Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Freedom Bound in Chains	By : TaintedSensibly Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 58477 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 13
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Harry Potter characters. I did not make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
A/N: Happy Mother's Day! Extra chapter this week in honor of the day.

Brendon's Club

Brendon's club was in Manhattan only about ten blocks from Central Park. That meant they had to take I-495 W from Rego Park, Queens, where their new apartment was located. It was a forty-five minute drive without traffic. Liam pulled into the garage across the street and parked in Brendon's reserved spot. He took a deep breath as he shut off the engine and glanced at Draco.

The blond offered him a smile and reached out to brush his fingers along his arm. Liam looked away, feeling his cheeks heat. He had no idea what had changed between the boys and him, but the open affection was hard to adjust to.

Shaking his head once, he stepped out and led the way across the street to the club. There were a few people walking to the dry-cleaners and in and out of their apartments, but mostly the street was quiet. His key fit in the lock and he steeled himself as he pushed open the door.

It was dark and he groped along the wall until he felt a switch. Low lights came on, illuminating a medium-sized space. At the far end stood a black DJ booth with a simple black cage framework that had spotlights and lasers mounted to it. The dance floor consisted of large glass squares with lights of all colors set inside. There was a small step up and an intricate lattice-work of black metal surrounding the dance area. A few tables and booths lined the space along the walls.

The thirteen booths had thick, dark red curtains that could be unlatched to shroud each in privacy. A quick count revealed twenty-six tables, each seating no more than three. There were two bars up against the walls to the right and left of the entrance. Each bar only had eleven stools, and there was a section at the end with none. For the waitresses, Liam supposed. The liqueur sat on glass shelves four high behind both bars. The whole place was a strangely harmonious combination of disco and luxury, old world and new.

The club definitely had mood and history. If Liam could figure out how to run the place, he'd easily be able to live off the returns, but that was a very big if. He felt nervous as hell. What if he fucked everything up and ran Brendon's club into the ground?

“What time are they gettin' here?” Draco asked as he made his way to the bar on the right. The kid was small enough that he couldn't easily look over the wooden surface and had to go around to get a clear view of what was behind it.

Liam checked his watch, following the boy, but instead of exploring, he sat on a stool. “Twenty minutes.”

Draco nodded and moved along the booths and tables, looking at everything but touching nothing. Liam watched him, chin propped up on his hand. The kid must have an excellent inner clock because exactly twenty minutes later Draco's circuit of the room ended and he climbed up on the stool next to Liam. The front door opened, letting in a brief slash of sunlight before it swung shut behind a man in his late twenties.

“Hey. You Liam O'Shea?”

Liam stood and offered his hand, keeping his expression neutral. “That'd be me. Blake Rudolph?”

The man grinned. “Yep! You looking to sell the place?”

“No. I'm going to keep it,” Liam answered, he gestured to a stool. “Pull up a seat. What exactly were your duties here?”

He glanced down as something touched his arm. It took all his control to keep surprise from registering on his face as Draco slid him a spiral notebook and pen to take notes. He had no idea where the boy had found them, didn't remember seeing Draco with them. Accepting both, he looked up at the man who had chosen to sit a stool down from them.

Over the course of the next five hours, Liam interviewed eighteen employees, managing about three an hour. He was exhausted but pleased that all of Brendon's staff wanted to stay and continue when the club reopened. It came out to four bartenders, four waitresses, three security men, one busgirl, a brother-sister team to do quick cleans on the nights the club was open, and two brothers who were paid almost double to do deep cleans over the two days – Monday and Tuesday – the club was closed.

None of these people, though they were professional and clearly good at what they did, knew anything about the basement when Liam hinted, and none could help him figure out how to run the club. Hungry and frustrated, he stood and stretched. There were only two employees left to talk to. If they didn't know anything, then he was going to have to assume Brendon paid the basement employees off the books.

The door opened and two women entered. One walked in front of the other. She was about Brendon's age, in her mid-twenties. She wore heavy combat boots, black skin-tight leather pants, and a black leather corset with ribbon cinching it closed in the front and tied in a neat bow. There was maroon lace tracing the top of the corset that brought the eye to her modest, yet perfect cleavage. Liam swallowed and forced his eyes to her face.

She wore a semi-large silver chain with a small padlock at the end around her neck. It rested right over her sternum before her cleavage started. She stopped in front of them, canting her hip and crossing her arms. An inch of her perfectly smooth skin showed between her low-riding pants and her top.

Liam swallowed and forced his eyes to her face. She didn't wear make-up. She had pale, moon-white skin. Her lips were full and naturally pink, her nose straight and small. Her eyes were large and a strange mossy grey-green hazel. Long black hair fell to her waist in slightly wavy, tangled locks. She looked dangerous, and Liam would have suspected she was carrying a gun, but her skin tight leathers left her no hiding places.

Then the second woman caught his eye. She was Asian, so her age was hard to judge. She was somewhere in her twenties or thirties. Bone-straight, glossy black hair fell just past her shoulders. Her bangs were cut in a perfectly straight line just over her eyes, which were a dark, deep brown and slanted. She wore a strapless pink corset-type bodice tucked in to a fitted black skirt that fell just above her knee. The bodice was low-cut and revealed quite a bit of her small breasts. It had black lace peaking out the top (either as part of the top or the woman's bra) and gold buttons down the front. But what really drew the eye were the colorful tattoos that covered her slender left arm from wrist to shoulder.

Perhaps the first woman was a bodyguard? The second was clearly wealthy. She wore designer clothes, killer stiletto heals, and had a no-nonsense air about her. Liam was about to open his mouth to speak, say his name or something, when Draco tugged him backward.

A quick glanced showed him that the blond wanted him to sit. He obeyed out of curiosity. The kid had been silent and seemingly bored the entire day. He'd even pillowed his head on his arms and closed his eyes during one interview. Draco was alert now, however, sitting on the bar top so he'd be more eye-level with the women.

“You work the exhibition room?” he asked, meeting each woman's eyes before settling on the one in leather. She gave a sharp smile full of teeth, cold eyes glinting dangerously. Liam shivered.

“Darian, but call me Drey.” She gestured with a tilt of her head to the silent woman at her side. “Jess Yagami. Brendon's accountant and manager.”

“Draco,” the little blond returned her introduction. He gestured at Liam. “Brendon's brother Liam. We're keeping the club open.”

Liam cleared his throat, annoyed that Draco was speaking for him. He did his best to meet her gaze. “You willing to keep working for me?”

Drey tilted her head curiously. She said nothing, just watched them; Jess continued to stand silent. Draco seemed unbothered by the scrutiny. Liam, however, fidgeted and sweated. His stomach growled and he was suddenly very thirsty. He scowled and crossed his arms defensively.

“Well? You must be curious or you wouldn't have come.”

Jess's eyes met his, and he scowled harder. “You're the brother. Who's the child?”

“Another brother. Got a problem with it?” he asked aggressively.

She offered him a cool smile, eyes glinting, but before she could say anything cutting, Draco spoke up.

“Grab waters, Liam. Let's move to the table.” He dropped to the floor with the easy grace of a child.

Liam expected the women to storm off, but they followed the little blond to the nearest table without comment. Grumbling, he pulled out four bottles of water and met them at the table.

It might be strange to most people, why Liam gave Draco so much leeway. They might even assume it was due to the fact Draco has suffered horrifically and Liam wanted to spoil him, but that wasn't it. Draco just didn't act like a kid. He was rational, unemotional, and goal-oriented. Almost everything he did was for Harry's benefit. Hell, the only reason Draco was playing house at the apartment at all was so that Harry could have a home.

He ate his vegetables once Liam explained the importance of a balanced diet and then made sure Harry included them in every meal. He valued chores (more than Liam ever had), cared about their safety, and cared about dressing right for the weather. He made sure they never forgot to brush their teeth or bathe. Draco was essentially a miniature adult.

Trying to control him or set rules as if he were an average five-year-old would have been purely for power's sake, which would make Liam just like all the other men who enjoyed wielding power over little boys. Instead, Liam decided to make Draco his partner. That meant honestly respecting Draco's ideas and wishes, as well as giving him a chance, like now, to make his own decisions before trying to give him advice. And he'd been rewarded by earning Draco and Harry's trust, as well as their affection. They were a real family now for better or worse.

So Liam took the seat next to Draco and drank nearly half of his water without saying a word.

“Where'd you come from?” Drey asked, pale eyes fixed on a blank-faced Draco.

“You know what we need ta know or not?” Draco asked in return. “Don't lie. I'll know.”

Her smile widened into something wolfish. “Jess knows what you need to know, but only if I get the answers I want. What really happened to Brendon? Where'd you come from? You're not their blood brother.”

Furious at her arrogant attitude, Liam opened his mouth to tell her to get out, that they didn't need her, when Draco touched his leg under the table. Liam sent him a glare, but Draco gave him a look asking him to wait. And it was asking. Reluctantly, Liam nodded.

Turning his attention back to the women, Draco told the bare outlines of his story, leaving out Harry of course. He recounted the night of Brendon's murder in the exact way he'd told Gotti. Liam's hand crushed the plastic water bottle, still unable to hear how Brendon was so coldly murdered without anger.

When Draco was done, he met Drey's eyes, his own as cold as hers. “That enough for you?”

She gave a nod and settled back. Suddenly it was Jess who took over the conversation.

“Running a club is based on an easy formula. Entrance revenue plus bar revenue minus beverage cost, rent, utilities, staff, security, insurance, and marketing equals either a loss or a profit. This club is a little different in that it has the basement to bring in money under the table. It gives the club an edge and made sure Brendon ended up on the profit side by a margin.”

Liam was surprised by the detailed answer. Unashamed, he got up and fetched his notebook and pen.

“Under the table?” Draco questioned. “That means secret, right? But you were on the books. That's how Liam called ya.”

Drey shrugged, looking bored. “I'm technically a bartender on the club's payroll, but I really worked the exhibition room as security. The other employees won't recognize me.”

“Our paychecks are on the books, but not the items or specialty juices and sodas served down there. Neither is the revenue,” Jess elaborated. She met Liam's curious gaze. “There's no alcohol downstairs. It would be too dangerous to mix with our type of play.”

“So the club sustains itself without help from the basement?” he asked, eager to escape talk of what exactly happened in the basement.

“If the club was coming up short, Brendon would supplement it with the basement's income, but the club usually did okay on it's own.”

“So you managed the finances for my brother?”

“I worked the toy counter, served drinks, and took the entrance fee on the nights the basement was open. I'm also responsible for doing the accounting and taxes for the club. Brendon was actually working on buying this whole building. He would have payed it off in another five years.”

Liam looked to Drey who was still watching Draco. “And you?”

She flashed him a cold look. “It's my job to make sure everyone downstairs is there willingly and to know everyone's safe word.”

He shifted uncomfortably.

Draco on the other hand looked interested. “Willing? Safe word?”

She gave him a serious nod. “Willing,” she repeated firmly. “And a safe word is a word the submissive can say that will stop everything. The dominate is required to obey that word or I step in.” She gave a dangerous smile. “Trust me. No one wants me to step in.”

Liam cleared his throat, believing her completely. “What are we looking at here?”

Jess crossed her legs and folded her hands gracefully over her knees. “May I see your book?”

Liam slid it over. For a few minutes the woman wrote on a page and then pushed it back. He took it and his eyes widened. Monthly fees: Mortgage: $11,300. Liqueur: $10,000. Staff pay: $3,720. Utilities: $1,920. Insurance: $1,000. Taxes and fees: $1,000. The club owed $28,940 a month! Holy shit! That was... He did some math on the page... $347,280 a year!

“How in the world... How much does the club earn a month?” Liam demanded.

“On average, the club earns about $30,000 a month. The basement earns an additional $10,000 off the books.”

Liam felt like fainting. What the hell? He knew Brendon was doing well, but... Damn!

“Brendon made a profit of $132,720 a year. Subtract his car, living expenses, and repairs to the club, he put away on average $10,000 dollars a year into savings. Because the club has been shut for nearly two weeks, you're going to have to dip into that savings to pay the bills this month. Hopefully that won't be necessary again.”

Liam's head was spinning. “So you're going to stay with the club?”

Jess nodded. “On the condition that Drey and I can move into the apartment upstairs and live there free of rent. I'm content for our salary to remain the same. If you agree, I can have the furniture and decorations shipped to you or I can sell it and deposit the money into your account.”

Brendon had put a lot of money into sound-proofing the apartment and basement, but the club's noise still leaked through. It wasn't exactly a selling point. Plus, the basement and apartment were practically linked. Not just anyone could live there. He sure as hell wouldn't, and he didn't think Draco would want to, either. Not after everything that had happened.

“Fine,” he agreed, but Draco shot him a heated glare, making him shut up.

The blond turned his glare on Jess. “You wanna live in the apartment for free and get paid the same.”

She lifted an eyebrow. “I would be doing more work, my job plus Brendon's. It's a fair request.”

“Liam will come every month and you'll teach him how ta run this club,” Draco demanded.

Liam shifted uncomfortably. He was never very good with school and numbers, not like Brendon had been, but that was no excuse to puss out and just trust these two right away. Draco was right. He'd have to learn and fast, or they'd most likely get swindled. This was a lot of cash they were talking about. Shit.

Jess gave Draco a level look before meeting Liam's eyes and inclining her head. “I agree.”

“So we have a deal?” Drey asked all sharp teeth.

Liam really had no other choice, no matter if Draco liked it or not. He honestly had no idea how to run a business or what was involved. Without these two, he'd run the club into the ground and end up with nothing. It was a gamble they'd have to take. “Deal.”

“I'll have the club's lawyers draw up a new contract. The club and building will still be in your name,” Jess added as reassurance. Her eyes drifted to Draco. “What are your plans for the child? You cannot legally adopt him.”

Liam stood. “Thank you for your concern. When would you like to meet again?” he asked, clearly letting her know Draco was none of her business. It was bad enough that he had to trust her with Brendon's club. He wasn't about to let her have power over Draco, too.

She stood, unbothered by his attitude. “We'll have our first lesson and sign the agreement between us a week from now. Let's meet here. Same time.”

Liam nodded.

Drey gave Draco one last grin before turning and following Jess out the door.

Liam fell back into the chair with a loud sigh. “Well, that was unexpected.”

Draco looked up at Liam curiously. “Who d'ya think was the master?”

He thought back. Drey had entered first. She was the first to speak and make demands. She was also dangerous and had cold eyes much like Draco and Brendon. He could also easily see her enjoying taking a whip or paddle to someone's skin. He tried to picture Jess with the whip and it also came surprisingly easy.

Blushing hotly, he opened his eyes. He stood and cleared his throat. “Who cares. Let's go. I'm starving.”

Draco didn't move, his eyes still trained on the door. “It's not like me an' Harry. It's weird. Drey decided they would stay; Jess was the master once they did. It's like they traded who was master.”

Liam shrugged and ran a hand roughly through his hair. “Come on, Draco, it's none of our business. Seriously. Let's go, okay?”

Draco's sharp eyes focused on him in concern. The boy nodded with a frown. “Yeah, let's go.”

Liam smiled in relief, glad the day was over.

xxx

After the day spent at the club, Draco was reminded that they needed schooling. He had Liam make a few phone calls and found a retired teacher to tutor him and Harry three days a week. He didn't want the old woman in their space, paranoid as always, so he had it set up that they'd meet her at a cafe near the apartment. Harry was instantly nervous. He was certain that he was stupid and that Draco would be disappointed. It took a lot of kisses and some bites before the boy relaxed.

They still spent the majority of their days on various playgrounds. When they weren't studying or playing at the park, they shopped for decorations to add to the apartment, ate at restaurants, bought groceries, and spent time with Liam.

Draco waited for disaster, but it never came. The week ended and the first business lesson with Jess arrived. He insisted on going with Liam. Secretly, he wanted to observe her with Drey almost as much as he wanted to know how to run the club.

xxx

Jess was sitting on a stool at the bar when they arrived. She wore the same clothes as last time, the black pencil skirt and pink strapless bodice that revealed more than it covered of her small breasts. The only difference was that her hair had been pulled up into a bun.

Drey was roaming the club, also in the same leather as before. The dance floor and DJ booth lights and lasers flashed and swiveled slowly in the otherwise silent club. Instead of adding to the brightness of the room however, it created shifting, mysterious shadows.

Liam walked slightly ahead of Draco. He wore his normal blue jeans and combat boots. His t-shirt was white and skin tight under his leather jacket, emphasizing his lean muscles. His shoulder-length hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail. Draco kept his tucked behind his ears and watched as Drey's path circled toward Jess as they made their way over to her. They arrived at almost the exact same time. Interesting.

“Brought little brother again,” she asked with a chilling smile.

Liam tensed and his posture shifted so that he was facing the woman head on. “You got a problem with that?”

Draco gently touched Liam's hip and stared Drey down. “How's the basement? People okay with Brendon being gone?”

She tossed her long hair over her shoulder and stalked around them so that she could stand at Jess's side. “Business as usual,” she drawled carelessly, but Draco was watching very carefully and saw a flash of loss in her eyes.

“The club also did well,” Jess spoke up and Draco shifted his attention to her. “I suspect the rumors of murder drew instead of repelled customers. We were able to cover this months bills with help from the basement's revenue without having to ask you to use your savings.”

“That's good,” Liam allowed, still tense with anger.

“Here is the contract outlining the changes we agreed upon.” She opened a business folder and showed Liam a document. Picking up a heavy pen, she twisted the end and slid it over.

Liam sat down to read the contract carefully.

Suddenly both women shifted their attention to Draco. He was unaffected by their stares and asked calmly, “Testin' the lights?”

Drey strode forward getting into his space and making him look up. Liam tensed and lifted his head, but Draco waved him off. As dangerous as Drey was to most people, she wasn't dangerous to him. She clearly didn't favor guns, so he guessed she was a whip or knife lover. Either one drew blood, and should she dare draw his, she'd die. Simple as that. So there wasn't an ounce of fear in him as she crouched down, hands dangling between her muscular thighs.

Her mossy eyes glinted like a feral cat's. “You sure you should be this reckless with a boy to take care of?” she asked, voice filled with layers of meaning.

The change in Draco was instantaneous. He went from mildly curious to enraged in the space of a second. Faster than she could move to evade, he had her by her chain necklace and yanked her forward so that she had to brace both of her hands on the floor to keep from falling on her face.

Draco bent at the waist as he twisted his hand sharply, fisting the necklace closed around her throat so that it hurt her to breathe, and growled in her ear, “What do ya know 'bout that?”

Drey thrust upward with her legs, breaking his grip on the chain and surging to her feet.

“Careful, Drey. I will kill you,” he hissed, eyes glittering with malice.

Jess, arm out flung to prevent Liam from interfering, suddenly stepped forward. She stood at Drey's side, her shoulder just slightly ahead of the other woman's. “She apologizes. Please, if you would come with me, I will explain everything.” She shot her partner a cold look. “Drey will stay and continue Liam's lesson.”

Draco would have refused the offer, unwilling to leave things unfinished with someone he considered a threat, but Drey turned her face to the side, hair curtaining her eyes, no longer challenging him. She was also silent, offering no more antagonizing comments.

Releasing a deep breath, he nodded at Liam and turned toward Jess. “Fine,” he growled and crossed his arms over his chest. “But if I don't like what ya have ta say, it's not over.”

Jess gave a slight bow of her head. “I understand. Please follow me.” She stepped passed him and made her way to front door of the club.

“If you're not back in thirty, I'm coming after you,” Liam warned.

Draco knew Liam was serious. He gave one last glare at Drey and followed Jess to the front door. He had a feeling he knew where she was leading him: the basement. He grinned, sharp and dangerous. If Jess thought bringing him there would give her an advantage, she was dead wrong.

Chapter end.

A/N: I'm torn about all these OC's, but I don't want to just skip over these few years they live in New York, either, and they have to interact with other characters... (sigh) I hope you like them!
- 12
- 13
- 14
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Freedom Bound in Chains