Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 298(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“I thought that you were right and I was wrong.”
“What?”
Sammy smiled sadly. “I quit, Nick.”
Dominic stared at him. Maybe he was more tipsy than he’d thought, because his brain didn’t seem to be able to grasp Sammy’s words. “Quit?”
Sammy nodded. “I’ve filled out all the appropriate forms. I’m just a trainee, so there weren’t all that many, actually. Obviously, I signed an NDA and returned MI6’s equipment…” Sammy chewed on his lip and pulled out the phone Dominic had given him. “I guess I should return this one to you, too.”
Dominic looked from the phone to Sammy’s face. He didn’t need to ask what had brought this on. He could make a guess. He had always thought that Sam wasn’t suited for MI6—he wasn’t hardened enough for things MI6 would make him do. While his conduct during the Brylsko mission was exemplary, Sammy hadn’t been forced to do anything he found particularly disgusting and immoral. The Whitford mission was different. It was likely the first time Sam was faced with the reality of Dominic’s job.
“Aren’t you going to say that I need to think it through?” Sammy said with a crooked smile.
“No,” Dominic said. “I’m sure you have.”
Sammy nodded. “I guess… I’ll be going, then,” he said, grabbing his bag and standing up. “I waited just to say goodbye.”
Dominic’s gut knotted up. “Do you even have a place to go?”
Sammy slung his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I may not have a home, but I’ve never really slept without a roof over my head. I have… friends. Sort of.”
“Sort of?” Dominic said, largely unconvinced.
Sam shrugged. “People who owe me favors.” His lips curled into a sad smile that had a bitter edge to it. “And it’s not like I can’t steal if I have to.”
“You hate stealing.”
Sammy shrugged again, avoiding his eyes. “I’ll suck it up and do what I have to. It’s not like I’m any good at anything else.” He moved toward the door.
“Sammy.”
The boy came to a halt, looking down.
“Look at me.”
When Sam finally did, his expression uncertain, Dominic said, “Do you want to leave?”
Sam blinked. “I already told you I quit.”
“No,” Dominic said, stepping closer. He brushed his knuckles against Sammy’s cheek and watched him lean into the touch instinctively. Something in him relaxed. He had been half-afraid Sammy would shy away from his touch after watching him lie and manipulate Luke. “Do you want to leave my house?”
Me.
That was what he meant and they both knew it.
Sammy wet his lips, a wrinkle appearing between his brows. “Is this a serious question? I’m not an MI6 trainee anymore, Nick. I’m not supposed to be here.”
“You can stay if you want.”
Sammy stared.
For a long moment, he didn’t say anything.
“Why?” he said at last, his voice quiet. “What do you need some homeless kid for?”
“You may not be MI6 anymore, but I’m still supposed to have a sugar baby,” Dominic said, hoping he sounded casual and not at all like he wanted to make Sammy stay. Which he didn’t.
Liar.
He’d never been all that good at lying to himself. There was a part of him that wanted to force Sammy to stay. That part of him wanted to grab the boy and kiss him until he forgot even his own name and remembered only Dominic’s. And it sickened him that he wanted to manipulate Sam into staying. He should let him go. It was becoming increasingly obvious he couldn’t trust himself with Sam. The boy would be safer on the streets than under his roof.
As if hearing his thoughts, Sammy shook his head. “If Luke ever finds out, I’m sure you can easily come up with a convincing lie to explain where your sugar baby is.” He smiled sadly. “Let’s not pretend I’m necessary for the success of your mission. I’ve seen how well Agent 11 can lie. He doesn’t need me here.”
Dominic stepped closer and put his hands on Sammy’s shoulders, resisting the urge to cradle Sammy’s heart-shaped face with his hands. “What if I say I want you here? Not Agent 11. Me.”
Sammy swallowed, his eyes searching Dominic’s face. “Why?” he said, his voice wavering. “What do you want with me? I’m an uneducated, stupid gay kid with an inconvenient crush on you.”
“You aren’t stupid.”
Sammy made a face. “I didn’t even take my GCSEs. I’m as uneducated as it gets. Stealing is the only thing I’m good at.” He chuckled. “I had to steal children’s books to teach myself how to read and write. I don’t have a horrible vocabulary only thanks to the fact that I love reading.”
“You’re still very young. You can study and catch up to your peers.” When Sammy just looked at him skeptically, Dominic squeezed his shoulders and said, “You will. It’s not actually rare for MI6 recruits to have irregular education. We have arrangements with the government for cases line that. You can be home schooled until you can pass your exams and then you can be enrolled in a college of your choice.”