“What’s come over you?This isn’t you, Samantha.You were always such a sweet girl.”
“Not anymore!”She threw another punch, this one bloodying his lip.He groaned, struggling against Brennan and Allister as she pulled back for another.It slammed into his nose.
She was going to hurt herself, even with the cloth protecting her hands.He placed his own gently on her shoulders.“Throw the rest of them into his stomach.It will be easier on your hands.”
Allister and Brennan lifted him back to his feet.With a shriek, she slammed into his stomach.He coughed, and drew in a ragged breath.
“You took my innocence!You told me how clever I was, told me I was perfect.And then you sent me away to be abused, over and over and over again!”
Each repetition was accompanied by another forceful punch.The man grunted but didn’t speak.Tears ran down Samantha’s face, and she sucked in a shuddering breath.
Her words clawed at Trent’s heart.This monster had taken her innocence.Somehow, he’d never considered that she was a virgin before it all started.But of course she had been.He wanted to throw his own punches.But right now, she needed him to be stoic and strong.This was her moment to confront the man who had caused her so much pain.Her moment to grieve, and to prove that she was strong enough to overcome him.
“Why did you do it?”Her next punch was weakened by her sob.“Why did you do that to me?”Her voice shook as she cried, her breathing labored.
The cretin didn’t speak or look at her, but then she leaned in, and unleashed a guttural scream.“Tell me why!”
Allister shook him, and finally, he looked up at her, blood dripping from his lip and his nose.“You got me into their club.I don’t have a title, and they all do… did.You gave me entre to their world.”
“You traded my body”—she gasped for breath—“my soul… to elevate your social status?”
Trent wanted two things, to pull Samantha into his arms and protect her from this hurt, and to kill the man who had caused it.
“I hate you!”she screamed into Norman’s face.“I’m not that scared little girl anymore.I’m not perfect, or obedient.I have choices now.And right now, I choose violence.”
She took two steps back, and Trent thought she might run, but then she reared back and slammed the bottom of her foot into his groin with such force, the two men struggled to keep him upright.He groaned in agony, trying to double over.Silently, Trent cheered her on.He hadn’t realized just how physically strong she could be.She was a force to be reckoned with.
“I hate you!”She kicked him again.“But you are not even worthy of that.”Her voice quieted.“You are nothing.Nothing.”
Crying softly, she stepped away from him, and Trent wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in tight.He was so proud of her.
“You’re stronger than any man in this room,” he whispered into her ear.
Her brother held up his razor.“Do you want to finish it?”
Norman raised his head, shaking it desperately.“Please no,” he bawled.
Samantha wiped her tears, and somehow stood a little straighter.“No.”
“Do you want me to?”Allister asked.
She shook her head.“No,” she said again.“And it’s not because he’s begging.Or because I’m weak.It’s because I didn’t get a quick end to my suffering.”
Determination burned in her eyes and hardened her features as she looked into Norman’s face again.“For five years, you sent me to those men, knowing the kinds of horrors they would make me endure.Five years.”
She threw another punch into the man’s stomach before meeting her brother’s eyes once more.“I want him to continue to suffer, as I had to.And if he’s dead, I can’t do this again.”
At her brother’s nod, Samantha fled.Trent caught up to her near the carriage and pulled her into his embrace.
“It’s alright, Samantha.You’re safe.I’m here with you.”
She nodded against his chest, wiping her tears.
“Not that you even need me.You were a warrior in there.”After a few minutes, she looked up at him.The encroaching dawn had lightened the skies just enough for him to take in every detail of her beauty.He cradled her cheek in his palm, wiping away the remaining tears with his thumb.“You were incredible, Samantha.I’ve never seen someone be so strong.”
She gripped the sides of his face, pulling him down until her lips were pressed against his.
Almost immediately, she pulled back with a gasp.“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have?—”
