Page 7 of Just a Bit Captivated

If he refused to cooperate, there was no escaping it—orhim.

Chapter Four

His room was in a goddamn basement.

It was actually a pretty nice room, but it had a big flaw: it didn’t have any windows.While Aiden wasn’t exactly claustrophobic, he’d never liked staying in a room without windows.He couldn’t imagine being locked up here for a year. But then again, that was likely the point.

It was now glaringly obvious how the asshole intended to avoid getting in trouble with law enforcement. If Aiden refused to help him and then tried to report him when Rahim let him go, what would he even accuse him of? The bastard could claim that he’d saved Aiden out of the goodness of his heart and allowed him to enjoy his hospitality without putting a finger on him. The fact that Aiden had to stay in a windowless room for a year was a small detail.

“You’re joking, right?” Aiden said, looking around the room.

“As I said, you can improve your situation if you cooperate. Take your shoes off. I’ve never understood how people in the West live among the filth you bring into your house from outside.”

“Fuck you,” Aiden said, turning and glowering at Rahim with as much hatred as he could muster—and currently he could muster a lot. He was normally laid back and easygoing, but right now he felt as far from easygoing as it was possible to be.

His angry look was wasted. The bastard didn’t even blink, his expression as unimpressed as ever. “Take your shoes off,” he repeated softly.

Aiden glared at him.

Rahim stared him down.

To his shame, Aiden was the one to look away first. Scowling, he took his shoes off. It was a small thing—he didn’t really mind taking his shoes off when his hosts requested it—but for some reason, it felt like a much bigger concession this time.

“Gadiel should join us momentarily,” Zain said.

Right on cue, there was the sound of footsteps.

A brown-haired guy entered the room—presumably Gadiel Rahim.

The guy was very handsome. Incredibly handsome, actually. He was about Aiden’s height—and a few inches shorter than his brother.The family resemblance was definitely there, but his features were much softer than his brother’s, and it wasn’t just because of the age difference. Rahim—orZain, since they both were Rahims—was ruggedly handsome in a brutal sort of way, while Gadiel’s handsomeness was more refined.Gadiel’s skin was paler, and something about his features—and his striking bright blue eyes—made it obvious that he was mixed race. Unlike his older brother, he could easily pass for a white guy, and not an ordinary-looking one.His features were exquisite, of perfect symmetry, except for his mouth, which was a little too wide for his face.

Gadiel said something to his brother, the questioning tone clear as he glanced curiously at Aiden.

Zain said something back, andGadiel’s stunning eyes widened as he did a double-take at Aiden.

Aiden scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest.“What, is he telling you that he bought a sex slave for you?”

For a long moment, there was only silence.

Gadiel was gaping while Aiden glowered at Zain.

“You can’t be serious,” Gadiel said at last, his English as good as his brother’s. His accent was vaguely British. “Youboughthim for me? I can hook up myself!”

Zain’s expression became pinched, irritation coming off him in waves.“I wasted millions on covering up your latest hook-up,” he said flatly.“The money is nothing compared to the favors I now owe to people I’d rather not owe anything.Clearly you can’t be trusted. From now on, you’llhave a discreet option here in my house, since you’re so incapable of grasping that you might end up in prison—or worse—every time you want to suck a cock.”

Gadiel flushed. “Zain,” he muttered, managing to look both like a kicked puppy and a very resentful child.

“Don’t. It won’t work anymore. I’m fed up, Gadiel.” Zain glanced at Aiden, his dark eyes flashing with displeasure.“He’ll stay here until you leave for England next year. He’s the only option you have—”

“No, I’mnotan option!” Aiden cut him off, crossing his arms over his chest.

Zain shifted his heavy gaze to him, his lips twisting in derision. “I thought Gadiel was the only idiot in the room, but it seems you also lack the intelligence to make the right choice.”

“You—you—”

“Hey!” Gadiel said at the same time. “I’m not—”

“Silence,” Zain said.

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