Shadow didn’t force him. They were literally driving a few buildings over. Shadow just didn’t feel like walking that far and he sure didn’t want to walk back after dancing himself into the ground the way he plannedto do.
At the dance studio, Shadow didn’t waste time. He got the music fired up and had Clay tripping around the dance floor in no time. They laughed as Clay stepped on Shadow for the hundredth time.
Clay cried mercy. “Okay. I’ve made a big enough fool of myself. Let’s sit for a minute.” He held on to Shadow’s hand and moved to a nearby table. Clay pulled out a chair for him before sitting.
Shadow felt better. Lighter. He needed to laugh. There wasn’t as much laughter in his life since Field married. The gang’s big red-haired jokester was busy healing in the arms of his new husband. Field deserved that. Shadow would survive.
“Is it okay if I ask you a personal question?”
Shadow didn’t hesitate. “Of course.” Clay knew what Shadow did for a living and Clay was no Boy Scout either. He was an open book.
Clay wiped his palms on his thighs. He looked nervous. “Um. That big blond guy who comes around sometimes. Is he your boyfriend? I’m not trying to assume your sexuality or his. I’m just curious how he fits into your group.”
Yeah. Clay was definitely gay. Zeus brought everyone to their knees, eventually. “No. Do you want the absolute truth?”
“Yes.”
Shadow was actually having the best time. He liked that Clay didn’t know everything about him. “He’s a master and owner of a sex club Ifrequent.”
A blush exploded across Clay’s face. “Oh.”
He was an enigma. The guy worked security for a huge weapons dealer, seeing God only knew what, and he blushed.
Shadow couldn’t stop. “You should go sometime. One way or another, you’d have a great time.”
Clay’s face couldn’t get any redder. “Oh. Um. Okay. Maybe one day.”
Shadow’s face hurt from smiling.
The studio’s door was thrown open so hard, Shadow was surprised it didn’t come off its hinges. Ridge stormed inside. Shadow watched his long stride and enraged face cross the room, making the space between them smaller. Before Shadow could figure out what he had done this time, Ridge snaggedhis jaw and hauled him forward. His mouth covered Shadow’s in one of the hottest kisses of his life. Years fell away. Shadow tried like hell to hang on to his sanity. He wasn’t strong enough to do anything but take it. His heart screamed.
Ridge pulled away, but he didn’t release Shadow’s jaw. He still looked enraged. “If you ever disappear again like that for an entire night, I’ll make Zeus’s punishments look like child’s play. You’re not his. You’re mine. If you can’t fucking remember that, then I suggest you buy some goddamn Geritol. You do not want me to remind you.” He stormed away in the same fury as he had arrived.
Shadow blinked. He couldn’t think. His gaze slid Clay’s way. “Whatjust happened?” He knew Clay didn’t know, but his brain wouldn’t work.
Clay smirked. “I think he just threw the ball in your court.”
Well, goddamn. Shadow hadn’t seen that coming. Now what was he supposed to do?
Chapter Three
Ithadbeenthreehours and Ridge’s heart still raced. He had no idea what would happen next. When he had stormed that studio, he hadn’t had a plan. His feet had simply carried him to Shadow and his temper took over. Shadow hadn’t pushed him away. He touched his lips. Shadow had even kissed him back. God help him. It was everything he remembered. His heart might not survive this. He didn’t deserve a second chance.
It had been a month since they left that hellhole. Thirty long days and nightssince he learned why Edge had been taken and tortured. Since he had learned the truth about the commander’s nightly visits. He hadn’t stopped feeling sick since. Ridge could barely look at Edge. Edge had known the commander had been forcing Rain to sexually service him. The guy had known and still he had loved Rain. He hadn’t blamed Rain. Edge had passed a test Ridge hadn’t. He had been tortured in every way for weeks for his love. Edge was so much more of everything than Ridge would ever be.
Then there was Shadow. Fuck. Shadow had known everything. Witnessed everything. He had been forced to watch and stay silent. Shadow had kept Rain’s secret even when it cost him their relationship. How was Ridge supposed to apologize for that? He couldn’t. Shadow shouldn’t forgive him. He hated this. His eyes wouldn’t budge from watching Shadow sleep. They barely had money for a single hotel room. They were all stuffed inside, taking turns getting the beds, but they were warm and could sleep. Ridge was way too close to Shadow. He could make out every flawless detail. Damn. He still remembered the first time he saw Shadow. Shadow and Rain had been doing their ballet lessons since that would be their cover career when they were sent into the world. Shadow moved so flawlessly in time with Rain. He was dark to Rain’s light. Ridge had never wanted to be touched as badly before that moment. He hadn’t stopped aching since.
Shadow mumbled in his sleep. Several bodies stirred.
Ridge quickly scooted closer before Shadow had everyone awake. He gently urged Shadow into his arms. The sigh of contentment that fell from Shadow’s full lips had Ridge going hard. He didn’t care about that. They had all been taught iron-clad control. His heart was another matter. The shattered pieces of that stupid organ rattled in his chest. Shadow was supposed to be right here—in Ridge’s hold. Ridge had never felt so trapped. He couldn’t speak or move. All those years imprisoned, and nothing had ever made him feel this helpless.
Shadow’s chin turned upward.
Ridge stared at him, aching. He couldn’t stop himself. Ridge lightly swept his lips across Shadow’s mouth. The pain that exploded inside him made him wonderif it was the end. Not a single breath would fill his lungs. The first tear fell, followed by another. He hadn’t cried since he was a baby. There was no stopping the flow now. He had lost this, and it was completely his fault.
For not the first time, Ridge wondered if he had served his time. Maybe he had suffered enough to pay for his crime. Only Shadow could decide, and Ridge had left the choice in his hands. Now all he could do was wait. It was hell.
When Ridge still hadn’t crossed paths with Shadow again for the night, he gave up and headed for his bedroom. Shadow’s bedroom door was closed, but it always was. He thought about sneaking in, but he couldn’t do that. Ridge had to let Shadow make the next move.If Shadow didn’t, then maybe Ridge could finally move on.
