The Girl He Marked by Laila Callaway novel Chapter 3

TRIGGER WARNING— ASSAULT MENTIONED.

Callie's POV.

His hands are roaming my body as I try to squirm out of his grip. He is too strong. He pins me to the floor with his weight, he's crushing my chest and I feel like I can't breathe properly.

I thrash underneath him and scratch at his face with my hands, but he grips my wrists with one hand, stopping me from fighting back.

I can't get him off. He's too big and I hate it. I'm screaming for help, but no one is hearing me. No one is coming. I'm alone.

I lurch upwards, sitting in my bed. My breathing is ragged, and dots spot my vision.

'Cal It's okay, I'm here,' my brother's voice grounds me.

I focus my eyes on Ben, sat on my bed and looking worried. His hand is on my forearm, and I place mine over his.

'It was just a nightmare, you're safe,' Ben whispers soothingly.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I can feel the sweat on my skin already drying in the cool air.

'Thank you,' I mutter, my voice thick with sleep.

'Do you want me to stay until you fall back to sleep' My brother offers.

I shake my head. 'No, I'll be okay. Thank you.'

'Are you sure' He looks uncertain about leaving me.

'I'm fine, thank you, Ben.'

Reluctantly, he leaves my bedroom.

Twenty—eight years old and still having nightmares. Only, the monster in my nightmare was once very real.

Was.

Past—tense, Callie.

'He's gone,' I tell myself aloud. 'He is dead, and he cannot hurt you.'

With those soothing words, I lie back down and pull my covers up to my neck, praying for a dreamless sleep.

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Once again, I hide the dark circles under my eyes with concealer as I get ready for my second date with Nate.

When I was younger, I thought that I wouldn't have nightmares because my attacker was dead. I was naïve and very wrong.

Then, after we killed his father, I thought it would offer enough closure that my nightmares would stop.

I thought that meeting my mate might end them, too. But no. They're still there, as haunting and realistic as they have been for the last ten years.

I stare at my broken reflection and wonder what Nate sees when he looks at me.

Does he see the same broken girl that I do

Does he see the same fragile woman that needs to be protected, like my brothers do when they look at me

I hope not. I want him to see me as something different, stronger.

I straighten my shoulders and steel myself. I need to fight this. I cannot let my attacker win and I refuse to let my past define me.

I want to move past this. I want to be different from this broken girl. I want to be strong.

Nate's text instructed me to dress warmly. I'm wrapped up in a scarf and jacket when he arrives to pick me up.

I don't invite him in. Ben is downstairs and I don't need the protective brother speech right now. He's not as bad as Rixon, but he can certainly give a good shot when he wants to.

'So, where are we going' I ask Nate when we get in the car.

He gives me a secretive smile from behind the wheel.

'You'll see,' he replies cryptically.

I huff quietly. I don't like surprises, I like answers.

He drives out of town and towards the city. My eyes land on an enormous, oddly shaped warehouselike building in the distance. As we get closer to it, I get more excited.

'Are we going there' I ask him, pointing at the building.

Nate grins. 'Maybe.'

'I've never been! I've always wanted to go,' I tell him enthusiastically.

I'm bursting with excitement by the time he parks the car. He takes my hand, and we enter the huge place.

It's an indoor ski center. We don't get cold enough weather to have thick snow around here, so we fake it indoors.