Jack backed up away from the open bathroom door to stay slightly hidden as Mark bitterly snapped back. "I won't let you take him"! Declan smirked, folding the paper back up and gesturing to the Masters around him, before stating calmly. "That is why they are here, Mark". Declan rose to his feet as Mark looked over the four other Masters, then told Declan seriously. "You're a businessman, Declan. I get it. You spent a fortune on Jack and when you didn't get him... You felt like you lost an important investment. I get it. So, whatever you paid for him... I'll match if not double". Declan's smirk vanished, taking on a more professional look as he asked curiously. "Even if I accepted that offer. Where would you get that kind of money, Mark? You're a wealthy Youtuber, but even you don't make enough to cover what I paid for him". 

Mark lowered his eyes to the carpet, mumbling out reluctantly. "Give me three days. I'll... I'll put on a charity live stream. I promise you that I can get your money back". Declan glanced at one of the Masters, casually stating out to Mark. "I would be inclined to accept... but in the meantime...". Declan waved his hand in a circle and the Masters started to fan out across the room. They were searching for him. Mark staggered up onto his feet, asking in a bit of a rush. "Wait. If you allow him to go with me. I know I can reach the goal. With both our fans watching we can-". Declan raised a hand to stop him, saying firmly back. "And just think how much they will pay to get him back... When he's NOT with you. Don't make this harder on yourself. This is only slightly personal".

Mark snuck a glance toward the bathroom as a Master started to venture closer to it, but pleaded with Declan. "Please... You've gotten the academy back. Other than the money, why do you want him? He won't make you happy". Declan scoffed lightly, smirking to Mark as he shot back. "You're worried about him. So, make this easier on both of you. You call him out here and tell him to behave. You do that... and I'll give you my word that I won't hurt him. But only as long as he behaves. Agreed"? Mark shifted uncomfortably, asking nervously. "How do I know you'll keep your word"? Declan raised his hand to remove his gold ring, then held it out for Mark to take, stating seriously. "My father gave this to me. It means more to me than your Irish Hound. You get my money and bring this back... I'll dismiss any bad blood between us. Fail to do either and... Ты больше его не увидишь".

Jack raised an eyebrow curiously. He didn't know until just now that Declan was Russian. Mark didn't appear to understand what Declan had said to him. Even still, Mark hesitantly began to reach for the ring. Jack wasn't sure he wanted this to happen. He didn't want to go with Declan. Bursting from the bathroom, Jack tried to make a mad dash for the door. They couldn't bargain if he took himself out of the equation. He had waited too long though. Upon bursting from the bathroom, one of the Masters managed to wrap an arm around his waist. He was about to break from his grip, when another Master rushed in to help restrain him. They took ahold of his arms at the elbow, kicking the backs of his knees until he went down. The second he fell to his knees, they raised his wrists high behind him, pushing his shoulders forward. The position didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable and surprisingly worked well to keep him still.

Mark jerked he hand back, starting to head for Jack, when the other two Masters moved in to grab Mark's arms firmly. Declan strolled slowly out to stand between them, seriously telling Mark aloud. "My offer still stands, Mark. If I were you, I'd take it. You won't be getting a better offer". Jack looked up into Mark's eyes, feeling twisted inside. He didn't trust Declan... but Mark had saved him last time. If Mark could get away... Maybe there was a chance he could find a way to save him again. Mark's eyes drifted from Jack to the ring in Declan's hand, asking very softly. "Alright, Declan. You win". Declan shrugged, stating bluntly. "I usually do". The Masters released Mark's arms and he reached out to take the ring, mumbling out. "Three days and You'll have your money. Just let me say goodbye".

Declan crossed his arms, telling Mark honestly. "By all means. Go on ahead. I never said you couldn't visit him". Jack's heart skipped. He would be a prisoner with the privilege of visits? That alone made this situation a bit more bearable. Mark kneeled down in front of Jack, cupping his face as he pressed his forehead to his. In a deep voiced whisper, Mark told him confidently. "Don't give him a reason to hurt you. Please... Just hang in there for me. I'll get you back, I promise". Jack strained against the men holding him to kiss Mark, before muttering out a little shakily. "You better. Mark...". Jack had so much that he wanted to say and yet he couldn't get it all out at once. The fear was creeping up on him. Mark kissed him again, whispering against his lips. "I love you too. I'll be back tonight". Mark's hands shook against Jack's face, but he reluctantly pulled away. As Mark started to head for the door, Jack's heart began to ache.

He didn't want to be alone with Declan. He felt safer with Mark around. When Mark reached the door, Declan called out to him lightly. "Mark, wait a minute". Mark froze in the doorway, reluctantly looking back. Declan walked over to stand beside Jack. Jack lowered his eyes to the carpet, he didn't want to see what Declan was going to do to possibly hurt Mark. His heart wouldn't be able to take it. Declan's fingers brushed over the back of his neck, forcing Jack to cringe. Declan's touch was cold and unfeeling. He didn't want to be touched by him. It wasn't until his collar came free that Jack felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. Declan held his collar up for Mark to see, then tossed it into the trash can. Mark straightened up with an expressionless look as Declan shot back at him. "Keep this in mind should you fail, Mark. You may manage to buy him back... but a dog still can't own a dog". Mark let out a sigh, then left out the door without a word.

Declan waited a few minutes after Mark left to tell the Master's standing around. "Когда он вернется ... Сдерживай его". Jack looked up at Declan with narrowed eyes. He didn't know what he had said, but the way he had said it was unnerving. He could just feel that something was wrong. Declan made this too easy. Declan's eyes drifted down on him, saying clearly for him. "You should lower your eyes, dog. I wouldn't want to have to get my hands dirty already. Not after all the trouble, I just went through". Declan moved to a wall beside the bathroom, pressing in a panel that Jack didn't even know existed. The panel flipped to reveal a code pad with writing in Russian. When one of the Masters pointed that out, Declan told them bluntly while typing in a code. "This used to my old room. A present from Orson's mother, when I went from dog to Master".

Jack thought that through and cringed. Declan was Orson's mother's dog... who became a Master to her son? The code went through and things around the room began to open up. The big one being the ceiling. It slid away like one large panel, revealing a metal track that circled the entire room and a large steel pulley with a plastic covered cable cord. Declan opened a toy chest then to remove a thin steel collar. Jack struggled a bit against the Masters as Declan moved in to clip the cold collar around his neck and attached it to the hanging cable cord. He even locked it all together with a small padlock. Taking a step back and hanging the key around his neck, Declan waved the Masters away, saying casually. "You can release him now. He can't leave this room".

Declan escorted the Masters out, paying them from his wallet. When he closed the door, he gestured to the ceiling track, telling Jack calmly. "Consider yourself a puppy on a leash. You can wander only the lengths of this room and the bathroom. Otherwise, you've got nowhere to go". Jack stood up from the floor and found that the cable cord retracted to keep itself up and out of the way. Declan moved closer to him and Jack instinctively backed up a step or two. Declan's response was to firmly grab his arm, yanking him closer. Jack turned his head away, staring at the carpet. He could be good for Mark, but that didn't mean he was going to give Declan what he wanted either. Declan's lips brushed over his shoulder, making Jack clench his jaw and shiver with disgust.

Declan's breath violated his skin as he whispered to him in a low tone voice. "You smell good. However...". Jack slightly turned his head to peer out of the corner of his eyes, watching Declan's free hand trace a finger across the red marks that Mark had left along his shoulder and the nape of his neck. When Declan caught him looking, they locked eyes and Declan told him sinisterly. "These look recent. Did I interrupt you two in the shower"? Jack turned to look straight ahead, stating bluntly. "We finished". Declan flashed him a smirk, then leaned in to whisper to him seductively. "приятно слышать". Jack leaned away, but Declan simply moved off, asking curiously. "I can't imagine how he plays with you. It must be so... tame". Declan moved back toward the key pad on the wall to type in another code and Jack found himself sneaking up behind him.

If he managed to knock Declan out and take the key... He could run to Mark. Declan's code went through and he popped open a wall safe. Jack took Mark's abandoned drinking glass and raised it high to strike Declan. When Declan suddenly shut the safe loudly, turning to tell him bluntly. "You're not the first one to try that. Just know that unless you know the code... You'll never get the key from the safe". Jack still held the glass high at the ready, watching Declan pull his shirt collar away to reveal a red line across his neck, but no chain. Declan had yanked it off to stash it away. Jack lowered his hand, letting the glass drop to the carpet. Declan then moved in closer to sternly snap back. "That little stunt will cost you. I think it's time you see what kind of Master I am". To Be Continued... 

Translations in order :  "Ты больше его не увидишь" (Russian) = You will not see him again.  "Когда он вернется ... Сдерживай его" (Russian) = When he comes back... Restrain him.  "приятно слышать" (Russian) = Nice to hear.