A Daddy for Christmas: Daniel, page 6
Andrei felt a wave of relief as he entered his luxurious penthouse, greeted by the fresh, clean aroma the maid had left behind. He poured himself a vodka on the rocks and settled into his comfortable leather recliner, hoping to unwind and catch some sleep before the long night ahead. His mind wandered to Daniel, his new dancer and potential lover who lived in his uncle’s basement. Andrei wondered why he had chosen such a dismal place to stay. Daniel had never explained whether he had any problems with his own family, or if he was somehow involved with his father in apprehending criminals. He couldn’t envision that scenario. He blamed Garsha for planting those thoughts in his mind. Garsha had always been a cockblocker for Andrei. Fucking homophobic asshole.
Andrei turned his thoughts to his own family and found it hard to believe that his father would want to kill his own son, but he also felt betrayed by Chadek. Why had Chadek not trusted him enough to tell him that he was gay? Andrei had always been supportive and protective of him, even when he abused alcohol. The heavy drinking must have been a sign of Chadek’s inner struggle with his identity. Andrei wished he had confided in him. He and their mother were the only people who truly cared for Chadek, and they understood the challenges of being gay in a homophobic world. Their mother was a true ally to the community and Andrei loved her for it.
Andrei’s father had always appeared to be tolerant of their gay relatives, but he never really accepted them for who they were. He emphasized his role in moving the Baranov family from the Russian oppression to New York as if it had absolved him of his hidden hatred for the gay community.
During the years living in Montauk, his father had missed his old friends in Russia and the life he had lived there. That’s how Andrei saw it. His father thought being gay resulted from exposure to environmental influences and that willpower alone could change being gay. His father didn’t realize it was an innate part of a person’s nature, something Andrei had known about himself since he was a little boy. He didn’t choose to be gay. He just was. And he didn’t want to hide his Daddy kinks from Daniel either. He hoped Daniel would want him as his Daddy Dom, and they could find a future together. But first, he had to deal with the looming threat of his father’s wrath, and the danger that awaited his brother at his Long Island nightclub.
After indulging in a much-needed nap and a refreshing shower, Andrei meticulously dressed himself in sleek black slacks, a black shirt, and a white tie. Completing his look with a leather jacket, he gazed into the mirror, satisfied with his reflection of a Russian mob boss. This calculated appearance was essential, as Andrei hoped it would help him extract vital information from Bruno about Daniel, the person who consumed his thoughts.
Leaving behind the comfort of his penthouse nestled in the heart of the city, Andrei made his way to the underground parking area via a private elevator. Eager to embark on his mission, he slid into his sports car, his mind focused on his date with Daniel. His obsession with this dancer seemed to fuel his determination to drive today since he had already driven more than he would have liked.
Navigating through the bustling city streets, Andrei entered the Lincoln Tunnel, a gateway to New Jersey. Although the traffic was heavy and progress was slow, he remained positive about his goals for the evening. As he finally reached the parkway, the traffic died out, allowing him to arrive at the Ice Palace on time for his meeting with Bruno.
Pulling into the parking lot situated behind the nightclub, he felt the vibrant energy emanating from the establishment. All clubs energized him. Despite the early hour of five o’clock, the place was already teeming with men. Stepping into the dimly lit club, the atmosphere was devoid of any hints it was the Christmas season. The air was thick with the aroma of alcohol and testosterone, intertwined with the buzz of animated conversations, as if these walls were the source of the various sounds. The clinking of glasses and the pulsating rhythm of music served as a nostalgic reminder of Andrei’s younger days, when he would eagerly search for a hot boy to play with.
Andrei was navigating through the intricate web of men on his way to the bar when Bruno met him halfway.
They shook hands and greeted each other.
“Follow me to my office and we can talk privately,” Bruno said.
They climbed to the upper level, then walked down a hall to his office. The office was decorated with posters, disco balls, and glitter. There was a flickering neon sign outside the window. Bruno’s desk was cluttered with invoices, beer bottles, and cigarette butts. Confetti covered much of the cheap linoleum floor. Fucking disaster!
They made themselves comfortable. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No. I have a business meeting later.”
“What’s on your mind?” Bruno asked.
“Daniel Sparks.”
“What do you want to know about him?”
“Tell me about his father?”
“You mean Deputy Chief George Sparks from the Newark Police District? His father is a royal pain in the ass. He’s a dirty cop on the take and is a gay-bashing homophobe. He used to come in when Daniel worked here trying to intimidate him, but Daniel ignored him. Did his father hurt him?” Bruno’s face bore a look of deep concern.
“Not that I know of. The purpose of my visit is to understand why you fired Daniel. He’s a professional dancer, one of the best. I don’t understand.”
“Daniel was the best dancer I had. He used to choreograph routines and teach them to the other dancers as well as dancing. He brought in tons of customers. Even now, they keep asking me where he is and when he is coming back.”
“I see. So, what’s wrong with him?”
“His flirting and fucking around got out of control. The dancers began fighting with each other over him. Lots of jealousy over the attention customers gave him, but whether he came on to them or they came on to him, who knows? Whatever, it became a damn distraction. I fired him because he came on to me a few times too many, then when I made a move on him, he acted like he hadn’t come on to me. See, he’s the type that causes all the problems and then cries rape. I couldn’t deal with his bullshit anymore. His ego is so big, he continually disrespected me and the security guards. He’s a pain in the ass and I’m glad to be rid of him.”
Andrei laughed remembering how bold Daniel had been during his interview. He was the right kind of challenge to keep him from getting bored.
“I hired him last night and he filled in at my club in Long Island. He’s going to work at the Glitter Box beginning Wednesday.”
Bruno smiled. “And now you’re fucking him, right?”
“He’s not just a fuck to me. No one will touch him because he’s mine.” Andrei stood, stretching his legs.
“I got it. I wish you and Daniel the best. If I hear anything about his father, I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks. Come and visit the Glitter Box when you’re in the city. We’ll go out to dinner.”
“I will. Thanks.” Bruno stood and walked him out of the club.
This had turned out a lot better than he had ever imagined. Now, to meet his Daniel.
Chapter 9 Daniel
Daniel stepped out of the shower in Cade’s home and wrapped a towel around his waist. He felt an outpouring of pain as he touched his face, where a black eye and a bruised lip reminded him of the fight he’d had with his bully father. He sighed and reached for his clothes, wondering how he would explain his injuries to Mr. Baranov, his date for tonight. He hoped that by Wednesday he would look normal again and be able to work at the club. He didn’t want to lose his job or his chance with Mr. Baranov.
He put on his shirt and slacks, then checked himself in the mirror. He tried to smile, but it hurt too much. He decided to wear sunglasses to cover up his face as much as possible. He hoped Mr. Baranov would understand and not judge him for his appearance.
He walked downstairs, where Cade’s mother was waiting for him with a plate of freshly baked Christmas cookies. She had been so kind and caring to him since he arrived at Cade’s home. She had insisted that he go to the emergency room to get checked out and had driven him there herself. The doctor had told him that he had no broken bones, only bruises that would heal in time. He was grateful for her concern, but he also felt guilty for imposing on her and Cade.
“Here you go, Daniel, you need a sweet to make you smile again,” she said, handing him a cookie.
“Thank you, Mrs. McCoy.” Daniel bit into the cookie. It was a delicious, sugar cookie with icing on it. He remembered how he used to enjoy these cookies when he was younger. He and Cade were best friends and spent every Christmas together.
He smiled at her, feeling a warmth in his heart. She was a second mother to him, and he loved her for that.
“Thank you for everything,” he said.
She hugged him gently, then looked at him with a serious expression.
“Daniel, I don’t know why your father hurt you again, and I won’t ask if you don’t want to tell me,” she said. “But I want you to know that I’m here for you, always. And so is Cade. You can always count on us, okay?”
He nodded, feeling tears in his eyes. “Okay.”
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Now go have fun with your date and be careful out there.”
He thanked her again, then grabbed his leather jacket and helmet by the front door.
“You’re lucky you’ve got a good job in the city but be careful. You know that man is mean. You don’t need to go from one bastard to another,” Cade warned.
“He doesn’t treat me like my father. I’ll send you a message if he decides he wants to spend the night with me.”
“Are you sure you can ride your bike?”
“I can. It’s not far from here. Thanks for everything.”
They exchanged a fist bump and a hug.
“See you later, bro,” Cade said.
“Later,” Daniel replied.
He walked out of the door, feeling nervous but hopeful about his date with Mr. Baranov. He hoped it would be a good night, despite his bruises. He wanted it to be the start of something new and wonderful in his life.
Daniel rode his motorcycle the few blocks to the Clifton Diner parking lot. He looked around for Mr. Baranov’s car and spotted it on the left side. He rode beside the car and Mr. Baranov got out and checked Daniel’s motorcycle. Daniel had planned to keep his helmet and sunglasses on so he wouldn’t see his face right away. Now, he didn’t know if that plan would work.
“Nice motorcycle.” He opened the door to his sports car for Daniel.
Once he slipped inside, Mr. Baranov popped into the driver’s seat and turned to him. “Aren’t you going to remove your helmet?”
“I will, but I ran into some trouble today. I don’t think we can have dinner out, but I wanted to see you.”
“Daniel, what kind of trouble?”
“Those fucking cameras last night got me in trouble.”
Mr. Baranov removed Daniel’s helmet and sunglasses. He gasped.
“Who did this to you?” he demanded.
“My father. He saw our pictures on social media.”
“Let me take you to see a doctor.”
“I already went to the emergency room. No broken bones, just bruises. I hope it heals by Wednesday.”
“I’m not fucking worried about Wednesday. I’m more concerned about you. I have an idea. We’ll go to one of those hotels in Bergen County. It’s not far from here and we can order in.”
“I’m sorry I ruined our first date.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong. We’ll watch a movie in bed after we eat.”
“Are we going to spend the night there?” Daniel worried about leaving his motorcycle in an open parking lot.
“Don’t worry about your motorcycle. I can hook it to the car. I’ll handle it for you.”
Daniel nodded and watched as Mr. Baranov quickly got out of his car, went to the back and opened the trunk, where he took out a wrench, a screwdriver, and a hitch receiver. He carefully aligned the hitch receiver with the holes on the back bumper and secured it with bolts and nuts. He then attached the hitch ball mount and tightened it with the wrench. Daniel stepped out of the car as he knew he would need help lifting the bike. Mr. Baranov attached the motorcycle carrier rack to the hitch ball mount and made sure it was stable and level. They lifted his motorcycle onto the rack and slid it forward until it reached the edge. The motorcycle locked into place with the aid of straps, wheel chocks, and cradles that prevented it from moving or falling off. Mr. Baranov checked everything one last time and smiled with satisfaction. He was ready to hit the road, motorcycle in tow.
“You’re amazing,” Daniel said. “I had no idea you could use tools.”
“There’s a lot you’ll learn about me if you give me a chance.”
They got back into the car and Mr. Baranov called Hunterdon Hotel in the mountains and asked them to set it up for a romantic evening, then he started their hour-long drive to the hotel.
Mr. Baranov put his hand on Daniel’s knee.
“I want you to pretend I’m your Daddy Baranov. Let me take care of you. I’m very concerned about the pain you must be in.”
“It’s not the first time. I wish you were my Daddy Baranov.”
“We can talk about that, but first I want you to eat and rest. Can I get you something from the pharmacy?”
“Like what?”
“Pain relievers or cream. Anything you want, I’ll stop and get whatever you want.”
“No, thank you. I have a bottle of aspirin with me. I just want you to snuggle in bed with me. I feel like trash right now.”
“We’ll snuggle in bed.”
“Are we still on a date?”
“Yes, of course. A date doesn’t have a specific location. If we have dinner in a restaurant or a hotel room, we’re still eating together. We’ll be alone.”
Daniel’s body wasn’t up to bouncing around having sex at the moment. He wanted it to be painless and enjoyable for their first time, but if Mr. Baranov expected it, he would give in to him.
Chapter 10 Daniel
They entered the lobby and picked up the key to their room from the receptionist, who gave them a curious glance. Inside the room, Daniel was surprised at the cozy and romantic atmosphere. Housekeeping had dimmed the lights, set a small table for dinner with red candles and wine, and turned on the TV to a channel playing traditional Christmas piano music. Daniel looked at himself in the mirror as he passed by the dresser and felt a pang of shame. His crisp white shirt had a few wrinkles and his black slacks had lost their crease in the front. His black eye and swollen lower lip contrasted harshly with his pale skin. He wondered what Mr. Baranov saw in him, and what he wanted from him. Daniel nervously paced the room, waiting for Mr. Baranov to speak.
Mr. Baranov went to the bathroom and came out with two washcloths. He opened the mini fridge and pulled out some ice cubes. He wrapped them into two separate washcloths and walked over to the bed. He gestured for Daniel to sit or lie down on the soft mattress. Daniel obeyed and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling tense. Mr. Baranov handed him one of the iced cloths before sitting beside him. He gently pressed the other cloth on Daniel’s eye, while Daniel held his own cloth on his lower lip.
“The ice will help with the swelling,” he said. “You’ll be like new sooner than you think.” He smiled at Daniel, but Daniel couldn’t tell if it was genuine or mocking.
“That’s cold.”
“We’ll keep them on for a bit, then give it a rest for fifteen minutes.
He’d wanted to entertain Mr. Baranov and now he was a mess. He couldn’t help looking at his face in the mirror. There would be no way he would want him, and it would be only a matter of hours until he would have second thoughts and fire him.
“I feel so ugly and not sexy at all,” Daniel said.
“There’s nothing ugly about you. Soon you’ll heal and be good as new.” Mr. Baranov kissed him on top of his head.
“I didn’t want my new roommates to meet me like this.”
“Don’t worry about that now. First, you won’t work until your bruises are gone. You can put your sunglasses on and enjoy your new neighborhood.”
“I guess I could.” Daniel feared Mr. Baranov would change his mind about him dancing. No one wanted a dancer who showed up bruised. Bruno understood the situation because his father had been abusive to him until he left home for good. He had explained the only way for it to work was for Daniel to end all family relationships including with his mother and siblings. Daniel couldn’t fathom ever doing that.
“Daniel, I need to make a business call. I’m going to step out for a few then we’ll order dinner.”
As soon as Mr. Baranov left the room, Daniel checked his phone. He had a message from his brother Robert.
Robert: I’m sorry I didn’t get downstairs in time. I was in the shower and didn’t hear anything. When you left, Mom and I had a big fight with him. We told him to leave. He packed some clothes and left. I don’t know where he went. Be careful. Don’t go anywhere alone. If you need anything, call me.
Daniel: Thanks. I hope he doesn’t return home. Will Mom be safe?
Robert: I’m staying here with her to make sure he doesn’t come back. He shouldn’t have put his hands on you. And he needs to shut his loud fucking mouth about you being gay and a dancer. He needs to get over it. Mom was crying because she thought she would never see you. I told her in a few weeks, I’d take her to New York to see you dance at the Glitter Box. Whatever you do with your boss, don’t become involved emotionally with him until you really know him. I found out a few facts about Andrei Baranov. He has separated himself from his mob family, but he’s still a rough guy with tons of money to burn. He makes all his money through old-fashioned, hard work and his businesses are legit. So, he’s not as bad as Dad thinks. With Dad, it’s mostly the gay thing. He’s not over it.
Daniel: Thanks for the facts. Those were helpful. And thanks for supporting who I am and for taking care of Mom. She always said she wanted to see me dance in a NYC nightclub. So, thanks for that. I love you. The best big brother!
