Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

A key.

It was a key .

Trev stared at it for a long moment, honestly in shock and his thoughts zooming at maximum speed. He would have noticed a key if it had been here earlier. He wouldn't have missed that.

Trev tensed.

He'd remembered hearing someone coming back into the building earlier, but who?

Who would have left him a key?

Sal? Emil? That creep, Howell?

And why would anyone risk something so sloppy?

If the key was meant for him, which Trev had to assume it was, there was no way for his generous benefactor to know that he'd be the next one in the bathroom to find it. Jupiter or Sal or anyone else could have found it first.

Still…

It might be the key to the padlock on his collar—wait, no. That couldn't be right. Jupiter had the keys because he'd unlocked Trev's collar to let him come to the bathroom.

So, what was this for?

Jupiter banged on the door.

"Wait a fucking second!" Trev barked.

"Hurry up!" Jupiter shouted back.

Trev shoved the key in his pocket. He'd figure it out later. He checked himself in the mirror to make sure he looked as flawless as possible and then opened the bathroom door. He cocked his hip. "What? Pancake syrup runs right through me. I needed a second."

"Come on." Jupiter held out his hand.

Trev frowned, but he took it.

Jupiter led him toward the side door exit.

"Not going back to our honeymoon suite?" Trev asked, the key burning a hole in his pocket.

"No. No time," Jupiter replied briskly.

"Hey! Fuck you!" Trev dug his heels in. "My lockbox! I'm not leaving without it! You are gonna?—"

"Already in the car, baby doll." Jupiter glanced back at him. "I knew you'd ask, so I went ahead and got one of the guys to grab it."

"Thanks." Trev still looked into the room as they walked past to make sure the lockbox was really gone. He also noticed that the chain and collar remained.

If the key did go to the padlock, it was useless now.

There were two men in dark suits waiting outside next to—of course—another black SUV. Jupiter opened the rear passenger door for Trev, ushering him inside.

Trev climbed in, relieved when he saw his lockbox on the floorboard. He grabbed it to put in his lap and then reached over to try the other door.

Locked.

Jupiter snorted as he sat beside Trev. "A for effort."

"Didn't want you to think I was getting used to you or anything," Trev grumbled.

The suited men took the front seats, and the one behind the wheel said, "There's been a change of plans."

"Excuse me?" Jupiter scowled.

"We're headed back to the nest," he said as he drove them to the highway.

"Nest?" Trev raised his brow. "Are we fuckin' birds now?"

Jupiter ignored him, asking the driver, "Why?"

"Sal's orders," he replied. "Take it up with him, Jupe."

"Don't fucking call me that." Jupiter's scowl deepened, and he sat back in the seat. He pulled out his phone.

"I'll call you whatever I want." He and the other man shared a hearty laugh.

Trev filed that away for now and stayed silent. He could tell Jupiter was extremely pissed, and he busied himself looking out the window to figure out where they were headed.

Toward the city, and yet still in the middle of nowhere.

It was a maze of more tiny back roads Trev wasn't familiar with, and he could only imagine what sort of crap fest a place called the nest was going to be.

When they rolled up to an actual mansion , Trev did his best to not let his surprise show. He didn't know enough about architecture to identify much beyond the big marble columns and fancy fountain, but he could definitely say it was the largest house he'd ever seen in person.

There was an honest to God butler waiting for them at the front door with another man in a dark suit.

"You guys buy your suits wholesale at the same place you get your ugly ass cars?" Trev mumbled.

Jupiter silenced him with a glare.

Asshole.

They parked, and then the butler and the other suited man opened the front car doors. The driver handed off the keys to the man in the suit, and the butler came to open Trev's door.

Every muscle tensed and he tightened his grip on the lockbox. Maybe he could make a run for it?—

Jupiter's hand slid over the back of Trev's neck and gently squeezed. "Don't even think about it."

Asshole .

The door opened and Trev hopped out, well aware of Jupiter right behind him. He must have looked like he still wanted to run because Jupiter grabbed the back of his neck again. "Mm, Daddy ."

"Quiet," Jupiter warned, using his grip to steer Trev toward the house.

The front door was opened by—who else—another man in a suit, and Jupiter guided Trev through a large foyer and then directly up a big set of twisting stairs. Everything was white and gold, looked very expensive, and Trev barely had a second to take it all in before Jupiter was shoving him into a lush bedroom.

The furniture was gold, gaudy, and upholstered in purple velvet. The bed was made up with matching purple linens, the floor was covered in thick orange shag rugs, and it was somehow the fanciest and yet also the most hideous room Trev had ever seen.

He immediately noticed the large windows opposite the bed, and he wondered how far of a drop it was to the ground from this floor.

Jupiter squeezed the back of his neck. "You're going to stay here and be good, aren't you, baby doll?"

"Uh-huh. So very good."

"Stay put." Jupiter eyed him. "I mean it."

"What?" Trev batted his eyes. "You don't trust me?"

Jupiter smirked. "No."

"That's a shame. Trust is essential for every relationship, you know."

"I'll keep that in mind." Jupiter headed back through the door.

To Trev's surprise, he didn't close it. Trev peeked out into the hall, finding a new suited man standing guard by the top of the stairs.

The man smiled and made a kissy face.

Trev smiled sweetly and flipped him off. He ducked back into the room and sighed in frustration. He checked the windows, and they were all locked. There were two doors, but one led to a bathroom and the other was a closet.

As nice as it was to entertain the idea of taking a shower later, Trev didn't want to be here that long.

He checked the windows again, eyeing the tall shrubs just outside. He could smash the glass, crawl out on the ledge, and then try to jump into the shrubs and hope he didn't break any bones.

Shit.

He wasn't sure if he was that desperate yet.

Trev ran back to the bathroom. It was bigger than his apartment, with a stone-tiled walk-in shower and a gloriously huge jacuzzi tub. There was a window above the tub, and Trev climbed into the tub so he could peek out.

There was a large tree with branches that were only a few feet away from the window. Although it was also locked, Trev liked his chances of survival from jumping out of this one much better than the others.

Shouting drew Trev's attention back to the open bedroom door. He hurried over, peering out and straining to hear what the commotion was all about.

Fortunately, one of the people yelling was Howell, and Trev could have heard him from the other side of the planet.

"Are you all fuckin' mentally irregular? Hello!" Howell snarled furiously. "Won't it just this mornin' yous was tellin' me how safe and secure your shit was? Watertight? Now what, bitches?"

Someone barked back.

Maybe Emil.

"I know this little bitch didn't just try to step up to me!" Howell raged. "Do yous have any idea how many millions of fuckin' dollars we just handed over to the fuckin' pigs? Better be countin' your teeth 'cause yous 'bout to be pickin' 'em up off the floor! Fuck you!"

The shouting continued but moved farther away until Trev couldn't even make out what Howell was saying. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to know the cops were involved and something had gone very wrong for the Luchesi family.

That at least made Trev smile, though it did little to help him with his current predicament.

His sudden relocation may have been because of the cops and not because Boss Cold had arrived at a decision.

Shit.

"Who are you?" a rumbling voice asked.

Trev jumped, whirling around to find an old man walking up from the opposite end of the hallway.

The man was dressed in a thick sweater, sweatpants, and worn slippers. He looked to be in his eighties, and his casual outfit seemed oddly out of place with the fancy house. His dark olive skin was freckled, his hair stark white and neatly trimmed, and his smile was very friendly.

"Trevanion Usher," Trev said slowly.

"It's nice to meet you, young man!" The man reached for Trev's hand and shook it. "I'm Ugo Luchesi. Are you here for the party?"

"Party?" Trev studied the man's face more carefully and saw a familiar mania that reminded him of Juicy. He patted the man's hand, replying kindly, "No, sir. I'm a friend of Jupiter's. I'm here on, uh, business."

"Ah! Jupiter!" The man's face lit up. "That kid is gonna be the don one day, you know. Lead the whole family?—"

" Zio !" Jupiter snapped. "Come on now. Why are you out of bed?"

Ugo hissed like a cat.

Trev turned to see Jupiter stalking toward him with Sal and the man who had driven them here in tow.

A woman in scrubs with a big ponytail came tearing around the corner at the end of the hall, clearly out of breath and anxious.

Trev thought she looked familiar, but he couldn't place where he'd seen her before.

She sighed in visible relief. "Mr. Luchesi! There you are!"

"Nurse," Sal said firmly. "Take him back to his room right now."

"Yes, sir," the nurse said, reaching for Ugo's arm. "Come on back with me, sir."

"No!" Ugo scowled and swatted at her. "I'm talking with my new friend! We have to go to the party! You won't take me alive, you ornery old bitch !"

The nurse grunted, clearly flustered and becoming more so as Ugo struggled and Sal continued to glare.

"Get him to his room now!" Sal barked.

"I'm so sorry, sir! I'm trying!" the nurse pleaded. "Sir, I?—"

"I said now !"

The nurse looked as if she was about to burst into tears, and Ugo was running around her in circles, surprisingly spry for his age.

"Bonsai!" Sal waved at the driver. "Give 'em a hand, would you?"

"Yes, sir." Bonsai stepped into the fray, reaching for Ugo's shoulder. "Come on now, Mr. Luchesi. Why don't you go back with the nice lady? We can?—"

Ugo whipped his head around and bit Bonsai's arm.

"Ow! Son of a bitch!" Bonsai screeched.

"Watch ya' fuckin' mouth!" Sal snapped. "That's my grandma, may she rest in peace, that you're talking about!"

"I'm sorry, boss!" Bonsai waved his arm. "He fucking bit me!"

Sal pressed his hands to his temples and muttered something in Italian.

"Zio," Jupiter tried, using a gentle tone and approaching slowly, as if Ugo was a wild animal. "Hey, hey, Zio Ugo. Play nice, okay?"

Ugo bared his teeth and growled.

Jupiter took a step back.

"Hey!" Trev said suddenly. "Mr. Luchesi? You still want to go to the party, right? Your nurse will take you."

Everyone stared at Trev.

"Oh!" Ugo flinched as if a switch had been flipped and appeared to relax. "Is that so?"

The nurse gave Trev a grateful smile, and she offered her arm to Ugo. "Absolutely, sir! Let's go."

"Thank you. I do love a party." Ugo waved farewell as the nurse led him down the hallway, still chatting away excitedly about all the champagne he was going to drink.

"You!" Sal hissed, his eyes burning into Trev. "Don't you ever speak to my father again, do you understand me?"

"Your father?" Trev scoffed. "Come on. I was just trying to help!"

"Shut your fucking mouth, you flaming whore ."

Trev's temper flared. "Fuck you, bitch ."

Sal raised his hand.

Trev stood his ground, ready to take the hit. It wouldn't be the first he'd been struck for running his mouth and probably wouldn't be the last.

Jupiter caught Sal's wrist, saying, "No damaging the merchandise, right, sir?"

Trev flinched.

He hadn't been expecting that.

Sal growled and smacked Jupiter across the face. "Fuckin' disgrace ."

"Hey!" Trev snapped. "Why don't you…!"

Jupiter's stern gaze pleaded for silence.

Trev shut his mouth, but just barely.

Sal's glare found Trev, and he raised his hand again. "I told you to shut your fucking mouth, whore. Nobody was talkin' to you?—"

"That's enough." Jupiter put himself in between them. "I'll take him back to my room right now?—"

"Oh? Is that how it is?" Sal scowled. "Gonna be a big man in front of your little girlfriend? I swear to almighty fuck I don't regret anything as much as I do bringin' you in on this."

"I'm not the one you should be angry with," Jupiter replied calmly. "You should be taking a closer look at Howell?—"

"Mind your fucking business," Sal warned, jabbing a finger in Jupiter's chest. "Take your little bitch back to your room and keep him quiet."

"Yes, sir." Jupiter turned around and grabbed Trev's arm, leading him back to the bedroom.

"Hey!" Trev tried to pull away, but he couldn't wiggle out of Jupiter's grip. Maybe he should take some notes from Ugo and bite more often.

Bonsai laughed. "Some things never change, huh? Jupe's still a damn fuckup."

"What? You're just gonna let them say that—" Trev yelped as Jupiter heaved him up over his shoulder to carry him the rest of the way. It was a short distance since they were right outside the bedroom, but Trev's heart pounded a little faster anyway.

That shouldn't have been so hot.

Jupiter shut the door and then set Trev down, ordering, "Go sit down and be quiet."

"Your family really fucking hates you, don't they?" Trev taunted defiantly as he strolled over to the bed.

Jupiter glared.

"So! That old guy." Trev sat down. "Ugo? He's Sal's dad, huh? What is it? Dementia? Alzheimer's?"

Jupiter leaned against the door and crossed his arms.

"Oh! We're back to you not talking to me and me just talking at you. Got it. Love this for us." Trev leaned back on his hands, letting his legs fall apart. "So fun."

Jupiter glanced over him, but still said nothing.

"You didn't have to do that, by the way," Trev said quietly.

"Do what?"

"Defend me."

"Sal was out of line." Jupiter loosened his tie.

"He's a total asshole, no argument there." Trev pursed his lips. "Why'd you do it though? You could have just let him knock me around and you didn't."

Jupiter appeared startled by the question, a look Trev hadn't seen before.

Trev stared at him expectantly.

"Wouldn't look good for us to deliver you to Boss Cold all beat up, now would it?" Jupiter replied.

"That's it?" Trev quirked his brows.

"Should there be another reason?"

"No, I guess not." Trev shrugged. "Just surprised, is all." He looked away. "And thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Not a lot of guys would do that for me," Trev said honestly.

Jupiter met his gaze again. "Sounds like you hang out with a bunch of assholes too."

"Present company included."

Jupiter snorted.

"Seriously." Trev frowned. "It's pretty obvious they don't respect you?—"

"Don't," Jupiter cut in.

"Don't what? Call you out on the bullshit?" Trev scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. Keep lying to yourself. It's very cute."

"Says the biggest liar of them all," Jupiter drawled.

"Excuse me?"

"You." Jupiter glared heatedly at him. "You're so fucking fake . Do you really think I don't know what you're trying to do? Batting your eyes, acting sweet and trying to get on my good side? I'm not going to let you manipulate me because I'd have to actually give a shit about you first."

Trev swallowed back a bite of anger and used it to fuel a sweet smile as he cooed, "Says the guy who didn't let me get clocked earlier."

"I already told you?—"

"Yeah, yeah. Didn't want Boss Cold to get pissed I got roughed up or whatever." Trev bounced off the bed and into a confident strut as he approached Jupiter. "I think you're the one who's fucking fake."

Jupiter laughed. "Oh? Is that so?"

"Uh-huh." Trev held his head high. "You act all big and tough, but you hate how your family treats you like complete dogshit. Are you really some kind of bastard? Or it just good ol' bigotry?"

Jupiter wasn't laughing now.

" Ding ding . We have a winner." Trev boldly adjusted Jupiter's lapels. "Who's being fake now? You have to know they hate you for it. Can't imagine what kinda little nicknames they call you behind your back, Jupe ."

"Don't," Jupiter warned.

"Don't what? Keep calling you out?" Trev remembered the key in his pocket. "I bet they'd even try to set you up and make you look like even more of a fuckup than the one they already think you are for liking dick."

"Baby doll, I'm not in the mood." Jupiter narrowed his eyes. "My relationship with my family is none of your business, and despite what you think, it's perfectly fine."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes."

Trev fished the key out of his pocket. "Then who left me this key?"

Jupiter stared at it in disbelief. "Where the fuck did you get this?"

"Gee, I'm not sure." Trev scratched his head. "It must have slipped my mind."

"No more games, baby doll." Jupiter grabbed Trev's chin to meet his eyes. "Where did you get this?"

Trev had a very smug and snarky response all lined up, but there was an abrupt knock on the door.

Jupiter ignored it, still staring down Trev.

The door opened a few inches, its progress halted by Jupiter's shoulder. Jupiter did not budge, though he did now turn his angry glare to identify whoever had bonked him with the door. "What?"

"It's Howell," Howell said cheerfully.

Trev grunted as Jupiter snatched the key and pushed him back, now standing in between Trev and the door as if to shield him.

Or to prevent him from making a run for it.

"What do you want?" Jupiter said briskly.

"Nothin' from yous, bastard." Howell scoffed, forcing the door open wide enough to slip his thin frame through. "I got somethin' for your lil' guest here."

"Me?" Trev blinked, peeking around Jupiter.

Jupiter gritted his teeth. "You need to leave. We were just?—"

"Keep ya' shirt on, ya' beefed out twat." Howell thrust a large paper bag at Trev. "Here."

Jupiter snatched the bag before Trev could accept it. He opened it to dig around its contents and scowled. "The fuck is this?"

"We call that stuff clothing ," Howell said. "Just s'happened to notice your lil' guest won't dressed real nice and I thought?—"

"Thank you. Goodbye now." Jupiter used his larger size to push Howell back through the door.

Trev wrinkled his nose.

He'd literally just met Howell this morning.

It wouldn't be the first time an admirer had become smitten with him, which is what Trev assumed was happening, but it was definitely the first time it had happened while he was being held prisoner.

The key .

Trev flinched, hoping his expression didn't register his surprise.

What if Howell had been the one to leave him the key?

Certainly would make sense with the way he was clearly fawning all over Trev, but why risk angering the entire Luchesi family? Did Howell really want to fuck him that badly?

It was weirdly flattering in a way, but still.

Jupiter was too busy trying to cram the last of Howell's body outside into the hall to hopefully have noticed Trev having an epiphany. "Thank you so much ."

"Seriously! Ya' need any helps at all!" Howell grunted. "Needs me to watch him for a bit, needs me to do anythin' at all?—"

"Got it." Jupiter slammed the door shut and then locked it. He growled low in frustration, whirling around on Trev. "You. Speak. Now."

"How about a please ?" Trev scoffed.

"Baby doll, now. Please ." Jupiter waved the key. "Where did you get this?"

"I found it, okay?" Trev cocked his hip and crossed his arms. "It was in the bathroom at that fucking dump."

"When?"

"This morning." Trev shrugged. "The last time I went. Which means someone had to have put it there after you and your little buddies went to breakfast." He smirked. "Now do you believe me?"

Jupiter's scowl was difficult to read.

"It could have been anyone," Trev went on. "Sal, Emil, uh?—"

" Howell ." Jupiter carried the bag over to the bed. He dumped it all out, and it did appear to be clothing. He searched each piece, checking pockets if there were any, and scrutinizing each article.

"What is it?" Trev demanded. "Does it go to the padlock? The fucking one around my neck?"

"Would you have used it if it was?"

"What the fuck do you think?" Trev snorted.

Jupiter dropped the clothing, and he appeared to be thinking.

"Now do you believe me?" Trev demanded. "Look, I clearly don't know everything that's going on, but I know the scent of bullshit very well. And your family? Someone is working against you. Kinda seems like it might be a pretty long list, if I'm being honest." He shrugged casually. "Not that it's any of my business, but…"

"No, it's not." Jupiter eyed Trev for a long moment. "But thank you."

"For?"

Jupiter held up the key. "For showing me this. It's a master key. Very well might have unlocked your chains." He tucked it into his pocket. "I still don't trust you?—"

"Well, duh. It's not like I trust you."

"But." Jupiter reached for Trev's hand.

Trev let him take it, and he stared as Jupiter placed a soft kiss on his knuckles.

"Thank you," Jupiter said with surprising sincerity. "Please know that…" His stoic demeanor cracked briefly. "You're not the only one who's trapped."

Trev frowned. "And what does that mean?"

Jupiter turned away from him, gesturing to the clothes on the bed. "If you want to take a shower and change, help yourself."

"Uh, hello?" Trev put his hands on his hips. "What do you mean trapped? Like, is this a metaphorical thing? Like trapped by family obligation or something? Or does someone come around and also chain you to a wall every night?"

"There's towels already in the bathroom, but I'm sure you saw those when you looked around, already trying to find a way to get out of here." Jupiter walked over to a small cabinet, opening the doors to reveal a bar within. He poured himself a drink. "Plenty of hot water, so knock yourself out."

Trev watched Jupiter chug the glass and then immediately pour another. "It's five o'clock somewhere, right?"

Jupiter raised his glass. " Saluti ."

"Right." Trev didn't think he was going to get any additional information out of Jupiter, but he was clearly rattled by the key.

Trev opted not to share his personal suspicion that it had been Howell, as it seemed like Jupiter was already on that same train of thought. He was curious what Jupiter had meant about being trapped too, but…

No.

That didn't matter.

What mattered was that giving Jupiter the key had hopefully earned Trev some points in his favor and he'd be able to take advantage of that. He needed Jupiter to trust him so he could figure out a way to get the hell out of here. He couldn't count on Boss Cold to save him—and pffft , he didn't need him to.

He was Trevanion Usher, and he wasn't done fighting yet.

Trev found a pair of black gym shorts and a white T-shirt in the clothing from Howell. They were the least hideous options and the most likely to fit, and he wondered if they were actually Howell's.

Ew.

Whatever.

Trev toed off his boots and pulled his hoodie over his head. He ignored Jupiter's staring as he undressed, and he left his clothes in a messy heap on the floor beside his boots. He picked up the shorts and T-shirt, boldly strutting into the bathroom. He could hear Jupiter's footsteps following him, but he kept his focus on the task at hand.

He really wanted a shower, but a bath provided much better visuals.

Trev set the clothing on the counter and then bent over to turn on the water in the tub. He didn't make a big show of it, well aware Jupiter was still watching, and he helped himself to some bodywash to use as bubble bath as the tub filled.

He glanced over his shoulder, feigning surprise to see Jupiter in the doorway. "What? You wanna join me?"

Jupiter sipped his drink. "And if I say yes?"

"If. Pffft ." Trev laughed as he slipped into the tub. He groaned as he sank down into the bubbly water. "Pour me some vodka first and then get your ass in here."

"Be right there, baby doll."