Page 65 of The Masks and the Dancer (Their Obsession 2)

CHAPTER14

CHRISTY

Seven opens the door to the room he shares with Three. As soon as our eyes meet, I know for certain what Jakub made him do. He wears his shame on his handsome face, a face that crumples with grief and guilt the moment he lays eyes on me. He’s also fully dressed, and somehow that seems so at odds with how naked he is in the moment.

“I’m so sorry, Seven,” I say, hugging him.

“I h—hurt her,” he stutters, his fingers gripping the material of my dress as he presses his forehead against my shoulder and hugs me back.

Behind us Leon steps into the room, shutting the door with a firm shove. “You might want to let her go,” he says, the nuances of his voice leaving no room for misunderstanding. He may be able to tolerate more things now but, clearly, another man touching me isn’t one of them.

“Of course,” Seven replies tightly, releasing me, a small muscle in his jaw ticking with anger.

“How are you?” I ask, regretting the question the moment it leaves my lips.

Seven swipes a hand through his hair. “I don’t care about me—”

“Seven, who’s there?” Three calls out from what must be their bedroom off of the small, but cosy living area we’re currently standing in. It has teal and gold flock wallpaper, rich velvet curtains in a deep navy and a matching velvet suite.

“It’s Zero, she’s come to see you,” he replies.

Three doesn’t respond, and my heart sinks like a stone. “Is this okay?” I ask. “I could come back another time when she’s had more rest.”

“No, please stay. She...” he hesitates, dragging in a breath. “She needs someone to talk to and that person isn’t the one who hurt her, that person isn’t me.”

“She didn’t speak to Thirteen?” I ask, knowing she didn’t but needing confirmation.

He shakes his head, eyes pained. “Barely. I just think she needs someone who...” He flicks his gaze over at Leon, rage passing over his features briefly before he shuts it down.

“Whowhat?” Leon questions, a scowl creasing his brow.

“Who understands what she’s been through,” Seven finishes. He drops his arms to the side, lifting his chin in a small act of defiance that a few days ago would’ve got him a session in the dungeon and a back ruined by a whip. I know he’s expecting Leon to react like he always has, with violence and cruelty, but that reaction never comes.

There’s only silence and a deep sense of guilt emanating from him.

“I’msorry,” Leon says, staring at me in such a way that makes me feel exposed, stripped bare, vulnerable.

Forcing my gaze away, I reach for Seven who’s staring at Leon like he’s grown another head, and gently squeeze his arm. “I’ll try and help.”

“Thank you. I’ll wait out here with…Master.” Seven says, swallowing hard, as though the very word itself tastes like bitter aloes, and for the first time since I’ve been here, I notice how Leon cringes at the title.

“Yes. Seven and I will have a drink,” Leon says, jerking his chin to the liquor cabinet situated in the corner of the room. “Looks like we both could use one. I know I sure as fuck do.”

Pushing open the door to their bedroom, I step into the dimly-lit room. A table lamp sits on a small table beside the bed, casting a soft glow about the space that should warm the room up if the atmosphere wasn’t one of deep, soul-crushing sadness.

“Three?” I say hesitantly.

She shifts beneath the blankets, her slight frame pushing upwards as I close the bedroom door behind me. “Zero. It’s so good to see you,” she exclaims, plastering on a brave smile that breaks my heart.

“Don’t do that,” I say, rushing forward and taking her hand in mine as I perch on the side of the bed.

“Do what?”

“Pretend that you’re okay.”

“Areyouokay?” she counters, deflecting the attention off of her and back onto me.

I squeeze her hands, nodding sharply. “I will be, and so will you.”

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