Paladin, page 17
He’d woken just enough to feel the bed dip as Arsen curled around him, and he’d fallen back to sleep almost immediately. When he’d woken up, Arsen was already in the garage. Ever had gotten dressed and joined him.
That was how he’d forgotten his book. Ever had pouted about not getting what Arsen had promised, and Arsen had given him the dirtiest kiss and told him to be a good boy, and Ever had immediately melted into a puddle.
It was okay, though. Arsen would never use his powers for evil. Ever wasn’t so generous. Now that he’d figured out how easily Arsen gave in when Ever pouted, it was hard not to employ the device any time he wanted to get his way. Not that Arsen really ever refused him. But, sometimes, real life got in the way of Ever’s playtime.
Ever slid his feet into the oversized sandals he used just for tromping around in the garage and headed down the stairs. It was loud. Jericho had left this enormous industrial-size fan blowing, facing the open back door. He’d said it was to help get rid of some of the excess fumes from a piece of equipment he’d fixed for a friend. Ever thought Jericho only fixed cars, but Arsen said he’d fix anything that needed fixing if he knew how. Apparently, that included street sweepers. Ever knew the fumes were bad for them. Even the boys next door complained, but Ever was starting to associate some of these smells with home.
Relief spread through Ever as his gaze fell to the counter. His book was exactly where he hoped it would be, on the counter, face down, and open to the page he’d left off on. He picked it up and checked, letting his eyes scan the first paragraph, then marked it with one of the business cards sitting on the counter. If he started reading right then and there, he’d probably still be reading in the same spot when Arsen returned.
Before he could turn to go back upstairs, the hairs on his arms stood on end like there was a ghost in the room. He froze. Something was wrong. He had lived in a constant state of fight or flight his whole life. He was so hyper-aware of every microscopic shift in his environment—not because it could save him but because he could at least mentally prepare himself for whatever came next.
He didn’t want to turn around. His heart was pounding hard enough to make his mouth go dry and his head swim a little. He swallowed down the heavy sense of dread choking him, turning at a near glacial pace, already knowing things were about to get worse.
A man stood behind him, head tilted to the side, eyes cold. Ever took in a black t-shirt, black jeans, and black boots, his gaze stuttering when they fell to the badge hanging from his neck and the gun on his belt.
A police officer.
Ever let out a shuddery breath, relieved. Until he really, really looked at his face. The dark hair, the brown eyes, the slightly overlapping front teeth. Ever started to shake. He couldn’t help it. The man was close enough for Ever to smell the sour sweat and the stench of drugstore cologne.
That was what did it. The smell. That was what threw him right back into the memory. “It’s okay if you scream. I like when you fight back.”
That was what he’d said when he’d held Ever down the first time. He wasn’t the only one, but he’d been the first. Bile clawed its way up his throat. Would the man still hurt him if he threw up again? That hadn’t stopped him last time.
Where was Arsen? He must be almost home by now. He just had to wait him out. Then Arsen would be there. Arsen would save him. He just had to—
The man moved so fast, Ever didn’t have time to react. There was nowhere to go, trapped behind the counter. Maybe if he could have willed his feet to move, he could have locked himself in Jericho’s office, but his legs were cement. And he didn’t even know if the office had a lock.
When Ever’s feet did finally decide to move, he did the only thing he could think of, running at the man full speed, driving his shoulder into his chest. He just needed to stun him. To get past him. He could hide upstairs. There were locks upstairs.
When they collided, the hit jolted through him like he’d hit a wall. The man wasn’t big but he was stocky. Ever tried to get past, but he easily snatched him from behind, slapping a hand over his mouth and dragging him farther into the shop.
Ever tried to scream but there was no hearing it over the fan. The man laughed, lifting him off his feet. Ever tried kicking, biting, scratching, but it was useless. Everything went fuzzy, pain exploding in the side of his face. The man had hit him. It had to have been his fist, but it felt like a brick, making him see stars like in a cartoon.
The man slammed him into the wall, his hand around his throat, and Ever was too disoriented to even try to fight back.
The man shoved against him like he was still fighting, even though he was simply hanging there, his knees ready to give out. “Ever. Ever. Ever. You need to relax,” he hissed. “Or I’ll wait until your little gamer boyfriend comes back and let you watch while I paint his brains all over these bricks.”
Panic knifed through Ever at his words. He tried to speak but the man’s hand still covered his mouth. He blinked back tears.
“There’s no need for the hysterics,” the man said. “I just want to talk to you. If I move my hand, will you behave?” Ever’s stomach churned, but he nodded. “Good.”
The man removed his hand but still leaned against him. His breath smelled like nicotine and coffee as he panted in Ever’s face, sounding winded. “Now, I don’t know what that bitch told you about our arrangement, but I encourage you to keep your fucking mouth shut. You see how easily we found you, even without your little chip?”
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, touching you, 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—”
Ever threw himself at him, a sob escaping. Arsen’s arms closed around him again. Once the floodgates opened, Ever couldn’t stop the torrent of tears, the low, keening sounds that fell from his lips, the shudders that wracked his body. It was humiliating, but it was completely out of his control.
Arsen just held him, whispering words Ever didn’t understand until he had no more tears. By the time they stopped, Ever’s nose was stuffy, and his head hurt, his ears felt full and his eyes burned. He was exhausted in a bone-deep way he couldn’t explain. He opened his mouth to say so but all that came out was, “I’m hungry.”
Arsen stared at him for a moment then chuckled. “I got you.”
He led Ever to the counter, picking up the bag he’d dropped on the way. He sat him on the counter and handed him his sandwich and the bottle of soda from the bag. “Eat.”
Ever wasn’t sure why he’d said he was hungry. He wasn’t. But it had seemed like something…normal to say. Something to break the tension of sobbing over the dead body of the asshole who’d just threatened to rape and sell him. He watched as Arsen returned to the body, grimacing down at it. He kicked at his badge with his sneakered foot. “Pizdets.”
Ever took a bite of the turkey sub, chewing and swallowing without tasting it.
Arsen pulled his phone free and dialed a number. “Coe. I got a big problem—Yes, bigger than that—Dead police officer in your shop big—He attacked Ever—No, I know—What was I supposed to do?—Yeah, yeah. Okay. Bye.”
“Is Jericho mad at me?” Ever asked.
Arsen gave him a soft look. “Of course not.”
Ever nodded, though he wasn’t sure he believed that. He took another bite of his sandwich as Arsen walked to the back door and looked up and down the alley before closing and locking it behind him. When he walked back to Ever, he ran a hand over his bare thigh, then squeezed. “I need you to tell me exactly what happened.”
Ever swallowed the bite in his mouth without chewing, wincing as it scraped its way down his esophagus. “I-I don’t know what happened.”
Arsen leaned forward, brushing his lips against Ever’s shoulder. “I need you to try to remember. Did you know him?”
Ever might have cried if there was even one ounce of moisture left in his body, but there wasn’t. He just gave a stilted nod, his gaze pulling back to the body like he couldn’t help it. “He was one of the ones who…”
Arsen’s head snapped around, and he looked at the man’s dead body like he was contemplating killing him again. It thawed some of the ice in Ever’s veins. Arsen wasn’t mad at him. Arsen still cared.
“He’s a cop,” Arsen said. “Did you know that back then?”
Ever shook his head. “He said something about his friends wanting me to keep my mouth shut. Said he didn’t know what Jennika had told me about their…operation.”
“Operation?”
No, that wasn’t it. Ever shook his head. “Arrangement. He said he didn’t know what she’d told me about their arrangement.” Ever balled his hands into fists. “I told him I didn’t know anything. That’s when he—”
Arsen went still. “When he what?” he asked, voice frigid.
Ever shuddered. “Started touching me. Telling me that he remembered…things. That he—” Ever couldn’t stop the way his body shook. “I spit on him. That was when he got mad.”
Arsen’s hands closed around Ever’s cheeks, his thumb brushing against his left eye socket. “Is that when he hit you?”
Ever shook his head. “That was before.”
Ever couldn’t even feel any pain, just the distant knowledge that his face felt swollen. He’d learned a long time ago how to remove himself from the physical damage by focusing on something else, like the dead body on the ground.
Ever’s voice sounded dull even to his own ears. “He threatened to cut out my tongue, then said he was going to sell me for sex to the highest bidder.”
“Kusok der'ma,” Arsen muttered. “I kill these people too slowly.”
Ever suddenly remembered the phone call. “Are you in trouble?”
Arsen frowned. “What?”
“Is Jericho mad at you?”
Arsen gave him a reassuring smile. “No, besenok. He’s not mad. Nobody’s mad. We just have to clean up the mess. Sometimes, that involves calling in some friends.”
“Friends?”
Arsen nodded. “Mm.” He gestured to the sandwich. “Eat something.”
Ever took another bite, chewing dutifully. He jumped when the side door—the one connected to the apartments next door—popped open, Nico and Levi entering before shutting it and pushing a big lock into place, barring anyone else from doing the same.
They looked at the body on the floor.
“Shit,” Levi muttered. “Jericho said you iced a cop, but I didn’t believe it. How’d you do it?”
Arsen shrugged. “I grabbed a screwdriver and jabbed it into the base of his skull.”
Ever’s turkey sandwich threatened to make another appearance as his stomach sloshed. Was that what that sound had been?
Nico walked over and hunkered down beside the body. “This guy isn’t one of ours.”
“One of ours?” Ever echoed.
“Our cops. I know every cop in our neighborhood, even the narcs. He’s not one of them.” He shoved the man onto his side and pulled his wallet free, flipping it open and showing it to them, even though there was no way for them to read from that distance. “Jamesville. Detective Soderberg with the violent crimes unit.”
“He had some kind of arrangement with Jennika,” Arsen said. “It makes sense how she kept slipping through the cracks if she had an inside man.”
Ever remembered something then. “He has a boss.”
Arsen frowned. “What?”
Nico tossed the wallet onto the body, then floated closer with Levi. “A boss?”
Ever gave a stilted nod. “When he was threatening to sell me—”
“Sell you?” Nico said, sounding furious.
Ever nodded, a feeling like bubbles in his chest. “He said his boss could find a lot of uses for me.”
“Like his literal boss?” Levi asked, but not like he expected Ever to have an answer.
“I fucking hate dirty cops, man,” Levi muttered. “If they sent him here to threaten Ever, then there’s going to be more of them.”
Ever’s heart tripped. More of them? What if, next time, they hurt Arsen? Or Jericho or Nico? Even Levi? “I should leave.”
Arsen looked at Ever like he’d kicked him. “What?”
“It’s not safe for you if I stay here.”
Arsen stared at him for a full thirty seconds, then squished his face between his palms and kissed him hard on the mouth. “You’re not going anywhere. We can handle ourselves. There’s safety in numbers, and I promise you, if it comes down to us or the Jamesville police force, we still have the numbers on our side.”
Nico nodded. “You haven’t even seen how deep the rabbit hole goes, gumdrop.”
“Gumdrop?” Ever echoed, confused.
Levi nodded. “Gumdrop.”
As far as nicknames went, he supposed it could be worse. Arsen called him besenok and he didn’t even know what that meant. A shock of adrenaline shot through his veins as something else occurred to him. “He called me Ever.”
They all looked at him. “What?”
“He called me Ever. He called me Ever,” he said, voice rising in panic.
