The Brightest Star

Chapter 19 - Dominic POV

Warning: mention of SA

I can't shake the guilt burning at my bones. That I took advantage of Anna. Of her trust in me. I don't deserve her and I most certainly don't deserve to be her first. I just couldn't help myself.

I guess I should start from the beginning. It's important to understand exactly what happened with the O'Connors. Not even Annabella knows the whole story.

She was so young when it happened; still in high school. She had been missing for two days before she was found lying in a ditch on the side of the road. I could barely recognize her face.

She was in the hospital for nearly a month to recover from everything they did to her. I only visited once. When I saw the dead look in her eyes, the bruises covering her skin, I was nauseous. I couldn't stomach seeing her like that.

But she did exactly what you're supposed to do. She gave her clothes to the police. Did a full invasive exam. Gave her statement. Picked each of them out in a lineup. But somehow, they got off scott free.

Our town was small, poor, and corrupt. From my understanding they paid off nearly everyone involved in the investigation.

I knew I couldn't let them get away with it. But at the time, I didn't know what to do. That was when I reached out to my father for the first time. We made a deal; if he helped me destroy those monsters, I'd train to take over his empire.

The question that hung in the air was why. Why her? Why did they target Annabella? And when I found the answer, I threw up. I decided right then and there that I needed to leave. That I needed to kill them all myself. Want to know why? Why, out of all the people in the world, they went after Anna?

To get to me.

They figured out quickly who I was; what I was the heir to. And they figured out that she was, is, my only weakness.

The only other people that know the full story are my father and Tony. We all agreed that she didn't need to know. That leaving it as a random, sick attack was best. In part it was a selfish decision; I couldn't bear the thought of losing her.

Which is why I feel so fucking guilty right now. She willingly gave herself to me. Let me take something I know she holds dear to her heart. Let me see her at her most vulnerable.

But I also know why she screams in her sleep. Why she's held onto her virginity for so long. Why she couldn't trust any man she met, at least not fully. She has no idea that it's all my fault.

I glance at her sitting beside me in the car. I had forgotten to bring an extra set of clothes with us so she wears my jacket like a dress. It's cute, really, the way my clothes dwarf her. She laughs at whatever Marco said and the corners of my lips quirk up. I'd do anything to make her happy.

"You know," Anna says. "I did sign up to model once in college. It was for some advanced painting class."

"What kind of modeling?" Marco asks.

Anna's cheeks flush pink, "nude. But they canceled on me so I never had the chance."

"Huh," Marco looks at me through the rear view mirror. "I wonder why."

Anna turns to look at me, "was that you?"

"C'mon now, little love," I chuckle. "Did you really think I'd let a roomful of strangers stare at you naked?"

"That cost me extra credit points!" she exclaims.

"You finished that class with a 97," I remind her. She's always been a perfectionist.

"That's not the point," she rolls her eyes.

"You can always model for me," Marco pipes up. I kick the back of his seat.

"Jesus," Marco huffs. "I meant the clothes we just bought. Keep your mind out of the gutter, boss."

"If you're modeling your new wardrobe for anyone," I say. "It should be for the person who paid for it all."

Anna smiles mischievously, "you didn't pay for everything."

"Oh?"

"Marco paid at Agent Provocateur," she states.

I look at him in the mirror, "is that so?"

Sneaky son of a bitch. Marco doesn't say a single word. He pulls up the long driveway before hopping out of the car. He opens Anna's door and helps her out. I follow close behind.

I lead her inside and towards her room. She can't walk around half naked all day. My hand finds her lower back as I urge her in the right direction. We finally come to a stop outside her room.

"Thank you, Dominic," she smiles softly. "For last night."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," I reply. I'm not sure which part of the night she's referring to. But I'm happy so long as she is too.

"I did," she pushes on her toes to kiss my cheek.

As she moves to walk away I grab her wrist. She looks up at me with furrowed brows.

"I want to thank you as well," I tell her.

"For what?" she scoffs, shaking her head.

"For trusting me," I take a step closer. "For letting me take care of you."

"Dom," she laughs lightly. "You're probably the only person I trust."

"Likewise," I say quickly.

Even with my friends, I maintain a certain level of being guarded. I believe most people do. But with Anna, I'd put it all on the line. I'd give her every inch of my soul if she asked for it.

"You're not good at hiding your emotions," she states.

"I'm not trying to," I admit.

"Why do you look so guilty?" she tilts her head. I don't respond right away. She frowns.

She closes the space between us and my heart rate spikes. She gently places her hand on my cheek.

"I wanted to have sex with you," she all but whispers. "And I don't regret it. Do you?"

I swallow hard, "no."

"Then stop overthinking things," she says simply. She's always had the ability to make things better.

I smile at her, "I'll see you later, mia stella."

"Goodbye, Dominic," she sing songs as she enters her room.

She doesn't regret it. She has no idea how much I needed to hear that.