Page 29 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

“Yes, they were caught and taken care of,” he stated, staring at our hands. “Bella, let me say this before I lose the nerve to.”

He exhaled loudly and rubbed down his beautiful face.

“When I was seven, my parents died in a car crash from a drunk driver. My uncle and aunt resumed caring for me, but three years after their death, I went fishing. It was something I’d done since I could remember.

“I was in the countryside and not far from my house when I was kidnapped. For six months, I endured almost every sexual torture a child could experience. Apparently, he’d taken me to a house where a bunch of other kids lived. They were all of different cultural backgrounds. He took his time, demeaning, degrading, and torturing every little boy and girl there. That monster didn’t have a preference. He wanted what he wanted.

“My kidnapper was pure evil and a sexual sadist. He had so much confidence that he wouldn’t get caught because nobody would ever suspect him or know where we were. That monster bragged how he’d gotten away with this shit for years, and no one noticed a thing. He would say adults listened to adults, not kids.

“Sometimes, he would lock me in the basement of the house and starve me. One day, I got some strength and kicked him straight in the balls, but I couldn’t break out of my cuffs. That night, he came down to the basement, and using a carving knife, he carvedSatan’s Childin my chest. The days he didn’t feel like molesting me, he beat the shit out of me.”

I gripped his hand, giving him the strength he needed to continue. My baby had been through so much in life and so early in his life on top of that. Our tears flowed freely down both of our faces. Janeiro sniffled and wiped his face.

“I prayed every day and night that someone would come and rescue me. No such luck, though. It was up to me to free myself. I took him down by his weakness. You get my drift?

“Afterward, I escaped. I left the door open for as many kids to get out, but my only concern was to make it home. The stars led me home. My parents showed me that trick just in case I got lost in the woods one day. It came in handy. I collapsed when I made it back to our village. A friend of my uncle saw me and rushed me to them. My uncle collected as much information as he needed from me. Him and his cavalry rode out, while all my aunts took care of me.

“They all cried so hard when they noticed all the areas I bled from. I was too numb to cry. I was all out of tears. What I wanted was my revenge. My uncle and his crew killed everyone in that house then burned it down to the ground. They didn’t spare a soul. That experience changed me though. I went years without talking.

“The only time I opened my mouth was to eat or brush my teeth. Other than that, no words. My family gave me the space to feel and come to terms with what I’d endured. The next time I spoke, it was my seventeenth birthday, and I told my uncle and aunt that I wanted to be an assassin just like them. The rest was history. I became just like them. Erie, I’ve travelled all over this world. I’ve killed all kinds of monsters and spent time with a few ladies of the night, but I have never fallen in love.

“You are the first woman I’ve ever loved and fallen in love with. That’s why I can admit to you that I will be killing your brother, Troy Jr. He put another hit on you, and that’s why you’re here now. My uncle and aunt are here because they received a contract to kill your dad and Londen.

“Of course, they’re not going through with it. Plus, I didn’t know your dad was one of their American allies. Apparently, he had a different life before he became a company man.” Janeiroexhaled. “How do you feel about the information I just dumped on you?”

“Thank you, baby, for sharing your story with me. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me. You are such a strong, kind, considerate, and beautiful man. I’m blessed to have you in my life. I’ve never met a man like you before, but I know I don’t ever want to lose you. I really wish I could kiss your past away, but since I can’t, I plan to love you a little harder every day.

“When it comes to my brother, I can’t give you the okay to take his life, but I support however you want to handle the situation. I have no more time to waste on Troy Jr. He made his bed, so only he has to lie in it. My main concerns are you and our babies. It may sound selfish, but all I want is you, Janeiro. Just you.”

“You’re never selfish, Bella. I’m more selfish than you are. I want you more than the sun and moon have to trade places. We’ll spend the rest of our lives making new memories and making sure we provide our children with nothing less than unconditional love, hope, and protection.”

“I agree completely, handsome.” I sniffled.

Ro wiped away my tears as he bent down and sucked my tongue in his mouth. Shit was about to get real heated until there was a knock on the door.

“Sweet Pea, you’re awake!” my dad expressed in his deep tone.

“Yes, Daddy. I have you all and Gigi to thank for that. I heard all of you all’s prayers and conversations,” I revealed, smiling. “Daddy, you and Londen have my blessing.”

I winked at them and turned my attention to the two new strangers I assumed were related to Ro.

“Now who’s going to introduce me to this lovely couple here?”

“Bella, this is my uncle Matteo. Next to him is his wife, my favorite aunt, Bianca. Zio and Zia, this is my Bella, my girl, my world, Erie,” Ro boasted proudly in his Italian accent.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, beautiful,” his smooth uncle voiced, kissing the top of my hand.

“Ooh, chile. Now, I see where your mannerisms come from, Ro.”

A blush crept in his cheeks. Everyone laughed, and it felt good to laugh.

“Your aunt is gorgeous. I need your skin regimen, ma’am,” I spewed, checking out how fashionable she was.

“I said the same thing,” Londen added.

“Thank you, ladies. We have a lot of chatting to do once you’re released, Erie. Plus, Janeiro has told us so much about you, sweetheart. As soon as you’re released, we gotta get some homemade Sicilian food in you to get you back up and running again. You’ll need your strength to carry all three of those babies around,” his Aunt Bianca responded.

“Sounds good to me. I love food,” I professed, thinking about food already.

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