Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Rafe whispered, “Being free.”
Another step forward, Hop waited for more.
“I’ve practically been his indentured servant for the last fifteen years.” He sat and tugged his black hair.
Swallowing his confusion, Hop gripped the back of the leather chair. All this time, Rafe had been an unwilling pawn? “Why?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” Rafe said. “I’m indebted to him. He’s done so much for my family.”
“You’re the son I never was.” Thankfully, Hop hadn’t choked on those words as much as he thought he would.
Rafe shook his head. “He hasn’t been grooming me like everyone thinks, even Malcolm gets that wrong. I’m not your surrogate. I’m not his heir. I’m his slave. He makes it seem like I’m his protégé instead of the boy who does the dirty work in secret.”
Hop let that sink in even as a hundred new questions formed. “The whole time?”
“Not at first, no. It took me too long to recognize his cruel streak. Ever since, I’ve been trying to separate myself from his name but it’s been like digging through diamonds. For every inch I gain, there are a million more. It’s taken seven years to come this far and everything I’ve built, everything I love, hangs in the balance.”
“Seven years?” Ever since he’d disappeared from Hop’s life? Could that be a coincidence?
Rafe nodded.
Curiosity and a weird sort of sympathy spurred Hop on. “What does this have to do with me?”
Rafe sat forward. “You have to promise not to tell anyone, not even your friends. This can’t be revealed until the contracts are signed.”
Hop nodded without a thought. “What contracts?”
“Switch will host the Parker Prince launch party during fashion week.” Rafe paused. “With the fee, I’ll finally have enough to pay off every cent of debt. He won’t be able to control me or my business any longer.”
The idea of Rafe as another of Roland’s victims was so strange, but now that he knew what to look for, he could see the faint strings of his father’s mastery. He’d never expected to feel sorry for Rafe Marson, but he did.
And even more surprising, he wanted to help.
“Did you say Parker Prince?” Hop’s idol. He’d been a fan since Prince had first made waves as a costume designer on Broadway. Now that he’d opened a flagship store in California, Hop had stalked his website obsessively.
“Yes, we’ve been in dealings with him and his people. We finally got on the shortlist.”
Holy shit. Hop’s excitement escalated. He couldn’t help but be impressed with Rafe. By all accounts, Prince was hard to please. “That’s amazing.”
“We haven’t landed him yet, that’s why I need your help.”
“What can I do?” Hop asked.
The look in Rafe’s eyes changed slowly. They warmed and transformed with what Hop could only call gratitude. “Prince wants the Sassy Boyz. Without you, I won’t get the gig.”
Ah, so that’s what it was. It wasn’t Hop specifically. It was the Sassy Boyz that Rafe wanted—silly how that news sent a twinge of disappointment through him.
Still, Rafe was looking at him like he held all the answers and he couldn’t deny what a big damn ego boost that was. After years of being the troublemaker, the disappointment, the mess—being the savior felt fucking incredible.
He’d take what he could get.
“Okay,” Hop said.
“Really?”
Hop shrugged. “The Boyz deserve the best and I believe that’s Switch. Plus, no one should be under Roland’s thumb when they don’t want to be.”
“Thank you. Seriously. Thank you. You’re saving my life here.”
“All I needed was the truth. It wasn’t so hard, was it?”
“Honesty? Huh, what a new concept.”
Hop spread his hands wide. “I’m all about the fresh approach.”
At this, Rafe laughed. A full-out belly laugh that sent sparks straight down Hop’s spine, so sharp he actually gasped at the shock of it.
Holy fuck. His laugh.
Hop had never heard him laugh before. It was deep and rolling and completely fucking addicting.
Right. Time to leave.
“So, I’ll get this signed then.” Hop picked up the contract where he’d left it on the chair earlier.
Rafe sobered and cleared his throat. “Yeah, uh, great.”
“When do we start?”
Rafe licked his lips and wiped his hands on his legs as he stood. “Thursday night?”
Hop didn’t meet Rafe’s eyes when he nodded, letting his hair fall forward to block out the sight of him standing tall and relaxed for once.
Not to mention straight and likely married. Hell, he had to remember that before his dumb crush disrupted his life. Hop turned to leave and almost made it to the door.
“Hop,” Rafe called.
Hop looked over his shoulder. Rafe had come around the desk and extended his hand, once again the professional, aloof, mysterious owner of one of the most popular nightclubs in the greatest city in the world. “I look forward to getting to know you again. And thanks, really.”
Breath suspended, Hop slid his palm into Rafe’s. His gaze lifted and their eyes met. Time slowed to a crawl even as Hop’s heart beat so hard and fast it was dizzying. The urge to close the distance between them was hard to deny. Rafe’s lips parted. His grip tightened on Hop’s.