Hell Himself

Pull at my heartstrings.

Ameri's pov

I always had a feeling that he loved me in some way. Maybe it really was just tough love.

That's when I realised that he really did leave the most subtle signs of true love along the way.

I can't believe it really took me nearly three years to realise this. He said it from the start, 'tough love'.

How did I miss this?

There was no way I could love him. I could never love a monster such as himself.

Right?

Not after he sold me off to Nate. Not after he put me in a coma for a year.

A flat ass year.

I couldn't love him.

Especially not after what he did to his brother, my lover.

It's been three weeks since we got back from the hospital. He'd been so depressed. He hadn't tried to hurt me at all.

Surprising. Or, maybe he was trying to win me over.

I don't know what to do in this situation. How am I supposed to feel? I had feelings for Tom. I still will, for the rest of my life.

Bill could never treat me how Tom did. Tom never made me feel unsafe.

Well, maybe when we first met, he did, but that's besides the point. Bill always had me fearing for my life.

Being around Bill was like being the rabbit in a cage with a fox. You never knew his next move, where he was coming from, or how he'd attack. It was hard to even tell if he'd be calm or hungry to hunt for your fear. Honestly, I wish he'd killed me long ago.

The torture he's put me through will forever haunt me. I don't understand him at all. That's how he shows love?

I didn't want to judge too quickly. I never did know his home life, but I didn't think it'd be so bad to the point where he had to show every emotion through violence.

I snapped my eyes open, awaking from my nap. The familiar scent of Tom filled my nose as I sat up, looking around at his room from my place on his bed.

The memories started rushing back of how affectionate and gentle he was, and I couldn't stop them from playing in my head.

----

Flashback;

His left hand brushed my hair behind my ear while his right arm held my body close to him.

"I love you, Ameri Salazine." His soft whisper flowed through my ears as calming as a content waterfall fell.

His warm fingers cupped my cheek, thumb rubbing my bottom lip. He carefully placed a loving kiss on my forehead, his mouth next to my ear.

"You'll always be safe with me."

My eyes met his, a pleading wish flowing after my tongue. "Please don't leave me."

He looked at my tired face, shaking his head and resting his head against mine. "Never."

He chuckled, looking at the ceiling as he filled my mind with beautiful dreams.

"Not today, not tomorrow, not ever." He looked back at me with a gorgeous smile plastered on his face. "Let's talk about this tomorrow, hm?"

Pulling me closer, he continued his comfort. "Or next week, maybe next month."

His encouraging assuring that he wasn't going anywhere got me locked and loaded on having him around forever.

"Hey," He whispered, tilting my head up to face him. "You never said it back."