“Because he was a bastard,” Andreas reasoned.  “He treated you like some filthy slave.  He hurt you.  He let others hurt you and did nothing, said nothing.  You have to realize that you’re worth more than that, Alex.  You don’t have to take being pulled around and shoved down.  This whole thing… it’s just one great big fucked up Cinderella story, and I’m going to get you out of it.”  He placed his hand to the side of Alex’s face and sighed.  He was so damned beautiful.  It was the same curse that had doomed Andreas when he was young, but it seemed to also be the gift that had led to Alex’s salvation.<br/><br/>“All you have to do is let me help you.  I’m smarter than I look, I promise,” he teased, trying to lighten the mood a little.  “I can make it to where no one will come looking for you.  We’ll make you a new identity.  I’ll take you somewhere safe where you can smell the ocean and feel the wind in your hair.  You’ll be free, Alex.  You can do whatever you want with your life.  Even if that means you just want me to spoil and pamper you… I can do that,” he offered.