Page 29 of The Bikers Redemption

Turning around, I head to the door to leave, but he reaches me before I can.

In my ear, he whispers, “No one is going to believe your rape story, Serena. You’re my wife. No one will think I forced this.” He rubs the back of his hands down my cheek, and I want to squirm. I squeeze my eyes shut and take a breath. “Let me go, Luca.” My voice sounds stern, but inside, I’m scared and desperately need to escape this room.

He kisses my cheek, and I flinch. “I’ll join you later tonight, and I’ll make you feel good, Serena. I promise you.”

Oh God. Oh God.I don’t respond.

I look at him over my shoulder and smile sweetly. “That would be nice,” I reply, hoping I have convinced him enough to let me leave. He smiles back, leans down, and kisses my lips. I want to scratch his eyes out for what he did to me, but I let him kiss me and wait patiently.

He finally moves back, giving me space. “I’ll see you soon, sweetheart.”

I plant a smile sweetly and reply, “I’ll see you soon,” my voice filled with love and adoration. I feel like choking on my voice, it’s so sweet.

Opening the door, I give him one last smile before I step out of the room and shut the door behind me.

The two men standing as security don’t even blink an eye when I walk past them, trying to conceal my breasts. I rush up the stairs to our bedroom, and once inside, I quickly shut the door and let the floodgates open. Tears flow freely down my face, and I sink to the floor with my back against the door. My knees come up to my chin, and I cry into them, not believing what just happened to me.

Feeling numb, I wipe away my tears and stand, not caring that the dress is falling off my body to the floor. I step out of it and rush to the bathroom, needing to wash away the events of what just happened.

When inside, I switch on the light and immediately turn on the shower so the hot water is steamy hot. Luca’s scent still lingers on my body, and my eyes catch sight of my red, raw nipple that seems swollen and bruised from his aggressive assault. I had cried out in pain, and he didn’t even flinch. He just continued to hurt me.

I inspect my eyes as I lean into the mirror, making out fingerprints around my neck where he squeezed hard. My fingers trail light, feathery-type strokes over them, the marks feeling sore, and I flinch at the pain.

My eyes blur, and tears appear again, falling down my cheeks. I hate myself for letting this happen to me, but I can’t figure out why or how this happened and where his new behavior has come from.

I have no idea what I’m going to do.

All I know is I can’t let this happen again.

I need to talk to him.

Stepping under the extremly hot shower, I let the water cascade down my body and gasp when it hits my sore nipple, ensuring the memory of what just happened is washed away. I scrub my body raw, trying to wash away everything. He’s my husband, and I thought he loved me, yet why did he act this way? It’s obvious he thinks I left on my own accord, but no matter how I try to explain the situation, he just doesn’t seem to get it through his head.

Finally feeling clean, I exit the shower and dry myself, making sure I am careful when drying my breast and neck. I take a look in the mirror again and find the redness of Luca’s fingers around my neck still there. And my breast is even more swollen than before. I guess the heat didn’t help the situation.

I want to go downstairs and get an ice pack, but the thought of running into Luca again causes chills to erupt all over my body.

Once I finish drying myself, I exit the bathroom and head to the drawer that holds my underwear. Selecting the most unattractive pair, I put them on and find my cotton nightie next to it. I’m careful when I let it fall over my body, avoiding any friction over my nipple.

Feeling exhausted, I climb into bed and say a prayer that Luca doesn’t join me in bed tonight and avoids me just like he has over the past week. He said he would come to our bedroom tonight, but I hope he’s forgotten that promise.

***

I’m startled awake when I hear the sound of running water. I hear movement in the bathroom, and my stomach knots up when I realize Luca has entered our bedroom and plans to sleep with me tonight. I begin to panic, not knowing if I should run or stay. I know if I run, I won’t be able to escape, and where would I go anyway? To my father’s? He would send me back to Luca, and even if I explained what happened and why I want to leave, I doubt he will believe me.

I could call Rachel and see if I can stay with her, but how do I explain why I’m leaving Luca when we’re supposed to be newlyweds? I couldn’t tell her that her cousin raped me. It’s not something I want to relive anyway.

The only other person I trust is Liv. I could go to Liv’s and spend time with her, but how would I convince Luca to let me go? He will know something is up.

I need to be strong and push through this. Perhaps he was simply having a rough day because of the stress he’s been under since his father’s passing. It’s clear he’s taken on a lot of responsibility and is still grieving.Am I being inconsiderate?The thought crosses my mind, but then the sting between my thighs reminds me of what he just did to me in his office. I didn’t deserve that.

As the shower is shut off, my body trembles in fear of what’s to come. I find myself praying to God he falls asleep as soon as he gets into bed.

With even breaths, I close my eyes, pretending to sleep, hoping he won’t try to wake me since he promised he would make it up to me.

I hear the sound of the light switch and footsteps in the bedroom, and I brace myself, trying to take even, steady breaths.

The bed dips beside me, and he wraps his strong arms around my waist, pulling me close.

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