“Will anyone else be joining me for dinner? Ever?”
Something flickers in her eyes. Pity, maybe. Or something else? I’m not sure. She hesitates before answering.
“Rio, he will not be around until the wedding, most likely,” she says, carefully. “But sometimes, Frankie may join you for meals.”
She’s hiding something. I can see it in the way her gaze glances away from me nervously. This isn’t the way we do things back in Italy either. There’s months of meetings with engaged couples before they are allowed to marry. What kind of place did Uncle send me to?
“Oh.” I stare at my plate, trying to figure out if I’m disappointed or relieved. I honestly don’t know. At least someone will join me, even if it’s the broody, hot as sin tattooed guard my future husband sent to watch over me.
“You should sleep,” Pita says, softer now. “Get a good night’s rest. Tomorrow will be busy.”
I look up in surprise before responding.
“It will?”
She nods and smiles at me, probably relieved at the small flicker of excitement she sees in my eyes.
“Frankie will take you shopping for necessities. Things you may need for your stay here.”
Shopping. Outside. The thought is like a jolt of electricity. I’ve never really been out shopping. Most things were just ordered online but the thought of going outside of this house sounds more exciting than anything else has in days.
“Like clothes?” I ask, trying not to sound desperate.
“Clothes, toiletries, maybe some books, since you like to read.” She gestures at the paperback next to my plate. “Whatever you need to be comfortable.”
I shove another bite of food into my mouth to hide mysmile even though I’m not hungry anymore. A trip outside means seeing the city, people, maybe even a shot at contacting Andre. It’s not freedom, but it’s something.
“Thank you,” I say, and I mean it. “By the way, the food is incredible.”
Pita lights up and pats my shoulder before she disappears again. “Get some rest, mija. You’ll need your strength.”
I find my way back to my room without getting lost. Small victory. The bed is so soft, like falling into a cloud and eventually, exhaustion drags me under.
Chapter Five
Liana
Idream of Andre, of home, of running through hallways, searching for a door that leads outside. When I wake, the sheets are twisted around my legs and sunlight spills through windows I forgot to cover. And I’m still stuck here in Arizona. My new prison. A knock at the door jolts me upright, making my heart hammer.
"What?" My voice comes out rough and still thick with sleep.
The door swings open making my eyes go wide. Frankie stands in the doorway, his arms crossed and muscles bulging. I take in his large form, unable to look away as his own eyes sweep over me. What is he thinking as he takes in the mess I've made of myself? I can't read his expression. I want to be annoyed that he didn't wait for me to tell him to come in, but also…a part of me likes that he could have walked in at any moment and seen me naked. Would he have watched? Or would he have turned away?
"Get dressed," he says, voice flat. "We're leaving in twenty minutes."
He doesn't even wait for an answer and the door clicks shut behind him as he leaves. I'm out of bed in an instant, suddenly wide awake and overly excited. Shopping in the city. People. Real people. It feels like a dream. For the first time since I got to Arizona, I feel something like hope.
Twenty minutes later we are sitting in yet another SUV.
‘Jesus,’I think to myself,‘does anyone drive anything else besides SUVs around here?’
“So where are we going?” I ask with excitement as I eye Frankie while he drives.
He breathes out a loud sigh like I’m already annoying him. I get a small sense of satisfaction knowing I’ve gotten under this man’s skin, especially when he has barely glanced in my direction. I can see the faint outline of a bruise on the bottom of his jaw but the tattoo on his neck hides part of it. I can’t tell if it’s old or new but something about it makes me want to touch it. His voice pulls me from my thoughts before I have the opportunity to make a fool of myself, thankfully.
"Scottsdale Fashion Square," he says without looking at me. "You need clothes, right?"
I can't hide my smile.
