CHAPTER SIX
Hours after they said goodnight, Stevie laid in her bed and couldn’t sleep. Her mind was racing from thought to thought. She looked over to the dark window and tried to see outside but the night shadows hid what was beyond the darkened glass.
She sat up in bed and her arm ached. Untying the wrap Sazon had put her in, she slipped out of the bandage. Closing her eyes briefly, she felt the instant pain of her shoulder being out of place but the more she moved it the better her arm felt. Getting out of bed, she went into the bathroom attached to her room and snapped on the light. Observing her body in the mirror, she frowned.
She slipped off her shirt and yoga pants. Standing there in just her underwear, she looked critically at herself. She had to wonder what any man would see in her. She was small and too thin to be attractive to any man. Her breasts were good size but her hips were small.
Worry had given her dark circles under her eyes but her skin was clear when it wasn’t bruised and her hair was shiny even as short as it was. Her fingers barely skimmed her lips as she remembered the kiss she shared earlier with Roman. Closing her eyes, she tried to relive the excitement she felt when he kissed her. She could still feel the excitement but it was subdued now.
She’d never felt anything like what she felt this afternoon with him. She’d always been afraid of the sexual aspect before today. Sex had been a tool Mrs. Harris used against her and the other girls when they reached a certain age. She’d never had the urge to share her body with anyone before but when he kissed her earlier today, she knew there was something more she needed. Something more she craved and she knew only he could give her. She knew this because he was the first man she didn’t fear touching her.
Turning on the shower, she slipped in and washed her body slowly. The hot water felt so good and relaxed her sore muscles to the point that she could finally move again. Touching herself, she felt the tingles waking up. The more she touched herself, the more she knew she would go to him this night. She had to find out what more there was.
Turning off the water, she quickly dried her skin and wrapping the towel around her, she grabbed her clothes and turned off the light. The whole house was dark when she opened her door and took the few steps to his door. Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, she opened his door and stepped inside. Her courage almost failed her as she paused. Closing the door behind her, she dropped her clothing to the floor and moved over to the bed.
A strand of moonlight outlined his body. Roman was laying on his back with his eyes closed. His arm was flung over his head. His breathing was steady and quiet.
Stevie stood there for a moment and just watched him. She began to tremble as she dropped the towel and slid into bed under the covers.
She knew the instant he realized she was there.
For just a moment, he stopped breathing altogether and he didn’t say a word just gathered her into his arms. “You know if I take you tonight I’ll never let you go, don’t you?” he whispered in the dark. When she didn’t say anything he reached out and turned on the bedside lamp, so she could see him. Then he repeated his earlier statement, “You know if I take you tonight, I’ll never let you go.”
“I know,” Stevie whispered. “I just want to know what it would feel like. I got a little bit of that earlier when we kissed but now I want more.”
Roman gathered her close to him and just took in her fresh clean scent. Then he realized she was naked and warm as he reveled the feel of form in his arms. Her scent reminded him of chocolate and cinnamon.
Then his lips found hers in the shadows and he consumed her mouth. His tongue swept inside and he groaned when he tasted her. She was as sweet as honey and warm like sin. He crushed her to him and his need overwhelmed his body. His cock grew as it filled with desire and he slipped his lips down her neck and shoulders. He groaned as she hissed in pain. “Are you all right?”
“Yes I’m fine. Shoulder is just a little bit tender right now that’s all,” she whispered. “Please don’t stop.” She reached out and touched his lightly haired chest. Running her fingers over his skin, touching an old scar .
When she would have explored it, more Roman moved her hand away from the blemish.
“Please don’t stop,” she repeated.
“I don’t think I could even if I wanted to.” He growled. “I need you too much.”
“Then show me what this is all about.” Her words were low.
He could hear the need that matched his own. Roman pushed her on her back and loomed over her. Resting his forehead on hers he gave her one last out. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Please. I need this as much as you do.”
Roman began moving his hips against hers. He pushed his way between her legs widening the opening and slipping between them into her embrace. Her legs wrapped around his waist.
Roman slipped down again to place his wet lips against the skin of the swell of her breast. Working his way to her nipple, he spread tiny nips and kisses. When he got to the hard bead, he licked the darkened skin then blew on it softly. Her nipple beaded into a hard little button.
Stevie groaned as his lips finally closed over her. Sensation burst over her entire body as he suckled her breast. “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod…” she chanted in a broken whisper. Her core flooded and she raised her hips as if to try to capture something elusive.
Roman felt her moving beneath him and couldn’t wait anymore. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, please…”
Roman lined up his large cock and began pushing inside her wet core. He groaned and muttered, “You’re so tight. You fit me so good.”
“More…” she pleaded.
Roman surged ahead with a flick of his hips. His cock surged deep inside her and he heard her gasp when he broke through her thin barrier. His mind went blank at the thought of taking her innocence but he couldn’t stop. His cock swelled deep inside her and his mind went blank at how good she felt around him. Pumping in and out, Roman felt like he was in heaven. He’d never felt like this before. Each surge inside her felt so sweet. The aroma of her arousal filled his nose and he groaned. When she whispered, “Yes, more.” He went nuts. Pushing deeper and harder, he lost control and fucked her wildly.
After a bit, she stiffened and cried out his name.
He watched as she splintered in his arms. He felt her body clamp down on his cock. That caused a bolt of lightning to burst at the base of his spine and he felt something shift and then he was pouring his essence into her. Roman groaned as he let loose.
Finally, when his heartbeat slowed enough to calm down, he slid beside her and gathered her close to him. Pressing her back to his chest, he grabbed her full breast and squeezed while grinding his pelvis into her ass. Nipping on the back of her neck he turned her slightly, so she could see him, he whispered, “You’re mine now. No other man shall have you.”
Stevie felt her heart skip a beat. She might not have heard the softly spoken words he said but she did feel his whisper on her skin. Instead of feeling overwhelming fear or pain, or used… she felt safe and warm. Roman made her feel complete. She found she didn’t mind his touch. Frowning, she thought back to all the other times men tried to touch her. She never wanted anyone’s touch before. The only times she’d been touched in the past was when Mrs. Harris grabbed her and pushed her around. Having someone touch her made her think of pain.
Even living on the streets, she never allowed anyone to touch her. Everyone she knew on the street knew her and her story and they didn’t push the issue. Usually, the only person she initiated contact with was Benny.
Benny never expected anything from her she wasn’t willing to give. She loved him for that but she had loved him from the day she met him. He’d been so vulnerable the day he got there. Just a small three year old child, Stevie had seen the fear of uncertainty in his eyes that day and she felt a kinship with him.
Now she felt Roman’s arms around her and instead of the fear, she was expecting, she felt safe for probably the first time in her life.
Roman’s lips nibbled and sucked on the back of her neck. Moving up to her right ear he whispered, “I’ll take care of you and Benny from now on.”
Stevie closed her eyes. For as long as she could remember when people promised to take care of her, they wanted something from her. She tried not to think that way with Roman’s promises but she didn’t know if she could trust him yet. She wanted to she really did but after years of mistrust being her guide, it was hard to break that habit.
Roman moved his hand and placed it over her heart. For a moment, all he could feel was her heart racing. Then her heartbeat changed and began racing. He frowned then noticed a thin sheet sweat on her skin. Gently turning her to face him he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Stevie tried to speak but no words came. It was like they were caught in the lump in her throat. She tried again but still no words were heard.
Roman watched her try to speak but he could also see her struggling. Laying his hands on either side of her face, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead. He spoke so she could read his lips, “Please don’t be afraid. It would kill me if you were afraid of me. You don’t ever have to fear me,” he whispered brokenly.
Stevie took a deep breath and exhaled softly before she began to speak, “All my life, no one has ever touched me without hurting me. I don’t remember my mother’s touch. Mrs. Harris always told me I was left on the steps of a church when I was three days old. I never knew my mother’s name or who my father was. The church gave me the name Stephanie Grace but all my life, I’ve been called Stevie. I went to live with the Harris’ when I was only two years old. That woman was vicious and loved to hurt the kids in her care. She set some impossible rules and expected young kids to obey them. I learned to avoid her touch and after a while, the other people who lived there learned not to touch me. For some reason, Mrs. Harris liked to use humiliation to keep us girls in line. She would allow her sons to touch us sexually as long as they didn’t go all the way with us. She made that a rule. We were barely more than children when the touching began, so I endured five years of having her sons touch me in places they never should have touched a young girl. It was horrible and I hated every minute of it. Even now, I can barely allow anyone to touch me.”
Roman held her tighter as his body seemed to tense.
“Then when I was ten years old, Benny came to live with us. When I looked into his eyes, I saw something there that touched my soul. I watched over him the best I could, but Mrs. Harris didn’t make it easy. For some reason, she liked to pick on Benny. She would watch me when she did it, so she knew it hurt me to watch. Then when the time came, I was old enough to go to work for her, I told her I wouldn’t do it. I wasn’t leaving Benny behind, not to her less than gentle touch. Caulder tried to grab me and haul me away but Benny fought back and when I got free, we ran. We hid for three days. It was then when I realized no matter how much I loved that kid, I couldn’t take care of him. It broke my heart. I tried I really did but I failed and Caulder caught him. I had to watch that day when Caulder dragged Benny back to the house. He was scared and crying all the way. Mrs. Harris beat him, threw him in a locked closet and left him there for days. I vowed that day to never feel that helpless again. Over the next two years, I learned how to live on the streets. Silas helped me learn, he taught me ways to get by, and he also taught me how to watch over Benny. I let him know I was always there if he needed me and how to get in touch.”
Roman had remained silent as he held her.
She looked up at him. “With you, I don’t feel that fear, that pain from being touched. I can’t explain it but I don’t seem to mind your touch. With you, I do feel safe. For how long I have no idea but for now, it’s enough.”
Roman wrapped his arms around her closely. “You belong to me now and that’s forever. You and Benny both. I’ll never let anyone else hurt you.”
Stevie shook her head. “No one knows what the future holds, so forever doesn’t mean much to me. All we really have is the right now, so let’s just go with that for now.”
“Is that why you were a virgin?” he asked softly. “Because you feared anyone touching you?”
Stevie closed her eyes for a moment then opened them to gaze into his eyes. “No, I just never found anyone I felt safe enough with to trust them not to hurt me.” She hung her head. “Mrs. Harris always auctioned off our virginity. She said virgins brought in the most money, that some men would pay big money for the first time.”
Roman felt his rage climbing but he didn’t want to scare her so he smiled and set aside his anger. “Well, I’m glad you feel safe with me.” He shifted his body to fit in her cradle. His cock was hard again and this time he wanted her to want him as much as he wanted her. Pressing his lips on hers he whispered, “I want you again.”
“Me too.” She moaned. “You make me feel so good.”
“I know a way for you to feel even better.” He growled as he began to move against her. As he slipped inside her, he felt her heat and he surged deeper.
Stevie moaned when she felt him move. He filled her so well. Her heart began to beat faster and she felt the tingle of his possession. She wrapped her legs around his hips and his scent filled her lungs. It didn’t make sense to her but suddenly, she wanted him in ways she never dreamed before.
When Roman hit a special place deep inside her, Stevie lost it. She screamed his name and his lips covered her mouth the muffle her screams. Her body locked down and her muscles tightened. Roman groaned and withdrew just long enough to grip her hips and turn her on her belly. Slamming deep inside her again, he ramped up his thrusts.
“Yes…” she moaned as he went deep. “Harder.”
Roman pushed in harder and nearly lost his mind. His control was gone and all he could do was feel. Unexpectedly, he was pouring himself deep inside her. Groaning, he grabbed her hips and just hung on until the last spurt of his essence left his body.
He rested his head on the pillow beside her head. Their bodies cooled in the night air and still he laid there covering her smaller body with his own. Finally, he moved off her back but he couldn’t let her go completely.
Stevie fell asleep with her head on his shoulder.
Roman laid there in the dark with his arms around her. He couldn’t explain it but he couldn’t let her go. Usually, when he had sex, he left soon after he was finished but this time he couldn’t. He never had a connection with the women he slept with. In fact, he’d used them as much as they used him. Sex to him was a temporary release or at least it had been before her. And always before he had used protection, not only for himself but for the woman as well. He didn’t want a child with any of the other women he slept with but with this one, the thought of a condom never entered his head.
Now he felt comfort, something he’d given up a long time ago. He glanced over at the window and stared at the darkness beyond the glass. He knew there was evil out there waiting for them but right here and now, he felt something special. He felt warm and whole.
Roman snuggled down and laid his head against the top of hers. Her scent of cinnamon wafted from her hair and he smiled before he closed his eyes and fell into a restful sleep.
The sun peeked through the window early the next morning and Roman frowned as the light hit his eyes. He moaned as he moved in his bed. Then his eyes snapped open when he realized he was alone. Sitting up, he stared at the place beside him.
The blankets were rumpled and he could still smell her scent but she was gone. He grabbed his pants and shirt and dressed quickly making his way to the kitchen. He found them both sitting there.
Stevie had a cup of coffee while Benny had a glass of water. There was something in the oven that smelled delicious and they both looked up at him with a question in their eyes. Stevie wore a slight blush.
Benny looked from one to the other of them. He didn’t say anything but stared at Roman with a slight frown. “What’s going on here?” Benny muttered.
Before either of them could say anything, there was a knock on Roman’s front door.
Roman broke away and when he opened the door, he found Yuri and Nikoli standing there.
When they came back into the kitchen Stevie got to her feet and Benny moved to stand beside her. “What’s going on?” Benny asked.
“We got more information last night. Caulder is essentially holding the city hostage in his search for the two of you,” Yuri informed them. “We talked to Pappy and Jackal yesterday and let them know what the deal was. Jackal said he would be willing to work with your people to take back the city but he needs a contact person. But before we can do all that, we need the evidence you’ve hidden against Mrs. Harris. We need to see what she’s holding against everyone to know just how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants.”
Stevie grabbed Benny’s hand and hung on to it. She looked at him and in his eyes, she saw a glimmer of hope. Looking back at the three men she said, “I need to talk to Benny for a minute. Will you excuse us?” Dragging Benny down the hall, she closed her door after they entered. “Do you think we can trust these guys? I know so much has happened since we met them but do you really think we can trust them? If we turn over the evidence against Mrs. Harris, how do we know that will end it?”
Benny trembled. “I don’t think we have a choice here. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want this life anymore. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder every day to see Mrs. Harris standing there with a knife in her hand. I can’t live with this fear anymore. We need to stop her from turning other kids like us into nothing more than garbage, cuz that’s what’s she is doing. The girls under her aren’t living the good life, they are living in slavery with no hope left. It’s like dying a little bit every day.”
Stevie took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re right. We have to do something to stop her and Caulder. We have to trust they will do the right thing with the evidence and end this nightmare.” She looked over at him. “Come on let’s do this.”
A few minutes later, she stood facing Yuri, Nikoli and Roman. “You need to find a man named Silas. A couple of days ago he was in River Bend Park. He might still be there but he could have moved too. I told him to go underground until all this was over. If you can’t find him, go to the public Library and ask for Joan. He likes her a lot and is always watching her back. He’d never leave her on her own for too long and now he’ll be extra careful if he thinks she might be in danger. Just give her a message and she’ll make sure he gets it. I trust Silas with my life, but I also trusted him with my secret. He knows where the evidence is hidden. But he won’t just give it to you. He knows it’s worth more than just my life, mine and Benny’s. This evidence will take down most of the local authorities and show everyone in the city how corrupt they really are. ”
“So how do we convince him to get it and hand it over?” Yuri asked.
Stevie swallowed hard. She reached inside her shirt and brought out a chain. Taking the chain from around her neck, she handed it over to Yuri. “Tell him this is from Stephanie.”
Yuri frowned. “Your name is Stephanie?”
She nodded. “My proper name is Stephanie Angelica Grace. The priests found me on the steps of a church with no word of who I was or who I belonged too, when I was three days old. They gave me that name. Father Corbin told me I was named after St. Stephan. He said I looked like one to help others and my mission in life would be revealed one day.” She shrugged. “I didn’t like the name Stephanie much when I was a kid, so I called myself Stevie and the name just sort of stuck. I guess this Father Corbin’s wish is coming true. The one about it being my mission, helping the people of Baton Rouge.”
Nikoli took her hand and patted it. “I need a promise from you guys before we go.”
“Our promise?” Stevie looked at Benny. “What kind of promise?”
“I need to know that you and your brother will stay here, under Roman’s protection,” Nikoli stated. “The men involved can’t do their jobs if they are worried about the two of you. Bad things are coming to your town in the next few days and for everyone’s sake, you can’t be there.”
Stevie nodded. “Ok, you have my promise.” She turned to Benny. “I hope I never have to see those horrible people again, in this lifetime.”
“I don’t ever want to go back there,” Benny told the group. “That place holds nothing but bad memories for me.”
Yuri and Nikoli left a few minutes later.
Stevie went and pulled out the casserole she’d made for breakfast earlier.
As they sat down to eat, Roman watched the two of them carefully. “Benny…” He cleared his throat briefly before he addressed the young boy, “I told your sister last night that I would protect you and her from now on. I need to know if you’re okay with that?”
Benny laid his fork down on his plate and glared at the older man. “Why would you promise her that?”
“Because you guys need someone to look out for you that’s why.” Roman stared back at him.
“We can look after ourselves just fine.” Benny growled.
“Benny…” Stevie began, then she stopped when Roman lifted his hand.
Turning to Benny he said, “I know you can take care of yourselves. You’ve proven that. What I’m saying is you don’t have to do it alone anymore. You and Stevie can stay right here with me. I want you both to know you will be safe here. No one will ever hurt you guys again.”
Benny shook his head. “I want to believe that but I know it isn’t true. You can’t say that and really mean it.”
“I can and I do,” Roman assured him.
Benny glared at him then got up and stomped out of the room.
They both heard the door to his room slam shut.
Stevie hung her head and Roman didn’t know what to say.
Finally, she looked up and glanced down the hall. “It’s not that he doesn’t believe you.”
“Then what is it?” Roman asked.
“All his life, people have promised him one thing and done something else. He was so young when he came to Mrs. Harris’s house. Around other people, she was very nice and seemed kind but as soon as they left, she turned mean and nasty. She never had a kind word to say and very often, she used pain and intimidation to control the kids in her charge. She would pick on Benny all the time, she would encourage the other kids to pick on him too. She made life in that house a living hell for anyone she didn’t like, and believe me when I say, she didn’t like me or Benny. We were only there for the check she got every month and she made sure we knew it too.”
Roman turned her head to face him before he spoke, “Do you trust me enough to take care of you and Benny?”
Stevie smiled. “I do.” Getting to her feet she said, “I think I should go talk to him. I don’t want him to feel left out. He needs to know he belongs here with me.”
Roman stood and held her back. “Then maybe I should go talk to him, sort of man to man.”
Stevie looked at him for a moment then sat back down. “Just please don’t make him promises you can’t keep. He’s had enough of those in his life.”
Roman leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. When his tongue invaded her mouth, she moaned and then he was gone. She saw him walking down the hall and a moment later, the door closed behind him.
Benny didn’t look up when the door opened and Roman walked into the bedroom he was using. He didn’t look up when Roman sat down on the floor next to him either. Benny was sitting in the corner of the room with his arms wrapped around his knee just staring at nothing.
“I have something I need to talk to you about, man to man,” Roman told him.
When he didn’t say anything, Roman cleared his throat and said, “I know it’s been you and Stevie for a long time now and that you’re stronger together than apart, it’s the same with me and my brothers. We aren’t related by blood but they are still my brothers. I can see the love she has for you in her eyes and in her protective stand with you. I can also see by your actions that you feel the same for her. You guys have had a hard time of it and I just want to tell you that you aren’t alone anymore.”
“How can you say that? We only met you yesterday.” Benny growled. “What did my sister promise you?”
Roman shook his head. “She didn’t promise me anything.”
Benny turned his head to glare at him. “What did she give you?”
Roman was silent for a moment then answered him honestly, “She gave me herself.”
Benny huffed angrily. “So she gave you her body in a bargain for our safety? And you took it? Did you force her? Is that what happened? She traded her body for a place to sleep, doesn’t that make her a whore?”
“Your sister is no whore.” Roman gritted his teeth. “And she didn’t make a bargain with her body for your safety.”
“Stevie doesn’t like to be touched by anyone. In fact I’m the only one she can tolerate to touch her.” Benny snarled. “She wouldn’t have let you near her unless you promised her something. I’m not stupid you know. I know how the game is played.”
“I never said you were.” Roman sighed. “But I didn’t use force to get her into my bed. And we didn’t make a bargain beforehand either. She came to me on her own and didn’t ask me for anything. There was no bargain in place either before or after we slept together. I’m not going to lie to you and while I know you’re just a kid, I think you know more than most kids your age. I wasn’t looking for anyone or anything from anyone else in my life, I have four men that became my brothers, and I thought I had everything I wanted. They were my family and then I met you and your sister. Suddenly, I had someone who needed me, maybe not in the same way my brothers needed me, but you still needed me. For the first time in my life, I wanted to keep you guys. The two of you just seemed to fit in here. I know it’s too soon to feel this but I did. I felt comfortable bringing you here and I like having you here in my home. And believe me when I say that’s a big deal in my world. I’ve only ever brought my brothers here before. Just my brothers, not even their wives have been inside my home before today. But when Mikial asked me where to bring you guys, I told him to bring you here.”
Benny just stared at him for a moment.
When the boy didn’t say anything, Roman shifted around to sit next to Benny with his back to the wall and he rested his arm across his raised knees. “You and Stevie aren’t the only ones that didn’t have a good childhood. My brothers and I grew up in the streets of Moscow. It was a battle just surviving day to day and for a kid it was worse. It was bitterly cold and food was short and you had to fight just to find a place to sleep. Grown men and women would find our places and kick us out just for a someplace warm to sleep. I was almost your age when I found the others. Yuri, Mikial, Barshan and Sazon. At first, I wanted nothing to do with them and they didn’t want me around either. We all had our own secrets. We all thought we were so tough and I remember we all found a spot in an old warehouse along the river to sleep in. One night some other kids broke in and they were ransacking our stuff. Now none of us had much to call our own but what we had well, it was ours. By the time we returned, those other kids had made off with most of it. The five of us went out to get it back. When we found them, we squared off against them. It was the five of us against about a dozen other street thugs but we walked away from that fight with every single item that we owned. We got our stuff back and we made a name for ourselves at the same time. That was just about the time we met up with Nikoli. He took us under his wing and together, we made a pretty good team.”
“Why are you telling me all this? Its ancient history and I don’t need to know it.” Benny sneered.
“I’m telling you this because I think you do need to know it. I have never been open with other people, not even my brothers. I just don’t let other people into my life that easy. Everyone has their own secrets, and some things they don’t want other people to know. There are bits and pieces of my life that no one else knows, not even my brothers, and they probably never will. So when I say you and Stevie fit in here that means something to me. I just thought you should know more about why, that’s all.”
“She still played the whore for you.” Benny dropped his head down on his knees.
“No she didn’t,” Roman insisted. “Your sister was a virgin. She came to me a pure woman and I have never had anything as sweet and good.”
Benny snapped his head up and stared at Roman for a moment. “Stevie always told me that she would never share her body willingly with a man who would use force against her, nor would she make a bargain with anyone for herself.” He hung his head. “I thought she would use herself to protect me and I couldn’t stand that idea. I didn’t want her to compromise her ideals because she thought I need someone to protect me. I may be just a kid but she taught me values. She taught me to be proud of myself as a person.”
“I would never ask her to compromise her self-respect to gain anything,” Roman assured him. “What I offer, I offer freely.”
Benny sat for a few moments.
Roman waited and allowed him to take it all in.
“I guess I can live with that.” Benny got to his feet and held out his hand. “Man to man.”
Roman stood and shook his hand. “Man to man.”
Benny tilted his head at him. “But just know. If you ever hurt her, I don’t care how big you are, you will fall when I get you.”
Roman looked into his determined, fierce gaze. He believed him, so he didn’t smile like he wanted to. “Understood.”