Chapter 12 #2
“I am,” I whispered, “I just thought of something sad, it wasn’t about me. It was about something I read.”
Fury flashed in her eyes, something dark, as she spat, making it hit my face before she left. Except, I think I knew it wasn’t going to be done. When she came back only a moment later, I didn’t even look up from where I was staring at the stone. I whimpered as she tugged me around.
“This will teach you to not be unthankful, remember all of the pain you could be in.” She growled as I cried out, my voice going hoarse as she did something she’d done several times.
Her large cross she brought in was pressed against my hand, the searing metal making me sob.
She moved it and did it on my cheek as I tried to pull away, my fight or flight instinct kicking in.
Still she wouldn’t let me go. Soon my tears stung the fresh burn on my face.
I wanted to be stronger but I was so weak and hadn’t eaten in what felt like forever.
I was littered with brands. When she finally left I stared at the door, trying to not sob too loudly.
I lifted my hand to my face and I knew that there would be no blood.
She’d done this before, so I crawled towards the back of the basement.
There was a pile of shattered glass. I lifted a small piece and cut the top of my hand, shaking.
My vision went blurry from the pain. When crimson blood began to seep out of my hand I let out a breath, falling to the floor completely.
At least I would wake up healed.
“Maya?” Sai whispered, I inhaled sharply, looking at his burning eyes that were concerned from where he was kneeling in front of me. The shop attendant was a few feet away trying to give us a polite distance and I swallowed trying to shake my head.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, “just a bad memory.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I considered what he was saying and thought about what Jordan said. About how she said it sometimes felt good to talk to someone about what you’ve been through instead of keeping it bottled up. I spoke quietly, “Are you sure you want to know?”
Sai’s eyes widened as he nodded and I leaned forward so my head was resting against his shoulder.
“The cross over there just sort of reminded me of something my mother used to do to punish me. She used to brand me with one…and I would have to cut myself on broken glass left in the basement to make sure I healed fully.”
Sai’s body went still making me worry that what I’d said had been a bad idea. I tried to pull back but he kept me against him, his breathing slow and even as he kissed my neck gently. We sat there for what seemed like forever. Our intimate moment went uninterrupted.
“Thank you for telling me,” Sai whispered, his voice rough as he finally pulled back, his jaw tense and eyes furious but I knew it wasn’t at me.
“You aren’t mad?” I worried anyway.
“I’m furious,” he ran a thumb over my lip, “but never at you, kitten.”
“I don’t think that’s completely true,” I mumbled, offering him a small smile.
I’m positive we would fight eventually…but hopefully it would be about something little, like whether we were making strawberry or blueberry pie this summer.
Either way, you both win because you both get pie and while I’d never tried it, it seemed very doubtful someone could stay mad while eating pie.
He grinned although his eyes were still tight. “Is there anything else you saw that stood out to you? I want to make sure we get you something to eat before we head back or else they will freak out at me.”
I looked over the cushion of some of my favorites that we’d just been talking about and focused on the delicate rose colored bracelet.
My fingers traced over it and I nodded, “Can we get this one? I love it.” I had mostly gotten earrings and rings so this felt more unique, nothing else I’d gotten was the same pink-ish hue, the other silver, gold, or diamond.
Honestly, I sort of wanted to wear all of them at the same time. Was that weird?
“Did we find something else we love?” The woman, whose name I found out was Colette, asked.
“Yes,” Sai grinned and she took away the cushion along with a black card that Sai had handed to her, to the register with my pile of sparkly gifts.
I smiled thinking about something else I’d told the woman I wanted while Sai had gone to look at something, that was not for me, but for someone else. I loved getting gifts for others.
“Can I wear it now?” I whispered as Sai’s chuckle echoed through the space.
“We can do whatever you want, Maya.” I believed that he meant that.
It was completely possible that I was still sleeping in my bedroom back in Seattle.
I mean this was actually unreal, like a dream.
I stood on a small window scape platform, my mates at the bar behind me, relaxing before our dinner.
I could not stop looking over the Paris landscape, the Eiffel Tower’s restaurant giving me the perfect view.
There were only a few small groups in here tonight and the media had been crowding the downstairs elevator foyer.
I had a feeling it wasn’t for us but I figured that it was a lot of work to ask who it was for. The boys probably didn’t even know.
I had my dark black jacket folded over my arm and I was warm, despite the cooler weather.
The dress I wore was a pale blue silk with short sleeves and matching heels.
It was probably one of my favorite dresses I’d worn yet and I hadn’t even purchased it.
Apparently, some designer had sent it over to our room.
I didn’t know that was a thing…I was not complaining.
In fact, I was wondering if they would do that everywhere we went.
When I’d asked why they had, the guys explained that when I got photographed their work would be recognized, so it benefited the designer.
It was actually pretty smart. With my gaze, I followed a small cab traveling down one of the main streets, letting out two smiling people in front of a restaurant.
“Enjoying the view?” A woman asked with a thick french accent.
I turned with a smile to find a woman around my height, dressed in a cream colored dress. She was older than me and very elegant, her blonde hair short against her tan skin.
“I am, it’s absolutely stunning. I had no idea that this was possible, I think this may be one of my favorite places I’ve been so far.”
She laughed. “I am glad to hear that, I haven’t heard someone express that much enthusiasm for our country in a bit.”
“My name is Maya,” I offered a hand as her eyes sparked, “it’s wonderful to meet you.”
“Brigitte.” She smiled softly, meeting my hand. “It’s refreshing to meet someone that has no idea who I am.”
My eyes widened in concern, “Should I? I’m so sorry, I have had…a fairly sheltered life up until recently, so I am still learning a lot.”
“No, I’m glad you don’t.” She winked. “Now, I am going to go find my husband, but enjoy dinner, won’t you? Next time you are in town, give me a call. I have some more places that may become your favorite.”
I offered an ‘absolutely’ as she handed me a pale gold card with her name neatly written on it.
I slipped it into my little purse, still a bit miffed that Bella had to stay in the hotel room.
Not that she was suffering in the least, the hotel staff brought her a plush personal bed.
But honestly, I knew she liked my purse way more.
“Enjoying your talk?” Anani asked, his eyes sparkling with some type of amusement.
I nodded taking his hand as he wrapped an arm around me, “Yes, actually, she was wonderful. She told me to give her a call for a personal tour around France next time.”
“Marco,” Ledger chuckled, “are you hearing this shit?”
“What?” He arched a brow as both Atlas and he listened in.
Henry was making a call and my eyes found Sai and Croy laughing about something with the bartender. I was really glad that Croy seemed to get along with everyone but it didn’t surprise me a ton, they were all so amazing.
“Brigitte Caron, just offered to give Maya a personal tour around France next time we're here.” He grinned as Atlas shook his head looking down.
“What?” I was confused.
“They have our table ready.” Croy stated, standing by us.
All of them had pristine suits on and they looked so handsome.
I felt a bit annoyed that other women could see them like this.
I knew that was irrational but it was this little pulse of frustration in my chest. Something in my head demanded that these men stay mine, forever.
I wonder if claiming them with a mating mark would help.
“Henry,” I tugged his hand as he put away his phone.
“What’s up, sweetheart?” He offered me an affectionate look as I preened a bit.
“Why is Brigitte Caron a big deal? She offered a personal tour of France next time we are here but the guys are acting weird about it,” I frowned.
Henry’s eyes lit up, “That would be because Brigitte Caron is the wife of the French president.”
My lips popped open as I blushed, “I was talking to the First Lady of France?”
“The very one.” He pulled out my chair as my eyes moved across the room where the woman in question smiled at me.
She was next to a handsome man that was making everyone laugh at their small table.
I couldn’t help but smile before I clued back into what was happening at my own table.
Halfway through dinner, right as they were leaving, the waiter brought over a bottle of champagne that they had bought us.
“She is so sweet,” I chimed as Marco, who was sitting next to me, rubbed my leg. The others had been talking about some trade deal that I partially zoned out of despite their attempt to bring me into it.
“You’re sweeter,” Marco mumbled as I leaned into him, my head resting on his chest.