Ever’s teeth chattered. Was he cold? He felt numb. “I don’t kn-know anything. Sh-She didn’t tell m-me anything.”
The man smiled. “See. Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Ever’s stomach churned as the man’s look went from menacing to…something else, that look men got right before they touched you like they had a claim. Something shriveled inside him as the man ran a finger over Ever’s lips. “Were you this pretty when you were on your knees for me? It was dark in that closet. You certainly smell better.”
Ever wanted to scream, wanted to cry or fight or run, but that wasn’t an option. Instead, he screwed up every ounce of courage he had and spit in the man’s face. “F-Fuck you,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
The hand around his neck squeezed, then slammed him hard into the bricks once more. “I’d cut out your tongue but you were so good at using it.” He sneered.
Ever turned his face away, squeezing his eyes shut.
“I was trying to be nice, but a pretty little piece like you…my boss could find a lot of uses for you. We could probably even auction you off to another private bidder. Though, the next one probably won’t be looking for a servant…but a slave. One who knows how to use their tongue.” He slid his hand down over Ever’s shorts, fingers dipping below his waistband. “But I can think of other parts that are less necessary.”
Ever squirmed in his grip. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
“Are you actually trying to fight me?” The man laughed in his face. “You weren’t this foul-mouthed the last time we met.”
Ever went limp, closing his eyes. The man was right. He was taller, stronger, bigger. It was less painful when he didn’t fight. He squeezed his eyes shut and just thought of Arsen. Would he be mad? Would he hate him for letting this happen?
He stood there, dancing on a knife edge, waiting for an attack that never came. Instead, there was a nauseating crunch and a sickening wet sound Ever could only hear because the man was so close. Close enough for Ever to feel the spray of saliva when the man made a gurgling sound like he was drowning.
Ever’s eyes flew open.
The man was staring, wide-eyed, his mouth contorted in some sort of horror movie grimace. Arsen was behind him, his eyes narrowed, his mouth twisted into a hard line. Ever could feel his rage, and he watched as Arsen’s hand twisted, grunting with the effort of whatever he did.
Something inside Ever died. Arsen was furious. Arsen would hate him now. His happy life was over in an instant, once again thanks to Jennika. Some people really didn’t get happy endings. Real life wasn’t like the movies.
The man slumped, then crumpled to the floor in a heap. Ever blinked, trying to take in what was happening as he convulsed on the ground, fluid still bubbling from his mouth as a pool of liquid formed behind his head.
“Ever!”
Ever heard his name, but it sounded a million miles away. He wanted to look at Arsen, but he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from the…twitching. What could make somebody do that? His eyes were still open but…vacant. Had he just suddenly had a seizure? Could the universe have granted Ever that gift?
Arsen’s hands were on his shoulders, shaking him. “Ever? Ever? Ever, baby,malysh, talk to me. Did he hurt you? Did he touch you? Are you okay?”
The jarring motion shook Ever from his stupor, but it still felt like he talked to Arsen through a thick pane of glass. “I’m sorry.”
Arsen’s brows knitted together, and he gathered Ever into his arms, hugging him until he thought his ribs might break. “Sorry? For what? Why are you sorry?” He pushed him back enough to look him over. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”
Ever opened his mouth to say he was fine. That was when he saw it: the screwdriver in Arsen’s hand, covered in blood and…hair? He looked down at the body on the ground. And it was just a body. The man was dead. There was no shaking or twitching anymore, just stillness and a cold, vacant stare, like the fish Ever used to buy at the market.
A giggle bubbled from his lips, just like the fluid had bubbled from the man’s. He’d kind of looked like a fish. He pressed the palm of his hand to his mouth, worried if he didn’t he’d start laughing and never stop.
“Ever?”
Arsen had killed him. Arsen had somehow used that screwdriver to kill him. To protect Ever.
“I-Is he dead?” he asked, already knowing the answer but needing to hear it out loud.
Arsen nodded. “I saw him on you, scaring you,touchingyou, and…”
Ever’s gaze found his. “And?” he asked dully.
Arsen stepped into Ever’s space. “And nobody hurts what’s mine.”
“I’m…yours?”
Arsen looked at him like it was silly of him to even ask. “Of course, you are. Didn’t you say that’s what you wanted?” Ever just stared, willing his brain to just…comprehend something. But it felt like every word, every action, was just bouncing off some impenetrable shield.
When Arsen looked at Ever’s face, he took a step back, dropping the screwdriver. “I understand if you don’t want to be with me after this. Knowing I kill people and watching me kill people aren’t the—”
