Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
M y eyes open as I pat the bed, finding Fox’s side empty.
Sitting up, I peer around his dark room.
“Fox?” I call, leaning to the side as I rub my face to see if he’s in the bathroom, but the door is open and the light is off.
“Fox?” Throwing the covers back, I slip from the bed and open the door.
The house is silent, and everyone is asleep.
Heading back to my phone, I see there are no messages or notifications, and that’s when I start to worry.
Fox wouldn’t leave me alone like this without letting me know.
Biting my lip, I call him, but it doesn’t go through.
I text him as well, but it doesn’t even show as read.
I slump in his desk chair, confused and concerned.
Running my eyes over his notebooks, I consider waking the others, but then my gaze lands on his iPad.
I turn it on, knowing it’s linked to his phone. He’s never hidden it or his phone from me. In fact, the passcode is my birthday, so I put it in and log into his texts. Mine are unread at the top, which only makes me worry more, but the one below it makes me go cold all over.
THATPRICK
There can only be one person Fox would name that, so I navigate to that text, open the thread, and read. I know I shouldn’t click on the video from the frozen image it’s showing, but I open it anyway.
Moans fill the air, graphic and loud, and I can’t blink or look away as Fox drives into Theo, who smiles at the camera. Sickness hits me as well as jealousy and anger.
Throwing the iPad away, I cover my face and breathe through the pain.
I know they dated, and I know they fucked, but seeing it is a whole other thing. I remind myself that’s not important. Only Fox is. If Theo is threatening to release that, then Fox would go to him like he demanded—not just for himself, but for me.
Everything Fox does is always for me. He wouldn’t want me to get hurt.
What is Theo planning? Nothing good, that’s for sure, and Fox walked in there alone. I’m going to kick his ass later for not waking me, but right now, I need to find him and bring him home.
Picking up my phone, I hit his number, terror clutching my heart, but he doesn’t answer.
I keep calling as I pull on my boots and coat, but it won’t go through.
Once outside, I open the app that shows all our locations—something management demanded we get, which I’m thankful for now—and one look at his confirms my fear.
He went.
I barely remember the journey to Theo’s house.
Luckily, the roads are empty, so it doesn’t take long, but as I stare up at the closed front door, I hesitate.
My heart demands I turn around, and my brain tells me I won’t like what I’ll find inside, but this is Fox.
For a moment, pain pierces my chest before I push it away.
Fox wouldn’t leave me unless he had no choice, which means something happened.
I have to trust in that and in him. He would never do anything to hurt me.
I can’t leave him alone, even if he’s chosen Theo. Even if he went back to him, I’ll beg him to come back to me.
I don’t bother knocking, instead taking the last step, opening the door, and storming inside.
I look for him as I rush to the living room, only to stop in the doorway.
The candlelight casts everything in a romantic glow, but there’s no romance or happiness in my chest at the scene before me as I find the man I love below his first love.
My heart cracks and shatters in my chest as Theo leans back, his lips swollen. There are marks all over Fox’s chest, his shirt is gaping open, and his pants are unbuttoned. I’m about to turn and run when I realize what’s wrong with this picture.
Fox doesn’t appear happy, and he isn’t reacting in guilt or calling my name.
He looks . . . wrong.
Tears slide silently down his cheeks as he meets my gaze, my heart breaking at the desperation and hopelessness in those depths.
“Ryker.” His voice is slurred. “Help—” His voice cuts off, but his eyes bulge at me.
Despite the agony in my chest, I run my gaze over them once more before glancing around the room. I find two wine glasses, and there is a vial next to them. My eyes land on Theo.
“Did you drug him?” I ask.
His bored gaze meets mine as he tilts his head. “The door’s there. Leave. I was just getting to the good part.”
“Did you drug him?” I roar as I stride over, grabbing his hair as I drag him up and off Fox, who whines, tears cascading down his face.
Theo swings, but I slam my fist into his bare gut, and he bends forward.
It’s then I realize he’s naked, a robe and boxers discarded on the floor, and his cock is hard.
I’ve never hated someone so much as I do in this moment.
Sickness courses through me at the sight of Fox looking vulnerable and heartbroken.
His hand lifts then drops as if he has no energy, and I slam my fist into Theo’s stomach again, making him gasp before I jerk his head back.
“Did you?” I scream in his face.
His smile is wicked. “He would have enjoyed it. We both know that. He came here of his own accord. It’s his own fault—” I slam my fist into his gut again, and this time I let him drop to the floor. He crumples to the carpet with a groan, and I slam my boot into his side, fury washing through me.
He drugged Fox.
He was going to rape him.
Fuck!
If I hadn’t arrived in time . . . Horror consumes me, and I take it out on him, kicking him over and over as he curls up, laughing as I beat him.
When I step away, chest heaving, he rolls onto his back and smiles up at me.
“Do you want to see the prequel? The video is still on my phone. You’ll see just how much he enjoys our games?—”
I drive my boot into his face, and his head snaps to the side from the force, his yell escaping his split lips as he coughs up blood.
Dragging him up, I hammer my fist into his face.
My knuckles split and break, but I don’t stop.
I keep seeing that smug look and Fox’s hopelessness and horror, and I can’t hold back.
He hurt my love.
He tried to take him from me.
He touched him without permission.
“Ry . . .” Fox’s choked voice is what stops me from killing the bastard.
Taking a deep breath, I drop him to the floor.
Theo wheezes through his bleeding mouth and broken nose.
Grabbing his robe from the side, I tie his hands and feet together, and then I shove his boxers into his mouth to silence his words before I hurry over to Fox, who is struggling to sit up.
I don’t know what he was given or how long it takes to wear off, but I’m worried more about what he’s going through mentally right now.
I help him sit up, and he leans into me, heavy and uncoordinated. I need to get him to a hospital and get him some help.
“I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you,” I promise as I help him up. His body seems to be coming back online, but his hands fumble with his shirt and pants, tears sliding down his face as he sobs.
Pulling off my jacket, I drape it around him and zip it up before softly fastening his jeans, and then I lead him outside, ignoring Theo’s muffled yells.
Once out in the fresh air, I sit him down on the steps, struggling under his bulk, and grip his cheeks.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. I’m here, okay? Nothing will happen to you, I promise.”
“I . . . Sorry.” He sobs as he leans into me, wrapping his arms tightly around my back and chest, his strength finally returning. “I never should have come. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you.”
“Shh.” I kiss his head as I hold him, the cold air cooling my red cheeks.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Lifting his head, I lean in so he looks at me.
“I mean it, Fox, nothing. What he did is beyond fucked up, but it isn’t your fault.
I know you were only trying to protect me and the band, and I’m not mad, okay?
I’m so fucking sorry, baby, that he did that to you. ”
He cries against my chest, and I pull my phone out and dial 911, all while rubbing his back. “I’ve got you,” I murmur. “I love you, and I’m right here. You’re safe. He can’t touch you again.”
It’s true. I will never let Theo hurt him again.
Police swarm the house, and Fox is put into the back of an ambulance. I don’t leave his side, my hand in his despite them needing room, but he won’t let go and neither will I. His wild, desperate eyes remain locked on me as they fuss over him.
“Sir, I’m sorry.” I look to the side to see a police officer there. “We will need you to come with us for a statement. The other party is extremely injured.” He looks anxious just saying it, and I narrow my eyes.
“I go where Fox goes,” I tell him.
“Sir, please, I don’t want to have to arrest you?—”
“Try it,” I retort. “See all those people out there?” I jerk my head to the side, where they had to set up a police barricade. There are people there with cameras aimed at us. I heard our names shouted, so they know we’re here. “You think they won’t have something to say about you arresting me?”
“Ryker.” Fox looks worried as he sits up. “Don’t leave me, please.”
“Shh, I’m not going anywhere,” I promise as I kiss his cheek. “One second, okay?”
He clings to my hand, and I kiss it before tugging mine away, crouching at the end of the ambulance. “He’s been through a lot tonight,” I tell the officer. “I won’t leave him alone. He’s the victim here.”
“Sir,” he begins, just as another officer arrives and whispers something to the first cop. His eyes widen as he looks at me. “I’m very sorry, sir. Please go ahead. We’ll find you both later to talk. Get him some help.”
“Wait.” I grab his arm as he turns to leave. “What happened?”
He bites his lip and glances at Fox before quietly answering, “They found a camera inside. It was all caught on film.”