his thumb over Quinn’s cheek. “Having you is what makes Lydon home.”
Quinn couldn’t explain the warm tingle in his stomach, but he didn’t mind it at all.
Chapter Five
WHY DID I have to say that? I should have kept my mouth shut, but….
It wasn’t possible to not say anything, and Deke knew it. Having Quinn near him, away from Lydon, sleeping with him in the same bed, sharing a breakfast together like they were… like they were mates, with all the freedoms and privileges that brought with it, brought him joy beyond belief. Gareth had told him that there was nothing like having Sean near him, that he’d always felt like something was missing, but then he and Sean discovered each other, and he was suddenly whole.
That’s how Deke felt the moment he entered the kitchen and that warm, spicy scent wafted in and tickled his nose, and no matter what he thought, Deke was lost to the owner of that heady aroma. When he got to the kitchen and saw Quinn, with the sun to his back, highlighting his beauty, Deke had been ready to drop to his knee and pledge himself then and there. But when he remembered what Lyram had told him about Ryker and Kristopher and what they’d done to Quinn, a veil of red slid over Deke’s eyes, and a rage unlike anything he’d felt before surged through him.
The haunted expression, the way his gaze flitted back and forth as though Quinn was expecting everyone in the room to lash out at him, tore at Deke’s heart. He wanted—needed—to make things right, to help Quinn heal. Even if Quinn never wanted to be with Deke, he still had to do what he could to help Quinn find himself.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Master.”
Quinn twisted his hands together as he peered at Deke.
“You’re part of my family, Quinn. Actually, you’re pretty much my only family.”
“But… but….” Sweat dotted Quinn’s forehead. “I’m a slave, and we don’t have families.”
“But you do! You have Sean and Gareth, and hopefully, one day you’ll count me among that number too.”
He wanted to tell Quinn he wasn’t a slave, but Deke knew they were idle words. Only actions would prove his point.
“See what we’re doing?” He gestured toward the table. “Did you ever do that with Ryker?”
“No, Master.”
“If you ever question the difference between us, think about it this way. I want to share meals with you. I want to take walks and look at the sights. I want….” Rein it in, Deke. Don’t go too far too fast. “I want us to get to know each other, as friends.”
“Friends?” The word carried a wealth of fear. “But I don’t have friends.”
“What’s Dani? What is Caleb? I thought they were your friends.”
“They are, but….”
Quinn’s lip wobbled, and a moment later he burst into tears. Big, fat, ugly tears, coupled with harsh sobs that were ripped out of him. He surprised Deke when he launched himself into Deke’s arms.
“I don’t know what to do. I’m lost. Please, Master. Help me.”
Deke stroked Quinn’s back, hoping to soothe him. “Anything you need, I will always do what I can to give it to you. Come on, let’s go get some rest. We can talk there while I massage your back, okay?”
Quinn shuffled to the bedroom, his gaze downcast. “I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be. Not with me. You did nothing wrong.” Deke wheeled the chair next to the bed. “Lie down for me, okay?”
Quinn nodded, then stretched out on the bed. Deke put his hands on the mattress and used his powerful forearms to brace himself as he lifted out of the chair and got up on the bed next to Quinn. He reached out and was about to put his hand on Quinn’s back when a thought hit him urgently.
“Quinn, would you be willing to take your shirt off?”
“Yes, Master,” came the lackadaisical reply. Quinn sat up and stripped off his shirt, which he placed on the side of the bed. He made to lie on his stomach, but Deke stopped him.
“On your back, please.”
“But—”
Quinn hid the brand as much as he could, and it was time for that to end. As much as Deke loathed it, Quinn needed his master to step up and show him he wasn’t broken.
“Your back, please.”
“Yes, Master.”
Quinn lay back, his eyes squeezed shut. The scar on his stomach was many years old but still looked painful to this day.
“Does it hurt?”
“Sometimes, especially if I move the wrong way.” He