by Kay Maree
"Bene, call me when you find out something." Before I can answer, he ends the call.
***
I enter the safe house with Kirsty firmly in my arms and she holds onto the full bag of fluid attached to her I.V. When I look down, I see her eyes darting around, taking everything in.
"Come on, Sugar, I'll show you around before I take you to your room."
She nods. She hasn't said a word since we left Dominic's house and I don't push her to speak. I know it's a lot to take in, she's frightened and still very weak. I stride down the hallway and show her the kitchen.
"When you feel stronger, feel free to help yourself to anything you want."
Her eyes scan the room. It's spacious with numerous wooden cupboards, granite benchtops and a small sitting area is attached. I cross to the other side of the room where glass doors open into an enclosed area with a pool.
"There's an indoor pool!" Her eyes shoot around the room in an attempt to absorb everything, but I can tell she is overwhelmed.
"How about I show you more later. I'll take you up to your room so you can rest."
Leaving the kitchen area, I head towards the stairs leading up to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. We enter the master bedroom and I open the door to show her the ensuite. "I'll bring the bag of clothes Brooklyn gave you up later, is that okay?"
She nods and I notice her fidgeting with the bag of fluid in her hands. "You're tired."
"I am, sorry."
"Don't be, you need much more time to recover." I pull back the covers with one hand and lay her down before taking the bag from her. I flick up the pole from behind the headboard, I'd organized it to be fitted earlier in readiness for her coming back here, and hang the bag from the hook.
"I'll let you get comfortable. I know you're confused and what's been happening is a lot to take in, but I want you to make yourself at home here." I pull the covers over her and my heart aches when she flinches at the action. I know she has a long way to go before the reaction to people approaching her ceases.
"I promise, I'll never hurt you." I brush my lips over her forehead and hope she believes me.
I close the door and head downstairs. I hear the front door open and close and freeze for a moment, I'd forgotten to set the fucking alarm I move into the hallway, gun drawn and find Theo. I shove the gun away and give him a chin lift.
"What's with the fucking gun, fratello?"
"I forgot to set the fucking alarm" I notice how tired he looks. "You look like shit."
"Thanks, fratello, you are always so fucking nice to me."
I chuckle at his sarcasm.
"What the fuck is happening and why am I here?"
"Not here, let's go into the kitchen." As we head to the kitchen, I sigh loudly. I'm ready for this shit to end.
"Katherines back home, but her bitch of a sister has now disappeared," Theo informs me.
"Fuck."
"My thoughts exactly, fratello."
"Have you heard how Antonio is?"
"Si, I was just talking to Dominic, that's how I know about Katherine. Docs looking at him now."
"Bene."
"So, do you want to fill me in on what else is happening?" He sets up his laptop on the breakfast bar."
I tell him about how we found Kirsty and how Joey, the fucker was torturing her. I fill him on what happened at the warehouse.
"About fucking time that traditore got what was coming to him."
I nod in agreement and flick the kettle on to make coffee. I wonder what the fuck has got Theo looking like shit. "What the fuck has got you looking like you do?"
"Fuck, where do I fucking start." He chuckles but he sounds done in.
"Someone tried to plant a fucking bug in my software, trying to access my files. Stopping it was easy enough, but every time I open a new file, it's back again. I'm playing a game of fucking cat and mouse. They've left a few cryptic messages and I've spent hours trying to work out what they fucking mean." He drags his fingers through his hair, he's obviously frustrated but I don't know shit about that stuff so, I don't comment. "This morning, I finally got a name so it's a start. Now I need to go through and find where she's been in my system. I need to find what she's managed to get into and if she's left any codes. "She?" I ask confused
"Yeah, I'm only guessing, but I don't think any guy would go by the name, Trixie."
"Good point, fratello."
"Let's get into it, we don't have time to waste. This shit is big."
I hand him a coffee, he boots up his computer and we set to work on finding everything we can on Bruno J and anybody else who may be involved with him.
Chapter Eleven
Kirsty
Something has woken me. Lifting my head, I stare out the window to find it's now dark outside. I slap a hand to my mouth to cover a yawn. I must have fallen into a deep sleep. The last thing I remember was Sergio leaving to head downstairs, then I heard a door open and close and thought he'd left me alone. I began to panic, even though I knew in my heart he wouldn't leave me here with no-one, but when I heard another man's voice and Sergio asking him to follow him through to the kitchen, I relaxed.
I scan the dimly lit room and wonder what it was that woke me, then I hear it. Someone is hitting something and grunting loudly. The panic sets in again and I start shaking, I need to know Sergio is okay.
I swing my legs over the side of the bed and holding onto the backboard, push to my feet. I stand for a few moments allowing the dizziness to subside, take the almost empty bag of fluid from the pole and leave the room. I take it slowly, I'm weak and unsteady but I have to see Sergio isn't hurt. I head toward the sound and take the steps carefully. I stop when I reach the bottom and listen again. The noise is louder here and echoes around me. I head toward a door which has been left ajar, and peek through the small gap into the lit room.
Sergio has his back to me, he's hitting a punching bag over and over. I watch, mesmerized as sweat trickles over the rises and falls of hard muscles shaping his tattooed back. Warmth settles deep inside me and I feel heat creep up my neck. I lick my parched lips as he grunts out a swing and the bag flies back in the air. Placing my hand against the wall beside me, I take a deep breath in an effort to get myself under control. Holy hell my body is on fire. I close my eyes for a moment before heading towards the kitchen for a tall glass of cool water.
***
Searching the cabinets, I find a glass and fill it with water from the fridge. Turning, I lean against the cool metal of the fridge door and take a few sips of the water. I cross to the windows lining the wall to the backyard and gaze up at the bright moon high in the sky. A smile pulls at my lips and the feeling of peace I get every time I see the moon, washes over me.
I hear footsteps approaching from the direction of the hallway and turn to find a man standing in the doorway. My heart bangs with terror, it scares the shit out of me. I scream and my glass hits the floor shattering to a million pieces. The bag of fluid joins it and what was left runs out over the floor after a shard pierces the plastic.
"Shit, sorry, Miss." The man appears as shocked as me.
A light flickers on almost blinding me and I hear the sound of feet hitting the wooden floor as someone runs towards us. Sergio explodes into the kitchen, covered in sweat, muscles flexed ready to fight. "What the fuck happened?" he shouts.
"I'm sorry, so sorry. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to scream and drop the glass," I sob before sliding down the wall and hugging my knees to my chest. I cower, my head lowered, waiting for the blows to come.
I feel fingers beneath my chin tilting my face up, I try not to flinch away.
"It's okay, Sugar, I've got you." Sergio sweeps me into his arms and cradles me against his hard, warm chest. A light sheen of sweat coats my fingers as I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face against his chest. I take a few deep breaths, drawing his scent into my body to calm my racing heart.
The other man hands Sergio the remains of the empty fluid bag.
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"Theo, clean that up," Sergio growls as we pass him and head towards the stairs.
"On it," he calls back.
"I'm s-s-sorry," I whisper. "Are you going to beat me?" Sergio gives me a shocked look laced with sorrow and anger.
"Sugar, I will never, for as long as I live, raise a hand to you for any reason. It's fine, it was only a glass. You're safe and that's all that matters."
I relax into him as he takes me up the stairs to my new room.
He places me gently on the bed, but I don't let him go. I feel safe for the first time in what feels like forever.
"Lay with me, hold me," I whisper and squeeze my eyes shut, not believing what I've just said.
I hear him suck in a deep breath and worry he's going to say no.
"I have to take your drip down first. Doc said it could come out as soon as you started drinking."
I nod, wondering if it is his way of saying no to me. He takes a band-aid from the side table and tears open the package then hands it me to hold while he withdraws the needle from my hand. He wraps the tubing around the bag and places it on the bedside table out of the way. After covering the wound with the band-aid, he climbs onto the bed, lays down and holds me to his chest.
"Rest mio tesoro," he whispers into my hair before kissing my forehead.
I cling to him, he's my lifeline, my safe place. Closing my eyes, I drift off.
***
Looking up at the sky, I let the cool night air refresh me, bring a dandelion puff up to my lips and blow. Closing my eyes, I make a wish like I do every time I'm out here. Opening my eyes, I watch as the little puffs float around me, wishing things were that simple and I could float away with them. Hearing the creak of the back door. I cringe, knowing I've been caught again. Most nights I'm lucky, but other nights, not so much.
"Inside, NOW!" Karen screeches.
Quickly getting to my feet, I scurry up the steps. She grabs me and I'm pushed into the house. She doesn't say a word. I know what's to come next so, as soon as I step into my room, I strip out of my nightgown and drop to my knees.
"I don't know why you think you can go out there," she sneers. "I hope you soaked it up because after tomorrow, you won't see the outside for a fucking, long time."
As her words register and she starts to flog me with the belt, I let the tears fall. Not because of the pain caused by the blows, but at the thought of not being able to see the sun or the moon again.
"To your feet," she spits out.
Climbing to my feet, I brace my hands against the old paint chipped wall and wait for what's to come next. When she runs her fingernails down the center of my back causing the sting of my wounds to intensify, I hiss out a breath and close my eyes. Her hand slides around the front of me until she's cupping me. Leaning close to the side of my face she licks up my tears and applies pressure between my legs.
"The boss will be waiting for you, he has a special present for you." She slides her hand back up the front until she's cupping my breast and dragging her nails over the bite marks scattered there.
"You like me playing with you, don't you little whore?" She grips my hair in her other hand and wrenches my head back.
I remain silent, not willing to give her any more satisfaction than what she is already getting by tormenting me.
"Do you want me to play with you? I knew you were a slut the moment I saw you." She cackles and releases me. I rest my head against the wall until I hear the familiar sound of the door shutting and the locks being clicked into place before I allow myself to fall onto the dirty mattress on the floor.
***
"Shhh, Sugar."
I hear a deep voice and scream out, push away from the arms holding me and almost fall off the bed. A warm arm stops me from hitting the floor. I look around, frantic, trying to work out where I am. My eyes connect with his and there is so much pain. I stay focused on him until my breathing settles.
"Why are you here?" I speak softly. Something flashes in his eyes, but it's gone before I can understand what it meant.
"I'm sorry, Sugar, you were having a bad dream."
I turn away, afraid if I stay locked on his eyes, I'll cry. I remember then, I'd asked him to lay with me. When I turn back my eyes are riveted on the tattoos covering his chest.
"I'm sorry, I remember now that I asked you to lay with him. I was confused by the nightmare."
He reaches over to run his fingertips down my cheek but I stiffen and tense.
Sergio stays quiet for a moment, his eyes searching mine. "I'm going to fix some breakfast. Do you feel up to a wash and coming down or, will I bring it up?" "I think I'll be okay to come down."
He nods before standing. At his full height, bare chested, painted with glorious tattoos, my mind instantly recalls the images of him belting the punching bag last night and I feel heat creeping over me. I lower my head allowing my hair to hang like a curtain in front of my face to disguise my blushing.
I wait to hear the door close and let out the breath I was holding. My body is humming with want, but I need to pull myself together, it will do me no good to get close to this man. I climb to my feet slowly and head for the bathroom connected to the bedroom.
Chapter Twelve
Sergio
Why the fuck did you stay in there all night, you fucking cazzo? I shake my head, but can't get past the fact, she belongs in my arms. It felt so fucking right having her tiny body wrapped around me, her head resting on my bare chest. Running my fingers through her dark hair calmed me like nothing else ever has. But, to see that look of terror in her eyes when she didn't remember where she was or, the small cries and whimpers which sounded while she was sleeping, had me wanting to kill any motherfucker who'd either hurt her before or threatened to hurt her in the future. It pissed me off that I couldn't do a fucking thing, how can I fight something I can't see?
"Fuck!" I enter the kitchen scrubbing my hands over my face.
"What's up, fratello?"
I swing around to find Theo sitting at the table drinking coffee, I wonder if he's had any sleep at all.
"Nothing." I grunt as I cross the kitchen and flick on the kettle before turning. "Scusa, fratello." I apologize for being an asshole and snapping at him.
"Si, we're good. Is your girl okay? I heard her scream."
"Honestly, I don't fucking know. I think she's reliving everything in her dreams."
"Fanculo (fuck)."
"My thoughts exactly. It's so hard watching her suffer through it all again." I run a hand over my head. "Did you find anything?" I need a diversion from witnessing Kirsty's nightmare.
"Si, but you better make yourself a cup of coffee first."
"Si, you good?" I look down to his cup.
"Si."
"Did you get any sleep?"
"A few hours but something was bugging me so, I had to look into it."
"To do with Bruno J or something else?"
"Mostly Bruno J, but I think I've figured out how to crack Trixie's messages."
"Bene."
There's not a lot that gets past Theo when it comes to computers, he has to be one of the best hackers in the world. I knew this girl's cryptic messages would have gotten to him and he wouldn't rest until he'd worked it all out.
I lower slices of bread into the toaster and make two coffees. I'm not sure how Kirsty likes it or if she even drinks it, but it's there if she wants it. I take a chance and make it the same as mine, two sugars and milk. I turn towards the doorway when I hear footsteps and see Kirsty come to an abrupt stop when she notices Theo is here too.
"Sugar, this is Theo. Theo, meet Kirsty."
"Hello." She speaks quietly as she looks at her feet.
"I'm sorry about scaring you last night, Miss Kirsty."
Her head lifts and she looks towards Theo, she studies him for a moment. Jealousy twists my stomach but I try to push it away, I'm sure she doesn't need my caveman ass right now.
"I should be the one who's sorry." I can't help thinkin
g she has the soft voice of an angel.
I look towards Theo and see his eyebrows drawn in confusion. "Miss Kirsty, you have nothing to apologize for.
I watch as surprise flashes across her face before she nods and pads towards me. I place the toast on a plate on the bench, grab her coffee and place it next to the plate.
"We don't have a lot in the cupboard at the moment, but I found strawberry jam in the fridge. I hope that's okay. I made coffee but if it's not how you like it, I can make another."
"Thank you." She hoists herself onto a stool at the bench, picks up her mug, takes a sip of the hot brew and screws up her beautiful face. She looks at me and I bite my lip to stop the chuckle which wants to escape. Turning, I pour her a glass of water and place it down in front of her just in case.
"You don't have to drink the coffee, Sugar."
She takes another sip while watching me over the rim of the mug. Her eyes shine and I find myself unable to look away.
"I guess I can get use to this, it's really not bad." A slight smile hits her lips and I wonder what it would be like to see a full smile light up her face. I can't seem to control myself as I reach over and gently touch the side of her mouth when I see a small dimple appear. I realize what I have done when she freezes and I quickly pull my hand back.
"I'm sorry." I turn my back to her when I feel my cock becoming hard as fuck. I barely slept all night thanks to having a perpetual hard-on, but at least when she was asleep, I could hide it. Fuck get your shit together. I excuse myself, leave the room and head up the stairs to the bathroom. I need to cool my ass down.
***
Closing the bathroom door, I flick the lock and drop my shorts. I run my hand up my hard length and squeeze. Closing my eyes, I picture Kirsty laying in my arms, her sweet scent surrounding me and bite my lip to stop a moan slipping out. Stepping into the shower, I flick the tap on cold. The water hits my chest and flows down the front of me, chilling my body. I hope like hell, I can pull myself together before I lose control and scare the shit out of my girl. Resting my hands against the tiled wall, I drop my head and let the water pound against me. I squeeze my eyes shut and imagine Kirsty in the shower with me, Picturing the water running over her curves, my tongue trying to catch every droplet. I growl in the back of my throat as I imagine rubbing soap all over her silky soft skin, down to her luscious ass. Taking a few deep breaths, I grab the soap and run it over my chest. I fantasize it's Kirsty's hand instead of mine and that does it. I lose all control and have to grip myself as I come hard all over the shower wall. I groan as I come hard, black dots appear in my vision and my knees shake.
