Hey, here we go again. Part 3 in less than a week. Actually, if you are following my story, and I hope you are and enjoying it, don't get too used to multiple parts per week. I do work for a living -- actually not quite true, I work because I am having a blast doing what I do. The fact that I am making a good living doing it is just a nice by-product of having a great time. My email address is mikeylikesit80@hotmail.com if you feel inclined to write and let me know what you think or just want to chat.
Now on to the standard disclaimers. I doubt that anything I write will make any difference since if you found this little gathering place on the World Wide Web you're probably going to go ahead and read what's here no matter what anyone says. But here it goes anyway...
If you have a problem reading about guys who like other guys as something more than just friends, you need to go find some other place to poke around. If you are under the legal age to read erotic fiction where you live, you probably wouldn't get in trouble for reading this story, but you really don't belong here. And most importantly, many of the names mentioned in this story have been changed to protect the guilty (or is that supposed to be the innocent?). Under no circumstances will I disclose whether or not I actually know any of The Backstreet Boys or any other celebrity who may make an appearance. Nor do I believe in outing people, so I will not disclose any information about the true sexual orientation of anyone mentioned in this story.
This part is going to be organized differently that the previous two parts. First I'm going to tell you the final piece of the story that is based upon what everyone has told me Then I resume my side of the story. Finally, towards the end of this part, the two sides come together. Hope this isn't too confusing. If so, please bear with me. The switching back and forth is just about over.
Previously in the story of Nick and the Altos
The hallway door opens suddenly and in walks Michael Alto, dressed in a navy blue suit, followed by the two guards who had been sitting in the hallway. The two guards stand by the door. Michael Alto walks over to where the guys are sitting around the coffee table eating their breakfast.
"Good morning. I trust you slept well. I had hoped to come see you earlier this morning, but I had some pressing business at my office. I guess you are wondering why I had you brought here?" he says to them.
All five guys initially just sat where they were and glared at Michael Alto. Finally, Kevin slowly stood up. As he did one of the guards began moving closer to them. Mr. Alto raised his right hand slightly and motioned for the guard to stay put.
Kevin then said "I don't know who the hell you think you are, but I demand that you release us immediately and give us access to a phone so we can contact our families and business associates."
"I assume you must be Kevin Richardson. I have no idea who is whom in your group, but I was told that Kevin is the one who likes to run the show. Let me explain something to you, Kevin, and to your band mates. You are currently guests in my home. You may not have come here under your own free will, but I consider you guests just the same. The men over there are Anthony, the one closest to me, and Mark, the one by the door. They will remain near you at all times to ensure that you behave as gentlemen. Sunday morning you will be free to leave and they will escort you to the local airport and one of my planes will take you anywhere you want to go."
AJ jumped up. When he did so, both Anthony and Mark tensed up, expecting him to try something. AJ yelled "What the fuck is going on, you son of a bitch! What do you want? From the looks of this place, you have plenty of money, so you can't be looking for a ransom!"
"So, which one are you?" Mr. Alto asked, becoming irritated by the guys' attitudes.
Kevin replied, "That is AJ. Howie is seated next to him. Nick and Brian are on the couch. Brian is the one on the right. I want an answer to AJ's question. Why are we here? What do you want from us?"
"I am not looking for money or anything material from you. I had you brought here because my younger daughter, who is dying from cancer, told me what she wanted more than anything in the world was to meet your group. She probably only has a few weeks to live. I couldn't ignore her last request." Mr. Alto replied.
AJ responded angrily "We don't give a shit about your spoiled little brat! What you did was kidnap us. That is a serious crime. My guess is that in spite of what you say about letting us go, it won't happen because we know who you are. You would end up going to jail for this."
Mr. Altos face turned red with anger. "My daughter is NOT a spoiled brat. She is a wonderful, loving little girl. I love her more than anything in this world. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for her. If that means I go to jail, then so be it. And, I am a man of my word. You have my promise that you will be set free. If you cooperate, you will not be harmed. All I expect is for you to join my family for dinner and make my little girl's last birthday one she will never forget."
"No fucking way!" AJ retorted. "You are going down, big time."
"I'm afraid not. If there is one thing you and the rest of the country should have learned four years ago, it's if you have enough money, you can get away with murder. Now sit down and shut up!"
Mr. Alto turned and walked over to Anthony and said "Make sure they stay in this suite. I don't want Angela finding out what is going on. I will be back later." He quickly walked to the door and left the room.
Anthony walked over to where the five band mates were and said "I wouldn't recommend doing anything to piss Mr. Alto off any more than you already have. He is a very powerful, wealthy man. I would seriously reconsider your actions." Then he also turned and headed towards the door, motioning for Mark to follow him.
Brian jumped up and yelled at AJ "What the hell do you think you are doing? We are in serious shit and you go spouting off your big mouth and pissing these guys off. Way to go, AJ!"
"Brian, if you weren't such a naive little shit, you would know what kind of people we are dealing with. Welcome to the real world, little boy. These guys are the mob. You want me to spell it out to you? It is M-O-B, like in organized crime. They would just as soon kill you as look at you. We are going to end up at the bottom of the ocean no matter what. I don't know about you, but AJ is going out kicking and screaming!"
Brian was speechless after listening to AJ's outburst. Nick was white as a ghost.
Finally Kevin said "AJ, calm down. Losing your temper isn't going to help matters one bit. I knew I recognized the name Alto. I've read articles in Time and Newsweek about him. He has legitimate businesses but underneath it all they claim are major underworld affiliations. Let's try not to piss him off, ok?"
"Yeah," Howie says, "maybe there is hope our people will find us before it is too late."
"You guys are fucking unbelievable!" AJ retorted. "There is no way we are getting out of this place in one piece."
Nick got up from the couch and walked over to the windows and looked out into the gardens. He stood there for a couple of minutes and then turned and dejectedly went to his bedroom and shut the door.
"And shit, as if fucking Nick wasn't already being a pain in the ass, now he is going to be even worse, going off and hiding in his bedroom!" AJ yelled.
"AJ, would you shut the hell up!" Brian screamed as he got up and walked to Nick's door. He knocked and didn't hear any response. He knocked again and finally just tried the doorknob. The door opened so he went in and shut the door behind him.
"AJ, you really have to calm down. The last thing we need is to be fighting amongst ourselves." said Kevin.
"Yeah, AJ, take it easy, man." Howie said.
"All right, I'll try. But I am seriously pissed about this situation."
"It's not like we are having a good time. And go easy on Nick. If the rest of us are scared, think what he must be going through. He's still just a kid compared to us." Kevin said.
"I'm going to see if this television works. At least we can see what kind of news we are making." Howie said as he picked up the remote and pushed the 'On' button. He flipped through the channels until he found a news broadcast. Sure enough, after a few minutes, a news segment updating the world on the disappearance of The Backstreet Boys came on the screen.
Howie, AJ and Kevin sat spellbound as the segment unfolded. "This is so unreal." Howie said to them.
"No shit!" AJ replied.
The three of them sat in the main room and continued to watch television since they didn't have anything else to do.
Inside Nick's bedroom, Brian heard sobbing coming from the direction of the bed. As his eyes adjusted to the dark he saw Nick was curled up in a fetal position on the bed. He walked over and sat beside him. Nick continued to cry so Brian lay down next to him and put his arm around Nick and pulled him close.
"Nicky, I'm sorry for all the yelling and fighting in there. Everything's going to be ok."
"How can you say that, Brian?" Nick replied. "You heard AJ, these guys are going to kill us."
"AJ is just jumping to conclusions, Nick. We don't know what is going to happen. One thing I am sure of though is that it won't do us any good to piss them off."
"Brian, I'm so scared. God, I thought my life was all fucked up yesterday! What I wouldn't give to only be that fucked up now."
"Nicky, what are you talking about? You have it made."
"Easy for you to say. You have a girlfriend and are engaged to be married. I don't have shit!"
"Nick, you're only 20. Give yourself some time."
"Time, give myself time! Time is the one thing I probably don't have enough of now. I'm about to die and I'm all alone."
"Nicky, come on, you're not alone. We are all here for you, me especially." Brian said as he hugged Nick closer.
"Brian," Nick sobbed, "you don't know what is really bothering me. If you did, you wouldn't want to be my friend anymore. You would hate me."
"What are you talking about, Nick. I love you like a brother. I could never hate you, no matter what."
"Bri, there's something I've got to tell you, I have to tell someone before I die."
"What Nicky, what is it? What are you so afraid of? What could be that bad? It's not like you're gay or something!" Brian said. As soon as the words left his mouth he felt Nick tense up, start shaking and begin crying louder.
Nick was crying uncontrollably now. Brian continued to hold him and said, "Oh Nick, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that way it sounded. Do you really think you are gay? It doesn't matter, Nicky, how could it matter, you're my best friend. I still love you just as much as before. Maybe even more because you were able to trust me enough to try to tell me before anyone else. I can't tell you how much that means to me."
Nick finally started to calm down. Between sobs he said, "Do you really mean that, Brian? I was so worried that you wouldn't ever want to see me again."
"How could you think that Nick? I'm not going to say I wish you weren't gay, but that's because I know it is going to be a more difficult life for you, not cause I love you any less. You know I used to be pretty uncomfortable around gay people, what with my religious background and all. But that's changed as I've gotten to know some of the gay guys in the show."
"I can't tell you how much better this makes me feel, Bri. You've gotta promise me something, though. You can't tell anyone else about me. I mean, I guess I haven't even really told you get since you guessed it on your own."
"Yeah, thanks to your reaction to my big mouth."
"Brian, it really is ok. I know you didn't mean it the way it sounded. Jeez, you didn't even let go of me when you found out. You really made me feel safe, considering what's going on around here."
"Hey, Nicky, I've got to ask you a question."
"Ok."
"You aren't, like... you aren't, um, wanting something to happen with me and you are ya?" Brian asked.
Nick abruptly sat up on the bed and exclaimed "YUK!!! Oh my God, no! How disgusting! That would be like incest, Brian! I mean, you're like a brother to me. I could never do that with you, even if you were gay too!"
"Whew, that's good. I would've felt sort of weird if you were interested in me like that. So Nick, are you ready to go back out in the other room?"
"Not really, I think I just want to stay in here and watch tv. I'll be ok if you want to go out there, though."
"Nah, I'll hang out in here with you."
"Cool. Anything special you are interested in seeing?" Nick asked as he reached for the remote on the nightstand.
"Nope, you pick something."
Nick and Brian lay on the bed and watched MTV for the next hour or so.
I pulled up to the community's gate and waited for it to open. As soon as there was room to pass through the opening, I pulled on the paddle shifter with my finger and floored the accelerator, turning East on Newport Coast Road. I pulled the paddle again to shift into second and then into third as I accelerated up the hill. I was hitting 90 miles per hour as I approached the light at the crest of the hill. Seeing it turn yellow, I braked hard and pulled the downshift paddle to drop to second and again to first as I pulled up to the crosswalk. I was really loving the F1 option.
As soon as the light turned green, I nailed the accelerator and upshifted to second and again to third. As I went under the 73 overpass I downshifted back into second and flew into the cloverleaf onramp for the Northbound lane. I held my line around the 270 degree turn and nailed it as I unwound the wheel. In seconds I had upshifted twice and was cruising at 110. A big grin on my face, I decided that I didn't need any more speeding tickets and since getting caught doing 100 in California is a "go directly to jail" experience, I backed off and upshifted to fifth gear and let the car slow down to 85.
After going a few miles, I got off the freeway and wound my way to South Coast Plaza. I pulled up to the entrance for Saks Fifth Ave and was a real pig -- I took two parking places. I got out of the car and went in, heading down to the men's store. I wandered around for a few minutes and then a sales clerk offered to assist me. I told her I was looking for a black leather jacket. She asked me to follow her, so I did. We went around a corner and there was a long rack filled with different styles. I looked through them and when I was almost to the end I found the perfect one, an Armani. I tried it on and it fit perfectly. I am so glad I have relatively normal proportions, unlike my older brother with his ape arms. I gave the clerk my AmEx card as we headed over to the sales counter. She swiped the card through the reader and then looked at it. She stared at it for a minute and then looked up at me. I think 'Oh, shit, why do I have to always go through this. I'm not my father.'
Finally, the clerk said "So you are a junior, huh. My brother is a junior, too, and he says he always hates getting compared to our dad. You feel the same way?"
I replied, "If you only knew how bad it can be. I think about changing my name all the time."
"Don't do that," she said with a smile, "I think it's a cute name."
"Thanks." I said as I signed the receipt and put the card back in my wallet. "I've gotta run. Thanks for the help finding the jacket, Mary."
"You're welcome, Michael. Hope to see you in here again soon."
I left the store and got into my car and headed out of the shopping center. Traffic was pretty hectic so I cooled it getting on the Northbound 405 and settled down to a leisurely pace of 80. I made pretty good time up through Los Angeles. There were the usual slow spots at the 605 and the 710 and again at the LA Airport but with a little (ok, a lot) of lane changing I maintained a decent pace. Before too long I was on the 101 heading towards Ventura and Santa Barbara. I did get a little carried away climbing the hill around Thousand Oaks but let the speed drop off after I passed the crest of the hill. One potentially bad thing I discovered about my car was that people really starred at it. Fortunately, none of them turned out to be cops. Definitely not what you would call a stealthmobile.
As I pulled into Ventura I picked up my phone and pushed the speed dial for my parent's house. The phone rang three times before someone picked up.
"Alto Residence, may I help you." a woman asked.
"Who is this?" I asked.
"Who is calling?"
"Tell me who you are and then I'll tell you who I am."
There was a pause at the other end and then the woman asked "Is that you Master Michael?"
"No Sarah, it's Mikey. How are you?"
"Mikey, you are such a pain in the you know what!" she said.
"I know, Sarah, it's not like I haven't heard that plenty of times. I'm just calling to let y'all know I am just passing through Ventura. I should be there in about 20 minutes."
"Master Michael, you had better slow that car down. It had better take you at least a half hour to get here, if not 45 minutes."
"Come on, Sarah, you've known me since the day I came home from the hospital. And you know I never slow down!"
"I know, Mikey. Just drive safely."
"I always do, Sarah. See you in a few."
I continued an 80 mile per hour pace through Summerland and Carpenteria. I slowed down a bit as I approached Montecito and exited at San Ysidro Road. I cooled my jets from there and in five minutes I turned in at the break in the stone wall that surrounded our place. Strangely the gate didn't open when I pushed the button on my remote. I pulled up to the phone box and was about to buzz the house when, in my rearview mirror, I noticed someone approaching the car from behind. I started to panic a bit until I realized it was Frank, one of the family bodyguards.
"How come the gate won't open, Frank?" I asked.
"Yo, Mikey, awesome wheels kid. Your old man is going to shit a brick when he sees this. Wish I was going to be up at the house when you get there." he said laughing.
"I know. It is going to be worth every penny I paid for this just to see the look on his face. They'll wish they hadn't screwed me out of that Ferrari I was buying when I was in my sophomore year of college. Paybacks are a bitch, aren't they?"
"Yep, but don't tell them I said that."
"So Frank, why isn't the gate working?"
"I guess your dad is being extra careful with all you kids home for the weekend. I haven't heard anything other than stay down here and check everyone out real good. I'll get the gate for ya, Mikey. See ya later, kid."
"Thanks, Frank. Oh, and I'm not a kid any more. I actually have a real job and all that stuff."
"That may be Mikey, but you'll always be a kid as far as I'm concerned."
"Thanks, Frank, see ya later." I said as I pulled through the gate. It is about a half mile from the gate to the house. Not being one to waste an opportunity to drive at high speed when on a road with no speed limit, I nailed the accelerator and was able to hit 135 before I had to slow for the turn into the circular driveway.
Of course, my mother had to be waiting out in front. "Shit, shit, shit!" I said to myself as I brought the car to a stop beside the front walk. I could see from the look on her face that she was really pissed. I picked up my phone and opened the door and got out of the car. 'Great,' I thought, she isn't saying a word, 'I'm in big trouble this time.'
I walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door and picked up my bag and my new jacket. I decided to try to ignore her so I just walked right past her and started up the steps to the front door.
"Michael Alto, Jr., don't you dare walk past me after doing what you just did! You know that road isn't a damned race track! When are you going to grow up? And what are you doing driving that car?"
Finally, a moment of silence, so I tried another tactic. "Oh, hi mom, I didn't see you standing there. It's so good to be home."
"Don't you hi mom me, Michael!"
"What are you going to do, mom? Ground me again? Get a clue... I don't live here any more and I have a job and earn a good living."
"Michael, let's not fight, especially not this weekend. It's your sister's birthday. Ok?"
"I'm sorry, mom, I guess I got a little carried away, but it's a new car and I haven't had a chance to drive it that fast before and "
"Mikey, enough already. Welcome home, son."
I walked over and gave my mom a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
As we let go of each other, she said "Mikey, leave your stuff by the door. Sarah will have someone take it up to your room. I want to go into the garden and talk with you for a bit before we go in and see Angela."
I totally freaked at that point. "Mom, Angela's okay isn't she. She sounded fine this morning when I talked with her. She said she was tired but ok other than that."
"Mikey, Angela is doing as well as can be expected. There is something else I want to talk to you about."
We walked down the stone path that ran along the wall that surrounds the patio, gardens and the swimming pool. We chatted about how things were going in my life -- my job, my friends, my loveless life.
Apparently a short time before my arrival, Nick and Brian had rejoined the others in the main room of the suite. They decided to go out on the balcony but discovered the French doors were locked. Kevin went over to the hallway door, opened it and asked if the guards could let them out on the balcony.
Both guards entered the room and, after locking the hallway door, walked over and unlocked the French doors. Anthony went out on the balcony and looked around the patio and gardens to make sure that no one was outside. He then said "Ok, you can come outside for a while. You can stay out as long as you would like unless someone downstairs come out."
The five guys all walked out on to the balcony. Kevin, AJ and Brian sat down at one of the tables while Nick and Howie went over to the railing and looked out over the place.
"Man, Nick, this place is huge."
"Yeah, it sure is. It really is beautiful here isn't it? I wonder where we are exactly?"
"We think we are in Santa Barbara. At least there is an issue of Santa Barbara Magazine that was on the table."
"Wow, Howie, look over there. Some is sure hauling ass up that road over there. See that yellow car?"
"Whoever it is, Nick, they are really flying. Wonder where that road goes, I lost sight of the car."
"Yeah, me too. Say that pool sure looks inviting. Wonder if there is any chance I can go swimming?"
"Don't hold your breath on that one, Nick. I really doubt it."
A short time later Mark noticed the side gate into the garden area open and saw Mrs. Alto and her son Michael Jr. walk in. He said rather quietly, "Well, what do you know, the little faggot's home. He probably figured he could score with one of these pretty boys!"
Even though he had spoken quietly, both Nick and Howie had heard what he said. They looked in the direction of the gate.
Anthony noticed Mrs. Alto and her son and decided it was time to take the boys back inside. "Ok, everyone back inside for a while."
Mikey noticed movement out of the corner of his eye and looked over towards the balcony. What he saw made him do a double take. He turned to his mother and said, "Mom, is dad home. I really need to talk to him. RIGHT NOW!"
"Mikey, we just sat down. Can't this wait?"
"No mom, it can't. I'm sorry but I have to talk to dad now!"
"Ok, I'm sure he is in his study, but I think he has visitors. Why don't we go up and see Angela now?"
"I can't mom. This can't wait." I replied as I stood up and walked quickly through the gardens and across the patio into the family room. I crossed the room and went down the hall to the entrance to my father's study. The door was closed but that didn't stop me.
I burst through the door and walked towards my father who was sitting behind the large, ornate desk. As I approached him I yelled, "How can you be so fucking stupid? Do you have any idea what you have done?"
My father stood and said "Micheal, that's enough! Turn around and get out of here, right now! I am in the middle of a very important meeting."
"No, dad, I'm not leaving!"
"Michael, get out! I have two very important visitors and you are making a fool out of yourself. Leave NOW!!!
I started to reply when two men who had been sitting in the chairs facing my father's desk stood up and turned around. For the second time in less than five minutes, I was dumbfounded by what I saw in front of me.
Well, that's it for Part 3 of Nick and the Altos. Hope you are enjoying the story as much as I am writing it. Oh, and I hope you don't mind a little cliffhanger action now and then. Any comments, suggestions or whatever, email me at mikeylikesit80@hotmail.com.
Thanks for reading... Mikey