AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Nightling, what’s wrong?” Adam walked into the house, a second behind me.
I suddenly felt trapped here. It didn’t seem cozy and comforting anymore. It felt stifling, like my father’s house.
I ignored him as I stomped down the hall to our room. I didn’t know what else to do, so I reached for my sketchbook. Not the new one Adam had given me, but the old one. The book filled with images of him. Years ago, in my rage, I’d drawn his death over and over, thinking it might calm some of the anger inside me.
Sketching always helped me clear my thoughts. I needed to draw what I felt. Spill the rage and confusion onto the page. Calm the chaos before I spoke to him.
“Ariella.” Adam snapped as I started to push past him. I wanted to be outside. I wanted to sit on the swing and feel the night air. See the moonlight.
My chest constricted as I saw the pained look in his eyes. But I was afraid if I said something now, it would come out all wrong. I’d only hurt us both. My lips twisted as I held back the words. I shook my head at him as I kept walking.
But Adam grabbed my wrist, yanking my back against his chest. “Where are you going?”
“Away,” I grunted as I struggled against him. But he wrapped his arm around my waist, dragging me back into the room.
“The fuck you are.” His deep growl sent a shiver down my spine as I tried to break his hold.
I was twisted because, even mad at him, my body responded to his strength. My nipples tightened behind my dress. They scraped against my lace bra, making me hiss in a breath.
“We don’t do this. We talk.” He turned me until we were face to face. “You’re mad? Fine, scream at me. Fight me. Give it all to me, but don’t run away.”
“You want to talk?” I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t let me go. “Why didn’t you tell me you saw my father?”
Shock crossed his face, and his grip loosened. “I didn’t want to worry you.”
“Cazzate!” Bullshit.I shouted. Pushing on his chest, I created space between us before I did something stupid like cling to him. “What did he want? To make sure you’re following the plan?”
“The plan?” His head jerked back, but I barely heard him as I kept yelling.
“You’re getting everything you wanted. You get to fuck me every night and a promotion. You both gained a little more power, and I’m none the wiser. Foolishly thinking you actually loved me when really I’m just a piece in your plan. ”
“What did you just say?” He growled as he closed the distance between us again. The look of rage on his face sent me retreating. My knees hit the bed as I went as far as I could.
But I couldn’t back down. I wouldn’t. Not anymore. My whole life, I yielded to my father. To men. And it had left me with nothing. I needed to stand up for myself. For what I wanted.
“Tell me I’m wrong! Tell me all of this isn’t a lie.” My chest brushed his as I heaved in a breath.
I felt like my body was tearing in two. A part of me wanted to run to him. To take comfort in him. While another wanted to run away. To forget him all together. Even if it had proved impossible in the past.
I gasped as his hand shot out, grabbing my neck. But even with the anger coursing through both of us, he kept his touch gentle. His fingers were firm but soft as they pressed into my pulse.
“What’s a lie?” His eyes turned cold as he stared at me. “That I’ve waited for you my whole life. It almost broke me to lose you. Or that I love you. I’d kill your father before I’d do a single thing to hurt you.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” My words came out choked as emotion strained my voice.
His fingers flexed around my neck. I could feel his restraint. Feel the tension that told him to squeeze, but he didn’t.
“You think I wanted to repeat the bullshit he said.” My heart cracked at he vulnerability in his voice. As a piece of the young boy I knew came out. “He stood there and ignored me like I wasn’t even human. Like I was dirt on his shoe. Going on and on about how I wasn’t good enough for you. How I was just a street rat, and I’d drag you into the gutter with me. And I fucking took it because he was right.”
“Adam.” I gasped. My hand flew to his wrist, trying to soothe him. “That’s not true. That’s not going to happen.”
“It already is.” He whispered as his thumb stroked along my jaw. “Just look at the way I touch you. I fuck you like I hate you. I taint you every time we’re close.”
“I wanted that.” I dug my nails into his arm as I felt him try and pull away from me.
Not physically, but emotionally. My father had gotten to him, just not in the way I thought. He’d poisoned his mind. Tore at his wounds like Britney had. I suppose she’d learned from the best.
The tattoos made sense now. He was trying to cling to me. Trying to make himself believe I wouldn’t leave. But I could never leave him. He was my heart.
