As the days passed by slowly it seemed to take forever to get to Friday. After making a short visit to the Sword and Shield tavern, Brodey checked his newly stolen timepiece and smiled it would be seven soon and he could hardly wait to see Greystone. Only a block away from Angie’s Brodey was surrounded and pulled into the alley by a gang of boys’ that called themselves Nicky’s boys.

Nicky is the oldest of the group, at nineteen Nicky was wise beyond his years and under the right circumstances a decent man, his boys, on the other hand, could be royal dick heads if provoked and Nicky was nowhere to be found. “You know good and well that the Sword and Shield tavern is our territory you and that wanker Emmett have stepped on our toes one too many times.”

Brodey’s heart dropped “Come on guys, Tony, Alan, Georgie you work my territory all the time do you see me crying about it. I won’t trespass on your territory ever again, or does this have to end messily?”

Georgie laughed punching his fist into his hand “You know it does Brodey you may have only trespassed once but that cocky friend of yours Emmett.” Georgie paused his friends laughed “I caught that son of a bitch buck ass naked with my girl Meg, can’t seem to find him so you will just have to do, tell Emmett I say hi.”

Brodey tried to fight them off but was subdued and beaten each boy getting his chance, Brodey was thankful they hit like little boys and this wasn’t his first or would be his last altercation with them and the five other gangs, after a while he became numb to it all. Brodey’s was lucky and his secret remained a secret and he was very happy the other boys hadn’t realized it, or these regular beatings would turn into a gang rape. He had seen it done, it was vicious, it was hard enough not to get raped as a boy, as Scarlet she would have no chance at all. Beaten up and bleeding Brodey knew he would be getting to Angie’s about five minutes late.

Dressed in an all-black suit with a black hat worn low on his head Xavier walked into Angie’s looking dark and dangerous, as the double doors swung behind him all eyes’ were on him. A quiet man he walked to his table only giving the men around him a small nod. As soon as he sat down Angie rushed over to welcome him, handing him his usual brandy and giving him a chaste kiss on his cheek. “Nice to see you, honey.”

Xavier smiled “Thanks, Angie if I was going to feel comfortable anywhere besides home it would be here, my father would have agreed.” A large man sitting in the back yelled out to her “Damn woman, I’ve been waiting for a drink for ten minutes, get your ass moving.”

Xavier was up and out of his chair in a flash and pulling the stranger up onto his feet. “Raise your voice to Angie one more time and I will introduce you to the evil man you all have been warned about.”

The man held up his hands almost tripping as he backed away. “Hell, Greystone I was just playing with Angie, no need to get pushed out of shape.” Xavier growled still glaring at the stranger “Ain’t got many friends, I try to take care of the ones I do have.”

Hearing the door Xavier turned to find Brodey out of breath and beaten up when Angie saw him, she rushed to his side. “Brodey are you alright?”

Brodey shrugged “I’m alive, got jumped by Nicky’s boys Georgie, Alan, and Tony again not only did I work in one of their pubs, but Emmett got caught naked and in bed with Georgie’s girl, so I got his beating as well.”

Xavier walked away from the stranger and walked toward Brodey a look of concern on his face, it was the first time Brodey had ever seen it.” As he got closer Brodey pulled his hat down over his eyes, “I’m fine Angie just a little bruised up and bloody.” Angie grabbed a wet rag and wiped the blood from Brodey’s nose. “This has to stop Brodey.”

Xavier still stood there watching as Angie fussed over Brodey and Brodey tried to get away. “I know you have dreams Brodey and I also know that you won’t ever achieve them as Brodey, it’s time you put him away for good.”

Brodey shushed Angie “Can we talk about this some other time Angie maybe in private.” Angie nodded “Sorry I said what I said, it’s just this could have turned out very differently and you know it.”

Brodey stood to walk out “Yes Angie I know but I’m fine, I’m sorry I came in here like this, I wasn’t thinking I was running late, and I guess that’s all I was thinking about.”

Before turning around and walking out Brodey looked at Xavier and shrugged giving him a half-smile then he was gone leaving Xavier with a thousand questions. Xavier joined Angie at the bar. “Has this happened before?” Angie shrugged “Many times before.” Xavier paused “How could this have turned out different?”

Angie started to walk away but Xavier followed her “I can’t say any more, you’ll have to ask Brodey.” Xavier nodded “He will be alright though, right?” Angie shrugged “Always is.”

Xavier walked out curious as to which way the boy had gone. Seeing Brodey walking down the street Xavier followed him to a tavern on Fleet Street called the Bronze Hog Tavern. When he walked in, he found Brodey sitting up at the bar; taking a seat next to him Xavier ordered a mug of ale. After taking a drink of his ale Brodey turned and smiled at him. “Hey there.”

Xavier took a drink then turned and gave Brodey his full attention, Brodey watched as he took the stool next to him “Don’t normally see you here.” Xavier shrugged “Well I don’t normally follow you here.”

Brodey’s chest tightened at the thought of Xavier even wanting to follow him. “Why are you following me?”

Xavier shrugged and took a drink “Don’t know really, I guess seeing you for only an hour or so a week isn’t enough for me and I hardly had even two minutes with you today and I wanted to see how you were after the beating you got earlier.”

Brodey couldn’t help but smile at the concern in his voice. “Had a few close calls this past week, so I’ve been watching my back but not enough it seems.”

Xavier called the barman over and ordered them both another round “I’m supposed to go to some garden party tonight and I’ve been trying to put off going.” Brodey took a big drink “I’m sure your date is upset, no one likes to be kept waiting.”

Xavier chuckled “I never take dates to these parties; I make an appearance, make sure everyone sees me there then I slip out the back.”

Brodey smiled “From what I hear everyone thinks you’re wicked and mysterious, but I just don’t really see the wicked part. Unhappy maybe although I’ve seen you smile a lot lately which is a nice change from your usual frown?”

Xavier laughed “You don’t think I’m wicked?”

Brodey shrugged “Truthfully I rather like that about you.”

Xavier smiled “Well what exactly don’t you like about me?”

Brodey started to laugh “Sounds like a trick question to me.”

Xavier looked at him in amusement “A trick question, why?”

Brodey shrugged “Truthfully?” Xavier’s eyes seem to light up “Yes I’m definitely a fan of the truth.”

Brodey sighed “It’s a trick questioned because I think you know as well as me that I like everything about you, which I know sounds a bit weird me being a boy and you being a man.”

Xavier nodded “Well I must admit that most of the things going on in my head don’t make sense to me lately for that very same reason.” Standing up Xavier paid then touched Brodey on the shoulder “I’m headed out, you interested in taking a walk with me?”

Brodey smiled as he jumped off his barstool and followed Xavier out the door and into the streets. “Where are we going?” Xavier shrugged “Don’t know I guess I just need some fresh air.”

Brodey watched as the people on the street avoided him. Walking in silence Brodey could feel Xavier’s eye’s on him. “So, I guess you have decided to skip the party altogether, too bad you’ll miss seeing all those snobby rich girls that all want a piece of you.”

Xavier laughed as he put his arm over Brodey’s shoulder “There is nothing more irritating than being followed around by pompous men and snobby women that I’m in no way attracted to. I’d rather pay for sex, it’s a whole hell of a lot better than courting a woman that bores me to death and that I have no interest in.”

Brodey laughed enjoying being so close to him, “By the look of it at Stella’s I’d say you’re not alone with that idea.” Xavier laughed “You're sixteen and you live in a Brothel how exactly do you manage that?”

Brodey shrugged “I manage just fine; I have a friend I visit on occasion, whenever the mood strikes me.”

Xavier listened as he lit a cigar “Like you, I tend to stay with the same girl.” Brodey looked up at the expensive cigar and smiled “Can I have a drag?” Xavier nodded down at Brodey and handed him the cigar watching as he took a drag “Why is it that you like to stick to one woman?”

Xavier thought about it for a moment before he answered: “She knows what I like and I know what she likes, makes it easier to get straight to the business of getting off.”

Returning to the tavern Xavier found Silas his driver waiting and ready to go, Silas gave Xavier a nod as he opened the door for him. Xavier turned to face Brodey and smiled “I’m headed to my townhouse would you like a ride home?”

Brodey looked up at this he large black driver and smiled before jumping up into the coach “Can’t say no to that.”

Brodey felt nervous as he sat on Xavier’s leather seats. When they arrived at Stella’s Brodey jumped out and turned back and smiled at Xavier “Thanks for the ride.”

Seeing Brodey Emmett ran up and lifted Brodey up off the ground “Been looking for you all night, about time you got home.” Brodey shook his head in annoyance smiling back at Xavier “Thanks, I hope I see you on Friday.”

Xavier almost glared at Emmett unsure why but knowing there was something not right about him. “Until then.”

Brodey watched as his coach rode away then turned back to Emmett “What happened to Barbra, I thought tonight was your big night.”

Emmett laughed “I finished with her an hour ago, got bored and snuck out after she fell asleep.” Brodey laughed “Is she at your place?” Emmett nodded “Yes she is, do you think Scarlet will mind if I stay with you tonight?”

Brodey laughed as Emmett laid his head on his shoulder “I’m a bit revved up myself especially after my evening with Lord Greystone.”

Emmett followed Brodey into Stella’s when they got into Brodey’s room Emmett shut the door behind them. When Brodey turned around Emmett had a somber expression. “Just do me a favor as your longtime lover, can you at least try and keep your mind on me while we're having sex and I promise to keep my mind on you. Maybe we can just leave Lord Friday until after we're through and since I’m staying over maybe Scarlet could show herself to me, no clothes, and no quickies.”

Brodey understood and nodded in agreement “Alright Emmett it’s just you and me, seeing Scarlet fully naked will be a new experience for me as well.”

Emmett watched as Brodey slowly undressed in front of him. Unwrapping the tight bandages restricting and concealing her full and perky breasts. “Damn Scarlet you get more and more beautiful every time I set eye’s on you.”

Brodey looked down at herself in disbelief then looked at Emmett as he gazed at her with lust-filled eyes “I love it when you call me Scarlet.”

Scarlet paused “Well you are the only person who has ever even seen Scarlet so no wonder I like it so much.”

Emmett undressed as he approached her then lifted her naked body up into his arms before laying her down on her small bed and crawling up her body letting his hands explore her slowly. “My God Scarlet I have missed you I love seeing you like this the real you naked and unmasked, a thousand Barbra’s don’t compare to one of you, just the sight of you takes my breath away.”

After a long and satisfying night together Emmett and Scarlet lied in bed, neither spoke until Emmett turned on his side and stared down at her. “I’d promise not to be with any other women if you’ll promise to be my girl.”

Emmett paused “Hell Scarlet you’re almost nineteen isn’t it about time you sent Brodey packing.”

Scarlet shrugged as she tucked a stray hair back behind his ear. “And what Emmett playhouse with you?”

Emmett gave an irritated sigh “It’s because of him isn’t it, I’d swear your whole life revolves around him and he doesn’t even know the real you.” Scarlet turned her back to him “You talk as if you yourself know me; all you know about Scarlet is what happens in the heat of passion. It’s Brodey’s face everyone sees and Brodey’s actions that define me.”

Emmett leaned in and kissed the delicate skin on Scarlet’s neck. “Morning will come soon, and Scarlet will have disappeared, let me at least hold you, your body calls out to me and I still have time to answer back before I have to go.”

Scarlet turned back and lightly caressed his chest “Can’t we just stay as we are, lovers on occasion and you on the prowl as usual.”

Emmett kissed her “Me on the prowl and you head over heels in love with a man that is from a whole different world and thinks you are a boy. You would have more of a chance if instead of showing up on Friday as Brodey you showed up as Scarlet. Although I doubt, he would even recognize you dressed up like a Lady hell neither would I, naked definitely but in a dress I think not.” Scarlet smiled as she pulled his head down and kissed him.

Retiring for the night, Xavier headed back to his townhouse still perplexed with thoughts and questions about Brodey. Later that night Xavier lied in bed unable to stop thinking about him and what Angie had said. Xavier couldn’t sleep pacing back and forth, irritable and confused he woke up Silas and headed to Stella’s hoping some female attention might calm his nerves. When he walked in, he passed Brodey’s room stopping at what sounded like two people having sex.

Just the thought of Brodey with a woman gave him a twinge of jealously why he didn’t know but he felt it all the same. Seeing Luna Xavier smiled then took little to no time at all getting down to business. About an hour later he came out fully satisfied only to walk right into Emmett leaving Brodey’s room holding his shirt and shoes, a bit stunned to see him Emmett stumbled and dropped his shoes while picking them up he smiled at Xavier.

“Lord Friday, so sorry I meant Lord Greystone you must be coming from Luna’s.” Xavier nodded as he looked down at the satisfied Emmett, “And how about you, from the sound of it earlier you and Brodey must have been entertaining a tart or two yourselves.”

Why that bothered him he didn’t know but Emmett avoided eye contact with the dark lord. “Yeah we got lucky, there was one for both of us.”

Xavier walked with Emmett out to the street then jumped in his coach and headed back to his townhouse. Meanwhile back at Stella’s Scarlet lied in bed listening to the moans and squeals of delight that surrounded her on all sides. Her mind completely focused on Xavier, yet still grateful her secret hadn’t been found out by the boys that had jumped her earlier that night. Angie was right it could have turned out very differently, and if they had found out they would have all had their turn raping her. Satisfied yet sore Brodey remembered Xavier’s worried face and smiled before drifting off the sleep.

Scarlet woke early and got dressed as Brodey then headed to Ben’s newsstand. Ben was in a great mood as he tossed Brodey the paper and an apple then watched as Brodey sat on the curb behind the newsstand to read it. Xavier was up rather early having never really fallen to sleep, on his way out of town he stopped by the newsstand and bought a paper. Sitting on a bench to read it he was surprised when he heard Brodey’s laugh, seeing him Xavier watched him for a while. Ben walked over and kneeled down next to him to find out what was so funny. “Anything new about that dark Lord of yours?”

Brodey took a bite out of her apple then read it out loud to Ben, “Has our dark Lord found a reason to stay in London, a woman perhaps or maybe just a few good hands of poker.”

Brodey laughed “He stays in town a few extra nights and they assume it has to be a woman.”

Ben went back to work, and Xavier walked over and stood in front of Brodey who was engrossed in an article he was reading. “I doubt anyone would believe a boy is my reason for being here.” Brodey looked up a bit shocked “Xavier”

Brodey looked around “I mean Lord Greystone; I didn’t think I’d find you here.” Seeing Silas pull up Xavier turned and smiled “If you’re not doing anything maybe you would like to take a ride through the park with me.”

Brodey swallowed hard as he followed Xavier to his coach. “A ride sounds nice.”

Xavier watched as Brodey jumped up into the coach then smiled “I have something I’d like to ask you.”

Brodey got nervous as the coach started moving, “What exactly did you need to ask me?”

Xavier smiled as he leaned back and got comfortable “I visited Stella’s late last night, sounded like you and Emmett brought a few tarts back to your place for some late-night pleasantries or entertainment if you will.”

Brodey looked shocked “What would make you think that?”

Xavier laughed “I ran into Emmett as he was leaving.”

Brodey shrugged “So you went to see Luna last night?”

Xavier nodded “Couldn’t sleep too much going on in my head I guess.”

Xavier smiled when he saw the look of jealousy on Brodey’s face “I was kind of hoping to see you, but you sounded like you were having fun all on your own, well not alone at least.”

Brodey could feel Xavier’s eye’s on him “What I meant was why did you want to see me?” Xavier laughed as he ran his hand through his hair “Hell if I know, I just did.”

Brodey leaned forward as she glanced out at the fancy ladies strolling throughout the park. Laughing he turned to find Xavier watching him wearing a sexy smile. Seeing a gold chain peak out from Brodey's shirt Xavier leaned in and pulled out Brodey's Gypsy medallion, curious Xavier scooted forward to get a better look “What’s this?” Brodey’s looked down at the medallion and smiled “It’s my Gypsy medallion.”

Having heard from Angie that Brodey had Gypsy blood Xavier asked even though he already knew “Did you steal it off a Gypsy?” Brodey laughed “You don’t steal from a Gypsy; they steal from you.” Xavier smiled “Never heard of a Gypsy with blonde hair and green eyes.”

Brodey nodded “My mother and I are the only ones as far as I know at least that’s what my grandmother used to say, well I guess it’s just me now that my mother’s dead.”

Looking back down at the medallion Xavier frowned “Must be hard to be away from your people, remind me to ask you about it later.” Brodey smiled “So you’re headed to Greystone Manor?” Xavier nodded “As soon as I’m done here, will I see you next Friday?”

Brodey smiled “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The coach stopped and Brodey jumped out “Friday then.” Xavier tipped his hat “Friday then.”

That whole week both Brodey and Xavier thought of each other and nothing else both wondering at what point it all would end when the mystery would be found out the truth unmasked. When Friday rolled around again Brodey and Xavier had both been looking forward to seeing each other. When Brodey showed up at Angie’s he found Xavier already there and sitting at his usual table. As usual, he looked dark and as handsome as the devil giving him an even more serious and mysterious look, despite his amused and flirtatious smile. Seeing Angie Brodey walked over and said hello, then scanned the room pausing to smile at Xavier, who watched him from across the room curious to see if this would be the day that all his questions would be answered.