I lean against the door and take a deep breath. There’s no guilt inside me about being mean to Melina. She had it coming and it actually feels like a weight has lifted off my chest. I’ve told her what I’ve been so scared to say all this time.
I open my eyes and take in the surroundings of my bedroom. My gaze goes to the bag filled with clothes Ragnar bought me and I know that’s all I’m going to take. I want a fresh start with him and I don’t want anything else from this room. I walk over and dig through the bag until I find a silk pajama set he got me. It’s one my parents won’t get mad about since the others weren’t exactly made for sleeping. I was worried if they saw it they wouldn’t let me see Ragnar again, but it’s clear my dad had a price. I shake my head as I put on the blue silky pants and top before I get into bed. It’s still early but I’m ready for it to be tomorrow.
I grab my phone from my nightstand and see Ragnar has texted me.
Ragnar: Tomorrow
Me: Tomorrow
I smile as the one simple word makes me feel warm all over.
Ragnar: Sleep, beautiful
I do as I’m told and roll onto my back as I slip my hand down into my pants. A few simple texts and my body is wanting. I wish he were here to touch me, but I do as he told me and push my fingers inside of me. I keep myself on edge as long as I can but my body aches with need so badly. My mind flashes with all the things Ragnar is going to do to me and the pleasure I know he’ll bring. I hope one day that he’ll give me love as well even though I’m already there. Maybe I’m young and foolish, but he’s my everything, so how could I not fall for him?
I try to force myself to sleep but it’s a fight. At some point I must drift off because the next thing I know I’m being jerked awake by the sound of my door opening. I’ve always been a light sleeper, so I’m not surprised the sound woke me as I sit up and try to make out who’s in the darkness.
“Dad?” I ask, wondering if something is wrong. Judging by size of the figure, it has to be him.
“No.” The one word sends a chill down my back as I realize it’s Brandon. I’m so caught off-guard that he’s in my room in the middle of the night that I have no idea what to say or do.
“What are you doing here?” I pull the blanket over me, wanting more than my pajamas between us. He couldn’t have gotten into the house without Melina helping him.
“Your sister said you were looking for someone to break you in. I’m more than willing to take that sweet cherry you’ve been teasing me with.”
My mouth falls open as my hands start to shake. “It’s her wedding gift to me,” he adds, and the horror of what’s going to happen sinks in.
I try to scream, but he moves too quick and clamps his hand over my mouth as he climbs on the bed.
“At least I’ll get one of the Armstrong cherries. God knows your sister gave that shit to someone else years ago,” he grunts, pulling the blanket off of me.
I try and fight him as I push on his chest as hard as I can. I use all my strength and I’m surprised when he goes flying across the room and hits the ground with a loud thud.
It’s then I realize that It wasn’t me who did it. I’m not that strong. I see the shadow over my bed and I breathe a sigh of relief as Ragnar towers over him. I hear my sister screaming, but all I can see is Ragnar.
His coat is gone and I can see the man that was hidden behind it in all his glory. He’s here for me, but this time there’s going to be a new price to pay.
Chapter Twelve
Ragnar
“If you don’t stop screaming, I’ll put you on the floor next to him.”
Melina looks at me and shuts her mouth instantly. She doesn’t make a move to help Brandon, who is out cold on the floor. There’s a body-shaped hole in the sheetrock just above his crumpled body, but I’m pretty sure he’s still breathing.
I tried to go home after I told Bee goodnight, but I couldn’t. Something inside of me told me that I needed to be close to her, and near enough that if anything were to happen I’d be here to protect her. She told me that her sister’s fiancé made her uncomfortable and I knew even from just the small amount she told me that I needed to stand guard until I could make her mine.