Cory isn’t sure how many times he tried to call Judas, feeling like it was more than he has ever done before. He feels the fear welling inside of him, feeling like he is about to do something that would end up landing him in jail. He couldn’t believe what Judas has done, feeling like his entire body is going completely on overdrive and he couldn’t be sure what to do about it. He’s trying to rush out of the café when he is stopped by Taylor.

“Hey, what is going on?” Taylor asks him, looking a bit worried because he has not seen Cory act so frazzled, “you look like you’re about to freak out.”

“My brother is an idiot and I have to figure out where this place is.” Cory rushes out, feeling like his entire body is going into overdrive, “he said that he’s in trouble and at this place called the Underground. I don’t even know what that is.”

Taylor stiffens almost immediately, as if he knows precisely what that place is, “I’m sorry, Cory, but that place is an underground fighting ring. Unfortunately, if your brother is there then he might be in a lot of trouble. A lot of fights happen there.”

“Do you know how to get there?” Cory asks, feeling like this might be his only chance to get to Judas, “can you help me?”

Taylor purses his lips, and he doesn’t seem too happy about it, “I can take you there, but I won’t go in. My boyfriend is a police officer, and he has made me promise that I would never enter that place. I promised him that I never would. I’m sorry. I hope that you are able to find your brother and that nothing bad happened.”

“It’s okay, I understand.” Cory assures Taylor, seeing how Taylor is shutting everything down, “I just need to be taken there and I will figure out the rest on my own.”

Taylor didn’t like leaving Cory alone like that and he knew that Frankie would understand but his boyfriend is very protective. Taylor debates on messaging Frankie but it seems like Cory is ready to get out of there already and Taylor couldn’t really blame him especially if his brother is in danger.

Taylor shuts down the café before leading Cory to his car, letting him get inside. The drive isn’t too long, heading a bit out of town. He knows that Cory is really worried, and Taylor just knew that someone like Cory would get eaten up if he dared to go into the Underground like that. The owner… Let’s just say he is a beast, and he does not show any mercy when it comes down to it. Taylor has met him a few times, even today, and he knows that this man is capable of sinister deeds. Some that would end up getting Cory in a lot of trouble. 

When they reach the warehouse, Cory can hear the cheering and music coming from inside, not liking this at all. He isn’t entirely certain about why Judas would even come here and how he managed to find this place because it doesn’t seem like a place that advertises on the bulletin board.

Cory doesn’t wait to say anything to Taylor as he is already practically jumping out of the car, shutting the door behind himself. His heart is thumping hard in his chest, feeling like he could just explode at any moment. This is dangerous, something he isn’t sure what he is going to deal with. 

As Cory is walking away, Taylor just watches him go and something inside of him is screaming at the fact that he shouldn’t let Cory go in there alone. Knowing what might happen if Cory is in danger, he releases an annoyed groan as he whips out his phone and calls Frankie before he does something that could really mess with his relationship.

“Babe, is everything okay?” Frankie asks almost instantly, knowing that Taylor doesn’t call him when he is supposed to be working, “what is going on?”

“Listen, I hope that you don’t get too mad at me but… I’m at the Underground.” Taylor explains, hearing Frankie go dead silent, “my new worker, Cory, his brother messaged him and said he was in some kind of trouble here. I don’t know what kind of trouble, but I don’t feel right sending Cory in there alone.”

Frankie doesn’t sound too happy but he lets out a sigh, “okay. I don’t think that I can get over there, unfortunately there has been a lot of activity tonight. Just make sure that you are safe and if anything happens, don’t you dare be afraid to call me because I will be there.”

Taylor’s heart flutters and he just feels very good about his protective boyfriend, “I will, my love, thank you.”

Taylor turns off his car and makes sure to lock it before he heads after Cory. Cory had just made it to the front of the warehouse, noticing that there is a bouncer letting people in. He’s a big and scary dude, Cory notes, seeing how the man has a buzzcut and tattoos lining up his arms and a cold expression on his face. When Cory saw Taylor joining him, he was a bit relieved because he was a little afraid of what might end up happening between them if he wasn’t careful. He doesn’t know what this place is or even where to find Judas and that’s going to be the biggest problem. Cory is really afraid because what if something bad happened.

Cory’s heart is pounding a million miles a second as they come up to the bouncer and he notices the bouncer assessing him with his eyes. Cory doesn’t like it one bit, feeling a bit self-conscious, but he knows it is a bad idea to shrink away. He isn’t sure how he knew it, but he had this feeling if he shrunk away then he would be done here and he would not be able to go inside.

“A pretty boy like yourself isn’t going to survive in there.” The bouncer warns Cory, noting how Cory is unlike any other person who has walked through the doors tonight, “I suggest you turn around and leave if you know what is best for you.”

Cory squares his shoulders and makes sure to not look as weak as he feels right now, “I’m not going anywhere without my brother… So don’t try to stop me.”

Cory is staring the bouncer down even though it feels like his heart is going to beat right out of his chest. Even though he isn’t strong, he is going to have to prepare himself mentally to be. If he doesn’t do this the right way then it is very possible that something worse could happen. He has to get inside and rescue Judas before something worse happens. 

The bouncer looks like he is going to reject Cory, but decides that this is not something that he needs to be dealing with, “it is YOUR death wish if you do this. Don’t come crying to me if someone hurts you in there. It’s not a place for someone who is weak. Do you understand that?”

It makes Cory a little sicker to his stomach but he just brushes past the bouncer, knowing that he needs to get to Judas and he is not going to allow anything to stand in his way. He doesn’t care what happens to himself because he needs to protect Judas. Judas has been under his protection and if something happens to him, then it is going to come back on Cory and Cory is going to end up feeling like shit. Cory hates that it has come to this but he is trying to do everything in his power to make sure that everything is going to be okay.

Cory isn’t sure what he was expecting when he walked inside this place, but it is more packed than he expected. Bodies are practically bumping into one another, making him feel more and more nervous because he doesn’t like what is happening. He has never been a club kind of person and that’s what it kind of feels like besides the fight ring in the middle. Taylor helps him though, pushing through the crowds and trying to make Cory some space.

Cory isn’t sure what is going to happen next but he is definitely feeling a bit weird right now and it makes him wonder what might end up happening. His head swivels around, trying to spot Judas but it’s like looking for a needle in the middle of a haystack. Pretty much impossible and he doesn’t like it at all. Exhaling slowly, he looks over at Taylor.

“Where should we look?” Cory asks him, making himself feel more and more nervous with every passing second because he doesn’t know what he’s doing right now, “I keep thinking that maybe something is going to happen. He won’t answer his phone. It keeps going straight to voicemail.”

Cory is anxious at this point, feeling like his anxiety is going to overtake him. Taylor takes Cory’s phone from him, pushing on the name “Judas” and brings it to his ear. He thought that it would be nothing like usual until the line clicks and a husky, deep voice comes through it. 

“Hello?” The man murmurs but it is very obvious that this is not Judas.

“Who is this?” Taylor all but growls.

The line is quiet for a moment before the man answers, “I don’t think that it really matters. Who is this?”

“I’m the friend of the person who is looking for his brother, the owner of the phone that you answered.” Taylor explains, wondering what might end up coming from this because it is a dangerous game that is being played right now, “if you know what is good for you, you would get Judas on the line. I don’t want to have to contact the police.”

The man chuckles at this point and a shiver of fear goes down Taylor’s spine because that is not good, “I’m sorry to break this to your friend but his little brother now belongs to me. I don’t have to do anything at this point. Not unless your little friend is willing to get in the ring and fight for his brother.”

“What?” Taylor whispers in a hoarse tone, not liking this at all, “what do you mean he belongs to you? What happened?”

“Put the brother on the phone.” The man cuts Taylor off, not giving a damn about the questions, “only then will I answer that question.”

Taylor doesn’t like this one bit, feeling a bit of fear because it is highly possible that this could all end really badly. Cory is way too small to be fighting someone but he would do it for his brother one hundred percent. Taylor feels like he doesn’t have a choice though and he ends up handing the phone to Cory, praying that Cory would do the right thing.

“Judas?” Cory whispers, hoping for the best right now.

“This is not him.” The man on the other end murmurs, making Cory’s blood run cold, “your brother has gotten himself into a little bit of a bind and right now, he belongs to me. I did tell your friend a stipulation to win your brother back to you but I’m sure it isn’t going to be an easy feat. Are you willing to do anything to save him because if not, you will never see him again.”

“He’s only eighteen!” Cory tries to protest, his blood pumping hot in his veins with fear, “I don’t know what he did but I’m sure we can work something out. Please, don’t do this to him. I will do anything.”

“You can fight in the ring.” The man tells Cory, unable to hide the sinister smile on his face as he gazes down at the boy who is obviously not fit for this kind of place, “or, you can choose to take his place. It’s up to you.”

Cory’s blood runs cold, knowing what that means. There’s no way he would win in a fighting ring although he does know how to. From how other people are fighting, it’s like they are trying to kill one another. It makes Cory scared because he has no idea what would even come from it. But what would happen to him if he took Judas’ place? 

“Can we talk in person first?” Cory tries to negotiate, “I… I wouldn’t be any good in the ring and I can’t leave Judas behind while you do who knows what to me. I’m not that much of an idiot… Please, help me.”

The man thinks long and hard about it, knowing he can be an asshole, but it is very possible that this could turn around and go his way, “how about this, I will make you a deal. I will give your brother back to you and he will no longer be indebted to me. Instead, every Friday and Saturday night, you will come and be my personal escort for the night. You will dress in whatever I leave for you, and you will do whatever I want. I won’t do anything without your consent but I can promise you that you will be begging me for more soon enough.”

Cory doesn’t know what to think but he knows this is the best deal he can get right now. It’s obvious that he doesn’t have much of a choice, knowing that if he doesn’t accept this, there is no way that he would be able to get Judas back. So, he decides to make stipulations of his own.

“Only for a month.” Cory murmurs, knowing that he has to gain some kind of upper hand, “I will do whatever for a month but after that, our agreement is over. Deal?”

The man likes the fire inside of Cory, knowing that this could be a game that would end up going the way that he needs it to. Cory couldn’t be sure if this would end up going the right way, but he is asking himself where to go with it because he could easily take it back. Cory just has to feel like he has some kind of upper hand because there’s no way that he is going to be able to hold back right now. He just has to do this.

“Fine, I agree to this but until you have fulfilled your side of it, Judas will remain with me.” The man murmurs, making Cory know that there is no thinking this, “do you agree?”

Cory doesn’t want to, but he knows there’s no way he is going to be able to hold back right now. He has to protect Judas and there’s only one way to do it. If he isn’t careful, this could definitely screw him over and he honestly isn’t prepared for it. He’s just hoping and praying that he can get through this month as he makes his answer that would change everything.

“Okay, you have a deal.”