Chapter 127: We Are Hers
Chapter 127: We Are Hers
Gregorio
I hated to see tears in Camilla's eyes and the words coming out of her mouth because all of them meant she had to endure something that was unforgivable and there was nothing I could do to take it away. But that never once stopped me from trying.
My hands never once ceased their hopefully soothing motions along her skin even though her breathing remained uneven and sniff sounded from her nose. With her head angled slightly to the side, I could see the redness circling her glossy eyes and the unhappy flush across her cheeks. I could tell just from the way she fidgeted that she wasn't done speaking yet, though she was struggling to find her words.
"I have never said this out loud but sometimes I feel as though his passing out beside me was even worse." She began again, silent tears dripping off her cheeks and onto our joined hands.
"Even now, sometimes despite it being physically over, it never really ends. I can still feel his hands and…."
She wasn't able to continue as heartbreaking sobs rose to the surface and forced their way over any words she may have wanted to say. She had shattered with every part of her laid bare to me but I didn't waste a second before I held her tight, turning her body entirely until her thighs straddled my waist.
I didn't let her go as her head buried into the crook of my neck, crying and shaking as she took in every bit of comfort I could give her. Although, she wasn't the only one whose tears were soaking their face.
Before today, I feared talking would be placing a burden on others around me but it wasn't until now I realized just how wrong I was. I knew at this moment I would never let her feel unable to express everything she was feeling again, no matter how painful and hard it may be.
"I know that veered far off from your question." She sniffed and sighed into my shoulder in sadness.
"But to answer it, I chose to stay because when you three saw my scars that night in Adriano's office, you acknowledged them in a way that made me feel safe."
Domenico and I had gotten to our knees and kissed every inch of her thighs, her scars and saying the words we could possibly say. Adriano told her that she is truly beautiful while we took care of her, knowing she is ours before she even realized it herself.
"I never thanked you for that but thank you, Gregorio." She sat up from my lap, looking at mr for the first time in a while.
Her eyes were brighter in combination with her tears and the sight could only be described as devastatingly beautiful. Her words had my heart squeezing even tighter, my hands lifting from her back to the side of her face. Holding her just like that, she leaned into my touch and connected the two of us in a way of no other.
"For years after that night, I guess my arms, stomach and thighs took the pain my heart couldn't handle.
I could hear the anguish in her words but despite this, a ghost of a smile then appeared across her lips.
"For years, I pretended to be stronger than I was but then I met a group of men that made me feel like the mask I had become so highly accustomed to wasn't so necessary anymore. You helped me not only learn how to breathe again but to truly feel alive."
When my thumb caught the next tear, I knew it was one of both agony and happiness.
"So, Gregorio. That is why I came back to you guys."
It was at that moment I parted my lips to speak but I was silenced as her mouth connected with mine. It was not a kiss of lust but instead, one of relief and sadness and trust. The saltiness of our tears mixed into our senses but neither of us cared as we remained bound as one.
"You are so fucking strong, Camilla." I mumbled against her lips, pulling back and making sure my eyes held hers.
"You said you weren't but you are truly strong." My body warmed as my words caused a small smile to paint across her face.
"Telling me this took courage and I am so proud of you for it. I can't even begin to imagine how hard that must have been to keep that bottled up for so long but know that you will never have to feel that way again."
I leaned forward until our foreheads rested against each other, breathing in the smell of her lavender and vanilla shampoo.
"I need you to promise me something though." I said, feeling her soft exhale far across my cheeks.
"If you ever feel that way again, no matter how small you might think, I need you to come talk to me or Domenico or Adriano."
The fact that sheer luck is the only reason I have my girl in my arms right now sends ice cold chills down my spine and fear throughout every inch of my body. I will not be able to live a life without her in it and I never want her to have to feel that way again. Feel alone again.
I felt her nodding her head, the action causing her to brush against me more. When I opened my eyes to find water droplets still on her lashes, I also found her looking at me with an emotion that expressed vulnerability and appreciation.
"I promise," she whispered against my mouth, blinking away the last of her tears.
"Can you do something for me as well?" She asked, her eyes flicking away from mine.
"Anything," I said and I meant it too.
"If it is not too much to ask, do you think you could tell Adriano and Domenico what I told you?"
I watched as she bit the inside of her cheek for a few moments before her eyes reconnected with mine.
"I don't think I can do this again two more times but I want them to know." I couldn't deny her.
"I can do that, sweetheart." I promised, honored that she trusts all of us enough to share this part of her life.
I could tell, at least, that her heart began to pace itself once again down to a steady beat, her body seemingly shaking less as well. I would hold her for as long as it took and then some.
"Although, it will never be enough for a retribution, I want you to know that he is going to pay with his life for this."
That is a promise I must keep. Her stepfather will be paid a visit by the end of the night whether it is me on my own or with Adriano and Domenico by my side.
"No, you are not." She said, her voice no louder than a whisper as she forced me to look at her.
Just as I opened my mouth to tell her this is not up for debate, she stole my attention again as her finger touched my lips.
"You are not going to kill him because I am going to kill him myself."
The coldness that washed over her was numbing, no lie, or uncertainty to be heard in her tone.
"And then, I am going to burn that fucking house to the ground."
I don't have to be Domenico to know she meant every word, not as a threat but as a promise. For a moment, we only looked at each other, neither of us wanting to back down and neither of us speaking until I nodded my head in understanding.
That is her choice and it was the one I needed to respect. At my silent action, she relaxed once again, resting her arms around my neck and moving forward until I was laid on my back with her on top of me. She is everything that I needed. So, we remained there alone under a new blanket of warmth.
It was one that brought the promise of a better future with not just the two of us but the four that made up our puzzle of shattered hearts.
While we are all a mix of scars, pain and anger, these combinations also blossomed a hope that maybe something good could come out of this. That maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to heal, not as individual but together as one.
I am sure it will definitely happen soon, she belongs to us and we will never let her go at any cost. She is ours and we are hers.
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