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I was too exhausted to really pick up on any of the details, but I knew that Cyrus was a man of means, all hidden behind the unassuming exterior of an Italian family restaurant.
His fingers grazed my back, leading me down the hall past several abstract paintings on the walls. He opened another door and guided me into a bedroom. The bed was massive and soft and so inviting I had trouble stopping myself from jumping right in.
Behind me, he grasped the collar of my jacket. Carefully, but with a quiet firmness, he pulled it from me, and I crossed my arms bashfully over my chest, feeling suddenly very shy even though I was still completely clothed.
“Wait here. Let me get you something you can sleep in,” he offered.
When he left the room, it felt like he’d taken the air along with him. I closed my eyes, trying to grasp the calm that had seemingly rushed out of me in his absence. My ears perked up and I listened for any sign of him, the creak of a wooden board, the closing of a drawer, anything really to tell me that he hadn’t left and that I wasn’t alone.
When his footsteps echoed in the hallway and returned to the bedroom I was standing in, it felt like I could breathe again. Then he was in front of me, and his massive presence was there like a haven. He pushed a soft piece of flannel fabric into my hands.
“You will change into this now. Leave your clothes on the chair over there,” he instructed.
When he went to leave, I couldn’t help but speak out.
“Please don’t go. You can just turn around,” I gasped.
He nodded once and did as I asked. His presence calmed my erratic heartbeat. In a rush, I stripped off my clothes. I didn’t know if I’d ever want to put on that shirt or those pants again because every single thread would remind me of the horror of the night. I tossed my bra aside too, standing there in only my panties for a moment.
With a swallow, I decided to leave those on. I glanced back at him, but he was still standing there facing the other direction, stoic like my own personal bodyguard. I reached for the flannel shirt. It was so big that I slid it over my head and I pulled it into place without even unbuttoning it. It was thick with his scent, and I breathed it in greedily.
“Okay. I’m dressed now,” I said brightly, and he turned back around. For a second, I saw him glance down at my bare legs and I could have sworn a flare of desire flashed across his face, but it was gone before I could be certain.
“It’s time for bed, Ava,” he instructed.
His hand wrapped around my upper arm, gently leading me to the massive king bed. He grasped the thick quilt and pulled it down. I climbed in and lay down without a word, gazing up into his warm eyes before I placed my head down on the pillow. The bed jostled as he sat down on the edge, and I tentatively looked up at him.
The rough touch of his fingertips grazed my jaw. He cupped my cheek gently, brushing his thumb back and forth. I sighed, leaning into his palm.
“I’ll be across the hall in my bedroom. As you close your eyes, I want you thinking about how no one will hurt you here, that you’re safe and that you don’t have to worry about whatever dangers are following you until you wake up in the morning. Do you understand me?” he rumbled.
“Yes. Thank you, Cyrus. I don’t know how I’ll repay you,” I muttered, and he shook his head. His hand fell away and I found that I missed it.
“Just sleep for me. That’s all I want, Ava,” he replied. He reached for me and brushed a stray lock of hair off my forehead.
“Okay. If you’re sure,” I smiled weakly.
“I’m sure. Goodnight, Ava,” he replied.
My gaze dipped down to the fullness of his lips. They looked soft and the sudden want to taste them came over me. What would his beard feel like as it scraped against my chin? Would he kiss me gently or would he devour me with those lips?
“Close your eyes, Ava,” he commanded. His tone was still soft, but there was a much firmer edge to it now.
Shyly, I obeyed him. “Goodnight, Cyrus,” I mumbled. The bed rose as he stood up and I listened to the sound of his footsteps as he walked across the room.
“Remember, I’m only just across the hall. If you need anything, all you need to do is call out my name and I’ll come,” he added.
I was so tired that I was only capable of mumbling something of a thank you before the door clicked shut and I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
“Listen, bitch, you’ve had this coming to you for a long time. You don’t get to say no to me. I’m not just a mob boss, I’m a fucking god!” he screamed, and my heart squeezed tight in a panic as the barrel of the gun dug into the side of my scalp.
My eyes darted around, looking for any avenue of escape, but my arms were bound over my head and Anthony had my legs pinned under his weight. He gripped the edges of my dress and tore it open, revealing my breasts as I struggled.
There was no one in the room with us. I didn’t know where we were, but it was somewhere expensive. Maybe it was a hotel. Maybe he’d kidnapped me and was holding me in his mansion somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
He wrenched my dress open even further, exposing the expanse of my stomach. I cried out and he drew his arm back, only to slap my face hard enough to make my head spin and my eyes water.
