The next day everyone was sitting down at the table having breakfast. Everyone was talking with the exception of Justin who wasn’t even eating. “Is there a problem with the food?” Brian asked Justin. Justin looked at the man and shook his head. He stared at Brian’s hazel eyes and frowned. He tried to look away but ended up looking at Brian’s lips. He sighed and went back to staring at his food. He definitely needed to get out of there. He was losing his mind. “Daphne,” Brian said. “From now on you will be helping with the cleaning and washing the men’s clothes.” “What?” Daphne asked taken aback. “Why?” “You’re part of the crew now,” Brian informed her. “You have to carry your own weight.” Daphne frowned in disbelief at Brian’s words. “I don’t understand.” “You have been bought, Daphne,” Brian told her. Daphne’s heart sunk, I’m a slave she thought. “What?” Justin asked furious and scared for his friend’s welfare. “How? When?” “This morning,” Brian told him. “What?” Daphne asked still in shock. “You...you didn’t even let me call my parents. You said the highest bidder!” “I changed my mind,” Brian said. “Plus it was for an old friend.” Daphne swallowed afraid of her fate. Brian had negotiated her life as if she were a meaningless commodity. “Wait a minute,” Emmett interrupted. “What does all this have to do with her being forced to do the crew’s laundry? And how is she part of the crew now?” “I bought her,” James informed everyone. The table went quiet amazed by what they had heard. Daphne glared at him and stood up. “I prefer to be sold to...to...to freaking racially prejudiced assholes than you!!” Then she turned around and left the place. Everyone at the table except Justin and Emmett laughed. Brian looked at John directing him with a single stare to get up and follow the girl. Brian recognized the need to keep a close watch on his ‘guests’. “That’s one hell of an angry girl,” Franck said. “Jeez, I think I’m scared of her.” Some of the guys laughed. James got up and looked at his friends. “If anyone touches her I’ll castrate him,” he said dead serious. “Relax,” Brian told him. “They know the rules. She wasn’t a present so she won’t be shared. You purchased her and she’s all yours.” Justin looked at Brian again realizing that he didn’t know the man before him. Only seconds before he had been staring at his lips. Justin was confused, he was angry now. He didn’t know why he was having thoughts of kissing Brian but at this point it no longer mattered. Prudently he understood that to Brian him and his friends were only things to be sold; that wasn’t right. “What?” Brian asked arching a brow. “What did you do with my yacht?” Justin asked hoping that would satisfy the captain’s inquiry. He hoped that no one could see what he had been thinking. “Was it yours now or your daddy’s?” Brian asked. “It’s mine,” Justin hissed. “I worked for it for years. My father and I made a deal and I did what I had to and it’s mine.” Brian smirked. “Well, now it’s ours and I’m going to sell that too.” Justin glared at Brian. “I hate you!” “It’s not a popularity contest and frankly I don’t care if you like me or not,” Brian informed him. “Hey,” Ethan drawled. “If James got to purchase Daphne then I want to buy Justin,” Ethan told them. Brian looked at his brother and glared. “You don’t have enough money to even make a fair offer.” Ethan glared at Brian. “You can’t bargain with me?” “No,” Brian said firmly. Justin looked at Brian and was immediately grateful for his decision. He looked back at Ethan and frowned. He didn’t like Brian one bit but he detested Ethan even more. “But...” Ethan tried to speak up so he could convince Brian. “We’re going to Egypt,” Brian said. “We’re going to sell the rest of them there.” Justin’s heart lurched with pain. “Can I call my father, please?” “No,” Brian told him before he got up and left the table. Justin frowned and looked at his plate. He vowed that he would escape before they sold him. He would do that or die trying but he didn’t plan to be there when they reached their destination. *** “What are you doing out here?” Brian asked. “It’s cold.” “Like you fucking care,” Justin spat out. “I could freeze to death and it wouldn’t bother you in the least. Oh wait you care because you don’t want the merchandise damaged.” “Of course that’s the only reason I care,” Brian told him leaning against the rail. “Selling you as a slave will fill my pockets with money, remember?” Justin scoffed with disgust. Brian smirked. “I can honestly say I have never met anyone like you.” “Honest?” Justin asked slightly astonished with Brian’s frank admission. Justin mind started racing, maybe if Brian likes me he won’t sell me, he thought. Brian laughed. “You’re funny.” Justin turned his head to look at Brian. The brunet had his hair pull back but a few of his locks were dancing with the wind. The blond bit his lower lip and looked away. “We’re stopping soon,” Brian told him. “We’re having a celebration.” “What the hell are we celebrating?” Justin asked. “Your birthday,” Brian informed him. “Daphne and Emmett told me. They wanted me to do something for you.” “You don’t have to do that,” Justin hissed upset since only two months ago his plans had included his boyfriend and a passionate evening with Chance. Now Justin found himself a prisoner on the verge of being sold to the highest bidder. Justin didn’t have anything to celebrate. “I’m not a total barbarian,” Brian said quietly. “I don’t want a birthday party,” Justin told him ignoring what Brian had said. “I’ll lock myself in one of the rooms.” Brian smirked. “That’s okay. The men don’t need too many reasons to drink anyway.” “I hope they all get drunk and fall into the sea and the sharks eat them,” Justin told him. Brian laughed. “Sharks are not such horrible creatures. They don’t actually spend their lives looking for humans to bite.” “Don’t make me laugh,” Justin said. “It’s true,” Brian insisted. “You see when they bite it’s because they’re defending themselves or confusing you with their meal.” Justin frowned he was only kidding about sharks being in these waters. But Brian didn’t seem to be joking. “Sometimes they bite because they want to see what you would taste like,” Brian said. “You’re kidding, right?” Justin asked with some fear Brian shook his head. “Trust me, I know all about this.” Justin nodded slowly again concluding that he knew very little about this man but he could tell Brian was very bright. “I guess you would be the right person to ask about sharks since you practically live out here at sea.” Brian smiled and moved closer to the blond. He put his hand on Justin’s small back. “Aren’t you cold?” Justin’s body trembled and quickly moved away. “I’m okay.” Brian smiled but didn’t say anything about Justin’s immediate reaction to his body and his touch. “Why don’t you let us go?” Justin asked almost pleading for their freedom. “We never asked for this.” Brian stayed quiet. “We won’t say anything,” Justin assured him. Brian looked at the blond and shook his head. “I already made the arrangements. I talked to important people and I can’t back away.” Justin sniffed and looked away. “You’re not crying, are you?” Brian asked actually sorry that the blond was upset. “Fuck off,” Justin hissed. “I assure you that I’ll find someone good to be your new master,” Brian told him. “Right,” Justin said sarcastically. “The highest bidder, remember?” Brian sighed. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” Justin spat out. “I didn’t promise it,” Brian pointed out. “Whatever,” Justin muttered. “I want to be alone.” Brian sighed. He was about to confide in the blond that even though he was the captain he didn’t have a say with what went on with the things they sold, the blond included. But at the last minute he changed his mind. Justin already looked dismayed; he decided to give him a break. Brian walked away slowly; he did turn back one last time and took in the sight of Justin’s body in the moonlight Brian wanted him and he would have taken him not caring about what Justin’s whishes were. But Justin wasn’t one of his tricks that later on would be dumped or killed. Justin was going to be sold and he wasn’t going to damage him. He kept telling himself that, because the truth was that Brian wanted the blond to come willingly to him. Brian would deny it if asked but he actually wanted the blond boy for his own. *** “I’m going to kill you!” Daphne hissed as she lifted the knife and tried to attack James. Henry held her wrists back. Justin stood there a bit taken aback at Daphne’s violent outburst. He wasn’t sure what had happened but something or someone must have provoked Daphne. He had arrived at the scene only a few minutes ago in the motorboat with Emmett, Brian and Michael. He had reached the beach where they had set the tables in time to hear Daphne and see her try to slash James with the knife she was wielding. “What the fuck is going on?” Brian asked. “Nothing,” Henry said as he grabbed the knife from Daphne. Justin frowned and went to sit down next to Daphne. “What’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Daphne told him. “Daphne,” Justin muttered. “Its okay, Justin,” Daphne assured him. “He sometimes gets on my nerves.” Justin knew better than to try to ask her what was going on. He knew that when she was ready she would tell him. He looked at Emmett who was smiling as he looked at Sam. He knew that Emmett had secretly started talking to the pirate a few days ago. Emmett had told him that they guy wasn’t so bad and that at least he kept him from going crazy. “I’m really happy to be on land,” Emmett said. Sam smiled and nodded. “I don’t like it that much but I understand where you’re coming from.” “We have beautiful music,” James pointed out. “Do you want to dance, Daphne?” “Sure,” Daphne said getting up. “Oh, my wonderful, master,” she spat out sarcastically. “Who understand those two?” Emmett asked when Daphne and James were away. Brian looked at Justin briefly but quickly turned away before any noticed that he had been glancing at Justin. “Want to dance?” Ethan asked Justin. “I prefer to choke right now,” Justin told him. Sam and Kenneth laughed. Everyone else was off somewhere drinking or eating at another table. “I was trying to be polite,” Ethan told him. “Here,” Ryan said. “Drink something.” Justin grabbed the can of beer. “Thanks.” “Should he be drinking?” John asked. “He turned eighteen,” Emmett pointed out. “Not that he needed an excuse before.” “Happy birthday,” Franck said lifting his glass and drinking. Justin laughed. Brian was right, the guys would use any excuse to drink and party. He sighed and started drinking. What else could he do, he asked himself. “The food is really good,” Emmett commented, always trying to make the best of any situation Justin decided for tonight to push any further thoughts of Brian or his current situation away. He didn’t want to think about anything at the moment. He was stuck god knew where on his birthday. After he finished the fifth beer Justin concluded that he had to have been a very bad man in his previous life and he was paying for his past mistakes. He kept looking at Brian from time to time when the brunet wasn’t looking. The blond continued in his celebration having beer after beer. As the night progressed he switched to some of the wine that Boris was drinking. Justin even drank the concoction that Michael and Ted prepared without knowing what the hell it was. He was hearing jokes all around and everyone appeared to be having a good time. He was thankful for the alcohol because it relaxed him. He ate a bit thanks to Daphne but otherwise he continued drinking. After a while Brian got up and went after Justin who had been walking around aimlessly. Brian had been keeping a close watch on the blond when he suddenly realized that Justin wasn’t turning back towards the party. Justin was oblivious to everyone and his surrounding; he kept on walking to some unknown destination. He found Justin close to the beach. He was surprised that in the darkness Justin hadn’t fallen down and cracked his head open. There were rocks everywhere. “Justin,” Brian called out in concern. “That’s me,” Justin sang out amused by the sound of his voice. “I’m Justin.” Brian sighed and realized that the blond was wasted. “Come here.” “Where?” Justin asked. “Justin,” Brian hissed when the blond started running and giggling. Justin finally fell down when he reached the beach. His hands and knees burying themselves on the sand as the small waves hit him. “Justin,” Brian said. He was relieved that he had followed the blond. The younger man could have drowned and no one would have been there. “I lost my drink,” Justin told him. “Help me find it.” “I don’t think so,” Brian said as he made Justin get up. “Hey,” Justin smiled. “It’s you.” Brian smiled at the blond. “It’s me,” he answered. He pulled Justin closer to him. “How much did you drink?” “It’s my birthday,” Justin slurred. “No shit,” Brian drawled. “Good thing you didn’t want to celebrate. Come on, in your inebriated condition we need to get you away from this beach. It’s too dangerous for you to be wandering out here alone by yourself.” “Where are we going?” Justin asked. “Back to the ship,” Brian told him. Justin didn’t say anything as Brian got them into one of the boats to return to the yacht. Once in the small vessel, Justin was talking about something that Brian couldn’t keep up with. Half of the words didn’t made sense because they were slurred and the other half were nothing but a mix of words that didn’t go together. Brian was amused by hearing Justin’s happy ramblings. “We’re at the boat,” Justin told him. “Yeah,” Brian drawled and helped Justin get up. He left the blond sitting in one of the lounge chairs while he went back to tie the boat. He looked back at the archipelago and could see the fire was still burning. He wasn’t worried that either Emmett or Daphne would try to escape, even if they tried to take advantage of the men’s drunken state. It was dark and they wouldn’t get very far. They would probably only end up killing themselves. Brian was sure that they wouldn’t leave without Justin. He didn’t care either way. The blond was under his eyeful watch, right where he wanted him. “What happened to my drink?” Justin asked as he started at his hand. “I was drinking.” Brian sat next to the blond. “Enough drinking for one night.” “But I can drink, I’m eighteen today,” Justin told him. “Today is my birthday.” Brian smiled and nodded. “I like birthdays,” Justin informed him. “You get presents.” “I believe so,” Brian said as his hands started to push Justin’s hair back. “I didn’t get presents,” Justin complained. “Jesus,” Brian whispered. “Even when drunk you’re a snob.” “I’m not,” Justin told him. “Presents mean much more to me. I know that when someone gives me something then the person really cares about you. It doesn’t matter what it is.” Brian started at the blond and smiled. He kept on caressing Justin’s hair for a little while longer. He enjoyed the smooth silky texture against he coarse fingertips. Then Brian took off the necklace he was wearing. The one which had the tooth of a shark in it and he put it round the blond’s neck. “What are you doing?” Justin asked. “I’m giving you a present,” Brian whispered. Justin smiled from ear to ear. “I like presents.” Brian laughed. “Sure you do.” “You have a beautiful face,” Justin informed him. Brian smiled and pulled the blond on top of him. He caressed Justin’s face and kissed him. Justin moaned when he felt Brian’s tongue slipping inside of him. “You taste so good,” Justin whispered. He smiled at Brian. Brian laughed. “I think I like you better when you’re drunk.” “I like me better too,” Justin told him. Brian laughed. “I like you too,” Justin said. Brian gripped Justin’s hips. “I want you so much.” Justin nodded and put his head on Brian’s shoulder. He yawned and wiggled until he was comfortable. Brian wasn’t comfortable at all. He had a hard on and he was ready to have Justin. “I like it here,” Justin muttered. The blond fell asleep before Brian had time to ask him if he meant the archipelago, the boat or being on top of him. Brian caressed Justin’s back and after a while he got up with the blond. He could hear Justin’s mumbling something but he didn’t give it any importance. He took Justin to his room and put him on the bed. Brian stripped the blond down. He watched Justin’s beautiful body wanting nothing else but to devour him. He caressed Justin’s chest and licked his lips when Justin’s nipples hardened. His cock was so hard it felt as if it would break and fall. He grunted and kissed Justin’s lips briefly. Then he left the blond alone in his room even when that was the last thing he wanted to do. *** Justin was tired as hell. He had helped Daphne with her chores all day. His friend was sleeping by now. Emmett was in the room that he and Justin were sharing. Daphne had been changed to another room, the one next to James. “Hey,” Ethan said. “What are you doing out here?” Justin looked at Ethan and shrugged. “You should be sleeping. You have to rest and look oh so beautiful,” Ethan told him. “What the hell for?” Justin asked. “You? I don’t think so.” “No,” Ethan told him. “For when we reach our destination.” “That’s just great. Thanks for reminding me,” Justin drawled. “You know, I could help you out,” Ethan offered. Justin frowned not believing Ethan. “How so?” “I hear the awful things that these guys do to their newly acquired items,” Ethan said moving closer to Justin. “I hope you’re not a virgin it’s going to be hell.” Justin swallowed not wanting to imagine it. He looked at the black sea thanks to the dark night and decided that jumping and being shred to pieces by the yacht’s motors didn’t sound so bad. “I could help you out,” Ethan whispered as he put his hand on Justin’s back. Justin pulled back and glared at the man. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” “Be quiet,” Ethan instructed him. “You don’t want to wake everyone up.” “I will if you come anywhere near me again,” Justin spat out. “You’re nothing but a rich little snob,” Ethan said. “They won’t care who you are once you’re sold. You will be their possession, a mere slave but I could help you out if you let me.” “I would jump before I let you touch me,” Justin informed him. Ethan smirked and grabbed Justin by the wrists. He pushed Justin down to the floor and with the weight of his body pinned him down. He didn’t lose anytime in kissing Justin. “No!” Justin yelled and managed to get an arm free. He started hitting Ethan with it. Suddenly Ethan was pulled back. Justin sat up and watched as Brian kicked Ethan in the stomach. “What the fuck have I told you?” Brian asked mad. “This is my fucking ship!” Ethan crawled slowly away from his brother. “Take him down,” Brian hissed. Michael smirked and said, “No problem. What are you going to do with him?” Michael directed a glance at Justin. Brian looked at Justin. “Don’t worry about it. Just go.” “I can’t believe you’re treating me like this, Bri,” Ethan hissed. “He’s no one.” “He’s money,” Brian said. “Now shut up and go.” “You’re an asshole,” Ethan said as he managed to get up. “He’s your brother,” Michael said hitting Ethan on the back of the head. “Half brother,” Ethan spat out. “His mother is a bitch.” “Yes,” Brian said pissed as hell. “Yours was the whore.” “Fuck you!” Ethan yelled. “Just go!” Brian yelled back. Michael made Ethan walk and they disappeared from view. Brian walked over to Justin. “Are you okay?” Brian asked offering his hand to help the blond up. Justin pushed it away and stood up on his own. Brian smirked at how tough Justin tried to be. He had to give the kid some credit. He looked at the blond and something in his heart shifted. His heart beat fast as he thought of having Justin in his arms and kissing him nonstop, taking him and making him his, never to belong to any other man. “I’m going to my room,” Justin said. “No,” Brian told him. “You’ll stay in my chambers.” “What? Why?” Justin asked. “You’ll be safe there,” Brian told him. “Come on.” Justin didn’t know why but he followed the brunet without a fight. *** Justin was sitting on Brian’s bed wondering what was going to happen next. As soon as they reached the suite Brian told him where everything was and then he disappeared. He wanted a chance to talk to Brian; maybe he could convince him of letting him call his father. A few hours later the door opened and Brian returned to his chambers drunk with the help of Michael. Michael helped Brian sit on the bed. “Do you need anything else?” Michael asked Brian but he was looking at Justin who was sitting in one of the chairs now. “No,” Brian said pushing him away. “Leave me alone.” Michael nodded and left. Brian laid back and sighed. He rolled to his side and looked at Justin. He seemed to suddenly remember that the blond was there. “Come here.” Justin got up. “What for?” “Come here,” Brian ordered. “What the hell for?” Justin demanded. “Take off my boots,” Brian said. “Come on. Earn your stay here.” “I don’t even want to be here,” Justin told him. “But you’re here and I’m giving you an order,” Brian muttered. “Take them off.” Justin made two fists and moved closer to Brian. He wasn’t going to spend the whole night arguing with Brian. He took off the brunet’s boots, throwing one to the side of the bed and the other one towards the door. “Good boy,” Brian drawled. “Your feet stink,” Justin told him. Brian sat up slowly and reached for his socks. He took one off and smelled it. “They do not,” he said and threw the sock at Justin. Justin rolled his eyes. He knew that he could leave Brian there go get Emmett and then go for Daphne but he wasn’t stupid. There had to be more people watching them. “Come here,” Brian told him. Justin snapped back into reality when he heard Brian’s voice. “What?” Justin asked. Brian sat up in the bed again. “Come here,” he said in a sweet tone. Justin frowned and took a step back. “No.” Brian got up slowly and went after Justin. “I have given you an order.” Justin backed away into the wall. “What do you want?” Brian smirked and caressed Justin’s face. He bent down and kissed the blond. His tongue pushed inside the warm tunnel and he kept going when he felt Justin moaning into the kiss. His hands started to roam Justin’s body but then he was stopped and pushed back. Justin slapped Brian’s face with all his might. Brian made a fist to hit him but stopped himself. He glared at Justin before he moved back. “I must be really drunk,” Brian blurted out. Justin glared at him. “What?” “You’re not my type,” Brian told him. Justin glared at him. “Well, fuck you!” he yelled before he ran to the bathroom. He locked the door and stepped away from it. He sat down and pulled his legs up to his chest, wrapping an arm around his knees. Then he buried his head on one knee and started crying. He wanted to be mad that Brian had tried to kiss him but he had actually enjoyed it. He was mad because of Brian’s dismissal and that infuriated him to no end.