“But it’s true.” The glint in Lucas’s eyes hinted at violence.
“I’m heading for the airport. Have a plane waiting for me and a rental car in Denver.” Henri laid a hand on his manager’s shoulder, softening his words. “I’m not going to hurt him. I just need some answers.”And I need to know he’s okay.
* * *
Henri rangthe doorbell, tugged his jacket tighter around himself, and settled on the front porch to wait. Damn, it was getting cold. Seemed like yesterday he’d been lying in Seb’s bed, enjoying a cool summer breeze. Now, late in October, the flowers in the flower beds were a withered memory. No matter how cold, he wasn’t leaving until he spoke to Sebastian. What was he angrier about? Not seeing the truth sooner, or not trying harder to take Seb with him? Or with Lucas for not recognizing his own child, despite what the mother said? And mostly with Charles, for being an arrogant asshole manipulator. Henri eyed a loose shutter. One good punch would knock it down. But he’d get sore knuckles and a pissed-off Seb. He wrapped his arms around himself to ward off temptation. Damn, but he needed… something.
After the fifth time Henri jabbed the doorbell, the door opened a crack.Sebastian! Hallelujah!
“How long, Seb?” Molten lava rumbled up from Henri’s stomach, bile burning the back of his throat.
A three-inch glimpse of Seb’s face showed in the narrowly opened door. Three inches of green, blue, and yellow. Oh fuck.
“How long for what? How long has he been fucking me?” Seb threw the door open wide, showing the full range of his injuries. Bruises circled one eye and the vicious welts along one arm appeared to have been made by a belt. “Or how long has he been hurting me?”
