Page 64 of His Obsession

“Her cervix is bruised significantly,” Lucian says. “She is damn lucky to not have any damage otherwise.”

“Mmm. Luckily for me, they used plenty of lube while they raped me. By the way… that’s a bitch to clean up. Forty plus men's worth of come plus me apparently shitting myself is hard to clean up after being whipped and branded as well,” I say with a snarky tone. My mood is sour because that fucker is still free, living his life.

“I’ll take care of him,” Lucian says with a promise in his tone and rage burning in his eyes.

“I can’t lose you, Luci. Not even to get revenge,” I say as he helps me get my shirt back on.

“Do what you need to do, and I’ll handle everything else,” the detective says. “Just keep it clean, and Donaldson and I will handle the rest.”

“I want him to suffer,” I say. “I want him to know what it’s like to want to give up because you are in so much goddamn pain that dying is preferable to facing the world as a survivor. Do you know how annoying pity is? People fucking pity me, and I hate it. I’m so goddamn angry all of the time. My nightmares are better than reality, and that’s fucking sad.”

“I know,” Clark says softly.

“No. You don’t know. You have no fucking idea what I went through. None of you do,” I shout. “I’m alone while surrounded by people, and it fucking sucks. Why in the fuck did I fight so hard to survive if this is my reality? My body remembers everything. Every hit. Every thrust. Every cut. Every burn. It remembers things that I don’t, and it will never fucking forget.”

“I know, Elise. I know you are hurt and embarrassed. I know you are so angry that you don’t know how to see past the rage. I get it. I’ve been that angry before. I may not understand the level of abuse, but believe me when I say that everyone understands the anger. Lucian is nearly consumed by rage right now, but is forcing himself to slow down and focus on you. The two of you balance one another, so keep your focus on that. Find something that brings you solace with him and find a way to release that anger.”

“It will be easier when he’s gone,” I say, and then look at Lucian. “When?”

“As soon as you are healed enough to join us,” he says. “As long as you go easy, maybe just a few days.”

“Okay,” I say. “Can I… can you do me a favor?”

“What’s that?” he asks.

“I want you to brand over what he did,” I say.

“Why?” he asks.

“Because he doesn’t own me.Youown me. I don’t want it there, but I can’t make it go away yet. Having you replace it will remind me that you are the only one I will ever submit to.”

“What do you want over it?” Bradley asks.

“The Wheel of Destiny and LV underneath. Having faith in my destiny and in knowing Lucian would save me is what kept me alive. I need something to remind me that no matter what has been done to me, I still want to be alive and keep fighting to get where I belong.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to Carol to see when would be best to do it,” he says, softly kissing me.

“Is it weird I want you to fuck me while you do it?” I ask. “I just want you to replace what my body remembers and make new memories.”

“Not weird,” he says. “I will support you no matter how you want to heal.”

“What if I want to brand you?” I counter.

“Do you?” he asks.

“I… don’t know. I didn’t expect you to say that,” I laugh.

“I don’t think you would have said it if you didn’t,” he says. “Whatever you want to get, I will get the same.”

“Really? You’d do that?” I ask.

“Baby, you owned me the second our eyes met. I want to show you that I absolutely mean it when I say that I am just as much yours as you’re mine,” he says. “You’re more than just my wife, Elise. You’re my whole fucking world, and I will destroy everything to make room for you.”

“Okay,” I say with a soft smile.

“Let’s get you something to eat and we can watch a movie,” he says.

“We will let you two rest,” Clark says. “Call me and let me know the plan.”

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