An Unexpected Gift (Lorie)

[Kitten]

Thomas continued in his casual caressing, running his fingers lightly through dark red hair. His eyebrows raised and a small smile took his lips as Jared inquired about the consequences of disobedience. The blonde man sat up straighter and folded his hands in his lap, giving his new companion a stern look.

"If I find your behavior to be less than I expect then I would have to punish you." His smile was more of a leer at this point as he took Jared's chin in his hand. "Normally I punish my subordinates by giving them the worst jobs in the most dangerous locations, but I won't be doing that with you."

The mobster slowly slid his hand down to the young mans throat, gently holding him in place. "With you I think I'd be more inclined to... put you over my knee until my point was made." Green eyes looked into brown once more and he smirked. "Understand?"

[Lorie]

Punishment? Until Mr. Acardi defined what he meant that word instantly registered as forced isolation or abandonment. Jared wasn’t sure how he felt about being ‘put over a knee’? He understood that to mean spanking and though Harold was domineering he had never put that much effort into his attempts to tame the redheaded stepchild that was Jared. If he was physically chastised it was often a slap to the face or upside the back of his head. Nodding the almost eighteen year old supposed he could deal with this.

“I understand.” Jared answered meeting green eyes with conviction. Placing the yet unopened bottle of water onto the table before him Jared raised his newly freed hand to touch Thomas’ arm hesitantly. “And what are these rules I’m to obey?” he asked cautiously. Jared wanted to be clear on what was and was not allowed. Not that it would change his mind about staying with this man. There was something very intriguing about Mr. Acardi and Jared was as keen to see this experience through as his new owner seemed to be.

[Kitten]

Thomas smiled at the young man, proud of his courage. He stroked his chin lightly for a few moments while he considered what to say. Jared didn't strike him as an irredeemable street urchin, but more as a boy who needed comfort and guidance; and something a little nicer than the clothes he had on. He covered the others hand with his own and squeezed gently.

"My most important rule is that you communicate with me. If I've told you to do something that you don't understand or you can't manage, if you're sick or hurt, these are things I want and need to know. I expect you to obey me at all times to the best of your ability, and if you don't then we'll revisit the issue of discipline."

Thomas stood up to pace as he considered everything the young man might need to concern himself with. He tapped out another cigarette and lit it, taking a slow drag from it while he thought.

"You're to be polite and respectful, your glib attitude might have saved your ego in the past but I'll not tolerate it. Once I have made my decision it's final. If I decide you need a spanking, or if I revoke your privileges then you're to accept that with grace."

He nodded to himself after a moment. "I think that's it. We'll refine that list as we go along." Looking down at Jared he reached for his glass and took a sip. "Can you handle these rules?"

[Lorie]

Communicating might be hard coming from a place where it was expected he was to be unseen and unheard but Jared would make an effort to follow Thomas’ most important rule. As the older man went down the list red hair bobbed as Jared agreed, at least in theory, with what was expected of him. The attitude was going to be another hard one to curb since that was his only real defense mechanism.

Hands folded politely in his lap hazel eyes traveled from the lit cigarette to Mr. Acradi’s face. “May I?” the young man asked equally polite indicating the object of his addiction. It was an average vice for people around Jared’s age and he didn’t make a habit of smoking often as it was something Harold apposed of. Left a lingering smell in the house the girls didn’t like.

A tap at the door reminded Jared that Harold was still out there waiting for his debt to be forgiven. With a distasteful look on light brown eyes Jared glared at the door but held his tongue. Even though he was fairly certain he’d be staying with Mr. Acardi the young redhead didn’t want to chance his luck only to find out he’s to be dragged back to that awful house until he’s either fully eighteen or Harold is tired of him again.

[Kitten]

Thomas grinned slightly at the others very polite request and pulled a cigarette out of his pack. As he handed it over he cleared his throat. "These are a privilege, not a right. I don't want you to buy them for yourself and I'll give you one if I think you've been sufficiently good enough." He handed the young man his gold plated lighter as well.

Green eyes looked at the door and Thomas considered his options for just a moment before calling out to Harold to come in. Jared's good manners seemed to be a thin veneer that would quickly crack under a little pressure and he was curious to see if the other could keep his promise to be polite when faced with his step-father one last time.

[Lorie]

Lighting the cigarette Jared handed the extravagant lighter back to Mr. Acardi before inhaling deep the toxins he’d adored. What was decided about cigarettes seemed reasonable so Jared simply nodded again grateful that he object was not completely forbade. That might have made keeping the attitude in check much harder.

Remaining exactly where he sat Jared watched the door open slowly with a blank expression. Grey eyes narrowed at the boy smoking on the couch as Harold entered before those same grey eyes turned to Mr. Acardi filling with hope. “All went well I trust.” Harold asked giving his bastard child another appraising glare, “he is very trainable.” the man added wanting to sell the boy as best he could think to.

[Kitten]

Thomas looked between the two for a long moment, Jared seemed perfectly capable of keeping his opinions to himself and the man had to commend him for it. They were off to a perfectly splendid start.

"Yes alright Harold." The blonde man said dismissively as he sat down at his desk and tapped at the keyboard for a short moment. "Your debt to me is cleared provided you no longer seek contact with your step-son. I also will not be doing business with you any longer since I believe the only thing of worth that you have is now mine. Do not gamble in my casinos or seek loans from my associates, do not approach my Family for protecting."

He added a few touches to the document and printed it out. "Sign this and give it to my secretary outside. She will have security see you to the door."

[Lorie]

Nodding gratefully that Mr. Acardi had agreed to wipe out his debt Harold thanked the man over and over again. Really the only downside to this arrangement was that this avenue of money and protection was completely closed. Taking the paper handed to him Harold backed out the door one last time not once acknowledging his step-son.

Exhaling with relief Jared leaned forward to stub out his cigarette before raising to his full six feet two inches. Crossing to the man that now owned him the red haired teen wanted to embrace Thomas but opted instead to wrap his arms around himself. “What now?” Jared asked a little uncertain of his actions. Did Mr. Acardi want him to start shadowing an associate this very minute...or maybe Jared should be cleaning something? Perhaps there was a honeymoon type phase where the pair got to know each other? Jared wasn’t sure. This was the first time he’d been gifted to someone.

[Kitten]

Thomas watched the man leave, certain that his security duty would take care of the rest. He looked up at the slightly taller young man and considered him for awhile.

"It's lunch time, are you hungry?" The kid looked like he needed a good meal and a good nights sleep. "I've got a lot of work to do today so I'm afraid you're going to have to sit tight."

Thomas leaned back in his chair for a moment, lacing his fingers together in thought. "I'm going to call up a tailor, do you want me to send someone with you back to your home to get anything? If the rest of your clothes are like that..." he gestured with one finger. "Then don't worry about salvaging any of that."

[Lorie]

Alright, not expected to get down on his knees and start scrubbing stuff just yet. The question of whether Jared was hungry was answered with a smile and breathy, “always.” having just shot up another two inches the teen was constantly trying to keep any sort of weight on. And he only promised to get taller before he stopped growing all together. The doctor’s said that was likely to be around the time Jared turned twenty.

Dimming a little at the prospect of having his first meal as a possession without his owner Jared allowed the disappointment to cross his face of only a second before replacing it with a light smile. Don’t whine about spending a lot of time alone. That was one of the rules and Jared was determined to avoid punishment on his first day with Mr. Acardi.

“Pardon Mr. Acardi? What am I to call you?” the crimson haired boy asked wanting to make certain he wasn’t disrespecting his owner with the wrong title. It was very important to address a man properly. Harold like to be called Sir. Not that Jared actually did mind, but he liked to be called that. Granted Jared had no respect for his step-father. Thomas, on the other hand, the redhead saw reason to respect him.