[MENTION OF VIOLENCE.]
For one last time, Devon stomped his feet so hard on the jerk's hand, the hand that dared to touch Elijah, until he heard his hoarse scream. Devon made sure that the jerk's hand would be crushed until unusable, or he won't be able to control himself until he made everything bloody.
With a fluid and dangerous body movement, Devon crouched, crowding his victim. Devon could see and smell the fear seeping out of his victim. Those eyes were blown wide from fear, face turning ashen, trembling lips and chin, and the cold sweats pouring out of his victim's beat-up face were a very, very familiar sight to see.
The man jerked away when Devon caught his chin, but the little amount of energy he had after being beaten up black and blue would not even be enough to save him from the monster in front of him. Even Devon's men, in spite of the awareness that their boss is brutal against the people that crossed him, couldn't help but wince from the way their boss tortured the stupid victim.
The moment they crossed Devon Slane, on purpose or unintentionally, they already signed their death warrant.
"I could kill you right here and right now. But I'm not a monster. I got so many ways of making your life a living hell. Just pray hard that Elijah was not hurt that much, and I might spare your life."
Three seconds after Devon threw those words away, his phone beeped. He roughly pushed the man's face to the ground and stood up. It was Mina.
"What is it?"
"B-Boss... E-Eli is..." Devon's heart dropped and he felt chills traveling to his fingertips. He didn't need to ask what was happening. Mina's cracked voice and quiet sobs were enough for Devon to make a conclusion.
Everyone in the room felt the tense and cold atmosphere. Devon's aura dropped a few degrees, and the smashed phone on the ground was enough proof to know that their boss was livid.
"Elijah is in the hospital. You know what to do. Don't disappoint me." The cold glare and the spine-chilling and dangerous voice were addressed to John and Patrick, who failed to do their jobs. The two gulped so hard and nodded furiously. They don't want to be on the receiving end of their boss's wrath.
"Max. Drive. We're going to HMU." Devon ordered one of his trusted men in his emotionless voice. Max nodded and went out of the room. Devon followed suit and threw one final glare at the jerk.
Devon couldn't be bothered with a weak shrimp. He needs to see Elijah tone down the restlessness in his heart. The uncomfortable weight rolling in his stomach added to his antsiness and short temper.
"Step on it, Max. I need to be there in twenty." Devon's tone left no room for protest and discussion. Max just nodded and obeyed his boss. Max needed to compress an hour-long trip into twenty minutes, or he'll receive the brunt of his boss's anger.
Devon's fingers were impatiently tapping on his thigh. He can't sit still. Indescribable worry was gnawing at his flesh and his guilt was adding to his anxiety. He shouldn't have left Elijah alone. The boy was vulnerable. It was his job to protect Elijah, yet he failed instantly. Elijah got in trouble and Devon was not there to prevent it from happening.
"How many minutes, Max?" Devon asked with gritted teeth and because he smashed his phone out of anger, he can't call Mina for updates.
"We'll be there in ten, Sir," Max answered, but it seemed like Max still something to say to Devon.
"Spit it out, Max."
Max swallowed and kept his eyes on the road. "He will be alright, Sir."
Devon stilled but regained his composure. He just gave Max an appreciative nod and fixed his eyes outside of the window. At the very least, Max's words helped calm his restless heart. But as long as he doesn't see Elijah well, words won't be able to soothe him.
After ten minutes, Max slid the car smoothly on the entrance of the hospital. Devon stepped out and fixed his tie, a permanent scowl on his face. Patients and medical staff alike gasped in surprise when Devon entered.
It may be because of Devon's magnetic appeal that never fails to attract men and women. Devon may be unapproachable and his aura exudes dominance and danger, but still, people gape and fall on their knees at the sight of him.
Max was on Devon's heels and ran towards the nurse's station to ask for Elijah's room. "For Elijah Thompson."
The nurse typed the name. "Room 403, sir."
Devon did not wait for Max. With large strides, he headed to the private elevator and in five minutes, he was outside of Elijah's room. Devon's chest was about to rip out of his ribs from too much pounding. He can feel his palm sweating and bullets of cold sweats pouring out of his forehead.
Devon was about to twist the doorknob when it opened, revealing Elijah in a hospital gown, a bag of IV fluid in his hand. Devon's worry transformed into anger real quick, and before he could stop himself,
"What the fuck are you doing?!" Devon bellowed and Elijah stepped back, startled.
Elijah's eyes widened when he saw the man he was thinking about earlier in flesh. His lips parted in surprise and his heart rate picked up. He blinked up at Devon, ignoring the man's scowl and scrunched expression.
"What are you doing here?" Elijah asked in a soft voice and Devon frowned.
Devon entered the room and his eyes swept around the suite. "Where is Mina? Why are you alone? You should be in bed, resting. Where are you going earlier? Damn it, speak, Elijah, and stopped smiling! Are you making fun of me?" Devon's loud voice echoed in the room but Elijah's smile never faltered.
Here he was, incredibly worried and almost lost his shit, but Elijah was just looking at him with pure amusement. It's as if he was not scared by Devon's angry outburst.
Elijah closed the door and calmly went back to his bed after putting the IV bag back. He waved his hand and asked the irritated Devon to come closer.
Elijah was amused and giddy. First, his crush visited him, and second, Devon was angry. For Elijah, Devon being riled up was a change in scenery from the latter's usual poker face, as Mina worded it.
With his brows furrowed and lips pursed in a thin line, Devon stepped closer to Elijah. He was still annoyed because Elijah looked like he was making fun of him. When Devon finally got in front of Elijah, his frown deepened.
"What now--ooomf." Devon felt how his heart stopped beating when Elijah's arms encircled around his waist. Devon froze in his position but when he felt Elijah's warmth being sent to him, he relaxed.
Devon lifted his hand to brush Elijah's hair while his other hand rubbed Elijah's arm soothingly. "Shh. I'm here. I won't leave," Devon promised when he heard Elijah's stifled sobs and trembling shoulders.
Elijah's hold on Devon tightened as he cried harder than ever, the scary memories from earlier coming in waves. Before Elijah could spiral out of control, Devon spoke.
"Want to go somewhere? Anywhere. I'll drive," Devon suggested because he can't stand seeing Elijah's tears and hearing the boy's broken sobs. If there's something he could do about it, why not do it?
Yes, it would ease the guilt caused by his stubbornness, but that's not the reason why Devon wants to do the thing he suggested. Devon wants to see Elijah smile again. It's still confusing on his part, but seeing Elijah smile makes him feel better.
Elijah sniffled and loosened his hold on Devon. He felt embarrassed when he realized that Devon was staring down at him all along. Elijah's cheeks burned and cast his gaze downwards, unable to handle the intensity of Devon's stare.
Elijah heard some shuffling around and before he knew it, Devon held his chin with his long and calloused fingers, tilting Elijah's face up. One of Devon's hands wiped Elijah's tears so softly, afraid that the boy might get hurt.
"Just tell me if I get rough, alright?" Devon reminded Elijah tenderly and the latter swooned and almost melted. Devon was stoic as he gently dried Elijah's tears using a handkerchief that smells like Devon's intoxicating cologne.
Elijah likes it. He likes Devon's smell. Being engulfed by Devon's scent made him feel safe. That was one of the reasons why Elijah was able to let go of his emotions.
In the past, Elijah had to be careful not to let anyone hear his sobs and cries, or there would be punishment. At a young age, Elijah learned how to bottle his emotions. He learned that in order to get the things he wants and needs, he should work hard for them.
Being spoiled was not part of Elijah's vocabulary. He doesn't know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of endless love and care. But with Devon, Elijah finds himself wanting to be showered on by Devon's attention. Elijah feels happy when Devon takes a brief glance at him. Elijah wants more, but he's scared.
Elijah was painfully aware of what happened when he became greedy for the very first time. His nightmares were a testament to that.
When he decided to get greedy for the first time, someone died.
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