“Matias,” she whispered in a hoarse voice. Her throat was raw and sore from all the crying she’d done over the last few weeks.
“It’s going to be ok. I promise.” His muscular arms lifted her, causing her to whimper in pain. “We’ll get you some help. The monster who did this will pay. You have my word. Open the door, Jesus.”
The sunlight burned against her flesh as he carried her to the car. Even through the swelling, her eyes ached with the piercing orange of the sky. Carlos climbed into the backseat and cradled her in his arms. “Let’s go.”
Katya listened as, who she assumed was Jesus, spoke to Carlos. “Miguel said to take her to Antonio’s place. Their sister Catarina willwait to assess her. Massimo and the others are about two hours away. They’ll meet us there.”
“It won’t be long. You're safe now.”
Katya whispered into the car, “Jorge… my father?”
“Gone. They others are looking for them. Don’t worry. The motherfuckers are as good as dead when we get them. They won’t hurt you anymore, Katya.”
Every bump, every turn, created agony throughout her body, reminding her she would forever hold the hell she endured in her soul.
“I’m going to lift you again,” the soft timbre voice of her savior spoke as he slipped his arms under her broken body. She whimpered as he carried her up what felt like steps.
“Holy shit. Get her inside,” a woman’s voice penetrated the fog she was covered in. It felt like she was floating through space. “Lay her on the bed. Sweetheart, can you hear me?”
A woman leaned over her body; her profile was fuzzy through Katya’s swollen eyelids. Katya flinched as her hand tried to reach for her.
“Ye…” her voice squeaked, unable to finish the word.
“Get my brother in here, NOW!” The woman screamed.
“Holy shit!Catarina, I came as soon as Massimo called me.”
“Madison, this is bad. I think she’s been,” she paused, trying to gather her words.
“I know. We need to get her in the shower. Here, help me get her back up.”
The two women eased her off the bed and half-carried, half-walked her to the bathroom. Since she was still naked, there was no clothing to remove.
“She can’t get in alone.”
“I’ll get in. I have a change of clothes here somewhere, and if not, then Antonio can give me something.”
“Easy, Madison. She’s unsteady.”
Katya felt the needles of water hit her skin, her body tensing with the burning pain of her wounds soaking in the water.
“It’s alright, Katya. I have you. My name is Madison, and that’s Catarina. I’m Massimo Anastasi’s fiancée and she is his sister. Matias saved my brother-in-law, Antonio. We’re going to help you, ok?” Katya nodded slowly, tears falling and mixing in with the beads of water dripping from the showerhead. “I’m going to wash off the blood, I’ll try to be gentle.”
Katya winced and cried out as the two women cleaned her skin. Her head stayed bent,her eyes straining to see through the black and blue lids. She could see the water turning red with each pass of the washcloth until it finally ran clear.
“Alright, Catarina is going to wrap the towel around you.” The water cut off and her body was encased in a soft blanket of cotton. Madison helped ease her out of the bathroom and gently laid her down on the bed. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to change my clothes. Catarina is a nurse, so she is going to see to your wounds, ok?”
Katya tried to smile at Madison, but her body was too weak. She felt like closing her eyes and giving in to the darkness for good.
“I’m going to start an IV of fluids. You’ll feel a slight prick from the needle.”
After all the pain she’d endured, she couldn’t feel anything. She’d become numb to everything around her. Part of her worried she was changed forever—a prisoner to the darkness and torment that held her for the last several months.
Matiaswasonedgeas they pulled into Antonio’s driveway. His house had belonged to his parents, prior to moving to Italy. It rivaled his own home in size, reminding him that the Anastasi’s were just as powerful as his own family.
“Matias,” Antonio greeted them at the door. “Come into the living room. My sister would like a word first.”
“I need to see Katya.”
