Chapter Text
Don is a very powerful man.
So much power invariably comes with a little evil. There's no way to climb as high as Don has and not be a little ruthless, a little unmerciful, a little grim. He's all those things. And also incredibly charismatic, in a way that just seems inevitable. People either love him or fear him, sometimes at once and both very passionately. You can't be indifferent to Don.
Adam likes him. Mostly. Not always. But almost. Don is a charming man with piercing eyes and a husky voice that exudes the confidence that only a man with the entire city of Chicago (and more) wrapped around his little finger would have. Adam knows better than to cross that kind of people, but, at the same time he wants to keep his distance, he's attracted to that man's mystery like a moth to the flames.
And, well - it's not like he has much of a choice, anyway. Don is his best client, financially speaking. One job with Callis is better than five with anyone else.
Today, though, Adam's not exactly in the mood. He decided to take some time off, but then Cody called with a special request from Callis and there's no saying no to that. Being an escort is really not as easy as some people might imagine. Not a high profile one, anyway. There's a lot more to it than just lying back and thinking of America. The sort of party Callis gives - it can make an entire career for an escort. Having the chance to impress at a place like that can be either the beginning of something great or the complete downfall of your life. Adam has been to several of Callis's get-togethers - he's the Canadian's favorite, something he's quite proud of. Pleasing that man has to be amongst the most difficult tasks anyone could ever face. But still. It takes being in a particular frame of mind to carry out his role to perfection and that's just not the case tonight.
He could've said no, but then he would risk getting dropped by Don altogether. He deals very badly with rejection. Powerful men in general do, Adam's learned. He considers himself lucky to have been assigned to one of Callis's parties almost as soon as he moved to Chicago, and even luckier to have caught that man's eyes amongst dozens of boys and girls trying much harder than him. Don likes who he likes and he rewards his favorites formidably. It can never be a bad thing, not in this business anyway.
There's just something not quite right with Adam tonight, though. He's tired and bored and in a terrible mood. His patience for small-talk that mostly consists in congratulating a bunch of old men for basically being the owners of the world whilst looking absolutely mesmerized and as slutty (however elegantly) as he possibly can is just non-existent.
You see, Adam lives this double life: there's old him, Stephen Wolts, poor southern boy from Virginia who just wants to enjoy his life and be left in peace, and there's this Adam Page, a professional of sex who's a phenomenon in bed. Becoming Adam Page is all part of an act that doesn't come as naturally to him as it probably should. There's a world of difference between his real personality and the one he adopts for work. Hence the need for being in a particular frame of mind.
Adam Page, it seems, just refuses to come out tonight, and that is making him extremely anxious.
Just as soon as he arrived, Don pulled him aside, took him to his office and, after offering him a glass of bourbon, briefed him on the job for the night.
"I've got some really important partners in potential here who have all heard wonders about you. I want you to impress them, make them want you like they have never wanted anything in their whole lives - and make it very clear that you're mine," he said.
So there is a bigger purpose for him tonight - which just enhances the gravity of his problem. Don will be very disappointed if he doesn't accomplish his task. Adam Page - he would never let something like this slip, he would make this the best night of his life. Stephen, however, kind of doesn't give a shit about any of it, which is worrisome. If he doesn't find a way to shift the switch soon enough, he might as well just give up on this life entirely, because he'll sure as hell never get another important assignment. And Cody's probably going to eat his liver as well.
Before he left Don's office, he was made to kneel down and give the man a blow-job, which is totally fine, really. That's the sort of thing he could do even in a catatonic state. Callis tipped him well for his efforts - not even close to what he'll be making by the end of the night if he manages to entertain his boss' wishes, though. So that's something to look forward to.
Adam tries to follow the orders for about one hour before it gets too much and he starts to edge dangerously close to telling one of those guys to go fuck themselves. So he excuses himself and goes after a place to cool down, away from Don's hawk eyes behind those ridiculous glasses. Maybe if another one of his partners disappears at the same time he'll think Adam's doing something right. That'll at least buy him some time.
He tries a couple of doors on the seemingly infinite corridor of the penthouse - one of the many owned by Callis, and one his wife has no idea of, Adam's been told. Some of the rooms are already taken by other boys and girls Callis has brought here tonight and it takes a couple of attempts until he finds one that looks empty.
It's a very large room, but it somehow seems very blank. All the other corners of this apartment Adam's been to look rather elegantly decorated, while this has nothing more than a bed and a mirror on the opposite wall. It makes sense for Callis' party-place to look as though it came straight from a motel; why would he spend money getting rooms that are there with the sole purpose of serving important men as they fuck some whores look nice?
But anyway. None of his business. The important part is: it's empty and it has a balcony, which is just what he needs right now.
Adam doesn't bother turning any lights on, he just slides the balcony door open and steps outside. The cold wind makes him shiver - he left his jacket by the door. But it's not unpleasant. He takes a deep breath and shuts his eyes for a second. God, how he wishes he could just go home right now...
"Hiding too?"
Adam is startled out of his thoughts by a man who's straddling the ledge on the far corner of the balcony, who he had he failed to notice.
He's in panic for a moment, not sure what to say or who that man is, and the guy just stares back at him, smiling. He's too young to be one of Callis's partners - at least Adam was never introduced to any who looked to be less than forty. So he must be one of the boys (and must've had Adam's same idea to retreat from the party scene). Except... Adam knows all of the boys. They all work for Cody. And this is not one of them.
"Don't worry," he continues, when Adam doesn't say anything, paralyzed and Schiavonely confused. "I won't tell."
"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you were there," he finally speaks.
"That was the point," the guy answers, winking at him. "You don't have to look so worried. I know it can get pretty overwhelming outside."
Adam stuffs his hands in his pockets and takes a step closer for better inspection. He is quite... attractive, to say the least. Strong, young, expensive looks... He's one of the highprofiles. Which means Adam should definitely know him.
"I don't think we've met," he says. "Have I seen you before?"
"Don't think so," the man replies. "I would remember you." He smiles again and for some reason Adam has a feeling the guy is... flirting with him? That's just impossible, right? An escort knows an escort when he sees one. If he's an escort then he must know that Adam's one as well and why would a prostitute flirt with another prostitute? It just doesn't make any sense.
"Are you a friend of Callis'?" he asks, going for casual just in case he's reading the whole thing wrong. If he's not a prostitute then it is very likely he'll get offended to be mistaken by one.
"Friend?" The guy lets out a sardonic laugh. "Not at all." Not a friend, not an escort... Who the fuck is he?
"Well, then what are you doing here?" Adam asks, shrugging. "I mean, clearly you don't want to be."
"Yeah, well. There are a million places I'd rather at be than here right now."
"Why are you?"
"There are just some things you can't turn down. Family, you know. It's a boring shit."
Adam fails to keep his surprise concealed and cocks the man an eyebrow - which he notices immediately by the way he grins. "Family?"
"A bit of a loose description in our case," he explains. "But Don is kind of my father and I'm kind of expected to meet some people tonight, so." Well, fuck.
Don had mentioned his son a few times, mostly while in conversation with other guests - his son who refused to take his spot as the heir of the Callis companies and was never anywhere to be seen, wasting his life away and - more importantly, in Callis's opinion - spending his money.
Adam had this mental picture of this skinny twenty-year-old playboy with long hair and diamond earrings, driving a convertible Ferrari and fanning himself with hundered pound bills. Never in his life had he ever imagined that Don's son would be a, gorgeous, and b, show up at one of his parties.
If anything, he looks a lot more centered than his father, if he's hiding at the balcony rather than outside, fucking whores.
"You look surprised," he comments, shifting around to sit with both his legs to the inside of the balcony now.
"No, I'm -" he starts, automatically turning Adam Page on, the lying bitch who's never caught off guard, before he realizes he's still not in that mood. Maybe this guy is exactly one of the very important people he should be meeting and making eyes at, but you know what? Fuck it. "Yeah, I'm a little surprised."
"Why?"
"I don't know, I just - You're his son."
"Even men like Don have sons."
Adam smiles. "It's an odd thought, but I guess you're right."
"It doesn't make them fathers, though. There's a difference."
Adam thinks he gets what he means, but what is he going to say? Agree that Don seems to be a lousy dad because he spends his nights away fucking prostitutes or ask him more about his visibly deteriorated relationship with his father?
"So you're the little master," he comments instead, just to have something to say.
"I wouldn't say that. Saying I'm the little master would imply I live here, which I don't. Not anymore. I used to, though. Before Don turned the penthouse into a party lounge. This used to be my room."
So that explains why it's so empty, he thinks. The boy probably took all this stuff with him and Callis never bothered replacing anything. "Well, you had a beautiful view," he says, taking a look around. It really does have a nice view of the Chicago River with its borders all lit up. It's gorgeous.
"Yeah..." The guy has a wistful tone to his voice as his eyes seem to get lost for a moment as he takes in the view as well. "I used to love sitting here at night."
"Everything does, when you see from afar."
The guy gazes back at Adam with a quizzical look on his face. "Why do you say that?"
Adam shrugs. "Nothing is ever as nice when you look closely." He's thinking about all the homeless people sleeping on cold sidewalks, the junkies crawling over each other like rats in dirty alleys and the night walkers selling their bodies for a few quid downtown, but he doesn't really feel like sharing.
Callis' son jumps from the ledge and approaches Adam in a sudden movement that startles him. He invades Adam's personal space, forcing him take a step backwards, squinting his eyes slightly. "I beg to differ," he says. "You still look pretty."
"I'm sorry, are you - flirting with me?"
The guy smirks. "I might be."
Now that is something very strange. If he's Callis' son and he's been invited to the party, doesn't he know what kind of thing happens here? Wouldn't he know what Adam is? If so, why would he be flirting?
Jesus, maybe he doesn't know. Maybe he thinks the boys are all just guests, like everyone else. It makes sense that he wouldn't know, right? Callis may be a jerk, but he wouldn't be the kind of jerk who cheats on his wife while his son is right there to witness... or not knowingly witness, anyway. Or would he?
For some reason, it feels flattering that someone is interested in him, for real. It's not something that happens very often. Adam doesn't really go out that much - he does enough drinking and partying and going crazy while at work. On his time off, he'd rather just sleep, watch TV and eat take-away at home, alone. Besides, what's the point of going out by himself, anyway? To pick-up one night-stands? Why would he want one when he already has all the sex he could want (and some he doesn't)? Meeting people is not even an option - who would ever want to have a relationship with a prostitute? Adam's never tried one, but he knows dozens of people who have, and it never works out. Nobody understands or accepts, so you have to keep it a secret, and it's just impossible to be an escort and keep a boyfriend in the dark for too long. They always find out and then it always gets ugly and it always ends in tears, so why bother?
He has to admit, though... It does feel nice to have someone courting him just because. Too bad he's Don's son.
"You know what, I think I should go back," Adam says, stepping away from him.
"Or you could stay," he retorts.
"Don't think that's a very good idea."
"Why? Afraid you won't be able to resist me?"
Adam narrows his eyes at the absolutely cheeky smile on the man's face and feels an incredibly wave of sympathy for him. "I can see the resemblance now," he says, grinning. "You're just as cocky as your father."
The guy laughs - and it's such a nice laughter. Not affected and phony like the ones Adam is so used to hearing. It's outright and rich and honest. He could stay here all night just listening to this man while he laughs. "That is not the first time I hear that. Something would have to rub off, right?"
"I really have to go." Before I decide to stay, he completes, mentally.
"Are you sure? Think about it... Old men, boring conversations, ugly people... I think you will find it a lot more pleasant to stay here with me."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"And what do you have in mind?"
Shit. He's going straight to the trap.
"Oh-ho-ho! Who's flirting now?" Adam laughs, shakes his head, and thinks it's all very ridiculous that he's having a nice time with Don's son. It's all too tempting to be here with this stranger who doesn't seem to have a clue about what he's doing in his father's party. Perhaps sensing that Adam's starting to slip away again, the little master takes another step forward, holds him by the wrist - gently, but firm. "Would you like me to describe what I have in mind or would you rather I show you?"
"What do you reckon will impress me the most?"
The guy smiles wolfishly at him before pulling Adam closer into his arms. He places one hand on the small of his back to press Adam against his body and, with the other, holds the side of his face to pull him into a kiss. Adam offers no resistance whatsoever. There's a small voice in his head telling him that he shouldn't; if Callis walks in on them, he's doomed. But the kiss is so good he doesn't find it in him to stop it. He holds the man by his hips and deepens the kiss further, feeling a tingly sensation go up his spine when the other man purrs against his mouth.
The way he kisses and holds him tells Adam that it really isn't like with the other guys. It's neither slightly distant, like his head is somewhere else, nor completely possessive, as though he takes Adam for a property they have acquired the right to do as they please with for a certain amount of time. No, this kiss - it's soft and calm and new. Adam's not nervous, exactly, but maybe a bit fidgety.
He's making out with someone as himself, not as a prostitute, for the first time in a very long time and it feels equal parts strange and amazing. He could do this all night, he thinks. They don't even have to go any further than this. Just snogging will be enough to send him home with butterflies in his stomach.
That's when the guy pulls away, just a tiny bit, and murmurs, "How much?"
Adam stops, momentarily confused. "What?"
The guy starts kissing his neck. "How much?"
He puts one flat hand on the man's chest and pushes him away gently, just enough to look him in the eyes. That's when it all makes sense. "You know?" Adam asks, disbelieved. The little master blinks at him.
"Know what?"
"About... me?"
"What, that you're one of the rent boys? I figured."
The words go straight to his heart like an arrow. He's not ashamed of doing what he does in any way; if he were, then he simply wouldn't do it. It's not like it's even an offensive term or anything. A rent boy is exactly what he is. But that, coming from this guy's mouth, so unceremoniously that hurt. Here he was, allowing himself a few minutes of contentment, and bam. It's like a slap to his face.
"What?" Callis's son asks, leaning forwards for another kiss. Adam turns his face to the side and disentangles himself from the other man's arms. "What happened?" he tries again, sounding aggrieved.
"Nothing," Adam answers, fixing his clothes and checking on the mirror to see if he's too disheveled. His expression is that of a person who just watched something die. "I have to go back outside."
"What? No. Why? I thought you were -"
"I changed my mind. I have a job to do. I'm sorry."
Adam shifts around on his heels and almost runs, taking a deep breath before marching down the hall to go back to the party area.
"Hey!" Callis' son skips behind to catch up. "Are you offended?"
"Let's just drop it, ok?"
"I wanna know what happened in there. Did I say something offensive?"
"No, you didn't."
"Then what's the matter?" Adam stops when they reach the large living room where the party is being held. The guy stops in front of him. "I'm sorry," he says, looking genuinely apologetic. There's something quite desperate about the way he's looking at Adam, like a puppy that's peed on the carpet. It could almost be touching if only Adam weren't so unjustifiably pissed off. "I didn't mean to be offensive, ok? I've never done this before, I don't know how to - I don't know what's the... procedure. Should I have waited or...?"
Adam sighs. He's just making it worse. "Just forget about that."
"Why did you did change your mind?"
"Because I didn't come here to do... you."
"I can pay you."
"That's cute."
"Just name the price."
"I don't want your money."
"How much is my father paying you? I can give you double."
"I don't want your money," Adam repeats, pausedly, for emphasis. "I won't sleep with you."
"One thousand? Two? I can pay you five."
"Stop it," he says, a hint of real heat on his voice. "It's not about the money."
"Then what is it about?"
"It's about the fact that I don't have to sleep with anybody I don't want to, and right now I don't want you. There are plenty of other boys out there for you to go wave your pounds at. Leave me alone."
"Adam!" Adam turns to find Callis walking towards them. He takes a step further way from his son and smiles his best good whore smile. The Canadian’s slides a hand behind his back and pulls him close to his body in a clearly possessive gesture. Adam watches from the corner of his eyes as his son's gaze follows the move. The guy's brow visibly creases and his lips are pressed into a tight line. "I was looking for you all over."
"I was right here," he says, pressing closer to the Canadian’s just to annoy his son a little bit more.
"I see you've met my son," he says, and doesn't sound pleased at all. Adam was right to think Don would be pissed to find him making out with his heir.
"We've been introduced."
"I was talking to him," the son answers, with a quiet fury behind his words.
"Really? What about?"
"Nothing of importance," Adam adds before he has a chance of answering.
"Well, I hope Kenny's not harassing you."
"I wasn't harassing him," Kenny replies. Adam is a little bothered by the fact he likes the sound of that name.
"He wasn't," Adam confirms. He could've said that he was being a nuisance, yes, just a little bit, but he's afraid of what Callis would do. His ideas of punishment can be quite unorthodox, from what Adam's heard.
"Good. Can you come with me, then?"
"Of course."
Adam takes one last look behind his shoulder. Kenny just stands there, fuming, as they walk away.
And to think two tiny words turned a very promising night in a complete disgrace. How much.
For some reason, it still stings.
-
TK is one of Callis's new potential partners in crime. Or business associate, as they say.
Don tells him no names, just TK, and Adam takes that as a sign that the guy might be a very recognizable figure somewhere. The mere fact the patriarch of the Callis Industries is passing Adam on to someone else tonight is intriguing enough.
TK is not very serious and very much younger than all the other guests - bar Kenny, of course. He's not exactly attractive, but he's not hard to look at either. Adam likes his innocent looking face.
They talk for a while before TK leads him to one of the rooms. Adam searches very discreetly around for Kenny but doesn't see him anymore. Probably off to fuck someone else, he thinks. The idea doesn't sit well with him; that five minutes interaction might have done a pretty good job at damaging his ego.
Sex with TK is... Well, terrible.
The guy is very stiff at first. His hands go nowhere lower than Adam's waist, like he's got no idea what to do with them. Those are the most exhausting clients, the prostitute-virgin ones. It's cute that they get all nervous around him, but it's such a nuisance having to teach them everything.
Adam pours him some scotch then kneels down in front of him and sucks him off to make him loosen up a little bit. Even that is a bit difficult in the beginning, but he slowly starts to let himself go. When TK is sufficiently hard, Adam undresses and they get in bed.
TK fucks him from behind and doesn't last more than five minutes. Adam is barely hard when the guy comes and then crashes down next to him on the bed.
He feels a little guilty for how awful the whole thing was, because he's not in the right frame of mind and his mood has been considerably worsened by Callis' son. He could've tried a little harder to make the experience more enjoyable if he wanted to, he knows, but the largest portion of him just wanted to get it over with as fast as possible.
TK doesn't seem to mind, though. He smiles, thanks Adam for the amazing time (what the fuck is the problem with that guy?) and tips him greatly before getting dressed and going back outside.
Adam stays for a while longer, drinking by himself, before he too gets dressed and goes back to the party. Callis gives him a tight hug when he finds him, says that he's brilliant. He takes it as a sign that TK has agreed to whatever Callis wanted him to agree to.
The Canadian’s is so happy he pays Adam double the settled price and tells him he's free to go if he wants to. This is the kind of night where Adam could make a fortune. He can take maybe two or three more guys, four if he makes it fast. Usually, this would be a dream assignment. Not tonight, though.
So instead of earning two weeks' worth of fucks in one night, he gladly takes what Callis gives him and goes home.
Adam Page needs to lay low for a while. Not everything is about the money.
How much.