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“Not like that. I was one of the lucky ones.” I force a smile. “But it’s never been for the lack of trying.”
A million emotions cross his face, from disbelief, to sadness, to pure anger.
“Who?” he demands in a harsh voice, then takes a step closer. “Who touched you, Luce?”
“They’re all dead,” I say. “Noelle made sure they’re all dead.”
“I am in your friend’s debt then,” he murmurs, bringing my hand to his lips, skimming them over my knuckles.
“Debt?” I frown.
“She saved you when I could not. For that she has my gratitude.”
“It’s fine, Nikki. Nothing happened. They just copped a feel here and there,” I try to explain, but my words seem to make him madder.
His nostrils flare, his eyes narrowing at me.
“Where?”
“What?”
“Where did they touch you?”
“Nikki…”
“Show me, Luce. Show me and let me erase the bad memories,” he says huskily.
I lick my lips, a shiver going down my spine at the intensity I see in his gaze.
Do I dare to do this?CanI do it?
Taking his hand, I bring it to my breasts, then I press it to my back, right above the swell of my ass before lowering it slowly.
“They touched you here?” His voice vibrates, an unnatural growl coming from him.
I nod.
“Fuck! Fuck, Luce. And I wasn’t here for you,” he rasps, his features anguished.
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“I’m sorry.” He bends his head down. “I’m so fucking sorry it took me so long to come.”
“How can you say that?” My eyes widen. “You were in a coma, Nikki.”
“I should have been more careful. If only I hadn’t gotten in that accident. If only I hadn’t left my house that day…” he trails off, and I notice the regret mirrored in his eyes.
“Don’t,” I whisper. “You’re alive. To me, that’s all that matters.”
“Ishould have killed them,” he continues as if he didn’t hear anything I just said. “But I’m going to kill that bastard, Sergio. He won’t get away after what he’s done to you. God, it’s not even just your shoulder.” He shakes his head as he looks me up and down. “The calluses on your hands, the marks on your body…” he drifts off when he sees the change in my expression.
I avert my eyes.
If there is one sore subject I’m uncomfortable discussing, it’s the marks on my body.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he quickly amends. “You’re beautiful to me, Luce. No matter what marks you have on your body. There’s nothing more beautiful in this world than you.”
“You’re sweet to say that. But you haven’t seen the rest of them. They’re not just on my chest, Nikki. They’re on my belly, on my hips and on my thighs. They’reeverywhere.”
