Page 130 of Ruin Me Gently

Curled up on the damp concrete, trembling, her body tucked in on itself, one arm wrapped around her middle, like she was trying to make herself smaller. One hand pressed to the side of her head.

Dark red coated her fingers.

Blood.

Oh, fuck.

“Lilith.”

I was already kneeling, already reaching for her, but I hesitated, my hands hovering, useless, shaking. I was afraid to touch her. Afraid to make it worse.

Her jeans. Ripped at the knees, dirty, scuffed. But still there.

Buttoned.Belted. Secure.

Relief slammed into me like a sledgehammer, so hard it almost knocked me on my ass.

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice steady. “Hey. Hey, look at me.”

She didn’t move.

I reached for her again, gentler this time, my palm barely brushing her arm. “Lilith. Stay with me, okay? I’ve got you.”

Her lashes fluttered open, her pupils blown wide, unfocused. She blinked up at me like she wasn’t really seeing me.

Footsteps.

Quick footsteps.

My head snapped up.

That son of a bitch.

He was running as fast as he could with his limp, clutching his ribs, cowardice etched into every step as he staggered toward the crowd at the mouth of the alley.

I should’ve gone after him. I wanted to. But I couldn’t. Because she was still here. Still shaking. Still bleeding. She needed me more.

I turned back to her, my grip careful as I cupped her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “You’re okay, sweetheart.” My voice cracked. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now. You’re safe.”

Her lips parted, a shaky breath escaping and my pulse stuttered.

“I’m going to lift you now, sweetheart,” I murmured, my hands already sliding beneath her. “It’s going to hurt, okay?”

She made a noise—small, weak, barely more than a gurgled breath.

I clenched my jaw, swallowing the snarl clawing its way up my throat as I tightened my grip, scooping her up as gently as I could. Her body slumped against my chest, limp, barely there. Too light. Too fragile.

I wanted to kill him all over again.

I adjusted my hold, cradling her closer as I stepped out of the alley, keeping my movements smooth despite the storm raging inside me.

There were people. So many fucking people.

Just standing there. Watching. Phones out, recording, whispering, gawking like she was some spectacle, like she wasn’t broken and bleeding in my arms, like she wasn’t a person.

“Is she okay, man?”

I snapped my head up, my blood roaring in my ears. The air shifted, the weight of my rage pressing into every single useless bystander.

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