Page 70 of Body and Soul

The bald man's jaw clenched, hands curling into fists. For a moment, I thought he might swing at Gavin, but his gaze flicked to the side, noting the curious stares of other shoppers. With a barely perceptible jerk of his head, he signaled to the others, who backed away slowly, gazes still fixed on me with cold intent.

“This isn't over, Elias,” the bald man hissed. “You can't escape your destiny. The Prophet will reclaim what is his.”

With those ominous words, the cult members melted into the crowd. I released a shaky breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, heart racing.

Gavin turned to me, brow creased with concern. “Are you alright? Did they hurt you?” He searched me for signs of injury.

I shook my head, swallowing the lump in my throat. “No, I’m okay. Just shaken up. Thanks for intervening.”

“Guess it’s a good thing the leather store was closed.” Gavin's expression softened as he squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nodded numbly. “Can we get out of here? I want to go home.”

Gavin’s hand was a comforting weight on my shoulder as he steered me out of the art supply store and into the mall traffic. I felt dazed, disconnected as we headed toward the exit, the plastic bags crinkling in my hands, knuckles white from gripping tightly.

“Breathe, Eli,” Gavin murmured as we stepped into the muggy heat of the parking lot. “You're safe now.”

I sucked in a shaky breath, trying to slow my racing heart. The asphalt shimmered in the midday sun, the air thick and oppressive. Gavin kept a steadying hand on my back as we wove between the parked cars to his waiting Subaru.

The cool leather seat was a shock against my overheated skin as I collapsed into the passenger side. Gavin slid behind the wheel, cranking the AC up to full blast. Frigid air washed over me, raising goosebumps on my arms.

“Do you want me to call Shepherd?” Gavin asked gently as he backed out of the parking space. His tone was carefully neutral, but I could hear the underlying concern.

I shook my head, staring out the window as the world blurred by. “No, not yet,” I muttered. “He’s busy. I don’t want to distract him when he’s with his family.”

Gavin glanced at me briefly, then nodded, respecting my wish for silence. The rhythmic hum of the engine and the steady rush of cool air from the vents filled the car, and I leaned my head back against the seat, focusing on my breathing like Gavin had told me.

You can’t escape your destiny. The Prophet will reclaim what is his.

A chill swept through me, colder than the blast of the AC. They weren’t just angry that I’d talked to Agent Valentine—I realized, with growing horror, they were desperate. Desperate people did reckless things.

“You’ll have to tell him,” Gavin said quietly, cutting through my thoughts.

I knew he was right. Shepherd needed to know, but right now, I wasn’t ready to face it—anyof it. Not the cult, not Shepherd, not the weight of the truth pressing down on me like a tidal wave. But I nodded anyway, because Gavin was right.

“I’ll tell him,” I whispered, more to myself than to Gavin.

Gavin didn’t push. Instead, he drove us the rest of the way home in silence.

I stepped through thedoor of my apartment, muscles aching with exhaustion. The day's events weighed heavily on my mind, leaving me utterly drained. Yet beneath the fatigue, a deeper longing stirred: an unfamiliar craving for something I couldn't quite define.

Eli. The thought of him sent a jolt through my weary body. His quiet presence, his unwavering submission, the way he anticipated my every need without a word between us. Tonight, I yearned for the solace only he could provide.

As I entered the living room, I found Gavin and Eli waiting. Gavin stood tall and poised, ever the consummate professional, but Eli... Eli was visibly shaken. His platinum hair fell in disheveled strands across his face. His haunting blue eyes were rimmed with red, as if he'd been fighting back tears. The sight of him stirred something deep within me, a protective instinct I rarely allowed myself to feel.

Despite his turmoil, Eli moved with purpose. His slender fingers deftly removed my coat, hanging it with care in the closet. He knelt to unlace my shoes, his touch gentle and sure.

Gavin approached with a somber expression. “Sir, we had an incident while shopping today.”

I met his gaze, unease settling in my gut. “What happened?”

Gavin glanced at Eli, who remained focused on his task, though I noticed the slight tremor in his hands. “We encountered several members of the cult. Eli handled himself admirably, but he’s been quite distressed since we returned.”

I clenched my jaw. I wanted nothing more than to hunt them down for the scars they had left on Eli's body and soul. But as I looked down at Eli, still kneeling at my feet, I knew that vengeance would have to wait. Right now, he needed the stability and comfort only I could provide.

I placed a gentle hand on Eli's head, my fingers threading through his hair. He leaned into my touch, a shuddering breath escaping his lips. “You're safe now,” I murmured, low and reassuring. “I won't let them hurt you again.”

Eli’s eyes fluttered closed, the tension slowly draining from his shoulders.

---