Fight Men Not Love

Chapter Sixteen

"Okay, so, we might have to do some public time. You know, like a date, a family outing or just a conference appearance, but that would be too formal," the man seated in front of us said. "I was thinking maybe a picnic this weekend, or dinner. Or I could leave it up to you guys,"

"Pass, I already have plans for the weekend," I mumbled.

"You're going to have to cancel them, sweetie. This is important," Dominic's mom said.

"I swear I remember quite clearly you mentioned I'm allowed to do whatever I want," I turned to Dominic. "Or did that change?"

"Okay, maybe you could...reschedule your plans for the next weekend. We're trying to push this to get to the public, yeah? The sooner we do this, the better," the man said.

"You want me to reschedule my nonexistent life? Fine. Done, I'm all yours," I said.

"Great, Dominic, you got any suggestions?"

"Anything that involves Inez, please, " I interjected. I don't think I want to be with this man. Alone.

"I guess that's okay," the man said, standing up. "I'll keep you updated on what's happening," he walked out.

"It'd be better if you work with us, young lady," Karen glared at me.

"Am I not?" I rose a brow at her.

"See, I'm going to need you to tone it down, with the attitude," she said pointing a finger at me.

"And I'm going to need you to stop treating me like I'm after his money. I don't know if any of ya'll noticed, but I don't want this f*****g alliance, okay? So stop putting s**t on me," I glared at her. "And I don't want your stupid money, so you can shove it up your f*****g Karen ass," I stood up and left.

"For the last time, I'm not Karen," I smiled, despite the fact that I'm angry. I walked back to where Inez was sleeping. I laid down next to her, watching her sleeping so peacefully. I moved the small hairs on her forehead.

"Evelyn..." I didn't turn towards the door, knowing Dominic wants to talk. I couldn't. He's bursting my happy time with this little angel sleeping next to me.

I don't understand how she stole my heart and my everything, so suddenly.

"I don't want to talk about it," I said quietly, not taking my eyes off this beautiful soul.

"But we-"

"Please," I heard him shuffling around for some time, before he sighed.

"As you wish," he said gently and walked out.

●

I stared at the woman, who I haven't seen in a long time. It felt like ages since I've been in this office.

"Miss Benedict, it's lovely seeing you again. Shall we?" She gestured for me to sit. "How have you been so far?"

"Not good, obviously. That's why I'm here, isn't it?" I groaned, slouching a little.

"Well yes, maybe you'd like to share something. To start our session." Dr Fidel said.

"Or you could get on with your questions, so I can get the f**k out of here," I rolled my eyes, seriously not in the mood.

"Have you started street fighting again?" I eyed her, quite surprised of her first question. "The scars on your face," she pointed out.

Right.

"I heard some people talking a few days ago and decided to check it out," I said with a shrug.

"And why did you do that, Evelyn?" She was scribbling down notes on her writing board.

"For the same reason as last time. To blow off steam,"

"Your anger is getting out of control again?"

"I don't have anger issues, and I'm perfectly in control," I glared at her.

"Of course. It's possible to have an outburst every now and then. Especially if we bottle things up, they find a way to reveal themselves,"

"The man who killed your father," she asked. "Have you met with him recently?"

"I haven't exactly met with anyone recently, besides my best friend,"

"Beckett Ross? Why haven't you met the others?"

"I'm in a tricky situation and I'm not sure if I want them involved,"

"What kind of a situation is that?" She looked up at me through her glasses.

Oh boy, here we go again. I told her everything that happened when I met Avel. I told him about how he was like my rebound, after Camerin and he did everything right and I fell under his spell.

His evil spell.

"You haven't gotten any headaches, recently, no?" I shook my head. "And...the alcohol urges?" I balled my hands into fists on instinct.

"I'm having one right now," I mumbled, blinking. I've realized taking those shots set me back. Somehow, I've managed to ignore the urge days ago. Now, the shaking has begun all over again.

"And what do you normally do to stop it?"

"Nothing," I shrugged. "I mean, before I went to this fight club, I managed to calm it down with painkillers and I tried to ignore it. Now," I let out a shaky breath. "It's back,"

"Would you recommend a rehab-"

"No," I said, cutting her off.

"Very well. How do you go on about this Phoenix alter ego?"

"It's what's been giving me strength to survive, at the club," I said softly. "I don't remember having as much panic attacks as before, because of...well, Phoenix. I feel...invincible, if not free, when I switch to Phoenix," I think back to my time at the club. "She gave me power,"

"Let's talk about Avel," I flinched at the sound of his name. I haven't heard it in a while and he still has that much power over me. "Do you still have feelings for-"

"No, I don't,"

"What did he do to you? Like, how did he change you?" I let out a hot breath and closed my eyes, allowing myself to tap back into when I was still under his control.

"He made me feel...weak. He broke me. All that my papa taught me," my voice shook slightly. "It was all gone. He just...stripped me bare. Naked. And empty. I...I learnt how to move under his orders and now...I'm a puppet with no Master," a tear slid down my face and I didn't move to wipe it. "I don't even know who I am anymore. I don't...know how to live outside of his...voice,"

The woman didn't say anything for a minute or two, letting me breakdown as waves after waves of fear washed over me. She handed me a box of tissues.

"Have you been able to sleep? Since you got back," she asked me after more questions.

"I guess," I shrugged. "I mean, not that I particularly like the thought of falling asleep and having nightmares, but I haven't had any signs of insomnia or anything." She nodded.

"And your panic attacks?"

"No episode since I got back. It never gets there at least,"

"What about...depression?" I blinked.

"Well, that I'm not so sure. I can barely...grasp anything even for a second, so..."

●

I walked inside Dominic's home and instantly heard voices from the kitchen. It baffles me how they can just hang out in the kitchen, like it's nobody's business.

And the fact that these three men are always here. Okay, maybe not the two, but Killian.

"Evelyn, hey," I looked up at Dominic. He was wearing an apron, in casual clothes, despite it being midweek. "You're back,"

I sighed and nodded, walking over to sit down. I eyed the three men huddled around the countertop. One of them smiled at me.

"Hi, I'm Dante," he introduced himself. "This is Jackson," he pointed to the tall man in the middle. "My boyfriend," he slapped his shoulder, smiling brightly at him. Jackson rose a brow, eyeing Dante.

"You did not just introduce me as your boyfriend," he said.

"But you are," Dante argued. "You know, boy and a friend. A very dear friend. To me,"

"You should have stopped at the first 'friend'. Now you just made it weird," Jackson said softly.

"You're the one making it weird," Dante said.

"Are you sure you're not gay?"

"I would say yeah, but you and Emmett are making me question my sexuality. It's really confusing and hard, not thinking about...one of you bending me ov-"

"God no. For the love of God, stop," I burst out laughing, unable to help myself. I felt tears pooling at the corner of my eyes as I laughed uncontrollably. I gripped the counter to steady myself.

I felt slightly shy when my laughter died down and they were looking at me.

"You guys don't understand how I'm feeling. You've never seen Emmett. He's...I swear his eyes are translucent. The man is fine, okay?" Dante went on.

"You're definitely gay," Killian pointed out. "And if you're looking for, you know-"

"Nope. Not gonna happen, asswipe. You're the last gay guy I'd ever date," Dante shook his head. Jackson chuckled under his breath, drinking his water. "You don't get to bend my best friend over and then bend me over," Jackson breaks into fits of coughs, spitting out the water. "Oh Jesus," Dante was quick to hit his back as he coughed uncontrollably. Dominic was a laughing mess by the stove.

"I hate you," Jackson said, glaring at Dante. I noticed Killian was smirking. I'm guessing Jackson and Killian dated or something.

"Yeah sure you do," Dante scoffed, smiling to himself. Jackson was rather flustered.

"You guys need help," Dominic commented.

"No, we don't. Jackson needs to accept that I'm his boyfriend too, that's all," Dante said and then proceeded to brush Jackson's side of the face.

"What the f**k?" Jackson chuckled. He couldn't possibly stay mad at his best friend's crazy obsession with him. I have a feeling this happens occasionally.

I couldn't help giggling uncontrollably as they fooled around. Dante reminded me of someone I used to know. I tried to push away the unwanted thoughts and focused on what's in front of me.

"Well, I guess toxic masculinity has left the group chat," I said. Dante clapped his hands.

"Thank you," he said, happy with my comment. "See? She gets me," he smiled at me.

Dominic sat down next to me, eyeing me closely. I turned to him, questioning him. "You okay?" He asked softly. I blinked at him and cleared my throat, averting my gaze.

"Why do you ask?" I asked.

"You were crying," he said softly.

"Well, I just came back from therapy. I'd expect a tear here and there," I shrugged nonchalantly. "Speaking of therapy. I need to tell you something," I looked back up at Dominic.

"Are you sure you want to share something related to your therapy sessions?" He frowned at that. "Things like that are supposed to be private,"

"Well, yeah, the thing is," I began, folding my hands in my lap, away from everyone. "If I'm going to...marry you," it was harder admitting that out loud. "I have to divorce privacy.There are some things that you need to know, so that, s**t doesn't hit the fan, you know," Dante snickered under his breath and quickly composed himself.

"When I was...at the club and...Avel made me do," I struggled to find the right word. "Stuff. Stuff that I didn't particularly like, I did something so it'd help me get through them," I began.

"What'd you do?" His voice was gentle, empathetic.

"Well..." I cleared my throat and braced myself. They'll probably judge me. "I took shots. I turned to alcohol and, let's just say it backfired," I mumbled. There was silence as they took it in. Slowly and hesitantly, I raised both my shaking hands to the counter for Dominic to see. "Now, I don't know how to make it stop. So now, we get to suffer. Together. You're going to help me out," I wasn't exactly asking him. More like telling him and he knew. He chuckled, bowing his head a little.

"Well, I'll take that, I guess. There's no alcohol in this house, just so you know," he tells me. "I don't drink,"

"Well, that's a bummer," I mumbled, thinking back to when I thought about sneaking a bottle. Dominic eyed me, confused. "It was a joke,"

"Well, I'm happy to help you, Evelyn. Thing is, I can only do so if you let me," he pointed out.

"Oh boy. I've been an ass, isn't it?"

"Not to intervene, but Killian is an ass, so..." Dante said. I giggled, watching Killian scold quietly. Oh you have no idea how much I'm enjoying this.

"Well, like I told you, you aren't...an ass. You're okay," he said.

"Also, I'd be happy to help," Dante added quickly. "Too,"

"Thanks," I said genuinely, allowing a smile. "Jackson's boyfriend,"

"YESS!" Dante raised his arms.

"What the hell," Jackson groaned, though he had a smile on his face. He chuckled at his friend's behavior.

"What about..." Dominic started. "If you don't mind me asking, your scars," I rolled my eyes. I knew he'd want to know.

"A few days ago, I went to town with Nico and I heard these people talking about an underground fight club. I followed them and...well, you know the rest," I said.

"Fight club," Dante repeated, shocked.

"Why did you go there?" Dominic frowned.

"Well, for the obvious reasons," I shrugged. "To fight,"

"No, I mean," he sighed, and seemed to let whatever he was going to say, go. "Do you know how to fight?"

"My father taught me at an early stage," I nodded.

"How early?" Jackson inquired. I scrunched my face and he was shocked. "5?"

"Well, it was 6, but you're close. He said my family had a history of...well, things like these. Fighting, handling weapons and stuff, and so he passed it down to me. Given that I'm a woman, he kind of enforced it," I said.

"Wow," Dante said, amazed. "Do you know how to use weapons of...any kind?" I tilted my head from side to side, thinking back to when dad trained me.

"I know guns. Different kinds, but not all. Knives, I know as well, but I'm not exactly comfortable with one at the moment, so..." I shrugged. "I was learning sword fighting when he...died. I have a whip though. My special weapon,"

"Cool," Dante nodded, impressed.

"And...about your father?" Dominic inquired hesitantly. "What you said about your-" I laughed at that.

"I didn't kill my father," I said. "What happened was," I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I was out with Natasha, and I think I was 16 or 17, don't remember clearly. She was 8 and I was taking her for ice cream. We walked because it was close to Beckett's home. I unknowingly led us into the heist and...shit hit the fan. Someone must have tipped the police because my father was there and," I swallowed, willing myself not to cry. I've cried too many time and I don't want to anymore. "Four of us got shot and...I was the only survivor per se."

"Per se?" Killian spoke up for the first time.

"Yeah, the other person...there were complications. He lost his voice," I cleared his throat "Weird s**t is, one of those...gangsters who were there, was a friend. He's the one who killed my father," Dominic tensed at that. "When the police found us, I...lied, to save my friend and so, everyone knows that I killed Natasha and my father and I hurt Niyaaz, who's also my best friend,"

"Oh my God, why would you do that?" Dante inquired.

"Call me crazy, but...I've seen too much s**t happening in...that person's life and he was already on the edge, I...I couldn't possibly push him over," I said quietly. "And getting him arrested, it won't bring my father back. He's also...hurting,"

"Wow, I don't...I probably wouldn't have done that," Dante admitted quietly.

"You're a really good person, Evelyn," Dominic said, placing his hand over mine gently. I fought the urge to flinch away.

"Yeah, how about we...keep the touching, for the public," I said. He removed his hand quickly. "Great,"

●

UNEDITED