“Took you long enough.” Andrew dropped his jeans and boxer briefs, then turned the water on in the shower. “Are the kids okay?”
“Gabby’s asleep, Ollie is nestled in the blankets and Roger is still mid-bath.” He joined Andrew. “You look good sweaty.”
“You look good naked.” Andrew ducked under the spray. “So…guards?”
“Guards.” Cain added soap to the washcloth. “I have a plan.”
“Oh?” Andrew rested his hand on the wall of the shower. “For?”
“We’re meeting with my parents—like Nic has to have told you—and Dixon. I’m ending the contracts with them.” He smoothed the soapy cloth over the expanse of Andrew’s chest, loving the planes of his body. “I’m being paid directly for my services on Liam’s movie, too. It’s all legal and my parents can’t do dick about it.” He scrubbed along Andrew’s chest to his navel, then around his hips and cock.
“They’ll challenge it,” Andrew managed.
“How?” He hadn’t expected any issues. He scrubbed down Andrew’s legs to his feet, then stood again. “Rinse so I can wash your back.”
“They’ll say they’re continuing your original agreement.” Andrew turned his back on Cain. “They’ll try something. You know they will.”
“I do.” He washed Andrew’s back, then inched away to admire the view. “There was never a new contract—not since I was seventeen. They’ve been operating under the agreement made when I made my first movie. Since I had no idea they were using me and stealing my money, I didn’t question what happened. Now that I am, and with Nic’s help, I’ve realized they’ve stolen a lot of money from me over the years and the agreement is out of date.”
Andrew faced him again. “You’ve worked hard on this.”
“Which is why I seemed to ignore you for the last week. I had to make sure I had everything in order before I broke away.” Cain offered up the washcloth. “The first time I looked into your eyes, I knew you’d be my undoing.”
“You did?” Andrew lathered the cloth. “I’m not that bad.”
“No, but you made me see the world wasn’t the small place my parents and experiences made it out to be.” Cain whimpered as Andrew washed him. Blood rushed to his dick. He groaned. “You’ve been my salvation.”
“We’re not safe yet.” Andrew continued to rub and clean Cain’s body. He worked his way up Cain’s legs to his torso, then stroked Cain’s erection. “When we get back home and it’s all over, then I’ll be happy.”
“True.” He threaded his arms around Andrew. “We meet them at five this afternoon.”
“I should make sure you’re extra clean.” Andrew winked. “Or super dirty.”
“You’re naughty.” Cain squeezed Andrew’s ass. “Whatever happens, we’ve got each other. I’m not leaving. This—our life and family—is what I’ve always wanted. What I’ve needed. I love you.”
Andrew swayed with him in the stall. “I love you, too.”
Thank God. All he needed now was for his family to accept that he’d moved out and on with his life—then his existence would be perfect.
Fingers crossed.
Chapter Fifteen
Cain held on to Andrew’s hand and begged his stomach to settle. He hadn’t been this nervous since he was seventeen and learning in secret about contracts. Now that Nic had fully explained the documents, he saw just how much he’d been exploited. His fear didn’t subside, either. His parents and Dixon had the upper hand—for now.
Nic stopped at a traffic light and adjusted his necktie. “It’ll be okay.” He smiled at Cain’s reflection in the rearview mirror. “I promise.”
He wished he could be so calm. When Nic drove the rest of the way to the rented house, Cain’s stomach lurched. He peered out at the home. To anyone passing by, it seemed like a fancy house, but nothing too exciting about it. The gate opened and Nic drove through to the main portion of the building. He parked, and Cain sucked in a ragged breath.
Three luxury cars were parked in front of the garage. To anyone watching the property, the people occupying the house seemed to be wealthy, but Cain knew better. The cars were all rented and charged to his accounts. When he’d left two days ago, the cars hadn’t been there. What scheme were his parents trying to play?
He tried to look at the situation through their eyes. They were only trying to do what they thought was the best for him. Doing what they thought was right. They’d chosen an odd way of going about their plans. They wanted to protect him. He’d been threatened in the past and he’d heard rumors of kidnapping threats, too. His parents could’ve been scared for his well-being.
Or worried about losing their meal ticket.Because of him, they’d gained entry into the hottest restaurants and clubs. They’d hobnobbed with stars and attended exclusive parties. They’d spent his money on things they wanted, not his education or saved any back for the time he chose to have his own family. They’d never taken into account that he might want to get out of the business.
His stomach roiled. “I can’t do this.”
“Stop,” Andrew murmured. “If you want to be free of them, then you need to do this. You’ll never get what you want without standing up to them and for yourself. I’m here for you for whatever you decide.”