(Chapter 40.) Murder on the campus.
I run and my mind spins. This can't be true, not Liam they will cut him, brand him and make him a whore. I can't get into the admin.
I run back to the dorm and I search for Angel. I need Angel. I am lost. I can't believe it not now. Not Liam, this isn't who he is. A murderer? I hope and pray Jonas is lying, but I knew something was wrong. Liam wouldn't have left me standing there for a minute. I run around the dorm. I pound on Angel's office door.
Thank god he is here, he will sort this out. My big brother Angel will sort this out. If anyone can, he can. I tell him about my meeting with Jonas and what he said.
Angel gets Dane who has to go out and get me some bourbon to calm me down. I am a gibbering wreck. Dane makes some inquiries while I tell Angel everything and it isn't making much sense apparently.
"Honey, have another drink." Angel hands me a glass. "Now start from leaving here, who you saw, what you did, and what happened. And remember before you start count to ten," Angel says.
Angel was the one who used to get me to do that as a kid. I tell Angel everything, standing outside the sports bar waiting for Liam, the strange conversation with Greg about Mason, seeing Jonas, what he said about tomorrow, what he said about mother, and finally what he said about Liam.
"Oh god Angel, Liam, he couldn't kill someone, he wouldn't, Liam wouldn't kill somebody. Jonas, I can't, Angel I can't pair with him. I won't, this must be a nightmare, slap me," I say.
"Trust me Brett right now I am trying hard not to do just that," Angel says looking at me in that big brother way.
Dane comes back and his face is pale. "It's true Simon from Admin was killed this afternoon round the back of the Jester bar. They found the body and Liam with a knife. He has been arrested. I am so sorry Brett. It is true, Liam killed Simon," Dane says.
I scream and start ranting.
......
I wake up in Angel's office. Dane is with me and he has some coffee. It is daylight and just after mid-day.
"Where is Angel? Fuck I feel groggy," I ask.
"Here honey drink this and you will be fine. Angel is trying to sort this mess out," Dane says to me.
"OH! Fuck, I gotta-" Dane slaps me.
"You gotta calm down bitch is what you gotta do," Dane says, and I feel the sharp sting on my cheek.
"Ouch. Dane just ouch," I say. "Last night I was here and then what happened. Liam and Jonas. What did you do? Did you drug me? I feel terrible." I say coming around a bit.
"I might have slipped you something last night, you went a little crazy. Now drink more of this," Dane says and hands me more coffee.
"Dane. I gotta go do something. Liam, he didn't do it, Dane," I start to panic again and need to do something even though I have no idea what "it" is. Dane grabs me.
"Look I spoke with Angel last night, he doesn't think Liam did it either. Look, he spent all night pulling every string he can to get help. You will not help anyone though ranting like you were. So bitch, drink the coffee, wait here with me, and let Angel do his stuff," he says. He is angry and I don't know what else to do.
I look at him. I take the coffee and wait.
"Dane, did you put something in this coffee?" I say feeling kind of calm.
"Yeah, a little something for nerves. Yours and quite honestly Brett, mine," Dane says and smiles.
"Thanks. Dane, is this our new thing now, you drugging me?" I say.
"It might just be," Dane says. "Fuck, you boys are adorable, but hard work." He smiles at me.
....
I seem to have waited for a long time. It is mid afternoon. I still feel a little high from the coffee Dane gave me. Then finally Angel returns.
"Brett Honey. I need you to be brave," Angel says and even in my drug-addled state, I feel a wave of panic.
"What is it?" I ask.
"So I have done everything I can and more. I have some leads and I am as sure as you that this is a set up. I can't prove anything yet, but I spoke with Counsel Alderton, he is Liam's father's counsel. I got files and all sorts of stuff that I shouldn't, and I will be meeting with them later. Look, baby boy. If Liam is innocent, and I think he is, I will do what I can to get him off. Even if it kills me," Angel says.
"But that is great news," I say.
"Well yes. Bad news time there is a service bot looking for you. They want you at the Admin building. Jonas has registered you as his breeder pair and they need you there now," Angel tells me.
"But Angel that was- No- He can't have-," I say my mind reels. The maggot dick Jonas as a breeder pair is like my worst nightmare made real.
"Dane honey, another 'coffee' for Brett here," Angel tells Dane.
"Look, Brett. I stalled it but you've got 5 minutes tops. You have to do this Brett. Look at me. I will get Liam freed if it kills me. You have to do this Brett. Five minutes and guards will come to find you, control collar you, and drag you there. Listen, honey. I know this is hard," Angel says.
"I won't go, Angel don't make me," I say, and I feel a tear run down my cheek. "Jonas, I just can't. Angel. I won't go," I say.
"Angel grabs me. Look you fucking will go if I have to drag you there myself. Brett baby look I know this is really hard, trust me, I know. I wouldn't wish this on anybody. But Brett I think I am on to something. I know Liam, and I know he is no killer. There are a lot of people trying really hard right now to prove Liam's innocence. If you don't do this now. He will only ever get to see you painted up like a dumb breeder whore in one of the bars. You will be covered in shitty tattoos, and it will kill him and you. I won't let that happen. I won't let them do to you what they did to me. If you really love him you will do this," Angel says to me.
"But Jonas did this Angel I know he did. I just know this is him," I say.
"Listen. I agree. That boy has provoked you at every turn. Are you going to let him win now? ARE YOU?" He shouts and shakes me."Look Brett I promise we will sort this one way or another but if you love me and I know you love Liam you will do this for both of us. Look please Brett be brave you have done so well. Please just be brave. I will do everything I can to make sure we sort this out but don't give up Liam just yet. Please, Brett, I am begging you." Angel says, and I know he is right.
"Ok," I say and I am broken.
"Dane is going with you," Angel says.
Dane pulls out a medipen. "I am out of coffee. Brett, it is just our new thing honey," he says and I feel a scratch on my arm. I feel a strange euphoric rush and everything starts to feel just a little off. It isn't a bad feeling at all. The panic, fear and desperation of moments ago seem to ebb away.
"Fucking great. My brother's breeder giving me drugs. What a crazy family," I say.
"Oh my, he is flying," Angel says to Dane as he looks at me.I do feel good. That new shot makes me feel even better. Turning back to Dane, Angel continues, "The blowjobs and clit jobs I have given out today is nobody's business. I have Mark working over the data team manager now. Get my little brother over there and don't leave till he goes into the room and then I have so much shit to do. And thanks, Dane. I love you," Angel says to Dane.
"Thanks, Angel. You are the best," I say and kiss Angel on the cheek and walk with Dane to the Admin center on the western campus. I feel sick but calm. My head is slightly woozy. I don't speak much and neither does Dane.
I have to wait for a while and my head spins. There is a guy standing shouting.
"But I registered him and that isn't him I don't even know a fucking Roger. What sort of shit is this? I am not going to pair with that. Where the fuck is Mason." I look around and it is Greg and he is being escorted off shouting.
As I watch Greg being led away I see everything more clearly.
"Dane, I think that is it. What happened to Mason and Greg. Tell Angel," I say.
The bot hovers down and calls me in.
"Dane it was oh Dane don't you see- Roger, Mason and Greg. Tell Angel,"
"I will tell him Brett. But you have to go," Dane says, looking at me with a look of worry.
I feel like I can see all the pictures of a puzzle just resolved around me.
"I promise Brett honey, now go." Dane kisses me on the cheek. "Oh, God. You are flying. Be brave Brett,"
"Thanks," I say. I head into the small but grand room high as a kite, fearless, ready to face my fate with Jonas.
(Chapter 41.) Brett's Breeder pair ceremony.
In the grand room, there is a Breeder and some chairs and nothing else. "Brett Parker?"
"Yes, that is I."
"Yes please sit down Brett. Now Brett I see you had two claims."
"Two, only two? I mean I should be flattered, but really it should have been more, look at me. I am fucking hot."
The breeder official says."Quite. You are handsome."
"So are you if you don't mind me saying."
The breeder blushes, "Well thank you, Brett. I err well... you, oh well now the first claimant Liam Connor he has been detained. I am not sure if you know?"
I look and nod, "You mean on account of the murder."
"Well, Brett, quite. A very unfortunate business all round."
"Unfortunate. I should say, poor Simon is dead, that could be classed as unfortunate I suppose," I say and the breeder looks at me.
The breeder continues, "Which leaves Jonas Parker who made a claim and wants you as his breeder partner. We shall call him in shortly."
"Shorty more like. Have you seen him? What a squirt."