CHAPTER ELEVEN
Liana
Touch and Triggers
I was getting stronger. Physically, at least.
Bassi had cleared me to move around more, and I'd started taking short walks around the compound. My ribs still ached, and I tired easily, but it felt good to move. To feel like I was reclaiming my body.
Emotionally, though, I was a mess.
The nightmares hadn't stopped. If anything, they were getting worse. More vivid. More detailed.
I was remembering things I didn't want to remember.
The way they'd laughed while they hurt me.
The smell of their breath.
The feeling of being completely powerless.
I'd started flinching at unexpected touches. Even from Ginny or Bassi. My body just... reacted. Like it was expecting pain.
Luca noticed.
Of course he did. He noticed everything.
"I'm sorry," I said one afternoon when I'd jerked away from him reaching for my hand. "I don't mean to—"
"You don't have to apologize," he said gently. "It's okay."
"It's not okay. You've been nothing but kind to me, and I—"
"Liana." He waited until I looked at him. "You've been through hell. Your body is protecting you. That's normal. And it's okay."
"I hate it," I whispered. "I hate that they did this to me. That they took this from me."
"I know."
"I used to like being touched. Hugs, hand-holding, all of it. And now I can't even—" My voice broke.
Luca moved closer, slowly, giving me time to pull away if I needed to.
"Can I try something?" he asked.
"What?"
"Give me your hand."
I hesitated, then slowly extended my hand toward him.
He took it carefully, his fingers wrapping around mine. His hand was warm, rough with calluses, but gentle.
"How does this feel?" he asked.
"Okay," I said. "It feels okay."
"Good. Tell me if it stops feeling okay."
He just held my hand, his thumb brushing softly over my knuckles.
It was such a simple thing. But it felt monumental.
"You're safe," he said quietly. "I'm not going to hurt you. And I'm not going to let anyone else hurt you either."
I believed him.
And slowly, carefully, I let myself relax into his touch.