Groom Wars

61. Ending

Leandro met Cara in her office the following morning. There were dark circles beneath her eyes that she hadn't bothered to hide with makeup.

As Leandro sat, Cara said, "While you and the other Dryads will be compensated for what you suffered in the attack. The fact remains that people on the other side received worse injuries than the few scratches you bear, and they'll be a pain in my ass moving forward. Luckily, no one died, but you will have to send out a written apology to them and their families, especially those who are now paralyzed."

A small smile played on Leandro's lips.

Cara said, "It's nothing to laugh about. Something told me the attack would happen in my absence, but the investors wouldn't wait a few hours to meet, and I'm a woman; at the very least, I have to adjust to their schedules. But my problems with men are not what we're here to discuss; you and I have two problems moving forward.

"First, some of our footage has been corrupted, so we have nothing to paint Lord Columbia as the mastermind of this attack. And second, Duke Columbia is one of our major investors, and he has asked us to excuse his son and the others involved, saying that it was just a prank that took a bad turn. So, while I may think differently, the other producers, directors and writers have voted to accept the ludicrous statement. To further fight with them would put me in danger."

Leandro asked, "So if we had died, then what? Would it have been chalked up to just a bad prank?"

"You didn't die. You survived. And right now, you and the other Dryads have shown the duke your resilience. You have become an unsightly scar, and until you disband and accept his son as your superior, there will be more attacks."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Cara said.

Adriel poked his head in. He blushed, then told Cara, "I was wondering if I could speak to you alone?"

Adriel's words set off warning bells in Leandro's head. Was Adriel going to request Cara's help in getting rid of Leandro? Was there no way to stop Adriel from abandoning him? Leandro's fist knocked his knee.

Cara smiled at Adriel. "Last night must have scared you quite a bit."

Adriel said, "I'm stronger than I look."

"Even the strong feel fear," Cara said pleasantly.

Adriel stared at Leandro, waiting for him to leave.

Leandro said, "I can stay. You can both pretend I'm a ghost."

Cara told Leandro, "Please leave. You'll see Adriel later; you have my word."

With great effort, Leandro rose from his seat, bowed to Adriel, and as he met the boy's eyes while straightening his torso, he gave Adriel a firm nod.

Adriel returned the gesture but did nothing more than continue to watch Leandro with sad eyes.

As a pain stirred his chest, Leandro opened the door, went into the hall, and both Cara and Adriel watched as the door closed, and Leandro was shut off from their sight. Leandro considered hanging around and listening, but he was a gentleman and had his principles, so he didn't bother to eavesdrop.

***

The time to leave had arrived. The remaining Dryads were unhappy that the offenders wouldn't be charged but happy about the slight increase in their pay. They conversed joyfully while packing their clothes. With his shirt unbuttoned, Mike hugged Adriel and kissed the boy's cheek. As Mike walked past Leandro, who was standing nearby, Leandro caught the boy's wrist and said, "Watch where you're going."

Mike whispered, "Sorry." But his smirk suggested otherwise. He removed Leandro's hand from his wrist and went over to his bunk while buttoning his shirt.

Adriel stooped down and zipped his suitcase. While there were no cameramen at the moment, the surveillance cameras watched them keenly. Sensing Leandro's gaze, Adriel raised his head and gave Leandro a shy grin. Adriel fumbled with the zipper of his black parka, and Leandro went over to help him.

With his hand grasping the metal tab, Leandro watched Adriel beneath him, noticing his fluttering black lashes, the faint blush on his cheeks, the reddening of his ears. Adriel tilted his head back to meet Leandro's gaze. Leandro focused on the rise of Adriel's nose, then the parting of Adriel's lips as he took a breath.

Leandro said, "It got caught on your shirt." He freed the throat of the slider and pulled the zipper closed. "Want me to carry your suitcases?"

"It's fine," Adriel said, but Leandro had already grabbed both handles and wheeled them towards the door. Adriel followed behind him, wearing his bag pack and carrying the stuffed dinosaur, drawing a few gazes as the boys trudged through the crowded halls. Outside, everything was covered with snow's white touch. The trees and their branches. The grass. The roof.

Snow melt glistened on the shovelled driveway. They found the chauffeur who held Adriel's name on a black sign. This was goodbye. Leandro glanced at Adriel waiting behind him, head bowed. Were they alright? Or did Adriel want to break up again? Whatever it was, it was left unsaid under the watchful gazes of the staff and everyone surrounding them.

Players loaded their luggage and said goodbye to the friends they had made. The annoying Diego sighted Adriel. Wearing his fur-lined hood, Diego abandoned his car, leaving the trunk open, and came to meet them. Adriel and Diego hugged, then Diego said, "Where did you get that dinosaur from? I haven't seen you with it before."

"I don't know," Adriel said, "It just appeared one day, and I decided I would keep it." He smiled at Leandro.

Diego froze, watching as Lord Quebec got into his car.

Leandro had never heard Lord Quebec talk more than a few words, but the marquess had been known to force his party members to have sex with him. He had also been known to beat and verbally abuse them. Leandro glanced at the taut expression on Diego's face. Saw the hatred darken the boy's blue eyes.

The limousines that had left earlier had driven nearly back-to-back, but Lord Quebec felt the need to distance himself from the other contestants. Show his superiority. All other vehicles were told to wait while he drove away. Diego dipped his hand into his pocket and whispered, "Fucking nobles. They think everyone wants to eat out of their stinking hands. I can't wait to—" Diego paused, remembering where he was and the cameras surrounding them.

Diego cleared his throat and turned back to Adriel. "We have to hang out during the break."

Adriel nodded. He hadn't said much all day and seemed content remaining silent, but Leandro was troubled because he couldn't decipher the boy's thoughts.

While saying goodbye, Diego and Adriel embraced a little too long for Leandro's liking, but he didn't complain. Instead, Leandro waited for them to part, then told Adriel, "I'll see you soon." They had a two-week vacation before the show resumed. Two weeks to sort out the muddled feelings that threatened their love and two weeks to come up with a plan to fool the rest of the nation if they decide to stay together.

***