Page 14 of Restoring His Howl

So much for that thread. Cinders grabbed Avan’s shirt. His jaguar wanted to fillet Avan and challenge the lion shifter for Dillon’s attention. He didn’t have to speak. The fear in Avan’s eyes let Cinders know his sneer had done enough to get through to him.

“Jesus.” Avan shrugged away from Cinders. “I heard about Dillon.”

“What did you hear? Are you trying to be his friend?” What did Avan know? “He’s been through a lot. He could use a couple of allies.”

“Allies?” Avan’s brow curled, and he chuckled. “We didn’t hear the same thing. I was told he sucks a good dick. He’s a star in his former…job.” Avan cracked his neck and stared at Cinders. “I heard he’s not…choosy, too.”

Cinders’ blood boiled, and his jaguar roared. The fucker had to be lying. He knew nothing. Dillon had been through a lot, but the way Avan talked, he’d been a prostitute. Cinders didn’t believe it. He’d been friends with plenty of guys who turned tricks, and he’d never seen Dillon with them. He clenched his hand and gritted his teeth, refusing to think anything bad of Dillon.

“What?” Avan asked. “The guy did porn. Lots of it. I’ve seen a dozen of his videos. Holy shit, he’s a star.” He grinned. “I thought, you know, since you weretalkingwith him, maybe he’d want to…talk…to me.”

“Not a chance.” He wanted to rip Avan limb from limb. He held his rage in check, but not by much.

“I get it. He’s good, and you don’t want to share. I wouldn’t if I were you.” Avan shrugged. “Well, when you’re done with him, let me know. I’m ready and waiting.”

That did it. Cinders couldn’t keep quiet or stifle his anger any longer. Even if Dillon had done what Avan said, Cinders didn’t care. He wasn’t sharing Dillon with anyone and wouldn’t subject him to Avan’s desires.

“Enough.” He grabbed Avan by the shoulders and slammed him into the wall. “Stop talking.”

“You stop.” Avan wiggled but couldn’t get free. “Let me go.”

“No.” He glared into Avan’s face and held him tighter. “I don’t care what you saw or what you think you’re going to do with Dillon. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen. Forget the videos and the other ideas you’ve had.Noneof it will happen.” His jaguar fought hard to come out and destroy Avan.

“Are you crazy? You’ve got a goldmine, and you’re doing nothing with him.” Avan stopped struggling. “You can’t turn down this opportunity. Come on.”

How could Avan be so cold?

“No.” He threw Avan down the hallway. “If I ever see you here or lurking around Dillon, if I think you’re even thinking about trying something, I’ll let my jaguar destroy you.”

“Whatever.” Avan scrambled to his feet. “Fuck you. This could’ve been fun, but you ruined it. Asshole.”

“You’re the asshole,” Cinders growled. He didn’t care who heard him. If anyone else got the idea to try something with Dillon, they’d have to go through Cinders.

“What’s going on?” Dillon touched Cinders’ shoulder. “You left, and you’re screaming. Everyone in the state heard you.”

“I know.” He sighed and smoothed his palm over Dillon’s cheek. In the midst of the craziness, touching Dillon calmed him. “I’m sorry.”

“No need.” Dillon left him and wandered back into his room.

No need? Cinders hurried after him. “Dillon.”

Dillon shut the door but kept space between him and Cinders. “Avan’s right.”

“What?” He sank onto the bed. “What do you mean, he’s right?” Would Dillon really drop to his knees for anyone in the mansion? That didn’t seem possible.

Dillon wrapped his arms around himself, and his legs wobbled. “Avan is right. I used to be with theWet Dreamsgroup. I was forced to have sex on camera with many people. I don’t know where the videos are, but I’m sure they exist. I’m sure people saw them. They’re probably still watching them. Avan wasn’t lying. I didn’t choose to sleep with those people. I won’t deny it happened, but it wasn’t by choice.”

Cinders stared at Dillon. He couldn’t believe what he’d heard. His brain hurt, and the jaguar shrank away. Dillon had to be lying. Him doing all those things was impossible. Had to be.

“I wish I could tell you he lied. I wish I could tell you none of it happened, and I’m just a little screwed up.” Dillon sank onto the floor. “My life hasn’t been great, but I’m out of that one, and I’m here. I found you. It’s not great inside my head, but my wolf likes you and so do I.”

“But you never mentioned anything about what you did forWet Dreams. Despite the rest of the things you told me, you kept this quiet. This… I can’t comprehend what’s going on.” He needed to stop talking. He’d dig himself a hole through the planet. The jaguar wasn’t talking. Hell, he’d retreated deep within Cinders. Fuck. Was he reeling, too? Jesus.

“How?” Dillon asked. “Just slip it into the conversation? Tell you, oh by the way, I’ve disclosed all this stuff and I’ve got more? Come on.” He trembled harder. “I don’t like talking about what happened any more than you like hearing about it. I’m ashamed of my past. I’m ashamed I didn’t have the balls to listen to my wolf and change or at least get the fuck out of there.” Tears streamed down his cheeks. “I didn’t have a choice. It was comply or die. The bastard who ran the group beat the hell out of us if we didn’t go along with what he wanted. It fucking sucked. So yeah, I did a lot of things I’m not proud of, but it happened. If that bothers you, I’m sorry. That’s on you.”

“Yeah.” He should be stronger. Should be standing up and protecting Dillon. But his brain hurt. He wasn’t sure what to do or say. “I need…to run.”

Cinders left the bed. He swept his gaze over Dillon. Did he see him any differently? Not really. The guy was still handsome and kissed like a dream. But how many other people had he kissed? How many others had he fucked? And he wasn’t interested in sleeping with Cinders? Or was he?

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