Page 16 of Jasha
“Where did that cat come from?” Frankie asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
“That’s Daisy. She’s my cat from New York.”
“Kaleb let you bring your cat here?”
Jasha laughed. “I know. You wouldn’t think so, but he did.”
“Are you Kaleb’s new boy?”
“No.” Jasha was uncertain about the rules or expectations for disclosing his unique predicament to Frankie or any other visitors in regards to Mr. Bronson. Mr. Bronson didn’t spell it out like he had with his rules and expectations.
“Is he trying you out first?” Frankie teased, his mischievous laughter echoing through the room.
“No. It’s nothing like that. He’s been good to me since we got here. How long have you been with Arlo?”
“Two years. He’s my Daddy Arlo.” Frankie’s dark eyes sparkled as he spoke.
“Here’s where we’re at. I’m still calling him Mr. Bronson. He didn’t tell me to address him as Kaleb, so until then he’s Mr. Bronson. But I have had a daddy before.”
“So, are you looking for a new one?”
“I was until…things changed for me.”
“Why are you living with Kaleb if you don’t want him?”
“I didn’t say I don’t want him as a daddy. Let’s just say I’m not here for that. I’m not sure what’s going on with us. He certainly is a nicer person here than he was in New York.” Jasha hesitated, contemplating whether to break his rule and reach out to Mr. Bronson and call him Daddy Kaleb. Things hadn’t changed in New York with his father, but he’d made sucha complete turnaround it baffled Jasha. The man was hot and turned him on sexually but trusting him was another matter.
“Jasha, you do know Daddy Arlo and Kaleb are gangster cousins? They’re not mafia, but they’re loan sharks to Russian immigrants and invest in high end real estate.”
“I was a Russian immigrant, but I’m a citizen now.”
“I see. Do you owe Kaleb money?”
“No. I don’t. I’m not sure I’m supposed to discuss my personal situation with Mr. Bronson. That might go against his rules of disloyalty. Don’t talk shit about him.”
Frankie burst into laughter, filling the air with his infectious giggles. “I like you.”
“I like you too.”
“I’m going to tell you something that might help you here with Kaleb. I heard Daddy Arlo talking to Kaleb when we were in the city. He told him that there was this boy he wanted, and he lived in Brighton and attends NYU. I do too. I bet it was you. Do you live in Brighton?”
Jasha nodded. “He was stalking me at the gay clubs.”
“See, he’s interested in you from way back. Give him a chance. He’s tough in business, but he’s a good daddy who will love you and keep you safe.”
“I keep hearing I’m under his protection like I need protection from enemies . All of that sounds mafia to me.”
“I hear you. I kind of thought that too when I met Daddy Arlo. He told me I was under his protection. He explained to me he and his cousin work with some unsavory people and there are enemies fighting over territory. You know, the loan sharking they do. So, if we’re with them, then we can become targets and require protection. Daddy Arlo hired security to follow me to NYU so no one could hurt me. No one has. It’s different, but I love Daddy Arlo.”
“You look familiar to me. What do you major in?”
“Engineering.”
“Maybe I’ve seen you at the clubs. Have you ever been to the Cubbyhole?”
“Yes, that’s our favorite nightclub, but we also go to private parties for Daddies and boys only. They have fun activities for littles.”
“I never went to a private Daddy boy party. What goes on there?”
