As if we can ever fix what happened to us. People who grew up in love will never understand the scars of those who grew up without it.
“Right. Go ahead then. I’ll join you in an hour.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Aileen elbows Rush. “Come on, darling.”
“We should go,” Emmaline adds, lacing her fingers through Rafael’s, who reluctantly moves. “We’re going to the usual place.”
“Great.”
Rafael stops when he reaches me and tips my chin up, smiling at me even though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You all right?” I nod. “I don’t need to kill anyone?” I shake my head. “You’d tell me if I had to do it?” I hesitate a little, and his hold on my chin tightens, so I nod. “I was worried. Next time, send a text in advance.” He presses a small kiss to my forehead. “I’ll see you at the restaurant.”
They go toward the elevator while Aileen finally manages to drag Rush from the doorway. He follows them, but I still when he palms my cheeks. “Did you want this?”
I understand his question right away.
“Yes.”
He looks at me forever, it seems, before kissing me on the cheek and hugging me close, and a sense of safety washes over me in his arms that I love and hate at the same time.
Love because he’s my big brother who did his best.
Hate because it makes me starved for a connection I’ll never have with my siblings.
“We’ll be waiting for you.” He leans back, taps me on the nose, and wraps his arm around Aileen’s waist before joining Rafael and Emmaline. “Don’t be late.” A certain warning laces his voice.
Does he expect me to avoid them or something?
The minute the elevator door closes, I sigh in relief, and a nervous laughter spills past my lips because that seemed easy.
My brothers figured out I spent the night with a man, and the only thing they cared about was that it was consensual and I’m all right.
My happiness is replaced with dread, though, as I remind myself that my brothers are never this chill.
Not when it comes to people they feel protective of.
Which means they’ll dig and dig until they find out who it was.
I glance at the phone, giving myself ten minutes for a shower, and dash to the bathroom.
Removing my clothes in record time, I turn on the shower and step into the stall, letting the hot water cascade down my body and slowly create steam all around me.
Sighing, I fully get under the spray, and I’m so lost in the pleasurable sensation over my strained muscles that it takes me a second to realize the energy around me has changed swiftly.
I feel a presence behind me, but before I can react, I gasp as my splayed hands end up on the tile in front of me while a hard, muscular body presses into me from behind.
Strong hands cover mine, and a light stubble grazes my shoulder, while a deep and husky voice whispers into my ear, “Who gave you permission to run from me,moycvetochek?”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Some say we are all born innocent.
What a lie.
I was born in my mother’s pain and suffering, forever smeared in sins one can never wash away.”
Levi
Levi, 6 years old
