Page 5 of Vicious Deception
Since our capture, Holloway has upped his security. Any of the men patrolling the yard could’ve seen Elliot if they’d only looked up. The darkness covers him, but not completely.
I’m just able to see Elliot lift a finger to his lips, a reminder to stay silent. He must know I’m about to tell him to go back to his room before he gets himself killed.
Carefully, Elliot climbs through the window. I help him to try and reduce the amount of noise it makes. This late at night, every movement feels as loud as a gunshot.
In reality, Elliot barely makes a sound as his feet hit the floor. He crushes me to his chest immediately, and I throw my arms around his neck. This is far too dangerous to be practical, but I need him, even if it’s only for a few moments.
Elliot’s normal scent of sandalwood and oranges has faded, but I don’t let myself fixate on why. I breathe him in while he rocks me back and forth.
“Ell,” I whisper.
“Shh.” His voice is barely audible as he presses his lips to my neck.
The tears come back, more forceful this time than before. “You can’t—”
He cuts me off with a harsh look. This upset, I’m having trouble controlling my voice. If I’m not careful, I’ll give us away.
“I had to see you,” he whispers in my ear. “I heard you crying earlier. I couldn’t leave you alone.”
Instead of responding, I bury my face in Elliot’s neck. I’m not sure how long we have, and I need to soak in every second of this.
“What if you get caught?” I whisper once I’ve swallowed down the lump in my throat.
“Then I’ll take whatever punishment they give me.”
At that, I pull back and shake my head. Ludo has been cruel, but this is only the beginning. We don’t need to give him another reason to hurt us more.
“I’ll be fine,” he murmurs before pressing his lips to mine.
Elliot kisses me gently, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. I shiver at his cold touch at the same time that I lean into it.
“You have to go,” I whisper. “Someone is going to catch you.”
“No one is coming in, Ol. The guards don’t have any reason to check on us until they give us food in the morning.”
But my heart is beating wildly, my thoughts a chaotic mess ofwhat ifs.I can’t watch him get hurt.
“Just for a few minutes,” Elliot whispers. He guides me to the mattress, and we both stretch out on it.
As he brings an arm around me to pull me into him, I find myself relaxing. Somehow, even though this is wildly reckless, I feel safer with his body pressed against mine.
“I love you,” I whisper, my hand running over his hair. “God, Ell, I love you so much, and I’m so sorry.”
“Shh.” Elliot’s hand stroking down my spine is so achingly familiar. “Close your eyes.”
I do, half wondering if I have the mental strength to convince myself that we’re safely in bed at home. Before the thought has fully crossed my mind, I know the answer is no. My heart is broken, and fear is a constant presence in the back of my mind. There’s no way I can get past that.
“Just let me hold you while you fall asleep,” Elliot says softly.
“But what ifyoufall asleep? What if someone sees you in here in the morning?”
His lips are soft as they feather over my forehead. “I’ll stay awake. I promise.”
Elliot sounds exhausted, but not the way he does when he’s close to falling asleep. His voice is worn down and heavy, much like it’s been for the past couple months.
“This isn’t your fault,” I tell him as quietly as I can.
“Don’t worry about that, O.” He squeezes me. “Just try to relax.”