jupiter grumbled. "It doesn't matter what you wear?—"

"Shhh." Trev brought his finger to his lips. "We're both going to pretend you didn't say that." He made a face at the dismal suit. "It's… fine. I'll make it work."

"You'll still look gorgeous."

"Yeah. Duh." Trev snorted. "Of course, I will. So." He dropped his voice down. "What's the plan?"

"We get dressed. We go to the party. Make some excuse to come back up here to grab what we need, and then…" Jupiter gestured vaguely. "We leave."

Trev sat on the bed and crossed his arms. "That's it? We're not, like, trying to study guard rotations, check out video camera feeds? Something like that? So we don't get caught?"

"We're going to have to be very careful."

"Being careful isn't a plan. That's a shit plan." Trev grunted. "Come on. Is there a guard rotation or anything like that we should know about? Like, when do they take piss breaks? There has to be a certain time that'll be easier to slip out?—"

Jupiter handed Trev a black box. It was about the size of a shoe box.

"What's that?"

"For your outfit tonight."

Trev frowned as he opened the box, certain it was going to be an ugly pair of shoes. Instead, it was a black leather collar with a long silver chain leash. "Oh, this is gonna be a hard no, Daddy. Nope."

"Emil wants to show off that he's got Cold's little brother on a leash."

" Literally ? The fuck?"

Jupiter held out the collar. "Sorry. Nonnegotiable. Remember, we gotta play nice."

"You get to drag me around and feel like hot shit," Trev growled. "Being your bitch for the night is not putting me in a play nice with others kind of mood."

"I promise I'll make it up to you."

"It better be with your mouth."

"That can certainly be arranged once we're fucking free and clear." Jupiter kissed Trev's forehead.

"We really should talk about a plan."

"We have a plan."

"No, you have a half-assed idea that sounds good in your head." Trev crossed his arms over his chest. "Where is the party going to be? How many exits are there? Guards? Do you have access to the keys for a vehicle in the mobster SUV fleet? Can it be tracked? Weapons, more cash, anything else we can use. Does anyone here owe you a favor or two? Is there anyone else we can trust? Come on. This is all shit we need to know."

"Wow." Jupiter whistled. "Maybe you should be a gangster."

"At least one of us should be."

Jupiter was able to get more information about the party's security and confirm that he knew where the keys for some of the fleet were kept. A valet service had been called in for the guests, and most of the mafiamobiles were being moved around to the back of the house where an impromptu parking area was being set up. Only the valets would be working that area, as the majority of the guards would be inside the house.

Armed with this information, Trev formed a plan.

He knew Emil and Sal would want Jupiter to make a few rounds to show off Trev to the guests. Trev would then pretend to get drunk and show his ass spectacularly, prompting Jupiter to take him back upstairs. They would grab Trev's lockbox plus a bag Jupiter would pack for them, head to the kitchen to get the keys out of the case by the back door, bribe the valets with a nice bottle of scotch to go take a break, and then haul ass.

It wasn't a perfect plan by any means, but it was better than nothing.

"What if the valets don't like scotch?" Jupiter asked as he slid the bottle into the bag. "What if they're gin guys?"

"Then I'll suck their dicks." Trev scoffed.

"What? What if they're not gay?"

"Like that matters."

"You don't have to do that." Jupiter frowned. "I'll knock 'em out or something if I have to."

"Jealous?" Trev winked.

"No."

"Oh, you totally are."

"Knocking them out would be quicker. That's all."

"Yeah. Sure." Trev adjusted his shirt and rolled his eyes.

The suit did fit well, though Trev had declined wearing any of Jupiter's ties. He left the top few buttons undone and tried to clean up his boots. The outfit wasn't perfect, but it was at least tolerable now.

"Don't suppose you have any eyeliner?" Trev asked.

"Check the bathroom," Jupiter replied. "One of my cousins stayed here a few weeks ago. She left a ton of crap in there."

"You let your cousin stay in your room?"

"It's not my room," Jupiter said sourly. "It's a guest room, and I'm a guest too, remember?"

"Let me guess." Trev pressed his fingers to his temples as if he was trying to read Jupiter's mind. "You have your own nice bachelor pad with a big screen TV, no art on the walls, plastic silverware, and lots of beer cans everywhere?"

Jupiter grinned. "The beer cans are in the recycling bin. What kind of monster do you think I am?"

"Uh-huh."

"I'm going to get changed. Oh! And I got you something." Jupiter smirked. "It's downstairs though."

"Oh?" Trev narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"It's in the kitchen actually. Which gives us a nice reason to go down there and take a peek around, make sure the keys are where they're supposed to be."

"In the kitchen?" Trev's stomach grumbled. "Is it food? Please tell me it's food."

"There will be plenty to eat at the party." Jupiter headed to the bathroom with a suit draped over his arm. "Try not to chew on the walls while I'm gone, okay? And don't try to escape either."

"Not making any promises." Trev batted his eyes after Jupiter.

Once Jupiter shut the bathroom door, it was weirdly tempting to make a run for it. He knew he had to stick to the plan and wait, but still. He was putting a lot of trust in Jupiter, and he hoped it didn't bite him in the ass.

If nothing else, Trev wished he had a backup plan.

Kick Jupiter in the nuts and bolt?

Maybe if this was yesterday or when all of this had started, Trev would have considered it more seriously. But now he found himself wanting to see how things played out, to put his trust in Jupiter to the test and let the pieces fall where they may.

Trev didn't usually gamble like this…

Not unless he was sure he'd win.

Jupiter stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in a fresh suit and tie with his hair neatly pulled back. It was black on black like Trev's own, and Jupiter looked absolutely delicious. Trev must have been staring because Jupiter teased, "Not bad, huh?"

Yup.

Fuck.

It was stupid how much he wanted to win big with Jupiter.

"It's all right." Trev shrugged. He picked up the collar. "Care to do the honors?"

"Would love to." Jupiter smirked as he took it and unbuckled it.

Trev shivered as the cool leather touched his skin, and he took a deep breath. The brush of Jupiter's fingers was a tease, and he longed to feel them all over his body. Trev might keep the collar and let Jupiter drag him around a little—fuck, later .

They had an escape to pull off.

"There." Jupiter adjusted the collar. "How's that?"

"Fine." Trev touched it.

It was infinitely more comfortable than the other one, and something about it made his breath hitch.

The weight, the texture, the… something .

His lashes fluttered when Jupiter attached the leash.

"Still good?" Jupiter frowned. "If it's too much, just tell me to go get you more champagne, okay? Then I'll know to get you out of there?—"

"It's okay. Really." Trev flashed one of his well-practiced smiles.

Jupiter didn't look convinced, and Trev hoped he didn't push.

He did not want to explain that the collar was getting him hot right now.

Maybe later.

Much, much later.

"All right." Jupiter grabbed the other end of the leash and looped some of the excess chain around his hand. "Ready to go?"

"Oh. Yes. Can't wait." Trev curled his upper lip. "This is going to be so much fun."

Jupiter wiggled the leash. "Come on. It won't be that bad. I promise I'll be gentle."

Trev sneered.

As they stepped out into the hallway, Trev took a deep breath.

"Ready?" Jupiter asked, his tone betraying how concerned he was.

"I'm ready," Trev confirmed as he gave Jupiter's arm a squeeze. "Let's go party."

Jupiter led Trev down the hallway, past a massive ballroom that was likely their next destination, and then into the kitchen. It was an impressive space with top-of-the-line appliances, currently occupied by the catering staff and big carts packed full of food.

"And why are we in here?" Trev asked dryly.

He knew part of the reason—to make sure the keys for the fleet were in the little case by the door. A cursory glance confirmed they hadn't been moved, so that at least was good. But Jupiter had said he had something for Trev, though Trev couldn't imagine why whatever it was would be in the kitchen.

Jupiter only smirked, reaching into the fridge. He pulled out a small plastic container, inside of which was a bright pink rose boutonniere. "I had a feeling you were gonna hate the suit, so… Thought maybe you'd enjoy a little splash of color."

Trev smiled. "So, you already knew the suit was hideous in advance."

"I didn't say that. I said I had a feeling that you were gonna hate it."

"Because it's hideous ."

"Do you want the damn flower or not?"

"Yes, please." Trev batted his eyes and stuck his chest out. "Give it to me, Daddy."

"Oh, I'll give it to you, all right." Jupiter chuckled as he pinned the flower in Trev's lapel. "There."

Trev was actually quite touched, not to mention surprised by Jupiter's thoughtfulness.

The flower really did help offset how much he hated the suit.

Jupiter wound the leash tighter around his hand and then offered his arm to Trev. "Ready, my delicate little flower?"

"Call me that again and I'll jam this flower up your ass," Trev cooed.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Jupiter escorted Trev out of the kitchen and back into the hallway. They entered the ballroom, and it was completely packed.

The turnout for the party was impressive given the incredibly short notice, and everyone was dressed to the nines. Even the catering staff were wearing tuxedos, and Trev was thrown off for a few moments as he tried to adjust to the ritzy environment.

The moment he and Jupiter walked in, all eyes were on them.

As they should be, Trev thought.

Even in this hideous suit, he looked like a million bucks.

This was really no different than all the times he'd worked at the Cannery and had to be shown off to potential buyers. He had spent a long time being put on display and viewed as a piece of meat, although being gawked at by a bunch of men who would probably sooner kill him than fuck him was new.

Emil approached them with a big grin, saying, "Ah, perfect timing. I was just getting ready to make rounds."

"How is Ugo enjoying his party?" Jupiter asked politely.

"Oh, he's having a lovely time." Emil gestured to a table where Ugo was seated with Sal. "He's actually very lucid. It's amazing."

Ugo did indeed seem to be having a nice time, smiling and laughing with some other guests who had approached to greet him.

Trev resisted the urge to make a smartass comment.

He was supposed to be behaving or whatever.

Emil snapped his fingers. "Come on."

Jupiter and Trev followed Emil to the table where Ugo was seated.

Ugo stared at Trev, looking confused, and he asked Emil something but it was in Italian and Trev couldn't understand it. Emil replied, also in Italian, and Trev really wished he knew what they were saying.

He caught Jupiter's eye and shrugged.

Jupiter shook his head.

"This is Roderick Legrand's little brother," Emil said firmly, as if speaking in English was somehow going to clarify things. "Boss Cold's own blood, plucked right from the safety of his home and our prisoner."

Trev resisted the urge to correct him.

"But why?" Ugo pressed. "What is the meaning? What is the reason?"

"We're getting territory back!" Sal exclaimed. "We're getting the warehouse district in Strassen Springs and?—"

"No, no, no." Ugo shook his head, appearing agitated. "This was a mistake. Have we not rebuilt? Have we not taken this city? Why keep looking back at the past, eh?"

Emil scowled. "Because Strassen Springs was ours! And it will be again."

Ugo shook his head more passionately, and he yelled in Italian.

Emil yelled back, and then Sal got between them as Ugo rose from the table.

Ugo said something that sounded like a threat, and Emil's face turned bright red.

"What was that?" Trev whispered urgently. "Because Emil's head looks like it's going to pop."

"The price of pride is always blood," Jupiter murmured.

Trev grimaced. "Cheerful."

Sal put a hand on Emil's shoulder, but Emil slapped it away. Emil left the table abruptly, snapping his fingers at Jupiter and Trev. "Come on. Follow me. I want to introduce our little friend to some people who will actually appreciate my fucking efforts."

"Oh goody," Trev mumbled.

Jupiter tugged on the leash and cleared his throat.

Trev bared his teeth in the closest thing he could manage to a smile.

Yes. Behaving.

Right.

Emil was only too proud to pull Trev around from one gangster to another, boasting loudly about how they had Boss Cold's own brother strung up like a little bitch. Trev didn't mind the language—he'd been called much worse, after all—but the way everyone poked, prodded, and grabbed him was driving him insane.

At the club, there were bouncers who handled this kind of thing.

No touching the merchandise was a sacred rule.

Too bad it didn't apply here.

Everyone already knew who he was, so there were no introductions. Several people shoved him, smacked his chest, and a few even spat at him. It was humiliating and gross , and Trev was ready to grab the leash from Jupiter and choke out every last one of them.

Emil strutted like a peacock, bragging over and over how they'd snatched Cold's little brother away. He, of course, failed to mention that Cold wasn't quite as concerned as Emil was making him out to be.

Which did still leave a big question unanswered, perhaps the question—who had known that Trev was Cold's brother? After all, someone had to have told the Luchesi family, but who?

Trev didn't linger on it for long. He was more concerned with surviving this ridiculous pageant and was at least thankful that Jupiter was keeping a glass of champagne in his hand at all times. The urge to throw said champagne in Emil's face was extraordinary, and he made a mental note to buy a very nice pair of shoes to reward his patience.

Emil eventually left them to tend to Ugo, and Trev chugged his champagne with a hiss.

"Hey, take it easy," Jupiter murmured. "You're only supposed to pretend to get drunk."

"Hey, let's trade places then," Trev shot back haughtily.

"I mean it." Jupiter plucked the empty glass away. "I know this is difficult?—"

"Lacing a corset up by yourself is difficult. This is bullshit."

"I'm sorry." Jupiter subtly ran his fingers over the edge of the collar. "I'll make it up to you. Promise."

"Can I kick you in the balls?"

Jupiter snorted. "Seriously?"

Trev smirked.

Whether he trusted Jupiter or not, a swift kick in the nuts would feel extremely vindicating right now.

"It would be a really great start," Trev teased.

"I was thinking more, like, a massage or?—"

"Kick in the balls, please." Trev turned to grab another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. When Jupiter tried to take it, Trev twisted out of the way. He couldn't go far because of the leash, but it was enough for him to tip the glass back.

Jupiter scowled. "What are you doing?"

"What? Me? Nothing." Trev smiled sweetly, leaning in close. "Look at everyone."

Jupiter tensed. "What?"

"Look how glassy their eyes are. Have you noticed how much champagne has been flowing?" Trev smirked. "Trust me that I have a lot of experience with what a bunch of old drunk men look like. Everyone here is well on their way to being completely and totally smashed."

"So, what you're saying is…"

"We don't have to actually create a distraction. I don't think they'll even notice that we're gone."

"Are you sure you want to test that?" Jupiter raised his brows.

"Right. So, kick in the balls then?"

"What?"

"Well, I'm supposed to be drunk too, right?" Trev lifted his glass. "You're worried about us not following the plan, so I should still pretend to get wasted and make a scene. I think kicking you in the balls would make a very big scene. Don't you?"

Jupiter tugged on the leash.

"Oh!" Trev gasped. "Now I'm definitely doing it." He smiled and grabbed Jupiter's shoulders.

Jupiter grimaced. "Oh no."

"Oh yes . You did chain me to a wall."

"Which I am very sorry for."

Trev grinned.

"Have I told you how very handsome you are in that suit?"

"In this ugly suit?"

Jupiter continued to cringe. "Please be gentle."

"Don't worry, Daddy. I'll be gentle." Trev shrugged. "Ish."

"Just do it."

Trev swung his knee into Jupiter's crotch, and yes, perhaps he did it a little harder than he really needed to, but it was so very satisfying to see Jupiter double over. "Fuck you!" he yelled, trying to sound slurred. "You're a fuckin' asshole! And your hair is stupid! And, and your face is fucking stupid too!"

Several of the guests gasped and stared, and two men came up as if to intervene.

"I've got him!" Jupiter threw up his hand to stop their advance. He gritted his teeth as he stood up straight, and then he yanked on the leash. "Come on! I think that's enough for you."

Trev scowled and tried to pull back. He couldn't go far because of the leash, and he shoved Jupiter's chest. "Fuck you! I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"All right. Come here." Jupiter grabbed Trev around his waist.

"Nope, nope! Fuck you!" Trev squirmed frantically. "Somebody help! Help me! Get this fucking nutjob off me!"

The crowd laughed, and some even cheered when Jupiter swung Trev over his shoulder. They clapped as Jupiter carried him out into the hallway, and Trev wanted to scream. He knew that he and Jupiter were only pretending to fight as part of their ruse to escape, but wow.

These gangsters were all a bunch of assholes .

Jupiter continued out into the hallway and to the stairs, still carrying Trev.

"You can put me down now," Trev whispered angrily.

"Someone might be watching." Jupiter reached up and smacked his ass. "Come on, we're committing right?" He smacked him again. "Like with hitting me in the balls!"

"Ow! You dick!" Trev growled. "I didn't even hit you that hard!"

"Tell that to my fucking balls!"

Trev rolled his eyes, grunting as Jupiter hauled him over to the stairs. "For fuck's sake. You can put me down now."

"Gonna kick me again?" Jupiter growled.

"I kneed you and not even that hard!" Trev snapped. "Will you quit bitching and focus, please?"

Jupiter set Trev down. "I'm not bitching!"

"Said in the bitchiest tone ever. You should be the one on a leash."

Jupiter smacked Trev's ass hard enough to sting. "Let's go."

Trev took the stairs two at a time. Jupiter was on the same page and was only a second behind him. Into Jupiter's room they went to retrieve the lockbox and the bag, and Trev left the leash behind. He kept the collar on. He couldn't say why and chalked it up to madness in the heat of the moment. They hurried back downstairs in equal haste, and Jupiter went out first into the hallway to make sure the way was clear.

Trev froze, his heart pounding fast.

There was still a chance that a guard might see them and question what they were doing. A guest might see them and ask what was going on. Ugo could come barging through and ask them for a dance.

Anything could fucking happen.

Jupiter came back and grabbed Trev's hand. "Let's go."

Trev let Jupiter take the lead as they jogged down the hallway and around the ballroom, ducking here and there to make sure they weren't seen. Trev thought he heard voices nearby, perhaps the valets, but the kitchen was empty when they finally made it in.

Trev frowned.

This was almost too easy.

Jupiter shrugged at his concerned expression and grabbed a set of keys from the case. He squeezed Trev's hand. "Almost there, baby doll."

Trev could only nod.

They headed outside, racing across a sprawling patio to a crowd of cars. Jupiter hit a button on the keys, and the headlights of a nearby SUV flashed. Another cursory look around revealed no sign of any of the valets.

Trev's stomach lurched .

"Jupiter," he whispered. "Something's wrong."

"What do you mean?" Jupiter hissed. "We're almost there."

"Right, but where is everyone? The valets aren't here, none of the guards?—"

"Are you really complaining?" Jupiter stopped to stare at him.

"I'm telling you, something is wrong," Trev insisted.

"Look, it's fine," Jupiter argued. "We're gonna get in that fucking car, we're gonna get the fuck out of here, and then we're?—"

"I wouldn't do that if I was yous," a familiar voice chirped.

Trev whirled around.

Shit.

It was Howell .