Fuck you.
William rushed out, furiously stepping toward the elevator as he replayed the conversation in his head. He’d thought Richard wouldn’t get to him so easily once he finally beat him, but he’d been sorely mistaken. He should have known Richard would pretend he let him win. Men like him had egos as brittle as the crystal champagne flutes they drank from.
William jabbed the elevator button, only then realizing that Adathan was carrying the box containing his goddamninstruction manual. He had to get his shit together and calm down. He couldn’t have Adathan thinking he was headed straight to a torture room.
William fidgeted with the keycard in his pocket. The few seconds it took to reach the fifteenth floor felt like an eternity as they both stood in awkward silence. He was almost tempted to hop on a plane and get the fuck out of this city tonight, but he could no longer act on impulse now, could he?
Fucking hell.
William motioned for Adathan to get out of the elevator and led him to his room, the pressure in his chest rising with each step he took.
“I’m sorry for the way I reacted earlier,” he said as he opened the door. “I’m not a bad person, I swear. I just think it’s fucked up what they did to you. But don’t worry.” He stepped inside and held the door for Adathan. “I don’t intend to keep you captive.”
“Am I not to your liking, Master?”
William gaped. “Don’t call meMaster!”
“How would you like me to address you?”
“William.”
“Am I not to your liking, William?”
It was worse. Much worse.
“I can assure you that my training met the most rigorous standards,” Adathan said. “If it’s my appearance you’re not satisfied with—”
“No! This has nothing to do with your looks!” William gripped his own hair with a groan. “You’re a person. Aperson! I can’t own you. You’re not athing!”
Adathan took a slow step forward, looking him in the eye as he said, “I’ll be anything you want, William.”
CHAPTER 2
Eden Serviteurs
William closed the bathroom door and pressed his back against it, Adathan’s words echoing in his head. He stared blankly at a piece of lint on the immaculate white tiles, doing his best to swallow his rising panic and focus on the problem at hand.
There was always a solution to everything. He just needed to find it.
He took a few controlled breaths, the scent of peppermint cleaner stirring bittersweet memories of his grandma. It was her favorite herbal tea.
She used to say it improved memory and concentration, which William had firmly believed to be true back then. To him, she was the smartest person in the world. She would sit down with a warm cup and complete her crossword puzzle in the time it took for William to watchThe Lion King.
In the end, it hadn’t changed a thing. Dementia had ravaged her brain all the same and stolen her from him.
Patience had never been William’s strong suit, but the year leading to her death had been a brutal, eye-opening lesson. As she started forgetting who he was, he realized: nobody chooses to be vulnerable.
Although he’d wanted nothing but to hide in a closet and scream at the universe, he’d kept on supporting her. Becausedespite his crushing discomfort and shattered heart,shewas the victim.
William let out a long, calming breath, and focused back on the present. He could do this. He’d done it before.
First, he’d take care of Adathan’s basic needs. He’d order room service and make sure Adathan was comfortable. Then, he’d do everything in his power to make him feel safe.
William smoothed his hair and left the bathroom, hiding his discomfort behind a friendly smile. He found Adathan standing in the same spot, except his box and its contents were now neatly spread across the dining table. William glanced at them, relieved to find out that Adathan had a toothbrush and a few extra clothes. He couldn’t help noticing how Adathan had angled the manual, though—like hewantedhim to read it.
“Are you hungry?” William asked. He needed no fucking manual to take care of a human being.
Adathan cocked his head. “Do you want me to be?”
