(ZEV)
I'd lost my mind. That was all there was to it.
It was too late to do anything about bidding on Asa, but I regretted my impulsive purchase. It wasn't like the money was a problem for me, but what in the hell was I going to do with an omega I didn't really want?
My home was my sanctuary. Now, I'd have a stranger wandering around. Why had I bid on him? I still couldn't understand why I cared whether or not Nigel won Asa in the auction. What happened to Asa was no concern of mine.
I glanced sideways at the kid. He sat huddled in the fuzzy blanket Ronin had provided. Every few seconds, he sipped from a small bottle of water we'd given him, and his hand shook.
He had to be terrified. While I found the situation baffling, he was probably absolutely confused and scared.
I cleared my throat. "Can you type, Little Prince?"
He glanced over, looking puzzled. "Type?"
I made typing motions with my fingers. "Yes, you know, on a keyboard. I'm trying to think of what to do with you."
He gave a slow nod. "Yes. I… I can type."
I sighed. "What did you do before you enrolled in The Auction?" Whatever it was, it must not have paid well. Why else would he have put himself on the chopping block?
He pulled his gaze from mine. "I was a student and a math tutor at my college."
"You were in college?"
"Yes."
There was pain in his voice. Why was that? "So, you left college and your job?" I frowned. "Were you fired from your job or something?"
"Yes."
"Recently?"
"Yes."
I frowned when he didn't elaborate about any of his answers. Getting information out of him was like pulling teeth. Was that because he was tired and depressed, or was he hiding something? The Gliders hadn't approached me at the auction, but that didn't mean there wasn't anything to find. Perhaps he'd been a last-minute entry to The Auction, and the Gliders hadn't had time to dig up any dirt.
"Why were you fired?"
His thick lashes rested on his cheeks. "I'd rather not say."
"Oh, really?" I scowled. "You don't think I deserve to know about your past?"
"You do," he said quietly. "But, do you think perhaps we could wait on that? I'm so tired. It's been an exhausting day."
Guilt nudged me. "Oh."
He glanced over. "I… I'm not a criminal or anything."
"I assumed. The Auction would have legally had to inform me of that."
"True." He sipped his water some more, and the shake of his hand was worse now.
Whatever he was hiding, he obviously thought it would affect my opinion of him. That intrigued me. His secret couldn't be a medical condition or a crime, but it was still bad enough that he didn't want to tell me. Interesting.
The car slowed and then came to a full stop in front of the tall iron gates that guarded my home. The gates slowly swung wide, and Ronin drove through them. It was nighttime, so the lovely view of aspen trees, gardenias, and roses that lined the lane weren't visible. There was just a peek here and there of flowering bushes.
As we neared the home, the headlights illuminated the fountain in the circular driveway and the Cross lions that bookended the stairs that led to the sweeping porch. Once the car stopped, Ronin jumped out and opened the door on my side. I exited the car, and Asa followed more slowly.
He stood staring at the tall monstrosity of a house, shivering in the night air. "Wow," he said softly.
I was used to people being impressed by my family home. The old house sprang from the ground, dark and imposing. The moon gleamed off the sloping roofs of the many dormer windows. There were six fireplaces, so there were six chimneys. The library had sliding bookcases, and the kitchen was supposedly haunted.
The home had character, which changed with each generation of Crosses. Each era of Cross tried to make the place its own. My great- grandfather had added a huge wine cellar that you could almost get lost in. My mother had torn out all the carpeting her mother had put in and given new polished life to the mahogany floors. I'd added the hefty marble fountain in the driveway because Lukas had always enjoyed water features.
"I could tell you were an important person by how the other alphas treated you," Asa murmured. "But this home is like a palace."
I smiled. "No. But it is huge. You might get lost in the beginning."
"Perhaps you should tie a rope to me," he said dryly.
I ignored the little nudge of lust at the idea of tying him up. I wasn't into bondage, but I had a sudden vision of Asa bound with ropes, wiggling and pleading for sexual release. I shivered and moved toward the stairs.
I hadn't brought Asa here to fuck. I needed to remember that. I'd figure out some job he could do, but sharing my bed was off the table.
Asa followed me up the stone steps, his feet slapping against the hard surface. I'd forgotten he was barefoot, and I slowed my pace.
Once we reached the tall double doors, I pulled out my key. But before I could slip it into the lock, one of the doors opened. Mrs. Gentry, my house manager, stood there, tall and stately in a form-fitting gray dress.
"Master Zevran, so happy you've arrived home safely," she said gruffly. I'd called ahead, so she wasn't surprised to see Asa with me. She did seem surprised to see him wearing only a blanket around his shoulders and a thong.
She cleared her throat. "I'll show your young gentleman to his room, Sir."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gentry." I gave Asa a polite smile. "We'll talk more tomorrow. You must be exhausted."
"I am, yes." He nodded, and from his wary expression, I got the feeling he was intimidated by Mrs. Gentry.
"You'll be fine," I said softly. "Mrs. Gentry will be sure you have everything you need."
"Naturally." She nodded.
"Are you hungry?" I asked him.
He grimaced. "I'm not sure. I'm so sleepy."
"I'll make sure food is sent up to your room," I said. "You're a little on the thin side."
"Whatever you think is best," he mumbled.
"Come along, and I'll take you to your room." Mrs. Gentry turned on her heel and marched off.
With a quick look at me, Asa hurried after her.