Forbidden love for a Barkley
Part Eleven:
"The late Nick Barkley, part 4"
Unfortunately and much to her absolute horror, Stefania was brutally violated by Dodie and later Zeb. While she was begging for it to end, part of her believed that, because of her cousin Dominique's accidental drowning, God was punishing her for not saving the little girl all those years ago. That part of her even felt she deserved to be punished, albeit not in such a brutal way, but she still felt the "punishment" was well-deserved. She said a brief prayer, asking God to save her and "make it end" only to be told that "no God could save her". Not only that, but after Dodie and the others told her in so many words that Nick would no longer want to associate with her and would find her to be "filthy", Stefania tried to ignore their remarks only to have fears of everything they said being true. Meanwhile, Jarrod, Heath, and Nick continued to search around for her only to find no trace of her. Nick would encounter a woman who looked like her from behind only for the woman to hit him with a stick and Jarrod would go back into town & speak to Fred the sheriff. Together, Jarrod and Fred went off to find Stefania after Fred agreed to Jarrod's terms of no posse for obvious reasons. Once they approached the abandoned barn, Seth fired a warning shot and attempted to fire a second shot only for the gun to jam. Frustrated, he ran inside, informed everyone else that Jarrod and the sheriff were there which resulted in Dodie choking Stefania out. Convinced she was dead, Seth and his gang left to get some shovels & once she came to, Stefania made a run for it, leaving behind a footprint in sand from a torn sand bag. Fred and Jarrod arrived to the barn and looked around only to find nothing until Jarrod spotted the opened back door and foot print. Upon informing Fred of his findings and telling him to go get Nick and Heath, Jarrod rode off in the direction of where the person who made the foot print went. Hearing Jarrod approaching and fearing it may be Seth or one of his buddies, Stefania ran through brush trying to get away which resulted in Jarrod getting off his horse and continuing the pursuit on foot. After he caught up to her, she fainted and he took her over to a tree. Fast forward three minutes later, she regained consciousness and attacked Jarrod before slowly realizing it was him. Now, Jarrod was eager to know what had happened to Stefania and in her own words which caused her to burst into tears. The questions that remains are: Will Stefania tell Jarrod? Will she tell Nick? How will Nick react? Will he be angry this happened or will he consider her unclean for his liking? Stay tuned and find out!
Author's Note: I do NOT own The Big Valley or its characters. I ONLY own this fic and the characters of: Stefania Mangano, Leonard Barkley, Seth & his gang, and the Mangano family. This is the fourth and probably last to this is multi parter, so to speak. As I previously stated, this was originally part of Chapter 7, but seeing as it would overcrowd Chapter 7, I divided it up into many sections/parts.
WARNING/TRIGGER WARNING: There's going to be discussions of graphic & violent moments in this chapter plus the offensive terms, s***al assault, and r**e. If you can't bring yourself to read/stomach it for obvious reasons, I understand and urge you to go back now! As I have previously stated, I do NOT condone such offensive terms to be used or such ungodly actions like...well, you know. Don't say I did not warn you. Rated 'T' for a reason.
(Flashback to part 10)
After a few seconds had passed, Stefania, having faked the unconsciousness, opened her eyes, and looked around. Once she saw no sign of Seth and the others, she put her camisole back on before standing up, pulling her bloomers back up, and running out of the barn through the back door. Unbeknownst to her, she stepped in what appeared to be a torn sand bag and made a footprint in some sand.
It wouldn't be too long until Jarrod and Fred made their way inside the barn and looked around.
"Well, whoever was here is gone now, Jarrod." Fred looked around some more, before walking back over to Jarrod.
"It sure-" Jarrod paused when he spotted a footprint in the sand from the torn sand bag, "Hello, what's this?"
"What is it, Jarrod?" Fred asked.
"It's a footprint in torn sand bag. Well, in the sand from the torn sand bag. That means whoever made that footprint ran out the back door." Jarrod told him, before running out of the barn and getting back on his horse.
"Jarrod, where are you going?" Fred followed him out of the bar.
"Go find, Nick and Heath. I'm going to go the way that footprint and the person it belongs to went. This might lead us to Stefania." Jarrod replied before riding off in the direction where the person who made the footprint ran off to.
"On it." Fred got back on his horse and headed off to find Nick and Heath.
*With Stefania*
Stefania had switched from running to walking once she was away from the barn. It wasn't until she heard the sound of hoof beats that she started to speed walk. She was clearly afraid that Seth or one of the others had discovered she left the barn and was on her tail.
'I won't let them take me, again! I won't let them take me, again!' Stefania thought as she kept speed walking.
"Stefania!" a familiar voice called out.
Stefania, in a panic, went from speed walking to running for her life. While she was high tailing it, the person, who called out her name, came within a good distance behind her and revealed themself to be Jarrod.
"Stefania, wait!" Jarrod called out.
Stefania ignored him and kept on running, picking up the pace a little. This caused Jarrod to ride a little faster in order to catch up to her. Pretty soon, she disappeared behind some brush. Seeing this, Jarrod stopped his horse, got off, and followed Stefania on foot. Hearing footsteps approach, Stefania ran through some more bushes before finally reaching an area that seemed pretty far out in the open.
"Father God...protect me." Stefania looked up at the sky and put her hands in a praying motion before looking behind herself and fainting.
"Stefania, where-Stefania!" Jarrod ran over to her, picked her up, and carried her over to the nearest tree. He laid her against the tree in an upright position before sitting beside her and holding her hand, gently tapping it while waiting for her to come to. It wouldn't be long until he got a good look at her bruises and split lip.
'What in God's name happened? Who was it? What did they do you?' he thought.
*Three minutes later*
Stefania came to and looked around, before seeing a man's hand on her hand. In order to see who this person was, she looked up and locked eyes with Jarrod.
"Oh, Stefania. Thank God you're okay." Jarrod breathed a sigh of relief.
Stefania screamed and tried to push Jarrod away, before beginning to attack him.
"Stefania! Stefania, wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Jarrod told her while trying to grab her hands.
"Leave me alone! Please...just leave me alone! I can't take it anymore!" Stefania continued to attack Jarrod.
"Take what? Stefania, time out! It's me, Jarrod!" Jarrod got a hold of her hands after a while.
"Jarrod?" Stefania slowly started to realize it was Jarrod.
"Stefania, it's me. Nick, Heath, and I have been looking all over for you." Jarrod told her.
"You, Heath, and Nick have been looking for me?" Stefania had tears in her eyes, only this time they weren't tears of pain or fear. They were tears of relief.
"Plus, Fred." Jarrod added.
"Fred?" Stefania got a confused look on her face.
"He's the sheriff. Anyways, Nick has the note from Harry the bartender and well, he, Heath, and the sheriff should be here at any moment." Jarrod told her.
"Then, you already know." Stefania's voice was starting to break.
"Well, we found out what happened from Harry's point of view, but now, I want to hear your side." Jarrod looked away when he saw that she was in her unmentionables, but not before taking his jacket off and handing it to her, "Here you go."
"Thank you." Stefania put the jacket on and started crying, again.
"Stefania, what happened? You're bruised up and your clothes were torn off plus that note for Nick." Jarrod had a sympathetic look on his face.
Stefania put her head in her hands and cried louder than before.
(Now)
"Stefania, what happened? Why are you crying?" Jarrod asked in a gentle tone.
"Oh, Jarrod! What if my mama finds out? What if my papa finds out? Ohhhhh! What if Nick finds out?!" Stefania sniffed.
"Find out what? I see that you were beaten and your clothes were torn off, because you're in your unmentionables. However, I'm getting an inkling that more than that happened." Jarrod placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and rubbed it.
"I tried to fight off Seth and his friends! I tried to...fight them off...but they were...too strong and there were...too many of...too many of them!" Stefania sobbed.
"Seth and his friends, right? Ummm, Stefania, by any chance, was Seth kind of tall and slender with sandy brown hair and stubble?" Jarrod asked.
"Yes and he had a creepy smile. Why?" Stefania wiped her tears away.
"That's Seth McMahon. He was just released from San Quentin a few days ago along with his friends. By any chance, do you remember the names of his friends?" Jarrod rubbed her shoulder some more.
"I do. Their names were Zeb, Orville, Jeff, and...Dodie." Stefania replied before her sobs started to become uncontrollable to the point of her breath hitching after mentioning Dodie's name.
"Stefania, it's alright. It's alright. You don't need to tell me anymore for right now. It's alright." Jarrod, getting a very bad feeling in the pit of his stomach and starting to go into "Pappy mode", pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back, gently shushing her in the process, "Shhhh. It's okay, Stefania. Whatever they did to you is all over now."
"They ripped my dress off! My beautiful green dress. Just...tore it off!" Stefania cried into Jarrod's shoulder.
"I know, but I also know, that's not all McMahon and his gang did to you. You don't need to tell me or anybody the rest of it now. There's no need for you to relive the horror." Jarrod soothed.
"Owww! It hurts! It really...hurts...down...there!" Stefania sniffed, again.
"It hurts? Stefania, you were-" Jarrod stopped himself, unable to finish the question and dreading the answer.
"I tried to fight them off, but...I was overpowered. My camisole came off and bloomers came to my ankles! Seth, Orville, and Jeff held me down while...Dodie and Zeb...r*ped me!" Stefania said in between sobs.
"Dodie and Zeb r*ped you?!" Jarrod was horrified at what Stefania just told him.
"Yes. I begged and prayed for it to end, but it didn't. It kept going and...the more it went on...the more...it...got...painful!" Stefania tightened her hold on Jarrod, "And now, because of that...I'm filthy!"
"Stefania, you're not filthy. What happened to you has happened to many women. You and all of the victims of r*pe are not filthy. The ones who are filthy are the perpetrators who commit the act. They're filthy and they're cowards." Jarrod told her in a firm, but gentle way.
"You say that, but...what will my family think? They'll probably cast me aside and I wouldn't blame them!" Stefania replied.
"Your family won't cast you aside. They love you and they'll be horrified that this happened to you. Plus, they'll want Seth and his gang to pay which they will." Jarrod tried to reassure her.
"I hope they will still love me. However, I won't blame them if they cast me aside. I failed to protect and save my little cousin Dominique from drowning! Because of that, maybe what happened to me was a way of God punishing me for not saving her!" Stefania wiped away more tears.
"God punishing you? Stefania, God would never ever punish someone for not stopping the inevitable. The inevitable happens. From what I gather, your cousin died accidentally, right?" Jarrod slowly released her from the hug, so that way they were making eye contact.
"Yes. Her drowning was accidental, but I still kick myself for not being able to save her which is why a part of me feels that I deserved everything that happened to me today. That part of me feels that God found a way to punish me and he did." Stefania looked at the ground.
"Stefania, Dominique w-" Jarrod was cut off.
"Jarrod! Jarrod! Jarrod, where are you? I have Nick and Heath with me." Fred was heard calling out from a ways.
"That's Fred and he has Nick and Heath with him. Stefania, you need to tell Nick and Fred what all you told me." Jarrod stood up and started to go off to where Fred and his brothers were only to be stopped when a hand grabbed his arm.
"No, Jarrod! No! I can't! I just can't!" Stefania shook her head.
"Alright, I'll tell the sheriff if you'd prefer that, but at least tell Nick. He's been worried about you." Jarrod insisted.
"No! No! If Nick finds out, I'd just die!" Stefania pleaded.
"Stefania, Nick has to know. Now, you just stay put and Nick will be here." Jarrod said before going off to where Fred, Nick, and Heath were.
"Jarrod, I met up with your brothers and brought them here." Fred got off of his horse, Nick and Heath doing the same.
"Nick, I found Stefania. Go to her. Fred, Heath, I think this is a private matter. Let's go off and leave them alone." Jarrod nodded to Nick.
"Thank God!" Nick ran off through the brush.
Jarrod gestured for Heath and Fred to follow him. While they went off, Nick found the tree where Jarrod left Stefania and the second he saw her, his face lit up and a sense of relief washed over him. Finally, the search was over and Stefania was thankfully alive. That being said, little did Nick know the hell she went through.
"Stefania, thank God!" Nick ran over to her, sat next to her, and went to kiss her on the cheek when he saw that she was crying and got taken aback by this, "Stefania, what's wrong? What's happened and why you are wearing Jarrod's jacket?"
"No reason, Nick. Whatever gave you the idea that something is wrong?" Stefania, with her back turned to him, stood up, and walked a few feet away from him. It pained her to lie to him, but knowing what his reaction might or would be, she felt it was best to face away from him.
"Hey, what's the matter? Huh? What's wrong?" Nick stood up, walked over to Stefania, and gently turned her in his direction. Much to his horror, he saw that Stefania had bruises, two black eyes, and a split lip that was bleeding. In his usual way, he balled his gloved hand into a fist and bit down on it in order to prevent himself from screaming, using colorful language, and most of all, losing his temper, which he was notorious for doing.
"Nick?" Stefania looked up at him.
"Who did it, Stefania?!" Nick's voice took that somewhat usual quiet tone when he started to get angry.
"Nick, I can't tell you! I can't tell you! I can't tell you!" Stefania started to get hysterical and cried a little, "They may do something to you!"
Nick shushed her in a very comforting way, wrapped his arms around her, and gently kissed her forehead, before kissing each bruise on her face plus her black eyes. It shook him to his core to see her this way. To see a girl he really liked a lot in a more than friendly way just horrible beaten. It also made his blood boil that there was the possibility that his own uncle could be behind her abduction and attack. He wanted find whoever was responsible for Stefania's bruises and make them pay.
"Nick, I don't want you to get hurt." Stefania sniffed.
"Stefania, don't worry about me. I can put up a fight. I'm fine if anybody tries anything stupid. It's you I'm concerned about. Now, I have your note, hair, and earring & I know that Seth McMahon and his gang were released from prison. They're very dangerous. In fact, they've mugged and r*ped women among other things." Nick held her in his arms very tightly.
"Ohhhhh! Jarrod told you!" Stefania slammed her face into his chest, "Ohhhhhh! Noooooo!"
"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!" Nick gently lifted Stefania's head from his chest and looked her in the eye, "What do you mean Jarrod told me? Was Jarrod supposed to tell me something that he hasn't or what's going on?"
"Nick..." Stefania gently broke away from the hug and walked a few feet away, "You asked why I am wearing Jarrod's jacket. Do you want to know why?"
"Why yes. Yes, I do, because...well, for one thing, it wouldn't look too good with a dress of yours. I mean it's not a shawl." Nick pointed out in a light hearted way, clearly trying to lighten the mood a tiny bit.
"Nick..." Stefania slowly took the jacket off, revealing herself in her torn and tattered unmentionables.
"Stefania..." Nick walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, "You're in your-The coward who gave you those bruises on your face also tore off your clothes, huh?!"
Stefania didn't answer and just gave a nod.
"Some lowlife gave you bruises and tore off your clothes!" Nick started to have anger show in his voice despite trying to remain cool, calm, and composed for Stefania's sake.
"That's...not...all, Nick." Stefania put the jacket back on, "And it wasn't just one person."
"Stefania, what else happened?" Nick turned her in his direction, again.
"I'm filthy!" Stefania put her face in her hands and started weeping.
"Filthy? What do you mean 'filthy'?" Nick was thrown off by this.
"I'm no longer pure! I brought shame to my family! Shame and dishonor!" Stefania turned away from him, "You...You...You probably...You probably-"
"I probably what, Stefania? Forgive me, but you're not really making any sense right now. What was that about you being 'filthy' and bringing 'shame & dishonor' to your family?" Nick raised an eyebrow.
"Seth and his buddies held me against my will, took turns...took turns beating me around, tore off my beautiful green dress..." Stefania paused in order to wipe away more tears and get some of her hair out of her mouth.
"Seth...Seth...Seth. This Seth was he kind of tall and slender with sandy brown hair, stubble, and a smile you see in your nightmares?" Nick asked.
"Yes...Such a horrid smile! A scary scary smile I will never ever unsee." Stefania sniffed.
"That's Seth McMahon alright. He and his gang of low lives have been pardoned by our lovely governor and released from Quentin. If you ask me, they all should've been sent to the gallows for the crimes they've done." Nick shook his head.
"Seth wasn't alone. His buddies Orville, Jeff, Zeb, and...Dodie were there with him." Stefania cringed after saying Dodie's name.
"Yeah, they stick together alright. Birds of a feather, flock together. Seth McMahon and his buddies: Zebulon Williamson, Dodie Gunderson, Orville McIntyre real name: Dan Orville McIntyre, and Jeff Hyatt, the cousin of Cass Hyatt. Bunch of low lives. Makes me sick to know I breathe the same air they do." Nick's skin was crawling and his blood was starting to boil just knowing that Seth and his gang were not only out on the loose, but had hurt Stefania. Little did he know what else happened,"Stefania, I'm getting a horrible suspicion and I for one don't like suspicions, but I'm getting a horrible suspicion that Seth and those low lives did more to you than beat you around, tear off your dress, and hold you against your will."
"Nick...I was held to the ground. I tried to fight them off...I tried to fight them off, but...they were too strong. My camisole came off and...bloomers...came to my ankles! Seth, Orville, and Jeff held me down while..." Stefania stopped due to getting nauseated, ran over to a nearby bush, and threw up.
"Stefania..." Nick ran over to her, got behind her, and held her hair away while she continued to throw up, "Seth, Orville, and Jeff held you down while what? What happened? Why were they holding you down?"
Stefania went to answer, only to dry heave and throw up again.
"Stefania, what happened? Whatever it is, I can take it." Nick rubbed her back.
Stefania threw up some more, before stopping after a while and panting.
"Stefania, you don't need to be afraid to tell me. I mean what-" Nick stopped in his tracks when he got a glimpse of dried blood on her leg, "Stefania, why is there dried blood on your leg?"
Stefania didn't say a word and facepalmed before groaning.
"Stefania...please. Please...I need to know what happened. I need to know what else they did to you and by seeing dried blood on your leg...I'm getting a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I don't like this feeling which is why I need to know right now. Please." Nick pleaded.
"It hurts down there, Nick." Stefania finally spoke up after a few more minutes of silence.
"What do you mean it-" Nick paused, put two and two together, and got wide eyed, "Stefania, you don't mean-you don't mean-"
"Dodie and Zeb...r*ped me!" Stefania told him before leaning over to throw up, again.
"They what?!" Nick slightly raised his voice, his anger really starting to show and his fist beginning to ball up.
"Yes, Nick! They...r*ped me! I begged and prayed for it to end, but it didn't stop! It felt...like...an...eternity!" Stefania wept again, "It hurt...so...badly! It hurt! It still hurts now!"
Nick couldn't find the appropriate thing to say due to being horrified, angered, and shocked by what he just could blame him? No words could possibly be of comfort or even appropriate/sincere at a time like this and it wasn't every day that somebody's good friend, significant other, or spouse got mugged, held against their will, their clothes torn off, and/or r*ped all in one. Usually, it was one of the four not all four at the same time. Nick, like everyone else, knew this which was why he was having a very hard time processing all of what Stefania just told him.
"Oh, Nick, it was all my fault! It...was...all..my fault!" Stefania told him.
"Don't! Don't...ever...say that...again." Nick was still processing it all.
"I've made you angry!" Stefania wept a little louder.
"Stefania..." Nick gently turned her into his direction, yet again, "You could never make me angry. Never. I'm angry at McMahon and his gang for what they did to you. That's who I'm angry at and angry puts it lightly. Plus too, it was not your fault. It's never the fault of the victim. McMahon and his gang are the ones at fault here."
"But Nick, it is my fault. As I prayed, one of them told me that no God would save me and part of me believes God was punishing me." Stefania insisted.
"Why would God punish you? You've done nothing wrong." Nick told her.
"I didn't save my cousin Dominique from drowning! I didn't...save...her and because of that...today...God decided to punish me." Stefania looked up at the sky, "Dominique, if you could hear me...I'm sorry!"
"Stefania, you know Dominique wouldn't have wanted this to happen to you. You know that and I know that. What happened to her...well, you said it yourself when you told me...it was an unfortunate accident." Nick tried to sound reassuring despite his anger towards Seth and his gang showing.
"I know I said that, Nick but I suffer that guilt and part of me believes that I was punished by God today for what happened. That God didn't forgive me. I mean you told me you suffer guilt over your papa's death and when things don't go right for you, doesn't a part of you think that God may be punishing you?" Stefania asked.
"Stefania, I do suffer that guilt and I will for the rest of my life. That being said, I've never once thought God was punishing me for being unable to stop the inevitable as hard as that is for me to say. When things don't go as I hoped they would for me, I just believe that God didn't mean for it to happen or it's just a trying and testy time. I've never thought it was God punishing me just like I know God isn't punishing you for something that happened a long time ago. You tried to save her, but couldn't and well, it was just Dominique's time to go as they say. Why? Nobody will ever know except God himself. That being said, God would never punish you, not like this. Seth and his gang abducting, beating, and violating you was not an act of God. It was the work of the devil himself. They're the devil incarnate. Evil personified. God would not want this to happen to you nor condone it and neither would Dominique. Just like if one of my siblings or I myself got badly hurt or shot, we all know it wouldn't be an act of God. Plus, God wouldn't want or condone any of that nor would my own father. So, please, get the notion of this being justifiable and God punishing you out of your head, because it is not true." Nick took a deep breath after saying all of that and sighed, "I never thought the day would come that I would sound like I was preaching. That's usually Jarrod's thing."
"I'll try, Nick but it won't be easy." Stefania sighed.
"I understand and I'll help you. I promise." Nick put his hand on her cheek and rubbed it with his thumb.
"How...How will I ever show my face to my family again? I mean will they still love me? Plus, are you sure?" Stefania asked.
"Stefania, your family will always love you. Their love for you won't change...ever. Will they be angry and horrified? Oh, yes, but they'll be angry at McMahon and his gang. Well, I'm not too sure about your father since he detests me, but your mother and the rest of them will be angry at McMahon and his gang while being horrified that you endured such hell. Nobody should have to go through that. Nobody. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy!" Nick kept rubbing her cheek with his thumb, "That being said, am I sure about what? If you mean that and the fact that I'll help you...well, yes I am. I'm more than sure."
"Thank goodness. However, that's not all I meant. I also meant...are you sure you still want to be around me after what's happened and considering I am unclean?" Stefania looked into his eyes.
"Stefania, you're not unclean. You could never be unclean in my eyes except when you fall into the mud and get dirty, of course, because you'd need a bath, but in all seriousness, you could never be unclean in my eyes. Ever. Plus, if I didn't want to be around you, I wouldn't have gone on the search to find you. However, I did and here we are, so what does that tell you and does this answer your question?" Nick looked around in order to make sure Fred and his brothers weren't watching or listening. Once he saw that it was all clear, he gave Stefania a kiss on the lips.
"That means you still do want me around and that everything is good between us. Right?" Stefania started to smile a little which would be the first time all day that she sported a smile.
"It sure does and there's that smile. Now, let's get you to Dr. Merar. You need to be seen and examined. I mean it is better to be safe than sorry, right?" Nick put his arm around her.
"Yes...it is, but please...don't leave me alone. Please stay with me while the doctor looks me over. Please. Promise me, you'll be by my side. Nick, promise me." Stefania pleaded.
"Well, I can't be in the room with you, but I'll be right outside the door. I promise." Nick told her.
*Many moments later*
Nick had taken Stefania to Dr. Merar's place and stood outside the door while the doctor examined and looked over the girl. As he paced back and forth, anger and concern were coursing through his veins for obvious reasons. Anger, because he wanted to get his hands on McMahon and his gang for what they did to Stefania and concern, because it broke his heart to see her like this. Plus, he knew her father would blame him for what had happened even though he wasn't the one who harmed her. However, what he didn't know was the motivation behind this assault. He knew what happened, but he wanted to know the motivation-no scratch that. He knew or believed he knew the motivation; his bigoted uncle Leonard. Leonard had said that if he continued to be around Stefania, he would live to regret it and today, all of this happened to her. Oh yes, the more Nick thought about that, the more he wanted to get his hands on Leonard, as well. As Nick kept pacing back and forth, he was met up by Jarrod.
"Nick?" Jarrod stopped his horse, got off, and walked up to him.
Nick turned his attention to Jarrod and didn't say a word.
"I talked to Fred. He said he'll speak with Stefania in the morning about pressing charges after he finds McMahon and the others, because-" Jarrod was cut off.
"What do you mean 'after he finds McMahon and the others'? If he thinks he's going to get to them first, he's wrong!" Nick started to raise his voice.
"What are you saying?" Jarrod asked.
"I'll elaborate later. Right now, my concern is Stefania and getting her home plus facing her father again. So, while I'm doing that, you can tell Fred that she wants to press charges against them and wants to see that they'll hang for what they did!" Nick sighed and took his hat off, "Plus, why don't you send a telegram to Leonard and tell him that he had better face me like a man since he thought he was manly enough to order that attack!"
"Now, Nick-" Jarrod was cut off, again.
"Don't give me that, Jarrod! You and I both know how much Leonard detests Stefania and how he tried to scare her off. Plus, we know what he told me and didn't you start thinking the same thing, because of how odd it was that one day he would say that and the next day, Stefania would disappear as we had no idea yet of the hell she endured! I don't think it is all that mysterious that one day he says that and the next day...this happens! She suffers at the hands of McMahon and his gang! Now, you tell me that Leonard had nothing to do with it!" Nick's face started to get red.
"Nick, I was simply going to suggest that you lower the temperature a bit. Just a little bit, because you won't do yourself or Stefania any good getting yourself all worked up like this. Plus, while I am at it, for a good friend, you care a lot about her. More so than a good friend would. Now, what-" Jarrod was cut off, again.
"Jarrod, you've been getting on me about whether Stefania and I are more than an item for a while now and it is starting to annoy me to my core! In fact, you're starting to be like father and mother to a degree." Nick turned away from his brother and rubbed his hand over his face, before turning back towards Jarrod, "Well, there's no sense in keeping it a secret now even though..."
"Even though what?" Jarrod asked.
"If I tell you, you won't go blabbing to the next person, will you and you won't be immature, right?" Nick asked.
"Nick, I would never do that to you and in regards to immaturity, I think law school made me grow up quite a bit." Jarrod reassured him.
"Alright...well...the answer is..." Nick paused and sighed, "Yes. Yes...we are, Jarrod. Now, before you get all judgmental and preachy to me, we are taking things slowly."
"Well, I'll be! Nick, you sly dog! When did you two-How?" Jarrod's eyes lit up.
"Almost after we met. I mean yes it is a whirlwind relationship, but we agreed to take things slowly. We originally planned to tell everyone our feelings for each other at first, but we decided to keep it a secret and a surprise while letting you and everyone else do the guess work. We wanted it to be special, but after this...how can you keep anything special and be all smiles." Nick explained.
"Nick, I understand and well, you can still keep it a surprise." Jarrod put his arm around him.
"How? Just how?" Nick folded his arms.
"Well, you only told me and I'll play along while everyone else guesses until they're blue in the face." Jarrod smiled.
"You mean it?" Nick raised an eyebrow.
"I do, Nick." Jarrod nodded.
Before Nick could say anything, the door opened and out came Dr. Merar and Stefania.
"Remember, Miss Mangano, keep an eye on yourself and how you're feeling for the next following weeks and months. If you begin to experience any sickness of any kind, please come see me." Dr. Merar told her.
"Yes, doctor." Stefania walked over to Nick.
"You just get some rest and Nick, you be sure to check up on her. You hear?" Dr. Merar turned to Nick and pointed his finger at him.
"I promise, Dr. Merar. This young lady won't be out of my sight. I'll protect her." Nick put his arm around Stefania and looked her in the eyes, "I promise."
"Good man. Well, good night, you two. Good night, Jarrod." Dr. Merar went back inside his office and shut the door.
"Well, Stefania, you heard doctor's orders, you are to stay within my sight and rest yourself." Nick gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Nick...Jarrod's here. We're good friends...remember?" Stefania's eyes got big.
"Ummmm...uhhhhhh..." Nick started to get nervous.
"Nick." Stefania raised her eyebrow.
"Stefania, I...I told Jarrod. Look, before you possibly kill me or want to kill me later, please understand the-" Nick was cut off when Stefania put her finger on his lips.
"It's alright, Nick. I told Dr. Merar. Considering...well, you know. I figured it would be best to be honest and come out in the open now rather than wait like we planned." Stefania smiled only for her smile to disappear as fast as it came on.
"What's wrong?" Nick asked.
"I just hate that an attack ruined everything." Stefania sighed.
"Oh, I wouldn't say it was all ruined." Jarrod started.
"You wouldn't?" Stefania turned to Jarrod.
"Well, Dr. Merar and I are the only ones and I'm sure that Dr. Merar will keep it a secret. I promise I will." Jarrod replied.
"Thank you, Jarrod." Nick put his hat back on and started to help Stefania up into the carriage, "I'm going to get her home. I'll see you back at the ranch."
"Uh, Nick, do you think that is a good idea?" Jarrod asked.
"What do you mean?" Nick got Stefania situated in the carriage.
"I don't think her parents would take kindly to her being in her unmentionables with you around. They're bound to get the wrong idea, especially her father." Jarrod said before turning to Stefania, "No offense."
"None taken. My father doesn't take too kindly to white men. He's a worry wart." Stefania replied.
"Jarrod, I can't bring her back to the ranch with her this way either. You know how Heath and Eugene can be plus mother probably wouldn't take too kindly to me being with a girl in her unmentionables, especially since I put on the whole good friends ruse. Plus, you know Audra and her comments towards me." Nick reminded him.
"Well, what are you going to do, Nick?" Jarrod put his hand on the wheel of the carriage.
"Stefania, what do you think?" Nick turned to Stefania, took his black leather jacket off, and handed it to her.
"I say let's get it over with. I'll go in alone and my advice is you hide in order for my father to calm down." Stefania took Jarrod's jacket off and handed it to Nick.
"Stefania, I don't hide from anybody, but seeing as your father lunged at me with a pitchfork, I'll just go a few ways away, so that way I am out of sight or at least, out of his reach." Nick tossed Jarrod's jacket back to him.
"My papa lunged at you? Why didn't you tell me?" Stefania's eyes got big.
"I was, but seeing as what happened, your father nearly plunging a pitchfork into me was the least of my worries." Nick got into the carriage and sat next to her, "The very least of my worries."
"Well, it worries me! I'm gonna have a talk with him about that! I mean I could've sworn I took his pitchfork away from him and had it hidden." Stefania shook her head.
"Stefania, you can worry about the pitchfork later. Right now, let's get you home and...face your father." Nick patted her knee before turning to Jarrod, "See you back at the ranch."
"See you." Jarrod nodded as he watched Nick and Stefania rode off, before heading off to the ranch.
*With Nick and Stefania, 10 minutes later*
Nick and Stefania arrived to her house and right away, anxiety and the weight of what Stefania endured today came rushing to the forefront for both of them; Nick, because he knew full well that Carmine Mangano Sr would blame him for what happened once he found out and rightfully seek revenge, but on the wrong person. As rare as it was for Nick Barkley to get anxiety for any reason whatsoever, one could hardly blame him, considering the fact that Carmine came at him with his pitchfork earlier today. After finding out what happened to his daughter, Carmine may not use a pitchfork to go after Nick this time. As for Stefania, it was pretty obvious why the anxiety and the weight of everything was rushing to the forefront for her. She was dragged into an alley, beaten around, dress torn off, later taken to an abandoned barn, and r*ped by two of Seth McMahon's thugs before being choked out when Seth heard Fred and Jarrod approaching. Not only that, but since she was r*ped, she faced another possibility; carrying the child of Dodie Gunderson, since he was the first one to violate her. All of this plus the fears of her family ostracizing her all bubbling to the surface, Stefania started crying, again.
"Stefania, I know how you're feeling, especially with the nerves and all, but you need to tell them." Nick pulled her into a hug.
"I can't do it, Nick! I can't! I can't!" Stefania put her face into his chest.
"Stefania, sooner or later, you're going to have to tell them. I mean you heard Dr. Merar tell you to keep an eye on yourself for the next few months and if any symptoms of being sick start popping up, you should go see him. If you start showing signs of...of carrying a child, you'll grow and your family will notice. Once that happens, you'll have no choice, but to tell them after the rounds of questioning takes place and you don't want to go through that." Nick rubbed her back with one hand and stroked her hair with the other.
"I don't want to go through that either, but I'm also too afraid to tell them now. Especially my papa!" Stefania sniffed.
"I understand, but wouldn't you rather get it done and over with now than wait until later on?" Nick asked.
"You're right, Nick. As much as I want to avoid telling them, I guess there's no use avoiding it. I just...don't want to...relive it or ever endure it, again! Ever!" Stefania hesitated for a bit, before reluctantly agreeing with Nick.
"Stefania, I give you my word when I say that you'll never ever endure that hell ever again. I will protect you. I promise!" Nick continued to rub her back, "McMahon and his gang will never ever bother you, again. I'll make sure of it!"
Before Stefania could say anything, the front door opened and out came her brother Carmine Jr, sister Allegra, and her parents.
"Some of your family is out here, so no time like the present." Nick saw Stefania's sister, brother, and parents come out of the house and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Uh oh! Nick...Nick, I'm scared!" Stefania sat upright and got wide eyed when she saw some of her family standing there.
"It's going to be alright, Stefania. Let's get it done and go from there." Nick got out of the carriage and helped her out, before walking her over to the fence.
"Stefania, sei in ritardo ! Più tardi del solito quando sei con Barkley ! Non sai che i tuoi cugini Serafina e Italia stavano visitando da Roma oggi?! Ti ha fatto scivolare la memoria?! (Stefania, you're late! Later than usual when you're with Barkley! Don't you know that your cousins Serafina and Italia were visiting from Rome today?! Did that slip your memory?!)" Carmine was furious.
"Papà, vai piano con lei. (Dad, go easy on her.)" Allegra tugged her father's arm, clearly sensing that her sister was in no mood to argue like she usually would. Little did Allegra and the Mangano family know what happened to Stefania.
"Yeah, papa. Something tells me that Stefania endured something." Carmine Jr added, before going over to Nick and his sister, gasping when he got a good look at Stefania's bruises from the moonlight and looking over at Nick.
"Now look, Junior, before you get any ideas, are you going to believe what you see or what either your sister or I have to tell you?" Nick put his hand up, gesturing "stop"/ "hold on".
"Nick, I'm only going to ask you this once before papa decides to take over with the questioning, what happened to my sister? She is bruised and looks like she has been crying plus she is wearing your jacket." Carmine Jr asked in a firm way.
"Carmine, something awful happened to me, but Nick didn't do it." Stefania's voice was a bit shaky.
Before Carmine Jr could speak up, Allegra, Andrea, and Carmine Sr came over to see what was going on. Once they caught a glimpse of Stefania's bruises, Allegra and Andrea could be heard gasping while Carmine Sr balled up his fist and got a look of horror on his face before it would be replaced with anger when he turned his attention to Nick and locked eyes with him.
"Mr. Mangano?" Nick was trying hard not to show how much the man's intense stare was making him feel uneasy, but was starting to fail terribly.
To Be Continued...