Page 8 of Sweet Retribution

“If I hadn’t–”

“Lucca,” Stone interrupts and Lucca backs away.

Tio and Marco give me a slight nod then leave through the front door. Lucca follows them and I’m alone with Stone.

“Tell me what happened,” I demand.

Stone doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t show any sign of life on his face. “You’re safe now.”

Those words. They play like a rhythmic, calming chant through my mind. He’s repeated them over and over again during the past few days.

“How long did he... how long was I missing?”

“Four days,” Stone says immediately.

“How long have I been here?”

“Two.”

I lick my lips, my throat dry once again. “Did he...?”

“You have burns and scrapes on your ankles and wrists from being restrained. A mark on your chest, and a bruised rib. You should heal quickly.”

He doesn’t answer the question he won’t let me ask, which mean it’s true. Tears spill down my cheeks.

Stone is repulsed by me. I bled out on the bed from my period. Left in my urine and waste. And was raped. No wonder he can’t make eye contact with me. It’s too much to ask to have him hold me now.

I turn to go back to my room but my legs give out, dropping me to my knees. My arms tremble as I try to find the energy to push myself up off the floor.

Stone is there in seconds, lifting me in his arms. I mold myself into his body and loop my arms around his neck, breathing in his rich scent. My tears soak his shirt.

“If I’m... pregnant,” I hiccup between tears. A small part of my brain tells me it’s nearly impossible since I was on my period when Antonio took me, but the majority of my brain skips to the unthinkable.

“You’re not.”

“You don’t know that. It takes–”

“He didn’t rape you.”

Relief washes through me and the tears gush. I sob, burying my face into his chest. Had Stone not come in time, I would’ve been. I remember Antonio threatening–promising–to as soon as I finished my period.

Stone rescued me.

“Thank you,” I sniff, wiping my nose against my shoulder.

“I don’t deserve your thanks, Gia.” He sets me back in bed. “Finish your dinner then get some more rest.”

He leaves before I can thank him again. Before I can tell him how much I need him. Need his arms. Need his comfort.

Two more days go by. I eat the meals Lucca and Tio make me, I take guarded walks around the property, and I sleep. Other than the scars, my body is back to normal. I have my energy back, and I’m bored out of my mind.

“Tell me again why you’re keeping me hostage here?” I fill my mug with hot water from the stove and dunk my tea bag in it.

Tio looks up from his laptop. “Cuz the boss says it’s safer.”

“Safer than his estate?” I take the chair across from him and lower the top of his computer. “You don’t think I’d be safe there?”

His estate is the safest place on the planet. The only way to reach it is from the gated entrance in the front or from the back of the vineyard, which is monitored twenty-four seven by cameras and guards.

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