Page 43 of We Own Each Other

“Did you approach us because of Luke? Did he tell you about Anthony?”

I shook my head again.

“Luke told me he was a Sub for Anthony’s family, but Anthony himself never came up.” My attention shifted to Anthony. He was sitting straight up, as stiff as a board. “He never told me anything about you. I promise.”

Immediately, his form softened. He settled back into his seat with a sigh, and as soon as he did, Noah seemed to relax a bit, too. Though not by much. He was still glaring in my direction, but I could understand it. A good Dom existed to protect his Sub. I wasn’t a pure Dom, but I could still understand that need and longing.

Luke’s face flashed across my mind, and my heart lurched right along with it.

I did my best to push my feelings out of my mind for the time being, focusing instead on the two people before me.

To my surprise, Anthony picked up the interrogation.

“So, are you dating Luke?”

So much for holding back my feelings. I wanted to say ‘no’ outright, but I just couldn’t. The words were stuck firmly in my throat like a wad of gum. Clearing my throat might have been enough, but tears were burning in the corners of my eyes, and I had to focus on holding those back instead.

Ultimately, all I could do was shake my head — a pitiful response, but the only one I could manage.

To my surprise, Anthony gave me a pitying smile.

“I wanted to tell you about my experience with Luke, if that’s okay?”

I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the details, but perhaps this would sway my heart one way or the other. If this could settle the raging in my heart, one final shock of pain would be worth it. So, I acquiesced.

Anthony thanked me, though I didn’t think I deserved it, and he went on with his story.

“Luke was my dad’s Sub. I didn’t know he was a Switch until the day of my confirmation test, where I was confirmed to be a Sub. Before I was traded to someone my dad worked with, I needed training. Luke was my trainer.”

The visage of horror and guilt that passed over Luke’s face when he saw Anthony for the first time made a lot of sense now.

“It wasn’t how I would’ve wanted to experience my first play, but Luke was kind to me. He was one of the only people in that house who was willing to admit I was a Sub and still talk to me. I’m glad it was him and not the arranged Dom who I had my first experience in play with, but I will never forgive him for being part of the horrors Noah and I experienced… Still, could you tell him that I’m happy now? That I survived in spite of him? I think that would help me.”

I wasn’t sure when I’d see Luke again, and if I did, I wasn’t sure if I’d have the strength to say anything at all.

But looking into Anthony’s eyes, clear and resolute, I felt compelled to try.

So, I did my best to smile in return.

“Of course, I will.”

Bile was burning in the back of my throat, like a punishment for agreeing to something I maybe couldn’t make good on. But watching Anthony’s face, with hard, porcelain-like features, suddenly soften was enough to make my heart melt. I could see why Noah was so protective of him.

He looked like the perfect Sub to break.

As if sensing my Dom intent, Noah’s arm, still lying across Anthony’s shoulders, stiffened, pulling the Sub’s body towards his own. I met his gaze, burning with a golden flame of distrust. I did my best to appear weak and harmless, but I could feel it. Deep down within me, I felt compelled to assert my own dominance.

Still, I held back.

Instead, I focused back on Anthony. It was probably about time to take my leave, although I wanted to avoid my apartment as much as possible. But beyond wanting to avoid going home and facing the pile of regret still there, I felt like I needed to say something.

“Anthony… I can’t imagine what all you have been through in your position and as a Sub. I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I caused you grief in some way, whether I knew it or not.” I swallowed. The next words, a question, were thick in my throat. “But… do you think someone who has done something so horrible can ever be redeemed?”

As expected, Noah piped up.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing, asking for dating advice—”

Anthony quietly shushed him, like a rabbit calming a lion. It was quite the sight to behold. His hand just barely peeked up above the table, and Noah’s mouth fell shut. That didn’t stop him from glaring my way, but a Dom was a Dom, after all.