Savage Vicious Heir: Part Two: A dark high school bully romance

22. Abigail

ABIGAIL

Istare out at the lake, trying to commit every second, every kiss and touch, to memory.

I never want to leave.

But it’s already time to go back to All Hallows’.

Our incredible weekend is over and now we have to face reality.

“There you are.” Elliot comes up behind me, caging me against the railing with his big, strong body. He nuzzles my shoulder, brushing his nose along the curve of my neck. I let out a contented sigh, soaking up our final moments together.

Trying to ignore the pit gnawing in my stomach.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” I whisper.

“We can come back. I’m sure Lauren can hook us up.”

“I still can’t believe she did all this for you.”

Elliot gently grabs my chin and twists my face to his. “For us,” he corrects. “She did it for us. Now tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go back to school and have to pretend that we’re…” I inhale a ragged breath, refusing to say the words.

I heard him whisper the words last night.

You’re mine now, Red. And I won’t let anyone come between us again.

But I already feel the wall going up between us. I don’t even think he realises he’s doing it.

I want to ask him about it. To ask how he can do it so easily. Lock his heart away and pretend he doesn’t care.

But I don’t.

Because I’m not sure I want to hear the answer. Not when I know I won’t be able to do it.

Not after this weekend.

Not after hearing him say those three little words that mean so much to me.

As if he senses the directions of my thoughts Elliot lets out a weary sigh and says, “I know it isn’t easy.” He kisses my forehead. “But I don’t want you to worry about anything, okay? I’ll handle my father.”

“Would it really be so bad if we just tell them?”

The second the words are out of my mouth, I regret them. A quiet rage falls over Elliot, his eyes growing so dark, and a shudder goes through me.

“I don’t ever want you near them,” he says. “Ever, Abi. Do you understand me?”

Gone is the boy I love. The thoughtful, selfless boy who has worshipped me this weekend and made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

“I… Fine.” I concede.

God, I hate this. Hate that Elliot isn’t free to make his own choices.

If I was stronger like Tally or Liv or Raine maybe I could stand up to Mr Eaton. Maybe I wouldn’t have fled that night at the pub when Scott humiliated me.

But the truth is, no matter how much I try, I’m still the shy, meek girl I’ve always been.

I guess when you’ve lived in the shadows for so long, it’s hard to walk into the light.

“So that’s it then.” I give him a weak smile. “Back to pretending we’re nothing to each other.”

The muscle in his jaw tics as he steps back and puts some distance between us.

My stomach sinks.

“I love you, Abigail. I love you so fucking much. And I know it’s unfair to ask you to wait for me while I figure out some things, but I will not let them pull you into my fucked-up life and use you as leverage.”

“You really think?—”

“I know,” he grits out. “You already got hurt at the hands of my brother. I will not take the same risk with my father.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” Elliot’s brows furrow and I don’t know if he’s surprised at how easily I’m backing down… or disappointed.

“What else do you want me to say? You said you’ll handle it, so I guess I’ll just have to trust you.”

He gives me a small nod that does little to ease the knot in my stomach. “Thank you.”

“I guess we should probably head back.” The words are like ash on my tongue.

Beyond missing the girls, there’s nothing back at All Hallows’ for me.

Nothing but heartache and bad memories.

I move around him, annoyed that our perfect weekend is ending on such a sour note.

But what did I expect?

That Elliot would march me into his family’s house and announce our relationship consequences be damned?

“Wait.” He grabs me and pulls me flush against him.

“Elliot, what?—”

His mouth crashes down on mine. Hard and unrelenting, his tongue plunging deep. My fingers curl around his shoulders as I hold on.

Trying desperately to stay afloat in the storm that is Elliot Eaton.

By the time Elliot drives through the ornate wrought iron gates of All Hallow’ campus, the tension in the car is almost suffocating.

“Do you want to come back to the Chapel?” he asks, white-knuckling the steering wheel.

“Is that a good idea?” My eyes flick to his.

“Abi…” he warns.

“Whatever, Elliot. You know best.”

He mutters something under his breath, but I roll my head away and press it against the cool glass, closing my eyes.

“You know, being with you this weekend…” He hesitates and my heart flutters wildly in my chest.

“Yes?” I ask, giving into the intense connection between us. That magnetic pull that he’s always had over me.

“It was everything, Abigail. Every-fucking-thing.”

There’s more he wants to say. It’s right there in the guilt swarming in his icy gaze.

But all too soon, All Hallows’ looms up ahead stealing what little time alone together we have left.

I brace myself for Elliot to drive behind the Bronte Building. But instead, he takes the road that leads to the Chapel.

“What—”

“Not ready to give this up yet,” he grumbles, reaching over to grab my hand and pull it into his lap.

A hundred thoughts race through my head, most of them bad.

What if someone sees us arrive back together?

What if word gets back to Scott or Mr Eaton?

What if?—

“You’re panicking,” he says quietly.

“I’m not.”

“Don’t lie to me. I can feel your pulse racing.” He brushes his thumb along my wrist and I swear my heart skips a beat.

“I don’t like how we left things back at the cabin,” I admit.

“You think I do?”

I give him a small shrug, and his eyes flash with irritation. “No, I don’t,” I whisper. “But it doesn’t change anything, does it? We’re going round in circles, Elliot.”

“I just need some time?—”

“How much time? A week? A month? Longer?”

Because I’m not sure I can do it. I’m not sure I can continue being his dirty little secret. Not when I know how amazing it feels to be his.

“Give me this week.”

“One week?” I clarify and he nods.

“I’ll talk to them this week. But I need to get my story straight first. Figure out what the hell I’m going to do when he cuts me off.”

“You think…” I trap the words because of course that’s what will happen.

Mr Eaton has plans for Elliot’s future. Plans that don’t include me.

All along Elliot has tried to tell me that he’ll use me as leverage. Make him choose between the future awaiting him and the broken, scarred girl with no idea what she wants to do with her life.

“Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not your problem.” Elliot lets out a ragged breath. “Forget I?—”

“Of course it’s my problem,” I quietly seethe. “I’m yours, aren’t I?”

“You know you are.”

“Then that makes you mine. And I’m not going to just stand by and let your father cut you off all because of me.”

Elliot chuckles and I falter.

“You think this is funny?” I ask with disbelief.

“No, but I think you’re so fucking cute when you get on your high horse about something.”

“Oh.” Heat burns my cheeks. “Well, it isn’t fair. And I don’t want you?—”

“Shh, Red.” He leans over and cups my cheek, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “Can we shelve this discussion for a bit? I don’t want to spend the rest of the day arguing.”

“What do you want to do?”

His brow lifts and he smirks in a way that has my stomach twisting and tightening.

“Oh.”

“Oh, she says.” He chuckles again and some of the tension melts away. Sliding his fingers into my hair, Elliot pulls me closer. Close enough to ghost his lips over mine.

“Mmm,” I murmur, heat curling in my stomach.

“Fuck, the things you do to me.” He gazes at me with so much intensity I feel like I can’t breathe. “I love you.”

Three little words that feel like a blessing and a curse.

“I love?—”

“Yo, lovebirds.” Someone bangs on the rear windscreen, and I almost jump out of my skin.

“Fucking idiot,” Elliot groans.

“Better move this show inside,” Oakley laughs, pressing his face against the passenger window.

“You don’t care if I kill them both, do you?”

“I think Liv and Tally might have something to say about it.”

“They’ll get over it.” Elliot shoulders his door open and climbs out, landing a wicked looking punch to Reese’s shoulder.

Oakley opens my door and grins. “Do I even need to ask how your weekend was?” Amusement glints in his eyes, and I blush.

“Fuck off,” Elliot growls. “Both of you.”

“Oh, come on, we’re just?—”

A small chuckle bubbles out of me and all three of them stare at me. I wrap my arm around my waist, shrinking under their attention.

Elliot moves first, making his way around the car. He practically shoves Oakley out of the way so that he can trap me between his body and the door.

The air crackles, my heart doing little flips. Something has changed.

I feel it now.

“What do you think they’re doing?” one of the boys murmurs but I only have eyes for Elliot.

“Come on, let’s give them a minute.”

“But—”

“You should listen to him,” Elliot growls, never once taking his eyes off me. “Do you trust me?” he asks, and I nod completely under his spell.

Without warning, he scoops me up in his arms and starts off towards the Chapel.

“Elliot, put me down,” I shriek.

“I told you, Red.” He smirks down at me. “You’re mine now.”