Marc didn’t answer. Instead, he motioned toward the table. “Come eat while it’s still warm. I know you must be starving. You barely ate anything yesterday.”
“I barely eat anything any day.”
Marc nodded. His expression remained completely neutral. “That’s over. Eat.”
Valon climbed out of bed. The pj pants he wore didn’t slide down his hips, but they were nearly a foot too long for him. Valon had to fight his way across the room to keep from tripping over them. He didn’t realize he twisted the hem of his t-shirt between his hands as the nervousness set in. When he noticed, he let go. Marc wasn’t acting like Marc. He didn’t feel quite as safe anymore.
Valon pulled the lone chair away from the tiny table. It took him a second to find a way to sit in the minuscule chair and also get close enough to the table to eat. His knees banged the edge. Marcstood and helped him, turning the chair. He got the chair closer. Marc made a plate for Valon, drowning the toast in what looked to be homemade hot syrup.
“Eat.”
Valon chewed his bottom lip as he watched Marc reclaim his seat. He couldn’t take it. “I guess you’re probably curious about the lion costume.”
“Not really.”
Valon kept talking. “It’s my disguise when I go to the club. If people don’t know it’s me, I don’t need a guard.”
Marc’s expression remained blank. “Save your excuses. I don’t want to hear it.”
His voice was stern and made Valon immediately withdraw. He ate the soggy bread in front of him. His sweet Marc was gone, Valon supposed. More likely than not, he was finally done with Valon’s shit. That was fair, he guessed. He still didn’t understand where they were.
“Where are we?” The ice wall Valon always used to protect himself was firmly in place now. He wouldn’t let Marc turning on him be the final straw that broke him.
Marc didn’t respond.
Valon pushed away from the table and headed for the door. He was beholden to no one.
“I told you to eat.”
Valon spun on him. “I don’t like bossy people!” He yelled the words before even he knew what he planned to say. “As much as no one wants to hear me, I’m an adult. You’d think getting famous would’ve given me at least a hair of freedom, but no. Men like you spend their entire fucking day keeping me in line.” The air quotes he used around that last bit came from his soul. He was done with this. “You know what? You’re fired. It’s time you found another client. I’m done with babysitters. Let the crowds tear me to pieces or what the fuck ever. I’m fucking done.”
Marc softened. A small smile played on his lips. “Stop being a brat and eat your breakfast.”
Valon didn’t move.
Marc gave him puppy-dog eyes. “For me?”
Fuck him. Why couldn’t Valon tell Marc no? Valon slowly made his way back to the table. This time he knew how to adjust the chair to sit. He quietly ate. His shoulders remained tense. The food was already cold. He kept his mind on lockdown. Valon had no idea what was happening, but he actually cared deeply for Marc. No doubt he scared Marc, finding him in his car. Especially since Valon obviously hadn’t been conscious in any way for God knew how many hours. Valon got it. He terrifiedhimself too. The wildest part, and the part Marc would no doubt think was a lie, Valon wasn’t an addict. He could walk away from the drugs at any time. Valon had done it before. He didn’t crave the high. Valon didn’t even like getting high. He had always disliked the feeling of being out of control. The problem was he hated himself even more, and he couldn’t escape that.
The sound of moaning came through the wall. “Oh. This is one of the private rooms at Affinity.” There was no life in Valon’s voice. The spark was gone from inside him.
Marc dipped his chin. “It’s the quiet room for when members get overwhelmed.”
“It’s used for Littles.” He didn’t know why he corrected Marc. Valon couldn’t find any other tone but dead.
Marc shrugged. “I suppose it’s that too. Zeus said quiet room. It’s his place. I didn’t question him.”
Valon drank his juice to placate Marc. He pushed to his feet. “Thanks for saving me or whatever. I’m going home.” Valon didn’t understand why Marc hadn’t taken him there. Granted, Affinity was closer, but still. If he had done all this, he could’ve taken Valon home. Valan grabbed the doorknob and turned. Nothing happened. He checked the handle. There was no lock. He tried again. Nothing.
His eyes narrowed as his temper set in. “Let me out.”
Marc kept rocking, seeming totally unbothered. “Sorry. Can’t.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
Marc’s expression never changed. “Can’t. Only Zeus has the key.”
Valon growled. “Fine. I’ll get it from him.” He banged on the door, calling Zeus’ name and demanding to be set free.
