Page 22 of Trapped for Christmas

“I’m hardly going to say no to your cooking.”

Mason smiled at him, but his eyes still looked stormy. Like he was holding back from saying what he was thinking. Zeb had to know.

“You don’t think less of me for staying with him, do you?”

He had to look down again. Mason’s opinion meant so much to him. Zeb knew he’d disappointed him by leaving like he did, but he’d hate for Mason to think he’d brought it on himself. He knew he was gullible and let men easily manipulate him, but he just had this desire to have a man of his own, who would look after him and protect him. Zeb had been on his own for so long. He had his friends, but it wasn’t the same. It was why he felt a pull toward older men. They usually had their shit together, but they all ended up being abusers. He’d thought with Kaden still being in his twenties, it might have been different.

Mason took hold of Zeb’s chin gently and forced him to make eye contact.

“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Zeb. Do you hear me?”

He nodded, tears welling in his eyes. Mason looked away for a second, and when he looked back, his eyes were wet as well.

“Why don’t you take a shower? Take your time. I’ll have breakfast ready in about twenty minutes.”

He hesitated for a second and then leaned forward and kissed Zeb on the forehead. It was only brief, but it made Zeb’s whole body tingle all over. Before he could say anything, Mason was gone, and Zeb wasn’t sure what to do with himself. The only other time he’d seen Mason upset like that was when Zeb had quit. He didn’t want to make Mason upset. He expected Hunter to cry when he spoke to him. His bestie didn’t hide his emotions, but Mason was the perpetual grump. Why was he upset?

Before he could overthink anymore, Zeb got out of bed and headed for his en-suite bathroom. Yes, he had his own bathroom. The room was a significant upgrade from the apartment he’d shared with four other people. Zeb couldn’t stay here too long as he’d get used to all these home comforts. First, he needed a job. Perhaps Mason would know someone who could help him, or would that be weird? That was something for Monday. Now, he needed to get ready for whatever delicious breakfast Mason was making for him.

It had only been a couple of hours since a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup, before Hunter arrived with Deacon. After a hug which went on for about five minutes, and lots of tears, Mason and Deacon left them alone in the kitchen. Zeb made them both a coffee, as Mason had shown him how to work the machine. He could even froth up the milk himself.

“You’re going to the police, aren’t you?” asked Hunter. “We’ve got Simmons on standby.”

Zeb couldn’t help laughing. “Trust you to have a lieutenant at your beck and call.”

“He’s at Ethan’s beck and call.”

“What’s happening between them? I thought that all ended last year.”

“We can gossip later. I have questions.”

Zeb snorted. He didn’t doubt Hunter would barrage him with questions. At least Mason had been gentle with him, but he knew Hunter loved him and meant him no harm.

“Go on, then. What’s the first question?”

“Why the fuck haven’t we heard from you in a month?”

He explained what happened with his phone, and then about his injuries, as that’s what Hunter asked next.

“Why did he lock you in?”

“He said it was safer. I didn’t know the windows were screwed shut as well. I never had a key, so I couldn’t leave during the day, or I’d have to wait for him to finish work. When he worked from home, I had to stay in the bedroom all day so I didn’t disturb him. I had designated break times, so I could go to the toilet and get food and stuff.”

“You had to piss on a schedule?”

“It was so the sound of the toilet flushing wouldn’t disturb him when he was on work calls.”

“Did he ever go out, other than to work?”

“No. He came straight home so we could be together.”

“And do what?”

Zeb looked away, shame flooding through him.

“So, you were basically his sex slave?”

“Hunter! What the fuck! Do you hear what you just said?”