Page 66 of Little Fury

“Why do you have his phone, Alexi?”

“Because, like I fucking told you, he’s busy at the moment.”

“Actually, you said held up. So, Alexi, what is he busy doing?”

“Not any of your fucking business.”

“You really don’t like me, do you? I’ve always kinda wondered why. Is it as simple as Marcus listening to me? Or is it that I am a woman and you have no use for us? Or maybe you’re just a small, insignificant man who feels threatened bysomeone like me.”

“Fuck you, you stupid cunt. Soon enough, Marcus will wake up and realize no matter how good your pussy is, you’re not worth it.”

“Hey, you may be right. That could happen. Hell, it could be happening right now. But you want to know a secret, Alexi? When men break into your home to kill you, if you shoot one in the head and blow a couple of fingers off the other, the one missing the fingers will tell you things. And if you’re really lucky, he will call you such pretty little names. Things like sweetheart and devochka.”That word lands. I see his breath catch; I see that slight tick in his jaw.

“Anyway, Alexi, let Marcus know I’m going to eat without him. Please stick him in a cab after you guys are done. Please don’t let him OD on the coke. Also, make sure he wraps his dick up if he’s going to stick it in anyone. The last thing your grandfather would want is a bastard Marcus running around.” I smile sweetly at him and end the call.

I stare at my phone for a moment and question my own words. Was my nonchalance to Marcus fucking another woman real or fake? I’m unsure. I have always been in control of my emotions, feelings and reactions. I have a great poker face. It wasn't something I had to be taught. I wonder if I have buried too many emotions too deeply for too long, and now they’re not something I can access. I wonder how I would react if I saw him with another woman. Marcus is mine. And now with the change in our relationship he is mine in every way. But my confusion, the pause I feel myself taking is that I don't know if I'm his, or rather I don't know if I have, or can give myself to him like I've taken him for myself.

I hear a car pull up in front of the house. Glancing at the clock, I see it’s a little after 2. I get out of bed and go to the door to help him. I have no idea what condition he’s going to be in. I open the door and stand in the doorframe, leaningagainst it, watching the driver help a fucked-up Marcus get out of the back.

“Ma’am,”the driver nods to me as he helps Marcus to the door.“Do you want me to help you get him inside?”

“No, I’ve got him. This isn’t the first time. Thank you for bringing him home. Do you need me to sign anything?”

“Nope, already paid for.”

“Thanks again.”

He hands Marcus off to me.“Hey, baby!”He calls to me as I get my arms around his middle.

“Hey, baby. Marcus, I’m going to need you to help me get you to the bedroom, okay?”

“Yup, I can.”

“Great,” I chuckle. “Let’s go, dude.”

I don’t know how we manage it, but I get him to the bedroom and onto the bed. I get his shirt off him easily; his pants are a bit trickier, but with some assistance from the man himself, we complete that task as well.

“Ava, I didn’t feed you!”

“No, you didn’t. But it’s ok. I fed myself.”

“Dats goo.”

“It is goo.”It’s taking everything in me not to break out in laughter at him. I’m happy he’s more drunk than high. Drunk Marcus is soft and usually pretty sweet. High on coke, Marcus is not nearly as nice; high on coke, Marcus is unpredictable and violent.

“I love you, Ava.”

“I know you do. It’s sleep time now, Marcus.”

“K.”

“K,”I mimic him. I throw his clothes in the laundry in the bathroom; they reek of smoke, vodka, and weed. At least he had a fun night. I get back into bed now that he is settled and passed out.

I wake up a little later as I feel the weight in the bed shift.Marcus gets out of bed and heads into the bathroom. I drift back to sleep quickly in his absence.

I wake up suddenly to the feel of a hand on my throat. For a moment, a single heartbeat of panic engulfs me. I open my eyes, the light from the bathroom hurting them for a moment. Marcus is above me, and I quickly realize I’m in trouble. He’s squeezing harder than he ever would if this was a kink. My hands grab his, my nails digging in, trying to get him to loosen his hold.

As my eyes adjust to the light, I can see him better. One look, and I know he’s high. His pupils are nowhere near normal size. Alexi likes coke, and he has been feeding it to Marcus here and there for the last couple of years whenever they were together.

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