This chapter can be triggering for some. You can skip this chapter if you want, as it'll list the abusive experience Aiden went through.

Please bear in mind that I don't condone sexual assault, and I really felt so awkward writing and editing this chapter.

Thanks for your continuous support!

Stay safe and much love. <3

Bell Gardens - Daisy's gift shop.

Aiden Walker.

"And then, what happened?"

Aiden's face fell, reminiscing the past with the bad boy, how everything has changed since then, being his relationship with Mason, or the latter's behavior.

"The first week was all about him ignoring me." He went on, clearing his throat when his voice cracked."I sometimes did wish he kept ignoring me . . . "

"You don't have to talk about it now, Aiden."

Thomas offered him a gentle smile, placing his hand over his shoulder, giving him a comforting pat on the back.

"I can tell that something bad had happened and changed your life." Remembering the state Aiden was in when he first got here, Thomas always felt that there was more evil to the world they live in, and Aiden got the short end of that stick.

Aiden nodded, biting his lip to keep himself from crying. He never thought that he'd be in this situation, feeling so weak and frightened by his own shadow. He recalled how whenever he watched a movie or saw a story in the news about victims of abuse on TV, he'd belittle those people. Back then, he couldn't comprehend how a person would let another control them. He always thought that if he were in a similar situation, he'd fight back. Yet, look at him now.

"Not only my life," He went on, feeling bitter about all of this. "Being with him changed me as well, Tom. . . M-Mason was. . . is ruthless. One day, he snapped when I asked if I can still go to college. I remember how sinister he looked when I went behind his back and spoke to his dad . . .I-I . . ." He trailed off, warm tears streaming down his face.

"Aiden," Thomas called his name with a tone dripping with sadness."Shit . . . I'm sorry, buddy."

He accepted the embrace when he pulled him for a hug, crying softly on his shoulder. The memory of what happened that day made him realize how fucked up he really was. How broken and disturbed since that day. He hated being this weak, but he couldn't pull through it.

Aiden felt himself sweating the more he thought about the past. His throat felt dry and sore. Heart beating unevenly for recalling what happened.

"Mason burst through the bedroom door enraged. His blue eyes looked around the room and settled on him. Aiden was on the couch that he claimed as his own bed, reading one of the surprisingly good books he found in the Mafia Boss's office.

"So, you go to my fucking dad behind my back!"

Aiden jumped in his spot, startled by that tone of voice. The book disregarded beside him, sinking deeper when Mason took long strides towards him. His heart racing to the back of his throat as Mason pulled him by the collar of his shirt like he weighed nothing, and threw him down on the floor.

"Making my dad laugh at my inability to keep my husband satisfied!"

"I'm sorry." He whimpered, and that earned him to be dragged by his hair.

"Ow! You're hurting me, Mason!"

His back met the bed, scratching his head where it hurt. He glared at the young boss and sneered.

"I asked you to let me go to college after the summer break, and you said no . . . I'm not going to waste my life for some child game between you and your father."

Aiden was beyond furious. It was enough that he was locked up in this house for more than a week in a summer break! Everyone was enjoying their time before the start of a new school year, yet here he was being held against his will as if he was captive.

He wasn't allowed to have any visitors, nor to see his parents. It was like as if he was being punished by his supposed husband.

"Now, you're being fucking disrespectful, huh?!"

Mason climbed beside him on the large bed and took off his shirt with a devious glare.

Instead of being troubled by why he took off his shirt, Aiden felt compelled to stare at that tanned, toned, and tattoo-covered chest. He knew that the bad boy had a good physique, but he didn't know that he was this ripped . . . This manly.

His hands tingled to feel those abs, to tease that soft and smooth skin. He absently licked his lips at the sight of those perfect nips, slightly perked up because the man was enraged.

He didn't know what got him to gawk at that muscled silhouette, drooling when his eyes caught the sight of that teasingly peeking v-line.

Mason is gorgeous, too bad he's a dick.

"You want to be satisfied? You want to play house, you faggot!"

Mason snapped him out of his daydreaming, pulling him closer to his crotch by his hair. Aiden's eyes widened, staring at him zipping down his pants. He tried to push away, but the bad boy had a good grip on him.

"Now, now, I know you've been dreaming about this, Aiden. . . This is as well you're duty for being my husband and lover."

That sick smirk had tears well up in Aiden's eyes. He opened his mouth to beg, but he couldn't form any words, that until he saw what was behind those white briefs.

"M-Mason, don't do this, please. You're not gay, please, stop this."

He tried again to get free from his grip, but Mason pulled him up until they were face to face. A cold expression drained from all emotions that had Aiden trembling like a leaf on a windy day.

"You either do as I say, or I'll fuck you raw. Don't think I'll get disgusted by you. I will do it!"

He threatened through gritted teeth, and just now, Aiden could smell the alcohol in his breath. The bad boy was intoxicated and pissed, a dangerous combination that he was the unfortunate person to witness.

His eyes pleaded those cold ones, but they didn't even blink as that big hand pushed his face down to the indecent crotch.

"Touch it!" He barked."You must know your way around it."

Aiden couldn't control his sobs as he cried like a baby in front of him. His hand trembled under that murderous glare, shaking visibly, as he reached to hold the semi-hardened shaft. When his hand wrapped around it, feeling it throbbing against his palm, Mason grunted and moved his hips slightly, asking for friction.

He didn't know what he should do next. He just kept his hand around that hot appendage, crying quietly in shock.

Mason tugged his hair back and made him look up. His eyes were void from mercy as a twisted smirk pulled on his lips.

"You're that kind of virgin, Bello? I guess I just hit the million-dollar prize."

He laughed and pushed him down on the bed, pulling down his pants and tossing them down on the floor.

"M-Mason . . ." He choked out when the now Mafia boss ripped his shirt off."Please, please. I'm begging you to stop. I'm sorry, okay? I wouldn't do it again."

He sobbed like he never did before. He knew that he didn't have it in him to push him off. Mason was really intoxicated that he could kill him if he started to fight.

He ignored his plea as he flipped him over, pulling down his pants. Aiden trashed around, finding the courage to resist, yet to no avail. Mason had him pinned on the bed, holding his hands tightly above his head with his own. With his free hand, Mason caressed his chest softly like he was relishing every inch of it. His long fingers massaged his hips while those cold eyes glowing with lust at him, roaming his body.

"Mason!"He groaned when the bad boy had one of his nips between his teeth, grinning as he sucked that swollen skin before licking it. Aiden couldn't help but get turned on by the pleasurable pain, and the other noticed.

He chuckled lightly, cupping his cheek before pressing his lips on his own. The kiss was wet and sloppy by how drunken Mason was. Aiden didn't like it, and he hated it more when the bad boy shoved his tongue in, violating his mouth.

He was short of breath and giddy, eyes still wide in panic and fear. He moaned when that big hand caressed his thigh, and his moans were never heard, swallowed by those soft lips that never left his own.

"You have no idea how much I wanted to do this."

Mason but moaned in his lustful daze. His lips found their way back on his own again, caressing and nibbling on them until Aiden could feel them swell up. He left him panting for air and with a clouded mind as he stopped resisting. He moaned loudly when those cold lips latched on the soft skin of his neck, his gentle bites spread down his throat, making both of them grunt in want.

The mafia boss flipped him over, making him let out a yelp. He pushed his head down on the pillow, almost suffocating him, and he ran his teeth down his spine, making him arch his back that his ass pressed against that hard cock.

Aiden was induced by lust to think straight, his member already dripping with cum from how turned on he was. He woke up from his daze when he felt something shove inside him. He screamed in pain, looking back at Mason, who grinned mischievously. He had two fingers rammed inside him, as he worked his way into stretching him.

"Take them out!" He yelled in panic."Please, take them out. It hurts!"

Again, his pleas were ignored as the bad boy pulled his fingers out only to ram them back inside harshly.

Aiden's words turned to moans when Mason reached for a spot inside him. He shivered from the pleasure, opening his mouth in a moaning mess.

The feeling, soon after, was gone, and he mewled at the loss of his touch as he almost reached his climax. Then he felt something thick replace those skilled fingers. The realization hit him too late, Mason has already slammed his member inside him.

"Look how you're swallowing me like the whore you are."

Mason slapped his ass cheek, grunting as he started to move without a warning. Aiden was no longer moaning as he could feel his insides tearing apart, burning and inflamed. A muffled scream escaped his lips when the other leaned down changing positions, as he thrust harder and faster than before.

He cried, knowing that he wouldn't stop. His climax was forgotten as pain doubled the pleasure he was feeling. He was feeling nauseous, gagging on nasty bile down his throat while Mason tore him apart.

His supposed husband bit down his neck as he released inside him. Humming pleased when he slipped out.

"You're a good boy, Aiden."

He purred, dropping dead tired by his side. Aiden couldn't move since he was aching everywhere. His insides are burning, and his hips are hurting by those hard nails that dug deep into his sides. His throat felt dry, and his eyes stinging from tears. He kept his face buried in that pillow as he cried quietly at what happened."

Thomas offered him a glass of water, smiling softly while his eyes showed how much sympathy he felt towards him. He didn't wish to recall what happened the time he spent with that ruthless man, but he had to. It was part of him moving on and facing the dark past.

He hiccuped a thank you to the little guy, who stood shorter than him by few inches, while he rubbed his back soothingly.

"Better now?"He asked, concerned, and Aiden nodded.

"Thanks," He offered a forced smile, glaring down at the tattoo on the inside of his hand. His fingers brushed over it with a deep frown, thinking how much he tried to escape that horrid past of his, yet it was always haunting him.

"He gave you that tattoo?"

Thomas sounded hesitant if he should ask yet intrigued to know.

With a curt nod, Aiden replied.

"He did. He said so that everyone would know that I'm his and that wherever I go, he could track me down."

Thomas must have detected the fear in his eyes as he deliberately asked.

"You know that he just wanted to scare you, right?"

He bit his lip nervously, not quite sure if that was true. Since he left that place, he never had the pleasure of wearing short sleeve shirts, afraid that someone might see the tattoo and tell the Mafia boss his whereabouts.

"It's not like he has people all around the country looking for you," Thomas added, carefully trying to assure him.

Aiden knew that he wanted him to keep talking. Ever since they lived together, they shared only a few words, if it was necessary. Aiden was still shaken back then, and Thomas respected his feelings by not probing and asking about his past.

He was well aware that James must have filled him in with what he knew, but he always caught those curious eyes on him. It was only recently that Aiden opened up to him. He trusted him, so he decided to let him know his story. He thought that he owed it to him. He brought him trouble, and it could get dangerous for Thomas if Mason found him.

"I can't take any chances." He mumbled, pulling down his sleeve to hide it.

There was a long silence between them, now being the skeleton hour for the shop to get any customers, then Thomas jumped from his seat with a goofy grin.

"You know what, we could cover that tattoo and put something else over it." He chirped, eyes glowing and filled with hope. "Although I like that little owl, and it's well done."

Thomas pulled up his sleeve, admiring the owl dream-catcher tattoo. It was ironic from Mason's part. He knew that he liked owls, somehow, and had this one mark his wrist. He told him that he wanted to chase away all the foolishness that might fill his mind, and as well as his reoccurring nightmares. This little tattoo was actually feeding his nightmares, making them more vivid and intense.

He shook his head, softly pulling his hand away from Thomas's.

"I can't risk anyone seeing it . . . What if Mason knows all the tattoo artists around?"

"Doubt it. Besides, I was going to ask a friend of mine who works at a local bar to do it . . . He's not a professional or anything, but he does some of the most decent tattoos I've ever seen."

Still doubtful, Aiden eyed that troubling tattoo, thinking of Mason and what he might do to him if he found him. He knew that he wouldn't kill him quickly. He'd make him suffer and wish to die, so he'd make sure to never get caught by him.

"So, what do you think?"

Hesitantly, he nodded and smiled when Thomas grinned like a fool.

"I'll get one as well. Something to symbolize our friendship."

Aiden nodded at the idea, smiling genuinely and sighed, somehow relieved. Thomas felt happy to finally see a smile on his face.

They closed the shop and climbed upstairs where Thomas's small apartment was. They shared the place, not like Aiden had a choice. It was the best thing he could ask for. It was above the small shop that belonged once to Thomas's father. After he died, he left him the place, asking to keep the shop open in his will. The store was named after Thomas's late mother, who Aiden learned was a brave woman and an adventurer. She loved exploring uncharted territories, trying new things, and doing community work.

Thomas told him stories about the nice childhood he had, about his mother's crazy adventures, loving the way his eyes glimmered when he recalled the memories. And after she died from natural causes, Thomas's father, being a single parent then, worked hard to provide food, the necessities, and raise him. He pushed him into getting good grades and asked for nothing in return when he sent him to college. That was when they grew apart, Thomas got busy with his new life and the freedom that came with it, that he forgot to ask about his old man. He told him how much he hated himself when he got the call that his father had died. He wasn't there when his father was sick and when he collapsed, so he thought at least he could fulfill his father's dying wish and keep the store open, putting on hold all his future plans.

Aiden did offer his shoulder for him to cry. He comforted the little man, knowing that he was telling him the story, hoping that one day Aiden would open up to him as well.

Thomas handed him a beer and settled beside him on the couch.

"Anything interesting to watch, Aiden?"

"Shit, like always." He grumbled, changing through the TV channels to find something to occupy his mind.

Thomas pinched his shoulder and playfully glared at him.

"No cursing in the house."

His words and expression made his face fall. Hurt and sadness morphed on his features, alerting the grinning friend.

"I was just joking . . ."He trailed off when Aiden shook his head.

"I-I just . . . I just remembered a friend of mine, that's all."

"He must be a good friend."

"He was."Aiden whispered, looking down at his lap."He was until he betrayed me."

Before Thomas could apologize for something he didn't have a part in, Aiden looked up with a grim smile.

"After that night, when Mason. . . Umm, yeah . . . He didn't stop there, and even when he sobered up, he kept using my body that way. Always finding a way to break my soul, and he almost succeeded back then."

He brought the bottle of cold beer to his lips, gulping the liquid down his dry and burning throat. Thomas's eyes were secretly pleading him to continue behind that sympathetic look. He wanted him to let it all out, hoping that speaking about it would give Aiden some sort of closure for him to move on.

"One day, Adam, my friend sneaked into my room . . . One of the mafia members let him in. I didn't know that they were in a relationship back then. I was just happy to see my best friend. After a month of abuse, I escaped that room."

He heaved a sigh in a needed pause, Thomas picked up his notebook, scribbling down what he'd just said.

"My parents were happy to see me." He chuckled dryly, a single tear streamed down his cheek."My father actually cried when he saw me . . . They did their best to hide me. I couldn't get out of the cellar afraid that he'd take me away. Running away from a prison to another, yet I didn't mind. I was with my loving parents, in a warm home where I don't get abused all the time."

"They asked Adam not to say anything, and he didn't. Mason made surprise visits where he searched the entire house. He'd always stop in the cellar, looking around with careful eyes . . . I remember how I stopped breathing for a second when his eyes looked my way. I knew that he couldn't see me in my hideout inside a small room father built for me, yet seeing that murderous glare almost stopped my heart . . ."

He wiped his lips, nervously running his hand through his damp hair. The memory had him shivering again in fear; tears found a rhythmic flow down his flushed cheeks.

"You said he abused you," Thomas went on reluctantly."Did he beat you too?"

Aiden pulled his feet to his chest, resting his throbbing head on his knees.

With a thoughtful tone, he replied.

"H-He abused me s-sexually more than he hit me . . . He never hit me roughly, though, always a smack to the back of my head or a slap on the cheek."

"It still counts as physical abuse," Thomas muttered with a frown, making him sigh and nod.

"I'm not defending him or anything, but I did piss him off . . . I didn't let him have his way with my body as he pleased-"

"And you had every right to, Aiden!" Thomas placed down the notebook and scowled. "That bastard must have been thinking that he owned you."

"He did." He whispered with conviction, making his friend's frown deepen.

Thomas placed his hand on his head, lacing his fingers through his silky hair.

"He doesn't, Aiden. He never did. You just allowed him by giving up."

Aiden sniffled, hiding his face in his knees, crying even harder. He did allow Mason to treat him like a slave. Sometimes he even liked it. Aiden loved it when he'd praise him while he messed with his body like there was no tomorrow. He loved seeing those enticing expressions that he was the only one allowed to see.

"You fought him back, Aiden, or else you wouldn't be here." Thomas reminded him, and it made him look up.

"I'm sick, Tom. . . I loved it when he was being rough, and he knew it. I would always get turned on when he'd smack my face, choke me or . . . do that to me." He moved his hand away from his hair and frowned.

"I'm disgusting and sick . . . I'm as twisted as he is."

"No, you're not." Thomas spoke softly, taking his hand on his own."That's conditioning, most of those sick bastards do it. They make their victims feel unwanted and unappreciated. They'd praise you when they're doing the dirty to you, to condition you into thinking that was your worth."

"You didn't like it, Aiden, but he forced your mind into accepting it . . . Just be thankful that you ran away before it was too late . . . With the condition you came here at, I don't think you could've lasted longer before you died."

"I wish-"

"Don't say that." Thomas cut him off sternly, knowing well what he was about to say."Please, don't . . . You don't know how much you're blessed to be alive. You're strong, and you're slowly healing. I know that you can pull yourself together and live your life wisely by the knowledge you got from your past . . . Mason won't find you, ever. You're no longer chained and held captive against your will . . . Heck, I think he must have stopped looking for you a long time ago, so please stop living in the past and enjoy your freedom."

Aiden looked at that cheerfully and friendly face, and sighed. He licked his lips, thinking about what he said, then nodded.

His breathing evened as he stopped shedding tears. He looked at that notebook on the coffee table and looked up at his friend with determination.

"I'm ready to move on from the past, so please note what I'll say down."

Thomas did just that, smiling that he could help a little bit.

"I got caught the second time because Adam told Mason my whereabouts . . . My best friend sold me out, knowing what that man did to me." He chuckled dryly, messing with his hair to shake the unwanted feeling.

He shouldn't feel hurt for losing Adam as a friend.

"My parents knew what happened to me, and I think my dad did avoid it until Mason showed up at our doorstep. I heard my father yelling at him for what he did, and it made me cry in shame." He glanced up at Thomas, biting the inside of his cheek.

"My father is . . . was homophobic, so you can tell how it was hard for him to hear that I was. . ." He trailed off gulping, and Thomas nodded for him to continue. It was clear that he wanted him to vent out, to let everything out, to lift some off his shoulders.

"I heard them fighting and my father groaning, yet I couldn't move. I froze in the basement, glaring at the ajar door as it'd close on its own . . . My heart skipped a beat when I saw him climbing down the stairs . . . His eyes . . . Those eyes I adored for so long were sinister and dark that had my knees weaken, collapsing on the floor."

"I watched him lift me, taking me up the stairs. I saw my father unconscious on the floor, and my mom being held by one of his men. I didn't move, not even flinch. I don't think I even blinked. My eyes were glued on the doom promising pair."

He didn't need to explain what happened once he got back to that house, to that room. He didn't want to go through the pain of describing how he did count the seconds, hoping to die. He just couldn't.

"I gave in to him and let him do as he pleased. He enjoyed it, but I didn't . . . He would ask me to moan, and I did as I was asked. I obeyed and complied, afraid of experiencing pain again."

"But, you escaped again, which means that you still had the fight in you."

Aiden laughed at that. A laugh that didn't quite reach his dulled eyes.

"I did, yeah . . . I escaped when I found out that I was being a fool . . . I let Mason have my body then my heart . . . I fell for him harder than before, loving how soft and caring he was towards me . . . I've mistaken his praise for love, and blinded myself with our heated nights."

"Sometimes he didn't ask for sex, but I'd offer because I wanted him to be happy with me. To tell me how much of a good boy I was. A part of me wanted to feel him as well."

"It's understandable. For someone who lived in fear, you'd get attached to any small hint of kindness and care."

"I believed him . . . I trusted him. He said I was the only one he could trust with his life. That he couldn't sleep without me by his side." He chuckled when he remembered what he once said to him.

"I remember waking up to him giving me a blowjob." He giggled when Thomas's eyes widened and blushed.

"Sorry." He whispered, realizing what he'd just said.

"No, please, continue. I did ask you to tell me everything."

He still hesitated, but Thomas nodded encouragingly for him to resume.

"I woke up to that, and it was very pleasurable. I felt so special since Mason never did that before . . . Then he said that from that day forward whoever woke up early would give the other one."

He tucked his lips not to smile at the memory.

"I'd always sleep in late to get one, and he'd always say that early bird gets the worm in a sing-song tone . . . I loved that moment. I loved him for how special he made me feel, but he had to break me . . ."

"I started resisting again when he let me out of the room one day to have lunch with the guys . . . He had a girl on his lap, being intimate in front of everybody. He caught my jealousy-filled glare, but he didn't care . . . That night, he didn't get any, and it pissed him off."

"How did you run away?"

He dropped his feet down, his eyebrows drew closer in a furrow at the memory.

"He stopped visiting my room when I stopped eating . . . He must have gotten bored or something, so I was saved by his right-hand man. Derek, a quiet guy, dragged me down a secret passage to the outside . . . I thought he was going to off me, but got surprised when he gave me a bag filled with clothes and money, pushing me towards the opened back gate."

"I ran that day like I never did before. I couldn't enjoy the freedom, expecting that in every corner, Mason would pop out and catch me. I thought that it must be a sick game he's playing, and didn't sigh relieved until I was on the first bus out of town . . . At my first bus stop, I called my parents to tell them that I was okay and not to worry about me . . . That I loved them and that I'll try to reach them once I'm safe. I hitched a ride with some old couple because I knew that Mason would check the buses that left town to get to me."

"That was a smart move."

Aiden smiled, eyes glowing in pride.

"I gave him the slip by going in the opposite direction of the first station. I knew that he'd think I was going to New York, so I came to LA . . . The rest you already know about."

Thomas kept looking at him for a solid thirty seconds before he grinned.

"I'm so proud to know someone as brave as you are. . . Believe me, if I were in your place, stuck with that lunatic for almost two years, I'd still be there with him, or maybe six feet under by now."

Aiden nodded in gratitude because if the little guy didn't offer his place, he would've been in much trouble than now.

He smiled, glancing at his friend before looking back at his drink on the table. Staring at the small ring left by the droplets of water that slid down the beer bottle, he stammered.

"You know, I find myself pitying Mason. He lives a life full of mistrust, violence, and danger. I sometimes think if the things he'd always say while hugging my body at night are true." He smiled sadly at Thomas. "He said that he knew I hated him for what he did and what he put me through, but he only felt safer in my arms."

He chuckled bitterly. "He said that he wouldn't be surprised if I kill him in his sleep, yet he'd fall in a deep sleep next to me."

"I would often stay awake at night, thinking about how I could easily end my suffering. I could've choked him or stabbed him to death. I once slipped a knife when the help brought me food and hid it under the mattress. I took it out multiple times when he was sleeping, but I never dared to kill him."

"I'm such a coward."

Musing, Thomas held his hand and smiled. "No, you're not. You loved him."

"Yeah, I did, but he must've thought so low of me that he slept next to me unguarded, knowing I wouldn't even think of hurting him."

"Not particularly," Thomas argued. "I'm not trying to defend him, but I believe he really trusted you. Or, Mason must've thought that dying by your hands is an outcome he deserved. Whatever it was can't change the fact that what he did to you was wrong. I don't care if he had a tough childhood, or that if he was going through a lot of stress, stealing someone's innocence and will to live is unforgivable."

Aiden nodded, looking away.

"Why did he save you?"

He hummed confused, and Thomas elaborated.

"Why did that Derek guy save you?"

Aiden frowned as well because he didn't know. Derek never uttered a word when he escorted him through the escape route. His expression didn't change even when Aiden yelped in pain as he was dragged along. He didn't know what got someone as indifferent as Derek to help me.

"It doesn't matter." Thomas said after he didn't get any response."I'm just glad that he did, and I hope he didn't cause himself any trouble for what he did."

"I hope so too," Aiden whispered concerned.