36. Elijah
The elevator doors open and I’m face-to-face with Gemma. Her usually perfect hair is a mess, mascara is smudged under her eyes, her dress is wrinkled, and angry red marks around her slender neck make me tense up. She’s breathing hard, like she ran here as fast as she could.
I clench my hands on the side to stop from grabbing her. “What the fuck happened?”
She wraps her arms around herself. “I... I can’t do it anymore. I tried to play along, but…” Her voice breaks. “Elijah.”
Without thinking, I pull her into my arms, holding her close against my chest. Her body trembles, and she clings to me, her fingernails digging into my back while I stroke her hair. Fury wells inside me, imagining what that bastard Oliver did to make her this way. It took too long, and she had to get hurt for her to return to me.
“Shhh, I’ve got you.”
She melts against me, her body molding to mine like two puzzle pieces fitting together.
After a long moment, I lean back to get a good look at her. With my thumb, I wipe away the streaks of mascara staining her cheeks. Then, keeping one arm around her back and the other under her knees, I lift her into my arms, carry her over to the sofa, and set her down against the cushions.
Gemma curls herself into the corner of the sofa, hugging one of the throw pillows against her chest.
She’s here.
I pour her a glass of water from the bar. “Drink this.”
She takes it with a nod, eyes lowered. I sit on the coffee table across from her, elbows on my knees.
“Tell me everything.”
Gemma shifts. Fresh tears pool in her eyes, threatening to spill over reddened cheeks.
“Tell me what happened, little gem.”
She swallows hard. “I was snooping around. Trying to find something to help get me out of this. But Oliver caught me going through his study. He...” Gemma’s words come out in a rush now, her voice wavering. “He dragged me out of there, and his grip was so tight around my wrist, I thought he might break it. And after everyone was gone… That’s when he slammed me against the wall and squeezed...” She chokes.
My hands clench into fists. That motherfucker. I’ll kill him for this.
Dissolving into sobs, she clutches at my shirt. “I can’t do this alone anymore. I’m so sorry. I never should have lied to you.”
“It’s fine.”
“No. I’m sorry I hurt you. It’s all because I messed up. I didn’t want to bring you into the mess I—”
I cup her face in my hands, cutting off her rambling with a tender kiss. The taste of her tears is salty on my tongue. She melts into me, her fingers digging almost desperately into my shoulders. I can feel the frantic beat of her heart against my chest.
After a long moment, I break the kiss and lean my forehead against hers. Her eyes are still closed.
“Want to take a shower, little gem?” I murmur. “It’ll make you feel better.”
Gemma’s eyes flutter open to meet mine. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“You won’t.” In one smooth motion, I sweep her up into my arms. She wraps her arms around my neck and lays her head on my shoulder as I carry her through the bedroom and into the adjoining bathroom.
I set Gemma down on the edge of the tub and turn on the water, adjusting it until steam starts to fill the room. When I turn back around, she’s staring at the floor tiles.
Kneeling in front of her, I grasp her hands in mine. “Hey. Look at me.”
Slowly, she lifts her eyes to meet mine.
“You’re safe now. I won’t let him hurt you again, I promise.”
She gives a small nod, and I brush my lips over her knuckles before standing up. I help Gemma out of her wrinkled dress, unable to stop my blood pressure from rising, when I see the faint bruises already forming on her slim wrists and the finger marks on her neck. That bastard is going to pay for every single mark on her body.
Once we’re both undressed, I guide Gemma into the shower. She stands under the hot spray, eyes closed, while I gently wash away the lingering evidence of what she’s endured this night. I massage shampoo into her golden hair until the suds run clear.
When I’m satisfied every trace of that monster has been erased from her skin, I reach to turn off the water, but Gemma stops me, her hand circling my wrist.
I see the glint of gold on her finger, and my blood boils. The claim Oliver has staked on what is mine.
Reaching down, I take Gemma’s hand in mine, sliding the disgusting piece off her slender finger and flinging it away. The ring clatters against the tile floor and rolls to a stop in the corner. Good fucking riddance.
Gemma’s eyes stay fixed on her bare ring finger.
Soon, it won’t be empty anymore.
“Is something wrong?”
She shakes her head, water droplets flying from her hair.
Then she turns around, presenting her bare body to me. Rising up on her tiptoes, she loops her arms around my neck.
My heart kicks as she presses the length of her naked, wet body against mine. I dig my fingers into the slick flesh of her hips. She tilts her face up, eyes seeking mine for a brief moment before her lips find my mouth.
The kiss is hungry, desperate, like she needs me to breathe. My fingers tighten on her hips, pulling her harder against me, reclaiming what I have been missing, what is mine, what has always been mine.
She melts into me, soft and pliant, submitting to my touch. I deepen the kiss, tasting her, devouring her sweetness. A dangerous growl rumbles in my chest. Fuck, I’ve missed this. Missed her.
With a soft moan, Gemma breaks the kiss, panting. Her eyes are dilated with desire now. The confusion and fear gone.
“Please,” she says. “I need you.”
My cock throbs at her words, already rock hard against her belly. I crush my mouth to hers again, kissing her deeply as I lift her up. Blindly, I stumble out of the shower, carrying her dripping-wet body to the bedroom.
I kneel on the bed and lay Gemma on the black satin sheets. Her hair fans out like molten gold, and her skin flushed pink from the heat of the shower.
“You’re safe now, little gem. I promise.”
She nods, eyes searching mine with such open vulnerability and trust despite everything she’s suffered tonight. Like I’m her salvation.
Leaning over her, I brush my knuckles along her cheek. Her eyes close as she nuzzles into my touch, seeking comfort. Seeking me.
I know then, with absolute certainty, that I would tear the world apart to keep her safe. There’s no limit to what I’d do for this woman.
Gemma has changed everything. Where my world was once cold precision, now there is warmth. Light. A whole world to experience. With her, I’m no longer untethered. She anchors me in ways I never thought possible.
My heart kicks again as I gape down at her. Fragile, yet so fucking strong. Broken but refusing to shatter completely. She could have let Dorrance destroy her. Could have given up. But she didn’t. Keeps fighting even when all seems lost.
I stroke her cheek again, marveling that she’s real and here with me. That despite all the shit life has thrown at her, she has not walled herself up or surrendered that innate goodness in her core. She makes me want to be better. Makes me believe I could be better. That I’m worthy of the faith she seems to have in me, even after learning the bloody truth of who and what I am.
Leaning down, I brush my lips to her forehead. “You’re everything.”
Her eyes flutter open, luminous with emotion.
“Elijah...” She lifts her hand to my cheek.
My name on her lips sends a shockwave through me.
Hearing it from her is absolution.
Forgiveness.
Hope.
I turn my head to kiss her palm. Savoring the sweetness of her skin. The delicate bones of her wrist. Lacing my fingers with hers, I press our joined hands into the pillow above her head. Then I cover her body with mine. Skin to skin. Heart to heart.
I trail kisses along her collarbone and neck, being careful of the tender skin Oliver’s fingers bruised. My free hand skims down her sides, fingertips tracing each curve and dip of her body. She arches into my touch, breath coming faster.
Tonight, I will cherish every inch of her. Will worship her as she deserves. Erasing Oliver from her mind. And when I’m buried deep inside her pussy, claiming her, I will make sure she knows one absolute truth.
She is mine. Utterly and forever mine. And I will let nothing take her from me again.
My mouth finds the peak of her breast, and she gasps, fingers tangling in my hair. I lavish attention there until she’s writhing beneath me. Only then do I kiss lower, over the flat plane of her stomach and along her hip bone.
Gemma’s thighs part for me eagerly. I settle between them, grasping her legs to drape them over my shoulders. She’s glistening, ready for me. I place kisses on her inner thigh before caressing her with my tongue.
Her moan is instant, hands flying to clutch at the sheets. I work her relentlessly, guided by every hitch of her breath and arch of her back. It’s not long before her thighs are trembling, body taut as a bowstring.
“Elijah... please…”
I’ve been suffocating these last days without her, my Gemma, my light in this dark world.
I shift, bracing myself above her on one elbow. Our eyes lock, and I press into her slick pussy, slowly filling her. Gemma’s lashes flutter, lips parting. I groan at how well she takes me as if we were made for each other.
My thrusts start deep and unhurried. She wraps her legs around my waist, tugging me deeper.
“I love you.” I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in.
She clings to me, meeting each roll of my hips. “I love you, too.”
My gem.
Slowly, I increase the tempo of my thrusts, going deeper. Gemma’s breath catches, and her nails drag down my back. I hiss at the sting, slamming my hips harder in response.
She cries out, head falling back to expose the elegant line of her throat. Seeing her like this, open and wanting only me, fills me with a fierce, primal need. Unable to resist, I dip my head and sink my teeth into the tender skin at the curve of her shoulder. Gemma clenches around me, moaning my name.
Her body tenses up, climbing higher. My own need builds until each thrust is wild, uncontrolled. Gemma’s thighs quiver, her slick pussy clenching, and I reach between us, finding the place that makes her come undone.
She screams, shattering around me. The feeling of her pulsing and clenching catapults me over the edge right after her. I spill deep inside with a guttural groan, continuing to rock into her as we ride out our releases together.
When the last tremors fade, I gather Gemma against my chest and roll onto my back so she’s draped over me. Her hair tickles my skin as she nuzzles into the crook of my neck with a content sigh.
After a moment, Gemma props herself up on her elbows to look at me. Her cheeks are still flushed, green eyes bright. My little gem is alive again.
She brushes back a lock of hair that’s fallen over my forehead.
“He’s threatening to go after my family if I don’t do what he says. He has some documents, bank statements, I think, with my name written all over them.”
So that’s why she lied and said she chose Oliver. To protect her brother.
“You should have told me. I would have protected you both.”
“I was scared. Scared he’d hurt you too.”
I lift her chin so she meets my gaze. “I’m not afraid of Oliver, and your brother isn’t either.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I need you to be honest with me from now on. No more secrets.”
She nods, sniffling. “What happens now?”
“Now, I keep my promise. I won’t let him touch you again.”
“But how? You don’t know Oliver like I do. He won’t let me walk away.”
“You let me worry about that.” I cup her face in my hands.
“There was another woman. You need to help her, too. Please.”
I frown, confused by her words. “What other woman?”
Gemma’s shoulders slump. “There was someone else at the dinner party. A young woman. I could tell she was scared of her husband. The way he touched her...” She shudders. “It was like how Oliver touched me.”
I tense, anger rising in me again. So Oliver isn’t the only scumbag.
“Did you get her name? Anything about her?”
“Mrs. Henderson. I’m a coward. I should’ve helped her somehow. There’s no telling what he’s doing to her right now.”
I brush my thumb over her cheek. “You’re not a coward, little gem. You were trying to survive. But I promise we’ll find her and get her away from that monster.”
“How?”
“I have resources.”
Truth is, I already have a plan in motion thanks to Spectre and Wisp. But Gemma doesn’t need to know the details. I don’t want her involved in these things.
Her brows knit together.
“Trust me.”
I crush my mouth to hers, cutting off any further questions. She responds, parting her lips so I can move my tongue against hers, and I don’t stop until we’re both breathless and her doubts are silenced.
“Let’s continue tomorrow. You should rest.”
Her eyes are still full of questions, but she stays silent.
My fierce little gem. She’s been through so much and still has a fight left in her. I won’t fail her again.
“I promise this will all be over soon.” I stroke her hair. “And then it will be you and me.”
She lays her head on my chest with a shaky exhale, and I hold her close. The fear of losing her is still in me.
“Don’t run away from me anymore.”
“I won’t.”
“Sleep now, my gem.” I kiss the top of her head. “Everything will be taken care of soon. I promise.”
She nods, and I feel her body relaxing as she succumbs to exhaustion. It’s not long before her breathing evens out, and she falls asleep in my arms. Where she belongs. Where she’ll stay from now on if I have any fucking say in it.
And I will have my say. Oliver has had his last moments with her. He just doesn’t know it yet.