Page 153 of Pucking Obsessed

It would be unfair for Shay to be outed like that.

Heine must know this, which is why he’sset us up.

Yet in the balance against that is Jude’s safety.

I don’t know what to do.

“We can get him back.” Eden’s voice is hard. “I won’t let this rich man destroy my family. We are not his toys.”

“But how?” My voice is raspy with tears. “We can’t gamble with D’Angelo’s life. This jerk is unhinged. He’s been stalking D’Angelo but cleverly enough to make sure that it can’t be reported. Now, he’s reacted violently because D’Angelo refused to play dress ups for him. Years ago, he manipulated him into playing with him on Halloween as Lucifer and his tamed angel.

“What if that’s what he wants? A repeat of that but on his terms?” Shay asks, quietly.

I blink. “Shit.”

“He thinks that he’s in control. He’s not.” Eden sounds hard and focused.

Shay exchanges a surprised glance with me.

I struggle to sit up straighter. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve been researching Heine for Jude,” Eden replies. “So has Garcia. I have an entire file on Heine and his secrets. I know where he lives, what businesses he owns, and where he goes to escape his dad.”

“His dad is still violent then?”

“Garcia has medical records going back decades of hospital visits for broken bones that were not caused by falls.” Eden sounds grim. He should know. “He wouldn’t have taken Jude to any business or mansion that his dad could know about. His dadis even more powerful than he is. Heine has nowhere to take Jude.”

“What if he’s simply with him here in the grounds?” Shay sounds strained. “What if he’s hurting him right now, while he’s unable to fight back?”

“Please,” I whisper.

I can’t think about that.

Can’t.

“Not his style,” Eden growls. “Too much security. Plus, Dad and the board. Heine will want control of the setting.”

“Where does that leave?” Suddenly, my eyes widen.Of course.“All the players are here. The staff are holding their own party at Merchant’s Inn. What if Heine has taken D’Angelo to the rink?”

“I don’t think so,” Shay says, softly. “He’s a sub who is obsessed with a dom. A dom who didn’t play out a scene. A dom who he thinks of ashis. He’s possessive but in a way that turns Jude into athing.Don’t you think that he’ll take Jude back to the place that he felt was also his? Orshouldbe? Possibly, that he dreamed he would once live in with Jude?His safe space?Perhaps, that he’s deluded himself he is still going to live in with him?”

“Jude’s mansion,” I breathe. “Thank goodness Noah isn’t lodging there right now. It’s empty. But I haven’t been there. I don’t know where it is.”

“Jude invited me…us…to move in with him.” Shay’s eyes flash with both fury and grief. “I’ve been bloody excited about the first time that I’d step through his front door. Heine can steal that moment from me but he doesn’t get to be in Jude’s home, make-believing at also taking my place.”

Studying the jealousy, insecurity, and pain on Shay’s face, I can see how personal this is for him.

This is the first time that he’s explored loving a man or allowed himself to be fully vulnerable, revealing both his emotional and submissive side.

Having Heine trying to take his place as D’Angelo’s sub in this sick parody is his nightmare.

At the same time, anything endangering the man I love is mine.

“I know where D’Angelo lives,” Cody calls through the phone. “Freedom Mansion is famous historically as where the Governor used to live and more recently, as where D’Angelo holds wild parties. I’ll collect you, we’ll have a look around there, then we’ll drive on to Freedom House. It’s not far. We’ll work out a plan, Ryn. There are five of us. Standing together, we can take on any danger.”

“What if Jude isn’t at his mansion?” Shay asks. “Shouldn’t we go straight to the police? I know what the stakes are. I’m prepared to pay them, if it means rescuing Jude. I’d bloody pay anything.”

My heart sinks.

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