Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners #3)(34)

“I didn’t save you, Lara.” I’ve always been direct and never one to lie. Not about to start, I admit, “I’m the one who shot you.”





Chapter 21


Lara



Throughout our conversation tonight, I’ve started feeling more at ease with Gabriel, but I’m struggling to bring my point across, and it frustrates me.

“You saved me,” I repeat, not knowing how else to explain to him what impact he’s had on my life.

“Did you hear what I just said?” He tilts his head. “I’m the one who shot you. I almost killed you.”

It still feels wrong arguing, but I can’t keep the words back. “Because you shot me and brought me here, my whole life changed.”

“Jesus, Lara.” He stares at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Just how fucking bad was it living at Mazur’s that you see being shot and almost killed as a blessing?”

My eyes lower to where he’s still holding my hand. I can’t keep my voice from quivering as I admit, “You’re the first man to hold my hand.”

Instantly he pulls away, and I lift my eyes to meet his. “You’re the first man who hasn’t hurt me.” Every good emotion I’ve felt since coming here bursts like fireworks in my chest. “You saved me.”

Gabriel stares at me, and I watch as worry tightens his features. “When you say hurt, what does that entail?”

Traumatic flashes of beatings and whippings shudder through me.

Once I laid unconscious for a whole day after a beating. I couldn’t use my right arm for two weeks, and my eyes were swollen shut.

Another time some skin came off with the shredded blouse after Tymon gave me fifty lashes for being five minutes late with his tea because the bus ran late after school. I couldn’t sleep on my back for weeks and never returned to school.

I’m so lost in the hell I endured that I startle when Gabriel’s palm cups my jaw. “Talk to me, Lara.”

Not wanting to relive the hell I’ve been through, I shake my head and lie, “I guess I’m tired after all.”

He tilts his head, his gaze searching mine before saying, “Then I’ll let you rest.”

We stand up at the same time, and I’m instantly overly aware of how close we’re standing to each other. My head tilts back, and my stomach does the weird flip-flop when my eyes rest on his face.

“Maybe one day you’ll feel comfortable enough to tell me what happened?” he asks.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to apologize, but knowing he doesn’t like it when I do that, I just nod.

Gabriel brushes past me, then I turn to watch him leave my bedroom, silently wishing he had stayed and slept on the armchair again.

For a moment, I just stand between the table and the bed, not knowing how to process everything that happened tonight.

Then the importance hits like a ten-pound hammer, the air whooshing from my lungs. I wrap an arm around my waist as I slump down on the side of the bed in total shock.

Gabriel has accepted me. More so, he was friendly, understanding, and even supportive. He went out of his way to set me at ease.

Lifting a trembling hand to my mouth, I shut my eyes, tears rolling down my cheeks.

He was willing to give me my freedom. Even though I’d never leave because I won’t survive a day without his protection, just the thought that he was willing to give it to me means so much more than he’ll ever know.

Gabriel has shown me a man can be gentle.

In his house, I’ve learned strangers can become family and enemies can become saviors. I’ve learned what it’s like to be cared for, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live without it again.

The more affection I’m given, the more my soul craves it.

I never have to leave, and he won’t kill me.

A peacefulness I haven’t experienced before washes over me. I quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks, and standing up, I walk to the door. A smile wavers around my mouth as I pull it open and step out into the hallway.

Even though it’s the middle of the night, I can’t wait for the morning to come. I’m too excited.

I walk down the hallway and knowing it’s allowed, I go to the kitchen. Just because I can.

I’m one of them now.

I take a seat at the table where Nisa and I have our meals and replay the conversation Gabriel and I had over and over in my head.

I’m no longer a prisoner but a part of the household.

The last of the tension leaves my body, and I almost laugh out loud. It’s hard to contain all the happiness I feel.

This is my home now.

I enjoy my newfound freedom until the sun starts to rise. Getting up, I stretch my body before switching on the stove and setting a teapot on it so the water can boil while I get ready for the day.

With a smile spread over my face, I quickly go back to my room and change into a pair of jeans and a yellow blouse. The color fits my happy mood.

When I return to the kitchen, I start baking the recipes Nisa taught me so the pantry will be full. I ground pistachio nuts and place them between layers of phyllo pastry. While they’re in the oven, I try making some Turkish delights which Nisa likes to have with her tea sometimes.

I wonder what Gabriel and Alya Hanim like to eat? I need to ask Nisa so I can make sure there are treats for them as well.