Page 67 of Always Watching

Fuck, I have aboyfriend. It’s a word I didn’t think I would ever say when I was talking about myself. Not seriously anyway. We’d told Mr. Barlowe so he would stop propositioning me, and Northtold Atlas because… well, I don’t know why he told Atlas, but he did. Then he told Wylder today and he fucking meant it.

I’ve always liked men, sure, but never enough to be in a relationship. I figured I’d go through life alone, with my friends, and be content to stay single forever. I felt like no one but Olly would understand what I do and still want to have a relationship, knowing I cam for money.

Then North came at my lowest point and showed me I’m worth more than even I could have told myself. He made me feel not only desirable, but loved and taken care of. I’ve never felt so happy as when I’m with him. He came into my life like a fucking wrecking ball, knocking down my walls and setting up shop like he’s been around forever.

God, I really love that man.

My phone vibrates in my hand again, and I shake myself from my thoughts and answer. “Hey, Olly.”

“Hey, yourself. How are you?”

I sigh, knowing he’ll be able to hear the smile in my voice. I can’t help it, though. Any time I think about North, a smile splits my face. “I’m good. A little sore.” My cheeks heat, but Olly knows what that’s like. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I caught your show. He was gentler with you this time. I’m glad.”

The grin on my face spreads. “Yeah. He’s… so amazing. I can’t even begin to describe just how amazing.”

Olly hums. “I can imagine. We’re still on for the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yep.” The sounds of whatever North and Wylder are doing on the other side of the door reach my ears and I pray that Olly doesn’t hear it.

No such luck. “Everything okay over there?” he asks, and I can practically see his curious expression in my mind’s eye.

Scrambling for an answer that sounds halfway believable, I say, “Oh, yeah. North is just moving some furniture around for me. I’ve been wanting to rearrange for a while.”

“I could have helped you. I may not have muscles like him, but I’m pretty strong.”

I giggle, thinking about North and his muscles. Then my mind flashes to how his hand bulged when he had his arm around Mr. Barlowe’s neck before he killed him. It was… fuck, I’ll admit it was hot. It wasn’t hot when I saw him bleeding, though.

“That’s not necessary,” I tell Olly, snapping back to my phone call and the subscriber list in front of me. “It’s not much. Besides, if you came to move my furniture, we’d just end up sitting on it, talking and eating popcorn.”

“There’s some truth to that,” Olly says with a chuckle. “I bought some of that movie theater butter popcorn you love so much. And extra napkins,” he adds cheekily.

I laugh again, shaking my head as I scroll through the list. “I wiped my hand on your couchone timeand you keep giving me shit for it.”

“What kind of weirdo wipes his buttery fingers on a man’s couch?”

My eyes lock on Mr. Barlowe’s name and email as I smile at Olly’s words.

From what I can see, this is his only account. My first thought is to block him and be done with it, but it might be suspicious if I block his account the same day he goes missing. I don’t want any reason for the cops to come here and take North away. I’ll just tell North he has only one account that I can see.

“Ranen!” Olly shouts and I jump, the phone bobbing in my hand.

“Yeah?” I ask when I have control of it. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I asked if you were okay? Really okay? He’s not… hurting you, is he? I saw a few bruises when you were on cam.”

Another smile stretches my face. North never hurts me. But he does love sucking his marks onto my body. If Olly saw bruises, it’s from North not being able to keep his hands or mouth off me.

Not able to keep the happiness from my voice, I say, “No, Olly. He’s not hurting me. He’s good to me. I think… I think I—”

A bang sounds in the kitchen and my head snaps up. “Shit, Olly,” I say, already standing up. “I gotta go see if he hurt himself. I’ll see you in a few days. Love you.”

“Love you too. Be careful.”

I open the door and rush out of the room. I expect to see… I don’t know, body parts and blood and guts everywhere, but I don’t see any of that. Instead, there’s a large suitcase and a bunch of cleaning supplies by the door. There are specks of blood here and there, but a lot fewer than I expected.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, my eyes meeting North’s. “Are you hurt?”

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