Page 44 of Love Me Gently

At least, I’d always thought so. But now?

I blinked up at him and wiped more blood from my cheek. It wasn’t much.

“I’m sorry,” I rasped, and what? The words came out of my mouth before I could think. I wasn’t sorry. I hadn’tdoneanything.

“I forgive you.” Jonathan grinned, and all the ugliness on his face was now gone.Thiswas my Jonathan. “Now, promise me you’ll listen, right? You’ll do that from now on? And you’ll do it without talking back.”

I’d do or say anything to get away from him. “Yes. Of course.”

“Good.” He leaned forward and kissed me. “Now go upstairs, clean your face, and get ready for me. We have celebrating to do.”

My body froze and turned straight into a block of ice. “You can’t be serious.”

He’dhitme, andnowhe wanted to celebrate?

He reached out his hand and pressed his thumb to my cheekbone. The same cheekbone that had slammed into the fridge until I cried out in pain. “You promised to listen, right?”

Oh god. He meant this. More tears fell, and he grinned as they slid right down to his thumb. He brushed them away and then brought his thumb to his mouth, tongue darting out to lick them away. “Right, Katrina? You’ve promised to listen.”

“I have.” There was nothing left to say. I couldn’t get away from him. Couldn’t leave. Ilivedhere.

“Good.” His hand dropped to my throat, and he leaned in. His warm breath skated across my lips as his fingers squeezed until my lips parted in surprise and pain and fear. Whowasthis man in front of me?

A pained squeak escaped my parted lips, and he kissed me, shoved his tongue inside my mouth and pressed his lips against mine so forcefully they’d bruise. His fingers kept squeezing and my breathing turned ragged. “Now, Katrina. Go do what I said. You don’t want me more disappointed in you than I already am, do you?”

I shook my head. It hurt. My breathing was shallower.

He pushed me away and let go of my throat. “Then do what you’re told. You agreed to this life, Katrina. Might as well get used to it.”

I hurried around him, ran upstairs and when I got to the bathroom I crumbled to the floor and sobbed.

I’d thought he’d saved me from Steven.

But like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he’d bided his time until he could turn on me.

He hadn’t saved me at all.

He’d waited until the perfect moment to complete my ruination.

Still, somehow, I stood.

I washed my face and did as I was told, and by the time morning came, I knew exactly what I’d signed myself up for…

A lifetime of unending pain.

Seventeen

Cole

Now

“How is she? Awake yet?”

As predicted, my mom was pacing and worrying her knotted hands together when I reached the kitchen. Instead of worthlessly pacing in the living room, she’d moved to the kitchen where pots and pans filled all four burners on my stovetop.

Stress cooking. Couldn’t blame her, and I wasn’t at all surprised.

“No. But she’s here.”

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