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Mark became revolted at the memory and swallowed black water in his throat. “But , although I told Steven all we did was chat , Steven has assumed the worst.”
    “And? What am I suppos ed to assume? What’s Jack assuming , or does he know?”
    Mark hadn ’ t told anyone that he had sex with Randy. Sex to ensure his baby boy was not released from the contract and would star in his first feature film. To keep Alex happy and successful, Mark would cut off his arms and legs … he would die.
    “Mark?” Adam gave Mark a slight shake to get him to talk.
    “So…” Mark pretended to be indignant , but he was suffering, “Steven has a chip on his shoulder. Just so you understand.”
    “He and that asshole c aptain are responsible for this. ” Adam’s voice began to betray his anger. “And he has the nerve to carry a chip ? ” Adam spun around as if he meant to confront Steve now.
    Mark grabbed after him.
    Adam stood still, looking at Mark.
    “They meant to protect my baby boy.” Mark caressed Adam’s cheek. “They love him.”
    “Too much. At your expense.” Adam showed his teeth. “I hate it. You mean more to me. You!”
    “Adam.” Mark cupped his jaw.
    “Jack and Steve are so fucking jealous of Billy I could kick their goddamn asses.”
    Mark flinche d at hearing it spoken aloud. Ever since Alexander showed up on Mark and Steve’s door step at eighteen years of age, Mark’s life had been turned upside down.
    What was he to do? Compete with Alex? Mark had just turned forty-two last November. He could not compete with his son! And he refused to allow the jealousy to tear him and his beloved boy apart.
    “Adam.” Mark tried not to collapse to the floor he was so exhausted. “Leave it. All of it. It’s past. Nothing can be done. My baby is doing his film in Rome. He will be my shining star.”
    “Yeah?” Adam was still fuming, snarling. “And Steve? Blaming you for having to fix the shit he and that idiot captain did?”
    “No. Not blaming. Suffering.” Mark dabbed at his eyes.
    “So you fucked Randy?”
    Mark didn’t answer. He couldn’t put the words out there to be verified.
    “Did he fuck you? Suck you?” Adam began to get as enraged as Steve had been, still was. “Does Jack know?”
    Mark, shaking, reached into his pocket and removed a vial.
    The moment Adam saw it, he pushed Mark’s hand back into his pocket. “I’m sorry. Mark. It’s okay. You’re right. It’s done. Okay? Baby. I love you. I love you.” Adam held him, kissing Mark’s cheek and neck.
    Mark felt him trying to get at the vial, but Mark had it clenched in his fist inside his pocket. Nearly t hirty pills.
    Adam released his grip on Mark’s hand and stepped back. “Eat a little.” He reached out for Mark.
    Mark said, “I have a shoot next week.”
    Adam put his arm around Mark and led him down the hall to the stairs. “We’ll find something low in calorie s .”
    Mark said nothing, looking down from the top floor at the estate s ’ interior . It was not the same. He recognized nothing.
    ~
    Jack stood beside Steve as the men ate from the gourmet buffet and drank expensive booze.
    “Think we made enough of an appearance?” Steve said quietly to Jack. They each held a glass of whiskey in their hand.
    “I’m too tired for the fucking fight with Adam if we leave .” Jack noticed both Adam and Mark enter the kitchen. Even the breakfast nook had been removed, opening the space to one enormous area, complete with new white marble floors and counters. Yes, the view of the back swimming pool was still there, but Ewan and Jason would never think of removing it. Or the basketball court, or the stables…
    Steve reacted immediately, setting his glass down and approaching Mark.
    The age old battle had begun , Mark and food.
    Jack sipped his drink, feeling detached at the moment, listening to something Steve had said, which disturbed him. Something had happened when Mark had gone to see Randy Dawson? It wasn’t a chat