Roll For Initiative

52. Cassie

I ’m unaware of how long I have been sitting on the shower floor, letting the water cover me. I don’t know where the water ends, and my tears begin. Has it been 20 minutes? 30? Who knows. Nothing makes sense; everything hurts, and I want to sleep. But when I was unconscious, all I could see was his face. The rage as he choked me out. The pain I felt as he raped me. The way he laughed as I screamed and cried, begging for him to stop. I thought I was going to die. The look in his eyes was pure hatred as he choked me.

I’m still unsure about all the information Theo threw at me. One thing's for certain: I need to go back to Theo in 3 days. Well, two now. Damnit. I can’t let him get to Lucian. This is the only way. I touch my lips, remembering Saturday night. The wolf mask man. His kisses, his touch. Everything about him was foreign yet familiar. Now I know why.

"Cass, you ok? It’s been almost an hour." Apparently, time doesn’t exist for me at this moment. I could have sworn it had been at most a half hour. He comes into the bathroom but turns his head away as I step out from behind the shower curtain.

"Um. Sorta.... can you help me with something?"

"Yeah, sure. What do you need?" He is looking down at the floor. It seems like he is doing everything to avoid looking at my body. My body is now broken and bruised. It probably disgusts him since he most likely read my chart and is fully aware of what Theo did to me. Will he ever want to touch me again?

"I need you to look at me," I say boldly.

"But Cass...”

"Damnit, Lucian! Just look at me."

He slowly looks up. Gazing over my entire body, inch by inch. I feel goosebumps popping up all over from his heated gaze. His gaze slows at my breasts. My nipples are getting hard just thinking about his mouth on them again, like Saturday night. Ok, I need to do this. I need to be sure.

When his eyes meet mine, I take my chance. I wrap my arms around his neck, standing on my tiptoes to pull his body flush against my naked frame. I press my lips to his before he can say a word. He wraps his arms around me, one on my back, the other cupping my ass. Fuck, it was him. His tongue dances against my mouth, coaxing my lips apart for him to enter. He runs his hand from my ass to my thigh, hiking my leg up to wrap around him as he lifts and walks me back against the wall. He grinds his cock against me through his jeans, pressing his fingers deep into my flesh, causing me to moan. He answers my moan with a deep growl from low in his chest. He pulls away. He is pressing our foreheads together, melding our bodies into one.

"Cass, I..."

"Shhh." I put a finger to his lips. "I remember, just like you said I would. I can’t believe I didn’t realize it was you." He squeezes my ass harder.

"Mmm, that’s my good girl.” He growls, causing electric sparks to fly across my body. “I knew you would figure it out." I can’t help but moan at his praises. My body melting against his. His touch is healing. I was worried I would panic if someone else touched me after what happened.

He dips in for another kiss. Soft and passionate. But then a knock on the door interrupts our paradise. He pulls away, gently tugging my lower lip with his teeth.

"To be continued." He winks.

He reaches over and grabs me a towel. Wrapping it around my damp body. As we open the door, we are met by two doctors, my parents and Jayme. Well, this is awkward.

"Can I get dressed first?" I say with a laugh.

"Oh yes, sorry. We will be right outside. Just let us know when you are decent." My mother says, shooing everyone out. She glances back at me, then at Lucian. With a smile, she turns and walks out. Fuck I’m going to have to figure out something to tell her.

"Do you need help getting dressed?" Lucian asks. I could think of a few things I need help with, and getting dressed is not one of them.

“Maybe.” I start rummaging through Lucian's bag and find one of his long T-shirts. “Can I just wear this?”

“Of course.” The smile he gives me lights my insides on fire. I think he likes me wearing his clothes.

He helps me put on the shirt and underwear. He is watching me closely as I slide into bed, worried I might break. I pat the spot next to me, and he slides in. Wrapping an arm around my shoulders as I lean into his side. It feels so different now, but it feels right. Like, I’m finally right where I was always supposed to be.

"Ok, you can come in now," I shout.

My mother is the first to enter. She looks like she has been crying. "Cassandra, my baby, I’m so glad you are awake. We will find out who did this, and they will pay. No one touches my baby girl and gets away with it." I can’t help but smile. It feels nice that she is such a mama bear over this. She hugs me close, then pulls back to look over my face. Dear God, I hope nothing scars, or else she will have at least 20 plastic surgeons on standby.

"Thanks, ma. I’m ok, though, really. Just some bruises and cuts." I smile when she releases me, and Lucian pulls me closer. He is being so protective, even against my own mother. I’m sure he is still raging from finding me in the state I was. I’m assuming I looked pretty rough.

"So... When did this happen?" My mother asks, gesturing between us.

"When she picked me up from the airport. Nine months proved I couldn’t be without her.” Lucian says. I mean, it isn’t a total lie. He leans over and kisses me on the head.

The doctor cuts in, "Miss. Miller, we have to do one more MRI to make sure there isn’t any swelling from the concussion, but as long as everything is clear on the MRI, we think you can go home as soon as tomorrow morning. A few officers will be stopping by to get your statement as well. And I strongly recommend talking to someone professional about your... incident."

"Thank God," I say. "I just want to sleep in my own bed."

"Nope, you are coming back with me. At least for a little bit while you heal. Ok? Please, Cass. Let me help you."

"Oh, ok. But can we stop by my apartment first so I can get some stuff?" Damnit. I have to figure out a way to get away from him. He can’t find out about the deal with Theo. He would kill him if he did.

"Of course." He leans and kisses me on the forehead again. I wish I could say that I could get used to this. We still have a lot to talk about, like why he was at the club, how he knew it was me, and how the fuck Jayme had 450k to spend on me. Oh dear God, I technically fooled around with Jayme, too. My entire face gets red. I also need to get the info on Jayme that Theo wants. That’s the only way I can guarantee Lucian’s safety.

"What’s up, Cass. You're looking as red as a tomato. You, ok?" Jayme laughs. He fucking knows I know now. Smug bastard.

"Just flushed and very tired. I’m ok, though. I appreciate your concern." I give him my sweetest smile. He winks. Yep, he definitely knows.

"All right, hunny. We are going to head home. But call us if you need anything. We love you. And Lucian, watch over her, please. I can’t bear the thought of losing her." My mom tears up as she hugs me. Dad gives me a quick hug, and then they leave. Leaving me, Lucian, and Jayme alone.

"Soooooo. How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Jayme asks.

"You mean, how do I feel now that I found out it was you two that night?" He looks down all bashfully.

"Yeah, I guess we could start there. Or we could start with how you got mixed up with that piece of shit Blackmore." He says—a hint of anger in his voice, which I don’t think was directed at me.

"Actually, would it be ok if I slept for a bit? I’m exhausted, and my head still hurts." I lean against Lucian’s chest.

"Of course, sweetheart. We will both be here when you wake up, and we can talk then." I definitely should have recognized him calling me sweetheart that night.

Lucian starts to stroke my head, lulling me to sleep on his chest. I wish there were a way to run away with Lucian. Start a new life—one where Theo Blackmore doesn’t exist. The only place is in my mind, in my dreams. That’s where I plan to live for the inevitable future that I am locked into. I need to leave Lucian a note before I go. I hope he doesn’t hate me for disappearing. If only he could know, maybe he would hate me less after what I am about to do.