by Leah Holt
“You stupid fucking whore! You want to fight, fine! But now you'll suffer the consequence.” His hands tore at my shirt, flipping me to my stomach.
A sharp pain bore down on my ribs as he kicked me so hard I could hear the bones cracking inside. Yelling in pain, I found the strength to still utter a few words. “Fuck you, you piece of shit.” Curling my arms around my sides, I tried to roll into a ball, hoping I could block some of his hits.
“No, you have that all wrong. Fuck you, Ivy.” Wrapping his fingers into the base of my hair, he tore me off the floor.
My scalp was on fire, the pain raking down my neck and over my body. Dragging me back to the room, Remo threw me on the bed. “I'm going to break you, I'm going to make you mine and take you any way I please.” Closing my eyes, I tried to remove my mind from the horror I was in. “Look at me!” he screamed, slapping my face. “Look at me!”
But I refused to.
“Do you want me to kill your family? Do you really want to risk their lives?” His nails scraped through my hair, squeezing around sweat-filled locks and forcing my head back. “Open your fucking eyes or so help me I will kill them right now.” Gritting my teeth, I peeled my eyes open and stared down my captor. “This isn't going to be easy on you, and I know that. I can understand that, Ivy. But don't make it worse for your family.”
“Why me?”
“Why you? Well. . .” His head ticked side to side, bouncing in thought. “You're the lucky one.”
“Lucky? This is lucky?”
“Maybe I worded that wrong. I'm the lucky one and your father got what he wanted. Freedom.” Remo's teeth tugged his bottom lip, popping loose as the letters crawled out.
My stomach curdled, the pain slicing through every nerve and muscle. But his answers weren't good enough. I needed more.
Tell me the real reason. Tell me why.
Don't I deserve that at least?
How does a girl cope with being torn from her family, told she was sold, and not know the true reason as to why?
I couldn't.
“I just want answers. Give me a good reason, tell my why my father would put me through this.” Softening my face, I felt the tears building and balancing on my lids.
I couldn't take it anymore.
“All you need to know is that this is your home now. The sooner you obey me, the easier things will get.” Loosening his grip, Remo sat beside me on the bed. “I can give you things, Ivy, I can give you anything you want, but you have to do as I say.”
“I want my family, I want my life.”
“The life you knew is over. This is your life now.”
“Why? I just need to know why.” Streaking down my cheeks, the tears fell like rain slipping freely over a smooth surface. I couldn't hold them in, I couldn't stop them.
The pain swept in, consuming me as the adrenaline faded and realization set in; I wasn't going anywhere.
“Because your father got in way over his head, this was his only way out. You were his only way out. Now you belong to me.”
“Let me talk to him, let me call him and hear him tell me himself.”
“No.” The word came out harsh, his face pulling tight, eyes thinning. “You will never speak, see, or hear from him again. And I don't want to even hear you mention his name.” Standing, Remo spun and headed towards the door. “Get some rest, tomorrow we start your training.” Slamming the door, the lock flipped into place.
The sound of the metal locking became the sound of my death.
I was caged.
And my family's lives depended on my survival here. I didn't doubt the seriousness of his threats. I knew he meant what he said. Remo would kill my family if I didn't do as I was told.
That was the moment I died. Ivy didn't exist anymore.
Tomorrow I was going to be someone else, someone I didn't recognize. I had to adapt to this new world that was forced down my throat.
And that meant I had to forget everything I knew, otherwise I wouldn't make it out of here alive.
I couldn't be me anymore.
But I was a survivor.
A dream, my dream.
This was what I slept with when I closed my eyes. I relived each and every bruise, every harsh punishment, every lesson.
I knew all the scars and rough patches that made up Remo's hands, I knew how his eyes changed when he thought I wasn't obeying.
Days and days of repeated training, kneeling when he walked in, keeping my eyes down when he came into the room. Learning to hide my pain and live deep within myself was the only thing that kept me going.
But everything that came with those moments and these memories made me the woman I am. I was stronger, smarter, wiser. It prepared me for what was to come and what I would face with Dante.
It gave me the desire to keep going and the motivation to live.
Would I change it?
That's a question I couldn't answer because it led me to the man I love.
But revenge would be sweet, no matter how it tasted.
Remo would have his day.
And my nightmares would eventually end.
Two
Dante
Ivy's face scrunched up, her brows dipping in as she groaned. Her lips were moving in soundless words, hands clenching tight as she unknowingly lifted them up to protect herself. Brushing the hair from her face, I watched Ivy sleep in restlessness.
She did that almost every night while her dreams gave way to bad memories, and she had no way to fight them off. It made me angry to know that whatever he had done to her still gripped the one spot I couldn't reach and had no control over.
I hated it, I hated watching the turmoil her body would go through, knowing there was nothing I could do to turn it off.
She was so beautiful, even with her crinkled brows and the deep lines that cradled her forehead when she got upset. It didn't matter what she was doing, her body seeped this magnetic potion that kept my eyes locked on her.
While she slept, I was still her protector, even though it was only figments of her imagination playing a cruel joke on her. If she woke up, I wanted her to see that I was still there watching, keeping her safe.
I couldn't sleep anyway. My lids never closed completely. I felt like a feral dog sleeping with one eye open, my ears perked listening, body always ready to react. I was in permanent attack mode, ready to strike at any threat that came our way.
But none of that mattered, I didn't give a shit about myself. All that I gave a damn about was making sure nothing ever happened to Ivy.
The bruises had started to fade away, her lips were no longer swelled and cracked from taking the butt of a gun to her face. More and more each day she slowly began to resemble the woman I had met in that restaurant.
Back then I couldn't see her stained skin and harsh punishments. On the outside she was dressed with as much sparkle as a Fabergé egg, but under her protective shell she was cracked and shattered beyond repair.
If I hadn't been so taken by her beauty and allowed myself to see the discoloration and scars, I'd like to think I would have done things differently. But since a veil had strung itself across my gaze, I couldn't see it. I'll never forgive myself for not recognizing her pain.
I've tried to make up for it by helping her every day, and I wouldn't give up on putting her pieces back together. Because I owed her that. She had suffered for far too long at the hands of some asshole, and she never deserved one second of it.
But I was too late, there was one thing she still couldn't shed; the asshole who held her on his leash, Remo.
By day, I felt like I had her, every piece of her was with me. The fear she had lived in seemed to disappear, and I worked hard to try and help her forget it all. But at night I had no control over it.
I wanted to jump inside her mind and rescue her. If there was a way for me to pull that fucking asshole out of her brain, I would. I never wanted her to fear anything else ever again.
That was where I focused all of my though
ts, it was the most important thing for me to do.
And I was going to finish this.
Remo wasn't going to own any part of her; physical or mental—not when I was done with him.
Dragging my finger down the bridge of her nose, I kissed her forehead and whispered. “Ivy, wake up, it's time to go.”
Moaning softy, she rolled to her side, facing away from me. “Right now? Can't we stay a little bit longer?” Her body relaxed as she left her dream and woke to reality. She was safe, here with me.
That was the best part of watching her wake up. To see her tensed features draw up into a smile when she finally opened her eyes to me, it made all of this worth while.
She didn't like talking about all the horrible things he had done to her. I tried to get her to let me in, to spill her darkest secrets with the hope it would help ease her mind to let it out.
Ivy refused to go into detail, she told me that it was no different then her not knowing about my past. And she was probably right. I wouldn't tell her about the lives I stole or the damage I'd caused because I was afraid she'd look at me differently.
Did she think that if I knew what she went through it would change what I felt?
She was the angel that crawled into my heart and opened it up.
Nothing would change that.
Ivy would always be my angel.
But there was the chance that if I knew what she went through, I'd have a hard time letting it go even after Remo was gone.
Would I go into permanent protector mode, afraid to let her out of my sight?
There are some things you could never un-hear, no matter how hard you tried. The scars she carried were enough of a reminder to how bad things had been for her.
I don't need anymore than that to see he what a cold-hearted bastard he was.
Drawing long strokes up and down her back, I said, “You know we can't, we need to go now.”
“How long, Dante?” Peering over her shoulder, she rubbed her eyes. “How long do we have to go on like this?”
I wish I had a solid answer to give her, but I didn't know for sure. I wanted him dead yesterday, waiting was killing me slowly inside
But I had to stay strong for her. If I crumbled, there was no doubt she would too.
Smiling, I cupped her cheek, drawing small circles over her sleepy face. “Till I know you'll never have to fear for your life again.” Kissing her gently, my lips buzzed over hers as I said, “Till I know that man can never harm you again and I get revenge for my father.”
Rolling my fingertips down her bare arm, her body shuddered. Gripping her hip, I dug my nails into her skin and squeezed. Her breath rushed out in one long wave, head falling back into the pillow.
Touching her brought me pleasure, it brought me satisfaction. The way her body danced when my hands were on her flesh was intoxicating. It was the greatest high I'd ever experienced.
I loved how Ivy would squirm, wiggle and bend to even the slightest pressure from my hands. Her arms would go limp, legs spreading naturally as if she didn't have to decide what she wanted anymore.
Because that was the truth; she wanted me, she needed me.
I loved that.
She's mine, all of her is mine.
“You know it's even harder for me to get up when you touch me like this.” Biting her lip, her eyes shined, sparking with desire.
“I can think of something else that's hard right now.” Thrusting my hips forward, I pushed my cock into the crease of her ass. “How's this for a wake up call?”
Giggling, she reached her hand around, wrapping her fingers around my length. “This is the only wake up call I want.” Moving her hand up and down slowly, she stroked my shaft. Her thumb rubbed my engorged crown, swirling around the edge and smearing the juice already seeping out.
Her skin turned hot, blushing in raspberry red. Rocking my hips back and forth, Ivy jerked my cock harder and faster. “Fuck, Princess, that feels so good.”
Moaning, she pushed her ass up, gyrating against my stomach. The heat off her pussy radiated through me, coalescing the burn even deeper into my balls. I needed her now, not later, not after we were miles from this place.
Right fucking now.
My cock was throbbing, the skin thinning as the blood rushed down and fed the muscle begging to be inside her. I couldn't think, I couldn't turn it off. Call it carnal need, call it animalistic. . .
Whatever it was, I had to end its hunger or my brain would explode.
“How do you want me?” she asked as her lids canopied and lashes batted like small angel wings. “Tell me how you want me, Dante.”
That look, that look was enough to drive me crazy. The sultry glaze, the way her lips popped open to breathe, it drove me fucking wild.
“Just like this.” The words scratched out over my tongue as I wrapped my arm around her throat and pulled her closer.
Ivy moaned, her chest lifting high, nipples pebbled and firm. Coiling my fingers around her neck, her head dropped back into the nook under my chin. Her breathing was thick, scolding the air around us.
This was all I wanted, this was all I needed to be happy. Having her tucked against me, her smooth skin bleeding life into my soul.
I fucking loved this woman.
Holding my dick, Ivy slipped it between her legs, tickling the head against her wet center. She was melting before my eyes. The perfect amount of deliciousness to send me over the edge.
Small beads of sweat burst across the satin portrait beside me, her body yearning and aching for me to take her. “Fuck, me,” she pleaded as she tempted my tip into her entrance.
“Uh, uh,” I tisked into her ear with softness. “I'll decide when I go in, I'll decide when your body's need to feel me has been enough.” Palming her breast, I nipped her neck.
Ivy swallowed hard, taking in a deep breath. Holding her still, I let my hands work over her neck, moving below her chin and steadying around her throat. “You said you wanted more time, Ivy, more time here, more time in bed. I'll give you more, but I'm going to control how much and how long.”
Nodding her head, another deep swallow wriggled beneath my fingertips. Plucking at her nipple, her chest snapped out, a gasp hitting the back of her throat.
Her pulse was speeding up, beat after beat slammed into the pads of my fingers, the physical excitement intensifying the longer I made her wait.
Fuck, I love that.
There was nothing better in this world then feeling her entire body swell to my touch. She wasn't the innocent princess anymore, I had taken her solace, giving her pussy its first and only taste of cock.
I had her virginity, but I wanted her forever.
Her hips bucked, ass shaking as it bounced off my lower belly. She couldn't stay still and it turned me on even more.
Shoving the thick ridge of my cock into her pussy, I let it sit right there, not going in any further, not spreading her open. Teasing her and tempting her took a lot of self control on my part. I wanted to slam into her, make her scream and beg for a release.
But there was no fun in that.
Watching her was enticing, seeing the power I had over her body was intoxicating. I could never get enough.
“Please, please,” she begged while her stomach shook and legs trembled.
“That was good, but try again.” Brushing her hair away from her forehead with my fingers, I lifted her face so she was looking at me. “I'll give you what you want when I think you earned it.”
“Fuck, Dante, please!” Ivy yelled, her hips shooting back, causing me to leap forward inside her. “Fuck me, I can't take it, fuck me.”
Watching a bead of sweat break free, it rolled down her temple, dropping off onto her shoulder. “That's my girl.” Licking the salty sex off her skin, I thrust the rest of my cock in with one violent snap.
Her moan was music, hitting my ears and causing pure chaos in my chest. My ribs were on fire, lungs filling rapidly as I took in long, full breaths. Grunting hard, I licked her in
sides, tasting every wall with my thick dick.
My cock was pulsing, eager to go deeper, to go faster. Then my brain shut down completely, my dick finally gaining full control, taking over the last bit of restraint I had left.
Thrust after thrust, I fucked her. Ivy was in a trance. Her body rocked with mine, perfectly in sync as I took her again and again.
“I'm coming, don't stop, I'm coming,” she said softly between starchy air that made its way out in short bursts. Her body went stiff, thighs clenching tight as I felt the shiver scale her body.
That was all I needed to feel. With one final thrust, my cock exploded its life blood inside her.
Our breathing was labored, heavy and forced. It sounded like we just ran a fucking marathon. “Alright, Ivy, are you awake now?” I asked, rolling to my back and flopping my arms over my head.
“You're an ass.” She giggled, sitting up and resting on her forearms. “What time is it anyway?”
“Three in the morning, perfect time to get on the road.”
“Where are we going now?” Ivy stretched her arms up over her head, yawning.
“It's time.”
Eyeing me cautiously, she asked, “Are you sure?”
She knew it just as well as I did. We had to do it.
It was now or never.
And I couldn't miss the final goodbye. I wouldn't have another chance to say my peace; the right goodbye.
My father deserved that.
Three
Ivy
The tires crunched over the gravel like teeth grinding inside my head. Dante let out a quiet breath as he pushed the shifter into park. “Welcome home, Ivy.” His voice was flat and filled with defeat, as if he had failed.
As if he had broken a pact between us and the hurt he swore I would never feel again was still living and breathing, hidden behind those walls.
But to me this was a homecoming. The house winked down on me as I looked up at the window I had tried so hard to destroy. The silent wink sparked in my veins, making my heart thud harder.