The door suddenly flung open and a gunshot went off immediately, catching the intruder off guard.
He fell to the ground close to Tallulah and she hurriedly shifted away in fear as blood gushed from his thigh.
Mateo ran to her and got down on one knee, stretching a hand towards her and touched her face.
"Are you okay, princess?"
He asked but instead of a reply, Tallulah just surprised him with a hug.
The hug was tight and an embodiment of fear. Mateo used his hand to smooth the back of her curly hair while his men went to confine the intruder.
The two men held the intruder upright by the arm.
"Take him to the basement and tie him up. No one touches him until I do first."
Mateo instructed angrily.
He then turned to Tallulah. "Shh…it's alright princess, I'm here now, I'll protect you".
He muttered and used both palms to cup her cheeks.
"He….he tried to…". Tallulah started speaking as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She shut her eyes tightly.
"To rape me..". She finally completed and Mateo enveloped her in another tight hug.
"Don't cry". Mateo soothed but anger reflecting on his face. He broke the hug and got up as his both hands guided Tallulah to get up too.
He took a blanket on the bed and swung it around, placing it on Tallulah's shoulder.
"Enzo!" He called and Enzo appeared from outside the room.
"Take her to my room and do not leave until I get back"
"Understood sir". Enzo stated with a slight bow.
"I'll be back princess". Mateo told Tallulah and turned to leave but she stopped him by a hold on his arm.
"Don't take too long". Tallulah said pouting a little.
"I won't. I promise". Mateo replied and kissed her forehead.
Mateo left and went into the basement after descending the flight of stairs as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
He walked over and stopped where the intruder was tied standing.
"Who sent you?"
"You think I'd tell you that?"
The man replied Mateo with a question after a condescending chuckle.
Mateo cracked his knuckles and immediately sent his fist across the man's face. The man coughed out blood and laughed wiping the blood off his lips with his tongue.
"Which reminds me. That wife of yours is really…..". Mateo did not let him finish as he punched him nonstop at the side of his stomach.
The man whined in pain.
"Don't you dare mention my wife". Mateo warned in-between gritted teeth.
"What a shame you came right in time before I could have a taste".
"In as much as I would like to end you, making you suffer then die slowly is a much better option".
Mateo told him and turned walking over to the flight of stairs but stopping briefly to give an instruction.
"Whip him to an unrecognisable state".
And with that, Mateo went up the stairs and out of the basement.
•••
Tallulah sat in the bathtub, scrubbing her body thoroughly.
"Why isn't it coming off?". She asked herself looking at the spots all over the skin of her hand. She also had bruises everywhere.
Using the sponge again, she scrubbed her neck, recalling the incident.
"He kissed my neck".
She said tears falling out her eyes and she suddenly broke down in tears.
"Princess, are you alright?".
She heard Mateo ask from outside but she couldn't respond.
"I'm coming in, princess". He said and slowly opened the door. He looked inside and caught her crying.
"Hey…"
He said and went in closing the door behind him.
He went over and sat at the edge of the bathtub.
"Look!" She said showing her hands and neck to him. "The spots won't come off"
"Oh princess". He said holding her hand with his left hand and cupped her cheeks with his right palm.
"Make them come off Mateo". She whispered as her eyes stared at him in anticipation of his reply.
He seemed to be skeptical about it.
Being there with Tallulah in the bathroom while she was naked made him feel…..
He shook his head, mentally telling himself that it meant nothing. That he was just there to protect a princess in distress….
…his princess…..
Tallulah stretched the bath sponge towards him and he reluctantly collected it and helped her scrub her hands.
They both maintained eye contact as he did but soon enough, Mateo dropped the sponge into the tub as he got up shaking his head.
" I can't do this princess". He said and turned. "It's too improper for me". He walked to the door and held the knob turning it for the door to slightly open.
"I'd rather have you touch my body than some beast I don't know".
He heard her say and stopped in his tracks shutting his eyes and tightening his hold on the doorknob.
He heard the sound of water splash and his imagination ran wild. He tried hard to keep his cool and his urge in check.
He opened the door widely and was about to step out when he felt Tallulah's hand on his shoulder.
He opened his eyes instantly and let go of the doorknob as he slowly turned to face Tallulah.
She had come out of the bathtub and water was dripping from her body.
His eyes travelled gradually from her feet upwards, stopping briefly at her breasts as water slide from her nipples.
He swallowed painfully and quickly looked up at Tallulah's face.
"I know you're not attracted to me and our marriage is solely based on a contract, but there's noone here who I'd rather sees me naked".
She chuckled shaking her head. "I meant scrub my body. Camille isn't here too".
She didn't wait for his reply as she started unbuttoning his shirt maintaining eye contact as she did.
"Get in the bathtub with me?".
Tallulah asked innocently and pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside.