Page 1 of Camila's Dom
Chapter One
Camila stood at thelarge window in her husband’s office, staring out at the fields and not really seeing anything.Her insides felt twisted, and she was nauseated—she always was when she talked to her sisters, Penelope and Aubrey.She’d been bullied by the two her whole life, and their mother hadn’t done anything to stop it.Camila often thought she actually encouraged them by the smile on her face.
When she had gone to her father for help, he’d often tell her to stop being so dramatic.Even when she’d shown him the bruises or what other damage her sisters caused, he’d roll his eyes and tell her that she was exaggerating.
She couldn’t even get away when she went to school without having to deal with the pain and humiliation.In fact, it got worse because they usually had an audience, which spurred them on.
Camila was amazed she’d survived her childhood.The first chance she got to leave, she ran, thinking she would never go back.Unfortunately, she had gone home once, and it was something she would regret for the rest of her life.After she left her parents’ house the last time, she never looked back and cut all communication with them.
She shuddered when she thought about that Thanksgiving six years ago.Her mother had demanded that she come home for the holiday, so she did.She had hoped things had changed.
It was one of the worst mistakes of her life.From the moment she stepped into the house, her sisters had picked her apart.A half hour before she’d gotten home, she was confident and proud, but they quickly stripped away anything positive she felt.
What they had done to her later that night was the worst thing they’d ever done to her, and she would never be able to keep the emotional pain at bay when she thought of it.
Camila hated that she still gave them the power.The counselor she’d first talked to about the situation when she was at college had told her she could live in her own bubble, which contained the things that made her happy.It helped to keep the negative from taking over her life.Camila had often used that philosophy in everything in her life.
She’d gone to college with a full scholarship and taken business courses.She had hated them, so she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a tech for a veterinarian’s office because she loved animals and loved helping them.
Her life brightened, and she met people with a similar mindset.One in particular was Mandy.They’d had so much in common, and they clicked right away.It had taken a long time to be able to trust her friend to tell her about her family, but she was thrilled when Mandy instantly looked appalled and thoroughly pissed.Mandy tried to talk her out of going home for the Thanksgiving holiday, but Camila had wanted to see if anything had improved, only to find out it was worse.
After the holiday, it took Mandy a few weeks to get Camila out of her shell and tell her everything.One night, her friend had had enough and cornered her.When her friend’s arms came around her, when Camila heard her friend crying for her, she let herself cry, hoping it would help the suffocating pressure in her chest.
She had felt better, but then had to talk Mandy out of going to the police and get her family charged.Since Camila had no evidence, she knew the officials wouldn’t believe her over her family.
Camila had felt better and was determined never to go back, no matter what.Now, it looked like the bullies were coming to her, and she wanted to cry and scream, but would never let herself, especially in front of them.
She jumped and then softened when her husband, Drake, wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“What’s wrong, love?”
Her stomach tightened.“My sisters called.They’re coming here to meet you.They have some papers I need to sign, so it gave them the excuse to want to visit.”
Camila heard him sigh.She’d told him a lot of the things they did, but not all.She still couldn’t talk about the last time she’d been home.The only person that knew besides her family was Mandy.
“I don’t like the thought of those women around you and you feeling upset.”
Camila nodded.“I know.I don’t either, but it was either that or I would have had to go back.My uncle died, the only one in the family who loved me.”She sniffed, tears filling her eyes.“He was such a great man, and I will miss him.”
She hadn’t seen a lot of him over the years, and when she’d had the chance the last time, her uncle had told her no because he would be out of town.At the time, Camila was confused because her uncle had never traveled and was rarely off his farm, which he’d grown up on.When she found out he hadn’t wanted her to see him sick, it tore her heart apart.She had wanted to be there with him to take care of him, but his letter had said he knew that would happen, and he didn’t want to interrupt her new marriage.
The rest of the family hadn’t seen him in decades and couldn’t have cared less about him.Camila was told about his passing after the funeral.It had devastated her more, knowing her mother had waited to tell her, knowing how much the man meant to her.Any affection she had left for her mother died that day.
“When are they coming?”Drake asked.
“In two days.”
“How long do they think they’re going to stay?”
She heard the hard edge to Drake’s voice.“They didn’t say, Master.”
“The moment I find you upset, their asses are gone, and they’ll never be back, little sub.”
Camila nodded.She agreed.
Drake turned her around and grasped her shoulders.“I don’t want you to worry about them.We’ve got a lot of people here that love you and will protect you if I’m not there.”
Camila set her hands on his torso, feeling the muscles tighten and bunch.She loved how much he desired her, and all it took was a touch or even a look for him to want her.
