CHAPTER 32
Nirah
IT WAS AFTER two in the morning, when I woke up with my head on Antonio’s bare chest.
The room was dark as I slowly lifted myself to not wake him. With a yawn, I threw the sheets over my legs and placed my bare feet on the floor.
In nothing but his shirt, I tip toe out of the room, closing the door behind myself. I rubbed my hands up and down my bare arms, making my way down to the kitchen.
My steps came to an immediate halt as I stared at a broad back and shoulders. I watched the man make himself a sandwich on the countertop, but when he revealed his side profile to toss the dirty knife into the sink, my stomach dropped. No…
The back of my eyes burned as I whipped around, sprinting back into Antonio’s bedroom. I quickly shut the door as a tremor took over me. I covered my mouth with both hands as I rested back against the door. It can’t be.
Antonio lifted his head and looked up. “Nirah?” he softly spoke, and my breath hitched as I walked over to the edge of the bed. “Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, throwing his legs over the edge as he sat up.
“He’s here,” I whispered with wide eyes and a trembling chin.
“Who’s here?” he asked, walking over to me. With a lump in my throat, I couldn’t breathe as I shook my head. Antonio’s eyes shifted to concern. “Nirah, talk to me,” he said, taking my face in his hands.
“Downstairs,” I bit my quivering bottom lip. My legs went numb as fear crawled up my spine. Antonio walked over to his nightstand and picked up his gun. As he passed me, I grabbed his arm.
“No—don’t leave me,” I shook my head, digging my nails into his arm.
“Nirah, you’re shaking. I have to see who’s downstairs,” he said, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.
“ Please, ” I choked out. “Don’t go. Don’t leave me,” I pleaded in fear, burying my face in his chest.
“Hey, you’re going to be fine,” he assured me. “I’ll be right back.” He took my face in his hands and kissed me. He left the room, and without thinking, I ran out, following him downstairs. We reached to the kitchen, and he put his arm out, pushing me behind his back.
He was sitting behind the kitchen island now. He lifted his head, eating a sandwich. “Jesus Christ,” Antonio sighed, dropping his gun. “At this fucking hour?” he snapped and the man grinned.
“Since when has it been wrong for me to visit my little brother at inconvenient times?” he chuckled and my heart nearly stopped as panic lodged in my throat. Little brother? No. He can’t be… He just can’t.
But that explains it. The reason why some of the things Antonio said, the certain looks in his eyes and the way he changed his tone made me shudder. It reminded me of his brother. Alexander . Oh my God. And their father’s voice last night…
It was as though the wind had been knocked out of my lungs as my body stilled.
“You couldn’t come sooner?” Antonio asked and Alexander got up. He casually dropped his plate and half of a sandwich into the sink.
“I tried,” he simply shrugged his shoulders and my legs buckled at the sound of his voice. “And who do we have here?” he flatly asked, stretching his neck to see me behind Antonio.
Antonio looked back at me, slipping his hand to my lower back. I can’t tell Antonio. I can’t do this to him.
Alexander looked exactly the same as he did years ago. “Alexander,” he smirked, extending his hand out to me. He doesn’t remember me?
“Nirah,” I tried steadying my voice with a smile. I shook his hand and goosebumps trailed up the nape of my neck. Mischief loomed in his eyes and I pulled away, subtly gripping the material of Antonio’s pants as I stepped back.
Their mother entered the kitchen, glowing with joy at Alexander. “You’re here,” she beamed, taking his face in her hands. She pressed two kisses to each of his cheeks and disgust wrapped around every part of me.
“I’m going to—I have to get to bed,” I rushed through my words.
I got to my bedroom and quickly closed the door, locking it. I ran over to my bed, sitting up against the headboard. I brought my legs up to my chest, hugging them.
He’s here. And he’s Antonio’s brother. I can’t expose him. No one would believe me. He’s a powerful man and I… No no no no—
I bit quivering bottom lip as tears rushed down my face. Flashbacks rushed into my mind and I felt my lungs burn in my chest. I pulled my t-shirt from my neck, unable to breathe. A pit grew in my stomach and my skin crawled. I wanted to climb out of my skin, feeling sick to my stomach.
The memories, the awful nightmares, it all came flooding back. I pressed both my palms to my ears, hearing my screams echo into the night. I could hear them grunting, groaning and degrading me. I could feel them between my legs. I could feel him .
My doorknob rattled and my head snapped up. I heard the constant struggling before footsteps retreated. My chest fell, and relief washed over me. Moments later, a key slipped into the door and my stomach dropped as I heard a click. No .
Alexander strode in and closed the door behind himself. “Nirah Joy,” he slyly said and I jumped up, shaking my head.
“Get out,” I bitterly said, but he continued walking towards me.
“What are you doing with my little brother?” he mused and my body tensed. “I don’t see you in years, and then you show up at my brother’s house? What are you guys, fuck buddies?” he grinned and I walked backward until my back hit the wall.
“You don’t know?” I murmured with tears swelling in my eyes and he slightly tilted his head to the side.
His eyes sent a shiver down my spine. “Know what? That you’re a slut who sleeps her way to the top?” he taunted, stopping in front of me.
I tried to push him back but he grabbed my wrists, pinning them to the wall beside my head. “Silly, little, Nirah Joy. Did you already forget that you can’t hurt me?” he smirked, leaning closer. “I’m stronger than you,” he whispered.
I tried to move but my body simply went numb. It always did under his touch. No matter how much strength I had… it always disappeared when he held me down. Even now. I felt paralyzed. Weak .
He pressed his lips to mine and I groaned in disgust, biting his lip. He huffed, pulling back.
“You’re making me angry,” he growled, pressing his torso against mine to hold me still and I shuddered in disgust. “Do you remember what happens when I’m angry or should I remind you?” he questioned, kissing my neck and I tried to wiggle myself out of his grip.
“Stop,” I pleaded and he pressed the bulge in his pants between my thighs. “No,” I tried to lift my legs. His awful cologne drifted into my nose, nauseating me. No, please.
He pinned my hands above my head with one hand and slipped the other between my thighs. “No, don’t touch me,” I shook my head but he didn’t stop.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered against my neck. “And this sweet, sweet pussy,” he groaned into my ear and my body went numb as his hand cupped me between my thighs.
“No,” I choked out.
“You won’t tell Antonio, you got that?” he said as tears ran down my face. “It’s not like he’ll believe you anyway. No one will. You’re nothing more than a worthless slut that dances naked for a fucking dollar,” he wickedly laughed.
“No, stop,” I begged, continuously tugging my wrists from him.
“Just go away,” I squeezed my eyes shut.
He’s right. They probably won’t believe me.
Would Antonio see me the same after hearing what his brother and other men did to me?
Would he be disgusted that I’d been taken advantage of?
Would he view me as pathetic? As weak. Damaged.
A gunshot rang through the air and my body tensed in fear. Keeping my eyes closed—with tears streaming down my face—I heard Alexander groan.
“Antonio, what the fu—”
Another gunshot.
A loud thud, followed by a groan broke the silence afterwards. I flinched as he pulled me into their arms.
My body trembled and I recognized his scent. Antonio.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized.
“Antonio, come on,” Alexander groaned and I heard Antonio cocking his gun.
“Where did he touch you?” Antonio asked and I swallowed hard, not answering. His voice lowered to a threatening growl. “Nirah, answer me,” he demanded.
With a trembling chin, I answered. “My legs.” My body jerked as a gunshot went off.
“Where else,” he asked and I took a deep breath in.
“My wrists.” Another gunshot . “My thighs.” Gunshot . I choked out the last one. “Between my legs.” Gunshot .
Alexander moaned in pain, heavily breathing. “You’re going to kill your own brother over some bitch ?” he seethed, barely able to speak.
Antonio spat out some Italian and I turned to look at Alexander. There was blood everywhere .
The color washed from his face as Antonio cocked his gun. Fear grew in his eyes as he shook his head.
“ Ci vediamo all’inferno ,” Antonio said before aiming the gun at his head and pulling the trigger. My head snapped into Antonio’s chest as I clutched his body, squeezing my eyes shut.
He slipped his gun into the waistband of his pants and lifted me up bridal style. “Keep your eyes closed,” he reminded me before carrying me out. He kissed the top of my head and I clung to him, unable to process any of this.
I didn’t know what was happening, but I heard distraught voices. They were all speaking in Italian.
Before I knew it, I was sitting on the island in the middle of his closet. He grabbed his sweatshirt and threw it over my head. He lifted my hair out the back and gently held onto my waist.
My eyes barely blinked as I sat—frozen in fear.
I could tell he wanted to speak but with the state I was in, he decided against it. He threw on a jacket and picked me up, carrying me out.
He carefully put me into the passenger seat and buckled me up. He rounded the car but stopped to speak to Cesar.
My vision blurred with tears and he got into the car. I watched as the rain hit the front window and a shiver ran down my spine as Antonio placed his hand on my thigh.