10: Cousin's Visit

LIAM

I have had peace, doing simple chores, since I couldn't exert pressure on any part of my body. 

I am anxiously looking forward to my cousin's visit today. I am quite eager to see him and Christian so that I can scold them for postponing their wedding on my behalf.

Just thinking of it makes me feel terrible, I know how much of a big deal it was for Lex to marry, again.

I never thought he would ever attempt to get involved with anyone else after James' total failure. He has been through a lot, and I hate myself for adding to his burdens.

“Liam…” a familiar voice startled me momentarily. I placed the flowers I was holding on the altar and turned to face the warden. 

I almost gasped at how luscious he looked. This is what happens when you spend a lot of time seeing old men dressed in horrible tunics.  

“Sir,” I mumbled, trying not to ogle. 

“Please call me, Daniel.” He breathed hastily. “I prefer that.”  His deep baritone had my blood rushing to unwanted places, creating a problem for me. I took a step back and turned to hide my shame.

“Are you okay?” He was closer now. I felt his warm breath fanning my exposed neck. 

“I am fine,” I stuttered.  His nearness was short-circuiting my brain. I didn't know what to think. I would have thought that, after all, I had been through because of a man, I would run in the opposite direction, but here I was, leaning into his touch. 

He placed his hand on my shoulders, nudging me to face him. I did, but kept my glance everywhere but on him.

“Please look at me,” that alluring voice has me obeying his every command like a puppy to his master.  I raised my gaze to his.

“How are you?” He asked the damn question, I had got tired of hearing. What did he expect me to say? That I am fine? I am miserable, and he should know that by now. But since he seems not to, I chose violence.

“What do you want?” I snapped, shocking him, and he took two involuntary steps back. I regretted my outburst when he lifted his hands in surrender.

“I didn't mean to offend you.” He pleaded. “I just want to make sure you are okay, as close as you can be in this place anyway.”

Why did he have to be this nice?

“Sorry,” I groaned, making him shake his head. “It was dumb of me to ask if you are okay. You are anything but that.” I smiled at his understanding.  

“I am trying to be okay. “ I whispered honestly, twiddling my thumbs.

“You will be okay,” he promised, stepping closer.  He grabbed my hands in his larger ones, and just caressed my fingers. 

That action went straight to my c*ck. I pulled my hand away quickly.

He must have felt the pull too because he just stared at me intently for a while, before he grabbed my hands again.  However, this time he is the one who jumped off muttering a harsh," F*ck!”, pinched his nose, and in a confused state, exited the chapel leaving me staring at his retreating back. 

What the hell was that? I was left wondering. Just a simple touch from him, affected my body like no one ever has. I'm convinced if he could have bent me over the altar, I would have gladly welcomed his cock in my cavern.

I am truly f*cked up!

A few minutes after he left, I resumed my assigned chores. And I still can't get his alarmed expression out of my head. At the same time, I felt weirdly safe with him. It's obvious he cared about well-being to some extent.

Having him on my side might make this terrible nightmare a little manageable.

*****

I had barely finished lunch, when I was informed of my cousin's arrival. 

Just like dad, he threw a fit after seeing my damaged face. 

“Who did this?” He bellowed. His intent eyes scanned every part of my body he could lay eyes on. “We need to get you out of here,” 

“I am alright, Lex.”  I specifically called him that to get him to loosen up. And he did by smiling briefly. Despite his numerous attempts to stop me from using that name on him, it kind of stuck.  He used to argue that it was a dog name, but he still does. 

“Liam…" Christian whimpered, tracing his slender fingers on my bruises. “What have they done to you, love?” 

“It's just a little welcome package,” I shrugged, willing them to drop the subject. “Why the f*ck did you postpone your wedding?” 

Talk about bipolar. Less than a minute ago, I was the one who was urging my cousin to calm down.

“We had to,” Chris offered simply. “It won't be a happy occasion for us, if you are not there. " 

“I ca…” 

“Shut up, kiddo,” Lex cut me off. 

“It's our wedding, and we can do whatever we want. It's postponed and that's final.” As I had thought, there was no room for negotiations. 

“Damn you guys,” 

“We love you too,” Chris taunted, succeeding in drawing a chuckle out of me.

“You are always ganging up against me,” I whined, knowing there was no winning for me where these two are concerned.

“You two deserve each other.”  

“Agreed,” Chris winked coyly, linking his arm with his fiancée.

My cousin looked at him briefly, and caressed the hand holding his, before he turned my attention to me. 

“How is it in here? And please don't lie,”

I swallowed hard. If I tell them the whole truth, I will just worry them. “It's not so bad. At least I know two people who are not out for my blood.”

“Who are these people?” Lex asked curiously.

“My cellmate and the warden.”

“The warden?” His suspicion couldn't have been more apparent. “What does he want in return?” He grumbled, and eyed me intently, possibly trying to decipher the truth himself. 

“ Nothing,” he wrinkled his face.

“He just wants to help.” I left out the part where he might want to get in my pants, and that I would allow him. 

“Just help, uh?” He didn't seem convinced. And he didn't even try to hide it. “You are so naive,” Ouch, that hurt. But I can't blame him. He did attempt to warn me about Spencer. 

“ I will be careful, I promise.” He glared, narrowing his older eyes. 

“Better be,”

“How is dad?” I changed the topic. “Can you please take care of him for me? He didn't seem like himself yesterday.”

“You don't have to ask, I will look after uncle, just take care of yourself, please.” He begged desperately. “I need you to stay safe, Liam.”  His voice cracked, and I knew he feared for my life. He was afraid I wasn't tough enough to last six months, though he didn't voice his thoughts. 

“Don't worry,” My smile which was meant to comfort him only made him warier. “Hey, if I don't survive this, who else will keep your grumpy ass in check?”  Chris cleared his throat, making me chuckle. 

“But I need your help to do so,” he added to the unspoken claim.