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The rest of the week went by without a hitch. I was able to buy another outfit and dine on better food. The moment my clients found out who I really was, they were more than willing to either pay for a room or get the full boyfriend experience. If I kept it up, I'd be able to buy myself an apartment in the Inferno District instead of building myself a half-assed shack in the Slog. Perhaps an apartment would be risky, but maybe I could stay in one of the motels that didn't require real names.

After finishing up with my latest client, I decided to call it an evening. The fire was burning in the fireplace when I got home, and I could smell the scent of meat cooking. My mother hadn't offered me food since the first day I arrived, so I was glad I had eaten earlier.

When I pushed through the sheet door, my mom approached me, and my gaze darted down to what she was carrying, a tiny white unicorn with a silver star on its hindquarters. It was Starburst. The toy I named myself after. "I wanted to give this to you as an apology."

Cradling the toy to my chest, I said, "Thank you for giving him to me." I refused to accept her apology for what she had done to me as a child.

"I just hope you understand that I really needed the money."

Money? What money? I backed up a few steps before colliding with something solid. No, not something. Someone. A set of hands gripped my shoulders, and a face leaned in close, sniffing my hair. "I've missed my little star."

With a trembling jaw, I glared at my birth giver. "How could you?!"

"It was a lot of money, Isaac. Besides, you don't belong in the Slog."

Frantically, I tried to pull free, but Trevor's strong arms wrapped around my upper body. "Calm down, little star. Don't make me call the authorities. You've been a very naughty boy. You've had your fun, and now it's time to come home."

"Let me go, Trevor!" I shouted, slamming my foot on top of his.

He cried out, releasing me. When I tried to run, his hand gripped my wrist, twisting it so hard it felt like it was going to break. I swung at his nose, but he grabbed my fist. Pulling me close, he hissed, "You're coming home, Isaac. One way or another, you're coming home. We can do this the easy way or the hard way."

Desperation fueled my struggles, and Trevor let out a loud whistle. An insanely large man with a rather nasty-looking syringe gripped my upper arm. The sight of the needle just made me fight harder, but it didn't stop him from stabbing me and pushing the plunger. It didn't take long before I began feeling woozy. I still tried to resist, but with how fast my heart was pounding, it was just speeding up the effects of the drug. My legs couldn't hold my weight any longer, and I slouched against Trevor, who wrapped his arms tightly around my body, kissing my temple. My head drooped, resting on his shoulder. He lifted me into his arms, and by the time we reached the front yard, everything had gone black.

I couldn't tell how long I had been out, but when I came to, my head was throbbing so bad I nearly vomited. Groaning in pain, I forced myself to sit up and rubbed at my neck, which felt uncomfortably... confined. A collar.I yanked at it, butit was kept locked in place by a tiny padlock.A padlock that was attached to a chain.

Panic clawed at my throat when I realized something was covering my head—some sort of leather mask with a long snout.Getting to my knees, I searched my surroundings,butIwasn't in my old apartment.I was in a spacious living area with white walls and pinewood flooring that was partially covered by a red, yellow, and orange swirl rug. Two white couches bracketed a glass coffee table, and off in the corner was a silver Christmas tree with blue bulbs and a full-length mirror.

Blood roared in my ears when I caught sight of my reflection. I was wearing a leather dog mask that was reserved for people with a pet kink. And the worst part? The chain I was attached to was anchored next to a large pink doghouse with "Starburst" painted on the front. What the fuck?

A door creaked, and Trevor walked into the room wearing a green bathrobe. "Welcome home."

"What the fuck is this?" I growled, yanking at the collar for emphasis.

"You wanted to run around town acting like a little bitch, so I will treat you like one. Maybe I'll let you loose when you decide to behave." I tried to back away from him, but the chain was far too short. I couldn't even stand. He violently grabbed the back of my neck and pushed me down, yanking at my pants.

"Get the fuck off me!"

"I'm going to show you who your master is." Something cool and wet dribbled down the crack of my bare ass before the head of his cock pressed against my ring of muscles.

As Hobbs fucked me, I should have had tears streaming down my face, but none came. I was done. I didn't care anymore. No matter what I did, nothing would change my life. I couldn't even manage to kill myself properly. I was trapped as his sex toy.

Eventually, he let go of my neck and placed both hands on my hips, but I didn't bother lifting my head. I was defeated. His warm cum coated my inner walls, and when he pulled out, it seeped out of my hole and onto my sack. I just laid down.

Trevor got to his feet and picked up a TV remote. When he pressed the power button, a screenhangingon the wall lit up, showcasing the news. "You should watch."

Rolling to my side, I barely glanced at the TV before scrambling to my hands and knees in shock. It was Hell's Gate—reduced to a smoldering building drenched in water as white smoke billowed towards the sky. The headline read, "Owner of local club found dead."

That's when the tears finally started to fall. Alex was dead? I stared at Hobbs, who had a dark grin on his face. He did this. I knew it. Which meant it was all my fault. Alex was dead because I ran away.

"You'll be going to work again at the end of the week. If you don't want any more accidents to happen, I suggest you do as you are told and never pull a stunt like that again. And if you can prove that you are willing to play by the rules, I'll even let you sleep in a real bed. Until then, you will sleep here and wear that fucking mask until you're obedient."

I crawled into the doghouse, struggling not to smack my head on the low roof. With a heavy sigh, Ilaiddown, willing the darkness to take me.