Warning ⚠️ this chapter contains triggering topics and violence ⚠️

Claire's POV:

When the body was pulled off me I scurried away and wrapped my arms around myself. Tears rolled down my face none stop as my body shook uncontrollably.

I couldn't see who else was in the room and who dragged Tristan off me, all I could do at this point was hold myself and cry while my heart was beating against my chest not allowing me to hear anything other than my own heartbeat.

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and I immediately began screaming and thrashing my arms around, desperately trying to get out of the hold.

"Baby it's me, it's me!" the arms around me only tightened and more tears dripped down my face.

"You're okay. Breath. Just breathe, open your eyes, look at me baby, it's over now, I've got you" a pair of warm hands rested on my sore cheeks forcing me to look into the deep brown orbs and instantly I gave in into his arms.

I held onto him and cried. Hard. I couldn't hold it back anymore.

He scooped me up in his arms and began walking, I didn't care where he was taking me, all I cared about in this moment was that he was here, I was safe.

Keeping me close to his chest he whispered sweet nothings to me until my cries turned into silent whimpers.

Slowly lifting my face he ran his eyes over my face with his jaw clenched and a look of rage swam through his eyes.

"Xavier h-he tried t-to-"

"Sshh I know baby, I know, I've got you, you're safe. I promise you I won't let anyone hurt you ever again" he whispered pressing his lips on my temple as more tears slide down my face and I only rested my head against his chest, sobbing silently.

"Please don't leave me again" I sobbed into his chest and he rocked me back and forth like a baby before kissing my head.

"I'm not going anywhere Doll, I'm not leaving you ever again" he whispered with his lips pressed up against my head and lay down on a bed with me still in his arms.

I hissed out aloud when my back made contact with the bed and he immediately picked me back up and looked at me puzzled before realisation hit him and his jaw ticked.

"Let me get you cleaned up" he said and stood up before walking towards the bathroom with me in his arms still. I panicked.

"N-No put me down!" I cried and he immediately stopped placing his hand over my cheek and rubbing it smoothly.

"Angel let me help you, please" he whispered, sounding desperate.

Tears welled up in my eyes but I nodded still, hiding my face in his neck as he continued walking towards the bathroom.

Dropping me down on my feet he didn't remove his hand from my waist as he dug through his cabinet searching for the first aid kit with his other free hand.

When he found it he set it on the table and pulled out clean cotton and began dabbing it on my lips making me hiss.

"Hold still angel, almost done" he whispered, his voice filled with rage. But not towards me.

Once he was done cleaning my lips he slowly ran his fingers through my hair and tied them in a loose ponytail all the while I stood there completely still.

"I'm gonna need to see your back baby" he whispered and slowly removed his hands from my waist.

"N-No please" I begged and he reached his hand up to wipe my tears.

"Love I need to clean it. I will be gentle" he promised but that's not what I was scared about. I was afraid that he'll see how broken I actually am, how used and disgusting I am.

And I know I'm no one special to him but he has become someone really special to me, and I was petrified to lose that, I'm not ready. And I don't think I ever will be..

Knowing that I have no other option I slowly pulled my dress off with shaky hands and turned around facing my back towards him.

I heard him take a sharp intake of breath before his hands held my waist tightly. Now that he has seen the worst parts of me, he will never look at me the same way...

I felt the tears cloud my vision, not just because of the physical pain but the thought of him seeing me differently broke my heart.

He began slowly dabbing the wet cotton on my back making me whimper in pain.

"I'm so fucking sorry baby" his voice sounded distant. I was beginning to feel dizzy with all the pain and exhaustion.

Just as he got done he pulled my limping body into his arms picking me up again and I rested my head on his shoulder passing out.

I couldn't take it anymore so I gave in. The last thing I heard was the panic in Xavier's voice before everything went black.

~~~~~~~

Xavier's POV:

I called my home doctor to check up on Claire while I stood outside my room waiting for her to get done.

I couldn't get the image of her scars out of my head. Those weren't recent nor were they formed by an accident. Those were the scars left by a whip, I know that much. And all I could think about was who the fuck would do that to her.

I've always seen a look of sadness in her happy eyes but I never knew why, but seeing those scars I know she has been through something traumatic. And all I did was give her more pain, more scars..

I'm no better than whoever did that to her, and I'm willing to take whatever punishment she gives me for hurting her.

Picking up my phone I dialled Allaric's number and he soon picked up.

"Where is he?" I muttered.

"In the basement boss, what do I do with him?" He asked and I could hear that fucker's screams in the back.

"Nothing, you do nothing to him. He's mine to kill" I ordered and cut the line. He's gonna wish he was dead when I get there.

But right now Claire needs me and I'm not leaving her alone.

My door opened and Georgia walked out with a sad look.

"How is she?" I asked her desperately.

"She's weak Don, but her wounds aren't so deep they will heal in a few days, but her heartbeat was faint and unorganised." She informed me and I could feel my blood boiling.

"I gave her an injection that will numb her pain so she can sleep for a longer period of time and rest up. She might experience a bad headache when she wakes up so these medicines will help her" she continued handing me a bottle of medicine.

"And Don she's low on nutrition, make sure she eats properly"

I gave her a nod before walking into the room where my angel lied in my bed. Only if I was here earlier she wouldn't have to go through all this pain.

Walking up to her I gently ran my hand over her bruised cheek and I could feel the beast in me raging. I'm gonna make him pay angel, I promise you.

Walking out of the room I ordered 2 of the maids to stay out of my room and call me when she wakes up.

Getting out of the house I jumped in my car. Stepping on the race I drove off to the basement.

When I reached the basement I bust into the room that fucker was held in.

His hands were tied with ropes through the ceiling. His face was swollen with the punches I threw on his pathetic face earlier.

When I saw him on top of Claire while her cries filled the room I was tempted to pull my gun and end his life right there and then.

But giving him such an easy death would be an act of mercy, and mercy isn't something I'll grant to someone who messes with what's mine.

Allaric followed me in and tugged hard on the ropes making him groan in pain and then his eyes fell on me. The fear and terror flashed through his eyes. Exactly what I wanted.

"You shouldn't have messed with her" I began as I walked up to him.

"Slut was asking for it!" He spat out making me grit my teeth.

"You've got a big mouth on you, don't you?" I muttered and gripped his jaw in a tight grip.

"I promise you, Tristan, the rumours you heard about me are nothing compared to what I do with the people who mess with what's mine" I whispered before grabbing a whip and swinging it across his face. His loud painful screams filled the room.

"Don't you like the taste of your own fucking medicine?" I hissed at him before dropping the whip on the floor.

"I need him helpless on that chair" I ordered Allaric and he dragged him towards the chair and tied him up.

Grabbing a cutter I walked towards him before taking one of his fingers in the middle of the blades.

"She has a mark of these fingers on her face" I gritted out and pressed down onto the blades cutting his finger off.

He cried out as blood seeped out of his hand.

Positioning the cutter on his other fingers I cut them all off.

"Just kill me, please! I'm begging you to kill me!" He begged crying, making me feel satisfied seeing his now bloody face.

"Begging won't get you anywhere" I spat before throwing yet another punch across his face to which he passed out.

"Patch him up, I'm not done with him yet" I muttered before pulling away from his limp body and walked out.

~~~~~~~

Reaching the house I walked up the stairs and towards my room.

Walking in my eyes landed on the beauty sleeping on my bed. She still hasn't woken up.

Deciding to change out of the bloody clothes I walked into the bathroom and stripped out of my clothes before jumping in the shower.

Once all the blood washed off my body I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist and walked into the closet.

Putting on a pair of trousers I was rubbing the towel over my head when I heard loud cries. I rushed out to see Claire holding her knees up to her chest while she rocked herself back and forth as she sobbed.

Rushing towards her I immediately wrapped my arms around her.

"Hey, hey, Shh, I'm here baby, I'm here" I whispered trying to pull her out of her daze and thankfully it worked.

Wrapping her tiny arms around my waist she sobbed against my chest but soon her cries died down and all I could hear was soft sniffling.

She then slowly lift her head looking at me with her glossy eyes and my eyes shattered looking into her eyes, the pain in her eyes was unbearable. She looked tired.

"Where did you g-go" her weak voice came and I lift my hand rubbing her cheek softly to which she leaned onto my touch warming my heart.

"Nowhere baby, I was here. Don't be scared, I'm not going anywhere" I whispered and she visibly relaxed resting her head on my chest giving me full excess to run my fingers through her silky hair.

"Are you hungry Doll?" I asked remembering what the doctor told me about her lack of nutrition.

Her arms around me tightened and she shook her head against my chest.

"I'm just tired" she mumbled softly and I pulled her light body into my arms fixing her on me so she was comfortable.

"Then sleep baby, I'm right here" I kissed the top of her head before resting my head on the headboard while playing with her hair.

And soon enough her breathing evened out and she was now soundly asleep in my arms.

Holding her in my arms I lay down and felt my eyes getting drowsy as well.

After today I know what she means to me, I can't bear the sight of tears in her eyes and I'm willing to kill whoever dares bring her sorrow. I'm done running from her, from the things she makes me feel.

Breathing in her soft scent I let sleep take over me. I will scare away all your nightmares baby. That's a promise.

♡♡♡♡♡♡

End of chapter lovelies.
I know I was supposed to post on Wednesday but I was so excited to write more and even more excited for you guys to read it so here you go!!