ever do anything to risk losing her again.
I fucked up before. I risked it all for money, for fighting, but I won’t risk anything over Sophie again. From here on out I’m going to make her damn proud...
34
Sophie
I can’t believe how close I came to losing him today. Seeing him on his knees in that ring, bloodied and beaten killed me. It brought tears to my eyes knowing he was so close to giving up. I could see it on his face, he was done, done trying, done crying. A part of me wants to slap him for being so careless while the other part of me wants to hug him until I piece all of his broken parts back together again. As we walk out of the warehouse, the cool night time air hits my face.
I suck in a greedy breath of air...thankful to be out of that smelly, stuffy basement. Roman has his arm around me, keeping me tightly to his side as we walk.
“I’m heading back home, I don’t like Violet being home alone,” Ivan tells us before looking at me. “You’re sure this is what you want to do?”
I know Ivan isn’t asking to be mean to Roman. He just wants to make sure I’m okay...not only physically but emotionally, since he knows just how hard the last two weeks have been for me.
“Yes, I want to go with Roman.” Two weeks. That’s how long I’ve waited to see this man and there is no way I’m going with Ivan now that I know it’s safe to be with Roman again.
“I figured as much, but I wanted to double check with you before leaving.” Ivan walks away from us toward his car, while Roman walks me to his car with Devin and Mac following close behind us.
There are still a few people lingering in the parking lot when we reach Roman’s car. Most of them are getting into their cars or are already in their cars. I’m so happy to have Roman back that I really don’t pay anyone or anything much attention.
I smile up at him feeling awestruck when something catches my eye…
“Disgrace. That’s what you are Sophie. A disgrace to this family…” My father's voice filters into my mind and for a moment I can’t breathe, my body tenses, every muscle freezes, and fear grips onto me sinking its black claws into my skin. I grip onto Roman’s shirt and lean into him seeking his protection. I know he will protect me, but I still can’t force my heart to beat at a normal rhythm.
“What’s wrong?” Roman stops sensing my fear. He looks at me with concern etched into his bloody features. Then as if he knows exactly what I need he pulls me in closer, the warmth of his skin calms me, but it can’t make me stop feeling like I’m being watched like he’s here.
“What is it baby? Are you okay?” Roman’s voice is so gentle, so kind, it caresses me from the inside out touching the deepest parts of my soul.
“I...I...saw…” I can’t get the words out, my mouth feels like cottons been shoved in it, and my tongue simply refuses to work. I’m able to raise my hand and point at a nearby car that just passed us. I saw him, he was right there...in the driver seat...smiling at me, or at least I think he was.
No, no, no…It can’t be true. My eyes must have played a trick on me. He can’t be here. There’s no way he knows where I am. How could he? We are close to Vegas, my family lives hours away from here. There is no way he would be here. He never leaves the community. No, it can’t be him.
“Sophie please tell me what’s wrong. Why are you shaking? What did you see? Was there someone in that car?” Roman sounds as afraid as I look as he looks around, trying to see what I saw, but the car has already turned the corner and is out of sight.
“M-my father, I saw him...in the car, but it can’t be him...right? He doesn’t know where I am, does he?” Panic wraps around my insides. I can’t breathe, the thought of him getting his hands on me again, of hurting me, it terrifies me.
“Sophie, look you’ve been through a lot. It’s completely normal for your mind to make up things,” Mac tries to explain but Roman interrupts him a deep scowl on his face.
“Shut up Mac,