Owned by the Dom: Part Two

“Isabella had a crush on you when she was younger?”

“I was Lucas’s friend. We met because we served in the same unit together. I liked doing things my way and against my parents’ better judgement. I joined the forces to spite them. I met some pretty decent guys. Isabella was like sunshine, a living, breathing ball of happiness and energy. Now, she barely smiles.” Sean shook his head in anger. “I’ve got to live with that. Every day I look at her and see the fear and upset, I know I was the cause.”

James didn’t know the words to say to help him. His friend clearly didn’t want to be saved with words.

He went and saw Lucas while he was waiting for Prudence to be finished. Lucas lay on the hospital bed eating chocolate and watching television. He turned the volume down as James entered.

“How are you doing?” James asked, staring at the bandaged leg.

“I’m doing great. It’s not the first time I’ve been shot.”

“Let’s hope it’s your last.”

Lucas chuckled. “I hope not. Where is the fun in that?”

“You’ll be living your life.” The words sobered both men up.

“At least you got your girl.”

James nodded. “You got to take out one man, Lucas.”

“Not the man I wanted. Daren, for all his talk and shit, was just a f**king minion. Henry is still out there, and the Feds won’t give me shit about him.” Lucas tightened his fist on the metal bars.

“It’s over now. They’ve got Henry, and we’ve got a life back.”

“But I’ve got to live with knowing he’s out there.” Lucas stopped and stared past his shoulder. Melanie stood outside the door.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. I … erm, I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

James raised an eyebrow at Lucas. The other man shooed him away. Sean stood talking with the doctors as he made his way back to the waiting area.

“Prudence is free to see you,” Sean said. “She should be free to travel tomorrow.”

“Make all the arrangements. I want Prudence back home in my home.”

He moved toward her room. His heart pounded inside his chest wondering how she’d feel about seeing him. Taking a deep breath he turned the corner and saw her.

Prudence lay on the hospital bed. Without all the makeup to cover her face the bruises stood out harshly against her pale skin. James stared at her from where he stood against the doorframe. She looked peaceful in sleep. No matter what he did, he’d never be able to rid his mind of the panic or fear on her face.

Her eyes opened with a start. James moved closer into the room as she looked like she was going to scream. “Don’t worry, I’m here,” he said, taking her hand within his.

“James?”

“That’s right. It’s me, baby.” He leaned down brushing her temple with his lips. Without the makeup he saw the harsh bruises on her face. The different shades of purple looked out of place on her skin.

****

“You came for me,” she said. She’d cried so much in the last few weeks. Prue thought she’d cried all of her tears. “I’m sorry.” She wiped under her eyes hoping he didn’t get annoyed with her tears.

“Don’t worry about it, baby. Cry, sob, and weep. I’m here, and I’m not going away. I love you,” he said.

Sitting up, Prue pulled him in close squeezing him tightly. “I didn’t think I was going to see you again,” she said.

“I wasn’t letting you go.” He stroked her hair, each caress making her feel comforted. She’d thought being rescued and being in James’s arms had all been a dream. This wasn’t a dream but a reality.

Flicking the bedding off her, she crawled into his lap. His arms surrounded her. She didn’t care how needy she appeared. Being surrounded by his warmth was essential to her. “I’ve got you. I’m never letting go.”

He lifted her up in his arms then settled on the bed. She fisted her hand in his shirt. Prue didn’t close her eyes for fear of falling asleep. She needed to know he wasn’t a fantasy.

“I thought I was going to be lost forever,” she said. The words came out a whisper. The tightness in her throat made it almost impossible to talk. “I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”

“Talk to me, Prudence. Tell me everything.”

She gazed up at him. Tears shone in his eyes, but they didn’t spill down his cheeks. “They didn’t … erm … they didn’t take advantage of me, James. I’m still me.”

He wiped the tears away. “I don’t care. I love you.” His arms tightened harder around her. She needed his strength at that moment.

“After I woke up at Ravage Daren was there. He’d been leaving me heavy breathing calls for some time, but I didn’t know it was him. I figured a guy with issues was the one calling me.”

James stroked her hair.

“I watched him shoot Jermaine. Did he die?” she asked.

“Yes. He died in my arms.”

She sobbed harder. Part of her hoped the other man had lived. Life was unfair to have taken someone like Jermaine. He’d been a nice man.

“Daren took me. I don’t know much after that besides the pain when he called you. Then I woke up on a boat. I thought about jumping overboard. Drowning seemed a lot easier than what Daren had planned. Then we were in England, and I was locked in a room. They never let me out of that room.” She cringed at the fear in her voice. For the most part, she’d thought she’d done remarkably well to keep her wits about her. Now, she couldn’t even bear for the door to her room to be shut. She needed the light and the space; otherwise she’d go mad.

Being locked away had affected her more than she cared to realise.

“I’m here, Prudence. I’m here.”

“Say it again,” she said.

“What?”

“Say my name. I need to hear you say my name.”

“Prudence Star. Prudence Star.” He repeated the name over and over again. There was a time when she hated the full use of her name whereas now she wanted to hear him say her name completely.

“What are you going to do with your hair?” he asked.

“I’m going to grow it and then dye it back the same colour. I liked it.”

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” he said.

“Those are the best words I’ve heard in a long time.”