“We’re twin souls, I believe, my dear Elliot,” Fane whispered. “Never again to be parted.”
The words were like a blow to the stomach, and they forced out a choked sob Elliot couldn’t even hide, since he couldn’t use his hands. That was all he wanted from Knight. To entwine their souls and never part.
Why wasn’t he good enough? Why wasn’t he enough?
Was he just greedy to want a man like Knight all to himself? Maybe it meant he was just like William Fane, secretly craving to trap someone?
The car slowed down, and Elliot realized they’d just approached the grim shadows of the clubhouse.
“Is everything fine, Elliot?” Knight asked, but when Elliot wanted to look at him, Fane grabbed his jaw and leaned closer so that his face filled Elliot’s entire vision.
“He doesn’t care for you like I do. What can he offer you? A spot in his bed once a week until he gets bored of fucking boys? A chance to lick his manhood once in a while? He only thinks about himself. He will never love you.”
“I’m fine,” Elliot choked out before uttering another sob that made his face hurt. He wasn’t fine. Fane was right, even if he was a horrible person himself. Elliot still put his head on Fane’s shoulder and welcomed the touch of cold fingers stroking his hair.
Fane was volatile and brutal, but also capable of the most possessive and dark kind of love. If Elliot ever gave him what he wanted, Fane would weave himself around Elliot like thorny branches digging into Elliot until Fane suffocated him with his torture-filled desires.
But no matter how much of a liar Fane was, he was right about one thing. Knight would never love Elliot.
Knight parked the car in the garage and opened the door for Elliot so fast as if he were saving Elliot from a burning vehicle. Unlike Fane’s, his hands were always warm and offered comfort to Elliot’s bleeding heart, even if only temporarily.
Elliot leaned in and allowed Knight to brush off his tears.
“He is incapable of loving anyone but himself,” Fane whispered poison behind Elliot’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Elliot mumbled, curling his shoulders. “I don’t want to be like this. I’m not a crybaby.”
Knight pulled him out of the car, careful as if Elliot were made of fine crystal. “It’s fine. You will see everything will end up fine. A hundred-percent. I told you.”
Elliot nodded, and taking deep breaths of the cool air helped his nerves calm down.
Knight gave Elliot a quick kiss and called Beast to let him know they’d arrived. They walked into the building, and Knight held his arm on Elliot’s shoulders, securing him around any uneven surfaces and stairs.
Fane followed them without a word, but he kept exhaling and humming, as if to remind Elliot of his presence.
“Just remember, Elliot, if we want to be together, you need to make them think you’re on their side. Just go with whatever he wants for now,” Fane said as they approached Knight’s apartment, walking up the stairs.
Elliot nodded, relieved at the lack of outrageous demands. He turned around at the sound of quick footsteps following them up the stairs.
“Knight! Elliot! Wait!” Laurent panted as he caught up with them. “How are things?” he asked, throwing Elliot off with the concern in his voice. He put his hand on Elliot’s back, touching him for the first time since they’d met.
Fane shuddered, his anger so powerful Elliot’s head spun. Knight’s arm was the only thing keeping him upright as his muscles buzzed to just jump on Laurent and send them both stumbling down the stairs.
“Laurent! Where do you think you’re going?” bellowed Beast, speeding into the hall below at a speed that had him bouncing off the nearest wall to change direction.
“It’s all under control,” Knight said, pulling Elliot even closer.
Laurent cleared his throat and stepped back. “I just… wanted to apologize. The exorcism was my idea, and it didn’t work. Such dreadful business, and it only ended in tragedy. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, Elliot.”
“Liar!” Fane tried to push at Laurent, but his hand went right through him. “He’s a snake!”
Laurent exhaled, ignoring his gigantic partner who was now rushing up the stairs while making ungodly noise with his boots.
Elliot swallowed, happy that Knight was holding on to a strap of his straitjacket in case Fane chose to lunge at Laurent with Elliot’s body after all. “It wasn’t your fault. I guess. You had good intentions.”
Laurent ran his fingers through the long waves of his hair, staring into Elliot’s eye. “I did not. I was only thinking about getting rid of Fane, when I should have been more considerate of your wellbeing. It wasn’t right of me, and for that I need to extend my most sincere apologies. I promise you, I will make amends for the pain you’ve been caused.”