So This Is How They Met (Novella 2.5)

Chapter 6 - Max

Four men burst through the door. I stare at them. If there's four then they're definitely here for me. One of the men grabs me by the throat as I protest and the other injects me in the neck as I try and put up a fight. The chains rattle but I feel useless.

I pretend it's having an effect but I've learnt how to fight it. They'll destroy me soon. I don't know how long I can put up with this.

They turn towards Bianca whose watching us in shock.

When one of the men gets closer to her. Concern wraps my body. They're not here for me, they're here for her.

He grabs at her leg and pulls her closer to him as one of the other guys wraps a cloth around her eye. I scream in frustration. Dammit! I shouldn't have asked her to lock me up.

Another guy grabs at her hips and throws her over his shoulders as she tries to get away. He storms away.

My body aches when I hear her scream downstairs. There's a point where she shouts my name but I'm helpless, I can't do a thing and I can't imagine what they're doing to her for her to scream that way.

I feel overprotective of her and I have no idea why. I close my eyes to drift off the images of what will happen to her but when I do, I just see her lying on the ground, crying, needing love and I want to be that man who holds her, tells her everything is okay and who loves her.
I want to be the man who protects her.

I shake my head trying to dissolve the thought. How can I think like this when I barely know her.

I can hear the noise of a whip or something and then Bianca shouting. I try to close my eyes but all that does is create darkness, it doesn't take away the sound.

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Four days later they dump her body back in the room.

Her jeans that were ripped before are now completely gone. They're shorts now. Her beautiful legs and thighs exposed. I feel bad for looking. Her white v-neck short sleeve top is also ripped to a crop top size and the sleeve of the right side is hanging by a thread. I can't
help but look at her stomach, the curvy structure like I want to run my hand across her belly or the way I want her legs wrapped around me.

I notice the scar around her stomach has healed and there's several bruises the size of fists around her legs and thighs.

What did they do to her?

She lays helpless and part of me thinks she's dead.

"Bianca," i whisper.

She doesn't move.

"Bianca, please be alive," I say louder.

I pull at my chains. The key is in my pocket but I can't reach. I tilt my hip and lift my hand down. The chain digs at my wrist but I press hard. I can see blood draw from my wrist but I keep pressing until I get my hand into my pocket. I get the key and using my teeth I open the lock. When I release my hand, I open the other and run to Bianca.

I grab her head and cradle it on my thigh. "Bianca," I say.

I hold my hand near her nose and feel the heat from her breathing. She's still alive. Thank God!

"B, can you hear me?"

A small smile pulls her lips up. "People who love me usually call me B."

I smile. "You're cracking jokes. That's a good sign."

She takes a deep breath and cries.

"What happened, B?"

"They're scary people, Max. I don't want to go there again."

I brush her hair away from her face. "Shhh," I say. "Everything is okay. I won't let them touch you again."

"Promise?"

"Promise," I reply and that's when I know that no matter what happens, I have to protect this girl. I have to make sure she's okay. I can't let anyone touch her again. I make a promise and I keep it.