“Please, tell me about the photos.” Alex leaned forward eagerly, speaking in a hurried whisper. “That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? Did you find them? Do you have them?”
“I’m afraid not.” C patted Alex’s arm sympathetically. “F has them – he’s keeping them in his locker in the staff room. I asked him if they could be returned to you, but he reminded me that indies aren’t allowed personal possessions for the duration of their training. He’s correct, of course; we want you to concentrate on learning while you’re here, without any distractions.”
“Personal possessions? I cut them from the magazines I found in the rec room.”
“Well, that’s his call to make. He’s in charge of your learning experience.”
“Learning experience…?” Alex stared at him. “You’re either an idiot or you’re just as bad as F. You’re so bloody reasonable, but either that’s an act or you’re stupid.”
“Oh, I say. That’s a bit harsh.” C blinked in dismay.
“I’m going for stupid.” Alex pulled back. “F’s a bully, and if you’re not careful he’ll go too far and someone will die – and then what will happen to the exclusive reputation of your beloved Belvedere?”
“Die? That’s a tad melodramatic, don’t you think?”
“You’re the doctor, you tell me. I’m young and strong, as is Five, but F beat the crap out of Two this morning, and he’s got to be in his fifties. Is he in good health? Supposing he has a heart attack as a result of one of F’s beatings? Three doesn’t exactly look fit and well, either. What if F goes too far? I saw the look on his face this morning – the man’s a sadist, and he could lose it and kill someone.”
“Not a terribly likely scenario,” C said complacently.
Alex saw Solange, caught in the fallout from Tyler’s rage, flying across the room, and flinched as he relived the sickening crunch of her head crashing into the stone fireplace.
“Isn’t it?” he demanded. “You’re playing with people’s lives, C. Wake up! And where’s A in all this? He’s in charge. It’ll be on him if F goes too far and kills someone. Where is he?”
“Calm down,” C said in a placating tone.
“You don’t know what I’ve seen, what I’ve lived through. You don’t know…” Wrapping his arms around his body, Alex struggled with the memory of Solange’s death. “Speak to A. Warn him, before it’s too late,” he managed to grind out.
C put his hand on Alex’s arm. “I can see this really upsets you, and I will report your concerns to A, I promise.”
He left, and Alex took a few deep breaths to compose himself. Then he took his clothes from the wardrobe and removed the towel from around his waist in order to get dressed.
“Nice view,” a voice behind him said, and he turned to see F standing there, leaning against the wall.
“Come to give me a beating? Or do you prefer beating up old men?” Alex snapped.
“Aw, someone’s feisty this morning. What’s the matter? Didn’t you sleep well?” F strode over, and Alex held his ground, wishing he wasn’t naked. “So, I hear I have something of yours,” F said, grinning. “C was wringing his hands over some photos you want returned.”
“Yes.”
“I could give them back.” F moved in so close that Alex could feel the smooth cotton of his shirt against his own naked chest. He was only a couple of inches taller than Alex, but he was built like a brick outhouse, and his pecs were straining against the tight fabric of his shirt.
“Will you?” Alex asked warily.
“Sure.” F gave another malicious grin. “All you have to do is ask nicely.”
Alex swallowed his pride. “Please will you give them back,” he said meekly.
“I said ask nicely. With your mouth.” F put his hands on Alex’s shoulders and pushed his head down towards his crotch.
Alex twisted out of his grasp and backed away, grabbing his towel to cover himself. “No thanks. I’d rather tear the photos into a thousand pieces than take your stinking dick into my mouth.”
He steeled himself for a blow that didn’t come. Instead, F just laughed and stepped away.
“I win, One – and I always will. You’re a loser,” F taunted, making an L shape on his forehead with his fingers. “Now, you’ve got two minutes to get dressed, and then I want to see you in the dining room. Loser.”
D was particularly sweet to him over breakfast and slipped him an extra croissant. Perhaps she knew he’d spent the night in the cage, or perhaps she was concerned about the dark circles under his eyes. Alex thanked her, and she put a finger over her lips and shook her head.
A thought occurred to him, and he waited until she left the room and then excused himself to use the toilet and followed her. He caught up with her in the hallway. She gasped and looked at him in terror.