Dirty Work

"So, any word from Rian about what they're doing with Matt?" Jack asked, picking at his lasagna and chewing on it. Oliver shook his head from his spot across the table. "No sir, I haven't contacted him at all today. He called and checked in last night and that's about it. He's saying that the cops are interrogating him as well and he's just as hard to crack as he was with you, sir." Jack nodded. "I hope they lock him away, make him suffer. He deserves it." I placed a hand on Jacks thigh under the table and squeezed reassuringly. "He'll get what he deserves. Him and Zach both will." Jack looked over at me, smiling and I felt his hand overlap mine. "Yeah. I'm sure they will." Jack leaned over, lips barely brushing mine before kissing me. Our kiss was cut short though, when Oliver's phone began ringing. Jack looked at the Briton sat across from us as he pulled the device from his pocket, answering it on the third ring. "Hello? Yeah, hi Rian.... Of course.... He's right here in front of me.... Do you... No, okay.... What do you want me to tell him?" He pulled out the same notebook he'd used to write down our orders, scribbling words down as he talked to Rian.  "And Alex?.... Okay I think I have it, thanks." He hung the phone up, scribbling down another sentence before looking up at Jack and I. "What did Rian want?" Jack asked. "He said that he and the lead detective are going to be coming by within the hour and the detective is going to tell you certain details about the case." Jack nodded and I gulped. Fuck, what was there to tell Jack that we didn't already know? Have they found something else out? Has something else happened? I couldn't stop the anxious wave and nausea that washed over me at the thought of the lead detective having some unheard news of the case that Jack hadn't already learned; my hand shaking against Jacks own and his thigh, making him look at me with a worried expression on his face. "Baby, you okay?" He asked. I shook my head, lying through my teeth as I told him. "Yeah, baby, just feel a little sick." "Do you want some Ginger ale?" Jack asked, stroking his thumb across the backs of my knuckles. I nodded, pouting a bit. "Please?" "'Course baby." Jack lifted my hand, kissing each finger and making me blush as he stood up from his chair at the table and walked to the fridge, opening it and grabbing the 2-liter bottle and another glass from the cabinet; he opened the bottle and poured it into the glass, filling it half up. He screwed the cap back on the bottle, leaving it on the counter for later before walking back to me and handing me the glass. I took a sip, noticing how Oliver's and Jacks eyes never left my every movement.  I placed the cup on the table, leaning over and kissing Jacks cheek. "Thank you." He smiled and turned his head so I could kiss his lips, which I gladly did. We all went back to our dinner, eating in silence; the only sound being that of a fork scraping against a plate. A good ten minutes passed like that, Jacks hand had found it's way back to mine, interlacing our fingers under the table.  The sound of the frog door opening broke through and made me jump, causing Jack to chuckle, squeezing my hand. "Hello?" I heard Rian call out, footsteps echoing throughout the house. "In here, Ri!" Jack called and seconds later the man entered the kitchen with someone else following. "Jack this is Detective Black, he's the lead investigator with everything." Rian introduced the man-Mr. Black-behind him, the detective nodding his head in Jacks direction; Jack returning the nod. I let my eyes wander over Mr. Black's body, taking in the intensely slim form, clad in all black; black pants, black button up shirt, black shoes, black hair. The only color was his strikingly blue eyes, standing out on his body like lightning in the middle of the night, lighting up the sky. "Rian, if you will, take Mr. Black up to my office until I clear the dishes and then we can talk." Jack instructed. "Of course." Rian turned to the tall man beside him, inclining a hand in the general direction of the stairs. Mr. Black followed Rian out of the room, as quietly as he'd entered and Jack stood up once they were out of the room. I stood up as well, grabbing my plate and cup, scraping the remaining food into the trash before placing the plate and cup in the sink. Jacks plate came next, along with Oliver's and I turned the water on, grabbing the sponge that was off to the side of the sink and began to quickly wash the dishes as Jack and Oliver cleared the table of any and all trash, making enough room for the five(? Depending on whether or not Jack wanted me in the room) of us to sit at the table.  Once the table was cleared and the dished were done and dried off with a towel, placing them back where they belonged in cabinets and drawers, Jack turned to Oliver, nodding towards the stairs. Oliver disappeared from the kitchen, his footsteps echoing on the stairs a moment later. "Jay?" I called, biting my lip anxiously. "Yeah, baby?" "Are you... Do you want me in the room?"  He cocked his head to the side. "Do you not wanna be in the room? You can go upstairs and watch a movie or something. I can have Oliver or Rian keep you company if you like? They won't mind." "N-No. I just didn't know if this was any of my business, considering it's your company." And ex boyfriend we're dealing with. "Baby, you're with me now and if you wanna know what the hell is going on then you, above all people, have a right to know. If you wanna stay, then you can stay, okay baby?" He said, walking over to me and placing his hands on my upper arms, kissing me before placing his forehead against mine. I nodded, smiling when he kissed me again. "Okay. I'll stay." "Good. Now, go sit down."  I stuck my tongue out at him, giggling as I did as he asked, him smacking my ass as I walked away from him. "You're mean." I pouted. "But you love me." I rolled my eyes at him as Rian, Oliver and Mr. Black all entered the kitchen once again. "Please, have a seat." Jack said to the blue eyed man, who inclined his head in return, taking a seat directly across from me. Jack walked back over to the table and took his original place beside me, our hands linking together once again. Rian and Oliver continued to stand, leaning against the marble countertops that adorned Jacks kitchen, arms crossed over their chests in a eerily twin fashion as I was momentarily reminded of Men In Black and how the 'detectives' in there seemed to kind of always mirror one another too. Or... Was it the Matrix?  "So, Mr. Black, what exactly brings you here?" Jack asked, breaking me out of my reverie. The detective cleared his throat before speaking. "There's been a new revelation in your case, Mr. Barakat." His voice was silky smooth and deep, completely throwing me off guard because honestly, I've never heard anyone with that low of a speaking voice. Jack raised an eyebrow. "And what might that be?" The detective leaned forward on the table, lacing his fingers together on top of the wood. "Matthew has revealed to us a, um, disturbing piece of evidence that I figured it'd be best to share with you so that you can be forewarned."  "What would this evidence be?" Jack asked. Mr. Black pulled out a tape recorder from his pocket, placing it on the table in front of us. "Is it okay if I play it aloud? It's not very pleasant." Jack looked at me warily. "Are you okay with this, Lex? Like I said, you don't have to be in here for this." I nodded, biting my lip. "Y-Yeah. I'm fine, you can play it." Jack nodded, squeezing my hand before nodding at the detective and watching intently as he pressed a little button on the recorder, allowing the tape to play. "Why is he planning this, Mr. Flyzik?" Mr. Black's voice asked in the tape. There was a chuckle, presumably from Matt, before he answered. "I already told the other pig that he did it and is planning more because he hates that mans guts." "Hating someone does not constitute for murder, Matthew." Another chuckle made it's way from the recorder, filling the empty space of the kitchen with it's dark sound. "Maybe not for you it doesn't, but for Zach it does. For me, it does as well. If you hated someone and would give anything in the world to see them suffer, maybe kill them, wouldn't you take the chance?" I felt Jack tense beside me at Matt's dark words.  The tape continued, playing Mr. Black's response. "No. Of course I wouldn't. It's my job to protect people, only harming them when needed." "Of course you wouldn't agree because it's your job. But, what if it wasn't your job? What if you weren't paid to protect people and abide by the law? What if you were fucked over by the one person that supposedly loved you more than anything? Would your opinion change, or be the same?" Matt's voice sounded undeniably calm and collected in the recording; like he wasn't even being interrogated by a cop, but instead just talking to an old friend. "Matthew, this isn't about me. It's about Zach and his ulterior motives for wanting to harm Mr. Barakat." Matt scoffed. "What part of revenge do you morons not understand?" There was a loud banging noise and it took me a moment to realize that Mr. Black had slammed his hands on the table in the recording. "Mr. Flyzik, you do realize that it is highly against the law to rag an official of the law? Your sentence can be extended longer for that." "Like I give a fuck. You think your words scare me or intimidate me but they don't. I'm not easily frightened, detective. In case your pig-brain couldn't process that already." I could practically hear the smirk in Matt's voice as he spoke his words, knowing the kind of effect they were having on the detective; just like they were now. Everyone in the room was completely silent and still as the tape continued playing.  "What other reasons does Zach have? What are his plans for Barakat? You're his lackey, so he should've told you everything, right?" "That's where you're wrong, that's where you and the faggot got it completely and utterly wrong. Despite popular belief, Zachary didn't tell me his every detail, his every plan, mostly because of situations like these; in case I ever got arrested. He left certain things in the dark, completely unknown to anyone but himself, only telling me things that were need-to-know right then and there. You see, detective," there was a certain venom in Matt's voice that made me cringe,"Zach is smart, very smart. He may seem unintelligent to you, but in reality; he's already three steps ahead of you. It's like a game of chess you see, planning out your move and waiting for your opponent to make his. Only in this game, he already knows what's going to be your next move. He's planned ahead just like any good chess champion would, preparing for anything. In this game of chess; you, Jack, that whore of his Alex, Jacks security team, your team, even me. We're all just pawns in his game, controlling our every move like a natural champion. We're pawns, we're expendable. But he, Zach, is the most important piece in this game. The one you protect. The king." The tape ended, the room being replaced with a cold eerie silence from the words that Matt had spoken. Mr. Black broke the silence, clearing his throat before picking up the recorder and placing it back into his shirt pocket. "Is it okay if I smoke in here, Mr. Barakat?" The detective asked. Jack nodded. "Yeah, Rian grab the ashtray from the cabinet, please." Detective Black pulled out a red carton of cigarettes, followed by a lighter that practically matched his eyes. He opened the pack, pulling one out and placing it between his lips. Before he could close it, I leaned across and grabbed one. "Since when do you smoke?" Jack cocked an eyebrow at me. I shrugged. "I haven't smoke since I was like twenty. I only do it now on rare occasion or if I'm stressed." "I've been seeing you for almost two months now and I've never seen you smoke before. Not even that night of the break in. Why now?" I shrugged, taking the lighter from the detectives hand and lighting the end of the cigarette and pressing it to my lips a second later, inhaling and exhaling a cloud of smoke. I gave the lighter back to Black (why not just call him that jfc) before answering Jack. "The night of the break in was very stressful, yes, but I was too busy crying my eyes out to smoke. Right now though, all I have is either this or whiskey. And I'm pretty sure you'd prefer me to smoke than drink." I rolled my eyes, taking another drag from the cigarette. "Anyway," Jack shook his head, turning back to Black and getting back to business. "What do you presume we do? That recording wasn't exactly reassuring to me that I and my staff and lover are safe here in my home." "Mr. Barakat, me and the captain of the Baltimore police have already discussed this and there will be a twenty-four hour patrol perimeter set up around your house and neighborhood. Right now, your case is of top priority and I can promise you that you and everyone who comes over, who is invited, will be safe." Jack sighed, looking down at our linked hands. "I'm going to hold you to that promise, detective. Because if anything happens, it'll be your ass I have blamed."  He kissed my hand, raising his eyes to the detective across from him afterwards.  "Of course, Mr. Barakat. I wouldn't have it any other way. " He flicked the end of his cigarette into the ashtray. Jack nodded. "I can spare my life, and I'm sorry to say that I can spare my teams lives as well but I can't spare Alex's. If push came to shove and you could only save one of us, save him. I'm sure Rian and Oliver would agree." "Of course, sir. We're here to protect you, and that also means protecting Alex." Rian said, Oliver nodding in agreement. "Jack... No." I whispered, pressing the cigarette into the ashtray so that the flame went out, cupping my now free hand under his jaw so he would look at me. "No. I won't let you, any of you, sacrifice yourself for me. It's not right." "Alex, they're paid to protect me, and now you. That means they'll give their lives to see you safe and sound. As would I." Jack whispered, turning his head so he could kiss my palm. "W-Why?"  "Because, you mean more to me than anything in the world; my company, my team, my house, even my life. I love you." "Jack..." "Alex, there's no point in arguing. We're here for both of y'alls safety. Me and Oliver will give our lives to save you and Jack. Jack will give his life to save yours. But, with the polices help, that may not have to happen." Rian said. I sighed, closing my eyes. "Fine. If y'all are willing to risk your lives for me, let me make one condition. If my life is as risk, and there is absolutely nothing you all or the police can do, let me make the decision on what to do with MY life. If I have to, I will let myself be killed to save you guys." "Alex, no." Jacks jaw was clenched. "And why the hell not, Jack? You're doing the same for me, why can't I do it for you?" "Because I'd rather die than be without you!" Jack slammed his free hand down on the table, making us all jump. "How do you think I feel? Huh Jack? You're the most important thing in my life and if I lost you, I don't know, I'd probably kill myself to be with you again. Give me this one thing, Jay. One thing. That's all I'm asking for." I seethed the words out between clenched teeth, fingers tightening around his. Jack was silent, his body shaking so bad I thought he was having an earthquake inside his chest. "Please." I whispered. Jack closed his eyes, breathing deeply before opening them and looking at me. "Fine. But ONLY if there's absolutely nothing we can do, okay?" "Okay. That's all I want." The room went silent after that, the detective taking in everything he'd just heard before speaking. "Are there any other requests you have before I leave, sir?" Detective Black asked, pressing the flame out into the ashtray. "Yes, one more actually." Jack said, surprising me. "And what would that be?" "Set up another perimeter around Alex's old work space. It's the club down there on Thames street. They're his second family and I know he'd do anything to see them safe as well." Jack said, squeezing my hand. "Of course, sir. Will that be all?" Detective Black asked. "Yes. Rian, Oliver, escort the good detective out, please." Jack said, head turned down. "Of course. Anything else you'd like?" Rian asked, walking over to Jack, Oliver following closely behind. "Yes, actually there is. I need you and Oliver to drive over to the club and let Vic and his... Staff know of what will be taking place within the next few days." Rian nodded. "Of course." The detective stood then, giving Jack a small nod and a 'goodbye' before following Rian and Oliver out of the kitchen. The front door opened and closed, leaving me and Jack in complete silence once again. His thumb was stroking the back of my hand, his other hand on my thigh, rubbing up and down in time with his thumb. The only thoughts that was evident in my head, repeating over and over in my head as silence consumed us was: what if something happens to Jack? Something that I can't stop. What will I do? What CAN I do if he does get hurt?

Notes

In case ya can't tell detective Black is actually Andy Biersack from BVB bc I love him and BVB is perfection..! I may also be posting another chapter later on today bc no social life? Leave comments bc I like that and you guys are s l a c k i n g .-. It upsets me when I only get like 2 comments?