Page 31 of Vicious Titan

22

Elliot

Halloween. It’s as big of a bash as the bonfire, but I’m sitting here, passing shots to Asher while he sulks. He refuses the refilled shot I hold out to him, so I down it instead. I’d mentally prepared all day to tell him that I’m in love with Victoria. I was ready to prove to her that I will do whatever it takes to make us work. Only this time, it hadn’t been my nerves that had gotten in the way. It was everyone and everything else, but mostly small fires I had to put out with the big Halloween party. Now that it’s in full swing, I can focus all of my attention on confessing. My intention is to get him away from the main party in case he decides to deck me in the nose, only that clearly isn’t happening since a smiling Quinn walks up to Asher. He looks as shocked to see her as I am. I’d spent the better part of the week trying to convince Quinn to come to the party after Victoria cornered me early in the week, yelling that the only person she’s made friends with won’t come to any parties because of Asher and me. I never thought I was the reason, but I’m not so sure Asher is either because she’s leading him away. Welp. Plan H (I think). I’ll confess my sins to him tomorrow since his night is now occupied.

Making the rounds, I chat up a few guests, pretending to enjoy myself but the whole time I’m busy scanning the room for Victoria. And when my eyes land on her, I know they won’t be leaving her all night. The sexy pirate has my undivided attention as I take in the black corset with a lace skirt barely covering the thighs I crave to lick.

She spots me coming her way and bites back the smile peeking on her lips as she takes in my appearance. That mocking expression is much better than the annoyed look I’ve received all week. Common sense tells me I should try to gently pry away her stubborn mask as planned, but there’s no way I can approach anything gently tonight.

“I didn’t realize Tinker Bell was a pirate,” I grin, trailing my eyes over her body again.

Her hand covers her mouth as a laugh escapes at my expense. Looks like I got played. She’d known exactly why I’d asked her what she was dressing up as four days ago at school. “I don’t recall asking you to dress as Peter Pan or wear green tights.”

I snake my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me. Her eyes dart around the room and she stiffens in my embrace, a shocked look on her face. “For the love of everything holy, please let me be your wench.” Dropping my face to her neck, I tease the skin on her neck, twirling my tongue as her fingers dig into my biceps.

“What are you doing?” she whispers, pushing away from me.

“Volunteering to be your hostage … all night.”

Her cheeks are flushed as she looks around the room. I’m aware of several curious gazes watching our exchange and Victoria seems to notice the same. Everything will be confessed to Asher tomorrow, but there’s no way I can stay away from her tonight.

“You’re drunk,” she says, walking past me into the kitchen. She grabs a shot Wade passes to her as he whoops in approval of her sexy costume.

The pissed-off look I send his way is lost on him as he hands her another shot, which she downs before hopping up to sit on the counter. “Just trying to catch up because you are way past gone.”

She still doesn’t believe I won’t chicken out. Once again, I’ll let my actions show what my words can’t convey because I’m not backing down this time.

Stroking my palms up her bare thighs, I push her legs apart, moving between them as my hands skim around to grip her ass, pulling her to the edge of the counter. “Yes. For you.” I flick my tongue over her mouth, parting her lips as I kiss her, eager to get her out of the alluring pirate costume and to get these green tights off. I’m sure the damn things are not concealing exactly what’s on my mind at the moment.

“Whoa!” Wade says from behind me.

“It’s about time everyone knows you’re mine, and only mine.” I’m met with her stunned silence. Can’t say that I’m not shocked by my own boldness, but I said I’d prove it to her and I intend to follow through.

Grabbing her hand, I help her hop off the counter, slightly in awe of the fact that I believe I’ve shocked her into silence. I’ve never known Victoria to be at a loss for words when it comes to telling me exactly what’s on her mind.

“Let’s go upstairs.”

Walking through the crowd, I keep her hand in mine until we reach the staircase. Then I guide her in front of me so I can enjoy the view of her ass as we make our way up the main staircase that leads to my bedroom, the only place I want to be right now. She halts on the landing as I move to the side to keep from bumping into her. Following her gaze, I see Grant’s smirking face, his sleazy eyes studying Victoria’s body while a blonde has her face tucked against his neck—Allison, of course. His hands grip Allison’s ass and he winks suggestively at Victoria, only noticing me when I step in front of her at that moment.

What the fuck is he even doing here? “Everyone’s invited” doesn’t include him, which he’s been informed of, and evidently needs to be reminded of. Charging forward, I pry Allison off of Grant, and my hand immediately clutches his throat, pinning him against the wall. “I warned you to not look her way again. I made it clear you weren’t welcome here or anywhere she is in attendance. Now, you’re in my house, you pansy-ass bitch, and you are about to pay the price.”

“Elliot, please don’t.” Victoria clings to my arm, attempting to jerk me back, but I keep Grant pinned against the wall, unable to release him. Clearly, the last ass whooping he’d been handed hadn’t delivered the message strongly enough. He’s still taunting her, thinking I wouldn’t see it. What else has he done that I’m unaware of? “Please, I’m begging you. For me, not him.”

Damn it. If I give him the beating he deserves, it will push her further away. Releasing slightly, I slam him back into the wall. I won’t pummel his face again, as he deserves, but he will leave her alone once and for all. “Do not show your face again in her presence. If you see her, run the other way. If there’s a party she might consider attending, you won’t. Because next time, no one will stop me from kicking your ass. Again.”

He nods in agreement, gasping for air but I’m not done. I can’t let go just yet.

Releasing his neck slightly, he chokes, sucking in air as I command, “Apologize. Now. Tell her you’re a sorry piece of shit, and will never lay a hand or even catch sight of her again.”

He remains silent so my grip tightens, and I slam him into the wall as Allison lets out a dramatic scream, pleading with me to release her cumbubble.

“Say it. Beg for her forgiveness … for all of it and tell her how you’re going to earn it.”

His frightened eyes meet Victoria’s as he chokes out, “Sorry for everything. I’ll delete the picture.”

My hand squeezes his throat, pulling him to me as I growl in his face. “What picture?”

He gives Victoria a panicked look, realizing he’s just confessed to something I hadn’t been aware of. As I look over my shoulder at her, I notice her body trembling, her face pale. “What picture?”