Original Stories Fan Fiction / Other Fan Fiction / Romance Fan Fiction ❯ An English Summer ❯ Chapter Twenty Four ( Chapter 24 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Gabby pulled Jessy outside then let go of his hand. "Seeing that guy again tonight? You should tell him to take it easy on you."

Jessy's cheeks turned red. "I like it during.... It's just after that I kind of regret it," he said, walking slowly. "But he's so nice and handsome and...big."

"I can tell. I'll drop you off at his place," she said as she got in the car.

"Thanks. You want me to come by your place in the morning?"

"If I said no you would still show up. Bring doughnuts."

He smiled and nodded. "Oh! That reminds me, I fixed your whip from...the other night." She'd broken it during one her rape sessions with him.

"Oh thanks. I'm going to see what I can get out of Nick. He's sleeping in my house anyways."

He laughed at that. "You're going to rape Ryan's brother?"

"Nope. I'm actually interested. Shocking huh?"

"Wait...what!? Really!?" He couldn't believe that. Gabby interested in someone. It was the end of the world.

"That's what I said. I think it's a lapse in judgment. I'm sure I'll slit my wrists before it's over."

He smiled at that. "I'll have the bandages and stitches ready just in case."

"Don't save me. I'll need death to get over this thing they call 'feelings.'

"Do you really think you have feelings for him?"

"Won't know until I'm riding him."

"Well call me after to tell me if I should call the emergency room."

"Yeah yeah."

As they stopped at a house, Jessy reached into his bag and pulled out her whip. "You'll need this tonight."

She laughed.Danny looked at herself in the mirror. Gabby had French breaded her hair in two pairs. Little strays hung over her face lightly as she pushed them from her eyes. Ryan had gone to the bathroom and when he came out he was wearing his costume from Halloween minus the boots. The leather hung tight to his crotch while the collar and chain dangled from his neck. Danny's eyes grew wide. She pressed her back to the wall and swallowed. What was she suppose to say?

Ryan walked up to her and offered her the chain. "This was from Halloween," he told her. "Do you remember how much I enjoyed the chain? Having you pressed against me made me hard and it hurt cause of the pants."

She reached her hand out for the chain but then pulled back. "I...I thought...it was a dream..."

"It wasn't," he assured her. Reaching down beneath the bed, he pulled out the box and opened it up, revealing her dress. "It was very real."

Her fingers ran over the red dress. Her lips tightened when she pulled it out to look at it. It had been adjusted. It was small enough now to fit her new form.

"Why don't you try it on?" he suggested, teasing her as he draped the chain over her shoulder.

She looked up at him then slowly walked to the bathroom with the dress. She closed the door and changed, clipping the bracelet to her wrist. Slowly she walked back out. She still had bruises showing and with the small dress, it didn't cover much of any of them. He tried not to look at the bruises as he walked toward her and once more offered the end of the collar to her with a smile. Her hand shook as she took the chain. Taking a deep breath, she clipped it to her bracelet.

He ran his hand over hers and then over his chain. "I would like you to be in charge this evening," he said slowly, his eyes watching hers. He'd been trying to take it slow and delicate with her, but he couldn't tell what she wanted. He couldn't read her mind and he didn't want to force her. He didn't like not being in control, but if it would help her then so be it. "If you want to kiss, if you want to hug, if you want to do anything...tell me. While this is connected, I am yours."

She looked at the chain and her chest tightened. "As long as you wear this...you are mine...." she repeated the words from when she first arrived at the Sinclair estate and was forced to wear his ring.

Ryan pulled her face up to his so that she could look into his eyes. "Yes. But I belong to you no matter what."

Tears slipped from her eyes. "I...don't want to play this game..."

"It's not a game," he whispered quickly. "This is real. Feel my flesh. Feel this chain which binds us together. This is very real."

She lightly tugged at the chain. Closing her eyes she winced, waiting for a slap or to be pushed to the ground. Ryan just stood there, a small smile on his lips as he felt the tug. Slowly her eyes opened. He wasn't going to hit her? Reaching up, she hesitantly unhooked the collar around his neck, letting it fall to the ground with the chain. Her breath picked up and she laid her head on his chest, her hands balling into fists as she cried hard on him. Did this really mean she was free? Did this really mean that it was over that she was safe and that she wasn't going to get hurt anymore? She didn't want the chain on him. Not her Ryan. Not when she had been on a chain. She didn't want him to know what it was like.

Ryan was shocked when she started crying on his chest. Without a word he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him, gently trailing kisses over her neck and face while she cried. He was going to be there for her no matter what she went through. No matter what he wanted her to know that she was safe and that he would never hurt her the way that the bastard of a father had done to her.

She stood there in his arms crying for a long time. A part of her felt like she shouldn’t be doing it since for so long she was told not to cry, not to whine, not to pout. It was drilled in her head and now here she was, doing the exact thing she wasn’t suppose to do. But…this was Ryan. He wasn’t his father. He had been telling her that for a week now. Still…he looked like him and there was always that saying ‘like father like son.’ She was deathly afraid the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

He waited for her tears to slow, by that point his chest was practically soaked. Slowly he began to sit down, pulling her with him. He lifted her face up so that he could kiss her cheeks and eyes. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Sorry? Was he sorry for letting his father take her or sorry for taking so long to get her? Maybe he was sorry for what his father had done or for the fact that she still felt broken and used. Either way, it didn't matter. She didn't accept it.

He looked up at her as she stared at him. She was quiet, more so than she usually was. He beckoned her to his lap, wanting to hold her. She shook her head. Her arms went around herself. She shouldn't blame him, she understood that, but she needed someone to blame. And he was the only person in the room.

He sighed and nodded. "I know that you probably hate me. It was a week before I was able to save you. That week was the longest week of my life...but I'm certain it was much longer for you."

"You...let him take me...and you left me there..." she whispered. He loved her...but not enough to save her before she was cut and left to bleed.

"It was the hardest decision that I have ever made. If we had tried to fight for you, we would have never gotten you. I had to find the right lawyer and the right information." He looked down at her feet as he said the next part. "I knew my father would sleep with you. Because he did...because he did what he did to you...I can assure that you will never have to deal with him again."

"Your promises...are...very empty to me," she said.

His eyes met hers. "What...why?"

"Because, you promised to always keep me safe. And you didn't. You didn't keep me safe. This is your fault."

He nodded slowly. "I did fail you. I could not protect you from him, and nothing I can do or say will ever change what happened."

"No it won't."

"Nor can I promise you anything for the future except this: I love you and that ring on your finger is a promise of that."

She looked at the ring on her finger. Why was she still wearing it? Did it even mean anything to her anymore? Did anything really mean much to her now?

That look in her eyes made him freeze. "If you don't want to....wear it...you don't have to."

Slowly she pulled the ring off.

Ryan's eyes widened and he felt his heart tearing as she took it off. He looked away, unable to watch. What did this mean for them? Was it even worth it for him to stay?

She never took her eyes off the ring, even as she took it off and held it in her hands. For a long moment, she thought about handing it back to him, but then she remembered all those moments in his father's house when this ring was the only thing that kept her from taking her own life. Even when she lost hope in him coming for her, she never lost the feelings she had for him. And that ring reminded her of it every time his father broke her a little more. She slipped the ring back on her finger. She could learn...to fix herself.

Ryan looked at her as she slipped the ring back on. His eyes met hers and he offered her a small smile. "What...does this mean?"

"That I need...you."

"I can live with that."

"But I don't forgive you. And I'm not sure I ever will."

He didn't see how he had any control over this. If she blamed him did that also mean that she blamed Gabby as well?

"I'm tired. I want to sleep."

"Okay." He got up and grabbed his pillow and blanket.

She laid down on the bed, not bothering with pajamas. Tomorrow...was going to be hard. He would be there. He would see her. She was scared.

Ryan's eyes met hers for a brief moment. Laying his pillow on the ground he started to lay down as well. "I'm here if you need me," he whispered.

She said nothing. Like always, she rolled away from him and closed her eyes. What was he doing here? Things would never be the same between them. It would always be fractured and broken. Was it really worth it? He could have any girl he desired, and yet he was sleeping on a dirty floor in a rundown apartment for her....

The next day, Danny stood at the court house steps looking at the door. She had been standing in that same spot for ten minutes, trying to get the courage to open the door and go in. Gabby pulled Danny's small jacket over her shoulders more to hide the bruises. "If we stand here any longer...we will be late," she whispered and fixed Danny's dress.

Ryan opened up the door and offered her his hand. "It will be long and hard, but soon it will be over."

Her lips tightened then quivered. He was in there. He was waiting. What would he do? What would he say?

"Daniela!"

Danny jumped and turned around. Before her father could get to her, Gabby's lawyer held out his hand. "Come any closer to your daughters and you will be arrested," he warned. "We already talked about this."

"You are a disgrace to this family! You and your sister!" the twins' father yelled from the bottom of the steps.

Gabby's eyes hardened. "Go to hell, old man."

Danny wiped her tear streaked face and took Ryan's hand.

Ryan pulled her into his chest and glared at her father. "It's the father's job to watch out for his children. To take care of them and want the best for them. You fed her to the wolves to line your own pocket. You should be ashamed of yourself."

He only smirked. "Business is business."

Danny just walked inside. Gabby went in behind her and Ryan.

Once Ryan was inside with her, he led her to the courtroom. "Normally it would just be you and your attorney here, but there are some special circumstances so I'll be sitting right beside you."

She only nodded. The only time she had been in a courtroom was when Gabby was standing before a judge explaining why she had done something reckless, illegal, and completely funny to no one but herself.

"Now, do you remember what all we talked about? They'll ask you the details of what happened...and you'll have to answer them honestly. The defense will try to tear you apart."

Again she nodded though it was with less confidence.

"Is there any questions you want to ask me before this begins?"

"I...don't....have to be alone with him, right?"

"No. You don't. You'll never have to be alone with him."

She took a deep breath. "I'm scared."

"We are with you all the way. Promise."

Ryan cupped her face and looked at her. "If ever you think you can't do it, just look at me. Okay?"

She nodded.

At that point the doors opened and Mr. Sinclair came in with his lawyer. He looked at her and his lips curled into a smile. Danny quickly moved behind Ryan and buried her face in his back, shaking. All her confidence was suddenly gone.

Ryan glared at his father as he neared them. "Say one word to her and I'll have you held in contempt," Ryan said coldly.

"Big words for such a small boy. I'll have you know that I ran into her father on the way here and let it slip about your dirty little secret."

"Like he can do anything."

"Oh, he's filing a few subpoenas. It's going to be fun. Almost as fun as I had breaking your little girl."

Ryan glared at him, he raised his fist, but only Nick's hands on top of his kept him from slugging his father right then and there. "He's not worth it," Nick said.

Gabby lunged at him but her lawyer caught her. "Fucking bastard! I wish it were me instead of her! You would have never woken up! And my father and throw anything at me he has! We are washing our hands of him as we speak!"

"Good luck. Ryan and Nick are getting cut off and so are you. Four broke spoiled kids. You won't last a week," he laughed.

"Yes, but I'm a lot smarter than I look. I prepared for the worst," she smirked. Gabby already had a plan.

He shrugged. "It will matter little once I get Danny as my wife. It will be good to have my lovely little girl back."

Ryan took a deep breath and turned his back to his father as he ushered Danny to sit down. The judge came out, and a few minutes later the courtroom was a buzz as the jury filled their seats. "I see Mr. Sinclair's attorney, but where is Ms. Long's?" the judge asked.

Ryan cleared his throat and stood. "I'll be representing Ms. Long," he stated.

His father and his attorney laughed from their seats. "Since this is a civil matter and not criminal Ms. long is able to have the representation that she desires." He looked at her. "If she so wishes...I will represent her."

Danny didn't look up. She kept her head low. Gabby consulted with her lawyer and then with Ryan. She decided that Ryan and her lawyer would work together. She didn't want Ryan to fuck it up.

"Don't worry," Ryan smirked. "I've watched every criminal show in existence. I know my way around the courtroom." When they began, Ryan started his deliberation. "With documented proof and visual images, I can prove without a reasonable doubt that Mr. Sinclair sexually assaulted and under age minor constituting in statutory rape."

"That is blatantly false. She's his wife," the attorney said.

"No. She was to be his wife. At the time she was only a seventeen year old girl lured to his bed."

Gabby rubbed Danny's back as Danny shifted in her seat. Her chest hurt and she could feel Mr. Sinclair's eyes burning on her.

Despite his age and the fact that he didn't have a law degree, Ryan was actually doing pretty well. He had his father on a near homicidal rage as he questioned everything from his affair with Ryan's mother, the mysterious death of his late wife, and the way he broke Danny. When it was finally Danny's turn to take the stand, the defense was ready to break her.

"Tell me Ms. Long, did you have consensual sex with Mr. Sinclair?"

"I...I...didn't...have...much of a choice..." Her voice was shaky and broken, her words soft and her voice almost a whisper.

"A simple yes or no answer will suffice."

"I don't know...I didn't want to...but...he is much bigger than me...he said I didn't have a choice....that he wasn't giving me one..."

"Did you, or did you not willingly have sex with my client? Did you not get on his bed and stay in his room knowing what you were offering him?"

"I did as I was told to do."

"Did he hold a gun to or threaten your life?"

"Yes..." she whispered. "You will do as I say or you will share the grave with my previous wife." She remembered nearly every word he ever said to her. It was drilled in her head. How could she not?

"I'll ask the that the jury scratch that comment from record."

"Objection!" Ryan yelled.

"Sustained," the judge said. "Continue the line of questioning or end it."

The lawyer frowned but nodded. "You could have left at any time. You weren't a prisoner there. So why did you stay?"

"I wasn't allowed to leave the room without permission. If I did something without asking...I...I...I..." she looked at Ryan as he eyes began to water.

Ryan nodded slowly, he mouthed the words 'tell them'.

Danny fisted her dress. "I was...punished...."

He frowned at this. "Explain your punishment."

"It...depended on what I did..."

"Let's say you refused to sleep with him. What would have happened?"

Her heart started speeding. Did she have to answer? "I...have to answer?"

"Yes unless you want to be held in contempt of court."

She shifted in her seat as tears fell into her lap. Gabby's hands fisted. It was taking all of her self control not to kill the lawyer. "Sometimes I was hit until I couldn't move...sometimes...I was tied down...sometimes I went without food...sometimes...he would force himself on me anyways....you don't say 'no.' Not ever...I learned...that fast..."

"Of course you say he did that. We have no proof you didn't do it yourself. Give me another example. What would happen if you tried to leave or talked back to him?"

"I was hit."

"Of course you were. Though I find it interesting that you still didn't leave. Most people try to leave an abusive relationship. It was a relationship right? You had promised yourself to Mr. Sinclair."

"My father promised me to him...I promised myself to Ryan. And I couldn't leave...I was locked in the room until he came home."

"You promised yourself to Ryan? You're representative? Tell me, have you had sexual relations with him?"

"Why...is that relevant?"

"I agree. What's the relevance to this?" Ryan asked.

"I want to prove that her wounds could be from Ryan instead of my client."

The judge nodded. "Answer the question."

"Yes...I...I made love to Ryan."
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