Page 23 of Dreamers Often Lie

“We shouldn’t do anything. It’s a Cappie contract. His lawyers are fucking sharks. That contract is iron-clad.” I reached over and patted Jules’ hand. “But that doesn’t make it right.”

“What am I supposed to do? Paris is fine if you're into kinky cocaine fests at three in the morning. That’s not what I want. Not any longer. Now,” he reached over and touched Roam’s hard chest. “I know exactly what I want.”

“We could run away.” Roam’s voice rose with his passion.

I shook my head. “No one runs away from Cappie. I’m sure they say the same thing at Monty’s, right?”

“That they do. We had a guy who tried to run away, and Monty had someone hunt him down and bring him back. He had a nice black eye and limped for a few days, but that didn’t stop them from filming a scene with him right after to prove a point. You don’t fuck with those guys.” Merc looked appalled and maybe a little scared.

“It’s like working for the mob.” Jules huffed.

“Who do you think gave them their start-up loans?” I murmured. “That’s exactly what it is, Jules. You’ve seen those guys come to the house. Some of them even stay around for a dalliance or two.”

“I told Cappie I didn’t want to do it,” he whispered. “He threatened me. This is too important to him. Paris invests a lot of money, and he’s decided that I am exactly what he wants for now. What can I do?”

“I don’t know,” I answered sadly. “We’ll figure something out.”

“I knew I could count on you.” Jules looked like he was about to burst into tears again.

“Always.” I reached over and touched his leg. “You’re not going to become someone’s sex slave. We’ll… I don’t know, but we’ll think of something.”

“Roam already has a very bad plan.” Merc pinched my shoulder gently, and I tensed up. “Easy there, Ty. Just a small pat.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m just tense at… So, what is your plan?”

Roam frowned at his friend. “It’s not bad. It’s the only one we have. We run away. Get as far away as we can. Maybe we go to Italy or…”

“You did hear me say that they’re in bed with the mob, right?” I shrugged. Roam might be hot, but he was a total moron.

“Then somewhere else where they can never find us.”

“You should try Arkansas. They have mountains there. You can live off the land,” I scoffed. “Andwhatwill you live on? What skills do either one of you have except fucking and taking goddamned selfies.”

“He has a point.” Merc nodded. “I said the same thing to him.”

“I could wait tables, maybe?” Jules sniffed.

“Honey, no, you couldn’t. You cry when you get dirt under your nails. You’re not cut out for that kind of life, and you know it. We have to bide our time and come up with a plan that actually makes sense. When are you supposed to go to Paris’?”

“Beginning of next week.”

“That gives us time to figure something out that’s actually intelligent. You know how powerful these guys are and what they’re capable of. If you defy him, he will make sure he takes away the one thing you actually love. You, Jules. He’s horrible enough to disfigure you. He knows your weaknesses because he helped create them. Promise me that you won’t run away with him.” I looked Jules sternly in the eye.

“You don’t know me.” Roam tried to puff up like a rooster.

“Damned right, I don’t. So, if you think I’m going to let Jules run away with you to who knows where you are fucking wrong!” I raised my voice and slapped the table.

“Doesn’t love count for something?” Merc said quietly.

“Love? This can’t be love. They just met a few days ago.” I scoffed and could see the hurt in all of their eyes at my statement.

“We’ve watched each other from afar,” Jules whispered.

“What you feel islust. You two might be fucking destined – I can’t say otherwise, but I can promise you that this isn’t love. You don’t know each other.” I tried to get them to understand. But I felt like they were all looking at me like I had two heads.

Roam sighed and kissed Jules on the cheek. “We know each other. All we’ve done is talk late into the night. I snuck into his window last night.”

I looked at him like he was an idiot. “Then you really are a fucking moron. Do you have a death wish?”

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