Filthy (The Reckless Series #2) - HJ Bellus Page 0,39
from Gia lying about the abortion to running from town late one night.
Darby’s opened up a bit about her past but nothing major. I keep waiting for the bomb to drop.
“Mmmm.”
She rolls to my side breaking our connection. I don’t waste a second before pulling her into me with my arm cupping her head and the other one laying over her bared hip.
“You already know I get a bad case of the farts when I eat Doritos and I’ve never sharted in my life, so what to share from the Darby dictionary of life.”
I drag my hand from her hip all the way up her side, and tap her nose. “Spill, you sexy kitten.”
Instantly, I regret my playful tone and words as a sadness coats Darby’s face.
“My dad is an awful man.”
I pull her in tighter, letting her know she’ll always be safe in my arms. I want to tell her to stop, but on the other hand I want to know it all. Like knowing, will able me protect her from her past demons, but the harsh reality is they’ve made her into the person she is and I love her for that.
I kiss the top of her forehead and leave my lips frozen there as she continues to talk.
“He’s a dirty bastard and my mom never stopped him from doing things. See, there’s this belief in my family that if it happens behind closed doors then it never happened.”
“Baby, you don’t have to.”
She only shrugs and carries on. “I idolized my dad. He literally was my hero until he violated all of me, and I know that’s why I’ve never committed to a guy until you.”
“God, thank you, baby.” I pull her face up from my shoulder and kiss the hell out of her, showing her how much I love and will always protect her.
She nuzzles her head back down in the crook of my chest and shoulder like it’s easier for her to share when not having to look at me. The pain streaming from her reminds me of my very own the night I told her about my darkest insecurity that’s haunted me my entire life.
“It started out innocent enough. He’d invite me into his office when he had friends over and it made me feel important and empowered, like one day I’d be an important person in Congress like him. Well, that was the dumbest fucking thing I could’ve thought. The first night it was a fellow congressman he was trying to convince to vote with him on a certain bill about state taxes.”
“I’ll kill him. I’ll kill all those motherfuckers,” I hiss.
It’s not my story and I should be listening, but my body can’t control the rage boiling inside of me.
“He never let them touch me and only had me strip naked for them.”
The way she so easily uses the word only, like she fucking deserved, it shatters me. I know it’s a coping mechanism, but it still fucking hurts.
“They’d take pictures and whack off. The first time I cried and shook in fear, and my dad beat me when the men left. From there on out, I never cried again when asked to go to his office. My mom would waltz in every once in awhile, refilling the men’s cocktails and every time before I was beckoned, she’d make sure I looked picture perfect from my hair down to an innocent school-girl outfit.”
She lets out a pent-up air of frustration and goes limp against my body.
I take a long time searching for the perfect words, but panic not wanting to take too long in fear of scaring her after she’s entirely opened up to me.
“I’m speechless, baby. You truly amaze me more and more every day with your courage and strength. I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”
“They didn’t touch me.”
I perch up on one elbow and look down into her eyes. “They did hurt you, abuse you, and violated a little girl. A very beautiful little girl who has turned into a gorgeous, vibrant, and brave woman who showed my heart how to love. So, yes Darby, I will protect you forever.”
Silent tears fall from my eyes, and all I can do is hug her tighter and continue to whisper everything I love about her in her ear. She’s my girl and forever…
She falls asleep first and then I follow, never letting go of her body.
12
Darby
“Holy shit, you have twelve orders for the new end table I posted.”
“What can I say, I’m good