Read Stealing Grace for Free Online

Amy, said how unkind Roger her new husband was to her. That he was ill-tempered and strange.
    The minister, was apparently making the rounds this morning. She proceeded to tell Elena the horrid details since she was taken and how she was so scared with no idea what to do. She had even tried to run once and he had grabbed her arm so tight. That explains the bruise.
    Elena could think of only one thing to say but it sounded so stupid. Where had that thought come from? She couldn’t say that to her.

    They all sat around the table, husband and wife across for each other. Roger bragged endlessly about being the first to choose between the brides and how he’d gotten the pick of the litter, by looks anyway.
    Elena didn’t care that he was insulting her, but she saw something in Alex’s face. Anger. He didn’t say anything but she could tell he was pondering something...unpleasant. His pride maybe? He glanced up at her and when their eyes met she quickly looked away as did he.
    Elena finished first and started clearing plates. She saw Roger’s plate was empty so she grabbed it and started to turn. Before she could react he was out of his chair and had her by the arms making her drop all the plates and they crashed to the chair and floor.
    “What do you think you’re doing? Did I tell you I was done!” he yelled at her and then she felt like she blacked out but no, she was wide awake.
    He had slapped her across the face with the back of his hand and was still squeezing her arm. Alex was up and pulling Roger back as Elena fell to the floor. Alex was in Roger’s face yelling. She couldn’t make it out but it sounded like he was defending her. She shook her head and finally got her bearings back.
    Amy helped her up, taking her to the kitchen for ice, apologizing profusely but quietly, about her new husband. She heard Alex yell ‘You do what you want in your own house, but you don’t ever touch my wife! That’s my job.’ After a few moments Alex came in the kitchen, waiting in the door frame before speaking.
    “I need to speak to Elena privately, Amy.”
    Amy left reluctantly fearing for Elena, thinking the worst. As soon as she was gone he came directly to stand in front of her.
    “Are you alright? I’m so sorry. Let me see.” He grabbed her chin gently to pull it up, he stood about half a foot taller than her.
    He was so close she could feel his breath on her neck as he bent down to examine. He took the ice pack and held it to her cheek, looking at her to see if there was going to be a reaction. Elena was more confused now than ever.
    “He will never touch you again,” he promised. “Some of the other men do things...differently,” he said, so soft, so genuine. “I will never hurt you that way. Understand?”
    She stood blank for a few seconds and then nodded, barely. His fingers on her chin moved up slightly to her cheek and rubbed a small caress.
    I am so confused. Please tell me what you want from me.
    She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. He probably couldn’t see that though, what with the ice pack and all. She was pressed up against the wall by the stove, trapped by this man in more ways than one.
    Amy came back in and said quietly that Roger wanted to leave. Alex let go of the ice and Elena’s cheek and went back in the other room to escort Roger out.
    Suddenly there was only one thing Elena could say to Amy. The thing that was so horrible that had crept into her mind before . It had to be a higher power. I would never think this up on my own.
    “Amy, listen to me.” Elena hugged her close trying to be discreet. “I know it’s hard and you don’t want to but, you have to trust me.” Amy was looking at her curiously, like she had the secret to make all this go away. “Just be his wife. I know it sounds crazy but, just pretend that this is what you want, pretend you’re where you want to be. Find a happy place. Be his wife, Amy.”
    She didn’t understand, Elena could see that, and then