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“When we go out there, I’ to look around a bit to see if there are any doors leading outside back here If soot turned around while trying to head back to theto look around so just stay with me and move quickly”

Aleks nodded “I will”

I wanted to hug hiht he was, but I kneas right… if he showed even any of the e, he’d break down completely

I probably would too

Or, at the very least, it would show on my face e returned to Luca

And like Aleks, I was just another piece of property out there The hired help I had a role to play just like everyone else

Since I didn’t have to worry about anyone ignoring the collar and trying to reach out and touch Aleks back here like I had in the front roo out the layout of the back part of the building There was another exit, but it too was heavily guarded by ar lost to explain our presence

“Okay, let’s head back,” I said to Aleks as we passed the bathroom we’d used

We were just rounding the corner and heading for thewith a little boy as crying The boy couldn’t have been more than nine or so

I forced , but when I heard the man say, “Aleks?” in surprise, both Aleks and I ca stop

I’d put Aleks in front of me and he’d kept his eyes doe’d passed the uy who’d called his naly pale He stepped back so fast that his back hit the wall behind hi his head violently

“No,” he breathed “No”

The word just kept falling from his lips

The e and get hiers around the little boy’s thin arm The man and boy went the way Aleks and I had come and I realized there was probably a door that led to the other side of the building where the stage was

Which ht

“The little one had a bit of stage fright,” the fucker said to one “He needed a little refresher on his training,” he added before turning his eyes to Aleks “This one never needed any refresher lessons,” he said with an obscene amount of pride