“Good boy. You and River can entertain William while I get the maid to set up lunch.” Malcolm chuckles, leaving me at the hands of the man who’s now risen from the armchair and is slowly unzipping his slacks.
“Both of you, on your knees,” William orders, and River joins me on the carpet. The old man tugs his cock, fisting the flaccid shaft as he grips my hair, slapping me in the face with his now hardening dick. “That’s it.”
I can’t move. His hold on me is tight. In an attempt to save my sanity, I close my eyes and picture something else. I go to a place inside my mind. An island where it’s only me, my brother, and River.
My best friend’s fingers find mine in a show of solidarity. We’re in this together. My mouth is invaded in the next instant. The tip of William’s dick is lodged in my throat, causing my body to shudder as revulsion trails through me like a freight train.
He continues violating my mouth until suddenly he stills. I think it’s over, but it most certainly isn’t. He saunters over to where River is kneeling and continues his assault.
In this moment, I wish for death. I want my best friend and me to both find it, to die together and be free of this nightmare. But I know it won’t come.
William pulls his now steel shaft from River’s mouth and makes his way back to the chair. When he settles in it, he smirks over at us, barking another order.
“Fuck each other,” he tells us. “I want to watch you.” He points at me. “Suck him till he’s about to burst.” He gestures to River. This I can do. Can’t I? Glancing at my best friend, I notice the slight nod he offers, and I know he’d prefer me doing this than the vile asshole who’s sitting on the chair feet away. I move quickly.
I’m about to tug my boxer briefs down when the door flies open and my brother is shoved into the room. My heart aches when I notice the pain in his eyes.
“Ah, there we go. I requested him earlier,” Thanos offers. “On your knees. You’ll be part of my little fantasy.” The old man chuckles. “On your knees, boy. Drake, here, will be pleasuring you both.”
My hardened gaze snaps to the old man who laughs at my mouth falling open in shock. I’m shaking my head before I realize what I’m doing. But he’s having none of it. Pulling a gun from the back of his trousers, he points it at Dante.
“Do it, or your brother will die with his dick in your mouth.”
The shame of what I’m forced to do, forced to act out, burns through me. Yes, I want my best friend, but not like this. Not being held at gunpoint. Not being here for someone’s sick pleasure. And I know my life is completely severed from anything normal again.
“Her. We . . . we’ve been through it all, but we’re still here. Working our way through the pain. She will too. I’ll make sure of that,” I vow.
“But how much longer are you going to hide your feelings?” he asks, and I know I deserve it. I should tell him I love him. And I do. But I can’t bring myself to admit it. Not because I don’t want to, but because the confusion that settles in my mind when I think about Caia and River makes me wonder how I can love two people equally. Is that even possible?
“Let’s get this done, River. I’m not in the mood for this emotional shit,” I tell him as I rise and grab my black combat boots. Shoving my feet into them, I ensure they’re laced and stalk by him into the foyer.
“Listen to me,” River says, closing the distance between us. His hand settles on my shoulder. It’s confirmation that he’s worried, but he has no need to be. I can do this. “This asshole isn’t some fly-by-night buyer. He’s trained. I’ll be in the background. The team will be too, if you need anything.”
“When I walk out of his house drenched in blood, with the girl in my arms, that’s when I want you to worry about me.” Casting a glance over my shoulder, I offer him a smile. One that tells him I’m okay.
He responds with one of his signature grins. It’s sincere, handsome, everything I want from River. Then he murmurs, “I’ll always worry about you.”
“I know.” My words are harsher than I expect, but he doesn’t notice. He’s too concerned about my well-being. The first time I kissed him was like being electrocuted. I was merely a vessel, and his warmth invaded me, filled me. When I was with women, I didn’t feel that same emotion. Until Caia, and that’s what scares the shit out of me.