Page 103 of Conquered

I glance at the others, and they all have the same guilt-ridden look on their faces. They truly believe my...attack is their fault.

“No,” I say firmly, anger flooding my veins and helping to straighten my spine a little. “This is not your fault either. None of you.” I look them each in the eye, one by one. “It's…” I swallow. “It's h–his fault.”

I can see the rage transform the guys as it sweeps over each of them. And I realise that they may be monsters, but they are beautiful monsters. And they're mine. They will burn down the entire world and everyone in it for me.

“What happens if I report this to the police?” I ask, turning back to Ash. I may be new to this world, but I'm not stupid.These kids, their families, have immense power, and I know that things like this can easily be made to disappear.

“His father is the Governor of Colorado,” Ash tells me, still gripping my hand like I'm his lifeline instead of the other way around. “I doubt the police would even show up.”

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes, hating that the world is like this. That people can do what they please with no consequences. Although, perhaps, that can work in my favour.

My eyes snap open, and I stare into Ash’s swirling steel grey ones.

“Then I want you to make him bleed. Make him hurt so bad that he will never be able to do this to anyone else.” My voice is hard and as sharp as glass.

Perhaps, in order to beat the true monsters of this world, you need to first join them?

A smile so wicked that even the devil himself would cower lifts Ash’s beautiful lips.

“Your wish is our pleasure, Princess.”

Then he lifts my hand, and just like in class earlier today, places a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LILLY

Alittle later, I head to the shower, needing to wash off the feel of rough, clammy hands.

I look at myself in the mirror, gasping aloud at the sight. My jaw is already starting to mottle purple with a bruise, my bottom lip is swollen where it's split, and there's dried blood all down the left side of my face. Jax checked the wound, luckily it's not deep enough to need stitches. I can see small marks littered across my chest where he ripped my dress open.

A sob catches my throat, and I have to lean my hands on the counter to steady myself, taking deep gasping breaths of air.

“Please, can I help you, Pretty Girl?” I hear Loki's deep voice behind me, and looking up, I see his reflection in the mirror, his brow wrinkled and his gaze pained.

I nod then turn around, feeling fresh tears sting my eyes at being brought so low in front of him.I'm so sick of crying.

He walks towards me, then gently peels my torn dress down, leaving it to pool on the tiles at my feet. His eyes take in my torn bra and missing knickers, a growl sounding in his throat whenhe sees the red welt on my hip where they were ripped off. I see him catalogue every bruise or cut on me, like he's making a list of my hurts so that he can return them tenfold to my abuser.

His eyes come back up to mine, and there is rage in the emerald depths, along with a guilt so strong, it cracks my heart further and takes my breath away. I take a step towards him, my arm outstretched, wanting to give him comfort. He looks away, but not before I see the glisten of tears.

I run my fingers through his silky auburn hair, and for a moment, get lost in its texture, realising just how much I've missed it.

“Loki, look at me.” I gently tug so that his eyes meet mine. “Hey. This isn't your fault.” I look deep into the myriad of greens, willing him to believe me.

He swallows hard, and I can see his Adam's apple bobbing with the movement.

“If I hadn't…” he begins, closing his eyes briefly before opening them and looking at me. “If we hadn't iced you out. If we'd taken better care of you…” I'm shaking my head and interrupting before he's even finished.

“Loki, no. By the same token, if I hadn't run away, judged you so harshly, without thinking it through…”

“You needed time,” he replies firmly, then softer, almost a whisper, “you broke my heart that night, Lilly.” And the anguish in his gaze shreds my soul in half.

“I broke my own too,” I say quietly back, more tears beginning to track down my face. “I'm so sorry, Loki.”

“I'm sorry too,” he gently responds, wiping my tears with the pads of his thumbs.

I close my eyes, but rather than Loki's gentle touch, it's Robert’s painful one. My eyes snap back open as I jerk back with a gasp, breaking contact with Loki.