The fixer damaged devils.., p.1
The Fixer (Damaged Devils Book 1), page 1
The Fixer
Damaged Devils #1
Charity Parkerson
Punk & Sissy Publications
Copyright
The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not take part in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Brief passages may be quoted for review purposes if credit is given to the copyright holder. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any resemblances to person(s) living or dead, is completely coincidental. All items contained within this novel are products of the author’s imagination.
—Warning: This book is intended for readers over the age of 18. Some of my books contain allusions to past abuse and trauma.
Copyright © 2023 Charity Parkerson
Editor: BZ Hercules & Consultants
All rights reserved.
Contents
Author Note
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
About the Author
Content
Author Note
This is a dark romance series filled with possible triggers. If you need a list, you can skip to the content warning after the About the Author page or check my website: charityparkerson.com/damaged-devils
Introduction
Chad’s entire existence revolves around being a thorn in his stepfather’s side. Now he finally has the money to disappear forever and become someone new. It seems like a bad time to fall in love.
Years ago, Chad had an arrangement of sorts with an extremely powerful man. This man paid for his college while Chad kept him satisfied in secret, protecting his career and reputation. It was a win for everyone. Until the man married Chad’s mother, that is. Then Chad’s life became a nightmare no one can understand. Now Chad lives for revenge. Nothing warms his twisted heart any longer except the thought of being the constant embarrassment for the senator, who pretends to be the perfect family man. Chad won’t stop until he completely escapes. Except, now there’s this other guy…
Journey needs whatever dirt Chad has on his stepfather. His organization wants a senator in their corner they can control. It’s the worst luck imaginable that Chad makes Journey feel something for someone else for the first time in years. All he can do is hope Chad can forgive his betrayal and that he can free them both when it turns out Chad is the only currency the senator cares about. In his organization, not only does the family come first, but there’s also no getting out.
The Fixer is the first book in Charity Parkerson’s Damaged Devils series. These are dark romance stories with crime lords, assassins, and sociopaths who find their hearts. This series is a spin-off from her Kings of the East books. They are best enjoyed when read in order.
Chapter One
The dark park in the middle of upstate New York should have worried Chad. Not because it was a bad neighborhood. The opposite, in fact. He was completely alone at eleven o’clock on a Tuesday night and no one knew where he was or what he was doing. He had told no one who he was meeting. Anything might happen to him. He couldn’t worry about that. A boy had bills to pay. His night started the way it always had for the past six months, since two months after he turned eighteen, and Chad realized he couldn’t afford a life. The economy had literally priced him out of living. He wanted a college education, a car, and a house. None of those things would happen for him as a son of a single mother. People like him didn’t get those opportunities.
Then he had been scrolling through a social media site when he saw a video about a dude making bank by being arm candy. The guy named the site he worked for, and five minutes later, Chad was signed up to meet a sugar daddy. Three dates in, he had realized that the guy was a liar. If he made fat stacks, it wasn’t from being seen. He was definitely getting on his knees. Chad wasn’t opposed. He just wasn’t about to do that for no middle management dude with five bills in his pocket to blow. Chad needed to buy a life. By date four, he hit pay dirt.
A black SUV rolled to the curb and Chad jumped inside. Every night was the same. He knew his role. Chad was a young, willing body. He did everything asked of him and kept his mouth shut afterward. Huge deposits hit his account, and he kept showing up on time. Everyone went home happy.
The man who sat next to him looked no more than thirty-five, even though he was actually forty-seven. Chad had looked him up online. That much, he hadn’t been able to resist. Chad didn’t wait for Ken to initiate things. He took Ken’s hand and led it to his crotch. Chad knew from past encounters Ken liked a proactive boy. He had chosen wisely. Chad was shameless. Sometimes, he wondered if he had been born a little twisted.
“Pull over.”
Chad cast a nervous glance the driver’s way as the SUV pulled to the side of the road. All his thoughts of being completely brazen went out the window.
Ken turned sideways in his seat. “Don’t worry about him. He’s paid to see nothing. Have you paid this semester’s tuition yet with the money I sent you?”
Chad licked his lips. This was different. He didn’t like it. They usually did most everything in private. “Not yet.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.” That wasn’t exactly true. Lately, Chad had been wavering. He had made so much money sucking dick that college seemed almost wasteful.
“I see.” Damn. Ken’s dark tone sounded as if he really did see. Chad felt called to the carpet and he couldn’t explain it. It was too dark in the backseat. Chad couldn’t get a good look at Ken’s blue eyes, but they felt cold. He knew if he touched Ken, he would feel stiff. Everything about the encounter differed from usual.
“I’ll pay it tomorrow.”
Ken made a humming sound, as if he didn’t quite believe, which was fair. Chad didn’t repeat himself, nor would he promise. In fact, he thought this date might be over now. They were supposed to be fun. Chad didn’t want an actual father.
“Maybe I’m not what you want tonight.”
“Come here.”
Chad bit back a triumphant smile at Ken’s tone. He knew he had won. His veiled threat had been enough to make Ken understand. Chad would get out of this vehicle and not look back if Ken thought to control him. He was here because he wanted to be. If Ken tried to use his money against Chad, then Chad was done. He liked this arrangement, but Chad loved his freedom even more. Chad enjoyed the way they didn’t feel real. He needed this to be separate from his life. Chad moved to his knees and crawled Ken’s way. He would make Ken forget about real life. They were just pretend. Play time. Chad would make him fly.
As Chad reached for Ken, Ken snagged him by the throat and hauled him forward. It was a violent move Chad hadn’t seen coming. His head hit the window next to Ken before he was jerked forward and found himself nose to nose with Ken.
“What will you do tomorrow?”
Chad swallowed at Ken’s deadly tone, but he didn’t respond. He wasn’t being defiant. Ken had caught him off guard. The guy had never attacked him before. He kissed Chad, but it turned into a bite, making Chad cry out in pain.
“What will you do tomorrow?” Ken punctuated each word with a growl.
Chad didn’t want to play this game, but he worried how far Ken would go if he didn’t respond. “I’ll pay my tuition.” It came out in a whisper with the tight grip on his neck, not allowing him enough oxygen to draw a full breath.
Ken’s hold loosened. He kissed Chad again. “Good boy.” His lips whisked Chad’s. He nuzzled noses with him, as if he hadn’t just attacked him. “You’re learning. Now unzip your pants.”
Chad’s hands shook, but he did as told.
Ken slid his hand inside Chad’s underwear and massaged his cock while placing light kisses on his lips—like a completely different person. “That’s a very good boy. Let daddy make it better.”
Chad took slow breaths and tried not to panic. He focused instead on the hand on his dick. All he had to do was come and then this would be over. Then he would never, ever see Ken again. This has been good fun and money, but it was over now. Otherwise, next time, he might not survive.
Chapter Two
His lips stung. It looked like someone had punched him in the mouth where Ken had bitten him. Chad didn’t know what he would tell his mom if he saw her today. Between her job and her secret boyfriend, she was never home anymore. When she was, he was gone. Hopefully, today was no different. A tapping on his bedroom door had him panicking. He honestly hadn’t expected her to be home. It was like all his luck was running dry. Why wasn’t she at work?
Chad grabbed a hoodie and tossed it over his head before pulling up the hood. He strolled toward the door, tugging the strings as he lifted the neck. Chad covered his bottom lip, acting like he chewed on the material as he pulled open the door. A tiny female blonde-haired and hazel-eyed mirror image of himself filled the doorway.
His mom eyed his state of disarray. “Why ar
“Why aren’t you at work?”
They stared at each other.
Neither of them answered.
Finally, his mom smiled. It was a nervous gesture. “Actually, I’m glad you’re home.” She twisted her fingers. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
“Are you kicking me out?”
Her nervous smile turned into a bright and genuine explosion. “What? No. You’re my baby. I wouldn’t do that. You know you’re welcome to live with me forever.”
Chad eyed the nervous way she still twisted her fingers. “Then why do you look ready to jump out of your skin?”
“What happened to your lip?”
Shit. Her weird behavior made him forget to hide. They went back to staring at each other in silence.
Finally, she made a dismissive gesture. “I want you to have breakfast with the man I’ve been seeing. Things are getting serious, and he’s so, so amazing, Chad. He wants to take you to get something to eat and get to know you. This is a big deal for me. It’s a big step.” She bit her bottom lip, looking guilty as hell for asking.
Chad’s chest tightened. He had an amazing mom. She had spent his entire life sacrificing for him. As far as Chad knew, she had only been dating this guy for about three months, but also—as far as Chad knew—she hadn’t dated since his dad died when he was eight. He couldn’t deny her this.
“Sure. Fine. I guess.”
His mom bounced on her toes before shooting forward and kissing his cheek. “Yes. Thank you. You won’t regret it. He’s amazing. You’ll have the best time together. I just know it. He’s downstairs, waiting. I have to get to work, but he’s promised to take good care of you today and you’re grown anyhow, so…”
Chad rolled his eyes. “I’ll be fine. Go. I’ll meet your friend.”
She snorted when Chad emphasized “friend” when they both knew that wasn’t the case. After another kiss on the cheek, his mom waved over her shoulder and practically danced down the stairs.
Chad shook his head and grabbed some socks. He couldn’t imagine what type of man his mom would date after all these years. Chad honestly didn’t remember that much about his dad. He tried to picture him as he pulled on his socks. It seemed like he had been tall and wide-shouldered, but Chad had been a kid. All men had looked that way to him. His mom claimed they had a similar frame, but he didn’t remember as much as he wished. He had been a cop, killed in the line of duty. That didn’t really say much else about him, except it said everything. Mostly, Chad hadn’t lived up to the memory of him.
Chad jogged down the steps and turned the corner. His feet froze. The sound of his pulse pounded in his ears. Ken stood in the center of his tiny living room, looking entirely too big. His cold blue gaze locked on to Chad with a satisfaction that chilled his blood. Not a single salt and pepper hair was out of place.
“Good morning, Chadwick.”
This couldn’t be happening. Bile rose in Chad’s throat. Horror washed over him. His throat wouldn’t work.
Ken moved to the couch and sat. He patted his knee. “Come here.”
Chad didn’t move.
Ken’s face hardened. “I don’t want a repeat of last night and I recognize you’re shocked. So this one time, I’ll tell you twice. Come here.”
His feet shuffled forward.
A cruel smile twisted Ken’s lips as Chad sat on his lap. Ken stroked his back, openly savoring the feel of each bump of his spine. “There’s no need for this face. I haven’t slept with your mother, nor do I have any plans to do so.” Chad wanted to scream. Loud shouts were all he heard inside his head. Ken kept talking like Chad wasn’t falling apart. “Last night can’t happen again. I don’t enjoy hurting you. But I do love owning you. You’re my favorite possession. So, here’s the deal. Tonight, I’ll ask your mother to marry me.” Chad bit his tongue so hard, he tasted blood. “You’ll act surprised and thrilled. There won’t be a need to sneak away to see me any longer once you’re under my roof. I’ll keep your bank account full. You’ll stay in college and get a proper education. We’ll be the perfect family.”
Chad swallowed. He had never so instantly wanted anyone dead in his life. “And if I don’t play along?”
“You love your mother. Why wouldn’t you play along?”
He didn’t have to say the words. Ken’s evil undertone said everything. Chad would be his stepdad’s whore, or his mom would disappear. Ken was a senator. A powerful man with a million connections and a ton of money. Chad was no one. There was nothing he could do.
Chapter Three
Eight years later…
The small sound booth had expensive microphones. That made Chad feel a little better about accepting the interview. He didn’t enjoy doing round table discussions, but he knew this one would get seen by all the right people. He lived to be a prickly son-of-a-bitch these days. Since he moved to Cage Beach, Florida—just outside of Boca Raton—two years ago, he had gained more means to be a nuisance to Ken’s life, but the distance made it harder. Today, he sat with the right people to ensure his words were amplified across all the right platforms.
“Tell us how you got started in porn, Mr. Haynes.”
Chad leaned one elbow on the table to see around the microphone without losing any sound. He hated not looking at people when he spoke. “Easily, and it’s Chad.”
The radio host, Herman Saunders—a shock jock and throwback from the days when that kind of thing was all the rage—laughed at Chad’s response. “I mean, yeah, I can see falling into selling sex being easy, but how did you end up owning the biggest production company in the business in less than two years? You’re a porn mogul and you’re, what, twenty-six?”
“Twenty-seven.” Chad hated telling this story because it was—for the most part—a fucking lie. “My grandmother died when I was a baby, leaving me a sizable trust. I was allowed to access it at twenty-five. Like, four months before that, I met my biggest stars.”
“Are we talking about the twins?”
Chad nodded. He had a pair of identical twins who were fan favorites and raked in the dough for his studio. “Yeah. I met them and I signed one twin the moment I had the money to do so. He worked with me for a while, making me lots of money. Then the other twin came onboard not long afterward, and the studio grew. The past two years have been phenomenal.”
Herman leaned closer to the mic. “For those who don’t know, Chad’s father is Senator Kenneth Yearly. How does he feel about your business?”
Chad badly wanted to correct Herman and say, “Stepfather,” but the misconception benefited him. His every breath was for revenge. “I haven’t asked.”
An evil laugh rumbled from Herman. “I can’t imagine, considering his stance on anything immoral, he has much good to say about your choices.”
“Good and moral fathers love their sons, no matter what they do. Right? Why would my father be any different?” Chad smirked as the words fell from his lips. He couldn’t stop himself. There was so much hatred in his heart. Next year Ken’s seat was up for election. All eyes were on Ken, and Chad by proxy. Every word Chad said would be online in minutes. Everyone knew every move he made, especially when Ken’s name was mentioned next to his. Chad couldn’t and wouldn’t miss a single opportunity to remind Ken of his existence. They held each other’s reputations in each other’s hand. Chad never wanted Ken to forget he was an embarrassment and best kept far, far away from him.
The rest of the interview reminded Chad of every interview round table he ever attended. Men elbowing each other and chuckling over how much ass Chad must get. Chad played along. No one knew him. The only real friends Chad had these days were the twins he had hired to work for him. They were the reason he had moved to Florida. The pair made him think he could find peace away from New York. Away from Ken. There was no peace.
“Thanks for joining us today, Chad. We had a great time learning the ins and outs of the porn industry.”
