A puff of smoke streamed from my mouth as the cigarette parted from my lips. The chilled surface of the black Bentley sent a chill down my spine as I exhaled…mentally preparing myself for another grueling day.

This job was the last thing I wanted…

I remembered sitting in the Oval Office. The President pulled me off my midnight shift of outer perimeter security at the White House to have a chat. Two weeks prior I received a distinguished service medal for protecting the President's family from a subject who opened fire on their motorcade. I was allotted a week off of work, but only took two days. I didn't know how to function without a vest on my chest and an SR slung over my shoulder. For the past ten years, that's all I knew…kept me sane. Downtime only left time to think and stare at the ceiling fan as it whirred overhead, its humming noise sending my mind into a still chaos.  So, since the pomp and circumstance along with my unneeded break was over, I was unsure why the Commander and Chief needed to speak with me again. I had heard his many thanks to the point it was unnerving. Even more irritating were the look from my peers, who's eyes bled "kiss ***" as I passed them by.  No one here has the guts to voice their opinion to me, and instead just averted their eyes. I became team lead for my tactics and ruthless drills, and they knew one word would make their morning exercises pure hell. However, I honestly did not want to look like I was receiving special treatment. I, like them, just do my job.

"Sit down Mr. Ray." The President smiled in the Oval Office, pointing to a plush couch.

I did as the president commanded, making sure not to damage his seats with his raid vest.

"Look, I really appreciate not only what you've done for my family, but also for the American people. Your superiors have nothing but good things to say about you. You're a highly distinguished Iraqi war vet and have taken your training and experience to improved our UD program. Now we have not only boys, but weapons protecting our homeland."

What's he getting at?

"However, what is puzzling is Colonel Lee said you have no desire to become an agent. Instead you prefer to remain in UD? Why is that?"

Easy, I don't want to babysit politicians…especially HIM.

"I'm a guard dog, sir. That's what I do best and what better place to do that than here, at the White House?"

He smiled, my response was what he wanted to hear. Shit.

"Understood, but let me be frank. My son's DL is retiring and I want you to take his spot."

"What?" I couldn't help the surprised response from coming out of my mouth.

"Don't sound too surprised!" He joked.

I couldn't hide it. Didn't he know? Sure, he was never around back then and I'd be unrecognizable compared to who I am now…but you can't tell me that he didn't know…that Kai and I…

"Kai informed me that you two had a past, but I can't think of anyone else more qualified for the job. So, let's let sleeping dogs lie Mr. Ray."

I watched this man walk over to me, his hand outstretched as if he was selling a bill that needed to be passed. But here's the thing…I wanted to say no. Actually, I wanted to tell him that I would rather cut off his son's balls than protect him. But instead…

"What do you say to being promoted as a special agent?"

I took the job.

The cigarette fell to the floor as I extinguished it beneath my foot. I leaned back on the car, staring up into the heavens.

What the hell was I thinking?

My earpiece began to buzz. DL, Lotus coming to you.

Lotus…how I wish we could've OK'd the codename ****.

I stood up, holding the rear passenger door open as two other agents flanked me: making sure no threats were approaching.

My lead, agent Roy, appeared first out of the hillside manor and behind him was…Kai. Today he wore a Beverly-hills sport coat with bright blue shorts. His aviator glasses covered his eyes, and his brown hair was slicked to the side. To me, he was still daddy's little frat boy.

"Morning, mutt." His smug lips were almost too close, that I unconsciously pushed him inside the Bentley and closed the door.

Lotus in limo. I conveyed to my team, as they made their way into SUV's in front and behind our car.

"Geez," Kai started as I got into the driver's seat.

Kai leaned up close to me, his hand reaching out to my shoulder. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."

I caught his hand before I felt his touch.

Lotus secured, ready to move. I stated, returning Kai's hand.

"Mr. Yanaka, I'd appreciate it if you sat back and put on your seat belt."

I shifted the Bentley in drive as I started to follow the lead car to the Hanley House: Kai's favorite stop for breakfast.

"Oh, that's right." I heard Kai click in his seatbelt. "I forgot, you don't like being touched. Which is wild since I've seen all your scars."

Don't respond.

"I mean, don't you think it's odd that we came together again, like this? It's like a stray returning to his master."

Bite your tongue.

"Hell, after that day, you were so devastated that your love for me was one sided that it was almost pathetic. Said you hated me, supposedly enough to run off to the marines, huh. How silly."

My knuckles were turning white. The more he talked, the more I wanted nothing more than to shove my gun in his mouth.

"Shit, you probably haven't dated anyone since! I mean, how could you? Intimacy is not your—"

I slammed on the breaks, taking Kai by surprise. It was a red light, the same burning hatred that illuminated my soul. Had he chosen to forget what really happened that day…the day he and those thugs…

My eyes were an unnatural color, maroon. But when I was pissed, they lit up like hades. And as I looked into the rearview mirror, I got satisfaction out of seeing Kai sweat. He was calculating what I would do next.

I took out my gun, not taking my eyes off him.

"What…what are you?" He questioned, uncomfortable.

I released the mag, emptied the 40 caliber round out of the chamber of my Sig and caught it: placing my weapon on the center console. I held the bullet in my hand, so Kai could see it clear as day.

"This," I said, flinging it back to him, "is for you."

Kai caught the round, dread clouding his face.

I reloaded my gun and replaced it in my holster just as the light turned green.

"You're going to need it."

Kai clenched the round, holding it in his fist. His knuckles turning white in disbelief.

After all this time…he still remembers.

Kai would've been lying if he said he wasn't against Max being his DL. His father insisted and a replacement was not up for discussion, but the relationship between Kai and Max ended in a way that he admittedly wished could've been avoided. Kai knew he had wronged Max, taken away the warm smiles of the frail boy of his past and created a monster. A demon which now was in control of his every waking moment…waiting like an alligator to nab its prey. However, Kai was in too deep. So deep that the past was best kept in the dark reaches of space.

Yet, what still shocked Kai the most was the man before him. He was built like a rock, his muscles indenting into his white button-down shirt. Max was tall, hovering over six feet, and Kai could see the sliver of a tattoo when he grasped the car door. The fact that he even let a needle decorate his skin was surprising based off of the trauma of Max's childhood. No…everything was almost impossible to witness. How Max's hair was neat, slicked back, and fashionable, how his suits were well kept, and his eyes…they still could take his breath away. How could the man before him be the same skidding boy who clung to him every night?

Kai sighed, too many overwhelming thoughts clouding his mind as he closed his eyes.

Max.

The first time Kai met Max was sophomore year in highschool. As the class President, it was Kai's duty to help the new students get acclimated to campus. What he didn't expect…was to see the new classmate.

"Good morning, class! Please give a warm welcome to our new student, Max Ray. He is here as our scholarship winner, so please be nice to him."

Kai couldn't ignore the laughs as he stared upon the boy in front of them. Max held his head down, whether because he was shy or didn't care to be there, he didn't shift his gaze upon the lemon-colored tiles. Kai stared at the long greasy and unkept hair that fell over the school uniform that was a size too big. He honestly looked ridiculous, constantly shifting so his Polo wouldn't expose his frail shoulders. Kai rolled his eyes, unamused. He guessed that they'd let just about any old stray in if it meant more money for charity.

"Kai, if you would be so kind as to show him around, that would be great." The teacher asked.

"Yes, sir." Kai smiled, amongst his friends snickers and jokes.

Max sat near the back of the class, letting the slurs pass him by. He barely looked at anyone, didn't pay attention to the lecture…instead he just stared outside. Kai couldn't help put stare at him. He almost appeared feminine. There was a slight curvature to his slender body, a waviness about his hair…and he wasn't the only one who noticed. The jackals were already staring at their prize, slobbering in wait for the lunch bell to pounce. Even if Kai thought Max was out of his realm, he didn't like their stares. It was his job to help his classmates adjust.

So, once class was over, Kai showed Max around the school. He made sure to keep him close, which deterred the jackals: who decided to move on to their next victim. Kai did his best to be a tour guide, but suddenly realized Max wasn't paying him a lick of interest. He didn't say a word nor did he lift his head the whole time, and that annoyed Kai. He'd been ignored at home, which is why he decided to be the class president. This position gave him a voice, allowed him to be heard. So who…who did this kid think he was to treat him as such!

"Max." Kai said, to no avail.

His head was stuck to the ground…almost like he was invisible.

"Look," Kai said angrily, reaching for Max's collar, "at me when I'm—"

Instinctively…no like a wounded animal, Max cowered away from Kai's touch: slamming into the brick wall that made up the school's entryway. Kai was speechless, watching Max act like he had seen a monster…or worse, lived through a terrifying reality. But it was Max's eyes that struck Kai the most. Underneath that tangled mess were the most unique maroon eyes he'd ever seen. They almost seemed unreal…too vibrant to be human. But when tears began to well in Max's eyes, Kai couldn't help but snap back to reality.

"I'm so—" Kai started.

But that didn't help. Max took off, sprinting away from him. In that very moment, Kai caught a glimpse of Max's shoulder that protruded out under his baggy uniform. It was badly bruised, almost looking infected. Is that…is that why he flinched?

Kai tried his best to find him after that. Hell, he ran for miles, asked people on the street if they had seen the boy he just moments ago ran from him…but it was to no avail. Kai sighed, chuckled a bit and started off toward home. He had never run after anyone like that before, it was almost embarrassing.

Months went by and Max continued to come to class. He was still a disheveled mess, was still picked on, and still ignored anything and everything around him. Kai honestly wanted to ask him about what happened that day. He didn't in any means feel responsible for it, but he did think if something was going on at the boy's house he came from, that he should get help. But he also knew it wasn't his problem. As the son of a well respected senator, he had one job: avoid drama.

"The mutt won't take off his shirt!" A boy yelled in the locker room.

It was swim class that day. Everyone had to do a skills test for physical fitness. Kai had been dreaming of this day all semester long because he wanted to impress Nick Join. He was the top athlete on the swim team and honestly Kai's biggest crush. He idolized him since they were in middle school, and even though they talked, it was more as acquaintances than friends. After spending money on private swim lessons, Kai knew today was his shot at grabbing Nick's attention. But now, instead of his mind being focused on his heat, he was looking back at Max. The hackles, the jacked football players in their class, we're surrounding him at last.

Max tried to run away, but kept getting knocked back down. No one was going to intervene, especially not for him.

"You do know what swim class is don't you? Or are you too afraid to show you boobs?"

"Ha, his hair is long enough to be a chick!"

"Why don't we find out?"

The largest of the three, Tanner, grabbed Max's shirt. Max grabbed at him, tears in his eyes, trying to fight him off but he wasn't strong enough.

When Kai heard Max yell, his clothes tearing, his eyes bulged.

"Oh, shit!" Tanner exclaimed, surprise covering his face.

Kai clenched his fists. No matter who Max was, he didn't need to be treated like that. He already had injuries.

"Get off him, Tanner."

Tanner tuned, dropping Max who held onto his ripped shirt. Tanner chuckled, spitting on Max.

"Wouldn't want the class president to cry wolf, now, would we?" He said, walking away.

His boys followed as Kai relaxed his fists. He knew the one thing that would ruin them was a pink slip. They loved football more than anything and even if they were jerks, they weren't interested to get in trouble: that meant the bench. But…this act of charity would come back to haunt him.

As the boys in his class began to leave the locker room, Kai walked over to Max. He was shaking. Kai tried to hide his disbelief, but seeing Max there shivering, he realized he was severely malnourished. Did they even feed people in that boys home? No wonder he didn't want to take off his clothes.

Kai didn't say anything, just handed Max his shirt: he had plenty more. Max looked up at him then, his hair parting away from his face, but his eyes were wet and his cheeks were red. It oddly enough made Kai's heart beat fast…he had never seen anyone…so beautiful. Even in that moment of Max's distress, he felt a blush come over him.

Max put his head down and grabbed the shirt. He turned from Kai so he could undress. That's when Kai said his bruises, which made him gasp. They were not clean…it looked like they were infected. And someone carved the words "guard dog" into him…it was inhumane.

"What happened to you?" Kai asked, almost in shock because he didn't realize it came out of his mouth.

Silence ensued as Max buttoned up his new shirt. He turned to Kai, now looking him in the eye. But he did the strangest thing, he smiled. Kai's heart raced.

"Nothing. I tripped."

He spoke?!

Max started to get his things, but Kai blocked his path. He knew he didn't trip. You don't trip and get scars like that.

"You probably don't trust me enough to tell me what's going on, but if you're in trouble and you need help," Kai said, writing down his number. "Call me. I'll get you out of it."

Max took the paper and held it like gold. Kai watched him stare at it as he turned to leave.

"Oh, also don't worry about swim class. I'll tell them you're sick."

Kai closes the door to the locker room, leaning on it. He exhaled, unsure of himself.

Shit…what have I gotten myself into?

"Mr. Yanaka." I said, slightly annoyed.

I had tried to get Kai's attention a handful of times, but his eyes were glazed over…lost in thought. Hell, lost in space! During our initial brief, I informed him that we needed to keep him moving. Any stops in his movement, like this, puts him at a higher risk. I'm not the type to wait around and create a target for myself, and as the seconds ticked, my chest tightened. He needed back to planet earth before I lose my patience.

Kai finally blinked, his frothed eyes finally seeing me.

Yes bitch, I've been holding your door for the past 15 minutes.

"Right…we're here." Kai said, straightening as he unbuckled his seat belt and walked out of the car.

I handed off the car door to Roy, who gave me a smirk. "Princess has awaken from his slumber, aye?"

I couldn't hold back after that. It wasn't a big laugh, more like a light chuckle, but damn was it needed. Roy had a way of making the stress leave: almost as if naturally my shoulders relaxed. I turned toward Kai, a grin still on my face, and to my surprise Kai was looking back at me. Not in a demeaning way as I was used to, but almost as if he was seeing the past me…the one who wanted anything more than to turn his frown upside down.

I regained my posture, annoyed by it all. I wish I hadn't shown any emotion at all in front of him. His cheeks were growing darker shades of red which knocked me back to a cold reality. Thankfully the bustling paparazzi quickly diverted Kai's attention away.

"Mr. Yanaka, what are your thoughts on how your father handled the pandemic?"

"Yes, please elaborate on his plans  regarding preparations for winter!"

"Yes, of course." Kai blossomed.

He was back to his cocky self.

I stayed by his side, watching the reporters as he talked. Kai was always great with speeches. He definitely knew how to charm a crowd and I honestly thought that was his worst quality. He wasn't a genuine person, he only cared for money and whores, not for anything real…anything tangible.

But worst of all…what was up with his reaction back there? Why do I even care.

"Heading to room one." I stated into my mic, following being Kai as he walked into the elegant hotel.

Copy that. My earpiece rang.

I followed Kai into a gold elevator, thankfully he didn't say a word. I almost thought he would've made a fuss, but when the elevator doors hissed open we headed to the elaborate but quaint dining area on the roof of the building. The famed Hanley House. Vines cross-crossed under the large awning to provide shade as a marble fountain drowned out the noise pollution. Waiters in white with silver trays cheerfully walked from table to table. But what was even more unique about this space, was it was full of gay men. I mean, I suppose I fit in that category…but this was too much even for me.

"Charles!" Kai waved to a rather handsome blonde male who was sitting down near the edge of the roof.

He wore a pinstripe grey suit, a light blue button down shirt and a fitting tie. He was not overly muscular, but fit motherless. His demeanor was that of a Wall Street stock broker. But all O knew Charles as was Kai's current plaything. He came from a wealthy family of entrepreneurs who designed IOT devices. Over the past week, I had done nothing but drive Kai and Charles around town as they humped each other in the back seat. Since then, I installed a divider to not have to sit and listen to Kai's intentions any longer.

"I was beginning to worry you were standing me up." Charles leaned in for a kiss, which Kai welcomed.

"No, I apologize. Just a late start is all."

Charles nodded as he and Kai sat down. A waiter eagerly came to their table, smiling through his **** to the point it was cringeworthy. I sighed, deciding to stand near the entrance to give Kai enough space to be cordial and to give me enough breathing room.

"Can I get anything for you, handsome?" A waiter asked me, his eyelashes dancing.

I ignored him, continuing to scan the crowd of lovers.

"Excuse me, sweetheart."

Sweetheart? My blood boiled…remain calm. But when I locked eyes with the boy, he scuttered away in fright. I was pretty bad at hiding my emotions…honestly always had been, but shit like that pissed me off more than anything. I was no where near being sweet, that was beaten out for me at a young age, and 10 years ago I lost my heart.

———————————————————-

"Max! Where are you, you little bug!"

I never knew the true meaning of love growing up. I was passed from house to house as a child until when I was 10. That's when I found myself at the boys house. On the outside it seemed like a nice cozy three story home, but on the inside…

My closet door was torn open as I sat shaking: staring at the large man and his wife who had tortured me for years. To me, I was nothing but an animal…a dog. My only purpose in life was to obey their every command. If I rebelled in any way, they would break me down. That's how I got the name guard dog carved in my back because at one point in time, I had fight left in me…but now I was a lifeless shell.

Pam Lin and his crooked girlfriend Channie were drug dealers. They used me, a seemingly harmless boy, as a means to distribute their goods…and sometimes…they even used my body for money. Now that I was of high school age, I was sent to this nice prep school in order to distribute goods to students who used their parents' money to get high. Everything would've gone as planned…if…if I didn't meet…

I felt my lungs squeeze, grasping onto Pam's knuckles as he choked me. He was furious, his beady eyes almost seemed ghoulish, and I could never keep my eyes on them too long.

"We sent you to that rich school to sell drugs, not to come home empty handed!" He shouted.

Before I could react, he threw me out into the room. A wooden bed-frame stopped me, emanating a loud thud as a slow but callous pain trickled down my forehead. My eyes reared open, not wanting to cry…not wanting to show them any satisfaction.

"Useless animal, just like the other one." The female, Crannie, spat.

I heard a gun cock, which made me realize one painful truth: today I was going to die.

I struggled upward, staring my captors in the eye. The thing was, I wasn't afraid…maybe even a piece of me wanted it. Wanted to stop this torture…wanted to end this pain.

But…that boy…

"Call me and I'll get you out of it." Kai had said.

No one had offered to help me before. Not the police…not the next door neighbors…everyone thought I was the problem. I was just another boy stuck in the system and crying for attention. Just another mutt who would one day wake up in a ditch, but Kai didn't think so. And that was enough.

"Let sleeping dogs…" Pam began, only to hear the sirens lead right to our doorstep.

I'll never forget the red and blue hue of patrol cars as they illuminated my face. The sweet sound of the front door cracking in two and the parade of boots rushing up our stairs.

"Police! Come out with your hands up!!"

"Why you little!" Crannie spat, about to pull the trigger but she was toppled by a policeman before she could get the shot off.

Pam was thrown to the floor and put in cuffs as I was ushered out of the room: their curses filled the room in my absence. The policeman next to me kept asking me questions, but I didn't hear them. All I heard were the other boys in the home's cries, their song of disbelief and jubilation, the PD cars sirens…and his voice.

"Max!" Kai called, running past the cops at the front door.

My eyes lit up at my name, leaving the cop as I rushed down the stairs. Our eyes met for a second. He was here. He was really…

I couldn't help myself as ai sprang into his arms. I hugged him tight, not wanting to let him go. His reassuring hands on my back were honestly all I needed.

I honestly didn't believe he would help me. On my way home from school, I called him on a pay phone five blocks away from my house. He seemed nice…or at least ok enough to talk to…maybe even trust. I was hesitant, almost didn't say anything at all when he picked up the phone. But do you blame me? Why would he of all people, a rich senator's  son, listen to me…believe me? But he did…and tonight he saved me.

"Thank you."

That was all I could say, tears falling down my cheeks and soaking up his shirt. I squeezed harder, almost feeling so unsure in that moment. I just needed someone…anyone to tell me it was ok. That it wasn't a dream.

"Thank you."

I repeated myself again and again until Kai pulled me away from him, looking me in the eyes. He wiped my tears with his hand and smiled at me. It was so warm and inviting that it made my cheeks heat up.

"Don't cry, Max. You're safe now."

Safe. Back then that word seemed so warm and inviting.