Chapter 27

“Why?” Elliot asked after a few moments of silence. “Why did he do it?”

The question had bothered him all day. Why would a seemingly normal kid with well-off parents do something like that?

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any answers for you.”

Mick kissed his neck and slid one knee between Elliot’s thighs, tangling their legs together. For the first time since he’d laid eyes on the orange box cutter that ordinarily looked so harmless, Elliot felt calm and safe.

After a few minutes, his eyelids grew heavy, and his thoughts started drifting. He wiggled closer to his lover and let his mind float, wanting sleep to carry him away. Mick’s breath evened out, and he sighed, happy to be snuggled up in the safety of his partner’s arms.