CHAPTER THIRTEEN – ON TOUR
As with every tour, the beginning few weeks were a blend of mistakes, bad timing, and stress. Xavier experienced all three on opening night, when an overzealous teenage girl outmaneuvered him by deceptively agreeing to step back when she got too close to the stage, then ducked under his outstretched hands and raced onto the stage. She flung herself at Nick, then ran over to Howie. Xavier rushed up the stairs as she moved onto Brian, but halted at the edge of the stage when Brian caught Xavier’s eye and ever so slightly shook his head at him. Still singing, Brian graciously accepted her hug, then guided her over to Xavier and released her to the waiting bodyguard. Pissed, it took all of Xavier’s control not to crush her arm as he guided her back to her seat. He whispered something in her ear before he released her, then watched with grim satisfaction at the shaken expression that spread over her face. After the show the guys had been cool about the incident, blowing it off, but Xavier seethed, mentally abusing himself for the slip-up.
Determined that no mistakes on his part would occur again, Xavier needed only two more shows before becoming proficient in the duties his job required. This then enabled him to take extra time to observe the workings of life on tour. Xavier was surprised at the amount of teamwork needed to complete just one show; it reminded him of an anthill, with hundreds swarming in every direction, frantic to finish the job.
Now seated in the cool arena, Xavier quietly sat in the dark, watching as the group practiced with the band for the show scheduled that night. Even though they had their routine down pat, the guys still practiced before almost every performance, occasionally changing something in the routine if necessary. As with every rehearsal or show, Xavier made time to watch Brian perform. He recognized, to his chagrin, how much he enjoyed it. and it angered and surprised him. Keep to the original plan, keep to the original plan, he chanted mentally, but finally admitted to himself that he couldn’t.
The boys had stopped singing, breaking Xavier’s concentration. He watched as they gathered up their belongings, preparing to leave. Xavier stood up from his seat and stretched. Much had changed yet so much had stayed the same and it excited Xavier to know that everything was so close. His hands compressed into a tight ball. He just needed a few more days to get what he needed and then... He smiled. Let the game begin.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - BOREDOM
Howie yawned, bored, and rolled over in his bed to look at the digital clock next to the telephone. Nine thirty-five p.m. He sighed and closed his eyes wondering if it was better to go to bed now and wake up early or stay up and then sleep in. He knew he’d be the only one eating breakfast alone if he slept now, so he heaved himself up off the bed and wandered down the hallway, barefoot, looking for the gang. The last few days had been quiet, a welcome surprise due to a cancelled concert. An unexpected storm had ripped off part of the arena’s roof and it was estimated to take over 3 weeks to repair. To the relief of thousands of anguished teenage fans, distraught over the cancellation, the Backstreet Boys’ management promised to reschedule. The guys flew to their next destination and were pleased about the time off, even though there wasn’t enough time to fly home and visit family.
Howie heard a faint voice and noticed the door to AJ’s room was ajar. He rapped once, then pushed the door open to find Nick, Kevin and Brian sitting at a side table, apparently absorbed in some kind of board game. AJ, across the room, was crouched down, rummaging through the tiny, but well stocked refrigerator. He pulled several small bottles out then turned to give Howie a devilish grin. "Hey! Just in time, I was gonna call you. Ready for an AJ’s delight?"
Howie rolled his eyes, wondering what concoction AJ was planning to spring on him this time. He walked over to study his friend’s selection and shook his head. "Man, this is going to cost ya! Ever see the prices these hotels charge?"
AJ gave Howie a soulful look and shook his head. "D. Does it look like I care? Come on, live a little!" He reached into the frig and pulled out one of Howie’s favorite candy bars. "Here, my treat." AJ reached over to give Howie a friendly slap on the shoulder and sighed inwardly. Out of the five, Howie was the most conservative with money and AJ swore to his last dying breath that he would someday break D’s habit.
Howie opened the candy, took a bite, then wandered over to see what the other three were doing. He peered down, then said in surprise, "Monopoly?"
AJ looked up from his bartending duties and shrugged. "Yeah. Nick found it under his bed."
"His bed?"
Brian glanced up at Howie before returning to the game. "Nick loves crawling under strange hotel beds."
Nick kicked him. "I do not. I was looking for my shoe and saw the game there. Some kid must of left it behind. Doesn’t say much for housekeeping, does it? Hurry up, Kevin! Do you want Park Place or not?"
Kevin couldn’t decide and Brian groaned, combing his hands through his hair. "Jeez, Kev! You haven’t changed! No wonder I hated playing Monopoly with you when we were kids!"
Kevin smirked at his cousin. "You hated it because I always won!"
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
"Okay, Kevin doesn’t want Park Place," hurried Nick. "Bri, your turn."
"Hey," complained Kevin.
"Too late!" demanded Nick, grabbing the dice. "You snooze, you lose! Bri, roll."
"Sheesh!" commented Kevin. "Just because your Nintendo got trashed, you get all cranky!"
"Hey, I didn’t want to play this stupid game, but I agreed to be banker, just to keep things fair!" warned Nick, irritated.
"Fair?" Howie looked at AJ, confused.
AJ was concentrating on mixing his "delight", so he didn’t bother to look up to explain. "Whoever loses pays the winner in real money."
Howie whistled, impressed, and leaned in closer for a better look. Brian rolled a six, landing him on an untaken railroad. "I’ll buy it," he announced, quickly handing Nick the money and placing the card with the others. "One more," he crowed to Kevin, "and you’re in trouble."
Kevin shrugged, unconcerned. He rolled a three and landed on a property Brian owned. Brian stuck out a waiting hand, impatient for his rent. "Okay, okay. Hold your horses," said Kevin as he tossed the Monopoly money over to Brian, who caught it neatly. Kevin turned to Nick who was staring up at the ceiling, bored.
"Nick," growled Kevin, annoyed.
"Hmm?"
"My 200? For passing Go?"
"So?"
"So, I passed Go! Give it to me!"
"Oh. Here." Nick handed Kevin the 200 in fifty Monopoly dollar bills. Kevin stashed the money under his side of the board, then thought the better of it and pulled it out to count it.
"Damn! Nick, you gave me only 150!"
Nick tried his best to act casual. "Oh, sorry." He handed Kevin another fifty.
Brian had his head down but sneaked a quick glance at Nick. Kevin, suspicious, caught Brian’s movement and suddenly understood.
"That’s it. Game over. I quit." He pointed an accusing finger at Brian. "No wonder I’m losing my ass! You and Nick are cheating!"
"I’m not cheating!" cried Brian, outraged.
"Oh, of course not," scoffed Kevin, folding his arms across his chest. "Nick, how much was Brian going to give you?"
"Half of whatever he won," admitted Nick calmly.
"Traitor!" yelled Brian.
Kevin folded the gameboard in half, mixing all the playing pieces into a jumbled mess.
"There!" He got up and gave his cousin a smirk. "You never could beat me!" he boasted as he walked into the bathroom.
Brian blew him a raspberry then shoved Nick. "Thanks a lot. Remind me never to take you to Las Vegas!"
Nick shrugged, then flopped onto AJ’s bed, fumbling with the remote control. He surfed the channels a moment, then stopped at a sports channel, pointing at the screen with an excited yell. "Hey look, guys! There she is!"
They all turned to look at the TV to watch what was happening. "Oh, man!" moaned AJ, forgetting his drinks. "She’s even hotter than I thought!" They stared at the screen, mesmerized, remembering the event that had happened just hours ago. The camera showed them singing the national anthem at the baseball game; then just as they were finishing, a zoom shot caught a beautiful and very well endowed young woman racing over to them with her hands outstretched. The camera went into slow motion as the girl bounced and jiggled in her attempt to reach them.
"Shades of Baywatch," breathed Nick, hypnotized.
"Yeah," agreed Kevin, who had emerged from the bathroom. "Too bad she wasn’t running after you!"
"How do you know she wasn’t?" argued Nick hotly.
"Because," Brian bragged, pointing at the screen, "she was running to me!"
The guys viewed the event before them, watching as Xavier pulled her away before she could reach anyone of them. "Hell," snorted AJ, going back to his creation. "She got nowhere close to grabbing you, Rok!"
"Well, she almost did," said Brian wistfully.
"Damn you, X!" laughed Howie, "keeping Brian here from his dream girl!"
The boys all booed Xavier on TV, then patted Brian on the back, giving him mock condolences for his lost fantasy girl. AJ let out a whoop, and turned to retrieve his slowly melting creations. He handed each guy one, then paused dramatically with Nick. "You’re under age," he stated somberly.
"Since when did that ever stop me? Gimme that!" Nick lunged and grabbed the drink out of AJ’s hand.
AJ nodded his approval. "Good boy! You’re learning well!"
"A toast!" cried Howie, lifting his drink. "To healthy women! May they never stop chasing us!" A murmur of agreement sounded and they lifted the drinks to their lips.
AJ smacked his mouth. "Ah, good stuff, huh guys?"
Kevin coughed. "Ah, strong stuff."
Howie puckered his mouth and Brian crossed his eyes comically. Nick shrugged. "It’s ok, I guess," then downed the rest in one gulp. "Any more?"
"Nick!" screamed the rest, amazed.
"What?"
Brian shook his head. "Never mind. I guess you can’t kill what isn’t there," he commented, rapping gently on Nick’s head.
Nick reached playfully towards Brian’s half-empty drink, then snagged it. "Another toast!"
"Okay," agreed AJ. "What to?"
Nick thought for a moment, then laughed. "I don’t know!"
AJ sighed, then reached for his drink. "No more for you."
"It wasn’t that good anyway!" argued Nick and started snooping into AJ’s refrigerator.
"Hey, hey! You eat, you pay!" warned AJ.
Ignoring him, Nick crammed some chips into his mouth, and Kevin came over to inspect the rest of the goodies. He grabbed a package and tore it open, relaxing on AJ’s bed.
"What is this? Do I look like a flop house?" screeched AJ. "Get outta here!"
Everyone disregarded him, looking for more munchies. A soft knock turned everybody’s attention from AJ’s stash to view Xavier standing next to the door.
"Hey, Xavier! Come on in." Howie waved the bodyguard into the room. "Care for a drink?"
Xavier shook his head in reply, scanning the room until his eyes found Brian. "Got a minute?" He jerked his head towards the door.
Brian finished a package of cookies, then brushed the crumbs from his fingers. "Sure." He turned to the guys. "I’m leaving. See ya’ll tomorrow."
They gave various greetings of goodnight to Xavier and Brian as the two headed down the hallway and turned the corner. As they walked in silence Brian yawned, suddenly tired, and wondered what the bodyguard wanted. Stopping by his door, the young singer struggled to get the entry card out of his pocket. He slid it in the slot, waited for the click, then pushed the door open. Brian turned to face Xavier, slightly confused as to why Xavier hadn’t said a word the whole way.
"Hey, thanks for saving my hide today; I could have been smothered!" he joked in reference to the Baywatch fan. Brian looked up into the bodyguard’s face, noticing not a trace of recognition to his jest. Unsettled, Brian found Xavier staring down at him. "Uh, have a good trip?" he questioned, remembering Xavier’s request for a few days leave of absence during the unexpected cancellation of their show.
Xavier leaned close to the singer’s face. "Excellent," answered Xavier, almost whispering.
Xavier’s behavior disturbed Brian and he pulled back away from the bodyguard, noticing uneasily that Xavier’s mouth had twisted into a cruel grin, his eyes, dark, glittering down at him with a manic satisfaction. Now uncomfortable, Brian glanced quickly up and down the hallway, hoping for a sign of life. Empty. He slowly began to edge backwards into his room, tense, fingers feeling for the security of the door. Getting a grip on the edge he almost slammed it shut, only to feel a mighty smash as Xavier kicked his foot against the closing door, tearing it away from Brian’s grip. Heart pounding, Brian watched as Xavier’s large frame entered the room. Panicking, he made a desperate lunge around the bodyguard to escape. Xavier quickly blocked his path, and Brian felt a large hand encircling his neck, shoving him viciously back into the room. Off balanced, Brian fell, painfully twisting his left arm as he hit the floor. Stunned by the fall and too surprised to yell, he watched helplessly as Xavier swiftly closed and locked the door behind them.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN – THE RULES
Grimacing with pain, Brian clutched his left wrist as he struggled to sit upright on the floor, his eyes opening wide with fear as he saw Xavier looming over him. He backpeddled furiously with his feet, frantic to get away, but Xavier leaned down and hoisted him up like a rag doll, dumping him roughly into a chair. Trying to ignore the pain that shot through his arm, Brian concentrated instead on Xavier who was calmly walking through the room, double checking the window, telephone, and door latch. Satisfied, he dragged up another chair, sat down, then leaned towards the young Backstreet Boy.
Brian turned his head away from Xavier’s stare, unwilling to meet him eye to eye. After a few moments of silence, curiosity got the better of him and Brian spun his head back around. Xavier was still silent, hands clasped under his chin, studying him.
"Well now, Mr. Littrell, where do we start?"
Brian ignored the question and asked one of his own. "What kind of a sick joke is this?" he hissed, angry. "Did Nick put you up to this? You’re fired!"
Amused, Xavier stood up, laughed, then turned away. Brian seized the opportunity and shot out of his chair, racing for the door. He succeeded in grabbing the handle only to feel Xavier ripping him bodily away from it. Once again a massive hand clamped down around his throat and Brian began choking, clawing frantically for release.
"Please...please..." Brian cried hoarsely, his blue eyes begging.
Xavier relaxed his grip and watched as Brian slowly sank to his knees, coughing violently. Greedily sucking in great gulps of air, Brian cried out as Xavier brutally wrench the singer upright by his hair, flinging him back into the chair. Exhausted, Brian leaned over gasping, still breathless.
"I take it you won’t try that again."
Brian flopped back in his chair, looked at Xavier’s questioning face, and nodded a reply, too hoarse to speak.
"Good." Xavier rose, went to the bathroom and brought back a glass of water. He held it out to Brian. "Here." Brian accepted the drink, swallowing painfully as the cool water slid down his throat. Xavier lowered himself back into a chair, his demeanor calm and quiet as he waited for the blond singer to finish his drink.
"What do you want?" asked Brian finally, subdued.
"What do I want?" Xavier smiled, spreading his hands wide. "I’ve got what I want."
Ransom, thought Brian wearily. "So, it’s about money," Brian sighed, glad to know at least where he stood. "How much do you want?"
Xavier leaned over and reached out towards Brian’s head. Brian flinched as Xavier’s hand came in contact with his hair but was surprised when Xavier tossled his hair, almost affectionately.
"Brian, Brian," he scolded. "It’s not always about money."
"Everthing’s always about money, Xavier!" spat Brian, angry.
Xavier cocked his head to one side as if considering it. "True," he conceded. "But before we discuss that I need you to make a phone call." The bodyguard walked over to the phone, picked it up and carried it over to Brian, setting it in his lap.
Brian stared at the phone in his lap, then glanced at Xavier who was sitting in the chair next to him. "To who?"
"Oh, how about your mom."
Brian felt a shock of adrenalin burn through his body, scared where this was going.
"My mom…," he stated weakly, unable to speak further.
Xavier’s massive hand grabbed the receiver and shoved it at Brian.
"Yes."
Brian looked at Xavier’s calm face and felt a surge of hatred course through him. "No way. Fuck you."
Xavier sighed, shook his head, then leaned close to Brian. His mouth pressed up to Brian’s ear, and whispered, "I would if I were you. Your mom needs to talk to you. Bad." Xavier let his words sink in, then relaxed back into his seat, watching with a smirk as Brian began punching numbers. Shaken, Brian messed up the first dial, then redialed, holding the receiver to his ear as he waited for the connection.
Xavier reached out and took the receiver away from Brian’s hand, pressed the speakerphone button, then set the receiver back in the cradle. Both waited as they heard the ring, then the click of the phone being picked up. "Hello?" came a soft voice.
"Mom?" choked Brian, his voice catching. He repeated himself. "Mom?"
"Brian, is that you? Thank God! I’ve been trying to reach you! Don’t you ever listen to your voice mail?"
Brian closed his eyes, fearful. "Sorry Mom, I forgot. Is everything okay?"
Brian and Xavier heard her sigh over the phone. "It is now. Your brother was in a terrible car crash. Terrible. He’s in the hospital."
Brian’s eyes flew open to see Xavier wink and smile knowingly at him. "A car accident? Is he alright? What happened?"
Brian’s mother sounded distressed. "We don’t know for sure. Apparently some crazy driver cut him off and he crashed into a utility pole. Harold shattered his left femur and hip bone. The breaks were pretty bad, but the surgery went well and the doctors are very pleased with the outcome."
Overcome with rage, Brian could barely listened as his mother described the rest in detail. "Brian, Brian, honey, are you there?" It took a moment for him to reply.
"Yes, Mom, I’m here. I wish I could be there for you." His voice shook as he glared at Xavier.
"Oh dear, I know. But really, everything is under control. You sound ill, Brian. Are you okay?"
"Fine, Mom, everything’s fine."
"Good. Well, I’ll let you go now, get some sleep. Call me in the morning. And oh, by the way, say hello to that nice man, Mr. Delgado."
Brian froze. "You’ve met him?"
"Oh yes, he stopped by just as we were leaving to go to the hospital. Introduced himself, said you guys were all on a short break. Wondered if there was anything he could do for us. Such a nice man! I’m so glad he’s your bodyguard, Brian."
Brian looked up to see Xavier grin and he felt a wave of nausea overcome him. "Mom," Brian began, hardly able to get the words out. "Is everyone else okay?"
"Sure. Aunt Ann sends her love. Oh, I just remembered. Don’t alarm Kevin, but Sam is missing."
"Sam? You mean Kevin’s dog?" Sam was Kevin’s black lab, a dog that Kevin had bought as a puppy for his Mom and himself after his Dad had passed away. Sam had been a God-send for the grieving family and Kevin was just crazy about him.
"Yes, we think he ran away, the same day as Harold’s accident. You know how attached Kevin is to that dog, so please don’t say anything to him just yet. Aunt Ann is trying to find him."
Brian was about to reply when he saw Xavier slowly waving something back and forth - it took a moment to recognize what it was. A red dog collar. Enraged, Brian managed a quick goodbye before slamming down the receiver and launching himself at the bodyguard. His driving force caught Xavier off-balance and they both tumbled backwards, Brian landing heavily on top of him. Xavier managed to kick him off, but not before Brian delivered a stunning blow with his fist to Xavier’s jaw.
"You sick bastard!" screamed Brian, staggering up from the ground. He eyed his room wildly, hoping to find a weapon of any sort. Realizing he had none, he turned to run for the door but fell hard to the ground as Xavier seized his right ankle and pulled. Brian turned on his side, kicking viciously at Xavier’s face with his other foot. Xavier grunted with pain but held on, dragging Brian away from the exit.
In one swift move, Xavier stood, lifting Brian up at the same time. A solid punch landed in the middle of the singer’s stomach and Brian doubled over. Xavier pushed him onto the bed and Brian curled up in the fetal position, moaning. Walking into the bathroom, Xavier turned on the faucet and wet a small hand towel. He examined his face for a moment in the mirror before returning to the room. Sitting down on the opposite bed, he placed the cool towel to his cheek.
Struggling to a sitting position, Brian drew a ragged breath as a sharp pain shot through him. He found the bodyguard studying him. "Not bad for a Southern white guy," Xavier drawled, impressed with the singer’s fighting instinct.
"Why?" panted Brian, his eyes darkened with pain and fatigue. "Why did you try to kill my brother?"
"Kill?" Xavier jumped up, insulted. "If I wanted to kill your brother, I would have just put a bullet in his brain!" Brian watched as Xavier paced, startled by his sudden agitation. "No, this was just to get your attention, to show you who is in control."
Brian rubbed his injured hand, trying to massage away the pain and ignoring the ache he felt in his stomach. Fatigued as he was, Brian again felt anger rising up in him. "Cut the crap, Xavier. Just tell me what this is all about."
Xavier reached over, grabbing Brian’s hurt wrist. Brian tried not to cry out as Xavier twisted it. "Okay, pretty boy, here’s the plan. You do whatever I tell you, whenever I want."
Brian, shaking from the pain Xavier was inflicting, tried to wrench his hand away. "And if I don’t?" he snarled, his blue eyes glaring with determination. Xavier released his hold then smiled at Brian as he sat down to face the singer. Now completely calm, Xavier began to recite a mass of confidential and intimate information regarding the Backstreet Boys’ personal lives and the lives of their families. Brian was aghast by the detailed amount of knowledge he possessed. He sagged in his seat, placing his hands over his face as he listened fearfully to Xavier explain in graphic detail the possible "accidents" that could befall his loved ones. Overwhelmed, he could only whisper, "Why? Why me?"
Xavier rose from his seat and crouched down next to Brian. The young singer slipped his hands away from his face to stare at Xavier, now eye level with him. The bodyguard placed a hand on the young singer’s shoulder and gave it a shake. "I’m not sure myself," admitted Xavier, almost sympathetically.
"You’ve done this before, to other people, haven’t you." It was a statement, rather than a question.
Xavier nodded, then stood up. "Of course, it’s my job."
"Your job. And what exactly is that?" asked Brain dully. "Extortion, terrorism, what?"
"My job is what I want it to be. And this time it’s about a game - between you and me."
"A game?" Brian looked at Xavier in disbelief. "I don’t understand."
"You will." Xavier’s voice was serene, soothing, as if trying to calm a frightened child.
"You’re mad."
"Just a little."
Brian’s voice shook a little. "Dear God, help me."
Xavier smiled generously. "By all means, ask." He winked at Brian. "But don’t expect an answer."
He paused for a moment. "Want to hear about our game?"
Brian said nothing, not wanting to answer.
Xavier went on, animated. ""The game is about fear and control. Your will against mine. Yes, it’s really quite fun. And you’re my new player."
"And you want to know the best thing about it?" Xavier hurried on, not waiting for a reply. "Yes, the best thing is who wins and who loses. I usually don’t like the people I pick, but you’re different somehow. I’m not sure why, but I like you Brian. And that’s why I’m going to give you a chance. Most people break quickly, but I think you’ll be a fighter. You manage to play the game right and maybe, just maybe no one gets hurt. It’s really up to you…"
Brian watched apprehensively as Xavier walked to the door, unlatched it, and pulled it open. He stepped into the doorway, then turned to face Brian, a smile of anticipation on his face. "I can see you’re a little confused, don’t worry, all my former clients were too. We’ll talk more in the morning. Get some sleep, ok?"
Brian didn’t answer. His mind raced with the possibilities of revenge and Xavier, as if reading his mind, frowned, his face darkening.
"Don’t even think about it. You so much as breathe a word of this to the police, your friends, anyone…"Xavier strode back in and grabbed Brian, lifting him roughly off the ground, "and I’ll make sure you and everyone else suffers. Got it?" He waited until Brian nodded, then with a hard shove pushed Brian away from him.
He walked back to the door. "Remember who is in control," he hissed, then shut the door behind him.