Page 66 of Perfect Night

Hunter shook his head vehemently. Charlie reached out and gently touched his shoulder. Without thinking, Charlie opened the top buttons of Hunter’s shirt. He wasn’t sure where Hunter’s jacket was. He pulled the shirt gently down his collarbone and saw a nasty bruise, which was obviously made by someone gripping really hard. The fact it was recent and already bruised showed just how much force had been used. Charlie suspected there was more, so unbuttoned the rest of his shirt. Hunter didn’t protest. He was trying his best not to cry.

The shirt came off and Charlie was horrified at how much bruising there was. Some of the bruises were old and almost healed, while others were fresh. It even looked like he had a boot mark on his back.

“You have to report him.”

“I can’t. I’d be homeless without him.”

“Okay. Well, at least let me take some pictures, in case you change your mind. Sebastian could help you get somewhere to stay.”

“No. I couldn’t speak to Sebastian. He told me to keep away from him or he’d kill me. I think he’s still got a thing for him. He’s always talking about him.”

That did not surprise Charlie, especially with the way Brandon had been earlier. He knew Sebastian had no lingeringfeelings, so there was nothing for him to be worried about. Right now, his only concern was Hunter.

He took the photos and put his phone away. Hunter was buttoning up his shirt when the door slammed open. They both spun around to see Brandon there, looking furious.

“What the fuck is going on in here? Are you fucking around with my fiancé?”

Charlie shook his head. He couldn’t speak as Brandon advanced on him. He backed up quickly against the sink, but Brandon was a big guy and was in his face within seconds.

“You fucking little slut, I should have known anything Sebastian was with wouldn’t be able to keep their hands to themselves. Hunter, go outside now. I’ll deal with you later.”

“He wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was just helping me.”

“Helping you with what?”

Brandon’s eyes didn’t leave Charlie’s face. He had him pinned by his furious gaze, and the sheer presence of his bulk.

Hunter mumbled something.

“What? Speak up, boy.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

He left without another word. Fuck. What was Brandon going to do to him? Charlie needed to get away. If he could get back out into the crowd, Brandon couldn’t touch him.

“So, if you two weren’t fucking in here, what were you doing?” he sneered.

Given Hunter had just left him, he didn’t feel like he owed him much right now, and he needed to say something.

“He was showing me your handiwork. Got a bit of history, I’m guessing.”

“Has Sebastian been crying over that? Fucker needed to be kept in line, that was all. He had a good thing with me. And now he’s with you. Some two-bit whore who wouldn’t know what to do with a man like that.”

Charlie snapped. He’d wriggled a bit to the side and had a perfect aim. He drew his knee up as hard as could into Brandon’s bollocks.

Brandon dropped like a sack of shit, groaning in pain. Charlie bolted for the door, but wasn’t fast enough. Brandon, who had recovered quickly, grabbed Charlie and flung him onto the floor. He kicked Charlie hard in the ribs and knocked the wind out of him. Before he could even think of moving or defending himself, the boot was there again. It was relentless and Charlie thought he might black out from the pain.

There was a loud crash as the door burst open and Charlie couldn’t work out what was going on. He heard bone on bone crunching as someone punched Brandon and he went down.

Charlie winced in pain as he tried to stand up, but he was too winded. A moment later, Sebastian was by his side, holding him.

“Charlie, Charlie, can you stand up?”

“Just give me a minute,” he wheezed. “How did you know I was in here?”

“He told us,” he said, pointing at Hunter, who looked horrified.

Charlie could stand, but it was agonising. Deacon was standing over Brandon, who was flat out on the floor. Charlie noticed Sebastian’s hand was bleeding.

---