But then, a mass of bubbles signals another presence, and my slowly deteriorating awareness notes strong arms holding on to me and hauling me back to the surface.
I come back with a sputter, water coming out of my mouth and nose, and I keep coughing it out.
"Easy, kiddo. I got you," he says, treading water with me in his arms until we reach the boat. He pushes me up a ladder, and I use all my remaining strength to climb up, collapsing on my back once I reach the deck.
"Hell, you scared me," he breathes heavily when he reaches my side, and I turn to look at him.
His eyes widen in shock, and his gaze moves from my faceand my unbound hair to my body. I'm barely aware of what's happening, but I can tell something is wrong.
I look down and realize what he's seeing. What's left of the wet shirt is molded to my body, following the contour of my breasts, my nipples puckered from the cold and visibly straining against the material.
6
ALLEGRA
"You're a girl,"his voice is full of venom as he says that. He stands up, his expression one of disgust as he looks at me. "You're a girl," he repeats, shaking his head and taking a deep breath, seemingly to control his anger.
"A woman," I correct him, raising myself on my elbows. I'm breathing hard, my lungs still getting used tonotdying, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take everything he dishes out. I already almost drowned because of him.
"A woman," he laughs, his fists clenching at his sides.
I know I was wrong for lying to him, but surely he can understand how dangerous it is for a woman to travel alone.
"I'm…" I'm about to apologize for my little lie when he continues.
"I should have known," a bitter smile appears on his face, "only a woman would have stared at me like that."
"Like what?" I ask, frowning.
He kneels next to me, removing a switchblade from his pocket. I eye it suspiciously, especially as he plays with the tip.
Instinctively, I try to back away from him, but he's on me within seconds.
"Like you want to fuck me," he replies, but the crude words don't register. Not when he's thrusting the blade in my face, threatening to cut me. He slowly lowers it down my body.
"No more lies." His eyes follow the blade as it glides down my skin, the tip digging into my flesh ever so slightly. One sudden move and it would draw blood.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now," he continues right when I feel the smallest pinch beneath my collarbone. Terrified, I look down at the droplets of red, and I stop thinking. I just act.
Using my legs, I try to kick at him, all the while crawling back on my elbows, seeking an opening to stand up and run.
He easily catches one foot, tugging me closer to him, but I don't stop. My adrenaline spiking, I use my other leg to push him off. He doesn't budge. Instead, he grabs onto my hip, securing me to the ground under his own body. He looms over me and fits the blade right under my chin.
"Every lie you tell equals one cut. I wonder…how many will it take for you to bleed out?" My eyes widen at his implication and I try to fight him off. He's so much bigger and stronger than me that I'm simply pinned to the ground, and despair overtakes me.
"You think you're so great just because you have a pretty face? Not everyone wants to f…f…" I can't bring myself to say the words out loud, so I continue with the first thing that crosses my mind. "You're crazy, you know that? Insane! Mentally deranged! Unhinged!" I yell at him, but it only seems to amuse him.
"Really?" he drawls. "What else?"
"Mad as a March hare!" I burst out, and he has the gall to laugh in my face. I'm terrified, and he's laughing?
"I can't say I've heard that one before." He chuckles, and the blade digs once again into my skin. "Now, where were we? Yes,you were telling me about yourself. No lies, little tigress, no lies."
I stare into his unyielding eyes, and I know I have no choice. With a deep sigh, I start.
"I'm Allegra Marchesi." I give him a short version of today's events, explaining that it was my only chance at freedom before my wedding. After I finish, I watch his face expectantly, hoping my explanation satisfies him.
It doesn't.
