Page 44 of A Sip of Sin

“Did the boss do this to you?” asked Sean, wrapping his arm around Hollen’s shoulders as he struggled to stay upright. Heat flushed over his skin, aided by the vents that always seemed to be cranked to their highest. His collar was too tight, clothes clinging to his skin.

Sean lowered his voice, leaning in close and grasping Hollen as he nearly keeled over. “I can help you get away. I know people.”

Hollen shook his head, his vision blinking at the movement. “No, he didn’t. He’s— I don’t know what’s going on.” He took in a shuddering breath as bile burned in his throat. “I have to finish my shift. I need the money.”

Sean let out a huff. “Buddy, you can’t stand.”

He leaned against Sean, pressing his palms to the cold floor. His knuckles burned bright, the flush traveling over his skin.

He flinched as Munro rounded the corner, his hair in disarray in the way it had been since Rhys had shown up. His eyes went wide as he spotted them before he hustled over, kneeling in front of Hollen.

“What did you do?” asked Munro, his glare aimed straight at Sean.

Hollen blinked, Munro’s words swimming through the molasses in his ears.

“Me?” Sean stiffened, his arm going tight. “I’m not the one who bit and fucked him so hard he can hardly walk straight. Did you fuck with his head, too? I thought you said he was in the clear.”

Hollen’s ears buzzed, the conversation going in and out as Munro raised his voice. Hollen reached for him, but his fingers barely twitched, locked to the coolness of the floor.

In a blur of color, Munro stormed away, shouting as he moved to the dining room. There was an influx of sound, dishes crashing, and an echo of voices slowly getting softer.

“Finally, he does the right thing for once,” said Sean, hissing under his breath as Hollen leaned heavily into his chest.

“Sorry.” Hollen closed his eyes, trying to muster up any whiff of strength. “I can finish my shift. Just give me a second.” His tongue was slow, swimming through the same syrup that was in his bones. He was so,sohot.

Sean rubbed his shoulder, the touch soothing. “He’s kicking everyone out and shutting us down for the night, buddy.”

There was something in his chest for the first time Hollen could remember, sinking its fingers deep and churning his belly.Fear—so real that it shocked his heart.

He hadn’t believed George—not really—but the proof was in his shaking limbs and fluttering breath. He could havedied.Hell, he might still if he let himself fall into the summoning slumber.

Munro wasdangerous.

He blinked, trying to clear the shadows in his peripheral as Munro kneeled before them. His eyes were cold, the flush to his lips more pronounced than ever. That hunger in his looks was still there. Maybe it always would be that threat and promise that eventually would win him over.

If they were ever entwined again, so intimately that they couldn’t tell limb from limb, Hollen would give in. He knew it in his heart that he would tilt his head back, offering his neck and hoping for that bite of pain that would bring so much pleasure. Even now he ached for it, like an addict solely focused on a fix instead of their rumbling belly.

“Get away.” Hollen’s words were barely a whisper but both men froze, Sean going tense against him. Hollen breathed through the ache in his chest and his pounding heart. “Munro, it’s not safe.”

It will pass. I’ll feel better soon.

He tried to swallow but his mouth had forgotten how to work, saliva gathering at the edges of his numb lips. George stirring in his chest was the only thing keeping him awake, his presence warm and utterly complete.

I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you.His consciousness was slipping away, each strand of it snapping until there was nothing except a thin fiber.

“George, can you get me home? T—take me somewhere safe?”

“He’s delusional,” said Munro, that edge to him cutting Hollen deep. How many times had he heard something so similar from others who looked at him with concern or fear? Munro should understand. He was the only one to reallygethim.

“Give the guy a break.” Sean grabbed him when he started to slip sideways. “He’s barely conscious.” His hug smotheredHollen in bread and spices when what he really needed was fresh air.

George stirred, spreading from his chest to his limbs and pushing the numbness away to the very tips. “Yes.”

It was the strength amongst Hollen’s weakening limbs, the fibers straining harder until his eyelids slipped all the way shut.

“Trust me, Hollen. I’ll keep you safe.” The voice was so deep inside that it was everywhere, even mixed with the desperation of his own thoughts.

As Hollen receded to the last thread, George surged ahead. Sometimes it felt like that when he was on the edge of his dreams, but George had never been somuchbefore. It was that security blanket that he needed so dearly, and the only thing that could protect him from the threat he longed for.

---