Burden Read online

  Table of Contents

  Blurb

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  More from K.C. Wells

  Readers love Debt by K.C. Wells

  About the Author

  By K.C. Wells

  Visit Dreamspinner Press

  Copyright

  Burden

  By K.C. Wells

  A Love, Unexpected Tale

  A hooker with a heart, falling for a Vice cop? This is no Hollywood movie, and if they want a Happily Ever After, it’s not going to be easy.

  Detective Randy Michaels is back on Vice, working to help NYC crack down on its prostitution problem. When he suspects Jesse Bryant of soliciting, Randy is torn between duty and his knowledge of what put Jesse on the streets. Jesse is clearly struggling, and he isn’t the only one. Recent events have forced Randy to question his sexuality, and a shocking encounter with Jesse plunges him into a crisis of conscience.

  Jesse didn’t think his life could get any worse. His family cut all support, his education is on hold, and he’s surviving the only way he knows—selling himself on the streets. Of all the people who could have offered him a helping hand, why did it have to be Randy?

  Two men carrying their own personal burdens: How long will it take them to realize that what they really need is each other?

  Acknowledgments

  THANK YOU to my wonderful team of betas. As always, a stellar job!

  And a special thank-you to Andrew Gordon, without whom the legal bits wouldn’t have been… legal. You were there for Debt—it seems only right that you were there for this one.

  Chapter One

  May, 2016

  NOW IS not the day for the judge to be running late!

  Jesse Bryant pulled out his phone and glanced at it for what had to be the fourth or fifth time in the last ten minutes. Almost three months since the jury had found Mr. Richards, Seb, and the rest of their sleazy, low-life partners guilty of a long list of charges, and it all came down to this final day.

  Sentencing. Mr. Richards’s sentencing, to be precise.

  Jesse had spent the whole morning trying to ignore the butterflies in his belly. At one point he’d sat on his hands to stop himself from fiddling with his phone, his bag—anything within reaching distance. All he wanted was to see that bastard go down, and for a long, long time. He knew he wasn’t the only one. He’d spotted Baz, Jordan, and Steve coming into the courthouse that morning, all of them with tight expressions. They hadn’t spoken, just given one another a brief nod.

  Talking would be for when this was all finally over.

  A gentle hand covered his, and Nikko Kurokawa leaned in to whisper, “Easy, Jesse. It’ll be okay.”

  “Sure.”

  Nikko chuckled. “Look, we all know he’s going down, right? The arguing is over, the prosecutor’s asked for the maximum sentence…. And think about it. Gorton and Waters got fifty years each, and they were small fry. Seb got sixty.” He snickered. “I don’t think the prosecutor could’ve made it more obvious that he thinks Richards is scum, do you?” He pointed to the front of the courtroom, where Richards sat at one of two long tables, facing the judge’s bench. Jesse stared at the back of his head as if he was trying to bore a hole into it.

  Take your last free breath, because you’re going down.

  “What the judge says today isn’t going to come as a surprise to anyone in this courtroom. Richards is going to be behind bars for decades to come.” Nikko squeezed Jesse’s hand. “So calm down, and enjoy watching it happen. Because they’re going to make that piece of shit sorry for what he did for the remainder of his sleazy little life.”

  Jesse had to chuckle. “Wow. Where did my sweet, mild friend Nikko disappear to?”

  For a moment Nikko’s face hardened. “My brother has to start a whole new life because of him. Ichy almost died because of him. We had to wait for three months while the probation office conducted its investigations. We had to listen to their counsel try to make them sound like choirboys—”

  “Yeah, like they were ever gonna get away with that one.”

  Nikki drew in a breath, calming visibly. “I’m just waiting for it all to finally be over, just like you are, just like Baz and the others are.”

  Jesse glanced down at their joined hands and saw Nikko’s other hand was similarly engaged: Mitch had laced their fingers together.

  They look so good together. A year since they’d met in the Black Lounge, and the couple were clearly still head over heels with each other. I guess something good did come out of it after all. Jesse loved the way Mitch gazed at Nikko, like he was the most precious thing on God’s earth. As he should. Nikko was a beautiful man, inside and out, something Jesse had known from the moment they met.

  “I see you brought your anchor with you,” Jesse whispered back to him.

  Nikko chuckled. “Oh, he’s that, all right, and so much more besides. It’s so good to know I’m not alone.”

  Jesse squeezed his hand. “I had noticed. You’ve brought your own support group, from the looks of it.” Nikko had briefly introduced him to Mitch’s parents and brother as they took their seats.

  Nikko beamed. “Aren’t they awesome? Valerie and Malcolm insisted on being here for the sentencing, and then Gareth announced he was coming too.” He peered around Jesse, and his smile faltered. “I take it your parents haven’t changed their minds?”

  Jesse’s stomach clenched. “Can we talk about something else?”

  Nikko’s expression was compassionate. “Aw, Jess. I’m so sorry. That isn’t right.” His gaze alighted on a point over Jesse’s shoulder, and he smiled. “Look who is here, though.”

  Jesse twisted to look, and his heartbeat sped up. Detective Randy Michaels was standing at the rear of the courtroom, talking quietly with another cop. Jesse tried not to stare, but fuck, it was difficult. Of course Randy was there. Why wouldn’t he be? It was his case, after all.

  Randy hadn’t changed a bit since the day the police had raided the Black Lounge. He still wore his long black hair tied in a ponytail, only now there was a pair of rimless glasses perched on his nose. Now and again Randy would push at them as they slipped, and the gesture took Jesse back to those weeks he spent in the Lounge. Randy had worn contacts then, and now at least the unconscious, habitual action made sense. Nearly a year had gone by, and he was still the same sexy fucker Jesse remembered. He’d lost a little weight, too, and it suited him.

  Just then Randy glanced across at him, and Jesse did his best to remain calm when those beautiful blue eyes met his. Every single encounter he’d had with Randy throughout the trial, no matter how small, was burned into his memory. Randy gave him a nod and a smile before returning to his conversation.

  One smile and my insides are dancing, while he has no fucking clue what he does to me. The irony of it all. Surrounded by gay guys in that fucking club, and I had to fall for the straight undercover cop. It was someone’s idea of a joke. Out of all the guys Jesse fucked on a regular basis, not one of them st
irred him like Randy. There were times when he told himself he was building this into more than it really was, only to recall Randy’s smiles, the way they made him feel.

  Like he mattered. Like someone was looking out for him, the way Mitch did for Nikko. The revelation came as something of a shock. Jesse was used to being self-reliant—since when did he need to lean on anyone?

  Then it occurred to him. Since the raid, the only person he could rely on was himself.

  He was on his own.

  And he was still staring at Randy.

  “Jesse.” Nikko’s urgent whisper jolted him back into the present.

  Everyone was standing for the judge’s entry.

  Jesse lunged to his feet, his heart pounding. Finally.

  When they were seated again, the judge cleared his throat and shuffled a sheaf of notes in front of him. “Having heard and read the arguments, letters, memorandums, and presentencing report, I am now ready to make my findings.” He stared at Richards, his expression cool. “Daniel Richards, one might say your list of crimes appears impressive, but I prefer to think of it as vile. Running a network of brothels, where men were held against their will. Selling drugs on a vast scale, both here in the US and internationally. Moving drugs across state and international lines, in a manner that endangered human life. Human trafficking.”

  Even from a distance, Jesse felt the ice in the judge’s stare.

  “In this case, a lack of mitigating factors, combined with aggravating issues, requires me to impose as harsh a sentence as possible, as punishment for your heinous actions, and as a deterrent to those out there who might consider the same… how shall I put it… ‘career path’ that you have followed.” His gaze flickered to the rows of chairs where Jesse, Nikko, and the others sat. “And finally, because your victims deserve justice.”

  Jesse swallowed hard, and Nikko’s hand tightened around his.

  “For this type of offense, there is, of course, a mandatory minimum term, but I have also taken into account that with good behavior, you may only serve 85 percent of your sentence. Therefore, I am sentencing you to 1140 months, so that you will serve at least 960 months.”

  Jesse did the math rapidly in his head. Eighty years. He let out a long sigh of relief. In front of him, Richards didn’t flinch, his head held high.

  The judge lowered his papers and addressed the courtroom. “I am delighted to say that the business of this court is done. My thanks to those individuals who gave testimony, many of whom I see here this morning. My hope is that you will not let these events blight your lives. Leave them behind, gentlemen. Leave them here. I wish you every success in whatever future you make for yourselves.” And with that, he rose to his feet, pulled his robes around him, and left the courtroom.

  Richards was led away by police officers, his icy calm no longer in evidence. Jesse thought he looked broken. Good.

  When they were no longer in sight, Jesse sagged into his chair, bereft of energy.

  Beside him, Nikko stared at the door where the judge had exited. “Have I said how much I like that judge?”

  Mitch laughed, put his arm around Nikko, and kissed his cheek. “It’s over, babe. It’s really over.”

  Nikko shook his head. “Not yet, it isn’t. When I get my brother back, then it will be over.”

  “Any idea on when that might be?” Jesse had been in court the day Ichy had given evidence. He could understand why Ichy had been taken into protective custody—Ichy knew where the metaphorical bodies were buried, and the verdict was due in no small way to all the information he’d revealed to the jury in his quiet voice.

  Nikko leaned into Mitch, who gave Jesse a tired smile. “Now that the trial is over, Ichy gets a new identity. Once he’s settled, he can start a new life.” He kissed Nikko’s head. “You’ll see him again, babe.”

  “I know. I have to be patient. And at least I got to see him for a short while.” Nikko peered at Jesse. “Randy arranged for us to spend some time together before they took him back into protective custody. Long enough to have a coffee and find out how he’s doing.”

  “Randy’s a good guy,” Mitch affirmed. “He always was, even when he was undercover. He stuck his neck out for me, and that could’ve gotten him into serious trouble.”

  Jesse sighed. “I knew he wasn’t like anyone else who worked there, that was for sure. Finding out he was a cop kinda made sense.” And only added to his misery. What use was there in having the hots for a cop? In Vice, no less?

  That, plus Jesse’s present situation, added up to a Big Fat Zero.

  “Are congratulations in order?” Mitch’s mom looked like she was about to combust. “Because after that, they’d better be. Although, I have to say, I was expecting more of a flash-bang finale.” She opened her arms wide, and Nikko rose to his feet, slipping free of Mitch’s embrace and into hers. She held him tightly, standing on her toes to reach him, and Jesse’s heart melted at the sight.

  “And when she’s done, it’s my turn,” Mitch’s dad piped up from behind her, grinning.

  Looks like Nikko found himself a family. Jesse was truly happy for him. Nikko had lost his parents when he was barely into his teens. But the love Mitch’s family plainly felt for him only served to highlight Jesse’s own family situation.

  Yeah, thanks for that, Mom and Dad. Way to go. Ten months on, and the bitterness he felt toward them hadn’t waned.

  “How about we get out of here?” Mitch suggested. “Y’know, to someplace where there’s room for all this hugging?”

  His brother, Gareth, chuckled. “Just as long as you realize you get hugs too. You’ve been through this every step of the way as much as Nikko has.”

  His mom released Nikko. “Good idea. I’ve spent more hours than I care to remember in this courtroom. And now that it’s finally over, I have no wish to see the inside of one ever again, even if it’s as beautiful as this one.”

  Jesse knew where she was coming from. He’d barely paid any attention to the ornate room—his focus had been on other matters.

  “Hey, Jesse.” Baz waved to him. “What a result!”

  Jesse laughed, momentary relief flooding through him. “I know, right? You okay?”

  Baz shrugged. “Gettin’ by. You know.”

  Jesse knew, all right. He’d caught sight of Baz on numerous occasions during the last ten months, enough times to know they were both “getting by” doing the same thing. Jordan and Steve were on a couple of the sites Jesse used, so they were in the same boat too.

  Goodbye, Black Lounge—hello, streets of NYC. The venue might have changed, but they were still making a buck on their backs. Or on all fours. Or bent over a couch.

  Whatever. The one thing that had changed was the atmosphere. There were times when Jesse yearned for the safety and security of the Black Lounge. Surviving outside its walls was a whole different ball game, as he’d already found out, to his detriment, on several occasions.

  The Black Lounge’s patrons observed the rules. On the streets, there were no rules.

  “See you around, okay?” Jordan called as he followed Baz and Steve out of the courtroom.

  Jesse nodded, conscious of Nikko beside him. He hoped to God Nikko wasn’t about to ask any awkward questions, because Jesse had an inkling the answers might disappoint him.

  He followed Mitch’s family, Mitch, and Nikko as they exited the courtroom. The euphoria that had filled Jesse dissipated as quickly as it had arrived, leaving him sadly deflated. In the space of the ten months it had taken to arrive at this point, Jesse’s life had completely changed.

  Well, almost completely.

  “Are you going home now?” Jesse asked Nikko. Home was Maine, and he had to admit, living there obviously agreed with Nikko. Jesse had hoped to spend a bit more time with him and Mitch.

  “No, we’re all staying at Gareth’s place in Mount Kisco. It’s only an hour by train from here, so it made sense.” Nikko gave that shy smile Jesse recollected so vividly. “Gareth put Mitch and me in the
guest cottage.”

  Mitch leaned in. “Which is my brother’s subtle way of telling us we make too much noise,” he said in a stage whisper. Nikko whacked him on the arm. “Hey! Are you gonna deny it?”

  Nikko’s cheeks were a charming shade of pink. “No, but you don’t have to tell everyone.”

  Behind them, Gareth burst into an explosive snort.

  “Jesse, we’re going to have lunch, and we wanted it to be a sort of celebration. Won’t you join us?” Mitch’s mom took hold of Jesse’s hand. “This is your day, too, after all. And we know you looked out for Nikko when you were both in… that place.”

  Jesse’s throat tightened at the warmth in her voice. “Mrs. Jenkins, I—”

  “And it’s Valerie, dear. Don’t refuse. We’d love to have you join us.”

  Whatever Jesse had planned to say escaped him as he caught sight of a handsome dark-haired man.

  Randy was heading straight for them, smiling.

  Chapter Two

  “I THINK the detective might want to talk to you and Jesse,” Valerie said quietly. “We’ll wait over there. We’re not in any hurry, and the table won’t be ready for ages yet.”

  Jesse barely heard her. He was too busy trying to get his body under control. He breathed deeply, forcing himself to act calm as Randy drew nearer.

  “Hey.” Randy gave them both a huge smile. “Talk about a result.” He reached for Nikko’s hand, but to Jesse’s surprise, Nikko ignored it and hugged Randy tightly. Randy flushed, his cheek pressed against Nikko’s. “Yeah. I guess we are pretty much past the shaking-hands stage, right? After all we’ve been through together.”

  Nikko released him. “And I wouldn’t have got through it without you.” When Randy shook his head, Nikko held up one slim hand. “You were working undercover, and still you looked out for me. You went against Richards at least once that I know about, and that could’ve been disastrous for your case. But you did it anyway.”

  Randy shrugged. “You should never have been there in the first place. One look at ya and anyone could see that. I’m just glad it all worked out the way it did.” His gaze flickered over to Jesse, and that smile didn’t fade. “Hey. How are ya?”