‘I'm going to cleanse you, Eden. From the inside out.’
All my senses seem to light on fire as the ceremony flashes in my head over and over again.
I slam my eyes shut, “Samuel, Mr. Dovovan–They both–they all…”
Marcus yanks my chin to him, “Samuelwillpay. They all will.”
I snap my eyes open, “Promise?” My voice is so faint that for a second I don’t know if he heard me.
He scans my expression, as if he’s trying to tell if I truly mean it.
“I mean it, Marcus!” I roar, “They need to suffer, suffer far worse than all of us!” I slam my hands in his chest, shoving him away but he doesn’t even falter. His stance staying in place.
“I can’t live knowing that they get to live their lives as if nothing’s wrong. As if they didn’t shatter me and break all of the others. It’s not fair!” I hit his chest again, sobs breaking through me. Sadness and anger consuming me. “Promise they will, promise mehewill?” I repeat myself with moreconfidence.
He turns to the monitors then back at me.
“Elliott, you’re asking me for something I already plan to do.” He scans my face, “I made it my life's mission to take down people like them. I worked my ass off in school and in life so that I could be here, inthisposition. To take down the monsters that fed on me like they fed on you.”
My heart aches at his admission, his deep brown eyes piercing into mine. A tug in my chest emerges, like the pain is drawing me towards him. He steps into me like he feels the pull as well. His gaze flickering from my eyes to my mouth and back. He rushes towards me closing the gap in between us and my breath is taken away as his lips graze mine. He stops for a moment. I try to tell myself to run away, to turn around and leave but my body is frozen in place.
He takes a deep breath in, “I promise.” He whispers the words against my lips.
“Elliott?” His eyes close for a moment before connecting with mine again, the dark hues turning lighter. My mind is going in a million different directions, but the way he whispers my name calls for me to listen. “Tell me to stop.”
I don’t give him a reply. I don’t even remember how to form the words right now, let alone a correct response. Every inch of my body is begging him to cave in, to touch me.
“Tell me you don’t want me.” He pleads with me. “Tell me–”
“I-I can’t.” I interject through bated breaths.
He gives me one last look, his eyes hooding, “Fuck it.” He growls.
He slams his full lips on mine and my brain fizzes out. My stomach coils up and my pain latches on to his. His kiss is all consuming, demolishing any sense I had, I surrender. I wrap my arms around his neck without a thought. The vibration of his moan hits my mouth and I deepen the kiss only for him to yank away. He bolts out of the room, leaving me gasping for air and swaying on my feet.
Garbagè chirps at my feet, “Yeah, tell me about it.” I inhale deeply. Touching my lips, the heat still on them. I stand in Marcus's room still trying to process what just happened.
57
Samuel
“And you arecertainthis information is correct?”
“Yessir.” I cock my brow at Joshua, “I’m certain of it.” He tries to sound reassuring.
“Well good.” I tilt my head tightly, cracking my neck and repeating it on the other side.
“Would you like me to call him in, Mr. Donovan?” Joshua asks, standing in front of my desk.
“Yes, please do.” I smile, motioning with my hand for him to go. He turns, opening the door revealing Mr. Harris.
I rise to my feet, “Mr. Harris, thank you for coming today on such short notice. Please, sit.” I gesture to the empty chair.
“Of course, Mr. Donovan.” He gives me a full smile and takes a seat.
“As you know, Mr. Harris, we put a hold on finding you a bride because my Eden went missing.”
“Yes and I completely understand that. Hopefully I haven’t seemed impatient. My heart goes out to you for Ms. Donovan’s disappearance and I hope that she returns home safely.”
