15. Amelia
Igrab my things from the locker room in the hospital and run to the parking lot below the ground. Throwing my bag across to the passenger seat I climb in, nervously aware of my surroundings and constantly expecting Stefano or his asshole messenger idiot to jump out from somewhere and grab me.
But no one does.
I slam my car door shut and lock it straight away.
Revving a little too loudly I accidentally wheel spin on the smooth concrete ground.
Then I'm out on the main road and headed as fast as I can for my small apartment.
Get the passports.
Pack a bag.
Grab all of Elle's meds.
Get back to the hospital.
Get Elle out of there without causing a scene.
Go to the airport.
I keep repeating the plan over and over in my head because it's stopping the panic from overwhelming me. At one point I swear a car is following me, and the tension triples, but then it turns off and I breathe a sigh of relief, pressing my foot harder down on the accelerator.
I pull into the back parking bays behind my apartment building and run inside, straight into the elevator. I hammer my finger against the shiny silver button on the panel so that the elevator will take me to the twelfth floor. I'm desperate for the doors to close faster. When they do close I lean against the mirrored wall and fight tears.
On the ride up to my apartment, I force myself to take several slow steady breaths. I've got this. It's going to be ok.
A soft chime sounds above me, and the doors slide open. I look left and right down the hallway. There is no one around. Thank goodness.
I dash towards my apartment door and freeze in horror. It's open. Just a crack. But that's all I need to know that something is very very wrong.
I turn to run but smack straight into the broad chest of a man dressed in all black.
"Slow down there sweetheart. Here, let me get the door for you." He says, leaning past me and pushing my front door open. I'm completely blocked by his body as he guides me into the apartment which I realize is just a trap.
Three men are waiting inside, sitting casually on my sofa.
"Finally." One of them says, standing up. "We were getting bored."
"I - I - " I don't know what to say.
"Don't worry. We know you weren't possibly stupid enough to try and run. The boss just sent us over to help you pack, that's all. So come on, show us what you want to take with you, and we'll get it down to the car for you."
"I - " I want to cry.
"Use your words, sweetheart."
I take a step back, but there's nowhere to run.
"I'll just grab my suitcase and get my daughter's things from her room." I stammer, turning towards Elle's room.
I pull her suitcase down from the top of the cupboard while one of the men leans against the doorframe watching me.
I throw whatever is in her cupboard into the case and then grab a few of her teddy bears. She has her favorite one at the hospital with her.
Then I head to the bathroom and start throwing bottles of her meds into my handbag before making my way to my own bedroom to grab my suitcase. All the while the man follows me. Room to room. Leaning on the doorway. Watching me like a hawk.
One of the men picks up Elle's case and another takes mine from my hand. Then one of them takes my handbag away. He opens it.
"Passports. Car keys. Mm. I don't think you'll be needing any of that. I'll hang onto this for you and we can let the boss decide if he trusts you enough to leave you with it."
"Her meds are in there. Please."
"Don't stress. I'll take good care of it."
I bite my bottom lip as my brows knot together in anxious fear.
"Are you done here?" the one who followed me around asks.
"Yes." I sigh, knowing that there is no point in delaying the inevitable. I'm cornered like a mouse in a trap.
"Great stuff. Let's get going then. The car is waiting downstairs."
We ride the elevator together. Me and four massive men. It's crowded and claustrophobic and they keep complaining at each other to move over.
When the doors open they spill out quickly and carry my things towards their car.
One man has a very tight grip on my upper arm and has no intention of letting me go.
I am pushed into the back of the car and have to sit between two of them. There is no room to move or try anything. I'm stuck here.
I'm being taken to Stefano's house and there is absolutely no way that I can get out of this.
They chat amongst themselves on the way home about poker games and burgers. No one speaks to me. All I can hope is that Stefano will keep his word and provide the care for Elle that she needs. That's my biggest fear right now.
Whatever he does to me - I hope he doesn't do to her and she doesn't come to understand that this is actually terrifying for me.
When we pull up outside Stefano's mansion a wave of familiarity washes over me.
I am pulled roughly out of the car and led inside. In the foyer, Matteo walks past me and starts laughing. "You again. It's been a while hey. I heard you were going to be sleeping in the servant's quarters." He laughs again, even louder.
"I wouldn't mind at all, staying on the opposite side of the house to Stefano." I snap back.
"That's not happening." Stefano's voice booms loudly against the high ceilings.
He walks towards me and wraps his hand around my chin, lifting my face up towards his. "I'm glad you kept your word."
I bite down hard on my own teeth to stop myself from saying something stupid.
"You would never have run, would you?"
He stares into my eyes and I stare back with as much force.
He chuckles and lets go of my face.
"Take her up to my room and have her settle in," Stefano says to Matteo and frowns.
As Matteo leads me through the house I used to know so well I realize that nothing about it feels the same. It looks the same. But it doesn't feel the same. The atmosphere is cold and unwelcoming. It feels harsh.
Matteo leads me upstairs and straight towards Stefano's bedroom. When I realize that is where he is taking me I stop dead in my tracks. "I'm not staying in that room," I say sternly.
"Yes, actually, you are," Matteo smirks.
"There are so many rooms in this house. I am not staying in Stefano's room. Take me to another room. Any other room."
Matteo's lips curl into a snarl as he pushes me against the wall. He leans over me and speaks very clearly. "Do I need to remind you that Stefano is busy arranging to have your daughter brought here, to provide her with all the care she needs. And honestly, I think it's best if you do as you're told if you want her to stay safe. Little Elena shouldn't need to suffer because her mother is being a difficult bitch."
I turn my face to the side, away from his. He pushes himself off the wall and I breathe a sigh of relief to have my space back.
He nods his chin towards Stefano's room and walks silently into it.
One bed.
Nothing has changed in here either. Matteo tosses my suitcase into the room.
"Go on, get comfortable. Have a shower, and get changed. Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes and Stefano is expecting you to join him."
He stands in the doorway as though he is waiting for my response.
"Fine." I snap.
He closes the door and I feel all the strength drain out of me.
I sit down on the sofa beneath the window and cry for a full ten minutes before I can pull myself together and head through to the bathroom.
I close the bathroom door in case anyone decides to come into the bedroom while I'm showering. Then I strip off my scrubs and push the shower all the way to the hot side, letting the boiling water bite at my skin and distract me from the flood of emotions that are threatening to drown me.
As the steam fills the shower memories flash through my mind.
Memories of being in this shower with Stefano. Pressed against the tiled wall as he bends me over and fucks me from behind. Memories of him lifting me in his arms and wrapping my legs around his waist while he thrusts into me and my back is pressed against the glass.
I shake my head, not wanting to think about any of that, but struggling to forget it now that I am back here in this place I never wanted to see again.
When I climb out I wrap the towel tightly around my body and use a second towel to dry myself off. It makes me feel more secure to not be standing in this bathroom naked as the day I was born.
When I'm dry I throw on a pair of jeans from my suitcase and an oversize hoodie. I remember the days when I tried my best to look beautiful for Stefano. Those days are long gone.
I pull my towel-dried hair up into a loose, messy bun and after taking one moment to steady my thoughts, I push open the bedroom door and head downstairs towards the dining room.
Stefano is sitting at the table alone. I don't know why I expected his half brother and all of his security guards to be here too. But they aren't. It's just Stefano and me. Alone.
I hate that idea.
"Sit." He demands when he sees me hesitating at the door.
I walk in, trying to look calm and confident, taking a seat as far from him as possible.
He stares at me in silence and I begin to grow more and more uncomfortable.
Finally, the chef comes in and quietly starts placing our dinner on the table.
"Thank you," I say softly.
"A pleasure." The chef responds.
Then he leaves and we are alone again.
"I almost asked him to make calamari." Stefano chuckles. "Just to enjoy watching you suffer through it."
I pull my mouth tight, not enjoying his humor.
"How nice of you to remember that I don't like it after all these years."
"I remember everything about you, Lia. Everything."
I pick up my fork to try and distract myself and start pushing the food around my plate. But there is a question burning on my tongue and as much as I don't ever want to talk to Stefano about Elle, I have to know.
"Where is my daughter?"
"She's at the hospital. Safe. I'm busy having her room set up for her so that when she is released she will have the best care available."
I swallow hard. "She's safe?"
"On my word."
"And I can trust your word?" I blurt out angrily.
"I've never not kept my word, Amelia. If anyone here should be judged for not keeping their word it's you - not me."
I stick my fork into a crumbed mushroom and bite into it. It's delicious. I hate the fact that it's delicious because I don't want to enjoy anything that Stefano is offering. But I'm starving right now. I didn't even have time to eat breakfast and today - well today happened.
I pick up another crumbed mushroom and eat it.
"He's an incredible chef, isn't he. I remembered that your favorite two dishes he made were crumbed mushrooms and pork schnitzels. Such comfort food." Stefano chats as he eats and watches me.
"Why are you making me sleep in your room?" I ask, pushing my plate away from me once I've eaten enough.
"Because it's what I want."
"It's not what I want."
"I don't care what you want, Amelia. You are going to have to learn that. Fast. I get what I want, and you do as you are told. Those are the rules."
"I'm not your pet Stefano. I'm not a toy for you to push around and play with."
He stands up and slams his fists against the table making me jump in my seat.
My heart is pulsing so hard against my rib cage that I have to press my hand over it to soothe it.
"Amelia don't test me. Because either you are sleeping in my room or you can choose to sleep in the basement, perhaps hanging from one of the meat hooks, with the cold air biting against your naked skin."
My eyes shoot wide open at his threat. I stare into his face and realize he isn't joking. He isn't throwing empty threats around. I bite my lower lip, fighting tears for the hundredth time today.
"What about my job?"
"You can keep working, but just remember that if you try to run I will kill your family. I will kill everyone you love, and I will still hunt you down, find you, and hurt you in ways you don't even know exist. I'll have men watching you at all times, just in case you were considering slipping away."
I nod.
"And Amelia, don't bother asking anyone for help. I control this city. I own everyone in it. No one is going to help you."
After a long quiet moment, he walks around the table and places his hands on my shoulder. It's the first time I notice he is limping. He wasn't limping when he walked away from me at the hospital.
His hands brush over my shoulders and up my neck. I shudder beneath his touch because I hate the way it makes me feel. I hate the memories it brings to my body that make me think of happier times.
"It's time to go to bed. It's been a long day I need to rest."
"You can go ahead," I say hopefully.
"Funny." He laughs, pulling me to my feet.
Reluctantly I stand up and he pushes me ahead of him towards the stairs.
I walk up towards his bedroom. I am exhausted. I am bone tired. My eyes are burning, and my thoughts are scattered and uncontrolled. I need sleep so badly, but I doubt I will get any if I am lying in the same bed as this man who has taken me against my will and threatened everyone I love.
He pushes me into the bedroom and shuts the door behind us. He locks the door and pockets the key. Fuck.
Stefano starts undressing as though it is the most natural thing in the world.
He peels off his clothes and tosses them to the floor.
There is a fresh white bandage around his thigh. Bloodstained brightly on the outer side.
I guess that's why he was limping.
My intrusive thoughts tell me to kick him hard right over the wound. But I know it wouldn't achieve anything other than making him angry which will result in consequences I'd rather not think about.
He walks over to his closet and pulls out a pair of black sweatpants. He pulls them on and climbs into bed, throwing the blankets over himself and resting his head on the pillow.
It's as though I am not even here, even though I am locked in his room with him.
He closes his eyes and falls asleep.
I walk over to the sofa and sit down. I can't bring myself to lay in that bed.
I curl up on my side on the sofa, using my jacket as a pillow. It's cold, but I don't care. I'd rather sleep here, away from him, than in his bed.
I have to be patient.
Eventually, there will be an opportunity or a way to get out of this nightmare. He can't keep me forever. Something will happen and I'll be able to get away safely with Elle.
For now, I will do as he says. I'll bide my time.
I close my eyes and despite the horror of today, I do actually fall asleep.
My body needs to rest more than I could ever have imagined.
It's been four days since Stefano forced me to come and live with him.
He insists that I sleep in the same room as him, but I refuse to sleep in his bed.
The sofa in the corner of his bedroom, near the window, is comfortable enough, unfortunately, I still don't manage to get a good night's rest.
There is so much going on in my head when I lie there in the dark, listening to Stefano's breathing.
What will he do if he finds out Elle is his daughter?
But how will he treat her knowing she is someone else's daughter?
I am so scared of her coming to stay here with us. I don't want her to have to stay in the hospital - but at least I know she's safe there.
Although - at this point - is she really safe anywhere?
I toss and turn on the sofa until the morning light begins to creep through the cracks in the blinds, and then I sit up to pull them open, not caring if the light disturbs Stefano.
I hear him mumble and roll over in the bed, but I continue to look out the window over the massive stretch of the garden and watch the sunlight slowly rise over the horizon.
It's Saturday and I don't have to be at the hospital for work today, but I will go down there later to see Elle.
I hear movement from the bed and turn to see Stefano getting up.
He's wearing a pair of sweatpants, no shirt, and for a second I am staring at his toned physique, caught in those memories again. My heart aches, recalling how he used to hold me, how safe I used to feel.
I was so wrong. I should never have let myself fall for such a dangerous man.
"Get up. Your father is coming for breakfast."
I stiffen. "My father?" I ask in shock.
He turns to glare at me.
"I said get up."
"Why is my father coming here?" I demand. I don't want my dad around Stefano. I don't want him near any member of my family. Not after all of the threats he's made.
"Your father requested to meet with me. Of course, I said yes. I would like to hear what he has to say."
I shake my head and throw the blanket aside. If my father is coming here I won't go to the hospital yet. I'd rather be here when he comes.
I rush to get ready, showering quickly and then throwing on a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie.
I rush downstairs when I'm done, wanting to know exactly where Stefano is and if my dad has arrived.
He has, and they are both sitting outside on the patio.
I head towards there and one of Stefano's goons grabs my arm. "Amelia, I was told that they need privacy."
I grab my arm away, pulling hard. "That is my family." I snap at the guard and push past him.
He rushes after me, but I am already out on the patio before he can reach me.
"Sir, I'm sorry; she… "
"It's alright James; she can join us." Stefano nods towards the goon.
I step closer to the table, to my father. I reach out and touch his shoulder. "Are you ok?" I ask quietly.
"Are you ok?" he stands up to hug me. Stefano is watching us closely, a dark smirk on his lips, his eyes piercing into me. He lifts his coffee cup to take a sip.
I hate him in this moment.
I hate him for causing stress to my father, and my family, for taking me, for threatening the people I love. And then he just sits there, smirking.
My heart is beating so nervously that I am sure my father can feel it when we hug.
"I'm ok, Dad."
He nods and sits down again.
"Why don't you tell your daughter why you came to see me?" Stefano continues to smirk.
"Please, consider my request. Let her go. Amelia and my grandchild can come and stay with us. They won't run again. Just let them live with us."