Page 39 of Miles
We move toward the stairs where the piece of crap lies, and he kicks him in the balls.
My heart stammers and I panic, quickly clearing any doubts Miles might have. “He didn’t touch me like that, if you’re worried.”
We stop, and he stares deep into my eyes. “Look at me, Elsa. I’m sorry, love. I would be worried that he violated you, but not for my sake. It would be for your sake. I would never want you to deal with that pain and horror. No woman should ever have to suffer such violation. However, I know he didn’t.”
“How did you know?” I asked, wondering how he could be so certain.
“Because he couldn’t. Maybe that’s why he wanted revenge so badly that he came back and was willing to risk everything. Your brother castrated him.”
I slapped my hand to my mouth so fast it hurt. “Oh my God.”
“Milo didn’t want him to live and then go on to rape other women.” I nod and press my head onto Miles’s chest. There are no words for my brother’s actions. I can’t say he’s wrong, but they led to today, so right now I can’t rationalize it. The pain of it all is too real.
“Princess,” my father sighs with relief when he sees me. There’s blood on his face, and I know that he had to do things to get it there. He reaches for me, but Miles refuses to let me go.
“Miles, I’m okay.” He sets me down and I go to my father who quickly throws his arms around me and squeezes me tightly.
“Baby, we thought we lost you.” I sob against him as his body shakes with his own unshed emotions. “God, your mother has been devastated.”
“Call her and let her know we have her,” Miles states.
“We will once we are in a clear zone.” We need to get moving. “We can’t let anyone trace us here. The clean-up crew will be here to dispatch these assholes,” Uncle Blade says.
“There had to be someone with power helping him. There was no way he was working alone. The guy was barely an adult,” my father says.
“I recognized one of the guys,” I add. Everyone turns to me with wide eyes.
“Who was it, baby?” Miles asks me, rubbing my back.
“I don’t remember his name, but he was at the hotel one time when I was there.”
“Does he work for us?” My father asks through clenched teeth. I could see the anger rolling off him, but thankfully the man didn’t work for us. At least that man didn’t.
“No, he was visiting you, and you two didn’t agree. He gave me strange vibes and eyed me like a creep.”
“Was he a Santos?”
“No. I know Mr. Santos from his son.” Miles growls next to me. He drags me to his side, taking me from my father as if he has to maintain possession of me. I can’t say I complain.
“Whatever, Miles. I went to school with Johnny so I’ve seen his father for years, but now that I think about it, this guy was at the school functions once or twice over the years.”
“Let me know if you recognize any of these guys.”
“I heard his voice too,” I add. I close my eyes and let the memory return. “He told me no one was going to come help me.”
“Sweetie, look at this and let me know if it’s one of these assholes.” My father hands me his phone, and I see a photo with a group of men that were sitting around Miles’ dining room table. My eyebrows raise, and then I look at him as if he betrayed me.
“We had a meeting where I warned them to stay away from you.”
“When was this?” I need to know when these people were in my new home.
“Before I went into surgery. Any sign of weakness to these men makes them want to strike at me.” That’s when Miles became like a second skin, always around, stalking me. Was he really just playing as a love interest to keep them at bay? “Sweetie, you were their interest, so I had Miles warn them off.” There’s a lump in my throat. My heart doesn’t believe it. Still. I have to be sure.
“Is that why?” He presses a hand to my mouth.
Swiftly, I find my body flush to his with his gaze fixed on mine. “No, baby, don’t do that. You know it’s not true. The second they mentioned you, I nearly jumped over the table to clock them, giving away my feelings, and I knew damn well I was risking a lot.” I nod, feeling his growing desire against my body again.
My uncle coughs beside us. “Um…any of them look like the guy?”
