Explanation

 I was mute the entire flight to London. I didn't want to know what Eric was doing there, why he was there, or what he wanted. To the hotel, I kept my eyes forward, sunglasses on, and tried to ignore the one man I didn't want to see more than Deacon--Eric.

 Once I got settled, I couldn't stop pacing in my room. Zeus knew to get my suite away from everyone and everything. He didn't want me to come in the first place, but he didn't wish for Deacon to touch me when he wasn't there.

 Knock Knock Knock

 "Who is it?" I asked.

 Knock Knock Knock

 "Ugh," I huffed in frustration while storming over to the door. I angrily threw it open, "What-"

 My words caught in my throat. It was Eric.

 I backed away from the door, unsure of how to react. He closed the door behind him, looking at me with puppy dog eyes.

 "What the Hell do you want?" I asked.

 "I know you don't want to see me right now-"

 "Don't want to see you? I don't want you near me after how you acted that night. I've never done anything to deserve that from you! I cared about you, and you left me lying there on the ground! It hurt to walk!" I whimpered as tears began streaming down my face. Anger overtook me, and I threw an ashtray at his head, which he dodged, "Get out!"

 "Please! Listen to me!" he rushed me and held me tight.

 "Let me go!" I cried out.

 "Zeus made me do it!" he shouted, "He made me do it! If I hadn't, he would have made me watch as he fucked you, and I couldn't bear it!"

 I shoved him back to see tears streaming down his face.

 "How the Hell am I supposed to believe you!" I hollered with a slap across his face. He remained still and took it. I tried slapping him again, but he embraced me once more, this time even tighter. It was as if he was trying to convey his sincerity within his arms as he whimpered in sadness. I quit resisting, realizing there was no way for me to succeed in breaking free from this cage I was in.

 "Why didn't you tell me if your words were true that night?" I whispered.

 "He was watching," Eric replied while releasing his hold on me, "Zeus was watching to make sure I did what he wanted."

 "Why would he want you to do that to me?" I grunted while looking up at him.

 His sincerity in his gaze caused me to soften as he guided me to sit on the couch.

 "He told me I was in love with you, which I could tell displeased him. He told me to ruthlessly fuck you to prove that I was in control and not some love-sick puppy who followed you around anywhere you'd go. I hated myself the entire time it was happening, but if I conveyed the smallest ounce of remorse, he was going to make me watch as he fucked you. To prove to me that you could never love me," Eric concluded.

 He held my hands in his grasp, his head held down in shame. "I'm so sorry, Ivy."

 "Y-you hurt me," I whispered while beginning to sob, "I trusted you, and you hurt me."

 "I'm sorry," he embraced me, "If I made love to you the way we always had, he'd know that I am exactly what he believes of me."

 "What's that?" I questioned.

 "That I am completely in love with you. I'm only getting close to him to figure out his secrets and weaknesses," he explained. "So we could finally get away and never look back. He's much more powerful than I thought. The things he does to people and is willing to do scare me. I'll do anything to protect you."

 He wiped the tears from my cheek. I saw it in his eyes; he wasn't lying. I always felt the way he acted that night confused me. It was nothing like him to do what he did.

 "I'm sorry," I whimpered. We would not be in this mess now if I hadn't been with him."

 "No, Ivy," he shook his head. Don't do that, and don't blame yourself."

 I sobbed in his arms for what seemed like an eternity when there was another knock on the door.

 "Ivy? It's Zeus and Reign. Is Eric with you?" Zeus said through the door.

 I cleaned myself up and pecked Eric on the lips, "Don't worry, I won't say anything. I will still act angry that you're here and tell you to leave with them."

 He nodded in reply before I ran to the door and swung it open, being sure to show the frustration on my face, "Good, you can take him with you! I told you I didn't want you here, Eric. Get out."

 "Woah, what's the problem?" Zeus waved his arms cluelessly.

 "I don't know, and I don't care! He's just got here, and I want him to leave; I don't want him here!" I huffed.

 "Okay, alright. Eric, why don't we head out of here and leave Ivy alone for now," Reign interjected.

 Eric walked out of the door, and I slammed it behind him, falling to a heap on the ground, unable to do anything but cry myself to sleep.