Lina
Somehow, I know that something is wrong before I open my eyes.
Why am I floating?
I feel my bare feet dangling in the air and my mind can't think of a single possible explanation for it.
After what feels like minute, I automatically open both of my eyes . When I do,I immediately wish that I hadn't as I stare into the stone cold expression of Bruno Rossini.
The memories of tonight register in my mind like an unpleasant dream. I stare up at Bruno and stop breathing. The funny thing is that he isn't even looking at me.
When he walks out of an elevator,I let out a grunt of panic,sure that I'm going to fall from his arms but that feeling gets dispelled when Bruno's grip on my body tightens. He pulls me closer to me,as if to never let go. My hearts beats faster,both in fear and something else I refuse to name entirely out of stubbornness.
Bruno, who had been completely oblivious to the fact that I was conscious,stops walking and snaps his head at me the instant that he registers that I'm now conscious.I can't help but freeze in his arms.His expression alters slightly before it hardens again.
" You're awake. Good," he says before quickly looking up again.
Bruno then continues his walking.I blink a number of times in confusion.
I start thinking about what the hell is happening to me at the moment.
Regardless, I gaze in wonder at my surroundings.
Oh my God,we're at a hotel I think with a jolt of surprise ,taking in the sights.
Why are we at a hotel?I wonder, alarmed a bit.
Shifting my eyes to the side,I also notice a wall of men in black surrounding us.
"Don't worry.They are with me," he assures me,sensing my fear.
It only serves to increase my panic.
Luckily,the wall of escorts peel away form us quickly.But my relief is short lived when I notice two others near the door ahead of us.They part when they see us coming and open the door.
It's his suite.
I immediately become fully conscious.
"What is going on Bruno.Put me down! "I demand ,terror filling up my entire being.
Only God knew the horrors that awaited me once I stepped inside that hotel room.
"You've caused enough trouble for one day, precious. How about you make things easy for the both of us and not make a fuss.?" he says with a suitably exhausted expression,not even looking at me.
I don't know if it's out of stubbornness, bravery, fear or even stupidity but I don't even consider doing as he asks me.
"I said, let me go!"I tell him,thrashing in his arms.
I try to resist him with all of my might but in the end it is no match against his manly strength. I'm crying tears of panic and hate when he's got best of me. We've now stopped outside the room.The gazes of the two men at the door are firmly fixed on us by the time the struggles finally cease.
Uncaring, Bruno levels me with a stare that could freeze oceans.
"I don't have the time or the patience for this, my precious,it's been a tiring last few hours.For the both of us. Let's not make it longer. Or uglier," he says with a dangerous glint in his eye."If you don't want that to happen then I suggest that you better start behaving."
Staring at him,I start to shiver uncontrollably however it's more from the chill in the air than Bruno's threat really.
The thing is that even in my present terrified state I can still somehow tell when a person is not telling the truth. It's in the way that Bruno mouth twitches and he shifts his eyes to the side really quickly.
He's bluffing , I think while staring at his intense brown eyes.He won't do anything to me.
Before I can feel relieved ,he tears his gaze away from me before stepping inside the open hotel suite.
We arrive to a blanket of darkness. I'm unpleasantly surprised when Bruno puts me on my feet all of a sudden.I clutch his arm when he takes a step away from me.
"Lina?" He says,a question in his voice.
My only response is to keep quiet. I have no problem drawing physical comfort from Bruno but I am not about to admit to my captor that I am currently scared,even more so because the lack of light in the room.I think he's probably figuring it out but I don't want to confirm it.That's because I'm almost a hundred percent sure that he would try to take advantage of it. I'm slowly starting to realise what a manipulative bastard this Bruno Rossini is.
I clutch his arm for a moment before his deceptively, light hearted voice rings around the room.
"Lina, let me go so that I can turn on the lights.Or do you suddenly not want to be away from me anymore."
That's enough for me to let his arm go.Fear be damned.
Bastard.
I can't bear the thought of this man thinking that I wanted him,even if it was just for a little bit.
I didn't need him and wanted him to know it.
His smiling face is the first thing I see when the lights turn on.
I respond by glaring at him,hoping that he saw all the hate that I feel for him.
He chuckles a bit before raking a hand through his hair.I tell myself that the emotion that I start to feel is disgust.
"You don't like me anymore?"
I don't dignify that with an answer,mostly because I have no wish to talk with this cold-hearted monster who did not feel any compassion or sympathy.
His face was cool as a cucumber the whole time they were beating my cousin half to death.
Oh my god, What did they do with Cameron? .What did they do to me?Was I drugged ?I can't remember what happened after they beat up Cameron.
He sighs after a bit.
"You're going to have to talk eventually,precious.You might as well start now."
His jaw tightens when I don't respond.
"Fine then,I'll do all the talking."
With that walks over to me grabs my arm and leads to me the couch. I drop on it unceremoniously and look up at him,expecting him to do the same.
He doesn't but instead turns and slowly goes to pour himself a drink from a crystal decanter."If you ever go that again then I will make things far more unpleasant for you than I did today.I just want you to know that,"he tells me in a casual voice that makes me sick to my stomach.
I clutch my clothes tightly but do not respond.This is the first time he isn't looking at me so naturally,I start wrecking my brains. What am I going to do?
My brain knows that escape is next to impossible because of the many men he has to catch me so I can only do the next best thing:yelling for help at the top of my womanly voice.However I can't bring myself to do it.That's because very recently, I've learnt a hard lesson in actions and consequences.Deadly consequences,that have already been too much for me to bear for one night.
Holding in tears for my cousin ,I grip my pyjamas more tightly and keep mum. However I silently vow to get vengeance for my cousin as soon as I am able. This man has another thing coming if he thinks I'm going to take that lying down.
He crossed the motherfucking line when he touched my cousin.The first chance I get ,he's paying.
I sneak a glance at his back as he lifts up the glass to his mouth and takes a sip glass. His demeanour is epitome of calm and controlled but I am not fooled for a second.A storm rages inside this man and it quite a dangerous one.But the knowledge doesn't change my mind.
Vengeance will definitely be mine.
"What are you thinking precious?"he asks with his back turned to me."Would you like a drink?I would've asked you earlier if I wasn't sure that you wouldn't respond."
"I'm not in the mood for either drinking or conversing with you,"I retort without thinking in anger.
I feel his smile rather than see it when he says,"Then why have you suddenly decided to strike up a conversation?"
""Only to tell you that everything about you turns my stomach,"I say with spite.
" I'm aware precious .I'm fully aware," he tells me in an amused voice."Though I have to tell you that it beats being ignored,don't you think," He finishes with the same tone.
"Fuck you," I tell him quietly, using every opportunity to let him know how much I loathed him.
I regret my words as soon as I say that and hold my breath as I wait for his pissed off response.
He turns my way and locks his gaze with mine. I'm taken aback when he just chuckles.
"Precious if you're going to insult someone,try not to look so terrified so that they are not tempted to hurt you. Just a little tip, for the future"he tells me and finishes by lifting his glass. I drop my head slightly down before letting out a little sigh of relief. And then freeze in fear as I register his words.
Had....had he been tempted to hurt me?Am I wrong in thinking that physical assualt wasn't on the cards with me. With a lot of hesitation,I look at him to gauge his reaction.
When our gaze lock,I see the questioning look in his face.
He drops his glass on the table before asking me "What is it?"
"What are you going to do to me?" I ask him,unable to help myself. I just had to know where this night was going. Had to be sure it wouldn't end with my screams.
Bruno puts his glass on the table before regarding with a pissed off expression.
" For godsake,do you think going to hurt you Lina?," he says through clenched teeth .
I stare at him, not sure what to say. Not sure to say anything at all. I didn't want to poke the beast.
The truth is that I didn't think that at first but...he did beat my cousin to a pulp so now...
Bruno's eyes are angry when I don't say anything."I would never put my hands on you precious.Not in that way," he tells me seriously.
I take comfort in his words but I opt not think about them too much. My mind refused to go there.
"If you're thinking about your cousin, just know that he had it coming," he tells me before finishing the rest of his drink in one go.
I glare at the man almost immediately,giving him my best fuck you eyes.
He rakes a hand in his long hair while smiling at me.A real smile this time that lights up the room even more.
I swallow hard.
God,these mixed feelings had to stop. No way I was going to let myself have feeling for this particular man.Absolutely not!
"Don't look at me like that precious. It makes it so hard to resist you."
I know he is just taunting me so I don't give him a reaction.
"Is my cousin alright?" I ask slowly,finally gathering the courage to ask.
"He's alive," Bruno answers while leaning on the table.
A wave of relief washes through me, almost able to the feelingof fear inside me. I immediately open my mouth to get more details when Bruno cuts me off.
"That's enough questions for now,Lina. I' think it's time to get some rest now," he declares in a firm voice.
" You don't get to tell me what to do! You monster, " I snap at Bruno without looking at him.
I'm usually able to hold my tongue when I'm when the situation demands it,like the day of the Bank robbery, but there is something about that just turns my control to shit.
I just can't bring myself to accept being bossed around. It's just not in my nature anymore after being completely independent for so long.
"I want to know how my cousin is and what you're planning to do with me Bruno," I tell him vehemently."And if you think that I'm sleeping anywhere near you then you've got another thing coming,"
I'm a mixture of fear and anger when I finish.I absolutely hated this situation.
"Oh really?" He asks.
"Yes," I tell him in a scared but determined voice.
I gulp internally when the man walks over to me in slow measured steps. I should've seen it coming but I was still taken by surprise when he yanked me off the chair with one arm before grabbing my waist and depositing me on his shoulder.I gasp in disbelief when I find myself being carried like a sack of potatoes.
"What are you doing?Put me down" I order him while kicking my legs in anger.
It's like I didn't say anything. He starts striding towards God knows where in a determined mannner,me shrieking and scratching the whole way like a madwoman.
It didn't make any difference though. The man is insanely strong and almost invincible.
We come to a stop for a second and I hear him open a door. We are once again plunged into a darkness that immediately makes me cease my stuggles.
I let out a shriek when Bruno takes me off his shoulders and unceremoniously deposits me in a....bed.
I feel around around the soft materials determine that it is indeed a bed.
My eyes start to adjust to the darkness and I'm able to see that I am in the bedroom of the suite.And Bruno's expression.I really want to be someone else right now.
"I'm in charge here Lina.The sooner you get that in your stubborn head the better it will be for you. When I give an order people scramble to obey. The same goes for you too. I will not tolerate further disobedience from you.Is that clear to you?"
"I'm not a dog! I won't do whatever you tell me to do.Just let me go so that I can go home.Please Bruno. I don't want to be here," I begged while hating myself for pleading with this man but desperately wanting the comfort of my life back.
"Forget it," he tells me with finality."After this you're never going to be away from me again. "
"And by the way, I can still get to your cousin.
Whether or not your cousin continues to live is up to you and you only. Alright?" He informs , his upper body leaning forward in the darkness.
Breathing heavily,I run my hand through my long hair.This is a nightmare,I start to think.I feel so trapped amd helpless.
"Why are you doing this to me, Bruno?" I ask with a sob,trying to find his eyes in the darkness.
He freezes and slowly removes his hands from his pocket.
"Precious..."he starts in a soft manner only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
Neither Bruno and I speak again for about half a minute while the knocking gets louder and more persistent.
Bruno then returns to his toneless voice.
"Dont even think about i,," he warns."No one is coming to your rescue.I can promise you that."
I wasn't even thinking about it.For some reason.
Walking over to the bedroom door,he orders me be under the sheets when he gets back as it was late.
"Don't leave me here,"I say through teary eyes,pissed that his assshole voice had returned so quickly.
"Just go to sleep,Lina,"he says in a frustrated voice.
"What if I don't huh?" I challenge.
"Why don't you go ahead and try me precious," he responds becore yanking the door opening and stepping out. I hear him lock the door shortly after.
"Bruno!" I call but I know that he is not coming back.He had no reason to now that I was truly helpless.
Not like I could jump off the window.
However,I stubbornly stay exactly where he left for a few minutes. I lisiten to him answer the door and welcome someone in the room in the that toneless voice.
It's definitely one of his brutal looking people,I think without emotion.
I'm completely helpless, I think as tears mist my eyes. After that my eyelashes start to feel very heavy.
Without thinking about it,I crawl onto the bed and get under the sheets.
I crash my head on the pillow and wonder if this is a nightmare that ends when one wakes up.
BRUNO
"So Rivera almost kicked the fucking bucket?" I asked Chase with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes,sir. However the doctors managed to stabilise him. They say he is out of danger," he informs me quickly.
I can tell that Chase is a bit nervous about telling me about this.After all he did assure me that Rivera would not even come close to dying.Now he's telling me that the man danced at the very edge of death and just about managed not to jump into the arms of his maker.
Okay,so this is the part where I would usually loose my shit because things had almost not gone according to my plans. Execpt, I don't give two fucks wether or not Cameron Rivera lived.Infact, if I had my way...
No.
I can't think like that,I tell myself while frowning. The fucker is still of some use to me.
"Is that all?" I ask Chase without looking up at him.I know that I sound impatient but I don't care. I want him gone immediately.My precious is in the next room and another man this close to her is making me edgy.
"Yes sir.Everything else is going according to plan.We're all set to leave for Mylari tomorrow morning if the weather permits,"he answers.
It better,I think.I had just about enough of the freezing weather of New York City and wanted to get back to Italy as soon as possible.
"You can leave,"I tell Chase abruptly.
I just have to be alone now.
"Good night,Sir,"Chase says as he quickly gets up from his seat,not bothering to button up his suit like he usually does. It's been a long day for all of us.
I've already dismissed Chase from my mind before he leaves the room. The only person in my mind is the woman occupying my bed in the next room.
Speaking of,she had been weirdly quiet through my meeting with Chase.I'd honestly expected her to be screaming her lungs out or trying to negotiate at the very least.Instead the place sound like a tomb.
I glance worriedly at the door. She better not have done anything stupid...
No.
Lina is too smart to try to escape through the window of the top floor of the hotel.
I get up from my seat without thinking and walk towards the bedroom door slowly.
I open the door hesitantly, thinking that my worst fear had been realised.I let out a deep breath I didn't know I'd been holding when I find her sleeping under the covers of the bed,just like I told her to.
Okay?
I walk towards the bed slowly so that my shoes do not wake her . I carefully sit on the edge of the bed near her face. Her even breathing becomes the only sound audible in the room.
Have you finally given up trying to to go against me precious?I wonder inside.I have trouble believing that my lioness would just meekly do as I say.
I take out my phone and glance at the time.It's one in the morning.
Hmm...I think it's more probable that my precious got sleepy and had no choice but to get under the covers and close her eyes.
Smiling unconsciously, I reach out to her face and remove a wisp of her brown her from her face.I still can't believe that I have her with me after all these years.It all feels so surreal but I'm slowly coming to terms with it.And the feeling of the warmth that I feel everytime I look at her.
It doesn't take long for me to notice the streaks of tears on that perfect visage. I pull my hand away like I have been burnt.
My hands can't help but form fists on the bed.The sign of her pain bothers me so much.I want to hit someone, preferably myself.I'm the one who's hurting her and no one else.
I take a deep breath and tell myself to get it together. The means justifies the end right?
Once we're happily together again, Lina will see that all this pain that she's feeling was worth it. I know because no feeling in the world tops us being together. None.
I'm sure that deep down Lina knows this but is too stubborn to admit it to herself. However the bond we share can't be denied. And she was going to acknowledge it.Acknowledge that she and I were soul mates who belonged together.
I will make sure of it.