Under Your Scars (Under Your Scars, #1)

by Ariel N. Anderson

“Don’t fucking touch her,” I growl. “Sir—” “I said don’t touch her!” I yell, like a rabid animal waiting to pounce. “She’s fucking scared. Give her a goddamn minute.” Slowly, the staff members filter out. Kate is the last to leave, quietly shutting the door behind her. I squeeze Elena tightly against my body, and I can feel a new wave of tears soaking through the collar of my shirt. “They’re gone, baby. It’s okay. I’m here now,” I coo, trying to make myself sound calm and collected on the outside when I have a million other emotions coursing through my veins. Fear. Anger. Relief. Guilt. “Look at me,” I say quietly, and after a long moment, she pulls her head back slightly so that her red-rimmed eyes meet mine. Tears and snot and dried blood run down her face. “You were so brave, and I’m so fucking proud of you. So. Fucking. Proud.” I have to know what Valenti wanted from her, the consequences so severe that she’d allow herself to be raped repeatedly rather than give it to him. I can’t imagine there’s anything worth that kind of torment. I take a deep breath. “Angel, tell me what they wanted from you,” I beg. “Your name.” My brain short circuits. “What?” I ask, a dumbfounded look in my eyes because I’m almost certain I misheard her. “My name?” She hesitantly nods. My mouth falls open, breath caught in my throat, and my entire resolve disintegrates. I don’t know if I should be grateful or fucking horrified that she would do that for me.