Page 77 of Beautiful Revenge

“That fucker,” Finn mutters. “I am going to kill him for doing this to you.”

“I don’t want to talk about that right now.”

“I get that but, princess, I need to know if he did anything else to you. If you’re hurt anywhere else.”

“Why? You’re not a doctor. You can’t help me.”

His eyes burn with a passion that makes my stomach flutter. It’s not a sexual passion. It’s a passion that resembles… love. “I just need to know.”

“You’re wondering if he raped me. That’s it, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

I feel my throat clench. I can do this. I can say this. “No. He didn’t… do that. He only cut me. But if you hadn’t shown up when you did…”

“But I did. And I’m glad you weren’t raped.”

“Why? So you won’t have to deal with my trauma? So it won’t get in the way of us ever having sex?”

His eyes narrow. “No. I’m glad you weren’t raped because I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Well, I would wish it on Sal because he deserves to burn in fucking hell. But for you? I’m glad you weren’t raped because I would hate to see you suffer like that. I’m not thinking about having sex with you right now, princess. Don’t worry. Though, I am flattered you think there might be a day you’ll want to have sex with me.”

My lips quirk up for a just a second before my numbness takes back over. “I know what you’re doing.”

“What am I doing?”

“You’re trying to make me laugh and distract me from the pain. But I’m not in the mood to get into it with you right now, Finn. I just can’t.” I shiver. “I’m cold.”

“Here.” He helps me get into one of his t-shirts. It’s warm and comforting and big enough on me to make me feel safe. He grabs a blanket from the back of the couch and drapes it over me.

“You’re being nice to me.”

“Well, considering what you just went through, it’s the least I can do.”

I snuggle into the blanket. “I know. But you’re not the kind of man who shows kindness to others. Even though I just wentthrough something terrible, I still expected you to treat me like shit.”

With a sigh, he sits down on the floor by the couch. “I’ve never pretended to be a good man. You know this more than anybody. I’ve hardened myself over the years. But…”

“But?” The urge to run my hands through his hair is so strong, I have to tamp it down.

“But when I saw you on that table…” He blows out a breath. “Something woke up inside of me. It was… worry. I was worried you were hurt beyond repair. And you’re mine, princess. I’m not ready to lose you just yet.”

“You’re saying you have the capacity for good?”

“Well, I’ve never treated my mom like shit. Now that we’re married, I guess it would be a good idea to introduce you to her. You’d like her. She’s a spitfire like you are. And I could have killed my brother countless times but I never wanted to. I fucking love the guy despite all we’ve been through.”

“You’re loyal,” I murmur, “in your own way.”

“I guess so. And now I’m loyal to you. You’re my wife.”

“You only married me to hurt Dante.”

His eyes darken. “Trust me, Aria, I didn’t just marry you to hurt Dante.”

I’m scared to ask for more so I don’t. Instead, I ask, “What do we do now?”

“Now, you get better and I go kill the fucker that did this to you. He shouldn’t find you here again.”

“But what if he does and you’re out looking for him? What if he kidnaps me again? I won’t be able to take it, Finn.” I squeeze my eyes shut at the memories of Sal cutting me. To my humiliation, a few tears slip down my face. Finn has never seen me cry before. He’s going to mock me. I just know it.

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