Vanessa I lay on the ground, numb and hollow, as Nathan takes from me for the third time today. Each assault leaves me too weak to resist. The first time he violated me, I bit his tongue as he forced it into my mouth, but the pain only fueled his aggression, making his next attacks even more brutal. The desire to end my life consumes me. I'm certain that a part of me has already died here, anyway. I feel so used; so contaminated. I keep thinking that just before we rushed back to save Alicia, Diego got rid of my birth control pills. What if Nathan ends up getting me pregnant? It's not like the disgusting creep has used condoms or even attempted to pull out. It's his sick way of marking me. You know, anything to make his mother happy. With his hot, harsh breath in my ear, he empties himself inside of me, his weight pressing down on me for what feels like an eternity until his breathing returns to normal. Please kill me already, I silently plead. All the hope I felt is gone,

Vanessa "What are you waiting for? Ride my big cock!" Nathan demands through clenched teeth. Grimacing, I gesture to the metal cuff around my ankle. "Sorry, it's kind of digging into my ankle. I know we both enjoy pain, but it's a little much," I say with feigned innocence. His eyes narrow, but he shoves me off him, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a key. After freeing my ankle, he orders me to get back on top of him. "You better ride it like you fucking mean it, or I'll take both your ass and pussy so hard, you'll need stitches after I'm done with you." Heeding his threat, I bury my rage beneath a mask of compliance as I bounce on his length, every movement rubbing my insides painfully raw. The lack of arousal is obvious as fuck, and I can feel Nathan's suspicion growing by the second. He's going to tell that I'm faking it. This plan is falling apart. And then I'll miss my opportunity and have to endure this nightmare all over again. Closing my eyes, I imagine Dieg

DiegoSkillfully, four figures clad in tactical gear descend from the chopper's open door. Each one lands on the roof of the warehouse with practiced ease, their boots hitting the concrete with muted thuds. Damn. Obviously, Viktor is an ally worth having. Now that he isn't after my wife. Once Viktor is on the roof, a swarm of men emerge from the building with their guns drawn. I watch as Viktor draws his arm back, and hurls something towards them. The object hits the ground with a dull thud before erupting into a blinding explosion, engulfing the assailants in a searing wave of heat and light. Camila flinches into me, and as I hold her, I quickly check to make sure my damn eyebrows haven't been singed off. "Was that a damn grenade?" Danny asks in shock. "For fuck's safe, Viktor, no more grenades! I don't need my men blown up or risk the chance of Vanessa getting hurt!" I bark. Viktor snorts. "You begged for help, you don't get to dictate how I do it." Begged? He fuckin

VanessaOnly five days? It feels like I was locked in that basement for years. But that doesn't change the fact that in five days the person I was...the strong, confident queen at Diego's side...has vanished, never to be found again. The tears stinging my eyes finally fall, and with a shaky breath, I reveal the truth. "He raped me, Diego. So many fucking times. I'm ruined now, tainted. I understand if you'll never want to touch me again." Blue flames ignite in his eyes. "Is that what you really think, Mama? That I wouldn't want you anymore because that fucker touched you without your consent?" "The last time...I made him think I wanted it...and I..." My voice falters into a sob, choked by the guilt and shame that pierce through me like a knife. Diego's voice trembles with emotion as he pleads, "Please, let me help you." I shake my head violently, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to block out the sound of his pleading voice. After what Nathan did to me, I don't see a way I

Diego"How's Vanessa holding up, Diego?" Leo asks, leaning against the door of my office.My gaze drifts to the window, where my wife sits on her usual bench, her figure small against the expanse of the garden. She stares out at the pond that I had built for her after she lost her sister nearly a month ago. Danny stands nearby, silently watching over her. She spends most of her time out there now while I stand by, feeling utterly fucking helpless as I watch the woman that I love drown in her grief and trauma. I'm at a complete loss. She barely acknowledges my presence. She recoils from my touch, refusing even the most simple gestures of affection. The only time I'm allowed to hold her is when she's ensnared in the grip of her nightmares, crying and screaming for my brother to stop hurting her. At this point, I'd give up anything to erase her pain, and bring her back to me.With my heart sinking like a lead weight, I finally respond, "She's not getting any better, if that's what you'r