The door opened then, and Elijah sauntered in. His eyes scanned every person until they reached Everlyn. She trembled under his stare. A grin that almost looked relieved crossed his face, and he rushed forward so fast Everlyn stumbled backwards into Noah.

"I was looking all over for you." he gasped out. Any other person would see a worried, concerned young man looking for a loved one. The way his eyes widened and the sigh of relief that came from him could fool anyone.

But not Everlyn.

She could see right past his fake facade, and in those eyes she saw hate. He'd come home expecting to find her waiting like an obedient little slave. He'd given her enough beatings to knock the rules into her head. Too many times she had run and escaped. But he always found her again. Always. And all Everlyn could see in his eyes was hatred. She was in trouble.

"Where have you been, Evie? You know better than to leave." she shivered at the childhood nickname he had given her. When he was a few feet away, a strong body stepped in front of her, and she found Noah standing right in front of her.

Elijah stopped and the innocent look fell from his face and was replaced with a scowl. "Who are you supposed to be?" he snarled.

"Don't move any closer." Noah spit back.

The two were at a stand still, and Everlyn was squished against Noah's back as he grabbed her arm and pulled her against him. Elijah glared at her from over Noah's shoulder, and she shrank back.

"I'm here to get my girlfriend, who can't seem to stay in one place." Elijah growled. "Now move out of the way and let me take her home."

Noah stood taller. She had been right. He was definitely a few inches taller than him.

"She isn't going anywhere with you."

"Evie." Everlyn jumped at Elijah's clipped tone and peaked past Noah to find him glaring at her. "Come on. We have to go." He jerked his head in the direction of the door.

"Don't move." Noah murmured softly to her.
She didn't have to be told twice.

"Everlyn, come here. Now." Elijah's voice dropped an octave, and his eyes were bloodthirsty. Now they had the attention of a few people sitting around the restaurant. In fact, the voices speaking before quieted, and all eyes were on the three of them.

Everlyn stood taller, suddenly feeling brave. Soon, Elijah would be taken away. She wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. Her chin lifted as she shook her head.

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

This surprised him so bad, he took a step back. The initial shock that she had actually spoke against him was written all over his face. But it was gone in an instant, and he snarled in anger.

"You should know by now, Evie." he said lowly, "It's pathetic, you grow as desperate and run to him. Do you honestly think he can keep you away from me?"

Noah gripped her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze as Elijah continued. "I should have broken your legs so you couldn't run away, you little-"

"Don't you dare." Noah barked.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Elijah was in front of him in an instant and he pushed against Noah's chest. "Absolutely nothing."

In that moment, Noah remembered everything Everlyn had said to him. All of the horrors, spoken and unspoken, that this man before him had inflicted on her. It made his anger rise to a higher degree. And watching Elijah reach out to grab her tore his control.

Everlyn gasped as Noah punched Elijah in the face. It was hard and fast, making the other man stumble backwards and knock into a table behind him. Now his nose was pushed to one side. A clean break. Noah grinned in satisfaction.

Everlyn watched Elijah stand shakily. He wiped at the blood running down his face, and stared at the red stain across his hand. His voice shook as he spoke, no longer trying to hide his anger. "I should kill you."

Everlyn watched in horror as he lifted his shirt and pulled a gun from the holster hidden away. She had been so shaken up by his sudden appearance, she'd never even noticed the painfully obvious bulge resting on his hip.

"And that's just what I'm going to do."

Without hesitation, Elijah pulled the trigger.