“Hello, dahling,” William said. “As to your first question, we’re the Gay Mafia, and I am their godmother. As to what we want, the answer is simple: You. It’s Judgment Day.”
Colton regained his haughtiness. “Of course, a fairy mafia would have a fairy godmother! How did you get the job? Limpest wrist?”
Matt dropped the bolt cutters. “Lion! Pirate!” he barked, “Teach Colton some respect for the Godmother!”
Josh—the Lion—with his All-American boy physique, lunged forward and drove his fist into Colton’s gut.
Colton doubled over, sputtering.
Josh grabbed Colton by the shoulders, hoisted him upright, and held him in place while Evan punched him in the gut as well.
“How’s that for limp wristed?” Evan asked. “Shall I try again?”
Colton collapsed to his knees, leaned forward and heaved up the contents of his stomach. Vomit splashed on the gravel. He sucked in air and then hurled up more.
Finally, gasping, he wiped his slimy mouth on the sleeve of his shirt, then sat in the gravel moaning.
A cloying, acrid smell wafted through the air. Matt’s eyes watered.
William, who had winced and turned away from the violence and its aftermath, walked over and knelt in the gravel beside Colton, careful where he stepped.
William reached around his neck and unclasped the chain that held the ring Colton had once given him. He examined the ring, re-reading the inscription, then held it out to Colton.
“I’ve worn this for the last three years,” he whispered. “I hoped you would return to me.”
William’s voice broke. He paused to gain his composure.
“There’s a part of me that still loves you, Colton,” he said, “but I have to let you go.”
Colton looked up. Locked eyes with William. Reached for the ring. He held it briefly…smiled…then dropped it into the soupy, salmon-colored pile that surrounded him.
“That’s probably where it belongs,” William sighed.
He leaned in and kissed Colton’s forehead. “Goodbye.”
William stood, wiped his eyes. “I’ll wait in the Jeep,” he said to Evan. “Tell Matthew to let me know when to make the phone call.”
Evan nodded grimly, looked at Matt, who had been standingright beside him.
Matt sighed. He had hoped that one of the outcomes of this day would be William’s forgiving him and speaking to him again, but that was obviously not happening.
“Stand up!” Matt ordered Colton.
Colton struggled to his feet.
Evan and Josh took positions flanking him, periodically wincing as the stench washed over them. It rolled in and out like the tide.
Clown, Princess, and the Devil closed in.
Matt noticed Bella standing in the shadows, watching. She had never met Colton. It would be good for her to get a first-hand impression of the guy’s charms.
Matt shot her a smile.
“Colton Langley!” Matt barked. “You stand accused of waging war on your fellow gays. How do you plead?”
“Since I’m not queer,” Colton said. “I’m not your ‘fellow’ anything.”
Matt addressed the GM members, the jury who would decide Colton’s fate. “You should all know that the defendant told me earlier I would have to suck his cock tonight. He implied that there would be future encounters involving more than my mouth. But—for the record—Colton Langley is not gay.”
