Page 6 of Death

After he sets the glass down, he brushes his other palm over my hair. Then he leans closer, and my eyes snap shut as he presses a kiss to my forehead.

“You’re perfect,” he whispers. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

Unable to move a muscle, I sit frozen, my breaths bursting over my lips.

I hear the other chair scraping over the floor, and opening my eyes, it’s to see Nolan taking a seat right in front of me.

For a moment, he stares at me with so much adoration it actually looks like he loves me.

I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

He raises his hand to my face, sending another wave of fear trembling through me.

God.

Resting his palm against my cheek, he continues to stare at me for torturously long minutes before he says, “You’re so perfect, Ciara.” A smile curves his mouth again. “And all mine.”

There’s a sinking feeling in my gut as I stare at him.

Because he seems calm, I take a chance to beg, “Please don’t hurt me.”

Tilting his head, he gives me a loving smile. “I won’t punish you unless you try to escape or disobey me. Just be the sweet, innocent woman I know you are, and everything will be fine.”

His words have my body tensing even more and fear pouring through my veins.

My thoughts immediately go to Grace and her marriage to Brayden. He forced himself on her, and I saw how it broke her.

Grace is so much stronger than me, though.

I’m not sure I’ll survive being raped.

My chin trembles and tears rush to my eyes.

“Hey…” he coos as he leans closer, caressing my cheek and the side of my head. “Shh…”

My voice is hoarse and thick with fear as I whimper, “Are you going to rape me?”

Nolan shakes his head, his expression filled with an emotion I can’t place. “Of course not.” I suck in a quivering breath, and it has him brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. “Your innocence is what makes you so precious. You’ll remain pure forever.”

What does that mean?

Nolan begins to climb to his feet, and taking hold of my hand, he says, “Come.”

My movements are jerky and stilted as I stand up. He squeezes my hand, and it feels like he’s trying to comfort me as we walk toward the living room.

When he begins to lead me down a short hallway toward a bedroom, I shake my head, and a sob bursts from me. “Please,” I beg as I pull back against his hold. “Don’t do this. Don’t hurt me.”

“Shh…” He drags me closer to him, and as I strain in his hold, he wraps his arm around my lower back and holds me tightly. “Hey, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”

My other hand comes up, and I press hard against his chest as another sob bursts over my lips. Tears sneak from my eyes as I give him a pleading look.

My body trembles fiercely as he gives me a gentle hug. “Shh, my love. I’m just going to get you cleaned up. Okay?”

My terror-filled gaze is glued to his face, and when he continues to pull me toward the bedroom, I strain even more, trying to squirm free from his hold.

“Don’t make this difficult,” he mutters, the affection gone and replaced by a tone of warning.

I shake my head, trying to pull back while still giving him a pleading look. “Don’t do this.”

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