I swing the metal holder into the front of his face with all my might, and his eyes open immediately, but I don’t stop. Using his confusion, I scramble from under him and swing again.
And again…
And again…
And again…He doesn’t get to touch me. No one ever gets to touch me if I don’t want them to.
“Ro?” Ryven’s voice cuts through everything and there’s nothing calm about it.
I look at the bloody pulp beneath me and then turn to face Ryven. “Why do people keep just walking into my home?” I let the paper towel holder go and sink to my knees.
But before I hit the floor, Ryven catches me in his arms. His grip tightening slightly as I crumble.
Chapter 19
Ryven
Rory’s limp body sits silently in my lap on her bed. When I arrived a little while ago and noticed her front door stood wide open, I rushed inside. The scene I was greeted with was shocking. Thomas lies dead beneath a naked Ro—triggering a storm of questions in my head. Rage threatened to boil over. Then fear settled deep in my bones as her eyes met mine. The spiral threatening to make her crumble pierces my heart. She’s not okay. Then she collapsed into my arms.
I came here to check on her and ensure she was okay after our primal play from earlier. I wasn’t expecting to find what I did.
By the looks of things, Rory was in the tub when Thomas came in. Judging by the fact her door was open when I arrived, that means she didn’t let him in. Anger burns under the surface. Unless she let him in and they were too enthralled with each other they forgot to shut the front door. I shake my head, attempting to stop the racing thoughts as my body shakes from the fury.
She groans and stretches her body in my arms.
I swallow my feelings and move her hair from her face. “Well, hello.” I smile at her.
Her eyes widen as she shuffles away from me, holding the sheet around her for safety, like I’m the one who just violated her. That shouldn’t sting, but it does.
I raise my brow. “You okay?” The question feels useless the second it leaves my mouth.
She bites her lip and glances behind her into the bathroom. Thomas’ body still lies on the floor. I had intentions of getting rid of it, but I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her alone after she collapsed in my arms.
She groans and squeezes her eyes shut. “I was hoping that was a fucking dream.” Her hands tremble as she masks it by tightening her grip on the sheet.
I place my head against her headboard, keeping myself from reaching out toward her. “Want to tell me what happened?”
She shakes her head, then sighs. “Men are idiots. That is what happened. I almost died.” She throws her hand in the air. “Just because I won't give up my body to this asshole, he felt the needto take it for himself.” She’s eerily nonchalant about the entire thing. This was her friend, her partner, and yet, she hasn’t even batted an eye over his death. Nor has she said a word about being the one to kill him.
I try to temper my anger over hearing what I assumed, but it did little to lessen the blow.How fucking dare he touch what is mine?Right after I had her.Touched her. Claimed her.I grit my teeth. “Start from the beginning.” My voice comes out tighter than I expect.
She fixes me with a look and shuts me down instantly. Her eyes darken, warning me not to interrupt, before going into every detail of exactly what happened. By the end of it, my hands are shaking from the need to kill something.
The thought of Thomas taking anything from my sweet Ro makes my blood boil. I’m proud of her for keeping herself alive, though. With the world we live in, there are no repercussions for rape or murder. She lives in the slums. No one gives a damn what happens out here. And the only ones with the power to help her are the cult. The cult would never help a rebel.
I lift my chin, telling her to come to me, and she hesitates a moment before climbing onto the bed. She settles too far away.
I shake my head. “Closer, Rabbit.”
She huffs and edges near enough for me to do what I want to do.
I shouldn’t ask this, not now. Not after what she’s been through. But I need to know. “Show me exactly where hetouched you, so I know where to erase him,” I say, growling the last part.
Her shaking hands travel down her body slowly before she reaches between her legs. Then she brings her other hand to the back of her neck. I groan, spreading her legs wider for easier access and dip my head between her legs.
She presses against my head. I can feel the tremble in her hand when she touches my skin. “What are you doing?” Panic laces her voice.
I still, lifting my gaze to hers, licking my lips. “Tell me to stop and I will, I mean it,” I say quietly. “Or tell me what you want me to do.”
