Page 50 of Black Wave

Julian grabs my arm. “Do not say another man’s name in my presence ever again. Do you understand me, Emma?” His fingers are digging into my arm and will surely leave bruises. I try my best to pretend he isn’t hurting me, but I know he will just hurt me more until I make a sound alerting him that I am in pain. I let out a small whimper, and he disengages his grip slightly. He must feel that the hurt isn’t enough if I am not showing I am hurting.

“Emma,” Evie cries out. “Are you okay?” She tries to push Marcus away, but he is just too big for her to fight off.

“Shut her up,” Julian barks at Marcus. He covers Evie’s mouth.

“Ouch!” I hear Marucs say and yell expletives at Evie in Spanish. “You stupid bitch.” I hear Marcus shout “fuck” as I hear the sound of a hit. I look to see Evie slumped over on the ground as Marcus bends over, holding his crotch. Evie is lying on the ground, a bruise already showing on her face.

“Well, look at what you’ve done now, Emma.” He growls in anger at me. “You made Marcus have to hurt your sister.”

“Fucking bitch bit me and kicked me in the balls,” he snarls as he tries to stand upright.

Julian pays no attention to his hurt driver. “You’ll have to make that up to me, won’t you, sweetheart?” he says sweetly, as if he almost cares about me while he continues stroking my cheek. I want to throw up as the tears come rushing out and down my face. He holds me close, stroking my hair. “Shh, it’s okay, honey, I’ll make it better.” I shake in his embrace. “Leave the sister there, Marcus. Let’s go.” He pulls me along.

“No, Julian, stop.” I try to escape from his hold. “We can’t leave her there, Julian, please,” I beg, yet he keeps moving. I look back at my sister slumped over on the floor. I break away from him and run over to Evie, dropping down by her side. I notice that she is still breathing. Julian picks me up, dragging me away. I see the SUV parked around the corner as he drags me to it.

“No, Julian, please, stop. We can’t leave Evie. Evie!” I cry out. “Stop.”

But he doesn’t stop. He never will stop.

I feel someone shaking me. “Don’t touch me!” I scream, and then I feel someone holding me. I cry out and try to escape. I open up my eyes, but I only see darkness. I feel someone stroking my head.

“Shh, baby. It’s me, Eduardo. It’s okay. I’ve got you. It’s just a dream. You’re safe.”

I stifle a cry at his words. “I’m safe,” I repeat.

He kisses my head, and my breathing starts to regulate from the fight-or-flight response I felt upon awakening from the nightmare. I’m sweating, but I also feel cold. Goose bumps gather along my body as I fight the twitches that threaten to take over.

Eduardo starts to rock me back and forth in a soothing manner, all the while whispering softly in my ear, repeatedly verbalizing that I am safe, that he loves me.

I grow stiff in his arms. I turn to him, and the soft moonlight illuminates his tan features. He is looking at me lovingly.

“You love me?” I ask in question.

He sighs, kissing my cheek. “Of course, I love you, Emma. I was given a second chance with you. I just regret that I didn’t fight harder for you—for us. I thought I was doing what was right. I should have been there to protect you all along.”

I look into his chocolate-brown eyes and see the truth there—the sincerity.

Hearing him say this is my undoing. All the emotions I have held back come bursting in a tsunami of tears. I cry for my family and mourn their death. I realize that I haven’t let myself miss them since they passed away. My sister. My best friend. Eduardo holds me through it all, rubbing my back until there are no more tears to cry. Until all I have left are some hiccups.

I get the sleeve of his hoodie that he placed on me when we got to his house and bring it up to my nose. His smell—whisky and leather—lingers on it and reminds me of home. A home I had when I was younger around my family. When Eduardo was around wearing a leather jacket that made him devilishly handsome. A jacket he placed on me when we went outside, sneaking out to look at the stars.

I bring the sleeve over my hand and wipe away the tears that have crested and lay fallen, pooling along the neckline in their aftermath. The taste of my salty tears lingers, and I wipe the evidence away. Eduardo rises toward me, kisses my tear-stained face, and places soft, open-mouthed kisses all over. He holds my face in his hands and stares into my green eyes.

“Emma, I promise I will find this guy and end his life. I never want you to feel unsafe again, and I promise to keep you safe for as long as I walk this earth. You are my everything.” He trails a finger down my cheek, and I shiver in the wake of his sensual touch.

My body is alight; he is the match, burning me from the inside out. I can no longer deny that we were always meant to be. Call it kismet. I know for sure that I am safe with him. While I can no longer help my family, I will make sure to help myself and seek the revenge my family should and will have.

I look him in the eyes. “You’ll help me kill him?” I touch his face and keep my hand on his cheek.

He holds onto my hand. “Yes, baby. I will be there when you end his life. I want to witness you rise in a giant wave of destruction, taking out anyone who stands in your wake. Whoever stands in the way of getting your revenge. You are strong. You withstood so much and emerged stronger, a punishing force that will prevail. I promise you.”

My chest rises and falls at his encouraging words.

He thinks I am strong.

He believes in me.

I will get my revenge.

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