Chapter Seven #4
Avery encouraged him to rest against his shoulder, laying a hand on the side of Eli’s head while continuing to embrace him with the other.
The weight of Eli against his chest felt right, as if they were meant to find each other.
The surge of protectiveness that had been coursing through his veins all evening came back with a vengeance.
“I know this is hard,” Avery murmured. “But you’re safe here with me. Take your time.”
Eli shifted in his arms, wiping his face again with the crumpled tissue.
“The killer saw us. He pointed his gun at my car, but we ducked down. I heard more shots, he was trying to hit us through the windshield, but he missed.” His voice quavered.
“I jetted out of there, but he chased after us until I managed to lose him.” Eli’s bottom lip trembled.
“I was terrified he’d gotten my license plate, would find out where I lived. I had to get away.”
Avery swallowed past the lump in his throat, battling his own terror over what Eli must have gone through, the horrible realization that Eli could’ve been killed.
“You feared the killer would come after you.”
Eli nodded. “Or my family. If I stayed in town, I couldn’t avoid them forever. They’d come to my apartment if I tried to stay away.” He winced. “Poor Lenny. He’s been staying with a friend. He’s too scared to go back to his apartment where the murder happened.”
“Understandable.” Avery’s mind conjured up various ways Eli and his friend could free themselves from their predicament. “And you didn’t want to go to the police?”
Eli tensed. “No way. They’d want us to identify suspects or whatever. What if they caught the guy and we had to testify?” He bit down on his lower lip. “Are you going to tell?”
Avery continued to stroke Eli’s back. “It’s not my secret to tell. But I do want you to consider that there’s still a killer back in LA who might hurt someone else if you don’t speak with the authorities.”
Eli lowered his eyes, “I’m a terrible person. I’ve thought about that so many times, but I can’t stop thinking about my family. Like, what if I need to testify, and maybe this guy is part of a gang, and they threaten to kill my mom and dad if I talk?”
“You’re not a terrible person at all. I think I’d feel the same way.” Avery placed a knuckle under his chin, encouraging Eli to meet his gaze. “But I’d also try to find the best solution possible, so I wasn’t living in fear.”
Tears trailed down Eli’s cheeks. “What should I do, Sir?”
Between Eli’s plaintive expression and his use of the honorific made Avery want to wrap him up in a cocoon and never let anyone harm him again. The fierce protectiveness that had been building all evening crystallized into something deeper, something that scared him with its intensity.
“We’re going to figure this out together,” Avery said, his voice rougher than he intended. “But first, I need you to know something.” He cupped Eli's face gently, thumbs brushing away the tears. “You're not alone. Whatever you decide to do, you don't have to face it by yourself.”
Eli’s gaze searched his face, and Avery saw something shift there—hope, maybe, or the first tentative stirrings of trust.
“I can’t believe I ever ran from you, Sir.” Eli curled his fingers around the straps of Avery’s harness. “You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance.”
Avery smiled. “You’re giving me one now.”
Eli licked his lips. “Can I stay with you tonight, Sir? I don’t want to be alone.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate everything Master Zane has done for me, not to mention Ryan and Ty, but…
” He ducked his chin, his fingers moving restlessly over the studs on Avery’s harness.
“Being with you is so comforting. Plus…” Eli’s cheeks went scarlet. “I sort of have a crush on you.”
“You know what, sweetheart?” Avery brushed some curls back from Eli’s forehead. “I sort of have a crush on you, too.”
Eli tipped his head back, offering up his lips for Avery to take.
Avery leaned down, meeting Eli’s mouth with his own.
The kiss was gentle at first, a light pressure that thrilled him.
Eli’s soft lips yielded against his, but he resisted the urge to deepen the kiss right away.
Instead, he savored the moment, allowing the connection between them to build naturally.
Eli moaned, a soft sound that made Avery’s stomach flutter, Eli’s fingers tightening on Avery's harness as he pressed closer. The innocent gesture broke something loose inside him. He slid his hand to cup Eli’s nape, using his other hand to thread his fingers through those soft curls.
When they finally broke apart, Eli's eyes remained closed for a moment, lips slightly parted, his features smooth as if he was filled with peace.
“Of course you can stay with me tonight.” Avery brushed his thumb across Eli’s cheek. “But only to sleep. You’ve been through enough, and I don’t want to take advantage of your vulnerable state.”
“I can sleep in your bed with you, though, right?”
If he ever had the privilege of having Eli as his boy, he sensed Eli would need a lot of touch and affection. That was fine by him. He’d longed for a boy he could fawn over, to discipline, then shower with praise.
“Absolutely.” The last time Avery had been to the house was a week ago. Maybe he finally had a reason to go there every night. He cleared his throat, berating himself for getting his hopes up too high. “It’s late, so if you’re ready to leave, we should get going.”
Eli broke into a grin. “Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much.”
Avery placed a kiss on Eli’s forehead. “My pleasure.” He gently eased him off his lap. “I’ll text Zane so he doesn’t worry.”
Eli nodded. “Yeah, I don’t want to upset anyone.”
As Avery brought up Zane’s number on his phone, he regarded Eli, who stared back at him as if Avery had the answers to the universe. The responsibility of Eli’s trust was a sacred duty. He wouldn’t let Eli down.
“Do I have your permission to bring Zane in on your situation tomorrow? He was recently mentoring someone in law enforcement who might have an idea how to proceed.”
Eli’s eyes went wide. “A cop?”
“Not exactly. He teaches at the academy now, but has a lot of contacts from when he worked undercover.” Avery placed his hand on Eli’s arm.
“I won’t do anything unless you give the okay.
I was thinking he could use his resources to check murder investigations in LA. See if he can find out anything.”
Eli’s expression brightened. “Actually, that’s a good idea. Lenny hasn’t seen any news reports from that night, nothing about a woman being murdered in the Valley. But Zane’s friend might have better luck.”
“Good boy.” Avery smiled. “You’re being very brave.”
Eli’s eyes rounded, the flush returning to his cheeks. Yes. He’ll flourish being showered with praise. If he didn’t stop the wheels spinning wildly in his head, he’d have a contract shoved under Eli’s nose before he could stop himself. First things first.
Avery hit send on the text, then rose from the chair. He held his arm open at his side, and Eli slid next to him without hesitation.
“Let go of everything for tonight, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”
Eli gazed up at him with a smile, and Avery took another taste of the sweetest boy he could ever hope to have. Maybe one day, his wish would come true.