Page 34 of Saving Little Clark

I moved out of that apartment that same day, changed my number, tried to erase every trace of him from my existence. But the damage was done. His threats, his parting words, had burrowed deep into my psyche. I was too afraid to date, to let anyone new in. I jumped at every shadow, woke screaming from nightmares of his hands around my throat.

But Sterling was still out there somewhere, the specter of him always lurking in the back of my mind. The police had never found him after he skipped bail and disappeared.

And now this gift, this horrible reminder of everything I had fought so hard to overcome. It felt like a message, that he had finally come back to make good on his promise to destroy me.

Chapter 14: Clark

As I finished narrating my history with Sterling to Brody, my eyes blurred with tears. I was too afraid of what I would see in Brody’s face - pity, revulsion, maybe even anger that I had kept something so huge from him.

But then I felt his hands on my shoulders, gently turning me to face him. And when I finally met his gaze, all I saw was compassion and love.

"Clark," he said softly, his voice rough with emotion. "Baby, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. But listen to me. None of it was your fault, okay? You did nothing wrong."

I shook my head, a sob catching in my throat. "But I stayed," I whispered brokenly. "I stayed with him, even when I knew the way he treated me was wrong. I was too weak to leave, too pathetic to stand up for myself."

"No," Brody said fiercely, cupping my face in his hands. "You are the bravest person I know. What you did, calling the cops on him, risking your own life to stop him from hurting anyone else? That took so much courage. You're a hero, babe."

I let out a watery laugh, leaning into his touch like it was the only thing keeping me anchored. "I don't feel like a hero," I admitted, my voice small and shaky. "I feel like a coward, like I should have…”

"Should have nothing," Brody cut me off gently. "You did the best you could in an impossible situation. Abusers like Sterling, they're experts at manipulation, at making their victims feel powerless and dependent. It's not your fault that you believed his lies for as long as you did. The only one to blame here is that monster. Besides, you’re so much more thanthe worst things that have happened to you. You're a survivor, a fighter. And I’m so damn proud to be with you."

I let out a shuddering breath, feeling something tight and painful in my chest start to loosen, to unclench.

"You know," he said, his tone light and playful. "I actually had a similar experience with a crazy ex once. See, I was dating this girl named Samantha back in college. I started to notice strange things about her. Like how she never seemed to sleep, and how she had this really unsettling habit of sniffing me whenever we were close, like she was trying to memorize my scent or something."

I snorted, rolling my eyes fondly. "Brody, come on. You're not seriously trying to tell me that your ex-girlfriend was some kind of a vampire. I know I just unloaded a lot of heavy stuff on you, but you don't have to make up wild stories to try and make me feel better."

But Brody just shook his head, his face a picture of earnest sincerity. "I'm not making it up. One night, I woke up to find her standing over me with a knife in her hand and a crazed look in her eye. I ran out of the apartment like my ass was on fire, never looking back. Last I heard, she got arrested for trying to break into a blood bank and drain all the bags dry. Poor woman was convinced she was a vampire."

For a moment, I could only stare at him, my mind reeling with the absurdity of his tale. But then, as the sheer ridiculousness of it all sank in, I felt a bubble of laughter rising up in my throat.

"Oh my god," I gasped, clutching at my sides. "Brody, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You're so full of shit.”

He grinned, looking pleased with himself. "Made you laugh, though, didn't it?" he said, bumping his shoulder against mine with a playful wink. “In all seriousness, though," he said quietly, his gaze dropping to his lap. "I know what it's like to feel trapped in a relationship by someone you thought you could trust.”

I reached out to take his hand. "What happened?" I asked softly.

"It was my first serious boyfriend, back in college. His name was Jared, and he was everything I thought I wanted. We started dating in secret because he wasn't out, and he was terrified of anyone finding out about us. Terrified of losing his precious reputation, his spot at the top of the social ladder. When people started whispering about the two of us, he told everyone that I was a liar, starting rumors for attention. And they believed him."

"Oh, Brody," I breathed, my free hand coming up to cup his cheek. "I'm so sorry.”

He leaned into my touch. "It was a long time ago. But it stayed with me, you know? That feeling of being used, of being discarded like trash when I was no longer convenient. Of being made to feel like I was the one in the wrong. But I've learned since then that it wasn't my fault. I didn't deserve to be treated that way."

He reached out to take my other hand, his fingers twining with mine in a grip that was strong and sure and full of promise. "And neither did you, Clark. What Sterling did to you wasn't your fault. It wasn't because of anything you did or didn't do. It was because he was a monster who took pleasure in hurting others. And you were just unlucky enough to crosshis path, to get caught up in his web of lies and manipulation. I promise you. I won’t let Sterling hurt you anymore.”

I felt a shiver run through me at his words. It was the kind of devotion I had secretly yearned for. The kind of devotion that a Daddy offered to his Little, a protector to his precious charge. As Brody pulled back to look at me, his eyes dark and serious, I fantasized that it was exactly what he was offering me. The promise of protection from a Daddy.

"Come on," Brody said, standing up with a smile. "We do have a date to get to, remember? I was thinking we could hit up that new Italian place down the block, the one with the tiramisu that's supposed to be orgasmic.”

I blinked, feeling a rush of heat flood through me at the mention of dessert-induced orgasms. But when my cock twitched, I felt a flicker of self-consciousness wash over me, a sudden awareness of my too-tight jeans and slightly rumpled shirt.

"Actually, do you mind if I change first? These clothes aren’t exactly first date material."

Brody raised an eyebrow, his gaze raking over me with appreciation. "I don't know," he drawled, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive rumble. "I think you look pretty damn edible just the way you are."

"Just give me five minutes, okay?" I said as I blushed, already backing towards my bedroom with a pleading smile.

He chuckled, shaking his head with a fond, indulgent look. "But don't take too long, or I might just have to come in there and drag you out myself, clothing optional."

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