Page 82 of Spilled Coffee

Logan had stormed out of the Jeep and up three flights of stairs without thinking. Hell, it was probably too late for this kind of confrontation, but he couldn’t let it fester any longer.

But what if I’m wrong? What if he’s just sleeping?

Those thoughts gnawed at him, doubt creeping in like a cold draft under the door. His jaw tightened as he stared at the chipped wood on the wall in front of him, weighing his options.

This is stupid. He’s ignoring me on purpose. He’s trying to piss me off.

That realization only poured fuel on the fire simmering in his chest and he hammered his fist against the door, harder this time. “Ethan,” he barked. “Open this fuckin’ door right now!”

Devon’s head snapped up as recognition flickered in his eyes. “Shit,” he cursed under his breath.

Logan. Logan was here… He would stop this.

Ethan’s heart leaped at the familiar voice calling his name and relief surged through him. “Lo—” his cry barely escapedbefore Devon’s hand clamped over his mouth with brutal efficiency, cutting him off.

The taste of salty sweat filled his mouth as he thrashed instinctively. “MmMMMPH!” His muffled groans escaped despite Devon’s best efforts to stifle them.

“Shut the fuck up,” Devon hissed in warning as his grip tightened mercilessly around Ethan’s jaw, as if trying to crush any remaining resistance out of him. “You’re only making this worse for yourself.”

Logan’s voice boomed again, louder this time. “Ethan! Open the goddamn door or I swear I’m gonna break it down!”

Devon’s lips curled into a smirk as he glanced back at the door, his confidence growing more insidious with every second that Logan remained on the other side. He leaned closer and muttered darkly, “He’s too late. He can’t help you now.”

Ethan twisted with every ounce of strength he had, kicking wildly, his body screaming in protest as Devon wrenched his arm tighter behind his back. A searing pain flared in his shoulder, the bone threatening to snap if he resisted further.

“No!” Ethan whispered as Devon pressed him into submission.

The faint sound reached Logan’s ears and he stepped away from the door, straining to catch it again. His brow furrowed as unease coiled in his gut like barbed wire unraveling. “Ethan?” His voice softened, but lost none of its urgency. “Hey…” He pressed one hand flat against the wood, “… you alright in there?”

Devon’s control began to falter under Ethan’s increasingly frantic struggle. Sweat slicked their skin as they grappled against each other on the floor, and for a fleeting moment, panic flashed across his features before being buried beneath renewed malice.

“HELP ME!”

The sound pierced through the door like a bullet through glass and Logan’s hesitation evaporated in an instant. He knew that voice, knew it wasn’t just defiance or irritation, it was fear.

Hell no.Dread twisted into anger so hot it felt volcanic. “Ethan!” he bellowed, slamming his shoulder into the door with everything he had. The old frame groaned under the impact but stubbornly held firm.

Inside, Devon’s mind raced, his gaze darting wildly between Ethan and the locked door now trembling under Logan’s persistent assault.

“Logan…” Ethan croaked once more, his voice was raw, but it was enough. His hands clawed at the floor, his nails scraping the wood as he twisted. “No,” his voice strained, his body jerking to break free. His jeans slid lower on his hips, making him feel more vulnerable. “Get off me!” Panic began seeping through his defiance.

“Devon, I’m warning you!” Logan roared before stepping back for one final attempt to break through. “Open this fuckin’ door.”

Devon smirked with a twisted expression. “Can’t,” he shot back as his knee pressed harder into Ethan’s back, making the younger man wince in pain. “Your boy needs a lesson. He shouldn’t fool around if he can’t handle the consequences. He’s been leading me on, trying to make you jealous. You caused this, when you dangled him in front of me like bait.”

“Shit—” Logan’s voice thundered on the other side of the locked door as he rammed it again and again with his shoulder.

The sound of wood splintering suddenly filled the air, but the door still held firm. Desperation clawed at Logan’s throat as he shouted, “Open this fuckin’ door—right now, Devon!”

Devon barely flinched at Logan’s outburst. Instead, he hummed softly as his hands roamed lower along Ethan’s back, fingers trailing a deliberate path over his trembling muscles.“Mmm,” he continued like he was savoring every second of this. “God, you’re gorgeous,” he added cruelly, knowing exactly how to twist the knife.

Ethan let out a strangled yell and thrashed wildly. “Logan! HELP!” he pleaded, his tone carrying all the fear and fury boiling inside him.

Logan pressed his forehead against the outer door and closed his eyes. Every muscle in his body was coiled tight. His mind raced. He couldn’t break down the door fast enough, but there had to be another way to stop this.

Think. Goddammit, think.

“Devon, you need to stop right now or…” He hesitated only for a second before finding his edge. “Or I’m calling Alex!”

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