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for your help. We must be on our way.”
    “Sure thing, mac. You need to find any other lookers, ya let me know. I can matchmake with the best a them.”
    Saul had heard enough. He needed to take care of things with Linus then get to work on the next step. As soon as he’d heard from Kenneth that he wanted to leave Preston, it was all Saul had been able to think about.
    “I will surely keep that in mind. Good day to you.”
    The man waved them off. “Likewise and all that.”
    Fortunately they were only traveling up one floor, as the rickety place they were in had no elevators. They easily found the door they sought and Saul knocked with what had been perhaps too much force, judging by the frown Aaron gave him.
    He stepped closer to Saul, whispering, “He’s already fearful. Let’s not make him faint away.”
    “Sorry, old sport. I’m a bit anxious I suppose.”
    They could hear some shuffling going on from within the room. Given the type of establishment it was, there could be many men sharing the one sleeping area. Aaron knocked again, much gentler than Saul had been.
    “Who the feckin’ hell is bangin’ on our door at the feckin’ crack o’ dawn?”
    Saul arched his eyebrows at Aaron, since it was well past noon. He cleared his throat. “We need to speak with Linus Sullivan. It’s very important. We’re here to help him.”
    There was some mumbling between at least two people that Saul couldn’t discern, then the same voice from before yelled out. “Ah, sweet holy Jesus . Go see what they want, Linus! I needs me beauty rest for the Johnson brothers later. They don’t take so well to me not being extra frisky and I needs me doss paid for.”
    Saul and Aaron exchanged glances. Saul could only imagine that Aaron was thinking the same thing. Once they got Linus and Kenneth situated, they would make sure that none of the Hampton Club boys resided in such conditions ever again.
    The door cracked open in the slightest, and the sweet face of Linus peeked out. As soon as he saw them, he yelped and tried to shut them out. Aaron wedged his body in the frame, preventing Linus from closing the door.
    “No! I won’t go back! I never want to see that awful place again!”
    Saul’s heart broke at the young man’s terrified words. What had he done by allowing Preston Cornwall into the halls of Hampton Road?
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Dear boy, we’re not here to harm you. We’re here to help you.”
    As Linus was no match for Aaron in physical strength or size, he gave up. He didn’t move to allow them in or come out in the hall either.
    “I don’t understand. Help me with what?”
    Saul maintained eye contact with him, inwardly pleased that Linus was refusing to lower his gaze. It was likely the only way the scared young man could convey that he wasn’t going to be bullied.
    “We heard from one of the other submissives that you were very upset when you left the club last night, that they thought you’d been crying. Is that true?”
    Linus seemed to relax somewhat, but kept a wary expression. “I might have been a little upset. But why should you care?”
    “Because Master Aaron and I are two of the men who head up Hampton Road and it’s very important to us that anyone who goes there is safe and happy. We’re worried that something might have happened to you that goes against our standards for the club.”
    Linus chewed on the side of his bottom lip. “I…I can’t talk about what happened. You seem like nice men, but I think its best that I just don’t go back.”
    Saul couldn’t stand it any longer. “Did Preston Cornwall hurt you?”
    Linus gasped and that was enough to give Saul his answer.
    “Please accept our sincerest apologies for ever allowing that horrid man into the club. Whatever he did to you, we want to guarantee that it never happens to anyone else again.”
    Tears spilled from Linus’ eyes. “Then you have to help Kenneth. The first couple times I was summoned by Master