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They were alone. It was like something out of Adan’s nightmares. Wednesdays were always dead, but this was insane. Beau sat in the corner. Adan tried desperately to ignore the eyes that followed his every move. He wiped down counters and swept nonexistent crumbs. More than once, Adan considered calling Wrecker and pleading for help, but he couldn’t put anyone else in danger.

“You’ll get that boy killed.”

Nothing else could have pulled a response from Adan. Adan’s head shot up and his gaze locked with cold brown eyes. He refused to be weak. “Which boy? You’ll have to be more specific.”

“Don’t play dumb. Axton owes his freedom to me. I’d hate for him to turn up dead now.”

Adan should have seen this coming. That didn’t make it hurt less. He would keep Axton safe but knowing that was his only choice hurt. The pain made him lash out. “How pathetic you must be to need to kill someone to stop any chance of competition.”

Beau leaned back and eyed him. “So you are fucking him.”

A pain bloomed between Adan’s eyes. He pinched the spot, hoping to ease the pressure. “I’m not fucking anyone.” He dropped his hand. “Why do you care anyhow? It’s not like we were ever real.”

“You know that’s not true. I love you.”

Adan snorted so hard, it hurt. “This isn’t what love looks like, Boo.” Adan wanted to bite off his tongue. The nickname he had always used for Beau when they were alone rolled so easily off his tongue. Beau’s triumphant expression made him want to puke. At least he hadn’t accidentally called him Daddy.

“You’ve always been fanciful. True love looks ugly more often than you think.”

He was so goddamn tired. “I don’t want your ugly love.” Even Adan heard the exhaustion in his voice.

“I don’t remember you having complaints when you were getting everything you wanted.”

Adan held his stare. “When was that? It seems to me you bought a lot of things for you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have spent several weeks homeless. I wouldn’t have been forced to scrounge for food and hide just so I could sleep. You didn’t give me anything except pain.”

Beau shocked him. “You’re right. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight after finding Tabitha. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you. I can’t go back in time, but I can fix things now. Just come home. All your things are still waiting for you.”

There was so much sitting on Adan’s chest. He was terrified he couldn’t escape. His future unfolded before his eyes, and it was nothing but years and years of being seen as nothing but property. He wanted to cry. Adan wouldn’t give Beau the satisfaction.

“I want to be loved. For real.” The confession fell from Adan’s lips, sounding every bit as desperate as he felt. “I don’t want to be the weapon you use to bludgeon your family. The thought of spending the rest of my life as nothing, while you still do whatever you want with whomever you want, all while knowing I could be out in the streets with nothing again at any time. That sounds like hell. I’d rather be dead.”

“I can arrange that.”

Adan didn’t back down. He didn’t flinch. “Then do it.”

The door opened and a party of six poured in, followed by three more people. Adan focused on taking orders while ignoring Beau. He hated his thoughts. The thing was, coerced or not. Manipulated or not, Adan had spent ten years of his life with Beau. They hadn’t all been bad. Sometimes, they would go months where Beau made him feel like he was the most precious thing in the world. Adan would start to think maybe they were real. Maybe Beau had finally given up on Tabitha and accepted the drugs and alcohol had won. Possibly, he loved Adan for real and he could find some happiness in the situation. Every single time, Tabitha would do or say something that had hope surging inside Beau again. Then Adan was back to playing a role. Beau’s touches and glances turned fake again. Now there was nothing left of Adan but an empty shell. He hadn’t been much more than that to begin with.

Adan had done so many terrible things. He had no excuse. Adan had simply been trying his damnedest to feel anything except the pain and shame he had dealt with for as long as he could recall. He had done everything, hoping someone would love him for real. Adan felt sick every time he thought about the victims he’d left in his wake, as he tried like hell to heal. He was a bomb of trauma. But he was an adult now, and he refused to be that person again. Axton had listened to his story and hadn’t judged him. Adan had woken up after their night together full of hope and horribly hungover. He regretted nothing. Now Beau was saying Adan would have to cut ties or watch him die. Adan knew there was only one real choice. He would have to let Axton go. But Axton deserved to hear it in person. Adan wouldn’t be a coward. He would tell Axton the truth and thank him for his friendship. Adan wouldn’t leave another body in his wake. For once, Adan needed to put someone else first. No matter how much it shattered him.

Axton was oddly nervous. He had spent the day cleaning before showering and heading out to get Adan. To his surprise, Adan sat outside on the staircase leading to his apartment. He stood, twisting his fingers as Axton approached. A bad feeling overcame him. He wouldn’t spend his night guessing what he had done wrong.

Axton didn’t even bother greeting him. “What’s wrong?”

A sad smile touched Adan’s lips before falling away. “I spoke to Beau today.”

Axton’s stomach dropped. It had never occurred to him Adan might eventually go back to Beau, but why wouldn’t he? Cruelty aside, he could give Adan the world. “Oh.”

A genuine smile snapped to Adan’s lips. “What’s that oh about?”

Axton shrugged. “What happened?”

Adan’s happiness vanished. He went back to twisting his fingers. “He said I’d get you killed.”

Axton nearly laughed. He had been waiting for Beau to play that card. Without a word, Axton plucked the cat ears from Adan’s head. He unzipped his leather jacket and stuffed them inside. “I’ll keep these safe,” he promised as he re-zipped his jacket. “Now.” He grabbed the extra helmet he had hooked on his bike. “Let’s get this on you.”

“Ax—”

Axton plopped the helmet on Adan’s head, cutting off his argument. He didn’t speak until he worked to tighten the helmet. “I’m not afraid.” He paused and held Adan’s stare for a moment. “Look into my eyes and tell me I’m lying.” He let a second pass before he went back to adjusting Adan’s strap. “Life hasn’t managed to kill me yet and I won’t give up my best friend over a threat from someone who wasn’t even brave enough to make it directly.”

“Are you being serious?” Adan sounded so lost, yet hopeful at the same time.

“Get on.” Axton helped Adan climb on behind him. “Hold on. Don’t let go.”

“Okay.” Adan sounded a little nervous.

Axton couldn’t help but laugh when he took off and Adan squealed. His grip tightened on Axton. He hit Beach Road and opened her up, enjoying the laughter that poured through the speaker inside his helmet.

“We’re almost there.”

He felt Adan startle. “I heard you—like inside my helmet. Can you hear me?”

“Yep. Hold on. I’m about to turn down a sandy road.”

Adan somehow managed to scoot even closer.

Axton had to take a breath. Now that he saw the truth about them, he couldn’t stop thinking about having Adan beneath him. His bungalow came into view. Axton slowed and turned into his driveway. His garage door opened, and he slipped inside before the door closed behind him.

He helped Adan off the bike and then out of his helmet. “Here.” He held Adan still and put his ears back on. Axton didn’t know the story behind why Adan always wore them, but he was adorable. His dark curly hair matched the color of the ears to perfection. They almost looked real. Between the ears and his perfect green eyes, he could be a cat.

Adan’s gaze never wavered from Axton’s face. “Am I really your best friend?”

“Of course. Why do you think I can’t stay away?”

“I’ve never been anyone’s friend. At least, I don’t think I have. Mostly, people either hate me, tolerate me, or use me.”

That was the saddest thing Axton had ever heard, and he got it. Life hadn’t been kind to either of them. “Well, now you can’t say that.”

Adan shifted from one foot to the other. “Can I see your house now? The garage is cute.”

A laugh burst from Axton. Adan was unique. “Come on.” He headed inside with Adan on his heels. The door inside the garage led into the laundry room. From there, they stepped into the kitchen. Axton peeled off his jacket and draped it over the back of a chair at the dining room table. “Feel free to look around.”

While looking nervous and unsure of how free he actually was, Adan slowly walked through the house.

Axton followed him. The place wasn’t huge. It was nothing like the luxury he had been raised in, but Axton didn’t want that life—not that it was open to him. His parents had passed when Axton was in prison. They had left everything to Jarek. When Axton had been released, Jarek had used some of the money for this house. He had gotten Axton set up with a new life. It had taken a few months of staying out of trouble, but Jarek had eventually passed some of his inheritance to Axton. Jarek claimed he would eventually make sure Axton got half, but he needed to make sure Axton wouldn’t use the funds to destroy his life. On one hand, Axton didn’t think he was entitled to anything. On the other, the people who raised him absolutely owed him for every day he had spent in hell.

Adan ran his fingertips along the back of Axton’s leather couch before heading down the hall. He poked his head inside the bathroom before eyeing Axton’s home gym.

“Weights. I’m unsurprised.”

Axton had no idea what that meant, but it still made him smile.

Adan passed the empty bedroom and paused outside Axton’s room. He flashed Axton a smile. “It looks exactly how I thought.”

Axton eyed the room. Black covers and curtains matched the dark furniture. Everything was fairly new. “How do you mean?”

While wearing a sweet smile, Adan leaned against the doorframe. His smile slipped a hair. “I’ve never told anyone the things I told you last night.”

That didn’t surprise Axton. “Okay.”

“I guess I’m trying to say you’re my best friend too.”

Fuck. Every second that passed, Axton wanted him even more. “Can I kiss you?”

Adan didn’t look anywhere near as shocked as Axton felt. While Axton couldn’t believe he had said that, Adan looked completely relaxed. His gaze moved over Axton’s face. “You want to kiss me?”

“Yes.” He would be damned if he backed down now.

“I’ve never kissed anyone with a lip ring. Won’t that hurt?”

“No. I’d think you’d be more concerned over the tongue ring.”

A smile snapped to Adan’s lips. He straightened. “Your tongue is pierced? I’ve never noticed. Let me see.”

Everything inside Axton relaxed. He realized this was what he adored about Adan. Axton wasn’t uncomfortable at all. He was his realest self with Adan. Axton tried not to laugh as he stuck out his tongue.

“Oh, wow. How have I never seen that? A nose ring, lip ring, and now a tongue ring. I know your ears are pierced. How many piercings do you have?”

Axton shrugged. “I lost count.”

Adan’s eyebrows rose. “Let me see.”

A smirk touched Axton’s lips. “Are you sure about that?”

The innocent shock in Adan’s expression made the moment worthwhile.

He decided to change the subject before he scared Adan. “Are you avoiding my question?”

A bark of laughter burst from Adan. He blushed. “Sorry. No. I got distracted and forgot.” To Axton’s surprise, Adan gripped his shirt and lured him down.

Axton’s throat went dry. He didn’t know what to expect, but it was anything and everything other than what he got. Adan was the aggressor. Once their lips met, Axton was the one holding on for dear life. Their tongues battled. Axton had Adan backed against the doorframe and still Adan was in charge. He blatantly inspected Axton’s piercing. His hands ended up beneath Axton’s shirt, as if he had to feel Axton’s body. His fingertips skimmed Axton’s nipples. Axton was so fucking hard, it hurt.

Adan’s mouth moved to Axton’s neck. “Not there,” he said, caressing Axton’s unpierced nipple again. He sucked Axton’s skin while his hands slid south. Axton fought for his life, keeping his hands respectfully on Adan’s hips, while Adan unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. His hand slid down Axton’s dick, exploring each piercing. Axton panicked a little. Adan had him so turned on. He worried he might accidentally blow.

“I’d planned to cook you dinner.”

Adan immediately took a step back, as if nothing had happened. “Okay.” He sounded chipper and entirely too unaffected for Axton’s pride.

Axton overcame Adan. His every thought scattered. If he had ever possessed an ounce of good sense, it vanished. With the temptation breaking him, Axton snapped. He snatched Adan from his feet. The bed was too close. It took nothing to be on top of him, inching closer to relief from this madness. He wasn’t supposed to want someone like Adan.

Adan turned his head. “I’m pretty sure I started things, but I don’t think I can do this.”

Even though a roar of denial rang through Axton’s head, he still rolled away. “It’s okay. I didn’t plan this.”

“I know.” Adan sniffed.

Axton turned his head in time to watch the first tear fall. Great. Now he felt like a bastard. “I’m sorry.” He was so stupid. Adan wasn’t like him. He was probably scared as hell now. Axton had gotten too rough.

Adan sniffed again. “Don’t apologize. That’s worse.”

Now Axton was just confused. “Okay. Sorry. I’ve spent a majority of my adult life on the inside. I don’t know how…” Axton’s hands rose and fell. He stared at the ceiling. His anger with himself grew. They never should have let him out. Every second, he got closer to spiraling. He didn’t know how to exist among normal people.

Adan moved his arm and slipped beneath it. He rested his head on Axton’s chest. “I spent all of my adult life a prisoner too. Just in a different way. I don’t know how to build anything healthy and you’re all I have. If I screw up and you go away, I’m scared of what I’ll do. It’s possible you’re all that’s keeping me from going back to Beau just so I’m not alone. Even though, logically, I know I was more alone than ever with him.”

Adan was always so damn open with Axton. Axton felt like he needed to be the same. “I feel something for you.” The admission was easy because it was Adan. Axton couldn’t stop. “The night Tabitha died, and you left with me, I think that was the first time I had seen someone look on the outside the way I’ve felt on the inside my entire life.”

Adan’s head shot up. “I was totally shattered that night. Why would you feel like that? I thought Jarek and you came from a wealthy family with parents who stayed married until the day they died. That sounds nice.”

Axton held Adan’s stare. “They died in a car accident when my dad purposely drove them into the lake. It seems they were fighting. Someone overheard them at the party they had attended that night. They said my parents were yelling while waiting for the valet. My dad screamed about being sick of the same fight, being sick of her. I was the only fight they ever had because I’m the product of an affair. Jarek doesn’t know,” Axton tacked on before he could ask.

Adan didn’t look surprised. “I wondered why Jarek and you look so much different.”

A smile exploded across Axton’s face. “Then you’re a step ahead of Jarek.” His smile fell. “Jarek was given everything. He was their golden child. Jarek didn’t even notice the abuse I suffered. We might’ve both gotten all the same advantages, but it was all for show. My parents were all about appearances. For a long time, I thought if I made them proud, then they would love me. I never stood a chance. Life either makes you or breaks you.” Axton swallowed. It hurt. “I’m pretty sure it’s broken me.”

Adan went back to cuddling against Axton’s chest. “Well, look at us. Just a pair of fucked up people who went searching for love in all the wrong people.”

Adan was right. Axton had ended up in the wrong crowd searching for love and acceptance. He hadn’t realized he was only being used until it was too late. Axton had been so fucking angry back then, it probably wouldn’t have mattered even if he knew. Being used was at least attention. Loneliness fucked with people’s heads.

“I love you. I’ve never been this scared to lose anyone.”

Axton blinked. It wasn’t exactly a flinch. More of a shock than anything. No one loved him, but he couldn’t deny Adan’s words. He cleared his throat. “Yeah. I guess that’s those feelings I talked about having for you too. Even though I know I’m not good at being human, and I don’t know how to be whatever you need as a Little, you’re all I think about. All my time is spent plotting ways to be with you.”

Adan went up on to one elbow. “Is it okay if I kiss you again? I don’t want to be a tease or anything, but—”

Axton grabbed the back of Adan’s head and pulled him in for a kiss, cutting off his words. He didn’t give a fuck about sex. While he very much wanted to be inside Adan, he wanted this more. A connection.

“Tell me about the cat ears,” Axton demanded between kisses.

Adan chuckled against his lips. “They’re cute. I wear them when I’m scared and need a confidence boost.”

Axton held Adan away for a second so he could hold his stare. “I’ve never seen you without them.”

“That’s because I’m always scared.”

Axton reclaimed Adan’s mouth. They would be afraid together and figure this out. Their feelings were out there now. Everything else would eventually fall into place.