“I’ve set some things up for us over in Mexico and if all goes well, we’ll have a chance to start over. No more foolishness. No moreElijah.I’m going to straighten your fucking ass out.”
He sniffs, rubbing his hand under his nose, before going back to cutting another line.
So which is it? Does he hate me so much he wants to punish me or he hates me so much he wants to fix me? His words don’t make any sense.
Oh, fuck this.
Before I can think better of it, my mouth starts running. “You think I’m going anywhere with you!? You’re fucking mental. Look at you! You’re a mess. You’re on the fucking run and you think you’ll be able to getacross the border? You’re insane—”
His eyes go big as he grips his gun in his hand. That’s when I know I’ve said too much.
But before I can shut my mouth, he closes the distance between us in two strides. All of a sudden, a blinding pain hits me right in the eye, sending a crack whistling through the air. All I see is white as I fall onto the bed.
“Fuck!” I hiss, grabbing my forehead.
Motherfuckerpistol whippedme.
I crumble into a ball, rubbing the sting on my eyebrow with my palm. It’s not long before I smell and taste metallic. Taking my hand away, crimson red covers my shaking fingers.
“You fuckinghitme.” I groan, falling back. Everything is a little hazy as I try to regain my bearings.
Derrick lowers into a crouch, meeting me at eye level. The reek of alcohol on his breath makes my stomach churn. “You think you’reuntouchable. Just because I haven’t hurt you yet doesn’t mean I won’t.” He lifts my head with one hand, and it sways slightly as I try to focus. Everything blurs as he waves the gun at me like it’s a pointer finger. In a calm, chilling voice, he says, “From now on, when you speak to me, you speak to me with respect. Understand?”
I focus on breathing as I hold my head up, trying to ignore the pain throbbing on my eyebrow.
I nod my head. If only to satisfy him so he doesn’t hit me again.
His eyes trace my face like he’s trying to inspect me. “I don’t want to have to hurt you, but you’ve always been sodamn stubborn.”He grits out, squeezing my hair tight at the back of my head. “I feel like it’s the only way you know how to listen. Youmake medo it, don’t you see?”
He shakes his head, looking down at the gun in his right hand. “Everything I did was to protect you and now look where that’s gotten me.” He kisses his teeth, throwing my head backwards as he stands up. “You owe it to me to listen. This all started with you and it’ll end with you.” He straightens up, fixing his messy shirt.
I swallow harshly. “So, what? You’re gonna kill me?”
He shakes his head, stuffing his gun into the waistband of his pants. “If I was a weak man, that would be the simple option. But, unlike you,I’mnot weak.Idon’t give up. I know I can fix you.” He whips open the bag I brought him and starts shifting through the clothes I brought for him. Taking out a plaid shirt, I see him smile cheerfully. What a weirdo.
“If I get you out of this town and away from thatlittle shit,I can still save you.” He walks over to the mini fridge in the room and cracks open a little bottle before downing the whole thing. Walking back over to the duffel bag, he rummages around the cash I had to take out fromthe work safe. “I’m going to take this as an opportunity to teach you a veryvaluablelesson.” He mutters.
“And what’s that?”
His hand clasps around my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. “All we have in this world is each other. No one ever is going to love you like I do. I own you. I’llalwaysown you and without me, you have nothing. Youarenothing.”
I grit my teeth, feeling the pain ripple through my chest. “You’rewrong.You don’t love me at all. This isn’t what love feels like.”
A wicked smile spreads on his face as he pumps up his chest. “You think that’s love between you and him? Nah, you’re all fucked in the head because he’s poisoned your brain. Him and that fruity father of his. Once we get to Mexico, I’ll get you a nice woman and you’ll see what love feels like.” He nods.
The homophobia makes my teeth hurt. Everything in me wants to lash out but the throbbing pain in my head reminds me what’ll happen if I do.
“Nah. You’re mine, boy. We’ll see at the end of the day who you’ll run to once he leaves you. I’ll be the only one for you to turn to.” He smiles. “Now get out of here. I’m sick of seeing your face.” He spits, dragging me to my feet and pushing me toward the door.
I waste no time, heading to the exit.
“Oh, and Toby?” he calls out.
I don’t want to but I stop. My fingers on the doorknob, praying this moment would end.
“Enjoy what little time you have left with him. Because it’ll be your last.” His eyes narrow as if trying to tell me a cryptic message. “You understand?” His voice is low and mean.
The threat lands. I’m fuckingscaredand I hate myself for it.
