All Chapters of CLAIMED IN THE DARK : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Eli whispered, “He really wanted me dead…” Cove stayed sitting beside him on the bed, hand still on his shoulder. He didn’t say anything at first. Eli laughed, but it sounded broken. “All this time I thought maybe deep down he still cared. Even after he handed me over like a bag of trash. But no. He was planning to kill me later. His own brother.” Cove squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry you had to hear it like that.” “Sorry?” Eli looked at him with wet eyes. “My brother wanted me gone. Dead. Like I was some loose end he needed to tie up. How fucked up is that?” Cove nodded slowly. “Pretty fucked up.” Eli stood up and started pacing around the room. “I did everything to stay out of his business. I never asked for money. I never snitched. I kept my head down and work

 Eli buried his face in the pillow but it came out anyway. “Cove… fuck…” Cove groaned and moved faster. “Again.” “Cove,” Eli moaned, voice shaking. He couldn’t hold it back anymore. Cove finished with a low growl, pressing deep inside him. They both collapsed, breathing hard. After a minute, Cove pulled out slowly and rolled beside him. Eli stayed face down, trying to catch his breath. “You said my name,” Cove said quietly. Eli turned his head away. “Shut up.” Cove chuckled softly. “I liked it.” Eli pulled the blanket over himself. “Don’t get used to it. I was… in the moment.” Cove reached over and brushed hair from Eli’s forehead. “Sure you were.”

 Cove stared at him for a long, heavy moment, jaw tight with anger. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?” Cove said, voice low and dangerous. Eli’s back pressed harder against the desk. “You can’t keep hiding things from me. Not when my name is all over your secret files.” Cove grabbed Eli’s chin roughly, forcing him to look up. “I told you to leave it alone. I gave you one simple order.” Eli tried to pull his face away but Cove held firm. “And I ignored it. So what? You gonna punish me again? Go ahead. I’m getting used to it.” Cove’s eyes burned. “You think this is a game? You stole from me. In my own house. While I was ten feet away.” “I didn’t steal,” Eli shot back. “I copied files that have my name on them. I have a

The video ended. Eli stood frozen, staring at the blank screen. His face had gone pale. Cove’s grip on the phone tightened. “Play it again.” Eli shook his head slowly. “I don’t want to hear it again.” “We’re watching it,” Cove said firmly. He restarted the video. Marco’s face appeared once more, smiling that same ugly smile. “Hey little brother,” Marco said. “Miss me?” Eli’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “Turn it off.” Cove kept the phone up so both of them could see. “Keep watching.” “I know you’re watching this with your new owner,” Marco continued, laughing. “Tell Cove I said hi. I’m coming for what’s mine soon.” 

 Cove lifted his head slowly and looked up at him. “You’re serious?” Cove asked, eyes searching Eli’s face. Eli nodded, feeling nervous. “Yeah. I’m serious. If it really helps you sleep, I’ll sleep in your bed tonight. No tricks. No fighting.” Cove stood up slowly, still holding Eli’s hand. “You don’t have to do this.” “I know,” Eli said. “But I’m offering. Don’t make me change my mind.” Cove studied him for a long moment. “Alright. Tonight.” The rest of the day passed quietly. They ate dinner together with almost no talking. The tension between them felt thick, like the air before a storm. Later that night, Cove led Eli to the main bedroom. It was bigger than Eli’s room, with a huge bed and dark sheet