“So, what is all this?” he asked, fighting to keep his voice casual, even pleasant.
Carl’s gaze flicked to him from the camera directly in front of the bed. Behind him sat a laptop. Day recognized the dashboard for his OnlyFans account. Jesus. Was he planning on broadcasting this to Day’s fans?
“Are we recording?”
“No, not yet. I thought you’d want to fix yourself up a bit before we go live. I know how important your appearance is to you. You’ve always been so fastidious with your clothes and hair and makeup, even when this was your home. But now that you’re a big star, it’s much worse. I watch you get ready for your videos almost every night.” Day’s stomach dropped, but he fought to keep his face neutral. “Or I did,” Carl said, his voice quivering, “before you moved in with that…man.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “If I’d have known you were going to throw yourself at the first cock you saw like some nympho whore, I would’ve just skipped killing that attorney and taken you that night. Luckily, the cops are stupid and still have no idea it was me.”
Carl didn’t even seem to be talking to Day anymore, but himself. Some kind of stream of consciousness rambling that Day suspected happened often. Day really thought he might be sick. How different it all could’ve been if Carl had simply kidnapped him that night. He would have never met Jackson, would have never felt his kiss, his touch, would have never known what it felt like to have him inside his body, his heart. Jackson had made Day losing his virginity a moment that had meant something to him, even when Day had sworn virginity was just some mindless, human construct created to police people’s bodies. Jackson had made Day feel loved.
Day swallowed the lump in his throat. No matter what happened, Carl couldn’t take any of that away from him. Even if Jackson never found him. The last few weeks with him would be enough to sustain Day, no matter what came next.
“The clock is ticking, Day. I put your things in the bathroom. Mind the broken tile. There have been so many vandals and squatters since the motel shut down. You can’t shower, I’m afraid. No running water anymore. But I put a light in the bathroom for you. I want you to look perfect for our special night. It is your final performance, after all.”
The last comment froze Day’s blood in his veins, but he slowly crawled from the bed, aware of the gun tucked into the waistband of Carl’s filthy shorts. He recoiled at the spongy feel of the carpet beneath his bare feet. This had once been his home. He’d felt safe in this horror show of a room. He did his best to blink back the tears threatening to escape.
Once he entered the bathroom, he paused. There was a light on a tripod highlighting the gaping holes and graffiti on the crumbling walls. The mirror was cracked, tiny hairline fractures crawling along the glass like a spiderweb, as if somebody had punched the surface in a fit of rage. Was it Carl?
“Keep the door open,” Carl said from behind him.
True to his word, a bag full of makeup sat on the counter. Not Day’s makeup, but his favorite brands and products were in there. How long had Carl been watching him? His hands shook as he applied his makeup in the cracked mirror, doing his best to take his time without looking like he was deliberately dragging it out.
“That’s enough. Here, I bought you something special, for your special night.” Carl smiled, revealing a mouth full of chipped and broken teeth.
Day forced a smile onto his face as he took the zippered bag. “Thank you,” he said, batting his false lashes.
Day started to force the door closed, but Carl slammed a hand against it, his watery blue eyes hardening, his lips flattening into a thin line. “I said, door open,” he snapped.
Day’s heart skipped at the barely contained rage in his trembling voice and the spittle glistening on the man’s lips. He lowered his gaze. “Sorry, Daddy,” Day said, his organs quaking as he felt the words leave his lips.Sorry, Jackson.
Carl’s anger seemed to dissolve almost immediately. His rough hand with its filthy chewed nails cupped Day’s cheek, and he did his best not to recoil. “Get dressed, baby. I want to show you off to your fans. I want them to see how a real man treats his boy.”
The word ‘baby’ falling from Carl’s lips was a punch to Day’s heart, but he nodded and turned his back to lower the zipper on the bag. He recognized the lingerie immediately. It was designed by the same woman who did all his custom designs, but this one had been on a mannequin in the back. A custom order for a man online. A bridal set.Jesus.Carl was living out some kind of fucking wedding night fantasy with Day starring as the blushing bride.
How did this get so far out of hand? He withdrew the items, a lacy, deep-v camisole in snowy white and a matching set of lace panties that had a ruffle around the waistband and nothing to the back except two straps that hugged the bottom of each ass cheek. He wished there was more to it. Something complicated with lots of buckles, straps, and a thousand buttons, anything to slow the progression of what now seemed inevitable. But before he knew it, he was all finished. He turned and gave a shy smile. “How do I look?”
Carl’s beady, insect eyes took him in, his tongue darting out of his mouth with obvious excitement. “Perfect. You look perfect. Just as I imagined.”
How many times had Carl imagined their current scenario? How many times had Day been just a moment away from assault each time he’d met with Carl to ‘pay’ the rent? He didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to think about all those times he’d convinced himself that going to his knees for this foul creature was somehow the safer option than walking the streets. How had he not seen the obsession that must have been there all that time? He’d been so in denial. He’d been a coward. He should have fought. He should have tried harder, somehow. But he couldn’t even imagine what that would have looked like. His shoulders sagged. It was useless to blame himself for something that had happened when he was barely fourteen.
When Carl leaned in like he was going to kiss Day, his hand shot out without thought, covering the old man’s mouth. “Wait!”
Carl’s hand shot out, fire trailing across Day’s cheek, his head jerking from the blow. He cupped his cheek, eyes wide. Carl’s expression became instantly apologetic. “Daddy doesn’t like when you touch him without permission or when you refuse him.”
Day gave a shuddery breath. “I-I wasn’t refusing you. I just wanted to save it for the show. My audience expects a show. Don’t you want to show them how good we are together?”
Carl’s gaze narrowed, and he studied Day’s face as if to see if he was tricking him somehow. “I suppose you’re right. After seeing you with that…overly muscled freak in the mask, I suppose they deserve to see you with somebody who knows how to treat you.”
Day’s chin started to wobble, but he clenched his teeth to keep himself from bawling. He could do this. He had to do this. He just had to find little ways to keep stalling. He’d been through things far worse than this in his life. Jackson would find him. Day just needed to give him time. Jackson promised he’d always take care of Day. He’d promised.
Day walked to the bed, his knees quaking with each step. When he knelt on the mattress, Carl almost tripped over himself to follow. Day tried to think of anything to stall the man once again, but he knew his time was running out. Carl wouldn’t keep letting Day put him off. It was clear he’d had this planned for so long.
Too long.
“Tell me something good, Webster.”
Webster gave an apologetic look that sent Jackson’s stomach plummeting to his feet. “Sorry, boss. This guy is bouncing his IP address off a dozen satellites. It’s impossible to trace.”
“I don’t want to hear what you don’t fucking have!” Jackson shouted at Webster, slamming his palm down on the table. “He’s had Day for three fucking hours. Do you have any idea what he’s probably doing to him right now?” Jackson’s voice caught, and he turned away from the others, trying to get a grip on the terror clawing up his throat at the thought of whatever this anonymous maniac might be doing to Day right then.
