Provoked

by Bailey, Sarah

“I don’t expect any assurances from you because I know I’ll get none.”

  He inclined his head. The first acknowledgement he’d given me since I’d got here.

  “What I have to offer is information. You see, I had a little chat with my father. I know all about Zander.”

  His eyes narrowed momentarily before his expression cleared again. I couldn’t say anything incriminating in this room, so I had to tread carefully.

  “It was always meant to be me. Declan isn’t my father’s son. Don’t worry, he’s not Zander’s either. Just some deadbeat who kicked my mother out when he found out she was pregnant. You know your brother used to hurt her right? Just like you hurt your wife and children. That’s why everything happened. My parents weren’t having an affair. He did what he did to protect her from the abuse. Just like your son took away his siblings to protect them from you. You can choose to believe me or not, but I know my father. He’s never had any reason to lie to me.”

  I didn’t know what Zach made of my pronouncement because his expression remained the same.

  “Just plead guilty, Zach. That’s all I’m asking. Don’t put Dante, James, Fiona and Jennifer through any more pain. You’ve done enough to them already. They deserve to put this behind them and find happiness.”

  I stood up. Zach wasn’t going to say anything to me and there was no point me prolonging this. I nodded at the two prison guards who moved towards Zach. He got to his feet, giving me a hard stare. I turned to leave when his voice rang out.

  “You love him even after he was complicit in what happened to you?”

  I stood with my back to him for a long moment.

  “When you really love someone, you forgive them for the things they’ve done wrong and accept them for who they are without conditions. I love Dante because he’s compassionate, caring and puts other people above himself. He could’ve given up completely after what you put him through, but he didn’t. I don’t expect you to understand that since you’re devoid of all those things.”

  I started to walk towards the door.

  “I don’t admire many traits in other people, but you were brave to come here alone. I don’t suppose he knows, does he?”

  “It doesn’t matter. You’d be surprised by the lengths I would go to, to protect the person I love. Goodbye Zach. Excuse me if I don’t wish you well.”

  “Goodbye Liora.”

  I opened the door and left the room with no idea whether Zach would do as I asked him to or not. It was worth facing him regardless. He’d been a monster to me all this time, but now I saw him for what he was. A pathetic excuse for a human being who didn’t deserve his children or anything else he’d had in his life.

  And now I had to go tell my boyfriend what I’d done. That to me was far more terrifying than seeing Zach behind bars.

  ***

  “Where have you been?”

  Dante was waiting for me as soon as I walked in. I’d taken the tube and the bus to get to and from the prison. I took off my coat and shoes, hanging them up in the cupboard.

  “I went to see Zach.”

  “You what?”

  I turned to look at him. His blue eyes were dark.

  “I went to see your father in prison.”

  He strode towards me, gripping me by my shoulders and almost shaking me.

  “Why would you do that? For fuck’s sake, Liora, he’s dangerous.”

  I shrugged him off.

  “Have you taken your painkillers?”

  “Don’t avoid the question.”

  “I’m not, but the doctor said if you’re going to recover properly you need to make sure you’re taking them if you’re going to be up and about.”

  “Yes, I took my fucking painkillers, now you’re going to tell me what the hell you’re playing at.”

  I took him by the hand and led him upstairs to the living room. He looked like he was about to blow a fuse and I was worried about him. His eye was better now, so he could see properly again. His ribs were still bothering him although the bruising on his chest was starting to fade. I made him sit down on the sofa before I knelt at his feet, taking both his hands.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked before I had a chance to say anything.

  “You wouldn’t have let me go.”

  “Liora—”

  “Don’t. I asked him to plead guilty to the charges so you won’t have to go through a trial. I’m worried about you. After everything you’ve had to deal with, that shouldn’t be another thing to add to the list. I did it because I love you so don’t be angry with me, please.”

  He was silent for a long moment, his blue eyes searching mine. My heart ached. All I wanted was for him to be free of his father completely.

  “You asked him to plead guilty?”

  “Yes and in exchange I told him the truth about Declan. I don’t expect him to do what I asked, but I went anyway.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Nothing really. He just asked how come I could still love you even after you were involved in me being taken and said I was brave to come alone.”

  He stiffened, pulling his hands out of mine. His withdrawal hurt me far more than it should’ve. His expression turned and it looked like he was about to break inside entirely.

  “I should’ve said this before, but if you want to leave me now, you can. I’m not going to force you to be here any longer.”

  I almost fell backwards onto my hands.

  “What?”

  “I said you can go back to Scotland if that’s what you want. You’re not a prisoner any more. You’re safe to leave.”

  I wanted to shake him. What the fuck did that mean? Didn’t he want me here any longer?

  “What makes you think I want to leave?”

  “After everything I did to you and what my family has put you through, why would you want to stay? All I’ve done is prevent you from doing what you love. From being truly happy.”

  I shook my head before I stood up. He was fucking dense if he really believed that.

  “What the fuck, Dante?”

  “What? It’s the truth.”

  “Has everything we’ve shared together meant nothing to you?”

  He frowned.

  “It means everything to me. You know I love you.”

  “Well, you’re not acting like you do right now.”

  He grabbed my hands, holding them tightly in his.

  “I don’t want you to go, Liora. I’m trying to give you a choice.”

  I ripped my hands from his and strode away to the windows. Did he think I didn’t think I had a choice? I’ve always had a choice. I decided from day one to stay with him. At first, it’d been because I knew I couldn’t leave or Zach would come after me, but soon it became because of Dante. Because I couldn’t live without him. And now he was telling me he could live without me.

  “Are you really saying you’d want to be without me?”

  “What? No. That’s not what I’m saying at all. This is all coming out wrong.”

  “Then explain it better.”

  “Liora…”

  I turned back to him. I could see the pain in his eyes. It broke my heart.

  “I just went to see your goddamn father to try to appeal to his better nature, not that he has one. I did it for you. For you. Because I love you. I love you so fucking much. What have I done to make you think I’d ever want to leave you? Huh? Because I’d like to fucking well know.”

  He stood up, walking towards me.

  “Nothing.”

  “Then what the fuck is this?”

  “You deserve more than all of this. More than me. I took you away from your dreams, Liora.”

  He stopped in front of me. I stared up at him, feeling like my heart was in a vice.

  “I love you enough to let you go if I have to.”

  I wanted to shove him. To shout, rant and rave at him. But Dante was still in pain and I couldn’t
stand to see him looking like a little lost puppy. I reached up, holding his face in both of my hands.

  “I never imagined I’d ever meet someone who makes me feel the way you do. I’m not giving up my dreams. I have new ones. Ones that involve you. I can still do what I love and be with you. I’m not giving up anything by following my heart. Don’t you get it? You’re the one. You’ve always been the one.”

  I didn’t give him a chance to respond, going up on my tiptoes and pressing my lips to his. I was gentle about it, but I couldn’t not. His hands came up to cup my face too. I shouldn’t have worried about being gentle because he kissed me like he was drowning in me. It was desperate, both of us pouring out our frustration and pain. When we finally drew apart, both of us were panting.

  “You mean that?” he whispered.

  “Yes, idiot. I love you.”

  “It would kill me if you left me.”

  “Then stop trying to push me away.”

  He smiled, running a thumb over my cheek.

  “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, you know that? I love you so fucking much.”

  I couldn’t stop the smile on my face. Even if he’d pissed me off, I couldn’t stay annoyed. He was my everything. The person who’d shown me true passion, desire and love. I felt half alive before I met Dante. Now I was free. I was who I was always meant to be.

  “If you weren’t still hurt, I’d suggest we move this to the bedroom.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “The doctor didn’t say anything about not engaging in that kind of strenuous activity.”

  “Dante!”

  He took me by the hand and brought me back over to the sofa, sitting down and pulling me into his lap so I was straddling him. His hands went to my blouse, unbuttoning it.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Am I sure if I want to have sex with my girlfriend who I’ve not been able to touch properly because she’s been too scared she’ll hurt me? Are you really asking me that?”

  “You’re still injured.”

  He grinned wickedly, a twinkle in his blue eyes.

  “If you’re so worried about me, then you’re welcome to do the heavy lifting.”

  I bit my lip.

  So that’s why he’s made me sit on him.

  I didn’t stop him as he finished unbuttoning my blouse before he tugged it off me and flung it halfway across the room followed by my bra.

  “Now… this is a sight I’ve missed.”

  He leant down, capturing a nipple in his mouth whilst his fingers found the other. I moaned, unable to help myself. I’d missed his touch so much. My hands tangled in his dark hair, holding him to me.

  “So beautiful,” he whispered against my skin as he kissed his way over to my other breast.

  His other hand ran up my inner thigh, causing me to buck against him.

  “Take them off. I want you naked.”

  He released me so I could move off him. I unbuttoned my jeans, tugging them down along with my underwear.

  “What about you?”

  “Do you really want to see your poor injured boyfriend?”

  “Don’t you try play that card with me.”

  He smiled as his hands went to his shorts and he tugged them off along with his boxers. I straddled him again and carefully helped him take his t-shirt off so I didn’t jostle his ribs too much. He stared up at me.

  “Are you sure this doesn’t bother you?”

  I stroked his chest where the bruises were fading.

  “What kind of woman would I be if I was put off by this? You only have those because you were protecting me. Besides, I’ve been helping you change for over a week, have I once looked at you like I was repulsed?”

  “Well, no.”

  “Then shut up and kiss me.”

  “I thought I was the one who made demands.”

  I shook my head.

  “No, you’re an invalid today so it’s my turn to be in control.”

  I didn’t let him say anything else. I kissed him, trying to let my worries about hurting him fade into the background. Having him against me, his bare skin on mine set me on fire. His hands banded around my back, pulling me closer. I rocked back and forth against his cock, causing him to groan in my mouth.

  Reaching between us, I held his cock so I could sink down on him, inch by inch. He felt so good. So, so good. He released my mouth, leaning back so he could watch me. His hands wrapped around my hips even so. I gripped his forearms, not wanting to aggravate his chest. I rose and fell on him, setting a steady rhythm.

  “You look so fucking sexy right now,” he said, his eyes blazing with heat.

  “Are you sure I’m not hurting you?”

  “Even if you were, I wouldn’t care. You feel so good, so don’t you dare stop.”

  I had no intention of doing so. He felt amazing too. I was so in love with Dante. Every part of him. Especially this. When we were together and the world just fell away. It was just me and him. Nothing else mattered.

  His hands on my hips tightened, guiding me, showing me he wanted more. Faster. Harder. I let Dante set the pace even though I was meant to be the one doing the work. We held eye contact with each other. The love I had for him reflecting back at me.

  Each thrust sent me closer to the edge. Each time he grunted and I moaned, I knew we were losing ourselves to each other. My hand fell from his forearm. I stroked myself, needing to find oblivion. His eyes were on what I was doing as I continued to ride his cock.

  “Fuck,” he groaned. “Come for me, my heart.”

  His words sent me over the edge. It rushed over me as I trembled. The feeling of bliss. Spots formed in my vision. My hand tightened around his forearm, nails digging into his skin. I cried out his name over and over. I crested the wave and drowned in the sensations.

  I was pretty much a panting mess when I came back down to earth. All of my pent up tension and concerns left me. I’d been on edge for weeks, but now I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

  Dante pulled me towards him, kissing me gently.

  “You always look so beautiful when you come,” he murmured against my lips.

  “Hush you.”

  “What? You do. I’ll never get over the sight of it.”

  I took his hands, pinning them to the back of the sofa.

  “It’s time I took care of you.”

  He raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I rose and fell on him again, increasing the tempo until he was groaning and struggling against my hands. I let his go and he gripped my hips, forcing me down on his cock.

  “Fuck, I’m so… fuck.”

  He grunted, resting his head on my shoulder as I felt him let go and his cock pulsated inside me. He held me close until he stopped trembling. Sitting back, he stared up at me with a lazy smile.

  “Mmm that was worth the wait.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure I want to do that again.”

  I grinned, shaking my head.

  “I will agree, pending one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That you promise me you’ll tell me if it hurts.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “Fine. My ribs hurt now, but please don’t start fussing over me.”

  “Dante…”

  He cupped my face.

  “No, my heart, I’m not going to let you start worrying about me all over again. I’m fine. I love you. I love being inside you and I’m not giving it up for the world. Do you understand?”

  He looked so hopeful and I couldn’t crush him like that. Not when he’d been through enough already. I had to stop treating him like he was going to break any second. It wasn’t fair on him. He’d heal. The doctors had assured us he was going to make a full recovery.

  “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  He was about to kiss me when his phone rang. I shifted, grabbing his s
horts off the floor and digging it out for him.

  “Hello? Oh, hi, yes… He has? That’s unexpected… I see… Yes, thank you for letting me know… Okay. Sure… Great. Speak soon.”

  He hung up and stared up at me.

  “Who was that?” I asked.

  “My barrister.”

  “What did he have to say?”

  “Zach has pled guilty to all charges. All of them. We have to wait for sentencing of course, but it means he’s not getting out any time soon and we don’t have to go to trial.”

  I smiled, wondering if it was my visit that made him do it.

  “We’re free, Liora. I’m… free.”

  “You are.”

  He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him.

  “Thank you. Thank you for being you and doing something incredibly reckless by going to see him. I love you, Liora. Never forget that.”

  “I won’t. Don’t forget I love you too.”

  Epilogue

  Dante

  I leant against my car, watching her walk towards me. Her hair was braided down each side and tied up at the ends. She looked tired but happy.

  “Hey you, how was your first day?” I asked as she drew near.

  “Tiring, but really good.”

  After a long wait, she’d finally managed to secure a volunteer keeper position at London Zoo. She was hoping in the future it might lead to a permanent position, but for now, she was happy to be working with animals.

  I wrapped my arms around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

  “I’m so proud of you.”

  “I’m only a volunteer.”

  “So what? You’re still a zoo keeper now, just like you’ve always wanted to be.”

  She pulled away, grinning up at me.

  “I am.”

  I opened the car door for her and she got in. I shut it and went around to the driver side, getting settled in, starting the car and pulling away.

  “You didn’t have to come get me. I could’ve caught the bus.”

  “I did. You worked hard all day. Tell me, which animals did they let you look after?”

  “I was shadowing this other keeper, Tom. We were with the giraffes and zebras. He’s really nice.”

  “Nice, eh?”

  She looked at me with a raised eyebrow.