King of Souls - L.A. Cotton Page 0,18

like ash on my tongue.

“I’ve made arrangements for him to get home safely. Come on.” Luis offered me his hand and I accepted, letting him pull me off the floor and onto my feet. “You good?”

“I think so.” Embarrassment burned through me, but it was nothing compared to the memory of Scott’s hand on the curve of my waist, his mouth dangerously close to mine.

I felt him watching, his stare heavy and thunderous. Glancing back, I met his eyes and held his stare. Scott was pissed, it was written all over his face. But it was more than that. There was a possessiveness in his narrowed gaze that made my body tremble. He truly believed I was his. And despite my resolve not to let him get to me, I couldn’t deny I was terrified about the lengths he would go to, to make sure I remained so.

Luis led me to the sleek, black SUV and opened the door. I climbed inside, surprised when he followed me.

“Everything good?” The driver asked. I recognized him. He was the security guy who usually stayed with Nora.

“Just drive,” Luis said gruffly.

“Are you okay?” I asked, peeking over at him.

“Shit, Arianne. That’s supposed to be my line.”

“I’m okay. I think I just...”

“It triggered you.”

“What?”

“Something Scott said or did. I think it triggered you.”

I curled my hands over the edge of the cool leather seat. “He wanted me to get in the car and it was like I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t—” A garbled cry spilled from my lips.

“Hey, you’re okay.” Luis shuffled closer, pulling me into his arms. “You’re okay.”

Fisting his shirt, I sobbed quietly into his chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe Scott had triggered something. Despite everything being so raw, I had tried my hardest to switch off the memories. I refused to give them power over me. But the scars were real, and they did have power over me.

He had power over me.

I needed to accept that.

I needed to accept it, then find a way to wield it.

“You need me to call Nicco?” Luis whispered and I shot up.

“No, you can’t tell him.” If he knew what had happened... I didn’t want to think about what he might do.

“Ari,” Luis exhaled a strained breath. “I’m not sure we should keep this from him.”

“Please, promise me. You can’t tell him, Luis. Nicco needs to stay in Boston.”

His expression softened. “Okay. But if it happens again... maybe you should see a doctor?”

“I don’t need a doctor.” I needed a miracle.

“I’m just saying, maybe talking to someone will help.”

“I just got overwhelmed. It won’t happen again.”

“Ari—”

“I’m fine, Luis.” I waved him off. “I just need to rest.”

“Then rest. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

At his reassuring words, my eyes fluttered shut and I let myself drift, desperately wanting to believe him.

“Are you sure?” Nora asked the next morning, over coffee and pancakes.

“I need the distraction. I can’t stay here all day, hiding. It’ll drive me stir crazy.”

“I get that but after last night...”

“Last night was... well, I don’t really know what last night was. But I’m fine today. I can do this. I need to do this.”

She gave me a knowing look. I’d seen it before. It was usually right before she delivered me some truth bomb.

“He raped you, Ari. Scott slipped you something and then he... hurt you.” She took a shuddering breath. “I admire your strength. I admire the fact you want to face this head on and not let him hold the power. But I also think Luis is right, you need to give yourself space to deal with this. You need help, babe. Professional help. Maybe you should give yourself some time—”

“Time?” I shot up out of my seat, coffee spilling everywhere. “I don’t need time. I need Nicco. I need for my father not to be a lying manipulative asshole. And I need to not be a pawn in some game I’m still not sure I even understand. Talking to some doctor or shrink isn’t going to give me any of that. It isn’t going to fix this nightmare I’ve found myself in.

“He gave me to Scott, Nor. My own father handed me over like a baton, and I’m terrified that if I don’t comply, if I don’t follow the rules, something bad will happen.” Because a tiny part of me had to believe there was more to this, that my father wasn’t as cruel and callous as he seemed.

Angry tears streamed down my cheeks as I inhaled

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