Fuck.
I slide closer to her, and taking hold of her chin, I turn her face to me. “Deeper breaths, little bird,” I murmur, so I don’t spook her more. She begins to gasp, and it has me lifting my other hand to her cheek. “Shh… you’re safe,” I say the only thing I can think she wants to hear right now.
It seems to help, though. Elena snaps out of the haze she was caught in and yanks her face free from my hands.
“Don’t… touch… me,” the words shudder from her.
I move back to my side of the seat, watching Elena squeeze her body against the door again.
She doesn’t look like she’s about to stop breathing anymore, and shaking my head, I turn my gaze to the scenery passing us by. Buildings, street lamps, people going about their business.
I close my eyes, my thoughts returning to my loss.
It’s more than a loss, though. I’ve lost the only person who knew me inside out.
I lost my best friend.
My mentor.
I loved my father more than life itself, and his death has left a gaping hole in my heart that will never heal.
Chapter 12
ELENA
The shots ring in my ears.
Alfonso falls beside me, his eyes wide as blood trickles from his head.
My stomach churns at the memory that’s so clear in my mind as if it just happened.
Lucian and Carson just killed those men. Right in the middle of the road.
Oh, God.
I wrap my arms tighter around my waist, trying to put as much space between Lucian and me.
Oh my God.
He killed them.
He just killed them.
I swallow hard on the bile, threatening to push up my throat.
I see Alfonso and Gino’s bodies.
The blood.
The acidic smell of my vomit filling the air.
The taste of Dante.
I gag and quickly cover my mouth with my hand.
“Fuck, she’s going to throw up,” I hear Lucian say, but his voice sounds miles away.
I feel his hand on my back, and that’s all it takes. I bend over, and unable to stop it, I vomit on the floor.
All my demons have been set free, and they close in on me until it feels like I’m going to lose my mind.
“Principessa,” I hear Dante whisper dauntingly from the darkness. “I know you’re awake.”
I have to force myself to keep still, hoping I can convince him I’m asleep. I hear him move, and I squeeze my eyes tightly shut.
“We’re here,” I hear Carson’s muted voice.
“I could fuck you right now,” Dante says, no longer whispering, “and you’ll just have to take every inch of my dick.”
The trembling in my body grows as fear pulses where my heart should be.
“I’ve got her,” Lucian says, and I’m only half aware of his arms slipping under me.
Suddenly Dante pounces, his hand closing around my throat, and it rips a terrified scream from me. He pushes me onto my back, and his rank breath wafts over my face. “Which hole should I fuck?” A cruel chuckle darkens the night. “I’ll let you choose, Principessa.”
I hear voices. All male. I feel Lucian move, his arms strong beneath me, his shoulder solid against my cheek. His aftershave wars with the acidic smell of bile.
I’m laid down on a bed, and then I feel Lucian’s cool palm on my heated cheek. I manage to open my eyes, and for a moment, I connect with his worried gaze, but then I’m yanked away by the demons.
“Choose,” Dante growls, drops of spittle hitting my face.
“Don’t. Please,” I beg, but it only makes him tighten his grip on my neck, making it hard to breathe. My heart hammers at a panicked pace.
I hear as he begins to unbuckle his belt, and it makes waves of terror crash over me.
This is it. This is the moment I’ve feared most.
Dante leans closer to me, and then he licks the tears from my cheek. “Choose, or I’ll choose for you,” he threatens.
I’m so terrified he’ll rape me, my lips part, and it feels as if a piece of my soul is torn out along with the words. “M-m-mouth.”
He lets out another chuckle, and then he lets go of my neck as he moves back. “You better make this good.” He frees his cock from his pants, then snaps, “Now, Principessa. Before I change my mind.”
Quickly, I sit up, and my body shudders as I scoot to the side of the bed. A sob escapes me, and it has Dante saying, “Puke and I’ll fuck you raw. This time you swallow every last drop of my cum.”
Father… why have you forsaken me?
Another sob builds, but I swallow it down.
Dante grabs hold of my head, and even though it’s the lesser of the two evils, it kills me to open my mouth.
He thrusts brutally into my mouth, letting out a sadistic chuckle. “Fuck, yes.”
No.
It will always be no.
I squeeze my eyes tightly shut and pray it will be quick, but then Dante says, “Open your eyes and look up at me while I fuck your mouth.”