Page 87 of The Lost Zone (Dark Water #3)

Much to his surprise, Tyler allowed him to sit in on meetings that he would have thought were highly confidential. After each one, Tyler turned to him and asked what he thought of the issues discussed. He gave his honest opinion, and Tyler nodded thoughtfully, as if he was genuinely interested.

“I’m building a new house,” Tyler announced suddenly, out of the blue.

As if you don’t have enough houses , Alex thought, and then he was angry with himself, because he had to do better than let snarky stray thoughts have room in his head, in case he blurted them out loud by mistake.

“It’s in Spain. I have business interests there and fly out regularly, so I thought it was time to establish a base there.

I’ve found a lovely location – not easy these days with so little land available, but if you have the money, anything is possible.

I’ve appointed an architect and interior design team, and I’m meeting them next.

I want you to come, too; I’d like to hear your opinion. ”

Alex was under no illusion that Tyler actually valued anything he had to say, but he followed him to one of Tyler Tech’s meeting rooms. There, he was introduced to a large, florid-faced man called Hugo Purvis and his small team.

They’d produced a fancy hologram walk-through of the proposed house, which was very impressive.

Alex knew he had to concentrate whenever he was in a room with Tyler, so he watched the presentation intently.

No doubt Tyler had a reason for including him in this, although it was almost certainly a twisted one.

When it was over, Purvis leaned back confidently.

“I hope this is what you wanted, Mr Tyler,” he said, the smug look on his face betraying that he was pretty sure it was.

“It’s fantastic.” Tyler beamed. “But I’m no expert in design.

That’s why I appointed you. I just want the whole thing taken care of without being bothered by swatches of fabric and opinions on door handles.

Which is why I brought this young man along; he has a flair for this kind of thing. Thoughts, Alexander?”

He could echo Tyler’s sentiments or be truthful. Tyler found it irritating when he was too vapid, so he decided to venture a mild opinion if pressed.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured.

“But?” Tyler raised an eyebrow.

“A little stark, maybe? A little cold? All the straight lines and angles are symmetrically pleasing, but who wants to live in a box, even one as beautiful as this? The courtyard could be joined up to the main terrace – you’d sacrifice a little living space but gain a gorgeous view from two of the main rooms, and it would bring the place alive. Make it more sociable.”

Tyler looked enormously pleased with himself. “Do go on. Any other suggestions you’d like to share with us?”

“The style isn’t very sympathetic to the landscape. Maybe reflect the surrounding hills and the sea more in the décor? I know you like strong colours and bold fabrics, but I’d opt for a more Spanish spin than I see in this design.”

Tyler laughed. “Ah, the indie has spoken.” He glanced around the room. “But what does he know? He’s fucked up his life, and I don’t want him fucking up my beautiful villa. I like it just the way it is. Proceed, Hugo.”

In his previous life, Alex would have found this whole exchange unbearably humiliating, but now it merely amused him.

He managed to keep the smile off his lips and his expression perfectly neutral, but he could see Purvis and his team were embarrassed.

Poor Tyler, he was still chasing that high from a year ago, when Alex could be relied upon to respond to his prodding with anger and outrage.

Those days were long gone. Tyler was grinning as he gazed around the room, searching for the satisfaction he used to feel when humiliating him.

It wasn’t forthcoming. Nobody would meet his eye, and his expression darkened.

As he stalked angrily from the room, Alex allowed himself a surge of delight while keeping his face completely blank. Oh, he was getting good at this.

A few days later, Andrew dressed him in pastels, with a clean-cut look. Alex wasn’t surprised, on being shown the briefing document, to find that his guest was Hugo Purvis.

“Do you have my pills?” he asked.

“Do you really need them?” Andrew queried curiously as he handed them over. “A young man like you? I mean, have you tried without?”

Alex gave a vague smile. “Best to be on the safe side. Wouldn’t want to let anyone down.

” He no longer knew where his own sexual feelings began and ended, or if he even had any, and hadn’t touched himself since his return from Belvedere.

The blue pills did the trick, and that was all that was necessary to ensure he stayed in Tyler’s good books.

As it turned out, it didn’t matter as Purvis wasn’t interested in Alex, save as an object to fuck.

He had a vigorous appetite, both in the dining room, where he ate enough for a small army, and in the bedroom.

He thrust into Alex enthusiastically, came loudly, and then slumped onto the bed beside him.

“Very nice. Cute arse,” he muttered, patting it.

“Thank you.” Alex felt sore and used, but he was familiar with that sensation and didn’t allow it to show.

“You were right, of course.” Purvis laced his fingers behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling. “About the design.” He glanced sideways at Alex. “It’s far better your way, but we know George and his style, so don’t feel bad that he shot you down.”

“Oh, I don’t.” Alex gave a dismissive smile. “Mr Tyler should have the house of his dreams. There’s no reason for him to listen to me.”

“He could do a lot worse. You have quite an eye for design. I’m surprised he…” Purvis grimaced. “Well, you know, just uses you for this .” He waved his hand at the bed. “You’re far more than that cute arse and gorgeous face.”

“I’m perfectly happy with whatever use Mr Tyler puts me to,” Alex murmured. “I’m content just to be of service to him.”

“Well, it’s none of my business. I only wish he’d listen to you, because then we could design something that makes the best use of that space.”

Alex changed the subject. He knew Tyler obsessively watched every scrap of footage of him during these sessions. The last thing he wanted was for him to be even more furious that his latest attempt to humiliate him had backfired.

The next day, he was escorted to Tyler’s private suite again.

“I thought we could have lunch,” Tyler announced, ushering him into his private dining room. The holopic of his mother was no longer there, much to his disappointment. “Just the two of us.”

“How lovely.” He fought down a wave of anxiety.

Had the time finally come? He wasn’t sure how much longer he could bear to wait for Tyler to demand sex.

It was always there between them, and it was wearing him down.

He’d rather get it over and done with. When, though?

Was Tyler waiting for him to make the first move?

To crawl to him on his hands and knees and beg, as he’d once demanded?

If so, should he just do it? More to the point – could he?

Tyler seemed not to have sex in mind, though.

He talked at length about a new floating city he was considering investing in and showed him the plans.

While he seemed to genuinely want his opinion, Alex didn’t fool himself that this was any different to the Spanish villa.

Whatever game Tyler was playing, all he could do was play along.

Much to his surprise, lunch was actually a pleasure.

After the tedium of the suite, it was a relief to have an intelligent conversation, even if it was with Tyler.

“How did you feel having Hugo Purvis huffing and puffing away on top of you last night?” Tyler asked, out of the blue.

“I hope I was able to show him the kind of service you expect from me,” Alex replied placidly.

“Hmm. He had no complaints, so I suppose you did your job.” Tyler glanced at him over the rim of his wine glass. “Do you enjoy your work, Alexander?”

“I enjoy being of use to you, sir.”

“How you’ve changed.” Tyler looked disappointed.

“I hope I have.” Alex smiled. “I’ve tried very hard to be better.”

“I thought Purvis was boorish. Lacking finesse.”

Alex had thought much the same, but had no intention of saying so.

“I don’t suppose you mind, though. You’ve become quite the eunuch these days, haven’t you?”

Dear God, the man was even watching to see whether he jerked off. It was unsettling to be studied in such detail, but he didn’t let it show.

“I’m devoted only to my service to you, sir.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know… service, duty, devotion… blah blah blah.” Tyler swung his wine glass around aggressively.

“Dacre was wrong about you, you know.” He leaned in close, his face twisted in anger.

“It’s not her essence you have, whatever the fuck that means.

You are like her, yes, but more in her refusal to be known.

By anyone, I think. Certainly by your father, but yes, also by me.

You have the same maddening quality. Even before Belvedere, when you were spitting and snarling like a wildcat, even then, I could never quite…

” He trailed off, staring moodily into his wine.

Alex knew precisely what he was getting at. His mother had always had an elusive quality; even her family had never known who she really was at her core. Maybe he’d unwittingly modelled his mask on her, or maybe he’d always had it. Neil, Bax, and plenty of others had always said so.

Tyler gulped back his wine. “I showed her who I was, every single bloody day. I showed her, and I told her, but she always wrong-footed me. I could never quite know her, never entirely trust her. You’re the same. It drives me fucking nuts.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Alex said softly. “I don’t mean to be difficult in any way. I only want to be what you want me to be.”