A Mate for Gideon(3)

“Look what you made me do,” Liam growled. He slapped her with an open hand that sent her sprawling on the cold tiles.

She watched him advance from the corner of her eye, realizing that he wasn’t done with her. She pulled herself into a tight ball.

Liam kicked her on her lower back. It hurt so badly. It was only once he finished laying in on her that she realized she was sobbing. Saying the word please over and over again. “God–damn–it, Jen-doll.” She could hear him pacing but didn’t have the energy to look.

Her face was wet from her tears and her nose streamed.

“Look what you made me do. It’s only because I love you so damned much.” He leaned in next to her, stroking the hair from her face. “Oh god…look at you.” He made a pained noise. “Shit! I’m so sorry. I know you didn’t do anything with Jeffery.” He continued to stroke her hair. “I know you wouldn’t do that to me.” His voice hardened and so did his hold on her hair. It stung, causing more tears to leak from her eyes.

It was only when she groaned that he finally let her go.

“Jen-doll…baby…I love you so much,” he cooed.

He sure had a great way of showing it.

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” He rose to his feet and disappeared for a few minutes. When he returned, he had a warm, wet cloth which he used to mop up her blood. How thoughtful of him.

Next, he grabbed the first aid kit and used some sort of alcohol based antiseptic to clean her busted lip. Lastly, he gave her two white pills. “For the pain.” His voice was soft and caring. “Here…” He handed her a glass of water and helped her into a sitting position so that she could drink.

Jenna tried not to look at him. She tried not to cry out or moan. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to move. It just hurt…period. Her back was the worst. A dull ache had taken up residence deep inside her. She was a little concerned that he may have done serious damage.

“Fucking hell, Jen…I’m so sorry.” He continued to whisper soft shit about how much he cared and how amazing she was. His one hand cupped her chin while his other hand trailed down her arm.

All she could do was pray that he left her alone. Please, God. “I’m really sore.” She winced as her lip pulled.

“I said I was sorry.” His muscles bunched and his eyes flashed with anger. This was such a fucked up situation. Liam hated it if she showed pain or discomfort after her beatings. It obviously made him feel guilty, which was unacceptable. What a dickhead!

She tried to smile but it hurt her split lip too much. Jenna felt a warm trickle on her chin as the cut reopened from her efforts.

Thankfully he ignored the blood, his eyes firmly on hers.

“I know you are…baby.” She forced the words out, trying to hold back the vomit. “It’s just that I think that maybe I should rest a bit.” He always liked to have sex after he beat her. Either he got off on hurting her, or it was his sick way of making it up to her. Probably a little bit of both. It was utter hell, like a form of torture. To have to lie there while he…Jenna swallowed thickly. Trying to stop the churning in her belly. Aside from hating that he touched her, she really didn’t think her battered body could handle it.

His expression softened. “Let’s get you into bed. You rest up. You’ll be as good as new in a few days.”

Yeah right. Jenna nodded. “Thank you.” Bile tasted bitter on her tongue. “I need to sleep. I’m really tired.”

It would probably take weeks for her to heal. He might just ruin everything for her.

Jenna had to clench her teeth to stop herself from crying out when he lifted her. She buried her face in his shirt so that he wouldn’t hear her panting. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Shit, Liam had really hurt her this time.

****

Three days later…



Moving quickly, she grabbed her underwear before moving to the closet next. Her suitcase was big but not nearly big enough. It was important that she chose well because there would be no coming back. Her measly savings wouldn’t allow for any major purchases. Right now, a pair of shoes would be considered major.

For months now, Jenna had been skimming money off the household cash Liam gave her. Ten dollars here and twenty dollars there. There was enough of it stashed to get her by for a little while. At least until the start of the Breeding Program…Dating Program. The vampires had changed the name during the last few advertizing campaigns. She wasn’t sure what to call it anymore. It didn’t matter to her anyway. The whole program promised opportunities to meet and date, real live vampires in the hopes that the encounters would result in human/vampire union  s. It was the one thing she’d been dreaming about and she could scarcely believe that it was actually going to be a reality.