Revenge

 

Joey’s POV

 

I behaved myself the rest of the day. I just laid in bed once again with sporadic twitches.  Seto stayed with me. He brought some of his paperwork into the bedroom.  Mokuba brought in his homework and he did it on the floor.  His little legs swung back and forth.

It took every inch of self-restraint not to pick up the chibi and squeeze him against me until he stopped breathing.

Seto winced when he reached for his glass of water by his bedside. “How does your chest feel, Seto?”

Seto had called his doctor, Dr. Zira, to come and stitch his chest.  Zira told us it would leave a deep scar.  I gave a sad sigh…that scar would always be a reminder of the kind of asshole I was.  No, it was a reminder of the kind of asshole my father had made me! 

I was an idol carved in his graven image.

“Hurts like a bitch, but the rest of me is okay.” Seto began to stroke my face gently and run his fingers though my hair. “How is my puppy feeling?”

My body gave a little tremor. Damn withdrawal.  “It’s okay.  I really want a drink, but I’m not going to give into it anymore.”

From the floor, we heard a little cheer. “Good for you, Joey!”

Seto looked down at the chibi. “Mokuba, come here. I have to do this. You asked for it.”

Mokuba stood up and Seto brought the chibi to his chest, kissing him on his forehead. 

Who knew the guy had an affectionate streak like this?

Mokuba wrapped his arms around Seto. “I love you, big brother!”

“I love you, too. Now do your homework, squirt.”

Mokuba nodded. “Yes, sir!  Seto, can we go out for dinner tonight?  Let’s celebrate Joey coming back to us!”

Seto turned to me. He took my hand and squeezed it. “What do you think?”

“Okay. We can go out.”

“I know of a little place we can go. It’s not highly publicized and Mokuba and I go there all the time.”

Mokuba cheered and returned to his homework and Seto put his reading glasses on to read the fine print of a contract.

Seto narrowed his eyes. “These people want us to give them twenty percent of our profit?! Bull-crap!    I have better use for that money than to give it away!”

Seto tore the newspaper up when Jacob entered the room.

“Mr. Kaiba, pardon the intrusion, but you must see this newspaper!”

“I already saw my newspaper today, Jacob. What could change in three hours?”

Jacob held up the front page of the newspaper.  It had a picture from KaibaCorp’s security camera.  Donny and Jacob were carrying me into the building with only Seto’s jacket on my back.  To my horror, I saw a big black box where they hid my private parts from view.

“What the hell is this all about?” Seto asked. “Jacob, assemble the security guards in Conference Room A!  We’re having a meeting in ten minutes!”   

Seto took all of his folders and put them on the bedside table.

“Someone is going to pay for this screw-up!”

Seto marched out the door.

Mokuba shook his head. “In Seto’s language, someone is going to get a visit from ‘Public Relations.’”

I shifted out of the bed and followed Seto. This I had to see!

***************************

Seto’s security guards sat on seats without cushions while Seto sat on a high leather chair. Much to my surprise, the chair had a vibrating option!

There was an idea for later use!

Gotta try that!  Note to self: Lock Conference Room door in future, turn on the vibration on the chair, and watch the magic happen!

Seto banged his fist on the large cedar table. He held up the front page of the newspaper. “Can any of you tell me what the hell is this shit?  Which one of you decided to get rich quick off of this?”

The men exchanged glances. Donny spoke first.

“Mr. Kaiba, I would not dare betray you, sir!”

Jacob shook his head. “I took a bullet for you, Seto. The only thing that matters to me is keeping your private life out of the public eye!”

Seto’s eyes scanned the room. “Which one of you did this? I want an answer right now! Kendall!  What about you?”

The middle-aged man shook his head. “Now, sir, why would I do such a thing?  I’ve devoted twenty years of my life to your service and your step-father’s service.”

I saw the hairs stand up on the back of Seto’s neck when Kendall mentioned Gozuboro Kaiba. 

“’Devotion?’ Don’t talk to me of devotion!  I’m serious!  Did you or did you not sell this picture to the tabloids?!”  Seto slammed his fist harder on the cedar table. It’s amazing the damn table didn’t break in half from his pounding!

“No, sir. I did not sell anything to the press.”

Seto raised an eyebrow. “Andrew?”

“No, sir!”

“Trevor?”

“No, sir! Wouldn’t dream of it, sir!”

“Joel?”

Joel was a new addition to Seto’s “Public Relations Department.”  I learned from talking to the guards that Joel was skilled with knives.  He had a knack for the blades he carried, and he used them well.

I never seen him in action, though.  I’ve seen him twirl the knives in his hand rapidly.  He had been helpful on several occasions apparently.

After interrogating the group, Seto ordered them all out and ordered Donny to investigate the incident. 

He held back Jacob, Donny, Andrew, and Joel after the meeting had ended.

“We’re going to Alabaster’s for dinner tonight.  You four are coming with us.  We leave in two hours.”  He dismissed everyone except Donny.  “When we are done there, we’re going to drop Joey and Mokuba off at KaibaCorp. Then, you, Jacob, and Andrew are coming down to Charlie’s place.  Charlie owes me $5,000 and he hasn’t paid up for his protection money.  He’s going to get a little surprise. Pack Betsy will you?”

Donny pulled out his pistol and kissed the barrel. “Betsy is always packed. I would never leave my girl high and dry.”

********************************

Normal POV

Andrew called up Charlie at his desk. Charlie picked up the phone.

“Charlie, Seto’s going to Alabaster’s tonight. He’s bringing his little brother and his new partner.”

//What time are they going to be there?// the heavy Irish accent of the man came through the phone.

“Four o’ Clock.  Seto also plans to come give you a visit after his little dinner date.”

The voice chuckled. //Oh really? Well, when he is done at the restaurant, he’ll be full of food and holes.  This bastard has taken enough of my money!  I’m not going to pay him shit anymore!  Nobody screws with me!//

“You’ll be outside waiting?”

//We’ll be outside. After we assassinate Kaiba, I can go to my sisters and visit her new baby, Hayden.  He sure is a pretty, cute little thing!  Green eyes just like her…red hair like his father.  Freckled little face…He’s so cute, I could just……eat him alive.//

“Good. I’ll get my money for selling you that story to the press?”

//Yeah, Andrew, don’t worry about it.  You’ll get your money when I see Seto Kaiba dead on the pavement!  When I see him dead, I will give you the money!//

“He’ll have Donny, Joel, me, and Jacob with him.”

The man laughed into the phone. //That shouldn’t be a problem.  If we take down Seto and then Donny, the other two will be able to kill.//

“What about Seto’s boyfriend and his little brother?”

The voice was quiet for a moment. //$500.00 each if shot dead.//

Andrew grinned. “Perfect.  See you later, Charles.”

Charlie leaned back in his chair. “I’ll get my revenge on you, Seto!  Nobody tries to bully Charlie McGinnis, Kaiba! I’m not afraid of you! You and your brother will fall!  Then I can do a hostile takeover of the company.  I can buy it out!  I’m rich enough!  And money will get me everything I want!”

****************************

Seto, Mokuba, and Joey went to Alabaster’s with their guards.  Joey looked at the wine menu, but set it back on the table.  Seto smiled and took Joey’s hand.

“I love you. You do know that, right?”

Joey blushed. “Yeah, I know you love me.”

Mokuba sighed happily in his chair. “It’s good to have our family a little bigger now. Who knows? Maybe it will get bigger again sometime!”

Seto looked at Joey.  “Well, Joey?  What do you think?  Maybe our family will get larger when we feel ready.”

Joey nodded. “Yeah.  It would be nice…someday.”

The guards stood around the table, watching. The restaurant was empty.  This place was not largely advertised, but it made great Italian food.

They finished their dinner and paid the waitress.  The guards stepped out first when a barrage of bullets rained down on them.

Donny grabbed Mokuba and threw the chibi into the limousine.

Joel grabbed Seto and threw him into the car.

Andrew grabbed his gun and turned, pointing his gun at Joey.

“JOEY!” Jacob cried out as he threw himself in front of Joey.

Seto wrapped his arms around Mokuba and gasped. “JOEY!”

Andrew pulled the trigger as Jacob wrapped his arms around Joey. Joey screamed as he saw a trail of red came from Jacob’s mouth. Joey headed towards the door to the limo, Jacob’s body jerking with every bullet Andrew shot into his body. 

Joel dived for Andrew knocking him back to the wall. Donny shot at a gunman on the roof of a building across the street. 

Joey darted for the opened door of the limo.

Jacob staggered as he turned. Andrew fired at Jacob’s head and Jacob fell down on the sidewalk dead, his body riddled with bullets. 

Joel turned to Donny. “GET SETO OUT OF HERE!”

Donny turned to the left, firing his gun. Two of the limousine’s windows were shattered by bullets. Seto told Mokuba to get on the floor of the limo. Seto covered Mokuba with his coat for protection against more glass.

Joel’s knife cut through Andrew’s throat.  The guard collapsed on the ground, his blood seeping through his neck.

Joel ran to the front of the car and started the engine.  Donny jumped into the back seat with his boss.

Joel drove away and cried out as a bullet hit him in the shoulder.

Mokuba started to cry in the back seat and shake. Seto pulled Mokuba into his lap.

Seto stroked Mokuba’s hair. “Shhhit’s okay, little brother.  Don’t cry.”

“Jacob is dead!”

Seto nodded. “I know, Mokuba. I know.”

Seto held his little brother until they returned to KaibaCorp.  Seto called his doctor, Dr. Zira, to come attend to Joel’s injury.

Seto held Mokuba’s hand and took him to his room. Seto cradled Mokuba on his lap.  Joey kept waiting for Joel’s cries of pain as Zira dislodged the bullet from his shoulder.  No cry came.

“Joel sure is taking the pain well,” Joey said.

Seto looked down sadly.  “My men are trained to take pain quietly.  Jacob is dead.  I can’t believe he’s dead.  How am I going to explain this to his wife and kids?  He had five kids!”

Joey gasped. “Wow.  His wife is going to take it hard.”

Donny came into the room with a cell phone.  “It’s Charlie McGinnis.”

Seto narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?”

//I heard two of your boys sustained a little injury. I hope it wasn’t lethal.//

“You are responsible for this!”

Charlie laughed. //That’s what you get for trying to bully the second most richest man in town, Seto Kaiba!  I suggest you think twice before you come after me again! One of your men are dead!  The rest will follow shortly!//

“When I find you---.”

//You will not find me, Kaiba!  You think you are the only one with security guards and a place to hide?  No, my friend.  I suggest you call the dead man’s wife and tell him his body is located on the corner of 44th and Arendell.//

Mokuba let out a sob as the phone went dead.

Seto gave the phone to Donny. “Go get Jacob’s body. Bring it back here. Take Kendall with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seto held Mokuba as he continued to cry. Donny returned an hour later with a box. 

“This is all we found, sir.”

Seto put Mokuba on the bed and left the room. Joey followed closely as they left. Seto opened the door.

A note was printed on the lid…”I’m keeping my eyes on you.”

Seto opened the box…..Jacob’s eyeballs, still bloody were placed in the box.

Seto threw the box against the wall. “God Damn It!  Donny, take your men and go to Charlie’s!  Take that son of a bitch down!  Nobody does that to one of my men!”

Kendall picked up the box. “This is all we found of Jacob, sir.”

Seto pointed to the elevator. “Get your ass to Charlie’s and don’t come back until you have his bloody, bullet riddled corpse in your possession! GET GOING! NOW!”

Kendall and Donny ran down the hallway. 

“Seto!” Mokuba called from his room. 

Seto and Joey entered. “What is it, squirt?”

Mokuba shivered under the covers. “Can someone stay with me tonight?”

Seto sat beside the raven-haired chibi. “What if I posted two guards outside?  Would that make you feel better?”

“Can you post Alex outside?”

Seto turned to Joey. “Joey, can you go back to the bedroom and call Alex to stay here with Mokuba?”

“Why him, Mokuba?”

Seto leaned closer to Joey. “Alex is very good with Mokuba. He has twins of his own Mokuba’s age. Alex went against our step-father’s wishes and one time took a beating for Mokuba.  Since then, Mokuba has always been close with Alex.  I have to stay here and tuck him into bed.  Go on, baby.”

Joey kissed Mokuba and Seto on the cheek and returned to the bedroom he and Seto now shared.

Joey reached for the phone and his hand trembled.  He dialed security and told Alex to stay with Mokuba.

Joey crawled into bed as the room began to spin again.  Joey curled up on the bed, his body breaking out into a cold sweat.  He tried to reach for his buttons, but his hands couldn’t hold onto anything.

Joey closed his eyes as he saw Jacob standing before him with no eyes in his head.

“Joey,” the apparition said, “You are the reason I am dead! You are the reason that my children have no father!”  His eye sockets bled, the liquid trailing down in a river.

The blond tried to shift out of bed, but he couldn’t even hold onto the covers. 

“Seto, please come here,” Joey whimpered as he shut his eyes.

His tremors began again.

“Dear gods, Seto, come here.”

Seto entered the room and raced to the bed. “Love, are you okay?  Joey? Speak to me.”

“Jacob….is…here.”

Seto sat beside Joey and stroked the blond hair.  “Jacob is dead, Joey. He’s not here.”

Joey opened his eyes and Jacob had disappeared.  “He was right here.”

Seto leaned down to kiss Joey and stripped for bed. “I got Mokuba calmed down.  He’s fast asleep.  That kid can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, even after an episode like that tonight.  He fells comfortable with Alex, so that helps.  What about you?”

“Withdrawal….I can’t unbutton my shirt.”

Seto grinned and turned Joey on his back.  “Let me take of it, puppy,” he said quietly.

Seto unbuttoned Joey’s shirt slowly.  When he had finished unbuttoning the shirt, Seto opened it slowly to reveal Joey’s chest. 

Seto ran his hands over Joey’s chest. “I love you, Joey.  You are so beautiful.”

The blond smiled. “When are you going to stop telling me I’m beautiful?”

Seto chuckled. “Never, my puppy.”

Seto leaned down and kissed his lover on the lips. Joey raised his trembling hands to touch Seto’s face.   A teardrop fell on Joey’s chest.  Seto was shedding tears at Joey’s fierce shaking. 

Seto slipped into bed and cradled Joey in his arms.  The oak frame shook with Joey’s convulsions. 

“At least….I…have….no….hall…hall…hallucinations this time.”

The CEO stroked Joey’s hair gently when the phone rang.

Seto reached over and grabbed the phone. “Yes?”

//We found Jacob and we’re coming back, sir.//

“Did you find him….intact?”

//Well….let me say it this way, sir.  You won’t want to eat before you see him. They mutilated his body. On the body was Charlie’s signature token…..a black necktie.//

Seto shook his head. “Okay. Bring him back to KaibaCorp and place his body in the infirmary.”

//Yes, sir.//

Seto hung the phone up and kissed Joey’s forehead. “I can’t believe Jacob is dead.  I’ll have to tell Jacob’s family in the morning about his death.”

“Did they find Jacob?”

Seto nodded. “Yes. Mutilated.”

Joey shuddered.  “Poor Jacob.”

The phone rang again. Seto reached over. “What is it, Donny?”

“Sir, I have a Bakura Itemri coming up to see you.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Well, we tried to, sir, but he pulled out his Man-Eater Bug card on us again and--.”

Within moments, Bakura burst through the door.  His hair was spiky and twitching.  His canines were sharpened and a deep, vicious growl came from his throat.

“Bakura, what is the meaning of coming here so late--?”

“Where the fuck is he, Seto Kaiba?”

“Who?”

Bakura approached the bed, snarling. “My Light!  Where the hell is he?”

Seto sat up, matching Bakura’s angry tone. “Why the hell do you care?”

Bakura grabbed Seto’s jacket. “I want him back! NOW!”

Joey looked up at Bakura. “Where is who?”

“RYOU!  GIVE ME BACK RYOU RIGHT NOW OR I WILL TURN THIS PLACE UPSIDE DOWN UNTIL I FIND HIM!”

Seto pushed Bakura away. “Where is Ryou?”

“He’s gone! I can’t find him anywhere!”

 

 

OO! Ryou is gone…where can he be???

*the necktie idea came from our chibi when I tried to think of Charlie’s “calling card.”  GO CHIBI YAMI!