Page 43 of Survival Game

Of course, he’d never told her that had led to a beating when he got home. Luce would never have forgiven herself. It had been worth that beating to hear someone stand up to Mario like Kyle never had.

“Did you tell her about Mario beating you?” Eric’s face was stony.

“No, not then. Things seemed all right, so I thought…no need for anyone else to get involved. Until it happened again. And kept happening. It was as if Mario was a different person. An evil, sadistic bastard, whose only intent was to hurt me. He said I brought out the ‘dark touches’ in him.” Kyle laughed cynically. “Apparently what we did sexually was all my fault.”

Kyle looked at the floor. “It’s why that time we first went out I got spooked when you asked me about a lip ring. I used to have one, and a tongue stud, but the bastard tried to rip them out with his teeth a couple of times.” He stroked his upper lip. “You can still see a faint scar if you look really closely.”

He cleared his throat and continued, “Finally, I had to tell Luce about the fucked-up relationship I’d had with Mario. I had too many bruises and she was observant. Hell, she was so pissed off I had to stop her going to the cops. She had no idea what Mario was like. He wouldn’t have gone quietly, and I didn’t want her getting hurt.” He grimaced. “As it happened, it wasn’t long after that it all came to a head anyway.”

Eric blew out a puff of air. “Didn’t you have anywhere else to go? What kept you there?”

Kyle stared at him. “What kept me there was his threat to harm Luce if I left him, or went to the police. He threatened to beat her face in if I didn’t stay with him. And he would have done it too. I had no doubt. He hated her, was jealous of the time we spent together. I tried to explain we worked together, so we had to see a lot of each other, but he didn’t like it. I could have gone back to my parents in Chicago, but then what would have happened to Luce? Her life was there at that club.”

“You stayed to keep her safe.”

“Not just for that, but mainly. I thought I loved the man. Each time he beat me, I forgave him. I was stupid. His uncle was telling him about the sins of homosexuality, and it was driving him crazy. Mario needed the sex, the kink, but he thought it was a sin. He took it out on me, the so-called ‘instrument’ of his failing with God. If I even uttered a swear word which he thought was blasphemous, it led to another beating. I was in over my head. I didn’t know what to do.”

Eric squinted, “What kink?”

“Huh?”

“You said he had a kink. What was it?”

Kyle’s bones chilled. “Oh, nothing, it was just an expression.”

“Kyle.” Eric’s tone was compassionate. “Speaking from experience, if you’re to have any hope of dealing with your PTSD, you’re going to have to face the demon who put it there.”

“Why don’t you tell me your story?” Kyle spat, trying desperately to head Eric off. “You said you’ve got experience—well, tell me about it.”

Eric’s face clouded over with pain and Kyle felt like a heel for causing it. “I promise I will. But first, you need to finish yours.”

The shame of Kyle’s past washed over him. “Rough sex, okay? Mario liked rough sex when he went all Avenging Angel on my arse. He used to beat me, bloody me up then fuck me—no condoms, no lube, just straight. He said it would teach me a lesson and I deserved to be hurt for what I did to tempt him into sinning. The last time he did it, I suffered a ruptured rectum and had to be rushed to hospital. He’d hurt me so badly, I was in there over a week. They said I could have died. If Luce hadn’t found me, I would have.” Kyle was hyperventilating now, his hands shaking and body trembling.

“I’m sorry, baby, so sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Forgive me.” Eric’s whispered anguished words were heartfelt and Kyle tucked himself into Eric’s chest, listening to the heartbeat under his ear.

“It’s okay,” Kyle murmured as tears slid down his cheeks, their saltiness lingering on his lips. “I feel better for having told you.” He brushed Eric’s jawline with his fingertips. He did feel better letting that out.

Finally, Eric looked up, eyes shining. “God, what you went through. I can’t believe it. I hope that bastard got locked up for everything he did to you. If he didn’t, I’ll hunt him down and fucking kill him.” The violence in Eric’s tones was scary, and something Kyle hadn’t heard from him before. A frisson of fear breathed cold air down his spine.

Eric would never hurt me. He saves lives; he doesn’t damage them.

“Unfortunately, no. After the ambulance took me away, he rushed home to his uncle. I assumed he told him what he’d done because when I told the police about it, they went to his house and were told he’d gone away. I think his uncle spirited him back to Italy. The cops looked for him, but he’d gone to ground. Luce said there was a rumour he’d gone to a seminary in Europe somewhere to become a priest, but that was unverified.”

“Did the police contact Interpol? He almost killed you, for God’s sake.” Eric hugged Kyle tighter.

“They did, but I think they gave up when there were no sightings of Mario anywhere. You know how it is. Something else more important comes up than a gay man being beaten by his lover.” Kyle leaned into his boyfriend’s comforting embrace. “The last time I heard from him was a crazy telephone call telling me how I’d messed up his life, that God may never forgive him, and that he was going to hunt me down and make sure I never did it to anyone else.”

“Did the cops take the threat seriously?” Eric asked between clenched teeth.

Kyle nodded. “I think it’s over, but seeing someone who looks or acts like him still triggers the trauma all over again.” The telling had been cathartic and he was exhausted. “Now you know it all. I’m sorry I ended up a whimpering mess last night.” He picked at his fingernails. “Luce has been telling me to see someone about it. A therapist. Maybe I will.” He had the number of someone she’d recommended. He thought perhaps now was a time to call him.

“I think that’s good advice.” Eric shifted away and stood. “I feel like I’ve been through an emotional wringer, so I can imagine how you feel. What say I go make some cocoa, then we can sit on the couch, watch a film and snuggle under the duvet for a while? That work for you?”

Kyle smiled weakly. “That sounds fabulous.” He hesitated. “Don’t forget you owe me some details too. Maybe when we’re in a better place, you can tell me. I think we’ve both had enough angst for one day.”

Eric nodded. “Why don’t you get the duvet? I’ll get the drinks.”

Kyle leaned back and closed his eyes, curling in the safe warmth of the spot Eric had just vacated.