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“How can you feel any of that after knowing what they did?”
“How could I not? Kaily told me why you sacrificed yourself. Even if that was all I knew I wouldn’t do it. I love you, baby. Just as we are in this moment, I love you and need nothing more than for you to let me love you the best way I know how. I hope for more one day but I don’t expect it. Even if nothing changes, being just like this is perfect.”
I hid my face in his neck as I thought about his words. “You love me?”
“I love you, every sharp jagged piece of you.”
“I want to say it back… but not yet. I don’t want to feel so broken when I do.”
“Then I’ll love for the both of us until that day.”
I leaned back and cupped his cheeks. I looked into his beautiful eyes and saw nothing but love there. Kissing him softly, I knew I’d get there with his help.
Chapter 7
Willow
One month later
I sat in the garden and enjoyed the peaceful evening. I was starting to feel at peace and even found myself happy occasionally. I’d been seeing a trauma therapist who was helping me immensely.
It was Dante’s love that helped me most of all. When he realized that sleeping with him helped my nightmares, he moved me into his room and never looked back. He didn’t push for more, just held me every night. When he had to work, I curled up in my favorite chair and read a book until he came home.
He and Leo were at some kind of meeting but I was sure he’d be back soon. In the meantime, I relaxed outside. I heard someone approach me from behind and thinking it was Dante, I turned and smiled brightly.
Only it wasn’t Dante. This man instantly made fear bubble up inside of me. I was sure I knew him but I didn’t know from where. “I finally found the pequeña perra. You got all my best men killed. I will make sure you beg for death before I am done with you.”
I could only stumble backward. “Get out of here.”
“Who’s going to make me? Not you. I’ve seen what happens when you’re overpowered, Willow. You don’t put up much of a fight.”
“What are you talking about?” Fear poured out of me. I couldn’t let this happen again. If only Dante was home.
“You don’t remember? Well, you weren’t in very good shape, so I guess you wouldn’t.” A shark smile filled his face, his eyes were empty. “We spent a very special night together.”
I was shaking, my body in fight or flight mode. “You’re a monster. You’re a fucking evil piece of shit.” He responded with a grotesque pout. His cold laughter chilled my blood. He didn’t have a soul. How could he? I turned away, my head was spinning, my heartbeat pounding in my ears like a drum. I could hardly see as I panted for air.
“It’s time to leave, puta.” I heard him coming toward me as sirens blared in my head. He was going to hurt me. I had to stop him. My mind spun around until I remembered. The cute little pistol that Dante taught me to use. I kept it with me.
“Come on, it’s time to have fun before you die.” His hand landed on my shoulder like a deadly spider. His touch was soft but instantly tightened into a vise grip. I pivoted and reached behind me, grabbing hold of my gun. Before I even had it pointed at him I had the safety off, just like Dante taught me.
The monster never saw it coming. I fired it over and over until I was out of bullets. He let go of me, covering the red blooms that were spreading over his shirt with his hands. He looked down, then up at me, his mouth hung open and his eyes bulged.
He dropped to the ground on his back, gasping, blood soaking through his clothes onto the ground below. A rush of something like joy rolled through me, and I laughed until the wave subsided and pulled back. It left the cold, hard truth behind. I felt no regret.
I stared at the dead body sprawled out on the ground. Blood seeped from the multiple gunshot wounds decorating his chest like a piece of art. I knew I should’ve probably been freaking out. I should’ve felt terrible for what I’d done, but all I could think of was how relieved I felt that he was gone. No… it was more than relief. I felt proud. I was proud of what I’d done.
For the first time, I felt like I was taking control back. I was the powerful one. I was the one who decided to fight back and protect myself. I had to live with the consequences. Surprisingly, though, I wasn’t scared of whatever they were.
I sat back down on the garden bench staring at the body and smirked. This was my choice and I felt good knowing I rid the world of him. My breathing was calm. My heartbeat in an even rhythm as I set the gun down next to me.
Time seemed to be moving slowly as I heard feet running in my direction. At the sound of Dante’s panicked voice, time suddenly sped back up. “Willow! What happened? Are you hurt?” He reached for me, moving his hands over me looking for wounds. I tried to move away, shaking my head no, but he held me in place.
“I’m not. This isn’t my blood. I killed him. He came to take me back. He told me he was going to rape me and destroy my body before he was going to kill me. So I shot him with all of my bullets. He’s definitely dead, good riddance.”
His face worked through his emotions, the muscles jumping, eyes darting over my face like he wasn’t sure what to believe. “You killed him?”
“I did everything you taught me. I did it and I would do it again.”
