Fic: Taking Turns (Holding This World). AU RPS. Jensen/Jared. NC-17. Part 6

[felisblanco]

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Master post | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Epilogue | Art post



“Here he is, boss,” Baldy said with a grin, closing and locking the door behind them as soon as they’d stepped inside the big office. “Ackles’ little lawyer boy. With benefits if I’m not mistaken.”

Jared glared at him and wished he didn’t look as rumbled as he knew he did. He fought the urge to straighten his tie and instead stood tall, face grim, and waited for the man who was standing by the window to turn around and face him.

“Thank you, Mike. Sit down, Mr. Padalecki,” Welling said, his voice chillingly flat.

“I’d rather stand, thank you,” Jared replied just as coldly.

Welling paused and then slowly turned around to meet Jared’s eyes. His gaze faltered for a moment and Jared froze, sure he’d been recognized, but then he realized it was his size that the man hadn’t been expecting. He would have smiled smugly if he weren’t so terrified. Welling quickly recovered, his features settling into a cold businesslike look.

“I apologize for the rather unorthodox summoning…” he began but Jared quickly cut him off.

“Unorthodox?” he said, incredulous. “Your lackey kidnapped me at the airport, threatening people bodily harm if I didn’t follow him. I’d call that a little more than unorthodox.”

“Surely you must have misunderstood,” Welling said, seeming completely unbothered. “This is just a meeting between two lawyers, discussing the legal matters of their clients.”

“My client being Mr. Ackles and yours being… you?” Jared didn’t hide his contempt. “I don’t really see that there is much to discuss. As soon as we have had Alan Ackles’ supposed signature dismissed as forgery all your claims will be thwarted. End of story.”

Welling’s nose twitched in irritation. “Your faith is admirable,” he said, “if somewhat naïve. You won’t find anything amiss with those documents.” He smiled coldly. “However, I can appreciate a man with passion for his work.”

Behind Jared the bald man, Mike, sniggered and to his horror Jared could feel his cheeks warming. Welling paid him no mind. He was writing something on a piece of paper on his desk then straightened up, offering Jared another smile as he held out the small note. Jared stepped forward and took it, looking at the number written there. It would have put him through college five times over.

“What is this?” he asked coldly.

“Like I said, I appreciate your passion for your work. I believe such dedication should be rewarded.”

“You’re bribing me?” Jared said incredulous.

Welling’s nose twitched again. “Rewarding,” he corrected. “With hope that we can settle our differences.”

Jared laughed. “You are not joking. You actually think…” He shook his head and ripped up the note. “Forget it. You can’t pay me off. And the fact that you tried proves that you do have something to hide. You’re a criminal and a bully, Welling, and it will be a pleasure to put you away for a very long time.”

He turned around to leave but Welling’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Padalecki is a very unusual name,” the man said casually. “Not one you hear every day. In fact I think it must be about seven years since I last met a Padalecki. A kid that was whoring himself out on the streets of Los Angeles. I wonder what became of him.”

Jared turned around slowly. Welling was sitting back in his chair behind the desk, fingers braided on his chest. He was smiling. “Relative of yours maybe?” he added lightly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jared said in a flat voice.

“Oh, I think you do.” Welling tilted his head, studying him thoughtfully. “It took me a while to see it. I must say you clean up good, boy. For a moment there you almost looked like a real lawyer.”

“I am a lawyer,” Jared said angry.

“A diploma and a cheap suit doesn’t change what you are,” Welling dismissed. “You are a rat, Padalecki. A street rat, a whore. Nothing more than a speck of dirt on my shoes.” He smiled again. “I eat kids like you for breakfast.”

“Oh I know what you do to ‘kids like me’,” Jared said, his voice shaking with fury. “And once I have you on the stand I’ll make sure everyone else finds out. And we all know what happens to people like you in prison.”

Welling just looked at him. “You were not supposed to come back,” he said calmly. “I think it’s about time we rectify that small error.”

Before Jared had time to figure out what the man meant someone came up behind him. He felt a sharp sting in his neck and then everything went black.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Jensen stared down at the bright lights below his window. His stomach growled hungrily but he ignored it. Two days he’d been trying to reach Jared and nothing. At first he’d thought maybe Jared was just ignoring him, which didn’t make much sense seeing as they’d departed amicably enough. But you know, these things happen. Not like it was the first time he’d been blown off after what he’d thought was a great date. He had issues, he knew that. Although most of those issues had to do with a certain teen kid he’d met seven years ago. And considering Jared was that kid…

Beside, it wasn’t that simple. Not only wasn’t Jared answering his phone but neither Chris nor Steve had seen or heard from him. And Jared had said he was going to meet and talk to them early Saturday morning. A meeting he never showed up for.

As a final resort Jensen called Jared’s roommate then consequently had to listen to him rant for over half an hour about how Jensen was possibly a porn king criminal or something. It didn’t really make much sense. It took him a while to realize that the ‘roommate’ was in fact Jared’s old friend Chad from LA and by then he was too pissed off to even try and play catch up. Not that “Hey, remember that time you tried to blackmail my parents for ransom and got Jared thrown in jail?” was on his list of conversations he was just dying to have.

“Can you shut up for just two minutes and listen to me?” he instead said when Chad finally paused, presumably to breathe. “You telling me you haven’t seen him?”

“Last time I saw him he was on his way to you, asshole. I told him, I fucking told him he was being stupid. That you were gonna get him killed for real this time but did he listen? No, he didn’t and you know why? Because you got him thinking with his dick instead of his brain. Like some goddamn gay siren.”

Jensen clenched his jaw. “So he never got back to Washington DC, that’s what you’re saying?”

“Are you even listening to me? I didn’t lose him, you did!” There was a pause and then Chad said in a much lower and audibly scared voice. “Holy crap, he really is missing? I thought he’d just decided to blow off work and blow you instead. He’s disappeared?”

Jensen swallowed. “I left him at the airport, right before he was to board his plane. That was two days ago.”

Chad sucked in his breath. “No. No fucking way! Maybe he just missed his flight. Or…”

“He’s not answering his cell and Chris and Steve haven’t heard from him either. I think…” Jensen took a deep breath. “I think something must have happened to him.”

“No shit, Sherlock!” Chad yelled loud enough that Jensen jerked the phone from his ear. “You did this! You put them on his trail! Fuck you! Fuck you, you fucking asshole!”

Jensen sighed. “I don’t have time for this. I need to find him. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.” He hung up on another long string of curses then buried his head in his hands. Fuck. Lifting his head he took a deep breath and finally allowed his fear and frustration to surface. “Fuck. Fuckfuckfuck! Goddamn fucking shit!”

He jumped up from the couch and started pacing his living room. What the fuck now? He had to do something. Forty-eight hours, that was long enough to file a missing person report. He picked up the phone, and punched in 911 but just as he was about to hit send he paused.

He looked over at the pile of legal papers his sister had sent him earlier. Welling was stepping up, offering to buy them out of their shares. There wasn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell they would but Welling seemed to be blind to how much they actually hated him. To him money could buy anything. In fact, now that Jensen thought about it, of course Welling would rather try and buy his way out of this than meet them in court. Especially considering everything else he’d been up to, according to Jared. He couldn’t really risk all of that getting out in the open, as it might if he was found guilty of forgery.

Jensen frowned. What if Welling had propositioned Jared and Jared had reacted badly? Or worse, what if he had recognized Jared as the kid he met all those years ago and realized here was someone who could testify against him? Fuck.

Jensen looked down at the phone again. If Welling was behind this… Jensen had no proof, nothing at all he could show the police to make them even look at the fucker. If Jensen accused Welling of kidnapping Jared they would probably question him but there was nothing else they could do and all it would accomplish was alert Welling to the fact that Jensen was on to him. And just like that Jared would be dead.

Jensen didn’t even hesitate, just grabbed his jacket and ran out. If Welling wanted the company he could get the goddamn company. He could get Jensen’s own head on a plate as long as it would save Jared’s life. If on the other hand Welling had so much as touched a hair on Jared’s head Jensen was gonna kill him with his own bare hands, so help him God.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“I don’t know, man,” Steve said, shaking his head. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“Don’t be such a pussy,” Chris muttered. “What could go wrong? We’ve been working this for months. They haven’t suspected me so far.”

“I know but this is different.” Steve bit his lip, trying to suppress the dread in his stomach. “Too many unknown variables.”

Chris sighed and turned his head, giving Steve a patient look. “I can’t pull out now, you know that, man. This is too important.”

Steve wanted to say that Chris was way more important. Wanted to remind him that the last time they’d gone up against Welling it had almost ended with Chris getting a bullet in his brain. That even if they were pretty sure Tattoo and Fat Man hadn’t figured out who Chris was before Steve killed them seven years ago it was still a possibility they might have given Welling or some of his goons a fairly accurate description.

He wanted to say all that but he didn’t. They’d talked it over before they decided to do this and finally agreed that it was a risk worth taking. Not only because they were pretty sure Welling was running one of the biggest human traffic organizations in the country but also because of Jared. For seven years the kid had never stopped being scared to death that Welling would find out he was alive and come after him. And now it had turned out his fears were warranted. Jared had been missing for three days and they’d only found out a few hours ago where he’d been taken. Chances were he was already dead. Or if not it was only a matter of time before he would be. This was their only shot at getting him out alive.

And then of course there was Jensen, oblivious to what the hell he was actually getting himself into. Welling wouldn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of him getting his hands on Ackles Industries. As prime owner of one of the biggest shipping companies in the United States he’d be able to reach even further, using the company’s good name to smuggle people from all over the world. Jensen’s meddling would not only jeopardize that but also risk people getting way too interested in the extent of Welling’s business now and over the years. Something they knew he couldn’t afford.

“It’s almost over,” Chris continued in a soothing voice. “I’m finally in the right place and they don’t suspect anything. We’ve got enough evidence to put him away for life so as soon as I get Jared out of there we can finally go after the fucker, full blast. Tomorrow’s the last, then this will be over. I promise.”

“I know.” Steve sighed. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I’ll be careful.” Chris grinned and kissed him quickly on the cheek but before he managed to get out of the car Steve pulled him back, kissing him hard and demanding on the lips.

“Promise me,” he repeated. “Please.”

Chris looked at him, the grin gone and his eyes soft and serious. “I promise I’ll be careful,” he said. “I promise, Steve.”

Steve nodded and reluctantly let him go. He watched Chris walk swiftly across the street and disappear into the shadows before he breathed in deeply and started the car. Now all he could do was wait. It was how they’d always worked, Chris going in while Steve stayed behind, being ‘the brain behind my brawl’ as Chris liked to say. It still never got any easier.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Jared slowly opened his eyes, groaning when the growing consciousness made him aware of how much his head hurt. Damn, had he been drinking last night? He couldn’t remember. He tried to lift his hand to rub at his temple but couldn’t and that’s when he realized his hands were tied behind his back. What the hell? Groggy he looked around, taking in his surroundings. He was in a dark room, the only light coming from a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Considering how low it was he figured he had to be in a basement. He tried to stand up but fell back down again with a groan, hurting his tailbone. When he twisted his head he saw he was tied to an old radiator, its heavy weight pulling him down.

Jared blinked, his heart rate speeding up as the gravity of the situation became clearer. This was not good. This was so not good. Someone had obviously attacked him, on his way back from New York if the clothes he was wearing were anything to go by. He had no idea what time it was or even what day it was. Who knew how long he’d been down there? His hands and arms were numb so he’d obviously been tied up for a while.

“Hello?” he tried. Not that he really wanted to remind the bad guys they had a prisoner waiting for them to… do whatever they were thinking of doing to him. But on the other hand sitting here not knowing what was going to happen was almost worse.

There was no response so he tried again, a lot louder this time. A door creaked open somewhere above him and a rough voice shouted at him to shut up.

“Who are you?” Jared yelled back. “What the hell am I doing here?”

The door slammed shut but he could hear voices now, talking above him. He strained his ears, trying to hear what they were talking about. They seemed to be arguing, their voices low but angry and then suddenly he heard the name ‘Ackles’ loud and clear. He froze. What? The door opened again and he heard someone say “Just remember to leave him in a way that is sure to get the message across.”

A chill ran up Jared’s spine. Oh god, they were going to kill him! He started to struggle, trying to get free but it was no use. Someone knew their knots and he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Fuck you,” a voice yelled back. “Don’t be telling me how to do my fucking job.”

Jared froze. That voice…

“Chris?” he whispered. The footsteps were coming closer and then a door to his left opened, letting a little more light into the room. Before Jared had time to say anything Chris had crossed the floor and was covering Jared’s mouth with his hand, hissing at him to stay quiet.

“I’m gonna get you out of here, kid. Just stay calm, ok?”

“What are you doing here?” Jared whispered as soon as Chris let go of him. “What the fuck is happening?”

“Welling,” Chris said in a low voice. “Remember the job we didn’t want to tell you about? This would be it. Bringing down the fucker once and for all. Except then he suddenly decides to kidnap you. And I heard Mike fucking Rosenbaum calling you Ackles’ little boyfriend. Care to explain?” He gave Jared an angry glare, making him shrink back.

“We might have been…” he mumbled, embarrassed. “I mean, we met. And, you know, uhm… hung out.”

“You said you wouldn’t go see him!” Chris hissed as he cut through the ropes that tied Jared to the radiator, then hauled him to his feet, hands still tied behind his back. “I’m gonna kill Steve. I told him it was a bad idea, getting you involved. So he recognized you?”

Jared rolled his shoulders, shaking his legs to try and get rid of the pins and needles. “Uhm… kinda. I have these moles,” he said awkwardly. “Turns out he remembered them from… from before.”

Chris stared at him. “What?”

Jared’s face heated up. “Yeah, apparently not many people have moles on… on their… uhm… private area.”

“Jesus, Jared!” Chris said exasperated. “You had sex with him? When were you planning on telling us?”

“I didn’t know my love life was any of your business!” Jared glowered.

“Love life?” Chris groaned. “Oh hell no. You’re in love with him?”

Jared clenched his jaw. “Can we have this conversation later? Like, not in a house filled with crazy killers?”

Chris shook his head but he didn’t argue. “I might have to smack you around a bit, just to make it look real. Plus I think you deserve it, you idiot. Think you can handle that?” Jared swallowed nervously and nodded. “Good. Come on.”

“You don’t need to blindfold me so they won’t worry about me recognizing them?” Jared whispered.

Chris snorted. “Kiddo, they don’t expect you to live long enough for it to matter.”

“Oh.”

Jared let Chris shove him forward, out of the room and then up the stairs. The bright light on the upper floor hurt his eyes after the darkness of the basement and he squinted, trying to look like he was scared to death. Which wasn’t such a long stretch, all things considered. Chris pushed him along a narrow hallway, gun in hand, and then through a door into a kitchen. Five guys sat around the kitchen table, barely glancing up as they entered. Chris shoved Jared hard, making him trip and almost fall on his face.

“Go on,” he snarled. “Boys, say byebye to our little friend.”

“Not so little,” one of the men snorted. “Sure you can handle him, Shorty?”

There was a loud crash and when Jared glanced over his shoulder one of the guys, presumably the one who had spoken, lay flat on his back, clutching his bloody nose.

“Anyone else want to be a smartass?” Chris asked coldly. The rest of the guys lifted their hands in mock surrender, obviously more amused than upset over the incident. “That’s what I thought.” He turned back to Jared, growling, “What the fuck are you looking at, reject?” then hit him hard across the face with the back of his hand.

Jared’s head reeled back from the blow and he could feel his lip splitting. His ear rang on the side Chris had hit him and he stumbled, slamming into the wall with his shoulder and falling to his knees. He was about to faceplant on the linoleum floor since he didn’t have his hands free to break the fall but Chris grabbed his jacket and hauled him back to his feet, cursing loudly.

“Get up. Or I can shoot you right here, chop you up in the sink and take you out in pieces. Your choice.”

Jared swayed on his feet, trying to get his balance back. He was going to kill Chris for this. Well, after he’d kissed him for saving his life. “I’m good,” he rasped. “Just… don’t hurt me. Please.”

“Nah, I’m not gonna hurt you. We’re just going for a little ride.” Chris laughed and the other guys joined in, obviously finding the whole thing hilarious. Jared could still hear them laughing when they were out the door and heading for the car.

“Chris…” he started but Chris only shoved him again, hissing a low, “Shut up!”

He pushed Jared over to a big van and then into the back, slamming the door behind him. Jared lay curled up on his side on the floor, trying to get his breathing under control. The whole left side of his face hurt and he could taste blood in his mouth. His heart was hammering in his chest, adrenalin pumping in his veins and he suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to laugh. He bit his lip to smother it and the sharp sting from the cut in his lip quickly sobered him. The van started and then they were driving. He could hear the tires going over gravel before the sound changed as they got on the main road. He started to relax the further they got away from his prison but then he suddenly remembered Jensen. Fuck, what if Welling found out Jensen knew about everything? Then he’d be the next one on the list.

“Hey!” he yelled, hoping Chris would hear him over the rumbling engine. “Hello!”

A panel up front slid to the side and he saw Chris glancing back at him. “You alright?” Chris asked. “Sorry about earlier, had to make it look real.”

“I’ve had worse,” Jared dismissed impatiently. “Chris, we need to get to Jensen. We need to warn him!”

“Jensen has gone missing,” Chris said blankly. “Steve thinks he might have confronted Welling on his own and possibly unveiled something he shouldn’t.”

“What?” Jared struggled to sit up. He thought he was going to be sick. “Fuck, Chris, what the fuck are you doing wasting time getting me out?”

“I didn’t know! I only got the call about an hour ago. No one has seen or heard from him since yesterday and he isn’t answering his phone. What the fuck is it with you boys getting kidnapped?”

Kidnapped? Oh God. “Why didn’t you know about it? Aren’t you supposed to be one of Welling’s goddamn buddies? Wasn’t that the point of this whole undercover shit?”

“The muscle ain’t let in on all the plans, ok?” Chris said irritated. “That’s all I am, a goddamn muscle. And the last three days I’ve been a bit preoccupied, trying to get to you.”

Jared froze. “Three days? I was gone for three days?”

“They kept you sedated after you managed to break one guy’s arm and give another a concussion.” Chris glanced back at him. “The drugs are probably messing with your memory. Don’t worry, you’ll get it back. I think.”

Jared closed his eyes. He did remember a fight but it was more like flashes from a movie than something that had actually happened to him. “I was going to call Jensen the next day…” He groaned. “That’s why he went to confront Welling, because I was missing, right?”

“I think so,” Chris said. “Fucking idiot. Why didn’t he come to us?”

Jared rolled his eyes. “Dude, he thinks you two are like bureaucrats. Guys in suits asking boring questions they can write reports about. He has no idea you actually do stuff. Like this! Fuck.” He tried to sit up but his hands were still tied behind his back and he helplessly rolled over again. “Can we stop and untie me? Chris?”

“In a minute. Hold on.”

The van swung on the road, rolling Jared abruptly over on his stomach, his face smashing into the floor. He could feel blood trickle down from his nose and smearing across his lips, but he couldn’t care less. All he wanted was to get to Jensen as soon as possible.

The van finally came to a halt and Chris climbed into the back and quickly cut through the ropes tying Jared’s wrists together. The muscles in his shoulders and arms screamed at him when he was finally able to move his hands to the front, but he paid them no mind, just started rubbing his wrists and shaking his arms to get the blood flowing again. Chris was eyeing him worried then grabbed his chin and turned his face this way and that, inspecting the damage.

“I’m ok,” Jared said impatiently, pulling out of his grasp. “Nothing I can’t clean off.” He wiped his nose on the sleeve of his jacket to prove his point. It left a red wet stain.

Chris nodded solemnly. “Ok. Come on, get up front. We don’t have any time to waste.”

“At least we know Jensen’s not where you guys kept me,” Jared pointed out as he stumbled out of the back and got in front. “So where do you think he is? You don’t think Welling’s already… you know?” He couldn’t even say it.

“Killed him?” Chris shook his head, putting the van in gear. “He can’t risk someone finding the body. Not while the will stands as it does. But if Jensen just goes missing… Then Welling has years to rule the company before Jensen’s sister can declare him legally dead.” He gave Jared a cold smile as he swung unto the road. “And we both know Welling is good at making people disappear.”

Jared swallowed. “Yeah,” he said weakly. “Fuck.” Plenty of people out there who’d be willing to pay lots of money for a pretty face like Jensen’s.

“We’ll find him,” Chris said grimly. “Don’t you for one minute think I’ll let them hurt him. Ok? You hear me?”

Jared nodded even if he felt anything but reassured. They both knew how easily people could disappear and never be seen again, especially if someone like Welling was in a hurry to make it happen. Jared swallowed the lump in his throat and willed the van to go faster. ‘Anyone touch you, Jen,’ he thought, ‘and I’ll fucking kill them, I swear.’

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

“You’re insane, you know that?” Jensen gritted out. His head was spinning and the only thing keeping him from losing his lunch was that 1) he hadn’t had any and 2) being tied down in a chair meant he’d puke all over himself and he really didn’t want to add that to the sweat and blood and possibly a few tears already staining his t-shirt. Maybe if Mike got close enough Jensen could puke on him instead, as a bonus to the bloody nose Jensen had already given the guy when he head-butted him. That would be all kinds of awesome. Although considering the state Jensen was in at the moment just being able to breathe was sort of awesome so maybe he wasn’t the best judge of awesomeness.

At least the blood wasn’t his. They’d been very careful of that, not ‘damaging the merchandise’ as Welling had worded it. Jensen didn’t really want to think about what that meant. Still, apparently there were a million ways to hurt a person without leaving a single mark. He wasn’t sure exactly why they were torturing him, it wasn’t like he had any secrets to tell. And they’d made it pretty clear he wasn’t going anywhere so it wasn’t meant as a warning. As far as he could tell Mike just liked hurting people for no good reason. And Welling was too busy being a crazy person to care.

“That is a matter of opinion,” Welling said indifferently in answer to his question. “And I’m afraid yours isn’t worth much, Jenny boy.”

“What the hell do you think you’ll accomplish? If you kill me Mac will get my share and the first thing she’ll do is get rid off you.”

Welling shrugged. “Not if she’s… unavailable.”

Jensen froze. “What?”

“One word and I’ll have her on a plane to Saudi Arabia. They do love Western girls down there. Too bad they never last long in those brothels.” He said it casually, like he was talking about cattle, not human beings.

Jensen struggled to get out of the chair, spitting with rage. “If you touch her I’ll…”

“What?” Welling cut him off. “Do what, Ackles? You don’t seem to understand just how grave your situation is. How about I explain it to you? You, my dear boy, are nothing. You no longer exist so nothing you say or do matters.” He gave Jensen a cold smile that had shivers running down his spine. “Now if you do want a somewhat brighter future for your sister I have a couple of suggestions. Whether you decide to follow them or not is entirely up to you. It doesn’t really change anything for me. In fact, not having to deal with your little bitch of a sister would make things a lot easier. But I’m a fair man so I will give you this: Sign your share over to me and I’ll leave her alone.”

“And if I don’t?”

Welling shrugged. “Lets hope little Mac likes it rough.”

God, he was going to be sick. “How do I know you won’t go after her anyway?”

Welling frowned as if the idea was absurd. “Why would I? I’d already have what I’m after.”

Jensen stared at the man. Maybe it just was that simple for him. Seeing human beings as currency. It really was all about money to him. At least that might work in Jensen’s favor.

“Alright, let’s say I believe you,” he said slowly. “My share of the company for her life. So how much do you want for my life?”

Welling snorted. “Your life? Don’t be stupid, boy. You really think I’m about to let you walk out of here with everything you know?” He laughed again, shaking his head in amusement.

“So what? You’re gonna kill me?”

Welling stopped laughing. He looked insulted. “I’m not a barbarian, Ackles. This isn’t the mob. This is business.” He waved his hand dismissively. “I’m not going to kill you, I’m going to sell you.” He looked dismayed for a moment. “Too bad really. Ten years ago I would have gotten a fortune for that pretty face. Still, there are a few years left in you I suppose. And if my sources are right you’re not that much used.”

Jensen just stared at him, speechless. He wanted to scream and yell but he couldn’t remember a single word.

“Soon as my doctor has given you a clean bill of health I have a couple of buyers waiting,” Welling continued. “It shouldn’t take much longer than a week.” He gave Jensen a brief smile. “Time enough to practice your submission skills. These men rarely go for anything else.”

“You are insane. And a fucking sicko.” Jensen swallowed. “Jared was right, you were going to sell him back then.”

“Jared?” Welling looked at him, surprised. “Oh yes, Padalecki. He was a feisty one. I would have loved a second chance at selling him but there just isn’t a market for men his size. Too intimidating apparently.” He frowned slightly. “You’re borderline, really. They prefer the twinky ones. But with a face like that… There’s always someone willing to take the risk.” He shrugged. “And then there are drugs of course, if you do put up a fight. But really, most people are quick to break. Nothing like a couple of gang bangs to put a man in his place.”

“Fuck you!” Jensen growled but it sounded weak even in his own ears. He was utterly and royally screwed. In all meanings of the word. Suddenly puking all over himself didn’t seem like such a bad idea anymore. Maybe if he was disgusting enough no on would want him. Wouldn’t want to… Oh God.

Welling barely shot him a glance. “Clean that up, Mike. And bring me some coffee.”

Mike cursed and threw Jensen a filthy glare. “Fucking disgusting,” he muttered. “Should let him clean it himself. With his goddamn tongue.”

Jensen sat silent and dazed as Mike filled a bucket from the sink by the wall. He barely flinched when the cold water was thrown over him. He felt numb, like he’d puked out all his feelings and all that was left was this cold fear and the certainty that he was doomed. They were going to sell him, like a fucking blow-up doll. There was nothing he could do to escape and no one had any idea where to look for him. Except Jared and… Jared was dead. God, Jared was dead! And for real this time. Jensen would never see him again, never talk to him or kiss him or… Had he even told him he loved him? He couldn’t remember. How could he not remember?

Jensen dropped his head and tried to block out everything but the memory of Jared’s face, smiling at him happily. ‘I’m so goddamn sorry, Jared,’ he grieved silently. ‘God, I’m so sorry.’

There was a knock on the door and he stiffened in fear. Guess this was it.

“I was told to pick up a delivery,” a bored sounding voice said and Jensen’s head snapped up.

He didn’t dare turn around but he’d know that lazy drawl anywhere. His heart hammered in his chest and for the first time since he’d woken up tied to the damn chair he felt something akin to hope.

“He’s not ready yet,” Mike snarled. “I’m not done with him.”

“Mike,” Welling warned coldly.

“You said I could have some fun first,” Mike whined. “Not like he’s a fucking virgin.”

Jensen swallowed. ‘Please, Chris, get me out of here,’ he silently begged.

“You want me to take him or not?” Chris said, a little edge to his voice now.

Welling sighed. “Come back in an hour. He should be done by then.”

“I don’t have time…” Chris started but Welling cut him off.

“Your time belongs to me. If I tell you to come back in an hour you come back in an hour. Understood?”

There was a long silence.

“I…” Chris started but just then there was a loud noise and someone burst through the door.

“Look what I found, boss,” a voice said. “Our little lawyer friend.”

Jensen’s head whipped around in shock. Jared? Oh God, it was Jared! Bruised and bloody and pissed of, with a gun aimed at his head, but alive! Jensen didn’t know how it was possible and at the moment he didn’t care. He just wanted to cry with relief. And be free out of the damn chair so he could hug Jared and feel him solid and warm in his arms.

“Jensen!” Jared yelled, seeming not to care about the gun at all. “Are you hurt? Did they hurt you?”

“I’m okay,” Jensen managed. “You… you’re not dead!”

“No, he’s not,” Welling said coldly. “Someone obviously did not do their job. Well, that’s easily rectified. Chase, kill him.”

Chris looked uncertain for a moment. “You could always sell them as a package deal,” he tried.

Welling glared at him irritated. “That one is more trouble than he’s worth. Literally. I have no use for him. And now you have something to spend that hour on,” he added and gave Chris a condescending smile. “Get going.”

Chris clenched his jaw. “Fuck this,” he said, pulled out a gun and shot the guard holding Jared, right between the eyes.

The room descended into chaos. Mike pulled a gun from his jacket so Jensen threw himself forward in the chair, attempting to knock him over. He only succeeded in falling flat on his face but it was enough of a distraction that Mike moved the gun from Jared to him instead, slamming the butt down on Jensen’s head. He then started kicking him hard in the ribs and stomach, again and again. Jensen tried to twist away but he was stuck in the chair and defenseless. Just when he thought one more kick would make him black out someone suddenly threw Mike away like a rag doll. Jensen managed to raise his head, looking up just in time to see Jared turn around and take a step toward him, larger than life and grinning in hysterical relief.

“Jensen…”

A loud gunshot echoed in the room and Jared jerked forward, his eyes going wide for a second before his knees gave out and he crumbled to the floor.

Jensen screamed. He thrashed in the chair, struggling to get free, completely lost in panic. “Jared!”

He was vaguely aware of Mike stumbling to his feet, gun in hand, but he couldn’t find it in him to care as he stared frantically at Jared’s still form, willing him to please, please get up.

“Who’s gonna save you now?” Mike snarled as he raised his gun. Jensen closed his eyes, thinking of Jared’s smile as he waited for the shot to ring. But when it came it wasn’t as loud as he expected and… it didn’t hurt. He hesitantly opened his eyes just in time to watch Mike fall back with a neat hole in his chest.

Jensen twisted in the chair, trying to see what was happening. There was shouting and guns being fired and he couldn’t see anything!

“Chris!” he yelled.

Someone suddenly came up behind him and he panicked, kicking and thrashing helplessly.

“Be still if you want me to untie you.”

Jensen instantly stilled. “Steve?”

“The one and only.”

“What are you doing here? What is happening?” He groaned as Steve slipped a knife through the ropes holding him. “Steve, Jared! He’s hurt. That fucker shot him. Oh God.”

“I know. Be still.”

His hands were finally free and he didn’t waste time waiting for Steve to untie his ankles but crawled toward Jared where he lay dead still on the floor. There was so much blood. Oh God, there was so much blood!

“Jared!” He laid his hand on Jared’s cheek. “Don’t you die on me. Don’t you fucking dare die on me, you stupid asshole.”

Jared didn’t move. His skin felt cool and the blood was warm and he was going to die. Oh God, Jared was gonna die.

“Fuck no, you can not do this to me. Not now. I love you, you goddamn moron. Don’t you fucking dare leave me! Steve!”

“I got it, I got it.” Steve pushed him aside and rolled Jared over on his stomach, hissing when he saw the hole in his back. Jensen wasn’t an expert but that looked too damn close to the heart. He wanted to cry.

“Is he…?”

Steve shook his head. “He’s still alive but he won’t be for long unless we get him to a hospital. Chris?”

It was only now that Jensen realized that everything had gone quiet. He looked back to see Tom lying dead on the floor as well as a couple of other guys - his goons no doubt - and Chris standing over them with a grim look on his face, punching frantically the buttons on his phone.

“I’m on it,” he said and as Jensen turned back to Jared he heard Chris ask for an ambulance, “… right the fuck now!”

Jensen cradled Jared’s head in his lap, one hand fisted in his jacket. Jared was still wearing the clothes he’d been in when Jensen kissed him goodbye at the airport, now rumpled and bloody, and the realization made him hitch his breath. “Come on, come on, come on,” he whispered. “Please.”

Jared lay slack and silent, bloody and pale and Jensen had never been as scared in his whole life. If Jared died… He couldn’t even finish that thought.

‘You died on me once,’ he pleaded silently, ‘I thought you’d died on me again. I’m not letting you do it a third time. I won’t. I won’t.’

In the distance sirens could be heard, slowly approaching.

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