Page 71 of Sweet Retribution

Stone gently pushes at my shoulder and brings the blanket up over my naked body. “Rest. I’ll take care of this.”

He goes into the bathroom, and I can’t help my gaze as it follows his most perfect backside. I curl into my pillow and perch my hands under my cheek as I watch his movements in the other room.

A few minutes later, he turns the light off and slides into bed behind me, curling his front to my back. I fall asleep within seconds.

My bladder wakes me some time later. Stone’s arm is still draped over my hip, and I’m tempted to ignore nature’s calling, but I really have to go. I move his arm and slip out of bed and head to the bathroom.

There’s a dim nightlight under cabinetry which gives off enough light to see without blinding me. I do my business and wash my hands. Drying them on the hand towel, I notice the littering of Band-Aids and bloody gauze in the trash.

Like a kaleidoscope of images, the past two days flash before me.

Marco getting shot.

Blood soaking his dark shirt and his hand as he covers his wound.

Antonio shoving me in the backseat of his car.

Jumping out of the moving vehicle and running barefoot into the woods.

Being shot at.

Sticks and rocks stabbing my feet.

Fearing I’ll never see my mother again.

Fearing I’ll never see Stone again.

The gunshot wound and stitches in his calf.

I see Antonio coming for me. I’m tied to his bed. Bloody, bruised. He’s standing there with his seedy grin, about to rape me.

My head is light and dizzy. I close my eyes and brace myself on the countertop. I turn on the faucet and splash water on my face, but it doesn’t help. My heart races. My limbs tingle then go numb.

I reach to turn off the water, but I can’t find it as the images and lights keep flashing in sporadic fashion behind my eyes. I feel myself falling to the tile floor. My body convulses and I can’t help the tears, the shaking, the panic.

Strong arms lift me and carry me to the bed. I hear the panic in Stone’s words. I feel his gentle kisses against my forehead as he holds me in his arms. Even with him so close, my crying and shaking don’t stop.

Not until everything goes black.

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