Page 89 of Under His Heel

Anna didn’t look the least bit chastised. “It can’t wait four months! I’ll have forgotten all about it by then.”

“And that would have been so tragic.”

“It really would have. Vasilis told me you’d be arriving just in time for Johan’s birthday. So I’m planning a party, and you’re going to be there.”

Tracht’s lip curled in disgust. “Absolutely not.”

“It’ll mean the world to Johan,” Anna intoned. Alex thought she sounded kind of like Nick when he was trying to get people to feel sorry for him.

“I’ve told you a million times, I don’t care. I have no inclination to waste my time chit-chatting with people who hold no value to me.”

That was just like Tracht. Alex wondered what it took to hold value for him. Probably had to either be a business contact or a perv.

“Oh, come off it. I know you play a lot more antisocial than you actually are. Case in point: I ran into Dimitri today.”

“No.” Tracht’s fingers, which originally had just settled across Alex’s shoulder, curled until Tracht’s nails started digging into Alex’s skin. Alex held back a yelp, because he did not want to miss this conversation.

Way more interesting than a documentary.

“His business has picked up quite well. I bought one of his artworks. I would have bought one for you, but you insist on not keeping an apartment.”

Tracht made a very loud, frustrated sound. “We’ve been over this. It’s not worth it for me to keep an apartment when I’m never on station for more than two weeks at a time.”

Anna waved her hand dismissively. “If you were in a relationship, there would be an easy solution. He’d live in the apartment while you traveled. For example, Dimitri hinted he’d be open to giving you another chance.”

Wait. Alex’s amusement at Tracht’s discomfort melted away as he thought of this loser Dimitri trying to start something with Tracht. Or—he was an ex? Even worse. Alex tensed and tried to roll off of Tracht’s lap, except Tracht grabbed his shoulder and kept him in place.

“That is absolutely lovely for Dimitri. You’ll note the sarcasm there. But as that relationship ended about as badly as I’d expected, I refuse to put myself through any of that again. I do not like Dimitri, Anna.”

Anna’s expression hardened a bit. “Sarcasm completely unnecessary. And why in the world don’t you like Dimitri? He’s pretty and charming, and his art is brilliant.”

“For one, the relationship from the start was predicated entirely on my bank account. For another, the sex was abysmal.”

Did that mean Tracht hadn’t been a total dickhead to that Dimitri guy, or was the guy too enthusiastic or something? Alex tried to imagine Tracht being gentle during sex, but all that got him was a rush of irritation.

“You always say that! Every single relationship, you’ll claim the sex was terrible! I swear, you’re the pickiest person I’ve known. Is this what they mean with porn addictions? You’ve watched so much of it that you’re holding your partners up to an impossible standard?”

Tracht laughed cruelly. “I’m enjoying myself now. That’s why I got a bondservant, isn’t it?”

“Well, you can’t very well have a relationship with a bondservant. Not exactly somebody you can bring along to social gatherings. Especially not your current one. I looked him up. He’s hideous! And owing money to the Nilsens? Good god, you might as well start inviting all the gutter trash.”

If Tracht hadn’t stuck his fingers into Alex’s mouth at exactly that moment, Alex might have protested. Loudly. He nearly gagged when a few of those fingers brushed against the far back of his tongue.

“And you wonder why I never contact you, Anna. If you’re done with your judgment and intrusion into my personal life, I’ll bid you good night and see you in four months.”

“Yes, you will. In fact, I’ll have the entire family waiting for you at the docks. With signs and balloons. I’ll bring Mother, too. And we’ll go straight to the party from there.”

The way Tracht’s eyes widened was comical and soothed some of Alex’s irritation. “Don’t you dare—”

Anna hung up.

“Bitch,” Tracht spat out.

Hearing profanity from Tracht startled Alex so much that he ended up sucking in air—a mistake with Tracht’s fingers still in his mouth. He started coughing, which apparently reminded Tracht that Alex was still there. He removed his fingers and pushed Alex off his lap and onto the hard floor.

“Ugh,” Alex grunted and tried to find his breath.

“I suppose you’re happy,” Tracht said. “I am decidedly no longer in the mood to watch a movie.”

---