Chapter Six

The absolute last fucking thing Adam wanted to be doing was spending his night at a goddamn strip club. Quentin had asked him for this favor. Adam couldn't say no. Plus, he really hated the idea of Pink doing this. He needed protection. Everything about walking Pink into the sleazy building made Adam's skin crawl. The place reminded him too much that perverts existed around every corner of this earth. Years with Quentin sometimes let him forget.

Pink was all smiles. He waved at people. Adam assumed they were regulars. Greedy eyes followed him everywhere he went. Adam pointed toward a table in the back corner, letting Pink know where he would be. Pink dipped his chin and disappeared into the back. Boredom settled into his soul. Adam eyed every inch of the place except the stage. He didn't get his kicks watching exploited men. It didn't matter they chose the profession. Like with Pink, Adam knew they were still coerced by desperation.

Music thumped, matching the tone of the setting. A guy in a thong appeared at his side. "Are you ready to order?"

He supposed since he was taking up space in the guy's section, he should probably order something. "Just water."

With a dip of his chin, the guy walked away, likely wondering why Adam wasted his time with an order that wouldn't come with a great tip. Guilt ate Adam. He really hated this bullshit. There was no way he would leave without giving the guy generous compensation for his time, but he didn't want to help fund this shit.

A flash of hot pink caught his eye, reminding Adam he had to keep watch. Pink moved through the room, wearing only a sweatshirt. He probably wore a thong too, but it was hidden. The shirt came down to barely covering his ass, leaving just enough to the imagination. The too-wide collar had the shirt falling down one shoulder. He knew what he was doing. Unlike the men who left nothing to the imagination, Pink made them want to pay to see more.

Water appeared in front of Adam. He shook his head and lifted the glass to his lips. Pink probably drove these men insane with his teasing. Hours passed. Adam's boredom grew by the minute. Pink took to the stage a few times, finally stripping down to next to nothing. Adam never watched. After each stage performance, he would return to the floor in his sweatshirt. The more Adam thought about it, the more he wondered if Pink was just freezing. The place was way too chilly to be half nude, and Pink was a tiny guy.

Despite himself, Adam found himself watching Pink work the room. He smiled, but there was no happiness in him. Adam's fascination grew as a puzzle appeared before him. Pink looked young. Much too young for this life. Then again, lately everyone had looked too young to him. He had spent the day helping Pink pack and then unpack before Pink fell into an exhausted heap. Pink had been a chatterbox, reminding Adam of an overexcited teenager. Since they had walked through the door here, Pink had changed. He had become hardened. He had transformed into the pet the academy leadership had trained. Adam hated it. He fought the urge to demand they leave. Pink didn't need to do this anymore. This terrible place wasn't good for his mental health after the life he had endured. Adam didn't understand why he chose this.

Pink's gaze moved toward the door. His smile changed, turning real. Adam followed his stare. His blood went cold. A face he hadn't seen in years made its way through the crowd, sights set on Pink. Adam leaned back in his chair, sinking deeper into the shadows. The puzzle deepened. He watched the man choose a seat and wait. His gaze stayed locked on Pink like the predator he was.

Pink made his way to Nikola. Without missing a beat, money appeared in Nikola's hand. Pink was his for the rest of the night. Something dark rose in Adam. His gaze never wavered from Pink from the moment Nikola appeared. Pink did several lap dances for Nikola. Once he lost his sweatshirt, Nikola kept him that way. After hours of dancing, Pink finally headed for the back and Nikola made his way toward the door. Adam snagged the server who had been keeping his water filled all night.

He handed the guy two hundred dollars. "Please let Pink know I'll be waiting in the car."

The guy took the money and dipped his chin. Adam didn't watch to see if he would do as asked. Pink knew where they had parked. The real threat to Pink was Nikola. Adam couldn't let him out of his sight. He followed at a distance, keeping to the shadows. While it had been decades since Adam suffered through the society program, he hadn't forgotten a thing. He knew how to be silent and deadly. To be invisible.

As Adam feared, Nikola didn't leave. He found a spot out of sight. His gaze never wavered from the door. Nikola was so focused on watching for his prey, he didn't notice Adam. Adam made his way to the SUV while keeping one eye locked on Nikola. He knew Pink would come straight for the car. Nikola would follow. Adam would be ready. As if he had seen it happen before it did, Pink stepped outside. Showing zero sense of survival, he kept his head down and headed through the parking lot. Nikola silently followed.

Adam dipped out of sight, quietly positioning himself to intervene. As Pink reached the SUV, Adam slipped behind Nikola and pressed his gun against the back of Nikola's head. "What's your game here, eh?"

Nikola turned. His gaze narrowed on the barrel inches from his face. His expression went through a series of changes when he obviously recognized Adam. "Adam Onyx. I thought you'd died." His voice was oddly American, but Adam never forgot a face.

"What are you doing?" Pink sounded horrified.

Adam didn't bother looking Pink's way. He wouldn't take his eyes off Nikola. The guy was capable of anything. "Does Pink know who you are?"

Pink huffed. "Of course I know Wade. He's a regular here. Why are you holding a gun to his head? What in the hell is going on?"

"Wade? Interesting. Why don't you tell Adam who you really are, Nikola? While you're at it, you can explain what your intentions were by following him."

"Nikola? What is he talking about, Wade?" Pink sounded upset and confused. That had Adam's temper spiking. There was something ugly brewing here. It had Adam's alarm bells ringing.

He didn't wait for Nikola to come clean. "This is Nikola Saxon. He's an academy instructor from the Serbian district."

"You should know. Would you not?" There was the Serbian accent Adam recalled. "It's been a long time since we played."

"What is happening?" Pink sounded on the verge of hyperventilating.

"I'd like to know the same thing," Adam said, holding Nikola's stare. "I don't for a second believe this is merely a coincidence."

"You've been coming to the club for months. I'm so confused right now. Why have you been lying? I don't understand."

Nikola turned his back to Adam, showing a serious lack of concern for his life. Adam quietly slid the safety off as Nikola leaned close to Pink's ear. Adam hadn't killed anyone since he was a teen. He honestly didn't know if he could do so now, but he wouldn't let Pink get hurt.

Nikola said something Adam couldn't hear.

Even in the dark, Adam saw the way Pink paled.

With an evil chuckle, Nikola walked away, leaving a visibly shocked Pink behind. With his arms crossed over his chest, Pink stared at nothing. Adam didn't put his gun away until Nikola pulled from the parking lot. Only then did he open the door for Pink.

"Let's go."

Like an empty puppet, Pink climbed into the passenger seat. Adam closed the door and jogged to the driver's side. Dread set up shop in his chest. The minute he was behind the wheel, he turned Pink's way.

"What did he say to you?"

Pink's arms were still crossed over his chest, as if trying to protect his heart. "It doesn't matter." His voice sounded dead. He never looked Adam's way.

Adam started the car and headed home. He had to get Pink back to Snow. Something terrible was happening. He didn't know what, but he felt it growing larger by the second. The moment they were parked inside the garage, Pink slipped from the SUV, leaving his bag behind. Adam grabbed it and followed. Pink never looked up as he headed inside his newly assigned bedroom. He closed the door in Adam's face before Adam could give him his bag. That bugged him, and he couldn't explain why. He unzipped the bag out of pure curiosity. It only held Pink's sweatshirt, a small toiletries bag, and cash. A ton of fucking cash. Adam assumed it was Pink's tips for the night. A genuine sense of foreboding took over his brain. Pink worked this terribly exploiting job only to leave his money behind. He had to find Snow, and he had to find him now.

The horror on Snow's face kept Quentin laughing. He had dropped thousands on Snow, and it was obvious he hadn't known how to stop it. Quentin was happier than he had been in ages. As they pulled into the garage, Snow's gaze moved to the backseat and the mound of shopping bags waiting to be carried inside. They were all for him. His horror-filled expression had another laugh bursting from Quentin.

Snow's gaze swung Quentin's way. "You're enjoying this way too much."

Quentin chuckled as he lured Snow closer. "I really am. You should see your face." He stole a kiss. "Just wait until we get inside. I can find other ways to spoil you."

Snow's expression shifted, turning heated. "Is that so?" He nipped Quentin's bottom lip before he could respond.

The driver's side door ripped open. "We have to talk."

Snow and Quentin's gaze snapped to the open doorway. Adam waited, looking panicked in a way Quentin hadn't seen in years.

Quentin immediately unbuckled his seatbelt. "What's happened?"

Adam never looked away from Snow. "I took Pink to work tonight and stayed with him the way Quentin asked me to do."

Snow looked his way. "Why did you ask Adam to stay with Pink?"

Adam angrily snapped his fingers next to Snow's head. "Pay attention. Nikola Saxon showed up."

Snow leaped from the car. "What?"

Quentin climbed from the passenger seat, confused as hell.

Adam was pale and nodding like he was relieved Snow understood the gravity of the situation. "It was obvious he's a regular and Pink stayed glued to his side all night."

"Is that Pink's stalker?"

Adam practically stamped his foot in his impatience. "Pay attention. Afterward, when Pink went to change to leave, I followed Nikola to the parking lot. He hid and then followed Pink to the car. I confronted him. He's been using a fake American accent and using the name Wade to get close to Pink. Pink didn't know until I exposed him that Nikola was an academy instructor."

A knot rose in Quentin's throat and stuck.

Adam wasn't finished. "After I exposed him, he whispered something to Pink. Pink wouldn't tell me what he said, but he kind of checked out. He left all his tips behind and locked himself in the bedroom. I don't know what's happening, but it feels bad."

"Fuck." Snow raced for the door, giving Quentin's growing panic merit.

Quentin followed, trying to keep up despite his exhaustion.

Snow banged on Pink's door. "Open up, Pink." Only silence met his demand. Snow didn't waste time. He took a step back. His gaze swung Quentin's way. "Sorry." He kicked the door open.

Quentin swayed on his feet the moment the door flew open. The white sheets were red. In the middle lay Pink. Lifeless. Snow was on the bed in an instant. He babbled, begging Pink to wake up while Adam was already on his phone. Quentin's feet carried him into the room. All he could think about was how he had known he shouldn't let Pink go back to that club. He had felt it in his gut.

"We have a male approximately twenty years in age with cut wrists. He's—"

"Seventeen."

Everyone froze. All eyes turned his way.

"He's seventeen," Quentin repeated, hearing the way his voice sounded dead. Snow's eyes burned with pain as he held Quentin's stare. Quentin had never felt emptier. Just like everything else important in his life, Quentin couldn't fix this. He wasn't sure he ever made anything better. Maybe he should have left Snow and Pink alone. He didn't know anything anymore.

With his head resting against the wall, Snow stared at nothing, seeing nothing. He felt Quentin's exhaustion, but he refused to leave Snow's side. If he could feel a thing, Snow knew he would be grateful. Quentin had fielded questions and taken charge, ensuring Pink got the best care and the utmost respect. People treated them with a lot more dignity and compassion than Snow could afford. Money and power were like that, though. They were the only language universally spoken.

Seventeen. That was all that kept rolling through his head. Seventeen. He wanted to ask how Quentin had known what he hadn't, but that was Quentin. People talked to him. It didn't matter how long they had known him. People trusted him. He was good and it radiated from him. People like Snow and Pink couldn't resist the light after years in the dark. The men under Quentin's roof had stayed for a reason: Quentin. He was a force of nature and kind beyond words. People saw something in him not found just anywhere.

"He made me promise not to tell you." Quentin's confession cut through Snow's thoughts. Snow looked his way. Quentin stared at nothing.

"That's why I asked Adam to stay with him. I didn't know how to stop him from going back to that club, but I couldn't let him go alone after learning his age." Quentin's hands rose and fell. "I didn't know what to do. I never know what to do." Quentin sounded tired and defeated.

Adam sat nearby. His knee bobbed. He had his arms crossed over his chest. Rage etched his features. Snow found himself staring at the man, oddly curious about what thoughts raged through his mind.

Quentin kept talking. "He said the club had given him a job when no one else would and had loaned him money to keep him in therapy. He didn't feel like he could abandon them."

"That place should be burned to the ground," Adam said unexpectedly, without looking at anyone. "They were exploiting a child."

Snow was so goddamn tired. No one knew how fucking exhausted he truly was. He missed peace, except he wasn't sure he had ever known it. Even during the decade with Quentin, Snow had lived every day in turmoil from hiding his feelings. He stared at the bloodstains on his jeans. His knees were completely red. The sticky stains and metallic smell permeated his skin. He wondered if his mind would finally snap. Without Pink, it might. Pink had saved him during the darkest hours of losing Quentin. Now, as always, Snow was useless. He wrecked everything he touched. Pink had been in that club because of him. Snow shouldn't have simply accepted Pink's lies about his age, but it wasn't like Pink had a way to prove anything to Snow. They had been stripped of their identities.

Quentin stroked his arm. "Why don't you go home and get some sleep? I'll stay."

Unexpected fury rose in Snow's chest. The helplessness had him lashing out. "He's not your responsibility. I did this. He's here because of me. I wasn't there to keep him safe—the way I promised."

Quentin didn't even flinch. Both his eyes looked black. He looked worse than Snow had ever seen him. Guilt immediately hit. He couldn't stop being the bastard.

"Go home, Quen. You shouldn't be sitting here."

Quentin stood. "I'll find us some coffee."

Snow fought the urge to put his fist through the wall. He was so goddamn angry. Snow didn't know where to go with it. He focused on Adam when Quentin walked away. "Carry him out of here. Isn't it your job to take care of him?"

Adam's chest expanded as he took a deep breath. He blew it out. "That feeling in your chest is called helplessness. You get used to it."

Snow scrubbed at his forehead. He fought the urge to scream.

"Mr. Montgomery, your brother is awake."

For a moment, Snow didn't realize the nurse spoke to him. He had forgotten Quentin had checked Pink in under his last name and claimed Snow as his brother. When he realized she meant him, he shot to his feet.

"Can I see him?"

She nodded and motioned for him to follow. He didn't hesitate. Snow fought the urge to shove her out of the way to get to Pink sooner. When he finally set eyes on an awake and alive Pink, he wanted to punch him. He didn't.

Snow waited until they were alone. "Spill."

Pink looked away.

Rage owned Snow. He no longer cared about anything but hearing the truth. "I'm fucking serious, Pink. You'll be lucky if I don't kill you myself at this point after what you pulled. What did Nikola say to you?" He heard himself. Snow knew he did and said all the things he shouldn't after a suicide attempt. He was just too angry to stop.

Pink took a shaky breath so hard, it looked like it hurt. His entire body shuddered with it. "I can't."

Snow sat. He wasn't going anywhere until they started working on this. They couldn't start working on this until Pink talked. "You can and you will, or I'll go find Nikola and find out for myself."

A tear slid down Pink's cheek.

Snow stopped breathing. Pink didn't cry. Through everything they had gone through together. Every breakdown. Pink never cried.

"He said, ‘They told me you have a talented mouth. You'll show me soon.'"

Snow's eyes fell closed. He understood like no one else what those words did to Pink's soul. Pink had spent his entire life in humiliation. Even the idea of returning to a life on his knees was enough to make Pink not want it. That wasn't a life worth living.

"I would've never let that happen. You know I wouldn't."

Pink's dark green gaze swung his way. His eyes looked dead. "He got to me. Not just once, but nearly every night I worked. He was right there. You can't protect me every second. Worst of all, you can't protect me from my stupidity. I trusted I was safe with him. I jokingly called him my stalker. The whole time, the past was right there, inches from taking me back any time he liked." Pink shook his head. "Maybe I just wasn't meant to leave that place. Maybe I should've died with everyone else."

Snow leaned forward and set his chin on the bar of the bed. "You can't leave me, Pink. Who'll save me?"

Pink looked unmoved. It was like he was already dead. "Quentin. He won't die. You'll get married and have a white picket fence life. Soon enough, everything will be totally fine, and you'll forget all about me. Just stand up, go home to the man you love, and pretend we never met. I never mattered. Some people just don't."

"Actually, most people don't matter, but you're not one of them. I love you. You're my family. I can't sit back and do nothing. That's not an option." He looked around, taking note of the empty IV bags with dregs of blood floating in them. Visions of those blood-soaked sheets haunted him. He had to do whatever it took to keep Pink safe, even from himself.

"You'll be admitted for a three-day psych hold. Stay. Let them help you. I'll be here when you're ready to come home." Snow stood. "For now, get some sleep." He headed for the door.

"Snow."

He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.

Pink looked uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. "Will you tell Adam I'm sorry and thank him for protecting me?"

Snow nodded. He hid a smile as he left the room. Pink didn't want to die. Not really. Maybe he had in the moment, but he still had a spark. Otherwise, he wouldn't thank Adam for keeping him safe. Pink would pull through. He was stronger than he thought.

Adam waited with a cup of coffee. Quentin was nowhere in sight. Adam handed him the cup. "Quentin went home. He told me to tell you to take your time, and he's sorry he disturbed your life. He'll cover Pink's medical bills, and you need to focus on him now. Quentin will be fine. Pink needs you more."

Snow went numb inside. There was nothing to say. Quentin was being Quentin: selfless to the point of self-harm. If Snow balked, Quentin wouldn't see him again. Pink was a kid. Quentin would never let Snow choose him over a child. All Snow could do was reclaim his seat and relay Pink's message. He had nothing else left to give.