Page 26 of Sir Avery's Wish
“I think so. Let me check.” Zane regarded Kurt. “Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Let me know if you find out anything.”
Zane slid off the stool and gestured for him and Eli to follow. Avery kept pace with his friend, while still maintaining the physical connection with Eli.
“I hope I didn’t take you away from anything important,” said Avery.
“It’s important, but there’s nothing that can be done about it right now.” Zane heaved a sigh. “More fallout from—“ Zane glanced sideways at him, but his attention was on Eli. “Well, that Dom who used to be Tate’s Daddy.”
“Oh, gotcha.”
Avery knew exactly what Zane meant, and why he was being so vague. Whatever issues Eli was struggling with, discussing serial killer Doms wouldn’t help to ease his mind any.
When they reached the other side of the reception area, Zane knocked on a door marked for staff only. A bear of a man appeared in the doorway, covered head to toe in studded leather. Looney Tunes tattoos covered his amber skin, cartoon portraits of Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, and Porky Pig smiling cheerfully against the backdrop of his otherwise intimidating ensemble.
He gave them a big smile. “Good evening, gentlemen. Master Zane, what’s up?”
“Ray, this is Sir Avery and his…” Zane cleared his throat. “This is Eli, who started working at the restaurant last week. Would you happen to have a consultation room available? Julio is the only dungeon master on duty tonight, and he’s handling the second floor. It’s busier than usual.”
“You want me to hit the floor? I’m almost done with next week’s schedules.” Ray turned to Avery. “Both rooms are available. You can have your pick.”
Zane clapped his hands. “Great. That’s all settled.” Zane patted Avery’s arm. “Let me know if I can help with anything else.”
“Appreciate it, man.”
Zane quirked a smile, and Avery gave him a slight dip of his chin. He knew his friend well enough to tell that he approved. He turned to Ray.
“The smaller one is fine. It’ll just be us.”
Avery glanced down at Eli, who smiled up at him. Good. It didn’t appear as though Eli was having second thoughts about talking, or was nervous about being alone with him.
Ray produced a key from the ring clipped to his belt. “Room two it is. Take all the time you need. No one’s reserved the room tonight.” He unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a cozy space furnished with two leather armchairs positioned at comfortable angles. Warm lighting cast a golden glow over neutral walls decorated with tasteful abstract art. “There’re water bottles and tissues on the side table. There’s also a pad of paper and pens in the drawer if you need them.”
“Thank you.” Avery placed his hand on Eli’s shoulder to guide him inside.
The door clicked shut behind them, muffling the distant sounds of the club. Avery had been in these rooms before during his early days at Club Sensation, back when he was still learning to navigate the complexities of Dom-sub relationships. The space felt different somehow, almost a monument to his earlier years after the resort was sold, and he’d begun to explore Zane’s world. He discovered that the experimenting he’d done in his twenties was more than a bit of fun. Power dynamics were what made his heart race, kink energized his soul.
Avery inhaled a deep breath. And now the room was also charged with the anticipation of connecting on a deeper level with Eli, but also with the weight of whatever secret he was carrying.
“This is nice.” Eli stood in the center of the room, seemingly grounding himself as he glanced around, his slender fingers trailing over the back of one of the armchairs. “Cozy.”
Avery watched him, trying to decipher the shift in Eli’s demeanor now that they were alone. The panic from the elevator seemed to have subsided, replaced by cautious curiosity.
“Please, sit wherever you like.”
Avery kept his tone light, careful not to come across as demanding. Whatever was going on with Eli, giving him the chance to adjust to his surroundings would make him more likely to want to open up.
Eli chose the armchair nearest the door—a detail that didn't escape Avery's notice. He settled into it, tucking one leg beneath him, his posture less rigid than before but still alert. Avery took the other chair, angling his body toward Eli without crowding him.
“Would you like some water?” Avery reached for one of the bottles on the side table.
“Sure, that would be great. Thanks.” Eli accepted the water, his gaze still roaming the room, but never landing on Avery.
“You don't have to tell me anything you're not ready to share, Eli.” Avery crossed his legs, easing back in the chair. “But I want you to know that whatever it is, you're safe here.”
Eli’s shoulders slumped slightly. “I made my friend promise not to say a word to anyone, so telling you feels wrong.” He looked up. “Not that I don’t feel safe with you. I don’t think you’d let anyone hurt me.” His face crumpled. “I mean, to the best of your ability.”
Avery’s thoughts went back to Eli saying that sleeping on a cold floor in a laundry room was better than the alternative. More than ever, the urgency to find out what trouble Eli was facing plagued him.
“Well, I believe your friend would want you to be okay and would understand if you told someone about your situation so you could help.” Another concern struck Avery. “What about him? Is he also in trouble?”
