I huff a derisive breath and maneuver around him, only for another body to swing around the corner. The other favorite, Marlo, fills the doorway. He plays the part of a golden retriever. He looks it too with bouncy blond hair and a quick smile. But his actions come off forced, as if right below the surface waits teeth and the instinct to attack without warrant.

“Hey, Remi,” he says. His eyes bounce from me to Elvin and back. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Nope.” I step, but he stays anchored, and when I feel Elvin shift closer behind me, I dig my nails into my palms.

“I was just about to tell her how nice she looks tonight,” he says.

“Ah.” Marlo nods. “The chief has said how much you like to express yourself with your outfits.”

The shudder happens even before Elvin’s finger draws down my back, over the dress’s fabric that covers it entirely. “Like this one, right, Marlo? What does it say to you?” Another finger runs down the sleeve to where it stops halfway down my arm.

“Let. Me. Leave,” I grit out. My breaths shallow, throat constricting from the acid and bared teeth caging me in. “You are both fucking disgusting.” I try to turn for the hallway, but Marlo presses closer. I shove him in the chest, gaining nothing other than another grin of misdirection.

“Now, Remi, that’s not very ladylike. Then again, you’re not a lady from what I hear.” His gaze lifts to Elvin behind me. “You saw how she pushed me. You think she likes it rough?”

I’m light-headed, the kitchen tilting as I struggle to inhale. My chest’s about to crack open from the beating it takes from my heart.

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” Elvin toys with a strand of my hair from behind, and I feel his face right over my shoulder. “She dresses up for us, practically begs for a hard fuck. She checks all the boxes for a hot little slam piece.”

I throw all my weight back into Elvin, catching him off guard and forcing him back a step. Marlo backs off too, chuckling while giving me an up-down. Then he just leaves. I whip around, already putting distance between me and Elvin. He smiles, tilts his head.

“Next time you need a ride, call me.” His voice lowers, the hush returning, but this time it matches his words. “I can keep a secret too.”

I blink after him as he waltzes away. Suddenly I’m alone in the kitchen. I don’t stay, not tempting a replay of whatever the fuck just happened. I steel myself and rush upstairs. By the time I lock my bedroom door and secure every pillow at the bottom, I’ve surfed the waves through terrified to numb to confused to fucking livid.