urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera Nothing personal alek_spera 2009-04-25T20:30:50Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:2171 2009-04-25T20:22:38Z 2009-04-25T20:30:50Z "No, Mr. Spera. I am certain you don't want to know what I really think." As they walked back toward the lake, Margaret Hall found it difficult to look at the young man beside her.<br /><br />"What do you want me to say, Mrs. Hall? Do you want me to say I can call all of this off? Because, I can't do that. My partner is convinced the money is there and he is prepared to do whatever he has to do to get it."<br /><br />"What about you, just what are you prepared to do? If your partner told you you had to beat me up, break my leg, you'd do that for him? Would that get you this money that you seem to want so badly?" The red-head's voice held more frustration than anger at the situation she found herself in.<br /><br />"I don't want to do any of this, but, I don't have anymore of a choice in things than you do." Alek found it hard not to sympathize with the woman, but how could he possibly tell her what a failure on his part might cost him. Without thinking his hand rose to rub the tattoo on his neck as they continued walking.<br /><br />"Sure you do, you're young, I would guess single too, you could go anywhere, well, I can't. This is all we have Mr. Spera, we have nowhere to run to, no way to escape this. So, you do what you have to do, but, I don't have the kind of money you want." As she finished, Margaret looked off toward the lake, only to immediately turn back to the house as she heard the call of her oldest son.<br /><br />"Look, I have to go, I'll try, but, I know we don't have it." Turning she began walking away from him before he could answer.<br /><br />"What if I see if he'll take less, that would be better, it would help?" Alek hurried to catch up before checking his stride so he could walk back to the house with her.<br /><br />"I'll do what I can, and call you later, okay? I'll try." His tone held a touch of hopefulness in it and the woman couldn't help but grab onto it.<br /><br />"Thank you, now, I do have to go." The sense of relief was immediate as she walked away from him, and while she had no guarantee that he would be successful, at least it gave her hope, and that was what she had needed.<br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 414 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:1810 2009-03-08T03:55:52Z 2009-03-08T03:57:50Z <i>ret⋅i⋅cent  –adjective 1. disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved. <br />2. reluctant or restrained.</i><br /><br />It had been two weeks since he had been told his life was no longer his own, two weeks since he stopped being anything more than an object to be used and then tossed aside when Nagle was bored with him, or too drunk to perform. <br /><br />Touching the freshest bruises on his arm immediately brought back the memory of how they had come to be there and he felt the sympathetic roll of his stomach in response. He hated what his life had become, hated that everything he had dreamed for his future was now gone. He should have known his fate would never have been any more then what his older sister was living, the fate would likely be the same for those younger as well. Why should he have thought his father would change? The man was a drunk, and a gambler but, more importantly, weak, and Zhanna preyed on men like him. She used them to get what she wanted and those like Nagle needed to feel powerful, how better to do that then by having their own victims to abuse?<br /><br />"Alek!" Nagle's voice silenced his thoughts and he forced himself to his feet, having already learned the consequences of delaying a response to one of his calls.<br /><br />"Get your ass in here?" The man's words grew sharper, his anger already surfacing.<br /><br />"I'm here." As he entered the man's office, the teen dropped his eyes to the floor, knowing better then to meet his eyes before he was directed to.<br /><br />"You better start coming when I call you, you hear me?" Nagle's approach was marked by the sound of his heels on the wood floor and as he reached him, Alek felt his head jerked up as the man grabbed a fistful of his hair.<br /><br />"Yes, sir, I hear you. I'm sorry." The apology almost choked in his throat and he again dropped his eyes in submission.<br /><br />"I've made a decision about you, Alek, you're going to make me very rich, but, there will be no question who you belong to." Without saying anything more, Carlie Nagle stepped aside to reveal the other man in the room with the two of them. <br /><br />"Do you see him, Alek? He's going to brand you as mine. No matter who touches you, no matter who I let take you, you'll always be mine." Nagle's lips raised into a smile that sent a chill down Alek's spine, and as much as he wanted to refuse, he knew he could not.<br /><br />"Right here." Nagle ran his fingers along the youth's neck before clamping them tight enough to elicit a sharp gasp from him.<br /><br />"You'll be mine forever, and there's not a damn thing you can do or say about it." Releasing his grip, he delivered a slap to Alek's cheek before again turning his attention to the stranger in the room.<br /><br />"You can start now, Alek is all yours." <br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 511 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:1619 2009-03-02T03:35:32Z 2009-03-02T03:35:32Z As he pulled his car out of Margaret Hall's driveway, Alek Spera was still angry over his conversation with her. Conversation, hell, it wasn't even a conversation, it was a quarrel, what was it about this woman that made doing this job so different then what any other was? Fishing his ever present cigarettes from his pocket, he quickly lit one before replacing the pack.<br /><br />He'd been with Carlie Nagle for longer then he wanted to think about, the man had essentially owned him since he was a kid. Despite how he felt about what the man did for his living, what he demanded of Alek himself, he'd learned long ago the consequences of crossing him. So, why now was he beginning to think he should do just that?<br /><br />This woman and her family, they weren't anything like those Nagle usually sent him to deal with. She wasn't a compulsive gambler, she wasn't some hooker looking for her next fix, or a welsher trying to find the easy way out of repaying his latest loan. No matter how hard he tried to look at it, he couldn't see her the way he saw all of those others. <br /><br />He certainly wasn't looking forward to the upcoming conversation with Nagle, and telling him the woman's husband not only wasn't there, but she claimed they didn't have the money. Why did he have the sinking feeling that they might be revisiting some of those nightmares of his past by the time he finished delivering the news?<br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 255 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:1447 2008-12-27T07:45:41Z 2008-12-27T08:00:55Z (Rated R for language)<br /><br />Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.<br /><br />He could feed bills into the machine, but, there was a certain amount of satisfaction to be gained by the sound of the coins as each dropped into the slot. Satisfaction, it was something he was lacking today, not that this was helping all that much with the way his luck was running. He slid his hand into his pocket for the pack of cigarettes as the wheels came to a stop and yet again produced no pay-out. <br /><br />What was he going to tell Nagel? The question was the sole reason he had come to the casino instead of going straight to the older man's office. How was he going to tell him that he had once again ended up empty-handed instead of returning with the money he'd been sent to collect? What was it about this woman that was making this so difficult? She was a mark, it should have been a piece of cake, but, it wasn't, and he didn't know why.<br /><br />Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.<br /><br />He took a long pull off the cigarette as he watched the spin of the wheels. in all of the years he had been doing Nagel's bidding, he'd never questioned anything the man had told him to do, he didn't dare. He'd seen the consequences to those who had dared to cross him, or worse to cheat him, he'd been forced to deliver the punishments himself on more occasions then he cared to count. In his early days with the man he'd been on the receiving end of his anger far too many times until he learned it was best to stay in his favors. So, why now, what in this woman undid all of those years of experiences?<br /><br />Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.<br /><br />It'd be easy to blame it on her children, even the old man, but, he wasn't the type to be swayed by people playing the sympathy card on him. Besides, it was far too common with those who gambled beyond their means. So, what was it about Margaret that made him willing to not just fore-go his half of the money, but dare to risk Nagel's wrath on top of it?<br /><br />Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.<br /><br />He'd barely released the last coin when he felt the bite of the fingers as Carlie Nagel grabbed his shoulder from behind.<br /><br />"Where the hell have you been, I've been calling you for hours?" His anger was all too clear, not just in the sound of his voice, but, in his demeanor as well, and to further hammer his point home he tightened his hold until Alek had to react to it.<br /><br />"I had nothing to say." He tried to shrug off the man's grip, which only further angered him.<br /><br />"You had nothing to say. Where the hell is my fucking money, Alek?" It took everything in Carlie not to knock the younger man off the stool he sat on, so instead he dug his thumb deeper, only to smile as it elicited a gasp in response.<br /><br />"She wasn't able to get it, I'm going back tomorrow." They were drawing the attention of others now, and he knew from past experience that having an audience often brought out Nagel's more vicious side.<br /><br />"I'm sorry, but, she couldn't get it today, she said she'd have it tomorrow." He intentionally lowered his eyes as he explained, then removed his cigarette as he felt the bile rise. He hated having to submit to the submissive role in front of an audience, but, he knew too just how far he could push the man before it was too much, and he'd come too close to that edge. Even if he escaped punishment now, it was all too likely that he'd pay for his disobedience later, he might not like it, but, it was a pattern he'd grown accustomed to.<br /><br />"You'd better get my damn money tomorrow. If I have to go after it, they'll be pulling more then Darby's body from that lake, you hear me Alek? Don't make me have to go up there myself" <br /><br />"Yes." It took every ounce of self control he could muster to force the single word out, but, it seemed to satisfy the man and he finally released his hold.<br /><br />"I mean it Alek, I want my fucking money tomorrow." As his final insult he raised his hand, then flicked his finger, striking the younger man in the center of his forehead to punctuate his words. Without another word Nagel picked up the plastic container of coins that sat beside Alek's slot machine and with a final glare, he turned and walked away. <br /><br />As Carlie walked away, Alek could feel the heat from the blush of unwanted attention, without even looking he could feel the eyes of those at the near-by machines upon him, the lack of noise telling him that even they had yet to return to their own play. Why couldn't he have at least left his coin? He wouldn't run away, he wouldn't play the coward. The decision made, he abandoned the stub of his cigarette to the ashtray and snagged his wallet from his pocket. Pulling several bills from it he fed them one by one into the machine, before hitting "max bet."<br /><br />Ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching.<br /><br />One by one the wheels began their spins. He refused to run away, he refused to let Carlie Nagel win.<br /><br /><br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 813 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:1032 2008-02-03T07:00:30Z 2008-02-03T07:00:30Z What was it about Margaret Hall that made her so different from all of the others? It wasn't like this was the first time that Nagel had sent him out to do his dirty work for him. Oh sure, he could tell him that they were partners in the deal, but, that wasn't really the way it was. Okay, yes, he'd get a share of the take, whatever that happened to be, but nothing near what Nagle took, and in the meantime he was the one taking all the risks, he was the one who would end up taking the fall if something went wrong. So, what was it about this woman that made her so different from any of the others that Carlie Nagle had set his sights on? <br /><br />How the hell was he going to explain to Nagle that he didn't get the money, that he didn't get any money from the woman? Lighting a fresh cigarette off the end of the one still burning in his hand, Alek contemplated the dilemma he had placed himself into. Carlie Nagle was not a man who tolerated mistakes, neither did he tolerate things not being done the way he wanted them done and Alek was positive Nagle would consider him guilty of both. Why then wasn't he bothered by the consequences that he knew would come of his having screwed up? <br /><br />There was something about this woman that was different from the people he and Nagle normally dealt with and it wasn't just that she was trying to protect her children, he'd had no trouble getting payments out of those with wives and kids before. So what? The old man? No, what did he care if the old man lived or died, but, he must have cared, why else help her by doing CPR on him? <br /><br />The feelings the woman was raising in him were ones he wasn't used to. In fact, if he was honest, he wasn't used to caring about anyone but himself, he'd learned early on that it was the only way to survive the life he'd been dealt. So, why now? Alek began replaying the conversations with Margaret in his head as he made the drive back to Reno. What the hell was he supposed to do? The woman meant nothing to him, but she had tapped into something in him he didn't know he existed and unfortunately, he was going to pay a hefty price to Nagle as a result, he could only hope she was worth it.<br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 428 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:827 2008-01-14T23:42:41Z 2008-01-14T23:42:41Z <img src="http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a310/AzizalSaqr/soc_smoking_1006.jpg"><br /><br />What the hell was he supposed to tell Nagle? The question twisted around his brain as he yanked the handle on the slot machine down with far more force than was necessary? The conversation was not one he was looking forward to having, which was probably why his cell phone was currently turned off. Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pulled out the pack of Marlboro's and tapped a cigarette free.<br /><br />"Damn." He issued the curse as he caught sight of the slot's results, his luck sucked everywhere it seemed. Thumbing up the flame on his lighter he lit the end of the cigarette and took a long pull off of it before secreting the lighter and the pack away again. As the smoke tickled his throat he thought back over his exchange with Margaret, there was no way he could tell Nagle the truth. Releasing the smoke, he took another draw then tucked the filter between his lips before dropping more coins into the machine. It was an endless cycle, had been for as long as he'd known Nagle, and he wasn't looking forward to being on the receiving end of the man's anger, there had to be a way out, all he needed to do was figure out just what it was.<br /><br />Muse: Alek Spera<br />Fandom: The Deep End<br />Words: 218 urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:alek_spera:447 2006-09-19T01:19:11Z 2008-12-27T05:31:43Z Rated R: <br />Warning: Contains sensitive subject matter<br /><br />Carlie Nagel liked to gamble, it didn't matter what the game was, it didn't matter the stakes, as long as there was a game he was happy. He had his regular rounds, cities he would hit every few months as the mood struck him, then there were the excursions. <br /><br />Zhanna had been on one of those, a brothel, a whorehouse, it didn't matter what it was called, it's purpose was clear. But Zhanna's was different. Unlike traditional houses Zhanna's catered to extreme tastes and Carlie Nagel had those as well. Zhanna's had back rooms, rooms that only those whose trust had been earned would ever see, and these were the rooms that Carlie Nagle returned year after year to visit. In one of these rooms there was held a card game that had yet to be matched anywhere in the world, it's stakes did not end with money alone and that too drew Nagel's interest. The players were as varied as the stakes, millionaires, high rollers, or just players like Carlie, as long as they had the means they could be part of the game. <br /><br />The current game had been ongoing for 48 hours, and there was no end in sight. The stakes had surpassed what any had imagined and what made this game even more intriguing was that Zhanna herself had ante'd into the pot the balance of the chips she'd had before her. The woman sat now studying her hand and the men before her, her face a mixture of smug satisfaction. "Gentlemen, the hour grows late and I think it's time we all are growing weary, perhaps we should make a final grand wager winner take all." The Madam looked between the assembled players again, confidence in her own cards overriding the caution that might normally dictate her play. <br /><br />"Just what kind of stakes are we looking at?" Nagel may have been the first to ask but his words were soon echoed by the others present. <br /><br />"Ah...I'm sure you'll be pleased." Zhanna laid her cards face down on the table before rising from her seat. "I trust you will not limit the pot to chips exclusively as I have something I think will suit all of your tastes, should you have a hand good enough to take the pot of course." Moving to the door the woman whispered to one of the two men stationed there to assure the game and it's players remained undisturbed. As she finished he simply nodded before leaving. "Gentlemen, perhaps you'd care to refill your drinks while we await Ivan's return." <br /><br />Less then ten minutes had passed when there was a rap at the door and as it was opened Ivan again stepped into the room, though he was no longer alone. The young man who accompanied him could have been anywhere from 14 to 18 years of age. Tall and thin, his shaggy black hair fell haphazardly across his forehead almost to the point of obscuring his eyes. As he entered Zhanna moved to him, only to stretch her hand out so she could brush her fingers through his hair as one might a nervous pet. <br /><br />"This is Alek...he's new gentlemen...and as you can see worth far more then what is now in the pot. This boy will be my final ante into the pot, and when I say he goes to the winner, I mean that in every aspect." The woman avoided looking at the young man as she spoke, she knew there would be fear in his eyes just as she knew he was aware that his feelings held no sway in the matter of his fate. The men had no way of knowing that he had been sold to the Madam by his very own father to settle his own debts to the woman. They could not know that his fate had been the same as his sisters only two years before. His sister however had been allowed to work off the debt within Zhanna's house, or rather she was still doing so, it was not to be the same for him. In Zhanna's eyes the boy was too old, she had accepted him as payment of the debt only because she had realized he held worth to some of her more discriminating clientele, and tonight he would, she hoped, prove that she'd been right. <br /><br />Alek could only watch in fear as his fate was bartered between the men like he were no more then a lamb going to slaughter. His eyes darted nervously between the six men present and he could only imagine what his future held were he to be taken by any of them. When Zhanna ordered him to undress he knew better then to protest and soon he found himself standing naked before them as they each rose to get a closer look. He bit his lip so that he wouldn't cry out as rough hands moved over his skin, touching and probing, fondling him as if he were less human then they were. He released a startled gasp as one of the more bolder gamblers slid his fingers between his cheeks and he could feel his skin redden as his body reacted in kind. <br /><br />"I think that will do gentlemen...if you're satisfied perhaps we can finish the game?" Zhanna had already moved back to reclaim her chair and the rest of the men followed close behind, the one delay coming from the man who had violated him. Withdrawing his hand he delayed a moment more to grab Alex's penis before he could react and move away. <br /><br />"You'll be mine soon enough, and when you are we'll finish this." He squeezed hard enough that Alek cried out in pain and then with a laugh the man patted his head as he might a dog. "Ah yes...we will definitely finish this." <br /><br />And so it was he had come to be with Carlie Nagel... <br /><br />Alek Spera fingered the tattoo on his neck and wished for not the first time that the dice weren't there. No one but he would ever know that they hadn't been placed there of his own choice, no one would know that they were in fact a brand, a mark to show that he belonged to Carlie in much the way that ranchers branded cattle. There were other marks of course, scars left as the man had grown bored with simple sex and turned to more "creative" measures to find his release. <br /><br />How many times had he wished he had the courage to try and escape from it all? How many times had he wished he could return to Carlie some of the pain the man had brought to him in the years since he had won him when his hand had bested Zhanna's. He wouldn't of course because the simple truth was that Zhanna still held his sister's fate in her hands, one call from Zhanna and she might suffer at the hands of one far worse then what Nagel was to him. As much as he hated Carlie Nagel and all that he was he knew he wouldn't leave and risk that happening, and that in itself would have caused him more pain then any the man might deliver himself. <br /><br />Now though he had work to do, he checked the address on the slip of paper Carlie had given him then glanced at the addresses on the mailboxes he passed. Today he was simply a messenger and that he could handle.