Page 17 of Body Slave

When Danny tried to help him, Ben said, “Danny, leave that for your father and come with me.”

“Yes, Master Ben,” the boy murmured.

Ben turned away, although he saw the father give his son an encouraging nod. It heartened him to see how John obviously loved his son. Like any good parent, he looked out for his child as best he could. It must have been hard for him to see that his kid had gotten into trouble and know there was little he could do to protect him. He supposed a restricted diet was better than a beating, but he knew that the punishment wasn’t intended to be merciful, just more economical. Damn, maybe working there would serve good purpose after all. If he played his cards right, he could make real improvements in the lives of the company slaves.

He led the way across the warehouse to the comparatively newer section that contained the home improvement part of the business. Instead of entering the showroom where customers could see models for kitchens, bathrooms and closets, he went to the workshop. The smell of wood was stronger there and mixed with more pungent smells like varnish and paint. It proved a bit noisier, too, as woodworkers built cabinetry and doors. They did hard work there, but it didn’t necessarily require the same upper-body strength as needed for the heavy lifting in the warehouse. He hoped to find something for Danny that the kid would be better at.

He caught the eye of the carpenter across the room. The older man pulled out the ear buds from his outmoded MP3 player and gave Ben a large smile. “Hey, college boy, back home for good?” He extended a hand when Ben reached him.

Ben gave him an enthusiastic handshake. “Mario, it’s good to see you! I came by earlier but you were so busy at the lathe, I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Ah, nothing’s so important that it can’t wait for you.”

Mario had been handpicked by Ben’s mother when she’d started up this side of the business. He’d always taken time to explain to a young Ben what he was doing and let him help. He’d also always been kind to the slaves from what Ben had seen. Working with Mario might be a good fit for Danny. Turning, Ben gestured to the boy to come forward. The slave’s gaze was down and he gnawed at his lower lip as he complied.

“Mario, this is Danny.”

The other man scrutinized the boy for a few seconds. “Your housekeeper’s boy? His father works in the warehouse, right?”

“That’s right. He’s been working there, too, but he’s not really suited for the heavy labor.”

Mario grinned. “Not enough lead in his ass, I guess.”

Ben chuckled. “Yeah, he needs more meat on his bones. So, in the meantime, I figured there’d be something he could do here. What do you think?”

With pursed lips and squinting eyes, Mario thought it over. “I guess I could use some more help around the workshop. You know anything about working with wood, boy?”

“No, sir. Sorry, sir,” the slave answered in a soft voice.

“Well, I’ll teach ya,” the carpenter replied amiably.

“Great,” Ben said, relieved that he hadn’t made a bonehead move in pulling the slave from the position his father had dictated. He placed a careful hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You be good for Mr. Fiorello now, Danny.”

“Yes, Master Ben.” The boy lifted his gaze briefly. The look of utter gratitude in his eyes both delighted Ben and made him uncomfortable. Before he could think of anything more to say, a discreet throat clearing caught his attention.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Oliver standing a few feet away with his hands behind his back.

Oliver tried not to stare at Ben and at how he had his hand on a young and pretty slave. He tried not to be jealous of that boy, either. He pretty much failed at both and no amount of internal chastisement could banish the sting of his envy. He wanted Ben more each day. Not being able to have him was hard enough. The idea of someone else being allowed that privilege proved unbearable. Yet bear it he must.

When the master had ordered him into proper clothes to accompany him to work, Oliver had been elated. Just getting out of the house was wonderful, no matter how much people stared at him. Forget the blow job under the desk he’d given the master earlier, too. The lumber company held more interest for him, a different place to be played with than the few rooms he’d been spending all of his time in. It was also awesome to be in Ben’s company, except for now. He’d envied free people plenty of times, but never a slave. He had no reason to react so anyway. It wasn’t as if he’d found Ben with his cock down the kid’s throat or anything.

And now he’d stood there not speaking when Ben so obviously expected him to explain what he was doing there.

He cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, sir. The master requests you go to the large conference room for a lunch meeting.”

Ben smacked his forehead. “Right. He told me about that when we first got here. Good to see you again, Mario,” the young master added, extending his hand to shake the one of a white-haired freeman. “Take good care of Danny for me.”

“Of course.”

“Coming, Oliver?” Ben stopped beside him and Oliver had to shake himself internally out of a new funk from hearing Ben being protective of the other slave.

“Um, no, sir. The master said I should have lunch with the company slaves.”

“Okay. Danny, why don’t you show Oliver here where to go for food?”

“Yes, Master Ben.”

They all watched Ben walk away for a few seconds before the freeman said, “Be back in thirty minutes, kid.”

---