Justin watched as Gus cuddled familiarly on the lap of the woman he'd just been introduced to as Debbie. Her son, Michael, was with her as well; at intervals, he would notice him exchanging a concerned look with Brian's bodyguard. Something was definitely happening... and his instincts told him it had to do with his father. As Brian and Ben headed to the door, Justin ran after them. He had to know what was going down. "Brian... wait..."

"I have to go, Justin. This meeting is important." Brian's voice was both tense and curt. He softened it only slightly to say, "We'll talk about it when I get back."

"You're going to confront my father... aren't you?" Justin demanded; his suspicions immediately confirmed when Ben quickly looked away.

Brian sighed. It was obvious he was going nowhere until he gave Justin a semblance of an answer. "Ben, meet me downstairs. I'll be there shortly."

Nodding, Ben instantly escaped the room. The last thing he wanted was to be the one to tell Justin exactly how much danger Brian could be walking into... and that danger stemmed from meeting his father. He didn't know everything about Justin's relationship with his father; however, he could imagine the despair the young man must feel knowing the malice that was so clearly directed at him from one of his parents. Whether he approved of Brian's methods or not, one thing was for certain - many people would be safer and much better off with Craig Taylor firmly out of their lives. Ben only hoped it happened without Brian compromising the law, or even worse, being hurt himself. There wasn't a doubt that he would do everything in his power to prevent the latter from happening.

Brian waited until Ben closed the door, before he impatiently pulled Justin away from his son's view. "Listen, I don't have time for a debate, or anything else you have concocted in your little blond head. Time is short here... and I need to go. You will all be safe. I have placed a guard outside the door. He has been instructed not to let anyone inside, and I have notified the front desk to hold all incoming calls."

"That sounds fine... at least for Gus' sake. However, I want to come with you." Justin's back stiffened as he noticed the muscle ticking in Brian's jaw. It was a sure sign that Brian wasn't going to allow his request. "Think about it, Brian. My father isn't going to stop until he's seen me. Perhaps if we give him that, we can end this."

"You don't believe that, Justin. And it's gone beyond that. He placed his hands on my son. Consequences must follow. I want you here with my son. I don't want to have to worry about either of you when I'm dealing with him." Brian's nostrils flared as he spat out, "Your father crossed a line when he brought my son into this. There's no going back from that!"

Justin immediately paled. "Did he hurt him?"

"No. Ben was there to intervene. However, the intent was there. Gus was in hysterics when Ben pulled him away. I can't let that go, Justin, nor allow your father to continue on this path. Trust me when I say, I can make this stop." Brian's eyes were fierce with determination. He didn't care what he had to do to protect his son and Justin; he would follow through.

"I do trust you, Brian. I'm just scared." Justin's lower lip trembled. "I know what he's capable of, Brian. I- I don't want you to get hurt."

Brian smiled; his hand reached up to cup Justin's chin. "I can take care of myself, Justin. Your father isn't going to attack me, at least not physically. I will have Ben with me, and don't forget this - I am his only means of getting to you."

"Please just be careful. Promise me that?" Justin pleaded, uncaring of the feelings he could be revealing in his fervent look.

"I promise, Justin. I have too many good things to return to; I don't intend on fucking that up!" Leaning down, Brian smashed his lips against Justin's, briefly devouring the lips that had become an addiction to him. An arrangement or not, he couldn't imagine that he would ever entertain letting this man go. "I need to go now," Brian huskily murmured. "I will be spending the night in bed with you, Justin. I promise you, Justin - by tonight, the threat of your father will be far diminished." Brian affixed a stern look on his lover. "I need a promise from you as well..."

Justin groaned. He knew he wouldn't like this. "What is it?"

"Promise me that you will stay inside this hotel suite, and near my son until I return. I don't need to worry about either of you. I think you know what I'm asking; I want your word that you won't try to follow me." Brian's eyes were fierce when they stared into tormented blue orbs. This entire exercise would be for nothing if Justin arrived and got in the middle. Protecting him and Gus were his objectives far more than simple revenge. Having both would immensely please him; however, the protection of the two men in his life was all that truly mattered.

"I promise," Justin whispered grudgingly. As much as he wanted to protest, Justin knew that Brian had enough to worry about. Fearing for his safety during that encounter with his father was the last thing Brian needed. In the meantime, Justin knew he would be filled with worry until Brian safely returned. Not only for his own sake, but for the sweet little boy in the next room, Justin hoped and prayed for a safe return. Nothing was more important than that.

Brian exchanged a brief look with Ben as they advanced toward the strangely empty dock. "Doesn't it appear rather deserted for this time of day?"

Ben smirked. "Yeah, it does, but I might have made a call to ensure that."

"I'm impressed." Brian knew exactly who Ben would have called, and precisely why. Ben was protecting him even now, making sure that he stayed within the bounds of the law. More importantly, he was making certain that reputable eyewitness accounts would be able to swear to that, and not bribed to say otherwise by Craig Taylor. He kept walking toward the lone man he could see looking out at the water, hatred, and total rage burning a hole in his gut. "I assume Horvath is in the vicinity, then?"

"You assume correctly. Carl told me he would be at an undetected vantage point. Officially, he is off duty, but he will respond if necessary."

"Good." Brian sliced a quick look at his personal guard, holding up his hand to hold him off. "Stand down for now. I'm sure Taylor will be more cooperative with a more private meeting."

Ben nodded. He hadn't expected anything else. "I'll be close in case you need me."

Brian didn't waste any further time in nearing his target. He felt he had been waiting for this meeting for a lifetime. Having it over was what he wanted now. In doing so, he would have Justin safe. That factor far superseded his need for revenge. "Craig Taylor..." Brian sneered as he came up next to him.

Craig's eyes slid to Brian's form leaning negligently against the dock rail. It would be so easy to hoist him over the edge. However, that wouldn't give him what he needed most, and there wasn't a doubt that Kinney wouldn't have come here alone. "You are not quite the imposing figure that the financial pages purport you to be."

"You are either the biggest fool it's ever been my misfortune to meet... or you have a hidden agenda." Brian studied the repellent man closely. "Or, perhaps it's both."

"I guess it will be for you to determine, Kinney." Craig looked over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the area, surprisingly only finding the guard that had foiled his kidnapping plan. "I see you are confident. Only one man available to come to your rescue? I am amazed really. I have no doubt all the overly dramatic accounts Justin must have relegated to you."

"I don't intend on discussing Justin with you..." Brian hissed. "You are the lowest form of filth, and are not deserving of any son - most especially one such as Justin!"

Craig's eyes glittered malevolently. "Spoken like a true faggot lover!"

"You fool!" Brian snarled, his hands remaining at his sides as the rage swelled within him. He doubted he could restrain from killing him with his own bare hands - if not for reminding himself this man wasn't worth the risk of a prison sentence. "I don't intend on wasting my day with you. I'll tell you how it's going to be, Taylor. You can either agree to my terms... or be destroyed. Your choice entirely!"

"On the contrary, Kinney. I am calling the shots here - not you!" Craig's face reddened in unsuppressed fury as he spat out his words. "I have already proven that I can get to you any time I like. Next time, it won't be a kidnapping you have to worry about." Craig moved closer, determined to push this volatile man to his limits. "There won't be a body left when I get my hands on your son again! Your choice is very clear. Hand over my fucking son!"

Brian laughed. Craig Taylor was the definition of an imbecile. No man was fool enough to brazenly threaten the life of his son in a face-to-face meeting. He could end him now, but he wouldn't. Instantly, Brian realized Taylor's game. He wanted Brian to react violently against him. In fact, he probably knew the police were watching. Having him either incapacitated or delayed by the police would give Craig the time he needed to get to Justin. That was his plan. Recognizing how open he was with his protectiveness of Gus, and now Justin, it really wasn't a bad plan. It wasn't going to work, though. "You have made one mistake after another, Taylor. First, you engage Sapperstein in your vile plans - don't worry about him, though. I'll deal with him when I return to New York. Then you somehow coerce Melanie into your plans. Touching my son was your biggest mistake. Not to mention the crimes you've committed against your son."

"There isn't a damn thing you can do about any of it! I'm going to get Justin back, and after I have everything that's due me, I will hunt you like the depraved animal you are!" Craig began to jab his fingers into Brian's chest, his anger rising when he determined Brian wasn't about to fight back - no matter the provocation. "I should have known. Your reputation, it's all fraudulent. You are just as much of a spineless coward as my son. Seeing the both of you dead will be my greatest pleasure!"

Neither man noticed the light footsteps approaching; each of them lost in the complete contempt they held for each other, both of them trying to keep their wits about them in this treacherous war. "I don't think so, Craig!" the voice hissed sharply.

Turning to face the familiar voice, Craig gasped, "Jennifer! But you're dead. I made sure of it!"

"Not quite, dear husband. It seems the contract you placed on my life could be negotiated." She reached into her pocket, the gun quickly materializing in her hand.

Ben began sprinting from the distance, his shout echoing across the dock, "Brian, get down!"

"Jennifer... let's talk about this. There's no need for..."

"The time for talk is over, Craig. You will never hurt me or our son again!" Not taking another step or speaking another word, Jennifer began opening fire. The sound was deafening on the docks as Ben and Carl rushed forward. Simultaneously, Craig's body collapsed onto the wooden planks.

Brian knelt over Craig Taylor's body as it lay prone against the dock surface. Arching a brow he looked up at the trembling woman holding the proverbial smoking gun. "I assume you must be the long-absent Mother Taylor..."

TBC