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“Do you want me to take you to the hospital?” I cautiously ask her. “You might have some broken ribs. They won’t be able to do much for it, but they could give you some good pain meds.”
She shakes her head. I know her well enough that arguing right now won’t help, and I wouldn’t win anyway. If she needs meds, I can find some for her some another way. “Okay, baby.”
I turn on the shower so the water can warm up. All I want to do is wash that piece of shit off her, but I know she’s hurting.
She’ll have two shiners by morning. I can already see the red marks around her neck, making me wish I could’ve shot that fucking bastard myself for touching her.
“Can you lift your arms, baby?” I ask softly, grabbing the hem of what’s left of her dress. With her eyes closed, she slowly raises them. She winces but doesn’t stop until I can fully remove it. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Fuck, I’m so sorry.” I carefully cup her cheeks. “I’ll be super careful.”
Sophie keeps her gaze to the floor, staying silent. I know she’s emotionally exhausted, and I can’t even imagine what she’s thinking, if anything at all. I wrap my arms around her and unstrap her bra, then gently slide it off. That motherfucker’s marks are on her arms.
Next, I slide her panties down her legs and toss them aside. Steam fills the room, so I strip off my clothes, and after I test the water, I lift Sophie and walk us to the shower.
Once we’re inside, I set her down, close the curtain, and position us under the stream.
I brush my fingers through her strands and massage shampoo into her scalp, scrubbing out the blood and tangles. She keeps her eyes shut as I rinse her hair, but moans quietly at my touch. Sophie reaches for me and tightly grips my biceps, pulling me closer. “I’m not letting you go, baby. Never again.”
Her body tenses as I gently wrap my arm around her shoulders, and I know she’s about to break down. I want her to feel safe with me and give her the space to release whatever she’s feeling. Cupping her face, I softly press my lips to hers before pulling back and resting my head against hers. Our breathing is the only sound that can be heard over the heavy stream.
“I love you, Sophie. I love you so goddamn much.” I hope by now she knows I’d do anything for her.
She pulls back slightly, out of the water, and blinks up at me for the first time since I carried her from that house.
“I almost missed the chance to tell you, so I’m taking the opportunity now. Soph, I’m in love with you,” I tell her honestly. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” I murmur.
Sophie stares at me with tears in her eyes, and I don’t know if they’re from my confession or the whole situation. Either way, I wipe my thumbs over her cheeks, then pull her back into my chest. When she manages to wrap her arms around my waist, I feel her entire body shake as cries echo into the air. I hate hearing her sobs, but I know it’s what she needs to process and get through this. As terrible as it all was, I have to believe we’ll get through this.
After a while, I grab her loofah and lather her body wash on it. Slowly, I rub over her skin, cleaning more blood off her face and neck. I want his memory off her. Sophie stands silently as I scrub over each arm, her chest and stomach, down each leg, and between her thighs. Then she turns around and allows me to repeat the process. I reposition her under the water so she’s facing me and watch as it all rinses away.
“I was so scared I’d never see you again,” she finally says after her breathing steadies. “I knew you’d come looking for me, but I was certain Dalton would shoot you before you’d even get to me.”
“I’m sure that was his plan,” I tell her honestly. “But we had a better one.”
“He’s a monster,” she says quietly. “I’m a fool for not seeing it.”
“Listen to me,” I demand, cupping her jaw. “You’re the sweetest, kindest, most trusting person I know. That doesn’t make you a fool, and thinking otherwise isn’t going to help you in this situation.”
“I should’ve listened to you,” she states weakly, tears falling again.
“I can’t say I didn’t wish you did, too. But I didn’t know who he was either, not until today. I thought he was after a relationship, but neither of us could’ve seen this coming.”
“I fell for it so easily. His lies, his story, everything.” She sounds so defeated.
