Page 68 of Ruthless King
I shake my head, unable to even speak the words. My own brother had assaulted Stella… what the actual fuck?
“Can you take care of this?” Stella points at my mangled sibling.
Tony nods. “Of course.”
“I’ve got Luca.” She slides her shoulder under my arm and helps me stand. I feel like a completescemo. She was the one that was attacked, and now she’s taking care of me?
“I’m okay,” I mutter as she leads me down the hall. Her arm is curled around my waist, supporting nearly all my weight. She’s surprisingly strong for such a little thing. Now that the fury has passed, all emotion dribbles out of me, and I’m left with nothing. Barely the strength to walk.
Once we reach my bedroom, she closes the door behind us and leads me to the bed. I slump down, the last few minutes a blur I try to piece together. If Albie hadn’t called me about Dante when he did, I never would’ve made it back in time.
Would my own brother have really raped her?
Nausea claws its way up my throat, my stomach churning.
Stella moves between my legs, and I lift my gaze to meet hers. I should be taking care of her right now. Not the other way around. Her hands settle on my tie, and once it’s undone, slip down to the buttons of my shirt. She has me undressed in seconds. The blood-splattered white shirt hits the floor, and I cringe.
Dio, I almost killed Dante. I wanted to. For hurting her, for touching what was mine.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper. She shakes her head, new tears welling in her eyes. “This is all my fault.” My gaze chases to the floor, to her bare feet. “I should’ve just told him about our business deal.”
Her soft smile falters. “It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have known he would attack me. It’s Dante’s fault alone. He thought Bo had planted me here somehow, to spy on you, to screw with your business.”
Fuck. Thiswasmy fault. After I’d beaten on Bo the other day, he must’ve fueled the rumor to get back at me.
Her gaze lingers on my chest, on the mess of scars, knife and bullet wounds and the tattoos inked across my torso to hide them. Now that the bandages across my shoulder are gone, a pinch of fear courses through my system as she nears the five numbers engraved across my heart. They’re hidden well within the intricate patterns, but it’s only a matter of time until she recognizes the date. A part of me wants her to find it already. Keeping this secret from her has weighed on my soul for years.
But I’m terrified she’ll leave me when she discovers the truth.
So I cross my arms over my chest, shielding the date of Vinny’s death. One day I’ll tell her the truth, but not today. She’s been through enough.
“Come on, let’s get you in the shower,” she whispers. “You’ve got blood on you.”
I nod and slowly rise, then follow her into the bathroom. She flicks on the light, and my gaze lands on her nightie. “So do you.”
She glances down at the crimson splotches, and her lips twist.
I step away from the shower and sit on the side of the tub instead. Turning the faucet, I watch the water fill the massive basin. I dump some bubble bath and fragrant oils into the churning water and draw in a deep breath of the calming scents. Then I turn to Stella and offer my hand. “Get in with me.”
She shakes her head, dropping her gaze.
“It wasn’t a question, princess.” A hint of mischief laces my tone. I need this, and I know she does too, despite her reluctance.
Her eyes meet mine, and a flicker of light brightens those brilliant blue orbs. “And if I say no?”
“I’ll punish you.” I say it with a smirk, but perhaps it’s too soon. Lowering my gaze, I stare at my split knuckles and wince. “Don’t you think there’s been enough punishment today?”
Her nostrils flare, and I regret my words. Dante deserved what he got. I’d cut him out of the business, out of my life for what he tried to do to her. Men that take advantage of women don’t deserve to breathe. If I wasn’t so scared of the backlash, I’d have him arrested.No. Tomorrow, I’d take care of this mess myself.
I stand slowly and creep closer. After what she’s been through, I don’t want to spook her. I offer her my hand again, and this time she takes it. With my thumb, I rub slow circles across her palm as I regard her. “What I did to Dante today was only the beginning. He’s out. He’ll no longer be involved in any aspects of the business or my life. What he did to you was unforgiveable. I want you to know that.”
Her head dips as she sucks her lower lip between her teeth, gnawing on the soft flesh.Dio, I want to be those teeth.
“If there’s anything you want to talk about ….”
“No,” she snaps. “I just want to forget about the whole thing.”
That blinding rage rises again, and I grind my molars to keep it at bay. “Did he hurt you?”
