White Space Season 2

apart. I can’t get more until he gets back, not without risk of it coming back to one of us.”
    “Thanks,” Warren said, preferring to enjoy his present ride, rather than hashing out the particulars of his next one. He kept his head back, eyes closed, feeling euphoria flooding his senses. “Fuck do I need this tonight!”
    “Why, what’s wrong?” Kaiser asked.
    “Father. He’s killing the Project. He gave me two weeks, then he’s ending it.”
    “I knew he’d do this,” Kaiser said, his voice laced with I told you so.
    “I thought he’d change his mind,” Warren said. “He’s a logical man, after all. What kind of logical man turns down a trillion dollar contract with DOD?”
    Kaiser gave Warren a commiserated sigh, then his concerned hands, rubbing the tense spots from his neck.
    “You have knots,” Kaiser noted.
    “You would, too, if you had my shitty day.”
    “Don’t let them get you down.” Kaiser slid his hand to Warren’s belt, tugging it loose.
    Warren smiled, but kept his eyes closed, his cock hard as Kaiser unzipped his pants and put it into his mouth.
    Opiates flooded his blood as well-practiced oral flooded his senses. A new euphoria flowed through his body. Warren’s hands found Carl’s head as he thrust harder into the man’s mouth, quickly exploding with a dizzying orgasm.
    Warren exhaled, then kissed Kaiser on the mouth.
    “Thank you,” Warren said, “I needed that.”
    “Thank you,” Carl rested his head on Warren’s chest.
    They sat for some time, alone in the shaded black of the Paladin van, safe from prying eyes and cameras, the only time Warren felt like he could be himself, not hiding behind a persona, or fulfilling other people’s expectations. Things with Carl were never romantic. They were pure, to the point, two lovers fulfilling carnal desires, with none of the trappings of Warren’s marriage. None of the false “I love yous” or dead echoes from long since hollow feelings.
    With Carl, things were simple. For that, Warren was grateful.
    As they glowed through their shared moment, Warren wondered if Carl would want his turn in the van’s back. Warren wasn’t sure he had the energy, but didn’t want to disappoint Kaiser, especially if Warren was going to effectively set the next part of his plan into motion — the part which required Carl’s loyalty and discretion.
    As if reading his mind, Carl said, “Don’t worry. You can return the favor next time. I know you’re exhausted.”
    “Thanks,” Warren stroked Kaiser’s bald head, allowing himself to fully relax. He wished he could drift off here in the van, beside Carl, but they both had lives and stages to play on.
    Warren tucked his cock back into his pants and zipped up as he noticed Carl’s expression — like the man was waiting to tell him something, but wasn’t sure how or where to start. Carl’s hesitance was uncharacteristic, which was annoying to Warren and threatened his buzz.
    “Say what you wanna say,” Warren said buckling his belt.
    “I think it’s time we consider … you know.”
    Yes, Warren did know. It was the phrase neither would say aloud, yet they need not say at all.
    It’s time we kill Blake .
    “Oh, I don’t know,” Warren said, shaking his head, acting as if he’d not carefully led Carl down this road throughout the past year. Yes, it was time. Long past it, perhaps. But Warren couldn’t seem too eager. Carl had to think the idea was his. “I’m just not sure.”
    “Are you really going to let him kill the Project? You’ve put so much of your life into this, Warren. He has no right to come in and shut things down!” Carl’s voice flared as he punched the steering wheel. “No right!”
    Carl’s sudden outburst reminded Warren just how animal he could be — how quickly he could turn to violence. This was a quality which both attracted Warren, and made him nervous.
    Warren played coy, “True as that may be, I don’t know that … that … is the answer. I honestly don’t think I can do it.”
    “You don’t have to.” Kaiser voiced his quiet promise.
    “Oh?” Warren said, meeting his gaze. Somehow even the digital eye’s blue glow seemed to convey the depth of Carl’s conviction.
    Carl said, “I have the perfect plan.”
    Warren couldn’t help his spreading smile. He could tell by Carl’s expression — he was about to hear some outside-the-box thinking.
    “Go on,” Warren said. “Tell me more.”

    * * * *

CHAPTER 8 — Brock