Chapter 12
ELSIE
I groan as I pull the covers over my head, the rays of sunlight dripping through the gray curtains. A yawn hits me, then another, and if I could sleep for an eternity, I would. But I can’t stay in the comfort of this bed forever.
Slipping a hand toward Michael’s side, I find it warm, yet empty.
Did he really hold me last night? Was I having one of my nightmares?
I have them sometimes. I remember waking myself up from the noise I’d make, tossing and turning. Other times, Kayla would wake me. It’d be embarrassing if he heard me. But I guess it’s bound to happen sooner rather than later.
There’s a small knock on the door, and I lift myself to a sitting position.
“Come in,” I say and the doors fly open.
“You’re up! Yay!” Sophia runs over to the bed, jumping on top of it. “You have to come with me now! Daddy got you clothes!”
“Is that so?” I grin because her joy is infectious like that.
“Yep! The store people just brought them. It’s a lot.” She widens both palms in the air, gesturing the size. “Daddy’s friend is going to bring it all up here while we have breakfast.”
“Who made breakfast?” I ask curiously, wondering if Michael cooked again.
She folds her arms, lifting her brows like I just asked the dumbest question known to man.
“Our cook. I can’t make anything by myself.” She giggles. “Her name is Pearl and she’s really nice.”
She scoots in close, dropping her head over my shoulder, and my arm instantly surrounds her.
“Well, not as good as Daddy of course.”
“Of course.” I laugh as she peeks over and gives me a beaming grin.
“And don’t tell Pearl I said that.” Her voice quiets, eyes widening. “I don’t want to make her feel bad.”
“I promise.”
My gaze narrows as I nod, and she returns my expression. I try not to laugh, pressing my lips together, because she looks entirely too serious.
“And there’s also Mabel,” Sophia adds. “She cleans for us with four other ladies and babysits me sometimes. But I still have to clean my own room because that’s what responsible people do, Daddy says.”
“Well, your daddy is definitely right.”
“There’s also Rodney, and he drives me around when Daddy can’t.” And when she says that last part, her tone surrounds with heartbreak.
“Is your dad not around a lot?”
She shrugs, bowing her head. I tug her to me, knowing how it feels. I was that kid with a mom and dad who worked long hours, sometimes having to miss things at school. It hurt a lot, but as an adult, I know they did their best.
“Well, I know he loves you very much.” I stroke her arm. “I’m sure he wishes he didn’t have to work so hard. I know my parents did.”
“I know.” Her eyes find mine. “That’s what he says.”
“So what did Pearl make for us?” I quickly change the subject, hating the melancholy wafting through her.
“Can’t tell ya!” She instantly perks up. “Come on, let’s go so you can see!”
I start off the bed with a laugh. “Let me grab a robe from the bathroom first.”
“Well, come on! Hurry!” She climbs off and heads for the door, bouncing out of it.
I head for the bathroom, take one of the robes I saw there the last time, and put it on, tying it around my waist.
As I rush for the door, I find something on the nightstand: a piece of paper, and what looks like a flip phone on top of it. Picking up the note, I read through the words.
This phone is for you. It’s been programmed to only call one number: mine. Unless you want to call the cops and end up in prison or back with the Bianchis. My men are always watching. Remember that. Call me if you girls need anything. I’ll see you for dinner. I hope you like the clothes.
Michael
I immediately flip open the phone and try to remember how to use one of these. It’s been too long, but I figure it out pretty quickly. Making sure he wasn’t lying, I try to dial my home number, but the call doesn’t go through.
“Fuck!” I mutter, firing off a text to him.
Elsie
The last person I’d ever want to call is you. Shove this phone up your tight you-know-what.
Michael
I see you miss me already.
Elsie
Yeah, like a cavity.
Michael
Didn’t seem that way last night with you tucked against me, purring like my little kitty cat. Maybe that’s what I should call you from now on.
Oh, crap. So that did happen. Wonderful.
Minutes trickle by while I stare at his text, embarrassment warming my cheeks. Then another text arrives.
Michael
I held you all night until I had to go to work. You were having a nightmare. Are you okay this morning?
My stomach tightens, and my heart flips.
Elsie
Be careful, Mr. Marino. For a second there, I actually thought you cared.
Michael
Ahh, there’s that smart mouth of yours.
Elsie
Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty for you when you get back.
Michael
I’m counting on it. I’ll have something for you too when I get home.
Elsie
Oh yeah? You gonna spank me again?
Michael
You keep talking like that and I just might.
My core aches, and it’s a good thing he can’t hear me groan.
Michael
I’ll have some papers for you to sign to make our marriage official.
Elsie
What? Already?! You said a month.
Michael
I said a month or less. This is less. You will sign them, Elsie, and we will have that wedding. I think you’ve forgotten that you’re mine for a year, and in that time, you will do exactly what I demand.
My teeth clench as I tighten the phone in my palm.
That self-righteous asshole. Who does he think he is?
I want to curse him to the ends of the earth, my fingertips ready to fire out an ugly response.
But instead, I ignore him. I won’t give him the satisfaction.
A minute later, another text comes through.
Michael
Tell Sophia I love her. Take care of her for me.
Elsie
Of course I will.
I may hate him, but I’m not heartless. I’m sure he doesn’t like leaving her with me.
He’s so damn infuriating. I wish he would’ve just killed me. But I know fighting him won’t do me any good. Maybe if I do what he wants and don’t give him a hard time, he’ll at the very least consider saving Kayla.
But as I think about it some more, I realize how ridiculous that sounds.
He knew about what was happening and did nothing.
Why would he magically change his mind now?
And if Faro finds out Michael has me, he won’t just let him have me, and Michael doesn’t seem like the type to cower to anyone. Or what if Faro kills Kayla as payback?
No, I have to do things myself. I have to get on Michael’s good side and try my luck at finding some way out of here. I just hope Kayla won’t be dead by then.
Flipping the phone shut, I hurry down the stairs and into the foyer, finding three pieces of luggage waiting for me.
“Ma’am,” a tall man I’ve never met before greets me with a curt nod. “May I bring these upstairs for you?”
“Please. That would be great.”
“No problem.” He grabs one in one hand and two in the other, lifting them up the stairs like they weigh but a feather.
As he leaves, I register voices coming from my left and I follow the sounds of Sophia’s laughter.
“You’re going to spill it all over the floor,” a woman chides, but her voice is kind.
She mixes something on the counter as I approach, her chestnut-colored hair tightly wrapped in a neat bun, the sides sprinkled with a bit of gray.
When they hear me, they instantly look my way and smile.
“Hi! You must be Elsie.” She drops the spoon and comes over to me, sticking out a hand. “I’m Pearl. I do the cooking here when Michael isn’t around.”
“Nice to meet you.” I take her hand in mine, shaking it before letting go. “I hear you’re a really great cook.”
I glance at Sophia on the black swivel stool, giving her a wink, and she giggles.
“I try,” she says, returning to the counter.
Sophia spins on the stool, grinning up at me, while simultaneously popping a piece of pancake in her mouth.
“Well, have a seat.” Pearl gestures toward the empty chair next to Sophia. “What would you like? Bacon, eggs, pancakes?”
I settle down, running a hand over Sophia’s soft strands.
“Maybe all of it?” she suggests, raising a brow, her mouth lifting up at the corner and the sides of her eyes crinkling.
“All of it would be just perfect.”
Though if I never see another pancake again, that would be great.
If she only knew how much I’ve missed a home-cooked meal. My mom would make breakfast when she was home, and Dad did on the days she couldn’t. They had a good system going, and it worked for us.
She places a heaping plate in front of me, pouring a cup of coffee too, and handing me a carafe of milk and a container of sugar. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
“This is amazing,” I whisper, adding some milk and a packet of sugar, trying it before deciding to add another.
I haven’t had coffee since I was kidnapped. I forgot what it tastes like. And at the first sip, I realize I haven’t forgotten it at all. A smile fastens to my face as I continue to drink in silence, while Pearl cleans and Sophia hums beside me, stuffing a chunk of a blueberry pancake in her mouth.
“What are you girls up to today?” Pearl asks from the sink, scrubbing a pot.
“We could have a fashion show!” Sophia throws in. “Ooh, maybe I can do your makeup and we can surprise Daddy when he comes home!”
She’s so excited, I don’t have it in me to disappoint her, nor do I want to. Life is so fleeting, it’s important to grasp the things that give us joy and let others have it too.
“Sure, that sounds like fun.” I grin, and she’s all giddy.
“I’m really good at doing makeup.” Her face grows serious. “I did Pearl’s makeup one time.”
“Oh, she did. She is especially good with the blush.” She nods thoughtfully, tightening her lips and trying not to laugh. “I’ll need pictures.”
“I have a camera!” Sophia appears all too excited to provide them. “I’m going to take lots.”
We continue to eat while I do my best to avoid the pancake, cutting into it and pretending so Pearl won’t be offended.
Once we’re done, Pearl packs up to head out, putting the lunch she made in the fridge for us. “I’ll see you girls tomorrow.”