HIDE

EPISODE 32 - ARE WE SAFE?

Brandon's thought was going crazy. He was deeply worried about Wilson, but there was no need to get paranoid about the situation. Right? 

A wry smile curled Wilson’s lips. “I get you are worried about me, but there are some wounds that are just too painful to open up. I am not exactly in a position to travel down memory lane. I hope you can respect that for me.”

Brandon pursed his lips, wondering. “Absolutely. But if I may ask, was it worth it? I mean, leaving your family behind and everyone else who needed you?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Wilson said, without looking at him. “The Giant need me at the first instance. And even the sister that once care about me, turned on me, choosing our monster of a father over me. I was alone for a long time, and I got to build tall walls around my heart.”

Brandon thought about it for a moment. “Wait,” he said. “Is that why you accepted Aldo’s invitation? That’s why you were worried, right? Because you knew he was dating Jacob Ford and there was a chance he knew about the entire truth”

Brandon gave a nod, stepping closer to him. “I had to find out what he knew—and what he wanted if he knew that.”

That made sense. Except…

“But wasn’t it risky for Aldo to invite you to Italy if he suspected that you were actually at odds with your family? He could have chosen literally any country but your home country.”

Wilson shook his head. “He knew I wouldn’t have accepted the invitation if he invited me somewhere else. The other businessmen invited to the villa were additional assurance that I wasn’t walking into a trap. Aldo’s willingness to put himself at a disadvantage made it obvious that he wanted something badly enough to want my cooperation. That’s why I risked it.”

“Jacob hinted that Aldo wants your help with your father.”

Wilson c****d his head slightly, a twisted smile curling his lips. “And if I don’t cooperate, he’ll use me as a bargaining chip against my family now that he has me as his ‘guest.’”

Brandon opened his mouth to ask him to stop being a cynical asshole, but then stopped, realizing that he didn’t know Aldo Massimo, and it was entirely possible. The invitation might have been a setup, and they were hostages in a fancy mansion.“

Shit,” he whispered, looking around, suddenly paranoid. “Are we in danger?”

“You? Not really.” Wilson's smile widened. “Unless Aldo gets the brilliant idea that we’re in love too.”

Brandon glowered at him, not amused at all. “It’s not funny. This could be dangerous! Aren’t you afraid at all?”

“Come on, love,” Wilson said gently, his gaze as mock-affectionate as his tone. “Don’t you trust me?”

“Ugh, you’re such an ass!” Brandon said, pushing at Wilson’s chest in frustration. “You would easily give me up for your safety. Or, have I somehow managed to bring down the fancy walls around your heart?”

Wilson caught his fist in a tight grip. “You’re forgetting yourself,” he said, his voice very soft. “I’m still your boss.”

Brandon rolled his eyes. “I’ll start treating you like my boss when you stop f*****g my mouth. Here, you are my boyfriend and not my boss.” He huffed. “I’m serious, Wilson. I didn’t sign up for this. You may not be scared, but I am, okay?”