Page 35 of Corporate Bondage

He groaned and shook his head. “What’s up with you guys going around threatening people? I’m not after your boyfriend.”

I dropped him to the floor and fixed his collar. I patted his cheek. “You see that you don’t even entertain an idea about hitting on him. You don’t want to cross me, kid. Take my word for it.”

I stalked toward the elevator, Keith’s car keys digging into my closed palm.

Chapter Fifteen

(Gio)

Never had I felt the desire to die as I did waking up the next morning after I’d nearly gone Ted Bundy on Gio’s ass. I felt like death had walked passed me twice and decided I wasn’t worth the effort. All my life I’d felt rejected, but the sense that not even death wanted me was the worst. No, that was a lie. The worst was the fear in Gio’s eyes when I’d slammed his face into the door. Useless, out of control and weak— those were the emotions that left me depleted, tank on E, without a refuel station anywhere in sight. I’d chased him away last night, afraid of him seeing me like this, afraid of what I could have done to him in my rage.

My head throbbed, and my cheeks ached. I must have been grinding my teeth while I thrashed throughout the night, reliving my nightmare as though stuck in a time warp. Twenty years had already passed. Why was I still so affected? I hadn’t meant to kill him. Gio’s hand on my throat had flipped me out, pitched me straight back into that moldy hotel room, belt around my neck like a noose cutting off my air supply. He hadn’t even been holding me tight, but it had felt like it. I’d panicked and as usual got too enthusiastic about getting away and had ended up hurting him.

With a groan, I rolled to the side of the bed and retrieved my phone. I called in sick at work which I rarely did. My skin felt clammy and the bed sheets were damp. I tended to perspire a lot during a panic attack. I stripped the bed, deciding it would be a good day to do laundry. I was always sluggish after an attack, and this morning was no different. My brain would start acting normal again after I moved around a bit.

After making the bed, I took a shower, my arms and body feeling sore. As I shaved, I noticed the slight discoloration of my chin where Gio had struck me. He had spirit and had fought back although he had been in the wrong. He should have believed me about Tony. I wasn’t exactly the most honest guy around. I had brought home two guys in the same night before. But, Gio was different, and he should know I’d never do that to him. I wanted us to work, although I doubted that would happen after last night, and definitely not if I didn’t explain to him. He, at least, deserved an explanation.

Even with Gio being wrong for throwing the first punch, I acknowledged what had gone down between us last night was not okay. We shouldn’t have to resort to fists to solve a problem. It could help to work out frustration but would only end up hurting the other person. He’d hurt me, and I’d hurt him. That had solved nothing at all but complicated the issue. Now I had to dig into my memory of that night and try to get him to understand, episodes like last night didn’t happen frequently but could easily be triggered.

I was well aware that he would probably end our relationship when he learned the truth of what I had done. I hoped he wouldn’t. I didn’t need a different body in my bed every night. What I needed was him and the way he made me feel significant. For the first time, I felt truly valued by another human being and not because I contributed to a charity or made them profits while hiding behind the corporate image of me. For the first time I, Keith Eardley, unhinged and so faulty, felt valued for all of me.

After I showered, shaved and dressed, my feelings improved. I decided not to think about what could have been last night. Later I’d go collect my car and we would sit and talk, like really talk about feelings and such shit.

The aroma of coffee and bacon sizzling wafted to my nostrils as I exited the bedroom. My first thought was that Gio was back. I hurried to the kitchen, disappointed to find Tony making breakfast. I scowled at him, vaguely remembering opening the door to let him in last night after I thought I was going to die. I had been grateful to see him. He’d helped me into the shower, the soothing fall of the water working to bring me back to the present. Then, he’d helped tuck me into bed.

“What the hell are you still doing here, kid?” I gritted out, walking over to the percolator to pour myself a cup of coffee. “You do know you don’t actually live here, don’t you?”

He nodded, glancing away to pay attention to the skillet. “Don’t worry, I was just making you breakfast before I go. I figured you’d wake up hungry, and it was the least I could do to tell you thanks.”

“You think breakfast is going to fix what you ruined last night?” I snapped. “I told you—”

“I know-I know.” He drained the bacon strips and placed them on a platter. “After receiving a similar threat from your boyfriend, I decided you both take your relationship seriously, so I’m sorry for doing something as stupid as to fall asleep on your couch.”

I frowned at him. “What was that about my boyfriend threatening you?”

He shrugged. “Something about me keeping my hands off you or else,” he answered.

The toaster popped, and he got out the bread, added butter, slapped it on a plate with eggs and bacon and placed it on the table. I didn’t even acknowledge the breakfast but grinned at him. “Gio said that?”

“Yup, when he left last night. I’ve to say, Mr. Eardley, you both are a little crazy, but I think fitting for each other.”

“Hmm.” I didn’t acknowledge what he said but dug into the breakfast. He was right about me starving, and I needed some fuel before I called Gio.

“Alright, I better be going,” Tony remarked. “You’ll understand if I don’t stay to wash up.”

“Uh-uh. You’re not going anywhere. Your mess, you clean up. Plus, you owe me.”

He grumbled something under his breath but didn’t protest. Watching him wash up, I became curious about his life. In some ways, he reminded me of myself at that age, which must be the reason I put up with him. I didn’t usually suffer fools gladly.

I finished my breakfast and added my dish to the sink. He scowled at me, and I grinned. “When you’re done stick around. There’s something I need to talk to you about. Just let me go call Gio and see what I can salvage of last night.”

“Good luck,” he called after me.

I groaned. “Thanks. I have a feeling I’ll need it.”

I sought privacy in my bedroom and dialed Gio’s number. His phone rang four times before he picked up.

“’Morning,” he answered. “Keith, are you okay?”

---