Page 134 of Savage Vicious Heir: Part Two

He means he can’t deal with me.

I lock down the hurt and step towards him.

“We should probably give them some space,” Oakley suggests.

“Don’t,” Elliot spits. But I give Oakley a nod.

“If you need us…” Tally adds.

“I’m fine. I’ve got this.”

They clear out, leaving me alone with Elliot.

He narrows his eyes, so much pain and anger burning there. Then he storms over to the kitchen and pulls a bottle of vodka out of the cabinet, not bothering with a glass.

“That won’t help,” I say from behind him.

“And you think you can help me?” he sneers.

“Elliot.” I move closer, laying my hand on his shoulder. “Talk to me.”

“Stop,” he says, knocking me away.

“But I want to help.” I move around him, shoving myself between him and the counter. “Let me help, please.” I gaze up at him with nothing but love and trust.

“Red.” He inhales a sharp breath, his eyes shuttering. When they open again, I see a glimpse of my Elliot staring back at me. “I… I’m not in control right now. I need…”

“I know what you need, Elliot. And I want to help. I can handle it, I can?—”

He jerks away from me, a caged animal fighting the urge to attack.

“Elliot.” I take a step closer, taking the vodka bottle from him. I place it down, the air straining between us. “You helped me. You helped me so much… I’m here. And I trust you. You won’t hurt me.” I reach for him, silently pleading with him to let me do this.

To let me be his anchor.

“Elliot,” I breathe, trying to keep a handle on the nervous energy rebounding through me.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” he says in a low tone that sends a bolt of fear sliding down my spine.

But I’m not scared of him.

Never him.

I’m only scared of what he might do if he doesn’t let me in. If he doesn’t let me help.

“You should go,” he snarls, trying to intimidate me. To push me away.

This— This is the cold, cruel Heir people know him to be. But it’s only a mask. One he’s been forced to wear to fit into his father’s cutthroat world.

“No.” I stand taller, lifting my chin in defiance. “I love you. I love you, Elliot. All parts of you including the ones you don’t want me to see.”

The air thins, my heart beating so fast I feel dizzy. But I refuse to back down.

I refuse to abandon him in his moment of need.

Elliot’s expression darkens, anger radiating off him. But I don’t back down an inch.

He needs this.

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