“This is some pretty deep shit. How did you get involved with him?” Ashton asked.
Ben sipped the strong brew. “I was young, stupid, and kind of desperate. He was older, attractive, had plenty of money, and I got sucked into the life he offered. I didn’t even realize what he was doing to me until it was too late. I’d been cut off from my friends and most of the people I knew. Everything centered around Dallas, and it was fun. Things were really good… until they weren’t. But by then, the large house we lived in was the proverbial gilded cage, and I was the fucking bird. Oh, he gave me plenty of things. The gifts were gorgeous and expensive. He said he loved me… blah, blah, blah. I know it was all crap now. I was just one of his toys. But then, I thought I loved him too.” He took another sip, giving his head a chance to put things in some sort of order. “I tried to get away once before. A friend helped me escape. It didn’t work, and he ended up on the back of a milk carton. That was a year ago, and I’ve been waiting ever since to try again. I played along, acted good, did what he asked, made him trust me enough to let me go out on regular errands. And a week ago I just kept going.”
Ashton didn’t ask questions, which Ben was grateful for. He sipped his coffee and watched Ben, seemingly waiting.
“Dallas never gives up what he thinks is his. And I’m definitely that. He didn’t love me, though. He just saw me as an accessory to his lifestyle, like his Maserati or Gucci shoes. I was an ornament, a plaything.” Ben swallowed some more coffee. The thought of explaining what kind of toy he’d been made him wish the floor would open up and swallow him. He hoped Ashton didn’t ask.
“Why did he pick you?”
Ben closed his eyes. “I was a dancer at one of the clubs in Texas. I did what I had to do to make a living, and he came into the club, saw me dance, and called me over. He said he liked how I looked and that he could help me make it big.” God, he had been such an idiot. Nobody gets something for nothing, and in the end, Ben had lost his freedom and had gained nothing but heartache, pain, and a life full of fear. He finished his coffee and slid the mug away.
Ashton sat back, drumming his fingers on the table, his expression a little far away. “I get that he doesn’t want to give you up, but… there has to be more to it than that. How long were you with him?”
“Three years or so. The first year and a half were pretty good, but then things really changed.” Ben grew more nervous.
“What happened?” Ashton asked. “I want to help you.” He reached across the table, taking Ben’s hand. It was a gentle gesture, and Ben didn’t pull back. He liked that Ashton seemed to care. This could have felt like an interrogation; instead, it felt like real help. “If things changed dramatically, there’s probably a cause. Did something happen between you? Or was it outside?”
Ben had never thought about it like that. All he knew was that his life had changed dramatically almost overnight. “I’m trying to think. I wasn’t dancing anymore—Dallas didn’t want that. I had landed a contract as a model for a website. It was for men’s clothing, and they wanted me for the splash page and then throughout the site. It was a big deal, and I was really happy.” He tried to remember the order of events. “I had come home from the photo shoot, and Dallas was frantic. The house and grounds were on lockdown. Guys patrolled the perimeter like they were ready to go to war. Maybe they were.”
Ashton pulled out his phone and started tapping the keys, his attention straying. Ben hoped this was over, but then Ashton passed the phone across the table. “Did you know him?”
Ben brought the phone closer. “Kenneth. He was a friend of Dallas’s. At least, that’s how he was introduced.”
“He was your guy’s enforcer. And he was gunned down in Houston eighteen months ago.” Ashton pulled the phone back. “The police still don’t know who did it, and no charges have been filed, but it looks as if someone was sending Dallas a message that they wanted to be the new big dog in town. And from what you just described, Dallas got it loud and clear.”
“Shit…,” he breathed. “I didn’t know anything up until now. I thought Dallas had either sent him away….” He lowered his gaze to the tabletop. “God, I was so stupid. It all makes sense. Dallas was frightened and he took it out on everyone around him.”
“Yes. That explains the change, but you were with him for three years. I bet you saw and heard a lot of things. I wonder if Dallas is afraid that if you’re out of his control, the things he doesn’t want people to know might come out too.”
Ben shook his head. “I was never around when he did business, and he never talked about things like that in front of me. He had his office, and he did business in there.”
“Okay. Let me ask you something. Where did you go on vacation?”
“The Cayman Islands once a year for snorkeling and fishing. That was in the winter. He brought three guys with him, and me. Dallas didn’t like to go into the water, so I’d book some time on various excursions, and he would stay behind. He did love fishing, though.”
“And while you were snorkeling, I bet he had meetings and worked.” Ashton nodded. “The Cayman Islands are a banking and money hideout. I’m willing to bet those vacations were trips for him to move and hide his money. From there he could transfer money out of the US and send it to a dozen countries around the world with very little oversight.” He leaned forward. “I bet if you think about it, you know a lot more about him and what he does than you think. And I’m guessing that Dallas has figured that out as well and doesn’t want you talking to anyone, least of all anyone involved with the law.”
Ben sighed. “Well, shit. I knew he was possessive and that his business dealings were shady. But I was stuck. I don’t have anything to do with Dallas’s business, and I never did anything illegal. I swear.” He needed Ashton to believe him. “I have a feeling that my friend Christopher was killed by Dallas, or at least on his orders. He just disappeared and I never found out anything more. Unfortunately I can’t prove anything. I just knew that after that, I had to get away from him. If I didn’t, I was going to end up in the bottom of some pond somewhere.”
“Okay,” Ashton told him gently. “I believe you.” He squeezed Ben’s fingers. “And I appreciate you trusting me with the truth.” He paused. “I messaged a friend of mine. His name’s Reg. He and I served in the Army together. We started a security firm providing electronic security systems, as well as more personal services, when our tours were done. Reg is in charge of design and installation, and he’s the best at it. I run the business itself. Right now he just finished a job in Cheyenne. He was going to visit on his way back to California, so he’s on his way and will be here as fast as he can.”
“I don’t want to cause you trouble.” The urge to leave rose once again.
“You’re not. It will be good to get a second opinion and have someone make sure that we’re all safe.” Ashton slowly got up. “Go and rest if you like. I bet you haven’t slept all that much.”
Ben couldn’t argue with him, so he went into the living room. The excitement from earlier had worn off and fatigue was quickly catching up with him. He closed his eyes and slept for maybe an hour or so, and when he woke, Ashton was seated close by like a guardian watching over him, his expression soft, a tender smile curling his lips. Ben found himself returning it as Ashton held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Ben took it.