Gaia
Fear is imaginary. That was my mantra for as long as I could remember. The men who had brought me here didn’t scare me. They liked to think they did, but they didn’t. Arthur Calthorpe sure as hell didn’t scare me. He was just a tyrant, using his wealth and power to frighten people into submitting. But I was not the submissive kind, and he’d best get used to that idea. I walked around the deluxe room, which was very similar to the one I grew up in, just less pink. I had absolutely nothing of my own here. My phone and bag were taken from me. I opened a door which led to a walk-in closet. ‘You’ve got to be kidding me.”
There were hangers and hangers of clothing and several rows of shoes. I pulled a dress down, seeing that it was precisely my size. He’d planned this. I would not use any of this bloody clothing. I’d shower and remain in a towel if I had to before I would put on something he’d purchased. My thoughts went to Gabriel, what were they doing to him? Was he even still alive? I sank to the floor, wrapping my arms around me.
A knock sounded at the door, and I stalked over to it, throwing it open and starling the timid looking woman who stood there. “Miss, Mr. Calthorpe has asked that you join him for dinner.”
“Tell him to fuck off.”
“I’m afraid I cannot do that Ma’am.”
“Then you fuck off.” I slammed the door in her face. I needed a bath, and I needed to crawl into bed and go to sleep. Maybe I’d wake up and this would all be a nightmare. I entered the large bathroom and ran the bath, throwing in some of the bubble bath that rested on the side of the tub. I tied my hair up in a messy bun then undressed.Stepping into the warm water, I let it soothe my body and senses. It smelled of vanilla, one of my favorite scents. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Tears streamed down the sides of my face when I thought of what these people might be doing to my brother. Hadn’t Gabe already been through enough in his life? Why did these monsters always attack the innocent? They could have gone straight for my father. They’re cowards, I decided.
The bathroom door swung open and there stood the King of Hell himself, his eyes hard, his jaw set.
“I will know to lock the door next time,” I said, keeping my eyes closed.
“Then I’ll break the damn thing down. When I invite you to dinner, you do as you’re told.”
“I have not done as I was told since I was six. What are you, my father now? Your commands do not work with me. I will not do anything until I see my brother.”
“You do not get to make demands, Gaia. If you want to see him again, which I know you do, you’ll listen and obey.”
“What the fuck does having dinner with you have to do with that? Do you plan to woo me with your gentlemanly ways?”
He looked outraged but said nothing.
“Pass me a towel,” I ordered, cocking a brow. There were two players in this game. I knew why he wanted me here, and unfortunately for him, he’d lose.
He looked at me like I was joking. “Get your own towel,” he said. He swallowed when he looked at me then stepped into the bathroom and pulled a towel from the shelf, holding it out for me. I stood, unashamed and unnerved. His eyes were full of anger, lust, and hunger as he took in my nakedness. “Eyes up here,” I said nonchalantly, but inside I wondered what would happen if his beast was unleashed. I took the towel and wrapped it around myself, walking past him.
He followed me into the room. “You will be downstairs in half an hour.”
“That is not happening. I am not eating with a man who kidnapped not just me, but my brother too. You can forget that. For all I know, Gabriel could be dead, and I’ll be next. I will do as I fucking please until then. So get out of my room, or stay here and gawp, I cannot be bothered either way.”
His fists were clenched at his sides. He was pissed off, I could tell, but he was restraining himself for some reason.
“If you’re not careful, I can make that a reality, principessa.” He stormed out of my room for the second time that day.
When he left, I sat on the bed and let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. I was not scared of that man, but I was scared of what he could do to my brother. Maybe if I stopped being so stubborn, he’d let me see Gabriel.
But how far was I willing to go to keep both my brother and me safe?
