Page 57 of Merciless King

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.

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