Chapter 28
She curled up in a corner in her room when she heard the gunshot. It had only been one, but in her heart, she feared it was Bastian that had been at the receiving end. Her only joy was that Cristian had found her, and that Matias was alive.
“Get up, bitch.” Luis burst into her room and jerked her up by her hair. “You’re going to finally get what you deserve.”
Luis threw her down on the bed and dug his knee into her back. She felt the tip of something metal slip beneath her dress. Her heart pounded as she thrashed beneath him.
“Get off me.”
He punched the back of her head. “Shut up, bitch.”
Everly closed her eyes and prayed someone would find them and stop this madness. She heard the ripping of fabric as he tore her panties from her body.
“Please,” she whimpered as all sounds faded in the background. This was what she deserved. Her decision had led her to this point, and now she was going to pay.
“Get the fuck off her!”
“Fuck you.”
Everly heard the sound of a gun and then felt the weight of Luis as he crumpled against her back. She cried out in fear, her body trembling beneath him.
“Everly,” Cristian’s voice filled the room. She felt his hands push Luis off her back, freeing her from beneath him. He wrapped her in a blanket and scooped her into his arms. “You're safe now.” He pressed a kiss to her head.
“I’m sorry I had to leave you, Cristian. I didn’t judge you for a moment when I learned you killed Alessandro. I had to make you think I did, it was part of the plan. Can you forgive me?” she sobbed.
“There is nothing to forgive. I love you with all of my heart. You mean the whole world to me.”
“There are six women here that were to be sold…” she started. “And an older woman we need to save, too. She was the one who gave me the address so you could find me.”
“They’re safe. Matias is getting them into the van as we speak,” Cristian murmured as he carried her outside.
Everly was relieved when she found Carla and woman who gave her the address, amongst the women. amongst the women. Cristian held her tightly against him as he stepped up to the van. “Come with us. We are going to keep you safe,” Cristian spoke.
“There’s a problem,” Bastian said in return.
“What is it?” Cristian frowned.
“We cannot find Luis’ body.”
Marco then walked in and explained that one of the men had seen him fleeing the building moments ago.
“Go in there and gather anything you can find. We need to find out where Darby’s money came from. If we can find that, we will find Luis—if he lives that long,” Cristian announced.
Everly watched as he set fire to the mansion. She was glad Darby was gone. He and those who worked for him had ruined her and Carla.
“Thank you for saving my life.” She placed her head against his chest, relieved he was holding her.
“I would do anything to keep you safe, even if it meant giving my life to do so, Everly,” he replied.
“It’s strange that you loved me even before you met me.” She peered up at him with her radiant eyes.
He smiled as he fingered her mahogany hair.
“Love is not something you can explain. It is something you feel. Something you breathe.” He pulled her close to him and brushed her tender lips with his.
She pressed her body against his and deepened it by slipping her tongue in between the seam of his mouth.
It was a seal of her love, and a silent promise of forever.
She might not be a slave to Darby anymore, but she was a slave to his love—a love she had not seen coming.