His Dark Knight Ch. 02

"Listen here, little one. From today on, you are going to be by my side. Once you wash up, and get dressed, we are going to go by your house and get some of your things. Then you are moving in here."

The thought of having Zander anywhere near the cesspool he called home turned Rei's stomach. He couldn't help the blush that came across his face, the shame of his home burning at him.

"I can go to my house by myself. You don't have to go there. And I don't know you, so I couldn't possibly live with you. I mean that's just crazy." Rei's voice had taken on a shy tone, as well as a slight sense of panic. He didn't want Zander anywhere near his mother, or chance his father being home on a rare occasion.

"No, Rei. You aren't going there by yourself. You said your mother and you fought last night. I can tell by the look on your face that it wasn't just a verbal fight. I'm coming with you and that is final." Though his voice remained light, Rei could hear the sternness woven flawlessly into his words.

Rei felt his head moving in a small nod as if he were compelled to agree with Zander. "Y-yes. Okay, Zander." Rei felt the warmth rising on his cheeks, and curled into the man who he now owed his life to.

A few hours later, the duo found themselves back inside Zander's blacked out SUV, speeding back towards the downtown area. Rei continued to pull on the sleeves of the long shirt he had to borrow from Zander, the anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach growing each moment they closed in on the apartment complex. Having no clothes himself, considering the men the night before had cut them off, Rei had no other choice but to wear the much too large clothing. Not only had the sleeves needed to be rolled up to his elbows, but the pajama pants had to be rolled at his waist as well. Zander had given off a soft chuckle, their foot and a half height difference showing clear through the baggy clothes. And to his absolute embarrassment, he wasn't given any underwear. He had blushed brightly when he asked Zander for a pair, only managing to give off a soft whisper of words. Zander only smiled in return.

"I didn't think you would really need any, little one. Besides, we'll be the only ones' who know you aren't wearing any." Rei dropped his head, suddenly very curious about his own toes that barely poked out from the bottom of the pant legs. Zander had winked at him, and the simple gesture had made Rei's lower stomach roll.

Zander watched as those cute little toes danced back and forth on the floor of the SUV. Rei didn't seem to realize he was doing it, which only made the act even more adorable. Zander wished that he could have reassured Rei that the look on his face wasn't necessary. It seemed wrong for such an innocent face to be clouded in such a way and it made Zander hate seeing the anxious look that had taken over the boy's features all the more. Rei truly did not want Zander anywhere near his home, and Zander could only guess why. But his little one didn't need to be ashamed of anything.

'Pull yourself back dumbass. Not 'your' little one. Not yet.' Zander shook his head, knowing Rei was too distracted by his own thoughts to notice. He reached over, seeing how his large, callused hand completely engulfed the tiny smooth one. It was a dark tan covering a pale white, the difference stark in comparison. But again, Zander couldn't help but appreciate the sight. The touch pulled Rei's head up and out of his own thoughts. Without even thinking, he leaned slightly to his right, resting his head against the man's broad shoulder. They rode in silence, the driver, Martin already having programmed their destination into the GPS.

Zander watched out the windows as they drove, leaving behind the interstate. They passed through small suburbs where children, most thrilled to be out for Christmas break, laughing as they played in the chilly winter air. A snow storm was due in the next coming days, so these children would have that to enjoy. After the close-knit housing, came the more rundown areas. Houses in deep need of attention with lawns long neglected. Still, children played here, screaming and laughing as they chased one another. Further into the city, the grungier the surroundings became. Zander's business could either be worked from home, or in the heart of the downtown area where the rest of the high-rise building resided. Where those building were all sleek and modern, most of these were rundown, some missing windows or full walls. The closer they came, the more Rei twitched, no longer able to hide his movements as panic set in.

As they pulled up to the curb, Zander wondered if they had the wrong place. Those thoughts were quickly dismissed without a word as Rei unbuckled himself and opened his door. The boy's little body shook next to Zander as they walked toward the building. In a small alley, he could see men huddled around a trashcan fire, bundled up in worn garments. His hand tightened around Rei's, suddenly wanting him away from this place and back home where he belonged.

Rei lead him up a narrow stairwell, the pathway so small that Zander had to walk behind, his arms almost brushing against the railing on each side. Rei's apartment was found seven floors up, and at each landing, the condition of the building were nastier than the last. Zander could hear the screaming coming from down the hallways they past. Screaming, babies crying, loud televisions blaring. It was a wonder this place hadn't been razed to the ground.

Rei stopped in front of his door, not knowing a key wasn't needed. He was the only one who usually locked the door. Given his state of freight the night before, he knew he hadn't. His blood raced through his veins. He hated that Zander was seeing the place he lived. Everything at the man's place has been spectacular. A maid had been cleaning the kitchen when they left, and Rei knew that the dish in her hand wouldn't start flying around the room any time soon. He opened the door, the smell of alcohol and mold welcoming him back to his home sweet home. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Zander's blue eye squint, his nose only barely stopping from scrunching in disgust.

"Finally home, fuckboy? Where the hell you been?" A bottle clicked from the other room, the chair squeaking from the removal of weight on it. It wasn't until Zander put his arm around his shoulder that Rei realized he'd flinched. Zander's warm palm through the thin material had him relaxing. He walked into the living room, Zander still close behind him.

The sight of his mother was one he had grown used to seeing. Her hair was a raggy and tangled mess around her face, hanging down to her shoulders. She wore a stained nightgown without a bra. A cigarette was pinched between her boney fingers, the end never staying long away from her mouth. She sat, reclined back in her chair in the living room, doing a double take only she noticed Zander.

"Boy, who the fuck is this? Who the hell are you bringing into my damn house?"

"Mrs. Richards, my name is Zander. Please to meet you." Zander held out his hand, once again not speaking his last name in a way to hide his identity and therefore his net worth.

The woman looked as if Zander were mental, ignoring his hand completely. "'Mrs. Richards'? Who the hell is that?" She turned to look at Rei. "Who the fuck is this, little shit? Start talking before I backhand you."

Rei flinched once again, taking a step back. Zander causally moved, putting half of himself in front of the boy. "Zander is a friend, Mother. H-he just wanted to..."

"Wanted to what? Speak the fuck up! Little fucking sissy shit, can't even talk like a real man."

Zander could feel his anger rising and took a deep breath which he regretted instantly. Obviously, this woman thought the only liquid that existed came in a glass bottle. "Mrs. Richards, I found your son..."

Zander was quickly cut off. "Who the fuck are you calling Mrs. Richards? My name is Susan Talman. Didn't that little shit there tell you?"

Rei could only look at his feet, seeing the dirty floor under his sandaled feet. Zander raised his brow, looking back and forth between mother and son.

A cruel grin pulled at Susan's lips as she looked at the man before her. "That little shit behind you, his name is Richards. His father decided he didn't deserve his last name given all the shit he put me through while I carried him. Then he comes out looking like a little sissy, even as a baby? Fucking little cunt barely even had a dick. I'm surprised the doctor didn't cut it by mistake."

Zander raised his brow, staring at the woman like she had suddenly sprouted another head. He looked back over his shoulder. Looking at Rei's face, he could tell that this woman had spoken the truth and Rei had known about it. Something about the way he stood, had Zander believing that this bit of information had been used to slander Rei in the past. That thought only angered Zander more as he turned back to the thing that stood with a cocky air.

"Given your words and your obvious dislike of the boy, how about you give him to me? That way you won't have to see or hear from him again."

"Are you shitting me?" The woman let out a coughing laugh before bringing her cigarette back to her lips. After a rather long inhale, she spoke again, breathing the smoke into Zander's face. "That little bitch-boy behind you gets me extra money every month from his father. You really think I'm going to just hand him away. Think again, asshole."

Rei hid himself more behind Zander. The voice his mother had taken on was one that prelude to her coming violence. Her tone had turned chipped, and stark, the usual sass completely gone as if never being there before. Without a thought, Rei reached out, grabbing ahold of Zander's jacket sleeve.

Zander felt the gentle tug and gave off a soft sigh. "Fine then, if it is money you want, then I will pay you for him. I will give you however much you want with the only condition being that you leave Rei's life completely. After today, you don't seek him or myself out."

Rei could see as he peeked out from Zander's shoulder, having to stand on his toes in order to accomplish the task. Seeing the greed on his mother's face was like being hit in the stomach.

"I want $200,000." Her voice was smug, his mother obviously believing that the amount was too high or would financially hurt to part with. Zander forced himself not to chuckle, thinking about the pocket change this woman asked for. "And I want it today. You don't leave here until the money is in my hand." Rei bit his lip gently. That was his worth to his mother, the person who brought him into this world. It took everything inside of himself not to let the burning moisture of his eyes flow. Sensing his distress, Zander pulled his phone from his pocket.

"Glenn. I need a withdrawal done from one of the accounts. Yes, that one. Two-hundred thousand. Large bills. Make the calls as you drive over, I want the money here in the next fifteen minutes."

Zander hung up his phone, the bright screen going blank with the touch of his finger. The large looming man looked over his shoulder at the boy behind him. Even in the dull lighting, Zander's blue eye seemed to light the entire room.

"Listen Rei, I want you to go get whatever it is that you need from your room. Don't worry about clothes or anything like that. Take as long as you need, I'll be right here."

Rei searched the man's face for any hint of a lie. What if he meant to send Rei away so that he could walk out the front door, leaving him behind? Two-hundred thousand dollars was a lot of money, too much to spend on another person. But Zander had told someone to bring the money here. Rei could only put a small amount of trust into Zander and step away, walking down the dark and tight hallway. Rei walked into his room, the cold assaulting him as if he were standing outside. The rest of the apartment had held at least a little warmth, but his room remained almost like a frozen tomb. At some point, his window had stopped shutting all the way, leaving a two-foot gap between the panel and the sill. The landlord had been called for the repair, but had never shown. His mother also hated the sight of his room and demanded that his door remain shut at all times, usually with him behind the door. There were a few well-worn magazines that Rei had grabbed from a street vender when he hadn't been looking. He had always been fascinated with games and the technology put into making them.

'To bring to life a fantasy world...'

Rei sighed softly, picking up the newest one and walking over to his wallet. There was no money in there of course, however, his ID and bus pass were neatly tucked inside. The bus pass had been a random gift from a stranger who had seen him walking down the cold sidewalk a few weeks ago. It still had two more trips worth on it. He changed his clothing, folding up the pants and the shirt he wore of Zander's and placing them on his bed. He walked over to his top drawer to pull out a pair of boxers but stopped. Zander had said he didn't need any. Why he cared what Zander wanted of him though, he wasn't sure. His teeth dented his bottom lip once more before he closed the drawer, not bothering to take a pair with him. Just as he was tying his worn sneakers, he heard the front door open. Panic flooded his veins. Zander was leaving him behind after all. With a noise of distress, he threw open his door, racing back down the hallway. Zander was no longer standing in the spot he had been which only made him panic more. He raced towards the front door as fast as his little feet would carry him. The voices registered to him about half a second before he stopped in his track, six eyes meeting him. His mother looked annoyed, the unknown man curious. Zander eye's had flashed with anger, cutting towards the woman before concern filled his eyes for Rei.

"Rei, what's wrong? Is everything alright?"

Rei stared at them, panting soft as from his panicked race. Slowly, his head nodded, his embarrassment at his overactive imagination turning his cheeks a scarlet red. Zander walked over to him, hugging him tightly. "You're okay, little one. I'm not going to leave you behind." Zander's voice was a soft whisper against the top of his head. A small nod was all Rei could manage as the warmth of the man settled over him. Zander held the trembling little body against him until the boy relaxed. He gave a small gentle kiss to the top of his head before turning back to address their peanut gallery of on lookers. With his arm remaining in place around Rei's shoulder, he spoke once again to the new man.

"Glenn, hand the money over to Mrs. Talman please. I would like to get out of this hell hole." He cut his eyes to the woman who hadn't taken her eyes off the briefcase that remained clutched by his assistant's side.

With a curt nod, he opened the case, showing the green sea tucked neatly inside. Zander rolled his eyes, feeling like he was in a scene from one of those cheesy action movies. Or, like the past had suddenly reared its ugly head. Zander shook his head, clearing away the darkening thoughts before they consumed him, letting the events take hold of him.

Rei's mother couldn't have grabbed the money faster if she had tried. A chuckle came by her lips, her eyes sparkling with greed.

"Now, Mrs. Talman. I believe our association with you ends now. We will see ourselves out." Zander grabbed Rei's hand, walking through front door. Rei looked back at the woman who gave birth to him, the same woman who couldn't look away from the money long enough to spare him a parting glance. The door shut with her on one side and them on the other. Zander nodding towards the man he called Glenn. Glenn looked once again at Rei with a curious glance on his face, one that seemed to suggest he somehow recognized Rei. Uncomfortable with the stranger's scrutiny, Rei once again found his feet. Zander had watched from the sidelines and made a mental note to ask Glenn about it later. With that, the man left, leaving Rei and Zander to walk back to the SUV. The entire encounter had taken only an hour. Once safely back in the warm SUV, Zander looked to Martin.

"Downtown, the shopping district." He turned to the silent but curious one beside him. "We need to get you some new clothes, and I think some food is in order." He smiled, the corner of his lips pulling slightly higher than the other.

Rei felt himself returning the smile before realization struck. "But, I don't have any money. I won't be able to pay you back." A look of horror washed over the pale face. "Oh no! I'm so sorry. I forgot your other clothes on my bed." The tears that had been threatening to spill during the entire encounter now came freely.

Zander wasted no time. Even as the car moved down the busy streets, he unclipped the buckle from Rei and pulled him into his lap, tucking Rei's head into his neck. "It's okay, I promise. You don't have to pay me back and I have more than enough clothes at my house. You have nothing to worry about."

"But, I can't let you spend any more money on me. You've already spent so much."

A low chuckle came from Zander's throat. "You can't 'let me', hmm? Well then, how about we come up with a little payment arrangement?" Zander pulled him so that their eyes met, using the thumb of his finger to brush tears away. Without a second thought, Rei nodded his head eagerly, looking into the man's eyes.

"Y-yes. Yes, please Zander." He wasn't sure how he would come up with the money to pay him back, but he couldn't have Zander waste anything on him.

One of Zander's large hands traced down the side of his cheek, the ruby ring drawing his eyes, before those long fingers trailed down along his neck. Rei shivered slightly at the touch, his eyes widening as he looked at Zander.

"Since you said I've already spent too much, I'll 'let' you make the first payment right now. Do not move."

A soft noise pushed itself from Rei's lips. His legs had begun to shake as Zander's hand travelled down his chest and stomach. Zander easily pulled open the button that held his pants closed. In the quietness off the car, his zipper rivaled an explosion. Rei's head whipped to the side, looking to see if Martin had heard the unmistakable sound. He let out a little yelp, his feet kicking against the seat as he felt Zander's large hand slip under his jeans. His eyes wide with panic. "Z-Zander. What... what are you doing?"

Zander only continued to smile. "Exactly what I told you I would. Letting you pay me. Now stop moving and don't make me have to tell you again. If I do, there will be consequences."

Rei's face was a deep shade of red, his eyes wide. "But... but Zander. I'm a guy. Why are you.. I mean... we can't... you shouldn't. And what about..." That ring meant Zander already had someone, didn't it? Rei's confusion only worsened by the racing thoughts.

"I want quiet right now, little boy. I don't care what you are. Right now, the only thing that matters is that you are mine to play with." Zander's hand stroked gently at the slowly hardening cock. Rei couldn't believe he was being touched by someone else, let alone another man. He couldn't help but let another small whine come from his lips as Zander's thumb and forefinger wrapped around him, being careful not to disturb the gauze that covered the row of ten stitches. Rei could feel that even if he had been completely hard, Zander's hand would still overlap. He was suddenly embarrassed by his small size, something that before hadn't bothered him. He wiggled once more on Zander's lap, only to hear a low growl coming from his throat.

"I was going to reward you for being such a good boy and not replacing your boxers. But now, I'm going to have to punish you for moving after being told not to."