Page 123 of Lies like Rubies, Part Two (Savage Jewels)

“No,” I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks as he hit me with the belt again.

The agony and misery and humiliation swirled together in my gut, producing an aching need in my core. I shifted against the couch, seeking relief, and he laughed quietly. “Such a slut for pain.”

Crack!I jumped at the impact, jerking forward as if I could escape it. Tears streamed down my face. These weren’t gentle love taps intended to rev me up for sex. It wasn’t really punishment either. It was penance, an opportunity to exorcize my own guilt.

I needed it, I finally admitted to myself.

I needed the absolution.

I needed to know they still cared enough to punish me, and then to care for me afterward.

I needed the pain.

“Are you sorry you put yourself in danger?”

“No,” I gasped.

He hit me again, then dropped the belt.

“Then why the fuck are you sorry, Sofia?”

I burst into tears, deep sobs wracking my frame as I cried in Lorenzo’s lap.

“I-I’m s-sorry I didn’t tell you how I feel,” I wailed. “I-I wish I’d—” I sobbed. “I’m sorry, so sorry,”

Crack!The belt slammed into my ass, and I screamed with the pain of it, only to find myself on my feet, surrounded by my three lovers, my three men, petting me, stroking me, whispering soft praise in my ears as I sobbed my relief that they waited for me, that they forgave me, that they still wanted me.

Dante dropped to his knees in front of me and wrapped his arms around my hips, pressing his face into my stomach.

“Dante?” I whispered.

“I’m sorry,” he rumbled. “For everything.”

I smashed down the wonder that rolled through me. Dante Oscuro apologized. To me. To SofiafuckingRusso.

“You should be,” I said.

“Let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

“And Lizzie.”

“And Lizzie,” he agreed. “I love you. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. I will follow you to hell if that’s what you want. But before that, I intend to bind you and these two fuckers here to me so tightly you won’t even be able to breathe, much less contemplate leaving me ever again.”

“Go get them,” he ordered, and Lorenzo laughed quietly before returning with a black velvet box.

Dante opened it, revealing four rings of braided gold.

“I’m not asking permission,” Dante continued. “You’ve got your safeword, and you know how to end this.”

Lorenzo and Nico followed him to the ground, kneeling on either side of me, like three perfect, strong, handsome, heartbreaking knights kneeling for their queen’s benediction.

My eyes grew wide.

“I’m not using it,” I said, wrapping my fingers around his hand. “I want this. I want you. All three of you.”

“Baby, I fell head over heels for you the moment I found you hiding in my office,” Nico said, kissing my palm. “I love you.”

Lorenzo kissed my hip where they’d carved their initials into me. “I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth, sunshine, if you’ll let me.”

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