Page 40 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

“I believe so.”

Elliot breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. She’s gone off the deep end.”

The music roared to life and Mrs. Peppercorn slowly hobbled her way over until she was standing in front of Elliot, continuing her song with, “You won’t get him, crying and hoping, wishing and dishing—”

“That’s not the song you were singing before you paused for the proverbial cause, Mrs. Peppercorn,” Elliot shouted above the soundtrack, probably wanting to rein her back in. “Actually, I don’t believe those are the lyrics to any song.”

Mrs. Peppercorn nodded, then crouched until she was eye to eye with Elliot, her knees cracking on the descent. “Ah, hell, that hurts,” she groaned before continuing her number. “All you’ve gotta do is kiss him, and love him, and tell him that you’re his. That’s where it is, it’s in his kiss.”

Elliot turned and blinked confusedly at Alexander. “You’re mixing up Dusty Springfield with Cher.” He turned to Alexander looking confused. “I think whatever Mayor Rivera slipped her might be kicking in. She’s officially gone off the deep end,” Elliot observed.

As Mrs. Peppercorn walked around the room, serenading various men without request, Beau Rivera slipped into the empty seat at the other side of the table. Alexander instinctively wrapped an arm around Elliot, and when he looked over, Elliot was smirking. Cheeky boy.

“She’ll be out like a light in another fifteen or twenty minutes. After that, I’ll need help getting her back to her room and into bed.”

“I’ll help,” Alexander agreed.

Beau was staring at Elliot a bit too intensely for Alexander’s liking, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from telling the man off. Alexander had never been a jealous man, but when it came to Elliot—and to the little life inside him—he refused to allow anyone to be a hindrance to his goal of giving them the best life he could ever hope for.

Beau arched an eyebrow. “Do you have a problem with me? You’ve been giving me dirty looks at every turn.”

Alexander pulled Elliot closer. “I don’t like the way you look at him. If you’re not flashing those feral eyes, you’re peeking up at him through your luscious lashes—”

“Luscious lashes?” Beau interrupted.

Alexander rolled his eyes. “The point is, you’ve been giving him bedroom eyes since we met. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t throw yourself at him.” He stared down at Elliot, who was resting his head on Alexander’s shoulder. “Unless that’s something you want.” Alexander chewed his bottom lip. “It’s okay if you do. I won’t stand in your way.” The thought of stepping aside killed him.

Elliot peeked up at him and shook his head, burying his face in Alexander’s neck and inhaling deeply. “Only want you,” he whispered.

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Beau groaned. “I’m not trying to sleep with your boyfriend. I’m trying to make meaningful gay connections. Back home I don’t have a lot of gay friends , just Arthur and Periwinkle, and I miss having friends who know what it’s like. I may have had a small crush on Elliot when we met, but it’s obvious he’s enamored by you.”

“He’sstill in the room,” Elliot mumbled. “Please don’t talk about me like I’m a piece of furniture.”

Alexander looked down at him, and he felt like a monster, realizing he essentially laid claim to Elliot like he was making a purchase. “I’m sorry, Elliot. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Elliot nodded as he sat upright and took a sip of his water before placing the glass back in its place. “I’m not human, but I’m a person. I don’t care for it.”

“Sorry,” Beau apologized, sounding sincere. “I really would like to be friends with you both. I didn’t mean to be rude. Elliot, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Elliot offered Beau a smile. “My last home wasn’t a happy one. He hurt me regularly. Emotionally. Physically.” He looked up at Alexander with a question in his gaze, but Alexander wasn’t sure what Elliot was asking permission for. He didn’t need Alexander’s permission for anything, though. Elliot was his own man, and Alexander couldn’t stand the thought of him thinking he needed Alexander’s approval to merely speak. He’d need to remind him later. For the moment, Alexander softly patted Elliot’s thigh, urging him onward.

“It’s okay,” he said, because it was.

Elliot gave Alexander an appreciative look before adding, “Master Price is not a kind man, and I can’t allow him to take his aggression out on . . .” He stared down at his baby bump and sniffled. “I can’t let him take it out on my baby, so I had to run away. That’s why I traveled to Genevieve. I’ve always known I belong to Jared, so I was hoping Arthur and Periwinkle might help me find a way to keep her safe.” He slowly stroked his bump. “I think I’ve been concocting escape plans since the day he mentioned implanting her into me, but my mind’s still fuzzy.” He looked up at Alexander with teary eyes. “I want this with you. I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

Alexander gripped Elliot’s hand fiercely, wanting to pour his own excitement into the man so he knew he wasn’t alone. “I want it, too.”

Beau nodded sympathetically at the pair. “That’s awful. Are you worried he’ll try to find you?”

Elliot nodded. “He’s probably already searching. I don’t believe he knows about the feelings I’ve harbored for Alexander, mainly because I didn’t know I was harboring them either, though that could simply be down to the cake frosting in my head.”

Beau arched an eyebrow. “Cake frosting?”

“Cake frosting,” Elliot agreed. “We’ve just learned I was partially reprogrammed multiple times over the last five years. The process has left holes in my memory, and what’s been left in their place reminds me of what cake frosting might feel wedged into one’s brain. It’s not terribly uncomfortable, but it makes me dizzy when I try to remember things for too long. He took the good memories, but he left all the bad ones.” He closed his eyes tightly. “They play in my mind like a movie. Every hit, every kick, every death I’ve ever died for Jared Price. Mother has many rules, but the main one is that her bountiful beaus must love their husbands with their whole heart, just as she says she loves us with hers.” He looked up and stared at Beau. “We’re meant to welcome our husbands home with love and submission, and when we part ways each morning, we’re expected to send them away with a kiss and genuine well wishes.” He swallowed, looking around the room nervously before whispering, “I do not wish him well.” Elliot closed his eyes, and a relaxed smile spread across his face. “I hate him.” His jaw trembled harder. “It feels so good to finally say it.”

Alexander tightened his hand around Elliot’s, wanting so badly to reach into Elliot and pull out every drop of hurt inside of him, because Elliot didn’t deserve to hurt a single second more than he’d already experienced. “I hate him, too.”

“Is that common?” Beau asked, and when Alexander looked over at him, he was kissing one of the lemon wedges on his plate, mouthing an apology. Alexander had no idea what that was about, but Beau was an eccentric man, so it wasn’t terribly surprising. After squeezing the lemon into his water, he drops the carcass in his glass. “The cruelty, I mean. Do most of the suitors hurt their husbands?”

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