“I try to be as gentle as I can. I know it’s not for everyone. Besides, I was surprised that you were so open to it.”
I didn’t know what to tell him. It was a strange way to lose my virginity, but I didn’t hate it. In thinking about it, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to make love to him. I still hated the Cavettis for destroying my family and my life. It seemed too intimate. What he’d done had been a better way to approach it. Strange? Yes. But it was something I didn’t regret.
“You should get dressed,” he said suddenly and started to lift himself upright. “I’ll take you downstairs to see your sister.”
I almost wanted to cry. It had been so long since I’d seen Alessandra that I was sure that she was lonely. I had to see if she was okay, and I was glad that he would take me.
“Will I get some privacy with her, too?”
He swept his legs over the bed and turned to face me. “You will. I know it’s been a while since you’ve seen her. I’ll give you both enough time to catch up.”
A soft smile formed on my lips as I reached for the nightgown on the floor. “Thank you. I’m really happy that I get to see her again.”
He remained silent as he stood up. He walked to his closet, which was a walk-in. He disappeared behind the door as I gathered the last of my things. I could see the objects he’d used the previous night on the dresser, which caused me to blush. I averted my eyes from them and got dressed. I was hoping no one would be up in the house. The last thing I wanted was for there to be someone to see me leave his room.
I was sure that Lucia and Romeo had had their share of nightly visits, but no one except Alessandra knew that I’d been with Marcello—at least, as far I was aware. I dreaded seeing Angelo Cavetti’s reaction to seeing his son and I leaving from his room.
“All right,” he said, emerging from the closet wearing a dark wash pair of jeans and a black v-neck. “Are you ready to go downstairs?”
I nodded lightly, trying not to focus on how his v-neck tee showed off his muscles. He was like a statue cut from marble, and it was hard not to notice when he was wearing such form-fitting clothes. I rarely saw his body, as he was always hiding behind the door.
He headed towards the door and I followed behind him. He opened it and poked his head out into the hallway, checking for anyone that might be up. I didn’t think he was ready for someone to see us either. I knew that he was being as careful as he could be, but the house was huge. I hadn’t even realized we were in the Cavetti mansion until he’d brought me upstairs.
“There’s no one. As expected,” he said, more to himself than me. “Come on. Let’s get you back downstairs.”
“I’m going to miss your bed.”
He raised his eyebrows at me. “The comfort of my bed, or what we did?”
My cheeks burned as I lowered my eyes, not wanting to answer the question. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. It was a mix of both, but he already knew that what we’d done had been amazing. I didn’t need to say it.
He pushed open the door for me and stepped out into the hallway. I followed him closely, just in case someone did catch us. He was tall and wide enough that I’d be hidden. I kept my footsteps light, so as not to wake anyone. There were a number of doors along the white wall that we passed, each of them closed. I saw the steps just up ahead, towards the end of the hallway, as the wall gave way to a banister. The gray hardwood floors gave way to the tiled marble along the first floor.
He brought me through the kitchen and towards the eyesore of a metal door at the end. It was where we’d find the staircase that led to my prison. I wished there was a way to remain upstairs, at least that way I’d have the ability to see the sun. It was only as it streamed in through the window next to his bed that I remembered just how much I missed nature. Not to mention shopping, going to restaurants, and swimming at the beach. I wished Alessandra and I could just go back to how things were, and never take them for granted again.
“You first,” he said as he opened the door to the basement. “I’ll close the door after us.”
I glanced out the window above the stainless steel kitchen sink and saw the small pond just out in the distance. I wanted to be out there with a coffee in my hands and enjoying the sun against my skin. The Cavetti’s had a beautiful backyard that was well-tended, which was something I hadn’t fully expected. I was expecting it to be all concrete, with little landscaping.
“Come on. There’s no time to stand around staring outside.”
My lip quivered. “I miss it out there. I know I have to go back to my cell, but I don’t want to.”
“I only think it’s a matter of time until you’re able to go back out and enjoy your life,” he said, his voice low. “My father won’t keep you locked up forever. I think he just needs some time to process things.”
“It feels as though it’s been forever already.”
He pointed back towards the stairs. “Come on. I’ll let you know if I hear anything regarding what’ll happen to you and your sister.”
I decided to go along with him. I had to hope that he would keep me updated. The thought of a man like Angelo Cavetti changing his mind was something I couldn’t even fathom. The chances of him freeing us in the next few months didn’t seem possible. He hated our family, and he’d conquered us. He was a man who enjoyed the spoils of war.
Our footsteps echoed and the slamming of the door caused me to jump. I saw Alessandra’s cell door and my stomach filled with butterflies. It had been so long, and I hadn’t been able to help her after Romeo had harassed her. I didn’t know how many days it had been, or weeks, but I was so happy to be able to spend some time with her.
I waited at her door, eager for him to open it. The latch along her door was the same as mine and looked heavy to even lift. The difference between the upstairs and the basement was glaring. The Cavetti house was so bright and open, and the basement was dark and grey. There were shadows everywhere, and even the air was stifling. The low ceilings and small hallway made it cavelike.
Marcello stepped in front of me and grunted as he pulled up the latch. He gripped the handle and opened the door. Alessandra was waiting in the middle of the room with her hands clasped at her chest, as though she was anticipating someone different. Her expression shifted into a large smile, her eyes glinting with happiness.
I rushed into the room and brought her into my arms. She smelt just how I remembered, though she was thinner than the last time I saw her. We were both growing increasingly pale and gaunt looking. It was almost as though our confinement had taken its toll not only on our minds but our bodies.
