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“What the hell, Tucker, are you trying to be cryptic? Who is he?”
When Tucker crossed his arms and shook his head, Kevin lost patience. “Tucker, I’m getting out of here, and I’m taking you with me, whether you go willingly or not,” Kevin said grimly.
Tucker shook his head. “God, Kevin, what does it take to get through to you? You won’t be able to leave. They won’t let you! In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve been locked naked in a room inside the lodge. How the hell do you think you’re getting out of here? And I’m here because I want to be. You don’t understand. There’s a secret here, but it’s not about any kind of religion or cult. Actually I’m a part of it all, but I-I can’t tell you yet. But I can promise you, I’m all right. I’m in love with Gavin, and he gives me everything I need. ”
“What kind of damn secret? What do you mean you’re part of it but you can’t tell me yet? How could you just walk away from everything…your job, your home…your whole damn life, just to be with him? Why is everything such a fucking mystery?”
Looking miserable, Tucker put a hand on his arm. “I will tell you, but not yet. You’ll know everything soon, Kevin. ”
“Oh? How is that? Because they’re about to do to me whatever they’ve done to you? You say it’s not brainwashing…well, then what is it? Some kind of drugs? Is it what Richard shot into me?”
“No. I promise you, Kevin, that was only a sedative, and I’m not taking any kind of drugs. ” He raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Damn it, this is too hard. I just need to go ahead and tell you. ”
The door opened and Richard strode back in. His eyes went straight to Kevin and roamed over him almost possessively before he stopped beside Tucker and put a hand on his shoulder. “I came back to tell you they’re serving dinner downstairs. Would you mind getting Kevin a tray, since you know more about what he likes than I do?”
Tucker nodded. “Sure. Be back in a few minutes. ”
“Take your time. I’m not eating anything either of you give me. ” Kevin pushed the words through clenched teeth, more for Richard’s benefit than Tucker’s. Casting an accusing glare at Richard, who was standing way too close to Tucker to suit him, he wondered just who he was most jealous of, Tucker or Richard? What the hell was wrong with him, damn it?
Richard regarded him calmly. “You need to eat. You’ll get sick if you don’t. ”
“Then I guess I’ll get sick. ”
Richard got a stubborn look on his face, and for just a moment, he reminded Kevin of somebody, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. “You’ll eat or I’ll make you eat. Suit yourself. ”
“Fuck you,” Kevin said and raised a fist to smash it into that arrogant mouth. “I’d like to see you try. ”
“Oh, would you? Go ahead, take your best shot. ” Richard stepped forward, seeming ready to take him on, but before they could clash, Tucker was between them, pushing back on Richard’s chest.
“Please stop,” he said, looking up at Richard. He spoke over his shoulder to Kevin. “I told you I wouldn’t drug you, and I won’t. Damn, chill out. ”
“Chill out? You invited me to come here, and this guy drugs me with a hypodermic needle and cuffs me naked to a bed. Not exactly chill inspiring. ”
Richard growled at him, low in his chest, but Kevin refused to back down. Kevin grabbed Tucker, pushing him aside and squared off to the big man opposite him. Kevin drew back his fist again. “Go ahead, asshole. Do what you need to do. ”
“Richard, stand down. ” A commanding voice from the open doorway made them all whip their heads around to see Gavin. He strode forward and gently put Tucker behind him before turning to Kevin. “No one will drug you again, Kevin, and you need to eat, though I understand how you must feel. Would you feel better if Tucker tasted everything for you and let you watch him? He can do that for you if you like. We don’t have to resort to drugging your food. You should realize that by now. If we wanted to drug you, we’d just do it, like we did before. ”
“Whatever,” Kevin said tiredly, flopping down on the side of the bed. He felt stupid for making such a big deal about it. He didn’t really think the food would be drugged, and he actually did kind of trust Tucker not to hurt him willingly. It was Richard, really. Everything about the damn man set his teeth on edge. He was angry at himself for noticing Richard’s scent as he walked in again, too, a woodsy, subtle cologne mixed with a very male odor. It had assaulted his nose the second he came through the door and he’d had to shift his feet a little to hide his sudden erection. Damn the man. How could he possibly be attracted to him? Besides, Tucker had been about to tell him something when he walked in. Maybe something that would help him figure out how to get out of this mess.
Richard shoved his hands in his pockets and stared moodily at him. “I’ll go then, since I just upset him. ” He got to the door and turned, glaring back at Kevin. “I don’t think it does any good to coddle him, though. He needs to learn some manners. Tell him what to do, and I’ll make sure he does it. ”
As he left, Kevin muttered, “Yeah, like hell you will. Fuck you,” mostly under his breath, but Gavin heard him. He frowned a bit, but didn’t say anything, just folded his arms over his chest and regarded Kevin quietly.
“Well, I’ll go get that tray,” Tucker said, clearing his throat. “Gavin?”
“I’ll stay here with Detective Bryson until you get back. I’d like to have a word with him. ”
Tucker nodded and cast Kevin an anxious glance as he left. Kevin turned to Gavin belligerently. “What the fuck now?”
“I know you’re angry, but you came looking for us, remember? We didn’t come and drag you up here. ”
“Like you did with Tucker?”
Gavin made a noise of impatience. “Surely you know Tucker well enough to know he wouldn’t have stood for that. And if I had tried to just overpower him and bring him here against his will, do you really think he’d have gone through a commitment ceremony with me?”
Kevin shrugged. “You played mind games with him. Coerced him somehow, I don’t know. ”
Shaking his head, Gavin sighed. “You know better than that. No, I convinced him to stay because I love him, and he loves me. Even after he knew exactly what I am, and what he is too. ”
