Page 93 of The Curse of Redwood

We jogged back down the path and toward the stables before crouching low and looking at the mansion. The windows were dark. Everyone had put out their lights and gone to bed. As quiet as possible, we opened the stable door and dove inside before going to our favorite, empty stall.

We had gotten lost in each other so many times there. I wanted to do it even more.

All caution was thrown aside as our lips met, once, twice. I giggled as he shoved me against the wooden post and deepened the third kiss. Then, I pushed Ezekiel backward to the hay and straddled his hips. He slid his hands up under my shirt while I tangled mine in his soft hair.

The horses shifted in their stalls around us, and Ezekiel cut off my laugh with another hard kiss. We pulled apart as I began to fidget with his clothing. He smiled and rested his head back against the hay. But then his eyes widened.

“Philip!”

Someone gripped the back of my hair and yanked me off him. I reached up and grabbed the person’s hand to alleviate some of the sting before I was flung against the same post Ezekiel had pushed me against earlier when we kissed.

“You goddamn sodomite!” a deep voice boomed, before I felt a kick to my stomach.

“Don’t hurt him!” Ezekiel yelled.

I looked up to see three more men around us. I recognized them. They were the sons of Mr. Warren’s close acquaintances and had often come to the mansion for dinner and drinks in the parlor. Their fathers were wealthy, powerful men, and in turn, so were they. However, they were known to be rebellious and acted out in town, always getting into trouble.

One of them grabbed Ezekiel by the back of his neck and forced him outside. I cried out to him before being picked up by the man who’d kicked me and carried from the stable.

“Release us at once!” Ezekiel yelled, as we entered the mansion. “This is my home, and you have no business here!”

I was thrown into the foyer beside the staircase, my shoulder slamming against the hard floor. I grabbed the railing and attempted to stand, but I was kicked back down.

“I order you to stop kicking him!”

“I don’t take orders from you,” the man spat in Ezekiel’s face.

“What is the cause of all the noise?” Mr. Warren asked, walking down the stairs. He puffed on a cigar and glanced down at me with an icy stare before looking at the men holding Ezekiel upright. “Speak!”

“Sorry to bother you at such a late hour, sir,” one of the young men said. “But we found them rutting in the stables like a pair of beasts. You know it’s against the law.”

My insides coiled. I looked at Ezekiel as tears fell from my eyes.I’m sorry,I wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t leave my lips. I was too terrified.

Another man spoke up next. “Doesn’t matter that he’s your son, Mr. Warren. No one is above the law.”

“Nonsense,” Mr. Warren growled, before pointing his cigar at me. “This insolent boy attacked my son and dragged him to the stables.”

“Father, I—”

“Quiet, boy!” Mr. Warren interjected, cutting off Ezekiel’s words before pinning his angry gaze on the man holding him. “You will release my son this instant. Do as I say!”

They released him.

“The four of you listen close,” he said, stepping off the last stair and approaching them. “I cannot have this…indiscretion… leave these walls. Speak a work to anyone, and I will use my influence to see you all hanged by the necks until dead. Do I make myself clear?”

They nodded, cowering in front of him. Arthur Warren’s intimidating presence affected even the bravest of hearts.

“As for you.” He turned to me. “I have felt your depravity for some time now. You will no longer pursue my son or taint him with your wickedness. I will see to that.”

“I have not tainted him, nor am I wicked!” I jumped to my feet, ignoring the sharp pain in my side from all the hard kicks. “I love him. And he loves me! Tell him, Ezekiel.” When I looked at my lover, he was glaring. Not at his father… but at me. “Ezekiel?”

“You’re correct, Father,” he spoke in a cold voice. “I was taken to the stables against my will and forced to participate.”

A cold smile spread across Mr. Warren’s face. “Exactly as I thought. No son of mine would ever go against nature. Against God.”

“Ezekiel, wh—”

“You are a servant in this household, and you will hold your tongue unless spoken to,” Ezekiel said to me. “Well, I suppose you are no longer a servant. I cannot have you near me. You are to pack your belongings and leave this place. I never wish to see you again.”