“I don’t know, I’ve never seen him before.” I lie, it’s better than telling her that he was at the store with me yesterday.
Her hand tangles in my hair and she pulls. “Don’t lie to me, Yoreli. He came here for a reason, he knows that you were at the store yesterday. What happened? Hmm, tell me!” she screams, her hand in my hair tightening so much that tears well in my eyes.
“Nothing, I don’t know who he is.” I plead with her but it’s no use, she’s in no frame of mind to listen.
“Tell me,” she demands.
“Talia, I have no idea.” Tears are streaming down my face from the sheer pain of her grip on my hair.
“Lies!” she yells and to my utter relief she releases my hair.
Righting myself, my gaze is drawn to the window. Standing outside, looking up into my bedroom is the man from yesterday. I’m so focused on him that I don’t see it coming.
A vicious backhand hits my cheek, knocking me to the ground, the last thing I see is Talia standing over me before I black out.
“Give it to me.” The demand is one that’s not to be ignored. “I want it all, every single inch of you.”
My pleasure is rising in ways I’ve never felt before. This isn’t the touch of the devil, this is one of loving. Those green eyes piercing my soul, seeing the depth of me, every single depraved thing. “Come for me, baby. Come all over my cock, soak me with your juices.”
I’m no longer able to resist, I detonate; doing exactly as he asked. I come long and hard. “Yes, Reli,” he groans as he thrusts into me again. "Fucking amazing," he growls as he comes inside of me, filling me up with his hot cum.
He pulls out of me and collapses on the bed beside me, his arm going around my waist pulling me close to him. "Reli?" he questions softly.
"Hmm." I snuggle up close to him, my back pressed against his front. Loving the protectiveness of the way his arms surround me.
"Love you, baby girl. You're safe with me, no one is ever going to hurt you again."
My heart warms at his words. "Love you too," I reply instantly, not once doubting his words.
I gasp as I wake; just a dream. Of course it was, I don't have anyone who loves me and I'm not safe with anyone. I groan as I move, it's then I realize that I'm lying on the floor. I squeeze my eyes shut, groaning as pain radiates through my back as I move. God, Talia didn't even move me when she knocked me out.
Opening my eyes, I blink rapidly trying to adjust to the sunlight. It's morning already. Damn, not another concussion. Lifting my arm up, my fingers feel my head, there’s dry crusted blood. Shit, I must have hit my head on the way down. Dammit. I’m going to be groggy all day, that’s just what I need, Talia’s going to be on my case.
I listen intently trying to see if the girls are up already, but I'm met with silence. That is until I hear the buzzing of an alarm clock. My body freezes, shit. I need to get up and get dressed. “Yoreli!” Talia screams.
“Coming!” I yell back as I grab my sweater off the end of the bed and pull it over my head, wincing when it brushes against a sore spot. “Yes, Talia?” I ask as I rush to her doorway, she’s lounging on the bed, dressed in just her panties. I dart my gaze away, glad that I hear movement coming from the girls’ bedroom.
“The car service will be here at nine. Have our bags brought downstairs and breakfast ready. The girls and I will be down shortly.”
“Yes, Talia,” I reply and reach for her bag. I had it packed yesterday, no doubt she’s gone through it to make sure I packed correctly.
I knock on the girls’ door and Zella answers it, waving her hand in the direction of their luggage. I drag their bags outside of their door and leave them against the wall. “Breakfast will be served shortly. Is there anything that you’d like?”
Anna groans, “Mom! Can’t we just have breakfast at the airport? I don’t want to look at her this morning.”
“Yeah, mom, Yoreli’s killing my buzz.”
I grab two of the bags and begin making my way downstairs, wanting to be out of the way when Talia exits her bedroom.
“I’ll call the car service and see if I can have the driver come earlier.”
I pray that the driver can, it gets them out of my hair that much sooner. Walking back up the stairs I reach for the last bag. “Oh, Yoreli. The driver will be here in ten minutes, please make sure our bags are in the car waiting for us.”
“Yes, Talia,” I reply instantly as I lift the bag down the stairs.
Ten minutes later, I put the last luggage bag into the trunk of the car. I don’t dare breathe in relief just yet; I don’t want to jinx things. As the girls get into the car I begin to feel the fear ebb slightly. When I see the car drive down the street I smile, they're gone. I can have peace for a week.
Chapter Five
Ding dong.
Is that the doorbell?
I freeze on the spot. I’ve been told I’m not allowed to answer the door. The doorbell sounds yet again and I try to get up. My hand reaches out for the wall and I lift myself up off the floor. I cry out in pain as I straighten, something’s not right with my back. The doorbell sounds once again and it’s followed by banging. Tears sting my eyes as I make my way downstairs. I’ve never been in this much pain, Talia has never gone this far before.
Opening up the door, I gasp. It’s the man from yesterday, the impeccably dressed man from the store.
He smirks at me, “You remember me.” It’s not a question, but a statement. My brain fuzzes, there’s something in the back of my mind that I can’t seem to grasp.
Heat rises through my cheeks and I know I'm blushing. Of course, I remember him, he watched as Talia backhanded me; he was the last thing I saw before I was knocked unconscious. “Is there something I can do for you, Mister…?” This is not good, he can’t be here. If Talia finds out, she’ll go mad.
He glances over me, starting at my bare feet, moving up to my chest, and then his eyes narrow as he takes in my face. I’ve not had a chance to look at it yet but by the force she used along with me blacking out tells me that it’s bad.
He doesn’t say anything, just raises his hand. “You left this behind.” He hands me my bracelet. The one I lost.
“How? Where?” I breathe as I take it from his hand and hold it close to my chest, relieved to have it back again. “Thank you, I don't know how I could ever repay you. I honestly thought it was gone forever.”
He smiles, those pearly whites of his shining brightly. “You're very welcome, I can tell that it means something to you. So, I'm glad that I was able to find it. You dropped it when you were getting into your car.”
I frown. “How did you know where to find me?”
He laughs. “The car you were driving was hardly inconspicuous. It was easy enough to trace it from that.” He tilts his head to study me. “Are you okay?”
I'm hesitant to answer but when I look down at my bracelet I decide to just be honest, he’s gone out of his way to give it back to me. Holding out my hand for him to shake, I introduce myself. “Hi, I'm Yoreli and I’m doing okay, thank you.”
His fingers graze mine as he holds my hand, electricity runs through me. “Hi, Reli, I’m John Princeton.” He squeezes my hand slightly. “How old are you?” he asks curiously.
I pull my hand away from him and fold my arms over my chest feeling vulnerable. “Seventeen,” I reply honestly.
His gaze falls too my neck, where once again my skin is marred with bruises from Talia's antics. “Tell me something, when will you be eighteen?”
I glance at the floor. “Three weeks.” Yet another year where I’ll never celebrate my birthday. This will be my third.
Something passes in his eyes but I can't make it out. “Where is your mom?” he asks looking into the house.
I grit my teeth, “Why do you want to know?”
He doesn’t react to my tone. “Call me curious. Please, can you just answer the question?”
I sigh, “My stepmother is currently on vacation she won't be
back for a couple of days. May I ask what you want to talk to her about? My parents are dead.”
His eyes narrow dangerously, this man is not one to be messed with. “I don’t want to talk to her.” His tone is one that I can’t gauge. “I’m sorry for your loss, you must miss them terribly.”
“I do. Now, if you don't mind, Mr Princeton, I'm quite busy.” I snap and instantly regret it. “I’m sorry, again, thank you so much for finding my bracelet. I really do appreciate it, have a wonderful day.” I go to close the door and bite my lip to stop the scream from coming out. I moved way too quickly.
His foot blocks me from closing the door, jarring me. This time, I do scream out.
“Shit, Reli.” He curses and takes a step toward me.
“Mr Princeton?” I question, fear running through me.
“You’re in pain. I can see it in your eyes, not to mention you screamed out when I moved the door.” His voice has a dangerous tone to it, but he doesn’t take another step toward me and I’m thankful for that. “Reli, you need to see a doctor.”
“I will, I’ll be okay, thank you very much for your concern.” I need him to leave, I want to lie down and rest. It hurts so much just standing here.
His eyes narrow but he nods. “I’ll leave you in peace now, but I'll see you soon. Can I have your number in case I need to contact you?”
I shift on my feet feeling ashamed. “I'm very sorry, Mr Princeton, I don't have a cell phone.” What seventeen-year-old doesn't have a cell phone?
Rage passes through his eyes. “Reli, after witnessing that abomination yesterday, I was curious as to why she hid you and then laid her hands on you. May I ask a question?”
I sigh, “Mr Princeton, you seem to have a lot of questions. If I don’t answer them, are you still going to ask?”
He smirks, “Yes.”
I shake my head, “Why?” I don’t understand why he is so interested.
“You intrigue me,” he says matter-of-factly.
“Mr Princeton…”
“John.” He corrects me.
I nod, something pricks my mind yet again, there’s something about this man that’s so familiar. “John, if you want to ask me questions, please come in, I really need to sit down.” I sound pathetic.
He takes a step toward me, "I have a better idea." His knees bend as he reaches for me. "I'm taking you to a doctor."
Fear courses through me. "No, John, please," I beg. "She won't allow it."
"Reli, you are almost eighteen, you can do whatever the fuck you like."
A pitiful laugh escapes me as he walks with me in his arms toward his car, "It's that easy?"
He shrugs, "It's that easy."
"You don't get it. I have nothing, Mr Princeton, absolutely nothing. No family, no money, no home. I'm here because Talia needs me to cook and clean; because of that, I have a roof over my head."
He gently places me into the car, "That bitch hit you. I saw her do it." His tone has a dark edge to it. "Tell me, Reli, how often does she hurt you?"
I turn away from him, not wanting him to see the truth as to what happens between us. He slides into the car beside me, his fingers gently caress my face before he tugs my chin, turning my head to face him. "Tell me!" he demands.
I glance to the front, where his driver is sitting and without saying a word, a glass pane separates us.
"He can't hear you, please talk to me." His voice is soft, but he's confusing me.
I shake my head, "I don't know you. Why are you doing this?"
His fingers once again caress my face, "I’ve known you for as long as you’ve been alive. I met you mere days after you were born and I was there for your mother’s funeral and your father’s. It was at your father’s funeral that I knew I wanted you. When I saw you in the store the other day you looked so vulnerable. Then I saw those bruises on your neck and I knew something happened to you. When I noticed your bracelet, it gave me a chance to see you again."
I listen intently as he talks. I knew I recognized him, he’s the man that spoke to me at my dad’s funeral; Markus’ son.
"I knew where you lived, I wondered if you had left. To say I was shocked to see your step mom open the door is an understatement. When she told me that she and her two minions were the only ones in the house, I immediately called bullshit."
I laugh, minions is right. Both Zella and Anna do whatever Talia want.
"It took every ounce of strength I had not to bust into the house and take her down when she hit you."
I stare at him, his green eyes focused on me. "What do you want from me, John?" I ask softly, scared but hopeful at the same time.
"For now, I just want to make sure you're okay."
I swallow back the fear, I need to say something. "Mr Princeton, please don't hurt me."
"I won't." He responds instantly.
I shake my head, "If I leave, I have nowhere to go."
"You will. I promise you, that no matter what happens, you'll have somewhere to go."
"Don't make promises you can't keep," I snap, promises always get broken and I'm the one who always ends up getting hurt.
"Reli," he says, he’s the only one besides my dad that calls me that. "I don't make promises I can't keep. I have an idea of what I want to happen but you'll be safe, that I'll guarantee." His deep voice washes over me and I'm scared, all these promises make me hopeful but I'm not naïve enough to think that they may never happen.
"What is it that you're hoping is going to happen between us?"
"Reli, right now, I'm taking this one step at a time." He's not making sense.
"John?" I question, not willing to let this lie, I need answers.
He sighs. "Fine. Reli, you're gorgeous, you're fucking sweet and vulnerable, but I can tell you have some steel. I want you, in my bed and in my life. I'm going to take that slowly because you're scared. But for this to work I need you to be honest with me."
I nod, shocked at his honestly. But he’s Markus’ son, he’s been a part of my life for a long time, even if I didn’t realize it.
"Tell me everything, Reli," he pleads, taking my hands into his and squeezing tight.
I open my mouth and everything that has happened pours out of me, it's like opening a wound and letting it bleed.
Chapter Six
"I think I'm broken." I tell him honestly as we sit on his couch.
He's spent the best part of three weeks listening to everything that has happened in my life. He's been patient and attentive while I spilled my guts, it took a while to get to the worst of the abuse I had suffered. I wasn’t sure if I could say it, or if I could trust him. He's held my hand as I spoke about the sexual abuse I endured at the hands of Talia, his jaw clenched as I recounted every detail.
He’s talked about his family and for the first time in years I feel closer to my parents than I ever have. His mom and dad were my parents friends, they were a major part of our lives and yet when dad passed, I lost them. Having John talk about them makes me feel safe and at ease. It’s as though I know him that a part of me has been waiting for him. It’s so stupid but at the same time, it makes sense. I always think back to the day of my dad’s funeral when he got angry about my age. I was fifteen and he was thirty-one, I don’t quite understand why he got angry but I do realize that from that moment I knew that there was something about John that called to me. Even though he looks dangerous, and probably is, I know deep down that he won’t harm me. Not in the ways that Talia has.
"Why do you think that?" His voice is deep, it's the first time he's spoken in a while. His eyes are focused on me, it's as though he's peering through them and into the depth of my soul.
I glance at my hand that's entwined with his. It's weird, after everything I've been through, I never thought I'd be comfortable around someone and especially not as comfortable in the space of mere weeks. He's also kissed me a few times. The first time he did I froze on the spot, panic rising within me. The second time he did it, I didn't panic, in fact I just
stood there. But when he did it once again, it took a couple of seconds then I melted against him and kissed him back.
"Reli, listen to me," he demands releasing my hand. His fingers tilt my chin so that I look at him. "I will never harm you, Reli, I'm not an asshole, well not to you anyway. I want you to be honest with me."
I nod. "I only come when she hurts me. I don't think I'll be normal." I shrug, embarrassed that we're having this discussion.
He tilts his head to the side, the corner of his eyes narrowing and raising towards the ceiling as if he's in a bit of pain. "You're killing me." He murmurs, "Reli, have you had sex before?"
I frown, where is he going with this?
"I mean other than with that fucking bitch?"
"No."
He nods, "So how about we cross that bridge when we get to it?"
He's so confident that things between us are going to be normal. It doesn't make sense, he doesn't know me, he has no idea. He thinks he knows me because he’s known my family for his whole life. I’m not them, I’m nothing like them. Things have happened and I’ve changed.
"Do you do this with every woman you meet?" I question and instantly regret it, what if he does?
The corners of his mouth turn up, "No. The moment I saw you at your father’s funeral I knew I wanted you. The moment we locked eyes at the store, I knew I had to find you. Noticing your bracelet was the perfect reason to make that happen. Watching that woman hit you, made me want to protect you. Seeing you in pain intensified every single thing I was feeling and wanting. No, I've never done this to a woman before. The reason I'm doing it with you is because I want you and not for just a quick fuck. I am thirty-three years old Reli, I know what I want. I've screwed faceless women for two decades; I'm done with that shit."
"Why me?" It's the only thing that comes to mind.
"Because you're gorgeous, you're smart, you’re vulnerable, and you're a fighter." He smirks at me before his mouth descends on mine. Tingles run through my spine, I don't hesitate in kissing him back.
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