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“We will have our usual team of outside caterers – Benitos. They will work with my own chefs for the entire weekend to provide delicious food, as well as supplying the extra catering staff required for such a large event. I expect the conference to run like clockwork. Preparation is key – so you will all spend the next week ensuring that every detail is worked out, and that everyone knows what’s expected of them.

This conference is the cornerstone of my ambitions.

It will greatly affect my reputation and ability to do business, so anyone who falls short of my expectations, or affects the smooth running of the event, will be severely punished.

Any questions should be directed to Mr Drummond. ”

He nodded that he was done, and Drummond stepped forward to lead another round of applause. The doors opened, and they were about to file out when Tyler clapped his hands.

“One last thing… I believe one of you has something he wishes to ask me. Alexander?” He clicked his fingers.

Alex felt a cold chill run down his spine. He stood, rooted to the spot, as everyone turned to stare at him.

“Well, Alexander? Nothing to say? Don’t you remember the instruction I gave you?” Tyler clicked his fingers again.

Alex stared at him in mute desperation. Tyler smiled back. They stood with their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills that stretched on for what felt like an eternity.

Alex considered his options. If he did nothing, Tyler would no doubt find some particularly nasty form of revenge, and his life would become even worse than it already was.

Who might be caught in the crossfire this time?

Possibly Solange, or his father again, or maybe Tyler would find some way to harm Charles…

“Yes, sir – I do have something to say,” he replied quickly, before he lost his nerve. He began walking towards the podium, but Tyler cleared his throat, held up his hand, and clicked his fingers once more.

“I think you’re forgetting something,” he said, pointing at the floor.

Alex flushed to the roots of his hair as he got down on his hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way to the podium. The crowd parted in front of him, and a startled buzz went around the room. He wished he could disappear into the highly polished wood and cease to exist.

He stopped in front of the podium, kneeling directly in front of Tyler, and looked up at him.

“Well?” Tyler asked. “What do you want to ask me, Alexander?”

He swallowed hard and put his head down. “Please, sir… will you fu ck me up the arse with your big fat cock?” he muttered in the direction of the floor.

“Why?” Tyler asked.

“Because I’m a horny little whore who wants to be fucked by a real man, sir,” he mumbled.

“Very good – but nobody heard you. You’ll have to speak up,” Tyler ordered. “Turn around and face them, so they can all hear what you have to say.”

Aware of more than a hundred pairs of eyes on him, he shuffled around on his knees so that he was facing the audience. He lifted his head and spoke in a louder voice.

“I’m a horny little whore who wants to be fucked up the arse by a real man, sir,” he said, unable to keep the quiver out of his voice. “Please fuck me with your big fat cock, sir.”

Some of those assembled were clearly embarrassed, but others burst out laughing.

The security team all high-fived and gave a little cheer, except for Ted, who crossed his arms over his chest and looked straight ahead, his face expressionless.

Lorenzo was looking down at the ground, his lips pursed, and Solange was staring at him from glassy eyes, her mouth shaped in a silent little “no”.

Tyler seemed to be considering his offer. Alex trembled at the thought that he might take him up on it and fuck him right here and now, in front of all these people.

“You’re a little overdressed for sex, don’t you think?” Tyler pronounced, after a long pause.

Alex gazed up at him in silent desperation.

“Why don’t you show all these good people that you really mean it by taking off your clothes. Then I’ll let you know my answer.”

The room went quiet as Alex fought an internal battle with himself.

Solange pressed her hand over her mouth as she watched in horrified silence.

Lorenzo, who was standing next to her, put his arm around her.

It was Ted, of all people, who gave him the strength to carry on.

Instead of looking away in embarrassment, Ted met his gaze, unflinching, and gave him a little nod, as if to say, “We’re with you, mate.

” Somehow, that gave Alex the courage he needed to unbutton his shirt.

He slid it off his shoulders and placed it miserably on the floor, then looked up at Tyler beseechingly.

Tyler raised an eyebrow, and Alex knew he wasn’t going to be let off the hook.

He kicked off his shoes and peeled off his socks, then with trembling hands he removed his jeans, placing them carefully on top of his shirt.

Someone in the audience let out a wolf whistle, and he froze, but once again Ted came to his rescue; he gave another little nod, much fiercer this time, willing him on.

He closed his eyes for a second, then quickly, before his bravery deserted him, hooked his fingers into the waistband of his boxer shorts and took them off. He knelt down again, acutely aware of his nakedness in front of this ballroom full of people, and looked up at Tyler.

“Please fuck my arse with your big fat cock, sir,” he said, in as loud and steady a voice as he could muster.

Tyler’s gaze raked over him, and he grinned, clearly delighted with the fresh humiliation he’d heaped upon his IS.

“You’re such a little slut, begging to be fucked,” Tyler gloated. “Unfortunately, I don’t want you today. Maybe another time, if you keep asking so nicely.” He winked, then swept out of the room.

An excited buzz of chatter broke out immediately.

Within seconds, Lorenzo, Solange, and Ted were by his side.

Ted and Solange stood in front of him, shielding him from the room, while Lorenzo helped him back into his clothes.

The sting of Tyler’s humiliation went deep, but Alex was warmed by the knowledge that for the first time in his life, in the midst of all this adversity, he had somehow made some genuine friends.

Solange held his hand as they were escorted back to the suite, glaring defiantly at anyone who dared to smirk at him. When they were alone, she took his face in her hands, her eyes shining with tears.

“I didn’t know he’d go this far. I had no idea… Oh, Alex.” She kissed his forehead.

He held onto her for a moment and then pulled away. “I think I need some time by myself,” he said. She nodded, tears falling down her cheeks – but then grabbed his hand as he tried to leave.

“Alex, I’m worried we’re losing you. I mean, what’s the difference between you acting as if you’re broken, and Tyler actually breaking you? Because what I saw back there… ”

“Was me doing what I have to do, if nobody else is to get hurt,” Alex told her firmly. “Not you, or my father, or my brother, or anyone else.”

“Except you.”

“I don’t think I matter anymore,” he said quietly, pulling his hand away.

The next week was spent preparing for Tyler’s conference. Lorenzo was in overdrive, bringing in new outfits for both Alex and Solange and insisting on several tedious fittings to decide which ones he liked best for which occasion.

“There’s the banquet on the first night, of course – to welcome everyone to the event.

Alex – this lovely tuxedo will look beautiful on you, and for Solange, I think the red satin…

or maybe the green silk,” Lorenzo mused, holding up two dresses.

“There’s also the meet-and-greet cocktails on the first day, the private lunch for special guests on the second, and all the coffee sessions during the conference where you’ll have to mingle and make small talk – elegant but workaday, I think.

” He selected various garments and experimented with different hairstyles until Alex wanted to scream.

Once Lorenzo had resolved their images, he sat them down in the living room for a day of learning about who their main targets were, bringing up their photos on his holopad.

“Alex – one of your main priorities is this man.” Lorenzo pointed to a holopic of a grey-haired, middle-aged man with no fashion sense wearing a dull tie.

“His name is Eric Latham, and Tyler wants him in his pocket. He’s married to a woman, but has been known to frequent gay saunas, seeking out pretty young men. He’ll want oral, probably.”

“Giving or receiving?” Alex asked, unfazed now by talking openly about this particular aspect of his job.

“No idea. Play it by ear. Another priority is this lady – Rebecca Lang. She’s never been married, and frankly, we think she might be a virgin.”

“Really?” Alex gazed at her holopic, hovering in the air in front of them. Rebecca Lang was a very large woman in her mid-thirties, quite plain, but with a sweet smile and gentle brown eyes.

“Yes, body issues, self-esteem, that kind of thing.” Lorenzo waved a casual hand in the air.

“Very bright and superb at her job, but petrified of sex. Keen on romance novels, though. Reads them all the time.” Alex didn’t ask how Lorenzo knew all this – Tyler obviously had a whole team of ISs whose sole job it was to research this kind of information.

They no doubt trawled through people’s social media accounts to find out what they liked to buy and followed them around to see where they liked to go.

It was precisely what Tyler had done to him, after all.

“So, sweep her off her feet,” Lorenzo instructed. “Make her feel like a princess.”

“And take her virginity?” Alex asked, feeling sorry for poor Rebecca Lang, who had no idea what awaited her at the upcoming conference.