Chapter Twenty-Nine
Julia
After finishing the entire glass of wine while soaking in the hot bath, I felt a little dizzy and lightheaded. My eyelids were heavy, and I felt confident that I should be able to fall asleep pretty quickly.
I dried off then wrapped my robe around me before going to my bedroom to dress for bed and climb under the blankets. Pulling on a fresh pair of panties, I then got a big white T-shirt out of my drawer and put it on. Walking past my full-length mirror, I noticed I could see my dark blue panties underneath the white material.
It wasn’t like it mattered; no one would be seeing me like that anyway. I shrugged then went to get into my bed.
A sound in the living room made me pause on the edge of my bed. I went to the bedroom door to tell Bethey goodnight. But when I pulled my door open, Price was in the hallway, looking at me.
My first instinct was to close my door, which I tried to do, but his body was right there in no time, stopping me from doing that. “No!”
“Yes,” he snarled at me.
I was no match for the muscular man. Somehow, he turned me around and had my hands tied in an instant. He pushed me face down on the bed then pulled one of my legs to one side, tying it to the bedpost.
I kicked with my free leg while trying my best to move my arms to loosen the rope that bound my wrists. “Stop!” I screamed at the top of my lungs.
For a moment I thought he’d come to his senses. He was obviously drunk. I could smell the alcohol coming off him in waves. But then I realized he wasn’t stopping at all as he placed a ball in my mouth, gagging me then tying a strap around my head to keep it there.
I tried to scream again, but only a muffled sound came out. No one would hear me now. And that told me that he had planned this shit out. He hadn’t been drunk when he got the rope to tie me up, or when he’d bought the gag to silence me.
Price Stone had been planning to do this to me. I wondered just how long he’d been biding his time, making this up in his head. And I wondered if I could stop him.
With my screams effectively muffled, he got back to his task, tying my other ankle to the other bedpost, spreading me out. At least I still had my shirt and panties on.
Something cold moved over the skin on my back, and then I heard the sound of material being ripped. I could feel my T-shirt falling in strands of fabric on my back and sides. He was cutting it with what felt like a knife.
That was when I began to cry. I knew what was about to happen, and he’d made sure that I was too defenseless to stop him.
His lips pressed against my ear. “I’m going to take what’s mine, Julia. I’m done waiting. I’m done begging. I am done saying that I’m sorry for what I did to you. I’m not sorry. I’m only sorry that you got away from me that night before I could do to you then what I’m doing now.”
He laughed cruelly as he loosened the gag to let me speak. “You won’t get away with this, Price. Don’t do this. Artimus will kill you if you hurt me.”
“Artimus? You mean your boss? You mean the man you’ve claimed you’re not dating? But the pictures in the paper this morning tell another story completely. I saw you two grinding on each other when I opened the paper this morning. Imagine how upset I was. So, has he already taken what’s rightfully mine? Or have you held him off the way you’ve done so many others, you little cunt?”
I wasn’t sure what to say. If I told him I wasn’t a virgin anymore, it might dampen his lust for me. “Yes, he and I have fucked nine ways to Sunday. You’re too late for that, Price.”
He made a terrible growling noise then fire ripped through me as something came crashing down on my back. “Liar!”
“Price!” I cried out. “Artimus will kill you.”
He hurried to put the gag back into my mouth and made it even tighter when he tied it up to hold it in place. “If he tries to stop me, I will kill him, Julia. Mark my words.” I felt the belt running over my back. “Each time you lie to me about your virginity, I will strike you. Do you understand me?”
I nodded.
“Good.” He leaned in close, his stinking breath making me sick. “Are you still a virgin?”
I shook my head, still thinking he wouldn’t want me if he thought otherwise. I could take a beating. I didn’t think I could take the other thing he had in mind.
Another strike set my flesh on fire, and then he asked me the same question again. Again, I shook my head. Another strike made me feel like I was about to throw up.
I couldn’t take anymore. With that gag in my mouth, I would choke, possibly to death, if I threw up.
“Julia, are you still a virgin?” came his question.
With tears streaming from my eyes, I nodded, knowing I was done for.
He stood beside me so I could see what he was doing as he started taking his clothes off. He stripped down until he was wearing only a pair of tight black underwear that hugged his body. The bulge at his cock drew my attention. It wasn’t that big; maybe it wouldn’t hurt too badly.
I could just zone out. I could go somewhere else, in my head. Maybe then it wouldn’t scar me for life.
He moved out of my line of sight, and I felt the belt hit my ass. I screamed again, only a muffle coming out. Then I heard my bedroom door open.
Artimus’s voice rang out. “No!”
Thank God!
Price was so drunk he seemed almost unfazed as he asked in slurred words, “What do you want?” There was a pause before he went on. “I’m not sharing, Wolfe. Get the fuck out of here.”
“Julia, do you want this?” he asked me, his confusion clear.
Before I could shake my head to let him know that I was definitely not into this, Price interrupted. “You shut your fucking mouth, you slut,” he shouted. I heard the belt as he pulled it back through the air, preparing to hit me with it again. I clenched my ass cheeks in anticipation of the pain.
The rest of what happened past in a blur. I tried to pay attention to what was happening as I heard what clearly sounded to me as feet and other objects connecting with bone and muscle. I couldn’t see who had the upper hand, as they were fighting just out of my line of vision.
I had thought I couldn’t be more terrified than I had been a few moments ago, but the thought that Artemis was now in the same room with a man who was determined to kill him shook me to my very core. I could hardly follow along with their conversation as panic tore through me at the thought of Artimus being murdered in front of me.
“You’re insane, Price.” I could finally feel Artimus trying to pull himself up, using the bed.
I closed my eyes, praying he could get up and deal with Price. The sound of a thud, then a harsh breath came from Artimus, and I was straining my eyes was again to see if I could see anything. I moved my head and saw out of the corner of my eye that Price was standing over Artimus as he lay on the floor, motionless.
All I could do was cry. Artimus was hurt. And I couldn’t do a thing to help him. I felt so much guilt. If I had just told someone that Price had hit me before, then this might not be happening right now. Everything was my fault.
Price must’ve been satisfied that he’d taken Artimus out as he shifted his focus back to me. “Julia, prepare yourself, my little kumquat,” he told me.
I felt my body being pulled up as Price grabbed my panties. They ripped right off me, leaving me bare-assed. My tears stopped as panic set in.
I’ve got to fight!
“Don’t,” Artimus moaned.
“Shut the fuck up!” Price shouted, and then I heard him kicking Artimus some more. “I’m going to fuck this bitch, then she’s all yours, Moneybags.”
Anger took over where panic had been. I pulled at the ropes that bound me. My arms, my legs, I pulled and pulled to get free of those damn ropes. I wasn’t about to become Price Stone’s victim.
I could feel Price’s hands moving over my ass. “So pretty.”
Then a tremendous roar filled the entire room, so loud and deep that made everything shake. Price’s hands were no longer on my butt. I could hear his screams as he was tossed through the air. His head hit the wall near my headboard.
Price fell, hitting the floor hard. And then Artimus was there, picking him up and holding him while he punched him repeatedly in the face. Price was out cold; his body limp in Artimus’ large hands.
I wiggled and whimpered, making Artimus stop his assault before he killed the man. Artimus looked at me, and then dropped Price to the floor.
His eyes lost the rage that had filled them seconds ago. They turned soft and caring as he looked at me. “Baby, everything is going to be okay now. You’re safe.”
I knew he was right. He was there. Everything was going to be okay.
He untied me, using the same ropes that had held me down to tie Price up, keeping him restrained so he couldn’t do either of us any more harm while we waited for the police.
My robe was hanging on a hook on my closet door. Artimus went to get it, wrapping it around me. He sat on the bed beside me, holding my hand as I tried to stop crying.
“You okay?” he asked me as he ran his thumb over my cheek, brushing away the tears.
“No.” I looked at him with a weak smile. “But I will be. Thanks to you.”
“So he was the one who was harassing you, then,” he said as he ran his hands through my hair to straighten it. “Wanna tell me what really happened between you two?”
“It was pretty normal at first. He didn’t act crazy. I began to trust him. When he asked me to come to his apartment, I thought I would be safe. All our other dates were in public, and I would meet him places. That night at his apartment was the first and only time I was completely alone with him.” I had to stop and take a deep breath, my heart racing at the memory.
Artimus ran his hand over my shoulder. “It’s okay. Take your time, baby.”
I took a few breaths, regaining my composure. “He was drunk when I got to his apartment. I should’ve just left right away, but I didn’t. He continued to drink, and after a while he made me kiss him. Then he just went for it. He grabbed my boob, tried to put his hand down my pants. He told me he was going to fuck me, and I was going to like it. He told me to stop being a baby when I tried to get away from him. And then he hit me in the face.”
Artimus looked back at the unconscious man on the floor. “I should just kill him right now.”
I ran my hands around his neck and made him look at me instead. “No. He’s not worth it. I did get away from him. I picked up a lamp and hit him in the head with it, knocking him out, and then I left. I should’ve gone straight to the police and pressed charges. I didn’t, and that’s why we’re sitting here tonight.” I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer, running my fingers over the bruises on Artimus’s lovely face before resting my head on his chest. “And now he’s hurt you. This is all my fault, Artimus. I’m so sorry.”
He pulled my head up, wiping away my tears as he shook his head. “This is not your fault. This is Price Stone’s fault, and his alone. I never want you to blame yourself for what has happened to you. Promise me that, Julia.”
I wasn’t sure I could do that. For so long I had been blaming myself and feeling so ashamed, that I thought it might be impossible for me to think any other way. “I think I’m going to need help, Artimus.”
“And you will get it.” His hand cupped my chin, his thumb grazing over my lips. “And once you’re healthy and ready mentally, then I want you to know that I’m ready.”
I wasn’t sure I understood him. “Ready for what?”
He moved off the bed and g0t down on both knees as he held my hands. “Julia Bengal, you are the one woman who was made for me. I give myself to you completely. You hold my heart and soul within you. I know that now. Julia, I am asking you to give me forever with you, if you still want forever with me.”
I couldn’t breathe or even think. But the words I had always known belonged to him came rushing out of my mouth, just as I had imagined they would someday. “Artimus Wolfe, you are the one man who was made just for me. You hold my heart and soul within you. I’ve waited for you for what seems like forever, and now we will have our forever. I am yours, Artimus, I always have been, and I always will be.”