He clenched up, avoiding my eyes as he stumbled over his next words. “Sessions? Is that what I said? What I meant-”
With a tilted head and lifted brow, I let him know I wasn't buying it. “What were his sessions?”
His shoulder slumped, mumbling out the side of his mouth, “He usually beats him relentlessly, calling it ‘training,’ but it always seemed like it was more of a way for our father to let out his frustrations.” Reaching out for my hand, I let him play with my fingers, keeping his head down as he continued. “My father's most loyal men would drag him out of father’s office afterwards and dump him in his room, leaving him bleeding all over. I couldn't let that happen, and I ended up bandaging him up myself. I-I don't think he remembered; he was pretty much unconscious the whole time. Every time.”
Sighing out, I closed my eyes, letting my head bang on the headboard. What was once a hot, fiery anger was now transforming into an icy burn, so tired of all the pain and abuse they’d gone through. One way or another, this man had to pay for all his sins. I just needed to ensure I didn’t get caught in the crossfire.
Getting ready to confess my thoughts, the door clicked unlocked and that had us both pause. The boys didn't trust any of their fathers' men and decided to lock me up in this room, one that they only had the key to. Nicu said he was waiting for his father to bring it up before he came up with an excuse, but if their was anything I learned in this house, it was that you were never safe.
Cezar threw open the door, “Okay, so I’ve checked on them and decided that they weren't worth missing time with you, so I killed them all.” Slicing his hand like a knife at his neck, just adding to the dramatics…or I guess it could be more like showing exactly what he did? He jumped on the bed, kicking at Ion before snuggling into my other side, sighing out with his hands around me. “Is this how regular people feel? Rushing through their work, being all sloppy, just to get home as fast as possible?”
“I-I guess so,” I stumbled over my words as I thought about how he just admitted to killing people to get back to me quicker. I mean… he wasn't wrong, but at the same time, it wasn't the same at all.
He rubbed his face against me like a cat, “Just look at you domesticating me.”Ya sure. Domestication. That's what we'll call it.
The door opened again; Cezar whirled around, knife in hand and at the ready as his body covered mine. Ion somehow had a gun in his hands and had it pointed at the door when Nicu strode in. His eyes flicked to both weapons like they were nothing and sighed out as he dropped a bomb. “We’ve been summoned to have lunch with Father… and to bring Kazia.”
Ion threw his gun on the bed, scowling at Nicu, “We’re not-”
“And what are you going to do?” Nicu cut him off, taking a step closer, his bruised and battered face shaking as he glared at him. “Are you going to take her and run away now?” He took menacing steps towards him, “Do you think you’ll get far? Even if you can, do you think he’ll give up?” His eyes slid to mine even as he was still talking to Ion. “No. He won’t; once he catches you, it’ll be worse than you imagine. You both know the truth.”
Nicu grabbed Ion by the throat, teeth clenched, “Don't you fucking dare fill her heart with hope when you’re not in the position to follow through.”
His words were filled with desperation and resigned hollowness, reminding me of what he was like when I broke down in his room. He wasn't mad or angry at me, this woman in his safe space, his carefully curated environment. No, he looked at me like a fellow survivor, someone who understood the want, the need, to hide and survive. Then it dawned on me.
This was their father's actual goal. He wanted complete control over them so that even if outside forces influenced them, they would be so conditioned that they couldn't see any way out and just endured.
I remembered a case study about punishments and parenting, how some were connected to control while others were for safety. The children whose parents used punishment to control had trouble seeing anything outside of that punishment. I would bet my own life that at a young age, acceptance was rewarded, while any inkling of resistance was met with a swift and exaggerated punishment. I would need to think about it later, but for now, this fighting was going to get us nowhere.
Standing up, I reached Nicu’s side, running my hand up the arm gripping his brother's neck, keeping my voice calm and low. “I understand. I need to get dressed, right? Is ten minutes okay?”
Turning his neck, he let go of his brother. Those deep, dark eyes zeroed in on me, giving me his full attention. Even with his stoic face not changing, he couldn't keep his eyes void of the thoughts running in his head. Thoughts that he wouldn't or couldn't say out loud.
Are you going to be okay?
I hate this.
Can you forgive me?
Brushing my fingers along his jaw, I gave him my answer to all his questions as I smiled up at him. “Don’t you remember? I told you I just needed someone to understand. To be there.”
Even though nothing about his body movements or face changed, I could tell he understood as he nodded. Turning away from him as fast as I could, my eyes connected with Cezar, sitting on the bed. For once, his face did not give away anything that he thought or felt; he just stared at me, waiting.
Taking a deep breath, my feet led me to the closet full of women's clothes and I had a sneaking suspicion Nicu had sometime to do with that.
I picked out a flowy dress with a pretty flower pattern on it. If I needed to play the cute subservient female, I guess I would. I just hope Arek buys it.
Just like last time,I took Nicu’s hand, and he led me downstairs with Ion and Cezar following behind us. This time, Arek stood next to his seat, smiling like nothing happened yesterday. When he saw me, his eyes didn't meet mine; they immediately went to the bruises on my neck, and his smile widened. Sick fuck.
“Good morning!” He made a show of looking around, even though there were no windows in this area of the house. “Well, maybe it's more of a good afternoon. It seems like your mother didn't teach you enough discipline to get up at a proper time,” his jaw clenched as he mentioned my mom, but he kept going. “But no matter, you’re our guest, and guests are afforded leisure time.” His eyes went to all three of his sons, still smiling, but the threat was clear as day.
Glancing at the table, I saw a variety of fruits, pastries, and meats, all looking delicious. Yet my stomach rolled at the thought of having to eat anything this man was offering me. Playing his game, I smiled at him. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. This spread looks amazing.”
This seemed to take the heat off the guys, and Arek placed his hand on his chest in thanks. “Let's have some food, and we’ll talk a bit about the day.” We all stiffened, not knowing what was up his sleeve next, but I knew one thing was for sure; he would not let me go anytime soon. I needed to play his little game and survive today, then tell the guys we needed to devise a plan.
Everyone went to the same spots as before, the silence in the room only interrupted by the dragging of the chairs on the hardwood. A door to the back swung open, and someone from the kitchen brought orange juice in one hand and a bottle of vodka in the other, going around and filling everyone's drinks with the mix.
“What is this, Ion?” Arek’s voice boomed, and we all looked up.
