Control

Chapter Fifteen

Hope met Locke’s gaze for a moment. “Yes,” Hope said. Locke bit into his wrist winching at the pain. He offered the appendage to Hope who hesitantly leaned in and started sucking on the wound. Locke growled softly. “Am I hurting you?” she asked pulling away.

“No, I just with this were happening under different circumstances.” Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry, you taking my blood just feels very nice.” He squeezed her hand before licking the wound closed. “Are you ready for the next part?”

“Yes,” Hope said and her voice broke. Locke met her gaze his normally cold eyes unbelievably soft. “I’m okay.”

“No, you aren’t, Hope,” he said his voice gentle, “and you don’t have to pretend for me.” He started on her arm laving an especially deep wound with his tongue. After he moved to her neck she let out an unexpected giggle. “What?”

“You just remind me of a cat,” she confessed. “Sorry.” With a grin he purred causing her to laugh again. He smiled faintly, she was amazing. She’d just been tortured, humiliated, and God knows what else and she still managed to find something to laugh about. “Thank you, Locke.”

“This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t left you alone,” Locke protested licking a scratch on her cheek.

“I think- ow, that they were waiting for me,” she said after a moment.

“They planned this?” Locke asked his eyes narrowed.

“I don’t know, that sounds kind of paranoid and narcissistic, doesn’t it?”

“Only if you hadn’t just been assaulted,” he said moving to her chest. “I’m really sorry about this.”

“It’s okay,” she said trying to ignored the sensation of his tongue as it slid over her nipple. “You’re right, it does feel better.”

“This was not how I predicted getting acquainted with your body.” As he predicted, her cheek flushed but a small smile touched her lips. He continued down her stomach where Marius, ever the artist, had carved the words: ‘slut, whore, and cow’. He could smell her arousal as he licked a path to her pelvis where the whip had fallen heavily. “Hope, they didn’t…” he stopped not knowing how to continue. He didn’t want to upset her further after she had been through so much. Normally he could tell by her scent if anyone had even touched her but the scent of blood and death in the room overpowered everything else. Scent had never been his strength anyhow.

“They didn’t have time to… do that,” Hope said. “You came in time.” Locke sighed in relief. She bit her lip looking lost.

“What is it?” he asked. He had reached her inner thigh and gently spread her legs so he could close the marks between them.

“It’s just… would it have mattered… to you?”

Locke frowned. “Of course it would have. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“No. I mean, would it have made a difference in our relationship?”

“I’m sorry, love, I don’t follow.”

“If I had been raped would you still have wanted me around?”

His eyes widened as he realized what she was asking and why. “Of course I would. Hope, you mean so much to me. Nothing can change that. Especially not something that wouldn’t have been your fault anyhow.” He wanted to hug her but settled for kissing her hand instead. She relaxed. He finished closing her wounds. “That should do. Go ahead and take a shower. I’ll go get Lars’ coat.”

Her eyes widened. “No!” She immediately flushed and looked away.

“What is it?” he asked cupping her chin and turning her face back to him.

“I… I’m scared. I don’t want to be alone.”

He once again had to fight the urge to find Marius and the twins and rip them apart. Take your time, he told himself, their time will come. They won’t get away with this. “I’ll just be right outside for a moment, then I’ll come straight back. I swear.”

“Okay,” she said getting to her feet.

“How do you feel?” Locke asked.

“A lot better, thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me,” he assured her again. “It’s my job to protect you.” Her expression fell a little but she forced a smile and entered the bathroom. He walked into the hall. “I want to rip someone’s head off.”

“How is she?” Lars asked, handing Locke his jacket.

“They didn’t rape her,” Locke said, “but they whipped and cut her.” Locke growled slamming his fist into the wall. “He carved the word ‘whore’ into her stomach.” He turned to Jon. “You know I can’t support the bill now but if you get the support not only not only will I stop him but I promise you that man will not live to regret his actions.”

Jon sighed, shaking his head, “Thank you, Locke.”

“I’m going to go back to the party,” Lars said. “Alex arranged for a car to meet you guys in the back.”

“Thank you both,” Locke said. Lars nodded and left. Locke took the coat into the room. He went to the bathroom door. “I’m back,” he called. The water turned off and she opened the door moments later wearing a towel. “Here you go.”

“Thank you.” She hurt the door and changed. “Can we go home?” she asked coming back out. The coat swallowed her petite frame making her look even more frail.

“There’s a car waiting in the back,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect you to smile and make nice after all of this. Let’s go.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and led her into the hall.

“How do you feel?” Jon asked.

“Better,” Hope said after a moment.

“I know you have no reason to trust me or have anything to do with me, really, but I would love for us to get to know each other.”

“I’d like that too,” Hope said. “I think its what mom would have wanted.”

“Thank you,” Jon said.

“I’m going to get her home,” Locke said.

“Yes, of course,” Jon said.

“If you both wish, you can come over tomorrow night for dinner,” Locke offered.

“Would you?” Hope asked.

“I would love to,” Jon said. “Thank you.” Hope yawned sagging against Locke slightly.

“Sorry,” she said straightening.

“It’s alright,” Locke said. “Your body needs sleep to finish healing.”

“I’ll go back to the party and make an excuse to our hosts,” Jon said.

“Don’t make a scene,” Locke said. “We’re just going to pretend everything is okay for now. We have time, let’s not blow it.”

“You’re right,” Jon said. “I’ll play nice. You two get out of here.”

“Thank you, dad,” Hope said. Jon smiled, hearing his daughter call him that again warmed the heart he had thought was frozen the night he had been forced to let her mother go.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.

“Goodnight,” Hope said fighting another yawn. Locke swept her into his arms. She squeaked wrapping her arms around his neck. “What are you doing?”

“I couldn’t find your shoes,” he explained. She sighed, relaxing in his arms. He gently deposited her in the car and got in on the other side. She was asleep by the time they arrived at the house. He carried her into the house and up to her room. Gently, Locke deposited her on her bed. “Hope, dearest, you need to get dressed.” She opened her eyes. She opened her eyes and looked around herself.

“You carried me,” she said getting to her feet.

“Yes, but I figured I’d allow you to change your clothes.”

“You’ve already seen me,” Hope pointed out. “More than once.”

“That was necessary. This isn’t.” She looked hurt and looked away quickly hoping that he couldn’t see it. “What is it?”

“What’s what?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said too quickly and too forcefully. He arched an eyebrow.

“Uh-huh. Hope, please tell me. Is it what happened? It may help to talk about it.”

“No,” she said reluctantly. “I mean, yes and no. I’m still really shaken but… can we just not talk about this?”

“Dearest, I want us to be able to bond. That includes you being able to trust me.” She sighed finally meeting his gaze.

“Can’t you just read my mind or something?”

“I could, but I’d really prefer to hear it from your lips.”

“Why am I here?”

A puzzled smile touched his face. “Are you going all existential on me?”

“I’m glad you want to protect me but just put me on your staff or something.” His smile faded and his body went still. “It’s obvious that you don’t want to be with me. I don’t want you to feel obligated or trapped.”

“You actually think I don’t want you,” Locke said, stunned. “Really?” She didn’t respond but the look on her face answered his question. “Hope… why would you think that?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” she protested. “You don’t seem to want to touch me.”

“I assure you, I want to touch you.” He raked a hot stare over her. “I want to do far more than touch.” She blushed. “I was worried that you would feel as though I don’t respect you. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea.”

“No, it’s just silly human insecurities,” she shrugged. He hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. She tensed for a moment then melted into him. Locke sighed contentedly before stepping back.

“I’ll take my leave,” he said. “Are you okay?”

“I’m better,” she said. “Thank you, Locke. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Locke said. “Sweet dreams.” He walked out. Hope hung Lars’ coat up before putting on a plain white night gown. She crawled into bed and laid awake for a long time before falling into an uneasy sleep.

Locke sat up for a couple hours going through his correspondence. His brother had heard about Hope and was hinting that the two should come to visit him. It wasn’t a bad idea, it would get them out of the area and would be a good chance for them to bond. He’d have to ask Hope and see what she thought. He put the letter on his desk and walked to his room. With a yawn he got undressed and crawled under the sheets. He ha almost fallen asleep when there was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in,” he called, sitting up. Hope walked in looking pale and scared. “What’s wrong, dearest?”

“I-I can’t sleep, I keep feeling their hands all over me.”

“Come here,” Locke said holding an arm out to her. She came to him and sat down on the edge of the bed.

“I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“No, it’s fine,” he assured her. “I don’t want to sound untoward but would you like for me to hold you?”

A shy smile touched her lips. “I’d really like that.” He held open the covers for her then quickly put them back down.

“Would you do me a favor, sweetheart?”

“Sure.”

“Get in that top drawer and grab a pair of boxers for me?”

She blushed but walked over to the dresser in question and got out a pair of black boxer briefs. “Is this okay?”

“Just perfect,” he smiled. He put them on under the blanket. “Now, let’s try this again.” He held the blanket open and she crawled under it, wrapping herself around him. “Comfortable?” He could feel her slight body trembling against him, but soon she relaxed.

“Yes. Are you?”

“I feel wonderful,” he said turning out the light. He wrapped his arms around her and forced himself to stay awake until she had fallen asleep. He could definitely get used to ending every night with her in his arms.

Hope woke him up at two in the afternoon. She was thrashing and crying out for her mother. Locke pulled her closer telling her that everything was alright and that she was safe until she relaxed. He’d have to ask Salem if there were any psychiatrists who would take on a human patient. Hope was strong and unbelievably brave but she had seen more in her short life than anyone should have to.

“Locke?” she whispered, her hand covering his where it rested over stomach.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

“Yes, I think so,” she turned, laying her head on his chest. She yawned closing her eyes. “Better now.” His heart clenched in his chest at the trust she showed in him. She was back asleep in moments.

“I won’t fail you again,” he murmured brushing her hair out of her eyes.