Page 79 of Hero Worship

"Monsieur Verity," a silky voice called from within. "How delightful to see you again."

Roche stood near a floor-to-ceiling window, backlit by the twinkling Paris skyline. They were impeccably dressed in a tailored pink and green suit. Their smile was all teeth as they approached us, predatory gaze fixed on me.

I fought the instinct to recoil as Roche's eyes raked over me, instead letting my lips part in a vapid smile. Ash's hand slid possessively down my back, coming to rest at the base of my spine.

"The pleasure is mine," Ash replied smoothly.

Roche guided us further into what appeared to be a private study, though museum might have been a more accurate description. Glass cases lined the walls, each containing what looked like perfectly preserved insects mounted on velvet. The sight made my drug-addled brain flash back to Ash’s stories about his father’s butterfly collection, and I shivered.

“Your spouse looks a bit unsteady,” Roche observed. “Perhaps he should sit?”

“He’s fine,” Ash replied. His fingers dug into my hip hard enough to ground me through the chemical haze fogging my brain.

“Perhaps a drink, then?” Roche lifted a crystal decanter from a large cabinet. “I have an excellent cognac that pairs beautifully with conversation.”

Every word coming out of Roche’s mouth made me want to vomit, but I forced myself to giggle, swaying at Ash’s side. “Please, Daddy? Can I?”

Ash’s hand slid up to grip the back of my neck. “I think you’ve had quite enough relaxing substances for one evening, pet.”

I stuck my bottom lip out and huffed, but didn’t complain. Roche had to see me as the perfect obedient specimen.

Roche watched our interaction with dark eyes, assessing every twitch of muscle, every subtle shift of movement. “Such control,” they mused, swirling the amber liquid in their glass. “It’s rare to find someone who truly understands the art of proper ownership.”

“Most lack the vision,” Ash replied smoothly. “They only see the surface beauty, not the potential for true perfection that must be cultivated.”

“Exactly!” Roche’s eyes flashed with excitement. “Though I must admit, your spouse here has some rather unique qualities.”

“Well, not entirely unique.” Ash’s hand slid from the back of my neck to my shoulder.

Roche’s attention sharpened. “Oh?”

“My pet here has an identical twin,” Ash continued. “Completely identical in every way. The symmetry is quite breathtaking.”

The hunger that flashed across Roche’s face made my stomach turn, but I maintained my drug-hazed smile. My heart slammed against my ribs. What was Ash doing? We’d talked about using Xavier to reel Roche in, but I hadn’t realized he actually meant to do it.

“How fascinating.” Roche set their glass down on a nearby shelf. “It’s not often one encounters such perfect duplication in nature.”

“The only thing more beautiful than a perfect rare specimen,” Ash said coldly, “is two of the same. Though his brother isn’t quite as… compliant. He’s got a bit more fire. More sass.”

“Even better,” Roche said with a snicker. “I find the most exquisite art sometimes comes from broken things. Wouldn’t you agree?”

My heart was beating so hard in my ears I could barely think. I turned to Ash, sliding a hand around to pinch the skin on his back. “But my brother’s not here, Daddy.”

Ash squeezed back, hard enough to make me worry. “Hush, pet. The grown-ups are talking. You wouldn’t want to seem ungrateful for Mx. Roche’s attention, would you?”

“No, sir.”As long as that attention stays on me and not Xavier.

Roche circled us slowly. They reminded me of a shark, except at least sharks were cute. There wasn’t a single thing about Avery Roche that I would’ve called cute. Predatory, yes. Cute? Not even their mother would call them that.

I pressed in closer to Ash, though his usual warmth and scent didn’t bring the comfort it normally did. Something felt wrong, off. Maybe it was the drugs. The Xanax and Adderall combo made everything feel like it was constantly tilting sideways, like I was looking at everything in a funhouse mirror.

Except there was nothing fun about this.

Roche moved back into view. “Perhaps we could continue this conversation over dinner? I find conversation flows more naturally in a proper setting.”

“Dinner would be lovely,” Ash said.

I turned my head, glancing through the tall windows. Outside, night had fallen over Paris. Somewhere in that darkness, Xavierwas watching through his hijacked security feeds, monitoring our every move. I wished he was there with me.

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