Could this day get any more nonsensical?
William took a mental step back and forced himself to calm down. There was likely a simple explanation.
The name was written by hand; it was possible someone had made a mistake and put down the wrong one. Or maybe they’d given Adathan another Serviteur’s box. After all, they probably all contained the same set ofdeluxe accessories. William wrinkled his nose at the thought.
He heard the toilet flush and snapped the manual shut.
He made his way back to the sofa and unlocked his phone as he took a seat. His conversation with Oliver popped up on his screen, making his thumbs itch to send him a text, but he resisted. He couldn’t involve Oliver any longer.
The bathroom door opened, and William switched to the hotel app on his phone, his heart squeezing as if he’d just been caught red-handed. It didn’t help that he could see Adathan out of the corner of his eye, standing there and looking at him.
What was he seeing?
“I’m looking to order us some dessert.” William gazed up from his phone and froze as he took in Adathan’s striking smile. Adathan had his hand pressed against his heart, his expressive blue eyes brimming with gratitude.
A hint of pride bloomed in William’s chest. Had anyone ever paid attention to Adathan’s needs and preferences before? He was willing to bet he was the first. He needed no fucking manual to take care of a human being.
Adathan let out a dreamy sigh and held William’s gaze for a second longer before rushing to clear the coffee table.
William decided not to stop him, afraid he’d make Adathan feel bad for taking the initiative. He wasn’t going to sit back and let him do all the work, though.
William stood up and winced as Adathan knocked a bottle over. Of course it had to be the one beer they hadn’t yet drunk, and now Adathan was going to feel awful for having spilled it over the table. “Don’t worry about it,” William said.
Adathan rushed to pick the bottle up, but it slipped from his hand and hit the hardwood floor with a dull crack, breaking and splashing beer in every direction. He gasped and apologized frantically as he dropped to his hands and knees, scrambling to gather the pieces.
“Shit. Don’t touch anything,” William said as he rushed to the kitchenette. At least the bottle hadn’t shattered into a million shards, but it would still take a while to clean up. He grabbed two dishcloths and wet them, then returned to the living room area, his breath catching as he took in the scene.
“I’m sorry, Master,” Adathan said in a pleading voice, his forehead pressed against the floor. “Please punish me. I promise to do better.”
No. No no no.
William dropped the dishcloths and kneeled in front of him. “Adathan, hey, Adathan. I’m not mad.” He grabbed Adathan’sshoulders and pulled him up. “Look at me. I’m not going to punish you.”
Adathan’s body stiffened under William’s palms. His gaze grew unfocused, hollow—the warmth it had held a moment ago replaced by despair.
“I’m not angry,” William said, his throat tightening around the words. “It just slipped from your hand. It happens. I’ll help you clean it up. We’ll be done in no time.”
Adathan’s breathing quickened, William’s words having no effect on him whatsoever. With how intense his state of shock was, William wondered whether he heard him at all. Just what the fuck had those fuckers done to Adathan for him to react this way to a minor incident?
William sat down on the floor and scooted closer with careful movements. “You’re safe. It’s okay. You did nothing wrong.” He gently wrapped his arms around Adathan and stroked his back. “Breathe. You’re safe. It’ll be okay. I promise. Just breathe.”
“I’m sorry,” Adathan whimpered as he gripped William’s sweater with both hands. “I’ll do better, I promise.”
“S’okay. Breathe.”
“Please. P-please give me a chance. I—I can be good.”
William’s heart sank as he spotted drops of blood on the floor.
Adathan took a sharp breath. “My training met the m-most rigorous standards.”
“And it shows,” William said, the words leaving a foul taste in his mouth. But what choice did he have?
He closed his eyes and pressed his cheek against the top of Adathan’s head, his hand tracing soothing circles against his trembling back. “You’re doing great. I’m—” He swallowed around the massive lump in his throat. “Happy with you.”
“You are?” Adathan asked in a tiny voice.
William nodded, blinking his tears away as he held Adathan in a protective embrace. Oliver had been mistaken. He couldn’t do this—he couldn’t keep Adathan safe. “Yes. I am.”
