“Did you shoot him?”
“Yes, I shot him. I hope the fucker dies,” I replied, just as I untangled the knots and the rope fell away from her hands and the chair.
Valentina sat up, the wide skirt of her beautiful yellow dress ballooned around her.
“King…” she began to say, but I grabbed her waist and pulled her close to me.
“We’re going to get out of here, c’mon,” I said, and I was about to stand up, but she tugged at me and pulled me back down to kiss me.
She was able to overpower me with just her lips, forcing my mouth open so that my tongue could thrust into hers. She was whimpering as I kissed her, and I stroked her matted hair. I didn’t even want to imagine the horrors that Juan had put her through this time.
“Take me home, King,” she whispered when I pulled away from her.
I lifted her up in my arms, and her legs dangled as I carried her across the room and out through the door.
Outside, the bar had cleared out more. Most of the Muerte Viviente gang members that were still breathing had made a run for it, especially when they saw their leader shot and scurrying away in fear. Commando was standing over Girth, who was on his knees on the floor, beating the shit out of one of the guys, who still had a pocket knife in his hands.
Commando looked over and smiled at me, and I sensed him exchanging a look with Valentina as well.
She didn’t move in my arms as I carried her through the bar. None of the remaining Muerte Viviente guys even dared to come near us. They just cleared a path for me, and I carried her outside.
I didn’t stop till I had placed her safely on my bike.
“Are you strong enough to hold on to me for the ride, babe?” I asked as she swayed where she sat. Valentina nodded her head, and I could see that she looked weak. Juan had been beating her up. A purple wound was beginning to bloom on her cheek where he must have slapped and hit her. I had already noticed the bruises from the rope burns on her wrists, which had made my blood boil.
“I just want to go home,” she said, and I swung my leg over the bike.
“And that’s where I’m going to take you,” I said and revved up the engine. I felt her wrap her weak arms around my waist.
“Are you taking me to Moira’s apartment?” I heard her ask and I looked over my shoulder to shake my head.
“I’m taking you to our home, the only place you need to be. You’re going to be safe there, the safest there. I’m sorry for thinking that you could be safe anywhere else,” I said, and Valentina leaned her head against my back.
“Thank you…” she said, in an exhausted voice, like she had no energy to say anything more. I was just glad that she was with me now and I had no plans of ever letting her go. Juan and his gang were never going to get their claws on her again.
Chapter 18
Valentina
Back at King’s apartment, he ran me a hot bath, and I spent an hour in there, trying to soothe my nerves. I’d dozed off at some point and didn’t wake up till King eventually came in to check up on me and helped me out of the bath. He cleaned my bruises and sterilized them and helped me change into one of his shirts that I pulled around me. It comforted me, and I felt safe now, finally at peace, like nothing could hurt me.
“I’m sorry, baby,” King whispered in my ears as he led me back to his bedroom. When I looked at him, for a second, I thought he was close to tears, but he controlled it quickly. A man like him was never supposed to cry, right?
“This wasn’t your fault. None of this was your fault,” I said and stroked his shoulder.
He helped me to bed, swinging my feet up to rest and then pulled the covers over me.
“I’m not sleepy anymore,” I argued and pouted my lips.
“You’re going to have to sleep now, and I’m not leaving this apartment till you have regained your strength fully,” he said and bent down on his knees and clutched my hands. I leaned over and kissed him on his forehead and smiled at him.
“Stop blaming yourself, King. You saved me…twice. I probably wouldn’t even be alive if it wasn’t for you,” I said, and he stroked my cheek. The touch of his rough hand on my skinniest shivers down my spine. Even after all these years, he was the guy who turned me on. I couldn’t have asked for a better
man.
“And you’ve been so strong, you make me proud to be your man, Valentina,” he said and then kissing my fingers, he stood up.
“Where are you going?” I whined as I watched him walking towards the bedroom door. He turned to smile at me indulgently.