Violent Angel (Pretty Broken Things #1)

10. Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

T arget sighted, Elliot took the first shot. Shy of the bullseye, but he never got it perfect when he practiced in the range. The ear protectors, the watchful eyes, the bullet impacting paper instead of sinking into a body…

Too many distractions.

At first, Elliot hadn’t argued with Gerard when his handler told him this was part of his tests to prove he was ready to go back into the lineup for missions. All of Eros’ Eight did refreshers now and then, and at least it wasn’t reconditioning.

That would be much, much worse. Much more invasive.

But with how much time Gerard had demanded over the past week, pushing him until he barely had the energy to make it back to his loft and collapse in bed? This was almost as bad.

“Again.” Gerard snapped his fingers close to Elliot’s face. “Focus.”

Growling, Elliot turned the glock on his handler.

Cracking his forearm beneath Elliot’s wrists, Gerard sent the shot into the ceiling. Then muscled him back into the cement wall, holding him there. “Have you lost your fucking mind?”

“I feel like I have.” Elliot twisted and dropped to the floor, slipping out of Gerard’s reach and leaving him with nothing but the weapon he’d grabbed. “I’ve done everything you’ve ever asked me to! I am one of your best men out there, but you’re punishing me. Why ?”

“This isn’t a punishment, mot?nel, but it will be if you ever pull anything like that again.” Gerard unloaded the glock and placed it in the briefcase-sized gun safe, locking it away as he continued. “Archie had almost ten years of experience on you and he was killed on what should’ve been a routine mission. Tig barely escaped being beaten to death. You may believe the whole world revolves around this silly little romance you have going on with Damon, but my goals haven’t changed.”

Elliot’s jaw hardened. “Neither have mine.”

“Then why is Lux living on his own? He was the only one I ever had to worry about distracting you, but he’s become an asset in his own right, so that had mostly passed.” Gerard let out a sound of disgust. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice those dreamy smiles? Is the man really that good of a fuck?”

Lunging forward, Elliot sent a right hook toward Gerard’s face. Snarled as his handler caught his fist midair, twisting him around and knocking him off his feet. Air burst from Elliot’s lungs as he hit the floor, the cool cement against his cheek scraping his skin as he struggled to break free.

“He hasn’t fucked me.” Elliot panted as Gerard put more pressure on his arm behind his back, straining his shoulder. “We haven’t had the chance—you made sure of that. But if I decide to, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it! You don’t get a say about who can have my body when I’m not on a mission. It’s mine, you fucking bastard. It’s still mine!”

Releasing him abruptly, Gerard stepped back. His expression was unreadable. “I never said otherwise.”

“You might as well have. You’re acting like my pimp.” Elliot’s stomach turned as he struggled to his feet, everything completely off balance, like the world was spinning into complete chaos. “When we last talked about this, you said I’ve never shown interest in anyone before. And you’re right. The very idea of sex that wasn’t part of the job? I hated it. It makes me feel dirty. But Damon…” His eyes stung and he looked away from Gerard’s intense stare. Damn it, he refused to cry. Especially in front of this man. “It’s different with him. I know it would be different with him.”

The slight twitch of Gerard’s lips was the only indication of Elliot’s words having any impact, though it was impossible to tell what emotions hid under the surface. Elliot was still trying to figure out how to identify his own emotions, reading others was like learning a whole different language.

And not one of the ones he’d picked up almost effortlessly.

“I hope you’re right, Elliot. I find it hard to believe, but I won’t have my doubts cause a rift between us.” Gerard motioned for him to walk by his side to the door, the silence stretching out as they left the basement range and took the stairs up to the main floor. “Maybe my expectations were unrealistic. You’ve always been so driven, so single-minded, I assumed if you ever did gain an interest in sex, it would be random hookups. But you need a connection before you feel anything, don’t you?”

Chewing on his bottom lip, Elliot nodded, relaxing now that Gerard had eased off the relentless pressure from the past week. “I think…I think I could’ve avoided it if Damon didn’t return my feelings, or if he didn’t…fit. But he does.”

“I told both you and Virgil I’d reserve my judgment, but I’ve failed to do so. I won’t apologize…” Gerard’s lips quirked. “You did try to shoot me.”

“You deserved it.”

“Perhaps.” Gerard huffed out a laugh and put his hand on Elliot’s shoulder. “You’ll be ready for your next mission. Other than that lousy shot, you’re performing well in all areas.” His tone became serious now. “I’m still concerned by how volatile you can be when it comes to that man, but I can’t say I was any different when Virgil and I started dating. You may go back to your standard routine and do what you’d like with your spare time.”

“Anything I’d like?” Tone a little taunting, Elliot started backwards up the second flight of stairs while Gerard remained on the landing of the first. “Including making sweet love to the man I kidnapped?”

Gerard folded his arms over his chest, making a face like he’d tasted something sour. “The less I know about it, the better. But if that man breaks your heart, you’ll be crying on Virgil’s shoulder, not mine. And you’ll pay double for the cleanup if you kill him here.”

“Copy that.” Elliot gave Gerard a two-fingered salute. "I promise not to get any blood on your fancy carpets.”

Shaking his head, Gerard turned and walked away.

And Elliot took the stairs two at a time, energy pumping through his veins at the sudden taste of freedom. Even though he’d resented Gerard for forcing him to train so much, he usually didn’t do much else when he wasn’t on mission. It sucked that his handler thought he’d slack off, that he didn’t trust Elliot to be in control, but…

Reaching the door to his loft, Elliot stopped, his pulse racing as he considered the tight grip of control Gerard had taken over him and why he was doing it now. Sure, he was worried about what might happen if Elliot was unprepared for the next mission, but there was more to it.

He didn’t really believe Elliot lacked self-control.

The other person he might hand that control over to, who he might want to have it, was the real issue.

Damon was more than a potential distraction. No one knew Elliot like Gerard. He’d even figured out what Elliot would need to enjoy sex before he’d fully grasped it himself.

He was afraid of the power Damon might have over Elliot.

Twisting the doorknob, Elliot stepped into the loft, tilting his head at the sound of running water. Closing the door behind him, he headed straight for the bathroom.

Rapped his knuckles lightly on the door.

There was a sloshing sound as the faucet was turned off, followed by a soft moan before Damon spoke up. “You can come in if you want, Elliot. Just so you know, I’m naked. And I’m not leaving this bath for anything, so if there’s bad news, you can tell me over a mountain of bubbles.”

Elliot snickered as he went into the bathroom, the steam in the air immediately warming his skin while the aroma of coconuts surrounded him, transporting him to somewhere in the tropics, one of many places he’d been, but never enjoyed. “Are you seriously having a bubble bath?”

“Mhm.” Head rested on his folded arms, Damon closed his eyes, white foam completely obscuring his body. “Virgil graduated me to some ‘mild’ combat training for the first time today. Until just now, I ached everywhere, but Gael passed on the message that Dr. Kwan said I could—and should—have a nice soak. He also gave me a bottle of this heavenly smelling stuff—”

Gael may have to die.

“—he said the only dessert you ever polished off had coconut in it.” Damon’s eyes slit open, a knowing smile on his lips, like he’d guessed where Elliot’s mind had gone. “He thought you’d like the smell on me. Who am I not to find ways to please the man who holds my life in his hands?”

Okay, maybe Gael can live…

Wetting his bottom lip with his tongue, Elliot let his gaze drift over the bubbles filling the bath, wishing they’d thin out. He’d seen Damon in his boxer briefs a few times, but even though they slept together every night, and their stolen kisses before he dragged himself out of bed had gotten more heated, they’d both been too exhausted at the end of the day for anything more.

And, thankfully, Damon was kind enough not to tempt him with that fucking hot, wet body, dripping after a shower, or even slick with sweat after a workout. He’d kept Elliot on task, which Gerard never seemed to appreciate.

The thought brought him back to the whole ‘power’ thing.

“I do like the smell, but…” Elliot swallowed as he met Damon’s eyes. “I need…I want something from you. Before Gerard changes his mind about giving me time to myself, or one of the guys knocks on the door, or my brother—”

“Go lock the front door, Elliot. Use the deadbolt.” Damon sat up, bubbles clinging to his muscular chest, his skin glistening under the bright bathroom lights. The sight of him like that, the healing bullet wounds only adding to the strength of his gorgeous body, froze Elliot to the spot. Lips curving, Damon snapped his fingers, breaking the trance. “I’m not risking any interruptions. Hurry up, I want you in here for whatever it is you need from me.”

Turning fast, Elliot slammed his shoulder into the door frame in his rush to follow Damon’s commands. He wasn’t the least bit submissive, no matter how often he had to play the part. Being ordered around by a mark usually had him imagining all the ways he could make them suffer before he let them die.

But with Damon, everything was different. He was different.

Pulse going wild, he returned to the bathroom.

“Take off your clothes.” Damon held up a finger for him to wait. “Don’t try to put on a show, I don’t need it. What I need is you a whole lot closer than you are now. And I know you’d be uncomfortable if I dragged you into the bath fully dressed.”

Tugging off his shirt while toeing off his sneakers, Elliot nodded. “I don’t like things messy and that would feel…wrong. But I’m not going to be weird about everything, I—”

“Elliot.” Damon gave him a reassuring smile. “If you’re weird about anything? We’ll figure it out. Fold your clothes so they don’t make you twitchy. Why do you think I never leave so much as a sock on the floor? I’ve noticed how clean you like things. I might’ve been a spoiled brat growing up, and I didn’t give a fuck in prison, but here? I’m with a man I really like. Your comfort matters to me.”

Drawing in a shaky breath, Elliot finished stripping and folded everything, placing it on the counter next to Damon’s neatly folded and piled clothes. “Yours matters to me, too. I don’t want to do anything that’ll hurt you, you’re still healing. I’ve been shot and I’ve been through Virgil’s rehab—it’s hardcore.”

Damon held out his hand. “I promise to tell you if anything you ask for is more than I can manage.”

Damp fingers wrapped around Elliot’s hand as he gripped Damon’s palm and stepped into the bath, the water much hotter than he was used to submerging in, but he’d never been much for taking baths at all.

Until now.

Sinking down, facing Damon, Elliot was grateful for the first time that the bathroom he’d always found a bit outrageous had both a big shower and tub. Alone, it swallowed him whole, but with the bigger man, it was a nice, snug fit. Tucked tight between Damon’s spread thighs, the hot water and bubbles rose right up to his shoulders.

“Mmm, this is nice. I think all my muscles are melting.” He rested his head on the curved edge of the tub, appreciating how the faucet was raised off to the side, completely out of the way. “I could get used to this.”

“Good, because it’s gonna be our new thing. At least once a week after we’ve been abused by our trainers, we’re hiding away in here and soaking for at least a few hours.” Damon lifted Elliot’s left foot, resting it on his slightly bent knee, and began to massage it. “You can get nice and clean, and I can spoil you fucking rotten.”

The pressure of Damon’s thumb digging into his sole made him jerk and moan, his dick throbbing where it floated between his thighs, already fully erect. Other than scrubbing them clean in every shower, and getting mandatory pedicures done every week, Elliot never paid much attention to his feet.

But with how Damon massaged them, bringing to life nerve endings he hadn’t known he had, sending tingling sensations all the way up to his scalp?

He had a feeling he’d be very very aware of them from now on.

“We’ll get all gross and wrinkly if we stay in here for hours, and the water will be dead skin soup.” Elliot groaned as Damon hit a spot at the base of his toes, making them all curl at the pain-pleasure surge. “But I could probably tolerate it for…for as long as the water stays hot.”

“Agreed.” Damon stroked the arch of his foot. “So, what did you want to ask me for? Whatever it was, just the look on your face when you were thinking about it got me hard.”

Mind lost in a lust-filled haze, Elliot couldn’t find the words at first. He wasn’t sure exactly what he’d wanted to ask for. What else he could possibly need. He only knew he didn’t want Damon to stop.

But part of him was desperate for everything Gerard had tried to deny him from having with the man in front of him.

He’s not here. He doesn’t get a fucking say.

“Every mission is different, but there’s something I almost always have to do.” Elliot took a deep breath. “I have to pretend to give up control while a man fucks my mouth. It doesn’t bother me, I usually just think about something else. I’m very good, so I don’t have to focus much to get a guy off. If I can’t kill him that night, I don’t indulge in murder fantasies, but…if I can, I imagine all the things I’ll do to him. Sometimes, it’s…almost enough to make me come.”

More than he’d intended to say.

Fuck, what if I ruined the mood?

What kind of man wanted to hear his lover couldn’t reach climax without blood and violence?

Is this when he decides I’m too fucked up to deal with?

Maybe this is what Gerard was trying to avoid…

If Damon got out of the tub and went for the nearest exit, Elliot wasn’t sure whether his crushed heart or humiliation would destroy him first. He bit into his tongue, hard enough to fill his mouth with a coppery taste.

Please…please don’t go.

The words weren’t meant to be said out loud, but from Damon’s soft look as he slid closer, they definitely had been.

“Elliot, I’m not going anywhere. I get how some casual homicide—even if you can only imagine it—would be a rush, especially when you’ve gotta do all that shit with some truly vile fuckers.” He rose up on his knees and braced a hand on the curve of the tub by Elliot’s head. “You’ve learned how to cope when you’re on the job, little python. I won’t judge you for that. But when you’re with me? I hope you won’t have to picture me dead.”

“I know I won’t, but…” Elliot trembled as Damon stroked the length of his throat with his thumb. “Why ‘little python’?”

“Because your eyes remind me of one my mother had. And you’ve got a death grip on me, one I don’t think you’ll ever let go…” Damon wrapped his hand around Elliot’s neck, with enough pressure to make his breath catch. “Not that I want you to. Because I fully intend to hold on to you, just as tight.”

Elliot brought his hand up to cover Damon’s. “Good. That’s exactly what I need. To feel it. For you to be in control. I don’t want it to be pretend, I want it to be real when we’re like this. All the things I have to do with them, I want to do with you, but I need it to actually mean something.”

Nodding and brushing the gentlest kiss over Elliot’s lips, Damon spoke without allowing any distance between them. “Everything we do together means something. That first day, maybe it was just lust and the high from what went down at the auction. You felt like you owed me for saving Lux. And when I got over being handcuffed to the bed? How much I’d admired you when you stabbed me with my pencil came back.”

“That’s one fucked up way to start a relationship.” Elliot pushed against Damon’s hold on his throat, loving the feel of him there, the choking sensation not increasing, because his man really was in control. He wouldn’t let him take over, or demand more, but he flexed his fingers just enough to satisfy the need to test how real it really was. “Is…is that what we have? We’ve never discussed it.”

Humming thoughtfully, Damon kissed him again, longer this time, only speaking when he’d stolen all the air from Elliot’s lungs. “No, we haven’t, because there were a few obstacles thrown at us. But you decided I was yours from the start. To make it official and flip the script on all those fuckers? I’m claiming you as my boyfriend. Let me know where to register our relationship with HR and I’ll take care of it in the morning.” He grinned as he nipped Elliot’s bottom lip. “Should I wear a bulletproof vest? Parker mentioned he has an extra one I could use.”

“If we actually had a HR department here? That would be a very good idea.” Elliot touched his forehead to Damon’s and closed his eyes, taking a minute to absorb all the unfamiliar… happy feelings bubbling up in his chest. “Is it weird that I’m glad you didn’t ask me to be your boyfriend? I like being claimed.”

“Not weird at all—we’re doing things our way.” Damon kissed him one last time, releasing his throat before standing. “Now get up on your knees, there’s something else I’m going to claim. I’ve been dreaming of having that pretty mouth wrapped around my cock, and knowing what it’ll mean to you?” He smoothed his hand over Elliot’s hair as he got into position, using the fingers of his other hand to tip his chin up. “I’m not going to lie and say it won’t be hard, when you’re on a mission and I know you’re…doing those things to someone else. But that’s your job and as long as it’s what you want to do? I’ll support you.”

Elliot gazed up at Damon, his heart swelling from how much he’d needed to hear those words. “I probably have Rome to thank for how understanding you are about it, don’t I? It’s not fair, but…I couldn’t do it. Anyone who touches you will die a slow, painful death.”

A bit of sadness stole across Damon’s expression as he continued to pet Elliot’s hair, but he shook his head and huffed out a laugh. “I won’t be fucking anyone else as a driver, so that won’t be a problem. You’re the only one I want, little python.”

“Why are you…?” Elliot caught Damon’s wrist and searched his eyes. “You miss Rome, don’t you? I’m sorry, I should’ve let you call him already. You can if you want to.”

“Yeah?” Damon blew out a breath. “That’s gonna be a long, awkward conversation, but…tomorrow. Tonight is ours.” He raked his fingers into Elliot’s hair and wrapped his fist around the base of his cock. “Unless you have something else you need to say, I think we’re done talking.”

A delicious shiver went up Elliot’s spine as he shook his head.

“No, there’s nothing else. I’m all yours.”