Page 1 of A Sugary Life

Chapter One

“This is where you’ll be sleeping.”

Phoenix eyed the gorgeous bedroom. The square footage alone was twice the size of his studio apartment back in New York.

“It’s great. Thank you.”

The giant with a thick Russian accent smiled as if he was the nicest person in the world. Phoenix knew he could be. But not only was Pytor three times his size, but the guy was a personal bodyguard for the world’s most dangerous man, Zander Kapra.

“Come on. I’ll show you to your new kitchen.”

Now Phoenix was excited. It had always been his dream to be a pastry chef. Even as a fucked-up kid, he had dared to dream of creating delicious desserts. Of course, he also had known what it was like to starve. Food had once been his biggest out-of-reach fantasy.

As he followed on Pytor’s heels, navigating the ginormous mansion, Phoenix kept blinking, expecting he would wake up any minute and learn this was just a dream. He had been recused by the Kapra Foundation at eight and then got to attend culinary school thanks to a Kapra grant at nineteen. Not once did Phoenix believe he would end up working for the Zander Kapra’s household. This was the crème de la crème of chef positions. He couldn’t wait to see the place where he would get to create every yummy morsel any man could dream. Pytor had already warned him that he wouldn’t be working in the same kitchen or for the same head chef that had let Phoenix follow him around everywhere as a kid. The excitement was thick. Unfortunately, so was his nervousness. If this kitchen’s head chef didn’t like him, then this job was dead in the water before it even began.

They made their way to the third floor. He expected to be led to a bustling kitchen with a screaming chef keeping everyone in line. Instead, he found a smaller chef’s kitchen completely stocked but empty.

Pytor motioned toward the room. “This is your space. If you need an assistant, just let me know and I’ll send one up. Otherwise, you’ll be in charge of yourself. While a certain set of hours are expected, the menu planning will be completely yours. There’s a list on the refrigerator with a headcount of residents to help you plan your numbers. Occasionally, large gatherings are planned here for the foundation’s charity and other events. You’ll always have plenty of notice ahead of time.”

“Wait. You’re telling me I’m head pastry chef? This is all mine?”

Pytor chuckled. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Phoenix was flabbergasted.

Pytor’s expression darkened. He focused on Phoenix in a way that compelled Phoenix to hold his stare. “Everyone who comes inside this house is vetted by my husbands and me. Most of the people who work here are connected to the foundation in some way. Just as it was when you were a child, you never have to worry anyone will harm you here.”

Phoenix nodded. His throat was too tight to respond. Pytor and one of his husbands, Yaro, had been there when Phoenix had been saved as a child. Phoenix wanted to claim he didn’t remember life before that day, but he did. He had nightmares and visions he couldn’t shake. Phoenix couldn’t handle hearing anything about sexual abuse. If anyone sneaked up behind him, he totally melted down. Phoenix wished his life wasn’t like that, but reality gave no fucks about his wants.

He couldn’t continue saying nothing, but he also couldn’t stay on this topic. “I truly appreciate this opportunity.”

Pytor eyed him as if measuring his emotions. “You earned this position. You took all the opportunities the foundation extended to you and made your life a success. We couldn’t be prouder of you.”

Phoenix shifted from foot to foot. He couldn’t look Pytor in the eye any longer. The discomfort was thick. Praise wasn’t something he was accustomed to getting. “Thank you.”

Pytor squeezed his shoulder, bringing Phoenix’s gaze back to him. “I’m glad you’re here. Why don’t you go ahead and learn the layout and get a list together of anything missing that you’ll need.” A huge smile exploded across Pytor’s face. “I wouldn’t be opposed to you making a few sweets.”

A smile tugged at Phoenix’s lips. “I can do that.”

“Good to hear. I’ll check back later.” He walked away, leaving Phoenix with his shiny new kitchen. The moment he was alone, Phoenix ran around like a kid exploring every nook and cranny. All this was his to run. He couldn’t believe it. He was ready to jump right in.

Shay leaned against the wall and scrolled through his phone. Being one of Kapra’s many guards was a damn good and high-paying job. It was actually kind of boring, though. If an intruder breached the property, Shay was ready to jump into action. If Zander needed to go anywhere that would require more guards than Pytor and Yaro, Shay wouldn’t hesitate to volunteer. Other than those two things, Shay didn’t do much but hang around and watch reels on his phone. He couldn’t complain. Most people would kill for a job like his.

“Shay.”

Shay’s head shot up at the sound of his name. He quickly stuffed his phone back into his pocket before stepping into Zander’s office. Zander sat on a couch in the corner of the room. His husband, Maverick, had his head resting on a pillow on Zander’s lap. Zander ran his fingers through Maverick’s hair. Maverick looked like he was in heaven.

“Yes, sir?”

Zander looked up from where he stared at Maverick. His ice-blue eyes focused on Shay. “You were friends with Phoenix Shadows at The Kapra School, correct?”

The smile that immediately popped to his lips was out of his control. That was a name he hadn’t heard in a while. “Yes, sir.” He wasn’t surprised Zander had known that. Zander knew everything.

Zander nodded. “That’s good to hear. He’s our new pastry chef. You can find him on the third floor. I’m moving you to patrol that area. Does that work for you?”

“Of course. I’ll always go where you assign me.”

A kind smile touched Zander’s lips. “You’re not a slave here. If you don’t like a certain post, I’ll always take that into consideration.”