by Sierra Rose
"Yes." I almost came up out of the bed. "Yes. Please."
The smile on her face warmed me to the center of my soul. "Good. Lay back and I'll get him. No getting up. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am." I laid back and closed my eyes as tears continued to drip down my cheeks and dampen my neck and hair.
The door opened and closed twice and I couldn't wait any longer. I turned my face toward the door and opened my eyes to see him standing there.
"Luck?"
"Baby..." He took three steps and leaned over, wrapping his strong arms around me and burying his face against the side of my neck. "Fuck, I thought I was going to die if I didn't get to see you. You're okay, right? They didn't rape you, did they?"
He pulled back as tears filled his beautiful brown eyes. There was more warmth and love in them than I imagined ever deserving.
I shook my head as tears spilled onto my cheeks. I was an ugly crier to say the least, but the look in his eyes said he didn't care.
"You'll be out of here soon, okay, Lena?" He kissed several places on my face and stood, lifting his fingers to his eyes and wiping at the tears that littered his cheeks. "Fuck, you scared me to death."
"Me too," I whispered through the thickness in my throat. "How did you find me out there?"
"Dane traced your phone." He brushed his hand over the top of my head as he leaned back toward me.
"Get in." I moved over and let out a grunt.
"You sure?" He glanced back at the door, but seemed to resign himself to do whatever I wanted. He got in the bed and we repositioned ourselves so he could hold me. I snuggled against his chest and breathed in deeply as another round of tears came.
"I killed those two guys." I hiccupped and sobbed at the same time.
"In self-defense, Lena. Anyone would have killed to keep themselves alive. You did the right thing. No thinking about it right now."
I looked up at him as pain laced the center of me. "My father sent me out there. For another test."
Anger burned in his eyes and he bit his lip, closing his eyes for a moment and taking a shaky breath. "You're sure of that?"
"I'm pretty sure." I closed my eyes and snuggled in closer to him, not wanting to admit the truth at all, but having it beat into my skull left me with very little choice. "The text to get to that location came from him."
"Motherfucker. I'll kill him."
"No." I looked up and shook my head once before pain slammed into me. "I need to look into it fully to see what happened. I can't imagine him hurting me, Luck. I'm his only daughter. His only child."
He gave me a look and started to say something as the door opened behind him. We stiffened, but it was just Grandma.
"Time's up, you two." She let out a snort. "Give you five minutes with my grandbaby and you get her in bed with you. Scoundrel."
The teasing in her voice caused us to smile, easing the tension between us.
He leaned down and brushed his lips across my mouth as he locked his gaze onto mine. "I don't like it. If it turns out that your dad did this on purpose, I'll be taking you out of the situation... Then I'm killing him, Lena. No one should have to live under that kind of oppression. Especially not my woman."
I nodded, not willing to fight over it anymore. We would work through it, but my first stop wasn't Lucky. It was my father.
He kissed me once more and started to get up, but paused. "I love you."
I closed my eyes and let the truth roll over me. "I love you too."
The softness of his next kiss stole my heart for all time. I knew if he wanted to take me away, then I would most likely let him. No one but Grandma truly cared for me. Was it so important to defend the monster that raised me just because he raised me?
"I'll see you soon. Get well and get the fuck out of here. Text me." He kissed me again and got up, walking to the door and pausing to look back at me.
I couldn't help but feel beautiful as he studied me, though I knew nothing could be further from the truth.
"See you soon." He winked and walked out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Had he killed anyone before that night, or did we share the horrible experience of both having done if for the first time together? It would haunt me forever. I never wanted to be anything but good, strong... brave. Having to take someone's life, even in self-defense, left me wondering if I really knew myself at all.
My father would be proud, and the thought sickened me.
A soft knock resounded at the door before my grandma walked back in. "Lovely boy. I say we keep him."
"I killed two men tonight." I forced myself to sit up as Grandma walked back toward me.
"I'm sorry, baby. A person should never be put in a situation where they have to defend themselves by using a gun." She moved up beside me and pulled me into another warm hug, patting the side of my arm and kissing me. “You went from a young girl, naïve to the world around you, to being a slave to the devil. Let me help you get out.”
“I’m in too deep,” I whispered. “He’d kill you to prove a point.”
She let out a long sigh. “There’s always a way out.”
“You want to spend the rest of your natural life on the run from him?”
“You can’t go back for more!”
She hugged me again and I held on tight.
“Does your father hit you?” she asked softly.
A tear rolled down my cheek. “No.”
“So the violence isn’t physical. But it can take the form of verbal abuse, manipulation, or emotional abuse. Psychological violence leaves no scars and no physical evidence.”
I let out a tiny sob as she squeezed my hand.
“You can’t live like this, under the care of a psychopathic parent,” she said. “It’s not what your mother would’ve wanted. He’s conditioning his victims. He camouflages his real evil identity and bad intentions to appear normal. But he’s anything but. He’s an extreme narcissist who derives pleasure from the dominance and victimization of others.”
“He’s my father,” I said. “And I love him.”
“You have a shield up that absorbs most of the emotional impact he throws at you. It’s called denial. But wake up. Look at what he did to you.”
“It’s supposed to make me strong.”
“Your father is a convincing liar. He’s able to manipulate others' emotions and perceptions so he can get what he wants.”
“He’s not manipulating me, grandma.”
“He has a Jekyll and Hyde nature. Dr. Jekyll is "charming" and "charismatic"; "Hyde" is "evil.”
“Dr. Jekyll has entered the building,” my father said as he walked inside the room. “Yes, I’m in my charming and charismatic mood.”
“You’re despicable!” she roared.
He rolled his eyes. “One of your tests should be to see if Selene can keep her mouth shut when it comes to her grandmother.”
Grandma moved back, the look in her gaze telling him just how pissed she was by who he was now that my mother was gone.
“I’ll let it slide,” my dad said. “Because I’m in my Dr. Jekyll mood. If Mr. Hyde were out, she might’ve not fared so well.”
“I’m taking Selene to live with me,” my grandma snapped.
My dad’s lips pressed into grim lines. “Not happening!”
“But it’s her choice!”
He looked at me, his gaze intense. “Well, butterfly. Would you like to live with your grandma? After all, it is your choice.”
I gazed at him, then her. “No,” I softly said.
My dad smiled at my grandma. “Well then. You have your answer. This is a free world and she chooses me. So I don’t mind if she stays the night here and there, but her place of residence is with me.”
“You bullied her! I saw the look you gave her.”
He chuckled as she kissed me goodbye.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
“I know why you did it. So he won’t kill me.”
My father chuckled.
&nb
sp; I swallowed hard. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She kissed me on the head. “Sleep tight.”
I watched her leave.
My dad looked at one of his henchman. "I'm quite proud of her. Four men attack her and not a damn one of them is left standing." He moved up to the other side of the bed.
"Did you send me there to have me killed?" My voice broke slightly and my dad reached out and took my hand, squeezing softly as he sat down on the bed next to me.
"To die? Never. You're my own flesh and blood." He reached out and touched the side of my face. I wanted to jerk away from him, but I wasn't that stupid.
"Then what? Your tests are a little fucking much, don't you think?" I crossed my arms over my chest and tried hard to control my emotions. If I got to upset, I would start crying and there were no points to be won for anyone through tears. My father was a hard man who didn't seem to care much about anything anymore. Not even me, from what I was learning.
"My life is fucked up, butterfly. You said, and I quote, ’I want to be a patched member of the Black Hearts and will do anything to get it,’ so I'm giving you the chance." He reached for me, brushing his hand down my back. "Do you want it to stop? I'm fine with you simply being my daughter. We'll look at colleges and you can..."
I cut him off. "No."
He was patronizing me. He didn't think I was strong enough to survive. Though I hated myself for letting the need to prove him wrong consume me, it did.
"Good girl. You passed this test tonight and are now a prospect. We'll get the tats you've earned when you heal. I couldn't have dealt with those white trash boys better myself. You won't be implicated in anything and we'll clean it up." He leaned over and pressed his lips to the side of my face. For the first time in my life, I could visualize jabbing a knife into his side and watching him die.
I wasn't a monster; I wanted freedom from whatever hold he had on me. The same hold that left me alone most of my life, an outcast who would defend him to the death. It was the hold that buckled me under the pressure to sell drugs and try them, to lie to the cops. It was the tightening grip that forced me to take two men's lives that night, to call Lucky to have him rescue me and become a murderer alongside me.
"I love you, butterfly. I couldn't be more proud of you." He stood and moved to the window, letting out a long breath. "I do have a question for you though."
"Ask." I leaned back and pulled the covers up to my neck.
"You're not friends with the newest prospect of the Stone Wolves, correct?"
I jerked my face toward him and swallowed my fear. "What? Fuck no. Why would you even think that?"
"Elec found him in the parking lot with blood on his shirt a few minutes ago." My father shrugged and turned his dark gaze on me. "Just wanted to make sure we wouldn't hurt you further by teaching the boy a lesson. He's been up to something... I'm just not sure what."
"Teach him a lesson?" I got up carefully and moved to the window in time to see three of my cousins taking turns holding someone while the others hit him.
Terror gripped my heart and my blood ran cold as my father pressed his chest to my back and tightly gripped my chin.
"Yes, and if you're lying to me, this beating will be so much worse next time." He kissed the back of my head. "Don't disappoint me, Selene. I'll kill you just like I killed your mother. Do you understand?"
I stiffened in his hold, shocked by his admitting the truth we all knew.
The light inside of me died in that moment as I watched Lucky take a punishment he didn't deserve. I could do nothing but ignore the reality of who I was and what I came from. Otherwise, we would both forfeit our lives for the truth.
"Yes, Sir," I mumbled and stifled a cry as Lucky hit the ground.
My father released me and walked to the door, his last words breaking my heart.
"Don't leave this room and don't let me ever catch you getting help from anyone again. If you do... I'll have you put down like a bitch. Don't forget who I am, first and foremost. I'm the alpha and omega, the all and encompassing. Your life doesn't exist without me, butterfly. I'm proud of you for tonight, and that alone is the only reason your friend will live to see tomorrow, though I'm not sure he'll want to." He laughed and the door shut as I pressed my hand to my mouth and let out a silent scream.
The curtains slipped from my hand and I turned, sliding down to the floor in anguish. Lucky was bleeding and broken on the ground outside and I needed to go to him, but to do so would cause his death, and mine.
I felt like I’d been hit with a lightning bolt. There was nothing left for me to do but to turn him away.
It's the only thing that could keep him alive.
His safety was far more important than my happiness.
My heart ached. My dad was an evil person to do this to me, to make me watch like this, to torment me. I found my phone and asked Dane to come help him. We were friends on Facebook, so I was able to message him. Through the window, I looked at Lucky outside. My heart broke in my chest as I texted him.
Juliet: Lose my number and forget I exist. That beating tonight was my fault. Test three passed for me. Never get involved with a Delgado. We always win.
To be continued...
***
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Other titles by Sierra Rose:
Contemporary Romance
Seduced by my Billionaire Boss – Part 1
Seduced by my Billionaire Boss – Part 2
Seduced by my Billionaire Boss – Part 3
Contemporary Romance
The Billionaire’s Fake Girlfriend – Part 1
The Billionaire’s Fake Girlfriend – Part 2
The Billionaire’s Fake Girlfriend – Part 3
Contemporary Romance
The Boss’s Son – Part 1
The Boss’s Son – Part 2
The Boss’s Son – Part 3
Romantic Comedy
Groomless – Part 1
Groomless – Part 2
Groomless – Part 3
Romantic Suspense
The Edge of Tomorrow - Part 1
The Edge of Tomorrow - Part 2
The Edge of Tomorrow - Part 3
Adventure Romance
The Expedition – Part 1
The Expedition – Part 2
The Expedition – Part 3
Adventure Romance
My Despicable Ex – Part 1
My Despicable Ex – Part 2
Historical
What Lies Behind Us
Biker Romance
Forbidden – Part 1
Forsaken – Part 2
Forever – Part 3
Forgiven – Part 4
Sports Romance
The Game Plan – Part 1
The Game Plan – Part 2
The Game Plan – Part 3
Contemporary Romance
Accidently Married to the Billionaire – Part 1
Accidently Married to the Billionaire – Part 2
Accidently Married to the Billionaire – Part 3
Contemporary Romance
The Pretend Billionaire Groom – Part 1
The Pretend Billionaire Groom – Part 2
The Pretend Billionaire Groom – Part 3
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Did you love Forbidden? Then you should read The Billionaire's Fake Girlfriend by Sierra Rose!
This is Part 3.
Rebecca and Marcus continue their plans to get married. She struggles with all the media attention and responsibilities of being Marcus's future wife. The pressure is tough, but she vows not to break. Can love conq
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My Treasure Romance
The Expedition
Star Crossed MC Lovers
Forbidden
Forsaken
Forever
Forgiven
Swept Away by the Billionaire
The Expedition
The Ashly Roberts Saga
My Despicable Ex (Part 1)
My Despicable Ex
The Belmont University Series
Revenge: A Novella - Book 1
The Billionaire Boss Series
Seduced By My Billionaire Boss
Seduced by my Billionaire Boss
The Billionaire Saga
The Billionaire's Fake Girlfriend
The Billionaire's Touch
Accidentally Married to the Billionaire
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Stormy Love (Complete version of My Despicable Ex Parts 1 & 2)
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