Page 49 of Martyr

Time to make the most of it.

“You’ll have access to the Club House,” Lake said. “And you’ll be read into all of the rules and regulations. But, you’ll also be expected to attend certain events and keep your composure in front of nefarious people.”

“But I’ll be guaranteed a job at Star Eye Holding?” Nix was desperately clinging to that one silver lining, and he knew it, but he had to come away from all of this with something. Some tiny piece of the dream he’d harbored for most of his adult life.

He’d already lost his dignity and Branwen.

He couldn’t lose his future as a game developer, too.

Maybe Lake sensed that because he took pity on him. “You’ll have that job even if you don’t become a member of the club. Actually, let me rephrase.” He rested his hands on the railing at either side of Nix. “You’ll be a member of the club even if you give up the role of sacrifice.”

“I can’t afford those fees.” Being the sacrifice meant a free ride.

“I can,” Lake reminded. “I’ll pay your way. It’ll be my responsibility.”

“How so?”

“Taking care of you will be my responsibility, Nix.”

“Is this how you do that?” He held his gaze. “Biting me and cornering me into agreeing to allow someone else into the bedroom?”

Lake’s eyes glinted. “Correction. He will not be in the bedroom. We’ll do it in the living room and he will remain at a respectable distance at all times.”

“He doesn’t get to see me naked.”

“Is that your answer?”

“I’m not done. Let me talk to him first.”

“No.”

“Lake.”

“No.”

Nix wasn’t going to get him to budge. Shit. He wanted to ask Juri how he felt about being forced back into the club after all the trouble he’d gone to to leave it. How could Nix complain about being made to do something he didn’t want, and then turn around and do that same thing to someone else?

“He doesn’t get to see me naked,” Nix repeated, “and he can’t watch any of you fuck me. But,” he took a deep breath and forced the rest of the sentence out before he could give in to selfishness and change his mind, “you can…touch me…in front of him.”

“Touch you, not the other way around?” It was impossible to tell what Lake was thinking now based solely on the sound of his voice, and Nix couldn’t meet his gaze, too embarrassed about this whole thing and the words coming out of his own mouth.

“You said you needed him to see that I’m willing,” Nix reminded. “If he hears me…” He couldn’t finish.

“Open your eyes, Songbird.” Lake brushed a strand of his hair off his forehead. “I agree to your terms.”

“Really?” He lifted his head, needing to see for himself that he meant it. “If you’re lying, I’ll literally die, Lake. I have to see him on campus, and I can’t do that if—”

Lake shushed him. “I’m not lying. Why would I? You’re willing to give me what I want. There’s no reason for me to make it harder on you than need be.” He moved away, clearly considering the discussion settled and over.

Nix grabbed onto his wrist before he could get very far, not even caring that his nerves were showing.

“There’s more?” Lake tipped his head. “What is it?”

“Maestro,” he said, voice low and almost inaudible. “It has to be you. Don’t let…I want it to be you.”

When he’d known the other man only as Maestro, Lake had been gentle with him. Patient. This was so far out of Nix’s comfort zone, if he was going to step out of it, then he at least wanted the small comfort of knowing Lake would talk him through it, the same way he’d done with all those Favors in the past.

“If you’ll alter your terms slightly, I’ll grant you that.”

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