Chapter 67:
On the Road
For being such a large man Xavier moved
amazingly fast, quickly weaving in and out of the crowd effortlessly. Brian
struggled to keep him in sight, infuriated that Xavier was making this into a
racing game, angry at himself as he obediently chased after him. He followed
Xavier out the south terminal doors, hearing the roar of a jet fly over them.
Brian looked up, seeing the Gulfstream scream
overhead and a wave of sorrow and relief flooded him. Brian sighed, thankful
that at least the guys were safe. Out of sight, out of mind, he thought.
Or so he hoped. He could never be sure with Xavier.
Xavier led him to their awaiting vehicle
and Brian jumped in, wondering why their luggage was strewn haphazardly across
the back seat and not placed in the car trunk. He frowned, remembering that
Xavier hadn't said a word about where they were headed. He buckled his seat
belt then took a good look at the car. Xavier had rented a white Chevy Lumina,
a plain, non-descript car, the kind that blended in well, making it virtually
unnoticeable. Brian knew Xavier had not rented the car without a specific
reason and he shifted uneasily as Xavier exited the airport parking lot.
"So, mind telling me where we are
going, or is that a game too?"
Xavier threw the blond Backstreet Boy an
amused smile. "Do you want it to be?" he challenged.
Brian caught the note of anticipation.
"No. Cut the crap, Xavier. Where are we headed?"
Xaiver glanced in his rear view mirror, changed into the
fast lane and picked up speed. He silently drove on, saying nothing, oblivious
to Brian's angry glare. Brian turned away, too stubborn to ask again. He
watched road sign after road sign whip by in fuming frustration, not paying
attention until Xavier merged onto a highway. Interstate 10. Brian paused,
trying to gauge their location. As far as he could tell, they were traveling
west, on the same route as the tour and equipment buses. The second half of the
tour was scheduled to start in
Tired, Brian leaned his head against the
headrest and closed his eyes, trying to adjust to the contours of the
passenger's seat. If Xavier wouldn't talk to him, fine. He wouldn't say a word
either.
"Ever been to
Brian jerked awake, startled.
"Huh?" Brian looked around,
noticing the unfamiliar scenery flying by. He must have fallen asleep, and as
his aching body informed him, for quite some time.
"Ever been to
"
Xavier shot him a quick grin. "Yeah.
Among other things. Brian caught the suggestive tone and felt his
stomach twist into knots. Business he could handle. 'Other things' he could
not. Brian fidgeted in his seat, anxious. Once again, Xavier had put him on
edge, just as the bodyguard had intended to do. He mentally ordered himself to
remain calm, not to play into Xavier's little sexual mind games.
"Business, huh? What kind of business
can you do down there that you can't do here?"
"A money transaction. A big, illegal
one. Courtesy of you, of course."
"Of course," replied Brian
sarcastically, then sighed bitterly. "So that's it? That's why you
had to cancel my break? Because of money?"
"Among other things." Xavier's
mouth twisted comically.
There it was again. Brian bit his lip. He despised asking, but he had
to. "Other things?"
"Oh, I'm so glad you asked,"
Xavier smirked, noticing the dark look Brian shot back at him. "I've been
meaning to tell you all about it."
Brian's heart sank, listening to the
mocking tone in Xavier's voice. He turned his head away. "Tell me
what?" His voice was flat, emotionless.
The suddenly slowing of the car swung
Brian's attention around to see Xavier maneuvering their car off the highway.
They creeped into a small, run-down gas station and Xavier hopped out, Brian
following, stretching stiffly.
"Tell me what, Xavier?"
Xavier ignored him again and began filling
up the car with gas. Brian sighed and glanced around, shifting restlessly,
viewing the god-forsaken area, the vast expanse of desert spreading barren and
quiet for miles around. Feeling the burning eyes of Xavier bearing down upon
him as he studied the landscape, Brian turned to face Xavier, not willing to
play this asinine waiting game anymore.
"Dammit
Xavier, what the hell were you going to tell me?"
Xavier hung up the gas handle with a snap
and grabbed the receipt, stuffing it into his pocket. "I was going to tell
you about our new game."
Brian hung his head for a second, then
raised it, his face fatigued. "Our new game."
Xavier nodded, his eyes glowing, regarding
the young Backstreet Boy with eagerness. "Our final game," he
whispered dramatically. Brian stiffened noticeably and Xavier smiled in satisfaction,
watching the young singer's self-control fade. Brian leaned heavily on the side
of the car, drawing in a ragged breath. A vein of pure raw hatred surged
through him.
"Okay Xavier, just tell me," he
snarled. "Quit acting like an asshole."
Xavier grinned, grabbing a paper towel and
squeegie from the station's well. He carefully
cleaned the bug-splattered window, taking his time, enjoying Brian's
discomfort. The large bodyguard leaned over and gently wiped a missed spot.
Brian shoved away from the car, now livid at Xavier's deliberate stalling.
"You said this is the final game?" he screamed in frustration.
"Why? How come it's the last?"
"Because after this last game, I'm gone."
Xavier smirked, watching the stunned
reaction on Brian's face. "You didn't think I was gonna stick around
forever, did ya?" he cooed mockingly, reaching over to pat the side of
Brian's cheek.
Brian abruptly smacked the massive hand
away, his heart pounding. Dear God, could this be the end of the nightmare?
He paused for a moment, reality rearing its ugly head.
"There's more to it than that,
Xavier," he sneered. "I know you. There's always more."
Xavier shrugged nonchalantly, conceding to
the fact. "Well, … this time the game has a little surprise in
store for you." He watched as Brian's anger turned to worry before he
continued on. "Or should I say, for one of the guys."
"A surprise?" Xavier's surprises
were never the nice kind. Brian started to feel panicky, his last little bit of
control slipping away. "What sort of surprise?"
Xavier sighed exaggeratedly, ignoring
Brian's question. "Wish I could give it to all four, but it just
wasn't possible."
Brian couldn't stand it. "Which guy,
Xavier?"
Xavier wiped the corner of the window,
cocking his head to view how clean it was. "Well, actually, that's what
the game is all about. Which one."
Brian grimaced, hating Xavier's vague
replies. "So, are you gonna tell what this game is about or not?"
Xavier grinned. "Don't I
always?" He finished wiping another window.
Brian forced himself to remain silent,
knowing from past experience that Xavier would soon be unable to contain
himself. Staring straight at the bodyguard, he waited, watching. Xavier
attacked another window, his movements becoming more animated. He leaned forward
to reach the middle of the back window. "Well, this game… you see… is
really… four games in one…"
Brian rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"One game per each guy. Each time you
successfully complete one, I'll let you guess who my surprise is for. No, wait!
Better yet, I'll tell you who the surprise isn't for." He nodded
happily.
Brian gaped at Xavier in shock. Oh my
God! Was Xavier just making this up as he went along? He felt himself start
to tremble, realizing just how mentally ill this madman was standing next to
him.
"Yeah! Each time you're successful,
one of the guys won't get my surprise."
"Successful? What happens if I'm
not?"
Xavier smiled, throwing away the dirty
paper towels. "Oh right, thanks, I forgot to tell you." Xavier threw
an encouraging arm across Brian's shoulder. "Listen, you gotta try real
hard to win, okay?" Brian began to squirm and Xavier pressed closer,
snaking his hand up to grip Brian's neck firmly. "Because the first time
you fail," he breathed softly into the Backstreet Boy's ear, "the
game is dead, and so is one of your buddies."
***
