Bergdorf Boys

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

By the time he reached the third floor landing, Neal had lost sight of Rovvie. He could see, at one end of the hall, a gold door decorated with the outline of a pale blue bird. The infamous “gang banging” gold room. It would open at midnight. Rovvie told Neal he would get a dark blue skeleton key that fitted the lock, a key passed out to favored guests.

He heard voices from the other end of the hall. Andreas’ private bedroom suite. The sound of Rovvie’s laughter drew him. The hall was lit with small teardrop chandeliers hanging from the ceiling at five foot intervals. The walls were lined with black and white photos of handsome athletes showing off battle scars: a boxer with a black eye, a wrestler with a cracked tooth, a gymnast with a split lip. The last door was barely open. Neal could see through the bedroom into the dressing chamber where Rovvie and Andreas sat talking. Neal hesitated as Andreas reached out and pushed Rovvie’s kimono off his shoulder, revealing the boy’s elegant back, pale, unblemished; the light hairless curve of his ass; long, long hard legs; and full, wide, manly feet. Neal found both men attractive, but knew it was smart to keep Rovvie in the gay girlfriend category and Andreas as the boss. He knew he should slip away and get down to the party. He lingered.

Andreas stood up and his silk robe slipped open. He was huge, romantically handsome, and dark. He put a pill into Rovvie’s mouth, then ran his tongue along the boy’s lips, licked his cheek and kissed his neck. Neal took a deep breath and turned away, only to face Caz, Andreas’ younger brother and right-hand man. A smaller, plainer version of Andreas, Caz had wide-set eyes, narrow lips and a crew cut. Rovvie said Caz took care of the ugly side of Andreas’ business, the darker, violent jobs. Caz smirked at Neal, put his hand on his shoulder and shoved him into the bedroom.

“Somebody here to see you,” Caz said.

Neal turned his back on Rovvie’s nakedness.

“Come in,” Andreas said. “We’re all family here.”

Neal turned and edged slowly into the large dressing chamber. Caz remained in the bedroom. Andreas sipped his drink.

“Sit down Caz,” Andreas said.

Sulking, Caz sat on the edge of the bed as Rovvie reached for Neal’s hand and made room for him on a red velvet fainting couch. He squeezed Neal’s hand a little too tightly. Two walls of the room were mirrored. An open closet revealed silk dressing gowns on satin hangers. There was a gold plate filled with pills, and a bottle of vodka and glasses. Andreas poured drinks handing a tumbler to Neal, then reached out and pulled Rovvie’s foot into his lap. Neal was trembling. He hadn’t held a drink in his hand since March. He kept his eyes focused on his own reflection in the mirror, refusing to glance at Rovvie’s nakedness. Neal’s hand began to sweat.

“Caz come and toast,” Andreas said as his brother joined them. “Here’s to the success of Pop magazine and our new editor.”

Neal held the glass to his lips, the pungent bite of the vodka making his eyes water. He quickly feigned a sip and held the glass away. Andreas lifted Rovvie’s foot and pressed his lips to the heel, the ball, the soft underside. With his finger, he traced a design. Behind Andreas on a shelf, Neal could see a bowl of liquid, and a long pin-shaped knife.

“Neal, go back to the party,” Andreas said.

Rovvie’s eyes were shut, but he smiled and waved Neal away. Neal nodded and left. At the bedroom door, he glanced back to see Andreas delicately pressing the small knife into the side of Rovvie’s foot.