Chapter 96: He Did It Again

Roman’s bandaged hand was still warm beneath mine, his skin rough and trembling. I had only just finished tying the strip of gauze when he tore his hand away and seized my arm. Not violently though. Roman wouldn't hurt me. His grip wasn’t bruising, but only enough to pull me forward, drag me into the storm brewing in his eyes. “What the fuck did you just say?” His voice cracked like a whip, raw and venomous. His pupils were blown wide, the whites threaded with red. He looked less like a man and more like a beast cornered. I swallowed hard, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them. “A week after the first time… he did it again.” The air between us thickened. Roman’s chest rose and fell like a bellows. I forced myself to keep speaking, because if I stopped now, I’d never find the courage again. “He said it was punishment. Punishment for being a bad girl. He said if I told anyone, he’d come back for a third time. And he’d make sure it hurt worse. He said he’d ruin me.” I tried t