Thirty-Two Abel

Ipulled Tobias's arm across my chest when I woke up after almost three hours of the best sleep of my life. The comfort he bestowed was indescribable. His strength provided security. His warmth promised hope. My eyes fluttered open, landing on the broken window. The sky was still dark, but more gray than black, announcing the beginning of the new day. I could make out Tobias and everything around his small room. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing I could stay this way all day. With him, pretending my life wasn't at risk and forgetting the iron claw that controlled us in the cult was easy.

But this was The Creed.

"We better get going." Tobias pulled his veiny hand back then patted my ass.

I sat up and blinked the sleep out of my eyes. "Did you get some rest?"

"I dozed here and there," he said. "I wanted to make sure no one came in here." He stretched his neck, the audible cracks giving him relief as he moved it left and right, back and front.

"Want a neck rub?" I asked, feeling guilty that he'd spent all night watching over me. Sitting for hours the way he did couldn't have been comfortable.

Tobias raised an eyebrow and eyed me suspiciously.

"I know a little." I'd only done it a couple of times, but how hard could giving a massage be? "I'll be quick."

He turned around, offering me his back. I counted dozens of scars of all shapes and sizes, some covered in ink. He jumped when my hand touched his warm skin and chuckled. "Your hands are fucking cold."

"Sorry about that." I rubbed my palms together for thirty seconds, blowing warm air on them before placing them back on his shoulders. I kneaded the muscles supporting his neck, my thumbs digging into his shoulder blades. "You're tense."

"My neck is always sore," he said.

"From work?" I asked, applying more pressure.

"You could say that."

I wanted to ask him again what he did for a living, but he'd already changed the topic.

"How did you learn how to give massages?"

"From one of the guys."

Tobias stiffened; his shoulders pulled upward. "Boyfriend?"

Is he jealous? "Nah. He's a good friend. We learn how to take care of each other around here."

"Where is he now?" Tobias moved his head sideways, waiting for me to answer.

"Back with the rest of the guys at the North Compound." I compressed his spine, my hands traveling up and down his back. "Try to relax," I urged, pushing his deltoids down. I switched to the heel of my palms, fanning them away from his spine.

"That feels good," he moaned, his posture relaxing. "Mmm."

I dragged my thumbs along the sides of his neck up to the base of his skull, applying pressure, then glided down. My cock perked from the euphoric sounds coming from his mouth.

"Thanks," Tobias said, facing me.

"But—"

"We've got work to do," he interrupted my protest. He stood and extended his hand to help me stand. Tobias was still naked, and I didn't miss how much he enjoyed that massage too. He attempted to cover his crotch, which was a wasted effort. There was no hiding his handful of hard dick. I wanted to run my tongue all over him. And if it wasn't for the guards who'd be walking into my bunkroom in less than an hour, I would've had my way with him. The sooner we escaped from this hell, the sooner we could start a new life outside these walls. I didn't know what that life would look like, but it had to be better than here.

We walked in silence. Each sight of a guard made my pulse quicken. "Will I see you today?" I asked when we reached the dorm doorway. I glanced inside; everyone was still asleep.

"Yeah, at training," he whispered. Tobias stood inches away from me. He swallowed, his eyes see-sawing between my eyes and lips.

I wished he'd kiss me. We'd shared practically everything else, so what was the big deal? Were his lips as delicious as they looked? Were they soft? I could almost imagine his facial hair, which had grown since he arrived, prickling my face and neck.

Tobias cleared his throat, taking me out of my daydreaming. "Go change so I can take those with me."

"Oh, right." I pulled the shirt over my head and handed it to Tobias. "Wait a sec." I walked inside, unbuttoning my pants—Tobias's pants—along the way. I quickly changed into my black underwear before returning to the door. While Tobias watched me approach like a hungry wolf, I felt like a helpless lamb. My heart swelled with pride knowing that I had that effect on him. "Thank you," I said, returning his black pants.

Tobias nodded before walking away. He glanced back before he cornered the hallway and shook his head when he found me watching him.

***

I felt light all morning. Three hours of sleep couldn't kill the buzz of sharing last night with Tobias. I wasn't exaggerating when I told him I felt alive. It was the only word that could describe how I felt after I'd come for the second time. And when he came all over my back? That was so fucking hot, I wished I could've recorded the moment.

Something switched between us. I could feel the change in the way he wiped my body clean following the mind-blowing sex, and in the way he let me caress the images inked on his arms that were tattooed in my head. I didn't want to sleep but my body had betrayed me when he ran his hand through my hair.

"What are you smiling about?" Napoleon asked.

I glanced to my side and found the rest of the guys staring at me. "I just thought of something funny, sir."

"I'm watching you," he said before walking away.

The guys' attention was still on me. I shrugged. "Still thinking about that joke Two told us a couple of days ago." I hated lying to my friends, but I couldn't tell them the real reason. Plus, I didn't want to out Tobias.

"That joke was epic," Seven agreed, nodding while grinning.

Relieved and thankful that they bought my excuse, we marched in a line behind the guards leading us to the gym. Although I couldn't wait to see Tobias again, I was a little anxious about how he would treat me after last night. Would he be back to the cold version of himself, or warm like the man who woke me by caressing my chest?

"Where were you last night?" Twelve asked from behind me.

"Huh?" I looked back at him.

"I didn't see you when I got up and peed this morning," Twelve whispered.

"Shhh." I placed my index finger against my lips and glanced at the guards in front of us. "I was with Tobias," I admitted.

"Why?"

"We found out some shit, and we'll tell the rest of the guys later," I explained, my head bouncing between Twelve and the guards. They didn't appear to have heard us.

Twelve's face neared mine. "Is it about the plan?"

"Yeah," I mouthed.

He nodded and gave me a thumbs-up.

We fell back into silence as we trudged. My heart thudded like a drumbeat, a mixture of excitement and nerves. It's just a regular training day, I psyched myself, even though there was nothing regular about this morning. The soreness in my ass was a reminder of that.

The gym door was wide open. Six trainers, including Tobias, were waiting, their backs to us. My stomach immediately filled with butterflies; my mouth went dry. Tobias's arms were crossed, and he stood like he owned the fucking place.

The guards announced our presence and the trainers shifted.

Tobias faced us, and I swear time slowed down. A smile crept across his lips as our eyes met. Everyone else faded away.

I couldn't help but return his smile with a small wave.

The moment was interrupted when Napoleon stepped in front of me. Jerk! "You're up to something!" he sneered, staring me down, blocking me from joining the rest of the guys. "But I'll figure it out." Napoleon's eyes bounced between Tobias and me. "I will find out."

Tobias's attitude changed on a dime. His features hardened; his hands balled into fists. He marched toward us; with his long strides, he reached us in no time. Tobias's eyes blazed with fury, his jaw sharp as a blade. "Is there a fucking problem here?" he asked, bumping Napoleon sideways.

Napoleon staggered back. "What the fu—"

"Nope," I answered, attempting to prevent the situation from escalating.

"Good," Tobias scowled. "Let's go. We have work to do." Tobias grabbed my arm and practically dragged me away from Napoleon. He glanced over his shoulder, shooting him a warning glare. Tobias pulled a stained white wrap from his back pocket when we reached our side of the gym. "That fucker gives me the creeps."

"Same," I concurred.

He reached for my right hand and wrapped them in preparation for our training.

"I can do it," I said.

"I know you can," he said, continuing anyway. "Give me the other."

I raised my left hand and glanced around at the rest of the guys with their trainers. We seemed to have one trainer per guy now. "When did they come in?" I nodded in their direction.

"Today." Tobias taped the end of the wrap, securing them to my wrist. He stood behind me. "Glove-up," he whispered in my ear, tapping my stomach. The sensation immediately traveled to my cock.

Tobias stood behind the punching bag to begin our training. "Jesus, man." He shook his head when he clocked my boner. His eyes swept the gym, perhaps checking to see if anyone else saw.

"What?" I feigned innocence, my grin widening when the tips of Tobias's lips curled into a semi-smile.

"Put your gloves on, boy!" he growled.

"Whatever you say, Daddy," I teased.

The sound of heavy bags being pummeled filled the room as we engaged in our rigorous practice session. Our bodies glistened with sweat under the harsh lights, muscles flexing with each movement. "I hate the smell in here," I said through my ragged breaths. The air was stale, everything was dusty. The pungent atmosphere matched the rotten man running this place: Orcus.

"Everything around here needs to be burned down," Tobias remarked but didn't elaborate.

"How should we tell the guys?" I asked.

Tobias paused mid-strike, his brows furrowing in thought. Surveying the gym, he closed our distance. "What have you told them so far?"

"Nothing yet."

"Good." Tobias wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. He lifted his shirt to dab at his face, revealing the contours of his well-defined abs.

I was glad he kept his shirt on during training, otherwise I would've been distracted. I darted my tongue and wet my lips.

"We'll tell them after lunch. I'll have Sterling cover for me," Tobias said.

My eyes widened in concern. "Who is Sterling?"

"He's one of the guards," Tobias explained casually, as if it were no big deal.

My apprehension escalated into alarm. "What? We can't tell him," I whispered urgently. "No one can know about this." I glanced around to ensure no one—especially the guards—had overheard our conversation.

Tobias must've sensed my anxiety. He squeezed my shoulder and searched for my eyes. "Abel, look at me," he said. His tone was calm and soothing. "It's okay. You trust me, right?"

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with doubt. But then, recalling the countless times Tobias had come through for me, I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I trust you."

"Then trust me on this one." He gave my shoulder another reassuring squeeze.

"I will." My tension began to ebb away. If he believed he could trust Sterling, then I should trust him too.

"You'll never have to do this all alone," Tobias assured me. "I'll be beside you until this is over."

"And what happens when this is all over?" I held my breath, waiting for his response, dreading the prospect of parting ways with Tobias. What about me?

"Then it'll be over and you'll be free." A somber expression settled in his eyes.

We resumed our training. His words replayed in my head. Then it'll be over and you'll be free.

For the first time ever, I wanted to stay.