Luke ran his hand up Roman’s chest and adjusted his tie a little. “If you get yourself killed, I’ll be very, very mad,” he said with a crooked smile before tugging Roman’s face down by his tie and pressing their lips together.
Vlad looked away.
After about half a minute, the sounds of kissing finally stopped with a wet sound.
“I have a flight to catch, Curly,” Roman said, stepping away from Luke.
Luke said nothing, wrapping his arms around himself.
Roman looked at him for a long moment before shifting his gaze to Vlad. “Something happens to him, you’re responsible for that. You’re to accompany him everywhere, no exception.”
“I don’t need him at the engagement party tomorrow,” Luke cut in.
“No exception,” Roman repeated, meeting the glare Luke sent his way. “I’m serious, Luke.”
Luke just glared harder.
Roman smiled a little, the coldness in his eyes disappearing, before tugging the boy close and kissing him hard, greedy and possessive. “Behave while I’m gone,” he said hoarsely. “Be a good boy for me.”
Luke’s eyes glazed over. Vlad didn’t even want to know.
With a curt nod at Vlad, Roman was gone.
An awkward silence descended upon the room.
He and Luke stared at each other.
Vlad had never liked the kid. He was too pretty, too innocent-looking, too...gay. His flamboyance grated on Vlad’s nerves.
“You really don’t have to accompany me to the engagement party tomorrow,” Luke said at last. “I don’t want you to. It’d be awkward as hell. I mean, I’m used to your homophobic slurs, but I don’t want you to offend the hosts.”
Vlad frowned. “You mean...”
“Yeah, the people that are getting engaged are gay,” Luke said and looked Vlad in the eye, as if daring Vlad to say something mean. “Maybe you’ve heard about Tristan DuVal?”
Of course he had. It wasn’t every day a football player of Tristan’s caliber came out. “Yeah. He’s a former Chelsea player who recently admitted he was a faggot.”
Luke shook his head. “You aren’t going to the party unless you promise not to ruin their day by being rude and homophobic.”
Vlad rolled his eyes. “I can restrain myself. I restrained myself a few minutes ago, didn’t I?”
“Did you? I must have imagined the disgusted look on your face.”
Vlad said nothing.
Luke heaved a sigh. “Look, I know you don’t like me. I don’t like you, either, so let’s make a deal, yeah? You don’t have to stick around when it’s not necessary. Roman’s out of the country. He won’t find out.”
Vlad snorted. “I don’t have a death wish, kid. He told me to follow you everywhere. I’ll follow you everywhere. I don’t have to like you to keep you safe.”
Luke raised his eyebrows. “Are you scared of him?”
“Yes,” Vlad said bluntly. If the boy had seen the extent of what Roman was capable of, he wouldn’t have even asked. Being wary of Roman was smart. A leopard couldn’t change its spots no matter how hard it was working to cover them up. “And you’re an idiot not to, no matter how good you are at sucking his dick. He isn’t a faggot. He’ll come to his senses soon.”
Luke blinked. “Every time I start thinking I can tolerate you, you prove me wrong.” He cocked his head to the side, his eyes curious. “You know, sometimes I wonder if you have some latent feelings for me or Roman.”
Vlad stared at him. “Is that supposed to be a joke?”
Luke shook his head and walked out of the kitchen.
Vlad gritted his teeth and followed him. “You don’t get to say stupid shit like that and then ignore me.”
“You’re right: it’s stupid,” Luke murmured. “I’m pretty sure you don’t actually have feelings for either of us—just a lot of repressed gay feelings in general.”
Vlad clenched his fists and didn’t think of a certain hotel room and a wet mouth around his dick. “I’m not a homo. I don’t have any ‘repressed gay feelings.’ It’s pathetic how you gay people see gayness everywhere.”
Luke smiled a little, shaking his head. “Whatever. Anyway, Tristan DuVal is the only publicly out football star in the world. Although he doesn’t play anymore, he’s still famous and his coming out is a big deal for us all, so I’m sure there will be lots of members of the LGBT community at the party. Either you behave, or you aren’t going. It’s as simple as that. Tristan is my best friend’s brother. I can’t, and won’t, let you ruin the evening.”
“I’ll keep my opinions to myself,” Vlad said, frowning thoughtfully. If there were going to be many prominent gay people at the party, it was very likely to be targeted by the cult. He had to be there, regardless of his distaste. He was a professional, first and foremost.
The wariness in Luke’s eyes didn’t disappear. “We’ll see,” he said softly. “The party is tomorrow at six in the evening. Don’t be late.”