Page 7 of Sapphire

“She has taken a beating, but if there are no internal injuries then, yes, I think she is going to be okay. But I can’t say for sure until we examine her at the hospital. She is going to need extensive testing, but I’m confident you saved her life tonight. If you hadn’t found her, she would have died.” He slaps my shoulder, comforting me.

In the distance, the sirens of the ambulance can be heard.

* * *

“I want to stay here, Tomas. We can’t leave her, she’s all alone, she’s probably frightened.”

Tomas squeezes my leg in the hospital waiting room. “There’s nothing we can do for her tonight. Like the doctor said, she’s resting. The pain medication is working, and she’s sleeping peacefully. Let’s go home, rest, and come back as soon as visiting hours start again.”

I nod and give him a weak smile.

Tomas puts his arm around my shoulder and walks me out to where Francisco is waiting for us.

“There are paparazzi at the bottom gate, we should head out via the back entrance,” Francisco explains to us.

Of course, they are waiting for us, they never miss an opportunity to make money from someone’s horrible moments. Thankfully we are in a gated community, and they can’t get into our home thanks to the bottom gate.

We head home in silence.

Walking into our quiet home just doesn’t feel right. I follow Tomas to our bedroom, and he undresses me slowly before he undresses himself, scattering our clothes messily on the floor. He pulls the blanket back, and we fall into bed. He pulls me to him, my back against his chest.

“Everything is going to be okay, I promise.” His lips kiss my back softly.

I pull his muscular arms around me tightly and slowly fall asleep.

My night is filled with nightmares of the battered woman.

4

ZOE

“Come on, we need to go to this party,” Gracie says excitedly. Her cheeks are flush, her words are a little slurred, she’s drunk. I don’t think she’s thinking clearly because going to a party with two guys we’ve just met isn’t a good idea, no matter how hot they are. Grace has spent the night wrapped up in Dmitri’s arms while I’ve been in Nikolai’s. Yes, I do want to continue hanging out with him, but at this bar. I think that is the smartest choice.

“Grace, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

My sister’s eyes narrow on me. “Remember what Mum said, have fun.”

I frown at her, hating that she’s throwing our mother’s words back at me. “I’m pretty sure Mum didn’t mean going to a party with strangers.”

“They aren’t strangers,” Grace adds.

When Grace gets an idea in her head, no matter what you say you’re never going to persuade her otherwise. If I say no, she will just go alone with Dmitri to this party which is even worse.

“Fine, let’s go then.” I huff.

Grace jumps up and down and gives me a hug. “I can’t wait to get that big bear back home and let him do all the dirty things he’s told me he wants to do to me.”

Look, I get it. It’s been a long time since someone has given me orgasms, even so. I’m uneasy about the situation, but if I stop drinking and keep my eye on my sister, I’m sure it’s fine. I’m worrying for no reason, I’m sure.

We leave the bar’s bathroom and head toward the two hot men waiting at the table for us. My eyes fall to where Nikolai is sitting. He gives me a smirk as we walk closer, I’m guessing he knows we’re going with them.

“Ladies, shall we go?” Nikolai gives me a look that melts my panties to their core.

“Yes.” Gracie giggles, jumping into Dmitri’s arms, making him chuckle.

Nikolai takes my hand in his and pulls me to his side. “Don’t worry, I’ll look after you,” he leans over and whispers into my ear, sending shivers over my body.

I’m sure he would. But I can’t seem to shake this unease over the situation, maybe I’ve been watching the crime channel one too many times this week.

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