If she could I'm pretty sure Lina would squeeze the last breath out of me.
She is bristling with anger,making me think that I am making the right call,not going easy on her like this.I doubt she'd pause listen if I went about this politely. I wouldn't blame her,it's normal,but I just wouldn't have the patience for that.
"Okay,sure,I won't call you my precious since you don't like it so much," I tell her,after a a few seconds of watching her fume. I can do this much since it'll make things easier for her to bear .Besides,I don't need to call her precious to make it known how much I really love and value her.I just have to show it through my actions.Well when she lets me.
"Calm down and lets talk,Lina,"I suggest for her to try and open her mouth,probably to fling more angry comebacks at me,but I cut her off,"And before you open that pretty mouth to yell at me,can I just remind you who holds the cards here?"I say,putting my uninjured hand one of my pocket.
Lina face darkens even more,which I didn't think was possible.She opens her mouth again but seems to think better of it and closes it.I watch as her jaw clenches and works until finally,she stops,levels me with a stare that could kill and then angrily walks to the sofa in the room before sitting down stiffly.
I smile internally.Even though I still had a very long way to go,it was still a satisfying start.
I have to admit,not letting Rivera bleed to death had it's advantages.But even so,a part of me still wants to kill him for his part in keeping away from me what was clearly mine .
I sit on the couch opposite to Lina,because while I absolutely worship the woman,I don't trust her one fucking bit not to bash me with the vase of flowers near her.
She watches me from angry eyes,that,for a second make me think,I'm dealing with a dangerous person.Ridiculous,I think.Lina would never harm anyone.But then,anyone is capable of anything in the right circumstances.
I can't help smiling a bit,even as I realise that I am not as safe with Lina as I previously thought I was.This is so fun.
Why the fuck had I lost my memory?I could have been leading a way more interesting life now,Damn it.
"Are you going to smile like a maniac all day or...",my precious-no-Lina says,pulling me out of my reverie.
"What the is it that you want from me exactly Bruno?Sex?"
The smile drops from my face.This little minx.She did not just fucking say that to me.
"First of all,I didn't cross continents just to fuck you,Lina,"I say honestly.
I came to get her,seduce her and then fuck her but I'm going to keep that plan to myself for now.
Though,I think Lina knows what I'm thinking because she swallows nervously but does respond.
I find myself smiling unconsciously. "And secondly,Lina,I do believe that I've already told you what Is it that I want."
"And I do believe that I've already told you that's it's impossible.You and I aren't happening again," she tells me in a clear voice.
I have to admit,it stings to hear her say that because I want us to be a couple again more than anything.
I relax the hand which had been pressing hard into my thigh and sigh."Lina,we belong together.Remember,how good we used to be.We can still have that,"I explain to her with as much gentleness as I can muster.
I want to tell her that I still have so much love for her in my heart but I have a feeling that I will just push her further away.
Lina looks right into my brown eyes soon after I'm done.Whem she doesn't say anything,I start to have a little hope that I may have convinced her.
It gets crushed whem she speaks again.
"I don't think so,Rossini. That jet crash was the end of us.It tore us apart and there is no stitching us back together,especially not after all this.We're history," she declares.
I stare at her for about thirty seconds,processing.Then I rise to my feet in one fluid movement.
I tried.
"We'll have to agree to disagree."
"This is ridiculous Bruno!"She says,rising her feet too.
"Maybe,but it's happening, "I tell her before looking away from her to my watch."I've had someone fetch your luggage from your cousin's place.It should be here any minute.You should go shower,we have a long journey ahead of us,"I tell her.
Lina looks at me,managing to look both pissed and confused."What journey?" she asks.
"We are going to Mylari,today,"I inform her.
"No!"She says,distressed."I can't go anywhere. Cameron is hurt."
My expression hardens. She so fiercely wants be with him and not me.
"He is in hospital now,recovering," I tell her.
"But he isn't fully healed.I can't leave him in that state,"she says worriedly.
"Yes,you can. He is in the best private hospital in the city,getting treated by the most qualified of doctors. Your presence is not needed,"I explain.
"Of course it is,you psycho.He is my family.I need to be there for him,"she says in a heated manner.
"No!"
"Come on,Bruno!" she pleads.
"I've made up my mind Lina. I'm not giving you any more chances to leave me,"I tell her.
She opens her mouth again but I once again cut her off."Enough!We are going to Mylari in an hour. And if you arent ready in that time, I'll make sure your poor sweet cousin will never wake up again."
She looks at me for a half a minute,looking a bit lost.For moment,I think that she will cry but then she blinks and the tears I thought were welling in her eyes disappear.It really is good that she didn't cry because it my be the only thing that might break my resolve.
"Fine,"she eventually says."I'll do as you say."
"You didn't have a choice in the matter,"I say,for her to bestow upon me a most murderous glare.
As if on cue,there comes a hesitant knock on the door.
"Come in,"I say loudly,without taking my eyes off Lina.
I hear the door open before turning my gaze in its direction. Luca,one of my bodyguards enters hesitantly holding a suitcase in one hand and stop only when in the middle of the room.
"Good morning Sir," he says,before uncomfortably looking at Lina."You too madam.Your luggage just arrived.Where do you want it?"
"Just leave it there,Luca.Thanks," I answer for Lina,sensing that she would act hostile towards this man who is just doing his job.
Luca does what I ask before making a graceful exit.
"What the hell was that?"she says."Do they think that I'm now your girlfriend something?"
Smiling on the inside,I shrug innocently,"I don't know,maybe."
"Well then,you should make things clear to him,"she demands ,giving me angry eyes.
"I think he already understands,"I say,moving to take a seat on the couch.
"That I am your captive and nothing more?"she says,through clenched teeth.
My smiles grows wider."Nah,I don't think so. You and I make too much of a hot couple for that."
"Why are you smiling?Is any of this funny?Is that why I am really here?To amuse you with my suffering?"she asks.
"Calm down,Lina.You're talking crazy," I tell her calmly.
"The only one who is crazy here is you,thinking that you can turn me into your girlfriend.That's never happening."
"First of all, never say never.Second of all,can I remind you that you're on the clock here?" I say,tapping my watch with my injured hand."Get your beautiful ass in the bathroom right now or I'll carry you there myself.I'm not going to waste anymore time,"I add seriously.
Obviously not wanting to talk to me anymore,she doesn't say anything but just walks towards her heavy suitcase and grabs it.
"Need help?"I ask, already knowing the answer.
"I'd rather kill myself,"she says,moving past me and walking towards the stairs.
"Fine,"I say gloomily enough but I'm feeling triumphant that she is doing what I ask.
This woman is something else.We've only just started and she is making things tough.What will I have to deal with later?
"Bruno,"she calls me,breaking my reverie.
I look up to find her at foot of the stairs,looking at me."You won't change my mind about this."
"I never fail to get what I want,Lina"I tell her.
"You won't get me,"she declares matter of fact lying.
'We'll see,precious,'I say briefly,not wanting to waste much time.
Sensing it,she turns her head and is about to ascend the stairs when I stop her by calling her name.
"What is it now?" She asks.
"Do you want me to order you anything specific for breakfast?"I ask her.
After all,she's gone through,I bet she's starving. And as her man,it's my responsibility now to feed her.
"Id like your heart but unfortunately I don't think it's not on the menu,"she says calmly before continuing her journey upstairs.
'I am one lucky guy,"I think,watching her dissapear.
****
LINA
The man is absolutely nuts,I think for what seems like the dozenth time.
What do I have to do or say to stop his crazy nightmare?I wonder l,as I carry my heavy suitcase into the room.I unceremoniously drop it on the bed before sitting down myself. That's because despite what I said,I could have used some help getting it here.But damned if I was going to take the asshole's help.
I groan.As predicted,Bruno keeps on making my life harder and harder.In fact,It can barely be called mine now.In just one night,he is controlling me like a puppet.
This is all your fault,Lina,my brain tells me.You are the one who foolishly got Cameron into this.
I bite my lips guitliy.But in my defense,I didn't imagine all that Bruno would come for me and that all this would happen.
Still ,you should have known better than to involve poor Cameron,my brain reprimands me.
I tell it to shut the hell up.I get it and will try my absolute best to make things right with him.But there is nothing I can do for him now except pray to God for his full recovery.
I quickly send a silent prayer to the almighty to help him.
Then something crosses my mind.
Dad.
Does he know about Cameron?
Does he know about me?
I haven't called him in a few days.He must be getting worried.Mom too.
Shit!what about Sophie.I never called her last night.Even she might be realising that something is wrong.
I need to let them know that I'm okay. Fine...okay seems like a bit of a stretch. I'll inform them that I'm not dead.Yet anyway.
But where the hell is my phone?I wonder.
I doubt that Bruno brought it with us when we left Cameron's place,so it's likely that it's still there. That means that I'm going to have to either get it back somehow and call them or find another way of communicating with them.
Question is,will Bruno let me contact them let alone give me a phone?
Well,typically kidnappers give their captives the luxury of letting their loved ones know they are okay but I think that It's worth giving it a try. After all,unlike normal kidnappers,Bruno isn't too worried about people finding out about this.I understand,not many people are powerful enough challenge him.
If I'm going to get out of this,I'll have to do it myself.But in the meantime,I don't want my family to worry.
I'll have to ask Bruno to let me tell them that all is well with me.It'll have to be after I've freshened up though,I think, while standing up.
I doubt he will agree to what I'm asking if I show up downstairs without getting ready.
With that in mind,I open suitcase and rummage through it, looking for warm clothing.
I have a feeling that it'll be freezing out there.