Chapter 11
LUCY
“What the hell are we going to do?” Kida whispers as I carefully lay Soren in the bassinet Sofia had sent up and put by the bed.
He’s finally asleep and I can see the exhaustion on his little face.
I hope that means he’ll sleep for a few more hours.
He’s normally up every four to eat, but with everything going on, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sleeps longer.
I force myself to focus back on my sister.
“What can we do?” I whisper back, feeling both defeated and angry that I even have to say the words.
This entire situation is just fucked up and feels like a terrible nightmare I can’t wake up from.
“Short of climbing out the window and making a run for it, we’re stuck here. ”
“I already checked the windows in the bathroom,” she admits. “But they’re all sealed shut. They’re just for aesthetics and not for their actual purpose.”
“It’s the mafia, so of course they are. Do you think they’re just going to let someone potentially climb in through a window somewhere?”
She glares at me. “At least I’m trying to figure a way out. Do you really want to stay here and be a pawn in whatever game this all is? Feuding families and shit? What kind of bullshit is that?”
“Apparently, the kind normal people don’t realize is going on. And it’s not like we have to deal with one person to get away from. There’s a whole crew of them here, and as nice as Sofia and Rori are, we can’t trust them.”
She nods. “I know. Shame, I like Rori, and Sofia seems cool too, but there is no way that we can just trust that they’ll be on our side if we try to go. I know Rori says we can, but she’s here, and she’s loyal to one of them for sure, so she’s off the list.”
“I think the best thing we can do is just bide our time. Eventually, we’ll figure out a way out of here, but we need to keep our eyes open.
” I glance down at Soren. “But I don’t want to chance them trying to take him away from me to keep me here.
” The very thought has my gut clenching with terror, along with a strong urge to claw out anyone’s eyes that steps through the door.
“I’ll never let that happen,” Kida promises me, taking my hands tightly into hers.
“I promise that, Luce. I will never let them use him over you. I’d rather they use me.
And if they do, don’t you ever give in, okay?
I’ll be fine. Soren is your only priority.
” She squeezes my hands. “Just promise me that if anything happens to me, you’ll take care of Mama and Papa.
” She gives me a dry smile. “We both know you’ll never live up to me being the favorite. ”
I roll my eyes, but squeeze her hands back. It’s a common joke between the two of us to say that since she’s younger than me, she’ll always be the favorite. We’re only about a year apart in age, but to her, it’s enough in her mind I guess. “I promise, but I hope it won’t come to that.”
“Hopefully not. Let’s just agree to keep our ears open and we’ll make our plans once we get the lay of the land.
Also, I really want to meet your sisters and cousin.
I mean, who just suddenly finds out they have a whole other family out there?
I mean, like, you went from just us to suddenly having sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles and random people who want you because you’re some sort of mafia princess. ”
I wince at that title and pull away. “Please don’t call me that. It feels terrible.”
“But it’s true.”
“I refuse to think of myself as that. I’m Lucy Taylor, and the only family I recognize is you, our parents, and Soren. No one else. All these other people, they’re strangers. Maybe I can be friends with the women, but that’s it.”
“Maybe this is a situation where they’re all trying to bide their time to get out,” she suggests. “I mean, if you have a choice, wouldn’t being out in the normal world be the one you want? But I don’t blame them either for getting some good dick while they’re here.”
“Kida,” I admonish in exasperation.
“What? Look, I know you just pushed out a baby, but you can’t tell me that you don’t miss all the times with Joey.” She grins wickedly at me. “Or you think I don’t know all the kinky shit you two used to get up to?”
I refuse to be embarrassed. I’ve never been one to shy away from the fact that I’m a sexual creature. Or that I love to try new things. Joey and I met at a club back home, and in the end, we tried out some of the darker parts of the clubs that taught us both a few things that we really enjoyed.
“Of course I do, but it’s been almost a year since Joey died and since I got pregnant so sex is the farthest thing from my mind.” I give her a sly smile. “Maybe while you’re here you can get some good dick too. Zeno looks like he’d be fun.”
That gets a scowl. “He’s got a stick up his ass,” she sniffs, pulling away. “And I’m not going to be the one to fuck it out of him. Some other poor woman, or man, depending on his preference, can deal with that.”
I snicker, and she climbs off the bed. “Alright, then I guess we’re staying put for now.”
She nods. “Then I think it’s time that I start getting the lay of the land. I know Sofia brought up food, but we ate that and I’m still starving. I wonder if anyone will say anything if I want to leave to get something to eat.”
“They said we have access to the house. Though you might have a guard following you I guess.”
She nods thoughtfully. “Good way to see how they do things. I’m going to get us some food, and I’m going to try and keep a mental note of the way to get there. Maybe we can hide ourselves in a bin or something to get out of here when the time comes.” She takes a deep breath. “Wish me luck.”
I roll my eyes behind her back, but I’m also nervous. Will they stop her from leaving?
She reaches the door, opens it, and stops short.
She widens the door slightly, and I see Massimo standing there, fist raised like he was about to knock on the door.
He gives her a surprised look and then smiles.
“Heard me coming, did you?” he jokes lightly.
He glances over her shoulder at me before he looks back at her.
“No, but I’m hungry and want to get something to eat,” she says with a shrug. I can almost see her looking up at him defiantly even though I can’t see her expression. “Or am I not allowed to leave?”
“Of course you are,” he answers instantly with a calm smile. He turns slightly. “Zeno, will you show her down to the kitchen? This place is a maze,” he explains to her.
“Fine,” I hear Zeno say shortly, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I look at Kida, taking in her stiff shoulders. I guess she’s unhappy with the choice of escort, but smartly, she doesn’t argue. She glances at me over her shoulder, and her expression says it all.
“They’re possibly going to kill each other,” I warn Massimo quietly as he steps in, the door still open.
I glance at Soren and see he’s still sleeping.
When I look back up, Massimo has made his way to stand by the bed and I see him smile down at Soren.
I bite back the urge to grab Soren and hold him close.
The thought that Massimo, or anyone else here, can grab my son from me and use him against me has me on edge.
“Zeno can handle himself, and I think your sister is the same,” Massimo replies quietly when he looks at me.
He must sense my uneasiness because he casually shifts away from the bassinet.
I hate that he can see my reaction, but I can feel my body relax slightly, and the moment he clocks it.
He adjusts himself to be slightly farther away from Soren, and almost to the end of the bed. “How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Tired,” I admit. “Sore. Confused. A lot of things.”
He nods and glances at Soren again. “And your son?”
“He’s healthy, and was a bit dehydrated, but we got him to try some new formula that the doctor brought.” I watch him carefully. “Thank you, for stepping in with the other doctor and sending Dr. Foster instead.”
His expression darkens. “I’m sorry that we put you in that position in the first place.
If I’d known, I’d have never let him in here.
I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, all things considered, but the last thing we want is for you to feel uncomfortable here.
As for Dr. Foster, she’s already been approved to come back and check on you.
Sofia gave her a glowing review when I saw her downstairs.
I really am sorry, Lucy, that he made you uncomfortable. ”
Some might think he’s just giving me lip service to keep me complacent, but I believe him. There’s something about him that just screams sincerity to me. Which is exactly why I shouldn’t trust him, but on this, I will. “Thank you, and I realized that.”
He hesitates before he finally lowers himself to sit on the edge of the bed. “Did the doctor mention anything concerning?” he asks carefully.
I shake my head. “I’m going to be bruised and sore for a bit, but other than that I’m fine. The drugs will be out of my system in a few more hours.” I swallow hard and add, “And thank you. For getting me out of there.”
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get to you faster, Lucy.”
“Do you know them? The man who says he’s my father and my brothers?”
“Not personally, but I know enough about them to last a lifetime.”
“They were talking about selling me,” I tell him, shuddering at the memory.
“Something about a buyer coming to get me. That they needed me to secure whatever plan they were creating.” He doesn’t look surprised by the news.
“The thought of being sold like some sort of cattle or something was awful, and I couldn’t yell or scream at them to stop or that I wouldn’t do it.
” Emotion tightens my throat. “Is that what this life is like? Buying and selling women? I know you said marriage, but this wasn’t that.
Or if it was, it wasn’t going to be labelled as a marriage. It was meant to be slavery.”