Chapter Eighteen

"Did you bring the cookies?" Mom asked.

I pulled them out of my bag.

"How is it you can remember that I'm bringing you cookies, but you have trouble with what I said a few minutes ago?" I asked, putting my satchel down and taking a seat on the edge of her bed.

She shrugged. "Priorities. Also, if I didn't get you to repeat everything three times, you'd be out of here after ten minutes."

"That is not true."

I watched as she opened the package and took out a cookie. Before she bit into it, she gazed at me with sudden curiosity.

"How are those two men you told me about? I forget their names."

Honestly, I was impressed she remembered them at all.

"Gideon and Vihaal. Yeah, they're good."

"Hmm. Is it just hot sex, or do you actually like them?"

I choked on my own saliva. "What? Oh my God. Mom."

"It's a legitimate question."

"It's a little personal."

"I'm your mother."

"Exactly!"

She chewed a piece of her cookie thoughtfully. "I just want to know if they're your boyfriends or if you're all just getting down and dirty with each other."

"You know that's really none of your business, right? You've never been interested in my sex life before."

"It was never this exciting."

"Fine. They're more than hookups. Satisfied?"

"I don't know what a hookup is."

"It's when you— Never mind. I guess you could call us all boyfriends. Man, that is the weirdest thing I've ever said."

She snorted a laugh that blew cookie crumbs onto her lap. "Oh no it's not. You've said some very strange things over your lifetime, Angel Barnett. Like when you told your father he'd have to drug you and kidnap you if he wanted you to join the neighborhood soccer team." She grinned.

"Did I really tell him that?"

"You hated soccer."

"I still hate soccer."

"Well, I'm glad you've found someone. Two someones, in fact. Who would have thought."

"Yeah, well, it was a complete surprise to me. It's still a surprise. Every single day."

"Would you like a cookie?"

"Oh, no thanks. I just had lunch." I decided that two could play at this game. "So…any romantic prospects for you?"

She froze with the cookie halfway to her mouth. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's not too late for you to have some fun, you know."

"Please. I've barely got any time left, do you think I'd waste it on trying to get a romance going with one of these old losers?"

I laughed.

"When are you going to bring your men to meet me?"

"Oh…I don't know. It's only been a few months, Mom. I don't want to jump the gun."

"On what?"

"On asking them to meet my mom. That's something that you do after, you know, six months. Maybe even a year."

"A year! I might not be here in a year!"

That was a distinct possibility. Still, I wondered how Vihaal and Gideon would respond to being invited to visit my aging mother.

"Okay, okay. I'll ask them. Eat your cookies."

She grinned and took another bite.

* * * *

It took me the better part of two weeks to go over the Tarnish accounts for the previous two years. The same shady transactions kept popping up, and the same Divine Treasures supplier was mentioned with no detailed listing of items purchased.

I went through everything, taking notes and writing a report for Vihaal. It was clear to me that there was something fishy going on. And I was sure that Dominic was at the root of it.

When I told Vihaal my suspicions and returned the files, with my notes and comments in a document that I put on a flash drive, he gave a world-weary sigh.

"I'm so sorry, V," I said. "This is a shitty situation to be in."

He nodded. "Thank you so much, Angel. You've helped me immeasurably. Send me an invoice for what I owe you."

"I will."

"How's the new car?"

"Fantastic. I love it."

Vihaal stood there silently for a long moment.

"I think we need to go to Molly's."

"Oh," I said. "Well, I'd love to."

"I get horny when I'm stressed. And Gideon's always horny."

I laughed. "I mean, he's got to get sick of us at some point, right?"

Vihaal shot me an appalled look. "I certainly hope not. I want both of you in the Bordello with me this weekend." He looked me up and down. "Yes. I need to get you into those ropes again."

I cleared my throat, trying not to get hard.

"Look, can I ask you something?" I said. It was now or never. "Not related at all to what we just spoke about."

"Of course."

I hesitated, smiling nervously because it was so awkward to invite your new boyfriend—one of them, anyway— to meet your aging mother right after he'd expressed a detailed interest in tying you up with rope.

"My mom. She's in a retirement home and I— She gets bored and I never know what to talk about, and I might have mentioned you and Gideon."

Vihaal regarded me with amusement. "And?"

"And now she wants to meet you. And him. But you don't have to. Of course, you don't have to. I mean, she wanted me to ask if you would…"

"Angel, we'd be delighted to meet your mother. When?"

"Oh fuck," I said. "I hadn't thought that far in advance. I thought you wouldn't want to."

"She's your mother, Angel. Of course I want to meet her, and thank her for giving you such a wonderful, and accurate, name."

I narrowed my eyes.

Vihaal continued. "I'm going to tell her what a sweet young man you are. The perfect exemplification of the moniker."

"She's not going to believe you, but okay."

He laughed. "Should I tell her how much of an angel you're not?"

"No! God, no. Just let me prove to her that I didn't make you guys up!"

"Does she think you did?"

"It's possible."

"Well, we can't have that. Why don't we all go on Saturday morning? Would that work? I'll try to reserve the Bordello for that evening."

I gaped at Vihaal in disbelief. "You're going to introduce yourself to my mom, and Dom me in the Bordello the same day ?"

Vihaal smiled. "Yes. Gosh, now, that does sound rather depraved."

* * * *

"Now, look, her short-term memory is going. So she might say the same thing a few times. Or ask the same question," I cautioned them.

"Understood," Vihaal said as we walked to the elevator.

"Hi, Mrs. Carter," I said to a woman I recognized.

"Hello, Angel," she replied, looking at Vihaal and Gideon with much interest. "Did you bring Natalie more cookies?"

"Actually, I've got cherry turnovers today. From the bakery."

"Oh! Lovely. You're such a good son."

"Ha, ha. Thanks." I blushed as I pressed the elevator button.

I glanced at Vihaal who regarded me with a satisfied, almost smug, expression. Then I looked at Gideon, who leaned in and patted my arm.

"Oh my God, you're so cute! Do you know everyone here?"

"God, no," I said, as the elevator doors opened.

"Angel!" Mr. Al-Moodi said as he stepped off with his cane. "Good to see you!"

"Thanks, Mr. Al-Moodi. You're looking good!"

"Who are these fellas? Narcs?"

"No, they're just…" I coughed. "They're my friends. Mom wanted to meet them."

"Oh! She gets around, that woman. Barely remembers my name but she wants to meet everyone." His eyes went wide. "Oh, she's out of cookies!"

"I'll get some more."

"Yeah, yeah. Tell her I said hi. She won't remember me."

We got into the elevator. I was pretty sure my face was beet red. Vihaal and Gideon watched me with surprise and way too much enjoyment.

"What?" I said, trying to hide in the corner of the elevator. "She likes cookies."

"So do all her friends, apparently," Vihaal said, smiling.

I looked at the bag in my hand. "I should have brought cookies. I thought she'd like something different for a change."

"And it's a special occasion," Gideon said, bumping me.

"Is it? I'm starting to wonder," I said with a sardonic lilt.

"Why are you embarrassed? Is this some holdover from pretending to be straight?" Gideon asked.

I laughed. "Maybe. I don't know. It's just that I've put a lot of energy into impressing you both. And this is kind of…well, it's just sad and boring."

"Honestly, Angel. What's more impressive than a man who's not afraid to do nice things for people?" Vihaal asked. "Kindness in general is underrated."

"You're the coolest," Gideon said, leaning in to kiss me.

I practically combusted with fear that the elevator doors would open and we'd cause some kind of medical incident.

"Hey, can we keep the PDA for Molly's?" I whispered, even though we were the only ones in the elevator. "Some of these folks have delicate coronary systems."

Gideon burst out a laugh. "I'll try to keep my hands off you."

"And I'll make sure he does," Vihaal said, winking.

I'd already told them that my mom knew we were more than friends. And that she was cool with the whole bisexual/gay thing. But I wasn't sure about any of the other residents.

"This is it," I said, pointing to number three-one-eight and taking a deep breath before I knocked.

"Mom, it's Angel," I said in a loud voice so she'd hear me.

"Angel who?" she asked from inside the room.

"Very funny. I've brought some people to meet you," I said. "Are you decent?"

"Not at all. But come in anyway."

I glanced at Vihaal and Gideon.

"Hold on," I said.

I pushed the door open a crack and saw her sitting up in bed with a sweater on over her nightgown and the covers pulled up around her waist.

I beckoned Gideon and Vihaal to follow and went in.

"Mom, how come you're in bed?" I asked.

"Didn't feel like getting up. Give me a break, I'm seventy-nine."

"Hey, remember I told you I was bringing Vihaal and Gideon to meet you?"

"Who? What?" she said, looking at Vihaal and Gideon like they were leprechauns or aliens.

Oh fuck no.

"I, uh…the men I told you about? Remember? Gideon and Vihaal…"

"I have no idea what the fuck you're talking about. Who are these people?"

Oh my God. Why? Why today?

"Hello, Mrs. Barnett," Vihaal said. "It's so lovely to meet you." He held out his hand to her. "I'm Vihaal Petrovsky, and this is Gideon Foster."

"Hey," Gideon said, smiling at my mom while I tried not to have a nervous breakdown.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, putting a hand to her face in sudden—but very fake—realization. "Yes! Angel told me all about you both! I'm so glad to finally meet you."

I'm going to kill her in her sleep.

"That's very funny, Mom. Pretending you forgot. Ha ha," I said, as the blood returned to my brain.

"Look, honey, I don't have that many amusements anymore. I take ‘em where I can find ‘em."

Vihaal looked at my mom like she was a rock star. Gideon put a hand to his mouth to keep from laughing, his eyes dancing with mirth.

My mom looked at the two of them like she'd forgotten her age. "My, aren't you handsome. Both of you. Well, well."

I put a hand to my forehead as Gideon failed to contain himself and burst out laughing. Mom smiled at him.

"And aren't you adorable," she said. "You're Gideon?"

"Yes, Mrs. Barnett. It's so nice to finally meet you!"

"Oh, please call me Bridget."

"Okay, Bridget," Gideon said.

My mom cackled.

"That's not your name," I said, my voice tired. "It's Natalie."

"Well, Bridget is the name I've always wanted."

"Bridget is a beautiful name," Vihaal said, throwing me a look before turning back to my mom. "May I call you Bridget also?"

"Of course." She turned to me. "What's in the bag?"

"Oh. I brought you some cherry turnovers," I said, handing it over.

"Oh, damn, I was hoping for cookies. Thank you, though. You're always so thoughtful."

"I can bring you some cookies, Mom. I'll bring some tomorrow."

"Nonsense," Vihaal said. "I'll send some. What kind do you like? Chocolate chip? Oatmeal raisin?"

"Oh my!" My mom blushed and fidgeted with the edge of the blanket. "Well, I do like a good chocolate chip. Or chocolate chunk. Or even double chocolate."

"Done. The bakery we picked these up from has a delivery service. You'll receive some tomorrow, Mrs. Bar—I mean, Bridget ."

"Oh, my, thank you," she said, reaching out for me.

She grasped my arm and tugged me in close, her gaze fixed on Vihaal.

"This one is very sexy," she said in a voice not as quiet as she supposed.

"Mom!" I whispered, shocked and embarrassed.

"Are you getting up to some nasty things with these men, Angel?" she asked, in an excited and eager voice.

"I'm not telling you that!"

"Bridget," Vihaal said. "I can assure you that Gideon and I are treating Angel very well." He lowered his chin and sobered his gaze. "Very, very well."

My mom let go of me and smiled. "That's all I wanted to know. Now, let's eat. Get the plates, Angel. I want that man to have the biggest turnover," she said, pointing at Vihaal.

I got the plates, dying a little on the inside.

* * * *

Afterward, on our way to the cars, I apologized.

"I'm so sorry."

"About what?" Gideon asked, popping the last of his turnover in his mouth and licking his fingers.

"About my mom and her failing memory. Also, she doesn't have much of a filter anymore. She was rude and I'm sorry."

"Angel, she's a very old woman," Vihaal remarked. "I think we can forgive her that."

"I thought she was lovely," Gideon said. "And hilarious. I think she did it all on purpose."

"Well, the first part, when she pretended not to know who you guys were, yes. That was a joke on me. For sure."

"It was a good one," Vihaal affirmed. "She's got a spark, your mom."

"Yeah. Lucky me," I joked.

"Angel," Vihaal said, turning me around and giving me his stern look. "You are lucky. She's incredibly open-minded for someone of that generation. And sex-positive. My own mother cursed me and sent me to the Devil when she found out I was gay."

I gaped at him. "Really?"

"Yes. But it's all right. Satan and I are on very good terms."

I smiled. "Yeah, okay. That's true. She's pretty awesome. I'm just…I'm embarrassed."

"I know. And it looks good on you. Remind me to embarrass you more often."

Gideon laughed with glee as we parted to go to our cars.

* * * *

In the Bordello, Vihaal got right down to business.

"Both of you, clothes off. Fold them neatly and put them on the settee," he said. "And Angel."

"Yes, Vihaal?"

Vihaal nodded at the St. Andrew's cross. "You're going up there."

I gaped at him. "On that…on the cross ?"

Vihaal smiled.

"Isn't that a little…" I swallowed. "…hard-core for someone just starting out?" I asked, my voice in a higher pitch then I'd intended.

"I think you can handle it," he commented. "It's more for keeping you in one position for an extended period. You'll find it quite comfortable, I'm sure."

I wasn't convinced.

"Yes, Vihaal."

"It will also give you a good view of what I'm about to do to Gideon."

Oh, well in that case… "Okay. Sure."

He raised his eyebrows in a way that sent desire shooting up my spine.

"Yes, Vihaal," I corrected myself.

We stripped and folded our clothes while Vihaal gathered a selection of items at which I didn't dare look too closely. I was anxious, as I always was in this room at the beginning of a scene. I was also pretty fucking into it.

"Come and kneel at my feet, both of you." For once, Gideon was completely naked, without any kind of adornment. I wondered if Vihaal had expressly asked for it.

We kneeled at Vihaal's feet. He'd taken off his suit jacket but otherwise was dressed like a wealthy entrepreneur. I had a good view of his shiny brown dress shoes.

He put his hands in his pockets and gazed at us.

"Hmm. Neither of you are fully hard. I expect more from you in this room, you know."

I swallowed. I looked down at my cock and saw that it was almost standing straight up. I was pretty close to being fully hard.

"Perhaps you should entertain each other for a bit before we start. Gideon, take Angel over to the spanking bench."

"Yes, Vihaal," Gideon said, excitement in his voice.

I wasn't sure I wanted to be spanked, but it wasn't the worst thing that could happen in this room, so I followed Gideon over to the bench. Vihaal grabbed a straight chair and set it at a comfortable viewing point, then sat and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

"Angel, I want you bent over the side—it should be at just the right height for you."

Gideon showed me how Vihaal wanted me and helped me to fold myself over the padded bench, and stretch my arms out to each side. I did so, feeling like a piece of meat or a sex toy. My cock was definitely hard now.

"Excellent," I heard Vihaal say, his voice low. "Gideon, show me Angel's hole, will you?"

Oh my God. My face flamed with humiliation but my cock throbbed with arousal.

A puff of air exited Gideon's lips. "Yes, Vihaal," he said.

In a moment, Gideon's hands were on my buttocks. He slid his thumbs down my crack and spread my cheeks apart. I tried to breathe and figure out why being put on display so pragmatically for Vihaal's pleasure was such a huge turn-on. He sure knew how to drive me mad.

"Oooh, yes. So pretty. You have a beautiful asshole, Angel."

More shame. My insides roiled with it, but my arousal level was white hot.

"Yes, Vihaal," I whispered.

"Do you want to play with that pretty hole, Gideon?"

Oh my fucking fuck.

"Of course I do, Vihaal. Thank you."

I pressed my cheek to the bench and closed my eyes as Gideon stroked a finger over my hole. By now, I knew how good it felt to be teased there, but it still made me feel soft and vulnerable and off center.

"Mmm. So sweet. What a good boy you are, Angel," Vihaal said.

I heard him get up. Then the sound of his footsteps.

"Am I doing it right, Vihaal?" Gideon asked in a sweet, coy voice that I hadn't really heard him use before.

"Oh yes. Just like that. Pet his pretty hole while I watch. He's making such lovely sounds."

Gideon stroked and teased me, as I lay spread over the spanking bench, alternately dying of embarrassment and gasping with excitement. It was a heady mindfuck.

"A fine slut for you, Vihaal."

My brain went numb and checked out. I heard everything but I'd stopped reacting to it with my mind, and only did so with my body.

"Suck on your finger," Vihaal said.

I heard slurping noises, then something pressed against my hole.

"Let him in, Angel."

I made a strangled noise as Gideon's slick digit breached me.

"Oh," Gideon said, going deeper as I made ridiculously vulnerable noises. Why did that feel so fucking good?

"Soft?" Vihaal asked.

"Like velvet, Vihaal," Gideon said, pushing his finger further as I lay helpless against the bench.

"Oh fuck. Fuck," I gasped, unable to stop myself from pushing my ass up to meet him.

"Do you like that, Angel?"

"Yes, Vihaal." I managed to get the words out past my humiliation.

"Mmm. I could watch Gideon fingering you all night."

I squeezed my eyes shut as the pleasure spread and consumed me. I didn't know how much more I could take. I was hard and leaking, my body hanging off that one profane invasion.

"Take your finger out now, and use your tongue. He likes a good tongue laving. Ask me how I know." Vihaal sounded so smug, and I flashed back to the shower we'd shared.

"I don't have to. You've obviously tasted him," Gideon said. "Now it's my turn."

His finger slipped out, and he spread me again. The flat of his tongue slid over my hole and I choked on air.