Page 66 of Tortured Souls
“Shh, I got you, tesoro. I got you, and I will never let you go.” His hands are all over me, rubbing my back, my hair, my arms. He’s kissing my head and forehead over and over, reassuring me that I’m safe in his embrace. He is everywhere.
“They ruined me, Saxon. I’m still broken. I can still feel everything. Everything still hurts. Why does it still hurt so bad?”
“Hey, hey, don’t you say that. You are not broken, Sky. Do you hear me?” He pulls me from his chest so he can look me in the eyes. His dark eyes pierce into mine with such conviction, such honesty. “You are not broken. Don’t you ever give them the satisfaction of thinking they won, even in the afterlife. You are still here. You are still alive and breathing. You are the survivor they wanted to eliminate. You won, tesoro. Do you hear me? You won, and I am so fucking proud of you, baby. So fucking proud.”
We stay like this for what feels like hours. My tears keep coming and coming, and when I feel as though my body can no longer produce any more, he lifts me up. Grabbing beneath myknees and shoulders, he holds my body against his as he walks through the dark woods towards his home.
The walk is long, but he never struggles to carry me or indicates that I’m too heavy for him. In fact, I’ve never felt as small in my life as I feel in his arms. Reaching the back door, he kicks the frame with his boot. Small footsteps run through the house, the door flying open as Sage’s voice fills my head.
“Oh my God, Saxon. What happened? Is she okay?” Talking a million miles a minute, Saxon continues to carry me through his house with ease.
“She’ll be okay. I think she’s in a state of shock. I’m going to give her a bath. The guys will be here soon. Lock the door behind me, will ya?” Hurried footsteps leave us as Saxon ascends the stairs and to his ensuite bathroom. Gently, he sits me down on the edge of his bed, kneeling between my legs and cupping my face in his hands.
“Will you be okay here while I start a bath?” Without saying a word, I nod, my body suddenly incredibly exhausted from how hard I’ve been crying. Before leaving me to head to the bathroom, he kisses my lips so softly, so gently, a warmth spreads across my face and down my chest.
The sound of water running sounds nice as it rapidly takes the place of my father’s and brother’s screams that are still plaguing my mind from earlier. Closing my eyes, I let the soothing sound fill me up, washing away anything else that’s crippling my mind until all I can focus on is the water.
“Alright, baby, it’s ready. Let’s get you out of these clothes.” With gentle hands, Saxon strips me of my clothes. One article at a time, being so delicate. The slightest touch of his fingers sends shivers throughout my body. It feels nice. He feels nice.
Once I’m completely naked, he picks me up once again and carries me to the enormous bubble bath he has waiting for me. Once my ass hits the warm water, a satisfied sigh leaves mymouth and every muscle in my body rapidly releases tension. Closing my eyes, I savor the warmth of the water and the smell of lavender scented bubbles I never expected Saxon to have.
“Sit up a bit, tesoro.” I do as he says and when the water begins to overflow just a bit, I know he’s joining me. I feel his strong thighs sliding against mine, his arms wrapping around my waist as he pulls me against his chest, and I can’t help but relax into him. I doubt I will ever know what heaven feels like, but if I had to guess, it is similar to this moment right here.
Saxon is my heaven on earth. My slice of paradise. The only man who has watched me split apart into a million broken shards but held me together through it all. The keeper of my heart and soul. Broken or not, he’s been with me through everything. Despite the good, the bad, and the sheer ugliness of my past, he’s still stayed. As much as I fear this journey forward is going to be absolute fucking chaos and a struggle nonetheless, at least I know I have him.
I have him.
SIX MONTHS LATER
SAXON
The club is astronomically crowded tonight. I fear if the fire marshal magically showed up, we would either be told to kick some of these college kids out, or he would shut us down immediately. However, since I know the fire marshal personally, I think he would choose the former instead. The guys and I are at our usual booth in the second-floor VIP section, while the girlsare occupying the dance floor together. All but my girl, who is currently slinging drinks left, right, and center with the biggest smile on her face. She’s in her element. The slice of normalcy that she’s found comfort in, especially over the last six months. Finding her routine and purpose in life and focusing on a path forward rather than stepping backwards in the past.
It’s been a rough six months since taking care of her family. Especially after she came to the realization that healing is a lot longer of a process than simply ending the lives of those who had harmed her. She’s been battling her demons daily, but since going to therapy—the same therapist Finn was ordered to see after almost killing a guy that looked at his stepsister for too long—she has made giant strides with her mental health. My girl’s a fierce fucking fighter, and watching her slowly heal from the inside out is the most beautiful transformation I’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing.
Along with her job here at Capital Vice, she has also been more present in her social life. She and the girls have developed a Wednesday morning breakfast routine where they all meet at Green’s Café and enjoy each other’s company. It’s been a breath of fresh air for her. Her words, not mine. She feels included, and her relationships with the girls bring her a sense of joy she’s never felt before. Again, her words, not mine.
“Have you asked her yet?” Saint asks, elbowing me with his arm to get my attention.
“Asked what?” Brooks asks loudly over the music.
“Saxon’s going to ask Sky to move in with him.”
“Hell ya! Let’s make the apartment a game room, or theater, or we can turn it into?—”
“It’s not changing to anything until she agrees that she does, in fact, want to move in with me,” I cut off Finn, his face falling in defeat like the petulant child he is.
“Whatever, man. You know she’ll say yes.” Saint sounds confident in her answer, but I’m still nervous she’ll want her space.
“Who’s going to say yes, and yes to what?” Ophelia plops down beside Owen, drawing our attention to her. I hadn’t even noticed her approaching until now.
“Sax wants Sky to move in with him,” Owen informs her.
“Jesus, is everyone privy to my personal life now?”
“Aww! Yes, of course she will. Here, I’ll go ask for you!”
“No, no, no!” I practically yell, but Owen already has his arm around her waist, bringing her back to the booth.