16. Break In

CHAPTER 16

Max

A few days passed without anything else happening except that the more I knew Moss, the more I loved xem. The only lingering problem was that Dio had yet to be found, which put all of us on edge.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead with a cloth as I stepped onto one of the boats. I'd just run another rehearsal, determined not to fuck up tonight like I had last time. Not only did I not want to be injured again, I didn't want to worry anyone.

I didn't want to worry Moss.

The boat hit the crystalized edge of the oasis. I hopped out and headed towards Madam Moonie. She stood on a platform, her attention on the stage as she directed everything. A pink earpiece glittered in her ear, allowing her to communicate with whomever she needed to.

"How was that?" I asked.

"Perfect," she said, offering me a wry smile. "I'm shocked you're alone today."

I blushed as she gestured to a chair next to her. I took it, settling in as the next performance started.

"I had a vision, you know," she said, giving me a knowing look. "Should have known a flash of orange meant you."

I chuckled. "Probably. I didn't expect this."

"I can't say I did either. Are the two of you official yet? Do I need to put you in a bigger cabin on the ship?"

I hesitated, feeling my stomach clench. "I don't know yet."

She raised a brow and then held up a finger, rattling a list of commands off through her comm piece. She cleared her throat and then turned her attention back on me.

"Talk to me about it. I assumed the two of you had already made the bond or whatever."

"We haven't yet," I said. "I want to. But I don't want to cross any boundaries with Moss and it's still so new. It feels crazy to just jump off the edge even if it feels right."

"Seems to be working for everyone else," Madam chuckled. She took a seat next to me, leaning back in the chair with a heavy sigh. "I can't let you go though."

"I won't leave," I said. "This is my dream. Joining this troupe is one of the best things to ever happen to me. I can't just walk away from this."

"I know. And Moss knows too, I'm sure."

"Xe does," I sighed.

And yet we hadn't talked about it in depth. Every time one of us brought anything up that existed past the date of my departure, the conversation immediately turned to something else. It was like neither one of us could bear to speak about it, but we had to at some point.

The last few days were amazing. We'd fallen into a routine of each of us working and then getting together after. Staying the night, enjoying food, learning about each other. Our likes and dislikes. Our hopes and dreams, our hobbies and favorite colors, and everything else that made me love xem already.

"You need to talk to xem," Madam said. "Instead of dragging this out. Clear communication is hot. And so is establishing boundaries, especially if your future is a long distance relationship or not one at all."

My heart skipped a beat.

It was hard to imagine a world now without Moss by my side. Even a long distance one sounded miserable, especially when that distance spanned galaxies.

"It's…"

"I don't want to hear it," she said. "Don't tell me it's complicated or it's hard or you don't want to scare xem off because you know that's bullshit, Max. I've known you long enough. And I also know how fiery you can be. Don't be afraid to go after what you want. You've already come this far."

It was complicated, though. And scary. And I did worry that maybe I was building this up in my mind as something more than it was. What if Moss didn't feel the same?

"Alright," I sighed. "I'll talk to xem. But not until after the show tonight."

"Good," she said. "Now go get some rest. I'm sure you've been losing sleep."

Her smirk had me rolling my eyes, but she wasn't wrong.

"Is there anything you need help with?" I asked.

"Nope. Go get some rest and get a good meal in. I want you at your best tonight."

"Will do," I said as I got up, pulling one of my capes around me so I wasn't just walking around mostly naked.

I gave her one more friendly wave and then headed towards the hotel tree. A gentle breeze swept up, ruffling my hair and the leaves above. Within a few minutes, I made it to my room.

I hummed to myself as I stepped inside and tossed my clothes down. I needed a hot shower and would have food delivered so I didn't need to get out until later.

Shower pics for Moss…

I smirked to myself and headed to the adjoining bathroom. I pressed my hand to the wall and the automatic system came on. The hotel rooms were nice and more modern. I found myself missing Moss's apartment when I was here though.

"Turn on the shower," I commanded.

The shower started and I adjusted the water temperature before grabbing my device and opening the camera. I stepped under the water and groaned as the hot water ran over my muscles, washing away the sweat and grime.

I was ready for the performance tonight. And I was ready to see Moss after a long work day.

Teasing xem would bring me a lot of joy. I took a picture of myself, angling the camera down so Moss would just barely see my cock. I sent xem the photo, followed by one more.

Moss: You little slut. What am I going to do with you?

I chuckled and shot back a sassy message.

Me: I don't know. What are you going to do? You're at work so you can't get to me ;)

I could almost feel Moss growl from here. I chuckled as I sat my device down and soaped up, washing off quickly as I kept hearing messages come through.

I snatched up the device again and blushed, squeaking as a video call came through. I hesitantly pressed answer, shocked to see that Moss was sitting in what appeared to be an office.

"You're at work," I hissed.

"And you're taunting me. Show me your cock, little tarax."

"Fuck," I mumbled.

I aimed the camera down, now fully hard and turned on. Moss let out a low growl. I shivered, the anticipation of seeing xem in person later growing.

"Stroke yourself."

"What if you get caught?" I huffed.

"Stop worrying about me and stroke yourself."

I grunted and planted my forearm on the shower wall, bracing myself as I held the device, showing Moss everything I was doing to myself. My cock throbbed in my grip and I moaned, stroking myself for xem.

"Good boy," xe growled.

I moaned, thrusting forward as I kept going. I closed my eyes, focusing on the pleasure rolling through me.

"Keep going."

Xyr words only turned me on more and more. Being on camera apparently turned me on too, hotter than I could have imagined.

I was already close to coming but then a noise echoed through the bathroom.

Crash.

My head whipped up and I stopped, my heart jumping in my chest.

"What is it?" Moss asked.

"I don't know," I whispered. "Be quiet."

I could hear movement in my room. My heart pounded faster as I slipped out of the shower, grabbing a towel and pulling it around myself. I kept the camera turned on, but Moss had gone silent.

I inched towards the door, listening intently as I reached for the lock. The sound of crashing and things breaking followed. I pressed my palm to the lock button, activating it as silently as I could. I stilled as the movement came towards the door, pausing there.

Heavy breathing. A low growl. My eyes closed and I sent up a silent prayer that they'd leave.

Fear rolled through me. I didn't have any weapons. I didn't want to call out. I was stuck there, ice freezing my veins, my muscles stiff.

The doorknob slowly twisted, and the door jerked, but didn't budge. It shook violently for a moment, a growl coming from the other side of the door before the movement retreated.

My knees weakened. I waited until I heard nothing, no movement, no sounds, no rustling.

"I'm opening the door," I whispered.

"Just stay there," Moss said. "I'm almost at your hotel. Don't open the door."

"Okay," I said. "How close are you?"

"Close."

I pressed my back to the door and sank to the floor, still shaking. What the fuck was that? Was that Dio on the other side? Why would someone break into my hotel room?

I drew in a steady breath and closed my eyes, trying to keep my temper at bay. The fact was—I wasn't strong enough to fight an Arborian.

"Max, I'm here."

Moss's voice echoed through the room. I jumped to my feet and unlocked the bathroom door, poking my head out.

"Fuck," I whispered.

The room was destroyed. Moss stood at the doorway, xyr expression the same as it had been the night xyr apartment was destroyed. Furniture was broken, and some of my stray costume pieces were ripped. Xe crossed over to me quickly and scooped me up.

"I'm taking you away," xe said.

"Wait, hold on," I said, pushing against xem.

"No," Moss growled.

"Moss," I snapped. "Put me down!"

Moss froze and then immediately put me down, hurt flashing across xyr face. "I have to keep you safe."

"I'm okay," I said. "But I'm naked. I'm naked and I have a show tonight, I can't just leave. We need to approach this logically."

"I can't think straight," Moss snarled, stepping closer. "What if you hadn't called me? What if he'd gotten in and harmed you? I would never forgive myself. Ever."

"That didn't happen," I said, curling my hand into xyr robes. I was still trembling, my heart rate through the roof. "I need to breathe for a second."

Xe swallowed hard and then closed xyr eyes, giving a subtle nod. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to control you, but I can't handle you being in danger. I feared I wouldn't get here in time."

"You got here," I whispered. "You got here, and whoever it was destroyed the room but they didn't manage to break into the bathroom. They left."

"It was Dio," Moss snarled.

"I didn't see him," I said. "But I think you're right. I don't know who else it would be."

"I think you shouldn't perform tonight."

I immediately shook my head. That wasn't happening. Dio was not going to stop me from having my moment.

"Max," Moss pleaded.

"No. I'm performing tonight. This is my job, Moss. And more than that, it's my life. It's the most important thing to me. More important than anything else."

I shouldn't have explained it that way. The hurt I saw flash across Moss's face stung me too.

"I didn't mean more important than you…" I trailed off, my throat feeling closed up.

"It's fine," Moss said coolly. "What matters most right now is making sure you're safe. I'll find clothes for you to change into."

Before I could say anything else, xe pulled back and looked around the room, trudging through the mess until xe found something for me to wear.

I bit my lower lip, trying to find the words. Trying to figure out what to say.

Fuck. Why were things feeling so messy? I pulled the towel tighter around me as Moss came back to me, handing me a shirt, pants, and boxers.

"I'll be right here, but I'm going to call Madam Moonie and more officials. Go get dressed."

I swallowed hard and went back to the bathroom.

I just needed to communicate better. I needed to be honest about what I wanted with Moss. It was eating me up that we hadn't talked about our future in depth yet, especially given that we both seemed to want more.

And I needed this fucking monster to be found so he could stop interrupting our lives.

I finished getting dressed and stepped back out into the bedroom. I wasn't surprised to see that Madam Moonie was already outside the doorway talking to Moss. She glanced over at me and gestured for me to join her. I pulled on a pair of boots and then waded through the mess to them.

I didn't like the look on her face.

"You're off the show tonight," she said. "And before you argue, you know that it's the safest thing until this person is found."

"No," I said. I felt my cheeks flush. I looked at Moss, glaring at xem. "Did you ask her to take me off?"

Moss was silent, but winced.

"Max, xe is right about this. You were just attacked. What if something happened while you were on stage? That's the least we can do to protect you for right now."

"This is my life," I growled, stomping my foot. "This is what I do. I'm a burlesque performer. I can't just stop my life for this situation."

"You're a burlesque performer while you're alive," she countered. "I understand that you are upset, but your space was literally just violated. This person is dangerous. I'm sorry, Max. This will pass and you'll be back on stage in no time. And if you can't do it for yourself, do it for the other performers."

"They could still be in danger," I whispered. "This Dio guy seems to not like any of us."

"It seems that he has focused on you and Moss. Clearly. I'm sorry, but this decision is final. This is my troupe. I care about you, Max. I won't risk your life for a five minute performance."

I stared at her, biting back tears. It hurt more than anything else could have.

"I need a minute," I said.

"Max," Moss whispered hoarsely.

"Go away," I growled, turning from xem.

"Let him have a moment," Madam sighed. "And let's get this taken care of."

I stalked off and went down the stairs to the bottom floor, my head pounding. I didn't want to cry in front of my boss, especially over something that was arguably stupid.

I was angry Moss had asked her to take me off.

My shoulders rolled back as I came to a giant tree root. I climbed on top of it and sat, looking out at the oasis. Everything was falling apart and what the fuck was I supposed to do?

I was being childish. I was overreacting. But I didn't know how to explain how fucking important being a dancer was to me. The idea of missing out on tonight made me feel like Dio had won.

Which only made things worse.

I took a deep breath, calming myself. Finally, now that I could breathe easy, I thought about Moss. I was a complete ass to xem and xe was just trying to protect me.

With a groan, I leaned back against the root and stared up at the sky. I needed to get up and apologize. I needed to pull myself together.

Missing one show wasn't the end of the world.

"Fuck," I sighed.

I was an idiot.

I sat back up and slid off the root, the bark rough against my back. I walked back to the hotel entrance and climbed back up the steps to the second floor.

"Moss," I called. "I'm sorry I was an ass."

I rounded the corner and stopped as I came towards my room.

"Moss? Madam?"

They weren't here. I scowled and stepped into the room.

"Moss?" I called again, feeling panic creep through me for the second time today. "Where are you?"

Xe wasn't here. I rushed to the bathroom and checked, then checked the closet, before stepping back out of the room.

Where had xe gone?

"Moss!" I shouted.

The tears sprang again, but out of the fear that xe was gone. And Madam Moonie?

"Fuck," I rasped.

I took off down the steps and rushed out, screaming their names out into the open. My voice echoed, rippling through the trees with no answer.

They wouldn't have just left.

I took off running for the backstage area, moving as fast as I could. I needed help. I needed to find the others and we had to spread out.

What if they get hurt?

I couldn't think about that right now.

All I could do was get help, and all of us would have to go from there.