Page 62 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Chapter 21

It was a short time later,back at Elliot’s truck, that Fe stood in front of him. Her fingers on his jaw, holding his face steady as she dabbed at his cheek. “It’s already bruising.” She cringed.

The adrenaline hadn’t faded yet, so thankfully, he wasn’t in much pain. “I’m okay,” he whispered. But he wasn’t. He was worried about her. About what would’ve happened had he not seen her. The sound of her screams still rang in his ears and scared the crap out of him.

Colton was up front in the cab, but came out a short time later and handed Elliot a couple pills.

“Here,” he said, “I suggest you take these now, or you’ll hate yourself come morning.”

Elliot took the pills from his brother’s hand, and swallowed them without water. “Why did you leave her?” Elliot asked.

It was a conversation he’d meant to have at home. When they were alone, and Fe wasn’t around to hear it. But he was so angry, he couldn’t think straight.

“I didn’t leave her. It was all part of the plan; don’t you get it?”

Elliot turned toward his brother, his eyes narrowing. “What plan?”

Colton cocked a tiny grin. “To get you into a fight. Worked too.” He rolled back on his heels.

Elliot stood from the tailgate, his hands curling into fists at his side. “What did you just say?”

“Elliot, stop,” Fe pleaded.

“You mean to tell me you put Fe in danger on purpose?”

Colton laughed and crossed his arms at his chest. “She was never in danger, Elliot. That guy is my friend.”

Elliot shoved Colton. “She has anxiety, you know that?”

Colton stumbled backward.

“It gets worse when she’s in crowds, and you let that guy put his hands all over her.” He shoved him again.

Colton dug his boots into the gravel and braced himself. His fists clenched, and ready for a fight. “That’s right.”

“You fucking asshole!” Elliot shoved him again, this time harder, but Colton only budged a couple inches.

Fe placed her hand on Elliot’s bicep, grabbed hold of his arm and trying to pull him back. “Elliot, stop!”

“I’m fucking sick of it! You think you can just come in here, play your stupid games?”

“Maybe.”

“Not with her! You can play with me, but not with her!” His voice was guttural, charged with emotion, and he ran toward his brother.

Fe screamed. “STOP! Elliot stop!”

His body was shaking, but he forced himself to turn around, because he couldn’t bear to hear her scream like that. Not again.

Her lips were quivering as she stepped toward him. “I knew about it, Elliot. The guy’s name was Jim—” She closed her eyes before opening them again. “It was all part of the plan.”

His breath left him. Like he was punched in the gut all over again. “What?” He stammered out.

Colton’s voice rang in his ears. “It was my idea. Not hers.”

Elliot pushed both hands through his hair, and turned toward the street. All anger was gone, replaced with something much more painful. Betrayal. Hurt. Embarrassment. Fatigue washed over his body, and his head began to pound. He sat down on the tailgate, feeling Fe’s small hand rest on his shoulder. “I’m sorry, I—“

But he shrugged away from her. “Don’t be sorry. Your plan worked, didn’t it.” He looked down to his side, where Fe stood, her brows knit together, but dark circles now replaced where her makeup had once been.

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