𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐦

TWENTY-TWO

"Am I making you feel sick?"

22

"Miss?" My focus shifted from my crossed legs as a phone was gently held out to me. I took a deep breath, thanked the maid, and brought the cell to my ear.

"Hi, honey." My eyes brightened at the sound of her voice, and a wave of comfort washed over me. I held the phone tighter, grateful for the connection. It had been too long since I spoke to my mother—she's always been my shoulder to lean on.

"Mom?"

I could almost hear her warm smile. "No matter how upset you are, I give you space, then I call my daughter." Only my mother's voice could shield me from the harshness of the world.

With trembling hands, I wiped the tears from my nose. "Sinto muito sua falta." (I miss you so much.)

"Estou a apenas uma ligação e um voo de distância." (I'm just a call and a flight away.) "I talked to your boyfriend. I met him."

A wave of numbness swept over me. "You did? When?"

"A few days ago. He's a very handsome man. We had a little conversation—nothing to worry about." Her tone was calm, as though that made it any better.

I stayed silent, unable to respond. My thoughts were too clouded.

Mother broke the silence. "I remember when you first mentioned having a boyfriend to your father. He almost had a heart attack, no?" We shared a small chuckle, recalling the memory of me, only thirteen, at the dinner table.

"Then came Mr. Trouble Maker. I convinced your father to let you make mistakes on your own. You're all grown up now, my lindo bebê, but remember, my heart is always open for you. You can talk to me about anything, whenever you need, yes?"

My voice broke as I whispered, "Yes, Mama."

• • •

"Thank you." The car door opened, and there stood Reign in all his dark, magnetic glory, reaching for my hand.

"You look remarkable." His words sent a rush of heat to my cheeks, making me shy away as his gaze swept over my frame, bold and hungry.

     "Thank you." He pulls me in kissing me from my ear down my neck while inhaling my scent driving me mentally insane. One last wet kiss to the lips he licked his lips savouring me, I felt his hand cop a feel of my hips then my bottom.

     "Let's go inside." He led the way.

We were followed inside by a group of Reign's men, who trailed closely behind us. Tonight, we were making an appearance at a charity event.

The past three days had been spent alone in the house with Reign—talking, cooking, just being together. It all felt strangely different, like a world removed from everything else. You wouldn't believe the man I had spent the last seventy-two hours getting to know. For a fleeting moment, it felt like a fairytale—the kind you dream about, but never think could actually come true.

Past

"What are you thinking about?"

I knew he was awake, his awareness palpable as he felt my eyes burning into the side of his face.

"How did we get here, Reign?" I whispered softly, pulling the plush blanket higher to cover my chest. He turned toward me, his fingers tracing the delicate features of my face.

"Did you think I would never find you?" His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart sank instantly, the familiar fear creeping back in. I kept my eyes locked on his, trying to steady my breath.

"I care too much," he murmured, his voice low and intense. "There's no place you can run or hide. No one can keep me away from you. Once I show even an ounce of compassion, I will refuse to let you leave."

His hands moved to gently massage my side as he spoke, his gaze never leaving mine.

I nervously swallowed, the weight of his words tightening my chest. Desperate to change the subject, I stammered, "T-tell me about your childhood."

End
• • •

    Often, I can escape my unwanted emotions—when they itch at me, making my palms sweat or when I'm caught in a gust of freezing wind. But never, in a million years, did I imagine finding myself in the embrace of a feared man, casually walking past the world's most dangerous criminals. I noticed a strange numbness would settle over me in these moments, surrounded by such unfamiliar faces.

Strangers murmured quietly among themselves, while a stunning woman played the harp at the center of the crowd, her eyes nearly shut in concentration.

My attention shifted away from her as Reign helped me into a seat in a secluded section. He remained standing beside me, his guards facing the crowd. Glancing to the side, he used two fingers to signal someone, and within moments, three men approached, carrying large bottles of champagne.

Reign reached down to my ear, "Would you like a drink beautiful?"

     "I-I'll take what you'll have." I shook as he smirked in response before laying a lingering kiss on my cheek. Reign took a bottle dismissing them, before easily opening the bottle himself.

     I noticed his bicep would flex through his suit when he twists the cork. Those tattooed hands with veins and cold silver rings will forever connect to my throbbing core. He poured us a glass then sat beside me.

"Did I ever get to tell you how stunning you look tonight baby, I'm toasting to you." We took a sip and I still felt those bold cold eyes on me. If I didn't know anything else about him, I know he had a way with words. I knew my nipples were painfully hard, it ached against the soft material.

Reign sensed my sexually urges, pulling me closer towards him, laying sweet kisses in my neck making me lean in for more.

"R-Reign the people here may see us." He raised his head from my neck.

"Let them, we will drink this champagne act like we give a fuck about these people here then go home, so I can suck the sweet juices out that pretty pussy of yours, da?" I looked him in the eye, receiving all seriousness and not to fuck around.

The tattoos on his neck stood out more than ever, his sharp jawline more defined as he clenched his teeth, clearly consumed by thoughts of my arousal. I couldn't find the words to speak; his eyes said everything that needed to be said. The grip he had on me was a sin in itself. I was completely locked under his gaze, helpless. From this moment on, I was here to stay—whether I wanted to or not.

I moved closer till his kissable lips closely touched mine, "So drink up." I murmured tapping my glass against his before raising mine to sip. He chuckled showing me those pearly whites.

     For a brief moment, a thought flashed through my mind: Am I signing my life away? It felt like I was starting to accept this life with him, and maybe I am. I don't really know. But what I do know is that I want to survive—even when I'm on the brink of death, or when I'm close to falling apart emotionally.

Terrible things have happened to me and to the people around me. And, truthfully, I'm not strong enough to constantly remind myself of those events and convince myself that everything will be okay. It will never be okay, but for my own sake, I have to keep looking forward. Even when I cry, even when I feel broken. I'm strong enough for that—just for that.

•••