Page 18 of The Broker

6

JARED

The room was silent, save for the gentle crackling of wood as it burned in the fireplace. The flames danced and cast shadows along the wall, telling a tale that no one seemed to notice.

Down in this tomb of records, the air was chilly, only being warmed by the heat from the fire. Both men huddled in their respective corners, each searching for answers they could not find.

“Jesus, this is maddening,” Matteo huffed, bent over his laptop and scrolling through documents. “Edwin really did a number with these files.”

Last month, it was discovered that a certain ex-employee had stolen private client information and was using it to blackmail individuals.

While providing a safe space for powerful queer men to enjoy themselves was the primary goal,La Maison de Malso served a secondary purpose. It gave Matteo access to private and sensitive information that others would not have access to. While each of Matteo’s boys was “entertaining” their guests, they were also covertly collecting information that was then beingprovided to their boss, Matteo. This information was then used to expand Matteo’s own wealth and power.

Information was the key to being powerful. Matteo knew this very well and was masterful at using it to his own advantage. He never used this information against his clients; he only used it to position himself in such a way as to benefit from insider knowledge and expand his wealth and influence.

Jared flipped the page of the journal he was reading and started on the next entry listed in the book. He lay gingerly across the large, comfy sofa Matteo had in his office, swinging his leg over the side of the arm as he read.

“Yeah, but the guy kept really good notes,” Jared responded, not bothering to look up from the book.

Sighing, Matteo leaned back in his chair and stared at the fire. It was mid-September, but the temperature in this private office of his was cold and drafty—which was to be expected considering this office was located deep in the underground tunnels of the estate.

The château had a rich and colorful history, much of which was well documented in the newspapers and town records of this quiet suburb of France. However, buried deep beneath the walls of this structure were a history and story much darker than the ones that made this place famous. Only a handful of people knew the true stories of this place, many of which had fallen victim to untimely deaths or had run off, never to be heard from again.

But Matteo knew. He was the guardian of this lavish château and keeper of all its dark secrets.

“So, how are things with you and Isaac?” Matteo asked, glancing over at Jared.

Jared’s cheeks flushed as he debated ignoring the question and pretending he didn’t hear the man.

“Same as always. He’s a giant pain in my ass,” Jared responded. He glanced up quickly at Matteo, who was giving him an amused look.

Matteo chuckled. “Yeah, but that’s part of the boy’s charm.”

“If you think that annoying and immature is charming, then yes, Isaac has charm coming out of his ass.”

“You really care for him, don’t you?” Matteo asked, turning in his chair to face the young man he considered one of his sons.

Jared snorted. “Yeah, I care that the dumb kid doesn’t break his neck or drown in a puddle.”

Matteo laughed again.

It was one of those laughs that a parent gives when they find something their child has said amusing. There was no harm or ill-intent behind that laugh, just pure amusement and intrigue. Jared wasn’t sure how he felt about the man’s laughter.

“You two are good together. You are the yin to his yang.”

Jared raised one eyebrow at his boss and mentor.Clearly, this guy was off his rocker.

“Not sure what you’re smoking there, boss, but he and I annoy the fuck out of each other.” He shifted his gaze from his boss to the fireplace, then back to his boss. He wasn’t sure which was the more innocent place to let his gaze settle.

“Yet, I see you two together constantly. Hanging out by the pool together, entertaining guests together, even playing in the gardens together.” Matteo added this last part with a slight upturn of his left eyebrow.

“You mean when I was beating him in the face with my cock the other day?”

“Beating him or feeding him?”

“Definitely beating. That little shit bought me a dissolving swimsuit, then let me go swimming in front of a pool full of guests,” Jared argued.

“You know he’s only pulling your pigtails.”

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