“You are welcome to roam around the house if you feel up to it, but either myself, Collin or Zevon need to be close by in case one of the other men get ideas about you. I don’t think they would dare go against my word, but I’m not willing to test it. Do you have any questions?”
Yes, I had a lot, but none I would speak. When I didn’t reply, he gave me a sad smile.
Once in the jetted bathtub, bubbles covered me head to toe. The warm water helped ease the achiness that still permeated my body. My hair had already been scrubbed by the maid—who wasn’t too great at English and way too bossy. I did everything she told me to in her broken language, following her directions to a T.
It felt refreshing to just sit here and relax, not to mention being clean. I was glad for so many bubbles, as they hid my still healing bruises and cuts. The cut on my hip no longer stung, even though there was a nasty scar that would be left behind. I couldn’t see my back; it itched in spots, but otherwise it didn’t hurt.
The only pain I truly felt was from not leaving the bed for so long. I heard the maid moving around the bedroom, changing the bedding and doing who knows what else every once in a while. Ace or another man would comment here or there in what sounded like Italian. I couldn’t make out any of the words; nor did I try.
The bathroom door was left open a crack in case I needed help. I was given strict instructions to holler when I was ready to get out of the tub. Since I wasn’t going to be using my voice any time soon, I’d wait them out, even if I wanted to get out. Just walking across the room and into the bathroom with the help of the maid was tiring, and my legs threatened to give out more than once.
I had my knees pulled up to my chest, my arms loosely wrapped around them. I set my chin on top. The bathroom was like something out of a hotel. The bathtub was porcelain white. The shower had glass walls all around and, from where I sat, I could count at least four different showerheads. The sink had a huge mirror above, which thankfully didn’t show my reflection since it was adjacent to me.
When the water began to cool, the maid, Esbrana, came hurrying into the bathroom, shutting the door nearly all the way behind her.
“You, up, out,” she said, holding a fluffy white towel open for me. Slowly, I pushed my legs to stand. She quickly wrapped the towel around my shoulders and helped me out of the tub. She made fast work of drying my body and then shoved a pile of clothes into my arms with a raised eyebrow.
I nodded, letting her know that I could get dressed without help. She took a step back, waving her hand in a motion that saidget to it. I slipped on the lacy, but soft, underwear. Then the extra soft cotton pants and matching shirt. By the time I was finished, my legs were threatening to fold up underneath me.
Seeing my state, she quickly stepped up beside me, letting my body lean into hers. She wasn’t that much taller than me, even if I was of average height. She led me back into the room. Ace was sitting in his normal chair, a book set across his lap. He looked up at me as I entered.
“You look better, nipotina,” Ace said, taking in my now clean form.
I dropped my eyes away from his, my shoulders slumping.
“Sit. Do hair,” Esbrana said, patting the edge of the bed.
I took a seat, being careful not to just fall on my butt as my legs could no longer hold my weight. I kept my head down, looking at my lap as she got a brush and began to do my hair. Each stroke was gentle. She took her time, humming some sort of tune as she worked.
Once she deemed my hair tangle-free, she braided it from the top. It seemed to me like she was taking as long as possible to twist into in to a French braid, making sure it was perfect. I could feel Ace’s eyes on me every once in a while.
“Done,” Esbrana said, patting my shoulder. Then, she got up and put away the brush and other supplies she had out before making her way out of the room, closing the door part way behind her. Glancing at Ace through my lashes, I saw him looking at me, like he was studying me. My cheeks flamed at the attention. His look wasn’t filled with hate, but I could see the disgust.
I wasn’t sure what to do. I wanted to curl back up under the blankets, which had been changed, and hide away from the world.
“You aren’t the girl I used to know,” Ace said, looking away from me. Of course, I wasn’t the same girl he met at the park so many weeks ago. So many, in fact, it felt like years ago. I’d still had hope that I could get away from an abusive father, even after the death of Lisa.
And now, I was here. Still a prisoner but to a different captor.
“Okay, so here’s the deal, nipotina.” He leaned forward and dipped his head to meet my own. I moved my eyes away from him, not wanting to see the struggle of emotions he was trying to hide. He sighed at my lack of eye contact. “You will eat some real food when it’s brought up here. If not you will be having that feeding tube in for however long you need it. The cook in this house is excellent, so I’d suggest you try to eat.”
He paused, letting the words soak in. I didn’t want to eat. I wasn’t hungry.
“You are free to roam the upstairs at any time you wish. There is a guard stationed just outside your room for your protection. If you want to venture downstairs, you may, but you need either Collin, Zevon or myself to escort you.”
My face paled, but either he didn’t notice or didn’t want to comment on it.
“The door is never to be closed if someone is in here with you,” he went on. “Other than the three people I already named, and the maid, no one else has permission to enter this room unless you say they may. I want to make you safe and comfortable. But I won’t always be here, as I do have business I must take care of.
“I hope you can feel like yourself here, because there are a few people who really want to see you. I will keep my promise that no one here will ever lay a hand on you.” I kept my head down. I didn’t want to see the lies in his eyes. I didn’t want him to give me false hope just to tear me down again and again.
“This is your room, so make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a bit with some food. Collin will probably be in later to check on you.”
I remained frozen at the edge of the bed as he made his way out. He paused at the doorway, seeming as if he was going to say something else, but he thought better of it. When his footsteps faded away, I crawled up to the top of the bed, rolling into a tight ball.
Later that morning—at least, I assumed it was morning—Collin came in with a medical bag and a big smile on his face. His happiness caused my body to clench in fear. It didn’t help that Zevon stood just in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. I knew there was more than one person out in the hallway.
I shut my eyes, waiting on pins and needles for him to make it quick. I could hear his disappointed sigh before he set his bag on the bed beside me.
