Page 80 of Misconducts & Temptation

“You think you can touch her?” I hissed between punches. “She’s mine. She belongs to me.”

He swung again, catching me in the shoulder, but the pain only fueled my anger. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the bench. He grunted in pain as I pinned him down.

“Stay away from her,” I growled, each word punctuated by a punch to his face. “You hear me? She’s not yours to mess with. Or I will fucking kill you."

Ashton struggled beneath me, but he was no match for my fury. His attempts to fight back grew weaker with each hit until he finally went limp, panting heavily.

“You understand?” I demanded, leaning closer so he could see the fire in my eyes.

“Yeah,” he gasped, blood trickling from his split lip. “I understand.”

I released him roughly and stood up, breathing hard. Ashton lay on the floor, battered and beaten, a pitiful sight compared to the arrogant prick who had taunted me moments ago.

“Elodie is mine,” I repeated, my voice steady now. “And if you ever come near her again, I’ll kill you, Ashton. Fucking try it.”

He didn’t respond; he just lay there, clutching his ribs and glaring up at me with fear and hatred.

I turned away from him without another word and left the locker room. I stormed out of Pandora's Box, my knuckles still throbbing from the confrontation with Ashton. The cold air outside bit at my skin, but it was a welcome relief after the heat of the fight. My breath came out in visible puffs as I crossed the parking lot to my car. There she was—Elodie, sitting in the front seat, her eyes wide and questioning.

Good. She listened to me.

I yanked open the driver’s door and slid into the seat beside her. Without a word, I pulled her in for a kiss, urgent and fierce. Her lips parted for me immediately, something else I liked about her. My tongue slipped into her mouth, exploring, conquering every inch. Her taste was intoxicating, a mix of sweetness and something uniquely Elodie.

Finally, I pulled away, my forehead resting against hers as I caught my breath.

“Mine,” I whispered, my voice rough with emotion.

“Yours,” she replied, breathless.

I started the car, the engine roaring to life under my command. Without another glance back at Pandora's Box, we drove off together into the night.

“What did you do?”

I kept my eyes on the road, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I don't think you want to know that.”

She pursed her lips, a stubborn look settling on her face before she turned to look at me. “I'm your wife,” she said. “I'd like to know.”

A sigh escaped my lips. “I beat him with my bare hands and threatened to kill him if he touched you again.” I pulled out a cigarette but didn’t light it, needing something to occupy my hands.

Glancing at her, I noticed her legs were crossed tightly together.

“You… you like that, don't you?” I asked, a smirk forming on my lips. “You like that I would kill for you.”

Elodie opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Instead, she looked out the window, her silence speaking volumes.

“Don't be ashamed, babes,” I said, placing my hand on her bare thigh. “We all have a little darkness in us.”

Her skin was warm under my touch, and I felt her shiver slightly. The smirk widened as I drove, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction knowing that she understood my world in ways she probably never expected.

Her brow furrowed, her eyes flicking between me and the road ahead.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked, her voice hesitant.

I didn’t answer right away, letting the anticipation build. The engine’s purr filled the silence as we left the familiar paths of Crestwood behind. We pulled into an empty church parking lot, the vast space stretching out before us under the dim streetlights. The emptiness of the lot mirrored the quiet stillness of the afternoon.

I killed the engine and stepped out of the car. Elodie followed, a frown on her face.

“I’m going to teach you how to drive,” I said, my voice firm but gentle.

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