“Yes. My old nemesis, Neil. Still as ‘devoted’ to me as ever, if that’s the word.”
“And he’s one of the people who put in a bid for you? How do you know?”
“Elliot told me, and Neil confirmed it that night at the show. I don’t know where he got the money from, but he seemed confident about being able to afford me. When Elliot turned down his offer, he decided to buy me for the night at the show and use the opportunity to run off with me.”
“But you didn’t go with him?”
“Go with Neil?” Alex snorted. “As if. Besides, I knew I was being trailed by George’s men. Neil wouldn’t have got very far with me.”
“So, you turned him down, and he became violent?” He remembered how badly bruised Alex had been when he’d first arrived.
Alex grimaced. “Well… sort of. Poor Neil – he was so sure I’d leap at the chance to run off with him. Of course, I’ve never been very good at meeting other people’s romantic expectations.” He gave another of those weirdly twisted smiles. “We argued, and he lost his temper. He demanded his night with me, saying I owed him that much. So, I gave him that. I had little choice, really.” Alex shrugged. “It wasn’t gentle, but then our relationship was always volatile. I gave him a few bruises, too, so it wasn’t all one-sided.”
“Do you think that seeing you again, sleeping with you again, made Neil want you more? Then, frustrated by Elliot’s refusal to sell you, he went to his house a few days later and killed him?”
“I don’t know. I mean, is it possible he killed Elliot in the hope I’d go up for sale?” Alex mused. “I’d never have him pegged as a killer, but if that was the only way he could get his hands on me, then maybe?”
“Anyone can be a killer given the right circumstances. You haven’t seen Neil in years, right? Who knows what life’s done to him in the meantime.”
“No, I hadn’t seen him since Tyler flaunted him in front of me the day I became his IS. I’ve hardly thought about him in all that time, either. We had such a fucked-up relationship. I’m not proud of how I treated him, Joe.”
“Tell me about it – the full details. I want to understand.”
“Okay, but you won’t like me for it. I told you last night, I’m a shitty person. Always have been.” Alex closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again and began his story.
Josiah already knew most of it, but not this level of detail. As always, Alex spared himself nothing in the telling. When it was over, he stood up and placed a hand on Josiah’s shoulder.
“I just keep disappointing you, I know,” he muttered. “There’s only so much you can find out about me and still keep liking me.”
“I’ve not exactly been a saint myself.” Josiah gazed up at him. “Alex – this is a long way in the past. You were very young, and your father sent someone to spy on you, someone who smothered you and blackmailed you into a relationship you didn’t want. You have to cut yourself some slack. You’d just lost your mum in that terrible accident, and your relationship with your father was strained. Your whole life had fallen apart, and Neil made everything so much worse.”
“I was a shit.” Alex shrugged. “I probably still am given half the chance. Who knows?”
“You are what you are, but for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re anywhere near as bad as you say.” He stood up and wrapped his arms around Alex, drawing him close. “Now, I’m wondering about that face I saw at the kitchen window. Is it possible that Neil has come looking for you?”
“Yes, it’s possible, or it’s someone else altogether.” Alex sighed and rested his chin on his shoulder.
“The mysterious missing bidder?”
“Who knows? As if my life wasn’t fucked up enough as it is, without dealing with this.”
“You’re not dealing with it, I am,” he said firmly. “It’s not for you to worry about. You’re in my custody. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“I always feel safe with you,” Alex murmured, moving his head to catch Josiah’s lips with a kiss. He pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him. Whatever else happened, right here, right now, they had each other.
Chapter Eighteen
AUGUST 2089
Alex
Alex gave Rebecca a sweet kiss goodbye and then glanced at his watch. It was 10a.m. – enough time to practise his yoga before his training session with Jack, and God, did he need it.
He longed for his song, but at least the familiar poses helped to relax and calm him. It hadn’t been so bad – the experience itself had been perfectly fine – and yet, he felt as if some part of his soul was slowly being worn away. He pushed that thought aside. Solange had done this for years, and she hadn’t once complained. It was what she’d needed to do to survive, and he had to toughen up and do the same. Still, he had to recite his song over and over again in his head as he worked his way through his poses, and it took the entire hour for him to ground himself again.
Jack arrived at eleven. He was his usual surly self but, much to Alex’s surprise, he agreed to his request to access the gym’s sound system.
“Can I choose any songs I like?” Alex asked, confused about this change of heart.
