Caden's Dilemma (Indiscreet #6) (10 page)

“You have me. I’m a member who has an alias. I’m out, but I know some Masters would have a problem with my money. I hoped they could get to know the real me before they knew about the company.”

“Do you prefer Johnny or Masato?” Danny asked.

“Masato is my first name after my maternal grandfather. I prefer Johnny, my middle name. I sign everything M. John Nguyen. ” Johnny took off his coat and scarf and hung them on the coat rack.

“Does my brother know about the money yet?” Danny asked.

“No, the only people that know are you guys and Reed. Caden will find out whatever I do in three months. I only have that long to convince him we belong together despite my money. I want him to love me enough that he won’t want to leave me,” Johnny said, looking quite sincere.

“He’ll be angry if you hide it. You have to tell him soon or you’ll throw your chance out the window.”

Johnny’s eyes started to tear up. “What do I do?”

Jim promptly took over. “That’s what we’re here for, hon, to help. You’ve been around the club long enough to know what it took to get all of us our Masters—even Brian and I didn’t have it easy. It’s something we’ll have to figure out. But you were honest with us right up front and that counts.”

Danny said, “Honesty is important to Caden, too.”

“This is going to be hard. You remember I got Gary terribly angry at me because I didn’t want to take things from him. He had to put me in silence. Caden’s going to be one hundred times worse. We have to figure out an angle.”

The sub club began to plot.

“We have to get him to see you, Greg, you’re the shrink. You can point out his pride is foolish,” Danny said while nibbling on a piece of banana bread.

“I can’t steer him in any direction, even if he does come to see me. I can only talk about what he brings up. I’m not skirting ethics yet because he’s not my patient, but once he becomes my patient, I have to bow out of any discussion about Caden with you guys.” Greg sipped the new tea. “This is good, who brought it?”

“I did. You won’t be able to come and have tea with us if Caden comes to see you?” Danny said, unhappy that his brother could break up the group. He poured himself a cup of tea and took a rock sugar stick.

“I didn’t say that, I said I couldn’t give an opinion. There is nothing that says I can’t listen to what the rest of you say and right now, he’s not my patient so I can say what I like and I say this—Johnny, Caden is going to have a big problem with you being a billionaire. Cisco has that kind of money. I didn’t find out until I was already living with him. He didn’t even have a housekeeper, just a bi-monthly cleaning service. Now we have help five days a week, but I still do all the cooking. He likes my cooking.” Greg popped a piece of banana bread into his mouth. “Money wasn’t a problem for me. Cisco doesn’t flaunt it and I still get to work. The only downside is all the charity functions we have to attend for the hospital and other charities Cisco supports. I don’t like dressing up in a tuxedo.”

Johnny gulped. “I can’t cook. The only thing I’m good at is writing software for applications on the phone or the internet. Greg, if I need to know how to cook, I’m going to have to ask my housekeeper to teach me.” Johnny looked away as if he were embarrassed.

“Brian does all of Papa Bear’s investment portfolios outside of his real estate holdings.” Jim told Johnny.

“I can’t do that either. I know nothing about investing. They could be robbing me blind and I wouldn’t know about it.” Johnny’s eyes began to tear up again. He wiped them
surreptitious
ly.

“Jamie does the accounting at Indiscreet and Danny is going to school for horticulture.” Jim got around to everyone at the table. “Everyone here has or is getting a college education. Greg is obviously a doctor, Jamie has a Masters in Accounting and Brian one in both Accounting and IT. We all found something we could do with and for our Masters. What we’ve got to figure out is what you can give Caden besides money.”

“I’ve already decided to let go of my controlling shares of my company. The company doesn’t need me anymore and I have more than enough money to last several lifetimes. I want to give most of it away. I’ve made inquiries about starting LGBT youth shelters and community centers where kids can go if their parents abuse them because of their sexuality, or even just to go and be with other gay kids. I want to build them and make it real nice for the kids with a pool table and a basketball court and a free cafeteria, a swimming pool plus beds to use the center as a shelter if necessary.” Johnny said earnestly. “I’m also looking into programs for wounded vets, specifically the Wounded Warrior Project and of course, St. Mary’s.”

“All three of those charities are a good fit. Caden came home from Afghanistan to find Danny out in the street because his parents found out he was gay, and he has buddies who have PTSD and have lost limbs or been badly burned so that should be worth something, and everyone at Indiscreet supports St. Mary’s.” Jim held his chin in his hand and tapped his cheek with his index finger.

“I need my Master to help me run something like that. I founded the company but I just wrote software. Someone else had to run it,” Johnny said with resignation.

“Who runs it now?” Jim asked.

“Harvey Thomas, he’s a good man but wants my input and I don’t know what I’m doing if it isn’t written in code. I joined Indiscreet hoping to learn how to get out of my own way and to find someone to care about me and help me with all of this.”

“Caden can do that. I’m sure of it,” Danny said.

§ § §

Caden knocked on Reed’s door. It was after three and Jim came in to work at two and was closeted in there for over an hour. Caden heard some shouts but it seemed things had calmed down.

“Come in,” Reed shouted at the door.

Caden turned the handle and walked into the office. Jim looked as if he just ran a four minute mile and Reed looked exasperated. “I need to talk to you about the physical security of the club.”

“Sit down and go ahead.” Reed looked at Jim. Jim didn’t move.

“What?” Jim asked. “I own a piece of this place you know. I’m interested.” Reed rolled his eyes.

“There are several places on the premises that need cameras besides the Dungeons,” Caden said. “There are also a few exit doors that need to have cameras and alarms. You need to build an outside shack for the bouncers that work as parking attendants. Right now they sneak into the kitchen until they hear a car coming. That provides us with zero security. If they had a little kiosk that was warm in the winter and cool in the summer, they would stay outside. Also, you need to set aside a place outside for your employees to smoke. No enclosure, just an area with ashtrays and a few concrete benches. Right now they’re trying to smoke by propping open one of the exit doors. Anyone could get in, that has to stop. The bouncers will need a room to monitor the cameras, too.”

Reed sighed. “Did you run the numbers?”

“Yeah, about seventy five thousand, a hundred and fifty if you want to make us snoop proof.” Caden gave him a folder. “I worked up the proposal up this morning.

“You’ve been busy. I’ll look at it today. How did your scene go last night?” Reed asked.

“Very well, thank you. I’m seeing him again on Wednesday. He pushes all of my buttons.” Caden smiled, thinking about Masato.

“Masato came to tea with the rest of the subs at my house this morning. He really likes you. But he has a few problems and he needs help badly,” Jim said, looking rather sad.

“He could ask me,” Caden said.

“He isn’t sure you’ll take it the right way.” Jim told him. “But I can’t say anymore without his permission.”

“Do you have his phone number?” Caden asked

“Yeah, but I can’t give it out unless he says I can.”

Caden tried the rest of the afternoon and into the evening to wheedle Masato’s phone number from Jim. Jim just smiled. Caden didn’t get the number.

CHAPTER NINE

Wednesday

Caden wasn’t a clock watcher but today the day crept by. It wasn’t as if he had no work to do. He had a meeting with the first of the three security firms and had them checking out five new applicants for sub positions. With the six new subs introduced last Friday, if these guys passed the background check from all three agencies he was good as gold on subs.

Caden bought a burner phone. He could pre-screen the applicants with the burner phone and not have it traced back to Indiscreet. He placed advertisements for bouncers in all the places Indiscreet usually used and he came up with a few new places to try; some of the base papers in Lakehurst and Fort Dix. He placed a discreet ad for bouncers for a private club for gentlemen only. He put a phone number on the ad, no address or name.

He looked over the plans for the new addition and figured out where the additional security was needed. He looked up and it felt like it should be the end of the day, but it was only noon. He walked down the hall to see if Bull wanted lunch.

“Hey, I’m going to grab some lunch downstairs, do you want to come?” Caden asked, leaning on Bull’s door.

“Sure, I hear the unholy quintet has become a sextet.”

Caden frowned. “I haven’t offered him a contract yet, if that’s what you mean. We’ve only played once.”

Bull gave him an evil smile. “If the subs are already involved, you will. You’ll go down fighting, but you will go down.” They walked down the hall to the stairs that led to the kitchen. “We’ll order our meals and eat in the dining room. I’ll bet Reed is already in there.”

They gave their order to the chef and walked out into the Dom’s dining room. Bull was in his black leathers, and Caden wore a grey collared shirt and a grey sweater with black slacks.

“Don’t you look preppy?” Reed said as the came over to the table. “Join me. You know you can wear your leathers to work.”

“I’d rather meet with the business people without them seeing kinky bastard. It sucks, but I’ll get more respect that way.” Caden sat down and slid over making room for Bull.

“We’re going to have to put in a bigger table so Caden here can sit with us when he offers a contract to Masato,” Bull told Reed.

“I’m not offering anyone, anything just yet. We’ve only played once,” Caden protested.

“But you’ve been eyeing each other up since the wedding,” Bull said, laughing.

Reed added, “Too true and now the subs are involved. Bull, we sit with the walking dead, he just doesn’t have the sense to lie down yet.”

Caden said, “Asshole,” under his breath. Reed cracked up.

“So is the beauty in question showing up this evening?” Reed asked.

Caden blushed.

“He is beautiful, so exotic and mysterious looking. What are you going to use?” Reed asked.

“I went to my storage locker last night and took out a cat-of-nine-tails that thuds and stings. I need to know if he can take what I give out,” Caden said honestly.

“He can take it. Masato did demos and lessons with Bull, those were rough. He didn’t come in for three days afterward. I don’t think you’re out to hurt him like that, not if you want that tight little ass later,” Reed said.

Bull tapped his cheek to get his attention. “Did you reserve Room One?”

“Yeah, for five until ten pm. One of the bouncers wrote it down in the book. I’m paying extra to have oysters and a shrimp platter plus some mussels in white wine and the potato skins he loves in the dining room, before the scene. I’m going to feed him some finger foods first and then after he’s digested the food, we’ll start. For afterward, I ordered some lasagna with a nice dry red wine and Italian bread. We’ll end the meal with white and milk chocolate covered strawberries and an aperitif.”

Bull said, “Sounds nice, but are you sure blowing a wad of cash for what is only your second scene together is a good idea?”

Caden smiled thinking of the small gift he had for Masato, his old dog tags. Back in the day, after discharge, gay soldiers exchanged dog tags like diamond rings
. I’ll feel better with those around his neck marking him as taken until I know enough about him to collar him.

“You’ve got that look on your face. I’ll start looking for collars. You want leather, right?” Bull asked.

“No, actually I’m thinking of braided white, yellow and red gold. And a matching ring. I have them already.” Caden thought back to the collar and rings he’d seen in the high end fetish shop in Germany. He’d sent regular payments since and brought it home with him when he left. The collar was large, almost puppy weight, but Caden didn’t want to fuck around; he wanted the best for the boy he eventually chose and now, maybe, he’d finally found him and what was even better, could afford him.

§ § §

Johnny hoped that the others would keep his secret, at least for the time being. It had just turned five when Aubrey pulled into the driveway and left him off in front.

“What time do you want me to come back?” his chauffeur asked as he opened his door.

“Would eleven be too late, Aubrey? You won’t wake Henry if you pick me up that late, will you?” Johnny worried about Aubrey’s grandson.

The older man chuckled. “Mr. Johnny, if you worried half as much about yourself as you do everyone else the missus and I would be much happier. Henry will be fine. He hasn’t had an attack in months.”

“Okay then, as long as Henry is getting enough sleep. I’ll drive myself tomorrow so you can sleep in.”

“Why do you want to do my job Mr. Johnny? I’ll be here tonight and see you in the morning. I’m only sixty-five. Not that old yet.”

Johnny smiled at Aubrey; the man was like a father to him. He didn’t understand his kink, but he didn’t judge and for that, Johnny was grateful.

Johnny got in the door and used the coat check for his fleece-lined long suede coat, scarf, hat and gloves. If he had to wait for Aubrey, he didn’t want to freeze.

The front desk was busy with quite a number of the early diners. When it was his turn he asked for Master Caden. The boy hurriedly got on the house phone. “Masato is here to see you, Sir. Yes, you’ve reserved a large table in the Dom’s dining room, yes, Sir. I see the reservation. Do you want a pillow for Masato? Yes Sir, I’ll do as you ask.”