Owned by Blackwood

CHAPTER 2: The Offer

"Get up."

Andrew's arms shook as he tried to push himself off the wet ground. He couldn't.

Remus Blackwood watched him struggle. He didn't help. His suit was perfect, the rain sliding off it like he was in a different world.

"I can't," Andrew whispered.

"You can," Remus said, his voice hard. "Or you can lie there and die. Your choice."

The words cut through Andrew's foggy mind. He planted his hands and pushed. His legs screamed in protest, but he got one knee under him.

Just as he started to sway, Remus's hand closed around his arm. The grip was firm, solid. Warm.

"Why are you on my property?"

"I didn't mean—"

"That's not an answer."

Andrew looked up into those cold, focused eyes. "I had nowhere else to go."

Remus was silent for a moment. His expensive cologne cut through the smell of wet pavement. "What's your situation?"

Andrew almost laughed. "I'm homeless. Broke. I haven't eaten in two days. That's my situation."

"Family?"

"Gone."

"Friends?"

"None."

Without changing expression, Remus pulled him to his feet like he weighed nothing. "Come with me."

"What?"

"Come, or stay and freeze. Your choice."

Andrew stumbled after him without thinking. His legs were heavy, but he followed the man who might destroy him with a word.

A side door opened, spilling warm air into the alley. When the heat hit Andrew's frozen skin, he gasped.

They walked down clean, modern hallways. Andrew's wet shoes squeaked and left puddles on the shiny floor. Remus didn't seem to notice.

The elevator climbed. Andrew watched the numbers light up. His reflection in the doors looked pale and thin.

The doors opened to an office with huge windows. The city stretched out below, lights blurred by rain on the glass.

"Sit."

Andrew sank into a soft leather chair. It felt smoother than anything he'd touched in years.

Remus took a towel from a cabinet and threw it to him. "Dry off."

Andrew buried his face in the clean, crisp-smelling cloth. For a moment, he thought he might cry.

Remus poured amber liquid into a glass. "Drink this."

"I don't—"

"It's whiskey. It will warm you. Drink."

Andrew took the glass. The liquid burned his throat but spread warmth through his chest. He coughed.

Remus leaned against his desk, arms crossed. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-four."

"Education?"

"Some college. I couldn't finish."

"Why were you here today?"

"Job interview." Andrew's laugh was hollow. "I didn't get it."

"I know. I review all final candidates. You impressed me."

Andrew stared. "What?"

"Your answers were sharp, even though you're half-starved. Then you nearly fainted, and they rejected you."

"So why am I here?"

"Because I have an offer."

Andrew's heart hammered against his ribs. "What kind of offer?"

Remus moved to the window. His reflection was sharp against the dark sky. "I need someone. A companion."

"A companion?"

"Someone to live in my home. Go to events with me. Be available when I need them. For six months. When it's over, I'll pay all your debts and give you enough money to start over anywhere."

Andrew's mind spun. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you meet my requirements."

"Which are?"

"You're desperate. You have nothing to lose. No one who will miss you. No attachments."

The words should have hurt, but they were true.

"And you won't get attached," Remus continued. "Will you?"

"Attached to what?"

"To me. To this life. This is temporary. A business deal. Do you understand?"

Andrew's hands tightened on the glass. "What do you get from this?"

"Convenience. Control. Someone who does what they're told."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Remus took a folder from his desk and slid it over. "Read it."

Andrew opened it. His eyes skipped over the words. Six months. A place to live. Food. Clothes. And at the end—fifty thousand dollars.

Fifty thousand. He could pay debts. Finish school. Start over.

"There are rules," Remus said. "You follow my schedule. You don't question my decisions. You don't talk about what happens here. Break any rule, and the deal is off. No money."

"And if I say no?"

"Then you leave. Go back to the streets." Remus's eyes were hard. "But we both know you won't."

Andrew's throat felt tight. Part of him wanted to walk away. To tell this arrogant man to go to hell.

But that part of him had died weeks ago.

"Why me?" The question came out broken. "Why pick me?"

Remus leaned down, placing his hands on the arms of Andrew's chair. Their faces were close now.

"Because you're desperate," he said softly. "And you won't get attached."

Andrew couldn't breathe. His mind went blank.

"Do we have a deal?"

Andrew's hand shook as he picked up the pen. His signature looked small and weak on the expensive paper.

When Remus took the contract back, his fingers brushed against Andrew's. A spark of warmth shot through Andrew's arm.

"Good." Remus stood straight and took out his phone. "I'm having clothes sent up. You'll shower and change."

"When do I—"

"You're starting now."