Page 37 of Retribution
“There isn’t only one victim here. I know how hard this has been on all of you. I can only imagine what it was like for you when you found me. And whatever Grave said to you, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. But if you do, I promise I’ll be okay. He’s vile and honestly nothing he says would even surprise me.”
Killian wraps his arms around me and lowers his forehead to my shoulder.
“He said he was going to fuck you with a branding iron and destroy what was left of your cunt. When I warned him to not even speak about you-“
Killian exhales a long breath fanning over my skin.
“He said he would videotape it and force us to watch him torturing you. Vile doesn’t begin to describe him. Grave had every intention of killing all of us but he wanted the three of us to experience the worst thing imaginable before we died.”
I turn to the sound of movement behind me and am surprised to see Knox standing with clenched fists. His gaze is darker than I’ve ever seen. The rage is visible as he walks to the tree where Grave is tied.
We all get up and go after him. Knox pulls his fist back and punches him in the gut. He wakes with a pained grunt.
“Fuck!” He yells and Knox pulls his fist back again, landing a punch to the right side of his jaw. The audible snap echoes through the quiet area.
Killian and Carter try to stop me as I move closer but I push them both away. I place my hand on his back attempting to calm him down. All three of my men have been patient and kind with me but it didn’t come without a personal cost for them. I may be the only one that was beaten and raped but they were affected too. I can’t imagine walking in on what they did.
“Knox, I’m okay. It’s only words. None of those things happened.”
He turns around, facing me, and hangs his head down.
“Tesoro. Only because we found you first. If we hadn’t-“
I wrap my arms around his waist and he does the same to me.
“I know but you did. I’m here, safe and really don’t want him to die tonight. It’s too easy. He needs to suffer.”
Lifting his head, he gazes at me, his eyes filled with love and it causes my heart to pound.
“Tesoro.”
He bends down and scoops me into his arms and carries me back to our spot on the grass. Sitting down, he holds me on his lap.
“I’m the only one who hasn’t kissed you today.”
Placing my hands behind his neck, I scrape my nails over his flesh.
“Jealous?”
He nods.
“Very.”
I press my face against his neck and place soft kisses against his skin.
“Jealousy is dangerous, Knox. You should do something before it’s too late.”
Tilting my head back, I stare into his eyes, the heat between us intense.
“Tesoro.” He groans as he presses his lips to mine. Sliding a hand into my hair he becomes more aggressive with his kiss. His tongue slides against mine as he tightens his hand in my hair.
“Fuckkk.” I hear Carter say behind me, and as hot as he sounds, I panic.
I pull back from Knox and hurriedly admit, “I’m not ready for sex. I know it has been months. I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head at me.
“There’s no timeline, Tesoro. Nor is there a need for an apology. When you’re ready, we will be here. Until then, we are content with holding you and kissing you.”
