Justin kept his gaze affixed to the floor, his eyes unwavering as he walked back to his cell. He was far from oblivious to the catcalls that resounded around him as he made his way through. This was his life now. Some he knew would be issued as crude intimidation, others he realized should be taken as statements of intent. He was now the newest flavor of the moment. That would be an enticement to many. Justin vowed to himself that he wouldn't succumb to that sort of pressure... unless it became his desire to do so. Right now, that was the last thing on his mind. Justin realized that wasn't exactly true. As he thought back to his meeting with the warden, Justin knew there was one man that could capture his rapt attention. However, that man petrified him. The warden was a road he didn't intend to travel.

Brandon motioned Justin forward with a broad sweep of his hand. "Home sweet home, once again."

"Thank you, ever so much." Justin knew that being flippant with his guard probably wasn't to his advantage... yet right now, he didn't care. He knew he needed to lay the timid boy permanently to rest. If he did not... his chances for survival in this place would be non-existent. Justin could sense the guard glaring at him, innately realizing he had been a bit too disrespectful. "Sorry," he mumbled under his breath.

A snort followed. "Don't worry about it, kid. The warden can have that effect."

Justin shivered as he thought of the menacing, yet gorgeous warden. So lost in his thoughts he didn't even hear the guard departing, or his new cellmate look up at him with an inquiring, yet mocking gaze.

"So newbie, how'd it go with the warden?" Michael asked, intuitively knowing this new inmate was going to bring a passel of problems.

Rolling his eyes as he moved further into the cell, Justin began stashing his few approved belongings into the designated area, before shrugging indifferently. "I guess as good as can be expected."

"Stick to your own business and mind his rules, the warden won't bother you."

Justin eyed him dubiously. "You say that like you don't find him unnerving..."

"I don't." Michael sat up on his bunk, watching the young blond moving around. "I understand him, that's all."

Moving closer, Justin tilted his head to the side as he looked at him closer. "Understand him? Sounds like you know him." His eyes narrowed on him, unable to imagine the two of them as intimate... at the same time confused by the almost familiar way his cellmate spoke of the intimidating warden. "Have you and he... well, you know..."

Michael looked at him in confusion, before he became afflicted with uncontrollable laughter. "Me and Brian? Are you out of your mind? We were acquaintances on the outside before I fucked up... but nothing else. He runs in different circles."

Justin pulled up a chair, looking at Michael attentively. "How did you know him?"

"We lived in the same neighborhood... attended the same schools. But again, we didn't travel in the same circles. He made the most of his life after starting out a victim of bad circumstances. I didn't do as well." Michael looked at the blond shrewdly. "Why are you so interested in the warden? You aren't thinking of..."

"No! Of course not. I've got enough problems here without that." Justin flushed brightly before turning away from Michael's hard stare. "I was just curious. He's so overwhelming... intimidating even. I'm just trying to understand who I'm dealing with here."

Michael laughed shortly. "Wrong idea, kid. Your first thought should be in how to keep yourself clean... and away from his notice."

"But you just implied he isn't as bad as he seems. Is he or isn't he?" Justin demanded.

"You're getting it all wrong. I said I understand him... not that he isn't every bit as hard as he appears. Hell, look at the types of men he deals with on a daily basis - he has to be a dick just to survive it, not to mention control these animals." Michael shook his head, thinking this kid was already off to a bad enough start. Being pulled into the warden's office on his first day was not a promising beginning. "My advice to you is to do whatever you need to do to be invisible. Don't fall under his radar again."

Justin swallowed as he stared straight ahead. "I think it might be too late for that."

"Too late?" Michael echoed.

Nodding, Justin told him, "He told me to come to his office tomorrow morning after breakfast. He wants to discuss my job placement."

"Well, I guess that's normal. Did he give any indication of what it would be?" Michael asked curiously, not telling the blond newbie what he thought. The warden was already displaying a personal interest. He never did that with the prisoners. The boy was in more trouble than he could begin to imagine. He only hoped to stay out of the line of fire.

Justin shook his head. "Uhhh, no. I got the impression it would be somewhere he could keep an eye on me. I suppose that's understandable since he thinks my presence is going to be so chaotic."

Michael rolled his eyes, not telling Justin what he knew - the boy was fucked, and undoubtedly would be in every way imaginable by the lust-driven warden - if that was what Brian wanted. One thing was for certain. He didn't want to be the man that stood in between the warden and what he seemed to desire. Michael almost pitied the young blond that now disrupted his formerly quiet existence. There wasn't a doubt the boy's life would change. He just hoped to stay out of the path of those changes. Compassion or not, the only thing that mattered was his parole in less than six months. He would be free to live his life again... make better choices this time. A slight smile crossed his lips as he thought of going home. Ma. She needed him. His eyes softened even more as he thought of Ben. They had met shortly before his incarceration. A spark had definitely been ignited. One that he hoped Ben would explore once they could both walk outside of these walls. Within the prison, Ben was the model of professionalism. Never had he been able to tempt him here. He hoped to have that chance once he was free again.

Shrugging his indifference, Michael decided to keep his opinions to himself. There was no way he wanted to be the one to place stumbling blocks in Brian's path. As much as he knew how Brian generally didn't play those kinds of games with the prisoners, something told him that this young blond broke those rules. When the fireworks began, and he knew they would - he intended to be far removed from the crossfire. "If Brian thinks that, then I'd say it's true. He's very good at keeping the prison running smoothly. Anyone who upsets that has him to deal with. Trust me when I say - you don't want that."

A visible shudder assailed Justin. "It's not my intention to fall under his close scrutiny. I just want to get through this with my ass intact."

Both heads turned when a soft whistle sounded behind them. "And such a fine one it is."

Michael rolled his eyes, knowing this intruder to be harmless. He returned to his bunk, mumbling to himself, "Never get any peace from here on out."

"Aww, don't be that way, Michael. Introduce me to this vision..." the curly-haired man earnestly entreated.

"I doubt he'll do that." Justin stepped forward, eyeing the newcomer warily. "I'm Justin... and you are?"

A dreamy sigh followed. "Ethan. I think my muse has returned."

Justin looked toward a snickering Michael. "Muse?" he repeated, uncertain if it was to his cellmate or their uninvited guest.

Michael elected to answer, quickly deciphering Ethan's rapt expression, realizing no intelligent response seemed to be forthcoming. "Ethan writes music. He often goes on about needing his special muse to motivate him." A mocking laugh ensued. "It appears he's found it."

"Uhhh, fuck no. I'm not looking to be anyone's muse." He smiled graciously at Ethan. "Listen, I get that you're trying to get acquainted... but this is just my first day here. I'm not really looking to form attachments - of any kind."

Ethan emitted a dramatic sigh. "I would love to change your mind on that... perhaps in a day or two I'll try again." His eyes became darker for a brief moment. "A man needs a friend in here, Justin... most especially, one who looks like you."

"Is that some sort of a threat, Ethan?" Justin asked, his eyes widening as his gaze unerringly took in the menacing figure standing behind him.

"Yes. Please do answer, Ethan. Are you threatening our newest little member of the community?" Brian asked, his feet spread slightly apart, hands on his hips as he glowered from outside the cell.

Justin stepped closer, ignoring Michael's gasp of dismay from behind him. "No, Warden. I'm sure I just misunderstood. We were just getting acquainted."

Brian's eyes iced over as he looked at Justin. Without turning his gaze from the blond that was tempting one by one of his most orderly prisoners, he clipped out savagely, "I'd suggest you return to the library, Gold. And you, Taylor... it looks like you get what no man in here wants - a return trip to my office on the same day." Brian watched humorously as Ethan scurried away, his eyes returning back to the boy that filled him with irrational anger. "Come with me..."

"Uhhh, Sir. Surely there's no need for that. I get that I am too outspoken. I'll do better in the future. I promise." Justin knew he had made a mistake in his offering, when he heard Michael groaning from behind him. Upon looking into the cold and predatory lights shining in the warden's eyes, Justin realized he might not leave that office quite as unscathed this time.

Moving closer, Brian quickly invaded Justin's personal space, before he spat out, "I think I already told you about questioning anything I have to say. Now, I'd advise you to shut your fucking mouth and come with me now!" Brian's nostrils flared as anger assailed him. "Any further questions?"

Justin felt the tremble returning to his legs. His bottom lip slightly quivered when he answered, "No, Sir. None at all."

"That's better," Brian's voice turned into a low growl. "Think a bit more about what comes out of that little blond head, and you just might survive."

The entire walk to the warden's office there had been nothing but silence. Justin pessimistically decided this could become a well-worn path for him. He was already off to a good start in achieving that. When he was instructed to be seated, he didn't even protest this time. If nothing else, he now had a greater understanding of how the warden didn't like to be questioned, nor did he like his wishes to be repeated. He would try to remember not to violate either of those again.

Brian perched on the edge of his desk, intent on this being a short meeting. He didn't think his self-control could handle another prolonged visit with this particular prisoner. He braced his hands on the desk, his eyes blank as he stared down at the beautiful, yet so dangerous blond. "So, here we are again..."

Justin looked up, his eyes caught and hopelessly held by the hazel ones that completely penetrated his own. His throat became thick as he looked into the unrelenting eyes, the knowledge that he'd fucked up again even more prevalent. "S-Sir... I'm really sorry."

Brian's gaze never wavered. "Sorry. Hmmm, that's quite interesting. In fact, it seems we've been here before." His gaze became even darker, before he asked almost gravelly, "Please enlighten me, Mr. Taylor. Exactly what are you sorry about?"

"I- I ummm, well about what happened in my cell. I didn't invite him in. I was talking to Michael and he was just there..." Justin babbled on.

"Enough!" Brian snapped. "Once again - you are wrong on two counts! One, I realize you didn't instigate the encounter with Ethan Gold. Such is going to be the norm for you until everyone gets a good look at you. And once they do, I'm afraid that opens up an entirely new set of problems for you." Brian's voice dropped to a guttural rasp, "It's to be expected... looking the way that you do. Your error was in your blatant disrespect of authority!"

"I'm sorry, Sir... I didn't mean to do that. And regarding involvements with the other prisoners - I am not looking for that here, Warden. I'm just trying to survive this. I told you that before. I just want to mind my own business and do my time. That's all..."

Brian shook his head, amazed at the naivety of the boy. "I'm afraid it's not quite that simple, Justin. You stand out. Therein lies my problem. Soon they will hoard around you. Each of them seeking to claim you first. Ever heard of caveman tactics? That is child's play in comparison. I'm warning you now, Justin. I won't allow those sorts of fights to break out - not in my prison."

"I don't want that, Sir. What can I do to prevent it?" Justin asked, knowing that was the last thing he wanted.

"You need to be isolated from the threat." Brian looked at Justin intently, a cunning light sparkling in his eyes. "There are two ways to achieve that. One, you can find yourself a protector. A man that they wouldn't dare to provoke... and the other, you need a daytime schedule that keeps you out of the vulnerability of your cell."

Justin shuddered. "I'm not looking to be some burly man's bitch. I guess that leaves my job placement..."

"Indeed it does," Brian's expression was smug. The look of a man who knew precisely how to get what he wanted, along with the self-satisfaction in knowing he had achieved it. "As I told you earlier, Taylor. I have the perfect job assignment for you."

"What is it, Sir?" Justin asked, uncertain of how he would feel about the answer.

Brian pushed away from his desk, moving to step behind it. Almost leisurely he took his seat, his eyes hot upon the blond that would soon be even more accessible. "Did you see the prisoner that was stationed at the desk just outside my door?" Brian waited for Justin's affirmative nod before he continued, "That will be your desk from now on. You will answer the phone, and greet anyone that comes into the office to meet with me. At the end of the day, you will have a short period of time in your cell before lockdown."

Justin swallowed deeply, uncertain if close proximity with the warden was truly in his best interest, yet knowing this was the warden's decision. "What exactly would my duties entail?"

Brian's eyes slid hotly over the blond, knowing exactly how he wanted... along with intended for the boy's duties to progress. One step at a time. In time he would have Justin begging for his protection. Once that was achieved, he would have everything. Not only would he have Justin under his protection, but he would also have his prison back under a more orderly control. But most of all, he would have the hot little blond submissive to his every desire. His eyes burned in lust as he watched Justin accepting the trap that had now closed tightly around him. "We'll discuss that in the morning. After your breakfast, you will report directly to me. Now, return to your cell... and try to stay out of trouble for the rest of the day."

Eyes widening, Justin scurried to obey the warden's commands, knowing he had no real choice at all. What bothered him most of all wasn't the fact that he was so completely under this man's power. His fear stemmed more from the fact that he didn't find the warden's desire for him abhorrent. In fact, if he were to be completely honest with himself - he found the warden fascinating. Justin shook his head, his confusion continuing to mount. Regardless of the fact of how intrigued he had become with the warden, the simple fact of the matter was more than daunting - Warden Kinney held his life, if not his very fate in his hands. He would do well to always remember that.

TBC