AllFreeNovel
Share Us
If only she knew the heartbreak that it would lead to. Reflecting on it, she knew now that it wasn’t really love. She was desperate and confused his attention as flattery. She was excited to have a secret and act rebellious.
Alessandra hung her head in shame as she finished recounting her tale.
Noah touched her shoulder gently, and she jerked away. “Then what happened, Alessandra?” he cajoled.
“You already know,” she whispered. “When I turned 18, my father decided to make a proper submissive woman out of me. My lessons were long, and my trainer was cruel when I acted out. Luca didn’t have a choice…”
“No!” Noah pulled Alessandra against him.
“It changed us both.”
He pushed Alessandra away but held onto her shoulders. “You are not responsible for Luca, Alessandra. His actions were his own, then and now. You romanticized him, but he was a predator. He was a 20-something-year-old man, preying on a lonely teenager.”
Alessandra broke down in Noah’s arms. His comfort was good for her soul.
“I’m so sorry. Thank you for not hating me.”
Noah brushed the tears from her cheek and kissed her gently on the lips. He pulled her back against him, and she buried her face in his chest.
“I couldn’t, even if I tried.”
***
Chapter Nine
Alessandra ordered an Americano from the smiling barista and made her way to the other end of the counter, joining the throng of those waiting for their orders. Every few minutes, she scanned the crowd for her company, expecting her to arrive soon. A lanky brunette pushed through the door and smiled widely at her sister-in-law. Alessandra greeted her with a slight wave.
Beth rushed over and hugged Alessandra. “Hey, sister! I’ve missed you. I hope you’re doing all right.”
“I ordered your swamp water.” Alessandra handed Beth the matcha latte.
Beth pulled the lid off her cup and inhaled the steam from the hot liquid. “What are you talking about? It smells heavenly.” Alessandra crinkled her nose. “Oh my god, are you pregnant?”
“What? No! Of course not.”
“Are you and my brother being safe?”
The question made Alessandra squirm and blush. She couldn’t possibly divulge such intimate details to her sister-in-law. “Eww. I’m not going to answer that.”
“Well, if you’re not preventing—”
“We’re officially finished discussing my sex life,” she said firmly.
“Don’t be such a prude, Alessandra. I know where babies come from.” Beth laughed.
“But that’s your brother!”
Beth waved her off as though it was no big deal. The women headed outside with their order and sat at a free wrought iron table. The chair scraped against the concrete patio as Alessandra pulled out her seat.
“So, what’s on your mind? We haven’t seen you in a while. We’ve missed you.”
“Drake and I decided to get out of town for a while.”
“Now that you’re back. Bitsy wanted me to extend an invitation to join us for dinner next week.”
“I’ll let Drake know.”
Beth nodded again with a toothy smile and flicked her hair over her shoulder in the easy-breezy way she did everything. Her demeanor drastically differed from her brother’s, and Alessandra was ready to learn more about their dynamic.
