Page 163 of Reckoning

Everyone else is stood by the door like she’s the one who’s unhinged.

I let the man go, watch as he collapses at my feet. He’ll bleed out soon enough. I doubt he’s got more than a few minutes left, judging by the blood flow from his missing cock.

Sofia eyes me warily but I don’t hesitate. I prowl towards her, ignoring the weapon entirely and, just as I get within a hairs breath, she flings herself into my arms.

“I’ve got you.” I murmur, holding her so tightly against me. “I’ve always got you.”

She buries her face into my chest. I know she’s still holding the gun but it makes no difference to me. I just carry her out, leaving everyone else to deal with this mess.

Sofia

Itake a shower. I brush my teeth. I scrub myself clean.

I know Koen has questions. I also know that Hastings and Roman are here, downstairs. Waiting.

We’re in a hotel. Not the one I lived in before.

Apparently they blew up Koen’s house so that at least explains how they got me out so easily.

I huddle up, wrapping the towel around myself, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

They raped me.

I don’t understand why I’m not so affected by it. Why I feel so numb this time. Am I so used to trauma now that I don’t even respond appropriately?

My hand slips to my stomach, and those words echo; that my father used me as a walking human safe. Is it true? Is that even possible? Wouldn’t I know if I had some sort of object inside me for all this time?

A tap at the door makes me yelp in shock. Koen’s face appears around it but he does his best to hide the concern there.

“How are you doing?” He asks quietly.

I give him a small smile back. “Good.”

His eyebrows raise. “Good?” He repeats obviously unconvinced.

“They’re dead Koen, they’re all dead.”

He grunts, eyeing up the dark bruise on my cheek.

“I’ve put some clothes out…”

“Stop.” I say cutting across him. Even now I can see him trying to retreat. I know he’s trying to be considerate, to give me space, but that’s not what I need. It’s not what I’ve ever needed from him.

He frowns, watching me carefully, no doubt waiting for me to fall apart.

“I don’t want you to go.” I say. “I want you here. I feel safer when you’re here.”

He lets out a low breath, nodding his ascent, and before he can refuse me, I wrap my arms around his waist and curl myself into him.

“Sofia,”

The way he murmurs my name, the way he holds me right now makes my eyes well.

For a second I don’t want to move, I just want to stay here, like this.

But my legs are trembling, my body is giving every sign that if I don’t lay down, I’m going to pass out again.

In the bedroom, Koen has laid out what looks like leggings and a hoody on the bed. He makes a point of looking away while I get dressed and I’ll admit that annoys me. He’s seen enough of my body, he’s fucked me enough times to be intimately acquainted with every inch of me.

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