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I closed the gap between us, cupping her face in my palms. “You won’t have to find out. I’ll never let that happen.”
28
Giselle
Zayne had just offered me the world and made a promise I wasn’t sure he could keep. But he was the first man that I wanted to be with, so I would take my chances. He was my bodyguard, but he was so much more. He’d stolen my heart with a chocolate milkshake.
My legs turned to jelly the moment I kissed him, my nipples straining against the thin fabric of my lace bra and my G-string dampening between my thighs. I wanted to feel him inside me—wrap my legs around his waist and rock against him. I hadn’t ever been this turned on by a kiss. When I pressed my body against his, the length of his cock nearly made me lose my mind in a good way. He’d pumped the brakes right before I was about to rip his clothes off and taste every inch of him. I chewed my lower lip, trying to rein in my hormones.
“What do you need to know?” I asked, sitting at the counter and returning to my lasagna. Even though I didn’t have much of an appetite due to the upcoming conversation, I had to take care of myself. The last time I’d eaten was the hamburger and shake Zayne had bought nearly twenty-four hours ago.
“First, I need to know about Marty. I’m assuming he keeps an eye on you for Donovan.” Zayne speared a bite of the lasagna and stuffed it into his mouth.
I picked at my food, taking a nibble of the cheese on top. “I’m sorry.”
His brows knitted together, confused. “For what? What in the world do you have to apologize for?”
“That I flirted with Marty. I’m just trying to get him to keep his fucking mouth shut and not tattle on me to Donovan about the door of the studio being closed. Unfortunately, I’ve had to learn some life skills I’m not proud of.” Shame and humiliation seeped into my bones. Once Zayne learned that I was sold for sex to sick, sadistic, wealthy men, and what Donovan did to me, everything would change. In my gut, I knew he would still help my family escape, but he would no longer look at me the way he had the last few days—like I was the most beautiful and important person in the entire world. No one had ever looked at me like he had. I wanted more. I wanted him.
And I wanted to protect his heart as much as he wanted to protect mine.
A sickening thought turned my stomach, and I halted mid-chew. If Pierce and Sutton wanted to talk to me, that meant I should tell themeverything. The rapes, being sold—every sick part of my life. They couldn’t help us with only half of the details.
I jumped off the barstool and hauled ass to the kitchen sink just in time to lose what little of my meal I’d eaten.
A gentle hand gathered my hair and held it while I heaved. Zayne didn’t say a word, just stayed next to me while I made a mess in his friend’s sink. The thought of sharing my past was too much.
Trembling violently, I straightened, then washed the sink and rinsed my mouth.
“There are some crackers and 7Up in the pantry. Claire is pregnant, so they’re staples in the house right now. I have a spare, unused toothbrush and toothpaste in the guest bathroom. You can brush your teeth when you’re ready.”
I nodded, gripping the sink as another wave of cold, harsh terror squeezed me. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“I’ll show you. I don’t want you to pass out on me.” Zayne protectively slipped his arm around my waist while he held my hand.
“Here. And Giselle, just because we shared a kiss doesn’t mean I’m not going to continue to stick close to you.” Zayne’s voice was firm, and I realized there wasn’t any possibility for negotiation.
“I know.”
Zayne followed me into the bathroom and located the toothbrush and toothpaste for me. A minute later, my mouth tasted minty instead of like regurgitated lasagna.
“Better.” I offered him a wistful smile. “Maybe some 7Up might help?”
“Why don’t you get comfortable on the couch and I’ll bring you some soda and crackers.” Zayne led me to the living room, and I curled up in the corner of the leather sofa. My eyes widened as Zayne grabbed the beige blanket from the back of the recliner and covered me with it. I melted with his sweet gesture. No one had tucked me in since I was a little girl. Every night back then, Mom would cover me up, then read me a book. But this gorgeous man who had taken lives was just as kind and caring. I was with a badass who treated me as though I wore a crown.
“Thank you.” I snuggled into the spot, watching as he returned to the kitchen and momentarily forgetting why my stomach had given me a firm fuck-you.
He returned with a plate loaded with saltines and a full glass of soda. Zayne placed it next to me on the end table. “I’m going to call Pierce. The quicker we can meet, the sooner you and Ashley will be all right.” He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “Just remember that you’re not alone anymore, Giselle.”
Stupid tears welled in my eyes. Unsure of what to say, I simply squeezed his hand before he headed to the kitchen.
Zayne spoke quietly on the phone as I reminded myself to breathe. I wasn’t sure I had the strength to share what I needed to, but I could for Ashley. I had to. Even though I held a sliver of hope in the recesses of my heart that we could escape Donovan, I knew it wouldn't be easy. Now that I was staring the beast in the face, I was even less sure. I was worth millions of dollars each time he sold me, not to mention being his personal sex slave. My stomach churned again, and I swallowed, then took a small sip of the soda. I knew I wasn’t ready, but Zayne, even if he thought he was prepared … what he would learn might change the way he looked at me, and I wasn’t sure I could handle it.
29
Zayne
Leaning against the kitchen counter, I studied Giselle as she curled up on the couch. Pierce and Sutton were on their way over, and Vaughn and Claire were headed home. The small pieces of information I’d provided kicked all of them into high gear.
