Page 72 of Vengeful Devotion
“Are we home?”
Just hearing her call my home hers is enough to make me want to drop to my knees and worship her like the fucking queen she is. My queen.
“Not yet, bláth fiáin.”
A small patch of sunlight breaks through the gloom of the day. I can’t help but smile as I load Gemma into the backseat. It’s like my city is rejoicing in her return.Our city.
I kiss her forehead as she closes her eyes again and relaxes against me. The blanket moves just enough to reveal some of the burns Cian was telling me about. He said they weren’t severe. But the angry red patches staring at me from her arms look pretty severe to me.
“Grady?” I call to the man recently promoted to my driver. “Call Kane and let him know we’ll be home soon. I want the house quiet, and my room prepared for Gemma before we arrive.”
“Already done, sir.”
If this was any other day, I’d be impressed by his initiative. But not today. I have bigger concerns than how the rookie is doing.
I look down at her. Cradling her after twenty-four hours of missing her feels so right. Like my soul can finally breathe again. But there’s still a deep sadness as I look over her. She’s so pale and fragile. Even sleeping, she looks exhausted. I can’t imagine what she’s been through. I don’t have to. Her body paints a clear story of what Lonny did to her. Every burn and mark I see on her is a roadmap of what I will do to him later. He’ll feel everything he’s ever done to her, and more.
When we pull into the driveway, Balor is just pulling Gemma’s uncle from the trunk of his SUV. The rattle of chains is too tempting for me not to look at. The afternoon sun reveals his swollen face. Seeing it has me remembering what it felt like to pulverize him. And what is coming next will be even better.
“Take him to the shed. Get him ready,” I hear Balor shout.
Grady waits until he’s out of sight before opening my door. The sound wakes Gemma. Her eyes flutter open. Those beautiful blues hit me right in the chest.
“We’re home, beautiful girl.”
She makes a noncommittal hum. I pull the blanket around her tighter, covering every bit of skin before maneuvering out of the car without putting her down. I feel her snuggle closer into me, as if she’s grateful I won’t let her go. Balor walks ahead of us to open the front door. Gemma tenses the moment I cross over the threshold.
As if there are alarm bells going off in her head. I can see the fear and anxiety written all over her face. Danny stripped her sense of safety from her. Ripped it apart as if it were made of paper. The peace she found here will forever be tainted. I failed her; failed to protect her when I promised I would. I let her down, and that is something I’ll never forgive myself for.
Walking up the stairs, I carry Gemma to my room and place her carefully on the bed.
“What are you doing?” she asks when I turn to walk away.
“Grabbing towels and some clothes. We need to get the bleach off you, and I can’t have you naked when the doctor comes back.”
“I thought you said he’d be on the plane. Wasn’t I naked then?”
“He’s coming to bandage your burns,” I reply, walking to the bathroom. “On the plane, I had to do what I had to do to make sure you were okay. But if you think I’d let him see you that way twice, you’re delusional.”
I pull a couple of things from the drawers before starting the shower and shedding my suit. Walking back into the room, I pick Gemma up and carry her to the shower.
“Take a breath, Gemma,” I say, walking us beneath the water.
She does as I instruct and takes a slow breath as the water pours over her. I move her hair off her shoulder and reveal more little angry patches. “Don’t look at them,” she whispers. “Please.”
I meet her eyes. The heartbreak in them is hard to swallow. She’s looking at me like she’s scared I won’t love her now. Scared I’ll see her differently.
I lean in, kissing an unscorched patch of her skin. “You’re still beautiful to me, wildflower.” Catching the tear off her cheek, I pull her into my arms. “You always will be.”
Gemma wraps her arms around me. But the moment I feel her hold her breath, I pull away.
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Too late for that.”
I gently wash her hair and skin before turning off the water and leading her to the counter where I’ve left our clothes. I dress quickly, then slip my tee shirt over her head. The gray fabric bunching around her neck, and I delicately pull her arms through the sleeves. Kneeling before her, I push her knees apart. Just enough to get each leg in the proper place. She shivers beneath my touch on the backs of her thighs as I pull her panties up. An inappropriate sensation of desire builds inside me. This is not the time. I let go of Gemma, instantly missing her warmth. I don’t have time to stand up before my mother barges into my room. Her eyes are focused on Gemma.
“Mother,” I stand up and stop her. “She’s hurt. Be gentle.”
