Page 11 of Sinful Scars

A strangled sob escapes my lips as all hell seems to break loose.

Another shot is fired followed by a hard thump. Is that someone hitting the floor?

But who?

My body flinches with each shot that is fired.

Is the next bullet for me?

“Oh god.” My ears ring, and I’m covered in sweat as I try to pull against my restraints.

“Help!” I scream as I thrash against the bed. “Help me!”

I’m completely trapped, with no way of knowing whether I’m going to live or die.

Another shot is fired, and I cry out at another loud thump.

For a moment, everything is quiet except for my heavy breathing.

“Please,” I whisper into the darkness. “Don’t…don’t hurt me.”

I flinch at the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the bed.

“Please.” My voice breaks. “Please?—”

My breath catches in my throat as warm hands find my waist.

For a split second, I fear the worst, but then my skirt is being pulled back down and my blouse adjusted to cover my torso.

I don’t dare move as the hands begin to untie the ropes binding me to the bed, the brush of the fingers against my skin so gentle that is almost soothing.

I swallow a sob once the rope falls away and the hands move to lift me off the bed and cradle me against a warm chest. I cling to the soft material of the man’s clothing for comfort as his arms tighten around me, comforting me as I quietly sob.

The blindfold remains on, but I don’t miss the way he leans into me.

My body shudders as his breath tickles my skin as he whispers in my ear, “You’re safe now.”

4

LEV

I hatethe sound of Elle sobbing almost as much as I hate myself.

I let my anger get the better of me, and it almost cost Elle her life.

If I had never followed that asshole into the bathroom, none of this would have ever happened. I would have caught the fake uber immediately and intervened before she even had a chance to get in the car.

This is what happens. I get so consumed in my own thoughts of Elle that I lose all sense of reason. The desire to keep her safe was so strong that I didn’t consider what would happen if I left her alone at the bar.

I was reckless, and I should have known better.

But then you wouldn’t get to be alone with her.

The thought catches me off guard, and I tighten my fingers on the steering wheel as I try to drown out the sound of Elle softly crying in the back seat of the car.

For so long, I’ve wanted nothing more than to feel her warm body against mine, to hear the soft sounds of herbreathing as she seeks comfort in my touches. But never at the cost of her safety.

When I saw that man on top of her, something in me snapped, and I thought nothing of firing my gun. Not that I ever feel remorse when I take a life. I long ago became numb to death. If anything, it thrills me.

---