21. Piper

21

PIPER

I step out of the house, my arm wrapped protectively around Elysse who's gripping my leg. Elio walks on my other side, his arm banded around me. I feel safe in his presence and yet, unsettled as well. I'd always known Elio to be affable, easygoing. Tonight, I saw murder in his eyes.

As we approach Elio's sleek black SUV, Elysse trembles against me. Her small fingers dig into my leg, and I can sense her fear. I worry about what's going through her young mind. Is it the adrenaline from the terrifying situation we just escaped? Or is she scared of Elio and the imposing man standing next to his car? He clearly works for Elio as he'd done Elio's bidding while in the house.

The stranger crouches down to Elysse's level and offers a gentle smile, but Elysse buries her face in my side, refusing to look at him.

"This is my cousin, Matteo," Elio explains, his voice soft and reassuring.

Matteo rises, stepping aside, giving us space. Elio moves forward, opening the back door of the SUV. He extends his hand to help me in, and I hesitate for a moment before accepting it. His touch sends a jolt through me, a mix of familiarity and uncertainty.

"Come on, sweetheart," I murmur to Elysse, guiding her into the vehicle. She clambers in, still clinging to me as if her life depends on it. I slide in after her, pulling her close as Elio shuts the door behind us.

The car ride is a blur, my mind still reeling from the events that just unfolded. Elio's voice cuts through the haze as he instructs Matteo to call the doctor. I glance over at Elysse, who has curled up against me, her eyes closed but her body still tense. I stroke her hair, trying to offer what little comfort I can.

As we pull up to Elio's home, a sense of unease settles in my stomach. I've never met his family before, only his parents when they caused my family to leave town all those years ago. The memory stings, but I push it aside, focusing on the present.

We step out of the car, and Elio guides us toward the entrance. The door swings open, revealing a striking woman with dark hair and piercing eyes.

Elio tenses for a moment, as if he's anticipating negativity from the woman. "This is my sister, Lana. Lana, Piper and Elysse."

She regards me with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, her gaze lingering on Elysse. "Welcome."

"Thank you for having?—"

"This is your home now." Elio's voice leaves no room for discussion. What I don't know is whether he's convincing me or his sister. I don't want to be bossed around anymore, but right now, I don't have the energy to confront him.

Elio leads us upstairs, his hand resting gently on the small of my back. He shows Elysse to a room.

"This is your room. Anything you want or need, you tell me, okay? We'll redecorate it however you want. It can be a princess castle. A jungle. Whatever you wish," Elio tells her.

Elysse hesitates, looking back at me with uncertainty.

I give her a reassuring nod. "It's big, isn't it?"

"Is it too big?" Elio almost sounds like he's desperate to make sure Elysse likes the room. Likes him.

"It's fine," I say.

Elio then turns to me. "There is a room next door or… mine is across the hall there." He points down the hall.

I'm not quite ready to face the intimacy of sharing his space, nor am I ready to leave Elysse alone.

"I'm just going to stay with her for now."

He nods. "What can I get you?" His eyes are filled with concern.

"I just want to rest."

"Okay. I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

"Thank you, Elio." I don't want him to feel that I'm ungrateful. I'm just sore and tired and worried about Elysse.

I guide Elysse to the bed. "Let's lie down for a bit, okay?"

She climbs onto the large bed, curling in a little ball against me. I hold her, kissing her head.

Just as we settle in, there's a knock at the door. Elio pops his head in. "Doctor Albert is here."

I don't want to be examined, but considering what I've just been through, perhaps I should be.

Elio excuses himself again, giving me and Elysse privacy with the doctor.

"Sounds like you had quite the ordeal," Dr. Albert says as he approaches me.

I nod. He glances at Elysse. "She wasn't hurt physically, but she witnessed more than she should have."

"Let's make sure you're okay," he says. As the doctor examines us, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. It's sinking in that Elysse and I are safe, away from Gabriel's abuse.

The doctor checks and cleans my wounds. I wince as he tends to the bruises and cuts. This is the worst they've ever been. My sense of calm vanishes for a moment as I realize that Gabriel would have killed me.

"You're shaking." Dr. Albert takes my hand and looks me in the eyes.

"I'm just thinking of how close I came to…" I don't finish the sentence, not wanting to vocalize my near demise in front of Elysse.

"You don't appear to be in shock."

I shake my head. He continues to examine me, determining that he doesn't believe anything is broken and I'm not showing signs of an altered state.

"How about I check the little one?" he asks.

I sit on the bed, holding Elysse close as the doctor examines her. My heart clenches as I watch my daughter, so small and fragile, enduring this ordeal. The doctor asks her gentle questions, trying to assess her physical state. Elysse responds in soft whispers, her voice trembling. I restate that Gabriel hadn't touched her.

"Some injuries are mental, though, are they not?"

Tears fill my eyes along with the guilt that I'd put her through all this. Maybe I need to get her counseling. Maybe I need counseling.

Once the doctor leaves, Elysse and I lie down on the bed together. She curls up against me, her small body fitting perfectly into the curve of mine. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, trying to provide the comfort and security she so desperately needs.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. I'm sorry you had to experience all that."

"Elio looked mean… like?—"

"He was protecting us. You called him and he came to save us. You were so brave to call. I'm so proud of you."

"Will we be Elio's now?"

I wonder if she believes women and children are owned by men. I can't blame her for thinking that considering she hasn't known anything different.

"Elio will keep us safe, sweetie."

Elysse nods, burying her face in my chest. I stroke her hair, murmuring soothing words of reassurance. Gradually, her breathing slows, and I feel her body relax against mine.

As I lie there holding my daughter, exhaustion washes over me. The events of the day, the terror and the relief, have taken their toll. My eyelids grow heavy, and I succumb to sleep.

I wake disoriented. Looking around, I remember I'm at Elio's. I reach out for Elysse, but she's not here. Worry surges through me as I frantically scan the unfamiliar room.

"Elysse?" I get out of bed, checking the bathroom. She's not there. I exit the room, calling her name as I go down the hallway. Eventually, I end up downstairs, following a trail of voices and laughter.

I reach a kitchen that has a large bay window with a breakfast table. Elysse holds a sandwich in one hand and game cards in the other.

Across from her, Elio and Matteo lean in, their faces scrunched in concentration. A deck of cards lies between them.

"Got any threes?" Elysse chirps, her voice lighter than I'd expect.

Matteo groans dramatically, handing over a card. "You're cleaning us out, kid."

Relief washes over me as I watch my daughter giggle, clearly at ease with these two men who, just a few hours ago, made her wary.

Elio glances up, catching my eye. He sets down his cards and approaches me, concern etched on his face. "How are you? There's coffee and food if you're hungry."

I nod, still processing the scene before me. "Elysse… how long has she been up?"

"I went to check on you about an hour ago. I found her awake and coaxed her down here to let you rest. I think before, she was afraid of us, but now we're afraid of her."

I smile. "Not many people beat her at cards. Or board games."

"I should take her to Vegas."

I arch a brow at him. He laughs. "I'm kidding."

"Go fish," Matteo tells Elysse.

She picks up a card from the pile. "Fish, fish, I got my wish!" she exclaims triumphantly.

Matteo dramatically slaps his forehead. "Good thing we're not playing for money."

"Can I get you something to eat?" Elio asks.

Actually, what I want is to clean up. I feel like I have Gabriel on me. "What I really want is a shower."

"Let me show you to your bath." Elio puts his arm around me. "Will you two be okay while I take Piper to clean up?"

"Do you know how to play Crazy 8s?" Elysse asks Matteo.

"I don't, but you can teach me." Matteo nods toward Elio in what I determine means he's happy to hold down the fort.

"I can ask Elysse to come."

Elio rubs his hands up and down my arms. "She's fine. Give yourself a moment."

"I'm going to clean up, okay?" I say to Elysse.

"'K," she responds absently as she picks up her cards.

I follow Elio upstairs, eager to wash away the trauma of the day. Elio guides me into the room he mentioned earlier was his.

"I have the nicest shower and tub," he says sheepishly, as if he doesn't want me to think he's trying to push me into sharing his room. I do have some unease about all this. Am I moving too fast, jumping from one man's arms to another's?

Elio seems to sense my hesitation. He pauses outside the bathroom door, turning to face me. "If you're not comfortable, I can show you another bathroom. I won't deny that I'm ready to have the life we always said we would, but I understand you may need time."

I meet his gaze, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. He's giving me a chance to set the pace. Knowing that shifts something inside me. He's not telling me how it is. He's not pushing me. He's giving me a choice.

Resistance falls away, and I give in to my heart. "This is fine."

Elio's hand rests gently on the small of my back as he guides me into the bathroom. It's spacious and luxurious, with a large walk-in shower and fluffy towels hanging on the rack.

"Take as much time as you need." He hands me a fresh towel.

I reach out for the towel, wincing from the ache at the movement.

"Piper." His eyes fill with emotion. I see the murderous rage he has for Gabriel, but also caring for me. "Let me help you." He hangs the towel outside the shower, then reaches in to turn on the water.

I begin to strip off my clothes, trying to hide the pain as the fabric grates against my bruises, as my muscles cry out from injury.

"Fuck." Elio's voice is a low rumble as his gaze takes me in.

I check the mirror, seeing the damage Gabriel inflicted on my body. I turn away, stepping into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body. The heat soothes my aching muscles, and I close my eyes, letting the water wash away the pain and fear.

Once again, doubt about staying with Elio creeps in. Is this really the right thing to do? Falling into Elio's arms so soon after leaving Gabriel? What kind of example am I setting for Elysse?

But where else could we go and be certain that Gabriel wouldn't try to find us? Elio was right. I don't have my own money. I don't have a job or a means to get a place for me and Elysse.

I remind myself that Elio isn't Gabriel. He's kind and gentle, and he's offering me a safe haven. Right now, that's what Elysse and I need more than anything.

All of a sudden, Elio is with me in the shower. He doesn't say anything as he takes the soap and lathers it in his large, strong hands. Hands that earlier today wanted to kill Gabriel. Now, those hands are gentle as his fingers gently slide over my skin with tenderness.

His eyes roam over my body, taking in the bruises and marks that mar my skin. Concern etches his handsome features as he gently traces the outline of a particularly nasty bruise on my ribs.

"Piper." His voice is thick with emotion. "Did Dr. Albert see this? You could have a broken rib."

I give him a reassuring smile despite the dull ache that throbs beneath his fingertips. "The doctor checked them. Nothing's broken, just bruised."

Elio's jaw clenches, a flash of anger darkening his eyes. I know he's thinking about Gabriel, about the harm he inflicted upon me.

"How often did he do this to you?" he asks, his voice tight with restrained anger.

I shrug. "I don't know." I'd lost count.

"Why didn't you leave?" His question feels like an accusation, making me feel exposed and vulnerable. I look away, shame and embarrassment washing over me.

Elio swears under his breath, his fingers tracing an old scar from a years ago attack by Gabriel on the back of my shoulder. "If I ever get the chance, I'll kill him for what he's done to you." Elio's voice is low and dangerous.

His words send a chill down my spine, and I turn back to face him. "Elio, no. The violence has to stop. Elysse and I… we can't handle any more violence."

Elio's eyes fill with torment. He wants to protect me, to make Gabriel pay for the pain he's inflicted, but I hope he understands that I can't endure it anymore.

As quickly as the anger appears, it's replaced by a softness that steals my breath. Elio's the only man who's ever looked at me like that. With raw emotion. Like I'm the center of his world.

His lips find my skin, trailing gentle kisses over my bruises and scars. Each touch is a silent promise to comfort and protect me. His tenderness brings tears to my eyes, and I lean into him, allowing myself to be vulnerable in his arms.

"I want to erase every scar, physical and emotional," he murmurs against my skin. "To make it all go away." Elio's hands are gentle as they explore my body, his touch a soothing balm to my battered soul. It feels like he's trying to heal me. I lean into him, allowing myself to be vulnerable in a way I haven't been in years.

As the water cascades over us, I lose myself in the sensation of Elio's touch. His fingers caress my curves, igniting a fire. I arch into him, craving more of his touch, more of the connection that pulses between us.

Elio's lips find mine, his kiss tender yet passionate. In this moment, the rest of the world falls away. The pain, the fear, the uncertainty—all of it fades into the background. I wrap my arms around him, kissing him with a desperate fervor.

He laughs softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you aroused."

"Touch me." I need him more than the shower to wash away all of Gabriel.

"Baby, you're injured?—"

"Touch me." My voice is more demanding.

He stares at me like he's looking for something in my eyes. I hope he finds what he's looking for because I need him to soothe the pain and fill the hole that's been living inside me for too, too long.