The Quiet Assassin 19/44
Title: The Quiet Assassin
Author: fictionfreak15
Beta: gwencarmichael <--- my backbone
Pairing: Adam/Tommy
Disclaimer: This story is 100%, complete, absolute fiction and apart from the OC's, I do not own the mass collection of characters used within
Warnings: angst, prostitution(past and mention of), contracted murder, rape(as well as attempted and mention of) sex.
Summary: Adam is an assassin for a powerful crime family in the City of Winserra. Tommy is a violinist with a past in the same city. After he witnesses Adam fulfill a contract, he finds himself more connected to the organization led by Simon Cowell than he ever thought a lowly musician like him could become.
Master List
A/N: If you are seeing this entry, then you are witnessing a miracle...this is like my 5th attempt at posting this chapter, and I'd wanted to post it so badly last night :( I'm going to try to post chapter 20 as well, so wish me luck and keep a look out! Love and Respect - fictionfreak15
Chapter 19
"For crying out loud..." Simon said under his breath. "Does the boy go on missions with you, too?" His sarcasm was not light but not completely out of annoyance. He walked passed Adam, who ignored his question and went to guide Tommy over to the shade table in the Cowell Garden.
"I believe I sent the invitation to Tommy alone, so you will have to stand, Adam. I only arranged for two places."
Tommy looked back. He didn't want to stay if Adam had to be outcast, but how could he say that to Simon Cowell? He saw Adam over his shoulder, lower his darkened spectacles and wink at Tommy, which made him feel better. Simon didn't see.
They were seated. Adam stood about ten feet away behind Simon so Tommy could see him. He looked like a guard.
"Y-your garden, sir, is...remarkable," said Tommy as Simon poured them both some tea.
"Thank you. My late wife designed it after my father died. They are both buried in the family plots on the grounds." Simon put a lump of sugar in his tea.
Tommy was trying to be civil before, and now he just felt bad. Part of him didn't like Simon at all. Yet he wondered how many family members he'd lost, and that made him sympathetic. "I'm sorry, sir." Tommy conveyed his condolences.
Simon sighed. "It was a long time ago. I lost her a year after she gave me Kristopher...which brings me to one of the subjects I've been meaning to bring up with you."
Tommy became nervous.
"I am told you met my son. How did the both of you get along?" Simon asked, curious.
Tommy really didn't want to talk about this. He almost wanted to ask Adam for help, but what could be done? "I met him at the Hall. He ate dinner with me."
"I was told he paid off your violin. You must have made quite an impression on him."
Tommy looked down. "He...was one of the most generous people I'd ever met."
"What did you do for him?" asked Simon.
Tommy turned red. He couldn't speak even if he wanted to.
"Don't be shy, Tommy. I knew my son well. His indiscretions were minor and no worse than any other man of Winserra. He was a shy boy...but I never begrudged his secret urges. Did he buy you for the night? Did you sleep with him?"
Whatever sympathy he had for Simon had dissolved completely as Tommy was filled with humiliation. "I..I..."
"Why do this, Simon?" Adam asked. "You can see you are upsetting him."
Simon just turned his head a bit but didn't acknowledge the assassin behind him. He turned back to Tommy. "Forgive me, Tommy. So many in this city are hardly discrete themselves, as you may know. I didn't know you were...so shy.
"My point is...Kris wouldn't have chosen you nor done so much for you if he didn't care. My son was completely monogamous and did not keep with whores. If you were with him, Tommy, I suspect that you would have been with him for quite a while. Whatever money he gave you, I'm certain it was considered by him as a gift...not payment. I thought you might like to know that."
Tommy didn't look up but nodded. He'd known Kris' kind intentions already, but Tommy was still too embarrassed to even cry. As Simon took a sip of his tea, Tommy found the voice to speak to him. "I don't know if I could have stayed with him. I was a different person when I saw your son. There were things that I did that I can't ever forget, but I will always remember Kris Cowell as the man who made it possible for me to stop doing them."
Simon said, "What a nice sentiment. Kris would have liked to have heard that. I myself have already honored part of his memory where it concerns you."
Tommy looked up. "What does that mean?"
Simon smirked. "Let's just say there's a certain seller of instruments who won't be pocketing anyone's money for a while."
Tommy's eyes became wide. "You killed Karamati?" he gasped.
Simon laughed. "No, dear boy...almost...but not quite. No, that would not have been justice. I went with a few of my men with Karamati to his shop and proceeded to smash every instrument he carried until they were bits of splinters. It was quite fun...allowed me to vent a little anger. Then I asked Karamati if he happened to know what Monte used to do on his father's ranch before he joined my organization. Since he didn't know, I told him that one of Monte's duties was to castrate certain animals. I wish you could have been there to see the look on his face once he got my meaning." Simon chuckled.
Tommy winced, and with a bit of morbid curiosity, he asked, "And...did Monte..."
Simon grinned, leaving the boy to wonder, but did not answer.
"So, how are you liking it at the cottage?" Simon asked, changing the subject.
Tommy was grateful to be talking about something else. "I - I've never been so at peace."
"Glad to hear it. From all I've heard, a boy like you could use a bit of rest. When do you plan on going back to work?"
Tommy frowned. "I don't know that I can. During my stay with Adam, I've been absent from the Hall. They would certainly have given up my seat to someone else by now. And I am delinquent with my rent as well, so my room will be given to another. Unless I can get a job at the Crystal Opera House or Pandellus Theater, then I'll have to settle for auditioning at taverns or...something else." Tommy's stomach turned at the alternative he had in mind.
"What would you like to do?" Simon asked.
Tommy thought then said, "I liked it at Badashan Hall, but I doubt after all that has happened I'd be accepted back. There are dozens of violinists in the city who are just as good if not better than me. I am easily replaceable. But it will not hurt to try."
"If you need any help, Tommy, let Ryan know. Kris was my lead negotiator in business, but Ryan knows a few men who can be persuasive in other areas."
Tommy tensed. "I don't want anyone to get hurt on my account."
"Well, no one necessarily has to get hurt; there are many ways to persuade."
Tommy was worried and spoke in a small voice. "I can't be any more in debt to the Jaren than I am. I will find a job, Mr. Cowell."
"Mm, as you like it. Not that Adam wouldn't be capable of supporting you indefinitely, but if you simply relied on him, then all the work in acquiring your violin would have been for nothing. A musician needs an audience, after all. Do what you have to do, my dear boy. My offer to you will stand."
Tommy exhaled. "Thank you, sir."
***
Tommy made it through tea and was now on his way back to the cottage with Adam. Adam had been given a contract to fulfill but would not head out into the city until later that night. Tommy was quiet on the way. Much of what was said by Simon was still embarrassing him.
It was only until they got to the front yard that Tommy finally spoke, as if only now they would be out of Simon's earshot. "I hope I am not invited again. I don't like how blunt he is."
Adam put his hand on Tommy's shoulder as they walked. "You handled it very well. I am sorry I did not do more."
"I was afraid when you spoke. You may be a great assassin, Adam, but there are times when Mr. Cowell seems heartless. I fear he would think of something to do to hurt you if you crossed him."
"He could try, but for the most part, I know my boundaries. I have known the man for ten years,after all."
They went inside. "I wish he would have let you sit down. I hate it when he insults you."
Adam took off his glasses and headed toward the back door, grabbing a bucket of oats. Tommy followed. "Not having to sit at Simon's table is more of a favor than an insult. I felt worse for you."
"Maybe next time we can say I'm ill or something..." Tommy smirked.
They decided to go up to the veranda after Adam saw to his horse so they could enjoy the hour or two of sunlight which the day still had to offer.
Adam said, "Did you mean what you said about going back to work?"
Tommy shrugged. "I suppose. I am a musician, and I do own my violin now. It would be insane not to resume performing in some fashion."
Adam frowned and looked down.
"What is it?"
Adam's look was hard but it wasn't directed at Tommy. "It would not be so easy to protect you. I cannot attend the gatherings of this city. I have to remain unrecognizable. Performances are in the evening...that is when I go out. What if someone... tries to hurt you? What if one of those men...want you and will not listen when you say no?"
Tommy wanted to hug him. It felt good to be worried about. He smiled and said, "I don't have to go to the hall. I don't want to worry you. What if I got a job somewhere else? There could be an opening at the Opera House. Not so many people who attend opera go to the symphony, too. It would be like a new beginning."
Adam seemed to consider but was still frowning.
"You don't like that idea either?"
Adam looked at him. "I cannot tell you 'yes' or 'no' to either. The decision is yours, and I must let you do what you have to, but Thomas, Simon is right about one thing. I could...support you."
Tommy leaned his head back, closed his eyes to the sun and smiled from ear to ear. He just had to take a moment to bask in Adam's generosity. Hearing such a thing made him so happy. "Why didn't I meet you a year ago?" he asked rhetorically.
tbc