Milo shook his head quickly. "Thank you, sir. But I'll stay here."
Alben fell silent for a moment. Was Milo really stupid enough to refuse his offer?
But the young man had just turned it down.
"I must have misheard. You mean you don't want to stay here, right?"
Milo shook his head again. "No, I want to stay here. I like training with the others. I want to be strong."
Alben opened his mouth, not understanding what kind of foolishness this was. "Milo, sweetheart, you don't need to be afraid of Salvatore. I'll protect you from him!"
Milo gulped. He shook his head again. The image from last night, how the man had touched him like a prostitute, made his body shiver.
He was sure Alben would touch and use him every night. Who would offer such a good thing without asking for anything in return?
Alben didn't give up. "I can give you money. A lot!"
Milo looked at him. He thought about it for exactly one second.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't want it."
