Chapter 45
CHAPTER 45
The apartment was like a war-zone. Furniture was pushed over, the coffee table overturned, its contents scattered haphazardly across the floor, while a large lamp lay broken in pieces close by.
The chaos wasn’t just physical, it was a volatile tension still waiting to explode.
Ethan lay pinned to the floor, his bare chest grinding against the rough, unforgiving wood as Devon’s crushing weight bore down on him.
His breaths came in short, shallow bursts as he struggled not to panic. “Get the fuck off me!” he growled.
The large man’s knee was digging into his lower back while he had one of his wrists twisted behind him at an angle that sent a searing pain radiating up his arm. His other hand clawed at the floor, desperate for leverage, trying to gain even an inch of freedom.
Devon pressed down harder, leaning in close so that Ethan could feel the heat of his breath against the nape of his neck.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he hissed with a dark amusement. “You think you can fight me? You’re not half as tough as you pretend to be.”
A surge of desperation flared in Ethan’s chest, a burning need to prove him wrong, to get this bastard off him if it killed him.
With a guttural yell, he wrenched one hand free and swung it upward in a wild punch. His knuckles connected with Devon’s jaw in a brutal crack that echoed through the room like a gunshot.
Devon jerked back with a grunt, a hand flying to his face as he staggered slightly. “You little fucker,” he spat, his voice edged with both fury and something almost resembling admiration. He prodded his jaw gingerly, testing it with a grimace. “I’ll give you that one,” he said, his lips curling into a wolfish grin. “Nice shot. But now you’re gonna regret it.”
It was the opening Ethan needed, the fraction of a second where Devon loosened his grip, and using the spike of adrenaline coursing through his veins, he twisted free and scrambled to his feet.
His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, and his heart was pounding so loudly. “Come on then.” Ethan squared his stance and raised his fists. His tone venomous as he glared at Devon with a mixture of rage and defiance. “You wanna fight? Let’s go.”
But Devon was fast—much too fast—and before Ethan could throw another punch, he lunged forward. His hand shot out, catching Ethan’s fist mid-swing, twisting it with a vicious precision that made the smaller man cry out.
“Aw—fuck!” he yelled as a white-hot agony shot through his shoulder. He staggered back, but refused to crumble completely. “Get the fuck off me!”
They were locked in a brutal grapple, and Devon used all of his superior strength to force Ethan back. “No way,” he snarled, his breath hot against Ethan’s ear. “Not now.” There was an unsettling edge to his voice. “I like the way you punch. Shows you’ve got some fight in you. I really like that in my men.” He paused for effect before leaning in closer, his tone dropping to something darker. “But I’m done messing around. You owe me, and I’m taking my payment.”
“No—” Ethan’s voice cracked with both fury and fear as he struggled against Devon’s unrelenting grip.
His knees buckled and again Devon forced him face down onto the floor with brutal efficiency. Pain exploded across his forehead as it connected with the unforgiving wood—a sharp jolt that left him momentarily dazed.
Blood trickled from the cut above his brow, blurring his vision as he thrashed wildly beneath the larger man’s weight.
“Fuck you!” Ethan screamed, raw panic clawing at his throat as he kicked and writhed with everything he had left in him.
Devon was clearly enjoying every second of this. He was gentle as he yanked at the waistband of Ethan’s jeans, tugging them lower inch by agonizing inch.
“No…” Ethan’s voice rose in pitch as desperation consumed him. Every nerve in his body screamed for escape, but Devon’s hold was ironclad, a trap he couldn’t break free from no matter how hard he fought.
“Keep fucking still,” Devon growled, his teeth clenched as he wrestled with both Ethan’s and his own belt buckle.
The clink of metal sent another wave of terror crashing over Ethan, fueling his frantic resistance. “What…” he spat back defiantly despite the mounting dread threatening to suffocate him. “You seriously think I’m just gonna let you do this?” His voice was fierce—a last stand against something that seemed inevitable.
Devon didn’t answer, but he shifted his weight until Ethan could barely breathe under the crushing force holding him down.
Both men froze at once when they suddenly heard the knock on the door.
Logan paced back and forth in the dimly lit hallway between apartments, boots scuffing against the threadbare carpet with restless steps. His jaw was set tight as he clutched his keys in one hand and rapped the door harder with the other.
“Ethan,” he barked gruffly, leaning close to the door as if sheer will could make it open. His voice carried an edge of impatience but also concern buried beneath layers of irritation.
Devon flattened against Ethan’s back, forcing the air from his lungs, leaving him heaving. His muscles tensed and for a heartbeat, there was nothing but silence—thick, suffocating silence—as if even the room itself held its breath.
Then came another knock. This one thundered against the door.
Logan had stormed out of the Jeep and up three flights of stairs without thinking. Hell, it was probably too late for this kind of confrontation, but he couldn’t let it fester any longer.
But what if I’m wrong? What if he’s just sleeping?
Those thoughts gnawed at him, doubt creeping in like a cold draft under the door. His jaw tightened as he stared at the chipped wood on the wall in front of him, weighing his options.
This is stupid. He’s ignoring me on purpose. He’s trying to piss me off.
That realization only poured fuel on the fire simmering in his chest and he hammered his fist against the door, harder this time. “Ethan,” he barked. “Open this fuckin’ door right now!”
Devon’s head snapped up as recognition flickered in his eyes. “Shit,” he cursed under his breath.
Logan. Logan was here… He would stop this.
Ethan’s heart leaped at the familiar voice calling his name and relief surged through him. “Lo—” his cry barely escaped before Devon’s hand clamped over his mouth with brutal efficiency, cutting him off.
The taste of salty sweat filled his mouth as he thrashed instinctively. “MmMMMPH!” His muffled groans escaped despite Devon’s best efforts to stifle them.
“Shut the fuck up,” Devon hissed in warning as his grip tightened mercilessly around Ethan’s jaw, as if trying to crush any remaining resistance out of him. “You’re only making this worse for yourself.”
Logan’s voice boomed again, louder this time. “Ethan! Open the goddamn door or I swear I’m gonna break it down!”
Devon’s lips curled into a smirk as he glanced back at the door, his confidence growing more insidious with every second that Logan remained on the other side. He leaned closer and muttered darkly, “He’s too late. He can’t help you now.”
Ethan twisted with every ounce of strength he had, kicking wildly, his body screaming in protest as Devon wrenched his arm tighter behind his back. A searing pain flared in his shoulder, the bone threatening to snap if he resisted further.
“No!” Ethan whispered as Devon pressed him into submission.
The faint sound reached Logan’s ears and he stepped away from the door, straining to catch it again. His brow furrowed as unease coiled in his gut like barbed wire unraveling. “Ethan?” His voice softened, but lost none of its urgency. “Hey…” He pressed one hand flat against the wood, “… you alright in there?”
Devon’s control began to falter under Ethan’s increasingly frantic struggle. Sweat slicked their skin as they grappled against each other on the floor, and for a fleeting moment, panic flashed across his features before being buried beneath renewed malice.
“HELP ME!”
The sound pierced through the door like a bullet through glass and Logan’s hesitation evaporated in an instant. He knew that voice, knew it wasn’t just defiance or irritation, it was fear.
Hell no. Dread twisted into anger so hot it felt volcanic. “Ethan!” he bellowed, slamming his shoulder into the door with everything he had. The old frame groaned under the impact but stubbornly held firm.
Inside, Devon’s mind raced, his gaze darting wildly between Ethan and the locked door now trembling under Logan’s persistent assault.
“Logan…” Ethan croaked once more, his voice was raw, but it was enough. His hands clawed at the floor, his nails scraping the wood as he twisted. “No,” his voice strained, his body jerking to break free. His jeans slid lower on his hips, making him feel more vulnerable. “Get off me!” Panic began seeping through his defiance.
“Devon, I’m warning you!” Logan roared before stepping back for one final attempt to break through. “Open this fuckin’ door.”
Devon smirked with a twisted expression. “Can’t,” he shot back as his knee pressed harder into Ethan’s back, making the younger man wince in pain. “Your boy needs a lesson. He shouldn’t fool around if he can’t handle the consequences. He’s been leading me on, trying to make you jealous. You caused this, when you dangled him in front of me like bait.”
“Shit—” Logan’s voice thundered on the other side of the locked door as he rammed it again and again with his shoulder.
The sound of wood splintering suddenly filled the air, but the door still held firm. Desperation clawed at Logan’s throat as he shouted, “Open this fuckin’ door—right now, Devon!”
Devon barely flinched at Logan’s outburst. Instead, he hummed softly as his hands roamed lower along Ethan’s back, fingers trailing a deliberate path over his trembling muscles. “Mmm,” he continued like he was savoring every second of this. “God, you’re gorgeous,” he added cruelly, knowing exactly how to twist the knife.
Ethan let out a strangled yell and thrashed wildly. “Logan! HELP!” he pleaded, his tone carrying all the fear and fury boiling inside him.
Logan pressed his forehead against the outer door and closed his eyes. Every muscle in his body was coiled tight. His mind raced. He couldn’t break down the door fast enough, but there had to be another way to stop this.
Think. Goddammit, think.
“Devon, you need to stop right now or…” He hesitated only for a second before finding his edge. “Or I’m calling Alex!”
Alex… Devon stilled instantly. His hands froze, and for the first time since this madness began, hesitation flashed across his face.
He turned to the door, narrowing his eyes suspiciously even though Logan couldn’t see him. “You wouldn’t fuckin’ dare,” he growled, though there was a flicker of unease in his tone now.
“Don’t test me,” Logan shot back without missing a beat. “You’ve got exactly three seconds to open this door.” His voice was steady, like cold steel wrapped in fury, as he counted down. “One… two…”
Devon lunged for the door and yanked it open with enough force to make the hinges creak.
“Alright, stop!” he snapped, trying to take control of the situation even now. He stood only inches from Logan, their faces level as tension crackled between them like an electrical short-circuit. “You wouldn’t really make that call.”
Logan didn’t say a word, but as he slowly raised his phone Devon could see the illuminated screen where Alex’s name glowed bright and unmistakable.
“Oh,” he said, letting a dangerous smirk tug at one corner of his lips as his thumb hovered millimeters above the call button. “I would.”
His fist flew forward without warning. It was a furious blur of motion that connected squarely with Devon’s nose in a sickening crunch.
Blood sprayed, and Devon staggered back with a howl of pain. “Fuck you!” he spat, one hand clutching his face while glaring daggers at Logan through watery eyes. “What the hell was that for?”
Logan stepped into the room, shaking out his throbbing knuckles streaked with blood. “You know exactly what it was for,” he snarled through gritted teeth.
Devon let out an animalistic roar, then charged like a bull seeing red. He tackled Logan around the waist with enough force to send them both crashing to the floor in a chaotic tangle of limbs and fury.
They grappled violently, fists swinging as raw anger fueled every blow.
Logan landed another sickening punch on Devon’s jaw before Devon retaliated with equal force, a brutal crack that sent pain exploding across Logan’s cheek.
“Stop it!” Ethan’s voice rang out from somewhere above them, though neither man seemed capable of listening to reason as they rolled around on the hardwood.
A deafening crash, like a grenade exploding, shattered their fight, and both men stilled as shards of pottery rained down from the lamp Ethan smashed over Devon’s head.
“Fuck—” Devon groaned, then slumped sideways on the floor. Blood trickled not just from his nose but also from a gash on the back of his head where the lamp hit him.
Logan scrambled to his feet, one hand instinctively rubbing his jaw while the other reached for Ethan. His eyes scanned him over: disheveled hair sticking to sweat-dampened skin, jeans hanging loose around hips, bruises already forming on his cheek and arms.
“You alright?” he asked, stepping closer to steady Ethan’s trembling frame.
Despite looking far from okay, Ethan nodded. His breaths became increasingly uneven as adrenaline ebbed away and reality crashed back in like cold water dousing flames. “Yeah…” he whispered before clearing his throat and trying again. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
But even as he said it, his body betrayed just how far from ‘okay’ he really was.
Devon continued to groan from where he was slumped, but when he opened his mouth to speak, there was less defiance than before. “Guess it was Logan to the rescue this time… instead of Eddie.” The words dripped venom even though they lacked strength and yet they still managed to hit their target.
“Shut your damn mouth,” Logan snapped, his tone deadly despite still catching his breath. “You need to get the fuck out. Then make sure you stay away from him—from ALL of us—or next time… next time I will make that call. I was na?ve.” He shot back, his hands clenched at his sides, fingers curling into tight fists as if he were trying to physically restrain himself. “The last time we talked, you said you had all this under control. You said you were better. Hell, I was dumb enough to believe you. I needed somewhere to be safe with him, and I thought…” His jaw tightened, a flicker of pain crossing his face as he spoke. “I shouldn’t have crossed the line, but don’t think for one second this was ever about you. It wasn’t.” He inhaled then exhaled sharply through his nose, stepping forward with a finality in his tone. “Now get the fuck out!”
Devon’s eyes flashed with rage, his lips curling into a sneer as he turned on Ethan. “You hearing this? I sure hope so. Trust me, he’ll hurt you, just like he did me. You think you’re something special? You’re not. He can’t give you what you want because he can’t even admit what he is.”
Logan’s head snapped up, his body going rigid, as if the words had struck him physically. His eyes darkened, narrowing into sharp slits as he took a step closer. “Yeah… just like you’ll never be what Alex wants. You need help,” he growled, pointing an accusatory finger. “Eddie was right about you—you’re an animal. And you shouldn’t be around people until you fix what’s going on in your head.” His voice rose slightly, trembling with anger but also regret as he glanced at Ethan again, taking in the bruises on his arms and the wrecked look on his face.
The sight of him twisted something deep inside his gut. “I’m to blame,” he admitted quietly. “I shouldn’t’ve brought you into Ethan’s life. I see that now. Do me a favor and go get yourself some help.”
For a fleeting moment, something raw and unguarded flickered in Devon’s expression before his smirk reasserted itself. He scoffed, rolling his eyes like Logan’s words were nothing more than an annoying buzz in his ear.
“You make me sick,” he spat, hostility radiating off him as he stormed to the door. He paused just long enough to throw one more poisoned dart over his shoulder. “And don’t talk about me needing help, you need to take a look at yourself.” Devon formed a gun with his hand, finger and thumb and angled in a threat at Logan before he stalked out.
“We’re done here, Devon.” Logan shook his head and barked with words that left no room for argument. “Stay away from Ethan or you’ll regret it.”
Devon paused in the hall and glanced back over his shoulder. “Oh, I’ll stay away,” he said mockingly before letting out a short laugh that carried no humor whatsoever. “He’s too damn needy for me—I thought for you too. Hell, you used to be more of a man, Logan.” He shook his head, then disappeared, his heavy footsteps echoing in the quiet until they faded completely.
Ethan let out a shaky breath and sank down in a squat near the edge of the couch. Burying his face in his hands, he tried to block out everything that had just happened. “Shit… shit… shit.” He dragged both hands down his face before looking up at Logan with red-rimmed eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head slowly, as if punishing himself. “I should’ve listened when you warned me.”
“No,” Logan replied, stepping closer but stopping just shy of reaching out to him. “I’m sorry.” He bit down on his bottom lip hard enough to leave an indent before continuing in a strained whisper, “I shouldn’t’ve let you go with him. I thought he’d changed. I’m so sorry.”
His gaze dropped to the floor briefly before returning to Ethan’s bruised and shaken form, a sight that would haunt him long after tonight ended. “It’s late,” he said after an uncomfortable pause stretched between them like a chasm neither seemed able to cross just yet. “I should probably go.” He took a step toward the door, but hesitated for a moment. “We’ll talk properly tomorrow.”
Ethan stood up and crossed his arms tightly over his chest like he was trying to hold himself together physically while everything inside him felt like it was unraveling piece by piece. “Wait, you’re leaving?” he called out as both confusion and frustration colored his features. “After everything that just happened, you’re just going to leave?”
Logan shook his head, but he couldn’t turn around because if he saw Ethan’s face…
“I’m sorry, I really do have to go.” He kept one hand on the door, as if letting go might undo whatever fragile resolve he’d summoned. “This…” he gestured between them. “This proves why we can’t be a thing. I’m sorry, really I am.”
Ethan stared at him for several long seconds before he finally spoke. “Logan, I want you to stay…”