Ellis
With its deep squares and lines, the ornate ceiling came into focus as blinked away the lingering haze of sleep. His entire body felt like one big bruise, but the sharp pain he remembered had worn down to a steady ache. As he moved, the silk sheets made a soft sliding sound against his skin, and for a moment, he couldn’t grasp where he was.
Someone had cleaned him up while he was unconscious, washing away the evidence of his humiliation in the Display Case. That thought should have mortified him—someone handling his body while he was out—but instead, there was only relief. He hoped it hadn’t been Gabriel. The man had already seen him at his lowest: naked, bound, and sobbing on that machine.
Then it all came rushing back—Donovan’s face twisted with rage, the first crack of the belt across his back. The slaps, the kicks when hadn’t responded fast enough to his demands. Being forced to his knees, choking when Donovan shoved his prick down his throat.
’ breath hitched as the memories assaulted him. The blindfold cutting off his vision, the bit-gag stretching his jaw painfully wide. Then that machine—that massive dildo forcing its way in when he’d had nothing but the lingering traces of his night with Gabriel to ease the way. The mechanical whir, the crowd’s laughter, his muffled screams...
A sound nearby made jerk, his body trying to curl into itself despite the protest of overexerted muscles. Something brushed against him and he flinched hard.
“Easy there,” Jean’s voice cut through the panic. “You’re safe. You’re in Gabriel Rohan’s house.”
forced his eyes open—when had he squeezed them shut?—to find Jean perched in an oversized leather chair nearby, one leg tucked under him as he played with the sleeve of his too-big sweater.
The familiar sight of his friend helped ground him, even as fragments of memory kept surfacing: Gabriel’s voice cutting through his pain, those strong arms lifting him, cradling him while he wept. God, he’d buried his face in Gabriel Rohan’s neck and probably gotten tears and who knows what else all over his expensive suit. Yet Gabriel hadn’t seemed to care, had held him closer, whispered soft French words into his hair.
“Gabriel...” tried the name, but his voice came out rough. “He came for me?”
Jean’s laugh had an edge to it. “Oh honey, he came in like wrath personified. Grabbed us both and brought us to this fancy prison of his.” He waved his hand around the enormous bedroom. “Where, might I add, we’re basically trapped. The guards won’t even let me walk in the garden. There’s a huge brick wall out there! Where exactly do they think I’m going to go?”
frowned, trying to keep up. “But why would he...” His voice cracked. “I’m nobody. Just a—”
“If you say ‘just a whore’, I will throw this stupid expensive pillow at your head,” Jean cut him off. “Gabriel Rohan has decided you’re his now. And trust me, when a Rohan man decides something, that’s that.” The last words came out so bitter that stared at his friend.
“How would you know?”
Jean’s fingers stilled on his sleeve. Something crossed his face—like he’d been waiting for this question. “Because my real name is Jean Saint-Clair. Henri Rohan, Gabriel’s brother? He’s best friends with my brother Marc.”
felt like the room tilted sideways. “You’re...”
“A runaway rich kid? Yeah.” Jean’s smile wasn’t happy at all. “Before you ask why—why does any spoiled rich kid run away? Got bored, wanted to rebel, you know how it goes.” The words sounded rehearsed, hollow, like ’s own practiced explanations to clients about choosing this life.
“Okay,” nodded, recognizing the need to hide behind convenient lies. His bladder chose that moment to make itself known, demanding attention. “I need to...” he started pushing himself up, trying to hide his wince.
“Bathroom? Here, let me help. Dr. Nguyen said you’re not supposed to move too fast yet.” Jean was already reaching for his arm. “And don’t worry, Gabriel’s keeping busy at the office. Looks like he can actually stay away when it comes to letting you heal.”
The words shouldn’t have disappointed him, but they did. pushed that feeling aside as Jean helped him stand. He didn’t even think about his nakedness—after years at Heart Court, being nude around others was unremarkable. But something felt different now, like his body wasn’t just his anymore. The thought should have frightened him. Instead, it sent an unexpected shiver down his spine.
His legs trembled as Jean helped him across the thick carpet, and he couldn’t tell if it was from his injuries or from the weight of these new, confusing feelings. Gabriel Rohan had saved him, had seen him at his absolute worst, and instead of disgust or dismissal, had treated him like something precious. Something worth protecting. But how long would that last?
“I can manage from here,” mumbled, face heating.
“You sure?” Jean’s hand stayed steady on his arm. When nodded, Jean let go, like he was making sure wouldn’t fall. “Okay, but I’m staying right outside this door. You need anything, and I mean anything. You just say the word. One of my clients liked me holding his dick while he peed. Weird kink, but it doesn’t bother me.”
grimaced. “Thanks, but I’ll manage.”
“Don’t lock it. If I hear you fall, I’m coming in.”
closed the door carefully behind him, then turned around and froze. The bathroom was bigger than his entire room at Heart Court. He shifted his weight, and something felt odd. The floor wasn’t cold like tile should be. It was warm under his bare feet, like someone had stuck a giant heating pad under it. Who even had heated floors?
Gabriel Rohan, apparently.
A large marble counter with two sinks extended along one wall, topped by a mirror that reached to the ceiling. had only ever seen something like it in movies.
In the corner, there was what had to be the largest bathtub he’d ever seen. It sat up on its own little platform like some kind of throne and looked like it could fit half the baseball team’s lineup. The thought made him bite back a smile despite everything.
Then his eyes landed on the shower. It took up most of one wall, all glass sides, and chrome fixtures. His throat went tight, memories of the Display Case at Heart Court flooding back—the trapped feeling, the eyes on him, nowhere to hide. He glanced away, relief washing over him when he spotted a little separate room with its own door. Just a normal toilet. Thank god.
used it quickly, not bothering with the inner door. Who was going to see him in here, anyway? The relief was so intense it made him a little dizzy. He shuffled over to one of the sinks afterward, and that’s when he caught his reflection in the mirror. The sight stopped him cold. The bruises that should have been dark purple were already fading to yellow at the edges. His split lip was nearly healed, just a faint line where it had been cracked and swollen.
Something wasn’t adding up. He’d been beaten black and blue yesterday, but his body looked like it was a week into healing.
He shuffled back to the door on shaky legs, pulling it open to find Jean right where he promised he’d be. “How long have I been here?”
“Just over a day,” Jean said, helping limp back to the bed. “You slept through most of it, which is probably good, considering. Plus, you know—” he gestured vaguely at ’s healing bruises, “—the magic of Smooth.”
sank into the mattress, his head spinning. “Smooth?”
“Yeah, the good doctor’s been applying it every few hours while you were out. The prescription strength stuff, not the watered-down crap they sell at pharmacies. Must be nice having a Rohan’s private physician looking after you.” Jean paused, picking at a loose thread on his sleeve. “Though fair warning—Gabriel’s taking over that duty from now on. Dr. Nguyen showed him how this morning.”
Something warm curled in ’s stomach at that thought. He should have been uncomfortable with the idea of Gabriel applying the medication, but instead, he found himself anticipating those careful touches. He pushed that feeling aside, focusing on his healing body. Just how much money had Gabriel spent on him already? “What happened? I remember Donovan putting me in the Display Case, and then...”
Jean perched on the edge of the bed, his face going hard. “Your knight in expensive armor showed up. Never seen anything like it, Gabriel just walked right in and...” He described how Gabriel had beaten Donovan bloody. His voice caught between admiration and fear. “Didn’t even mess up his suit doing it.”
“Oh god.” ’ stomach dropped out. How was he going to make this up to Donovan? He’d never be able to pay back what he would owe for a client smashing the proprietor’s face in on his behalf, not if he worked every night for the next—
“Stop that.” Jean poked his arm. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. Neither of us is going back to Heart Court.” He said it like it was a simple fact but wouldn’t meet ’ eyes when tried to ask what he meant.
The bedroom door opened, and Gabriel filled the frame, still in his work suit. ’ heart stuttered, his body instinctively relaxing at the man’s presence
Jean rolled his eyes. “Ah, the conquering hero returns.”
“Get out.” Gabriel’s voice was low and dangerous. shivered at the tone.
“No.” Jean lifted his chin. “I’m not leaving him alone with—”
Lucas appeared behind Gabriel like a shadow. “Come on, my feisty kitten. Time for your dinner.” He walked over to the bed and hauled Jean out, ignoring the stream of creative curses that followed.
started to get up—Jean had helped him, he should do something—but Gabriel was already moving to sit beside him on the bed, his weight making the mattress dip. found himself swaying toward that solid presence before he could catch himself.
“How are you feeling, mon coeur?” The anger that had edged his voice with Jean was gone, replaced by something soft that tightened ’ chest. The endearment shouldn’t have affected him so strongly—he’d been called worse, better, a thousand variations by countless clients. But something about the way Gabriel said it...
let out a soft laugh to cover his confusion. “Big leap from ‘little bird’ to ‘my heart,’ don’t you think?”
Gabriel just stared at him.
blew out a breath. “I’m fine, sore, but fine. Jean said you bashed Donovan’s face in and that I can’t return to Heart Court. Where am I supposed to work after—”
“You aren’t leaving.” Gabriel’s voice was firm, brooking no argument.
“Excuse me?”
“There is no ‘after,’ . You’re staying here.” Gabriel gripped the back of ’ neck, pulling him in for a hard kiss. “You are mine.”
stared at him, caught between wanting to argue and wanting to surrender. “You cannot just own people.”
“I can.” Gabriel shifted his weight to blanket , pressing him into the mattress. He kissed again, softer this time. “Now, tell me. How are you feeling?”
Heat buzzed through ’ body, making his cock twitch. He swallowed hard, watching Gabriel’s eyes follow the movement. His body was already responding, already yielding, and he couldn’t bring himself to fight it. “Sore in places I didn’t know existed. Everything’s stiff. Tired.” reached up and ran a hand through Gabriel’s perfectly styled hair, allowing himself this small liberty. “And... if I’m being honest, relieved. Donovan was so angry.” His body shuddered at the memory, but Gabriel’s weight anchored him.
“I never would have let you return to him if I knew how he would treat you.” Gabriel brushed his lips up ’ neck, then pulled back. “But first, we need to take care of those injuries. Turn over for me, little bird.”
complied without hesitation, surprising himself with how naturally he followed Gabriel’s command. He heard Gabriel moving, then the distinctive click of the Smooth container opening. The sound shouldn’t have made his pulse quicken, but it did.
“This might be cold,” Gabriel warned, but his hands were warm as they began spreading the cream over ’s bruised back. His touch was firm but careful, working the medication into the worst of the marks with a precision that made wonder how many times Dr. Nguyen had demonstrated the technique. When Gabriel’s thumbs found a particularly tight knot, couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped.
Gabriel’s palms glided over ’ shoulders, the expensive cream providing a cool contrast to the heat building within him. “Good boy,” he murmured, working his way lower. “Let me know if anything hurts.”
buried his face in the pillow, heat flooding his cheeks as Gabriel’s hands kneaded his muscles, spreading the cream with decidedly non-clinical attention. When those strong fingers reached his rim, gasped, his body instinctively arching into the touch. He bit his lip, fighting back a whimper as Gabriel’s thumb circled slowly, applying more cream with deliberate care that had trembling.
“Turn over,” Gabriel commanded softly.
obeyed without hesitation, watching through heavy-lidded eyes as Gabriel applied more cream to his hands, rubbing them together to warm it. His touch was tender as he began with ’ face, thumbs brushing over the fading bruises. sighed, surrendering to the gentle strokes. But as Gabriel’s fingers trailed down his neck, felt his pulse quicken where fresh marks bloomed alongside old injuries.
“Spread your legs for me.”
complied instantly, earning another “good boy” that sent a shiver straight to his cock.
Gabriel’s cream-slicked fingers pressed against his entrance, drawing a soft whimper. “Relax for me, little bird.”
focused on steadying his breathing as Gabriel worked him open with careful attention. Then Gabriel reached for something new—a clear package containing what looked like a miniature loofah mounted on a slim handle.
“What is that?” asked, voice hoarse.
“Medical-grade applicator,” Gabriel explained, removing it from its sterile packaging and coating it liberally with cream. “Deep breath now. This might feel strange, but I want you to relax and let it happen.”
The applicator slid in slowly, the unusual texture creating sensations that had gasping. Gabriel’s free hand settled warm and heavy on his abdomen. “That’s it, just breathe. Let me take care of you.”
When Gabriel wrapped his other hand around ’s cock, starting a slow stroke that matched the careful movements of the applicator, couldn’t hold back his moan. The dual sensations—the applicator spreading cream deep inside while Gabriel’s skilled hand worked him—had him trembling on the edge almost immediately.
“Please...” he managed, barely recognizing his own voice.
“I’ve got you,” Gabriel promised, his grip tightening just right. “Come for me, little bird. Show me how good it feels to be taken care of properly.”
arched off the bed as his orgasm hit, Gabriel working him through it with both hands until he collapsed, trembling. Gabriel carefully withdrew the applicator and disposed of it in the nearby waste bin. He wiped his hands clean on a nearby towel, his movements precise and controlled. When ’s breathing steadied, he reached for Gabriel’s zipper, but his hand was knocked away.
“Not tonight, little bird. I’ll have Annabelle bring you dinner, then you’ll sleep.” Gabriel slid off the bed with a grace knew he’d never manage. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Wait!” lurched forward. “Please, I’m sleeping in your bed, using your stuff. Please, there must be something I can do—”
Gabriel moved so fast that barely saw it. His hair was caught in the man’s grip as he was dragged up to his knees, his lips claimed in a demanding kiss. Gabriel pulled back suddenly.
“There will be, just not tonight. Tonight, you rest.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t my client?” asked, the question that had been burning in his mind since that night at the casino finally spilling out.
“I wanted you. I spotted your shabby client as we were leaving. There was no way I would let him have you.” Gabriel sucked another mark into his neck, drawing out another groan as fisted his hair with one hand and clung to his back with the other. “No one but me will have you ever again.”
“Fuck.” shivered at the possessive tone. “You can’t just say stuff like that. You barely know me.”
“I know enough,” Gabriel growled against his neck, sending shivers down ’ spine. He released and strode from the room, leaving staring at the closed door.
‘There will be,’ Gabriel had said. Good. Gabriel planned to use him still. For now, had worth. He wasn’t sure how long it would last, but he had a place to recover until Gabriel got everything he wanted from ’ body. Though, the way Gabriel had applied that medication... shivered at the memory. No client had ever taken such care with him before.
But Jean made it sound like Heart Court was closed to him now. Which, if Gabriel really had beaten Donovan bloody, made sense—the proprietor probably never wanted to see again. He’d have to look at other non-union brothels. Maybe some closer to the core. There were a few.
wrapped his arms around himself, feeling exposed. The Smooth cream made his skin tingle pleasantly where Gabriel had worked it in, but that only reminded him of how much Gabriel must have spent on him already. No matter what Jean had said, unlike him, was just a whore.
Annabelle burst through the door then, carrying a loaded tray. “Oh, my stars, , you’re still naked!”
“Sorry,” quickly grabbed the sheet, pulling it over himself. “I don’t have any clothes here.”
Annabelle gave him a sympathetic smile. “I’ll remind Gabriel to buy you some. Here,” She set the large tray on the nightstand. “Eat up. I’ll come back for it later.” With that, she left, closing the door behind her.
stared at the food, his stomach suddenly growling like it was angry at him for forgetting about it for so long. The tray had salmon, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. There was also a glass and a pitcher of water. He filled the glass and drank it all before filling it again. Then he grabbed the fork and ate everything on his plate.
After he was done, he settled back into the sheets, pulling up the comforter from where it had been pushed aside. The bed still smelled faintly of the Smooth cream and Gabriel’s cologne. He wasn’t sure what was coming over the next few days, but for now, he was safe.
He’d just have to worry about what came next later.